Background: Triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) lacks established hormonal targets, limiting therapeutic options. Androgen receptor (AR) expression has been proposed as a potential biomarker, though its clinicopathological relevance remains unclear. Aims and Objectives: This study evaluated the prevalence of AR expression in TNBC and its association with clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 52 patients with TNBC treated at Tirunelveli Medical College (2017–2019). Primary TNBC cases with adequate formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue were included, while cases receiving neoadjuvant therapy or with inadequate tissue were excluded. AR expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (≥1% nuclear staining=positive). Tumors were classified and graded according to the World Health Organization Classification of Breast Tumors and the Nottingham-modified Bloom–Richardson system, respectively. Associations with clinicopathological variables were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with P<0.05 considered significant. Results: AR expression was identified in 22 of 52 cases (42%). The mean age was 52.41±11.49 years in AR-positive cases and 49.80±10.76 years in AR-negative cases (P=0.701). Mean tumor size was comparable between AR-positive (4.04±2.06 cm) and AR-negative tumors (4.31±2.77 cm; P=0.405). No significant association was observed between AR expression and histological tumor type (P=0.722), tumor grade (P=0.332), tumor necrosis (P=0.879), stromal response (P=0.297), or lymph node status (P=0.281). Conclusion: AR expression was present in 42% of TNBC cases and showed no significant association with clinicopathological parameters.
Introduction: Megaloblastic anaemia (MA) is an important cause of macrocytic anaemia and pancytopenia among children in developing countries. Deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate remains a significant nutritional problem in India, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Early diagnosis is essential because MA is potentially reversible with appropriate supplementation. Aim: To determine the prevalence, clinical presentation, haematological profile, and etiological factors associated with megaloblastic anaemia among children aged 1–14 years attending a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Swamy Vivekanandha Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India, from January 2025 to December 2025. Medical records of children aged 1–14 years diagnosed with megaloblastic anaemia were reviewed. Diagnosis was based on macrocytosis, peripheral smear findings, bone marrow examination, and serum vitamin B12 and folate levels. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment outcome data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. Results: Among 524 anaemic children screened, 150 fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for MA, yielding a prevalence of 28.6%. The mean age was 5.2±2.8 years and 52% were males. Pallor (98%), anorexia (85.3%), weakness (72%), irritability (65.3%), and knuckle hyperpigmentation (45.3%) were common clinical manifestations. Macrocytosis was observed in all patients with a mean haemoglobin of 6.8±1.5 g/dL and mean MCV of 102.4±8.2 fL. Pancytopenia was present in 68% of cases. Vitamin B12 deficiency accounted for 78% of patients, folate deficiency for 15.3%, and combined deficiency for 6.7%. Haematological recovery following supplementation occurred in 95.3% of children. Conclusion: Megaloblastic anaemia constitutes a major cause of nutritional anaemia in children and is predominantly related to vitamin B12 deficiency. Characteristic peripheral smear findings and early biochemical evaluation facilitate prompt diagnosis and effective treatment.
Additive manufacturing (AM) enables the fabrication of complex, customized structures with efficient material use. In parallel, the global imperative for sustainable materials has intensified interest in bio-based composite materials derived from renewable biological sources and often reinforced with natural fibers or fillers. This review critically examines the convergence of AM and bio-based composites, offering a comprehensive analysis of current advancements, technical challenges, and future directions. It explores the suitability of various AM techniques, such as material extrusion (ME), vat photopolymerization, powder-based methods, etc., for processing bio-based polymers including cellulose, lignin, chitosan (CS), polylactic acid (PLA), etc. Key challenges such as poor thermal stability, low crosslinking density, and printability limitations are discussed alongside emerging strategies for overcoming them, including chemical modification, hybrid composite design, and parameter optimization. The review further delves into the evolution of 4D printing with bio-based stimuli-responsive materials, enabling applications in soft robotics, smart packaging, regenerative medicine, etc. By synthesizing interdisciplinary advances from materials science, mechanical engineering, and environmental design, this article highlights both the promise and complexity of integrating sustainability and functionality in AM. The insights provided serve as a roadmap for developing high-performance, eco-conscious systems that align with global sustainability goals.
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently result in excessive empirical antibiotic use despite heterogeneous infectious triggers. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate C-reactive protein (CRP) -guided antibiotic therapy and its prognostic significance in 50 hospitalized patients with acute infective exacerbation. Antibiotics were initiated when CRP ≥50 mg/L, while lower values were managed conservatively unless deterioration occurred. Patients with elevated CRP demonstrated greater initial inflammatory and clinical severity, whereas those with lower CRP improved without antibiotics and without adverse outcomes. CRP-guided management reduced unnecessary antibiotic exposure and supported its utility as a biomarker for therapeutic decision-making and short-term prognosis.
Introduction: Interleukin-10 (IL-10) plays an important role in dengue pathogenesis, reflecting an immunosuppressive function that causes Interferon (IFN) resistance, followed by impaired immune clearance and a persistent infectious effect for acute viral infection. Aim: To evaluate and compare IL-10 levels as a potential indicator of disease severity in dengue infection. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Government Thoothukudi Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India, from March to September 2023. A total of 315 clinically suspected dengue patients in the age group of 1 to 80 years were subjected to IgM Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). All samples that tested positive were considered confirmed dengue cases and were included in the study. Out of which 43 samples were positive for dengue (Group 1, n=28) and (Group 2, n=15). Group 1 included Dengue Fever (DF) with or without warning signs, Group 2 included severe dengue and Group 3 included 30 healthy volunteers. IL-10 was measured using the Diaclone ELISA kit. Patient's demographic profiles and laboratory parameters were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v19.0 with Pearsons Chi-square test and One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 315 samples, 43 were confirmed by Dengue IgM ELISA. Out of the total 43 positive samples, 24 (55.8%) were paediatric patients and 19 (44.2%) were adult patients. Twenty (46.5%) were males and Twenty Three (53.5%) were females, respectively. Out of 43 samples, 28 (65.1%) in Group 1 and 15 (34.9%) were in Group 2. There was a significant association (p<0.05) between the IL-10 and the dengue severity. The mean IL-10 in severe dengue cases (222 +/- 80.7 pg/mL, median=130) was significantly (p<0.0001) raised as compared to non-severe dengue (IL-10: 51.4 +/- 21.37, median=35) and healthy controls (4.05 +/- 0.45, median=3.5). Conclusion: Early prediction of the severity of the disease will help in better management, ultimately benefiting the patients. The present study suggests that IL-10 may serve as an indicator for identifying patients with severe dengue and those with or without warning signs, highlighting the urgent need for a marker that reflects endothelial damage.
