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COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory infection affecting worldwide population. There are many cases of complications after the COVID exposure occurring nowadays. One among is Post-COVID-19 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). As per CDC report till March 1, 2021, 2617 cases of MIS-C were meeting the definite case criteria and among 33 death cases were reported. Here we report a case of COVID-19 associated Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in a child (MIS-C) interpreted with WHO case definition criteria. The patient was a 7-year-old boy, with initial presentation of moderate fever, non-itchy red blanching rashes, breathlessness, later progressed to cardiogenic shock accompanied by positive SARS-CoV-2 antigen result. The emergency cardiogenic shock treatment protocol was followed with initial stabilization and resuscitation strategy. He was successfully managed by three days of IV Immunoglobulin 2g/kgand Methylprednisolone 2mg/kg/day therapy along with other supportive treatments. The patient was discharged after 20 days of hospital stay with improved health condition. Our case report will strengthen the exposure-outcome relations between the coronavirus infection and MIS-C, moreover the strategies carried out in our case will be a future direction for the effective management of MIS-C.

In the present study, anthocyanin pigments from red sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor) bran were identified and characterized by Liquid Chromatography-Electron Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry. The individual anthocyanins were identified by comparing their mass spectrometric data and retention times, published data. 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and methyl 3-deoxyanthocyanidins were identified in red sorghum bran. This paper presents complete LCMS profile and MS spectrometric data of red sorghum bran.

The pandemic has accelerated the need for online learning. Educators in schools and institutions of higher learning have no choice but to improvise their teaching methods using online platforms. Instructors assumed learners assumed adapted well with online learning as classes have been going on well. Assignments and tests are all properly done as planned. However, learners attending online classes have mixed reactions over the effectiveness of their learning vial online applications. The motivation model (Keller, 1979) sates four main factors for learners’ satisfaction in learning; attention, relevance, confidence and finally satisfaction. The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate the perceived online learning motivation and satisfaction among both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The instrument used is an open-ended questionnaire and contains questions pertaining to life commitment, peer communication, module support, confidence, approach to learning. 34 participants responded to the open-ended questionnaires. Findings revealed that learners perceived some factors caused them to be less satisfied with online learning, while some factors are perceived as giving positive online experience.

Objectives: Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in the home setting are major health hazards for adolescents. The objectives of this study were to estimate tobacco use and exposure to SHS among high school students in Ernakulam district of Kerala, India, and to investigate associated factors. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 25 randomly selected high schools from 210 schools in the Ernakulam educational district of Kerala, India. The minimum calculated sample size for ever-use of tobacco and SHS exposure was determined to be 2500, with 95% confidence interval (CI) and 10% relative precision. Data were collected using a semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire from 2585 high school students. Data analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. Results: The ever-use of tobacco was reported to be 3.9% (95% CI 3.16 to 4.54) and the mean age of the participants was 13.97 ± 0.77 years. One-fifth of participants had tried a tobacco product before the age of 10 years. SHS exposure at home was reported by one in every 5 respondents (20.3%). Male gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 8.79; 95% CI 3.16, 24.53), presence of a family member who smokes within the home (aOR 4.28; 95% CI 2.58, 7.12), lack of awareness about the harmful effects of SHS exposure (aOR 2.47; 95% CI 1.41, 5.18) and having seen an advertisement or promotion at point of sale (aOR 2.16; 95% CI 1.29, 3.60) were found to be independent predictors for tobacco use.Participants with respiratory infections were three times more likely to have experienced SHS exposure at home (aOR 2.87; 95% CI 2.21, 3.74), there was an 86% protective effect of SHS exposure for participants with a father in a professional occupation compared with unskilled profession (aOR 0.14; 95% CI 0.02, 0.67; p

It has been two years since the world has been forced to cope with doing things online. Even in normal face-to-face group discussions, participants face difficulties and conflicts, and now online learning has not made it any easier. This study explores the ups and downs in group discussion. 72 participants responded to a survey to find out how they perceive the conflicts in group formation. The findings in this study revealed that there were significant differences the norming stage and also performing & adjourning stage. In addition to that, the total mean score showed interesting differences across gender. Not all group formations with different genders go through conflicts. Not all team members with the same gender are conflict-free. Sometimes discussions/some activities are more difficult to carry out because of conflicts across genders are not properly addressed. Then again, not all group conflicts are negative. Conflicts are good in several ways. The conversations improve the communication and negotiation skills of the team members. In addition to that, defending for one’s point helps to sharpen critical thinking skills. The findings in this study cannot be generalized for all situations in group work. This study can be a springboard for more group formation and group conflicts research. Article visualizations

In the present study, anthocyanin pigments from red sorghum (

Many challenges are faced by sales representatives in the effort of closing sales deal of product or service offered to their prospective clients. The goal is to persuade the clients to invest in the offered products or services. To perform this, sales representatives need a well-constructed sales script that can help them in enticing their clients. In relation to this, numerous tips and step-by-step advices are given by business professionals on how to craft a good sales script. However, looking at this situation in linguistic spectrum, it is observed that those tips and advices given are lacking justification from the linguistic perspectives which may provide new insights in the craftsmanship of a well-structured sales script. Hence, this paper serves to provide a steady parameter set to give linguistic guidelines for crafting an excellent pitch script. With reference to the theories developed by scholars like Schffrin (1994), Martin (2012), and Widdowson (1996), an analysis was conducted on 10 samples of sales script taken from one of the most successful international sales companies. Data collected shows that there are 6 different types of key linguistic components embedded within the scripts at a different frequency level. One prominent discovery of this study revealed that the different frequency of these key components leads to a rhythmic patterns and themes that immediately distinguish a good sales script with a successful one. Article visualizations

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from fetal adnexa namely amniotic membrane/epithelium, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord have hogged the limelight in recent times, as a proposed alternative to MSCs from conventional sources. These cells which are identified as being in a developmentally primitive state have many advantages, the most important being the non-invasive nature of their isolation procedures, absence of ethical concerns, proliferation potential, differentiation abilities and low immunogenicity. In the present review, we are focusing on the potential preclinical and clinical applications of different cell types of fetal adnexa, in wound healing therapy. We also discuss the isolation-culture methods, cell surface marker expression, multi-lineage differentiation abilities, immune-modulatory capabilities and their homing property. Different mechanisms involved in the wound healing process and the role of stromal cells in therapeutic wound healing are highlighted. Further, we summarize the findings of the cell delivery systems in skin lesion models and paracrine functions of their secretome in the wound healing process. Overall, this holistic review outlines the research findings of fetal adnexa derived MSCs, their usefulness in wound healing therapy in human as well as in veterinary medicine.

Language games have always been the reinforcement activities in second language acquisition. Such activities will not only help the learners to retain the knowledge but to ensure the sustainability of it for a long run. It was not until the early 2000s when researchers began to carry out studies on online language games. Soon after, the terminology of Language Gamification came into perspective. This paper discusses on the notion of language gamification from a teaching perspective. It starts by discussing the related theories on language gamification and second language acquisition before moving to discussing on creating gamification in classroom. This paper is also set to disclose the ramifications of language gamifications in teaching and learning. Article visualizations

Having good vocabulary can help language learners go a long way towards mastering their target language. Language learners need to know both grammatical aspects as well as the meaning of words in order to communicate effectively. This study investigates the vocabulary learning strategies and also language learning barriers of undergraduates in a higher institution of learning. The instrument used for this study is a survey. The survey has three main sections; (a) personal details, (b) vocabulary strategies, and (c) language learning barriers. Data collected is analysed using SPSS and presented in the form of mean scores. Findings revealed that learners use vocabulary strategies such as metacognitive, guessing, dictionary, note-taking and rehearsal strategies. Findings also revealed that language barriers such as effective, environment and motivation can hinder learners’ learning of vocabulary of the target language. Article visualizations

Utilizing the autonomous system of ordinary differential equations derived in arXiv:1809.01458 to define the evolution, we further investigate a class of cosmological models within an Einstein-aether gravitational framework by introducing a non-trivial coupling between the shear of the aether field to the scalar field on the future asymptotic solution. We subsequently conduct qualitative and numerical stability analysis on the new set of equilibrium points and paramountly determine that the expansionary power-law inflationary attractor becomes anisotropic rather than isotropic in the presence of such a coupling. It is further shown that the stability of this solution is dependent on the value of the shear coupling parameter $a3$. We also discover a family of asymptotically stable periodic orbits which exist for a particular range of parameter values within the Bianchi I invariant set and vanish in the absence of coupling between the aether field and the scalar field., Comment: 24 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables, prepared for submission to JCAP

Primary intraventricular haemorrhage secondary to thrombolytic therapy has not been reported. A 55 years male who received i.v. streptokinase (STK) followed by heparinization for an acute myocardial infraction developed an extensive primary intraventricular haemorrhage from which he made an uneventful recovery over the next three months.

A class of positive curvature spatially homogeneous but anisotropic cosmological models within an Einstein-aether gravitational framework are investigated. The matter source is assumed to be a scalar field which is coupled to the expansion of the aether field through a generalized exponential potential. The evolution equations are expressed in terms of expansion-normalized variables to produce an autonomous system of ordinary differential equations suitable for a numerical and qualitative analysis. An analysis of the local stability of the equilibrium points indicates that there exists a range of values of the parameters in which there exists an accelerating expansionary future attractor. In general relativity, scalar field models with an exponential potential $V=V_0e^{-2k\phi}$ have a late-time inflationary attractor for $k^2, Comment: 28 pages, 10 figures, 3 tables, submitted to JCAP

This study aims to investigate whether the use of six selected short stories throughout the duration of a 14-week course could enhance students’ reading comprehension achievement at the end of the semester. Out of the six short stories read, three were chosen as in-class assignments known as ‘Personal Reading Logs’ (hereafter, PRLs). One group of semester two Diploma students taking a reading skills course was selected through a convenience sampling method. A pre-test was conducted by having the students answer a past semester reading quiz of which the results would then be compared to their post-test (final reading exam) results. A paired samples t-test revealed no significant difference in the reading scores of the pre-test and the post-test, t (17) = -.265, p > .05. Since the p-value was bigger than 0.05, this indicated that the mean reading score of the post-test (M = 50.556) was not significantly higher than the mean reading score of the pre-test (M = 49.722). Therefore, the null hypothesis which stated that there was no difference in the mean score of the pre-test and post-test was retained. Overall, the result refuted the findings of other studies promoting the effectiveness of using short stories to enhance L2 reading comprehension achievement.

Little over a decade ago, Professor Derek Fray’s group at the University of Cambridge, UK, discovered that a solid metal oxide can be directly reduced to metal by cathodically polarising it in a molten salt electrolytic cell. The simple electrochemical process attracted worldwide attention and significant efforts have been made since then to study and develop the process for production of many metals/alloys from their oxides. The process, with necessary modifications, is being studied and adapted as a head-end step in the pyrochemical reprocessing of spent oxide nuclear fuels. This review discusses the solid-state electro-reduction process, its development and the present status in both public and nuclear domains.

A single-step reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay targeting NS1 - a highly conserved gene among BTV serotypes was optimized and validated with seven serotypes: BTV-1, BTV-2, BTV-9, BTV-10, BTV-16, BTV-21 and BTV-23. The relative sensitivity of the assay was 0.3 TCID50 and no cross reactivity could be observed with foot and mouth disease, peste-des-petits-ruminants, goatpox, sheeppox and orf viruses. The established assay was also assessed by screening of clinical samples and the result is comparable with conventional RT-PCR. The RT-LAMP assay described here could be an additional tool to the existing assays for diagnosis/surveillance of BTV.

The constant advancement in ICT technology has resulted in the creation of various, new web-based learning tools or Web 2.0 tools. However, despite having students who are highly adaptable to innovative computer technologies, some instructors are hesitant to utilise the novel online tools. In the bid to try and change the mindset, the researchers took the initiative to explore and incorporate three new Web 2.0 tools in a classroom context. 43 students were involved in the study, in which they were exposed to the use of Prezi, Kahoot! and TodaysMeet through various learning activities during an official academic semester. Subsequently, they were asked to respond to an 11-item questionnaire to find out their perceptions of the new tools. The findings of the study indicated that the students have positive perceptions of the Web 2.0 tools being used in classroom instruction; they thought it helped them to focus, made their learning fun, and encouraged them to be more engaging during class. Furthermore, they even recommended for such tools to be used more often during their learning process.

The use of educational games in instruction is not new. It is one of the ways to achieve Gagne’s ninth event of instruction, that is to enhance retention and transfer of the knowledge learned. Games are fun yet challenging. Finding suitable games for instructional purposes is not easy especially for subjects in the content areas. Due to that, the use of game templates can be a considerable option for instructors. Game templates can be developed using simple MS PowerPoint and Visual Basic application. With instructors’ creativity, a single game template can be used to develop different types of games. The use of game templates for instructional purposes has yet to be explored thoroughly, thus creating a huge potential demand especially among the e-material developers. The game template is user-friendly and can be customized. It can also be integrated with lessons developed using MS PowerPoint, making learning fun and interesting. When that happens, retention and transfer of knowledge is assured.

A solid metal oxide cathode undergoes significant chemical changes during the molten salt electro-deoxidation process. The changes in the chemical composition lead to changes in the electrical resistivity and potential of the electrode. Two novel electrochemical techniques, based on these two parameters, have been employed to study the electro-deoxidation of solid TiO2 and ZrO2 in molten calcium chloride at 900 °C. The in situ resistance measurements carried out by the IR drop method conclusively proved that TiO2 electrode remains highly conducting throughout the electro-deoxidation process and hence is amenable for reduction. The ZrO2 electrode, on the other hand, developed very high resistance midway in the electro-deoxidation, and could not be reduced completely. The resistance measurements give strong indication that the electron-transfer reactions taking place at the cathode determine the rate and efficiency of the electro-deoxidation process to a great extent. The low-current galvanostatic electro-deoxidation of TiO2 electrodes, in conjunction with a graphite pseudo reference electrode to monitor the half cell potentials, showed that the metal oxide passes through two stages during the electrolysis; a high current, low resistant stage 1, where Ca2+ ions are inserted to the metal oxide cathode to produce different intermediate compounds and stage 2 where electro-deoxidation of the cathode take place continuously. Removal of oxygen, from the cathode, in stage 1 of the electro-deoxidation is considered to be insignificant. The anodic and cathodic voltages in this stage remained more or less stable at ~1.4 V and ~−1 V, respectively. When the oxygen ions in the melt were depleted at the end of this stage, both the anode and cathode potentials were increased in the anodic direction and this behaviour suggested that the graphite pseudo reference electrode was changed from a C/CO electrode in stage 1 to a Ca2+/Ca electrode in stage 2.

A high temperature quartz conductance cell with tungsten electrodes was designed and built. Using it, electrical conductivities of three alkali metal tetrachloroaluminates, namely LiAlCl4, NaAlCl4 ...

In Karnataka and other neighbouring states of South India, Coleopteran pest Myllocerus subfaciatus infesting brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) has assumed a major pest status often resulting in 100 crop loss. Chemical control methods are not ecofriendly and have several problems of resistance development and residual toxicity. Therefore, biological control methods were tried to control the insect. To start with methods were standardized to rear the insect in the laboratory. Insecticidal crystal protein was extracted from Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. tenebrionis grown on the sporulation medium. The specific activity of the insecticidal protein in 50 ml 48 h old culture containing 10-9 cells was 2.5 I¼g mL-1. Bioassay was standardized in replicated sets to test the insecticidal property of the toxic protein on Myllocerus larvae by soil drenching and root dip methods. In the soil drenching procedure, the freshly emerged larvae from the egg were transferred to the pots containing the brinjal seedlings, which was treated with 10 mL of 102 to 10-4 ng/mL concentrations of Bt toxins. In the root dip method, the root tissue of known size treated with the same concentrations of Bt toxins and dried in air were fed to the larvae. Suitable controls were compared. Mortality was recorded after 24 hours. Lethal concentration of Bt was determined by Probit analysis. The LC50 values were 2.69 ng mL-1 and Fiducial limit was 1.4-511 ng mL-1. In the root dip method LC 50 value was 44.936 ng mL-1 and Fiducial limit was 20.4-110.5 ng mL-l. Bt toxins (25 ng/mL concentrations) was also tested in Myllocerus infested field of brinjal 'Purple Long'plants in 5m A 5m replicated plots by soil drenching. The toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. tenebrionis was effective against Myllocerus subfasciatus infesting brinjal crop.

Beneficial effects of AM fungi as efficient scavengers of nutrients and as biocontrol agents have been well established in horticultural crop production. However, the utilization of these fungi is limited by the lack of availability of inoculum in large quantity This has been a bottle neck in popularization of the fungi for large scale application. Efforts have been made at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore to increase the use of this fungus in horticultural crop production at the farmers level, by introducing a system of practices. On-farm inoculum production and application methods were demonstrated in several villages close to Bangalore: Mallasandra, Tiptur, Avadesh Halli, Kesture, Srinivasapura, Veerapura, Anabe, Malur, Kithanahalli and Jettipalya. Demonstrations were carried out in three steps. First , solarisation of the soil was done by covering the soil for three weeks with plastic sheets. Starter culture of AM (Glomus mosseae ) was applied in closely spaced rows followed by sowing of ragi (Eleusine coracana L.), a popular millet. Earlier studies, carried out by us, showed that ragi was a very good host for AM inoculum production. After twelve weeks, the shoots were harvested and used as the fodder. The root and the soil, dug to a depth of nine inches, were used as the inoculum. More than 3 tons of inoculum was produced in 25 square meter area. Utilisation of the inoculum in crops like banana and papaya cultivation was demonstrated to four farmers in two villages.. The farmers in all these villages were convinced about the usefulness of AM inoculum application and are training others in the production technique. INTRODUCTION The importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi as efficient scavengers of nutrients and as bio-control agents in horticultural crop production is well known (Menge et al., 1978; Hughes et al., 1978 ; Sukhada , 1993). AM inoculum technology is limited due to difficulties in mass production and commercial distribution. Worldwide there are very few commercial companies selling AM inocula. Soil based inoculum can be produced in pots or on farm, and pot-based cultures are produced yearly by a few companies for certain target crops (Siverding, 1991). However, for fruit crops, large amounts of inoculum are required, which can be made available only using on-farm production, as soil inoculum is bulky and heavy and difficult to transport and market. Therefore it is probably better to make starter cultures available for farmers so that they can produce inoculum on their own land. An attempt was made at the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore to develop the inoculum production technique on farm and to demonstrate the benefit of VAM inoculation in horticultural crops such as banana and papaya. MATERIAL AND METHODS Demonstration of VAM Inoculum Production Selection of farmers and villages: Farmers from 8 different villages at a radius of Proc. XXVI IHC – Sustainability of Horticultural Systems Eds. L. Bertschinger and J.D. Anderson Acta Hort. 638, ISHS 2004 Publication supported by Can. Int. Dev. Agency (CIDA) 280 30-40 kilometers of Bangalore city who were receptive to adopting the technology were selected for demonstration of inoculum production techniques. Four farmers in two additional villages were also selected for demonstration of inoculum application to banana and papaya. Materials Required Polythene sheet to cover 5 x 5 m land area, formaldehyde 5% solution, starter culture, certified seeds of Finger Millet ( Eleusine coracana ). Banana suckers, VAM inoculum, Papaya seeds, polybags to raise nursery. Preparation of the Land Area for Inoculum Production An uncultivated area near the field to be inoculated was selected, cleared of weeds and the soil was turned over several times and leveled after break-up of large soil clods. Provision was made for drainage of rain or irrigation water. Land was sterilized by solarisation or by using 5% formaldehyde drenching depending upon the preference of the farmer. Solarisation was carried out by covering the soil with a polythene sheet 150 mm thick in bright sunlight. The borders of the polythene sheet were held in place by covering them with soil. This enabled sunlight to penetrate and create a warmer temperature in the soil beneath in order to kill the pathogenic microorganisms. After three weeks the sheets were uncovered and the soil was loosened or, in the case of plots which had been treated with formaldehyde, turned over every day for up to 7-10 days till the fumes were completely expelled . A small amount of inorganic fertilizer was added at the rate of 16-16-16mg10 kg/ha of NPK wherever the soil was very poor in nutrients. No organic manure was added. Starter cultures of AM Glomus mosseae obtained from a reliable source (Raukura Soil Plant Research Station, Hamilton, New Zealand), multiplied in pot culture in a glasshouse and containing a spore density of 5060 spores/g soil, were applied by hand in close rows at a distance of 15 cm. Ten kg of starter inoculum was used for 25 m. Certified seeds of finger millet (Eleusine coracana ) were sown on the inoculum in dense spacing. The plot was irrigated by hand. AM fungi multiplied on the root system of finger millet. Hygienic conditions were ensured around the field. After 12 weeks, the host plant was harvested by cutting it at ground level. Soil substrate along with the root of finger millet constituted the inoculum containing the infective propagules. Soil samples and roots were collected to assess spore count and colonization respectively in the laboratory. Demonstration of AM Application Trials in Banana and Papaya Production Systems Banana Application of AM in banana and papaya crop production was demonstrated in three farmers’ fields. Pits, 1m x 1m, were dug at a distance of 2 meters between plants and rows. Each pit was filled with 2 kg of neem cake at the bottom followed by 10 kg of farm yard manure, and the 250 g of AM inoculum prepared in the above manner containing 50 spores/g soil was placed on the top most layer. Banana suckers were placed on the inocula at the commonly used planting density of 2500 plants/ha and covered. The recommended basal dose of super phosphate was not applied. The recommended doses of nitrogen and potash were applied, i.e 110 g of urea and 100 g of muriate of potash per plant, four times at an interval of 60 days. Plants were irrigated normally. Uninoculated plants were separated from inoculated plants by four rows of plants grown according to the normal practice of the farmer. In total, 50 plants were maintained as treatment and as control. After two months of growth, roots were examined for colonization by the fungus. The time taken for flowers to emerge, plant height and girth were noted. The total yields of inoculated and control plants were recorded Papaya Papaya seedlings were raised in polybags containing 500 g of a sterilized Alfisol of pH 6.0 and with 0.72 % organic carbon. AM inoculum was mixed with the farm yard

Generalised seizures are a common manifestation of acute alcohol intoxication. Alcohol is known to precipitate generalised seizures in patients with focal brain pathology. A rare case of secondarily generalised seizures precipitated by alcohol in a patient without an underlying focal brain lesion is reported. Electroencephalopgraphy (EEG) showed periodic lateralised epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) on the side contralateral to the focal motor fits.

Sodium metal can be produced at low temperatures (∼523 K) by electrolysis of sodium tetrachloroaluminate (NaAlCl4) in a cell, which employs sodium ion conducting beta-alumina as diaphragm. A laboratory-scale electrolytic cell and associated systems were designed and constructed to study the various aspects of the energy efficient process. Graphite/reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) was used as the anode and molten sodium as the cathode. Electrolysis was carried out at ∼523 K with currents in the range 1–10 A (10–125 mA cm−2). The cathodic current efficiency was close to 100%, but the anodic current efficiency was very low (20–30%), probably due to the consumption of chlorine in the intercalation reaction of graphite and aluminium chloride. The sodium metal was analysed by AAS and found to have 5N purity. On prolonged electrolysis, the graphite anode disintegrated due to the formation of ‘graphite intercalation compounds’. RVC behaved as a better chlorine-evolving anode in the initial period of electrolysis, but its ability for chlorine evolution decreased on continuous electrolysis. The study indicated the need for effective stirring of the electrolyte with excess NaCl to avoid build up of aluminium chloride and the resultant complications in the cell.

Background Dengue infection is an important arboviral infection in southeast Asia, especially in India. Neurological manifestations of dengue are increasingly recognized. Methods We report an ischemic stroke due to dengue vasculitis in an 8-year-old child. Patient We present a girl with a short febrile illness followed by episodic severe headache, with gradually progressive hemiparesis and visual impairment. Her brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple infarctions in the anterior and posterior circulation. The magnetic resonance angiogram revealed irregular narrowing of bilateral middle cerebral arteries, right anterior cerebral artery, left posterior cerebral, and bilateral vertebral arteries suggestive of vasculitis. Her dengue serology was strongly positive for immunoglobulin M with 68.9 panbio units. The rest of the evaluation for pediatric stroke was unremarkable. She was treated with intravenous followed by oral corticosteroids and recovered totally with resolution of vasculitis on magnetic resonance angiogram over the next 3 months. Conclusion This child illustrates possible immune-mediated vasculitis caused by dengue infection which is rather a rare presentation in a child who subsequently recovered well. One should consider dengue in childhood strokes in endemic regions.

PurposeTo determine factors associated with lack of response to valproic acid (VPA) in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).MethodRetrospective analysis of clinical and EEG data of 201 patients with JME who had at least 3 years follow up was performed. Psychiatric evaluation was performed using ICD-10 by structured clinical interview. Patients were divided into two groups: VPA responders (seizure free for 2 or more years) and those with lack of response to VPA. Effect size for non-response and correlations for variables significantly different between the groups was performed, the findings were confirmed by ROC curves.ResultsThe mean duration of follow up was 7.75 (range 3–12) years; 55.2% were males. Focal semiologic features were noted is 16%. EEG was abnormal in 67%; focal EEG abnormalities were noted in 32.8%. Coexisting psychiatric disorders (PDs) were found in 33.3%. Lack of response to VPA was noted in 19%. Diagnosis of PDs and focal EEG abnormalities significantly increased the risk of VPA non-responsiveness by 5.54 (95% CI of 2.60–11.80; p

The phase relations in the NaCl-AlCl3 system ( $$0.3 \leqslant N_{AlCl_3 } \leqslant 0.65$$ ) have been determined in the temperature range from 373 to 623 K by isothermal equilibration, electrical conductivity, and electromotive force measurements. Only one ternary compound, NaAlCl4, was found to be stable, with a melting point of 426 K. The standard Gibbs energy of formation of NaCl and NaAlCl4 has been measured in the temperature range from 423 to 623 K by a novel galvanic cell technique involving in-situ electrogenerated chlorine electrode in the Na/β″-alumina/NaCl, NaAlCl4/Cl2,C and Al/NaCl, NaAlCl4/Cl2,C cells along with the Na/β″-alumina/NaCl,NaAlCl4/Al cell. The Δ f G NaCl( )/o and $$\Delta _f G_{NaAlCl_4 (l)}^ \circ $$ values have been calculated as −412.4+0.095 T (±1) kJ mol−1 and −1117.5+0.2460 T (±2) kJ mol−1, respectively. The standard entropy of NaAlCl4 (s) at 298 K, computed from the results of the study and the auxiliary information from the literature (184 J K−1 mol−1), show good agreement with the estimated JANAF value (188.28 J K−1 mol−1). The enthalpy of formation of NaAlCl4 (l) from NaCl (s) and AlCl3 (s) at 550 K obtained in the present study (−1850 J mol−1) is in agreement with that computed from the heat-capacity measurements (−1910 J mol−1). The present measurements are unique, as a new electrochemical technique is employed in a cell with low-melting sodium chloroaluminate electrolyte to obtain the thermodynamic properties of NaCl and NaAlCl4 at significantly low temperatures. The Gibbs energy of formation of NaCl (s) is, thus, measured at temperatures as low as 423 K by an electrochemical technique for the first time, in this work.

The anodic behaviour of compacted graphite, graphite powder, glassy carbon and reticulated vitreous carbon electrodes in basic sodium chloroaluminate melt in the temperature range 428–573 K was studied using cyclic voltammetry. Chlorine evolution (> + 2.1 V vs Al) alone was the predominant reaction on the compact glassy carbon and fresh RVC electrodes. On compacted graphite, chlorine-assisted chloroaluminate intercalation was found to be a competitive process to the chlorine evolution. At high sweep rates, intercalation/deintercalation near the graphite lattice edges occur faster than chlorine evolution. Subsequent intercalation, however, is a slow process. Chlorine evolution predominates at higher temperatures and at higher anodic potentials. On graphite powders, a more reversible free radical chlorine adsorption/desorption process also occurs in the potential region below chlorine evolution. The process occurs at the grain boundaries, edges and defects of the graphite powder material. Intercalation/deintercalation processes are mainly responsible for the disintegration of graphitic materials in low-temperature chloroaluminate melts. Repeated intercalation/deintercalation cycles result in the irreversible transformation of the electrode surface and electrode characteristics. The surface area of the electrode is increased substantially on cycling. Electrode materials and operating conditions suitable for chlorine generation, intercalation/deintercalation and chlorine adsorption/desorption and power sources based on these processes are identified in this work.

The term postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) comprises a heterogeneous group of symptoms and findings in patients who have previously undergone cholecystectomy. Although rare, these patients may present with abdominal pain, jaundice or dyspeptic symptoms. Many of these complaints can be attributed to complications including bile duct injury, biliary leak, biliary fistula and retained bile duct stones. Late sequelae include recurrent bile duct stones and bile duct strictures. With the number of cholecystectomies being performed increasing in the laparoscopic era the number of patients presenting with PCS is also likely to increase. We briefly explore the syndrome and its main aetiological theories.

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the anti proliferative activity of 3-deoxyanthocyanin extracted from red sorghum bran on human breast cancer cell line MCF 7. The confirmatory tests were carried out in vitro through the expression studies of p53 and bcl 2 genes in MCF 7 cells. Method The 3-deoxyanthocyanins were isolated from red sorghum bran and cytotoxic studies were performed in MCF 7 cell line by MTT assay. The mRNA expression levels of p53 and bcl 2 genes were performed using semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis in MCF 7 cells. Key findings On cytotoxic studies, the present data indicates sorghum anthocyanins, which showed 84.09% of inhibition in the proliferation of MCF 7 cells, and the CTC50 value was 300 μg/ml. The sorghum 3-deoxyanthocyanins induced apoptosis in MCF 7 was mediated by stimulation of the p53 gene and down regulation of the bcl 2 gene. Significance The significance of our work was the anthocyanin isolated from red sorghum bran inhibits the proliferation of human breast cancer cell line.