Tracking scapular movement

Measuring the three-dimensional movement of the scapula provides vital information in the analysis and treatment of shoulder clinical disorders and contributes to our understanding of its complex kinematics. However, the thick layer of skin overlying the scapular region means that all skin-based techniques inaccurately determine the scapular kinematics. The scapula locator makes use of a palpation technique in order to reduce the problem of skin deformation. At present, the scapula locator is the most accurate noninvasive method of measuring scapular movements, but to date the method has only been used to measure the scapula position statically. Here, a new method was developed to measure the scapula movements dynamically; the method makes use of the scapula locator and feedback from pressure-sensors attached to the locator probes to track the scapula during movement. The reliability of the method after short-term practise as well as the intra-observer and inter-observer variations and the inter-session repeatability were tested and quantified in a series of studies. The method was found to be able to measure dynamic scapular movements in slow to medium paced arm movements to a good degree of accuracy as well as provide scapulothoracic measurements of high reliability compared to using the scapula locator on its own and to previously reported results in the literature. Finally, the new locator method was used to calibrate the acromial tracker in order to improve the accuracy of the device and facilitate its use as an alternative to the scapula locator in clinical studies involving fast (higher than functional velocities) dynamic activities. The new scapula locator method and the calibrated acromial tracker method present significant improvements on the available scapular measurement techniques particularly in measuring subtle scapular rotations of clinical importance, such as the scapular tilt. The methods described will be used in future clinical and sport-related studies

Isolation of Aphanomyces sp(p). associated with skin lesions and mortalities in the striped (Mugil cephalus) and the thin lip (Liza ramada) grey mullets

Aphanomyces spp. were isolated from skin erosions and ulcers of cultured Striped and thin lip grey mullets. Fungi with non-septated hyphae were found in wet mount preparations of skin. Samples inoculated on glucose peptone liquid medium for three successive steps then mycelial growths were transferred into glucose peptone yeast extract agar medium. Aphanomyces spp. were successfully isolated, in axenic cultures, from seven out of 35 fish samples. The cultures were maintained on glucose peptone yeast extract liquid media. Formation of sporangia in tap water that contained hemp seeds confirmed that the grey mullet isolates are members of tlx genus Aphanomyces. All isolates grew progressively at salinities thar ranged from 2-8 ppt, however, only one isolate survived at 37 degrees C

Zoosporulation of a new Perkinsus species isolated from the gills of the softshell clam Mya arenaria

A gill-associated Perkinsus sp. isolated from the softshell clam (Myo arenaria) is described as a new species, P. chesapeaki sp. nov. Examination of the parasite in seawater cultures revealed life cycle stages and zoosporulation processes similar to those described for other species of the genus Perkinsus. Prezoosporangia developed thickened cell walls upon contraction of the cytoplasm and development of a distinctive clear area between the cell wall and the protoplast. Successive bipartition of the protoplast led to the formation of hundred\u27s of zoospores within mature sporangia. Zoospores were released into seawater through one or more discharge tubes, Ultrastructural studies revealed an oblong zoospore possessing two flagella that arose from a concave side located in the upper third of the zoospore body. The anterior flagellum possessed a unilateral array of hair-like structures. A large anterior vacuole and basolateral nucleus dominated the cytoplasm of the zoospore body. The presence of a rudimentary apical complex including an open-sided conoid, rhoptries, micronemes, and subpellicular microtubules were also discerned. Differences in zoospore morphology, and sequence analyses of two genes previously reported, support the designation of the gill-associated Perkinsus from the softshell clam as a new species

Synergistic effects of a copper–cobalt–nitroisophthalic acid/neodymium oxide composite on the electrochemical performance of hybrid supercapacitors

Hybrid supercapacitors can produce extraordinary advances in specific power and energy to display better electrochemical performance and better cyclic stability. Amalgamating metal oxides with metal–organic frameworks endows the prepared composites with unique properties and advantageous possibilities for enhancing the electrochemical capabilities. The present study focused on the synergistic effects of the CuCo(5-NIPA)–Nd2O3 composite. Employing a half-cell configuration, we conducted a comprehensive electrochemical analysis of CuCo(5-NIPA), Nd2O3, and their composite. Owing to the best performance of the composite, the hybrid device prepared from CuCo(5-NIPA)–Nd2O3 and activated carbon demonstrated a specific capacity of 467.5 C g−1 at a scan rate of 3 mV s−1, as well as a phenomenal energy and power density of 109.68 W h kg−1 and 4507 W kg−1, respectively. Afterwards, semi-empirical techniques and models were used to investigate the capacitive and diffusive mechanisms, providing important insights into the unique properties of battery–supercapacitor hybrids. These findings highlight the enhanced performance of the CuCo(5-NIPA)–Nd2O3 composite, establishing it as a unique and intriguing candidate for applications requiring the merging of battery and supercapacitor technologies

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling in clomiphene resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome: clinical response and outcome

Background: Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) is an alternative method for ovulation induction in clomiphene citrate (CC) resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients instead of gonadotropins. Objective were to identify the changes in clinical and biochemical profiles and the ovulation and pregnancy rate following LOD in CC resistant PCOS patients.Methods: It was an interventional study infertility unit, department of obstetrics and gynecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university, Dhaka, between from July 2014 to June 2015. Changes of the above-mentioned parameters were recorded during follow up of patients after LOD. The information is collected and recorded in the preset questionnaire.Results: The characteristics of study population were same before LOD and following LOD. Before LOD, infrequent menstruation was present in 83.3% patients whereas regular menstruation was found in 58.3% patients after 6 months following LOD. Endometrial thickness ≤8 was found in 100.0% in before LOD and endometrial thickness >8 was found in 70.0% after 6 month following LOD. Ovulation was found in 25.0% in after 3-month LOD and was found in 70.0% after 6 months following LOD. Pregnancy was found in 20.0% after 3 months following LOD and 50.0% in after 6 months following LOD. Ovulation and pregnancy outcome was significantly higher in after 6 months following LOD.Conclusions: LOD produces long-term improvement in menstrual regularity and reproductive performance. A sustained improvement observed in acne and BMI. Ovulation and pregnancy were found in 70% and 50.0% respectively after 6 months following LOD

Histomorphometric Effcets of Oral use of Tobacco in Testes of Offsprings of Swiss Albino Mice

Objective: To study the gross micro structural changes in the testis of the offspring of Swiss albino mice exposed to oral use of tobacco during pregnancy. Study Design: Experimental Duration and Setting of Study: This study was conducted from July 2017 to December 2017 at Isra University Hyderabad  Methodology: ­­20 female albino mice were mated. After confirmation of pregnancy by vaginal plug they were divided into two groups; experimental A and control B of 10 each. Experimental mice of group A were given 5% tobacco in their chow diet and0water ad libitum; however, control group B were given only normal chow0diet and0water0ad libitum. After 15 days of birth the 10 male offsprings each of control and experimental mice were randomly selected. Their initial and final body weight was recorded.  They were sacrificed0by cervical dislocations and0their testes were taken away for further gross & histological0analysis.  Results: Noticeable changes were observed in the body weight and weight of testes. The mean initial weight of experimental male offspring was found to be 1.76 ± 0.33 g, while in control group it was 2.60± 0.45 g. The final weight in experimental offspring was 9.38± 0.59 g and in control group it was 12.75±0.96 g.  Statistically the difference of body weight in offspring was found to be significant (p value <0.05). The testes weight was markedly decreased in experimental group as compared to control group.  The mean testes weight in experiment group was recorded as 0.03 ± 0.004 g however in control group it was recorded as   0.07 ± 0.004 g. Simultaneously, 5 micro structural variations were also observed in the testes of off-springs of mice. In0the0experimental group0of off-springs, very few0layers and decreased number of spermatocytes were noticed in seminiferous tubules of 9 testes.  Sperm degenerative changes, cellular inflammation and mild to massive hyalinization were noticed in 9, 6, and 9 testes of experimental group respectively. Loss of architecture of seminiferous tubules in 8 testes as well as destruction of the basement membrane in 7 testes were also observed in experiment group testes. However, the decreased number of spermatocytes in only 1 testes and mild hyalinization in 2 testes of control group were observed. Conclusion: The consumption of smokeless tobacco has vital effects on the body weight, micro structure  and weight of testes of offsprings of mice given with cellular injury of seminiferous tubules especially decreased sperm count, cellular inflammation, destruction of basement membrane as well as massive hyalinization. &nbsp

Discrepancy between PCR based SARS-CoV-2 tests suggests the need to re-evaluate diagnostic assays

Objective: We investigated the discrepancy between clinical and PCR-based diagnosis of COVID-19. We compared results of ten patients with mild to severe COVID-19. Respiratory samples from all cases were tested on the Roche SARS-CoV-2 (Cobas) assay, Filmarray RP2.1 (bioMereiux) and TaqPath™ COVID19 (Thermofisher) PCR assays.Results: Laboratory records of ten patients with mild to severe COVID-19 were examined. Initially, respiratory samples from the patients were tested as negative on the SARS-CoV-2 Roche® assay. Further investigation using the BIOFIRE® Filmarray RP2.1 assay identified SARS-CoV-2 as the pathogen in all ten cases. To investigate possible discrepancies between PCR assays, additional testing was conducted using the TaqPath™ COVID19 PCR. Eight of ten samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 on the TaqPath assay. Further, Spike gene target failures (SGTF) were identified in three of these eight cases. Discrepancy between the three PCR assays could be due to variation in PCR efficiencies of the amplification reactions or, variation at primer binding sites. Strains with SGTF indicate the presence of new SARS-CoV-2 variant strains. Regular modification of gene targets in diagnostic assays may be necessary to maintain robustness and accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic assays to avoid reduced case detection, under-surveillance, and missed opportunities for control

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London