A large animal model that recapitulates the spectrum of human intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish a large animal model that recapitulates the spectrum of intervertebral disc degeneration that occurs in humans and which is suitable for pre-clinical evaluation of a wide range of experimental therapeutics.

Design: Degeneration was induced in the lumbar intervertebral discs of large frame goats by either intradiscal injection of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) over a range of dosages (0.1U, 1U or 5U) or subtotal nucleotomy.

IL-22 derived from γδ T cells restricts Staphylococcus aureus infection of mechanically injured skin.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and aggravates their disease. Neutrophils and the cytokines IL-17A and IL-17F, which drive the expression of the neutrophil-attracting chemokines, are important for the clearance of S aureus infection. The cytokine IL-22 is often coproduced by IL-17-secreting cells.

Navigated odontoid screw placement using the O-arm: technical note and case series.

OBJECTIVE As odontoid process fractures become increasingly common in the aging population, a technical understanding of treatment approaches is critical. 3D image guidance can improve the safety of posterior cervical hardware placement, but few studies have explored its utility in anterior approaches. The authors present in a stepwise fashion the technique of odontoid screw placement using the Medtronic O-arm navigation system and describe their initial institutional experience with this surgical approach.

Impedimetric genosensor for ultratrace detection of hepatitis B virus DNA in patient samples assisted by zeolites and MWCNT nano-composites.

Nanocrystals of zeolites (Nanocrys Zeo) and Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) based diagnostic genosensor was employed for detection of polymerase chain (PCR) amplified HBVDNA in blood of hepatitis B patients. The ssDNA-nanocomposite modified electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The hybridization between ss DNA probe and target ss DNA was detected by reduction in current, generated by interaction of methylene blue (MB) with free guanine (3'G) of ssDNA.

Lifestyle related factors & impact of metabolic syndrome on quality of life, level of functioning & self-esteem in patients with bipolar disorder & schizophrenia.

Background & Objectives: Though studies have reported high prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome among patients with bipolar disorder (BPAD) and schizophrenia, there is lack of data on the impact of the same on the patients' life. This study was aimed to assess the lifestyle related factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to study the impact of MetS on functioning and quality of life (QOL) in patients with BPAD and schizophrenia.

Methods: A total of 102 patients with BPAD and 72 patients with schizophrenia attending the output unit of a tertiary care hospital in north India were evaluated for MetS.

Mild oxidative stress is beneficial for sperm telomere length maintenance.

Aim: To evaluate telomere length in sperm DNA and its correlation with oxidative stress (normal, mild, severe).

Methods: The study included infertile men (n = 112) and age matched fertile controls (n = 102). The average telomere length from the sperm DNA was measured using a quantitative real time PCR based assay.

Management of Patients With Pancreatic Cysts: Analysis of Possible False-Negative Cases of Malignancy.

Goals: To examine the utility of integrated molecular pathology (IMP) in managing surveillance of pancreatic cysts based on outcomes and analysis of false negatives (FNs) from a previously published cohort (n=492).

Background: In endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of cyst fluid lacking malignant cytology, IMP demonstrated better risk stratification for malignancy at approximately 3 years' follow-up than International Consensus Guideline (Fukuoka) 2012 management recommendations in such cases.

Study: Patient outcomes and clinical features of Fukuoka and IMP FN cases were reviewed.

Pathogenesis and treatment of spine disease in the mucopolysaccharidoses.

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a family of lysosomal storage disorders characterized by deficient activity of enzymes that degrade glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Skeletal disease is common in MPS patients, with the severity varying both within and between subtypes. Within the spectrum of skeletal disease, spinal manifestations are particularly prevalent.

Does basal luteinizing hormone help predict the fate of in vitro fertilization?

Objective: Evaluate the role of baseline serum luteinizing hormone (LH) in predicting the success of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in terms of clinical pregnancy and live birth rate.

Methods: Women who underwent IVF and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), following either the agonist or the antagonist protocol, were retrospectively evaluated over a period of two years at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. We investigated the correlation of serum LH levels in the follicular phase with pregnancy outcomes.

Phosphorylation Modulates Catalytic Activity of Mycobacterial Sirtuins.

Sirtuins are NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases involved in the regulation of diverse cellular processes and are conserved throughout phylogeny. Here we report about in vitro transphosphorylation of the only NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase (mDAC) present in the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by eukaryotic-type Ser/Thr kinases, particularly PknA. The phosphorylated mDAC displayed decreased deacetylase activity compared to its unphosphorylated counterpart.

Chronic Opioid Usage in Surgical Patients in a Large Academic Center.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence and disparity of chronic opioid usage in surgical patients and the potential risk factors associated with chronic opioid usage.

Background: Chronic opioid usage is common in surgical patients; however, the characteristics of opioid usage in surgical patients is unclear. In this study, we hypothesize that the prevalence of chronic opioid usage in surgical patients is high, and that significant disparities may exist among different surgical populations.

Comparing Utility Scores in Common Spinal Radiculopathies: Results of a Prospective Valuation Study.

Study Design Prospective observational study. Objective To determine whether preference-based health utility scores for common spinal radiculopathies vary by specific spinal level. Methods We employed a standard gamble study using the general public to calculate individual preference-based quality of life for four common radiculopathies: C6, C7, L5, and S1.

Surgical Approaches for the Treatment of Thoracic Disk Herniation: Results of a Decision Analysis.

Study Design: A decision analysis.

Objective: To perform a decision analysis utilizing postoperative complication data, in conjunction with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) utility scores, to rank order the average health utility associated with various surgical approaches used to treat symptomatic thoracic disk herniation (TDH).

Summary Of Background Data: Symptomatic TDH is an uncommon entity accounting for <1% of all symptomatic herniated disks.

Do female patients with nonpathological vaginal discharge need the same evaluation as for Dhat syndrome in males?

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concept of female Dhat syndrome characterized by the complaint of nonpathological vaginal discharge in association with somatic, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

Materials And Methods: A total of 26 female subjects with nonpathological vaginal discharge along with depressive and somatic complaints were assessed on a self-rated questionnaire modified from Comprehensive Questionnaire for Assessment of Dhat Syndrome designed for males. They were also assessed for psychiatric comorbidity as per ICD-10.

Hierarchical electrodeposition of methylene blue on ZnO nanocrystals thin films layered on SnO2/F electrode for in vitro sensing of anti-thalassemic drug.

Zinc oxide nanocrystals-methylene blue nanocomposites were developed by electrodeposition of methylene blue onto the thin films of zinc oxide nanocrystals deposited onto SnO2/F coated glass substrates for in vitro sensing of anti-thalassemic drug i.e. deferiprone.

Eukaryotic-Type Ser/Thr Protein Kinase Mediated Phosphorylation of Mycobacterial Phosphodiesterase Affects its Localization to the Cell Wall.

Phosphodiesterase enzymes, involved in cAMP hydrolysis reaction, are present throughout phylogeny and their phosphorylation mediated regulation remains elusive in prokaryotes. In this context, we focused on this enzyme from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The gene encoded by Rv0805 was PCR amplified and expressed as a histidine-tagged protein (mPDE) utilizing Escherichia coli based expression system.

Mechanism of Photoinduced Metal-Free Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization: Experimental and Computational Studies.

Photoinduced metal-free atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate was investigated using several phenothiazine derivatives and other related compounds as photoredox catalysts. The experiments show that all selected catalysts can be involved in the activation step, but not all of them participated efficiently in the deactivation step. The redox properties and the stability of radical cations derived from the catalysts were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry.

Influence of integrated molecular pathology test results on real-world management decisions for patients with pancreatic cysts: analysis of data from a national registry cohort.

Background: Integrated molecular pathology (IMP) approaches based on DNA mutational profiling accurately determine pancreatic cyst malignancy risk in patients lacking definitive diagnoses following endoscopic ultrasound imaging with fine-needle aspiration of fluid for cytology. In such cases, IMP 'low-risk' and 'high-risk' diagnoses reliably predict benign and malignant disease, respectively, and provide improved risk stratification for malignancy than a model of the 2012 International Consensus Guideline (ICG) recommendations. Our objective was to determine if initial adjunctive IMP testing influenced future real-world pancreatic cyst management decisions for intervention or surveillance relative to ICG recommendations, and if this benefitted patient outcomes.

Ticagrelor in Triple Antithrombotic Therapy: Predictors of Ischemic and Bleeding Complications.

Background: Patients on dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention often have indications for concurrent oral anticoagulation or triple antithrombotic therapy (TT). Although TT may decrease ischemic complications, it may confer increased bleeding risk.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the use of ticagrelor in TT is associated with higher risk of complications; accordingly, we sought to determine predictors of complications in patients on TT.

Multitask training promotes automaticity of a fundamental laparoscopic skill without compromising the rate of skill learning.

Background: A defining characteristic of expertise is automated performance of skills, which frees attentional capacity to better cope with some common intraoperative stressors. There is a paucity of research on how best to foster automated performance by surgical trainees. This study examined the use of a multitask training approach to promote automated, robust laparoscopic skills.

Management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in 2015.

There is no single pharmacologic therapy that has been approved to treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the general population. The backbone of therapy currently includes intensive lifestyle modification with established targets for diet and weight loss. The use of unsweetened, unfiltered coffee along with limiting high fructose corn syrup have emerged as beneficial dietary recommendations.

Transcriptome-wide mining suggests conglomerate of genes associated with tuberous root growth and development in Aconitum heterophyllum Wall.

Tuberous roots of Aconitum heterophyllum constitute storage organ for secondary metabolites, however, molecular components contributing to their formation are not known. The transcriptomes of A. heterophyllum were analyzed to identify possible genes associated with tuberous root development by taking clues from genes implicated in other plant species.