COVID, Care, and the Carceral State: American Disposability Politics and the Selective Weaponization of Public Health Guidelines During COVID-19

This thesis examines the American state\u27s role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on marginalized communities, arguing that the state used the frame of disposability politics to justify expanding its carceral capacities and withdrawing as a provider of welfare during the pandemic

Hepatitis B awareness and vaccine status among allied health science students

Background: Hepatitis B is endemic throughout the world and occupational exposure to HBV is very common among health care professionals. The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge about HBV virus, modes of transmission and vaccination status.Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study which was carried out among 60 Allied Health Students in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The valediction of the questionnaire was done by a pilot study before starting the survey.Results: The respond rate was 96% and knowledge on causative agent was 93%, the organ affected 81.7% and modes of transmission were 70%. Awareness about vaccination and its importance were also assessed. The participants completed their three doses of vaccination were 12%, two doses 70% and not yet started was 18%. Awareness about other health care related infections through needle stick injuries and the risk percentage of contracting infection in the order of HIV, HBV and HCV was answered correctly by 81% of the participants.Conclusions: This study may help to impart the knowledge and awareness about HBV among the student population who lack knowledge regarding mode of transmission and fatal consequence. This study may further help the student population to inculcate health precautions during their clinical exposure in the near future

Prevalence of crystalluria and its association with Escherichia coli urinary tract infections

Background: Some studies highlighted that there was increase in the incidence of urinary tract problems related to frequent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and crystalluria. This induces us to understand the prevalence of crystals in urine samples and its association with bacterial urinary tract infections. For determining the different types of urinary crystals, the role of microscopic examination for identification are routine and identical.Methods: The main objective of this study is to find out the predominant types of crystals in urine, age and sex incidence value, urine pH correlated with crystals and bacteriological examination of urine samples associated with UTIs.   Results: Among 88 urine samples included, 49 (55.6%) were males and 39 (44.3%) were females of different age groups. By urine sediment analysis, among the normal crystals, calcium oxalate and amorphous urates were found predominant followed by cholesterol found among abnormal crystals. The results highlighted the presence of different types of crystals in the urine samples and strongly supported the pH ranges. The variations in the pH range from 3 to 7. The correlation of the results of crystal formation with bacterial culture showed predominance of Escherichia coli (19.3%) and further it gets proved with the theory and reference interpretation.Conclusion: By this study, the authors have a mystery whether the crystal formation leads to the bacterial infection or the infection leads to crystal formation. In the case of positive urine crystal analysis, the clinicians may consider the microbiological investigations to find out the real picture.  

The DNA Sensor, Cyclic GMP–AMP Synthase, Is Essential for Induction of IFN-β during Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

IFNβ has been implicated as an effector of oviduct pathology resulting from genital chlamydial infection in the mouse model. In this study, we investigated the role of cytosolic DNA and engagement of DNA sensors in IFNβ expression during chlamydial infection. We determined that TREX-1, a host 3’to 5’ exonuclease, reduced IFNβ expression significantly during chlamydial infection using siRNA and gene knock out fibroblasts, implicating cytosolic DNA as a ligand for this response. The DNA sensor cGAS has been shown to bind cytosolic DNA to generate cGAMP, which binds to the signaling adaptor STING to induce IFNβ expression. We determined that cGAS is required for IFNβ expression during chlamydial infection in multiple cell types. Interestingly, although infected cells deficient for STING or cGAS alone failed to induce IFNβ, co-culture of cells depleted for either STING or cGAS rescued IFNβ expression. These data demonstrate that cGAMP produced in infected cGAS+STING− cells can migrate into adjacent cells via gap junctions to function in trans in cGAS−STING+ cells. Further, we observed cGAS localized in punctate regions on the cytosolic side of the chlamydial inclusion membrane in association with STING, indicating that chlamydial DNA is likely recognized outside the inclusion as infection progresses. These novel findings provide evidence that cGAS-mediated-DNA sensing directs IFNβ expression during C.trachomatis infection and suggests that effectors from infected cells can directly upregulate IFNβ expression in adjacent uninfected cells during in vivo infection, contributing to pathogenesis

Unexpected role for IL-17 in protective immunity against hypervirulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis HN878 infection

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), infects one third of the world's population. Among these infections, clinical isolates belonging to the W-Beijing appear to be emerging, representing about 50% of Mtb isolates in East Asia, and about 13% of all Mtb isolates worldwide. In animal models, infection with W-Beijing strain, Mtb HN878, is considered "hypervirulent" as it results in increased mortality and causes exacerbated immunopathology in infected animals. We had previously shown the Interleukin (IL) -17 pathway is dispensable for primary immunity against infection with the lab adapted Mtb H37Rv strain. However, it is not known whether IL-17 has any role to play in protective immunity against infection with clinical Mtb isolates. We report here that lab adapted Mtb strains, such as H37Rv, or less virulent Mtb clinical isolates, such as Mtb CDC1551, do not require IL-17 for protective immunity against infection while infection with Mtb HN878 requires IL-17 for early protective immunity. Unexpectedly, Mtb HN878 induces robust production of IL-1β through a TLR-2-dependent mechanism, which supports potent IL-17 responses. We also show that the role for IL-17 in mediating protective immunity against Mtb HN878 is through IL-17 Receptor signaling in non-hematopoietic cells, mediating the induction of the chemokine, CXCL-13, which is required for localization of T cells within lung lymphoid follicles. Correct T cell localization within lymphoid follicles in the lung is required for maximal macrophage activation and Mtb control. Since IL-17 has a critical role in vaccine-induced immunity against TB, our results have far reaching implications for the design of vaccines and therapies to prevent and treat emerging Mtb strains. In addition, our data changes the existing paradigm that IL-17 is dispensable for primary immunity against Mtb infection, and instead suggests a differential role for IL-17 in early protective immunity against emerging Mtb strains. © 2014 Gopal et al

Physical activity patterns and gestational diabetes outcomes – The wings project

AbstractObjectiveTo compare physical activity (PA) patterns in pregnant woman with and without gestational diabetes (GDM) and to assess the effects of an exercise intervention on change in PA patterns, blood glucose levels and pregnancy outcomes in GDM women.MethodsFor the first objective, PA patterns were studied in 795 pregnant women with and without GDM. For the second objective, the Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Strategy-Model of Care (WINGS-MOC) intervention were evaluated in 151 women out of 189 with GDM. PA was assessed using a validated questionnaire and a pedometer. Changes in PA patterns, glycemic parameters and neonatal outcomes were evaluated.ResultsOverall, only 10% of pregnant women performed recommended levels of PA. Women with GDM were significantly more sedentary compared to those without GDM (86.2 vs. 61.2%, p<0.001). After the MOC was implemented in women with GDM, there was a significant improvement in PA and a decrease in sedentary behaviour amongst women (before MOC, moderate activity: 15.2%, sedentary: 84.8% vs. after MOC-moderate: 26.5%, sedentary: 73.5%; p<0.001), and an increase in their daily step count from 2206/day to 2476/day (p<0.001). Fasting 1 and 2-h postprandial glucose values significantly decreased (p<0.001 for all). Sedentary behaviour was associated with a fourfold higher risk (p=0.02), and recreational walking with 70% decreased risk, of adverse neonatal outcomes (p=0.04) after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionsPA levels are inadequate amongst this group of pregnant women studied i.e. those with and without GDM. However, a low-cost, culturally appropriate MOC can bring about significant improvements in PA in women with GDM. These changes are associated with improved glycemic control and reduction in adverse neonatal outcomes

In vitro direct rhizogenesis from Gerbera jamesonii Bolus leaf

The present report describes an original protocol for in vitro direct induction of roots from leaf explants of gerbera for the first time. Since gerbera has immense potential as a premium cut-flower, the major attempts were made on in vitro mass propagation chiefly through in vitro multiple shoot proliferation or callus regeneration. Nevertheless, rhizogenesis could be impending an unattempted method with its yet-to-be known advantages. In our study, the optimum conditions for direct root induction from leaf explants were assessed employing tissue culture technique. Leaves were inoculated to MS medium containing no or variable auxin sources and concentrations namely, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid or α-naphthaleneacetic acid for root induction. It was evident that the maximum root induction (with a frequency of 92.6 %) occurred on MS media fortified with 1.5 mg l−1 IAA, wherein root induction was observed as early as 11 days of culture and an average of ~19 roots with ~13 mm length was obtained from 4 cm2 leaf segment after 45 days of culture. Stereo microscopic observation revealed the induction of roots and gradual developmental stages of rhizogenesis. The efficiency of direct root induction without any interim growth stages (such as, callus or shoots) in our study offers a reproducible system that could provide a model protocol for more comprehensive developmental studies on root growth

Synthesis and optical properties of pure CdTiO₃ and Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ion substituted CdTiO₃ obtained by a novel precursor route

1538-1544Monophasic CdTiO3 in ilmenite and perovskite structures have been synthesized by a novel precursor route using oxine as the complexing agent and their optical and photoluminescence properties have been characterized. The co-precipitated oxinates of cadmium and titanium on one time heating at 600 °C for 6 h yields the ilmenite structured CdTiO3 (space group R<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> ) with the lattice parameters a = 5.237(1) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">c = 14.84 (6) Å as revealed by its powder X-ray diffraction pattern. The presence of rhombohedral symmetry is further confirmed by the six bands observed at 216, 246, 325, 461, 598, and 694 cm-1 due to Eg and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Ag modes in the Raman spectroscopy. Phase transition from ilmenite to perovskite structure (space group <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Pbnm) occurs at 1000 °C. PXRD pattern of the transformed CdTiO3 is indexed in the orthorhombic symmetry with a = 5.305 (3); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">b = 5.421 (1); c = 7.617 (3) Å. The broadness and the shift of the Raman band position to 279, 326, 400, 444 and 578 cm-1 endorses the orthorhombic symmetry. From the diffuse reflectance measurements, band gap values of 2.9 eV and 2.8 eV have been estimated for the ilmenite and perovskite forms of CdTiO3. An additional emission band at 3.21 eV is observed in the photoluminescence spectrum of ilmenite CdTiO3. Synthesis and optical properties of Ni2+ and Zn2+ substituted CdTiO3 are also reported