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Surgical practice during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed significantly, without supporting data. With increasing experience, a dichotomy of practice is emerging, challenging existing consensus guidelines. One such practice is elective tracheostomy. Here, we share our initial experience of head and neck cancer surgery in a COVID-19 tertiary care centre, emphasizing the evolved protocol of perioperative care when compared to pre-COVID-19 times. This was a prospective study of 21 patients with head and neck cancers undergoing surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 193 historical controls. Changes in anaesthesia, surgery, and operating room practices were evaluated. A strict protocol was followed. One patient tested positive for COVID-19 preoperatively. There was a significant increase in pre-induction tracheostomies (28.6% vs 6.7%, P = 0.005), median hospital stay (10 vs 7 days, P = 0.001), and postponements of surgery (57.1% vs 27.5%, P = 0.01), along with a significant decrease in flap reconstructions (33.3% vs 59.6%, P = 0.03). There was no mortality and no difference in postoperative morbidity. No healthcare personnel became symptomatic for COVID-19 during this period. Tracheostomy is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and rates have increased. Despite increased rescheduling of surgeries and longer hospital stays, definitive cancer care surgery has not been deferred and maximum patient and healthcare worker safety has been ensured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micrometeorites (MMs) significantly contribute to the extraterrestrial material the Earth receives and represent a broader range of precursors than known meteorites. Low sedimentation rates prevalent in the deep-sea regions far away from land provide a unique opportunity for collecting MMs from these least disturbed regions. In the present study, we have studied 305 cosmic spherules recovered from the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB); that have undergone melting during hypervelocity entry into the Earth's atmosphere. During the atmospheric entry, primary signatures of MMs are lost depending upon the extent of heating, complicating the identification of the parent body. Nevertheless, we have tried to relate these cosmic spherules to their respective parent bodies based on elemental ratios present in them, considering atmospheric ablative losses of various elements. The chemical analyses indicate that many deep-sea cosmic spherules are linked to carbonaceous chondrites. Around 239 porphyritic olivines (PO), 42 relict olivines are studied for their textural development and composition during recrystallisation during atmospheric entry. Thirty-zoned olivines are analysed from rim to core to understand various elements behaviour during atmospheric entry. Seawater plays a vital role in eroding these cosmic spherules material, and its effect is also discussed. As most of the recent micrometeorite collections focus on the polar region, these deep-sea spherules will significantly add to the information about the extraterrestrial matter reaching the Earth. • Cosmic spherules recovered from the CIOB will add to the inventory of extraterrestrial matter reaching the Earth. • ·This study linked cosmic spherules to the carbonaceous chondrites, the most primitive material in the solar system. • ·Ocean biogeochemistry has been impacted by the interaction of seawater with cosmic spherules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt stress affects all the stages of plant growth however seed germination and early seedling growth phases are more sensitive and can be used for screening of crop germplasm. In this study, we aimed to find the most effective indicators of salt tolerance for screening ten genotypes of soybean (SL-295, Gujosoya-2, PS-1042, PK-1029, ADT-1, RKS-18, KDS-344, MAUS-47, Bragg and PK-416). The principal component analysis (PCA) resulted in the formation of three different clusters, salt sensitive (SL-295, Gujosoya-2, PS-1042 and ADT-1), salt tolerant (MAUS-47, Bragg and PK-416) and moderately tolerant/sensitive (RKS-18, PK-1029 and KDS-344) suggesting that there was considerable genetic variability for salt tolerance in the soybean genotypes. Subsequently, genotypes contrasting in salt tolerance were analyzed for their physiological traits, photosynthetic efficiency and mitochondrial respiration at seedling and early germination stages under different salt (NaCl) treatments. It was found that salt mediated increase in AOX-respiration, root and shoot K + /Na + ratio, improved leaf area and water use efficiency were the key determinants of salinity tolerance, which could modulate the net photosynthesis (carbon assimilation) and growth parameters (carbon allocation). The results suggest that these biomarkers could be can be useful for screening soybean genotypes for salt tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no reliable method to assess tumour thickness preoperatively or intraoperatively in cases of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a macroscopic technique to measure tumour thickness. This was a prospective study of 51 consecutive patients with T1/T2 primary SCC of the oral tongue. All patients underwent primary resection with ipsilateral neck dissection. Thickness measurements were obtained using Vernier calipers on the fresh specimen. The technique was correlated with the microscopic evaluation statistically using (1) Pearson's correlation coefficient, (2) intra-class correlation, and (3) Bland–Altman plot with 95% confidence intervals. On comparing the macroscopic technique to the microscopic evaluation, Pearson's correlation ( r ) was 0.915 ( P < 0.001). The inter-rater reliability using the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.955. The Bland–Altman plot to test the agreement between the techniques showed the average difference between macroscopic thickness and microscopic thickness (bias) to be −0.421, with 95% limits of agreement of −3.166 and 2.82. There was a significant correlation and agreement between the macroscopic and microscopic measures of tumour thickness. The macroscopic technique could be used as a reliable tool to measure tumour thickness intraoperatively, prior to neck dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delivery of orally compromised therapeutic drug molecules to the systemic circulation via buccal route has gained a significant interest in recent past. Bioadhesive polymers play a major role in designing such buccal dosage forms, as they help in adhesion of designed delivery system to mucosal membrane and also prolong release of drug from delivery system. In the present study, HPMC (release retarding polymer) and mannitol (diluent and pore former) were used to prepare bioadhesive and controlled release buccal discs of buspirone hydrochloride (BS) by direct compression method. Compatibility of BS with various excipients used during the study was assessed using DSC and FTIR techniques. Effect of mannitol and HPMC on drug release and bioadhesive strength was studied using a 32 factorial design. The drug release rate from delivery system decreased with increasing levels of HPMC in formulations. However, bioadhesive strength of formulations increased with increasing proportion of HPMC in buccal discs. Increased levels of mannitol resulted in faster rate of drug release and rapid in vitro uptake of water due to the formation of channels in the matrix. Pharmacokinetic studies of designed bioadhesive buccal discs in rabbits demonstrated a 10-fold increase in bioavailability in comparison with oral bioavailability of buspirone reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, simplex search method (SSM) and a differential evolution (DE) based inverse algorithm are applied to estimate fuel flow rate (FFR), boiler pressure (BP) and steam turbine (ST) inlet temperature (STIT) of a ST based power cycle. First a theoretical model simulates the cycle performance in terms of net power, efficiency (energy and exergy) and total irreversibility at various FFRs, BPs and STITs. The forward model based results show that the net power increases linearly with FFR while also producing more irreversible losses at higher FFR. The cycle performance also improves at higher BP and STIT. The inverse analysis shows that the DE based method is more appropriate than the SSM where the searching range of parameters is specified and parameter estimation is done from the range of specified parameter values. In SSM, the estimation depends upon the chosen initial guess values and convergence criterion sometimes is not fulfilled with some guessed values of the parameters. Both the inverse methods, however give multiple combinations of parameters and thus provides sufficient scope at the hands of the designer to select the appropriate combinations of parameters required for meeting a particular power requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subacute systemic treatment with 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) causes specific lesions in the cortex and the striatum, and Huntington’s disease behavioral phenotypes in rats. We investigated differentially expressed genes in the striatum, and examined status of a highly expressed huntingtin interacting protein, profilin 2 (Pfn2) in relation to 3-NP-induced striatal neurodegeneration, employing both in vivo animal model and in vitro primary striatal neuronal cultures. Golgi staining of 3-NP-treated rat brain revealed significantly altered dendritic spine morphology and decreased spine density in the cortex and the striatum, as compared to the control. We employed suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method to screen differentially expressed genes during striatal neurodegeneration in these animals. Forward and reverse SSH provided a library of 188 clones, which were used for reverse northern dot blot analysis to identify greatly altered striatal-specific genes. Sequence analysis of the clones identified 23 genes, expressions of which were ⩾1.5-fold changed (16 up-regulated) in the striatum of 3-NP-treated rats. Immunoprecipitation assay showed decreased binding of Pfn2 with β-actin, the level of which remained unaffected in the striata and cortices of 3-NP-treated rats. Primary cultures of striatal glutamic acid decarboxylase-65/67 immunopositive GABAergic neurons revealed loss of co-existence of Pfn2 and β-actin in fluorescence imaging studies following 3-NP treatment for 24 h. Since Pfn2 is known to regulate dendritic spine dynamics by interacting with β-actin, the reduction in its binding affinity to Pfn2 following 3-NP neurotoxic insult, and the accompanying aberrations of the dendritic spine structure and loss of spine density in striatal neurons suggest that Pfn2 may be involved in neurodegeneration in 3-NP-treated rat model of HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our aim was to investigate the effects of brucine on key components of inflammatory angiogenesis in the murine cannulated sponge implant angiogenesis model. Polyester-polyurethane sponges, used as a framework for fibrovascular tissue growth, were implanted in Swiss albino mice and brucine (25 or 50mg/kg/day) was given through installed cannulas for 9 days. The implants collected at day 9 postimplantation were processed for the assessment of hemoglobin (Hb). Relevant inflammatory, angiogenic and fibrogenic cytokines were also determined. Brucine treatment resulted in significant decrease in sponge vascularization (Hb content) and in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF-b1) at both doses. Further, brucine decreased expression of VEGF and CD-31 and reduced percentage of microvessel density (MVD) in sponge implants. A regulatory function of brucine on multiple parameters of main components of inflammatory angiogenesis has been revealed giving insight into the potential therapeutic underlying the actions of brucine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present work a comparative study of steady state wall-to-bed heat transfer was conducted along the risers of height 2.85m of three different circulating fluidized beds (CFBs) with bed cross sections of 0.15m×0.15m, 0.20m×0.20m, and 0.25m×0.25m, respectively. Experiments were conducted on each CFB unit for five superficial air velocities (U =2.5m/s, 2.75m/s, 3m/s, 3.3m/s, and 4m/s) and two different weights of sand inventory per unit area of the distributor plate (P =1750N/m2 and P =3050N/m2) with average sand particle size of 460μm. Bed temperature distributions across the three risers were measured and compared at different heights (1.04m, 1.64m, and 2.24m above the distributor plate). Axial distribution of heat transfer coefficient along the height of riser was evaluated and compared for the three bed cross sections. Effect of superficial velocity of air, sand inventory, and bed cross section on bed temperature and heat transfer coefficient was investigated. An empirical correlation was developed for the bed Nusselt number as a function of various non-dimensional parameters based on the parametric study. The correlation was compared with available literatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The interaction of Eu3+ with Sb3+ ions during the room temperature synthesis of luminescent Sb2O3 nanorods is investigated using luminescence and vibrational spectroscopic techniques. Our results demonstrate that well crystalline, oriented Sb2O3 nanorods having length of around 3–4μm, a width of around 100–200nm and luminescence at around 390nm can be synthesized at room temperature. Incorporation of Eu3+ in these nanorods has been attempted and it is found that Eu3+ ions do not have any interaction with nanorods and their orientation. Detailed Eu3+ luminescence and XRD studies confirmed that a part of Sb3+ ions reacts with Eu3+ ions in the presence of hydroxyl ions (present in the medium) to form an amorphous antimony europium hydroxide compound. The amorphous compound on heating at high temperatures leads to its decomposition, giving hydrated Sb(V) oxides and Eu2O3 as major phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present work explores the potential of Gd2Zr2O7 for incorporation of ThO2 and Al2O3 which are components of Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWR) waste. XRD studies reveal that the compositions corresponding to y from 0.0 to 0.4 in Gd2− y Th y Zr2− y Al y O7 are single phasic in nature and beyond y >0.4 the biphasic region starts. The solubility of thoria in Gd2Zr2O7 pyrochlore could be enhanced by more than five times by simultaneous incorporation of alumina. The lattice parameter increases with increase in Th and Al content in the series. The r A/r B ratio increases with increase in Th and Al content in Gd2Zr2O7 and in turn the degree order increases as has been seen by gradual increase in the intensity of superstructure peaks. Single phasic samples were investigated by Raman spectroscopy also. Thermal expansion behavior of single phasic samples was investigated by HT-XRD. In order to confirm the nature of the phases backscattered images have been recorded on all the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Mandibular involvement in patients with oro-mandibular cancers is very common and is seen in up to 50% of the patients. Evidence suggests that preservation of uninvolved mandible does not reduce survival; however, evidence on effect of mandibular involvement on survival is sparse. We carried out this study to evaluate the effect of various factor including mandibular bone involvement on survival in patients with oro-mandibular cancers. Patients and methods: In an open prospective study 51 patients with oral cancer undergoing mandibular excision were studied. Five year later, the survival information was collected on these patients from computerized database. Survival analysis was carried out by Kaplan Meier method and difference in survival was estimated using log-rank test. Predictors of survival were estimated using Cox proportional hazard model. Results: The 3 and 5 year survival was 62.6% and 46.9% respectively. Tumor stage (HR 8.7, p =0.02), margin of surgical excision (HR 1.8, p =0.007) and nodal stage (HR 2.2, p =0.04) were found to be significant independent predictors of survival. Conclusions: In absence of randomized controlled trial which are difficult to design and conduct, the results of present study shows that mandibular conservation may be carried out, even in presence of involved mandible if negative resection margins could be achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: Sternocleidomastoid muscle has been described as a myocutaneous skin island flap where a skin paddle is taken over the lower aspect of the muscle for reconstruction of defect following resection of oral cavity cancer; however, its routine use is not recommended because of number of disadvantages including loss of flap. It is a superior pedicle based flap on the branch of occipital artery and lower arterial pedicle is sacrificed to gain the full length of the muscle. The oral part of the skin undergoes total or partial necrosis in many of the cases as this skin paddle receives its blood supply from a segment which is very far from the superior arterial pedicle. Patients and methods: We describe a technique in which we preserve the branch from superior thyroid artery to the lower half of the muscle while raising the flap which leads to augmentation of the blood supply of the flap and reduces the incidence of necrosis and superficial sloughing. A total of 32 cases underwent reconstruction with this flap. Results: The flap was used for floor of mouth defects in 8, tongue in 7, buccal mucosa in 8, base of tongue defects in 5 and lateral pharyngeal wall in two cases. Total flap loss occurred in 2, and loss of skin paddle in 5. Partial skin loss was seen in 3 cases. None of these 10 cases required secondary reconstruction as the mucosal defects healed by itself on prolonged nasogastric feeding and antibiotic cover. The final cosmesis was good. Conclusions: Preserving the branch of superior thyroid artery supplements supply of blood and increases the viability of the flap. This flap may be a good option in select cases of oral cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cancers of the head and neck are unique because they may interfere with speech, swallowing, breathing and taste. This study investigated the effect of distress on quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing treatment and looked at the predictors of distress. 123 patients with head and neck cancer undergoing multimodal treatment were interviewed using the distress inventory for cancer version 2 (DIC2) and the functional assessment of cancer treatment Head Neck (FACT-HN) questionnaire. Nearly half of the patients had early, node negative (N0) disease. The mean distress score was 24.6 and the mean FACT-HN score was 114.5. There was a negative correlation between distress and quality of life scores (patients with higher distress had poor quality of life). Neither surgery nor chemotherapy affected distress or quality of life. Multivariate analysis identified education, occupation, tumor and nodal stage as predictors of distress. Tumor and nodal status influenced overall quality of life. High amounts of distress lead to poor quality of life in patients with head and neck cancers. Financial security, understanding and support from the partner reduced distress in these patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Highly crystalline orthorhombic Sb2O3 nano-rods were prepared at room temperature by hydrolysis of SbCl3 in iso-propanol. Morphology induced changes in the photoluminescence properties of both the, as prepared as well as the annealed ones (at different temperatures) are presented. A distinct photoluminescence-band observed over the region of 500–600nm is arising due to the morphology of Sb2O3 nano-rods. Changes in the Raman spectrum at ∼260 and 445cm−1, corresponding to the Sb3+–O–Sb3+ stretching and bending modes, further confirm their shape selective nature. This study reveals significant effect of morphology on the structural and luminescent properties of Sb2O3. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Of the oral cancer subsites, carcinoma of the buccal mucosa is commonest. Tumor size, tumor stage, nodal status, grade of tumor, performance status, site of primary, thickness, depth of invasion, tumor margin, etc. are reported to be predictors of survival. Patients and methods: A total of 142 patients treated with surgery were retrospectively studied. Patients were divided in 2 groups. Group I had 77 patients treated with primary surgery while Group II had 65 patients treated by salvage surgery. Survival analysis was carried out by Kaplan–Meier method and difference between survival was calculated by log rank test. Multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox regression model. Results: The overall disease free survival was 54.3% at 5 years. The survival in males was better than females. However, there was no difference in survival by extent and grade of tumor, margins or type of surgical excision. Presence of lymph nodes, nodal stage of the disease, and perineural invasion was found to significantly reduce survival, while patients with lymphoplasmocytic infiltration had significantly better survival. Gender was the only predictor of survival on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The results of present study show that there is no difference in survival between patients undergoing primary or salvage surgery. However, these results should be interpreted with caution in absence of randomized controlled trials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Structural modification of sodium aluminophosphate (NAP) glasses with TiO2 addition has been investigated using Raman and MAS-NMR (31P and 27Al) spectroscopy. TiO2 incorporated NAP glasses having composition (mol%): 40Na2O–10Al2O3–xTiO2–(50−x)P2O5 (x=0–20), are prepared by conventional melt quench method. The low-frequency Raman spectrum suggests an increase in the average ionic character of phosphate glass network with addition of TiO2. Raman and 31P MAS-NMR revealed that the glasses without TiO2, consist mainly metaphosphate (Q2) structural units. These are gradually converted into pyrophosphate (Q1) and orthophosphate (Q0) structural units along with the formation of P–O–Ti/P–O–Al linkages. 27Al MAS-NMR revealed the change in coordination of Al from octahedral (AlO6) to tetrahedral (AlO4) for TiO2 above 10mol%. Raman spectra indicate that TiO2 enters the network in the form of octahedral (TiO6) and tetrahedral (TiO4) structural units and at high concentration of TiO2, tetrahedral structural units are more favourable. Various thermo-physical properties e.g. density (ρ), molar volume (V m), glass transition temperature (T g), microhardness (MH), and thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) have been measured as a function of TiO2 content. Variations in the thermo-physical properties are correlated with these structural modifications in the phosphate structural units and consequently changes in the average ionic character of phosphate glass network. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The incidence of oral cancer is high in certain parts of the world including Southeast Asia. Smokeless tobacco and areca nut chewing is proposed as a possible factor. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) receptors are present on neoplastic cells and are proposed to participate in initiation, transformation, progression and metastasis of cancer. In a prospective case-controlled study, 42 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, 13 cases of oral premalignant lesions, and oral mucosa from 32 normal subjects were evaluated for COX-2 gene expression using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The mean age of the patients with oral cancer was 60.2 years. The majority of cancer patients were males while the majority of controls were females. A significantly higher expression of COX-2 was found in cancer patients compared to both normal controls (p =0.0001) and patients with premalignant lesions (0.015). The expression in premalignant lesions was higher compared to healthy subjects (p =0.05). COX-2 expression in oral cancer was found to be independent of grade of tumor and stage of disease. These results show up-regulation of the COX-2 gene in oral cancer and precancer. This suggests a role for COX2 receptors in oral cancer carcinogenesis, and provides the foundation for a large randomized trial to determine the role COX2 inhibitors may play in prevention of oral carcinogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: a-C:H films are deposited using microwave-assisted plasma CVD deposition under the influence of low-D.C. bias and high-pulse bias. Pulsed bias applied to the substrate results in higher growth rates compared to the D.C. bias. Microstructure of these films is studied using Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) indicating different bonding configurations of sp2 clusters. The D-band, which is present in samples deposited under D.C. bias, is found to be absent in case of samples deposited under pulsed bias. This suggests presence of six-fold aromatic rings (benzene type) in films prepared under D.C. bias, which are absent in the later samples. Instead, these samples have distorted six-fold rings and/or olefinic chains. The PL spectra have been analyzed based on different bonding configurations of sp2 clusters forming defect states, recombination within which leads to sharp PL peaks. The intense PL peaks observed in the case of pulsed bias together with the missing D-band in their Raman spectra suggest abundance of distorted six-fold aromatic rings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present the results of low frequency radio observations of the X-ray binaries, Cygnus X-1 and Cygnus X-3, during different X-ray states. The low frequency observations were made for the first time for these sources at 0.61 and 1.28GHz using the Giant Meter-wave Radio Telescope (GMRT) between 2003 and 2004. Both Cyg X-1 and Cyg X-3 are highly variable at low radio frequencies. We also compare our data with the observations at 15GHz conducted by the Ryle telescope. Spectral turnover is seen for both the sources below 2GHz. The data suggest that the change in the radio flux density in both the sources is correlated to the X-ray hardness ratio and follows a similar behavior pattern. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films deposited by the microwave plasma CVD technique under varying bias voltages are investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and spectroscopic ellipsometry. AFM investigations are used to study the surface morphology, while the ellipsometric studies are used to study the variation in the density and the sp3/sp2 ratio of these films. The surface morphology, density and sp3/sp2 ratio of these films are related to each other and follow the sub-plantation model. The DLC films deposited at low bias voltages (−100 V to −300 V) show an increase in the density with increases in bias voltage. The films deposited in high bias voltage range (approx. −800 V to −1400 V), however, show saturation in their density. The sp3/sp2 ratio is also found to increase with increase in bias voltage, but only up to a certain limit (approx. −1000 V) beyond which its value decreases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A non-ionic water-soluble galactomannan, having galactose and mannose in 2:3 molar ratio was isolated from endosperm of the seeds of Ipomoea campanulata. The seed gum was found to have linear chain of β (1→4) linked mannopyranosyl units with d-galactose side chains attached through α (1→6) linkage to the main chain. This structure is similar to many commercial gums like Guar, Carob and Locust bean gum. Various physical properties of the gum were studied in order to explore the possibility of commercial exploitation of the seed gum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: A number of studies have suggested the potential utility of in vivo proton MR spectroscopy for the evaluation of brain injury in the asphyxiated neonates. We present our initial experience with in vivo proton MR spectroscopy in neonates who were diagnosed as having hypoxic injury on clinical examination and the severity of the insult was graded using Sarnat staging.Methods and Material: MR imaging and in vivo proton MR spectroscopy was performed in 16 neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) to correlate the imaging and metabolite abnormality with clinical severity of the condition at the time of insult and with outcome at 2 months of age. The ratios of different metabolites were calculated as observed on MR spectroscopy from an 8 ml voxel that included thalami, basal ganglia and part of the ventricular system using spin echo technique with an echo time of 135 ms.Results and Discussion: The results of the spectroscopy were compared with imaging abnormalities and Sarnat's clinical staging of HIE. MR Imaging abnormalities included basal ganglia, thalamic and periventricular hemorrhage and periventricular hyperintensities and were noticed in 8/16 neonates with different stages of HIE. Maximum imaging abnormalities were noted in stage II (6/9) followed by stage III (1/2) and stage I (1/5), respectively. The alpha-Glx resonance at 3.76 ppm was seen in 14/16, Glycine at 3.56 ppm (Gly) was seen in 10/16 and Lactate (L) at 1.33 ppm was observed in 4/16 neonates with HIE.Conclusion: MR spectroscopy was more sensitive than imaging in detecting the insult due to HIE and increased concentration of alpha-Glx/Cr and Gly/Cr correlated better with severity of the HIE. The demonstration of L was associated with poor outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A non-ionic water-soluble galactomannan, having galactose and mannose in 1:6 molar ratio, was isolated from endosperm of the seeds of Ipomoea dasysperma. The seed mucilage was found to have a structure having a linear chain of β (1→4) linked mannopyranosyl units with d-galactose side chains attached through α (1→6) linkage to the main chain. I. dasysperma seed gum possesses non-ionic characteristics of commercial seed gums and has potential to be used in food and pharmaceutical industries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pain and itch are two somatosensory modalities whose pathologic manifestations cause immense suffering and health burden to millions of people worldwide. Mu-opioid ligands and analogs have been the mainstream therapy against pain, but due to their significant side effects there is an urgent need to have a deeper understanding of the signaling of opioid receptors and to identify newer drug targets which could help improve treatment for these pathologies. Gβ5 is a divergent member of the Gβ subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins which are unique in binding the Gγ like domain present in the R7- RGS proteins. This protein complex acts as a GTPase accelerating protein which terminates Gαi/o signaling, thereby tightly controlling the signaling. Sensory neurons express several Gi/o coupled receptors which have been targeted for analgesia in pathologic pain. Using in situ hybridization and immunoblotting, we document the presence of Gβ5 protein in sensory neurons. Since the Gβ5 protein complex act as a GAP for Gi/o coupled GPCRs, its loss-of-function would be predicted to increase inhibitory signaling in sensory neurons leading a decreased pain or itch sensation. Using sensory neuron specific Advillin Cre mice we knocked down the expression of Gnb5 in sensory ganglia in floxed Gnb5 mice. The Adv Cre - Gnb5 fl/fl mice had a decreased nociceptive sensation for different pain modalities but not itch. Specific nociceptive changes could be blocked by the opioid antagonist, naltrexone or the GABAB antagonist, Saclofen indicating that Gβ5 protein complex could be modulating different Gi/o coupled receptors involved in perceiving different modalities of pain perception. Further analysis of nociceptive stimuli in RGS7 Cre-Gnb5 fl/fl and RGS9 Cre- Gnb5 fl/fl mice revealed significant selective responses to different modalities indicating the role of different R7-RGS partners in pain signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pd/reduced graphene oxide (Pd-RGO) composites were successfully prepared from graphite and PdCl 2 precursors using wet impregnation and reverse micro emulsion methods. From hydrogen adsorption studies it is confirmed that spillover of hydrogen from Pd to graphene layers occurs at room temperature. However, at low temperatures there is negligible spillover effect and this is explained based on lower kinetic energy available with hydrogen atoms to overcome the activation barrier involved in diffusion. Detailed 13 C MAS NMR and Raman spectroscopic studies confirmed that small amounts of structural units (functional groups) like carboxylate and polyacetylenic linkages are retained in Pd-RGO samples prepared by wet impregnation and reverse micro-emulsion methods, respectively. Such structural moieties facilitate the atomic scale mixing of Pd with the graphene layers thereby improving the spillover efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural evolution of turbostratic carbon samples as a function of annealing temperature has been investigated in detail using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Raman spectroscopic techniques. From these studies, it is established that, samples heated at lower temperatures (700 °C and 800 °C) consist carbon particles with rough surfaces forming structure of surface fractal in nature. Whereas the sample heated at higher temperature (900 °C) consists of larger clusters with nearly smooth surface as well as smaller size particles forming dense mass fractal structure. For this sample, solid state NMR and Raman Spectroscopic studies indicate an increased extent of overlapping of 2p z orbital of carbon atoms due to improved long range ordering and clustering. Hydrogen adsorption studies further substantiated that energetically more homogeneous surface exists for particles of 900 °C heated sample as compared to those of 700 °C and 800 °C heated samples. A highest hydrogen storage capacity of 0.152 H/M has been observed at 123 K and 45 bar pressure for the sample heated at 900 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]