Mathematical Model of Plasma Membrane Electrophysiology in a Single Pericyte Cell

A mathematical model of a single pericyte cell was developed based on data available in literature. The model incorporates the dynamic behavior of 1) plasma membrane currents; 2) release and uptake of Ca2+ by the sarcoplasmic reticulum; 3) tracking of cytosolic Ca2+, K+, Na+, and Cl-; and 4) electrophysiological response due to norepinephrine (NE) stimulus. Current and voltage data attained from literature review was fitted to known equations for these channels. Coupled differential equations were then used along with these parameters to show the dynamic change of ion concentrations, membrane voltage, and gating variables. Validation was done using available literature data on NE and K+ stimulation. The proposed model predicted the depolarization and repolarization effects of NE and the increasing depolarization effects of increasing external K+ levels as reported in the literature. Further research for this model will aid in elucidating the underlying role of pericytes on arterial constriction/dilation, vasomotion, and in understanding their roles in disease states

INVESTIGATING LETHAL EFFECT OF DIFFERENT BOTANICALS AGAINST OXYCARENUS LAETUS KIRBY UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

For last few years, dusky cotton bug, Oxycarenus laetus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) has become an emerging pest of cotton crop threatening cotton production in Pakistan. Onset of insecticidal resistance demands the use the alternate approaches for the control of O. laetus. Plant-based botanicals have the potential to suppress O. laetus at different concentrations. The findings of present study showed that highest mortality (53.13%, 70.83% and 96.91%) of O. leatus was recorded at 1.5%, 2.5% and 5% concentrations after 72h of treatment with N. tabacum. However, O. sanctum harbored lowest mortality (38.10%, 37.50% and 52.91%) at all tested concentrations. Consequently, Nicotiana tabacum was proved as exhibiting competent insecticidal properties for the control of O. laetus

REDUCED INSECTICIDE APPLICATIONS CAN ENHANCE NATURAL ENEMIES OF BEMISIA TABACI IN COTTON

Excessive amount of insecticides destroys natural enemies of cotton pests and consequently the population of whitefly flares up. The present research focused on the use of PB ropes to reduce application of insecticides and to investigate the ecological impact on Bemisia tabaci and beneficial fauna in cotton fields. Two cotton varieties (BS-15 and NIAB-878) were sown in research area of MNS University of Agriculture, Multan during 2018 on 30 acres. PB ropes dispensers (PB-ropes L®) were installed at 120/acre at pin head square stage of cotton. It was observed that application of PB ropes reduced need for insecticide applications, thus helped conservation of beneficial fauna in cotton fields throughout the season, which kept whitefly populations below EIL. Population of whitefly nymph was reduced after application (0.9/leaf-seasonal average) in PB ropes treated fields as compared to untreated check (8.1/leaf-seasonal average). Furthermore, higher population of green lacewing (4.00/plant) was observed in PB ropes treated field. It was concluded that populations of whiteflies were kept below EIL due to conservation of green lacewing. This positive effect of PB ropes is presumably due to increasing the number of cotton insect pest biological agents. This indirect effect of mating disruption (PB ropes) is of great value within the framework of IPM in cotton

Glue That Pain: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Tarlov cysts are cystic lesions of the nerve root sheath in the lower spine. With a reported incidence ranging from 1 to 5%, these lesions are fairly rare, benign and often asymptomatic. When they cause neural compression they may become symptomatic with sensory, motor, bowel/bladder and sexual dysfunction. The treatment of symptomatic Tarlov cysts is a controversial issue, ranging from conservative management and local steroid injections to a bewildering assortment of surgical options including CSF diversion procedures and advance microsurgical approaches with various ways of cyst manipulation. All these surgical modalities carry a high risk of serious complications, recurrence with need of a redo operation and a very variable rate of symptomatic relief ranging from 38 – 100 % in different series. Developing from the CT guided needle aspiration of the cyst which suffered disappointment in the form of re accumulation and heralded by earlier reports of aseptic meningitis, CT guided aspiration and subsequent filling of the cyst with fibrin glue has now emerged as a safe, highly effective and first line of treatment for symptomatic Tarlov cyst

Transportation of Chromium (VI) to Bombyx mori L. from mulberry Plant (Morus alba L.) grown at soil irrigated with Chromium (VI) containing effluents

The research was conducted to determine Chromium (VI) toxicity in population Bombyx mori. The synthetic wastewater used to irrigate soil to evaluate the impact of pH (4 to 8) at 100 mg/L and initial Chromium (VI) concentrations (25 mg/L to 300 mg/L) at 5 pH in its bioaccumulation in B. mori foodchain.  By using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) analysis the amount of Chromium (VI) determined in soil, mulberry plants, B. mori larvae, silk glands and silkworm feces. The results showed that local cobalt pollution can be indicated by using B. mori as a template as its body length, body weight and the mortality rate were found to be strongly related to Chromium (VI) concentration. Higher the Chromium (VI) amount in mulberry leaves causes more toxicity to B. mori population. At 300 mg/L Cr (VI) concentration and pH 4 there was maximum deposition of Chromium (VI) in soil, mulberry plants, B. mori larvae, faeces and silk glands from the synthetic effluent. The maximum deposition was 123.5±0.03 mg/kg, 89.76±.031 mg/kg, 23.31±0.019 mg/kg, 41.32±0.069 mg/kg and 35.67±0.04 mg/kg observed respectively

The Role of Lead Toxicity on Eruption Rate of Hypofunctional Incisors in Albino Wistar Rats

OBJECTIVES This objective of this study was to evaluate the role of a heavy metal- lead acetate in the eruption rate of hypo functional incisors in albino Wistar rats. METHODOLOGY An experimental study was done in animal house of Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore since March 2019 to March 2020. 34 adult albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=17 for each group) i.e., control and lead acetate group. Right mandibular incisors were selected for this study. Selected incisors were marked 1mm above the level of gingival papillae. The incisors were cut above this mark to make it hypo-functional. The readings were measured by digital Vernier caliper. This was considered as day 0. Incisors length was measured at day 0, 3, 6, 12 and 15 and eruption was calculated. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS Eruption rate was similar throughout the study except last follow up. At the end of this study eruption of incisors in albino Wistar rats in control was 03.30±0.72mm, in lead 02.43±1.19mm. At day 15, the difference between control and lead group was statistically significant (p-value 0.033). CONCLUSION These results reveal that besides other causes of delayed tooth eruption excessive lead intoxication are also acausative factor of delayed tooth eruption

Repair of Accidentally Perforated Labial Wall of a Central Incisor Having Failed Root Treatment -A Case Report

Abstract This is a successfully managed clinical case report of a young lady whose tooth # 11 was root treated in 2010 which reinfected after three years. The root treatment was repeated but was iatrogenically perforated because of the operating dentist's error. The tooth was therefore opened for surgical correction. During the procedure, it was found that labial wall of the tooth was missing in the mid-root area. The labial wall was built using glass ionomer cement keeping the endodontic file in the canal to avoid obliteration of canal space by glass ionomer. The rebuilt canal was treated with Calcium Hydroxide dressings at an interval of 7 days. In two weeks as the sinus healed, swelling subsided and the canal became effortlessly dryable using just two absorbent points, the canal was obturated with a custom made gutta percha cone, employing glass ionomer as a canal sealer