Childhood Intra-Thoracic Tuberculosis Clinical Presentation Determines Yield of Laboratory Diagnostic Assays.

Diagnosis of intra-thoracic tuberculosis (ITTB) in children is difficult due to the paucibacillary nature of the disease, the challenge in collecting appropriate specimens, and the low sensitivity of smear microscopy and culture. Culture and Xpert MTB/RIF provide higher diagnostic yield in presumptive TB in adults than in children. Current study was designed to understand poor yield of diagnostic assays in children.

Pancreas transplant in type 1 diabetes mellitus: the emerging role of islet cell transplant.

Pancreas transplant, both whole pancreas and islet cell, is a known therapeutic option for treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Islet cell transplant began as an experimental therapy but is emerging to be quite beneficial due to less surgical risk and fewer complications. It is also considered a promising option in pediatric patients.

Evaluation of intraocular lens mechanical stability.

Purpose: To compare mechanical characteristics and stability of Clareon CNA0T0 intraocular lens (IOL) with 4 currently marketed monofocal IOLs and to evaluate axial displacement and simulated dioptric power shift using a range of compression diameters.

Setting: Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, USA.

In vivo evaluation of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens in the rabbit model.

Purpose: To evaluate the uveal and capsular biocompatibility as well as positioning stability of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) in vivo in the rabbit model and compare it with a commercially available IOL.

Setting: John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Design: Experimental study.

Knowledge and awareness regarding menstruation and HIV/AIDS among schoolgoing adolescent girls.

Introduction: Menstruation in our country is associated with various myths and restrictions leading to lack of awareness among adolescent girls. Insufficient menstrual hygiene practices are the cause of stress associated with menstruation and reproductive tract infections. Sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS are not openly discussed in our society making adolescents vulnerable to them.

Predictors of Microbiologically Confirmed Intrathoracic Tuberculosis.

Objective: To identify risk factors for microbiologically confirmed intrathoracic tuberculosis in children.

Methods: Children, 6 mo to 15 y of age, attending the out-patient department of a tertiary care centre in India, with probable intrathoracic tuberculosis were enrolled. Microbiological confirmation of tuberculosis was defined as positivity on smear (Ziehl-Neelsen staining) and/or Xpert MTB/RIF and/or MGIT-960 culture.

Sexual resilience within intimate relations among unmarried adolescent girls seeking abortion in an abortion clinic of Delhi, India.

Background And Objectives: Sexually experienced, unmarried adolescent women, usually commence sex, with marriage in mind. Initially, they resist sex but are unsuccessful due to lack of resilience to end an oppressive relationship, or convince their partners to postpone sex or use protection. To retain partners, they accept unprotected sex and suffer its consequences such as unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer.

A novel mutation c.1048A>T at codon 350(Lys>Stop) in PROC gene causing neonatal purpura fulminans.

Purpura fulminans in the neonatal period due to severe congenital protein C deficiency (protein C activity <1 IU/dl) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. If untreated, it is fatal. Early identification of such patients may be lifesaving.

Contraceptive methods: needs, options and utilization.

Objectives: Background-Contraception is the intentional prevention of conception through the use of various devices, sexual practices, chemicals, drugs or surgical procedures. An effective contraception allows a physical relationship without fear of an unwanted pregnancy and ensures freedom to have children when desired. The aim is to achieve contraception in maximum comfort and privacy, with minimum cost and side effects.

Novel STXBP2 mutation causing familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. Diagnosis is established in presence of genetic mutation or positive family history in one of the siblings. Common genetic mutations associated with FHL are mutations in gene PRF1 (also known as FHL 2), UNC13D (FHL 3) and STX11 (FHL 4).

Shape of the isolated ex-vivo human crystalline lens.

Purpose: To develop an age-dependent mathematical model of the isolated ex-vivo human crystalline lens shape to serve as basis for use in computational modeling.

Methods: Profiles of whole isolated human lenses (n=27) aged 6 to 82, were measured from shadow-photogrammetric images. Two methods were used to analyze the lenses.

Role of the lens capsule on the mechanical accommodative response in a lens stretcher.

Purpose: To determine whether changes in elastic properties of the lens capsule ex vivo with age contribute to the forces necessary for accommodation.

Methods: Postmortem human (n = 22; age average: 41 +/- 17 years; range: 6-7) and cynomolgus monkey (n = 19; age average: 7.7 +/- 1.

Optical power of the isolated human crystalline lens.

Purpose: To characterize the age dependence of isolated human crystalline lens power and quantify the contributions of the lens surfaces and refractive index gradient.

Methods: Experiments were performed on 100 eyes of 73 donors (average 2.8 +/- 1.

Fibroblast attachment to smooth and microtextured PET and thin cp-Ti films.

Improving the biological performance of engineered implants apposing interfacing tissues is a critical issue in Biomaterials Science and Engineering. Micromotion at the soft tissue-implant interface has been shown to sustain an inflammatory response. To eliminate micromotion, it is desirable to promote cellular and extracellular matrix adhesion to the implant surface.

Effect of titanium surface texture on the cell-biomaterial interface.

To improve the in vivo performance of engineered implants, this study examines the independent effects of surface chemistry and topography on fibroblast morphology and density in vitro. Titanium (Ti) was sputter-coated onto smooth and microtextured polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Test specimens were evaluated in 24-h, fibroblast cultures and assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for cellular morphology and density.