ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY OF BASAL GANGLIA (BG) CIRCUITRY AND DYSTONIA AS A MODEL OF MOTOR CONTROL DYSFUNCTION

The basal ganglia (BG) is a complex set of heavily interconnected nuclei located in the central part of the brain that receives inputs from the several areas of the cortex and projects via the thalamus back to the prefrontal and motor cortical areas. Despite playing a significant part in multiple brain functions, the physiology of the BG and associated disorders like dystonia remain poorly understood. Dystonia is a devastating condition characterized by ineffective, twisting movements, prolonged co-contractions and contorted postures. Evidences suggest that it occurs due to abnormal discharge patterning in BG-thalamocortocal (BGTC) circuitry. The central purpose of this study was to understand the electrophysiology of BGTC circuitry and its role in motor control and dystonia. Toward this goal, an advanced multi-target multi-unit recording and analysis system was utilized, which allows simultaneous collection and analysis of multiple neuronal units from multiple brain nuclei. Over the cause of this work, neuronal data from the globus pallidus (GP), subthalamic nucleus (STN), entopenduncular nucleus (EP), pallidal receiving thalamus (VL) and motor cortex (MC) was collected from normal, lesioned and dystonic rats under awake, head restrained conditions. The results have shown that the neuronal population in BG nuclei (GP, STN and EP) were characterized by a dichotomy of firing patterns in normal rats which remains preserved in dystonic rats. Unlike normals, neurons in dystonic rat exhibit reduced mean firing rate, increased irregularity and burstiness at resting state. The chaotic changes that occurs in BG leads to inadequate hyperpolarization levels within the VL thalamic neurons resulting in a shift from the normal bursting mode to an abnormal tonic firing pattern. During movement, the dystonic EP generates abnormally synchronized and elongated burst duration which further corrupts the VL motor signals. It was finally concluded that the loss of specificity and temporal misalignment between motor neurons leads to corrupted signaling to the muscles resulting in dystonic behavior. Furthermore, this study reveals the importance of EP output in controlling firing modes occurring in the VL thalamus

A Review on Noisy Password, Voiceprint Biometric and One-Time-Password

AbstractIn this paper, we review the Noisy password, Voiceprint biometric and One-Time-Password. The most common method used for authentication is static passwords. The traditional passwords are vulnerable to dictionary attacks, shoulder surfing and eves dropping. The noisy passwords can be used as an alternative to the static password. The noisy password attempts to mitigate above mentioned problems. The biometric technique like fingerprints, palm-vein scan, etc. can be used for personal recognition. But as compared to other biometric, Voiceprint requires less implementation cost. E-commerce application uses One-Time-Password to perform E-transaction. Hence it becomes necessary to provide security while transmitting the OTP

GoFFish: A Sub-Graph Centric Framework for Large-Scale Graph Analytics

Large scale graph processing is a major research area for Big Data exploration. Vertex centric programming models like Pregel are gaining traction due to their simple abstraction that allows for scalable execution on distributed systems naturally. However, there are limitations to this approach which cause vertex centric algorithms to under-perform due to poor compute to communication overhead ratio and slow convergence of iterative superstep. In this paper we introduce GoFFish a scalable sub-graph centric framework co-designed with a distributed persistent graph storage for large scale graph analytics on commodity clusters. We introduce a sub-graph centric programming abstraction that combines the scalability of a vertex centric approach with the flexibility of shared memory sub-graph computation. We map Connected Components, SSSP and PageRank algorithms to this model to illustrate its flexibility. Further, we empirically analyze GoFFish using several real world graphs and demonstrate its significant performance improvement, orders of magnitude in some cases, compared to Apache Giraph, the leading open source vertex centric implementation.Comment: Under review by a conference, 201

3D FUNCTIONAL MODELING OF DBS EFFICACY AND DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL TOOLS TO EXPLORE FUNCTIONAL STN

Introduction: Exploring the brain for optimal locations for deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy is a challenging task, which can be facilitated by analysis of DBS efficacy in a large number of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Unified Parkinson\u27s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores indicate the DBS efficacy of the corresponding stimulation location in a particular patient. The spatial distribution of these clinical scores can be used to construct a functional model which closely models the expected efficacy of stimulation in the region. Designs and Methods: In this study, different interpolation techniques were investigated that can appropriately model the DBS efficacy for Parkinson’s disease patients. These techniques are linear triangulation based interpolation, ‘roving window’ interpolation and ‘Monopolar inverse weighted distance’ (MIDW) interpolation. The MIDW interpolation technique is developed on the basis of electric field geometry of the monopolar DBS stimulation electrodes, based on the DBS model of monopolar cathodic stimulation of brain tissues. Each of these models was evaluated for their predictability, interpolation accuracy, as well as other benefits and limitations. The bootstrapping based optimization method was proposed to minimize the observational and patient variability in the collected database. A simulation study was performed to validate that the statistically optimized interpolated models were capable to produce reliable efficacy contour plots and reduced false effect due to outliers. Some additional visualization and analysis tools including a graphic user interface (GUI) were also developed for better understanding of the scenario. Results: The interpolation performance of the MIDW interpolation, the linear triangulation method and Roving window method was evaluated as interpolation error as 0.0903, 0.1219 and0.3006 respectively. Degree of prediction for the above methods was found to be 0.0822, 0.2986 and 0.0367 respectively. The simulation study demonstrate that the mean improvement in outlier handling and increased reliability after bootstrapping based optimization (performed on Linear triangulation interpolation method) is 6.192% and 12.8775% respectively. The different interpolation techniques used to model monopolar and bipolar stimulation data is found to be useful to study the corresponding efficacy distribution. A user friendly GUI (PDRP_GUI) and other utility tools are developed. Conclusion: Our investigation demonstrated that the MIDW and linear triangulation methods provided better degree of prediction, whereas the MIDW interpolation with appropriate configuration provided better interpolation accuracy. The simulation study suggests that the bootstrapping-based optimization can be used as an efficient tool to reduce outlier effects and increase interpolated reliability of the functional model of DBS efficacy. Additionally, the differential interpolation techniques used for monopolar and bipolar stimulation modeling facilitate study of overall DBS efficacy using the entire dataset

Sub aortic fibro muscular ridge with congenital bicuspid aortic valve

Congenital bicuspid aortic valve stenosis is estimated to occur in 1 to 2% of general population, making it the single most common congenital cardiac anomaly, but in association with fibro muscular sub aortic ridge (fibro muscular collar) is a rare combination of congenital cardiac anomalies. We present here a rare case of sub aortic fibro muscular ridge that is associated with congenital bicuspid aortic valve

A Survey on Video Recommendation and Ranking in Video Search Engine

This paper presents a recommender framework which has been created to study examination addresses in the field of news feature suggestion and personalization. The framework is focused around semantically advanced feature information and can be seen as a sample framework that permits look into on semantic models for versatile intelligent frameworks. Feature recovery is possible by positioning the specimens as per their likelihood scores that were anticipated by classifiers. It is frequently conceivable to enhance the recovery execution by re-positioning the examples. In this paper, we proposed a re-positioning strategy that enhances the execution of semantic feature indexing and recovery, by re-assessing the scores of the shots by the homogeneity and the way of the feature they fit in with. Contrasted with past works, the proposed strategy gives a system to the re-positioning through the homogeneous circulation of feature shots content in a worldly arrangement. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.15021

A Survey on Growth of E-Commerce Business in India

E-commerce is usually associated with buying and selling over the Internet or conducting any transaction involving the transfer of ownership or rights to use goods or services through a computer mediated network. In other words, it is the buying and selling, marketing and servicing, delivery and payment of products, services information over the Internet and other networks. E-commerce has changed the nature of the value propositions that companies now offer to their customers. The convergence of content sites and social networks has resulted in emerging e-commerce business models. The study aims to analyze the growth of e-commerce industry in India. This research explored the usage level of ecommerce technologies, benefits and barriers of e-commerce usage. The methodology used to examine the key elements is done by secondary research

Phytochemical and Pharmacological investigation of some Indian Medicinal Plants in standard models

Modern synthetic medicine approach is a very narrow approach which will give only symptomatic relief but do not cure the disease or disorder from its root. For thousands of years, natural products have been used in traditional medicine all over the world and predate the introduction of antibiotics and other modern drugs. So it is compulsory to investigate for native alternative drugs for the treatment of Diabetes, pain and inflammation and cancer. Plant materials which are being used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes are considered one of the good sources for a new drug or a lead to make a new drug. Plant extract or different folk plant preparations are being prescribed by the traditional clinicians and also accepted by the users for diabetes like for any other diseases in many countries especially in third world countries. The collected plant materials were identified and authenticated, then processed for successive extraction to obtain extracts. Phytochemical screening of the prepared extracts was conducted with various qualitative tests to identify the presence of chemical constituents. The tests were carried out as Sterols by Salkowaski test and Liebermann test, Glycosides screened by b-naphthol test, Alkaloids tested by Dragendroff’s test Triterpenoids by Libermann-Burchard test, for Flavonoids Shinoda test carried out, Naphthoquinones tested by Juglone test, Carotenoids by Carr-price reaction. Finally tannins were tested by Matchstick Test. The present study reveals that various extracts of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and stem bark of Moringa oleifera contains various phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, sterols, triterpenoids, glycosides etc. As these compounds lead to pharmacological effects. From the observation it was found that methanolic extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Moringa oleifera was good scavenger of DPPH radical as DPPH radical scavenging capability is extensively used as an index to estimate the antioxidant potential of medicinal plants. Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity was determined according to the method reported by Garrat and shown significant results compared with standard ascorbic acid. The results showed that methanolic extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Moringa oleifera presented the highest amount of polyphenol content than the other plants in the study. The abundance of both plant extract in polyphenol content should also explain the antioxidant activity results. It is well known that, phenolics constitute one of the major groups of compounds antioxidants. Regarding the antioxidants properties, the methods DPPH for a best appreciation of the results; because a recent study demonstrates that there are differences between the test systems for the determination of the antioxidants properties. In fact, it is interesting to evaluate at last two or more methods. Analysis of the results shows a linear relationship between polyphenol content and antioxidants properties. The note a good link between phenolic contents and antioxidant activity by reduction activity comparatively to the other antioxidant methods. The extracts studied showed significant lethality against brine shrimp. The invitro cytotoxic activity (LC 50) was found to be good for pet ether extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima 750 μg/ml by brine shrimp bioassay method. These extracts can be regarded as a hopeful candidate for a plant derived antitumor agent. Natural Anti-inflammatory Remedies for Arthritis is a continuation from the hub Anti-Inflammatory that revealed a list of herbs that can assist with the pain and swelling of Anti-Inflammatory. There were numerous comments on the first hub that offered natural remedies for arthritis that are working for individuals; hence this work has to compose this hub to provide more information on finding remedies for the arthritic pain and swelling. Effect of extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Moringa oleifera on tail flick latency period and acetic acid induced writhing in mice was found to be good as compared with Diclofenac as standard. A significant increase in the reaction time for tail flick method indicated the analgesic effect by Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Moringa oleifera and also elucidates the involvement of central mechanism in analgesic action. Analgesic effect mediated through central mechanism indicates the involvement of endogenous opioid peptides and biogenic amines like 5HT inferred that methanolic extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Moringa oleifera an effective analgesic agents. While comparing the Caesalpinia pulcherrima and Moringa oleifera extracts, the Moringa oleifera extract revealed higher effect than others. The extracts were evaluated for in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity in different models and shown inhibition of erythrocytes haemolysis in-vitro models as well as inhibition of carrageenan induced hind paw edema and inhibition of cotton pellet granuloma formation in rats. These results allowed us to make a link between flavonoids and anti-inflammatory activity by the haemolysis in-vitro inhibition method. The relationship between flavonoids and erythrocytes haemolysis in-vitro inhibition of the different extracts showed a significant activity. Stabilization of lysosomal is important in limiting the inflammatory response by preventing the release of lysosomal constituents of activated neutrophil, such as bacterial enzymes and proteases, which causes further tissue inflammation and damage upon extra cellular release. The lysosomal enzymes released during inflammation produce a various disorders. The extra cellular activity of these enzymes are said to be related to acute or chronic inflammation. The non steroidal drugs act either by inhibiting these lysosomal enzymes or by stabilizing the lysosomal membrane. Anti-inflammatory activity of our extracts could be explained by the abundance of the extracts in polyphenol content because, polyphenol as flavonoids have anti-inflammatory properties. For xantine oxidase inhibition, flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic compounds which have been reported to possess xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. The results found that positive correlations between total flavonoids and xantine oxidase inhitory activity. Diabetes mellitus is a most common endocrine disorder, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. Therefore, treating diabetes mellitus with plant derived compounds which are accessible and do not require laborious pharmaceutical synthesis seems highly attractive. In this an attempt has been made to compile the reported hypoglycemic plants from India and abroad and may be useful to the health professionals, scientists and scholars working the field of pharmacology and therapeutics to develop evidence-based alternative medicine to cure different kinds of diabetes in man and animals.Alloxan induced diabetic mellitus shown good Antidiabetic effect in rats. Isolation and identification of active constituents from these plants, preparation of standardized dose and dosage regimen can play a significant role in improving the hypoglycemic action. The potency of herbal drugs is significant and they have negligible side effects than the synthetic drugs. There is increasing demand by patients to use the natural products with anti-diabetic activity. In recent times there has been renewed interest in the plant remedies. Plants hold definite promises in the management of Diabetes mellitus. Isolation and identification of active constituents from these plants, preparation of standardized dose and dosage regimen can play a significant role in improving the hypoglycaemic action. The antimicrobial efficacy attributed to some plants in treating diseases has been beyond belief. Plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites such as tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids, which have been found in-vitro to have antimicrobial properties. Screening of medicinal plants for antimicrobial activities and phytochemicals is important for finding potential new compounds for therapeutic use. Thus, in light of the evidence of rapid global spread of resistant clinical isolates, the need to find new antimicrobial agents is of paramount importance. However, the past record of rapid, widespread emergence of resistance to newly introduced antimicrobial agents indicates that even new families of antimicrobial agents will have a short life expectancy. For this reason, researchers are increasingly turning their attention to herbal products, looking for new leads to develop better drugs against microbe strains. Petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of both plants exhibited significant antimicrobial and anthelmintic activity. However, further experiments will possibly define this pharmacological effect. If confirmed it, may become of importance for human clinical treatments