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Purpose: To discuss the role and mechanism of action of soft tissue reinforcement interposition flaps (strifs) in hypospadias repairs (reinforced hypospadiac urethroplasties). Materials and methods: between 2000-2005, 120 consecutive hypospadiacs (distal 85, mid 20, proximal 15), who underwent primary reinforced urethroplasties employing different types of strifs, were retrospectively analyzed. the strifs were highly vascular soft tissue pedicled flaps (devoid of epithelium) interposed between neo-urethras and the covering skin to reinforce the neo-urethras against fistula formation. the strifs were harvested, without much donor site deformity, from: preputial skin, penile skin and scrotal skin by de-epithelialization. those from buck′s fascia, corpus spongiosum and tunica vaginalis are strifs without epithelium anyway, therefore do not need de-epithelialization. redo urethroplasties and micropenises were not included. seven patients were excluded because they had incomplete follow-up. the remaining 113 (distal 84, mid 17, proximal 12) were followed up for nine to 40 months for number, size, location, spontaneous closure and persistence of urethro-cutaneous fistula (ucf), and other complications with regard to the severity of hypospadias, method of neourethral re-construction, types of strifs employed and skin cover used. a total of 158 strifs and 124 skin covers were used in 113 hypospadiac urethroplasties. Results: the first surgery was curative in 74 (65%) of 113 patients. in the remaining 39 (35%), various complications included 12 urethro-cutaneous fistulas (ucfs), 10 urethral strictures, six cases each of penile torsion and meatal stenosis and five cases each of superficial necrosis and poor cosmesis. of these 39 patients, 25 (64%) recovered with conservative treatment and 14 (36%) required re-operation, i.e. ucfs and strictures in four cases each and penile torsion, meatal stenosis and dog-ears in two cases each. all the 12 ucfs were single, pinpointed and were located at the corona in five and at the shaft in seven. eight (67%) of the 12 ucfs healed spontaneously during the follow-up period of 12 weeks.Conclusions: harvesting strifs is technically easy, however, great care is required in their handling, accurate placement and suturing over and around the re-constructed neo-urethras for their secured reinforcement against fistula formation. use of strifs in hypospadias repairs decreases fistula-associated morbidity but does not absolutely prevent fistula formation. the strifs reduce the size and prevent multiplicity of ucfs and locate the ucfs eccentrically well away from the neo-urethra to facilitate their spontaneous (conservative) as well as subsequent (surgical) closure. the mechanism of action of strifs is multi-factorial, like acting as a mechanical barrier; preventing suture line superimposition; inducing neo-angio-genesis; working as biological drain; providing mechanical support; and, filling the dead spaces.

Despite considerable behavioral and organizational research on advice from human advisors, and despite the increasing study of artificial intelligence (AI) in organizational research, workplace-related applications, and popular discourse, an interdisciplinary review of advice from AI (vs. human) advisors has yet to be undertaken. We argue that the increasing adoption of AI to augment human decision-making would benefit from a framework that can characterize such interactions. Thus, the current research invokes judgment and decision-making research on advice from human advisors and uses a conceptual “fit”-based model to: (1) summarize how the characteristics of the AI advisor, human decision-maker, and advice environment influence advice exchanges and outcomes (including informed speculation about the durability of such findings in light of rapid advances in AI technology), (2) delineate future research directions (along with specific predictions), and (3) provide practical implications involving the use of AI advice by human decision-makers in applied settings.

The current study focussed on the growth traits pertaining to Harnali sheep maintained at Sheep Farm, LUVAS, Hisar and data were recorded from pedigree sheets of 1278 animals. Growth traits considered were birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), six-month weight (6MW), yearling weight (YW), and pre-weaning average daily gain (PRWDG) and least-squares means for corresponding traits found to be 3.28±0.02 kg, 12.89±0.07 kg, 17.06±0.06 kg, 24.36±0.06 kg, and 106.74±0.61 g, respectively. Effect of different factors like period of birth, sex of animal and dams’ weight at lambing was studied on growth traits. Except YW, significant effect of period of birth was observed on all the growth traits. Sex had significant influence on BW only however, dams’ weight at lambing affected significantly all the considered growth traits except YW. By leveraging the sire component of variance and covariance from mixed model analysis, the paternal half-sib correlation method was used to estimate genetic as well as phenotypic parameters. Estimates of heritability for BW, WW, 6MW, YW and PRWDG were 0.28±0.07, 0.33±0.07, 0.31±0.07, 0.12±0.04 and 0.27±0.06, respectively. Genetic as well as phenotypic trends for WW and PRWDG were found to be positive. Moderate range of genetic variability at weaning weight and its positive genetic and phenotypic correlations with growth traits specially six month’s weight indicated that genetic improvement could be possible through early selection at weaning weight in Harnali sheep.

Abstract Heat stress is one of the major challenges in wheat cultivation because it coincides with the flowering period and limits the crop productivity. This study was conducted for evaluation of 50 wheat genotypes to identify the heat stress tolerant genotypes for improvement of stress tolerance. All genotypes were cultivated for two consecutive years (2018–2020) under normal and late sown conditions. The results of the study revealed that the combined analysis of variance indicated significant variations among genotypes for all the studied stress indices. The reduction in mean grain yield of all genotypes under stress condition as compared to non-stress condition, indicating that the heat stress significantly affect the grain yield. The correlation analysis showed that the negative correlation of tolerance index and stress susceptibility percentage index with the grain yield of genotypes under heat stress condition (Ys) and a highly positive correlation of stress tolerance index, mean productivity, geometric mean, harmonic mean and mean relative performance with grain yield (Yp and Ys) under both conditions, helped accurately to identify the desirable genotypes. From the results obtained from principal component, biplot and cluster analysis, it was reported that HD 2967, WH 1249, HI 1617, WH 1202, WH 1021 and WH 1142 are suitable and good yielding genotypes under both conditions. Thus, above genotypes can be used for cultivation at high temperature or as genetic resources for introducing genetic variations in wheat genotypes to improve stress tolerance.

Abstract Remote monitoring is beneficial for the management of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices by impacting morbidity and mortality. With increasing numbers of patients using remote monitoring, keeping up with higher volume of remote monitoring transmissions creates challenges for device clinic staff. This international multidisciplinary document is intended to guide cardiac electrophysiologists, allied professionals, and hospital administrators in managing remote monitoring clinics. This includes guidance for remote monitoring clinic staffing, appropriate clinic workflows, patient education, and alert management. This expert consensus statement also addresses other topics such as communication of transmission results, use of third‐party resources, manufacturer responsibilities, and programming concerns. The goal is to provide evidence‐based recommendations impacting all aspects of remote monitoring services. Gaps in current knowledge and guidance for future research directions are also identified.

The present study was carried out during 2018–19 and 2019–20 at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana to examine the impact of salt stress on physiological parameters of 9 distinct rootstocks of citrus (Citrus spp.) The experimental design followed a completely randomized design (CRD) accompanied with 3 replications, enclosing 45 combinations with 9 citrus rootstocks (Pectinifera, Cleopatra mandarin, Rangpur lime, Alemow, Rough lemon, NRCC-4, Volkamer lemon, CRH-12 and NRCC-3) exposed to 5 NaCl salt stress levels, viz. control (0.07), 2.5, 4.0, 5.5 and 7.0 dS/m. Among the different rootstocks, Rangpur lime exhibited the highest leaf (12.65 mg/g DW) and root (12.42 mg/g DW) total soluble carbohydrates at the 7.0 dS/m salinity level. Additionally, Rangpur lime showcased minimal reduction in chlorophyll stability index (17.2%), leaf and root relative water content (18.7 and 18.9%, respectively), relative stress injury (32.0 and 33.0%, respectively) and leaf and root (Malondialdehyde) MDA content (8.46 and 8.12 µmoles/g DW, respectively) at the same salinity level. Overall, Rangpur lime, Volkamer lemon and CRH-12 demonstrated superior performance by exhibiting relatively higher buildup of total soluble carbohydrates and less drop in CSI, RWC, RSI and MDA content at 7.0 dS/m as compared to control. Conversely, Cleopatra mandarin, Rough lemon and NRCC-3 displayed a relative moderate response, while Pectinifera, Alemow, and NRCC-4 showcased substandard performance, exhibiting contrasting behaviour at 7.0 dS/m as compared to control, particularly concerning physiological parameters at the seedling stage.

An experiment was conducted at the screen house of the Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana during 2018–19 and 2019–20 to assess the impact of 5 different salinity levels [0.07 (control), 2.5, 4.0, 5.5, and 7.0 dS/m] on the seed germination and biomass of 9 citrus (Citrus spp.) rootstock seedlings (Rough lemon, Pectinifera, Cleopatra mandarin, Rangpur lime, Alemow, Volkamer lemon, NRCC-4, NRCC-3 and CRH-12). Experiment consisted of 45 treatment combinations and 3 replications in a completely randomized design (CRD). Under the influence of soil salinity, the number of days taken for seed germination, seed germination percentage, fresh and dry root and shoot biomass were adversely affected across all rootstocks compared to the control treatment (0.07 dS/m). Among the tested rootstocks, Volkamer lemon exhibited the highest seed germination rate (57%), followed by Rangpur lime (53%) and CRH-12 (50%). Conversely, Pectinifera showed the lowest seed germination percentage (37%), followed by Alemow (43%) at 7 dS/m. The minimum reduction at 7 dS/m over control in fresh shoot and root and dry shoot and root biomass was observed in Rangpur lime (37.7, 16.2, 27.8 and 27.3%, respectively), followed by Volkamer lemon (38.0, 16.2, 28.3 and 28.5%, respectively). On the other hand, Pectinifera exhibited the highest reduction in biomass (51.9, 40.5, 47.0 and 43.9%, respectively), followed by Alemow (45.7, 30.9, 46.5 and 39.9%, respectively). Among all the rootstocks, Rangpur lime, Volkamer lemon and Cleopatra mandarin displayed better tolerance to salinity, exhibiting relatively lower reduction in biomass at the highest salinity level (7 dS/m) compared to the control. Cleopatra mandarin, Rough lemon and NRCC-3 showed a moderate response, while Pectinifera, NRCC-4, and Alemow were found to be less tolerant, exhibiting higher reduction in terms of count of seed germination days, seed germination percentage, fresh and dry root biomass, and shoot biomass at 7 dS/m compared to the control treatment.

Tibial plateau and distal femoral fractures are common injuries presenting a significant operative challenge. Complexity of the fracture often needs multi-planar surgical access. A combined two-staged procedure is frequently suggested both in supine and prone position to address this issue. However, this will significantly increase the operative time and eventually impact the outcome, in addition to the complications associated with prone positioning. In this study we used a standard orthopaedic table to position these patients in order to grant access to the postro-medial and a postro-lateral structures while the patient stays in supine setup, at the same time, giving the flexibility to change the alignment from valgus to varus and vice versa. This facilitates fracture reduction while addressing the anatomical structure of the knee. A further advantage is the unobstructed imaging access throughout the surgical fixation. This facilitates the reduction in operative time hence leading to a better outcome in these difficult fractures. We tested this positioning technique in more than 40 patients over a 4-year period at two different centres in the United Kingdome. We found that this approach is safe, reproducible and relatively easy to set up in the two centres.

Background: Telehealth (TH) visits have been growing with exponential increased utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the implementation and early experience of a pediatric electrophysiology (EP) TH program implemented during the pandemic, assessing patient satisfaction, patient equity and inclusion (measured by geographical outreach), and sustainability. Methods: A retrospective chart review study was performed and data were collected from the medical record, including demographic, testing, and billing data from scheduled TH encounters between March and August 2020 of a single pediatric EP group in the Midwest. Patients were called to complete satisfaction surveys. Results: Patients with diverse pathologies were seen in TH, with supraventricular/atrial tachycardias (n = 41, 35%) and inherited arrhythmia syndromes (n = 23, 20%) being most common. The mean distance from clinic was 95 miles (range 2.8–320 miles), with 43% of patients living more than 100 miles away from clinic. A total of 172 tests were performed previsit (n = 102, 59%), during the visit (n = 17, 10%), or postvisit (n = 53, 31%), including 15 EP studies. Time-based Current Procedural Terminology codes were predominantly used for billing purposes (n = 92, 78%). There was generation of work relative value units (wRVU) for visits (220.5 wRVU) and testing (325.1 wRVU). Survey data demonstrated that 98% of patients were satisfied with their telehealth appointment and 99% had a clear understanding of their diagnosis. Conclusion: Pediatric EP TH clinics can provide care for a geographically and pathologically heterogeneous group of patients who had positive attitudes toward TH. Our study shows significant downstream testing and subsequent wRVU generation, suggesting financial sustainability.

Wide complex tachycardia (WCT) is an infrequently encountered condition in paediatric patients and may be due to a variety of causes including supraventricular tachycardia with aberrant conduction, ventricular activation via an accessory pathway, ventricular pacing, or ventricular tachycardia. Immediate tachycardia termination is required in haemodynamically unstable patients. After stabilization or in those with haemodynamically tolerated WCT, a careful review of electrocardiographic tracings and diagnostic manoeuvres are essential to help elucidate the cause. Subacute and chronic management for WCT will depend on the underlying cause as well as features of the patient and the tachycardia presentation. This article will review the epidemiology, potential causes, and management of WCT in children. A detailed review of the pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic and treatment options is provided to enable the reader to develop a practical approach to managing this condition in young patients. Résumé: La tachycardie à complexes QRS larges est rare en pédiatrie et peut avoir diverses causes, notamment une tachycardie supraventriculaire avec trouble de la conduction, l’activation ventriculaire par une voie accessoire, une stimulation ventriculaire ou une tachycardie ventriculaire. La suppression immédiate de la tachycardie est primordiale lorsque l’état hémodynamique du patient est instable. Une fois l’état du patient stabilisé, ou en cas de tachycardie à complexes QRS larges tolérée sur le plan hémodynamique, l’examen minutieux des tracés électrocardiographiques et des manœuvres diagnostiques est crucial pour en élucider la cause. La prise en charge des cas subaigus et chroniques de tachycardie à complexes QRS larges dépend de sa cause sous-jacente ainsi que des caractéristiques du patient et du tableau clinique de la tachycardie. Cet article porte sur l’épidémiologie, les causes possibles et la prise en charge de la tachycardie à complexes QRS larges chez les enfants. Un examen approfondi de la physiopathologie, du diagnostic différentiel et des options diagnostiques et thérapeutiques est présenté pour permettre au lecteur d’élaborer une approche pratique pour la prise en charge de cette affection chez leurs jeunes patients.

Present field study was carried out to investigate the effects of biofertilizer strains on soil, leaf and yield parameters of Kinnow zandarin (C. nobilis × C. deliciosa) during 2018–19 and 2019–20 at the experimental orchard of Department of Horticulture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana. The study revealed that soil, leaf nutrient status and yield parameters were significantly affected with the application of biofertilizers. There was synergistic influence of Azotobacter and PSB strains. The magnitude of increase with the application of different bio-strains was more pronounced when applied in combination with lower dose of fertilizers (75% RDF) than their combination with higher dose (100% RDF). 100% RDF + Azotobacter chroococcum Mac 27 + Pseudomonas P 36 (T7) was found most effective in enhancing soil macro-micro nutrients, leaf nutrient status and yield parameters. Soil available N and P increased significantly in 0–15 cm soil layer during both years but in 15–30 cm soil layer, the enhancement was observed only during second year of investigation, however Fe, Zn and Mn showed significant improvement only in 0–15 cm soil layer during both years. Leaf N content increased in September, however no significant effect was observed in March values. Leaf N content showed fast increment as compared to leaf P content.

Introduction: Recent studies suggest that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are effective at slowing the progression of kidney disease and lowering the risk of kidney failure in people with kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. There is no such study from India. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of SGLT2i in Indian patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 86 patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease and with an estimated creatinine clearance of >30 mL/minute. Forty-one patients received SGLT2i and 45 patients did not receive SGLT2i. Patients were followed up for at least 12 months. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, HbA1c, urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR), doubling of serum creatinine and rate of decline of the estimated creatinine clearance were compared between the two groups. Results: The two groups were comparable at baseline in terms of age, sex, blood pressure, BMI, HbA1c, and degree of renal impairment. Over 12 months the UPCR decreased by 0.03 in SGLT2i group and increased by 1.1 in non SGLT2i group (P < 0.05). Doubling of serum creatinine occurred in 4.8% of patients in the SGLT2i group as compared to 18% in the control group (P < 0.05). The rate of decline of the estimated creatinine clearance in the SGLT2i group was 4.9 ml/min/year as compared to 9.4 ml/min/year in the non SGLT2i group (P < 0.05). At 12 months the BMI in the SGLT2i group decreased by 1.49 as compared to 0.12 in the non SGLT2i group (P < 0.05). The blood pressure and HbA1c control were similar in both groups during the study period suggesting that the observed effect was due to SGLT2 inhibition itself and not due to blood pressure or blood glucose control. Conclusion: Our study showed that treatment with SGLT2i had significant renoprotective effects, as shown by a reduction in urinary protein excretion, less percentage of patients developing doubling of serum creatinine, and a slower rate of decline in creatinine clearance.

Abstract Many Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients are able to ride a bicycle despite being severely compromised by gait disturbances up to freezing of gait. This review [PROSPERO CRD 42019137386] aimed to find out, which PD-related symptoms improve from bicycling, and which type of bicycling exercise would be most beneficial. Following a systematic database literature search, peer-reviewed studies with randomized control trials (RCT) and with non-randomized trials (NRCT) investigating the interventional effects of bicycling on PD patients were included. A quality analysis addressing reporting, design and possible bias of the studies, as well as a publication bias test was done. Out of 202 references, 22 eligible studies with 505 patients were analysed. An inverse variance-based analysis revealed that primary measures, defined as motor outcomes, benefitted from bicycling significantly more than cognitive measures. Additionally, secondary measures of balance, walking speed and capacity, and the PDQ-39 ratings improved with bicycling. The interventions varied in durations, intensities and target cadences. Conclusively, bicycling is particularly beneficial for the motor performance of PD patients, improving crucial features of gait. Furthermore, our findings suggest that bicycling improves the overall quality-of-life of PD patients.

The voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV), NaV1.1, is well-studied in the central nervous system; conversely, its contribution to peripheral sensory neuron function is more enigmatic. Here, we identify a new role for NaV1.1 in mammalian proprioception. RNAscope analysis and in vitro patch-clamp recordings in genetically identified mouse proprioceptors show ubiquitous channel expression and significant contributions to intrinsic excitability. Notably, genetic deletion of NaV1.1 in sensory neurons caused profound and visible motor coordination deficits in conditional knockout mice of both sexes, similar to conditional Piezo2-knockout animals, suggesting that this channel is a major contributor to sensory proprioceptive transmission. Ex vivo muscle afferent recordings from conditional knockout mice found that loss of NaV1.1 leads to inconsistent and unreliable proprioceptor firing characterized by action potential failures during static muscle stretch; conversely, afferent responses to dynamic vibrations were unaffected. This suggests that while a combination of Piezo2 and other NaV isoforms is sufficient to elicit activity in response to transient stimuli, NaV1.1 is required for transmission of receptor potentials generated during sustained muscle stretch. Impressively, recordings from afferents of heterozygous conditional knockout animals were similarly impaired, and heterozygous conditional knockout mice also exhibited motor behavioral deficits. Thus, NaV1.1 haploinsufficiency in sensory neurons impairs both proprioceptor function and motor behaviors. Importantly, human patients harboring NaV1.1 loss-of-function mutations often present with motor delays and ataxia; therefore, our data suggest that sensory neuron dysfunction contributes to the clinical manifestations of neurological disorders in which NaV1.1 function is compromised. Collectively, we present the first evidence that NaV1.1 is essential for mammalian proprioceptive signaling and behaviors.

Abstract Background Neuroinflammation is a major component of secondary damage after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We recently reported that pharmacological inhibition of Pannexin-1 (Panx1) channels markedly reduced the inflammatory response after TBI. Panx1 channels have been shown to be important conduits for adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) release and are associated with leukocyte infiltration and pyroptosis. Because Panx1 blockers significantly decrease ATP release and migration of activated microglia and other myeloid cells (such as monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells) in vitro, we hypothesized that myeloid Panx1 channels play a specific role in immune cell infiltration promoting tissue damage following TBI. Methods The murine-controlled cortical impact (CCI) model was used on myeloid-specific Panx1 conditional knockout (Cx3cr1-Cre::Panx1 fl/fl) mice to determine whether myeloid Panx1 mediates neuroinflammation and brain damage. Immune cell infiltration was measured using flow cytometry. Locomotor and memory functions were measured using the rotarod and Barnes maze test, respectively. The levels of biomarkers for tissue damage and blood–brain barrier leakage were measured using western blot and magnetic resonance imaging. Panx1 channel activity was measured with ex vivo dye uptake assays, using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Results CCI-injured Cx3cr1-Cre::Panx1 fl/fl mice showed markedly reduced immune cell infiltration to the brain parenchyma compared with Panx1 fl/fl mice. As expected, Panx1 dependent activity, assessed by dye uptake, was markedly reduced only in myeloid cells from Cx3cr1-Cre::Panx1 fl/fl mice. The expression of biomarkers of tissue damage was significantly reduced in the CCI-injured Cx3cr1-Cre::Panx1 fl/fl mice compared with Panx1 fl/fl mice. In line with this, magnetic resonance imaging showed reduced blood–brain barrier leakage in CCI-injured Cx3cr1-Cre::Panx1 fl/fl mice. There was also a significant improvement in motor and memory function in Cx3cr1-Cre::Panx1 fl/fl mice when compared with Panx1 fl/fl mice within a week post-CCI injury. Conclusion Our data demonstrate that CCI-related outcomes correlate with Panx1 channel function in myeloid cells, indicating that activation of Panx1 channels in myeloid cells is a major contributor to acute brain inflammation following TBI. Importantly, our data indicate myeloid Panx1 channels could serve as an effective therapeutic target to improve outcome after TBI.

The first efficient biocatalytic route for the synthesis of kojic acid derivatives was developed in presence of an enzyme. In this process, benzaldehydes, malononitrile and kojic acid were used as starting materials while lipase from Aspergillus niger was the promiscuous biocatalyst giving high conversion (82–95%) of kojic acid derivatives in aqueous medium. The probable enzymatic mechanism is proposed here. The lipase was reused till three consecutive cycles without a significant loss of activity. This efficient bioprocess has potential to replace the existing chemical catalytic processes to produce heterocyclic anti-tyrosinase compounds that prevents hyperpigmentation.

Visual images contain redundant information across spatial scales where low spatial frequency contrast is informative towards the location and likely content of high spatial frequency detail. Previous research suggests that the visual system makes use of those redundancies to facilitate efficient processing. In this framework, a fast, initial analysis of low-spatial frequency (LSF) information guides the slower and later processing of high spatial frequency (HSF) detail. Here, we used multivariate classification as well as time-frequency analysis of MEG responses to the viewing of intact and phase scrambled images of human faces to demonstrate that the availability of redundant LSF information, as found in broadband intact images, correlates with a reduction in HSF representational dominance in both early and higher-level visual areas as well as a reduction of gamma-band power in early visual cortex. Our results indicate that the cross spatial frequency information redundancy that can be found in all natural images might be a driving factor in the efficient integration of fine image details.

The cerebellum is involved in predicting the sensory feedback resulting from movements and sensations, but little is known about the precise timing of these predictions due to the scarcity of time-sensitive cerebellar neuroimaging studies. We here, using magnetoencephalography, investigated the hypothesis that one function of the cerebellum is to predict with millisecond precision when rhythmic stimuli are expected to impinge on sensory receptors.This revealed that omissions following regular trains of stimulation showed higher cerebellar power in the beta band (14-30 Hz) than those following irregular trains of stimulation, within milliseconds of when the omitted stimulus should have appeared. We also found evidence of cerebellar theta band (4-7 Hz) activity encoding the rhythm of new sequences of stimulation.Our results also strongly suggest that the putamen and the thalamus mirror the cerebellum in showing higher beta band power when omissions followed regular trains of stimulation compared to when they followed irregular trains of stimulation.We interpret this as the cerebellum functioning as a clock that precisely encodes and predicts upcoming stimulation, perhaps in tandem with the putamen and thalamus. Relative to less predictable stimuli, perfectly predictable stimuli induce greater cerebellar power. This implies that the cerebellum entrains to rhythmic stimuli for the purpose of detecting any deviations from that rhythm.

Abstract Background Green tea has polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins; mainly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin (EC), out of which EGCG is of higher abundance. EGCG has shown preventive role in hypercholesterolemia. However, due to low oral bioavailability, a need arises to improve its membrane permeability and transporter-mediated intestinal efflux. Therefore, an attempt was made to enhance permeability and bioavailability of EGCG using curcumin to treat hyperlipidemia. Further, it was formulated in herbal tea bags to achieve patient compliance. Methods EGCG extracted from green tea leaves was confirmed by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography. Green tea extract (GTE), curcumin and their mixtures were subjected to Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry for compatibility studies. Powder formulation was prepared comprising GTE, curcumin, sucralose and cardamom. Results Ex-vivo study was performed on everted goat intestine, analyzed by HPLC and demonstrated highest permeation of GTE:curcumin (220:50) (53.15%) than GTE (20.57%). Antihyperlipidemic activity was performed in rats for 15 days. Blood sample analysis of rats of test groups (formulation and GTE solution) fed on high fat diet showed (mg/dl):cholesterol 80 and 90, triglycerides 73.25 and 85.5, HDL 50.75 and 46, LDL 43.9 and 46, VLDL 14.65 and 17.1 respectively with significant lipid regulating effect. Conclusion Curcumin enhanced permeability of EGCG. Therefore, P-glycoprotein pump inside intestine can be potential mechanism to enhance permeability of EGCG. Thus, EGCG-curcumin herbal tea bag is promising nutraceutical to treat hyperlipidemia in day-to-day life achieving patient compliance.

The aim of present study was to assess the relationship among morphological traits and identify the components that define body conformation in a synthetic White Leghorn strain using multivariate procedure principal component analysis. Data were collected from the records of synthetic White Leghorn strain maintained at Poultry Breeding Farm, LUVAS, Hisar. A total of 12 different morphological traits, viz. 40 week body weight, beak length, comb length, keel length, body length, breast girth, breast angle, radius-ulna length, shank length, shank circumference, back length and tail length were recorded and statistical analysis revealed the means for corresponding traits as 1972.65 g, 2.25 cm, 10.74 cm, 12.61 cm, 33.10 cm, 31.40 cm, 55.19 degree, 13.28 cm, 8.37 cm, 4.33 cm, 26.58 cm and 22.94 cm, respectively. Phenotypic correlations among considered body measurements were found to be positive and highly significant varying from 0.394 (breast angle-back length) to 0.965 (body length-back length). All body measurements taken into the study showed high correlation with 40 week body weight indicating the possible use of body measurements in predicting body weight in synthetic White Leghorn strain. The extracted single component explained 75.307% of the total variability in the original parameters and had high loadings for all the considered traits except breast angle. Communality estimates varied from 0.313 (breast angle) to 0.900 (body length) in present study. Further, low communality estimate for breast angle observed in this study indicated that breast angle is frail in elucidating the total variation in body measurements of synthetic White Leghorn strain.

A field study was undertaken to investigate the effect of auxin sprays on fruit size and quality of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) cv. Pineapple during the year 2015–16 at the experimental orchard of the University. Exogenous application of 2,4-D @ 20 ppm and NAA @ 50 ppm at the end of April and July increased the percentage of medium size fruits, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and fruit physical quality with respect to peel thickness and peel content. However, chemical quality in terms of TSS, acidity and ascorbic acid was not affected by any treatment and spray schedule. The foliar application of 2,4-D 20 ppm at the end of April and July gave highest additional income over control.

Reducing triacylglycerol (TAG) in the liver continues to pose a challenge in states of nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis. Monoacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (MOGAT) enzymes convert monoacylglycerol (MAG) to diacylglycerol, a precursor for TAG synthesis, and are involved in a major pathway of TAG synthesis in selected tissues, such as small intestine. MOGAT1 possesses MGAT activity in in vitro assays, but its physiological function in TAG metabolism is unknown. Recent studies suggest a role for MOGAT1 in hepatic steatosis in lipodystrophic [1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase (Agpat)2−/−] and obese (ob/ob) mice. To test this, we deleted Mogat1 in the Agpat2−/− and ob/ob genetic background to generate Mogat1−/−;Agpat2−/− and Mogat1−/−;ob/ob double knockout (DKO) mice. Here we report that, despite the absence of Mogat1 in either DKO mouse model, we did not find any decrease in liver TAG by 16 weeks of age. Additionally, there were no measureable changes in plasma glucose (diabetes) and insulin resistance. Our data indicate a minimal role, if any, of MOGAT1 in liver TAG synthesis, and that TAG synthesis in steatosis associated with lipodystrophy and obesity is independent of MOGAT1. Our findings suggest that MOGAT1 likely has an alternative function in vivo.