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Blood centers play a critical role in supporting neonatal and pediatric transfusions. We aim to study the variation in pediatric/neonatal transfusion policies and practices for blood centers in India.This is a survey-based (45 question) cross-sectional assessment of blood centers in India supporting pediatric/neonatal transfusions.One hundred three centers responded to the survey (response rate 51.2%; 103/201). As a part of pretransfusion testing, use of "microtainers" was reported by 58.4% (59/101) centers and only 57.4% (58/101) centers provide antibody screening. In case of absence of maternal sample, type O negative blood is most commonly used (48.5%; 49/101), and in case of ABO incompatibility, 68.3% (69/101) use units compatible with both mother and newborn. Leukoreduced RBCs are provided by 89% (90/101) centers and irradiated products are provided by 48.5% (49/101). 82% (83/101) of centers reported not receiving requests for CMV negative units considering the high incidence of CMV-seropositivity in donors. Fresh units are defined as7 days old by 44.5% (45/101) and 5 days old by 31.6% (32/101) centers. 97% centers reported SAGM suspended RBCs in inventory but only 67.3% (68/101) use them for top-up transfusions to neonates. Overall80% centers use the buffy-coat method for platelet concentrates preparation. Volume-based (ml/kg) aliquots preparation is done by 88% (89/101), mainly using the sterile connecting device (84.6%; 83/98).This survey shows heterogeneity and lack of standardization in practices across blood centers in India and highlights the need for more studies to establish best practices for this vulnerable age group.

Humans are closely associated with companion animals, particularly dogs, and cats. Recent studies demonstrated that pets could succumb to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus infection through a person who has COVID-19 disease. At present, we do have strong evidence of how COVID-19 affects pets and do the pets transmit the virus to humans. Until we know more about virus transmission, we need to follow the health agency guidelines to contain the virus spread. In this short perceptive article, we describe the incidences of coronavirus in pets and possible precautions that need to be followed by people, particularly pregnant women and infertility patients to avoid getting the disease.

Buffalo is an important farm animal species in South and South-east Asian countries. Cryopreservation allows long-term storage of somatic cells, which can be made available to research communities. This study aimed to 1) establish and cryopreserve somatic cells from elite buffaloes, and 2) share stored somatic cells and their associated data with researchers. To achieve these targets, somatic cells were established successfully from tail-skin biopsies of 17 buffaloes. The informative data such as buffalo details (breed, date of birth, sex, and age at the time of tissue biopsy collection, and production traits), the number of cryovials stored, and freezing dates were recorded in an electronic file and a printed inventory record. The established somatic cells were flat, spindle-shaped morphology, and expressed vimentin (a fibroblast-like cell type marker) and the negative expression of cytokeratin-18 (an epithelial cell type marker). Altogether, we cryopreserved 970 cryovials (0.1 million cells per vial) from two buffalo breeds, namely Murrah and Nili-Ravi (at least 45 cryovials per animal), for cryobanking. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) experiments demonstrated the utility of cryopreserved cells to produce cloned buffaloes. Importantly, these cryopreserved somatic cells are made available to scientific communities. This study encourages the cryopreservation of somatic cells of elite farm animals for their utilization in cell-based research.

ObjectiveLarge data on the clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 in the Indian population are scarce. We analysed the factors associated with mortality in a cohort of moderately and severely ill patients with COVID-19 enrolled in a randomised trial on convalescent plasma.DesignSecondary analysis of data from a Phase II, Open Label, Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma to Limit COVID-19 Associated Complications in Moderate Disease.Setting39 public and private hospitals across India during the study period from 22 April to 14 July 2020.ParticipantsOf the 464 patients recruited, two were lost to follow-up, nine withdrew consent and two patients did not receive the intervention after randomisation. The cohort of 451 participants with known outcome at 28 days was analysed.Primary outcome measureFactors associated with all-cause mortality at 28 days after enrolment.ResultsThe mean (SD) age was 51±12.4 years; 76.7% were males. Admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 2.4±1.1. Non-invasive ventilation, invasive ventilation and vasopressor therapy were required in 98.9%, 8.4% and 4.0%, respectively. The 28-day mortality was 14.4%. Median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was similar in survivors (4 days; IQR 3–7) and non-survivors (4 days; IQR 3–6). Patients with two or more comorbidities had 2.25 (95% CI 1.18 to 4.29, p=0.014) times risk of death. When compared with survivors, admission interleukin-6 levels were higher (p2/FiO2 ratio 10 (9.97, 3.65–27.13, p1.0 mg/L (2.50, 1.14–5.48, p=0.022), ferritin ≥500 ng/mL (2.67, 1.44–4.96, p=0.002) and lactate dehydrogenase ≥450 IU/L (2.96, 1.60–5.45, p=0.001) were significantly associated with death.ConclusionIn this cohort of moderately and severely ill patients with COVID-19, severity of illness, underlying comorbidities and elevated levels of inflammatory markers were significantly associated with death.Trial registration numberCTRI/2020/04/024775.

India has almost 3,000 blood centres collecting more than 11 million units annually. Maintaining blood supply during the COVID-19 pandemic is a huge challenge. We conducted a cross-sectional study by an online survey to analyse the variation of practices across blood centers of India during this pandemic. A total of 196 blood centers completely responded to the online survey. Most of the blood centres who responded were part of Government hospitals (60 %), part of an academic institutes (55.6 %) and were directly supporting a COVID hospital (67.5 %). Almost 95.4 % blood centers reported reduction of blood donation mainly due to lockdown (50 %) and inability to conduct camps (17.3 %). Scheduling blood donations was one of the most difficult to implement strategy for maintaining adequate blood donation (40.2 %). Blood center manpower management was also a challenge and upto 48 % blood centers operated in two batches to ensure social distancing in blood banks and reduce the risk of exposure. Hemato-oncology (36.8 %) and obstetrics (33.7 %) were major utilizer of blood during the pandemic. There were marked variations in use of PPE by blood banks staff as well as strategies adopted while conducting immunohematology tests on COVID-19 positive patients samples. This pandemic has highlighted some of the major limitations of the health services but blood services have risen to the challenge and strived to maintain the blood supply chain while ensuring blood donor and staff safety. The wide variations in the practices adopted highlights the need for uniform guidelines for blood services in future pandemics.

ObjectivesConvalescent plasma (CP) as a passive source of neutralizing antibodies and immunomodulators is a century-old therapeutic option used for the management of viral diseases. We investigated its effectiveness for the treatment of COVID-19.DesignOpen-label, parallel-arm, phase II, multicentre, randomized controlled trial.SettingThirty-nine public and private hospitals across India.ParticipantsHospitalized, moderately ill confirmed COVID-19 patients (PaO2/FiO2: 200-300 or respiratory rate > 24/min and SpO2 ≤ 93% on room air).InterventionParticipants were randomized to either control (best standard of care (BSC)) or intervention (CP + BSC) arm. Two doses of 200 mL CP was transfused 24 hours apart in the intervention arm.Main Outcome MeasureComposite of progression to severe disease (PaO2/FiO2< 100) or all-cause mortality at 28 days post-enrolment.ResultsBetween 22ndApril to 14thJuly 2020, 464 participants were enrolled; 235 and 229 in intervention and control arm, respectively. Composite primary outcome was achieved in 44 (18.7%) participants in the intervention arm and 41 (17.9%) in the control arm [aOR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.77]. Mortality was documented in 34 (13.6%) and 31 (14.6%) participants in intervention and control arm, respectively [aOR) 1.06 95% CI: −0.61 to 1.83].InterpretationCP was not associated with reduction in mortality or progression to severe COVID-19. This trial has high generalizability and approximates real-life setting of CP therapy in settings with limited laboratory capacity. A priori measurement of neutralizing antibody titres in donors and participants may further clarify the role of CP in management of COVID-19.Trial registrationThe trial was registered with Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI); CTRI/2020/04/024775.

The agricultural farm animal production system is under a massive burden to provide adequate food to the rapidly growing human population. The emergence of new diseases and climate change has enhanced burdens on the animal production system. Nanotechnology, an application of materials at the nano scale, offers opportunities to improve animal health and production by providing better therapeutics, diagnostics, vaccines and adjuvants, animal feed and additives, and even helping animal reproduction. This chapter discusses the exciting examples of the selected application of nanotechnology in farm animals to realize the benefits of emerging nanotools that promise increase in food production from farm animals in a sustainable manner.

Zr4+ doped multiferroic LuFeO3 (LFO) samples were prepared by a sol-gel reaction method and the effect of doping on structural, electric and magnetic properties are evaluated and compared with pure LFO. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement confirm that the pure and Zr doped LFO exists in the hexagonal crystal structure with space group P63cm. The unit cell parameters and the volume of Zr0.2Lu0.8FeO3 (ZLFO) are greater than that of the undoped LFO. Magnetic measurements for ZLFO sample show a weak ferromagnetic-like behaviour at room temperature with M r ∼ 0.013 emu/g and finite coercivity. Hence, the paramagnetic LFO transformed to the weak ferromagnetic at room temperature upon Zr doping.

Background- Despite its large population, access to safe blood is disproportionately low in India. To recruit more members from the general population into the pool of voluntary donors, it is essential to understand the differences in their knowledge, attitudes and practices; and utilise the existing resources to eliminate them. Methods- A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 180 donors and an equal number of potential donors randomly selected from the community, using a structured questionnaire containing questions on attitudes and practices. Knowledge was assessed by interview by a single observer. Results- Donors were found to have a highly significant difference (p

The natural history of COVID-19 infection in children is still evolving as the pandemic unfolds. Few cases of severe and often fatal COVID-19 have been reported although the infection is mild in the large majority. Children with cancers are recognised as a high risk group for all infections. Since there aren’t any definite treatment guidelines established in children with severe COVID, treatment is guided by adult recommendations which too are often not evidence based. We report the case of a 4-year-old girl with severe COVID-19 associated pneumonia who presented to us as febrile neutropenia. The use of convalescent plasma along with steroids and IVIG showed dramatic results in this child and she recovered without the need for any specific treatment. This is highlighted as one of the earliest cases that is reporting the use of convalescent plasma in a child; the first ever in a child with underlying malignancy.

To cater the exponential growth of human population, need to improve food production and quality through modern biotechnology with limited recourses in a way that has minimal impact on the environment. The selective breeding and genomic selection have attended the momentum gain in livestock productivity. Recent advancement in genome-editing technologies offers exciting prospects for the production of healthy and prolific livestock. Genome editing involves altering genetic material by manipulation, addition, or removal of certain deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences at a specific locus in a way that does not occur naturally. The major genome editors are zinc finger nucleases, transcription-activator-like endonucleases, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats associated protein nine systems which are proficient of cutting the nuclear DNA precisely at a predetermined position. This review provides an update on the use of genome editing systems to modify the genes related to reproduction of farm animal vis-à-vis human, update knowledge on the underlying mechanism and discusses new opportunities to produce genetically modified farm animals.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hemolytic anemias (AIHA) are characterized by the destruction of red cells following the production of autoantibodies directed against them. Although AIHA in children is usually self-limiting, many still succumb to the illness due to delay in the diagnosis and treatment. AIHA in children may be secondary to autoimmune diseases, drugs, or immune deficiencies. Early diagnosis and appropriate immunohematological evaluation can aid in the diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the evaluation, treatment, and outcome of AIHA in children. METHODS: Prospective data of patients aged 0–18 years diagnosed with AIHA between June 2017 and May 2019 were collected. INTERVENTION: Prednisolone was the first-line agent in all; second-line agents included cyclosporine and rituximab. Red cell transfusion was given in those with severe anemia with cardiac decompensation. RESULTS: Eleven patients were diagnosed during the study period. Hemoglobin ranged from 1.2 to 9 g/dl. The initial presentation was severe anemia in 8 children and moderate anemia with thrombocytopenia in 3. The trigger was infection in 5. Polyspecific direct coomb's test (DCT) was positive in 10 patients. 2/10 polyspecific DCT-positive cases on further evaluation had immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C3d positivity, whereas rest 8 had only IgG. One infant was diagnosed with DCT-negative immunoglobulin A-mediated AIHA. 4/11 attained remission following the short course of prednisolone. Cyclosporine was used as the second-line agent in 2 and rituximab was used in 3. Seven children are in sustained remission and off medication. One died within 12 h of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: AIHA is not an uncommon problem in children and can vary in its clinical severity. Early and correct diagnosis helps in deciding appropriate treatment.

Autoimmune Hemolytic anemia (AIHA) a relatively uncommon form of hemolytic anemia in children, occurs due to the premature destruction of red blood cells caused by presence of autoantibodies directed against antigens on RBCs. Warm reactive AIHA is the most common form due to IgG isotype of immunoglobulin class binding to autologous RBCs at 370C and confirmed with a positive DAT screening. We present a case of DAT-negative primary warm AIHA in an infant due to IgA antibody. A 10 month old male infant presented with dark colored urine and irritability for past two months, with associated history of fever, diarrhea and vomiting. He had received one red cell transfusion 10 days prior. On physical examination he had pallor with tachycardia without splenomegaly. On investigation his hemoglobin was 5.8 g/dl, WBC 25.9 × 103/mm3 and normal platelets counts. Peripheral blood smear had spherocytes and biochemical values showed high bilirubin and LDH. Immunohematological work up revelaed polyspecific DAT was negative but monospecific DAT screening showed strong (4+) positivity for IgA and a weak IgG positivity. The patient was diagnosed as IgA-mediated Warm AIHA and was started on prednisolone at 2 mg/kg/day following which hemoglobin improved over the next 2 months. After 2 weeks, prednisolone was tapered and stopped by the end of 3 months. Patients with clinical and laboratory evidence of acute hemolysis, an additional screening for IgA antibody may be done even in cases where poly-specific DAT is negative. Early detection helps in avoiding further investigations and provide efficient management.

Reiter's disease or reactive arthritis is characterized by the classic triad of urethritis, arthritis, and conjunctivitis, usually following a genitourinary or gastrointestinal infection. Reiter's syndrome has been reported in children, but they usually do not manifest with the typical triad. Only a few such cases have been reported, and these have affected males predominantly. Furthermore, human leukocyte antigen B27 association in children is not well-established. However, in our case, it was positive. We, herein, report a case of a 13-year-old girl who presented with redness of eyes and joint pains followed by skin involvement is reported. She was managed with topical steroids and keratolytics along with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and showed complete resolution in 3 weeks.

Pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani causes root rot disease in wheat leading to collapsing of the aerial part of the plant. To characterize antagonistic bacteria, one hundred and thirty bacterial isolates were obtained from the rhizosphere soil of wheat and these rhizobacterial isolates alongwith 72 reference strains were screened for their antagonistic interactions against R. solani under cultural conditions. Sixteen bacterial isolates inhibited the growth of R. solani and growth inhibition zone varied from 6-15 mm by different rhizobacterial isolates. Two isolates WPS3 and WPS90 caused maximum growth inhibition of the fungi. Growth inhibiton of the pathogenic fungi was also observed using culture filterates of antagonistic rhizobacterial isolates. The protein estimation of the culture filterates showed that the amount of protein excreted by different rhizobacterial isolates varied from 3.6 to 33.0 mg ml -1 of the supernatant. The loss of antagonistic activity after treatment with proteinase K and high temperature treatment indicated that excreted proteins are responsible for the antagonism. Pot house studies showed that inoculation of R. solani in wheat caused 85-90% root rot disease incidence at 60 to 90 days of plant growth. The single inoculation of rhizobacterial isolate WPS3 resulted in 131% increase of plant dry weight as compared to uninoculated control plants. The coinoculation of isolate WPS3 with R. solani enhanced 115% plant dry weight whereas coinoculation of Pseudomonas isolate WPS90 caused 98% increase in plant dry weight in comparison to control uninoculated plants at 90 days of plant growth. Coinoculation of Pseudomonas isolates WPS3 and WPS90 with R. solani also caused 88.9 and 66.7% disease control, respectively at 90 days of plant growth. Thus, Pseudomonas isolate WPS3 could be further ex- ploited for plant growth improvement under field conditions.

Cryptosporidium species is identified as an important cause of morbidity in children and adults. Prevalence rate as reported from various studies in India is much lower when compared to developed word. Present study was designed to analyze the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. Stool samples from 306 patients suffering with gastrointestinal symptoms were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. A higher prevalence (25%) was found when compared to reports from north east and western India. Cryptosporidium was prevalent in 35-36% of adults, 17% of children and 20% of infants.

Most plants grown in fields are colonized by diverse groups of rhizosphere bacteria that form beneficial or pathogenic relationships with their hosts. The root exudates encourage the development of beneficial bacterial communities in the root zone capable of producing secondary metabolites that improve plant growth and crop yield. These beneficial associations facilitate plant growth either by enhancing crop nutrition, releasing plant growth stimulating hormones, reducing damages caused by pathogens/pests by producing antibiotics, bacteriocins, siderophores, hydrolytic enzymes and other secondary metabolites or by improving resistance to environmental pollutants. Rhizosphere bacteria also supply biologically fixed nitrogen, solubilize bound phosphorus and may provide other nutrients, such as, potassium, iron and sulfur to plants. These beneficial associations hence, reduce the requirement of chemical fertilizers used for crop productivity. Moreover, some rhizobacteria are used to relieve the toxicity of metals and organic toxicants, either through stimulation of microbial degradation of pollutants in the rhizosphere, or by uptake of pollutants/toxicants by the plant. The inoculation of the legumes with such rhizosphere bacteria has often been found to increase symbiotic properties, plant biomass and yields under green house or field conditions. Tremendous progress has been made recently in characterizing the process of rhizosphere colonization, identification and cloning of bacterial genes involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, production of plant growth regulators and in suppression of plant diseases. The interactions/relationships of rhizosphere bacteria with their hosts and performance of wild-type and genetically manipulated beneficial bacterial populations are discussed for their efficient utilization in legume production under sustainable agriculture systems.

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa is a rare congenital form of localized gigantism, characterized by an increase in all mesenchymal elements, particularly fibroadipose tissue. The areas of predilection are segments supplied by the median or plantar nerves. We report such a rare case in a thirty four year old male patient, who presented with a swelling of the right upper limb and a marked increase in the size of the right thumb, index finger and radial half of the right hand, present since birth, with progressive increase to the present size. Amputation of the right thumb and debulking of the palm was done. The specimen measured 26 x 18 x 12 cms. and the thumb alone measured 13 x 7 x 7 cm. histology revealed hypertrophy of adipose tissue in the subcutaneous compartment and infiltration into the nerve sheaths and muscles.

Background: Blood transfusion service (BTS) is an integral part of health care system which primarily aims at providing adequate and safe blood. Transfusion transmitted infections (TTI) pose constant threat to safety of recipients of blood. Therefore all donated blood should be screened against these infections. Aims &objectives : This retrospective study was carried out to know seroprevalence of different Transfusion transmitted infections in healthy blood donors of Western U.P.to prevent transmission of diseases. Material and method : Blood units collected from healthy non remunerated , replacement and voluntary donors within blood bank premises of Sharda hospital, Greater Noida, over a period of 6 years(2007-2012) were screened against NACO recommended TTI- HIV, HBsAg, HCV, Syphilis and Malaria parasite. Results : Total donations were 9592. Out of which 330 donors were sero reactive and 18 showed co infections (dual infection). Seropositivity for HBsAg was present in 168 donors (1.75%), HCV - 116(1.208%), RPR for syphilis 52 (0.54%) and HIV - 12 cases (0.12%) . Majority of single and co infections were in 21-40 yrs age group .Co infection was present in 18 cases. RPR done for syphilis was a common positive marker in all 18 cases of co infection. Other infections were HBsAg -11 cases (61.1%), HCV - 6 cases (33.3%) and HIV - one case (5.55%). Conclusion : Blood bank should follow more stringent donor selection criteria and promote voluntary donation. Public awareness regarding mode of spread of TTI and judicious use of blood will reduce the threat of transfusion transmitted infections.