Advances in Hierarchical Inorganic Nanostructures for Efficient Solar Energy Harvesting Systems.

The urgent need to address the global energy and environmental crisis necessitates the development of efficient solar-power harvesting systems. Among the promising candidates, hierarchical inorganic nanostructures stand out due to their exceptional attributes, including a high specific surface area, abundant active sites, and tunable optoelectronic properties. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the fundamental principles underlying various solar energy harvesting technologies, including dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), photocatalytic, photoelectrocatalytic (water splitting), and photothermal (water purification) systems, providing a foundational understanding of their operation. Thereafter, the discussion is focused on recent advancements in the synthesis, design, and development of hierarchical nanostructures composed of diverse inorganic material combinations, tailored for each of these solar energy harvesting systems. We meticulously elaborate on the distinct synthesis methods and conditions employed to fine-tune the morphological features of these hierarchical nanostructures. Furthermore, this review offers profound insights into critical aspects such as electron transfer mechanisms, band gap engineering, the creation of hetero-hybrid structures to optimize interface chemistry through diverse synthesis approaches, and precise adjustments of structural features. Beyond elucidating the scientific fundamentals, this review explores the large-scale applications of the aforementioned solar harvesting systems. Additionally, it addresses the existing challenges and outlines the prospects for achieving heightened solar-energy conversion efficiency.

Quorum-sensing system in Acinetobacter baumannii: a potential target for new drug development.

Acinetobacter baumannii causes several nosocomial infections and poses major threat when it is multidrug resistant. Even pan drug-resistant strains have been reported in some countries. The intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rate ranged from 45.6% to 60.9% and it is as high as 84.3% when ventilator-associated pneumonia was caused by XDR (extensively drug resistant) A. baumannii. Acinetobacter baumannii constituted 9.4% of all Gram-negative organisms throughout the hospital and 22.6% in the ICUs according to a study carried out in an Indian hospital. One of the major factors contributing to drug resistance in A. baumannii infections is biofilm development. Quorum sensing (QS) facilitates biofilm formation and therefore the search for 'quorum quenchers' has increased recently. Such compounds are expected to inhibit biofilm formation and hence reduce/prevent development of drug resistance in the bacteria. Some of these compounds also target synthesis of some virulence factors (VF). Several candidate drugs have been identified and are at various stages of drug development. Since quorum quenching, inhibition of biofilm formation and inhibition of VF synthesis do not pose any threat to the DNA replication and cell division of the bacteria, chances of resistance development to such compounds is presumably rare. Thus, these compounds ideally qualify as adjunct therapeutics and could be administered along with an antibiotic to reduce chances of resistance development and also to increase the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy. This review describes the state-of-art in QS process in Gram-negative bacteria in general and in A. baumannii in particular. This article elaborates the nature of QS mediators, their characteristics, and the methods for their detection and quantification. Various potential sites in the QS pathway have been highlighted as drug targets and the candidate quorum quenchers which inhibit the mediator's synthesis or function are enlisted.

Role of Chemoports in Children with Hematological/Solid Tumor Malignancies - Technical Implications and Complications: An Institutional Experience.

AIM: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to identify the variously related complications and to study preventive and therapeutic measures for these complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 catheters were inserted in 69 patients (mean follow-up of 1140 days) from December 2002 to May 2017. Sixty-four children were diagnosed to have hematological malignancies, and five children had solid tumors. The youngest child was 2 months of age, and the oldest was 15 years, 5 months. Records were analyzed retrospectively for the age, indication, route of insertion, and postoperative complications. A protocol-based insertion and postinsertion handling by trained nursing staff/doctors were instituted, including a periodic training program for those concerned. RESULTS: Chemoport-related complications were infection in 3 (4.16%), necessitating port removal in one patient. The rest were managed by antibiotic-lock therapy. The other problems were catheter tip occlusion in 1 (1.38%) and extravasation in two patients (2.77%) leading to a sterile collection around the port chamber. An unsightly scar in 4 (5.55%) and granuloma formation at scar site in 1 (1.38%) patient were noted. CONCLUSION: Totally implantable chemoports are preferred in children with solid and hematological malignancies because of decreased pain, the rate of infection, and ability to maintain patency for the long term. Despite significant advantages over other types of central venous access, chemoports have their own complications. It was also noted that the rate of complications could be minimized by periodic training of all the personnel concerned and following protocol-based handling of ports.

A clinical study on Virechana Karma (therapeutic purgation) over the gut flora with special reference to obesity.

BACKGROUND: Altered gut flora is associated with the pathogenesis of both intestinal and extra­intestinal disorders. Aetiology of obesity is associated with mechanisms such as short chain fatty acid production, stimulation of hormones, chronic low­grade inflammation, lipoprotein and bile acid metabolism and increased endocannabinoid. Receptor system tone have been suggested to explain the role of gut microbiota of obesity. The Panchakarma (Ayurvedic purification methods) claims the management of metabolic disorders hence this work provides the target specific evidence for the clinical studies. The proposed project is aimed to explore the particular molecular mechanism and, to make this therapy more evidence based. Hence, it was hypothesized that Panchakarma­based intervention such as Virechana Karma (therapeutic purgation) may influence microbiota and help in the management of the obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted to explore the effect of Virechana Karma over the gut flora; therefore, total of 19 patients with Madhyama Koshtha diagnosed with obesity were included and received the intervention. Before and after Virechana, a stool sample was collected and processed for the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus ­polymerase chain reaction to find the changes over the facultative aerobic bacteria. RESULTS: It was found that Virechana is effective in the management of the obesity as it helps to reduce colonization of aerobic bacteria. After Virechana and after follow­up also, it showed the correction of the gut flora dysbiosis, thus initiated the weight loss mechanism in the body, resulting in diminution in the signs and symptoms of obesity. CONCLUSION: Virechana is effective in the management of the obesity due to reduction in the Escherichia coli colonization and is effective over the gut flora dysbiosis.

Pediatric Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnostic methods and treatment outcomes in children with Budd- Chiari syndrome. METHODS: Case records of 25 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome were evaluated retrospectively. These patients were investigated with imaging techniques and underwent balloon angioplasty or surgical management. RESULTS: 21 patients underwent balloon angioplasty, of which 17 had good medium- to long-term results, while only one out of four patients who underwent a portocaval shunt survived. CONCLUSIONS: The balloon angioplasty has satisfactory outcome in the treatment of acute Budd-Chiari syndrome. In failed cases, the surgical therapy may be attempted, but the outcomes do not appear rewarding.

3D Printing Technology in Customized Drug Delivery System: Current State of the Art, Prospective and the Challenges.

BACKGROUND: 3D printing/Additive Manufacturing seems a pragmatic approach to realize the quest for a truly customized and personalized drug delivery. 3DP technology, with innovations in pharmaceutical development and an interdisciplinary approach to finding newer Drug Delivery Systems can usher a new era of treatments to various diseases. The true potential of this is yet to be realized, and the US-FDA is focusing on the regulatory science of 3D printed medical devices to help patients access this technology safely and effectively. The approval of the first 3D printed prescription medicine by FDA is a promising step in the translation of more research in this area. METHODS: A web-search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Nature was performed with the keywords Customized 3D printing and Drug delivery, publications dealing with the aspects of drug delivery using 3D printing for personalized or customized delivery were further considered and analyzed and discussed. RESULTS: We present the advantages offered by 3DP over conventional methods of formulation development and discuss the current state of 3DP in pharmaceutics and how it can be used to develop a truly customized drug delivery system, various 3DP technologies including Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), Pressure Assisted Microsyringe (PAM) that have been used to develop pharmaceutical products have been discussed along with their limitations and also the regulatory considerations to help formulation scientists envisaging research in this area with the necessary information. CONCLUSION: 3D printing has the potential to fabricate a customized drug delivery system. Presence of many drug formulation and the devices are already in the regulatory approval process indicating its success.

A structural, epidemiological & genetic overview of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs).

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs) are plasmid encoded carbapenem hydrolyzing enzymes which have the potential to spread widely through gene transfer. The instability of upstream region of blaKPC accelerates emergence of different isoforms. Routine antibiotic susceptibility testing failed to detect KPC producers and some commercial kits have been launched for early identification of KPC producers. Notable among the drugs under development against KPC are mostly derivatives of polymixin; ß-lactamase inhibitor NXL104 with combination of oxyimino cephalosporin as well as with ceftazidime; a novel tricyclic carbapenem, LK-157, potentially useful against class A and class C enzymes; BLI-489-a bicyclic penem derivative; PTK-0796, a tetracycline derivative and ACHN-490. Combination therapy might be preferable to control KPC infections in immediate future. Clinicians are likely to opt for unconventional combinations of antibiotics to treat KPC infections because of unavailability of alternative agents. The KPCs have become endemic in many countries but there is no optimal treatment recommendation available for bacteria expressing KPCs. Reports of outbreaks involving KPCs have focused mainly on laboratory identification, empirical treatment outcomes and molecular epidemiology. This review includes information on the emergence of KPC variants, limitations of phenotyping methods, available molecular methods for identification of the KPC variants and treatment options highlighting the drugs under development.

Role of Ayurveda in the conservative management of avascular necrosis of the femoral head: A case study.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is the most common type of necrosis affecting the bones. Management of AVN aims at the preservation of structure, function and relief of from pain. Many surgical procedures such as drilling and insertion of bone grafts, modified Whitman or Colonna reconstruction and insertion of prosthesis are carried out to remedy the condition but all these procedures are costly with the prognosis being poor. Signs and symptoms of Avascular necrosis are nearer to asthivaha srotodusti vikara (disorders of musculoskeletal origin) and can be considered with gambhira avastha (chronic stage). An effort has been made in the present study to evaluate the efficiency of Ayurvedic formulations in the conservative management of AVN of the femoral head. A case of AVN with bilateral femoral head was treated with ruksana (Drying therapy) followed by sodhana (bio purification) and brhmana (rejuvenation). Patient was observed for complications during whole course of treatment, untoward complications were not seen. Patient was observed for symptomatic improvements based on assessment done by the questionnaire over graded signs and symptoms before and after treatment. The results were encouraging. The therapy provided marked relief from pain, tenderness, stiffness and improvement in the gait. Conservative management of AVN through Ayurvedic principles provides significant relief and improves quality of life.

Imaging of the optic disk in caring for patients with glaucoma: ophthalmoscopy and photography remain the gold standard.

Optic disk imaging is integral to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with glaucoma. We discuss the various forms of imaging the optic nerve, including ophthalmoscopy, photography, and newer imaging modalities, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (HRT), and scanning laser polarimetry (GDx), specifically highlighting their benefits and disadvantages. We argue that ophthalmoscopy and photography remain the gold standard of imaging due to portability, ease of interpretation, and the presence of a large database of images for comparison.