Energy Cost and Gait Efficiency of Below-Knee Amputee and Normal Subject with Similar Physical Parameters & Quality of Life: A Comparative Case Study

The study focused on the comparative analysis of energy cost and gait efficiency between a below knee (BK) amputee and a reference subject (without amputation). It also attempted to indicate the specific feature responsible for a controlled gait with optimum energy cost for BK amputees. Selection criteria of the subjects were similar physical parameters and quality of life studied with WHOQOL-100 quality of life assessment. A Cosmed® k4 b2 Respiratory Analyzer system was used for the measurement of Oxygen Uptake (VO2), Energy Expenditure per minute (EE) and Heart Rate (HR). Gait efficiency (p < 0.0002) was found higher for BK amputee than normal subject. The therapeutic activities and mainly walking rhythm contributed to improve the mobility & balance. This ensures the optimum time & co-ordination of movements and hence improves the gait efficiency for the BK amputee. Comparison with control group was performed to validate the data

Study on Gait Efficiency and Energy Cost of Below Knee Amputees After Therapeutic Practices

An earlier research advocated that a below knee amputee (BK) with conventional trans-tibial prosthesis attains higher gait efficiency at lower energy cost with therapeutic practices of proper time and co-ordination in compare to normal subjects of similar physical parameters and quality of life. The present study focused on comparative analysis of energy cost and gait efficiency between a group of below knee amputees and a control group (normal subjects without amputation) to indicate the consistency of the earlier findings. The subjects were selected with similar physical parameters and quality of life. Oxygen Uptake (VO2) and Heart Rate (HR) were measured by Cosmed® k4 b2 analyzer system. Gait efficiency (p < 0.0001) was found higher with lower energy cost for BK amputees after therapeutic practices than control group. The therapeutic activities contributed to efficient gait pattern for amputees ensuring proper time and co-ordination with balance in consistence to the earlier research

Isolation of low erucic acid-containing genotype of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea Czern. and Coss.) through F1 hybrid anther culture

Reciprocal crosses were done between two cultivars; cv. RJ15 and cv. RLM198 of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). Anther derived lines designated as A1 plants, were raised through anther culture fromthese F1 hybrid plants. 45% germination was obtained from distinctly shriveled and small A1 seeds and grown along with the F2 plants in the same agro-climatic conditions. Subsequently the lines werecompared for inheritance pattern between the lines. A normal frequency distribution curve for siliqua per plant was obtained in all the lines reflecting a similar pattern of recombination. Few seeds from theplants of each lines exhibiting high number of siliqua per plant, were isolated for analysis of erucic acid. Three plants in which erucic acid content was lower than the parent cultivars of A2 generationwere identified. This showed that contrasting characters could be obtained from A2 plants where the traits are oligo or monogenic through anther culture

Impact of enhanced flow on the flow system and wastewater characteristics of sewage-fed fisheries in India

In this study, we estimated the impact of enhanced flow on shallow wetlands that receive major effluent discharge from an adjoining metropolitan city. The local people use the shallow wetlands for pisciculture. Beginning in 1998, the population of the city began to rise and the amount of effluent discharge increased. The excess load is now a problem for the city engineers, and they plan to manage the sewage by increasing the area of the sewage network. The depth of the wetlands is also decreasing due to an increase in suspended solids. The quantity of the toxic load suspended in the discharge has increased the silt content, which has consequently further reduced the depth of the wetlands. The excess flow on low depth wetlands may cause overflows and destroy both the ecosystem and the livelihood of the local people. In this study, the pattern identification capability of neuro-genetic models was used to estimate the impact of the excess flow on sewage-fed wetlands. Two neural network models were created to estimate whether fisheries can accommodate the enhanced flow. According to the results of this study, the East Kolkata Wetlands, India can accommodate 1450 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage, if the average depth of water is increased to 1.18 m.Key words: Dry weather flow, East Kolkata wetlands, neural network, sewage-fed fisheries

Effect of different plant hormones on callus induction in Gymnema sylvestris R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae)

The use of Gymnema sylvestris as an alternative remedy for diabetes was well known from ancient times in India and the plant is valuable for its pharmaceutical properties. The present study describes callus induction of the plant G. sylvestris using internodal explants and the influence of different plant hormones like 2,4-D, kinetin, IAA, BAP on the growth of calli. Internodes were proved to be the best explant for culture, which were grown on MS basal medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) with differentconcentration of various growth regulators. The standard plant tissue culture protocol for callus culture and/or micropropagation was adopted. The highest efficiency of callus formation was observed in themedium containing different concentration of 2,4-D and kinetin

Rostral lumbar segments are the key controllers of hindlimb locomotor rhythmicity in the adult spinal rat

The precise location and functional organization of the spinal neuronal locomotor-related networks in adult mammals remain unclear. Our recent neurophysiological findings provided empirical evidence that the rostral lumbar spinal cord segments play a critical role in the initiation and generation of the rhythmic activation patterns necessary for hindlimb locomotion in adult spinal rats. Since added epidural stimulation at the S1 segments significantly enhanced the motor output generated by L2 stimulation, these data also suggested that the sacral spinal cord provides a strong facilitory influence in rhythm initiation and generation. However, whether L2 will initiate hindlimb locomotion in the absence of S1 segments, and whether S1 segments can facilitate locomotion in the absence of L2 segments remain unknown. Herein, adult rats received complete spinal cord transections at T8 and then at either L2 or S1. Rats with spinal cord transections at T8 and S1 remained capable of generating coordinated hindlimb locomotion when receiving epidural stimulation at L2 and when ensembles of locomotor related loadbearing input were present. In contrast, minimal locomotion was observed when S1 stimulation was delivered after spinal cord transections at T8 and L2. Results were similar when the nonspecific serotonergic agonists were administered. These results demonstrate in adult rats that rostral lumbar segments are essential for the regulation of hindlimb locomotor rhythmicity. In addition, the more caudal spinal networks alone cannot control locomotion in the absence of the rostral segments around L2 even when loadbearing rhythmic proprioceptive afferent input is imposed.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The exact location of the spinal neuronal locomotor-related networks in adult mammals remains unknown. The present data demonstrate that when the rostral lumbar spinal segments (~L2) are completely eliminated in thoracic spinal adult rats, hindlimb stepping is not possible with neurochemical modulation of the lumbosacral cord. In contrast, eliminating the sacral cord retains stepping ability. These observations highlight the importance of rostral lumbar segments in generating effective mammalian locomotion

Effect of Ispaghula and Oxyphenonium Bromide on the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome - A Comparative Study

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic continuous or remittent gastrointestinal illness characterized byfrequent unexplained symptoms that include abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel disturbance, in our country, no studyhas been conducted using the Ispaghula husk and oxyphenonium bromide for the treatment of IBS patients. Objectives:To compare the efficacy of treatment with Ispaghula husk and Oxyphenonium bromide. Methods: Total sixty patientsdiagnosed clinically as irritable bowel syndrome irrespective of subtype who fulfilled the Rome II criteria were includedequally into two groups-Group-I (Ispaghula group) &amp; Group-II (Oxyphenonium group). In Group-I patients were given30gm of Ispaghula husk at night daily and in Group-II patients were given 5mg of oxyphenonium bromide. After sixweeks the clinical parameters of both the groups recorded in the case record forms were taken for analysis. Results: Themean age of the patients in the Group- I were 33.4&plusmn;11.9 yrs and that of the patients in the Group-II were 31.0&plusmn;17.5 yrs.Male and female ratio in group I was 14:1 and in group II was 23:7. Most of the patients were recorded in the age groupof 26-30 in both groups. Symptom free patients were graded in 16.7% patients in Group-I and in 20% patients in Group-II. No improvement was occurred in 16.7% patients in Group-I and in 10% patients in Group-II. Conclusions: Ispaghulahusk shows the better efficacy to improve the symptoms of IBS like abdominal pain or discomfort and sense of well beingthan Oxyphenonium bromide. Oxephenonium bromide shows the better efficacy to decrease the stool frequency frombase line than Ispaghula husk.DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v3i1.5506BSMMU J 2010; 3(1): 3-

Effect of cyclosporine on hepatic cytosolic estrogen and androgen receptor levels before and after partial hepatectomy

Estrogen and androgen receptors within the liver have been reported to modulate the hepatic regenerative response to partial hepatectomy. Moreover, cyclosporine has several untoward effects that might occur as a consequence of alterations in sex hormone activity. To evaluate these questions the following experiments were performed. Estrogen and androgen receptors in cytosol were quantitated in livers of rats treated with cyclosporine or olive oil vehicle before and after partial hepatectomy or a sham operation. Ornithine decarboxylase activity and thymidine kinase activity were assessed as indices of hepatic regeneration. Preoperative levels of estrogen receptor activity in the hepatic cytosol were significantly greater in rats treated with cyclosporine as compared to vehicle treated controls (P<0.01). In contrast, preoperative levels of androgen receptor activity in the cyclosporine-treated and vehicle-treated animals were similar. Following partial hepatectomy, a reduction in the activity of both sex hormone receptors in the hepatic cytosol was observed and was compatible with results described previously in normal animals. Unexpectedly the preoperative levels of ornithine decarboxylase (P<0.01) and thymidine kinase activity (P<0.01) were significantly greater in the rats treated with cyclosporine as compared to the vehicle treated controls. As expected, ornithine decarboxylase activity (at 6 hr) and thymidine kinase activity (at 24 hr) rose and peaked in response to a partial hepatectomy but were significantly greater (P<0.05) in the rats treated with cyclosporine as compared to the vehicle. These results show that cyclosporine treatment causes an increase in the hepatic content of estrogen receptor activity that is associated with an enhanced potential for a regenerative response. These effects of cyclosporine treatment on the sex hormone receptor levels in liver may explain the mechanisms responsible for some of the untoward effects of treatment with this agent. © 1990 Plenum Publishing Corporation

Autistic traits and individual brain differences: functional network efficiency reflects attentional and social impairments, structural nodal efficiencies index systemising and theory-of-mind skills

Background: Autism is characterised not only by impaired social cognitive 'empathising' but also by superior rule-based 'systemising'. These cognitive domains intertwine within the categorical diagnosis of autism, yet behavioural genetics suggest largely independent heritability, and separable brain mechanisms. We sought to determine whether quantitative behavioural measures of autistic traits are dimensionally associated with structural and functional brain network integrity, and whether brain bases of autistic traits vary independently across individuals. Methods: 30 right-handed neurotypical adults (12 females) were administered psychometric (Social Responsiveness Scale, Autism Spectrum Quotient, and Systemising Quotient) and behavioural (Attention Network Test and theory-of-mind reaction time) measures of autistic traits, and structurally (diffusion tensor imaging) and functionally (500 s of 2 Hz eyes-closed resting fMRI) derived graph-theoretic measures of efficiency of information integration were computed throughout the brain and within subregions. Results: Social impairment was positively associated with functional efficiency (r=.47, p=.006), globally and within temporo-parietal and prefrontal cortices. Delayed orienting of attention likewise associated with greater functional efficiency (r=-.46., p=.0133). Systemising was positively associated with global structural efficiency (r=.38, p=0.018), driven specifically by temporal pole; theory-of-mind reaction time was related to structural efficiency (r=-.40, p=0.0153) within right supramarginal gyrus. Limitations: Interpretation of these relationships is complicated by the many senses of the term 'connectivity', including, functional, structural, and computational; by the approximation inherent in group functional anatomical parcellations when confronted with individual variation in functional anatomy; and by the validity, sensitivity and specificity of the several survey and experimental behavioural measures applied as correlates of brain structure and function. Conclusions: Functional connectivities highlight distributed networks associated with domain-general properties such as attentional orienting and social cognition broadly, associating more impaired behaviour with more efficient brain networks that may reflect heightened feedforward information flow subserving autistic strengths and deficits alike. Structural connectivity results highlight specific anatomical nodes of convergence, reflecting cognitive and neuroanatomical independence of systemising and theory-of-mind. In addition, this work shows that individual differences in theory-of-mind related to brain structure can be measured behaviourally, and offers neuroanatomical evidence to pin down the slippery construct of ‘systemising’ as the capacity to construct invariant contextual associations