Influence of Cataract Causing Mutations on αA-Crystallin: A Computational Approach.

The αA-crystallin protein plays a vital role in maintaining the refractive index and transparency of the eye lens. Significant clinical studies have emerged as the αA-crystallin is prone to aggregation, resulting in the formation of cataracts with varied etiologies due to mutations. This work aims to comprehend the structural and functional role of cataract-causing mutations in αA-crystallin, particularly at N-Terminal and α-Crystallin Domains, using in-silico approaches including molecular dynamics simulation.

Virtual screening, molecular dynamics simulations, and in vitro validation of EGFR inhibitors as breast cancer therapeutics.

A high abundance of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in malignant cells makes them a prospective therapeutic target for basal breast tumors. Although EGFR inhibitors are in development as anticancer therapeutics, there exists limitations due to the dose-limiting cytotoxicity that limits their clinical utilization, thereby necessitating the advancement of effective inhibitors. In the present study, we have developed common pharmacophore hypotheses using 30 known EGFR inhibitors.

Performance of a Rapid Digital PCR Test for the Detection of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Variants.

Background: Next-generation sequencing is widely used for comprehensive molecular profiling for many cancers including lung cancer. However, the complex workflows and long turnaround times limit its access and utility. ChromaCode's High Definition PCR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Panel (HDPCR™ NSCLC Panel) is a low-cost, rapid turnaround, digital polymerase chain reaction assay that is designed to detect variants in nine NSCLC genes listed in National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.

Changes in the dopaminergic circuitry and adult neurogenesis linked to reinforcement learning in corvids.

The caudolateral nidopallium (NCL, an analog of the prefrontal cortex) is known to be involved in learning, memory, and discrimination in corvids (a songbird), whereas the involvement of other brain regions in these phenomena is not well explored. We used house crows () to explore the neural correlates of learning and decision-making by initially training them on a shape discrimination task followed by immunohistochemistry to study the immediate early gene expression (Arc), a dopaminoceptive neuronal marker (DARPP-32, Dopamine- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32 kDa) to understand the involvement of the reward pathway and an immature neuronal marker (DCX, doublecortin) to detect learning-induced changes in adult neurogenesis. We performed neuronal counts and neuronal tracing, followed by morphometric analyses.

Structural dynamics of influenza A (H1N1) hemagglutinin protein: a comparative study of Indian (2018) isolate with its evolutionary neighbor, Californian (2009) strain.

This work highlights the structure and dynamics of two trimeric HA proteins of the H1N1 virus from different origins, the pandemic Californian (HA) and its closest Indian neighbor (HA), reported in 2009 and 2018, respectively. Because of mutation, HA acquires new N-glycosylation and epitope binding sites along with mutations at RBD, which might trigger an altered viral-host interaction mechanism. Molecular dynamics simulations performed on HA trimers for a period of 250 ns reveal the highly dynamic nature of HA trimers inherited by the flexibility of HA monomers.

NSCLC Digital PCR Panel Returns Low-Input Sample Results Where Sequencing Fails.

Molecular diagnostics has drastically improved the survival rate of patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) over the last 10 years. Despite advancements in molecular testing, targeted therapies, and national guideline recommendations, more than half of NSCLC patients in the United States either never receive testing or patient care is not informed via molecular testing. Here, we sought to explore the relationship between DNA/RNA input, the molecular testing method, and test success rates.

Structural dynamics of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase of H1N1 strain affecting humans: a bioinformatics approach.

The Influenza flu is a pandemic disease that renders the highest risk factor to the society due to its efficient ability of airborne transmission. Studies on the H1N1 strain gained significant focus, since its pandemic outbreak in 2009 and particularly the computational studies on its structural elements significantly aided in revealing their functional uniqueness. Among the 10 structural proteins of H1N1, the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) heterotrimeric protein complex, which is responsible for the synthesis of viral RNA (vRNA) from the negative-sense RNA genome of the virus, is the focus of the present study.

Dermatologists' Perceptions of the Use of Teledermatology in Managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Survey Study.

Background: The field of teledermatology has expanded tremendously and has been used for conditions including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). However, due to the sensitive location of lesions, HS may be considered less suitable for teledermatology.

Objective: We sought to assess dermatologists' experiences and perceptions toward using teledermatology for HS relative to atopic dermatitis (AD) as a comparison.

Villi Inspired Mechanical Interlocking for Intestinal Retentive Devices.

Intestinal retentive devices have applications ranging from sustained oral drug delivery systems to indwelling ingestible medical devices. Current strategies to retain devices in the small intestine primarily focus on chemical anchoring using mucoadhesives or mechanical coupling using expandable devices or structures that pierce the intestinal epithelium. Here, the feasibility of intestinal retention using devices containing villi-inspired structures that mechanically interlock with natural villi of the small intestine is evaluated.

The Personalized Acne Treatment Tool - Recommendations to facilitate a patient-centered approach to acne management from the Personalizing Acne: Consensus of Experts.

Background: Acne, a commonly treated skin disease, requires patient-centered management due to its varying presentations, chronicity, and impact on health-related quality of life. Despite this, evidence-based clinical guidelines focus primarily on clinical severity of facial acne, omitting important patient- and disease-related factors, including ongoing management.

Objectives: To generate recommendations to support patient-centered acne management, which incorporate priority and prognostic factors beyond conventional clinical severity, traditionally defined by grading the appearance and extent of visible lesions.

Evolution of Indian Influenza A (H1N1) Hemagglutinin Strains: A Comparative Analysis of the Pandemic Californian HA Strain.

The need for a vaccine/inhibitor design has become inevitable concerning the emerging epidemic and pandemic viral infections, and the recent outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus is one such example. From 2009 to 2018, India faced severe fatalities due to the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus. In this study, the potential features of reported Indian H1N1 strains are analyzed in comparison with their evolutionarily closest pandemic strain, A/California/04/2009.

Diagnosis and Management of Urticaria in Indian Settings: Skin Allergy Research Society's Guideline-2022.

Urticaria is a common skin disorder. Chronic urticaria, i.e.

Hysteresis-free and high sensitivity strain sensing of ionically conductive hydrogels.

Hydrogels are promising materials for soft and implantable strain sensors owing to their large compliance (<100 kPa) and significant extensibility (ε >500%) compared to other polymer networks. Further, hydrogels can be functionalized to seamlessly integrate with many types of tissues. However, most current methods attempt to imbue additional electronic functionality to structural hydrogel materials by incorporating fillers with orthogonal properties such as electronic or mixed ionic conduction.

Improvement in plan quality after Implementation of clinical goals in a large network of cancer centers.

Clinical Goals (CG) is a tool available in the Varian Eclipse planning system to objectively and visually evaluate the quality of treatment plans based upon user-defined dose-volume parameters. We defined a set of CG for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) based on published data and guidelines and implemented this in a network of cancer centers in India (American Institute of Oncology). A dosimetric study was performed to compare brain SRS and breast IMRT plan quality before and after CG implementation.

Role of Cyclosporine (CsA) in Immuno-dermatological Conditions.

Cyclosporine (CsA) is a calcineurin inhibitor that acts selectively on T cells. It has been used in dermatology since 1997 for its US Food and Drug Administration indication of psoriasis and off-label for various other inflammatory skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, urticaria, lichen planus and many others in pediatric, adults as well as in pregnant women. However, clinicians' preferences for management differ, which may have a bearing on the treatment selection.

Therapeutic Inertia in the Management of Psoriasis: A Quantitative Survey Among Indian Dermatologists and Patients.

Purpose: The primary objective of the study was to understand the therapeutic inertia in treatment and management of plaque psoriasis among dermatologists, along with determining the preferred treatment choices for management of plaque psoriasis; it also included the resulting treatment satisfaction among patients. The secondary objective was to identify the gaps in terms of knowledge and attitude among dermatologists and the expectations of patients.

Patients And Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among dermatologists and patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis across India.

Emergency Thoracotomy for Congenital Lobar Emphysema - Anesthesiology Concerns.

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare malformation of lungs, which presents usually in neonatal period or infancy as acute hypoxia and respiratory distress. It is characterized by the lobar over aeration of the normal lung followed by respiratory distress due to partial obstruction of bronchus by ball-valve effect. We would like to present the case of a 3-month-old female preterm (31 weeks) baby who presented to our neonatal intensive care unit with respiratory distress for 1 day.

Burden of Disease, Unmet Needs in the Diagnosis and Management of Atopic Dermatitis: An Indian Expert Consensus.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory, non-communicable, and relapsing skin disease that affects all age groups. There is a dearth of literature that reports the disease burden, and epidemiology and highlights unmet needs in the diagnosis and management of AD in India.

Methods: A total of ten specialists including dermatologists, pediatric dermatologists, and pediatricians with more than ten years of experience and practicing in different parts of India served as the expert panel during the virtual meet conducted on January 24, 2021.

Systemic Management of Psoriasis Patients in Indian Scenario: An Expert Consensus.

Background: Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease with significant comorbidities, and regardless of its extent, it affects the patients' quality of life. The various modalities of treating psoriasis comprise topical or systemic medications, phototherapy, and an array of biologic agents. There is a lack of Indian recommendations on the management of psoriasis with these different modalities and challenges faced by the clinicians in day-to-day practice.

The Use of Apremilast in Psoriasis: An Indian Perspective on Real-World Scenarios.

Apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, is approved for use in the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Although its efficacy and safety have been well established in clinical studies, in real-world settings, different practice scenarios have been reported. This review paper serves to evaluate clinical real-world scenarios and aspects of treatment for which the information in the literature was considered to be lacking or controversial.

Biosimilars for the treatment of patients with psoriasis: A consensus statement from the Biosimilar Working Group of the International Psoriasis Council.

Background: As biosimilars have become available in various parts of the world, the International Psoriasis Council has reviewed aspects of their use.

Objective: To provide consensus statements from the Biosimilar Working Group about the use of biosimilars in patients with psoriasis.

Methods: A semiqualitative structured process was employed to approve the consensus statements on biosimilars using the nominal group technique.

Physician-Predicted Prognosis and Palliative Radiotherapy Treatment Utilization at the End of Life: An Audit of a Large Cancer Center Network.

Context: At our institution, clinical pathways capture physicians' prognostication of patients being evaluated for palliative radiotherapy. We hypothesize a low utilization rate of long-course radiotherapy (LCRT) and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SAbR) among patients seen at the end of life, especially those with physician-predicted poor prognosis.

Objective: To analyze utilization rates and predictors of LCRT and SAbR at the end of life.

External validation of life expectancy prognostic models in patients evaluated for palliative radiotherapy at the end-of-life.

Background: The TEACHH and Chow models were developed to predict life expectancy (LE) in patients evaluated for palliative radiotherapy (PRT). We sought to validate the TEACHH and Chow models in patients who died within 90 days of PRT consultation.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients evaluated for PRT from 2017 to 2019 who died within 90 days of consultation.

Anti-CD6 mAbs for the treatment of psoriasis.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition known to affect about 1%-3% of the global population. Psoriasis can be a serious burden to the patients, having deleterious effect on their physical, social and mental wellbeing. Systemic therapies consisting of methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin, PUVA, etc.