Gravity and Large Extra Dimensions

The idea that quantum gravity can be realized at the TeV scale is extremely attractive to theorists and experimentalists alike. This proposal leads to extra spacial dimensions large compared to the electroweak scale. Here we give a very systematic view of the foundations of the theories with large extra dimensions and their physical consequences.Comment: 26 pages, 3 diagram

Prospective and Retrospective analysis of Functional Outcome of Distal both bone Leg Fracture treated with Tibial Interlocking Nailing with and without Fibular plating: Comparative study

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To analyse the functional outcome of distal both bone leg fractures treated with Tibial Interlocking nail with and without supplementary fibular plating. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective and retrospective study of 20 patients distal both bone leg fractures– 10 patients treated with interlocking nailing alone and 10 patients treated with interlocking nailing with supplementary fibular plating. The study was done after getting clearance from Hospital ethical committee. Those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria given below, were invited to participate in the study. Informed consent was obtained from all the patients willing to take part in the study. OUTCOME: Alignment and reduction preoperatively, postoperatively and at healing was the main outcome measured with an emphasis on loss of initial reduction on follow up. Fibular plating Fibular plating was selected for the following reasons, 1. correction of alignment before insertion of nail. 2. Maintaining the alignment or to improve the stability of bone implant complex. 3. For achieving rotational stability. Kalstrom-Olerud score was used to assess the functional outcome. It is an independent measurement, not influenced by other co-morbid conditions and associated injuries. RESULTS: All the relevant data were analysed. The Fractures treated with tibial interlocking nailing without fibular plating were analysed and 5 (50%) cases were malunited and deformed. Karlstrom- Olerud scoring was excellent in one (10%) patient, good in 5 Patients (50%), fair in 3 (30%) patients and poor in 1 (10 %) patients. The mean delay in surgery for this group is 2.2 weeks. Radiologically the mean post operative varus/valgus alignment was 8.6 degrees. The mean duration of time of union is 12.70 weeks. 4 patients needed cast support. The average follow up is 8 months( lowest – 4 months , longest – 18 months). All the fractures treated with supplementary fibular plating in addition to tibial interlocking nailing eventullay united in a mean period of 11.60 weeks Karlstrom-Olerud score was excellent in 6 fractures (60%), good in 3 patients (30%) and fair in 1 patient (10%) The mean delay between the injury and the surgery was 1.8 weeks. Radiologically the mean post operative varus/valgus alignment was 2.10 degrees. The alignment was maintained till union with the mean remaining the same in the coronal plane. The average follow up is 10.3 months (lowest- 6 months, longest – 24 months). The p value for varus/ valgus angulation with equal variances assumed is 0.0016 and with equal variances not assumed is 0.0064. Thus it is statistically significant that the p- value is < 0.05. The p- value for time of union is 0.3425( p value >0.05), so it is statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: We conclude that fibular plating, when supplemented the intramedullary nailing of distal both bone fractures of leg, 1. Were effective in achieving the fracture alignment especially in fresh fractures. 2. Improves not only angular stability but also rotational stability. 3. Maintained the fracture alignment till union, preventing loss of initial Reduction

Incidence of flexion distraction injuries of thoraco lumbar spine

Background: Thoraco-lumbar spine fractures form majority of spine fractures and is an important cause of morbidity. However, comprehensive data regarding epidemiological pattern of trauma patients with spinal fractures are scarce. Many epidemiological reports about spinal fractures focus on osteoporosis as an etiologic factor. But in Indian population more important etiological factors are road traffic accidents and falls from height. Studies concerning only operatively treated patients with spinal fractures show selective and biased data that might be useful for capacity planning in hospitals or evaluating results of operative treatment, but not for epidemiological purposes. Methods: Among 86 consecutive patients with thoracic or lumbar fractures attending the out-patient department or Emergency department of Sree Gokulam Medical College, Trivandrum were enrolled in the study.  All patients with fractures of the thoracic or lumbar spine were enrolled in this study.Results: Flexion distraction injuries are the second commonest unstable thoracolumbar spine injuries.Conclusions: This study is a prospective cohort study of the epidemiological aspects and pattern of injury and treatment in thoraco-lumbar spine fractures at a tertiary care referral center. A total of 86 patients were enrolled in the study. The most common fracture pattern seen in this study was compression fractures (24.4%) which are stable. This was followed by stable burst fractures (23.2%, unstable burst fractures (18.6%), translational injuries (fracture-dislocations) (16.3%), flexion-distraction injuries (13.9%) and chance fractures (3.5%)

Analysis of a Three Gene Signature in Gastric Cancer patients

INTRODUCTION: Stomach cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer related mortality in both men and women aged 30–69 years in India next only to oral cancer in men and cervical cancer in female. Worldwide, stomach cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death and 4th most common cancer type. Gastric cancer is more common in East Asia and South America than other parts of the world. Gastric cancer is increasing in developing countries and the rates have been decreasing in the developed countries. Among developed countries, Korea and Japan have the highest rates of incidence. But, the mortality rate has dropped by 50% in the above countries as a result of the screening programme. Distal stomach is the most common site in developing countries and in Japan. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the mRNA expression levels of EGFR, FGFR2 & C-Myc genes in the gastric cancers and their clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study Centre: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Center of Excellence for Upper G.I Surgery Madras Medical College & Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai – 3 & Department of Genetics, Dr.ALM PG IBMS, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai – 600113. Study Period: August 2010 to December 2012. Study Design: Genetic Analysis. Sample Size: 25. Inclusion Criteria: Patients who underwent Gastrectomy (Subtotal or Total) for Carcinoma stomach. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with Locally advanced disease, Patients with Metastatic disease. Analysis Plan: Comparing the gene levels of the putative genes with the reference gene. METHODOLOGY: The study was approved by the ethics committee of Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Twenty five patients fulfilling the study criteria and willing to give written and informed consent were recruited for the study. Cancerous and paired normal mucosa was collected after informed consent from patients who undergo surgical resection. The sample is then taken for genetic analysis. RESULTS: The analysis demonstrates that the genes EGFR, FGFR and C-Myc are highly expressed in tumor mucosa when compared with the normal mucosa. We found that C-Myc and EGFR are expressed more abundantly when compared to FGFR2. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the three gene signature (EGFR, FGFR2 & CMyc) is significantly overexpressed in the gastric cancers and this opens up exciting possibilities in 1. Diagnosis of early gastric cancers, 2. Targeted molecular therapy, 3. Predicting the survival after surgery, 4. Predicting tumor response to chemotherapeutic drugs. But, our study results need confirmation in a larger clinical trial with adequate sample size to prove the role of this gene signature conclusively

Application of signal processing techniques for measurement of muscle fiber conduction velocity

The objectives of this study were to evaluate if muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) could be used as a reliable indicator of fatigue and to characterize the recovery of MFCV after a fatiguing contraction. The decline of MFCV with fatigue was modelled using linear regression and compared with the decline in median frequency (MF). It was found that the percent decline in MF with fatigue was greater than that of MFCV with fatigue and that the decline of MFCV was consistent in all subjects tested. It was thus determined that MFCV could be used as a reliable indicator of fatigue. Possible explanations for the recovery of MFCV after fatigue were given. The recovery curves for all subjects were curve fit using the exponential peeling technique. A comparison of the time constants showed that 8 out of 9 subjects had values between 2-4 minutes, indicating that the recovery process had a similar response in these 8 subjects. Decomposition of the EMG is a useful tool which helps us better understand the functioning of the neuromuscular system. An algorithm was developed to decompose the EMG into its constituent motor units based on the work done by Deluca et al. Preliminary results were obtained. However, further research is needed in this area