Synthesis of Graphene-Based Nanocomposite and Investigations of Its Thermal and Electrical Properties

We describe the synthesis of acid functionalized graphene (GE) which is grafted to chitosan (CH) by first reacting the oxidized GE with thionyl chloride to form acyl-chlorinated GE. This product is subsequently dispersed in chitosan and covalently grafted to form GE-chitosan. GE-chitosan is further grafted onto polymetanitroaniline (PMNA) by free radical polymerization conditions to yield GE-CH-PMNA. We have characterized the structure of synthesized GE-CH-PMNA composites by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy, and conductivity measurements. XRD data suggest the strongly crystalline character of the prepared specimen. Our measurement shows that the dielectric constants of these nanocomposites are remarkably enhanced due to interfacial polarization effect. This study demonstrates that functionalized graphene sheets are ideal nanofillers for the development of new polymer composites with high dielectric constant values

Unusual coexistence between lupus nephritis and neurofibromatosis 1: a case report and review of previous cases

The association of Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF 1), an autosomal dominant genetic disease with autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus is rare, five case reports are there in medical literature showing such association. Here we have documented a case of Lupus nephritis associated with Neurofibromatosis 1 diagnosed in the same setting, in a 24 years old female patient presented with oliguria, hypertension, anasarca, cafe-au-lait spots, palmer freckling, subcutaneous nodules, alopecia areata and positive family history for NF 1

A statistical method for determining optical and geometrical characteristics of cirrus clouds

Altitude occurrences of cirrus clouds, their base, mid, and top heights are identified by using a powerful statistical approach called the Variance Centroid Method (VCM). This method is effective in determining the geometrical properties of cirrus clouds at a height range of 8 km to 20 km. This statistical method provides in-depth information on Generation Circulation Models (GCM’s) because of its significant role in the radiative balance of the earth’s atmosphere. The output related to geometrical and optical properties of cirrus clouds obtained from this statistical method for the years 2014 and 2015 are studied. Altitude distributions of base, mid, top, and thickness of tropical cirrus clouds are analyzed in terms of percentage occurrences. For the year 2014, it was found that 14.8%, 75.2%, and 9.9% of cirrus clouds were sub-visual, thin, and thick clouds and for the year 2015, 71.2% and 28.7% of cirrus clouds were found to be thin and thick clouds, and sub-visual types of clouds were not observed. The interdependence of optical depth with the depolarization ratio is discussed and it is observed that the correlation is negative (−0.0303) for the year 2014 and positive (0.1311) for the year 2015. High optical depths with values from 0.502 to 0.849 are observed in the height regions from 9 km to 15 km (for 2014) and for the year 2015, the observed value ranges from 0.514 to 0.822 for the height regions from 9 km to 11 km. Statistical variation of characteristics of tropical cirrus clouds is presented for the period of study. The characterization of these cirrus clouds is highly useful for climate modeling studies, and their impact plays a vital role in the Earth’s radiation budget at the top of the atmosphere

Two unusual neuro-psychiatric manifestations of malaria in a tertiary care hospital: a review of literature

Malaria, a highly prevalent parasitic disease in tropical country, have some atypical neuro-psychiatric manifestations seen in both vivax and falciparum malaria. We are reporting two cases of unusual neuro-psychiatric manifestations of malaria admitted in our hospital, one with intralobar haemorrhage and other with atypical psychiatric features. The rarity of the presentation has been highlighted with possible pathogenesis discussed after literature review

Detection of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae by Real-Time PCR and Assessment of Hospitalization Related Risk Factors Associated with their Fecal Carriage: A Case-control Study

Opportunistic behavior of commensal bacteria during severe infection, especially of the intestine is always considered as a predisposing threat for the severely ill patient admitted to hospitals. A descriptive-analytical case-control study was carried out to detect the prevalence and risk factor analysis of fecal carriage of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Patients having fecal carriage of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were considered as cases and patients who were without Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were taken as the control in a proportion of 1:4. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) was confirmed by both conventional as well as molecular methods. Methods such as Combined Disk Test, mCIMtest, and RAPIDEC CarbaNP Test were used for phenotypic identification of CRE, Whereas Real-Time (RT)-PCR was used for the detection of bla-gene encoded for CRE (blaNDM1, blaVIM, blaKPC, blaIMP, and blaOXA48). All patients belonging to medicine wards were included in the study. we screened 436 patients during the study and found 160 patients suitable for our study, out of which 32 (20%) were cases and 128 (80%) were controls. We found a total number of 25 genes out of 16 isolates, where NDM 1 was identified in maximum numbers followed by KPC &VIM. Standard statistical analyses such as chi-squire and odd ratios were conducted to determine the risk factor of different variables. Stepwise multiple logistic regressions were carried out, where we found, that transfer from other wards to medicine ward, use of nebulizer and intravenous catheter, and use of multiple antibiotics were still statistically significant. Implementation of Multi-modal colonization prevention and control is the need for the present situation throughout the world

Burden of head and neck cancers in Kamrup urban district cancer registry of Assam, India: a retrospective study

Background: Head and Neck cancers are basically squamous cell carcinomas. It is the fifth most common cancer and the sixth most common cause of cancer mortality in the world. Incidence of cancer as a whole for all sites is fourth highest in Kamrup Urban District (KUD) in males (AAR 185.2) and second highest (AAR 156.3) in females out of all Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCR) in India. Incidence of head and neck cancers in KUD is quite high both nationally and internationally. This retrospective study was carried out to assess the incidence pattern of head and neck cancers in Kamrup Urban District of Assam, India for the period of 2009-2011.  Methods: Cancer is not notifiable in India, so method of collecting information on cancer was active in PBCR Guwahati. A total of 4416 cases were registered during the three years (1st January 2009- 31st December 2011) of which 2508 were male and 1908 female. Statistical analysis used: Age Adjusted Rate (AAR), Crude Rate (CR) and Population pyramids are provided by NCRP-ICMR.Results: The relative proportion of head and neck cancers of total cancer cases registered in KUD constitutes 26% (654/2508) and 12% (225/1908) in male and female respectively. In males cancer of hypopharynx (AAR 14.7) was most common followed by tongue (AAR 9.4) and mouth (AAR 7.7). In females cancer of mouth (AAR 7.6) is most common followed by cancer of tongue (AAR 3.2).Conclusion: The pattern and incidence of various head and neck cancers is of utmost importance for primary prevention and early detection to adequately manage these cancers comprehensively in the community.

Partitioning Apomixis Components to Understand and Utilize Gametophytic Apomixis

Apomixis is a method of reproduction to generate clonal seeds and offers tremendous potential to fix heterozygosity and hybrid vigor. The process of apomictic seed development is complex and comprises three distinct components, viz., apomeiosis (leading to formation of unreduced egg cell), parthenogenesis (development of embryo without fertilization) and functional endosperm development. Recently, in many crops, these three components are reported to be uncoupled leading to their partitioning. This review provides insight into the recent status of our understanding surrounding partitioning apomixis components in gametophytic apomictic plants and research avenues that it offers to help understand the biology of apomixis. Possible consequences leading to diversity in seed developmental pathways, resources to understand apomixis, inheritance and identification of candidate gene(s) for partitioned components, as well as contribution towards creation of variability are all discussed. The potential of Panicum maximum, an aposporous crop, is also discussed as a model crop to study partitioning principle and effects. Modifications in cytogenetic status, as well as endosperm imprinting effects arising due to partitioning effects, opens up new opportunities to understand and utilize apomixis components, especially towards synthesizing apomixis in crops