Entangling microwaves with light.

Quantum entanglement is a key resource in currently developed quantum technologies. Sharing this fragile property between superconducting microwave circuits and optical or atomic systems would enable new functionalities, but this has been hindered by an energy scale mismatch of >104 and the resulting mutually imposed loss and noise. In this work, we created and verified entanglement between microwave and optical fields in a millikelvin environment. Using an optically pulsed superconducting electro-optical device, we show entanglement between propagating microwave and optical fields in the continuous variable domain. This achievement not only paves the way for entanglement between superconducting circuits and telecom wavelength light, but also has wide-ranging implications for hybrid quantum networks in the context of modularization, scaling, sensing, and cross-platform verification.

Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Pulmonary hypertension is a common comorbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease(CKD). The presence of pulmonary hypertension is associated with increased risk of hospitalization and mortality in patients with CKD. Review of literature showed that in one study, pulmonary hypertension was found in 40% of patients with end stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis therapy via arteriovenous access. The presence of CKD was associated with 1.4-fold increased risk of having pulmonary hypertension after adjusting for other independent risk factors for CKD. Preventing pulmonary hypertension in this population is crucial because even kidney transplantation may not reverse the high mortality associated with established pulmonary hypertension. MATERIAL: Place of study- Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi. Design of study- Observational and prospective single centered study. Duration of study-18 months. Sample size-100 CKD patients admitted to department of medicine, RIMS, Ranchi. Study population-100 CKD patients meeting our inclusion criteria, admitted in the department of medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, between 1st January 2020 and 30th June 2021. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Renal function was determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate. Only patients with stage 3 or worse CKD were included. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Those patients having stage 2 or less kidney disease were excluded. 2. Patients with congenital heart disease, chronic thromboembolic disease, acute myocardial infarction and previous lung disease or cardiac transplantation were excluded. Data was collected by oral questionnaire, relevant investigations and by doing 2D- ECHO and data was analyzed by using IBM SPSS Statistics software. OBSERVATION: Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in the study group was 16%. Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was more in stage 5 CKD patients (26.19%) and the difference in prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in different stages of CKD was statistically significant(p value-0.008). Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was more in patients on hemodialysis (27.78%) compared to those not on hemodialysis (9.37%). Pulmonary hypertension was present in 13.85% males and 20% of females, there was no statistically significant difference (p value-.428). No significant difference was found in prevalence of pulmonary hypertension between diabetic and non- diabetic patients and hypertensive and normotensive patients. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was more in stage 5 CKD patients and patients on hemodialysis. There was positive correlation between high serum creatinine, high serum phosphorus, lower hemoglobin, lower serum calcium and pulmonary hypertension in CKD patients. There was no significant difference in prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in male and female patients.

Sociodemographic, clinical profile, and psychiatric morbidities among patients with attempted suicide in a tertiary care center: A study from Central India.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is a major public health concern and is considered one of the leading causes of death globally. Previous suicidal attempts can be considered as a predictor of underlying psychiatric illness. Identifying factors behind suicidal attempt can help mental health professionals for early diagnosis and treatment as well as designing effective suicide prevention strategies. AIM: The aim of the study is to assess sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and prevalence of psychiatric morbidities among patients with attempted suicide. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the emergency department of tertiary care hospital; patients of attempted suicide attending emergency from January 1, 2014, to January 1, 2020, constituted the sample for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire which contained sociodemographic and clinical variables. All the subjects were administered mini-international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI), MINI Kid was applied for subjects <18 years, and MINI Plus was applied for subjects above 18 years. Patients were diagnosed according to the ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders for research. RESULTS: Suicide attempt was seen more commonly in males, and the most common age group is between 21 and 40 years residing in urban settings. The most common method was consumption of unknown substances (75.35%). Factors leading to suicide are multidimensional in nature. 30.4% of the patients had impulsive traits. 86.5% of people who attempted suicide had a history of psychiatric illness. Detailed assessment of patients for psychiatric illness and psychosocial factors is crucial for planning suicide prevention strategies and policymaking. CONCLUSIONS: Young population is at high risk for suicide. More than 80% of these have diagnosable psychiatric illness.

"Enhanced recovery after surgery - ERAS in elective craniotomies-a non-randomized controlled trial".

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal perioperative care bundle aimed at the early recovery of patients. Well accepted in gastric and pelvic surgeries, there is minimal evidence in neurosurgery and neurocritical care barring spinal surgeries. We wished to compare the length of intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency unit (HDU) stay of patients undergoing elective craniotomy for supratentorial neurosurgery: ERAS protocol versus routine care. The secondary objective was to compare the postoperative pain scores, opioid use, glycemic control, and the duration of postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. METHODS: In this pragmatic non-randomized controlled trial (CTRI/2017/07/015451), consenting adult patients scheduled for elective supratentorial intracranial tumor excision were enrolled prospectively after institutional ethical clearance and consent. Elements-of-care in the ERAS group were- Preoperative -family education, complex-carbohydrate drink, flupiritine; Intraoperative - scalp blocks, limited opioids, rigorous fluid and temperature regulation; Postoperative- flupiritine, early mobilization, removal of catheters, and initiation of feeds. Apart from these, all perioperative protocols and management strategies were similar between groups. The two groups were compared with regards to the length of ICU stay, pain scores in ICU, opioid requirement, glycemic control, and hospital stay duration. The decision for discharge from ICU and hospital, data collection, and analysis was by independent assessors blind to the patient group. RESULTS: Seventy patients were enrolled. Baseline demographics - age, sex, tumor volume, and comorbidities were comparable between the groups. The proportion of patients staying in the ICU for less than 48 h after surgery, the cumulative insulin requirement, and the episodes of VAS scores > 4 in the first 48 h after surgery was significantly less in the ERAS group - 40.6% vs. 65.7%, 0.6 (±2.5) units vs. 3.6 (±8.1) units, and one vs. ten episodes (p = 0.04, 0.001, 0.004 respectively). The total hospital stay was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated a significant reduction in the proportion of patients requiring ICU/ HDU stay > 48 h. Better pain and glycemic control in the postoperative period may have contributed to a decreased stay. More extensive randomized studies may be designed to confirm these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry of India ( CTRI/2018/04/013247 ), registered retrospectively on April 2018.

Functional Significance of Mirna-149 in Lung Cancer: Can it be Utilized as a Potential Biomarker or a Therapeutic Target?

Accumulating evidence has documented the significance of miR-149 as a promising tumor-suppressive non-coding RNA that play critical roles in regulating genes involved in cancer growth and metastasis. Notably, the ability of miR-149 to be utilized as a potential biomarker in the diagnosis/prognosis or a therapeutic target has also been explored using various cellular and preclinical models, as well as in clinical settings of lung cancer. While the applicability of miR-149 in assessing tumor progression has been suggested, its potential in predicting treatment outcomes is needed to be verified in diverse settings of lung cancer patients. The current review presents an overview of the functional significance of miR-149 with ongoing challenges in non-small cell lung cancer.

Priorities and preferences for school-based mental health services in India: a multi-stakeholder study with adolescents, parents, school staff, and mental health providers.

BACKGROUND: Schools are important settings for increasing reach and uptake of adolescent mental health interventions. There is limited consensus on the focus and content of school-based mental health services (SBMHSs), particularly in low-resource settings. This study elicited the views of diverse stakeholders in two urban settings in India about their priorities and preferences for SBMHSs. METHODS: We completed semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with adolescents (n  =  191), parents (n  =  9), teachers (n  =  78), school counsellors (n  =  15), clinical psychologists/psychiatrists (n  =  7) in two urban sites in India (Delhi and Goa). Qualitative data were obtained on prioritized outcomes, preferred content and delivery methods, and indicated barriers. RESULTS: All stakeholders indicated the need for and acceptability of SBMHSs. Adolescents prioritized resolution of life problems and exhibited a preference for practical guidance. Parents and teachers emphasized functional outcomes and preferred to be involved in interventions. In contrast, adolescents' favored limited involvement from parents and teachers, was related to widespread concerns about confidentiality. Face-to-face counselling was deemed to be the most acceptable delivery format; self-help was less frequently endorsed but was relatively more acceptable if blended with guidance or delivered using digital technology. Structured sensitization was recommended to promote adolescent's engagement. Providers endorsed a stepped care approach to address different levels of mental health need among adolescents. CONCLUSION: SBMHSs are desired by adolescents and adult stakeholders in this setting where few such services exist. Sensitization activities are required to support implementation. School counsellors have an important role in identifying and treating adolescents with different levels of mental health needs, and a suite of interventions is needed to target these needs effectively and efficiently.

Rapid Magnetic 3D Printing of Cellular Structures with MCF-7 Cell Inks.

A contactless label-free method using a diamagnetophoretic ink to rapidly print three-dimensional (3D) scaffold-free multicellular structures is described. The inks consist of MCF-7 cells that are suspended in a culture medium to which a paramagnetic salt, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid gadolinium (III) dihydrogen salt hydrate (Gd-DTPA), is added. When a magnetic field is applied, the host fluid containing the paramagnetic salt is attracted towards regions of high magnetic field gradient, displacing the ink towards regions with a low gradient. Using this method, 3D structures are printed on ultra-low attachment (ULA) surfaces. On a tissue culture treated (TCT) surface, a 3D printed spheroid coexists with a two-dimensional (2D) cell monolayer, where the composite is termed as a 2.5D structure. The 3D structures can be magnetically printed within 6 hours in a medium containing 25 mM Gd-DTPA. The influence of the paramagnetic salt on MCF-7 cell viability, cell morphology, and ability of cells to adhere to each other to stabilize the printed structures on both ULA and TCT surfaces is investigated. Gene expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) allow comparison of the relative stresses for the printed 3D and 2.5D cell geometries with those for 3D spheroids formed without magnetic assistance. This magnetic printing method can be potentially scaled to a higher throughput to rapidly print cells into 3D heterogeneous cell structures with variable geometries with repeatable dimensions for applications such as tissue engineering and tumour formation for drug discovery.

Linguistic and cultural validation of Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire in Hindi.

INTRODUCTION: In the year 2003, Joshi et al. developed a validated outcome assessment tool to measure the ureteral stent-related symptoms. The original English language Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) has been validated in various languages worldwide. Our objective was to develop the USSQ in Hindi, a commonlyused language in India, by validating it in patients undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A final Hindi version of the USSQ was derived from the original English version to apply to the study population by translation, back translation, and face-to-face interviews. The Hindi and English versions were completed by 70 patients undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy with stent in situ, on postoperative days 7 and 8, and 4 weeks after stent removal. Similarly, discriminant validity was checked among 50 healthy individuals. A detailed statistical analysis was used to correlate results (Cronbach's α coefficient, Spearman's correlation, and Mann-Whitney U-test). RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were enrolled in the study and 61 completed the final assessment. The median age was 35 years (range: 18-60 years). The USSQ domain scores with the stent in situ were higher than poststent status. The test-retest reliability checked by Cronbach's α coefficient (>0.44) and Spearman's correlation coefficient (>0.44) were acceptable to good. We found high discriminant validity of the questionnaire between patients with stent and the healthy controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate satisfactory validity for the Hindi version of the USSQ for the assessment of quality of life in patients with stent. This is ready for application in the clinical studies and the future stent-related research in Hindi language.

Fijación percutánea del alambre K en las fracturas condilares laterales pediátricas del húmero: un estudio prospectivo / Percutaneous K wire fixation in pediatric lateral condylar fractures of humerus: a prospective study

Antecedentes. Evaluamos los resultados radiográficos y funcionales clínicos de la fijación del alambre K en el tratamiento del desplazamiento de fracturas de cóndilo lateral del húmero. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó en nuestro hospital un estudio prospectivo longitudinal durante el periodo diciembre 2010-diciembre 2014, incluyendo a un total de 85 niños (18 niñas y 67 niños) con una edad media de 7,76 años y un rango de 2-13 años con desplazamiento (>2mm) del cóndilo lateral del húmero. Se trató a todos los pacientes con reducción cerrada y fijación interna mediante 2 alambres K durante 3 semanas. Las fracturas se clasificaron con arreglo a los criterios de Milch y Badelon, y se evaluaron los resultados funcionales conforme a los criterios de Hardacre et al. El periodo de seguimiento medio fue de 24 meses (rango: 20-28 meses). Resultados. Se logró la unión en todos los niños en un tiempo medio de 3 semanas (rango: 2,5-6 semanas). Los resultados funcionales fueron excelentes en el 91,75% de los niños, y buenos en el 7,05% de ellos. Se logró el rango completo del movimiento del codo en todos los pacientes. Ninguno de los pacientes reflejó inestabilidad postoperatoria. A nivel postoperatorio, el 5,88% de los niños padeció infección del tracto del clavo, de manera superficial, que se resolvió tras la extracción del mismo y la administración de antibióticos orales. Conclusión. La fijación percutánea del alambre K constituye un tratamiento efectivo para el desplazamiento de las fracturas de cóndilo lateral del húmero en niños. En casos en que el desplazamiento de la fractura tras reducción cerrada excediera de 2mm, se recomienda reducción abierta y fijación interna (AU)

Background. We evaluated the radiographic and clinical functional results of K-wire fixation in the treatment of displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus. Materials and methods. A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken in our hospital during the period December 2010-December 2014. A total number of 85 children (18 girls and 67 boys) mean age 7.76 years; range 2-13 years with displaced (>2mm) lateral condyle fractures of the humerus. All the patients were treated by close reduction and internal fixation with two K-wires for three weeks. The fractures were classified according to the criteria by Milch and Badelon and functional results were evaluated according to the criteria by Hardacre et al. The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range: 20-28 months). Results. All children achieved union in a mean time of 3 weeks (range: 2.5-6 weeks). Functional results were excellent in 91.75% children and good in 7.05% children. Full range of elbow motion was achieved in all the patients. None of the patients had instability postoperatively. Post-operatively, 5.88% children got pin tract infection, which was superficial and healed after removing pins and oral antibiotic administration. Conclusion. Percutaneous K-wire fixation is an effective treatment for unstable displaced lateral condylar fractures of the humerus in children. If fracture displacement after closed reduction exceeds 2mm, open reduction and internal fixation is recommended (AU)

Percutaneous K wire fixation in pediatric lateral condylar fractures of humerus: A prospective study. / Fijación percutánea del alambre K en las fracturas condilares laterales pediátricas del húmero: un estudio prospectivo.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the radiographic and clinical functional results of K-wire fixation in the treatment of displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken in our hospital during the period December 2010-December 2014. A total number of 85 children (18 girls and 67 boys) mean age 7.76 years; range 2-13 years with displaced (>2mm) lateral condyle fractures of the humerus. All the patients were treated by close reduction and internal fixation with two K-wires for three weeks. The fractures were classified according to the criteria by Milch and Badelon and functional results were evaluated according to the criteria by Hardacre et al. The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range: 20-28 months). RESULTS: All children achieved union in a mean time of 3 weeks (range: 2.5-6 weeks). Functional results were excellent in 91.75% children and good in 7.05% children. Full range of elbow motion was achieved in all the patients. None of the patients had instability postoperatively. Post-operatively, 5.88% children got pin tract infection, which was superficial and healed after removing pins and oral antibiotic administration. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous K-wire fixation is an effective treatment for unstable displaced lateral condylar fractures of the humerus in children. If fracture displacement after closed reduction exceeds 2mm, open reduction and internal fixation is recommended.

Primary intracranial rhabdomyosarcoma of the cerebellopontine angle mimicking a vestibular schwannoma in a child.

Primary intracranial rhabdomyosarcoma (PIRMS) is a rare neoplasm, which affects infants and young children. We report a rare case of a primary embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the cerebellopontine angle in a 7-year-old boy with clinical and radiological features mimicking a vestibular schwannoma. The patient underwent definitive surgery and radiotherapy and is recurrence free at 6 months. PIRMS commonly occur in parameningeal locations or metastasize to the brain from an extracranial primary. Gross total tumor resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy remains the current standard of treatment; however, chemotherapy has also been tried with favorable results. The overall prognosis continues to remain poor.

Evidence of Faradaic Reactions in Electrostatic Atomizers.

Any rational theory of electrostatic atomizers (EAs) would require a detailed understanding of the nature of the polarized layer near the electrode, since this is the source of the electric charge carried by the jets issued from the EAs. The polarized layer either is driven out as the electrically-driven Smoluchowski flow and/or entrained by the viscous shear imposed by the bulk flow. The standard Gouy-Chapman theory of polarized diffuse layers implies zero electric current passing across the layer, which is impossible to reconcile with the fact that there are leak currents in the EAs. Here, we show that the electric current through the EA is controlled by faradaic reactions at the electrodes. The experiments were conducted with stainless steel or brass pin-like cathodes and three different anode (the conical nozzle) materials, which were copper, stainless steel, and brass. The different electrode materials resulted in different spray, leakage, and total currents in all the cases. Accordingly, it is shown that the total electric current generated by EAs can be controlled by the cathode and anode materials, i.e., by faradaic reactions on them. This lays the foundation for a more detailed understanding and description of the operation of EAs.

ANTIOXIDANTS EFFECTS IN CANCER SURVIVORS: A SHORT PERSPECTIVE.

There have been intense debates on the use of antioxidants as neoadjuvant therapy or in combination with anti-cancer agents in the treatment of human malignancies. While the safety and effectiveness of commonly used dietary antioxidants have been thoroughly assessed during chemotherapy and radiation therapy in cancer patients, more detailed analysis of their effects are needed to define its potential use in cancer survivors. Here, we summarize the findings of few comprehensive studies that investigated the potential implications of antioxidants in cancer survivors.

Molecular characterization of Opisthorchis noverca (Digenea: Opisthorchiidae) based on nuclear ribosomal ITS2 and mitochondrial COI genes.

Opisthorchiasis is a public health problem in South-East Asian countries and Eastern Europe. The infection implicates mainly two species of Opisthorchis, namely O. viverrini and O. felineus, that occur mostly in fish-eating mammals and humans, although there are rare reports of human cases involving two other species, O. noverca and O. guayaquilensis. Opisthorchis noverca has been reported frequently in dogs and pigs from the Indian subcontinent, with rare reports from cattle and human subjects. With a view to supplementing morphology-based identification of this species, the present study aimed to provide molecular characterization of O. noverca, using rDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mt COI) markers so as to determine its genetic correlation with other species of Opisthorchiidae, and also to generate a taxon-specific molecular marker based on the ITS2 region. The phylogenetic relationship between O. noverca and other species of the genus was determined using molecular sequence data. To strengthen the result, secondary structure sequence analyses of ITS2 with hemi-compensatory base changes (hCBCs), and amino acid sequence analyses, were also evaluated. Our results confirm that O. noverca is a distinct and valid species.

Single staged complete length excision of the holocord ependymoma: Team work.

The authors present a case of a 15-year-old male patient who presented with gradually progressive quadriparesis for 3 years. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine was suggestive of heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion extending from cervicomedullary junction to conus. This holocord spinal tumor was excised in a single stage with standard microsurgical technique. In immediate postoperative period, the patient had deterioration in power in both lower limbs which improved in follow-up at 6 months. Histopathology of the tumor was suggestive of ependymoma. Holocord ependymoma is a rare entity; until now, only six cases have been described in the literature. To the author's best knowledge, this is only the second case of holocord ependymoma excised in a single stage.

Low prevalence of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults in northern India.

AIM: To study the frequency of islet antibodies in a large cohort of clinic- and community-based patients with Type 2 diabetes in northern India. METHODS: We measured glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies in 618 adults with Type 2 diabetes (378 patients with diabetes attending a hospital clinic, 240 patients diagnosed in a community survey) and in 192 healthy subjects residing in north India. Islet antigen 2 (IA2) antibodies were also studied in a proportion of the patients with diabetes (n = 492) and in a control population (n = 191). GAD and IA2 antibodies were measured by immunoprecipitation of the respective (35) S-labelled recombinant antigen. RESULTS: We found that GAD antibodies were present in nine (1.5%) patients with diabetes (clinic population: 0.8%, community study: 2.5%), a prevalence similar to that among the subjects without diabetes (n = 2; 1%). IA2 antibodies were detected in seven patients with Type 2 diabetes (1.4%) and in two healthy control subjects (1.0%). The frequency of either GAD or IA2 antibodies was similar in people with and without diabetes (3.2 vs 2.1%). No subject was found to have both antibodies. Insulin requirement was higher among antibody-positive than among antibody-negative patients (GAD antibody: 33 vs 6.3%; P = 0.001; GAD or IA2 antibody: 23.1 vs 6.4%; P = 0.02); however, other clinical features were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the present north-Indian population with Type 2 diabetes, the overall prevalence of GAD antibodies and the prevalence of either GAD or IA2 antibodies were considerably lower than those reported in white European populations.

Enhanced foamability of sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant mixed with superspreader trisiloxane-(poly)ethoxylate.

Gravitational drainage from thin vertical surfactant solution films and gravitational drainage in a settler column are used to study the behavior of foams based on two-surfactant mixtures. Namely, solutions of the anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and nonionic superspreader SILWET L-77, and their mixtures at different mixing ratios, are studied. It is shown, for the first time, that solutions having a longer lifetime in the vertical film drainage process also possess a higher foamability. An additional and unexpected unique result is that when using a mixed surfactant system, the foamability can be much greater than the foamabilities of the individual components.