Sorption behavior studies of Cs and its migration in soil samples around Visakhapatnam, India.

Meeting the requirement of high specific activity of radioisotopes and carrying out comprehensive research and development activities in the nuclear field, different nuclear facilities, including their waste disposal facilities, are going to be operational at Visakhapatnam, India. Due to environmental processes, the engineered disposal modules may lose their structural integrity and may release some radioactivity to the geo-environment. The subsequent migration of radionuclides reaching the geological environment will be governed by the distribution coefficient (Kd). Cs was chosen for the sorption study in two soil samples (soil-29 and 31) and to estimate the Kd in all the 40 soil samples through the laboratory batch method at the new campus of DAE, Visakhapatnam, India. Different soil chemical parameters like pH, organic matter, CaCO3, and cation exchange capacity were determined in 40 soil samples and their effect on Cs sorption was investigated. The effect of solution pH and initial concentration of Cs on sorption was also studied. The results show that the sorption of Cs increases with increasing pH. The Cs sorption was well explained by Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. Site-specific distribution coefficients (Kd) were also estimated and the values were found to vary from 75 ± 1 to 540 ± 12 L kg-1. The observed wide variation in Kd could be due to large variations in the physico-chemical properties of collected soil. The competitive ions effect study suggests that K+ has higher interference for Cs+ sorption as compared to Na+. The present study results will help assess the environmental impact due to Cs release in any unforeseen scenario and in planning effective remediation strategies.

Comparative clinical and radiographic evaluation of mineralized cancellous bone allograft (puros®) and autogenous bone in the treatment of human periodontal intraosseous defects: 6-months follow-up study.

AIMS: Several materials have been introduced as bone grafts, i.e., autografts, allograft, xenografts, and alloplastic grafts, and studies have shown them to produce greater clinical bone defect fill than open flap debridement alone. The aim of this clinical and radiological 6-month study was to compare and evaluate the clinical outcome of deep intraosseous defects following reconstructive surgery with the use of mineralized cancellous bone allograft (Puros®) or autogenous bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with 12 sites exhibiting signs of moderate generalized chronic periodontitis were enrolled in the study. The investigations were confined to two and three-walled intra bony defects with a preoperative probing depth of ≥5 mm. Six of these defects were treated with Puros® (group A) the remaining six were treated with autogenous bone graft (group B). Allocation to the two groups was randomized. The clinical parameters, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bone fill, were recorded at different time intervals at the baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Intraoral radiographs were taken using standardized paralleling cone technique at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Statistical analysis was done by using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey highly significant difference. RESULTS: Both groups resulted in decrease in probing depth (group A, 3.0 mm; group B, 2.83 mm) and gain in clinical attachment level (group A, 3.33 mm; group B, 3.0 mm) over a period of 6 months, which was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that both mineralized cancellous bone allograft (Puros®) or autogenous bone result in significant clinical improvements.

Papillion-Lefèvre Syndrome: Periodontists' Perspective.

Papillion-Lefèvre Syndrome is a very rare disorder of autosomal recessive inheritance distinguished by palmar plantar hyperkeratosis and early onset of periodontitis affecting the dentition. Genetic studies have identified a mutation in the major gene locus of chromosome 11q14 with loss of function. Cathepsin C gene is to be responsible for Papillion-Lefèvre Syndrome. The present case report describes a 13-year-old female, who visited the Department of Periodontology with the chief compliant of bleeding gums and loose teeth. She presented with the signs and symptoms of Papillion-Lefèvre Syndrome. The patient had premature shedding of her deciduous dentition. On clinical examination, extraorally, the patient presented with persistent thickening, flaking, and scaling of the skin of palms and soles. Her intraoral examination revealed gingival inflammation, abscess formation, and periodontal pockets. Her intraoral radiographs showed bone loss involving the central incisors and molars. The patient underwent periodontal therapy and is under maintenance.

Extracts of Koelreuteria henryi Dummer induce apoptosis and autophagy by inhibiting dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, thus enhancing anticancer effects.

Dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DDH) is frequently detected in cancer cells, and its overexpression correlates with drug resistance, the downregulation of DNA repair mechanisms, increased frequency of tumor recurrence, cancer cell metastasis and poor prognosis. The silencing of DDH expression using siRNA, on the other hand, reduces drug resistance and cancer cell mobility. These data suggest that DDH may be an oncogene-related protein. However, no specific DDH inhibitor has been identified to date. Thus, in this study, we used DDH as a target enzyme in a live-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to screen Chinese medicinal herb extracts (CMHEs) with the aim of identifying a DDH inhibitor. Using this method, we found 49 among 796 CMHEs that inhibited DDH expression. We selected three potential extracts, which had the highest activity against DDH, for further fractionation using high-performance liquid chromatography. The active ingredient was identified by immunoblot analysis. The function of the active ingredient was characterized by cell function analysis. Our results revealed that the CMHE-purified compounds targeted DDH, inducing autophagy and reducing DNA repair, which in turn enhanced the cytotoxic effects of the anticancer drugs and irradiation.

Differential phosphorylation of the docking protein Gab1 by c-Src and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor regulates different aspects of cell functions.

The docking protein Grb2-associated binder1 (Gab1) has a central role in the integration of the growth-factor signaling. In this study, we aimed to examine the significance of Src-mediated Gab1 phosphorylation in the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling. Using both mutagenesis and mass spectrometry approaches, Y242, Y259, Y317, Y373 and Y627 of Gab1 were identified to be phosphorylated by c-Src. It is interesting to note that the binding of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 to the Y627 antagonized the effect of c-Src on the phosphorylation of the other four tyrosine residues. Moreover, the tyrosine residues predominantly phosphorylated by c-Src were different from those predominantly phosphorylated by the HGF receptor. Gab1 overexpression potentiated both mitogenic and motogenic activities of HGF. However, a Gab1 mutant with substitutions of the Src phosphorylation sites (Y242, Y259, Y317 and Y373) failed to promote HGF-induced DNA synthesis, but retained its ability to facilitate HGF-induced chemotaxis. Taken together, our results not only suggest that the phosphorylation of Gab1 by c-Src is important for HGF-induced DNA synthesis, but also provide an example to illustrate how a docking protein (for example, Gab1) is differentially phosphorylated by c-Src and a receptor tyrosine kinase to emanate full spectrum of signals to the downstream.

Secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: a confusing and potentially serious complication of hematologic malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the computed tomography and clinical findings of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis secondary to hematologic malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with hematologic malignancy and pathologically proven secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis were identified from 2000 to 2007. Six had chest computed tomography scans, which were analyzed retrospectively; medical records were also reviewed. RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 30 to 54 years. Four had chronic myelogenous leukemia, 1 had myelodysplastic syndrome, and 1 had cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. As in idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, geographic ground-glass opacities with or without septal thickening were most common (5/6). No axial or zonal predominance was present. Two patients died from respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to consider secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis as a cause of geographic ground-glass opacities and septal thickening in a patient with hematologic malignancy. Whereas idiopathic pulmonary alveolar proteinosis has a low mortality rate, the death of 2 of our 6 patients implies that secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis may have a worse prognosis. Our case of secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis associated with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is the first described in the literature.

Radiologic and pathologic features of bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe and illustrate the clinical, pathologic, and imaging features of the inflammatory and fibrotic forms of bronchiolitis. The CT features presented in this article represent the typical features associated with each entity. CONCLUSION: Direct signs of bronchiolitis include centrilobular nodules and tree-in-bud pattern. Indirect signs include mosaic attenuation and air trapping. Although classic examples of each entity exist, there can be substantial overlap in the appearances, and distinguishing among these entities is not always possible. When high-resolution CT features overlap, clinical details will usually help to narrow the differential diagnosis.

Ipsilateral vascularised fibular transport for massive defects of the tibia.

The ipsilateral and contralateral fibulae have been used as a vascularised bone graft for loss of tibial bone usually by methods which have involved specialised microvascular techniques to preserve or re-establish the blood supply. We have developed a method of tibialisation of the fibula using the Ilizarov fixator system, ipsilateral vascularised fibular transport (IVFT), and have used it in five patients with massive loss of tibial bone after treatment of an open fracture, infected nonunion or chronic osteomyelitis. All had successful transport, proximal and distal union, and hypertrophy of the graft without fracture. One developed a squamous-cell carcinoma which ultimately required amputation of the limb. The advantage of IVFT is that the fibular segment retains its vascularity without the need for microvascular dissection or anastomoses. Superiosteal formation of new bone occurs if the tibial periosteal bed is retained. Other procedures such as corticotomy and lengthening can be carried out concurrently.

Use of modified Ilizarov olive wires as pushing wires.

We describe a technique for the use of modified Ilizarov olive wires to stabilize bone fragments or segments or to act as a "motor" to move individual bone fragments. This technique was used in twelve patients with severe articular or comminuted open fractures referred to the unit for reconstruction with the Ilizarov frame. Six patients had comminuted plafond fractures of the tibia, and three had tibial plateau fractures. In these cases the articular fragments were reduced and stabilized until union. The modified pushing olive wire is a valuable adjunct to the Ilizarov frame.

Distraction osteogenesis through high energy fractures.

We present a series of three patients with segmental, high energy open tibial fractures with bone loss (2-7 cm), where we have used distraction through a fracture site to replace lost bone. The open fracture was treated by debridement and shortening to eliminate the bone and soft tissue defect. Limb length was restored by distraction instituted through the closed segmental fracture. The length of regenerate formed at the fracture site ranged from 10 to 30 mm. In each case, bone formation at the distracted fracture site was satisfactory and times for regenerate consolidation were similar to those seen in standard corticotomies. These findings suggest that new bone will form in distraction reliably from high-energy fracture sites.

Analysis of complications in 1000 cases of posterior chamber intra ocular lens implantation.

Analysis of complications in 1000 cases of primary posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation done, during a period of one year was undertaken for the study. The cases included uncomplicated as well as those with various associated conditions like diabetes, traumatic cataracts, complicated cataracts, myopia and developmental cataracts. The important postoperative complications were uveitis (9%), endophthalmitis (0.5%), malposition of IOL (2.8%) and cystoid macular edema (0.3%). Posterior capsule opacification was seen in 11.5% of cases and was treated by YAG laser capsulotomy. More than 80% cases had 6/6-6/12 vision. In our experience posterior chamber IOL implantation has become an extremely successful and satisfying procedure along with the availability of YAG laser facility to manage posterior capsule opacification.