A Pan-India, Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Study of Healthcare Practitioners in India Regarding Immunomodulatory Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in COVID-19

Introduction: Vitamin D has immunomodulatory effects and vitamin D deficiency has been associated with autoimmune responses and increased risk of infections. Vitamin D-mediated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory responses play an effective role in the prevention of various respiratory tract infections including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Aims and objective: To evaluate the therapeutic role of vitamin D via immunomodulation in COVID-19 through a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study of pan India healthcare practitioners (HCPs) to arrive at a common consensus statement regarding dosage and duration of vitamin D for immune-modulatory function. Methods: A pan-India, online, questionnaire-based, KAP survey was conducted on vitamin D and its role in immunomodulation in COVID-19 from April 2021 to January 2022 followed by polling obtained from 2,338 HCPs through round table meetings (RTMs). Results: Approximately 64% of HCPs considered the use of vitamin D in COVID-19 patients for various reasons including prevention of illness, reduced ICU stay, reduction in morbidity and mortality along with decrease in the levels of inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients. For the dosage regime, 47% of HCPs preferred vitamin D 60,000 IUweekly while 45% of HCPs preferred both 60,000 IU weekly and 2,000 IU daily dose for boosting immune system in their patients. Conclusion: The panel agreed that vitamin D levels of 40 ng/mL and above appear to confer better immune-protective response to several infections including COVID-19

Avian influenza surveillance reveals presence of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in poultry during 2009-2011 in the West Bengal State, India

Abstract Introduction More than 70 outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 have been reported in poultry in the western and north-eastern parts of India. Therefore, in view of the recent HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in poultry, active AI surveillance encompassing wild, resident, migratory birds and poultry was undertaken during 2009–2011 in the State of West Bengal. Methods A total of 5722 samples were collected from West Bengal; 3522 samples (2906 fecal droppings + 616 other environmental samples) were from migratory birds and 2200 samples [1604 tracheal, cloacal swabs, environmental samples, tissue samples + 596 blood (serum)] were from domestic ducks and poultry. All tracheal, cloacal and environmental samples were processed for virus isolation. Virus isolates were detected using hemagglutination assay and identified using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of partial region of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes was done. Intravenous pathogenicity index assays were performed in chickens to assess pathogenicity of AI virus isolates. Serum samples were tested for detection of antibodies against AI viruses using HI assay. Results A total of 57 AI H9N2, 15 AI H4N6 and 15 Newcastle Disease (NDV) viruses were isolated from chickens, from both backyard and wet poultry markets; AI H4N6 viruses were isolated from backyard chickens and domestic ducks. Characterization of AI H9N2 and H4N6 viruses revealed that they were of low pathogenicity. Domestic ducks were positive for antibodies against H5 and H7 viruses while chickens were positive for presence of antibodies against AI H9N2 and NDV. Conclusions In the current scenario of HPAI H5N1 outbreaks in West Bengal, this report shows presence of low pathogenic AI H9N2 and H4N6 viruses in chickens and domestic ducks during the period 2009–2011. This is the first report of isolation of H4N6 from India. Antibodies against AI H5 and H7 in ducks highlight the probable role of domestic ducks in the transmission of AI viruses. Human infections of H9N2 have been reported from China and Hong Kong. This necessitates implementation of prevention and control measures to limit the spread of AI viruses.</p

Ag:BiVO4 dendritic hybrid-architecture for high energy density symmetric supercapacitors

We demonstrate the fabrication of Ag:BiVO4 with a dendritic architecture by a template free hydrothermal method. Then, symmetric cells based on Ag:BiVO4 electrodes were assembled which exhibit an extended voltage window of up to 1.6 V with an excellent energy density of 2.63 mW h cm−3 (38.43 W h kg−1) and a power density of 558 mW cm−3 (8.1 kW kg−1).The authors would like to thank the Department of Science and Technology (DST) INSPIRE faculty program (IFA-14/MS-05) and the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY, New Delhi) for financial support. The authors also acknowledge support from UGC-SAP, Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University Kolhapur. DPD and PGR appreciate the award with the support of the Secretary for Universities and Research of the Ministry of Economy and Knowledge of the Government of Catalonia and the Co-fund programme of the Marie Curie Actions of the 7th R&D Framework Programme of the European Union. ICN2 acknowledges support of the Spanish MINECO through the Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellence Program under Grant SEV-2013-0295.Peer Reviewe

Fern-like rGO/BiVO₄ Hybrid Nanostructures for High-Energy Symmetric Supercapacitor

Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of rGO/BiVO₄ hybrid nanostructures by facile hydrothermal method. Morphological studies reveal that rGO sheets are embedded in the special dendritic fern-like structures of BiVO₄. The rGO/BiVO₄ hybrid architecture shows the way to a rational design of supercapacitor, since these structures enable easy access of electrolyte ions by reducing internal resistance. Considering the unique morphological features of rGO/BiVO₄ hybrid nanostructures, their supercapacitive properties were investigated. The rGO/BiVO₄ electrode exhibits a specific capacitance of 151 F/g at the current density of 0.15 mA/cm². Furthermore, we have constructed rGO/BiVO₄ symmetric cell which exhibits outstanding volumetric energy density of 1.6 mW h/cm³ (33.7 W h/kg) and ensures rapid energy delivery with power density of 391 mW/cm³ (8.0 kW/kg). The superior properties of symmetric supercapacitor can be attributed to the special dendritic fern-like BiVO₄ morphology and intriguing physicochemical properties of rGO