Prediction of fat-free mass by bioimpedance analysis in migrant Asian Indian men and women: a cross validation study

BACKGROUND: Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a fast and convenient field technique for estimation of total body fat-free mass (FFM). However, bioimpedance-based prediction equations have been developed in predominantly white populations and little information is available on their usefulness in Asian Indian populations. OBJECTIVE: To develop a prediction equation for FFM based on BIA measurements applicable to a migrant population of Asian Indians and to investigate the predictive accuracy of published BIA-based equations in this ethnic group. DESIGN: FFM was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 211 healthy adults (110 men, 101 women; age ranges 19-74 year) of Asian Indian ethnicity and used as the reference measure to develop prediction equations based on single-frequency BIA measurements of resistance and reactance. A cross-validation technique was applied. Predictive accuracy of published BIA-based equations was assessed in this sample. RESULTS: Sex-specific equations developed in the entire group included height2/resistance and body weight as predictors (R2=0.84 and 0.70 and standard errors of estimate of 2.8 and 2.0 kg for males and females, respectively; CV: 6%). Of published equations examined, one predicted FFM satisfactorily in men with nonsignificant bias and may be applicable to Asian Indian populations. None of the published equations tested performed satisfactorily in women. CONCLUSIONS: Bioimpedance-based equations for predicting FFM developed specifically in Asian Indians are recommended for field studies designed to measure body composition of this ethnic group.     

Titanium Allergy: A Literature Review

Titanium has gained immense popularity and has successfully established itself as the material of choice for dental implants. In both medical and dental fields, titanium and its alloys have demonstrated success as biomedical devices. Owing to its high resistance to corrosion in a physiological environment and the excellent biocompatibility that gives it a passive, stable oxide film, titanium is considered the material of choice for intraosseous use. There are certain studies which show titanium as an allergen but the resources to diagnose titanium sensivity are very limited. Attention is needed towards the development of new and precise method for early diagnosis of titanium allergy and also to find out the alternative biomaterial which can be used in place of titanium. A review of available articles from the Medline and PubMed database was done to find literature available regarding titanium allergy, its diagnosis and new alternative material for titanium.     

An Experimental Design Approach for Impurity Profiling of Valacyclovir-Related Products by RP-HPLC

Impurity profiling has become an important phase of pharmaceutical research where both spectroscopic and chromatographic methods find applications. The analytical methodology needs to be very sensitive, specific, and precise which will separate and determine the impurity of interest at the 0.1% level. Current research reports a validated RP-HPLC method to detect and separate valacyclovir-related impurities (Imp-E and Imp-G) using the Box-Behnken design approach of response surface methodology. A gradient mobile phase (buffer: acetonitrile as mobile phase A and acetonitrile: methanol as mobile phase B) was used. Linearity was found in the concentration range of 50–150 μg/mL. The mean recovery of impurities was 99.9% and 103.2%, respectively. The %RSD for the peak areas of Imp-E and Imp-G were 0.9 and 0.1, respectively. No blank interferences at the retention times of the impurities suggest the specificity of the method. The LOD values were 0.0024 μg/mL for Imp-E and 0.04 μg/mL for Imp-G and the LOQ values were obtained as 0.0082 μg/mL and 0.136 μg/mL, respectively, for the impurities. The S/N ratios in both cases were within the specification limits. Proper peak shapes and satisfactory resolution with good retention times suggested the suitability of the method for impurity profiling of valacyclovir-related drug substances.     

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): C-kit mutations,CD117 expression,differential diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy with imatinib

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have been recognised as a biologically distinctive tumor type, different from smooth muscle and neural tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. They constitute the majority of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. They are defined and diagnosed by the expression of a protooncogene protein called CD117 detected by immunohistochemistry. It is now believed that GISTs originate from gastrointestinal pacemaker cells known as interstitial cells of Cajal, that control gut motility or from a precursor of these cells. The identification of mutations mostly in exon 11 and to a lesser extent in exons 9 and 13 of the c-kit protooncogene coding for c-kit (CD117) in many GISTs, has resulted in a better understanding of their oncogenic mechanisms.The finding of remarkable antitumor effects of the molecular inhibitor, imatinib (Glivec trade mark ) in metastatic and inoperable GISTs, has necessitated accurate diagnosis of GISTs and their distinction from other gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. To achieve this, pathologists need to be familiar with the spectrum of histological appearances shown by GISTs and have a high index of suspicion for these tumors. This review summarises recent advances in knowledge regarding the histogenesis, pathology, molecular biology, genetics and differential diagnosis of GISTs and the basis for the novel targeted cancer therapy with imatinib.     

Comparison of the configuration of the posterior bifurcation of the posterior communicating artery between fetal and adult brains: A study of a Sri Lankan population

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of contribution from the vertebrobasilar and carotid systems to the origin of the PCA in fetal autopsy brains of last trimester of pregnancy and to compare with published data on the configuration of adult and fetal brains in a population of Sri Lankan origin.

Materials and Methods:

The external diameter of the PcomA, pre-communicating part (P1), and the post-communicating part (P2) of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) of 34 fetal brain in the last trimester of pregnancy (30 to 40 weeks of gestation) was measured using a stereomicroscope equipped with a micrometer calibrator.

Results:

The blood supply to the occipital lobe mainly via the PCA was seen in 25 (59%) of fetal brains as compared to that in the literature 220 (93%) in adults brains and the blood supply to the occipital lobe mainly via the internal carotid artery (ICA) was seen in 16 (34%) of fetal brains as compared to 25 (7%) of adults brains (P < 0.0001), transitional configuration where the PcomA is equal in diameter to P1 segment of the PCA was seen in 5 (7.4%) of fetal brains and 8 (2%) of adults brains.

Conclusions:

The present study reveals that from the newborn to the adult there is shift from carotid system to the vertebrobasilar system, this justifies further studies on different racial and geographic regions which may give a clearer picture about the cerebral hemodynamics from childhood to adult.     

Oral health status and treatment needs in institutionalized psychiatric patients: one year descriptive cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Psychiatric patients are one of the special groups requiring attention as they are often neglected. Oral health is an major determinant of general health for psychiatric patients and may have a low priority in the context of mental illness. The present study was conducted to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of institutionalized psychiatric patients of Davangere. METHODS: 220 psychiatric patients admitted in two general hospitals of Davangere during the period of one year were included in the study. The oral health status was evaluated with respect to caries, oral hygiene, and periodontal status. RESULTS: Of the 180 examined with the response rate of 81.8%. 58.3% were males, mean age was 36.7 years, 57.8% had < 1 year of mental illness with a mean of 2.2 years, and 90% were self-sufficient. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the mean DMFT (0.92) increased with age, duration of mental illness, and irregularity of oral hygiene habits (P<0.001). Mean OHI-S score was 3.3 and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the mean OHI-S score increased with age (P<0.001). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the CPI score increased with age, duration of mental illness, and degree of helplessness (P<0.001). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrates low caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene, and extensive unmet needs for dental treatment.     

Health-related quality of life in oral cancer: a review.

PURPOSE: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has now become an important outcome measure in the assessment of patients treated for oral cancer. We summarize the influence of various factors in the treatment of oral cancer on HRQOL after surgery. METHODS: A review of the current literature was carried out. RESULTS: Site-specific assessment of HRQOL should be encouraged, rather than assessment of head and neck cancer as a whole. In general the long-term HRQOL of oral cancer patients seems good with HRQOL at 1 year being equivalent to long-term HRQOL. A number of different patient and treatment factors were identified that affect HRQOL. These include age, gender, site, stage, emotional status, smoking and alcohol, marital status and income, performance status, method of reconstruction, access, mandibular resection, neck dissection, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and post-operative radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: HRQOL should be considered as part of the overall process of care for oral cancer patients.