Assessment of groundwater quality status by using water quality index (WQI) and geographic information system (GIS) approaches: a case study of the Bokaro district, India

Abstract One hundred two groundwater samples were collected from the Bokaro district of Jharkhand state, India, during the pre-and post-monsoon seasons of the year 2014–2015. In the present study, groundwater samples were analysed for pH, TDS, TH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, SO4 2−, HCO3 −, F− and NO3 − to evaluate the suitability of the groundwater for drinking purposes through geographic information system (GIS)-based water quality index (WQI) model. For quality assessment, values of analysed parameters of the groundwater samples were compared with the Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO) water quality standards. The analytical results indicate slightly acidic to slightly alkaline nature of the groundwater in the study area. Concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3 −, F−, NO3 −, TDS and TH exceeded the desirable as well as permissible limits of drinking water quality standards recommended by the BIS (Indian Standard Drinking Water Specification, 2012) and WHO (Guidelines for drinking water quality: training pack, WHO, Geneva, 2004) in the study area during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. However, Na+, K+, Cl− and SO4 2− concentrations were within the permissible limits during both seasons. The hydrochemical analysis of the studied groundwater samples documented with ternary and Durov diagram revealed that most of the groundwater samples belong to HCO3 − type of anions facies and no dominant type of cation facies. The GIS-based WQI maps for the study area indicate that the poor quality of water was found the maximum in the pre-monsoon season as compared to the post-monsoon season in the study area, respectively. The high values of WQI in the several groundwater samples of the Bokaro district indicate that water is not suitable for direct consumptions and it required sustainable treatment before its utilization for drinking uses

Autopsy findings of miliary tuberculosis in a renal transplant recipient

Miliary tuberculosis is a lethal form of disseminated tuberculosis (TB), deriving its name from the millet-seed-sized granulomas in multiple organs. As TB still remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India, its disseminated forms need to be diagnosed early to ensure more aggressive treatment at the earliest possible time. However, a considerable number of cases are missed ante-mortem. We discuss the case of a 32-year-old immunocompromised, non-HIV patient with an ante-mortem diagnosis of pulmonary TB. However, multiple organ involvement by Mycobacterium tuberculosis was demonstrated on autopsy. This case highlights the role of autopsy as a research and learning tool, and prudential clinico-pathologic correlation, which will improve clinical outcomes in the futur

Autopsy findings of miliary tuberculosis in a renal transplant recipient

Miliary tuberculosis is a lethal form of disseminated tuberculosis (TB), deriving its name from the millet-seed-sized granulomas in multiple organs. As TB still remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India, its disseminated forms need to be diagnosed early to ensure more aggressive treatment at the earliest possible time. However, a considerable number of cases are missed ante-mortem. We discuss the case of a 32-year-old immunocompromised, non-HIV patient with an ante-mortem diagnosis of pulmonary TB. However, multiple organ involvement by Mycobacterium tuberculosis was demonstrated on autopsy. This case highlights the role of autopsy as a research and learning tool, and prudential clinico-pathologic correlation, which will improve clinical outcomes in the futur

Anxiety, depression, and quality of life in mothers of children with intellectual disability

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) in children can trigger a range of psychological responses in parents. The present study was an attempt to investigate psychological conditions of mothers of children with ID and to determine whether these problems were more prominent in mothers of children with ID than mothers with healthy children. Aim and objectives were to investigate psychological impact (i.e. anxiety, depression, and quality of life [QOL]) on mothers of children with ID. Materials and methods comprised of two groups of subjects, i.e. mothers of sixty children with ID and mothers of sixty healthy children. The study was conducted at the Outpatient Department of Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), Tezpur, Assam. Both groups were assessed with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II); State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and World Health Organization QOL-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Data was analysed by descriptive statistics, correlation, and t test. Result: The results of the study conclusively found out that the mothers of children with ID were having higher anxiety and depression than mothers with healthy children. The anxiety and depression had negative correlation with QOL of mothers of children with ID. Conclusion: This study shows that anxiety and depression affected QOL in mothers of children with ID

Evaluation of microbiocidal activity of superoxidized water on hospital isolates

<b>Background:</b> Prevention of nosocomial infections, pre-operative and post-operative complications is directly linked with effective disinfection and decontamination. Microbial decontamination is the most serious challenge to the today&#x2032;s health care practice despite the abundance of disinfectants and chemicals as there are increasing reports of emergence of resistance to the action of commonly used disinfectants. There is a need to evaluate the efficacy of newer methods of asepsis for better patient management. <b>Aim:</b> This study was designed to evaluate the microbiocidal activity of superoxidized water (SOW) on common clinical isolates, ATCC strains, vegetative cells and spores of <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Bacterial suspensions were treated with SOW and deionized water (control). All the tubes were incubated at 37&#176;C for 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 min. The number of viable cells was counted. <b>Results:</b> All the clinical isolates and ATCC strains were killed within 0.5 min of exposure to the SOW. Vegetative cells and spores of <i>B. subtilis</i> were killed after 5.0 min. <b>Conclusion:</b> We conclude that SOW is an effective microbiocidal agent for routine hospital use

Magnetic resonance imaging - A troubleshooter in obstetric emergencies: A pictorial review

The application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pregnancy faced initial skepticism of physicians because of fetal safety concerns. The perceived fetal risk has been found to be unwarranted and of late, the modality has attained acceptability. Its role in diagnosing fetal anomalies is well recognized and following its safety certification in pregnancy, it is finding increasing utilization during pregnancy and puerperium. However, the use of MRI in maternal emergency obstetric conditions is relatively limited as it is still evolving. In early gestation, ectopic implantation is one of the major life-threatening conditions that are frequently encountered. Although ultrasound (USG) is the accepted mainstay modality, the diagnostic predicament persists in many cases. MRI has a role where USG is indeterminate, particularly in the extratubal ectopic pregnancy. Later in gestation, MRI can be a useful adjunct in placental disorders like previa, abruption, and adhesion. It is a good problem-solving tool in adnexal masses such as ovarian torsion and degenerated fibroid, which have a higher incidence during pregnancy. Catastrophic conditions like uterine rupture can also be preoperatively and timely diagnosed. MRI has a definite role to play in postpartum and post-abortion life-threatening conditions, e.g., retained products of conception, and gestational trophoblastic disease, especially when USG is inconclusive or inadequate

Marker-Free Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L. cv. IR 64) Overexpressing <i>PDH45</i> Gene Confers Salinity Tolerance by Maintaining Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Machinery

Helicases function as key enzymes in salinity stress tolerance, and the role and function of PDH45 (pea DNA helicase 45) in stress tolerance have been reported in different crops with selectable markers, raising public and regulatory concerns. In the present study, we developed five lines of marker-free PDH45-overexpressing transgenic lines of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. IR64). The overexpression of PDH45 driven by CaMV35S promoter in transgenic rice conferred high salinity (200 mM NaCl) tolerance in the T1 generation. Molecular attributes such as PCR, RT-PCR, and Southern and Western blot analyses confirmed stable integration and expression of the PDH45 gene in the PDH45-overexpressing lines. We observed higher endogenous levels of sugars (glucose and fructose) and hormones (GA, zeatin, and IAA) in the transgenic lines in comparison to control plants (empty vector (VC) and wild type (WT)) under salt treatments. Furthermore, photosynthetic characteristics such as net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 (Ci), and chlorophyll (Chl) content were significantly higher in transgenic lines under salinity stress as compared to control plants. However, the maximum primary photochemical efficiency of PSII, as an estimated from variable to maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence (Fv/Fm), was identical in the transgenics to that in the control plants. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), were significantly higher in transgenic lines in comparison to control plants, which helped in keeping the oxidative stress burden (MDA and H2O2) lesser on transgenic lines, thus protecting the growth and photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Overall, the present research reports the development of marker-free PDH45-overexpressing transgenic lines for salt tolerance that can potentially avoid public and biosafety concerns and facilitate the commercialization of genetically engineered crop plants

Marker-Free Rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. IR 64) Overexpressing PDH45 Gene Confers Salinity Tolerance by Maintaining Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Machinery

Helicases function as key enzymes in salinity stress tolerance, and the role and function of PDH45 (pea DNA helicase 45) in stress tolerance have been reported in different crops with selectable markers, raising public and regulatory concerns. In the present study, we developed five lines of marker-free PDH45-overexpressing transgenic lines of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. IR64). The overexpression of PDH45 driven by CaMV35S promoter in transgenic rice conferred high salinity (200 mM NaCl) tolerance in the T1 generation. Molecular attributes such as PCR, RT-PCR, and Southern and Western blot analyses confirmed stable integration and expression of the PDH45 gene in the PDH45-overexpressing lines. We observed higher endogenous levels of sugars (glucose and fructose) and hormones (GA, zeatin, and IAA) in the transgenic lines in comparison to control plants (empty vector (VC) and wild type (WT)) under salt treatments. Furthermore, photosynthetic characteristics such as net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2 (Ci), and chlorophyll (Chl) content were significantly higher in transgenic lines under salinity stress as compared to control plants. However, the maximum primary photochemical efficiency of PSII, as an estimated from variable to maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence (Fv/Fm), was identical in the transgenics to that in the control plants. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), were significantly higher in transgenic lines in comparison to control plants, which helped in keeping the oxidative stress burden (MDA and H2O2) lesser on transgenic lines, thus protecting the growth and photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Overall, the present research reports the development of marker-free PDH45-overexpressing transgenic lines for salt tolerance that can potentially avoid public and biosafety concerns and facilitate the commercialization of genetically engineered crop plants

Adverse events following Immunization with Sinopharm (Vero Cell) inactivated COVID-19 vaccine: Adverse events of Vero Cell vaccine

Introduction: Various types of COVID 19 vaccines are being used globally to control the current pandemic. Post-licensure surveillance of vaccines is essential to ensure safety. This study aimed to determine Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) of Sinopharm (Vero cell), the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine from China.   Method: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted at Patan hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS). Vaccine recipients between April and May were contacted through a phone call after 72 h of vaccination to record the AEFIs. Pattern and distribution of AEFIs were analyzed. Ethical approval was taken from PAHS IRC.   Result: A total of 6142 individuals got the first dose of the vaccine and out of them we were able to contact 4574 through phone calls. Of the 4574, only 941 were included for the follow-up phone call after the second dose of the vaccine. A total of 1336 AEFIs were reported in 868(19%) first dose vaccine recipients while 147 AFEIs were reported in 105(11.2%) second dose vaccine recipients.  The frequently reported AEFIs were pain at the injection site, lethargy, headache, muscle ache, and fever. All the AEFIs were mild to moderate in severity. Most of the AEFIs started within 24 h and resolved within 72 h.   Conclusion: The Sinopharm (Vero cell) vaccine was found to have mild to moderate AEFIs in our study cohort and no case of severe AEFI was identified.