Evaporation of low-volatility components in polymeric dental resins.

Objectives: This study provides measurement of the volatility of selected photoinitiators and monomers used in dental adhesive resins. A detailed determination of the spatial and temporal character of camphorquinone (CQ) volatilization with respect to air flow conditions as well as media viscosity is assessed to gauge the effect of evaporative loss on the photopolymerization process and the photopolymers formed.

Methods: Vapor pressures of materials are measured by thermogravimetric analysis.

Photopolymerizable nanogels as macromolecular precursors to covalently crosslinked water-based networks.

We present a strategy for directly and efficiently polymerizing aqueous dispersions of reactive nanogels into covalently crosslinked polymer networks with properties that are determined by the initial chemical and physical nanogel structure. This technique can extend the range of achievable properties and architectures for networks formed in solution, particularly in water where monomer selection for direct polymerization and the final network properties are quite limited. Nanogels were initially obtained from a solution polymerization of a hydrophilic monomethacrylate and either a hydrophilic PEG-based dimethacrylate or a more hydrophobic urethane dimethacrylate, which produced globular particles with diameters of 10-15 nm with remarkably low polydispersity in some cases.

Splenocytes seed bone marrow of myeloablated mice: implication for atherosclerosis.

Extramedullary hematopoiesis has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including cardiovascular diseases. In this process, the spleen is seeded with mobilized bone marrow cells that augment its hematopoietic ability. It is unclear whether these immigrant cells that are produced/reprogrammed in spleen are similar or different from those found in the bone marrow.

Safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral 25-gauge lens-sparing vitrectomy for vascularly active stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: To report the safety and efficacy of simultaneous bilateral 25-gauge lens-sparing vitrectomy for vascularly active stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods: Retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive case series. Twenty eyes of 10 babies who presented with vascularly active stage 4 ROP in both the eyes underwent simultaneous bilateral 25-gauge lens-sparing vitrectomy.

The lipid-lowering effects of lomitapide are unaffected by adjunctive apheresis in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia - a post-hoc analysis of a Phase 3, single-arm, open-label trial.

Objective: Lomitapide (a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor) is an adjunctive treatment for homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH), a rare genetic condition characterised by elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and premature, severe, accelerated atherosclerosis. Standard of care for HoFH includes lipid-lowering drugs and lipoprotein apheresis. We conducted a post-hoc analysis using data from a Phase 3 study to assess whether concomitant apheresis affected the lipid-lowering efficacy of lomitapide.

Recommendations on routine mid-trimester anomaly scan.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the minimal requirements of the routine mid-trimester anomaly scan in Asian countries after taking into account various factors, including local circumstances, medical practice, guidelines, and availability of experienced sonographers and high-resolution ultrasound machines, which affect the prenatal detection rate of fetal anomalies. In general, a routine mid-trimester anomaly scan includes the assessment of the number of fetuses, fetal cardiac activity, size, anatomy, liquor and placental location. The most controversial issue is which fetal structures should at least be examined.

Evaluation of optimal electrode configurations for epidural spinal cord stimulation in cervical spinal cord injured rats.

Background: Epidural spinal cord stimulation is a promising technique for modulating the level of excitability and reactivation of dormant spinal neuronal circuits after spinal cord injury (SCI). We examined the ability of chronically implanted epidural stimulation electrodes within the cervical spinal cord to (1) directly elicit spinal motor evoked potentials (sMEPs) in forelimb muscles and (2) determine whether these sMEPs can serve as a biomarker of forelimb motor function after SCI.

New Method: We implanted EMG electrodes in forelimb muscles and epidural stimulation electrodes at C6 and C8 in adult rats.

Health care transition from pediatric care to adult care: opportunities and challenges under the Affordable Care Act.

Enrollment of young adults is foundational to the success of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This article analyzes the implications for young adults transitioning from pediatric to adult care with the implementation of the ACA. We review the key characteristics of this population relevant to health care utilization and access as well as the impact of private insurance market reforms, health insurance marketplaces, Medicaid expansion, and workforce development provisions on this population.

Computational characterisation of cancer molecular profiles derived using next generation sequencing.

Our current understanding of cancer genetics is grounded on the principle that cancer arises from a clone that has accumulated the requisite somatically acquired genetic aberrations, leading to the malignant transformation. It also results in aberrent of gene and protein expression. Next generation sequencing (NGS) or deep sequencing platforms are being used to create large catalogues of changes in copy numbers, mutations, structural variations, gene fusions, gene expression, and other types of information for cancer patients.

ApoB-100-related peptide vaccine protects against angiotensin II-induced aortic aneurysm formation and rupture.

Background: T cells and macrophages are implicated in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm (AA) and atherosclerosis. We recently demonstrated that a vaccine using an apoB-100-related peptide p210 reduces atherosclerosis with favorable modulation of CD8+ T cells in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice.

Objectives: This study hypothesized that a p210 vaccine could reduce AA formation in the angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced AA model.

Plasticity of subcortical pathways promote recovery of skilled hand function in rats after corticospinal and rubrospinal tract injuries.

The corticospinal and rubrospinal tracts are the predominant tracts for controlling skilled hand function. Injuries to these tracts impair grasping but not gross motor functions such as overground locomotion. The aim of the present study was to determine whether or not, after damage to both the corticospinal and rubrospinal tracts, other spared subcortical motor pathway can mediate the recovery of skilled hand function.

Vaccine for atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the arterial wall, with both the innate and adaptive immune systems responding to many endogenous and exogenous antigens. Both proatherogenic as well as atheroprotective roles have been identified for the immune system in atherosclerosis. Hence, it is conceivable that an immunomodulatory strategy via active immunization against many of these antigens could potentially alter the natural history of atherosclerosis.

Extensive thoracic aortic calcification is an independent predictor of development of coronary artery calcium among individuals with coronary artery calcium score of zero.

Objectives: The predictive value of thoracic aortic calcium (TAC) scores for coronary artery calcium (CAC) conversion (CAC>0) has not been fully evaluated.

Methods: We studied 1648 asymptomatic subjects (mean age 52 ± 9 years, 54% male) with baseline CAC = 0 who underwent repeat CAC scanning 5 years later (range 3-14 years). TAC was assessed in the ascending and descending aorta.

Bacteriological profile and associated risk factors of neonatal sepsis in Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital Thapathali, Kathmandu.

Neonatal Sepsis is one of the most common reasons for admission to neonatal units in developing countries. It is also a major cause of mortality in both developed and developing countries. Identification of the common bacteria and risk factors causing such infections and their susceptibility patterns will provide necessary information for timely intervention.

Long term refractive and structural outcome following laser treatment for zone 1 aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity.

Aim: To report the long term refractive, visual and structural outcome post-laser for zone 1 aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (AP-ROP).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of refractive status of premature infants with zone 1 AP-ROP who underwent laser photocoagulation from 2002 to 2007 and followed up till 2013. Once the disease regressed, children were followed up six monthly with detailed examination regarding fixation pattern, ocular motility, nystagmus, detailed anterior segment and posterior segment examination, and refractive status including best corrected visual acuity.

Biomarkers of plaque instability.

Atherosclerosis is the proximate cause of arterial thrombosis, leading to acute occlusive cardiovascular syndromes. Thrombosis in atherosclerosis usually results from rupture of the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaques with a smaller proportion resulting from superficial endothelial erosion. Ruptured plaques are often associated with intimal and adventitial inflammation, increased size of lipid-rich necrotic core with thinned out collagen-depleted fibrous cap, outward remodeling, increased plaque neovascularity, intraplaque hemorrhage, and microcalcification.

Differential expression of collectins in human placenta and role in inflammation during spontaneous labor.

Collectins, collagen-containing Ca(2+) dependent C-type lectins and a class of secretory proteins including SP-A, SP-D and MBL, are integral to immunomodulation and innate immune defense. In the present study, we aimed to investigate their placental transcript synthesis, labor associated differential expression and localization at feto-maternal interface, and their functional implication in spontaneous labor. The study involved using feto-maternal interface (placental/decidual tissues) from two groups of healthy pregnant women at term (≥ 37 weeks of gestation), undergoing either elective C-section with no labor ('NLc' group, n = 5), or normal vaginal delivery with spontaneous labor ('SLv' group, n = 5).

Co-existence of beta-lactamases in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli from Kathmandu, Nepal.

Background: The trend of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) is increasing in Nepal. Limited studies have been reported investigating ESBL types and carbapenemases in E. coli.

Growing Resistance to Vancomycin among Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates from Different Clinical Samples.

Introduction: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), majorly associated with nosocomial and community infections worldwide, are emerging as resistant strains to many antibiotics narrowing down the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy. In order to investigate the changing resistant pattern of MRSA to empirical drugs, the study was carried out at KIST Medical College and Hospital, Nepal. It also aims to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin among MRSA.

Every death counts: electronic tracking systems for maternal death review in India.

Maternal death review (MDR) is an important strategy to improve the quality of obstetric care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. MDR provides detailed information on various factors at community, facility, and district levels that influence maternal health outcomes. One of the key challenges is to analyze large volumes of data collected via a paper-based system that uses facility and community level forms.