Charge Transfer Modulation in Vanadium-Doped WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se Heterostructures.

The field of photovoltaics is revolutionized in recent years by the development of two-dimensional (2D) type-II heterostructures. These heterostructures are made up of two different materials with different electronic properties, which allows for the capture of a broader spectrum of solar energy than traditional photovoltaic devices. In this study, the potential of vanadium (V)-doped WS2 is investigated, hereafter labeled V-WS2 , in combination with air-stable Bi2 O2 Se for use in high-performance photovoltaic devices. Various techniques are used to confirm the charge transfer of these heterostructures, including photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopy, along with Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). The results show that the PL is quenched by 40%, 95%, and 97% for WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se, 0.4 at.% V-WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se, and 2 at.% V-WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se, respectively, indicating a superior charge transfer in V-WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se compared to pristine WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se. The exciton binding energies for WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se, 0.4 at.% V-WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se and 2 at.% V-WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se heterostructures are estimated to be ≈130, 100, and 80 meV, respectively, which is much lower than that for monolayer WS2 . These findings confirm that by incorporating V-doped WS2 , charge transfer in WS2 /Bi2 O2 Se heterostructures can be tuned, providing a novel light-harvesting technique for the development of the next generation of photovoltaic devices based on V-doped transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs)/Bi2 O2 Se.

Improving the ACS Triage-Using High Sensitivity TroponinI and Copeptin for Early 'Rule-Out' of AMI.

Rule-out of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients presenting with acute chest pain at the emergency department (ED) is a major challenge across the globe. Patients presenting very early with chest pain may provide a diagnostic challenge even when using a cardiac necrosis specific biomarker, high sensitivity troponin (hs-Tn) as they are elevated at 3-6 h after the symptom onset. Copeptin is a marker of acute hemodynamic stress which is released within few minutes of the occurrence of MI and is elevated immediately at the presentation of patients with AMI. This indicates a complementary pathophysiology and kinetics of these two biomarkers. Hence, we evaluated whether or not a protocol with combined testing of copeptin and hs-TnI at admission in patients presenting with chest pain within 6 h in low to intermediate risk and suspected ACS leads to an earlier diagnosis of AMI and thereby, aids to prevent a higher proportion of major adverse cardiac events than the current standard protocol followed in ED. A total of 148 patients as per the inclusion criterion were recruited for the study. The dual biomarker copeptin and hs-TnI allows a rule-out of AMI at presentation with a sensitivity of 100% and NPV of 99.8%. Hence, the use of dual biomarker in conjunction with clinical assessment may obviate the need for a prolonged stay in the ED and retesting hs-TnI after 2 h (for delta check) in more than two-thirds of the patients. The inclusion of these tests could have an impact on the economic burden of the ED without jeopardizing the outcome for the patient.

Childhood Head Growth and Educational Attainment in an Indian Cohort.

BACKGROUND: There is minimal information about the association of head growth at different stages of childhood with cognitive ability. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of newborn head size and head growth during infancy, childhood and adolescence with attained education, a proxy for cognitive ability. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective birth cohort study. SETTING: Married women living in South Delhi between 1969 and 1973. PARTICIPANTS: The New Delhi Birth Cohort study followed up 8030 newborns born in 1969-1973 with head circumference, weight and height measurements at birth and 6-12 monthly until adulthood. Of these, 1526 men and women were followed up at the age of 26-32 years. OUTCOMES: Association between years of schooling, as an indicator of cognitive ability, and newborn head circumference and conditional measures of head growth during infancy, childhood and adolescence. RESULTS: In unadjusted analyses, newborn head size was positively associated with years of education [(b (95% CI)=0.30 (0.14 to 0.47) years per SD head circumference], as was head growth from birth to 6 months [b (95% CI)=0.44 (0.28 to 0.60) years per SD conditional head growth], 6 months to 2 years [b (95% CI)=0.31 (0.15 to 0.47) years per SD conditional head growth] and 2 to 11 years [b (95% CI)=0.20 (0.03 to 0.36) years per SD conditional head growth]. There were similar findings for height and body mass index (BMI). In the adjusted model containing all growth measures, gestational age, and socio-economic status (SES) at birth as predictors, only SES was positively associated with educational attainment. CONCLUSION: Educational attainment in this population is positively associated with socioeconomic status and its influence on inter-related early life (fetal, infant and childhood) factors like nutritional status and brain growth.

Post coronavirus disease mucormycosis: a deadly addition to the pandemic spectrum.

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible association between invasive fungal sinusitis (mucormycosis) and coronavirus disease. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care centre over four months, involving all patients with mucormycosis of the paranasal sinuses suffering from or having a history of coronavirus disease infection. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients presented with mucormycosis, all had an association with coronavirus disease 2019. The ethmoids (100 per cent) were the most common sinuses affected. Intra-orbital extension was seen in 43.47 per cent of cases, while intracranial extension was only seen in 8.69 per cent. Diabetes mellitus was present in 21 of 23 cases, and was uncontrolled in 12 cases. All patients had a history of steroid use during their coronavirus treatment. CONCLUSION: New manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 are appearing over time. The association between coronavirus and mucormycosis of the paranasal sinuses must be given serious consideration. Uncontrolled diabetes and over-zealous use of steroids are two main factors aggravating the illness, and both of these must be properly checked.

Diagnoses and management of adult cough: An Indian Environmental Medical Association (EMA) position paper.

BACKGROUND: Cough is a common yet distressing symptom that results in significant health care costs from outpatient visits and related consultations. OBJECTIVE: The understanding of the pathobiology of cough in recent times has undergone an evolution with Cough hypersensitivity syndrome (CHS) being suggested in most cases of dry cough. However, in the case of productive cough, ancillary mechanisms including impaired Mucociliary clearance, in addition to hypermucosecretory bronchospastic conditions of Smoker's cough, asthma-COPD overlap, bronchiectasis, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, need to be critically addressed while optimizing patient care with symptomatic therapy in outpatient settings of India. METHODS: In this review, evidence-based graded recommendations on use of antitussives - & protussives as a Position Paper were developed based on the Level and Quality of Scientific evidence as per Agency for Health Care and Quality (AHRQ) criteria listing and Expert opinions offered by a multidisciplinary EMA panel in India. RESULTS: Management of acute or chronic cough involves addressing common issues of environmental exposures and patient concerns before instituting supportive therapy with antitussives or bronchodilatory cough formulations containing mucoactives, anti-inflammatory, or short-acting beta-2 agonist agents. CONCLUSION: The analyses provides a real world approach to the management of acute or chronic cough in various clinical conditions with pro- or antitussive agents while avoiding their misuse in empirical settings.

Evaluation of MTBDRsl for detecting resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis to second-line drugs.

SETTING: Patients with presumed multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and undergoing MDR-TB treatment from Rajasthan, India.OBJECTIVE: To compare the GenoType® MTBDRsl v.1.0 (MTBDRsl) assay capacity to detect resistance to ofloxacin, amikacin, capreomycin, kanamycin and ethambutol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis with phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) using MGIT™960™ in sputum samples and isolates.DESIGN: Fifty-three smear-positive sputum samples were tested directly by MTBDRsl and 205 MDR-TB isolates were processed using MTBDRsl and DST for five drugs on MGIT960. DNA sequencing was performed in isolates with discordance in the results between the two methods for the gyrA, gyrB and rrs genes.RESULT: Sensitivity and specificity of MTBDRsl was found to be respectively 93.1% and 100% for fluoroquinoline, respectively 75-78% and 100% for aminoglycosides/cyclopeptides, respectively 70% and 92% for ethambutol and respectively 92.3% and 100% for extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB detection. On sequencing eight discordant isolates for quinolones, mutations were seen in 12.5% of the gyrB gene and among 20 discordant isolates for aminoglycosides/cyclopeptides in the rrs gene in 15% isolates. The turnaround time was 2 days for MTBDRsl vs. 10 days for MGIT960.CONCLUSIONS: MTBDRsl can be used as an initial rapid test for detecting XDR-TB, resistance to quinolones and aminogycosides/cyclopeptides in smear-positive sputum samples.

Structural exploration of hydroxyethylamines as HIV-1 protease inhibitors: new features identified.

The current study deals with chemometric modelling strategies (Naïve Bayes classification, hologram-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (HQSAR), comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA)) to explore the important features of hydroxylamine derivatives for exerting potent human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) protease inhibition. Depending on the statistically validated reliable and robust quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, important and crucial structural features have been identified that may be responsible for enhancing the activity profile of these hydroxylamine compounds. Arylsulfonamide function along with methoxy or fluoro substitution is important for enhancing activity. Bulky steric substitution at the sulfonamide nitrogen disfavours activity whereas smaller hydrophobic substitution at the same position is found to be favourable. Apart from the crucial oxazolidinone moiety, pyrrolidine, cyclic urea and methyl ester functions are also responsible for increasing the HIV-1 protease inhibitory profile. Observations derived from these modelling studies may be utilized further in designing promising HIV-1 protease inhibitors of this class.

Hydroxyethylamine derivatives as HIV-1 protease inhibitors: a predictive QSAR modelling study based on Monte Carlo optimization.

Application of HIV-1 protease inhibitors (as an anti-HIV regimen) may serve as an attractive strategy for anti-HIV drug development. Several investigations suggest that there is a crucial need to develop a novel protease inhibitor with higher potency and reduced toxicity. Monte Carlo optimized QSAR study was performed on 200 hydroxyethylamine derivatives with antiprotease activity. Twenty-one QSAR models with good statistical qualities were developed from three different splits with various combinations of SMILES and GRAPH based descriptors. The best models from different splits were selected on the basis of statistically validated characteristics of the test set and have the following statistical parameters: r2 = 0.806, Q2 = 0.788 (split 1); r2 = 0.842, Q2 = 0.826 (split 2); r2 = 0.774, Q2 = 0.755 (split 3). The structural attributes obtained from the best models were analysed to understand the structural requirements of the selected series for HIV-1 protease inhibitory activity. On the basis of obtained structural attributes, 11 new compounds were designed, out of which five compounds were found to have better activity than the best active compound in the series.

Accumulation of stem sugar and its remobilisation in response to drought stress in a sweet sorghum genotype and its near-isogenic lines carrying different stay-green loci.

Near isogenic lines (NILs) of sweet sorghum genotype S35 into which individual stay green loci were introgressed, were used to understand the contribution of Stay green loci to stem sugar accumulation and its remobilization under drought stress exposure. Sugar and starch content, activities of sugar metabolism enzymes and levels of their expression were studied in the 3rd (source) leaf from panicle and the 5th (sugar storing) internode of the three lines, in irrigated plants and in plants exposed to a brief drought exposure at the panicle emergence stage. Annotation of genes in the respective Stay green loci introgressed in the NILs was carried out using bioinformatics tools. The leaves of NILs accumulated more photoassimilates and the internodes accumulated more sugar, as compared to the parent S35 line. Drought stress exposure led to a decrease in the starch and sugar levels in leaves of all three lines, while an increase in sugar levels was observed in internodes of the NILs. Sugar fluxes were accompanied by alterations in the activities of sugar metabolizing enzymes as well as the expression of genes related to sugar metabolism and transport. Remobilization of sugars from the stem internodes was apparent in the NILs when subjected to drought stress, since the peduncle, which supports the panicle, showed an increase in the sugar content, even when photoassimation in source leaves was reduced. Several genes related to carbohydrate metabolism were located in the Stay green loci, which probably contributed to variation in the parameters studied.

A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study Using a Voxel-Based Analysis, Region-of-Interest Method to Analyze White Matter Abnormalities in First-Episode, Treatment-Naïve Major Depressive Disorder.

This study used fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure of diffusion tensor imaging, to analyze white matter abnormalities in 15 first-episode treatment-naïve patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 15 controls matched for age. An automated voxel-based analysis and a region-of-interest (ROI) method with 3T magnetic resonance imaging were used. Compared with controls, FA values were lower in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus, the left prefrontal cortex, and the left parietal region in patients with MDD. In addition, the ROI method revealed significantly lower FA values in the right hippocampus. Voxel-based analysis, a faster technique, complements the ROI method, which highlights FA values as potential biomarkers in early MDD.

Outcome of low level lasers versus ultrasonic therapy in de Quervain's tenosynovitis.

BACKGROUND: de Quervain's tenosynovitis is an inflammation of abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) muscle tendon sheaths at the level of radial styloid process. Its conservative management includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, wrist and thumb immobilization, ultrasonic therapy (US Th.) and low level laser therapy (LLLT). Literature is scanty on comparative efficacy of US Th. and LLLT for its management. This prospective study evaluates outcome of US Th. versus LLLT in de Quervain's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients clinically diagnosed de Quervains tenosynovitis were included in the study and randomly assigned to two groups. The average age was 36 years (range: 21-45 years). One group was given LLLT and the other US Th. for a total of 7 exposures on alternate days. The clinical criteria used were Finkelstein's test, tenderness over radial styloid (Ritchie's tenderness scale), grip strength, pain (visual analog scale [VAS]) and radiological criteria was ultrasonographic assessment of change in thickness of APL and EPB tendon sheath. They were measured before commencement and at the end of seven sessions of therapy, as per standard procedure. RESULTS: Significant improvement was seen within both groups in the following outcome measures assessed: Ritchie's tenderness scale, grip strength and VAS. Finkelstein's test was not significantly improved in either groups. Ultrasonographic measurement of tendon sheath diameters, the mediolateral (ML), and anteroposterior (AP) diameters was not found to be significantly different in the US Th. group and the laser therapy group after treatment. On comparing both the groups, no statistically significant difference was found. However, looking at the mean values, the grip strength and VAS showed better improvement in the US Th. group as compared to the laser therapy group.

Rapid detection of rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis by high-resolution melting curve analysis.

SETTING: High-resolution melting curve analysis (HRMA) can be used to screen for mutations in genes without the need for specific probes, with low turnaround time and high cost-effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: To detect the sensitivity and specificity of a line-probe assay (LPA) and HRMA in comparison with BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 for the detection of rifampicin (RMP) resistance. DESIGN: A total of 219 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates tested by MGIT 960 for RMP susceptibility were tested with HRMA and LPA. Discordant samples were processed for sequencing of the RMP resistance-determining region (RRDR) of the rpoB gene. RESULTS: HRMA identified 93 of 103 (90.3%) isolates that were resistant and 113/116 (97.4%) that were susceptible on MGIT 960, with a sensitivity and specificity of respectively 90.3% and 97.4%. HRMA identified 117/119 (98.3%) LPA-susceptible and 94/100 (94%) resistant isolates, with 98.3% specificity and 94% sensitivity. Two isolates that were susceptible on LPA but resistant on HRMA showed silent mutations at 539 and 541 codons on sequencing, while 6 isolates that were susceptible on HRMA but resistant on LPA showed D516V (n = 4) and H526C/D (n = 2) mutations. Four isolates (3.9%) that were resistant on MGIT were susceptible on all three genotypic methods, which could be due to mutations outside the RRDR or efflux pumps. CONCLUSION: HRMA shows good potential as a rapid screening tool for the detection of drug resistance.

A direct observation of bacterial coverage and biofilm formation by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on chalcopyrite and pyrite surfaces.

To obtain a fundamental understanding of the population behaviour of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans at chalcopyrite and pyrite surfaces, the early stage attachment behaviour and biofilm formation by this bacterium on chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and pyrite (FeS2) were studied by optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The results indicate there was no significant difference in selectivity of bacterial attachment between chalcopyrite and pyrite. However, the result of ToF-SIMS analysis suggests that the surface of the pyrite was covered more extensively by biofilm than that of the chalcopyrite, which may indicate more extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) formation by bacterial cells growing on pyrite. EBSD and optical image analysis indicated that selectivity of bacterial attachment to chalcopyrite was not significantly affected by crystal orientation. The results also suggest that the bacterial population in defective areas of chalcopyrite was significantly higher than on the polished surfaces.

Systemic jasmonic acid modulation in mycorrhizal tomato plants and its role in induced resistance against Alternaria alternata.

Tomato plants colonised with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus fasciculatum show systemic induced resistance to the foliar pathogen Alternaria alternata, as observed in interactions of other AM-colonised plants with a range of pathogens. The role of jasmonic (JA) and salicylic (SA) acid in expression of this mycorrhiza-induced resistance (MIR) against A. alternata was studied by measuring: (i) activity of enzymes reported to be involved in their biosynthesis, namely lipoxygenase (LOX) and phenylammonia lyase (PAL); and (ii) levels of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and SA. Transcript abundance of some defence genes associated with JA and SA response pathways were also studied. Both LOX and PAL activity increased twofold in response to pathogen application to control plants. AM-colonised plants had three-fold higher LOX activity compared to control plants, but unlike controls, this did not increase further in response to pathogen application. Higher LOX activity in AM-colonised plants correlated with four-fold higher MeJA in leaves of AM-colonised plants compared to controls. Treatment of plants with the JA biosynthesis inhibitor salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) led to 50% lower MeJA in both control and AM-colonised plants and correlated with increased susceptibility to A. alternata, suggesting a causal role for JA in expression of MIR against the pathogen. Genes involved in JA biosynthesis (OPR3) and response (COI1) showed six- and 42-fold higher expression, respectively, in leaves of AM-colonised plants compared to controls. AM-colonised plants also showed increased expression of the SA response gene PR1 and that of the wound-inducible polypeptide prosystemin. Our results suggest that the systemic increase in JA in response to AM colonisation plays a key role in expression of MIR against A. alternata.

Epinephrine, DNA integrity and oxidative stress in workers exposed to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) at 132 kV substations.

There is apprehension about widespread use of electrical and electromagnetic gadgets which are supposed to emit electromagnetic radiations. Reports are controversy. These electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have considerable effect on endocrine system of exposed subjects. This study was focused to assess the possible bioeffects of extremely low-frequency (ELF)-EMFs on epinephrine level, DNA damage and oxidative stress in subjects occupationally exposed to 132 kV high-voltage substations. The blood sample of 142 exposed subjects and 151 non-exposed individuals was analyzed. Plasma epinephrine was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, DNA damage was studied by alkaline comet assay along with oxidative stress. Epinephrine levels of sub-groups showed mean concentration of 75.22 ± 1.46, 64.43 ± 8.26 and 48.47 ± 4.97 for high, medium and low exposed groups, respectively. DNA damage ranged between 1.69 µm and 9.91 µm. The oxidative stress levels showed significant increase. The individuals employed in the live-line procedures were found to be vulnerable for EM stress with altered epinephrine concentrations, DNA damage and increased oxidative stress.

Cleidocranial dysplasia with autosomal dominant inheritance pattern.

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant disease with a wide range of expression, characterized by clavicular hypoplasia, retarded cranial ossification, delayed bone and teeth development, supernumerary teeth, stomatognathic, craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities. This paper presents a case of CCD in a female with brachycephalic skull, depressed frontal bone and nasal bridge, hypoplastic middle one-third of face with mandibular prognathism and hyper mobility of both shoulders with associated radiographic features. Odontologist is often the first professional who patient of CCD approaches, since there is a delay in the eruption or absence of permanent teeth. The premature diagnosis allows a scope for proper treatment modalities, offering a better life quality for patient.

Galvanically replaced Au-Pd nanostructures: study of their enhanced elemental mercury sorption capacity over gold.

In this study, the efficiency of bimetallic (Au-Pd) nanostructures over Au and Pd substrates for elemental mercury (Hg(0)) vapor sensing and capturing was investigated. The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique was utilized to determine the sorption kinetics and quantity of Hg(0) captured by the developed Au-Pd surfaces. The Au-Pd nanostructures were synthesized directly on the QCM's Pd electrodes using galvanic replacement (GR) reactions for periods of 0.5 to 48 hours, which enabled the ratio of Au to Pd on the surface to be controlled. It was observed that the mercury affinity of the surface does not increase with increased Au loading, rather the Au : Pd ratio obtained after a GR reaction time of 1 hour was found to have the highest affinity towards Hg(0) vapor under the GR reaction conditions used in this study. Any further increase in Au : Pd ratio at the surface resulted in reduced affinity for Hg(0) with the Au-rich Au-Pd nanostructures behaving similar to an Au-control substrate. However, short reaction periods (i.e. 1 h) produced small Au nanoparticles increasing the surface to volume ratio for better sensitivity and response times. Remarkably, the QCM data showed that GR based Au-Pd nanostructures removed 2.5 µg cm(-2) of Hg(0) from a gas stream containing 9.1 mg m(-3) of Hg(0) vapor within the first 3 minutes of exposure. The control surfaces (Pd and Au based thin-films) on the other hand took a total of 106 and 159 minutes, respectively to reach the same Hg(0) sorption capacity from the same gas stream.