Unravelling the Significance of NLRP3 and IL-ß1 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Potentially Malignant Oral Disorders: A Diagnostic and Prognostic Exploration.

BACKGROUND: Nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), an inflammasome, is reported to be dysregulated or aberrantly expressed in chronic inflammation, leading to a myriad of inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. This study aimed to explore the expression and role of NLRP3 protein and the secreted cytokine IL-ß1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and potentially malignant oral disorders (PMOD). MATERIAL & METHODS: Tissue NLRP3 expression was quantified using sandwich ELISA in 30 cases each of OSCC, PMOD, and normal oral mucosa. Serum IL-ß1 level was also measured by ELISA to determine their correlation. In surgically treated OSCC cases, pathological parameters such as tumor size, depth of invasion (DOI), pTNM stage, and perineural & lymphovascular invasion were assessed and correlated with NLRP3 & IL-ß1 levels to investigate their roles in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. RESULTS: Tissue NLRP3 expression was markedly elevated in OSCC, with significant IL-ß1 levels observed in the serum of both OSCC and PMOD cases. Both markers showed a pronounced increase with the severity of dysplasia, indicating a strong association (p = 0.003%). The expression levels of tissue NLRP3 and serum IL-ß1 were positively correlated with DOI and tumor size. Furthermore, their elevated levels, alongside higher histological grades, indicate roles in the dedifferentiation and progression of tumor cells. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that increased expression of NLRP3 and IL-ß1 in PMOD correlates with higher transformation rates, along with tumor progression and dedifferentiation in OSCC. Consequently, these markers hold promise as valuable targets for prognostic assessment, diagnostics, and therapeutic strategies in OSCC.

Exploring miR-155-5p and miR-1246 as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers in Oral Squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the leading cancers worldwide, significantly impacting developing nations. This study aimed to explore the diagnostic and prognostic potential of miR-155-5p and miR-1246 in OSCC in the Indian population, as their comparative roles in this context remain unexplored. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study comprised 50 histopathologically confirmed OSCC cases, with adjacent normal mucosa as controls. MiRNA expression was assessed via qRT-PCR and correlated with clinicopathological factors. MiRwalk and miRTargetlink were used for miRNA:mRNA interaction prediction, and gprofiler was employed to analyze validated targets for functional insights. RESULTS: The expression analysis showed a significant upregulation of miR-155-5p and miR-1246 in OSCC tissues compared to adjacent controls. Receiver operating curve analysis revealed that miR-1246 exhibited excellent diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.94) compared to miR-155-5p (AUC = 0.69). Higher miRNA levels were associated with age and extracapsular extension while overexpression of miR-1246 was correlated significantly with increased tumor size, tumor grade, TNM staging, and depth of invasion. The analysis for target prediction unveiled a set of validated targets, among which were WNT5A, TP53INP1, STAT3, CTNNB1, PRKAR1A, and NFIB. CONCLUSION: miR-155-5p and miR-1246 may be used as potential prognostic biomarkers in OSCC, with miR-1246 demonstrating superior diagnostic accuracy.

A mathematical model for investigation of dry band location on 22 kV bushing with and without RTV coating: Experimental study.

As different pollutants are deposited on the high voltage bushings, a dry band forms, which causes a flashover. The bushing's contaminated layer will weaken its insulation and have an impact on its electrical characteristics. The performance of bushings in dry band conditions of various lengths was investigated in this proposed piece of work, and a dynamic arc model is presented for the arc process in polluted bushings. It shows satisfactory performance in modelling the arc variables for various dry band positions. The developed dynamic open model for contaminated bushings with and without RTV coating predicted the flashover voltage and dry band positions. Any type of contamination, such as sea salt, road salt, and industrial pollutants prevalent in several sites, can be studied using the established model. Ultimately, it was discovered that there was good agreement between the model's results and the outcomes of the experiments. •Mathematical modeling of 22 kV bushing is conceded out for diverse polluted dry band location at lead-in, lead-out and middle region of bushing surface.•Dynamic arc modeling involved in bushing flashover process for different dry band location is done and flashover voltage is predicted•Experimental work is carried out to find FOV for the bushing with different dry location and compared with predicted FOV.

Dentinogenic Ghost Cell Tumor associated with Odontoma: A unique Histopathological Entity and its Surgical Management.

We report a rare case of dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT) associated with complex composite odontoma in a 17 years male affecting the posterior segment of the mandible. On radiographic examination, there was a well-defined multilocular radiolucency surrounding the radio opaque mass with respect to 44, 45 and 46. Histopathologically it showed ameloblastomatous proliferation with dentin like areas and ghost cells. It was associated with tooth like structures consisting of dentin, cementum and pulp like areas. DGCT with odontoma is extremely rare with only two cases being reported in literature till date. The management with its rare occurrence is discussed here.

Can IGF-1 serve as a reliable skeletal maturity indicator? A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many clinical studies have evaluated the role of biochemical mediators like insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in assessment of skeletal maturity. But still the reliability of IGF­1 as an indicator of skeletal maturity remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between IGF­1 and different radiographic skeletal maturity indicators. SEARCH METHODS: Seven electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science and SciELO) were searched until January 2020 without any restriction based on language or date of publication. SELECTION CRITERIA: The study design included cross-sectional and longitudinal studies comparing IGF­1 and other skeletal maturity indicators (SMIs). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data extraction was done by two reviewers independently; 15 studies were eligible to be included in the quantitative synthesis. RESULTS: There was significant positive correlation between IGF­1 and different SMIs until puberty which was 0.95 (confidence interval [CI] = 0.89, 1.02) for males and 0.87 (CI = 0.77, 0.97) for females. A negative correlation between IGF­1 and different SMIs was found after puberty which was -0.86 (CI = -0.97, -0.75) for males and -0.89 (CI = -0.98, -0.81) for females. The type of SMI compared and type of IGF­1 sample used accounted for the high heterogeneity found across the studies. Chronological age and number of months passed after puberty showed moderate negative correlation with mean IGF­1 levels which were -0.57 (CI = -0.67, -0.47) and -0.54 (CI = -0.66, -0.42). Annual increments in mandibular length showed significant positive correlation of 0.69 (CI = 0.48, 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: IGF­1 would serve as a promising alternative to conventional radiographic skeletal maturity indicators and in predicting the amount of residual mandibular growth.

Synthesis opto-electronic characterization and NLO evaluation of 6-methyl 5-nitro Uracil crystal using XRD, spectroscopic and theoretical tools.

The organic composite crystal for 6-methyl 5-nitro Uracil was grown using slow-evaporation method and the crystal quality was checked by observing the peaks in XRD pattern. The molecular structure of 6-methyl 5-nitro Uracil was used to find crystal parameters for determining NLO activity. The appropriate electronic geometrical structure was keenly noted and the transitional energy exchange was studied and thereby fine-tuning of crystal performance was made by adopting suitable electron-accepting and with-drawing substitutional groups. The crystal parameters; a≠b≠c confirmed the orthorhombic lattice pattern. The space group was found as P21/a and Transparency range was observed as 409-1256 nm. The laser measurements were made and laser Damage threshold was estimated at 10 ns[1.08-3 GW/cm2]. The scattering characteristics of bond networks over the molecule were observed by studying vibrational characteristics of elemental bonds. The hybrid calculations on DFT methods were made using B3LYP/6-311++(D,P) basis set. The chemical shift was observed and retracing chemical potential was identified from the parametric oscillation. The frontier molecular interactions between ground and excited orbital lobe overlapping segments were noted and type of interaction system was identified. The electronic and protonic transfer energy was measured and the origination point of equivalent chemical potential was acknowledged. The NBMO profile was keenly grafted and the transitional energy was measured at every consumed electronic energy band. The vibrational circular dichroic image for all vibrational regions was sketched and the rate of transmission and absorption ratio was verified from peak intensity.

Exposure contrasts associated with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) intervention at potential field sites for the multi-country household air pollution intervention network (HAPIN) trial in India: results from pilot phase activities in rural Tamil Nadu.

BACKGROUND: The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial aims to assess health benefits of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cookfuel and stove intervention among women and children across four low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We measured exposure contrasts for women, achievable under alternative conditions of biomass or LPG cookfuel use, at potential HAPIN field sites in India, to aid in site selection for the main trial. METHODS: We recruited participants from potential field sites within Villupuram and Nagapattinam districts in Tamil Nadu, India, that were identified during a feasibility assessment. We performed. (i) cross-sectional measurements on women (N = 79) using either biomass or LPG as their primary cookfuel and (ii) before-and-after measurements on pregnant women (N = 41), once at baseline while using biomass fuel and twice - at 1 and 2 months - after installation of an LPG stove and free fuel intervention. We involved participants to co-design clothing and instrument stands for personal and area sampling. We measured 24 or 48-h personal exposures and kitchen and ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) using gravimetric samplers. RESULTS: In the cross-sectional analysis, median (interquartile range, IQR) kitchen PM2.5 concentrations in biomass and LPG using homes were 134 µg/m3 [IQR:71-258] and 27 µg/m3 [IQR:20-47], while corresponding personal exposures were 75 µg/m3 [IQR:55-104] and 36 µg/m3 [IQR:26-46], respectively. In before-and-after analysis, median 48-h personal exposures for pregnant women were 72 µg/m3 [IQR:49-127] at baseline and 25 µg/m3 [IQR:18-35] after the LPG intervention, with a sustained reduction of 93% in mean kitchen PM2.5 concentrations and 78% in mean personal PM2.5 exposures over the 2 month intervention period. Median ambient concentrations were 23 µg/m3 [IQR:19-27). Participant feedback was critical in designing clothing and instrument stands that ensured high compliance. CONCLUSIONS: An LPG stove and fuel intervention in the candidate HAPIN trial field sites in India was deemed suitable for achieving health-relevant exposure reductions. Ambient concentrations indicated limited contributions from other sources. Study results provide critical inputs for the HAPIN trial site selection in India, while also contributing new information on HAP exposures in relation to LPG interventions and among pregnant women in LMICs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.Gov. NCT02944682 ; Prospectively registered on October 17, 2016.

Organic Datura metel Leaf Extract Mediated Inorganic Rare Earth La2O3 Nanocrystals Formation.

Development of sustainable synthesis of La2O3 nanocrystals formation employing Datura metel leaf extract was explored. The obtained nanocrystals were analyzed employing XRD, Raman, PL, FTIR, XPS and TEM characterizations. With increasing incubation and aging, the transformation of La(OH)3 to LaOOH and metal ellagate complex formation to La2O3 nanocrystals formation was observed. The obtained XRD results clearly revealed the transformation of lanthanum hydroxide to lanthanum oxide hydroxide and then to lanthanum oxide nanocrystals formation with 1, 4 and days. The influence of incubation and aging on La2O3 nanocrystals formation was discussed. Datura metel leaf extract product mixture over a period of incubation formed pure hexagonal lanthanum oxide nanocrystals.

Novel functional imaging technique from brain surface with optical coherence tomography enabling visualization of depth resolved functional structure in vivo.

Mapping of the activity of brain by optical intrinsic signal imaging (OISI) provides a two-dimensional activation pattern of visual cortical areas at a resolution of a few hundred microns. However, integration of the intrinsic signal over depth results in loss of finer information about functional organization across the depth. Here, we report the first successful implementation of optical coherence tomography (OCT) at around 30 microm depth resolution to investigate cortical functions of a cat brain in vivo. This technique, named functional OCT (fOCT) provided visually evoked changes in the OCT signal. The fOCT signal shows stimulus specificity that correlates well with that of the intrinsic signals and provides depth resolved layer specific functional information.

Near-field optical imaging of flagellar filaments of salmonella in water with optical feedback control.

We report on the high-resolution observation of biological samples in water with a collection-mode near-field optical microscope (c-mode NOM) operating under optical feedback control. With rapidly decreasing evanescent field power used as the feedback signal, for the first time to our knowledge, an image of straight-type flagellar filaments of salmonella in water has been obtained. The estimated diameter of a single filament is around 55 nm with a pixel size of 10 nm. A comparison with its nominal value of 25 nm obtained from electron microscope observations under high vacuum confirms that our c-mode NOM performs high-resolution imaging in water.

Fabrication of a pencil-shaped fiber probe with a nanometric protrusion from a metal film for near-field optical microscopy.

We propose a method to fabricate a probe with a nanometric protrusion for near-field optical microscopy. The method involves tapering process based on selective etching of an GeO2 doped fiber in buffered hydrogen fluoride solution and metallizing process by vacuum evaporation and chemical polishing. We obtained the tapered probe having a protrusion emerged from a metal film. The protrusion has an apex diameter less than 10nm and a foot diameter less than 20nm. Employing the probe, we succeeded in obtaining a highly spatially resolved image of 20nm sized gold particles.

Deducing structural variations of the apex of probes used in near-field optical microscopy through simultaneous measurement of shear force and evanescent intensity.

We propose a simple method employing the simultaneous detection of evanescent intensity and shear force to deduce variations in the near-field optical morphology of the apex of the probes used in near-field microscopy. Fabrication of our probes involves sharpening by chemical etching, metal coating, and removal of metal from the apex. We show that through the simultaneous measurement of shear force and evanescent intensity, it is possible to detect variations in the optical morphology of the very apex of the probes during near-field imaging by a scanning near-field optical microscope.

Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defences and red-cell membrane changes in relation to coronary risk index and symptomatic coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the normal lipoprotein profile in the population and identify the early warning signs of coronary heart disease (CHD). DESIGN: Random blood sampling of healthy adults and patients with symptomatic CHD including that complicated with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: Plasma lipids, lipoproteins, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and scavengers, red-cell membrane lipids and glycoproteins were assayed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The normal levels of plasma lipids and lipoproteins were established. Levels of plasma free fatty acids, fibrinogen, white blood cell counts, echinocytes, red-cell membrane lipids and protein-bound carbohydrate components are significantly higher in healthy subjects with coronary risk index above 4.5 than they are in normal individuals. Antioxidant defences appear to be the distinguishing factor, remaining higher in normal individuals and thus keeping lipid peroxidation under control. In symptomatic CHD, antioxidant defences are significantly lowered.