A study on bacteriological profile in suspected cases of neonatal sepsis and its correlation with various biomarkers in the rural population of a university hospital.

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is an infection in newborns that may be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses and has a high death and morbidity rate. The clinical presentation of sepsis may be rather general, making it challenging to make a diagnosis. While blood culture is the most accurate method to diagnose sepsis, it is also time-consuming. Because of this, it is crucial to locate other biomarkers like C-reactive protein (CRP), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) that may aid in early identification. Aim: To learn about the bacterial composition of suspected cases of neonatal sepsis in a tertiary care hospital in western Uttar Pradesh and how that composition relates to the biomarkers CRP, hs-CRP, and PCT. Materials and Methods: Hundred people who fulfilled the study's inclusion criteria were included. All neonatal venous blood samples have been obtained after receiving written informed permission from either parent. The conventional method was used to perform the blood culture. The ELISA technique has been used to determine hs-CRP along with serum PCT levels, while the latex agglutination test was utilized for CRP detection. Result: A total of 100 cases were enrolled, 78% presented within 3 days of birth. Blood culture was positive in 33 neonates (33%). There were 17 Gram-positive, 15 Gram-negative, and in all 2 cases with poly bacterial culture. CRP positivity rate was significantly higher in culture positive (57.6%) as compared to culture-negative neonates (25.4%). It was shown that a CRP >6 mg/l level was sensitive at 57.6% and specific at 74.6%. hs-CRP has a 100% sensitivity and 47.8% specificity. The PCT's sensitivity was 69.7%, whereas its specificity was 89.6%. Conclusion: PCT is more specific for detecting sepsis, but hs-CRP is more sensitive than CRP. The combination of PCT along with hs-CRP has a negative predictive value and high sensitivity compared to other markers. Thus, the most accurate predictors of neonatal sepsis would be a combination of factors.

Revolutionizing carbon chemistry: Solar-powered C(sp3 )-N bond activation and CO2 transformation via newly designed SBE-Y cutting-edge dynamic photocatalyst.

A solvent-free sulfur-bridge-eosin-Y (SBE-Y) polymeric framework photocatalyst was prepared for the first time through an in situ thermal polymerization route using elemental sulfur (S8 ) as a bridge. The addition of a sulfur bridge to the polymeric framework structure resulted in an allowance of the harvesting range of eosin-Y (E-Y) for solar light. This shows that a wider range of solar light can be used by the bridge material's photocatalytic reactions. In this context, supercharged solar spectrum: enhancing light absorption and hole oxidation with sulfur bridges. This suggests that the excited electrons and holes through solar light can contribute to oxidation-reduction reactions more potently. As a result, the photocatalyst-enzyme attached artificial photosynthesis system developed using SBE-Y as a photocatalyst performs exceptionally well, resulting in high 1,4-NADH regeneration (86.81%), followed by its utilization in the exclusive production of formic acid (210.01 µmol) from CO2 and synthesis of fine chemicals with 99.9% conversion yields. The creation of more effective photocatalytic materials for environmental clean-up and other applications that depend on the solar light-driven absorption spectrum of inorganic and organic molecules could be one of the practical ramifications of this research.

An epidemiological study and trend analysis of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases among children in North India.

Background: The role of children in transmitting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is difficult to ascertain and the consequences remain unclear. This is necessary for public health or infection control purposes. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological, month-wise trends and clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among children in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on all pediatric samples of suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The samples were received from the adjoining districts and our Institution in the Department of Microbiology from June to November 2020. Cases were then confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of the total 62,030 pediatric samples tested, 847 (1.3%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive. The majority of positive cases were between the ages of 11-15 years. The median age of confirmed patients was 14 years. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Infants represented 1.6% of the positive cases. About 62.1% of all positive cases were asymptomatic. Childhood cases increased from June 2020 and peaked in September 2020 before declining. Conclusion: Children of all ages appeared susceptible to COVID-19 and accounted for a very small proportion of confirmed cases. Mostly, children were found to be asymptomatic. Young children can be important transmitters of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population. This population can be important for targeting immunization efforts throughout a rapidly evolving situation. Our findings provide further evidence of the distribution of infection in children and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Chemical composition and antibacterial, antifungal, allelopathic and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of cassumunar-ginger.

BACKGROUND: Zingiber montanum (J.Koenig) Link ex A.Dietr. (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as cassumunar-ginger, is a folk remedy for the treatment of inflammations, sprains, rheumatism and asthma. The aim of the present study was to assess the chemical composition, and antibacterial, antifungal, allelopathic and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the essential oil of Z. montanum originating from India. RESULTS: The hydrodistilled essential oil of Z. montanum rhizome was analyzed using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 49 constituents, forming 98.7-99.9% of the total oil compositions, was identified. The essential oil was characterized by higher amount of monoterpene hydrocarbons (32.6-43.5%), phenylbutanoids (27.5-41.2%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (11.4-34.1%). Major constituents of the oil were sabinene (13.5-38.0%), (E)-1-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene (DMPBD) (20.6-35.3%), terpinen-4-ol (9.0-31.3%), γ-terpinene (1.1-4.8%) and ß-phellandrene (1.0-4.4%). The oil was evaluated against eight pathogenic bacteria and two fungal strains. It exhibited low to good antibacterial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration: 125-500 µg mL-1 ) and moderate antifungal activity (250 µg mL-1 ) against the tested strains. The oil reduced germination (69.8%) and inhibited the root and shoot growth of lettuce significantly (LD50 : 3.58 µL plate-1 ). However, it did not demonstrate acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity up to a concentration of 10 mg mL-1 . CONCLUSIONS: The essential oil of Z. montanum can be used as a potential source of DMPBD, terpinen-4-ol and sabinene for pharmaceutical products. The results of the present study add significant information to the pharmacological activity of Z. montanum native to India. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chemical Composition and Allelopathic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiacetylcholinesterase Activity of Fish-mint (Houttuynia cordataThunb.) from India.

Fish-mint (Houttuynia cordataThunb.), belonging to family Saururaceae, has long been used as food and traditional herbal medicine. The present study was framed to assess the changes occurring in the essential-oil composition of H. cordata during annual growth and to evaluate allelopathic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiacetylcholinesterase activities. The essential-oil content ranged from 0.06 - 0.14% and 0.08 - 0.16% in aerial parts and underground stem, respectively. The essential oils were analysed by GC-FID, GC/MS, and NMR (1 H and 13 C). Major constituents of aerial-parts oil was 2-undecanone (19.4 - 56.3%), myrcene (2.6 - 44.3%), ethyl decanoate (0.0 - 10.6%), ethyl dodecanoate (1.1 - 8.6%), 2-tridecanone (0.5 - 8.3%), and decanal (1.1 - 6.9%). However, major constituents of underground-stem oil were 2-undecanone (29.5 - 42.3%), myrcene (14.4 - 20.8%), sabinene (6.0 - 11.1%), 2-tridecanone (1.8 - 10.5%), ß-pinene (5.3 - 10.0%), and ethyl dodecanoate (0.8 - 7.3%). Cluster analysis revealed that essential-oil composition varied substantially due to the plant parts and season of collection. The oils exhibited significant allelopathic (inhibition: 77.8 - 88.8%; LD50 : 2.45 - 3.05 µl/plate), antibacterial (MIC: 0.52 - 2.08 µl/ml; MBC: bacteriostatic) and antifungal (MIC: 2.08 - 33.33 µl/ml; MFC: 4.16 - 33.33 µl/ml) activities. The results indicate that the essential oil from H. cordata has a significant potential to allow future exploration and exploitation as a natural antimicrobial and allelopathic agent.

Complementarity among plant growth promoting traits in rhizospheric bacterial communities promotes plant growth.

An assessment of roles of rhizospheric microbial diversity in plant growth is helpful in understanding plant-microbe interactions. Using random combinations of rhizospheric bacterial species at different richness levels, we analysed the contribution of species richness, compositions, interactions and identity on soil microbial respiration and plant biomass. We showed that bacterial inoculation in plant rhizosphere enhanced microbial respiration and plant biomass with complementary relationships among bacterial species. Plant growth was found to increase linearly with inoculation of rhizospheric bacterial communities with increasing levels of species or plant growth promoting trait diversity. However, inoculation of diverse bacterial communities having single plant growth promoting trait, i.e., nitrogen fixation could not enhance plant growth over inoculation of single bacteria. Our results indicate that bacterial diversity in rhizosphere affect ecosystem functioning through complementary relationship among plant growth promoting traits and may play significant roles in delivering microbial services to plants.

Chemical diversity in the essential oil of Indian valerian (Valeriana jatamansi Jones).

To explore the diversity in the essential oil yield and composition of Valeriana jatamansi Jones (syn. V. wallichii DC) growing wild in Uttarakhand (Western Himalaya), 17 populations were collected from different locations and grown under similar conditions. Comparative results showed considerable variations in the essential oil yield and composition. The essential oil yield varied from 0.21 to 0.46% in the fresh roots and rhizomes of different populations of V. jatamansi. Analysis of the essential oils by GC (RI) and GC/MS and the subsequent classification by principal component analysis (PCA) resulted in six clusters with significant variations in their terpenoid composition. Major components in the essential oils of the different populations were patchouli alcohol (1; 13.4-66.7%), α-bulnesene (3; <0.05-23.5%), α-guaiene (4; 0.2-13.3%), guaiol (5; <0.05-12.2%), seychellene (6; 0.2-9.9%) viridiflorol (<0.05-7.3%), and ß-gurjunene (7; 0.0-7.1%). V. jatamansi populations with contents of 1 higher than 60% may be utilized commercially in perfumery.

Chemical diversity in Indian oregano (Origanum vulgare L.).

The terpenoid composition of the essential oils of 17 different populations of Origanum vulgare L., collected from wild populations and subsequently grown under similar conditions in the sub-temperate region of the Western Himalaya, was studied. Analysis by GC (RI) and GC/MS allowed the identification of 51 components, representing 90.15 to 99.94% of the total oil. The two classes of the phenolic compounds and the monoterpenoids were predominant in all the essential oils. On the basis of the major constituents, i.e., marker compounds, and by comparison of the results with previous reports, new chemotypes could be identified. Principal component analysis was performed to determine the chemical variability within the different populations of O. vulgare collected and grown under similar conditions. Based on the marker compounds, six chemotypes with significant variations in their terpenoid profile were noticed within the 17 populations.

Essential oil composition of Thymus serpyllum cultivated in the Kumaon region of western Himalaya, India.

The hydrodistilled essential oil of aerial parts of Thymus serpyllum L. (Lamiaceae), cultivated in the Kumaon region of western Himalaya was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Twenty-nine compounds, representing 91.8% of the oil, were identified. The major components were thymol (58.8%), p-cymene (5.7%), thymol methyl ether (4.0%), borneol (3.8%), sabinene (3.4%), gamma-terpinene (3.4%) and carvacrol methyl ether (3.2%).

Needs of Indian parents having children with intellectual disability.

Disability in children gives rise to various needs in parents, which may vary according to the nature of disability and parental characteristics. Cross-cultural findings will help in understanding the process of meeting those needs, which ultimately help in designing appropriate interventions. The main objectives of the study were to compare the perceived needs of fathers and mothers having a child with intellectual disability, and to understand their cumulative needs with reference to the age, sex, and severity of functional disability of the child. Thirty couples, each having a child with intellectual disability, were assessed with the NIMH Family Needs Schedule. The needs expressed by fathers and mothers differed significantly. Needs of the parents varied according to the age and sex of the child. Severity of intellectual disability had less impact on the nature of parental needs. The needs of mothers and fathers can be different. Some needs of the parents may subside as their intellectually disabled child grows, but they are duly replaced by others. Needs of the parents grossly vary according to the sex but not the severity of intellectual disability of the child. Wherever applicable, family intervention should focus on the needs of the mothers and fathers separately with due consideration to the sex and age of the child.

Phytochemical and termiticidal study of Lantana camara var. aculeata leaves.

Extracts of Lantana camara var. aculeata leaves were studied for their phytochemical constituents and termiticidal effects against adult termite workers. The 5% chloroform extract was found to be significantly effective against termite workers.

Macro-level and genetic-level responses of Bacillus subtilis to shear stress.

Responses of bacterial (Bacillus subtilis) cells under different shear levels, from both the macro and genetic viewpoints, have been presented. The responses were studied using a novel, couette flow bioreactor (CFB), in which the entire cultivation can be performed under defined shear conditions. Oxygen supply, the normal limiting factor for entire cultivations under defined shear conditions, has been achieved by passing air through a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) membrane fixed on the inner cylinder of the CFB. More importantly, analyses of the oxygen transfer capabilities as well as the shear rates show that in this CFB, the effects of defined shear can be studied without interference from the effects of oxygen supply. Further, the shake flask can be used as a proper control for studying the shear effects, mainly because the shear rate in the shake flask under normal shaker operating conditions of 190 rpm has been estimated to be a negligible 0.028 s(-1) compared to a value of 445 s(-1) at the lowest rpm employed in the CFB. At the macro level the cell size decreased by almost 50% at 1482 s(-1) compared to that at 0.028 s(-1), the growth rate increased by 245%, and the maximum cell concentration increased by 190% when the shear rate was increased from 0.028 to 1482 s(-1). The specific intracellular catalase level increased by 335% and protease by 87% at 1482 s(-1) as compared to the control cultures at a shear rate 0.028 s(-1). In addition, the specific intracellular reactive oxygen species level (siROS) at the highest shear rate was 9.3-fold compared to the control conditions. At the genetic level we have established the involvement of the transcription factor, sigma(B), in the bacterial responses to shear stress, which was unknown in the literature thus far; the sigma(B) expression correlated inversely with the siROS. Further, through experiments with ROS quenchers, we showed that ROS regulated sigma(B) expression under shear.