A novel magnetic resonance imaging postprocessing technique for the assessment of intervertebral disc degeneration-Correlation with histological grading in a rabbit disc degeneration model.

Introduction:Estimation of intervertebral disc degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is challenging. Qualitative schemes used in clinical practice correlate poorly with pain and quantitative techniques have not entered widespread clinical use. Methods:As part of a prior study, 25 New Zealand white rabbits underwent annular puncture to induce disc degeneration in 50 noncontiguous lumbar discs. At 16 weeks, the animals underwent multi-echo T2 MRI scanning and were euthanized. The discs were stained and examined histologically. Quantitative T2 relaxation maps were prepared using the nonlinear least squares method. Decay Variance maps were created using a novel technique of aggregating the deviation in the intensity of each echo signal from the expected intensity based on the previous rate of decay. Results:Decay Variance maps showed a clear and well demarcated nucleus pulposus with a consistent rate of decay (low Decay Variance) in healthy discs that showed progressively more variable decay (higher Decay Variance) with increasing degeneration. Decay Variance maps required significantly less time to generate (1.0 ± 0.0 second) compared with traditional T2 relaxometry maps (5 (±0.9) to 1788.9 (±116) seconds). Histology scores correlated strongly with Decay Variance scores (r = 0.82, P < .01) and weakly with T2 signal intensity (r = 0.32, P < .01) and quantitative T2 relaxometry (r = 0.39, P < .01). Decay Variance had superior sensitivity and specificity for the detection of degenerate discs when compared to T2 signal intensity or Quantitative T2 mapping. Conclusion:Our results show that using a multi-echo T2 MRI sequence, Decay Variance can quantitatively assess disc degeneration more accurately and with less image-processing time than quantitative T2 relaxometry in a rabbit disc puncture model. The technique is a viable candidate for quantitative assessment of disc degeneration on MRI scans. Further validation on human subjects is needed

Development and Simulation of Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Controller Based Pitch Angle Controlled DFIG System For Wind Turbine

Wind energy is clean and renewable, which will never be dried up. The development of wind power has drawn the attention of the world and the proportion of wind power in the grid is getting higher and higher. Nowadays, the mainstream model of the wind power generator (WTG) is doubly-fed wind power generator (DFIG). With more and more wind power generators connected to the grid, the safe and steady operation of the power system will be deeply influenced. Wind turbines can operate with either fixed speed or variable speed. For fixed speed wind turbines, the generator (induction generator) is directly connected to grid. Since the speed is about fixed to the grid, and mainly certainly not controllable, the turbulence of the wind will result in power variations, and thus affect the power quality of the grid. Modern high power wind turbines are capable of adjustable speed operation and use either singly-fed induction generator (SFIG) or doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) systems. The DFIG technology allows extracting maximum energy from the wind for low wind speeds by optimizing the turbine speed, presently DFIG based wind turbines are quite popular as it can extract maximum power. Though the DFIG based wind turbines can able to provides maximum extent of power but greatly suffers from the power oscillation, to overcome this problem this paper proposes a novel adaptive neuro fuzzy controller (ANFIS) for efficient pitch angle control of DFIG system for wind power generation, so that the DFIG based wind turbines not only able to provide maximum power but the power obtained will be highly stable also, irrespective to the wind speed fluctuations. For the comparative analysis, a comparison is also presented between the conventional PI controller and proposed ANFIS based controller. The obtained result indicates that, the proposed method is highly efficient to sustain the power oscillations as compare to state of art techniques. In addition to this it is also found that, the proposed ANFIS based pitch angle controller takes 80% less settling time as compare to conventional PI controller. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15062

Unveiling the Bmp13 Enigma: Redundant Morphogen or Crucial Regulator?

Bone morphogenetic proteins are a diverse group of morphogens with influences not only on bone tissue, as the nomenclature suggests, but on multiple tissues in the body and often at crucial and influential periods in development

Machine Learning enabled models for YouTube Ranking Mechanism and Views Prediction

With the continuous increase of internet usage in todays time, everyone is influenced by this source of the power of technology. Due to this, the rise of applications and games Is unstoppable. A major percentage of our population uses these applications for multiple purposes. These range from education, communication, news, entertainment, and many more. Out of this, the application that is making sure that the world stays in touch with each other and with current affairs is social media. Social media applications have seen a boom in the last 10 years with the introduction of smartphones and the internet being available at affordable prices. Applications like Twitch and Youtube are some of the best platforms for producing content and expressing their talent as well. It is the goal of every content creator to post the best and most reliable content so that they can gain recognition. It is important to know the methods of achieving popularity easily, which is what this paper proposes to bring to the spotlight. There should be certain parameters based on which the reach of content could be multiplied by a good factor. The proposed research work aims to identify and estimate the reach, popularity, and views of a YouTube video by using certain features using machine learning and AI techniques. A ranking system would also be used keeping the trending videos in consideration. This would eventually help the content creator know how authentic their content is and healthy competition to make better content before uploading the video on the platform will be ensured.Comment: The Paper has been ACCEPTED at the "2nd International Conference on Computing and Communication Networks(ICCCN-2022)". This paper will be published by AIP publishing and DOI will be issued later o

Unveiling the Bmp13 enigma: Redundant morphogen or crucial regulator?

Bone morphogenetic proteins are a diverse group of morphogens with influences not only on bone tissue, as the nomenclature suggests, but on multiple tissues in the body and often at crucial and influential periods in development. The purpose of this review is to identify and discuss current knowledge of one vertebrate BMP, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 13 (BMP13), from a variety of research fields, in order to clarify BMP13's functional contribution to developing and maintaining healthy tissues, and to identify potential future research directions for this intriguing morphogen. BMP13 is highly evolutionarily conserved (active domain >95%) across diverse species from Zebrafish to humans, suggesting a crucial function. In addition, mutations in BMP13 have recently been associated with Klippel-Feil Syndrome, causative of numerous skeletal and developmental defects including spinal disc fusion. The specific nature of BMP13's crucial function is, however, not yet known. The literature for BMP13 is focused largely on its activity in the healing of tendon-like tissues, or in comparisons with other BMP family molecules for whom a clear function in embryo development or osteogenic differentiation has been identified. There is a paucity of detailed information regarding BMP13 protein activity, structure or protein processing. Whilst some activity in the stimulation of osteogenic or cartilaginous gene expression has been reported, and BMP13 expression is found in post natal cartilage and tendon tissues, there appears to be a redundancy of function in the BMP family, with several members capable of stimulating similar tissue responses. This review aims to summarise the known or potential role(s) for BMP13 in a variety of biological systems

Histologic Evaluation of the Efficacy of rhBMP-2 Compared With Autograft Bone in Sheep Spinal Anterior Interbody Fusion

Study Design. The sheep anterior lumbar spinal fusion model was used to study the efficacy of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2)–collagen composite in comparison with autograft to enhance spinal interbody fusion. Comparisons were drawn from temporal radiographic and end-point biomechanical and histologic data. Objective. To analyze histologically the ability of rhBMP-2 to achieve complete arthrodesis between vertebral bodies. Summary of Background Data. Studies using rhBMP for enhancement of anterior interbody fusion have used numerous endpoints. However, systematic histologic evaluation of the fusion has not been conducted. Methods. Twelve sheep underwent single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion performed with a cylindrical fenestrated titanium interbody fusion device (INTER FIX, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Inc., Memphis, TN). The device was filled either with rhBMP-2–collagen (n = 6) or autogenous iliac crest bone graft (n = 6). Radiologic evaluation was carried out at 2-month intervals, and all sheep were killed 6 months after surgery. Nondestructive biomechanical testing for stiffness to flexion, extension, and lateral bending moments, un-decalcified histology, and qualitative and quantitative histologic evaluation were performed. Results. Radiographs revealed a bony bridge anterior to the cage in five of six rhBMP-2-treated animals, whereas it was present only in one of five in the autogenous bone graft group. Segments treated with rhBMP-2 were 20% stiffer in flexion than autograft-treated segments at 6 months. Six of six in the rhBMP-2 group and two of six in the autograft group showed complete fusion. There was a significantly higher rate of bony continuity observed at the fenestrations of the rhBMP-2 group. Three times more number of cage fenestrations in the rhBMP-2 group demonstrated “all-bone” when compared with the autograft group (P \u3c 0.001). Further, the scar tissue in and around the autograft-treated cages was 16-fold more (P \u3c 0.01) than that seen for rhBMP-2-treated cages. Conclusions. The study demonstrates that rhBMP-2 can lead to earlier radiologic fusion and a more consistent increased stiffness of the segments when compared with autograft in sheep anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Furthermore, a three times higher histologic fusion rate is attainable with significantly reduced fibrous tissue around the implant when rhBMP-2 is used

EFFECTS OF OP-1 DEVICE ON A POSTEROLATERAL INTER-TRANSVERSE SPINAL FUSION MODEL IN OSTEOPOROTIC RATS

Introduction The present experiment is undertaken to determine if a single dose addition of OP-1 device (rhBMP-7 and TCP-CMC) will enhance posterolateral spinal fusion in an osteoporotic rat mode (estrogen deficiency). Posterolateral intertransverse process spinal fusion using recombinant human osteogenic protein (rhBMP-7) was performed in ovariectomised female rats. OP-1 can be manipulated to enhance fusion rates and fracture healing with or without osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is characterised by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone structure, resulting in bone fragility and an increase in susceptibility to fracture. Ovariectomised rats have been used as an osteoporotic model for posterolateral intertransverse process fusion in BMP experimental studies. Many studies have shown rhBMP-7 promotes spinal fusions in posterolateral fusion animal models. Not only is OP-1 able to promote spinal fusion in a standard animal model, but also it has been shown to overcome the inhibitory effects of nicotine in a rabbit posterolateral spinal fusion model. OP-1 Putty (Stryker) is an osteoinductive and osteoconductive bone graft material which consists of the recombinant human Osteogenic Protein (rhBMP-7), and TCP putty containing carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC) and tricalcium phosphate. This standard OP-1 device is somewhat different from the one Moazzaz et al used (1). The implication of OP-1 in osteoporotic model will open a new therapeutic window for osteoporotic or osteopaenial patients for the requirements of spinal fusion. Methods In present study, a total of 42 ovariectomised Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to groups receiving 30 µg lactose + 400mg TCP-CMC, 90 µg lactose + 400 mg TCP-CMC, 30 µg rhBMP-7 + 400 mg TCP-CMC and 90 µg rhBMP-7 + 400 mg TCP-CMC. There was a group of rats receiving 400 mg TCP-CMC alone. Spinal fusion was evaluated by manual motion testing at each lumbar segment, Faxitron digital X-ray evaluation using the Lenke grading system, CT scans, DEXA scans and histology. Results Ovariectomized rats receiving 30 µg lactose + 400mg TCP-CMC, 90 µg lactose + 400 mg TCP-CMC, and 400 mg TCP-CMC alone did not show spinal fusion. OVX rats receiving 90 µg rhBMP-7 + 400 mg TCP-CMC showed significantly higher fusion rates than other groups (P <0.0001). However, the rats receiving 30 µg rhBMP-7 + 400 mg TCP-CMC did not show solid fusion either radiologically and histologically. Discussion Therefore rhBMP-7, in dose of 90 µg, is able to overcome the inhibitory effects of estrogen deficiency on posterolateral spinal fusion and generate a relatively robust fusion. The effect of the OP-1 on osteoporotic spine is dose-dependent with/without carrier-dependent

BMP13 Prevents the Effects of Annular Injury in an Ovine Model

Chronic back pain is a global health problem affecting millions of people worldwide and carries significant economic and social morbidities. Intervertebral disc damage and degeneration is a major cause of back pain, characterised by histological and biochemical changes that have been well documented in animal models. Recently there has been intense interest in early intervention in disc degeneration using growth factors or stem cell transplantation, to replenish the diseased tissues. Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) have been approved for clinical use in augmenting spinal fusions, and may represent candidate molecules for intervertebral disc regeneration

BMP-13 Emerges as a Potential Inhibitor of Bone Formation

Bone morphogenetic protein-13 (BMP-13) plays an important role in skeletal development. In the light of a recent report that mutations in the BMP-13 gene are associated with spine vertebral fusion in Klippel-Feil syndrome, we hypothesized that BMP-13 signaling is crucial for regulating embryonic endochondral ossification. In this study, we found that BMP-13 inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (BM MSCs) in vitro. The endogenous BMP-13 gene expression in MSCs was examined under expansion conditions. The MSCs were then induced to differentiate into osteoblasts in osteo-inductive medium containing exogenous BMP-13. Gene expression was analysed by real-time PCR. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression and activity, proteoglycan (PG) synthesis and matrix mineralization were assessed by cytological staining or ALP assay. Results showed that endogenous BMP-13 mRNA expression was higher than BMP-2 or -7 during MSC growth. BMP-13 supplementation strongly inhibited matrix mineralization and ALP activity of osteogenic differentiated MSCs, yet increased PG synthesis under the same conditions. In conclusion, BMP-13 inhibited osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, implying that functional mutations or deficiency of BMP-13 may allow excess bone formation. Our finding provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms and the therapeutic potential of BMP-13 in restricting pathological bone formation

Feasibility assessment of crowdsourcing slogans for promoting household waste segregation in India: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionCrowdsourcing is an emerging technique to engage or access a wider set of experts and multiple stakeholders through online platforms, which might effectively be employed in waste management. Therefore, we assessed the feasibility of the crowdsourcing method to provide an alternative approach that can improve household waste segregation using an “online-slogan-contest”.MethodsThe contest was promoted via targeted emails to various governmental and non-governmental organizations and through social media platforms for around 4 weeks (25 days). The entries were received through a Google form. The slogans were assessed by the experts and analyzed using content analysis methods.ResultsTotal 969 entries were received from different geographic regions in India. Of that, 456 were in English and 513 in Hindi. Five themes of waste segregation emerged from the received slogans: (1) Community awareness, responsibility, and support, (2) Significance of household waste segregation, (3) Use of separate dustbins, (4) Health and well-being, and (5) Environment and sustainability.DiscussionCrowdsourcing approaches can be used by local authorities for improving waste management approaches and are recommended as these involve a wider audience within a short time frame. Moreover, this approach is flexible and integrating crowdsourcing approaches strengthens our understanding of existing waste management activities