Primary central nervous system neuroblastoma mimicking a meningioma: A case report.

ABSTRACT: Neuroblastomas are the most common extracranial solid tumor in the pediatric age group (~8%-10% of childhood neoplasms). Most cases of intracranial neuroblastomas occur due to metastasis from some primary extracranial sites and are known as secondary neuroblastomas. However, the occurrence of primary central nervous system neuroblastomas (PCN-NB) is very rare, and only a few cases and case series have been reported in the literature. PCN-NB is mainly an intra-axial pathology, and extra-axial involvement is mainly due to metastasis from some extracranial primary site with involvement of the skull bone. Herein we report a case of a 23-year-old female having a large extra-axial space-occupying lesion in the right frontal region that was mimicking a meningioma, and surprisingly the histopathology was suggestive of a supratentorial neuroblastoma. A right frontal craniotomy was made, and Simpson's grade 1 excision of the tumor was done. The excised tissue was sent for histopathological examination. PCN-NB located extra-axially are extremely rare to occur. Due to inconsistent radiological imaging, it becomes very difficult to diagnose these tumors preoperatively, and these should be kept in mind as one of the differential diagnoses of extra-axial intracranial space-occupying lesions. Histopathological examination is crucial in diagnosing the intracranial neuroblastomas.

Hydrologic variability governs GHG emissions in rice-based cropping systems of Eastern India.

Reducing methane (CH4) emissions is increasingly recognized as an urgent greenhouse gas mitigation priority for avoiding ecosystem 'tipping points' that will accelerate global warming. Agricultural systems, namely ruminant livestock and rice cultivation are dominant sources of CH4 emissions. Efforts to reduce methane from rice typically focus on water management strategies that implicitly assume that irrigated rice systems are consistently flooded and that farmers exert a high level of control over the field water balance. In India most rice is cultivated during the monsoon season and hydrologic variability is common, particularly in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) where high but variable rainfall, shallow groundwater, and subtle differences in topography interact to create complex mosaics of field water conditions. Here, we characterize the hydrologic variability of monsoon season rice fields (n = 207) in the Indian EGP ('Eastern India') across two contrasting climate years (2021, 2022) and use the Denitrification Decomposition (DNDC) model to estimate GHG emissions for the observed hydrologic conditions. Five distinct clusters of field hydrology patterns were evident in each year, but cluster characteristics were not stable across years. In 2021, average GHG emissions (8.14 mt CO2-eq ha-1) were twice as high as in 2022 (3.81 mt CO2-eq ha-1). Importantly, intra-annual variability between fields was also high, underlining the need to characterize representative emission distributions across the landscape and across seasons to appropriately target GHG mitigation strategies and generate accurate baseline values. Simulation results were also analyzed to identify main drivers of emissions, with readily identified factors such as flooding period and hydrologic interactions with crop residues and nitrogen management practices emerging as important. These insights provide a foundation for understanding landscape variability in GHG emissions from rice in Eastern India and suggest priorities for mitigation that honor the hydrologic complexity of the region.

Rete middle cerebral artery presenting with a ruptured aneurysm.

The developmental anomaly of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is a rare occurrence. Rete MCA, also known as "unfused," "twig-like," and aplastic MCA, is an even rarer anomaly. These immature rete vessels are prone to flow-related aneurysms which rupture themselves presenting with intraparenchymal hematoma. We here with present a case of rete MCA with a ruptured aneurysm and discuss its pathophysiology and management.

Advanced machine learning-based kharif maize evapotranspiration estimation in semi-arid climate.

Accurate Crop Evapotranspiration (ETc) estimation is crucial for understanding hydrological and agrometeorological processes, yet it's challenged by multiple parameters, data variations, and lack of continuity. These limitations restrict numerical methods application. To address this, the study aims to develop and assess ML models for daily maize ETc in semi-arid areas, utilizing varied weather inputs. Five ML models viz., Category Boosting (CB), Linear Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) were developed and validated for the ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, Research Station. Penman-Monteith (PM) model estimated ETc values are used as the standard for comparing the performance of the ML model values. Results revealed that the SVM model achieved the highest coefficient of determination (R2) among all models, with a value of 0.987. Furthermore, the SVM model exhibited the lowest model errors (MAE = 0.121 mm day-1, RMSE = 0.172 mm day-1, and MAPE = 4.37%) compared to other models. The ANN model also demonstrated promising results, comparable to the SVM model. Notably, the wind speed parameter was found most influential input parameter. In conclusion, SVM or ANN could be considered reliable alternative methods for the accurate estimation of kharif maize crop ETc in the semi-arid climate.

Identification of suitable zones and sites for rainwater harvesting using GIS and multicriteria decision analysis.

Identifying suitable zones for surface water storage and groundwater recharge is needed to enhance irrigation water availability. This study was undertaken to map rainwater harvesting (RWH) potential zones using geospatial tools and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The suitable locations for RWH were also mapped using the Boolean logic concept. The surface runoff is a vital factor to demarcate the appropriate zones for RWH. The curve number approach was used to estimate the surface runoff potential. The runoff coefficient (RC) map was generated based on rainfall and surface runoff depth. Weights have been allocated to selected themes of RC, drainage density, and slope. The themes were integrated using geographic information system (GIS) and AHP to demarcate the suitable zones for RWH. The derived RWH potential map was categorized into zones like "very good," "good," "moderate," "poor," and "very poor" with an aerial extent of 14.3%, 24.7%, 28.3%, 20.2%, and 12.6%, respectively. The area suitable for farm ponds was found to be about 9% (408 km2), 13% (329 km2), and 4% (244 km2) in Mirzapur, Chandauli, and Sonbhadra districts, respectively. Furthermore, 22, 15, and 21 locations were found suitable for check dams in Mirzapur, Chandauli, and Sonbhadra districts, respectively. At a large scale, effective planning of water management strategies based on multicriteria decision analysis and GIS offers increased availability of surface and groundwater resources and may help for enhancing the agricultural land use options. The higher resolution maps may be further utilized to plan RWH strategies at village level.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in street foods: a public health concern.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pattern and virulence genes of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli from foods of animal origin were evaluated. Based on combination disc method and ESBL E test, 42 of the 213 E. coli isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers where a high presence was observed in raw foods (60.62%), environmental samples (46.73%) and ready to eat foods (42.99%) of which 31(26.49%), 3(6.97%) and 7(15.21%) samples harbored ESBL E. coli, respectively. Higher contamination rates were observed in samples collected from meat vendors (54.36%), milk vendors (48.88%) and egg vendors (45.20%) of which 16.1%, 11.11% and 2.05%, respectively were ESBL E. coli. Among the 42 ESBL isolates, 85.71% (36/42) were multidrug-resistant. On polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, expression of beta-lactamase genes viz., blaCTXM was noted in 69.04% (29/42) ESBL isolates, blaTEM in 66.66% (28/42) and blaOXA-1 in 19.04% (8/42) isolates, while blaSHV was not detected in any of the isolates. Other AMR genes viz., blaAmpC, sul1, sul2, tet(A), tet(B), catI, dhfrI, aac(3)-IIa(aacC2), aph(3')-Ia(aphA1), qnrB, qnrS were detected by PCR in 39, 28, 29, 3, 9, 5, 17, 11, 6, 6 and 33 isolates, respectively. None of the isolates harbored chloramphenicol (floR) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) (qnrA) genes. However, 21 isolates were positive for class I integron (int1), 5 for EPEC (eae) and 9 for ETEC (lt) while none were carrying bfp or stII genes. All ESBL producing isolates formed a single group when subjected to enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC PCR) genotyping. The presence of multidrug-resistant ESBL E. coli in street foods of animal origin raises the issues of food safety and public health.

The abundance of epiphytic liverworts on the bark of Cryptomeria japonica in relation to different physical and biochemical attributes, found in Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary, Darjeeling, Eastern Himalaya.

BACKGROUND: Maintenance of biodiversity is an integral part of sustainable forest management. Epiphytic bryophytes are an important element of biodiversity. Thus, this work aims to study the role of different physical and biochemical factors in affecting the growth and proliferation of epiphytic liverworts. Fifty trees in three different plots, distributed in Senchal wildlife sanctuary, Darjeeling, were surveyed. Factors such as light intensity, moisture, and diameter at breast height (DBH) of the tree were studied to evaluate their possible role in affecting epiphytic liverworts. The effect of bark biochemical characteristics on the abundance of epiphytic liverworts was also studied by undertaking a quantitative test of pH, phenol, flavonoid, ortho-dihydric phenol, terpene, total sugar, and tannin. Multiple regression analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were carried out to test the effects of these parameters. RESULTS: Light intensity, moisture, and DBH highly influenced the abundance of liverworts. Old trees had higher epiphytic liverwort cover than younger ones. Bark biochemical properties like pH, phenol, flavonoid, ortho-dihydric phenol, tannin and sugar did not have a significant effect on the epiphytic liverwort cover, while the terpenoid content of the bark reduced liverworts cover. CONCLUSION: To sustain the occurrence of epiphytic liverworts in ecosystems, forest management should ensure the presence of old trees. Light intensity and moisture had a large effect on the distribution and abundance of liverworts, so it is important to maintain tree cover, shrub layer, and tree density.

Comparison of pharmacological properties and phytochemical constituents of in vitro propagated and naturally occurring liverwort Lunularia cruciata.

BACKGROUND: Study of phytochemicals and pharmacological properties of bryophytes has been neglected for a long time because of the three main reasons i.e. (i) difficulty in collection in large amount for analysis; (ii) their availablility only in particular season and (iii) their restricted geographic distribution. So, the aim of this work was to propagate Lunularia cruciata under in vitro condition for comparing its pharmacological properties and phytocmecial constituents with naturally grown counterparts. METHOD: Axenic culture of L. cruciata was established by propagating gemmae under in vitro condition. Appropriate culture conditions, media, and the effect of hormones on growth and development were studied. The phytochemical composition was determined by GC-MS analysis and pharmacological activity was evaluated by assessing the antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities. For the antioxidant activity ABTS+ [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)], DPPH• (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and metal chelating assays were done and for evaluation of the in vitro anti-diabetic activity α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities were done. RESULT: Growth of L. cruciata was recorded in half strength MS media. Benzylaminopurine (BAP: 2 mg/L) and 1-Naphtheleneacetic acid (NAA: 0.5 mg/L) were the successful hormonal combination. GC-MS analysis revealed the existence of nine key compounds in both in vitro and naturally grown L. cruciata. Result of antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity showed that in vitro grown L. cruciata has a more or less similar antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities as naturally grown ones. This result confirms the possibility of using in vitro grown plants in place of naturally grown plants for research and clinical purposes.

Intranasal curcumin protects against LPS-induced airway remodeling by modulating toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression via affecting MAP kinases in mouse model.

OBJECTIVE: Bacterial infections can exacerbate asthmatic inflammation depending on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) composition, the outermost component of cell wall, its exposure timings as well as host's immune status. In present study, Balb/c mice were exposed to antigen (ovalbumin) and LPS simultaneously to establish an asthmatic model. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), well known for its anti-inflammatory potential, was administered through intranasal route 1 h before LPS and OVA (ovalbumin) exposure to evaluate its efficacy against airway structural changes. METHODS: Inflammatory cell infiltration in lungs was measured by flow cytometry and further eosinophils were especially measured by immunofluorescence detection of major basic protein (MBP) as marker of eosinophilc granule protein. We also measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) in BALF by spectrofluorometry. MMP-9 activity was evaluated by gelatin zymography and mRNA expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-ß1, IL-13, Collagen-1 and TLR-4 were measured in lungs. Protein expression of MAP kinases (P-ERK, P-JNK, P-p38), TLR-4, Cox-2, Lox-5 and Eotaxin was measured by western blotting. Hydroxyproline level and masson's trichrome staining were used to evaluate collagen deposition in lung. RESULTS: Exposure to LPS (0.1 µg) exacerbates airway inflammation and induces structural changes in lungs by enhanced ROS production, collagen deposition, expression of genes involved in airway remodeling and activation of MAP kinases pathway enzymes. Intranasal curcumin pretreatment had significantly suppressed inflammatory mediators and airway remodeling proteins. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest that intranasal curcumin effectively protects LPS-induced airway inflammation and structural changes by modulating genes involved in airway remodeling in safer way; hence, it can be considered as supplementary alternative towards asthma treatments.

Numerical simulation to assess potential groundwater recharge and net groundwater use in a semi-arid region.

Accurate assessment of deep percolation (potential groundwater recharge) under different field crops is essential for sustainable management of scarce water resources and proper planning of crop rotation in irrigated, semi-arid regions of the world. The potential recharge from commonly grown field crops in semi-arid Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) of India was estimated using HYDRUS-1D model, where, irrigation, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture dynamics were simulated. Simultaneously, net groundwater use by different cropping patterns was also calculated. Among the hydraulic parameters, n was found most sensitive for water percolation. During rainy season, 293.8 and 159.1 mm water was percolated below the root zone of cotton and soybean, respectively, which accounted for 39.4 and 32.9% of the water input. During winter season, 66.8 and 30.3 mm water was percolated below the root zone of winter maize and mustard, respectively, accounting for 20.5 and 10.6% of added water. It was observed that net groundwater use was positive for cotton, soybean, and summer maize with the values of 168.8, 159.1, and 18.0 mm year-1, respectively, and negative for rice, wheat, winter maize, and mustard. For the eight most important cropping patterns of semi-arid IGP, the net groundwater use was negative and varied between - 4.4 mm year-1 for cotton-maize and -423 mm year-1 for rice-wheat. With these cropping patterns, the overall rate of decline of groundwater was 231 mm year-1. It was found that maize-wheat and soybean-wheat cropping patterns consume much less water than rice-wheat cropping pattern and therefore are suitable to arrest the declining trend of groundwater in semi-arid IGP of India.

From Ising Resonant Fluctuations to Static Uniaxial Order in Antiferromagnetic and Weakly Superconducting CeCo(In_{1-x}Hg_{x})_{5}(x=0.01).

CeCo(In_{0.990}Hg_{0.010})_{5} is a charge doped variant of the d-wave CoCoIn_{5} superconductor with coexistent antiferromagnetic and superconducting transitions occurring at T_{N}=3.4 and T_{c}=1.4 K, respectively. We use neutron diffraction and spectroscopy to show that the magnetic resonant fluctuations present in the parent superconducting phase are replaced by collinear c-axis magnetic order with three-dimensional Ising critical fluctuations. No low-energy transverse spin fluctuations are observable in this doping-induced antiferromagnetic phase and the dynamic resonant spectral weight predominately shifts to the elastic channel. Static (τ>0.2 ns) collinear Ising order is proximate to superconductivity in CeCoIn_{5} and is stabilized through hole doping with Hg.

Enhanced atrazine removal by hydrophyte-bacterium associations and in vitro screening of the isolates for their plant growth-promoting potential.

Emergent hydrophytes Acorus calamus, Typha latifolia, and Phragmites karka and epiphytic root bacteria isolated from their rhizoplanes were exposed to atrazine (5 and 10 mg l-1) individually and in plant-bacterium combination for 15 days hydroponically. It was observed that A. calamus-Pseudomonas sp. strain, the ACB combination, was best in decontamination, showing 91% and 87% removal of 5 and 10 mg l-1 atrazine. Plant-bacterium association led to significant increase in atrazine decontamination as compared to decontamination by either plant or bacterium alone, indicating a synergistic action of the hydrophytes and isolates which led to enhanced atrazine removal. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the potential of plant-bacterium combinations for atrazine decontamination. The isolates showed augmented growth in the presence of plants and were able to alleviate atrazine stress in them. These isolates exhibited plant growth-promoting traits such as auxin, siderophore, Poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid)/succinogycan, ammonia, catalase production and solubilization of inorganic phosphate in vitro. The use of plant-bacterium mutualistic symbiosis for atrazine mitigation is a relatively simple, inexpensive, and clean technique and this phytoremediation-rhizoremediation combination is suggested to be tried on field to establish their potential for clean-up of contaminated sites.

Hydrodynamic Signatures of Stationary Marangoni-Driven Surfactant Transport.

We experimentally study steady Marangoni-driven surfactant transport on the interface of a deep water layer. Using hydrodynamic measurements, and without using any knowledge of the surfactant physicochemical properties, we show that sodium dodecyl sulphate and Tergitol 15-S-9 introduced in low concentrations result in a flow driven by adsorbed surfactant. At higher surfactant concentration, the flow is dominated by the dissolved surfactant. Using camphoric acid, whose properties are a priori unknown, we demonstrate this method's efficacy by showing its spreading is adsorption dominated.

Impact of virtual reality games on psychological well-being and upper limb performance in adults with physical disabilities: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited information regarding the effects of interactive virtual reality (VR) games on psychological and physical well-being among adults with physical disabilities. We aimed to examine the impact of VR games on psychological well-being, upper limb motor function and reaction time in adults with physical disabilities. METHODS: Fifteen participants completed the intervention using Wii VR games in this pilot study. Depressive, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) and Capabilities of Upper Extremity (CUE) questionnaires were used to measure psychological well-being and upper limb motor function respectively. Upper limb reaction time was measured using reaction time test. RESULTS: Results showed that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in DASS questionnaire and average reaction time score after intervention. CONCLUSION: There is a potential for using interactive VR games as an exercise tool to improve psychological wellbeing and upper limb reaction time among adults with disabilities.

A Traditional NSAID Aspirin along with Clofazimine in Erythema Nodosum Leprosum Reaction: Study of Six Cases.

Six male patients of lepromatous leprosy with erythema nodosum leprosum reaction (ENL) reactions diagnosed clinically and by slit skin smear were treated with aspirin and clofazimine. Aspirin was given in the daily dosage of 75mg/kg body weight up to a maximum of 2.8 grams in four divided doses, along with daily 300mg clofazimine in three divided doses and dapsone 100mg daily with rifampicin 600mg once a month. Aspirin was continued in the same dosage for a month before being tapered and stopped at the end of third month when clofazimine was also reduced to 50 mg daily. All the six cases had an excellent response in 15 days.

Topological Magnon Bands in a Kagome Lattice Ferromagnet.

There is great interest in finding materials possessing quasiparticles with topological properties. Such materials may have novel excitations that exist on their boundaries which are protected against disorder. We report experimental evidence that magnons in an insulating kagome ferromagnet can have a topological band structure. Our neutron scattering measurements further reveal that one of the bands is flat due to the unique geometry of the kagome lattice. Spin wave calculations show that the measured band structure follows from a simple Heisenberg Hamiltonian with a Dzyaloshinkii-Moriya interaction. This serves as the first realization of an effectively two-dimensional topological magnon insulator--a new class of magnetic material that should display both a magnon Hall effect and protected chiral edge modes.

Bronchoscopic topical steroid instillation in prevention of tracheal stenosis.

Corrosive acid poisoning commonly results in chemical injuries to respiratory and upper gastrointestinal tract. Corrosive mucosal erosion of the larynx and trachea may occur if the patient aspirates acid. We successfully used local anti-inflammatory action of dexamethasone instilled through a fiber-optic bronchoscope for regression of mucosal edema and prevention of subsequent development of stricture in a young female.

Spin-stripe density varies linearly with the hole content in single-layer Bi2+xSr2-xCuO6+y cuprate superconductors.

We have performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements on the single-layer cuprate Bi(2+x) Sr(2-x) CuO(6+y) (Bi2201) with x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5, a doping range that spans the spin-glass to superconducting phase boundary. The doping evolution of low energy spin fluctuations (11

Effects of balance-focused interactive games compared to therapeutic balance classes for older women.

OBJECTIVE: The prospective pre-post control study was designed to evaluate the effect of introducing balance-focused interactive virtual-reality games to community-dwelling older women to improve their agility, balance and functional mobility. METHOD: The study was set in a senior citizens' club in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The participants were 36 community-dwelling older women. Participants were randomly divided into either a group undertaking balance-focused virtual-reality games or a group doing therapeutic balance exercises. The program lasted 6 weeks and was conducted twice a week for 40 min during each session. As the main outcome measures, the results of the Ten Step Test (TST), postural sway (overall performance index, OPI) and the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) were measured pre- and post-intervention to evaluate agility, balance and functional mobility, respectively. RESULTS: Although both groups improved in OPI (F = 4.63, p < 0.001), TST (F = 46.15, p < 0.001) and TUG (F = 52.57, p = 0.03), combined time and group interaction only improved in the TUG (F = 4.54, p < 0.05). No significant differences between the two groups were found in terms of TST (F = 0.02, p = 0.86), OPI (F = 0.66, p = 0.42), and TUG (F = 0.11, p = 0.74). CONCLUSION: Older people could improve their agility, balance and functional mobility by complementing therapeutic balance exercises with active participation in interactive virtual-reality games at home or in the community.

Chemically induced ferromagnetism near room temperature in single crystal (Zn1-x Cr x )Te half-metal.

Magnetic semiconductors are at the core of recent spintronics research endeavors. Chemically doped II-VI diluted magnetic semiconductors, such as (Zn1-x Cr x )Te, provide a promising platform in this quest. However, a detailed knowledge of the microscopic nature of magnetic ground state is necessary for any practical application. Here, we report on the synergistic study of (Zn1-x Cr x )Te single crystals using elastic neutron scattering measurements and density functional calculations. For the first time, our research unveils the intrinsic properties of ferromagnetic state in a macroscopic specimen of (Zn0.8Cr0.2)Te. The ferromagnetism is onset at T C ∼ 290 K and remains somewhat independent to modest change in the substitution coefficient x. We show that magnetic moments on Zn/Cr sites develop ferromagnetic correlation in the a-c plane with a large ordered moment of µ = 3.08 µ B. Magnetic moment across the lattice is induced via the mediation of Te sites, uncoupled to the number of dopant carriers as inferred from the density functional calculation. Additionally, the ab initio calculations also reveal half-metallicity in x = 0.2 composition. These properties are highly desirable for future spintronic applications.