Anticancer chemotherapy in teenagers and young adults: managing long term side effects.

SSA is supported by the Cambridge Cancer Centre.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from BMJ Group at http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i4567

Tunable Oscillations in the Purkinje Neuron

In this paper, we study the dynamics of slow oscillations in Purkinje neurons in vitro, and derive a strong association with a forced parametric oscillator model. We demonstrate the precise rhythmicity of the oscillations in Purkinje neurons, as well as a dynamic tunability of this oscillation using a photo-switchable compound. We show that this slow oscillation can be induced in every Purkinje neuron, having periods ranging between 10-25 seconds. Starting from a Hodgkin-Huxley model, we also demonstrate that this oscillation can be externally modulated, and that the neurons will return to their intrinsic firing frequency after the forced oscillation is concluded. These results signify an additional functional role of tunable oscillations within the cerebellum, as well as a dynamic control of a time scale in the brain in the range of seconds.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Correlation of wrist circumference with waist circumference and body mass index in adults with early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Recent studies have shown that wrist circumference is correlated with insulin resistance, obesity and new onset diabetes. Being easy to measure, it may be useful in identifying individuals at risk for cardio- metabolic disorders.Methods: 112 consecutive subjects with new onset type 2 diabetes in the age group 18-44 years were included in the study. Socio demographic characteristics, anthropometric and biochemical measurements were carried out using standard techniques. Pearson product movement Correlation Coefficient was used to find out correlation with other measures of obesity and ROC curve to determine its cut off values.Results: Wrist circumference showed moderate positive correlation with BMI (r+0.389) and waist circumference (r+0.443). The cut off value of wrist circumference when compared with BMI in defining obesity was 16.5cm in male and 15.7 cm in female. The cut off value of wrist circumference with waist circumference in male was 16.2cm.Conclusions: Measurement of wrist circumference may supplement in assessing obesity especially when other measures of obesity like BMI or Waist circumference measurements are difficult or not feasible

Mushroom Cultivation MOOC at Kerala Agricultural University: Garrett Ranking Analysis of Constraints to Enhance Online Agriculture Learning

Participants in this extensive Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on mushroom cultivation will gain a wealth of knowledge and useful skills necessary for cultivating a wide variety of mushrooms. In this study, the Center for e-learning at Kerala Agriculture University will analyse the barriers to mushroom growing as part of a MOOC. 30 participants in the MOOC course were chosen at random to participate in the study as responses. Using the specified sampling size and data collection methodology, an ex post facto research design was employed for the study. The requirements in the MOOC course were prioritized using the Garrett ranking technique after the data were statistically analysed. Results revealed that 55.06 per cent of the respondents have the economic constraint that is the power/ electricity usage costs more to them, of the technological challenges encountered, interacting with the resource person less frequently comes in the rank first with 60.13 per cent, the biggest personal challenge is developing skill-oriented knowledge, which is difficult and it has been ranked first with 67 per cent, Personal commitments, such as employment, family duties, health concerns etc., ranks first with 62.53 in terms of situational limitations and 66 percent of the respondents rranked first that there is more number of theory classes with minimum hands-on experience in psychological challenge

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma: review of MR imaging findings

Objectives To review the epidemiological and clinical features of primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC), and to illustrate the spectrum of MRI findings, with pathological confirmation. Methods This article reviews the relevant literature on the epidemiological, clinical, and imaging features of primary fallopian tube carcinoma, with pathological confirmation, using illustrations from the authors' teaching files. Results Primary fallopian tube carcinoma came under focus over the last few years due to its possible role on the pathogenesis of high-grade serous epithelial ovarian and peritoneal cancers. Typical symptoms, together with the presence of some of the most characteristic MRI signs, such as a "sausage-shaped" pelvic mass, hydrosalpinx, and hydrometra, may signal the presence of primary fallopian cancer, and allow the radiologist to report it as a differential diagnosis. Conclusions Primary fallopian tube carcinoma has a constellation of clinical symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging features, which may be diagnostic. Although these findings are not present together in the majority of cases, radiologists who are aware of them may include the diagnosis of primary fallopian tube cancer in their report more frequently and with more confidence. Teaching Points PFTC may be more frequent than previously thought PFTC has specific clinical and MRI characteristics Knowledge of typical PFTC signs enables its inclusion in the differential diagnosis PFTC is currently staged under the 2013 FIGO system PFTC is staged collectively with ovarian and peritoneal neoplasmsinfo:eu-repo/remantics/publishedVersio

Microbial community composition of deep-sea corals from the Red Sea provides insight into functional adaption to a unique environment

Microbes associated with deep-sea corals remain poorly studied. The lack of symbiotic algae suggests that associated microbes may play a fundamental role in maintaining a viable coral host via acquisition and recycling of nutrients. Here we employed 16 S rRNA gene sequencing to study bacterial communities of three deep-sea scleractinian corals from the Red Sea, Dendrophyllia sp., Eguchipsammia fistula, and Rhizotrochus typus. We found diverse, species-specific microbiomes, distinct from the surrounding seawater. Microbiomes were comprised of few abundant bacteria, which constituted the majority of sequences (up to 58% depending on the coral species). In addition, we found a high diversity of rare bacteria (taxa at 90% of all bacteria). Interestingly, we identified anaerobic bacteria, potentially providing metabolic functions at low oxygen conditions, as well as bacteria harboring the potential to degrade crude oil components. Considering the presence of oil and gas fields in the Red Sea, these bacteria may unlock this carbon source for the coral host. In conclusion, the prevailing environmental conditions of the deep Red Sea (>20 °C, <2 mg oxygen L−1) may require distinct functional adaptations, and our data suggest that bacterial communities may contribute to coral functioning in this challenging environment.This work was supported from baseline funds to CRV and under the Center Competitive Funding (CCF) Program FCC/1/1973-18-01 by the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Comparative Dissolution Profile Study Of Aciclovir In Solid Dosage Formulations

This study compares the in vitro efficacy of two distinct brands of acyclovir tablets with the same strength—ACYPROVE-200 (Aciclovir&nbsp; Tablet IP) and ZOVIRAX TABLETS (Aciclovir Tablet IP200MG).Friability, hardness, thickness, solubility, and weight fluctuation tests are only a few of the many comparisons. The most crucial test that enables us to ascertain the precise concentration of the active ingredient (acyclovir) in every capsule and the quantity of medication discharged from these formulations is the dissolution test.Because of its great solubility and limited permeability, the medication aciclovir is categorized as Class III in the BCS classification.Dissolution tests were conducted in acid medium, pH 4.5 buffer medium, and pH 6.8 buffer medium in this study. The dissolution rate is determined by measuring the amount of medication released at intervals of 10, 15, and 30 minutes. The results also show the similarity and difference between the two products.The study concludes that there is a range of 0–15 and 50–100 for the Difference factor (f1) and Similarity factor (f2) between "ACYPROVE-200 (Aciclovir Tablet IP) and ZOVIRAX TABLETS (Aciclovir Tablet IP200MG).

Using lithium as a neuroprotective agent in patients with cancer

Neurocognitive impairment is being increasingly recognized as an important issue in patients with cancer who develop cognitive difficulties either as part of direct or indirect involvement of the nervous system or as a consequence of either chemotherapy-related or radiotherapy-related complications. Brain radiotherapy in particular can lead to significant cognitive defects. Neurocognitive decline adversely affects quality of life, meaningful employment, and even simple daily activities. Neuroprotection may be a viable and realistic goal in preventing neurocognitive sequelae in these patients, especially in the setting of cranial irradiation. Lithium is an agent that has been in use for psychiatric disorders for decades, but recently there has been emerging evidence that it can have a neuroprotective effect.This review discusses neurocognitive impairment in patients with cancer and the potential for investigating the use of lithium as a neuroprotectant in such patients.<br /

Using lithium as a neuroprotective agent in patients with cancer

Neurocognitive impairment is being increasingly recognized as an important issue in patients with cancer who develop cognitive difficulties either as part of direct or indirect involvement of the nervous system or as a consequence of either chemotherapy-related or radiotherapy-related complications. Brain radiotherapy in particular can lead to significant cognitive defects. Neurocognitive decline adversely affects quality of life, meaningful employment, and even simple daily activities. Neuroprotection may be a viable and realistic goal in preventing neurocognitive sequelae in these patients, especially in the setting of cranial irradiation. Lithium is an agent that has been in use for psychiatric disorders for decades, but recently there has been emerging evidence that it can have a neuroprotective effect.This review discusses neurocognitive impairment in patients with cancer and the potential for investigating the use of lithium as a neuroprotectant in such patients.<br /