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As India moves toward the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) as a public health problem, comprehensive timely case detection has become increasingly important, in order to reduce the period of infectivity and control outbreaks. During the 2000s, localized research studies suggested that a large percentage of VL cases were never reported in government data. However, assessments conducted from 2013 to 2015 indicated that 85% or more of confirmed cases were eventually captured and reported in surveillance data, albeit with significant delays before diagnosis. Based on methods developed during these assessments, the CARE India team evolved new strategies for active case detection (ACD), applicable at large scale while being sufficiently effective in reducing time to diagnosis. Active case searches are triggered by the report of a confirmed VL case, and comprise two major search mechanisms: 1) case identification based on the index case’s knowledge of other known VL cases and searches in nearby houses (snowballing); and 2) sustained contact over time with a range of private providers, both formal and informal. Simultaneously, house-to-house searches were conducted in 142 villages of 47 blocks during this period. We analyzed data from 5030 VL patients reported in Bihar from January 2018 through July 2019. Of these 3033 were detected passively and 1997 via ACD (15 (0.8%) via house-to-house and 1982 (99.2%) by light touch ACD methods). We constructed multinomial logistic regression models comparing time intervals to diagnosis (30-59, 60-89 and ≥90 days with =90 days compared to the referent of

Cerebrovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability in women. The spectrum of disease differs between men and women, with women being particularly vulnerable to certain conditions, especially during specific periods of life such as pregnancy. There are several unique risk factors for cerebrovascular disease in women, and the influence of some traditional risk factors for stroke is stronger in women. Moreover, disparities persist in representation of women in clinical trials, acute intervention, and stroke outcomes. In this review, we aimed to explore the epidemiology, etiologies, and management of cerebrovascular disease in women, highlighting some of these differences and the growing need for sex-specific management guidelines and health policies.

The Application of a combination of enzymes is the best alternative to reduce the use of chemicals in the paper industry. Bacillus sp. NG-27 and Bacillus nealsonii PN-11 are known to produce thermoalkali stable xylanse (X) and mannanase (M) respectively having potential for pulp biobleaching. The Present study, reports the production of a mixture of X + M by co-culturing of strains in SSF and standardizing its application for pulp biobleaching. Production of enzymes by co-cultivation in SSF was optimized by statistical methods. Substantial increase in the yield of enzymes; 3.61 fold of xylanase and 37.71 fold of mannanase was achieved. Application of enzyme cocktail for pulp biobleaching resulted in a 45.64% reduction of kappa number with 55 IU g−1odp of enzyme dose (xylanase:mannanase; 3:1) at pH 8.0 in 1h at 65 °C along with significant increase in brightness (11%) and whiteness (75%). The Same quality of paper as made up from chemical treated pulp can be made from enzyme-treated pulp with 30% less use of chlorine. Structural analysis of enzyme-treated pulp showed dissolution of hemicellulose as indicated by pores, cracks and increased roughness all over the surface. Cocktail of X + M produced economically in a single fermentation having all the requisite characteristics for pulp biobleaching is a highly suitable candidate for application in the pulp and paper industry.

All approved coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in current use are safe, effective, and reduce the risk of severe illness. Although data on the immunological presentation of patients with COVID-19 is limited, increasing experimental evidence supports the significant contribution of B and T cells towards the resolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Despite the availability of several COVID-19 vaccines with high efficacy, more effective vaccines are still needed to protect against the new variants of SARS-CoV-2. Employing a comprehensive immunoinformatic prediction algorithm and leveraging the genetic closeness with SARS-CoV, we have predicted potential immune epitopes in the structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2. The S and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoVs are main targets of antibody detection and have motivated us to design four multi-epitope vaccines which were based on our predicted B- and T-cell epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. The cardinal epitopes selected for the vaccine constructs are predicted to possess antigenic, non-allergenic, and cytokine-inducing properties. Additionally, some of the predicted epitopes have been experimentally validated in published papers. Furthermore, we used the C-ImmSim server to predict effective immune responses induced by the epitope-based vaccines. Taken together, the immune epitopes predicted in this study provide a platform for future experimental validations which may facilitate the development of effective vaccine candidates and epitope-based serological diagnostic assays.

The presence of water on the surface of material is not always desired. The prolonged stay of droplet on surface can deteriorate its physical and chemical properties. Bioinspired anti-wetted surfaces can be thought of an alternative that can protect the surface by expelling the possibility of water residence on the surface for long period. These surfaces show remarkable potential due to their diverse applications such as self-cleaning, transparency, oil-water separation, anti-corrosion, anti-microbial and have gained attention due to their low cost, ease of processing, and compatibility with a variety of materials and applications. This paper consists the fundamental concept of wetting phenomena. Further it comprises the details of different techniques used for fabricating these surfaces. Review also discusses about the stability of these surfaces and ends with future prospects which gives helps in development of new and advanced super-hydrophobic/oleophobic surfaces.

Plastic is a resilient, chemically inert, lightweight, and low-cost material. It sticks around in the environment for more than hundred years, threatening nature and spreading toxins. The current study deals with the use of waste polymeric materials and de oiled cake for the production of liquid oil and its blend on the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine. The tests were conducted in an engine fuelled with diesel and four distinct blends such as 5% (B5), 10% (B10), 15% (B15), and 20% (B20), respectively. The liquid oil was produced by co-pyrolysis of neem de oiled cake (NDC) and waste polystyrene (WPS) in 1 : 2 blend ratio. The raw pyrolysis oil and its different blends were tested for their physical and chemical characteristics in order to find their suitability. Brake power (BP), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) are used to assess the performance of the engine. The experimental results reveal that BTE at all blends is lower than diesel at all loads and the BSFC increases with increasing blend ratio and falls with increasing engine load. At higher loads, the deviation of performance and emission values from baseline diesel up to B10 is very small. It is found from the results that the liquid oil derived from NDC and WPS up to 10% blend will be the promising additive for fossil fuels.

The highly contagious nature of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus has created a havoc effect all over the world in a very short period. The most effective method for precaution of this virus as suggested by WHO is use of PPEs (triple layered face mask, body suits) and social distancing. However, the frontline doctors and medical staff have high risk of exposure to the virus during treatments and removal and discarding of the PPEs. Also the PPEs are of the onetime use and wearing these PPEs in hot and humid seasons is very uncomfortable. A possible solution of this problem is if clothes are anti-bacterial and anti-viral in nature, one single-layered will be sufficient and the spread of virus will also be minimized. Considering this, we have designed a facile and durable anti-wash antimicrobial coating on cloth by aloe vera and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS). In lab scale study, present coating shows good chemical and thermal stability making it reusable multiple times even after repeated washing. The coated cloth reveals the excellent anti-dirt and stain resistance properties leading to complete non-adherence of dirt and stain (e.g. Color, food, ink) on it. Anti-bacterial and anti-fungi properties of the coated cloth were confirmed by doing E. coli (bacteria) and A. Niger (fungus) culture studies, respectively. This coating is imbibed with well-known anti-viral agent aloe vera which inhibits the attachment of the virus on the surface. The water-repellent nature of the coating combined with the use anti-viral agent, aloe vera makes it a potential anti-COVID-19 coating.

Given the limited regenerative capacities of most organs, strategies are needed to efficiently generate large numbers of parenchymal cells capable of integration into the diseased organ. Although it was initially thought that terminally differentiated cells lacked the ability to transdifferentiate, it has since been shown that cellular reprogramming of stromal cells to parenchymal cells through direct lineage conversion holds great potential for the replacement of post-mitotic parenchymal cells lost to disease. To this end, an assortment of genetic, chemical, and mechanical cues have been identified to reprogram cells to different lineages both in vitro and in vivo. However, some key challenges persist that limit broader applications of reprogramming technologies. These include: (1) low reprogramming efficiencies; (2) incomplete functional maturation of derived cells; and (3) difficulty in determining the typically multi-factor combinatorial recipes required for successful transdifferentiation. To improve efficiency by comprehensively identifying factors that regulate cell fate, large scale genetic and chemical screening methods have thus been utilized. Here, we provide an overview of the underlying concept of cell reprogramming as well as the rationale, considerations, and limitations of high throughput screening methods. We next follow with a summary of unique hits that have been identified by high throughput screens to induce reprogramming to various parenchymal lineages. Finally, we discuss future directions of applying this technology toward human disease biology via disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine.

Abstract Froth flotation process is extensively used for selective separation of base metal sulfides from uneconomic mineral resources. Reliable prediction of process outcomes (metal recovery and grade) is vital to ensure peak performance. This work employs an innovative hybrid machine learning (ML) model—constructed by combining the random forest model and the firefly algorithm—to predict froth flotation efficiency of galena and chalcopyrite in relation to various experimental process parameters. The hybrid model's prediction performance was rigorously evaluated, and compared against four different standalone ML models. The outcomes of this study illustrate that the hybrid ML model has the prediction ability to process outcomes with high‐fidelity, while consistently outperforming the standalone ML models.

Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 inhibitors alone or in combination with DNA damaging agents are promising clinical drugs in the treatment of cancer. However, there is a need to understand the molecular mechanisms of resistance to PARP1 inhibitors. Expression of HMGA2 in cancer is associated with poor prognosis for patients. Here, we investigated the novel relationship between HMGA2 and PARP1 in DNA damage‐induced PARP1 activity. We used human triple‐negative breast cancer and fibrosarcoma cell lines to demonstrate that HMGA2 colocalizes and interacts with PARP1. High cellular HMGA2 levels correlated with increased DNA damage‐induced PARP1 activity, which was dependent on functional DNA‐binding AT‐hook domains of HMGA2. HMGA2 inhibited PARP1 trapping to DNA and counteracted the cytotoxic effect of PARP inhibitors. Consequently, HMGA2 decreased caspase 3/7 induction and increased cell survival upon treatment with the alkylating methyl methanesulfonate alone or in combination with the PARP inhibitor AZD2281 (olaparib). HMGA2 increased mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate and spare respiratory capacity and increased NAMPT levels, suggesting metabolic support for enhanced PARP1 activity upon DNA damage. Our data showed that expression of HMGA2 in cancer cells reduces sensitivity to PARP inhibitors and suggests that targeting HMGA2 in combination with PARP inhibition may be a promising new therapeutic approach.

Background: Mycobacterium leprae is a noncultivable mycobacteria, and diagnosis of the disease is based on its clinical and histopathological characteristics and finding the bacteria in skin scrapings and in biopsies taken from the patients. The aim of this study was to shed light on the clinical classification (based on the number of skin lesions) used extensively in the field where patients classified as paucibacillary (PB) were positive on skin smears and histopathology leading to treatment failure and drug resistance. Methods: In this study, we enrolled untreated 62 leprosy patients with 1–5 skin lesions and did a detailed bacterio-histopathological analysis by slit-skin smears (SSSs) and histopathology. Results: Of 62 patients analyzed, 15 patients came out to be multibacillary (MB) and 47 were PB by SSS and histopathology. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that the WHO classification of leprosy based on the number of lesions seems to be inappropriate as it considers a number of MB lesions as PB only, thus misleading the treatment strategies. Hence, it is essential that a comprehensive clinicobacteriological assessment of leprosy cases should be done to ensure the appropriate bacillary status and guiding the appropriate treatment strategy.

Human monocytic ehrlichiosis, a tick transmitted infection, ranges in severity from apparently subclinical to fatal toxic shock-like disease. Models in immunocompetent mice range from abortive to uniformly lethal infection, depending on the Ehrlichia species, inoculum dose, and inoculation route. Effective immunity is mediated by CD4 + T lymphocytes and gamma interferon. Lethal infection occurs with early overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and overproduction of TNF alpha and IL-10 by CD8 + T lymphocytes. Furthermore, fatal ehrlichiosis is associated with TLR 9/MyD88 signaling, upregulation of several inflammasome complexes, and secretion of IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha, and IL-18 by hepatic mononuclear cells, thus suggesting activation of canonical and noncanonical inflammasome pathways, a deleterious role of IL-18, and a protective role of caspase 1. Autophagy promotes ehrlichial infection, whereas MyD88 signaling hinders ehrlichial infection by inhibiting autophagy induction and flux. During infection of hepatocytes by the lethal ehrlichial species, after interferon alpha receptor signaling, the activation of caspase 11 results in the production of inflammasome-dependent IL-1 beta, extracellular secretion of HMGB1, and pyroptosis. HMGB1 has high levels in lethal ehrlichiosis, thereby suggesting a role in toxic shock. Studies of primary bone marrow-derived macrophages infected by highly avirulent or mildly avirulent ehrlichiae have revealed divergent M1 and M2 macrophage polarization associated with the generation of pathogenic CD8 T cells and neutrophils, and excessive inflammation, or with strong expansion of protective Th1 and NKT cells, resolution of inflammation, and clearance of infection, respectively.

This article contains data related to the research article entitled, “Organic radical imaging in plants: Focus on protein radicals” (Kumar et al., 2018). The data presented herein focus on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and organic radical formed within photosynthetic tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana during high light stress and includes (1) Confocal laser scanning microscopic images using 3′-p-(hydroxyphenyl) fluorescein (HPF) as specific probe for the detection of hydroxyl radical (HO•); (2) Confocal laser scanning microscopic images using Singlet Oxygen Sensor Green (SOSG) as a specific probe for the detection of singlet oxygen (1O2) and; (3) Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy using spin traps for the detection of organic radical. Keywords: Photosystem II, Reactive oxygen species, Hydroxyl radical, Singlet oxygen, Organic radical

Abstract Background Since the practice of conventional autopsy, one new method for skin incision as “fourth incision” has been added to the preexisting conventional methods of skin incisions, i.e., “I”/“Y”/modified “Y”. Reconstitution of conventional skin incisions leave visible defect (disfigurement) on the dead body which gets enhanced with invariable use of additional confirmatory or releasing incisions. Mutilation in form of disfigurement of the dead body is a major reason for legal heirs to withdraw the consent for pathological or clinical autopsy and is leading to worldwide significant drop in the rate of pathological autopsies. This study was formulated to develop a new course of skin incision for autopsy with the aim to minimize the visible defect and to obviate the need of extra incisions and so that it is time friendly for autopsy surgeons. Result On practicing this course of skin incision, the authors of study have noticed its advantages as it is cosmetically effective and time friendly and offers 100% operational area with single incision in continuity in comparison to other advocated methods. Conclusion Its acceptability with its inherent advantages to autopsy surgeons and legal heirs of the dead body may increase the tendency to give desired informed consent for pathological autopsy. However, the validation of our method of skin incision in terms of different surgical and observer components is required to remove any bias regarding noticed advantages.

In the current study, a multiple emulsion (W/O/W) of lamivudine was developed using a new biopolymer, gum odina (GOd) to increase bioavailability and patient compliances. GOd was employed to stabilize both the interfaces of liquid membrane in both the external and internal aqueous phases. The developed W/O/W multiple emulsion of lamivudine was characterized by analyzing droplet size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), sedimentation, viscosity, rheological properties, drug entrapment efficiency, in-vitro drug release and stability at various storage conditions. The results obtained were also compared with W/O/W multiple emulsion of lamivudine prepared using Tween 80 (a standard emulsion stabilizer). The drug entrapment efficiency of W/O/W multiple emulsion stabilized using GOd was measured as 91.60 ± 3.66% with sustained lamivudine release over a period of 6 h. Rheological and microscopic examinations indicated long term stability of the developed emulsion prepared using GOd. The results of the current study provide a promising scope to attain sustained drug release through the W/O/W multiple emulsions stabilized by GOd in antiviral therapies. Keywords: Gum odina, Lamivudine, Multiple emulsions

Background & Objectives:The liver is one of the commonly injured solid organ following abdominal trauma. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of liver injuries managed operatively or non-operatively and predict factors affecting morbidity and mortality.Materials & Methods:This was a retrospective study of 40 liver injuries managed in the department of Surgical Gastroenterology at College of Medical Sciences over a period of 2 years. The liver injury was classified in accordance with the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma liver injury scoring scale. Patients were divided into two groups those managed operatively or non-operatively and were compared in terms of demographic profile and outcome.Results:Forty patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 29.95years. Male predominance was seen with 72.5% of the cases. Road traffic accidents were the commonest mode of injury seen in 72.5% cases. The mean Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Injury severity score (ISS) were 7.11and 22.58. The mean systolic BP, hospital stay and ICU stay were 93.80 mm of mercury, 11.55 days and 3.55 days respectively. Twenty six patients (65%) were initially managed non-operatively and 14 patients were managed operatively. Five patients had to be converted to operative management for hemodynamic instability. Mortality was 7.6% in patient undergoing non-operative management and 21.43% in patients managed operatively. Low systolic BP at presentation, low RTS score, high ISS score, high AST, ALT and prothrombin time were significantly associated with operative management and mortality.Conclusion:Patients with hemodynamic instability, low RTS score, high ISS score, high liver enzymes have high likelihood of operative management.

Abstract Turbulence observations over an Indian region are used to examine the observational behaviour of stability‐correction functions for momentum ( φ m) and heat ( φ h) under stable conditions within the framework of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. The φ m is observed to follow the linear functional form in the case of near‐neutral to moderately stable conditions. However, φ m is found to increase with a relatively slower rate as compared with the linear form in strongly stable conditions. A large scatter in φ h is observed with the near‐neutral condition, and they tend to level off in very stable conditions. The optimized co‐efficients appearing in the functional form of φ m suggested by Grachev et al. in 2007 are derived using turbulence observations. The present study recommends the use of these optimized functional forms of φ m and φ h for the estimation of surface fluxes over an Indian region in atmospheric models.

Neurotransmitters released at the neural synapse through vesicle exocytosis are spatiotemporally controlled by the action of neurotransmitter transporters. Integral membrane proteins of the solute carrier 6 (SLC6) family are involved in the sodium and chloride coupled uptake of biogenic amine neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and inhibitory neurotransmitters including glycine and γ-amino butyric acid. This ion-coupled symport works through a well-orchestrated gating of substrate through alternating-access, which is mediated through movements of helices that resemble a rocking-bundle. A large array of commercially prescribed drugs and psychostimulants selectively target neurotransmitter transporters thereby modulating their levels in the synaptic space. Drug-induced changes in the synaptic neurotransmitter levels can be used to treat depression or neuropathic pain whereas in some instances prolonged usage can lead to habituation. Earlier structural studies of bacterial neurotransmitter transporter homolog LeuT and recent structure elucidation of the Drosophila dopamine transporter (dDAT) and human serotonin transporter (hSERT) have yielded a wealth of information in understanding the transport and inhibition mechanism of neurotransmitter transporters. Computational studies based on the structures of dDAT and hSERT have shed light on the dynamics of varied components of these molecular gates in affecting the uphill transport of neurotransmitters. This review seeks to address structural dynamics of neurotransmitter transporters at the extracellular and intracellular gates and the effect of inhibitors on the ligand-binding pocket. We also delve into the effect of additional factors including lipids and cytosolic domains that influence the translocation of neurotransmitters across the membrane.

Oxidative modification of proteins in photosystem II (PSII) exposed to high light has been studied for a few decades, but the characterization of protein radicals formed by protein oxidation is largely unknown. Protein oxidation is induced by the direct reaction of proteins with reactive oxygen species known to form highly reactive protein radicals comprising carbon-centered (alkyl) and oxygen-centered (peroxyl and alkoxyl) radicals. In this study, protein radicals were monitored in Arabidopsis exposed to high light by immuno-spin trapping technique based on the detection of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) nitrone adducts using the anti-DMPO antibody. Protein radicals were imaged in Arabidopsis leaves and chloroplasts by confocal laser scanning microscopy using fluorescein conjugated with the anti-DMPO antibody. Characterization of protein radicals by standard blotting techniques using PSII protein specific antibodies shows that protein radicals are formed on D1, D2, CP43, CP47, and Lhcb3 proteins. Protein oxidation reflected by the appearance/disappearance of the protein bands reveals that formation of protein radicals was associated with protein fragmentation (cleavage of the D1 peptide bonds) and aggregation (cross-linking with another PSII subunits). Characterization of protein radical formation is important for better understating of the mechanism of oxidative modification of PSII proteins under high light.

Determination of degrees of hydration/reaction of components of blended cementitious systems (i. e., cement and SCMs: supplementary cementitious materials) is essential to estimate the systems' properties. Although the best methods for determining degrees of reaction of different SCMs have been recommended by RILEM TC238, they rely on either expensive equipment (e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance) or time-consuming sample preparation and data processing (e.g., backscattered electron image analysis). Furthermore, these methods cannot simultaneously characterize degree of hydration of cement and degree of reaction of SCMs. A novel decoupling method, which can simultaneously estimate the degree of hydration of cement and the degree of reaction of silica fume in binary cementitious materials, is proposed in this study. Based on experimentally determined and theoretically validated stoichiometric parameters of cement hydration and pozzolanic reaction, the contents of calcium hydroxide and hydrate water in pastes are expressed as functions of degree of hydration of cement and degree of reaction of silica fume. With the two contents determined by thermogravimetric analysis, the two degrees can be solved mathematically. It is found that in binary binders the incorporation of silica fume affects hydration kinetics of cement, leading to lower ultimate degree of hydration, shorter dormant stage, and faster hydration in the acceleration stage. As a result, the degree of hydration of cement in blended paste is higher at early ages (e.g., 3 days) but lower at later ages (e.g., 120 days) than that in plain cement paste. In a given blended paste, the degree of reaction of silica fume can be tied to the degree of hydration of cement. The decoupling method is promising for rapid estimations of degrees of hydration/reaction of cementitious materials in a blended system, since it does not require expensive characterization tools or complex data processing methods.

Background: Neonatal dermatoses constitute an important category of cutaneous disorders. They range from physiological transient conditions at one end to serious pathological entities at the other. Any of these could be a source of immense anxiety to the parents, and therefore the significance of their adequate awareness amongst dermatologists. Aim and Objective: To study the clinical pattern of various dermatoses in neonates at a tertiary health care center in Chennai. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, and observational study conducted at our institute which included a detailed dermatologic examination of each neonate followed by recording each finding and their statistical analysis. Results: In the 220 neonates analyzed, 97 were females (44.1%) and 123 males (55.9%), with 126 being term babies (57.3%), 86 preterm (39.1%), and 8 postterm (3.6%). Physiological skin changes (52.7%) were the most common cutaneous change identified, followed by transient non-infective dermatoses (20%), developmental defects (7.3%), birth marks (7.3%), eczema (6.8%) and infections (5.9%). Conclusion: Studying neonatal dermatoses holds significance to all dermatologists so that they are able to differentiate physiological and pathological conditions, thereby relieving unnecessary therapy for neonates in circumstances not requiring any and also facilitating to allay undue anxiety among parents.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder which of late has been significantly linked with metabolic syndrome (MS). Objective: To assess the association between psoriasis and MS and evaluate specific disease characteristics predisposing for the development of MS. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective, observational, descriptive study with 207 adult patients with various types of psoriasis. Results: MS was found in 49.8% of psoriatic patients. It was more prevalent after 40 years of age with a female preponderance (P = 0.000). Smoking (P = 0.0320) and alcohol consumption (P = 0.025) were significant contributing factors for the development of MS in our study population. No association for the same was reflected with parameters such as psoriasis type, lifestyle behavior, family history, and other associated systemic disease. Conclusion: A definite association does exist between psoriasis and MS. Patients with psoriasis should be periodically screened for MS and managed appropriately utilizing an interdisciplinary approach.

Background: Onychomycosis poses to be an important public health problem. There has been a worldwide increase in the prevalence of onychomycosis with factors such as diabetes mellitus, poor peripheral circulation, indulgence in sporting activities, and prolonged antibiotic usage playing major contributory roles. Further, management of fungal infections of nails usually requires a prolonged course with a tendency for relapse. Aim: To study the clinical, epidemiologic, and demographic profile of onychomycosis and determine various organisms responsible for the same. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done over a 1-year period, wherein after patient enrollment, a thorough clinical evaluation was performed, followed by microscopically examining the infected nail specimen under 40% potassium hydroxide, which was succeeded by cultivating the organisms on fungal culture media and identifying the pathogen both by closely studying colony morphology in culture and also microscopically utilizing lactophenol cotton blue staining. Results: Females (67.3%) were more commonly affected than males (32.7%). The most common age group affected was 20-40 years(47%). Majority of patients demonstrated both finger and toe nail involvement (43.6%). Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (55.4%) was the most common clinical variant of onychomycosis identified in our study. Out of the 101 patients in our study, 86 demonstrated a positive fungal growth on culture. Non-dermatophyte moulds (NDM) (58.1%) were the most common fungal isolate followed by Candida species (36%) and dermatophytes (5.8%). Conclusion: Unlike most studies, NDM constituted the major pathogen among our participants.

This paper presents the stability analysis of Al2O3/water nanofluid. The stability is investigated with the help of zeta potential and visual inspection methods. The effects of pH and sonication time for the stability of nanofluids are studied in detail. The visual inspection method is used to calculate the stability period of nanofluids. The zeta potential is directly related to stability period of nanofluids; higher the absolute value of zeta potential, higher the stability period. The stability is also analysed by using sodium dodecyl sulphate, a surfactant, with respect to the time elapsed after the preparation of nanofluids.

In this paper, the superhydrophobic coatings on aluminium surfaces were prepared by two-step (chemical etching followed by coating) and one-step (chemical etching and coating in a single step) processes using potassium hydroxide and lauric acid. Besides, surface immersion time in solutions was varied in both processes. Wettability and surface morphologies of treated aluminium surfaces were characterized using contact angle measurement technique and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Microstructures are formed on the treated aluminium surfaces which lead to increase in contact angle of the surface (>150°). Also on increasing immersion time, contact angle further increases due to increase in size and depth of microstructures. Additionally, these superhydrophobic coatings show excellent self-cleaning and corrosion-resistant behavior. Water jet impact, floatation on water surface, and low temperature condensation tests assert the excellent water-repellent nature of coatings. Further, coatings are to be found mechanically, thermally, and ultraviolet stable. Along with, these coatings are found to be excellent regeneration ability as verified experimentally. Although aforesaid both processes generate durable and regenerable superhydrophobic aluminium surfaces with excellent self-cleaning, corrosion-resistant, and water-repellent characteristics, but one-step process is proved more efficient and less time consuming than two-step process and promises to produce superhydrophobic coatings for industrial applications.

Leukotriene antagonists constitute an important group of drugs in the therapeutic armamentarium of all dermatologists. It has been quite valuable in the management of various types of urticaria and atopic dermatitis. Recently, the role of zileuton in the management of acne has been elaborated, and in the near future it could be used as a first-line agent for the same, thereby preventing adverse effects and antibiotic resistance encountered following antibiotic use. This review will throw light on the dermatologic aspects of leukotriene antagonists.

Phagocytosis is a complex process that eliminates microbes and is performed by specialised cells such as macrophages. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is expressed on the surface of macrophages and recognizes Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, TLR4 has been suggested to play a role in the phagocytosis of Gram-negative bacteria, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here we have used primary human macrophages and engineered THP-1 monocytes to show that the TLR4 sorting adapter, TRAM, is instrumental for phagocytosis of Escherichia coli as well as Staphylococcus aureus. We find that TRAM forms a complex with Rab11 family interacting protein 2 (FIP2) that is recruited to the phagocytic cups of E. coli. This promotes activation of the actin-regulatory GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42. Our results show that FIP2 guided TRAM recruitment orchestrates actin remodelling and IRF3 activation, two events that are both required for phagocytosis of Gram-negative bacteria.

Background: The coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is an angiographic finding characterized by delayed distal vessel opacification in the absence of significant epicardial coronary stenosis. Although it is well-known to interventional cardiologists for approximately four decades, the etiopathogenesis still remains unclear. Aims and objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical, demographic, risk factor and angiographic profile of patients with CSFP. Methods: Clinical, demographic, risk factor and angiographic profile were recorded in all consecutive patients who had undergone coronary angiography between September 2016 and March 2017 and showed features of CSFP and a control group who showed normal coronary flow (NCF). The CSFP was diagnosed on the basis of the corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count. Results: CSFP was significantly more prevalent in male patients. Among the traditional risk factors, there was significantly more prevalence of hypertension (31.25% versus 6.67%, p

Treponema pallidum infections occur worldwide causing, among other diseases, syphilis and yaws. In particular sexually transmitted syphilis is regarded as a re-emerging infectious disease with millions of new infections annually. Here we present three historic T. pallidum genomes (two from T. pallidum ssp. pallidum and one from T. pallidum ssp. pertenue) that have been reconstructed from skeletons recovered from the Convent of Santa Isabel in Mexico City, operational between the 17th and 19th century. Our analyses indicate that different T. pallidum subspecies caused similar diagnostic presentations that are normally associated with syphilis in infants, and potential evidence of a congenital infection of T. pallidum ssp. pertenue, the causative agent of yaws. This first reconstruction of T. pallidum genomes from archaeological material opens the possibility of studying its evolutionary history at a resolution previously assumed to be out of reach.