Scrub Typhus: A Spatial and Temporal Analysis from South India.

Scrub typhus is a zoonotic rickettsial disease caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi. The non-specificity of presentation, low index of suspicion and the poor availability of diagnostic tests often lead to delayed diagnosis and significant morbidity and mortality. Temperature, humidity, rainfall and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) on the spatio-temporal clustering of scrub typhus cases in children in three contiguous administrative districts in South India over 5 years were studied. A total of 419 children were diagnosed with scrub typhus during the study period. A surge of children with scrub typhus was noted when the NVDI ranged between 0.6 and 0.8 µm. Temperature, humidity and rainfall had a major role in the incidence of scrub typhus.

Performance evaluation of different empirical models for reference evapotranspiration estimation over Udhagamandalm, The Nilgiris, India.

Evapotranspiration (ETo) is an important component of the hydrological cycle and reliable estimates of ETo are essential for assessing crop water requirements and irrigation management. Direct measurement of evapotranspiration is both costly and involves complex and intricate procedures. Hence, empirical models are commonly utilized to estimate ETo using accessible meteorological data. Given that empirical methods operate on various assumptions, it is essential to assess their performance to pinpoint the most suitable methods for ETo calculation based on the availability of input data and the specific climatic conditions of a region. This study aims to evaluate different empirical methods of ETo in the tropical highland Udhagamandalam region of Tamil Nadu, India, utilizing sixty years of meteorological data from 1960-2020. In this study, 8 temperature-based and 10 radiation-based empirical models are evaluated against ETo estimates derived from pan evaporation observation and the FAO Penman-Monteith method (FAO-PM), respectively. Statistical error metrics indicate that both temperature and radiation-based models perform better for the Udhagamandalam region. However, radiation-based models performed better than the temperature based models. This is possibly due to the high humidity of the study region throughout the year. The results suggest that simple temperature and radiation-based models using minimum meteorological information are adequate to estimate ETo and thus find potential application in agricultural water practices, hydrological processes, and irrigation management.

Exploring the Deep-Learning Techniques in Detecting the Presence of Coronavirus in the Chest X-Ray Images: A Comprehensive Review.

The deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) is one of the dangerous diseases affecting the entire world and is fastly spreading disease. This spread can be reduced by detecting and quarantining the patients at an earlier stage. The most common diagnostic tool for detecting the coronavirus is the Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test which is time-consuming and also needs more equipment and manpower. Furthermore, many countries had a deficit of RTPCR kits. This is why it is exceptionally very crucial to develop artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to detect the outbreak of coronavirus. This motivated many researchers to involve deep-learning methods using X-ray images for more decisive analysis. Thus, this paper outlines many papers that used traditional and pre-trained deep learning methods that are newly developed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 disease. Specifically, advanced deep learning methods play a critical role in extracting the features from the chest X-ray images. These features are then used to classify whether the patient is affected with coronavirus or not. Besides, this paper shows that deep learning techniques have probable applications in the medical field.

A critical review of an additive manufacturing role in Covid-19 epidemic.

In 2019, a massive and deadly coronavirus pandemic known as the COVID-19 pandemic has swept through more than 180 nations, causing a massive strain on already overtaxed health systems around the globe. Global demand for medical equipment has put a strain on traditional manufacturing methods, resulting in the need for an efficient, low-cost, and speedy mode of production. Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has been used by manufacturers to bridge the gap and enhance the production of medical products. Some designs that had been previously or conventionally fabricated have been revised to meet the 3D printing requirement for combating COVID-19. A variety of designs were created, and they are now in use in hospitals by patients and healthcare professionals. However, because some gadgets must adhere to rigorous standards, it is possible that some items will not meet these requirements. As a result, in order to protect the health of the user, it is necessary to understand each gadget, its usage, and industry standards. An investigation of the usage of additive manufacturing during the COVID-19 epidemic is presented in this paper. It brings together the manufacturers of a variety of 3D-printed products, including face shields, face masks, valves, nasopharyngeal swabs, and others, to debate their application and regulatory concerns in the medical field. The primary shortcoming of technology, discussed in reference to the next pandemic, is addressed here. It also looks at some of the ways that additive manufacturing could be used in the future during an emergency.

Microbial diversity from the continental shelf regions of the Eastern Arabian Sea: A metagenomic approach.

The marine microbiome is a complex and least-understood habitat, which play a significant role in global biogeochemical cycles. The present study reported the culture-independent assessment of microbial diversity from the Arabian Sea (AS) sediments (from Gujarat to Malabar; at 30 m depth) by using metagenome sequence analysis. Our results elucidated that bacterial communities in the Malabar coastal region are highly diverse than the Gujarat coast. Moreover, Statistical analysis (Spearman rank correlation) showed a significant correlation co-efficient value (r = P < 0.001) between microbial communities and physicochemical parameters (salinity and dissolved oxygen) in the water column. A total of 39 bacterial phyla were recorded from the eastern side of AS, of which six phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, and Planctomycetes were found to be the most dominant group. The most dominant genus from Valapad region (Malabar Coast) was found to be Halomonas sp., while other regions were dominated with Psychrobacter pulmonis. The subsequent Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) showed 99.53% variance, which suggests that, highly distinct microbial communities at Valapad (Malabar Coast) sampling location than other sites. Moreover, the microbial metabolic activity analysis revealed the important functions of microbial communities in the AS are hydrocarbon degradation, polymer degradation, nutrient oxidation and sulphate reduction (biodegradation process). Further extended studies are needed to be carried out for better understanding the functional diversity of microbial communities from the marine sediments.

Ionic polymeric amphiphiles with cholesterol mesogen: adsorption and organization characteristics at the air/water interface from Langmuir film balance studies.

Ionic polymeric amphiphiles consisting of cholesterol mesogen were investigated for the interfacial adsorption characteristics at the air/water interface using a Langmuir film balance with an aim to understand the influence of ionic segment from 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) on the packing behavior of cholesterol at the interface. From surface pressure (pi)-area (A) isotherm characteristics, it is demonstrated that the homopolymer and the copolymer C consisting of 0.15 mol fraction CAB segments exhibit the most expanded structures contributing to surface area of about 84 A(2)/molecule. It is shown that the copolymer B with 0.1 mol fraction CAB provides optimum hydrophilic liphophilic balance to form the most compact structures contributing to a surface area of 35.75 A(2)/molecule. The high surface pressure, >40 mN/m, in contrast to that of PAMPS demonstrates significant adsorption of the copolymers at the interface. An interesting correlation among interfacial packing characteristics, thermal behavior, and solution structures is demonstrated. From molecular models developed for CAB, it is shown that the horizontal orientation of the linker group with respect to cholesterol chain in CAB underlies the expanded structures observed in PCAB and copolymer C.

A histological spectrum of host responses in tuberculous lymphadenitis.

A total of 446 lymph node biopsy specimens showing histological evidence of tuberculosis were classified into four groups based on the organization of the granuloma, the type and numbers of participating cells and the nature of necrosis. These were, hyperplastic (22.4%)--a well-formed epithelioid cell granuloma with very little necrosis, reactive (54.3%)--a well-formed granuloma consisting of epithelioid cells, macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells with fine, eosinophilic caseation necrosis, hyporeactive (17.7%)--a poorly organized granuloma with macrophages, immature epithelioid cells, lymphocytes and plasma cells and coarse, predominantly basophilic caseation necrosis and nonreactive (3.6%)--unorganized granuloma with macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells and polymorphs with non caseating necrosis. Though the number of bacilli in the sections differed in each group, there were no differences in culture positivity, Mantoux reaction or the clinical features. It is likely that the spectrum of histological responses seen in tuberculous lymphadenitis is the end result of different pathogenic mechanisms underlying the disease.

Cholesterol mesogen containing water-soluble copolymers: design and organization behavior at different interfaces.

Cholesterol mesogen containing monomer, cholesteryl acrylamido butyrate (CAB) with the novel spacer group drawn from 4-amino butyric acid has been demonstrated to exhibit good reactivity with 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) to yield copolymers with CAB content as high as 15 mol % hitherto not achieved. The spacer group is shown to provide the twin benefits of enhanced reactivity and solubility in water. The high pK(a) at > or =9.90 of these copolymers estimated from potentiometric studies demonstrates packing of AMPS segments as ionic clusters. The higher CAB in copolymer C provides the most densely packed nonpolar microdomains. From fluorescence quenching studies, the cross-linking provided by the cholesterol chains favoring intra- or intermolecular aggregated structures has been established. At the air/solution interface, copolymer C exhibits the most close-packed structures exhibiting "a" of 41.2 A(2)/molecule. The effect of neutralization on the adsorption characteristics is investigated.

Protective role of Ficus benghalensis against isoniazid-rifampicin induced oxidative liver injury in rat

The present study was made to investigate the protective effect of methanolic extract of Ficus benghalensis L., Moraceae, on isoniazid-rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Rats were divided into six different groups; group 1 served as a control, group 2 received isoniazid and rifampicin (100 mg/kg, i.p.), in sterile water, groups 3, 4 and 5 received 100, 200 & 300 mg/kg bw, p.o. methanolic extract of F. benghalensis and group 6 received Liv 52. All the treatment protocols followed 21 days and after rats were sacrificed blood and liver were used for biochemical and histological studies, respectively. Administration of isoniazid and rifampicin caused a significant elevation in the levels of liver marker enzymes (p<0.05 and p<0.01) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (p<0.001) in experimental rats. Administration of methanolic extracts of F. benghalensis significantly prevented isoniazid-rifampicin-induced elevation in the levels of serum diagnostic liver marker enzymes and TBARS level in experimental groups of rats. Morever, total protein and reduced glutathione levels were significantly (p<0.001) increased in treatment group. The effect of extract was compared with a standard drug, Liv 52. The changes in biochemical parameters were supported by histological profile. It is to be concluded that the methanolic extract of F. benghalensis protects against isoniazid and rifampicin-induced oxidative liver injury in rats.

Treatment of lymph node tuberculosis--a randomized clinical trial of two 6-month regimens.

OBJECTIVE: The currently recommended treatment for lymph node tuberculosis is 6 months of rifampicin and isoniazid plus pyrazinamide for the first 2 months, given either daily or thrice weekly. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a 6-month twice-weekly regimen and a daily two-drug regimen. METHODS: Patients with biopsy confirmed superficial lymph node tuberculosis were randomly allocated to receive either a daily self-administered 6-month regimen of rifampicin and isoniazid, or a twice-weekly, directly observed, 6-month regimen of rifampicin and isoniazid plus pyrazinamide for the first 2 months, in Madurai, South India, Patients were followed up for 36 months after completing treatment. RESULTS: Of 277 enrolled patients, data was available for analysis in 268. At the end of treatment, 116 of 134 [87%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 81-93%] patients in each treatment group had a favourable clinical response; 14 (11%; 95% CI 6-16%) and 17 (13%; 95% CI 7-19%) patients had a doubtful response, and 4 (3%; 95% CI 0-6%) and 1 (1%; 95% CI 0-2%) patients had an unfavourable response among those treated with the daily and twice-weekly regimen, respectively. During 36 months after completion of treatment, five patients [2 (2%; 95% CI 1-3%) and 3 (2%; 95% CI 1-3%) patients treated with the daily and twice-weekly regimen, respectively] had relapse of lymph node tuberculosis, of 260 assessed. Adverse reactions probably attributable to the treatment regimens occurred in 1% of the patients treated daily and in 11% of those treated twice-weekly (P < 0.001). At the end of 36 months after treatment, 126 of 134 (94%; 95% CI 90-98%) and 129 of 134 (96%; 95% CI 94-98%) of the patients treated with the daily and twice-weekly regimen, respectively, had a successful outcome. CONCLUSION: Both the self-administered daily regimen and the fully observed twice-weekly regimen were highly efficacious for treating patients with lymph node tuberculosis and may be considered as alternative options to the recommended regimens.

Vertebral artery to common carotid artery bypass in Takayasu's disease with delayed cerebral ischemia.

UNLABELLED: Takayasu's Arteritis is a progressive occlusive disease of the aortic arch and its branches. It may need several bypass procedures along with or without endovascular techniques. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: A twenty-six year old woman who had a history of Takayasu's Arteritis, and had a Gore-Tex Dacron Y-graft from the ascending aorta to the right subclavian and right common carotid arteries 18 years before, is presented. She presented with recurrent hemispheric ischemia and transient ischemic attacks and severe long segment stenosis in the left common carotid artery. She was successfully treated with a saphenous vein graft bypass from the left vertebral artery to the common carotid artery. The stenosis of the brachiocephalic graft was successfully treated by angioplasty. Three months follow up showed stenosis of the left VA immediately proximal to the proximal anastomosis which was managed successfully with angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical treatment of Takayasu's Arteritis with bypass procedures needs a complex overview and follow up. A regular follow up is mandatory for evaluation and planning of appropriate management, in view of the progressive nature of the disease process.