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Rheology and the study of viscoelastic materials are an integral part of engineering and the study of biophysical systems. Tissue rheology is even used in the study of cancer and other diseases. However, the cost of a rheometer is feasible only for colleges, universities, and research laboratories. Even if a rheometer can be purchased, it is bulky and delicately calibrated, limiting its usefulness to the laboratory itself. The design presented here is less than a tenth of the cost of a professional rheometer. The design is also portable, making it the ideal solution to introduce viscoelasticity to high school students as well as for use in the field for obtaining rheological data.

ObjectivesPremature cardiovascular events in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) contribute to morbidity and mortality, with no effective preventive strategies described to date. Immune dysregulation and metabolic disturbances appear to play prominent roles in the induction of vascular disease in SLE. The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma agonist pioglitazone (PGZ suppresses vascular damage and immune dysregulation in murine lupus and improves endothelial dysfunction in other inflammatory diseases. We hypothesised that PGZ could improve vascular dysfunction and cardiometabolic parameters in SLE.MethodsEighty SLE subjects with mild to severe disease activity were randomised to a sequence of PGZ followed by placebo for 3 months, or vice versa, in a double-blind, cross-over design with a 2-month wash-out period. Primary endpoints were parameters of endothelial function and arterial inflammation, measured by multimodal assessments. Additional outcome measures of disease activity, neutrophil dysregulation, metabolic disturbances and gene expression studies were performed.ResultsSeventy-two subjects completed the study. PGZ was associated with a significant reduction in Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (a measure of arterial stiffness) compared with placebo. Various metabolic parameters improved with PGZ, including insulin resistance and lipoprotein profiles. Circulating neutrophil extracellular trap levels also significantly decreased with PGZ compared with placebo. Most adverse events experienced while on PGZ were mild and resolved with reduction in PGZ dose.ConclusionPGZ was well tolerated and induced significant improvement in vascular stiffness and cardiometabolic parameters in SLE. The results suggest that PGZ should be further explored as a modulator of cardiovascular disease risk in SLE.Trial registration numberNCT02338999.

How genes affect tissue scale organization remains a longstanding biological puzzle. As experimental efforts are underway to solve this puzzle via quantification of gene expression and sub-cellular, cellular and tissue structure, computational efforts remain far behind. To potentially help accelerate the computational efforts, we review two recent publications, the first on a cellular-based model for tissues and the second on a cell nucleus model consisting of chromatin and a lamina shell. We then give a perspective on how the two models can be combined to test multiscale hypotheses linking the chromatin scale and the tissue scale. To be concrete, we turn to an in vitro system for the brain known as a brain organoid. We provide a multiscale hypothesis to distinguish structural differences between brain organoids built from induced-pluripotent human stem cells and from induced-pluripotent gorilla and chimpanzee stem cells. Recent experiments discover that a cell fate transition from neuroepithelial cells to radial glial cells includes a new intermediate state that is delayed in human-derived brain organoids as compared to their genetically-close relatives, which significantly narrows and lengthens the cells on the apical side [1]. Additional experiments revealed that the protein ZEB2 plays a major role in the emergence of this new intermediate state with ZEB2 mRNA levels peaking at the onset of the emergence [1]. We postulate that the enhancement of ZEB2 expression driving this intermediate state is potentially due to chromatin reorganization. More precisely, there exists critical strain triggering the reorganization that is higher for human-derived stem cells, thereby resulting in a delay. Such a hypothesis can readily be tested experimentally within individual cells and within brain organoids as well as computationally to work towards solving the gene-to-tissue organization puzzle., 13 pages, 8 figures

Over the past few years, the usage of online learning has become the most standard and important part of learning practices among the graduating students. This is the basic tool used by both teachers and students. This website is developed promising the students and teachers involvement enabling distant learning is easy and possible. Our website uses new technologies to make the educating a better experience. There are many platform available online for the students to help them study and train them in their fields. But as of now, there is a few of other platform that help teachers keep the track of student’s performances. This website consists of all of study material available for the computer science students. They can check their understanding of the specific subject as well as specific topic using the quiz provided on our website. When in doubt students can interact with the teachers and clarify their doubts. The website consists of the study material , quizzes to practice their knowledge , student-teacher interaction for the better understanding of the topic, peer-to-peer interaction for the better and healthy competition. This is a platform which not only helps the student to learn and prepare for their university exams but also helps them widen their horizon and helps them in participating in the competitive exams too. A platform where students can interact with their peers, teachers in order to share their views, opinions and doubts. A place where they can compete themselves for college academics and competitive exams using the percentile grading system. Usually it is seen that there is a wide gap of hands-on programming experience or knowledge among the graduating students. It is seen that they only have the placement required knowledge which affects them in long run. So, our motive is to build the web app which can help student boost their coding skill and master their programming knowledge which can help them compete in the competitive programming competitions throughout their life. Here, students can share their views on blogs which later can be evaluated by the teachers and they can share their opinions on them. There are several apis used here which can help students to practice coding . They can even compete among themselves for the better understanding of the concept and the different approach to the problem they might be unaware of and in this way they will have a better understanding of the topics. And after each problem statement students can evaluate their score based on their performance.

Background: The increased use of E-cigarettes represents an emerging concern for dental practitioners with the potential to impact clinical care. The concerns for, and effects of, E-cigarettes remain poorly understood, especially with long-term use. Methods: Dental practitioners (n = 187) in Bareilly completed a 28-item survey of E-cigarette knowledge, perception and their current clinical practices for patients using E-cigarettes. A knowledge score was computed, and associations between participant demographic characteristics and knowledge survey items, perception survey items and knowledge score levels, and behavior survey items and knowledge score levels were explored. Results: Most practitioners do not see or do not ask patients about E-cigarette use (33%), switching from conventional cigarette to E-cigarette use (38%) or dual use (55%). Practice behaviors were not significantly different across knowledge score groupings. Low knowledge group consistently had negative practice behavior except more positive response within the group for recommending stopping of E-cigarettes before invasive procedures was observed (mode = 5). Conclusions: This study reinforces the value of disseminating and translating this evidence to dental practitioners through early inclusion of this topic in dental and hygiene training programs and through continuing education courses.

Nanoparticles, such as viruses, can enter cells via endocytosis. During endocytosis, the cell surface wraps around the nanoparticle to effectively eat it. Prior focus has been on how nanoparticle size and shape impacts endocytosis. However, inspired by the noted presence of extracellular vimentin affecting viral and bacteria uptake, as well as the structure of coronaviruses, we construct a computational model in which both the cell-like construct and the virus-like construct contain filamentous protein structures protruding from their surfaces. We then study the impact of these additional degrees of freedom on viral wrapping. We find that cells with an optimal density of filamentous extracellular components (ECCs) are more likely to be infected as they uptake the virus faster and use relatively less cell surface area per individual virus. At the optimal density, the cell surface folds around the virus, and folds are faster and more efficient at wrapping the virus than crumple-like wrapping. We also find that cell surface bending rigidity helps generate folds, as bending rigidity enhances force transmission across the surface. However, changing other mechanical parameters, such as the stretching stiffness of filamentous ECCs or virus spikes, can drive crumple-like formation of the cell surface. We conclude with the implications of our study on the evolutionary pressures of virus-like particles, with a particular focus on the cellular microenvironment that may include filamentous ECCs., 15 pages, 8 figures

Tuberculosis (TB) still continues to be endemic in various regions of the world, including in India and needs surveillance, clinical assessment, testing, contact tracing, conrmation of diagnosis with supervised or in-supervised treatment regimens for an effective eradication. Tuberculosis is responsible for the death of every third AIDS patient in India and accounts for about a quarter of the global tuberculosis burden. The ministry reiterated their commitment to eliminating tuberculosis in the country by 2025. This article gives dentists an overview of the guidelines' recommendations that are applicable to most outpatient dental settings.

Background: A larger than normal range of motion in the spinal segment defines lumbar segmental instability, which is a sort of aberrant motion to physiologic stressors. Clinical complaints and signs such as low back ache or radiculopathy, as well as Kotilainen and Valtonen's three criteria for instability (painful catch, instability catch, and apprehension) will be correlated with an MRI investigation to determine lumbar spinal instability. Disc degeneration and facet degeneration along with soft tissues supporting spinal motion segment are important provocative factors for lumbar spine instability. The existence of lumbar instability must be identified since it can alter the treatment approach and patient prognosis. Objective: To evaluate clinical signs and symptoms in patients with Lumbar spinal instability, as well as to investigate radiological signs using X-rays and an MRI scan. Methods and Materials: In this study in which patients with history suggestive of Lumbar spinal instability will be evaluated clinically and radiologically. Patients of age group of 25-75 years will be included in this study. Clinical tests, static and dynamic Xrays and MRI scan will be studied. Expected Outcomes: By this study we can expect clinico–radiological co relation in patient with low back ache in lumbar spinal instability. Outcome data will be assessed on Clinico-radiological Criteria of Lumbar Instability and clinic-radiological correlation will be done.

Introduction: Spondylisthesis is a condition with 4% prevalence, with high-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS) being 1/5th of total. Majority of HGS cases are reported in children, and uncommonly in adults. High-grade spondylolisthesis is resistant to conservative management and requires surgical fixation. There are multiple options in surgery such as anterior fusion, anterior-posterior fusion, posterolateral bone-only fusion, posterior lumbar interbody fusion, transvertebral pedicle screw fixation, and posterior trans sacral interbody fusion. The main challenge in these surgeries is to achieve adequate decompression, stabilization, and fusion. During these procedures, specially in the reduction of long-standing listhesis, the reduction maneuvers used may lead to neural damage. No reduction needed if sagittal balance balance is present. Methods: We report a case of a 62 yr old female, presenting with chronic low backache for 18 yrs with radiation to bilateral lower limb. Patient had bilaterally positive SLR and hypoesthesia on the left L5 dermatome, with no motor deficit. Xray and MRI showed grade III spondylolisthesis at L4 over L5 with elongated pars interarticularis. The case was treated by Transdiscal fixation and posterior decompression. Conclusion: On follow-up, for 6 months the patient is asymptomatic with no pain on SLR though paresthesia persisted. The Delta fixation with transdiscal pedicle screws is a good option for adult long-standing high-grade spondylolisthesis with good sagittal balance.