Phase-matched second-harmonic generation via laser plasma interaction

When an intense laser pulse interacts with homogeneous plasma in the presence of a transverse, spatially distributed static electric field, a transverse current density oscillating at a frequency twice that of the laser pulse is set up. This leads to the generation of second-harmonic radiation. The periodicity of the applied static electric field allows the second-harmonic radiation to be phase-matched. It is shown that under phase-matched conditions, the efficiency of the second-harmonic radiation in the presence of the spatially distributed static electric field is significantly enhanced as compared to that obtained for a uniform static electric field

A Cross- Sectional Study on Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Wearing Mask During COVID -19 Pandemic Among Students of Pt.J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur(C.G.)

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. Face mask has been proved to be effective method to control and prevent Covid 19 infection. This cross - sectional study was designed with objective to assess Knowledge Attitude and Practices of wearing face mask among medical students of Raipur City (C.G.). Methods: This cross - sectional observational study was conducted among medical students of Pt. J.N.M. Medical College, Raipur City (C.G.). Quota sampling method was used for sample collection. Survey instrument was adapted from WHO guideline. Data was compiled and analysed in MS excel, data was analysed using binary and multivariate logistic regression with 95% confidence interval. Results: This study identifies, 24.63 % of study participants had a good knowledge, 89.00% had positive attitude and 70.33% had good practice related to face mask utilization. Age of the students, gender and class of the students showed significant association with knowledge of wearing face mask. Gender and class of students showed significant association with attitude of wearing face mask, and practice of wearing face mask showed significant association with class of the students. Conclusion: Good knowledge among medical students about wearing face mask was 24.63%, majority of students had positive attitude and overall good practice of wearing face mask

Effectiveness of Inj. Remdesivir in treatment of Covid 19 infection at a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Remdesivir demonstrated clinical benefit in a placebo-controlled trial in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its effect in patients with moderate disease is unknown. We tried to determine the efficacy of 5 or 10 days of remdesivir treatment compared with standard care on clinical status on day 11 after initiation of treatment. Methodology: A retrospective case control study from existing data where we enrolled hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. . We made two groups of patients. Those who received intravenous remdesivir for either 5 days or 10 days were enrolled as cases. All patients received 200 mg of remdesivir on day 1 and 100 mg once daily on subsequent days. Those who did not received remdesivir as treatment were enrolled as controls. Controls were matched with cases in terms of age, sex and clinical staging at the time of admission. Outcome measures like recovery, death, average time of hospitalization was analysed using proportion and odds ratio at 95% confidence interval using SPSS version 22. Results: 2336 patients were recruited in the study. Recovery rate was found to be positively associated with Remdesivir use (292 (84.63% Odds = 1.75 p value 0.0004). average duration of hospital stay was reduced to 10 days as compared to 15 days in patients who did not received remdesivir. Pateints with comorbidities showed increased recovery (228 (81.13%) odds = 1.86 p value = 0.0001). Deaths among Covid 19 infected patients was negatively assoiated with the use of remdesivir.{53 (15.36%) odds = 0.0580 p value 0.0001}. Conclusion: This study finds treatment of Covid 19 with Remdesivir as an effective method for treatment as the drug has shown to expedite recovery, decreases hospital stay, and decreases death rate among severe Covid 19 infections

Purification and characterization of a native zinc-binding high molecular weight multiprotein complex from human seminal plasma

The seminal plasma comprises secretions from various accessory sex glands. During fertilization spermatozoa undergo complex sequences of precisely timed events that are regulated by the activation of different intracellular signaling pathways. The precision and efficacy of these pathways are often influenced by the assembly and interactions of multiprotein complexes, thereby directing the flow of regulatory information. Our knowledge about these protein complexes present in human seminal plasma (HuSP) is limited. Here we report the identification and characterization of a native high molecular weight zinc-binding multiprotein complex from HuSP by utilizing 2-DE followed by MS. Twenty-six proteins representing isoforms and/or fragments of 11 different proteins were found to be assembled in this complex. Prostate-specific antigen, zinc α2-glycoprotein, prostatic acid phosphatase, and prolactin inducible protein were the major proteins of this complex. Dynamic light scattering experiments revealed changes in aggregation pattern accompanied with deviation from physiological pH and in presence of SDS. However, no significant changes were observed in the presence of physiological ligands such as zinc and fructose. The present study will be useful and contribute to guide the future studies performed for elucidation of biological significance of this native complex in HuSP

Evidence-based review, grade of recommendation, and suggested treatment recommendations for melasma

Treatment of melasma is known to be less satisfactory, often incomplete, and relapse is frequent. Although many treatment options are available, they are either known to be unsafe on long-term use or their long-term safety profile is unknown. Patients often use various drugs, even topical steroid-based preparation without any medical supervision for long period of time, making the skin unsuitable for many of the drugs available. Thus, there has been gross disparity among the treating physician about what drugs and what regimen are best suitable for various categories of melasma patients and in different situations. With this background, numerous newer drugs, mostly combinations of some proprietary molecules or even unknown plant extracts, have flooded the market for the management of melasma. Information on efficacy or safety of these products are almost unknown. Studies on Asian people, especially Indian population, are far less commonly available. Therapeutic guideline for use on Indian patients with melasma is almost missing. Extrapolation of data from Caucasian people for use on Asian people may not be scientifically justifiable because Caucasian and Asian people are known to have inherent difference in their response as well as tolerance to the drugs used for melasma. With this background, we have extensively evaluated, following a strict, scientifically designed protocol, all the available studies on melasma management till May 2016 and prepared this document on level of evidence, grade of recommendation and suggested therapeutic guideline for melasma as per the method proposed by Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine. Various ethical, social, logical, regional, and economic issues in the context of Indian and similar populations were given due importance while preparing the suggested therapeutic recommendation