ABSTRACT Introduction: During pregnancy, the iron requirement increases to meet the optimal growth of the fetus and prevent iron deficiency anemia-related complications in the mother. However, in sickle cell disease (SCD) primarily due to repeated blood transfusions and hemolysis-induced recycling of iron, its supplementation during pregnancy remains questionable and may be harmful. Methods: Twenty-five pregnant women with homozygous SCD and 25 pregnant women with normal hemoglobin variants were included as cases and control, respectively. Pregnancy and sickle cell anemia (SCA) were diagnosed using standard protocols. The serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), percentage transferrin saturation and C-reactive protein were estimated, as per the manufacturer’s protocol. The complete blood count was performed. The unpaired ‘t-test’ was performed using the SPSS v23.0 and the principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using the online software MetaboAnalyst for statistical analysis. Main Results: The studied cases had significantly lower mean hemoglobin and higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV), compared to controls. The mean serum-iron, serum-ferritin and percentage transferrin-saturation in the cases were significantly higher than that of the controls, while the TIBC was lower in the cases (p < 0.0001). The mean level of serum iron, ferritin, percentage transferrin saturation and TIBC were 309.44 ± 122.40mcg/dl, 860.36 ± 624.64ng/ml, 42.6 ± 17.30% and 241.32 ± 96.30 mcg/dl, respectively, in the cases and 95.36 ± 41.90mcg/dl, 122.28 ± 49.70ng/ml, 15.83 ± 3.10% and 492.6 ± 149.40mcg/dl in the controls, respectively. Higher MCV, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) with lower hemoglobin (Hb) were noted in the cases. The PCA revealed that the cases were more heterogeneous in terms of the variability of the iron status and hematological indices than the controls. Conclusion: The current study shows iron sufficiency in most cases of pregnancy with SCA and suggests that evaluation of iron status must be made before initiating iron prophylaxis in pregnant women with SCA, especially in regions having a high prevalence of sickle cell hemoglobinopathy.

In vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET), every vehicle node indicates a mobile node and it acts as a transmitter, receiver and router for the delivery of the information. VANET is a subgroup of mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) and is related to the dynamic topology. Dynamic network scenarios are more challenging issues as compared to MANET topologies, so finding a suitable algorithm for all VANET applications is the major challenge for the researchers. Routing protocols in VANET are divided into six parts i.e., cluster-based, geocast-based, topology-based, position-based, and broadcast-based. Autonomous robots and unmanned military vehicles (UMVs) become part of the advanced warfare strategy to execute dangerous war field operations and military combat missions. The military vehicles (MVs) transfer information to each other in order to achieve required military tasks collectively. In the proposed work, rhombus shaped area is divided into multiple clusters using a weight-based clustering algorithm for transmitting the event information to the vehicles. Intersection clustering with rhombus shaped area which are very effective for clustering. To choose cluster head (CH), the proposed method has used two weighted metrics, one is real time average speed and the other parameter is degree. This work is useful for choosing right CH in the network. Each vehicle in the same cluster transmits the data to the CH instead of broadcasting it. The simulation has been done in the SUMO and NETSIM simulator, which shows the network performance for the different protocols like Ad-hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV), dynamic source routing (DSR) in terms of packet delivery ratio, throughput, delay, overhead transmission, mean and standard deviation.

Abstract Background Post-spinal anesthesia hypotension is of common occurrence, and it hampers tissue perfusion. Several preoperative factors determine patient susceptibility to hypotension. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index (IVCCI) for predicting intraoperative hypotension. Methods One hundred twenty-nine adult patients who were scheduled for elective surgical procedures after administration of spinal (intrathecal) anesthesia were included in the study. Ultrasound evaluation of the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) was done in the preoperative area, and the patients were shifted to the Operating Room (OR) for spinal anesthesia. An independent observer recorded the change in blood pressure after spinal anesthesia inside the OR. Results Twenty-five patients developed hypotension (19.37%). Baseline systolic blood pressure and mean blood pressures were statistically higher in those patients who developed hypotension (p= 0.001). The logistic regression analysis for IVCCI and the incidence of hypotension showed r2 of 0.025. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.467 (95% Confidence Interval, 0.338 to 0.597; p= 0.615). Conclusions Preoperative evaluation of IVCCI is not a good predictor for the occurrence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia.

A substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) fed rectangular-shaped dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) is proposed for application in the D - Band frequency regime. The Dielectric Resonator (DR) is designed to operate in higher order modes. A rectangular-shaped narrow slot is used to excite the DR element, leading to multiple resonances. The resulting structure is a multi-resonant antenna operating at six frequencies at 123.64 GHz, 125.76 GHz, 127.4 GHz, 129.9 GHz, 134.9 GHz and 137.7 GHz frequencies. These are identified as TE10δ1, TE7δ5, TEδ31, TEδ25, TEδ31 and TEδ35 modes of operation of the resonator, respectively. These resonances are merged to achieve a -10 dB impedance bandwidth ranging between 122.58 GHz and 139.51 GHz, equivalent to 13.4% at a center frequency of 125.76 GHz. Moreover, the antenna possesses a stable radiation pattern in the broadband direction, across the entire frequency band of operation. Simulation results show that the antenna has a peak gain of 12.3 dBi, maximum directivity of 13.14 dBi and maximum efficiency of 84% at a frequency of 126 GHz. Simulated results show that the proposed design has potential and suitability for utilization in future wireless communications.

Abstract The aqueous solubility of cefixime trihydrate (a water insoluble drug) using different hydrotropic agents was determined and solid dispersions of cefixime trihydrate were prepared by hydrotropic solubilization technique. The drugs content were determined. The aqueous solubility of v was increased many fold in presence of sodium acetate trihydrate as hydrotropic agent. This hydrotropic agent was used to prepare solid dispersion of cefixime trihydrate. Cefixime trihydrate and sodium acetate trihydrate were accurately weighed and taken in a 200 mL beaker. Distilled water 10-15 mL was taken to dissolve hydrotropic agent using heat (48-50 °C). The drug was then added to it and magnetically stirred till whole mass get viscous. The solid dispersions of cefixime trihydrate were characterized by XRD, DSC and IR studies. DSC thermogram, XRD and Infra-Red spectra were studied. Solid dispersions, thus prepared, showed faster release of the drug as compared to pure drug and physical mixture.

Abstract Rice wine is an alcoholic beverage made by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation by using mould and yeast, respectively. In Nepal, traditional starter culture locally known as murcha has been used for fermenting locally available raw materials such as millet, rice, wheat, etc. The quality of alcoholic beverages always varies due to the lack of process standardization in terms of culture and process. Here, isolation and screening of mould and yeast were done from the murcha collected from different districts of Nepal and used in the production of rice wine. The performance of mould was tested for saccharifying capacity and yeast for sugar, alcohol, pH tolerances and alcohol production. Most potent yeast isolates were identified by the molecular tool using 18s universal primer. Seven mould isolates from murcha were tested for saccharification by halo zone on starch media, microscopic observation, liquefication and dinitro salicylic acid test for identification of yeast and mould. All yeast isolates were also compared with commercial yeast (Saccharomyces bayanus SN9). Yeasts isolates from Parbat and Dolakha district murcha showed 99% identity with Saccharomyces boulardii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae respectively during basic local alignment search tool. Among eight isolates, murcha from Parbat sample showed better performance in terms of alcohol production. Yeast and mould from Parbat district were used for the fermentation of rice wine. During fermentation change in acidity, ˚Brix and pH respectively 1.0-2.6 g/L, 1-5 and 4.1-3.4. After pasteurized rice wine showed 5% abv, 1.5 g/L succinic acid, 0.27 g/L amino acid, 5.8 ˚Brix, 4.7 pH, 0.56 g/100 mL glucose with no detected methanol (g/100 L) while non pasteurized rice wine showed 5% abv, 1.3 g/L succinic acid, 0.34 g/L amino acid, 6 ˚Brix, 4.65 pH, 0.60 g/100 mL glucose with no detected methanol (g/100 L). Murcha sample collected from Parbat has highest potentail to produce sake campare to other sample collected from different district of Nepal.

Abstract: In the present study, molecular identification and genotypic characterization of H. contortus was carried out targeting 28S-18S rRNA intergenic spacer. Faecal samples of Gaddi goats were collected and subjected to qualitative screening. The samples exhibiting the presence of strongyle type eggs were introduced to faecal culturing. The larvae retrieved were molecularly confirmed as of H. contortus species and the phylogenetics was performed. For the estimation of evolutionary divergence in between the present study isolates with the GenBank archived sequences, maximum composite likelihood model was employed. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity indices and Fu’s Fs were also estimated. Approximately 260 bp size amplicons retrieved were confirmatory for the presence of H. contortus species. Phylogenetic analysis also accentuated that present parasite isolates were of H. contortus only. The nucleotide diversity (π) obtained was 0.06696, whereas, haplotype diversity was 0.92549 [95% CI: 0.77778-1.0000]. In between the isolates, Fu's Fs statistic value was positive (1.566), evidencing a deficiency of alleles, which would have happened due to recent population bottleneck. The recovered representative sequences were deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers LC600315-LC600317.To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first report of phylogeny and haplotype diversity of H. contortus isolated from Gaddi goats of North India. The present study would also serve the basis for future detailed molecular epidemiological studies using discriminative markers for the assessment of genetic diversity in different populations of H. contortus in different hosts of the study area.

RESUMO Introdução: As micro-osteoperfurações (MOPs) são uma técnica minimamente invasiva que tem sido utilizada para acelerar a movimentação dentária ortodôntica e reduzir o tempo de tratamento. No entanto, existem relatos conflitantes sobre o uso dessa técnica. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia das MOPs em acelerar a taxa do movimento de retração de caninos e na expressão de biomarcadores no fluido crevicular gengival (FCG). Métodos: Esse foi um ensaio clínico randomizado com desenho de estudo do tipo boca dividida. Trinta indivíduos adultos com idade acima de 18 anos (20,32 ± 1,96 anos) que necessitavam de tratamento ortodôntico fixo e extração de primeiros pré-molares superiores foram incluídos e aleatoriamente alocados para o grupo experimental ou grupo controle. A randomização foi realizada pelo método de randomização em bloco, com proporção de alocação de 1:1. O grupo experimental recebeu três MOPs distais ao canino superior, utilizando uma broca piloto em formato de lança. A retração do canino superior foi realizada com mola helicoidal de NiTi (150g) nos dois grupos, experimental e controle. O desfecho primário foi a avaliação da taxa de retração dos caninos, medida em modelos de estudo do início da retração até 16 semanas depois. O desfecho secundário foi a estimativa da atividade da fosfatase alcalina e ácida no FCG após 0, 1, 2, 3 e 4 semanas. Resultados: Houve uma diferença estatisticamente significativa na taxa de retração dos caninos somente após as quatro primeiras semanas. Após isso, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos experimental e controle entre a oitava e a décima sexta semanas. Houve uma diferença estatisticamente significativa na atividade da fosfatase alcaline e ácida no FCG entre os grupos experimental e controle durante as quatro primeiras semanas de retração dos caninos. Conclusão: As micro-osteoperfurações aumentaram a taxa de movimentação dentária apenas nas primeiras quatro semanas; depois disso, nenhum efeito foi observado na taxa de retração dos caninos após 8, 12 e 16 semanas. Houve aumento considerável na atividade do biomarcador no primeiro mês.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Micro-osteoperforation is a minimally invasive technique that has been used to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement and reduce treatment duration. However, literature presents conflicting reports about this technique. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of micro-osteoperforations on the rate of canine retraction and expression of biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial with split-mouth study design. Thirty adult subjects with age above 18 years (20.32 ± 1.96) who required fixed orthodontic treatment and extraction of maxillary first premolars were enrolled and randomly allocated to either the experimental or control group. Randomization was performed by block randomization method, with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The experimental group received three micro-ostoperforations (MOPs) distal to maxillary canine, using the Lance pilot drill. The retraction of maxillary canine was performed with NiTi coil-spring (150g) in both experimental and control groups. The primary outcome was the evaluation of canine retraction rate, measured on study models from the baseline to 16 weeks of canine retraction. Secondary outcomes were the estimation of alkaline and acid phosphates activity in GCF at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of canine retraction only after the first 4 weeks. Subsequently there was no statistically significant difference from the eighth to the sixteenth weeks between MOPs and control group. There was a statistically significant difference in alkaline and acid phosphates activity in GCF between MOPs and control groups during the initial 4 weeks of canine retraction. Conclusion: Micro-ostoperforation increased the rate of tooth movement only for the first 4 weeks; thereafter, no effect was observed on the rate of canine retraction during 8, 12 and 16 weeks. A marked increase in biomarker activity in the first month was observed.

ABSTRACT A two-year (2015 and 2016) field experiment was carried out to study the surface energy budget and energy balance closure (EBC) in a tropical lowland rice paddy in Cuttack, India. Maintenance of a standing water layer in lowland irrigated rice ecosystem makes it unique and this strongly influences the surface energy balance which may alter the surface runoff, ground water storage, water cycle, surface energy budget, and possibly microclimate of the region. To study this, an experiment was conducted using eddy covariance system to measure the surface energy balance components during two cropping seasons (dry season, DS and wet season, WS) and two consecutive fallow periods (dry fallow, DF and wet fallow, WF). The rice was grown in puddled wet lands in DS and WS and the ground was left fallow (DF and WF) during the rest of the year. Results displayed that daily average latent heat flux at surface (LE) and at canopy height (LEc) dominated over sensible heat flux at surface (H) and canopy height (Hc), respectively due to the presence of water source coming from the standing water in the rice field. The EBC was evaluated by ordinary least square (OLS), energy balance ratio (EBR) and residual heat flux (RHF). In OLS, the slope ranged 0.38-0.89 (2015) and 0.28-0.99 (2016) during the study period. Average RHF was 10.3-12.0% higher in WS as compared to DS. It was concluded that the EBC estimated using RHF is the most suitable way to calculate closure for lowland rice paddy since it can distinguish different seasons distinctively, followed by OLS. Much variation was not observed in EBR after inclusion of storage terms (water, soil, photosynthesis, canopy) to the classical EBR.

RESUMEN Se realizó un experimento de campo de dos años de duración (2015-2016) para estudiar el balance de energía en superficie y el cierre del balance de energía (CBE) en una plantación tropical de arroz en tierras bajas de Cuttack, India. El mantenimiento de una capa permanente de agua en arrozales de tierras bajas convierte a estos ecosistemas en entornos singulares que influyen de manera importante en el balance de energía en superficie, lo cual puede alterar la escorrentía superficial, el almacenamiento de aguas subterráneas, el ciclo hidrológico, el inventario de energía en superficie y posiblemente el microclima regional. Para estudiar lo anterior se realizó un experimento en el que se utilizó un sistema de covarianza de remolinos para medir los componentes del balance de energía en superficie en dos temporadas de cultivo (seca y húmeda), y dos temporadas de barbecho subsiguientes. El arroz se cultivó en tierras inundadas durante las temporadas seca y húmeda y el terreno se dejó barbechado durante el resto del año. Los resultados muestran que el promedio diario del flujo de calor latente predomina sobre el flujo de calor sensible, tanto en la superficie como en el vértice de la cubierta vegetal, debido a la presencia de una fuente de agua permanente en el campo de arroz. El CBE se evaluó por medio de mínimos cuadrados lineales, índice del balance de energía y flujo de calor residual. Respecto de los mínimos cuadrados ordinarios, la pendiente varió durante el periodo de estudio de 0.38 a 0.89 (2015) y de 0.28 a 0.99 (2016). El flujo residual de calor promedio fue 10.3 a 12.0% mayor en la temporada húmeda en comparación con la temporada seca. Se concluyó que el flujo de calor residual es más adecuado para calcular el CBE de un cultivo de arroz en tierras bajas, ya que puede distinguir las estaciones con claridad, seguido por el método de mínimos cuadrados lineales. No se observó una variación importante en el índice de balance de energía clásico después de la inclusión de los factores de almacenaje en éste (agua, suelo, fotosíntesis, cubierta vegetal).

HIGHLIGHTS Novel whale optimization algorithm is proposed for prediction of breast cancer. Deep learning-based WOA adjusts the CNN structure as per maximum detection accuracy. Proposed method achieves 92.4% accuracy in comparison to 90.3%. Validity of method is evaluated with magnifying factors like 40x, 100 x, 200x, 400x.

ABSTRACT Primary malignant melanoma of the oral cavity is a rare tumor in clinical practice. Extensive malignant melanomas are still very rare in the literature. Patients with malignant melanoma of oral cavity are often diagnosed at the advanced stage of the disease due to their painless and nonspecific radiological findings. Histopathology is the gold standard for the final diagnosis and staging of the tumor. Surgery followed by radiotherapy is the standard treatment offered to patients with malignant melanoma. Here we present a rare case of extensive malignant melanoma of oral cavity which was successfully managed by surgical excision followed by adjuvant radiotherapy.

Abstract Fifty wheat genotypes were evaluated at nine diverse locations in India to identify high-yielding and stable genotypes. The analysis of variance based on additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) indicated significant genotype, environment and genotype - environment (GE) interactions, with a total variation of 5.99, 20.23 and 73.77%, respectively. A biplot-AMMI analysis and yield stability index incorporating the AMMI stability value and yield in a single non-parametric index were used to discriminate the genotypes with highest and stable yield; the genotypes G135, G125, G104, G112 and G144 were found to be promising. Two mega environments (ME) were identified based on GGE (genotype and GE interaction) biplot analysis and the genotypes G119 and G120 and G107, G148 and G146 performed best in the mega-environments ME I and ME II, respectively. Both approaches allowed the identification of stable genotypes (G112 and G135), which can be included in the national testing program, with a view to release a new variety.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Main objective of any pharmaceutical scientist is to develop drug delivery system that is safe, effective, stable, having good patient compliance and fulfill the requirements of customers. Lead to a great interest of research to develop the drug delivery system that will enable to supply drug «on-demand» basis. These «stimuli-responsive and intelligent» systems have been designed to deliver the drug on various times or at various sites in the body, according to a stimulus that is either endogenous or externally applied. Objectives: This paper aim to review various researches in the field of self regulatory drug delivery systems in tabular form so one can utilize these finding for further development of in intelligent drug delivery systems. Method: Various physicochemical principles and chemical schemes have been applied by researchers to get release pattern of drug as per requirement of body. Such devices can be used for intelligent drug delivery needed for the treatment of many diseases like diabetes. Results & Discussion: This type of intelligent system firstly sense the signals caused by diseaseà judge the magnitude of signalsà and then release the drug in direct response. Conclusion: In this article we have discuss various innovations in the field of self regulatory drug delivery Systems and suggest that here is a lot of research scope in this field.

RESUMEN Introducción: El objetivo principal de cualquier científico farmacéutico es desarrollar un sistema de administración de fármacos que sea seguro, efectivo, estable, que cumpla con los requisitos del paciente y cumpla con los requisitos de los clientes. Llevar a un gran interés de investigación para desarrollar el sistema de entrega de medicamentos que permitirá suministrar medicamentos «a demanda». Estos sistemas «sensibles a estímulos e inteligentes» han sido diseñados para administrar el farmaco en varios momentos o en varios sitios en el cuerpo, de acuerdo con un estímulo endógeno o aplicado externamente. Objetivos: Este artículo tiene como objetivo revisar diversas investigaciones en el campo de los sistemas autorreguladores de administración de fármacos en forma tabular para que uno pueda utilizar estos hallazgos para un mayor desarrollo de sistemas inteligentes de administración de fármacos. Método: Los investigadores han aplicado varios principios fisicoquímicos y esquemas químicos para obtener el patrón de liberación del fármaco según las necesidades del cuerpo. Dichos dispositivos se pueden usar para la administración inteligente de medicamentos necesarios para el tratamiento de muchas enfermedades, como la diabetes. Resultados y discusión: Este tipo de sistema inteligente primero detecta las señales causadas por la enfermedad, juzga la magnitud de las señales y luego libera la droga en respuesta directa. Conclusión: En este artículo, hemos discutido varias innovaciones en el campo de los sistemas autorreguladores de administración de fármacos y sugerimos que aquí hay mucho campo de investigación en este campo.