Topological Magnon Bands in a Kagome Lattice Ferromagnet

There is great interest in finding materials possessing quasiparticles with topological properties. Such materials may have novel excitations that exist on their boundaries which are protected against disorder. We report experimental evidence that magnons in an insulating kagome ferromagnet can have a topological band structure. Our neutron scattering measurements further reveal that one of the bands is flat due to the unique geometry of the kagome lattice. Spin wave calculations show that the measured band structure follows from a simple Heisenberg Hamiltonian with a Dzyaloshinkii-Moriya interaction. This serves as the first realization of an effectively two-dimensional topological magnon insulator--a new class of magnetic material that should display both a magnon Hall effect and protected chiral edge modes.

Toxicity of chlorophyllin in different wavelengths of visible light against Fasciola gigantica larvae

Toxicity of chlorophyllin against redia and cercaria larvae of Fasciola gigantica was studied under irradiation of visible light. Highest and lowest toxicity of chlorophyllin against both larvae was noted under red (redia - 8 h LC₅₀ 7.88 mg/10 mL and cercaria - 11.99 mg/10 mL) and green (redia - 8 h LC₅₀ 32.12 mg/10 mL and cercaria - 8 h LC₅₀ 43.80 mg/10 mL) light irradiation respectively. The highest toxicity of chlorophyllin under red light irradiation against redia (8h LC₅₀ 7.88 mg/10 mL)/cercaria (8h LC₅₀ 11.99 mg/10 mL) was followed by white (8 h LC₅₀ redia - 20.48 mg/10 mL, 8 h LC₅₀ cercaria - 18.0 3mg/10 mL), blue (8 h LC₅₀ redia - 33.10 mg/10 mL/ 8 h LC₅₀ cercaria - 19.98 mg/10 mL) and yellow (8 h LC₅₀ redia - 23.87 mg/10 mL/ 8 h LC₅₀ cercaria - 23.48 mg/10 mL). Chlorophyllin treatment in darkness (control I) and without treatment of chlorophyllin, while all other conditions were same as treatment group (control II) caused no mortality of redia/cercaria larva. Chlorophyllin might be a promising new safe strategy to replace synthetic larvicide in fasciolosis control programme.

Mott insulator-to-metal transition in yttrium-doped CaIrO₃

We report on the study of insulator-to-metal transition in post-perovskite compound CaIrO3. It is discovered that a gradual chemical substitution of calcium by yttrium leads to the onset of strong metallic behavior in this compound. This observation is in stark contrast to BaIrO3, which preserves its Mott insulating behavior despite excess of the charge carriers due to yttrium doping. Magnetic measurements reveal that both compounds tend to exhibit magnetic character irrespective of the chemical substitution of Ca or Ba. We analyze these unusual observations in light of recent researches that suggest that CaIrO3 does not necessarily possess j = 1/2 ground state due to structural distortion. The insulator-to-metal transition in CaIrO3 will spur new researches to explore more exotic ground state, including superconductivity, in post-perovskite Mott insulators.

Aneurysmal bone cyst: An unusual presentation of back pain

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare benign tumor comprising 1.4% of all primary bone tumors. It commonly involves humerus, femur, tibia, and pelvic bones. Spinal involvement is rare. The pathological appearance of the lesion is one of the blown out distension with fluid filled cavities from which it gains the name aneurysmal bone cyst. The World Health Organization has defined it as an expanding lesion with blood filled cavities separated by septa of trabecular bone or fibrous tissue containing osteoclast giant cells. We describe the case of a 20-year-old Asian male who presented with backache and pain in right leg. Radiology was suggestive of an ABC involving the posterior elements of the lumbar vertebra. Excision was performed. We discuss this unusual case, reviewing the current literature on biological behavior and management of aneurysmal bone cyst.

Bronchoscopic topical steroid instillation in prevention of tracheal stenosis

Corrosive acid poisoning commonly results in chemical injuries to respiratory and upper gastrointestinal tract. Corrosive mucosal erosion of the larynx and trachea may occur if the patient aspirates acid. We successfully used local anti-inflammatory action of dexamethasone instilled through a fiber-optic bronchoscope for regression of mucosal edema and prevention of subsequent development of stricture in a young female.

Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury in medical, surgical, and intensive care unit: A comparative study

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in hospitalized patients. There are few comparative studies on hospital-acquired AKI (HAAKI) in medical, surgical, and ICU patients. This study was conducted to compare the epidemiological characteristics, clinical profiles, and outcomes of HAAKI among these three units. All adult patients (>18 years) of either gender who developed AKI based on RIFLE criteria (using serum creatinine), 48 h after hospitalization were included in the study. Patients of acute on chronic renal failure and AKI in pregnancy were excluded. Incidence of HAAKI in medical, surgical, and ICU wards were 0.54%, 0.72%, and 2.2% respectively (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in age distribution among the groups, but onset of HAAKI was earliest in the medical ward (P = 0.001). RIFLE-R was the most common AKI in medical (39.2%) and ICU (50%) wards but in the surgical ward, it was RIFLE-F that was most common (52.6%). Acute tubular necrosis was more common in ICU (P = 0.043). Most common etiology of HAAKI in medical unit was drug induced (39.2%), whereas in surgical and ICU, it was sepsis (34% and 35.2% respectively). Mortality in ICU, surgical and medical units were 73.5%, 43.42%, and 37.2%, respectively (P = 0.003). Length of hospital stay in surgical, ICU and medical units were different (P = 0.007). This study highlights that the characters of HAAKI are different in some aspects among different hospital settings.

Spin-stripe density varies linearly with the hole content in single-layer Bi2+xSr2-xCuO6+y cuprate superconductors

We have performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements on the single-layer cuprate Bi(2+x) Sr(2-x) CuO(6+y) (Bi2201) with x = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5, a doping range that spans the spin-glass to superconducting phase boundary. The doping evolution of low energy spin fluctuations (11 </~ meV) was found to be characterized by a change in the incommensurate modulation wave vector from the tetragonal [110] to [100]/[010] directions, while maintaining a linear relation between the incommensurability and the hole concentration, δ ≈ p. In the superconducting regime, the spectral weight is strongly suppressed below ≈ 4 meV. Similarities and differences in the spin correlations between Bi2201 and the prototypical single-layer system La(2-x) Sr(x)CuO(4) are discussed.

Nonconventional spin glass transition in a chemically ordered pyrochlore

We report on the study of unusual spin glass properties in the geometrically frustrated pyrochlore Tb(2)Mo(2)O(7), T(g) ~/= 24 K. The analysis of the nonlinear part of dc and complex susceptibilities, near the glass transition regime, suggests the existence of a statistical distribution of relaxation times in short-range ordered ferromagnetic clusters. In addition, the magnetic spins are not sufficiently frozen below the glass transition temperature, which is apparently responsible for the nonequilibrium scaling behavior of the static critical exponents of nonlinear susceptibilities. Our report is expected to shed new light in understanding the freezing properties of frustrated pyrochlores with short-range ferromagnetic interactions.

Pharmacological effects of Sapindus mukorossi

Sapindus mukorossi is an extremely valuable medicinal plant, distributed in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia. The aim of present review is to form a short compilation of the phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties of this multipurpose tree. The main phytoconstituents isolated and identified from different parts of this plant are triterpenoidal saponins of oleanane, dammarane and tirucullane type. The structure and chemical names of all the types of triterpenoidal saponins reported in Sapindus mukorossi are included in this review. Many research studies have been conducted to prove the plant's potential as being spermicidal, contraceptive, hepatoprotective, emetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-protozoal. The present review highlights some of the salient pharmacological uses of Sapindus mukorossi.

Neonatal tetanus: a continuing challenge

The authors retrospectively analyzed the case records of all the newborns admitted with the diagnosis of neonatal tetanus (NT) over a period of 36 mo. A total of 27 cases of neonatal tetanus were admitted over a period of 36 mo. Out of these 27 neonates, 17 died and thus the overall mortality was 63%. The mean age of onset of symptoms in those who survived was 8.1 ± 2.02 d whereas in those who died was 5.7 ± 1.39 d, which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). The babies with age of onset <7 d were almost 5 times more likely to die than those manifesting at 7 d or later. Thus, NT is still contributing to neonatal deaths especially in the backward areas of the country and onset of symptoms within a wk of birth is a very high risk factor for mortality.

Seasonal variation in abiotic factors and ferulic acid toxicity in snail-attractant pellets against the intermediate host snail Lymnaea acuminata

Laboratory evaluation was made to access the seasonal variations in abiotic environmental factors temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, electrical conductivity and ferulic acid toxicity in snail-attractant pellets (SAP) against the intermediate host snail Lymnaea acuminata in each month of the years 2010 and 2011. On the basis of a 24-h toxicity assay, it was noted that lethal concentration values of 4.03, 3.73% and 4.45% in SAP containing starch and 4.16, 4.23% and 4.29% in SAP containing proline during the months of May, June and September, respectively, were most effective in killing the snails, while SAP containing starch/proline + ferulic acid was least effective in the month of January/February (24-h lethal concentration value was 7.67%/7.63% in SAP). There was a significant positive correlation between lethal concentration value of ferulic acid containing SAP and levels of dissolved O2 /pH of water in corresponding months. On the contrary, a negative correlation was observed between lethal concentration value and dissolved CO2 /temperature of test water in the same months. To ascertain that such a relationship between toxicity and abiotic factors is not co-incidental, the nervous tissue of treated (40% and 80% of 24-h lethal concentration value) and control group of snails was assayed for the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in each of the 12 months of the same year. There was a maximum inhibition of 58.43% of AChE, in snails exposed to 80% of the 24-h lethal concentration value of ferulic acid + starch in the month of May. This work shows conclusively that the best time to control snail population with SAP containing ferulic acid is during the months of May, June and September.

Characterization of the molluscicidal activity of Bauhinia variegata and Mimusops elengi plant extracts against the fasciola vector Lymnaea acuminata

The molluscicidal activity of Bauhinia variegata leaf and Mimusops elengi bark was studied against vector snail Lymnaea acuminata. The toxicity of both plants was time and concentration-dependent. Among organic extracts, ethanol extracts of both plants were more toxic. Toxicity of B. variegata leaf ethanolic extract (96h LC50- 14.4 mg/L) was more pronounced than M. elengi bark ethanolic extract (96h LC50-15.0 mg/L). The 24h LC50 of column purified fraction of B. variegata and M. elengi bark were 20.3 mg/L and 18.3 mg/L, respectively. Saponin and quercetin were characterized and identified as active molluscicidal component. Co-migration of saponin (Rf 0.48) and quercetin (Rf 0.52) with column purified bark of M. elengi and leaf of B. variegata on thin layer chromatography demonstrate same Rf value i.e. 0.48 and 0.52, respectively. The present study clearly indicates the possibility of using M. elengi and/or B. variegata as potent molluscicide.

Tertiary combination of freeze-dried urine of Indian breeds of cow with plant products against snail Lymnaea acuminata

Snail Lymnaea acuminata is the intermediate host of liver fluke Fasciola gigantica, which cause endemic fasciolosis among cattle population of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Control of snail population by molluscicides is one of the effective methods to control fasciolosis. In the present study molluscicidal activity of tertiary combination of freeze-dried urine of different Indian breeds of cow Sahiwal, Geer and Tharparkar with Annona squamosa seed powder, Ferula asafoetida root latex, Azadirachta indica oil and Camellia sinensis leaves have been tested against Lymnaea acuminata. It was noted that the toxicity of tertiary combination (1:1:5) of cow urine kept for 15 days in sunlight or laboratory condition with different plant products were highly toxic against snail L. acuminata. 96 h LC50 of tertiary combinations with Sahiwal urine kept for 15 days in sunlight with A. squamosa, F. asafoetida, A. indica oil and C. sinensis were 35.47 mg L(-1), 37.13 mg L(-1), 33.66 mg L(-1), respectively higher than the Geer and Tharparkar. The toxicity of Sahiwal urine kept for 15 days in laboratory condition with A. squamosa and C. sinensis (96 h LC50 28.28 mg L(-1)) was more potent than the all other combinations. Cow urine in combination with plant product can be used for effective control of snail.

Anaphylaxis to artesunate?

Artesunate, an artemissin derivative is a highly efficacious and relatively safe antimalarial agent. Common adverse reactions to artemissin derivatives are nausea, vomiting, anorexia and dizziness. More serious but less-frequent toxic effects of artesunate use are neutropenia, anemia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and severe allergic reactions. However, anaphylactic reaction to artesunate is a rare entity. Here, we report a case of anaphylaxis to parenteral artesunate and its successful management in a female patient to whom intravenous artesunate was administered during surgery under general anesthesia.

Bait formulations of molluscicides and their effects on biochemical changes in the ovotestis of snail Lymnaea acuminata (Mollusca; Gastropoda:Lymnaeidae)

The effect of sub-lethal feeding of bait formulations containing molluscicidal component of Ferula asafoetida (ferulic acid, umbelliferone), Syzygium aromaticum (eugenol) and Carum carvi (limonene) on biochemical changes in the ovotestis of snail Lymnaea acuminata were studied. Bait formulations feeding to L. acuminata were studied in clear glass aquaria having diameter of 30 cm. Baits were prepared from different binary combinations of attractant amino acid (valine, aspartic acid, lysine and alanine 10 mM) in 100 mL of 2% agar solution + sub-lethal (20% and 60% of 24h LC50) doses of different molluscicides (ferulic acid, umbelliferone, eugenol and limonene). These baits caused maximum significant reduction in free amino acid, protein, DNA, RNA levels i.e. 41.37, 23.56, 48.36 and 14.29% of control in the ovotestis of the snail, respectively. Discontinuation of feeding after treatment of 60% of 96h LC50 of molluscicide containing bait for next 72h caused a significant recovery in free amino acid, protein, DNA and RNA levels in the ovotestis of L. acuminata.

Double fetus in fetu

Fetus in fetu (FIF) is an extremely rare cause of infantile abdominal mass where a rudimentary, malformed monozygotic-diamniotic twin grows inside the other twin. We describe a male infant with double or twin fetuses in fetu. The diagnosis was made on a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and confirmed on surgery. Surgical excision was done and the baby did well post operatively.

Comparison of phenylephrine and norepinephrine in the management of dopamine-resistant septic shock

INTRODUCTION

THIS STUDY AIMS TO COMPARE TWO VASOCONSTRICTORS: - norepinephrine and phenylephrine - in the management of dopamine-resistant septic shock.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a randomized, prospective, controlled trial in 54 septic shock patients, with persistent hypotension despite adequate volume resuscitation and continued dopamine infusion ~25mug/kg/h. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either norepinephrine or phenylephrine infusion (n = 27 each) titrated to achieve a target of SBP > 90mm Hg, MAP > 75 mm Hg, SVRI > 1100 dynes.s/cm5m2, CI > 2.8 L/min/m2, DO2I > 550 ml/min/m2, and VO2I > 150 ml/min/m2 for continuous 6 h. All the parameters were recorded every 30 min and increment in dose of studied drug was done in the specified dose range if targets were not achieved. Data from pulmonary arterial and hepatic vein catheterization, thermodilution catheter, blood gas analysis, blood lactate levels, invasive blood pressure, and oxygen transport variables were compared with baseline values after achieving the targets of therapy. Differences within and between groups were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance test and Fischer's exact test.

RESULTS

No difference was observed in any of the investigated parameters except for statistically significant reduction of heart rate (HR) (P<0.001) and increase in stroke volume index (SVI) (P<0.001) in phenylephrine group as compared to nonsignificant change in norepinephrine group.

CONCLUSIONS

Phenylephrine infusion is comparable to norepinephrine in reversing hemodynamic and metabolic abnormalities of sepsis patients, with an additional benefit of decrease in HR and improvement in SVI.