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The Corona virus Disease (COVID-19) is caused because of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen detected in China for the first time, and from there it spread across the globe creating a worldwide pandemic of severe respiratory complications. The virus requires structural and non-structural proteins for its multiplication that are produced from polyproteins obtained by translation of its genomic RNA. These polyproteins are converted into structural and non-structural proteins mainly by the main protease (Mpro). A systematic screening of a drug library (having drugs and diagnostic agents which are approved by FDA or other world authorities) and the Asinex BioDesign library was carried out using pharmacophore and sequential conformational precision level filters using the Schrodinger Suite. From the screening of approved drug library, three antiviral agents ritonavir, nelfinavir and saquinavir were predicted to be the most potent Mpro inhibitors. Apart from these pralmorelin, iodixanol and iotrolan were also identified from the systematic screening. As iodixanol and iotrolan carry some limitations, structural modifications in them could lead to stable and safer antiviral agents. Screenings of Asinex BioDesign library resulted in 20 molecules exhibiting promising interactions with the target protein Mpro. They can broadly be categorized into four classes based on the nature of the scaffold, viz. disubstituted pyrazoles, cyclic amides, pyrrolidine-based compounds and miscellaneous derivatives. These could be used as potential molecules or hits for further drug development to obtain clinically useful therapeutic agents for the treatment of COVID-19. Graphic abstract Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11030-020-10130-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In the last few years, nanoparticles and their applications have dramatically diverted science in the direction of a brand new philosophy. Nanoparticles are building the bridge of scientific knowledge connecting bulk materials to atomic or molecular structures. In the present scenario, nanoparticle research is a very promising branch of scientific research owing to the wide range of potential and promising applications especially in biomedical, optical and electronic fields.

Appropriate medical therapy is the first-line management for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), but patients commonly fail medical therapy and become candidates for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and, potentially, extended ESS. ESS with postoperative therapies such as high-volume corticosteroid irrigation has proven to be efficacious in decreasing CRS symptoms and preventing recurrence of disease. ESS is superior to continued medical therapy in the management of refractory CRS, reduces asthma symptoms and dependence on asthma medications, and facilitates aspirin desensitization for patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). ESS is especially beneficial when comorbid depression and the total economic burden of disease are considered.

Globally, there is an upward trend in the use of two-wheelers, both for transport and recreational purposes. This has led to an increase in the demand for a safety device that can act more than a cushioned wall between the wearer and the point of impact. The proposed solution is an Advanced Helmet with features like a Head-Up Display which would provide Distraction free Navigation and a Fall Detection system that could potentially reduce the number of deaths in road accidents by allowing faster Emergency Response through Accurate Location information being provided within minutes of the incident.

Laser ablation has become an integral tool within the neurosurgeon’s armamentarium. Applicability to a wide range of pathologies, while maintaining a minimally invasive profile, has been a key driving factor for laser ablation’s success. It has become increasingly utilized in the management of epilepsy and intracranial tumors. Two major laser ablation systems are commercially available at the present time. Neurosurgeons around the world utilize various stereotactic systems for laser insertion. However, the general principles guiding this procedure remain similar. This chapter should serve as a step-by-step how-to guide for operators. Our hope is that neurosurgeons can use this as a manual in their own practice for performing this operation.

Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) was initially described for management of patients with prostatic hematuria. However, it has since been found to be effective in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Animal studies have demonstrated safety and efficacy in reducing prostate volumes, paving the way for clinical trials in humans. Several comparative studies have been performed that have demonstrated that PAE can considerably improve urinary symptoms safely, but not to the same degree at traditional surgical techniques. Numerous single-arm trials have been summarized in several meta-analyses and systematic reviews suggesting that PAE is effective in treating LUTS with a very low rate major complication including sexual dysfunction.

Structure health monitoring of concrete structures has gained more attention in the recent years due to advancement in the technology. Different methods like acoustic, ultrasonic and image processing based inspection methods have been deployed to carry out an assessment of concrete structure. In this paper, work has been carried out to monitor the health of laboratory scale concrete objects using vision-based inspection. The objective is to provide a modified image pre-processing algorithms for accurate concrete crack detection. Different image processing based algorithms reviewed from existing literature were implemented and tested to detect cracks on the surface of a 15 × 15 × 15 cm concrete cube. Due to random unevenness on the surface of concrete blocks, designing of an accurate and robust algorithm becomes difficult and challenging. Developed algorithm was applied to different images of concrete cubes. Receiver operating characteristics analysis and computation time analysis along with result images were discussed in the paper. In order to validate the applicability of developed algorithm, test results of crack detection on practical crack images are presented. Python was used to develop algorithm along with OpenCV library for image processing functions.

Mycobacteria, from saprophytic to pathogenic species, encounter diverse environments that demand metabolic versatility and rapid adaptation from these bacteria for their survival. The human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, for example, can enter a reversible state of dormancy in which it is metabolically active, but does not increase in number, and which is believed to enable its survival in the human host for years, with attendant risk for reactivation to active tuberculosis. Driven by the need to combat mycobacterial diseases like tuberculosis, efforts to understand such adaptations have benefitted in recent years from application of activity-based probes. These studies have been inspired by the potential of these chemical tools to uncover protein function for previously unannotated proteins, track shifts in protein activity as a function of environment, and provide a streamlined method for screening and developing inhibitors. Here we seek to contextualize progress thus far with achieving these goals and highlight the unique challenges and opportunities for activity-based probes to further our understanding of protein function and regulation, bacterial physiology, and antibiotic development.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition with rising incidence. CKD is considered a coronary heart disease equivalent and is associated with increased atherosclerotic events and mortality. Randomized trials of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) have routinely excluded patients with CKD or included only a small proportion of such patients. Observational studies have demonstrated that coronary revascularization is associated with improved outcomes when compared with no revascularization. However, the optimal approach to revascularization (PCI vs. CABG) remains to be determined. When compared with non-CKD cohorts, patients with CKD have worse short- and long-term outcomes with either PCI or CABG. In patients with multivessel coronary artery disease and CKD, PCI is associated with lower short-term risk of death and stroke but higher long-term mortality and need for repeat revascularization when compared with CABG. However, with improvement in stent technology, the mortality gap between PCI and CABG has reduced thus somewhat leveling the playing field between PCI and CABG. The decision to choose between PCI and CABG for subjects with CKD should be individualized taking into consideration patient comorbidities (including frailty), anatomic complexity, ability to achieve complete revascularization and patient preference. Regardless of the choice of revascularization strategy, all efforts should be made for procedural optimization in this high risk population.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a form of stroke with increasing incidence and significance to practitioners in neuroanesthesia and neurocritical care. Despite the evolution of interventional and surgical treatment technologies, SAH initiates a chain of secondary pathophysiological processes that can materially affect outcome despite successful control of the point of bleeding. Treatment principles must focus on these multisystem processes as well as on the maintenance of cerebrovascular integrity, and the effect of dedicated comprehensive neurocritical care can consequently benefit outcome. Bundled “Triple-H” protocols have been refined to emphasize euvolemia and perfusion, while pharmaceutical treatments of SAH-associated vasospasm have not been shown to be effective. These new perspectives force clinicians to refresh pathophysiological paradigms, and consider new therapeutic strategies.

Posterior cervical stabilization and fusion with or without decompression is a commonly performed procedure for fracture and/or dislocation of the cervical spine, to stop the progression of spinal deformity, or to decompress the spinal cord and/or nerve roots (tumors, infections, deformity, and stenosis). While fracture repair and nerve root decompressions are usually limited to one or two levels, decompression of the spinal canal for tumors, infections and cervical spinal stenosis can be multilevel procedures (Fig. 29.1)

Intraocular fungal infection is a rare, but potentially devastating, ocular condition. Aspergillus and other fungal pathogens reach the eye either endogenously via hematogenous spread or exogenously through trauma or surgery. Aspergillus is the second most common cause of fungal endophthalmitis, after Candida, causing a necrotizing chorioretinitis or endophthalmitis via hematogenous spread usually from the lungs. Aspergillus and other fungi covered in this chapter are commonly present in the environment; however risk factors such as immunocompromise and ocular trauma make patients susceptible to infection with these organisms. While intraocular infection with Aspergillus and the other fungi covered in this chapter is rare, prompt diagnosis and treatment is important in reducing ocular morbidity.

Iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis is a common clinical condition which often results in post-thrombotic syndrome, a cause of long-term morbidity due to diminished function. The mainstays of treatment for deep vein thrombosis include anticoagulation and compression therapy but these only prevent propagation of the venous clot. Therapeutic options which actively remove clot decrease the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome when compared to conventional anticoagulation alone, an effect attributed to alleviated obstruction and decreased damage to venous valves. Removal of venous clot with catheter-directed thrombolysis is a safe, effective treatment option which can improve functional outcomes in iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis. In patients with contraindication to thrombolytic therapy, surgical thrombectomy is an alternative which also improves functional outcomes in iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis.

The advent of endothelial keratoplasty and improvements in corneal imaging have advanced our understanding of the optical and anatomic properties of corneas with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy before and after keratoplasty. Corneal changes appear earlier in the course of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy than previously considered, indicating disease chronicity, probably in response to a state of long-term subclinical corneal edema. These early changes increase optical aberrations and light scatter that decrease visual acuity and increase disability glare, respectively. Because many of the structural changes that contribute to aberrations and scatter originate in the anterior cornea, they persist in the host cornea after endothelial keratoplasty and even after corneal edema has resolved. These factors that originate early in the disease process probably determine the visual outcomes of endothelial keratoplasty for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy.

Quality of the steel coil manufactured in a steel plant is influenced by several parameters during the manufacturing process. Coiling temperature deviation defect is one of the major issues. This defect causes steels metallurgical properties to diverge in the final product. In order to find the cause of this defect, various parameter values sensed by sensors are stored in database. Many approaches exist to analyze these data in order to find the cause of the defect. This paper presents a novel model HACDC (Hybrid Associative Classification with Distance Correlation) to analyze causality for coiling temperature deviation. Due to the combination of association rule, distance correlation and ensemble techniques we achieve an accuracy of 95 % which is quite better than other approaches. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first implementation of random forest algorithm in analyzing steel coil defects.

Cumin seeds are used as a spice for their distinctive flavor and aroma. Cumin seeds contain numerous phytochemicals that are known to have antioxidant, carminative and anti-flatulent properties, and are also an excellent source of dietary fibre. Cumin requires a moderately cool and dry climate for its growth, with a temperature between 25 and 30 °C. cumin grows best on well drained sandy loam to loamy soils with a pH range of 6.8–8.3. The yield of cumin is affected by lack of superior varieties, scientific crop production technology and vulnerability to diseases like wilt, blight and powdery mildew incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini, Alternaria burnsii and Erysiphe polygoni, respectively. In these diseases, wilt is most common, results in yield losses up to 35 % in cumin. Fusarium oxysporum is a causative agent of wilt disease in a wide range of economically important crops. Fusarium species is well distributed across many geographical regions and substrates, and also widely distributed in soils, plants, and air. Temperature in different climatic regions also affects the species distribution and virulence.