Hydrogen Sensing with Palladium-based Materials: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Palladium morphologies are prominently used in Hydrogen gas sensing applications owing to their unique characteristics and properties. In this review article, Palladium nanoparticles, thin films, and alloys were designated as the scope of Palladium morphologies. The aim of this review article is to explore Hydrogen sensing using Palladium, focusing on the recent advancements in the field. The principles underlying Hydrogen sensing mechanisms with Palladium are discussed initially, highlighting the unique properties of Palladium that make it a promising material for this purpose. Special attention is given to the surface interactions and structural modifications that influence the sensitivity and selectivity of Palladium-based sensors. The study also addresses key challenges and recent innovations in the field which contribute to the enhancement of Palladium-based Hydrogen sensing capabilities. The current state of research is critically examined to identify gaps in knowledge and future research directions are highlighted. The prospects and challenges associated with the use of Palladium for Hydrogen sensing, emphasizing its pivotal role in advancing sensor technologies for Hydrogen detection are also discussed.

Development of Simultaneous HPTLC Method and Validation for the Quality Assessment of Ayurvedic Formulation-Ayush Kvatha Churna by Using Marker Compound Rosmarinic Acid, Trans-Cinnamaldehyde and Piperine.

Ayurveda emphasizes the propagation of nature in maintaining health. In the present scenario, we have seen the faith of people in herbal drugs during the Covid 19 outbreak. The raises in the number of peoples have been using herbal drugs to boost immunity against infectious diseases shows the popularity of this ancient system of medicine. The standardization of Ayush Kvatha Churna (AKC), work set out to establish a straightforward, accurate and sensitive HPTLC method for the identification and quantification of marker compounds. The Rosmarinic acid, trans-Cinnamaldehyde and Piperine were used for the estimation of markers in Ayush Kvatha Churna by using HPTLC with a solvent system, consisting of Toluene: Ethyl acetate: Ethyl alcohol: Formic acid (5.6:2.4:2: 0.3 v/v/v/v). The Rf value 0.33 for Rosmarinic Acid, 0.69 for Piperine and 0.77 for trans-Cinnamaldehyde was observed and it is exactly complying with the corresponding bands in Ayush Kvatha Churna. The technique has been effectively verified and validated, enabling it to be used for the standardization or quantitative analysis of Rosmarinic acid, trans-Cinnamaldehyde and piperine in Ayush Kvatha Churna.

The Roles of Oil-Water Interfaces in Forming Ultrasmall CaSO4 Nanoparticles.

In natural and engineered environmental systems, calcium sulfate (CaSO4) nucleation commonly occurs at dynamic liquid-liquid interfaces. Although CaSO4 is one of the most common minerals in oil spills and oil-water separation, the mechanisms driving its nucleation at these liquid-liquid interfaces remain poorly understood. In this study, using in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we examined CaSO4 nucleation at oil-water interfaces and found that within 60 minutes of reaction, short rod-shaped nanoparticles (with a radius of gyration (Rg) of 17.2 ± 2.7 nm and a length of 38.2 ± 5.8 nm) had formed preferentially at the interfaces. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) analysis identified these nanoparticles as gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O). In addition, spherial nanoparticles measuring 4.1 nm in diameter were observed at oil-water interfaces, where surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) revealed an elevated pH compared to the bulk solution. The negatively charged oil-water interfaces preferentially adsorb calcium ions, collectively promoting CaSO4 formation there. CaSO4 particle formation at the oil-water interface follows a nonclassical nucleation (N-CNT) pathway by forming ultrasmall amorphous spherical particles which then aggregate to form intermediate nanoparticles, subsequently growing into nanorod-shaped gypsum. These findings of this study provide insights into mineral scaling during membrane separation and can inform more efficient oil transport in energy recovery systems.

Efficacy of Topical Turmeric, Calendula officinalis, and Tulsi (Ayurvedic Gel) in the Management of Erosive Lichen Planus: A Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Chronic mucocutaneous symptoms are a hallmark of lichen planus (LP), an inflammatory disease of the stratified squamous epithelium. The most severe type of mucosal lichen is oral erosive lichen planus (OELP). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients were included in this prospective trial, with fifteen patients each assigned to Group A and Group B. Patients were given a choice between a placebo gel and an ayurvedic gel comprising pure turmeric, Calendula officinalis, and tulsi powder in an oral basis. At each appointment, the patients' reactions to therapy were scored on the Tel Aviv-San Francisco Scale, whereas the degree of the fire was rated using a Visual Analog Scale. Data analysis was carried out using IBM's Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Insights version 21. Results: After receiving ayurvedic gel, patients in Group A reported much less burning than those in Group B (placebo). Group A responded better to therapy overall than Group B. Conclusion: This study's findings support the use of an ayurvedic gel made from pure turmeric, Calendula officinalis, and tulsi powder for the treatment of erosive lichen planus.

Morphometric Analysis of Sella Turcica and a Proposed Novel Sella Turcica Index - A Digital Lateral Cephalometric Study.

Background: The sella turcica is a structure readily seen on lateral cephalograms and sella point is routinely traced for various cephalometric analyses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphometric variation in size and shape of sella turcica via lateral cephalogram. The objectives were to introduce a novel sella turcica index (STI) and assess its reliability that could be helpful in gender determination. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 lateral cephalograms of the patients of age group 10-30 years were included for the study. The morphological variations of the sella turcica was done based on the classification given by Axelsson et al. (2004). The length, depth and perimeter of the sella turcica was measured and STI derived and calculated. The data was further subjected to discriminant analysis to validate the gender outcome. Reliability of the novel index was determined by calculating the sensitivity and specificity. Results: The overall most common morphological type of sella turcica was Type A (56.25%) followed by Type B (18.75%) and Type E (13.75%). The mean perimeter and depth of sella turcica was higher in females whereas the mean length of sella turcica was higher in males. The mean STI was higher in males and statistically highly significant. The sensitivity and specificity of this index was 72.5% and 90% respectively. Conclusion: A significant relationship was observed between the morphometric measurements of sella turcica and gender. STI could be of great help as a reliable tool for personal identification in forensic sciences. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-04082-9.

Electronic Tongue Based on ZnO/ITO@glass for Electrochemical Monitoring of Spiciness Levels.

Capsaicin, a chemical compound present in chili peppers, is widely acknowledged as the main contributor to the spicy and hot sensations encountered during consumption. Elevated levels of capsaicin can result in meals being excessively spicy, potentially leading to health issues, such as skin burning, irritation, increased heart rate and circulation, and discomfort in the gastrointestinal system and even inducing nausea or diarrhea. The level of spiciness that individuals can tolerate may vary, so what may be considered incredibly hot for one person could be mild for another. To ensure food safety, human healthcare, regulatory compliance, and quality control in spicy food products, capsaicin levels must be measured. For these purposes, a reliable and stable sensor is required to quantify the capsaicin level. To leverage the effect of zinc oxide (ZnO), herein, we demonstrated the one-step fabrication process of an electronic tongue (E-Tongue) based on an electrochemical biosensor for the determination of capsaicin. ZnO was electrodeposited on the indium tin oxide (ITO) surface. The biosensor demonstrated the two notable linear ranges from 0.01 to 50 µM and from 50 to 500 µM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.1 nM. The present study also included the analysis of real samples, such as green chilis, red chili powder, and dried red chilis, to evaluate their spiciness levels. Furthermore, the E-Tongue exhibited notable degrees of sensitivity, selectivity, and long-term stability for a duration of more than a month. The development of an E-Tongue for capsaicin real-time monitoring as a point-of-care (POC) device has the potential to impact various industries and improve safety, product quality, and healthcare outcomes.

Pan-Indian Clinical Registry of Invasive Fungal Infections Among Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Protocol for a Multicentric Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Fungal infections are now a great public health threat, especially in those with underlying risk factors such as neutropenia, diabetes, high-dose steroid treatment, cancer chemotherapy, prolonged intensive care unit stay, and so on, which can lead to mycoses with higher mortality rates. The rates of these infections have been steadily increasing over the past 2 decades due to the increasing population of patients who are immunocompromised. However, the data regarding the exact burden of such infection are still not available from India. Therefore, this registry was initiated to collate systematic data on invasive fungal infections (IFIs) across the country. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study is to create a multicenter digital clinical registry and monitor trends of IFIs and emerging fungal diseases, as well as early signals of any potential fungal outbreak in any region. The registry will also capture information on the antifungal resistance patterns and the contribution of fungal infections on overall morbidity and inpatient mortality across various conditions. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, noninterventional observational study will be conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research through a web-based data collection method from 8 Advanced Mycology Diagnostic and Research Centers across the country. Data on age, gender, clinical signs and symptoms, date of admission, date of discharge or death, diagnostic tests performed, identified pathogen details, antifungal susceptibility testing, outcome, and so on will be obtained from hospital records. Descriptive and multivariate statistical methods will be applied to investigate clinical manifestations, risk variables, and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: These Advanced Mycology Diagnostic and Research Centers are expected to find the hidden cases of fungal infections in the intensive care unit setting. The study will facilitate the enhancement of the precision of fungal infection diagnosis and prompt treatment modalities in response to antifungal drug sensitivity tests. This registry will improve our understanding of IFIs, support evidence-based clinical decision-making ability, and encourage public health policies and actions. CONCLUSIONS: Fungal diseases are a neglected public health problem. Fewer diagnostic facilities, scanty published data, and increased vulnerable patient groups make the situation worse. This is the first systematic clinical registry of IFIs in India. Data generated from this registry will increase our understanding related to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of fungal diseases in India by addressing pertinent gaps in mycology. This initiative will ensure a visible impact on public health in the country. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/54672.

VWD domain stabilization by autocatalytic Asp-Pro cleavage.

Domains known as von Willebrand factor type D (VWD) are found in extracellular and cell-surface proteins including von Willebrand factor, mucins, and various signaling molecules and receptors. Many VWD domains have a glycine-aspartate-proline-histidine (GDPH) amino-acid sequence motif, which is hydrolytically cleaved post-translationally between the aspartate (Asp) and proline (Pro). The Fc IgG binding protein (FCGBP), found in intestinal mucus secretions and other extracellular environments, contains 13 VWD domains, 11 of which have a GDPH cleavage site. In this study, we investigated the structural and biophysical consequences of Asp-Pro peptide cleavage in a representative FCGBP VWD domain. We found that endogenous Asp-Pro cleavage increases the resistance of the domain to exogenous proteolytic degradation. Tertiary structural interactions made by the newly generated chain termini, as revealed by a crystal structure of an FCGBP segment containing the VWD domain, may explain this observation. Notably, the Gly-Asp peptide bond, upstream of the cleavage site, assumed the cis configuration in the structure. In addition to these local features of the cleavage site, a global organizational difference was seen when comparing the FCGBP segment structure with the numerous other structures containing the same set of domains. Together, these data illuminate the outcome of GDPH cleavage and demonstrate the plasticity of proteins with VWD domains, which may contribute to their evolution for function in a dynamic extracellular environment.

Augmenting insect olfaction performance through nano-neuromodulation.

Biological olfactory systems are highly sensitive and selective, often outperforming engineered chemical sensors in highly complex and dynamic environments. As a result, there is much interest in using biological systems to build sensors. However, approaches to read-out information from biological systems, especially neural signals, tend to be suboptimal due to the number of electrodes that can be used and where these can be placed. Here we aim to overcome this suboptimality in neural information read-out by using a nano-enabled neuromodulation strategy to augment insect olfaction-based chemical sensors. By harnessing the photothermal properties of nanostructures and releasing a select neuromodulator on demand, we show that the odour-evoked response from the interrogated regions of the insect olfactory system can not only be enhanced but can also improve odour identification.

The Development of a Clinical Registry Digital Database on Invasive Fungal Infections in India: Advancing Epidemiological Understanding and Patient Care.

A well-structured digital database is essential for any national priority project as it can provide real-time data analysis and facilitate quick decision making. In recent times, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, invasive fungal infections (IFIs) have emerged as a significant public health challenge in India, affecting vulnerable population, including immunocompromised individuals. The lack of comprehensive and well-structured data on IFIs has hindered efforts to understand their true burden and optimize patient care. To address this critical knowledge gap, the ICMR has undertaken a Pan-India pioneer initiative to develop a network of Advanced Mycology Diagnostic research centres in different geographical zones of the country (ICMR-MycoNet). Under the aegis of this project, a clinical registry on IFIs in the ICUs is initiated. This process paper presents a detailed account of the steps involved in the establishment of a web-based data entering and monitoring platform to capture data electronically, ensuring robust and secure data collection and management. This system not only allows participating ICMR-MycoNet centres to enter patient information directly into the database using standardized Case Report Form (CRF) but also includes data validation checks to ensure the accuracy and completeness of entered data. It is complemented by a real-time, web-based, and adaptable data visualization platform. This registry aims to provide crucial epidemiological insights, promote evidence-based hospital infection control programs, and ultimately improve patient outcomes in the face of this formidable healthcare challenge.

Development and validation of multicentre study on novel Artificial Intelligence-based Cardiovascular Risk Score (AICVD).

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the most prevalent diseases in India amounting for nearly 30% of total deaths. A dearth of research on CVD risk scores in Indian population, limited performance of conventional risk scores and inability to reproduce the initial accuracies in randomised clinical trials has led to this study on large-scale patient data. The objective is to develop an Artificial Intelligence-based Risk Score (AICVD) to predict CVD event (eg, acute myocardial infarction/acute coronary syndrome) in the next 10 years and compare the model with the Framingham Heart Risk Score (FHRS) and QRisk3. METHODS: Our study included 31 599 participants aged 18-91 years from 2009 to 2018 in six Apollo Hospitals in India. A multistep risk factors selection process using Spearman correlation coefficient and propensity score matching yielded 21 risk factors. A deep learning hazards model was built on risk factors to predict event occurrence (classification) and time to event (hazards model) using multilayered neural network. Further, the model was validated with independent retrospective cohorts of participants from India and the Netherlands and compared with FHRS and QRisk3. RESULTS: The deep learning hazards model had a good performance (area under the curve (AUC) 0.853). Validation and comparative results showed AUCs between 0.84 and 0.92 with better positive likelihood ratio (AICVD -6.16 to FHRS -2.24 and QRisk3 -1.16) and accuracy (AICVD -80.15% to FHRS 59.71% and QRisk3 51.57%). In the Netherlands cohort, AICVD also outperformed the Framingham Heart Risk Model (AUC -0.737 vs 0.707). CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that the novel AI-based CVD Risk Score has a higher predictive performance for cardiac events than conventional risk scores in Indian population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CTRI/2019/07/020471.

Primary hepatic functional neuroendocrine tumor in an elderly female: Case report.

Key Clinical Message: Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor, an exceptionally rare subtype, poses a diagnostic challenge. Oncological resections should be considered, even in elderly patients after following protocolized pre-operative optimizations. Abstract: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors that primarily develop in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. While the liver is commonly affected by NET metastases, primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs) are an exceptionally rare subtype. The characteristic slow growth and nonfunctional nature of PHNETs pose challenges in their diagnosis. Furthermore, PHNETs often exhibit a lack of unique radiological characteristics that differentiate them from other liver tumors, leading to frequent misdiagnosis as hepatocellular carcinoma. We performed left hepatectomy for PHNET in an elderly lady with prolonged stormy postoperative course. This case report of a PHNET highlights the importance of histopathology and immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis and emphasizes that oncological resection, if feasible, is the preferred treatment even in the elderly population.

Periodontal health status in patients with lung cancer: Case-control study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the periodontal health status of individuals with lung cancer in the North Indian population. In addition, the study aimed to determine the levels of human beta-defensin2 (Hbd-2) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum samples collected from the participants. Methods: The study consisted of a total of 90 participants, who were categorized into three groups: Group 1 included 30 healthy individuals, Group 2 comprised 30 patients with chronic periodontitis, and Group 3 involved 30 patients diagnosed with both lung cancer and chronic periodontitis. Various periodontal parameters, including plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL), were assessed in addition to the analysis of human beta defensin2 levels in both the GCF and serum samples of all participants. Results: The study results revealed that all clinical parameters assessed were higher in Group 3 compared to both Group 2 and Group 1. Specifically, the levels of hBD-2 in the GCF were measured as 52.29 ± 46.41 pg/mL in Group 1, 27.15 ± 28.76 pg/mL in Group 2, and 86.01 ± 68.82 pg/mL in Group 3. When comparing the hBD-2 levels in serum, the values were found to be 813.72 ± 269.43 pg/mL in Group 1, 591.50 ± 263.91 pg/mL in Group 2, and 1093.04 ± 674.55 pg/mL in Group 3. These intergroup comparisons indicate variations in hBD-2 levels among the different groups. Conclusions: The study findings demonstrated significantly higher clinical and biochemical markers in patients with both lung cancer and chronic periodontitis, in comparison to individuals with chronic periodontitis alone and healthy participants. These results suggest that Hbd-2 could potentially serve as a valuable diagnostic biomarker for identifying and distinguishing individuals with both lung cancer and chronic periodontitis.

A Critical Review on Hydrogen Based Fuel Cell Technology and Applications.

The research in energy storage and conversion is playing a critical role in energy policy as the innovation and technological progress are essential for achieving the energy transition and climate neutrality goals. Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology is considered a strategic element in the pursuit of sustainable and clean energy solutions. This technology is increasingly gaining attention in recent years as a potential substitute to conventional non-renewable energy sources. Fuel cell technology can be employed for domestic/commercial use along with powering the transportation sector which currently employs the use of conventional battery systems. However, these systems pose severe limitations with respect to longer charging times and limited distance range. This review article aims at providing a comprehensive methodical overview of hydrogen-based fuel cell technology along with key concepts, present day scenarios, including overview of the market and industry trends, government policies and initiatives, along with major stakeholders involved in scaling up the technology for mass consumption. The outlook of fuel cells, including their capability to revolutionise the energy sector is discussed. The technological advancements and breakthroughs on the horizon along with the challenges and safety concerns related to the widespread acceptance of fuel cells are analysed.

Plasmon-Enhanced Digital Fluoroimmunoassay for Subfemtomolar Detection of Protein Biomarkers.

Rapid and accurate quantification of low-abundance protein biomarkers in biofluids can transform the diagnosis of a range of pathologies, including infectious diseases. Here, we harness ultrabright plasmonic fluors as "digital nanolabels" and demonstrate the detection and quantification of subfemtomolar concentrations of human IL-6 and SARS-CoV-2 alpha and variant proteins in clinical nasopharyngeal swab and saliva samples from COVID-19 patients. The resulting digital plasmonic fluor-linked immunosorbent assay (digital p-FLISA) enables detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, both in solution and in live virions. Digital p-FLISA outperforms the "gold standard" enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), having a nearly 7000-fold lower limit-of-detection, and outperforms a commercial antigen test, having over 5000-fold improvement in analytical sensitivity. Detection and quantification of very low concentrations of target proteins holds potential for early detection of pathological conditions, treatment monitoring, and personalized medicine.

A Comparison Between Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) Microscopy and Culture for the Detection of Post-COVID-19 Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Mucormycosis.

Background and objective Mucormycosis is an emerging and serious angioinvasive infection caused by filamentous fungi related to the order of Mucorales and the class of Mucormycetes. There was a marked increase in the number of cases of mucormycosis in India following the second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the year 2021. In this study, we aimed to compare potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy with culture for the detection of post-COVID-19 rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). Materials and methods The KOH microscopy was performed with a 10% or 20% KOH-mounted slide with specimens collected from suspected cases of post-COVID-19 ROCM. Simultaneously, the culture was done on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). These were incubated at 37 ℃ and 25 â„ƒ for 28 days. Diagnostic parameters were calculated by comparing KOH with gold standard culture. Results KOH mount was positive for broad aseptate fungal hyphae in 322 (54.1%) cases, while it was negative in 244 (41.0%) cases. KOH mount was positive for other fungi in 29 (4.8%) samples. The diagnostic accuracy of the KOH mount for Mucorales was 70.3%. KOH mount had a sensitivity of 84.9%, specificity of 61.5%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 56.9%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 87.2%. Conclusions Based on our findings, the KOH microscopy positivity rate was higher in tissue samples compared to nasal swabs, with a sensitivity of 84.9%, specificity of 61.5%, PPV of 56.9%, and NPV of 87.2%. The overall diagnostic accuracy of the KOH mount for Mucorales was 70.3%.

A qualitative phenomenological exploration of prolonged grief in New Delhi, India.

Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) is a condition characterized by difficulty in coping effectively with the loss of loved ones. The proposed diagnostic criteria for PGD have been based predominantly on research from developed Western nations. The cultural variations associated with experience and expression of grief and associated mourning rituals have not been considered comprehensively. The current study aimed to understand the experience of prolonged grief in India through a qualitative enquiry with mental health professionals (focus group discussions) and affected individuals (key informant interviews). Several novel findings diverging from the current understanding of manifestation and narratives of PGD emerged from the study, including differences in the social contexts of bereavement and culture-specific magico-religious beliefs and idioms of distress. The findings point to limitations of existing diagnostic systems for PGD. The results of this study suggest that the assumption of content equivalence for psychiatric disorders across cultures may not be justified and that there is a need to develop culturally sensitive diagnostic criteria and assessment scales for PGD.

Assessment of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) levels in children with and without community acquired pneumonia: a hospital based case-control study.

The primary objective was to compare serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) levels in cases of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and healthy age-gender-matched controls. The secondary objective was to compare serum IL-1RA levels in cases which were positive or negative for Streptococcus pneumoniae in the blood by real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Hospitalized children with World Health Organization defined CAP, aged 2-59 months, were included as cases. Healthy controls were recruited from the immunization clinic of the hospital. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was used to detect serum IL-1RA levels. Identification of S.pneumoniae in blood was done by RT-PCR. From October 2019 to October 2021, 330 cases (123, 37.27% female) and 330 controls (151, 45.75% females) were recruited. Mean serum IL-1RA levels (ng/ml) were 1.36 ± 0.95 in cases and 0.25 ± 0.25 in controls (p < 0.001). Within cases, serum IL-1RA levels were significantly higher in those whose RT-PCR was positive for S.pneumoniae. Thus serum IL-1RA levels may be evaluated as a surrogate marker of S.pneumoniae in future studies.

The main purpose of the study was to compare the levels of a protein in the blood that is part of the immune system, called interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) which binds to the same site in the body as an antibody does when it is fighting certain diseases, like pneumonia. We then compared the levels of this protein, IL-1RA, in hospitalized cases of community acquired pneumonia (CAP), caused from exposure to germs in the community, rather than obtained or contracted in a hospital, to that found in healthy people or 'controls' recruited from an immunization clinic. Cases and controls were matched for age and gender. The secondary objective of our study was to compare the level of IL-1RA protein in the blood in cases that were positive for the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae measured in the blood by a molecular test called real-time-polymerase chain reaction which can detect a very small amounts of a protein that is uniquely found in the S.pneumoniae bacteria that causes CAP. This case­control study was conducted in a large teaching institution that receives referrals from the other hospitals in northern India. It was found that serum IL-1RA levels were raised in cases of CAP, especially those which were possibly due to S.pneumoniae.

Increased vitamin B12 levels in patients with oral cancer.

Background: Oral cancer (OC), which happens to be one of the leading causes of death in the Indian population, is caused primarily by tobacco use, although other factors are also responsible. Serum vitamin B12 is important in maintaining the immune system and also repairing the damaged deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of cells. The aim of our study was to evaluate the serum B12 levels in patients with OC and look for any association between the two. Methods: One hundred subjects were selected for the study and divided into two groups: group A having OC (including cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), verrucous carcinoma and oropharyngeal carcinoma; 50 patients) and group B had age- and gender-matched healthy controls (50 healthy volunteers). Patients diagnosed clinically and histopathologically confirmed as OC were selected for the study. All the patients were subjected to haematological investigation to assess serum vitamin B12. Results: Males subjects in the 4th and 5th decades of life were predominantly affected. Serum vitamin B12 was significantly increased in OC patients when compared with controls, which was statistically significant. The mean serum vitamin B12 was slightly higher in males than in females, which was statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Our study found increased vitamin B12 levels in OC patients, and it was statistically significant.