Networks of synaptically connected neurons underlie all brain functions. Various cell-cell signaling and extrinsic molecules influence synapse assembly at the synaptic site. Calcium ions play a significant role in signal transduction pathways that control various neuronal functions. Multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) is an important mediator of calcium signaling in neurons, it plays an essential role in controlling synaptic strength and plasticity, and it is highly expressed in the cytosol of developing neurons, especially in presynaptic neurons. However, the precise role of CaMKII in synapse formation and synaptic transmission has not yet been determined. We hypothesized that CaMKII activity could be necessary for synapse formation and synaptic transmission. To test whether CaMKII activity is required for the synapse formation and synaptic transmission, the identified neurons visceral dorsal 4 (VD4 – presynaptic) and its postsynaptic partner left pedal dorsal 1 (LPeD1) from the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis were paired in soma-soma configuration in cell culture. The soma-soma paired cells recapitulated their excitatory connections in vitro. To test the possible role of CaMKII in synapse formation and synaptic transmission, the in vitro paired neurons were exposed to a CaMKII-specific inhibitor KN-93 and its inactive analog KN-92. The incidence of synapse formation and efficacy of synaptic transmission was tested electrophysiologically.

We report physicochemical characteristics of various kinds of liquid milk commercially available in Pakistan in comparison with those of fresh natural milk from animals. Milk samples were collected from local markets at Peshawar, Pakistan, and analyzed for their physical features, including moisture, total solids, specific gravity, conductivity, viscosity and titratable acidity (lactic acid equivalent), and chemical components and macro-minerals, including total protein, casein, lactose, ash and minerals (Na, K and Mg). These items were compared with the physicochemical characteristics of the fresh natural milk samples from buffalo, cow and goat. The results were also compared with reported nutritional quality of milk from various countries and World Health Organization (WHO) standards. We found that all the physical features and chemical components of commercially available milk in Pakistan markets meet WHO's requirements, except for Na, K, Ca and Mg, which are below the standards.
Animals ; Buffaloes ; Calcium ; analysis ; Cattle ; Goats ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Metals ; analysis ; Milk ; chemistry ; Potassium ; analysis ; Sodium ; analysis ; Viscosity

Plant root hairs are commonly found artifacts in parasitology specimens and may be confused with helminthes by an untrained eye. We report a case of brain tuberculoma where the tissue sample was contaminated with root hair derived from tap water; the presence of this root hair, which mimicked a larva, led to diagnostic confusion. Therefore, tap water should be considered a source of root hair and vegetable matter.
Animals ; Brain Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology ; *Diagnostic Errors ; Helminthiasis/diagnosis ; Helminths/growth & development ; Humans ; Larva/anatomy & histology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plant Roots/*anatomy & histology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculoma/*diagnosis/pathology ; Water

Piper nigrum L. is considered the king of spices throughout the world due to its pungent principle piperine. Peppercorn of Piper nigrum as a whole or its active components are used in most of the food items. Different parts of Piper nigrum including secondary metabolites are also used as drug, preservative, insecticidal and larvicidal control agents. Biologically Piper nigrum is very important specie. The biological role of this specie is explained in different experiments that peppercorn and secondary metabolites of Piper nigrum can be used as Antiapoptotic, Antibacterial, Anti-Colon toxin, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antidiarrhoeal, Anti-inflammatory, Antimutagenic, Anti-metastatic activity, Antioxidative, Antiriyretic, Antispasmodic, Antispermatogenic, Antitumor, Antithyroid, Ciprofloxacin potentiator, Cold extremities, Gastric ailments, Hepatoprotective, Insecticidal activity, Intermittent fever and Larvisidal activity. Other roles of this specie includes protection against diabetes induced oxidative stress; Piperine protect oxidation of various chemicals, decreased mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, inhibition of aryl hydroxylation, increased bioavailability of vaccine and sparteine, increase the bioavailability of active compounds, delayed elimination of antiepileptic drug, increased orocecal transit time, piperine influenced and activate the biomembrane to absorb variety of active agents, increased serum concentration, reducing mutational events, tumour inhibitory activity, Piperine inhibite mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, growth stimulatory activity and chemopreventive effect. This review based on the biological role of Piper nigrum can provide that the peppercorn or other parts can be used as crude drug for various diseases while the secondary metabolites such as piperine can be used for specific diseases.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of maxillary canine impaction on a basis of a single panoramic radiograph in Bangladeshi population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random sample of seven hundred panoramic radiographs was collected from the patient record of a dental clinic. All the selected panoramic radiographs were taken from January 2009 to August 2010 by a single panoramic radiograph machine with the same exposure time (19 seconds) for all radiographs. One hundred and twenty panoramic radiographs were excluded to minimize the selection bias. In a dim lit room, an observer assessed the radiographs on a standard radiographic light box. The position of the impacted maxillary canine was recorded in line with the longitudinal axis of a tooth using the edge of a metal ruler. Data were subsequently put on SPSS 11.5 software and chi-square (chi2) tests were applied to find out the association. RESULTS: Among 580 panoramic radiographs it was found that impacted maxillary canines were present in only 7 (1.2%) radiographs. A statistical significant difference was found between the age of the patients and the vertical position of the impacted canines (p=0.000) and between the age of the patients and the horizontal position of the impacted canines (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: The prevalence was found to be low compared with the present study from the limitation of panoramic image. Further study needs to include three-dimensional imaging modality.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cuspid ; Dental Clinics ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Light ; Prevalence ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Selection Bias ; Tooth ; Tooth, Impacted

Background: Cupressus arizonica Greene is a coniferous tree with great importance in fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. Essential oils from C. arizonica (EC) have shown potential antioxidant, and anti-microbial activities. This study aimed at investigating the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects/mechanisms of EC. Methods: The EC was evaluated for anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities on male Wistar rats using a formalin test and carrageenan-induced paw edema, respectively. Also, we pre-treated some of the animals with naloxone and flumazenil in the formalin test to find out the possible contributions of opioid and benzodiazepine receptors to EC anti-nociceptive effects. Finally, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was used to identify the EC’s constituents. Results: EC in intraperitoneal doses of 0.5 and 1 g/kg significantly decrease the nociceptive responses in both early and late phases of the formalin test. From a mechanistic point of view, flumazenil administration 20 minutes before the most effective dose of EC (1 g/kg) showed a meaningful reduction in the associated antinociceptive responses during the early and late phases of the formalin test. Naloxone also reduced the anti-nociceptive role of EC in the late phase. Furthermore, EC at the doses of 1, 0.5, and 0.25 g/kg significantly reduced paw edema from 0.5 hours after carrageenan injection to 4 hours. GC/MS analysis showed that isolated EC is a monoterpene-rich oil with the major presence of α-pinene (71.92%), myrcene (6.37%), δ-3-carene (4.68%), β-pinene (3.71%), and limonene (3.34%). Conclusions EC showed potent anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities with the relative involvement of opioid and benzodiazepine receptors.

No abstract available.
Leukemia, Large Granular Lymphocytic*

No abstract available.
Biopsy* ; Developing Countries* ; Tuberculosis, Spinal*

Studies were initiated for two consecutive years to find out the effect of time of transplanting and seedlings hill(-1) on the productivity of rice in Dera Ismail Khan district of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements. Main plots consisted of four transplanting dates viz. 20th and 27th of June and 4th and 11th of July while sub-plots contained 1, 2, 3 or 4 seedlings hill(-1). Among transplanting dates, June 20th planted crop gave highest paddy yield and net return with 1 seedling hill(-1). It explains that the use of more seedlings hill(-1) not only adds to cost but is also a mere wastage of natural resources. Based on research findings, we conclude that the use of 1 seedling hill(-1) is most appropriate for timely sowing otherwise 4 seedlings hill(-1) should be used to compensate for the yield gap in late transplanted rice.
Agriculture ; methods ; Oryza ; growth & development ; Pakistan ; Seasons ; Seeds ; growth & development ; Temperature

Background: The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been gaining popularity for resection of adult craniopharyngiomas. However, the safety and effectiveness of the procedure in comparison to the traditional transcranial approach (TCA) remains unestablished as previous reviews are outdated. Methods: A literature search without language restriction was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane database, and Web of Science from conception to July 9, 2021. Cohort studies and case series that compared EEA with TCA and assessed postoperative complications, recurrence, and 30-day mortality were included. Articles, where data for adult populations could not be extracted or calculated, were excluded. Article selection and data extraction in a predesigned data extraction form were conducted in duplicate. Pooled participant data were included in a random-effects model. Results: The search yielded 227 articles, from which eight cohort studies containing 11,395 patients were included (EEA: 6,614 patients, TCA: 4,781 patients). Six studies were good quality and two were fair quality according to the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. There were significantly higher rates of cerebrospinal fluid leak (risk ratio [RR]=0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17–0.32, p<0.00001, I2 =0%) and lower rates of postoperative hypopituitarism (RR=1.40, 95% CI 1.30–1.51, p<0.00001, I2 =0%), hydrocephalus (RR=6.95, 95% CI 5.78–8.36, p<0.00001, I2 =0%), visual impairment (RR=1.52, 95% CI 1.34–1.73, p<0.00001, I2 =0%), and 30-day mortality (RR=5.63, 95% CI 3.87–8.19, p<0.00001, I2 =0%) after EEA. Non-significant lower rates of postoperative diabetes insipidus (RR=1.12, 95% CI 0.78–1.61, p=0.53, I2 =85%) and recurrence of tumor (RR=2.69, 95% CI 0.35–20.81, p=0.34, I2 =47%) were seen after EEA. Conclusion EEA may be associated with reduced postoperative hypopituitarism, hydrocephalus, visual impairment, and 30-day mortality and higher rates of cerebrospinal fluid leak. These findings do not account for differences in tumor size and extension between the EEA and TCA cohorts. Further research on patients with comparable tumor characteristics is required to fully assess outcomes.