Recent progress and prospects in the organocatalytic Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction.

The organocatalytic asymmetric Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction produces a significant carbon-carbon bond formation that involves the addition of α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl compounds to activated alkenes to give α-methylene-ß-hydroxycarbonyl compounds. Commercially available starting materials, excellent atom economy, mild reaction conditions, and flexible products are the major highlights of this method. In this review, we discuss the recent developments in the organocatalytic MBH reaction, covering literature from 2018 to 2023.

Ytterbium-Doped Cesium Lead Chloride Perovskite as an X-ray Scintillator with High Light Yield.

Ytterbium-doped cesium lead halides are quantum cutting materials with exceptionally high photoluminescence quantum yields, making them promising materials as scintillators. In this work, we report ytterbium-doped cesium lead chloride (Yb3+:CsPbCl3) with an X-ray scintillation light yield of 102,000 photons/MeV at room temperature, which is brighter than the current state-of-the-art commercial scintillators. The high light yield was achieved based on a novel method of synthesizing Yb3+:CsPbCl3 powders using water and low-temperature processing. The combination of high light yield and the simple and inexpensive manufacturing method reported in this work demonstrates the great potential of Yb3+:CsPbCl3 for scintillation applications.

Altered Sleep Duration and Poor Quality of Sleep Among Pharmacy Students Amidst COVID-19 Lockdown: A South-Indian Study.

Introduction/background: The nationwide lockdown enforced due to the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 had a definite impact on sleep. Objective: To observe any changes in the duration, pattern and quality of sleep among pharmacy students due to the lockdown. Methods: A google form-based cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out after approval was obtained from the ethical committee in the month of July 2021 among 310 pharmacy students. The validated form was electronically administered after obtaining the informed consent. All the data pertaining to duration, pattern and quality of sleep before and during the lockdown was collected and analyzed using STATA version 16.0. Results and Discussion: Out of 310 participants, the study revealed an increase in the time needed to fall asleep (p value < 0.001) and in the total duration of sleep (p value < 0.001). A delay in the time of sleep in the morning (p value < 0.001) and at night (p value < 0.001) was also one among the many significant results. The incidences of jerky leg movements (p value < 0.001), snoring (p value < 0.001), frequent nightmares (p value < 0.001) and anxiety (p value < 0.001) were also increased as a direct effect of the lockdown. Conclusion: The study has confirmed the detrimental impact of the lockdown on sleep among pharmacy students. All attributes of sleep duration and sleep quality have achieved statistical significance signifying the need to develop cognitive behavioral interventions and prevent the worsening of mental health amidst the COVID-19 era.

Counseling patients with COVID-19: An experience at dedicated COVID-19 hospital.

COVID-19 pandemic is generating considerable stress in the population. Uncertain prognosis, looming severe shortages of resources for testing and treatment, imposition of unfamiliar public health measures (infringing on personal freedoms), large and growing financial losses, and conflicting messages from authorities are few of the major stressors due to COVID-19. The effect due to COVID varies from individual to individual. Healthcare providers are more vulnerable as there is increased risk of exposure to coronavirus, concern about infecting and caring for loved ones, shortages of personal protective equipment, and longer working hours. Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital started functioning as Dedicated COVID-19 hospital since April 2020. Psychiatric services were also active and were delivered by means of telepsychiatry outpatient services, consultation-liaison psychiatry for COVID-19 patients, group counseling, supportive counseling, and psychosocial counseling center for relatives. Our experience is briefly described.

Cysticercosis Cellulosae Cutis: A Forgotten Entity.

Cysticercosis cellulosa cutis is caused by larval stage of Taenia solium. It most commonly affects central nervous system, muscle, and subcutaneous tissue. Here, we report a case of 70-year-old female who was misdiagnosed on ultrasound as abscess and was treated with no improvement. Later, she was diagnosed on FNAC as cutaneous cysticercosis. Hence, we report this case because of its uncommon clinical presentation and diagnostic difficulty.

A Survey of Telepractice in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in India.

Telepractice has emerged as a form of service delivery to assess and treat individuals with communication disorders. The present study surveyed speech-language pathologists and audiologists in India about the use of telepractice. Two hundred and five (N=205) speech-language pathologists and audiologists responded to a questionnaire, with 12.19% reporting their use of telepractice to deliver clinical services. Respondents also indicated an urgent shortage of professionals in India to deliver clinical services in speech-language pathology and audiology, and opined that these needs can be met via the use of telepractice. India is well known throughout the world for the advanced application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), with 931.95 million telephone subscribers, over 900 million mobile phone users, and the second-largest mobile phone usage in the world. India has also experienced a tremendous rise in the number of internet users. Therefore, India is well poised to fully develop telepractice to overcome the barriers of distance and amplify the availability of speech-language pathology, audiology and other healthcare services. But first, the widespread use of telepractice throughout the nation will require an improved infrastructure (e.g., to uphold privacy and security); training for professionals; and telepractice policies. While very promising, the deployment of telepractice throughout India will require the attention of policy makers and government organizations.

Homocysteine and serotonin: association with postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a disorder of multifactorial origin with significant consequences on both maternal and child health. One of the biological factors implicated is perturbed methionine-homocysteine metabolism. Since this metabolic pathway plays a significant role in myelination of nerve fibers, the growth and development of the child would also be adversely affected. We carried out this study in 103 women (58 with PPD and 45 without PPD) who delivered their child in our institute from December 2010 to November 2011. The study group was evaluated for PPD using Edinburgh postnatal depression scale with a cut-off score of 10. Assessment of fetal well being was done by APGAR score assessed immediately after birth. Serum folic acid, vitamin B12, homocysteine and serotonin was done by ELISA. We found significantly elevated levels of homocysteine in women with PPD as compared to those without PPD, both at 24-48h as well as six weeks after delivery, although no associations were found with folate and vitamin B12 levels. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between serum homocysteine and serotonin levels in the postpartum depression group with a significant negative correlation between homocysteine and serotonin. Our study showed a significantly lower APGAR score in the infants born to mothers with PPD. Our study also shows that homocysteinemia is associated with PPD whether at the first week or sixth week, while low serum serotonin may play a role in depression during the first week, but may not have a role in depression status at the sixth week. Also, PPD in the mother is related to a low APGAR score in infants born to these mothers emphasizing the significance of both mental as well as nutritional status of the mother.

Follicular growth, endometrial thickness, and serum estradiol levels in spontaneous and clomiphene citrate-induced cycles.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate follicular growth, endometrial thickness, and serum estradiol levels in spontaneous cycles and cycles induced by clomiphene citrate (CC). METHODS: A 2-year prospective study of spontaneous cycle followed by a CC-induced cycle to compare paired data. Twenty couples with unexplained infertility were recruited from the Infertility Clinic of the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research. An oral dose of 150 mg of CC was administered on days 5 through 9 of the CC-induced cycle. Each woman was evaluated using transvaginal sonography and serum estradiol level estimation from day 10 of the menstrual cycle until ovulation. Results were analyzed using the paired t-test. RESULTS: The leading follicular diameter was significantly larger, endometrial thickness was significantly decreased, and serum estradiol levels were significantly higher in the follicular phase of CC-induced cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Clomiphene citrate-induced cycles showed different follicular, endometrial growth patterns, and serum estradiol levels compared with spontaneous cycles.

Disseminated superficial porokeratosis.

A 65-year-old male diabetic presented with erythematous and hyperpigmented plaques with scaling and crusting involving the trunk and extensor surfaces of extremities of 10 years duration associated with mild itching. Cutaneous examination revealed large hyperpigmented and erythematous plaques with raised borders over the trunk and extremities. A small plaque on the (L) forearm showed a raised thread like margin with a furrow. A provisional diagnosis of disseminated superficial porokeratosis was made. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of disseminated superficial porokeratosis.