Green synthesis of nanoparticles using botanicals and their application in management of fungal phytopathogens: a review.

Green synthesis of nanoparticles is an emerging aspect in plant disease management that blends nanotechnology and plant-derived ingredients to produce a biocontrol formulation. Different physical and chemical processes employed in the synthesis of nanoparticles are polluting, expensive, and also release hazardous by- products. The range of secondary metabolites present in plants makes them efficient reducing and stabilizing agent during the synthesis process. These metabolites serve a vital role in plant defense against the invasion of phytopathogens including fungi, bacteria, viruses, insect pests, etc. The plant metabolites, such as sugars, terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and proteins, have been shown to be crucial in the reduction of metal ions into nanoparticles. In green synthesis of nanoparticles, the plant extracts are used as potential reducing and capping. This also restricts the formation of clusters or aggregates and improves the colloidal stability. The nanoparticles exhibit excellent antimycotic against a variety of phytopathogens and are very efficient in managing plant diseases. The aim of this review is to highlight plants, phytochemicals exhibiting antifungal properties, green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant material and their antimycotic activity.

Clinical Presentation, Investigation and Control of an Outbreak of Adenoviral Conjunctivitis in a Neonatal Unit at a Tertiary Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial spread of adenovirus infection has been reported in neonatal, pediatric and adult medical units. This nonenveloped and hardy virus is resistant to numerous disinfectants thus posing a challenge for control and prevention of adenovirus infections in health care settings. METHODS: An epidemiologic outbreak investigation revealed an adenoviral outbreak in the neonatal nursery as well as in the neonatal screening outpatient department for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). All suspected cases (94 neonates) underwent adenoviral conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and representative samples underwent sequencing by Sanger's method. The clinical features and disease course were studied. Infected babies were started on tobramycin eye drops. Topical steroid eye drops were added for those who developed pseudomembranes. RESULTS: We found 58 cases of laboratory-confirmed neonatal adenovirus conjunctivitis (between July 10 and October 24, 2019). Redness (96%) was the most common presentation followed by discharge (68.9%) and lid edema (51.7%). Pseudomembrane were seen in 77.5% of the infected neonates. Prior ROP examination was carried out in 38 (65.5%) neonates. Respiratory symptoms were present in 7 (12.06%) neonates. Sequencing revealed serotype 8 as the cause of the outbreak. Control measures were strictly implemented. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for ROP screening were revisited, revised and reinforced to prevent future outbreaks. CONCLUSIONS: We observed ROP screening as a risk factor for the development of adenoviral conjunctivitis in neonatal care units. Neonates present with different clinical manifestations as compared with adults. Prompt control measures were implemented to control the adenoviral outbreak.

No Traces of SARS-CoV-2 In Wounds of COVID-19 Positive Patients: A Pilot Study.

Background This study was performed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in wounds of COVID-19 positive patients. Methods This is a single-center observational study. COVID-19 patients with wounds (traumatic/infective/surgical) were included in this study. Preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative specimens were collected and analyzed with real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) to know the presence of the virus. Results A total of eight patients were included in this study. Eleven samples were collected (seven wound swabs, two peritoneal fluids, and two tissue specimens) and analyzed. None of the samples from the wound tested positive for the virus while they were tested positive for nasal swab taken simultaneously or within 3 days prior. Conclusion The wounds of COVID-19 patients are considered negative and can be managed with routine wound precautions.

Self-cleaning, stain-resistant and anti-bacterial superhydrophobic cotton fabric prepared by simple immersion technique.

In this paper, superhydrophobicity of cotton fabric was produced by simple immersion method in non-fluorinated hexadecyltrimethoxysilane solution. Modified cotton fabric showed repellency to water and liquids with surface tension of more than 47 mN/m, with a static contact angle of more than 150° and tilt angle of less than 10°. The mechanical, chemical, thermal, and UV stability of superhydrophobic cotton fabric was evaluated. Modified cotton fabric exhibited the self-cleaning and stain-resistant properties. It also showed that it could be used for oil-water separation application with separation efficiency of about 99%. Additionally, the modified cotton fabric exhibited anti-bacterial properties. This approach is facile, economical, and eco-friendly and can be applied for household and industrial applications.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Burka-clad Pregnant Women in a 450-Bedded Maternity Hospital of Delhi.

AIM: To assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in burka-clad pregnant women and to study feto-maternal outcome in these women. METHODS: 200 pregnant burka-clad women of 18-40-year age group irrespective of the period of gestation were recruited from the ANC OPD/ward of Kasturba hospital, and their vitamin D levels were estimated. Patients were categorized into vitamin D deficient, vitamin D inadequate, and vitamin D adequate according to The Endocrine Society Guidelines. The association of vitamin D deficiency with dietary/environmental factors was taken note of. Associations with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), low birth weight (LBW), prematurity, APGAR score, and NICU admission were also studied. RESULTS: 78 patients (39.0 %) were vitamin D inadequate; 75 patients (37.5 %) were vitamin D deficient; and 47(23.5 %) were vitamin D adequate. Mean value of vitamin D level was 23.25 ng/ml ± 18.49 (SD). Fifteen patients (7.5 %) developed preeclampsia, and all 15 were vitamin D deficient; 13 (6.5 %) developed GDM; and only 5 (2.5 %) of them were vitamin D deficient. 19 patients (9.5 %) delivered LBW babies; mothers of 15 (7.5 %) of them were vitamin D deficient. 12 patients (6.0 %) delivered premature babies, and mothers of 4 (2 %) were vitamin D deficient; 12 babies had APGAR score <7 at 5 min; mothers of 4 (2.0 %) were vitamin D deficient. Babies of 12 patients (6 %) were admitted in NICU, and of these 12 babies, mothers of 5 (2.5 %) were vitamin D deficient. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was high among burka-clad pregnant women, and it is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Routine screening of vitamin D levels is recommended in burka-clad women to improve the feto-maternal outcome.