Clinico-epidemiological profile of malaria: Analysis from a primary health centre in Karnataka, Southern India

Malaria continues to be a major public health problem in India and worldwide. The present study was based on records from a primary health centre in Karnataka. Morbidity patterns and important features of malaria transmission specific to Udupi district were investigated. The incidence of malaria and various morbidity patterns during 2010 and 2011 were compared and analyzed. Factors such as rapid urbanization, increased construction activities and influx of migratory workers were highlighted as the leading causes for the advent of malaria in the area. Recommendations have been provided for implementation in the near future

Impact of COVID-19 infection on maternal near miss cases in tertiary care centre

Background: The pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has exposed vulnerable populations to a health crisis. Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19 outbreak, it has been argued whether pregnant women are at increased risk of severe infection.1 The objective of this study was to summarize the effect of COVID-19 on maternal near miss cases.Methods: This single-centre prospective observational study, included all consecutive pregnant women with COVID-19 infection admitted to Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital (Mumbai, India), a tertiary referral hospital, from 1 April 2020, to 20 December 2020. In this study, a total of 46 patients were included in near miss cases, who required ICU admission with severe morbidity. Of these, 8 patients were COVID-19 positive and remaining 38 patients were included in control group (COVID-19 negative). The course of each of their stay in ward was noted and findings were compared in both the groups. Results: During their course in ICU it was found that 6 COVID-19 patients had maternal death representing 75% and 12 non-COVID-19 patients had maternal death representing 31.57%.  Conclusions: The mortality rate from the above results concludes that in this study mortality appeared to be higher in COVID-19 infection. Multi-centre retrospective analysis with larger population size is required in order for this to be statistically significant

First determination of the CP content of D -> pi(+)pi(-)pi(0) and D -> K+K-pi(0)

Quantum-correlated ψ(3770)→DD decays collected by the CLEO-c experiment are used to perform first measurements of F+, the fractional CP-even content of the self-conjugate decays D→π+π-π0 and D→K+K-π0. Values of 0.968±0.017±0.006 and 0.731±0.058±0.021 are obtained for π+π-π0 and K+K-π0, respectively. It is demonstrated how modes of this sort can be cleanly included in measurements of the unitarity triangle angle γ using B∓→DK∓ decays. The high CP-even content of D→π+π-π0, in particular, makes this a promising mode for improving the precision on γ

Fracture of humerus in a newborn during cesarean section: A case report

Risk of birth injuries and long bone fractures are common in vaginal breech deliveries but have also occurred in the cesarean section. Here, we report the case of a term neonate who was admitted with swelling and paucity of movement of the right arm with a history of energetic traction during the emergency cesarean section. The diagnosis was confirmed by radiography and managed by plaster of paris slab. Obstetrician and pediatrician should remain vigilant regarding such rare complications so that these cases are not overlooked, as timely intervention and management are necessary to prevent disability and deformities in the future

Lipid Profile Parameters and Coronary Artery Disease in Young Patients Undergoing Diagnostic Angiography

Introduction: It is vital to understand the association between lipid profile and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in young patients with suspected CAD. The clinical presentation, lipid profile and severity of CAD may differ in patients who develop CAD at young age and those at older age. Friesinger (FR) index is an important tool to assess the extent and severity of coronary artery lesions.Methods: This study was a single center retrospective study involving patients below 40 years who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography. Demographic variables, lipid profile and FR index were estimated. Patients were divided into four groups based on the FR index scores of 0, 1–4, 5–10 and 11-15, respectively.Results: A total of 158 patients (Mean ± SD of age; 35.65 ± 3.81 years) were included in the study. Among demographic variables, gender (P = 0.03) and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001) were found to be associated with FR index. In addition, total cholesterol (P < 0.001), low density cholesterol (LDL) cholesterol (P < 0.001), non-high density cholesterol (non-HDL) (P < 0.001) and ratio of triglycerides (TG) /non-HDL cholesterol (P = 0.004) showed significant differences between the FR groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that only diabetes (P = 0.02) and BMI (P = 0.004) were significant predictors of the extent and severity of coronary artery lesions in terms of FR index.Conclusions: A strong direct relationship was observed between total cholesterol, LDL and non HDL cholesterol while a negative correlation with the TG/non HDL ratio. Diabetes and BMI also play a very significant role

Rotation of pear-shaped 100^{100}Ru nucleus

Atomic nuclei in general can have deformed shapes and nearly all these shapes are symmetric with respect to reflection. Only a few Actinide nuclei have stable reflection asymmetric pear shapes in their ground state and exhibit characteristic rotational bands. In this article, we report on the observation of two alternate parity rotational bands in 100Ru, which are connected by seven interleaved electric dipole transitions and their rates are found to be enhanced. In addition, the moments of inertia associated with these two opposite parity rotational bands have been found to be similar. These experimental observations indicate the rotation of a stable pear-shaped 100Ru nucleus, which is the first such observation outside the Actinide mass region. This shape is built on an excited configuration and originates from the rotational alignment of the angular momenta of a pair of neutrons. This unique observation establishes an alternate mechanism by which an atomic nucleus can assume a pear shape.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, 2 table

Eco-optimizing rice-wheat system of Eastern Indo-Gangetic plains of India through resource conservation technologies: insights from field experiments and modeling

In eastern India, the rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) faces challenges like poverty, fragmented landholdings, and resource overexploitation, with smallholder farmers prioritizing short-term gains through excessive water and nitrogen use. To address these issues, our study combined field experiments and the DNDC crop simulation model to evaluate the resilience, viability, and environmental sustainability of RWCS under conservation agriculture (CA) with varying irrigation methods and nitrogen rates at the International Rice Research Institute-South Asia Regional Center (ISARC), Varanasi, India. The treatments included: (1) Puddled transplanted rice followed by zero-tilled wheat with flood irrigation (PTR-ZTW-F), (2) Direct-seeded rice followed by ZTW with flood irrigation (DSR-ZTW-F), (3) DSR followed by ZTW with surface drip fertigation (DSR-ZTW-SD), and (4) DSR followed by ZTW with subsurface drip fertigation (DSR-ZTW-SSD), evaluated under 75% and 100% recommended nitrogen dose and nitrogen control plots. The DNDC model accurately predicted soil mineral N (NO3−: R2 = 0.74, RRMSE = 52.9%; NH4+: R2 = 0.79, RRMSE = 63.5%), water-filled pore space (R2 = 0.85, RRMSE = 20.9%), soil temperature (R2 = 0.91, RRMSE = 4.6%), redox potential (R2 = 0.82, RRMSE = 24.1%), system productivity (R2 = 0.93, RRMSE = 7.8%), and nitrogen uptake (R2 = 0.86, RRMSE = 18.1%). DSR-ZTW systems with drip fertigation significantly enhanced sustainability and productivity compared to PTR-ZTW system, where CH4 emissions were reduced by 70%–80% and global warming potential reduced by 56%, despite higher N2O emissions. Additionally, DSR-ZTW-SSD achieved the highest system yield (12.8 t ha−1), minimized water losses, and improved nitrogen use efficiency. Also, TOPSIS analysis ranked DSR-ZTW-SSDF as the most sustainable system, achieving the highest yield and resource use efficiency, while significantly reducing GHG emissions. The study underscores the potential of integrating CA, drip fertigation, and DSR to enhance productivity, conserve resources, and improve the sustainability of RWCS

Tribological behavior and biocompatibility of novel Nickel-Free stainless steel manufactured via laser powder bed fusion for biomedical applications

Due to the risk of releasing carcinogenic nickel ions from conventional 316L stainless steel under a corrosive human body environment, a new variant of steel termed nickel-free stainless steel (NiFSS) has been investigated. The present study investigates the tribological properties and biocompatibility of NiFSS manufactured via laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M). The ferritic NiFSS exhibited significantly lower coefficient of friction (0.08 to 0.28) and wear rate (1.60 × 10-6 mm3/Nm to 6.60 × 10-6 mm3/Nm) compared to reported values for austenitic 316L SS, under both dry and simulated body fluid (SBF) conditions and various sliding geometries. This improvement is attributed to the superior hardness (3.394 ± 0.1340 GPa) and elastic modulus (238 ± 9.0797 GPa) of NiFSS. To assess the biocompatibility, the viability of mouse pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated with an Alamar Blue assay when the cells were cultured on top of PBF-LB/M built NiFSS and 316L SS samples. The results indicated that even though cell growth was most optimal on regular cell culture plastic, cell viability was better maintained on PBF-LB/M built NiFSS compared to 316L SS. Therefore, the results of the present study propose that PBF-LB/M fabricated NiFSS holds promise for application in biomedical devices for joint arthroplasty.Peer reviewe

Impact of diverse tillage and nitrogen management on growth and yield of conservation agriculture-based wheat (Triticum aestivum)

A study was carried out during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to assess the effects of diverse tillage and nitrogen management scenarios on growth, development, and yield of a conservation agriculture (CA)-based wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop grown in sequence with maize (Zea mays L.). Experiment was conducted in split plot design (SPD) comprised of 3 different tillage practices in main plots [Conventional tillage + residue (CT); Zero tillage + residue (ZT); and Permanent beds + residue (PB)] and 5 nitrogen (N) options in sub plots [Control (zero nitrogen); Recommended dose of N-RDN @150 kg N/ha (50 kg N/ha Basal + 2-equal splits at 37 days after sowing (DAS) and 84 DAS); Green Seeker (GS) based application of N @148 kg N/ha (GS); Urea super granules applied as basal @75 kg N/ha + GS based N application (USG); and Slow release fertilizer as 100% basal application @150 kg N/ha (SRF)] with 3-replications. The findings revealed that in both the seasons, both tillage and nitrogen management approaches significantly affected wheat growth, yield characteristics, and overall yield, whereas the time to anthesis and physiological maturity, and test weight remained unaffected. Within the spectrum of tillage practices, leaf area index (LAI) and yield attributes exhibited the trend PB>ZT>CT. PB recorded the highest grain yield (5159 kg/ha), followed by ZT (4916 kg/ha) and the lowest grain yield was observed with CT (4578 kg/ha). The wheat grain yields were 12.7% and 7.4% higher in PB and ZT, respectively, over to CT. Among nitrogen management options, the grain yield exhibited the pattern USG>N150>SRF>GS>N0. This study emphasizes that adopting conservation agriculture (CA) practices, particularly CA-based permanent beds using urea super granules (USG) for nitrogen management can improve wheat growth and yield

Identification of a Vitamin-D Receptor Antagonist, MeTC7, which Inhibits the Growth of Xenograft and Transgenic Tumors In Vivo

Vitamin-D receptor (VDR) mRNA is overexpressed in neuroblastoma and carcinomas of lung, pancreas, and ovaries and predicts poor prognoses. VDR antagonists may be able to inhibit tumors that overexpress VDR. However, the current antagonists are arduous to synthesize and are only partial antagonists, limiting their use. Here, we show that the VDR antagonist MeTC7 (5), which can be synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol (6) in two steps, inhibits VDR selectively, suppresses the viability of cancer cell-lines, and reduces the growth of the spontaneous transgenic TH-MYCN neuroblastoma and xenografts in vivo. The VDR selectivity of 5 against RXRα and PPAR-γ was confirmed, and docking studies using VDR-LBD indicated that 5 induces major changes in the binding motifs, which potentially result in VDR antagonistic effects. These data highlight the therapeutic benefits of targeting VDR for the treatment of malignancies and demonstrate the creation of selective VDR antagonists that are easy to synthesize