Magnetic resonance imaging detection of deep gray matter iron deposition in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease involving immune-mediated damage. Iron deposition in deep gray matter (DGM) structures like the thalamus and basal ganglia have been suggested to play a role in MS pathogenesis. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) imaging methods like T2 and T2* imaging, susceptibility-weighted imaging, and quantitative susceptibility mapping can track iron deposition storage in the brain primarily from ferritin and hemosiderin (paramagnetic iron storage proteins) with varying levels of tissue contrast and sensitivity.

Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord: A Consequence of Recreational Nitrous Oxide Use.

A 21-year-old female presented to the hospital with worsening bilateral lower extremity weakness and sensory changes in the distal extremities following chronic nitrous oxide (NO) abuse. Laboratory and radiographic results were suggestive of subacute combined degeneration of the upper cervical and thoracic spinal cord in the setting of a normal vitamin B12 level of 374 pg/mL with an elevation in methylmalonic acid to 1.14 mcmol/L.

Development and Implementation of Electronic Disease Early Warning Systems for Optimal Disease Surveillance and Response during Humanitarian Crisis and Ebola Outbreak in Yemen, Somalia, Liberia and Pakistan.

Objective: To share lessons learned with experience in concept development of electronic disease early warning system (eDEWS) as a standardized informatic tool for optimal disease surveillance for early warning and response Network (EWARN) during humanitarian crisis.

Methods: We did literature search, review and analysis to document system attributes of existing electronic tools being used for disease surveillance, early warning and health management information system (HMIS). We generated baseline information and conducted multiple planning sessions with stakeholders for EWARN system requirement elicitation and validation to inform concept development of standardized electronic tool.

Influence of micronutrients on yeast growth and β-d-fructofuranosidase production.

β-d-fructofuranosidase is one of the most important enzymes of the food industry especially due to its application in preparation of soft centered candies, confectioneries and to produce fructose syrups. Although several bacteria and filamentous fungi are reported for its production, yeasts are the most preferred source for this enzyme. In the present study mineral nutrients were screened for their effect on yeast growth and the enzyme production using Plackett-Burman design.

Evaluation of nitrogenous media components by Plackett-Burman statistical design for beta-d-fructofuranosidase production by Saccharomyces sp. strain GVT263.

beta-d-Fructofuranosidase (FFase), an important enzyme of the confectionery and fructose syrup industry, is produced by several microorganisms. However, yeasts are the most used source because of their high sucrose fermentation capacity. In this work, production of FFase was carried out in submerged fermentation using a high enzyme-producing yeast strain.

Amylolytic bacterial lactic acid fermentation - a review.

Lactic acid, an enigmatic chemical has wide applications in food, pharmaceutical, leather, textile industries and as chemical feed stock. Novel applications in synthesis of biodegradable plastics have increased the demand for lactic acid. Microbial fermentations are preferred over chemical synthesis of lactic acid due to various factors.

An economic approach for L-(+) lactic acid fermentation by Lactobacillus amylophilus GV6 using inexpensive carbon and nitrogen sources.

Aims: Development of cost-effective production medium by applying statistical designs for single-step fermentation of starch (corn flour - CF) to L-(+) lactic acid, using inexpensive nitrogen sources as substitutes for peptone and yeast extract in MRS medium by amylolytic Lactobacillus amylophilus GV6.

Methods And Results: A two-level Plackett-Burman design was employed for screening various available crude starches (flours) for L-(+) lactic acid production by Lact. amylophilus GV6 using red lentil flour (RL) and bakers yeast cells (YC) as substitutes for commercial peptone and yeast extract in MRS medium in anaerobic submerged fermentation.

Use of inexpensive nitrogen sources and starch for L(+) lactic acid production in anaerobic submerged fermentation.

L(+) Lactic acid fermentation was studied by Lactobacillus amylophilus GV6 under the influence of inexpensive nitrogen sources (red lentil-RL, and Baker's yeast cells-YC) and starch by response surface methodology (RSM). Central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was employed to determine maximum lactic acid production at optimum values for process variables RL, YC and incubation period (IP) and a satisfactory fit model was realized. Lactic acid production was significantly affected by RL and IP interactions as well as by independent variables RL and YC.

Prevalence of cervical spondylosis and musculoskeletal symptoms among coolies in a city of Bangladesh.

To assess the prevalence of cervical spondylosis and musculoskeletal symptoms among coolies a cross-sectional study was performed in Narayangonj City of Bangladesh on a random sample of 98 male coolies, using a questionnaire and the results of cervical spine X-rays. Statistical associations were investigated using the chi-square test. The results show a considerably higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis among the coolies (39.

Selection of medium components by Plackett-Burman design for production of L(+) lactic acid by Lactobacillus amylophilus GV6 in SSF using wheat bran.

Plackett-Burman design was employed for screening 15 parameters for production of L(+) lactic acid from wheat bran, an inexpensive substrate and solid support, by Lactobacillus amylophilus GV6 in solid state fermentation (SSF). Eleven nutrients belonging to two categories viz.; nitrogen sources and salt sources along with three physical parameters and a buffer were screened.