Change in Patient-Reported Outcome Measures as Predictors of Revision Lumbar Decompression Procedures

Michael T. Nolte,Elliot D.K. Cha,Conor P. Lynch,Kevin C. Jacob,Madhav R. Patel,Cara E. Geoghegan,Caroline N. Jadczak,Shruthi Mohan,Kern Singh 대한척추신경외과학회 2021 Neurospine Vol.18 No.4

Objective: To assess change in Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROM) as predictors for revision lumbar decompression (LD). Methods: Patients who underwent primary, single or multilevel LD were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized according to whether or not they underwent revision LD within 2 years of the primary procedure. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 12-item Short Form Health Survey and 12-item Veterans RAND physical component score (SF-12 PCS and VR-12 PCS), and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System physical function (PROMIS-PF) were recorded. Delta PROM scores were evaluated for differences between groups and as a risk factor for a revision LD. Results: The study included 135 patients, 91 undergoing a primary procedure only and 44 undergoing a primary and revision procedure. Matched patients did not demonstrate any significant differences in demographics or perioperative characteristics. Patients who underwent a revision had a mean time to revision of 7.4±5.7 months. Primary cohort significantly improved for all PROMs (all p<0.05), while the primary plus revision cohort significantly improved for VAS back, ODI, and PROMIS-PF (all p<0.05). However, cohorts differed in VAS back and PROMIS-PF (p<0.05). Delta PROMs were not a significant risk factor for revision except at 6 months for PROMIS-PF (p=0.024). Conclusion: LD has been associated with reliable outcomes, but early identification of patients at risk for revision is critical. This study suggests that tools such as PROMIS-PF may serve a role in predicting who is at risk and the 6-month follow-up period may be valuable for counseling patients who are not experiencing improvement.

Status of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Levels in Smokers with Breast Cancer from Western Nepal

Nagamma, T.,Baxi, Jalaj,Singh, P.P. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.21

Background: Research indicates that oxidative stress induced by smoking plays a role in breast cancer. In view of these reports, we aimed to study th relationship between smoking and oxidative stress in breast cancer patients from the western region of Nepal. Materials and Methods: The study included a control group of 42 females (non-smoking healthy women) and a test group sudivided into Group I consisting of 46 female breast cancer patients who were smokers and Group II consisting of 42 non-smoking breast cancer patients. Detailed history of the patients was collected with the help of pre-test proforma. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant activity (TAA) which represents total dietary antioxidants, vitamin C and ${\alpha}$- tocopherol were estimated by standard methods. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16. Results: The plasma MDA, TAA, vitamin C and ${\alpha}$- tocopherol were $1{\pm}1.4nmol/ml$, $918{\pm}207{\mu}mol/L$, $1{\pm}0.24mg/dL$ and $0.94{\pm}0.31mg/dL$ in controls, $5{\pm}1.2nmol/ml$, $458{\pm}166{\mu}mol/L$, $0.64{\pm}0.32mg/dL$ and $0.5{\pm}0.3mg/dL$ in Group-I and $2.56{\pm}1.2nmol/ml$, $663{\pm}178{\mu}mol/L$, $0.78{\pm}0.2mg/dL$ and $0.77{\pm}0.2mg/dL$ in Group- II, respectively. Vitamin C, ${\alpha}$- tocopherol and TAA (p=0.001) were significantly reduced whereas MDA (p=0.001) was significantly raised in Group-I when compared to controls and Group-II. Conclusions: We observed a significant rise in oxidative stress and low levels of antioxidants in breast cancer patients with smoking habit. It is well known that free radicals facilitate the progression of breast cancer, possibly increasing the risk of progression to the next stage.

Measurement of Microbial Protein Supply in Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Using Urinary Purine Derivatives Excretion and PDC Index

Dipu, M.T.,George, S.K.,Singh, P.,Verma, A.K.,Mehra, U.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.3

A study was conducted to predict the rumen microbial protein production based on urinary excretion of purine derivatives in buffaloes fed a diet of wheat straw and concentrate (40:60) at four fixed levels of feed intake. (95, 80, 60 and 40% of preliminary voluntary feed intake) following experimental protocol of IAEA (Phase I). The buffaloes were allocated according to a $4{\times}4$ latin square design. The urinary allantoin, uric acid, total PD excretion (mmol/d) in treatments L-95, L-80, L-60 and L-40 was 20.13, 16.00, 12.96 and 9.17; 1.88, 2.12, 2.11 and 2.15; 22.01, 18.12, 15.07 and 11.32, respectively and were significantly (p<0.05) different among treatments except for uric acid. The rate of PD excretion (mmol/d) was positively correlated with the digestible organic matter intake. Variations were observed in PD and creatinine concentration in spot samples collected at 6-hour interval. However, daily PD:Creatinine ratio (PDC index) appears to be a reasonably good predictor of microbial-N supply. The contribution of basal purine excretion to total excretion of purine derivatives (PD) was determined in pre-fasting period followed by a fasting period of 6 d (Phase II). Daily PD and creatinine excretion (mmol/kg $W^{0.75}$) during fasting averaged 0.117 and 0.456 respectively for buffaloes. The excretion rates of PD decreased significantly (p<0.01) during fasting compare to pre-fasting period, the urinary creatinine excretion remained almost similar. Except for creatinine, plasma concentration of target parameters significantly (p<0.01) declined during fasting. Likewise, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal clearance of allantoin and uric acid also decreased. Based on the PD excretion rates during fasting and at different levels of feed intake obtained in this study, a relationship between daily urinary PD excretion (Y-mmol) and microbial purine absorption (X-mmol) was developed for buffaloes as Y = 0.74X+0.117 kg $W^{0.75}$. The microbial N supply (g/kg DOMI) remained statistically similar irrespective of dietary treatment. The results showed that excretion of urinary purine derivatives is positively correlated with the levels of feed intake in Murrah buffaloes and thus, estimation of urinary purine derivatives and PDC index could be used to determine microbial nitrogen supply when there is large variation in level of feed intake.

Note : Estimation of Gene Effects in Four Bivoltine Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Crosses

( G. N. Malik ),( T. P. Singh ),( S. Z. Haque Rufaie ),( M. Aijaz ),( H. U. Dar ) 한국잠사학회 2007 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.8 No.1

Six generations (P1, P2, F1, BC1, BC2 and F2) of four bivoltine silkworm crosses (SKAU-R-1×Yakwei, SKAU-R-6×Yakwei, CSR2×CSR4 and SH6×NB4D2) were evaluated in a completely randomized block design with 5 replications for each treatment. The generation mean 2 in respect of 3 metric traits (single cocoon weight, single shell weight, and shell ratio %), were subjected to Cavallis joint scaling test. Additive dominance model was found to be adequate in CSR2×CSR4 and SH6×NB4D2 for single cocoon weight and shell weight and SKAU-R-6×Yakwei for shell ratio(%). Whereas, in rest of the crosses epistasis was evident in the traits under investigation. Magnitude of additive gene effect (d) was greater than dominance (h) in SH6×NB4D2 and SKUA-R-6×Yakwei for shell ratio (%) and in CSR2×CSR4 for shell weight. Thus selection for these traits in early segregating generations of these crosses would be effective for obtaining considerable genetic gain.

Estimation of Gene Effects in Four Bivoltine Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Crosses

Malik, G.N.,Singh, T.P.,Rufaie, S.Z.Haque,Aijaz, M.,Dar, H.U. Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2004 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.8 No.1

Six generations (P$_1$, P$_2$, F$_1$, BC$_1$, BC$_2$ and F$_2$) of four bivoltine silkworm crosses (SKAU-R-1 ${\times}$ Yakwei, SKAU-R-6 ${\times}$ Yakwei, CSR$_2$ ${\times}$ CSR$_4$ and SH$_{6}$${\times}$ NB$_4$D$_2$) were evaluated in a completely randomized block design with 5 replications for each treatment. The generation mean 2 in respect of 3 metric traits (single cocoon weight, single shell weight, and shell ratio %), were subjected to Cavallis joint scaling test. Additive dominance model was found to be adequate in CSR$_2$${\times}$CSR$_4$ and SH$_{6}$${\times}$ NB$_4$D$_2$ for single cocoon weight and shell weight and SKAU-R-6 ${\times}$ Yakwei for shell ratio(%). Whereas, in rest of the crosses epistasis was evident in the traits under investigation. Magnitude of additive gene effect (d) was greater than dominance(h) in SH$_{6}$${\times}$NB$_4$D$_2$ and SKUA-R-6${\times}$Yakwei for shell ratio (%) and in CSR$_2$${\times}$ CSR$_4$ for shell weight. Thus selection for these traits in early segregating generations of these crosses would be effective for obtaining considerable genetic gain. gain.

Estimation of Gene Effects in Four Bivoltine Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Crosses

G. N. Malik,T. P. Singh,S. Z. Haque. Rufaie,M. Aijaz,H. U. Dar 한국잠사학회 2004 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.8 No.1

Six generations (P1, P2, F1, BC1, BC2 and F2) of four bivoltine silkworm crosses (SKAU-R-1 ´ Yakwei, SKAU-R-6 ´ Yakwei, CSR2 ´ CSR4 and SH6 ´ NB4D2) were evaluated in a completely randomized block design with 5 replications for each treatment. The generation mean 2 in respect of 3 metric traits (single cocoon weight, single shell weight, and shell ratio %), were subjected to Cavallis joint scaling test. Additive dominance model was found to be adequate in CSR2 ´ CSR4 and SH6 ´ NB4D2 for single cocoon weight and shell weight and SKAU-R-6 ´ Yakwei for shell ratio (%). Whereas, in rest of the crosses epistasis was evident in the traits under investigation. Magnitude of additive gene effect (d) was greater than dominance (h) in SH6 ´ NB4D2 and SKUA-R-6 ´ Yakwei for shell ratio (%) and in CSR2 ´ CSR4 for shell weight. Thus selection for these traits in early segregating generations of these crosses would be effective for obtaining considerable genetic gain.

Influence of Level of Feed Intake on Concentration of Purine Derivatives in Urinary Spot Samples and Microbial Nitrogen Supply in Crossbred Bulls

George, S.K.,Dipu, M.T.,Mehra, U.R.,Verma, A.K.,Singh, P. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.9

The potential of the spot urine sampling technique as an alternative to performing a total urine collection to predict the microbial nitrogen supply was evaluated in crossbred bulls. In a completely randomized design, 20 growing crossbred bulls were assigned four levels of feed intake (120, 100, 80 and 60% of voluntary dry matter intake) on diets comprised of wheat straw and concentrate mixture (50:50). After three months of experimental feeding, a metabolism trial was conducted for ten days, during which spot urine collections were performed every 6 h post feeding on days 9 and 10. The daily urinary excretion of allantoin (A) and purine derivatives (PD) decreased with the reduction in feed intake while creatinine (C) excretion remained similar in animals fed at different levels. The microbial nitrogen (MN) supply calculated from the PD excreted in total urine (35.08 to 72.08 g/d) was higher at increased levels of feed intake. PD concentration in spot urine samples had poor correlation with feed intake except at 12 h post feeding. A/C ratio and PD/C ratio in spot urine samples remained similar irrespective of sampling time and significantly (p<0.01) correlated with daily urinary PD excretion, digestible organic matter intake and dry matter (DM) intake. However, no significant differences were evident in these ratios among animals fed at levels 120, 100 and 80% of voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) at different times post feeding. These results suggests that the spot urine sampling technique to predict the microbial protein supply is not suitable for detecting small differences in MN supply and hence, estimation of PD excreted in total urine (mmol/d) is necessary to assess precisely the MN supply in crossbred bulls.

Gadolinium-Activated CaZr4O9 Ultraviolet-B-Emitting Phosphor: A Luminescence and EPR Study

Singh, V.,Singh, N.,Watanabe, S.,Gundu Rao, T. K.,Pathak, M. S.,Srivastava, A. K.,Singh, P. K.,Dhoble, S. J. Springer Science + Business Media 2017 Journal of electronic materials Vol.46 No.4

Development of Nanoparticle-Based High Current Density Cathode for THz Devices Application

Barik, R. K.,Singh, A. K.,Shukla, S.,Singh, T. P.,Raju, R. S.,Park, G.-S Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 2016 IEEE transactions on electron devices Vol.63 No.4

<P>Scandia (Sc2O3)-doped tungsten nanoparticle-based high current density cathode is developed for the application in terahertz (THz) devices. This paper involves synthesis of scandia-doped tungsten nanoparticle powder using chemical technique, estimation of optimum porosity, and development of pellet with required porosity by optimizing process parameters. The cathode, made out of the above pellet, is tested in an analytical system containing Auger electron spectroscope and anode. The results show that the cathode can deliver more than 100 A/cm(2) current density with stable emission-strongly recommending it as a candidate for the use in a THz device. Theoretical estimates show that the void porosity is to be kept at 21% for proper surface coverage to produce good emission with long life.</P>

Surface modulation and back reflection from foil targets irradiated by a Petawatt femtosecond laser pulse at oblique incidence

Ter-Avetisyan, S.,Andreev, A.,Platonov, K.,Sung, J. H.,Lee, S. K.,Lee, H. W.,Yoo, J. Y.,Singh, P. K.,Ahmed, H.,Scullion, C.,Kakolee, K. F.,Jeong, T. W.,Hadjisolomou, P.,Borghesi, M. The Optical Society 2016 Optics express Vol.24 No.24

<P>A significant level of back reflected laser energy was measured during the interaction of ultra-short, high contrast PW laser pulses with solid targets at 30 degrees incidence. 2D PIC simulations carried out for the experimental conditions show that at the laser-target interface a dynamic regular structure is generated during the interaction, which acts as a grating (quasi-grating) and reflects back a significant amount of incident laser energy. With increasing laser intensity above 1018 W/cm(2) the back reflected fraction increases due to the growth of the surface modulation to larger amplitudes. Above 1020 W/cm(2) this increase results in the partial destruction of the quasi-grating structure and, hence, in the saturation of the back reflection efficiency. The PIC simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental findings, and, additionally, demonstrate that in presence of a small amount of pre-plasma this regular structure will be smeared out and the back reflection reduced. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America</P>