A Complex Transition of Adolescent Mind to Adulthood in R.K Narayana’s Swami and Friends and The Bachelor of Arts

The life stages such as infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age-are developmental phases, each with its own biological, psychological, and social characteristics, through which individuals pass over the course of their lives. The most complex stages which we find difficult to understand is Adolescence because, this stage is a critical mixture of unique needs and problems. Adolescence is the period of developmental transition between childhood and adulthood, involving multiple physical, intellectual, personality, and social developmental changes. Adulthood is a state or condition of being fully grown or mature. The aim of writing this research paper is to highlight the theme of complexities of Transition from Adolescent Mind to Adulthood. R.K. Narayan is among the best known and most widely read Indian Novelist who wrote in English. His novels help us to understand children and their psychological problems in a very good and organized manners

A novel and discernible plate assay method for the qualitative screening of bacterial keratinases

174-180Routinely, qualitative screening for keratinolytic activity exhibited by microorganisms is carried out on feather agar medium, containing keratin as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Formation of a clear zone of keratin hydrolysis may observed directly on feather agar medium or after flooding the plates with either 5% (w/v) trichloro acetic acid (TCA) or Commassie brilliant blue dye (CBB R-250) for 30 minutes followed by destaining. The main drawback of these methods is that the hydrolyzed area is not sharply discernible which makes judgment very difficult. Hence, an improved, novel and sharply discernible plate assay method is reported herein for the detection of extracellular keratinases production by bacteria and actinomycetes. In this method, feather agar plates are flooded with Gram’s iodine, which formed a bluish black complex with keratin but not with hydrolyzed keratin, giving sharp and distinct zones around the keratinase producing microbial colonies within 3 to 5 minutes. This new method being rapid as well as more effective than other methods in terms of visualization and measurement of zone size could easily be performed for screening a large number of microbial cultures

Asbabun Nuzul: Nilai-nilai Pendidikan dalam Asbab an-Nuzul Al-Qur’an

Abstrak: Asbab al-Nuzul adalah salah satu aspek yang sangat penting dalam disiplin Ilmu Studi Al-Qur’an Perspektif Pendidikan Islam, dimana pemahaman terbaik tentang pendidikan dan Islam itu sendiri akan menjadi pondasi utama dalam memecahkan persoalan dalam kehidupan sehari-hari terutama dalam bidang pendidikan. Dalam konteks pendidikan perspektif Islam, Al-Qur’an merupakan sumber rujukan utama yang mendasari pembelajaran. Oleh karena itu, dalam memahami ayat-ayat dalam Al-Qur’an diperlukan pemahaman yang komprehensif sehingga dapat meminimalisir kekeliruan-kekeliruan yang mungkin akan terjadi. Pemahaman yang baik dalam memahami Asbab al-Nuzul tidak hanya membantu kita memahami peristiwa apa yang melatarbelakangi suatu surat atau ayat diturunkan, tetapi juga sebagai proyeksi dari kejadian-kejadian yang akan muncul dalam kehidupan era modern seperti saat ini.Kata Kunci: Asbab al-Nuzul, Nilai-nilai Pendidikan, Qur’an

Tantangan Radikalisme dan Upaya Deradikalisasi Beragama

Radicalism is a delicate subject with the potential to disrupt the natural order. This study aims to determine the meaning of radicalism, the genealogy of religious radicalism, the factors that cause radical Islam, and deradicalization efforts. This research was a qualitative method with descriptive approach. Based on the research results, it is known that radicalism's teachings and movements are a movement that leads to ideological changes both politically and socially through violence, which is contrary to Islamic values. The challenge of radicalism is overcome by various deradicalization efforts so that it can maintain the nature of Islam itself. Deradicalization is not intended as an attempt to convey a "new understanding" of Islam or to refute the creed but rather as an effort to purify the understanding of what and how Islam is.Abstrak      Radikalisme merupakan suatu pembahasan yang sangat sensitif dan merupakan paham yang dapat menggoyahkan tatanan kehidupan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui makna dari radikalisme, genealogi radikalisme agama, faktor terjadinya Islam radikal, serta upaya deradikalisasi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diketahui bahwa ajaran dan gerakan radikalisme merupakan suatu pergerakan yang menuju kepada perubahan ideologi baik secara politik maupun sosial melalui jalan kekerasan, dan ini bertentangan dengan nilai-nilai keislaman. Tantangan radikalisme diatasi dengan berbagai upaya deradikalisasi sehingga dapat menjaga fitrah dari agama Islam itu sendiri. Deradikalisasi bukan dimaksudkan sebagai upaya untuk menyampaikan “pemahaman baru” tentang Islam dan bukan pula pendangkalan akidah, melainkan sebagai upaya purifikasi atau pemurnian pemahaman tentang apa dan bagaimana Islam.

A Recent Approach for Developing an Anti-malarial Phytomedicine

A reverse pharmacology approach to developing an anti-malarial phytomedicine is designed and implemented in Mali resulting in a new standardized herbal anti-malarial after six years of research. The first step is to select the remedy for development through a retrospective treatment. The second step is the dose-escalating clinical trial that showed a dose-response phenomenon and help the safe and most effective dose. The third step is to compare the phytomedicine in the first line treatment. The fourth step is to identify the active compound can used for standardization and quality control

Ten-year institutional experience in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a comprehensive retrospective analysis

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is relatively rare worldwide but exhibits a higher prevalence in specific geographic regions, particularly Southeast Asia and the North-Eastern states of India. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of a decade’s worth of data involving 117 patients with NPC at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, India. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 117 newly diagnosed NPC patients spanning from 2012 to 2022. Key demographic parameters such as age, gender, presenting symptoms, and disease stage were meticulously documented. Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Results: Our analysis encompassed 117 patients. The median age at presentation was 54 years. Undifferentiated carcinoma emerged as the predominant histological subtype. Notably, patients with type 1 keratinizing carcinoma, cranial nerve involvement, and advanced disease stages exhibited significantly poorer overall survival outcomes. Conclusions: This retrospective analysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the North-Eastern region of India highlights the critical significance of implementing early detection and intervention strategies for NPC in this specific geographical area, with the potential to improve patient outcomes.

Ewing’s sarcoma or peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor at the base of tongue: a rare location case report

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor now termed as Ewings sarcoma/PNET, representing a family of tumors with varying degrees of neuronal differentiation and genetic rearrangements. Most common sites are extraosseous involving trunk and lower limb. Base of tongue is a very rare site for Ewing’s/PNET, hence in view of rarity of the location as an uncommon presentation, the case has been reported for the better understanding and supporting the literature with the similar finding. A 68 years old female patient presented with the complaint of difficulty in swallowing since 3 months. On examination growth was identified at the left side base of tongue. Biopsy was processed and stained with H&E and other relevant markers. Differentials on the basis microscopic examination were lymphoma, neuroendocrine tumor and primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Various immunohistochemical markers to rule out the given differential were used. The tumor was positive for CD 99 and vimentin. The case was repored as PNET. Peripheral PNET is a challenging topic. Wide range of extraosseous locations have been observed but head and neck being less reported needs to be studied for understanding the behavior of this highly malignant disease in this rare location so that patient can be benefitted by advanced multimodality treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Seasonal biochemical changes in three species of liverwort Plagiochasma of Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), India

Thalli of three species of Plagiochasma, collected during different seasons from their natural habitats of Mandi region of Himachal Pradesh were evaluated for some biochemical parameters viz. total water soluble carbohydrates, proteins, free amino acids, total chlorophyll, carotenoid and the activities of amylases, invertase and protease. Highly significantly contents of carbohydrates (70.83±2.54 mg/g fw in P. appendiculatum, 21.26± 0.09 mg/g fw in P. articulatum and 52.75±2.95 mg/g fw in P. intermedium)  and of chlorophyll (0.76±0.005 mg/g fw in P. appendiculatum,  0.69±0.005 mg/g fw in P. articulatum and 1.2±0.006 mg/g fw in P. intermedium ) were observed towards the end of the growing season (January-March period of collection), whereas the content of protein (23.46±0.14 mg/g fw in P. appendiculatum, 23.33±0.71 mg/g fw in P. articulatum and 22.99±0.27 mg/g fw in P. intermedium)  was maximum during winter (October-December) and that of free amino acids (37.48±1.05 mg/g fw in P. appendiculatum, 70.9±0.91 mg/g fw in P. articulatum and 25.13±0.31 mg/g fw in P. intermedium)  in the rainy season (July-September). On the other hand, the activities of enzymes that breakdown the carbohydrates into simple sugars were recorded least towards the end of the favourable period of their growth. The activity of protease was maximum in the rainy season (July-September) and minimum in the winter season (October-December). This study concluded that the seasonal changes in Plagiochasma induced alterations in the biochemical compounds and in the activities of related enzymes that may be responsible for the adaptation of these plants in their natural habitats.&nbsp

Clinico-radiological variability of pulmonary tuberculosis in young patients as compared to elder patients prior to RNTCP and after 18 years RNTCP

Background: Tuberculosis, a chronic disease causing high morbidity and mortality with multiple host related and socio-demographic risk factors. Incidence is 3-4 times among in diabetics. HIV is considered to be a most powerful risk factor other being malnutrition, Tubercular contacts, smoking habits and alcoholism. Many ecological and societal threats increase a vulnerability to infection and succession of the disease. Objective was to study and compare various clinico-radiological presentations and clinical risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis in the young (50yrs) patients.Methods: Total 300 pulmonary tuberculosis patients each admitted in hospital during 1999 (group ‘A’) and 2016 (group ‘B’) respectively were included in our study. Socio-demographic risk factors and presence of any existing co morbidities and clinical as well radiological presentation data were evaluated.Results: Majority patients in both group ‘A’ and ‘B’ were males (67% and 61.3%), younger (71.3% and 63.3%) patients. Elder patients had more smokers in both groups (48.8% and 33.6%). COPD trends seems to be receding in group ‘B’ as compared to group ‘A’ in younger (6.3% vs. 8.9%) as well elder (13.6% vs. 29.1%) but on the contrary lifestyle disease trends like DM increased in group ‘B’ than group ‘A’ patients more in elder subgroup (30% vs. 9.3%). HIV infected was more in younger 2.1 % (elder 0.9%) group ‘B’ patients. Haemoptysis (17.8% and 18.6% vs. 13.7% and 9.1%) and cough (~87% vs. ~85%) were almost similar but fever (~90% vs. ~65%) was seen significantly higher in the young patients. Radiologically bilateral upper lobe cavitations (15%-30%) was a higher in group A patients as compared to negligible less than ~3% cavitations in group B, on the contrary infiltrations (15%-32%) was more in group B.Conclusions: Young adults are more likely to have fever while haemoptysis cough and advanced lung field involvement is more common in elderly. Elderly patients had a higher number of co-morbidities like COPD and DM. The present study reveals that various demographic, socioeconomic and clinical risk factors have a potential role in causation/augmentation of pulmonary tuberculosis hence life style modification, prevention and timely management of these risk factors could be helpful to reduce the burden of disease

Cystic fibrosis presenting as small bowel obstruction in pediatric patient: a case report

Intestinal obstruction complete or incomplete has been found commonly in patients with cystic fibrosis in all age groups with variable presentation. Prevalence of intestinal obstruction in children with cystic fibrosis is 7-8%. Neonates present with meconium ileus due to inspissated meconium and complete obstruction. This case demonstrates similar presentation in a pediatric patient. A six day old male patient presented in the pediatric surgery department with abdominal distention, vomiting and fever. Patient was operated and intraoperative meconium plug was seen along with dilated proximal bowel, filled with sticky meconium. Resected gut segment was received in the Department of Pathology. Grossly dilated gut segment on cut section was seen filled with thick putty like greenish fecal matter. Histopathological examination showed features consistent with cystic fibrosis. There are multiple causes for intestinal obstruction in neonates, cystic fibrosis can be one of them which needs to be considered by the clinicians. Such cases need to be reported for better understanding of their clinico-pathological presentation and prevalence