Feed emulsifier improves the performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chicken fed diets without antibiotic growth promoter.

1. A study was conducted to assess the impact of supplementing-graded concentrations of emulsifier on the production performance, gut microbial count, and digestibility of nitrogen and energy in broiler chicken fed diets without AGP.2. Male broiler chicks (n = 1500; Vencobb-430), aged one-day-old, were randomly allocated into six dietary groups each with 10 replicates of 25 birds each. A maize-soybean and meat and bone meal-based basal diet without antibiotic (AGP) growth promoter served as negative control (NC). The basal diet was supplemented with BMD (AGP, bacitracin methylene disalicylate-BMD 100 g/T), which served as the positive control (PC). Emulsifier was added to the NC diets at either 250 g/ton in all phases (250-All), 250 g in starter and grower phases, and 500 g in the finisher phase (250:250:500), 250 g in starter and 500 g in both grower and finisher phases (250:500:500) and 500 g in all phases (500 g-All).3. Two broilers per replicate were slaughtered to record carcase traits and gut microbial count on day 43. There was significant improvement in body weight gain (BWG) and reduced FCR in broilers fed 250:250:500 and 250:500:500 g emulsifiers compared to other treatment groups. Carcase traits and faecal microbial count did not differ among treatments. The inclusion of BMD significantly improved nitrogen (N) digestibility compared to the NC group. The digestibility of emulsifier-supplemented groups was similar to those fed by the BMD group except for the 500-All group, which was an intermediary between NC and other emulsifier-fed groups.4. It was concluded that supplementation with emulsifier (250:250:500 or 250:500:500) without antibiotic growth promoter significantly improved FCR and body weight gain similar to broilers receiving antibiotic growth promoter, which was associated with increased ileal digestibility of N and energy.

In vitro and in silico studies of fluorinated 2,3-disubstituted thiazolidinone-pyrazoles as potential α-amylase inhibitors and antioxidant agents.

As part of our effort to identify potent α-amylase inhibitors, in the present study, a novel series of fluorinated thiazolidinone-pyrazole hybrid molecules were prepared by the condensation of 3-(aryl/benzyloxyaryl)-pyrazole-4-carbaldehydes with fluorinated 2,3-disubstituted thiazolidin-4-ones. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by infrared, 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13 C NMR, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry data. All the compounds were screened for their α-amylase inhibitory and free radical scavenging activities by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS methods. Among the tested compounds, compound 8g emerged as a promising α-amylase inhibitor with IC50 = 0.76 ± 1.23 µM, and it was found to be more potent than the standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 0.86 ± 0.81 µM). Compounds 8b and 8g showed strong free radical scavenging activity compared to the standard butylated hydroxyl anisole. The kinetic study of compound 8g revealed the reversible, classical competitive inhibition mode on the α-amylase enzyme. Molecular docking and dynamic simulations studies were performed for the most potent compound 8g, which displayed remarkable hydrogen bonding with the α-amylase protein (PDB ID: 1DHK).

Atmospheric chemistry and cancer risk assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Nitro-PAHs over a semi-arid site in the Indo-Gangetic plain.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Nitro-PAHs were collected over a year at a traffic dominated site in Agra, to determine the dominant partitioning mechanism. During the entire sampling period, total PAHs and Nitro-PAHs were 3465 ± 3802 and 26.1 ± 25.9 ng m-3 respectively. The gas-particle partitioning behavior of PAHs was studied by applying the Pankow model, Absorption model, and Dual model. Amongst all the partitioning models, the Dual model fits well and indicates that the partitioning of PAHs at the traffic site in Agra depends on both the physical adsorption of PAHs on the Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) surface and absorption of PAHs into the organic layer present on the TSP surface. Pankow model indicates that PAHs are emitted from the source close to the sampling point and due to this PAHs do not get enough time to get partitioned in between both the phases. Incremental lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) shows that adults and children are more prone to cancer risk in comparison to infants for both PAHs and Nitro-PAHs. Cancer risk by inhalation was minimum in comparison to both ingestion and dermal exposure. Nitro-PAHs in the particulate phase were high enough to exceed the minimum permissible limit (10-6) of causing cancer by ingestion and dermal exposure.

Mutagenic and Cancer Risk Estimation of Particulate Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from the Emission of Different Biomass Fuels.

Smoke samples from combustion of different biomass fuels were analyzed for the particulate bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic nature. Out of 16 priority PAHs, 11 PAHs were detected in the emission of fuels, while the remaining 5 PAHs (chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and benzo[g,h,i]perylene) were below the detection limit. The highest emission factor for the sum of all the PAHs was found for coal (353.08 mg kg-1), charcoal (27.28 mg kg-1), and the various wood types. Emission rates of total PAHs ranged from 0.37 to 5.15 mg h-1 with the highest value for bituminous coal (5.15 mg h-1) and lowest for Polyalthia longifolia (0.37 mg h-1). A cancer risk assessment was done for infants, children, and adults using the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) model via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact pathway. The ILCR values ranged from 10-11 to 10-6, and a higher cancer risk was observed for children and adults in comparison to infants. PAH concentrations emitted from biomass emissions shows a direct correlation with mutagenesis to humans, indicating a higher potential for the frameshift mutation as compared to base-pair mutation for dung, bituminous coal, charcoal, Dalbergia sissoo, Psidium guajava, Ziziphus mauritana, Polyalthia longifolia, and Ailanthus trithesa.

Diversity of Essential Oil-Secretory Cells and Oil Composition in Flowers and Buds of Magnolia sirindhorniae and Its Biological Activities.

Magnolia sirindhorniae Noot. & Chalermglin produces fragrant flowers. The volatile oil secretary cells, quantity and quality as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the oils extracted from buds and flowers, have been investigated. The distribution of essential oil secretory cell in bud and flower revealed that the density and size of the oil cells were significantly higher in flowers compared to buds. In different floral parts, carpel has a higher oil cell density followed by gynophore and tepal. The histochemical analysis revealed the essential oil is synthesized in oil secretory cells. The volatile oil yield was 0.25 % in the buds and 0.50 % in flowers. GC/FID and GC/MS analysis identified 33 compounds contributing 83.2-83.5 % of the total essential oil composition. Linalool is the main constituent contributing 58.9 % and 51.0 % in the buds and flowers oils, respectively. The essential oil extracted from the flowers showed higher antimicrobial efficacy against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Similarly, the essential oil isolated from the flowers depicts higher free radical scavenging, and antioxidant activity compared to buds' oil.

Characterization of ambient PM1 at a suburban site of Agra: chemical composition, sources, health risk and potential cytotoxicity.

The present study was conducted at a University campus of Agra to determine concentrations of crustal and trace elements in submicron mode (PM1) particles to reveal sources and detrimental effects of PM1-bound metals (Cr, Cd, Mn, Zn, As, Co, Pb, Cu and Ni) in samples collected in the foggy (1 December 2016-17 January 2017) and non-foggy periods (1 April 2016-30 June 2016). Samples were collected twice a week on preweighed quartz fibre filters (QM-A 47 mm) for 24 h using Envirotech APM 577 (flow rate 10 l min-1). Mass concentration of PM1 was 135.0 ± 28.2 and 54.0 ± 18.5 µg/m3 during foggy and non-foggy period, respectively; crustal and trace elements were 13 and 4% during foggy and 11 and 3% in the non-foggy period. Source identification by PCA (principal component analysis) suggested that biomass burning and coal combustion was the prominent sources in foggy period followed by resuspended soil dust, industrial and vehicular emission, whereas in non-foggy period resuspended soil dust was dominant followed by biomass burning and coal combustion, industrial and vehicular emissions. In both episodes, Mn has the highest Hq (hazard quotient) value and Cr has the highest IlcR (Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk) value for both adults and children. In vitro cytotoxicity impact on macrophage (J774) cells was also tested using MTT assay which revealed decreasing cell viability with increasing particle mass.

Clinical, haemato-biochemical, and ultrasonographic findings of abomasal impaction and abomasal ulcers in buffaloes.

The current study evaluated the clinical, ruminal, haemato-biochemical, and ultrasonographic findings of abomasal disorders' affected buffaloes grouped as abomasal impaction (n = 18) and abomasal ulcers (n = 15). The abomasal disorders' screening was based on clinical examination and confirmed by ultrasonography. The most common clinical findings of the buffaloes affected with abomasal disorders include depressed demeanour (96.97%), absence of rumination (87.88%), abdominal guarding (87.88%), sunken eye balls (81.82%), tachycardia (78.79%), tachypnea (72.73%), and kyphosis (63.64%). The average rumen motility, respiratory rate, and pulse rate for abomasal impaction and abomasal ulcers were 0.28, 33.37, and 83.44, and 0.33, 35.87, and 92.60, respectively. The faecal occult blood test (benzidine test) revealed the presence of melena in all the buffaloes diagnosed with abomasal ulcers (100%). The ultrasonographic examination of the abomasal impaction group revealed increased abomasal size with no movement of the abomasal contents. The ultrasonographic imaging of abomasal ulcer-affected buffaloes showed irregularity in the abomasal wall-outline with moderately echogenic abomasal contents and a layer of fibrin at the affected area. Nine buffaloes had ultrasonographic evidence of peritonitis. The abomasal contents of buffaloes with positive benzidine test (n = 15) were screened for Clostridium perfringens by a polymerase chain reaction and were found positive for cpa toxin yielding 900-bp length. The rumen protozoal count was higher in healthy buffaloes, while the sedimentation test, (time) methylene blue reduction test, (time) and chloride levels were higher (P < 0.01) in the buffaloes affected with abomasal disorders. Haematological findings revealed a higher haematocrit, total leucocyte count, neutrophils, and eosinophil proportion and lower haemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, and lymphocyte proportion without affecting the fractions of monocytes and basophils. Furthermore, the buffaloes affected with abomasal disorders showed lower albumin, phosphorus, and potassium and higher aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine kinase, creatinine, and chloride concentrations. The present study projects clinical signs, ruminal parameters, and haemato-biochemical parameters as better indicators of abomasal disorders; however, ultrasonography is the sole diagnostic aid for the confirmation of abomasal disorders in buffaloes.

High efficiency spin filtering in magnetic phosphorene.

Phosphorene has a unique set of characteristics such as a semiconducting nature, good carrier mobility and low-spin orbit coupling aspects which makes it a highly prospective two dimensional material for cross-hybrid architectures in nanoelectronics, spintronics, and optoelectronics. In the spintronic context, the creation of a stable magnetic order in phosphorene can be immensely beneficial for designing phosphorene spin circuits. In this work, we present high efficiency spin filtering behaviour in magnetically rendered phosphorene. First, we calculate the effect of doping various 3d block elements in phosphorene to introduce a stable magnetic order. Next, by varying doping concentrations in distinct doping configurations, an extensive phase diagram has been obtained depicting the presence of various electronic and magnetic states. This allows us to achieve a high magnetisation in the presence of various transition metal atoms, with a spin polarisation of ∼100% in half-metallic regimes. The transport behaviour reveals a map of the spin injection efficiency showing enhancement with doping concentration and reaching a perfect spin filtering capacity of ∼100% in the presence of Ti, Cr, Mn, Co, and Fe atoms. The present results offer new insights into engineered designs of multi-functional phosphorene spintronic circuits.

Chemical fractionation of heavy metals in fine particulate matter and their health risk assessment through inhalation exposure pathway.

Samples of PM2.5 were collected from an urban area close to a national highway in Agra, India and sequentially extracted into four different fractions: water soluble (F1), reducible (F2), oxidizable (F3) and residual fraction (F4) for chemical fractionation of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb). The metals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy in each fraction. The average mass concentration of PM2.5 was 93 ± 24 µg m-3.The total concentrations of Cr, Pb, Ni, Co, As and Cd in fine particle were 192 ± 54, 128 ± 25, 108 ± 34, 36 ± 6, 35 ± 5 and 8 ± 2 ng m-3, respectively. Results indicated that Cd and Co had the most bioavailability indexes. Risk Assessment Code and contamination factors were calculated to assess the environmental risk. The present study evaluated the potential Pb hazard to young children using the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic Model. From the model, the probability density of PbB (blood lead level) revealed that at the prevailing atmospheric concentration, 0.302 children are expected to have PbB concentrations exceeding 10 µg dL-1 and an estimated IQ (intelligence quotient) loss of 1.8 points. The predicted blood Pb levels belong to Group 3 (PbB < 5 µg dL-1). Based on the bioavailable fractions, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks via inhalation exposure were assessed for infants, toddlers, children, males and females. The hazard index for potential toxic metals was 2.50, which was higher than the safe limit (1). However, the combined carcinogenic risk for infants, toddlers, children, males and females was marginally higher than the precautionary criterion (10-6).

Effects of intermediate frequency magnetic fields on male fertility indicators in mice.

Human exposure to intermediate frequency (IF) fields is increasing due to new applications such as electronic article surveillance systems, wireless power transfer and induction heating cookers. However, limited data is available on effects of IF magnetic fields (MF) on male fertility function. This study was conducted to assess possible effects on fertility indicators from exposure to IF MF. Male C57BL/6J mice were exposed continuously for 5 weeks to 7.5kHz MF at 12 and 120µT. Sperm cells from cauda epididymis were analysed for motility, total sperm counts, and head abnormalities. Motile sperm cells were classified as progressive or non-progressive. Testicular spermatid heads were counted as well. The body weight development and reproductive tissue weights were not affected. No exposure-related differences were observed in sperm counts or sperm head abnormalities. Proportion of non-motile cells was significantly decreased in the 120µT group, and a corresponding increase was seen in the percentage of motile cells (significant in non-progressive motile cells). In conclusion, no adverse effects on fertility indicators were observed. Increased sperm motility is an interesting finding that needs to be confirmed in further studies.

Chemical partitioning of fine particle-bound As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb and assessment of associated cancer risk due to inhalation, ingestion and dermal exposure.

The bioavailability and human health risks of As, Pb, Ni, Co, Cr and Cd in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at an urban site on a National highway in Agra, India were investigated. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer was used for metal analysis in sequentially extracted samples to ascertain the highly mobile, reducible, bioavailable and immobile fractions of the metals. Cancer risk resulting from inhalation, dermal and ingestion exposure to each metal in these fractions was calculated according to US EPA models. The average mass concentration of PM2.5 was 87.16 ± 62.51 µg/m3. Cr, Ni and Pb were the most abundant metals. The results showed that Pb and Cr were higher in the mobile fraction. Cd and Co had high bioavailability. Ingestion is the major exposure pathway for all heavy metals except Cr to infants, children and adults followed by inhalation and dermal contact. The cumulative risk for Cr(VI) due to dermal and inhalation routes exceed the maximum acceptable limit for children of age 1-7 years, 8-15 years and adults when total concentration is considered, but the estimated risks are within the acceptable limit when the bioavailable, water soluble and mobile fraction are taken into account. Hence the study shows that children and adults living in the vicinity of this site are more susceptible, hence more attention should be paid to protect them from pollution hazards. The study indicates the importance of metal speciation in assessing associated human health risks.

Effects of Biochar on Dispersibility of Colloids in Agricultural Soils.

The mobility of water-dispersible colloids (WDCs) in soil may be influenced by soil management practices such as organic soil amendments. Biochar has recently been promoted as a useful soil amendment, and extensive research has been devoted to investigating its effects on soil macroscopic properties and functions. However, there is limited understanding of the effects of biochar application on micro-scale particle dynamics. We conducted a field study to investigate the effects of the application of birch ( spp.) wood biochar on colloid dispersibility with respect to application rate, history, and physicochemical soil properties. Undisturbed soil cores (100 cm) were collected from the topsoil of two agricultural sites in Denmark with soils of sandy loam texture. The two sites received biochar at different application rates (0-100 Mg ha) and were sampled 7 to 19 mo later. The WDC content was determined using an end-over-end shaking method on 100-cm intact soil cores, and the colloid solution was analyzed for electrical conductivity, pH, and zeta potential. The WDC content increased with biochar application rate because of biochar-induced changes in soil chemistry and was strongly and positively correlated with the concentration of exchangeable monovalent cations in the soils. Biochar application increased pH and decreased electrical conductivity and zeta potential in the colloid suspension more in the short term (7 mo) than in the long term (19 mo). Thus, there is potential for biochar to induce short-term changes in soil solution chemistry in agricultural soils, which may influence the mobility of soil colloids.

Effect of supplementation of crystalline lysine on the performance of WL layers in tropics during summer.

A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of lysine concentration in the diet of WL layers with constant ratio of other essential amino acids to lysine. Pullets (528) aged 25 to 36 weeks were fed with test diet containing two protein levels (13.36 and 15.78%) each with 5% concentration of lysine (0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, and 0.70) and a control with 17% CP and 0.70%, lysine. Each test diet was fed ad libitum to six replicates of eight birds for a period of 12 weeks. Egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM), feed efficiency (g/g) (FE), body weight gain (BWG), Haugh unit (HU) and yolk colour (YC) were measured. Increased (P ≤ 0.05) EP, EW, EM, FE and BWG were obtained with increasing lysine concentration in diets. Whereas, feed intake/h/day, feed intake/egg, egg shell defects (ESD), mortality and shell thickness were not affected (P ≥ 0.05) by the concentration of lysine in diet. However, higher (P ≤ 0.05) HU score and YC were noticed at low lysine (0.50 %) concentrations. Based on this, it was concluded that WL layers (25-36 weeks) reared in open-sided houses in the tropics require approximately 0.70 % lysine (597.90 vs. 584.39 mg/h/day) in low (13.36% CP) and high (15.78% CP) protein groups in diets containing approximately 2700 kcal of ME/kg in summer.

Chemical characteristics and mutagenic activity of PM2.5 at a site in the Indo-Gangetic plain, India.

Airborne fine particulate matter PM2.5 was collected from May 2010 to December 2012 at Agra, a semi-urban site in north-central India. PM2.5 samples were chemically characterized for 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by gas chromatography. PM2.5 values varied between 8.4 and 300 µg m(-3) with 55% of the values exceeding the 24h average NAAQ (National Ambient Air Quality) standard of 65 µg m(-3). Particle associated total PAHs ranged between 8.9 and 2,065 ng m(-3) with a mean value of 880.8 ng m(-3) during the sampling period, indicated an alarming level of pollution in Agra. Strong relationship was observed between PM2.5 and total PAHs (r=0.88), suggesting an increasing PAHs concentration with increasing PM2.5 mass. On a mass basis 3-ring and 4-ring compounds were dominant. Seasonal variation in mass concentration of PAHs was observed with high concentration in winter followed by post monsoon, summer and monsoon. This seasonal pattern could be attributed to differences in source strength and climatic conditions. PAHs concentration were also observed to be negatively correlated with the meteorological parameters i.e. temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity and wind speed. Molecular diagnostic ratios revealed vehicular emissions and combustion of wood and coal as the probable sources. The estimated carcinogenicity of PAHs in terms of benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalency (B[a]PTEQ) was assessed and confirmed that benzo[a]pyrene was the dominant PAH contributor (3.64%). Health risk of adults and children by way of PAHs was assessed by estimating the lifetime average daily dose (LADD) and corresponding incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) using USEPA guidelines. The assessed cancer risk (ILCR) was found to be within the acceptable range (10(-6)-10(-4)). The particulate samples indicated the presence of both base pair and frame shift mutagens using TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium. Enhanced mutagenic response was observed in the presence of enzyme activation.

Effects of biochar on air and water permeability and colloid and phosphorus leaching in soils from a natural calcium carbonate gradient.

Application of biochar to agricultural fields to improve soil quality has increased in popularity in recent years, but limited attention is generally paid to existing field conditions before biochar application. This study examined the short-term physicochemical effects of biochar amendment in an agricultural field in Denmark with a calcium carbonate (CaCO) gradient. The field comprised four reference plots and four plots to which biochar (birch wood pyrolyzed at 500°C) was applied at a rate of 20 t ha. Five undisturbed soil columns (10 cm diam., 8 cm height) were sampled from each plot 7 mo after biochar application, and a series of leaching experiments was conducted. The leachate was analyzed for tritium (used as a tracer), colloids, and phosphorus concentration. The results revealed that the presence of CaCO has resulted in marked changes in soil structure (bulk density) and soil chemical properties (e.g., pH and ionic strength), which significantly affected air and water transport and colloid and phosphorous leaching. In denser soils (bulk density, 1.57-1.69 g cm) preferential flow dominated the transport and caused an enhanced movement of air and water, whereas in less dense soils (bulk density, 1.38-1.52 g cm) matrix flow predominated the transport. Compared with reference soils, biochar-amended soils showed slightly lower air permeability and a shorter travel time for 5% of the applied tracer (tritium) to leach through the soil columns. Colloid and phosphorus leaching was observed to be time dependent in soils with low CaCO. Biochar-amended soils showed higher colloid and P release than reference soils. Field-scale variations in total colloid and P leaching reflected clear effects of changes in pH and ionic strength due to the presence of CaCO. There was a linear relationship between colloid and P concentrations in the leachate, suggesting that colloid-facilitated P leaching was the dominant P transport mechanism.

SST broth, a new serum free germ tube induction medium for identification of Candida albicans.

Three serum free media viz, sucrose solution, starch solution and SST broth have been formulated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate these three different serum free media for induction of germ tubes by Candida albicans and to compare their efficacy with the pooled human serum. Out of 50 C. albicans isolates 47 (94%) and 49 (98%) produced germ tubes in pooled human serum and SST broth, respectively. Germ tube production was positive in 40 (80%) and 36 (72%) isolates, respectively in sucrose solution and starch solution. This study reports SST broth as a new stable and less expensive germ tube induction medium, which requires less time for preparation and can be used without any safety concerns. SST broth is found to be more effective than pooled human serum for induction of germ tubes by C. albicans isolates.

Characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in emissions of different mosquito coils.

Emission rates and emission factors of particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in the emissions of three prevalent mosquito coil brands available in the market in India, under controlled conditions in an environmental chamber. The emission rates varied between the brands and ranged between 2.0 ± 1.9 to 27.1 ± 1.5 µg h(-1) for brand A, 3.4 ± 1.1 to 32.3 ± 1.2 µg h(-1) for brand B and 3.1 ± 1.0 to 72.2 ± 1.1 µg h(-1) for brand C for different compounds. Five and six ring PAHs were not detected, however four and three ring PAHs dominated. Three ring PAHs contributed 24 %, 42 % and 29 %, while four ring compounds contributed 53 %, 35 % and 61 % to total PAHs in the three brands. Carcinogenic PAH compounds were also present in the emissions, indicating the potential risks associated with the inhalation of coil smoke.

Liquid biopsy for precision diagnostics and therapeutics.

Liquid biopsy (LB) has emerged as a highly promising and non-invasive diagnostic approach, particularly in the field of oncology, and has garnered interest in various medical disciplines. This technique involves the examination of biomolecules released into physiological fluids, such as urine samples, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The analysed biomolecules included circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumour cells (CTCs), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), exosomes, and other cell-free components. In contrast to conventional tissue biopsies, LB provides minimally invasive diagnostics, offering invaluable insights into tumor characteristics, treatment response, and early disease detection. This Review explores the contemporary landscape of technologies and clinical applications in the realm of LB, with a particular emphasis on the isolation and analysis of ctDNA and/or cfDNA. Various methodologies have been employed, including droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (DDP), BEAMing (beads, emulsion, amplification, and magnetics), TAm-Seq (tagged-amplicon deep sequencing), CAPP-Seq (cancer personalized profiling by deep sequencing), WGBS-Seq (whole genome bisulfite sequencing), WES (whole exome sequencing), and WGS (whole-genome sequencing). Additionally, CTCs have been successfully isolated through biomarker-based cell capture, employing both positive and negative enrichment strategies based on diverse biophysical and other inherent properties. This approach also addresses challenges and limitations associated with liquid biopsy techniques, such as sensitivity, specificity, standardization and interpretability of findings. This review seeks to identify the current technologies used in liquid biopsy samples, emphasizing their significance in identifying tumor markers for cancer detection, prognosis, and treatment outcome monitoring.

An all phosphorene lattice nanometric spin valve.

Phosphorene is a unique semiconducting two-dimensional platform for enabling spintronic devices integrated with phosphorene nanoelectronics. Here, we have designed an all phosphorene lattice lateral spin valve device, conceived via patterned magnetic substituted atoms of 3d-block elements at both ends of a phosphorene nanoribbon acting as ferromagnetic electrodes in the spin valve. Through First-principles based calculations, we have extensively studied the spin-dependent transport characteristics of the new spin valve structures. Systematic exploration of the magnetoresistance (MR) of the spin valve for various substitutional atoms and bias voltage resulted in a phase diagram offering a colossal MR for V and Cr-substitutional atoms. Such MR can be directly attributed to their specific electronic structure, which can be further tuned by a gate voltage, for electric field controlled spin valves. The spin-dependent transport characteristics here reveal new features such as negative conductance oscillation and switching of the sign of MR due to change in the majority spin carrier type. Our study creates possibilities for the design of nanometric spin valves, which could enable integration of memory and logic elements for all phosphorene 2D processors.

Addition of Dexmedetomidine to Propofol Anesthesia for Middle-Ear Surgeries: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Study.

Background Middle-ear surgery commonly performed under a microscope requires a bloodless field provided by hypotensive anesthesia. Our objective was to study the effects of dexmedetomidine on propofol consumption and intraoperative hemodynamic stability. Methods One hundred adults undergoing elective middle-ear surgery were randomized into two groups. The propofol+dexmedetomidine group (Group PD) received a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 1µg/kg in 10ml normal saline over 10min followed by infusion of the same at 0.5µg/kg/h. Propofol-only group (Group P) received 10ml normal saline over 10min followed by an infusion of the same. General anesthesia was induced with intravenous morphine, propofol, and vecuronium, and maintained with propofol, oxygen, and N2O. During microscope use, we aimed to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) within 60-69mmHg. Results There was no significant difference in the mean (SD) consumption of propofol [Group P 8.6 (2.1)mg/kg/h vs Group PD 8.1 (1.5)mg/kg/h, P=0.172]. The induction dose of propofol was significantly less in Group PD [1.8 (0.3) vs 2 (0.4)mg/kg, P<0.001]. Except for the baseline value, the heart rate was significantly lower in Group PD, P<0.001. The time duration during which MAP was within 60-69mmHg was higher in Group P [37.5 (36.8) vs 30.9 (38.3)min] though the difference was not statistically significant. The recovery was delayed in Group PD [25.4 (8.6) vs 17.6 (4.9)min, P<0.001]. Group PD had a significantly better operative field, P=0.0003. Conclusion The addition of dexmedetomidine did not reduce propofol consumption but reduced the induction dose of propofol. Propofol and dexmedetomidine combination provided comparable mean arterial pressure and better operative field but caused delayed recovery.