Alterations in the Magnetoencephalography Default Mode Effective Connectivity following Concussion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magnetoencephalography is sensitive to functional connectivity changes associated with concussion. However, the directional influences between functionally related regions remain unexplored. In this study, we therefore evaluated concussion-related magnetoencephalography-based effective connectivity changes within resting-state default mode network regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resting-state magnetoencephalography was acquired for 8 high school football players with concussion at 3 time points (preseason, postconcussion, postseason), as well as 8 high school football players without concussion and 8 age-matched controls at 2 time points (preseason, postseason). Time-series from the default mode network regions were extracted, and effective connectivity between them was computed for 5 different frequency bands. The default mode network regions were grouped into anterior and posterior default mode networks. The combined posterior-to-anterior and anterior-to-posterior effective connectivity values were averaged to generate 2 sets of values for each subject. The effective connectivity values were compared using a repeated measures ANOVA across time points for the concussed, nonconcussed, and control groups, separately. RESULTS: A significant increase in posterior-to-anterior effective connectivity from preseason to postconcussion (corrected P value = .013) and a significant decrease in posterior-to-anterior effective connectivity from postconcussion to postseason (corrected P value = .028) were observed in the concussed group. Changes in effective connectivity were only significant within the delta band. Anterior-to-posterior connectivity demonstrated no significant change. Effective connectivity in the nonconcussed group and controls did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The unidirectional increase in effective connectivity postconcussion may elucidate compensatory processes, invoking use of posterior regions to aid the function of susceptible anterior regions following brain injury. These findings support the potential value of magnetoencephalography in exploring directional changes of the brain network following concussion.

Crop residue addition effects on myriad forms and sorption of phosphorus in a Vertisol.

Crop residues are a vital organic resource and their extensive use in soil management for sustainable agriculture is widely advocated. The effects of soybean residue (SR) and wheat residue (WR) applied alone or in combination with fertilizer P (FP) on dynamics of labile P, distribution of P fractions and P sorption in a Vertisol (Typic Haplustert) were assessed in a 16 week long incubation study. The amount of P added through crop residues, FP or their combination was kept constant at 10 mg P kg(-1) soil. Addition of SR or WR resulted in net increase of labile inorganic (Pi) and organic (Po) P, and microbial P throughout the incubation period, except that the WR decreased labile Pi during the first two weeks due to Pi immobilization. Integration of FP with SR had no added benefit compared to SR alone, while use of FP + WR proved better in ensuring short-term P availability by offsetting initial P immobilization associated with WR alone. Sequential fractionation of soil P at the end of 16 weeks showed that addition of SR and WR alone or in combination with FP favoured a build-up in labile Pi and Po (NaHCO3-Pi and Po), and moderately labile Po (NaOH-Po) fractions at the expense of recalcitrant P (HCl-P). The P sorption capacity of soil and P required to maintain optimum solution P concentration of 0.2 mg P 1(-1) also decreased with addition of these crop residues. The implication of the results of this study is that soybean and wheat residues can potentially improve soil P fertility by increasing labile Pi and Po, and moderately labile Po fractions, decreasing P sorption and concomitantly causing dissolution of recalcitrant P in soil.

Interaction of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and Meloidogyne javanica on Cicer arietinum.

Interaction of Meloidogyne javanica and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri was studied on Fusarium wilt-susceptible (JG 62 and K 850) and resistant (JG 74 and Avrodhi) chickpea cultivars. In greenhouse experiments, inoculation of M. javanica juveniles prior to F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri caused greater wilt incidence in susceptible cultivars and induced vascular discoloration in roots of resistant cultivars. Nematode reproduction was greatest (P = 0.05) at 25 degrees C. Number of galls and percentage of root area galled increased when the temperature was increased from 15 degrees C to 25 degrees C. Wilt incidence was greater at 20 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. Chlorosis of leaves and vascular discoloration of plants did not occur at 15 degrees C. The nematode enhanced the wilt incidence in wilt-susceptible cultivars only at 25 degrees C. Interaction between the two pathogens on shoot and root weights was significant only at 20 degrees C, and F. o. ciceri suppressed the nematode density at this temperature. Wilt incidence was greater in clayey (48% clay) than in loamy sand (85% sand) soils. The nematode caused greater plant damage on loamy sand than on clayey soil. Fusarium wilt resistance in Avrodhi and JG 74 was stable in the presence of M. javanica across temperatures and soil types.

CABG in calcified aorta under circulatory arrest.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with calcified aorta presents a formidable problem in terms of cannulation and proximal anastomosis with its attending risks of cerebral and peripheral embolism. Coronary artery bypass grafting without cross-clamping and proximal anastomosis to the aorta at a soft spot under circulatory arrest may be a simple and safe alternative to a difficult clinical problem.

Co-infection of Wilt-Resistant Chickpeas by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and Meloidogyne javanica.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and Meloidogyne javanica are important pathogens of chickpea. Interrelationships between Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri and M. javanica were investigated on 53 Fusarium wilt-resistant chickpea genotypes in pot experiments. All of the genotypes were susceptible to M. javanica. Fusarium wilt resistance in one genotype (ICC 12275) was ineffective in the presence of M. javanica, and all the plants completely wilted. Resistance in four genotypes (ICCs 11319, 11322, 12254, 12272) was reduced in the presence of the nematode. Vascular discoloration above the collar region of the plants, an indication of susceptibility to the fungus, was observed. Wilt resistance in 48 genotypes was not modified by M. javanica. The effects of interactions between the pathogens on shoot and root weights, gall index, and galled area of root were significant only on 10-28% of the genotypes. Presence of the fungus reduced the adverse effects of nematodes on growth of 15% of the genotypes. Appraisal of wilt-resistant chickpea genotypes for their reactions to combinations of the two pathogens would help to identify and develop chickpea cultivars with wilt resistance stable in presence of M. javanica.