Transcriptomic analysis of bakanae disease resistant and susceptible rice genotypes in response to infection by Fusarium fujikuroi.

BACKGROUND: Fusarium fujikuroi causing bakanae is one of the most significant pathogens of rice and much responsible for yield losses thereby emerging as a major risk to food security. METHODS: In the present study transcriptomic analysis was conducted between two contrasting resistant (C101A51) and susceptible (Rasi) genotypes of rice with the combinations of C101A51 control (CC) vs. C101A51 inoculated (CI); Rasi control (RC) vs. Rasi inoculated (RI) and C101A51 inoculated (CI) vs. Rasi inoculated (RI). RESULTS: In CC vs. CI commonly expressed genes were 12,764. Out of them 567 (4%) were significantly upregulated and 1399 (9%) genes were downregulated. For the RC vs. RI 14, 333 (79%) genes were commonly expressed. For CI vs. RI 13,662 (72%) genes were commonly expressed. Genes related to cysteine proteinase inhibitor 10, disease resistance protein TAO1-like, oleosin 16 kDa-like, pathogenesis-related protein (PR1), (PR4), BTB/POZ and MATH domain-containing protein 5-like, alpha-amylase isozyme were upregulated in resistant genotype C101A51. Whereas, genes related to GDSL esterase/lipase, serine glyoxylate aminotransferase, CASP-like protein 2C1, WAT1-related protein, Cytoplasmic linker associated proteins, xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase protein and ß-D xylosidase 7 were upregulated in susceptible genotype Rasi. Gene ontology analysis showed functions related to defence response (GO:0006952), regulation of plant hypersensitive type response (GO:0010363), Potassium ion transmembrane activity (GO:0015079), chloroplast (GO:0009507), response to wounding (GO:0009611), xylan biosynthetic process (GO:0045492) were upregulated in resistant genotype C101A51 under inoculated conditions. CONCLUSION: Real time PCR based validation of the selected DEGs showed that the qRT-PCR was consistent with the RNA-Seq results. This is the first transcriptomic study against bakanae disease of rice in Indian genotypes. Further, functional studies on identified genes and their utilization through different methodology will be helpful for the development of bakanae disease management strategies.

Racial and ethnic disparities in subjective cognitive decline: a closer look, United States, 2015-2018.

BACKGROUND: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), characterized by self-experience of deterioration in cognitive performance may be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given the association of AD with dependence and disability for a long duration, earlier the detection, the sooner people and their families can receive information regarding better management. It is critical to explore disparities amongst racial and ethnic populations with SCD in order to facilitate targeted interventions. The primary objective was to identify disparities in prevalence of SCD amongst Whites, Blacks and Hispanics by select sociodemographic characteristics and functional limitations in a U.S. population-based sample of non-institutionalized adults aged 45 and older. The secondary objective was to assess the association between SCD and select chronic conditions (angina, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol) by race/ethnicity. METHODS: Combined data (2015-2018) were obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to conduct a population -based study. Analyses included 179,852 respondents aged 45 years or older who answered the SCD screening question as "yes" (n = 19,276) or "no" (n = 160,576). Descriptive statistics examined sociodemographic characteristics including functional limitations amongst racial/ethnic groups with SCD. Association of SCD with chronic conditions by race/ethnicity was also calculated. RESULTS: Overall, 10.8% (CI: 10.6-11.1) of adults aged 45 years or older reported SCD.10.7% Whites, 12.3% Blacks and 9.9% Hispanics experienced SCD. Blacks and Hispanics with SCD were more likely to be in the younger age group (45-54 years), less educated, low income, without access to health care, living alone and with functional limitations. Only half had discussed cognitive decline with a health care professional. Prevalence of selected chronic conditions was significantly higher in all racial/ethnic groups with SCD. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic trends predict a larger proportion of Hispanics and Blacks with SCD in the coming years. This information can lead to identification of opportunities for addressing negative SCD outcomes in minorities affected by inequitable conditions.

Tensions in learning professional identities - nursing students' narratives and participation in practical skills during their clinical practice: an ethnographic study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical practice is a pivotal part of nursing education. It provides students with the opportunity to put the knowledge and skills they have acquired from lectures into practice with real patients, under the guidance of registered nurses. Clinical experience is also essential for shaping the nursing students' identity as future professional nurses. There is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the ways in which students learn practical skills and apply knowledge within and across different contexts, i.e. how they apply clinical skills, learnt in the laboratory in university settings, in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was therefore to explore how nursing students describe, and use, their prior experiences related to practical skills during their clinical practice. METHODS: An ethnographic case study design was used. Fieldwork included participant observations (82 h), informal conversations, and interviews (n = 7) that were conducted during nursing students' (n = 17) clinical practice at an emergency department at a university hospital in Sweden. RESULTS: The overarching theme identified was "Learning about professional identities with respect to situated power". This encompasses tensions in students' learning when they are socialized into practical skills in the nursing profession. This overarching theme consists of three sub-themes: "Embodied knowledge", "Divergent ways of assessing and evaluating knowledge" and "Balancing approaches". CONCLUSIONS: Nursing students do not automatically possess the ability to transfer knowledge from one setting to another; rather, their development is shaped by their experiences and interactions with others when they meet real patients. The study revealed different ways in which students navigated tensions related to power differentials. Reflecting on actions is a prerequisite for developing and learning practical skills and professional identities. This highlights the importance of both educators' and the preceptors' roles for socializing students in this process.

Propofol-induced Inhibition of Catecholamine Release Is Reversed by Maintaining Calcium Influx.

BACKGROUND: Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) is one of the most frequently used anesthetic agents. One of the main side effects of propofol is to reduce blood pressure, which is thought to occur by inhibiting the release of catecholamines from sympathetic neurons. Here, the authors hypothesized that propofol-induced hypotension is not simply the result of suppression of the release mechanisms for catecholamines. METHODS: The authors simultaneously compared the effects of propofol on the release of norepinephrine triggered by high K-induced depolarization, as well as ionomycin, by using neuroendocrine PC12 cells and synaptosomes. Ionomycin, a Ca ionophore, directly induces Ca influx, thus bypassing the effect of ion channel modulation by propofol. RESULTS: Propofol decreased depolarization (high K)-triggered norepinephrine release, whereas it increased ionomycin-triggered release from both PC12 cells and synaptosomes. The propofol (30 µM)-induced increase in norepinephrine release triggered by ionomycin was dependent on both the presence and the concentration of extracellular Ca (0.3 to 10 mM; n = 6). The enhancement of norepinephrine release by propofol was observed in all tested concentrations of ionomycin (0.1 to 5 µM; n = 6). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol at clinically relevant concentrations promotes the catecholamine release as long as Ca influx is supported. This unexpected finding will allow for a better understanding in preventing propofol-induced hypotension.

Burden of Multiple Chronic Conditions in Delaware, 2011-2014.

The objective of this study was to use data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine the prevalence of multiple chronic conditions (MCC) by select sociodemographic groups and determine the prevalence of most common MCC dyads and triads among Delaware adults. Combined data for 2011 through 2014 from BRFSS (n = 18,052) were analyzed to determine prevalence of MCC. Delaware adults were categorized as having 0, 1, 2, or 3 or more of the following diagnosed chronic conditions: angina, arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, myocardial infarction (heart attack), obesity, or stroke. More than 65% of Delaware adults had at least 1 of the 12 selected chronic conditions. Furthermore, 36.8% of Delaware adults had MCC. The arthritis/obesity dyad and the arthritis/high blood pressure/high cholesterol triad were the 2 most prevalent MCC combinations. The findings of this study contribute information to the field of MCC research.

Adverse pregnancy outcome in patients with low pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A: The Indian Experience.

AIM: The aim of our study was to examine the association of low pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) with adverse pregnancy outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 1640 consecutive pregnant women between 9(+5) and 13(+6) weeks of pregnancy were recruited. One hundred and thirty women with PAPP-A levels < 0.4 multiple of median were followed till delivery and the outcome information was obtained for fetal loss, birthweight, growth restriction, preterm birth, reduced liquor and development of pre-eclampsia. RESULTS: During the study period, 130 (7.92%) women had low PAPP-A and were considered as cases and 200 women with normal PAPP-A were controls. Intrauterine growth restriction was observed in 28 (21.54%) cases as compared to 10 (5%) controls. Pre-eclampsia presented in 24 (18.46%) cases and in 18 (9%) controls. Twenty (15.38%) cases had preterm delivery compared to 12 (6%) controls. Fifty-six (43.08%) cases delivered low-birthweight babies compared to 22 (11%) controls. Thus, the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth and low birthweight was significantly more in the cases as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: PAPP-A is a valuable analyte for predicting risk of adverse pregnancy outcome and women with low serum PAPP-A levels would benefit from closer surveillance.

Conservative management of corpus luteum haemorrhage in patients on anticoagulation: a report of three cases and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Severe bleeding into the peritoneal cavity from a ruptured corpus luteum cyst is a rare complication in women receiving anticoagulation therapy. Surgical management has been a traditional approach in managing corpus luteum haemorrhage, however, conservative management is now dominating the trend in carefully selected patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report here a series of three cases of corpus luteum haemorrhage with variable presentation. Conservative management was started in all the three patients and was successful in two cases. Finding a safe, effective, and acceptable method to inhibit ovulation in women on anticoagulation for mechanical heart valve is a challenge. All three patients were prescribed cyclical oral Desogestrel for long-term ovulation suppression. CONCLUSION: Selected patients with haemorrhage secondary to deranged coagulation can undergo conservative management in consultation with cardiologist and hematologist.

Delawareans with current asthma who smoke--a snapshot.

OBJECTIVE: Because they experience respiratory symptoms, adults with asthma might be expected to avoid cigarette smoking. This study sought to determine whether Delawareans with asthma are less likely to smoke cigarettes than members of the general population. METHODS: The authors used data from a combined sample of 8,560 Delaware adults (ages 18 years or older) who participated in the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (2011 and 2012). Sampling weights were used in all analyses. In this cross-sectional study, 827 participants reported a physician diagnosis of asthma. RESULTS: The prevalence of cigarette smoking is similar in Delawareans with and without asthma (20.91 percent and 20.30 percent respectively). After controlling for gender, race, and education, younger age groups had significantly higher odds of being current smokers. There was evidence that young adults (18-44 years) were six times more likely to be current smokers as compared to the 65 or older reference group. CONCLUSIONS: Delawareans with asthma do not appear to selectively avoid cigarette smoking. Specific smoking prevention and cessation efforts should be targeted to adults with asthma.

Burden of arthritis in Delaware: implications for public health.

OBJECTIVE: Delaware's older population is increasing at a faster rate than in most other states. The number of adults with arthritis is expected to increase sharply in the coming years, thus making it important to explore the burden of this leading cause of disability at the state and local level. This study explored the burden of arthritis in Delaware along with its co-morbidity with other chronic conditions.. METHODS: Data from 4,777 adults in Delaware who participated in the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to quantify the self-reported burden of arthritis. As a secondary analysis we explored prevalence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes among adults with arthritis. RESULTS: In 2011, 26.30 percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.67-27.94) of Delaware residents reported a diagnosis of arthritis. Delawareans 65 years and over had more than six times higher odds of diagnosed arthritis. Logistic regression model showed higher odds for sex, income, smoking, and obesity. Prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were three times higher in adults with arthritis. Burden of arthritis was evident with 45 percent experiencing activity limitations and 34 percent reporting arthritis affected their employment. CONCLUSION: Arthritis-related societal burden will increase substantially over the coming years in Delaware. Worksite accommodation will become a greater issue as the number of working-age people with arthritis increases. Enhancing clinic-community linkages is recommended. Co-morbidity of chronic conditions may be effectively managed through interventions that focus on multiple conditions.

Disparities in multiple risk factors for cardiovascular diseases - Delaware, 2011.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of multiple risk factors for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) and to identify disparities in risk status among population subgroups in Delaware. As a secondary analysis the study will also analyze self-reported CVD prevalence overall and discuss differences in prevalence by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, employment status, and county of residence. METHODS: Analysis was conducted using Delaware data for 4,777 respondents from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Survey participants having greater than or equal to two of the following risk factors: obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, current smoking, and diabetes mellitus were considered as having multiple risk factors for CVD. RESULTS: In 2011, the prevalence of CVD in Delaware was 8.61 percent (95 percent Confidence Interval [CI, 7.55, 9.66]). Overall, 22.51 percent (95 percent CI, 20.62-24.40) of persons reported having no risk factors, 32.30 percent (95 percent CI, 30.31-34.28) reported one risk factor, and 45.20 percent (95 percent CI, 43.18-47.21) reported multiple risk factors. Prevalence of multiple risk factors was higher for the aged, less educated, and unemployed. Disparities by gender and race were not significant. Sussex County had a higher prevalence of CVD multiple risk factors, 53.18 percent (95 percent CI, 49.47-56.89) followed by Kent County, 49.75 percent (95 percent CI, 45.92-53.58). CONCLUSIONS: One of the priority goals of Healthy People 2020 is to improve cardiovascular health and quality of life through prevention, detection, and treatment of risk factors for heart attack and stroke and also prevention of repeat cardiovascular events. This study indicates that in 2011 a higher proportion of the Delaware population had multiple risk factors for heart disease and stroke, particularly certain population subgroups defined by socioeconomic status. Development of effective prevention programs targeting populations with greater risk factor prevalence should reduce CVD incidence, which will significantly contribute to the decline in both CVD prevalence and CVD mortality. Understanding the determinants for modifiable risk factors might facilitate their control for public health.

Obesity and the prevalence of diabetes and diabetes-related cardiovascular comorbidities in Delaware.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine the relative associations of obesity with the prevalence of diabetes and diabetes-related cardiovascular comorbidities in Delaware. Compelling research evidence demonstrates that obesity is a major independent risk factor both for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Analysis was conducted using Delaware data for 4,777 respondents from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). RESULTS: The likelihood of having diabetes and diabetes-related cardiovascular (CVD) comorbidities increased with Body Mass Index (BMI). Compared with normal-weight adults, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for diabetes was 7.14 (95 percent confidence interval [CI] 4.70-10.83) and 2.54 (95 percent CI, 1.65-3.92); OR for diabetes and comorbid hypertension was 9.93 (95 percent CI, 5.82-16.93) and 3.66 (95 percent CI 2.13-6.30); OR for diabetes and high cholesterol OR was 6.76 (95 percent CI, 3.98-11.48) and 3.09 (95 percent CI,1.78-5.37); and the OR for diabetes and heart disease was 7.64 (95 percent CI, 3.15-18.50) and 3.82 (95 percent CI, 1.42-10.30) in obese and overweight adult Delawareans, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: One of the objectives of Healthy People 2020 is to reduce the rate of cardiovascular disease deaths in persons with diagnosed diabetes. Findings from this study provide compelling local data for health professionals to prioritize and implement evidence based obesity prevention and control interventions among persons with diagnosed diabetes to reduce the risk of cardiovascular comorbidities.

Impaired Vibratory and Reciprocal Inhibition in Soleus H-Reflex Testing in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

Introduction Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental condition that results from an injury to a developing brain. Children with CP fail to execute precise, well-coordinated movements, and excessive muscular co-contraction or co-activation is a prominent attribute of CP. The normal reciprocal relationship between agonists and antagonists during voluntary movements is altered in patients with CP. H-reflex, which is often regarded as the electrical equivalent of the spinal stretch reflex, can be used to examine the overall reflex arc, including the Ia sensory afferent strength and the spinal motoneuron excitability state. Furthermore, neuromodulatory influence of vibration on H-reflex has been found, which has been increasingly investigated to ascertain its potential use as an intervention in patients with increased spinal reflex excitability. Our goal was to identify the brain mechanism underlying the motor deficits by studying Soleus H-reflex changes during voluntary movement (dorsiflexion) and also to determine the role of vibration in H-reflex modulation in children with spastic CP. Methods Soleus H-reflex was recorded in 12 children with spastic CP (10-16 years) and 15 age-matched controls. Recordings were obtained at rest, during dorsiflexion, and during vibratory stimulation for each subject. H-responses (Hmax amplitudes and Hmax-to-Mmax ratio) were compared among the controls and the cases (CP), for the experiments performed, by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The recruitment curves depicting the distribution of mean H-response amplitudes with stimulus intensity increment, for dorsiflexion and vibration were compared among controls and cases by the two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test. p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results Hmax amplitudes and the Hmax-to-Mmax ratio increased (15 % and 12.2 % increment, respectively) from the resting values in the children with CP (p<0.05), while controls exhibited a decrease (reduction of 62% and 57 %, respectively) during dorsiflexion (p<0.05). Vibratory stimulation produced a decreasing trend in H-response measures in both the groups. There was about 15 % and 16 % reduction respectively among children with CP while that of 24 % and 21 % respectively among the controls. The differences in the recruitment curves (distribution of average H-response amplitudes with stimulation intensity) recorded during dorsiflexion and vibration experiments among controls compared with those with CP were found to be statistically significant by the two-sample KS test (p<0.0001). Conclusion The failure of H-reflex suppression during voluntary antagonist muscle activation suggests the presence of impaired reciprocal inhibition in spastic CP. The relatively modest H-response reduction caused by vibratory stimulation in children with CP provides limited evidence of vibratory regulation of the H-reflex in CP. More research into the mechanisms driving motor abnormalities in children with CP is needed, which could aid in therapy planning.

Integrating experimental and theoretical studies in the development of a novel alginate-based bio-composite for copper anticorrosion in 3.5 % NaCl environments.

The development of new coatings based on a biopolymer, epichlorohydrin-modified alginate, and alginate-epichlorohydrin-SrTiO3 nanocomposites incorporating SrTiO3 (STO) nanoparticles in the alginate (Alg) matrix (Alg-Ep-STO), has been addressed in this study. Various characterization techniques were employed to analyze the prepared compounds, including X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), as well as surface analysis methods such as Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarisation (PDP) methods were used to evaluate corrosion inhibition and protection durability. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of STO nanoparticles into the alginate matrix with epichlorohydrin significantly improved the metal's resistance to corrosion. The experimental findings received reinforcement from various computational methods, including density functional theory (DFT), Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, which were employed to investigate the interactions between the Alg-Ep-STO nanocomposite and the copper surface. The computational outcomes revealed that the Alg-Ep-STO nanocomposite exhibits robust adhesion to the copper surface, maintaining a flat orientation, with its alignment being notably influenced by the presence of STO nanoparticles.

Prognosticators for Visual Outcome in Indirect Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Introduction Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON), with indirect TON as its more prevalent form, is a dreadful cause of severe visual dysfunctions. The condition is known to have a contentious treatment plan and poor visual sequelae; hence, the assessment of prognostic signs becomes valuable. Prospective studies evaluating important predictors of visual recovery after traumatic optic nerve injury can particularly be helpful in a longitudinal observation. The possible roles of clinical variables need to be assessed. Absent visual evoked potential (VEP) records as a crucial finding associated with TON has reportedly valuable prognostic significance. This also needs to be explored. Hence, the study sought to determine the role of prognosticators in the visual outcome of the patients, with a focus on evaluating the role of VEPs in the severity and prognosis of indirect TON. Methods A prospective observational study involving 40 patients with indirect TON was conducted. Ocular, neuro-ophthalmological, radiological, and neurophysiological variables, including flash VEP, were investigated at their initial visit and followed up until the end of six months. Final visual acuity was the primary outcome variable studied. Paired t-test was used to perform the comparison between the flash VEP variables for normal and affected eyes at the initial visit. Pearson correlation coefficient was computed for obtaining the association of initial visual acuity and flash VEP variables with the outcome variable. Relative risk was calculated and analysed for the prognosticators in univariate analysis. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results Statistically significant variations in mean P100 latency, N75-P100, and P100-N145 amplitudes compared between normal and affected eyes in the patients at the initial visit were obtained (p < 0.0001; paired t-test). Pearson correlation coefficient for initial visual acuity and flash VEP variable as independent variables and final visual acuity as the dependent variable were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The relative risks for prognosticators with a statistically significant range of confidence intervals were poor initial visual acuity, greater relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) grades, deranged flash VEP variables (absent VEP, reduction in amplitude ratio (>50%), and increased interocular latency differences), loss of consciousness during injury, age greater than 40 years, and lack of improvement after 48 hours of steroid treatment. Conclusion The identified negative prognosticators may be helpful in deciding the kind of therapeutic approach and predicting the visual outcome in patients with indirect TON.

Impact of Sleep Duration, Quality, and Chronotype on Learning and Academic Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study Among First Year Medical Students of a Tertiary Care Institute.

Introduction The link between sleep and cognitive processes, such as memory and learning, continues to be one of the most intriguing and perplexing theories. Undergraduate medical students in their first year are particularly vulnerable to sleep disturbances. Academic achievement and learning have been linked to sleep patterns, which include not only the quantity and quality of sleep but also the timing of sleep in relation to the natural sleep onsets, or chronotypes. There have been conflicting reports on the outcomes of sleep and relatively fewer researches focused on the impact of chronotypes on learning and academic achievement among medical students. The current study thus sought to determine the chronotypes of medical students, evaluate the quantity and quality of sleep, and determine the impact of these factors on learning and academic performance. Methods The study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Gorakhpur, India. Sleep health was assessed in 167 first-year medical students using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ), and sleep log books. Learning and memory assessment was performed using Raven's progressive matrices test. Grade point average (GPA) was used to assess their academic performance. The relationship of sleep scores with GPA and RPM scores were obtained by linear regression analysis. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and unpaired t-test were used to investigate other comparisons among categories of chronotypes and those of mean GPA. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as significant. Results The mean GPA and RPM scores obtained in the groups with PSQI ≥ 5 (2.67 ± 1.1, 49.51 ± 6.24, respectively) and PSQI < 5 (3.15 ± 0.59, 54.73 ± 4.01, respectively) and those in the group with ESS ≥ 10 (2.72 ± 1.17, 50.97 ± 5.92, respectively) and ESS < 10 (3.15 ± 0.6, 54.18 ± 3.91, respectively) varied with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Statistically significant R-squared values for the relationship of PSQI and ESS scores with RPM and GPA scores were obtained. No correlation between academic grades and chronotype was found. Poor GPA scores were found to be associated with reduced mean sleep duration for one week before the exams. Conclusion Learning and academic performance are negatively impacted by poor sleep quality and daytime sleep dysfunction. No definite evidence for the association of sleep chronotypes with the learning and memory could be attained. Higher test performance is more closely linked to the average sleep length over a duration of time preceding the exams.

Multimodal Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring in Cranial and Spinal Tumour Surgeries: A Descriptive Observational Study.

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) involves monitoring the functional integrity of critical brain regions and pathways as well as identifying and preserving functionally viable neural tissues (mapping) during surgery using electrophysiological techniques. Multimodality combines various neurophysiological techniques to optimise diagnostic effectiveness and to improve the outcomes of the surgeries. The present study is a case series with comprehensive and illustrative descriptions of the neurophysiological changes in five neuromonitored cases of cranial and spinal cord tumour surgeries conducted with a multimodal approach. The cases were monitored with somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), transcranial motor evoked potentials (TcMEP), and both free run and triggered electromyography (fEMG and tEMG). No false negative outcomes were identified in the cases studied as there was an association of absence of change in SSEP and TcMEP both, with no neurological deficit postoperatively. Two cases were identified as having true positive neuromonitoring alerts. No false positive alerts were found in any case. Multimodal monitoring using SSEP, TcMEP, and EMG (fEMG and tEMG) in cranial and spinal tumour surgeries can improve performance with fewer false-negative and false-positive results. Neuromonitoring approaches used in combination can provide reliable information regarding postoperative neurological outcomes.

Technology enabled communication during COVID 19: analysis of tweets from top ten Indian IT companies using NVIVO.

The corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted industries across the globe. Lockdown was imposed to curb the spread of the deadly virus. This resulted in closure of the factories and manufacturing units. Few sectors switched to work from home (WFH) for the first time. The present study aims to understand and analyze the way in which Information Technology (IT) sector communicated on Twitter during the pandemic. The top ten IT companies in India were selected on the basis of net sales. Qualitative data analysis was employed to extract tweets, understand and analyze them. Tweets were extracted from the official Twitter handles of these top ten IT companies using N-Capture extension tool of NVivo 12 software from April 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. To get insights out of collected data, Word Cloud, TreeMap and Sentiment Analysis of tweets were carried out using NVivo 12 software. The research found that IT companies focussed on digital transformation, business development, customer satisfaction and enriching customer experience, new product development for healthcare and insurance and organizational resilience. They also focussed on effective communication through Twitter in times of crisis. Most of the companies tweeted moderately positive. Very small numbers of tweets were found to be very negative.

The Mizoroki-Heck reaction between in situ generated alkenes and aryl halides: cross-coupling route to substituted olefins.

This review covers palladium-catalyzed typical Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides with in situ generated alkenes, by following a typical Heck coupling mechanism to form substituted olefins unlike direct cross-coupling of alkenes with aryl halides in Heck olefination. These reactions solve the issue of alkenes undergoing polymerization at high temperatures and increase reaction efficiency by reducing the reaction time and purification steps.

Uterine tamponade using condom catheter balloon in the management of non-traumatic postpartum hemorrhage.

AIM: To study the efficacy and complications of uterine tamponade using condom catheter balloon in non-traumatic postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. Eighteen patients with non-traumatic PPH not responding to medical management were included in the study. Uterine tamponade was achieved by a condom catheter balloon filled with saline and kept in situ for 8-48 h. The main outcome measures were success rate in controlling hemorrhage, time required to stop bleeding, subsequent morbidity and technical difficulties. Data was analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: The success rate of condom catheter balloon in controlling hemorrhage was 94%. The mean amount of fluid filled in the condom catheter balloon was 409 mL. The average time taken to control bleeding was 6.2 min. The mean duration for which condom catheter balloon was left in situ was 27.5 h. The average amount of blood loss was 1330 mL. Five patients (28%) had infective morbidity. CONCLUSION: Condom catheter balloon is effective in controlling non-traumatic PPH in 94% cases. It is effective, simple to use, easily available and is a cheap modality to manage non-traumatic postpartum hemorrhage, especially in limited resource settings.

Cloning and expression of a small heat and salt tolerant protein (Hsp22) from Chaetomium globosum.

The present study reports molecular characterization of small heat shock protein gene in Indian isolates of Chaetomium globosum, C. perlucidum, C. reflexum, C. cochlioides and C. cupreum. Six isolates of C. globosum and other species showed a band of 630bp using specific primers. Amplified cDNA product of C. globosum (Cg 1) cloned and sequenced showed 603bp open reading frame encoding 200 amino-acids. The protein sequence had a molecular mass of 22 kDa and was therefore, named Hsp22. BlastX analysis revealed that the gene codes for a protein homologous to previously characterized Hsp22.4 gene from C. globosum (AAR36902.1, XP 001229241.1) and shared 95% identity in amino acid sequence. It also showed varying degree of similarities with small Hsp protein from Neurospora spp. (60%), Myceliophthora sp. (59%), Glomerella sp. (50%), Hypocrea sp. (52%), and Fusarium spp. (51%). This gene was further cloned into pET28a (+) and transformed E. coli BL21 cells were induced by IPTG, and the expressed protein of 30 kDa was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The IPTG induced transformants displayed significantly greater resistance to NaCl and Na2CO3 stresses.