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The CSIR- National Physical Laboratory of India (NPLI) constantly prepares and disseminates Indian Reference Materials (Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya; BND®) in various areas. Recently, NPLI has prepared the Indian Reference Material (IRM) of α-Alumina to calibrate the Powder X-Ray Diffractometer (PXRD). In this report, the preparation and certification procedure of α-Alumina (BND 2001) has been examined as an Indian Reference Material that can be utilized as the primary standard for powder X-ray diffraction instruments. The developed IRM was utilized to calibrate PXRD for phase purity. The stability of the prepared α-alumina was studied by using powder X-ray diffractometer. The homogeneity and the particle size of the material were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy. The repeatability of the preparation and pertinent characterization were affirmed using different calibrated instruments. The phase purity of the material was verified by performing a round-robin test, and the related uncertainty estimations were reported in the paper.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by macrophages and cytotoxic T cells with aberrant activation. The primary (genetic) form, which is caused by mutations that affect lymphocyte cytotoxicity and immune regulation, is most prevalent in children, whereas the secondary (acquired) form is prevalent in adults. Secondary HLH is commonly caused by infections or cancers, but it can also be caused by autoimmune disorders, in which case it is known as macrophage activation syndrome (MAS; or MAS-HLH). A 25-year-old female presented with a high-grade fever that lasted for two weeks. His laboratory results revealed pancytopenia, neutropenia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypofibrinogenemia, and hyperferritinemia. Based on the clinical presentation and laboratory findings, a provisional diagnosis of HLH has been made. A HLH protocol was utilized to treat the patient. During the course of hospitalization, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was identified as the underlying cause. She improved dramatically after receiving an immunosuppressive regimen of etoposide, cyclosporine, and dexamethasone according to HLH protocol-2004 with individualized modifications. The clinician should be aware that HLH may be the initial manifestation of underlying SLE. Early diagnosis and aggressive, individualized treatment are the key to improving outcomes.

Organic compounds have constantly proved to be a proficient candidate for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications. In this respect an organic amino acid compound i.e. l-Prolinium Trichloroacetate single crystal has been synthesized and grown through slow evaporation solution growth technique. The lattice parameters obtained from single crystal X-ray diffraction were comparable with reported one. The diffraction pattern along the strain present inside the crystal was measured through powder X-ray diffraction technique. Its photoconductivity has also been observed, in which the traits of dark and photon current were recorded over a range of applied voltage. Further, birefringence was performed for the sample in which it was found that the crystal is having negative optical homogeneity character. The thermal transport parameters were calculated through photo-pyroelectric technique. Its resistance toward the laser beam was examined using laser damage threshold technique. The mechanical characteristics of the single crystal were determined on nanoscale using Oliver–Pharr method. Keywords: X-ray diffraction, Crystal growth, Photoluminescence, Thermal conductivity, Specific heat, Thermal diffusivity

l-Proline Lithium Chloride Monohydrate single crystal has been successfully synthesized and grown by slow evaporation solution technique. The lattice dimensions have been calculated by single crystal XRD. The presence of strain inside the crystal has been evaluated by powder X-ray diffraction. Its crystalline perfection was found to be good with the full width at half maxima of 29.31 arc sec. The crystal quality can be further examined by time resolve photoluminescence spectroscopy. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss have been measured over the frequency range of 10 Hz–10 kHz. The curve plotted during the measurement suggests that the value of dielectric constant decreases at higher frequency which ensures that the crystal is good candidate for NLO devices. The laser damage threshold measurements have been performed for single and multiple shots which reveal that the tolerance power for the single shot is more as compared to multiple shots. Its third order nonlinearity and thermal parameters have also been assessed for the title compound. The interference patterns obtained from the birefringence studies infer the optical homogeneity and defects in the grown crystals. The density of the single crystal has been calculated by floating technique taking kerosene as a reference. Keywords: X-ray diffraction, Crystal growth, Photoluminescence, Thermal conductivity, Specific heats, Thermal diffusivity

A total of 842 rabies suspected cases submitted for post-mortem diagnosis to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, during the period from July 2011 to June 2015 were analysed for this study. 42 per cent of the cases submitted for post-mortem were positive for rabies.Thrissur district registered more positive cases in Central Kerala Dogs were the major species affected. It was found that there were peaks of positivity during February, May, September and November and a gradual increase of cases during summer.. Statistical analysis of the positive cases reported from 2012-2014 showed an increase in number of cases during summer than other seasons. About 75 per cent of cases exhibited the furious form of rabies and in the positive cases the vaccination was neither done nor periodical. Positive cases were also recorded in pups below three months of age.

Information on new varieties -Â Co 0118 (Karan 2), Co 0238 (Karan 4) and Co 0218 (Shreyas)

Poultry farming is the most organized and economically viable sector in animal agriculture. As sub-lethal AF is a constant threat to broiler industry and produces immunosuppression, birds would be more prone to coccidiosis even under reduced infective dose. So it is important to study the response of sub-infectious dose of coccidia in an immunecompromised state. The susceptibility of broiler chicks to sub-infective dose of sporulated oocyst of Eimeria tenella in sub-lethal aflatoxicosis was revealed by significant alterations in serological parameters.

A study was conducted in 72 day-old broiler birds to evaluate the variation in serum parameters in subinfective dose of coccidiosis nunder sublethal ochratoxicosis for a period of 21ndays. Treatment group was fed with ochratoxin A (OTA) and oocysts of Eimeria tenella and serum parameters were analysed day one, three and seven post-inoculation. Significant increase was observed in serum aspartate amino transferase, creatinine, uric acid and urea concentration while significant decrease was noticed in total protein, albumin, globulin and A/G ratio.

Cerium is a rare earth lanthanide and a strong oxidizing agent. It has got a wide range of application from engendering to medicinal field. Potential amount of harm also reported about this particle. Recent days it is used as diesel fuel additive and doped with yttrium and zirconium nanoparticles to increase its oxygen caring capacity. Hence a study designed to study about the impact on the environment taking rat as model. A total no of 36 rats were taken and divided into six groups contains six animals each. Control animals served with normal saline and treatment animals administered intratracheally with 4 and 8 mg/kg body weight of this particles. The higher dose group showed increased levels of hemoglobin but other parameters had no significant difference among any group. The increased level of hemoglobin was suggestive of blood vascular changes.

Sinus carcinoma with salivary gland metastasis in an Angamaly Black pig is being reported. The tumor was soft, fleshy and fragile in consistency Grossly and found located in the nasal sinuses adjacent to the cribriform plate, on necropsy. The tumor comprised of sheets of pleomorphic neoplastic cells that varied in shape such as spindle, oval, round, stellate to polygonal and squamous. The case was diagnosed as undifferentiated sinus carcinoma as per the histopathological observations. Metastasis to the mandibular salivary gland was also detected on microscopical examination.

The study aimed at assessing the protective effect of vitamin C on chlorpyrifos toxicity. Eighteen rats were divided into three groups each with six rats. Group І serving as control was administered with the vehicle tween 80 as 2% aq. solution. Chlorpyrifos was administered at a dose rate of 3.1mg/kg body weight in groups ІІ and ІІІ and Vitamin C (120µg/ kg)was supplemented to group ІІІ. The regimen was administered by oral gavage once daily for 28 days. While in the chlorpyrifos treated group the blood mean values of haemoglobin, volume of packed red cells, leukocytes and red blood cells were lowered, the vitamin C treated group revealed enhancement in these values. The altered serum parameters like AST and ALT in chlorpyrifos treated animals were also restored in vitamin C treated group. The study highlights that the adverse effects of chlorpyrifos toxicity on haemato-biochemical parameters of rats could be mitigated by treatment with vitamin C

Aim: The goal was to assess the hemato-biochemical and oxidative changes of Ficus tsiela Roxb in rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 48 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into six groups with eight rats in each group. Group 1 received no treatment served as a control group. Group 2 and 3 animals were orally ingested with fresh juice from 5 g of leaves and 10 g of leaves, respectively. Group 4, 5 and 6 animals were orally administered with the extract at doses of 750, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg, respectively. The experiment was continued for a period of 21 days. Biochemical parameters including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine kinase (CK), creatinine and blood glucose and hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (TLC) and differential leucocyte count (DLC) were determined on 0, 7, 14, and 21 day of treatment. Lipid peroxides and reduced glutathione values were determined in liver at day 21. Results: Hb, PCV, TLC and DLC showed no significant variations in treated groups compared with control and ALP, AST, CK and creatinine values showed a significant increase in serum of the higher dose groups. There was no variation in the level of blood sugar. There was an increase in the values of lipid peroxides and reduction in the values of reduced glutathione in the liver homogenate which indicated oxidative damage. Conclusion: The fresh juice and ethanolic extract at higher doses had no effect on hematological values. However, biochemical parameters affected adversely. Both fresh juice and extract caused oxidative damage to liver.

The present study was conducted to determine the bacterial etiopathology of pulmonary infections in piglets, considering the increased incidence of mortality of piglets in Thrissur district, Kerala. Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis (15), E.coli (5), Proteus sp.(3), Staphylococcus sp.(2) and Actinobacillussuis (1) were isolated from lungs collected from 25 porcine carcasses having respiratory lesions.No organisms could be isolated from two lungs which showed lesions. Collected lung samples showed lesions depicting circulatory, inflammatory, and ventilation disturbances or by combination of these changes. In most of the cases, the bronchial lymph nodes were swollen and congested, while the trachea showed presence of frothy or mucus exudates in lumen. Results of this study underscored the role played by Salmonella and E.coli in inducing respiratory infections, in addition to gastrointestinal disorders

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is one of the rarely reported cases in man and animals. In an autopsy study to find out the prevalence of cardiac and pulmonary disorders in dogs with retrospective study for the period of 1997 to 2002 (745 dog carcasses} and detailed post mortem of 120 dogs revealed three cases of pulmonary microlithiasis. Histologically pulmonary ossification was also noticed in these cases. The calculi were found to be composed of calcium on Alizarin Red S staining and were positive for Periodic acid Schiff's reaction. Presence of heart failure in all these three cases supported by the findings in the earlier reports, infer a close relationship between the pulmonary microlithiasis and ossification and heart failure. Old age and chronic exposure to dust may also be contributed to the development of pulmonary microlithiasis and ossification

The H/L ratio was studied in IWN and IWP strains of white Leghorn maintained in cage as well as deep litter. The birds were under heat stress due to the peak summer temperature of 36° C. The study conducted in twelve birds showed .that the H/L ratio can be an indicator of stress

Background Seaweed extracts are used as nutrient supplements, biostimulants and or biofertilizers as an alternative to chemical fertilizers in agriculture. The study was set up to evaluate the biofertilizing efficiency of liquid extracts of brown marine alga Stoechospermum marginatum on growth, biochemical and yield of brinjal, a vegetable crop. To achieve the objectives, liquid extracts at different concentrations were prepared and applied as foliar spray on the brinjal seedlings raised in experimental pots maintained under natural conditions. Results After 30 and 180 days, the growth and biochemical parameters and yield attributes were monitored, respectively. The results exhibited that shoot and root length, total fresh and dry weight, leaf area and the content of moisture, photosynthetic pigments, protein, amino acids, reducing sugar, ascorbic acid and nitrate reductase activity were found to be enhanced in the leaves of brinjal plants which received 1.5 % of Stoechospermum marginatum extracts. Similarly, number of fruits and fruit weight were also increased at lower concentration only (1.5 %). In contrast, liquid extracts at high concentration (5 %) was found to have inhibitory effect on brinjal plants as compared to the control sprayed with water. Conclusions The study evidence that lower concentrations were found to show promoting effect on growth and productivity of brinjal plants. The fertilizing efficiency of liquid extracts of testing marine alga might me due to the presence of micro and macro nutrients, growth hormones and vitamins at preferential levels. It can be concluded that seaweed extracts could be used as eco-friendly liquid biofertilizer to substitute chemical fertilizer and also play a pivotal role in organic farming practices toward sustainable agriculture.

Objective: To explore biofertilizing efficiency of seaweed liquid extracts of brown alga Sargassum wightii (S. wightii) on growth, biochemical and yield parameters of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (C. tetragonoloba). Methods: Seaweeds were made to coarse powder and stock solution was prepared. Different concentrations such as 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5% and 5.0% were prepared and given as foliar spray. Results: Seaweed Liquid Extract (SLE) at low concentration (1.5%) exhibited promoting effect on growth and yield parameters. Differential responses in the content of photosynthetic pigments, protein, reducing sugar, ascorbic acid and in the activity of nitrate reductase were also observed in the leaves of SLE treated seedlings when compared to untreated seedlings. Higher concentrations (above 1.5%) of SLE were found to show inhibitory effect. Conclusion: The presence of micro and macro nutrients, vitamins, growth hormones and other constituents in the seaweed extract might be very much useful to the crops but their level should be appropriate to enhance growth and productivity. It may be concluded that liquid seaweed extracts could serve as cost effective eco-friendly product for sustainable agriculture.

A battery of in vivo evaluations is done on bioscaffolds to ascertain its biocompatibility and host responses. Fibroblast proliferation in a controlled manner is integral part in scaffold assisted wound healing and tissue regeneration. Therefore, AgNOR staining was employed in this study for quantification of fibroblast proliferation and therefore evaluating the host bioscaffold response. Here full thickness skin wound healing studies were done in adult male New Zealand White rabbits using decellularized porcine cholecyst derived scaffolds (dPCS), scaffold supplemented with autologous bone marrow cells (dPCSM) and open wound control group (OW). The scaffolds were explanted seven and forteen days post implantation and were subjected to AgNOR staining. Statistical analysis showed significant variations between scaffold assisted and open wound healing. The study concluded that AgNOR could be used as a good quantitative marker involving fibroblast proliferation and could be used in primary screening of bioscaffold assisted healing and regeneration studies.

A good optical quality semi-organic single crystal of Potassium Acid Phthalate (KAP) was harvested from aqueous solution by using slow evaporation solution growth technique (SEST) at ambient condition. The defect free single crystal of KAP was analyzed by different instrumentation techniques, for checking its compatibility for different applications. Its unit cell dimensions and phase purity was examined by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and found that it crystallizes in orthorhombic with non-centrosymmetric in nature. The quality of the grown ingot was assessed by high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) technique and found that, the crystalline quality is better with less grain boundaries. Its optical properties were scrutinized by UV–vis., photoluminescence (PL) and time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements respectively. The mechanical stability of the grown crystal was tested by Vickers microhardness method and found that the grown crystal shows indentation size effect (ISE) which was explained using different theoretical models. Its third order nonlinear optical properties were studied by Z-scan measurement by using Ti:Sapphire laser as a source and determined its nonlinear absorption coefficient ( β ) and it was found that the KAP crystal is one of the preferable choices for optical limiting applications.

Nanomedicine is a rapidly growing field and expectations that it will help in improving the treatment of many pathologies are high. Colloidal gold is extensively used for molecular sensing because of the wide flexibilities it offers in terms of modifications of the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) surface with a variety of functional groups. We present here a sensitive colorimetric method for the detection of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 (E. coli 0157:H7) in the urine sample of patients suffering from urinary track infections (UTI), where material and reagent costs are minimal. The method involves one step functionalization of AuNPs by cysteine. Cysteine gold nanoparticles (CAuNPs) binds with E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria through electrostatic adhesion between the positive potential of cysteine and the negative potential of E. coli 0157:H7. The red shift in the plasmon absorption spectra of CAuNP with different concentrations of E. coli 0157:H7 followed by the color change of the solution from red to blue is the basic principle applied here for the detection of E. coli 0157:H7. The method was successfully applied for the detection of E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria in patients suffering from UTI. The results correlated well with the conventional method indicating that the method could potentially be used as a self screening method for the patients suspecting UTI, for warranting further medical attention.The method exhibits a linear relationship in the range of 1 × 103–4 × 103 cells/mL with a detection limit of 100 cells/mL. Keywords: Gold nanoparticle, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Red shift, Surface plasmon absorption, Electrostatic interactions, Urinary track infection

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare disease and that affecting specifically the sole of the foot, is even rarer. Here, we report the case of a 54-year-old female admitted with a painful ulcer on the sole of the right foot which was initially treated with empirical antibiotics and debridement. The disease was found to spread rapidly after each debridement. The culture reports were negative; rheumatology workup and Doppler study were within normal limits. A clinical suspicion of PG was made and was confirmed with tissue biopsy. She was started on oral steroids following which she dramatically improved. Thus, when a patient presents with a rapidly expanding painful ulcer in a vascular limb that is refractory to antibiotic treatment and exacerbating on debridement, it is imperative to consider the possibility of PG.