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Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder, occur when the pancreas does not make sufficient amount of insulin. Hyperglycaemia leads to severe injure especially the nerves and blood vessels (retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy). According to World Health Organization the diabetic people is expected to increase up to 300 million or more by the year 2025. We searched the scientific database using various original research articles, clinical trials, meta analysis, patent reports, validation study, observational study, review articles published in PubMed, Scopus, Science direct and Google by using the keyword. After an initial search, 528 articles were identified, out of which 50 articles had required criteria for the comparative study and meta-analysis of related topics. Herbal plants were extremely venerated source of medicine in Ayurveda and now they have become a growing part of modern, high-tech medicine. It also reveals the information about the most recent innovation in the treatment of Type-I and Type II Diabetes mellitus. These reviews have proven that the herbal drugs were used for the treatment of Type II Diabetes mellitus worldwide. It also reveals that new approaches of nanotechnology were good choice for the management of Diabetes mellitus now a days. Hopefully, these new kind of treatment may help in making the everyday lives of millions of diabetes patients more comfortable.

The aim of present research work was to prepare and evaluate the controlled release bilayered tablet of Nicardipine HCL to improve its bioavailability for the treatment of hypertension. To minimize critical process parameters, two layer compression method was used for the formulation of Bilayered tablets. The appropriate formulation was achieved successfully with the combination of Polymers MCC, Carbopol 71G and HPMC K100M produced desired release profile for Metoprolol succinate extended release layer. The combination of disintegrating agents that is Sodium starch glycolate and Dicalcium phosphate produced desired release rate for Nicardipine immediate release layer. The results reveal that formulation F7 has met the objective of controlled drug release for over a period of 12 hrs. The formulation F7 ascertained the efficacy of the controlled released Bilayered tablet of Nicardipine and Metoprolol ER tablet in hypertension. This sustained release Bilayered tablet with the combination of Nicardipine and metoprolol can be used in the management of different types of hypertension. The formulation F7 of combination of Nicardipine and metoprolol showed controlled release profile among the other, Hence it was considered as an optimized formulation.

Nowadays solar cell is one of the best techniques for energy harvesting, we are using CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite material for solar cells applications. One of the most exciting developments in photovoltaics over recent years has been the emergence of perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) as a promising new material for low-cost, high-efficiency photovoltaics. In this paper, we are assuming the layer of perovskite free from defects. A solar cell simulation software GPVDM, which works as a popular solar cell simulation tool (AMPS: Analysis of microelectronic and photonic structures) was used. The simulation model solves drift–diffusion of electron and hole, carrier continuity equations in position space to describe the movement of charge within the device, poison’s equation, and recombination of charge carriers.

Grafts made from synthetic polymers perform poorly in wound healing applications. In these applications, dextranchitosan based materials can be produced and fabricated to present a novel scaffold for wound healing engineering. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-vitro the mechanical properties of a novel dextran-chitosan based hydrogel formulation to examine its potential for this scaffold. Kaempferol (KMF) (obtained from leaves of Ipomea carnea Jacq) loaded hydrogel (HGs) was prepared using dextran-chitosan (Dex-CH) and PEG as a cross linking agent with nano titanium dioxide (nTiO2). Subsequently Dex and CH solution were blended together to form a homogeneous DexCH binary blend mixture with the PEG as crosslinker and characterized for various paramters like AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy), mechanical (tensile) strength of hydrogel, swelling property, entrapment efficiency and drug release. The role of hydrogel was assessed by wound healing activity tested beside wound contraction, collagen content, dried granuloma weights and antioxidant property. Percent entrapment efficiency of optimized hydrogel found to be 89.36 ± 1.19%. KMF loaded DexCH- nTiO2-HGs were able to release 95.36%, KMF in 24 hrs. The level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were found increased significantly in granuloma tissue of KMF treated group. The significant wound healing effect in normal wound tissues as well as diabetic with higher antioxidant activity founded in KMF-DexCH-nTiO2-HGs. Prepared hydrogel formulations (KMF loaded DexCH- nTiO2-HGs) were proved to be highly suitable on grounds of moist nature, biocompatibility, biodegradability and antioxidant effectiveness.

In this study, exfoliation of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) using the chemical exfoliation method was successfully achieved via probe sonication followed by centrifugation. The observed ultravioletvisible (UV-Vis) spectra of the MoS2 dispersions indicated the presence of a few layers of MoS2. The morphological, structural, optical and surface electronic properties before and after UV light irradiation were investigated by the technique of X-ray diffraction, the Raman spectroscopic measurements, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM). It was observed that after UV irradiation, the Fermi level moves towards the valence band.

Polymers with high thermal conductivity are the need of modern technologies due to their robustness, cost-effective, and less corrosiveness. However, bare polymers are not good heat-conductors due to their molecular structures, and their non-metallic properties. Therefore, metallic fillers of different shape and size have been used to enhance the thermal conductivity in polymer-composites. However, there has been search of best geometrical fillers which can maximize the thermal conductivity effectively with same volume percent. From our numerical simulations, we show that the best geometrical fillers are those which have high surface-area (S) to volume (V) ratio. In such cases the interface of polymer-filler is maximized, which leads to the effective enhancement in the thermal conductivity. To validate our claim we use fillers with same volume percent but maximize the surface area. We also show that there is a competition between surface and the bulk of the filler in this maximization process but surface-area dominates with an effective increase in the thermal conductivity. We use 3-dimensional models using ANSYS-Fluent to show the characteristic behavior of thermal conductivity. Polyethylene has been used as the base polymer and aluminum (Al) has been used as filler in all our model simulation.

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesised by co-precipitation method using zinc nitrate in the presence of two different alkali hydroxides. The XRD analysis of as-prepared products, before and after washing demonstrates its importance in removal of the water soluble nitrates of alkali metals formed during co-precipitation. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the synthesised ZnO NPs confirm the formation of ZnO with hexagonal wurtzite phase. The ZnO NPs synthesised, as confirmed by the XRD pattern, in the presence of NaOH show comparatively smaller crystallite size. These quasi-spherical ZnO NPs show strong UV absorption and dominant visible PL emission, suitable for biomedical and photocatalytic applications.

TiO2 nanoparticles attracted much attention due to photocatalytic activity and solar energy applications. The present work demonstrates the preparation of undoped and Fe doped nanoparticles of TiO2 by co-precipitation procedure at 450 °C. From XRD measurement the mean size of crystallite was estimated by Debye Scherer and W-H plot technique. The morphological study of spherical sized nanoparticles was carried out by Scanning electron microscopy. EDS results show signs of no impurity. The optical band gap values of undoped and doped samples were determined to be 3.35 and 3.25 eV for direct bandgap correspondingly.SEM and EDS are in good agreement with XRD results.

Zinc oxide thin films are deposited by sol–gel spin coating on glass substrates for varying sol concentrations and the effect is studied on a range of structural and physical parameters which are determined by X-ray diffraction and X-ray peak profile analysis. The diffraction peaks confirms the formation of ZnO with hexagonal wurtzite phase. The film with highest sol concentration shows preferred c-axis orientation. The crystallinity of the films increases with increase in concentration of the sol. The X-ray peak broadening analysis was employed to estimate the physical parameters such as strain, stress and energy density corresponding to major diffraction peaks by the Williamson-Hall (W-H) method with three different models namely uniform deformation model, uniform stress deformation model and uniform deformation energy density model. To the best of our knowledge studies of ZnO thin films deposited with various sol concentrations using these models have not been reported. The deposited ZnO thin films may be used in solar cells to enhance their efficiency.

This paper aims to synthesize MWCNTs by using the spray pyrolysis technique. The X-ray diffraction technique is done to accomplish structural characterizations and optical characterizations are done by using UV–visible spectro-photometry, Fourier-transform spectroscopy. A scanning electron micrograph has studied the morphology of these nanotubes. The SEM images show the tube-shape structure of MWCNTs, and XRD peaks at 26.04°, 44.12°, and 53.81° confirm that the MWCNTs were successfully synthesized by spray pyrolysis and have average particle size 8.9 nm. Optical bandgap found as ∼4.28 eV using Tauc’s plot.

This article analyses the quality of labour force in India using the data from India’s Citizen Environment and Consumer Economy (ICE) 360° survey (2016), which provides a view on how Indians earn, spend, save, invest, live, think, access amenities and public goods and consume. The approach adopted here provides an alternative perspective on the quality of labour force, which depends on skill levels, education and technology. The analysis reveals that Indian labour markets depicts a clear dichotomy between higher skill levels being dominated largely by the high-skilled workers and the manual jobs with lower skill levels for the low-skilled workers. Technology and digital usage has further accentuated this earnings differential. Also, higher skill levels in India tend to have both higher average earning and education levels compared to their lower skill counterparts, leading to widening the earning inequality.Further, this analysis provides important insights into the low skill levels of the vast Indian labour force, which would require re-qualification and re-specialisation of the labour force in order to compete in fast-changing globalised India. Thus, it becomes critical for Indian policymakers to relook the skill formation and education system to be able to swiftly and effectively respond to constantly evolving skill demand in the local, national and global market.

Now a day’s perovskite materials have great properties of photovoltaics, we are using CH3NH3PbI3 material as a charge carrier generator material in the device. we have studied enhancement of photocurrent by reducing humidity with nitrogen flow at high humidity photocurrent was low, and humidity reduced by nitrogen flow photocurrent of perovskite solar cell is increasing, ion migration can be explained by hysteresis of I–V measurement, the stability of perovskite material can be explained by (I-RH%) measurement and defect in the perovskite explained by noise measurement.

Composite thin films of polyaniline (PAN)/ZnO are synthesized via electropolymerization (ECP) process in acidic medium on ITO (working electrode) with platinum mesh as a counter electrode and Ag/AgCl as a reference electrode. Acidic medium helps in polymerization and enhances the crystallinity of PAN. PAN films that are obtained in the presence of sulfuric acid give partial crystallinity in its high conducting form, i.e., emeraldine salt. Inorganic metal oxide–organic polymer thin film was used to get a new type of composite nanostructures. The cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric properties were investigated by potentiostat for different doping percentages of ZnO with a constant Molar concentration of PAN. Current conduction properties are found to be increased in the presence of ZnO particles. Optical properties were investigated using UV–Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Photoluminescence shows emission in the blue, green and yellow regions. Band gap variation has also been calculated with the help of Tauc’s plot which found to be decreasing with the increase of doping percentage of ZnO.

Polyaniline (PAni) / Bi2O3 composite are synthesized by electrochemical polymerization method. The structural analysis is made by X-ray diffraction. The surface morphology of these composites has been studied with Field electron scanning electron microscope. The dielectric properties have been studied as function of frequency ranging from 100 Hz to 5 MHz at room temperature. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent both decrease with increase in the frequency of the AC signal. Similar behaviour of dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent is observed with increasing concentration of Bi2O3 in the composite, for a given frequency of AC signal.

Thin films of Polyaniline (PAni) and GO composite are synthesized via Electropolymerization (ECP) process on ITO substrate. Electrodeposition was occurred by using potentiostat by three-electrode cell processes in which ITO used as a working electrode (anode), platinum mesh as a counter electrode (cathode) and Ag/AgCl as a reference electrode. Structural and morphological properties were investigated through XRD and FESEM. XRD shows the Semi-crystalline behavior of PAni. Dielectric properties and conductivities were calculated using high-frequency LCR meter. Variation in dielectric constants and AC conductivity was monitored with respect to the relative humidity when the samples were exposed to humidity at different frequency ranges between 100 Hz to 5MHz

Highly pure and aligned nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes were synthesized by catalytic spray pyrolysis technique at 850°C using precursor; acetonitrile and ferrocene solution. Precursor solution with different concentrations of ferrocene in acetonitrile was introduced into the horizontally aligned reactor at a constant flow rate (∼1ml/min) with Ar gas serving as the carrier (∼50/500l/h). An optimum concentration of ferrocene in acetonitrile is 5mg/ ml. The structure of the synthesized N-CNTs was investigated by means of microscopic (SEM) as well as spectroscopic (FTIR, Raman, XRD, UV-Vis) techniques. The results show that the prepared N-doped CNTs have a uniform structure and high yield of N-CNTs is obtained.

Excavations supported by retaining structures are very common in the construction of new structures in urban and hilly areas. This paper presents behaviour of model piles of various configurations, when exposed to soil movement induced by collapse of the retaining structure. The performance of pile groups varies significantly with the distance between the pile group and the retaining structure. A pile row parallel to the retaining structure experiences large displacement as compared to pile rows that are perpendicular to the structure.

Litchi orchards bearing 15-year-old trees in Pantnagar were subjected to different fruit bagging treatments in study entitled “Impact of pre-harvest fruit bagging technology on growth and quality traits in litchi cv. Rose Scented under Indian prospective”. The combination includes white and pink polypropylene bags practiced on three dates i.e. 15, 25 and 30 days after fruit set and a control. Hence, study comprised of 7 treatment combination in total. The data of year 2017 and 2018 as well as pooled data revealed that T1i.e. white polypropylene bags + bagging 15 days after fruit set was found to be promising in attributes such as fruit cracking (%) and Sun burn (%). T3White Polypropylene bags + bagging 30 days after fruit set was found best for fruit Weight (g) and Acidity (%), T4Pink Polypropylene bags + bagging 15 days after fruit set was found promising for TSS (0Brix), T6-Polypropylene Pink + 10th May (30 days after fruit set) was observed to be best for most of the desired attributes viz. Fruit breadth (mm), Yield (Kg/tree), Acidity (%), Anthocyanin (mg/100g), Fruit colour (visual), borer infestation (%) and B:C Ratio. However, fruits without bagging i.e. control were found to have inferior appearance and have maximum fruit cracking (%) and sun burn (%).Thus the bagging of litchi fruits with white polypropylene bags 15 days after fruit set resulted in lesser cracking and sunburn incidence. For other attributes, polypropylene pink bagged 30 days after fruit set was found promising. In Litchi under Indian condition, the novel technique of fruit bagging significantly enhances the fruit appearance and quality.

In recent trends, monitoring and control of air quality have arisen, because there are many organic and inorganic pollutants that harm our air quality, formaldehyde is one of those substances. Therefore, it looks essential to monitor and control the exposure of formaldehyde in living environments. In this paper, we examine the reactivities of pure and doped (boron and nitrogen) single-walled carbon nanotube (3, 3) armchair with formaldehyde (CHOH) molecule via density functional theory (DFT) using Beck three-parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr method and 6-31(d, p) at room temperature. Through DFT we performed the molecular electrostatic potential, NBO analysis, HUMO–LUMO for calculating the electronic properties of the system considered. Based on which nitrogen-doped SWCNT (3, 3) shown high sensitivity to formaldehyde molecule compare to pure—SWCNT (3, 3) and boron-doped SWCNT (3, 3). N-doped SWCNTs are predictable to be a potential candidate for sensing the presence of formaldehyde.

Satellite glial cells (SGCs) are glial cells found in the peripheral nervous system where they tightly envelop the somata of the primary sensory neurons such as dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and nodose ganglion (NG) neurons. The somata of these neurons are generally compactly packed in their respective ganglia (DRG and NG). SGCs covering a neuron behave as an insulator of electrical activity from neighbouring neurons within the ganglion. Several studies have however shown that the somata show "cross-depolarization" (CD). Origin of CDs has been hypothesized to be chemical in nature: either from neurotransmitter release from both SGCs and somata or from elevation of extracellular potassium concentration ([K]

The Lithium tetraborate has(LTB) has received great attention worldwide due to its extensive use in nonlinear optics for identifying the frequency converting single crystals to emit light in UV range. Glass ceramics of LTB is suitable for solid state battery application due to fast ion conduction. LTB has a tremendous potential as a radiation-proof material for optical devices. It is also used for radiation dosimetry purpose because of its tissue-equivalent nature. The effectual atomic number of LTB is nearer to soft biological tissue (Zeff =7.42). Here in the present paper, the pure LTB glass was prepared from melt quenching process. The mixture of Li2CO3 and B2O3 taken in Stoichiometric ratio was grounded well and packed into a platinum crucible. An electrical muffle furnace was used for melting purpose. To prepare LTB glass the mixture was annealed at various temperatures. The LTB glass was cut and polished for further studies. Characterization of LTB glass samples were done by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transforms spectroscopy, and UV-Visible-IR spectrophotometer. LTB nano-crystals were obtained by glass quenching technique (bottom-up approach) at 525°C. The detected crystalline size was found in the range of 28-31 nm. The transmission of the prepared glass is 87% which is suitable for nonlinear optical-based applications.

The aim of this paper is to provide efficient technique for optimum performance of HF dipole antenna with minimum height variation. HF Frequencies are generally lower at the night and higher during the day due to ionospheric variations. Large range HF communication experiences limitation due to use of either multiple antennas or changing the antenna height at regular interval due to variation in HF frequencies. Various past research work w.r.t. HF frequency tuning focuses on either electrically small antennas or narrow band, dual band frequency tuning. However long range wide band HF antenna frequency tuning needed to be addressed. In present paper a channel length extension technique is used to vary the long range inverted V HF Dipole antenna resonance frequency while maintaining the actual Dipole length. With the employment of channel length extension technique most of day/night frequencies can be covered in a particular time slot resulting in very effective and accurate HF contact with least variation of antenna height. Resonance Frequency shifting (-3 M Hz) from 9.5 MHz to 6.5 MHz has been demonstrated by varying channel length for 10 M Hz inverted-‘V’ HF dipole antenna. Extensive trials were conducted to validate the performance results and same found as desired. The research work carried out in this paper will definitely enhance the efficiency of HF communication for various time slots and provide novel platform for optimum operational performance of HF antenna specially in the field of Defence and national security.

In the present study, results on the influence of interchanging Se and Te as major content (80%) on the structural, morphological and optical properties of copper doped ternary chalcogenide thin films Se 80 Te 10 Cu 10 (Se-rich) and Te 80 Se 10 Cu 10 (Te-rich) are reported. The films have been synthesized on glass substrates by thermal evaporation method. Bulk samples used for synthesizing the thin films have been prepared using melt quenching technique. The films have been characterized by XRD, FESEM, UV-Visible-NIR spectroscopy and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Structural studies show amorphous and polycrystalline nature of the Se-rich and Te-rich films respectively. Surface morphological images show scattered grains in the Se-rich film whereas densely packed and similar sized grains are found in the Te-rich film. Transmission is much higher for the Se-rich film in the near infrared region. PL spectra recorded at two different excitation wavelengths – 380 nm and 450 nm – invariably show green emission for both the films. Yellow emission is also found at 450 nm excitation wavelength.

The effects of Cd incorporation on the dielectric properties of chalcogenide alloy Te 90-x Se 10 Cd x ( x = 0, 10, 15, 20 at. wt.%) have been studied. These are synthesised by melt quenching technique. Frequency dependence of the AC conductivity, dielectric constants (e′), dielectric losses (e′′) and dissipation factor in the frequency range 50Hz -5 MHz at room temperature have been reported. Temperature dependent studies in 298 – 473 K at a fixed audio frequency of 10 kHz have also been measured. It is found that AC conductivity, dielectric loss and dissipation factor increase as frequency and temperature increase. Dielectric constant decreases as frequency increases whereas it increases with increasing temperature. Dielectric constant increases while dielectric loss decreases with increasing Cd content in Te-Se matrix. Possible explanations of metal (Cd) induced effects on the conduction mechanism of the Te 90 Se 10 alloy are discussed.

Air pollution is a serious public health problem in all over the world. Coal burning in the brick kilns is contributing significantly to the worst air quality in Uttar Pradesh. Five coal samples were collected from five different brick fields in Uttar Pradesh (Kursi Road - Lucknow, Sitapur Road - Lucknow, Diamond - Barabanki, Awadh – Barabanki and Suraj - Barabanki). Elemental composition (C, N, H and S) with CHN analyzer and trace metals (Na, K, Ca, Fe, Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Ni) with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) were determined in the coal samples. Coal samples were grinded and extracted with distilled de-ionized water with temperature control water bath and sonicator. The average concentration of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen and sulfur were 13.4 (wt%), 34.2 (wt%), 5.89 (wt%) and 4.59 (wt%), respectively. Carbon and sulfur are very important for the atmospheric pollution as they may undergo many primary and secondary chemical reactions. The average concentrations of the determined trace metals were 14.2±7.5 ppm for Sodium, 0.8±0.6 ppm for Potassium, 11.4±11.7 ppm for Calcium and 11.0 ± 12.7 ppm for Iron. Chromium, Cadmium, Cupper, Lead and Nickel concentrations were found below detection limit. The results showed that pollutants containing coals are the potential threat for human health especially for the worker those who are working in the brick industries. The management of pollutants emitted from brick kilns has to be high combustion efficiency coal particles during process of devolatisation, use of coal with particle size smaller than 3/ 4 inch and keep sufficiently long firing zone (coal feeding zone of at least 3-4 lines) so that the volatiles get sufficient space (high temperature zone) to mix and burn.

Background: Our objective in this study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of iclaprim compared with vancomycin for the treatment of patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs). Methods: REVIVE-1 was a phase 3, 600-patient, double-blinded, randomized (1:1), active-controlled trial among patients with ABSSSI that compared the safety and efficacy of iclaprim 80 mg fixed dose with vancomycin 15 mg/kg, both administered intravenously every 12 hours for 5–14 days. The primary endpoint of this study was a ≥20% reduction in lesion size (early clinical response [ECR]) compared with baseline among patients randomized to iclaprim or vancomycin at the early time point (ETP), 48 to 72 hours after the start of administration of study drug in the intent-to-treat population. Results: ECR among patients who received iclaprim and vancomycin at the ETP was 80.9% (241 of 298) of patients receiving iclaprim compared with 81.0% (243 of 300) of those receiving vancomycin (treatment difference, −0.13%; 95% confidence interval, −6.42%–6.17%). Iclaprim was well tolerated in the study, with most adverse events categorized as mild. Conclusions: Iclaprim achieved noninferiority (10% margin) at ETP compared with vancomycin and was well tolerated in this phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of ABSSSI. Based on these results, iclaprim appears to be an efficacious and safe treatment for ABSSSI suspected or confirmed to be due to gram-positive pathogens. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT02600611.

In the present work, ZnO microstructures are synthesized by thermal decomposition of zinc nitrate [Zn(NO3)2·6H2O] in air at 500 °C for 3 h. Structural and morphological study of ZnO microstructures have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy of ZnO microstructures exhibits absorption edge at 381 nm. Room temperature photoluminescence spectrum exhibits strong ultraviolet emission together with feeble visible emissions. In photoconductivity study, rise and decay of photocurrents under UV–Vis illumination have been recorded in air as well as in vacuum. Trap depth is calculated using decay portion of the rise and decay of photocurrent.

Background: Obesity is evolving as a major nutritional problem in developing countries affecting a substantial number of adults and resulting in an increased burden of chronic disease. Objectives: To study the prevalence of obesity and to establish the correlation between BMI and Neck Circumference in childrens of Rural & Urban Raipur. Methods: Height measured using a stadiometer. Weight recorded to the nearest 0.1 kg using a weighing scale. BMI measured from the available WHO growth charts for children. Waist and neck circumference measured using a standard measuring tape to the nearest 0.1cm. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be 9.8% and 7.8% respectively in our study. The prevalence of overweight was found to be 9.5% and 10.2% in males and females, respectively while obesity was more common in males (8.8%) compared to females (6.6%). Also there was direct correlation of prevalence of obesity with the choice of diet. 64.4% obese or overweight children belonged to the non vegetarian diet group as opposed to 35.6% in vegetarian group. Conclusion: There was positive correlation between the socio-economic status and prevalence of obesity, also with the choice of diet. Children studying in Private schools had a higher prevalence of obesity when compared to Government schools. Keywords: Height, Neck Circumference, Obesity, Overweight, Vegetarian Diet, Waist.

Background: The most predominant form of haemoglobinopathy worldwide is sickle cell disease. The greatest burden of the disease lies in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia5. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of HU therapy in sickle cell disease as measured by decrease in crises rate, hospital admissions, days of hospitalization and number of blood transfusions. Methods: the study was conducted on 79 children of 1-16 year age. Out of which in only 75 patients Hydroxyurea therapy was started as they were found to be eligible. 16% of the patients responded to 15 mg/kg/ day of HU, 50.66% responded to 20 mg/kg/ day, 29.33% to 25 mg/kg/ day and only 4% needed a dose escalation to 30 mg/kg/ day for the response. Results: Our study showed a significant reduction in the VOC rate from 243 episodes to 46 episodes (p value

Satellite glial cells (SGCs) are glial cells found in the peripheral nervous system where they tightly envelop the somata of the primary sensory neurons such as dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and nodose ganglion (NG) neurons. The somata of these neurons are generally compactly packed in their respective ganglia (DRG and NG). SGCs covering a neuron behave as an insulator of electrical activity from neighbouring neurons within the ganglion. Several studies have however shown that the somata show "cross-depolarization" (CD). Origin of CDs has been hypothesized to be chemical in nature: either from neurotransmitter release from both SGCs and somata or from elevation of extracellular potassium concentration ([K] o ) in the vicinity of somata. Here, we investigate the role of Kir4.1 channels on SGC and diffusion/clearance factor (β) of [K] o from the space between SGC and DRG neuron somata to the bulk extracellular space in ganglion. We show using two "Soma-SGC Units" interacting via gap junction that a combination of Kir4.1 and β could be responsible for CD between DRG neuron somata in pathological conditions.

Flavonoids are a wide category of polyphenolic compounds that have a major role in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, gastritis, nephritis, hepatitis, ulcerative colitis, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and many allergic reactions. This chapter contains information about different flavonoids reported for the management of inflammatory disorders with their possible mechanism. These compounds also regulate the oxidative status and prevent damage caused by oxidative stress such as the antioxidant effect. The high levels of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-6, are allied with chronic inflammatory diseases. Some flavonoids, namely luteolin, quercetin, and apigenin, reduce cytokine expression and their secretion. It suggests that these flavonoids may have a therapeutic benefit in the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases as cytokine modulators. Flavonoids also have wide pharmacological effects by inhibiting some enzymes such as cyclooxygenase, aldose reductase, xanthenes oxidase, Ca2 + ATPase, phosphodiesterase, and lipoxygenase. In conclusion, flavonoids can produce health benefits in a variety of ways. This compilation work could be helpful to update current knowledge about different flavonoids and their effects, even at a molecular level, on inflammation and inflammatory-mediated diseases.

Samples of polyaniline and its composite with ZnO were prepared by electrochemical polymerization (ECP) method. ECP occurred in one-compartment by three-electrode cell processes in which platinum mesh is used as a counter electrode (cathode) and ITO as a working electrode (anode), and Ag/AgCl as reference electrode at 1 V, 1 mA and 0.2 scan rate. Variation in dielectric constants and AC conductivity was monitored with relative humidity (% RH) ranges between 10 and 90% RH and frequency ranges between 20 Hz and 5 MHz. Presence of ZnO particles results in enhanced dielectric properties and an increase in conductivity. It was observed that the dielectric constant of ZnO-doped PAni composites has lower value compared to the PAni and shows decreasing behavior with frequency and %RH. This decreasing behavior of tan δ and e′ may be explained in terms of formation of interface between particles of ZnO and molecular assembly of PAni.

Grain size driven effects on electronic excitation-induced structural modifications have been investigated in nanocrystalline (NC) Nd2Zr2O7 on irradiation with 100 MeV iodine ions. Characterizations have been performed with in situ x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and plane-view high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. NC-powders of Nd2Zr2O7 were synthesized by auto gel-combustion and sintered at different temperatures to obtain different grain-sized samples. XRD analysis of the smallest grain-sized sample reveals the highest order–disorder transition (from pyrochlore to a more radiation-resistant phase; anion-deficient fluorite) rate at initial ion fluences followed by least amorphization at higher ion fluences. A strong correlation of the transformation build-up with the double ion impact model confirms the two step amorphization process in NC-Nd2Zr2O7 with the disordered anion-deficient fluorite structure as an intermediate phase. TEM result supports the formation of circular ion track consisting of randomly distributed regions (anion-deficient fluorite structure and amorphous regions), surrounded by a microstrain induced defect-rich pyrochlore superstructure. Lesser ordering at cationic sites and a relatively larger number of grain boundaries are responsible for the highest radiation tolerance exhibited by the smallest grain-sized sample. The present study reports a relatively higher radiation stability of NC-ternary pyrochlore oxide, Nd2Zr2O7, with a grain size of a few tens of nm, which establishes its application as a potential inert matrix for nuclear applications.