NudC‐like protein 2 (NUDCD2) is a 4‐exon protein‐coding gene at 5q34. The protein appears to act in concert with other genes regulating cell migration and microtubule extension. Early studies in ...model organisms show associations with LIS1, HERC2, and cohesin subunits via a co‐chaperone function with Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90). It is a candidate gene for human pathology. We present two unrelated patients with biallelic variants in NUDCD2. Their phenotypes comprise similar dysmorphic facies, midline brain hypoplasia, hypothyroidism, pulmonary and aortic valve stenosis, severe dysfunction of the liver and kidneys, profound hypotonia, and early death. The cellular analysis demonstrates the absence of the NUDCD2 protein in fibroblasts of one patient with biallelic loss‐of‐function variants. The data suggest that NUDCD2 deficiency causes this recognizable syndrome that has features of a ciliopathy with additional complications.
Haploinsufficiency of FOXP2 causes FOXP2‐related speech and language disorder. We report a 9.8 Mb deletion downstream of FOXP2 in a girl with speech and language impairment, developmental delay, and ...other features. We propose involvement of FOXP2 in pathogenesis of these phenotypes, likely due to positional effects on the gene.
Chromosomal deletions nearby but not involving FOXP2 may be a cause of FOXP2‐related speech and language disorder due to a positional effect on the gene.
In aqueous systems, heavy metal ions, when present in excess than permissible limits, are dangerous for human beings and aquatic life. Heavy metals cannot be degraded. Rather, they accumulate in ...living organisms either directly or through the food chain. Inside the body, metal ions can be converted to more toxic forms or can directly interfere with metabolic processes. As a result of metal toxicity, various disorders and damage due to oxidative stress triggered by metal ions have been witnessed. Toxic effects of metallic pollution coupled with the need of pure water for the survival and sanitation have thus prompted researchers to take every possible step to uphold the quality of water. In this regard, various strategies have been developed for the detection and the removal of metal ions from aqueous systems. Here we review metal-free water and methodologies used for rapid detection at low levels. Also, the application of benign materials and methods for metal removal from aqueous systems is detailed. Electrochemical methods, especially stripping and cyclic voltammetry, are commonly used methods for detection, while adsorption and ion exchange methods are quite effective for removal.
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has not only spawned a lot of stigma and discrimination towards its survivors but also to their corpses. We aimed to assess the magnitude and correlates of stigma in ...these survivors, on return to their communities.
This was a cross-sectional, hospital-based, exploratory study conducted by the postgraduate department of psychiatry, in collaboration with the postgraduate department of chest medicine, Govt. medical college, Srinagar. The study was performed among COVID-19 survivors, who attended the outpatient department after their discharge from the hospital. Socio-demographic characteristics were recorded through semi-structured proforma. Stigma was measured by the stigma questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis.
A total of 91 survivors consented to participate in the study. Almost half (46.2%) of them were in the age group of 30-49 years and close to two-thirds (68.1%) were males. About three-fourths (74.7%) were from the urban background. The mean time from hospital discharge to study entry was 11.7±5.1 Range(R) = 7-21 days. 98% of survivors provided at least one stigma endorsing response and the total mean stigma score was 28.5±7.1R = 6-39. The mean stigma sub-scores were highest for enacted stigma (7.6±1.8) R = 2-9 and externalized stigma (15.0±4.1) R = 1-20. Enacted stigma was significantly high in males as compared to females. Enacted stigma and internalized stigma were both associated with education. Enacted stigma, externalized stigma, disclosure concerns, and total stigma was significantly associated with the occupation. Being unemployed and time since discharge were identified as independent predictors of total stigma.
Our study results showed high levels of enacted and externalized stigma among COVID-19 survivors. Enacted stigma was more among males and in those who were highly educated. Survivor centered and community-driven anti-stigma programs are the need of the hour to promote the recovery and community re-integration of these survivors.
Microwave–ultrasound-assisted facile synthesis of a dumbbell- and flower-shaped potato starch phosphate (PSP) polymer, hereafter PSP, was carried out by cross-linking the hydroxyl groups of native ...potato starch (NPS) using phosphoryl chloride as a cross-linking agent. Structural and morphological analysis manifested the successful formation of the dumbbell- and flower-shaped PSP biosorbent with enhanced specific surface area and thermal stability. Viscoelastic behavior of NPS and PSP suggested increased rigidity in PSP, which helped the material to store more deformation energy in an elastic manner. The synthesized PSP biosorbent material was successfully tested for efficient and quick uptake of Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) ions from aqueous medium under competitive and noncompetitive batch conditions with q m values of 130.54, 106.25, 91.84, and 51.38 mg g–1, respectively. The adsorption selectivity was in consonance with Pearson’s hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) theory in addition to their order of hydrated radius. Adsorption of Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) followed a second-order kinetics and the adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model. Quantum computations using density functional theory (DFT) further supported the experimental adsorption selectivity, Zn(II) > Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Hg(II), in terms of metal–oxygen binding energy measurements. What was more intriguing about PSP was its reusability over multiple adsorption cycles by treating the metal(II)-complexed PSP with 0.1 M HCl without any appreciable loss of its adsorption capacity.
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes, due to high conductivity, stability, and large specific surface area, have a potential ability to promote electrochemical reactions. Their electrochemical properties are ...further promoted when the surface of carbon nanotubes is modified by metal or metal oxide particles. Here, in one such attempt, we successfully decorate the surface of MW CNTs by ZnO under ultrasonic conditions and characterize the as-synthesized ZnO-decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (ZnO@MWCNT) composite by fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis like techniques. A promising electrochemical sensing ability of ZnO@MWCNT-modified glassy carbon electrode (ZnO@MWCNT/GCE) for the detection of Pb(II) ion is observed by employing cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse voltammetric techniques. Effect on the electrochemical behavior of Pb(II) ion by the presence of Cd(II) and Hg(II) ions is also evaluated and the results indicate that the modified electrode is highly sensitive and selective for Pb(II) ion. The sensitivity of the modified electrode for Pb(II) ion in absence of interfering ions is found to be 3.425 µA/µM and a good linear relationship in the peak currents and the Pb(II) ion concentrations (4–24 µM) is obtained with a very low limit of detection of 2.38 µM for Pb(II) ion.
Background:
Frontline healthcare workers (FHCWs) are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. We aimed to assess the stress and psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among FHCWs.
...Methods:
This was an exploratory hospital-based study. A semistructured e-questionnaire was developed and shared through emails, WhatsApp groups, Facebook, and Twitter. The study instruments used were stress questionnaire and the impact of event scale—revised.
Results:
We received 133 valid responses. A total of 81 (61.4%) of the respondents were single, 74 (55.6) were male, 70 (52.6%) were between 20 and 29 years of age, and 91 (68.4%) were from urban background. A total of 83 (62.4%) of respondents were doctors and 28 (21.1%) were registered nurses. A total of 36 (27.1%) were posted in emergency and 34 (25.6%) were in the in-patient department. Feeling sad and pessimistic, feeling of being avoided by others, the burden of change in the quality of work, and worrying whether the family will be cared for in their absence were significantly more in nurses as compared to the doctors. Stress due to burden in an increase in the quantity of work was seen more in FHCWs working in the swab collection center as compared to those working in the in-patient department, emergency, or theaters. Severe psychological impact was seen in 81 (60.9%) of FHCWs. The psychological impact was significantly more in males and in those who were married. It was also significantly related to the place of posting.
Conclusion:
More than half of the FHCWs had a severe psychological impact owing to COVID-19. The psychological impact was more in males and those who were married, and it was related to the place of posting of the FHCWs. Nurses had significantly higher stress as compared to doctors.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) induces the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which results in a cytokine storm, and immune‐modulators like Mycobacterium indicus ...pranii (MIP) might ameliorate coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) related cytokine storm. Therefore, the present study evaluates whether MIP offers an advantage in the treatment of severe COVID‐19 patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. A prospective MIP cohort study was conducted in chest disease hospitals in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. In the present prospective, randomized clinical study, critically severe COVID‐19 patients were divided into two groups, the MIP group (n = 105) and the best standard treatment (BST) group (n = 210). Procalcitonin, ferritin, high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein, D‐dimer levels, and interleukin levels on 5th‐day posttreatment were significantly reduced in the MIP group compared to the BST group. Compared to the BST group, 105 consecutive patients with severe COVID‐19 in the MIP group reported early weaning off ventilation, resolution of chest architecture (computed tomography CT scan), a significant increase in SpO2 levels, and decreased mortality with a hazard ratio: 0.234 (95% confidence interval: 0.264–2.31) (p = 0.001). MIP restored SpO2, immune/inflammatory response, normalized lung abnormalities (chest CT scan), and reduced mortality without any serious complications. However, there is a need for placebo‐controlled double‐blind and controlled clinical trials to confirm the efficacy.
Highlights
Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) at a dose of 0.1 ml resulted in a significant reduction in the stay of patients in the intensive care unit and mortality in severe coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) patients.
The MIP was found stronger with respect to normalization of lung architecture (computed tomography scan), a significant increase in oxygen saturation, reduction/weaning off ventilation.
The concomitant improvement in biological and clinical parameters in the present offers indirect evidence of the beneficial/effective role of MIP in COVID‐19 patients.
Furthermore, we could not find any adverse effect during the hospitalization of COVID‐19 patients.
Display omitted
•Combination of thermal and non-thermal technologies aids in bacterial reduction.•Hurdle technology disrupts homeostasis causing metabolic exhaustion and cell death.•Thermosonication ...and manothermosonication have shown effective bacterial reduction.•Hurdle technology is widely used to maintain microbial stability in fruit juices.•Globalization is necessary for commercializing promising hurdle approaches.
Researchers are continuously discovering varied technologies for microbial control to ensure worldwide food safety from farm-to-fork. The microbial load and virulence of spoilage causing microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeasts, virus, and protozoa, determines the extent of microbial contamination in a food product. Certain pathogenic microbes can cause food poisoning and foodborne diseases, and adversely affect consumers' health. To erade such food safety-related problems, various traditional and novel food processing methods have been adopted for decades. However, some decontamination techniques bring undesirable changes in food products by affecting their organoleptic and nutritional properties. Combining various thermal and non-thermal food processing methods is an effective way to impart a synergistic effect against food spoilage microorganisms and can be used as an alternative way to combat certain limitations of food processing technologies. The combination of different techniques as hurdles put the microorganisms in a hostile environment and disturbs the homeostasis of microorganisms in food temporarily or permanently. Optimization and globalization of these hurdle combinations is an emerging field in the food processing sector. This review gives an overview of recent inventions in hurdle technology for bacterial decontamination, combining different thermal and non-thermal processing techniques in various food products.
PDF
