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Pain arising from the thoracic region has been reported to be potentially as debilitating as cervical or lumbar back pain, and may stem from a vast number of spinal sources, including zygapophysial, costovertebral and costotransverse joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, fascia, muscles, and nerve roots. Over the last two decades, the use of ultrasound in interventional spinal procedures has been rapidly evolving, due to the ultrasound capabilities of visualizing soft tissues, including muscle layers, pleura, nerves, and blood vessels, allowing for real-time needle tracking, while also reducing radiation exposure to both patient and physician, when compared to traditional fluoroscopy guidance. However, its limitations still preclude it from being the imaging modality of choice for some thoracic spinal procedures, notably epidural (interlaminar and transforaminal approaches) and intradiscal injections. In this technical review, we provide an overview of five thoracic spinal injections that are amenable to ultrasound guidance. We start by discussing their clinical utility, followed by the relevant topographic anatomy, and then provide an illustrated technical description of each of the procedures discussed: (1) erector spinae plane block; (2) intra-articular thoracic zygapophyseal (facet) joint injection; (3) thoracic medial branch block; (4) costotransverse joint injection; and (5) costovertebral joint injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study attempts to analyze the impact of abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) process parameters on surface roughness and kerf taper properties of hardened AISI 440C stainless steel. Considering process parameters such as jet-water pressure, nozzle traverse rate, and stand-off height, the experiments are planned using the central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is applied to the experimental data to determine which process parameters significantly affecting the surface roughness (Ra) and kerf taper properties. It is observed that surface roughness and kerf taper are significantly affected by all the three mentioned process parameters. Surface roughness decreases by increasing jet-water pressure. Ra decreases with a decrease in stand-off height and nozzle traverse rate. Kerf taper decreases by increasing jet-water pressure. After that, it decreases as the nozzle traverse rate and stand-off height decrease. Both coded and uncoded responses are incorporated into the developed predictive model. The study finds that the model's predicted values agree with the observed data. The next step involves optimization, i.e., adjusting the process's variables until the surface roughness and kerf taper are minimized. Furthermore, the machined surface of the work material was carefully analyzed under the optical microscope to give preliminary insight into the surface profile and waviness. The erosion made by abrasive particles is visible. To gain further insight into the machined surface characteristics, it was further observed using microscopic at 100× magnification. The machined samples were then scanned using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for microstructural study and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatic artery–related complications (HARC) after live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rate. Methods: Prospectively maintained data from July 2011 to September 2020 was analyzed for etiology, detection, management, and outcome of HARC. Results: Six hundred fifty-seven LDLT (adult 572/pediatrics 85) were performed during the study period. Twenty-one (3.2%) patient developed HARC; 16 (2.4%) hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and 5 (0.76%) non-thrombotic hepatic artery complication (NTHAC). Ninety percent (19/21) HARC were asymptomatic and detected on protocol Doppler. Median time to detection was day 4 (range − 1 to 35), which included 18 early (within 7 days) vs 3 late incidents. Only one pediatric patient had HAT. Seven patients underwent surgical revascularization, 11 had endovascular intervention and 3 with attenuated flow required only systemic anticoagulation. All NTHAC survived without any sequelae. Revascularization was successful in 81% (13/16) with HAT. Biliary complications were seen in 5 (23.8%); four were managed successfully. Overall mortality was 14.8% (3/21). The 1-year and 5-year survival were similar to those who did not develop HARC (80.9% vs 84.2%, p = 0.27 and 71.4% vs 75.19%, p = 0.36 respectively) but biliary complications were significantly higher (23.8% vs 14.2%, p = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, clockwise technique of arterial reconstruction was associated with decreased risk of HAT (1.7% vs 4.1% (p value − 0.003)). Conclusion: Technical refinement, early detection, and revascularization can achieve good outcome in patients with HARC after LDLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defensive strategies are unique features of animals with aid of which they guard themselves against predators or any other potential risks. Birds among the animal kingdom display the most varied forms of antipredatory or defense approaches such as antipredatory adaptations namely, camouflage, acoustic communication, distraction displays, vigilance, communal defense, defensive regurgitation, aggression and escape behaviour. Ground nesting birds of Charadriidae family dwell in open areas which makes them and their young ones reasonably prone to predation. Therefore, Charadriids particularly, plovers and lapwings have evolved remarkable defensive antipredatory adaptations. In the present review, the diverse protective strategies of Charadriids such as camouflage, distraction displays, aggressive (mobbing) responses and flight or escape behaviour have been discussed. The article aims to elucidate the antipredatory behaviours observed in birds of Charadriidae family and highlight the various facets of defense which contribute to the survival and breeding success in these birds and animals associated with them. Finally, the significance of exhaustive studies to explore the detailed antipredatory mechanisms in plovers and lapwings has also been underscored so that one can fully understand the role of defense strategies in improving the survival rates as well as fitness costs of these birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiogenesis is a critical process in tumor progression. Inhibition of angiogenesis by blocking VEGF signaling can impair existing tumor vessels and halt tumor progression. However, the benefits are transient, and most patients who initially respond to these therapies develop resistance. Accordingly, there is a need for new anti-angiogenesis therapeutics to delay the processes of resistance or eliminate the resistive effects entirely. This manuscript presents the results of a screen of the National Institutes of Health Clinical Collections Libraries I & II (NIHCCLI&II) for novel angiogenesis inhibitors. The 727 compounds of the NIHCCLI&II library were screened with a high-throughput drug discovery platform (HTP) developed previously with angiogenesis-specific protocols utilizing zebrafish. The screen resulted in 14 hit compounds that were subsequently narrowed down to one, with PD 81,723 chosen as the lead compound. PD 81,723 was validated as an inhibitor of angiogenesis in vivo in zebrafish and in vitro in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Zebrafish exposed to PD 81,723 exhibited several signs of a diminished endothelial network due to the inhibition of angiogenesis. Immunochemical analysis did not reveal any significant apoptotic or mitotic activity in the zebrafish. Assays with cultured HUVECs elucidated the ability of PD 81,723 to inhibit capillary tube formation, migration, and proliferation of endothelial cells. In addition, PD 81,723 did not induce apoptosis while significantly down regulating p21, AKT, VEGFR-2, p-VEGFR-2, eNOS, and p-eNOS, with no notable change in endogenous VEGF-A in cultured HUVECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In opportunistic networks (OppNets), messages are transmitted between nodes in an opportunistic fashion following a store-carry-and-forward approach and a routing protocol, with the hope to reach their destinations. In existing routing protocols for OppNets, different parameters such node's delivery predictability, node's mobility, distance with respect to destination, node's energy consumption, contact duration between nodes, to name a few, are considered in the selection of the best suitable next hop to carry the message toward the destination. This paper proposes a novel routing protocol that uses three parameters, namely the contact duration, the node's residual energy and the signal- to-noise-plus-interference-ratio (SINR) simultaneously to decide on the selection of the best next forwarder for a message. Simulation results using the Opportunistic Network Environment (ONE) simulator are presented, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Release of a theatrical movie trailer is a major marketing practice and a considerable cost is associated with it. Evaluating the effectiveness of a theatrical movie trailer before its release could substantially contribute towards enriching its contents and economic value. The relationship between the emotional responses generated in response to a movie trailer cannot be effectively measured using traditional methods such as surveys and interviews. This paper proposes a framework to measure the effectiveness of movie trailers by measuring emotive response of viewers. A case study was conducted to study the impact of a movie trailer release on stock value of movie using virtual stock markets. Further, the case study investigated the impact of emotionally intense movie trailer over its stock price. Based on emotive content of trailers, few of the movie stocks experienced a surge of two hundred and 50 % while others experienced a marginal rise of five to 10 % only. The observed results indicated a direct relation between release of movie trailer, its emotive content and abnormal positive returns of a movie stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus has been associated with functional abnormalities in the hippocampus and performance of cognitive function. Urtica dioica (UD) has been used in the treatment of diabetes. In our previous report we observed that UD extract attenuate diabetes mediated associative and spatial memory dysfunction. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of UD extract on mouse model of diabetes-induced recognition memory deficit and explore the possible mechanism behind it. Streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg, i.p. consecutively for 5 days) was used to induce diabetes followed by UD extract (50 mg/kg, oral) or rosiglitazone (ROSI) (5 mg/kg, oral) administration for 8 weeks. STZ induced diabetic mice showed significant decrease in hippocampal insulin signaling and translocation of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) to neuronal membrane resulting in cognitive dysfunction and hypolocomotion. UD treatment effectively improved hippocampal insulin signaling, glucose tolerance and recognition memory performance in diabetic mice, which was comparable to ROSI. Further, diabetes mediated oxidative stress and inflammation was reversed by chronic UD or ROSI administration. UD leaves extract acts via insulin signaling pathway and might prove to be effective for the diabetes mediated central nervous system complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory-demyelinating disease of the nervous system. There has been mounting evidence showing that MS is associated with increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The development of osteoporosis in MS patients can be related to the cumulative effects of various factors. This review summarizes the common risk factors and physiologic pathways that play a role in development of osteoporosis in MS patients. Physical inactivity and reduced mechanical load on the bones (offsetting gravity) is likely the major contributing factor for osteoporosis in MS. Additional possible factors leading to reduced bone mass are low vitamin D levels, and use of medications such as glucocorticoids and anticonvulsants. The role of the inflammatory processes related to the underlying disease is considered in the context of the complex bone metabolism. The known effect of different MS disease-modifying therapies on bone health is limited. An algorithm for diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in MS is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidant activities and phenolic contents of 26 species extracts from 20 botanical families grown in north-western Himalaya were investigated. Antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using a Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of phenolic compounds was also carried out by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using diode array detector (DAD). Major phenolics determined using RP-HPLC in analyzed species were gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid. Antiradical efficiency (1/EC) determined using DPPH radical scavenging assay ranged from 0.13 to 5.46. FRAP values ranged from 8.66 to 380.9 μmol Fe(II)/g dw. Similarly, the total phenolic content in the analyzed species varied from 3.01 to 69.96 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight. Gallic acid was found in the majority of the samples, being most abundant compound in Syzygium cumini bark (92.64 mg/100 g dw). Vanillic acid was the predominant phenolic compound in Picrorhiza kurroa root stolen (161.2 mg/100 g dry weight). The medicinal plants with highest antioxidant activities were Taxus baccata and Syzygium cumini. A significant positive correlation, R = 0.9461 and R = 0.9112 was observed between TPC determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method and antiradical efficiency and FRAP values respectively, indicating that phenolic compounds are the major contributor of antioxidant activity of these medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA-binding proteins control various cellular processes such as recombination, replication and transcription. This review is aimed to summarize some of the most commonly used techniques to determine DNA-protein interactions. In vitro techniques such as footprinting assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, southwestern blotting, yeast one-hybrid assay, phage display and proximity ligation assay have been discussed. The highly versatile in vivo techniques such as chromatin immunoprecipitation and its variants, DNA adenine methyl transferase identification as well as 3C and chip-loop assay have also been summarized. In addition, some in silico tools have been reviewed to provide computational basis for determining DNA-protein interactions. Biophysical techniques like fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques, FRET-FLIM, circular dichroism, atomic force microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, surface plasmon resonance, etc. have also been highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]