The structural, stability, electronic, optical and thermodynamic properties of MoX2 (X= S, Se, and Te) under hydrostatic pressures: a plasmon approach and first-principle study.

CONTEXT: The new equations have been developed for the structural and electronic properties using the plasmon calculations for the first time for 2-D MoX2 structures. Literature shows still an extensive study is required on the stability and optical properties of MoX2 under different hydrostatic pressures and thermal properties under different temperatures using the first principles, for electronic industrial applications. The stability is analyzed using binding energy and phonon calculations. The phase transition of metallization of MoX2 is discussed using band structure calculations under different hydrostatic pressures. The calculated work function shows the photoemission starts from the threshold frequency of 4.189×104 cm-1, 3.184×104 cm-1, and 3.651×104 cm-1, respectively, for MoS2, MoSe2, and MoTe2 materials. The optical properties such as refractive index n(0), and static dielectric permittivity ε(0) for three successive materials are calculated under different hydrostatic pressures, applicable for optoelectronic applications. The calculated theoretical and computational values agree well with each other and also agree with reported and experimental values. Some of the values are calculated for the first time. METHODS: The theoretical equations are derived using the molecular weight, effective valence electrons, and density of molecule of MoX2 structures. The simulation work is performed using GGA-PBE approximation in the CASTEP simulation package with DFT+D semi-empirical dispersion correction. An ultra-soft pseudopotential representation calculates the electronic and optical properties with a finite basis set kinetic energy cut-off of 381.0 eV. Each geometry has been optimized using Broyden, Fletcher, Goldfarb, and Shanno's (BFGS) algorithm for 100 iterations with a fixed basis quality variable cell method and finite electronic minimization parameters. The phonon calculations were performed using TDFT with a kinetic energy cut of 460 eV in a norm-conserving linear response method. The interpolation with a finite dispersion quality and q-vector grid spacing is performed.

The evolution of alcohol use in India.

This paper traces the role of alcohol production and use in the daily lives of people in India, from ancient times to the present day. Alcohol use has been an issue of great ambivalence throughout the rich and long history of the Indian subcontinent. The behaviors and attitudes about alcohol use in India are very complex, contradictory and convoluted because of the many different influences in that history. The evolution of alcohol use patterns in India can be divided into four broad historical periods (time of written records), beginning with the Vedic era (ca. 1500-700 BCE). From 700 BCE to 1100 CE, ("Reinterpretation and Synthesis") is the time of emergence of Buddhism and Jainism, with some new anti-alcohol doctrines, as well as post-Vedic developments in the Hindu traditions and scholarly writing. The writings of the renowned medical practitioners, Charaka and Susruta, added new lines of thought, including arguments for "moderate alcohol use." The Period of Islamic Influence (1100-1800 CE), including the Mughal era from the 1520s to 1800, exhibited a complex interplay of widespread alcohol use, competing with the clear Quranic opposition to alcohol consumption. The fourth period (1800 to the present) includes the deep influence of British colonial rule and the recent half century of Indian independence, beginning in 1947. The contradictions and ambiguities-with widespread alcohol use in some sectors of society, including the high status caste of warriors/rulers (Kshatriyas), versus prohibitions and condemnation of alcohol use, especially for the Brahmin (scholar-priest) caste, have produced alcohol use patterns that include frequent high-risk, heavy and hazardous drinking. The recent increases in alcohol consumption in many sectors of the general Indian population, coupled with the strong evidence of the role of alcohol in the spread of HIV/STI infections and other health risks, point to the need for detailed understanding of the complex cross-currents emerging from the past history of alcohol use and abuse in India.

Ethnographic mapping of alcohol use and risk behaviors in Delhi.

This paper examines mapping and related data-gathering at geographical locations of vulnerable urban groups with regard to risky sexual behaviors and alcohol/drug use in the capital city of Delhi. The aim is to describe the situations of special geographic locations and sub-groups in relation to alcohol/drug use and risks of HIV/STI infections. The study was part of a community program for alcohol and drug users in slum communities in West and East Delhi carried out by the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi, India. As part of a WHO multi-centered qualitative study among selected groups, mapping was done at different sites concerning alcohol use, social contexts, involvement in sexual risk behavior, availability of sex partners and related factors. Easy access to alcohol and drugs, accompanied by availability of sex workers appeared as compound risk factors in the study sites. Reported risky sexual behaviors included nonuse or irregular use of condoms, multiple sex partners, group sex, and anal sex with hijras (eunuchs).

Lactating mother and psychotropic drugs.

Usage of psychotropics during pregnancy and lactation has always been a topic of debate and controversy. The debate stems from the potential adverse effects on the growing fetus or infants due to the transfer of psychotropic drugs through placenta or breast milk of mothers receiving them; and the problem of discontinuing psychotropics in lactating mother considering chances of relapse. However, most of the psychotropics are found to be relatively safe when used cautiously during the lactation phase. This article describes available data on the use of psychotropics in lactating mothers, in particular, in relation to the safety profile of infants.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of thermo-alkali tolerant xylanase producing bacteria from thermal springs of Manikaran.

One hundred ten alkalo-tolerant thermophilic bacteria were isolated from 17 samples (water and sediment) collected from Manikaran. Of 110 isolates, 70 showed the production of xylanases and were further screened for growth and production of xylanases at different temperature ranging from 40 to 75°C. Eleven isolates that showed growth and xylanase production at temperatures ≥50°C were selected for quantitative estimation in modified Reese mineral liquid medium containing wheat bran. Maximum xylanase activity was produced by isolate H-7 followed by H-9 and R-9 and was statistically superior to other isolates. The microscopic observation showed that the isolates possessed the typical rod with endospore, characteristic of genus Bacillus. The isolates were found to be oxidase and catalase positive. Using BIOLOG Microlog 3 software, the isolates H7, H9 and R9 were identified as Paenibacillus ehemensis, Bacillus cereus/B. thuringiensis and B. subtilis respectively, based on utilization of 95 carbon sources. PCR-RFLP analysis of 16S rDNA indicated that the isolates were genetically different from each other. DNA sequencing of the three isolates and phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the isolates obtained from Manikaran thermal springs showed 97 to 100% similarity with the sequences within the GenBank. The closest phylogenetic neighbours according to the 16S rRNA gene sequence data for the three isolates H-7, H-9, and R-9 were Paenibacillus ehemensis, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis, respectively.

Family burden in opioid dependence syndrome in tertiary care centre.

This is a cross-sectional, hospital based study conducted in De-Addiction centre under department of psychiatry, AIIMS, New Delhi, India. Patients and their spouses fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study after taking informed consent. A diagnosis of Opioid Dependence Syndrome (ODS) was made based on ICD-10 criteria and the assessment of severity of ODS was determined by Addiction Severity Index (Hindi version). Subsequently the family burden, perceived by spouses was assessed using Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS). Most of the subjects were from urban or semi-urban areas, mostly from around the service facility. The maximum number of subjects was of age group 31-40 years with majority of having below high school level education. Both subjective and objective family burden was perceived as "severe" by subjects' spouses. The relationship between spouses' perceived burden and socio-demographic variables including duration of substance abuse were not correlated. Hence it was found that opioid dependent subjects cause considerable amount of distress to their care providers.

Effect of buprenorphine on psychomotor functions in patients on buprenorphine maintenance.

OBJECTIVE: Patients on buprenorphine maintenance for opioid dependence often abuse its additional doses over and above the maintenance dose. Being a psychoactive agent, it may affect psychomotor performance with all its consequences, for example, effect on quality of life. This study was conducted to assess the effects of its additional doses on psychomotor performance in patients who are maintained on it. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was an interventional study, carried out in an in-patient setting in a tertiary care national drug dependence treatment center. PARTICIPANTS: It included 19 subjects maintained on buprenorphine, 4 mg/d (s/L) for at least a month. INTERVENTION: Maintenance dose was followed by three administrations of buprenorphine, 2 mg, at two hourly intervals (cumulative dose design). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were assessed on digit symbol substitution test, trail making, digit span, and delayed recall, after each administration and the next morning. RESULTS: Performance of subjects on Digit Symbol Substitution Test (chi2 = 52.98, p < 0.000) and Trail Making Test-A (chi2 = 26.29, p < 0.000) and B (chi2 = 42.08, p < 0.000) improved significantly with each assessment while other tests were unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in psychomotor performance (which could be true effect of drug itself or a result of other factors, eg, inadequate maintenance dose or practice effect) though contrasting with some of the earlier findings, does have significant clinical implications regarding the long-term use of buprenorphine. It would be worthwhile repeating this type of study in a placebo controlled design to further verify the results.

Unilateral pseudohypacusis in children.

Pseudohypacusis is a condition where there is hearing loss without any organic etiology. Though this condition has been reported long before, the literature exists mainly in the form of case reports. An interesting aspect of pseudohypacusis is of patients presenting with unilateral pseudohypacusis. In children, there often exist underlying psychological factors related to the occurrence of this condition. This condition is usually suspected when there is discrepancy in audiometric testing. The authors hereby report a child of unilateral pseudohypacusis presenting with psychological stressors, along with an overview of the management of such conditions.

Subjective effects of additional doses of buprenorphine in patients on buprenorphine maintenance.

OBJECTIVES: Buprenorphine has considerable abuse potential. Patients who are maintained on buprenorphine (for opioid dependence) further use additional doses besides its maintenance dose. Subjective effects of the additional doses of buprenorphine in patients on buprenorphine maintenance patients is focused in this study. METHODS: Nineteen subjects who were maintained on buprenorphine 4mg, s/l per day for at least 1month were admitted and given three additional doses of buprenorphine 2mg, s/l at the interval of 2h each and subjective effects were assessed with the help of standard tools after 2h of each dose and the next day also. Drug was given in a cumulative dose design in the inpatient unit of a de-addiction centre. RESULTS: Dysphoria and sleepiness increased while euphoria and drug liking decreased with additional doses of buprenorphine. These changes were statistically significant and were highest at maximum cumulative dose of 10mg. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that abuse liability of buprenorphine in these subjects is low in higher doses. However, these findings need to be replicated in this group of patients to make a comment on clinical implication.

In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Neuropsychiatric involvement in SLE (NP-SLE) may not be picked up by routine neuroimaging procedures like computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We prospectively studied the role of single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in detection of NP-SLE in 20 patients with lupus (10 with clinical NP involvement and 10 without) and 9 healthy controls. MRI abnormalities were seen in 5/10 patients with NP-SLE while the MRI was normal in all the lupus patients without clinical NP involvement. Perfusion defects on SPECT were seen in as many as 8/10 patients with NP-SLE while only 1/10 lupus patients without clinical NP involvement and none of the healthy controls demonstrated perfusion defects. MRS revealed abnormal metabolite ratios in all patients with NP-SLE and as many as 8 lupus patients without clinical NP features. Normal metabolite ratios were observed in healthy controls. SPECT and MRS can help detect changes not evident on MRI and may serve as useful supplements to existing neuroimaging techniques in the diagnosis of NP-SLE. The precise significance of alterations in regional cerebral blood flow on SPECT and neurometabolite ratios on MRS needs larger, longitudinal studies.

Catatonia and other psychiatric symptoms with vitamin B12 deficiency.

OBJECTIVE: To study unusual psychiatric manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency and related issues. METHOD: A case study of 52-year-old female and review of relevant literature. RESULTS: Complete remission of psychiatric symptoms without recurrence for the next 4 years with vitamin B12 as the only specific therapy instituted. CONCLUSION: Importance of B12 estimation and replacement in patients with varied psychiatric manifestations.

Coping behaviors and relapse precipitants in opioid dependence: a study from North India.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the reasons for lapse, relapse and the coping behaviors in a group of recently abstinent subjects with opioid dependence. Retrospective qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the reasons for lapse, relapse and coping behaviors were done using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Eighty-four subjects from inpatient and outpatient settings of a Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, who had used illicit opioids after at least 3 weeks abstinence in the last 6-month period, were included. Coping behaviors, reasons for lapse and relapse were assessed and it was found that environmental factors are important for first use and physiological experiences related to drug use for regular use. There were significant differences in the use of coping behaviors by the currently abstinent and currently using subjects in the index abstinence. The study provides information about coping behaviors and reasons for lapse/relapse in an Indian setting.

The enigma of craving.

Craving is considered to play an important role in the persistence of drug use and relapse of drug use. Very few studies have looked into the subjective experience of this phenomena. This study attempts to study craving comprehensively as described by the subjects. In the present study 30 patients of heroin dependence syndrome were assessed (using a semi-structured questionnaire) for the subjective experience of craving and its various dimensions. All subjects reported having experienced craving. Majority of subjects (90%) described craving as a strong desire to use the substance. About 77% reported that intensity of craving could vary while others described it as a strong urge. Majority (83.3%) reported that only heroin or other opiates could satisfy the craving they experienced for heroin. During craving, thoughts of using the drug by all means would preoccupy their mind. Withdrawal symptoms (70.0%), increased respiration (56.7%) and palpitation (53.3%) were the common physical symptoms and anger (83.3%), tension (63.3%), anxiety (50.0%) were the common emotions experienced during craving. Craving was described as difficult to control and resulted in consumption of heroin on an average of 76.7% occasions. All subjects reported multiple cues that induced craving. Frequency of craving decreased with increase in length of period of abstinence. After being abstinent for 3 months, 90% subjects did not experience craving or experienced it once in a day. Socio-cultural factors do not appear to have prominent influence on subjective experience of craving.

Validity of self-report of recent opiate use in treatment setting.

Self-report validity of recent drug use among heroin abusers depends on many factors including the population being studied and the setting in which the study is carried out. This study was conducted by the treating physicians to assess the self-report validity of recent heroin use by heroin dependent patients in the outdoor setting using 'thin layer chromatography' (TLC) and two highly sensitive methods of urinalysis viz. 'gas liquid chromatography' (GLC) and 'high performance liquid chromatography' (HPLC). Out of seventy-six heroin dependent patients who entered the study, 64 provided urine sample on the same day. Patients' self-report about recent opiate use was found to have a moderate agreement with urinalysis report. However, it is important to validate it with urinalysis during the treatment process because a substantial proportion of patients fails to report recent opiate use. It is recommended that all drug dependence treatment centres should be equipped with a sensitive urinalysis facility. Otherwise, the outcome of the treatment process should be considered with caution.

Social support, coping resources and codependence in spouses of individuals with alcohol and drug dependence.

This study examines the relationship between social support, coping resources and codependence in the wives of individuals with drug and alcohol dependence. Thirty male individuals each with drug and alcohol dependence were assessed for severity of addiction by Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Their wives were administered Social Support Scale (SSS). Coping Resources Inventory (CRI) and Codependence Assessment Questionnaire (CAQ). Of the sixty patients, forty nine were found to be codependent. On ASI, the codependent group had more impairment in the financial and the legal domains of the husbands whereas non codependent group had more impairment in the psychological domain. Codependent wives had lower coping resources and social support. On multivariate analysis, three variables were found to be significant predictors of the development of codependence in the wives. These were (i) husbands'duration of drug or alcohol abuse, (ii) total CRI score and (Hi) husbands' ASI employment score.

Substance abuse in children and adolescents.

Consumption of licit and illicit substances has increased all over the world and the age of initiation of abuse is progressively falling. The common drugs of abuse amongst children and adolescents in India are tobacco and alcohol. Use of illicit drugs like cannabis and heroin have also been reported. A high prevalence of drug use and even intravenous use among street children and working children is a matter of concern. Although initiation to drug use usually occurs during adolescence, the adolescent drug users are seldom seen in various treatment centres. Thus community based programmes are beneficial for prevention and treatment of substance abuse among children and adolescents.

Long-term course of acute brief psychosis in a developing country setting.

BACKGROUND: This study in North India compared acute brief psychosis--defined by acute onset, brief duration and no early relapse--with other remitting psychoses, over a 12-year course and outcome. METHOD: In a cohort of incident psychoses, we identified 20 cases of acute brief psychosis and a comparison group of 43 other remitting psychoses based on two-year follow-up. Seventeen people (85%) in the acute brief psychosis group and 36 (84%) in the comparison group were reassessed at five, seven and 12 years after onset, and were rediagnosed using ICD-10 criteria. RESULTS: At 12-year follow-up, the proportion with remaining signs of illness was 6% (n = 1) for acute brief psychosis versus 50% (n = 18) for the comparison group (P = 0.002). Using ICD-10 criteria, the majority in both groups were diagnosed as having schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: Acute brief psychosis has a distinctive and benign long-term course when compared with other remitting psychoses. This finding supports the ICD-10 concept of a separable group of acute and transient psychotic disorders. To effectively separate this group, however, the ICD-10 criteria need modification.

Effects of level of socio-economic development on course of non-affective psychosis.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the relation of level of socio-economic development to the course of non-affective psychosis, by extending the analysis of urban/rural differences in course in Chandigarh, India. METHOD: The proportion of 'best outcome' cases between urban (n = 110) and rural (n = 50) catchment areas were compared at two-year follow-up, separately for CATEGOS+ and non-S+ schizophrenia. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects with 'best outcome' ratings at the urban and rural sites, respectively, was similar for CATEGOS+ schizophrenia (29 v. 29%), but significantly different for non-S+ psychosis (26 v. 47%). CONCLUSIONS: The fact that in rural Chandigarh, psychoses have a more favourable course than in the urban area may be explained in large part by psychoses distinct from 'nuclear' schizophrenia.

Lipid profile in alcohol dependence.

Fifty three patients of alcohol dependence were studied for lipid profile at Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, A.I.I.M.S. Statistically significant differences were observed on most of lipid profile indicators when compared to control group. Ratio of Apo A-I & Apo B appeared to be better indicator than Apo A1 or Apo B. The findings of the study are discussed in context of other studies from India and other countries.