Quantitative EEG analysis for assessment to 'plan' a task in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a study of executive functions (planning) in ALS patients

An attempt has been made to study the ability of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to 'plan' a task. Electroencephalogram (EEG) data corresponding to 'planning of a movement task' is analyzed in comparison with a normal relaxed state. The study was conducted on 12 patients with ALS (6 males, 3 females, mean age 46.75 years) and on same number of controls (10 males, 2 females, mean age 48.75 years) to evaluate a difference in the ability to 'plan' a movement task between them. Patients with ALS were divided in two groups defined by unclear/clear speech. It has been observed that patients with ALS having unclear speech (Group I) showed considerable reduction (p<0.0001) in 'planning' a movement task, whereas patients with ALS having clear speech (Group II) showed no deficit in 'planning' a movement task (p=0.0577), both in comparison with age-matched controls. Apart from supporting the earlier reports of a possible extended neuronal degeneration across wide area of the frontal lobes, the findings reveal a possible reduction in planning, an executive function of the prefrontal cortex of brain, and also reveal that speech impairment may be associated with cognitive deficits in patients with ALS.     

Recent trends in development of biosensors for detection of microcystin

Increased cyanobacterial blooms, a source of cyanotoxins are linked with climate change and eutrophication in aquatic bodies, a major concern worldwide. Microcystins are potently hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic as well as carcinogenic. Thus microcystins are threat to tourism, agriculture and animal's health. However, there is a still lacuna in the knowledge of regulation of microcystins production. Presence of toxic and non-toxic cyanobacterial strains together and occurrence of various microcystin variants in aquatic bodies compounded the problem. Although several analytical techniques for microcystin detection such as bioassay, ELISA, HPLC and LC-MS etc. have been already prevalent, the development of biosensors offered rapid and accurate detection, high reproducibility and portability. Sequencing of Microcystis spp., opened the new vistas towards the development of biosensor at molecular and genetic level. This review incorporates the current trends in the development of biosensors for microcystin detection in the light of state-of-the-art techniques.     

Incidence and Risk of Intestinal and Extra-intestinal Complications in Medicaid Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A 5-Year Population-Based Study

Background and Aim  

Intestinal and extra-intestinal complications are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but their exact incidence is not well known. In order to improve our understanding of their incidence and impact, we assessed the complications associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) in a population-based study in Medicaid patients.     

Extra adrenal pheochromocytoma of urinary bladder

Pheochromocytoma of urinary bladder is rare disease causing a hypertension, palpitation, throbbing headache & hemorrhage induced by voiding. This case is reported because of rarity of this disease in urinary bladder.     

Duodenoscopic sphincterotomy for common bile duct stones in patients with gallbladder in situ

Duodenoscopic sphincterotomy (DS) is a well established treatment for common bile duct (CBD) stones in post-cholecystectomy patients, but not in patients with gallbladder in situ. The main argument against the procedure in the latter set of patients has been that by performing it, one is leaving behind the diseased gallbladder which may require further treatment. We have, however, performed 60 DS in 49 patients with gallbladder in situ. The clinical picture of these patients was characterized by abdominal pain in 79.6%, jaundice in 91.8%, history of cholangitis in 46.9%, severe acute cholangitis at the time of DS in 28.6% and a major associated illness in 10.2% of them. Adequate sphincterotomy was performed in 91.8% of the patients with successful stone extractions in 93.3% and an overall CBD clearance in 85.7%. One patient (2%) with severe acute cholangitis, who had presented in a moribund state, died despite adequate DS. Three patients (6%) experienced an exacerbation of acute cholangitis after DS, two of them requiring emergency surgery. During subsequent follow-up, elective cholecystectomy was performed in 26 (54%) patients. Five additional patients are awaiting surgery. Seventeen (36%) patients continue to have their gallbladders in situ and over a mean follow-up period of 12.8 months (range, 4-32 mos) they have remained asymptomatic except for brief episodes of biliary pain in 2 patients. It is concluded that DS relieves the symptoms of CBD stones even in patients with gallbladders in situ and may suffice for patients who are frail, elderly and who have major associated illnesses.     

Association of polymorphisms in the collagen region of human SP-A1 and SP-A2 genes with pulmonary tuberculosis in Indian population.

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) binds to and modulates phagocytosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by macrophages. We investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in the collagen regions of SP-A1 and SP-A2 genes and pulmonary tuberculosis. In the present study, seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (4 exonic and 3 intronic) have been identified in the collagen regions of SP-A1 and SP-A2 genes in Indian population. Two intronic polymorphisms, SP-A1C1416T ((p = 0.0000, odds ratio (OR) = 20.767,95% CI: 8.315-OR<51.870) and SP-A2C1382G (p = 0.0054; OR = 3.675, 95% CI: 1.400< OR<9.644), showed significant association with pulmonary tuberculosis (number of patients = 10, number of controls = 7). A redundant SNPA1660G of SP-A2gene showed significant association with pulmonary tuberculosis (number of patients = 17, number of controls = 19, p = 0.0000, OR = 8.94,95% CI: 3.311相似文献   

An innovative medical school curriculum to enhance exposure to genetics and genomics: Updates and outcomes

PurposeIn 2011, we introduced an innovative parallel curriculum at Baylor College of Medicine, formerly called the Genetics Track Curriculum and now called the Genetics and Genomics Pathway, aimed at providing an opportunity for an enriched educational experience throughout medical school. In this report, we describe our 10-year experience with the program and highlight growth in enrollment as well as academic achievements of graduating students.MethodsWe reviewed the data of students enrolled in this pathway, including retention, satisfaction, student-driven curriculum changes, scholarly outcomes, and career outcomes.ResultsFrom September 2011 to June 2021, 121 students were enrolled in the Genetics and Genomics Pathway program. In total, 64 students (64/121 = 53%) left the program before graduating (the majority, after their first year). Of the 57 remaining students, 29 graduated (29/57, approximately 51%), and 4 of the 29 students (4/29 = 14%) matched into a genetics training program.ConclusionThis novel program serves as a mechanism for garnering increased interest and competence in medical genetics. The longitudinal nature of the program fosters enthusiasm for genetics and provides ample opportunity to develop valuable research skills. Given the ongoing shortage of providers in this field, such programs are vital to increase the size of the workforce and broaden the knowledge of providers in diverse fields.