We investigated diurnal-scale variations in the abundances of bacterioplankton, high and low nucleic acid (HNA, LNA) cells, and associated physico-chemical variables in a mangrove dominated estuary ...of the Indian Sundarbans, during pre-monsoon and monsoon conditions. Bacterioplankton abundance (BA) varying from 1.83 ± 0.47 to 0.34 ± 0.11 × 109 cells L−1 with lowest abundance during the monsoon, was mainly dominated by LNA cells (74.46 ± 12.79% to 74.36 ± 20.51%). In two time series studies bacterial productivity (BP), total bacterioplankton abundance and HNA cell numbers increased towards high tide (BA; 0.21–0.04 × 109 cells L−1, HNA; 0.11–0.06 × 109 cells L−1) while LNA cell abundance varied. Total bacterioplankton, HNA and LNA cell numbers were also highest during the night (total bacterioplankton; 0.32–0.04 × 109 cells L−1, HNA; 0.31–0.01 × 109 cells L−1, LNA; 0.01–0.03 × 109 cells L−1). Highest dissolved oxygen and pH was at high tide (high salinity), while other carbonate system parameters and dissolved inorganic nutrients (except DIP) were higher at low tide. The overall abundances of bacterioplankton, HNA and LNA cells were controlled by a combination of factors, water temperature and dissolved oxygen being the most important controls on day-night and tidal variation of bacterioplankton.
•Bacterioplankton is mainly dominated by LNA cells in mangrove water of Indian Sundarbans.•Abundance of bacterioplankton and HNA cells increase at high tide and night.•Bacterioplankton and sub-groups are regulated by multiple physico-chemical factors.
A detailed study on potential sources, variation, and environmental effects of the rainwater ions was carried out at Lothian Island, Sundarban mangrove forest, India, during the southwest monsoon ...(June–September) in 2019. On an event basis, the maximum rainwater precipitation was observed 17.65 mm Day
−1
and a minimum of 1.02 mm Day
−1
. The maximum amount of total precipitation was recorded in the month of July (237 mm). The volume weighted mean (VWM) concentration shows that the total ionic composition was 93.7 μeq L
−1
, whereas the percentage contribution of the total ionic concentration is found to be 45.97% to anions and 54.02% to the cations. Temporal variation was observed between early (June- July) and late monsoon (August—September), which shows a high concentration of major ions in early monsoon and low concentration in late monsoon due to the washout of atmospheric particles with the frequent and increasing precipitation. The pH values of the 78% samples show neutral pH and neutralization factors (NF) followed a sequence of NF
Ca
˃NF
Mg
˃ NF
NH4
with factors of 0.77, 0.34, and 0.14 indicating Ca
2+
was the most potential species to balance the acidic ions (NO
3
−
, SO
4
2−
) over the study area. Source apportionment study indicates the significant influence of marine actions (long-range transport by monsoonal wind from marine origin, Sea spray, salty soil profile of mangrove) as the major source of ions over Sundarban. The rate of nutrient wet deposition in the form of rainwater was estimated and average monsoonal nitrogen flux was observed 0.87 kg ha
−1
where NO
3
contributes the most (0.60 kg ha
−1
). N and P deposition flux also showed a simultaneous pattern with the seasonal nutrient concentration of surrounding river water, which may be an indication of a possible contribution of atmospheric wet deposition in the spike of monsoonal nutrient concentration in river water.
One of the important forms of smart structure available for various applications in engineering fields is Sandwich beams, for the reason that of variable applications, the capability to withstand at ...variable loading conditions, significant elastic retaining properties when in comparison to conventional structures. The basic of the present study is to investigate natural frequency ranges for a type of sandwich beam that has been manufactured using natural rubber (NR) that is indigenously available in Tripura, India, in combination to skin material of aluminium alloy 1050 grade. The present article deals with the study of free vibrational characteristics of cantilever sandwich panels (SwPs) with various skin thicknesses. A mathematical approach had been carried out using a standard platform for validating the results obtained from the analytical method. Also, experimentation had been conducted on sample of sandwich panels using Hammer test process and the natural frequencies of the same were obtained. It was found that the results obtained from the analytical method using a standard platform have been in good agreement with the other approach.
The world’s largest mangroves ecosystem, the Sundarbans, being highly productive and a place for extensive organic matter cycling, is considered to be the hotspot for biogeochemical studies in the ...tropical estuarine environment. Hence, the spatial and temporal dynamics of the biogenic gases (CO
2
, CH
4
, and N
2
O), also known as radiatively active gases, were measured in mangrove-dominated estuaries of the system. In addition to spatial and seasonal observation, three full tidal cycles were observed at one site. Results showed that the air/water gas saturations were widely distributed and highly variable along the stretch. The gas saturations showed varying responses to salinity and tidal fluctuations. This indicated that localized biogeochemical processes may be more influential than simple mixing and dilution processes in controlling the variability of these gases. The surface waters were always supersaturated with CH
4
(Up to 13,133%) relative to the atmosphere. However, N
2
O ranged from 8 to 1,286% and CO
2
from 30 to 2075%. N
2
O fluxes were ∼4.8 times higher in the pre-monsoon than the post-monsoon. CH
4
fluxes were ∼3.6 times higher in the pre-monsoon than both the monsoon and the post-monsoon. CO
2
fluxes were ∼10 times higher in the monsoon than both the pre-monsoon and the post-monsoon. The seasonality in the gas saturation could be linked more to the availability of substrates than physicochemical parameters. Overall, air/water CH
4
fluxes varied maximally (0.4–18.4 μmol m
−2
d
−1
), followed by CO
2
fluxes (−0.6–10.9 mmol m
−2
d
−1
), and N
2
O fluxes varied the least of all (−0.6–5.4 μmol m
−2
d
−1
). Interestingly, CH
4
and N
2
O fluxes were positively correlated to each other (
p
< 0.05), suggesting organic matter decomposition as the key factor in the production of these two gases. Finally, these water–air CO
2
, CH
4
, and N
2
O flux estimates show that the estuaries are a modest source of CH
4
but fluctuate between sources and sinks for CO
2
and N
2
O gases.
Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has been widely explored to develop novel molecules for management of Alzheimer's disease. In past research finding reported molecule ...3-(4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-1-yl)-1-(4-methoxybenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one displayed a spectrum of anti-Alzheimer's properties herein, we report a library of 18 novel molecules that were rationally designed and synthesized employing known literature to mimic and explore the novel chemical space around the lead compound 6e and donepezil. All the compounds were docked in extra-precision mode with AChE (PDB ID 4EY7) using the Glide module. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies were carried out for 100 ns along with MM-PBSA studies of the trajectory frames generated post-MD simulations. Docking and MD simulation studies suggested that the synthesized compounds showed a good binding affinity with AChE. and might form stable complexes. 3-(4-(benzyl(methyl)amino)piperidin-1-yl)-1-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (14a; docking score: −18.59) and 1-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-(4-(methyl(thiazol-2-ylmethyl)amino)piperidin-1-yl)pyrrolidin-2-one (14d; docking score: −18.057) showed higher docking score than donepezil (docking score: −17.257) while most of the compounds had docking score >-10.0. ADMET study predicted these compounds to be CNS active and most of the compounds were drug-like molecules with no HERG blockade and good to excellent oral absorption. We developed an atom-based 3 D-QSAR model with R^2 and Q^2 values of 0.9639 and 0.8779 to predict the activity of the synthesized compounds. The model predicted these compounds to be potent AChE inhibitors with IC
50
values in the lower micromolar range. Based on the in silico findings, we report these newly synthesized compounds 3-(4-(benzyl(methyl)amino)piperidin-1-yl)-1-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (14a) and 7-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-2-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2,7-diazaspiro4.5decan-1-one (20 b) as potential AChE inhibitors.
Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Identifying and treating people in a pre-frail state may be an effective way to prevent or delay frailty and preserve their functional capacity. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of, and ...compliance with, a 12 week individualized nutritional supplementation (INS) and Nordic walking (NW) program in pre-frail older Indians. The primary measure is physical performance, as indicated by Fried's Frailty scale. Other measures include: cognition, as indicated by the Hindi Mental Status Examination; mood, by the Geriatric Depression Scale; and nutritional status, by the Mini Nutritional Assessment.
This is an open-labeled experimental pre-test and post-test study, which took place from October 2012 to December 2014. The study was approved by Institute Ethics committee (IEC/NP-350/2012/RP-26/2012) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Participants were sixty-six pre-frail elderly, who were randomly allocated into three subgroups, namely: A (NW only), B (INS only), and C (NW and INS). One-way ANOVA was used to statistically assess differences in baseline characteristics for quantitative variables, with the Chi-Square/Fischer exact test utilized for qualitative variables. Paired t-tests were used to assess pre and post intervention difference within the group for quantitative variables, with McNemar's Chi-Square test used for qualitative variables. Kruskal Wallis test was used to assess significant intervention effects among the groups. A p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
There was significant effect of intervention in gait speed in group A (p = 0.001) and C (p = 0.002), but not in group B (p = 0.926). While there was no significant change in grip strength in Group A (p = 0.488) and B (p = 0.852), a statistically significant increase was observed in group C (p = 0.013). Mood significantly improved in group B (p = 0.025) and C (p = 0.021). No significant difference was noted in cognitive status across groups. Following the interventions, a total of 18.18% of pre-frail participants were classified as non-frail.
Combining NW and INS provides a simple, pragmatic intervention with efficacy in the management of functionally vulnerable older adults, and allows their maintained independence. Future studies should replicate this readily applicable intervention in a larger cohort with a longer follow-up period.
Clinical Trial Registry-India CTRI/2016/05/006937 Registered on: 16/05/2016; Trial was Registered Retrospectively.
Introduction
Prior estimates of dementia prevalence in India were based on samples from selected communities, inadequately representing the national and state populations.
Methods
From the ...Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) we recruited a sample of adults ages 60+ and administered a rich battery of neuropsychological tests and an informant interview in 2018 through 2020. We obtained a clinical consensus rating of dementia status for a subsample (N = 2528), fitted a logistic model for dementia status on this subsample, and then imputed dementia status for all other LASI respondents aged 60+ (N = 28,949).
Results
The estimated dementia prevalence for adults ages 60+ in India is 7.4%, with significant age and education gradients, sex and urban/rural differences, and cross‐state variation.
Discussion
An estimated 8.8 million Indians older than 60 years have dementia. The burden of dementia cases is unevenly distributed across states and subpopulations and may therefore require different levels of local planning and support.
Highlights
The estimated dementia prevalence for adults ages 60+ in India is 7.4%.
About 8.8 million Indians older than 60 years live with dementia.
Dementia is more prevalent among females than males and in rural than urban areas.
Significant cross‐state variation exists in dementia prevalence.
The world is worsely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Increased mortality has been observed in older adults with multiple comorbidities. Six-minute walk ...distance (6MWD) at admission can help us to guide the requirement of oxygen during hospital stay that can be used to determine which patient can be managed at home.
This study was a prospective observational study conducted on COVID-19 patients admitted at AIIMS, New Delhi, from October to December 2020. Patients aged more than 60 years were included in the study and underwent 6-min walk tests. Polypharmacy and multimorbidity were also assessed along with dyspnea which was measured on BORG scale.
< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical software STATA (version 14.2) was used for all the analyses.
The mean age of the study population was 68.76 (7.4). Oxygen saturation prior to the 6-MWT was normal and has significantly higher than the post test (
≤ 0.001). 6MWD was significantly correlated with pre values of oxygen saturation. 6MWD was observed more in patients who did not require oxygen during hospital stay. Self-reported dyspnea, pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and systolic blood pressure were significantly associated with the patients who had an oxygen requirement during the hospital stay.
Self-reported dyspnea after 6MWT was found to be associated with oxygen requirement during hospital stay. Patients who have covered more distance in 6-min walk test have less oxygen requirement during hospital stay hence can be managed at home. This will reduce the health-care burden and will help to tackle the outburst during the ongoing pandemic.
Shifts in carbonate dissolution can help understand the exchange of carbon dioxide between the air and water of estuarine systems. Adequate spatial coverage is required to understand these emission ...dynamics. Hence, the distribution of carbonate parameters in three estuaries covering a vast expanse of the Indian Sundarbans is described from total alkalinity (TA), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and pH data collected between 2016 and 2020. The seasonal impacts on inorganic carbon parameters were also studied by comparing pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon data compiled from the study period. The estuaries showed the highest TA (up to 2506μmol kg −1) and DIC (up to 2203μmol kg −1) in the pre-monsoon. Both the parameters overall were positively associated with salinity. TA and DIC decreased by 369 and 208μmol kg −1, respectively, in the monsoon compared to pre-monsoon. From the monsoon to the post-monsoon, TA and DIC increased by 121 and 85μmol kg −1, respectively. Both showed strong positive associations with high chlorophyll- aand high dissolved oxygen in the post-monsoon suggesting an important role of primary production in the estuaries in raising the concentrations of inorganic carbon parameters. The carbonate mineral saturation states (ΩCa and ΩAr) followed the same pattern as that of TA and DIC. The pair was always supersaturated although freshwater influence caused the values to drop to close to saturation. While pCO2was mostly supersaturated in the system relative to atmospheric concentration, it became minimal in the post-monsoon corresponding to heightened primary production. Despite high organic carbon recycling in mangroves, the system showed less expression in terms of CO2 emission in a seasonal cycle. Overall, the Indian Sundarbans estuarine system emitted low amounts of CO2 with its estimated water-to-air flux densities varying from 0.40 ± 0.61 (pre-monsoon) to 1.62 ± 1.74 mmol m−2h−1(monsoon).
Dry seeds (moisture content: 11.41 %) of
Macrotyloma uniflorum
(Lam.) Verdc. (Leguminosae) are treated with copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) suspension (3.2, 6.4, 12.7 and 19.1 µg mL
−1
; 24 and 48 h) ...for induction of macromutation. For comparison, seeds are also treated with ethyl methanesulphonate—EMS (0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 %; 3 and 6 h) and gamma irradiations (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50 and 100 Gy). Seedling accumulation of Cu-NPs is quantified from Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic analysis. A total of eight macromutants (six viable: ‘bushy’, ‘seed-coat color’, ‘prostrate’, ‘heterophyllous leaf’, ‘broad elongated leaf’ and ‘small narrow leaf’; two non-viable: ‘viridis’ and ‘drooping leaf’) are indentified at M
2
following Cu-NPs (four types, total mutation frequency 1.72 %, viable 1.21 %), EMS (four types, total 1.62 %, viable 1.55 %) and gamma irradiation (6 types, total 2.94 %, viable 2.08 %) treatments. The viable mutants segregated at M
3
following Mendelian pattern. Mutation frequency is rather higher at initial doses of treatments. No mutants are recovered at higher doses (12.7 µg mL
−1
, 24 h and 19.1 µg mL
−1
, 48 h) of Cu-NPs. The mutants are cytologically normal (2n = 20) with low fertility (control: 60.6 %; mutant: 21.2–59.1 %) and viability (control: 39.6 %, mutant: 17.7–42.5 %) of pollen grains. This is the pioneer report of nanoparticles inducing phenotypic mutants, therefore can be an alternative source for conventional mutagens. Cu-NPs are cost effective and easily synthesized in the laboratory.
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