Serum homocysteine, vitamin B 12 and folic acid levels in different types of glaucoma

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to compare levels of serum homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12 and folic acid in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG), normotensive glaucoma (NTG) and healthy controls. METHODS: Twentyfive patients with POAG, 24 with PEXG, and 18 with NTG, along with 19 control healthy subjects were included this prospective study. Levels of serum Hcy were measured using immunoassay, and those of serum vitamin B12 and folic acid were measured using competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: The mean Hcy concentration in the PEXG group was significantly higher (P < 0.001) as compared to the other groups. There were no significant differences with respect to the mean Hcy concentrations among other groups (P > 0.05). There were no statistical differences in serum vitamin B12 levels among POAG, PEXG, NTG and control subjects (P > 0.05). The mean serum folic acid level was significantly lower in the subjects with PEXG (P < 0.009). However, the mean folic acid concentrations among the other groups did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of Hcy in PEXG may explain the role of endothelial dysfunction among patients with PEXG

Differential wedging of vertebral body and intervertebral disc in thoracic and lumbar spine in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis – A cross sectional study in 150 patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hueter-Volkmann's law regarding growth modulation suggests that increased pressure on the end plate of bone retards the growth (Hueter) and conversely, reduced pressure accelerates the growth (Volkmann). Literature described the same principle in Rat-tail model. Human spine and its deformity i.e. scoliosis has also same kind of pattern during the growth period which causes wedging in disc or vertebral body.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This cross sectional study in 150 patients of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was done to evaluate vertebral body and disc wedging in scoliosis and to compare the extent of differential wedging of body and disc, in thoracic and lumbar area. We measured wedging of vertebral bodies and discs, along with two adjacent vertebrae and disc, above and below the apex and evaluated them according to severity of curve (curve < 30° and curve > 30°) to find the relationship of vertebral body or disc wedging with scoliosis in thoracic and lumbar spine. We also compared the wedging and rotations of vertebrae.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In both thoracic and lumbar curves, we found that greater the degree of scoliosis, greater the wedging in both disc and body and the degree of wedging was more at apex supporting the theory of growth retardation in stress concentration area. However, the degree of wedging in vertebral body is more than the disc in thoracic spine while the wedging was more in disc than body in lumbar spine. On comparing the wedging with the rotation, we did not find any significant relationship suggesting that it has no relation with rotation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>From our study, we can conclude that wedging in disc and body are increasing with progression on scoliosis and maximum at apex; however there is differential wedging of body and disc, in thoracic and lumbar area, that is vertebral body wedging is more profound in thoracic area while disc wedging is more profound in lumbar area which possibly form 'vicious cycle' by asymmetric loading to spine for the progression of curve.</p

Internet of Things and data mining: from applications to techniques and systems

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the result of the convergence of sensing, computing, and networking technologies, allowing devices of varying sizes and computational capabilities (things) to intercommunicate. This communication can be achieved locally enabling what is known as edge and fog computing, or through the well‐established Internet infrastructure, exploiting the computational resources in the cloud. The IoT paradigm enables a new breed of applications in various areas including health care, energy management and smart cities. This paper starts off with reviewing these applications and their potential benefits. Challenges facing the realization of such applications are then discussed. The sheer amount of data stemmed from devices forming the IoT requires new data mining systems and techniques that are discussed and categorized later in this paper. Finally, the paper is concluded with future research directions

Characterisation of cytoplasm-filled processes in cells of the intervertebral disc.

We examined cells from the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus of adult bovine intervertebral discs, using confocal laser scanning microscopy on living unfixed tissue. These cells were visualised using chloromethyl fluorescein diacetate, a membrane-impermeant fluorescent dye. The organisation of cells from the outer annulus was also determined using confocal microscopy after fixation and staining the actin-filaments with FITC-phalloidin. We found that cellular processes were a dominant feature of cells from all regions of the disc including the cells of the nucleus pulposus and inner annulus. These processes were also visible in histological sections of disc examined both at the light and electron microscope level, even though cells from the nucleus and inner annulus appeared chondrocyte-like, being rounded and enclosed in a capsule. The function of these processes is at present unknown. We suggest that they may serve to sense mechanical strain

Characterisation of cytoplasm-filled processes in cells of the intervertebral disc

We examined cells from the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus of adult bovine intervertebral discs, using confocal laser scanning microscopy on living unfixed tissue. These cells were visualised using chloromethyl fluorescein diacetate, a membrane-impermeant fluorescent dye. The organisation of cells from the outer annulus was also determined using confocal microscopy after fixation and staining the actin-filaments with FITC-phalloidin. We found that cellular processes were a dominant feature of cells from all regions of the disc including the cells of the nucleus pulposus and inner annulus. These processes were also visible in histological sections of disc examined both at the light and electron microscope level, even though cells from the nucleus and inner annulus appeared chondrocyte-like, being rounded and enclosed in a capsule. The function of these processes is at present unknown. We suggest that they may serve to sense mechanical strain