Involvement of Intestinal Microbiota in Adult Neurogenesis and the Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Growing evidence suggests a possible involvement of the intestinal microbiota in generating new neurons, but a detailed breakdown of the microbiota composition is lacking. In this report, we systematically reviewed preclinical rodent reports addressing the connection between the composition of the intestinal microbiota and neurogenesis and neurogenesis-affecting neurotrophins in the hippocampus. Various changes in bacterial composition from low taxonomic resolution at the phylum level to high taxonomic resolution at the species level were identified. As for neurogenesis, studies predominantly used doublecortin (DCX) as a marker of newly formed neurons or bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) as a marker of proliferation. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was the only neurotrophin found researched in relation to the intestinal microbiota. Phylum Actinobacteria, genus Bifidobacterium and genus Lactobacillus found the strongest positive. In contrast, phylum Firmicutes, phylum Bacteroidetes, and family Enterobacteriaceae, as well as germ-free status, showed the strongest negative correlation towards neurogenesis or BDNF mRNA expression. Age, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), obesity, and chronic stress were recurring topics in all studies identified. Overall, these findings add to the existing evidence of a connection between microbiota and processes in the brain. To better understand this interaction, further investigation based on analyses of higher taxonomic resolution and clinical studies would be a gain to the matter

Supraclavicularis proprius muscle associated with supraclavicular nerve entrapment

Entrapment neuropathy of the supraclavicular nerve is rare and, when it occurs, is usually attributable to branching of the nerve into narrow bony clavicular canals. We describe another mechanism for entrapment of this nerve with the aberrant muscle; supraclavicularis being found during the routine dissection of an embalmed 82-year-old cadaver. Our report details a unique location for this rare muscular variation whereby the muscle fibres originated posteriorly on the medial aspect of the clavicle before forming a muscular arch over the supraclavicular nerve and passing laterally towards the trapezius and acromion. We recommend that in clinical instances of otherwise unexplained unilateral clavicular pain or tenderness, nerve compression from the supraclavicularis muscle must be borne in mind.

Branching patterns of left coronary artery among North Indians

The left coronary artery displays variations in pattern, number and distribution of its branches. These variations influence the manifestation and extent of the coronary artery disease affecting the left main branch. A total of 100 North Indian cadaveric hearts were dissected to observe the main trunk of the left coronary artery. The main trunk of left coronary artery bifurcated, trifurcated and quadrificated in 66%, 30% and 4% of cases respectively. The high degree of variability of left coronary artery and its branching patterns have anatomical, pathophysiological diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Adequate knowledge of these variations with regard to source, and incidence is important for the interpretation of coronary angiography, stenting procedures and surgical myocardial revascularization.Keywords: Left coronary artery, variability, branching patterns

Quantum information and precision measurement

We describe some applications of quantum information theory to the analysis of quantum limits on measurement sensitivity. A measurement of a weak force acting on a quantum system is a determination of a classical parameter appearing in the master equation that governs the evolution of the system; limitations on measurement accuracy arise because it is not possible to distinguish perfectly among the different possible values of this parameter. Tools developed in the study of quantum information and computation can be exploited to improve the precision of physics experiments; examples include superdense coding, fast database search, and the quantum Fourier transform.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure, proof of conjecture adde

Taxonomic studies of Eulophid parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) collected from Uttarakhand, India

A sound taxonomic knowledge base is a prerequisite for effective conservation, environment assessment, ecological research, management and sustainable use of biological resources. Parasitoids are the major component of the biocontrol, so the correct identification of the parasitoid is very important task. Eulophidae is a large family of the superfamily Chalcidoidea and comprises promising biocontrol agents for the control of insect pests causing harm to agricultural ecosystem. The present study has been done to provide the account and occurrence of 4 genera belonging to subfamily Entedoninae, Eulophinae and Tetrastichinae. Entedon costalis Dalman, Diglyphus horticola Khan, Hemiptarsenus varicornis (Girault), and Neotrichoporoides viridimaculatus (Fullaway) was collected from Uttarakhand (India) and described in detail with additional morphological characters that aids in clear identification of the parasitoids. Entedon costalis is recorded from this region with additional characters for identification

Founder\u27s birth order and triple bottom line in B2B SMEs

Leveraging upper-echelon and post-traumatic childhood experience theories, this study analyses the influence of CEOs\u27 birth order in the family on firms\u27 triple bottom line management. Conducting our study in the B2B market and SME context during the COVID-19 pandemic, we assert that the eldest sibling tends to adopt more prosocial behavior than younger siblings. When first-born individuals become entrepreneurs, their values get reflected in the firm\u27s organizational culture and the strategic choices they make as CEOs. We further suggest a mediating mechanism of a sustainable marketing orientation for sibling birth order and triple bottom line management and a moderating role of CEO childhood trauma experience. Childhood trauma experience moderates the mediating effect of sustainable marketing orientation, i.e., a moderated mediating mechanism. Heeding calls for research in marketing to become more interdisciplinary, we leverage the family science and upper echelon theories to expand the B2B marketing literature

A short review on atogepant: recently approved first oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist

Migraine is the second leading cause of disability in terms of ‘years lived with disability’ and it affects globally about 12% of the general population. Currently available preventive therapies are not specific to migraine. After the discovery of calcitonin gene-related peptide’s (CGRP’s) role in migraine pathophysiology, CGRP receptor antagonist drugs were developed specifically for migraine. Atogepant is the only oral, selective, potent, second-generation CGRP receptor antagonist approved in September 2021 by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prophylaxis of episodic migraines and chronic migraines. It acts by blocking the α-CGRP receptor present on the vascular smooth muscle cell membrane of cranial arteries. It has the added advantage of oral administration, less hepatotoxicity, minimal drug–drug interactions (DDIs) with better efficacy, safety, and tolerability profile compared to the other CGRP receptor antagonists. This present review summarizes the physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) parameters, uses, and drug-food interactions with the help of available current evidence.

Relationship of certain abiotic factors and the incidence of gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (HUBNER) in chickpea at Pantnagar

India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses accounting for almost 33% of world area. The chickpea marked a significant increase in area (9.96 million ha) for the year 2013-14 which is highest in last 10 years. Similarly, the chickpea production (9.92 million tonnes) also surpassed record with in the history of India since last 50 years (Anonymous, 2014). Helicoverpa armigera is a conundrum and one of the most dominant insect pests in agriculture, accounting for half of the total insecticides usage in India for protection of crops. The problem of this pest is magnified due to its direct attack on fruiting structures, voracious feeding habits, high mobility and fecundity, multivoltine nature, overlapping generations, nocturnal behaviour etc., (Sarode, 1999). At the same time adequate ecological data is prerequisite for integrated pest management, which can therefore be enhanced after determining the seasonal abundance (Mathur et al., 2003). There are many environmental factors which influence the insect pest populations (Lode and Sharma, 1993). Among them abiotic factors play a vital role in multiplication and distribution of insect pests. The knowledge on the seasonal incidence of gram pod borer will certainly found to be helpful in formulating the insect pest management strategies for Helicoverpa armigera at Pantnagar condition. Therefore, an attempt has been made to work out the effect of different abiotic factors on the seasonal incidence of pod borer, H. armigera in chickpea..