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Synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with 1,4-Piperazinediethanesulfonic acid (PIPES) have been explored as a coupled catalyst for the condensation reaction of Dimedone (1), Benzaldehyde and (2) Indole (3) in stipulated period of time to give 2-((1H-indol-3-yl)(phenyl)methyl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione (4) under ultrasound irradiation technique at 60 °C temperature. Pharmacological importance of targeted products along with surface properties of ZnO NPs and Bronsted acidity of PIPES together became promising advantages for this protocol to establish.

Purpose – The world has faced various epidemic situations caused by different viruses such as SARS-Cov, MERS-Cov, Ebola and many more during the past few decades, SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) is the genetic variant of newly the discovered Coronavirus, which has been believed to spread from China during December 2019, which has created a catastrophic effect for the whole world. In the first quarter of 2020, the virus started to spread to different countries, in addition, the severity of cases, the mortality rate and the recovery rate varied between countries. In the Sultanate of Oman and different parts of the world, the COVID started to spike during the end of March 2020. In this research paper, COVID data for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are extracted and analysis has been made based on different parameters. The analysis has been divided into two categories – the first part focuses on the total number of cases, the total number of recoveries and the total number of deaths and comparison has been made for different GCC countries, from these analyses, it gives a clear picture of the days of a particular month, which contributes to the increase of COVID cases. The second part focuses on finding out the indicators that are correlating with the COIVD-19 cases and deaths; it has been found that there is a very strong correlation between the total population and labour force of every GCC country with the corresponding COVID cases and deaths. Design/methodology/approach – The entire research steps involved starts with data collection, data pre-processing and data analysis. The analysis has been divided into two categories – the first part focuses on the total number of cases, the total number of recoveries and the total number of deaths and comparisons has been made for different GCC countries. The second part focuses on finding out the indicators that are correlating with COIVD-19 cases and deaths. Findings – It has been found that there is a very strong correlation between the total population and labour force of every GCC country with the corresponding COVID cases and deaths. Research limitations/implications – The data set considered is limited and can be extended further. Social implications – This research paper definitely provides a road map for practice, as this research provides details about the total number of active cases, death based on the days in different GCC countries. It has been observed that during the end of each month and during weekends, the total number of cases increases drastically, so by taking into consideration the governing bodies can impose a lockdown during these spike durations. In addition to it, the citizens and residents should make a practice to avoid or limit their movement during the spike durations, which was analysed by this research work. Originality/value – The idea is the own idea and not copied from any other source.

Rajagopalan Venkatraman, Kandhan Karthik, Cherian Belinda, Ramamurthy Balaji Department of Anaesthesia, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Potheri, Tamilnadu, 603203, IndiaCorrespondence: Rajagopalan VenkatramanDepartment of Anaesthesia, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Potheri, 603203, Tamilnadu, IndiaTel +91 9894581455Email drvenkat94@gmail.comBackground and Aims: Ultrasound-guided (UG) mandibular nerve block is effective for providing postoperative analgesia in mandibular fracture surgeries. The pre-emptive nerve blockade prolongs the duration of postoperative analgesia and reduces the consumption of intraoperative opioids. The aim of this prospective, randomized, single-blinded study was to compare the efficacy of pre-emptive and postoperative UG mandibular nerve block for postoperative analgesia in mandibular fracture surgeries.Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for unilateral mandibular fracture surgeries were randomly divided into two groups by computer-generated random numbers and sealed envelope method: Group A received UG mandibular nerve block before surgical incision and group B received after surgery with ropivacaine 0.5% 10mL. The second anesthesiologist, who was blinded to the group involved, monitored the patient. The patients as well as the statistician were also blinded. The patients were started on patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine with bolus 1mg and a lockout interval of 10min. The morphine consumption for 24h was recorded. The pain was assessed by the VAS score. The additional intraoperative fentanyl consumption and time for a request for rescue analgesic were recorded.Results: The total morphine consumption was reduced in group A (4.566± 0.717mg) than group B (5.93± 0.876mg) with a p-value of < 0.0001. The time for a request for rescue analgesic was also prolonged in group A (794.08± 89.561min) than group B (505.333± 3.159min). In group A, only four patients required an additional dose of fentanyl as against 11 patients in group B. The heart rate was also lower in group A 30min after the administration of the block and persisted for two hours intraoperatively.Conclusion: Pre-emptive ultrasound-guided mandibular nerve block reduces morphine consumption, prolongs the time for a request for rescue analgesic, reduces intraoperative fentanyl consumption, provides better control of intraoperative heart rate, and better pain scores postoperatively when compared to the postoperative mandibular nerve block.Keywords: mandibular fracture, mandibular nerve, postoperative pain, ultrasound-guided, visual analog scale

Drug discovery include drug designing and development, is a multifarious and expensive endeavor, where least number of drugs that pass the clinical trials makes it to market. Software based drug discovery and development methods have major role in the development of bioactive compounds for over last three decades. Novel software based methods such as molecular modeling, structure-based drug design, structure-based virtual screening, ligand interaction and molecular dynamics are considered to be powerful tool for investigation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drug, and structural activity relationship between ligand and its target. Computational approaches such as docking confer interaction of small molecules with structural macromolecules and thereby hit identification and lead optimization. These methods are faster, and accurately provide valuable insights of experimental findings and mechanisms of action. In addition, appropriate implementation of these techniques could lead to a reduction in cost of drug designing and development. Currently in biomedicine sciences these software are exhibiting imperative role in the different phases of drug discovery. The review discusses working principle and successful applications of most commonly used software for drug designing and development. Keywords: Drug discovery, Docking, Structural activity relationship, Molecular modeling, Computational methods

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Introduction: Unmet need for family planning refers to gap between some women’s reproductive intention and their contraceptive behaviour. This poses a challenge to the family planning programme. Objectives: To find out the extent of unmet need, associated socio-demographic factors and possible reasons for unmet need among pregnant women. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 523 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of Primary health center attached to a medical college in Bangalore for a period of 7 months using pretested semi-structured questionnaire by interview. Descriptive statistics was used for summarization of the data. Statistical association was determined using chi-square test. Results: In the present study the extent of unmet need among pregnant women was 122(23.3%), 99(19.0 %) for spacing the birth and 23(4.3%) for limiting the birth. Unmet need was significantly associated with socio-economic status, number of living children. The main reason for unmet need for family planning was opposition by family members (n=59, 48.3%). Conclusion: The study found that women cited a range of reasons that prevented them from using contraceptives. To address these issues needs various measures like imparting proper family planning education by conducting awareness programmes at the community level, removing misconceptions regarding family planning etc.

The National AIDS control programme (NACP) in India is currently following the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines. In 2013, the WHO revised its recommendations for initiating ART among people living with HIV (PLHIV) by increasing the threshold for ART initiation to a CD4 count ≤500 cells/uL. For certain patient groups, ART is recommended irrespective of CD4 count (PLHIV with active tuberculosis, hepatitis B virus infection, pregnant and breast feeding women, children aged under five years and those living in a sero-discordant relationship). In this operational research, we assess the effect of applying this recommendation on the number of PLHIV additionally eligible for ART.This was a cross-sectional analysis of routinely collected programme data from all PLHIV registered in Karnataka State (population 60 million), India in 2012.Of 37,044 PLHIV, 27,074 (73%) were eligible for initiating ART as per WHO-2010 criteria. As per the WHO-2013 criteria (CD4 count ≤500 and all pregnant women and under-five children irrespective of CD4 count), an additional 5104 (14%) HIV-infected people would be eligible for initiating ART. There were no data to inform the additional patient load due to sero-discordance.Adopting the WHO-2013 guidelines for India has important resource implications. However, given the significant patient and programmatic benefits of adopting the new guidelines, this has been considered favourably by the NACP in India and steps are being planned to integrate ART care into the general health system to cope with the increased numbers of patients.