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Factors related to cosmetic outcome in breast cancer patients treated with an interstitial implant as part of breast-conservation therapy were studied between November 2006 and July 2007. Six patients with stage II carcinoma breast, who had undergone only lumpectomy were selected for breast conservation therapy. All patients received 6 cycles of chemotherapy by interstitial implant. The dose homogeneity index (DHI) was calculated for each implant along with excision volume and variables correlated for cosmesis. The DHI was 0.7 in 5 out of 6 cases. Only one case had DHI of 0.9. The cosmetic outcome score as per scale was excellent in 3 cases (50%) and good in remaining 3 cases (50%). None of the patients had fair or poor cosmesis as per scale. All patients had completed their treatment and were disease free at the time of analysis. The range of follow up varied from 12 months to 20 months with an average of 16 months, calculated from the date of appearance of lump. To achieve optimal cosmetic outcome, DHI requires be maximized. The volume of tissue removed, however, remains the most significant determinant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sponge iron industry is relatively new & hence facing many teething problems. The literature survey indicates that the quality & productivity is always neglected for the want of higher & higher production. This article makes an attempt to identify the facts & figures of iron & steel industry of which the sponge iron is an integral part. Gap analysis, SWOT analysis, growth factors & problems are also discussed to understand overall scenarion of steel & sponge iron in the world & in particular in India. Overall, it highlights the need of framework development of quality-productivity improvement for sponge iron industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of longitudinal surface plasmon (l-SP) electric field of gold nanorods (AuNRs) on the optical (absorption and fluorescence) properties of two dyes Methylene Blue (MB) and Nile Blue (NB) has been studied by tuning and detuning the l-SP band with the absorption maxima of the dyes. Binding between dyes and nanorods were established by electrostatic interaction by making the nanorods negatively charged after coating them with polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). The absorption spectra of the dye-nanorod complex showed two prominent absorption bands in the 550–700nm regions. For the detuned condition these changes are attributed to the nanorod induced aggregation of the dyes. However for the tuned condition, with increasing dye concentration the energy gap between the bands were observed to increase and then saturate. This is attributed to resonance coupling between the l-SP of the nanorod with the dye absorption. Although the fluorescence intensity of the dyes in the presence of increasing amount of AuNRs were observed to be quenched their lifetimes were observed to increase. Both the radiative (kr ) and nonradiative (knr ) rates of the dyes decreases in the presence of AuNRs. The magnitude of decrease for kr is much higher than knr , which is attributed to the formation of the non-fluorescent dimeric species. The increase in the fluorescence lifetime is attributed to the suppression of the excited state nonradiative pathways of these dyes adsorbed on the surface of the AuNRs. In addition, the changes of kr and knr were observed to be greater for the tuned condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rickets is the failure of mineralization of osteoid and newly formed bones in a child skeleton. It is commonly associated with vitamin D deficiency; however, it can be because of a decrease in the serum phosphate levels leading to inadequate mineralization of cartilage and bone, consequent skeletal deformities, and growth retardation. The hypophosphatemic conditions that interfere in bone mineralization comprise many hereditary or acquired diseases. One of the hereditary types of hypophosphatemic rickets is the familial hypophosphatemic rickets. This rare variety was diagnosed in a 9-year-old patient who had come with a chief complaint of a missing tooth. In the present case, radiographic aspects of oral and systemic manifestations of familial hypophosphatemic rickets are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major depressive disorder in the elderly is associated with increased morbidity and reduced quality of life. This 10 week, placebo-controlled study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of extended-release bupropion (150-300 mg once daily) in depressed patients aged 65 years or older. The statistical assumptions necessary for the validity of the protocol-specified analysis of covariance were not met for the analysis of the primary outcome variable (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale total score at Week 10, last observation carried forward). Alternative statistical methods used for the analysis of this variable demonstrated statistical significance. Statistically significant improvements were observed on the majority of secondary end points when compared with placebo, including the health outcome measures for motivation and energy, and life satisfaction and contentment. Adverse events were generally mild to moderate and similar between treatment groups. This study demonstrated that the extended-release bupropion is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for major depression in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An application of Goal Programming (GP) methodology with its three approaches namely Min-Max Goal Programming (MMGP), Weighted Goal Programming (WGP) and PreemptiveGoal Programming (PGP) to a system of reservoir for optimal monthly operation has been presented in this paper. The objective of the present work is to find out an improved optimal operation model for Mahanadi Reservoir Project (MRP) system and to study the results in light of implicit fundamental philosophy associated with the models. The goal programming approach possesses significant advantage due to the fact that it may be based on physical operating criteria. The system goals and constraints are expressed deterministically. A constraint must be strictly satisfied, while for a goal it is desired to achieve the solution as close as possible to the specified target. The MMGP model is based on the philosophy of minimization of maximum range of deviation of all decision variables from their target value uniformly. WGP focus on the weights assigned to decision variables according to their relative importance. Whereas, PGP model deals sequentially with each goal according to their order of priorities. All the three GP models have been developed and applied to the MRP Complex which comprises of six multipurpose reservoirs with two inter basin linkage canals in the state of Chhattisgarh, India. The system goals and constraints are expressed deterministically for the application of model in perfect mode. The input data set was kept same to facilitate a justifiable comparison of performance of GP models. The strengths and limitations of all the three GP models have been analysed and the basic salient features of models in light of results obtained are discussed and presented. The best operating policy has been resulted from PGP model as compared to other two models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is an attempt to find best alternative method to estimate reference evapotranspiration (ETo) for the Mahanadi reservoir project (MRP) command area located at Raipur (Chhattisgarh) in India, when input climatic parameters are insufficient to apply standard Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Penman-Monteith (P-M) method. To identify the best alternative climatic based method that yield results closest to the P-M method, performances of four climate based methods namely Blaney-Criddle, Radiation, Modified Penman and Pan evaporation were compared with the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith method. Performances were evaluated using the statistical indices. The statistical indices used in the analysis were the standard error of estimate (SEE), raw standard error of estimate (RSEE) and the model efficiency. Study was extended to identify the ability of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for estimation of ETo in comparison to climatic based methods. The networks, using varied input combinations of climatic variables have been trained using the backpropagation with variable learning rate training algorithm. ANN models were performed better than the climatic based methods in all performance indices. The analyses of results of ANN model suggest that the ETo can be estimated from maximum and minimum temperature usingANN approach in MPR area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) has been used traditionally to treat migraine, and although its mechanism of action is not fully understood, serotonin 5-HT receptor blocking effects have been suggested. T. parthenium and Salix alba (white willow) either alone or in combination (Mig-RL) were recently shown to inhibit binding to 5-HT2A/2C receptors; T. parthenium failed to recognise 5-HT1D receptors, whereas S. alba or the combination did. It was hypothesised that S. alba in combination with T. parthenium may provide superior migraine prophylactic activity compared with T. parthenium alone. METHODS: A prospective, open-label study was performed in 12 patients diagnosed with migraine without aura. Twelve weeks’ treatment with T. parthenium 300mg plus S. alba 300mg (Mig-RL) twice daily was administered to determine the effects of therapy on migraine attack frequency (primary efficacy criterion), intensity and duration (secondary efficacy criteria), and quality of life, together with tolerability for patients. RESULTS: Attack frequency was reduced by 57.2% at 6 weeks (p < 0.029) and by 61.7% at 12 weeks (p < 0.025) in nine of ten patients, with 70% patients having a reduction of at least 50%. Attack intensity was reduced by 38.7% at 6 weeks (p < 0.005) and by 62.6% at 12 weeks (p < 0.004) in ten of ten patients, with 70% of patients having a reduction of at least 50%. Attack duration decreased by 67.2% at 6 weeks (p < 0.001) and by 76.2% at 12 weeks (p < 0.001) in ten of ten patients. Two patients were excluded for reasons unrelated to treatment. Self-assessed general health, physical performance, memory and anxiety also improved by the end of the study. Mig-RL treatment was well tolerated and no adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: The remarkable efficacy of Mig-RL in not only reducing the frequency of migraine attacks but also their pain intensity and duration in this trial warrants further investigation of this therapy in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled investigation involving a larger patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The white rot fungus (WRF) Pleurotus ostreatus produced manganese peroxidase (MnP) and manganese-independent peroxidase (MIP) activities during solid state fermentation of wheat straw, a natural lignocellulosic substrate. Most of the sulfonphthalein (SP) dyes were decolorized by MnP at pH 4.0. The higher K m for meta-cresol purple (40μM) and lower K m for ortho-cresol red (26μM) for MnP activities explained the preference for the position of methyl group at ortho than at meta on chromophore. Bromophenol blue decolorizing activity was higher at pH 3.5 and decreased as the concentration of MnII was increased. SP-decolorizing activity was associated not only with MnP but also with MIP. Additional bromine group along with the methyl group on SP chromophores decreases the rate of decolorization. Bromination of sulfonphthalein chromophore makes them the poorer substrate for MnP. This is evident from the higher K m for bromocresol green (117μM) when compared to bromocresol purple (36μM) and bromophenol blue (78μM). The order of preference for the SP dyes as substrate for the MnP-catalyzed decolorizing activity is phenol red> ortho-cresol red> meta-cresol purple>bromophenol red>bromocresol purple>bromophenol blue>bromocresol green and the order of preference for the SP dyes as substrate for the MIP-catalyzed decolorizing activity is bromocresol green>bromophenol blue>bromocresol purple>bromophenol red> meta-cresol purple> ortho-cresol red>phenol red. Inhibition of PR decolorizing activity by NaN3 provided the evidence of decolorizing activity as an oxidative process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Patella fractures account for less than 1% of injuries treated by orthopaedic surgeon. Stress fractures or iatrogenic fractures are rare. Patella fracture following repair of avulsed patellar tendon is not yet been reported in literature. Case Report: A fit 28-year-old gentleman sustained an injury to his right knee while playing football. He underwent an exploration and primary repair of his avulsed tendon. A technique employing transosseous suture material through patella was used. Eight weeks following the primary injury, he twisted his knee while walking and sustained a fracture patella. On table he was found to have comminuted fracture of patella, with vertical and transverse split at the point of suture exit. This was treated with circlage wiring and tension band wiring loop. Discussion: Patella tendon ruptures are uncommon. Avulsion from the distal pole of patella is treated with transosseous repair using non-absorbable sutures (e.g.: Ethibond) along with circlage wiring to protect the repair. The reasons for this fracture and methods to reduce this complication are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Manganese peroxidase (MnP) was produced by shallow stationary cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium growing on N-limited medium. Decolorization of sulfonphthalein (SP) dyes by MnP was investigated. The MnP activity profile and decolorization of SP dyes was correlated and almost all dyes were decolorized at pH 4.0. The influence of various inhibitors on Bromocresol Purple decolorization suggested an oxidative nature of the MnP-catalyzed decolorization of SP dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equilibrium and solution structural study of mixed-metal-mixed-ligand complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) with L-cysteine, L-threonine and imidazole are conducted in aqueous solution by potentiometry and spectrophotometry. Stability constants of the binary, ternary and quaternary complexes are determined at 25 ±1°C and in I= 0.1 M NaClO. The results of these two methods are made selfconsistent, then rationalized assuming an equilibrium model including the species HA, HA, A, BH, B, M(OH), M(OH), M(A), MA(OH), M(B), M(A)(B), M(A)(B), M(A)(B-H), MM(A)(B) and MM(A)(B-H) (where the charges of the species have been ignored for the sake of simplicity) (A = L-cysteine, L-threonine, salicylglycine, salicylvaline and BH = imidazole). Evidence of the deprotonation of BH ligand is available at alkaline pH. NH deprotonation of the bidentate coordinated imidazole ligand in the binuclear species at pH > 70 is evident from spectral measurements. Stability constants of binary M(A), M(B) and ternary M(A)(B) complexes follow the Irving-Williams order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]