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BackgroundRisks and benefits of protease inhibitor (PI) (telaprevir or boceprevir) triple therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with mildly decompensated cirrhosis, including those wait-listed for liver transplantation (LT), are incompletely known.AimTo assess virological responses and safety of PI triple therapy in patients with mildly decompensated Child-Pugh (CP) CP ≥6 vs. compensated (CP = 5) cirrhosis.MethodsMulticentre cohort of 160 adults with cirrhosis treated with peginterferon/ribavirin (peg-IFN/RBV) plus telaprevir (69%) or boceprevir (31%), comparing outcomes between those with CP = 5 and CP ≥6.ResultsPatients, 47% with CP ≥6 cirrhosis (CP range 6-10), received PI triple therapy for a targeted duration of 48 weeks. The cohort was median age 59 years, 32% female, 59% genotype 1a, 35% previous null/partial responders. Sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) was achieved by 35% of patients with CP ≥6 vs. 54% of those with CP = 5 (P = 0.02). CP = 5, achievement of rapid virological response and genotype 1b/other, independently predicted SVR12. Compared to those with CP = 5, patients with CP ≥6 had more peg-IFN dose reductions, eltrombopag use, transfusions and hospitalisations to manage adverse events (all P < 0.05). Overall, 67 (42%) discontinued treatment early. Nine wait-listed patients were treated for a median of 97 days (IQR 60-160) prior to liver transplantation and five achieved post-LT SVR.ConclusionsIn the presence of mild decompensation (Child-Pugh ≥6), SVR12 rates with protease inhibitor triple therapy are significantly reduced and adverse events increased. Thus, treatment with protease inhibitor triple therapy, if judged as necessary, should be undertaken with close monitoring and awareness of the significant risks.

Metagenomics is the culture independent analysis of microbial diversity in an ecosystem and it can be used to find out the gut microbial diversity of chicken. Native chicken is characterised by good genetic resistance and they are adapted to extensive system of management. NGS (Next generation sequencing) analysis of intestinal micro biome using primers targeting V3, V4 and V4-V6 region of 16S rRNA helped in revealing the microbial diversity of native chicken CARI Nirbheek (a native chicken breed having the blood of indigenous breed Aseel). Firmicutes was the dominant bacterial phylum and bacilli were the dominant class. Lactobacillus was the dominant genus followed by Bifidobacterium. Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii were the dominant bacterial strains having probiotic properties which may help in increasing the genetic resistance and growth in extensive management. Metagenomics studies using NGS helps in exploring the intestinal microbial diversity and identifying the bacterial strains which helps in increasing the genetic resistance and growth of native chicken under backyard rearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to reduce uncertainties in the quantification of aerosol direct radiative forcing (ADRF) in the southeastern United States (US), a field column experiment was conducted to measure aerosol radiative properties and effects at Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina, and at an adjacent valley site. The experimental period was from June 1995 to mid-December 1995. The aerosol optical properties (single scattering albedo and asymmetry factor) needed to compute ADRF were obtained on the basis of a procedure involving a Mie code and a radiative transfer code in conjunction with the retrieved aerosol size distribution, aerosol optical depth, and diffuse-to-direct solar irradiance ratio. The regional values of ADRF at the surface and top of atmosphere (TOA), and atmospheric aerosol absorption are derived using the obtained aerosol optical properties as inputs to the column radiation model (CRM) of the community climate model (CCM3). The cloud-free instantaneous TOA ADRFs for highly polluted (HP), marine (M) and continental (C) air masses range from 20.3 to −24.8, 1.3 to −10.4, and 1.9 to −13.4 W m−2, respectively. The mean cloud-free 24-h ADRFs at the TOA (at the surface) for HP, M, and C air masses are estimated to be −8±4 (−33±16), −7±4 (−13±8), and −0.14±0.05 (−8±3) W m−2, respectively. On the assumption that the fractional coverage of clouds is 0.61, the annual mean ADRFs at the TOA and the surface are −2±1, and −7±2 W m−2, respectively. This also implies that aerosols currently heat the atmosphere over the southeastern US by 5±3 W m−2 on annual timescales due to the aerosol absorption in the troposphere.

Highly transparent and self-cleaning ZnO nanorods (NRs) and ZnO@TiO2 core–shell (CS) nanoarrays were fabricated using the sol–gel dip-coating technique. TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were coated as a shell layer over the hydrothermally grown ZnO NRs. The number of shell layers on the ZnO NRs was varied by modulating the number of dipping cycles from 1 to 3 to optimize their transmittance. The optimized CS nanoarrays with two dipping cycles display a 2% enhancement of optical transmission compared to the ZnO NRs. In addition, superhydrophilicity (contact angle ∼of 12°) stimulates the self-cleaning nature of the thin films. A water contact angle of 12° was noted for the ZnO@TiO2: 2 cycle sample, indicating their superhydrophilic nature. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity of the pristine ZnO NRs and ZnO@TiO2 CS nanoarrays was tested under UV and direct sunlight through the dye degradation of methylene blue (MB). Based upon the TiO2 morphology and accessibility of the ZnO@TiO2 heterojunction interface, CS nanoarrays with two shell layers exhibit the highest degree of dye photodegradation efficiency of 68.72% and 91% under sunlight and UV light irradiation, respectively. The CS nanoarrays demonstrate medium sunlight and excellent UV-light-driven photocatalytic activity. Our findings suggest that the ZnO@TiO2 CS nanoarrays are potential photocatalysts for dye degradation and self-cleaning applications in solar cell coverings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With an objective to extend the shelf life with improved microbial safety by natural means without compromising sensory attributes, lyophilised khejri tree leaf extract (LKE) was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The LKE was subjected to preliminary scrutiny followed by FTIR mediated analysis and RP-HPLC and then its antioxidant activity was accessed. Five batches of minced mutton were prepared as C-1 (negative control with no LKE or BHA), C-2 (positive control with 200 ppm BHA), T-1 (0.05% LKE), T-2 (0.1% LKE), and T-3 (0.5% LKE). FTIR analysis showed C=O-CH3, C=C, C-O, and O-H peaks at 1028, 1609, and 1445 cm-1 wave numbers, respectively. The LKE was found to have six phenolic compounds namely p-hydroxybenzoic acid, gallic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid. In minced mutton, LKE was found to be significantly (p = 0.05) more effective preservative than BHA at 0.5% level of incorporation in terms of TBARS value, tyrosine values, and microbial quality. During storage, the decrease in ERV and increase in total plate count were at a slower rate in treated samples and were devoid of coliform counts. However, sensory attributes at 0.5% LKE incorporation level were negatively affected and imparted a greenish tinge to minced mutton. The present work concluded that LKE might be incorporated without compromising sensory attributes. Further, preservative effects at 0.1% level were at par with BHA (200 ppm) and extended the minced mutton's shelf life up to 9 d at refrigerated temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vipin Saxena, M Delwar HussainDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Kingsville, TX, USABackground: Delivery of a high concentration of anticancer drugs specifically to cancer cells remains the biggest challenge for the treatment of multidrug-resistant cancer. Poloxamers and D-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) are known inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Mixed micelles prepared from Poloxamer 407 and TPGS may increase the therapeutic efficacy of the drug by delivering high concentrations inside the cells and inhibiting P-gp. Gambogic acid (GA) is a naturally derived novel anticancer agent, but poor solubility and toxic side effects limit its use. In this study, we have developed Poloxamer 407 and TPGS mixed micelle-encapsulating GA for the treatment of breast and multidrug-resistant cancer.Methods: GA-loaded Poloxamer 407/TPGS mixed micelles were prepared using a thin film hydration method, and their physicochemical properties were characterized. Cellular accumulation and cytotoxicity of the GA-loaded Poloxamer 407/TPGS mixed micelles were studied in breast cancer cells, MCF-7 cells, and multidrug-resistant NCI/ADR-RES cells.Results: The diameter of GA-loaded Poloxamer 407/TPGS mixed micelles was about 17.4 ± 0.5 nm and the zeta potential -13.57 mV. The entrapment efficiency of GA was 93.1% ± 0.5% and drug loading was about 9.38% ± 0.29%. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction studies confirmed that GA is encapsulated by the polymers. The in vitro release studies showed that mixed micelles sustained the release of GA for more than 4 days. Results from cellular uptake studies indicated that GA-loaded Poloxamer 407/TPGS mixed micelles had increased cellular uptake of GA in NCI/ADR-RES cells. Cytotoxicity of GA-loaded Poloxamer 407/TPGS mixed micelles was found to be 2.9 times higher in multidrug-resistant NCI/ADR-RES cells, and 1.6 times higher in MCF-7 cells, as compared with unencapsulated GA.Conclusion: This study suggests that Poloxamer 407/TPGS mixed micelles can be used as a delivery system for GA to treat breast and multidrug-resistant cancer.Keywords: gambogic acid, Poloxamer 407, TPGS, P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance, breast cancer

Hybrid pigeonpea technology, based on cytoplasmic nuclear male-sterility and natural out-crossing, was developed at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the first commercial hybrid ‘ICPH 2671’ performed well in farmers’ fields with 30-35% yield advantage. The commercial viability of this hybrid, however, depends on the availability of seeds at an affordable cost so that even a small pigeonpea farmer could reap the benefits of this technology. So far no information is available on this aspect hence, the present investigation was undertaken at Agriculture College Research Farm, Indore (M.P.). In this large-scale experiment, one kilogram of hybrid (A x R) seed was produced at the cost of Rs 18.85. Further, the estimated profit from growing one hectare of seed production plot of this hybrid was Rs. 70,005. It was concluded that the seed production technology is easy and it can be adopted by seed producers; however, the presence of pollinating insects in the production area is essential.

Objectives: This study was conducted to find out knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of epilepsy among 12 th -class students in Uttarakhand state. Secondly data of Uttarakhand was compared with KAP study from other parts of the country. Materials and Methods: All 12 th - class students studying in six schools of randomly selected 36 villages in Chakrata block of Dehradun district of Uttarakhand state were provided a printed questionnaire having answer as "yes or no". This questionnaire used was used previously by various authors and validated for KAP analysis. These filled questionnaires were collected by village health workers and medical officer. Results: This study conducted on 219, 12 th -class students revealed that epilepsy was heard by 98%, 74.9% thought epilepsy a mental disease and 4.8% believed that it is contagious. Negative attitude showed as nearly 2/3 rd students stated that epilepsy is hindrance in marriage and occupation. Nearly 41% would use onion or shoe for terminating seizure attack. Ayurvedic treatment was preferred over allopathic drugs. Conclusions: Study on 12 th -class students of Uttarakhand revealed poor knowledge, attitude and practice for epilepsy and needs special education program to dispel these misconceptions.