PERSPECTIVALS

Perspectivals is an interior wall installation and an immersive environment comprised of eight freestanding wooden-framed translucent fabric panels immersed in geometric light projections. The choreographed light patterns, integrated with surround soundscape, allow geometric forms to completely recede from perspective as the visitor walks around the work. When the visitor’s perspective shifts or is distorted, a new perception becomes possible. The layers of perception involved in such a space explore the ways that we experience and understand space, and how that understanding shapes our sense of what was once two-dimensional and architectural. This artwork is designed not to be looked at, but looked through. This calls upon viewers’ intuitive perception of the space to experience, beyond simple comprehension, the phenomenal and poetic nature of the work. Perspectivals takes us on a journey from one perceptual state of mind to another, where art lies in perception, and where we open ourselves to the present moment

Influences of mothers and dual-career families on the educational attainment of female college students

The purpose of this study was to understand if mothers have an influence on their daughters by (a) determining if a relationship existed between the educational attainment of mothers and the level of education female college students strive to achieve and (b) verifying if female college students are more likely to come from households with working mothers and dual-career families. A sample of 50 predominantly Caucasian female college students at Rowan University were surveyed on their personal and family background. A non-parametric correlation test revealed that a significant relationship existed between the educational attainment of mothers and the aspired educational level of their daughters although it was an inverted relationship. Descriptive statistics show that the majority of participants came from homes with a working mother and dual-career-families. Implications for future research refer to more detailed studies to discover an influential relationship between mothers and daughters

Evaluating the Efficacy of Water-Soluble Ashwagandha and Ubisol-Q10 as Treatment for Mechanisms Implicated in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that can be characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. L-DOPA is currently the most common treatment method, however, permanent motor function issues may result from long-term use. Natural health products (NHPs) have been found to possess neuroprotective properties that could potentially target the mechanisms implicated in PD, alleviating symptoms and preventing the disease’s progression while avoiding negative side effects associated with traditional treatments. In previous studies, water-soluble Ubisol-Q10, and Ashwagandha root extract displayed multiple neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. The multi-faceted nature of PD requires a holistic treatment approach, and thus a combinatorial treatment would likely be most effective. For this study, it is hypothesized that using a combination of water-soluble Ashwagandha and Ubisol-Q10 will prevent the progression of PD by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation, stabilizing mitochondrial function, and inducing autophagy mechanisms. Paraquat injections were administered to induce PD in rat models. Brain tissues were preserved and sectioned from 5 different treatment groups. Examination through immunofluorescent staining and microscopic imaging evaluated the degree of oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and activation of neurotrophic growth factors. The results demonstrate that Ubisol-Q10 and Ashwagandha exhibit neuroprotective activity via the hypothesized mechanisms. Additionally, a combinatorial treatment was seen to be most effective at targeting the mechanisms implicated in PD rats. Future experiments will involve quantifying dopaminergic neurons using immunohistochemical staining and stereological analysis. This study provides insight into the potential efficacy of NHPs as a treatment for PD

Biochemical differences in the modes of synaptic vesicle release between control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and possible relationship to changes in behaviour

In order to understand the huge complexity of brain function, and to determine the mechanisms underlying various psychiatric (e.g. schizophrenia) and neuronal disorders (Alzheimer’s disease), it is imperative that the basic machinery involved in neuronal transmission is fully elucidated. This involves exocytosis of synaptic vesicles (SVs) and subsequent release of neurotransmitter. SVs can exocytose by two different modes: full fusion (FF) and kiss-and-run (K&R). There is much debate as to whether SV fusion in the nerve terminal can occur via K&R mode of exocytosis and this has been studied herein, using cerebrocortical synaptosomes from adult rats. Switching between the two modes depends upon the secondary messenger calcium and protein phosphorylation reactions. Dr. Ashton has previously demonstrated that an increase in intracellular calcium levels regulates the switch between these modes of exocytosis, and thus the role of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) was studied. Blockade of L-type (but not N-and P-type) VGCCs switch K&R exocytosis to FF mode in control terminals, indicating that such channels contribute to the calcium increase that induces K&R mode. These results (for the first time) demonstrate that distinct VGCC subtypes contribute to the specific mode of exocytosis. Very surprisingly, it has been discovered that in diabetic terminals (prepared from streptozotocin treated rats: a model for type 1 diabetes), higher amount of K&R exocytosis occurs relative to non-diabetic terminals due to a higher stimulus evoked change in intracellular calcium. Whether this was due to an over-activation of certain VGCCs was studied. Fascinatingly, L-type channels did not regulate the mode of exocytosis but diabetic terminals displayed a higher dependence on N-type channels. Blockade of calcium/calmodulin dependent kinase II (CaMKII) was found to inhibit completely the release of reserve pool (RP) of vesicles, with no effect on readily releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles in control terminals. However, by studying the release of just the RRP of SV it was discovered that, inhibition of CaMKII leads to a switch from K&R to FF, suggesting this enzyme when activated can phosphorylate substrate proteins that induces K&R mode of exocytosis. Inhibition of myosin II induces a switch from K&R to FF in both control and diabetic terminals; although results suggest that myosin II may only regulate the fusion mode of the RRP. In control terminals, blockade of calcineurin induces more K&R. By blocking both myosin II and calcineurin in control synaptosomes, more K&R was apparent. This indicates that RP of vesicles switch to K&R mode of exocytosis independently of the role of myosin II, and that calcineurin exclusively works on RP of vesicles. The inhibition of dynamins switched the mode of exocytosis of the RP of SVs from K&R to FF in diabetic terminals, whilst failing to regulate the mode of exocytosis of the RRP for both control and diabetic terminals when a strong stimulus was applied. It has been established that inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A and activation of protein kinase C induces RRPs that undergo K&R in control terminals to FF mode of exocytosis. Similar experiments were performed on diabetic terminals. Each drug treatment alone switched the RRP vesicles in diabetic terminals to undergo FF, but the dual treatment switched all vesicles that previously underwent K&R (i.e. the RRPs and some RPs) to a FF mode of exocytosis. The results obtained should help future research to understand precisely the molecular mechanisms that occur in the switching of the mode of different pools of SVs. The diabetic terminals respond differently to various drugs that perturb protein phosphorylation, [Ca2+]i and specific phospho-proteins. We hypothesised that these characterized biochemical changes may affect synaptic plasticity and could result in some behavioural changes. With the long-term goal of establishing a link between the biochemical and behavioural findings, which may represent subtle changes in synaptic plasticity, difference in the behaviours of STZ-induced diabetic rats in comparison to the age-matched control rats were measured. A newly developed behaviour registration system, Laboratory Animal Behaviour Observation, Registration and Analysis System (LABORAS) was utilized. The diabetic animals showed significantly decreased locomotive and rearing behaviour whilst the grooming, drinking and eating behaviour was substantially increased over this period. Intriguingly, whilst the incidence of locomotive behaviour was decreased in diabetic animals, the average speed and distance covered over a period of 24hrs was significantly more in such rats than the control rats. These initial observations established behavioural differences that could be related to the biochemical changes seen, and future experiments will attempt to find a correlation between these

Association of Age, Gender and Body Mass Index with Proprioception in Knee Joint in Healthy Individuals

Background: The word proprioception is derived from Latin word “proprius” means it is one’s own and “reception” means it receives. In Musculoskeletal rehabilitation, proprioception plays significant role in maintaining normal motor control. The proprioception is an important non-invasive clinical procedure which helps in diagnosing pre-existing and treating knee conditions. Proprioception assessment is foremost because loss in proprioception will lead to altered weight bearing at joints and alteration of normal body movement causing fall or injury. Purpose of this study is to find out the association of knee joint proprioception with age, gender and BMI in healthy individuals. Methods: Total 132 participants are included in the study. Their height and weight was measured to calculate their BMI. After that, proprioception was assessed with the help of goniometer mounted on the stand. Knee joint proprioception was measured for Test angles 30°, 45° and 60° toward extension. At all angles test was performed three times in sequence. Result: The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software version 21.0. At 30° correlations between both side of knee joint proprioception with Age, Gender and BMI was non-significant except left side of proprioception with gender. However, at 45° correlations between both side of knee joint proprioception with Age, Gender and BMI was found significant. Additionally, similar of most result was found at 60° except left side of knee joint proprioception was found not significant with BMI. Conclusion: Knee joint proprioception decreases with ageing and are more in females than males. This study finds weak to moderate correlation with BMI

Functional outcome of humeral shaft fractures in adults treated with titanium elastic nailing

Background: This study was done to analyse the functional outcome of humeral shaft fractures (upper and middle third) managed with closed ante-grade intramedullary titanium elastic nailing.Methods: This was a prospective study of 20 patients, aged between 18 and 60 years, with humeral shaft fractures treated with titanium elastic nailing from May 2016 to April 2018 at our institute. Upper and middle humeral shaft fractures of both sexes were included in the study.Results: Eighteen (90%) fractures united in 12-20 weeks. Two (10%) patients had delayed union which ultimately united without any intervention. Two (10%) patients developed shoulder stiffness due to nail impingement. By evaluating ASES score, good to excellent results were noted in 18 (90%) and moderate in 2 (10%). There were 15 males and 5 females with an average age 32.75 years (range: 18-60 years).Conclusions: Titanium elastic nailing is a good method for treatment of humeral shaft fractures in adults. It provides early fracture union, high union rates, minimal soft tissue damage, early rehabilitation and short hospital stay

Krukenberg tumor in a young female arising from a primary adenocarcinoma of stomach: a case report

Krukenberg tumor is a malignancy of ovary that metastasizes from a primary site. Krukenberg tumors are uncommon and account for less than 2% of all ovarian tumors. It is usually a bilateral involvement of ovaries from the metastatic deposit from adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Krukenberg tumors mostly occur after 40 years. Metastatic ovarian tumors in young age are very rare. Here, we reported a very rare case of bilateral Krukenberg tumors of the ovaries arising from a primary adenocarcinoma of the stomach in a 20 year old Indian female

Expression of mRNA of the col2a1b gene during ​ Zebrafish Embryogenesis​

Our laboratory is interested in understanding the role of Type II alpha 1 collagen (Col2a1) in vertebrate development. We utilize Danio rerio, the common zebrafish, to elucidate the function of the zebrafish version of this gene. Our goal is to visualize and locate the presence of the type II alpha 1 collagen b gene (col2a1b) in zebrafish. col2a1b\u27s collagen expression occurs solely in the perichondrium, while its paralog, col2a1a, is expressed in chondrocytes and in the perichondrium. A goal of our project is to discover how the col2a1b gene maintains its expression in the perichondrium using in situ hybridization

A prospective observational study on recurrent pregnancy loss and its causes

Background: Our objective was to study and evaluate the causes of recurrent pregnancy loss. Methods: A prospective observational study was done over a period of 6 months from July-December 2022 at the department of obstetrics and gynecology at BJ Medical College. It was observed that out of 3124 total deliveries, 40 patients had the history of recurrent pregnancy loss (1.2%). Results: Out of total 3125 deliveries, 40 patients were identified with the above mentioned criteria, and the incidence level of recurrent pregnancy loss was calculated to be 1.2%. The results obtained were compiled and tabulated to observe that the maximum number of cases fell in the age group of 26-30 years and 70% of them belonged to the urban areas. 65% cases had primary pregnancy loss and 35% had secondary pregnancy loss. Second trimester losses were seen in 57.5% cases. The causes of the recurrent pregnancy loss were identified and categorised, where it was identified that uterine anomaly contributed to a large number of cases (30%). Conclusions: Detailed work up to identify the cause like blood investigations for analysing endocrine causes, USG/ MRI to identify uterine structural anomalies, genetic analysis and karyotyping of the fetus and both the parents to identify the genetic causes were carried out. Apart from treating the underlying causes, psychological counselling of the couple also becomes necessary. Lifestyle modification should always be advised to couples with such history.

Morphine-Induced Hyperactivity is Attenuated by Intra-Accumbens Administration of the Highly-Selective Dopamine D3 Receptor Antagonist VK4-40

Opioids exert their abuse-related effects by enhancing dopamine (DA) neurotransmission within the brain’s mesolimbic reward system, a neural projection involving DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that project to medium spiny neurons within the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Mu (MOR) are expressed by several populations of GABAergic neurons that tonically inhibit VTA DA neurons. By inhibiting these GABAergic neurons in a MOR-dependent manner, opioids indirectly enhance DA neurotransmission via disinhibition of DAergic neurons. Accumulating evidence indicates that selective pharmacological antagonism of the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) attenuates the abuse-related effects of several opioids, but the neurobiological mechanisms mediating this phenomenon remains unclear. This project sought to determine whether the NAc may represent one site of action within the mesolimbic DA system where D3R antagonists exert their anti-opioid behavioral effects. To address this question, we assessed whether intra-NAc microinfusion of a highly-selective D3R antagonist, VK4-40, alters morphine-induced hyperactivity in mice, a behavioral marker of increased DA neurotransmission within the mesolimbic VTA-NAc projection. Adult male and female C57Bl/6 mice (n=8) were surgically implanted with bilateral guide cannulae targeting the NAc. Mice were then tested weekly for the impact of VK4-40 administration (0, 100, 1000 ng/side) on hyperactivity induced by morphine (18 mg/kg, i.p.). Our preliminary data suggests that intra-NAc administration of VK4-40 attenuated morphine-induced hyperactivity at the highest concentration tested (1000 ng/side). These early results suggest that the NAc may be one brain region in which D3R antagonists act to reduce the abuse-related effects of opioids. Next phases of this ongoing research project include 1) determining whether intra-NAc VK4-40 administration perturbs basal locomotor activity, 2) studying the effects of VK4-40 infusion in other nodes of the mesolimbic DA system, and 3) examining whether VK4-40 disrupts opioid-induced increases in the activity of VTA DA neurons and/or opioid-induced increases in NAc DA levels. Collectively, these studies are poised to reveal the neurobiological mechanisms by which selective D3R antagonism disrupts the abuse-related effects of opioids