Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: Efficacy of Unipedicular Vertebroplasty as Compared to Bipedicular Vertebroplasty

Introduction Percutaneous vertebroplasty has been used for treatment of intractable painful fractures of vertebral bodies. With the help of refined procedures and standard techniques, the interventional radiologist can now offer help to orthopedics and neurosurgeons in these cases, which include treatment of vertebral compression fracture. Vertebroplasty is aimed at reducing the pain induced by collapse. Vertebroplasty is the standard mode of treatment for vertebral collapse, and in our study, bipedicular vertebroplasty was compared with unipedicular approach as bipedicular vertebroplasty is the routinely used approach. Aim To compare efficacy of unipedicular percutaneous vertebroplasty with that of bipedicular percutaneous vertebroplasty. Material and Methods A total of 52 vertebroplasties were done over a period of 2 years. Out of 52 patients, 28 patients underwent unipedicular vertebroplasty and 24 patients underwent bipedicular vertebroplasty. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were used to assess the pain prior to vertebroplasty and after vertebroplasty. Efficacy of the two procedures were assessed by comparing VAS scores. Results There was no statistically significant difference observed in the preprocedure and postprocedure VAS scores (p-value < 0.0001, < 0.0001, respectively). The mean procedure time was lesser in unipedicular vertebroplasty (41.9 ± 3.90) than bipedicular vertebroplasty (54.5 ± 3.4). Conclusion Unipedicular vertebroplasty is as effective as bipedicular vertebroplasty, as there is insignificant difference in postprocedure VAS scores between the unipedicular and bipedicular vertebroplasty.

Taxonomic and Bio-geographical Studies of Three Bombus Species (Hymenoptera: Bombus) from North-West Himalaya with New Record from Trans Himalaya

Background: Bumble bees play a crucial role in pollination of North West Himalayas. Bumble bees successfully thrive in the harsh environmental conditions of Himalayas. The present study aimed at taxonomic and zoogeographic studies of Bumble bees belonging to genus Bombus along with altitudinal variation of one species leading to its new record. Methods: The collections surveys were conducted from the year 2017 to 2019 from altitude of 1000 to 3500 meters above sea level in North-West Himalaya. A total of 43 specimens belonging to three species were collected. These specimens were preserved as per standard techniques in Hymenoptera and identified following keys of eminent workers. Result: The detailed taxonomy of three species of Bumble bees from North West Himalaya i.e., Bombus trifasciatus Smith, Bombus tunicatus Smith and Bombus simillimus Smith has been studied. The important taxonomic characters of different castes of these bee species have been elaborated and illustrations of morphological characters (including genitalia and sterna of male) of different castes i.e. queen, worker and male for each species are provided. The general foraging behaviour and altitudinal distribution along with floral preferences has been discussed in all the three species. The list of nectar food plants is provided under each species. B. trifasciatus has been recorded for the first time from Phey in cold desert in UT of Ladakh, which is being reported as new record in the Trans Himalayan region.

Standpoint Logic: Multi-Perspective Knowledge Representation

Ontologies and knowledge bases encode, to a certain extent, the standpoints or perspectives of their creators. As differences and conflicts between standpoints should be expected in multi-agent scenarios, this will pose challenges for shared creation and usage of knowledge sources. Our work pursues the idea that, in some cases, a framework that can handle diverse and possibly conflicting standpoints is more useful and versatile than forcing their unification, and avoids common compromises required for their merge. Moreover, in analogy to the notion of family resemblance concepts, we propose that a collection of standpoints can provide a simpler yet more faithful and nuanced representation of some domains. To this end, we present standpoint logic, a multi-modal framework that is suitable for expressing information with semantically heterogeneous vocabularies, where a standpoint is a partial and acceptable interpretation of the domain. Standpoints can be organised hierarchically and combined, and complex correspondences can be established between them. We provide a formal syntax and semantics, outline the complexity for the propositional case, and explore the representational capacities of the framework in relation to standard techniques in ontology integration, with some examples in the Bio-Ontology domain.

Regularity of a weak solution to a linear fluid-composite structure interaction problem

In this manuscript, we deal with the regularity of a weak solution to the fluid-composite structure interaction problem introduced in [12]. The problem describes a linear fluid-structure interaction between an incompressible, viscous fluid flow, and an elastic structure composed of a cylindrical shell supported by a mesh-like elastic structure. The fluid and the mesh-supported structure are coupled via the kinematic and dynamic boundary coupling conditions describing continuity of velocity and balance of contact forces at the fluid-structure interface. In [12], it is shown that there exists a weak solution to the described problem. By using the standard techniques from the analysis of partial differential equations we prove that such a weak solution possesses an additional regularity in both time and space variables for initial and boundary data satisfying the appropriate regularity and compatibility conditions imposed on the interface.

Protective effects of phytomediated synthesized magnesium hydroxide nanomaterials using Monodora myristica against diabetes-associated hepatopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy in streptozotocin-exposed rat

There is recently a fast growing interest in green nanotechnology as a better approach for managing diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associated complications. This study therefore aimed at exploring the protective potentials of biogenic phytomediated magnesium-based nanoparticles using Monodora myristica seed (Mg(OH)2NP-Mm) against streptozotocin-induced diabetic hepatopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy in Wistar rats. Mg(OH)2NP-Mm was biosynthesized and characterized using standard techniques. Forty-eight (48) adult male Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g, were indiscriminately grouped into eight (8) groups of six (6) rats (n=6) each. Diabetes was induced with a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (55 mg/kg bw) and diabetic animals administered 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg bw Mg(OH)2NP-Mm for 21 days, while control groups received glibenclamide (5 mg/kg bw) and Mg(OH)2-STD (150 mg/kg bw), respectively. In this study, treatment with Mg(OH)2NP-Mm caused a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in fasting blood sugar (FBG), serum hepatic biomarkers (AST, ALT and ALP activities), renal clearance markers (creatinine and urea), total protein (TP) and bilirubin. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, as well as histomorphological examinations indicated a significant (p < 0.05) restoration of the hepatic, renal and brain tissues. This finding therefore, hypothesizes attenuation of redox imbalance which probably could be the basis for the protective effect demonstrated by Mg(OH)2NP-Mm in the tissues examined from STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Using Nonscalp Hair in Scalp Hair Restoration—Theory and Execution

Harvesting of beard and body hair follicles for transplantation can be an effective form of treatment for appropriate patients. These patients may have had prior scalp transplantation and require repair but do not have sufficient scalp donor follicles remaining. Other patients will have these hairs mixed with scalp hairs to produce a greater density of hair on the bald scalp. Follicular unit excision (FUE) is preferred for body and beard follicle harvesting. Not all body hair is suitable for transplantation. Only hairs that are similar in appearance and behavior to scalp hair are suitable for transplantation to the scalp. The best nonscalp sources are the beard and anterior torso. Hairs from other body sites may be used for transplantation to the eyebrows. The standard techniques of FUE harvesting and anesthesia must be modified from those used in scalp harvesting to be safe and effective. With proper patient selection and technique, a significant cosmetic benefit can be achieved from these procedures.

Microbial Quality and Aflatoxin Levels of Bread and Flour Products Vended in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria

Aim: This study evaluated the microbial quality characteristics of bread and flour-made products vended for human consummation in Akure metropolis. Methods: The sample products including bread, buns, puff puff, meat pie and cake collected from different locations were analysed using standard microbiological methods to enumerate the bacterial and fungal consortia. Macro and micro-morphological identification of the implicated fungi in the food samples were done via standard techniques. The presence and quantity of some aflatoxin types were also investigated using standard techniques. Results: The fungal organisms enumerated include species of Fusarium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Mucor, Sacharomyces cerevisiae, Rhizopus and Penicillium. Bacteria consortium implicated in sample products include; Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp., Escherichia coli, Clostridium sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the likes. The levels of aflatoxin B1 and B2 produced were predominantly associated with Aspergillus flavus enumerated from bread products which serve as a rider to the aflatoxin contamination in vended flour products. Conclusion: The toxicity and potency of aflatoxins make them a primary health hazard and as well accountable for losses associated with contamination of processed foods and ready-to-eat foods. It is recommended that bakers should implement the use of heat-treated flour in the production process of ready-to-eat products for human safety.

Groove Formation on Metal Substrates by Nanosecond Laser Removal of Melted Material

An effective strategy to produce grooves on carbon steel substrates by nanosecond laser radiation is proposed. The aim is to increase the productivity of grooves creation. In this study, two different modes of laser treatment are compared. The first mode focuses on the evaporation of material, while the second focuses on the formation of melted material and its removal by the action of pressure vapors produced by evaporated material. Within some ranges of processing parameters, the shape of the groove can be linearly controlled. The dependence of the groove depth also has a logarithmic nature when the number of passes is increased. Using the liquid phase mode in some ranges of parameters can reduce the amount of evaporated material in comparison with standard techniques in which the material is removed in the form of gas, and fine dust is emitted.

PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES AND BACTERIAL PATHOGENS ASSOCIATED WITH SWINE PNEUMONIAS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Pneumonia is a major economic threat to swine industry worldwide, however, there is still dearth of information on the pathology and associated pathogens in Nigeria, and these were therefore investigated. Lungs from 408 slaughtered pigs were randomly collected from abattoirs in Abeokuta, Ibadan and Lagos. The lung samples were cultured for bacterial pathogens using standard techniques, while formalin-fixed tissues were processed for histopathological examination. Grossly, the most consistent lesion was bronchopneumonia (35.3%). The main histopathological findings were lymphoid hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) (88.2%), suppurative bronchopneumonia (63.6%), suppurative bronchitis and bronchiolitis with concurrent epithelial hyperplasia (57.1%), as well as thickened alveolar septa due to cellular infiltration consisting predominantly of neutrophils (54.1%). Ten different species of bacteria were isolated from the lung samples in which two or more pathogens were isolated from each sample (82.7%). Pasteurella multocida was the most frequently isolated bacterium (54.8%). Among the bacteria isolated, there were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the frequencies of isolation of β-haemolytic Streptococci, P. multocida, Haemophilus species and Escherichia coli between the pneumonic lungs and apparently normal lungs. The results of bacterial culture, gross and histopathological changes recorded in this study are consistent with bacterial pneumonia possibly caused by most of the bacteria identified in the present study.