Prevalence status and detection of benzimidazole resistance using AS-PCR in Haemonchus contortus of goats from Marathwada region, Maharashtra, India.

This study examined Haemonchus contortus prevalence and benzimidazole resistance in eight districts of Marathwada, Maharashtra, India. A comprehensive investigation of 264 abomasa of goats collected from abattoirs and goats necropsied at the College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Parbhani, revealed 21.21 % a prevalence of H. contortus. The incidence of H. contortus did not vary much across seasons and it was highest in summer (23.42 %), followed by monsoon (22.89 %), and lowest in winter (15.71 %). Statistically non-significant (p < 0.05) prevalence was observed in male and female animals. A detailed examination of 168 adult H. contortus worms from eight districts revealed the presence of all conceivable genotypes including homozygous resistant (rr), susceptible (SS), and heterozygous (Sr) BZ susceptible genotypes. The rr was the most frequent at 50 %, followed by SS at 27 % and Sr at 22 %. The presence of the SNP was observed in in all eight randomly selected and sequenced samples.

COVID-19 Resilience and Risk Reduction Intervention in Rural Populations of Western India: Retrospective Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Globally, especially in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), rural populations were more susceptible to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic due to lower levels of community awareness, poor hygiene, and health literacy accompanying pre-existing weak public health systems. Consequently, various community-based interventions were engineered in rural regions worldwide to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic by empowering people to mount both individual and collective public health responses against the pandemic. However, to date, there is paucity of information on the effectiveness of any large-scale community intervention in controlling and mitigating the effects of COVID-19, especially from the perspective of LMICs. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective impact evaluation study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a large-scale rural community-based intervention, the COVID-Free Village Program (CFVP), on COVID-19 resilience and control in rural populations in Maharashtra, India. METHODS: The intervention site was the rural areas of the Pune district where CFVP was implemented from August 2021 to February 2022, while the adjoining district, Satara, represented the control district where the COVID-Free Village Scheme was implemented. Data were collected during April-May 2022 from 3500 sample households in villages across intervention and comparison arms by using the 2-stage stratified random sampling through face-to-face interviews followed by developing a matched sample using propensity score matching methods. RESULTS: The participants in Pune had a significantly higher combined COVID-19 awareness index by 0.43 (95% CI 0.29-0.58) points than those in Satara. Furthermore, the adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviors, including handwashing, was 23% (95% CI 3%-45%) and masking was 17% (0%-38%) higher in Pune compared to those in Satara. The probability of perception of COVID as a serious illness in patients with heart disease was 22% (95% CI 1.036-1.439) higher in Pune compared to that in Satara. The awareness index of COVID-19 variants and preventive measures were also higher in Pune by 0.88 (95% CI 0.674-1.089) points. In the subgroup analysis, when the highest household educational level was restricted to middle school, the awareness about the COVID-control program was 0.69 (95% CI 0.36-1.021) points higher in Pune, while the awareness index of COVID-19 variants and preventive measures was higher by 0.45 (95% CI 0.236-0.671) points. We did not observe any significant changes in the overall COVID-19 vaccination coverage due to CFVP implementation. Furthermore, the number of COVID-19 deaths in both the sampled populations were very low. The probability of observing COVID-19-related stigma or discrimination in Pune was 68% (95% CI 0.133-0.191) lower than that in Satara. CONCLUSIONS: CFVP contributed to improved awareness and sustainability of COVID-appropriate behaviors in a large population although there was no evidence of higher COVID-19 vaccination coverage or reduction in mortality, signifying potential applicability in future pandemic preparedness, especially in resource-constrained settings.

Current profile of phenotypic pyrethroid resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) populations sampled from Marathwada region of Maharashtra state, India.

This study examined the pattern of resistance to widely applied synthetic pyrethroids, i.e., cypermethrin and deltamethrin, against larvae of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks sampled from Marathwada region in Maharashtra, India. The study also examined the role of α- and ß-esterases and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in resistance development. All eight R. microplus isolates tested were resistant to deltamethrin (RL IV), having RR50 values from 6.88 to 131.26. LPT analysis exhibited the resistance level II deltamethrin resistance in Beed and Hingoli, III in Dharashiv, and IV in Sambhajinagar, Parbhani, Latur, Jalna, and Nanded isolates. The LIT analysis showed that Dharashiv field isolates had the lowest LC50 value of 229.09 ppm against cypermethrin, while Sambhajinagar field isolates had the highest at 489.78 ppm. The RR50 ranged from 1145.45 to 2448.9. Seven isolates were level I resistant to cypermethrin while the Jalna isolate was level II resistant. In larvae treated with deltamethrin and cypermethrin, the activity of α- and ß-esterase enzymes increased significantly compared to control groups. The enzyme ratios in treated larvae ranged from 0.7533 to 1.7023 for α-esterase and 0.7434 to 3.2054 for ß-esterase. The Hingoli isolate treated with cypermethrin exhibited the highest α-esterase activity (903.261), whereas Sambhajinagar isolate had the highest GST enzyme ratio (2.8224) after deltamethrin exposure. When exposed to cypermethrin, the Hingoli isolate showed the highest GST enzyme ratio, 2.0832. The present study provides the current resistance status in tick populations from Marathwada region indicating deltamethrin and cypermethrin to be ineffective for tick control. The results also suggest that SP compounds should be regulated in this region and alternative control strategies should be introduced.

Intravenous Iron Technique Evaluation in Chronic Heart Failure With Iron Deficiency Anemia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate and assess whether IV iron improves symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). METHOD: A total of 66 subjects with heart failure (HF) seeking therapy in the Department of Medicine's Inpatient Department (IPD) and Outpatient Department (OPD) were included. The data were collected during an outpatient or inpatient visit, documented in a predesigned and pretested proforma and then evaluated. All subjects received history-taking, examinations and regular laboratory tests after being informed and signing an agreement. On admission, the following data was collected: name, age, gender and comorbidities. The examination of subjects included a general examination and a systematic examination. Hematological parameters including hemoglobin (Haemometer, Top Tech Bio Medicals Mumbai), serum iron (Roche Cobas c501, USA), total iron binding capacity (TIBC, Beckman Coulter AU480, India), transferrin saturation percentage (TSAT% = (serum iron/TIBC) × 100), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, 2D echocardiography, Nivan Healthcare Solutions, India) and ferritin (Abbott Architect Ferritin Assay, Delhi) are also important. Other blood tests like liver and renal function tests include an electrocardiogram (12-lead ECG) and two-dimensional echocardiography on admission and follow-up. RESULTS:  In our study, 66 patients in total received IV iron as a treatment option to improve the symptoms of CHF with IDA; the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification showed significant improvement (p-value <0.001). Before the intervention, 57.58% of patients had NYHA class II and 42.4% of patients had NYHA class III. After treatment, 33.33% of patients showed NYHA class II and 19.70% of patients showed NYHA class III. After iron therapy treatment, out of 29 cases of NYHA class III, nine (31.03%) cases converted to NYHA class I, seven (24.14%) cases converted to NYHA class II, and 13 (44.83%) cases belonged to the same NYHA class. Out of 37 cases of NYHA class II, 22 (59.45%) cases converted to NYHA class I, and 15 (40.54%) cases belong to the same NYHA class. CONCLUSION: Thus, we come to the conclusion that the NYHA classification has exhibited notable enhancement subsequent to the administration of parenteral iron therapy. Sufficient evidence exists to substantiate the advantageous effects of intravenous iron therapy in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia. The administration of iron therapy has been observed to yield favorable outcomes in the mitigation of symptoms among individuals afflicted with cardiac insufficiency.

Pickering Dry Emulsion System for Improved Oral Delivery of Fenofibrate.

The current study reports a Pickering dry emulsion (PDE) system for improved oral delivery of fenofibrate, a poorly water-soluble model drug. The silica nanoparticles were modified by surface modifiers and explored as a stabilizer for emulsion. The wetting property of modified silica nanoparticles was evaluated by contact angle study. Emulsion was spray-dried to obtain PDE. PDE was evaluated for particle size analysis, drug loading, TGA, DSC, XRPD, FEG-SEM, in vitro dissolution study, and in vivo pharmacodynamic study. The particle size of liquid emulsion was found within the range of 0.3-0.6 µm; after spray drying, the particles agglomerated and exhibited an increase in particle size (1.5 µm). The high drug loading (13% w/w) was found in PDE. DSC and XRD study confirmed the amorphous form of fenofibrate. SEM study showed the formation of a spherical porous microcapsule structure. In vitro dissolution exhibited significant enhancement in drug release for the PDE system as compared to plain fenofibrate. The PDE significantly lowered serum lipid level as compared to plain fenofibrate in a Triton-based hypercholesterolemia model in rats, which ultimately confirmed the enhancement in bioavailability. Thus, the PDE system has good potential in the drug delivery area.

Synthesis and Functionalization of Coumarin-Pyrazole Scaffold: Recent Development, Challenges, and Opportunities.

Heterocycles are the main structural motif of DNA and RNA and play a crucial role in various chemical reactions of metabolisms. Therefore, heterocyclic compounds show good physiological and pharmacological properties. Coumarin and pyrazole scaffolds are present in many commercial drug molecules and natural products. This review overviews the progress made in the synthesis and functionalization of the coumarin- pyrazole hybrid heterocycle. It also includes discussion on the possible reactive sites of heterocycles, functionalization, and mechanistic pathways to incorporate pyrazole pharmacophore unit in synthesis. Several synthesis and biological studies reveal that the combination of the coumarin-pyrazole moiety is a prominent structural motif to find lead compounds in drug discovery.

Using community-based evidence for decentralized health planning: insights from Maharashtra, India.

Health planning is generally considered a technical subject, primarily the domain of health officials with minimal involvement of community representatives. The National Rural Health Mission launched in India in 2005 recognized this gap and mandated mechanisms for decentralized health planning. However, since planning develops in the context of highly unequal power relations, formal spaces for participation are necessary but not sufficient. Hence a project on capacity building for decentralized health planning was implemented in selected districts of Maharashtra, India during 2010-13. This process developed on the platform of officially supported community-based monitoring and planning, a process for community feedback and participation towards health system change. A specific project on capacity building for decentralized planning included a structured learning course and workshops for major stakeholders. An evaluation of the project, including in-depth interviews of various participants and analysis of change in local health planning processes, revealed positive changes in intervention areas, including increased capacity of key stakeholders leading to preparation of evidence-based, innovative planning proposals, significant community oriented changes in utilization of health facility funds, and inclusion of community-based proposals in village, health facility-based block and district plans. Transparency related to planning increased along with responsiveness of health providers to community suggestions. A key lesson is that active facilitation of decentralized health planning and influencing the health system to expand participation, are essential to ensure changes in planning. Effective strategies included: identifying people's health service related priorities through community-based monitoring, capacity building of diverse stakeholders regarding local health planning, and advocacy to enable participation of community-based actors in the planning process. This combination of strategies draws upon the framework of 'empowered participatory governance' which necessitates combining a degree of 'countervailing power' and acceptance of participation by the system, for new forms of governance to emerge.

Dodecylamine Template-Based Hexagonal Mesoporous Silica (HMS) as a Carrier for Improved Oral Delivery of Fenofibrate.

The aim of present investigation was the preparation of dodecylamine template-based hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS) as a carrier for poorly water-soluble drug (fenofibrate). HMS material has distinctive characteristics such as easy synthesis, high surface area and wormhole pores. These characteristics are highly admirable to make use of it as a carrier in drug delivery system. HMS was prepared by pH and temperature-independent process. Fenofibrate was loaded into the HMS by solvent immersion method using organic solvent. The BET surface area of HMS was evaluated by nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis. HMS and drug-loaded HMS were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and contact angle study. The HMS-based system was also evaluated for in vitro and in vivo study as compared to plain drug. The BET surface area of HMS was found 974 m2/g with a narrow pore size average of 2.6 nm. The DSC and XRD study confirmed the amorphization of drug within the HMS. SEM and TEM study showed morphological features of HMS as well as revealed the wormhole porous structure. Contact angle study showed improvement in aqueous wetting property of drug within the HMS (contact angle 46°). The In vitro drug release study showed a remarkable dissolution enhancement in HMS-based system as compared to plain drug. In vivo pharmacodynamic study (hyperlipidaemia model) exhibited HMS-based formulation was significantly improved the bioavailability of fenofibrate. Thus, HMS has admirable properties; makes it a potential carrier for delivery system of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Supercritical processed starch nanosponge as a carrier for enhancement of dissolution and pharmacological efficacy of fenofibrate.

In current study, supercritical processed starch nanosponge (SSNS) used as a carrier for poorly water soluble drug (fenofibrate) to enhance its in-vitro and in-vivo performance. SSNS was prepared by using sol- gel method and effective supercritical drying technique. Fenofibrate was loaded into the SSNS by using solvent immersion method with selected and optimized organic solvent. BET surface area of SSNS was evaluated by nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis. SSNS and drug loaded SSNS were characterized by DSC, XRPD, FTIR, SEM, Contact angle study and evaluated for in-vitro, in-vivo studies. The results revealed that the formed SSNS material has high surface area (180m2/gm) with pore size (40 nm to 200nm). The DSC and XRPD study revealed the amorphization of drug within a SSNS. SEM study showed the continuous porous structure with differ nanosized pores of SSNS. Contact angle study showed improvement in aqueous wetting property of drug within a SSNS. In-vitro drug release study showed remarkable dissolution enhancement of SSNS formulation as compared to plain drug. In vivo pharmacodynamic study (hyperlipidaemia model) showed SNSS based formulation significantly improved the bioavailability of drug. Thus SSNS carrier system has good potential to be explored as a delivery system for poorly water soluble drugs.

In Situ Measurement of Voltage-Induced Stress in Conducting Polymers with Redox-Active Dopants.

Minimization of stress-induced mechanical rupture and delamination of conducting polymer (CP) films is desirable to prevent failure of devices based on these materials. Thus, precise in situ measurement of voltage-induced stress within these films should provide insight into the cause of these failure mechanisms. The evolution of stress in films of polypyrrole (pPy), doped with indigo carmine (IC), was measured in different electrochemical environments using the multibeam optical stress sensor (MOSS) technique. The stress in these films gradually increases to a constant value during voltage cycling, revealing an initial break-in period for CP films. The nature of the ions involved in charge compensation of pPy[IC] during voltage cycling was determined from electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) data. The magnitude of the voltage-induced stress within pPy[IC] at neutral pH correlated with the radius of the hydrated mobile ion in the order Li(+) > Na(+) > K(+). At acidic pH, the IC dopant in pPy[IC] undergoes reversible oxidation and reduction within the range of potentials investigated, providing a secondary contribution to the observed voltage-induced stress. We report on the novel stress response of these polymers due to the presence of pH-dependent redox-active dopants and how it can affect material performance.

Rapid and selective detection of experimental snake envenomation - Use of gold nanoparticle based lateral flow assay.

In this study, we have developed a gold nanoparticle based simple, rapid lateral flow assay (LFA) for detection of Indian Cobra venom (CV) and Russell's viper venom (RV). Presently, there is no rapid, reliable, and field diagnostic test available in India, where snake bite cases are rampant. Therefore, this test has an immense potential from the public health point of view. The test is based on the principle of the paper immunochromatography assay for detection of two snake venom species using polyvalent antisnake venom antibodies (ASVA) raised in equines and species-specific antibodies (SSAbs) against venoms raised in rabbits for conjugation and impregnation respectively. The developed, snake envenomation detection immunoassay (SEDIA) was rapid, selective, and sensitive to detect venom concentrations up to 0.1 ng/ml. The functionality of SEDIA strips was confirmed by experimental envenomation in mice and the results obtained were specific for the corresponding venom. The SEDIA has a potential to be a field diagnostic test to detect snake envenomation and assist in saving lives of snakebite victims.

Effect of variation of average pore size and specific surface area of ZnO electrode (WE) on efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells.

Mesoporous ZnO nanoparticles have been synthesized with tremendous increase in specific surface area of up to 578 m(2)/g which was 5.54 m(2)/g in previous reports (J. Phys. Chem. C 113:14676-14680, 2009). Different mesoporous ZnO nanoparticles with average pore sizes ranging from 7.22 to 13.43 nm and specific surface area ranging from 50.41 to 578 m(2)/g were prepared through the sol-gel method via a simple evaporation-induced self-assembly process. The hydrolysis rate of zinc acetate was varied using different concentrations of sodium hydroxide. Morphology, crystallinity, porosity, and J-V characteristics of the materials have been studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET nitrogen adsorption/desorption, and Keithley instruments.

Novel biopolymer gel electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cell application.

We report a new biopolymer electrolyte for dye sensitized solar cell application. To develop polymer electrolyte, potassium iodide have been added in agarose biopolymer matrix and characterized using various techniques like complex impedance spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Complex impedance spectroscopy shows many folds enhancement in ionic conductivity (σ) by salt doping and conductivity maxima was obtained near 60:40 composition. Infrared spectroscopy confirms the formation of composite nature. XRD revels the reduction of crystallinity by salt doping as well affirms the composite nature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows reduction in crystallinity of gel matrix by salt doping which is a known favorable condition for ionic conductivity enhancement. To further affirm the conductivity enhancement in the gel electrolyte system a theoretical hopping model is also described in details. A DSSC has been developed using maximum electrical conductivity film which shows 0.54% efficiency at 1 sun condition.

Concentration and temperature effect on controlling pore size and surface area of mesoporous titania by using template of F-68 and F-127 co-polymer in the sol-gel process.

Mesoporous titania with crystalline pore walls and controlled pore sizes was fabricated through triblock copolymer (pluronic series) templated sol-gel process by changing the copolymer concentration and by adjusting their calcination temperature. Compared with mesoprous silicate, the synthetic condition of mesoporous titania would be sensitive to calcination temperature. Their pore arrangement and pore size depend strongly on the concentration of copolymer used as a template. Their arrangement of pores and specific surface area increases with the increase of calcination temperature up to critical limit, 320 degrees C. Beyond the critical temperature, the orderness of pores and specific surface area decreases due to the collapse of the pore walls. The specific surface area, pore size and pore orderness can be controlled by optimizing calcination temperature as well as polymer concentration. We demonstrate the mechanism of pore formation and their collapse in the sol-gel synthesis of mesoporous titania.