Seroprevalence of dengue infection in pregnant women and placental antibody transfer.

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women and infants are vulnerable for developing severe dengue. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of dengue infections among pregnant women, their offsprings and its association with outcomes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women, admitted for delivery in a tertiary mother and child hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Blood specimens (2 ml) were collected from the women during hospitalization in the first stage along with blood samples being drawn for other investigations. Umbilical cord blood was collected from the neonates. The samples were tested using IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Quantitative titres were also obtained, and index ratios were calculated using optical density values. RESULTS: Seroprevalence of dengue in antenatal women was 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.4-12.48). Among cord blood samples, the seropositivity was 10.8% (95% CI: 6.3-16.6). A significant correlation (Spearman rho: 0.653 and p value <0.001) was obtained between maternal and cord sample IgG index ratios. Agreement between maternal and cord blood IgG values was obtained using kappa as 0.742. The mean weight of newborns born to IgG-positive mothers was significantly lower than babies of IgG-negative mothers (2.3 vs 2.8; t = 2.64; p = 0.01). The mean gestational age at delivery was also significantly lower in IgG-positive mothers (36.29 vs 38.04 weeks; t = 2.48; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Seroprevalence of dengue in antenatal women and in their offsprings is lower than other areas endemic for dengue. Dengue infection (any time before pregnancy) may result in preterm delivery and low birth weights.

Occurrence of Deep-sea shrimp, Hadropenaeus lucasii (Spence Bate, 1881) from the southwest coast of India.

The present study provides an integrative report combining morphological and molecular analysis of the deep sea shrimp species Hadropenaeus lucasii (Spence Bate, 1881) from the southwest coast of India. The present specimen was obtained from the depths of 200-300m from the commercial bottom trawlers operated off Sakthikulangara fishing harbour off Kollam, Kerala. A phylogenetic analysis was used to explore the relationships of the genus. DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis were used to explore the relationship of the genus Hadropenaeus based on mitochondrial gene (16S: OK571387, OK571388; COI: OK569849, OK569850) sequences of the present specimen with the sequences retrieved from NCBI GenBank revealed an interspecies genetic divergence of 0.0% to 0.6%.

Comparison of Various Diagnostic Techniques for the Detection of Blastocystis Spp. and its Molecular Characterisation in Farm Animals in the United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: Blastocystis spp. is a common anaerobic intestinal parasite infecting humans and a diverse range of animals. The aim of the study was to compare different diagnostic methods for the detection of Blastocystis and survey the occurrence of its subtypes in farm animals, namely sheep, cows and camels, in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. Material and Methods: Ninety-seven faecal samples comprised of 69 from sheep, 12 from cows and 16 from camels were submitted to DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing. Blastocystis was screened for microscopically in 65 samples using direct wet-mount, modified acid-fast staining, trichrome staining and in vitro culture techniques. Results: Fifteen (15.5%) samples were positive by PCR, twelve of which were confirmed by sequencing. Using PCR as a comparison standard, the sensitivity and specificity of the direct wet-mount, modified acid-fast staining, trichrome staining and in vitro culture methods were 40.0% and 78.3%, 40.0% and 83.3%, 80.0% and 80.0%, and 80.0% and 76.7% respectively. Only culture and trichrome tests were significantly associated with PCR (odds ratio (OR) = 13.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35-127.4; P = 0.007 and OR = 16; 95% CI: 1.63-156.5; P = 0.003, respectively) with trichrome detecting more positive cases than in vitro culture. The subtype (ST)10 was the only one found in all 12 sequenced sheep isolates. Conclusion: The study corroborated previous data indicating that sheep are the natural hosts for ST10. No zoonotic subtypes nor mixed-subtype colonisation were found. The report also confirmed the superiority of trichrome staining in detecting Blastocystis spp.

Hybrid Optimized GRU-ECNN Models for Gait Recognition with Wearable IOT Devices.

With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), human-assistive technologies in healthcare services have reached the peak of their application in terms of diagnosis and treatment process. These devices must be aware of human movements to provide better aid in clinical applications as well as the user's daily activities. In this context, real-time gait analysis remains to be key catalyst for developing intelligent assistive devices. In addition to machine and deep learning algorithms, gait recognition systems have significantly improved in terms of high accuracy recognition. However, most of the existing models are focused on improving gait recognition while ignoring the computational overhead that affects the accuracy of detection and even remains unsuitable for real-time implementation. In this research paper, we proposed a hybrid gated recurrent unit (GRU) based on BAT-inspired extreme convolutional networks (BAT-ECN) for the effective recognition of human activities using gait data. The gait data are collected by implanting the wearable Internet of Things (WIoT) devices invasively. Then, a novel GRU and ECN networks are employed to extract the spatio-temporal features which are then used for classification to realize gait recognition. Extensive and comprehensive experimentations have been carried out to evaluate the proposed model using real-time datasets and also other benchmarks such as whuGait and OU-ISIR datasets. To prove the excellence of the proposed learning model, we have compared the model's performance with the other existing hybrid models. Results demonstrate that the proposed model has outperformed the other learning models in terms of high gait classification and less computational overhead.

Effect of trataka (yogic gazing) on insomnia severity and quality of sleep in people with insomnia.

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia or sleeplessness is a common disorder associated with morbidity and poor quality of life. Trataka is one of the six cleansing techniques of yoga. Literature suggests that trataka could help in relieving insomnia. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of trataka on insomnia severity and quality of sleep (QoS) in people with insomnia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine participants with insomnia were recruited, who underwent trataka (45 minutes per day daily) for a period of 10 days. Insomnia severity and QoS were assessed before and after the intervention using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. RESULTS: This study showed a significant reduction in ISI score and PSQI global score and its associated subscale scores except sleep medication scores after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Trataka may be considered as a treatment modality in reducing insomnia severity and in improving QoS in people with insomnia.

Barnacles Mating Optimizer with Deep Transfer Learning Enabled Biomedical Malaria Parasite Detection and Classification.

Biomedical engineering involves ideologies and problem-solving methods of engineering to biology and medicine. Malaria is a life-threatening illness, which has gained significant attention among researchers. Since the manual diagnosis of malaria in a clinical setting is tedious, automated tools based on computational intelligence (CI) tools have gained considerable interest. Though earlier studies were focused on the handcrafted features, the diagnostic accuracy can be boosted through deep learning (DL) methods. This study introduces a new Barnacles Mating Optimizer with Deep Transfer Learning Enabled Biomedical Malaria Parasite Detection and Classification (BMODTL-BMPC) model. The presented BMODTL-BMPC model involves the design of intelligent models for the recognition and classification of malaria parasites. Initially, the Gaussian filtering (GF) approach is employed to eradicate noise in blood smear images. Then, Graph cuts (GC) segmentation technique is applied to determine the affected regions in the blood smear images. Moreover, the barnacles mating optimizer (BMO) algorithm with the NasNetLarge model is employed for the feature extraction process. Furthermore, the extreme learning machine (ELM) classification model is employed for the identification and classification of malaria parasites. To assure the enhanced outcomes of the BMODTL-BMPC technique, a wide-ranging experimentation analysis is performed using a benchmark dataset. The experimental results show that the BMODTL-BMPC technique outperforms other recent approaches.

Gold Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Therapy.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained increasing attention as novel drug-delivery nanostructures for the treatment of cancers, infections, inflammations, and other diseases and disorders. They are versatile in design, synthesis, modification, and functionalization. This has many advantages in terms of gene editing and gene silencing, and their application in genetic illnesses. The development of several techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, TALEN, and ZFNs has raised hopes for the treatment of genetic abnormalities, although more focused experimentation is still needed. AuNPs, however, have been much more effective in trending research on this subject. In this review, we highlight recently well-developed advancements that are relevant to cutting-edge gene therapies, namely gene editing and gene silencing in diseases caused by a single gene in humans by taking an edge of the unique properties of the AuNPs, which will be an important outlook for future research.

Effectiveness of BBV152/Covaxin and AZD1222/Covishield vaccines against severe COVID-19 and B.1.617.2/Delta variant in India, 2021: a multi-centric hospital-based case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: India introduced BBV152/Covaxin and AZD1222/Covishield vaccines in January 2021. We estimated the effectiveness of these vaccines against severe COVID-19 among individuals aged ≥45 years. METHODS: We did a multi-centric, hospital-based, case-control study between May and July 2021. Cases were severe COVID-19 patients, and controls were COVID-19 negative individuals from 11 hospitals. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) was estimated for complete (2 doses ≥ 14 days) and partial (1 dose ≥ 21 days) vaccination; interval between two vaccine doses and vaccination against the Delta variant. We used the random effects logistic regression model to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) after adjusting for relevant known confounders. RESULTS: We enrolled 1143 cases and 2541 control patients. The VE of complete vaccination was 85% (95% CI: 79-89%) with AZD1222/Covishield and 71% (95% CI: 57-81%) with BBV152/Covaxin. The VE was highest for 6-8 weeks between two doses of AZD1222/Covishield (94%, 95% CI: 86-97%) and BBV152/Covaxin (93%, 95% CI: 34-99%). The VE estimates were similar against the Delta strain and sub-lineages. CONCLUSION: BBV152/Covaxin and AZD1222/Covishield were effective against severe COVID-19 among the Indian population during the period of dominance of the highly transmissible Delta variant in the second wave of the pandemic. An escalation of two-dose coverage with COVID-19 vaccines is critical to reduce severe COVID-19 and further mitigate the pandemic in the country.

DNA barcoding of deep-sea shrimp Sicyonia parajaponica Crosnier, 2003 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Sicyoniidae) from southwest coast of India.

The present work reports detailed taxonomic information on deep-sea shrimp Sicyonia parajaponica from southwest Indian waters. The samples were caught in bottom trawls conducted between the depths of 200 and 230 m from Sakthikulangara fishing harbour off Kollam, Kerala along the Arabian Sea during November 2019. DNA barcoding and a phylogenetic analysis was used to explore the relationship of the genus Sicyonia based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI: MN816389, MN816390) with the present specimen and sequences retrieved from NCBI GenBank. There is no difference in the intraspecies genetic distance (0%) while interspecies genetic distance (19.028.1%) revealed divergence between the species (COI) of the genus Sicyonia.

Case series investigation on the Lewis system antibodies encountered during a routine screening in a tertiary care hospital-based blood center.

BACKGROUND: Anti-Lewis antibodies, usually do not react at 37°C, hence are clinically insignificant. However, on rare occasions, these antibodies have been reported as the cause for hemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR). AIM: We report our experience on the 6 cases of anti-Lewis antibodies that reacted at room temperature (RT) and at 37°C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standard serological methods were employed in detection and identification of antibodies. Demographic and clinical details were obtained from the records on the subjects under study. RESULTS: These were found among the patients and the blood donors of varied age groups and gender (21 to 65 years). Also, they were found among the patients with varied clinical diagnosis. The 2 patients in second trimester had anti-Le a or anti-Le b and other 2 male patients had anti-Le ab or anti-Le b with wide thermal amplitude were found during the course of pre- transfusion compatibility tests including antibody screening and cross-matching. Two male donors typed Le (a-b-) had anti-Le ab with wide thermal amplitude. Lewis antigen negative RBC units were provided for transfusion in the situation. CONCLUSION: Although antibodies to Lewis blood group antigens often react at lower temperatures and therefore remain clinically insignificant, some of them, on rare circumstances, may react at higher temperature of 37°C and may produce hemolytic episode or at least yield reduce survival of incompatible red cells in transfusion recipients. On safer side, the antigen-negative unit may be used in transfusion. The donors' registry with detailed phenotype profile may go a long way to provide blood for transfusion in emergency situations.

Adult Intussusception at a Tertiary Care Center: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: In adults, the majority of cases of intussusception are due to malignancy. AIMS: The aim of the study is to describe the pattern of intussusception in the adult population diagnosed and treated at a tertiary care center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Study Design: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study based on chart review, and data collection was made from the computer database and inpatient case records. Study Setting: Adult intussusception cases diagnosed and treated at a tertiary care referral center in South India. All inpatient case sheets including investigations and histopathology information on the computer database of all patients diagnosed with intussusception in the period of August 2012 to July 2016 were retracted based on a pretested and standardized form. Demographic data and other baseline data were summarized with descriptive statistics. SPSS software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 77 patients, 47 (61%) were male. The common presentations were abdominal pain (95%), vomiting (64%), and rectal bleeding (29%). Common examination findings were abdominal tenderness (45%), guarding (39%), and abdominal mass (38%). On ultrasonography, fifty (65%) patients had intussusception with ileocolic (25) as the most common type. Computed tomography abdomen was taken for 28 (36%) patients, in which 23 (82%) had intussusception with ileocolic (9) as the most common type. Surgery was done for 53 (69%) patients, and the most common procedure was right hemicolectomy (25) followed by resection and anastomosis of the small bowel (23). Intraoperatively, 42 (79%) patients had intussusception with ileocolic (23) as the most common type. Intraoperatively, 14 (26%) patients had a bowel gangrene. Biopsy-proven cause for intussusception was present in 46 patients, with malignancy (21) as the most common cause. The patients were on regular follow-up. Recurrence of intussusception occurred in six patients of the small bowel intussusception who had polyposis. CONCLUSIONS: Adult intussusception is often associated with malignancy. Hence, a formal resection without reduction is needed and surgery should be done following oncological principles.

Pulmonary amyloidosis: A case series.

Amyloidosis is a spectrum of diseases, in which various proteins which are usual components of plasma are deposited as insoluble beta-pleated sheets extracellularly, disrupting function of various organs. Amyloid light-chain amyloidosis occurs due to the deposition of proteins, derived from immunoglobulin light chains, routinely manifesting with multisystem involvement. Pulmonary involvement is seen in about 50% of cases. Three common patterns of pulmonary amyloidosis on computed tomography (CT) chest are tracheobronchial, nodular parenchymal, and diffuse alveolar septal variety. We hereby report two cases of pulmonary amyloidosis, one being a case of diffuse alveolar septal pulmonary amyloidosis, which is an extremely rare pattern of involvement, with a very poor prognosis, and the other one being tracheobronchial pattern of involvement, which usually results due to the localized deposition of amyloid in the tracheobronchial tree. Knowledge about pulmonary amyloidosis is important due to its poor prognosis and nonspecific findings in CT chest.

Crystal structures of salen-type ligands 2-[(1E)-({1-(3-chloro-phen-yl)-2-[(E)-(2-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)amino]-prop-yl}imino)-meth-yl]phenol and 2-[(1E)-({1-(4-chloro-phen-yl)-2-[(E)-(2-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)amino]-prop-yl}imino)-meth-yl]phenol.

The title compounds, C23H21ClN2O2, differ from each other only by the position of the Cl atom on the corresponding benzene ring: meta relative to the central sp3 C atom for (I) and para for (II). In (I), the hy-droxy-phenyl rings are almost parallel, the dihedral angle between the mean planes being 9.2 (2)°, but in (II), the relative position of the ring is different, characterized by a dihedral angle of 48.5 (1)°. Compound (I) features intra-molecular O-H⋯N and inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, while in (II), intra-molecular O-H⋯N, C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and weak inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions are observed. Compound (I) was refined as an inversion twin.

The knowledge, attitude and the perception of prescribers on the rational use of antibiotics and the need for an antibiotic policy-a cross sectional survey in a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are prescribed frequently and there is always an overuse with a risk of resistance and increasing costs. Rational drug prescribing is essential for minimizing the health care costs and for reducing the resistance. The implementation of a strict antibiotic policy by all the health care institutes is being made mandatory nowadays. An improving awareness among the prescribers which can be created through educational interventions, can promote the rational use of antibiotics. Hence, we considered it worthwhile to study the knowledge, attitude and the perception of the practitioners towards a rational antibiotic use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the registered practitioners who were working in the hospital setting and were willing to give written informed consents, were enrolled in the study. All the participants who were enrolled in the study during a one month period, had to fill up a predesigned, structured and validated questionnaire which was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and the perception among physicians towards the rational use of antibiotics. RESULTS: About 65% of the participants who provided complete information in the questionnaire, were included in analysis. Among them, more than 50 % agreed on the existence of an essential drug list, on the knowledge about new antibiotics and on prescribing antibiotics rationally and on the interpretation of the culture and the sensitivity results. A majority strongly agreed that they ensured that their patients completed the course, that they provided counselling and that they took special interest in the proper use of antibiotics. There was a consensus on the overuse, issues of resistance, and on the input from fellow colleagues. CONCLUSION: The participants in our study had knowledge about the rational use of antibiotics, an attitude to prescribe drugs as per the essential drug list and a perception that antibiotics were being overused and that rational drug prescribing had an important role in the antibiotic resistance.

Deeply infiltrating endometriosis in an young woman - A case report.

Endometriosis is one of the most important causes of chronic pelvic pain in both adolescent and adult woman. Deeply infiltrated endometriosis is tough case with poor response to medical treatment and associated with complication of visceral damage after surgical treatment. Retroperitoneal fibrosis subsequent to deeply infiltrating endometriosis lesion may encase the ureter and can present as obstructive uropathy. In such cases it is necessary and the only option to free the ureter or else the function of the affected kidney compromises. Such expensive surgeries require skill and competence with a team work in the urological surgeries. Such rare case of gross pelvic endometriosis with left obstructive uropathy was successfully managed and treated by our team.

Whole lung lavage for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

A 26-year-old male presented with complaints of dry cough of six months and progressive breathlessness of three months duration. He was coughing out milky white sputum for two months and had lost 12 kg weight in two months. He had an evening rise in temperature of one month duration. Clinically, the patient was in respiratory distress and the respiratory system examination revealed bilateral velcro crackles. High resolution computed tomography chest showed bilateral diffuse reticulonodular opacities and "Crazy Paving" pattern suggestive of alveolar proteinosis. Broncho alveolar lavage showed eosinophilic granular material, which was periodic acid-Schiff positive. Open lung biopsy was done to confirm the diagnosis and the histopathologic examination revealed eosinophilic secretions with granular appearance suggestive of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Subsequently, patient underwent bilateral sequential whole lung lavage under general anesthesia. Patient showed marked clinical and radiological improvement after sequential whole lung lavage.