An investigation into the pharmacology of tics and tic-like movements

The study of tic-like movements in mice has demonstrated close parallels both in characteristics and in pharmacology with the tics which occur in TS. Head-shakes and/or other tic-like behaviours occurring spontaneously or induced by the selective 5-HT2/1C agonist DOI, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (1-39), thyrotropin releasing hormone, or RX336-M were blocked when tested with neuroleptics such as haloperidol and/or the alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist clonidine. The selective dopamine D1 antagonists SCH23390 and SCH39166 dose-dependently blocked spontaneous and DOI head-shakes but the selective dopamine D2 antagonists sulpiride and raclopride were ineffective. The 5-HT1A receptor agonists 8-OH-DPAT, ipsapirone, gepirone, MDL 73005EF and buspirone (i.p) dose-dependently blocked DOI head-shakes, pindolol blocked the inhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT on DOI head-shakes. Parachlorophenylalanine blocked the inhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT and buspirone, suggesting that the 5-HT1A receptor involved is located presynaptically. The alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonists yohimbine, idazoxan, 1-PP and RX811059 prevented the inhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT on DOI head-shakes suggesting that this 5-HT1A - 5-HT2 receptor interaction is under the modulatory control of adrenoceptors. Because kynurenine has previously been found to potentiate head-shaking, plasma kynurenine concentrations were measured in seven TS patients and were significantly higher than controls, but neopterin and biopterin were unchanged. The relationship between tic-like movements in rodents and their implications for understanding the aetiology and treatment of TS is discussed

Decolorization of reactive dyes under batch anaerobic condition by mixed microbial culture

Decolorization of reactive dyes, which are used in textile industry, under batch anaerobic conditions by mixed microbial culture was investigated in this study. Decolorization of C.I. Reactive Black 5 (RB 5), C.I. Reactive Red 24 (RR 24) and C.I. Reactive Blue 49 (RB 49) with initial concentrations ranging from150 to 2400 mg/L was investigated. Decolorization efficiencies obtained were 93.4% for RB 5 and 98.9% for RR 24 both with initial concentration of 2400 mg/L after 24 h incubation period. However, decolorization was lower for the dye of RB 49 than other two dyes in all concentrations despite 72 hincubation period by mixed anaerobic culture. All of the three dyes correlated with 1st order reaction kinetic with respect to decolorization kinetics. The results of the study demonstrated that high decolorization was obtained under anaerobic condition depending on chemical structure of the dye

Use of multivariate analysis in mineral accumulation of rocket (Eruca sativa) accessions

The leafy vegetables contain high amount of mineral elements and health promoting compound. To solve nutritional problems in diet and reduced malnutrition among human population selection of specific cultivar among species would be help increasing elemental delivery in the human diet. While rocket plant observes several nutritional compounds no significant efforts have been made for genetic diversity for mineral composition of rocket plant accessions using multivariate analyses technique. The objective of this work was to evaluate variability for mineral accumulation of rocket accessions revealed by multivariate analysis to use further breeding program for achieve improving cultivar in targeting high nutrient concentration. A total twelve mineral element and twenty-three E. sativa accessions were investigated and considerable variation were observed in the most of concentration the principal component analysis explained that 77.67% of total variation accounted for four PC axis. Rocket accessions were classifies into three groups and present outcomes of experiments revealed that the first three principal components were highly valid to classify the examined accessions and separating mineral accumulations. Significant differences exhibited in mineral concentration among examined rocket accessions and the result could allow selecting those genotypes with higher elements

Optimal location for eliciting the tibial H-reflex and motor response

INTRODUCTION: Although there are numerous protocols to adjust the amplitude of the Hoffmann reflex (H‐reflex) relative to the size of the direct motor response (M‐response), the optimal stimulating location has not been described. We sought to determine the optimal positioning of the stimulating cathode when evoking the tibial nerve H‐reflex and M‐response. METHODS: A small cathode was placed on defined points in the popliteal fossa while an anode was fixed on the patella. The tibial nerve was stimulated electrically, and the response of the soleus muscle was recorded using intramuscular and surface electromyography. RESULTS: We found that more‐lateral points along a line drawn across the popliteal fossa were the best locations to obtain only the M‐response, whereas stimulating the midpoint was optimal for obtaining only the H‐reflex. DISCUSSION: By using specified locations for electrical stimulation to evoke H‐reflex and M‐response, the functionality of the tibial nerve can be assessed. Muscle Nerve 58:828–833, 201

An explanatory machine learning framework for studying pandemics: The case of COVID-19 emergency department readmissions

ArticleInPressOne of the major challenges that confront medical experts during a pandemic is the time required to identify and validate the risk factors of the novel disease and to develop an effective treatment protocol. Traditionally, this process involves numerous clinical trials that may take up to several years, during which strict preventive measures must be in place to control the outbreak and reduce the deaths. Advanced data analytics techniques, however, can be leveraged to guide and speed up this process. In this study, we combine evolutionary search algorithms, deep learning, and advanced model interpretation methods to develop a holistic exploratory- predictive-explanatory machine learning framework that can assist clinical decision-makers in reacting to the challenges of a pandemic in a timely manner. The proposed framework is showcased in studying emergency department (ED) readmissions of COVID-19 patients using ED visits from a real-world electronic health records database. After an exploratory feature selection phase using genetic algorithm, we develop and train a deep artificial neural network to predict early (i.e., 7-day) readmissions (AUC = 0.883). Lastly, a SHAP model is formulated to estimate additive Shapley values (i.e., importance scores) of the features and to interpret the magnitude and direction of their effects. The findings are mostly in line with those reported by lengthy and expensive clinical trial studies

Right-sided invasive metastatic thymoma of the heart

Cardiac tumours may display diverse symptoms through potential involvement of any structure of the heart. We describe a case of a highly malignant thymoma with involvement of different cardiac structures with important haemodynamic compromise. With the high sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography for detection of intracardiac masses, computed tomography and magnetic resonance add essential structural preoperative information on the tumour and surrounding tissue as vessels, pleura, lung and mediastinum

MICROCLIMATE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT URBAN FORMS IN COLD CLIMATES AND THE EFFECT OF THERMAL COMFORT

In this study, it is aimed to understand the relation between micro-climate and urban planning in the case of a cold-climate city, Erzurum. The effects of different urban patterns on micro-climate are analyzed in the context of this study. As a methodology, ENVI-met is used for processing micro-climate simulation of selected urban areas by using measured and obtained climate data such as air temperature, relative humidity, average reflected temperature, surface temperatures, sky view factor, wind velocity and direction. In order to check the accuracy of the simulation for the case study area, obtained data (from meteorology station) is simulated with ENVI-met and results were compared with measured data in the area. Also, land uses and field searches based on the observation of existing situation of urban environment were included into analysis. The findings show that irregular building plot sizes and building heights are mostly existing in historical areas and those urban forms increase thermal comfort under cold climate conditions. The results of simulations provided that same heights of the buildings, regular separation of buildings and regular plot sizes have led to severe urban micro-climates. In contrast, it is observed that variety of those urban physical environment features supported comfortable micro-climate conditions. Urban geometry and climate variables are two of the most important factors shaping outdoor spaces thermal comfort feeling

The Evaluation of the Effects of Different Patient Information Strategy on Self-Performed Oral Hygiene in a Group of Turkish Population

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different patient information strategy on self-performed oral hygiene in a short and intermediate time period in a group of Turkish population. The study population consisted of 105 patient at the same socio-economical level and divided into three groups: Group I, who were not attended any program, group II, who attended only one explanatory session about oral hygiene, and group III, who attended a comprehensive education and motivation session. In order to evaluate the methodology applied, the Quigley-IIcin's plaque index (PI, according to Quigley-1 Icin, 1962) and gingival bleeding index (GI, according to Loc and Silness, 1963) were calculated. All these patients' teeth were scaled at the start of the study. These parameters were determined at die initial and after 1st week, 1st and 3rd and 6th months. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the PI and GI scores following die use of motivation and education program in the 1st week and 1st month (p<0.01). The level of oral hygiene and gingival health achieved at the fist month was not observed in all 3 groups in the 3rd and 6th months. We found that the comprehensive session used here has also been effective in improving the oral hygiene and reducing the gingival inflammation in the 6" month (p<0.01). In conclusion, the data presented in this paper indicated that the education and motivation program with visual and demonstrated may be suitable alternative program improving the oral hygiene and reducing the gingival inflammation.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different patient information strategy on self-performed oral hygiene in a short and intermediate time period in a group of Turkish population. The study population consisted of 105 patient at the same socio-economical level and divided into three groups: Group I, who were not attended any program, group II, who attended only one explanatory session about oral hygiene, and group III, who attended a comprehensive education and motivation session. In order to evaluate the methodology applied, the Quigley-IIcin's plaque index (PI, according to Quigley-1 Icin, 1962) and gingival bleeding index (GI, according to Loc and Silness, 1963) were calculated. All these patients' teeth were scaled at the start of the study. These parameters were determined at die initial and after 1st week, 1st and 3rd and 6th months. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the PI and GI scores following die use of motivation and education program in the 1st week and 1st month (p<0.01). The level of oral hygiene and gingival health achieved at the fist month was not observed in all 3 groups in the 3rd and 6th months. We found that the comprehensive session used here has also been effective in improving the oral hygiene and reducing the gingival inflammation in the 6" month (p<0.01). In conclusion, the data presented in this paper indicated that the education and motivation program with visual and demonstrated may be suitable alternative program improving the oral hygiene and reducing the gingival inflammation

A prenatally detected adrenal cyst treated by adrenal-sparing surgery: case report and review of the literature

A neonatal case of left adrenal cyst detected in utero and successfully treated by adrenal-sparing surgery is presented and discussed with review of the literature. Incidentally discovered prenatal adrenal masses present a diagnostic dilemma. Benign and malignant conditions can present as a fetal suprarenal mass. There is a wide spectrum of management modalities ranging from followup by serial sonographic scanning during pregnancy to early primary excision of the mass. We report a neonate with prenatal diagnosis of a cystic mass arising from the left adrenal gland. Postnatal excision of the mass without adrenalectomy was carried out. Frozen sections of the mass and a biopsy of the left adrenal gland confirmed the benign nature of the cyst and normal adrenal tissue. The uniloculated cyst was reported as a pseudocyst. After surgery, the recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged 4 days postoperatively in good condition. On the basis of this case and review of the literature, we may conclude that early primary surgical excision is recommended for either diagnosis or treatment if the results of prenatal or postnatal imaging studies are unreliable for the precise diagnosis of suprarenal mass. Adrenal-sparing surgery is recommended if pathological evaluation of frozen sections has confirmed the benign nature of the mass.Keywords: adrenal-sparing surgery, neonates, prenatal diagnosis, suprarenal cys