Optimizing Light Dynamics: Designing A Ni-MOF Functionalized g-C3N4 Type II Heterostructure and a Ti3C2 MXene Schottky Junction for Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Production.

The photocatalytic production of hydrogen (H2) from water is a vital avenue towards sustainable energy and addressing global environmental challenges. To maximize efficiency, harnessing the synergistic effects of multiple co-catalysts is essential, as these interactions can significantly enhance performance. In this study, we introduce a ternary heterojunction composed of a nickel-imidazole framework (Ni-MOF), graphitic carbon nitride (CN), and Ti3C2 MXene (TC), employing solvothermal and wet impregnation methods, featuring a well-designed Type II heterojunction and a noble metal-free Schottky junction for efficient hydrogen evolution. The Type II heterojunction between Ni-MOF and CN minimizes charge carrier recombination and promotes photogenerated electron generation, while TC as an electron acceptor enhances electron capture, increases participation in surface reactions, and augments active sites. Consequently, the Ni-MOF/CN/TC hybrid catalyst achieves outstanding photocatalytic hydrogen evolution under visible light, with a peak production rate of 1044.46 µmol/g over 3 hours, surpassing CN by 13 fold and Ni-MOF/CN by 50%. This work provides insights into MXene-based ternary systems, emphasizing the potential for enhanced light absorption and efficient charge separation, making it a promising platform for photocatalytic applications.

Leveraging the photocatalytic Cr (VI) reduction by an IRMOF-3@NH2-MIL-101 (Fe) heterostructure based on interfacial Lewis acid-base interaction.

A strategy to enhance the photocatalytic performance of metal-organic framework (MOF) based systems for the efficient elimination of Cr(VI) ions from polluted water under visible light irradiation has been developed by constructing MOF@MOF heterojunctions. Specifically, IRMOF-3 was grown in situ around NH2-MIL-101(Fe) based on interfacial Lewis acid-base interaction using 2-aminoterephthalic acid (ATA) as a linker, resulting in the formation of a MOF@MOF heterojunction, designated as IRMOF-3@NH2-MIL-101(Fe). In comparison to individual MOFs, the IRMOF-3@NH2-MIL-101(Fe) heterojunction exhibited a significantly higher photocatalytic reduction efficiency for Cr(VI), achieving a reduction of 95.98% within 120 min under visible-light irradiation. This performance surpasses that of individual MOFs and most reported photocatalysts. Additionally, the mechanism underlying Cr(VI) reduction by IRMOF-3@NH2-MIL-101(Fe) was comprehensively elucidated by analyzing optoelectronic properties, energy band structure, and structural results. It is worth noting that this study represents the first documented instance of photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction utilizing IRMOF-3 and its interaction with NH2-MIL-101(Fe). The MOF@MOF photocatalyst, leveraging the synergistic effects of its various components, holds great promise for efficiently removing harmful pollutants from water and finds significant potential applications in environmental remediation.

Modified Sick Neonatal Score and Delta: Modified Sick Neonatal Scores As Prognostic Indicators in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Background Modified Sick Neonatal Score (MSNS) is a modification of the Sick Neonatal Score (SNS) by adding perinatal factors such as birth weight and gestational age to the scoring. A significantly higher sensitivity and specificity were obtained by adding the above parameters to SNS. The parameters in MSNS were simple and easy to score, but the scoring was done only once, and the utility of the score to assess the response to treatment was not analysed. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of MSNS as a prognostic indicator in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to study the correlation of the change in the MSNS (Delta-MSNS) 24 hours after admission with the outcomes and as a measure of response to treatment. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted for six months on all neonates admitted to the NICU during the study period. All babies were scored using MSNS containing eight basic clinical parameters, namely, respiratory rate, heart rate, axillary temperature, peripheral capillary refill time, random blood sugar, oxygen saturation, gestational age, and birth weight. Scoring by MSNS was done on the following two occasions: first score at admission, and second score 24 hours later. A change in the score during the first 24 hours of NICU stay (Delta-MSNS) was analysed for babies with an initial score of less than or equal to 12. All babies were followed up for analysis of outcomes, and outcomes were documented as discharge from the hospital or death. Length of hospital stay was documented for the babies that were discharged. Statistical analysis was done using the software RStudio v1.1.456. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used to compare individual parameters of the score as well as the mean score between the expired and discharged groups. Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient was used to correlate the scores with length of hospital stay. Results A total of 248 neonates were considered for inclusion in the study. The mean score at admission was 7.94 (SD = 1.89) in the expired group and 14.46 (SD = 1.84) in the discharged group. The p-value for each of these was <0.001. Using MSNS as a test variable, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated, and as measured by the area under the curve was 0.98. A cut-off score of 10 was obtained that had a sensitivity of 88.24%, specificity of 95.2%, positive predictive value of 57.69%, and negative predictive value of 99%. A significant negative correlation was observed with a Spearman correlation coefficient of -0.67 when the initial MSNS was correlated with length of hospital stay in patients who were discharged. A significant negative correlation with a coefficient of -0.39 and p-value of 0.017 was determined when delta MSNS score was correlated with the discharged babies who had an initial score of less than 12. Conclusions MSNS is an easy-to-use bedside scoring system that requires minimal training and no invasive procedures. It has shown a high sensitivity in predicting mortality and length of hospital stay. Additionally, calculation of delta score was equally useful. It is a simplified score that enables providers to objectively assess the severity of illness with nominal training both in NICU as well as in low-resource settings.

Neurological Disorders Seen During Second Wave of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic from Two Tertiary Care Centers in Central and Southern Kerala.

Background and Objective: SARS-CoV-2 infections present with predominant respiratory symptoms. Only a few anecdotal reports of neurological involvement have come out from India so far. Adverse neurological events following immunization (AEFI) were also reported. We present the neurological symptoms seen either in association with vaccination or COVID-19 infection during the second wave. Methods: This was a retrospective study that included consecutive COVID-19 patients' admissions during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in two tertiary health care centres in Kerala. Neurological symptoms two weeks prior or thirty days after a positive status of antigen or RTPCR was termed as COVID-19-Associated Neurological Disorders (CAND) and those with neurological symptoms within one month of COVID-19 vaccination was termed as Post-Vaccinal Neurological Disorders (PVND). Results: During the study period, 1270 COVID-19 admissions were reported. We identified neurological symptoms in 42 patients (3.3%), of which 35 were CAND and 7 were PVND. Stroke was the most common (50%), followed by seizures and peripheral nervous system disorders (14.2% each). Encephalitis/demyelination (11.9%) and COVID-19-associated infections (9.5%) were also seen. Conclusion: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, CAND and PVND have been emerging. Association of some of these may be fortuitous; however it is worth mentioning as pathogenic mechanisms of COVID-19 affecting various organ systems still remain unclear. Moreover, this may be helpful in future studies designing management options.

Anti-malarial property of steroidal alkaloid conessine isolated from the bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica.

BACKGROUND: In the face of chronic and emerging resistance of parasites to currently available drugs and constant need for new anti-malarials, natural plant products have been the bastion of anti-malarials for thousands of years. Moreover natural plant products and their derivatives have traditionally been a common source of drugs, and represent more than 30% of the current pharmaceutical market. The present study shows evaluation of anti-malarial effects of compound conessine isolated from plant Holarrhena antidysenterica frequently used against malaria in the Garhwal region of north-west Himalaya. METHODS: In vitro anti-plasmodial activity of compound was assessed using schizont maturation and parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. Cytotoxic activities of the examined compound were determined on L-6 cells of rat skeletal muscle myoblast. The four-day test for anti-malarial activity against a chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK65 strain in BALB/c mice was used for monitoring in vivo activity of compound. In liver and kidney function test, the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was examined by p-NPP method, bilirubin by Jendrassik and Grof method. The urea percentage was determined by modified Berthelot method and creatinine by alkaline picrate method in serum of mice using ENZOPAK/CHEMPAK reagent kits. RESULTS: Compound conessine showed in vitro anti-plasmodial activity with its IC50 value 1.9 µg/ml and 1.3 µg/ml using schizont maturation and pLDH assay respectively. The compound showed cytotoxity IC50= 14 µg/ml against L6 cells of rat skeletal muscle myoblast. The isolated compound from plant H. antidysenterica significantly reduced parasitaemia (at 10 mg/kg exhibited 88.95% parasite inhibition) in P. berghei-infected mice. Due to slightly toxic nature (cytotoxicity = 14), biochemical analysis (liver and kidney function test) of the serum from mice after administration of conessine were also observed. CONCLUSION: The present investigation demonstrates that the compound conessine exhibited substantial anti-malarial property. The isolated compound could be chemically modified to obtain a more potent chemical entity with improved characteristics against malaria.

Antimalarial potential of China 30 and Chelidonium 30 in combination therapy against lethal rodent malaria parasite: Plasmodium berghei.

Homeopathy is a therapeutic method based on the application of similia principle, utilizing ultra-low doses of medicinal substances made from natural products. The present study has been designed to evaluate the efficacy of Cinchona officinalis (Chin.) 30C and Chelidonium majus (Chel.) 30C in combination therapy against lethal murine malaria. Five groups having twelve BALB/c mice each were administered orally with 0.2 ml/mouse/day of different drugs, and their antimalarial potential was evaluated by Peter's 4-day test. The combination of Chin. 30 and Chel. 30 exhibited complete parasite clearance by the 28th day post-inoculation which was similar to the positive control [artesunate (4 mg/kg)+sulphadoxine-primethamine (1.2 mg/kg)] group. Both the groups exhibited enhanced mean survival time (MST) 28±0 days,whereas, the mice of infected control group survived up to 7.6±0.4 days only. The preventive and curative activities of the combination in comparison to the positive controls [pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/Kg) and chloroquine (20 mg/Kg), respectively] were also evaluated. The combination had a significant preventive activity (p<0.0005), with 89.2% chemosuppression which was higher than the standard drug, pyrimethamine (83.8%). It also showed a moderate curative activity with complete clearance of parasite in 50% of surviving mice, and enhancing the MST of mice up to 26.8±2.8 days. These findings point to the significant antiplasmodial efficacy of the combination of these homeopathic drugs against Plasmodium berghei.

Antimalarial potential of homeopathic medicines against schizont maturation of Plasmodium berghei in short-term in vitro culture

In vitro assessment of antimalarial drug susceptibility of Plasmodium has been a major research success, which has paved the way for the understanding of parasite and rapid screening of antimalarial drugs for their effectiveness. In the present study a preliminary screening to check the antiplasmodial activity of mother tincture (ϕ) and various potencies (6C, 30C, 200C) of homeopathic medicines Cinchona officinalis/china (Chin.), Chelidonium majus (Chel.) and Arsenicum album (Ars.) were done by assessing the in vitro schizont maturation inhibition assay. A significant reduction in the growth of intraerythrocytic stages of P. berghei was observed with decreasing dilution of ϕ and various potencies of Chin., Chel. and Ars. exhibiting a dose dependent effect. Maximum schizont maturation inhibition was observed by Chin. ϕ (1:1), Chin. 30 (1:1, 1:2) and Chel. 30 (1:1) i.e. 80%. The standard drug CQ at 10 µM concentration exhibited 95.4±1.6% inhibition of schizont maturation. Ars. 30 (1:1) also have been found to possess strong antiplasmodial efficacy with 75.5±2.6% schizont inhibition. The presence of free merozoites in Ars. 200 with weak schizonticidal inhibition activity (40-45%) also pointed towards the ability of parasite to survive in the given drug pressure.

O estudo in vitro da susceptibilidade de Plasmodium a drogras antimaláricas representa um grande avanço nas pesquisas, abrindo novas rotas para o entendimento do parasite e da efetividade de drogas antiomaláricas. Nesse trabalho, realizamos um estudo preliminar da atividade antiplasmódica da tintura mãe (ϕ) e várias potências (6 cH, 30 cH, 200 cH) dos medicamentos homeopáticos China officinalis (Chin), Chelidonium majus (Chel) e Arsenicum album (Ars), através do estudo in vitro da inibição da maturação de esquizontes. Observamos uma redução significativa do crescimento do estágio intra-eritrócito do P. berghei conforme a tintura mãe e demais potências de Chin, Chel e Ars foram diluídas, observando-se um efeito dependente da dose. O máximo de inibição na maturação dos esquizontes (80%) foi observado com Chin ϕ (1:1), Chin 30 cH (1:1, 1:2) and Chel 30 cH (1:1). A droga Cloroquina (CQ), usada como controle, em uma concentração de 10µM, exibiu (95.4 ± 1.6) % de inibição. Ars 30cH (1:1) também apresentou uma forte eficácia antiplasmódica com (75.5 ± 2.6) % de inibição de esquizontes. A presence de merozoites livres com Ars 200 cH e uma fraca atividade inibidora (40-45%) indicam a habilidade do parasita em sobreviver na presença dessa droga.