A Perspective on Removal of Cyanotoxins from Water Through Advanced Oxidation Processes.

This perspective discusses the challenges associated with the removal of cyanotoxins from raw water sources for drinking water treatment and the emergence of sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) as an effective treatment technique. The advantage of SR-AOPs is that they can be activated using a variety of methods, including heat, UV radiation, and transition metal catalysts, allowing for greater flexibility in treatment design and optimization. In addition, the byproducts of SR-AOPs are less harmful than those generated by •OH-AOPs, which reduces the risk of secondary contamination. SR-AOPs generate sulfate radicals (SO4 •-) that are highly selective to certain organic contaminants and have lower reactivity to background water constituents, resulting in higher efficiency and selectivity of the process. The presence of natural organic matter and transition metals in the natural water body increases the degradation efficiency of SR-AOPs for the cyanotoxins. The bromate formation is also suppressed when the water contaminated with cyanotoxins is treated with SR-AOPs.

Enhanced photo-degradation of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP): Influence of matrix components, kinetic study and artificial neural network modelling.

This study investigates the degradation of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) by UV-C and UV-C/PMS-treatment processes. The degradation of NMP was less than 2% by UV-C photolysis. To enhance the degradation, PMS was used as a source of sulphate (SO4• -) and hydroxyl (HO•) radicals in the UV-C photolysis treatment system. The operational parameters such as initial pH and concentration of NMP and PMS and water matrix elements were studied to understand their effects on degradation. At pH = 6.3, λ = 260 nm, initial concentration of NMP = 10 mg/L, PMS = 300 mg/L and carbonate ion = 150 mg/L, the degradation of NMP was found to be 97.5%, along with 26.86% of TOC removal. The bicarbonate ions, nitrate ions, and chloride ions showed the inhibitory effect on the degradation of NMP. The NMP degradation was governed by pseudo first order kinetics. SO4• - was found to be the dominating degradation species through the radical quenching studies. The intermediates formed during the degradation were identified through LC-MS analysis, and a degradation pathway was proposed. The experimental data was successfully validated through the application of the developed ANN model. The R2 between expected and experimental outcomes was 0.97. The developed ANN model was successful in predicting the degradation of NMP in the given reaction conditions with the prediction accuracy of 90.91% and RMSE of 3.54.

Comparison of intranasal and nebulized dexmedetomidine for premedication in pediatric patients: A non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.

Background and Aims: Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α-2 adrenoreceptor agonist and has been found to be an effective premedication agent when administered via the intranasal route. We aimed to compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine premedication administered via intranasal route and through nebulization in pediatric patients. Material and Methods: This non-inferiority randomized controlled trial was conducted after getting approval from institutes ethics committee and informed written parental consent. Sixty-four children aged 2-8 years scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled and were divided into two groups. Group I (Intranasal, n = 33) received 2 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine via intranasal route and group N (Nebulized, n = 31) received 2 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine through nebulization. The primary outcome was number of patients with satisfactory sedation 30 minutes after premedication at separation from parent. The secondary outcome included ease of medication acceptance, anxiety at parental separation, acceptance of anesthesia mask, perioperative hemodynamics, emergence agitation during recovery and adverse effects. Data collected was analyzed using Chi-square test, Student "t" test and Mann-Whitney U test with the help of SPSS 22. A one tailed P value < 0.025 was considered significant. Results: Demographic profile was comparable between groups. On arrival in OR 27 (81.8%) patients in group I and 21 (67.7%) patients in group N had satisfactory sedation score (P = 0.19). The median (IQR) sedation score was comparable between group I and group N (P = 0.057). Patients in Group I showed significantly better medication and mask acceptance scores (P < 0.0001, P = 0.001 respectively), parental separation anxiety score (P < 0.0001) and emergence agitation score (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in hemodynamic parameters and adverse effects between the groups. Conclusion: Although nebulized dexmedetomidine is non-inferior to intranasal dexmedetomidine in providing desired level of sedation but intranasal administration had better acceptance of medication and anesthesia mask with lesser anxiety at parental separation and postoperative emergence agitation.

Quantitative and Mathematical Analysis of Mental Foramen along with Its Correlation with Sex and Age Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to perform quantitative and mathematical analysis of mental foramen (MF) along with its correlation with study subject's sex and age using three-dimensional imaging like cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CBCT scan images stored in the database were used in this study. Two-hundred sixty-seven scans were selected. They were divided into four different age-groups. These age-groups were 16-23 years, 24-38 years, 39-55 years, and more than 56 years. Each age-group was further divided into two subgroups. One subgroup was of males, while the other subgroup was of females. Following this, there was evaluation of all CBCT-scanned images considering certain parameters like position of MF, size of MF, distance X, distance Y, and distance Z. RESULTS: The MF was located generally apically to the premolar and molar. It was more commonly located between the first premolar and second premolar among females, while in males, it was mostly located along the long axis of the second premolar. In most of the age-groups, the MF was located between the long axis of the first premolar and second premolar. The average distance of MF from the apex of first premolar was 5.01 mm. Further, the average size of MF and its distance from the base of the mandible were greater in males as compared with females. When all these measurements were compared in different age-groups, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The average distance of MF from the apex of the first premolar was 5.01 mm. The average size of MF and its distance from the base of the mandible were greater in males as compared with females. When the measurements were compared in different age-groups, then the difference was not statistically significant. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: MF is an important structure in the mandible because it acts as an important landmark in the anesthetic procedure; therefore, there was a need to carry out detailed quantitative and mathematical analysis for MF.

Graphene oxide based electrochemical immunosensor for rapid detection of groundnut bud necrosis orthotospovirus in agricultural crops.

Groundnut bud necrosis orthotospovirus (GBNV) is one of the causative plant viruses responsible for the outbreak of many viral epidemics in food crops across India and other south-Asian countries. Its management is a major challenge due to fast vector transmission, and the non-availability of appropriate agrochemical treatment. The timely detection of GBNV becomes indispensable for the effective management of viral infection and the periodic monitoring of plant health. We report the fabrication of graphene oxide (GO) based electrochemical immunosensor for the rapid and sensitive detection of GBNV. The immunoelectrode is prepared by depositing GO onto indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates and functionalized by anti-GBNV antibodies using N-ethyl-N'-(3- dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride and N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC-NHS) conjugation chemistry. The response measurements of the immunoelectrodes revealed a sensitivity of 221 ± 1 µA µg-1 mL-1(n = 3) and limit of detection (LOD) of 5.7 ± 0.7 ng mL-1(n = 3) for the standard concentrations of GBNV antigen. Further, the GBNV detection was carried out in infected leaf extracts of three different host plants i.e., Tomato, Cowpea, and N. benthamiana, and the results have been compared with the conventionally used direct antigen coated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAC-ELISA) technique. The comparable results obtained for the detection of GBNV in infected plants using electrochemical immunosensing and DAC-ELISA techniques advocated the immense potential of GO based immunosensor as a point-of-care sensing device that is poised to overcome the limitations of the traditional methods of virus detection in field conditions and may transform the diagnostics in agriculture.

Dynamic profile and clinical implications of hematological and immunological parameters in COVID-19 patients. A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Ever since the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the SARS-CoV-2 or nCOVID-19 infection (a pandemic), continuous spread of the virus has been observed which has continuously seen to affect and kill multitudes of individuals all over the world. An understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease is necessary for an effective treatment. Laboratory investigations play an important role in the diagnosis as well as treatment of this infectious disease. Hematological parameters demonstrate alterations during the progression of nCOVID-19 infection. Of these, many are indicative of extremely poor clinical outcome. Hematological findings like leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia and coagulation-related abnormalities are the most common manifestations. The aim of this study was to assess the dynamic profile and clinical implications of hematological and immunological parameters among nCOVID-19 infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was designed after categorizing patients suffering from COVID-19 into three groups: (a) Group I; (b) Group II and (c) Group III or severe critical patients. Hematological and immunological parameters of neutrophilic and white blood cell counts, d-dimer levels, hemoglobin levels, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) levels and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were assessed. Statistical analysis using Kruskal-Wallis test was used. RESULTS: Normal white blood cell and neutrophil count among COVID-19 patients was seen. However, median values in Group II (P < 0.01) and Group III (P < 0.0001) were found to show significantly higher values when compared to Group I. A significant (P < 0.01) decrease in lymphocytic counts was found among severe and critical patients. Hemoglobin level was found to demonstrate higher decrease (P < 0.01) among severe and critical patients. Platelet count was found in normal range in all COVID-19 patients. Routine coagulation tests revealed increased fibrinogen (P < 0.01) and d-dimer levels (P < 0.0001) in severe and critical patients. Normal proportions of total CD3+ and CD4 + T lymphocytes were observed in COVID-19. However, CD8 + T lymphocytes proportion was found to be decreased (P-value < 0.05). Immunoglobulin G levels among Groups II and III patients were found to be lower when compared with Group I (P < 0.001). No statistical significance was observed between the groups in IgM levels. Plasma IL-6 levels were found to show progressive rise among Groups II and III patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Analysis of hematological and immunological parameters profiles in COVID-19 patients may help in deciphering the clinical progression of patients suffering from COVID-19 disease. Thus, regular monitoring of the hospitalized patients may help in planning the management of these cases.

Assessment of Oral Health Status with Visually Impaired Children in Patna City, Bihar.

AIM: Children with a visually impairment often face various challenges in their day-to-day skills. Oral hygiene maintenance is one major task for them. Such child has difficulty to live current normal life and demands of permission or healthy life. The present study aims to assess the oral health in children with visually impaired using oral health status assessment tool in Patna city. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional institutional survey was implicated among visually impaired children who attend special school in Patna city. A total of 180 visually impaired children were selected as per the inclusion criteria. Participant's parents gave written consent for the study. The oral hygiene practices of visually impaired children were recorded by teachers. Oral health assessment tool (OHAT) findings were recorded by the principal investigator. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of children had gingival inflammation and 59.8% had normal tongue. 55.2% of children had 1-3 decayed or broken teeth and 16.1% had unhealthy natural teeth. 78.7% of children had change in oral hygiene. CONCLUSION: Oral health status of visually impaired child was very poor and gingivitis was also seen according to usage of oral hygiene assessment tool(OHAT). The sentence should be chaged as Oral health status of visually impaired child was very poor and gingivitis was also seen according to usage of oral hygiene assessment tool (OHAT).

ZnO-rGO nanocomposite based bioelectrode for sensitive and ultrafast detection of dopamine in human serum.

We present a tyrosinase-conjugated zinc oxide-reduced graphene oxide (Tyr/ZnO-rGO) nanocomposite system as a biosensing test-bed for rapid and sensitive detection of dopamine (DA). The bioelectrodes (Tyr/ZnO-rGO/ITO) were designed by covalently immobilizing tyrosinase enzyme on spin-coated films of ZnO-rGO nanocomposite prepared via self-assembly approach. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed fast electron transfer kinetics of ZnO-rGO/ITO electrode. The response studies of the Tyr/ZnO-rGO/ITO bioelectrode revealed ultrafast (0.34 ± 0.09 s) detection of DA in a wide linear dynamic range of 0.1-1500 pM. The significant performance of the biosensor in terms of low detection limit (8.75 ± 0.64 pM) and high sensitivity (39.56 ± 0.41 µA nM-1) values is attributed to the fast and unhindered electron transfer mechanism of ZnO-rGO matrix having low electrochemical band gap. The nanoplatform exhibited high selectivity toward DA in human sera, and remained stable up to 3 months at 4 °C, representing its suitability for clinical applications.

Cytomegalovirus Evades TRAIL-Mediated Innate Lymphoid Cell 1 Defenses.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) establishes a lifelong infection facilitated, in part, by circumventing immune defenses mediated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-family cytokines. An example of this is the mouse CMV (MCMV) m166 protein, which restricts expression of the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) death receptors, promoting early-phase replication. We show here that replication of an MCMV mutant lacking m166 is also severely attenuated during viral persistence in the salivary glands (SG). Depleting group I innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) or infecting Trail-/- mice completely restored persistent replication of this mutant. Group I ILCs are comprised of two subsets, conventional natural killer cells (cNK) and tissue-resident cells often referred to as innate lymphoid type I cells (ILC1). Using recently identified phenotypic markers to discriminate between these two cell types, their relative expression of TRAIL and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was assessed during both early and persistent infection. ILC1 were found to be the major TRAIL expressers during both of these infection phases, with cNK expressing very little, indicating that it is ILC1 that curtail replication via TRAIL in the absence of m166-imposed countermeasures. Notably, despite high TRAIL expression by SG-resident ILC1, IFN-γ production by both ILC1 and cNK was minimal at this site of viral persistence. Together these results highlight TRAIL as a key ILC1-utilized effector molecule that can operate in defense against persistent infection at times when other innate control mechanisms may be muted and highlight the importance for the evolution of virus-employed countermeasures.IMPORTANCE Cytomegalovirus (a betaherpesvirus) is a master at manipulating immune responses to promote its lifelong persistence, a result of millions of years of coevolution with its host. Using a one-of-a-kind MCMV mutant unable to restrict expression of the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand death receptors (TRAIL-DR), we show that TRAIL-DR signaling significantly restricts both early and persistent viral replication. Our results also reveal that these defenses are employed by TRAIL-expressing innate lymphoid type I cells (ILC1) but not conventional NK cells. Overall, our results are significant because they show the key importance of viral counterstrategies specifically neutralizing TRAIL effector functions mediated by a specific, tissue-resident subset of group I ILCs.

Uricase grafted nanoconducting matrix based electrochemical biosensor for ultrafast uric acid detection in human serum samples.

Gold nanoparticles decorated graphene oxide (Au-rGO) nanocomposite thin films with enhanced electro-active characteristics were prepared and covalently immobilized with uricase (UOx) enzyme for sensitive and selective detection of uric acid (UA). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) studies revealed rapid response of fabricated electrode towards UA at low potential (0.228 V) in a wide concentration range of 50-800 µM with a sensitivity of 86.62 ±â€¯0.19 µA mM-1 and very low detection limit of 7.32 ±â€¯0.21 µM. The obtained Michaelis-Menten constant (km) value of 51.75 µM signifies high enzyme kinetics at electrode surface with UA. The developed biosensor was successfully applied to detect UA in human serum samples. Interferences due to components present in the real matrix were evaluated and UA determination in mixed sample was also performed. The fabricated UOx/Au-rGO/ITO biosensor demonstrated high reproducibility and a shelf-life of 6 months indicating the promising future of Au-rGO nanocomposite as an efficient transducer matrix for biosensing applications. The fast response time (1.0 ±â€¯0.6 s) and improved sensor performance is attributed to the synergistic electronic properties of Au-nanoparticles and rGO that provided enhanced electron transfer and high electro-active species surface coverage at Au-rGO nanocomposite.

An electrochemical biosensor based on novel butylamine capped CZTS nanoparticles immobilized by uricase for uric acid detection.

Quaternary chalcopyrite, i.e., Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanoparticles films have been proposed as a novel matrix system for enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors providing a non-toxic, low-cost alternative for the fabrication of bioelectrodes. The easy tuneability of the band gap of CZTS by varying the cation ratio and size of nanoparticles facilitate to impart desirable electrical properties in the material. Butylamine capped spherical CZTS nanoparticles of size 15-16 nm and band gap 2.65 eV have been synthesized by colloidal hot injection technique. The films of CZTS onto ITO substrates are deposited using dip coating technique, and uricase enzyme have been immobilized onto CZTS films using EDC-NHS binding chemistry. Electrochemical analyses of this bioelectrode revealed that the uricase/CZTS/ITO/glass electrode exhibits good linearity over a wide range of 0-700 µM uric acid concentration with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.066 µM. The low value of 0.13 × 10-4 M of Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) indicate the enhanced affinity of immobilized enzyme (uricase) towards uric acid. Thus, the present report confirms the promising application of the p-type CZTS thin film matrix for the realization of an electrochemical biosensor.

Cytotoxicity of Graphene Oxide (GO) and Graphene Oxide Conjugated Losartan Potassium (GO-LP) on Neuroblastoma (NB41A3) Cells.

Despite several advancements in the biomedical sciences, an efficient cancer therapy still remains a challenge. Nanomedicines have shown potential to overcome certain roadblocks faced in the existing treatment modalities. Losartan potassium (LP) which is a known vasodilator also exhibits anti fibrolytic and anti-metastatic properties altogether. Further, also being a potential angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, it has been well explored for down regulating tumourogenic biomarkers like VEGF-A (Vascular endothelial growth factor A) and suppression of neovascularization, making it a suitable drug to target for cancer treatment. Besides this, it too reflected the stimulation of pro apoptotic signaling pathways. But due to its lower bioavailability and extensive hepatic metabolism its therapeutic index reduces down. Thus, the present study is focused on designing a nano-delivery system using graphene oxide (GO) as a nano-vehicle and conjugated the LP with it. Then, the successful synthesis of GO and GO-LP nano conjugates were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR and UV visible spectroscopy, confirming the formation of nanosheets. The qualitative morphological evaluation of NB41A3 neuroblastoma cell line treated with bare GO, LP and GO-LP using microscopy and DAPI staining revealed the inhibitory action of GO-LP nano conjugate on cell proliferation. Additionally, the cytotoxicity was also estimated using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), Nitric oxide (NO) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. The results show that GO-LP significantly suppresses the cell viability in comparison to control and bare GO suggesting that the designed system may express its potential to be used with existing chemo drugs for the treatment of neural cancers.

Reversal agents: do we need to administer with neuromuscular monitoring - an observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In clinical practice, in the majority of patients, recovery from the effect of muscle relaxants is assessed using subjective methods such as head lift, eye-opening, or by sustained hand grip after giving anticholinesterases (neostigmine) at the end of surgery. We planned a prospective observational cohort study to test the hypothesis that objective neuromuscular monitoring can help us in avoiding the use of anticholinesterases for reversal. METHODS: The patients posted for surgery of <2 h duration were included in the study. The cohort of patients was formed on the basis of those who were exposed to objective neuromuscular monitoring of recovery (train-of-four [TOF] ratio of 0.9 or more; exposed group) and the patients who were not exposed to objective neuromuscular monitoring (non-exposed group) acting as a control. Using objective neuromuscular monitoring, the time required for recovery from muscle relaxation when neostigmine was not given for reversal was noted and it was then compared with that of the control group. RESULTS: A total of 190 patients were enrolled over a period of 3 years. With the use of TOF ratio of 0.9 for extubation, patients safely recovered from neuromuscular blockade, without using neostigmine, with no difference in the mean recovery time (14.48 ± 1.138 min) as compared to the control group (12.14 ± 1.067 min, P = 0.139). There was no incidence of reintubation in post-operative period. CONCLUSION: With objective neuromuscular monitoring, we can ensure complete recovery from the neuromuscular blockade while avoiding the use of anticholinesterases.

Continuous activity of Foxo1 is required to prevent anergy and maintain the memory state of CD8+ T cells.

Upon infection with an intracellular pathogen, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells develop diverse differentiation states characterized by function, localization, longevity, and the capacity for self-renewal. The program of differentiation is determined, in part, by FOXO1, a transcription factor known to integrate extrinsic input in order to specify survival, DNA repair, self-renewal, and proliferation. At issue is whether the state of T cell differentiation is specified by initial conditions of activation or is actively maintained. To study the spectrum of T cell differentiation, we have analyzed an infection with mouse cytomegalovirus, a persistent-latent virus that elicits different cytotoxic T cell responses characterized as acute resolving or inflationary. Our results show that FOXO1 is continuously required for all the phenotypic characteristics of memory-effector T cells such that with acute inactivation of the gene encoding FOXO1, T cells revert to a short-lived effector phenotype, exhibit reduced viability, and manifest characteristics of anergy.

Anti-IL8/AuNPs-rGO/ITO as an Immunosensing Platform for Noninvasive Electrochemical Detection of Oral Cancer.

An efficient electrochemical transducer matrix for biosensing devices requires specific characteristics, such as fast electron transfer, stability, high surface area, biocompatibility, and presence of specific functional groups, to facilitate biomolecule attachment. We demonstrate the fabrication of an electrochemical immunosensor based on a highly stable gold nanoparticles-reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs-rGO) composite material as a transducer matrix for label-free and noninvasive detection of salivary oral cancer biomarker interleukin-8 (IL8). The synergy between rGO and AuNPs allowed the immunosensor to exhibit fast response and high sensitivity due to the improved electron transfer behavior of the composite. The immunosensor shows very fast detection (9 min) of IL8 and high sensitivity with an experimental linear dynamic range of 500 fg mL-1 to 4 ng mL-1 and a detection limit of 72.73 ± 0.18 pg mL-1. The fabricated immunosensor exhibits excellent specificity toward the detection of IL8 in human saliva samples. Furthermore, the reusability and stability up to 3 months of the immunosensor demonstrates the commercial potential of this nanoplatform for the detection of other biomarkers of clinical relevance.