Bihar growth model may bear fruit in other Indian states: Robin Burgess

LSE Professor of Economics and International Growth Centre Director Robin Burgess was in Patna, India, last weekend to attend the IGC Bihar Growth Week Conference 2013. Anisha Anand interviewed Professor Burgess about the state’s growth and prospects for the Times of India

A Comparison of Corrosion Behavior of Copper and Its Alloy in Pongamia pinnata Oil at Different Conditions

Vegetable oils are promising substitutes for petrodiesel as they can be produced from numerous oil seed crops that can be cultivated anywhere and have high energy contents, exhibiting clean combustion behavior with zero CO2 emission and negligible SO2 generation. The impact of biofuel on the corrosion of various industrial metals is a challenge for using biofuel as automotive fuel. Fuel comes in contact with a wide variety of metallic materials under different temperatures, velocities, and loads thereby causing corrosion during storage and flow of fuel. Hence, the present investigation compares the corrosion rates of copper and brass in Pongamia pinnata oil (O100), 3% NaCl, and oil blend with NaCl (O99) obtained by static immersion test and using rotating cage. The corrosivity and conductivity of the test media are positively correlated. This study suggested that the corrosivity of copper is higher than brass in Pongamia pinnata oil (PO)

Supramolecular Aptamers on Graphene Oxide for Efficient Inhibition of Thrombin Activity

Graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional material with a high aspect ratio and polar functional groups, can physically adsorb single-strand DNA through different types of interactions, such as hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking, making it an attractive nanocarrier for nucleic acids. In this work, we demonstrate a strategy to target exosites I and II of thrombin simultaneously by using programmed hybrid-aptamers for enhanced anticoagulation efficiency and stability. The targeting ligand is denoted as Supra-TBA15/29 (supramolecular TBA15/29), containing TBA15 (a 15-base nucleotide, targeting exosite I of thrombin) and TBA29 (a 29-base nucleotide, targeting exosite II of thrombin), and it is designed to allow consecutive hybridization of TBA15 and TBA29 to form a network of TBAs (i.e., supra-TBA15/29). The programmed hybrid-aptamers (Supra-TBA15/29) were self-assembled on GO to further boost anticoagulation activity by inhibiting thrombin activity, and thus suppress the thrombin-induced fibrin formation from fibrinogen. The Supra-TBA15/29-GO composite was formed mainly through multivalent interaction between poly(adenine) from Supra-TBA15/29 and GO. We controlled the assembly of Supra-TBA15/29 on GO by regulating the preparation temperature and the concentration ratio of Supra-TBA15/29 to GO to optimize the distance between TBA15 and TBA29 units, aptamer density, and aptamer orientation on the GO surfaces. The dose-dependent thrombin clotting time (TCT) delay caused by Supra-TBA15/29-GO was >10 times longer than that of common anticoagulant drugs including heparin, argatroban, hirudin, and warfarin. Supra-TBA15/29-GO exhibits high biocompatibility, which has been proved by in vitro cytotoxicity and hemolysis assays. In addition, the thromboelastography of whole-blood coagulation and rat-tail bleeding assays indicate the anticoagulation ability of Supra-TBA15/29-GO is superior to the most widely used anticoagulant (heparin). Our highly biocompatible Supra-TBA15/29-GO with strong multivalent interaction with thrombin [dissociation constant (Kd) = 1.9 × 10−11 M] shows great potential as an effective direct thrombin inhibitor for the treatment of hemostatic disorders

Spinal Cord Atrophy Predicts Progressive Disease in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Objective A major challenge in multiple sclerosis (MS) research is the understanding of silent progression and Progressive MS. Using a novel method to accurately capture upper cervical cord area from legacy brain MRI scans we aimed to study the role of spinal cord and brain atrophy for silent progression and conversion to secondary progressive disease (SPMS). Methods From a single-center observational study, all RRMS (n = 360) and SPMS (n = 47) patients and 80 matched controls were evaluated. RRMS patient subsets who converted to SPMS (n = 54) or silently progressed (n = 159), respectively, during the 12-year observation period were compared to clinically matched RRMS patients remaining RRMS (n = 54) or stable (n = 147), respectively. From brain MRI, we assessed the value of brain and spinal cord measures to predict silent progression and SPMS conversion. Results Patients who developed SPMS showed faster cord atrophy rates (-2.19%/yr) at least 4 years before conversion compared to their RRMS matches (-0.88%/yr, p < 0.001). Spinal cord atrophy rates decelerated after conversion (-1.63%/yr, p = 0.010) towards those of SPMS patients from study entry (-1.04%). Each 1% faster spinal cord atrophy rate was associated with 69% (p < 0.0001) and 53% (p < 0.0001) shorter time to silent progression and SPMS conversion, respectively. Interpretation Silent progression and conversion to secondary progressive disease are predominantly related to cervical cord atrophy. This atrophy is often present from the earliest disease stages and predicts the speed of silent progression and conversion to Progressive MS. Diagnosis of SPMS is rather a late recognition of this neurodegenerative process than a distinct disease phase. ANN NEUROL 202

Reply to "Spinal Cord Atrophy Is a Preclinical Marker of Progressive MS"

No abstract availabl

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

DNA barcoding indicates the range extension in an endemic frog Nyctibatrachus jog, from the Western Ghats, India

The frogs of genus Nyctibatrachus from the Western Ghats are endemic, with some taxa showing a narrow distribution range. Nyctibatrachus jog was known only from the type locality, Jog falls from Sharavathi river basin suggesting a restricted distribution. In this study, using DNA barcoding, we studied the distribution patterns of N. jog by sampling multiple river basins. 16S rRNA and Cytochrome b genes were used to distinguish N. jog from its congeners as well as to infer intra-species relationships. The results from the 16S rRNA gene showed 99% similarity of the collected individuals with the type specimen from Jog Falls confirming the identity of N. jog. The results indicate that N. jog has wide distribution extending its range in multiple river basins in the Western Ghats, India. This study also provides the Area of Occurrence and Extent of Occurrence of N. jog which could help in developing strategies for its conservation

A comparative evaluation of ProSeal laryngeal mask airway, I-gel and Supreme laryngeal mask airway in adult patients undergoing elective surgery: A randomised trial

Background and Aims: Second-generation supraglottic airway devices are widely used in current anaesthesia practice. This randomised study was undertaken to evaluate and compare laryngeal mask airway: ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA), Supreme laryngeal mask airway (SLMA) and I-gel. Methods: Eighty-four adult patients undergoing elective surgery were randomly allocated to three groups: group P (PLMA), group I (I-gel) and group S (SLMA) of 28 patients each. Insertion times, number of insertion attempts, haemodynamic response to insertion, ease of insertion of airway device and gastric tube, oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) and pharyngolaryngeal morbidity were assessed. The primary outcome measure was the OLP after successful device insertion. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18.0 software using Chi-squared/Fisher's exact test (categorical data) and analysis of variance (continuous data) tests. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The demographic profile of patients was comparable. OLP measured after insertion, 30 minutes later and at the end of surgery differed significantly between the three groups (P < 0.001). The mean OLP was 32.64 ± 4.14 cm·H2O in group P and 29.79 ± 3.70 cm·H2O in group S. In group I, the mean OLP after insertion was 26.71 ± 3.45 cm H2O, which increased to 27.36 ± 3.22 cm H2O at 30 minutes and to 27.50 ± 3.24 cm H2O towards the end of surgery. However, these increases were not statistically significant (P = 0.641). Device insertion time was longest for group P (P = 0.001) and gastric tube insertion time was longest for group I (P = 0.001). Haemodynamic response to insertion and pharyngolaryngeal morbidity were similar with all three devices. Conclusion: PLMA provides better sealing pressure but takes longer to insert. I-gel and SLMA have similar sealing pressures. I-gel insertion time is quicker

Optical Biomedical Diagnostics Using Lab-on-Fiber Technology: A Review

Point-of-care and in-vivo bio-diagnostic tools are the current need for the present critical scenarios in the healthcare industry. The past few decades have seen a surge in research activities related to solving the challenges associated with precise on-site bio-sensing. Cutting-edge fiber optic technology enables the interaction of light with functionalized fiber surfaces at remote locations to develop a novel, miniaturized and cost-effective lab on fiber technology for bio-sensing applications. The recent remarkable developments in the field of nanotechnology provide innumerable functionalization methodologies to develop selective bio-recognition elements for label free biosensors. These exceptional methods may be easily integrated with fiber surfaces to provide highly selective light-matter interaction depending on various transduction mechanisms. In the present review, an overview of optical fiber-based biosensors has been provided with focus on physical principles used, along with the functionalization protocols for the detection of various biological analytes to diagnose the disease. The design and performance of these biosensors in terms of operating range, selectivity, response time and limit of detection have been discussed. In the concluding remarks, the challenges associated with these biosensors and the improvement required to develop handheld devices to enable direct target detection have been highlighted

Optical Biomedical Diagnostics Using Lab-on-Fiber Technology: A Review

Point-of-care and in-vivo bio-diagnostic tools are the current need for the present critical scenarios in the healthcare industry. The past few decades have seen a surge in research activities related to solving the challenges associated with precise on-site bio-sensing. Cutting-edge fiber optic technology enables the interaction of light with functionalized fiber surfaces at remote locations to develop a novel, miniaturized and cost-effective lab on fiber technology for bio-sensing applications. The recent remarkable developments in the field of nanotechnology provide innumerable functionalization methodologies to develop selective bio-recognition elements for label free biosensors. These exceptional methods may be easily integrated with fiber surfaces to provide highly selective light-matter interaction depending on various transduction mechanisms. In the present review, an overview of optical fiber-based biosensors has been provided with focus on physical principles used, along with the functionalization protocols for the detection of various biological analytes to diagnose the disease. The design and performance of these biosensors in terms of operating range, selectivity, response time and limit of detection have been discussed. In the concluding remarks, the challenges associated with these biosensors and the improvement required to develop handheld devices to enable direct target detection have been highlighted