Anomalous cooling of the parallel velocity in seeded beams

We have measured the parallel velocity distribution of a lithium supersonic beam produced by seeding lithium in argon. The parallel temperature for lithium is considerably lower than the calculated parallel temperature of the argon carrier gas. We have extended the theory of supersonic cooling to calculate the parallel temperature of the seeded gas, in the limit of high dilution. The theoretical result thus obtained is in good agreement with ourobservations.Comment: 01 june 200

Gut Dysbiosis and Neurobehavioral Alterations in Rats Exposed to Silver Nanoparticles

Due to their antimicrobial properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are being used in non-edible and edible consumer products. It is not clear though if exposure to these chemicals can exert toxic effects on the host and gut microbiome. Conflicting studies have been reported on whether AgNPs result in gut dysbiosis and other changes within the host. We sought to examine whether exposure of Sprague-Dawley male rats for two weeks to different shapes of AgNPs, cube (AgNC) and sphere (AgNS) affects gut microbiota, select behaviors, and induces histopathological changes in the gastrointestinal system and brain. In the elevated plus maze (EPM), AgNS-exposed rats showed greater number of entries into closed arms and center compared to controls and those exposed to AgNC. AgNS and AgNC treated groups had select reductions in gut microbiota relative to controls. Clostridium spp., Bacteroides uniformis, Christensenellaceae, and Coprococcus eutactus were decreased in AgNC exposed group, whereas, Oscillospira spp., Dehalobacterium spp., Peptococcaeceae, Corynebacterium spp., Aggregatibacter pneumotropica were reduced in AgNS exposed group. Bacterial reductions correlated with select behavioral changes measured in the EPM. No significant histopathological changes were evident in the gastrointestinal system or brain. Findings suggest short-term exposure to AgNS or AgNC can lead to behavioral and gut microbiome changes.Comment: 14 figures, 15 page

Free energy barrier for melittin reorientation from a membrane-bound state to a transmembrane state

An important step in a phospholipid membrane pore formation by melittin antimicrobial peptide is a reorientation of the peptide from a surface into a transmembrane conformation. In this work we perform umbrella sampling simulations to calculate the potential of mean force (PMF) for the reorientation of melittin from a surface-bound state to a transmembrane state and provide a molecular level insight into understanding peptide and lipid properties that influence the existence of the free energy barrier. The PMFs were calculated for a peptide to lipid (P/L) ratio of 1/128 and 4/128. We observe that the free energy barrier is reduced when the P/L ratio increased. In addition, we study the cooperative effect; specifically we investigate if the barrier is smaller for a second melittin reorientation, given that another neighboring melittin was already in the transmembrane state. We observe that indeed the barrier of the PMF curve is reduced in this case, thus confirming the presence of a cooperative effect

The Ctf18 RFC-like complex positions yeast telomeres but does not specify their replication time

Peer reviewedPreprin

Comparative study of anaphylaxis incidence in patients receiving anti-snake venom with or without prophylactic adrenaline: a prospective, randomized, blinded study

Background: Anti-snake venom serum (ASV) administered for snake-bite patients is the most specific treatment available. Unfortunately, it can cause severe anaphylaxis which can be fatal sometimes.Methods: Fifty patients were included in the study and randomly divided into group A, who received sub-cutaneous adrenaline before administration of anti-venom serum and group B who did not. Each group comprised of twenty-five patients. The incidences as well as the severity of anaphylaxis in both groups and also the effects of subcutaneous adrenaline on the hemodynamic were analysed.Results: Anaphylactic reactions were significantly less in group A than group B population (p0.05) implying that administration of sub-cutaneous adrenaline is safe.Conclusions: Prophylactic subcutaneous adrenaline before anti snake venom administration is highly efficacious and safe in reducing the incidence as well as severity of anaphylactic reactions

Clinical study of patients presenting to Low vision clinic in a Tertiary Eye Care Hospital

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical profile of patients presenting to low vision clinic in a tertiary eye care hospital and to assess the change in the quality of life of patients using low vision devices. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: The study is a hospital based Prospective observational study from July 2013 to June 2014. Totally 1049 patients were included in the study after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. On the first visit, a detailed history, ocular examination, visual acuity and quality of life assessment with a questionnaire is done and recorded. The patients who bought the advised low vision devices were followed up at 6 months and during the follow up visit, the similar details are obtained. The changes in the quality of life of patients who utilise the assistance with low vision device is analysed. RESULTS: Most of the patients were males (63.9%). 23.9% of patients were of less than 10 years age group. Majority of the patients were from Tamilnadu state (49.1%) and from a rural (40.3%) background. The range of Best corrected visual acuity of the better eye in 35.4% of patients was between 6/18 and 6/60. Most common etiology being Retinitis Pigmentosa. The overall acceptance rate of low vision aid is only 19.5% with the maximum for the magnifiers.There was statistically significant improvement in the quality of life of patients using low vision devices. CONCLUSION: In case of pre – school children and infants, early identification and rehabilitation is needed. For school going children, Proper guidance, co-operation with school teacher in proper identification and management. Special training about early identification for selected teachers in all schools. To incorporate an Integrated education in schools. To include in Primary eye care programs about the effective measures to make and early identification and referral of patients who would benefit from the rehabilitation services. Educate people about services and rehabilitative measures available for the low vision people. To promote self and family motivation and confidence. To promote Community based rehabilitation

Asymptotic Safety, Emergence and Minimal Length

There seems to be a common prejudice that asymptotic safety is either incompatible with, or at best unrelated to, the other topics in the title. This is not the case. In fact, we show that 1) the existence of a fixed point with suitable properties is a promising way of deriving emergent properties of gravity, and 2) there is a sense in which asymptotic safety implies a minimal length. In so doing we also discuss possible signatures of asymptotic safety in scattering experiments.Comment: LaTEX, 20 pages, 2 figures; v.2: minor changes, reflecting published versio

Comprehensive characterization of molecular interactions based on nanomechanics

Molecular interaction is a key concept in our understanding of the biological mechanisms of life. Two physical properties change when one molecular partner binds to another. Firstly, the masses combine and secondly, the structure of at least one binding partner is altered, mechanically transducing the binding into subsequent biological reactions. Here we present a nanomechanical micro-array technique for bio-medical research, which not only monitors the binding of effector molecules to their target but also the subsequent effect on a biological system in vitro. This label-free and real-time method directly and simultaneously tracks mass and nanomechanical changes at the sensor interface using micro-cantilever technology. To prove the concept we measured lipid vesicle (approximately 748*10(6) Da) adsorption on the sensor interface followed by subsequent binding of the bee venom peptide melittin (2840 Da) to the vesicles. The results show the high dynamic range of the instrument and that measuring the mass and structural changes simultaneously allow a comprehensive discussion of molecular interactions

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Comparative study of efficacy of tramadol versus nalbuphine as an adjuvant to intrathecal bupivacaine

Background: Spinal anesthesia is commonly used for infra umbilical surgeries due to its effective analgesia and favorable safety profile. However, local anesthetics like bupivacaine alone provide limited postoperative pain relief. Aim and Objectives: This randomized double-blind study aimed to compare the duration of analgesia of intrathecal tramadol and nalbuphine added to hyperbaric bupivacaine for infra umbilical surgeries, as there are limited studies on this comparison. Material and Methods: A total of 60 patients scheduled for elective infraumbilical surgeries at a tertiary care center were randomized into two groups. Group T received 25 mg of tramadol, and Group N received 1 mg of nalbuphine, both as adjuvants to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. The primary outcome was the duration of analgesia. Secondary outcomes included the onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks, hemodynamic stability, time to rescue analgesia and incidence of side effects. Results: Although nalbuphine provided a slightly faster onset of sensory and motor block (4.0 ± 1.0 and 5.7 ± 1.2 minutes respectively) than tramadol (4.3 ± 1.1 and 6.0 ± 1.3 minutes respectively), it was statistically insignificant (p = 0.238, 0.314). Also, the duration of analgesia was significantly longer in the nalbuphine group (8.2 ± 1.3 hours) compared to the tramadol group (7.5 ± 1.2 hours) (p = 0.045). Both groups maintained stable hemodynamic profiles, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of side effects. Conclusion: Nalbuphine, when added to intrathecal bupivacaine, provides a longer duration of analgesia with comparable onset times and safety profile. Thus nalbuphine can be considered a more effective adjuvant for enhanced postoperative pain relief