Conversion of clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis: a prospective multi-center study in Eastern India.

BACKGROUND: In White populations more than 60% of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) convert to multiple sclerosis (MS) on a long-term follow-up; several predictors for conversion have been identified. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the conversion rate and the predictors of conversion from CIS to MS (McDonald 2010) among Indians. The other objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the new McDonald 2017 criteria in prediction of a second clinical attack. METHODS: Clinical and demographic data of CIS cohorts were collected. Baseline investigations included cerebrospinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing for oligoclonal band (OCB). Follow-up clinical and MRI examinations were performed annually for at least 24 months. RESULTS: Of the 82 subjects (age range 15-58 years), 36 (43.9%) converted to MS; 31/82 (37.8%) converted in 24 months. The predictors for conversion were earlier age of onset, CSF-OCB, cerebral MRI T2 lesion count, and periventricular and juxtacortical location of lesions. Twenty-two (26.83%) CIS fulfilled the McDonald MS 2017 criteria at baseline. CONCLUSION: In this first prospective study of CIS in India, the risk factors for conversion are similar but the conversion rate to MS is lower than that in the western nations.

Physical and thermochemical characterization of rice husk char as a potential biomass energy source.

The fixed bed pyrolysis of rice husk was studied under conventional conditions with the aim of determining the characteristics of the charcoal formed for its applicability as a solid fuel. Thermoanalytic methods were used to determine the kinetic parameters of its combustion. Palletisation using different binders and techniques to improve the time of sustained combustion of the char pallets were investigated. The optimum temperature for carbonization to obtain a char having moderately high heating value was found as 400 degrees C. For the active char combustion zone, the order of reaction was nearly 1, the activation energy 73.403 kJ/mol and the pre-exponential factor 4.97 x 10(4)min(-1). Addition of starch as a binder and 10% ferrous sulphate heptahydrate or sodium hypophosphite as an additive enhanced the ignitibility of the char pallets.

Studies on heat output from the hand of frostbite subjects.

We studied 12 subjects, who had suffered first- to third-degree frostbite at high altitude during winter, at Delhi, India. At normal sea level pressure there (PB 740 mm Hg) and in a decompression chamber at a simulated altitude of 4085 m, the studies were at both 26 degrees C and 6.8 degrees C. A group of control (non-frostbite) subjects of comparable age were also studied for their heat output at 26 degrees C, PB 740 mm Hg. Heat output from the hands of a group of mountaineers from the sea level was also studied at 2121 m at 25 degrees C and 4485 m at 7 degrees C. The results indicated that the frostbite subjects had a significantly higher heat ouput at PB 740 mm Hg and 26 degrees C than the non-frostbite subjects. When the former were tested at sea level (PB 740 mm Hg) at 6.8 degrees C, the hand heat output showed a marked and significant decrease. On testing them at a simulated altitude of 4085 m at 26 degrees C and at 6.8 degrees C, a very highly significant reduction in hand heat output was observed compared to their initial value at sea level (740 mm Hg) and 26 degrees C. Their hand heat output also showed a very highly significant decrease compared to mountaineers at 4485 m and 7 degrees C.