Sonographic evaluation of the median nerve at the wrist.

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135356/1/jum20012091011.pd

Role of Biological Elements of Goat for Curative / Preventive Measures against Tuberculosis

This paper focus on the results of attempts to search the probable system and causes and their modes of action for treatment of tuberculosis by the goats’ biological elements like blood, urine, excreta, sweat etc. For this object we carried out a simple experiment by performing Mantoux test on goat. The concept behind this is that if there is presence of any antitubercular antibodies in poor's blood and then the test will show positive result due to agglutination reaction; as Acharya stated the use of goat's blood for curative treatment of tuberculosis. These means that Ayurvedic classics assume that there should be something present in goat blood which acts as antituberculosis agents. As tuberculosis is mainly cured by two methods: either by using antimycobacterial drug or by enhancing the individual’s immunity. This goat’s blood as we assume it act as antitubercular agent then it should work as antimycobacterium, the other possibility is that the goals antibodies are not sensitive for tubercular antigen so that it has congenital immunity against tuberculosis. In this condition we can't isolate the antibodies from goat's blood for the curative purpose of tuberculosis. This paper will show the result of experiment and validity of concept that either goat's blood has curative property against tuberculosis or not

Ficus hookeri tree leaves as herbal feed additives to enhance ruminal fermentation and reduced protozoal population in growing crossbred cattle

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Ficus hookeri leaf meal as herbal feed additive on rumen protozoal population, enzyme profile and fermentation characteristics in growing crossbred calves. Ten growing male crossbred (Jersey × Tharparker) calves with similar initial body weight of 91.8+1.37 kg, were randomly divided into two equal groups (T1 and T2) and fed individually under stall feeding for 140 days on a mixed ration containing rice straw and concentrate mixture in 50:50 ratio. Two types (C1 and C2) of iso-nitrogenous concentrate mixtures were prepared. Wheat bran in concentrate mixture (C2) of test group (T2) was partially replaced (4 parts w/w) with Ficus hookeri leaf meal. Daily dry matter intake between two experimental groups was similar. Rumen pH, NH3-N concentration and total rumen protozoal population decreased while ruminal TVFA and propionic acid production increased due to dietary supplementation of Ficus hookeri leaf meal as herbal feed additive. Activity of carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase and b-glucosidase enzymes were significantly higher in the rumen liquor of calves fed Ficus hookeri leaf meal. It could be concluded that dietary supplementation of Ficus hookeri leaf meals as herbal feed additive have a potential for reducing rumen protozoal population and ammonia nitrogen concentration with improving ruminal TVFA and propionate production in growing crossbred calves

fMRI Response During Figural Memory Task Performance in College Drinkers [pre-print]

Rationale: 18-25-year-olds show the highest rates of alcohol use disorders (AUD) and heavy drinking, which may have critical neurocognitive implications. Regions subserving memory may be particularly susceptible to alcohol-related impairments. Objective: We used blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the neural correlates of visual encoding and recognition among heavy drinking college students. We predicted that heavy drinkers would show worse memory performance and increased frontal/parietal activation and decreased hippocampal response during encoding. Methods: Participants were 23 heavy drinkers and 33 demographically matched light drinkers, ages 18-20, characterized using quantity/frequency of drinking and AUD diagnosis. Participants performed a figural encoding and recognition task during fMRI. BOLD response during encoding was modeled based on whether each stimulus was subsequently recognized or forgotten (i.e., correct vs. incorrect encoding). Results: There were no group differences in behavioral performance. Compared to light drinkers, heavy drinkers showed: 1) greater BOLD response during correct encoding in right hippocampus/medial temporal, right dorsolateral prefrontal, left inferior frontal, and bilateral posterior parietal cortices; 2) less left inferior frontal activation and greater bilateral precuneus deactivation during incorrect encoding; and 3) less bilateral insula response during correct recognition (clusters \u3e10,233ul, p Conclusions: This is the first investigation of the neural substrates of figural memory among heavy drinking older adolescents. Heavy drinkers demonstrated compensatory hyperactivation of memory-related areas during correct encoding, greater deactivation of default mode regions during incorrect encoding, and reduced recognition-related response. Results could suggest use of different encoding and recognition strategies among heavy drinkers

Molecular connectivity studies in neurotransmission: a scoping review

peer reviewedAbstract Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are essential molecular imaging tools for the in vivo investigation of neurotransmission. Traditionally, PET and SPECT images are analysed in a univariate manner, testing for changes in radiotracer binding in regions or voxels of interest independently of each other. Over the past decade, there has been an increasing interest in the so-called molecular connectivity approach that captures relationships of molecular imaging measures in different brain regions. Targeting these inter-regional interactions within a neuroreceptor system may allow to better understand complex brain functions. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of molecular connectivity studies in the field of neurotransmission. We examine the expanding use of molecular connectivity approaches, highlighting their applications, advantages over traditional methods, and contributions to advancing neuroscientific knowledge. A systematic search in three bibliographic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus on July 14, 2023 was conducted. A second search was rerun on April 4, 2024. Molecular imaging studies examining functional interactions across brain regions were included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty-nine studies were included in the scoping review. Studies were categorised based on the primary neurotransmitter system being targeted: dopamine, serotonin, opioid, muscarinic, glutamate, and synaptic density. The most investigated system was the dopaminergic and the most investigated disease was Parkinson’s disease (PD). This review highlighted the diverse applications and methodologies in molecular connectivity research, particularly for neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. Molecular connectivity research offers significant advantages over traditional methods, providing deeper insights into brain function and disease mechanisms. As the field continues to evolve, embracing these advanced methodologies will be essential to understand the complexities of the human brain and improve the robustness and applicability of research findings in clinical settings

Intraperitoneal drain placement and outcomes after elective colorectal surgery: international matched, prospective, cohort study

Despite current guidelines, intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery remains widespread. Drains were not associated with earlier detection of intraperitoneal collections, but were associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased risk of surgical-site infections.Background Many surgeons routinely place intraperitoneal drains after elective colorectal surgery. However, enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines recommend against their routine use owing to a lack of clear clinical benefit. This study aimed to describe international variation in intraperitoneal drain placement and the safety of this practice. Methods COMPASS (COMPlicAted intra-abdominal collectionS after colorectal Surgery) was a prospective, international, cohort study which enrolled consecutive adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery (February to March 2020). The primary outcome was the rate of intraperitoneal drain placement. Secondary outcomes included: rate and time to diagnosis of postoperative intraperitoneal collections; rate of surgical site infections (SSIs); time to discharge; and 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade at least III). After propensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to estimate the independent association of the secondary outcomes with drain placement. Results Overall, 1805 patients from 22 countries were included (798 women, 44.2 per cent; median age 67.0 years). The drain insertion rate was 51.9 per cent (937 patients). After matching, drains were not associated with reduced rates (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95 per cent c.i. 0.79 to 2.23; P = 0.287) or earlier detection (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 0.33 to 2.31; P = 0.780) of collections. Although not associated with worse major postoperative complications (OR 1.09, 0.68 to 1.75; P = 0.709), drains were associated with delayed hospital discharge (HR 0.58, 0.52 to 0.66; P < 0.001) and an increased risk of SSIs (OR 2.47, 1.50 to 4.05; P < 0.001). Conclusion Intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery is not associated with earlier detection of postoperative collections, but prolongs hospital stay and increases SSI risk

“We are the soul, pearl and beauty of Hindu Kush Mountains”: exploring resilience and psychological wellbeing of Kalasha, an ethnic and religious minority group in Pakistan

The Kalasha are a marginalized ethnic and religious minority group in northern Pakistan. The Kalasha minority is known for their divergent polytheistic beliefs, and represents the outliers of the collectively monotheistic Muslim population of Pakistan. This study aimed to explore the psychological resilience beliefs and lived experiences of the Kalasha and to identify cultural protective factors and indigenous beliefs that help them maintain psychological wellbeing and resilience. Seven semi-structured interviews and two focus-group discussions were conducted. The total sample consisted of 6 women and 8 men, aged 20–58 years (Mage = 36.29, SD = 12.58). The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis qualitative method was chosen. Study findings identified that factors contributing to the wellbeing, happiness and resilience enhancement beliefs of Kalasha included five main themes, all influenced by their unique spirituality: contentment, pride in social identity, tolerance, gender collaboration and gratitude. The study also revealed the Kalasha’s perception of their marginalization related to challenges and threats. The Kalasha emphasized bringing these resilience enhancement beliefs into practice, as a mean to buffer against challenges. In conclusion, this study revealed Kalasha’s wellbeing and resilience enhancement factors, which they believed in and practiced as an element of their indigenous culture and religion