Evidence-based approaches to cranial cerebrospinal fluid leaks in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review of the literature.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks commonly occur due to trauma or surgical procedures. Here we review CSF leak diagnosis and management in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). A systematic review of the CSF leak management in LMICs was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase and Web of Science databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Relationship between self-reported impairments and clinical examination of upper extremity in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Upper Extremity Impairments (UEIs) in type 2 DM(Diabetes Mellitus) usually occur after other complications of DM have occurred and can lead to disability and severely impact the quality of life. This study aimed to identify the UEIs by self-reported questionnaire and clinical findings and to investigate whether self-reported impairments conform to clinical findings and whether any vital questions about UEIs can be identified to screen the UEIs quickly in type 2 DM comprehensive assessment.

Methods: 91 medically diagnosed type 2 DM subjects were enlisted at a tertiary care hospital per the inclusion and exclusion criteria to participate in the study.

Computed tomography of the head with and without contrast in imaging focal and unknown epilepsy - A prospective observational study.

Purpose: Brain imaging is needed when investigating epilepsy. Imaging options available include MRI and CT scan which may be non-contrast (NCCT) or contrast-enhanced (CECT). The specific clinical question and probable epilepsy substrate in the epidemiological context and socioeconomic milieu are important in determining the choice of imaging.

Sustainable and Advanced LED-Implanted Microfluidic Photoreactor with Coupled Optical Fiber Enabling Efficient Photocatalytic Synthesis Beside Online Reaction Progress Monitoring.

The conventional methods for the photoinduced synthesis of benzimidazoles may need further improvement regarding a safer and energy-efficient synthesis platform with in-process monitoring for maximum yield within a much reduced reaction time. This work describes the use of a novel optofluidic Lab-on-a-Chip technology for safer, energy-efficient, and expedited synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives in excellent yields along with real-time quantitative measurement during product formation. This innovative method involves synthesis within LED-embedded microfluidic reactors, allowing for rapid synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives via photoinduced condensation cyclization reactions of aryl aldehydes and -phenylenediamines using a Rose Bengal/fluorescein photocatalyst.

Valorization of carbon soot ash for the selective capture of lead ions from industrial waste water-A waste to resource approach.

Landfills are struggling to accommodate the increasing amounts of carbon soot ash waste from oil refineries. Due to extensive industrial productions, large quantities of lead ions are released into the environment, which not only pollutes the environment but also affects flora and fauna. In this work, these urgent environmental issues will be tackled by studying the use of modified carbon soot ash for specific heavy metal adsorption.

Single and double quantum transitions in spin-mixed states under photo-excitation.

Electronic spins associated with the Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) center in diamond offer an opportunity to study spin-related phenomena with extremely high sensitivity owing to their high degree of optical polarization. Here, we study both single- and double-quantum transitions (SQT and DQT) in NV centers between spin-mixed states, which arise from magnetic fields that are non-collinear to the NV axis. We demonstrate the amplification of the ESR signal from both these types of transition under laser illumination.

Calcific aortic valve disease and cardiometabolic triggers: an explanation behind progression of aortic valvular disease and failure of medical therapy interventions.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), a nonrheumatic stenosis of the trileaflet aortic valve, is a complex, multifaceted cardiovascular condition involving a widespread inflammatory process and an analogous atheromatous process affecting the arteries. It is currently the most encountered valvular abnormality in cardiology. Although distinctive abnormal mechanical forces are at the core propelling a responsive mechanosensitive feedback cascade, implicated in both initiation and perpetuation of CAVD; we propose a conundrum of metabolic abnormalities including hypertension, elevated fasting blood sugar, decreased high-density lipoprotein, hypertriglyceridemia, and abdominal obesity as perpetuators of this process.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and parkinsonism as the first manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism - a report of two cases.

Background/objective: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) may be asymptomatic or present with renal calculi, secondary osteoporosis, fractures and neuropsychiatric manifestations. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and parkinsonism are atypical manifestations that may be rarely associated with PHPT. We report two patients who presented with the conditions mentioned above.

Fibroblast stromal support model for predicting human papillomavirus-associated cancer drug responses.

Unlabelled: Currently, there are no specific antiviral therapeutic approaches targeting Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which cause around 5% of all human cancers. Specific antiviral reagents are particularly needed for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers (HPVOPCs) whose incidence is increasing and for which there are no early diagnostic tools available. We and others have demonstrated that the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is overexpressed in HPVOPCs, compared to HPV-negative cancers in this region, and that these elevated levels are associated with an improved disease outcome.

A new role for human papillomavirus 16 E2: Mitotic activation of the DNA damage response to promote viral genome segregation.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are causative agents in around 5% of all human cancers. To identify and develop new targeted HPV therapeutics we must enhance our understanding of the viral life cycle and how it interacts with the host. The HPV E2 protein dimerizes and binds to 12bp target sequences in the viral genome and segregates the viral genome during mitosis.

Reversal of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease phenotypes by inhibition of the integrated stress response.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare form of pulmonary hypertension arising from EIF2AK4 gene mutations or mitomycin C (MMC) administration. The lack of effective PVOD therapies is compounded by a limited understanding of the mechanisms driving vascular remodeling in PVOD. Here we show that administration of MMC in rats mediates activation of protein kinase R (PKR) and the integrated stress response (ISR), which leads to the release of the endothelial adhesion molecule vascular endothelial (VE) cadherin (VE-Cad) in complex with RAD51 to the circulation, disruption of endothelial barrier and vascular remodeling.

Human papillomavirus 16 replication converts SAMHD1 into a homologous recombination factor and promotes its recruitment to replicating viral DNA.

Unlabelled: We have demonstrated that SAMHD1 (sterile alpha motif and histidine-aspartic domain HD-containing protein 1) is a restriction factor for the human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) life cycle. Here, we demonstrate that in HPV-negative cervical cancer C33a cells and human foreskin keratinocytes immortalized by HPV16 (HFK+HPV16), SAMHD1 is recruited to E1-E2 replicating DNA. Homologous recombination (HR) factors are required for HPV16 replication, and viral replication promotes phosphorylation of SAMHD1, which converts it from a dNTPase to an HR factor independent from E6/E7 expression.

Optimization of kidney function in cardiac surgery patients with intra-abdominal hypertension: expert opinion.

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) affects up to 42% of cardiac surgery patients. CSA-AKI is multifactorial, with low abdominal perfusion pressure often overlooked. Abdominal perfusion pressure is calculated as mean arterial pressure minus intra-abdominal pressure (IAP).

Uric acid and cardiovascular diseases: a reappraisal.

Serum uric acid (SUA) has garnered an increased interest in recent years as an important determinant of cardiovascular disease. Uric acid, a degradation product of purine metabolism, is affected by several inheritable and acquired factors, such as genetic mutation, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, and medication interactions. Even though elevated SUA have been commonly associated with the development of gout, it has significant impact in the development of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.

Use of cervical traction for managing neck pain: A cross-sectional survey of physiotherapists in India.

Background: Neck pain remains the fourth leading cause of disability and work loss, and a multimodal treatment approach is effective in reducing neck pain and disability.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the use of cervical traction for managing neck pain by Physiotherapists in India, including how and when the traction is used, the modes and parameters of traction, any additional interventions given with traction, and the influence of professional demographic characteristics in decision making in traction usage.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Effectiveness of novel facial stretching with structured exercise versus conventional exercise for Bell's palsy: a single-blinded randomized clinical trial.

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of a novel technique involving facial stretching of the unaffected side along with a structured exercise for the affected side on facial symmetry and facial functions as compared to conventional exercise. A hospital-based parallel-group randomized trial was completed among patients with acute Bell's palsy in Mangalore, India. Participants were randomized to receive facial stretching and a structured exercise program (experimental group) or the conventional exercise regimen (conventional group).

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome presenting with stroke.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is characterized by eosinophilia associated with organ damage. The disorder has substantial clinical heterogeneity and a highly variable prognosis. This report describes an interesting autopsy case of a 62-year-old lady presenting with itching and stroke-like symptoms.

Collaborative robots can augment human cognition in regret-sensitive tasks.

Despite theoretical benefits of collaborative robots, disappointing outcomes are well documented by clinical studies, spanning rehabilitation, prostheses, and surgery. Cognitive load theory provides a possible explanation for why humans in the real world are not realizing the benefits of collaborative robots: high cognitive loads may be impeding human performance. Measuring cognitive availability using an electrocardiogram, we ask 25 participants to complete a virtual-reality task alongside an invisible agent that determines optimal performance by iteratively updating the Bellman equation.

A human papillomavirus 16 E2-TopBP1 dependent SIRT1-p300 acetylation switch regulates mitotic viral and human protein levels and activates the DNA damage response.

Unlabelled: An interaction between human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) E2 and the cellular proteins TopBP1 and BRD4 is required for E2 plasmid segregation function. The E2-TopBP1 interaction promotes increased mitotic E2 protein levels in U2OS and N/Tert-1 cells, as well as in human foreskin keratinocytes immortalized by HPV16 (HFK + HPV16). SIRT1 deacetylation reduces E2 protein stability and here we demonstrate that increased E2 acetylation occurs during mitosis in a TopBP1 interacting-dependent manner, promoting E2 mitotic stabilization.