To evaluate clinical and hematological aspects of dogs naturally infected withHepatozoon canis (H. canis) presented at the Small Animal Clinics of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. Methods: Blood films of 34 naturally infected dogs were examined for haematological alterations and parasitaemia. Signalment and clinical signs were recorded from the animals. Clinical histories were filled out during the consultation. Results: Of the 34 positive dogs by Giemsa stained peripheral blood films, 88.23% presented parasitaemia by H. canis only, while 11.77% had the combination ofH. canis, Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. Young male dogs less than one-year-old, of non-descript breed, were the most commonly affected. And 26.47% were presented with anorexia/inappetence as the only clinical symptom. Other clinical symptoms were mild to moderate fever, pale mucosae and lethargy; a few were also showing the signs of vomiting and diarrhoea. Haematological alterations showed mainly normochromic-normocytic anaemia, leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Conclusions: The findings of this study substantiate that H. canis caused clinical and haematological alterations of the varied intensity in dogs, even with low parasitaemia, should be taken into consideration.

OBJECTIVES: Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease globally transmitted by Aedes aegypti. The most effective method to prevent the transmission of the disease is proficient vector control. Understanding the breeding behaviour of the responsible vectors is very pertinent in this regard; therefore, the present study was conducted to understand Ae. aegypti behaviour regarding the selection of containers for oviposition in the megacity of Delhi. METHODS: A household survey in different localities within Delhi was carried out during 2018-2019. All available containers were inspected for the presence of immature Ae. aegypti. In entomological surveillance, the ovipositional preference of Aedes was computed using the breeding preference ratio, container index in the field, and laboratory settings, and associations of dengue cases with monthly variation in environmental factors and container type were also calculated. RESULTS: The household larval survey in 40 localities showed that 40% of 27,776 water-holding containers in 3,400 houses were plastic, followed by overhead tanks (26.2%), and coolers (12.1%). The most preferred breeding habitat was clay pots (9.3%), followed by metallic containers (8.5%) and solid waste (7.1%). A laboratory-based study showed that Aedes preferred clay containers (81.8%) over 4 other types of containers (plastic, paper, metal, and glass). CONCLUSIONS The present study provides a rationale for using clay containers as a possible surveillance tool (ovitraps) or as a vector control tool. This information might aid researchers in developing novel traps and targeting preferred containers for larval control activities during transmission and non-transmission seasons.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The higher incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC) in females has been accredited to the involvement of hormones. The clinical implications of sex hormone receptors in GBC are well established. Cysteine proteases (such as caspase-3-9, etc.) are known to play a central role in the apoptotic pathway. Of these, the downstream enzyme caspase-3 is often activated in the apoptotic pathway. The aim of this work was to examine the status of apoptosis (which directly correlated with the level of active caspase-3) in hormone-responsive GBC. METHODS: We used 10 androgen receptor (AR)-positive, 14 estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, 12 HER/neu-positive, eight triple positive, and 10 triple negative malignant GBC human tissue samples. We isolated the total cellular protein from tumor tissues and carried out Western blotting using antipro-caspase-3 and anti-activated caspase-3 antibodies. RESULTS: ER and HER/neu-positive GBC exhibited high caspase-3 activity and low procaspase-3 activity, whereas AR-positive GBC showed no significant level of apoptosis. We also evaluated the apoptosis status of triple positive GBC and triple negative GBC, and found significant apoptosis in triple positive GBC. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that ER and HER/neu-positive GBCs had active apoptosis, whereas AR-positive GBC was highly resistant to apoptosis.
Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use ; *Apoptosis/drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma/drug therapy/*enzymology/pathology ; Caspase 3/*analysis ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Enzyme Activation ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/drug therapy/*enzymology/pathology ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent/drug therapy/*enzymology/pathology ; Receptor, erbB-2/analysis ; Receptors, Androgen/analysis ; Receptors, Estrogen/analysis ; Tumor Markers, Biological/*analysis

Tissue engineering is a research domain that deals with the growth of various kinds of tissues with the help of synthetic composites. With the culmination of nanotechnology and bioengineering, tissue engineering has emerged as an exciting domain. Recent literature describes its various applications in biomedical and biological sciences, such as facilitating the growth of tissue and organs, gene delivery, biosensor-based detection, etc. It deals with the development of biomimetics to repair, restore, maintain and amplify or strengthen several biological functions at the level of tissue and organs. Herein, the synthesis of nanocomposites based on polymers, along with their classification as conductive hydrogels and bioscaffolds, is comprehensively discussed. Furthermore, their implementation in numerous tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications is also described. The limitations of tissue engineering are also discussed here. The present review highlights and summarizes the latest progress in the tissue engineering domain directed at functionalized nanomaterials.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of oral premedication with ibuprofen on the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) using 2% lignocaine and 1:100000 epinephrine in tobacco-chewing (TC) and non-tobacco-chewing (NTC) patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) during nonsurgical endodontic intervention (NEI). Methods: This multicenter, prospective, double-blind, two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 160 patients was conducted for a period of 9 months. The patients were classified into the study (TC patients) and control (NTC patients) groups, which were subdivided into two subgroups 1 hour before the procedure based on oral premedication with tab ibuprofen 600 mg. Nicotine dependence was assessed using the Modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Nicotine Scale. Patients were administered an IANB injection of 2% lignocaine containing epinephrine 1:100000 after premedication. Pulpal anesthesia before NEI was confirmed using electric pulp testing and cold spraying. Patients rated their pain on the 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) during NEI thrice at the dentin, pulp, and instrumentation levels. No pain at each level indicated the success of anesthesia. Results: The success and failure rates did not differ between the premedication and non-premedication subgroups in the TC or NTC groups (P > 0.05). However, the success rate was higher in the premedication subgroup of the NTC group (52.5%) than in the TC group (45%). Most patients with premedication experienced failure at the instrumentation level, whereas patients in the non-premedication group experienced pain at the dentin level. Failure rates of IANB did not differ significantly at different levels between the groups (P > 0.05). The mean VAS scores differed significantly at the dentin level in both groups, with lower values in the premedication group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The efficacy of ibuprofen premedication with IANB during NEI did not differ significantly between the TC and NTC patients with SIP. The effect of premedication was more significant in the NTC group than in the TC group. A causal relationship between nicotine consumption and the success of premedication could not be established, and further studies are required to validate the results of the present study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of oral premedication with ibuprofen on the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) using 2% lignocaine and 1:100000 epinephrine in tobacco-chewing (TC) and non-tobacco-chewing (NTC) patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) during nonsurgical endodontic intervention (NEI). Methods: This multicenter, prospective, double-blind, two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 160 patients was conducted for a period of 9 months. The patients were classified into the study (TC patients) and control (NTC patients) groups, which were subdivided into two subgroups 1 hour before the procedure based on oral premedication with tab ibuprofen 600 mg. Nicotine dependence was assessed using the Modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Nicotine Scale. Patients were administered an IANB injection of 2% lignocaine containing epinephrine 1:100000 after premedication. Pulpal anesthesia before NEI was confirmed using electric pulp testing and cold spraying. Patients rated their pain on the 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) during NEI thrice at the dentin, pulp, and instrumentation levels. No pain at each level indicated the success of anesthesia. Results: The success and failure rates did not differ between the premedication and non-premedication subgroups in the TC or NTC groups (P > 0.05). However, the success rate was higher in the premedication subgroup of the NTC group (52.5%) than in the TC group (45%). Most patients with premedication experienced failure at the instrumentation level, whereas patients in the non-premedication group experienced pain at the dentin level. Failure rates of IANB did not differ significantly at different levels between the groups (P > 0.05). The mean VAS scores differed significantly at the dentin level in both groups, with lower values in the premedication group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The efficacy of ibuprofen premedication with IANB during NEI did not differ significantly between the TC and NTC patients with SIP. The effect of premedication was more significant in the NTC group than in the TC group. A causal relationship between nicotine consumption and the success of premedication could not be established, and further studies are required to validate the results of the present study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of oral premedication with ibuprofen on the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) using 2% lignocaine and 1:100000 epinephrine in tobacco-chewing (TC) and non-tobacco-chewing (NTC) patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) during nonsurgical endodontic intervention (NEI). Methods: This multicenter, prospective, double-blind, two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 160 patients was conducted for a period of 9 months. The patients were classified into the study (TC patients) and control (NTC patients) groups, which were subdivided into two subgroups 1 hour before the procedure based on oral premedication with tab ibuprofen 600 mg. Nicotine dependence was assessed using the Modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Nicotine Scale. Patients were administered an IANB injection of 2% lignocaine containing epinephrine 1:100000 after premedication. Pulpal anesthesia before NEI was confirmed using electric pulp testing and cold spraying. Patients rated their pain on the 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) during NEI thrice at the dentin, pulp, and instrumentation levels. No pain at each level indicated the success of anesthesia. Results: The success and failure rates did not differ between the premedication and non-premedication subgroups in the TC or NTC groups (P > 0.05). However, the success rate was higher in the premedication subgroup of the NTC group (52.5%) than in the TC group (45%). Most patients with premedication experienced failure at the instrumentation level, whereas patients in the non-premedication group experienced pain at the dentin level. Failure rates of IANB did not differ significantly at different levels between the groups (P > 0.05). The mean VAS scores differed significantly at the dentin level in both groups, with lower values in the premedication group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The efficacy of ibuprofen premedication with IANB during NEI did not differ significantly between the TC and NTC patients with SIP. The effect of premedication was more significant in the NTC group than in the TC group. A causal relationship between nicotine consumption and the success of premedication could not be established, and further studies are required to validate the results of the present study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of oral premedication with ibuprofen on the anesthetic efficacy of inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) using 2% lignocaine and 1:100000 epinephrine in tobacco-chewing (TC) and non-tobacco-chewing (NTC) patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) during nonsurgical endodontic intervention (NEI). Methods: This multicenter, prospective, double-blind, two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 160 patients was conducted for a period of 9 months. The patients were classified into the study (TC patients) and control (NTC patients) groups, which were subdivided into two subgroups 1 hour before the procedure based on oral premedication with tab ibuprofen 600 mg. Nicotine dependence was assessed using the Modified Fagerstrom Tolerance Nicotine Scale. Patients were administered an IANB injection of 2% lignocaine containing epinephrine 1:100000 after premedication. Pulpal anesthesia before NEI was confirmed using electric pulp testing and cold spraying. Patients rated their pain on the 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) during NEI thrice at the dentin, pulp, and instrumentation levels. No pain at each level indicated the success of anesthesia. Results: The success and failure rates did not differ between the premedication and non-premedication subgroups in the TC or NTC groups (P > 0.05). However, the success rate was higher in the premedication subgroup of the NTC group (52.5%) than in the TC group (45%). Most patients with premedication experienced failure at the instrumentation level, whereas patients in the non-premedication group experienced pain at the dentin level. Failure rates of IANB did not differ significantly at different levels between the groups (P > 0.05). The mean VAS scores differed significantly at the dentin level in both groups, with lower values in the premedication group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The efficacy of ibuprofen premedication with IANB during NEI did not differ significantly between the TC and NTC patients with SIP. The effect of premedication was more significant in the NTC group than in the TC group. A causal relationship between nicotine consumption and the success of premedication could not be established, and further studies are required to validate the results of the present study.

Background: The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), is a major menace to cast off TB worldwide. Line probe assay (LPA; GenoType MTBDRplus ver. 2) and Xpert MTB/RIF assays are two rapid molecular TB detection/diagnostic tests. To compare the performance of LPA and Xpert MTB/RIF assay for early diagnosis of rifampicin-resistant (RR) TB in acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear-positive and negative sputum samples. Methods: A total 576 presumptive AFB patients were selected and subjected to AFB microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF assay and recent version of LPA (GenoType MTBDRplus assay version 2) tests directly on sputum samples. Results were compared with phenotypic culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST). DNA sequencing was performed with rpoB gene for samples with discordant rifampicin susceptibility results. Results: Among culture-positive samples, Xpert MTB/RIF assay detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in 97.3% (364/374) of AFB smear-positive samples and 76.5% (13/17) among smear-negative samples, and the corresponding values for LPA test (valid results with Mtb control band) were 97.9% (366/374) and 58.8% (10/17), respectively. For detection of RR among Mtb positive molecular results, the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay and LPA (after resolving discordant phenotypic DST results with DNA sequencing) were found to be 96% and 99%, respectively. Whereas, specificity of both test for detecting RR were found to be 99%. Conclusion We conclude that although Xpert MTB/RIF assay is comparatively superior to LPA in detecting Mtb among AFB smear-negative pulmonary TB. However, both tests are equally efficient in early diagnosis of AFB smear-positive presumptive RR-TB patients.

Background: The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), is a major menace to cast off TB worldwide. Line probe assay (LPA; GenoType MTBDRplus ver. 2) and Xpert MTB/RIF assays are two rapid molecular TB detection/diagnostic tests. To compare the performance of LPA and Xpert MTB/RIF assay for early diagnosis of rifampicin-resistant (RR) TB in acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear-positive and negative sputum samples. Methods: A total 576 presumptive AFB patients were selected and subjected to AFB microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF assay and recent version of LPA (GenoType MTBDRplus assay version 2) tests directly on sputum samples. Results were compared with phenotypic culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST). DNA sequencing was performed with rpoB gene for samples with discordant rifampicin susceptibility results. Results: Among culture-positive samples, Xpert MTB/RIF assay detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in 97.3% (364/374) of AFB smear-positive samples and 76.5% (13/17) among smear-negative samples, and the corresponding values for LPA test (valid results with Mtb control band) were 97.9% (366/374) and 58.8% (10/17), respectively. For detection of RR among Mtb positive molecular results, the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay and LPA (after resolving discordant phenotypic DST results with DNA sequencing) were found to be 96% and 99%, respectively. Whereas, specificity of both test for detecting RR were found to be 99%. Conclusion We conclude that although Xpert MTB/RIF assay is comparatively superior to LPA in detecting Mtb among AFB smear-negative pulmonary TB. However, both tests are equally efficient in early diagnosis of AFB smear-positive presumptive RR-TB patients.