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Abstract Background Semi-irrigated aerobic cultivation of rice has been suggested as a potential water saving agronomy. However, suitable cultivars are needed in order to sustain yield levels. An introgression of water mining and water use efficiency (WUE) traits is the most appropriate strategy for a comprehensive genetic enhancement to develop such rice cultivars. Results We report a novel strategy of phenotyping and marker-assisted backcross breeding to introgress water mining (root) and water use efficiency (WUE) traits into a popular high yielding cultivar, IR-64. Trait donor genotypes for root (AC-39020) and WUE (IET-16348) were crossed separately and the resultant F1s were inter-mated to generate double cross F1s (DCF1). Progenies of three generations of backcross followed by selfing were charatcerised for target phenotype and genome integration. A set of 260 trait introgressed lines were identified. Root weight and root length of TILs were 53% and 23.5% higher, while Δ13C was 2.85‰ lower indicating a significant increase in WUE over IR-64. Five best TILs selected from BC3F3 generation showed 52% and 63% increase in yield over IR-64 under 100% and 60% FC, respectively. The trait introgressed lines resembled IR64 with more than 97% of genome recovered with a significant yield advantage under semi-irrigated aerobic conditions The study validated markers identified earlier by association mapping. Conclusion Introgression of root and WUE into IR64, resulted in an excellent yield advantage even when cultivated under semi-irrigated aerobic condition. The study provided a proof-of-concept that maintaining leaf turgor and carbon metabolism results in improved adaptation to water limited conditions and sustains productivity. A marker based multi-parent backcross breeding is an appropriate approach for trait introgression. The trait introgressed lines developed can be effectively used in future crop improvement programs as donor lines for both root and WUE.

Background: Accessing care for sexual health has always been a challenge in our Indian context. The primary reason is a lack of awareness of modes of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), appropriate testing, and treatment options. The second is taboo associated with the morality of the individual. The third is the accessibility and availability of Quality STD care by allopathic specialists in comparison to the demand. This has paved way for lots of myths and misconceptions among the general public regarding STDs and HIV disease. Compounding it is the mushrooming of nonqualified practitioners and healers who claim to cure all STDs and HIV has led to poor treatment outcomes. Several methods of partnership with qualified allopathic practitioners have been tried for the provision of quality STD care by various donor-funded, HIV and STD prevention programs in the country. The key reasons for the nonsustainability of these clinics were the lack of technical capability to handle the sexual health and STD clinical cases and the huge cost involved in the advertisement and maintenance of the clinics. Methodology: Seven clinicians from different geographical locations in Tamil Nadu, who were exclusively qualified in Venereology, conceived the idea of provision of comprehensive clinical care cum counseling and testing services through a networking model from December 01, 2020. The model comprised the following: (1) Dedicated YouTube channel (Nakshatra Health) to provide scientific information on STD and HIV, modes of transmission, clinical symptoms, lab testing, interpretation of results, clinical treatment options, and counseling on prevention, (2) Dedicated telephone helpline was established with WhatsApp to answer the queries of clients by the network venereologists, (3) Dedicated website (www.nakshatra.health) was developed to provide information on STD and HIV and options to clarify doubts and fix appointments online, (4) Clinical consultations were done in a hybrid mode with an option for direct clinic and online consultation. Prescriptions were provided using dedicated software instantly, (5) Networking was done with NABL-accredited labs and collection centers for performing STD and HIV tests with e-test request forms, (6) Networking was done with pharma companies to provide pre- and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) services to clients through e-prescriptions. Cross referrals were made across the network members to facilitate easy access to clinical services by clients from different parts of Tamil Nadu. The entire concept was branded as "Nakshatra health" with a tagline - "Your sparkling solution for safe sexual health care." Quality STD care and ethical practice were the underlying motos of this concept. Results: During the 20 months (December 2020 to July 2022), 6442 phone calls and 9328 WhatsApp messages were received. 82.3% of the calls and messages were queries from clients related to their sexual exposures, and 16.4% were general information seekers. During this period, the Nakshatra Health YouTube channel had 1590 subscribers and nearly 2.4 lakh views of all its 24 videos. Among the viewers, 92.4% were male. 52.29% of viewers were between the ages of 25 and 34 years, 28.25% were between the ages of 18 and 24 years, and 17.25% viewers were between the ages of 35 and 44 years. 86% of the viewers were from India and 13% were Tamil-speaking viewers from Middle East, Southeast Asian countries and 1% were from European, African, and American countries. The most commonly watched videos were related to HIV symptoms and lab tests for STD and HIV. 16% of the viewers repeatedly watched the various videos in the series. The network laboratories provided testing services for 1082 clients with 2423 various STD/HIV tests. Totally 3328 clients availed of online consultation and 924 clients accessed clinic-based services across the network members. Among these cases, 18 cases of Syphilis (primary and secondary) and 12 cases of acute gonococcal urethritis, and 10 cases of genital warts were diagnosed and treated. 12 cases of phimosis and 4 cases of anal warts were surgically treated in collaboration with a surgeon. Through this initiative, PEP and PreP services were provided to 228 and 8 individuals. Conclusion: Designing a comprehensive sexual health service package is crucial to ensure the availability and ease of access to services to the general public. Provision of correct scientific information, networking and cross-referral of cases with like-minded dermatovenereologists/clinicians interested in venereology sexually transmitted infections, easily accessible clinical, laboratory, and treatment services including PreP and PEP medications, and ethical practice are the key factors for scaling this concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geometries, electrostatic potential, Mulliken charge analysis, Natural Bond Orbital analysis and polarizabilities of propyl-para-hydroxybenzoate were calculated using B3LYP functional with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The calculated geometries are well matched with the experimental values. The Mullliken atomic charge analysis shows that the eventual charges are contained in the molecule. The NBO analysis explains the intramolecular charge transfer in the PHB molecule. The bonding features of the molecule were analyzed with the aid of Hirshfeld surface analysis. The frontier molecular orbital analysis showed the charge transfer obtained within the molecule. The calculated hyperpolarizability of the PHB molecule was 6.977E −30 esu and it was 8.9 times that of standard urea molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient organic nonlinear optical (NLO) 2-amino-5-nitropyridinium p-phenolsulfonate (2A5NPP) single crystals have been grown by slow cooling method using methanol as a solvent. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) analysis revealed the unit cell parameters of the grown crystal. The morphology of the grown crystal was identified by single crystal XRD analysis as well. The crystallinity of the title crystal was studied by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. The presence of functional groups was determined by FTIR spectral analysis. The optical transmittance revealed that the grown crystal is transparent in the visible and NIR region with a lower cutoff wavelength of 408 nm. The chemical etching analysis showed that the grown crystal has a lower etch pit density (EPD). The title compound is thermally stable up to 200 °C, as assessed by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The photocurrent (Ip) and dark current (Id) values were found to be 5.3 × 10−11 A and 3.3 × 10−11 A at 50 V, respectively, by photoconductivity analysis. A dielectric study was carried out to find the distribution of charges within the crystal. Theoretical calculations were performed using the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level basis set. The structural parameters of 2A5NPP were studied using the DFT method and the calculated results were compared with the experimental values. The charge transfer characteristic of the title compound was studied by frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis. The first-order hyperpolarizability of the 2A5NPP molecule was found to be 2.9 × 10−29 e.s.u, which is 37 times higher compared to the reference urea molecule. The Mulliken charge of the obtained molecule was theoretically analyzed. Hydrogen bonding of the obtained molecule was confirmed by NBO analysis. The Kurtz–Perry powder technique was used to evaluate the second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the title crystal and it was found to be 22 times that of the reference KDP material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have designed and synthesized two Zn-Porphyrin derivatives Zn[5,15-dimethylaminophenyl-10,20-(4-carboxyphenyl)Porphyrin] ( SKPor-1 ) and Zn[5,15-thiophene-10,20-(4-carboxyphenyl)Porphyrin] ( SKPor-2 ) which possess donor modified structures as sensitizer for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These molecules contain the porphyrin unit as π-bridge, dimethylaminophenyl and thienyl groups as electron donor group and carboxylic acid group as anchoring group (electron acceptor unit). The SKPor-1 dye has large red-shift of the absorption maxima due to introduction of the dimethylaminophenyl moiety at the meso position of the porphyrin ring. But the absorption maxima of SKPor-2 is a little red-shifted due to the thienyl group attached with the porphyrin unit. The highly conjugated dimethylaminophenyl group is efficiently donating the electrons and electronic interaction between the porphyrin and dimethylaminophenyl unit is better compared to thienyl unit. The DSSC was made using commercial P25 TiO 2 material as photoanode, Zn-Porphyrin derivatives as sensitizer, I − /I 3− as electrolyte and platinum (Pt) as counter electrode. The highest power conversion efficiency of the two Zn-Porphyrin derivatives ( SKPor-1 ) based on DSSC reached 3.2 % with open circuit voltage (V oc ) of 0.68 V, short circuit photocurrent density (J sc ) of 9.62 mA/cm 2 and fill factor (ff) of 0.50, SKPor-2 based DSSC reached 2.5% open circuit voltage (V oc ) of 0.68 V, short circuit photocurrent density (J sc ) of 7.2 mA/cm 2 and fill factor (ff) of 0.51 under AM 1.5 G irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how machining parameters affect Surface Roughness (SR), Tool Wear Rate (TWR), and Material Removal Rate (MRR) during Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) of a hybrid aluminum metal matrix composite (AMMC). The composite includes 6 % Silicon carbide (SiC) and 6 % Boron carbide (B 4 C) in an Aluminum 7075 (Al7075) matrix. A combined optimization approach was used to balance these factors, evaluating Pulse ON time, Current, Voltage, and Pulse OFF time. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) optimized single responses, while multi-response optimization employed a hybrid method combining the Entropy Weight Method (EWM), Taguchi approach, TOPSIS, and GRA. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) assessed parameter significance, revealing substantial impacts on SR, MRR, and EWR. Based on TOPSIS and GRA, optimized parameters achieved a desirable balance: high MRR (0.4172, 0.5240 mm³/min), minimal EWR (0.0068, 0.0103 mm³/min), and acceptable SR (10.3877, 9.1924 μm) based on EWM-weighted priorities. Confirmation experiments validated a 15 % improvement in the closeness coefficient, and a 16 % improvement in the Grey relational grade, which considers combined SR, MRR, and EWR performance. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis of surfaces machined with optimal parameters showed minimal debris, cracks, and no recast layer, indicating high surface integrity. This research enhances EDM optimization for AMMC, achieving efficiency in machining, minimizing tool wear, and meeting surface quality requirements., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Over the past year, owing to the emergent demand for the search for potential COVID-19 therapeutics, identifying alternative candidates from biological sources is one of the sustainable ways to reinforce the drug discovery process. Marine macroalgae have numerous advantages because of the richest availability of underexploited bioactive compounds. Polyphenolic compounds like phlorotannins obtained from brown macroalgae are reported as proven antiviral and immunostimulatory agents. Thus, the present study evaluated the possibility of phlorotannins as antagonists to the multiple target proteins essential for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Twenty different types of potent phlorotannins were targeted against druggable target proteins, viz., 3CLpro, RdRp, and Spro using AutoDock molecular docking, drug-likeness were assessed by ADMET profiling (QikProp module). Further, validated with 200 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation (Desmond module) for the top-ranked phlorotannins based on docking binding affinities. Among the twenty phlorotannins studied, eckol hexacetate, phlorofucofuroeckol, fucofuroeckol, and bifuhalol-hexacetate showed significant binding affinities across the selected targets. Besides, MD simulations highlighted Glu166, Gln189, Cys145, and Thr190 tetrad as potential interaction sites to inhibit 3CLpro's activity. Moreover, phlorotannins were confirmed to be druglike, with no major deviation observed in ADMET-profiling. Hence, phlorotannins could be therapeutic candidates against SARS-CoV-2. However, further investigations are needed to prove its efficacy as an antiviral agent. Conclusively, this study may envisage that the novel finding could notably impact the advancement of antiviral interventions for COVID-19 in the near future., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Botryosphaeria branch dieback is a serious disease of macadamia in Australia, but its etiology has not been clearly defined, which limits effective disease control. Therefore, this study examined whether the causal agents of branch dieback in commercial macadamia orchards in five agroecological regions in Australia are similar in prevalence and aggressiveness. The identity of the causal agents was determined using conventional culturing techniques and DNA sequencing that targets the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef1α ), β-tubulin ( tub2 ), and DNA-directed RNA polymerase II second largest subunit ( rpb2 ) gene loci. The pathogenic variation of the isolates, relative to the source (region and host plant part), was examined using in vivo and in planta assays. Lasiodiplodia and Neofusicoccum were the dominant fungal genera obtained from surveys of 59 macadamia orchards across the agroecological regions. Phylogenetic analysis of 52 representative isolates identified four putative novel Lasiodiplodia clades, with three other Lasiodiplodia spp. ( Lasiodiplodia iraniensis , L. pseudotheobromae , and L. theobromae ) and three Neofusicoccum spp. ( Neofusicoccum luteum , N. mangroviorum , and N. parvum ) from macadamia. L . pseudotheobromae that constituted 40% of the isolates from symptomatic tissues was the most prevalent in all the regions. Both the in vivo and in planta pathogenicity assays revealed that all isolates of the Botryosphaeriaceae, except N. mangroviorum , were pathogenic to macadamia. L. theobromae , N. luteum , and L. iraniensis were the most aggressive species causing dieback symptoms in macadamia.

Aim, To evaluate the treatment outcomes of endoscopic prelacrimal approach in managing various maxillary sinus pathologies, analyzing the associated adverse events and post treatment quality of life and also to compare surgical outcomes of prelacrimal approach with middle meatal antrostomy approach to remove various maxillary sinus pathologies., Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted from January 2019 to April 2020. We took 60 patients with maxillary sinus pathologies and divided into two groups and done sinus surgery through middle meatal antrostomy approach (group A) and prelacrimal approach (group B). Post operative follow up done for one year and analyzed complications and recurrence., Results: We compared the recurrence rate of antrochoanal polyp in both groups. Out of 12 patients in group A, 6 patients (50%) got recurrence of polyp. In group B, only one patient (8%) got recurrence out of 12 patients of antrochoanal polyp., Conclusion: We conclude that prelacrimal recess approach is a better option than middle meatal antrostomy for complete removal of pathologies in maxillary sinus., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestDone declared., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2021.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely destructed human life worldwide, with no suitable treatment until now. SARS-CoV-2 virus is unprecedented, resistance against number of therapeutics and spreading rapidly with high mortality, which warrants the need to discover new effective drugs to combat this situation. This current study is undertaken to explore the antiviral potential of marine algal compounds to inhibit the viral entry and its multiplication using computational analysis. Among the proven drug discovery targets of SARS-CoV-2, spike glycoprotein and 3-chymotrypsin-like protease are responsible for the virus attachment and viral genome replication in the host cell. In this study, the above-mentioned drug targets were docked with marine algal compounds (sulfated polysaccharides, polysaccharide derivatives and polyphenols) using molecular docking tools (AutoDockTools). The obtained results indicate that κ-carrageenan, laminarin, eckol, trifucol and β-D-galactose are the top-ranking compounds showing better docking scores with SARS-CoV-2 targets, than the current experimental COVID-19 antiviral drugs like dexamethasone, remdesivir, favipiravir and MIV-150. Further, molecular dynamic simulation, ADMET and density functional theory calculations were evaluated to substantiate the findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on in silico analysis of aforesaid algal metabolites against SARS-CoV-2 targets. This study concludes that these metabolites can be curative for COVID-19 in the hour of need after further validations in in vitro and in vivo testings.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The several virulence and drug-resistance mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa responsible for poor clinical outcomes in keratitis patients remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the distribution of virulence factors and drug resistance by genes, mutations, efflux-pump systems of P. aeruginosa strains from keratitis patients with different clinical outcomes, included of whole-genome sequenced and annotated our five P. aeruginosa strains. Of the large number of virulence genes detected in all the genomes, MDR/XDR strains carry exoU and non-MDR strains carry exoS exotoxin of the type III secretion system, considered as main contributors of keratitis pathogenesis. However, several strain-specific virulence and resistance genes were detected in keratitis strains with poor outcome. Mainly, the flagellar genes fliC and fliD detected in the exoS carrying strains, reported to alter the host immune response, might impact the clinical outcome. This study may provide new insights into the genome of ocular strains and requires further functional studies., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Global emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains limits therapeutic efficacy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal ulcers. Identifying the primary causal factors of resistance shall improve clinical management. In this study, we sought to identify the underlying mechanisms of fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside resistance in MDR, non-MDR, and drug susceptible P. aeruginosa ( n  = 19) strains obtained from keratitis patients. Phenotypic assays were performed to study the bacterial growth kinetics, efflux, permeability, and biofilm formation. Mutational alteration of target genes (DNA sequencing), relative expression of efflux system genes (real time PCR), and detection of aminoglycoside modifying enzyme (AME) genes (PCR) were done by molecular methods. We repeatedly found the mutations in quinolone resistance determining region of fluoroquinolone target genes, gyrA and parC , and the presence of AME genes, aph(3″)-I and aph(6)-I , in all MDR isolates. Furthermore, the MDR isolates were largely characterized by slower growth, cytotoxic type III secretion system genotype, better biofilm-forming ability, and the presence of additional AME genes. The non-MDR isolates were resensitized upon inhibition of active efflux or enhancement of membrane permeability. Altogether this study highlights target gene alteration and enzymatic drug modification as the major mechanisms of quinolone and aminoglycoside resistance in P. aeruginosa keratitis isolates.

Corneal ulcers caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa may lead to severe visual disability due to impaired bacterial clearance from corneal tissues. Our purpose was to study the role of autophagy in the intracellular clearance of P. aeruginosa from human corneal epithelial cells (HCET) and its regulation by the bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS) toxins. Nine different corneal ulcer isolates of P. aeruginosa, PAO1 and T3SS mutants of PAO1 were used to infect HCET cells. Induction of autophagy (Immunofluorescence and Western blot) and pro-inflammatory gene expression (real time PCR) by P. aeruginosa and the role of autophagy in intracellular bacterial clearance were studied in the context of T3SS genotypes. The clinical isolates and PAO1 induced autophagy irrespective of the T3SS genotype, whereas the T3SS mutants were relatively defective in inducing autophagy and becn1 gene expression. External induction of autophagy significantly reduced the intracellular load of P. aeruginosa strains that were associated with worst clinical outcomes. The T3SS negative isolate and PAO1ΔexoST were less sensitive to pharmacological modulation of autophagy and had relatively higher replication potential, suggesting a possible mechanism of bacterial survival in the absence of T3SS toxins. Overall, our results highlight a selective role for autophagy in bacterial clearance from corneal epithelial cells and emphasize the pro-autophagic role of bacterial toxins in the context of corneal ulcers., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Context: Although the technical feasibility of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has been established, concerns have been raised about the impaired renal function resulting from pneumoperitoneum and its short- and long-term effects., Aims: We used urinary biomarkers of acute kidney injury including urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (uNAG) to study the injury caused to the donor's retained kidney by pneumoperitoneum., Settings and Design: This was a prospective cohort study of thirty consecutive patients who underwent LDN at our hospital., Subjects and Methods: We measured urinary creatinine, uNAG and uNGAL at the time of induction of anaesthesia, at 1 h after starting surgery, at 5 min after clamping the ureter, at the time of skin closure and then at 4, 8 and 24 h after the surgery., Results: The uNAG level showed a gradual increase from the start of the surgery and reached the peak at the time of the closure. Thereafter, there was a gradual fall in the level and reached to pre-operative level at 24 h post-surgery. Similarly, the uNGAL also showed a similar trend although it did not reach pre-operative value by 24 h., Conclusions: We objectively confirm that although there is acute injury to the retained kidney in the donor after LDN due to the CO2pneumoperitoneum, the renal function improves and reaches close to the pre-operative level within 24 h after surgery.

Purpose: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, stable, noncoding RNA molecules with regulatory function and marked tissue specificity that posttranscriptionally regulate gene expression. However, their role in fungal keratitis remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify the miRNA profile and its regulatory role in fungal keratitis., Methods: Normal donor (n = 3) and fungal keratitis (n = 5) corneas were pooled separately, and small RNA deep sequencing was performed using a sequencing platform. A bioinformatics approach was applied to identify differentially-expressed miRNAs and their targets, and select miRNAs were validated by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The regulatory functions of miRNAs were predicted by combining miRNA target genes and pathway analysis. The mRNA expression levels of select target genes were further analyzed by qPCR., Results: By deep sequencing, 75 miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed with fold change greater than 2 and probability score greater than 0.9 in fungal keratitis corneas. The highly dysregulated miRNAs (miR-511-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-155-5p, and miR-451a) may regulate wound healing as they were predicted to specifically target wound inflammatory genes. Moreover, the increased expression of miR-451a in keratitis correlated with reduced expression of its target, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, suggesting possible regulatory functions., Conclusions: This is, to our knowledge, the first report on comprehensive human corneal miRNA expression profile in fungal keratitis. Several miRNAs with high expression in fungal keratitis point toward their potential role in regulation of pathogenesis. Further insights in understanding their role in corneal wound inflammation may help design new therapeutic strategies.