Management of lateral abdominal hernias.

PURPOSE: Lateral abdominal wall hernias are rare defects but, due to their location, repair is difficult, and recurrence is common. Few studies exist to support a standard protocol for repair of these lateral hernias. We hypothesized that anchoring our repair to fixed bony structures would reduce recurrence rates. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent lateral hernia repair at our institution was performed. RESULTS: Eight cases (seven flank and one thoracoabdominal) were reviewed. The median defect size was 105 cm2 (range 36-625 cm2). The median operative time was 185 min (range 133-282 min). There were no major complications. One patient who was repaired without mesh attachment to bony landmarks developed a recurrence at ten months and subsequently underwent reoperation. Patients with mesh secured to bony landmarks were recurrence free at a median follow-up of 171 days. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral hernias present a greater challenge due to their anatomic location. An open technique with mesh fixation to bony structures is a promising solution to this complex problem.

Real-Time Simulator based hybrid control of DFIG-WES.

This paper presents the analysis and design of recurrent neural network (RNN) and proportional and integral(PI) controller based hybrid control(HC) of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG). The proposed HC shows the quick dynamic and good transient response during the sudden changes in wind speed as well as generator speed. Further performance of proposed hybrid controller has been analyzed independently with RNN and PI control as its components. The HC along with RNN gives effective performance compared to conventional DTC (CDTC) and PI DTC in terms of flux ripples,torque ripples and settling time. The proposed technique is implemented in real-time simulator (RTS) based OPAL-RT and MATLAB/SIMULINK environment at a rating of 5.5 KW system under steeply and randomly change in wind velocity.

Salivary pH and flow rate in menopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at determining pH and Flow Rate (FR) of Unstimulated Whole Saliva (UWS) in a sample of 120 ♀ (60 menopausal women and 60 healthy fertile women with similar mean age); detecting the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth index) and evaluating any correlations between pH, FR, age and DMFT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Concerning the day before sample collection, patients were advised to keep a relaxed attitude and not to practice sports. They were also told to not eat or drink during the hour preceding sampling procedures. Saliva was collected via "spitting" method. Each sampling session started at 11:00 a.m., lasted for 5 minutes and used a pre-weighed, dry, deionized and sterile test tube. The procedure took place under controlled environmental temperature and humidity conditions (means 23.27°C; 60.08%). FR was evaluated via weighing technique and pH was measured with a portable pH-meter. RESULTS: There was a minimal but significant pH difference (0.11; p<0.05) between menopausal women (6.75 ± 0.34) and fertile women (6.86 ± 0.24); and a FR difference (0.19; p<0.0001) between menopausal women (0.29 ± 0.17 mL/min) and fertile women (0.48 ± 0.19 mL/min). Correlation (R2) between pH and age was 0.0135 for fertile women and 0.0055 for menopausal women; while the correlation between FR and age was 0.0673 for fertile women and 0.139 for menopausal women. Mean DMFT was 11.93 ± 7.14 in menopausal women and 12.23 ± 6.37 in fertile women. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a minimal decrease in pH and a decrease in FR in menopausal women. Further studies will be needed to investigate the possible role of other environmental and individual variables in the determination of such values.

Genetic analysis and QTL mapping of the seed hardness trait in a black common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) recombinant inbred line (RIL) population.

Seed hardness trait has a profound impact on cooking time and canning quality in dry beans. This study aims to identify the unknown genetic factors and associated molecular markers to better understand and tag this trait. An F2:7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was derived from a cross between the hard and soft seeded black bean parents (H68-4 and BK04-001). Eighty-five RILs and the parental lines were grown at two locations in southern Manitoba during years 2014-2016. Seed samples were harvested manually at maturity to test for seed hardness traits. The hydration capacity and stone seed count were estimated by soaking the seeds overnight at room temperature following AACC method 56-35.01. Seed samples from 2016 tests were also cooked to determine effect of seed hardness on cooking quality. For mapping of genomic regions contributing to the traits, the RIL population was genotyped using the genotype by sequencing (GBS) approach. The QTL mapping revealed that in addition to the major QTL on chromosome 7 at a genomic location previously reported to affect seed-hydration, two novel QTL with significant effects were also detected on chromosomes 1 and 2. In addition, a major QTL affecting the visual appeal of cooked bean was mapped on chromosome 4. This multi-year-site study shows that despite large environmental effects, seed hardness is an oligo-genic and highly heritable trait, which is inherited independently of the cooking quality scored as visual appeal of cooked beans. The identification of the QTLs and development of SNP markers associated with seed hardness can be applied for common bean variety improvement and genetic exploitation of these traits.

The natural history of atrial fibrillation in patients with permanent pacemakers: is atrial fibrillation a progressive disease?

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is thought to be a progressive arrhythmia, starting with short paroxysmal episodes, until eventually, it becomes permanent. Evidence for this is limited to studies with short follow-up or with minimal cardiac rhythm monitoring. We utilised the continuous rhythm monitoring capabilities of implanted pacemakers to define better the natural history of AF. METHODS: The study included 356 patients with pacemaker devices capable of continuous atrial rhythm monitoring (186 male, mean age (± SD) 79.5 ± 8.9 years). All clinical records, including history/physical examination reports, laboratory results, ECGs and Holter monitoring data were reviewed. Patients were included if AF episodes >30 s were documented. Permanent pacemaker diagnostic data were reviewed at least every 12 months. ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines were used to define AF episodes as paroxysmal, persistent or long-standing persistent/permanent. RESULTS: Study follow-up period (± SD) was 7.2 ± 3.1 years. Over the study period, 179 of 356 patients (50.3 %) had at least one episode of persistent AF. Of the 356 patients, 314 (88.2 %) had paroxysmal AF and 42 (11.8 %) had persistent AF at the time of diagnosis. The predominant AF subtype, at latest follow-up, was paroxysmal for 192 patients (53.9 %), persistent for 77 (21.6 %) and long-standing persistent/permanent for 87 (24.4 %). Univariable predictors of progression to persistent AF were (1) male gender, (2) increasing left atrial diameter (LAD), (3) reduced atrial pacing (AP) and (4) increasing ventricular pacing. CONCLUSIONS: Although many patients with AF will have persistent episodes, long-term continuous pacemaker follow-up demonstrates that the majority will have a paroxysmal, as opposed to persistent, form of the arrhythmia.

Post-stroke fatigue: a problem of altered corticomotor control?

OBJECTIVES: We recently showed that diminished motor cortical excitability is associated with high levels of post-stroke fatigue. Motor cortex excitability impacts movement parameters such as reaction and movement times. We predicted that one or both would be influenced by the presence of post-stroke fatigue. METHODS: 41 first-time stroke survivors (high fatigue n=21, Fatigue Severity Scale 7 (FSS-7) score >5; low fatigue n=20, FSS-7 score <3) participated in the study. Movement times, choice and simple reaction times were measured in all participants. RESULTS: A three way ANOVA with fatigue (high and low), task (movement time, simple reaction time and choice reaction time) and hand (affected and unaffected) as the three factors, revealed a significant difference between affected (but not unaffected) hand movement times in the high compared to low fatigue groups. Reaction times, however, were not different between the high-fatigue and low-fatigue groups in either the affected or unaffected hand. CONCLUSIONS: Previously, we showed that motor cortex excitability is lower in patients with high post-stroke fatigue. Our current findings suggest that post-stroke fatigue (1) is a problem of movement speed (possibly a consequence of diminished motor cortex excitability) and not movement preparation, and (2) may have a focal origin confined to the lesioned hemisphere. We suggest that low motor cortex excitability in the lesioned hemisphere is a viable therapeutic target in post-stroke fatigue.

Transcriptional regulation of glutamic acid decarboxylase in the male mouse amygdala by dietary phyto-oestrogens.

Phyto-oestrogens are biologically active components of many human and laboratory animal diets. In the present study, we investigated, in adult male mice with C57BL/6 genetic background, the effects of a reduced phyto-oestrogens intake on anxiety-related behaviour and associated gene expression in the amygdala. After 6 weeks on a low-phyto-oestrogen diet (< 20 µg/g cumulative phyto-oestrogen content), animals showed reduced centre exploration in an open-field task compared to their littermates on a soybean-based standard diet (300 µg/g). Freezing behaviour in an auditory fear memory task, in contrast, was not affected. We hypothesised that this mildly increased anxiety may involve changes in the function of GABAergic local circuit neurones in the amygdala. Using GAD67(+/GFP) mice, we could demonstrate reduced transcription of the GAD67 gene in the lateral and basolateral amygdala under the low-phyto-oestrogen diet. Analysis of mRNA levels in microdissected samples confirmed this regulation and demonstrated concomitant changes in expression of the second glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) isoform, GAD65, as well as the anxiolytic neuropeptide Y. These molecular and behavioural alterations occurred without apparent changes in circulating oestrogens or testosterone levels. Our data suggest that expression regulation of interneurone-specific gene products in the amygdala may provide a mechanism for the control of anxiety-related behaviour through dietary phyto-oestrogens.

Effect of treatments and packaging on the quality of dried carrot slices during storage.

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of treatments and packaging on the quality of dried carrot slices during storage. Carrot cultivar 'Nantes' was sliced into 4.5 mm thick slices which were blanched in water at 95 °C for 4 min followed by dipping in 6% potassium metabisulphite (KMS) solution for 40 min and 350 ppm potassium sorbate solution for 10 min prior to two stage phase drying i.e. at 90 ± 5 °C for 2 h and further drying at 60 ± 5 °C for 7 h in a cross-flow hot air cabinet dryer. The dried carrot slices were packed in 50 g packages of aluminium foil laminate (AFL) (polyethylene, aluminium foil and polyester) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) pouches having 32.5 µm and 56.0 µm thickness respectively and stored under ambient conditions i.e.18.5-29.1 °C temperature and 44.4-60.4% relative humidity for 6 months. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase was observed in the moisture content, water activity, reducing sugars and non-enzymatic browning while total solids, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total sugars, pectin, rehydration ratio, sulphur dioxide, sorbic acid and carotenoids decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) during storage. Carrot slices pre-treated with 6% KMS and packed in AFL pouches were found to retain best physico-chemical quality. The curried product and soup prepared from dried slices from the same had highly acceptable sensory quality with initial overall acceptability scores 8.2 and 8.5 for curried slices and soup respectively on 9-point hedonic scale. The overall acceptability scores decreased from 8.2 to 7.9 and 8.5 to 7.7 in curried product and soup respectively after 6 months storage. All the samples were microbially safe during 6 months of storage.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 haplodeficiency impairs social behavior in mice.

Reduced glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)67 expression may be causally involved in the development of social withdrawal in neuropsychiatric states such as autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In this study, we report disturbance of social behavior in male GAD67 haplodeficient mice. GAD67(+/-) mice, compared to GAD67(+/+) littermates, show reduced sociability and decreased intermale aggression, but normal nest building and urine marking behavior, as well as unchanged locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior. Moreover, the mutants display a reduced sensitivity to both social and non-social odors, indicating a disturbance in the detection and/or processing of socially relevant olfactory stimuli. Indeed, we observed reduced activation of the lateral septum, medial preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, medial and cortical amygdala upon exposure of GAD67(+/-) mice to social interaction paradigm, as indicated by c-Fos immunohistochemistry. These data suggest a disturbance of stimulus processing in the brain circuitry controlling social behavior in GAD67(+/-) mice, which may provide a useful model for studying the impact of a reduced GAD67 expression on alterations of social behavior related to neuropsychiatric disorders.

Measurement of the first ionization potential of astatine by laser ionization spectroscopy.

The radioactive element astatine exists only in trace amounts in nature. Its properties can therefore only be explored by study of the minute quantities of artificially produced isotopes or by performing theoretical calculations. One of the most important properties influencing the chemical behaviour is the energy required to remove one electron from the valence shell, referred to as the ionization potential. Here we use laser spectroscopy to probe the optical spectrum of astatine near the ionization threshold. The observed series of Rydberg states enabled the first determination of the ionization potential of the astatine atom, 9.31751(8) eV. New ab initio calculations are performed to support the experimental result. The measured value serves as a benchmark for quantum chemistry calculations of the properties of astatine as well as for the theoretical prediction of the ionization potential of superheavy element 117, the heaviest homologue of astatine.

Inheritance and molecular mapping of a gene conferring seedling resistance against Puccinia hordei in the barley cultivar Ricardo.

Genetic studies were undertaken to determine the inheritance and genomic location of uncharacterised seedling resistance to leaf rust, caused by Puccinia hordei, in the barley cultivar Ricardo. The resistance was shown to be conferred by a single dominant gene, which was tentatively designated RphRic. Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) and genetic mapping of an F(3) mapping population using multiplex-ready SSR genotyping and Illumina GoldenGate SNP assay located RphRic in chromosome 4H. Given that this is the first gene for leaf rust resistance mapped on chromosome 4H, it was designated Rph21. The presence of an additional gene, Rph2, in Ricardo, was confirmed by the test of allelism. The seedling gene Rph21 has shown effectiveness against all Australian pathotypes of P. hordei tested since at least 1992 and hence represents a new and useful source of resistance to this pathogen.

Reduced-intensity hematopoietic cell transplantation in older patients with AML/MDS: umbilical cord blood is a feasible option for patients without HLA-matched sibling donors.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has increased access to hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for patients without HLA-matched sibling donors (MSD). We compared outcomes of HCT using MSD (N=38) or UCB (N=60) among older patients (age ≥ 55 years) with AML or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). All patients received a reduced intensity regimen consisting of CY, fludarabine and 200 cGy TBI. Median age at HCT was 63 years for MSD and 61 years for UCB recipients. Among UCB recipients, 95% received two UCB units and 88% received 1-2 locus HLA-mismatched units to optimize cell dose. OS at 3-years was 37% for MSD and 31% for UCB recipients (P=0.21). On multivariate analysis, donor source (MSD vs UCB) did not impact risks of OS, leukemia-free survival and relapse or treatment-related mortality. UCB is feasible as an alternative donor source for reduced-intensity conditioning HCT among older patients with AML and MDS who do not have a suitable MSD.

Evaluation of factors contributing to excessive nitrate accumulation in fodder crops leading to ill-health in dairy animals.

A study was conducted to estimate nitrate content in commonly used fodder crops, viz., berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum), bajra (Pennisetum glaucum), maize (Zea mays), oats (Avena sativa), sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) and toriya (Brassica napus), collected from the fields of different villages of Punjab and farms of the university, and to evaluate the factors associated with nitrate accumulation in these crops. The nitrate level was highest in sorghum on dry matter basis, followed by oats and toriya, berseem, maize and bajra. The nitrate content was also determined in fodder samples harvested from young and mature stages and in different parts of plants. The stem part of forages had higher content than leaves; however, concentrations were low in mature crops as compared to immature ones. The environmental and soil factors associated with it are discussed and correlated with the experimental findings.

Molecular epidemiology of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis: IS900 PCR identification and IS1311 polymorphism analysis from ruminants in the Punjab region of India.

Johne's disease is chronic granulomatous infectious enteritis of animals caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. A total of 153 animals from 19 dairy farms, 2 gaushalas (unproductive-animal rehabilitation centers), 2 goat and 2 sheep farms from different districts of the Punjab region were selected on the basis of clinical signs of disease. All samples from cattle (n=86), buffalo (n=34), goat (n=25) and sheep (n=26) were subjected to Ziehl-Neelsen staining and DNA extraction by a freeze and thaw method. Ziehl-Neelsen staining detected 71% samples positive for acid-fast bacilli whereas IS900 PCR detected 55% positive for Map DNA. IS1311 PCR-REA analysis of IS900 positive samples revealed 'Bison' type as the most prevalent (82%) genotype of Map, infecting all domestic ruminants. 'Cattle' type was present in a minority of cases (15%) from cattle, buffaloes and goats. This is the first report of 'Cattle' type Map from buffalo and goat species in India.

Molecular detection and typing of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis from milk samples of dairy animals.

Genotyping of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is important for precise classification of bacterium and for understanding the molecular epidemiology. The present study reports detection and typing of the MAP from milk. On the basis of clinical signs of diarrhea and/or weakness, the dairy animals suspected for Johne's disease were screened by Ziehl-Neelsen staining of fecal samples. The milk samples from 13 selected animals were processed for DNA extraction and direct IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MAP identified by IS900 PCR was genotyped using IS1311 PCR-restriction endonuclease analysis (REA). IS900 milk PCR revealed 30.8% animals positive for MAP, including 40% of the moderate and 50% of the heavy fecal shedders. All infected animals showed Bison type MAP in IS1311 PCR-REA. IS900 PCR can be used for screening of milk for MAP; however, the method needs to be evaluated for subclinical cases. IS1311 PCR-REA results indicated the predominance of Bison type MAP in the dairy animals of this region.

Awareness during anaesthesia.

SUMMARY: Awareness is the postoperative recall of sensory perception during general anaesthesia. The incidence is quoted at 1-2 per every 1000 patients. This rare but serious adverse event can be extremely distressing for both the patient as well as the anaesthesiologist. Awareness during anaesthesia may occur despite apparently sound anaesthetic management and is usually not associated with pain. However, a few cases may experience excruciating pain and have long term neuropsychiatric sequelae like post-traumatic stress disorder. This adverse event can also have serious medicolegal implications. This article addresses the various contributory factors that may predispose to intra-operative awareness. Preventive measures in the preinduction period as well as intraoperatively are discussed, including the use of depth of anaesthesia monitors. Remedial steps to be taken when such an event occurs are also discussed.

Serological survey of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in sheep, cattle, and buffaloes in Punjab, India.

Sera from 186 sheep, 83 cattle, and 103 water buffaloes from Punjab, India, were evaluated for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii using a commercial ELISA kit. This study was planned using a 2-stage random sampling procedure and sampling software 'survey toolbox.' In the first step, villages were selected randomly from a sampling frame of all the villages of Punjab, followed by selection of owners and animals in the second step. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 7 of 186 sheep, 2 of 83 cattle, and 3 of 103 buffaloes. Results indicate a low prevalence of T. gondii in ruminants tested.

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum antibodies in dogs in India.

Neospora caninum is one of most important causes of abortion in cattle worldwide, and dogs are an important risk factor for N. caninum infection in cattle. Antibodies to N. caninum were determined in 184 (126 rural, 58 urban) dogs from the Punjab State, India, using commercial monoclonal antibody-based competitive ELISA and found in 16.8% of the animals. The prevalence of N. caninum antibodies was significantly higher in rural dogs (21.4%, 27 of 126) than city dogs (6.9%, 4 of 58). To our knowledge this is the first report of N. caninum infection in canines from India.

Sero-prevalence of bovine Johne's disease in buffaloes and cattle population of North India using indigenous ELISA kit based on native Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis 'Bison type' genotype of goat origin.

Present pilot study is the first attempt in the country to estimate sero-prevalence of Bovine Johne's disease (BJD) by screening cattle and buffaloes representing large population belonging to farmer's and farm herds in the home tracts (Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Punjab) of Hariana cattle and Murrah buffaloes in North India. Indigenous and in-house plate ELISA kit (using protoplasmic antigen from native Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis 'Bison type' strain of goat origin), originally developed for goats and sheep was standardized in bovines and used for screening. For this study, 33 villages of south and west UP were randomly selected and surveyed from 2001 to 2003. There were 7943 farmer's families having 38,251 livestock, including cattle, buffaloes, goats and sheep (per family 4.8% livestock). Numerically, buffaloes and cattle were 54.7% and 22.1%, respectively. Serum samples were collected from 726 animals (4.2% of 16, 981 livestock with 4375 farmer's families) located in 33 randomly surveyed villages. Serum samples (699), submitted to Epidemiology Department of Veterinary College (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana), in the year 2004 by farmer's and organized farm herds (Buffaloes, 372, Cattle, 327), were screened by this ELISA kit. Soluble protoplasmic antigen was prepared from Map (S 5) 'Bison type' strain isolated from a terminally sick goat with Johne's disease. Of the total 1425 bovine (Buffaloes and cattle) serum samples screened using indigenous ELISA kit, sero-prevalence of Johne's disease was 29.0% (28.6% in buffalo and 29.8% in cattle) in Northern India. State-wise sero-prevalence was 31.9% and 23.3% in UP and Punjab, respectively. In UP, of the 601 randomly sampled buffaloes, sero-prevalence was 40.3% (16.6% in young and 40.9% adults) and 25.5% (10.5% in young and 26.3% adults) in south and west UP, respectively. Of the 125 cattle screened, sero-prevalence was 42.6% (nil in young and 44.4% adults) and 30.0% (nil in young and 30.6% adults) in south and west UP, respectively. Of the 699 serum samples screened from Ludhiana, Punjab, sero-prevalence of BJD was 23.0%. Sero-prevalence was 23.3% (12.1% in young and 24.4% in adults) and 26.9% (27.2% in young and 26.8% in adults) in buffaloes and cattle, respectively. High prevalence of BJD in buffaloes in native tract of Murrah breed, and Hariana breed of cattle correlated with poor per-animal productivity and BJD may be the major cause. Indigenous ELISA kit was rapid, economic and sensitive test for large-scale screening of buffaloes and cattle population against incurable BJD.