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•Click chemistry approach has been utilized to achieve molecular level crystallinity.•Self-assembly of polymers with morphological transitions giving rise to exotic ...nanostructures.•Chimaeric crystalsomes (DPCM) is generated as a result of translational symmetry breaking in the crystallization process, lamellar folding and side chain orientation.•Owing to the remarkable anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic activity, these chimaeric crystalsomes (DPCM) can efficiently accelerate wound healing.
The fabrication of crystalline polymers is synthetically challenging and intellectually stimulating. Amphiphilic block copolymers self-assemble in water to form various vesicle-like architectures depicting curved interfaces, which are shape-translational symmetry incommensurate crystals and ubiquitous. Interestingly, the mechanical properties of the polymeric system improve by forming a crystalline structure. Herein, we for the first time, report the synthesis of a new click monomer (CM), (1-(2-(1H-benzodimidazol-1-yl) ethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-yl) methyl methacrylate via azide-alkyne cycloaddition ‘Click reaction’. Furthermore, this monomer was co-polymerized with dimethyl aminopropyl methacrylamide (DMAPMA) via free radical aqueous co-polymerization to generate chimaeric crystalsomes (DPCM) through self-organization of polymeric subunits that structurally resemble classical polymersomes. In an aqueous system, amphiphilic block co-polymers organize within the enclosed membrane to form single crystalline chimaeric substructures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been employed to characterize and understand the nanocrystalline nature of DPCM. The single crystalline nature of these DPCM has been witnessed via X-ray diffraction (XRD) study, consistent with the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern. In addition, the technologically advanced DPCM with nanometer dimensions possesses inherent bioactive properties from click monomeric units, exhibiting remarkable efficacy in conjunction with accelerated wound healing competence in rat model studies.
•We have evaluated potato breeding lines and varieties for PCN resistance genes.•Nearly 60% of the breeding lines and varieties tested possessed H1 gene.•No genotype was positive for the Gro1-4 and ...TG432 amplified in 24 genotypes.•HC was amplified for 40 genotypes and 4 varieties and SPUD 1636 was amplified in 4 breeding lines and variety Kufri Swarna.•The study will facilitate breeding of novel PCN resistant.
At present the resistant potato cultivars under cultivation do not possess enough resistance to wide range of potato cyst nematode (PCN) pathotypes (Ro1 to Ro5 of Globodera rostochiensis and Pa1 to Pa3 of Globodera pallida). Therefore, development of varieties having resistance against different PCN pathotypes is must however, large scale phenotypic evaluation for PCN is difficult and costly. Identification of resistance genes using DNA markers may be an alternative approach. In the present study, we have evaluated advanced generation breeding material along with five popular varieties grown in the Nilgiris (Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Giriraj, Kufri Girdhari, Kufri Swarna and Kufri Neelima) with known DNA markers for identification of PCN resistance genes (H1 gene against Ro1 and Ro4, Gro 1-4 and GroVI gene against Ro1, Grp1_QTL against Ro5, Pa2,3 and Gpa5 & Gpa6_QTL against Pa2,3). The results revealed that nearly 60% of the breeding lines and varieties tested possessed H1 gene whereas, no genotype was positive for the Gro1-4. The marker TG432 associated with QTL conferring resistance to G. pallida amplified in 24 genotypes. The SNP marker HC was amplified for 40 genotypes and four varieties. For G. pallida, marker SPUD 1636 associated with the QTL Gpa5 and Gpa6 was amplified in four breeding lines and variety Kufri Swarna. Hence, the result of the study will facilitate breeding of novel resistant varieties by efficient selection of ideal genotypes and pyramiding of resistant loci in a single genotype.
For centuries, Mycobacterium leprae, etiological agent of leprosy, has been afflicting mankind regardless of extensive use of live-attenuated vaccines and antibiotics. Surface-associated and ...secretory proteins (SASPs) are attractive targets against bacteria. We have integrated biological knowledge with computational approaches and present a proteome-wide identification of SASPs. We also performed computational assignment of immunodominant epitopes as coordinates of prospective antigenic candidates in most important class of SASPs, the outer membrane proteins (OMPs). Exploiting the known protein sequence and structural characteristics shared by the SASPs from bacteria, 17 lipoproteins, 11 secretory and 19 novel OMPs (including 4 essential proteins) were identified in M. leprae As OMPs represent the most exposed antigens on the cell surface, their immunoinformatics analysis showed that the identified 19 OMPs harbor T-cell MHC class I epitopes and class II epitopes against HLA-DR alleles (54), while 15 OMPs present potential T-cell class II epitopes against HLA-DQ alleles (6) and 7 OMPs possess T-cell class II epitopes against HLA-DP alleles (5) of humans. Additionally, 11 M. leprae OMPs were found to have B-cell epitopes and these may be considered as prime candidates for the development of new immunotherapeutics against M. leprae.
SARS-CoV-2 was first reported in China in December 2019 and quickly spread across the world. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are the key to control the transmission of respiratory viruses. To ...stop the spread, NPI is widely recommended and is still followed by most countries.
At the National Influenza Center of the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), the surveillance of severe acute respiratory illness and acute respiratory illness cases for influenza and other respiratory viruses is in place. In this study, we analyzed surveillance data on respiratory viruses and/or SARS-CoV-2 testing from January 2017 to December 2021. Multiplex real-time PCR was used to detect the respiratory viruses.
Our findings indicate that during the pandemic, the positivity for influenza A and B, metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and human coronavirus declined significantly.
The annual distinct seasonal outbreaks of influenza, RSV, and other respiratory viruses as observed during the pre-COVID-19 period were not observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in years 2020 and 21. Social distancing, lock-downs, and non-pharmaceutical interventions may play an important role in the reduction of respiratory viruses. Understanding the seasonal respiratory virus decline could help public health experts prepare for future respiratory virus pandemics.
Exposure to ionizing radiation is an inherent occupational health hazard in clinical cardiology. Health risks have been reported previously, including predilection to cancer. In addition, orthopedic ...injury due to prolonged wearing of heavy protective lead aprons, which are mandatory to reduce radiation risk, have been extensively documented. Cardiology as a specialty has grown with rising volumes of increasingly complex procedures. This includes electrophysiological, coronary, and structural intervention, advanced heart failure/transplant management, and diagnostic imaging. Both the operator as well imaging specialists are exposed to radiation, particularly in structural interventions where interventional cardiologists and structural imagers work closely. Increasingly, women interested in cardiology may deselect the field due to radiation concerns. This expert document highlights the risks of radiation exposure in cardiology, including practical tips within various subspecialty fields such as interventional/structural cardiology, electrophysiology, imaging, advanced heart failure, and pediatric cardiology.
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•Cardiac procedures carry radiation risk.•Practical tips across all subspecialties.•Improve radiation safety with education/advocacy.
Potato cyst nematodes (PCNs) are major pests worldwide that affect potato production. The molecular changes happening in the roots upon PCN infection are still unknown. Identification of transcripts ...and genes governing PCN resistance will help in the development of resistant varieties. Hence, differential gene expression of compatible (Kufri Jyoti) and incompatible (JEX/A-267) potato genotypes was studied before (0 DAI) and after (10 DAI) inoculation of
Globodera rostochiensis
J2s through RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Total sequencing reads generated ranged between 33 and 37 million per sample, with a read mapping of 48–84% to the potato reference genome. In the infected roots of the resistant genotype JEX/A-267, 516 genes were downregulated, and 566 were upregulated. In comparison, in the susceptible genotype Kufri Jyoti, 316 and 554 genes were downregulated and upregulated, respectively. Genes encoding cell wall proteins, zinc finger protein,
WRKY
transcription factors,
MYB
transcription factors, disease resistance proteins, and pathogenesis-related proteins were found to be majorly involved in the incompatible reaction after PCN infection in the resistant genotype, JEX/A-267. Furthermore, RNA-Seq results were validated through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and it was observed that
ATP
,
FLAVO
,
CYTO
, and
GP
genes were upregulated at 5 DAI, which was subsequently downregulated at 10 DAI. The genes encoding
ATP
,
FLAVO
,
LBR
, and
GP
were present in > 1.5 fold before infection in JEX-A/267 and upregulated 7.9- to 27.6-fold after 5 DAI; subsequently, most of these genes were downregulated to 0.9- to 2.8-fold, except
LBR
, which was again upregulated to 44.4-fold at 10 DAI.
Objective
To analyse the factors associated with increased mortality among Indian Children with H1N1.
Methods
Data were abstracted from available hospital records of children less than 12 y of age, ...who were admitted to Sassoon General Hospital in Pune, India, with confirmed pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza infection from August 2009 through January 2010. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify clinical characteristics associated with mortality.
Results
Of 775 pediatric cases admitted with Influenza Like Illness (ILI), 92 (11.8%) had confirmed H1N1 influenza infection. The median age of HIN1 cases was 2.5 y; 13 (14%) had an associated co-morbid condition. Median duration of symptoms was 4 d (interquartile range (IQR), 3–7 d). All 92 H1N1 cases received oseltamivir and empiric antimicrobials on admission. Intensive care unit (ICU) admission was required for 88 (96%) children, and 20 (23%) required mechanical ventilation.Fifteen children (16%) died; mortality was associated with presence of diffuse alveolar infiltrate on admission chest radiography (odds ratio (OR) 45, 95%CI :5.4–370;
p
< 0.001), use of corticosteroids in ARDS in children who required mechanical ventilation (OR 8.12, 95%CI: 2.44–27.05;
p
= 0.001), SpO
2
<80% on admission (OR 32.8, 95% CI: 5.8–185.5;
p
< 0.001) and presence of ARDS (OR 345.3, 95% CI :33.5–3564.1;
p
< 0.001). Necropsy from all children who died showed 9 (60%) had ARDS pattern and necrotizing pneumonitis, diffuse hemorrhage and interstitial pneumonia (
n
= 4 each, 27%) with gram positive organisms consistent with severe viral and bacterial co-infection.
Conclusions
Hypoxia, ARDS and use of corticosteroids in children with ARDS who were mechanically ventilated were the factors associated with increased odds of mortality. Necropsy also suggested bacterial co-infection as a risk factor.
Surveillance of drinking water is essentially a health measure intended to protect the public from water borne diseases. Hydride generator accessory coupled with atomic absorption spectrophotometer ...was used to analyze arsenic level in 49 ground water samples collected from different areas of Delhi. Arsenic level in ground water samples was in the range of 0.0170 to 0.100 ppm (Mean-0.0431, Standard Deviation-0.0136, Std. error of Mean-0.00194) with minimum concentration at Raney Well No. 7 (0.0170 ppm) and maximum at Kotla Mubarak Pur (0.100 ppm). Arsenic containing sediments and percolation of chemicals into soil as the result of dumping of garbage rich in chemicals into open landfills could be the possible source of arsenic in ground water of Delhi. Extensive survey and continuous monitoring is required to be made to assess the magnitude of problem and earlier intervention.
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