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Banana fiber is a natural bast fiber which has wide range of uses in handicraft product developments such as mat, rope and twines, but only 10% of its pseudo stem is being used for making products and remaining is waste or used as fertilizer. As it has a property like weatherproof, UV protection (because of lignin content), moisture absorption, anti-oxidant and bio degradable etc., it can be used to make variety of products that help farmers economically and have wide scope to create new market. Recent studies have indicated banana fiber possesses a lot of advantageous physical and chemical properties which can be used a very good raw material for the textile and packaging industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C virus infection is a major health problem all over the world. A large proportion of patients infected by HCV develop liver cirrhosis or cancer. However, the mechanism(s) remain to be elucidated. Since HCV does not carry any known oncogene, it is thought that interaction between virally encoded proteins and host proteins is responsible for carcinogenesis. Many crucial interactions between HCV-encoded proteins and host proteins have been reported. In this review we focus on the interaction of viral proteins with important regulators of cell cycle--oncoproteins YB-1, p53, and cyclin D1--which play a major role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, DNA repair, and genomic stability. Genetic variants of HCV accumulate in patients and alter these interactions of host cell proteins. It is a battle between the virus and host and the final outcome depends on the winner; if the host succeeds in clearing the virus the patient may not develop serious liver diseases. On the other hand, if the virus dominates by evolving quasispecies which code for altered proteins that interact differently with host proteins, or induce mutations in host protooncogenes, then the patient may develop liver cirrhosis and/or liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myogenous temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the most common type of nonodontogenic pain. The diagnosis is often elusive since diagnosing such conditions often requires a more comprehensive patient assessment. At present, there is no simple one-step diagnostic test to help render a definitive diagnosis of myogenous TMD pain. The twin-block injection can serve as a diagnostic aid to facilitate diagnosis of such myogenous TMD. The twin-block injection blocks the innervation to both the temporalis and masseter muscles, the two most common sources of referred pain to the teeth. This article reviews the twin-block technique along with a case report illustrating its potential role in the diagnosis and management of myogenous TMD pain of masseteric and temporalis origin.

Orofacial pain can often be the chief complaint of many systemic disorders. Cysticercosis involving the lateral pterygoids may cause limitation of mouth opening and may mimic clinical symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder. A 37-year-old female presented with 1-month-old complaint of limited mandibular range of motion. She reported a similar episode a year earlier and was diagnosed with a temporomandibular joint disorder by her primary dentist. Comprehensive intra- and extra-oral examinations were performed, which revealed a limitation of mouth opening accompanied by mild limitation of contralateral excursion. A magnetic resonance imaging revealed a ring-enhancing lesion within the left pterygoid muscle suggestive of cysticercosis. The patient was referred to her primary care physician for further treatment and given physical therapy (stretching exercises) to improve mouth opening. One week later, she developed lesions in the arm and trunk. Further ultrasound imaging of the abdomen and the forearms confirmed the diagnosis of cysticercosis. She was treated with albendazole, physiotherapy, joint stabilization appliance, and had eventual complete recovery. This case emphasizes the importance of diagnosis of a systemic condition that may have serious implications, if untreated, and the importance of a comprehensive evaluation, workup, and multidisciplinary management.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare and correlate sagittal condylar guidance determined by intraoral gothic arch tracing method and panoramic radiograph in edentulous patients. Materials and Methods: Twelve completely edentulous patients were selected by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Conventional steps in the fabrication of complete denture till jaw relation were carried out. Intraoral gothic arch tracing and protrusive interocclusal records were obtained for each patient. Protrusive interocclusal record was used to program the Hanau Wide-Vue semi-adjustable articulator, thus obtaining the sagittal condylar guidance angle. Using RadiAnt DICOM software, on the orthopantomogram obtained for each patient in the study, two reference lines were drawn. The Frankfort's horizontal plane and the mean curvature line (joining the most superior and the inferior points on the glenoid fossa curvature) were drawn. The mean curvature line was extended to intersect the Frankfort's horizontal plane, thus obtaining the radiographic sagittal condylar guidance angle. The condylar guidance angles obtained by these two methods were compared and subjected to paired t-test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the sagittal condylar guidance angles obtained between right and left sides with intraoral gothic arch tracing and radiographic methods (P = 0.107 and 0.07, respectively). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the protrusive condylar guidance angles obtained by panoramic radiograph may be used for programming semi-adjustable articulators.

Background: The CXCR4/SDF-1α axis plays a vital role in the retention of stem cells within the bone marrow and downstream activation of cell survival signaling pathways. LY2510924, a second generation CXCR4, showed significant anti-leukemia activity in a murine AML model.Methods: We conducted a phase I study to determine the safety and toxicity of LY2510924, idarubicin and cytarabine (IA) combination therapy in relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML. Eligible patients were 18–70 years of age receiving up to salvage 3 therapy. A peripheral blood absolute blast count of < 20,000/μL was required for inclusion. LY2510924 was administered daily for 7 days followed by IA from day 8. Two dose escalation levels (10 and 20 mg) were evaluated, with a plan to enroll up to 12 patients in the phase I portion.Results: The median age of the enrolled patients (n = 11) was 55 years (range, 19–70). Median number of prior therapies was 1 (1–3). Six and five patients were treated at dose-levels “0” (10 mg) and “1” (20 mg), respectively. Only one patient experiencing a dose limiting toxicity (grade 3 rash and myelosuppression). Three and one complete responses were observed at dose-levels “0” and “1,” respectively; the overall response rate (ORR) was 36% (4 of 11 patients). A ≥ 50% decrease in CXCR4 mean fluorescence intensity was observed in 4 of 9 patients by flow cytometry, indicating incomplete suppression of CXCR4-receptor occupancy.Conclusions: The combination of LY2510924 with IA is safe in R/R AML. Dose-escalation to a 30 mg LY2510924 dose is planned to achieve complete blockade of CXCR4 receptor occupancy, followed by expansion phase at the recommended phase 2 dose-level.

The behavior of slack mercerized and stretched cotton towards hydrolytic degradation is reported, together with data on the acid hydrolysis studies of these mercerized yarns. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A case of the bifid rib was found during routine bone study. The distal part of the osseous rib bifurcated into two divisions with an angle of 60°. Both divisions had their own costal cartilage. Bifid rib is a congenital abnormality of the rib cage and usually asymptomatic, often discovered incidentally on chest X-ray. Effects of this neuroskeletal anomaly can include respiratory difficulties and neurological limitations.

Introduction Gemcitabine, a cytotoxic drug, is used to treat a variety of solid tumors, such as pancreatic, lung, and breast malignancies. The efficiency rates for gemcitabine have decreased due to an increase in genetic instability. The association between gene polymorphisms and the efficacy of gemcitabine therapy may be better known by understanding the intricacies of genetics that target a few or more genes in drug-targeting metabolic pathways. Moreover, several studies have documented differences in the therapeutic response among various ethnicities to gemcitabine chemotherapy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the normative frequencies of gene polymorphisms linked to the metabolic pathway of gemcitabine ( DCK -360C>G (80143932), SLC29A1 -201A>G (760370), SLC29A1 +913C>T (9394992), SLC29A3 +4967C>A (10999776)) in Southern part of Indian healthy population and compared it with the 1000 genome population. In addition, the association of the above single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with lung cancer susceptibility was also evaluated. Methods The present study used real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for performing genotyping in 184 healthy participants as well as 123 South Indian patients with lung cancer. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of the aforementioned genetic variants were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p > 0.05). Results The minor allele frequencies (MAF) of the SNPs DCK -360C>G (80143932), SLC29A1 -201A>G (760370), SLC29A1 +913C>T (9394992), SLC29A3 +4967C>A (10999776) were 3.8%, 17.7%, 27.7%, 29.3% respectively in healthy population. The MAF of the SNPs, DCK -360C>G (80143932), SLC29A1 -201A>G (760370), SLC29A1 +913C>T (9394992), SLC29A3 +4967C>A (10999776) in lung cancer patients was 2%, 15%, 23.2%, and 24.4% respectively. A trend toward a protective effect against lung cancer was observed with SLC29A1 +913C>T (9394992). Conclusion The observed frequencies of alleles and genotypes in the South Indian population were significantly different as compared to the 1000 genome population. In the present study, an association of SLC29A1 rs9394992 C>T between lung cancer patients and healthy subjects showed a trend toward protective effect against lung cancer risk. There was no association found between the other studied SNPs and lung cancer risk., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institute Ethics Committee (Human Studies), JIPMER, Puducherry, India issued approval JIP/IEC/2014/4/310. This is to certify that the project no. JIP/IEC/2014/4/310 has been approved by the Institute Ethics Committee (Human Studies), JIPMER, Puducherry, India, at the meeting held on 27.06.2014. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, T et al.)

Introduction: The cancer burden is rising every year. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers and non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type. Chemotherapy based on platinum drugs and third-generation nucleoside anti-metabolites such as gemcitabine are used widely. Gemcitabine has a complex metabolic pathway, with many mechanisms contributing to its cytotoxicity. Derangements in the metabolic pathway genes contribute to drug resistance and toxicity with this drug. Association studies including these genetic polymorphisms in the metabolic pathway, clinical outcomes, and cancer risk reported inter-individual differences. Thus, the aim of this study was to ascertain the role of these genetic variants in South Indian cancer patients treated with gemcitabine-based therapy., Methods: The study was done with 184 healthy volunteers for frequency establishment and 123 cancer patients were treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for response and toxicity assessment. The participants were aged 18-65 years and resided in the southern states of India. DNA extraction was done from the leukocyte fraction of the blood by phenol-chloroform extraction procedures and genotyping was done by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques to identify DNA repair gene polymorphisms. Tumor response was determined using Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) guidelines and toxicity using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.03. The patients were followed up for survival analysis., Results: The minor allele frequency of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) NRF2-617 C>A (rs6721961) in the healthy population was 12.8%. SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p>0.05). Gender-based differences were not observed with the studied SNP in the healthy population and the lung cancer patients. These frequencies of NRF2 were found to be similar when compared to EUR (European) and all the South Asian subpopulations. They are significantly divergent compared to AFR (African), AMR (American), and EAS (East Asian) populations. The minor allele frequency in cancer patients was found to be 14.2% and the lung cancer risk with the SNP studied could not be detected. There was no association found with the response, toxicity, and survival among lung cancer patients., Conclusion: NRF2, being a multifaced molecule, did not show a significant association with lung cancer risk, response, and toxicity in patients with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institute Ethics Committee (Human Studies), JIPMER, Puducherry, India issued approval JIP/IEC/2014/4/310 dated June 27, 2014. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Devika et al.)

Objectives: Nerve injury may lead to pain and sensory changes such as dysesthesia and paresthesia. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a psychophysical testing method used to quantify nerve damage and monitor its recovery. Duloxetine is used in the management of neuropathic pain conditions, but its effect on taste recovery has not been previously reported., Case Representation: A 65-year-old female, presented to the orofacial pain clinic, with a chief complaint of a burning sensation on the tongue, taste changes and a feeling of tightness beneath the tongue for five months. She reported that the complaints began subsequent to a complicated dental extraction during which she experienced trauma to the tongue. Patient was advised to take duloxetine 60 mg in divided doses three times daily. The assessment and monitoring of the recovery pattern were performed using QST. Electrical taste detection (mediated by chorda tympani) and electrical detection/tingling thresholds were performed at periodic intervals for up to a year following the nerve injury in the chorda tympani and lingual nerve territory. The patient reported complete recovery in taste sensation with duloxetine and this correlated with the QST results. QST documented at the end of one year revealed the electrical taste detection threshold and electrical detection threshold return to near normal values., Conclusions: QST may be a useful diagnostic tool to assess and monitor lingual and chorda tympani nerve injuries. Duloxetine may aid in the recovery of the taste changes following lingual and chorda tympani nerve injury., (© 2020 Khan Junad et al., published by De Gruyter, Berlin/Boston.)