Search

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease manifested with accumulation of neurotoxic proteins like beta-amyloid (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau. Administration of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) such as Telmisartan has demonstrated to generate significant memory improvement in AD. Azilsartan is an ARB with better bioavailability than Telmisartan. Hence, the present work evaluates the efficacy of Azilsartan against aluminium chloride (AlCl3) induced AD. In the work, albino rats were divided into five groups (n=6). Group I served as control and received saline (10 ml/kg). Group-II was treated with AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) for 42 days; Group-III and IV received Azilsartan (5 mg/kg) and Telmisartan (10 mg/kg) with AlCl3 daily for 42 days. Y-maze, elevated plus maze and radial arm maze were used to evaluate memory functions. This was followed by biochemical and histological studies, along-with determination of Aβ content and anti-oxidant status. AlCl3 was found to significantly (p

Background and Aims: Sedation in paediatric cancer for fractionated radiation treatment (RT) is unique as the child has to be still for accurate delivery of RT, monitoring of the child is from a remote location and sedation is repeated for multiple sessions of RT. The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of intranasal dexmedetomidine with oral midazolam and ketamine combination for repeated sedation during fractionated RT in paediatric oncology. Methods: Ninety children aged between 3-6 years, planned for 21 fractions of RT, were randomised to receive intranasal dexmedetomidine 2 mg/kg (group D) or oral midazolam 0.2 mg/kg and ketamine 5 mg/kg (group MK). The 21 sessions of fractionated radiotherapy were divided into three subgroups of seven consecutive exposures 1-7, 8-14 and 15-21 for comparison. The primary endpoint was to determine the incidence of successful sedation. The sedation score achieved, time to satisfactory sedation and discharge, rescue ketamine required, and side effects were secondary endpoints. Results: The incidence of successful sedation in the three successive RT subgroups; sessions: 1-7, 8-14 and 15-21, was 82, 75.6 and 66.7 in group D, as compared to 40, 24.4 and 13.3 in group MK, respectively. (P < 0.001). A decrease in successful sedation was noted in the successive subgroups. Time to successful sedation and discharge was earlier in group D in comparison to MK (P = 0.000). More patients in group MK required rescue ketamine (P = 000). Conclusion: Intranasal dexmedetomidine produces more satisfactory sedation as compared to oral ketamine with midazolam for fractionated RT. Keywords: Dexmedetomidine, intranasal, ketamine, midazolam, radiation treatment, sedation, Author(s): Rekha Das (corresponding author) [1]; Rajat Das [1]; Manoranjan Jena [2]; Janaki Janka [1]; Sunita Mishra [1] INTRODUCTION Oral and intranasal routes for procedural sedation in children undergoing diagnostic [...]

Tannery sludge (TS) contains a number of useful components like Organic carbon, Organic Matter, PO4 3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, and other nutrients essential for plant growth. However, presence of water-soluble toxic metals in TS may cause phytotoxicity. Primary objective of this work was to adopt a bio-chemical strategy for assessing the potential consequences of agricultural application of tannery sludge, via sludge characterization and subsequent bioassay investigations. Heavy metal concentration in the TS was found to be in the order of: Cr (19576±2065.52) > Pb (16.98±2.54) > Cu (1.76±0.20) > Ni (0.98±0.00) > Cd (0.19±0.00) mg kg-1. Further, bioassay tests were performed in terms of germination index (GI), relative seed germination (RSG) and relative root growth (RRG) on Brassica nigra, Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Raphanus sativus, and Capsicum frutescens. RSG and RRG were found to be more than 80% whereas, GI was > 66% in all the tested crops exposed to TS extract at 1:5 and 1:10 (w/v) dilutions. Results revealed that the toxicants present in the TS were failed to cause toxicity at early seedling growth and may be used as a soil conditioner after appropriate dilution. However, long term field trails are essential before agricultural utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses how community, national and ethnic identities are affirmed, negotiated, marginalized as a part of hegemony-making and resistance in the context of English education in Indian universities. We argue and demonstrate that a complex and ambivalent hegemony that has been operational since the colonial times, continues to shape English education in India. Today, English and English education play a major role in articulating, binding and dividing multiple identities and knowledge systems. In the first part of the paper, we critically review debates and discussions on the significance of English language education in institutes of higher education in India. Specifically, we focus on discourses on the rationale behind continuing and contesting English education. The second part examines how in the postmodern context, English is being taught differently to different groups and highlights how these contexts of teaching have been defining knowledge systems, patterns of dominance and also, articulating resistance.

Supercapacitors (SCs) based on hierarchical nanoporous framework composite materials and aqueous electrolytes are recent interests for the researchers. The structure of UiO-66 exhibits extraordinary stability and high specific surface area, but the specific capacitance of UiO-66 (139.4 F g–1 at 2 A g–1) is limited due to its moderately conducting nature. Therefore, we report a method to modify UiO-66 with pineapple peel derived activated carbon (PA-AC) to form a facile composite. Owing to the high specific surface area and good conductivity of the UiO-66/PA-AC composite, a high specific capacitance of 295.9 F g–1 at 2 A g–1 has been achieved and is well suited for supercapacitor applications. At the maximum charging voltage range of 0–1.8 V, the UiO-66/PA-AC//UiO-66/PA-AC symmetrical SC delivered a maximum energy density of 29.6 Wh kg–1 at a power density of 170 W kg–1. After 5000 repeated charge–discharge cycles at 30 A g–1, the specific capacitance of the device increased from 100% to 120% of its initial specific capacitance. This study emphasized the potential importance of incorporating MOFs into pores of biowaste derived carbon as a strategy for enhancing the charge storage kinetics of moderately conducting MOFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & aim Paravertebral block (PVB) is a commonly used technique, for postoperative analgesia after modified radical mastectomy(MRM).Though many adjuvants to bupivacaine in PVB have been tried for postoperative analgesia, none has been found ideal. We have compared the duration of analgesia in PVB using adjuvant like dexmedetomidine and nalbuphine with bupivacaine after MRM. Methods Sixtyfive female patients posted for MRM were divided into two groups. Group BN received ultrasound guided PVB with 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% with nalbuphine 10mg and Group BD received 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% with dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg. After confirming PVB, surgery was done under general anesthesia in all patients. Time for 1st rescue analgesic request was the primary aim of our study. Secondary aim of our study was numerical rating scores (NRS) for pain at rest and on movement and total analgesic consumption. Side effects like nausea and vomiting,hemodynamics and sedation in post operative 24 hrs were also assessed. Results The time of the first rescue analgesic requirement was prolonged in the group BD (7.32 ± 1.75 hours) in contrary to group BN (4.94 ± 2.12 hours). The mean total paracetamol consumption as rescue analgesia in the in the first 24 hours postoperatively was significantly reduced in group BD (2.7 ±0.94 gm) in contrary to group BN (3.6 ± 0.98 gm). (p<0.001) Decrease in hear rate and mean arterial pressure was more in BD group compared to BN group intraoperatively. (p<0.001) Conclusion Dexmedetomidine provides prolonged analgesia when used as additive to bupivacaine in PVB for modified radical mastectomy compared to nalbuphine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Starch is a versatile biomaterial with a wide range of applications across various industrial sectors. Therefore, starch isolation methods play a crucial role in fulfilling the demand for high‐quality starch required for different applications. Waxy maize starch is the most used starch for different food applications. It is isolated using an alkaline extraction method and available in the market at a high price. The traditional process of starch isolation involves labour‐intensive and costly downstream processing that leads to exploring cost‐effective isolation methods for various food applications. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is an underutilised cereal crop composed of 65–70% of starch. In the present study, the starch from finger millet is isolated using conventional and ultrasound‐assisted isolation methods to fulfil the current requirement. The isolated finger millet starch was characterised by morphological structure obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffractogram (XRD), infrared spectrum obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT‐IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and rheological analysis. The SEM images confirmed the reduced particle size and uniform grain size distribution in the starch isolated using ultrasound‐assisted isolation. The relative crystallinity of starch isolated using ultrasound‐assisted isolation method (69.05 ± 0.57%) was higher compared to other conventional isolation methods (57.18 ± 0.70%, 67.66 ± 1.00%, and 68.34 ± 0.33% for distilled water soaking, alkali soaking, and sodium bisulphite soaking, respectively). The FTIR analysis confirmed no significant changes in the functional group of starch with respect to different isolation methods. Thermal and rheological analysis of isolated starch using ultrasound‐assisted isolation indicated the lowest gelatinisation enthalpy (45.38 ± 1.67 J/g) and showed the lowest loss factor indicating the most elastic behaviour, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work evaluates the synthesis and characterization of the graphene oxide based magnetic anion exchanger, as well as its removal performance of Congo red (CR) in aqueous solutions. The structure and morphology of nanoadsorbents derived from graphene are characterized by XRD, Raman, XPS, FTIR, FESEM, HRTEM, and TGA. The study examined the adsorbent dosages, contact time, pH effect, adsorption capacity, isotherm, and kinetics of adsorption of CR dye on quaternary ammonium functionalized magnetic graphene oxide (NMGO). The adsorption capacity of NMGO was compared with graphene oxide (GO), magnetic graphene oxide (MGO), and quaternary ammonium derived graphene oxide (NGO) at both pH 7.0 (neutral) and pH 3.0 (acidic). Kinetic studies indicate that the adsorption behaviour follows the pseudo-second order model as well as the Langmuir isotherm model where the NMGO adsorption capacity for CR is 780.43 and 888.78 mg g−1 at pH 7.0 and 3.0, respectively. According to multiple studies on regeneration and reuse, the highly selective and superparamagnetic NMGO's performance remained above 90% after seven cycles of removing anionic contaminants from aqueous solutions. The fact that it can be regenerated and reused for multiple cycles makes it an appealing choice for cost-effective wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning English was popular in 18th- and 19th-century colonial India because, as Chaudhary (2012) depicts, the East India company's offer of employment for Indians who knew English made English learning and thereby bilingualism much sought after. Citing examples of bilingual grammars and textbooks from the early 18th century, Chaudhary (2012, 10) notes how, despite demand, it was difficult to obtain these books until the early 19th century. By sourcing facts from scholarly work like this and looking at some available bilingual teaching material, this paper argues that although history weaves a narrative of colonial education as a monolithic, spearheaded imperialist endeavour, colonial education, specifically BELT, was a sporadic, heterogeneous, most times inclusive rivulet of colonial pedagogy which cannot be summarised as a uniform teaching method as specified in the later methods era. Specifically, the paper looks at English-Telugu bilingual teaching/learning material used in the Madras Presidency and English-Odiya bilingual learning material used in parts of Odisha in the Bengal Presidency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saliva is a biological fluid that plays many roles, such as cleansing, lubrication, mucosal integrity, buffering, remineralization, digestion, and antimicrobial activity. Xerostomia is a clinical condition characterized by the sensation of dry mouth. Patients with chronic or temporary dry mouth sensations require treatment to relieve symptoms. Synthesis of artificial saliva is important for this purpose. The as-prepared artificial saliva closely resembled natural saliva. However, locally manufactured salivary substitutes are of porcine origin. Therefore, it is necessary to synthesize saliva from a substance with a quality similar to that of mucin. This study aimed to synthesize artificial saliva using the edible herb, Abelmoschus esculentus. In this study, the minerals and antimicrobial substances present in human saliva were replaced by adding different salts and beneficial components in Abelmoschus esculentus. Viscosity, pH, surface tension, relative density, UV-vis absorbance, FTIR, and wetting time were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millets are an annual cereal with small seeds crops that have been cultivated for thousands of years, primarily in the semi-arid and tropical region. They are well- known for their hardiness and resilience to harsh environmental conditions. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the processed millet flours obtained from Ragi, Bajra, Kodo, Jowar and Kangni millets respectively, utilizing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. The millet flours samples obtained were subjected to multi-faced characterization to elucidate their structural, chemical, and physical properties. SEM imaging revealed distinct morphological features of the processed millet flours, indicating variations in particle size, shape, and surface characteristics. EDX analysis provided insights into the elemental composition of the flours and FTIR spectra exhibited shifts in vibrational bands, indicating alterations in chemical functional groups and molecular interactions. XRD patterns showed the semicrytalline structure of the millet flours. The consolidated findings from SEM, EDX, FTIR and XRD analysis underscore the profound influence of processing techniques on the millet flours. These results hold implications for nutritional quality, digestibility and functional applications of the processed millet flours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]