Early Outcomes of Modified Technique of Mobile Bearing Unicondylar Knee Replacement.

Background: Recent years have seen a resurgence in utilization of partial knee replacement. One such device frequently used is Oxford partial knee implant (OPK). Deeper tibial bone cut while performing OPK replacement may risk early failure. Methods: We prospectively looked at early outcomes of a modified technique (MT) of OPK replacement adopted by our centre to save tibial bone stock at 24 months of follow up as compared to designer group described technique (DT) as a prospective cohort. Results: At 2 years follow up New Knee Society Score showed patient satisfaction (38.25 in DT vs 39.02 in MT, p value 0.10), objective (92.77 in DT vs 91.07 in MT, p value 0.21), expectation scores (14.77 in DT vs 14.85 in MT, p value 0.81) and activity (60.72 in DT vs 68.17 in MT, p value 0.79 were similar in MT group as compared to DT. The stair climbing ability (22.46 in MT vs 29.96 in DT, p value < 0.001) and getting up from chair (13.16 in MT vs 19.80 in DT, p value < 0.001), was better with MT group but most other patient performance scores were similar as assessed by DOP (Delaware Osteoarthritis Profile). Both groups had failure rate of 5% at 24 months follow up. Conclusion: MT resulted in similar early outcomes in terms of patient reported outcomes, satisfaction and performance as compared to DT group. The MT to save tibial bone stock did not compromise early outcomes and can be utilised in certain patients with higher risk of tibial failure.

Numbness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Role of Incision Length And Position - A Randomized Study.

Background: One of the symptoms annoying patients after total knee replacement (TKR) is numbness around the operative scar. Some studies have shown that altering the incision in terms of placement or length may decrease the incidence of numbness. It still remains unknown whether numbness affects patient-reported outcomes. Methods: We conducted a randomized study to compare a short-length incision (n = 50) and a lateral exit incision (n = 50) with a standard midline TKR incision (n = 50) in terms of the incidence of numbness and its progress over 1 year of follow-up. Our secondary objective was to look at the involved zone, area of numbness, and secondary symptoms. We also looked at patient-reported outcome in terms of satisfaction in all groups using a visual analog scale and Forgotten Joint Score. Results: At 3 months postoperatively, the incidence of numbness was least in the lateral exit group: 46.2% as compared to midline (62%) and short (58.3%), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.07). At 6 months, the short incision group had a significantly lower incidence (8%) of residual numbness as compared to 30% in the other two groups (p = 0.003). At 1 year, most patients recovered sensation loss and had similar function. Conclusions: Placement or length of an incision did not significantly affect the incidence of numbness; however, the short incision led to early recovery of numbness. At 1 year of follow-up, most patients did not complain of loss of sensation and had similar functional outcome.

Numbness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Role of Incision Length And Position -A Randomized Study

Background@#One of the symptoms annoying patients after total knee replacement (TKR) is numbness around the operative scar. Some studies have shown that altering the incision in terms of placement or length may decrease the incidence of numbness. It still remains unknown whether numbness affects patient-reported outcomes. @*Methods@#We conducted a randomized study to compare a short-length incision (n = 50) and a lateral exit incision (n = 50) with a standard midline TKR incision (n = 50) in terms of the incidence of numbness and its progress over 1 year of follow-up. Our secondary objective was to look at the involved zone, area of numbness, and secondary symptoms. We also looked at patient-reported outcome in terms of satisfaction in all groups using a visual analog scale and Forgotten Joint Score. @*Results@#At 3 months postoperatively, the incidence of numbness was least in the lateral exit group: 46.2% as compared to midline (62%) and short (58.3%), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.07). At 6 months, the short incision group had a significantly lower incidence (8%) of residual numbness as compared to 30% in the other two groups (p = 0.003). At 1 year, most patients recovered sensation loss and had similar function. @*Conclusions@#Placement or length of an incision did not significantly affect the incidence of numbness; however, the short incision led to early recovery of numbness. At 1 year of follow-up, most patients did not complain of loss of sensation and had similar functional outcome.

Early Outcomes of Dual-Pivot Total Knee Replacement Compared to an Ultracongruent Design.

Background: With a quest to optimize outcomes, there have been significant advancements in modern designs of total knee implants, attempting to mimic the natural knee motion and feel. One such new design reproducing the medial and lateral knee pivot is a dual-pivot (DP) knee. In the present study, we endeavored to compare the performance of the DP knee vis-a-vis an ultracongruent (UC) Knee design. Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed in a joint replacement center of a tertiary care military hospital. We enrolled 50 patients each in the DP knee group and the UC knee group and assessed knee flexion, patient-reported outcome (new Knee Society Score [nKSS]), patient performance (Delaware Osteoarthritis Profile Score), and function (Forgotten Joint Score [FJS]) at 2 years of follow-up. Results: The nKSS was similar in the two groups. In the DP group, patients had significantly better improvement in the stair climb test (p = 0.026). In the UC group, timed up and go test was significantly better (p = 0.004). The gain in knee flexion was similar in the two groups: 26.3° ± 23.3° in the DP group and 27.5° ± 27.5° in the UC group (p = 0.930). Return to activity as judged by 2-year FJS was similar in both groups (p = 0.687). Conclusions: Our study showed that the DP knee design had similar knee function to the UC knee. The DP knee design had significantly better stair climbing ability, whereas getting up from chair was better in the UC knee design. With comparable patient-reported outcome and possible differences in patient performance in terms of day-to-day activities, any future trial should focus on comparing patient performance.

Optimal use of glycerol co-solvent to enhance product yield and its quality from hydrothermal liquefaction of refuse-derived fuel.

Refuse-derived fuels (RDF) are rich in resources that make them an attractive feedstock for the production of energy and biofuels. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising thermochemical conversion technology to handle wet feedstocks and convert them to valuable bio-crude, bio-char and aqueous products. This study highlights the advantages of using glycerol as the co-solvent along with water in different proportions to produce bio-crude from RDF via HTL. The ratio of water:glycerol (vol.%:vol.%) was varied for each experiment (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50), and the product yields and their quality were studied. The results demonstrate that increasing the proportion of glycerol until 50 vol.% in the solvent enhances the bio-crude yield (36.2 wt.%) and its higher heating value (HHV) (30.9 MJ kg-1). Deoxygenation achieved in the bio-crude was 42%. The production of bio-char was minimum (9.5 wt.%) at 50 vol.% glycerol with HHV of 31.9 MJ kg-1. The selectivity to phenolic compounds in the bio-crude increased, while that of cyclic oxygenates decreased when the glycerol content was more than 20 vol.%. The gas-phase analysis revealed that the major deoxygenation pathway was decarboxylation. The yield of aqueous products drastically increased with the addition of glycerol. The minimum amount of glycerol in the co-solvent that favours an energetically feasible process with low carbon footprint is 30 vol.%. Using 50 vol.% glycerol resulted in the highest energy recovery in the bio-crude and bio-char (80%), the lowest energy consumption ratio (0.43) and lowest environmental factor (0.1). The mass-based process mass intensity factor, calculated based on only bio-crude and bio-char as the valuable products, decreased with an increase in addition of glycerol, while it was close to unity when the aqueous phase is also considered as a valuable product.

Does Risk Mitigation Reduce 90-Day Complications in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty?: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: With ever-increasing demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), most healthcare systems around the world are concerned about its socioeconomic burden. Most centers have universally adopted well-defined clinical care pathways to minimize adverse outcomes, maximize volume, and limit costs. However, there are no prospective comparative trials reporting benefits of these risk mitigation (RM) strategies. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study comparing post-TKA 90-day complications between patients undergoing RM before surgery and those following a standard protocol (SP). In the RM group, we used a 20-point checklist to screen for modifiable risk factors and evaluate the need for optimizing non-modifiable comorbidities. Only when optimization goals were achieved, patients were offered TKA. RESULTS: TKA was performed in 811 patients in the SP group and in 829 in the RM group, 40% of which were simultaneous bilateral TKA. In both groups, hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (48%), followed by diabetes (20%). A total of 43 (5.3%) procedure-related complications were seen over the 90-day postoperative period in the SP group, which was significantly greater than 26 (3.1%) seen in the RM group (p = 0.039). The commonest complication was pulmonary thromboembolic, 6 in each group. Blood transfusion rate was higher in the SP group (6%) than in the RM group (< 1%). CONCLUSIONS: Screening and RM can reduce 90-day complications in patients undergoing TKA.

Valorization of red macroalgae biomass via hydrothermal liquefaction using homogeneous catalysts.

Hydrothermal liquefaction of red macroalgae species, Kappaphycus alvarezii (KA) and Eucheuma denticulatum (ED), was performed at 350 °C in the presence of 5 wt% neutral and alkali catalysts like Na2CO3, K2CO3, CaCO3, Na2SO4, NaOH, and KOH. The maximum bio-crude yield of 26.7 wt% and 18.5 wt%, on a dry ash-free basis, was obtained from Na2CO3 treatment of KA and KOH treatment of ED, respectively. The bio-crude from both feedstocks mainly consisted of cyclic oxygenates, whose selectivities were maximum in K2CO3 and CaCO3 treatments. The calorific value of the bio-crude was 38.5 MJ/kg from KA and 30.8 MJ/kg from ED, while that of biochars was 20-24 MJ/kg. A high degree of deoxygenation (64.2%) was observed in bio-crude produced from Na2SO4 treatment of KA biomass. Salts of Cl-, SO42- and K+ constituted the major inorganic portion of the aqueous phase. Maximum energy recovery (99%) was observed from the Na2CO3 treatment of ED.

Does Risk Mitigation Reduce 90-Day Complications in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty?: A Cohort Study

Background@#With ever-increasing demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), most healthcare systems around the world are concerned about its socioeconomic burden. Most centers have universally adopted well-defined clinical care pathways to minimize adverse outcomes, maximize volume, and limit costs. However, there are no prospective comparative trials reporting benefits of these risk mitigation (RM) strategies. @*Methods@#This is a prospective cohort study comparing post-TKA 90-day complications between patients undergoing RM before surgery and those following a standard protocol (SP). In the RM group, we used a 20-point checklist to screen for modifiable risk factors and evaluate the need for optimizing non-modifiable comorbidities. Only when optimization goals were achieved, patients were offered TKA. @*Results@#TKA was performed in 811 patients in the SP group and in 829 in the RM group, 40% of which were simultaneous bilateral TKA. In both groups, hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (48%), followed by diabetes (20%). A total of 43 (5.3%) procedure-related complications were seen over the 90-day postoperative period in the SP group, which was significantly greater than 26 (3.1%) seen in the RM group (p = 0.039). The commonest complication was pulmonary thromboembolic, 6 in each group. Blood transfusion rate was higher in the SP group (6%) than in the RM group (< 1%). @*Conclusions@#Screening and RM can reduce 90-day complications in patients undergoing TKA.

Effects of aqueous phase recirculation on product yields and quality from hydrothermal liquefaction of rice straw.

Aqueous phase (AP) recirculation is a promising process intensification strategy to improve the yield and quality of the products and cost efficiency of the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process by replacing the fresh water used in the experiments. The results demonstrate that AP recirculation in the HTL of rice straw decreases the bio-crude yield from 32.6 wt% to 9.1 wt% after the third recycle, while enhancing the bio-char yield up to 64.1 wt%. The bio-crude and bio-char show improved carbon and hydrogen content with AP recirculation. The decrease in selectivity to aliphatic hydrocarbons in the bio-crude and bio-char, coupled with increase in H2 content in the gaseous phase, suggests the prevalence of dehydrogenation reactions. The bio-char achieved better thermal stability, water retention and cation exchange capacity with AP recirculation. There was a significant accumulation of K+, Ca2+ and Cl- with a concomitant decrease in silicates, sulfate and phosphate in the AP.

Analytical and microwave pyrolysis of empty oil palm fruit bunch: Kinetics and product characterization.

This study is focused on kinetics and product distribution from untreated empty oil palm fruit bunch (EOPFB) biomass and treated EOPFB using analytical pyrolysis combined with gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and microwave pyrolysis. Industrial water wash led to significant reduction in ash content of EOPFB from 5.9 wt% to 0.7 wt%. Isothermal mass loss data collected in the temperature range of 400-700 °C showed that fast pyrolysis in the Pyroprobe® reactor followed diffusion-controlled kinetics with apparent activation energies of 30.4 and 39.6 kJ mol-1 for untreated and treated EOPFB, respectively. Analytical pyrolysis of untreated EOPFB resulted in high selectivity to fatty acids, while phenolics dominated the pyrolysates from treated EOPFB. The selectivities to phenolic compounds were 74% and 57% from treated and untreated EOPFB, respectively, via microwave pyrolysis. The higher heating values of bio-crude from microwave pyrolysis of untreated and treated EOPFB were 30.1 and 29.7 MJ kg-1, respectively.

Comparison of anticancer activity of biocompatible ZnO nanoparticles prepared by solution combustion synthesis using aqueous leaf extracts of Abutilon indicum, Melia azedarach and Indigofera tinctoria as biofuels.

Recently, there has been an upsurge in the use of naturally available fuels for solution combustion synthesis (SCS) of nanoparticles. Although many reports suggest that these biofuels pose less harm to the environment, their strategic advantages and reliability for making NPs has not been discussed. In the present work, we try to address this issue using plant extracts as biofuels for the SCS of zinc oxide nanoparticles as a model system. In the present work, combustion synthesis of ZnO NPs using lactose and aqueous leaf extracts of Abutilon indicum, Melia azedarach, Indigofera tinctoria as biofuels has been carried out. A comparative analysis of the obtained powders has been conducted to understand the strategic advantages of using plant extracts over a chemical as combustion fuel for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The X-ray diffractograms of the samples revealed the presence of Wurtzite hexagonal structure with varying crystallite sizes. Morphological studies indicated that samples prepared using biofuels had smaller diameter than those prepared using lactose as fuel. Surface characteristics of the samples were measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Qualitative phytochemical screening of aqueous leaf extracts revealed the presence of many phytochemicals in them, which might be responsible for combustion. Gas chromatography mass spectrum was carried out to detect the phytochemicals present in the aqueous extracts of the leaves. Further, anticancer evaluation carried out against DU-145 and Calu-6 cancer cells indicated higher anticancer activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared using biofuels. The results of blood haemolysis revealed the biocompatibility of zinc oxide nanoparticles at lower concentrations. In conclusion, we propose that multiple other studies would be required in order to vindicate the potential advantages of using naturally available fuels in SCS.

Outcomes in lung cancer: An experience from routine tertiary care setting.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish characteristics of lung cancer patients diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore. METHODS: The retrospective study was undertaken comprising of 202 patients diagnosed of advanced lung cancer in a tertiary care setting. Data was analyzed to identify patients' characteristics, smoking history, tumor histology, stage of the disease, treatment received, and survival rates. RESULTS: Among the 202 patients diagnosed, 134 were males, and 68 were females. Tumor histology testing revealed that 168 patients had adenocarcinoma, 24 patients had squamous carcinoma, 5 patients had small cell carcinoma, and 5 patients were poorly differentiated carcinoma. Among the patients of adenocarcinoma, complete response, partial response (PR), stable disease, and progressive disease (PD) were seen in 0.6%, 52%, 17%, and 23.2% of the patients respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) for first-line treatment was 6.5 months; the highest PFS was seen with nab-paclitaxel/platinum combination. The mean overall survival was 11.7 months and the highest OS of 12.3 months with gefitinib therapy. In the squamous subset of patients, PR was observed in fourteen patients, of which five patients were treated with nab-paclitaxel/platinum. The mean overall survival of 10.5 months and mean PFS was 6.2 months with the highest PFS of 6.8 months were seen with weekly nab-paclitaxel. Among the small cell lung cancer patients, nine were treated with etoposide/platinum regimen with a compliance of 6 cycles. Three patients had a PR, and one had a PD on etoposide/platinum regimen. The mean overall survival in these patients was 4.6 months.

Observation of Gravitationally Induced Vertical Striation of Polarized Ultracold Neutrons by Spin-Echo Spectroscopy.

We describe a spin-echo method for ultracold neutrons (UCNs) confined in a precession chamber and exposed to a |B0|=1 µT magnetic field. We have demonstrated that the analysis of UCN spin-echo resonance signals in combination with knowledge of the ambient magnetic field provides an excellent method by which to reconstruct the energy spectrum of a confined ensemble of neutrons. The method takes advantage of the relative dephasing of spins arising from a gravitationally induced striation of stored UCNs of different energies, and also permits an improved determination of the vertical magnetic-field gradient with an exceptional accuracy of 1.1 pT/cm. This novel combination of a well-known nuclear resonance method and gravitationally induced vertical striation is unique in the realm of nuclear and particle physics and should prove to be invaluable for the assessment of systematic effects in precision experiments such as searches for an electric dipole moment of the neutron or the measurement of the neutron lifetime.

Highly stable atomic vector magnetometer based on free spin precession.

We present a magnetometer based on optically pumped Cs atoms that measures the magnitude and direction of a 1 µT magnetic field. Multiple circularly polarized laser beams were used to probe the free spin precession of the Cs atoms. The design was optimized for long-time stability and achieves a scalar resolution better than 300 fT for integration times ranging from 80 ms to 1000 s. The best scalar resolution of less than 80 fT was reached with integration times of 1.6 to 6 s. We were able to measure the magnetic field direction with a resolution better than 10 µrad for integration times from 10 s up to 2000 s.

Everolimus plus octreotide long-acting repeatable in advanced neuroendocrine tumors in the routine tertiary cancer care setting: An Indian experience.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare, heterogeneous, indolent tumors that are relatively insensitive to systemic chemotherapy. Therapeutic strategies for NETs broadly include somatostatin analogs, antiangiogenic therapy, and most recently, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition. Combination therapy has shown promising antitumor activity and good tolerability in the randomized phase III trials. AIM: The aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Everolimus plus Octreotide long-acting repeatable (LAR) in patients with advanced NETs in the routine tertiary cancer care setting in India in this postapproval, noninterventional trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients presenting to selected centers between 2011 and 2013 with histologically confirmed low-, intermediate- or high-grade advanced NETs who may have had prior exposure to cytotoxic chemotherapy (≤2 lines) were treated with oral Everolimus (10 mg/day) plus intramuscular Octreotide LAR (30 mg once every 28 days) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity was seen. Patients were evaluated every 3 months for a response to therapy as per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. RESULTS: Everolimus plus Octreotide LAR was associated with a clinical benefit rate of 69% (best evaluable responses: Stable disease [SD] in 10 patients [63%], partial response in 1 patient [6%]). The average duration of therapy was 4.8 cycles, and 3 (17%) patients continued therapy for ≥12 cycles (all achieved SD). The therapy was found to be well-tolerated in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Everolimus plus Octreotide LAR appears to be safe and efficacious in patients with advanced NETs who may have had prior exposure to chemotherapy - a finding consistent with recently conducted major trials.

An invitro evaluation of antibacterial properties of self etching dental adhesive systems.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The microbial flora of the oral cavity is extremely diverse. Residual bacteria in the oral cavity may remain at the tooth restoration interface and increase the risk of developing recurrent caries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immediate and long term antibacterial effect of polymerised self etching adhesive systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Streptococcus mutans were used as a test organism. The self etching dental adhesives that were used are Adper Easy One, G-Bond, Clearfil S3 bond and Xeno V. Agar diffusion test (ADT) was performed on agar plates, in which four holes that were 4mm in diameter were punched. Then 200 µL of freshly grown S.mutans spread evenly. The four holes were immediately filled with the four tested materials and light polymerised them using a light curing unit. The agar plates were incubated for 72h at 37°C. For the direct contact test (DCT), the bonding agents were placed on the side walls of microtiter plate wells and light polymerized according to the manufacturer's instructions. A 10µL bacterial suspension was placed on the tested material samples. Bacteria were allowed to directly contact the polymerized dental adhesives for 1h at 37(o)C. Fresh Brain heart infusion broth was then added. The bacterial growth was then spectrophotometrically measured in the wells every 30 min for 16h for 1,2, 7 and 14 days. RESULTS: In the ADT, inhibitory halos were found around all the bonding agents, with greater inhibition halo seen around Xeno V after incubating for 72 h at 37°C. The readings obtained through DCT were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons tests, which showed no bacterial growth on fresh samples and after aging for one day in PBS with self etching adhesives. RESULTS of DCT after aging for 2 days, 7 days and 14 days showed bacterial growth in all the bonding agents used with no significant difference from the control group.(p<0.001) CONCLUSION: All the dental adhesives showed antibacterial properties immediately and one day after polymerization but none of the self-etching adhesives had long-lasting antibacterial properties.

Characterization and regulation of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxin binding aminopeptidases N (APNs) from non-gut visceral tissues, Malpighian tubule and salivary gland: Comparison with midgut-specific APN in the moth Achaea janata.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crystal proteins (Cry) bind to aminopeptidase N (APN) receptors on insect midgut membrane leading to pore formation and subsequent death. However, evolution of insect resistance to Bt toxins threatens their long-term application. Therefore, search for new targets which could function as Cry toxin receptors is an immediate mandate. In the present study, two full-length APN cDNAs were cloned from Malpighian tubule and salivary gland tissues of the moth, Achaea janata. Both these APNs showed 99% and 32% sequence homology with fat body and midgut APNs respectively. Tissue distribution analysis revealed the presence of two different APN isoforms, one predominant in non-gut visceral tissues while the other exclusively expressed in the midgut. Immunofluorescence and western blot analyses showed cross-reactivity in Malpighian tubule and salivary gland when probed with anti-fat body APN antiserum. These results clearly indicated the presence of non-gut (AjAPN1) and gut-specific (AjAPN4) isoforms in this moth. The expression of both the isoforms steadily increased during the larval development. Hormonal studies indicated regulation of the APN genes by the morphogenetic hormones, 20-hydroxyecdyone and juvenile hormone. Further, in vitro ligand-blotting studies demonstrated binding of Cry toxins to APNs in Malpighian tubule and salivary gland indicating their potential as alternate targets.

Proteomic View of Interactions of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli with the Intestinal Environment in Gnotobiotic Piglets.

BACKGROUND: Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli cause severe intestinal infections involving colonization of epithelial Peyer's patches and formation of attachment/effacement (A/E) lesions. These lesions trigger leukocyte infiltration followed by inflammation and intestinal hemorrhage. Systems biology, which explores the crosstalk of Stx-producing Escherichia coli with the in vivo host environment, may elucidate novel molecular pathogenesis aspects. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Enterohemorrhagic E. coli strain 86-24 produces Shiga toxin-2 and belongs to the serotype O157:H7. Bacterial cells were scrapped from stationary phase cultures (the in vitro condition) and used to infect gnotobiotic piglets via intestinal lavage. Bacterial cells isolated from the piglets' guts constituted the in vivo condition. Cell lysates were subjected to quantitative 2D gel and shotgun proteomic analyses, revealing metabolic shifts towards anaerobic energy generation, changes in carbon utilization, phosphate and ammonia starvation, and high activity of a glutamate decarboxylase acid resistance system in vivo. Increased abundance of pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase (PntA and PntB) suggested in vivo shortage of intracellular NADPH. Abundance changes of proteins implicated in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis (LpxC, ArnA, the predicted acyltransferase L7029) and outer membrane (OM) assembly (LptD, MlaA, MlaC) suggested bacterial cell surface modulation in response to activated host defenses. Indeed, there was evidence for interactions of innate immunity-associated proteins secreted into the intestines (GP340, REG3-γ, resistin, lithostathine, and trefoil factor 3) with the bacterial cell envelope. SIGNIFICANCE: Proteomic analysis afforded insights into system-wide adaptations of strain 86-24 to a hostile intestinal milieu, including responses to limited nutrients and cofactor supplies, intracellular acidification, and reactive nitrogen and oxygen species-mediated stress. Protein and lipopolysaccharide compositions of the OM were altered. Enhanced expression of type III secretion system effectors correlated with a metabolic shift back to a more aerobic milieu in vivo. Apparent pathogen pattern recognition molecules from piglet intestinal secretions adhered strongly to the bacterial cell surface.

Prevalence of early childhood caries in 8 - 48 month old preschool children of Bangalore city, South India.

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a devastating form of dental decay having a multi - factorial origin. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of ECC in Bangalore city, South India, and also to study its associated risk factors. Random sample of 1500 children, aged between 8 - 48 months, was selected from play homes and nursing homes of various parts of the city. Dental caries was recorded according to World Health Organization criteria. Information regarding risk factors for caries was obtained through a structured questionnaire given to mothers or caretakers. The data was subjected to statistical analysis. The prevalence of ECC was 27.5% and the mean decayed, extracted and filled tooth index was 0.854. There was a strong association of ECC with the risk factors studied.