Comparative assessment of growth performance, heat resistance and carcass traits in four poultry genotypes reared in hot-humid tropical environment.

This study investigated the impact of heat stress on growth and carcass traits in four poultry genotypes-Giriraja, Country chicken, Naked Neck and Kadaknath reared in a hot and humid tropical environment. Birds from all genotypes had ad libitum access to feed and water while being challenged with consistently high environmental temperatures in the experimental shed. Daily diurnal meteorological data were recorded inside and outside the shed. The study specifically examined growth variables and carcass characteristics. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed in body weight and average daily gain at various intervals. Notably, feed intake showed significant differences (p < 0.01) across weeks, indicating interactions between genotypes and time intervals. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied significantly (p < 0.01), with the highest FCR recorded in the Kadaknath breed. Livability percentages were similar across groups, except for Giriraja, which had significantly lower livability (p < 0.01). Carcass traits, including dressing, wings, feathers and giblet percentages, showed significant differences among genotypes (p < 0.01). Hepatic mRNA expression of growth-related genes revealed numerical variations, with Naked Neck displaying the highest (p < 0.05) fold change in IGF-1 expression compared to other genotypes. The study recognized in the Naked Neck genotype to possess higher resilience in maintaining homoeostasis and uncompromised growth under heat stress, providing valuable insights for sustainable poultry farming in challenging environmental conditions.

Feasibility, Sustainability, and Effectiveness of the Implementation of "Facility-Team-Driven" Approach for Improving the Quality of Newborn Care in South India.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the study was to assess the feasibility and sustainability of the implementation of the point of care quality improvement (POCQI) methodology for improving the quality of neonatal care at the level 2 special newborn care unit (SNCU). Additional objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the quality improvement (QI) and preterm baby package training model. METHODS: This study was conducted in a level-II SNCU. The study period was divided into baseline; intervention and sustenance phases. The primary outcome i.e., feasibility was defined as completion of training for 80% or more health care professionals (HCPs) through workshops, their attendance in subsequent review meetings and, successful accomplishment of at least two plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles in each project. RESULTS: Of the total, 1217 neonates were enrolled during the 14 mo study period; 80 neonates in the baseline, 1019 in intervention and 118 in sustenance phases. Feasibility of training was achieved within a month of initiation of intervention phase; 22/24 (92%) nurses and 14/15 (93%) doctors attended the meetings. The outcomes of individual projects suggested an improvement in proportion of neonates being given exclusive breast milk on day 5 (22.8% to 78%); mean difference (95% CI) [55.2 (46.5 to 63.9)]. Neonates on any antibiotics declined, proportion of any enteral feeds on day one and duration of kangaroo mother care (KMC) increased. Proportion of neonates receiving intravenous fluids during phototherapy decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates the feasibility, sustainability, and effectiveness of a facility-team-driven QI approach augmented with capacity building and post-training supportive supervision.

Microcephalic primordial dwarfism with predominant Meier-Gorlin phenotype, ichthyosis, and multiple joint deformities-Further expansion of DONSON Cell Cycle-opathy phenotypic spectrum.

We report a patient with microcephalic primordial dwarfism with predominant Meier-Gorlin syndrome phenotype with ichthyosis and disabling multiple joint deformities in addition to classic features of the syndrome. The patient was a 10.5-year-old girl referred in view of short stature, joint deformities, and facial dysmorphism. There was history of intrauterine growth restriction and collodion like skin abnormality at birth. She had normal developmental milestones and intellect. On clinical evaluation, anthropometry was suggestive of proportionate short stature and microcephaly. There was abnormal posture due to spine and peripheral joint deformities, along with ichthyosis, facial, and digital dysmorphism. Skeletal radiographs showed radial subluxation, acetabular dysplasia and hip dislocation, bilateral knee joint dislocation, absent patellae, slender long bones with delayed bone age, and subluxation of small joints of hands and feet. Work up for metabolic bone disease and peripheral blood karyotype was normal. Whole exome sequencing revealed a pathogenic homozygous variant c.C1297T (p.Pro433Ser) in the exon 8 of DONSON gene. This report further expands the genotypic-phenotypic spectrum of the group of disorders known as Cell Cycle-opathies.

Diseño y evaluación de un modelo de simulación de fractura de pene / Design and assessment of a penile fracture simulation model

Objetivo: Diseñar y evaluar un nuevo modelo de simulación de fractura de pene para la enseñanza de su reparación.MétodosHemos utilizado un simulador de circuncisión validado para crear un nuevo modelo. El prepucio para circuncisión se dividió en 2 mitades. Se creó un corte transversal («simulación de fractura») en una parte de la primera mitad del prepucio (imitando la «túnica») y se colocó sobre el modelo de pene. Se colocó una pastilla de gelatina roja («coágulo») debajo del corte. Se aplicó un segundo trozo para completar el prepucio por encima y cubrir el defecto. El modelo fue evaluado por los participantes y docentes expertos del boot camp de simulación de urología. La evaluación se realizó mediante un cuestionario con escala de Likert de 5 puntos. Los datos se analizaron mediante Microsoft Excel e IBM SPSS Statistics V25. La correlación intraclase se calculó mediante «un modelo aleatorio unidireccional».ResultadosVeintidós estudiantes de urología y 4 expertos participaron en la evaluación. La mayoría de los aprendices estuvieron muy de acuerdo (59%, n=13) en la utilidad del modelo para la formación, y los expertos también estuvieron de acuerdo en el 75% de los casos. Tanto alumnos (68%, n=14) como docentes (75%) consideraron correcta la apariencia de la fractura del pene. En general, la capacidad del modelo para representar una simulación realista de la tarea fue considerada excelente por el 23% de los participantes y buena por el 64%. Tras la simulación los alumnos afirmaron tener una mayor confianza en el manejo de este tipo de casos. Las principales dificultades señaladas estaban relacionadas con los planos fasciales y la uretra.ConclusiónEste es el primer modelo de simulación para la reparación de fracturas de pene y ha demostrado su validez en un boot camp de urología nacional. (AU)

Objective: To design and assess a novel penile fracture simulation model for teaching penile fracture repair.MethodsWe used a validated circumcision simulator to create a model. Foreskin for a circumcision was divided into two halves. A transverse slit (“simulated fracture”) was created on one part of the first half of the foreskin (mimicking “tunica”) and was applied over the penile model. A red jelly tablet (“clot”) was placed underneath the cut. A second full-length of foreskin was applied over it to cover the defect. The model was assessed by participants and expert faculty at the Urology Simulation Boot Camp. Evaluation was performed using a 5-point Likert Scale questionnaire. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics V25. The intra-class correlation was calculated using a “One-way random model”.ResultsTwenty-two urology trainees and four experts participated in the evaluation. The majority of trainees strongly agreed (59%, n=13) the model is useful for training with experts similarly agreeing in 75% of cases. The appearance of penile fracture was considered good by both trainees (68%, n=14) and faculty (75%). Overall, the ability of the model to represent a realistic simulation of the task was considered excellent by 23% of participants and good by 64%. Personal confidence after simulation in managing a similar situation was considered high among trainees. The main difficulties reported were related to fascial planes and urethra.ConclusionThis is the first simulation model for penile fracture repair and has demonstrated face validity at a national urology bootcamp. (AU)

Design and assessment of a penile fracture simulation model.

OBJECTIVE: To design and assess a novel penile fracture simulation model for teaching penile fracture repair. METHODS: We used a validated circumcision simulator to create a model. Foreskin for a circumcision was divided into two halves. A transverse slit ("simulated fracture") was created on one part of the first half of the foreskin (mimicking "tunica") and was applied over the penile model. A red jelly tablet ("clot") was placed underneath the cut. A second full-length of foreskin was applied over it to cover the defect. The model was assessed by participants and expert faculty at the Urology Simulation Boot Camp. Evaluation was performed using a 5-point Likert Scale questionnaire. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics V25. The intra-class correlation was calculated using a "One-way random model". RESULTS: Twenty-two urology trainees and four experts participated in the evaluation. The majority of trainees strongly agreed (59%, n = 13) the model is useful for training with experts similarly agreeing in 75% of cases. The appearance of penile fracture was considered good by both trainees (68%, n = 14) and faculty (75%). Overall, the ability of the model to represent a realistic simulation of the task was considered excellent by 23% of participants and good by 64%. Personal confidence after simulation in managing a similar situation was considered high among trainees. The main difficulties reported were related to fascial planes and urethra. CONCLUSION: This is the first simulation model for penile fracture repair and has demonstrated face validity at a national urology bootcamp.

Design and assessment of a penile fracture simulation model. / Diseño y evaluación de un modelo de simulación de fractura de pene.

OBJECTIVE: To design and assess a novel penile fracture simulation model for teaching penile fracture repair. METHODS: We used a validated circumcision simulator to create a model. Foreskin for a circumcision was divided into two halves. A transverse slit ("simulated fracture") was created on one part of the first half of the foreskin (mimicking "tunica") and was applied over the penile model. A red jelly tablet ("clot") was placed underneath the cut. A second full-length of foreskin was applied over it to cover the defect. The model was assessed by participants and expert faculty at the Urology Simulation Boot Camp. Evaluation was performed using a 5-point Likert Scale questionnaire. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Statistics V25. The intra-class correlation was calculated using a "One-way random model". RESULTS: Twenty-two urology trainees and four experts participated in the evaluation. The majority of trainees strongly agreed (59%, n=13) the model is useful for training with experts similarly agreeing in 75% of cases. The appearance of penile fracture was considered good by both trainees (68%, n=14) and faculty (75%). Overall, the ability of the model to represent a realistic simulation of the task was considered excellent by 23% of participants and good by 64%. Personal confidence after simulation in managing a similar situation was considered high among trainees. The main difficulties reported were related to fascial planes and urethra. CONCLUSION: This is the first simulation model for penile fracture repair and has demonstrated face validity at a national urology bootcamp.

Cerebral Coenurosis Masquerading as Malignancy: A Rare Case Report from India.

Human coenurosis is a rare zoonotic disease caused by the larvae of Tinea multiceps seen in sheep-rearing countries. We report the case of a 63-year-old male who was referred to our hospital with a working diagnosis of skull base chondrosarcoma. Histopathological examination after surgical excision revealed characteristic feature of coenurus with multiple scolices invaginating from the outer cuticular layer. Coenuri are often mistaken for giant cysticercal cysts and hydatid cysts. Despite its wide prevalence in cattle, only two cases of human coenurosis are reported from India till date. We report the third case from India.

Homozygous PCDH12 variants result in phenotype of cerebellar ataxia, dystonia, retinopathy, and dysmorphism.

We report on a sib pair of Indian origin born of a consanguineous parentage with a novel phenotype of distinct facial dysmorphism, cerebellar ataxia, dystonia, and exudative retinopathy due to homozygous PCDH12 nonsense variations. cDNA studies showed >90% reduction in transcript levels in both patients, indicating nonsense-mediated decay and loss of function as the probable causative molecular mechanism of the phenotype.

Whole exome sequencing identifies a novel 5 Mb deletion at 14q12 region in a patient with global developmental delay, microcephaly and seizures.

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting the nervous, musculoskeletal and gastroenteric systems. Affected individuals show normal neonatal development for 6-18 months followed by sudden growth arrest, psychomotor retardation and a broad spectrum of clinical features. Sequence variants in MECP2 gene have been identified as the major genetic etiology accounting for 90-95% of patients. Apart from MECP2, pathogenic sequence variants and copy number variants of FOXG1 gene lead to congenital type of Rett syndrome which is a more severe form and characterised by absence of early normal development as seen in classical Rett syndrome. In this report we describe a female child with global developmental delay, microcephaly and myoclonic seizures harbouring a 5 Mb deletion in 14q12 locus resulting in deletion of single copy of brain specific genes FOXG1, PRKD1 and NOVA1. Whole exome sequencing ruled out any possible role of other pathogenic single nucleotide variants and/or indels as the etiology for the observed phenotype. However, copy number variation analysis from the whole exome data detected a ~ 5 Mb microdeletion at the long arm of chromosome 14q12 region. The deletion was confirmed through array Comparative Genomic Hybridization and validated by quantitative PCR. Further, parents were analysed for mosaicism through metaphase Fluorescence in-situ Hybridisation. Our report broadens the phenotype of atypical Rett syndrome and reiterates the role of exome sequencing not only in detection of point mutation/small indels but also for detection of large deletions/duplication in coding regions.

Fabrication of Patient Specific Titanium Implants for Correction of Cranial Defects: A Technique to Improve Anatomic Contours and Accuracy.

Hard tissue cranial defects may result from traumatic or iatrogenic etiology and warrants adequate reconstruction to provide protection to the underlying brain and cosmesis. Various techniques have been described in the literature for fabrication of patient specific titanium cranial implants. The process of fabrication of titanium patient specific implants (PSI) can be broadly classified into indirect and direct techniques. With the improvements in the medical imaging and computational modeling, direct technique of computer assisted prefabricated patient specific implants have gained popularity. However indirect method of PSI fabrication hold some specific advantage. Here we describe a technique for fabrication of titanium PSI by combining the principles of direct and indirect methods for reconstruction of cranial defects.

A pilot comparison study of four clinician-rated atopic dermatitis severity scales.

BACKGROUND: There are multiple severity outcome measures for atopic dermatitis (AD). There is a need to compare the reliability of these measures. OBJECTIVES: To compare the inter-rater and intrarater reliability of the objective Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (oSCORAD), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Six Area, Six Sign Atopic Dermatitis (SASSAD) and Three Item Severity index (TIS); and to analyse the correlation between these outcome measures and the quality-of-life instruments Patient-Orientated Eczema Measurement, Dermatology Life Quality Index and Skindex-29. METHODS: Twelve patients with AD attended a 1-day scoring exercise by five trained dermatology clinicians. Inter-rater and intrarater reliability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlation between clinician-rated and patient-reported measures was analysed using Spearman's rho. RESULTS: Regarding inter-rater reliability, EASI and SASSAD showed good reliabilities, with ICCs of 0·730 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·500-0·900] and 0·680 (95% CI 0·440-0·880), respectively. However, the ICCs were poor for TIS and oSCORAD, with 0·497 (95% CI 0·233-0·785) and 0·498 (95% CI 0·234-0·785), respectively. Separate body surface area (BSA) component analyses showed that the oSCORAD BSA component contributed to its inter-rater variations. Regarding intrarater reliability, EASI and TIS showed excellent ICCs of 0·886 (95% CI 0·744-0·952) and 0·820 (0·614-0·923), respectively, while SASSAD showed a good reliability with an ICC of 0·720 (95% CI 0·424-0·878). However, the intrarater ICC was poor for oSCORAD, with 0·446 (95% CI 0·037-0·730). Regarding correlation with patient-reported measures, only SASSAD demonstrated moderate correlation with Skindex-29 (ρ = 0·611, P = 0·035). CONCLUSIONS: EASI demonstrated the highest inter-rater and intrarater reliability, supporting it as the optimal AD severity outcome measure.

Operator's ability at assessing a high-speed (air turbine) handpiece before use: an audit.

BACKGROUND: The 'high-speed' (air turbine) handpiece is used extensively across many dental disciplines and the ability of clinicians to detect faulty handpieces is essential. AIM: The primary aim of this audit was to determine the proportion of participants who could correctly identify unsafe handpieces. Secondary aims were to determine the proportion that had previous training on the topic and determine whether an educational video could improve scores. METHOD: Eighty participants completed the first round of audit. They were asked to inspect seven handpieces, five of which were faulty, with three being classed as unsafe. After the intervention (educational sessions and distribution of a video) a second round of audit was completed on 69 participants. RESULTS: The ability to detect the three unsafe handpieces increased from 10% to 44% over the two rounds of audit. In the second round the highest score obtained was by those who had received the intervention, 77%. The lowest score, 14%, was by those who had not received the intervention. Nine percent of participants in the first round stated they had previously had training on handpiece inspection and none of these participants identified the three unsafe handpieces. CONCLUSION: This audit has highlighted that there is a knowledge deficiency with regards to air turbine handpiece safety and inspection. We have shown that introduction of a simple education video can have an impact on dentists and students abilities to detect unsafe faults. We have already introduced this into the undergraduate curriculum in our school and we aim to also raise awareness within the dental community.

The development and validation of the treatment of autoimmune bullous disease quality of life questionnaire, a tool to measure the quality of life impacts of treatments used in patients with autoimmune blistering disease.

BACKGROUND: Treatments for autoimmune blistering diseases have significant risk of medical complications and quality of life impacts during treatment, and it is difficult to differentiate these impacts from disease burden or the effects of treatment. OBJECTIVES: To develop a quality of life instrument specific to the effects of treatments used in patients with autoimmune bullous disease (AIBD). METHODS: A comprehensive item generation process was used to build a 45-item pilot Autoimmune Bullous Disease Quality of Life (ABQOL) questionnaire, distributed to 70 patients with AIBD. Experts in bullous disease refined the pilot ABQOL, selecting only those questions pertaining to the treatment effects. This pilot Treatment of Autoimmune Bullous Disease Quality of Life (TABQOL) questionnaire was administered to 70 patients, before factor analysis was performed to yield the final questionnaire of 17 questions. Validity and reliability were evaluated across a range of indices. RESULTS: Face and content validity were established through a comprehensive patient interview process, expert review and summaries of treatments used. The questionnaire was found to have appropriate correlation with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (r = 0.64) and the level of treatments used (P < 0.01), and was found to be responsive to overall variations in treatment burden. The TABQOL was also found to be a reliable instrument as evaluated by internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.892) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that the TABQOL questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument that may to be used to measure treatment burden in AIBD and serve as an end point in clinical trials.

4-Amino-2-arylamino-5-indoloyl/cinnamoythiazoles, analogs of topsentin-class of marine alkaloids, induce apoptosis in HeLa cells.

Marine organisms provide several biologically active compounds that include alkaloids with high cytotoxic activity but only a few of them have so far reached clinical stage, due partly to their limited supply and complex structural features. In an attempt to develop novel anticancer compounds, we have now synthesized diaminoindoloylthiazoles (4a-c; DIT1-3) and diaminocinnamoylthiazoles (5a,b; DCT1-2) as analogs based on a topsentin scaffold and investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of these compounds in HeLa cells. The results suggest that diaminoindoloylthiazoles (DIT1-3) inhibit cell growth and among these, DIT3 is the most cytotoxic against HeLa cells (IC50 1 µM). The diaminocinnamoylthiazoles DCT1 and DCT2, which can be viewed as curcumin-diaminothiazole hybrids, also inhibited cell growth but at relatively higher concentrations with IC50 values of 60 and 30 µM, respectively. These compounds induced apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway by reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential and activating caspases, 9 and 3, but not caspase 8. Among the marine alkaloid analogs tested in this study, DIT1-3 are very effective in inducing apoptosis of HeLa cells followed by DCT2 and DCT1. The treated cells were arrested in G2/M phase followed by accumulation of the cells in the Sub G0 phase. The curcumin-diaminothiazole hybrid DCT1 had the maximum effect in downregulating TNF-induced NF-κB activation among the compounds tested in this study. Thus, we demonstrate that diaminoindoloylthiazoles and diaminocinnamoylthiazoles induce apoptosis, regulate cell cycle and NF-κB signaling and thus show promising anticancer effects that warrant further investigation.

In vitro culture and characterization of enteric neural precursor cells from human gut biopsy specimens using polymer scaffold.

In vitro expansion and characterization of neural precursor cells from human gut biopsy specimens with or without Hirschsprung's disease using a novel thermoreversible gelation polymer (TGP) is reported aiming at a possible future treatment. Gut biopsy samples were obtained from five patients undergoing gut resection for Hirschsprung's disease (n = 1) or gastrointestinal disorders (n = 4). Cells isolated from the smooth muscle layer and the myenteric plexus were cultured in two groups for 18 to 28 days; Group I: conventional culture as earlier reported and Group II: using TGP scaffold. Neurosphere like bodies (NLBs) were observed in the cultures between 8th to 12th day and H & E staining was positive for neural cells in both groups including aganglionic gut portion from the Hirschsprung's disease patient. Immunohistochemistry using S-100 and neuron specific enolase (NSE) was positive in both groups but the TGP group (Group II) showed more number of cells with intense cytoplasmic granular positivity for both NSE and S-100 compared to Group I. TGP supports the in vitro expansion of human gut derived neuronal cells with seemingly better quality NLBs. Animal Studies can be tried to validate their functional outcome by transplanting the NLBs with TGP scaffolds to see whether this can enhance the outcome of cell based therapies for Hirschsprung's disease.

RNA-Seq reveals infection-related global gene changes in Phytophthora phaseoli, the causal agent of lima bean downy mildew.

Lima bean is an important vegetable processing crop to the mid-Atlantic USA and is highly susceptible to the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora phaseoli, which causes downy mildew. Genetic resistance and fungicides are used to manage P. phaseoli and often fail. Currently, the molecular basis of the interaction between this host and pathogen is unknown. To begin to rectify this situation, we used Illumina RNA-Seq to perform a global transcriptome analysis comparing P. phaseoli growing in culture with P. phaseoli infecting its host. Sequence reads from a total of six libraries mapped to gene models from the closely related late blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, resulting in 10 427 P. phaseoli genes with homology to P. infestans and expression in at least one library. Of these, 318 P. phaseoli homologues matched known or putative virulence genes in P. infestans. Two well-studied classes, RxLRs and elicitins, were up-regulated in planta, whereas the reverse was true for another class, called crinklers. These results are discussed with respect to the differences and similarities in the pathogenicity mechanisms of P. phaseoli and P. infestans.

Isthmin exerts pro-survival and death-promoting effect on endothelial cells through alphavbeta5 integrin depending on its physical state.

Isthmin (ISM) is a 60 kDa secreted-angiogenesis inhibitor that suppresses tumor growth in mouse and disrupts vessel patterning in zebrafish embryos. It selectively binds to alphavbeta5 (αvß5) integrin on the surface of endothelial cells (ECs), but the mechanism of its antiangiogenic action remains unknown. In this work, we establish that soluble ISM suppresses in vitro angiogenesis and induces EC apoptosis by interacting with its cell surface receptor αvß5 integrin through a novel 'RKD' motif localized within its adhesion-associated domain in MUC4 and other proteins domain. ISM induces EC apoptosis through integrin-mediated death (IMD) by direct recruitment and activation of caspase-8 without causing anoikis. On the other hand, immobilized ISM loses its antiangiogenic function and instead promotes EC adhesion, survival and migration through αvß5 integrin by activating focal adhesion kinase (FAK). ISM unexpectedly has both a pro-survival and death-promoting effect on ECs depending on its physical state. This dual function of a single antiangiogenic protein may impact its antiangiogenic efficacy in vivo.

Helicobacter pylori infection in relation to gastric cancer progression.

Gastric cancer is a major cause of cancer death worldwide, especially in developing countries. The incidence of gastric cancer varies from country to country, probably as a result of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. H. pylori infection is considered as a major risk factor in the development of gastric cancer. However, the scenario varies in Asian countries, exhibiting a higher rate of H. pylori infection and low incidence of gastric cancer, which could be attributed to strain-specific virulence factors and host genetic makeup. In this review, we discuss the various virulence factors expressed by this bacterium and their interaction with the host factors, to influence pathogenesis.