Zinc–meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrin and its chlorotoluene channel-type clathrate with π–π and C—H⋯π interaction modes stabilizing the porphyrin host lattice

The title compound, (meso-5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolyl-porphyrinato-N,N',N",N'" ) zinc (II), [Zn (C48H36N4) ], displays a high tendency to form complexes and clathrates with other components from various environments, and is a useful building block for the construction of heteromolecular solids. Modes of its intermolecular assembly in the pure compound and in its clathrate with m-chlorotoluene, [Zn(Ca48H36Na4)].C7H7Cl, have been characterized by X-ray crystal-structure analysis. The clathrate appears to be stabilized by 7r-Tr stacking and cooperative C--H...:r interactions between the tolyl substituents and contains large interporphyrin channels extending throughout the crystal

Prevalence of hypertension in school going children in tea garden community in Dibrugarh town, Assam, India

Background: The disease burden of hypertension among workers in tea gardens is large, despite the community not being obese. Consumption of high quantity of common salt (NaCl) is considered to be the main factor. Therefore it is expected that prevalence of hypertension and level of blood pressure would be higher among these group of children. Hence the present study was taken to determine the prevalence of hypertension in apparently healthy, asymptomatic school children of tea garden workers in the age group of 6-12 years.Methods: Blood pressure was recorded in the right arm in the sitting position by using a standard Hg sphygmomanometer using appropriate cuff sizes. Three readings were taken at an interval of at least 5 minutes and the average of these three readings was considered as the blood pressure of the individual. Average SBP or DBP levels that are greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for sex, age, and height was taken as hypertension.Results: The prevalence of systolic, diastolic and both systolic and diastolic hypertension are 3.86%, 1.71% and 4.29% and 2.62%, 0.37% and 5.24% in boys and girls respectively and the overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 9.0% (systolic 3.2%, diastolic 1.0% and systolic and diastolic 4.8%).Conclusions: The high risk children need to be considered for close follow ups for modification of risk factors by advising lifestyle changes like reduction in intake of salt

Structural studies of `push–pull' butadienes

Compound (I), ethyl 2-cyano-5-dimethylamino-3- methyl-2,4-pentadienoate, C11H16N2O2, Mr = 208.26, monoclinic, P21/n, a = 7.679(2), b = 13.368 (2), c = 11.756 (2) Å, β = 92.62 (2)°, V = 1205.5 (4) Å3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.15 g cm-3, λ(Cu Kα) = 1.5418Å, μ = 6.15cm-1, F(000)=448, T=293K, R=0.062 for 1721 unique reflections. Compound (II), 4,4-bis(methylthio)-2-phenyl- 1,3-butadiene- 1,1- dicarbonitrile, C14H12N2S2, Mr=272.38, triclinic, P1̅, a = 8.833 (1), b = 9.419 (2), c = 9.520 (1) Å, α = 106.77 (1), β = 93.14 (1), ᵞ = 109.61(1)°, V= 704.2 (2) Å3, Z = 2, Dx = 1.28 g cm-3, λ(Cu Kα) = 1.5418 Å, μ = 32.29 cm-1, F(000) = 284, T = 293 K, R = 0.062 for 2059 unique reflections. Compound (III), ethyl 2-cyano-5-dimethylamino-3-phenyl-2,4- pentadienoate, C16H18N2O2, Mr=270.33, mono- clinic, C2/c, a = 17.468 (1), b= 13.753 (4), c= 15.218 (1) Å, β = 125.49 (1)°, V = 2976.7 (9) Å3, Z = 8, Dx = 1.21 g cm-3, λ(Cu Kα)= 1.5418Å, μ = 6.12 cm-1, F(000)=1152, T = 293 K, R = 0.055 for 2211 unique reflections. Compound (IV), 4-dimethylamino-4-methylthio-3-phenyl-l,3- butadiene-1,1-dicarbonitrile, C15H15N3S, Mr = 269.36, monoclinic, P21/n, a = 9.951 (1), b – 10.040 (1), c = 14.764 (2) Å, β = 98.67 (1)°, V = 1458.9 (2) Å3 Z = 4, Dx = 1.23 g cm-3, λ(Cu Kα) = 1.5418 Å, μ = 18.37 cm -1, F(000) = 568, T = 293 K, R = 0.052 for 2479 unique reflections. The influence of different electron donor-acceptor pairings on the molecular geometry is discussed

Remnant vegetation in farmland - its significance in ethnobotany and local ecosystem

This paper evaluated the structure of remnant vegetation (RV) in and around the farmlands of Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu of Southern India, to understand its significance in the local ecosystem. Stratified quadrats along nine randomly selected transects were used for sampling vegetation. The study recorded 2495 specimens of 96 plant species under 43 families in 1848 quadrats (88 of 10 m × 10 m, 352 of 5 m × 5 m and 1408 of 1 m × 1 m dimensions) while there was a possibility of recording more species with better sampling efforts. To know the ethnobotanical uses of plants, interviews were conducted with local villagers and people belonging to the Irula tribe, and later the data were collated with published information. Sixty -six plant species were recorded with traditional uses in food, fodder, fuel, condiment and medicine. Prosopis juliflora, an alien invasive species, was a serious threat to the native flora since higher P. juliflora abundance was associated with declining diversity of other plants. The study found that the absence of monitoring and management protocols leading to uncontrolled propagation of invasive species could cause potential damage to the region’s dry evergreen forests, which were often located near the farmlands

Structure of pregna-4,16-diene-7α,14α-diol-3,20-dione

7α,14α-Dihydroxypregna-4,16-diene-3,20- dione, C21H28O4, Mr = 344.45, orthorhombic, P212121, a = 7.136 (1), b = 12.342 (1), c = 20.049 (3)Å, V= 1765.7 (3)Å3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.295 g cm-3, λ(Cu Kα) = 1.5418Å, μ = 6.7 cm-1, F(000) = 744, T = 293 K, R = 0.048 for 1345 observations. The A ring may be described as in a l α,2β- half-chair conformation or a l α-sofa conformation. The B and C rings adopt normal chair conformations and the D ring has a 14α-envelope conformation. The molecules are held together by a hydrogen bond [O(3)...O(7)= 2.767 Å]

Structure of a steriod fungal metabolite

3α,7 α, 14 α -Trihydroxypregn-16-en-20-one, C21H3204, Mr = 348.48, orthorhombic, P212121, a = 9.211 (1), b = 13.201 (1), c = 16.031 (1) Å, V = 1949.28 (29) Å3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.187 g cm-3, λ(Cu Kα), = 1.5418 Å, μ = 6.07 cm-1, F(000) = 760, T= 293 K, R = 0.061 for 1337 observations. The A, B and C rings adopt normal chair conformations with the D ring in a 14α-envelope conformation. The molecules are held together by two hydrogen bonds [O(3)…O(20) = 2.879 and O(7)…O(14) = 2.612 Å]

Oral clonidine: an effective adjuvant in functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Background: A comparative study to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous Dexmedetomidine as a hypotensive agent in comparison to oral Clonidine in Endoscopic Nasal Surgery or Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS).Methods: Forty patients ASA I or II scheduled for Endoscopic Nasal Surgery were equally randomly assigned to receive either dexmedetomidine 1μg/Kg over 10 min before induction of anesthesia followed by 0.5μg/Kg/h infusion during maintenance (Group D), or oral Clonidine (Group C) 2µg/kg with minimal water 1 hour prior starting of surgery. Rescue bolus doses of Propofol (10mg/dose) were given to maintain mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) between (50-70mmHg). General anesthesia was maintained with Isoflurane 1%-2%. The surgical field was assessed using Average Category Scale. Hemodynamic variables (MAP and HR) were recorded at 10 minutes interval.Results: Both group C and group D reached the desired MAP (50-70mmHg) with no intergroup differences in HR but a statistically significant lower MAP was noticed in group C. The quality of the surgical field in the range of MAP (50-70mmHg) were 2-3 as per average category Scale with significantly lower score in Group C. Mean intraoperative propofol consumption was significantly higher in group D than C group.Conclusions: Both Dexmedetomidine or oral clonidine with isoflurane are safe agents for controlled hypotension, but oral clonidine provides lower MAP and better surgical field. Compared with Dexmedetomidine, oral clonidine offers the advantage of less consumption of propofol

Engineering development and safety back-up for nuclear power programme

This article reviews the engineering development and safety aspects that are relevant to the nuclear power programme being pursued in the country. Some of the important aspects have been discussed in detail bringing out the current status and also the directions for further work

Co-Management of COVID-19 and heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic. lessons learned

The COVID pandemic has brought many new challenges worldwide, which has impacted on patients with chronic conditions. There is an increasing evidence base suggesting an interaction between chronic heart failure (HF) and COVID-19, and in turn the prognostic impact of co-existence of the two conditions. Patients with existing HF appear more prone to develop severe complications on contracting COVID-19, but the exact prevalence in patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19 not requiring hospital admission is poorly investigated. In addition, hospitalization rates for acute HF over the pandemic period appear reduced compared to previous periods. Several key issues remain rather unaddressed and, importantly, a specific algorithm focused on diagnostic differentiation between HF and acute respiratory distress syndrome, a severe complication of COVID-19, is still lacking. Furthermore, recent data suggests potential interaction existing between HF treatment and some anti-viral anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed during the infection, raising some doubts about a universal treatment strategy for all patients with COVID-19. With this manuscript, we aim to review the current literature in this field in light of growing understanding of COVID-19 in the setting of the HF population, its associated morbidity and mortality burden, and the impact on healthcare systems. We hope that this may stimulate a discussion to guarantee a better, more tailored delivery of care for patients with HF in the setting of concomitant COVID-19 infection