Split-mouth comparison of physics forceps and extraction forceps in orthodontic extraction of upper premolars.

We compared outcome variables (operative complications, inflammatory complications, and operating time) in patients being treated by orthodontic extraction of upper premolars with the Physics forceps or the universal extraction forceps. We organised a single blind, split-mouth clinical trial to compare the outcomes of the 2 groups (n=54 premolars). The Physics forceps group had lower mean (SD) visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain (0.

Optimization of dexamethasone mixed nanomicellar formulation.

The purpose of this study was to develop a clear aqueous mixed nanomicellar formulation (MNF) of dexamethasone utilizing both D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol-1000 succinate (Vit E TPGS) and octoxynol-40 (Oc-40). In this study, Vit E TPGS and Oc-40 are independent variables. Formulations were prepared following solvent evaporation method.

Laparoscopic Repair of Sportman's Hernia - The Trinidad Experience.

Sportman's hernia: (Athletic pubalgia) is an uncommon and poorly understood condition afflicting athletic individuals. Sufferers complain of chronic groin pain and often present diagnostic dilemmas to physicians and physiotherapists. We present a series of cases illustrating the varying presentations of sportman's hernia and diagnostic approaches that can be utilized to exclude common differentials.

A fluorescent probe for imaging symmetric and asymmetric cell division in neurosphere formation.

We report here a novel fluorescent chemical probe which stains distinct neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) by binding to acid ceramidase in mouse neurospheres. is distributed evenly or unevenly to the daughter cells during multiple mitoses enabling the live imaging of symmetric and asymmetric divisions of isolated NSPCs.

Axitinib versus sorafenib in advanced renal cell carcinoma: subanalyses by prior therapy from a randomised phase III trial.

Background: In the AXIS trial, axitinib prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) vs sorafenib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) previously treated with sunitinib or cytokines.

Methods: In post hoc analyses, patients were grouped by objective response to prior therapy (yes vs no), prior therapy duration (< vs ⩾median), and tumour burden (baseline sum of the longest diameter < vs ⩾median). PFS and overall survival (OS), and safety by type and duration of prior therapy were evaluated.

Crystal dimension of ZSM-5 influences on para selective disproportionation of ethylbenzene.

Crystal size and crystal dimensions are vital role in shape selective feature. Para selective disproportionation of EthylBenzene (Dip-EB) was investigated over ZSM-5 synthesized in acidic medium. The catalysts were prepared by hydrothermal process with various Si/Al ratios (50, 75 and 100) using fluoride ion precursor.

Physician recruitment and retention: a physician's perspective.

In order to overcome the inevitable physician shortage, physician groups and hospitals must acknowledge and incorporate effective recruiting techniques into their practices.

The economic impact of hospitalization for diabetic foot infections in a Caribbean nation.

Context: Foot infection is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus in the Caribbean. Diabetic foot infections place a heavy burden on health care resources in the Caribbean.

Objective: To evaluate the treatment-related costs for diabetic foot infections in a Caribbean nation.

The Purα/Purβ single-strand DNA-binding proteins attenuate smooth-muscle actin gene transactivation in myofibroblasts.

Expression of smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMαA) is essential for myofibroblast-mediated wound contraction following tissue injury. The Pur α/β and YB-1 transcriptional repressors govern the DNA-binding activity of serum response factor (SRF) and phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3) transcriptional activators during induction of SMαA gene expression in human pulmonary myofibroblasts. In quiescent fibroblasts, Pur α exhibited a novel function in enhancing stability of pre-existing SRF complexes with SMαA core promoter DNA, whereas Pur β was more effective in disrupting SRF-DNA interaction.

Antimicrobial prescription and usage in the neonatal intensive care units of a Caribbean country: a prospective observational study.

Objective: To study the prescribing patterns and usage of antimicrobials in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) of Trinidad & Tobago.

Methods: A 3-month prospective observational study was conducted at the three NICUs at the major public hospitals. Data included antimicrobials prescribed, route of administration, culture and sensitivity reports, leukocyte count, length of stay and outcome of patients.

Preoperative digital carotid compression as a predictor of the need for shunting during carotid endarterectomy.

This study prospectively attempted to assess the need for shunting by preoperative digital compression of the proximal common carotid artery and correlated these findings with intraoperative assessment while performing carotid endarterectomy under local anaesthesia. Preoperative digital compression is highly predictive of the need for shunting intra-operatively and can be used as a valuable test in carefully chosen patients. This may help in decreasing the need for advanced neurological monitoring during carotid endarterectomy.

Randomized phase III trial of temsirolimus versus sorafenib as second-line therapy after sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: This international phase III trial (Investigating Torisel As Second-Line Therapy [INTORSECT]) compared the efficacy of temsirolimus (mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor) and sorafenib (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR] tyrosine kinase inhibitor) as second-line therapy in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) after disease progression on sunitinib.

Patients And Methods: In total, 512 patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive intravenous temsirolimus 25 mg once weekly (n = 259) or oral sorafenib 400 mg twice per day (n = 253), with stratification according to duration of prior sunitinib therapy (≤ or > 180 days), prognostic risk, histology (clear cell or non-clear cell), and nephrectomy status. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) by independent review committee assessment.

Randomized phase III trial of temsirolimus and bevacizumab versus interferon alfa and bevacizumab in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: INTORACT trial.

Purpose: To prospectively determine the efficacy of combination therapy with temsirolimus plus bevacizumab versus interferon alfa (IFN) plus bevacizumab in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Patients And Methods: In a randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase III study, patients with previously untreated predominantly clear-cell mRCC were randomly assigned, stratified by prior nephrectomy and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center prognostic group, to receive the combination of either temsirolimus (25 mg intravenously, weekly) or IFN (9 MIU subcutaneously thrice weekly) with bevacizumab (10 mg/kg intravenously, every 2 weeks). The primary end point was independently assessed progression-free survival (PFS).

Properties and mutation studies of a bacteriophage-derived chimeric recombinant staphylolytic protein P128: Comparison to recombinant lysostaphin.

P128 is a chimeric anti-staphylococcal protein having a catalytic domain from a bacteriophage K tail associated structural protein and a cell wall targeting domain from the bacteriocin-lysostaphin. In this study, we disclose additional properties of P128 and compared the same with lysostaphin. While lysostaphin was found to get inactivated by heat and was inactive on its parent strain biovar , P128 was thermostable and was lytic towards biovar demonstrating a difference in their mechanism of action.

Pre-clinical toxicity & immunobiological evaluation of DNA rabies vaccine & combination rabies vaccine in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Background & Objectives: Pre-clinical toxicology evaluation of biotechnology products is a challenge to the toxicologist. The present investigation is an attempt to evaluate the safety profile of the first indigenously developed recombinant DNA anti-rabies vaccine [DRV (100 μg)] and combination rabies vaccine [CRV (100 μg DRV and 1.25 IU of cell culture-derived inactivated rabies virus vaccine)], which are intended for clinical use by intramuscular route in Rhesus monkeys.

Transglutaminase-2 mediates calcium-regulated crosslinking of the Y-box 1 (YB-1) translation-regulatory protein in TGFβ1-activated myofibroblasts.

Myofibroblast differentiation is required for wound healing and accompanied by activation of smooth muscle α-actin (SMαA) gene expression. The stress-response protein, Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1) binds SMαA mRNA and regulates its translational activity. Activation of SMαA gene expression in human pulmonary myofibroblasts by TGFβ1 was associated with formation of denaturation-resistant YB-1 oligomers with selective affinity for a known translation-silencer sequence in SMαA mRNA.

Development of a field-friendly automated dietary assessment tool and nutrient database for India.

Studies of diet and disease risk in India and among other Asian-Indian populations are hindered by the need for a comprehensive dietary assessment tool to capture data on the wide variety of food and nutrient intakes across different regions and ethnic groups. The nutritional component of the India Health Study, a multicentre pilot cohort study, included 3908 men and women, aged 35-69 years, residing in three regions of India (New Delhi in the north, Mumbai in the west and Trivandrum in the south). We developed a computer-based, interviewer-administered dietary assessment software known as the 'NINA-DISH (New Interactive Nutrition Assistant - Diet in India Study of Health)', which consisted of four sections: (1) a diet history questionnaire with defined questions on frequency and portion size; (2) an open-ended section for each mealtime; (3) a food-preparer questionnaire; (4) a 24 h dietary recall.

Efficacy of anti-staphylococcal protein P128 for the treatment of canine pyoderma: potential applications.

In this study, we demonstrate the antibacterial activity of P128 on Staphylococcus isolates responsible for canine pyoderma. Eighty seven swabs were collected from dogs suffering from pyoderma and subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test and 46 Staphylococcus strains were isolated and characterized. In-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing with P128 was done by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method as per CLSI guidelines.

Axitinib versus sorafenib as second-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma: overall survival analysis and updated results from a randomised phase 3 trial.

Background: In a phase 3 trial comparing the efficacy and safety of axitinib versus sorafenib as second-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, patients given axitinib had a longer progression-free survival (PFS). Here, we report overall survival and updated efficacy, quality of life, and safety results.

Methods: Eligible patients had clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma, progressive disease after one approved systemic treatment, and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0-1.

Donor and recipient BKV-specific IgG antibody and posttransplantation BKV infection: a prospective single-center study.

Background: The study evaluated the relationship of pretransplantation BK virus (BKV)-specific donor and recipient serostatus to posttransplantation BKV infection.

Methods: Two hundred forty adult de novo kidney-only recipients and 15 pediatric recipients were prospectively enrolled and followed for a minimum of 18 months. Pretransplantation BKV serostatus was available for 192 adult and 11 pediatric donor-recipient pairs.

A rationally designed dual role anode material for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries: case study of eco-friendly Fe3O4.

Identifying dual role electrode materials capable of storing both lithium and sodium are thought to be highly relevant, as these materials could find potential applications simultaneously in lithium and sodium ion batteries. In this regard, the concept of dual alkali storage is demonstrated in Fe(3)O(4) anode material undergoing conversion reaction. To enable improved storage, a rational active material and electrode design is proposed.

Hypothyroidism complicating nephropathy in a diabetes patient.

We describe a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune hypothyroidism who presented with elevated serum creatinine possibly due to subclinical rhabdomyolysis induced by hypolipidemic drug therapy in the background of diabetic nephropathy. Both hypothyroidism and rhabdomyolysis were asymptomatic in this case as evidenced by lack of classical clinical features of hypothyroidism despite elevated serum TSH and absent pigment cast in renal biopsy. The combination of diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism is common in the general population and should not be forgotten in patients with diabetes and kidney disease.