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Medical council of India has made remarkable modifications in the curriculum of medical students after a long period of more than 20 years with regulations on Graduate Medical Education 1997. Innovative and interactive teaching methods have taken center place in the implementation of the new curriculum nationwide. Small group teaching and problem-assisted learning have brought a paradigm shift in biochemistry teaching, which was earlier teacher cantered and was taught by only didactic lectures due to which biochemistry was considered a boring and dry subject. The present interventional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi. All the students of MBBS first professional Batch 2018-2019 were enrolled in the present study. After sensitizing the faculty and students regarding jigsaw method of learning, it was undertaken in two different batches on 4 different days, with faculty and senior residents acting as facilitators. The groups were named according to rainbow colors. The topics were taught by power point presentation before the conduction of jigsaw activity that was discussed in form of seven clinical cases. Post jigsaw, a prevalidated feedback questionnaire was filled by the students. The faculty and senior residents gave a constructive feedback via focused group discussion. In our study 100% students opined that teaching and being taught by peers was beneficial in enhancing the in depth knowledge of the topic. Ninety-two percent students opined jigsaw learning helpful in promoting self-directed learning in the student, whereas 88.5% students felt that this teaching learning tool to be made a the regular part of the curriculum. Jigsaw groups create many opportunities for creative interchange of ideas and lively and meaningful participations. But due to limitation of time and logistics, it can be used in conjunction with routine methods of learning.

This study introduces UWF-ZeekDataFall22, a newly created dataset labeled using the MITRE ATT&CK framework. Although the focus of this research is on classifying the never-before classified resource development tactic, the reconnaissance and discovery tactics were also classified. The results were also compared to a similarly created dataset, UWF-ZeekData22, created in 2022. Both of these datasets, UWF-ZeekDataFall22 and UWF-ZeekData22, created using Zeek Conn logs, were stored in a Big Data Framework, Hadoop. For machine learning classification, Apache Spark was used in the Big Data Framework. To summarize, the uniqueness of this work is its focus on classifying attack tactics. For UWF-ZeekdataFall22, the binary as well as the multinomial classifier results were compared, and overall, the results of the binary classifier were better than the multinomial classifier. In the binary classification, the tree-based classifiers performed better than the other classifiers, although the decision tree and random forest algorithms performed almost equally well in the multinomial classification too. Taking training time into consideration, decision trees can be considered the most efficient classifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical council of India has made remarkable modifications in the curriculum of medical students after a long period of more than 20 years with regulations on Graduate Medical Education 1997. Innovative and interactive teaching methods have taken center place in the implementation of the new curriculum nationwide. Small group teaching and problem‐assisted learning have brought a paradigm shift in biochemistry teaching, which was earlier teacher cantered and was taught by only didactic lectures due to which biochemistry was considered a boring and dry subject. The present interventional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi. All the students of MBBS first professional Batch 2018–2019 were enrolled in the present study. After sensitizing the faculty and students regarding jigsaw method of learning, it was undertaken in two different batches on 4 different days, with faculty and senior residents acting as facilitators. The groups were named according to rainbow colors. The topics were taught by power point presentation before the conduction of jigsaw activity that was discussed in form of seven clinical cases. Post jigsaw, a prevalidated feedback questionnaire was filled by the students. The faculty and senior residents gave a constructive feedback via focused group discussion. In our study 100% students opined that teaching and being taught by peers was beneficial in enhancing the in depth knowledge of the topic. Ninety‐two percent students opined jigsaw learning helpful in promoting self‐directed learning in the student, whereas 88.5% students felt that this teaching learning tool to be made a the regular part of the curriculum. Jigsaw groups create many opportunities for creative interchange of ideas and lively and meaningful participations. But due to limitation of time and logistics, it can be used in conjunction with routine methods of learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Serum osmolality is an essential laboratory parameter to understand various clinical disorders including dehydration status, electrolyte disturbances and exogenous intoxication. The measured serum osmolarity by using basic plasma components such as glucose, urea and electrolytes is an indirect indicator of serum osmolality. While several equations are available for calculation of serum osmolarity, their diagnostic predictive accuracy for estimation of serum osmolality remains debatable. Aim: To determine the most accurate equation for calculation of serum osmolarity in Paediatric population. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was conducted on 50 apparently healthy children (aged =12 years) at Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalya, Paediatric Government Hospital, Delhi. Serum urea, sodium, potassium, glucose (Glu) and osmolality values were obtained from the January 2016-December 2016 laboratory records. Osmolarity was calculated using most commonly used nine prediction-equations. Students' paired t test was used to assess the statistically differences between measured and calculated osmolarity by different equations. Pearson correlation coefficient test was used to analyse the correlation between the calculated osmolarity and measured osmolality. The Bland Altman method and Regression analysis were used to determine the agreement and differential bias between calculated osmolarity and measured osmolality. Results: The mean of measured osmolality was 293.86±10.89 mOsm/kg. The equation for calculating serum osmolarity by Smithline Gardner: 2(Na)+Glu+Urea, (all components were measured in mmol/L) with statistical insignificant difference between the measured osmolality (p-value>0.05), osmolal gap close to zero and maximum r squared value along with the lowest standard error, was best able to predict measured serum osmolality. Conclusion: Assessment of panel of serum osmolarity equations showed that Smithline Gardner equation had best diagnostic accuracy in Paediatric population and therefore we recommend that the equation should be adopted at different clinical and analytical laboratories platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young children are often hyperreactive to somatosensory inputs hardly noticed by adults, as exemplified by irritation to seams or labels in clothing. The neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying changes in sensory reactivity are not well understood. Based on the idea that neurodevelopmental changes in somatosensory processing and/or changes in sensory adaptation might underlie developmental differences in somatosensory reactivity, high-density electroencephalography was used to examine how the nervous system responds and adapts to repeated vibrotactile stimulation over childhood. Participants aged 6-18 yr old were presented with 50-ms vibrotactile stimuli to the right wrist over the median nerve at 5 blocked interstimulus intervals (ranging from ∼7 to ∼1 stimulus per second). Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) revealed three major phases of activation within the first 200 ms, with scalp topographies suggestive of neural generators in contralateral somatosensory cortex. Although overall SEPs were highly similar for younger, middle, and older age groups (6.1-9.8, 10.0-12.9, and 13.0-17.8 yr old), there were significant age-related amplitude differences in initial and later phases of the SEP. In contrast, robust adaptation effects for fast vs. slow presentation rates were observed that did not differ as a function of age. A greater amplitude response in the later portion of the SEP was observed for the youngest group and may be related to developmental changes in responsivity to somatosensory stimuli. These data suggest the protracted development of the somatosensory system over childhood, whereas adaptation, as assayed in this study, is largely in place by ∼7 yr of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global transition towards a bio-based economy to reduce the carbon footprints as an alternative to petroleum-based has led to the production of new cellulosic fibre-based eco-sustainable products in the construction and building industry. The present review gives an insight into how bio-based (fibre) is used as a reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. Specifics of the fibres in varied forms and their effect on the tensile characteristics of the resulting epoxy composites are reviewed. Studies reported to date have mostly focussed on improving the strength in the context of mechanical behaviour of the composites for varied structural applications. However, the scientific knowledge relating to modulus, its reinforcing capabilities are very limited in the literature. Detailed studies on the effect of dense regions with high moduli, less dense with insignificant moduli, point-to-point variation in the matrix are needed. This review proffers detailed explanations of the chemical treatments, hybridization, processing methods used from the last 22 years (2000–2022) in processing natural fibre composites (NFC) for value-added products. Future perspectives and functionalization of intelligence in biocomposites are also discussed. • Cellulosic fibres-based epoxy composites prepared from different natural sources. • Cellulose fibres based- composites as a potential candidate to replace synthetic fibres based composites. • Cellulose epoxy composites exhibit great performances and can be used in several applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The genetics of autism spectrum disorder (hereafter referred to as "autism") are rapidly unfolding, with a significant increase in the identification of genes implicated in the disorder. Many of these genes are part of a complex landscape of genetic variants that are thought to act together to cause the behavioral phenotype associated with autism. One of the few single-locus causes of autism involves a mutation in the SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3) gene. Previous electrophysiological studies in mice with Shank3 mutations demonstrated impairment in synaptic long-term potentiation, suggesting a potential disruption at the synapse. Methods: To understand how variants in SHANK3 would lead to such impairments and manifest in the brain of patients with autism, we assessed the presence of synaptic pathology in Shank3-deficient mice at 5 weeks and 3 months of age, focusing on the stratum radiatum of the CA1 field. This study analyzed both Shank3 heterozygous and homozygous mice using an electron microscopy approach to determine whether there is a morphological correlate to the synaptic functional impairment. Results: As both synaptic strength and plasticity are affected in Shank3-deficient mice, we hypothesized that there would be a reduction in synapse density, postsynaptic density length, and perforated synapse density. No differences were found in most parameters assessed. However, Shank3 heterozygotes had significantly higher numbers of perforated synapses at 5 weeks compared to 3 months of age and significantly higher numbers of perforated synapses compared to 5-week-old wildtype and Shank3 homozygous mice. Conclusions: Although this finding represents preliminary evidence for ultrastructural alterations, it suggests that while major structural changes seem to be compensated for in Shank3-deficient mice, more subtle morphological alterations, affecting synaptic structure, may take place in an age-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ultra-fine, biphasic nano-CaCO 3 particles synthesized via planetary ball milling. • For the first time, HR-TEM studies of disordered dolomite at 1 nm are reported. • Remarkable tensile strength and modulus at 1 wt% nano-CaCO 3 in epoxy was achieved. • Impressive enhancement in ductility (∼40%) was observed. CaCO 3 fillers offer high stiffness and impact resistance, but their rigid, brittle behaviour makes it challenging to attain good tensile properties in epoxy matrices. Herein, we report a high tensile strength and stiff nano-CaCO 3 /epoxy composites engineered via planetary ball milling for the first time. Remarkable improvement in strength of ∼ 51% (51.90 MPa) and modulus of ∼ 28% (522.62 MPa) at 1 wt% was observed with respect to micron-sized counterparts. A fascinating observation of ∼ 40% enhancement in ductility was also seen. The results imply that nano-CaCO 3 particles (38–52 nm) showed promising results to be used as sustainable concrete nanofiller in greener construction industry and other commercial building applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background While most neuropathologic studies focus on regions involved in behavioral abnormalities in autism, it is also important to identify whether areas that appear functionally normal are devoid of pathologic alterations. In this study we analyzed the posteroinferior occipitotemporal gyrus, an extrastriate area not considered to be affected in autism. This area borders the fusiform gyrus, which is known to exhibit functional and cellular abnormalities in autism. Findings No studies have implicated posteroinferior occipitotemporal gyrus dysfunction in autism, leading us to hypothesize that neuropathology would not occur in this area. We indeed observed no significant differences in pyramidal neuron number or size in layers III, V, and VI in seven pairs of autism and controls. Conclusions These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that neuropathology is unique to areas involved in stereotypies and social and emotional behaviors, and support the specificity of the localization of pathology in the fusiform gyrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is now a consensus that atherosclerosis represents a state of heightened oxidative stress which is characterized by lipid and protein oxidation in the vascular wall. Inspite of many efforts which were made to explain the role of oxidative stress in progression of CAD (Coronary Artery Disease), its predictive role is still not clear. In order to fill these lacunae and to establish the utility of antioxidant vitamins in delaying the progression of CAD from stable angina (SA) towards myocardial Infarction (MI), the present study was conducted. Materials and Methods: In this study, we compared the lipid profile and oxidant antioxidant status in 50 patients of CAD and 50 controls. The 50 patients of CAD were further grouped into those with SA, unstable angina (USA) and MI and the values of blood reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation marker Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were studied and compared in these three subgroups of CAD. Results: The values of MDA were significantly increased in patients of CAD as compared to those in controls. Plasma MDA values of patients who presented with unstable angina and acute MI were significantly higher than those in patients who presented with SA and in controls, whereas there was no significant difference between values in those with unstable angina and non Q wave MI. The values of GSH showed a significant depletion in patients of CAD as compared to those in controls. A clearly significant depletion in GSH levels was observed in SA patients as compared to those in unstable angina and MI. But no such variations were observed between unstable angina and MI patients. Conclusion: From the present study, it was concluded that there was a significant negative correlation between blood glutathione and serum MDA. This may have occurred due to utilization of GSH in quenching free radicals and still persisting oxidative stress, which may have caused an increase in MDA levels due to increased lipid peroxidation. Further, the enhanced depletion of GSH and the increase in the levels of MDA in patients of USA and MI as compared to those in SA patients confirms the role of oxidative stress in progression of CAD from SA through USA to MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The presence of von Economo neurons (VENs) in the frontoinsular cortex (FI) has been linked to a possible role in the integration of bodily feelings, emotional regulation, and goal-directed behaviors. They have also been implicated in fast intuitive evaluation of complex social situations. Several studies reported a decreased number of VENs in neuropsychiatric diseases in which the “embodied” dimension of social cognition is markedly affected. Neuropathological analyses of VENs in patients with autism are few and did not report alterations in VEN numbers. In this study we re-evaluated the possible presence of changes in VEN numbers and their relationship with the diagnosis of autism. Using a stereologic approach we quantified VENs and pyramidal neurons in layer V of FI in postmortem brains of four young patients with autism and three comparably aged controls. We also investigated possible autism-related differences in FI layer V volume. Patients with autism consistently had a significantly higher ratio of VENs to pyramidal neurons (p =0.020) than control subjects. This result may reflect the presence of neuronal overgrowth in young patients with autism and may also be related to alterations in migration, cortical lamination, and apoptosis. Higher numbers of VENs in the FI of patients with autism may also underlie a heightened interoception, described in some clinical observations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A case study of 35-year-old male with iron deficiency anaemia is presented, and also offers information on analysis of serum iron.