Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding the future of artificial intelligence in oral radiology in India: A survey

Purpose@#This study investigated knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding the future of artificial intelligence (AI) for radiological diagnosis among dental specialists in central India. @*Materials and Methods@#An online survey was conducted consisting of 15 closed-ended questions using Google Forms and circulated among dental professionals in central India. The survey consisted of questions regarding participants’ recognition of and attitudes toward AI, their opinions on directions of AI development, and their perceptions regarding the future of AI in oral radiology. @*Results@#Of the 250 participating dentists, 68% were already familiar with the concept of AI, 69% agreed that they expect to use AI for making dental diagnoses, 51% agreed that the major function of AI would be the interpretation of complicated radiographic scans, and 63% agreed that AI would have a future in India. @*Conclusion@#This study concluded that dental specialists were well aware of the concept of AI, that AI programs could be used as an adjunctive tool by dentists to increasing their diagnostic precision when interpreting radiographs, and that AI has a promising role in radiological diagnosis.

A Phage Display-Identified Peptide Selectively Binds to Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) and Detects KIM-1–Overexpressing Tumors In Vivo / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to identify a peptide that selectively binds to kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) by screening a phage-displayed peptide library and to use the peptide for the detection of KIM-1overexpressing tumors in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopanning of a phage-displayed peptide library was performed on KIM-1–coated plates. The binding of phage clones, peptides, and a peptide multimer to the KIM-1 protein and KIM-1–overexpressing and KIM-1–low expressing cells was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fluorometry, and flow cytometry. A biotin-peptide multimer was generated using NeutrAvidin. In vivo homing of the peptide to KIM-1–overexpressing and KIM1–low expressing tumors in mice was examined by whole-body fluorescence imaging. RESULTS: A phage clone displaying the CNWMINKEC peptide showed higher binding affinity to KIM-1 and KIM-1–overexpressing 769-P renal tumor cells compared to other phage clones selected after biopanning. The CNWMINKEC peptide and a NeutrAvidin/biotin-CNWMINKEC multimer selectively bound to KIM-1 over albumin and to KIM-1–overexpressing 769-P cells and A549 lung tumor cells compared to KIM-1–low expressing HEK293 normal cells. Co-localization and competition assays using an anti–KIM-1 antibody demonstrated that the binding of the CNWMINKEC peptide to 769-P cells was specifically mediated by KIM-1. The CNWMINKEC peptide was not cytotoxic to cells and was stable for up to 24 hours in the presence of serum. Whole-body fluorescence imaging demonstrated selective homing of the CNWM-INKEC peptide to KIM-1–overexpressing A498 renal tumor compared to KIM1–low expressing HepG2 liver tumor in mice. CONCLUSION: The CNWMINKEC peptide is a promising probe for in vivo imaging and detection of KIM-1‒overexpressing tumors.

Correlation of serum YKL-40 with anthropometric measurements and spirometric indices between healthy individuals and asthamatics in a tertiary care hospital

Objective: To correlate serum levels of YKL-40 with anthropometric measurements and spirometric indices between normal individuals and asthmatics

Methodology: The case control study was conducted in Department of Chest Medicine, JPMC, Karachi from the month of August 2015 till March 2016. The study recruited sixty participants after satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria; among those 30 were normal healthy individuals [PEF > 80% and pulse rate of 60 – 80 beats per minutes]; while equal were cases of mild to moderate asthma [PEF more than 50% and pulse rate of 100 – 120 beats per minutes] matched for age and gender. Vitallograph compacta and peak flow meter was used for spirometric indices. Moreover, anthropometric measurements were age, gender, weight [kg], height [m] and body mass index [kg/m2]. Ykl-40 Elisa kit was used for serum YKL 40 levels. The data was entered and analysed using SPSS version 21 [IBM, Chicago, IL]

Result: In comparison of Spirometric Evaluation [FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC% and PEFR] between control and patients with mild to moderate asthma. significant difference was found in the mean values of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and PEFR between cases and controls. Significant inverse correlation was found between YKL-40 with FEV1, FVC, FEVI/FVC% and PEFR among Controls. YKL-40 was found to be significantly correlated with only FEV1/ FVC [%] among cases with correlation co-efficient as – 0.510 [p-value < 0.004]

Conclusion: There is an inverse correlation between serum YKL-40 levels and spirometric evaluation thus as the inflammation in asthma increases, YKL-40 level upsurges and causes decrease in lung function tests

Parental modeling as predictor of filial obligation in young adults

Filial obligation plays a vital role in family functioning and interaction with parents. The role of parental modeling as a factor contributing to filial obligation was explored in 200 men and women with an age range between 25 to 35 years with mean age of 28.27[+/- SD 2.38]. It was hypothesized that parental modeling would predict filial obligation [i.e. Contact and Family Ritual, Conflict Avoidance, Assistance, Self-Sufficient and Personal Sharing]. In addition, the gender differences on Filial Obligation were also examined. The Self-developed Parental Modeling Questionnaire [PMQ] and Felt Obligation Measure [FOM; Stein, 1992] along with a Structured Interview Schedule were used. The Linear Regression analysis and t-test were employed for statistical analysis of data. The results indicated that parental modeling is a significant predictor of filial obligation in young adults. Further, gender differences were observed on four domains of filial obligation except for Self-Sufficient sub-domain. The implications of results for healthy parent child interaction are discussed

Solid lipid nanoparticles: an emerging novel drug delivery system

The solid lipid nanoparticles [SLNs], a type of lipid nanoparticles [LNPs], is a special field of interest that has emerged during the last few decades as a potential colloidal carrier delivery system. They have gained great attention in controlling the drug release, increasing the bioavailability and attaining a sustain release profile of entrapped drug substance with fewer side effects as compared to traditional dosage forms. They serve as a promising system in various pharmaceutical fields such as cosmetics, research, clinical medicine and other allied sciences. SLNs have also been identified as a substitute to carrier systems such as liposomes, emulsions and polymeric nanoparticles. In the present review, the structure, advantages and applications of SLNs are focused which would provide an idea of global scenario of SLNs

Increasing antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens: is fosfomycin the answer?

Urinary tract infection [UTI] is one of the most common infectious diseases in clinical practice. The choice of antibiotics for the treatment of UTI is limited by the rising rates of antibiotic resistance. There is an urgent need to discover new effective treatment solutions. Fosfomycin may be an interesting alternative to the currently used treatments of UTIs. The study was conducted over 6 months period [January to June 2013] in Department of Microbiology, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh. A total of 1840 urine samples were submitted. Culture and sensitivity was done as per standard microbiological procedures. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], high-level aminoglycoside resistance [HLAR], extended spectrum beta-lactamases [ESBL], AmpC and metallo-beta-lactamases [MBL] production was detected. Culture was positive in 504 [27.4%] cases. Gram-negative etiology was identified in 390 [73%] cases. ESBL production was detected in 154 [37.1%] while 82 [21.6%] were Amp C. No, MBL was detected. Among Gram-positive bacteria, 68 [51.5%] were MRSA, while 4 [13.3%] were vancomycin resistant enterococci [VRE]. HLAR was seen in 53.3% of enterococci. Fosfomycin was effective in 100% of MRSA, VRE, ESBL, HLAR, and overall, susceptibility to fosfomycin in AmpC producers was extremely high [99%]. Norfloxacin and cotrimoxazole were not proved effective as only three isolates were sensitive to norfloxacin, while all Gram-negative isolates were resistant to cotrimoxazole. Pseudomonas species showed 65% and 75% susceptibility to colistin and polymixin B, respectively. Fosfomycin has emerged as a promising option, especially in cases involving multi-drug-resistant pathogens in which previous antibiotics have failed to cure the infection

Diabetes mellitus modifying factors; investigation among the inhabitants of Sargodha city, Pakistan

Diabetes mellitus is wide spread non transmissible disease but its prevalence is increasing everyday so this study was conducted with an aim to investigate the factors that are modifying diabetes mellitus among patients at DHQ [District Head Quarter] Hospital Sargodha. A prospective study was carried out by well-trained pharmacists in DHQ Sargodha, Pakistan to assess the factors modifying diabetes mellitus. Data was collected from 110 patients randomly by using convenience sampling method. A well structured questionnaire was designed to collect information from patients and entire procedure was conducted with the permission of concerned authorities of Hospital management. The factors that are considered in present study are medication, treatment, patient physician interaction and society attitude towards diabetic patients which are helpful in halting the progression of diabetes and prevention of co morbidities. The results of study disclose that 74.5% diabetic patients felt better after treatment whereas 56% diabetic patients were satisfied with the information provided by physician to them but still 70% patients were suffering from co morbidities. The survey indicated that 62.7% patients said that exercise proved to be healthy activity in improving diabetes. However 59% diabetic patients were following a proper diet plan which was helpful in modifying their diabetes. The diabetic patients must be informed about importance of regular follow-up in averting long-standing complications. Patients should be guided about importance of dietary recommendations, exercise and strict metabolic control, that can holdup or avert the series of complications allied with diabetes

Emergence of coryneform bacteria as pathogens in nosocomial surgical site infections in a tertiary care hospital of North India

A prospective study was conducted to assess the role of coryneform bacteria in surgical site infections among obstetric and gynecological patients undergoing surgery. The surgery was graded according to the degree of contamination, and surgical site infections [SSIs] were classified as superficial or deep. Pus samples were collected from SSIs according to rigorous aseptic precautions, and the quality of specimens was assessed by Q-score. A detailed clinical and treatment history was elicited from all patients. The samples were processed using standard protocols. Coryneform bacteria were considered significant pathogens only if they fulfilled rigorous clinical and microbiological criteria. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer method according to the CLSI guidelines. In total, 127 patients developed SSIs among 882 postoperative patients. Of these, 89 [70.1%] were culture positive: 40 [44.9%] were Gram-positive cocci, 27 [30.3%] were coryneform, and 22 [24.7%] were Gram-negative bacilli. All coryneform-infected patients had fever and post-operative wound dehiscence leading to a prolonged hospital stay. The most commonly isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus [33.7%], followed by Corynebacterium amycolatum [11.2%], Escherichia coli [8.9%], Citrobacter spp. [7.8%] and coagulase-negative Staphylococci [6.7%]. In our study, 45.5% were ESBL producers, 18.2% were Amp C producers, and 40% were MRSA. All the coryneform bacteria were multidrug resistant, and 51.8% of isolates were sensitive to only gatifloxacin and vancomycin. Symptomatic improvement was observed in all coryneform-infected patients after the administration of appropriate therapy. Coryneform bacteria appear to be emerging as significant nosocomial surgical site pathogens. The high level of multidrug resistance observed in coryneform bacteria in our study is cause for alarm

Bacterial meningitis in North India: Trends over a period of eight years

Background: Acute bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency which warrants early diagnosis and aggressive therapy. It is important to know the regional bacterial etiology in semitropical countries like India along with their sensitivity profi le to allow optimum management of such patients with least possible mortality. This study was undertaken to study the trends in etiology and the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the pathogens prevalent in North India over a period of 8 years. Methods: The study was performed from June 2001 to June 2009. CSF and blood samples were collected from all patients suspected of meningitis and inoculated on chocolate agar, blood agar and MacConkey agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), high level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) in Enterococcus species, extended spectrum β lactamases (ESBL), Amp C and metallo-betalactamases was also done. Results: 403 samples were positive on culture. S. aureus was the most common pathogen. Among the gram positive cocci as well as the gram negative bacilli, a gradual decline in the antimicrobial susceptibility was seen. The aminoglycosides had the best spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Towards the end of the study, an alarming rise of MRSA to 69.4%, HLAR among the Enterococci to 60% was noted. Among the Enterobacteriaceae, ESBL and Amp C production was found to be 16.7% and 42% respectively. No vancomycin and imipenem resistance was observed. Conclusion: An entirely different trend in etiology in bacterial meningitis was observed in the semitropical region of North India. The high prevalence of drug resistant pathogens is a cause for worry and should be dealt with by rational use of antimicrobials. Frequent revision in drug policy may be necessitated for optimum management of patients.