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Background: Estimation of graft weight for live donor liver transplant using portal vein diameter has not been validated widely. Objective: To observe the accuracy of portal vein diameter based formula in predicting graft weight. Methods: Graft weight was estimated using standard liver volume (SLV) multiplied by the ratio of portal vein branch diameter (Lee's formula). SLV was calculated using different formulae described in the literature. The most accurate formula was compared with three dimensional computed tomography volumetry in terms of accuracy of prediction of actual graft weight. Factors which predicted percentage error of more than 15 in computed tomography were analyzed. Results: In 307 right hemiliver grafts, SLV calculation by Urata's method in Lee's formula was the most accurate (P=0.60 in Analysis of Variance) among all SLV methods. Lee's formula with Urata and computed tomography volumetry had a good correlation with actual graft weight (r=0.77 vs. r=0.8) which was confirmed by Bland Altman analysis. On volumetry 45 patients had a percent error of more than 15. On logistic regression analysis, an estimated graft volume of greater than 800cc was a significant factor (p=0.008, odds ratio 2.99) and, in these patients Lee's formula was better(mean error 9.2 ±7.8 vs. 20.2±4.5, p<0.001). Conclusion: Lee's formula with SLV by Urata's method was accurate and can act as the second checkpoint after three dimensional computed tomography volumetry. Computed tomography estimate of graft weight more than 800 is associated with higher inaccuracy and in those patients portal vein diameter based formulae fared better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tobacco epidemic is an increasing threat to public health with the tobacco burden particularly high in WHO's South- East Asia Region (SEAR). The Region has many obstacles to tobacco control, but despite these challenges, significant progress has been made in many countries. Although much work still needs to be done, SEAR countries have nevertheless implemented strong and often innovative tobacco control measures that can be classified as "best practices," with some setting global precedents. The best practice measures implemented in SEAR include bans on gutka, reducing tobacco imagery in movies, and warning about the dangers of tobacco. In a time of scarce resources, countries in SEAR and elsewhere must ensure that the most effective and cost-efficient measures are implemented. It is hoped that countries can learn from these examples and as appropriate, adapt these measures to their own specific cultural, social and political realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional SnSBA-15(CVD) catalyst was synthesized by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method using calcined SBA-15 with anhydrous tin(iv) chloride. For comparison studies, two mesoporous tin silicate catalysts, Sn/SBA-15(SC) and Sn/SBA-15(SA) were synthesized under the incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) method using calcined SBA-15 with different tin sources. SnMCM-41(40) was also synthesized by basic hydrothermal conditions. The synthesized mesoporous catalysts were characterized by ICP-AES, XRD, N2adsorption, UV vis DRS, 29Si MAS NMR, FE-SEM and TEM for the proof of standard mesoporous catalysts with nature of tin on the silica pore walls. For highly selective synthesis of nopol (N–OH), the Prins condensation of β-pinene (PE) with paraformaldehyde (PF-CHO) was performed over different mesoporous catalysts such as SiSBA-15, SnSBA-15(CVD), Sn/SBA-15(SC), SnSBA-15(SA) and SnMCM-41(40), and it was conducted using a variety of optimal parameters such as amount of catalyst, reaction time, reaction temperature, ratios of reactant (PE/PF-CHO), solvents and recycles. In addition, SnSBA-15(CVD) was used in the Prins condensation of PE with PF-CHO in the presence of propyl cyanide (PrCN) with water to investigate its catalytic activity. On the basis of all catalytic results, SnSBA-15(CVD) is found to be a highly active, water-resistant and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for selective synthesis of N–OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the development and validation of stability indicating HPLC method for voriconazole, an antifungal drug. Voriconazole was subjected to stress degradation under different conditions recommended by International Conference on Harmonization. The sample so generated was used to develop a stability-indicating high performance liquid chromatographic method for voriconazole. The peak for voriconazole was well resolved from peaks of degradation products, using a Hypersil C18 (250x4.6 mm) column and a mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile: water (40:60, v/v), at flow rate of 1 ml/min. Detection was carried out using photodiode array detector. A linear response (r > 0.99) was observed in the range of 5-25 µg/ml. The method showed good recoveries (average 100.06%) and relative standard deviation for intra and inter-day were ≤1.5 %. The method was validated for specificity and robustness also. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Indian state of Bihar, the sensitivities and specificities of direct agglutination tests (DAT) and rK39 test strips for the detection of Leishmania donovani infection in humans were explored and found to be generally good (92%–100%). When 172 asymptomatic individuals [16 'case-contacts' who lived in the same households as past or current, confirmed cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and 156 other subjects from neighbouring households] were tested, the same 36 (21%) individuals, including all 16 'case-contacts', were found seropositive using each type of test. When followed-up after 3 months, 18 of the individuals who had been found seropositive in the baseline survey remained seropositive, and eight (44%) of these had developed symptomatic VL, with amastigotes in their splenic aspirates. Seven (44%) of the 16 'case-contacts' but only one (5%) of the other 20 subjects found seropositive at baseline went on to develop VL within 3 months. Although the strip test appeared slightly better than DAT for predicting the development of VL in the 172 subjects, either type of test may be very useful for the early detection of asymptomatic L. donovani infection and thus the identification of those at relatively high risk of developing VL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the geometrically nonlinear transient response of the laminated composite doubly curved shells is investigated using the finite element method. The finite element model includes nonlinearity due to large deflection. A nine-noded isoparametric composite shell element including the first-order shear deformation is developed in curvilinear coordinates for the nonlinear transient analysis, The present formulation is based on the total Lagrangian approach and the material behavior is assumed to be linear and elastic. The governing equations have been solved by the Newton-Raphson iteration technique, wherein the Newmark method has been used for the time integration. The present results are found to compare well with those available in the literature. The nonlinear transient response of the cross-ply and three specially laminated spherical, cylindrical, and hyperbolic paraboloidal shell panels are also analyzed and the results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the hypothesis that the patients' feeling of cold sensation down the back during epidural drug administration through the epidural catheter was a reliable predictor of correct epidural catheter placement. In a prospective study of 80 patients, an epidural catheter was placed in the lumbar epidural space. During epidural drug injection, patients were asked to report feeling of the cold sensation in their back by pressing a bell. After 15 minutes, the patients were assessed for cold sensation in the thoracic to sacral dermatomes bilaterally and the dermatomal block recorded. Of 80 patients, three had inadvertent dural puncture. Seventy-two of 77 patients reported feeling cold sensation in their back during local anaesthetic injection, and all had successful epidural blockade. Of the five patients who did not report any cold sensation, three had failed epidural block and two successful epidural block. There were no false positive results. Of three patients who had inadvertent dural puncture and had normal saline 5 ml injected through the Tuohy needle, none reported cold sensation. The perception of cold sensation in the back during epidural administration of a test dose and/or subsequent full dose of local anaesthetic is useful in predicting successful epidural catheter placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses a case report on the occurrence of HIV-1 infection, visceral leishmaniasis, Koch's chest and tuberculous meningitis in the same patient. Detection of high fever, chills and cough with mucoid expectoration; Determination of response to antibiotics; Association of headache to vomiting.

An improved finite element model for the bending and free vibration analysis of doubly curved, laminated composite shells having spherical and ellipsoidal shapes is presented. The present formulation is based on the stress resultant-type Koiter's shell theory and no restriction is imposed on the magnitude of curvature components to capture the deep and shallow shell cases. The twist curvature component is incorporated along with the normal curvatures to keep the strain equations complete. Transverse shear deformation is also considered according to Mindlin's hypotheses. Both the Lagrangian and Serendipity families of isoparametric elements are incorporated in the analysis code to study their performance in different problems. The present five-DOF shell formulation is kept sufficiently general to capture both the bending- and membrane-dominated problems. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed finite element are illustrated by examples and are compared with those existing in the open literature. The comparison shows that the present analysis yields accurate results with a relatively small number of elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of moisture and temperature on the bending characteristics of thick multidirectional fibrous composite plates are studied. A three-dimensional finite element analysis procedure is developed using twenty noded isoparametric quadratic brick elements. A typical multidirectional unit cell is assumed to consist of several unidirectional composite blocks. Transformation-based relationships are used to generate the stiffness properties of a multidirectional composite model. The FE analysis accounts for the hygrothermal strains and reduced elastic properties of multidirectional composites at an elevated moisture concentration and temperature. Deflections and stresses are evaluated for thick multidirectional composite plates under uniform and linearly varying through-the-thickness temperature and moisture content. Results reveal the effects of fiber directionality on deflection and stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

s An advanced backcross population consisting of 80 BC3F3 lines derived from rice vars. Vandana/Moroberekan was analysed for blast resistance and genotyped with 50 candidate genes and 23 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Six candidate defence response genes [thaumatin, three nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat sequences from maize and two resistance gene analogue (RGA) markers] and one SSR marker (RM21) were significantly associated with partial blast resistance in rice (P=0.01). These markers accounted for phenotypic variation ranging from 9.6% to 29.4% and contributed to 76% of the total variation of percentage diseased leaf area (DLA) observed under natural infection. Four candidate genes (oxalate oxidase, 14-3-3 protein and two RGA markers) and four SSR markers (RM21, RM168, RM215 and RM250) were significantly associated with resistance to a single pathogen isolate, PO6-6. Among these, two markers were for DLA, five for lesion number and one for lesion size. These markers accounted for 9.1–28.7% of the phenotypic variation. A moderate correlation (r=0.48, P<0.01) was found between the level of partial resistance measured in the greenhouse and that measured under natural conditions. Analysis of BC3F4 progeny using genotypes of BC3F3 confirmed the phenotypic contribution of these markers. Cluster analysis of DNA profiles showed that the BC3 population was genetically similar (>85%) to the recurrent parent Vandana. Although no obvious relationship between DNA profiles and resistant phenotypes was observed, three lines (VM19, VM46 and VM76) in a cluster with high similarity to Vandana (89–96%) expressed a high level of partial blast resistance in the field. Analysis of disease progress in the field confirmed the performance of selected lines based on greenhouse and nursery analyses. The advanced backcross progeny with resistance phenotypes tagged by markers will be useful for accumulating blast resistance in upland rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of active stiffening (displacement control) and active damping (velocity control) effects introduced by collocated piezoelectric actuators and sensors on vibration control of composite structures are studied in this paper. A nine-node piezoelectric plate finite element is derived using the first order shear deformation theory to model the distributed actuation and sensing numerically. An output feedback control strategy is developed with the linear quadratic regulator theory in modal domain to estimate the optimal gains for different control efforts off line. Further, the developed control procedure is realised experimentally in an active control system. As an illustration, the effects of both displacement and velocity controls are shown on a CFRP beam. A periodic excitation is applied as disturbance and the amplitude response control is achieved by controlling the displacement and velocity of the vibrating system. It is observed that the active stiffening effect through displacement control is more effective for modes that have the amplitude of vibration relatively high. However, the active damping effect introduced by velocity control is efficient in the third mode control, which shows that a small amount of active damping is sufficient to stabilise a mode having comparatively less amplitude of vibration. Influence of active stiffening on the closed loop system frequency is observed to be more than that of active damping effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines incidence of violent coughing in patients after administration of the anesthetic propofol. Duration of violent coughing; Dosage necessary to induce coughing; Possible mechanism behind propofol's action.

Litchi fruits are a nutritious and commercial crop in the Indian state of Bihar. Litchi fruit contains a toxin, methylene cyclopropyl-glycine (MCPG), which is known to be fatal by causing encephalitis-related deaths. This is especially harmful when consumed by malnourished children. The first case of litchi toxicity was reported in Bihar in 2011. A similar event was recorded in 2014 among children admitted to the Muzaffarpur government hospital, Bihar. Litchi samples sent to ICMR-NIN were analyzed and MCPG was found to be present in both the pulp and seed of the fruit. Diethyl phosphate (DEP) metabolites were found in the urine samples of children who had consumed litchi fruit from this area indicating exposure to pesticide. The presence of both MCPG in litchi and DEP metabolites in urine samples highlights the need to conduct a comprehensive investigation that examines all factors of toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lanthanum modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT:8/60/40) ceramics prepared by a sol-gel route showed a well-defined microstructure comprising of grains separated by boundaries. Complex impedance spectroscopy has provided a convincing evidence for the existence of both grain (bulk) and grain-boundary effects that were separated in the frequency domain in impedance spectrum. The impedance analysis further provided the value of relaxation frequency, which was a characteristic intrinsic property of the material and was independent of sample geometrical factors. Relaxation frequency calculated at different temperatures was used to evaluate bulk dielectric constant (εb), which was compared with the real part of the dielectric constant (ε′). The temperature variation of the bulk electrical conductivity (σdc) indicated an evidence of Arrhenius-type thermally activated process showing a linear variation up to a temperature of 713 °K and was predominantly governed by grain boundary conduction showing a plateau region beyond 713 °K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a simple modification to a Macintosh laryngoscope blade for an edentulous patient. Problems with laryngoscopy; Features of the modified version of the Macintosh laryngoscope; Prevention of injury to the alveolar ridge during laryngoscopy.

Provides a solution on how to reduce the difficulty in aspiration of gastric contents. Generation of negative suction pressure at the gastric end of the nasogastric tube during aspiration; Prevention of gastric mucosal damage during suctioning.

The article reports on the discovery of uranium in Chhattisgarh, India's Proterozoic Chilpi Group, which is made up of sediments deposited in a cratonic rift that consists of conglomerate, coarse arenite, shale and quartzite. Topics discussed include the identification of uranium occurrence related to grey phyllite and ferruginous shale and the results of the test conducted on uranium discovered in the area.

A new find of uranium mineralization associated with granite mylonite and cataclasite near Devri area (23°31′35″, 83°08′35″, 64M/2), Surguja district, Chhattisgarh is significant in enhancing the uranium potential known from the Proterozoic Surguja Crystalline Complex (SCC). Scanty radioactive surface outcrops extending for 30 m length with 10 m width were observed within paddy fields and soil-covered area. Shielded probe logging of the trench dug at the radioactive outcrop indicated mineralization of 0.014% eU3O8 × 5.6 m. Initial exploratory core drilling has indicated strike and dip continuity of mineralization at depth for at least 260 and 100 m respectively, with the number of mineralized intercepts varying from 0.010% eU3O8 × 1.0 m to 0.028% eU3O8 × 4.68 m. Extensive shearing, cataclasis, mylonitization, calcitization, ferruginization and sericitization is associated with mineralized shear zone at depth. Data obtained so far in Devri area indicate a satellite uranium deposit in addition to the Jajawal deposit in the west and Dumhath in the east established earlier within the SCC. Gravity, magnetic and IP geophysical surveys along the main ENE–WSW structural grain may help in establishing high resistivity, low magnetic zones and deciphering the shear zones. This would help in tracing the shear zone for establishing uranium mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study on the cementation of the regenerated activity (from spent resin using ferric as regenerant) containing ferric in cement matrix showed that compressive strength and leaching behaviour are better when the ferric strength was < 5 N. The diffusion coefficient of Cs from the cement matrix was found to be in the range 2·4 x 10-5 cm²/day and 5·9 x 10-5 cm²/day with ferric solutions of strength in the range 0·5-3 N. When bentonite and vermiculite were included in the cement matrix, the diffusion coefficient of Cs was found to be in the range 6·2 x 10-7 cm²/day to 1·26 x 10-5 cm²/day with ferric strength in the same range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation, the geometrically nonlinear analysis of laminated doubly curved shells in a hygrothermal environment is presented using the finite element method. The laminated composite shells may be exposed to moisture and temperature during their service life. Hygrothermal effects induce residual stresses and the laminated shell may undergo large bending deformation. The shell geometry used in the formulation is derived using the orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system. Based on the principle of virtual work the nonlinear finite element equations are derived. A total Lagrangian approach associated to the arc-length method is implemented to solve the equilibrium equations. The present results are found to compare well with those available in the open literature and parametric studies are performed to analyze the nonlinear deflections of [0°/±45°/90°]s laminated spherical, cylindrical and conoidal shell panels under hygrothermal condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline samples of [Pb 0.92 (La 1 - z Ga z ) 0.08 ][Zr 0.60 Ti 0.40 ] 0.98 O 3 (z = 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1) were synthesized using a solid-state reaction route. X-ray/SEM studies show the formation of homogeneous and single-phase materials of small crystallite size (10 nm) in tetragonal structure. Temperature and frequency dependent dielectric permittivity and loss tangent show that the compounds have ferroelectric diffuse phase transition. Piezoelectric strain coefficient d 33 of the Ga-substituted compounds at 26°C and 100 Hz was found to be 385, 181, 152, 168 and 172 pC/N for z = 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1 respectively. Both the ac and dc conductivity were studied over a wide range of temperature at fixed electric field (60 V/cm). The activation energy of the compounds was found in the range of 0.5–0.8 eV. The temperature variation of dc resistivity at a constant electric field (60 V/cm) showed the semiconductor characteristics of the materials in the high temperature range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value of a direct agglutination test (DAT) in the detection of subclinical infections with Leishmania donovani has recently been investigated in the Indian state of Bihar, after the sensitivity and specificity of the test had been determined. When used to screen sera from 108 parasitologically confirmed cases of visceral leishmaniasis, 50 patients with active, non-leishmanial infection, and 641 healthy controls living close to, or distant from, an endemic area, the test was found to be 91.7% sensitive and 100% specific if a titre of 1 : 800 was used as the threshold for seropositivity. During a longitudinal clinical study in a rural, VL-endemic area of the Indian state of Bihar, the test was used, with 1 : 800 set as the threshold titre, to determine the baseline prevalence of infection with L. donovani among villagers who, though showing no symptoms of VL, had recently been febrile for at least 2 weeks. The 234 subjects of this study were either VL-case contacts [i.e. members of households in which there were active or cured VL cases (N=78)] or the members of control households with no cases or history of the disease (N=156). The results of DAT at the start of the study indicated that 49 (20.9%) of the subjects — 29 (37.2%) of the VL-case contacts and 20 (12.8%) of the other subjects — were seropositive and therefore probably had subclinical infections with L. donovani. During the subsequent 9 months of follow-up, however, only eight of the subjects found seropositive at the start of the study — seven (24.1%) of the seropositive case contacts but only one (5.0%) of the other seropositives — developed symptomatic VL, all by month 6 of the follow-up. Compared with their neighbours, therefore, individuals who shared households with active or cured cases of VL appeared at greater risk not only of L. donovani infection (indicating focal transmission) but also of developing symptomatic disease once infected. Curiously, among the seropositive case contacts, those from the households that harboured active cases of VL at the baseline survey were less likely to develop symptomatic VL during the 9 months of follow-up than those from households that harboured only cured cases (18.8% v. 30.8%). The wide-spread use of DAT could allow the detection and early treatment of latent L. donovani infections and so contribute to the elimination of VL, at least as a public-health problem, from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline samples of Bi-modified PLZT, [Pb0.92(La1-ZBiz)0.08][Zr0.60Ti0.40]0.98O3 (abbreviated as PLBZT) for z = 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1 were prepared through a metal-alkoxide/sol-gel route. Preliminary X-ray diffraction study of the compounds confirmed the formation of single-phase tetragonal compounds. Scanning electron-microscopic (SEM) study of pellet samples of PLBZT shows uniform distribution of grains (spherical) throughout the sample surfaces. Detailed studies of dielectric parameters (dielectric constant, tangent loss) of PLBZT as a function of temperature (30 to 450°C) at 10 kHz reveal that the compounds have diffuse phase transitions. Large variation (first increase and then decrease) in dielectric constant and shift of transition temperature towards higher temperature side with increasing Bi concentration was also observed in PLBZT. The nature of variation of dc resistivity shows that the titled compounds have negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR). Pyroelectric coefficient of the PLBZT compound (z = 0.0 to 1.0) increases with increase of Bi content in PLZT. The transition temperature obtained in this study is very much consistent with that obtained from our dielectric studies. Piezoelectric d33 coefficient of the compound at 100 Hz was found to be 385, 272, 301, 248 and 291 pc/N for z=0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural frequencies of liquid in a liquid-filled cylindrical rigid tank without and with baffles are evaluated. An annular plate is used as a baffle, which is fitted to the inner periphery of a cylindrical tank. Both rigid and flexible baffles are considered. Finite elements are used to discretize both the liquid and the structural domain. The slosh frequencies of liquid are computed for different dimensions, thicknesses and positions of baffles, both rigid and flexible considering the circumferential wave number as one. The axisymmetric and other asymmetric modes are not studied. The results obtained for rigid baffle case are comparable with the existing results. The coupled vibration frequencies of the tank-flexible-baffle system are computed considering the effect of sloshing of liquid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Since the inception of radiation synovectomy, a host of radioactive colloids and microparticles incorporating suitable therapeutic radionuclides have been proposed for the treatment of arthritis. The present article reports the synthesis and evaluation of barium titanate microparticles as an innovative and effective carrier platform for lanthanide radionuclides in the preparation of therapeutic agents for treatment of arthritis. The material was synthesized by mechanochemical route and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, surface area, and particle size distribution analyses. Loading of lanthanide radionuclides (166Ho, 153Sm, 177Lu, and 169Er) on the microparticles was achieved in high yield (> 95%) resulting in the formulation of loaded particulates with excellent radiochemical purities (> 99%). Radiolanthanide‐loaded microparticles exhibited excellent in vitro stability in human serum. In vitro diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid challenge study indicated fairly strong chemical association of lanthanides with barium titanate microparticles. Long‐term biodistribution studies carried out after administration of 177Lu‐loaded microparticles into one of the knee joints of normal Wistar rats revealed near‐complete retention of the formulation (> 96% of the administered radioactivity) within the joint cavity even 14 days post‐administration. The excellent localization of the loaded microparticles was further confirmed by sequential whole‐body radio‐luminescence imaging studies carried out using 166Ho‐loaded microparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the recent developments in the biology of addiction, a significant part of relapse and its management is still influenced by psychosocial factors and the interplay between them. This study aims at finding the extent of association of various psychosocial factors with relapse in patients of alcohol dependence. Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional study of two groups of alcohol dependence patients: abstinence (n = 31) and relapse (n = 35). Demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables were compared between the two groups. Statistical analyses were aimed at finding the extent of association between various factors and relapse. Results: Demographic variables such as family history of substance dependence (odds ratio [OR] =2.09; confidence interval [CI] =0.74-5.90) and past history of ≥2 relapses (OR = 2.71; CI = 0.83-8.87) were associated with relapse in alcohol dependence. Clinical variables such as younger age of onset of dependence (Mean difference = -3.93; 95% CI = -7.66 - -0.21; P = 0.038) and shorter time to develop dependence (Mean difference = -3.08; 95% CI = -5.53 --0.63; P = 0.014) were significantly associated with relapse. Of the psychosocial variables, coping behavior (OR = 6.54; CI = 1.17-36.74) had the highest association with relapse followed by relapse precipitants (OR = 1.42; CI = 1.16-1.74). Conclusion: Coping behaviors to adverse situations have greater association with relapse among psychosocial variables than the number of high-risk situations a patient experiences. Interventions targeted at improving coping skills can help patients stay abstinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth doped ceria is a key composition for electrolyte application in SOFC. The present trend is to investigate the co-doping approach in ceria either to improve further the electrical conductivity or sintering property. In this study, nano-structured Gd and Sr co-doped ceria (GSDC) powders have been prepared by gel combustion route. In all the compositions, total dopant cation concentration has been kept at 0.20 atom fraction having general formulae Ce0.8Gd0.2-xSrxO1.9-x/2. XRD patterns of GSDC powders calcined at 600 °C revealed the phase pure cubic fluorite structure with no Gd2O3 or SrO phase within detection limit. The combustion synthesized powders after sintering at 1350 °C resulted in pellets with density more than 96% of theoretical density. The total ionic conductivities have been evaluated from impedance data as a function of temperature in the range of 200-800 °C. The results indicate that ionic conductivity increases with small addition (~1 mol%) of SrO. At higher SrO concentration ionic conductivity decreases and beyond about 5 mol% SrO concentration the ionic conductivity becomes lower than that of CeO2 doped with only Gd2O3. The decrease in ionic conductivity at higher SrO concentration has been attributed to the increase in the enthalpy of oxygen vacancy association. The initial increase in conductivity could be due to scavenging of siliceous phase likely to be present in the grain boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schizophrenia is a devastating psychotic illness which is like the most mental disorders, shows complex inheritance; the transmission of the disorder most likely involves several genes and environmental factors. It is difficult to judge whether a particular person without schizophrenia has predisposing factors for the said disease. A few studies have shown the relative sensitivity and reliability of cognitive and psychophysiological markers of brain function as the susceptibility factors for schizophrenia which may aid us to find people with an increased risk of complex disorders like schizophrenia. The present work is an exploration on cognitive impairments in unaffected siblings of patients suffering from schizophrenia with a framework to explore why a mental disorder occurs in some families but not in others. Materials and Methods: This is a single point non-invasive study of non-affected full biological siblings of patients with schizophrenia, involving administration of a battery of neuropsychological tests to assess the cognitive function in the sibling group and a control group of volunteers with no history of psychiatric illness. The control group was matched for age, gender, and education. The siblings were also divided on the basis of the type of schizophrenia their siblings (index probands) were suffering from and their results compared with each other. Results: The siblings performed significantly poorly as compared to the controls on Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST), continuous performance test (CPT), and spatial working memory test (SWMT). The comparison between the sibling subgroups based on the type of schizophrenia in the index probands did not reveal any significant difference. Conclusion: These findings suggest that there is a global impairment in the cognition of the non-affected siblings of patients of schizophrenia. Cognitive impairment might be one of the factors which will help us to hit upon people who are predisposed to develop schizophrenia in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work emphasizes on the synthesis of Ni (10, 20 and 30 mol%) added tetragonal (t) ZrO2 nanopowders and Ni/NiO:t-ZrO2 (50:50 mol%) nanocomposites through precipitation route using hydrazine hydrate (N2H5OH) as a precipitating reagent. In this work, the precipitation route is optimized using different ways. Phase development, particle morphology and phase distributions were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and back scattered mode-scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Structural analysis revealed that the constant pH way is effective in synthesizing Ni:t-ZrO2 nanopowders up to moderate temperatures as compared to direct or reverse way. The minimum concentrations of Ni for stabilization of t-ZrO2 (due to incorporation of Ni2+ in the ZrO2 lattice) at 700°C and 800°C are 10 mol% and 20 mol%, respectively. Uniform distribution of Ni/NiO phases in ZrO2 matrix with 35-42% porosity was observed in 50 mol% Ni added t-ZrO2 nanocomposite pellets, calcined in air and H2 atmosphere. The precipitation method using N2H5OH for preparing Ni/NiO:t-ZrO2 nanocomposite powders, is attractive and could be useful in synthesizing anode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite ion-exchange resins were prepared by coating copper-ferrocyanide (CFC) and hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) powders on polyurethane (PU) foam. Polyvinyl acetate/Acetone was used as a binder. The foam was loaded with about five times its weight with CFC and HMO powders. The distribution coefficients of CFC-PU foam and HMO-PU foam for cesium and strontium respectively were estimated. Under similar conditions the HMO-PU foam showed higher capacity as well as better kinetics for removal of strontium than CFC-PU foam for Cs. The pilot plant scale studies were conducted using a mixed composite ion-exchange resin bed. About 1000 bed volumes could be passed before attaining a DF of 10 from an initial value of 60–80. The spent resin was digested in alkaline KMnO4 and the digested liquid was fixed in cement matrix. The matrices were characterized with respect to compressive strength and leach resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesoscopic density fluctuations in liquid phase sintered silicon carbide have been investigated using small angle neutron scattering (SANS). The increase in the additives results in the modification in the pore size distribution and to some extent the total porosity. SANS revealed a mass fractal nature of the agglomerated matrix microstructure. The fractal dimension of the matrix does not change appreciably with the additives although the upper cut-off value of the fractal decreases significantly with the increase in the additives. The liquid phase sintering due to the presence of additives helps to achieve higher level of densification. However, the agglomeration hinders achievement of the fully dense pellets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: Of the two reservoirs of infection of kala-azar Le., patients of kala-azar and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), PKDL provides easy access for the sandfly to pick up the parasites. In the last epidemic of 1977 in India, the importance of PKDL as a potential cause of increase in number of kala-azar cases was ignored. During recent years, we found an increase in the cases of kalaazar whereas cases of PKDL were decreasing in Bihar. We undertook this study to find out reasons for this phenomenon. Methods: These three different settings were selected to study the trends of the disease. (i) Cases of PKDL registered in the Dermatology Department of Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH), one of the largest and oldest teaching hospital in Bihar, between 1970 and 2005; (ii) Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna (RMRIMS), a research institute exclusively devoted to kala-azar (2000 and 2005); and (iii) interviews with two leading dermatologists of Patna selected by lottery on the incidence of PKDL and possible causes of its decrease, if any. The number of eases of kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis, VL) from Bihar was studied from Malaria Departments of the Government of Bihar and Government of India, the two nodal departments dealing with the kala-azar. Results: Analysis of data from Dermatology Department of PMCH showed increase in number of cases of PKDL from two in 1970 to 12 in 1976, a year before the first epidemic of kala-azar in 1977 with 100,000 cases. Kala-azar cases decreased to 11,120 in 1982 due to control measures taken between 1977- 1979 but cases of PKDL reached 28 and kept on increasing. During 1950 to 1977, low dose and short duration regimen of sodium antimony gluconate (SAG) was mainly used in the treatment of kala-azar. Between 1977-1991 increasing incidence of unresponsiveness to SAG, led to the usage of longer duration and higher dose regimen of SAG, more use of amphotericin B (AMB) for SAG resistant cases and also as a first line drug for kala-azar and PKDL. The number of kala-azar cases started decreasing after control measures taken during 1992-1994 but cases of PKDL continued decreasing. The effect of control measures on the incidence of kala-azar was visible upto 2002, but decrease in number of PKDL cases continued. In 2005 the number of PKDL cases was 14 but number of kala-azar cases reached 21,177 in Bihar. In the interview, the two dermatologists also opined that PKDL was decreasing due to increased use of amphotericin B in the treatment of kala-azar. Trend analysis done on the data of PMCH and RMRIMS showed that PKDL will decrease in coming years and kala-azar will increase. Interpretation & conclusion: Incidence of PKDL decreased in PMCH and RMRIMS and also suggested by two dermatologists that extensive use of amphotericin B in the treatment of kala-azar might be responsible for decrease in number of cases of PKDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports about a medical study to find the effectiveness of amphotericin B in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) during pregnancy. In the study four pregnant women with VL were treated with 15 infusions of amphotericin B and their haematological characteristics, blood biochemistry, and the condition of their foetuses were explored during the treatment. In the end of treatment, all four patients were cured without any affect on the foetuses and also the neonates showed no evidence of the vertical transmission of the parasites that had caused VL in their mothers.

Introduction. It has recently been observed that some cognitive deficits in bipolar disorders persist even after the subsidence of active symptoms. The authors aim to study the cognitive functioning of patients with bipolar disorder, currently in euthymia and compare them with normal healthy controls. Methods. Fifteen patients having bipolar-I disorder and currently in euthymia were compared with fifteen age- and education-matched controlled subjects. Cognitive assessments were done using three computer-based tests, i.e., Wisconsin's Card Sorting Test (WCST), Spatial Working Memory Test (SWMT), and Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Results. Euthymic bipolar patients showed significant deficits in executive functions. Subtle deficits were present in attention and working memory that were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Executive deficits may be trait markers in bipolar disorder and may have clinical implications in patient rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 38-year-old man from the visceral leishmaniasis (VL)-endemic district in Bihar, India. He suffered from high-grade fever, chills, anorexia, weight loss, and diarrhea. The patient's family was said to have normal health and he drank alcohol and was smoking. The article discusses VL, HIV infection, and Guillain-Barré syndrome all acquired by the same patient.

Examines the use of a simple agar plating technique to remove bacterial and yeast contamination from Leishmania promastigote cultures. Isolation of parasites in patients with visceral leishmaniasis; Disadvantages of agar plating method; Other techniques used for the decontamination of cultures.

Complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) analysis on polycrystalline lanthanum modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) has been carried out to investigate its electrical, dielectric and electromechanical properties. CIS has been shown to be an important and very convenient experimental tool to correlate the electrical and dielectric behaviour of ferroelectric ceamics with their microstructure/structure in terms of the relaxations of defect species. The physical structure of the sample pellet has been visualized as comprising of grains separated by grain boundary in accordance with the impedance spectrum observations. The electrical processes in the sample has been modeled in the form of an electrical equivalent circuit made up of a series combination of two parallel RC circuits attributed to grains and grain boundaries. The real and imaginary parts of dielectric constants have been evaluated from impedance spectrum results and expressed in terms of complex permittivity spectrum (Cole-Cole plot). The dielectric phenomenon in PLZT has been observed to be of polydispersive nature with marked deviation from Debye type relaxation process. This result has also been confirmed by complex modulus analysis. Conductivity dispersion has been observed throughout the frequency range in the present investigation up to 400°C beyond which low frequency dispersion and high frequency plateau was found. It has been attributed to Warburg type diffusion phenomenon arising due to ion migration/charge transport at higher temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the uranium mineralization in Talchir Formation of Gondwana Supergroup in Chhattisgarh, India. It mentions that it is overlain by feldspathic sandstone and shale deposited in an open environment. It affirms that mineralization associated with feldspathic sandstone is essentially uraniferous and is said to be fine to medium-grained that consist predominatly of quartz and rock fragments.

The article discusses the significance of miltefosine in the treatment of a case of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) with renal dysfunction in India. A 45-year-old man from an area of Bihar with endemic VL has been presented at the Out-patient Department of the Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna. After haematology tests, the patient was found to have normal blood sugar and results of liver-function tests fell within the normal range. However, in renal-function tests, he was found to have 57.83 mml urea/liter of blood and 194.48 μmol creatinine, 136 mmol sodium and 3.5 mmol potassium/liter of serum. Thus, after VL was confirmed, he was given oral miltefosine for 28 days, and at the end of the therapy, the patient was afebrile and feeling well.

The article provides information on the preservation of Leishmania donovani promastigotes on blood-agar slants. Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Science has developed a method to maintain parasites Leishmania donovani promastigotes in Patma, India. A chart was provided that indicates the number of Leishmania promastigotes after the storage time.

Aim & Objectives: A pilot study to test the safety, feasibility and efficacy of using autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in patients with spinal cord trauma, ALS, muscular dystrophy and stroke patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty five patients of different neurological disorders were selected for this study. The mean age of the patients was 38 yrs, ranging from 21yr to 55 yrs. These patients were randomly selected with no bias. Equal number of controls was studied who were not given cell therapy. After obtaining informed consent 50 ml bone marrow was aspirated from posterior superior iliac spine, mononuclear cells were separated by Ficoll density separation method. After the viability test 28-50 million cells were injected intrathecally, intravenously, intrarterially or intraspinal routes depending on the indication. Results: Of the 55 cases selected for this study, thirty seven cases were of traumatic paraplegia, thirteen cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, three cases of muscular dystrophy and two cases of stroke. A total volume of 3.5 ml containing average of 50.8 x 10 7 of BM-MNC was injected to the patients. The range varied from 28.2 x 10 7 to 125.6 x 10 7 BM-MNC with viability of 95%. All cultures were negative for bacteria and fungi. Of these mononuclear cells approximately 1% cells were CD 34 positive. There were no immediate side affects after administration of BM -- MNC. All the patients were followed up for a duration of six months to one year. There was no deterioration in their symptoms as compared to patients who were not given cell therapy. The patients of traumatic paraplegia felt that there is some improvement in their bladder function. Conclusion: The use of autologous bone marrow cells for the treatment of neurological disorders is a low -- cost, relatively simple, and easy-to-perform option, once its safety and efficacy is proved. Because these disorders has an enormous social and economic impact, result in major impairment and suffering to the patient and his family, there is a pressing need for multicentric, randomized clinical trials with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]