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Objectives: The objectives of the study were to examine the effect of obesity on echocardiographic parameters of systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle (LV) in asymptomatic hypertensive adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 individuals (65 males and 35 females). Their blood pressure and body mass index were recorded following which they were divided into obese hypertensives and non-obese hypertensives. Echocardiographic examination was done, and parameters indicating LV geometry and function were recorded. Data were statistically analysed for differences. An unpaired t-test was used considering P < 0.05 as a significant value. Results: Echocardiographic parameters of LV diastolic function were significantly altered in obese hypertensives compared to non-obese hypertensives (P < 0.05). About 58% of non-obese hypertensives and 78% of obese-hypertensives had LV diastolic dysfunction. About 6% of non-obese hypertensives and 8% of obese-hypertensives had LV systolic dysfunction. Conclusion: Obesity in hypertensive individuals adds risk for diastolic dysfunction. The number of subjects falling into categories of mild-to-moderate diastolic dysfunction was considerably higher in the obese hypertensives compared to the non-obese hypertensives.

Polymer nanocomposites which possess outstanding antimicrobial efficacies are potential materials for food packaging applications. Amidst the several biodegradable synthetic polymers, Polyvinyl alcohol exhibits excellent biocompatibility and are very economical. A new hybrid composite based on Polyvinyl alcohol with GO and reduced rGO with Potassium Chloride as salt spacer was synthesized using solvent cast method. The antibacterial activity of the prepared films was explored against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 7903) Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739) Campylobacter jejuni (ATCC 29428) Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538). The antifungal activity was studied against Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) Trichodermaharzianum (ATCC 90237) Aspergillus Niger (ATCC 6275). Polymer nanocomposite with GO as dispersant (4 wt%) have shown inhibitory activity with respect to P. aeruginosa, E. coli and C. jejuni. Polymer nanocomposite with rGO as dispersant (4 wt%) have inhibitory activity against E. coli, C. albicans and against P. aeruginosa using well diffusion method.

Dispersion of petite quantity (Mg1−xCexZryO3) of cerium dopant in the lattice of magnesium zirconate (MgZrO3) is an efficient strategy to stimulate solar light photocatalytic activity of the material and achieve superior charge carrier separation. In this research, we demonstrate the tailoring of MgZrO3 to become a solar light sensitive material for the degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye and hydrogen evolution from water. Cerium doped MgZrO3 nanocubes (Mg1−xCexZryO3NCs) showed 93% efficiency for the degradation of MO and was able to show a maximum hydrogen evolution rate of 13,318 µmol h−1 g−1. It was found that, concentration of cerium plays a key role in the overall performance of the photocatalyst. A systematic characterization by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Scavenger experiments, Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy (ESR), Photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent measurements of the Mg1−xCexZryO3 NCs showed that, it possesses high surface area, promotes transfer of photo-stimulated electrons and provides rich photo-active centers for the enhanced photocatalytic redox activity. Retention of structure and morphology even after rigorous cycling of the catalyst with respect to MO degradation and hydrogen evolution makes Mg1−xCexZryO3 NCs a robust photocatalytic material.

A low-temperature solution combustion method was used to synthesize α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Magnetic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/α-Fe2O3/NaCl nanocomposites were prepared by solvent cast method. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results are in confirmation with X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicating the formation of nanocomposites. The microcrystalline parameters, crystallite size ( ), lattice strain (g in %), stacking faults (α d ), and twin faults (β) of prepared polymer nanocomposites were evaluated by whole-pattern fitting technique. The refinement was carried out using the computed microstructural parameters in which the twin faults and stacking faults did not vary much and statistical deviation was less than 5 %. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) was used for microstructural characterization. PALS results show that the ortho-positronium (o-Ps) lifetime (τ3) increases gradually as a function of nanoparticle concentration and about 219 ps increase observed from1.50 to1.71 ns at 3 wt%. This indicates the increase of free volume hole size (V f ) from 54.47 to 72.18 A3. The o-Ps intensities (I 3) decrease indicating the inhibition of o-Ps formation upon incorporation of nanoparticles into PVA. The increase in I 2 values suggests the increased annihilation at the interface region. Positron lifetime parameters, viz., o-Ps lifetime, and its intensities indicate the effect of quenching and inhibition upon incorporation of metal oxide nanoparticles and inorganic salt into PVA.

Urban air pollution is rapidly becoming an environmental issue of global concern, affecting public health, regional weather, and climate. The air quality crisis in cities is mainly caused by vehicle emissions. A city's air quality is assessed using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which analyses concentrations of air pollutants such as PM10, sulphur dioxide SO2, and nitrogen dioxide NO2. The current study on air pollution was carried out in the SG Halli area of Bangaluru and required air pollutant data was collected from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (CPCB). With the exception of PM10, the pollutant concentration was within the permissible limits set by the Central Pollution Control Authority (CPCB). Pollutant concentrations were analyzed using meteorological variables such as relative humidity (RH), temperature (T), wind direction (WD), wind speed (WS), and solar radiation (SR). PM10 concentrations are predicted using an auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. PM10 concentrations were well predicted by ARIMA model. On the AQI scale, it can be seen that the atmospheric environment of SG Halli is moderately polluted.

Solution combustion based nanosize chromium oxide nanoparticles blended PVA/Cr2O3/ NaCl nanocomposite thin films of various weight percentages were synthesized using solvent cast method. The FTIR and SEM results are in confirmation with XRD results indicating the formation of nanocomposites. Positron Life time spectroscopy (PALS) are used for the microstructural characterization in the (PVA)/ Cr2O3 /NaCl polymer nanocomposites. The PALS results show that the free volume size and o-Ps lifetime (τ3) increases up to 4 wt% decreases after 6 wt% The decreased o-Ps lifetime (τ3) indicates the inhibition of o-Ps formation upon incorporation of Chromium Oxide nano particles into PVA matrix

The nanofillers in the macromolecular matrix have displayed noteworthy changes in the structure and reactivity of the polymer nanocomposites. Novel functional materials usually consist of defects and are largely disordered. The intriguing properties of these materials are often attributed to defects. X-ray line profiles from powder diffraction reveal the quantitative information about size distribution and shape of diffracting domains which governs the contribution from small conventional X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques to enumerate the microstructural information. In this study the MgO nanoparticles were prepared by solution combustion method and PVA/NaCl/MgO nanocomposite films were synthesized by the solvent cast method. Microstructural parameters viz crystal defects like stacking faults and twin faults, compositional inhomogeneity, crystallite size and lattice strain (g in %), were extracted using whole pattern fitting method.

In the past few decades, genome-based approaches have contributed significantly to vaccine development. Our aim was to identify the most conserved and immunogenic antigens of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which can be potential vaccine candidates in the future. BLASTn was done to identify the most conserved antigens. PSORTb 3.0.2 was run to predict the subcellular localization of the proteins. B cell epitope prediction was done for the immunogenicity testing. Finally, BLASTp was done for verifying the extent of similarity to human proteome to exclude the possibility of autoimmunity. Proteins failing to comply with the set parameters were filtered at each step. Based on the above criteria, out of the initial 22 pneumococcal proteins selected for screening, pavB and pullulanase were the most promising candidate proteins.

The effect of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field (EMF) (50 Hz 0.5 mT) on the activity of alpha amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) was studied. In addition factors affecting the enzyme activity, temperature, pH, substrate concentration were also investigated. Our results show there is an increase in the enzyme activity when it is exposed to ELF EMF and also the velocity of the reaction increases. But there is no significant effect on optimal temperature and pH under the presence of the electromagnetic field.

The highest magnetic flux densities to which most people are exposed arise close to domestic appliances. Several epidemiological studies have reported an association between prolonged exposure to power frequency magnetic fields greater than 4 mG and an increased risk of childhood leukemia. In this paper we have shown the elf emf in Indian domestic scenario is very much low compared to developed nations. The best estimate of the geometric means of long- term average background fields in the United States is 60-70 nT and in the United Kingdom approximately 36-39 nT. In other countries, there are insufficient studies to draw firm conclusions on average fields. Measurements of personal exposure are higher than measurements of background fields, perhaps because they include exposures from appliances and other sources in the home. The study, commissioned by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) UK concluded that one in 200 British children are exposed to high levels of electromagnetic radiation in the home and that this could be doubling their risk of leukemia.