REMoDNaV: robust eye-movement classification for dynamic stimulation.

Tracking of eye movements is an established measurement for many types of experimental paradigms. More complex and more prolonged visual stimuli have made algorithmic approaches to eye-movement event classification the most pragmatic option. A recent analysis revealed that many current algorithms are lackluster when it comes to data from viewing dynamic stimuli such as video sequences. Here we present an event classification algorithm-built on an existing velocity-based approach-that is suitable for both static and dynamic stimulation, and is capable of classifying saccades, post-saccadic oscillations, fixations, and smooth pursuit events. We validated classification performance and robustness on three public datasets: 1) manually annotated, trial-based gaze trajectories for viewing static images, moving dots, and short video sequences, 2) lab-quality gaze recordings for a feature-length movie, and 3) gaze recordings acquired under suboptimal lighting conditions inside the bore of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner for the same full-length movie. We found that the proposed algorithm performs on par or better compared to state-of-the-art alternatives for static stimulation. Moreover, it yields eye-movement events with biologically plausible characteristics on prolonged dynamic recordings. Lastly, algorithm performance is robust on data acquired under suboptimal conditions that exhibit a temporally varying noise level. These results indicate that the proposed algorithm is a robust tool with improved classification accuracy across a range of use cases. The algorithm is cross-platform compatible, implemented using the Python programming language, and readily available as free and open-source software from public sources.

Internal mammary artery flow in different racial groups of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To find out any differences in free flow of internal mammary artery among different ethnic groups. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2013 to December 2015, and comprised patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The participants were divided into 5 groups, i.e. Sindhi, Muslim migrants from India, Punjabi, Pathan and Balochi patients. Free flow of internal mammary artery was measured immediately after harvesting within a syringe, and its flow was measured in 30 seconds. SPSS 18 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 158 patients, 44(27.8%) were Sindhi, 33(20.9%) Punjabi, 8(5%) Baloch, 21(13.3%) Pathan and 52(32.9%) were migrants. The overall mean age was 52±8 years and the mean flow was 11.6±9.6ml per 30 seconds. The flow was 9.3±6 ml, 10±8ml, 13±11ml, 17±14ml and 15±13 ml in 30 seconds among migrants, Sindhi, Punjabi, Pathan and Baloch patients, respectively, with significant higher flow in Pathan patients compared to Sindhi and migrant patients (p<0.05). A flow of less than 5ml/30 sec was mostly found in migrants or Sindhi subjects 30/40(75%), and flow more than 30ml/ 30 seconds was found mostly in Baloch or Pathan patients 4/8(50%). Low flow internal mammary artery, which was used on left anterior descending artery, showed significantly higher need of inotropic support as compared to high flow internal mammary artery (p=0.004), more low cardiac output syndrome (p=0.022) and more use of intra-aortic balloon pump (p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Internal mammary artery flow was higher in Pathan and Baloch patients and low in migrants and Sindhis.

Cardamom extract induces cell proliferation by increasing potassium currents in NIH3T3 cell line.

Amommum subulatum (Roxb.) or Cardamom extract is known to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects towards many gastrointestinal related problems. However, uptill now different fractions of cardamom extract on fibroblasts with respect to potassium channel activity have not been investigated. Therefore, present study investigated the effects of different fractions of cardamom extract on potassium channels in non-tumor NIH3T3 cell line. Phytochemical analysis of hydroalcoholic, n-hexane, butane and ethyl acetate fractions of cardamom extracts were purified and isolated by thin layer chromatography (TLC). 3T3 cells were cultured and incubated with hydroalcohol (1-2 µ/ml), n-hexane (1 µ/ml), butane (2 µ/ml) and ethyl acetate (1-2 µ/ml) for 5 hrs at 37°C. Modulation in potassium currents were recorded by whole-cell patch clamp method. The data showed two constituents Cineol (C10H18O) and Terpinyl acetate (C10H17OOCCH3) by TLC method. The present study shows that the constituents in n-hexane, hydro alcohol (1 µ/ml) and ethyl acetate (2 µ/ml) significantly increased (p<0.01) the potassium outward rectifying currents from NIH3T3 cells when compared to untreated controls cells. Whereas, butanol fraction (2 µ/ml) significantly decreased (p<0.01) the inward rectifying currents when compared to controls. Moreover hydroalcoholic and n-hexane fractions have increased the proliferation in 3T3 cell line. On the other hand butanol and ethyl acetate did not induce proliferation in 3T3 cells. Taken together, our data suggested that cardamom extract contains constituents that increased K+ currents, cell migration and proliferation and are involved in wound healing.

Coronary artery bypass surgery in old age group: is age itself a barrier?

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the data retrospectively and identify risk factors that may adversely affect mortality in patients aged seventy years and older with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). METHODS: From Jan 2003 to Oct 2007, 63 consecutive patients of 70 years or older underwent primary isolated CABG on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in Department of Surgery, Liaquat National Hospital. Forty one (65%) were male. The mean age was 72.7 +/- 3 years (range 70 to 81 years). Preoperatively 83% were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV. Left main stem (LMS) lesion (> 70%) was present in 20 (32%). Renal impairment (RI) with creatinine more then 2 mg/dl was present in 9 (14%) patients. History of prior stroke was present in 7 (11%). Emergency surgery (within 48 hours after Myocardial Infarct (MI)) was performed in 33 (52%) patients. RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality (30 days) was 9.5%. The mean Parsonet score was 23 +/- 3, and 10 +/- 3 in those who died or survived respectively. Mean intensive care unit stay was 2.3 +/- 0.7 days, mean ward stay was 6 +/- 3 days. Preoperative LMS lesion or MI less then 48 hours, poor left ventriculal function, prolonged CPB time and post operative stroke were the significant independent predictors of operative morality. CONCLUSION: CABG can be performed in a selected elderly population. Careful attention to risk factors associated with high mortality can be helpful in improving post-operative morality. Age in itself may not be responsible for high morality.

Penetrating cardiac injury by a metallic fragment.

An adult male had a penetrating injury of the chest resulting in cardiac tamponade. The injury resulted as a consequence of a detached iron piece from an iron bar in a steel mill. Emergency sternotomy and percardiotomy revealed blood in the pericardial cavity and full thickness penetration of the right ventricle. The defect was repaired following the removal of the iron fragment. Postoperative recovery was uneventful.

Association of Internal Mammary Artery Flow with Different Comorbidities and Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Complications.

Objective The internal mammary artery (IMA) is commonly used arterial graft for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). The IMA has a better patency and survival. This study considers different comorbidities and conditions where IMA flow may be low. Therefore, the main objective is to determine the flow of IMA in different diseases, its relation to gender, age, and in different blood groups in order to prevent possible complications. Methods A prospective study was conducted at the Cardiac Surgery Unit, Civil Hospital Karachi from January 2013 to December 2015. The data of 158 patients who underwent primary, isolated, and CABG surgery was collected. Free flow of IMA was measured immediately after harvesting for 30 seconds within a syringe, and its relationship with different diseases and conditions was examined. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from the patients' medical record files and it was later analyzed and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, V17 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY). Results The mean flow was 11.6 ± 9.6 ml. There was no difference in flow related to gender, diabetes, smoking, renal disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There was significantly higher flow in the age group of 50 to 60 years (p = 0.002), hypertensive patients (p = 0.016), patients with liver disease (p = 0.001), BMI > 30 (p = 0.041), and the blood group AB+ (p = 0.02). The atrial fibrillation and readmissions were higher in patients who had low flow. Low flow IMA, which was used on left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenosis patients, showed a significantly higher need of pharmacological and mechanical support. Conclusion IMA should be used carefully in patients where its flow is low; conditions must be analyzed where flow may be low to avoid complications. Further studies are warranted.

A species dependent response to the pro-epileptic drug pentylentetrazole in birds.

Epilepsy is common disorder that affects over 50 million people worldwide. Birds remain a promising yet largely under-explored model of epilepsy. This study reports the comparison of the response of two species of birds, Australian Parrots (APs) and Sparrows (SPs), to a pro-epileptic drug, Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). PTZ injections caused myoclonic jerks (MCJs) and tonic clonic seizures (TCSs) in both species. The frequency of MCJs in APs was greater at the dose of 75mg/kg compared to both 50mg/kg and 25mg/kg while it was not significantly different in SPs. The comparison of APs and SPs showed that the frequency of MCJs was greater in APs compared to SPs at 25mg/kg and 75mg/kg while its latency was reduced at 25mg/kg and 50mg/kg. Interestingly SPs had a reduced latency of TCSs compared to APs at 75mg/kg. Glutamatergic and Gabaergic cell count was conducted to determine an association with the epileptic response to PTZ. The Glutamatergic cell counts for SPs was significantly greater than APs and conversely the Gabaergic cell counts in APs was higher compared to SPs. The reason for this difference in findings needs to be further investigated. This study shows that birds, and APs and SPs in particular, are a valid, interesting and under-explored model of epilepsy that should be further explored in order to understand the mysteries of epilepsy.