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Objectives: To investigate the influence of micro-osteoperforation (MOP) on rate of orthodontic tooth movement and pain perception with fixed appliances., Design: 2 arm parallel randomized controlled trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1., Setting: The outpatient department of a dental college., Participants: 105 patients were screened, out of which 60 met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate; consisting of 33 females and 27 males requiring en-masse retraction following first premolar extractions., Methods: The experimental group consisted of patients bonded with a fixed appliance (Gemini 3M) who received MOP distal to canines throughout the period of retraction every 28 days. These were compared with a control group treated with identical brackets without MOP and were assessed for rate of tooth movement (canine retraction) and pain perception using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of 10 mm., Results: Prior to commencement, all baseline parameters were matched between the two groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant increase in rate of tooth movement in the MOP group (p<0.05)., Conclusion: MOP appears to enhance the rate of tooth movement with no differences in pain perception.

Monodispersed Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) having size of 7 nm have been prepared from iron oleate and made water dispersible by functionalization for biomedical applications. Three different reactions employing thioglycolic acid, aspartic acid and aminophosphonate were performed on oleic acid coated Fe 3 O 4 . In order to achieve a control on particle size, the pristine nanoparticles were heated in presence of ferric oleate which led to increase in size from 7 to 11 nm. Reaction parameters such as rate of heating, reaction temperature and duration of heating have been studied. Shape of particles was found to change from spherical to cuboid. The cuboid shape in turn enhances magneto-crystalline anisotropy (K u ). Heating efficacy of these nanoparticles for hyperthermia was also evaluated for different shapes and sizes. We demonstrate heat generation from these MNPs for hyperthermia application under alternating current (AC) magnetic field and optimized heating efficiency by controlling morphology of particles. We have also studied intra-cellular uptake and localization of nanoparticles and cytotoxicity under AC magnetic field in human breast carcinoma cell line.

Background and Aims: Patients undergoing ovarian cancer surgery after chemotherapy and requiring opioid-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) are at high-risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). We aimed to assess the effect of palonosetron and dexamethasone combination for these patients for prevention of PONV., Methods: This study included 2 groups and 150 patients. At the time of wound closure, patients in group A received ondansetron 8 mg intravenous (IV) + dexamethasone 4 mg IV and group B received palonosetron 0.075 mg IV + dexamethasone 4 mg IV. Postoperatively for 48 hours, group A patients received ondansetron 4 mg 8 hourly IV, group B patients received normal saline 8 hourly IV in 2 cc syringe. The primary objective was the overall incidence of PONV. Independent t -test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used and multivariate regression analysis was done., Results: Vomiting was significantly higher in group A (37.3%) as compared with group B (21.3%) at 0-48 hours ( P = 0.031). Significantly more patients in Group A had nausea as compared with group B at 90-120 minutes (30.66% vs 18.66%, P = 0.043) and 6-24 hours (32.0% vs 22.66%, P = 0.029). PCA opioid usage in microgram was significantly higher in group A at 0-24 hours (690.53 ± 332.57 vs 576.85 ± 250.79, P = 0.024) and 0-48 hours (1126.10 ± 512.18 vs 952.13 ± 353.85, P = 0.030)., Conclusion: Palonosetron with dexamethasone is more effective than ondasetron with dexamethasone for prevention of PONV in post-chemotherapy ovarian cancer surgeries receiving opioid-based patient controlled analgesia., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

The Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer at the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade (CARIBU) facility was used to measure the masses of eight neutron-rich isotopes of Nd and Sm. These measurements are the first to push into the region of nuclear masses relevant to the formation of the rare-earth abundance peak at A∼165 by the rapid neutron-capture process. We compare our results with theoretical predictions obtained from "reverse engineering" the mass surface that best reproduces the observed solar abundances in this region through a Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. Our measured masses are consistent with the reverse-engineering predictions for a neutron star merger wind scenario.

The structure of deformed neutron-rich nuclei in the rare-earth region is of significant interest for both the astrophysics and nuclear structure fields. At present, a complete explanation for the observed peak in the elemental abundances at A∼160 eludes astrophysicists, and models depend on accurate quantities, such as masses, lifetimes, and branching ratios of deformed neutron-rich nuclei in this region. Unusual nuclear structure effects are also observed, such as the unexpectedly low energies of the first 2^{+} levels in some even-even nuclei at N=98. In order to address these issues, mass and β-decay spectroscopy measurements of the ^{160}Eu&#95;{97} and ^{162}Eu&#95;{99} nuclei were performed at the Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade radioactive beam facility at Argonne National Laboratory. Evidence for a gap in the single-particle neutron energies at N=98 and for large deformation (β&#95;{2}∼0.3) is discussed in relation to the unusual phenomena observed at this neutron number.

A reversed phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) method was developed to simultaneously detect and quantify creatinine, quinolinic acid, gentisic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in urine. These four bio-markers are present in relatively high concentrations in urine. Using a 5% methanol in water mobile phase with 0.6% acetic acid and a Zorbax C 18 column, baseline resolution for all four biomarkers in synthetic urine was achieved. Better resolution was obtained for the separation of these four compounds when water rich mobile phases were used. Detection of the four biomarkers in urine using the proposed RPLC method is limited by background from the urine matrix for the later eluting compounds and from the dead marker for earlier eluting compounds.

Continued evolution of highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses causing high mortality in humans obviates need for broadly cross-reactive vaccines. For this, hemagglutinin (HA) inducing specific protective antibodies, highly conserved nucleoprotein (NP), and ectodomain of matrix (M2e) protein, either singly or in combination, were evaluated in BALB/c mice. Recombinant HA and NP (baculovirus system) and M2e (synthetic peptide) and 3 adjuvants, that is, liposomes, Mw (heat killed Mycobacterium w), and alum were utilized for the homologous virus challenge. Additional immunogens included liposome-encapsulated HA/NP proteins and corresponding DNAs. Mice groups received two doses of respective formulations given at 3-week intervals and challenged intranasally with 100LD50 of H5N1 virus strain. Dynamics of weight loss, lung viral load, titres of IgG-anti-HA, NP, and M2e antibodies (ELISA), and IgG-subtype analysis was done. Two doses of all the formulations led to 100% seroconversion against the immunogens evaluated (100% seroconversion after the first dose in majority). Antibody titres against the components were dependent on the adjuvant and combination. HA-driven Th2 response with all the adjuvants, balanced Th1/Th2 response to NP protein, and Th2-bias with alum were noted. Low anti-M2e antibody titres did not allow subtype analysis. On challenge, complete protection was observed with Mw-HA, alum-HA+NP, Lipo-HA+NP+M2e, alum-HA+NP+M2e, and HA-DP formulations with 12-fold, 8-fold, 720-fold, 17-fold, and no reduction, respectively, in lung viral load. In conclusion, the results identify several adjuvant-immunogen combinations conferring 100% protection in mice that need further evaluation in higher animals.

Introduction: The incidence of melanoma has increased over the last decade. The Breslow thickness is one of the most important histological parameters. The gold standard for histological diagnosis is an excision biopsy. Incisional, punch or shave biopsies are not recommended as they are often incomplete and can result in false negatives., Objective: To assess the validity of incision versus excision biopsies in the prediction of Breslow thickness in the histopathological analysis of malignant melanoma., Methods: A retrospective review of histopathological records was conducted for all patients undergoing incision biopsy for malignant melanoma. The Breslow thicknesses of the incisional biopsies were matched to the later corresponding excisional biopsies. The demographical data, site of melanoma and histological subtype were also examined., Results: Sixty patients between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2013 were identified. The most common area biopsied was the upper and lower limbs - 50%. The Breslow thickness and Clark's level were found to be significantly increased in excision versus incision biopsy specimens. Nine patients had differing mitotic rates which were all higher in the excision biopsy samples., Conclusion: Our data supports the UK national guidelines on the management of malignant melanoma in that incisional biopsies are not indicated in the diagnostic pathway of malignant melanoma.

In the standard model, the weak interaction is formulated with a purely vector-axial-vector (V-A) structure. Without restriction on the chirality of the neutrino, the most general limits on tensor currents from nuclear β decay are dominated by a single measurement of the β-ν[over ¯] correlation in ^{6}He β decay dating back over a half century. In the present work, the β-ν[over ¯]-α correlation in the β decay of ^{8}Li and subsequent α-particle breakup of the ^{8}Be^{*} daughter was measured. The results are consistent with a purely V-A interaction and in the case of couplings to right-handed neutrinos (C&#95;{T}=-C&#95;{T}^{'}) limits the tensor fraction to |C&#95;{T}/C&#95;{A}|^{2}<0.011 (95.5% C.L.). The measurement confirms the ^{6}He result using a different nuclear system and employing modern ion-trapping techniques subject to different systematic uncertainties.

This investigation reports the preparation of agglomerated Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and evaluation of its utility as a viable carrier in the preparation of radiolanthanides as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of arthritis. The material was synthesized by a chemical route and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, EDX and TEM analysis. The surface of agglomerated particle possessed ion pairs (-O - :Na + ) after dispersing particles in a NaHCO 3 solution at pH = 7 which is conducive for radiolanthanide (*Ln = 90 Y, 153 Sm, 166 Ho, 169 Er, 177 Lu) loading by replacement of Na + ions with tripositive radiolanthanide ions. Radiolanthanide-loaded particulates exhibited excellent in vitro stability up to ∼3 half-lives of the respective lanthanide radionuclides when stored in normal saline at 37 °C. The radiochemical purities of the loaded particulates were found to be retained to the extent of >70% after 48 h of storage when challenged by a strong chelator DTPA present at a concentration as high as 5 mM, indicating fairly strong chemical association of lanthanides with agglomerated Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. Biodistribution studies of 90 Y and 166 Ho-loaded particulates carried out after intra-articular injection into one of the knee joints of a normal Wistar rat revealed near-complete retention of the radioactive preparations (>98% of the administered radioactivity) within the joint cavity even after 72 h post injection. This was further confirmed by sequential whole-body radio-luminescence imaging. These experimental results are indicative of the potential use of radiolanthanide-loaded agglomerated Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles for the treatment of arthritis.

The gyraseB subunit of Staphylococcus aureus DNA gyrase is a well-established and validated target though less explored for the development of novel antimicrobial agents. Starting from the available structural information in PDB (3TTZ), we identified a novel series of benzimidazole used as inhibitors of DNA gyraseB with low micromolar inhibitory activity by employing structure-based drug design strategy. Subsequently, this chemical class of DNA gyrase inhibitors was extensively investigated biologically through in vitro assays, biofilm inhibition assays, cytotoxicity, and in vivo studies. The binding affinity of the most potent inhibitor 10 was further ascertained biophysically through differential scanning fluorimetry. Further, the most potent analogues did not show any signs of cardiotoxicity in Zebra fish ether-a-go-go-related gene (zERG), a major breakthrough among the previously reported cardiotoxic gyraseB inhibitors., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The incidence of postoperative pharyngolaryngeal complications after laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion can be as high as 50%. Over-inflation of the LMA cuff may be a causal factor. We conducted a single-centre parallel group randomised trial to determine whether maintaining LMA-ProSeal intra-cuff pressures below 60 cm H2O decreases postoperative pharyngolaryngeal complications., Methods: We recruited 120 adult patients who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Appropriate sized LMA-ProSeal was inserted and the cuff was inflated with air (to no more than the maximum recommended volume) until there was no audible leak. Patients were randomised to either the control group (n = 60), where the intra-cuff pressure was noted and no further action was taken, or to the pressure-monitored group (n = 60), where intra-cuff pressure was maintained below 60 cm H2O. Pharyngolaryngeal complications consisting of sore throat, dysphonia and dysphagia were assessed at 1, 2, and 24 h postoperatively. Patients, anaesthesiologists and assessors were blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of any pharyngolaryngeal complication at any of the three time points. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of individual outcomes at each time point., Results: The incidence of pharyngolaryngeal complications at any time point was 42% in the routine care group and 32% in the pressure-monitored group (95% CI for difference +28 to -7%, p = 0.26). There was no difference between groups for any of the secondary outcomes., Conclusion: Our study failed to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in postoperative pharyngolaryngeal complications by limiting intra-cuff pressures in the LMA-Proseal.

Background: Recently, we have reported antihypertensive activity of oleanolic acid (OA) in glucocorticoid-induced hypertension with restoration of nitric oxide (NO) level. However, the involvement of NO-releasing action of OA was unclear., Objective: To explore antihypertensive activity of OA in N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) hypertensive rats wherein NO is completely blocked, which would allow exploring the possibility of involvement of NO-releasing action of OA., Materials and Methods: Five groups of rats were investigated as normal control, L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day), L-NAME + enalapril (15 mg/kg/day), L-NAME + l-arginine (100 mg/kg/day), and L-NAME + OA (60 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. The systolic blood pressure, body weight, and heart rate were measured weekly for 4 weeks. Serum nitrate/nitrite (NOx) level, urine electrolytes concentration, cardiac mass index, and serum creatinine level were determined followed by organ histopathology., Results: OA and enalapril delayed the rise in blood pleasure following L-NAME administration. Decreased serum NOx level was not significantly increased with any of the treatment. OA produced a small, though nonsignificant, increase in the NOx level. L-NAME administration did not affect cardiac mass index. There was an increase in serum creatinine upon L-NAME administration which was prevented by OA. Decreased urine volume, urine sodium and potassium were reversed by OA., Conclusion: These results suggest that the antihypertensive effect of OA in L-NAME hypertension is due to diuresis and nephroprotection. However, OA has nonsignificantly affected the NO levels.

Cancer can have profound social and economic consequences for people in India, often leading to family impoverishment and societal inequity. Reported age-adjusted incidence rates for cancer are still quite low in the demographically young country. Slightly more than 1 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year in a population of 1.2 billion. In age-adjusted terms this represents a combined male and female incidence of about a quarter of that recorded in western Europe. However, an estimated 600,000-700,000 deaths in India were caused by cancer in 2012. In age-standardised terms this figure is close to the mortality burden seen in high-income countries. Such figures are partly indicative of low rates of early-stage detection and poor treatment outcomes. Many cancer cases in India are associated with tobacco use, infections, and other avoidable causes. Social factors, especially inequalities, are major determinants of India's cancer burden, with poorer people more likely to die from cancer before the age of 70 years than those who are more affluent. In this first of three papers, we examine the complex epidemiology of cancer, the future burden, and the dominant sociopolitical themes relating to cancer in India., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer has made mass measurements of 33 neutron-rich nuclides provided by the new Californium Rare Isotope Breeder Upgrade facility at Argonne National Laboratory. The studied region includes the 132Sn double shell closure and ranges in Z from In to Cs, with Sn isotopes measured out to A=135, and the typical measurement precision is at the 100 ppb level or better. The region encompasses a possible major waiting point of the astrophysical r process, and the impact of the masses on the r process is shown through a series of simulations. These first-ever simulations with direct mass information on this waiting point show significant increases in waiting time at Sn and Sb in comparison with commonly used mass models, demonstrating the inadequacy of existing models for accurate r-process calculations.

Background and Objective: Regenerative medicine involves the bioengineering of a functional tissue or organ by seeding living cells on a biodegradable scaffold cultured in a bioreactor. A major barrier to creating functional tissues, however, has been the inability to monitor the dynamic and complex process of scaffold maturation in real time, making control and optimization extremely difficult. Current methods to assess maturation of bioengineered constructs, such as histology or organ bath physiology, are sample-destructive. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has recently emerged as a key modality for structural assessment of native blood vessels as well as engineered vessel mimics. The objective of this study was to monitor and assess in real time the development of a bioengineered blood vessel using a novel approach of combining both free-space and catheter-based OCT imaging in a new quartz-walled bioreactor. Development of the blood vessel was characterized by changes in thickness and scattering coefficient over a 30-day period., Materials and Methods: We constructed a novel blood vessel bioreactor utilizing a rotating cylindrical quartz cuvette permitting free-space OCT imaging of an installed vessel's outer surface. A vascular endoscopic OCT catheter was used to image the lumen of the vessels. The quartz cuvette permits 360 degree, free-space OCT imaging of the blood vessel. Bioengineered blood vessels were fabricated using biodegradable polymers (15% PCL/collagen, ∼300 µm thick) and seeded with CH3 10t1/2 mesenchymal stem cells. A swept-source OCT imaging system comprised of a 20 kHz tunable laser (Santec HSL2000) with 1,300 nm central wavelength and 110 nm FWHM bandwidth was used to assess the vessels. OCT images were obtained at days 1, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 30. Free-space (exterior surface) OCT images were co-registered with endoscopic OCT images to determine the vessel wall thickness. DAPI-stained histological sections, acquired at same time point, were evaluated to quantify wall thickness and cellular infiltration. Non-linear curve fitting of free-space OCT data to the extended Huygen-Fresnel model was performed to determine optical scattering properties., Results: Vessel wall thickness increased from 435 ± 15 µm to 610 ± 27 µm and Vessel scattering coefficient increased from 3.73 ± 0.32 cm⁻¹ to 5.74 ± 0.06 cm⁻¹ over 30 days. Histological studies showed cell migration from the scaffold surface toward the lumen and cell proliferation over the same time course. The imaging procedure did not have any significant impact on scaffold dimensions, cell migration, or cell proliferation., Conclusions: This study suggests that combination of free-space and catheter-based OCT for blood vessel imaging provides accurate structural information of the developing blood vessel. We determined that free-space OCT images could be co-registered with catheter-based OCT images to monitor structural features such as wall thickness or delamination of the developing tissue-engineered blood vessel within a bioreactor. Structural parameters and optical properties obtained from OCT imaging correlate with histological sections of the blood vessel and could potentially be used as markers to non-invasively and non-destructively assess regeneration of engineered tissues in real time., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Space of Parona Infection is a rare and potentially limb threatening complication of pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis. The aim of this study is to review the presentation, management and outcomes of space of Parona infections in our institution., Method: This was a retrospective study. Data was collected from patients with confirmed space of Parona infections determined by the presence of pus in this space during the initial surgical debridement; between 2009 and 2011. The following parameters were analysed: patient demographics, presentation, microbiological findings and surgical management. The outcomes assessed included the final active range of motion of the primary affected finger, rate of amputation and duration of hospital stay and follow up., Results: There were nine confirmed space of Parona infections. 7/9 patients reported a history of trauma. The thumb (7/9) followed by the little finger (2/9) were primarily involved in all cases. Seven patients presented with symptoms of acute median nerve compression in addition to forearm tenderness. Patients had a mean of two (range; 1-5) visits to theatre for washout and debridement. Positive swabs were present in 8/9 cases, of which five patients cultured β haemolytic streptococci. Average hospital stay was six days (range; 3-12) and final active range of movement of the affected finger ranged from 0 to 95%., Conclusion: Involvement of space of Parona should be suspected in patients with flexor tendon sheath infections of the thumb or little finger. Early antimicrobial therapy directed particularly at β haemolytic streptococcus combined with prompt surgical debridement and physiotherapy are critical to optimal functional outcome., (Copyright © 2013 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Otophyma is a rare condition that can present as the end stage of any chronic inflammatory disease affecting the ear such as rosacea, eczema, or otitis externa. It can result in conductive hearing loss, low self-esteem, and social embarrassment. This report highlights a case of otophyma treated successfully using a full-thickness skin graft., Methods: We present a case of a 41-year-old lady referred to our department with a 23-year history of bilateral otophyma. During this time, her hearing progressively diminished as the swelling occluded her external auditory meatus. She had been unsuccessfully managed for years with topical emollients, steroids, and regular ear toileting., Result: She was treated by excision of the phymatous tissue and full-thickness grafting, which resulted in a patent external auditory meatus and an improvement in her hearing., Conclusions: The use of a full-thickness skin graft is one of the many treatment options available for the treatment of otophyma. We present a literature review on this uncommon condition and a discussion on the various treatment options available to the patient.

A novel technique for β-delayed neutron spectroscopy has been demonstrated using trapped ions. The neutron-energy spectrum is reconstructed by measuring the time of flight of the nuclear recoil following neutron emission, thereby avoiding all the challenges associated with neutron detection, such as backgrounds from scattered neutrons and γ rays and complicated detector-response functions. (137)I(+) ions delivered from a (252)Cf source were confined in a linear Paul trap surrounded by radiation detectors, and the β-delayed neutron-energy spectrum and branching ratio were determined by detecting the β(-) and recoil ions in coincidence. Systematic effects were explored by determining the branching ratio three ways. Improvements to achieve higher detection efficiency, better energy resolution, and a lower neutron-energy threshold are proposed.

A measurement of the α-β-ν[over ¯] angular correlation in the Gamow-Teller decay (8)Li→(8)Be(*)+ν[over ¯]+β, (8)Be(*)→α+α has been performed using ions confined in a linear Paul trap surrounded by silicon detectors. The energy difference spectrum of the α particles emitted along and opposite the direction of the β particle is consistent with the standard model prediction and places a limit of 3.1% (95.5% confidence level) on any tensor contribution to the decay. From this result, the amplitude of any tensor component C(T) relative to that of the dominant axial-vector component C(A) of the electroweak interaction is limited to |C(T)/C(A)|<0.18 (95.5% confidence level). This experimental approach is facilitated by several favorable features of the (8)Li β decay and has different systematic effects than the previous β-ν[over ¯] correlation results for a pure Gamow-Teller transition obtained from studying (6)He β decay.

We present the first reported case of the prophylactic use of lipid emulsion therapy in the removal of an extensive, circumferential malignant melanoma in a morbidly obese patient, under local anaesthetic. The advantages of this technique allowed the patient to avoid intraoperative invasive monitoring and postoperative critical care admission and assisted during the operation by rotating her leg when needed. This is a useful technique that can be employed in urgent cases where there is a need to excise extensive skin malignancies in patients who are unsuitable for general or regional anaesthesia.

The purpose of this study was to compare the size and clearness of gross tumor volumes (GTVs) of metastatic brain tumors on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images between a single dose contrast administration protocol and a double dose contrast administration protocol to determine the optimum dose of contrast-enhancement for clear delineation of GTV in stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). A total of 28 small metastatic brain tumors were evaluated in 13 patients by intra-individual comparison of GTV measurements using single dose and double dose contrast-enhanced thin-slice (1-mm) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients had confirmed histological types of primary tumors and had undergone hypo-fractionated SRT for metastatic brain tumors. The mean tumor diameter with single dose and double dose contrast-enhancement was 12.0 ± 1.1 mm and 13.2 ± 1.1 mm respectively (P < 0.001). The mean incremental ratio (MIR) obtained by comparing mean tumor diameters was 11.2 ± 0.02 %. The mean volume of GTV-1 (single dose contrast-enhancement) and GTV-2 (double dose contrast-enhancement) was 1.38 ± 0.41 ml and 1.59 ± 0.45 ml respectively (P < 0.01). The MIR by comparing mean tumor volumes was 32.3 ± 0.4 %. The MIR of GTV-1 with < 1 ml volume and GTV-1 with > 1 ml volume was 41.8 ± 0.05 % and 12.4 ± 0.03 % respectively (P < 0.001). We conclude that double dose contrast-enhanced thin-slice MRI is a more useful technique than single dose contrast-enhanced thin-slice MRI, especially for clear delineation of GTVs of small metastatic brain tumors in treatment planning of highly precise SRT.

Tracheostomy can be challenging, especially in the presence of edema or infiltrative malignancy. We present a case in which a fiberoptic bronchoscope that is routinely used for difficult intubation helped to locate the trachea in an emergency situation. A 50 year-old male, a diagnosed case of anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid, presented with respiratory distress and was immediately taken to the operating theater for an emergency tracheostomy. Following an inhalational induction, the patient was intubated with an endotracheal tube. Surgical tracheostomy was extremely difficult as, on neck exploration, there was a plaque of disease infiltrating various tissue planes. When even after considerable dissection the trachea could not be located, we passed a fiberoptic bronchoscope through the endotracheal tube. This helped as it was seen as a trans- illumination and the tracheal position could be confirmed. The rest of the tracheostomy was uneventful.

Amphipols (APols) are amphipathic polymers with the ability to substitute detergents to keep membrane proteins (MPs) soluble and functional in aqueous solutions. APols also protect MPs against denaturation. Here, we have examined the ability of APol-trapped MPs to be analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). For that purpose, we have used ionic and nonionic APols and as model proteins (i) the transmembrane domain of Escherichia coli outer membrane protein A, a β-barrel, eubacterial MP, (ii) Halobacterium salinarum bacteriorhodopsin, an α-helical archaebacterial MP with a single cofactor, and (iii, iv) two eukaryotic MP complexes comprising multiple subunits and many cofactors, cytochrome b(6)f from the chloroplast of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and cytochrome bc(1) from beef heart mitochondria. We show that these MP/APol complexes can be readily analyzed by MALDI-TOF-MS; most of the subunits and some lipids and cofactors were identified. APols alone, even ionic ones, had no deleterious effects on MS signals and were not detected in mass spectra. Thus, the combination of MP stabilization by APols and MS analyses provides an interesting new approach to investigating supramolecular interactions in biological membranes.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are seven-transmembrane proteins that mediate most cellular responses to hormones and neurotransmitters, representing the largest group of therapeutic targets. Recent studies show that some GPCRs signal through both G protein and arrestin pathways in a ligand-specific manner. Ligands that direct signaling through a specific pathway are known as biased ligands. The arginine-vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R), a prototypical peptide-activated GPCR, is an ideal model system to investigate the structural basis of biased signaling. Although the native hormone arginine-vasopressin leads to activation of both the stimulatory G protein (Gs) for the adenylyl cyclase and arrestin pathways, synthetic ligands exhibit highly biased signaling through either Gs alone or arrestin alone. We used purified V2R stabilized in neutral amphipols and developed fluorescence-based assays to investigate the structural basis of biased signaling for the V2R. Our studies demonstrate that the Gs-biased agonist stabilizes a conformation that is distinct from that stabilized by the arrestin-biased agonists. This study provides unique insights into the structural mechanisms of GPCR activation by biased ligands that may be relevant to the design of pathway-biased drugs.

A novel type of nonionic amphipols for handling membrane proteins in detergent-free aqueous solutions has been obtained through free-radical homo-telomerization of an acrylamide-based monomer comprising a C(11) alkyl chain and two glucose moieties, using a thiol as transfer reagent. By controlling the thiol/monomer ratio, the number-average molecular weight of the polymers was varied from 8 to 63 kDa. Homopolymeric nonionic amphipols were found to be highly soluble in water and to self-organize, within a large concentration range, into small, compact particles of ~6 nm diameter with a narrow size distribution, regardless of the molecular weight of the polymer. They proved able to trap and stabilize two test membrane proteins, bacteriorhodopsin from Halobium salinarum and the outer membrane protein X of Escherichia coli, under the form of small and well-defined complexes, whose size, composition, and shape were studied by aqueous size-exclusion chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation, and small-angle neutron scattering. As shown in a companion paper, nonionic amphipols can be used for membrane protein folding, cell-free synthesis, and solution NMR studies (Bazzacco et al. 2012, Biochemistry, DOI: 10.1021/bi201862v).

Nonionic amphipols (NAPols) synthesized by homotelomerization of an amphiphatic monomer are able to keep membrane proteins (MPs) stable and functional in the absence of detergent. Some of their biochemical and biophysical properties and applications have been examined, with particular attention being paid to their complementarity with the classical polyacrylate-based amphipol A8-35. Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) from Halobacterium salinarum and the cytochrome b(6)f complex from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were found to be in their native state and highly stable following complexation with NAPols. NAPol-trapped BR was shown to undergo its complete photocycle. Because of the pH insensitivity of NAPols, solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) two-dimensional (1)H-(15)N heteronuclear single-quantum coherence spectra of NAPol-trapped outer MP X from Escherichia coli (OmpX) could be recorded at pH 6.8. They present a resolution similar to that of the spectra of OmpX/A8-35 complexes recorded at pH 8.0 and give access to signals from solvent-exposed rapidy exchanging amide protons. Like A8-35, NAPols can be used to fold MPs to their native state as demonstrated here with BR and with the ghrelin G protein-coupled receptor GHS-R1a, thus extending the range of accessible folding conditions. Following NAPol-assisted folding, GHS-R1a bound four of its specific ligands, recruited arrestin-2, and activated binding of GTPγS by the G(αq) protein. Finally, cell-free synthesis of MPs, which is inhibited by A8-35 and sulfonated amphipols, was found to be very efficient in the presence of NAPols. These results open broad new perspectives on the use of amphipols for MP studies.

Training on micro- and nano- computed tomography (CT) scanners has been traditionally conducted via extensive practice on the instrument. This entails presence of an instructor to guide through the training procedure, until reasonable experience is attained. Modern tomographic instruments being expensive to maintain, the operational costs escalates with increasing number of training conducted. In a pioneering approach, the technical know-how to operate such equipment has been partly imparted via virtual reality environment running on the Second Life grid. The experimentation has indicated a reduction of the total training time. The authors hope that in the long run, such techniques will aid in significant reduction of instruction time and costs associated with training.

Dielectric constant and loss factor of Raj-4120 variety of Indian wheat were determined in powder form (grain size 125 to 150 micron) at room temperature. Microwaves at three different frequencies were employed in C-band, X-band and Ku-band respectively for investigating frequency dependence of dielectric parameters of the sample. Bulk dielectric values of the sample were determined by employing the dielectric mixture relations, such as, half power mixture equation, Landau and Lifshitz, Looyenga equation etc.

Amphipols (APols) are short amphipathic polymers designed to adsorb onto the transmembrane surface of membrane proteins, keeping them water-soluble in the absence of detergent. Current APols carry charged groups, which is a limitation for certain types of applications. This has prompted the development of totally nonionic amphiphols (NAPols). In a previous work, glucose-based NAPols synthesized by free-radical cotelomerization of hydrophilic and amphiphilic monomers proved to be able to keep membrane proteins soluble (Sharma et al. Langmuir 2008, 24, 13581-13590). This provided a proof of principle, but the cumbersome synthesis prevented large-scale production and any detailed biochemical studies. In the present work, we describe a new synthesis route for NAPols based on grafting alkyl chains onto a glucosylated homotelomer. The NAPols thus prepared are highly water soluble. In aqueous solutions, they assemble into small, homogeneous particles similar to those formed by ionic APols. Two model membrane proteins, bacteriorhodopsin and the transmembrane domain of OmpA, form with NAPols small, well-defined water-soluble complexes whose size is comparable to that observed with ionic APols. Complexation by NAPols strongly stabilizes bacteriorhodopsin against denaturation. Glucosylated NAPols thus appear as a promising alternative to ionic APols for such applications as ion-exchange chromatography, isoelectrofocusing, and, possibly, structural approaches such as NMR and crystallography.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy of "U" shaped prostatobulbar anastamosis [USPBA] in a posterior urethral stricture along with its urethroscopic evaluation to let us assess the process of neourethrisation in successful cases as well as pathogenesis of restricture in failure cases., Methods: We analysed results of "U" shaped prostato-bulbar anastamosis in 132 patients with posterior urethral stricture, preoperatively and postoperatively with a retrograde urethrogram, urethrosonogram, uroflowmetry and patient satisfaction (based on symptoms). With comparative analysis, results were categorised as good, fair and poor. Twenty patients were randomly selected for urethroscopic evaluation to directly visualise the anastomotic site., Results: Good and fair results were counted as successful. On immediate postoperative evaluation the success rate was 96.2%, which remained almost the same at 6 months but decreased to 92.42% at 12 months and 90.9% at 24 months. Urethroscopy showed mucosal covering at the area of the roof of neourethra in patients having good results with patent and distensible lumen. Cases with fair results showed similar findings except for some narrowing at places and mucosal irregularities. Poor result cases mostly showed dense fibrosis with collapsed lumen or circumferential scarring leading to constricting stricture., Conclusion: USPBA lacks disadvantages of ring anastamosis and is an effective option for posterior urethral strictures.

A novel class of nonionic amphipols (NAPols) designed to handle membrane proteins in aqueous solutions has been synthesized, and its solution properties have been examined. These were synthesized through free radical cotelomerization of glucose-based hydrophilic and amphiphilic monomers derived from tris(hydroxymethyl)acrylamidomethane using azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator and thiol as the transfer agent. The molecular weight and the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of the cotelomers were modulated by varying the thiol/monomers and the hydrophilic monomer/amphiphilic monomer ratios, respectively, and were characterized by 'H NMR, UV, gel permeation chromatography, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Their physicochemical properties in aqueous solution were studied by dynamic light scattering, aqueous size-exclusion chromatography, analytical ultracentrifugation, and surface-tension measurements. NAPols are highly soluble in water and form, within a large concentration range, well-defined supramolecular assemblies with a diameter of approximately 6-7 nm, a narrow particle size distribution, and an average molecular weight close to 50 x 10(3) g x mol(-1). Varying the hydrophilic/amphiphilic monomer ratio of NAPols in the range of 3.0-4.9, the degree of polymerization in the range of 51-78, and the resulting average molar mass in the range of 20-29 x 10(3) g x mol(-1) has little incidence on their solution properties. Glucose-based NAPols efficiently kept soluble in aqueous solutions two test membrane proteins: bacteriorhodopsin and the transmembrane domain of Escherichia coli's outer membrane protein A.

The masses of the radioactive nuclei (46)V and its decay daughter (46)Ti have been measured with the Canadian Penning Trap on-line Penning trap mass spectrometer to a precision of 1 x 10(-8). A Q(EC) value of 7052.90(40) keV for the superallowed beta decay of (46)V is obtained from the difference of these two masses. With this precise Q value, the Ft value for this decay is determined with improved precision. An investigation of an earlier Q-value measurement for (46)V uncovers a set of 7 measurements that cannot be reconciled with modern data and affects previous evaluations of V(ud) from superallowed Fermi decays. A new evaluation, adding our new data and removing the discredited subset, yields new values for G(V) and V(ud). When combined with recent results for V(us), this yields modified constraints for the unitarity of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix and other extensions of the standard model.

The transport of various metabolically important substances along the endocytic and secretory pathways involves budding as well as fusion of vesicles with various intracellular compartments and plasma membrane. The membrane-membrane fusion events between various sub-compartments of the cell are believed to be mainly mediated by so-called "fusion proteins". This study shows that beside the proteins, lipid components of membrane may play an equally important role in fusion and budding processes. Inside out (ISO) as well as right side out (RSO) erythrocyte vesicles were evaluated for their fusogenic potential using conventional membrane fusion assay methods. Both fluorescence dequenching as well as content mixing assays revealed fusogenic potential of the erythrocyte vesicles. Among two types of vesicles, ISO were found to be more fusogenic as compared to the RSO vesicles. Interestingly, ISO retained nearly half of their fusogenic properties after removal of the proteins, suggesting the remarkable role of lipids in the fusion process. In another set of experiments, fusogenic properties of the liposomes (subtilosome), prepared from phospholipids isolated from Bacillus subtilis (a lower microbe) were compared with those of erythrocyte vesicles. We have also demonstrated that various types of vesicles upon interaction with macrophages deliver encapsulated materials to the cytosol of the cells. Membrane-membrane fusion was also followed by the study, in which a protein synthesis inhibitor ricin A (that does not cross plasma membrane), when encapsulated in the erythrocyte vesicles or subtilosomes was demonstrated to gain access to the cytosol.

Mass measurements of 68Ge, 68As, and 68Se have been obtained with the Canadian Penning Trap mass spectrometer. The results determine the mass excess of 68Se as -54 232(19) keV, the first measurement with a precision and reliability sufficient to address the light-curve and energy output of x-ray bursts as well as the abundances of the elements synthesized. Under typical conditions used for modeling x-ray bursts, 68Se is found to cause a significant delay in the rp process nucleosynthesis.

Breakthrough pain (BKP) is a transitory flare of pain that occurs on a background of relatively well controlled baseline pain. Previous surveys have found that BKP is highly prevalent among patients with cancer pain and predicts more severe pain, pain-related distress and functional impairment, and relatively poor quality of life. An international group of investigators assembled by a task force of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of BKP as part of a prospective, cross-sectional survey of cancer pain. Fifty-eight clinicians in 24 countries evaluated a total of 1095 patients with cancer pain using patient-rated items from the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and observer-rated measures. The observer-rated information included demographic and tumor-related data, the occurrence of BKP, and responses on checklists of pain syndromes and pathophysiologies. The clinicians reported BKP in 64.8% of patients. Physicians from English-speaking countries were significantly more likely to report BKP than other physicians. BKP was associated with higher pain scores and functional interference on the BPI. Multivariate analysis showed an independent association of BKP with the presence of more than one pain, a vertebral pain syndrome, pain due to plexopathy, and English-speaking country. These data confirm the high prevalence of BKP, its association with more severe pain and functional impairment, and its relationship to specific cancer pain syndromes. Further studies are needed to characterize subtypes of BKP. The uneven distribution of BKP reporting across pain specialists from different countries suggests that more standardized methods for diagnosing BKP are needed.

The interaction between the alkanediyl-alpha,omega-type cationic gemini surfactant, [(C(16)H(33)N(+)(CH(3))(2)(CH(2))(4)N(+)(CH(3))(2)C(16)H(33))2Br(-)], 16-4-16 and the conventional nonionic surfactant [CH(3)(CH(2))(10)CH(2)(OCH(2)CH(2))(6)OH], C(12)E(6) in aqueous medium has been investigated. The critical micelle concentrations of different mixtures have been measured by surface tension using a du Nouy tensiometer in aqueous solution at different temperatures (303, 308, and 313 K). Maximum surface excess (Gamma(max)) and minimum area per molecule (A(min)) were evaluated from a surface tension vs log(10)C (C is concentration) plot. The cmc value of the mixture was used to compute beta(m), the interaction parameter. The beta(sigma), the interaction parameter at the monolayer air-water interface, was also calculated. We observed synergism in 16-4-16/C(12)E(6) system at all concentration ratios. The micelle aggregation number (N(agg)) has been measured using a steady state fluorescence quenching method at a total surfactant concentration approximately 2 mM at 25 degrees C. The micropolarity and the binding constant (K(sv)) of mixed systems were determined from the ratio of intensity of peaks (I(1)/I(3)) of the pyrene fluorescence emission spectrum. The micellar interiors were found to be reasonably polar. We also found, using Maeda's concept, that the chain-chain interactions are very important in this system.

This paper addresses the problem of identification of appropriate autoregressive (AR) components to describe textural regions of digital images by a general class of two-dimensional (2-D) AR models. In analogy with univariate time series, the proposed technique first selects a neighborhood set of 2-D lag variables corresponding to the significant multiple partial auto-correlation coefficients. A matrix is then suitably formed from these 2-D lag variables. Using singular value decomposition (SVD) and orthonormal with column pivoting factorization (QRcp) techniques, the prime information of this matrix corresponding to different pseudoranks is obtained. Schwarz's (1978) information criterion (SIG) is then used to obtain the optimum set of 2-D lag variables, which are the appropriate autoregressive components of the model for a given textural image. A four-class texture classification scheme is illustrated with such models and a comparison of the technique with the work of Chellappa and Chatterjee (1985) is provided.

A critical discussion is given of the suggestion by Dougherty et al. (J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 1994, 5, 120) that the (12)C60 molecule replace the (12)C atom as the primary standard of atomic mass. Adoption of the proposed standard would require that the unified atomic weight/mass scale, finally achieved with much difficulty in 1960, be abandoned without demonstrable benefit. Furthermore, the proposed standard has a molecular mass that is inherently ambiguous at a level that makes it unacceptable for that purpose.