Screening for palliative care needs in the community using SPICT.

Background: The Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance has recommended integration of palliative care into primary health care. Diminished capacity to provide palliative care is a barrier for integration. The purpose of this study was to screen for palliative care needs in the community. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two rural communities of Udupi district. Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool - 4ALL (SPICT-4ALL) was used to identify the palliative care needs. Purposive sampling was used to collect the individual information from the households for identifying the palliative care need. Conditions requiring palliative care and the sociodemographic factors associated with it were explored. Results: Out of 2041 participants, 51.49% were female, and 19.65% were elderly. Less than a quarter of them (23.08%) had at least one chronic illness. Hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease were commonly found. 4.31% had satisfied the requisite SPICT criteria, which indicated a need for palliative care. Diseases of cardiovascular system followed by dementia and frailty were the most common conditions requiring palliative care. Univariate analysis showed that age, marital status, years of education, occupation, and the presence of morbidities were significantly associated with the need for palliative care. Being unemployed and having one or more morbidities were factors independently associated with requirement of palliative care. Conclusions: The estimated palliative care need in the community survey exceeds the perceived need. Although palliative care is traditionally identified with cancer, the proportion of people with noncancer palliative care needs were significantly higher than cancer palliative care.

Influence of pretesting and a near peer sharing real life experiences on CPR training outcomes in first year medical students: a non-randomized quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Existing literature on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training focuses on the knowledge and skill components while the attitudinal component is rarely addressed. There is a need to explore how peer interaction, learning atmosphere, and communication influence learning effectiveness during CPR training. Therefore, this study's objective was to evaluate how a senior student (near peer) sharing their real-life experience of performing CPR would influence medical students' learning and readiness to perform CPR. METHODS: The present study involved 250 newly enrolled undergraduate medical students. The Solomon's four-group study design was used to evaluate the influence of both pretesting and peer interaction. Students belonging to two groups initially completed a pre-training knowledge test (pretest) and a questionnaire on readiness to perform CPR. Students from all four groups then participated in instructor-led hands-on skills training, after which the two intervention groups interacted with their senior, who shared their life experiences of performing CPR. Finally, all four groups underwent skills evaluation, immediate and delayed post-tests, and completed a questionnaire to assess readiness to perform CPR. The students also provided their feedback on the experience of interacting with a peer during the training. RESULTS: Post-test scores were significantly higher than pretest scores (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.05). Scores were significantly higher in pretested intervention groups than in the non-pretested non-intervention group (p < 0.05). Delayed post-test scores were slightly but not significantly lower than the immediate post-test scores with no significant difference observed in the scores among the groups. The pretested groups showed more readiness to perform CPR and the pretested intervention group were least concerned about acquiring infection during CPR. Students in all groups were confident of performing chest compressions correctly, and found it inspiring and motivating listening to and discussing real-life experiences with a near peer. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing from peers about real-life CPR experience during CPR training sessions significantly impacted learning, enhanced student motivation to learn and may be an effective strategy to consider in routine CPR training. However, the positive effects of pretesting and peer interaction on knowledge were not sustained, highlighting a need for repeat training.

Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum leaf extracts alleviate arsenic toxicity by reducing arsenic uptake and improving antioxidant system in rice seedlings.

In the present study the potentials of aqueous extracts of the two plants, neem (Azadirachta indica) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) were examined in alleviating arsenic toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants grown in hydroponics. Seedlings of rice grown for 8 days in nutrient solution containing 50 µM sodium arsenite showed decline in growth, reduced biomass, altered membrane permeability and increased production of superoxide anion (O2 ·-), H2O2 and hydroxyl radicals (·OH). Increased lipid peroxidation marked by elevated TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) level, increased protein carbonylation, alterated levels of ascorbate, glutathione and increased activities of enzymes SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), APX (ascorbate peroxidase) and GPX (glutathione peroxidase) were noted in the seedlings on As treatment. Exogenously added leaf aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (0.75 mg mL-1, w/v) and Ocimum sanctum (0.87 mg mL-1, w/v) in the growth medium considerably alleviated As toxicity effects in the seedlings, marked by reduced As uptake, restoration of membrane integrity, reduced production of ROS, lowering oxidative damage and restoring the levels of ascorbate, glutathione and activity levels of antioxidative enzymes. Arsenic uptake in the seedlings declined by 72.5% in roots and 72.8% in shoots, when A. indica extract was present in the As treatment medium whereas with O. sanctum extract, the uptake declined by 67.2% in roots and 70.01% in shoots. Results suggest that both A. indica and O. sanctum aqueous extracts have potentials to alleviate arsenic toxicity in rice plants and that A. indica can serve as better As toxicity alleviator compared to O. sanctum.

MoS2-Modified Curcumin Nanostructures: The Novel Theranostic Hybrid Having Potent Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities against Multidrug-Resistant Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The recent emergence of hypervirulent clinical variants of Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) causing community-acquired, invasive, metastatic, life-threatening infections of lungs, pleura, prostate, bones, joints, kidneys, spleen, muscles, soft-tissues, skin, eyes, central nervous system (CNS) including extrahepatic abscesses, and primary bacteremia even in healthy individuals has posed stern challenges before the existing treatment modalities. There is therefore an urgent need to look for specific and effective therapeutic alternatives against the said bacterial infection or recurrence. A new type of MoS2-modified curcumin nanostructure has been developed and evaluated as a potential alternative for the treatment of multidrug-resistant isolates. The curcumin quantum particles have been fabricated with MoS2 via a seed-mediated hydrothermal method, and the resulting MoS2-modified curcumin nanostructures (MQCs) have been subsequently tested for their antibacterial and antibiofilm properties against hypervirulent multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. In the present study, we found MQCs inhibiting the bacterial growth at a minimal concentration of 0.0156 µg/mL, while complete inhibition of bacterial growth was evinced at concentration 0.125 µg/mL. Besides, we also investigated their biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. MQCs were found to be nontoxic to the SiHa cells at a dose as high as 1024 µg/mL on the basis of the tested adhesion, spreading of the cells, and also on the various serological, biochemical, and histological investigations of the vital organs and blood of the Charles Foster Rat. These results suggest that MQCs have potent antimicrobial activities against hvKP and other drug resistant isolates and therefore may be used as broad spectrum antibacterial and antibiofilm agents.

Medial Pterygoid Abscess Masquerading as a Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: A Case Report.

A patient presenting with a history of restricted mouth opening and deflection of the mandible after a prolonged dental procedure raises a suspicion of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) due to its estimated high prevalence of 29%. Muscle relaxants and routine active physiotherapy established normal range of movement and pain reduction was achieved through TENS therapy and analgesics. However, the non-subsidence of deflection prompted an initial suspicion of TMD which was overturned by MRI. The MRI evaluation revealed left side medial pterygoid abscess. It is imperative to understand that despite strong history and relevant clinical features, for the definitive diagnosis radiographic evaluation is highly contributory. Misdiagnosing TMD due to its similar presentation can have significant implications for the patient's well-being and quality of life. The clinical features of medial pterygoid abscess including restricted mouth opening and pain can be similar to that of TMD. These abscesses are most commonly caused by odontogenic infections but can also occur as a result of septic inferior alveolar nerve block techniques. Limited literature reports of pterygoid space abscess have been described, but intramuscular and medial pterygoid abscess is an absolute rarity. Causal relationship to septic inferior alveolar nerve block further makes this case report an interesting read.

Utilisation of services provided at an outreach healthcare facility and its associated factors among residents in a coastal taluk of southern Karnataka: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Understanding the patterns of utilisation of primary health services can help to improve service delivery and utilisation, thereby reducing common morbidities in the community. The study aimed to assess the patterns of utilisation of services provided at an outreach healthcare centre. Methods: A community-based survey was conducted among families residing in the field practice area of an outreach centre for more than a year. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to adults aged >18 years. Collected data were entered into and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0. Results: Approximately 65.1% of the respondents were aged 31-59 years, and 67.4% were women. Among 126 surveyed households, 50.7% had utilised services from the outreach centre. The facilitators of utilisation among 64 households included proximity to their area of residence (90.6%) and availability of good-quality services (40.6%). The most common barriers included a lack of awareness (30.9%) and inconvenient timings (18.2%) of the healthcare centre. The respondents aged <18 years (odds ratio [OR]=7.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]=4.37-13.37) and >45 years (OR=2.65; 95% CI=1.57-4.47) had higher odds of utilising services than those aged 18-45 years. The female respondents (OR=2.89; 95% CI=1.86-4.51) were more likely to utilise services than the male respondents. Conclusion: Creating awareness regarding the outreach healthcare centre and designing services based on the observed needs of the community can further improve the utilisation of services provided at the healthcare centre.

Efficacy of Oral Magnesium on Bone Regeneration and Implant Stability in Immediate Dental Implants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The successful osseointegration around immediate implants requires high quality and quantity of osteogenesis around them. The role of magnesium as a boneenhancing mineral, and as an adjunctive analgesic has been well documented in orthopedic literature. However, there is a paucity of literature in its role in successful osseointegration around immediate implants. This randomized controlled trial sought to assess the promising impact of magnesium on osseointegration by examining various aspects of implant stability, correlating them with serum bone markers, and establishing a foundation for future research on its potential as a potent analgesic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immediate implant placement was done after the extraction of the indicated mandibular molar tooth, and all the patients were segregated into 2 groups (Placebo- Lactose, and Magnesium citrate). Bone regenerate in the peri-implant area was assessed radiographically immediate post-operatively, on the 6th week and 12 weeks. Implant stability was measured immediate post-operatively, at the 4th week and 12th week. Serum parameters were procured pre-operatively and post-operatively for serum calcium, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and serum parathyroid hormone at the 8th week, and serum vitamin D3 levels preoperatively. RESULTS: 54 immediate implants placed showed the demographics and baseline serum, clinical, and radiographic parameters were comparable in both groups. Analysis of Implant Stability Quotient at 12th week showed statistically significant difference in intervention group both on intergroup and intragroup analysis. Radiodensity measurement showed a statistically significant difference in both intragroup and intergroup analysis in the intervention group at the 6th and 12th week. In bone gap analysis, the difference in mean change in the horizontal bone gap (HG) at 6 weeks was non-significant while the difference in HG at the 12th week was significant in the intervention group. On intragroup analysis, mean change HG at 6 weeks and 12 weeks both were significant only in intervention group. Intergroup analysis of vertical bone gap (VG) 12 and VG 12-0 (mean difference in the vertical bone gap from 12th week-day 0) showed a statistically significant difference in the intervention group. On intragroup analysis, VG 12 was significantly better in the intervention group. On serum analysis, ALP post-operatively was found to be significantly raised (P=0.013) in intervention group. Numerical rating Scale (NRS) analysis showed a significant decrease in post-op day 5 and 7, (P=0.017) and (P=0.002) respectively. CONCLUSION: The oral magnesium citrate supplementation after immediate implant placement helps in enhancing the stability of the immediate implants, along with improved radiodensity around them which was found to be statistically significant. It also helps in reducing the horizontal, and vertical gap around the implant and has significant analgesic potential.

Common Mental Disorders and Their Correlates: A Community-based Survey Among Women in Southern Karnataka, India.

Background: About 10% of Indians have common mental disorders (CMDs) which include depression and anxiety. These disorders are common in women, which not only impacts on their quality of life but also their family members. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of CMDs, and factors associated with them among women residing in coastal Karnataka. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 980 women aged between 18 and 60 years from 2019 to 2021. Women were administered a baseline questionnaire along with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder questionnaire-7 (GAD-7) and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4). Data were collected using Epi-info and were analysed using SPSS version 15.0. Association between CMDs and socio-demographic, reproductive health and behavioural factors were expressed as crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The prevalence of CMDs among women was 5.7%, with 4.6% having depression and 3.37% with anxiety disorders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that residing in urban areas (OR = 2.15; 95% CI:1.10-4.17), having a chronic illness (OR = 2.38; 95% CI:1.14-4.97), history of recent bereavement in the family (OR = 2.20; 95% CI:1.02-4.75), early marriage (OR = 2.63; 95% CI:1.09-6.33), history of abortion (OR = 2.89; 95% CI:1.42-5.92), and exposure to domestic violence (OR = 3.08; 95% CI:1.14-8.33) were significantly correlated with CMDs in this sample. Conclusions: The study revealed that CMDs were prevalent among the surveyed women, which calls for routine screening of women for CMDs in primary care settings for early identification and appropriate interventions.

Insight to chromium homeostasis for combating chromium contamination of soil: Phytoaccumulators-based approach.

Chromium (Cr) is a naturally occurring, carcinogenic heavy metal that has become a pressing concern in recent decades for environmentalists. Due to high anthropogenic activities, the concentration of Cr has crossed the environmental threshold levels and consequently contaminated soil and water. The high solubility of Cr ions in the groundwater results in its high uptake by the plants leading to phytotoxicity and yield loss. The dearth of efficient and cost-effective treatment methods has resulted in massive chromium pollution. However, some phytoaccumulators capable of accumulating Cr in high amounts in their shoots and then performing their metabolic activity typically have been identified. Chromium bioremediation using phytoaccumulators is very contemplative due to its eco-friendly and cost-effective outcome. These accumulators possess several mechanisms, such as biosorption, reduction, efflux, or bioaccumulation, naturally or acquired to counter the toxicity of chromium. This review focuses on the detoxification mechanism of Cr by the phytoaccumulator species, their responses against Cr toxicity, and the scope for their application in bioremediation. Besides, Cr bioavailability, uptake, distribution, impairment of redox homeostasis, oxidative stress, and phytotoxicity imposed on the plants are also summarized. Further, the knowledge gap and prospects are also discussed to fill these gaps and overcome the problem associated with the real-time applicability of phytoaccumulator-based bioremediation.

Crystal violet decolorization assay: a simplified colorimetric test for the rapid detection of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates.

The increased prevalence of multi-drug resistant M. tuberculosis is quite possibly the direst and most difficult task for the early diagnosis and treatment. A rapid, reliable, and inexpensive diagnostic method is the need of the hour. The current study on crystal violet decolorization assay explores the possibility to develop a rapid and simple detection method to detect multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis isolates by comparing the results with the traditional liquid culture drug susceptibility testing method based on their sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. 70 isolates were used for the study and were detected as multi-drug resistant, mono drug-resistant, and sensitive by using crystal violet decolourization assay and further compared with the results of DST and using H37Rv as the standard control strain. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of crystal violet decolorization assay (Rifampicin: 100%, 94.60%, 100% and 82.40%; isoniazid: 100%, 94.10%, 100%, 86.40%) are calculated and the percentage were compared with the conventional liquid culture drug susceptibility testing for M. tuberculosis using rifampicin and isoniazid. Crystal violet decolourization assay is rapid, reproducible, and doesn't require any highly experienced personal or sophisticated laboratory instruments for interpretation. This assay is found to be nearly as reliable as conventional liquid culture drug susceptibility testing and may thus be of great help in phenotypic confirmation of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis by providing results more rapidly.

Polymeric micelles and cancer therapy: an ingenious multimodal tumor-targeted drug delivery system.

Since the beginning of pharmaceutical research, drug delivery methods have been an integral part of it. Polymeric micelles (PMs) have emerged as multifunctional nanoparticles in the current technological era of nanocarriers, and they have shown promise in a range of scientific fields. They can alter the release profile of integrated pharmacological substances and concentrate them in the target zone due to their improved permeability and retention, making them more suitable for poorly soluble medicines. With their ability to deliver poorly soluble chemotherapeutic drugs, PMs have garnered considerable interest in cancer. As a result of their remarkable biocompatibility, improved permeability, and minimal toxicity to healthy cells, while also their capacity to solubilize a wide range of drugs in their micellar core, PMs are expected to be a successful treatment option for cancer therapy in the future. Their nano-size enables them to accumulate in the tumor microenvironment (TME) via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. In this review, our major aim is to focus primarily on the stellar applications of PMs in the field of cancer therapeutics along with its mechanism of action and its latest advancements in drug and gene delivery (DNA/siRNA) for cancer, using various therapeutic strategies such as crossing blood-brain barrier, gene therapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), and immunotherapy. Furthermore, PMs can be employed as "smart drug carriers," allowing them to target specific cancer sites using a variety of stimuli (endogenous and exogenous), which improve the specificity and efficacy of micelle-based targeted drug delivery. All the many types of stimulants, as well as how the complex of PM and various anticancer drugs react to it, and their pharmacodynamics are also reviewed here. In conclusion, commercializing engineered micelle nanoparticles (MNPs) for application in therapy and imaging can be considered as a potential approach to improve the therapeutic index of anticancer drugs. Furthermore, PM has stimulated intense interest in research and clinical practice, and in light of this, we have also highlighted a few PMs that have previously been approved for therapeutic use, while the majority are still being studied in clinical trials for various cancer therapies.

Prevalence of dyslipidaemia in OSA patients at a tertiary care center.

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with many diseases, but evidence indicating that OSA is a risk factor for dyslipidemia is lacking. Aim This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of lipid abnormalities in patients with OSA and its association with OSA severity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 102 patients with suspected OSA underwent standard polysomnography. All patients with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of ≥5 with symptoms were diagnosed as having OSA. A fasting blood sample was collected from all patients. Blood levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were measured. The relationship between the AHI and lipid profiles was analyzed, and linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of dyslipidemia on OSA. RESULTS: The patients with OSA had a significantly higher TG level and a significantly lower HDL level than did those without OSA. The lipid abnormalities increased with OSA severity. The mean serum TG level was higher in the severe OSA group (175±46.5 vs. 153±42.45, mg/dl P = 0.048), and the mean serum HDL level was lower in the severe OSA group (38.43 ± 5.19 vs. 45.73 ± 4.98, mg/dl P = 0.004). Serum TG, cholesterol, and LDL levels were correlated with a BMI of <30 and a BMI of >30 in the OSA group. Linear regression analysis indicated that only age (ß = 0.301, P = 0.000), BMI (ß = 0.455, P = 0.000), serum HDL level (ß = -0.297, P = 0.012), and serum LDL level (ß = 0.429, P = 0.001) were the independent predictors of OSA. CONCLUSION: OSA and obesity are potential risk factors for dyslipidemia. The diagnosis of hyperlipidemia was linked to OSA, and the association was more significant with OSA severity. Hyperlipidemia was well recognized in patients with OSA. LDL and HDL are the independent predictors of OSA.

Characterization of mycolytic enzymes of Bacillus strains and their bio-protection role against Rhizoctonia solani in tomato.

Four antagonists bacteria namely, Bacillus megaterium MB3, B. subtilis MB14, B. subtilis MB99 and B. amyloliquefaciens MB101 were able to produce chitinase, ß-1,3-glucanase and protease in different range with the presence of Rhizoctonia solani cell wall as a carbon source. Amplification of chitinase (chiA) gene of 270 bp and ß-1, 3-glucanase gene of 415 bp was given supportive evidence at molecular level of antibiosis. After in vitro screening, all antagonists were tested against R. solani under greenhouse conditions. Root treatment of Bacillus strains showed superior defense during pathogen suppression in terms of chitinase, glucanase, peroxidase, poly phenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and total phenolic content in leaves of tomato. All these enzymes accumulated high in tomato leaves as compared to roots. Pathogenesis-related proteins and defense-related enzymes accumulation was directly correlated with plant protection and greenhouse results indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens MB101- and B. subtilis MB14-treated plants offered 69.76 and 61.51 % disease reductions, respectively, over the infected control. These results established that these organisms have the potential to act as biocontrol agents. This study could be highlighted a mutual importance of liquid formulation of antagonistic Bacillus spp. against root associated sclerotia former pathogen R. solani.

Atypical presentations of fungal osteomyelitis during post COVID-19 outbreak - Case series.

Introduction: Mucormycosis and Aspergillosis are opportunistic fungal infections causing significant morbidity and mortality. Post the outbreak of COVID-19, these fungal osteomyelitis have seen a global rise with few atypical presentations noted. Case report: Current case series reports three such atypical presentations of fungal osteomyelitis including mandibular fungal osteomyelitis in two patients, fungal osteomyelitis mimicking space infection in a middle aged male, and suspected mixed fungal osteomyelitis involving maxillary sinus. Aggressive surgical debridement was indicated along with institution of antifungal therapy (Liposomal Amphotericin B, and Posaconazole). The fungal osteomyelitis was successfully treated with surgical and medical management with no recurrence. Discussion: The injudicious use of corticosteroids in COVID-19 patients along with their immunocompromised status increases their susceptibility to opportunistic fungal osteomyelitis. Prompt and aggressive surgical intervention along with antifungal therapy is important after diagnosing fungal osteomyelitis, as a delay could increase the mortality rate considerably.

Galactose-Clicked Curcumin-Mediated Reversal of Meropenem Resistance among Klebsiella pneumoniae by Targeting Its Carbapenemases and the AcrAB-TolC Efflux System.

In over eighty years, despite successive antibiotics discoveries, the rapid advent of multidrug resistance among bacterial pathogens has jolted our misapprehension of success over them. Resistance is spreading faster than the discovery of new antibiotics/antimicrobials. Therefore, the search for better antimicrobials/additives becomes prudent. A water-soluble curcumin derivative (Curaq) was synthesised, employing a Cu (I) catalysed 1, 3-cyclo addition reaction; it has been evaluated as a potential treatment for multidrug-resistant isolates and as an antibiotic adjuvant for meropenem against hypervirulent multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. We also investigated its solubility and effect over carbapenemase activity. Additionally, we investigated its impact on the AcrAB-TolC system. We found that Curaq inhibited bacterial growth at a minimal concentration of 16 µg/mL; at a 32 µg/mL concentration, it killed bacterial growth completely. Only nine (9.4%) Klebsiella isolates were sensitive to meropenem; however, after synergising with Curaq (8 µg/mL), 85 (88.54%) hvKP isolates became sensitive to the drug. The Curaq also inhibited the AcrAB-TolC efflux system at 1 µg/mL concentration by disrupting the membrane potential and causing depolarisation. The kinetic parameters obtained also indicated its promise as a carbapenemase inhibitor. These results suggest that Curaq can be an excellent drug candidate as a broad-spectrum antibacterial and anti-efflux agent.

Effect of Arsenic Stress on Expression Pattern of a Rice Specific miR156j at Various Developmental Stages and Their Allied Co-expression Target Networks.

In plants, arsenic (As) stress modulates metabolic cascades at various developmental stages by influencing the pattern of gene expressions mediated by small non-coding RNAs, especially Micro-RNAs, involved in the moderation of a myriad of cellular processes needed for plant adaptation upon oxidative stress. miR156j of miR156 gene family, involved mainly in the regulation of growth and development in plants. This study was designed to find out the role of arsenic toxicity on Osa-miR156j expression in all physiological growth stages. To better understand the functional role of Osa-miR156j in rice, we observed the expression in different developmental stages (seedlings, tillering and flowering) and various tissues of leaf, stem and root tissues (at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h) under 25 µM arsenite [As (III)] exposure. Additionally, using bioinformatic tools to target genes of Osa-miR156j and the potential co-expressed genes were explored at different development stages in the various tissues of rice under stress conditions. The expression of Osa-miR156j showed its temporal downregulation in various tissues in different developmental stages. Of note, the downregulation was more pronounced in root tissues at seedlings, tillering, and flowering stages during 0-72 h under arsenite exposure as compared to other tissues. Overall, the As stress altered the gene expression more prominently at seedlings developmental stage followed by flowering and tillering. Additionally, through the In silico approach, the target functions and presence of oxidative stress-responsive cis-acting regulatory elements/motifs also confirmed Osa-miR156j involvement in the regulation of arsenic stress in rice. The findings of this study demonstrate the prominent role of Osa-miR156j in rice under arsenite stress, which was found to modulate the metabolic activities in rice plants at different developmental stages, and thus it might be useful for the development of arsenic tolerant varieties.

Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome and 5-Year Cardiovascular Risk Estimates among HIV-Positive Individuals from an Indian Tertiary Care Hospital.

Longer survival due to use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has made human immunodeficiency virus- (HIV-) infected individuals prone to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Metabolic syndrome (MS), a constellation of risk factors which increase chances of the cardiovascular disease and diabetes, can increase the morbidity and mortality among this population. Hence, the present study was conducted with the objectives of estimating the prevalence and determinants of MS among ART naïve and ART-treated patients and assess their 5-year CVD risk using the reduced version of Data Collection on Adverse Effects of Anti-HIV Drugs (D : A : D) risk prediction model (D : A : D(R)). This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 182 adults aged ≥ 18 years. MS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel-3 (NCEP ATP-3) criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done to identify the factors associated with MS. Prevalence of MS was 40.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 33.0%-47.2%). About 24.7% of the participants had at least a single criterion for MS. Age >45 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1-4.9, p < 0.018) and body mass index (BMI) > 23 kg/m2 (AOR = 6.4; 95% CI = 3.1-13.1, p < 0.001) were positively associated with MS, whereas daily consumption of high sugar items was inversely associated (AOR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.1-0.5, p < 0.001). More than 50% of the participants were found to have moderate or high 5-year CVD risk. Observed prevalence of MS among HIV patients was higher than other studies done in India. Considering a sizeable number of participants to be having moderate to high CVD risk, culturally appropriate lifestyle interventions need to be planned.

Municipal solid waste leachate impact on metabolic activity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) contains contaminants that could possibly leach out and pollute the soil, water sources. In this investigation, the MSW leachate toxicity was evaluated using wheat seedling plant bioassay. The eco-toxicity activities of leachate at several time intervals were explored, and the toxicity of these leachates on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seed germination and chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b (Chl a and Chl b) levels were determined. The findings showed that leachate can affect the metabolic activity of the wheat plant. Therefore, in order to protect the environment, the polluted leachate should be treated.

A preliminary report of indigenous fungal isolates from contaminated municipal solid waste site in India.

Municipal solid waste (MSW) containing harmful substances is a major concern in waste management and can cause adverse effects on diversity of fungi in soil. The main objective was to evaluate the fungal diversity inhabiting in the soil nearby MSW disposal site. The fungal strains were isolated in potato dextrose agar (PDA), media at temperatures 28 ± 1 °C by using standard serial dilution pour plate method, and appeared fungal colonies identified based on morphological characteristics. The overall most fungal diversity was found in soil sample collected from S5, followed by S4, S3, S1, and least in S2 site. A total of 24 fungal isolates recovered from the different MSW sites and Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., and Curvularia sp. genus has isolated from all the samples. In addition, the metal tolerance index performed because it needs to classify the fungus for their best use as potential agent for environmental protection. The metal tolerance outcomes revealed that both metals (cadmium and chromium) has appeared as the highest growth inhibitor for most strains and even fungal colonies did not propagate very well on the surface of media. Therefore, these findings suggest that the pre-adapted indigenous fungal isolates have proven remarkable tolerance ability to both metals. Furthermore, these highly metal-tolerant fungal strains are recommended for detail research or can use in pilot-scale bioremediation application to treat contaminated site.

Water deficit and aluminum interactive effects on generation of reactive oxygen species and responses of antioxidative enzymes in the seedlings of two rice cultivars differing in stress tolerance.

Aluminum (Al) is a major constraint to crop productivity in acid soils, whereas water deficit severely limits crop production in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of both stresses, Al excess and water deficit, individually and in combination on the production of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide anion (O2˙(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical, and lipid peroxidation and the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) in the seedlings of two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cvs. Malviya-36 (sensitive to water deficit and Al) and Vandana (tolerant to water deficit and Al). When 15-day grown seedlings were exposed to water deficit (created with 15% polyethylene glycol, PEG-6000) or Al (1 mM AlCl3) treatment or both treatments together for 24-72 h, the lengths and fresh weights of root/shoot declined in the seedlings of the sensitive cultivar, whereas in the tolerant seedlings, either little or insignificant decline in these parameters was observed due to the treatments. Biochemical determinations and histochemical studies revealed that under a similar level of water deficit, Al, or combined treatment, seedlings of sensitive cultivar showed a higher level of production of O2˙(-), H2O2, hydroxyl radical, and lipid peroxides compared to the tolerant seedlings. Seedlings of tolerant cultivars, both in roots and shoots, had constitutively higher activity levels of antioxidative enzymes SOD, CAT, and GPX and showed a greater increase in activity under water deficit or Al treatment alone or in combination compared to the similarly treated seedlings of sensitive cultivar. Our results suggest that a lower constitutive level of ROS and a high antioxidative enzyme capacity are associated with tolerance to both water deficit and Al excess in rice seedlings.