Trichotillomania in children

In this paper, we describe the sociodemographic profile, clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of 20 children with trichotillomania. These children presented to the Child Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic over a period of 6 years, with a prevalence of 1.24% . Most subjects were females (85%), hindu by religion (65%), and belonged to urban nuclear family (70%). The mean age at first presentation was 10.1 yr (SD = 4.4). Comorbid psychiatric illness and family history of psychiatric disorders was present in 40% and 20% cases, respectively. Nearly two-third of these had associated impulse; 75% denied resistance to pluck. Children who continued treatment, showed improvement.     

Hybrid reflection retrieval method for terahertz dielectric imaging of human bone

Terahertz imaging is becoming a biological imaging modality in its own right, alongside the more mature infrared and X-ray techniques. Nevertheless, extraction of hyperspectral, biometric information of samples is limited by experimental challenges. Terahertz time domain spectroscopy reflection measurements demand highly precise alignment and suffer from limitations of the sample thickness. In this work, a novel hybrid Kramers-Kronig and Fabry-Pérot based algorithm has been developed to overcome these challenges. While its application is demonstrated through dielectric retrieval of glass-backed human bone slices for prospective characterisation of metastatic defects or osteoporosis, the generality of the algorithm offers itself to wider application towards biological materials.     

Caloxins: a novel class of selective plasma membrane Ca2+ pump inhibitors obtained using biotechnology

Plasma membrane Ca²⁺ pumps (PMCA) extrude cellular Ca²⁺ with a high affinity and hence play a major role in Ca²⁺ homeostasis and signaling. Caloxins (selective extracellular PMCA inhibitors) would aid in elucidating the physiology of PMCA. PMCA proteins have five extracellular domains (exdoms). Our hypotheses are: 1) peptides that bind selectively to each exdom can be invented by screening a random peptide library, and 2) a peptide can modulate PMCA activity by binding to one of the exdoms. The first caloxin 2a1, selected for binding exdom 2 was selective for PMCA (Ki = 529 μM). It has been used to examine the physiological role of PMCA. PMCA isoforms are encoded by four genes. PMCA isoform expression differs in various cell types, with PMCA1 and 4 being the most widely distributed. There are differences between PMCA1-4 exdom 1 sequences, which may be exploited for inventing isoform selective caloxins. Using exdom 1 of PMCA4 as a target, modified screening procedures and mutagenesis led to the high-affinity caloxin 1c2 (Ki = 2.3 μM for PMCA4). It is selective for PMCA4 over PMCA1, 2, or 3. We hope that caloxins can be used to discern the roles of individual PMCA isoforms in Ca²⁺ homeostasis and signaling. Caloxins may also become clinically useful in cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, retinopathy, cancer, and contraception.     

Gastroparesis Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: A Case Series

Digestive Diseases and Sciences - Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have improved outcomes in patients with various malignancies; however, they can cause immune-related hepatitis and...