► We have evaluated ovarian toxicity of imidacloprid (5, 10 and 20mg/kg/day) in female rats after 90days oral exposure. ► Significant changes in ovarian weight, histopathology, antioxidant profile ...and hormones were observed. ► Data revealed that 20mg/kg/day have produced significant toxicological impact on ovary. ► Hence 20mg/kg/day dose may be considered as Lowest Observable Effect Level for chronic study.
Technical imidacloprid was evaluated for its effect on ovarian morphology, hormones and antioxidant enzymes in female rats after 90days oral exposure. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone levels were estimated in serum of rats and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were estimated in ovary after oral administration of imidacloprid (5, 10, and 20mg/kg/day) for 90days. Decreased ovarian weight together with significant patho-morphological changes in follicles, antral follicles and atretic follicles were observed at 20mg/kg/day. Imidacloprid at 5 and 10mg/kg/day has not produced any significant changes in ovarian morphology, hormones and antioxidant status of ovary. However 20mg/kg/day dose has produced significant alterations in the levels of LH, FSH and progesterone. Similarly significant changes in SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, and LPO were observed at 20mg/kg/day dose level. Therefore, it is concluded that imidacloprid at 20mg/kg/day dose level has produced significant toxicological impact on ovary of female rats as evident by pathomorphological changes, hormonal imbalance and generating oxidative stress and can be considered primarily as Lowest Observed Effect Level (LOEL) for chronic study.
A novel electromechanical robotic-exoskeleton was designed in-house for the rehabilitation of wrist joint and Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint.
The objective was to compare the rehabilitation ...effectiveness (clinical-scales and neurophysiological-measures) of robotic-therapy training sessions with dose-matched conventional therapy in patients with stroke.
A pilot prospective parallel randomized controlled study at clinical settings was designed for patients with stroke within 2 years of chronicity. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an intervention of 20 sessions of 45 min each, five days a week for four weeks, in Robotic-therapy Group (RG) (n = 12) and conventional upper-limb rehabilitation in Control-Group (CG) (n = 11). We intended to evaluate the effects of a novel exoskeleton based therapy on the functional rehabilitation outcomes of upper-limb and cortical-excitability in patients with stroke as compared to the conventional-rehabilitation. Clinical-scales- Modified Ashworth Scale, Active Range of Motion, Barthel-Index, Brunnstrom-stage and Fugl-Meyer (FM) scale and neurophysiological measures of cortical-excitability (using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) -Motor Evoked Potential and Resting Motor threshold, were acquired pre- and post-therapy.
No side effects were noticed in any of the patients. Both RG and CG showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in all clinical motor-outcomes except Modified Ashworth Scale in CG. RG showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher improvement over CG in Modified Ashworth Scale, Active Range of Motion and Fugl-Meyer scale and FM Wrist-/Hand component. An increase in cortical-excitability in ipsilesional-hemisphere was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) in RG over CG, as indexed by a decrease in Resting Motor Threshold and increase in the amplitude of Motor Evoked Potential. No significant changes were shown by the contralesional-hemisphere. Interhemispheric RMT-asymmetry evidenced significant (p < 0.05) changes in RG over CG indicating increased cortical-excitability in ipsilesional-hemisphere along with interhemispheric changes.
Robotic-exoskeleton training showed improvement in motor outcomes and cortical-excitability in patients with stroke. Neurophysiological changes in RG could most likely be a consequence of plastic reorganization and use-dependent plasticity. Trial registry number: ISRCTN95291802.
Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an endogenous regulator of the renin angiotensin system. Increased circulating ACE2 predicts adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF), but it is ...unknown if elevated plasma ACE2 activity predicts major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).
We prospectively recruited patients with obstructive CAD (defined as ≥50% stenosis of the left main coronary artery and/or ≥70% stenosis in ≥ 1 other major epicardial vessel on invasive coronary angiography) and measured plasma ACE2 activity. Patients were followed up to determine if circulating ACE2 activity levels predicted the primary endpoint of MACE (cardiovascular mortality, HF or myocardial infarction).
We recruited 79 patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. The median (IQR) plasma ACE2 activity was 29.3 pmol/ml/min 21.2-41.2. Over a median follow up of 10.5 years 9.6-10.8years, MACE occurred in 46% of patients (36 events). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, above-median plasma ACE2 activity was associated with MACE (log-rank test, p = 0.035) and HF hospitalisation (p = 0.01). After Cox multivariable adjustment, log ACE2 activity remained an independent predictor of MACE (hazard ratio (HR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-4.72, p = 0.009) and HF hospitalisation (HR: 4.03, 95% CI: 1.42-11.5, p = 0.009).
Plasma ACE2 activity independently increased the hazard of adverse long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with obstructive CAD.
A 90 days oral toxicity study of imidacloprid was conducted in female rats with doses of 0, 5, 10, 20
mg/kg/day. Decrease in the body weight gain was observed at 20
mg/kg/day and at necropsy the ...relative body weights of liver, kidney and adrenal was also significantly increased at this dose level. No mortality occurred during treatment period while food intake was reduced at high dose level. In clinical chemistry parameters high dose of imidacloprid has caused significant elevation of serum GOT, GPT, glucose and BUN and decreased the activity of AChE in serum and brain. The spontaneous locomotor activity was also decreased at highest dose exposure where as there were no significant changes in hematological and urine parameters. The brain, liver and kidney of rats exposed with high dose of imidacloprid had showed mild pathological changes. Based on the morphological, biochemical, hematological and neuropathological studies it is evident that imidacloprid has not produced any significant effects at 5 and 10
mg/kg/day doses but induced toxicological effects at 20
mg/kg/day to female rats. Hence, 10
mg/kg/day dose may be considered as no observed effect level (NOEL) for female rats.
Medical training programs are witnessing immense disruptions worldwide due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Keeping in mind the trainees' future prospects, it is important to provide continuity of ...teaching and timely certification assessments. Overcoming the obstacles to routine functioning presented by SARS-CoV-2 spread, we recently conducted the DM Neurology exit examination in a hybrid virtual format. We created a curated case repository with history and clinical examination findings followed by structured questions that could be built upon for case discussions. The external examiners assessed the candidates virtually through a video conferencing platform. The end results were well accepted by all key stake holders. The concerns, logistics and experience of conducting the DM Neurology exit exam in a virtual format are summarized here.
On the optical properties of the Mn4+ ion in solids Brik, M.G.; Srivastava, A.M.
Journal of luminescence,
January 2013, 2013, 2013-1-00, 20130101, Letnik:
133, Številka:
1
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Recenzirano
A review of the optical properties of Mn4+ ions in a number of host lattices is presented. As an example, detailed crystal field calculations of the Mn4+ energy levels in Na2SiF6 and K2SiF6 are ...reported and compared with the literature experimental data. Special attention is paid to the crystal field analysis of the observed features in relation to the structural data and peculiar features of the chemical bonding. A simple criterion is proposed, which can effectively and easily describe ionicity/covalency of the Mn4+-doped crystals. This criterion is based on the position of the sharp spin-forbidden 2Eg→4A2g emission line transition: if it is located above 15500cm−1 (below ∼645nm), the bonding is essentially ionic, while its location below 15500cm−1 (above ∼645nm), is suggestive of covalent bonding.
► Analysis of the spectroscopic data for Mn4+ ions in a number of crystals was performed. ► A criterion to distinguish between the covalent and ionic crystals was proposed. ► Mn4+ ion was shown to be a reliable probe for covalent effects.
Stroke is a serious neurological complication observed during the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus associated disease 2019) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome, corona virus ...2) and includes both ischemic stroke and intracerebral haemorrhage. We reviewed factors that could potentially contribute to the occurrence of stroke among patients with COVID-19. There could be an interaction between the conventional risk factors of stroke, infection, systemic inflammatory response and plaque destabilisation. Inflammatory markers, D-dimer elevation and increased cytokine activity have all been observed in patients with COVID-19. Other probable contributing factors include cardiac injury leading to embolism, a prothrombotic state and a possibility of direct neuroinvasive potential causing vasculopathy. Data from stroke patients gathered in large multicentric cohorts could help shed more light on the occurrence, behaviour, aetiology, pathophysiology, biomarkers and outcomes of stroke occurring during the ongoing pandemic.
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