Initial results from the New Horizons exploration of 2014 MU69, a small Kuiper Belt object.

The Kuiper Belt is a distant region of the outer Solar System. On 1 January 2019, the New Horizons spacecraft flew close to (486958) 2014 MU69, a cold classical Kuiper Belt object approximately 30 kilometers in diameter. Such objects have never been substantially heated by the Sun and are therefore well preserved since their formation. We describe initial results from these encounter observations. MU69 is a bilobed contact binary with a flattened shape, discrete geological units, and noticeable albedo heterogeneity. However, there is little surface color or compositional heterogeneity. No evidence for satellites, rings or other dust structures, a gas coma, or solar wind interactions was detected. MU69's origin appears consistent with pebble cloud collapse followed by a low-velocity merger of its two lobes.

Proteomic Insight Reveals Elevated Levels of Albumin in Circulating Immune Complexes in Diabetic Plasma.

A Hyperglycemic condition in diabetes promotes formation of advanced glycation end products, which are known to elicit immune response and form complexes with immunoglobulins called circulating immune complexes. To investigate the involvement of advanced glycation end product (AGE)-modified proteins in the elicitation of an immune response, circulating immune complexes were isolated and proteins associated were identified and characterized. Label-free-based mass spectrometric analysis of circulating immune complexes in clinical plasma of prediabetic, newly diagnosed diabetes, and diabetic microalbuminurea revealed elevated levels of serum albumin in the circulating immune complexes, which were also observed to be AGE modified. Further, to examine the role of glycation, circulating immune complexeswere analyzed in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice treated with or without aminoguanidine, a prototype glycation inhibitor. Mass spectrometric analysis of circulating immune complexes showed elevated levels of serum albumin in plasma from diabetic mice over that of control animals. Aminoguanidine-treated diabetic mice displayed decreased AGE modification of plasma albumin, accompanied by a reduced level of albumin in the circulating immune complexes. In addition, elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b, IL-2, and TNF-alpha were observed in diabetes, which were reduced with aminoguanidine treatment, suggesting the involvement of glycation in the immune response.

Clinical evaluation of direct composite restoration done for midline diastema closure - long-term study.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically the performance of composite resin used to restore midline diastema between the maxillary and mandibular central incisors. METHODOLOGY: Direct composite restorations were done for 45 patients with midline diastema between the maxillary and mandibular central incisors. Standard protocols were followed for the placement of composite resin for the diastema closure, and recall visits were made for every 6 months for a period of 60 months for evaluation of the success of these restorations made. Qualified dental personnel examined the restorations made. RESULTS: Clinical evaluations were done after the restorations had been in place for an average of 6 months. Results indicate that none of the restorations were totally lost, and resulting in a 91% overall retention rate for the period of 60 months. About 62% of the restorations made had no noticeable color difference with that of the adjacent tooth, and gingival health indicated 73% of the sample was without any signs of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Composites restored for diastemas exhibit satisfactory survival rates placed with recommended placement protocols and without occlusal loading.

The Pluto system: Initial results from its exploration by New Horizons.

The Pluto system was recently explored by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, making closest approach on 14 July 2015. Pluto's surface displays diverse landforms, terrain ages, albedos, colors, and composition gradients. Evidence is found for a water-ice crust, geologically young surface units, surface ice convection, wind streaks, volatile transport, and glacial flow. Pluto's atmosphere is highly extended, with trace hydrocarbons, a global haze layer, and a surface pressure near 10 microbars. Pluto's diverse surface geology and long-term activity raise fundamental questions about how small planets remain active many billions of years after formation. Pluto's large moon Charon displays tectonics and evidence for a heterogeneous crustal composition; its north pole displays puzzling dark terrain. Small satellites Hydra and Nix have higher albedos than expected.

Development of Diagnostic Fragment Ion Library for Glycated Peptides of Human Serum Albumin: Targeted Quantification in Prediabetic, Diabetic, and Microalbuminuria Plasma by Parallel Reaction Monitoring, SWATH, and MSE.

Human serum albumin is one of the most abundant plasma proteins that readily undergoes glycation, thus glycated albumin has been suggested as an additional marker for monitoring glycemic status. Hitherto, only Amadori-modified peptides of albumin were quantified. In this study, we report the construction of fragment ion library for Amadori-modified lysine (AML), N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML)-, and N(ε)-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL)-modified peptides of the corresponding synthetically modified albumin using high resolution accurate mass spectrometry (HR/AM). The glycated peptides were manually inspected and validated for their modification. Further, the fragment ion library was used for quantification of glycated peptides of albumin in the context of diabetes. Targeted Sequential Window Acquisition of all THeoretical Mass Spectra (SWATH) analysis in pooled plasma samples of control, prediabetes, diabetes, and microalbuminuria, has led to identification and quantification of 13 glycated peptides comprised of four AML, seven CML, and two CEL modifications, representing nine lysine sites of albumin. Five lysine sites namely K549, K438, K490, K88, and K375, were observed to be highly sensitive for glycation modification as their respective m/z showed maximum fold change and had both AML and CML modifications. Thus, peptides involving these lysine sites could be potential novel markers to assess the degree of glycation in diabetes.

Bar retained dento-alveolar prosthesis: a case report.

A technique for restoring missing anterior teeth with associated extensive alveolar bone loss has been presented. This technique combines fixed and removable restorations where in removable prosthesis that restores the alveolar defect gets attached to the fixed prosthesis through precision attachment. The fixed prosthesis contributes to esthetics, function and also elevates patient's self image. The removable prosthesis provides the much needed soft tissue support and also facilitates oral hygiene maintenance.

Association of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio with glucose intolerance: an indicator of systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been demonstrated to be a better risk factor than total white blood cell count in the prediction of adverse outcomes in various medical conditions. This study analyzed the association of NLR with different grades of glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in Asian Indians. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Study subjects were recruited from Phase 3 of the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES). For this cross-sectional analysis, subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n=237), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n=63), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) (n=286) were selected. The hemogram was done in all subjects using a five-part hematology analyzer (model SF-3000; Sysmex, Kobe, Japan). The NLR was calculated as the ratio between counts for neutrophils and total lymphocytes. Fasting insulin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Subjects with DM showed a significantly higher NLR (2.2 ± 1.12) compared with IGT subjects (1.82 ± 0.63), who in turn had a higher ratio than NGT subjects (1.5 ± 0.41) (P<0.01). Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation of NLR with glycated hemoglobin (r=0.411), fasting plasma glucose (r=0.378), and HOMA-IR (r=0.233) (P<0.001). Regression analysis showed a linear increase in NLR with increasing severity of glucose intolerance even after adjusting for age, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on the correlation of NLR with different grades of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. NLR can be used as an adjuvant prognostic marker for macro- and microvascular complications in patients with glucose intolerance.

Isolated fallopian tube torsion in adolescents.

Background. Fallopian tube torsion is a rare cause of acute abdomen, occurring commonly in females of reproductive age. It lacks pathognomonic symptoms, signs, or imaging features, thus causing delay in surgical intervention. Case. We report two cases of isolated fallopian tube torsion in adolescent girls. In the first case a 19-year-old patient presented with acute pain in the left iliac region associated with episodes of vomiting for one day and mild tenderness on examination. Laparoscopy revealed left sided twisted fallopian tube associated with hemorrhagic cyst of ovary. The tube was untwisted and salvaged. In another case an 18-year-old virgin girl presented with similar complaints since one week, associated with mild tenderness in the lower abdomen and tender cystic mass on per rectal examination. On laparoscopy right twisted fallopian tube associated with a paratubal cyst was found. Salpingectomy was done as the tube was gangrenous. Conclusion. Fallopian tube torsion, though rare, should be considered in women of reproductive age with unilateral pelvic pain. Early diagnostic laparoscopy is important for an accurate diagnosis and could salvage the tube.

Noninvasive type 2 diabetes screening: clinical evaluation of SCOUT DS in an Asian Indian cohort.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the noninvasive, point-of-care diabetes screening device, Scout DS (VeraLight Inc., Albuquerque, NM) (SCOUT), in a native Asian Indian cohort. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: SCOUT is a tabletop, skin fluorescence spectrometer that reports a risk score following a 3-4-min noninvasive measurement of a subject's left volar forearm. SCOUT, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and hemoglobin A(1c) (A1C) were compared for detection of abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) in a cohort of 256 subjects without previous diagnosis of diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance in Chennai, India. After an overnight fast, a 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test was administered, and AGT was defined as a plasma glucose value ≥ 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/dL). Sensitivity, false-positive rate (FPR), and receiver-operating characteristics area under the curve for AGT detection were computed for SCOUT, FPG, and A1C. Intra-day reproducibility of SCOUT was assessed. RESULTS: SCOUT, FPG, and A1C (at respective thresholds of 50, 110 mg/dL, and 5.7%) exhibited sensitivities of 87%, 32%, and 86%, respectively, and FPR of 52%, 3%, and 58%, respectively. For the 177 subjects receiving a valid SCOUT Diabetes Score on both measurement attempts, the coefficient of variation was 5.8%, and the Pearson correlation was 0.91. A SCOUT score could be obtained on 91% of subjects after two attempts. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of SCOUT is similar to that of A1C, whereas FPG had a much lower sensitivity. SCOUT is an effective tool for AGT screening in Asian Indians.

Estrogenic activity of friedelin rich fraction (IND-HE) separated from Cissus quadrangularis and its effect on female sexual function.

Women experience menopause differently across the world, in terms of their symptomology. Many experience symptoms of menopause like hot flashes, joint pain and loss of libido. Estrogen replacement is the prescribed therapy for most of the sexual dysfunction observed in menopausal women. Many women are reluctant to use exogenous hormone therapy for treatment of menopausal symptoms and are turning to botanical and dietary supplements for relief. In the present study IND-HE (friedelin rich fraction) was studied for estrogenic activity as well as its effect on sexual behavior in overiectomized female Wistar rats.The rats were divided into 4 groups of six rats each. The Group 1 received distilled water, Group II - IND-HE (75 mg/kg p. o.), Group III - IND-HE (100 mg/kg p. o.) and Group IV received estrogen (estradiol) (1 mg/kg in olive oil suspension, s.c. bi-weekly). The treatment period was 8 weeks. On 1 day, one month and two month of treatment the sexual behavior was studied. At the end of the treatment the blood was withdrawn from retro-orbital plexus. The animals were sacrificed and uterus was removed, weighed and histology was studied. In different group of rats estrous cycle was studied which indicate estrogenic activity and for progestogenic activity of deciduoma formation was studied.The result indicated that IND-HE (75 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) improved sexual behavior parameters. IND-HE (75 and 100) significantly (P< 0.01) decreased darting and hopping latency. The darting frequency and hopping frequency was significantly (P< 0.01) improved in IND-HE (75 and100 mg/kg p.o.) as well as estrogen group. Lordosis interval (LI) was increased significantly in estrogen group after 1(st) month (P< 0.05), and after 2(nd) month (P< 0.01). IND-HE (100) treatment showed increase in LI after 1(st) month (P< 0.05) remained during 2(nd) month (P< 0.01). While IND-HE (75) treatment increased LI only after 2(nd) month (P< 0.05).IND-HE (75 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) showed estrogenic activity as indicated by vaginal cornification, increase in uterine weight and rise in serum estrogen.

Audit of care of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-Hydroxylase deficiency in a referral hospital in South India.

We carried out an audit of management of patients with 21-Hydroxylase deficiency CAH who presented to the Department of Endocrinology OPD from 1999 till 2004 and had a minimum follow up of 6 months. Of the 30 patients analysed 24 were girls and 6 were boys. The majority belonged to the Christian community. One third had a history of consanguinity or family history of similar illness. Sex assignment was appropriate in most. Karyotyping was done in half. Half the patients had adequate follow up and 17 OHP measurements. Only 7 out of 30 children had normal height for age. Bone age was done in 16 patients only. Most were on hydrocortisone. The average age of genital surgery was 31 months.

A single-chain fragment variable recombinant antibody against F5 fimbria of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli inhibits agglutination of horse red blood cells induced by F5 protein.

Bovine colibacillosis caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a worldwide problem. Adhesion of ETEC to intestinal cell receptors mediated by the surface protein F5 fimbriae is the initial step in the establishment of colibacillosis. Prevention of ETEC F5(+) adhesion to enterocytes protects newborn calves against collibacillosis. On the enterocytes, the F5 fimbriae bind to a ganglioside that is also found on horse red blood cells. Thus, the presence of F5 fimbriae induces haemagglutination, which is useful as an indicator in a functional assay system. In this study, recombinant anti-F5 scFv antibody fragment produced in E. coli HB2151 reacted with F5 fimbriae in ELISA and Western immunoblot, and prevented haemagglutination induced by the binding of the F5 fimbriae to its natural host receptors on horse red blood cells. Given the ease with which recombinant antibodies can be mass-produced, the presently described scFv may hold promise as a prophylactic agent for colibacillosis.

Simple enumerations of peripheral blood natural killer (CD56+ NK) cells, B cells and T cells have no predictive value in IVF treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the association between the absolute counts of the peripheral natural killer (NK) cells (including total CD56(+) NK cells, CD56(dim) NK cells and CD56(bright) NK cells), B cells and T cells on the implantation rate and miscarriage rate after IVF treatment. METHODS: This was a prospective observation study. A total of 138 patients who underwent IVF treatment from December 2002 to July 2003 were recruited to the study. Blood samples were obtained on the day of vaginal oocyte retrieval prior to the procedure. The absolute counts of lymphocytes, NK cells, B cells and T cells were identified by flow cytometry. These absolute counts and their relationships to IVF treatment outcome and miscarriage rate were analysed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences with regard the mean values of absolute lymphocyte count, T cell count, B cell count and NK cell count (including total CD56(+) NK, CD56(dim) NK and CD56(bright) NK cells) between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups and also between the ongoing pregnancy and miscarriage groups. The cause of infertility, duration of infertility, basal FSH levels, number of previous failed IVF treatments, number of previous miscarriages and stimulation characteristics were not significantly different between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups. Previous studies have suggested that women with a history of recurrent miscarriage and those with infertility accompanied by recurrent failed IVF treatments are associated with a peripheral blood NK cell percentage >12%, therefore further analysis of peripheral CD56(+) NK cell levels <12% (group A) and >12% (group B) was performed. There was no significant difference in implantation rate (group A: 17.0%; group B: 23.2%), pregnancy rate (group A: 36.6%; group B: 47.7%) or miscarriage rate (group A: 23.3%; group B: 28.6%). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between simple enumerations of peripheral blood NK cells (including total CD56(+) NK, CD56(dim) NK and CD56(bright) NK cells), B cells and T cells with IVF treatment outcome and pregnancy outcome. Women who had a peripheral NK cell level >12% did not have higher number of previous pregnancy losses. Importantly their pregnancy rate was not reduced and their miscarriages were not increased compared to women who had a peripheral NK cells level <12%.

An increase in the absolute count of CD56dimCD16+CD69+ NK cells in the peripheral blood is associated with a poorer IVF treatment and pregnancy outcome.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of the absolute count of the activation marker (CD69), IgG Fc receptor (CD16) and inhibitor marker (CD94) expression on peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells on implantation and miscarriage rates after IVF treatment. METHODS: Prospective observational study of 138 randomly selected women who underwent IVF treatment from December 2002 to September 2003. NK cells were identified as CD56(+) (dim + bright) and CD3(-) by flow cytometry. The absolute counts of the CD69(+), CD16(+) and CD94(+)expressing NK cells were recorded and their relation to IVF treatment outcome and miscarriage rate was analysed. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) absolute count of the CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD69(+) NK cells for women who had a successful ongoing pregnancy was 0.61 x 10(6)/l (+/-0.31). For those women who failed to achieve a pregnancy, the mean value of the absolute count of CD56(dim)CD16(+)D69(+) NK cells was significantly (P=0.003) higher at 1.66 x 10(6)/l (+/-0.52). The absolute count of CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD94(+) and CD56(dim)CD16(+) NK cells did not show any statistically significant differences between those women with successful and failed IVF treatment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to select a CD69 threshold for further statistical analysis. The implantation rate (IR) was significantly lower (13.1%) and miscarriage rate (MR) was significantly higher (66.7%) for women with an absolute CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD69(+) NK cell count of >1.0 x 10(6)/l compared to women with count below this value (IR 28.2% and MR 16.7%). Further analysis of the absolute count of CD56(bright)CD69(+) and CD56(bright)CD94(+) NK cells did not show any significant difference between those women with successful and failed IVF treatment. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the absolute count of activated NK cells (CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD69(+)) in the peripheral blood is associated with a reduced rate of embryo implantation in IVF treatment. Furthermore, women with high CD56(dim)CD16(+)CD69(+) peripheral blood NK cell absolute count, who are able to achieve pregnancy, have a significantly higher miscarriage rate.

Biodegradable microspheres of ketorolac tromethamine for parenteral administration.

Ketorolac tromethamine loaded microspheres were prepared using two different polyesters, namely poly (lactic acid) and poly (glycolic acid) by solvent evaporation technique. The morphology of microspheres was analysed by scanning electron microscopy. In vitro release profiles of these microspheres were studied in phosphate buffered saline pH 7.4. The release kinetics of ketorolac tromethamine from the microspheres was evaluated by fitting the release data to the zero-order, Higuchi and korsemeyer-peppas equations. All microspheres showed initial burst release, followed by fickian diffusion of drug through microspheres. These microspheres were formulated as parenterals to have controlled release system.