A human septin octamer complex sensitive to membrane curvature drives membrane deformation with a specific mesh-like organization.

Septins are cytoskeletal proteins interacting with the inner plasma membrane and other cytoskeletal partners. Being key in membrane remodeling processes, they often localize at specific micrometric curvatures. To analyze the behavior of human septins at the membrane and decouple their role from other partners, we used a combination of bottom-up in vitro methods. We assayed their ultrastructural organization, their curvature sensitivity, as well as their role in membrane reshaping. On membranes, human septins organize into a two-layered mesh of orthogonal filaments, instead of generating parallel sheets of filaments observed for budding yeast septins. This peculiar mesh organization is sensitive to micrometric curvature and drives membrane reshaping as well. The observed membrane deformations together with the filamentous organization are recapitulated in a coarse-grained computed simulation to understand their mechanisms. Our results highlight the specific organization and behavior of animal septins at the membrane as opposed to those of fungal proteins.

Predicting Rubisco-Linker Condensation from Titration in the Dilute Phase.

The condensation of Rubisco holoenzymes and linker proteins into "pyrenoids," a crucial supercharger of photosynthesis in algae, is qualitatively understood in terms of "sticker-and-spacer" theory. We derive semianalytical partition sums for small Rubisco-linker aggregates, which enable the calculation of both dilute-phase titration curves and dimerization diagrams. By fitting the titration curves to surface plasmon resonance and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy data, we extract the molecular properties needed to predict dimerization diagrams. We use these to estimate typical concentrations for condensation, and successfully compare these to microscopy observations.

Concentration-Dependent Diffusion of Monoclonal Antibodies: Underlying Mechanisms of Anomalous Diffusion.

The development, storage, transport, and subcutaneous delivery of highly concentrated monoclonal antibody formulations pose significant challenges due to the high solution viscosity and low diffusion of the antibody molecules in crowded environments. These issues often stem from the self-associating behavior of the antibody molecules, potentially leading to aggregation. In this work, we used a dissipative particle dynamics-based coarse-grained model to investigate the diffusion behavior of IgG1 antibody molecules in aqueous solutions with 15 and 32 mM NaCl and antibody concentrations ranging from 10 to 400 mg/mL. We determined the coarse-grained interaction parameters by matching the calculated structure factor with the computational and experimental data from the literature. Our results indicate Fickian diffusion for antibody concentrations of 10 and 25 mg/mL and anomalous diffusion for concentrations exceeding 50 mg/mL. The anomalous diffusion was observed for ∼0.33 to 0.4 µs, followed by Fickian diffusion for all antibody concentrations. We observed a strong linear correlation between the diffusion behavior of the antibody molecules (diffusion coefficient D and anomalous diffusion exponent α) and the amount of aggregates present in the solution and between the amount of aggregates and the Coulomb interaction energy. The investigation of underlying mechanisms for anomalous diffusion revealed that in crowded environments at high antibody concentrations, the attractive interaction between electrostatically complementary regions of the antibody molecules could further bring the neighboring molecules closer to one another, ultimately resulting in aggregate formation. Further, the Coulomb attraction can continue to draw more molecules together, forming larger aggregates.

Mapping malaria vectors and insecticide resistance in a high-endemic district of Haryana, India: implications for vector control strategies.

BACKGROUND: Achieving effective control and elimination of malaria in endemic regions necessitates a comprehensive understanding of local mosquito species responsible for malaria transmission and their susceptibility to insecticides. METHODS: The study was conducted in the highly malaria prone Ujina Primary Health Center of Nuh (Mewat) district of Haryana state of India. Monthly entomological surveys were carried out for adult mosquito collections via indoor resting collections, light trap collections, and pyrethrum spray collections. Larvae were also collected from different breeding sites prevalent in the region. Insecticide resistance bioassay, vector incrimination, blood meal analysis was done with the collected vector mosquitoes. RESULTS: A total of 34,974 adult Anopheles mosquitoes were caught during the survey period, out of which Anopheles subpictus was predominant (54.7%). Among vectors, Anopheles stephensi was predominant (15.5%) followed by Anopheles culicifacies (10.1%). The Human Blood Index (HBI) in the case of An. culicifacies and An. stephensi was 6.66 and 9.09, respectively. Vector incrimination results revealed Plasmodium vivax positivity rate of 1.6% for An. culicifacies. Both the vector species were found resistant to DDT, malathion and deltamethrin. CONCLUSION: The emergence of insecticide resistance in both vector species, compromises the effectiveness of commonly used public health insecticides. Consequently, the implementation of robust insecticide resistance management strategies becomes imperative. To effectively tackle the malaria transmission, a significant shift in vector control strategies is warranted, with careful consideration and adaptation to address specific challenges encountered in malaria elimination efforts.

Defining the Macromolecules of Tomorrow through Synergistic Sustainable Polymer Research.

Transforming how plastics are made, unmade, and remade through innovative research and diverse partnerships that together foster environmental stewardship is critically important to a sustainable future. Designing, preparing, and implementing polymers derived from renewable resources for a wide range of advanced applications that promote future economic development, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability are all central to these efforts. In this Chemical Reviews contribution, we take a comprehensive, integrated approach to summarize important and impactful contributions to this broad research arena. The Review highlights signature accomplishments across a broad research portfolio and is organized into four wide-ranging research themes that address the topic in a comprehensive manner: Feedstocks, Polymerization Processes and Techniques, Intended Use, and End of Use. We emphasize those successes that benefitted from collaborative engagements across disciplinary lines.

Site-specific electronic structure of covalently linked bimetallic dyads from nitrogen K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy.

A nitrogen K-edge x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) survey is presented for tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3″,2″-h:2‴,3‴-j]phenazine (tpphz)-bridged bimetallic assemblies that couple chromophore and catalyst transition metal complexes for light driven catalysis, as well as their individual molecular constituents. We demonstrate the high N site sensitivity of the N pre-edge XANES features, which are energetically well-separated for the phenazine bridge N atoms and for the individual metal-bound N atoms of the inner coordination sphere ligands. By comparison with the time-dependent density functional theory calculated spectra, we determine the origins of these distinguishable spectral features. We find that metal coordination generates large shifts toward higher energy for the metal-bound N atoms, with increasing shift for 3d < 4d < 5d metal bonding. This is attributed to increasing ligand-to-metal σ donation that increases the effective charge of the bound N atoms and stabilizes the N 1s core electrons. In contrast, the phenazine bridge N pre-edge peak is found at a lower energy due to stabilization of the low energy electron accepting orbital localized on the phenazine motif. While no sensitivity to ground state electronic coupling between the individual molecular subunits was observed, the spectra are sensitive to structural distortions of the tpphz bridge. These results demonstrate N K-edge XANES as a local probe of electronic structure in large bridging ligand motifs, able to distinctly investigate the ligand-centered orbitals involved in metal-to-ligand and ligand-to-ligand electron transfer following light absorption.

Self-assembly of shell protein and native enzyme in a crowded environment leads to catalytically active phase condensates.

The self-assembly of bacterial microcompartments is the result of several genetic, biochemical, and physical stimuli orchestrating inside the bacterial cell. In this work, we use 1,2-propanediol utilization microcompartments as a paradigm to identify the factors that physically drive the self-assembly of MCP proteins in vitro using its major shell protein and major encapsulated enzyme. We find that a major shell protein PduBB' tends to self-assemble under macromolecular crowded environment and suitable ionic strength. Microscopic visualization and biophysical studies reveal phase separation to be the principle mechanism behind the self-association of shell protein in the presence of salts and macromolecular crowding. The shell protein PduBB' interacts with the enzyme diol-dehydratase PduCDE and co-assemble into phase separated liquid droplets. The co-assembly of PduCDE and PduBB' results in the enhancement of catalytic activity of the enzyme. The shell proteins that make up PduBB' (PduB and PduB') have contrasting self-assembly behavior. While N-terminal truncated PduB' has a high self-associating property and forms solid assemblies that separates out of solution, the longer component of the shell protein PduBM38L is more soluble and shows least tendency to undergo phase separation. A combination of spectroscopic, imaging and biochemical techniques shows the relevance of divalent cation Mg2+ in providing stability to intact PduMCP. Together our results suggest a combination of protein-protein interactions and phase separation guiding the self-assembly of Pdu shell protein and enzyme in the solution phase.

Influence of climatic factors on the life stages of Aedes mosquitoes and vectorial transmission: A review.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are two sympatric mosquito species that compete with each other for resources when their breeding habitats overlap. This study examines what happens when sympatric Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes' mate with each other and other species by looking at insemination rates, fecundity, and hatchability rate. METHODS: We performed controlled mating experiments in laboratory setting, assessing both conspecific and interspecific crosses. We measured insemination rates, egg numbers, and hatching success to examine the reproductive interference dynamics between these two distinct mosquito species. RESULTS: In the context of conspecific mating, it was observed that both female Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus exhibited high insemination rates, with percentages of 98% and 94%, respectively. However, interspecific mating exhibited interesting asymmetries: Ae. albopictus males achieved a notable insemination success rate of 28% when mating with Ae. aegypti females, while Ae. aegypti males achieved only 8% insemination success with Ae. albopictus females. Additionally, females that mated with interspecific males had reduced production of viable eggs compared to conspecific mating. Most notably, interspecific mating resulted in the production of infertile eggs, while conspecific mating led to successful hatching. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION: The study reveals that, Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus can asymmetrically interfere with each other's reproduction, causing a 'satyr' effect. This understanding of interspecific competition and reproductive interference in these mosquito species could impact their coexistence in shared breeding habitats.

IL-8 correlates with nonresponse to neoadjuvant nivolumab in HPV positive HNSCC via a potential extracellular vesicle miR-146a mediated mechanism.

Therapy using anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has revolutionized the treatment of many cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), but only a fraction of patients respond. To better understand the molecular mechanisms driving resistance, we performed extensive analysis of plasma and tumor tissues before and after a 4-week neoadjuvant trial in which HNSCC patients were treated with the anti-PD-1 inhibitor, nivolumab. Luminex cytokine analysis of patient plasma demonstrated that HPVpos nonresponders displayed high levels of the proinflammatory chemokine, interleukin-8 (IL-8), which decreased after ICI treatment, but remained higher than responders. miRNAseq analysis of tetraspanin-enriched small extracellular vesicles (sEV) purified from plasma of HPVpos nonresponders demonstrated significantly lower levels of seven miRNAs that target IL-8 including miR-146a. Levels of the pro-survival oncoprotein Dsg2, which has been to down-regulate miR-146a, are elevated with HPVpos tumors displaying higher levels than HPVneg tumors. Dsg2 levels decrease significantly following ICI in responders but not in nonresponders. In cultured HPVpos cells, restoration of miR-146a by forced expression or treatment with miR-146a-loaded sEV, reduced IL-8 level, blocked cell cycle progression, and promoted cell death. These findings identify Dsg2, miR-146a, and IL-8 as potential biomarkers for ICI response and suggest that the Dsg2/miR-146a/IL-8 signaling axis negatively impacts ICI treatment outcomes and could be targeted to improve ICI responsiveness in HPVpos HNSCC patients.

Alterations of the expression of TET2 and DNA 5-hmC predict poor prognosis in Myelodysplastic Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Myelodysplastic Neoplasms (MDS) are clonal stem cell disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and progression to acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplasia-related (AML-MR). A major mechanism of pathogenesis of MDS is the aberration of the epigenetic landscape of the hematopoietic stem cells and/or progenitor cells, especially DNA cytosine methylation, and demethylation. Data on TET2, the predominant DNA demethylator of the hematopoietic system, is limited, particularly in the MDS patients from India, whose biology may differ since these patients present at a relatively younger age. We studied the expression and the variants of TET2 in Indian MDS and AML-MR patients and their effects on 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine (5-hmC, a product of TET2 catalysis) and on the prognosis of MDS patients. RESULTS: Of the 42 MDS patients, cytogenetics was available for 31 sub-categorized according to the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R). Their age resembled that of the previous studies from India. Bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNCs) were also obtained from 13 patients with AML-MR, 26 patients with de-novo AML, and 11 subjects with morphologically normal bone marrow. The patients had a significantly lower TET2 expression which was more pronounced in AML-MR and the IPSS-R higher-risk MDS categories. The 5-hmC levels in higher-risk MDS and AML-MR correlated with TET2 expression, suggesting a possible mechanistic role in the loss of TET2 expression. The findings on TET2 and 5-hmC were also confirmed at the tissue level using immunohistochemistry. Pathogenic variants of TET2 were found in 7 of 24 patient samples (29%), spanning across the IPSS-R prognostic categories. One of the variants - H1778R - was found to affect local and global TET2 structure when studied using structural predictions and molecular dynamics simulations. Thus, it is plausible that some pathogenic variants in TET2 can compromise the structure of TET2 and hence in the formation of 5-hmC. CONCLUSIONS: IPSS-R higher-risk MDS categories and AML-MR showed a reduction in TET2 expression, which was not apparent in lower-risk MDS. DNA 5-hmC levels followed a similar pattern. Overall, a decreased TET2 expression and a low DNA 5-hmC level are predictors of advanced disease and adverse outcome in MDS in the population studied, i.e., MDS patients from India.

In the Rat Midbrain, SG2NA and DJ-1 have Common Interactome, Including Mitochondrial Electron Transporters that are Comodulated Under Oxidative Stress.

Scaffold proteins Striatin and SG2NA assemble kinases and phosphatases into the signalling complexes called STRIPAK. Dysfunctional STRIPAKs cause cancer, cerebral cavernous malformations, etc. DJ-1, a sensor for oxidative stress, has long been associated with the Parkinson's disease, cancer, and immune disorders. SG2NA interacts with DJ-1 and Akt providing neuroprotection under oxidative stress. To dissect the role of SG2NA and DJ-1 in neuronal pathobiology, rat midbrain extracts were immunoprecipitated with SG2NA and sixty-three interacting proteins were identified. BN-PAGE followed by the LC-MS/MS showed 1030 comigrating proteins as the potential constituents of the multimeric complexes formed by SG2NA. Forty-three proteins were common between those identified by co-immunoprecipitation and the BN-PAGE. Co-immunoprecipitation with DJ-1 identified 179 interacting partners, of which forty-one also interact with SG2NA. Among those forty-one proteins immunoprecipitated with both SG2NA and DJ-1, thirty-nine comigrated with SG2NA in the BN-PAGE, and thus are bonafide constituents of the supramolecular assemblies comprising both DJ-1 and SG2NA. Among those thirty-nine proteins, seven are involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. In rotenone-treated rats having Parkinson's like symptoms, the levels of both SG2NA and DJ-1 increased in the mitochondria; and the association of SG2NA with the electron transport complexes enhanced. In the hemi-Parkinson's model, where the rats were injected with 6-OHDA into the midbrain, the occupancy of SG2NA and DJ-1 in the mitochondrial complexes also increased. Our study thus reveals a new family of potential STRIPAK assemblies involving both SG2NA and DJ-1, with key roles in protecting midbrain from the oxidative stress.

Foam mat drying: Recent advances on foam dynamics, mechanistic modeling and hybrid drying approach.

Drying is one of the oldest and most widely used methods for food preservation. It reduces the availability of moisture and inhibits microbial and enzymatic spoilage in food products. Foam mat drying is a mild drying technique used for semiliquid and liquid foodstuff. It is useful for heat-sensitive and sticky liquid food products. In this process, liquid food is converted into foam using surfactant additives, which can be a foaming agent or foam stabilizer. These additives are surface-active compounds of vegetative and animal origins. The foamed material is then convectively dried using hot air. The foam mat drying is an efficient and economical technique. With the emergence of different hybrid techniques such as foam mat freeze drying, foamed spray drying, foamed vacuum drying, and microwave assisted foam mat drying, the powders' physical, chemical, and functional properties have enhanced many folds. These strategies have shown very promising results in terms of cost and time efficiency in almost all the cases barring a few exceptions. This review article attempts to comprehensively summarize the mechanisms dictating the foam mat drying process, novel technological tools for modeling, mathematical and computational modeling, effects of various foaming additives, and various hybrid techniques employed to foam mat drying.

Stratiformator vulcanicus gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine member of the family Planctomycetaceae isolated from a red biofilm in the Tyrrhenian Sea close to the volcanic island Panarea.

A novel planctomycetal strain, designated Pan189T, was isolated from biofilm material sampled close to Panarea Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Cells of strain Pan189T are round grain rice-shaped, form pink colonies and display typical planctomycetal characteristics including asymmetric cell division through polar budding and presence of crateriform structures. Cells bear a stalk opposite to the division pole and fimbriae cover the cell surface. Strain Pan189T has a mesophilic (optimum at 24 °C) and neutrophilic (optimum at pH 7.5) growth profile, is aerobic and heterotrophic. Under laboratory-scale cultivation conditions, it reached a generation time of 102 h (µmax = 0.0068 h-1), which places the strain among the slowest growing members of the phylum Planctomycetota characterized so far. The genome size of the strain is with 5.23 Mb at the lower limit among the family Planctomycetaceae (5.1-8.9 Mb). Phylogenetically, the strain represents a novel genus and species in the family Planctomycetaceae, order Planctomycetales, class Planctomycetia. We propose the name Stratiformator vulcanicus gen. nov., sp. nov. for the novel taxon, that is represented by the type strain Pan189T (= DSM 101711 T = CECT 30699 T).

In silico identification of potential inhibitors of vital monkeypox virus proteins from FDA approved drugs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the monkeypox outbreak 'A public health emergency of international concern'. The monkeypox virus belongs to the same Orthopoxvirus genus as smallpox. Although smallpox drugs are recommended for use against monkeypox, monkeypox-specific drugs are not yet available. Drug repurposing is a viable and efficient approach in the face of such an outbreak. Therefore, we present a computational drug repurposing study to identify the existing approved drugs which can be potential inhibitors of vital monkeypox virus proteins, thymidylate kinase and D9 decapping enzyme. The target protein structures of the monkeypox virus were modelled using the corresponding protein structures in the vaccinia virus. We identified four potential inhibitors namely, Tipranavir, Cefiderocol, Doxorubicin, and Dolutegravir as candidates for repurposing against monkeypox virus from a library of US FDA approved antiviral and antibiotic drugs using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The main goal of this in silico study is to identify potential inhibitors against monkeypox virus proteins that can be further experimentally validated for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents against monkeypox disease.

Gemmata algarum, a Novel Planctomycete Isolated from an Algal Mat, Displays Antimicrobial Activity.

Axenic cultures of two strains, JC673T and JC717, both belonging to the phylum Planctomycetota, were isolated from distinct geographical locations in India. Strain JC673T was obtained from algal mats of a wetland situated in the state of Kerala, India, while strain JC717 originated from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), state of Tamil Nadu, India. The two strains share 99.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and are most closely related to Gemmata obscuriglobus UQM 2246T (99.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity). The newly isolated strains are Gram-negative, grow aerobically and tolerate up to 4% (w/v) NaCl and a pH of up to 9.0. Cells are spherical and form pink-pigmented colonies. The respiratory quinone is MK-6. Major fatty acids are C18:0, C16:1ω5c and C16:0. Polar lipids include phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, several unidentified amino lipids, unidentified phospholipids, additional unidentified lipids, and an unidentified choline lipid. The polyamine spermidine is produced by the two strains. The strains have a genome size of about 8.2 Mb with a DNA G+C content of 67.6%. Solvent-based culture extracts of the isolates showed antimicrobial activity against three bacterial test strains. Their phylogenetic position along with differences in morphological, physiological, and genomic features support the classification as a new species of the genus Gemmata, for which we propose the name Gemmata algarum sp. nov. Strain JC673T (=KCTC 72851T = NBRC 114340T) and JC717 are the type and non-type strain of the new species, respectively.

Comparison of home-based palliative care delivered by community health workers versus usual care: research protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Research studies demonstrate that palliative care can improve patient outcomes such as quality of life, symptom burden and patient satisfaction with care (Gomes B, et al. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of home palliative care services for adults with advanced illness and their caregivers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013(6):CD00776) (World Health Organization. Palliative Care. Published 2020.). While 76% of patients who need palliative care live in limited-resource countries, access to high quality palliative services in these countries is minimal (Worldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Association and World Health Organization. Global Atlas of Palliative Care (2nd ed). 2020.). In 2014 the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance, with strong endorsement by the WHO, released the Palliative Care Toolkit to provide a training and implementation toolkit for empowering community members to deliver palliative care in resource poor settings (Worldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Association and World Health Organization. Global Atlas of Palliative Care at the End of Life. Geneva, Switzerland 2014.). They encouraged researchers and public health practitioners to conduct rigorous evaluation of the toolkit in diverse settings and contexts. To address this need, we will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine implementation and explore potential effect of an intervention based upon the Palliative Care Toolkit, as adapted and used by community health workers (CHWs) working with a cancer center in Kolkata, India to deliver home-based palliative care for rural patients. METHODS: Utilizing a randomized controlled trial design, intervention patients (n = 45) receive home-based palliative services (Pal-Care) delivered by community health workers (CHWs), with comparison against a control group of patients (n = 45) who receive usual cancer-center-based palliative services. Primary outcome measures include evaluation of CHW training outcomes, roles and responsibilities of the CHWS and how they assist patients, trial recruitment, stakeholder perceptions of the intervention, and fidelity to study protocol. Secondary outcomes measure patient self-report of health-related quality of life, symptom burden, palliative needs and patient care experience, outcomes The RE-AIM framework guides our evaluation plan to measure the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the Pal-Care intervention (Gaglio B, et al. The RE-AIM framework: a systematic review of use over time. Am J Public Health. 2013;103(6):e38?46.). Data will be analyzed in SAS. All measures will be evaluated overall and by patient age, gender and cancer type and by CHW caseload. DISCUSSION: Pal-Care is a RCT funded by the NCI to explore utilization of CHWs to deliver a home-based palliative care intervention built upon the WHO Palliative Care toolkit (PCT), as compared to a usual care control group. The long-term goal of this research is to develop an effective and sustainable model for delivering home-based palliative care for cancer patients in underserved areas. TRIAL REGISTRATION (TRN): ClinicalTrials.gov ID# NCT04972630.

Dual Role of B Cells in Multiple Sclerosis.

B cells have emerged as an important immune cell type that can be targeted for therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS). Depleting B cells with anti-CD20 antibodies is effective in treating MS. Yet, atacicept treatment, which blocks B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF) and A Proliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL), two cytokines important for B cell development and function, paradoxically increases disease activity in MS patients. The reason behind the failure of atacicept is not well understood. The stark differences in clinical outcomes with these therapies demonstrate that B cells have both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions in MS. In this review, we summarize the importance of B cells in MS and discuss the different B cell subsets that perform inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions and how therapies modulate B cell functions in MS patients. Additionally, we discuss the potential anti-inflammatory functions of BAFF and APRIL on MS disease.

Effect of ultraviolet radiation on immature stages of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes.

Background & objectives: Understanding the influence of ultraviolet light on organisms is important for examining the hazards of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. However, little is known about the biological toxicity of ultraviolet light against mosquitoes, which are regularly exposed to UV light. This study was planned to determine the impact of UV radiation on different aquatic stages of Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefaciatus mosquitoes. Methods: We exposed I/II instar larvae, III/IV instar larvae and pupae of Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefaciatus mosquitoes to UV radiation of 253 nm wavelength in a closed chamber of 30×30 cm. The exposure was done for different time intervals viz. 1, 2, 3, 4 minutes and so on. Development of larvae/pupae to adult stage was monitored daily and mortality, if any, was recorded. Results: Development of I/II instar larvae of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus to pupal stage was unsuccessful at an exposure time of one minute while only 1.7% pupation occurred in I/II instar larvae of Ae. aegypti upon similar exposure. When III/IV stage larvae were exposed to UV light, pupal development occurred only at 30seconds and one-minute exposure in An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefaciatus but in Ae. aegypti, no pupation occurred with one-minute exposure. With four-minute UV exposure of pupae, no adult emerged in Ae. aegypti; 33.3% adult emerged in An. stephensi and 66.7% adult emerged in Cx. quinquefaciatus. Interpretation & conclusion: Our results show that UV radiation results in developmental arrest of Ae. aegypti, An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefaciatus mosquitoes.

Intubation strategy in COVID-19 era: An observational study.

Background and Aims: Aerosol protection equipment aim at protecting the anaesthesiologist, from aerosol-borne infections, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2. Methods: We improvised the first-generation intubation box (IB) by increasing its dimensions, including heat and moisture exchanger with filter, suction catheter, and attaching arm sleeves to make a modified intubation box (MIB). The impact of IB, MIB and transparent sheets (TS) on the patient outcomes during airway management was evaluated. Results: A significant difference in median (interquartile range in minutes) was observed in time to intubate between IB (4 [4-5]); TS (0.5 [0.3-0.5]) and MIB (0.3 [0.3-1.5]): P = 0.004); and airway devices; McCoy (0.5 [0.3-2]), CMac (0.5 [0.3-1.5]): P = 0.004. First-pass success was 100% with the TS, whereas more than three attempts were required with IB 66.7% and 5.2% with MIB. Video laryngoscope was associated with less airway-related adverse events (ARAEs). The need for mask ventilation (and hence possible aerosolisation) was maximum with IB. All the ARAEs resolved uneventfully. No breach of personal protective equipment was observed; none of the health-care professionals involved in patient care developed any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Conclusion: Video laryngoscope is favourable for managing airway in COVID-19 times. In view of the ongoing pandemic and added protection that it offers, it is worthwhile to include the MIB in the armamentarium for managing the airway of patients with COVID-19.

Development and validation of HS-SPME-GCMS/MS method for quantification of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in rice cultivars.

The commercial significance of accurate and simple quantification of 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) cannot be overstated. Present study was carried out to standardize a method for extraction and accurate quantitation of 2-AP from rice grain using GC-MS/MS equipped with HS-SPME auto sampler. The effect of sample quantity, addition of solvent, grinding process, sample particle size, head space parameters and SPME fiber incubation parameters, were optimized in the developed method. Dehusked rice powder (2 g) prepared under liquid nitrogen, and passed through the 80-mesh sieve, incubated for 40 min at 80 °C in headspace, followed by fiber (DVB/Carbon WR/PDMS) saturation time of 15 min, could produce the maximum response. The recovery of 2-AP from fortified sample ranged between 7.02 and 9.02% at 50-200 ng g-1 fortification irrespective of the grain matrices used. Standard addition method was appropriate to overcome the matrix effect and recovery of 2-AP was more than 90% using this method. The developed method was further utilized for quantification of 2-AP in four Basmati and two non-Basmati aromatic rice samples. The content of 2-AP ranged between 57.17 and 147.10 ng g-1 of rice and varied with geographical location. This fully automated method could improve the work efficiency and reduce error during the volatile extraction and adsorption phase. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05674-7.