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We describe a weak magnetic field sensor operating at room temperature based on the magnonic crystal (MC). MC consisting of periodic stripes of cobalt (Co) and permalloy (Py) in one dimension is studied. The magnonic bandgaps are calculated by solving the eigenvalue problem of the Landau–Lifshitz equation using the finite element method. Magnonic bandgap frequency shifts depend upon the external magnetic field and this phenomenon is utilized for magnetic field sensing. The sensitivity characteristics of MCs with dispersion spectra in the gigahertz (GHz) frequency range are studied. It is found that the sensor's performance gets enhanced for smaller thickness and larger periodicity. The sensitivity reaches a magnitude as large as 66.0 GHz T−1 for 10 nm thickness and 1 μ m periodicity. Our analysis indicates that a limit of detection (LOD) of the order of 10−11 T can be achieved for all the geometric configurations considered in the 0–1 T range. The results are explained in terms of corresponding fundamental concepts and phenomena. Further, our simulation results show that the typical gap (e.g. 1 nm) between Co and Py stripes does not significantly affect the sensitivity of the sensor. The results also indicate that any small variation (e.g. 1 nm) in MC thickness may lead to reasonable variation in sensitivity magnitudes. Moreover, the proposed sensor's performance is significantly superior (in terms of sensitivity, LOD, miniaturization, and material, etc) to the currently available state-of-the-art magnetometers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unrecognized bipolar spectrum disorder under cover diagnosis of major depression disorder leads to wrong medications (antidepressants in absence of mood stabilizer), which may switch to mania. Aims and Objectives: A study was to identify unrecognized bipolar disorder in patients of major depressive disorder taking antidepressants. Materials and Methods: This is an observational and cross-sectional study of 150 patients previously diagnosed as major depressive disorder taking antidepressants from tertiary care hospital. Patients were assessed by proforma containing demographic details, Questionnaire of mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ), and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) followed by clinical interview according to DSM-5 to confirm diagnosis. Statistical analysis was done. Results: We found 6.67% depression patients screened positive on MDQ for bipolar disorder and diagnosis is confirmed by interview according to DSM-5. MDQ positive patients have early age of onset of depression(P=0.0109), long duration of depression(P=0.0478), presence of previous suicide attempt(P=0.0130), and family history of bipolar disorder(P=0.0361). No statistically significant difference was observed between mean HAMD score and severity of depression between MDQ positive and negative group. Conclusion: Among patients prescribed antidepressants for depression, there is a substantial proportion with unrecognized bipolar disorder and most of them had never received diagnosis of bipolar disorder. When seeing patients with depression disorder, clinicians should review the life history for screening of unrecognized bipolar disorder by looking for early age onset of depressive episode and long lifetime duration of depression, previous suicide attempt, and family history of bipolar disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anxiety is a response to a threat that is unknown/known, internal/external, vague, or conflictual, cancer is threatening and so many patients are anxious. Aim and Objectives: The present study was performed to assess the prevalence of anxiety disorders (AD) and quality of life (QoL) and its association in patients of oral cancer. Materials and Methods: There were 62 patients attending cancer OPD of tertiary care center was assessed for cross-sectional, observational, and questionnaire-based study. Patients those diagnosed with oral cancer were included in our study. They were diagnosed for AD by clinical interview using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. We assessed QoL in patients with oral cancer by scale of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck (FACT-H&N Version 4). Patients were further assessed for demographic details. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 15, proportions were compared using Chi–square test, FACT H&N QoL scores were compared by Mann–Whitney U test. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: We found that 17.74% had AD and those patients who were diagnosed of AD have poorer QoL in all domains of FACT H&N QoL. Conclusions: QoL was found to be poor in patients with oral cancer who had diagnosed with AD then those without AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic and Lockdown on March 2020 till date, measures like hand hygiene, social distancing and testing have worked only partially to contain the cases and deaths. Cooper Hospital, Mumbai, was one of the 10 nodal centres identified by Prime Minister's Office in January 2021 to launch the Nationwide Vaccination drive, along with other public hospitals in Mumbai. We aim to highlight the challenges of vaccination setup and procedures in initial phases and discuss concerns/effect on our department workforce and workplan. We reviewed the patterns, procedures and problems faced by our vaccination centre from January 15th till March 15th (2 months). We also looked into setup at another centre in Mumbai. Over 37,000 vaccine doses have been administrated in our center alone by March end, and issues were analysed in detail with special reference to logistics & department work. Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) were very few. We found that anxiety about side effects, concerns about choice of vaccine and long-term effects were the major impediments to vaccination. Although vaccination is not the final answer, it is an important tool to improve our response to the pandemic. Restructuring available infrastructure is essential in pandemic situations. Proper procedure, counselling and choice in the way forward in this crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. (Solanaceae), commonly known as sticky nightshade, is traditionally used for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Although solasodine has been isolated from this plant, little is known about its anticonvulsant and CNS depressant actions. Objective: We investigated anticonvulsant and CNS depressant effects of solasodine isolated from S. sisymbriifolium using several experimental models. Materials and methods: Swiss albino mice (n == 6) were employed for pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and picrotoxin (PCT)-induced convulsions and thiopental-induced sleep time. Different groups of Wistar albino rats (n == 6) were subjected to maximal electroshock (MES) test. Solasodine, a steroidal glycoalkaloid, was isolated from dried fruits of S. sisymbriifolium and identified by GC-MS. Results: The results showed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of solasodine (25 mg/kg) significantly delayed (p < 0.01) latency of hind limb tonic extensor (HLTE) phase in the PCT-induced convulsions. In the MES model, solasodine significantly reduced (p < 0.001) duration of HLTE at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p. in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, solasodine did not produce any significant reduction in PTZ-induced convulsions. Prior treatment of solasodine (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly potentiated thiopental-provoked sleep in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.001). Discussion and conclusion: Our study, for the first time, shows potent anticonvulsant and CNS depressant activities of solasodine. It is likely that solasodine, in part, is responsible for the anticonvulsant and sedative properties of S. sisymbriifolium. The future study should focus on the exact mechanism of action of solasodine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper elucidates the transformative impact of a strategic shift in diagnostic practices in the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis . It explores five cases where the implementation of a specific diagnostic protocol led to effective identification of the infection. In-depth discussions and a comprehensive literature review underline the necessity for precise diagnosis and the paramount importance of diagnostic stewardship in managing sexually transmitted infections., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Authors.)