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Abstract Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been successfully synthesized using leaf extract of Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Mint (Mentha Piperita), Tulsi (Ocimum Tenuiflorum), Bermuda grass (Cynodon Dactylon) and silver salt. As plant extracts produce best capping material for the stabilization of nanoparticles. AgNPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy in range of 200–800 nm and transmission electron microscopy TEM, XRD and FTIR. The nanoparticles synthesized were mainly in sizes between 25 and 100 nm. They appeared to be spherical, nanotriangles and irregular in shape. Catalytic application was observed for all the aqueous solution of leaves, quantity taken was 1 ml, 2 ml, 3 ml, 4 ml and 5 ml. Furthermore, prepared Ag nanoparticles are also used for seed germination.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the visual analog scale (VAS) score in patients receiving port-site bupivacaine infiltration in gynecological laparoscopic surgeries and to compare it with those receiving placebo and to evaluate the additional analgesic requirement in the first 24 h after surgery. Materials and Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted on 60 women scheduled for benign gynecological laparoscopic surgeries. Patients were randomized into two groups using an alternative sequential method of allocation. Approval from the Institute’s Ethics Committee was sought. Informed written consent was taken from all the patients. All laparoscopic surgeries were performed under general anesthesia. Double-blinding was done. A VAS with a 10 cm vertical score ranging from “no pain” to “worst possible pain” was used to assess the postoperative pain when the patient awakened in the operating room (2 h after surgery), then after 6 and 24 h. The primary outcome measured was pain perception by the patient (as VAS scores), and the secondary outcome was the need for additional analgesia. Results: Comparison of both groups with the VAS score shows P > 0.001, i.e., nonsignificant in all the groups. Additional analgesics were required in 56% of the patients in the intervention group and 60% of the patients in the control group; however, 44% and 40% of the patients from the intervention and control groups, respectively, do not require any additional analgesic in the postoperative period. Conclusion: The local infiltration of bupivacaine does not significantly reduce the port-site postoperative pain in gynecological laparoscopic surgeries.

Removal of alizarin red S (ARS) and Indigo dye from aqueous media and reduction of nitro aromatic compounds are successfully done under mild condition by using reduced Graphene Oxide-Nickel Oxide (rGO-NiO) nanocomposite as catalyst. RGO-NiO is well characterized by different analytical techniques. Morphology, structural, and composition studies done by HRTEM, FESEM, EDX, TGA, FTIR, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and XRD. RGO-NiO nanocomposite has high stability for the removal of ARS, Indigo dye, reduction reaction nitro aromatic compounds.

Abstract The cheap and easy availability of the Kinnow peel waste has reported various applications due to presence of multifunctional groups. Therefore, in present study we explored its application to synthesize N-Benzylideneaniline and its derivatives based on Schiff base reaction. Kinnow peel powder is characterized by FTIR, TEM, SEM, XRD, EDX, and TGA for functional groups, morphology, surface, elements and thermal stability. Benzaldehyde, aniline, and their derivatives such as 4-methyl benzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 4-methoxy benzaldehyde, and 4-methoxy aniline have been used to compare the efficacy of the Schiff base reaction using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and it has been observed that combination of Aniline and benzaldehyde for Schiff base reaction provided 85% yield of relative product.

Objectives To evaluate the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in naturally ventilated hospital settings by measuring parameters of ventilation and comparing these findings with results of bioaerosol sampling.Study design Cross-sectional study.Study setting and study sample The study sample included nine hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ventilation characteristics and air samples were collected from 86 healthcare spaces during October 2020 to February 2021.Primary outcome Risk of cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection by type of healthcare area.Secondary outcomes Ventilation rates by healthcare space; risk of airborne detection of SARS-CoV-2 across healthcare spaces; impact of room characteristics on absolute ventilation; SARS-CoV-2 detection by naturally ventilated versus mechanically ventilated spaces.Results The majority (78.7%) of naturally ventilated patient care rooms had ventilation rates that fell short of the recommended ventilation rate of 60 L/s/p. Using a modified Wells-Riley equation and local COVID-19 case numbers, we found that over a 40-hour exposure period, outpatient departments posed the highest median risk for infection (7.7%). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was most frequently detected in air samples from non-COVID wards (50.0%) followed by outpatient departments (42.9%). Naturally ventilated spaces (22.6%) had higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 detection compared with mechanically ventilated spaces (8.3%), though the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.128). In multivariable linear regression with calculated elasticity, open door area and cross-ventilation were found to have a significant impact on ventilation.Conclusion Our findings provide evidence that naturally ventilated healthcare settings may pose a high risk for exposure to SARS-CoV-2, particularly among non-COVID-designated spaces, but improving parameters of ventilation can mitigate this risk.

Background: The collective impact of climate change and soil salinity is continuously increasing the degraded lands across the globe, bringing agricultural productivity and food security under stress. The high concentration of salts in saline soils impose osmotic, ionic, oxidative and water stress in plants. Biological solutions can be the most reliable and sustainable approach to ensure food security and limit the use of agro-chemicals. Aim of Review: Halo-tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (HT-PGPR) are emerging as efficient biological tools to mitigate the toxic effects of high salt concentrations and improve the growth of plants, simultaneously remediating the degraded saline soils. The review explains the role of HT-PGPR in mitigating the salinity stress in plants through diverse mechanisms and concurrently leading to improvement of soil quality. Key Scientific Concepts of Review: HT-PGPR are involved in alleviating the salinity stress in plants through a number of mechanisms evoking multipronged physiological, biochemical and molecular responses. These include changes in expression of defense-related proteins, exopolysaccharides synthesis, activation of antioxidant machinery, accumulation of osmolytes, maintaining the Na+ kinetics and improving the levels of phytohormones and nutrient uptake in plants. The modification of signaling by HT-PGPR inoculation under stress conditions elicits induced systemic resistance in plants which further prepares them against salinity stress. The role of microbial-mechanisms in remediating the saline soil through structural and compositional improvements is also important. Development of novel bioinoculants for saline soils based on the concepts presented in the review can be a sustainable approach in improving productivity of affected agro-ecosystems and simultaneously remediating them.

Background: There is a need to identify scalable tuberculosis screening strategies among high burden populations. The WHO has identified a non-sputum-based triage test as a development priority. Methods: We performed a diagnostic case-control study of point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) and Prototype-Xpert-MTB-Host-Response (Xpert-MTB-HR) assays in the context of a mass screening program for tuberculosis in two prisons in Brazil. All incarcerated individuals irrespective of symptoms were screened by sputum Xpert MTB/RIF and sputum culture. Among consecutive, Xpert MTB/RIF or culture-confirmed cases and Xpert MTB/RIF and culture-negative controls, CRP was quantified in serum by a point-of-care assay (iChroma-II) and a 3-gene expression score was quantified from whole blood using the Xpert-MTB-HR cartridge. We evaluated receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) and assessed specificity at 90% sensitivity and sensitivity at 70% specificity, consistent with WHO target product profile (TPP) benchmarks. Findings: Two hundred controls (no TB) and 100 culture- or Xpert MTB/RIF-positive tuberculosis cases were included. Half of tuberculosis cases and 11% of controls reported any tuberculosis symptoms. AUC for CRP was 0·79 (95% CI: 0·73–0·84) and for Xpert-MTB-HR was 0·84 (95% CI: 0·79–0·89). At 90% sensitivity, Xpert-MTB-HR had significantly higher specificity (53·0%, 95% CI: 45·0–69·0%) than CRP (28·1%, 95% CI: 20·2–41·8%) (p = 0·003), both well below the TPP benchmark of 70%. Among individuals with medium or high sputum Xpert MTB/RIF semi-quantitative load, sensitivity (at 70% specificity) of CRP (90·3%, 95% CI: 74·2–98·0) and Xpert-MTB-HR (96·8%, 95% CI: 83·3–99·9%) was higher. Interpretation: For active case finding in this high tuberculosis-burden setting, CRP and Xpert-MTB-HR did not meet TPP benchmarks for a triage test. However, Xpert-MTB-HR was highly sensitive in detecting individuals with medium or high sputum bacillary burden. Funding: National Institutes of Health (R01 AI130058 and R01 AI149620) and Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq-404182/2019-4).

This article describes the whole genome sequencing data from 5 extrapulmonary tuberculosis clinical isolates. The whole genome sequencing was carried out on Illumina MiSeq platform to identify single nucleotide variations (SNVs) associated with drug resistance. A total of 214 SNVs in the coding and promoter regions were identified in the whole genome sequencing analysis. Among the identified SNVs, 18 SNVs were identified in genes known to be associated with first and second line drug resistance. The data is related to the research article “Whole genome sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from extrapulmonary sites” (Sharma et al., 2017) [1].

In this paper, we analyze a model of Influenza spread with an asymptotic transmission rate, wherein the disease transmission rate and death rate are considered as fuzzy sets. Comparative studies of the equilibrium points of the disease for the classical and fuzzy models are performed. Using the concept of probability measure and fuzzy expected value, we obtain the fuzzy basic reproduction number for groups of infected individuals with different virus loads. Further, a basic reproduction number for the classical and the fuzzy model are compared. Finally, a program based on the basic reproduction value of disease control is suggested and the numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the analytical results.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been constructive in understanding its evolution, genetic diversity and the mechanisms involved in drug resistance. A large number of sequencing efforts from across the globe have revealed genetic diversity among clinical isolates and the genetic determinants for their resistance to anti-tubercular drugs. Considering the high TB burden in India, the availability of WGS studies is limited. Here we present, WGS results of 200 clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis from North India which are categorized as sensitive to first-line drugs, mono-resistant, multi-drug resistant and pre-extensively drug resistant isolates. WGS revealed that 20% of the isolates were co-infected with M. tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria species. We identified 12,802 novel genetic variations in M. tuberculosis isolates including 343 novel SNVs in 38 genes which are known to be associated with drug resistance and are not currently used in the diagnostic kits for detection of drug resistant TB. We also identified M. tuberculosis lineage 3 to be predominant in the northern region of India. Additionally, several novel SNVs, which may potentially confer drug resistance were found to be enriched in the drug resistant isolates sampled. This study highlights the significance of employing WGS in diagnosis and for monitoring further development of MDR-TB strains.

Background: Several chemotherapeutic agents have been developed to prevent gingivitis and its progression into periodontitis. In this present study, the efficacy of ozonated oil and chlorhexidine gel was assessed and compared on plaque induced gingivitis. Aim: To evaluate the effect of ozonated oil on plaque induced gingivitis and to compare its efficacy with chlorhexidine gel. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 subjects, aged from 18 to 65 years, with plaque-induced gingivitis were selected from the outpatient Department of Periodontology, Government Dental College and Hospital, Aurangabad, for this study. They were divided randomly into the test or ozonated oil group (Group I) and the control or chlorhexidine gel group (Group II) with 10 subjects in each group. Subjects were randomly assigned to massage their gingiva thrice a day for 3 weeks with ozonated oil (test), and chlorhexidine gel (control). Plaque index and gingival index scores were recorded for the 20 subjects at baseline and after 3 weeks. Results: Ozonated oil (Group I) and chlorhexidine gel (Group II) groups showed statistically significant differences with respect to plaque index and gingival index, from the baseline to 3 weeks (P < 0.001 in both). But the difference between Group I and Group II, at the end of the study period, was not statistically significant with respect to the plaque index and gingival index. Conclusions: The ozonated oil and chlorhexidine gel, both can be used as an effective agent in maintaining and improving gingival health.

H37Ra is a virulence attenuated strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis widely employed as a model to investigate virulence mechanisms. Comparative high-throughput studies have earlier correlated its avirulence to the presence of specific mutations or absence of certain proteins. However, a recent sequencing study of H37Ra, has disproved several genomic differences earlier reported to be associated with virulence. This warrants further investigations on the H37Ra proteome as well. In this study, we carried out an integrated analysis of the genome, transcriptome, and proteome of H37Ra. In addition to confirming single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and insertion-deletions that were reported earlier, our study provides novel insights into the mutation spectrum in the promoter regions of 7 genes. We also provide transcriptional and proteomic evidence for 3,900 genes representing ~80% of the total predicted gene count including 408 proteins that have not been identified previously. We identified 9 genes whose coding potential was hitherto reported to be absent in H37Ra. These include 2 putative virulence factors belonging to ESAT-6 like family of proteins. Furthermore, proteogenomic analysis enabled us to identify 63 novel proteins coding genes and correct 25 existing gene models in H37Ra genome. A majority of these were found to be conserved in the virulent strain H37Rv as well as in other mycobacterial species suggesting that the differences in the virulent and avirulent strains of M. tuberculosis are not entirely dependent on the expression of certain proteins or their absence but may possibly be ascertained to functional changes.

Three bacterial species (bbrd sp., bprd sp., bsrd sp.) and five fungal species (frd1 sp., ard2 sp., prd3 sp., rrd4 sp. and trd5 sp.) were isolated from the soil sample collected from various place of garden of School of Environmental Science and agricultural field near B.B.A. University, Lucknow, India. Basic aim of the isolation of fungi and bacteria was to evaluate the antifungal capacity of some bacterial species. Bacterial species inhibit the growth of fungi by the process of antagonium. Antagonism is the phenomenon in which one microorganism destroys the other interacting partner to ensure its own survival. Three bacterial stains bbrd sp., bprd sp., bsrd sp. showed to be excellent producers of antifungal metabolites. The present data exhibit the antifungal activity of the bacterial strain indicate the possibility to use it as biological agents against some plant’s pathogenic fungi by the antimicrobial activity of the microbial metabolites. Antagonistic interaction between microbes were studied by the measurement of the zone of inhibition on agar plate, that allow for repeated observation of numerous sites and inhibition with a minimum disturbance of the cells and soil particles.

Metastasis to the skin occurs rarely in gynaecologic cancer, especially in cervical carcinoma. Although carcinoma of cervix is the second to fourth most common malignancy in women, cutaneous involvement originating from cervical cancer is particularly unusual, even in terminal stage of the disease. We report a case of carcinoma cervix stage Ib treated with radical surgery. Patient was advised postoperative radiotherapy but did not receive due to some problem. Two and half months after surgery patient developed recurrence on the left side of abdominal scar. Patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy. 3 months later patient came back due to complications of advanced disease and died in hospital. In conclusion incisional cutaneous metastasis is a rarity with carcinoma cervix and is considered as an ominous prognostic sign with short survival after diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]