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Summary: Background: The hormonal profile varies considerably with age, gender, ethnicity, diet or physiological state of an individual. Limited population-specific studies have studied the variations in hormonal parameters among apparently healthy women. We aimed to analyse the biological reference interval for various hormonal parameters in the reproductive-aged healthy Indian women. Methods: Out of 3877 participants that were clinically evaluated, 1441 subjects were subjected to laboratory investigations. All participants underwent a detailed clinical, biochemical and hormonal profiling. The hormone analysis was carried out at a single centre using a uniform methodology. Among the participants evaluated for biochemical and hormonal parameters, subjects that presented any abnormal profile or had incomplete investigations (n = 593) were excluded for further analysis. Findings: The mean age (±SD) of the subjects retained in the final analysis (n = 848) was 29.9 (±6.3) years. In the present study, the biological reference interval (2.5th–97.5th centile) observed were: serum T4: μg/dL (5.23–12.31), TSH: μg/mL (0.52–4.16) and serum prolactin: ng/mL (5.13–37.35), LH: mIU/mL (2.75–20.68), FSH: mIU/mL 2.59–15.12), serum total testosterone: ng/mL (0.06–0.68), fasting insulin: mIU/mL (1.92–39.72), morning cortisol: μg/dL (4.71–19.64), DHEAS:μg/dL (50.61–342.6) and SHBG: nmol/L (21.37–117.54). Unlike T4, TSH, LH, and E2, the biological reference interval for prolactin, FSH, testosterone, C-peptide insulin and DHEAS varied when the subjects were stratified by age (p

Introduction: On March, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In adults it causes mild to severe infections, but in children it usually causes asymptomatic or mild illness. Being a new pandemic, it is prudent to analyse the clinical profile, laboratory parameters and severity interpreters in children to formulate optimal management protocols. Aim: To determine the clinical and laboratory profile of children hospitalised for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) and to evaluate the correlation between clinical severity and laboratory parameters- C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and thrombocytopenia. Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective observational study which was undertaken for the duration of seven months from 1st April to 30th November 2020. The study included children aged 1 month to 12 years with the criteria of SARI and who were Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) positive. Test parameters such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), CRP, serum electrolytes and kidney function tests were performed at local laboratory as per standard guidelines. The correlation of laboratory parameters (thrombocytopenia, CRP and NLR) with disease severity was done with Pearson’s Rho correlation coefficient. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 118 (10.2%) children were tested positive for COVID-19, 71 (60.17%) were boys and 47 (39.83%) were girls. The commonest clinical symptoms were fever and tachypnea. Gastrointestinal symptoms were found in 54 (45.76%) of the cases. Myocarditis and shock were noticed in 10 (8.47%) children. In 25 (59.52%) of severe COVID-19 cases, NLR was >3.5 and 18 (42.86%) had thrombocytopenia. Seventeen children died of the disease with a mortality rate of 14.41%. Platelet count and NLR ratios were significantly correlated with disease severity (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Markers such as NLR and thrombocytopenia which can be used efficiently to assess the severity even in low resource settings, are relevant to a developing country like India. The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes can be used as a prognostic marker in resource-constrained settings.

This study focusses on the photocatalytic degradation of caffeine (CAF), a stimulating drug and environmental contaminant that poses a threat to humans and the environment. The effect of operating parameters such as CAF initial concentration (5–20 mg/L), catalyst dosage (0.1–0.9 g/L) and pH (3.0–9.0) were explored in detail. The experimental results showed the maximum CAF and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals of 87.2% and 66.7% respectively. The optimized parameters were: CAF initial concentration – 5 mg/L, catalyst dosage – 0.5 g/L and pH – 7.2. The photocatalytic degradation of CAF followed pseudo-first order kinetics. The obtained experimental data were analysed with response surface methodology (RSM) using Design Expert Software. HIGHLIGHTS The optimized parameters were: [CAF]=5 mg/L, [TiO2]=0.5 g/L, pH=7.2.; The maximum CAF and COD removals were 86.7 and 66.7% respectively.; CAF and COD removals followed pseudo-first-order kinetics.; Good agreement between experimental and predicted data.; All operating parameters were significant in CAF and COD removals.;

Abstract Background In modern therapeutics, various human pathological disturbances were treated with the plant-based products. Waltheria indica Linn, a perennial herb, was commonly used in traditional medicine worldwide against various ailments such as cough, dysentery, diarrhea, bladder disorder, hemoptysis, inflammations, neuralgia, wounds, and ulcers. Main body The shrub was majorly distributed in tropical, subtropical regions and exists in many distinct local forms. Both the crude extracts and purified compounds from the whole plant and its parts showed wide pharmacological properties like antioxidant, analgesic, sedative, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic. The phytochemical profile and traditional usage highlight the potency of the plant in the treatment of microbial infections and inflammatory diseases. Yet, additional studies are required for the confirmations of its traditional uses against other diseases. More detailed understanding of anti-cataract, anti-diabetics, asthma, anemia, and anti-cancer mechanism has to be explored. Though many research articles on the proposed plant are available, there has been a rising concern in the therapeutic property, especially on the alkaloids and flavonoids from this plant for drug design. Conclusion This article aims in a systematic and updated review on distribution, botany, traditional uses, phytocompounds, and relevant biological activities from each part of the plant. The information was collected from databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar, books, dissertation, and reports via academic libraries that included more than 100 articles published since 1937. This ethnopharmacological study of the plant may create new insight into drug discovery to develop important novel leads against various biological targets.

The electronic band structure, density of states and the behaviour of conduction and valence bands in body-centered cubic rubidium and cesium, particularly under varying pressure conditions are studied. This study examines the relationship between the lattice constant, pressure, and reduced volume for rubidium and cesium, offering insights into their structural properties. Additionally, the distribution of electron energy levels is analyzed using the density of states across various energy regions. The conduction and valence band widths are calculated relative to the Fermi level and mapped across key symmetry points in the Brillouin zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a full potential linear muffin-tin orbital (FP-LMTO) study on the electronic properties of ionic insulator potassium bromide (KBr) under pressure is presented. The phase transition pressure at which the compound undergoes structural phase transition from NaCl to CsCl structure is predicted from the total energy calculations. The ground state properties and band gap values are compared with the experimental results. At normal pressure KBr is a direct band gap insulator. In KBr, the metallization occurs through indirect closing of the band gap between G and H points at the reduced volume V/Vo=0.45 (CsCl structure), the corresponding metallization pressure is 1.274 Mbar. On further increase of pressure, KBr becomes superconductor, and this material comes under the class of electron-phonon-mediated high pressure superconductor. The superconducting transition temperatures (Tc) of KBr is obtained as a function of pressure for both NaCl and CsCl structures. The highest Tc estimated is 5.911 K and the corresponding pressure is 5 Mbar in the NaCl structure and 0.897 K in the CsCl structure. It is also confirmed that the metallization, structural phase transition and onset of superconductivity do not occur simultaneously in ionic compounds. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v12i2.1401

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare inherited disorder estimated to affect 1 in 1 million people characterized by rapidly depleting telomere length causing premature apoptosis or senescence results in progressive bone marrow failure. It is also known as Zinsser–Engman–Cole syndrome, and it was first described in 1906. The classic triads of DC include reticulated skin hyperpigmentation, nail dystrophy, and oral leukoplakia. Here, we report a case of a 20-year-old female presented with anemia symptoms and, on evaluation, diagnosed as bone marrow failure secondary to DC.

The structural phase transition, metallization and superconductivity of the simple alkali bromide, Rubidium bromide (RbBr) is investigated through their band structures. Under high pressure RbBr undergoes a structural phase transition from the NaCl structure (B1) to the CsCl structure (B2). The band structure, density of states (DOS) and total energy are computed as a function of volume for both B1 and B2 phases using the full potential linear muffin-tin orbital (FP-LMTO) method. The ground state properties and band gap values are compared with the experimental results. The pressure corresponding to structural phase transition from NaCl structure (B1) to the CsCl structure (B2) is 0.028 Mbar in RbBr. The metallization pressure PM is 1.172 Mbar. The superconducting transition temperatures (Tc) of RbBr is obtained as a function of pressure for both NaCl and CsCl structures. The highest Tc estimated is 2.151 K and the corresponding pressure is 4 Mbar in the NaCl structure and 0.819 K in the CsCl structure. It is also confirmed that the metallization, structural phase transition and onset of superconductivity do not occur simultaneously in ionic compounds. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i2.1125

Hypothyroidism can have various musculoskeletal manifestations such as myalgia, myopathy, or myositis. However, hypothyroidism causing rhabdomyolysis is rare. Moreover, the occurrence of acute kidney injury due to rhabdomyolysis precipitated by hypothyroidism is a rare, life-threatening yet reversible cause for renal dysfunction. Here, we report a case of an 18-year-old girl who presented with renal dysfunction following acute gastroenteritis, and on evaluation for worsening renal functions, she was found to have rhabdomyolysis due to hypothyroidism.

Sources of soil and ground water contamination are many and include many folds of accidental spills and leaks of toxic and hazardous chemicals. Preparation of ground water contamination model needs good understanding of the behavior of contaminant transport through soil media for predicting the level of contamination of ground water in the near future at the intended site conditions. Sorption is a natural process; due to its presence, the contaminant can move slowly as compared to the ground water and hence the effects of sorption must be taken into consideration while predicting the travel time of the contaminant to reach the ground water sources. This paper discusses the results of column test studies carried out in the laboratory under controlled conditions about the spreading of contaminant (Hexavalent chromium, Cr (VI)) through the clay mixed red soil at two different initial concentrations (800 mg/L and 4200 mg/L). The variations of the contaminant flow velocity and retardation factor for two different initial concentrations of contaminant were brought out and discussed. The contaminant flow velocity drastically coming down for a relative concentration of 0 to 0.2 and beyond this range, the contaminant flow velocity value is decreasing in a slow rate for both the lower and higher initial contaminant concentrations tested. At the lower relative concentration, the higher retardation factor was observed and it may be due to slowly filling the available sorption sites in the soil column.

The electronic properties of cubic zinc blende type group III-V semiconductor AlN under pressure is studied using full potential linear muffin-tin orbital (FP-LMTO) method. At normal pressure, AlN is an indirect bandgap semiconductor with band gap value 4.56 eV. When the pressure is increased, there is enhanced overlapping between the wave functions of the neighboring atoms. As a result the widths of the valence and empty conduction bands increase. These changes lead to the narrowing and indirect closing of the band gaps in AlN (metallization). On further increase of pressure, AlN becomes a superconductor and AlN comes under the class of electron-phonon-mediated high pressure superconductors. The superconducting transition temperatures (Tc) of AlN are obtained as a function of pressure for the CsCl structure. It is also confirmed that the metallization, structural phase transition and onset of superconductivity do not occur simultaneously in this compound. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v7i3.628

Wide variety of inorganic compounds such as nutrients and trace metals, organic chemicals, radioactive contaminants and pathogens are commonly present as contaminants in the groundwater. Migration of contaminants in soil involves important mechanisms such as molecular diffusion, dispersion under physical processes, adsorption, precipitation and oxidation - reduction under chemical processes and biodegradation under biological process. Cr (VI) is a major and dangerous contaminant as per the ground water is concerned. There are numerous research work carried out with concentrated efforts by the researchers towards removal of Cr (VI) contaminant from aqueous solutions. There are few studies relevant to Cr (VI) removal with respect to utilization of low cost admixtures and also soil type. In the present study, different low cost admixtures like rice husk (RH), shredded tyre (ST) and fly ash (FA) are used to understand the performance in removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution and also two different soil types are used along with the admixture. The results are discussed in terms of sorption capacity and performance of individual admixture and combination of admixture with soil in removal of contaminant. The fly ash, rice husk and shredded tyre admixtures are used and the results revealed that the shredded tyre showed higher performance in removal of contaminant concentration. Also, the soil which has more fine particle content (size

The synchronous role of coupled adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of alizarin cyanine green dye (ACG) in aqueous solution on porous Commercial Activated Carbon (CAC)–titanium dioxide (TiO2) mixture have been studied under UV irradiation. The CAC–TiO2 composite was prepared by simple chemical route and the as prepared composite was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The photodegradation rate constant (k) for ACG dye on CAC–TiO2 is (0.0666 min−1), which is very much higher than that of pure TiO2 0.00368 min−1. The photodegradation efficiency of the CAC–TiO2 composite was eighteen order magnitudes higher than that of pure TiO2 for ACG dye degradation. The total mineralization of ACG, through the combination of adsorption and degradation was achieved in a reasonable time, and can therefore be suggested as an efficient, cost-effective and environment friendly water treatment methodology.

Purpose: One-third of women with epilepsy (WWE) may experience infertility (failure to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse). We aimed to compare the hormone profile of WWE and infertility (WWE-I) with that of WWE who had conceived earlier (WWE-F). Materials and Methods: In the Kerala Registry of Epilepsy and Pregnancy, we compared the clinical and hormone profile of 50 WWE-I and 40 age-matched WWE-F. Subjects were examined and blood samples were drawn in follicular phase (1-14 days) for 21 WWE-I and 18 WWE-F, in luteal phase (15-30 days) for 23 WWE-I and 15 WWE-F and beyond 30 days for 6 WWE-I and WWE-F who had irregular cycles. Results: The two groups were comparable regarding physical, epilepsy syndrome, duration of epilepsy, body mass index, and serum cholesterol levels. Menstrual periods were irregular for 6 WWE-I and 5 WWE-F. The WWE-I group (compared to the WWE-F group) had significantly (P < 0.01) higher levels of dehydroepiandrostenedione (2.0 ± 1.7 ug/mL vs. 1.0 ± 0.7 ug/mL) and luteinizing hormone-LH (26.4 ± 37.3 mIU/mL vs. 9.9 ± 14.5 mIU/mL) and lower levels of progesterone (5.2 ± 9.2 ng/mL vs. 10.4 ± 13.4 ng/mL). There was no significant difference in the levels of FT3, FT4, thyroid stimulating hormone, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone, testosterone, or androstenedione levels. The WWE-I had 8.5 times higher risk (95% confidence interval 1.2-59.9) of abnormal LH/FSH ratio. WWE who were on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (compared to WWE who were not on AEDs) had higher risk of elevated LH/FSH ratio. Conclusion: The hormone profile of WWE-I is significantly different from that of WWE-F. These variations need to be interpreted with caution as a causal relationship to epilepsy or use of antiepileptic drugs need to be established through further studies.

The structural phase transition and metallization of the group II-VI compound semiconductor cadmium oxide (CdO) is investigated through its band structure obtained using the full potential linear muffin-tin orbital (FP-LMTO) method. The ground state properties and band gap values are compared with the experimental results. Under high pressure CdO undergoes a first order structural phase transition from the NaCl structure (B1) to the CsCl structure (B2). The band structure, density of states (DOS) and total energy are computed as a function of reduced volume for both NaCl and CsCl phases. The values of pressure under reduced volume are calculated using Birch-Murnaghan’s equation of state. The pressure corresponding to structural phase transition from NaCl structure (B1) to the CsCl structure (B2) is 0.9 Mbar in CdO. The metallization pressure PM is 1.2 Mbar. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v0i0.884

The technique of symbiotic seed germination-using fungi to cultivate orchid seedlings in vitro leading to their reintroduction in situ has considerable potential for conservation as evidenced by studies mostly in Australia and North America. However, its use has yet to be fully realized throughout the world. On the Indian subcontinent, which harbors a considerable number of orchid species, symbiotic germination has been virtually unexplored. In the present studies, we provide a protocol for the symbiotic seed germination and ecorestoration of an endangered orchids Vanda coerulea Griff. ex Lindl., which is a floriculturally significant epiphyte used to progenate a vast variety of hybrids. Seeds were obtained from the mature un-dehisced capsules and sown on oat meal agar medium with the fungus isolated from the roots of mature V. coerulea plants in situ. Using molecular characterization techniques, cultures were assignable to Rhizoctonia zeae with teleomorph Thanatephorus cucumeris. All the seeds germinated within 5 wks of culture and very healthy, dark green protocorms were obtained in 5 month old cultures. Seedlings with 1–2 roots and 2–3 leaves were obtained in 8 months. These were acclimatized in the greenhouse for a year and introduced to their natural habitat at Manipur in North East India. Seedling growth and development was continuously monitored, demonstrating active growth during monsoon season (April–July). Out of 29 plants reintroduced, 23 survived and are growing well with the formation of new roots and leaves, observed after twelve months of reintroduction.

Purpose: To assess the knowledge of obstetricians about concerns of women with epilepsy. Materials and Methods: We surveyed 97 obstetricians (teaching hospitals-43, private hospitals-32, and community health centers-21) using knowledge of women′s issues and epilepsy (KOWIE) questionnaire II with additional questions. Results: The mean duration of practice of the surveyed obstetricians was 12.4 ± 10.7 years and 94% were female doctors. Most of them were well informed about the teratogenic effects of AEDs (91%), need to continue antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy (95%), and the role of folic acid and vitamin K during pregnancy (95%). They agreed AEDs decrease the efficacy of oral contraception and it was safe for the woman to breast-feed the baby while on AEDs. Only 1/3 rd of them knew that steroid hormones could alter seizure threshold or that AEDs could predispose to osteomalacia. Fewer doctors knew that WWE could have increased sexual dysfunction (29.9%) or infertility (26.8%). The knowledge did not vary according to years of practice or practice settings. Conclusions: Obstetricians were well informed about the fetal complications of antenatal AED exposure, but were under informed of other complications such as osteomalacia, sexual dysfunction, and infertility.

The electronic properties of cubic zinc blende type group III-V semiconductor AlN under pressure is studied using full potential linear muffin-tin orbital (FP-LMTO) method. At normal pressure, AlN is an indirect bandgap semiconductor with band gap value 4.56 eV. When the pressure is increased, there is enhanced overlapping between the wave functions of the neighboring atoms. As a result the widths of the valence and empty conduction bands increase. These changes lead to the narrowing and indirect closing of the band gaps in AlN (metallization). On further increase of pressure, AlN becomes a superconductor and AlN comes under the class of electron-phonon-mediated high pressure superconductors. The superconducting transition temperatures (Tc) of AlN are obtained as a function of pressure for the CsCl structure. It is also confirmed that the metallization, structural phase transition and onset of superconductivity do not occur simultaneously in this compound. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v7i3.628