Leave No One Behind: AI-Powered Inclusive Development for Viksit Bharat 2047

Vikasit Bharat 2047 envisions a socially and economically developed India. However, achieving this goal requires addressing the challenges faced by underprivileged sections too. This paper explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative tool for inclusive development and examines how AI can empower marginalised communities in areas like education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities etc, particularly in rural areas. The article acknowledges the importance of responsible AI development, ensuring inclusivity and mitigating potential biases, particularly in the Indian heterogeneous society. By harnessing the power of AI responsibly, it is possible to build a more equitable and prosperous India, leaving no one behind on the path to Vikasit Bharat 2047

Thyroid dysfunction in human immuno-deficiency virus infected patients: a non-randomized, cross-sectional, single-center study

Background: Increasing prevalence of thyroid dysfunction has been reported in human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. However, there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine thyroid screening of asymptomatic individuals. Hence, this study was undertaken in an attempt to resolve these issues. Objectives of this non-randomized, cross-sectional, single-center study was to study thyroid function in HIV positive patients at various stages of disease. Methods: This single-center study was carried out at Al-Ameen Medical College Hospital and Government District Hospital Bijapur, Karnataka, India from December 2020 to December 2022. The final selected study population included newly diagnosed adult and adolescent (17-60 years) HIV+ patients was composed of 100 participants of either gender. Patients were interviewed and enrolled in the study after examining in detail according to the proforma and then by taking their written consent and explaining the purpose of the study. The thyroid hormone assays (S. TSH, FT3 and FT4) were done by chemiluminescence immuno assay (CLIA) using ADVIA Centaur-equipment. Results: Overall mean age was 36 years (range in years: 17–66 years) and 66 patients (66%) were males. Male: female ratio of 1.94:1 was recorded. In the 50 patients having acquired immuno-deficiency virus (AIDS), FT3 levels ranged from 0.230 to 4.0 picogram/ml with a mean of 2.131+0.9826 picogram/ml. In 50 patients having AIDS, the FT4 levels ranged from 0.30 to 1.90 nanogram/dI with a mean 1.179±0.4484 nanogram/dl. Conclusions: All forms of thyroid dysfunction were observed

Impact of heat treatment analysis on the wear behaviour of al-14.2si-0.3mg-tic composite using response surface methodology

Al-14.2Si-0.3Mg Alloy reinforced with hard phased TiC coarse particulates (10 wt-%) was contrived using the liquid metallurgy route. The so fabricated aluminium metal matrix composites was made to undergo solutionising at 5250C for 12 hours in a heat treatment furnace and was subsequently water quenched to room temperature. The developed composite was then kept for age hardening at varying temperatures and time for enhanced tribological properties. A pin on disc Tribometer (ASTM-G99) was utilised to study the wear properties of the fabricated composite. Aging temperature (0C), applied load (N) and Aging time (hours) were chosen as the process parameters for analysing the material\u27s resistance to wear. Using response surface methodology the influence of reinforcement in the wear properties of the composite was studied. The design of the regression equation was prepared and the impact of each experimental parameter was scrutinized. Results depict that with an increase in the aging temperature, aging time and load, there observed a variation in the materials wear properties. The worn-out surface of the metal matrix composite was then investigated with the help of the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Phytochemical screening, antibacterial and allelopathic effects of few invasive plants of Kerala

Invasive species are often regarded as a threat to native flora. Many of them curtail the normal physiological functioning abilities of the native plants by growing over them, or by producing certain metabolites which control their growth potentials and seed germination abilities. The present study aims to find out the different bioactive compounds like alkaloids and terpenoids responsible for the vast spread of Eupatorium odoratum, Vernonia cinerea, Mikania micrantha, Tridax procumbens, Pilea microphylla and Cuscuta reflexa which are some of the major invasive plants of Kerala. Apart from these negative roles attributed to invasive plants, whether they possessed any beneficial roles was the prime concern of this study. Our study brings to light the allelopathic effects of invasive plants upon legume seeds. Different phytochemicals which are known to produce such effect were present in all these plants. Greatest allelopathic effects were exhibited by C. reflexa and E. odoratum. Against Escherichia coli bacteria, E. odoratum and M. micrantha showed highest zone of inhibition (20 mm, 15 mm) while against Proteus vulgaris bacteria, C. reflexa, M. micrantha and T. procumbens produced inhibition zones of 21 mm, 15 mm and 12 mm. Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, C. reflexa, M. micrantha and E. odoratum produced inhibition zones of 16 mm, 13 mm and 12 mm. Alcoholic extract of V. cinerea showed comparatively high inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (10 mm). V. cinerea showed inhibitiory effects against E. coli, S. aureus and P. vulgaris (11 mm, 10 mm and 9 mm). Similarly, P. microphylla showed inhibition only against P. vulgaris and P. aeruginosa (10 mm and 8 mm)

Analysis of BH3-only proteins upregulated in response to oxygen/glucose deprivation in cortical neurons identifies Bmf but not Noxa as potential mediator of neuronal injury

Stress signaling in response to oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) and ischemic injury activates a group of pro-apoptotic genes, the Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3)-only proteins, which are capable of activating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Targeted studies previously identified the BH3-only proteins Puma, Bim and Bid to have a role in ischemic/hypoxic neuronal injury. We here investigated the transcriptional activation of pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins after OGD-induced injury in murine neocortical neurons. We observed a potent and early upregulation of noxa at mRNA and protein level, and a significant increase in Bmf protein levels during OGD in neocortical neurons and in the ipsilateral cortex of mice subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Surprisingly, gene deficiency in noxa reduced neither OGD- nor glutamate-induced neuronal injury in cortical neurons and failed to influence infarct size or neurological deficits after tMCAO. In contrast, bmf deficiency induced significant protection against OGD- or glutamate-induced injury in cultured neurons, and bmf-deficient mice showed reduced neurological deficits after tMCAO in vivo. Collectively, our data not only point to a role of Bmf as a BH3-only protein contributing to excitotoxic and ischemic neuronal injury but also demonstrate that the early and potent induction of noxa does not influence ischemic neuronal injury

Melamine formaldehyde-metal organic gel interpenetrating polymer network derived intrinsic Fe-N-doped porous graphitic carbon electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Fe, N doped porous graphitic carbon electrocatalyst (Fe-MOG-MF-C), obtained by pyrolysis of an Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) comprised of melamine formaldehyde (MF as hard segment) and Metal-Organic Gel (MOG as soft segment), exhibited significant Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) activity in alkaline medium. BET surface area analysis of Fe-MOG-MF-C showed high surface area (821 m2 g-1), while TEM, Raman and XPS results confirmed Fe and N co-doping. Furthermore, a modulated porous morphology with a higher degree of surface area (950 m2 g-1) has been accomplished for the system (Fe-MOG-MFN-C) when aided by a sublimable porogen, such as naphthalene. XPS results further demonstrated that these systems exhibited a better degree of distribution of graphitic N and an onset potential value of 0.91 V vs. RHE in 0.1 M KOH solution following an efficient four-electron ORR pathway. The electrocatalytic activity of Fe-MOG-MFN-C is superior to that of Fe-MOG-MF-C by virtue of its higher graphitic N content and surface area. Thus, the study presents a new class of IPN derived MF-MOG nanocomposites with the potential to generate extended versions of in situ Fe-N doped porous graphitic carbon structures with superior ORR activity

CMFRI Research Vessel R.V. Cadalmin-I

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) with its 3 regional, 7 research and 15 field centres spread along the Indian coast is involved in marine fisheries research operated through 10 divisions. The Institute was established by Government of India on Feb. 3rd 1947 under the Ministry of Agriculture and later became a part of the ICAR in 1971. During the course of 65 years glorious journey, the Institute has emerged as a global leader in tropical marine fisheries research. The Institute is involved in marine capture fisheries research and maintained several fishing and research vessels

Post-stroke inhibition of induced NADPH oxidase type 4 prevents oxidative stress and neurodegeneration

Ischemic stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Only one moderately effective therapy exists, albeit with contraindications that exclude 90% of the patients. This medical need contrasts with a high failure rate of more than 1,000 pre-clinical drug candidates for stroke therapies. Thus, there is a need for translatable mechanisms of neuroprotection and more rigid thresholds of relevance in pre-clinical stroke models. One such candidate mechanism is oxidative stress. However, antioxidant approaches have failed in clinical trials, and the significant sources of oxidative stress in stroke are unknown. We here identify NADPH oxidase type 4 (NOX4) as a major source of oxidative stress and an effective therapeutic target in acute stroke. Upon ischemia, NOX4 was induced in human and mouse brain. Mice deficient in NOX4 (Nox4(-/-)) of either sex, but not those deficient for NOX1 or NOX2, were largely protected from oxidative stress, blood-brain-barrier leakage, and neuronal apoptosis, after both transient and permanent cerebral ischemia. This effect was independent of age, as elderly mice were equally protected. Restoration of oxidative stress reversed the stroke-protective phenotype in Nox4(-/-) mice. Application of the only validated low-molecular-weight pharmacological NADPH oxidase inhibitor, VAS2870, several hours after ischemia was as protective as deleting NOX4. The extent of neuroprotection was exceptional, resulting in significantly improved long-term neurological functions and reduced mortality. NOX4 therefore represents a major source of oxidative stress and novel class of drug target for stroke therapy

Role of endothelial Nox2 NADPH oxidase in angiotensin II-induced hypertension and vasomotor dysfunction

NADPH oxidase (Nox)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to be involved in angiotensin II-induced hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. Several Nox isoforms are expressed in the vessel wall, among which Nox2 is especially abundant in the endothelium. Endothelial Nox2 levels rise during hypertension but little is known about the cell-specific role of endothelial Nox2 in vivo. To address this question, we generated transgenic mice with endothelial-specific overexpression of Nox2 (Tg) and studied the effects on endothelial function and blood pressure. Tg had an about twofold increase in endothelial Nox2 levels which was accompanied by an increase in p22phox levels but no change in levels of other Nox isoforms or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Basal NADPH oxidase activity, endothelial function and blood pressure were unaltered in Tg compared to wild-type littermates. Angiotensin II caused a greater increase in ROS production in Tg compared to wild-type aorta and attenuated acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation. Both low and high dose chronic angiotensin II infusion increased telemetric ambulatory blood pressure more in Tg compared to wild-type, but with different patterns of BP change and aortic remodeling depending upon the dose of angiotensin II dose. These results indicate that an increase in endothelial Nox2 levels contributes to angiotensin II-induced endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodeling and hypertension

Independent prognostic value of fascin immunoreactivity in stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer

Fascin-1, the most expressed form of fascin in vertebrate tissues, is an actin-bundling protein that induces cell membrane protrusions and increases motility of normal and transformed epithelial cells. Very few data are available on the role of this protein in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Two hundred and twenty patients with stage I NSCLC and long-term follow-up were evaluated immunocytochemically for fascin expression. Overall, variable fascin immunoreactivity was detected in 98% of 116 squamous cell carcinomas, in 78% of 96 adenocarcinomas, in 83% of six large cell carcinomas, and in the two adenosquamous carcinomas under study. Neoplastic emboli were commonly decorated by the antifascin antibody (P<0.001), also when the surrounding invasive carcinoma was unreactive. Fascin immunoreactivity correlated with high tumour grade (P=0.017) and, in adenocarcinomas, with high Ki-67 labelling index (P=0.021). Adenocarcinomas with a prevalent bronchiolo-alveolar in situ component were less commonly immunoreactive for fascin than invasive tumours (P=0.005). Contralateral thoracic or distant metastases were associated significantly with diffuse (>60% immunoreactive tumour cells) fascin expression in adenocarcinomas (P=0.043), and marginally with strong fascin immunostaining in squamous cell carcinomas (P=0.13). No associations were noted with any other clinicopathological variables tested. Patients with tumours showing diffuse (>60% immunoreactive neoplastic cells) and/or strong immunoreactivity for fascin had a shorter survival (P=0.006 for adenocarcinomas and P=0.026 for squamous cell carcinomas), even after multivariate analysis (P=0.014 and 0.050, respectively). The current study documents for the first time that fascin is upregulated in invasive and more aggressive NSCLC, being an independent prognostic predictor of unfavourable clinical course of the disease. Targetting the fascin pathway could be a novel therapeutic strategy of NSCLC