New arsenals for old armour: Biogenic nanoparticles in the battle against drug-resistant Candidaalbicans.

Candida albicans is a common commensal fungus and fourth most frequent causative agent of nosocomial infections including life-threatening invasive candidiasis in humans. The effectiveness of present antifungal therapies using azoles, polyenes, flucytosine and echinocandins has plateaued in managing fungal infections. The limitations of these antifungal drugs are related to polymorphic morphology, biofilm formation, emergence of drug-resistant strains and production of several virulence factors. Development of new antifungal agents, which can particularly afflict multiple cellular targets and limiting evolving resistant strains are needed. Recently, metal nanoparticles have emerged as a source of new antifungal agents for antifungal formulations. Furthermore, green nanotechnology deals with the use of biosynthetic routes that offer new avenue for synthesizing antifungal nanoparticles coupled with less toxic chemical inventory and environmental sustainability. This article reviews the recent developments on C. albicans pathogenesis, biofilm formation, drug resistance, mode of action of antifungal drugs and antifungal activities of metal nanoparticles. The antifungal efficacy and mode of action of metal nanoparticles are described in the context of prospective therapeutic applications.

Planktonic and early-stage biofilm microbiota respond contrastingly to thermal discharge-created seawater warming.

Thermal-discharges from power plants highly disturb the biological communities of the receiving water body and understanding their influence is critical, given the relevance to global warming. We employed 16 S rRNA gene sequencing to examine the response of two dominant marine bacterial lifestyles (planktonic and biofilm) against elevated seawater temperature (+5 â„ƒ). Obtained results demonstrated that warming prompted high heterogeneity in diversity and composition of planktonic and biofilm microbiota, albeit both communities responded contrastingly. Alpha diversity revealed that temperature exhibited positive effect on biofilm microbiota and negative effect on planktonic microbiota. The community composition of planktonic microbiota shifted significantly in warming area, with decreased abundances of Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Contrastingly, these bacterial groups exhibited opposite trend in biofilm microbiota. Co-occurrence networks of biofilm microbiota displayed higher node diversity and co-presence in warming area. The study concludes that with increasing ocean warming, marine biofilms and biofouling management strategies will be more challenging.

Development and Validation of a Risk-Adapted Scoring Model for Metachronous Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma following Radical Cystectomy.

PURPOSE: The incidence and risk factors for metachronous upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) following radical cystectomy (RC) remain incompletely defined, which has limited the ability to individualize postoperative surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 2 institutional registries was performed to identify patients undergoing RC for urothelial carcinoma. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models for metachronous post-RC UTUC were developed in one institutional data set and validated in the second institutional data set. A post-RC UTUC risk score was then developed from these models. RESULTS: A total of 3,170 RC patients were included from the training cohort and 959 RC patients from the validation cohort. At a median followup after RC of 4.6 years (IQR 2.1-8.7), 167 patients were diagnosed with UTUC. On multivariable analysis in the training cohort, risk factors for metachronous UTUC were the presence of positive urothelial margin (HR 2.60, p <0.01), history of bacillus Calmette-Guérin treatment prior to RC (HR 2.20, p <0.01), carcinoma in situ at RC (HR 2.01, p <0.01) and pre-RC hydronephrosis (HR 1.48, p=0.04). These factors had similar discriminative capacity in the training and validation cohorts (C-statistic 0.71 and 0.73, respectively). A UTUC risk score was developed with these variables which stratified patients into low (0 points), intermediate (1-3 points), and high risk (4+ points) for post-RC UTUC, with respective 5-year UTUC-free survivals of 99%, 96%, 89% in the training cohort and 98%, 96%, and 91% in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated a risk score for post-RC UTUC that may optimize UTUC surveillance protocols after RC.

Rheology-modulated alterations in electro-magneto-hydrodynamic flows in a narrow cylindrical capillary: Contrasting trends in high and low surface charge limits.

We investigate electrokinetic transport of power-law fluids in a narrow cylindrical capillary in the presence of a transverse magnetic field. The governing equations including the full Poisson-Boltzmann equation and the Cauchy momentum equation with power-law constitutive behavior are solved numerically, without being restrictive to low surface potential limits. The influence of the power-law index, wall zeta potential, relative strength of electromagnetic force over viscous force (as represented by the Hartmann number), and the lateral electric field strength on the variation of the volumetric flow rate is analyzed. Our results reveal a significant augmentation in the net-throughput beyond the traditionally explored low surface-charge limits, especially for shear-thinning fluids, defying the established notions. These fundamental theoretical premises may act as essential precursors towards developing deeper insights on fluidic transport bio-nanopores under electro-magneto- hydrodynamic influences.

Relationship between tobacco use, alcohol consumption and non-communicable diseases among women in India: evidence from National Family Health Survey-2015-16.

BACKGROUND: Based on an increased prevalence of diabetes, asthma and hypertension among women in reproductive age, understanding the risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is crucial to inform policy and program interventions to address the problem. In this study, we empirically assessed the associations of behavioural factors such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use and a variety of socioeconomic characteristics with prevalence of NCDs in adult women. METHODS: The data were derived from the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015-16. The effective sample size for the present paper was 699,686 women aged 15-49 years in India. Descriptive statistics along with bivariate analysis were conducted to find the preliminary results. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to find the relationship between NCDs and behavioural factors such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use. Moreover, population attributable risk was estimated in the present study. RESULTS: It was revealed that 15.9% of women had any of the NCDs. A proportion of 0.8% of women smoked tobacco whereas 5.5% of women consumed smokeless tobacco. Also, a proportion of 1.2% of women consumed alcohol in the current study. The odds of having NCDs among women who smoked tobacco, consumed smokeless tobacco and consume alcohol were 16, 8 and 20% significantly higher than the odds of having NCDs among women who did not smoke tobacco, consume smokeless tobacco and consume alcohol respectively. The population attributable risk of having NCDs was 1.8% (p < 0.001) for women who smoked, 0.8% (p < 0.001) for women who consumed smokeless tobacco and 2.2% (p < 0.001) for women who consumed alcohol. Besides, the odds of having NCDs among overweight and obese women were 2.25 and 3.60 times greater than the odds of having NCDs among women who were underweight. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that smoking and using smokeless tobacco and alcohol consumption were risk factors of NCDs in women. The findings also alarm the focus of maternal and child health programs on NCDs' risk factors like maternal obesity, due to their adverse health consequences on their children too. Also, the coexistence of higher levels of tobacco use and alcohol consumption requires different strategies to address the vulnerability of women towards NCDs, including screening and early detection of NCDs especially among those who smoke or chew tobacco and consume alcohol.

Assessment of biogrowth assemblages with depth in a seawater intake system of a coastal power station.

Marine biogrowth infestation of a seawater intake system was investigated. A digital camera fixed onto a skid was used to record the biogrowth at intervals of 5 m up to a depth of 55 m. Divers inspected the intake shaft and collected the biogrowth samples for biomass estimation. A biomass density of 7.5 kg m-2 and 28.2 kg m-2 was recorded at 5 and 30 m depths respectively. Inspection by the divers revealed that hard-shelled organisms such as oysters and brown and green mussels were observed in plenty up to a thickness of 15 cm and bryozoans grew as epibionts. At lower depths (<40 m), hydroids grew on the shells of green mussels along with silt accumulation. The biofouling community was composed of 46 organisms, exhibiting variation in distribution and abundance. The study explains the extent and type of marine biogrowth phenomena with depth and describes biofouling preventive methods.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08927014.2021.1933457 .

Adverse childhood experiences and substance misuse in young people in India: results from the multisite cVEDA cohort.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increases vulnerability to externalising disorders such as substance misuse. The study aims to determine the prevalence of ACEs and its association with substance misuse. METHODS: Data from the Consortium on Vulnerability to Externalising Disorders and Addictions (cVEDA) in India was used (n = 9010). ACEs were evaluated using the World Health Organisation (WHO) Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire whilst substance misuse was assessed using the WHO Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. A random-effects, two-stage individual patient data meta-analysis explained the associations between ACEs and substance misuse with adjustments for confounders such as sex and family structure. RESULTS: 1 in 2 participants reported child maltreatment ACEs and family level ACEs. Except for sexual abuse, males report more of every individual childhood adversity and are more likely to report misusing substances compared with females (87.3% vs. 12.7%). In adolescents, family level ACEs (adj OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5-11.7) and collective level ACEs (adj OR 6.6, 95% CI 1.4-31.1) show associations with substance misuse whilst in young adults, child level ACEs such as maltreatment show similar strong associations (adj OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.5). CONCLUSION: ACEs such as abuse and domestic violence are strongly associated with substance misuse, most commonly tobacco, in adolescent and young adult males in India. The results suggest enhancing current ACE resilience programmes and 'trauma-informed' approaches to tackling longer-term impact of ACEs in India. FUNDING: Newton Bhabha Grant jointly funded by the Medical Research Council, UK (MR/N000390/1) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR/MRC-UK/3/M/2015-NCD-I).

Imagining the COVID-19 pandemic through the minds of 9-11 years old: findings from an art exhibition in India.

OBJECTIVES: To understand children's perspectives of COVID-19 and lockdown through art. STUDY DESIGN: Observational; Qualitative study. METHODS: The drawings and descriptive notes along with the drawings were presented in an art exhibition and were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-three documents were created, out of which 134 quotations, 24 codes, 21 themes, and six groups were synthesized. The themes were mainly related to positive experiences, negative experiences, unity, safety, hope, uncertainty, gratitude, faith, and future expectations. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to a better understanding of children's perspectives of the pandemic situation.

Response of green mussels (Perna viridis) subjected to chlorination: investigations by valve movement monitoring.

Perna viridis Linnaeus (1758) is a major foulant in the cooling water systems of electric power stations located on the East coast of India. Though chlorination is considered an effective fouling control measure, the strategy may fail in the case of bivalve mussels, due to the ability of the mussels to close their shells and still survive for extended periods of time. In a given power station, continuous low dose (exomotive) chlorination (0.2 ± 0.1 mg l-1) is practiced to control biofouling. Laboratory experiments were carried out to assess the mortality and valve movement response of Perna viridis exposed to chlorine, using a Mosselmonitor®. All size groups tested showed progressive reduction in valve opening upon chlorination. However, continuous dosing of chlorine concentration as high as 1.0 mg l-1 was required for sustained and complete valve closure response in this mussel. At lower concentration (0.7 mg l-1), the mussels were able to open their shells and feed. Sustained valve closure resulted in physiological stress to the mussels due to reduced feeding, subsequently leading to death. Time to 100% mortality was dependent on the size of the mussels. At 1.0 mg l-1 chlorine residual, smaller size group (30-50 mm) mussels showed 100% mortality in 79.3 h, while larger groups (50-70 mm and 70-90 mm) took 152 h and 243 h, respectively. Frequency of valve opening was high in smaller size group mussels (30-50 mm), compared with larger groups (70-90 mm). Even though the time taken for killing was size-dependent, frequency of valve opening and time period between successive openings were found to be characteristic of individual mussels. The observations provide new insight into the response of bivalve mussels to continuous chlorination in the context of biofouling control and point to the need to adopt pragmatic strategies to prevent mussel spat settlement rather than killing of adult mussels, thereby reducing environmental burden due to chlorine residuals. Usage of target-specific biocidal strategies (intermittent/pulse dosing) or alternative biocides (chlorine dioxide) may help mitigate green mussel fouling in tropical cooling water systems.

Genomic insights of Vibrio harveyi RT-6 strain, from infected "Whiteleg shrimp" (Litopenaeus vannamei) using Illumina platform.

The pathogenicity of "Vibriosis" in shrimps imposes prominent menace to the sustainable growth of mariculture economy. Often the disease outbreak is associated speciously with Vibrio harveyi and its closely related species. The present study investigated the complete genome of the strain V. harveyi RT-6 to explore the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis. The genome of V. harveyi possesses a single chromosome of 6,374,398 bp in size, G + C content (44.7%) and 5730 protein coding genes. The reads of 1.3 Gb were retained from Illumina Hiseq 2500 sequencing method, assembled into 5912 predicted genes, 114 tRNAs genes, and 11 rRNAs genes. Unigenes were annotated by matching against Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COG)-5730, Gene ontology (GO)-1088, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases-3401. Furthermore, 13 insertion sequences-(IS), virulence factors and prophage regions were also identified. A total of 94 pathogenic genes and 36 virulence factor genes were mainly identified using Virulence Factors Database (VFDB). Out of the 36 virulence factors, 23 genes responsible for encoding flagella-based motility protein were exclusively predicted to take part in pathogenic mechanism. The Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of the strain RT-6 (accession number: SRR5410471) highlighted the underlying genes and specifically accountable functional genes that were responsible for pathogenic infections in shrimps.

Copper oxide nanoparticles as an effective anti-biofilm agent against a copper tolerant marine bacterium, Staphylococcus lentus.

Biofilm formation on antifouling coatings is a serious concern in seawater cooling systems and the maritime industry. A prolific biofilm forming strain (Staphylococcus lentus), possessing high tolerance (>1,000 µg ml-1) to dissolved copper ions (Cu++) was isolated from titanium coupons exposed in the coastal waters of Kalpakkam, east coast of India. S. lentus formed increased biofilm (p < 0.05) at 100 µg ml-1 of Cu++ ions, when compared with the untreated control. To combat biofilm formation of this strain, the efficacy of copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized from copper nitrate by varying the concentrations of hexamine and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), was investigated. Complete (100%) inhibition of biofilm formation was observed with plain CuO NP (0.5 M hexamine, uncapped) at 1,000 µg ml-1. Capping with CTAB, influenced the morphology and the purity of the synthesized CuO NPs but did not alter their surface charge. Capping reduced metal ion release from CuO NPs and their antibacterial and anti-biofilm property against S. lentus. Overall, uncapped CuO NPs were effective in controlling biofilm formation of S. lentus. Concurrent release of copper ions and contact mediated physical damage by CuO NPs offer a promising approach to tackle metal tolerant biofilm bacteria.

Troponin 1 of human filarial parasite Brugia malayi: cDNA cloning, expression, purification, and its immunoprophylactic potential.

In the search for immunoprophylactics for the control of human lymphatic filariasis, we recently identified troponin 1 (Tn1) in Brugia malayi adult worms. The present study reports the cloning and expression of the B. malayi Tn1 (Tn1bm), its immunoprophylactic efficacy against B. malayi infection, and the immunological responses of the host. The Tn1bm gene was cloned (Acc no. JF912447) and expressed, and the purified recombinant Tn1bm (rTn1bm) presented a single ~ 27 kDa band. Parasite load in rTn1bm-immunized BALB/c mice challenged with B. malayi infective larvae (L3) was assessed. In rTn1bm-immunized animals, IgE, IgG, and IgG subclasses in the serum, cell proliferative response, Th1 and Th2 cytokine secretion (from splenocytes), and NO release (from peritoneal macrophages) were determined. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) to L3 was assayed using rTn1bm-immune serum. The innate immune response markers MHC class-I, MHC class-II, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR6 expression in peritoneal macrophages and CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ in the splenocyte population were determined in Tn1bm-exposed cells from naïve mice. rTn1bm-immunized L3-challenged animals showed a 60% reduction in parasite burden. Immunization upregulated cellular proliferation, cytokine (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) secretion, NO release, and antigen-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b antibody levels. rTn1bm-immune serum killed > 65% of L3 in the ADCC assay. Increased MHC class-II, TLR2, and TLR6 expression and the relative CD4+ and CD19+ cell populations of naïve animal cells indicated the ability of rTn1bm to mobilize innate immune responses. This is the first report of the immunoprophylactic potential of rTn1bm against B. malayi.

Anomalous Breaking of Scale Invariance in a Two-Dimensional Fermi Gas.

The frequency of the breathing mode of a two-dimensional Fermi gas with zero-range interactions in a harmonic confinement is fixed by the scale invariance of the Hamiltonian. Scale invariance is broken in the quantized theory by introducing the two-dimensional scattering length as a regulator. This is an example of a quantum anomaly in the field of ultracold atoms and leads to a shift of the frequency of the collective breathing mode of the cloud. In this work, we study this anomalous frequency shift for a two-component Fermi gas in the strongly interacting regime. We measure significant upwards shifts away from the scale-invariant result that show a strong interaction dependence. This observation implies that scale invariance is broken anomalously in the strongly interacting two-dimensional Fermi gas.

Equation of State of Ultracold Fermions in the 2D BEC-BCS Crossover Region.

We report the experimental measurement of the equation of state of a two-dimensional Fermi gas with attractive s-wave interactions throughout the crossover from a weakly coupled Fermi gas to a Bose gas of tightly bound dimers as the interaction strength is varied. We demonstrate that interactions lead to a renormalization of the density of the Fermi gas by several orders of magnitude. We compare our data near the ground state and at finite temperature with predictions for both fermions and bosons from quantum Monte Carlo simulations and Luttinger-Ward theory. Our results serve as input for investigations of close-to-equilibrium dynamics and transport in the two-dimensional system.

Observation of the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless Phase Transition in an Ultracold Fermi Gas.

We experimentally investigate the first-order correlation function of a trapped Fermi gas in the two-dimensional BEC-BCS crossover. We observe a transition to a low-temperature superfluid phase with algebraically decaying correlations. We show that the spatial coherence of the entire trapped system can be characterized by a single temperature-dependent exponent. We find the exponent at the transition to be constant over a wide range of interaction strengths across the crossover. This suggests that the phase transitions in both the bosonic regime and the strongly interacting crossover regime are of Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless type and lie within the same universality class. On the bosonic side of the crossover, our data are well described by the quantum Monte Carlo calculations for a Bose gas. In contrast, in the strongly interacting regime, we observe a superfluid phase which is significantly influenced by the fermionic nature of the constituent particles.

Observation of Pair Condensation in the Quasi-2D BEC-BCS Crossover.

The condensation of fermion pairs lies at the heart of superfluidity. However, for strongly correlated systems with reduced dimensionality the mechanisms of pairing and condensation are still not fully understood. In our experiment we use ultracold atoms as a generic model system to study the phase transition from a normal to a condensed phase in a strongly interacting quasi-two-dimensional Fermi gas. Using a novel method, we obtain the in situ pair momentum distribution of the strongly interacting system and observe the emergence of a low-momentum condensate at low temperatures. By tuning temperature and interaction strength, we map out the phase diagram of the quasi-2D BEC-BCS crossover.

Acquired Bartter-Like Phenotype.

We present a case of middle-aged man who presented with sudden onset of weakness of both upper and lower limbs with hypotension and polyuria without any antecedent illness. Investigations showed severe hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hyponatremia, mild hypomagnesemia, hypercalciuria, metabolic alkalosis and increased renin and aldosterone levels in the blood suggesting Bartter syndrome. Thus a diagnosis of acquired Bartter-like phenotype was made.

Development of modified-release tablets of zolpidem tartrate by biphasic quick/slow delivery system.

Zolpidem tartrate is a non-benzodiazepine analogue of imidazopyridine of sedative and hypnotic category. It has a short half-life with usual dosage regimen being 5 mg, two times a day, or 10 mg, once daily. The duration of action is considered too short in certain circumstances. Thus, it is desirable to lengthen the duration of action. The formulation design was implemented by preparing extended-release tablets of zolpidem tartrate using the biphasic delivery system technology, where sodium starch glycolate acts as a superdisintegrant in immediate-release part and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose as a release retarding agent in extended-release core. Tablets were prepared by direct compression. Both the core and the coat contained the drug. The pre-compression blends were evaluated for angle of repose, bulk density, and compressibility index. The tablets were evaluated for thickness, hardness, weight variation test, friability, and in vitro release studies. No interaction was observed between zolpidem tartrate and excipients from the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The results of all the formulations prepared were compared with reference product Stilnoct®. Optimized formulations showed release patterns that match the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) guidelines for zolpidem tartrate extended-release tablets. The mechanism of drug release was studied using different mathematical models, and the optimized formulation has shown Fickian diffusion. Accelerated stability studies were performed on the optimized formulation.

Religious/spiritual characteristics of indian and indonesian physicians and their acceptance of spirituality in health care: a cross-cultural comparison.

Religious/spiritual (r/s) characteristics of physicians influence their attitude toward integrative medicine and spiritual care. Indonesia physicians collaborate with traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) professionals within modern healthcare system, while Indian physicians are not reported to do so. The aim of the study was to understand the r/s characteristics and their influence on Indian and Indonesian physicians' acceptance of TCAM/spirituality in modern healthcare system. An exploratory, pilot, cross-cultural, cross-sectional study, using Religion and Spirituality in Medicine, and Physician Perspectives (RSMPP) survey questionnaire, compared r/s characteristics and perspectives on integrative medicine of 169 physicians from two allopathic, Sweekar-Osmania University (Sweekar-OU), India, University of Airlanga (UNAIR), Indonesia, and a TCAM/Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM) institute from India. More physicians from UNAIR and CRIUM (89.1 %) described themselves as "very"/"moderately" religious, compared to 63.5 % Sweekar-OU (p = 0.0000). Greater number of (84.6 %) UNAIR physicians described themselves as "very" spiritual and also significantly high (p < 0.05) in intrinsic religiosity as compared to Sweekar-OU and TCAM physicians; 38.6 % of UNAIR and 32.6 % of CRIUM participants reported life-changing spiritual experiences in clinical settings as against 19.7 % of Sweekar-OU; 92.3 % of UNAIR, compared to CRIUM (78.3 %) and Sweekar-OU (62 %), felt comfortable attending to patients' spiritual needs, (p = 0.0001). Clinical comfort and not r/s characteristics of participants was the significant (p = 0.05) variable in full regression models, predictive of primary outcome criteria; "TCAM or r/s healing as complementary to allopathic treatment." In conclusion, mainstreaming TCAM into healthcare system may be an initial step toward both integrative medicine and also improving r/s care interventions by allopathic physicians.

HOXD10 expression in human breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy among females. In this study, we analyzed the expression pattern of a homeobox gene (HOXD10) in human invasive ductal breast cancer tissues and normal tissues. With the ACTB (ß-actin) gene as a reference, HOXD10 was detected in 60 breast cancer tissues by using the quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) method with the Relative Expression Software Tool (REST). We found that the HOXD10 expression level was significantly different between cancerous and normal tissues. Downregulation of the HOXD10 gene expression was examined in high-grade samples. Low-grade tissue showed no difference from the control group. HOXD10 expression was reduced in grade II breast carcinoma tissues. This data reveal that misexpression of the HOXD10 gene supports the development and involvement in breast cancer and may serve as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of human ductal invasive breast carcinoma.