The effective reproduction number (R) is a more practical epidemiological parameter than basic reproduction number (R0) for characterization of infectious disease epidemics as it takes into account ...presence of immune individuals in the population which R0 does not. Periodic assessment of R can inform public health strategies during long-standing epidemics such as the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation. This is especially relevant for large and resource-poor countries such as India, which may require differential intervention strategies in different regions. However, the complexity of the calculation involved often proves to be a barrier for calculation of R. This communication proposes a simpler data collection and analytical method – involving a combination approach instead of full-fledged primary data collection – to estimate R for public health decision-making.
Literature review.
Data from available sources (time series data of new cases at population level) can be combined with some primary data (time interval between infection of index and secondary cases in family clusters) that can be collected with little resources. These data can then be fed into an approximation-based method (Wallinga and Lipsitch) for R calculation at the state/regional levels. The calculations can be repeated every fortnight using newly available data.
The value of R, estimated using the proposed method, from subsequent periods can be used for assessing the status of the epidemic and values from subsequent periods can be compared for decision-making regarding implementation/modification of control measures.
The approximate R may be a little inaccurate but can still prove useful for rough estimation of epidemic evolution and for comparison between different periods, as the extent of error in R values across different periods is likely to be similar. Thus, the approximate R may not only be used to estimate the epidemic change in smaller geographies such as states/regions but also used for making appropriate changes to public health measures for managing a pandemic such as COVID-19.
•Effective reproduction number (R) is a useful parameter for describing infectious disease epidemics.•Calculation of R usually requires intensive computing and primary data.•An approximate R can be calculated using incidence data and generation interval computed from case family clusters.•Approximate R from different periods during the epidemic can be compared to inform epidemic control measures.
Secukinumab, a fully human immunoglobulin G1-kappa monoclonal antibody that directly inhibits interleukin (IL)-17A, has been shown to have robust efficacy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe ...psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) demonstrating a rapid onset of action and sustained long-term clinical responses with a consistently favorable safety profile in multiple Phase 2 and 3 trials. Here, we report longer-term pooled safety and tolerability data for secukinumab across three indications (up to 5 years of treatment in PsO and PsA; up to 4 years in AS).
The integrated clinical trial safety dataset included data pooled from 21 randomized controlled clinical trials of secukinumab 300 or 150 or 75 mg in PsO (14 Phase 3 trials and 1 Phase 4 trial), PsA (3 Phase 3 trials), and AS (3 Phase 3 trials), along with post-marketing safety surveillance data with a cut-off date of June 25, 2017. Adverse events (AEs) were reported as exposure-adjusted incident rates (EAIRs) per 100 patient-years. Analyses included all patients who received ≥ 1 dose of secukinumab.
A total of 5181, 1380, and 794 patients from PsO, PsA, and AS clinical trials representing secukinumab exposures of 10,416.9, 3866.9, and 1943.1 patient-years, respectively, and post-marketing data from patients with a cumulative exposure to secukinumab of ~ 96,054 patient-years were included in the analysis. The most frequent AE was upper respiratory tract infection. EAIRs across PsO, PsA, and AS indications were generally low for serious infections (1.4, 1.9, and 1.2, respectively), Candida infections (2.2, 1.5, and 0.7, respectively), inflammatory bowel disease (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1, respectively), and major adverse cardiac events (0.3, 0.4, and 0.6, respectively). No cases of tuberculosis reactivation were reported. The incidence of treatment-emergent anti-drug antibodies was low with secukinumab across all studies, with no discernible loss of efficacy, unexpected alterations in pharmacokinetics, or association with immunogenicity-related AEs.
Secukinumab demonstrated a favorable safety profile over long-term treatment in patients with PsO, PsA, and AS. This comprehensive assessment demonstrated that the safety profile of secukinumab was consistent with previous reports in patients with PsO, PsA, and AS, supporting its long-term use in these chronic conditions.
Wide applications of graphene oxide (GO) owe to unique abilities of its surface chemistry linked to the ubiquitous influence of oxygenated functional groups, especially for the electrochemical ...performance with metal oxides nanoparticles (NPs). In addition to the imbibed chemical property of NP, its size and shape are crucial for applications. In this context, the present work discusses the role of functional groups of GO in controlling the growth of SnO2 NPs and their electrochemical performances. SnO2, an important candidate for the hybrid capacitor, was grown by two different procedures to substantiate the role of functional groups of the GO. The in-situ process provided different shapes and sizes of SnO2 NPs in the GO matrix in contrast to the ex-situ procedure, which contained with quantum dot SnO2. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman studies revealed the structural details while Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy deciphered further information on the role of functional groups of GO for the growth of SnO2 NPs. The electrochemical study highlighted the importance of the functional groups and the size effect of NPs for their performance. The in-situ process with larger and irregular sizes of SnO2 NPs displayed a low electrochemical capacitance compared to the ex-situ process.
•The ramification of functional GO in the growth of SnO2 nanoparticles is described.•Composites with GO using SnO2 quantum dots (QDs) were made by the in-situ and ex-situ growth.•Clear observation of dissimilar growth of metal oxide in the in-situ process is highlighted.•The electrochemical study supports the critical size effect of metal oxide and functional groups in GO.
We present a systematic study of the structural dynamics in bulk entropic polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) with deuterated-polymer-grafted nanoparticles (DPGNPs) using quasi-elastic neutron scattering ...(QENS). We observe that the wave-vector-dependent relaxation dynamics depend on the entropic parameter
f
as well as the length scale being probed. The entropic parameter can be defined in terms of the grafted-to-matrix polymer molecular weight ratio and controls the extent of matrix chain penetration into the graft. Dynamical cross-over from Gaussian to non-Gaussian behavior at the wave vector
Q
c
, which depends on temperature and
f
, was observed. Further insight into the underlying microscopic mechanism responsible for the observed behavior revealed that when interpreted using a jump-diffusion model, in addition to the speeding-up in local chain dynamics, the elementary distance over which sections of the chain hop is strongly dependent on
f
. Interestingly, we also observe dynamic heterogeneity (DH) in the studied systems, characterized by the non-Gaussian parameter
α
2
, which reduces for a high-
f
(
f
= 0.225) sample compared with the pristine host polymer, indicating reduced dynamical heterogeneity, while it is mostly unchanged for the low-
f
sample. The results highlight that, unlike enthalpic PNCs, entropic PNCs with DPGNPs can modify the host polymer dynamics due to the subtle balance of interactions that occur at different length scales in the matrix.
We demonstrate that, in entropic PNCs, deuterated-polymer grafted nanoparticles can alter the dynamics of the host polymer owing to the subtle balance of interactions occurring at different length scales in the matrix.
For the conservation of our environment, removing water pollutants from the different wastewater sources is getting critical. This study used a low-cost, green, agricultural waste,
Arachis hypogaea
...’s shell (local name—groundnut shell) to remove Pb(II) ions from an aqueous solution. SEM analyzed surface morphology. FTIR determined functional groups present in the groundnut shell. The effects of different operating parameters on metal removal are investigated. The percentage removal is maximum at pH 5. Langmuir’s adsorption capacity is 3.53 mg/g and is not very high, but the adsorbent is abundantly available in India's rural areas. The adsorption process follows the Pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. As the values of sorption energy lie between 8 and 16 kJ/mol, the adsorption process is chemical. The positive value of entropy (0.193 kJ/mol.K) and enthalpy (53.63 kJ/mol) proves that the process is spontaneous and endothermic. The blood cell count of
Gallus gallus domesticus
has revealed Pb(II)’s toxic effects with the treated solution. The applicability of MLR and the Genetic Algorithm has also been successfully applied and presented in this study. The scale-up design has been reported. This study aims to develop the utilization of low-cost natural adsorbent, groundnut shell, a natural waste material, widely available throughout India. This adsorbent is expected to provide an excellent and highly porous surface structure with different functional groups that assist the binding of metal ions.
Endotoxins also referred to as pyrogens are chemically lipopolysaccharides habitually found in food, environment and clinical products of bacterial origin and are unavoidable ubiquitous ...microbiological contaminants. Pernicious issues of its contamination result in high mortality and severe morbidities. Standard traditional techniques are slow and cumbersome, highlighting the pressing need for evoking agile endotoxin detection system. The early and prompt detection of endotoxin assumes prime importance in health care, pharmacological and biomedical sectors. The unparalleled recognition abilities of LAL biosensors perched with remarkable sensitivity, high stability and reproducibility have bestowed it with persistent reliability and their possible fabrication for commercial applicability. This review paper entails an overview of various trends in current techniques available and other possible alternatives in biosensor based endotoxin detection together with its classification, epidemiological aspects, thrust areas demanding endotoxin control, commercially available detection sensors and a revolutionary unprecedented approach narrating the influence of omics for endotoxin detection.
•The sensing efficiency of various endotoxin based biosensors has been compared.•Graphical illustrations of working mechanism for possible biosensor are provided.•A detailed study on the commercially available biosensor kits has been reviewed.•Special focus has been given on OMICS (rFC) approach for endotoxin detection.•Lab-on-a-chip, printed biosensors and LOCAD-PTS have been briefly discussed.
The anti-malarial drug artemisinin has shown anticancer activity in vitro and animal experiments, but experience in human cancer is scarce. However, the ability of artemisinins to kill cancer cells ...through a variety of molecular mechanisms has been explored. A PubMed search of about 127 papers on anti-cancer effects of antimalarials has revealed that this class of drug, including other antimalarials, have several biological characteristics that include anticancer properties. Experimental evidences suggest that artemisinin compounds may be a therapeutic alternative in highly aggressive cancers with rapid dissemination, without developing drug resistance. They also exhibit synergism with other anticancer drugs with no increased toxicity toward normal cells. It has been found that semisynthetic artemisinin derivatives have much higher antitumor activity than their monomeric counterparts via mechanisms like apoptosis, arrest of cell cycle at G0/G1, and oxidative stress. The exact mechanism of activation and molecular basis of these anticancer effects are not fully elucidated. Artemisinins seem to regulate key factors such as nuclear factor-kappa B, survivin, NOXA, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, and BMI-1, involving multiple pathways that may affect drug response, drug interactions, drug resistance, and associated parameters upon normal cells. Newer synthetic artemisinins have been developed showing substantial antineoplastic activity, but there is still limited information regarding the mode of action of these synthetic compounds. In view of the emerging data, specific interactions with established chemotherapy need to be further investigated in different cancer cells and their phenotypes and validated further using different semisynthetic and synthetic artemisinin derivatives.
Graphene oxide (GO) with beneficial functional groups regulates the surface chemistry for catalytic applications. However, the low electrical conductivity of GO invokes further treatments that ...compromise the above-valued properties. We report an interfacial engineering of GO decorated with SnO2 quantum dots (QDs) for the visible-light-driven catalysis of dye degradation. Retention of beneficial functional features of GO and QDs in the GO-SnO2 composite is established by using TEM, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy techniques. Further, investigations with EXAFS and lifetime-measurements provide the local structure and defects distributions in QDs which are correlated with the improved conductivity. PL and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements help unraveling the charge-transfer across the interface of the GO-SnO2 composite. The unique ability of ∼94% degradation of MB using only 0.5 mg of GO-SnO2 catalyst within half an hour under the visible light is demonstrated for the first time with insights on the photocatalytic mechanism.
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•Defect laden SnO2 QDs is interfaced with GO and the composite is examined using XRD, Raman and TEM.•Defect from SnO2 improved the conductivity in GO-SnO2 is verified using EIS and well supported by EXAFS.•Presence of functional groups in the GO helps for better dispersion and adsorption of dye is reinforced by FTIR.•Better charge transfer from QD to GO due to work function mismatch, suggested by PL spectra.•Visible-light-driven degradation of MB within 30 min is registered using 0.05 mg/ml of the composite.
The author first reviews the recently proposed Li-Hwang's biometric-based remote user authentication scheme using smart cards; then shows that the Li-Hwang's scheme has some design flaws in their ...scheme. In order to withstand those flaws in their scheme, an improvement of their scheme is further proposed. The author also shows that the improved scheme provides strong authentication with the use of verifying biometric, password as well as random nonces generated by the user and the server as compared to that for the Li-Hwang's scheme and other related schemes.
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