Experimental data are obtained for the extent of swelling and progress of the step-growth swollen-state polymerization (SwSP ) of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The SwSP is carried out in biphenyl and diphenyl ether mixture (26 : 74 w/ w) solvent under appropriate conditions designed to understand the factors responsible for enhanced reaction rates. The kinetics rate constants, evaluated in terms of simple model, are found to be 2.5-5 times higher for SwSP as compared to the solid-state polymerization (SSP). As the diffusional/mass transfer effects are eliminated in our experiments, this increase in rate constants can be attributed to increased mobility of reactive chain ends. Polymerization rate is found to be further enhanced by addition of a polycondensation catalyst (Sb 2 O 3 ) to the solvent during SwSP.

Experimental data are obtained for the extent of swelling and progress of the step-growth swollen-state polymerization (SwSP ) of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The SwSP is carried out in biphenyl and diphenyl ether mixture (26 : 74 w/ w) solvent under appropriate conditions designed to understand the factors responsible for enhanced reaction rates. The kinetics rate constants, evaluated in terms of simple model, are found to be 2.5-5 times higher for SwSP as compared to the solid-state polymerization (SSP). As the diffusional/mass transfer effects are eliminated in our experiments, this increase in rate constants can be attributed to increased mobility of reactive chain ends. Polymerization rate is found to be further enhanced by addition of a polycondensation catalyst (Sb 2 O 3 ) to the solvent during SwSP.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare but devastating disease in acquired immuno deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. PML in HIV/AIDS is rare in India and literature is limited. We are reporting a case of probable AIDS-related PML from Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Centre Jabalpur. It was our first case of PML (possible) in 3194 registered HIV patients taking ART since 2006.

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is an unusual skeletal disorder characterized by congenital fusion of two or more cervical vertebrae which can be sporadic or familial. KFS emerges to be a failure of the normal segmentation and fusion of the mesodermal somites during 3rd and 8th weeks of embryonic development. The triad of low posterior hairline, short neck, and restricted neck motion is present only in 50% and often associated with scoliosis, spina bifida, Sprengel's deformity, cervical ribs, deafness, cleft palate, renal anomalies, congenital heart defects, and so on because of heterogeneous nature of the disease. The significance of KFS lies in the secondary effects produced on the nervous system, which usually presents with features of progressive cord and brain stem compression with relatively minor trauma. We here report two cases of KFS presented in association with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Only two such cases have been described in the literature in 1954 and 1975.

BACKGROUNDRed Cell Distribution Width (RDW) is widely available to clinicians, because it is routinely reported as part of complete blood count. Several studies have reported that RDW is closely related to outcome in critically ill patients. Severe sepsis and septic shock are increasing in incidence and contributing significantly to mortality. Prediction of outcome for patients with sepsis using easily available and reliable marker may facilitate more aggressive interventions made at appropriate time. We studied this correlation and whether changes in Red cell distribution width reflects acute changes in disease progression.