Magnetic fields and young stellar objects in cometary cloud LDN 1616

LDN 1615/1616 and CB 28 (hereafter, L1616) together form a cometary globule located at an angular distance of about 8 degrees west of the Orion OB1 association, aligned roughly along the east-west direction, and showing a distinct head-tail structure. The presence of massive stars in the Orion belt has been considered to be responsible for the radiation driven implosion mode of star formation in L1616. Based on the latest Gaia EDR3 measurements of the previously known young stellar objects (YSOs) associated with L1616, we find the distance to this cloud of 384$\pm$5 pc. We present optical polarimetry towards L1616 that maps the plane-of-sky component of the ambient magnetic field (B$_{POS}$) geometry. Based on the proper motion of the YSOs associated with L1616, we investigate their plane-of-sky motion relative to the exciting star $\epsilon$ Ori. Using the Gaia EDR3 measurements of the distances and proper motions of the YSOs, we find two additional sources comoving with the known YSOs. One comoving source is HD33056, a B9 star and the other might be a young pre-main sequence star not reported in previous studies. The mean direction of B$_{POS}$ is found to follow the cloud structure. This could be the effect of dragging of the magnetic field lines by the impact of the ionizing radiation from $\epsilon$ Ori. Based on the pressure exerted on L1616, and the ages of the associated YSOs, we show that it could possibly be the main source of ionization in L1616, and thus the star formation in it

Synthesis of bentonite clay based hydroxyapatite nanocomposites cross-linked by glutaraldehyde and optimization by response surface methodology for lead removal from aqueous solution

A novel nanocomposite (BT-HAp) was developed by chemical synthesis using hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and bentonite clay and was further applied for toxic lead (Pb) removal from aqueous solution. Three types of bentonite clay based nanocomposites were prepared by varying the pH of the solution (3, 7 and 10) with the addition of glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. The formation and performance of the prepared BT-HAps are described herein. Clear and sharp XRD peaks suggested the presence of hydroxyapatite and bentonite clay compounds in the composite. The FTIR spectra confirmed the existence of the functional groups required to develop the nanocomposite. The Bt-HAp nanocomposites were also characterized in terms of BET, FESEM and TEM etc. to establish their formation. The nanocomposite synthesized at pH 7 showed a higher sorption capacity than those at pH 3 and 10. A mathematical and statistical optimizing technique (response surface methodology) was applied to verify the interactive effects of various parameters on the sorption capacity. The analysis of variance was discussed for the factors and response and confirmed the significance of the predicted model (R-2 = 0.9906). The Langmuir isotherm model best represented the phenomenon having a sorption capacity of 346 mg g(-1) at 30 degrees C. The sorption mechanism was well described by the pseudo 2nd order kinetic model indicating the coexistence of both physisorption and chemisorption. Moreover, a considerable amount of toxic Pb (similar to 99%) removal was observed for the synthesized nanocomposite via sorption

Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Analysis of Rare Parotid Tumours: A Case Series

Malignant salivary gland tumours are rare representing only 2% of all head and neck malignancies. The most common malignant salivary gland tumour is mucoepidermoid carcinoma followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma while parotid is the most common site. But there are presence of other rare variants with diverse biological feature of maliganacy including Salivary Duct Carcinoma (SDC), basal cell adenocarcinoma, Carcinoma ex Pleomorphic Adenoma (CXPA), polymorphous adenocarcinoma which represent 1-5% of all salivary gland neoplasm. They typically are high-grade carcinomas with presence lymph nodal metastases. Hereby, author report 5 rare cases of parotid gland malignancy detected by histopathological examination along with confirmation by immunohistochemical examination. A 60-year-old and 65-year-old male diagnosed with salivary duct carcinoma of left parotid and right parotid respectively with ipsilateral cervical lymph node involvement but peripheral resection margins were free from tumour invasion. A 50-year-old female diagnosed with basal cell adenocarcinoma of left parotid with lymph node metastasis and resection margin was involved by the tumour. A 60-year-old male presented with recurrent swelling in left parotid region, diagnosed as carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma with lymph node involvement in a case of pleomorphic adenoma of parotid, reported previously. A 52-year-old male presented with right-sided parotid region swelling for last six months having Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) report of pleomorphic adenoma. Parotidectomy revealed diagnosis of polymorphous adenocarcinoma while surgical resection margins were free. Surgery is the main mode of treatment in these tumours. Involvement of resection margins, extraparotid extension, lymphovascular and perineural invasion along with lymph node metastasis are the common indicator for postoperative radiation therapy

Dysregulated miRNAome and Proteome of PPRV Infected Goat PBMCs Reveal a Coordinated Immune Response

In this study, the miRNAome and proteome of virulent Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infected goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analyzed. The identified differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were found to govern genes that modulate immune response based on the proteome data. The top 10 significantly enriched immune response processes were found to be governed by 98 genes. The top 10 DEmiRNAs governing these 98 genes were identified based on the number of genes governed by them. Out of these 10 DEmiRNAs, 7 were upregulated, and 3 were downregulated. These include miR-664, miR-2311, miR-2897, miR-484, miR-2440, miR-3533, miR-574, miR-210, miR-21-5p, and miR-30. miR-664 and miR-484 with proviral and antiviral activities, respectively, were upregulated in PPRV infected PBMCs. miR-210 that inhibits apoptosis was downregulated. miR-21-5p that decreases the sensitivity of cells to the antiviral activity of IFNs and miR-30b that inhibits antigen processing and presentation by primary macrophages were downregulated, indicative of a strong host response to PPRV infection. miR-21-5p was found to be inhibited on IPA upstream regulatory analysis of RNA-sequencing data. This miRNA that was also highly downregulated and was found to govern 16 immune response genes in the proteome data was selected for functional validation vis-a-vis TGFBR2 (TGF-beta receptor type-2). TGFBR2 that regulates cell differentiation and is involved in several immune response pathways was found to be governed by most of the identified immune modulating DEmiRNAs. The decreased luciferase activity in Dual Luciferase Reporter Assay indicated specific binding of miR-21-5p and miR-484 to their target thus establishing specific binding of the miRNAs to their targets.This is the first report on the miRNAome and proteome of virulent PPRV infected goat PBMCs

Assessment of Efficacy of Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection for Management of Low Back Pain with Unilateral Radiculopathy in Industrial Workers: A Randomized Control Trial

Introduction: Disability related to chronic Low Back Pain (LBP) is a multi-factorial phenomenon, associated with high social and health costs, with a prevalence ranging from 11 to 76%. Significant and long-lasting pain relief can be achieved with transforaminal epidural steroid injection. Surgery is indicated for those patients with progressive neurological deficits or severe LBP refractory to conservative measures. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of transforaminal epidural steroid injection through pelvic angle measurement, pain and disability measurements in patients with LBP and radiculopathy. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in Department of Pain in ESI institute of pain management for the industrial workers at Kolkata, India between October 2015 and September 2016. Sixty patients aged between 18 to 60 years, who attended pain clinic with complaints of LBP with unilateral radiculopathy due to lumber disc herniation were included in this trial. Patients were divided into 2 groups (30 patients in each group); Group I: Test group received single transforaminal epidural steroid injection with deposteroid (20 mg) and 0.25% bupivacaine (total 2 ml) together with oral medications and exercises at day 0. Group II: Control group received only medications and exercises on day 0/visit 1. Each patient was followed up for one month at visit 2. Each patient was assessed with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity and modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for measurement for disability and pelvic angle measurement on affected side. Results: During study period, 60 confirmed patients were included in the analysis. NRS for pain intensity measurement between visit 1(V1) and 2 (V2), showed significant improvement (p-value is < 0.001) in group I. ODI scores between 2 visits showed better outcome in group I. Pelvic angle measurement of affected limb on second visit in both groups as compared to first visit, showed significant improvement, but changes are more evident in group I than group II. Conclusion: Transforaminal epidural injection not only decreases pain and disability due to pain significantly but also decreases pelvic angulations significantly after one month in lumber disc herniation with unilateral radiculopathy

Status of glucose metabolism including insulin resistance and beta cell function in overtly iron loaded Thalassemia patients

BACKGROUND Abnormality of glucose metabolism is a frequent complication in Thalassemia patients. Both insulin deficiency and insulin resistance has been proposed in its pathogenesis. Some form of abnormality in glucose metabolism is expected at an earlier age in these patients in developing countries like India and Nepal where iron overload is excessive due to lack of chelation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fasting serum glucose and fasting serum insulin (FSI) were measured in 40 beta-thalassemia major patients, 40 Ebeta- thalassemia patients and 40 controls, all aged between 5 and 12 years. 2 hours after an appropriate dose of oral glucose feed (Children ingested 1.75 g/kg body weight maximum 75 gram dissolved in 250 to 300 ml water) blood samples were drawn again to measure post prandial serum glucose. Iron overload was assessed by measuring liver size, spleen size, total amount of packed cells transfused and serum ferritin. Insulin resistance (IR), insulin sensitivity (%S) and beta cell functions (%B) were derived from the measured laboratory parameters using the latest version of Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) calculator software. RESULTS No one had impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes mellitus beta-thalassemia major patients showed evidence of insulin resistance in the form of significantly higher fasting serum insulin (p value 0.002), IR (p value 0.003), %B (p value 0.017) and significantly lower %S (0.002) when compared with controls. FSI showed positive correlation with total amount of packed cells received (r=0.372, p=0.018), serum ferritin (r=0.345, p=0.029) and spleen size (r=0.427, p=0.006). Similarly, IR also showed positive correlation with total amount of packed cells received (r=0.388, p=0.013), serum ferritin (r=0.336, p=0.034) and spleen size (r=0.425, p=0.005). %S showed negative correlation with all these parameters. %B didn&rsquo;t show any statistically significant correlation with these parameters.Ebeta- thalassemia patients didn&rsquo;t have any statistically significant difference in FSI, IR, %S and %B than controls. CONCLUSION Insulin resistance develops as the earliest abnormality in glucose metabolism in overtly iron loaded beta thalassemia major patients at an early age. Ebeta- thalassemia patients with milder phenotype do not develop dysfunction of glucose metabolism at such an early age.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v10i3.12774 Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2014, Vol-10, No-3, 29-36</p

High pressure ultrafiltration CuO/hydroxyethyl cellulose composite ceramic membrane for separation of Cr (VI) and Pb (II) from contaminated water

A novel clay-alumina ceramic composite membrane has been fabricated comprising of hydroxyethyl cellulose and CuO nanoparticles for separation of Cr (VI) and Pb (II) from contaminated water. It was prepared by slurry casting method over low cost clay-alumina ceramic substrate. The active layer formation of the prepared membrane was confirmed by FESEM, EDX and XPS analysis. The pore structure of macroporous ceramic substrate was improved from 0.5 to 1.5 mu m to 3 nm by addition of CuO nanoparticles in combination with biopolymer which resulted in consequent improvement of heavy metal rejection rate. The permeability was determined as 34.99 Lm(-2) h(-1) bar(-1). The membrane exhibited significant performances and stability on rejection of toxic Pb (II) and Cr (VI) ions from spiked solution and simulated wastewater. Although the operational pressure range was 0-5 bar, maximum percentage of rejection achieved was 97.14% for Pb (II) at 2 bar transmembrane pressure from spiked water. Similarly maximum percentage of rejection was obtained at 2 bar transmembrane pressure for Cr (VI) was 91.44%. The reusability of the membrane was also studied and obtained results suggested that the prepared membrane may be used for real application. It is believed that this CuO nanoparticles containing clay-alumina ceramic composite membrane will be an effective solution for removal of heavy metals from contaminated water

Kinetics of oxidation of quinol and ascorbic acid with the phen substituted semiquinone ligand, (5,6-dioxolene-1,10-phenanthroline-O,O), bound to the Ru<SUP>II</SUP>(bipy)<SUB>2</SUB> moiety

In 10% (v/v) CH3CN-H2O media, the parent complex [Ru(bpy)2(sqphen)]+ (I+) coexists with its conjugate acid [Ru(bpy)2(sqphenH)]2+ (HI2+): HI2+⇌ H+ + I+; (deprotonation constant, Koxa= 0.01; (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; sqphen = 5,6-dioxolene-1,10-phenanthroline-O,O). Electrochemical reduction, and also chemical reductions with quinol and ascorbic acid, produced the corresponding catechol complex [Ru(bpy)2(catphen)] (IR), which also in solution coexists with its conjugate acid, [Ru(bpy)2(catphenH)]+ (HI+R) (deprotonation constant,Kreda = 0.002). Progressive increase in [ascorbic acid] led to rate saturation, indicating adduct formation (formation constant, Q = 990 ± 80 M-1). Added H+, and also redox-innocent Lewis acid Zn2+, increased E1/2 but decreased the chemical reduction rates. Only an insignificant solvent isotope effect (kH2O/kD2O) was noted. An increased percentage of CH3CN in the solvent also retards the rate. [Ru(bpy)2(sqphen)]+ (I+) reacts at a much slower rate than [Ru(bpy)2sq]+ (sq = the unsubstituted semiquinone). Phen in the substituted ligand sqphen is known to become a much weaker base (sqphen &lt; phen); O,O-coordination to the RuII(bpy) center further lowers the basicity of sqphen. Catphen (O,O) in IR, produced on reduction of I+, is a stronger base than the O,O-coordinated sqphen in I+

Burden and Correlates of HIV among Men Who Have Sex with Men in West Bengal, India: Analysis of Sentinel Surveillance Data.

Little is known about the socio-behavioral risk factors for HIV acquisition among hard-to-reach men who have sex with men (MSM) population in India, particularly from the densely populated eastern part. Thus to measure the burden and correlates of HIV among MSM in West Bengal state of eastern India, a cross-sectional analysis of the national HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) data was conducted.In 2011, between July and September, involving all sentinel sites of the state, 1237 consenting MSM were anonymously interviewed and tested for HIV following national guidelines. Using a short, structured questionnaire, information was collected on socio-behavioral factors along with sexual practices and was analyzed to determine burden of HIV and the role of its socio-behavioral correlates on HIV acquisition.Among participants, mean age was 23.4 years, 44.55% were "Kothis" (usually receptive partner) and 25.1% admitted receiving money for sex with man. HIV sero-positivity was 5.09%. Using logistic regression method, for both bivariate and multivariate (with saturated model) analyses, transport-workers [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=8.95, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.09-73.71), large business-owners/self-employed (AOR=8.46, 95%CI: 1.25-57.49), small business-owners/cultivators (AOR=7.90, 95%CI: 1.67-37.38), those who visited the sentinel site for official purposes (AOR=7.60, 95%CI: 1.21-47.83) and paying money for having sex with men (AOR=3.03, 95%CI: 1.10-8.33) were strongly associated with higher HIV sero-positivity with than their counterparts. Using the parsimonious model for multivariate analysis, Kothis (AOR=4.64, 95%CI: 1.03-20.89), paying (AOR=2.96, 95%CI: 1.15-7.58) or receiving (AOR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.06-3.99) money for having sex with a man were associated with higher risk of HIV.Focused intervention targeting the high risk MSM subgroups including Kothis, transport-workers, business-owners/self-employed and those who exchanged money for having sex with men, seemed to be the need of the hour for preventing the spread of HIV infection within and from this understudied population