An overview for biomedical waste management during pandemic like COVID-19.

Amid COVID-19, world has gone under environmental reformation in terms of clean rivers and blue skies, whereas, generation of biomedical waste management has emerged as a big threat for the whole world, especially in the developing nations. Appropriate biomedical waste management has become a prime concern worldwide in the pandemic era of COVID-19 as it may affect environment and living organisms up to a great extent. The problem has been increased many folds because of unexpected generations of hazardous biomedical waste which needs extraordinary attentions. In this paper, the impacts and future challenges of solid waste management especially the biomedical waste management on environment and human beings have been discussed amid COVID-19 pandemic. The paper also recommends some guidelines to manage the bulk of medical wastes for the protection of human health and environment. The paper summarizes better management practices for the wastes including optimizing the decision process, infrastructure, upgrading treatment methods and other activities related with the biological disasters like COVID-19. As achieved in the past for viral disinfection, use of UV- rays with proper precautions can also be explored for COVID-19 disinfection. For biomedical waste management, thermal treatment of waste can be an alternative, as it can generate energy along with reducing waste volume by 80-95%. The Asian Development Bank observed that additional biomedical waste was generated ranged from 154 to 280 tons/day during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in Asian megacities such as Manila, Jakarta, Wuhan, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur.

Molecular characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Indian wild pig (Sus scrofa cristatus).

The Indian wild pig is a sub-species (Sus scrofa cristatus) which is different from the other pig breeds and is protected under Schedule-III of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In this study, complete mitogenome of two Indian wild pigs was sequenced and characterized by shotgun sequencing and de novo assembly, which revealed sequence size of 16,738 and 16,251 bp, respectively, (Accession no. MG725630 and MG725631). The mitogenome sequence in this study displayed 98% homology with previously reported mitogenome of pigs from different parts of the world. Mitogenome analysis by MITOS Web server revealed similarity of gene organization with the other vertebrates (13 protein-coding, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs genes, and a control region). The mitogenomic sequences of Indian wild pig maintained a separate clade in the phylogenetic tree constructed by using 62 whole mitogenome sequences across the world. The phylogeny derived from mitogenomic sequences revealed distinct separate European-American and Asiatic pig clades. It was concluded that whole mitogenome sequencing using NGS without designing mitogenome-specific primer for amplification, is possible thereby reducing the cost and labor. This study is the first report of complete sequence of mitogenome of Indian wild pig.

Occurrences, sources and health hazard estimation of potentially toxic elements in the groundwater of Garhwal Himalaya, India.

High concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in potable water can cause severe human health disorders. Present study examined the fitness of groundwater for drinking purpose based on the occurrence of nine PTEs in a heavy pilgrim and tourist influx region of the Garhwal Himalaya, India. The concentrations of analyzed PTEs in groundwater were observed in the order of Zn > Mn > As > Al > Cu > Cr > Se > Pb > Cd. Apart from Mn and As, other PTEs were within the corresponding guideline values. Spatial maps were produced to visualize the distribution of the PTEs in the area. Estimated water pollution indices and non-carcinogenic risk indicated that the investigated groundwater is safe for drinking purpose, as the hazard index was < 1 for all the water samples. Assessment of the cancer risk of Cr, As, Cd, and Pb also indicated low health risks associated with groundwater use, as the values were within the acceptable range of ≤ 1 × 10-6 to 1 × 10-4. Multivariate statistical analyses were used to describe the various possible geogenic and anthropogenic sources of the PTEs in the groundwater resources although the contamination levels of the PTEs were found to pose no serious health risk. However, the present study recommends to stop the discharge of untreated wastewater and also to establish cost-effective as well as efficient water treatment facility nearby the study area. Present work's findings are vital as they may protect the health of the massive population from contaminated water consumption. Moreover, it can help the researchers, governing authorities and water supplying agencies to take prompt and appropriate decisions for water security.

Statistical Mechanics-Inspired Modeling of Heterogeneous Packet Transmission in Communication Networks.

This paper presents the qualitative nature of communication network operations as abstraction of typical thermodynamic parameters (e.g., order parameter, temperature, and pressure). Specifically, statistical mechanics-inspired models of critical phenomena (e.g., phase transitions and size scaling) for heterogeneous packet transmission are developed in terms of multiple intensive parameters, namely, the external packet load on the network system and the packet transmission probabilities of heterogeneous packet types. Network phase diagrams are constructed based on these traffic parameters, and decision and control strategies are formulated for heterogeneous packet transmission in the network system. In this context, decision functions and control objectives are derived in closed forms, and the pertinent results of test and validation on a simulated network system are presented.

Probing synergistic interplay between bio-inspired peptidomimetic chitosan-copper complexes and doxorubicin.

The current investigation reports a novel and facile method for modification of low molecular weight chitosan (Cs) with guanidine moieties, aimed at enhancing its cellular interaction and thus augmenting its cellular internalization. Guadinylated chitosan-copper (Cs-Gn-Cu) chelates, based on copper-nitrogen co-ordination, were established. Characterization of chelates was conducted using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, XPS, XRD, TGA-DTA, and GPC techniques. Anticancer activity of formed chelates was confirmed against A549 cells using MTT assay. Experimental outcomes, for the first time, have provided an empirical evidence for synergistic interaction between the chelated polymer (Cs-Gn-Cu) and the established anti-cancer agent, Doxorubicin (Dox), based on analysis by the Chou Talalay method and estimation of their combination indices. ROS induction was demonstrated as the mechanism of action of the chelated polymer, which supplemented rapid destruction of cancerous cells by Dox. These findings strongly advocate the need for harnessing unexplored potential of these innovative metal polymer chelates in cases of Dox resistant lung cancer, wherein the polymeric system itself would serve as an anti-cancer agent.

The prognostic role of magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography in viral encephalitis.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of studies evaluating the prognostic role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) changes in viral encephalitis. PURPOSE: To study MRI and SPECT changes in patients with viral encephalitis, and to correlate these changes with clinical findings and outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During 1997-2006, 31 encephalitis patients (aged 2-60 years; nine females, 22 males) underwent both MRI and SPECT studies. Their demographic and clinical data and 6-month outcome were recorded. For the diagnosis of encephalitis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were carried out. Cranial MRI was done on a 1.5T scanner, and 99mTc ethylene cysteine dimer (ECD) SPECT using a gamma camera. Outcome was defined at 6 months as complete, partial, or poor recovery. RESULTS: 19 patients had Japanese encephalitis (JE), one had herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), and 11 had nonspecific encephalitis. Movement disorders were present in 21, parkinsonian features in 19, and dystonia in 16 patients. MRI was abnormal in 20 patients, and revealed thalamic involvement in 17, basal ganglia in eight, brainstem in 11, and cortical in two. SPECT revealed hypoperfusion in 22 patients, which was cortical in 11, thalamic in 10, basal ganglia in six, and midbrain in one. Cortical involvement was more frequently found by SPECT and brainstem involvement by MRI. Outcome of encephalitis did not differ in the different groups of encephalitis and MRI changes. CONCLUSION: MRI and SPECT show a spectrum of findings in encephalitis, but these do not correlate with 6-month outcome.

Anticancer Effects of Extracts from the Fruit of Morinda Citrifolia (Noni) in Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Morinda citrifolia L. (NONI) fruits have been used for thousands of years for the treatment of many health problems including cancer, cold, diabetes, flu, hypertension, and pain. Plant extracts have reported several therapeutic benefits, but extraction of individual compound from the extract often exhibits limited clinical utility as the synergistic effect of various natural ingredients gets lost. They generally constitute polyphenols and flavonoids. Studies have suggested that these phytochemicals, especially polyphenols, display high antioxidant properties, which help to reduce the risk of degenerative diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Several in-vitro and in-vivo studies have shown that Noni fruits have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-dementia, liver-protective, anticancer, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects. Till date about 7 in vitro cancer studies have been done, but a detailed in vitro study including cell cycle and caspase activation assay on breast cancer cell line has not been done. In the present study different Noni fruit fractions have tested on cancer cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 (breast adenocarcinoma) and one non-cancer cell line HEK-293 (Human embryonic kidney). Out of which ethylacetate extract showed a higher order of in vitro anticancer activity profile. The ethylacetate extract strongly inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and HEK-293 cell lines with IC50 values of 25, 35, 60 µg/ml respectively. The extract showed increase in apoptotic cells in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and arrested the cell cycle in the G1/S phase in MCF-7 and G0/G1 phase in MDA-MB-231 cells. Noni extract also decreases the intracellular ROS generation and mitochondrial membrane potential.

Morphology and physiological significance of parathyroid glands in reptilia.

Adult reptiles possess one or two pairs of parathyroid glands that have been shown in many species to derive from the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches, respectively. Up to five pairs may develop during early embryonic life. Excess glands may involute during late embryogenesis. The location of the parathyroid glands differs in the various species. As a general rule, they lie just anterior to the heart, the anterior pair (parathyroid III) being associated with the carotid artery, the posterior pair (parathyroid IV) with the aortic arch. In snakes, however, the anterior pair (parathyroid III) is associated with the carotid artery near the angle of the jaw. As shown by light microscopy and, to a lesser extent, by electron microscopy, the parathyroid parenchyma comprises secretory cells which may form dark and light variants, occasional oxyphil cells, and stellate cells. They are arranged in cords separated by connective tissue containing a capillary network. Parathyroid secretory cells often form follicles which might be the result of degeneration. Degeneration may occur as a form of involution during winter in species undergoing seasonal changes. The product of parathyroid cells, the parathyroid hormone, is responsible for the maintenance of blood calcium concentration. The sites of action--bones, kidneys, intestine, endolymphatics, and dermal skeleton--are not well understood or not investigated. In some turtles, parathyroid hormone is not the (main) factor for the regulation of calcium homeostasis.

Amphibian parathyroids: morphological and functional aspects.

Amphibians living partially or totally in a terrestrial environment are the first tetrapods to possess parathyroid glands. Purely aquatic amphibians and amphibian larvae lack these endocrine glands. The parathyroids develop at the time of metamorphosis. The parathyroid glands in caecilians consist of a single cell type, that of urodeles may be composed of basal (supporting) cells and suprabasal (chief) cells, and that of anurans of small and large chief cells. Parathyroid glands of caecilians and anurans lack connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. The parathyroid cells become activated in response to decreased blood calcium concentration and undergo changes indicating increased parathyroid hormone secretion. Increased blood calcium concentration suppresses secretory activity. Usually, parathyroidectomy elicits hypocalcemia in most amphibians. Such operations have no effect in lower urodeles. Parathyroid hormone administration provokes hypercalcemia in most amphibians. The parathyroids of caecilians have not been studied in detail. The urodeles and anurans exhibit seasonal changes in the parathyroid glands. These changes may be initiated by environmental stimuli such as light, temperature, or alterations in blood calcium levels caused by natural hibernation.

Reversibility with sodium bicarbonate of styrene maleic anhydride, an intravasal injectable contraceptive, in male rats.

A copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride (SMA) was dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and injected into the lumen of the vas deferens of rats. The polymer was retained in the lumen for a period of more than 90 days. Sodium bicarbonate (10%), pH 8.9, was used to flush the polymeric material from the vas deferens lumen. The reversibility and patency of the vas deferens was thus obtained. Sodium bicarbonate proved to be an effective alternative to dimethyl sulphoxide for reversal.

Annual changes in serum calcium and inorganic phosphate levels and correlation with gonadal status of a freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch).

Adult Channa punctatus murrels of both sexes (60-80 g) were collected locally from Ramgarh Lake during the second week of every month (10 individuals of each sex/month) throughout the year. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum calcium and phosphate levels by the methods of Trinder (1960) and Fiske and Subbarow (1925), respectively. Gonads were fixed to judge the state of maturation of the fish. Males exhibited no change in serum calcium levels throughout the year in correlation with testicular maturation. However, serum phosphate levels exhibited a rise in correlation with the increased gonadosomatic index. Females showed marked seasonal changes in serum calcium and phosphate levels which were associated with ovarian maturation (vitellogenesis).

Vitamin D3-induced calcemic and phosphatemic responses in the freshwater mud eel Amphipnous cuchia maintained in different calcium environments.

Vitamin D3 (100 ng 100 g body weight-1 day-1) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to the freshwater mud eel Amphipnous cuchia kept in artificial freshwater, calcium-free freshwater, low-calcium freshwater (0.2 mmol/l CaCl2) or calcium-rich freshwater (13.4 mmol/l CaCl2) for 15 days. Analyses of serum calcium and phosphate levels were performed on days 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 after the beginning of the experiment (six eels from each group at each interval). Administration of vitamin D3 elevated the serum calcium [maximum elevation occurred at day 10 in artificial freshwater (vehicle: 10.55 +/- 0.298, vitamin D: 13.90 +/- 0.324), low-calcium freshwater (vehicle: 11.17 +/- 0.220, vitamin D: 12.98 +/- 0.297) and calcium-rich freshwater (vehicle: 11.24 +/- 0.373, vitamin D: 14.24 +/- 0.208) whereas it occurred at day 5 (vehicle: 8.42 +/- 0.253, vitamin D: 11.07 +/- 0.328) in calcium-free freshwater] and phosphate levels [maximum elevation at day 15 in artificial freshwater (vehicle: 4.39 +/- 0.105, vitamin D: 5.37 +/- 0.121), calcium-free freshwater (vehicle: 4.25 +/- 0.193, vitamin D: 5.12 +/- 0.181), low-calcium freshwater (vehicle: 3.93 +/- 0.199, vitamin D: 5.28 +/- 0.164) and calcium-rich freshwater (vehicle: 3.77 +/- 0.125, vitamin D: 5.46 +/- 0.151)] of the fish maintained in the above mentioned environmental media, but the responses were more pronounced in the fish kept in calcium-rich media.

Hypnosis and self-hypnosis in the management of nocturnal enuresis: a comparative study with imipramine therapy.

Various therapeutic modalities have been used for treating enuresis due to the lack of a single identifiable cause. We carried out a comparative study of imipramine and direct hypnotic suggestions with imagery used for the management of functional nocturnal enuresis. Enuretic children, ranging in age from 5 to 16 years, underwent 3 months of therapy with imipramine (N = 25) or hypnosis (N = 25). After termination of the active treatment, the hypnosis group continued practicing self-hypnosis daily during the follow-up period of another 6 months. Of the patients treated with imipramine, 76% had a positive response (all dry beds); for patients treated with hypnotic strategies, 72% responded positively. At the 9-month follow-up, 68% of patients in the hypnosis group maintained a positive response, whereas only 24% of the imipramine group did. Hypnosis and self-hypnosis strategies were found to be less effective in younger children (5-7 years old) compared to imipramine treatment. The treatment response was not related to the hypnotic responsivity of the patient in either group.

Sperm production and fertility of bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) following immunization with ovine follicle stimulating hormone.

Adult male bonnet monkeys were rendered oligospermic but not azoospermic following active immunization with ovine follicle stimulating hormone. The percentage of sperms in the semen having good motility was reduced with a concomitant increase in the sperm ATPase activity. Eight out of 10 immunized monkeys failed to impregnate females of proven fertility after mating for consecutive three cycles while the remaining two impregnated the cohabitated females during the third cycle at a time when the antibody titer was reduced. Active immunization with ovine follicle stimulating hormone may not produce complete azoospermia but renders adult male monkeys infertile provided sufficient antibody titer is maintained.

Vitamin D3- induced histological changes in the corpuscles of stannius of a freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis kept either in artificial freshwater, calcium-rich freshwater or calcium-deficient freshwater.

Vitamin D3 (50 I.U./100 g body wt) was injected daily intraperitoneally to the fish H. fossilis maintained in artificial freshwater, calcium-rich freshwater and calcium deficient freshwater. The animals were killed on day 1, 3, 5, and 10. The serum calcium levels were estimated and CS were fixed for histological studies. Administration of vitamin D3 induced hypercalcemia in the fish kept in all the three different media. The AF-positive cells of CS of vitamin D3 treated specimens kept in artificial freshwater, calcium-rich freshwater and calcium-deficient freshwater depict hyperactivity which is expressed by their degranulation and increased nuclear volume. The AF-negative cells of CS of vitamin D3-treated fish kept in artificial freshwater have not shown any change, however, the AF-negative cells of the fish treated with vitamin D3 and maintained in calcium-rich freshwater and calcium-deficient freshwater exhibit a decrease in their nuclear volume.

Influence of prolactin administration on the ultimobranchial body and parathyroid glands of the freshwater snake, Natrix piscator.

The effects of ovine prolactin (10 I.U./100 g body wt) on the ultimobranchial body and parathyroid glands were investigated in Natrix piscator for 15 days. The ultimobranchial body of the prolactin treated specimens depicts signs of increased activity whereas the parathyroid glands exhibit reduced activity.

The non-effect of parathyroidectomy in the aquatic limbless newt (Apoda, Amphibia).

In the aquatic limbless newt, Typhlonectes compressicauda (Apoda, Amphibia), serum Ca levels of parathyroidectomized newts were no lower than for the control newts at 1 week after the operation. In this species, the parathyroid glands may not be functional in raising the serum Ca levels.

'Bio-load' and bio-type profiles of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in the domestic livestock population endemic for Johne's disease: a survey of 28 years (1985-2013) in India.

Bio-load and bio-profile of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis was studied in the domestic livestock population of the country. Of the 23,429 farm and farmer's animals screened, average bio-load was 23.3% (Period of study; 28 years for goats; 13 years for sheep, cattle and buffaloes). Species-wise, bio-load was 20.1, 32.7, 39.3 and 28.3% in goats, sheep, cattle and buffaloes, respectively. Bio-load was significantly lower in time period A (P < 0.001) and B (P < 0.03), compared with period C. Geographical zone-wise, bio-load of MAP was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Central zone compared with South, West, East and North zones. Bio-load in 11 states ranged from 16.2 to 87.8%. Of 8450, 5643, 8185 and 1151 samples screened by microscopy, culture, indigenous ELISA and IS900 blood PCR, 20.0, 10.6, 35.1 and 26.6% samples were positive, respectively. Bio-load was 32.8 and 31.6% in farm and farmer's goats and sheep, respectively, and 62.1% in farmer's cattle. MAP bio-load was also monitored in four farm units (three goats and one sheep) for breed improvement and three farm goats units for experimental purposes at Central Institute for Research on Goats in Mathura district. Of the 8025 goats and 1525 sheep that died from 1988 to 2013, 10.9 and 3.0% deaths were due to JD, respectively. On the basis of JD and suspected JD, 10.0 and 28.4% goats and 2.2 and 40.9% sheep, respectively were culled from the farm units in 25 years. Microscopic examination of 214 tissues (mesenteric lymph nodes and intestines) of 107 animals, it was observed that bio-load of MAP was high (25.0-60.0%) in farm animals. 'Indian Bison Type' was the dominant biotype, irrespective of domestic livestock species and the geographical zone.