The recent emergence of pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) has posed serious ecological and economic implications for cotton production in India since 2017. The project ...“Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM): Dissemination of pink bollworm management strategies in Bt-cotton” was implemented consecutively for four years from 2018 -19, 2019–20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 in 21 districts across three cotton growing zones of the country. In each year, field demonstrations were conducted on 1050 acres of cotton area and mass awareness was created through outreach activities. With concerted and focused efforts, the PBW infestations could be brought down by 42.75% in 2018–19, 43.49% in 2019–20, 35.55% in 2020-21 and 33.77% in 2021-22 in the demonstration plots over the farmer practices. An increased benefit: cost ratios of 2.16:1, 2:1, 1.89:1 and 2.24:1 were realized during 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020-21 and 2021–22, respectively. Similarly, the average number of sprays for the control of cotton pests during the season was reduced to 5.02, 4.94, 5.19 and 5.18 in integrated pest management (IPM) fields as compared to 6.98, 7.66, 8.07 and 8.20 in non-integrated pest management (NIPM) fields in the corresponding years. Reduction in pesticide usage in IPM vs NIPM fields was 46.39% in terms of cost, and 38.96% in terms of volume during 2019-20 while concurrent percent reduction in pesticide usage was 41.03 & 39.33 during 2020-21 and 40.70 & 39.38 in 2021–22. Comparatively more seed cotton was harvested from IPM than NIPM fields i.e. 2190 vs 1820 kg/ha in 2018–19, 2049 vs 1715 kg/ha in 2019–20, 1881 vs 1585 kg/ha in 2020-21 and 1901 vs 1607 kg/ha in 2021–22. Significant success in reducing PBW infestation, pesticide usage and corresponding improvement in yield, economic benefits and environmental quality in terms of reduced EIQFUR has been achieved through IPM demonstrations. This area-wide success was achieved through collective efforts and active involvement of all concerned stakeholders.
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•Pink bollworm has emerged as serious threat to Indian cotton production.•Areawide IPM strategies disseminated & mass awareness created through outreach.•Significant reduction in pest infestation and pesticide usage was achieved.•Realization of economic benefits to cotton growers was demonstrated.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Due to recent advances in diagnostic studies such as Doppler, Plethysmography there has been considerable gain in the knowledge about anatomy, pathophysiology of chronic leg ulcers. Even though there ...are various techniques and procedures in the management of chronic leg ulcers since the recent past, but the management of leg ulcers still remains a study. The objective was to study leg ulcers and their surgical management. All Patients visiting the surgical outpatient department with lower limb ulcers were included in this study. These cases were examined in detail and investigated thoroughly. This study included patients with venous ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic ulcers, non-healing ulcers and other rare types. In our study of 81 patients with leg ulcers, diabetic ulcers were the most common accounting for 38.27% of the cases, whereas venous ulcers accounted for 24.69% and arterial accounted for 13.58% cases. In our study amputations were mostly done in diabetic patients accounting for 57.89% cases. The risk of lower extremity amputation is 15 to 46 times higher in diabetics than in persons who do not have diabetes mellitus. Early detection and appropriate treatment of these ulcers may prevent up to 85 percent of amputations.
Nanoscale biosensors, owing to their high-sensitivity and extremely low limits-of-detection, have enabled the realization of highly complex and sophisticated miniaturized platforms for several ...important healthcare applications, the most predominant one being disease diagnosis. In particular, nanomaterial facilitated electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization has had an exceptional impact on fields such as genetics and cancerous mutation detection Here we report an ultrasensitive electrochemical platform using electrospun semi-conducting Manganese (III) Oxide (Mn2O3) nanofibers for DNA Hybridization detection. The proposed platform coalesces the inherent advantages of metal-oxide nanofibers and electrochemical transduction techniques, resulting in label-free zeptomolar detection of DNA hybridization. As proof of concept, we demonstrate zeptomolar detection of Dengue consensus primer (limit of detection: 120×10–21M) both in control as well as spiked serum samples. Our reported detection limit is superior in comparison with previously reported electrochemical DNA hybridization sensors for Dengue virus detection, spanning both labeled and label-free transductions. This ultra-sensitivity, we believe, is a result of synthesizing a low bandgap electrospun metal-oxide nanomaterial corresponding to a specific oxidation state of Manganese. This methodology can be extended for detection of any hybridization of interest by simply adapting an appropriate functionalization protocol and thus is very generic in nature.
•Zeptomolar Detection of DNA Hybridization.•Label-free Electrochemical Detection using Electrospun Low bandgap Mn2O3 Nanofiber.•Easily adaptable surface functionalization protocol for bioelectrode preparation.•Generic Biosensor Platform.•DNA Hybridization detection from control as well as spiked serum samples.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPUK, ZRSKP
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•Effective passivation of Cu using dual damascene process compatible Manganin alloy.•Demonstration of sub 150°C Cu-Cu thermocompression bonding.•Improved electrical performance owing ...to high conductivity of Manganin.•Assured reliability as per ITRS roadmap standards.
Damascene process compatible Copper (Cu) surface passivation, ultra-smooth surface and enhanced Cu diffusion at the bonding interface are the key requirements for high quality, low temperature and low pressure Cu-Cu bonding for 3D integration applications. Manganin alloy deployed in this work as a passivation layer, performs dual role of protecting Cu surface from oxidation even at higher temperature (<300°C) and provides surface smoothness of about 0.8nm. Furthermore there is an inherent Cu 〈111〉 oriented plane formation with Manganin alloy passivated Cu surface. All the aforementioned factors are key enablers in enhancing diffusion of Cu across the bonding interface. This led to high quality Cu-Cu thermocompression bonding at sub 150°C temperature and at a nominal contact force of 5kN. Very low specific contact resistance of 1.45×10−7Ω-cm2 and excellent bond strength of 186MPa is clear evidence of the efficacy of optimized ultra-thin Manganin alloy as a passivation layer.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPUK, ZRSKP
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality and neurological disability affecting people of all ages worldwide, remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to date. Rapid, ...ultra-sensitive, selective, and wide-range detection of TBI biomarkers in easily accessible body fluids is an unmet clinical need. Considering this, in this work, we report the design and development of a facile, label-free, highly stable and sensitive, chemi-impedance-based sensing platform for rapid and wide range detection of Ubiquitin-carboxy terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1: FDA-approved TBI specific plasma biomarker), using carboxylic functionalized MWCNTs embedded polypyrrole (PPY) nanocomposites (PPY/f-MWCNT). The said nanocomposites were synthesized using chemical oxidative polymerization method. Herein, the functionalized MWCNTs are used as conducting fillers so as to increase the polymer's dielectric constant according to the micro-capacitor model, thereby augmenting both DC electrical conductivity and AC dielectric property of the nanocomposite. The proposed immunosensing platform comprises of PPY/f-MWCNT modified interdigitated microelectrode (IDμEs) array, on which anti-UCHL1-antibodies are immobilized using suitable covalent chemistry. The AC electrical characterization of the nanocomposite modified IDμEs, with and without the antibodies, was performed through generic capacitance vs. frequency (C–F, 1 KHz – 1 MHz) and capacitance vs. applied bias (C–V, 0.1 V–1 V) measurements, using an Agilent B1500A parametric analyzer. The binding event of UCHL1 peptides to anti-UCHL1-antibodies was transduced in terms of normalised changes in parallel capacitance, via the C–F analysis. Further, we have tested the detection efficiency of the said immunoassay against UCHL1 spiked human plasma samples in the concentration range 10 fg/mL – 1 μg/mL. The proposed sensing platform detected UCHL1 in spiked-plasma samples linearly in the range of 10 fg/mL – 1 ng/mL with a sensitivity and LoD of 4.22 ((ΔC/C0)/ng.mL−1)/cm2 and 0.363 fg/mL, respectively. Further, it showed excellent stability (30 weeks), repeatability, reproducibility, selectivity and interference-resistance. The proposed approach is label-free, and if desired, can be used in conjunction with DC measurements, for biosensing applications.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPUK, ZRSKP
Atrazine, a class 3a carcinogen, is a pesticide of chloro triazine family and is known to severely affect the human endocrine system upon consumption. The toxic effects of atrazine cause damage not ...only to the humans but also to animals and plants. In lieu of the detrimental effects of atrazine on environment, it is essential to develop a sensor platform capable of its detection in water. Here, we propose ultrasensitive electrochemical detection of atrazine using electrospun SnO2 nanofibers. In this study, the nanofibers have been characterized using Field Emission Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Using a label-free transduction, we have detected atrazine in fairly low concentrations, with the limit of detection being 0.9 zM and the sensitivity being 4.11 (μA/μM)/cm2, in a wide dynamic detection range varying from 1 zM to 1 μM. Furthermore, we have reported atrazine detection in trace levels in spiked real time water samples, which is an essential step in ensuring that the sensing platform can be deployed for practical applications. In addition to this, the sensor exhibits excellent selectivity, reasonable stability (when stored at 4 °C), and good interference-resistance.
•Electrospun SnO2 nanofiber: Breakthrough in zM detection of atrazine.•Facile, label free and ultrasensitive electrochemical platform for detection of atrazine.•Analyte detection in spiked real time water samples.•Good stability and high degree of selectivity to atrazine.•Able to clearly detect atrazine in presence of interfering compounds.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
•Electrospun Mn2O3 nanofiber: Breakthrough in zg/mL detection of atrazine.•Facile, label free and ultrasensitive electrochemical platform for detection of atrazine.•Analyte detection in spiked water ...samples.•Good stability and high degree of selectivity to atrazine.•Able to clearly detect atrazine in presence of interfering compounds (Interference study).
Atrazine, a pesticide of chloro-triazine family and a class 3a carcinogen, is known to severely affect human endocrine system. In light of its detrimental environmental effects, ensuring its easy and ultrasensitive detection is highly essential. In this paper, we demonstrate facile and label free electrochemical detection of atrazine, using electrospun manganese oxide nanofibers (MNF). Here, we report an anti-atrazine-antibody based immunosensor, based on low bandgap Mn2O3 nanofibers, for ultrasensitive and highly selective detection of atrazine. The electrospun nanofibers used in this work were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and UV–vis Spectroscopy. The proposed platform was able to detect atrazine in the concentration range of 10−21 g/mL, which in comparison to the previously reported atrazine sensors is a fairly superior performance. The observed lower limit of detection (LOD) was 0.22 × 10−21 g/mL, with a sensitivity of 52.54 (kΩ/μg mL−1)/cm2. We have also demonstrated atrazine detection in spiked water samples, so as to demonstrate that the proposed platform is suitable for real-time applications. Furthermore, the sensing platform is label free, comprising of a simple protocol and hence is facile in nature.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Differential expression of mucins has been associated with several cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). In normal physiological conditions, secretory mucin MUC5AC is not expressed in the ...colonic mucosa, whereas its aberrant expression is observed during development of colon cancer and its precursor lesions. To date, the molecular mechanism of MUC5AC in CRC progression and drug resistance remains obscure.
MUC5AC expression was determined in colon tissue microarray by immunohistochemistry. A RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated system was used to knockdown/knockout the MUC5AC in CRC cell lines to delineate its role in CRC tumorigenesis using in vitro functional assays and in vivo (sub-cutaneous and colon orthotopic) mouse models. Finally, CRC cell lines and xenograft models were used to identify the mechanism of action of MUC5AC.
Overexpression of MUC5AC is observed in CRC patient tissues and cell lines. MUC5AC expression resulted in enhanced cell invasion and migration, and decreased apoptosis of CRC cells. MUC5AC interacted with CD44 physically, which was accompanied by the activation of Src signaling. Further, the presence of MUC5AC resulted in enhanced tumorigenesis and appearance of metastatic lesions in orthotopic mouse model. Additionally, up-regulation of MUC5AC resulted in resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin, and its knockout increased sensitivity to these drugs. Finally, we observed that up-regulation of MUC5AC conferred resistance to 5-FU through down-regulation of p53 and its target gene p21 and up-regulation of β-catenin and its target genes CD44 and Lgr5.
Our findings suggest that differential expression of secretory mucin MUC5AC results in enhanced tumorigenesis and also confers chemoresistance via CD44/β-catenin/p53/p21 signaling.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Breakthrough: Demonstration of fg/mL detection of AB42 peptides using electrospun SnO2 nanofibers (SNF).•Validation of detection methodology using real-time pooled human PLASMA samples.•Facile, ...sensitive, and label-free detection methodology with a wide range of detection ranging from 1fg/mL to 1ng/mL.•Superior performance in terms of stability, selectivity, repeatability, and reproducibility.•Precise detection of AB42 peptides in the presence of interfering compounds through effective reduction of matrix effect.
Uncontrolled fibrous aggregation of proteins in the human brain implicates a range of anomalous biological phenomena, ultimately leading to Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Aggregates of β-Amyloid(1-42) (AB42) have been considered the most viable biomarker for early diagnosis of AD; therefore, it is highly essential to detect AB42 peptides in easily accessible body fluids, preferably at low concentrations. Considering this, we report the design and development of a facile, sensitive, and label-free electrochemical biosensor for AB42 peptide detection, using electrospun SnO2 nanofibers (SNF) as the transducing material. The sensing platform, comprising of AB42-specific capture antibodies covalently immobilized onto SNF nanofiber modified carbon working electrodes, acts as an immunoassay on to which the target analytes bind specifically. In response, the charge transfer resistance at the sensor interface gets modified proportionately and is recorded using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Herein, we have tested the efficiency of the said immunoassay against AB42 spiked buffer and plasma samples, in the concentration range 1 fg/mL–1 μg/mL. The proposed platform accounts for a sensitivity (limit of detection (LoD)) of 274.96(kΩ/ng.mL−1)/cm2 (0.146 fg/mL) and 302.05(kΩ/ng.mL−1)/cm2 (0.638 fg/mL) for AB42 spiked buffer and plasma samples, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed SNF-derived electrochemical immunoassay shows appreciable stability (over 126 days), selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and interference-resistance.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Abstract
This paper demonstrates the key process optimizations that need to be carried out in order to leverage the piezoelectric property of polyvinylidene diflouride (PVDF) thin films for ...miniaturized sensor and actuator applications. The emphasis of the paper is two fold. Firstly, innate material and piezoelectric properties of PVDF thin films were thoroughly investigated and the processing conditions for achieving minimally porous, smooth thin film exhibiting superior piezoelectric response was experimentally figured out. Along with that, as a proof of concept, a working prototype of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) was fabricated and tested using optimized PVDF thin films. The key bottleneck of adhesion of PVDF with underlying metal layers is addressed by using adhesion promoter (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane. This small, yet significant modification enabled the fabrication of PMUT device using PVDF as membrane material. The fabricated device has exhibited a electromechanical coupling coefficient value of 15.66% and a resonance frequency of 129.5 kHz.
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