Systematic transcriptome wide analysis of lncRNA-miRNA interactions

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a recently discovered class of non-protein coding RNAs which have now increasingly been shown to be involved in a wide variety of biological processes as regulatory molecules. Little is known regarding the regulatory interactions between noncoding RNA classes. Recent reports have suggested that lncRNAs could potentially interact with other noncoding RNAs including miroRNAs (miRNAs) and modulate their regulatory role through interactions. We hypothesized that long noncoding RNAs could participate as a layer of regulatory interactions with miRNAs. The availability of genome-scale datasets for argonaute targets across human transcriptome has prompted us to reconstruct a genome-scale network of interactions between miRNAs and lncRNAs. We used well characterized experimental Photoactivatable-Ribonucleoside-Enhanced Crosslinking and Immunoprecipitation (PAR-CLIP) datasets and the recent genome-wide annotations for lncRNAs in public domain to construct a comprehensive transcriptome-wide map of miRNA regulatory elements. Comparative analysis revealed many of the miRNAs could target long noncoding RNAs, apart from the coding transcripts thus participating in a novel layer of regulatory interactions between noncoding RNA classes. We also find the miRNA regulatory elements have a positional preference, clustering towards the 3' and 5' ends of the long noncoding transcripts. We also further reconstruct a genome-wide map of miRNA interactions with lncRNAs as well as messenger RNAs. This analysis suggests widespread regulatory interactions between noncoding RNAs classes and suggests a novel functional role for lncRNAs. We also present the first transcriptome scale study on lncRNA-miRNA interactions and the first report of a genome-scale reconstruction of a noncoding RNA regulatory interactome involving lncRNAs

Experimental investigation of unbalance and misalignment in rotor bearing system using order analysis

Unbalance and misalignment are the main causes of vibration in rotating machinery. Vibration analysis is the important tool for fault diagnosis in rotating machinery. In this paper, order analysis technique of vibration analysis for unbalance and misalignment fault diagnosis is proposed. In order analysis, both phase and amplitude are obtained. From phase and amplitude, the fault type and location are usually identified. Experimental results show order analysis is an effective technique for fault diagnosis

High origin of radial artery: a comparative, anatomical and embryological consideration

Background: Radial artery is one of the terminal branches of the brachial artery arising in the cubital fossa about 1 cm below the bend of the elbow. Diversions of the radial artery from its normal anatomical pattern as regards to its origin or its course constitute the largest group of vascular variations of the upper extremity. Unusual origin of the radial artery may cause failure of transradial approach for percutaneous coronary angiography and difficulty in the reconstructive surgery of the upper limb.Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy at LLRM Medical College on 16 formalin fixed cadavers (12 male and 4 female) of adult age group i.e. 32 upper limbs. Axilla and arm was carefully dissected. Axillary artery and brachial artery were dissected and its branching pattern was observed to note the origin of radial artery. The course of radial artery was noted in each case.Results: Radial artery took origin from the third part of the axillary artery in 3.12%. It arose 2 cm above the lower border of teres major, coursed superficial to median nerve in the arm and continued in the forearm as such. The brachial artery after giving its branches continued as ulnar artery in the forearm. In 96.88%, radial artery arose normally in cubital fossa.Conclusions: High origin and superficial course of the radial artery may be hazardous and vulnerable to injury during venepuncture and surgical procedures. This type of anomaly is due to failure of formation of the communicating branch between superficial brachial artery and axial artery at level of elbow. Awareness about details and topographic anatomy of such variations may help to prevent diagnostic errors, influence surgical tactics and interventional procedures.

A simulation tool for better management of retinal services

Background: Advances in the management of retinal diseases have been fast-paced as new treatments become available, resulting in increasing numbers of patients receiving treatment in hospital retinal services. These patients require frequent and long-term follow-up and repeated treatments, resulting in increased pressure on clinical workloads. Due to limited clinic capacity, many National Health Service (NHS) clinics are failing to maintain recommended follow-up intervals for patients receiving care. As such, clear and robust, long term retinal service models are required to assess and respond to the needs of local populations, both currently and in the future. Methods: A discrete event simulation (DES) tool was developed to facilitate the improvement of retinal services by identifying efficiencies and cost savings within the pathway of care. For a mid-size hospital in England serving a population of over 500,000, we used 36 months of patient level data in conjunction with statistical forecasting and simulation to predict the impact of making changes within the service. Results: A simulation of increased demand and a potential solution of the 'Treat and Extend' (T&E) regimen which is reported to result in better outcomes, in combination with virtual clinics which improve quality, effectiveness and productivity and thus increase capacity is presented. Without the virtual clinic, where T&E is implemented along with the current service, we notice a sharp increase in the number of follow-ups, number of Anti-VEGF injections, and utilisation of resources. In the case of combining T&E with virtual clinics, there is a negligible (almost 0%) impact on utilisation of resources. Conclusions: Expansion of services to accommodate increasing number of patients seen and treated in retinal services is feasible with service re-organisation. It is inevitable that some form of initial investment is required to implement service expansion through T&E and virtual clinics. However, modelling with DES indicates that such investment is outweighed by cost reductions in the long term as more patients receive optimal treatment and retain vision with better outcomes. The model also shows that the service will experience an average of 10% increase in surplus capacity.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

On assessing the sensitivity to uncertainty in distribution network design

Purpose – The design of distribution networks is prone to risks due to the uncertainties associated with factors that change over time. The purpose of this paper is to present a new method to identify those factors that the structure of a distribution network is most sensitive to. Design/methodology/approach – A new method presented in this paper combines simulation and the Taguchi technique to allow a wide range of factor uncertainties to be evaluated without excessive computation time and effort. The simulation model developed is based on real world data of a European after-sales business in the automotive industry. Findings – The optimum design is most at risk due to the uncertainties associated with stock holding costs and delivery frequencies rather than customer volume changes and transport tariffs. This was found to be counterintuitive by the business managers and fore-warned them of the likely future risks. Practical implications – The analysis indicates that when developing the network a careful consideration has to be given to reliably estimating the inventory holding costs and the mechanism for determining the capital holding charge. The model is sensitive to these variables and hence a company is prone to higher risk of designing the wrong network if these variables are incorrectly estimated. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that higher customer expectations on delivery frequency have an impact on total logistics costs and therefore, companies should consider charging customers different rates for different levels of customer service. Originality/value – A useful generic method has been presented in this paper for investigating the sensitivity of a scenario. This novel approach combines the use of simulation, brainstorming, Taguchi technique and ANOVA with distribution design modelling

Clinical trial for the effectiveness of Unilateral Paravertebral Block Versus Unilateral Subarachnoid Block in Unilateral inguinal hernia for Herniorrhaphy

Background: Inguinal Herniorrhaphy is most commonly performed surgical procedurein male. Till now inguinal hernia repair was performed under general, regional, and peripheral nerve blocks. So the concept of paravertebral blocks which provided an excellent alternative anaesthesia technique for hernia repair. Aim: To study the effectiveness of unilateral paravertebral block versus unilateral subarachnoid block in unilateral inguinal hernias repair. Materials and Methods: 100 patients of unilateral inguinal hernia where enrolled in the study and randomized into two groups each of 50 patients. Group S (50) receiving subarachnoid block, group P (50) receiving paravertebral block. Time for procedure and onset of action, intraoperative hemodynamics, post-operative analgesia, and ambulation time were compared. Results: Significant difference was observed in time to perform and onset of action with group P (13.08± 1.31) & (15.94± 1.21) and group S (1.35±0.61) & (5.14±0.76) respectively. No significant difference in hemodynamic parameters and post op analgesia lasted for (324.00±52.84min) in group P and (182.67±40.13min) in group S. Conclusion: Paravertebral block provides excellent anesthesia with unilateral motor, sympathetic, and prolonged sensory blockade, provide excellent postoperative analgesia, and encourages early ambulation