Optimization and purification of laccase activity from Mammaliicoccus sciuri isolated from the soils of Similipal, Odisha, India: a kinetics study of crystal violet dye decolorization.

Four laccase-producing bacteria were found in soil samples from the Similipal Biosphere Reserve in Odisha, according to the current study. The isolates (SLCB1 to SLCB4) were evaluated for their laccase-producing ability in LB broth supplemented with guaiacol. The ABTS assay was performed to assess the laccase activity. The bacterium Mammaliicoccus sciuri shows the highest laccase activity i.e., 0.5125 U/L at the optimized conditions of pH 5.5, temperature 32.5 °C, ABTS concentration of 0.75 µl with an incubation time of 9 d. Laccase activity of M. sciuri grown in Sawdust was significantly increased in comparison to that in other agro wastes. The partially purified laccase enzyme after ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis showed a molecular weight of ∼58.5 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. A decolorization efficiency of 66.67% was recorded for the dye crystal violet after 1 h treatment with dialyzed laccase enzyme compared with phenol red, brilliant blue, and methylene blue.

Synergistic effect of PGPR and PSB for alleviation of chromium toxicity in Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek seedlings.

The current investigation depicts the individual and synergistic effects of two important plant growth promoting microbial groups viz. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) in alleviating the phytotoxic impacts of chromium in Vigna radiata (L) R. Wilczek (green gram) seedlings. Cr6+ (100 ppm) treatment caused a stiff decline of about 44%, 72%, 68%, and 49% reduction in root and shoot length as well as leaf number and leaf area respectively as compared to control after 90 d of exposure. However, combined amendment with PGPR and PSB causes a significant amelioration of Cr toxicity though doubling the shoot length and leaf area with a 4 times increase in root length and leaf number after 90 d of growth. Total chlorophyll synthesis showed a 68% reduction in Cr6+ (100 ppm) which was ameliorated by combined treatments of PGPR and PSB. It showed a 123% increased total chlorophyll content than Cr6+ (100 ppm) whereas individual application of PGPR and PSB showed a 46% and 27% increase respectively. Combined application of PGPR and PSB with a toxic dose of Cr showed significant boosting alleviation ability and indicates its ameliorative role for abatement of Cr-induced toxicity.

The present research work suggests the combined potential of PGPR and PSB in agriculture and can be adopted as a sustainable strategy for the alleviation of Cr toxicity stress in mining soil.

Mo(VI) Potential Metallodrugs: Explaining the Transport and Cytotoxicity by Chemical Transformations.

The transport and cytotoxicity of molybdenum-based drugs have been explained with the concept of chemical transformation, a very important idea in inorganic medicinal chemistry that is often overlooked in the interpretation of the biological activity of metal-containing systems. Two monomeric, [MoO2(L1)(MeOH)] (1) and [MoO2(L2)(EtOH)] (2), and two mixed-ligand dimeric MoVIO2 species, [{MoO2(L1-2)}2(µ-4,4'-bipy)] (3-4), were synthesized and characterized. The structures of the solid complexes were solved through SC-XRD, while their transformation in water was clarified by UV-vis, ESI-MS, and DFT. In aqueous solution, 1-4 lead to the penta-coordinated [MoO2(L1-2)] active species after the release of the solvent molecule (1 and 2) or removal of the 4,4'-bipy bridge (3 and 4). [MoO2(L1-2)] are stable in solution and react with neither serum bioligand nor cellular reductants. The binding affinity of 1-4 toward HSA and DNA were evaluated through analytical and computational methods and in both cases a non-covalent interaction is expected. Furthermore, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes was also determined and flow cytometry analysis showed the apoptotic death of the cancer cells. Interestingly, µ-4,4'-bipy bridged complexes 3 and 4 were found to be more active than monomeric 1 and 2, due to the mixture of species generated, that is [MoO2(L1-2)] and the cytotoxic 4,4'-bipy released after their dissociation. Since in the cytosol neither the reduction of MoVI to MoV/IV takes place nor the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through Fenton-like reactions of 1-4 with H2O2 occurs, the mechanism of cytotoxicity should be attributable to the direct interaction with DNA that happens with a minor-groove binding which results in cell death through an apoptotic mechanism.

Intricacies in characterizing positivity in pooled sample testing for SARS-CoV-2.

The unprecedented demand for testing for the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has led to an acute shortage and limited availability of test reagents for which pooling of samples has been recommended in areas with low prevalence. Considering the possibility of dilution factor in pool testing, an attempt was made to find out possibility of any true positive samples in pools with late amplification. The study was conducted on samples received from various collection centers in different districts of Odisha as well as from patients attending the screening clinic or admitted in COVID ward of the hospital. Nasal/nasopharyngeal/throat swabs received in viral transport media in cold chain were subjected to Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing in a Biosafety Laboratory level-2 by including uniform volume of four units (samples) per pool. All confirmed and probable positive pools in screening assay were de-convoluted and individual samples tested for confirmatory assay. Inclusion of an additional criteria of probable positive pool (Ct value >35 with non-sigmoid amplification curve or showing a line of amplification towards the end of the cycle) yielded 39 (15.5%) more true positive samples out of a total of 251 positive samples that would otherwise have been missed if only the classical criteria of positive (Ct within 35 with proper sigmoid curve) had been considered. The study highlights the importance of considering any indication of late amplification in the RT-PCR test to label a pool as positive to avoid missing any true positive sample in the pool.

Water-Soluble Dioxidovanadium(V) Complexes of Aroylhydrazones: DNA/BSA Interactions, Hydrophobicity, and Cell-Selective Anticancer Potential.

Five new anionic aqueous dioxidovanadium(V) complexes, [{VO2L1,2}A(H2O)n]α (1-5), with the aroylhydrazone ligands pyridine-4-carboxylic acid (3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazide (H2L1) and furan-2-carboxylic acid (3-ethoxy-2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazide (H2L2) incorporating different alkali metals (A = Na+, K+, Cs+) as countercation were synthesized and characterized by various physicochemical techniques. The solution-phase stabilities of 1-5 were determined by time-dependent NMR and UV-vis, and also the octanol/water partition coefficients were obtained by spectroscopic techniques. X-ray crystallography of 2-4 confirmed the presence of vanadium(V) centers coordinated by two cis-oxido-O atoms and the O, N, and O atoms of a dianionic tridentate ligand. To evaluate the biological behavior, all complexes were screened for their DNA/protein binding propensity through spectroscopic experiments. Finally, a cytotoxicity study of 1-5 was performed against colon (HT-29), breast (MCF-7), and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines and a noncancerous NIH-3T3 cell line. The cytotoxicity was cell-selective, being more active against HT-29 than against other cells. In addition, the role of hydrophobicity in the cytotoxicity was explained in that an optimal hydrophobicity is essential for high cytotoxicity. Moreover, the results of wound-healing assays indicated antimigration in case of HT-29 cells. Remarkably, 1 with an IC50 value of 5.42 ± 0.15 µM showed greater activity in comparison to cisplatin against the HT-29 cell line.

Phytoperspective of Moringa oleifera for oral health care: An innovative ethnomedicinal approach.

The present era accentuate the use of alternative medicines as drugs extracted from several plant parts. These herbal medicines otherwise called ethnomedicines are now the source of many imperative drugs in this contemporary world. Furthermore with ever rising oral problems by luxurious lifestyle in this modern society, there is a soaring need for use of potent medicinal plants like horse radish (Moringa oleifera Lam.) against various oral ailments. Therefore, use of herbal medicines in reducing the adverse effects of various conventional allopathic medicines and harmful side effects of conventional antibiotics has emerged as an evolved technique in pharmaceutical science. The present review emphasizes the antipathogenic potentiality of M. oleifera along with their known therapeutic properties through biologically active compounds (phytoconstituents) and ethnomedicinal uses. Various ethno-pharmacological studies of the plant parts with their nutritional value and multifarious medicinal uses including oral health care are being quoted in present review. This review will foster future research on phytoconstituent analysis, bioefficacy assessment for oral micro flora and ethno-pharmaceutical importance of M. oleifera in the field of medical science with special reference to dentistry. Consequently, this innovative ethnomedicinal approach for oral health care may supplement the modern medicine through its potent phytoconstituents.

Probing CO Generation through Metal-Assisted Alcohol Dehydrogenation in Metal-2-(arylazo)phenol Complexes Using Isotopic Labeling (Metal = Ru, Ir): Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity Studies.

The reaction of 2-{2-(benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl)- diazo}-4-methylphenol (HL) with [Ru(PPh3)3Cl2] in ethanol resulted in the carbonylated ruthenium complex [RuL(PPh3)2(CO)] (1), wherein metal-assisted decarbonylation via in situ ethanol dehydrogenation is observed. When the reaction was performed in acetonitrile, however, the complex [RuL(PPh3)2(CH3CN)] (2) was obtained as the main product, probably by trapping of a common intermediate through coordination of CH3CN to the Ru(II) center. The analogous reaction of HL with [Ir(PPh3)3Cl] in ethanol did not result in ethanol decarbonylation and instead gave the organoiridium hydride complex [IrL(PPh3)2(H)] (3). Unambiguous evidence for the generation of CO via ruthenium-assisted ethanol oxidation is provided by the synthesis of the 13C-labeled complex, [Ru(PPh3)2L(13CO)] (1A) using isotopically labeled ethanol, CH313CH2OH. To summarize all the evidence, a ruthenium-assisted mechanistic pathway for the decarbonylation and generation of alkane via alcohol dehydrogenation is proposed. In addition, the in vitro antiproliferative activity of complexes 1-3 was tested against human cervical (HeLa) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines. Complexes 1-3 showed impressive cytotoxicity against both HeLa (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 3.84-4.22 µM) and HT-29 cancer cells (IC50 values between 3.3 and 4.5 µM). Moreover, the complexes were comparatively less toxic to noncancerous NIH-3T3 cells.

New VIV, VIVO, VVO, and VVO2 Systems: Exploring their Interconversion in Solution, Protein Interactions, and Cytotoxicity.

The synthesis and characterization of one oxidoethoxidovanadium(V) [VVO(L1)(OEt)] (1) and two nonoxidovanadium(IV) complexes, [VIV(L2-3)2] (2 and 3), with aroylhydrazone ligands incorporating naphthalene moieties, are reported. The synthesized oxido and nonoxido vanadium complexes are characterized by various physicochemical techniques, and their molecular structures are solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD). This revealed that in 1 the geometry around the vanadium atom corresponds to a distorted square pyramid, with a O4N coordination sphere, whereas that of the two nonoxido VIV complexes 2 and 3 corresponds to a distorted trigonal prismatic arrangement with a O4N2 coordination sphere around each "bare" vanadium center. In aqueous solution, the VVO moiety of 1 undergoes a change to VVO2 species, yielding [VVO2(L1)]- (1'), while the nonoxido VIV-compounds 2 and 3 are partly converted into their corresponding VIVO complexes, [VIVO(L2-3)(H2O)] (2' and 3'). Interaction of these VVO2, VIVO, and VIV systems with two model proteins, ubiquitin (Ub) and lysozyme (Lyz), is investigated through docking approaches, which suggest the potential binding sites: the interaction is covalent for species 2' and 3', with the binding to Glu16, Glu18, and Asp21 for Ub, and His15 for Lyz, and it is noncovalent for species 1', 2, and 3, with the surface residues of the proteins. The ligand precursors and complexes are also evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against ovarian (A2780) and prostate (PC3) human cancer cells and in normal fibroblasts (V79) to check the selectivity of the compounds for cancer cells.

Phytoassessment of in situ weed diversity for their chromium distribution pattern and accumulation indices of abundant weeds at South Kaliapani chromite mining area with their phytoremediation prospective.

Release of huge quantities of toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) owing to its widespread use in several industrial and mining activities is a major environmental concern in 21st century. The present in situ vegetation analysis at three study sites gives insight on Cr hyperaccumulation potentiality which evaluates the phytoremediation ability of abundant native weeds growing in and around the Cr contaminated effluent discharge site at South Kaliapani chromite mine area, Odisha, India. Moreover, the study measure the relative bioconcentration of chromium in different plant parts with analysis of uptake related phytoremediation indices viz. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), Transportation index (Ti), Translocation factor (TF) and Metal Extraction Ratio (MER) to assess hyperaccumulation potentiality. Vegetation study near mine effluent discharge site (Site-1) reported maximum abundance for Diectomis fastigiata (8.25) followed by Vernonia cinerea (7.6) with Ti values 56 and 657 respectively. In site-2 (uncultivated barren land near site-1), Croton sparsiflorus showed maximum abundance (6.7) followed by Tephrosia purpurea (5.8) with Ti values 95.2 and 87.8 respectively whereas Kyllinga monocephala reported maximum abundance (6.1) followed by Fern sps. (5.9) with Ti values 62.4 and 81.1 respectively in site-3 (a swampy land flooded with chemically treated mine waste effluent). The highest Cr concentrations was recorded in roots of Diectomis fastigiata (2371 mg/kg dry matter) and shoot of Vernonia cinerea (5500 mg/kg dry matter) indicating their Cr phytoremediation potential. Moreover, the study provides the early indicative tools for detecting native Cr hyperaccumulators growing in an in situ environment with an in situ phytoremediation perspective.

Anionic Dinuclear Oxidovanadium(IV) Complexes with Azo Functionalized Tridentate Ligands and µ-Ethoxido Bridge Leading to an Unsymmetric Twisted Arrangement: Synthesis, X-ray Structure, Magnetic Properties, and Cytotoxicity.

The synthesis of ethoxido-bridged dinuclear oxidovanadium(IV) complexes of the general formula (HNEt3)[(VOL1-3)2(µ-OEt)] (1-3) with the azo dyes 2-(2'-carboxy-5'-X-phenylazo)-4-methylphenol (H2L1, X = H; H2L2, X = NO2) and 2-(2'-carboxy-5'-Br-phenylazo)-2-naphthol (H2L3) as ligands is reported. The ligands differ in the substituents at the phenyl ring to probe their influence on the redox behavior, biological activity, and magnetochemistry of the complexes, for which the results are presented and discussed. All synthesized ligands and vanadium(IV) complexes have been characterized by various physicochemical techniques, namely, elemental analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, spectroscopic methods (UV/vis and IR), and cyclic voltammetry. X-ray crystallography of 1 and 3 revealed the presence of a twisted arrangement of the edged-shared bridging core unit. In agreement with the distorted nature of the twisted core, antiferromagnetic exchange interactions were observed between the vanadium(IV) centers of the dinuclear complexes with a superexchange mechanism operative. These results have been verified by DFT calculations. The complexes were also screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity against HeLa and HT-29 cancer cell lines. The results indicated that all the synthesized vanadium(IV) complexes (1-3) were cytotoxic in nature and were specific to a particular cell type. Complex 1 was found to be the most potent against HeLa cells (IC50 value 1.92 µM).

Versatile Reactivity and Theoretical Evaluation of Mono- and Dinuclear Oxidovanadium(V) Compounds of Aroylazines: Electrogeneration of Mixed-Valence Divanadium(IV,V) Complexes.

The substituted hydrazones H2L(1-4) (L(1-4) = dibasic tridentate ONO(2-) donor ligands) obtained by the condensation of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and 2-aminobenzoylhydrazine (H2hnal-abhz) (H2L(1)) , 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and 2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazine (H2hnal-hbhz) (H2L(2)), 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone and benzoylhydrazine (H2han-bhz) (H2L(3)), or 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone and 2-aminobenzoylhydrazine (H2han-abhz) (H2L(4)) are prepared and characterized. Reaction of ammonium vanadate with the appropriate H2L(1-4) results in the formation of oxidoethoxidovanadium(V) [V(V)O(OEt)(L(1-4))] (1-4) complexes. All compounds are characterized in the solid state and in solution by spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV-vis, (1)H, (13)C, and (51)V NMR, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1, 3, and 4 confirms the coordination of the corresponding ligands in the dianionic (ONO(2-)) enolate tautomeric form. In solution, the structurally characterized [V(V)O(OEt)(L)] compounds transform into the monooxido-bridged divanadium(V,V) [(V(V)OL)2-µ-O] complexes, with the processes being studied by IR and (1)H, (13)C, and (51)V NMR. The density functional theory (DFT) calculated Gibbs free energy of reaction 2[V(V)O(OEt)(L(4))] + H2O ⇆ [(V(V)OL(4))2-µ-O] + 2EtOH is only 2-3 kcal mol(-1), indicating that the dinuclear complexes may form in a significant amount. The electrochemical behavior of the complexes is investigated by cyclic voltammetry, with the V(V)-V(IV) E1/2(red) values being in the range 0.27-0.44 V (vs SCE). Upon controlled potential electrolysis, the corresponding (L)(O)V(IV)-O-V(V)(O)(L) mixed-valence species are obtained upon partial reduction of the [(V(V)OL)2-µ-O] complexes formed in solution, and some spectroscopic characteristics of these dinuclear mixed-valence complexes are investigated using DFT calculations and by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), with the formation of V(IV)-O-V(V) species being confirmed by the observation of a 15-line pattern in the EPR spectra at room temperature.

Chromium translocation, concentration and its phytotoxic impacts in in vivo grown seedlings of Sesbania sesban L. Merrill.

The present in vivo pot culture study showed hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) induced phytotoxic impacts and its translocation potential in 21 days old sesban (Sesbania sesban L. Merrill.) seedlings. Cr+6 showed significant growth retardation in 21 days old sesban (Sesbania sesban L. Merrill.) seedlings. Germination of seeds at 10,000 mg L-1 of Cr+6 exhibit 80% inhibition in germination. Seedling survival was 67% after 7 days of seedling exposure to 300 mg kg-1 of Cr+6. Shoot phytotoxicity was enhanced from 6% to 31% with elevated supply of Cr+6 from 10 mg kg-1 to 300 mg kg-1. Elevated supply of Cr+6 exhibited increasing and decreasing trends in % phytotoxicity and seedling tolerance index, respectively. Elevated supply of chromium showed decreased chlorophyll and catalase activities. Peroxidase activities in roots and leaves were significantly higher at increased supply of Cr+6. Cr bioconcentration in roots was nearly 10 times more than stems whereas leaves showed nearly double accumulation than stems. Tissue specific chromium bioaccumulation showed 53 and 12 times more in roots and shoots respectively at 300 mg kg-1 Cr+6 than control. The present study reveals potential of sesban for effective Cr translocation from roots to shoots as evident from their translocation factor and Total Accumulation Rate values.

Molecular characterization of coxsackievirus A24 variants isolated from an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: Acute Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) is associated with CVA24v. Recently there was a severe outbreak of conjunctivitis in months of July and August 2023 in India. This study emphasizes the identification of the distinct mutations in the CVA24v strains, which were isolated during the AHC outbreak and could have potentially played a role in the high transmission of AHC in India during the 2023 outbreak. METHODS: A total of 71 conjunctivitis patients aged 1-75 years comprising 47 males and 24 females who attended Ophthalmology department of a tertiary care hospital of easternIndia were studied.RNA was extracted from all conjunctival swab samples and converted into cDNA. Subsequently, the viral 5' UTR was amplified and the PCR positive samples were subjected to sequencing. The newly isolated viral 5' UTR sequences were aligned with other worldwide sequences using the Clustal W tool to conduct mutational analysis. A phylogenetic tree was built using the MEGA software for viral genotype identification. RESULTS: All of the current outbreak strains belonged to genotype IV of CVA24v. The present outbreak strains formed a distinct clade in the phylogenetic tree and were different from previously reported Indian strains. Two persistent mutations, specifically in domain IV (T213C) and domain V (C475T), were exclusively detected within the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of the 5' UTR of the current strains causing the outbreak. These two alterations have previously been shown to impact the virulence of another enterovirus (CV B3), but they have not been described in CVA24v until now. CONCLUSION: Finding of the present study highlights the possibility and the significance of the aforementioned two mutations in enhancing the transmissibility of the newer CVA24v strains. Hence, these two distinct mutations should be investigated further for developing antiviral therapies to combat future AHC outbreaks associated with CVA24v.

Pathogenic Role of Human Rhinovirus Mono-Infection in Pediatric Lower Respiratory Tract Infection.

Background and objective Human rhinovirus (HRV) is one of the leading causes of pediatric respiratory tract infection with a prevalence rate of 30-50%, mostly affecting children below five years of age and causing a substantial amount of economic loss. In children, it can alone or as a co-infection, cause a wide range of symptoms from mild to life-threatening ones. With the above background, the current study was carried out to emphasize the role of HRV mono-infection in pediatric acute respiratory tract infections by correlating clinical and molecular laboratory findings. Methods This study was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital over a duration of four years (March 2019-October 2023). Children up to 14 years of age visiting the outpatient department or admitted to the ward with diagnoses of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) were included. The clinical and laboratory data were retrieved and analyzed. A nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) or throat swab (TS) was collected and sent to the Microbiology laboratory maintaining the cold chain. Nucleic acid was extracted and subjected to multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result Of the 245 samples tested for the respiratory viral pathogen, 52 samples tested positive for HRV, of which 27 had HRV mono-infection. The clinico-demographic details of these 27 patients were studied in detail. The majority of the cases (24/27; 88.8%) were less than five years of age. Fever and shortness of breath were the most consistent symptoms in all. Nineteen (19/27; 62.9%) HRV mono-infection cases had underlying co-morbidities, all requiring respiratory support. The HRV mono-infection cases either developed bronchiolitis, lower respiratory tract infection, or pneumonia. All mono-infection cases had cycle threshold value (Ct) < 25, while the Ct value of HRV was > 30 in co-infection with other viruses. Conclusion Mono-infection of HRV in under-five children with underlying comorbidities and a lesser Ct value indicates severe disease manifestation and should be dealt with more cautiously.

Physico-chemical assessment of paper mill effluent and its heavy metal remediation using aquatic macrophytes--a case study at JK Paper mill, Rayagada, India.

The present investigation aims to assess the phytoremediation potential of six aquatic macrophytes, viz. Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla verticillata, Jussiaea repens, Lemna minor, Pistia stratiotes and Trapa natans grown in paper mill effluent of JK Paper mill of Rayagada, Orissa, for remediation of heavy metals. The experiment was designed in pot culture experiments. Assessment of physico-chemical parameters of paper mill effluent showed significant decrease in pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, chlorine, sulphur, biological and chemical oxygen demand after growth of macrophytes for 20 days. Phytoremediation ability of these aquatic macrophytic species for copper (Cu) and mercury (Hg) was indicated by assessing the decrease in the levels of heavy metals from effluent water. Maximum reduction (66.5 %) in Hg content of untreated paper mill effluent was observed using L. minor followed by T. natans (64.8 %). L. minor showed highest reduction (71.4 %) of Cu content from effluent water followed by E. crassipes (63.6 %). Phytoextraction potential of L. minor was remarkable for Hg and Cu, and bioaccumulation was evident from bioconcentration factor values, i.e. 0.59 and 0.70, respectively. The present phytoremediation approach was considered more effective than conventional chemical treatment method for removing toxic contaminants from paper mill effluent.

The Threat of Impending Pandemics: A Proactive Approach.

The incessant occurrence of devastating health-related events, either on a large scale, such as pandemics, or in a local community in the form of sporadic outbreaks due to infectious agents, warrants a rapid, target-oriented, well-organized response team to combat the demonic consequences. While the world has been recovering from the clutches of the recent disastrous COVID-19 pandemic, the struggles against novel emerging and re-emerging pathogens such as monkeypox (mpox), newer evolving strains of influenza, Ebola, Zika, and the yellow fever virus continue to date. Therefore, a multisectoral, intercontinental, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and highly dedicated approach should always be implemented to achieve optimal health and avert future threats.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Among Healthcare Practitioners in the Context of Multidrug Resistance Tuberculosis: An Appraisal to Disease Elimination.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading infectious causes of death worldwide, and India is among the countries with the highest TB burden. TB control is facing several roadblocks in our country with the rapid development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) as well as extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR) and as an after-effect of the global COVID-19 pandemic. With the target of TB elimination by 2025 (National Tuberculosis Elimination Program, NTEP), there is a need that treating physicians in our country be well aware of MDR-TB and be able to diagnose and treat it at an appropriate time. The present study is conducted to explore the knowledge levels, attitudes, and practices concerning MDR-TB amongst healthcare professionals working in different healthcare sectors. METHODS: A total of 250 allopathic medical practitioners (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery [MBBS], specialists, and superspecialists) working in any sector (private or government), who are directly involved in managing any form of TB patient and are willing to undertake the assessment, were included in this online questionnaire-based survey that was circulated using various social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Linked In, and Gmail. Responses to the questionnaires created in Google Forms were analyzed by capturing data in a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet for further statistical analysis. The data were analyzed using multiple measures of dispersion and cross-tabulations. RESULTS: Among the 250 participants, most of the participants had encountered MDR-TB in their clinical practice, and the majority believe that MDR-TB is a rising problem. Although 88% of the participants did a GeneXpert assay before the start of anti-tubercular therapy (ATT), three-fourths of the participants knew that the assay detects the MTB genome and rifampicin resistance. MDR-TB was suspected in participants after no clinical improvement was observed after 3-6 weeks of a trial of ATT. Two-thirds of the participants knew that linezolid is currently being used as a second-line drug for the treatment of MDR- TB. The respondents in our survey mostly do not themselves treat MDR-TB and refer the patients to an MDR-TB center or a pulmonary medicine specialist. CONCLUSION: Healthcare practitioners (HCPs) with good knowledge levels can diagnose and treat TB patients appropriately, thus decreasing the rising MDR-TB problem, and they can educate patients and the general population about TB and the emerging MDR-TB situation. With the current level of knowledge about MDR-TB management, there is certainly an urgent need for educational and persuasive measures for the training of doctors in both the public and private sectors so as to achieve TB elimination by 2025.

Phytoefficacy of Eicchornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub for aqua-remediation of hexavalent chromium in chromite mine effluent of South Kaliapani, Odisha, India.

A huge quantity of toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI or Cr6+) was released into the environment through mine effluent at the South Kaliapani chromite mining area during different mining activities. The present in situ bioremediation approach was conducted to assess the remediation potential of a well-known aquatic weed water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub) for attenuating Cr(VI) from mine wastewater. The study correlates the bio-concentration factors (BCF) of Cr with the reduction percentage. The percent reduction of Cr content in mine effluent was maximum (53.5%) at 100 days after treatment (DAT) followed by 40.7% at 75 DAT after passage through 2000 sq. ft area covering four water hyacinth-populated (1350 plants) ponds. Reduction in Cr content of OMC discharged mine effluent varies with plant age as well as with the distance of passage. A constant increase in root biomass was recorded with increased passage distance and days of treatment of contaminated mine effluent. The plants could not survive after 125 days of treatment but could show an increasing trend in shoot biomass up to 100 DAT. After 75 days of treatment, it was noted that Cr concentration in roots decreased from 200 to 148 ppm and from 76 to 21 ppm in shoots after passage through the 2000 sq. ft area at 100 DAT. Water hyacinth roots exhibit maximum Cr bioaccumulation at 75 DAT, whereas this was highest in shoots at 100 DAT.

Long-segment Continuous Multi-level Spinal Tuberculosis without Bony Destruction Leading to Rapid Paraplegia in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Introduction: Spinal tuberculosis (STB) accounts for 1% of all tuberculosis (TB) cases and 50% of skeletal TB. The classic presentation is a paradiscal involvement leading to the destruction of bodies, progressive kyphosis that can end with neurological weakness. The advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has made detection early but at the same time, we find multilevel involvement which can be continuous/noncontinuous. Case Report: A 26-year-old male, non-alcoholic, non-smoker presented with complete paraplegia involving the bladder and bowel. His clinical examination did not show any gibbus. He was started on empirical antitubercular therapy and then referred to us as he failed to show improvement. An MRI of the spine showed extensive long-segment continuous spinal involvement with epidural abscess. The patient was taken for surgery with posterior decompression and instrumentation which was proven to be TB. He received complete treatment of 1 year and had complete recovery of his sensory and incomplete recovery of motor of lower limbs (became a wheelchair ambulator) with regain of bowel and bladder control at the end of treatment. Conclusion: This case report revealed that long-segment continuous STB without extensive destruction is atypical presentation. The clinical findings of paraplegia helped us to evaluate and clinch the diagnosis on MRI. However, the prognosis of rapid paraplegia remains guarded and patient had partial recovery of motor so he could become wheel chair ambulator only.

Human Bocavirus infection in childhood acute respiratory infection: Is it an innocent bystander?

PURPOSE: Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is one of the major attributing factors of under-five mortality and morbidity all over the world. Viruses are the most common cause of ARI. Due to the availability of molecular techniques, new viruses are getting isolated from children with ARI. With the above background, the present study was conducted to enlighten on the pathogenic role of human bocavirus (HBoV) in children with ARI. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study was conducted over a period of >3 years duration. The clinical and laboratory data of the patients with signs and symptoms of ARI were retrieved and analyzed. Clinical profiles and outcome of the patients detected of having HBoV mono or co-infections were further analyzed in details. RESULTS: A total of 237 respiratory samples were subjected to respiratory panel by fast track diagnosis (FTD) multiplex polymerase chain reaction (multiplex PCR), of which 10 samples (mono-infection â€‹= â€‹4) were detected with the presence of HBoV. The clinical details of 8 cases were studied in details (details of rest 2 cases were missing). All the children were less than 3 years of age, with different co-morbid conditions such as low birth weight (n â€‹= â€‹4), cholestatic jaundice (n â€‹= â€‹1), operated case of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n â€‹= â€‹1), pancytopenia (n â€‹= â€‹1), and primary immune deficiency (n â€‹= â€‹1). Their clinical course did not improve following antibiotic administration, 2 succumbed to death while the rest 6 cases were discharged. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights the fact that HBoV may not be an innocent bystander in the childhood ARI. Larger studies employing appropriate diagnostic modalities are needed to emboss it as a true pathogen and not merely a bystander.