Western blotting is an important technique used in cell and molecular biology. By using a western blot, researchers are able to identify specific proteins from a complex mixture of proteins extracted from cells. The technique uses three elements to accomplish this task: (1) separation by size, (2) transfer to a solid support, and (3) marking target protein using a proper primary and secondary antibody to visualize. This paper will attempt to explain the technique and theory behind western blot, and offer some ways to troubleshoot.

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Background: Aplastic anemia is a well-recognized form of marrow failure. The incidence of aplastic anemia is subjected to wide variation. Most cases are acquired and immune-mediated but there are also inherited forms. Aim: The study was conducted to assess the magnitude of the problem, morphological changes and determinants of aplastic anemia in North Bengal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study had been conducted for a period of one year among 5 to 70 years age group. Initially complete blood count followed by bone marrow examination was done for diagnosis. Results: Out of 48 cases, 38 (79.17%) had hypocellular diagnosed as aplastic anemia, 5 (10.42%) each had normocellular and hypercellular bone marrow. Histopathology shows that 30 (78.95%) cases had increased iron stores in bone marrow and 8 (21.05%) cases had decreased iron stores. Subjects less than 20 years of age mostly (31.58%) suffered from non-severe disease in contrast to subjects in higher age groups who had severe or very severe disease, though the trend was not significantly different (χ² for linear trend 0.171, P > 0.05). Conclusion: The study shows aplastic anemia is a common hematological abnormality among peripheral pancytopenia in North Bengal region where males were affected more than females.

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Background: Trigger finger is relatively common problem among hand disorders. There are open and percutaneous surgical methods for the treatment. Aim: This study was designed to examine the mid-term results of the percutaneous surgical technique on patients with chronic trigger finger. Materials and Methods: We included 48 trigger fingers of 48 patients (36 females and 12 males). They were between the ages of 42-68 years (mean age, 52 years). We performed release of the trigger finger by using a 14-gauge needle via the percutaneous technique. We performed open surgery on the trigger fingers of 20 patients in order to evaluate the results obtained from percutaneous surgery. The patients were followed for 30 months on average (18-46 months) following the procedure. Results: Following the procedure, pain and locking of the fingers were resolved completely. On the fingers that had open surgery, we observed that the release of the pulley was successful. Only 2 patients had minor abrasions, without any tendon injury. During the follow-up period, no complications were reported in either of the patient groups. Conclusions: Percutaneous surgical technique in the treatment of trigger finger is an effective, convenient and cost-effective method with a low complication rate, and is therefore a preferable alternative to open surgery.

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Background: The swine flu (H1N1) with rapid spread and panic in population is truly global pandemic, affected mainly younger population. There is need to accumulate evidence regarding patient's intensive care parameters for effective management of newer strains of influenza viral infections. Hence an observed retrospective record analysis of confirmed H1N1 patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care centre is done. Aims: The study was designed to study the profile and pattern of H1N1 patients admitted to ICU and to study the distribution and associated factors with treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods: The demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of 32 (RT-PCR confirmed) H1N1cases were collected and analyzed using Fischer's exact test/paired t test between survivors and nonsurvivors to know their significance. This data included criteria for admission to ICU, type of lung injury, mode of oxygenation, antiviral, and other drugs used. Results: There were 11 males and 21 female. Age ranged from 19 to 72 years. Age group of 15-45 years had most cases (78%) and mortality (60%). Most common symptoms were fever and breathlessness (100%). The mean duration of breathlessness was statistically significant (P = 0.037) between two groups. Most common signs were tachycardia and tachypnea. The 75% cases developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), of this 16% survived. Among these fatal cases nine were positive for procalcitonin (PCT) (P = 0.006). The rest of 25% developed acute lung injury (ALI) and recovered completely (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Fever and breathlessness were the main presenting complaints. Tachypnea and tachycardia as clinical signs predict development of respiratory complications. Arterial blood gas analysis (ABG) and PaO ₂ /FiO ₂ were important in deciding severity of lung injury and mode of ventilation. ARDS was observed to be the main cause of mortality in this study. Serum PCT level estimation is useful in determining outcome.

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Background: Evaluation of outcomes can help improve the quality of provision of services within a healthcare setting. There is limited report on patient satisfaction in private-sector in India although they provide three-quarters of healthcare services. Aim: The study was designed to report the level of satisfaction among inpatients of a private tertiary care hospital in India. Materials and Methods: A total of 102 participants were recruited and their socio-demographic, health-seeking behavior, and satisfaction rating on various aspects of healthcare were elicited. A five item Likert scale was used to obtain the satisfaction rating. Data analysis was done with the help of Stata version-9. Proportions for the discrete variables and means with Standard Deviation for the continuous variables were obtained. Results: All the participants were urban and from upper-middle or upper socio-economic strata. The participants reported a high level of overall satisfaction (93%) as well as high satisfaction with physicians (95%), the doctor's interpersonal skills (99%), nursing-care (93%), general services (94%), and pharmacy (88.1%). Conclusion: There was a high level of satisfaction reported by the participants at this tertiary level hospital. This might reflect the actual good quality services being provided by the provider or the nonannoying response, which cannot be ruled out.

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Background: More than 90% of visual impairment can either be treated or avoided. Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness methodology provides valid estimates in short time to assess magnitude and causes of blindness. Aims : To estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness in persons above 50 years in Kolar, South India, using the above methodology. Materials and Methods: Sixty one clusters of 50 people aged above 50 years were selected by probability-proportionate to size sampling. Participants were evaluated using a standardized survey form. Persons with vision <20/60 were dilated and examined by an ophthalmologist. Results: Of the 3050 people listed 2907 were examined (95.3%). Prevalence of bilateral blindness in persons was 3.9%; severe visual impairment 3.5%, and visual impairment 10.4%. Untreated cataract was the leading cause of blindness (74.6%) and severe visual impairment (73.3%). Avoidable causes of blindness accounted for 91.2% of all blindness and 95.0% of severe visual impairment. 'Waiting for maturity' and 'No one to accompany' were the most common barriers to uptake of cataract surgery. Conclusion: Untreated cataract continues to be the leading cause of avoidable blindness. Modified strategies need to be implemented to tackle the burden of cataract blindness.

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Background: The anterior lingual salivary glands (glands of Blandin-Nuhn) are mixed mucous and serous glands that are embedded within the musculature of anterior tongue ventrum. Aim: The present study was designed to describe the clinical and histopathological features. Material and Methods : We investigated the clinical and histopathologic features of 30 cases of mucocele of glands of Blandin-Nuhn. All the cases were seen in the department of pedodontics. Results: All the lesions were located on the ventral surface of the tongue. Lesions were situated at the midline in 24 patients and laterally in 6 patients. All the lesions were surgically treated. There was female predominance, and most patients were younger than 15 years. Conclusion : Histopathological examination showed extravasation type of mucocele, suggesting that trauma may be a frequent initiating factor. All the patients were younger than 15 years.

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