BIOCHEMICAL & ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS USED FOR FOOD BY TRIBAL OF EASTERN INDIA

Objective: The main objective of this research was to analyze some selected indigenous wild edible mushrooms in Eastern India for their novel antioxidant components and their properties specifically used by primitive tribal groups of Eastern India.Methods: The antioxidant components were analyzed by standardized spectrophotometric methods. The antioxidant properties were analyzed by DPPH Free radical scavenging & Reducing power ability assay.Results: The TPC (phenolic content) in the studied edible mushroom varied from 4.55 mg/g (Russula nigricans) to 0.9 mg/g GAE (Lentinus tuberigium). Measured in term of antioxidants Termitomyces group ranked higher than Russula and Volvariella sp. The scavenging effect of studied mushrooms on 1,1 DPPH varied from 61% to as high as 94%. On the other hand, reducing power (RPA) in methanolic extracts were in the order of T. clypeatus (4.21) T. heimi (2.20) ~R. breviceps (1.73) ~ Termitomyces eurrhizus (1.11) ~ T. rufum (1.07). Antioxidant potential inedible wild mushrooms are found to be on account of combinations of biochemicals, rather than any such significant individual components as TPC, AA, or alkaloid. Conclusion: This is for the first time wild edibles such as Termitomyces clypeatus, Termitomyces eurrhizus, Termitomyces heimii, Russula brevipes, Tuber rufum, Russula nigricans, Volvariella volvaceae, Lentinus fusipes, Lentinus tuberigium and R. lepida from eastern India were observed, collected and subjected to nutritional and biochemical analysis. Of significance is the identification of Tuber rufum and Volvariella volvaceae growing wild as edible mushrooms which have not been profiled in the Indian context. The analysed mushroom especially Lentinus fusipes and Lentinus tuberigium was found valuable in terms of iron and calcium, besides having useful phytochemicals such as phenolics, ascorbic acid, carotenoids. Keywords: Deciduous forests, Orissa, Wild food, Phenolics, Ergosterol, Termitomyce

A whole school approach to literacy intervention

This research project reports on the process of developing a whole school approach to literacy intervention in one multi-ethnic, designated disadvantaged primary school. The study describes how teachers worked collaboratively, using items from a resource package Successful Intervention K-3 Literacy, to critically reflect on their pedagogy in their efforts to better address the needs of those students in their classes who appeared to have difficulties with literacy learning. A modified action research method was used by the teachers to devise a context-specific school plan. Within the plan, they allocated time and resources to assist them as they shared and developed their knowledge and skills to deal with the social, cultural, emotional, linguistic and cognitive needs of the identified students. As a result, the teachers developed individual literacy intervention programs for children experiencing difficulties. The programs included all the stake holders and were devised to be used in the mainstream classrooms. In addition, in order to facilitate consistency and continuity of approach from year to year for students experiencing difficulty with literacy learning, the teachers planned a system to store and pass on students\u27 records. Of particular interest were the actions taken to explore understandings about literacy interventions, the changes in teacher perceptions, and the use of individual literacy intervention programs for children experiencing difficulties with literacy learning. As a consequence of their involvement in the project, the teachers developed an integrated literacy intervention policy and a school plan to guide future strategies for literacy intervention

Middle Meningeal artery Embolization of Septated Chronic Subdural Hematomas

INTRODUCTION: Middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has emerged as a promising new treatment for patients with chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH). Its efficacy, however, upon the subtype with a high rate of recurrence-septated cSDH-remains undetermined. METHODS: From our prospective registry of patients with cSDH treated with MMAE, we classified patients based on the presence or absence of septations. The primary outcome was the rate of recurrence of cSDH. Secondary outcomes included a reduction in cSDH thickness, midline shift, and rate of reoperation. RESULTS: Among 80 patients with 99 cSDHs, the median age was 68 years (IQR 59-77) with 20% females. Twenty-eight cSDHs (35%) had septations identified on imaging. Surgical evacuation with burr holes was performed in 45% and craniotomy in 18.8%. Baseline characteristics between no-septations (no-SEP) and septations (SEP) groups were similar except for median age (SEP vs no-SEP, 72.5 vs. 65.5, p CONCLUSION: MMAE appears to be equal to potentially more effective in preventing the recurrence of cSDH in septated lesions. These findings may aid in patient selection

The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the time to delivery of adjuvant therapy: the iBRA-2 study

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is routinely offered to improve quality-of-life for women requiring mastectomy, but there are concerns that more complex surgery may delay adjuvant oncological treatments and compromise long-term outcomes. High-quality evidence is lacking. The iBRA-2 study aimed to investigate the impact of IBR on time to adjuvant therapy. Methods: Consecutive women undergoing mastectomy ± IBR for breast cancer July–December, 2016 were included. Patient demographics, operative, oncological and complication data were collected. Time from last definitive cancer surgery to first adjuvant treatment for patients undergoing mastectomy ± IBR were compared and risk factors associated with delays explored. Results: A total of 2540 patients were recruited from 76 centres; 1008 (39.7%) underwent IBR (implant-only [n = 675, 26.6%]; pedicled flaps [n = 105,4.1%] and free-flaps [n = 228, 8.9%]). Complications requiring re-admission or re-operation were significantly more common in patients undergoing IBR than those receiving mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required by 1235 (48.6%) patients. No clinically significant differences were seen in time to adjuvant therapy between patient groups but major complications irrespective of surgery received were significantly associated with treatment delays. Conclusions: IBR does not result in clinically significant delays to adjuvant therapy, but post-operative complications are associated with treatment delays. Strategies to minimise complications, including careful patient selection, are required to improve outcomes for patients

Variations of structures and phenoxazinone synthase-like activity of the complexes based on (CuII)2MnII node and dicyanamide spacer

Three new heterometallic Cu(II)–Mn(II) complexes, [{(CuL)2Mn}2(μ1,5-N(CN)2)(CH3CN)2](ClO4)3 (1), [(CuL)2Mn(N(CN)2)2]·(H2O) (2), and [(CuL)2Mn(μ1,5-N(CN)2)2]n (3), have been synthesized using a Cu(II)-metalloligand of an asymmetrically dicondensed Schiff base ligand (where H2L = N-α-methylsalicylidene-N′-salicylidene-1,3-propanediamine). Complex 1 was formed when the ratio of [CuL]/Mn(ClO4)2/NaN(CN)2 was 2:1:1, whereas complexes 2 and 3 were obtained with a 2:1:2 ratio of the same reactants on varying the reaction conditions. Single-crystal structural analyses reveal that complex 1 possesses a hexanuclear structure in which two (CuII)2MnII units are connected by one μ1,5-N(CN)2– bridge, 2 is a discrete trinuclear species with two terminally coordinated N(CN)2– ions to the Mn(II), whereas complex 3 is a polymeric form of 2 with μ1,5-N(CN)2– bridges between Cu(II) and Mn(II) centers. The thermal variations of dc magnetic susceptibilities suggest that all three complexes (1–3) are antiferromagnetically coupled with comparable exchange coupling constants (−25.4, −22.8, and −22.0 cm–1, respectively) which are expected from the Cu–O–Mn angles. All the complexes show biomemitic phenoxazinone synthase-like activity for the aerial oxidation of o-aminophenol to amino phenoxazinone. The turnover numbers (kcat) for the process are 4966, 2021, and 1107 h–1 for complexes 1–3 respectively. The mass spectral evidence on intermediates suggests that the cooperative activity of the two different metal ions, i.e., coordination of substrate to Mn(II) and shuttling of oxidation state of Cu between I and II, is possibly operative in the oxidation process. The highest catalytic activity of 1 is attributed to the presence of one coordinating solvent molecule to Mn(II)

Tri- and hexa-nuclear NiII–MnII complexes of a N2O2 donor unsymmetrical ligand: synthesis, structures, magnetic properties and catalytic oxidase activities

A new mononuclear Ni(II) complex [NiL] (1) of an unsymmetrically dicondensed N2O3 donor ligand, H2L (N-α-methylsalicylidene-N′-3-methoxysalicylidene-1,3-propanediamine), has been synthesized. Complex 1 on reaction with Mn(ClO4)2·6H2O and NaN3 in different molar ratios yielded three novel heterometallic NiII–MnII complexes, [(NiL)2Mn(N3)](ClO4) (2), [(NiL)2Mn2(N3)2(μ1,1-N3)2(CH3OH)2] (3), and [{(NiL)2Mn}2(μ1,3-N3)(H2O)]·(CH3OH),(ClO4)3 (4). The single crystal structure analyses show a trinuclear NiII2MnII structure for complex 2 and a tetranuclear NiII2MnII2 structure where two dinuclear NiIIMnII units are connected via μ1,1-azido and phenoxido bridges for complex 3. Complex 4 possesses a hexanuclear structure where two trinuclear NiII2MnII units are connected via a μ1,3-azido bridge. The temperature-dependent dc molar magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that complexes 3 and 4 are antiferromagnetically coupled with the exchange coupling constants (J) of −4.97, −0.14, −0.55 cm–1 for 3 and −3.94 cm–1 for 4. All complexes 2–4 show biomimetic catalytic oxidase activities. For catecholase like activity, the turnover numbers (Kcat) are 768, 1985, and 2309 h–1 for complexes 2–4, respectively, whereas for phenoxazinone synthase like activity, the turnover numbers are 3240, 3360, and 13 248 h–1 for complexes 2–4, respectively. This difference in catalytic efficiencies is attributed to the variations in structures of the complexes and formation of active NiII–MnII species in solution during catalysis. The mass spectral analyses suggest the probable intermediate formation and cyclic voltammetry measurement suggest the reduction of Ni(II) to Ni(I) during catalytic reaction. The very high catalytic efficiencies for aerial dioxygen activation of all these heterometallic complexes as well as the highest activity of 4 is attributed to the coordinatively unsaturated penta-coordinated geometry or hexa-coordinated geometry with a solvent water molecule around Mn(II)

The unusual intermediate species in the formation of Ni(II) complexes of unsymmetrical Schiff bases by Elder’s method: structural, electrochemical and magnetic characterizations

During the synthesis of unsymmetrical salen type Schiff base ligand using Ni(II) template by Elder’s method, we isolated three isostructural dinuclear Ni(II)-complexes as possible intermediates of the reaction upon decreasing the reaction time. These three complexes [Ni2(L1)2(o-Hap) 2] (2), [Ni2(L1)2(o-Hnap) 2] (3) and [Ni2(L1) 2(Sal)2] (4) [where HL1 = 2-((E)-(3-aminopentylimino)methyl)phenol is a monocondensed tridentate NNO-donor Schiff base ligand, o-Hap = o-hydroxyacetophenone, o-Hnap = o-hydroxynapthaldehyde and Sal = salicylaldehyde] have been synthesized by putting the precursor complex, [Ni(L1)2] (1) and the respective carbonyl compound under reflux in methanol for two hours. The single crystal structural analyses reveal that intriguingly in all three complexes, the primary amine group of the mono-condensed Schiff base (L11−) and the carbonyl group remain uncondensed although they are present as coordinated ligands at the same Ni(II) center. In these complexes, Ni(II) centers possess a distorted octahedral geometry with centrosymmetric phenoxido bridged dinuclear Ni2O2 core. Electrochemical and mass-spectrometric studies revealed that these dinuclear complexes are stable in solution. However, removal of Ni(II) ions by dimethylglyoxime leads to exclusive formation of the desired unsymmetrical N2O2-donor Schiff base. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements on solid samples reveal that all the compounds are antiferromagnetically coupled with exchange coupling constants (J) of −16.87, −10.14 and −13.78 cm−1 for 2, 3 and 4, respectively. These values are in accordance with the magnetostructural correlation of previously reported phenoxido bridged polynuclear Ni(II) complexes. The nature and magnitude of exchange interactions are further corroborated by density functional calculations