Growth Response of Ayapana on inoculation with Bacillus megaterium isolated from different soil types of various agroclimatic zones of Karnataka

A study was undertaken to find out the growth response of Ayapana on inoculation with Bacillus megaterium isolated from different soil types of various agroclimatic zones of Karnataka. Bacillus megaterium strains from different soil types of various agroclimatic zones of Karnataka were isolated, identified and confirmed using standard synaptic keys. Ayapana was used as a host plant to study the growth response, biomass and nutrient content. Treatments of Bacillus megaterium isolates from ten different soil types of various agroclimatic zones of Karnataka were given to seedlings of Ayapana. There were significant changes in the plant growth, biomass and nutrient uptake in plants inoculated with Bacillus megaterium when compared to control plants. The parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, shoot and root fresh weight, shoot and root dry weight and nutrient uptake were studied. Plants inoculated with Bacillus megaterium isolates performed well when compared to uninoculated plants. The heights of plants inoculated with Bacillus megaterium isolates were found to be more than uninoculated plants. In plants inoculated with B. megaterium isolates, the height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots, nitrogen content, P content and chlorophyll content remained higher than the uninoculated plants. Among ten isolates inoculated, Zone 7 isolate recorded significantly high values in almost all growth parameters chosen for the study. The results suggests that plants inoculated with Bacillus megaterium isolates showed better growth response, biomass yield and nutrient content when compared to uninoculated plants.Â&nbsp

Effect of inoculation of Bacillus megaterium isolates on growth, biomass and nutrient content of Peppermint

The investigation was carried out to study the effect of Bacillus megaterium isolates on growth, biomass and nutrient content of Pepper mint. Pepper mint was used as a host plant to study the growth response, biomass and nutrient content. Bacillus megaterium strains from different soil types of various agroclimatic zones were isolated, identified and confirmed using standard synaptic keys. A pot culture experiment was carried out to find out the influence of Bacillus megaterium isolates on seedlings of Pepper mint under greenhouse conditions. Pepper mint plants inoculated with Bacillus megaterium isolates manifested increase in plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, biomass and nutrient content compared to uninoculated plants. Among the ten isolates inoculated, the Bacillus megaterium isolates from zone 3 showed significantly high values in almost all growth parameters chosen for the study. Similarly biochemical parameters of the Pepper mint inoculated with ten isolates of Bacillus megaterium was studied. In the inoculated plants the biochemical parameters like chlorophyll content, nitrogen content and phosphorus content was higher as compared to uninoculated plants. The results suggests that plants inoculated with Bacillus megaterium isolates showed better growth response, biomass yield and nutrient content when compared to uninoculated plants. Also the studies showed that Zone 3 isolate was more effective among other isolates

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

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Objective: To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020. Interventions: The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (n = 143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (n = 152), or no hydrocortisone (n = 108). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%). Results: After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (n = 137), shock-dependent (n = 146), and no (n = 101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707

Effect of Abrasive Medium on Wear Behavior of Al/AlB₂ Functionally Graded Metal Matrix Composite

Centrifugal casting process was applied for fabricating the functionally graded Aluminium/10% AlB2 composite under the centrifuging speed of 1200 rpm and hollow cylindrical (150 × 150 × 15 mm) component has been obtained. The outer, middle and inner surfaces of the FGM those were at the distance of 1 mm, 8 mm and 15 mm from the outer periphery were taken for three body abrasive wear test and the applied load was varied (33 N to 80 N) on these surfaces in the presence of silica sand and alumina as abrasive mediums. The wear test results showed that increase in load and increase in distance from the outer periphery of the FGM increases the wear rate. The surfaces of the FGM abraded with silica sand displays higher wear rate than the surfaces abraded through alumina. SEM analysis has been performed on the surfaces abraded by both medium and it was observed that severity of wear was less in the presence of alumina as abrasive medium during the abrasion test

Correlating MRI and histological tumor thickness in the assessment of tongue cancer

Objective: Tumor thickness in tongue cancer is an important independent prognostic factor for local recurrence, nodal metastasis, and patient survival. An accurate preoperative assessment of tumor thickness is therefore essential for optimal treatment planning. The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of MRI findings for the preoperative measurement of tumor thickness. Subjects and methods: Thirty six patients with oral tongue cancer underwent preoperative MRI of the tongue. After surgery, the glossectomy specimens were serially sectioned. The radiologic tumor thickness of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted images was compared with the histologic tumor thickness using our proposed tumor thickness staging classifications. These included stage I (tumor ≤ 3 mm), stage II (> 3 mm but ≤ 9 mm) and stage III (> 9 mm).Results: The overall accuracy in assessment of proposed tumor thickness staging using contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted images was 83.33% and 61.11%, respectively. The radiologic tumor thickness as measured on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted images had significant correlation with histologic tumor thickness (R = 0.980 and 0.985, respectively).Conclusion: MR images provide satisfactory accuracy for the measurement of tumor thickness and staging of tongue cancer. Preoperative MRI is recommended to assist in treatment planning for patients with this disease

A Hospital-Based Epidemiologic Study on Acute Pediatric Poisonings in Chennai, India

Background: Toxic exposures in childhood are major health concern. In this hospital-based study, we sought to investigate socio-epidemiological factors contributing to acute pediatric poisoning in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital (KKCTH), a tertiary care hospital for children in Chennai. Children and adolescents less than 18 years of age with diagnosis of acute poisoning during June 2014 to January 2015 were included in the study. Results: During the study period, 10500 children were admitted to emergency department of the hospital; among which, 34 children presented with diagnosis of acute poisoning (0.32% of admissions). Eighteen patients (52.9%) were boys. The greatest proportion of patients (52.9%) aged 1 to 3 years. Regarding the intention of poisoning, 27 cases (79.4%) occurred following unintentional ingestion by children, 5 cases (14.7%) following inadvertent administration of medication(s) by a caregiver and 2 cases (5.9%) following inadvertent administration by a sibling. Children had relatively equal chance of being poisoned with medications (n = 18, 52.9%) and common household agents (n = 16, 47.1%). The most common medicines responsible for the poisonings were neuropsychiatric medicines (n = 6, 17.6%). None of the medications responsible for poisoning had childproof containers. On admission, only 14 children (41.2%) were symptomatic. Fifteen patients (44.1%) required admission to hospital wards and 4 patients (11.8%) required intensive care. The remaining patients only needed close observation for a few hours. All children made complete recovery and there was no mortality. Conclusion:Children especially toddlers of either gender are vulnerable to unintentional exposures and need constant supervision by an adult. Educating caregivers about the fatalities associated with unprotected storage of medications, and dangers of placing hazardous chemicals in the reach of children will reduce a great number of poisoning in children

Evaluating Holistic Education and Digital Learning model for advancing SDG4: a longitudinal mixed-effects modeling approach

AbstractThis longitudinal study evaluates the Holistic Education and Digital Learning (HEDL) model within rural Indian contexts, contributing to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4). The holistic education includes activities such as yoga, environmental activities, cultural programs, cleanliness drives and substance abuse ambassador programs while the digital learning encompasses applications for language learning, numeracy, touch writing and vocabulary enhancement. The dataset comprises 8869 students from 78 HEDL centers across 21 Indian states, monitored over 5 years through standardized assessments, attendance metrics and digital teacher supervision. Employing mixed-effects models with nested random effects for centers and students, the findings indicate that the HEDL model significantly elevates literacy and language skills in these settings. The digital learning component alone contributes to a 0.5% average weekly literacy gain. Furthermore, the holistic educational components demonstrate a statistically significant correlation with improved literacy outcomes: a 25% increased likelihood of achieving grade-level reading and a 63% increased likelihood of attaining grade-level writing. The results are found to be reliable and robust across time and a large number of locations across India. The results contribute to understanding the dual role of blended learning and holistic education in rural education and underscore the potential of such pedagogical models

Adolescents as Ambassadors in Substance Abuse Awareness Programs: Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Effects

This study explores an adolescent ambassador program that promotes substance abuse awareness in rural villages, and studies its effects on self-esteem, peer influence, and family communication. This school-based intervention was part of a larger program that mentored adolescent youth as change agents to promote health and social awareness in rural communities in India, in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and wellbeing). One hundred and forty-three ambassadors between 8 and 18 years of age, representing rural communities in 23 economically challenged villages across 11 states of India, participated in the study. Adolescents were mentored to implement substance abuse awareness programs among their peers and the village community. During the training, the ambassadors used a variety of didactic, creative, and technological modalities. Pre- and post-analyses assessed ambassadors’ self-esteem, personal substance use, perceptions of peer substance abuse, comfort with discussing substance abuse, and perceptions of social support. Ambassadors’ self-esteem increased significantly. In addition, positive changes related to the perception of parents’ and friends’ attention, as well as comfort in addressing substance abuse topics with others, were observed