Kinetics and mechanism of the reduction of colloidal MnO2 by glycyl-leucine in the absence and presence of surfactants

AbstractThe kinetics of the reduction of water-soluble colloidal manganese dioxide by glycyl-leucine (Gly-Leu) has been investigated in the presence of perchloric acid both in aqueous as well as micellar media at 35°C. The study was carried out as functions of [MnO2], [Gly-Leu] and [HClO4]. The first-order-rate is observed with respect to [MnO2], whereas fractional-order-rates are determined in both [Gly-Leu] and [HClO4]. Addition of sodium pyrophosphate and sodium fluoride enhanced the rate of the reaction. Further, the use of surfactant micelles is highlighted as, in favourable cases, the micelles help the redox reactions by bringing the reactants into a close proximity due to hydrogen bonding. While the ionic surfactants SDS and CTAB have not shown any effect on the reaction rate, the nonionic surfactant TX-100 has catalytic effect which is explained in terms of the mathematical model proposed by Tuncay et al. (1999). The Arrhenius and Eyring equations are valid for the reaction over the range of temperatures used and different activation parameters (Ea, ΔH#, ΔS# and ΔG#) have been evaluated. Kinetic studies show that the redox reaction between MnO2 and Gly-Leu proceeds through a mechanism combining one- and two-electron pathways: Mn(IV)→Mn(III)→Mn(II) and Mn(IV)→Mn(II). On the basis of the observed results, a possible mechanism has been proposed and discussed

Morphological changes in human serum albumin in presence of cationic amphiphilic drugs

Human serum albumin (HSA) is one of the most important carrier proteins present in the blood and can constitute more than half of serum proteins. It transports various biomolecules including hormones, fatty acids, ions, drugs and functions to regulate oncotic pressure in the plasma. Cationic amphiphillic drugs like amitriptyline hydrochloride, imipramine hydrochloride and promethazine hydrochloride bind to HSA and influences function by altering its conformation, as confirmed by Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data coupled to dynamic light scattering measurements (DLS). Protein unfolding was observed by SANS results through an increase in the value of the radius of gyration Rg. At higher drug concentrations, there was no change in the dimensions of the protein. However, the drugs formed free aggregates at higher concentrations without any growth in the drug micelles, which was confirmed by the appearance of second peak in DLS measurements. Molecular docking revealed that the morphology of hydrophobic moiety of the cationic amphiphilic drugs decides their binding fate with HSA, while trajectories from molecular dynamics simulations highlight structural disorder in the drug-HSA complex

Influence of additives (inorganic/organic) on the clouding behavior of amphiphilic drug solutions: Some thermodynamic studies

AbstractHerein we provide a detailed result about the effect of various additives, viz. inorganic salts, quaternary ammonium bromides (QABs) and amino acids on clouding behavior of amphiphilic drug amitriptyline hydrochloride (AMT). The continuous increase in the cloud point (CP) of drug by increase in inorganic salt concentration and the magnitude of increases rely upon the position of the salts in Hofmeister series and hydrated radii. The QABs also influence continuous increase in the CP, which is illustrated in terms of the alkyl chain length of peculiar QAB. The effect of amino acids on CP of the drug solution is dependent upon the characteristics (acidic, basic, polar or nonpolar) of particular amino acids. The overall behavior of additives has been analyzed and discussed on the basis of electrostatic repulsion or interaction, micellar growth, and mixed micelle formation between the ingredients. In addition to this, thermodynamic parameters are also evaluated

Expanding or shrinking? range shifts in wild ungulates under climate change in Pamir-Karakoram mountains, Pakistan

Climate change is expected to impact a large number of organisms in many ecosystems, including several threatened mammals. A better understanding of climate impacts on species can make conservation efforts more effective. The Himalayan ibex (Capra ibex sibirica) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) are economically important wild ungulates in northern Pakistan because they are sought-after hunting trophies. However, both species are threatened due to several human-induced factors, and these factors are expected to aggravate under changing climate in the High Himalayas. In this study, we investigated populations of ibex and blue sheep in the Pamir-Karakoram mountains in order to (i) update and validate their geographical distributions through empirical data; (ii) understand range shifts under climate change scenarios; and (iii) predict future habitats to aid long-term conservation planning. Presence records of target species were collected through camera trapping and sightings in the field. We constructed Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model on presence record and six key climatic variables to predict the current and future distributions of ibex and blue sheep. Two representative concentration pathways (4.5 and 8.5) and two-time projections (2050 and 2070) were used for future range predictions. Our results indicated that ca. 37% and 9% of the total study area (Gilgit-Baltistan) was suitable under current climatic conditions for Himalayan ibex and blue sheep, respectively. Annual mean precipitation was a key determinant of suitable habitat for both ungulate species. Under changing climate scenarios, both species will lose a significant part of their habitats, particularly in the Himalayan and Hindu Kush ranges. The Pamir-Karakoram ranges will serve as climate refugia for both species. This area shall remain focus of future conservation efforts to protect Pakistan’s mountain ungulates

Utilization of malted barley flour as replacement of wheat flour to improve technological, rheological, physicochemical, and organoleptic parameters of fortified breads

Introduction: Flours from cereal grains have the potential to be used in the production of bakery products, especially breads, and the addition of other non–wheat plant materials in the form of flours, extracts and malts has always been the area of interest for food producers. Methods: In this research work, barley grains were converted into barley malt flour (BMF), by adopting a series of processes, including steeping, germination, kilning, drying and milling. With the aim of compensating the role of commercial bread improvers, wheat flour was replaced at 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% levels with BMF, to study the effect of BMF on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of bread. Results and discussion: Chemical analysis of flours revealed that ash, fat, moisture, protein and fibers were found greater in BMF and BMF–incorporated composite flours, as compared to wheat flour. Significant increases in water absorption and decrease in dough stability, dough development time and falling number were noticed, as a result of an increase in the replacement level of BMF. Water absorption of control dough was 58.03%, which increased to 58.77% in composite flour having 10% BMF, whereas dough development time, dough stability and α–amylase activity of control, were 6.97 min, 12 min, and 736 s, respectively, which were decreased to 3.83 min, 4.73 min, and 360 s, respectively in composite flour having 10% BMF. The internal and external characteristics of breads obtained the best sensorial score at 5% replacement level of BMF, and deterioration in the quality of breads was noticed, as the level of BMF was further increased to 7.5 and 10%. Hence, breads developed with 5% BMF and 95% wheat flour, were not only nutritionally rich, but were also with optimum physical and sensory features. BMF could prove a useful alternate ingredient of wheat flour, and a cost-effective replacement of commercially available bread improvers, in the breads manufacturing process in replacement of synthetic bread improvers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Utilization of malted barley flour as replacement of wheat flour to improve technological, rheological, physicochemical, and organoleptic parameters of fortified breads

Introduction: Flours from cereal grains have the potential to be used in the production of bakery products, especially breads, and the addition of other non–wheat plant materials in the form of flours, extracts and malts has always been the area of interest for food producers. Methods: In this research work, barley grains were converted into barley malt flour (BMF), by adopting a series of processes, including steeping, germination, kilning, drying and milling. With the aim of compensating the role of commercial bread improvers, wheat flour was replaced at 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% levels with BMF, to study the effect of BMF on physicochemical and sensory characteristics of bread. Results and discussion: Chemical analysis of flours revealed that ash, fat, moisture, protein and fibers were found greater in BMF and BMF–incorporated composite flours, as compared to wheat flour. Significant increases in water absorption and decrease in dough stability, dough development time and falling number were noticed, as a result of an increase in the replacement level of BMF. Water absorption of control dough was 58.03%, which increased to 58.77% in composite flour having 10% BMF, whereas dough development time, dough stability and α–amylase activity of control, were 6.97 min, 12 min, and 736 s, respectively, which were decreased to 3.83 min, 4.73 min, and 360 s, respectively in composite flour having 10% BMF. The internal and external characteristics of breads obtained the best sensorial score at 5% replacement level of BMF, and deterioration in the quality of breads was noticed, as the level of BMF was further increased to 7.5 and 10%. Hence, breads developed with 5% BMF and 95% wheat flour, were not only nutritionally rich, but were also with optimum physical and sensory features. BMF could prove a useful alternate ingredient of wheat flour, and a cost-effective replacement of commercially available bread improvers, in the breads manufacturing process in replacement of synthetic bread improvers

Subnational mapping of HIV incidence and mortality among individuals aged 15–49 years in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000–18 : a modelling study

Background: High-resolution estimates of HIV burden across space and time provide an important tool for tracking and monitoring the progress of prevention and control efforts and assist with improving the precision and efficiency of targeting efforts. We aimed to assess HIV incidence and HIV mortality for all second-level administrative units across sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: In this modelling study, we developed a framework that used the geographically specific HIV prevalence data collected in seroprevalence surveys and antenatal care clinics to train a model that estimates HIV incidence and mortality among individuals aged 15–49 years. We used a model-based geostatistical framework to estimate HIV prevalence at the second administrative level in 44 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for 2000–18 and sought data on the number of individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) by second-level administrative unit. We then modified the Estimation and Projection Package (EPP) to use these HIV prevalence and treatment estimates to estimate HIV incidence and mortality by second-level administrative unit. Findings: The estimates suggest substantial variation in HIV incidence and mortality rates both between and within countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with 15 countries having a ten-times or greater difference in estimated HIV incidence between the second-level administrative units with the lowest and highest estimated incidence levels. Across all 44 countries in 2018, HIV incidence ranged from 2 ·8 (95% uncertainty interval 2·1–3·8) in Mauritania to 1585·9 (1369·4–1824·8) cases per 100 000 people in Lesotho and HIV mortality ranged from 0·8 (0·7–0·9) in Mauritania to 676· 5 (513· 6–888·0) deaths per 100 000 people in Lesotho. Variation in both incidence and mortality was substantially greater at the subnational level than at the national level and the highest estimated rates were accordingly higher. Among second-level administrative units, Guijá District, Gaza Province, Mozambique, had the highest estimated HIV incidence (4661·7 [2544·8–8120·3]) cases per 100000 people in 2018 and Inhassunge District, Zambezia Province, Mozambique, had the highest estimated HIV mortality rate (1163·0 [679·0–1866·8]) deaths per 100 000 people. Further, the rate of reduction in HIV incidence and mortality from 2000 to 2018, as well as the ratio of new infections to the number of people living with HIV was highly variable. Although most second-level administrative units had declines in the number of new cases (3316 [81· 1%] of 4087 units) and number of deaths (3325 [81·4%]), nearly all appeared well short of the targeted 75% reduction in new cases and deaths between 2010 and 2020. Interpretation: Our estimates suggest that most second-level administrative units in sub-Saharan Africa are falling short of the targeted 75% reduction in new cases and deaths by 2020, which is further compounded by substantial within-country variability. These estimates will help decision makers and programme implementers expand access to ART and better target health resources to higher burden subnational areas

Measuring routine childhood vaccination coverage in 204 countries and territories, 1980-2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020, Release 1

Background Measuring routine childhood vaccination is crucial to inform global vaccine policies and programme implementation, and to track progress towards targets set by the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) and Immunization Agenda 2030. Robust estimates of routine vaccine coverage are needed to identify past successes and persistent vulnerabilities. Drawing from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2020, Release 1, we did a systematic analysis of global, regional, and national vaccine coverage trends using a statistical framework, by vaccine and over time. Methods For this analysis we collated 55 326 country-specific, cohort-specific, year-specific, vaccine-specific, and dosespecific observations of routine childhood vaccination coverage between 1980 and 2019. Using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression, we produced location-specific and year-specific estimates of 11 routine childhood vaccine coverage indicators for 204 countries and territories from 1980 to 2019, adjusting for biases in countryreported data and reflecting reported stockouts and supply disruptions. We analysed global and regional trends in coverage and numbers of zero-dose children (defined as those who never received a diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis [DTP] vaccine dose), progress towards GVAP targets, and the relationship between vaccine coverage and sociodemographic development. Findings By 2019, global coverage of third-dose DTP (DTP3; 81.6% [95% uncertainty interval 80.4-82 .7]) more than doubled from levels estimated in 1980 (39.9% [37.5-42.1]), as did global coverage of the first-dose measles-containing vaccine (MCV1; from 38.5% [35.4-41.3] in 1980 to 83.6% [82.3-84.8] in 2019). Third- dose polio vaccine (Pol3) coverage also increased, from 42.6% (41.4-44.1) in 1980 to 79.8% (78.4-81.1) in 2019, and global coverage of newer vaccines increased rapidly between 2000 and 2019. The global number of zero-dose children fell by nearly 75% between 1980 and 2019, from 56.8 million (52.6-60. 9) to 14.5 million (13.4-15.9). However, over the past decade, global vaccine coverage broadly plateaued; 94 countries and territories recorded decreasing DTP3 coverage since 2010. Only 11 countries and territories were estimated to have reached the national GVAP target of at least 90% coverage for all assessed vaccines in 2019. Interpretation After achieving large gains in childhood vaccine coverage worldwide, in much of the world this progress was stalled or reversed from 2010 to 2019. These findings underscore the importance of revisiting routine immunisation strategies and programmatic approaches, recentring service delivery around equity and underserved populations. Strengthening vaccine data and monitoring systems is crucial to these pursuits, now and through to 2030, to ensure that all children have access to, and can benefit from, lifesaving vaccines. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Global, regional, and national sex differences in the global burden of tuberculosis by HIV status, 1990–2019: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Tuberculosis is a major contributor to the global burden of disease, causing more than a million deaths annually. Given an emphasis on equity in access to diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in global health targets, evaluations of differences in tuberculosis burden by sex are crucial. We aimed to assess the levels and trends of the global burden of tuberculosis, with an emphasis on investigating differences in sex by HIV status for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. Methods We used a Bayesian hierarchical Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) platform to analyse 21 505 site-years of vital registration data, 705 site-years of verbal autopsy data, 825 site-years of sample-based vital registration data, and 680 site-years of mortality surveillance data to estimate mortality due to tuberculosis among HIV-negative individuals. We used a population attributable fraction approach to estimate mortality related to HIV and tuberculosis coinfection. A compartmental meta-regression tool (DisMod-MR 2.1) was then used to synthesise all available data sources, including prevalence surveys, annual case notifications, population-based tuberculin surveys, and tuberculosis cause-specific mortality, to produce estimates of incidence, prevalence, and mortality that were internally consistent. We further estimated the fraction of tuberculosis mortality that is attributable to independent effects of risk factors, including smoking, alcohol use, and diabetes, for HIV-negative individuals. For individuals with HIV and tuberculosis coinfection, we assessed mortality attributable to HIV risk factors including unsafe sex, intimate partner violence (only estimated among females), and injection drug use. We present 95% uncertainty intervals for all estimates. Findings Globally, in 2019, among HIV-negative individuals, there were 1.18 million (95% uncertainty interval 1.08-1.29) deaths due to tuberculosis and 8.50 million (7.45-9.73) incident cases of tuberculosis. Among HIV-positive individuals, there were 217 000 (153 000-279 000) deaths due to tuberculosis and 1.15 million (1.01-1.32) incident cases in 2019. More deaths and incident cases occurred in males than in females among HIV-negative individuals globally in 2019, with 342 000 (234 000-425 000) more deaths and 1.01 million (0.82-1.23) more incident cases in males than in females. Among HIV-positive individuals, 6250 (1820-11 400) more deaths and 81 100 (63 300-100 000) more incident cases occurred among females than among males in 2019. Age-standardised mortality rates among HIV-negative males were more than two times greater in 105 countries and age-standardised incidence rates were more than 1.5 times greater in 74 countries than among HIV-negative females in 2019. The fraction of global tuberculosis deaths among HIV-negative individuals attributable to alcohol use, smoking, and diabetes was 4.27 (3.69-5.02), 6.17 (5.48-7.02), and 1.17 (1.07-1.28) times higher, respectively, among males than among females in 2019. Among individuals with HIV and tuberculosis coinfection, the fraction of mortality attributable to injection drug use was 2.23 (2.03-2.44) times greater among males than females, whereas the fraction due to unsafe sex was 1.06 (1.05-1.08) times greater among females than males. Interpretation As countries refine national tuberculosis programmes and strategies to end the tuberculosis epidemic, the excess burden experienced by males is important. Interventions are needed to actively communicate, especially to men, the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. These interventions should occur in parallel with efforts to minimise excess HIV burden among women in the highest HIV burden countries that are contributing to excess HIV and tuberculosis coinfection burden for females. Placing a focus on tuberculosis burden among HIV-negative males and HIV and tuberculosis coinfection among females might help to diminish the overall burden of tuberculosis. This strategy will be crucial in reaching both equity and burden targets outlined by global health milestone