Histopathology-based near-realistic arterial wall reconstruction of a patient-specific cerebral aneurysm for fluid-structure interaction studies.

Background And Objective: Cerebral aneurysms occur as balloon-like outpouchings in an artery, which commonly develop at the weak curved regions and bifurcations. When aneurysms are detected, understanding the risk of rupture is of immense clinical value for better patient management. Towards this, Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) studies can improve our understanding of the mechanics behind aneurysm initiation, progression, and rupture.

Prospective Observational Study of Microbiology of Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers in a Tertiary-Care Hospital.

Introduction:  Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in people with diabetes mellitus. DFUs are the leading cause of hospitalisation for diabetic patients worldwide, especially in developing countries such as India. This study presents the microbiology profile of DFUs in a tertiary care hospital in the eastern part of India.

Patient-specific arterial wall generation for intracranial aneurysms with a variable and a near realistic vessel wall thickness for FSI studies.

Background And Objective: Imaging methodologies such as, computed tomography (CT) aid in three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of patient-specific aneurysms. The radiological data is useful in understanding their location, shape, size, and disease progression. However, there are serious impediments in discerning the blood vessel wall thickness due to limitations in the current imaging modalities.

Influence of framing coil orientation and its shape on the hemodynamics of a basilar aneurysm model.

Aneurysms are bulges of an artery, which require clinical management solutions. Due to the inherent advantages, endovascular coil filling is emerging as the treatment of choice for intracranial aneurysms (IAs). However, after successful treatment of coil embolization, there is a serious risk of recurrence.

Transcriptome sequencing of the endangered land snail Karaftohelix adamsi from the Island Ulleung: De novo assembly, annotation, valuation of fitness genes and SSR markers.

Background: The Bradybaenidae snail Karaftohelix adamsi is endemic to Korea, with the species tracked from Island Ulleung in North Gyeongsang Province of South Korea. K. adamsi has been classified under the Endangered Wildlife Class II species of Korea and poses a severe risk of extinction following habitat disturbances.

Numerical investigation of unruptured middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms: influence of aspect ratio.

An aneurysm is a disease condition, which is due to the pathological weakening of an arterial wall. These aneurysms are often found in various branch points and bifurcations of an artery in the cerebral circulation. Most aneurysms come to medical attention, either due to brain hemorrhages caused by rupture or found unruptured.

Transcriptome analysis of Haemaphysalis flava female using Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencing: de novo assembly, functional annotation and discovery of SSR markers.

Background: Ticks are ectoparasites capable of directly damaging their hosts and transmitting vector-borne diseases. The ixodid tick Haemaphysalis flava has a broad distribution that extends from East to South Asia. This tick is a reservoir of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) that causes severe hemorrhagic disease, with cases reported from China, Japan and South Korea.

Isolation and characterization of a lectin-like chitinase from the hepatopancreas of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

A lectin was isolated from the hepatopancreas of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii by affinity chromatography using mucin-sepharose matrix. The purity of the isolated lectin was confirmed in native gradient PAGE that showed a single protein band of ∼37.9 kDa.

Safety and immunogenicity of a new formulation of a pentavalent DTwP-HepB-Hib vaccine in healthy Indian infants-A randomized study.

Background: Pentavalent vaccines (DTP-HepB-Hib) have been introduced in many countries in their routine public immunization programmes to protect against diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), pertussis (P), hepatitis B (Hep B) and Hemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) diseases. This study compared the safety and immunogenicity of a new formulation of a whole-cell Bordetella pertussis (wP) based pentavalent vaccine (DTwP-HepB-Hib). The new formulation was developed using well-characterized hepatitis B and pertussis whole cell vaccine components.

A novel parameter for the prediction of rupture risk of cerebral aneurysms based on morphology.

Neurosurgeons often encounter dilemmas in the clinical management of cerebral aneurysms owing to an uncertainty of their rupture status and rupture risk. This study evaluates the influence of natural frequency of an aneurysm, as a novel morphological parameter to understand and analyze rupture status and risk prediction. In this work, we employ the natural frequency of 20 idealized and 50 patient specific aneurysms.

Peri-implant mucosal enhancement using leukocyte platelet rich fibrin under Sohn's poncho technique: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: A biological seal that protects the implant from any biological or external impingement is created by the supracrestal attached tissues. Sohn's poncho technique is a technique that utilizes a healing abutment at the implant site to stabilize the platelet rich fibrin (PRF) membrane. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Sohn's poncho technique used for placement of leukocyte PRF (L-PRF) membrane in improving the peri-implant mucosal thickness and width of keratinized mucosa as well as in the acceleration of healing process compared to the peri-implant mucosa surrounding healing abutments placed without the L-PRF membrane.

A review of the endangered mollusks transcriptome under the threatened species initiative of Korea.

Transcriptome studies for conservation of endangered mollusks is a proactive approach towards managing threats and uncertainties facing these species in natural environments. The population of these species is declining due to habitat destruction, illicit wildlife trade, and global climate change. These activities risk the free movement of species across the wild landscape, loss of breeding grounds, and restrictions in displaying the physiological attributes so crucial for faunal welfare.

IKKβ regulates antimicrobial innate immune responses in the yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor.

Toll and IMD pathways regulate antimicrobial innate immune responses in insect model systems. The transcriptional activation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) confers humoral immunity in the host against invaded pathogens. The IKK kinase complex (IKKα, IKKβ, and the regulatory subunit IKKγ/NEMO) centrally regulates the NF-κB response to various stimuli.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of teledentistry in periodontal diagnosis: Is it the required upgrade to conventional periodontics?

Background: Teledentistry which is similar to telemedicine has emerged as a new tool for various dental disciplines. Teleperiodontics is a branch of telehealth which focuses on the application of digital communication technology into the field of periodontics without demanding a specialist presence. An early detection and diagnosis of periodontal conditions can not only treat the disease in its early stage but also prolong the health of the periodontium, thereby improving the overall quality of life of an individual.

All-cause excess mortality across 90 municipalities in Gujarat, India, during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-April 2021).

Official COVID-19 mortality statistics are strongly influenced by local diagnostic capacity, strength of the healthcare and vital registration systems, and death certification criteria and capacity, often resulting in significant undercounting of COVID-19 attributable deaths. Excess mortality, which is defined as the increase in observed death counts compared to a baseline expectation, provides an alternate measure of the mortality shock-both direct and indirect-of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we use data from civil death registers from a convenience sample of 90 (of 162) municipalities across the state of Gujarat, India, to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all-cause mortality.

Transcriptome analysis of the endangered dung beetle Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and characterization of genes associated to immunity, growth, and reproduction.

Background: Dung beetles recycle organic matter through the decomposition of feces and support ecological balance. However, these insects are threatened by the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals and habitat destruction. Copris tripartitus Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a dung beetle, is listed as a class-II Korean endangered species.

Characterization of a Lipopolysaccharide- and Beta-1,3-Glucan Binding Protein (LGBP) from the Hepatopancreas of Freshwater Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Possessing Lectin-Like Activity.

The study focuses on the isolation, characterization, and expression analysis of a lectin from the hepatopancreas of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The protein was isolated by affinity chromatography on a melibiose-agarose column. The molecular weight of the native protein was found to be ~120 kDa which consists of a single polypeptide of ~39.

Hemodynamics and bio-mechanics of morphologically distinct saccular intracranial aneurysms at bifurcations: Idealised vs Patient-specific geometries.

Understanding the factors that influence the rupture of aneurysms is of primary concern to the clinicians, who are grappled with patient management. It is important to know how the relation between morphological features of the cerebral aneurysm, and the mechanical stresses on the containing arterial walls are influenced by the hemodynamic forces. Present study investigates three different shapes, which have been identified correspondingly in patient-specific scenarios as well.

Sensemaking Sans Power: Interactive Data Visualization Using Color-Changing Ink.

We present an approach for interactively visualizing data using color-changing inks without the need for electronic displays or computers. Color-changing inks are a family of physical inks that change their color characteristics in response to an external stimulus such as heat, UV light, water, and pressure. Visualizations created using color-changing inks can embed interactivity in printed material without external computational media.

Lot-to-lot consistency of a hexavalent DTwP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T vaccine and non-inferiority to separate DTwP-HB-PRP∼T and IPV antigen-matching vaccines at 6-8, 10-12, and 14-16 weeks of age co-administered with oral rotavirus vaccine in healthy infants in India: A multi-center, randomized, controlled study.

Background: Combination vaccines reduce the number of pediatric injections but must be as safe, immunogenic, and effective as each of the individual vaccines given separately. Additionally, consistency in manufacturing lots is essential for WHO prequalification. This study aimed to establish the lot-to-lot consistency of a fully liquid, hexavalent diphtheria (D)-tetanus (T)-whole-cell pertussis (wP)-inactivated poliovirus (IPV)-hepatitis B (HB)- b (PRP-T) (DTwP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T) vaccine and to demonstrate non-inferiority to licensed DTwP-HB-PRP∼T and IPV vaccines.

Antibody persistence following administration of a hexavalent DTwP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T vaccine versus separate DTwP-HB-PRP∼T and IPV vaccines at 12-24 months of age and safety and immunogenicity of a booster dose of DTwP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T in healthy infants in India.

Background: The combination of whole-cell pertussis (wP) antigens with established diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), hepatitis B (HB), type b (Hib), and inactivated poliomyelitis (IPV) antigens provides a high-quality DTwP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T vaccine. This study evaluated a DTwP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T booster coadministered with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Methods: Phase II, open-label, randomized study.

Current Status of Immune Deficiency Pathway in Innate Immunity.

Yellow mealworm () is a highly beneficial beetle that serves as an excellent source of edible protein as well as a practical study model. Therefore, studying its immune system is important. Like in other insects, the innate immune response effected through antimicrobial peptides production provides the most critical defense armory in .

Safety and immunogenicity of a hexavalent DTwP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T vaccine versus separate DTwP-HB-PRP∼T and IPV vaccines in healthy infants in India.

Background: Multivalent vaccines containing whole-cell pertussis (wP) antigens combined with established diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), hepatitis B (HB), type b (Hib), and inactivated poliomyelitis (IPV) antigens allow the provision of a high-quality, affordable DTwP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T vaccine.

Methods: Phase I/II, randomized, active-controlled, open-label study in healthy toddlers (Cohort I) and infants (Cohort II). Toddlers in Cohort I who had completed primary series D, T, P, HB, Hib, and polio vaccination received a booster dose of DTwP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T (N = 30) or DTwP-HB-PRP∼T + IPV (N = 15) vaccines at 15-18 months of age.

Molecular cloning, sequence characterization, and expression analysis of C-type lectin (CTL) and ER-Golgi intermediate compartment 53-kDa protein (ERGIC-53) homologs from the freshwater prawn, .

Unlabelled: Lectin protein families are diverse and multi-functional in crustaceans. The carbohydrate-binding domains (CRDs) of lectins recognize the molecular patterns associated with pathogens and orchestrate important roles in crustacean defense. In this study, two lectin homologs, a single CRD containing C-type lectin (CTL) and an L-type lectin (LTL) domain containing endoplasmic reticulum Golgi intermediate compartment 53 kDa protein (ERGIC-53) were identified from the freshwater prawn, .