Development of hydroxyapatite-ciprofloxacin bone-implants using "Quality by design"

The present study deals with the development of hydroxyapatite (HAp)-ciprofloxacin bone-implants using the ?Quality by design? approach. The effect of various synthesis parameters like drug amount added in the process, stirring speed and addition rate of orthophosphoric acid in the synthesis on drug concentration in the HAp-ciprofloxacin system synthesized by the precipitation technique using 23 factorial design was analyzed. Optimization methodology utillizing the first-order polynomial equation was used to search for optimal drug concentration in the HAp-ciprofloxacin implant system. The observed responses coincided well with the predicted values from the optimization technique. New implants were manufactured using various HAp-ciprofloxacin composites and 1.5 % (m/V) guar gum as a binder. Characterization of the delivery system was done by XRPD, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM. Even at highest drug concentration (76.6 ± 0.5 %, m/m), ciprofloxacin was present in noncrystalline state. The in vitro ciprofloxacin release from various bone-implants was sustained for several weeks and the drug release pattern correlated well with the Korsmeyer- Peppas model.     

Left atrial extension of lung malignancy with ECG changes resembling STEMI

Lung malignancy extending into left atrium is seen very infrequently. We had a patient with a fast growing symptomatic lung mass and electrocardiogram showing persistent coving ST elevation without any biomarker change. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large left atrial mass which was fixed to the free walls and extended into the appendage. There was also a large lung mass that was compressing the heart from its lateral aspect. CT-scan of chest corroborated the lung mass & CT-guided FNAC showed small cell carcinoma.     

Next-generation protein-rich potato expressing the seed protein gene AmA1 is a result of proteome rebalancing in transgenic tuber

Protein deficiency is the most crucial factor that affects physical growth and development and that increases morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Efforts have been made to improve protein quality and quantity in crop plants but with limited success. Here, we report the development of transgenic potatoes with enhanced nutritive value by tuber-specific expression of a seed protein, AmA1 (Amaranth Albumin 1), in seven genotypic backgrounds suitable for cultivation in different agro-climatic regions. Analyses of the transgenic tubers revealed up to 60% increase in total protein content. In addition, the concentrations of several essential amino acids were increased significantly in transgenic tubers, which are otherwise limited in potato. Moreover, the transgenics also exhibited enhanced photosynthetic activity with a concomitant increase in total biomass. These results are striking because this genetic manipulation also resulted in a moderate increase in tuber yield. The comparative protein profiling suggests that the proteome rebalancing might cause increased protein content in transgenic tubers. Furthermore, the data on field performance and safety evaluation indicate that the transgenic potatoes are suitable for commercial cultivation. In vitro and in vivo studies on experimental animals demonstrate that the transgenic tubers are also safe for human consumption. Altogether, these results emphasize that the expression of AmA1 is a potential strategy for the nutritional improvement of food crops.     

Geocoding police collision report data from California: a comprehensive approach

Background

Breast cancer in females and prostate cancer in males are two of the most common cancers in the United States, and the literature suggests that they share similar features. However, it is unknown whether the occurrence of these two cancers at the county level in the United States is correlated. We analyzed Caucasian age-adjusted county level average annual incidence rates for breast and prostate cancers from the National Cancer Institute and State Cancer Registries to determine whether there was a spatial correlation between the two conditions and whether the two cancers had similar spatial patterns.

Results

There was a significant correlation between breast and prostate cancers by county (r = 0.332, p < 0.001). This relationship was more pronounced when we performed a geographically-weighted regression (GWR) analysis (r = 0.552) adjusting for county unemployment rates. There was variation in the parameter estimates derived with the GWR; however, the majority of the estimates indicted a positive association. The strongest relationship between breast and prostate cancer was in the eastern parts of the Midwest and South, and the Southeastern U.S. We also observed a north-south pattern for both cancers with our cluster analyses. Clusters of counties with high cancer incidence rates were more frequently found in the North and clusters of counties with low incidence rates were predominantly in the South.

Conclusion

Our analyses suggest breast and prostate cancers cluster spatially. This finding corroborates other studies that have found these two cancers share similar risk factors. The north-south distribution observed for both cancers warrants further research to determine what is driving this spatial pattern.     

Adherence to HAART therapy measured by electronic monitoring in newly diagnosed HIV patients in Botswana

Aims

This pilot study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of electronic adherence monitoring of antiretroviral medications in HIV patients who recently started Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART) in Francistown, Botswana and to compare this with self-reporting.

Methods

Dosing histories were compiled electronically using Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) monitors to evaluate adherence to prescribed therapies. Thirty patients enrolled in the antiretroviral treatment program were monitored over 6 weeks. These patients were all antiretroviral (ARV) naïve. After each visit (mean three times) to the pharmacy, the data compiled by the monitors were downloaded. Electronic monitoring of adherence was compared to patient self-reports of adherence.

Results

The mean individual medication adherence level measured with the electronic device was 85% (range 21–100%). The mean adherence level measured by means of self-reporting was 98% (range 70–100%). Medication prescribed on a once-a-day dose base was associated with a higher adherence level (97.9% for efavirenz) compared with a twice-a-day regimen (88.4% for Lamivudine/Zidovudine).

Conclusions

It is feasible to assess treatment adherence of patients living in a low resource setting on HAART by using electronic monitors. Adherence, even in the early stages of treatment, appears to be insufficient in some patients and may be below the level required for continuous inhibition of viral replication. This approach may lead to improved targeting of counselling about their medication intake of such patients in order to prevent occurrence of resistant viral strains due to inadequate inhibition of viral replication. In this pilot study a significant difference between the data recorded through the electronic monitors and those provided by self-reporting was observed.

     

Raman spectroscopy of breast tissues

Breast cancer is one of the leading female cancers. The major drawback of the gold standard of screening, mammography, is the high rate of false reports, aside from the risk from repeated exposure to harmful ionizing radiations. Histopathology, the gold standard of diagnosis, is time consuming and often prone to subjective interpretations. Molecular level diagnosis 'omics' is becoming increasingly popular; among these is metabolomics, diagnosis based on 'metabolic fingerprinting'. In the present article we review a Raman spectroscopic approach to metabolic fingerprinting in breast cancer detection. This review opens with a brief background on anatomical and etiological aspects of breast cancers. We present an overview of conventional detection approaches in breast cancer screening and diagnosis methods, followed by a concise note on the basics of optical spectroscopy and its applications in the screening/diagnosis of breast malignancy. We present the recent developments in Raman spectroscopic diagnosis of breast cancers and also share our experience in Raman spectroscopic classification of normal, benign and malignant breast tissues. Perspectives and current status of Raman spectroscopic screening/diagnosis of breast cancers are also discussed.     

Concomitant cervical and lumbar intradural intramedullary lipoma

BACKGROUND: Lipomas of the spinal cord are often a component of spinal dysraphic states. Nondysraphic intramedullary spinal cord lipomas are rare, and concomitant isolated cervical and lumbar intradural intramedullary lipomata are very rare. One patient with concomitant isolated nondysraphic cervical and lumbar spinal cord lipomata has been reported and management options discussed. CASE DESCRIPTION: A young girl presented with insidious-onset diffuse neck pain and early myelopathic signs. Conventional radiographs were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the whole neuraxis revealed concomitant cervical and lumbar intradural intramedullary lipoma. Subtotal resection of the lesion was performed at both levels, after which the patient improved symptomatically and was ambulant independently. CONCLUSION: Concomitant intradural lipomas at 2 different locations unassociated with a dysraphic state is very rare. Magnetic resonance imaging with fat suppression study is the investigation of choice. Adequate decompression with subtotal removal is the treatment of choice.