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Aditi Singh,1 Sudhakar Padmesh,1 Manish Dwivedi,1 Irena Kostova2 1Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, 226028, India; 2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University, Sofia, 1000, BulgariaCorrespondence: Aditi Singh, Email asingh3@lko.amity.edu; singh.aditi00@gmail.comAbstract: Bacteria survive on any surface through the generation of biofilms that provide a protective environment to grow as well as making them drug resistant. Extracellular polymeric matrix is a crucial component in biofilm formation. The presence of biofilms consisting of common opportunistic and nosocomial, drug-resistant pathogens has been reported on medical devices like catheters and prosthetics, leading to many complications. Several approaches are under investigation to combat drug-resistant bacteria. Deployment of bacteriophages is one of the promising approaches to invade biofilm that may expose bacteria to the conditions adverse for their growth. Penetration into these biofilms and their destruction by bacteriophages is brought about due to their small size and ability of their progeny to diffuse through the bacterial cell wall. The other mechanisms employed by phages to infect biofilms may include their relocation through water channels to embedded host cells, replication at local sites followed by infection to the neighboring cells and production of depolymerizing enzymes to decompose viscous biofilm matrix, etc. Various research groups are investigating intricacies involved in phage therapy to mitigate the bacterial infection and biofilm formation. Thus, bacteriophages represent a good control over different biofilms and further understanding of phage-biofilm interaction at molecular level may overcome the clinical challenges in phage therapy. The present review summarizes the comprehensive details on dynamic interaction of phages with bacterial biofilms and the role of phage-derived enzymes – endolysin and depolymerases in extenuating biofilms of clinical and medical concern. The methodology employed was an extensive literature search, using several keywords in important scientific databases, such as Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc. The keywords were also used with Boolean operator “And”. More than 250 relevant and recent articles were selected and reviewed to discuss the evidence-based data on the application of phage therapy with recent updates, and related potential challenges.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: phage, extracellular polymeric substance, biofilm, antibiotic resistance, mitigating strategy, phage cocktail, phage lysins, depolymerases

Background: Nosocomial infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is very common, despite the application of various preventive measures in intensive care units (ICUs) leading to increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospital stay, and increased treatment cost. Aim: The aim of the present study is to identify the source of P. aeruginosa infection in patients admitted to tertiary ICU. Materials and Methods: From 200 patients selected randomly, appropriate clinical specimens from different sites were collected and processed for the isolation and identification of the nosocomial pathogens. Surveillance samples from environmental sites and hands of nursing staff were also cultured. Results: P. aeruginosa was found to be the most common pathogen associated with nosocomial infections accounting for 23.3% of all bacterial isolates from different infection sites in the ICU. Serotyping of the clinical isolates and surveillance sample isolates from nurses′ hands showed serotype E as the most common serotype. Other serotypes of P. aeruginosa were isolated from environmental cultures such as sinks, floors, walls, tap water, etc. Conclusion: Study revealed a high prevalence of P. aeruginosa infections in the ICU attributed to cross transmission from patient to patient via hands of the nursing staff. Strict enforcement of infection control protocols is essential to minimize the disease burden.

Hyperhydrosis of axillae, palm and sole is not a very uncommon problem. It leads to great embarrassment and considerable emotional stress to the individuals. Botulinum toxins prevent the release of acetylcholine at nerve terminals, therefore, reduces sweat secretion. Six patients of axillary and 4 patients of palmer and planter hyperhydrosis were treated with botulinum toxin. All patients experienced relatively satisfactory reduction of hyperhydrosis for period ranging between 4-7 months. No adverse effects were observed. Botulinum toxin therefore can be considered as an effective treatment in focal hyperhydrosis.

Experiments were conducted at Research Farm of Agromet Research Centre, SKUAST-Jammu, during rabi 2015-16 and 2016-17, and comprised of three varieties, three sowing environments and three N-levels laid out in split-split plot design. WH 1105 variety recorded significantly superior grain and biological yield as compared to HD 2967 and RSP 561. Early sowing (25th October) of wheat produced statistically higher grain, straw and biological yield values than normal (14th November) and late sowing (4th December) environments along with higher yield attributes. The higher nitrogen dose 25 kg (125 kg/ha), than recommended dose (100 kg/ha) exhibited higher yield attributing parameters and yield of wheat crop. Significantly higher nutrient (NPK) uptake recorded with wheat variety WH 1105 followed by HD 2967 and RSP 561. However, wheat crop sown on 25th October (early sowing) registered statistically higher NPK uptake followed by normal and late sowings. Numerically higher NPK uptake was observed when wheat was supplied with 150 kg N/ha followed by statistically at par values of uptake recorded in 125 kg N/ha and the lowest recorded in 100 kg N/ha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations were carried out for the removal of Crystal violet (CV) dye from an aqueous solution using sewage sludge as adsorbent prepared after heating at 900°C. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis were used for the characterization of sludge. The results of batch studies showed the values of optimum parameters such as contact time (180 min), adsorbent dose 10 g/L and temperature (30°C). The removal efficiency was found to be about 98.4% and the equilibrium adsorption capacity of Crystal violet dye was 9.508 mg/g. The Freundlich, Langmuir, Redlich–Peterson, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were employed to evaluate the equilibrium data from batch adsorption studies. Kinetic data were analyzed using kinetic models such as; pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion. Nonlinear regression method and error functions namely; R², sum of error squares, G², HYBRID, Marquardt’s percent standard deviation, root mean square error and mean square error were used to determine the best fitted model. Freundlich isotherm model best fitted the data showing multilayer adsorption of CV dye on activated sludge while kinetic studies of CV dye were well described by pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic characteristics for dye adsorbent system indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Results show that activated sludge can be effectively used as low-cost adsorbent for the removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was conducted at Advance Centre for Rainfed Agriculture, Rakh Dhiansar, SKUAST-Jammu during kharif season of 2015. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The nine treatments viz. sole blackgram, sole sesame, blackgram + sesame (1 row of sesame in 2 rows of blackgram) additive series, blackgram + sesame (1:1) replacement series, black + sesame (3:1) replacement series, blackgram + sesame (5:1) replacement series, blackgram + sesame (1:3) replacement series, blackgram + sesame (1:5) replacement series and blackgram + sesame (seed mix) were taken for study. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture, slightly acidic in reaction, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen and medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The experimental results revealed that among the different intercropping systems blackgram + sesame (5:1) replacement series recorded highest blackgram equivalent yield (BEY) 7.01 q ha-1 which was statistically at par with blackgram + sesame (3:1) replacement series, blackgram + sesame (1:1) replacement series and blackgram + sesame (1:1) additive series and significantly higher than other intercropping systems. Also blackgram + sesamum (5:1) row ratio gave highest value of land equivalent ratio, aggressivity, area time equivalent ratio, net returns, B:C ratio, energy output, energy use efficiency, net energy return, energy productivity and energy intensity followed by blackgram + sesame (3:1) replacement series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]