Valorization of cellulosic fiber derived from waste biomass of constructed wetland as a potential reinforcement in polymeric composites: A technological approach to achieve circular economy.

This study establishes the suitability of cellulosic fibers derived from Canna indica waste biomass for utilization as a reinforcement in natural fiber polymeric composites. The waste biomass was harvested from constructed wetlands engaged in the treatment of municipal wastewater from a gated community. The extracted Canna indica (CI) fibers were studied for their physicochemical, mechanical, structural, crystallographic, and thermal characteristics and proposed as a potential alternative to synthetic fiber. The CI fibers contained a relatively higher amount of cellulose (60 wt%) and a low wax fraction (0.5 wt%) - which is advantageous for its gainful utilization as a reinforcement. The CI fibers were thermally stable up to 237 °C and have an average fiber length, diameter, and density of 4.3 mm, 842 µm, and 0.75 g/cm3, respectively. The mean maximum tensile strength and Young's modulus were found to be 113 ± 6.82 MPa and 0.8 ± 7.91 GPa, respectively. The nano-indentation test displayed the nano hardness and modulus as 0.3 ± 0.6 GPa and 1.62 ± 0.2 GPa, respectively. The crystallographic properties of CI fibers consisted of an 87.45% crystallinity index and 3.2 nm crystallite size. The morphological attributes of CI fibers showed rough surfaces and shallow cavities on the surfaces of the fibers suggesting the suitability for its utilization as a reinforcement. It is argued that this technological approach can potentially achieve circular economy through valorization of Canna indica biomass harvested from natural wastewater treatment plants.

Perkinsus olseni in the short neck yellow clam, Paphia malabarica (Chemnitz, 1782) from the southwest coast of India.

Parasites of the genus Perkinsus predominantly infect bivalves, and two species among them, P. olseni and P. marinus, are notifiable to OIE. P. olseni infections are known to cause extensive damage to wild as well as farmed bivalves globally with enormous implications to its fishery. Consequent to the initiation of a surveillance programme for aquatic animal diseases in India, Perkinsus infections were observed in many species of bivalves. The present paper describes P. olseni infections in the short neck yellow clam, Paphia malabarica from the southwest coast of India. Diagnosis of the parasite was carried out using Ray's Fluid Thioglycollate Medium culture, histology, in-situ hybridisation and molecular taxonomy. Pathology of infection and development of zoospores is also described. This forms the first report of a P. olseni infection in P. malabarica. High prevalence and intensity of infection of Perkinsus in clams raises concerns, as clam reserves in this geographical area sustain fisheries and the livelihoods of local fishing communities.

Morphometric and molecular characterisation of Tenuiproboscis keralensis n. sp. infecting marine and brackish water fishes from the south-west coast of India with a note on morphological plasticity.

A new species of acanthocephalan infecting marine and brackish water fishes from the south-west coast of India is described. The parasite belongs to the genus Tenuiproboscis, and the fish hosts include Lutjanus argentimaculatus, L. ehrenbergii, Siganus javus, Epinephelus malabaricus, E. coioides, Scatophagus argus, Parascolopsis aspinosa, Caranx ignobilis, Gerres filamentosus and Lates calcarifer. The parasite inhabits mid- and hindgut regions and is characterised by an elongated, cylindrical, bulbous and posteriorly tapering metasoma and a claviform proboscis having 14-15 rows of 14-15 hooks each. Females larger than males, measured 3898.16-10,318.00 µm (6430.00 ± 1417.30) in length and 458.93-1435.68 µm (929.81 ± 250.39) in width. Males measured 3234.89-8644.20 µm (5729.50 ± 1176.60) in length and 388.30-1584.61 µm (795.88 ± 184.12) in width. Parasites recovered from different host species showed morphological/morphometric variations. However, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant overlapping of characters indicating their similarities. Proboscis profiling based on variations in size and position of hooks also yielded similar results. Further, in molecular phylogenetic analysis, parasites from different fish hosts formed a monophyletic clade with strong bootstrap support, again indicating their conspecific nature. These morphological/morphometric variations can be ascribed to differences in host species. Morphology and morphometrics in combination with PCA, proboscis profiling and molecular analysis suggest the present acanthocephalan parasite is different from other described species of Tenuiproboscis. Hence, it is considered as a new species and named T. keralensis n. sp. Prevalence, intensity and abundance of the parasite in different hosts are also discussed.

COVID-19 infected ST-Elevation myocardial infarction in India (COSTA INDIA).

OBJECTIVE: To find out differences in the presentation, management and outcomes of COVID-19 infected STEMI patients compared to age and sex-matched non-infected STEMI patients treated during the same period. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicentre observational registry in which we collected data of COVID-19 positive STEMI patients from selected tertiary care hospitals across India. For every COVID-19 positive STEMI patient, two age and sex-matched COVID-19 negative STEMI patients were enrolled as control. The primary endpoint was a composite of in-hospital mortality, re-infarction, heart failure, and stroke. RESULTS: 410 COVID-19 positive STEMI cases were compared with 799 COVID-19 negative STEMI cases. The composite of death/reinfarction/stroke/heart failure was significantly higher among the COVID-19 positive STEMI patients compared with COVID-19 negative STEMI cases (27.1% vs 20.7% p value = 0.01); though mortality rate did not differ significantly (8.0% vs 5.8% p value = 0.13). Significantly lower proportion of COVID-19 positive STEMI patients received reperfusion treatment and primary PCI (60.7% vs 71.1% p value=< 0.001 and 15.4% vs 23.4% p value = 0.001 respectively). Rate of systematic early PCI (pharmaco-invasive treatment) was significantly lower in the COVID-19 positive group compared with COVID-19 negative group. There was no difference in the prevalence of high thrombus burden (14.5% and 12.0% p value = 0.55 among COVID-19 positive and negative patients respectively) CONCLUSIONS: In this large registry of STEMI patients, we did not find significant excess in in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 co-infected patients compared with non-infected patients despite lower rate of primary PCI and reperfusion treatment, though composite of in-hospital mortality, re-infarction, stroke and heart failure was higher.

Impact of COVID-19 on heart failure hospitalization and outcome in India - A cardiological society of India study (CSI-HF in COVID 19 times study - "The COVID C-HF study").

OBJECTIVES: The presentation and outcomes of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) during COVID times (June 2020 to Dec 2020) were compared with the historical control during the same period in 2019. METHODS: Data of 4806 consecutive patients of acute HF admitted in 22 centres in the country were collected during this period. The admission patterns, aetiology, outcomes, prescription of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and interventions were analysed in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Admissions for acute heart failure during the pandemic period in 2020 decreased by 20% compared to the corresponding six-month period in 2019, with numbers dropping from 2675 to 2131. However, no difference in the epidemiology was seen. The mean age of presentation in 2019 was 61.75 (±13.7) years, and 59.97 (±14.6) years in 2020. There was a significant decrease in the mean age of presentation (p = 0.001). Also. the proportion of male patients decreased significantly from 68.67% to 65.84% (p = 0.037). The in-hospital mortality for acute heart failure did not differ significantly between 2019 and 2020 (4.19% and 4.,97%) respectively (p = 0.19). The proportion of patients with HFrEF did not change in 2020 compared to 2019 (76.82% vs 75.74%, respectively). The average duration of hospital stay was 6.5 days. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of ADHF patients admitted during the Covid pandemic did not differ significantly. The length of hospital stay remained the same. The study highlighted the sub-optimal use of GDMT, though slightly improving over the last few years.

Mitogenomic architecture of the multivalent endemic black clam (Villorita cyprinoides) and its phylogenetic implications.

The Indian black clam Villorita cyprinoides (Family: Cyrenidae), an extractive commercially exploited species with aquaculture importance contributing more than 70% of clam fishery in India, is endemic to the Indian peninsula. Currently, there is very sparse information, especially on the molecular data of Villorita. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive knowledge of mitogenome architecture and assess the phylogenetic status of Cyrenidae. This has resulted in reporting the first complete mitogenome of V. cyprinoides using next-generation sequencing technology. The A+T circular mitogenome was 15,880 bp long, exhibiting 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) including ATP8 (absent in several bivalves), 22 transfer RNA, and two ribosomal RNA genes residing in the heavy strand in a clockwise orientation and a gene order akin to Corbicula fluminea. The molecular phylogeny inferred from a concatenated multi-gene sequence [14 mitochondrial (12 PCGs, rrnS and rrnL) and two nuclear genes (Histone H3, 18S rRNA)] from 47 representative species of superorder Imparidentia, clustered V. cyprinoides and Cyrenid clams to a single clade supporting the monophyly of Cyrenidae. The subsequent mitochondrial gene order analysis substantiates the close relationship of V. cyprinoides and C. fluminea, analogous to phylogenetic output. The multilocus tree topology calibrated with verified fossil data deciphered the origin and diversification of Cyrenid clams during late Triassic-early Jurassic. The data derived from this study shall contribute remarkably for further insights on cryptic species identification, molecular characterization of bivalve mitogenomes and mitochondrial evolutionary history of genus Villorita. Moreover, complete mitogenome can aid in potential marker development for assessing the genetic health of black clam populations.

Inhibition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adduct formation in epidermis and lungs of SENCAR mice by naturally occurring plant phenols.

Naturally occurring plant phenols such as tannic acid, quercetin, myricetin, and anthraflavic acid are known to inhibit the mutagenicity of several bay-region diol-epoxides of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The binding of bay-region diol-epoxides of PAHs to target tissue DNA is thought to be essential for the initiation of cancer by these compounds. In this study we investigated the effect of these plant phenols on PAH-DNA adduct formation in the epidermis and lung of SENCAR mice. In vitro addition of tannic acid, quercetin, myricetin, and anthraflavic acid (25 microM) to an incubation system containing epidermal microsomes prepared from either control or 3-methylcholanthrene-pretreated mice inhibited benzo(a)pyrene binding to calf thymus DNA by 63-64, 38-43, 36-37, and 27-33%, respectively. A single topical application of tannic acid, quercetin, myricetin, and anthraflavic acid at a dose of 400 mumol/kg body weight resulted in the inhibition of [3H]benzo(a)pyrene binding to epidermal DNA (48-73%) and protein (51-63%). The same dose of these plant phenols (400 mumol/kg) caused even greater inhibition of (+/-)-[3H]-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo(a)pyrene and [3H]-7,12-dimethybenz(a)anthracene binding to epidermal DNA and protein. The formation of (+)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene-deoxyguanosine adducts was substantially diminished in both epidermis (62-86%) and lungs (38-84%). These results indicate that tannic acid, quercetin, myricetin, and anthraflavic acid are potent inhibitors of carcinogen binding to epidermal and lung DNA and suggest that these plant phenols could prove useful in modifying the risk of tumor induction by PAHs such as benzo(a)pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in these two tissues.

Molecular phylogeny of commercially important lobster species from Indian coast inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences.

Lobsters constitute low-volume high-value crustacean fishery resource along Indian coast. For the conservation and management of this declining resource, accurate identification of species and larvae is essential. The objectives of this work were to generate species-specific molecular signatures of 11 commercially important species of lobsters of families Palinuridae and Scyllaridae and to reconstruct a phylogeny to clarify the evolutionary relationships among genera and species included in this study. Partial sequences were generated for all the candidate species from sampling sites along the Indian coast using markers like Cytochrome oxidase I (COI), 16SrRNA, 12SrRNA, and 18SrRNA genes, and analyzed. The genetic identities of widely distributed Thenus species along the Indian coast to be Thenus unimaculatus and the sub-species of Panulirus homarus to be P. homarus homarus were confirmed. Phylogeny reconstruction using the individual gene and concatenated mtDNA data set were carried out. The overall results suggested independent monophyly of Scyllaridae and Stridentes of Palinuridae. The interspecific divergence was found to be highest for the 12SrRNA compared with other genes. Significant incongruence between mtDNA and nuclear 18SrRNA gene tree topologies was observed. The results hinted an earlier origin for Palinuridae compared with Scyllaridae. The DNA sequence data generated from this study will aid in the correct identification of lobster larvae and will find application in research related to larval transport and distribution.

Additive effects of ultraviolet B and crude coal tar on cutaneous carcinogen metabolism: possible relevance to the tumorigenicity of the Goeckerman regimen.

The effect of cutaneous exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation alone, to crude coal tar (CCT) alone, and to the combination of UVB and CCT on the inducibility of the microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent carcinogen-metabolizing enzyme aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and other monooxygenases such as 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (ERD) and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECD) activities in the skin of neonatal rats was studied. Exposure of the animals to UVB (400-1600 mJ/cm2) alone resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cutaneous enzyme activities. At a UVB dose of 1200 mJ/cm2 increases in AHH, ECD, and ERD were 194%, 115%, and 244%, respectively. A single topical application of CCT (10 ml/kg) 24 h before sacrifice resulted in significant induction of AHH (350%), ECD (921%), and ERD (796%) activities. Treatment of animals with the same dose of CCT followed by UVB exposure resulted in additive and/or synergistic effects on AHH (858%), ECD (1229%), and ERD (1166%) activities in the skin. In contrast, exposure of animals to UVB prior to CCT application had effects no different from those of CCT alone. Epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase activities in skin from all experimental groups were not different from those of controls. High-pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) by cutaneous microsomes prepared from animals treated with UVB alone, CCT alone, and the combination of UVB and CCT revealed increased formation of all the metabolites in each experimental group. The largest increase in metabolite formation occurred in animals receiving CCT followed by UVB exposure. The inducibility of trans-7,8-diol formation by UVB alone and CCT alone was 203% and 435%, respectively, whereas with CCT followed by UVB it was 1065%. The differential responses in AHH activity were found to parallel the capacity of skin microsomal enzymes to enhance the binding of [3H]-BP to DNA. These studies indicate that the sequence of exposure to the components of the Goeckerman regimen in rodents greatly influences metabolic activity in skin. When applied in the same sequence employed in the Goeckerman regimen (CCT followed by UVB exposure) the additive effect upon catalytic activity essential for cancer initiation suggests a possible mechanism for the enhancement of human skin cancer in individuals exposed to this therapeutic regimen.

Benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide-I-DNA adduct formation in the epidermis and lung of SENCAR mice following topical application of crude coal tar.

The levels of benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide-I-deoxyguanosine (BPDE-I-dG) adduct formation in epidermis and lung of SENCAR mice following the topical application of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) alone, crude coal tar (CCT) alone, and the two combined were determined in an enzyme linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay using monoclonal antibodies. Topical application of two doses of BP (20 micrograms) at 72-h intervals, with sacrifice 24 h later resulted in the formation of 197 fmol and 205 fmol BPDE-I-dG adducts per mg DNA in epidermis and lung, respectively. Topical application of 0.5 ml CCT alone resulted in the formation of 278 fmol and 410 fmol BPDE-I-dG adducts per mg DNA in epidermis and lung, respectively. Simultaneous topical application of 20 micrograms BP and CCT (0.1-0.5 ml) resulted in substantially lower BPDE-I-dG adducts in the epidermis as well as in the lung. Our results suggest that CCT may contain inhibitors of carcinogen-DNA adduct formation and that topical application of CCT produces greater effects on DNA-adduct formation in lung than in epidermis. Thus the cancer-causing potency of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in CCT may be reduced by other anticarcinogenic constituents present in CCT and systemic absorption of carcinogenic PAHs in CCT applied to skin might have tumorigenic effects in other tissues.

Turnover of parenterally administered zinc and cadmium and the redistribution of metallothionein bound zinc in newborn rats.

The whole body retention, tissue distribution and protein binding patterns of 65Zn were compared with 109Cd in newborn rats during postnatal development. One-day-old pups received a single injection of either 65Zn (2.5 microCi) or 109Cd (2.5 microCi plus 1 mg Cd/kg as CdCl2). During the 22 days of age, the whole body retention of 109Cd was higher than that for 65Zn. The biological half times were 466 and 46.3 days for 109Cd and 65Zn, respectively. There were marked differences in tissue deposition of these metals. Both liver and kidney accumulated more 109Cd than other tissues while the 65Zn showed a uniform distribution, with a gradual decrease in radioactivity with age. At the time of weaning, 109Cd had accumulated mainly in liver and kidney whereas, 65Zn was found predominantly in bone and skin. The specific binding of 109Cd to hepatic MT in newborn rats did not change with growth. Although a significant amount of 65Zn initially accumulated in the MT fractions in the liver, it was transferred gradually to high molecular weight protein fractions during development. The administration of these 2 metals had no effect on the body weight, liver weight and total hepatic zinc concentration. However, a significantly high content of MT and zinc in MT fractions was detected in the livers of Cd-treated rats at 22 days of age. The results show the transfer of the essential metal, zinc from hepatic MT to other proteins and the specific binding of cadmium, the non-essential metal to MT during postnatal development in rats.

Effect of partial hepatectomy on hepatic metallothionein and glutathione levels and cadmium distribution in different tissues.

The changes in hepatic metallothionein (MT) and glutathione levels and cadmium distribution were investigated 72 hr after a subcutaneous administration of 1.5 mg Cd2+/kg as CdCl2H2O to normal and partially hepatectomized rats. Partial hepatectomy had no effect on native metallothionein content. Cadmium and MT content in livers of partially hepatectomized rats were comparatively lower than in those of intact rats. However, cadmium content significantly increased in other organs of partially hepatectomized rats. Cadmium exposure decreased glutathione level only in intact rats. The effects of partial hepatectomy and regeneration on hepatic MT level and metal distribution are discussed.

Dermatological manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infected / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients in a referral hospital of Central Kerala.

A number of skin diseases are described in association with HIV infection/AIDS. In the present study the frequency of various skin manifestations among HIV infected / AIDS patients are noted. Generalised pruritus and dry skin were the common manifestations encountered. There was a significant absence of Kaposi's sarcoma, multi-dermatomal herpes zoster and oral hairy leukoplakia. A prominent hyperpigmented band on finger nails was seen.

Proteus syndrome.

Proteus syndrome is a hamartomatous disorder characterised by focal overgrowths that can involve any structure of the body. An eleven-year-old girl with Proteus syndrome has been described with clitoromegaly.

Lip leishmaniasis.

A case of leishmaniasis of lip without any involvement of other parts of the body in a 36 year-old-male is described.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with paraproteinaemia.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is a subset of inflammatory form of normolipaemic xanthomas. Because of its characteristic clinical and histopathological findings necrobiotic xanthogranuloma may be regarded as a specific marker of paraproteinaemia.

Distribution of intratracheally administered cadmium in rats.

Cadmium chloride cleared rapidly from the lungs and translocated mainly into the liver within 24 hrs of an intratracheal instillation. Further pulmonary clearance and hepatic accumulation were very slow during the remaining observation period of 24 days. Though, the uptake of cadmium by kidneys was lower but the level increased consistently with the time after instillation. The induction of metallothionein synthesis by cadmium might be responsible for accumulation and retention of cadmium in liver and kidneys significantly.