Purpose: To assess the potential advantage of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) over 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) planning in postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with gastric carcinoma. Methods and materials: In a retrospective study, for plan comparison, dose distribution was recalculated in 15 patients treated with 3D-CRT on the contoured structures of same CT images using an IMRT technique. 3D-conformal plans with three fields and four-fields were compared with seven-field dynamic IMRT plans. The different plans were compared by analyzing the dose coverage of planning target volume using TV95, Dmean, uniformity index, conformity index and homogeneity index parameters. To assess critical organ sparing, Dmean, Dmax, dose to one-third and two-third volumes of the OARs and percentage of volumes receiving more than their tolerance doses were compared. Results: The average dose coverage values of PTV with 3F-CRT and 4F-CRT plans were comparable, where as IMRT plans achieved better target coverage(p<0.001) with higher conformity index value of 0.81±0.07 compared to both the 3D-CRT plans. The doses to the liver and bowel reduced significantly (p<0.001) with IMRT plans compared to other 3D-CRT plans. For all OARs the percentage of volumes receiving more than their tolerance doses were reduced with the IMRT plans. Conclusion: This study showed that a better target coverage and significant dose reduction to OARs could be achieved with the IMRT plans. The IMRT can be preferred with caution for organ motion. The authors are currently studying organ motion in the upper abdomen to use IMRT for patient treatment.

Targeting protein kinases (PKs) has been a promising strategy in treating cancer, as PKs are key regulators of cell survival and proliferation. Here in this study, we studied the ability of pyrimido[4',5':4,5]thieno(2,3-)quinolines (PTQ) to inhibit different PKs by performing computational docking andscreening. Docking studies revealed that 4-butylaminopyrimido[4',5':4,5]thieno(2,3-)quinoline (BPTQ) has a higher order of interaction with the kinase receptors than other PTQ derivatives.screening confirms that BPTQ inhibits VEGFR1 and CHK2, with the ICvalues of 0.54 and 1.70 µmol/L, respectively. Further, cytotoxicity of BPTQ was measured by trypan blue assay. Treatment with BPTQ decreased the proliferation of HL-60 cells with an ICvalue of 12 µmol/L and induces apoptosis, as explicated by the fall in the mitochondrial membrane potential, annexin V labeling and increased expression of caspase-3. Taken together, these data suggest that BPTQ possess ability to inhibit PKs and to induce cell death in human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Introduction: The first five years of life constitute the foundations of the child's physical, mental growth and development. Mortality and morbidity are high during this age group. Early detection of danger signs is very crucial to prevent this. The objectives were to assess the knowledge of mothers regarding under-five danger signs and explore the association between the effects of knowledge with selected factors. Method: A descriptivestudy was conducted in a rural community of West Bengal from Jan’2018 to Sept’2018. Total study sample was 110 mothers having under five children. Door to door data collection was done through interview and data was analyzed both manually and by computer feeding. Results: Out of total study sample, majority (60%) belongs to age group 18-25 years followed by 31% among 26-33 age group, then 16% were more than 33 years. Out of total mothers, majority (40%) belongs to higher educated group, (37%) secondary group, followed by 10% with primary education and 13%were illiterate. Knowledge score was more than 50% among higher educated group (64%). Out of total respondents 61 (55.5%) mothers were not able to identify any danger signs whereas, 35.5 % mothers identified 1-2 danger signs and 9% mothers were able to identify 3-4 danger signs. Knowledge score about danger signs was more who visited antenatal clinic more than 4 times (61%). Conclusion: Awareness regarding under five danger signs are more among higher educated mothers. Number of antenatal visits also influences knowledge score.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is estimated to be the fourth leading cause of disability in the general population. It probably is the most common disease of joints in adults throughout the world. Knee OA accounts for more than 80% of the disease’s total burden and as per an estimate in US population, it affects at least 19% of adults aged 45 years and older. This was a randomised study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of platelet rich plasma (PRP) as a treatment modality for osteoarthritis knee in comparison to arthroscopic management. Materials and methods: This study was conducted from 2018 to 2020 at a tertiary care teaching hospital, under reference number ELMC&H/RCELL2019/39. A total of 70 patients of osteoarthritis knee with grade 2-3 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification were selected using computer generated random number among them 35 patients were subjected to arthroscopy (Group II) and 35 were administered platelet rich plasma injection (Group I) and evaluated at 3, 6 and 9 months of follow-up. Both the groups were assessed and scored with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) to compare pre-treatment and post-treatment values. As all the patients in the sample was followed-up, resulting into no loss of subjects. Result: Overall, percentage reduction in VAS score at 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months was 24.45±9.09, 18.45±11.60 and 8.29±14.19%, respectively in Group I and 18.96±5.85, 7.33±8.60 and 3.20±7.39%, respectively in Group II. A statistically significant difference between two groups was observed at 3- and 6-months’ time intervals only (p<0.05). Overall, percentage reduction in WOMAC score at 3 months, 6 months and 9 months was 24.03±11.41, 17.45±9.24, and 9.49±9.80%, respectively in Group I and 11.27±5.73, 5.70±4.78, and -0.13±5.06%, respectively in Group II. At all the three-time intervals, the difference between two groups was significant statistically (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study suggested that both PRP as well as arthroscopy provide a reduction in WOMAC and VAS scores for pain among cases of knee osteoarthritis. Most effective reduction is observed at three months follow-up which thereafter tends to diminish. Of the two modalities, PRP seemed to have an edge over arthroscopic debridement, however, this efficacy was more pronounced for KellgrenLawrence Grade 2 as compared to Grade 3.