A Systematic Review of PET Contrasted with MRI for Detecting Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis in Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases

There has not been extensive research into crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) in neurodegenerative disorders. CCD is frequently detected using positron emission tomography (PET). However, advanced MRI techniques have come forth for the detection of CCD. The correct diagnosis of CCD is crucial for the care of neurological patients and those with neurodegenerative conditions. The purpose of this study is to determine whether PET can offer extra value over MRI or an advanced technique in MRI for detecting CCD in neurological conditions. We searched three main electronic databases from 1980 until the present and included only English and peer-reviewed journal articles. Eight articles involving 1246 participants met the inclusion criteria, six of which used PET imaging while the other two used MRI and hybrid imaging. The findings in PET studies showed decreased cerebral metabolism in the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital cortices, as on the opposite side of the cerebellar cortex. However, the findings in MRI studies showed decreased cerebellar volumes. This study concludes that PET is a common, accurate, and sensitive technique for detecting both crossed cerebellar and uncrossed basal ganglia as well as thalamic diaschisis in neurodegenerative diseases, while MRI is better for measuring brain volume. This study suggests that PET has a higher diagnostic value for diagnosing CCD compared to MRI, and that PET is a more valuable technique for predicting CCD.

Methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus root augments the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of amoxicillin and clindamycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus of bovine origin

The present study evaluated the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of MHIR in combination with amoxicillin and clindamycin against biofilm-forming MRSA isolated from milk samples of mastitic cows. Microdilution susceptibility testing and microtiter plate assays were used to evaluate the in-vitro efficacy of MHIR and antibiotic combinations against MRSA (n=12). Furthermore, in-vitro findings were validated in a murine model. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration of amoxicillin and clindamycin in combination with MHIR were significantly (P<0.05) lower than when used alone against MRSA. In terms of antibacterial activity, MHIR showed additive interaction (Fractional inhibitory concentration_index >0.5-4) with amoxicillin and clindamycin against all the MRSA isolates, whereas MHIR synergizes (Fractional biofilm inhibitory concentration_index ≤0.5) the antibiofilm activity of amoxicillin and clindamycin against 58.33% and 83.33% of the MRSA isolates, respectively. Amoxicillin/clindamycin in combination with MHIR significantly (P<0.05) reduced disease activity score, and,; bacterial load and Gram-positive spots in kidney and liver of MRSA infected mice. The combined efficacy of MHIR and amoxicillin/clindamycin was comparable to clindamycin alone but superior to amoxicillin alone. Hence, the combination of MHIR with amoxicillin/clindamycin is advocated in the treatment of MRSA-associated infections.

Alzheimer's Dementia: The Emerging Role of Positron Emission Tomography

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and accounts for approximately 50% to 80% of all cases of dementia. The diagnosis of probable AD is based on clinical criteria and overlapping clinical features pose a challenge to accurate diagnosis. However, neuroimaging has been included as a biomarker in various published criteria for the diagnosis of probable AD, in the absence of a confirmatory diagnostic test during life. Advances in neuroimaging techniques and their inclusion in diagnostic and research criteria for the diagnosis of AD includes the use of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging as a biomarker in various therapeutic and prognostic studies in AD. The development and application of a range of PET tracers will allow more detailed assessment of people with AD and will improve diagnostic specificity and targeted therapy of AD. The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence on PET imaging using the non-specific tracer [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose and specific tracers that target amyloid and tau pathology in people with AD.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ALGORITHM TO ESTIMATE EYE LENS DOSE IN TERMS OF OPERATIONAL QUANTITY Hp(3) USING HEAD TLD BADGE

In view of the recommendations of International Commission on Radiological Protection for reduction of the occupational annual dose limit for eye lens from 150 mSv to 20 mSv/y, questions have been raised on the adequacy of monitoring for the quantities Hp(10) and Hp(0.07). As an immediate requirement, in the present situation, where there is no exclusive eye lens dosemeter in India, the existing chest TLD badge was modified to be used as head badge (head dosemeter) by including a strap to enable wearing on the forehead. In order to estimate the eye lens dose in terms of the operational quantity Hp(3), the prevalent algorithm of chest badge was also modified. The modified algorithm was applied to estimate Hp(3) for dosemeters irradiated to various beta and photon radiations including mixtures. The Q values (estimated/delivered dose equivalent) were found to be within ±20% for most of the photon beams.

Nonpharmacological methods in managing patients with dementia in a tertiary care hospital

Management of dementia is very crucial. Nonpharmacological methods (NPM) are well appreciated and encouraged to be used as first-line treatment for managing elderly patients with dementia (PwD). The present case reports aimed to share the strategies of NPM for managing PwD. NPM requires a structured blueprint to record, follow-up, and monitor the outcomes. A structured proforma has been developed in the department. After getting all the basic information from the patient, needed assessments are being done by the concerned team member to identify and rate the level of severity of the problem, and specific NPM strategies are being provided. Concerted efforts give positive results; knowledge and understanding about the illness help the caregiver in managing the patient. No negative impact has been reported; NPM is a cost-effective approach and therefore should be studied on a larger level to provide evidence from India and prove its efficacy.

Postherpetic Neuralgia Presenting as Delusional Parasitosis: A Case Series

Delusional parasitosis (DP) or Ekbom's disease is a rare psychiatric condition where the sufferers have a firm-fixed belief of insects crawling over their skin. The condition may be primary monosymptomatic hypochrondrical delusion or secondary to an underlying psychiatric or organic condition. We present two cases of elderly men presenting with classical symptomatology of DP, which is found to be secondary to postherpetic neuralgia following an acute episode of shingles or herpes zoster infection. One patient responded to a combination of antipsychotic, olanzapine, and pregabalin, used for neuropathic pain, and the other patient responded completely with medications used for neuropathic pain only without any antipsychotic use.

Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life of Key Caregivers of Patients with Dementia

BACKGROUND

Dementia is the most devastating cognitive disorder of the elderly and needs extra attention to care. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the caregiver burden of dementia key caregivers and their Quality of Life (QOL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sample consisted of purposively selected 24 dementia key caregivers fulfilling the inclusion criteria from the in-patient of the Department of Geriatric Mental Health, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Zarit Burden Interview and World Health Organization QOL-BREF were administered. Mean, standard deviation, t-test, Chi-square with Yate's correction were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

All key caregivers felt mild to moderate level of burden. Gender-wise significant difference was found on burden area of expectation (P < 0.05). Mean scores on physical, psychological, social relationship, and environmental QOL were found to be on lower side. A negative correlation was found between burden and QOL.

CONCLUSION

Professional help and supportive psychotherapy can be provided to the key caregivers of dementia patients to reduce their burden, strengthen the coping skill and thus improve their QOL.

P300 latency as an indicator of severity in major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Depression is the most common mental health problem across all the age groups. Still diagnostic techniques and laboratory tests are awaited to confirm it. Some studies focus on P300 latency to aid in the diagnosis of depression. Hence, this study was conducted to know whether P300 latency is an indicator of major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS

This study was conducted both on patients admitted in the hospital and those attending outdoor clinic giving written informed consent and fulfilling inclusion/exclusion criteria from the Department of Psychiatry, S.N. Medical College and Hospital, Agra. The sample consisted of 30 consecutive patients suffering from MDD as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria and 30 subjects as normal control. Sociodemographic and clinical history proforma, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D), and P300 were administered on all 60 subjects. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test.

RESULTS

Significant difference (P < 0.0001) has been found in HAM-D mean scores of depressed and nondepressed control group subjects. The mean score of depressed group was significantly high (18.066) compared to nondepressed control group (4.833). Significant difference (P < 0.0001) between the mean of P300 latency in depressed and nondepressed control subjects was also found. Mean score of P300 latency in depressed group was significantly high (346.918 ± 19.515) compared to the nondepressed control subjects (303.741 ± 6.378). There was a significant difference in the mean of P300 latency between mild and severe (P < 0.0001), mild and very severe (P < 0.0003), as well as moderate and severe (P < 0.0001) level of depression.

CONCLUSIONS

P300 latency may be used as an indicator of MDD and it is directly proportional to the severity of MDD.

Development of an algorithm for evaluating personal doses due to photon fields in terms of operational quantities for TLD badge system in India

In order to evaluate and report the personal doses in terms of personal dose equivalent, the performance of the CaSO(4):Dy based thermoluminescence dosemeter (TLD) badge used for countrywide personnel monitoring in India is investigated using monoenergetic and narrow spectrum radiation qualities equivalent to those given in ISO standards. Algorithms suitable for evaluating H(p)(10) and H(p)(0.07) within +/- 30 % are developed from the responses of dosemeter elements/discs under different filters for normal as well as angular irradiation conditions using these beams. The algorithm is tested for TLD badges irradiated to mixtures of low- and high-energy ((137)Cs) beams in various proportions. The paper concludes with the results of test of algorithm by evaluation of badges used in the IAEA/RCA intercomparison studies and discussion on inherent limitations.

Abnormal anther development and high sporopollenin synthesis in benzotriazole treated male sterile Helianthus annuus L

Foliar application of 1.5% benzotriazole induced 100% pollen sterility in H. annuus. Pollen abortion in treated plants was mainly associated with abnormal behaviour of tapetum. A limited number of anther locule showed early degeneration of tapetum followed by disintegration of sporogenous tissues. On the other hand, some locules showed normal development of tapetum at initial stages. However, this tapetum exhibited degenerated and non-functional cell organelles. In both these situations tapetum failed to provide proper nourishment to developing microspores. The ultrastructure of both tapetum and microspores is different from that of control material with irregularities of exine deposition, endopolyploidy of tapetal nuclei and an alteration of organelle composition being correlated with sterility. Pollen grains thus developed were devoid of nucleus and cell organelles and were complete sterile.

Search for narrow tt resonances in pp collisions at square root of (s)=1.8 TeV

A search for narrow resonances that decay into tt pairs has been performed using 130 pb(-1) of data in the lepton + jets channel collected by the Dphi detector in pp collisions at square root of (s)=1.8 TeV. There is no significant deviation observed from the standard-model predictions at a top-quark mass of 175 GeV/c2. We therefore present upper limits at the 95% confidence level on the product of the production cross section and branching fraction to tt for narrow resonances as a function of the resonance mass MX. These limits are used to exclude the existence of a leptophobic top-color particle with mass MX<560 GeV/c2, using a theoretical cross section for a width GammaX=0.012MX.

Search for large extra dimensions in the monojet+E(T) channel with the DØ detector

We present a search for large extra dimensions (ED) in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.8 TeV using data collected by the DØ detector at the Fermilab Tevatron in 1994-1996. Data corresponding to 78.8+/-3.9 pb(-1) are examined for events with large missing transverse energy, one high-p(T) jet, and no isolated muons. There is no excess observed beyond expectation from the standard model, and we place lower limits on the fundamental Planck scale of 1.0 and 0.6 TeV for 2 and 7 ED, respectively.

Search for the production of single sleptons through R-parity violation in pp; collisions at square root (s) =1.8 TeV

We report the first search for supersymmetric particles via s-channel production and decay of smuons or muon sneutrinos at hadronic colliders. The data for the two-muon and two-jets final states were collected by the D0 experiment and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 94+/-5 pb(-1). Assuming that R parity is violated via the single coupling lambda'211, the number of candidate events is in agreement with expectation from the standard model. Exclusion contours are given in the (m(0),m(1/2)) and (m(x),m(v)) planes for lambda(')(211)=0.09, 0.08, and 0.07.

Search for R-parity violating supersymmetry in two-muon and four-jet topologies

We present results of a search for R-parity-violating decay of the neutralino chi;01, taken as the lightest supersymmetric particle, to a muon and two jets. The decay proceeds through a lepton-number violating coupling lambda(')(2jk) (j=1,2; k=1,2,3), with R-parity conservation in all other production and decay processes. In the absence of candidate events from 77.5+/-3.9 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.8 TeV, and with an expected background of 0.18+/-0.03+/-0.02 events, we set limits on squark and gluino masses within the framework of the minimal low-energy supergravity-supersymmetry model.

Search for leptoquark pairs decaying into nunu+jets in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV

We present the results of a search for leptoquark (LQ) pairs in (85.2+/-3.7) pb(-1) of pp* collider data collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron. We observe no evidence for leptoquark production and set a limit on sigma(pp*-->LQLQ-->nunu+jets) as a function of the mass of the leptoquark (m(LQ)). Assuming the decay LQ-->nuq, we exclude scalar leptoquarks for m(LQ) < 98 GeV/c(2), and vector leptoquarks for m(LQ) < 200 GeV/c(2) and coupling which produces the minimum cross section, at a 95% confidence level.

Search for the scalar top quark in pp collisions at square root[s] = 1.8 TeV

We have performed a search for scalar top quark (stop) pair production in the inclusive electron-muon-missing transverse energy final state, using a sample of pp events corresponding to 108.3 pb(-1) of data collected with the D0 detector at Fermilab. The search is done in the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model assuming that the sneutrino is the lightest supersymmetric particle. For the dominant decays of the lightest stop, t-->b chi+1 and t-->blnu, no evidence for signal is found. We derive cross-section limits as a function of stop ( t ), chargino ( chi+1), and sneutrino ( nu) masses.

Direct search for charged higgs bosons in decays of top quarks

We present a search for charged Higgs bosons in decays of pair-produced top quarks in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV recorded by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. With no evidence for signal, we exclude most regions of the ( M(H+/-),tan(beta)) parameter space where the decay t--> H(+)b has a branching fraction >0.36 and B(H+/--->tau(nu)(tau)) is large.

Ratio of isolated photon cross sections in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 630 and 1800 GeV

The inclusive cross section for production of isolated photons has been measured in pp macro collisions at square root of s = 630 GeV with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The photons span a transverse energy (E(T)) range from 7-49 GeV and have pseudorapidity absolute value of eta < 2.5. This measurement is combined with the previous D0 result at square root of s = 1800 GeV to form a ratio of the cross sections. Comparison of next-to-leading-order QCD with the measured cross section at 630 GeV and the ratio of cross sections show satisfactory agreement in most of the E(T) range.

Search for new physics using QUAERO: a general interface to D0 event data

We describe QUAERO, a method that (i) enables the automatic optimization of searches for physics beyond the standard model, and (ii) provides a mechanism for making high energy collider data generally available. We apply QUAERO to searches for standard model WW, ZZ, and t t macro production, to searches for these objects produced through a new heavy resonance, and to the first direct search for W'-->WZ. Through this interface, we make three data sets collected by the D0 experiment at square root of [s] = 1.8 TeV publicly available.

Search for heavy particles decaying into electron-positron pairs in pp collisions

We present results of searches for technirho (rho(T)), techniomega (omega(T)), and Z' particles, using the decay channels rho(T),omega(T),Z'-->e(+)e(-). The search is based on 124.8 pb(-1) of data collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron during 1992-1996. In the absence of a signal, we set 95% C.L. upper limits on the cross sections for the processes pp-->rho(T),omega(T),Z'-->e(+)e(-) as a function of the mass of the decaying particle. For certain model parameters, we exclude the existence of degenerate rho(T) and omega(T) states with masses below about 200 GeV. We exclude a Z' with mass below 670 GeV, assuming that it has the same couplings to fermions as the Z boson.

Quasi-model-independent search for new high p(T) physics at D0

We apply a quasi-model-independent strategy ("Sleuth") to search for new high p(T) physics in approximately 100 pb(-1) of pp collisions at square root of (s) = 1.8 TeV collected by the D0 experiment during 1992-1996 at the Fermilab Tevatron. We systematically analyze many exclusive final states and demonstrate sensitivity to a variety of models predicting new phenomena at the electroweak scale. No evidence of new high p(T) physics is observed.

Ratio of jet cross sections at square root of s = 630 GeV and 1800 GeV

The D0 Collaboration has measured the inclusive jet cross section in barpp collisions at square root of s = 630 GeV. The results for pseudorapidities (eta)<0.5 are combined with our previous results at square root of s = 1800 GeV to form a ratio of cross sections with smaller uncertainties than either individual measurement. Next-to-leading-order QCD predictions show excellent agreement with the measurement at 630 GeV; agreement is also satisfactory for the ratio. Specifically, despite a 10% to 15% difference in the absolute magnitude, the dependence of the ratio on jet transverse momentum is very similar for data and theory.

Ratios of multijet Cross Sections in p p collisions at radical(s) = 1.8 TeV

We report on a study of the ratio of inclusive three-jet to inclusive two-jet production cross sections as a function of total transverse energy in p&pmacr; collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV, using data collected with the D0 detector during the 1992-1993 run of the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The measurements are used to deduce preferred renormalization scales in perturbative O(alpha(3)(s)) QCD calculations in modeling soft-jet emission.

Inclusive jet production in pp(macro) collisions

We report a new measurement of the pseudorapidity (eta) and transverse-energy ( E(T)) dependence of the inclusive jet production cross section in pp(macro) collisions at square root of s = 1.8 TeV using 95 pb(-1) of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. The differential cross section d(2)sigma/(dE(T)d eta) is presented up to eta = 3, significantly extending previous measurements. The results are in good overall agreement with next-to-leading order predictions from QCD and indicate a preference for certain parton distribution functions.

Search for large extra dimensions in dielectron and diphoton production

We report a search for effects of large extra spatial dimensions in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.8 TeV with the D0 detector, using events containing a pair of electrons or photons. The data are in good agreement with the expected background and do not exhibit evidence for large extra dimensions. We set the most restrictive lower limits to date, at the 95% C.L. on the effective Planck scale between 1.0 and 1.4 TeV for several formalisms and numbers of extra dimensions.

Molluscicidal activity of Punica granatum bark and Canna indica root

The molluscicidal activity of Punica granatum Linn. (Punicaceae) and Canna indica Linn. (Cannaceae) against the snail Lymnaea acuminata was studied. The molluscicidal activity of P. granatum bark and C. indica root was found to be both time and dose dependent. The toxicity of P. granatum bark was more pronounced than that of C. indica. The 24 h LC(50) of the column-purified root of C. indica was 6.54 mg/l whereas that of the column-purified bark of P. granatum was 4.39 mg/l. The ethanol extract of P. granatum (24 h LC(50): 22.42 mg/l) was more effective than the ethanol extract of C. indica (24 h LC(50): 55.65 mg/l) in killing the test animals. P. granatum and C. indica may be used as potent molluscicides since the concentrations used to kill the snails were not toxic for the fish Colisa fasciatus, which shares the same habitat with the snail L. acuminata.