The Mediating Effect of Age, Gender, and Post-Stroke Duration on the Association between Trunk and Upper Limb Recovery in Subacute Stroke Population: A Cross-Sectional Study with Mediation Analysis

Background: The trunk acts as proximal support with which limbs execute smooth and purposeful movement. Furthermore, as upper extremity functions are an integral component of daily living activities, exploring the association between trunk and upper extremity recovery will guide therapists in developing appropriate rehabilitation goals and interventions. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the association between trunk and upper extremity recovery in the subacute stroke population and (2) assess the effect of trunk control on upper extremity impairment and function with age, gender, and duration of stroke as mediators using mediation analysis in subacute stroke individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 54 subacute stroke participants with a mean age of 58.37 ± 6.11 years. The trunk impairment scale (TIS) assessed the trunk’s stability, mobility, and coordination. The level of upper extremity impairment was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale (FMA). The quality and quantity of upper limb motor functions were measured using the Wolf motor function test (WMFT). Results: The TIS exhibited moderate positive correlations with the FMA-UE, WMFT-time scale (TS), and WMFT-functional ability scale (FAS) at p < 0.001. The mediation analysis reported a profound mediation effect of post-stroke duration on the association of trunk and upper limb recovery. Conclusions: The study results substantiated that trunk control significantly correlates with upper limb impairment and the quality and quantity of its use in the subacute stroke population. Post-stroke duration proved to mediate the association between trunk and upper limb recovery. Therefore, the assessment and intervention of trunk and upper extremity motor control considering the post-stroke duration is vital and should be incorporated in stroke rehabilitation aiming at functional independence

HPTLC FINGER PRINT ANALYSIS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF MORINDA TINCTORIA ROXB LEAF EXTRACTS BY HPLC AND GS MS

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the qualitative and quantitative screening of phytochemicals, and characterization by HPTLC finger print analysis, HPLC and GC MS substantiation for the presence of scopoletin and rutin in methanolic leaf extracted of Morinda tinctoria Roxb. (MEMT).Methods: The Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical analyses were carried out as per the standard protocols. The MEMT characterization was performed by High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS).Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening of methanolic extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, phlobatanin, quinones, coumarins, cardiac glycosides and proteins. The quantitative phytochemicalscreenings in terms of total alkaloids, total flavonoids, total phenolic, total proteins and DPPH scavenging activity of MEMT were found to be 13 ± 0.034 mg/g, 0.06±0.003 mg/g, 0.08 ±0.012 mg/g, 0.29 ± 0.071 mg/g and 62.12 ± 0.250 %. From the HPTLC results, the Rfvalues of scopoletin and rutin were calculated as 0.55 and 0.24. Scopoletin and Rutin content of MEMT was 1.58 and 1.88 % w/w of air dried to extract by HPLC. GC-MS analysis of the MEMT showed the presence of compounds like scopolamine, a secondary metabolite and Malvidin-3, 5-diglucoside, an anthocyanin and a glycoside, as main constituents.Conclusion: From our results, we found that the proposed HPLC method is fast, discriminating, requires trouble-free sample preparation procedure, and regarded as a good method for quantification in different plant extracts and for regular quality control of herbal formulations.Â

The Role of Sphingolipid Signaling in Oxidative Lung Injury and Pathogenesis of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Premature infants are born with developing lungs burdened by surfactant deficiency and a dearth of antioxidant defense systems. Survival rate of such infants has significantly improved due to advances in care involving mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation. However, a significant subset of such survivors develops the chronic lung disease, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), characterized by enlarged, simplified alveoli and deformed airways. Among a host of factors contributing to the pathogenesis is oxidative damage induced by exposure of the developing lungs to hyperoxia. Recent data indicate that hyperoxia induces aberrant sphingolipid signaling, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation (ROS). The role of sphingolipids such as ceramides and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), in the development of BPD emerged in the last decade. Both ceramide and S1P are elevated in tracheal aspirates of premature infants of <32 weeks gestational age developing BPD. This was faithfully reflected in the murine models of hyperoxia and BPD, where there is an increased expression of sphingolipid metabolites both in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage. Treatment of neonatal pups with a sphingosine kinase1 specific inhibitor, PF543, resulted in protection against BPD as neonates, accompanied by improved lung function and reduced airway remodeling as adults. This was accompanied by reduced mitochondrial ROS formation. S1P receptor1 induced by hyperoxia also aggravates BPD, revealing another potential druggable target in this pathway for BPD. In this review we aim to provide a detailed description on the role played by sphingolipid signaling in hyperoxia induced lung injury and BPD

Observations of tropical convection events using Indian MST radar: First results

Mesoscale convective events, associated with severe weather, play a significant role in troposphere-stratosphere coupling processes. Deep convection occurs very often at tropical latitudes. The convection events result in the transport of energy from the lower troposphere to the upper troposphere and stratosphere, and may also affect global circulation. In the Indian tropical region, meteorological convection events are a common occurrence during the months of May to December. In the present study, very-high-frequency radar located at Gadanki (13.45°N, 79.18°E), a tropical station in India, is used to make observations of winds, turbulence and stable-layer structures, during the passage of convective events over the radar site under different synoptic situations. Radar observations of vertical velocity show enhanced up and down draughts during the passage of convection events. Height and time cross-sections of radar-observed signal-to-noise ratio clearly show distinct regions of enhanced signal intensity, indicating height and time Structures of enhanced atmospheric turbulence associated with the convection. It is also noted that stable-layer structures associated with the tropical tropopause are not well defined during the passage of convection. This suggests 'weakening' of stable-layer structures during the convective activity. The present observations also show enhanced mass flux, both in upward and downward directions, through the tropopause, indicating mass exchange between troposphere and stratosphere during the period of convective activity

Preliminary observations using ST mode of Indian MST Radar: detection of the signature of the tropopause

An MST (mesosphere/stratosphere/troposphere) radar is currently under installation at Gadanki, a low latitude station in India. As an intermediate step, a low power-aperture version of the system was operated in the ST mode. The paper gives an account on the salient features of the system and presents preliminary observations conducted on the detection of the tropopause. The observations clearly demonstrate the potential of the radar to carry out high resolution studies on the tropopause above this tropical station

Factors associated with high stress levels in adults with diabetes mellitus attending a tertiary diabetes care center, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Objective: We aimed to determine perceived stress levels among adults aged >20 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in a tertiary care diabetes center, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, assess their association with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and assess the possible risk factors for stress and coping strategies. Methods: A mixed-methods (triangulation design) study with quantitative methodology (survey) and qualitative methodology (interviews) was carried out. Stress levels were assessed among type 2 DM patients attending a diabetes clinic using a 5-point perceived stress scale-10. One-on-one interviews were carried out with 376 participants with DM having high/very high stress levels to understand the reasons for perceived stress and explore their coping mechanisms. Results: The prevalence of high/very high stress was 35% among DM patients. Age 30–40 years, working in professional jobs, and lack of physical activity were factors significantly associated with stress. The perceived major stress inducers were related to family, work, financial issues, and the disease itself. Conclusions: This study showed high levels of stress in more than one-third of DM patients. Potential solutions include regular, formal assessment of stress levels in the clinic, providing integrated counseling and psychological care for DM patients, and promoting physical activity

Report of the summer school of Pitch, music and associated pathologies (Lyon, July 9–11, 2014)

The summer school on Pitch, Music and Associated Pathologies was held for 2½ days, July 9–11, 2014, at the Valpré conference center in Lyon. Fifty-five researchers and students from universities and research institutions from 11 countries participated in it. The summer school was organized in 2 larger sessions: One dealing with pitch and associated pathologies and covering topics from general pitch processing to various topics of pitch processing with cochlear implants. The other session dealt with music and associated pathologies, covering topics from congenital amusia to music processing in cochlear implants. Altogether, the organizers brought together 11 speakers covering these yet connected topics. The goal of this summer school was not only to pass on knowledge but also to connect young scientists with each other and with established researchers in this field in the hope of fostering new collaborations and networks. To facilitate this, the attendants were given the chance to present their own research in the form of a poster. Twenty-five posters were presented in the summer school, and the students were given numerous chances to discuss their own research with the speakers

Access to contraception and sexual and reproductive health information post-abortion: a systematic review of literature from low- and middle-income countries

Aim: This systematic literature review documented, analysed and critiqued the accessibility of contraception and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information for women living in low- and middle-income countries who have undergone medical or surgical abortion. Methodology: This review systematically collated relevant and recent empirical evidence regarding women's access to contraception and SRH information post-abortion within low- and middle-income countries. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework Guidelines, Flow Diagram and Checklist were utilised to undertake the review. The Ovid (MEDLINE), ProQuest, Science Direct, Web of Science, PUBMED and CINAHL databases were searched and studies that met edibility criteria were assessed for validity and analysis. A narrative synthesis of characteristics and results of the included studies is presented. Findings: After detailed assessment of available and relevant literature, nine studies were selected for inclusion in the review. Studies highlighted barriers to contraception and SRH information including supply limitation, lack of comprehensive education and counselling, lack of skilled post-abortion care (PAC) providers and abortion stigma. Conclusions: The review found that with access to a wide range of contraceptive methods combined with comprehensive SRH information and education, contraception uptake in women post-abortion does increase. The review also highlights the inconsistencies in clinic-reported ‘counselling’ and what this term actually involves within a PAC setting