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Carbonaceous manganese ferrite nanoparticles were prepared at relatively lower temperature using co-precipitation method followed by a single-step pyrolysis process. Synthesized nanoparticles were further characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) study confirmed the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure and the presence of graphitic carbon of plane (002) and the size of the prepared nanostructure was of 36 nm. With the confirmation of formation of carbonaceous MnFe2O4 and the number of oxygen functionalities such as hydroxyl and C-O-C groups emanating from the carbon matrix, as confirmed by the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) studies motivated their usage to remove Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solution. The study parameters such as influence of time, adsorbent dosage, concentration and pH are explored along with isotherm and kinetic studies. The carbonaceous nanoparticle was able to remove Cr (VI) by ∼80% at native pH, with a carbonaceous MnFe2O4 dose of 10 mg, and the initial concentration 10 ppm of contaminant with the contact time, 80 min and is found promising for the practical applications.

Background: The complexity of the subject content, and its 3D orientation in anatomy makes students difficult to learn, assimilate, and recapitulate the topics. There is a need for innovative teaching methods in anatomy for better understanding of the subject and improved performance of students. In this context, an attempt is made to use concept maps as a tool for learning anatomy. Material and methods: After obtaining ethical committee approval and informed consent, 128 first-term MBBS students were divided into 2 groups, 64 in the study and the control group. After the lecture on each topic from anatomy (radial nerve, median nerve, and ulnar nerve), a pre-test was conducted on 128 MBBS students. Post-test multiple-choice questions-based assessment was conducted for both groups after 1 week of each lecture. Difference in knowledge by comparing the assessment scores of the study group and control group. A feedback form with a 5-point Likert scale was administered to all students at the end of 3 sessions. Mann–Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were applied to check the significance (p≤.01) of the results. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups during the pre-test for cognition, and total scores and the post-test for recall, cognition, and total scores. 98% of students perceived that the concept map-based approach helped better retain the topic. Conclusions: Concept maps promote comprehensive learning and applying knowledge in new situations. From this study, we recommend that concept mapping can be a pedagogical tool in Anatomy. Resumen: Antecedentes: La complejidad del contenido de la asignatura y su orientación 3D en Anatomía dificulta que los estudiantes aprendan, asimilen y recapitulen los temas. Existe la necesidad de métodos de enseñanza innovadores en Anatomía para una mejor comprensión de la materia y un mejor rendimiento de los estudiantes. En este contexto, se intenta utilizar los mapas conceptuales como herramienta para el aprendizaje de Anatomía. Material y métodos: Después de obtener la aprobación del comité ético y el consentimiento informado, 128 estudiantes de primer semestre de MBBS se dividieron en 2 grupos, 64 en el estudio y el grupo control. Después de la conferencia sobre cada tema de Anatomía (nervio radial, nervio mediano y nervio cubital), se realizó una prueba previa a 128 estudiantes de MBBS. Se realizó una evaluación posterior a la prueba basada en MCQ para ambos grupos después de una semana de cada conferencia. Diferencia en el conocimiento al comparar las puntuaciones de evaluación entre el grupo de estudio y el grupo de control. Se administró a todos los estudiantes un formulario de retroalimentación con una escala Likert de cinco puntos al final de 3 sesiones. Se aplicaron la prueba U de Mann Whitney y la prueba de rangos con signo de Wilcoxon para comprobar la significancia (p ≤ 0,01) de los resultados. Resultados: Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los dos grupos durante la prueba previa de cognición y puntuaciones totales y la prueba posterior de memoria, cognición y puntuaciones totales. El 98% de los estudiantes percibió que el enfoque basado en mapas conceptuales ayudó a retener mejor el tema. Conclusiones: Los mapas conceptuales promueven el aprendizaje integral y la aplicación del conocimiento en situaciones nuevas. A partir de este estudio, recomendamos que los mapas conceptuales pueden ser una herramienta pedagógica en Anatomía.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the flexural strength, surface roughness and porosity percentage of acrylic denture base material modified with two antimicrobial agents, Thymoquinone (TQ) and Silver nanoparticles (AgNP). Materials and methods: A total of 90 specimens were fabricated and divided into groups A, B and C with 30 specimens each. Of the 30 specimens, 10 specimens measuring 65mmx 10mmx 2.5 mm were used to study the flexural strength, 10 specimens measuring 10 mm × 20 mm × 3 mm to study surface roughness and 10 specimens measuring 10 mm × 20 mm × 3 mm to study porosity percentage. Group A specimens were made of unmodified denture base resin, group B and C were modified with 2.5% AgNP and 1% TQ respectively. The specimens were processed in the conventional manner. A universal testing machine was used to measure flexural strength and a profilometer was used to measure surface roughness. Porosity percentage was evaluated with help of a desiccator. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analyses using One-way ANOVA and the Tukey-post hoc test, with statistical significance at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Addition of 2.5% AgNP and 1% TQ to acrylic denture base resin significantly reduced flexural strength and increased the porosity percentage (p

Rosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) with spinal cord involvement is a rare clinical entity. We report a case of RDD with paravertebral and intraspinal epidural involvement in a 24-year-old male Bangladeshi patient who presented with progressive bilateral lower limb weakness for 20 days duration associated with spasticity and muscle spasm. MRI demonstrated an enhancing paravertebral soft tissue lesion extending from C7 through T4 with intraspinal epidural extension encasing the spinal cord with focal cord oedema. Histopathology of the paraspinal-epidural lesion reported a finding consistent with RDD. The patient was initiated on high-dose steroids. Follow up after 2 months demonstrated symptomatic improvement as the patient was able to move on the crutch and repeated MRI showed lesion regression. Keywords: Rosai–Dorfman disease, Tuberculosis, Lymphoma, Spinal cord

Galactosidases, ubiquitous in nature, are complex carbohydrate-active enzymes and find extensive applications in food, pharma, and biotechnology industries. The present study deals with the production of galactosidases from fungi by solid-state fermentation. Fifteen fungi were screened and Aspergillus awamori (MTCC 548), exhibited the highest α and β-galactosidase activities of 75.11±0.29 U/g and 155.34±1.26 U/g, respectively. 30 g of wheat bran substituted with 6% defatted soy flour, at 28°C, pH 5.0 for 120 h, was established as the optimum production conditions by one-factor approach. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity with an apparent mass of 118 ± 2 kDa by ammonium sulfate precipitation (50-80%), ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Specific activities for α and β-galactosidase were 22 and 74 U/mg, respectively. Optimum temperature and pH ranges for enzyme activities were 55-60 °C, 5.0-5.5, respectively. The thermal inactivation mid-point was 65 °C. The purified enzyme not only exhibited α and β-galactosidase activities, but also exhibited β-xylosidase and β-glucosidase activities, indicating the enzyme has broad substrate specificity. Sequence analysis by in-gel digestion and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) revealed that the enzyme was a probable β-galactosidase A, belonging to glycoside hydrolase 35 family, and is being reported for the first time., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)