Mosquitoes are globally distributed and adapted to a broad range of environmental conditions. As obligatory hosts of many infectious pathogens, mosquito abundance and distribution are primarily ...determined by the presence and quality of larval habitats. To understand the dynamics and productivity of larval habitats in changing island environments, we conducted a four-month mosquito survey across ten inhabited islands in the Lakshadweep archipelago. Using fine-resolution larval habitat mapping, we recorded 7890 mosquitoes representing 13 species and 7 genera. Of these, four species comprised 95% of the total collections-Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia) was the dominant species followed by Armigeres subalbatus, Culex quinquefasciatus and Malaya genurostris. We found larval species richness was positively associated with the island area and mosquito larval richness (Chao1 estimator) was higher in artificial habitats than in natural habitats. Furthermore, mosquito species composition did not deteriorate with distance between islands. Mosquito abundance by species was associated with microclimatic variables-pH and temperature. We detected co-existence of multiple species at a micro-habitat level with no evidence of interactions like competition or predation. Our study analyzed and identified the most productive larval habitats -discarded plastic container and plastic drums contributing to high larval indices predicting dengue epidemic across the Lakshadweep islands. Our data highlight the need to devise vector control strategies by removal of human-induced plastic pollution (household waste) which is a critical driver of disease risk.
Chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized by cross-linking with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) using ionic gelation method and casted into hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films. XRD, FTIR, and ...UV–Vis spectra showed the corresponding phase, characteristic peaks of CS-TPP functional groups, and transmittance of the films, respectively. Oleic acid, TiO
2
, neem powder, and Ag of equal ratio were added as an additive to the optimized 1 wt% of chitosan–HPMC films and studied for its mechanical, solubility, thermal, structural, and antimicrobial property. The better physio-chemical and biological properties are achieved in the films incorporated with TiO
2
and neem. The characterized films were directly tested for the preservation of grape and plums and for their decay index. Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activity of the preserved fruits showed that grape and plums remained unchanged, respectively, for 10 days and for 3 weeks. This study reveals that shelf life of the grape using TiO
2
− and neem-doped CS-HPMC films was extended up to 10 days with good sensory and textural qualities compared with other films.
Lung cancer is the major cause of cancer-related death in this generation, and it is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. It is feasible to treat lung cancer if the symptoms of the ...disease are detected early. It is possible to construct a sustainable prototype model for the treatment of lung cancer using the current developments in computational intelligence without negatively impacting the environment. Because it will reduce the number of resources squandered as well as the amount of work necessary to complete manual tasks, it will save both time and money. To optimise the process of detection from the lung cancer dataset, a machine learning model based on support vector machines (SVMs) was used. Using an SVM classifier, lung cancer patients are classified based on their symptoms at the same time as the Python programming language is utilised to further the model implementation. The effectiveness of our SVM model was evaluated in terms of several different criteria. Several cancer datasets from the University of California, Irvine, library were utilised to evaluate the evaluated model. As a result of the favourable findings of this research, smart cities will be able to deliver better healthcare to their citizens. Patients with lung cancer can obtain real-time treatment in a cost-effective manner with the least amount of effort and latency from any location and at any time. The proposed model was compared with the existing SVM and SMOTE methods. The proposed method gets a 98.8% of accuracy rate when comparing the existing methods.
To provide the reports of a pilot study to assess the visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity with RayOne enhanced monovision (EMV), a unique nondiffractive enhanced monofocal intraocular lens ...(IOL) to increase the range of focus.
A retrospective case series study was conducted by analyzing 25 patients (50 eyes) who had bilateral implantation of EMV IOL after cataract surgery. Data collected included biometry, spherical equivalent (SE), and VA for near, intermediate, and distance. Patients were reviewed at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month after surgery. Contrast sensitivity (CS) was checked at 1 month.
The study included 14 males (56%). Age of participants was 61.4 ± 7.4 years. Uniocular uncorrected near and distance VA improved from 0.33 ± 0.13 to 0.05 ± 0.07 and from 0.63 ± 0.31 to 0.05 ± 0.10 log of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at 1 month (P < 0.001 for both). Binocular uncorrected near and distance VA improved from 0.09 ± 0.18 and 0.14 ± 0.27 to 0.05 ± 0.06 and 0.00 ± 0.09 logMAR, respectively (P < 0.001). SE changed from - 0.23 ± 2.55 to - 0.33 ± 0.46. CS at 3 months was 1.74 ± 0.21. At 1 month, 48 eyes (96%) achieved uncorrected intermediate VA 6/15 (0.4 logMAR) or better. When comparing eyes that had uncorrected intermediate vision of ≥ 0.2 (6/9 or better) to eyes that had < 0.2 logMAR at 1 month, there was no difference between groups with respect to baseline parameters.
The pilot study shows that the nondiffractive EMV IOL is safe, effective, and stable, providing excellent distance and intermediate vision and good near vision.
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•Alternate virtual screening method adopted for screening out of inconclusive bioassay molecule.•Artificial Neural Network based innovative ligand based screening method adopted for ...prioritization.•Inconclusive molecules are repositioned for downstream drug discovery activities.•SOM maps adopted for partitioning the Inconclusive data into active or inactive datasets.
This study focuses on the best possible way forward in utilizing inconclusive molecules of PubChem bioassays AID 1332, AID 434987 and AID 434955, which are related to beta-lactamase inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The inadequacy in the experimental methods that were observed during the invitro screening resulted in an inconclusive dataset. This could be due to certain moieties present within the molecules. In order to reconsider such molecules, insilico methods can be suggested in place of invitro methods For instance, datamining and medicinal chemistry
methods: have been adopted to prioritise the inconclusive dataset into active or inactive molecules. These include the Random Forest algorithm for dataminning, Lilly MedChem rules for virtually screening out the promiscuity, and Self Organizing Maps (SOM) for clustering the active molecules and enlisting them for repositioning through the use of artificial neural networks. These repositioned molecules could then be prioritized for downstream drug discovery analysis.
Being a part of dormancy survival regulator (DosR) regulon, Rv2004c (rough morphology and virulent strain gene) has been identified in earlier experimental studies as an indispensable protein ...required for the growth and survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This protein was predicted to have a role in inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity related to immuno-defence and other membrane-related events. Thus, considering significance of Rv2004c protein, a structure-based drug designing strategy was followed to identify potential inhibitors to this novel target. Initially, to validate the target, absence of homologous proteins in the host was verified through sequence and structure similarity search against human proteome. Then, a potential ligand binding site on the target was identified and virtual screening against Zinc database molecules was carried out. The top scoring hits along with their analogs were taken for docking studies with Glide. The binding free energy of the docked complexes of the Glide hits were predicted by Prime program from Schrodinger and molecules ZINC57990006, ZINC33605742, ZINC71773467 and ZINC34198774 were recognized as potential hits against this target. Analyzing the predicted pharmacokinetic properties of the molecules from QikProp and admetSAR tool, ZINC34198774 was identified as a valid molecule. Molecular dynamics simulation studies ascertained that ZINC34198774 could be a potential inhibitor against Rv2004c. Thus, results acquired from this study could be of use to design new therapeutics against tuberculosis.
Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
Remediation of industrial discharged dyes to the water bodies is much needed in the current scenario. Here in this, we prepared silver nanoparticles using Anisomeles malabarica. The synthesized ...nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared study, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. All the characterization studies suggested that the formation of silver nanoparticles was successful. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were used as an adsorbent to adsorb the methylene blue. To achieve this, optimum pH of the adsorbent to adsorb the dye was studied, and it was found to be pH 7. The adsorbent dose to adsorb the dye was found to be 0.1 g/L. From the isotherm theoretical studies, it was found that the adsorption isotherm follows Langmuir adsorption, and the qmax was found to be 97.08. From the kinetic study, the rate of the reaction follows the pseudosecond-order kinetics with regression>0.9. From the study, it was inferred the nanoparticles synthesized can act as a good adsorbent and can be used to purify the wastewater contaminated with methylene blue.
Inhibition of protein–protein interaction is considered as an innovative approach in the drug development field. In the present study, this strategy has been handled computationally using in-silico ...tools to identify potential leads against
M. tuberculosis
, a still undefeatable pathogen. CarD, a translational regulator protein seems to be indispensible for the survival and pathogenicity of
M. tuberculosis
. Many mutational studies have recommended that inhibition of its interaction with RNA polymerase using small molecules would be a promising therapy against tuberculosis. Hence in this study, using CarD–RNA polymerase complex structure, hotspot residues which favor complex formation were identified with BioLuminate program and Anchor tool. Based on this information, peptide similarity search was carried out by pepMMsMIMIC tool in MMsINC database and virtual screening was done against ZINC database molecules using DOCK Blaster tool. The small molecule hits from both the studies were collected to create a library. Docking studies were carried out with the library molecules against CarD using Glide program and eight molecules were identified as potential hits. Of them, molecules MMs02420750, MMs02489191 and MMs02514414 were found to interact with the important hotspot residues of CarD and thereby are considered to be capable of inhibiting CarD–RNA polymerase complex formation. The binding free energies of the Glide hit complexes were calculated by MM/GBSA approach and molecule MMs02420750 was identified to have more affinity towards CarD and hence taken for molecular dynamics simulation studies to check the stability of the complex. Finally, the ADME profile of this small molecule hit was predicted by QikProp program. This small molecule ligand which interacts with hot spots on CarD to form a stable complex may inhibit CarD from interacting with RNA polymerase and hence can be considered as an initial lead for the development of novel anti-tuberculosis agents.
Corrosion inhibition efficiency of dry Spathodea Campanulata (Sc) leaves in 1N H2SO4 medium was investigated by weight loss and temperature studies. Effect of temperature (35-75°C) on the corrosion ...behaviour of mild steel in the presence of plant extract was studied. Inhibition was found to increase with increase in concentration of the extract. Adsorption of extract molecules on mild steel surface obeyed the Langmuir, Temkin, Freundlich adsorption isotherms.Polarization studies showed that the extract of Sc behaved as a very good mixed type inhibitor inhibiting both anodic and cathodic reaction. The results obtained prove that the leaves of Spathodea Campanulata act as a good corrosion inhibitor having efficiency of 82.74% at 1.5% inhibitor concentration.Surface analysis was done by scanning electron microscope technology (SEM) to study the nature of adsorption.
