At the edge of translation – materials to program cells for directed differentiation

Oral Diseases (2011) 17 , 241–251 The rapid advancement in basic biology knowledge, especially in the stem cell field, has created new opportunities to develop biomaterials capable of orchestrating the behavior of transplanted and host cells. Based on our current understanding of cellular differentiation, a conceptual framework for the use of materials to program cells in situ is presented, namely a domino vs a switchboard model, to highlight the use of single vs multiple cues in a controlled manner to modulate biological processes. Further, specific design principles of material systems to present soluble and insoluble cues that are capable of recruiting, programming and deploying host cells for various applications are presented. The evolution of biomaterials from simple inert substances used to fill defects, to the recent development of sophisticated material systems capable of programming cells in situ is providing a platform to translate our understanding of basic biological mechanisms to clinical care.     

Nutrient Intake Amongst Rural Adolescent Girls of Wardha

Objective:

To assess the nutrient intake of rural adolescent girls.

Materials and Methods:

The cross-sectional study was carried in four adopted villages of the Department of Community Medicine, M.G.I.M.S., Sewagram. A household survey was carried out in the villages. A list of all the adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years was prepared by enumeration through house-to-house visit. All adolescent girls were included in the study. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic variables and anthropometric variables. A 24 h recall method was used to assess nutrient intake. Data generated was entered and analyzed using epi_info 2000. Nutrient intake was compared with ICMR Recommended Dietary Allowances. Nutritional status was assessed by BMI for age.

Results:

The mean height of the adolescent girls was 142.9 cm. Overall, 57% of the adolescents were thin (BMI for age <5^th percentile for CDC 2000 reference) and 43% of the adolescents were normal (BMI for age between 5^th – 85^th percentile for CDC 2000 reference). The average energy intake, which was 1239.6±176.4 kcal/day, was deficient of RDA by 39%. The average protein intake was 39.5±7 gm/day. It was deficient by 36% and the average iron intake, which was 13.2±2.5 mg/day, was deficient by 48%.

Conclusions:

The findings reiterate the dietary deficiency among adolescent girls which adversely affects the nutritional status. If the poor nutritional status is not corrected promptly before they become pregnant, it adversely affects the reproductive outcome. If we have to meet out the goals of Reproductive and Child Health Program, intervention strategies to improve the dietary intake of adolescent girls are needed so that their requirements of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals are met.     

Spinal and supraspinal mechanisms affecting torque development at different joint angles

Introduction: We examined the neural mechanisms responsible for plantar flexion torque changes at different joint positions. Methods: Nine subjects performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) at 6 ankle–knee angle combinations [3 ankle angles (dorsiflexion, anatomic position, plantar flexion) and 2 knee angles (flexion, full extension)]. Neural mechanisms were determined by V‐wave, H‐reflex (at rest and during MVC), and electromyography during MVC (RMS), normalized to the muscle compound action potential (V/M_sup, H_max/M_max, H_sup/M_sup and RMS/M_sup) and voluntary activation (VA), while muscle function was assessed by doublet amplitude. Results: MVC and doublet amplitude were significantly lower at plantar flexion (P < 0.01), while VA was significantly lower at dorsiflexion and full knee extension (P < 0.05). V/M_sup and RMS/M_sup were significantly lower at knee extension (P < 0.01), while H_sup/M_sup was not affected by joint angle. Conclusions: These results indicate that joint positions leading to muscle lengthening produce reduced neural drive, due mainly to supraspinal mechanisms. Muscle Nerve 53 : 626–632, 2016     

Bone-ingrowth hip prostheses in asymptomatic patients: radiographic features

The radiographic changes of 85 bone-ingrowth femoral prostheses in 77 asymptomatic patients were reviewed. The average postoperative follow-up time was 21.8 months. In decreasing order of frequency, the alterations included (a) remodeling of the proximal medial edge of the cut femoral neck (stress shielding) (98%), (b) linear lucency with a thin sclerotic margin at the prosthesis-bone interface (that may increase in width or length with time) (79%), (c) endosteal sclerosis at the prosthesis tip (36%), (d) heterotopic bone (24%), (e) cortical thickening at the tip of the prosthesis (12%), (f) prosthetic subsidence (7%), (g) intraoperative fracture (7%), and (h) periosteal reaction (4%). In this study, radiographic evidence of these findings was not associated with clinical failure. This is in distinction to the findings in cemented prostheses, in which many of these phenomena (especially the development of increasing width of the lucent line adjacent to the cement or prosthesis) have been associated with failure. Long-term investigations of porous-coated prostheses are necessary. Currently, however, an awareness of the radiographic alterations that occur with asymptomatic bone-ingrowth prostheses can prevent their misinterpretation as abnormal.     

化瘀通腑法治疗子宫内膜异位症

用生大黄、鳖甲、桃仁霜为主药的内异Ⅱ号丸治疗子宫内膜异位症48例,经治疗3个月,对痛经、性交痛、肛门坠痛、子宫肌瘤、卵巢囊肿、盆腔结节等有效率均很高,不孕患者妊娠率亦达26.67％。治疗后患者经期血浆PGF_(2α)、PGE_2水平显著下降,6-酮-PGF_(1α)显著升高,β-Ep、HYP水平显著升高。     

Medical malpractice in diagnostic radiology: claims, compensation, and patient injury

The purpose of this study is to provide more information to diagnostic radiologists regarding claims, compensation, and patient injury in medical malpractice cases. Malpractice cases filed against the U.S. government were reviewed. The most common claim was misdiagnosis of a malignancy (30% of the cases); in these cases the claimants received relatively high compensation. Most of these cases involved failure to diagnose lung carcinomas on chest radiographs and failure to diagnose colon carcinomas on barium enema studies. The findings emphasize the importance of having the members of a radiology department, regardless of professional level, work together as a team.