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Introduction Dental anomalies arise due to genetic and environmental factors in the morphodifferentiation stage of odontogenesis lead to alteration in the number and size of the tooth as well as the root.1–3 The knowledge of their prevalence and the extent of involvement can provide valuable information for phylogenic and genetic studies and also help in the understanding of differences among the population and between various population groups.4 We aim to identify the prevalence and distribution of such anomalies according to age and gender. The acquired details of cases will further help the dental clinicians to understand their etiology which can further facilitate their diagnosis and effective management. Also, timely intervention can be achieved. Materials and methods Retrospective study of 4,000 subjects (equal proportion of males and female) of age range from 10 to 40 years were studied. Their radiographs, dental casts, and clinical findings were evaluated for number and size developmental dental anomaly. Results Incidence of overall 331 cases (8.27%) of number and size developmental dental anomalies were recorded with 173 (8.6%) males and 158 (7.9%) females. Hypodontia was the most frequently found dental anomaly in both males (4.9%) and females (4.4%) followed by hyperdontia and supernumerary roots. Microdontia was the most frequently found size anomaly in both males (1.6%) and females (1.9%). Conclusion Hypodontia (4.7%) is the most frequently found numeral anomaly in both males and females. Intergroup study shows a significant statistical difference in cases of hypodontia in the 10–25 years of age-group (6.2%) with a p value ≤ 0.00001. How to cite this article Jain A, Saxena A, Jain S, et al. Prevalence of Developmental Dental Anomalies of Number and Size in Indian Population According to Age and Gender. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(4):531–536.

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke with cancer. Methods We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study from 2016 to 2020 at 2 hospitals. We enrolled 3 groups of 50 adult participants each. The main group included patients with active solid tumor cancer and acute ischemic stroke. The control groups included patients with acute ischemic stroke only or active cancer only. The patients with stroke-only and patients with cancer-only were matched to the patients with cancer-plus-stroke by age, sex, and cancer type, if applicable. The outcomes were prespecified hematological biomarkers and transcranial Doppler microemboli detection. Hematological biomarkers included markers of coagulation (D-dimer and thrombin-antithrombin), platelet function (P-selectin), and endothelial integrity (thrombomodulin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [sICAM-1], and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [sVCAM-1]). Hematological biomarkers were compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests. In multivariable linear regression models, we adjusted for race, number of stroke risk factors, smoking, stroke severity, and antithrombotic use. Transcranial Doppler microemboli presence was compared between groups using chi-square tests. Results Levels of all study biomarkers were different between groups. In univariate between-group comparisons, patients with cancer-plus-stroke had higher levels of D-dimer, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and thrombomodulin than both control groups; higher levels of thrombin-antithrombin than patients with cancer-only; and higher levels of P-selectin than patients with stroke-only. Findings were similar in multivariable analyses. Transcranial Doppler microemboli were detected in 32% of patients with cancer-plus-stroke, 16% of patients with stroke-only, and 6% of patients with cancer-only (p = 0.005). Interpretation Patients with cancer-related stroke have higher markers of coagulation, platelet, and endothelial dysfunction, and more circulating microemboli, than matched controls. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:159-169.

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor is an epithelial origin locally aggressive benign odontogenic tumor. It is an extremely rare neoplasm comprise of

Background Glucose absorption in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) may contribute to adverse metabolic effects. Previous studies on glucose absorption were done on patients on continuous ambulatory PD, with a long dwell time. However, the growing majority of contemporary patients on PD perform automated PD with a short dwell time. Moreover, membrane characteristics and dwell time determine small-solute transport across the peritoneal membrane. Methods In our pilot study, we used data from the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) to develop a model to estimate glucose absorption. In six randomly selected patients on PD, we calculated actual glucose absorption from directly measuring effluent glucose concentration. We then used the R programming language to create a nonlinear, least-squared regression model, inputting PET data, D2/D0, and D4/D0 to generate an exponential decay curve. This model was then used to estimate the fraction of glucose remaining in the dialysate at a particular dwell time t (Dt/D0). Daily glucose absorption was calculated by multiplying 1−Dt/D0 with the amount of glucose the patient was exposed to in 24 hours. Results We observed the mean glucose absorption (89.7±28.8 g/d), as measured from the effluent, very close to our estimate (88.12±28.9 g/d), and the difference between the glucose estimation and actual absorption was not statistically significant (P>0.05), with "W" value of 8. After validating our hypothesis, we randomly selected an independent cohort of 11 patients with ESKD who were on various PD modalities and analyzed their data. We observed that the mean daily glucose absorption of 62.7±24.5 g (27.98–110.35 g), much lower than that reported in the literature, depends on dwell times and membrane characteristics in addition to the amount of glucose absorption in the cohort. Conclusions Our model provides a simple tool for estimating glucose absorption and caloric load in contemporary patients on PD. Hopefully, the accurate estimation of caloric load and the incorporation of it into the daily caloric intake of the individual will help to reduce metabolic consequences of hyperglycemia and weight gain and improve overall outcomes of PD.

Purpose: Most ALK-positive lung cancers will develop ALK-independent resistance after treatment with next-generation ALK inhibitors. MET amplification has been described in patients progressing on ALK inhibitors, but frequency of this event has not been comprehensively assessed. Experimental Design: We performed FISH and/or next-generation sequencing on 207 posttreatment tissue (n = 101) or plasma (n = 106) specimens from patients with ALK-positive lung cancer to detect MET genetic alterations. We evaluated ALK inhibitor sensitivity in cell lines with MET alterations and assessed antitumor activity of ALK/MET blockade in ALK-positive cell lines and 2 patients with MET-driven resistance. Results: MET amplification was detected in 15% of tumor biopsies from patients relapsing on next-generation ALK inhibitors, including 12% and 22% of biopsies from patients progressing on second-generation inhibitors or lorlatinib, respectively. Patients treated with a second-generation ALK inhibitor in the first-line setting were more likely to develop MET amplification than those who had received next-generation ALK inhibitors after crizotinib (P = 0.019). Two tumor specimens harbored an identical ST7-MET rearrangement, one of which had concurrent MET amplification. Expressing ST7-MET in the sensitive H3122 ALK-positive cell line induced resistance to ALK inhibitors that was reversed with dual ALK/MET inhibition. MET inhibition resensitized a patient-derived cell line harboring both ST7-MET and MET amplification to ALK inhibitors. Two patients with ALK-positive lung cancer and acquired MET alterations achieved rapid responses to ALK/MET combination therapy. Conclusions: Treatment with next-generation ALK inhibitors, particularly in the first-line setting, may lead to MET-driven resistance. Patients with acquired MET alterations may derive clinical benefit from therapies that target both ALK and MET.

On 31st December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) China Country Office was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown aetiology detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China.(1) The first cases of COVID-19 outside of China were identified on January 30 in India and it has spread to 210 countries in all world regions by 10th April 2020, with more than 1.6 million confirmed and more than 0.1 million deaths worldwide.(2) Disasters and pandemics pose exceptional challenges to providing health care. Though telemedicine will not solve them all, it is well suited for scenarios in which medical practitioners can evaluate and manage patients. Previous work has specifically described the potential for using telemedicine in disasters and public health emergencies, wherein Patients prioritize convenient and inexpensive care, whether in-person visits becomes the last option for meeting patient needs.(3,4)

The Stafne’s bone cavity is a depression of the mandible on the lingual surface. The Stafne defect is normal anatomical variant because of depression created by salivary gland tissue associated with the submandibular gland. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is newer radiological tool for diagnosing maxillofacial diseases and dental implant planning. The Stafne bony cavity is incidental finding in dental radiographs and CBCT. We are reporting five cases of Stafne bone cavity with pictures of CBCT to emphasize the preferable imaging modality for diagnosing Stafne’s bone cavity. Keywords: Stafne bone cavity, Static bone cavity, Stafne cyst, Idiopathic bone cavity.

Background and Purpose— Comorbid cancer is common in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). As blood mRNA profiles can distinguish AIS mechanisms, we hypothesized that cancer-related AIS would have a distinctive gene expression profile. Methods— We evaluated 4 groups of 10 subjects prospectively enrolled at 3 centers from 2009 to 2018. This included the group of interest with active solid tumor cancer and AIS and 3 control groups with active cancer only, AIS only, or vascular risk factors only. Subjects in the AIS-only and cancer-only groups were matched to subjects in the cancer-stroke group by age, sex, and cancer type (if applicable). Subjects in the vascular risk factor group were matched to subjects in the cancer-stroke and stroke-only groups by age, sex, and vascular risk factors. Blood was drawn 72 to 120 hours after stroke. Total RNA was processed using 3′ mRNA sequencing. ANOVA and Fisher least significant difference contrast methods were used to estimate differential gene expression between groups. Results— In the cancer-stroke group, 50% of strokes were cryptogenic. All groups had differentially expressed genes that could distinguish among them. Comparing the cancer-stroke group to the stroke-only group and after accounting for cancer-only genes, 438 genes were differentially expressed, including upregulation of multiple genes/pathways implicated in autophagy signaling, immunity/inflammation, and gene regulation, including IL (interleukin)-1, interferon, relaxin, mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, SQSTMI1 (sequestosome-1), and CREB1 (cAMP response element binding protein-1). Conclusions— This study provides evidence for a distinctive molecular signature in blood mRNA expression profiles of patients with cancer-related AIS. Future studies should evaluate whether blood mRNA can predict detection of occult cancer in patients with AIS. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02604667.

BACKGROUND Antibiotic use can result in reduced efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), presumably because of dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiome. We sought to determine the precise temporal relation between antibiotic therapy and its possible effects on ICB efficacy. We also investigated the histologic changes in the tumor microenvironment secondary to antibiotics use. METHODS AND OBJECTIVES This was a single institution retrospective study that evaluated the impact of antibiotics on outcomes of patients with advanced or metastatic malignancy who were treated with ICB. Use of antibiotics among patients treated with ICB was assessed during a 12-week period before and after initiation of ICB. The primary outcome was response to ICB. Histologic changes in the tumor microenvironment following antibiotics use were also examined. RESULTS Between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2018, 414 patients were identified who received ICB, and 207 patients (50%) received antibiotics within 12 weeks (before/after) of initiation of ICB. In univariate analysis, antibiotic use following initiation of ICB was associated with a significantly reduced response (odds ratio [OR]: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2-0.52, P

Introduction: One-tenth of patients with stroke have cancer. We previously identified mRNA profiles differentiating patients with stroke and cancer, stroke only, and cancer only. In this study, we investigated mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) transcriptomes to identify potential miRNA regulators that underlie the observed mRNA changes. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 4 groups of subjects at 3 centers from 2009-2020. This analysis included 41 subjects with ischemic stroke plus cancer, 42 subjects with ischemic stroke only, 28 subjects with cancer only, and 30 vascular risk factor controls. Stroke-only and cancer-only subjects were matched to stroke-plus-cancer subjects by age, sex, and cancer type. We performed miRNA and mRNA sequencing on blood drawn 72-120 hours after stroke. ANCOVA estimated differential expression of miRNA and mRNA between groups (FDR p1.2). Analyses were adjusted for time from stroke onset, sex, age, vascular risk factors and batch. Results: We identified differential expression in 36 miRNA and 264 corresponding mRNA targets between the stroke-plus-cancer and stroke-only groups after accounting for cancer-only expression (Fig 1). Immune and coagulation pathways, including complement, platelet glycoproteins, TGF-β, and mTOR signaling, were overrepresented in stroke-plus-cancer vs stroke-only subjects. T cell, B cell and platelet precursor-specific genes were also overrepresented in stroke-plus-cancer subjects. When compared to other groups, stroke-plus-cancer subjects had 230 unique mRNA encoding for transcriptional regulators, including those involving splicing, epigenetics, and mediator complex genes bridging transcription factors and RNA transcriptional machinery. Conclusion: Patients with stroke and cancer had distinct signatures of miRNA and target mRNA compared to stroke patients without cancer, supporting the hypothesis that cancer-related stroke is a unique subgroup of ischemic stroke.

PURPOSE The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) produced an evidence-based guideline on radiation therapy (RT) for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Because of the relevance of this topic to ASCO membership, ASCO reviewed the guideline, applying a set of procedures and policies used to critically examine guidelines developed by other organizations. METHODS The ASTRO guideline on RT for SCLC was reviewed for developmental rigor by methodologists. Then, an ASCO Expert Panel reviewed the content and the recommendations. RESULTS The ASCO Expert Panel determined that the recommendations from ASTRO guideline on RT for SCLC, published in June 2020, are clear, thorough, and based upon the most relevant scientific evidence. ASCO endorsed ASTRO guideline on RT for SCLC with a few discussion points. RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations addressed thoracic radiotherapy for limited-stage SCLC, role of stereotactic body radiotherapy in stage I or II node-negative SCLC, prophylactic cranial radiotherapy, and thoracic consolidation for extensive-stage SCLC. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/thoracic-cancer-guidelines .

Previous phase 2 trials of neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 monotherapy in patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer have reported major pathological response rates in the range of 15-45%. Evidence suggests that stereotactic body radiotherapy might be a potent immunomodulator in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this trial, we aimed to evaluate the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy in patients with early-stage NSCLC as an immunomodulator to enhance the anti-tumour immune response associated with the anti-PD-L1 antibody durvalumab.We did a single-centre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial, comparing neoadjuvant durvalumab alone with neoadjuvant durvalumab plus stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with early-stage NSCLC, at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medical Center (New York, NY, USA). We enrolled patients with potentially resectable early-stage NSCLC (clinical stages I-IIIA as per the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer) who were aged 18 years or older with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either neoadjuvant durvalumab monotherapy or neoadjuvant durvalumab plus stereotactic body radiotherapy (8 Gy × 3 fractions), using permuted blocks with varied sizes and no stratification for clinical or molecular variables. Patients, treating physicians, and all study personnel were unmasked to treatment assignment after all patients were randomly assigned. All patients received two cycles of durvalumab 3 weeks apart at a dose of 1·12 g by intravenous infusion over 60 min. Those in the durvalumab plus radiotherapy group also received three consecutive daily fractions of 8 Gy stereotactic body radiotherapy delivered to the primary tumour immediately before the first cycle of durvalumab. Patients without systemic disease progression proceeded to surgical resection. The primary endpoint was major pathological response in the primary tumour. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT02904954, and is ongoing but closed to accrual.Between Jan 25, 2017, and Sept 15, 2020, 96 patients were screened and 60 were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the durvalumab monotherapy group (n=30) or the durvalumab plus radiotherapy group (n=30). 26 (87%) of 30 patients in each group had their tumours surgically resected. Major pathological response was observed in two (6·7% [95% CI 0·8-22·1]) of 30 patients in the durvalumab monotherapy group and 16 (53·3% [34·3-71·7]) of 30 patients in the durvalumab plus radiotherapy group. The difference in the major pathological response rates between both groups was significant (crude odds ratio 16·0 [95% CI 3·2-79·6]; p0·0001). In the 16 patients in the dual therapy group with a major pathological response, eight (50%) had a complete pathological response. The second cycle of durvalumab was withheld in three (10%) of 30 patients in the dual therapy group due to immune-related adverse events (grade 3 hepatitis, grade 2 pancreatitis, and grade 3 fatigue and thrombocytopaenia). Grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in five (17%) of 30 patients in the durvalumab monotherapy group and six (20%) of 30 patients in the durvalumab plus radiotherapy group. The most frequent grade 3-4 events were hyponatraemia (three [10%] patients in the durvalumab monotherapy group) and hyperlipasaemia (three [10%] patients in the durvalumab plus radiotherapy group). Two patients in each group had serious adverse events (pulmonary embolism [n=1] and stroke [n=1] in the durvalumab monotherapy group, and pancreatitis [n=1] and fatigue [n=1] in the durvalumab plus radiotherapy group). No treatment-related deaths or deaths within 30 days of surgery were reported.Neoadjuvant durvalumab combined with stereotactic body radiotherapy is well tolerated, safe, and associated with a high major pathological response rate. This neoadjuvant strategy should be validated in a larger trial.AstraZeneca.

The build-up of plaque in the carotid artery, passing through the neck region, leads to the narrowing of the arterial lumen, known as stenosis. Arterial stenosis affects the supply of blood to the brain and may result into stroke if the plaque is dislodged. This study aims to evaluate stenosis influenced hemodynamics of the carotid artery and its effect on the bio-heat transfer to the external neck skin surface. Physiological flow condition, in a reconstructed 3-dimensional (3D) carotid artery model, was simulated using a transient finite volume numerical scheme. In addition to normal carotid arteries (non-stenosed models, NN = 8), models with an average degree of stenosis (ND = 8) of 43 ± 17% were numerically simulated, and a comparative study was performed. The carotid artery model was also encapsulated with a solid neck tissue phantom resembling the human neck. Therefore, a conjugate bio-heat transfer problem was numerically solved. Significant variation in the top-neck skin surface temperature contours was observed between stenosed and non-stenosed cases. This numerical study forms the basis for neck thermal feature-based carotid stenosis diagnosis in the future.

Background: Recent epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that obesity is a major risk factor for Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Regular intake of high fat-containing diet can promote obesity and metabolic syndrome by increasing the insulin resistance and inflammatory response which contribute to carcinogenesis. Previously, we have shown that inhibition of polyol pathway enzyme aldose reductase (AR) prevents carcinogens- and inflammatory growth factorsinduced CRC. However, the effect of AR inhibition on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced formation of intestinal polyps in Apc-deficient Min (multiple intestinal neoplasia; ApcMin/+) mice is not known. Methods: We examined the effect of AR inhibitor, fidarestat on the HFD-induced formation of preneoplastic intestinal polyps in ApcMin/+ mice which is an excellent model of colon cancer. Results: APCMin/+ mice fed for 12 weeks of HFD caused a significant increase in the formation of polyps in the small and large intestines and fidarestat given along with the HFD prevented the number of intestinal polyps. Fidarestat also decreased the size of the polyps in the intestines of HFDtreated APC Min mice. Further, the expression levels of beta-catenin, PCNA, PKC-β2, P-AKT, Pp65, COX-2, and iNOS in the small and large intestines of HFD-treated mice significantly increased, and AR inhibitor prevented it. Conclusion: Our results thus suggest that fidarestat could be used as a potential chemopreventive drug for intestinal cancers due to APC gene mutations.

In the present study, a novel single thermal image reconstruction method, from the transient image series in active dynamic thermography (ADT), is proposed. ADT is performed with an external stimulation in the form of cooling, over the forearm skin tissue of a human subject, and the resulting transient images (due to thermal recovery) are captured using a non-contact Infrared (IR) thermal camera. A unique tissue activity ratio ( TAR ), the ratio of thermal recovery rate to excitation rate is calculated at each pixel, and hence, a single thermal image (called TAR image) is reconstructed. Using a conventional single image reconstruction method in ADT called Tau (τ) image method, a comparative study is performed, which reveals that the blood vessel contrast produced by the TAR image is at least 1.3 times higher than the equivalent τ image. Further, using this TAR image, the diameter of the blood vessel is calculated, and the values are compared with the τ image and the earlier reported thermography results on the same subjects, which reveals that the reconstructed TAR image is an equivalent qualitative and quantitative representation of transient sequence images. The method devised can further be implemented for medical ADT procedures.

The output of Photovoltaic (PV) panel varies with panel temperature and in order to obtain uniform output from PV panels, water cooling system is recommended by several researchers worldwide. In this study, a laboratory scale experimental setup is developed (irradiance over the PV panel is varied from 87.38 W/m 2 to 359.17 W/m 2 and back to initial value in a triangular cyclic shape analogous to daytime radiation variation) for intermittent and continuous water cooling, which is tested for different flow rates. A mathematical analysis of temperature over PV panel with and without water cooling system is also done. For intermittent cooling case, three different flow rates of 3 lit/min, 5.3 lit/min, and 6.2 lit/min are used, which give an increase in total energy produced against no cooling operation of about 18% for all the three cases. The test results for continuous cooling (wherein a fixed flow rate of 0.6 lit/min was maintained), the total energy produced increases by approximately 29% against no-cooling operation. The proposed method of cooling the PV panels can be integrated with the water supply system of domestic dwellings. Further, a parametric study is carried out in order to choose the appropriate capacity of pump required for the operation. The proposed approach of integrating cooling of PV panels and water supply minimizes water loss (except evaporation loss) and reuses the cooling water back into the main water supply system of the dwelling. It is observed that the continuous cooling system with a water pump of appropriate capacity improves the performance of PV panels while keeping the consumption of water to minimum.

A Japan Society of Clinical Oncology (JSCO)-hosted expert meeting was held in Japan on 27 October 2019, which comprised experts from the JSCO, the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology (JSMO), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the Taiwan Oncology Society (TOS). The purpose of the meeting was to focus on what we have learnt from both microsatellite instability (MSI)/deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) biomarkers in predicting the efficacy of anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) immunotherapy, and the neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions in predicting the efficacy of inhibitors of the tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) proteins across a range of solid tumour types. The recent regulatory approvals of the anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab and the TRK inhibitors larotrectinib and entrectinib, based on specific tumour biomarkers rather than specific tumour type, have heralded a paradigm shift in cancer treatment approaches. The purpose of the meeting was to develop international expert consensus recommendations on the use of such tumour-agnostic treatments in patients with solid tumours. The aim was to generate a reference document for clinical practice, for pharmaceutical companies in the design of clinical trials, for ethics committees in the approval of clinical trial protocols and for regulatory authorities in relation to drug approvals, with a particular emphasis on diagnostic testing and patient selection. Copyright © 2020 European Society for Medical Oncology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Unlike passive infrared (IR) thermal imaging/thermography, where no external stimulation is applied, active dynamic thermography (ADT) results in a high contrast thermal image. In ADT, transient thermal images of the skin surface are captured using an IR thermal camera while the skin surface is stimulated externally, followed by a recovery phase. Upon the application of external stimulation, the presence of stenosis in the carotid artery is expected to differ the recovery rate of the external neck skin surface from the case with no stenosis. In this prospective study, using an external cooling stimulation, the ADT procedure was performed on a total of 54 (N) samples (C: N = 19, 0% stenosis; D1: N = 17, 10%-29% stenosis; D2: N = 18, ≥30% stenosis using Duplex Ultrasound). Analyzing the ADT sequence with a parameter called tissue activity ratio (TAR), the samples were classified using a cut-off value: C versus (D1+D2) and (C + D1) versus D2. As the degree of stenosis increases, the value of the TAR parameter depreciates with a significant difference among the sample groups (C:0.97 ± 0.05, D1:0.80 ± 0.04, D2:0.75 ± 0.02; p

Spinal metastasis is a common condition in metastatic cancer patients and may lead to debilitating neurological dysfunction and pain if left unaddressed. Comprehensive assessment and management involves a multidisciplinary team consisting of neurological surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and other specialties. Herein, we review the role of systemic anticancer therapies in the management of metastatic spinal disease. We also discuss the most recent data on the effects of systemic therapies on bone-specific and general clinical outcomes in patients with spinal metastases.

In the present study, an infrared (IR) thermal camera was used to map the temperature of the target skin surface, and the resulting thermal image was evaluated for the presence of carotid artery stenosis (CAS). In the presence of stenosis in the carotid artery, abnormal temperature maps are expected to occur on the external skin surface, which could be captured and quantified using IR thermography. A Duplex Ultrasound (DUS) examination was used to establish the ground truth. In each patient, the background-subtracted thermal image, referred to as full thermal image, was used to extract novel parametric cold thermal feature images. From these images, statistical features, viz., correlation, energy, homogeneity, contrast, entropy, mean, standard deviation (SD), skewness, and kurtosis, were calculated and the two groups of patients (control and diseased: a total of 80 carotid artery samples) were classified. Both cut-off value- and support vector machine (SVM)-based binary classification models were tested. While the cut-off value classification model resulted in a moderate performance (70% accurate), SVM was found to have classified the patients with high accuracy (92% or higher). This preliminary study suggests the potential of IR thermography as a possible screening tool for CAS patients.

In the past few decades, imaging has been developed to a high level of sophistication. Improvements from one-dimension (1D) to 2D images, and from 2D images to 3D models, have revolutionized the field of imaging. This not only helps in diagnosing various critical and fatal diseases in the early stages but also contributes to making informed clinical decisions on the follow-up treatment profile. Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) may potentially cause debilitating stroke, and its accurate early detection is therefore important. In this paper, the technical development of various CAS diagnosis imaging modalities and its impact on the clinical efficacy is thoroughly reviewed. These imaging modalities include duplex ultrasound (DUS), computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). For each of the imaging modalities considered, imaging methodology (principle), critical imaging parameters, and the extent of imaging the vulnerable plaque are discussed. DUS is usually the initial recommended CAS diagnostic examination. However, for the therapeutic intervention, either MRA or CTA is recommended for confirmation, and for added information on intracranial cerebral circulation and aortic arch condition for procedural planning. Over the past few decades, the focus of CAS diagnosis has also shifted from pure stenosis quantification to plaque characterization. This has led to further advancement in the existing imaging tools and development of other potential imaging tools like Optical coherence tomography (OCT), photoacoustic tomography (PAT), and infrared (IR) thermography. Published version

Context Patient prognostic understanding is improved by oncologists’ discussions of life expectancy. Most patients deem it important to discuss prognosis with their oncologists, but a minority of cancer patients within months of death report that they had such a discussion with their oncologist. Objectives To query stakeholders about their perspectives on the clinical approach and utility of an Oncolo-GIST manualized communication intervention, designed to enhance oncologists’ ability to convey the gist of prognostic information simply, clearly, and effectively in the setting of progressing solid tumors and limited life expectancy. Methods We obtained and analyzed feedback on the intervention from solid tumor oncology clinicians and bereaved family caregivers, soliciting opinions on the clinical approach taken in the videos, acceptability and likely impact of the instructions, and specific phrases recommended in the manual. Results Twenty stakeholders (9 clinicians, 11 caregivers) participated. All agreed that oncologists should broach prognosis with patients, balancing honesty and sensitivity. Participants also advocated for oncologists to involve interprofessional team members (e.g., nurses, social workers) when serious mental health concerns arose. After the research team's discussion of the stakeholder feedback, the manual was modified to include or exclude preferred language and approaches. Conclusion The Oncolo-GIST intervention was characterized as simple and potentially effective at conveying prognoses to advanced cancer patients. Future research should determine if this approach to medical communication, which distills the essence of prognostic messages clearly and simply, is associated with improvements in patients’ prognostic understanding.

Solar linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) system is a simple and cost effective technology for heat generation for medium temperature (

// Trang Nguyen-Vu 1, * , Jun Wang 1, * , Fahmi Mesmar 1 , Srijita Mukhopadhyay 1 , Ashish Saxena 1 , Catherine W. McCollum 1 , Jan-Ake Gustafsson 1, 2 , Maria Bondesson 1, 3 , Cecilia Williams 1, 2, 4 1 Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA 2 Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden 3 Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA 4 Science for Life Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, KTH The Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Cecilia Williams, email: Cecilia.williams@scilifelab.se Keywords: colorectal cancer, PROX1, estrogen receptor, microRNA, metastasis Received: October 05, 2015 Accepted: May 25, 2016 Published: June 07, 2016 ABSTRACT Colon cancer is a common cause of cancer death in the Western world. Accumulating evidence supports a protective role of estrogen via estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) but the mechanism of action is not known. Here, we elucidate a molecular mechanism whereby ERβ represses the oncogenic prospero homebox 1 (PROX1) through the upregulation of miR-205. We show that PROX1 is a potential target of miR-205 and that in clinical specimens from The Cancer Genome Atlas data, ERβ and miR-205 are decreased in colorectal cancer tissue compared to non-tumorous colon, while PROX1 levels are increased. Through mechanistic studies in multiple colorectal cancer cell lines, we show that ERβ upregulates miR-205, and that miR-205 targets and represses PROX1 through direct interaction with its 3’UTR. Through the generation of intestine-specific ERβ knockout mice, we establish that this pathway is correspondingly regulated in normal intestinal epithelial cells in vivo . Functionally, we demonstrate that miR-205 decreases cell proliferation and decreases migratory and invasive potential of colon cancer cells, leading to a reduction of micrometastasis in vivo . In conclusion, ERβ in both normal and cancerous colon epithelial cells upregulates miRNA-205, which subsequently reduces PROX1 through direct interaction with its 3’UTR. This results in reduced proliferative and metastatic potential of the cells. Our study proposes a novel pathway that may be exploited using ERβ-selective agonists and/or miR-205-replacement therapy in order to improve preventive and therapeutic approaches against colon cancer.

DNA damaging agents cause rapid shrinkage of tumors and form the basis of chemotherapy for sarcomas despite significant toxicities. Drugs having superior efficacy and wider therapeutic windows are needed to improve patient outcomes. We used cell proliferation and apoptosis assays in sarcoma cell lines and benign cells; γ-H2AX expression, comet assay, immunoblot analyses and drug combination studies in vitro and in patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. BO-1055 caused apoptosis and cell death in a concentration and time dependent manner in sarcoma cell lines. BO-1055 had potent activity (submicromolar IC50) against Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, intermediate activity in DSRCT (IC50 = 2-3μM) and very weak activity in osteosarcoma (IC50 >10μM) cell lines. BO-1055 exhibited a wide therapeutic window compared to other DNA damaging drugs. BO-1055 induced more DNA double strand breaks and γH2AX expression in cancer cells compared to benign cells. BO-1055 showed inhibition of tumor growth in A673 xenografts and caused tumor regression in cyclophosphamide resistant patient-derived Ewing sarcoma xenografts and A204 xenografts. Combination of BO-1055 and irinotecan demonstrated synergism in Ewing sarcoma PDX models. Potent activity on sarcoma cells and its relative lack of toxicity presents a strong rationale for further development of BO-1055 as a therapeutic agent.

TPS3648 Background: Trophoblast cell surface antigen (Trop-2) is highly expressed in many epithelial cancers (non–small-cell lung cancer [NSCLC], endometrial cancer, urothelial carcinoma [UC], and triple-negative breast cancer [TNBC]) and has been linked to aggressive disease and poor prognosis. SG is a Trop-2–directed antibody drug conjugate containing SN-38 (active metabolite of irinotecan) with a 7.5:1 drug-to-antibody ratio and unique hydrolyzable linker that allows for extracellular bystander effect. The phase 1/2 IMMU-132-01 basket study reported clinical activity with SG in patients with multiple tumor types not selected for Trop-2 expression including NSCLC (objective response rate [ORR]: 17%), TNBC (ORR: 33%), and UC (ORR: 31%).1-3 Results from the overall safety population (N=420) from this study found that SG was tolerable, with a predictable and manageable safety profile, and low discontinuation rates due to AEs. Methods: To test a biomarker-enrichment strategy with Trop-2, the TROPiCS-03 (TROP-2 Investigations in Cancer with SG) study was initiated. TROPiCS-03 (NCT03964727) is a multi-cohort, open-label, phase 2 study in patients with metastatic solid tumors - presently NSCLC (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and endometrial cancer - selected based on elevated Trop-2 expression by a validated IHC assay. Patients receive SG (10 mg/kg IV, days 1 and 8 every 21 days) and continue treatment until lack of clinical benefit or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint is objective response rate (local assessment) and additional endpoints include clinical benefit rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, and safety. Females or males ≥18 years old who are histologically documented to have locally advanced or metastatic (M1, stage 4) solid tumors of the above types are eligible. Patients must have ECOG 0 or 1 and adequate clinical laboratory results to be enrolled. All subjects will have progressed after prior platinum-based chemotherapy and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) or programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) directed therapy. Patients who have previously received topoisomerase I inhibitors and those with known active CNS metastases are excluded. Approximately 160 patients will be enrolled in the trial overall; enrollment in the NSCLC cohort is currently in progress. References: Heist RS et al. J Clin Oncol. 2017;35:2790-7, Bardia A et al., NEJM. 2019;380:741-51.,Tagawa ST et al., Oral presentation; ASCO-GU 2019, San Francisco, CA. Clinical trial information: NCT03964727 .

12090 Background: Malnutrition is an underrecognized predictor of inferior cancer related outcomes. Subjective global assessment (SGA), a brief validated survey for malnutrition, may predict increased CT toxicity. This phase II RCT was performed to validate SGA as a predictive tool for malnutrition and to evaluate the impact of MINT on CT associated toxicity. Methods: CT naive pts screened by SGA were assigned to well-nourished (SGA A) or malnourished (SGA B/C) cohorts. Both cohorts were followed for CT delivery, toxicity, quality of life (QOL) by FACT-G, biomarkers, radiology, and survival. SGA B/C pts, stratified by regimen/disease, were randomized 1:1 to MINT vs. usual care. The MINT cohort received weekly registered dietician counseling and symptom assessment over the 8-week study period. Percent standard and planned CT doses were calculated. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used for differences between groups, log-rank tests for survival, and multivariable linear regression for adjusted comparisons. Results: 186 eligible pts were enrolled (94 SGA A, 92 SGA B/C). SGA A were younger (median age [range]; 63 [22, 89] vs. 70 [22, 91], p = 0.011) and more fit (ECOG 0-1; 96.8% vs. 72.8%, p < 0.001). Baseline QOL was higher for SGA A (median [range], 87 [34, 115]) vs SGA B/C (70 [31, 101], p < 0.001). SGA A was associated with higher CT delivery: median proportion of planned CT (1 [Q1 0.87, Q3 1] vs 0.94 [0.70, 1], p = 0.022) and standard CT (0.91 [0.72, 1] vs. 0.74 [0.57, 0.95] p < 0.001). Adjusted for age/ECOG, SGA A remained associated with > 80% of planned (OR 2.32, p = 0.05) and standard (OR 2.33, p = 0.04) CT. SGA B/C pts (n = 92) were randomized to MINT vs usual care: median nutrition encounters MINT 5.5 vs. usual care 0.5; we observed no differences in CT delivery: median proportion of planned CT (0.91 [0.69, 1] vs. 0.94 [0.74, 1], p = 0.84) and standard CT (0.75 [0.58, 0.96] vs 0.71 [0.52, 0.99], p = 0.59). SGA A was associated with a longer 12-month survival (77.8% [95% CI 69.6%, 86.9%]) vs. B/C (53.3% [42.8%, 66.4%], p < 0.0001; 12-month survival was similar for MINT (52.3% [38.1%, 71.9%]) vs usual care (54.4% [40.2%, 73.6%], p = 0.58). Conclusions: SGA is a validated tool to characterize malnutrition in pts receiving CT. Malnourished pts received significantly less CT, experienced worse baseline QOL, and had worse 12-month survival. Intensive medical nutrition therapy was not associated with differences in CT associated toxicity. Novel nutritional interventions are still needed to improve pt outcomes.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the major lung inflammatory diseases that are characterized by expiratory airflow limitation, chronic inflammation, and structural and functional changes of airways. Although steroids are most commonly used to treat asthma and COPD, their compliance in adults and more often in children is poor, and a number of patients do not respond to steroids. We have recently demonstrated that inhibition of polyol pathway enzyme, aldose reductase (AR), is effective in the prevention of airway inflammation in rodent models of asthma and COPD. Specifically, our studies indicate that AR inhibitors prevent increase in NF-κB-dependent expression of inflammatory cytokines, eosinophil accumulation in airways and bronchial subepithelium, mucus production, airway epithelial cell death, and goblet cell metaplasia in cultured cell lines as well as in vivo acute and chronic mouse models of lung diseases. The AR inhibitors have already undergone phase-II and phase-III clinical trials in diabetic neuropathy and found to be safe in humans with no major irreversible side effects. In this chapter, we discuss the role of AR in oxidative stress-mediated lung inflammatory complications and potential significance of developing AR inhibitors to treat various lung inflammatory diseases.

Lung cancer is a major global health problem, as it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Major advances in the identification of key mutational alterations have led to the development of molecularly targeted therapies, whose efficacy has been limited by emergence of resistance mechanisms. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies targeting angiogenesis and more recently immune checkpoints have reinvigorated enthusiasm in elucidating the prognostic and pathophysiological roles of the tumour microenvironment in lung cancer. In this Review, we highlight recent advances and emerging concepts for how the tumour-reprogrammed lung microenvironment promotes both primary lung tumours and lung metastasis from extrapulmonary neoplasms by contributing to inflammation, angiogenesis, immune modulation and response to therapies. We also discuss the potential of understanding tumour microenvironmental processes to identify biomarkers of clinical utility and to develop novel targeted therapies against lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The second-generation ALK inhibitor alectinib recently demonstrated superior efficacy compared to the first-generation ALK inhibitor crizotinib in advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), establishing alectinib as the new standard first-line therapy. Brigatinib, another second-generation ALK inhibitor, has demonstrated substantial activity in patients with crizotinib-refractory ALK-positive NSCLC; however, its activity in the alectinib-refractory setting is unknown. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective study was performed at three institutions. Patients were eligible if they had advanced, alectinib-refractory ALK-positive NSCLC and were treated with brigatinib. Medical records were reviewed to determine clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were eligible for this study. Confirmed objective responses to brigatinib were observed in 3 of 18 patients (17%) with measurable disease. Nine patients (50%) had stable disease on brigatinib. The median progression-free survival was 4.4 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.8–5.6 months] with a median duration of treatment of 5.7 months (95% CI, 1.8–6.2 months). Among nine patients in this study who underwent post-alectinib/pre-brigatinib biopsies, five had an ALK I1171X or V1180L resistance mutation; of these, one had a confirmed partial response and three had stable disease on brigatinib. One patient had an ALK G1202R mutation in a post-alectinib/pre-brigatinib biopsy, and had progressive disease as the best overall response to brigatinib. CONCLUSIONS: Brigatinib has limited clinical activity in alectinib-refractory ALK-positive NSCLC. Additional studies are needed to establish biomarkers of response to brigatinib and to identify effective therapeutic options for alectinib-resistant ALK-positive NSCLC patients.

Although didymin, a flavonoid-O-glycosides compound naturally found in the citrus fruits, has been reported to be a potent anticancer agent in the prevention of various cancers, its role in the prevention of cardiovascular complications is unclear. Most importantly, its effect in the prevention of endothelial dysfunction, a pathological process involved in the atherogenesis, is unknown. We have examined the efficacy of didymin in preventing the high glucose (HG; 25 mM)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) dysfunction. Our results indicate that incubation of HUVECs with HG resulted in the loss of cell viability, and pre-incubation of didymin prevented it. Further, didymin prevented the HG-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde. Pretreatment of HUVECs with didymin also prevented the HG-induced decrease in eNOS and increase in iNOS expressions. Further, didymin prevented the HG-induced monocytes cell adhesion to endothelial cells, expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 and activation of NF-κB. Didymin also prevented the release of various inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in HG-treated HUVECs. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that didymin with its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions prevents hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction and death. Thus, it could be developed as a potential natural therapeutic agent for the prevention of cardiovascular complications in diabetes.

The recent emergence of targeted and immunotherapeutic agents has dramatically changed the management for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite these advances, lung cancer is not exempt from the challenges facing oncology drug development, including the huge financial cost and the time required for drug implementation. Repositioning noncancer therapies with potential antineoplastic properties into new therapeutic niches is an alternative treatment strategy offering the possibility of saving money and time and improving outcomes. The goal of such a strategy is to deliver an effective drug with a favorable toxicity profile at a reduced cost. Preclinical models and observational data have demonstrated promising activity for many of these agents, and they are now being studied in prospective trials. We review the relevant published data regarding the therapeutic effects of metformin, statins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, β-blockers, and itraconazole in NSCLC, with a focus on the putative mechanisms of action and clinical data. As these drugs are increasingly being tested in clinical trials, we aim to highlight the salient challenges and future strategies to optimize this approach. Implications for Practice: The staggering failure rates, exorbitant costs, and lengthy approval process associated with drug development in lung cancer warrants exploration of alternative strategies. The repositioning of approved noncancer medications to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a unique opportunity to improve outcomes by delivering an effective drug at lower costs with manageable toxicity. Several such agents have demonstrated antineoplastic activity and are being studied in NSCLC patient populations. The present review highlights the relevant literature regarding these agents’ therapeutic effects and reports on the challenges in implementing this strategy moving forward, including a discussion of ongoing phase I, II, and III trials.

Despite doxorubicin (Dox) being one of the most widely used chemotherapy agents for breast, blood and lung cancers, its use in colon cancer is limited due to increased drug resistance and severe cardiotoxic side effects that increase mortality associated with its use at high doses. Therefore, better adjuvant therapies are warranted to improve the chemotherapeutic efficacy and to decrease cardiotoxicity. We have recently shown that aldose reductase inhibitor, fidarestat, increases the Dox-induced colon cancer cell death and reduces cardiomyopathy. However, the efficacy of fidarestat in the prevention of Dox-induced endothelial dysfunction, a pathological event critical to cardiovascular complications, is not known. Here, we have examined the effect of fidarestat on Dox-induced endothelial cell toxicity and dysfunction in vitro and in vivo. Incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with Dox significantly increased the endothelial cell death, and pre-treatment of fidarestat prevented it. Further, fidarestat prevented the Dox-induced oxidative stress, formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of Caspase-3 in HUVECs. Fidarestat also prevented Dox-induced monocyte adhesion to HUVECs and expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Fidarestat pre-treatment to HUVECs restored the Dox-induced decrease in the Nitric Oxide (NO)-levels and eNOS expression. Treatment of HUVECs with Dox caused a significant increase in the activation of NF-κB and expression of various inflammatory cytokines and chemokines which were prevented by fidarestat pre-treatment. Most importantly, fidarestat prevented the Dox-induced mouse cardiac cell hypertrophy and expression of eNOS, iNOS, and 3-Nitrotyrosine in the aorta tissues. Further, fidarestat blunted the Dox-induced expression of various inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in vivo. Thus, our results suggest that by preventing Dox-induced endothelial cytotoxicity and dysfunction, AR inhibitors could avert cardiotoxicity associated with anthracycline chemotherapy.

Pancreatic necrosis is a complex and challenging complication of severe acute pancreatitis and it occurs in to of patients with acute pancreatitis It represents one of the most serious complications of severe acute pancreatitis with a mortality rate of to Majority of necrosis are sterile and can be managed conservatively However approximately of pancreatic necrosis develop infection and need an invasive intervention due to aggressive course A minimal invasive step up approach using percutaneous catheter drainage or endoscopic transluminal drainage is currently replacing more invasive open necrosectomy This review provides an overview of patho physiology clinical feature and management of pancreatic necrosis

Nowadays, microprocessors and microcontrollers are widely used in the field of modern power system schemes. But these devices are slow due to their sequential approach. Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) works on concurrent architecture and advantage of reusability. Time delay constraint is a crucial factor in different applications of modern power system schemes such as relays, energy meters, and Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU). In this paper, different FPGA-based modules are implemented which work on pipelined architecture instead of traditional microprocessors and microcontrollers which are sequential in nature. Time delay in the sense, process, and communication cycles is reduced due to concurrent working modules of the FPGA. In this paper, various FPGA modules are implemented on GENESYS XILINX VIRTEX 5 XC5VLX50T FPGA Board for implementing digital energy meter. Modules are implemented in Very High Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Descriptive Language (VHDL) with the help of different Intellectual Property (IP) cores. Test results are presented and communicated to the hyper-terminal.

Multimodality imaging techniques are becoming the norm in medical imaging. Using a combination of techniques, clinicians can make a more informed diagnosis. In the case of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), a combination of CT and MRI imaging techniques is used to diagnose and subsequently decide on surgical intervention. Clinicians use a maximum transverse diameter metric of 55 mm to recommend surgery in AAA patients based on the images obtained. However, the clinical metric by itself is not sufficient to prognose rupture. Hence, a mechanics-based approach can be employed to extract biomechanical parameters such as wall shear stress and principal stresses to predict rupture well in advance. With the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), these parameters can be estimated from a fluid–structure interaction (FSI)-based analysis of the abnormal aorta. Patient-specific geometry and boundary conditions such as velocity, pressure, and material properties are used in these methods. In this chapter, an FSI-based approach to study the rupture mechanics of AAA is discussed in detail. Subsequently, the need of studying AAA in Asian population is outlined and a case study is presented on a patient-specific model to illustrate the mechanics-based approach in predicting rupture in AAA. Results from the case study reveal that the maximum transverse diameter is not the sole determinant of AAA rupture risk. Hence, mechanics-based method supplements the image-based techniques for better patient management.

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) occur because of dilation of the infra-renal aorta to more than 150% of its initial diameter. Progression to rupture is aided by several pathophysiological and biomechanical factors. Surgical intervention is recommended when the aneurysm maximum transverse diameter (DAAA) exceeds 55 mm. A system model that incorporates biomechanical parameters will improve prognosis and establish a relationship between AAA geometry and rupture risk. Two Asian patient-specific AAA geometries were obtained from an IRB-approved vascular database. A biomechanical model based on the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) method was developed for a small aneurysm with DAAA of 35 mm and a large aneurysm with a corresponding diameter of 75 mm. The small aneurysm (patient 1) developed a maximum principal stress (PS1) of 3.16e5 Pa and the large aneurysm (patient 2) developed a PS1 of 2.32e5 Pa. Maximum deformation of arterial wall was 0.0020 m and 0.0022 m for patients 1 and 2 respectively. Location of maximum integral wall shear stress (WSS) (fluid) was different from that of PS1. Induced WSS was also higher in patient 1 (18.74 Pa vs 12.88 Pa). An FSI model incorporating the effect of both the structural and fluid domains aids in better understanding of the mechanics of AAA rupture. Patient 1, having a lower DAAA than patient 2, developed a larger PS1 and WSS. It may be concluded that DAAA may not be the sole determinant of AAA rupture risk. Accepted version

The global policy agenda of agriculture is based around producing sufficient food, feed, and fiber to meet the needs of the world’s growing population (Anonymous 2009). Additionally, agricultural cropping systems have been challenged to create oil-based fuels and plant-based bio-products, reduce use of pesticides, and develop crops tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, crop cultivars with higher yields and resistance to important pests are required to meet food requirements in a sustainable manner. Technological advances for developing bio-products, improved crop cultivars, and pest and/or herbicide-tolerant crops are predicated on the use of plant biotechnology.

Soft-tissue calcification of the head-and-neck region is now commonly seen because of the advent and increased usage of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dentistry. The purpose of this study is to construe the radiographic characteristics in CBCT of the soft-tissue calcifications in the head-and-neck region. The soft-tissue calcifications of the head-and-neck region may arise from pathological mineralization by deposition of calcium phosphate essentially in an unorganized manner known as “heterotopic calcification.” The three types of heterotopic calcifications are dystrophic calcifications, metastatic calcifications, and idiopathic calcifications (calcinosis). These calcifications can include sialoliths, calcified lymph nodes, carotid artery calcifications, and many more which present themselves with different radiographic presentations. These calcifications can be detected by different two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging techniques, among which CBCT proves to be the best radiographic tool in most of the cases. The anatomic location, number, distribution, pattern, and size of calcifications are important interpretative criteria in radiographic evaluation of soft-tissue calcifications. Soft-tissue calcifications though usually asymptomatic are quite common in the head-and-neck region. An apt radiographic imaging aids in reaching up to the precise diagnosis which may enhance their approach and management by clinicians.

The inferior alveolar nerve canal opening in the anterior labial aspect called mental foramen (MF) is a vital anatomic landmark of the mandible, through which the mental nerve and blood vessels emerge. The importance of MF is particularly associated with dental implant placement and various surgical procedures within this region. It is elementary to use caution in and around the MF region during surgical procedures and implant placement to avoid nerves and vessel injury. Anatomic variations of the MF are often found, like the prevalence of multiple foramina and unusual locations in the mandible. On rare occasions, the absence of MF is often detected. The modern imaging-resource cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) permits correct three-dimensional assessment of MF and identification of its variations. This article aims to report the unilateral absence of MF detected in CBCT images of a 70 years-old male patient.

In this study, the effect of carotid artery stenosis on the neck skin temperature maps was investigated. With the presence of stenosis, alterations in the carotid artery hemodynamics bring about changes in the heat transfer to the surrounding tissue. This is expected to be captured in the resulting temperature map over the external neck skin surface; possibly it correlates to the presence of stenosis. A total of twenty carotid artery samples, from ten patients with both sides normal (0% stenosis), stenosis (>50%) on one side, and stenosis (>50%) on both sides, were studied. Duplex Ultrasound and infrared (IR) thermography examinations were performed. A computational study, on an ideal 3-dimensional (3D) carotid artery and jugular vein model encapsulated with a solid neck tissue phantom resembling the human neck, was carried out. Incorporating the patient-specific geometrical (depth of artery and stenosis) and flow (peak systolic and end diastolic inlet velocity) boundary conditions, conjugate bio-heat transfer was studied using a finite volume numerical scheme. Simulation results and in-vivo thermal maps show that the average temperature on the external neck skin surface is significantly higher for normal patients (32.82 ± 0.53 °C versus 32.00 ± 0.37 °C, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the thermal region of interests (TROIs) were extracted from the in-vivo thermal images, which both qualitatively and quantitatively distinguish the normal and diseased cases. This study suggests the potential of thermal feature-based screening of patients with carotid artery stenosis. Nanyang Technological University The authors acknowledge the SingHealth-NTU collaborative research grant (Grant number: SHS-NTU/014/2016) for the funding support to carry out this project.

Type-2 diabetes and obesity-related metabolic abnormalities are major risk factors for the development of colon cancer. In the present study, we examined the effects of polyol pathway enzyme aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor, fidarestat, on the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic premalignant lesions in C57BL/KsJ-db/db obese mice. Our results indicate that fidarestat given in the drinking water caused a significant reduction in the total number of colonic premalignant lesions in the AOM treated obese mice. Further, the expression levels of PKC-β2, AKT, COX-2 and iNOS in the colonic mucosa of AOM-treated mice were significantly decreased by fidarestat. The serum levels of IL-1α, IP-10, MIG, TNF-α and VEGF are significantly suppressed in AOM + fidarestat treated obese mice. Fidarestat also decreased the expression of COX-2, iNOS, XIAP, survivin, β-catenin and NF-κB in high glucose-treated HT29 colon cancer cells. In conclusion, our results indicate that fidarestat inhibits the development of colonic premalignant lesions in an obesity-related colon cancer and is chemopreventive to colorectal carcinogenesis in obese individuals.

Despite intraoperative clinical evaluation, development of post-breast reconstruction surgery flap necrosis is not uncommon. This results in prolonged healing or the need for a secondary corrective procedure to remove the necrosis part. In the present study, to predict the post-operative necrosis risk (within 24 h), novel passive and active dynamic thermography-based quantitative parameters were tested. Thirty-two patients, undergoing breast reconstruction surgery, were recruited, on whom, post-surgery passive and active infrared (IR) thermography examinations were performed. Using the resultant quantitative parameters, a cut-off value-based classification model was tested that resulted in a highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 89%, 87%, and 88%, respectively, for the passive thermography examination performed just after the surgery.

The buildup of plaque in the carotid artery leads to the narrowing of the arterial lumen, known as stenosis. Arterial stenosis affects the supply of blood to the brain and may result in stroke if the plaque is dislodged. This study aims to evaluate stenosis influenced hemodynamics of the carotid artery and its effect on the bio-heat transfer to the external neck skin surface. Systolic and Diastolic carotid artery flow inlet conditions, using a finite volume numerical scheme, are simulated with the inclusion of varied stenosis degree in the carotid model (25%–90%). A 3-dimensional (3D) conjugate heat transfer study is performed on an idealized carotid artery geometry, encapsulated in a tissue model resembling the human neck. With no significant difference in the average external neck skin temperature, variation in the temperature contours is observed between stenosed and non-stenosed cases. With the increase in the carotid artery stenosis, a quantitative change, the presence of a colder region called ‘cold feature’, in external neck skin temperature features is reported. This numerical study will prove to be a strong basis for future patient-specific evaluations.