5,159 research outputs found
Utilizing biomarkers in colorectal cancer: an interview with Ajay Goel
Ajay Goel speaks to Rachel Jenkins, Commissioning Editor. Ajay Goel, PhD, is a Professor and Director, Center for Gastrointestinal Research, and Director, Center for Translational Genomics and Oncology, at the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr Goel has spent more than 20 years researching cancer and has been the lead author or contributor to over 240 scientific articles published in peer-reviewed international journals and several book chapters. He is also a primary inventor on more than 15 international patents aimed at developing various biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of gastrointestinal cancers. He is currently using advanced genomic and transcriptomic approaches to develop novel DNA- and miRNA-based biomarkers for the early detection of colorectal cancers. In addition, he is researching the prevention of gastrointestinal cancers using integrative and alternative approaches, including botanical products such as curcumin (from turmeric) and boswellia. Dr Goel is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) and is on the international editorial boards of several journals including Gastroenterology, Clinical Cancer Research, Carcinogenesis, PLoS ONE, Scientific Reports, Epigenomics, Future Medicine, Alternative Therapies in Heath and Medicine and World Journal of Gastroenterology. He is also actively involved in peer-reviewing activities for more than 100 international scientific journals and various grant review panels of various national and international funding organizations. His research has been actively funded by various private and federal organizations, including funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the NIH, American Cancer Society (ACS) and other state organizations. He has won more than dozen awards and honors, including the Union of European Gastroenterology Federation's Distinguished Researcher Award, multiple Poster of Distinction Awards from the AGA, and Visiting Professorships from various national and international academic institutions and academic bodies. Some of his key research interests include: Understanding the basic genetics and epigenetic basis of gastrointestinal cancers; Use of epigenetic markers, both DNA and RNA, for the early detection of colorectal, pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancers; Personalized medicine and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers; Chemoprevention, using complementary and alternative approaches using nutraceuticals such as curcumin, green tea, resveratrol and other botanicals. </jats:p
Alternative technique of cervical spinal stabilization employing lateral mass plate and screw and intra-articular spacer fixation
Aim: The author discusses an alternative technique of segmental cervical spinal fixation. Material and Methods: The subtleties of the technique are discussed on the basis of experience with 3 cases with a follow-up of between 30 and 36 months. Technique: The technique involves debridement of facetal articular cartilage, distraction of facets, jamming of ′Goel spacer′ into the articular cavity and fortification of the fixation by lateral mass plate and screw fixation. The ′double-insurance′ method of fixation is safe for vertebral artery, nerve roots and spinal neural structures and the fixation is strong. Conclusions: The discussed technique is safe and provides a strong fixation and a ground for ultimate arthrodesis
Author Reply Re: Goel A. Research training during residency. Indian J Urol 2017;33:257-8
Alkali-free bioactive glass composition, U.S. Patent 9,238,044
The present invention relates to development of bioactive glass/glass-ceramic composition that are able to promote a fast deposition layer of carbonated hydroxyapatite upon immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for time periods as short as one hour. Such composition might include fluorides, and a variety of oxides (or their precursor compounds), such as Na2O—Ag2O—SrO—CaO—MgO—ZnO—P2O5—SiO2—Bi2O3—B2O3—CaF2, be prepared by the melt route or by the sol-gel process, with the specific composition and the preparation route selected according to the intended functionalities, which can present controlled biodegradation rate and bactericidal activity. The powders derived from glass melts purred in cold water (frits) may completely densify by sintering at temperatures up to 800° C. without devitrification, resulting in bioglass compacts with high flexural strength (˜85 MPa). The bioactive glass powders prepared by sol-gel densify at lower temperatures due to their higher specific surface area and reactivity
Quantitative morphometric analysis of the lumbar vertebral facets and evaluation of feasibility of lumbar spinal nerve root and spinal canal decompression using the Goel intraarticular facetal spacer distraction technique: A lumbar/cervical facet comparison
Objective : The authors evaluate the anatomic subtleties of lumbar facets and assess the feasibility and effectiveness of use of ′Goel facet spacer′ in the treatment of degenerative spinal canal stenosis. Materials and Methods : Twenty-five lumbar vertebral cadaveric dried bones were used for the purpose. A number of morphometric parameters were evaluated both before and after the introduction of Goel facet spacers within the confines of the facet joint. Results : The spacers achieved distraction of facets that was more pronounced in the vertical perspective. Introduction of spacers on both sides resulted in an increase in the intervertebral foraminal height and a circumferential increase in the spinal canal dimensions. Additionally, there was an increase in the disc space or intervertebral body height. The lumbar facets are more vertically and anteroposteriorly oriented when compared to cervical facets that are obliquely and transversely oriented. Conclusions : Understanding the anatomical peculiarities of the lumbar and cervical facets can lead to an optimum utilization of the potential of Goel facet distraction arthrodesis technique in the treatment of spinal degenerative canal stenosis
Dimensions of civic activism and their effectiveness in exposing corruption: evidence from Italy
This article studies the influence of civic activism in exposing corruption across Italian regions.
Using different dimensions of civic activism (including local and national newspapers, the internet, blood donors, and voter turnout), we make the distinction between active (media, internet, voters) and passive (blood donors) activism. Results show interesting different impacts of civic activism on corruption. In particular, voter turnout, blood donors, and national newspaper diffusion consistently increased exposure of corruption, while the internet and local newspapers
showed opposite effects. Thus, local newspapers and the internet point to the possibility of media capture (influence) with regard to corruption exposure. The main findings hold following the substantial reforms in the nineties (called Mani Pulite)
From Tainted to Sainted: the Interracial Marriage as Cultural Evangelism
The article talks about interracial relationships viewed as cultural evangelism. The author mentions that viewing interracial marriage as the ultimate indicator of racial progress leaves the cognitive imprint that underlies all race relations. Professor Goel introduces the four archetypes of interracial relations that emanated from the four historical institutions such as the Civilized White and Colored Savage, the White Colonizer and Colored Subject, the White Master and Colored Slave, and the White Missionary and Colored Heathen. An analysis of the social and legal aspects of interracial marriages and interracial families is also presented
Community-based organisations: role in settling immigrants
It has been well acknowledged in the literature that successful settlement of new arrivals (both international and interstate) and their families is crucial for theirintegration and well-being in a host society. This will also result in population sustainability and meetingindustry requirements in regional areas. This chapter posits that community-based organisations (CBOs) are in a unique position to provide settlement services which are socially inclusive and evolve community participation under immigration department policy guidelines. Thechapter illustrates how a community development approach is a useful theory/constructto guide the practice of a community-based organisation that isproviding settlement services to new immigrants. This is demonstrated by using a case study of the 'Settling our Future' program provided through one of the community-basedorganisations in aregional city of South Australia.The author demonstrates that community development principles and approaches are the backbone of providing effective servicesto meet the needs of new arrivals in the regional town. The chapterfurther examines the role of the community development worker as a facilitator in establishing, developing and sustaining these initiatives which have a community basis
Author Reply Re: Goel A. Research training during residency. Indian J Urol 2017;33:257-8
Application of Polyurethane Foam Filled Aluminum Sandwich Structures in Blast Resistant Design
With the advancement of warfare weapons, terrorist attacks and failure of engineering structures due to impact of blast load has also frequented. Therefore, to protect the important structure and thereby human beings, scientists and engineers are proposing innovative solutions for mitigating the impact due to blast loading. Sandwich structure is one of the solutions that can be used for protecting the structure without much increase in overall weight of the structure. Therefore, present numerical analysis is performed to understand how sandwich structures filled with polyurethane (PU) foam responded as compared to bare honeycomb sandwich structure as well as equivalent weight plate. Due to the presence of foam filling in cells of honeycomb sandwich structure, the energy absorption capabilities are enhanced. The performance of PU foam filled honeycomb sandwich structure is evaluated based on peak backsheet deformation. Thus, an improved performance PU foam filled aluminum honeycomb sandwich structure is observed. Further, a parametric study is conducted considering different cell sizes (6, 12 and 19 mm), core depths (25 and 50 mm) and scaled distances. It is observed from this study that sandwich configuration with lesser cell size and higher core depth resisted the blast most effectively
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