Strain specific effects of low level lead exposure on associative learning and memory in rats.

Exposure to lead (Pb) remains a significant public health concern. Lead exposure in early life impairs the normal development of numerous cognitive and neurobehavioral processes. Previous work has shown that the effects of developmental Pb exposure on gene expression patterns in the brain are modulated by various factors including the developmental timing of the exposure, level of exposure, sex, and genetic background. Using gene microarray profiling, we previously reported a significant strain-specific effect of Pb exposure on the hippocampal transcriptome, with the greatest number of differentially expressed transcripts in Long Evans (LE) rats and the fewest in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The present study examined the extent to which this differential effect of Pb on hippocampal gene expression might influence behavior. Animals (males and females) were tested in a trace fear conditioning paradigm to evaluate effects of Pb exposures (perinatal (PERI; gestation to postnatal day 21) or early postnatal (EPN; postnatal day 1 to day 21)) on associative learning and memory. All animals (Pb-exposed and non-Pb-exposed controls) showed normal acquisition of the conditioned stimulus (tone)-unconditioned stimulus (footshock) association. Long Evans rats showed a significant deficit in short- and long-term recall, influenced by sex and the timing of Pb exposure (PERI or EPN). In contrast, Pb exposure had no significant effect on memory consolidation or recall in any SD rats. These results further demonstrate the important influence of genetic background to the functional outcomes from developmental Pb exposure

Trends in Cause-Related Marketing (CRM): Scientometrics Analysis Through Prism of Biblioshiny

Purpose: Although interest in cause-related marketing has grown steadily since 1998, the field as a whole remains disorganized. Accordingly, this research aims to undertake a thorough literature evaluation on CrM. This research aims to create a comprehensive picture of cause-related marketing from 1988 through March 2022 by combining data from Scopus and Web of Science (WOS).   Design/Methodology/Approach: Articles were analysed using bibliometric criteria in this study. Bibliographic analysis facilitates research into and evaluation of multiple perspectives, as well as the assessment of the field’s growth. Biblioshiny, a bibliometrics tool developed at the R-studio, was used to assess the quality of research papers on the topic of CrM that were gathered from the databases Scopus and Web of Science. The most prominent authors, articles, journals, organisations, and nations in the field of cause-related marketing were determined after reviewing 646 papers published between 1988 and 2022. The most common words used in the titles, meta-descriptions, and abstracts were also counted.   Findings: The state of CrM research and research patterns over the previous 30 years were thoroughly investigated using visualisation techniques such as content analysis, word cloud, citation analysis, etc. This study has uncovered some new ground for investigation into cause-related marketing.   Research Limitations/Implications: Many more publications could not be included for generalisation reasons because the study included data from two databases. Additionally, our research shows that there aren’t many journals that have written about cause-related marketing.   Practical Implications: This article may be helpful to both researchers and practitioners who are looking for research advice. Based on trend subjects, co-occurrences, and historical networks, this research also suggests potential new study topics for the future.   Originality/Value: This is the first study to use the bibliometrics package in R to create a visual representation of the body of work produced on the topic of CrM in the thirty years since the notion was originally articulated

Evaluating Anesthetic Protocols for Non-Human Primate Functional Neuroimaging

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to measure a proxy of neural activity in vivo with high spatial specificity. One subject can be followed for a long period of time to assess changes in functional brain organization. However, fMRI is extremely sensitive to motion. The challenges of training non-human primates to reduce motion in an MRI scanner motivate the study of anesthesia which is commonly used to substitute for this training. In this thesis, I compare three different commonly used anesthetic protocols: isoflurane, propofol-fentanyl in combination, and fentanyl alone, to test which of these best preserves a Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) response to visual and somatosensory sensory stimuli in two rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) monkeys. In one animal, somatosensory responses were equally robust under propofol-fentanyl and fentanyl anesthesia but in the other animal, these responses were only robust under propofol-fentanyl. Somatosensory and visual responses were not observed under isoflurane anesthesia for either animal. It was under fentanyl and combinations with fentanyl that both sensory modalities appeared to best-elicit sensory related BOLD signals in these animals suggesting they should be further studied in a larger cohort

Comparative study of maternal and fetal outcome between low and normal amniotic fluid index at term

Background: Amniotic fluid index (AFI) is kind of an estimate of the amount of amniotic fluid. It is an index for the fetal well-being. The aim was to study fetal and maternal out come in cases of low AFI and normal AFI.Methods: This was a case control prospective comparative study performed on 200 randomly selected low risk pregnant patients at term (37-40 weeks of gestation) admitted in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department. 100 patients with AFI <5 cm (cases) and 100 patients with AFI 8-20 cm (control).Results: Increased number of LSCS in cases that is 35 while only 10 in control and almost equal incidences of MSL and FD in both the groups, while in cases 17 women were planned for elective LSCS for various indications in expectation of better fetal outcome.  There was significant low APGAR score in babies of cases, but clinically we refute this. In present study almost double the no. of babies in cases was IUGR or FGR. Significant association between low AFI and congenital anomalies in babies. Most of the anomalies were of urinary tract system.Conclusions: An AFI ≤5 cm detected at term that was at or after 37 completed weeks of gestation in a low risk pregnancy was an indicator of poor perinatal outcome. Oligohydramnios was being detected more frequently now-a-days due to ready availability of ultrasonography these days

Case control study of supervised and unsupervised medical abortion in first trimester of pregnancy

Background: The MTP act of India 1971 provides for the termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation, by a registered medical practitioner, provided all the prerequisites are fulfilled. The objective of this study was to conduct case control study of supervised and unsupervised medical abortion in first trimester of pregnancy.Methods: A case control study was conducted with two groups of patients with period of gestation <9 weeks. Case group consist of 30 patients presenting to emergency department with unsupervised intake of medical abortion pill. Control group consist of 30 patients presenting to family planning outpatient department want medical abortion pill under supervision. The main outcome variables were comparison of success rate, failure rate, complications like pain, fever, heavy bleeding, shock, requirement of blood transfusion. Interventions required were compared in both the groups in terms of medical management, surgical evacuation and laparotomy.Results: In our study, the success rate achieved in terms of complete abortion was 66.7% in the supervised and 13.3% in the unsupervised group with (p value <0.001). The complication rate was 60% in the supervised group in contrast to 93.3% in the unsupervised group. 56.7% patients in unsupervised group required blood transfusion which was nil in supervised groups. 71.4% patients in the supervised group did not require intervention. In the unsupervised group, 13.8% required medical management, 65.5% required surgical evacuation and 6.7% had to undergo laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy.Conclusions: In present study we conclude that first trimester medical abortion under supervision is more effective, safe and convenient as compared to unsupervised medical abortion. We recommend that government must stop over the counter sell of medical abortion pills

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy: a case report

Acute pancreatitis is a rare event, can be associated with a high maternal mortality and fetal loss with an incidence of 3 in 10,000 pregnancies. A 24 years old primigravida with 28 weeks of gestation, presented with pain in upper abdomen since 4 days and nausea, vomiting and fever sine two days, abdomen distended and tenderness present in epigastric region. Serum amylase and lipase were raised. Sonography abdomen showed pancreas bulky with peripancreatic free fluid and inflammatory changes suggestive of pancreatitis. Patient was managed condervatively and was discharged to home after 7 days. Regular follow up was done till 36 weeks and emergency cesarean delivery was done in view of non-reassuring fetal heart rate at 36 weeks 3 days of gestation. Early diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy and supportive treatment with maternal and fetal monitoring results in good perinatal outcome. The treatment of pancreatitis in pregnancy should be conservative as far as possible with delaying the definitive treatment until delivery of the baby

Comparison of spontaneous labour with induced labour in nulliparous women using modified WHO partograph

Background: Childbirth is the period from the onset of regular uterine contraction until expulsion of placenta. The process by which this normally occurs is called labour. Induction of labour is the artificial initiation of uterine contraction prior to their spontaneous onset, leading to progressive dilatation and effacement of the cervix and delivery of the baby. Labour induction is indicated where the benefits to either the mother or the fetus outweighs the benefit of continuing pregnancy. The aim and objectives of the study was to study the progress of labour in nulliparous women who are having spontaneous labour and in those with induced labour in terms of augmentation of labour, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and maternal complication.Methods: This was a randomized comparative study. The study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a tertiary care private centre during time period of May 2014 to May 2015 on 120 pregnant women divided into two groups i.e. A and B consisting of 60 women each. All women were nulliparous and ≥ 37 weeks of gestation age. Those women who had spontaneous onset of labour and reached ≥ 4cm cervical dilatation were included in group A and those who were induced with 25 mcg misoprostol vaginally and reached ≥ 4cm of cervical dilatation were included in group B. Progress of labour was monitored by Modified WHO partograph.Results: The mean duration of labour after 4cm of cervical dilation in spontaneous labour onset group was 5.43 hours and in the induced group was 5.41 hours with p value0.865, which was statistically not significant. In spontaneous labour onset group, 39.3% of patients required augmentation of labour with oxytocin compared to 69% of induced group (p value-0.001). More women had vaginal delivery in spontaneous onset labour group (73.3%) comparative to induced group (53.3%) with pvalue-0.023. There was less caesarean section among those in spontaneous labour than induced labour (20% versus 41.7%) (p=0.010).While most women of induced labour cases reached or crossed action line compared to spontaneous labour (35% versus 16.7%) p=0.022 ,there were more cases in spontaneous labour moving between alert and action line (23.3% versus 10%) p=0.049 .Neonatal outcome and maternal complications were similar in both the group .Conclusions: We conclude from this study that requirement of augmentation for progress of labour was more in induced group, rate of caesarean section was also high but it does not adversely affect the neonatal outcome and maternal complication if labour is monitored with Modified WHO partograph

A REVIEW OF THE COMBINATION OF XANTHINE AND BRONCHODILATOR DRUG IN MOUTH‑DISSOLVING FILM FOR ASTHMA TREATMENT”

There has been an increase in demand for caregiver dosage forms over the past two decades. In the oral cavity, mouth dissolving film dissolves swiftly. Oral films that dissolve in your mouth function best when combined with medications that act quickly, such as Xanthine category drugs (Salbutamol Sulphate) and Xanthene Derivative Theophylline. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), asthma affects one in six adults and a quarter of all children, according to the WHO. A child’s admission to the hospital is often due to asthma, which is one of the most prevalent reasons for admission. During an asthma attack, quick-relief or rescue drugs are used to relax and open the airways, as well as ease symptoms. If prescribed, these medications can also be administered prior to exercise. To treat asthma, a combination of Salbutamol Sulfate and Theophylline is available in tablet form under the brand name “Theo-Asthalin.” Oral films seem to be the most efficacious formulation. As a consequence, children with asthma should receive support from drugs given in the form of mouth-dissolving films, since they provide better patient compliance and an appropriate treatment method

Parking Management System: A Review

In today?s transport related concerns, vehicle parking has become a major issue in urban areas. Lack of parking facilities and increased amount of vehicles, due to this, drivers who are searching for parking space keep roaming around the city in peak hours. This causes traffic, waste of time and money. To solve these problems, a Smart Parking Management System can be designed. Earlier many efforts were done on it, to reduce these problems, such as by presenting drivers with real-time description about vacancy of parking slots through the mobile application. To sense car and analyse the count of vacant slots, Ultrasonic sensors and Raspberry pi were castoff at the entrance of parking areas. Also there was an effort to activate an idea which uses the video surveillance camera for tracking those vacant locations, also Matrix Laboratory(MATLAB) to practice the computer vision techniques like background deletion and addition for the update of vacancy and occupancy of spots. Sensor circuits were also designed, which includes Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) tag, a mode of digital payment and a different theft management feature. A smart parking system was also designed which was grounded on the amalgamation of the technologies of Ultra High Frequency(UHF), RFID and Wireless Sensor Network, for the same purpose desired. A parking system was also developed for motorcycles as those are the majority mode of transportation in Taiwan, which includes management system that was based on the wide concept of RFID system, Visual Basic (VB) language and My Structured Query Language(MySQL) system. Likewise, a model came up with the concept of Internet of Things(IoT) and theft management facility, a sensor circuit and RFID tag. It could be accessed and monitored remotely through the application

Antifungal metabolites, their novel sources, and targets to combat drug resistance

Excessive antibiotic prescriptions as well as their misuse in agriculture are the main causes of antimicrobial resistance which poses a growing threat to public health. It necessitates the search for novel chemicals to combat drug resistance. Since ancient times, naturally occurring medicines have been employed and the enormous variety of bioactive chemicals found in nature has long served as an inspiration for researchers looking for possible therapeutics. Secondary metabolites from microorganisms, particularly those from actinomycetes, have made it incredibly easy to find new molecules. Different actinomycetes species account for more than 70% of naturally generated antibiotics currently used in medicine, and they also produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including pigments, enzymes, and anti-inflammatory compounds. They continue to be a crucial source of fresh chemical diversity and a crucial component of drug discovery. This review summarizes some uncommon sources of antifungal metabolites and highlights the importance of further research on these unusual habitats as a source of novel antimicrobial molecules.Peer reviewe