Inflationary power asymmetry from primordial domain walls

We study the asymmetric primordial fluctuations in a model of inflation in which translational invariance is broken by a domain wall. We calculate the corrections to the power spectrum of curvature perturbations; they are anisotropic and contain dipole, quadrupole, and higher multipoles with non-trivial scale-dependent amplitudes. Inspired by observations of these multipole asymmetries in terms of two-point correlations and variance in real space, we demonstrate that this model can explain the observed anomalous power asymmetry of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) sky, including its characteristic feature that the dipole dominates over higher multipoles. We test the viability of the model and place approximate constraints on its parameters by using observational values of dipole, quadrupole, and octopole amplitudes of the asymmetry measured by a local-variance estimator. We find that a configuration of the model in which the CMB sphere does not intersect the domain wall during inflation provides a good fit to the data. We further derive analytic expressions for the corrections to the CMB temperature covariance matrix, or angular power spectra, which can be used in future statistical analysis of the model in spherical harmonic space.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures. Version published in JCA

Hormonal responses to GnRH injection given at different stages of the estrous cycle in water buffaloes

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the hormonal responses of buffaloes to GnRH injections given at different moments of the estrous cycle. The estrous cycles of 15 buffaloes were synchronized with 2 im injections of prostaglandin F2α given 11 days apart. The buffalos were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Buffaloes in the control group received no treatment, whereas GnRH6 buffaloes received a GnRH injection between days 5 and 7 and GnRH16 buffaloes received a GnRH injection between days 15 and 17 of the estrous cycle (estrus = day 0). Up to day 6, the plasma progesterone levels in the three groups were low (1 ± 0.16 ng/ml) but gradually increased until day 12 (4.62 ± 0.41 ng/ml). The amount of plasma progesterone concentrations decreased from day 15 of the estrous cycle in all groups of buffaloes. No significant differences were observed in the plasma level of progesterone and estradiol concentrations of the three groups during the estrous cycle. The peak levels of plasma estradiol were observed on day 20 and the differences were not significant (11.34 ± 1.77, 11.74 ± 1.91 and 12.72 ± 2.49 pg/ml in the control, GnRH6 and GnRH16 groups, respectively (P> 0.05). In conclusion, GnRH given at the beginning or at the end of the estrous cycle did not alter the profile of progesterone and estradiol concentration in buffaloes

Clinical application of ceramics in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A review and update

Study Design: Narrative review. Objectives: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a reliable procedure, commonly used for cervical degenerative disc disease. For interbody fusions, autograft was the gold standard for decades; however, limited availability and donor site morbidities have led to a constant search for new materials. Clinically, it has been shown that calcium phosphate ceramics, including hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), are effective as osteoconductive materials and bone grafts. In this review, we present the current findings regarding the use of ceramics in ACDF. Methods: A review of the relevant literature examining the clinical use of ceramics in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedures was conducted using PubMed, OVID and Cochrane. Result: HA, coralline HA, sandwiched HA, TCP, and biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics were used in combination with osteoinductive materials such as bone marrow aspirate and various cages composed of poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK), fiber carbon, and titanium. Stand-alone ceramic spacers have been associated with fracture and cracks. Metallic cages such as titanium endure the risk of subsidence and migration. PEEK cages in combination with ceramics were shown to be a suitable substitute for autograft. Conclusion: None of the discussed options has demonstrated clear superiority over others, although direct comparisons are often difficult due to discrepancies in data collection and study methodologies. Future randomized clinical trials are warranted before definitive conclusions can be drawn. © The Author(s) 2017

Corticosteroid Administration to Prevent Complications of Anterior Cervical Spine Fusion: A Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic review. Objectives: Anterior cervical approach is associated with complications such as dysphagia and airway compromise. In this study, we aimed to systematically review the literature on the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid administration as a preventive measure of such complications in anterior cervical spine surgery with fusion. Methods: Following a systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases in July 2016, all comparative human studies that evaluated the effect of steroids for prevention of complications in anterior cervical spine surgery with fusion were included, irrespective of number of levels and language. Risk of bias was assessed using MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) checklist and Cochrane Back and Neck group recommendations, for nonrandomized and randomized studies, respectively. Results: Our search yielded 556 articles, of which 9 studies (7 randomized controlled trials and 2 non-randomized controlled trials) were included in the final review. Dysphagia was the most commonly evaluated complication, and in most studies, its severity or incidence was significantly lower in the steroid group. Although prevertebral soft tissue swelling was less commonly assessed, the results were generally in favor of steroid use. The evidence for airway compromise and length of hospitalization was inconclusive. Steroid-related complications were rare, and in both studies that evaluated the fusion rate, it was comparable between steroid and control groups in long-term follow-up. Conclusions: Current literature supports the use of steroids for prevention of complications in anterior cervical spine surgery with fusion. However, evidence is limited by substantial risk of bias and small number of studies reporting key outcomes

Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in a patient with a preexisting transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

A grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author's publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml

Incidence of Snake Bites in Kashan, Iran During an Eight Year Period (2004-2011)

Background: Snake bites are one of the significant health problems in the tropical and subtropical regions. Snake bite is a common medical emergency in Iran, and the epidemiological features and management of such cases vary from region to region. Objectives: This present research study was conducted to obtain new information about the epidemiology of snake bites in the region of Kashan, located in the central part of Iran. Patients and Methods: This research was a descriptive retrospective study. Data from 2004 to 2011 of snakebite cases were collected from case reports. Information included; age and sex of the victim, district, month of incident, mortality, and time of bite. Results: The results of this study showed that the majority of snake bite patients were male (96%). The age distribution of patients indicated that the greatest rate of snake bites occurred among the 15-24 year old group. Data collected in this study revealed that the highest incidence of snake bite cases took place in summer (60%) and the lowest number occurred in winter, with no snake bite cases being recorded. The peak number of snakebite cases was seen during June-September. Conclusions: It was concluded that snake bite cases in Kashan are similar to other areas in Iran from an epidemiological point of view, including; age distribution rates, gender and site of the bites. The existence of Macrov ipera lebetina, a dangerous venomous snake, can cause a range of clinical effects among residents in central parts of Iran, such as Kashan area

Integrative genomics reveals pathogenic mediator of valproate-induced neurodevelopmental disability

Prenatal exposure to the anti-seizure medication sodium valproate (VPA) is associated with an increased risk of adverse postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes, including lowered intellectual ability, autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In this study, we aimed to clarify the molecular mechanisms underpinning the neurodevelopmental consequences of gestational VPA exposure using integrative genomics. First, we assessed the effect of gestational VPA on fetal brain gene expression using a validated rat model of valproate teratogenicity that mimics the human scenario of chronic oral valproate treatment during pregnancy at doses which are therapeutically relevant to the treatment of epilepsy. Two different rat strains were studied - inbred Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), a model of genetic generalized epilepsy, and inbred Non-Epileptic Control rats. Female rats were fed standard chow or VPA mixed in standard chow for 2 weeks prior to conception and then mated with same-strain males. In the VPA-exposed rats maternal oral treatment was continued throughout pregnancy. Fetuses were extracted via C-section on gestational day 21 (one day prior to birth) and fetal brains were snap frozen and genome-wide gene expression data generated. We found that gestational VPA exposure via chronic maternal oral dosing was associated with substantial drug-induced differential gene expression in the pup brains, including dysregulated splicing, and observed that this occurred in the absence of evidence for significant neuronal gain or loss. The functional consequences of VPA-induced gene expression were explored using pathway analysis and integration with genetic risk data for psychiatric disease and behavioural traits. The set of genes down-regulated by VPA in the pup brains were significantly enriched for pathways related to neurodevelopment and synaptic function, and significantly enriched for heritability to human intelligence, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Our results provide a mechanistic link between chronic fetal VPA exposure and neurodevelopmental disability mediated by VPA-induced transcriptional dysregulation

Wheat seed contamination with seed-borne diseases in cold climatic zone of Iran

Abstract In order to evaluate the informal wheat seed contamination with seed-borne diseases, two most important provinces (East Azarbaijan and Khorasan Razavi) for wheat production were selected in cold region of Iran in 2008-2009 crop seasons and ten different locations (city or village) were considered in each province and ten informal seed farmers were selected randomly. A seed sample (1 kg) was taken from planting source of each farmer. Different analysis including purity, germination and seed health (head blight, common bunt and loose smut disease) tests carried out on seed samples according to ISTA rules. Fusarium graminearum was identified as the main disease in provinces. Blotter test showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the towns but there was no meaningful difference between provinces. Washing test for T. caries showed significant difference between the two provinces (P<0.1) but there was no meaningful difference among towns in each province. Furthermore there was significant difference between and among provinces and towns with respect to T. leavis infection. Also the data showed clear dispersal of these two species (T. caries and T. leavis). Negative and high significant correlation was observed between U. tritici and germination. So the precision study of seed borne disease in different areas of the country for producing healthy seed is recommended