Absence of 3a0 charge density wave order in the infinite-layer nickelate NdNiO2.

A hallmark of many unconventional superconductors is the presence of many-body interactions that give rise to broken-symmetry states intertwined with superconductivity. Recent resonant soft X-ray scattering experiments report commensurate 3a0 charge density wave order in infinite-layer nickelates, which has important implications regarding the universal interplay between charge order and superconductivity in both cuprates and nickelates. Here we present X-ray scattering and spectroscopy measurements on a series of NdNiO2+x samples, which reveal that the signatures of charge density wave order are absent in fully reduced, single-phase NdNiO2. The 3a0 superlattice peak instead originates from a partially reduced impurity phase where excess apical oxygens form ordered rows with three-unit-cell periodicity. The absence of any observable charge density wave order in NdNiO2 highlights a crucial difference between the phase diagrams of cuprate and nickelate superconductors.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on ambient noise levels in seven metropolitan cities of India.

The paper analyzed the impact of lockdown on the ambient noise levels in the seventy sites in the seven major cities of India and ascertained the noise scenario in lockdown period, and on the Janta Curfew day in comparison to the pre-lock down period and year 2019 annual average values. It was observed that the majority of the noise monitoring sites exhibited a decrement in ambient day and night equivalent noise levels on the national Janta Curfew day and Lockdown period as compared with the normal working days attributed to the restricted social, economical, industrial, urbanization activity and reduced human mobility. A mixed pattern was observed at a few sites, wherein the ambient day and night equivalent noise levels during Janta curfew day and Lockdown period had been reported to be higher than that on the normal working days. The study depicts the noise scenario during the lockdown and pre-lockdown period for seventy sites in India and shall be instrumental in analyzing the consequences and implications of imposing lockdowns in future on the environmental noise pollution in Indian cities.

Prediction of Weaning Outcome from Mechanical Ventilation Using Diaphragmatic Rapid Shallow Breathing Index.

Background: Diaphragmatic dysfunction has been increasingly documented to play a critical role to determine ventilator dependency and failure of weaning. Objective: The goal was to study the diagnostic accuracy of diaphragmatic rapid shallow breathing index (D-RSBI) as a predictor of weaning outcomes in comparison to RSBI. Materials and methods: A prospective observational study on consecutively admitted patients who were intubated and mechanically ventilated for a duration of at least 48 hours was carried out. The right hemidiaphragm displacement [diaphragm displacement (DD)] was calculated by M-mode ultrasonography, and respiratory rate (RR) and tidal volume (TV) were documented from the ventilator readings. Rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) was measured as RR/TV (in liters); D-RSBI was calculated as RR/DD (in millimeters) and expressed as breath/minute/millimeter. Extubation failure was defined as the reinstitution of mechanical ventilation at the end of, or during the spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), re-intubation or the need of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for the patient within 48 hours of extubation. Results: Of 101 screened patients, 50 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 45 patients had successful SBT, and finally, 41 patients could be successfully extubated. Hence, the overall rate of weaning failure in the study population was 18%. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves for D-RSBI and RSBI were 0.97 and 0.70, respectively (p <0.0001). The Pearson's correlation among RSBI and D-RSBI was 0.81 (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Diaphragmatic rapid shallow breathing index has a positive correlation and greater diagnostic accuracy than RSBI, the conventional weaning index. How to cite this article: Shamil PK, Gupta NK, Ish P, Sen MK, Kumar R, Chakrabarti S, et al. Prediction of Weaning Outcome from Mechanical Ventilation Using Diaphragmatic Rapid Shallow Breathing Index. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(9):1000-1005.

Brucellosis in India: results of a collaborative workshop to define One Health priorities.

Brucellosis is an important zoonosis worldwide. In livestock, it frequently causes chronic disease with reproductive failures that contribute to production losses, and in humans, it causes an often-chronic febrile illness that is frequently underdiagnosed in many low- and middle-income countries, including India. India has one of the largest ruminant populations in the world, and brucellosis is endemic in the country in both humans and animals. In November 2017, the International Livestock Research Institute invited experts from government, national research institutes, universities, and different international organizations to a one-day meeting to set priorities towards a "One Health" control strategy for brucellosis in India. Using a risk prioritization exercise followed by discussions, the meeting agreed on the following priorities: collaboration (transboundary and transdisciplinary); collection of more epidemiological evidence in humans, cattle, and in small ruminants (which have been neglected in past research); Economic impact studies, including cost effectiveness of control programmes; livestock vaccination, including national facilities for securing vaccines for the cattle population; management of infected animals (with the ban on bovine slaughter, alternatives such as sanctuaries must be explored); laboratory capacities and diagnostics (quality must be assured and better rapid tests developed); and increased awareness, making farmers, health workers, and the general public more aware of risks of brucellosis and zoonoses in general. Overall, the meeting participants agreed that brucellosis control will be challenging in India, but with collaboration to address the priority areas listed here, it could be possible.

Effect of head posture on tooth contacts in dentate and complete denture wearers using computerized occlusal analysis system.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess and compare the occlusal contacts in dentate and edentulous patients wearing complete denture with varying head posture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ad hoc sampling of 30 subjects (15 dentate and 15 edentulous) based on inclusion and exclusion criteria was done. Subjects were divided into two groups: dentate and edentulous. Each group was further divided into two subgroups based on two head postures-upright 90° and ventroflexed 30°. For recording of every posture, a new sensor was used, and the subject was asked to clench on the sensor in maximum intercuspation position at the two head postures. RESULTS: Data were summarized as mean ± standard error and compared by Student's t-test using SPSS software (windows version 17.0 IBM corporation, New York, USA). A statistically significant correlation between head posture and contact area was found in dentate and denture wearers, i.e., tooth contact area varies with head posture. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the occlusal contacts vary at different head posture in dentate as well as in denture wearers. With ventroflexion, the number of tooth contact decreased as compared to upright-erect position in both groups. Clinical implication - since the number of tooth contacts varies with varying head postures, it is recommended that the balancing of the contacts should be done at varying head postures.

Synthesis and characterization of novel histidine functionalized chitosan nanoformulations and its bioactivity in tomato plant.

The use of novel active ingredients for the functional modification of chitosan nanoformulations has attracted global attention. In this study, chitosan has been functionalized via histidine to craft novel chitosan-histidine nanoformulation (C-H NF) using ionic gelation method. C-H NF exhibited elite physico-biochemical properties, influencing physiological and biochemical dynamics in Tomato. These elite properties include homogenous-sized nanoparticles (314.4 nm), lower PDI (0.218), viscosity (1.43 Cps), higher zeta potential (11.2 mV), nanoparticle concentration/ml (3.53 × 108), conductivity (0.046 mS/cm), encapsulation efficiency (53%), loading capacity (24%) and yield (32.17%). FTIR spectroscopy revealed histidine interaction with C-H NF, while SEM and TEM exposed its porous structure. Application of C-H NF to Tomato seedling and potted plants through seed treatment and foliar spray positively impacts growth parameters, antioxidant-defense enzyme activities, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, and chlorophyll and nitrogen content. We claim that the histidine-functionalized chitosan nanoformulation enhances physico-biochemical properties, highlighting its potential to elevate biochemical and physiological processes of Tomato plant.

Efficacy of putrescine and benzyladenine on photosynthesis and productivity in relation to drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

An experiment was conducted to find out the efficacy of putrescine and benzyladenine on photosynthesis and productivity in wheat. Seeds of wheat genotype HD 2329 (widely adapted under irrigated condition) were grown in ceramic pots under standard package and practices. Putrescine (0.1 mM) and benzyladenine (0.05 mM) were sprayed on the aerial portion of these plants at the time of anthesis. After spray, half of the plants were subjected to water stress by withholding irrigation. The non stressed plants were irrigated to keep the soil humidity at field capacity. Results showed that drought stress severly reduced the photosynthetic attributes, water status and chlorophyll content which were significantly improved by foliar application of putrescine/benzyladenine. The levels of free proline, amino acids and soluble sugars were higher under water stress conditions which were enhanced further by putrescine/benzyladenine. Memrane injury was also reduced by both the chemicals. Yield and yield attributes reduced under water stress conditions, but putrescine and benzyladenine treated plants exhibited significantly higher values over control. Most of these parameters were found significantly correlated with grain yield. It is suggested that both benyzladenine and putrescine were able to impart drought tolerance in wheat but the response of putrescine was more promising owing to better management of various physio-biochemical processes, particularly under water stress conditions.

On-farm hydro and nutri-priming increases yield of rainfed pearl millet through physio-biochemical adjustments and anti-oxidative defense mechanism.

Seed priming technique has a marvelous potential in enhancing seed germination and crop establishment under limited soil moisture conditions, which ultimately increases yield. Therefore, we investigated the effects of seed priming on physiology, growth, yield and antioxidant defense system of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under rain-fed condition. The experiments were conducted under laboratory as well as field conditions comprising three treatments i.e., non-primed seeds (control, T0), priming with tap water (hydropriming) (T1) and priming with 2% KNO3 2% for 6 hours at 25°C followed by shade drying (T2). The results showed that chlorophyll content (10.37-14.15%) and relative water content (RWC) (12.70-13.01%) increased whereas proline (-19.44 to -25%) and soluble sugar (-15.51 to -29.13%) contents decreased on account of seed priming in pearl millet under field conditions. The seed priming significantly improved the plant height, final plant stand and grain weight which resulted in increased yield. Enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (5.89 to 8.10 unit/g/seed/min), catalase (CAT) (22.54 to 39.67 µmol/min/g/seed) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (8.92 to 22.10 µmol/cm/min/g) and concomitant decrease in H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) content suggests their role in imparting oxidative tolerance at initial stages of growth in primed seed. The lab studies suggest that the improved yield might be attributes to increased seed germination and seedling vigor. It is recommended that the hydropriming (tap water) or KNO3 (2%) priming of seeds for 6 hours under ambient conditions is effective to enhance growth and yield of pearl millet under rainfed conditions.

The histopathology of chronic gastritis.

Chronic gastritis is a multifactorial disorder thought to be influenced by bacterial and host genetic factors. Histopathological examination is the mainstay of diagnosis, however features like the presence of Helicobacter pylori are difficult to evaluate on biopsy. We evaluated 120 gastric antral biopsies using the revised Sydney system. The density of the inflammatory infiltrate, H pylori and mast cells were evaluated. It was seen that the presence of H pylori is strongly associated with an acute and a chronic inflammatory infiltrate. The presence of neutrophils on biopsy is strongly associated with the presence of H pylori and with the density and the grade of the chronic inflammatory infiltrate. The chronic inflammatory response is an intermediary between the acute inflammatory process and glandular atrophy. The lymphocytic infiltrate is also a precursor lesion of the lymphoid follicles. The presence of mast cells does not appear to be related to any of the other inflammatory parameters. The presence of one feature is a strong indicator for the presence of other inflammatory features.

The role of mast cells and eosinophils in chronic gastritis.

The role of mast cells and eosinophils in influencing the pathology of chronic gastritis remains unclear. We attempted to study the relationship between endoscopy and the mast cell and eosinophil infiltrate. We also studied the role of gene polymorphisms, Helicobacter pylori density and the CagA antibody status in influencing the mast cell and eosinophil infiltrate. One hundred and twenty consecutive patients were studied. Endoscopic evaluation was done and 3 antral biopsies were taken from each patient and were assessed for eosinophilic and mast cell infiltration, H. pylori density and the density of the other inflammatory cells as per the revised Sydney system. Cytokine gene polymorphisms (IL-1beta, IL-1RA and TNF-alpha) were done on the DNA extracted from the peripheral blood by PCR-RFLP. ELISA was done on the patients' serum for the anti-CagA antibody titres. Nodularity is strongly associated with the presence and density of eosinophils on biopsy (P < 0.05). Eosinophil density is strongly associated with the density of H. pylori, neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, atrophy, ulceration, foveolitis and lymphoid follicles. The mast cell density is not associated with any of the other histopathological variables. Gene polymorphisms and the CagA antibody titres have no relationship to the mast cell and eosinophil density. Eighty-one patients showed positive anti-CagA antibody titres but there was no association with the eosinophilic or the mast cell infiltrate. It is likely that eosinophilic infiltration is influenced by the H. pylori density but the CagA protein has no role to play in influencing the grade of the eosinophilic infiltrate in the Indian context. Cytokine gene proinflammatory polymorphisms have no role to play in influencing the eosinophilic or the mast cell response. It is likely that other mediators are involved in the inflammatory cell responses.

Outbreak of Scrub Typhus in Jammu - A Report.

BACKGROUND: Jammu is scrub typhus prone. Scrub typhus is often seen when troops move out of permanent locations. METHODS: In a prospective study cases of fever reporting to the local military hospital from July to October 2002 were examined clinically, investigated and categorised as scrub typhus when Weil Felix readings were above 1:160. RESULTS: Twelve cases of scrub typhus were diagnosed during the period of study. The clinical features included fever, malaise and conjunctival congestion. However rashes were rare and only one had an eschar. Multisystem complications occurred in one patient. There was a spatial and temporal clustering of cases. Control of outbreak was carried out by 25% benzyl benzoate impregnation of clothing, clearing of scrub, residual spray with malathion and antirodent measures. CONCLUSION: Scrub typhus outbreaks have been noted whenever troops move out of permanent locations to scrub areas.

Delayed hematopoietic recovery after auto-SCT in patients receiving arsenic trioxide-based therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia: a multi-center analysis.

A potential link between arsenic (ATO)-based therapy and delayed hematopoietic recovery after autologous hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has previously been reported. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical histories of 58 patients undergoing autologous HSCT for APL at 21 institutions in the United States and Japan. Thirty-three (56%) of the patients received ATO-based therapy prior to stem cell collection. Delayed neutrophil engraftment occurred in 10 patients (17%): 9 of the 10 patients (90%) received prior ATO (representing 27% of all ATO-treated patients), compared with 1 of the 10 patients (10%) not previously treated with ATO (representing 4% of all ATO-naïve patients; P<0.001). Compared with ATO-naïve patients, ATO-treated patients experienced significantly longer times to ANC recovery (median 12 days vs 9 days, P<0.001). In multivariate analysis, the only significant independent predictor of delayed neutrophil engraftment was prior treatment with ATO (hazard ratio 4.87; P<0.001). Of the available stem cell aliquots from APL patients, the median viable post-thaw CD34+ cell recovery was significantly lower than that of cryopreserved autologous stem cell products from patients with non-APL AML. Our findings suggest that ATO exposure prior to CD34+ cell harvest has deleterious effects on hematopoietic recovery after autologous HSCT.

Visual evoked response in head trauma: pattern-shift stimulus.

Studies of visual evoked potentials in head injuries have all utilized the flash stimulus. We studied the efficacy of monocular pattern-shift visual evoked potentials (PSVEPs) in eliciting residual dysfunction of the visual pathways in 33 patients 6 to 24 months after head injury. Those with ocular trauma or ocular pathology were not included. Abnormal PSVEPs were seen in one-third of 33 head-injured patients. Only 1 (11%) of 9 patients with mild cognitive impairment had abnormal PSVEPs compared with 7 (39%) of 18 with moderate and 3 (50%) of 6 with severe cognitive impairment.

Differential effects of neurotoxic destruction of descending noradrenergic pathways on acute and persistent nociceptive processing.

Although many pharmacological studies indicate that bulbospinal noradrenergic projections contribute to antinociception, lesions of the major brainstem noradrenergic cell groups have provided conflicting evidence. Here we used a new immunotoxin, anti-dopamine beta-hydroxylase-saporin, to re-examine the contribution of noradrenergic pathways to nociception and to morphine analgesia. We treated rats intrathecally by lumbar puncture with the immunotoxin and examined dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) immunoreactivity seven and 14 days after treatment. There was no change in DbetaH staining at 7 days; however, 14 days after treatment we demonstrated significant destruction of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus and in the A5 and A7 cell groups. There was a concomitant loss of noradrenergic axons in the dorsal and ventral horns of the lumbosacral and cervical cord. Consistent with the lack of anatomical changes, we found no difference in nociceptive responses in the hot-plate, tail-flick or formalin tests one week post-toxin. On day 14 we examined the behavioral response to injection of formalin into the hindpaw and found that responses during the second phase of pain behavior were significantly reduced. There was no change during the first phase. Formalin-evoked fos expression in the spinal cord was also reduced. We also evaluated morphine analgesia in the formalin test and found that toxin-treated animals exhibited enhanced morphine analgesia. These results establish the utility of using this immunotoxin to selectively destroy subpopulations of noradrenergic cell groups and provide evidence that acute and persistent nociception are differentially regulated by descending noradrenergic pathways.

331 cases of clinically node-negative supraglottic carcinoma of the larynx: a study of a modest size fixed field radiotherapy approach.

PURPOSE: For node-negative supraglottic carcinoma of the larynx, radiotherapy with surgery in reserve commonly provides very good results in terms of both local control and survival, while preserving function. However uncertainty exists over the treatment of the node-negative neck. Elective whole neck radiotherapy, while effective, may be associated with significant morbidity. The purpose of this study was to examine our practice of treating a modest size, fixed field to a high biologically effective dose and compare it with the patterns of recurrence from other centers that use different dose/volume approaches. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Over a 10-year period 331 patients with node-negative supraglottic carcinoma of the larynx were treated with radiotherapy at the Christie Hospital Manchester. Patients were treated with doses of 50-55 Gy in 16 fractions over 3 weeks. Data were collected retrospectively for local and regional control, survival, and morbidity. RESULTS: Overall local control, after surgical salvage in 17 cases, was 79% (T1-92%, T2-81%, T3-67%, T4-73%). Overall regional lymph node control, after surgical salvage in 13 cases, was 84% (T1-91%, T2-88%, T3-81%, T4-72%). Five-year crude survival was 50%, but after correcting for intercurrent deaths was 70% (T1-83%, T2-78%, T3-53%, T4-61%). Serious morbidity requiring surgery was seen in 7 cases (2.1%) and was related to prescribed dose (50 Gy-0%, 52.5 Gy-1. 3%, 55 Gy-3.4%). DISCUSSION: Our results confirm that treating a modest size, fixed field to a high biologically effective dose is highly effective. It enables preservation of the larynx in most cases, with acceptable regional control and no loss of survival compared to whole neck radiotherapy regimes.

Combined rest thallium-201/stress technetium-99m-tetrofosmin SPECT: feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of a 90-minute protocol.

UNLABELLED: Technetium-99m tetrofosmin is a recently developed compound that clears from background organs rapidly. Tetrofosmin has a good correlation with 201Tl. This study assesses the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of a combined protocol involving rest 201Tl SPECT and stress imaging with 99mTc-tetrofosmin. METHODS: Twenty-five patients (23 men, 2 women; aged 36-73 yr) with known coronary artery disease underwent the combined protocol. Twenty minutes after the resting injection of 201Tl, resting SPECT data were acquired using low-energy, high-resolution collimators. A stress test using adenosine infusion combined with low-level dynamic exercise was performed. The stress data were collected 20 min later. The reconstructed vertical long-axis, horizontal long-axis and short-axis slices were analyzed qualitatively. Analysis was carried out using nine segments of the left ventricle. The segments were reported either as fixed or reversible. The results were compared to coronary angiography results. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of diseased coronary vessels were 85% and 70% for the left anterior descending territory, respectively, 78% and 71% for the right coronary artery, and 69% and 70% for the left circumflex. Overall, the sensitivity was 80% and the specificity 70%. CONCLUSION: Combined rest 201Tl/stress 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT provides a protocol of short duration which displays similar diagnostic accuracy to a protocol using tetrofosmin as a single agent.

Purification and analysis of a human sarcoma associated antigen.

S1, a heterophile antigen present on human sarcoma cell lines in culture, has been previously defined by this laboratory [1,2]. This antigen is also present in guinea-pig kidney. Purification of the antigen to homogeneity has now been achieved by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation, DEAE-cellulose, sephadex, high pressure liquid chromotography and affinity chromotography. S1 is a monomeric protein of 70,000 Da, as indicated by the presence of a single band on SDS-PAGE. Amino acid analysis demonstrates the prevalence of glycine, lysine and glutamic acid. Aspartic acid was found to be the N-terminal residue with further sequence of glycine-valine-alanine-glutamic acid (gly-val-ala-glut).

Radical external beam radiotherapy for 333 squamous carcinomas of the oral cavity--evaluation of late morbidity and a watch policy for the clinically negative neck.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to examine local control/morbidity for all cases and a 'watch policy' for the node-negative neck. PATIENTS/METHODS: 333 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were treated with a short radical radiotherapy regime to the primary site and involved lymph node groups at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, between 1980 and 1987. Only 10 of 278 node-negative patients received elective neck node irradiation. RESULTS: Actuarial cancer-free survival and local control rates at 5 years for the whole group were 55% and 61%, respectively. Control at the primary site was adversely related to increasing T-stage, node positivity and bone involvement at presentation. Osteonecrosis was seen in 14 (5.9%) of 237 cases without bone involvement at presentation. Taking all patients, late morbidity (non-healing soft tissue injury or bone necrosis) was seen in 45 patients (13.6%) at a median time of 21 months from treatment. The factors contributing to late morbidity were: (1) bone involvement at presentation, (2) synchronous MTX chemotherapy, (3) the contribution of scattered radiation from elective neck treatment, (4) increasing radiation dose, (5) increasing target volume for doses less than 55 Gy and (6) dental extractions. Eighty-four (31%) patients who were initially node-negative developed disease in the untreated neck during follow-up. Salvage neck dissections controlled neck disease in half of the node-only recurrences (21/42 cases). CONCLUSION: These results have influenced our treatment policy, with lowering of the primary tumour dose in some cases and addition of elective neck irradiation for T2-T4 No patients.