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Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a common head and neck cancer, is often unnoticed but can be identified early. Diagnosing this heterogeneous tumour requires extensive human experience, and artificial intelligence can help to improve diagnosis. This study used novel methodologies based on feature selection and classification in an attempt to obtain good findings for the early detection of OSCC. By using cutting-edge hybrid strategies to extract features and improve classification, this work seeks to bridge the gap among deep learning and machine learning procedures. Initially, preprocessing is done to address artifacts in the OSCC dataset. The first method uses SMOTE oversampling and feature scaling in conjunction with Resnet 50 and Efficientnet B5 models for feature extraction. In the second method, the best feature set is chosen using the Statistic gain Dynamic Remodelled Whale Optimization Algorithm (SDRWOA), and the Random Forest Classifier is then employed to classify cancer types into poor, moderate, and well categories. The finding shows that the proposed model beats the other classifiers by attaining the maximum overall accuracy, recall and F1-score of 98% and precision of 97.6%. In conclusion, the suggested approach advances the development of extremely precise and effective OSCC diagnosis techniques.

Background: Among the Indian adolescents, the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and alcohol use disorders (AUD) are 7.3% and 1.3%. However, no separate data are available for indigenous tribal populations. This study estimated the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and AUD and associated socio-demographic factors among adolescents in the tribal communities in three widely varying states in India. Methods: Using validated Indian versions of the MINI 6.0, MINI Kid 6.0, and ICD-10 criteria, we conducted a cross-sectional survey from January to May 2019 in three Indian sites: Valsad, Gujarat (western India); Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu (south India); and East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya (north-east India) on 623 indigenous tribal adolescents. Results: Aggregate prevalence of any psychiatric morbidity was 15.9% (95% CI: 13.1–19.0) (males: 13.6%, 95% CI: 10.0–18.1; females: 17.9%, 95% CI: 13.9–22.6), with site-wise statistically significant differences: Gujarat: 23.8% (95% CI: 18.1–30.2), Meghalaya: 17.1% (95% CI: 12.4–22.7), Tamil Nadu: 6.2% (95% CI: 3.2–10.5). The prevalence of diagnostic groups was mood disorders 6.4% ( n = 40), neurotic- and stress-related disorders 9.1% ( n = 57), phobic anxiety disorder 6.3% ( n = 39), AUD 2.7% ( n = 17), behavioral and emotional disorders 2.7% ( n = 17), and obsessive-compulsive disorder 2.2% ( n = 14). These differed across the sites. Conclusion: The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in adolescent tribals is approximately twice the national average. The most common psychiatric morbidities reported are mood (affective) disorders, neurotic- and stress-related disorders, phobic anxiety disorder, AUD, behavioral and emotional disorders, andobsessive-compulsive disorder.

Background: Fractures of the distal radius are one of the common fractures for which pediatric orthopedic consultations are sought. The usual mechanism of injury is fall on outstretched hand seen following a road traffic accident or fall. Most of these fractures are treated either conservatively or by closed reduction and immobilization in cast. In some cases, internal fixation by K-wiring may be required. We conducted this study to analyzed outcome of distal end radius fracture in pediatric age group who were treated by immobilization alone, by closed reduction and immobilization and closed reduction with internal fixation by K-Wire and immobilization in cast. Aims and Objectives: 1. To analyze outcome of distal end radius fracture in pediatric age group. 2. To study complications in children presenting with distal end radius fracture. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study conducted in the department of orthopedics of a tertiary care medical college. 60 pediatric patients with distal radius fractures and treated either by conservative management or by surgical intervention were included in this study on the basis of a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Gender distribution, mean age and mechanism of injury in the affected cases were analyzed. Patients were treated either by immobilization alone, by closed reduction and immobilization and closed reduction with internal fixation by K-Wire and immobilization in cast. Patients were followed up for 8 weeks. Complications and time for complete union was assessed during follow up visits. Functional outcome was assessed by QuickDash Score. Results: Out of these 60 patients there were 52 (86.66%) males and 8 (13.33%) females with a male to female ratio of 1:0.15. The mean age of affected cases in Boys and Girls was found to be 13.09 +/- 2.93 years and 12.5+/- 3.64 years respectively. Dominant hand was involved in 41 (68.33 %) whereas non-dominant hand was involved in remaining 19 (31.66 %) cases. In 16 (26.67%) patients only casting was required whereas closed reduction and casting was done in 25 (41.67%) patients in remaining 19 (31.67%) patients closed reduction and K-Wire fixation was done. 42 (70%) patients had excellent functional outcome whereas 9 (15%) patients had good functional outcome and 9 (15%) patients were found to have satisfactory outcome. 4 (6.66%) patients developed pressure sores, 1 (1.67%) patient had stiffness and there was 1 (1.67%) case of pin site infections. All these complications were successfully managed by conservative means. Conclusion: Fractures of distal end of radius in pediatric age group can be managed successfully either by immobilization alone or by closed reduction and casting. Internal Fixation by K-Wires may be required in some cases.

The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the quality of oils extracted from yellow and purple passion fruit seeds endemic to Northeast India. In this context, physicochemical properties (acid value, iodine value, etc), thermo physical analysis such as TGA and DSC was performed. Further, the antioxidant properties of seed oils were determined by TPC, TFC, DPPH and ABTS.+ analysis and their interrelation was analysed from Pearson correlation. Lower acid value (2–4.4 mg KOH g−1) and peroxide value (4.2–4.5 mg eq 1000 g−1) confirmed the good quality of oil. The thermal stability of different oils was found to be in the high range of 334.4 °C to 349.5 °C. Fatty acid composition of oils by GC analysis revealed abundance presence of approximately 70% of PUFA and the calculated oxidizability value suggested high oxidative stability in the oils. The universal oil quality score was observed to be high (>50%) when compared to other standard edible oil. Lowest radical inhibitory concentration was observed in yellow passion fruit seed oil from Manipur (70.7 ± 1.7 µg/ml in DPPH and 85.3 ± 5.5 µg/ml in ABTS). Profound antibacterial activity of oils was observed against K. Pneumonia (7.5 ± 0.35 to 12 ± 0.7 cm), B. Subtilis (5 ± 0.7 to 11 ± 0.7 cm), P. aeruginosa (2 to 11.5 ± 0.7 cm) and M. luteus (5 to 10 ± 0.7 cm). This work could add more information on uncommon passion fruit seed oil from Northeast India and further employ in various food and pharmaceutical sectors.

In this work, physicochemical properties and rheological behaviour of waste cooking oil (WCO), castor oil (CO), rubber seed oil (RSO) and their methyl esters (ME), as well as ME blends (5, 10 and 15 vol%) with diesel fuel were investigated. Rheological properties of samples were measured in the range of 25–80 °C temperature and 5–300 s−1 shear rate. Similarly, rheological behaviour of WCO, CO and RSO based methyl esters (WCOME, COME, ROSME) and its blends (5, 10, and 15 vol%) with diesel fuel were also studied. Power law model was used to study the flow behaviour of all the samples. The viscosity behaviour of oils (WCO, CO and RSO), methyl esters (WCOME, COME and RSOME) and their blends with diesel fuel showed Newtonian nature in the temperature range of 25–80 °C. The viscosity values of the chemically modified oil samples (via transesterification) were found to be lower than the original oil samples. However, WCO, CO and their methyl esters showed a slight deviation from Newtonian behaviour between shear rate intervals of 5–100 s−1. The dynamic viscosity of RSO (25.58 mPa.s) was less than that of WCO (49.91 mPa.s) and CO (338.08 mPa.s). At 40 °C, the kinematic viscosity values of RSOME (3.81 mm2/s) and WCOME (3.36 mm2/s) were lower than the value of COME (10.59 mm2/s). The dynamic viscosities of the samples were found to be dependent on fatty acids chain length, unsaturation and temperature. According to fatty acid composition and physicochemical properties of the oils samples, WCO, CO and RSO are suitable for substituting edible feedstock to make biodiesel production sustainable. The fuel properties of the methyl esters and their blends with diesel were estimated as per ASTM D6751 biodiesel standards.

Abstract Purpose Oleaginous yeasts can accumulate intracellular lipid bodies or triacylglycerides (TAGs) under nutrient limiting conditions. TAGs derived from those yeast strains are considered as an alternative to conventional plant-based oils for biodiesel production. In this study, we attempt to isolate and characterize yeast strains from selected traditional fermented foods of Manipur and Mizoram, India, and study their oleaginous attributes for biodiesel production. Method Fourteen potential oleaginous yeasts were isolated from fermented food samples of Manipur and Mizoram, India. The isolates were identified by 5.8S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA gene sequencing. Intracellular TAG accumulation by yeast cells were confirmed by Nile red fluorescence microscopy and spectrometry technique. The most promising isolates were evaluated for lipid accumulation having different initial carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios and also the full kinetic studies (depicting the glucose consumption, biomass, and lipid production) using optimum C/N ratio were estimated. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profile of the transesterified lipids were analyzed by GC-MS. Results The identified yeast isolates belonged to seven different genera viz. Rhodotorula, Pichia, Candida, Saturnispora, Wickerhamomyces, Zygoascus, and Saccharomyces. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, maximum biomass concentration of 5.66 ± 0.03 g/L and 4.713 ± 0.03 g/L was produced by Wickerhamomyces anomalus FK09 and Pichia kudriavzevii FK02, respectively. The highest lipid concentration (g lipid/L fermentation broth) of 0.58 g/L was attained by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa R2, followed by Wickerhamomyces anomalus FK09 (0.51 g/L), and Zygoascus hellenicus FC10 (0.41 g/L). Rhodotorula mucilaginosa R2 exhibited the maximum lipid content (% lipid/g dry cell weight) of (21.63 ± 0.1%) after 96 h of growth. The C/N ratio of 40 and 20 was found to be optimum for R. mucilaginosa R2 and W. anomalus FK09 with a lipid content of 22.21 ± 0.4% and 12.83 ± 0.08% respectively. Conclusion Newly isolated yeast strains were obtained from traditional fermented food samples of Manipur and Mizoram, India. FAME analysis of the transesterified lipid extracts suggested the potential use of yeast-derived oil as an alternative to vegetable oil for biodiesel production.

Employing sustainable techniques that utilize waste resources for the generation of valuable products are pivotal towards establishing economically-sound technologies. Moreover, directing these techniques towards creating entities that aid in alleviating environmental pollution concerns are highly desirable. Rice husks (RH) are abundantly available biomasses that are usually destroyed via inefficient means. Their utilization via thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis, yields fruitful, high-utility products like bio-char and bio-oil. Bio-char presents ideal platforms for developing highly-porous organic adsorbents. This work utilizes slow pyrolysis method for converting RH to bio-char under various temperatures in presence of a CO2 environment. Utilization of CO2 influences the textural and chemical nature of the developed bio-char and its deployment also lends an environmentally-conscious facet to this work, as it helps lower the overall carbon-footprint. As-prepared bio-char was activated in presence of an alkali that enhanced its overall surface area to 440 m2/g. Activated bio-char was utilized as an adsorbent for removal of commonly-found pharmaceutical pollutant, Ranitidine. Different parametric studies such as variation in pH, adsorbent dosage and pyrolysis temperature, were performed to understand their effect on adsorption capacity of prepared adsorbents. Adsorption of 50 ppm ranitidine on the activated bio-char at pH 9, resulted in the removal of 88.3% reactant, when 100 mg adsorbent dosage was provided. Activated bio-char displayed a maximum adsorption capacity of 65.8 mg/g under those conditions. Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second order pathway while the adsorption isotherm could be described by the Langmuir model.

Background: The present COVID-19 pandemic is a major threat worldwide. Health professionals being within the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response are at the highest risk of getting infected. Such pandemics are always associated with ill effects on mental health also. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study included all the health care professionals working in the Jumbo COVID Care Center, Mumbai. Details of health care professionals were obtained from the authority of Jumbo COVID Care Center, Mumbai. Amongst 350 health care professionals, 285 responded (Response rate: 81.42%). A questionnaire, consisting of 19 structured, self-administered, and closed-ended questions, was employed online, and information regarding age, gender, profession, etc., was collected. It was then tabulated and subjected further to an analysis. Results: Most health care professionals (96.1%) were aware that COVID-19 is not only affecting physical but mental health too, also posts on social media (86.3%) are affecting mental health more than the actual disease. A total of 95.8% agreed that health care/frontline workers are at the highest risk and felt the need for psychiatrists in the present pandemic. (81.4%) They were also worried thinking about elderly people with comorbidities in their homes. (82.1%). Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that the present pandemic is affecting not only physical but mental health also, and there is an increased need for psychiatrists and mental health care professionals to overcome the same.

Application of ultrasound technology in modulating the hydration process during paddy germination was analyzed in this study. The effect of hydropriming (24 h) and sono-hydro priming (ultrasound priming, 12 h) on the hydration behaviour of paddies was determined at different temperatures (25–40 °C). Ultrasound pulse was applied for 10 min after every one hour for sono-hydro priming. Germination potential and microstructure analysis of treated paddies were also performed. Downward concave curve observed in hydration process of paddies indicates initial high-water absorption through diffusion process. Sono-hydro priming process showed higher hydration rate compared to hydropriming. The changes in moisture content during hydration processes fitted to theoretical (Fick's model) and empirical model (Peleg model) exhibited high regression coefficient (R2 > 0.95) indicating suitability for predicting hydration behaviour in both paddies for germination. The Peleg model adequately predicted saturation moisture content and sono-hydro priming efficiently increased the water absorption rate. Effective moisture diffusivity determined from Fick's diffusion model increased for sono-hydro priming. Activation energy estimated from effective moisture diffusivity required in sono-hydro priming (Ea = 20.32 and 19.19 KJ/mol respectively) for pigmented rice and non-pigmented rice was lower than hydropriming (Ea = 27.11 and 32.15 KJ/mol respectively). Both hydration processes were endothermic and non-spontaneous inferred from thermodynamic properties. Sono-hydro priming exhibited

Background: Alcohol use disorder is elevated among members of indigenous tribes in India, like native populations in several other countries. Despite constituting 8.6% of the Indian population, tribals are among the most geographically isolated, socioeconomically underdeveloped, and underserved communities in the country. Based on the experience from our centers (in Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, and Gujarat), we are aware of escalating alcohol use among tribal communities. The aims of this study are (a) to estimate alcohol use and psychiatric morbidity among teenagers from indigenous tribes, and (b) pilot test a psychoeducational efficacy study. Methods: The biphasic study is being conducted in three states of India: Tamil Nadu in South, Meghalaya in Northeast, and Gujarat in West. Phase 1 is a cross-sectional study of tribal adolescents at each site. The MINI 6.0/MINI Kid 6.0 questionnaire was used to estimate extent of psychiatric morbidity and substance addiction. Phase 2 is an intervention trial of 40 participants at each site to assess the effectiveness of NIMHANS LSE module in protecting the tribal adolescents from alcohol use. Conclusions: The desired primary outcome will be forestalling the onset of alcohol use among this group. This paper focuses on the methodology and strategies to be used to achieve the objectives.

In the present investigation, in-situ epoxidation of waste cooking oil and its methyl esters was prepared, and the rheological behavior was analyzed for biolubricant applications. Rheological properties of the prepared epoxides were measured at a temperature of 25–100 °C, at a shear rate ranging from 5 to 300 s−1. As viscosity is one of the critical parameters for potential biolubricant applications, in the present study, the power-law model was used to investigate the flow behavior of the epoxides. The viscosity of epoxidized waste cooking oil and its methyl ester epoxides showed Newtonian flow behavior in the studied temperature range. Different shear rates (5–100, 5–300, 100–300 s−1) were studied to determine the shear rate dependency of the epoxidized waste cooking oil and its methyl ester epoxides at different temperatures. From the average viscosity values, it was shown that the epoxides show identical results at all shear rates. The dynamic viscosities of the epoxidized waste cooking oil and its methyl ester epoxides were found to be dependent on fatty acid chain length, unsaturation, and temperature. Detailed physicochemical characterization for epoxide waste cooking oil (EWCO) and epoxide waste cooking oil methyl esters (EWCOME) were carried out to evaluate the properties for suitable biolubricant applications using standard American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) methods. Based on the viscosity for EWCO (278.9 mm2/s) and EWCOME (12.15 mm2/s) and viscosity index for EWCO (164.94) and EWCOME (151.97) of the prepared epoxides, they could complement the standard ISO vegetable grade (VG) lubricants in the market.

Nematodes are probably the most widespread and abundant group of animal often occurring in huge numbers in very diverse environments. The largest number of helminthic parasites of humans belongs to the phylum nematoda and Ascaris lumbricoides is the most common of human helminthic parasites. Commonly known as roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides is cosmopolitan, especially prevalent in the tropical countries like India. The adult roundworm commonly lives in small intestine, retaining its position by the virtue of its own muscle tone. Eggs of roundworm are bile stained, appearing yellowish brown in colour. Roundworm is a restless wanderer, showing great inquisitiveness as it tends to move itself from the original site, and get into any aperture it may find on its way. So it’s quite possible to encounter this commonest and largest intestinal nematode of humans at some odd sites in the body. Here, we are presenting a very rare case of finding colourless (i.e., non bile stained) eggs with a female roundworm isolated from an ectopic site.

The present work reports the formulation of castor oil (CO) epoxide as a bio-lubricant basestock. The main objective of this study was to improve the physico-chemical properties and thermo-oxidative stability of CO via structural modification. Epoxidation reaction was carried out at 60°C for 10 h using heterogeneous acidic ion-exchange resin (IR-120) as a catalysts (15mass%), acetic acid (0.5 mol) as an oxygen carrier and hydrogen peroxide (1.5 mol) as an oxygen donor. Product was confirmed by 1H-NMR, FTIR spectral analysis and epoxide content was determined by oxirane oxygen analysis. Further, significant physico-chemical properties such as viscosity, acid value (AV), pour point (PP) was determined for prepared CO epoxide. Thermo-oxidative stability of prepared epoxide and unmodified CO were compared by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique (in inert and oxygen atmospheres). Modified CO clearly illustrated significant improvement in the required physico-chemical properties and thermo-oxidative stability. Results of this study revealed that the prepared epoxide could be used as a potential bio-lubricant basestock in hydraulic lubricant application.

Background: India shares the largest burden of under-nutrition in world. The aim of this study was to conduct follow-up assessment of under-nourished children attending anganwadi center (AWC). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in 50 AWC of Tapi district. Total 529 children aged 1-6 years diagnosed as under-nourished before 1 year were included. Pre-structured questionnaire was used for present day assessment of these children followed by Epi-info mediated analysis. Results: Children of literate mothers had higher weight gain. Ninety percent of children attended anganwadi regularly, however 25% of children dropped out for more than 1 month. In 1 year, growth had faltered in 20% children and was stagnant in 63% of them. Children who were treated for under-nutrition; that completed course at Child Development and Nutrition Center; and whose parents were counseled about the under-nourished status of child had higher weight gain than their counterparts. Conclusions: Parents of under-nourished children must be counseled about the nutritional status of their child. In cases of under-nourished child, referral to higher center must be ensured by health worker. Supplementary feeding as a long-term solution to country′s under-nutrition problem should be studied in detail with the alternative solutions.

This work was aimed at investigating the effect of process parameters on dilute acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of spent citronella biomass (after citronella oil extraction) and sugarcane bagasse on total reducing sugar (TRS) yield. In acid pretreatment, the parameters studied were acid concentration, temperature, and time. At the optimized condition (0.1 M H2SO4, 120°C, and 120 min), maximum TRS obtained was 452.27 mg·g−1 and 487.50 mg·g−1 for bagasse and citronella, respectively. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated biomass using Trichoderma reesei 26291 showed maximum TRS yield of 226.99 mg·g−1 for citronella and 282.85 mg·g−1 for bagasse at 10 FPU, 50°C, and 48 hr. The maximum crystallinity index (CI) of bagasse and citronella after acid pretreatment obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis was 64.41% and 56.18%, respectively. Decreased CI after enzymatic hydrolysis process to 37.28% and 34.16% for bagasse and citronella, respectively, revealed effective conversion of crystalline cellulose to glucose. SEM analysis of the untreated and treated biomass revealed significant hydrolysis of holocellulose and disruption of lignin.

Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in chronic alcoholics in tropical and sub-tropical climates and associated with a >50% mortality rate. Using a murine model of alcohol (EtOH) administration, we demonstrated that EtOH enhances Ab-mediated pneumonia leading to systemic infection. Although EtOH did not affect neutrophil recruitment to the lungs of treated mice, it decreased phagocytosis and killing of bacteria by these leukocytes leading to increased microbial burden and severity of disease. Moreover, we determined that mice that received EtOH prior to Ab infection were immunologically impaired, which was reflected in increased pulmonary inflammation, sequential dissemination to the liver and kidneys, and decreased survival. Furthermore, immunosuppression by EtOH was associated with deregulation of cytokine production in the organs of infected mice. This study establishes that EtOH impairs immunity in vivo exacerbating Ab infection and disease progression. The ability of Ab to cause disease in alcoholics warrants the study of its virulence mechanisms and host interactions.