A Tablet-Based Assessment of Rhythmic Ability.

The exponential rise in use of mobile consumer electronics has presented a great potential for research to be conducted remotely, with participants numbering several orders of magnitude greater than a typical research paradigm. Here, we attempt to demonstrate the validity and reliability of using a consumer game-engine to create software presented on a mobile tablet to assess sensorimotor synchronization, a proxy of rhythmic ability. Our goal was to ascertain whether previously observed research results can be replicated, rather than assess whether a mobile tablet achieves comparable performance to a desktop computer. To achieve this, younger (aged 18-35 years) and older (aged 60-80 years) adult musicians and non-musicians were recruited to play a custom-designed sensorimotor synchronization assessment on a mobile tablet in a controlled laboratory environment. To assess reliability, participants performed the assessment twice, separated by a week, and an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated. Results supported the validity of this approach to assessing rhythmic abilities by replicating previously observed results. Specifically, musicians performed better than non-musicians, and younger adults performed better than older adults. Participants also performed best when the tempo was in the range of previously-identified preferred tempos, when the stimuli included both audio and visual information, and when synchronizing on-beat compared to off-beat or continuation (self-paced) synchronization. Additionally, high ICC values (>0.75) suggested excellent test-retest reliability. Together, these results support the notion that consumer electronics running software built with a game engine may serve as a valuable resource for remote, mobile-based data collection of rhythmic abilities

Retrospective analysis of indications of primary caesarean sections done at a tertiary care hospital

Background: Caesarean section rates have globally risen above the levels that can be considered medically necessary. The aim of the study is to analyze the rate and indications of caesarean sections for primigravidae in the period 2016 to 2018 at a tertiary care hospital in Delhi.Methods: It is a retrospective observational study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at PGIMER and Dr RML Hospital, New Delhi. A total of 552 caesarean deliveries in primigravidae were studied.Results: The total deliveries during the study period were 3346 and the total caesarean section rate observed was 30.66%. The caesarean section rate among primigravidae was 29.1%. The rate of caesarean section in primigravidae rose from 22.7% in 2016 to 39.3% in 2018 with 17% increase. Majority of them belonged to the age group 20-30 years (79.34%) and 2.53% were elderly primigravidae. Out of the total number of primigravidae caesarean deliveries, 67.2% were performed in emergency and 32.7% were performed electively. Among the emergency caesarean sections performed, 64% of patients had induced labor and 22% had spontaneous labor. The most common indication of caesarean section was fetal distress (19.77%) followed by arrest of labor (17.87%) and malpresentations (8.9%). The short-term caesarean morbidity rate was 25.4% including one mortality. Wound infection was the most common complication.Conclusions: Various reasons like changing maternal risk profile increased IVF pregnancies, scientific advances, personal choice and medico legal considerations have been cited for increased caesarean rate. Following evidence-based labor protocols, judicious use of cardiotocography, proper patient selection for labor induction and patient education will contribute in reduction of caesarean sections and related complications

Association of periodontal health with physical and emotional well-being among pre and postmenopausal women in Bangalore: a cross sectional study

Background: Menopausal transition is frequently accompanied by physical, emotional as well as periodontal health changes in pre and postmenopausal women due to the decline in circulating blood oestrogen levels. Aim was to investigate the association of periodontal health with physical and emotional well-being among pre and postmenopausal women aged 35-65 years. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 150 pre and 150 postmenopausal women in Bangalore urban district Women Health Questionnaire was used to assess physical and emotional well-being. WHO Oral Health Assessment form for adults 2013 along with plaque and gingival indexes were used to assess the periodontal health status. Descriptive, bivariate, multiple linear regression analysis were carried out. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age among pre and postmenopausal women were 40.09±2.24 years and 55.42±5.7 (p<0.001). The mean scores of depression/anxiety mood; somatic symptoms; memory/concentration; vasomotor symptoms; sleep problem was significantly higher in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal group (p<0.001). The mean number of teeth with gingival bleeding (12.93±8.0 and 6.94±5.68); deep periodontal pocket (2.05±1.61 and 0.44±0.97) were higher in postmenopausal group in comparison to the other group respectively (p<0.001). Depression was significantly associated with periodontal health of women in both the groups. Conclusions: Women after menopause experienced more physical and emotional changes. Periodontal health status was found to be poor among postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women

Congruence of genomic and ethnolinguistic affinities among five tribal populations of Madhya Pradesh (India)

The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is home to a large number of tribal populations of diverse linguistic and ethnic backgrounds. With a view to examining how well genomic affinities among tribal populations of this state correspond with their ethnic and linguistic affinities, we analysed DNA samples of individuals drawn from five tribes with diverse, but reasonably well-documented, ethnohistorical and linguistic backgrounds. Each DNA sample was scored at 16 biallelic DNA marker loci. On the basis of these data, genomic affinities among these populations were estimated. We have found an extremely good correspondence between the genomic and ethnolinguistic affinities

High-resolution analysis of Y-chromosomal polymorphisms reveals signatures of population movements from Central Asia and West Asia into India

Linguistic evidence suggests that West Asia and Central Asia have been the two major geographical sources of genes in the contemporary Indian gene pool. To test the nature and extent of similarities in the gene pools of these regions we have collected DNA samples from four ethnic populations of northern India, and have screened these samples for a set of 18 Y-chromosome polymorphic markers (12 unique event polymorphisms and six short tandem repeats). These data from Indian populations have been analysed in conjunction with published data from several West Asian and Central Asian populations. Our analyses have revealed traces of population movement from Central Asia and West Asia into India. Two haplogroups, HG-3 and HG-9, which are known to have arisen in the Central Asian region, are found in reasonably high frequencies (41.7% and 14.3% respectively) in the study populations. The ages estimated for these two haplogroups are less in the Indian populations than those estimated from data on Middle Eastern populations. A neighbour-joining tree based on Y-haplogroup frequencies shows that the North Indians are genetically placed between the West Asian and Central Asian populations. This is consistent with gene flow from West Asia and Central Asia into India

Effects of 1α,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 and testosterone on miRNA and mRNA expression in LNCaP cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is evidence from epidemiological and <it>in vitro </it>studies that the biological effects of testosterone (T) on cell cycle and survival are modulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃(1,25(OH)₂D₃) in prostate cancer. To investigate the cross talk between androgen- and vitamin D-mediated intracellular signaling pathways, the individual and combined effects of T and 1,25(OH)₂D₃on global gene expression in LNCaP prostate cancer cells were assessed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Stringent statistical analysis identifies a cohort of genes that lack one or both androgen response elements (AREs) or vitamin D response elements (VDREs) in their promoters, which are nevertheless differentially regulated by both steroids (either additively or synergistically). This suggests that mechanisms in addition to VDR- and AR-mediated transcription are responsible for the modulation of gene expression. Microarray analysis shows that fifteen miRNAs are also differentially regulated by 1,25(OH)₂D₃and T. Among these miR-22, miR-29ab, miR-134, miR-1207-5p and miR-371-5p are up regulated, while miR-17 and miR-20a, members of the miR-17/92 cluster are down regulated. A number of genes implicated in cell cycle progression, lipid synthesis and accumulation and calcium homeostasis are among the mRNA targets of these miRNAs. Thus, in addition to their well characterized effects on transcription, mediated by either or both cognate nuclear receptors, 1,25(OH)₂D₃and T regulate the steady state mRNA levels by modulating miRNA-mediated mRNA degradation, generating attenuation feedback loops that result in global changes in mRNA and protein levels. Changes in genes involved in calcium homeostasis may have specific clinical importance since the second messenger Ca²⁺is known to modulate various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, cell death and cell motility, which affects prostate cancer tumor progression and responsiveness to therapy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These data indicate that these two hormones combine to drive a differentiated phenotype, and reinforce the idea that the age dependent decline in both hormones results in the de-differentiation of prostate tumor cells, which results in increased proliferation, motility and invasion common to aggressive tumors. These studies also reinforce the potential importance of miRNAs in prostate cancer progression and therapeutic outcomes.</p

Standardization of protocol for in vitro multiplication of rose (Rosa × hybrida) cv. Happiness

An efficient protocol for in vitro multiplication of Rosa × hybrida L. cv. Happiness was standardized using axillary bud segments. Out of different pre treatments for explants, the highest explant survival (80.25%) was obtained with T1 pre-treatment comprising 0.2% Carbendazim + 0.2% Mancozeb-45 +150 mg/l 8-HQC for 4 hragitation on a horizontal shaker (200 rpm). Sucrose concentration of 30g/l in the medium was found to be optimum for in vitro shoot multiplication. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l BAP + 5.0 mg/l kinetin + 0.1 mg/l NAA + 0.5 mg/l GA3 was found most effective for culture establishment, however, MS medium comprising 2.5 mg/l BAP + 2.5 mg/l kinetin + 0.1mg/l NAA+ 0.5mg/l GA3 along with 40 mg/l adenine sulphate was found to be better for shoot proliferation with highest number of micro shoots (7.10 shoots/explant). Rooting of micro shoots was induced on half strength MS basal medium supplemented with NAA (0.5 mg/l) and IBA (0.5 mg/l) rooting growth regulators. The regenerated plantlets were efficiently hardened in glass jars filled with coco peat + vermiculite + perlite (2:1:1) moistened with half strength MS medium salts and covered with polypropylene lids, thereafter, plants were successfully transferred to the glasshouse with good survival

Machine Learning Algorithm for Early Detection and Analysis of Brain Tumors Using MRI Images

Among the human body's organs, the brain is the most delicate and specialized. It is proven that after the heart stops then also brain death occurs within 3 to 5 minutes of death or within 3 to 5 minutes of loss of oxygen supply. A brain tumor is a life-threatening&nbsp;disease that can be detected at any age from an infant to an old person. Though a lot of people did research in the detection and analysis of a tumor, but then also detecting tumors at the early phase is still a much more arduous field in the biomedical study. This paper focuses on the comparative study of various existing algorithms in this field. This paper addresses the challenges and some issues in MRI brain tumor detection which are also addressed in this research

Perceptions regarding minimal intervention dentistry among dental interns in India: A cross-sectional survey

Purpose: Minimal intervention dentistry (MID) is a treatment philosophy that emphasizes protection of existing tooth structure. It has been incorporated in the dental curricula worldwide in the management of dental caries. There is limited evidence that whether the familiarity with MID principles imbibed through the curriculum is translated into clinical decision-making and practice. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice and behavior of dental interns toward MID. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the year 2014 for a period of 2 months among dental interns of all the dental colleges in Bengaluru city using a self-administered validated questionnaire. In addition to the demographic profile, 25 questions focused on knowledge, attitude, practice and behavior toward MID. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 417 questionnaires were found to be legible with an overall response rate of 90%. The mean scores for knowledge (3.40 ± 0.85), attitude (18.74 ± 2.8), practice (27.55 ± 6.8), and behaviour (1.11 ± 0.9) showed that these interns had adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward MID. However, their behavior toward MID was negative, and they did not practice MID very often. The mean attitude score showed a significant correlation with knowledge and practice. Conclusion: Interns exhibited adequate knowledge and positive attitude which they acquired through their undergraduate curriculum, but it failed to create positive behavior toward practicing MID. Hence, it can be suggested that there is need to instill positive behavior among students so that they practice MID routinely