Production of first- and second-generation ethanol for use in alcohol-based hand sanitizers and disinfectants in India.

Emergence of "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)" causing "COVID-19" or "coronavirus disease 19" as pandemic has got worldwide attention towards hygiene as the first line of defense for the infection control. It is first line of defense not only from COVID-19 but also from other infectious diseases caused by deadly pathogens such as cholera, hepatitis, tuberculosis, polio, etc. Absence of any particular vaccine or treatment let World Health Organization (WHO) recommend to the public to maintain social distancing along with regularly washing their hands with soap, sanitize their hands (where washing is not possible), and disinfect their belongings and buildings to avoid the infection. Out of various formulations available in the market, WHO has recommended alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which mainly comprise of ethanol, isopropyl alcohols, and hydrogen peroxides in different combinations due to their high potential to kill the broad range of pathogens including bacterial, viral, fungal, helminthes, etc. Therefore, alcohol-based sanitizers are in high demand since centuries to prevent infection from pathogenic diseases. Ethanol is the most common and popular alcohol in terms of vanishing wide range of pathogens, convenient to use and its production. Ethanol is produced worldwide and is used in various sectors, e.g., beauty and cosmetics, food and beverages, and as the most demanding gasoline additive. The present review is focused on the ethanol production in India, its diversified applications emphasizing hand sanitizers with discussions on formulation of sanitizer and disinfectants, and viability of lignocellulosic and food grain-based ethanol. The review article also emphasizes on the technological details of 1G and 2G ethanol production, their associated challenges, and inputs for the improved ethanol yields so as to strengthen the supply chain of ethanol in India, and making "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-reliant India) campaign of Indian government successfully viable.

Polyphasic characterization of and genomic insights into a haloalkali-tolerant Saccharibacillus alkalitolerans sp. nov., that produces three cellulase isozymes and several antimicrobial compounds.

A cellulase producing novel bacterial strain VR-M41T was isolated from an open-air vegetable and fruit market. Cells are found to be rod-shaped, endospore forming, positive for Gram's stain and negative for catalase, oxidase and urease. Strain VR-M41T was halotolerant (upto 8.0% NaCl, w/v), motile and facultative anaerobe. It grew at wide range of pH (6.0-10.0) and temperatures (20-40 °C). Strain VR-M41T produced three isozymes of Carboxymethylcellulase. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain VR-M41T was 97.3% similar to both Saccharibacillus kuerlensis DSM 22868T and Saccharibacillus sacchari DSM 19268T, and less than 96.4% with the rest of the valid species of the genus Saccharibacillus. Whole-genome ANI, dDDH and genome phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that strain VR-M41T significantly differed from Saccharibacillus kuerlensis DSM 22868T and Saccharibacillus sacchari DSM 19268T (ANI 79.6-79.7% and dDDH 23.1%). The strain comprised of MK-7 and anteiso-C 15:0 (42.2%) as predominant isoprenoid quinone and fatty acid respectively. Major polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The draft genome of strain VR-M41T consisted of 5,386,426 base pairs with 5103 annotated genes, out of which 2147 corresponded to hypothetical proteins and 2956 with functional assignments. Pan-genome analysis revealed the presence of 2998 core genes, 828 accessory genes, and 1131 unique genes of Saccharibacillus. Strain VR-M41T produced antimicrobials against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Micrococcus luteus and Shigella flexneri. Significant phenotypic and genotypic differentiating characteristics from closely related species, indicated that strain VR-M41T is a novel species of the genus Saccharibacillus, for which the name Saccharibacillus alkalitolerans sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is VR-M41T (= KCTC 43183T=NBRC 114337T).

Description and genomic insights into a multidrug resistant novel bacterium Savagea serpentis sp. nov., isolated from the scats of a vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta).

Two Gram-stain positive, endospore forming, non-motile, rod shaped bacterial strains SN6T and SN6b were isolated from scats of a mildly venomous vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta). Strains were phenotypically resistant to multiple antibiotics of four different classes i.e. aminoglycosides, ß-lactams, fluoroquinolones and sulphonamides. Cells of both the strains were catalase positive and oxidase negative. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of these two strains showed closest similarity (99.2% and 99.3%) with Savagea faecisuis Con12T, the only species of the genus Savagea and ≤ 94.9% with the species of other closest genera of the family Planococcaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99%), DNA-DNA relatedness (95%) and similar phenotypic characteristics between the strains SN6T and SN6b revealed their phylogenetic affiliation to the same species. Hence, strain SN6b is an additional strain of the type strain SN6T. DNA-DNA relatedness of strain SN6T with S. faecisuis Con12T was 32.8%. Predominant fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (32.0%), iso-C16:1 ω11c (19.2%) and iso-C17:1 ω10c (12.1%). MK-6 (100%) was the only respiratory quinone of strain SN6T. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major polar lipids. Cell wall peptidoglycan was A4α; L-Lys-Gly-D-Glu type. The DNA G + C content (mol%) of SN6T was 40.8. Whole genome sequence of SN6T consisted of 26,37,389 base pairs in length with 2667 annotated genes, out of which 1021 corresponds to hypothetical proteins and 1646 with functional assignments including antibiotic resistance, multidrug resistance efflux pumps, invasion and virulence factors. Comparative polyphasic study of the strains SN6T, SN6b and S. faecisuis Con12T elucidated the differentiating characteristics which led to describing strain SN6T and SN6b as a novel species of the genus Savagea for which the name Savagea serpentis sp. nov is proposed. The type strain of Savagea serpentis is SN6T (= KCTC 33546T = CCUG 6786T).

Factors affecting nutritional status of Anganwadi children: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2015-16, 35.7% children below 5 years of age are underweight. In light of Malnutrition rates still remaining alarming in children, it becomes pertinent to elicit the factors that affect nutritional status of children. So, this study was undertaken. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining ethical approval from institutional ethics committee, data were collected on a pretested questionnaire. Information from mothers of 1085 children attending Anganwadi center in an urban block of Patiala was collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Among females, 35.85% were underweight, whereas the proportion for males was 28.68%. The proportion among immunized children who were underweight was 31.34%, whereas the proportion among unimmunized children was 38.91%. Those who received supplementary nutrition were also in more in numbers in normal weight range than those who did not. CONCLUSION: Gender, birth order, and immunization status of child are significantly associated with nutritional status. This study showed that prevalence of malnutrition was less among those who received supplementary nutrition as compared to ones who did not.

Perceptions and preferences regarding sex and contraception, amongst adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Conceptually and by the outlook, the reproductive and sexual health needs of adolescents differ from those of adults. Adolescent girls are coerced into unwanted sex or marriage, putting them at risk of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, and dangerous childbirth. A majority of young people do not have correct information on the use of contraceptives or the prevention of pregnancy and STIs, and youth-friendly reproductive health services are not readily available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study conducted among school-going 500 adolescent girls in the field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre, Tripuri, of Government Medical College, Patiala (Punjab). A survey with semi-structured, self-administered, and pretested questionnaire was conducted to collect the information on demographic characteristics, and knowledge and perceptions about safe sex. RESULTS: Only 39.71% of girls were aware that the legal age of marriage of girls in India is 18 years. About 22% of girls said that they would prefer to have pre-marital sex and majority, out of them, belonged to nuclear families. Around 38.4% of girls knew that condom is the safest contraceptive method but a preferred choice of contraceptive method among the girls for condoms (24.40%), oral pills (20.20%), and emergency pill (19.60%). CONCLUSION: Choice of the method with lower levels of knowledge regarding STIs and 22% preferring premarital sex may expose them to higher risks. Increasing trends of pre-marital sex with lower levels of awareness about contraception and STIs is very detrimental.

Effect of metformin on insulin levels, blood sugar, and body mass index in polycystic ovarian syndrome cases.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) presents as an extremely heterogeneous condition that includes chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, hyperlipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia along with enlarged polycystic ovaries. Insulin resistance is thought to be a pathogenic factor in women having PCOS along with increased incidence of metabolic disturbances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining ethical clearance, the girls of various colleges in Patiala were verbally sensitized to the symptoms of PCOS, and then given semistructured proformas subsequent to written informed consent. The students suspected on self-evaluation, and on evaluation of the proformas were investigated in the Out Patient Department, and patients reporting to Obstetrics and Gynecology Department with similar symptoms were also included after written informed consent. The patients were divided with simple randomization into two groups of 25 each. Group 1 (treatment group) was put on metformin therapy for three months (500 mg thrice a day), and Group 2 (control group) were given placebo thrice a day for the same duration. The patients were followed up after three months of metformin therapy (500 mg thrice a day) in Group 1, and placebo therapy in Group 2. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, blood glucose after 2 h of 75 g of glucose, and fasting serum insulin levels were assessed initially, and then after three months. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in the present study was 21.46 ± 4.45 years. About 54% patients in the present study had BMI ≥25 kg/m2. About 68% of the patients had menstrual irregularity and PCO on ultrasonography (USG). About 44% patients in Group 1 (metformin) had increased insulin levels initially (>20 µU/ml), which were decreased to 16% after three months of metformin therapy. About 52% patients in Group 2 had increased insulin levels that were decreased to 48% after the placebo therapy. CONCLUSION: It has been concluded from this study that metformin significantly lowers insulin levels in patients with PCOS; in both obese and nonobese; which points towards its potential usefulness in treatment of PCOS patients, though it had no significant effect on body mass index in 12 weeks.