Loss of α-Synuclein Does Not Affect Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Rodent Neurons.

Increased α-synuclein (αsyn) and mitochondrial dysfunction play central roles in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), and lowering αsyn is under intensive investigation as a therapeutic strategy for PD. Increased αsyn levels disrupt mitochondria and impair respiration, while reduced αsyn protects against mitochondrial toxins, suggesting that interactions between αsyn and mitochondria influences the pathologic and physiologic functions of αsyn. However, we do not know if αsyn affects normal mitochondrial function or if lowering αsyn levels impacts bioenergetic function, especially at the nerve terminal where αsyn is enriched. To determine if αsyn is required for normal mitochondrial function in neurons, we comprehensively evaluated how lowering αsyn affects mitochondrial function. We found that αsyn knockout (KO) does not affect the respiration of cultured hippocampal neurons or cortical and dopaminergic synaptosomes, and that neither loss of αsyn nor all three (α, β and γ) syn isoforms decreased mitochondria-derived ATP levels at the synapse. Similarly, neither αsyn KO nor knockdown altered the capacity of synaptic mitochondria to meet the energy requirements of synaptic vesicle cycling or influenced the localization of mitochondria to dopamine (DA) synapses in vivo. Finally, αsyn KO did not affect overall energy metabolism in mice assessed with a Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System. These studies suggest either that αsyn has little or no significant physiological effect on mitochondrial bioenergetic function, or that any such functions are fully compensated for when lost. These results implicate that αsyn levels can be reduced in neurons without impairing (or improving) mitochondrial bioenergetics or distribution

GPU CUDA Accelerated Image Inpainting using Fourth Order PDE Equation

This paper describes the technique to accelerate inpainting process using fourth order PDE equation using GPU CUDA. Inpainting is the process of filling in missing parts of damaged images based on information gleaned from surrounding areas. It uses the GPU computation advantage to process PDE equation into parallel process. Fourth order PDE will be solved using parallel computation in GPU. This method can speed up the computation time up to 36x using NVDIA GEFORCE GTX 67

A study to compare the diagnostic accuracy of GeneXpert MTB/RIF/assay and its comparison with liquid culture in clinically suspected cases of genital tuberculosis attending outpatient department of tertiary center

Background: Tuberculosis is a major health issue globally despite a declining trend in mortality with effective diagnosis and treatment, an estimated 10.4 million persons developing active TB each year with 1.33 million deaths. Objective of this study was to evaluate role of GeneXpert MTB/RIF/assay in diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis in suspected cases of tuberculosis.Methods: It was a cross sectional study done in department of obstetrics and gynecology in S. N. Medical college Agra for a period of 2 year (July 2017 to October 2019). 70 cases were selected from OPD of department of obstetrics and gynecology, S. N. Medical College Agra who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria after taking proper consent. In all selected cases endometrial biopsy sample was taken using endometrial biopsy curette in premenstrual period. All samples of endometrial biopsy were taken under all aseptic precaution from both corneal ends, anterior and posterior wall and lower part of uterus using endometrial biopsy curette and sample was collected in two separate sterile vials having normal saline and was sent for GeneXpert MTB/RIF/assay and liquid culture simultaneously.Results: Out of total 70 clinically suspected cases of female genital tuberculosis in between 20-45 years of age cough with expectoration 94% was the most common respiratory symptom followed by fever 81%, weight loss 56% and anorexia 54%. Prevalence of genital tuberculosis in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients was 30%. Irregular menstruation, vaginal discharge and pelvic pain were present in 69%, 60% and 52% patients respectively.Conclusions: The overall sensitivity of CBNAAT was 22% and specificity was 77%. The overall sensitivity of liquid culture was 28% and specificity was 71%

Causes of Sudden Cardiac Death on Autopsy Findings; a Four-Year Report

Introduction: Incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been steadily increasing all over the world. While knowing the cause of SCD is one of the favorites of the physicians involved with these cases, it is very difficult and challenging task for the forensic physician. The present report is a prospective study regarding cause of SCDs on autopsy examination in four-year period, Bangalore, India. Methods: The present prospective study is based on autopsy observations, carried out for four-year period from 2008 to 2011, and analyzed for cause of SCDs. The cases were chosen as per the definition of sudden death and autopsied. The material was divided into natural and unnatural groups. Finally, on histopathology, gross examination, hospital details, circumstantial, and police reports the cause of death was inferred. Results: A total of 2449 autopsy was conducted of which 204 cases were due to SCD. The highest SCDs were reported in 50-60 years age group (62.24%; n-127), followed closely by the age group 60-69 (28.43%; n-58). Male to female ratio was around 10:1. The maximum number of deaths (n=78) was within few hours (6 hours) after the onset of signs and symptoms. In 24 (11.8%) cases major narrowing was noted in both the main coronaries, in 87 (42.6%) cases in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and in 18 (51.5%) cases in the right coronary artery (RCA). The major cardiac pathology resulting in sudden death was coronary artery disease (n-116; 56.86%) and myocardial infarction (n-104; 50.9%). most of the SCDs occurred in the place of residence (n-80; 39.2%) followed closely by death in hospital (n-49; 24.01%). Conclusion: Coronary occlusion was the major contributory cause of sudden death with cardiac origin and the highest number of deaths were reported in the age 50-59 years with male to female ratio of 10:1.

Intramuscular oxytocin 10 units versus intravenous methylergometrine 0.2 mg in active management of third stage of labour for prevention of postpartum haemorrhage: a comparative study

Background: To compare the effectiveness of 10 IU of oxytocin IM with 0.2 mg methyl ergometrine IV in the prevention of post-partum hemorrhage when used as a part of active management of third stage of labour. This study aims to compare their influence on duration of the third stage of labour, the amount of blood loss during the third stage of labour and the immediate post-partum period and side effects of the drugs if any.Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. 200 women, who underwent normal delivery with or without episiotomy, were enrolled and were randomly distributed into two groups. 100 women received 10 IU of intramuscular Oxytocin and 100 women received intravenous 0.2 mg of methyl ergometrine. Women of both the groups were given the medication after delivery of anterior shoulder of the baby. Comparison done between percentages fall in Hb from before delivery to 24 hours after delivery, need for additional uterotonic agents, need for blood transfusion, duration of third stage of labour and any side effects including retained placenta and need for manual removal of placenta.Results: Intravenous methylergometrine was observed to be equally effective as intramuscular oxytocin in prevention of post-partum hemorrhage. There was no difference in the duration of third stage of labour, amount of blood loss, need for additional uterotonic agents, and need for blood transfusion in both the groups. There was no significant side effect in both the groups.Conclusions: Intramuscular oxytocin is as efficacious as Intravenous methylergometrine in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage with no side effects

Exploring the Impact of Ayurvedic approaches on Obesity: A Scientific Research Perspective

Introduction: Due to the rapid modernization in the present era, sedentary life-style and abundance of nutrition, non-communicable diseases have been increased tremendously and now becoming the chief cause of the death all over the world. Obesity is one of the nutritional lifestyle disorder affecting both developed and developing countries. Obesity (Sthaulya) is vastly increasing in the world due to the change in the life style (Ahar, Vihar and Manasika) and working conditions. Obesity is a disorder characterized by increased body weight and excess fat deposition. It is the root cause of overconsumption of calories and reduced physical activity and finally leading to serious health complications like Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease and Arthritis. It also reduces the average life span and decreases the quality of life. In Ayurveda, Sthaulya (obesity) is a condition where, due to aggravation of Doshas, there is improper transformation of nutrition, more of Medodhatu is formed and inappropriate nutrition goes to nourish other Dhatus of body. Aim: To explore the impact of Ayurvedic approaches on obesity. Objectives: To find out the causative factors behind the prevalence of obesity and also to find out the cheap, easily available Ayurvedic modality to treat and prevent the Obesity. Materials and Methods: Various literatures like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Astanga Hridaya, modern medical textbooks, journals and online databases are reviewed. Conclusion: Embracing a balanced life-style, staying physically active and managing emotional stress are key factors in effectively addressing and preventing obesity

Lysis of tubercle bacilli in fresh and stored sputum specimens: implications for diagnosing tuberculosis in stored and paucibacillary specimens by PCR

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nucleic acid amplification techniques are being used increasingly in diagnosing tuberculosis. In developing countries clinical samples are often stored for subsequent analysis since molecular tests are conducted at only a limited number of laboratories. This study was conducted to assess the speed at which mycobacteria undergo autolysis and free DNA is detected in the supernatant during low-temperature storage.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eighty-seven smear positive sputa from tuberculosis patients were analysed immediately and after storage at -20°C. Timelines of 1 and 2 months were selected to assess the maximum extent of DNA loss that occurred during storage. All samples remained PCR- and smear-positive at 1 month and only 1 sample turned negative after 2 months. Bacterial lysis in the specimens was demonstrated by PCR analysis of supernatant fractions; 53% of the freshly analysed samples contained mycobacterial DNA in supernatants. PCR positivity increased significantly during storage (to 69% and 77% after 1 and 2 months of storage, respectively, P < 0.0001). Storage-associated bacterial lysis was accompanied by a decrease in smear grade status in 28 of 87 samples (P < 0.0001 after 2 months of storage) and a significant storage-associated reduction in bacterial numbers in the remaining samples.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that (i) freshly isolated sputum contains both intact and lysed mycobacteria, (ii) lysis increased during storage and (iii) supernatant fractions routinely discarded during sample processing contain mycobacterial DNA. We propose that supernatant is a valuable sample for PCR for both fresh and stored specimens, particularly those with a low bacterial load in addition to conventional sediment.</p

Organic waste valorisation into biochar for the adsorptive removal of Malachite Green dye from its aqueous solution

This study illustrated the biochar utilization as an adsorbent to remove the Malachite Green (MG) dye which is known to cause toxic and hazardous effects. The present research aimed to determine how well biochar adsorbs malachite green dye and comprehend the fundamental principles driving adsorption. The iron-impregnated biochar was synthesized using waste biomass of Teak (Tectona speciose), which is a timber tree, by pyrolysis process at 500 °C. The synthesized biochar was used to remove MG dye from a synthetically prepared MG solution to evaluate its adsorption efficiency. The bioadsorbent was characterized using Particle Size Analysis (PSA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), point of zero charges (pHZPC), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). A batch adsorption experiment for the MG adsorption onto the MB-t surface was also conducted and it was found that the adsorption rate of MG was highly affected by the dose of biochar, temperature, working solution pH, time of contact and primary dye concentration. Isotherm study showed that the Temkin was the best-fit isotherm model to the adsorption process and the Qmax value was discovered to be 73.539 mg/g. Pseudo-second-order kinetics was best suited to the process of adsorption, indicating that the chemisorption was the rate-limiting factor. In contrast, the adsorption process was exothermic, which was determined through a thermodynamic study. The effective removal (89.05 %) of MG dye onto biochar (synthesized from Teak biomass the first time applied for dye removal) within 1 hr proved the bioadsorbent as a promising material for treating contaminated water.

Soil Structure Interaction Effect on High Rise and Low Rise Buildings

Effect of supporting soil on the response of structure has been analyzed in the present study. A low rise (G+ 5 storey) and a high rise (G+12 storey) building has been taken for the analysis. For both type of buildings, the response of building with and without consideration of soil structure interaction effect has been compared.Without interaction case is the case in which ends of the structure are assumed to be fixed while in interaction case, structure is assumed to be resting on soil strata (ends are not fix). Type of supporting soil has been also changed based on modulus of elasticity of soil (soft, medium and hard soil). STAAD Pro. 2006 software has been used for analysis. It has been observed that response of G+12 storey building is affected more by soil structure interaction effect as compared to G+5 storey building. In case of soft soil the response of both type of buildings are changed very drastically compared to without interaction case. While in case of hard soil there is not much difference in response of buildings compared to without interaction case. Medium soil is showing intermediate effects