Improvements in the Engineering Properties of Cementitious Composites Using Nano-Sized Cement and Nano-Sized Additives

The findings of an extensive experimental research study on the usage of nano-sized cement powder and other additives combined to form cement–fine-aggregate matrices are discussed in this work. In the laboratory, dry and wet methods were used to create nano-sized cements. The influence of these nano-sized cements, nano-silica fumes, and nano-fly ash in different proportions was studied to the evaluate the engineering properties of the cement–fine-aggregate matrices concerning normal-sized, commercially available cement. The composites produced with modified cement–fine-aggregate matrices were subjected to microscopic-scale analyses using a petrographic microscope, a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). These studies unravelled the placement and behaviour of additives in controlling the engineering properties of the mix. The test results indicated that nano-cement and nano-sized particles improved the engineering properties of the hardened cement matrix. The wet-ground nano-cement showed the best result, 40 MPa 28th-day compressive strength, without mixing any additive compared with ordinary and dry-ground cements. The mix containing 50:50 normal and wet-ground cement exhibited 37.20 MPa 28th-day compressive strength. All other mixes with nano-sized dry cement, silica fume, and fly ash with different permutations and combinations gave better results than the normal-cement–fine-aggregate mix. The petrographic studies and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analyses further validated the above findings. Statistical analyses and techniques such as correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis were conducted to compose a predictive equation to calculate the 28th-day compressive strength. In addition to these methods, a repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was also implemented to analyse the statistically significant differences among three differently timed strength readings.     

Recent advances and clinical pharmacology aspects of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T‐cellular therapy development

Advances in immuno‐oncology have provided a variety of novel therapeutics that harness the innate immune system to identify and destroy neoplastic cells. It is noteworthy that acceptable safety profiles accompany the development of these targeted therapies, which result in efficacious cancer treatment with higher survival rates and lower toxicities. Adoptive cellular therapy (ACT) has shown promising results in inducing sustainable remissions in patients suffering from refractory diseases. Two main types of ACT include engineered Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells and T cell receptor (TCR) T cells. The application of these immuno‐therapies in the last few years has been successful and has demonstrated a safe and rapid treatment regimen for solid and non‐solid tumors. The current review presents an insight into the clinical pharmacology aspects of immuno‐therapies, especially CAR‐T cells. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of TCR and CAR‐T cell immunotherapy with particular focus on the structure of CAR‐T cells, the effects and toxicities associated with these therapies in clinical trials, risk mitigation strategies, dose selection approaches, and cellular kinetics. Finally, the quantitative approaches and modeling techniques used in the development of CAR‐T cell therapies are described.     

Changing Teaching Trends During Covid-19 And Its Impact On Ent Residency Program In India: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unmatched challenge to the ENT residency programs to adapt to a form of web-based learning process and stimulation-based training. It also focuses on the mental stress underwent and the viewpoint of the residents to the paradigm shift in clinical care and academics. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was created in an online survey generator with 22 questions with limited options (yes/no) and was circulated through email and what’s app which has been responded to by 240 ENT residents throughout the country. The questionnaire was divided into five sections, demographics, knowledge about COVID-19 and its management, impact on clinical activity, academics and mental well-being section. Results: Out of 240 respondents, 190(79.2%) were junior residents and 50(20.8%) were senior residents. Although many of them knew the necessary precautions to be taken, 94(39.8%) turned out to be positive themselves with the high fear of transmitting to their family members. Three-fourth participants suggested extending the training period after graduation for the loss incurred. However, half of them sought an opportunity to train themselves for the management of communicable disease, 95% of the residents opined that they are having a negative impact on the job performance due to loss of surgical hands-on which has been drastically reduced. Conclusion: The issues mentioned have been addressed through STEPs - Safety of the residents, Time utilisation by research, Education continuation by online web learning and stimulatory programs, psychological support for mental well-being.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-022-03377-7.     

Bayesian Molecular Dating Analyses Combined with Mutational Profiling Suggest an Independent Origin and Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 Sub-Lineages

The ongoing evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in the recent emergence of a highly divergent variant of concern (VOC) defined as Omicron or B.1.1.529. This VOC is of particular concern because it has the potential to evade most therapeutic antibodies and has undergone a sustained genetic evolution, resulting in the emergence of five distinct sub-lineages. However, the evolutionary dynamics of the initially identified Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sub-lineages remain poorly understood. Herein, we combined Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, mutational profiling, and selection pressure analysis to track the virus’s genetic changes that drive the early evolutionary dynamics of the Omicron. Based on the Omicron dataset chosen for the improved temporal signals and sampled globally between November 2021 and January 2022, the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) and substitution rates for BA.1 were estimated to be that of 18 September 2021 (95% highest posterior density (HPD), 4 August–22 October 2021) and 1.435 × 10⁻³ (95% HPD  =  1.021 × 10⁻³ − 1.869 × 10⁻³) substitution/site/year, respectively, whereas 3 November 2021 (95% highest posterior density (HPD) 26 September–28 November 2021) and 1.074 × 10⁻³ (95% HPD  =  6.444 × 10⁻⁴ − 1.586 × 10⁻³) substitution/site/year were estimated for the BA.2 sub-lineage. The findings of this study suggest that the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sub-lineages originated independently and evolved over time. Furthermore, we identified multiple sites in the spike protein undergoing continued diversifying selection that may alter the neutralization profile of BA.1. This study sheds light on the ongoing global genomic surveillance and Bayesian molecular dating analyses to better understand the evolutionary dynamics of the virus and, as a result, mitigate the impact of emerging variants on public health.     

Fluorine-18-Labeled PET Radiotracers for Imaging Tryptophan Uptake and Metabolism: a Systematic Review

Molecular Imaging and Biology - Due to its metabolism via the serotonin and kynurenine pathways, tryptophan plays a key role in multiple disease processes including cancer. Imaging tryptophan...     

Analysis of Spinal Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors with Lymphedema

Background: To study and analyse the spinal dysfunction in breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. Methods: This study was carried out by analysing total 116 breast cancer survivor women, who were having lymphedema. Out of 116 subjects, 39 undergone radical mastectomy (RM), 39 undergone modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and 38 undergone breast conserving surgery (BCS). Thesesubjects were assessed for spinal function bytaking range of motionusing goniometer, lymphedema measurement usinginch tape, spinal stability test and functional rating index. Results: The spinal range of motion wassignificantly reduced in patients suffering from lymphedema in breast cancer survivors. The strength and endurance were significantly reduced in abdominals, extensors and lateral muscles of spine. There wasmarked effect seen on quality of life of patients assessed by using functional rating index due to spinal dysfunction in lymphedema patients. Conclusion: This study showed that there is statistically significant spinal dysfunction caused due to lymphedema in breast cancer survivors.