Predictors of mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients and risk score formulation for prioritizing tertiary care—An experience from South India

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively data-mined the case records of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized to a tertiary care centre to derive mortality predictors and formulate a risk score, for prioritizing admission. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Data on clinical manifestations, comorbidities, vital signs, and basic lab investigations collected as part of routine medical management at admission to a COVID-19 tertiary care centre in Chengalpattu, South India between May and November 2020 were retrospectively analysed to ascertain predictors of mortality in the univariate analysis using their relative difference in distribution among ‘survivors’ and ‘non-survivors’. The regression coefficients of those factors remaining significant in the multivariable logistic regression were utilised for risk score formulation and validated in 1000 bootstrap datasets. Among 746 COVID-19 patients hospitalised [487 “survivors” and 259 “non-survivors” (deaths)], there was a slight male predilection [62.5%, (466/746)], with a higher mortality rate observed among 40–70 years age group [59.1%, (441/746)] and highest among diabetic patients with elevated urea levels [65.4% (68/104)]. The adjusted odds ratios of factors [OR (95% CI)] significant in the multivariable logistic regression were SaO(2)3; 3.01 (1.61–5.83), Age ≥50 years;2.52 (1.45–4.43), Pulse Rate ≥100/min: 2.02 (1.19–3.47) and coexisting Diabetes Mellitus; 1.73 (1.02–2.95) with hypertension and gender not retaining their significance. The individual risk scores for SaO(2)3–11, Age ≥50 years-9, Pulse Rate ≥100/min-7 and coexisting diabetes mellitus-6, acronymed collectively as ‘OUR-ARDs score’ showed that the sum of scores ≥ 25 predicted mortality with a sensitivity-90%, specificity-64% and AUC of 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: The ‘OUR ARDs’ risk score, derived from easily assessable factors predicting mortality, offered a tangible solution for prioritizing admission to COVID-19 tertiary care centre, that enhanced patient care but without unduly straining the health system

Functionalized electrospun nanofibers for high efficiency removal of particulate matter

In recent years, introducing electrospun airfilters to enhance the removal of PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 has received much interest. In this study, a novel poly-(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)/carbon nanopArticle (CNP)/tea leaf extract (TLE), functionalized nanofibrous air filter (FNA) was fabricated using an electrospinning method. Novelty of the unique work in the blending of CNP and TLE, first of its kind, for the preparation of FNA. Polysaccharide crosslinked FNA has a carbon complex with two monosaccharide units to produce the intrinsic properties of the PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 removal efficiency. The FNA had promising traits of UV protection. The prepared FNA was characterized using physicochemical, mechanical, antimicrobial activity, etc., in addition to its PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 removal efficiency. Pore size and distribution study using the capillary flow porometry method has proved the structure of FNA. FNA exhibited excellent low pressure drop (110 Pa), which are promising characteristics for air purification. FNA from PVA: CNP: TLE exhibited high PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 removal efficiencies of 99.25% and 99.29%, respectively. Hence, the study proved.2232-International Fellowship for Outstanding Researcher Program of TUBITAK (Project No: 118C350).TUBITAK [118C350

Electrospun nano-bio membrane for bone tissue engineering application-a new approach

WOS: 000540352000036The aim of this research study, develop electrospun nano-bio membrane (ENBM) from Poly (vinyl) alcohol (PVA), nano-Demineralized Bone Matrix (nano-DBM) and to impart additional strength, incorporation of carbon nanoparticles (CNP) by elctrospinning machine for their potential application in bone tissue regeneration. the effective of ENBM for biocompatibility properties were evaluated using MG 63 osteoblast cell line, which showed 100% biocompatibility and more viable cell present in the electrospun nano-biomembrane. in vitro biomineralization, more apatite formation was observed SEM images. Electrospun nanoscaffold prepared using PVA, nano-DBM and CNP (0.6%) possessed improved mechanical properties viz. 14.58 +/- 0.13 Mpa of tensile strength, 13.87 +/- 0.05% of elongation at break and 36.84 +/- 0.11% water absorption. This research study proved the bone formation of these ENBM in bone tissue regeneration and regenerative medicine.2232-International Fellowship for Outstanding Researcher Program of TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [118C350]Dr. Senthil Rethinam (Project Coordinator) acknowledges the funding support granted by the 2232-International Fellowship for Outstanding Researcher Program of TUBITAK (Project No: 118C350)

Curcumin nanoparticles impregnated collagen/demineralized bone matrix/olive leaves extract biocomposites as a potential bone implant: Preparation, characterization, and biocompatibility

In this study, nanoceramic composite (NCC) was developed using the Type I collagen (COLL), demineralized bone matrix (DBM), olive leaves extract (OLE), and curcumin nanoparticles (Cu-NPs). The study evaluates the possibility of using this NCC as a bone tissue engineering material. The developed NCC was characterized by its mechanical, physicochemical, and biocompatibility properties. The NCC possessed excellent mechanical properties. A biocompatibility study was proved in the MG-63 osteoblast cell line on NCC. The study introduced a method for producing a functionalized implant, such as bone tissue engineering material, using natural resources. In vitro bone healing abilities of NCC were demonstrated in our investigation. As a result, NCC could be suggested as a source of bone graft and healing agents.AcknowledgmentsThe award of TUBITAK 2232-International Fellowship for Outstanding Researcher (Project No. 118C350) to Dr. Rethinam Senthil is gratefully acknowledged.[118C350

Mechanical, Durability, and Microstructure Investigations on High-Strength Concrete Incorporating Nanosilica, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, and Steel Fibres

In present research, the strength properties, impact resistance, and durability characteristics of high-strength concrete blended with nanosilica (NS) and reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are discussed. The proportion consists of nanosilica added in a constant addition of 1% and MWCNT added in a varied dosage of 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.15%, and 0.2% by weight of the cement. A total of 11 mixes were made including the control mix having no MWCNT. The other 10 mixes were categorized into two classes with one class having steel fibres incorporated as 1% of the total volume of the concrete along with the other ingredients such as 1% NS and different proportions of MWCNT. The other class was made without steel fibres retaining only the NS and different MWCNT proportions. Besides the standard compression and tension tests, to determine the energy absorbing capacity of the mix specimens, impact test was also performed. The strength tests were carried out for 3, 7, and 28-day curing. Also, durability tests were carried out with sorptivity, porosity, and mass loss of the specimens when exposed to aggressive HCL and H2SO4 acid. To validate the experiment results, microstructure studies such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also conducted on the samples. Among all mixes, 28-day compressive strength (CS) of 0.2% MWCNT with 1% NS and 1% steel fibre mix was found to increase by 22% compared to control concrete

Foliar Application of Nutrient and Hormonal Consortia Boost-up the Growth Parameters in Greengram Plants

Aim: To understand the influence of nutrients and plant growth regulators on growth attributes of greengram. Study Design:  Factorial and randomized complete block design. Place and Duration of Study: Wetland farms, Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore; April - June 2023. Methodology: A field experiment was conducted on clay soil fields located at Wetlands farm, TNAU, Coimbatore. Two greengram varieties CO 8 and VBN 4 were taken for the experiment. The treatments were Control – Water spray (T1), Nutrio-hormonal consortia 1 (T2), Nutrio-hormonal consortia 2 (T3), Pulse consortia 1 (T4), Pulse consortia 2 (T5). The treatments were applied as foliar spray at flowering stage of the crop. The observations are recorded after 10 days of spraying. Growth parameters were recorded. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Results: The significant difference between the treatments was observed at p < 0.05. Foliar application of Pulse consortia 2 (T5) resulted in higher growth attributes such as leaf area, leaf area index, leaf area duration, specific leaf weight and crop growth rate in both the greengram varieties and resulted in improved growth attributes over control. Conclusion: The present study concluded that foliar application of the Pulse consortia 2 (T5) exhibit highest growth attributes in greengram. Improved growth parameters might attribute to improve the yield