Purpose of Review Imaging features of lymphoma vary regionally. Awareness of site-specific key im... more Purpose of Review Imaging features of lymphoma vary regionally. Awareness of site-specific key imaging characteristics of lymphoma can aid in rapid staging and assist in prompt treatment. FDG PET/CT and conventional MRI are readily available diagnostic modalities with excellent sensitivity and good specificity. Diagnostic specificity can be enhanced using emerging PET radiotracers, e.g., FLT and FET. Recent Findings Emerging research has shown higher dimensional analysis (radiomics and radiogenomics) of imaging data can yield information of the underlying genetic aberrations in lymphoma, which can aid in assessing real-time evolution of tumor. Summary CT, PET/CT, MRI, and ultrasound accentuate the intrinsic qualities of lymphoma (e.g., FDG PET/CT for increased metabolic activity, FLT PET/CT for increased proliferation index, and DWI for increased cellularity) and play an essential role in its diagnosis and examination. Advanced radiogenomic analyses use radiomic parameters to deduce genetic variations of lymphoma, providing noninvasive, repeatable, and real-time surveillance of its genetic progression.
To analyze the effect of Inhaled insulin in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and compare it with other ro... more To analyze the effect of Inhaled insulin in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and compare it with other routes of administration of Insulin. A systemic search was conducted from the following electronic databases: PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, from inception to 28th January 2022. All statistical analysis was conducted in Review Manager 5.4.1. All studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected. A random-effect model was used to pool the studies, and the result was reported in the Standard Mean Difference (SMD), Mean Difference (MD), and Risk Ratio (RR) with their corresponding 95% Confidence interval (CI). Thirteen randomized control trials were selected for our meta-analysis. Statistically significant results were obtained for comparing change in weight after insulin administration (MD= -1.08 [-1.21, -0.94]; p< 0.00001; I2= 74%). Other factors assessed were found to be non-significant like HbA1c (SMD= 0.03 [-0.80, 0.86]; p= 0.95; I2= 99%), fasting blood sugar (SMD= -0.31 [-1.52, 0.91]; p= 0.62; I2= 99%) and adverse effects (RR= 1.06 [0.97, 1.16]; p= 0.18; I2= 96%). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that inhaled insulin is equally effective as subcutaneously administered insulin in patients with Type 1 Diabetes. The inhaled insulin was found to show less weight gain and fewer hypoglycemic shifts, with a similar effect on the blood glucose level. No significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse events.
Introduction: Smoking is being defined as an epidemic among the young people, as it is a major he... more Introduction: Smoking is being defined as an epidemic among the young people, as it is a major health problem among both developed and under developed countries. There is a list of provoking factors of smoking; the commonest is the company of smoker friends, fashion and stress coping strategies. Materials & Methods: It was a cross-sectional survey of medical students of three medical colleges (two private and one public) of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan done in 2013. A total of 500 students of Rehman Medical College (RMC), Khyber Medical College (KMC) and Pak International Medical College (PIMC) were given a self-designed questionnaire related to knowledge about harmful effects of smoking and factors favoring smoking habits. Data analysis was done by using SPSS 15.0. Results: A total number of 381 students participated in the study, of which 242, 88 and 51 were students from KMC, RMC and PIMC respectively. Based on the knowledge regarding the hazardous effects of smoking, R...
Radiomics is an emerging field in radiology that utilizes advanced statistical data characterizin... more Radiomics is an emerging field in radiology that utilizes advanced statistical data characterizing algorithms to evaluate medical imaging and objectively quantify characteristics of a given disease. Due to morphologic heterogeneity and genetic variation intrinsic to neoplasms, radiomics have the potential to provide a unique insight into the underlying tumor and tumor microenvironment. Radiomics has been gaining popularity due to potential applications in disease quantification, predictive modeling, treatment planning, and response assessment – paving way for the advancement of personalized medicine. However, producing a reliable radiomic model requires careful evaluation and construction to be translated into clinical practices that have varying software and/or medical equipment. We aim to review the diagnostic utility of radiomics in otorhinolaryngology, including both cancers of the head and neck as well as the thyroid.
Although different approaches have been used for surgical resection of esophageal cancer, the Ivo... more Although different approaches have been used for surgical resection of esophageal cancer, the Ivor Lewis approach is the standard technique at most centers for resection of the diseased middle and lower third esophagus. This procedure has historically been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, modern literature suggests that Ivor Lewis esophagectomy can be performed with an acceptable complication rate and mortality. Patients and methods: We conducted a case series of thirteen consecutive patients who underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy at Jinnah Hospital Lahore from January, 2001 to December, 2002. The objective was to examine the morbidity, mortality and short-term outcome of this surgical procedure. Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.9 years +/- 18.3 years (median: 44.5 years; range: 22 to 78 years). 7 patients were men and 6 patients were women. 6 patients (46.2%) were operated for benign corrosive esophageal strictures whereas seven patients ...
In the era of Precision Medicine, diagnostic imaging plays a key role in initial diagnosis and tr... more In the era of Precision Medicine, diagnostic imaging plays a key role in initial diagnosis and treatment response assessment in thoracic manifestation of various rheumatic disorders; resulting in increased dependency on imaging for treatment planning. Chest radiographs serve as a good initial screening tool for assessment of emergent and urgent thoracic conditions, e.g., pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, consolidation and pleural effusions. Cross-sectional imaging techniques, e.g., computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) are most commonly utilized to evaluate more detailed pulmonary and mediastinal manifestations of rheumatic conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are most commonly used in cardiovascular, neural and musculoskeletal structures. This review article aims to highly key common thoracic imaging findings of rheumatic disorders, highlighting imaging test of choice for the particular disorder.
Background Clinical workup for chest pain varies among institutions. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS... more Background Clinical workup for chest pain varies among institutions. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the primary diagnosis to rule out in the differential diagnosis, due to its associated mortality and morbidity. Although studies have demonstrated efficacy of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in diagnosis obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), there is limited evidence in the clinical value of performing cardiac nuclear stress perfusion imaging [myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI)] exam in patients with chest pain after undergoing CCTA. We aim to evaluate clinical value of follow-up nuclear cardiac MPI in patients with chest pain who have undergone recent CCTA. Methods A total of 1,000 patients were evaluated in this IRB approved retrospective study who presented with symptoms of ACS. Patients who had elevated troponin or abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings at initial presentation or prior to cardiac nuclear MPI were excluded from the study. All patients who...
Background: Highly infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread wo... more Background: Highly infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread worldwide. Different measures have been adopted worldwide to contain the COVID-19, and these measures have various impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (CP) and lockdown policy on physical health (PH)–psychological health (PsH), physical activity (PA), and overall well-being (OW) in the context of HRQoL, exploring the mediating role of emotional regulation (ER). Method: The current study was conducted in two provincial cities of China. An online survey was conducted in both the cities to collect the data. After quantifying the data, a total of 2,200 respondents data were analyzed through appropriate statistical techniques. Results: The study results indicate that CP was found significantly and negatively related to PH (β = −0.157, t = 9.444, p < 0.001). A significant relationship was found between CP and PsH (β...
The aim of study was to develop an indigenous, valid, and reliable self-report measure to identif... more The aim of study was to develop an indigenous, valid, and reliable self-report measure to identify stressful life events in children with age range from 9 through 13 years. An initial item pool of 110 items was generated through interviews with children, whereas a preliminary questionnaire was administered to clinical psychologists, parents, and teachers. For the empirical evaluation, a sample of 1132 children (with a dropout rate of 12.9%) was drawn from five schools in Lahore including 632 boys and 500 girls. Principal Component Factor Analysis with Varimax rotation was used to determine the construct validity along with running item analysis. As a result, five factors emerged that explained 41% total variance containing total 61 items on selection criteria of item loading of .45 and above loading exclusively on one factor. These factors were labeled as trauma related stressors, social stressors, familial stressors, emotional stressors, and personal stressors. Total Stressful Life...
The aim of the current research finding was to synthesize, characterize and antibacterial evaluat... more The aim of the current research finding was to synthesize, characterize and antibacterial evaluation of sparfloxacin-mediated noble metal nanoparticles. Noble metal [silver (Ag), and gold (Au)] nanoparticles (NPs), mediated with fluoroquinolone, an anti-bacterial drug [Sparfloxacin, (Sp)], was synthesized by a facile and convenient procedure. Formulated Ag-Sp NPs, and Au-Sp NPs exhibited stability against variation in pH, NaCl solution, temperature, and time. The structural topographies of Ag-Sp, and Au-Sp NPs were determined by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). UV-Vis revealed the formulation of NPs by showing typical surface Plasmon absorption maxima at 410 nm for Ag-Sp NPs and 555 nm for Au-Sp NPs. The AFM and SEM analysis ascertained stable mono dispersed Ag-Sp NPs and Au-Sp NPs in the size range of 40-50 nm, and 70-80 nm, respectiv...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS... more Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) which can lead to severe disability. Several diseases can mimic the clinical manifestations of MS. This can often lead to a prolonged period that involves numerous tests and investigations before a definitive diagnosis is reached. As well as the possibility of misdiagnosis. Molecular biomarkers can play a unique role in this regard. Molecular biomarkers offer a unique view into the CNS disorders. They help us understand the pathophysiology of disease as well as guiding our diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic approaches in CNS disorders. This review highlights the most prominent molecular biomarkers found in the literature with respect to MS and its related disorders. Based on numerous recent clinical and experimental studies, we demonstrate that several molecular biomarkers could very well aid us in differentiating MS from its related disorders. The implications of this work will h...
Recent clinical experience has demonstrated that adoptive regulatory T cell therapy is a safe and... more Recent clinical experience has demonstrated that adoptive regulatory T cell therapy is a safe and feasible strategy to suppress immunopathology via induction of host tolerance to allo- and autoantigens. However, clinical trials continue to be compromised due to an inability to manufacture a sufficient Treg cell dose. Multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCⓇ) promote regulatory T cell differentiation in vitro, suggesting they may be repurposed to enhance ex vivo expansion of Tregs for adoptive cellular therapy. Here, we use a GMP compatible Treg expansion platform to demonstrate that MAPC cell-co-cultured Tregs (MulTreg) exhibit a log-fold increase in yield across two independent cohorts, reducing time to target dose by an average of 30%. Enhanced expansion is linked with a distinct Treg cell-intrinsic transcriptional program, characterized by diminished levels of core exhaustion (BATF, ID2, PRDM1, LAYN, DUSP1), and quiescence (TOB1, TSC22D3) related genes, coupled to elevated expre...
Tree height is one of the most important variables for quantitative assessment of forest stocks b... more Tree height is one of the most important variables for quantitative assessment of forest stocks but is difficult to directly measure. However, such allometric relationships of trees can vary between geographical regions, mainly due to climatic, edaphic, and floristic gradients. Based on the hypothesis that different forest types influence the generic modeling of tree height–diameter relationships on geographical scales, this study aimed to 1) fit equations to estimate tree height in Atlantic Forest types in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 2) compare efficiency and precision between generic and specific equations for forest types; and 3) test the effect of different forest types and species on the height–diameter relationship. Four allometric models were tested for all forests (generic) and three main forest types (specific). Effects of tree size, forest types and species on tree height estimation were analyzed using multiple linear models and mixed effect linear models. A signi...
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the pa... more An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Este estudo aborda o desenvolvimento de um protótipo de uma bengala ultrassônica. Tal abordagem s... more Este estudo aborda o desenvolvimento de um protótipo de uma bengala ultrassônica. Tal abordagem se faz necessária devido a relevância do projeto no auxílio para deficientes visuais. O intento deste estudo é enfatizar como a locomoção e execução de atividades diárias dos portadores pode ser aprimorada com a evolução deste presente labor. Fundamentalmente, a bengala utiliza-se de ondas ultrassônicas para identificar objetos abaixo da linha da cintura do deficiente, impedindo-o de colidir com objetos presentes nesta posição quando ocorrer a locomoção. O sensor acoplado à bengala emite ondas ultrassônica alternadas que, ao detectar obstáculos, são refletidas retornando ao sensor. Um microcontrolador recebe as informações do objeto, analisando o grau de perigo de colisão com o deficiente visual, acionando o buzzer, o qual emite um sinal sonoro, à medida que o deficiente se aproxima intensamente do objeto, maior será a frequência do som emitido do buzzer.
The biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has been broadly investigated, but studies typica... more The biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has been broadly investigated, but studies typically focus on a single strain or enzyme and little attention has been paid to comparing the interaction of different PHB depolymerase (PhaZ)-producing strains with this biopolymer. In this work, we selected nine bacterial strains-five with demonstrated and four with predicted PhaZ activity-to compare their effectiveness at degrading PHB film provided as sole carbon source. Each of the strains with demonstrated activity were able to use the PHB film (maximum mass losses ranging from 12% after 2 days for Paucimonas lemoignei to 90% after 4 days for Cupriavidus sp.), and to a lower extent Marinobacter algicola DG893 (with a predicted PhaZ) achieved PHB film mass loss of 11% after 2 weeks of exposure. Among the strains with proven PhaZ activity, Ralstonia sp. showed the highest specific activity since less biomass was required to degrade the polymer in comparison to the other strains. In the ...
Purpose of Review Imaging features of lymphoma vary regionally. Awareness of site-specific key im... more Purpose of Review Imaging features of lymphoma vary regionally. Awareness of site-specific key imaging characteristics of lymphoma can aid in rapid staging and assist in prompt treatment. FDG PET/CT and conventional MRI are readily available diagnostic modalities with excellent sensitivity and good specificity. Diagnostic specificity can be enhanced using emerging PET radiotracers, e.g., FLT and FET. Recent Findings Emerging research has shown higher dimensional analysis (radiomics and radiogenomics) of imaging data can yield information of the underlying genetic aberrations in lymphoma, which can aid in assessing real-time evolution of tumor. Summary CT, PET/CT, MRI, and ultrasound accentuate the intrinsic qualities of lymphoma (e.g., FDG PET/CT for increased metabolic activity, FLT PET/CT for increased proliferation index, and DWI for increased cellularity) and play an essential role in its diagnosis and examination. Advanced radiogenomic analyses use radiomic parameters to deduce genetic variations of lymphoma, providing noninvasive, repeatable, and real-time surveillance of its genetic progression.
To analyze the effect of Inhaled insulin in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and compare it with other ro... more To analyze the effect of Inhaled insulin in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and compare it with other routes of administration of Insulin. A systemic search was conducted from the following electronic databases: PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, from inception to 28th January 2022. All statistical analysis was conducted in Review Manager 5.4.1. All studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected. A random-effect model was used to pool the studies, and the result was reported in the Standard Mean Difference (SMD), Mean Difference (MD), and Risk Ratio (RR) with their corresponding 95% Confidence interval (CI). Thirteen randomized control trials were selected for our meta-analysis. Statistically significant results were obtained for comparing change in weight after insulin administration (MD= -1.08 [-1.21, -0.94]; p< 0.00001; I2= 74%). Other factors assessed were found to be non-significant like HbA1c (SMD= 0.03 [-0.80, 0.86]; p= 0.95; I2= 99%), fasting blood sugar (SMD= -0.31 [-1.52, 0.91]; p= 0.62; I2= 99%) and adverse effects (RR= 1.06 [0.97, 1.16]; p= 0.18; I2= 96%). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we found that inhaled insulin is equally effective as subcutaneously administered insulin in patients with Type 1 Diabetes. The inhaled insulin was found to show less weight gain and fewer hypoglycemic shifts, with a similar effect on the blood glucose level. No significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse events.
Introduction: Smoking is being defined as an epidemic among the young people, as it is a major he... more Introduction: Smoking is being defined as an epidemic among the young people, as it is a major health problem among both developed and under developed countries. There is a list of provoking factors of smoking; the commonest is the company of smoker friends, fashion and stress coping strategies. Materials & Methods: It was a cross-sectional survey of medical students of three medical colleges (two private and one public) of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan done in 2013. A total of 500 students of Rehman Medical College (RMC), Khyber Medical College (KMC) and Pak International Medical College (PIMC) were given a self-designed questionnaire related to knowledge about harmful effects of smoking and factors favoring smoking habits. Data analysis was done by using SPSS 15.0. Results: A total number of 381 students participated in the study, of which 242, 88 and 51 were students from KMC, RMC and PIMC respectively. Based on the knowledge regarding the hazardous effects of smoking, R...
Radiomics is an emerging field in radiology that utilizes advanced statistical data characterizin... more Radiomics is an emerging field in radiology that utilizes advanced statistical data characterizing algorithms to evaluate medical imaging and objectively quantify characteristics of a given disease. Due to morphologic heterogeneity and genetic variation intrinsic to neoplasms, radiomics have the potential to provide a unique insight into the underlying tumor and tumor microenvironment. Radiomics has been gaining popularity due to potential applications in disease quantification, predictive modeling, treatment planning, and response assessment – paving way for the advancement of personalized medicine. However, producing a reliable radiomic model requires careful evaluation and construction to be translated into clinical practices that have varying software and/or medical equipment. We aim to review the diagnostic utility of radiomics in otorhinolaryngology, including both cancers of the head and neck as well as the thyroid.
Although different approaches have been used for surgical resection of esophageal cancer, the Ivo... more Although different approaches have been used for surgical resection of esophageal cancer, the Ivor Lewis approach is the standard technique at most centers for resection of the diseased middle and lower third esophagus. This procedure has historically been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, modern literature suggests that Ivor Lewis esophagectomy can be performed with an acceptable complication rate and mortality. Patients and methods: We conducted a case series of thirteen consecutive patients who underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy at Jinnah Hospital Lahore from January, 2001 to December, 2002. The objective was to examine the morbidity, mortality and short-term outcome of this surgical procedure. Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.9 years +/- 18.3 years (median: 44.5 years; range: 22 to 78 years). 7 patients were men and 6 patients were women. 6 patients (46.2%) were operated for benign corrosive esophageal strictures whereas seven patients ...
In the era of Precision Medicine, diagnostic imaging plays a key role in initial diagnosis and tr... more In the era of Precision Medicine, diagnostic imaging plays a key role in initial diagnosis and treatment response assessment in thoracic manifestation of various rheumatic disorders; resulting in increased dependency on imaging for treatment planning. Chest radiographs serve as a good initial screening tool for assessment of emergent and urgent thoracic conditions, e.g., pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, consolidation and pleural effusions. Cross-sectional imaging techniques, e.g., computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) are most commonly utilized to evaluate more detailed pulmonary and mediastinal manifestations of rheumatic conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound are most commonly used in cardiovascular, neural and musculoskeletal structures. This review article aims to highly key common thoracic imaging findings of rheumatic disorders, highlighting imaging test of choice for the particular disorder.
Background Clinical workup for chest pain varies among institutions. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS... more Background Clinical workup for chest pain varies among institutions. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the primary diagnosis to rule out in the differential diagnosis, due to its associated mortality and morbidity. Although studies have demonstrated efficacy of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in diagnosis obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), there is limited evidence in the clinical value of performing cardiac nuclear stress perfusion imaging [myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI)] exam in patients with chest pain after undergoing CCTA. We aim to evaluate clinical value of follow-up nuclear cardiac MPI in patients with chest pain who have undergone recent CCTA. Methods A total of 1,000 patients were evaluated in this IRB approved retrospective study who presented with symptoms of ACS. Patients who had elevated troponin or abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings at initial presentation or prior to cardiac nuclear MPI were excluded from the study. All patients who...
Background: Highly infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread wo... more Background: Highly infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread worldwide. Different measures have been adopted worldwide to contain the COVID-19, and these measures have various impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (CP) and lockdown policy on physical health (PH)–psychological health (PsH), physical activity (PA), and overall well-being (OW) in the context of HRQoL, exploring the mediating role of emotional regulation (ER). Method: The current study was conducted in two provincial cities of China. An online survey was conducted in both the cities to collect the data. After quantifying the data, a total of 2,200 respondents data were analyzed through appropriate statistical techniques. Results: The study results indicate that CP was found significantly and negatively related to PH (β = −0.157, t = 9.444, p < 0.001). A significant relationship was found between CP and PsH (β...
The aim of study was to develop an indigenous, valid, and reliable self-report measure to identif... more The aim of study was to develop an indigenous, valid, and reliable self-report measure to identify stressful life events in children with age range from 9 through 13 years. An initial item pool of 110 items was generated through interviews with children, whereas a preliminary questionnaire was administered to clinical psychologists, parents, and teachers. For the empirical evaluation, a sample of 1132 children (with a dropout rate of 12.9%) was drawn from five schools in Lahore including 632 boys and 500 girls. Principal Component Factor Analysis with Varimax rotation was used to determine the construct validity along with running item analysis. As a result, five factors emerged that explained 41% total variance containing total 61 items on selection criteria of item loading of .45 and above loading exclusively on one factor. These factors were labeled as trauma related stressors, social stressors, familial stressors, emotional stressors, and personal stressors. Total Stressful Life...
The aim of the current research finding was to synthesize, characterize and antibacterial evaluat... more The aim of the current research finding was to synthesize, characterize and antibacterial evaluation of sparfloxacin-mediated noble metal nanoparticles. Noble metal [silver (Ag), and gold (Au)] nanoparticles (NPs), mediated with fluoroquinolone, an anti-bacterial drug [Sparfloxacin, (Sp)], was synthesized by a facile and convenient procedure. Formulated Ag-Sp NPs, and Au-Sp NPs exhibited stability against variation in pH, NaCl solution, temperature, and time. The structural topographies of Ag-Sp, and Au-Sp NPs were determined by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). UV-Vis revealed the formulation of NPs by showing typical surface Plasmon absorption maxima at 410 nm for Ag-Sp NPs and 555 nm for Au-Sp NPs. The AFM and SEM analysis ascertained stable mono dispersed Ag-Sp NPs and Au-Sp NPs in the size range of 40-50 nm, and 70-80 nm, respectiv...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS... more Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) which can lead to severe disability. Several diseases can mimic the clinical manifestations of MS. This can often lead to a prolonged period that involves numerous tests and investigations before a definitive diagnosis is reached. As well as the possibility of misdiagnosis. Molecular biomarkers can play a unique role in this regard. Molecular biomarkers offer a unique view into the CNS disorders. They help us understand the pathophysiology of disease as well as guiding our diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic approaches in CNS disorders. This review highlights the most prominent molecular biomarkers found in the literature with respect to MS and its related disorders. Based on numerous recent clinical and experimental studies, we demonstrate that several molecular biomarkers could very well aid us in differentiating MS from its related disorders. The implications of this work will h...
Recent clinical experience has demonstrated that adoptive regulatory T cell therapy is a safe and... more Recent clinical experience has demonstrated that adoptive regulatory T cell therapy is a safe and feasible strategy to suppress immunopathology via induction of host tolerance to allo- and autoantigens. However, clinical trials continue to be compromised due to an inability to manufacture a sufficient Treg cell dose. Multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCⓇ) promote regulatory T cell differentiation in vitro, suggesting they may be repurposed to enhance ex vivo expansion of Tregs for adoptive cellular therapy. Here, we use a GMP compatible Treg expansion platform to demonstrate that MAPC cell-co-cultured Tregs (MulTreg) exhibit a log-fold increase in yield across two independent cohorts, reducing time to target dose by an average of 30%. Enhanced expansion is linked with a distinct Treg cell-intrinsic transcriptional program, characterized by diminished levels of core exhaustion (BATF, ID2, PRDM1, LAYN, DUSP1), and quiescence (TOB1, TSC22D3) related genes, coupled to elevated expre...
Tree height is one of the most important variables for quantitative assessment of forest stocks b... more Tree height is one of the most important variables for quantitative assessment of forest stocks but is difficult to directly measure. However, such allometric relationships of trees can vary between geographical regions, mainly due to climatic, edaphic, and floristic gradients. Based on the hypothesis that different forest types influence the generic modeling of tree height–diameter relationships on geographical scales, this study aimed to 1) fit equations to estimate tree height in Atlantic Forest types in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 2) compare efficiency and precision between generic and specific equations for forest types; and 3) test the effect of different forest types and species on the height–diameter relationship. Four allometric models were tested for all forests (generic) and three main forest types (specific). Effects of tree size, forest types and species on tree height estimation were analyzed using multiple linear models and mixed effect linear models. A signi...
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the pa... more An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Este estudo aborda o desenvolvimento de um protótipo de uma bengala ultrassônica. Tal abordagem s... more Este estudo aborda o desenvolvimento de um protótipo de uma bengala ultrassônica. Tal abordagem se faz necessária devido a relevância do projeto no auxílio para deficientes visuais. O intento deste estudo é enfatizar como a locomoção e execução de atividades diárias dos portadores pode ser aprimorada com a evolução deste presente labor. Fundamentalmente, a bengala utiliza-se de ondas ultrassônicas para identificar objetos abaixo da linha da cintura do deficiente, impedindo-o de colidir com objetos presentes nesta posição quando ocorrer a locomoção. O sensor acoplado à bengala emite ondas ultrassônica alternadas que, ao detectar obstáculos, são refletidas retornando ao sensor. Um microcontrolador recebe as informações do objeto, analisando o grau de perigo de colisão com o deficiente visual, acionando o buzzer, o qual emite um sinal sonoro, à medida que o deficiente se aproxima intensamente do objeto, maior será a frequência do som emitido do buzzer.
The biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has been broadly investigated, but studies typica... more The biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) has been broadly investigated, but studies typically focus on a single strain or enzyme and little attention has been paid to comparing the interaction of different PHB depolymerase (PhaZ)-producing strains with this biopolymer. In this work, we selected nine bacterial strains-five with demonstrated and four with predicted PhaZ activity-to compare their effectiveness at degrading PHB film provided as sole carbon source. Each of the strains with demonstrated activity were able to use the PHB film (maximum mass losses ranging from 12% after 2 days for Paucimonas lemoignei to 90% after 4 days for Cupriavidus sp.), and to a lower extent Marinobacter algicola DG893 (with a predicted PhaZ) achieved PHB film mass loss of 11% after 2 weeks of exposure. Among the strains with proven PhaZ activity, Ralstonia sp. showed the highest specific activity since less biomass was required to degrade the polymer in comparison to the other strains. In the ...
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