Synthesis, Spectroscopic, and Antimicrobial Studies on Bivalent Nickel and Copper Complexes of Bis(thiosemicrbazone)

A series of metal complexes of Cu(II) and Ni(II) having the general composition [M(L)X2] with benzil bis(thiosemicarbazone) has been prepared and characterized by element chemical analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and spectral (electronic, IR, EPR, mass) studies. The IR spectral data suggest the involvement of sulphur and azomethane nitrogen in coordination to the central metal ion. On the basis of spectral studies, an octahedral geometry has been assigned for Ni(II) complexes but a tetragonal geometry for Cu(II) complexes. The free ligand and its metal complexes have been tested in vitro against a number of microorganisms in order to assess their antimicrobial properties

Huge myxoid leiomyoma of cervix presenting as irreducible prolapse- management by vaginal myomectomy

Cervical leiomyoma consists 1-2% of all leiomyoma and myxoid degeneration of cervical fibroid is very rare. We present an old neglected case of huge necrotic cervical leiomyoma presenting with prolapse of mass and pelvic organs in a woman with multiple co-morbidities. Early management was necessary for improving her quality of life and controlling blood sugar. In lack of fitness for anaesthesia we performed her vaginal myomectomy under Intravenous Sedation. Prolapse was reducible and in absence of septic foci blood sugar profile improved. Vaginal myomectomy is a safe and quick procedure with least surgical morbidity and should be considered in cervical fibroids

Characterization of a new commercial single crystal diamond detector for photon- and proton-beam dosimetry

A synthetic single crystal diamond detector (SCDD) is commercially available and is characterized for radiation dosimetry in various radiation beams in this study. The characteristics of the commercial SCDD model 60019 (PTW) with 6- and 15-MV photon beams, and 208-MeV proton beams, were investigated and compared with the pre-characterized detectors: Semiflex (model 31010) and PinPoint (model 31006) ionization chambers (PTW), the EDGE diode detector (Sun Nuclear Corp) and the SFD Stereotactic Dosimetry Diode Detector (IBA). To evaluate the effects of the pre-irradiation, the diamond detector, which had not been irradiated on the day, was set up in the water tank, and the response to 100 MU was measured every 20 s. The depth–dose and profiles data were collected for various field sizes and depths. For all radiation types and field sizes, the depth–dose data of the diamond chamber showed identical curves to those of the ionization chambers. The profile of the diamond detector was very similar to those of the EDGE and SFD detectors, although the Semiflex and PinPoint chambers showed volume-averaging effects in the penumbrae region. The temperature dependency was within 0.7% in the range of 4–41°C. A dose of 900 cGy and 1200 cGy was needed to stabilize the chamber to the level within 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively. The PTW type 60019 SCDD detector showed suitable characteristics for radiation dosimetry, for relative dose, depth–dose and profile measurements for a wide range of field sizes. However, at least 1000 cGy of pre-irradiation will be needed for accurate measurements

Comparison of feeding practices among rural and urban mothers and their effect on nutritional status of children

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the nutritional status in infants based on infant feeding practices among rural and urban areas. Methods: An observational study was carried out in the Department of Paediatrics of a tertiary care hospital of New Delhi. The present study included a total of 1000 children, of which 500 were from rural and 500 from urban background over a period of 1 year. Information on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices was recorded. Results: In this study, we found that early initiation of breastfeeding (within 1 h after birth) was significantly more common in urban area as compared to rural(71.8% vs. 54.2%; p=0.001). Significantly higher proportion of mothers in urban population (88.0%) was frequently breastfeeding their children than rural ones 76.0% (p=0.001). Practice of night feeding was same in both the groups. Practices of giving prelacteal feeding were significantly higher in rural than in urban area (50.2% vs. 18.4%; p=0.001). Children in whom complementary feeding was introduced beyond 6 months had significantly higher occurrence of malnutrition (68.6% vs. 55.4%; p=0.004). Type of complementary feed did not affect the occurrence of malnutrition. Conclusion: Exclusively, breastfed children below 6 months of age and children where complementary feeding is introduced timely at 6 months have lower incidence of malnutrition as compared to those given top feeding before 6 months and inappropriate complementary feeding beyond 6 months of age

Forensic Analysis and Interpretation of Tool Marks

The forensic analysis and interpretation of tool marks raise for consideration key methods and advances in the field of tool marks in forensic science. This chapter shows how tool mark analysis can be utilized in the course of criminal investigations. The focus of the chapter is on bringing together as much scientific knowledge in the area as possible in an accessible manner. It covers all aspects of tool mark evidence from the crime scene to the courtroom. This chapter provides information about tool marks in an effort to assist tool mark examiners as well as people practicing forensic science, crime scene examiners, crime investigating officers and members of the legal profession. It includes information about the analysis of tool marks at the crime scene and in the laboratory, the interpretation and assessment of challenges for examination and interpretation and also the way in which tool mark evidence can be presented in a courtroom

Time trend and predictors of lab positivity among suspected cases in the post pandemic phase of H1N1

BackgroundWHO declared Influenza A H1N1  to have entered the post pandemic phase on August 10, 2010. Continued surveillance activities are recommended in the post pandemic phase to watch over the trend, severity and impact of Influenza like illnesses (ILI).AimsThis study aimed to document the epidemiological profile of lab positive H1N1 cases in post pandemic period from August 2010-December 2014 in nodal H1N1 surveillance centre of Puducherry.MethodsThe study analysed secondary data collected during the period August 10, 2010 to Dec 2014 from ILI suspects attending a tertiary care hospital, for the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP).  Demographic details, lab positivity based on Real time –PCR technique for H1N1, clinical symptoms and outcomes were extracted. Data were analysed using STATA version 11.0. Independent predictors of lab positivity rate were identified using logistic regression analysis.  Time trend of frequency of suspected cases and lab positivity rate were performed using time series plots.ResultsA total of 2065 suspected cases were reported, of whom 197 cases were positive for H1N1 (lab positivity rate 9.5%).  Being an adult (OR: 1.6; 95% CI:1.1 - 2.3; p=0.02), management in in-patient settings (OR: 2.5; 95% CI:1.3-4.7; p=0.001), history of contact (OR: 2.7; 95% CI1.5 - 4.5; p=0.0001) and history of travel (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2 to 4.3; p=0.01) were the independent predictors for lab positivity. Death rate among lab confirmed cases was found to be 9.6 %. After 2012, the trend of laboratory confirmed H1N1 cases became a plateau. One needs to screen 35 suspected cases to capture one lab confirmed case of H1N1 in 2014.ConclusionLab positivity was seen among 9.5% of cases and the independent predictors were severe cases, adult patients, positive history of contact and travel. The number needed to screen to get one lab positive H1N1 case is 35 suspected cases

Clinical and molecular characterisation of KCNT1-related severe early onset epilepsy

Objective: To characterise the phenotypic spectrum, molecular genetic findings and functional consequences of pathogenic variants in early onset KCNT1-epilepsy. Methods: We identified a cohort of 31 patients with epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS) and screened for variants in KCNT1 using direct Sanger sequencing, a multiple gene next generation sequencing panel and whole exome sequencing. Additional patients with non-EIMFS early onset epilepsy in whom we identified KCNT1 variants on local diagnostic multiple gene panel testing were also included. Where possible, we performed homology modelling to predict putative effects of variants on protein structure and function. We undertook electrophysiological assessment of mutant KCNT1 channels in a Xenopus oocyte model system. Results: We identified pathogenic variants in KCNT1 in 12 patients, four of which are novel. Most variants occurred de novo. Ten had a clinical diagnosis of EIMFS and the other two presented with early onset severe nocturnal frontal lobe seizures. Three patients had a trial of quinidine with good clinical response in one. Computational modelling analysis implicates abnormal pore function (F346L) and impaired tetramer formation (F502V) as putative disease mechanisms. All evaluated KCNT1 variants resulted in marked gain-of-function, with significantly increased channel amplitude and variable blockade by quinidine. Conclusions: Gain-of-function KCNT1 pathogenic variants cause a spectrum of severe focal epilepsies with onset in early infancy. Currently, genotype-phenotype correlations are unclear, though clinical outcome is poor for the majority of cases. Further elucidation of disease mechanisms may facilitate the development of targeted treatments, much needed for this pharmacoresistant genetic epilepsy

Interaction of TiO2 and ZnO NPs with human skin cells

Nanotoxicology encompasses the study of the toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) in order to better understand the adverse effects of NPs on human health and evaluate the health risks associated with the use of NPs. With the influx of large numbers of nanomaterials in many applications such as cosmetics, paints, and medicine, nanotechnology has been gaining immense attention in recent years. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and Zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs are produced abundantly and are among the most ubiquitously used NPs in various consumer products, especially sunscreens. Penetration of these NPs through the intact skin barrier has been shown, albeit at low levels. Concerns over their increased penetration across the skin in cases of the compromised or altered skin barrier and the consequent physiological influences are real. However, understanding of nanoparticle-mediated toxicity is still limited. Therefore, the goal of this study is to assess the physiological effects of TiO2 and ZnO NPs interactions with primary human epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, with attention to accurate dosimetry measurements and particle solubility considerations. Since the current findings on NPs interaction with skin cells are mostly based on 2D monolayer cell culture and animal models, in this study, 3D human skin explants have also been used to better understand the effects of NPs in the skin tissue. Based on 2D monolayer studies, it was observed that both TiO2 and ZnO NPs were toxic to cells at higher concentration, inducing various cellular responses such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and autophagy. The cellular response was dependent on the dose and exposure period. TiO2 NPs induced lower cytotoxicity even at higher doses, whereas ZnO NPs caused acute cell death at a much lower dose. Comparing the cellular responses of two cell types, it was observed that both NPs were comparatively more toxic to keratinocytes than to fibroblasts. In keratinocytes, the onset of autophagy was observed at much lower/non-toxic doses. At higher/sub-toxic doses, both autophagy, and inflammation were induced as NPs mediated toxicity. This study, for the first time, shows that autophagy induction at higher doses of TiO2 NPs blocked p65 phosphorylation in keratinocytes, thereby blocking the inflammatory pathway. However, this phenomenon was not observed in keratinocytes exposed to ZnO NPs. In contrast to this, NPs induced autophagy was not observed in dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, from the studies performed on human skin explants, it was observed that TiO2 and ZnO NPs did not cause any significant effects on skin physiology and wound healing. Although these NPs proved to be toxic on cells based on 2D monolayer culture, their significant effects on cells in 3D human skin explants were not observed. Both NPs were internalized by the keratinocytes at the wound edge, and notably, penetrated into the nuclei of the keratinocytes. The penetration and uptake of NPs were also dependent on the dose and exposure period. Although higher amounts of TiO2 NPs penetrated into the nuclei, they did not cause significant DNA damage to the keratinocytes. On the other hand, ZnO NPs caused DNA damage to the keratinocytes located at the wound edge and migrating tongue of the wound. In summary, this study revealed that lower doses of TiO2 and ZnO NPs induced autophagy in keratinocyte acts as a pro-survival mechanism and protects the cell against oxidative stress and inflammation. At higher doses, they caused toxic effects to the cells, however, they did not significantly affect skin physiology or wound healing.Doctor of Philosoph

Ego-Centric Parents in The Novels of Dickens

The purpose of this paper is to show EGO-CENTRIC PARENTS IN THE NOVELS OF CHARLES DICKENS. Many of Dickens’ children suffer because of the failure of their parents to play their proper parental role. Dickens himself said his most painful memories of childhood were of his being abandoned by his own parents, and, later, of his mother’s insistence on sending him to work even when the family was out of debt, and young Charles eager to resume his studies. It is no surprise, therefore, that several of the children in Dickens’ novels suffer at the hands of their own callous and uncaring, and selfish and demanding parents. Dickens’ mothers are often ‘odd’ and his father’s ‘bad’. It is indeed true that in Dickens’ novels evil too often threatens to intrude the scenes of fellowship and warmth because of the parents themselves

Spectroscopic and biological approach in the characterization of Cr(III), Mn(II) and Co(II) complexes with a novel hexaazamacrocyclic ligand derived from semicarbazide

Complexes of Cr(III), Mn(II) and Co(II) with a novel 5,7,12,14-tetraphenyl-1,2,4,8,10,11-hexaazacyclotetradecane-3,9-dione macrocyclic ligand, THTD (L), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance and magnetic susceptibility measurements, as well as by mass, 1H-NMR, IR, electronic and EPR spectral studies. Based on the spectral studies, an octahedral geometry was assigned for the Cr(III), Mn(II) and Co(II) complexes. The ligand and its complexes were screened in vitro against some species of bacteria and plant pathogenic fungi. The metal complexes were found to be more active antimicrobial agents than the free ligand from which they were derived