Multiple cerebellar infarction due to vertebral artery obstruction and bulbar symptoms associated with vertical subluxation and atlanto-occipital subluxation in ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) results in disease-specific inflammation at the site of ligamentous insertion into the bone. Atlantoaxial joint subluxation and vertical subluxation of the axis may occur as a consequence of instability resulting from the inflammatory process. Spontaneous anterior atlantoaxial subluxation is a well recognized complication in about 2% of patients with AS, and presents with or without signs of spinal cord compression. Vertical subluxation may follow anterior or posterior subluxation. It was noted in 3-8% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but is an exceedingly rare complication of AS. Moreover, it has never been reported that multiple cerebellar infarction and bulbar symptoms developed spontaneously due to atlanto-occipital subluxation and vertical subluxation in a patient with a long [corrected] history of AS. We describe a man with AS who developed multiple cerebellar infarction due to vertebral artery obstruction and bulbar symptoms associated with atlanto-occipital subluxation and vertical subluxation.     

Zernike circle polynomials and optical aberrations of systems with circular pupils

Zernike circle polynomials, their numbering scheme, and relationship to balanced optical aberrations of systems with circular pupils are discussed.     

Axonal regeneration and physiological activity following transection and immunological disruption of myelin within the hatchling chick spinal cord

Transections of the chicken spinal cord after the developmental onset of myelination at embryonic day (E) 13 results in little or no functional regeneration. However, intraspinal injection of serum complement proteins with complement-binding GalC or 04 antibodies between E9-E12 results in a delay of the onset of myelination until E17. A subsequent transection of the spinal cord as late as E15 (i.e., during the normal restrictive period for repair) results in neuroanatomical regeneration and functional recovery. Utilizing a similar immunological protocol, we evoked a transient alteration of myelin structure in the posthatching (P) chicken spinal cord, characterized by widespread "unravelling" of myelin sheaths and a loss of MBP immunoreactivity (myelin disruption). Myelin repair began within 7 d of cessation of the myelin disruption protocol. Long term disruption of thoracic spinal cord myelin was initiated after a P2-P10 thoracic transection and maintained for > 14 d by intra-spinal infusion of serum complement proteins plus complement-binding GalC or 04 antibodies. Fourteen to 28 d later, retrograde tract tracing experiments, including double-labeling protocols, indicated that approximately 6-19% of the brainstem-spinal projections had regenerated across the transection site to lumbar levels. Even though voluntary locomotion was not observed after recovery, focal electrical stimulation of identified brainstem locomotor regions evoked peripheral nerve activity in paralyzed preparations, as well as leg muscle activity patterns typical of stepping in unparalyzed animals. This indicated that a transient alteration of myelin structure in the injured adult avian spinal cord facilitated brainstem-spinal axonal regrowth resulting in functional synaptogenesis with target neurons.     

A Deep Learning Approach to Detection and Mitigation of Distributed Denial of Service Attacks in High Availability Intelligent Transport Systems

Mobile Networks and Applications - In the era of Internet of Things (IoT) powered by 5G technologies, Automobile Industry is headed towards a revolution. In Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS),...     

Green synthesis of highly stable carbon nanodots and their photocatalytic performance

The present study reports a novel, facile, biosynthesis route for the synthesis of carbon nanodots (CDs) with an approximate quantum yield of 38.5%, using Musk melon extract as a naturally derived‐precursor material. The synthesis of CDs was established by using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The as‐prepared CDs possess an eminent fluorescence under UV–light (λ _ex  = 365 nm). The size range of CDs was found to be in the range of 5–10 nm. The authors further explored the use of such biosynthesised CDs as a photocatalyst material for removal of industrial dye. Degradation of methylene blue dye was performed in a photocatalytic reactor and monitored using UV–vis spectroscopy. The CDs show excellent dye degradation capability of 37.08% in 60 min and reaction rate of 0.0032 min⁻¹. This study shows that synthesised CDs are highly stable in nature, and possess potential application in wastewater treatment.Inspec keywords: carbon, nanostructured materials, nanofabrication, catalysis, photochemistry, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, photoluminescence, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, fluorescence, dyesOther keywords: green synthesis, highly stable CD, photocatalytic performance, biosynthesis route, carbon nanodots, quantum yield, Musk melon extract, naturally derived‐precursor material, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, fluorescence, biosynthesised CD, photocatalyst material, industrial dye, methylene blue dye degradation, photocatalytic reactor, UV‐vis spectroscopy, wastewater treatment, size 5 nm to 10 nm, time 60 min     

Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of docosahexanoic acid: development,in vitro,in vivo characterization

Context: Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid for normal brain development and its use has increased considerably in recent years.

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) of DHA for improved palatability, dispersibility and bioavailability.

Methods: The SNEDDS were prepared and evaluated for miscibility, employing different combinations of olive oil and soyabean oil as oil phase, Span 80, Span 20, soya phosphatidylcholine, Labrafil M 1944 CS as surfactants while Tween 80, PEG 400, Cremophor RH40 and propylene glycol as cosurfactants. Thermodynamically stable SNEDDS were characterized for dispersibility, self-emulsification time, droplet size, zeta potential along with sensory analysis. The optimized formulation was subjected to ex vivo and in vivo evaluation such as intestinal permeability, memory performance test, brain concentration and histopathology studies.

Results: The optimized SNEDDS formulation showed emulsification time of 27?±?4.7?s with droplet size of 17.6?±?3.5?nm and zeta potential of??37.6?±?0.5?mV. Intestinal absorption study depicted 18.3%, 21.5%, 41.5%, 98.7% absorption of DHA with SNEDDS-based formulation in comparison to 8.2%, 15.1%, 28.8%, 46.1% absorption of DHA with oil-based marketed formulation after 0.5, 1, 2 and 4?h. DHA concentration in brain homogenate was found to be increased to 2.6-fold in comparison to DHA-marketed formulation. This could be ascribed to enhanced dispersibility and bioavailability of DHA from nanosized formulation.

Conclusion: The developed formulation led to enhanced dispersibility and bioavailability of DHA due to the formation of nanodroplets.     

Gains and losses of the XII-VII component of the "baby-sitter" procedure: a morphometric analysis

The classic hypoglossal transfer to the facial nerve is invariably followed by complications caused by tongue atrophy. In 1984, Terzis introduced the "baby-sitter" procedure which involved a formal cross-facial procedure, in addition to partial neurectomy of the hypoglossal nerve, and an end-to-side coaptation with the ipsilateral facial nerve. This reported study provides, for the first time, quantification of the number of hypoglossal motor fibers needed to successfully restore eye sphincter function, using an end-to-side coaptation with preservation of the tongue. Thirty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: control, denervated, perineurial window, 20 percent partial neurectomy (PN), 40 percent PN, and 80 percent PN. The procedure involves interposing a nerve graft (saphenous) between the partially severed XII nerve and the upper zygomatic branch of the facial nerve. Evaluation of the behavioral data (blink reflex) revealed good-to-superb return of the blinking mechanism in the 40 percent group, without significant tongue atrophy. Electrophysiologic data in the 40 percent neurectomy group demonstrated superiority to the other groups. Quantitative axonal morphometry of the coaptation sites and graft, as well as motor end-plates of the orbicularis oculi muscle and tongue showed the 40 percent partial neurectomy group to be the optimal group.