Background & objectives:Vitiligo is an acquired skin disease characterized by depigmented areas of the skin. Increased release of catecholamines from autonomic nerve endings in microenvironment of melanocytes in affected skin might be involved in the aetiopathogenesis of vitiligo. Levels of catecholamines are considered as being related to onset or worsening of the disease. Therefore, in this study, the role of catecholamines was evaluated in mapping disease stability and outcome of vitiligo patients undergoing melanocyte transfer.Methods:In this study, circulatory and urinary levels of catecholamine (CA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) were determined in 45 individuals (30 vitiligo patients and 15 healthy controls) using ELISA.Results:A significant increase for plasma and urinary catecholamines along with VMA was observed as compared to healthy controls. When the pre- and post-intervention levels were analyzed in responders and non-responders, respectively, only dopamine showed significant decline in urine, rest of the molecules in plasma as well as urine showed non-significant decline except VMA which showed insignificant increase.Interpretation & conclusions:Levels of plasma/urinary epinephrine, and plasma dopamine, could not be established as biomarkers for disease stability or successful outcome of autologous melanocyte transfer in generalized vitiligo patients. However, dopamine (urine) might be of help in determining the stability in patients with generalized vitiligo undergoing melanocyte transfer. Further studies need to be done on a large sample of patients to confirm our findings.

Relationship between a-melanocyte stimulating hormone levels and therapeutic outcome of melanocyte transplantation and phototherapy in non-segmental patients with vitiligo: A prospective study

This paper delves into the complex issues surrounding submarine cables, vital for global communication and data exchange. These issues include maritime security, legal jurisdictions, and broader legalities. Because submarine cables are located deep in the world's oceans, they face numerous security threats such as sabotage, illegal fishing, and deep-sea mining, highlighting the need for comprehensive maritime security measures. Legal Jurisdiction over these cables, especially those outside territorial waters, is equally complicated. Different international norms and regulations contribute to a fragmented legal landscape, creating jurisdictional authority and regulatory compliance ambiguities. Moreover, international laws offer inconsistent solutions to cable damage, repair, and maintenance, adding further complexity. This paper examines these interconnected issues, analyzing the existing regulatory frameworks and their effectiveness in addressing submarine cables' security and legal challenges. We provide a nuanced understanding of this essential infrastructure's vulnerabilities and propose recommendations for enhanced legal frameworks, increased international cooperation, and improved security measures. This comprehensive study is particularly relevant in the current era of digital interconnectedness, where reliable, secure, and uninterrupted international data flows are crucial. We hope this paper will stimulate further discussion and research in this critical yet often underestimated international law and global security area.

Biosensors are critical part of today’s lifestyle. They have vast applications in medical industries making continuous advancement in the domain crucial. To further extend their utilities in this manuscript effect of variation in temperature on charge plasma based tunnel field effect transistor as biosensor is investigated. To investigate, device is simulated at 200K, 300K and 400K and various device, analog and linearity characteristics are examined. To create the cavity for accommodation of biomolecules, source electrode is extended. Analyzed device resulted in steepest subthreshold slope of 17.61mV/dec and 8.81mV/dec for κ=3 at T=200K. Device also has high ION sensitivity for entire temperature range. Due to promising characteristics, investigated biosensor can be used in future for detection of different biomolecules.