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Abstract The illegal ivory trade remains a prime threat to elephant populations. Identification of ivory is crucial for combating illicit ivory trading. Studies have demonstrated that FTIR spectroscopy is one of the most suitable techniques for identifying ivory and its products. However, this technique could not have been fully utilized due to the lack of a reference IR spectral library/database. In light of this, the present study aimed to develop the FTIR spectral library for Asian elephant ivory. We collected eight Asian elephant ivory (n = 8) samples from our institute repository and recorded the FTIR spectrum. Further, based on the biochemical composition of ivory, we identified various characteristics, functional groups, and their respective wavenumbers. Furthermore, we used the FTIR spectrum of Asian elephant ivory as a reference to identify the fifteen carvings (n = 15) suspected to be of Asian elephant ivory. The results revealed that samples 1 -13 are visibly identical to the FTIR spectrum of Asian elephant ivory; in contrast, samples 14 and 15 do not match the FTIR spectrum of Asian elephant ivory. Hence, it is confirmed that out of fifteen samples, thirteen are likely to be of Asian elephant ivory origin. To confirm this finding, we employed the PLS-DA analysis. The result showed an R Square value of 0.9 for calibration and 0.75 for validation, and the model exhibited 100% accuracy in classifying the original and fake ivory samples. The results confirmed that FTIR combined with chemometrics analysis was useful for identifying ivory and fake materials. To validate the FTIR results, we extracted the DNA from suspected samples 1–15 and amplified elephant-specific D-loop and Sry (sex-determining region on the Y chromosome) genes. Subsequently, the PCR amplicons were examined on a 2.5% agarose gel and observed for samples 1–13, one band at 137 bp (for D-loop) and another at 97 bp (for Sry). These results indicated that samples 1–13 are of elephant origin, whereas samples 14 and 15 are not of elephant origin. To confirm this finding, the PCR amplicons (D-loop) from nine samples (1–9) were sequenced, and % similarity was analyzed. The results showed 96.6 to 100% similarity to the Mammuthus primigenius, Elephas maximus indicus, and Loxodonta africana. The primers (D-loop and Sry) used in this study are elephant-specific and do not distinguish the elephant species. Overall, DNA-based results supported the results from FTIR analysis and confirmed that the suspected samples 1–13 are of elephant origin and 14 and 15 are not of elephant origin. The current study has demonstrated the identification of ivory substitutes through FTIR spectral library for Asian elephant ivory, which is rapid, cost-effective, and has excellent potential for forensic analysis. Graphical abstract

Identifying an unascertained timber species is essential to stop illegal logging of the protected species. Timber forensics involves the identification of an unknown timber species to link to its source or to authenticate the timber and its products. This paper anticipates a quick, robust, non-destructive, and environment-friendly proof-of-concept study using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometric interpretation to identify and discriminate economically important and legitimately protected timber species. The chemometric methods used included partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), principal component analysis (PCA), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The mid-IR spectral bands indicated the presence of timber constituents such as cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose. PLS-DA successfully discriminated between hardwoods and softwoods with 100% accuracy. PCA-LDA analysis of softwoods and hardwoods was done separately. LDA for softwoods resulted in a training and validation accuracy of 87.5%. Similarly, LDA analysis of hardwoods showed 82.22% training and 80% validation accuracies. The results of the blind test showed that all the blind samples could be correctly identified using this approach with 100% accuracy. All these approaches delivered significant findings to identify and discriminate timber samples. It is believed that this study will offer great opportunities to withstand illegal logging quickly and non-destructively.

Background: Fenugreek plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum) constitutes a traditionally acclaimed herbal remedy for many human ailments including diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, and reproductive disorders. It is also used as an effective anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal agent. The seed of the plant is especially enriched in several bioactive molecules including polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids and has demonstrated potential to act as an antidiabetic phytotherapeutic. A novel patented formulation (Fenfuro®) was developed in our laboratory from the fenugreek seeds which contained >45% furostanolic saponins (HPLC). Objective: A placebo-controlled clinical compliance study was designed to assess the effects of complementing Fenfuro® on a randomized group of human volunteers on antidiabetic therapy (Metformin and sulphonylurea) in controlling the glycemic index along with simultaneous safety assessment. Study methodology and trial design: In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 42 individuals (21 male and 21 female volunteers) in the treatment group (out of 57 enrolled) and 39 individuals (17 male and 22 female volunteers) in the placebo group (out of 47 enrolled), all on antidiabetic therapy with Metformin/Metformin with sulphonyl urea within the age group of 18–65 years were administered either 1,000 mg (500 mg × 2) (Fenfuro®) capsules or placebo over a period of 12 consecutive weeks. Fasting and postprandial glucose along with glycated hemoglobin were determined as primary outcomes to assess the antidiabetic potential of the formulation. Moreover, in order to evaluate the safety of the formulation, C-peptide and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels as well as immunohematological parameters were assessed between the treatment and placebo groups at the completion of the study. Results: After 12 weeks of administration, both fasting as well as postprandial serum glucose levels decreased by 38 and 44% respectively in the treatment group. Simultaneously, a significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin by about 34.7% was also noted. The formulation did not have any adverse effect on the study subjects as there was no significant change in C- peptide level and TSH level; liver, kidney, and cardiovascular function was also found to be normal as assessed by serum levels of key immunohematological parameters. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: This clinical compliance study re-instated and established the safety and efficacy of Fenfuro® as an effective phytotherapeutic to treat hyperglycemia.

Abstract Background St. Thomas cardioplegia is commonly administered to adults, yet repeated dosing at brief intervals is required. Del Nido’s cardioplegic solution provides a prolonged duration of safe myocardial arrest, yet it was primarily intended for pediatric cardiac surgery. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in using Del Nido’s in adults; this might be due to its ease of administration and extended re-dosing intervals. This study contrasted Del Nido’s to modified St. Thomas cardioplegia in adults. Methods This study was conducted on 200 patients. Troponin-T was the primary outcome within the first 24 and 48 h post-surgery. Cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamp time, intraoperative use of inotropic support, defibrillator and/or intra-aortic balloon were the secondary outcomes of the study. Results There was a significant reduction in post-operative Troponin-T levels in the first 24 and 48 h within Del Nido’s group compared to the modified St. Thomas group. The cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were also found to be lower within Del Nido’s group. Conclusion This study has demonstrated a significant reduction in early postoperative Troponin-T levels as well as operative times favoring Del Nido’s in adults.

This literature review explores of Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) application in conjunction with Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets (IFS) as a powerful decision-making framework within the context of the food manufacturing industry. The review synthesizes a wide array of research contributions and findings to provide insights into the dynamic and uncertain nature of this industry. The study reveals that the AHP-IFS methodology offers a structured approach to address the complexities inherent in the food manufacturing sector, which undergoes distinct phases from inception to maturity, and potentially, decline or renewal. Decision criteria and factors, including market dynamics, technological advancements, regulatory compliance, sustainability concerns, and financial considerations, are analyzed and prioritized using AHP-IFS, considering their interdependencies and uncertainties. Strategic planning, resource allocation, and competitive analysis within the industry have been significantly enhanced through the application of this methodology. Moreover, as sustainability and environmental issues become increasingly important, AHP-IFS is also employed to evaluate the environmental impact of business decisions, aligning with global efforts to promote sustainability. Challenges associated with data availability and computational complexities have been acknowledged, but the potential for refinement and expansion of the methodology, including the incorporation of machine learning techniques, offers promising avenues for future research. Ultimately, AHP-IFS stands as a valuable tool to guide informed decision-making processes throughout the ever-evolving business life cycle of the food manufacturing industry, ensuring adaptability and competitiveness in a complex and uncertain landscape.

Acoustic and gamma ray investigations of K2O-PbO-SiO2 glass system have been carried out to explore their structure and gamma-ray attenuation properties. Acoustic studies are carried out to study the effect of concentration of lead oxide on the connectivity of the glass structure. Elastic properties are estimated for getting information regarding the dimensionality and rigidity of the network. Gamma -ray mass attenuation coefficient is calculated theoretically as well as experimentally at 511KeV, 662KeV &1274.0KeV photon energy values. Experimental values of Gamma-ray attenuation coefficients are compared to theoretical values computed using NIST-XCOM software. Results of half value layer (HVL) for prepared glasses are compared with ferrite concrete to explore the scope of lead-based glasses as suitable candidates for radiation shielding materials.

A 77-year-old woman presenting with severe acute ischaemic stroke failed a swallow screening test on admission. A nasogastric (NG) tube was inserted to initiate enteral feeding. She required multiple NG tube placements due to agitation with repeat malposition into the right bronchus demonstrated on chest radiographs. Further radiographs to confirm NG tube position showed a right apical pneumothorax that was missed on initial imaging reviews. The patient remained clinically stable with no respiratory compromise and the pneumothorax resolved spontaneously without directed treatment.

Efficient tools for the identification and discrimination of species are imperative in wildlife conservation since they can endow with information of species exploitation and also abet in solving problems related to forensic science. Herein, a non-destructive and rapid analytical method (ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy) coupled with PCA and PLS-DA was employed to analyze the dry blood samples for the species discrimination. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), and Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) species were used to construct the chemometric models. Additionally, Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) and Human (Homo sapiens) blood were taken for the external validation study. The evaluation results illustrate that the ATR FT-IR Spectroscopy in combination with PLS-DA model showed statistically confident discrimination among selected species from dry blood traces. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy supported with predictive models has been a robust, ideal, and suitable tool for species discrimination from dry blood traces recovered in wildlife investigations.

Background: Holistic treatment often better impacts recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) in terms of treatment retention and psychosocial improvement. Studies on the long-term outcome of such treatment programs are needed from India. Materials and Methods: We traced and interviewed 498 patients face to face after 5–10 years from their last inpatient treatment with holistic approach in a rural addiction treatment center in Punjab. We used a semi-structured questionnaire for the assessment of various clinical, social, and behavioral parameters. Patients were asked about their experience during inpatient treatment and treatment modalities, and qualitative assessment was performed by content analysis. Results: The mean age of onset was 21.1 ± 7 years, and the mean duration of dependence was around 10 years. At the final assessment, 33% of the patients had relapsed, 32% were abstinent, 27% were abstinent with intermittent lapses, and the rest of them died. Intergroup comparison revealed that with respect to the relapsed group, abstinent patients had more regular follow-up (χ2 = 52.8, P < 0.001), physical exercise (χ2 = 50.5, P < 0.001), social interaction (χ2 = 11.4, P = 0.02), better marital relationship (χ2 = 202.5, P < 0.001), participation in household works (χ2 = 159.5, P < 0.001), and more favorable rating of the treatment center (χ2 = 70.4, P < 0.001). The majority of satisfied patients felt that overall good facility and service during inpatient treatment helped in their recovery. Conclusion: There was an overall improvement in psychosocial functioning in the abstinent patients after the holistic treatment. The positive changes are persistent after an interval of around 5 to 10 years. The inadequate treatment utilization of the relapsed group requires attention and redressal.

Abstract Background Kidney transplantation is the definitive treatment for end stage renal disease (ESRD), offering improved quality of life and survival benefit over remaining on dialysis. There is, however, a prevailing significant mismatch between patients awaiting transplantation and available donor kidneys. Over time, initial stringent donor criteria have broadened and organs from extended criteria donors (ECDs) and older donors are now being accepted for transplantation. The spectrum of living donors has also undergone a change from close family members to an increasingly non-related, non-directed altruistic donors, newly classified as ‘unspecified’ donors. Unspecified elderly donors could be a potential untapped resource to expanding the kidney donor pool globally. Case Presentation We present a case of an 85 year and 8 months old individual, who donated to an unrelated non-directed matched recipient in the national deceased donor transplant waiting list with excellent donor and recipient outcomes at 7 years. Conclusion To our knowledge she is one of the oldest reported unspecified living kidney donors in the world to date. This case illustrates that elderly donors in good health can come forward to donate, knowing that it is safe and valuable. Once the immediate perioperative challenges after kidney donation are managed, elderly donors rarely encounter long term sequelae. We therefore report this case to increase awareness and refocus attention of transplant teams on elderly donors as a potential untapped group to help address the organ shortage problem in renal transplantation.

Background The purpose of this study is to compare two different techniques of tonsillectomy, the ultrasonic scalpel, and the cold dissection tonsillectomy. In this study, the duration of the surgery, intra-operative blood loss, post-operative pain and post-operative hemorrhage rate will be compared. Material and Methods This is a randomized controlled study involving 72 patients within the age of 3-40 years old with history of recurrent tonsillitis or tonsillar hypertrophy with obstructive symptoms. The patients are randomized to have both tonsils removed either by cold dissection method or ultrasonic scalpel method. During the surgery, operative time and intra-operative blood loss will be documented. The post-operative pain score was documented by the patient using the visual analog pain score. Post-operative hemorrhage will also be documented if present. Results The data collected will be analysed statistically. The duration of surgery for ultrasonic scalpel tonsillectomy was significantly shorter (mean 14.11 minutes versus 29.09 minutes, p <0.001) and intra-operative bleeding was also significantly lower (mean 9.58 ml versus 87.57 ml, p <0.001). There were no significant mean differences of post-operative pain score between cold dissection and ultrasonic scalpel in first 6 hours up to day 6 of post-surgery. However, post-operative pain score for cold dissection tonsillectomy was significantly less on the 7th day of post-surgery. Conclusions There was no documented post-operative hemorrhage. Ultrasonic scalpel tonsillectomy is more superior compared to cold dissection tonsillectomy in terms of operative time and intra-operative blood loss, however there is no difference in the post-operative pain score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Accredited social health activist (ASHA) workers act as a “bridge” between rural people and health service outlets and play a central role in achieving national health and population policy goals. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) V (2019–2021) data, infant mortality rate (IMR) is still high in rural areas (32.4 per 1000 live births) in Punjab, compared to urban areas (20.1). Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is also high (129 per lakh), according to sample registration system (SRS) 2016–2018 data. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted at RHTC, Bhadson, we assessed the knowledge of ASHA workers regarding maternal and child health (MCH) services and their provision by them to their beneficiaries (mothers with children aged 0–6 months). Out of the total 196 ASHA workers, 72 were selected randomly to assess their knowledge, while 100 beneficiary mothers were interviewed face to face to assess the services provided by the ASHA workers. Results: Almost 65.2% of ASHA workers were above 35 years of age. Majority of the ASHA workers (40/72) replied that average weight gain in pregnancy is 10 kg. Very few, that is, 17 (23.6%), ASHA workers knew that breastfeeding should be started within the first hour after delivery of the baby. Counseling regarding nutrition, birth preparedness, institutional delivery, and birth registration was given by ASHA workers to 75%–85% of mothers. There was statistically significant improvement in the practices by mothers with the counseling given by ASHA workers regarding pre-lacteal feed, utilization of family planning methods, and delaying early bathing. Conclusions: The study concludes that ASHA workers have good knowledge regarding various aspects of antenatal period, but when it comes to postnatal period and care of the newborn, there are some lacunae. These aspects of newborn care need to be reinforced into the refresher trainings of the ASHA workers.

Background. Ficus benjamina L. is an evergreen tree, native to Southeast Asia, and often known as a weeping fig. Its latex and fruit extracts are used by indigenous cultures to cure skin conditions, inflammation, vomiting, leprosy, malaria, and nasal ailments. The aqueous extract of the figs of Ficus benjamina L. has various therapeutic values, including biological activities on the central nervous system. Materials and Methods. The extract of the dried figs of Ficus benjamina L. (FBE) was prepared by defatting with petroleum ether for 16 h followed by soxhelation with 70% methanol (1 : 10 w/v) for 24 h, and standardization of the extract was carried out using HPLC with 5-HT as a standard. Electroconvulsions were induced by the maximal electroshock model, and chemoconvulsions were induced by picrotoxin. Results. The HPLC chromatogram of the Ficus benjamina L. extract showed an absorption peak with a retention time of 1.797 min, similar to that observed with standard serotonin (5-HT) solution. In the maximal electroshock model, FBE significantly reduced the duration of the tonic hind limb extensor and extensor-to-flexor ratio (E/F ratio) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, in the picrotoxin-induced seizure model, FBE increased the seizure latency and decreased the duration of tonic-clonic convulsions dose-dependently. We confirmed the anticonvulsant activity of the FBE extract as it attenuated both maximal electroshock and picrotoxin-induced convulsions. Conclusion. The in vivo studies revealed that the Ficus extract was found to protect the animals in electroshock-induced and picrotoxin-induced convulsions.

This paper is an effort in reviewing and assembling the research findings of different researchers on the factors that cause conflicts in schools and the strategies adopted by schools for conflict resolution. The research is limited to certain databases only. The basis for selecting relevant literature for this study is their accessibility, language (English) and relevancy to the topic and only those research papers that highlight teacher-teacher conflicts and teacher-administration conflicts have been selected. The several factors that emerged from the study were classified as Structural and Personal factors only. The originality of this paper rests in an attempt to attract the attention of the research community towards the factors that lead to conflicts in schools and an insight into the strategies used by the school administration to resolve them. This study also recommends that school administrators be trained to identify at least some factors responsible for conflicts among their staff, even among the students of the school so that they can resolve it in a better way.

Abstract There are currently limited means by which lesion formation can be confirmed during radiofrequency ablation procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of NIRS-integrated RFA catheters for monitoring irrigated lesion progression, ex vivo and in vivo. Open-irrigated NIRS-ablation catheters with optical fibers were fabricated to sample tissue diffuse reflectance. Spectra from 44 irrigated lesions and 44 non-lesion sites from ex vivo swine hearts (n = 15) were used to train and evaluate a predictive model for lesion dimensions based on key spectral features. Additional studies were performed in diluted blood to assess NIRS signatures of catheter-tissue contact status. Finally, the potential of NIRS-RFA catheters for guiding lesion delivery was evaluated in a set of in vivo pilot studies conducted in healthy pigs (n = 4). Model predictions for lesion depth (R = 0.968), width (R = 0.971), and depth percentage (R = 0.924) correlated well with measured lesion dimensions. In vivo deployment in preliminary trials showed robust translational consistency of contact discrimination (P

Abstract Background Informal caregiving is an integral part of post-stroke recovery with strenuous caregiving demands often resulting in caregiving burden, threatening sustainability of caregiving and potentially impacting stroke survivor’s outcomes. Our study aimed to examine and quantify objective and subjective informal care burden after stroke; and to explore the factors associated with informal care burden in Singapore. Methods Stroke patients and their informal caregivers were recruited from all five tertiary hospitals in Singapore from December 2010 to September 2013. Informal care comprised of assistance provided by informal caregivers with any of the activities of daily living. Informal care burden was measured by patients’ likelihood of requiring informal care, hours of informal care required, and informal caregivers’ Zarit’s Burden Score. We examined informal care burden at 3-months and 12-months post-stroke. Generalized linear regressions were applied with control variables including patients’ and informal caregivers’ demographic characteristics, arrangement of informal care, and patients’ health status including stroke severity (measured using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale), functional status (measured using Modified Rankin Scale), self-reported depression, and common comorbidities. Results Three hundred and five patients and 263 patients were examined at 3-months and 12-months. Around 35% were female and 60% were Chinese. Sixty three percent and 49% of the patients required informal care at 3-months and 12-months point, respectively. Among those who required informal care, average hours required per week were 64.3 h at 3-months and 76.6 h at 12-months point. Patients with higher functional dependency were more likely to require informal care at both time points, and required more hours of informal care at 3-months point. Female informal caregivers and those caring for patients with higher functional dependency reported higher Zarit’s Burden. While informal caregivers who worked full-time reported higher burden, those caring for married stroke patients reported lower burden at 3-months point. Informal caregivers who co-cared with foreign domestic workers, i.e.: stay-in migrant female waged domestic workers, reported lower burden. Conclusions Informal care burden remains high up to 12-months post-stroke. Factors such as functional dependency, stroke severity, informal caregiver gender and co-caring with foreign domestic workers were associated with informal care burden.

Introduction: Detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) is challenging in patients after ischemic stroke due to its paroxysmal nature. We aim to determine the utility of a combined clinical, electrocardiographic and genetic variables model to predict AF in a post-stroke population. Materials and Methods: We performed a cohort study at a single comprehensive stroke centre from 09/11/2009 to 31/10/2017. All patients recruited were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks. Electrocardiographic variables including p-wave terminal force (PWTF), corrected QT interval (QTc) and genetic variables including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at the 4q25 (rs2200733) were evaluated. Clinical, electrocardiographic and genetic variables of patients without AF and those who developed AF were compared. Multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics were performed to identify parameters and determine their ability to predict the occurrence of AF. Results: Out of 709 patients (median age of 59 years, IQR 52-67) recruited, sixty (8.5%) were found to develop AF on follow-up. Age (odds ratio (OR): 3.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.03-5.98, p

Biogas from lignocellulosic feedstock is a promising energy source for decentralized renewable electricity, heat, and/or vehicle fuel generation. However, the selection of a suitable energy crop should be based on several factors such as biomass yields and characteristics or biogas yields and economic returns if used in biorefineries. Furthermore, the food-to-fuel conflict for the use of a specific energy crop must be mitigated through smart cropping techniques. In this study, the potential use of sweet sorghum as an energy crop grown during the fallow periods of sugarcane cultivation was evaluated. Nine sweet sorghum cultivars were grown on sandy loam soil during September 2020 in North Queensland, Australia. The overall results showed that the crop maturity had a profound influence on chemical composition and biomass yields. Further, the total insoluble and soluble sugar yields varied among the tested cultivars and were dependent on plant height and chemical composition. The biomass yields ranged from 46.9 to 82.3 tonnes/hectare (t/ha) in terms of the wet weight (w/w) of the tested cultivars, with the SE-81 cultivar registering the highest biomass yield per hectare. The gross energy production was determined based on the chemical composition and methane yields. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) studies in batch experiments at 37 °C showed that methane yields of 175 to 227.91 NmL CH4/gVSadded were obtained from the tested cultivars. The maximum methane yield of 227.91 NmL CH4/gVSadded was obtained for cultivar SE-35. However, SE-81 produced the highest methane yields on a per hectare basis (3059.18 Nm3 CH4/ha). This is equivalent to a gross energy value of 761.74 MWh/year or compressed biomethane (BioCNG) as a vehicle fuel sufficient for 95 passenger cars travelling at 10,000 km per annum. Overall, this study demonstrated that sweet sorghum is a potential energy crop for biogas production that could be cultivated during the fallow period of sugarcane cultivation in Queensland.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected everyone in a hit or miss manner. Since it began, evidence of the neuro-invasive potential of the virus has been intensifying significantly. Several pathways have been hypothesized to elucidate the neurotropic nature of SARS-CoV2. It is the need of the hour to collect vital information. Objective To evaluate and correlate the neuro-radiological and neurological manifestations in patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV2. To identify neuro-invasive pathways of COVID infection. Methods Relevant studies were identified through four databases—the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science. These were searched using relevant keywords—“COVID-19,” “SARS-CoV2,” “neurological manifestations,” “neuroimaging,” “CT,” and “MRI.” Relevant articles were screened according to a pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria from December 2019 to August 2020. Results Our review included a total of 63 full text publications with 584 patients, composed mainly of observational studies, case reports, and case series. The most common neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19 were altered mental status, stroke, and paralysis. About 17.85% patients who underwent neuroimaging were found to be having ischemic changes suggestive of a stroke. This was followed by hemorrhagic changes as the second most common finding. The most commonly involved vessel was the Middle Cerebral Artery. Besides stroke, we found that SARS-CoV2 could be the cause for new-onset seizures, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, encephalitis, and many other severe neurological diseases. Conclusion The information that we have obtained so far will prove dynamic to healthcare providers working against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is necessary to be aware of these atypical neurological findings for the early diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 infected patients. However, to completely understand the connection between SARS-CoV2 and the nervous system, further research is necessary.

For many years, the foraging and consumption of wild mushrooms has been practised in different parts of the world. Despite having various health benefits, few mushroom species are known for causing toxicity as well. In forensic casework conditions, samples from mushroom poisoning cases can be found in dried or powdered form. So, it becomes necessary to characterize mushroom species for identification purposes. In the present study, volatile fractions of five wild toxic and edible Amanita mushroom species (Amanita muscaria, Amanita pantherina, Amanita caesarea, Amanita subglobosa and Amanita porphyria) were analyzed so as to identify compounds for the characterization of selected mushroom species. The obtained volatile fractions were broadly classified into various chemical classes: alcohols, aldehydes, acids, esters, nitrogen-containing compounds, ketones and miscellaneous. The following compounds; octadecanoic acid, 9-octadecenoic acid (z)-, ethane, 1-chloro-1-fluoro- were the most abundant. The present approach utilizing GC-MS, intends to obtain a fingerprint of each sample for discrimination purposes. Also, this work is the first study on the forensic analysis of methanol-soluble components of Amanita mushroom species from the North-Western Himalaya, India.

Abstract Background Outpatient medical follow-up post-stroke is not only crucial for secondary prevention but is also associated with a reduced risk of rehospitalization. However, being voluntary and non-urgent, it is potentially determined by both healthcare needs and the socio-demographic context of stroke survivor-caregiver dyads. Therefore, we aimed to examine the role of caregiver factors in outpatient medical follow-up (primary care (PC) and specialist outpatient care (SOC)) post-stroke. Method Stroke survivors and caregivers from the Singapore Stroke Study, a prospective, yearlong, observational study, contributed to the study sample. Participants were interviewed 3-monthly for data collection. Counts of PC and SOC visits were extracted from the National Claims Database. Poisson modelling was used to explore the association of caregiver (and patient) factors with PC/SOC visits over 0–3 months (early) and 4–12 months (late) post-stroke. Results For the current analysis, 256 stroke survivors and caregivers were included. While caregiver-reported memory problems of a stroke survivor (IRR: 0.954; 95% CI: 0.919, 0.990) and caregiver burden (IRR: 0.976; 95% CI: 0.959, 0.993) were significantly associated with lower early post-stroke PC visits, co-residing caregiver (IRR: 1.576; 95% CI: 1.040, 2.389) and negative care management strategies (IRR: 1.033; 95% CI: 1.005, 1.061) were significantly associated with higher late post-stroke SOC visits. Conclusion We demonstrated that the association of caregiver factors with outpatient medical follow-up varied by the type of service (i.e., PC versus SOC) and temporally. Our results support family-centred care provision by family physicians viewing caregivers not only as facilitators of care in the community but also as active members of the care team and as clients requiring care and regular assessments.

A field experiment was conducted in the mid-hills region of Himachal Pradesh, India, during April, 2019-January, 2020, to evaluate various insect management strategies, including eco-friendly approaches, against Tuta absoluta and other pests on tomato crop. Six treatment modules were compared to untreated control plants. Among all treatments, T4, which included lambda cyhalothrin, indoxacarb, rynaxypyr and novaluron, was most effective, recording the lowest number of Tuta absoluta larvae (0.43) and leaf mines (0.75) plant-1. This treatment also showed the lowest populations of aphids (10.49), serpentine leaf miners (0.83), and fruit borers (1.28) plant-1. T4 significantly enhanced growth and yield parameters, with the highest number of flower clusters (7.73), fruits (29.36), healthy fruits (23.23) plant-1, seeds fruit-1 (87.73), 1000-seed weight (2.76 g), and seed yield (5.32 g plant-1, 63.84 g plot-1, 149.35 kg ha-1). Seed quality was also superior in T4, showing maximum germination (87.25%), seedling length (16.14 cm), dry weight (1.88 mg), seedling vigor indices I and II (1,412.57 and 164.71), and germination after accelerated ageing (75.25%). The enhanced performance can be attributed to the collaborated action of eco-friendly chemicals, which effectively reduced pest populations, allowing the plants to utilize their energy for growth and seed development. This study underscores the importance of integrated use of pest management strategies in optimizing tomato production, seed yield and quality, highlighting the possible benefits for agricultural economies. This study identifies an effective eco-friendly approach using specific insecticides to control Tuta absoluta and improve tomato yield and seed quality while minimizing environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]