Face Recognition for Payment and Information Sharing

We have seen the emergence of various payment and information sharing methods with the rapid digitization of such services. Payment methods like NFC, Credit/Debit card, and QR code-based have become very common. These methods were intended to provide secure, safe and faster transactions. Although these have succeeded in their intentions up to some extent, there are various factors that are posing problems like confusion, time consumption, security threat, fraud, and theft. When it comes to sharing contact information and social media handles, visiting cards are still preferred but this is not the most reliable method as one either tends to lose these cards or has to store this information manually on their phone. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the various available methods for making mobile payments and sending contact details as well as the challenges faced. Furthermore, we discuss and compare alternative available technologies like face recognition that can be implemented

ESBL, MBL AND AMP C-β LACTAMASES PRODUCED BY SUPERBUGS: AN EMERGING THREAT TO CLINICAL THERAPEUTICS

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of multi drug resistant (MDR) and multiple β-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) patients at a tertiary care hospital in India.Methods: A total of 80 consecutive, non-duplicate isolates of P. aeruginosa were studied for the presence of class A or B β-lactamase. Antibiotic susceptibility tests and PCR amplification of genes encoding class A (PER-1 and CTX-M 1, 2, 9) and class B β-lactamases (blaVIM-2, blaIMP-1 and blaSIM-1) were performed.Results: Out of 80 P. aeruginosa isolates, 65% (52/80) of the isolates were MDR with 34 being Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producers, 23 were extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers and 21 were positive for AmpC production. The cross-class resistance rates to other antibiotics was significantly higher in class A and B β-lactamase producers than in non-producers (P<0.05 for fluoroquinolone, aztreonam, ceftazidime and meropenem). Combined disk test (CDT) for MBL highest sensitivity and specificity compared to PCR. Combined disk method (CDM) for ESBL co-related well with PCR (sensitivity and specificity).Conclusion: This study reports the validation of a simple and accurate MBL and ESBL detection method which can be easily integrated into the daily routine of a clinical laboratory.Â

Regioselective synthesis of bis(2-halo-3-pyridyl) dichalcogenides (E = S, Se and Te): Directed ortho-lithiation of 2-halopyridines

A novel method for the preparation of hitherto unknown symmetrical bis(2-halo-3-pyridyl) dichalcogenides ( E = S, Se and Te) by the oxidation of intermediate 2-halo-3-pyridyl chalcogenolate, prepared by lithiation of 2-halo pyridines using lithium diisopropylamine is being reported. All the newly synthesized compounds have been characterized through elemental analysis employing various spectroscopic techniques, namely, NMR ((1)H, (13)C, (77)Se), infrared, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystal structures in representative cases

Early diagnosis of congenital methemoglobinemia type 1 in a 4-year-old child

Bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membrane is known as cyanosis which is a clinical sign that occurs in many diseases. Thecauses of central cyanosis are cardiac shunts causing mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, lung diseases with ventilationperfusionmismatch, polycythemia, and methemoglobinemia. Methemoglobin is the oxidized form of hemoglobin, which doesnot bind oxygen and increases the affinity of oxygen for the partially oxidized portion of hemoglobin. Methemoglobinemia maybe congenital or acquired (usually drug induced). Congenital methemoglobinemia is a very rarely reported disease that is causedby a deficiency of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-cytochrome b5 reductase enzyme deficiency or by an abnormalhemoglobin called hemoglobin H. Acquired methemoglobinemia is caused by drugs, namely the sulfonamide group and localanesthetics such as benzocaine and prilocaine. Here, we present the case of a 4-year-old girl who presented with complaints ofbluishness of the fingers and lips without any other associated symptoms and later on diagnosed as congenital methemoglobinemi

A comparative study of circulating plasma lipid components and superoxide dismutase activity in pre and postmenopausal women

Background: Menopause is associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidative activity in females which leads to increased risk of cardiovascular and many other diseases. The objective was to compare the lipid profiles and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of pre and postmenopausal women in an attempt to establish the fact that menopause is associated with increased oxidative stress.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was done at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology and biochemistry, Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun, India. Out of total of 120 women, 60 women were in premenopausal group aged between 30-45 years and 60 women of 55-70 years of age group in post menopause status. Assessment of lipid profile was done by an automated chemistry analyzer (Vitors 5, I FS) and SOD activity was measured by colorimetric activity kit. Statistical analysis was done by Standard Microsoft Excel software.Results: Mean serum SOD level in premenopausal women was 4.80±1.73 U/ml and in postmenopausal was 1.35±0.58 U/ml. This variation was found to be extremely significant (p <0.0001). Changes in lipid components in pre and postmenopausal women showed that total cholesterol and triglycerides levels were higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal participants. These variations were also significant (p = 0.0003). Levels of HDL-C were lower in postmenopausal women than pre-menopausal group with a mean±SD of 51.5±12.20 mg/dl and 54.05±14.03mg/dl respectively.Conclusions: Findings of this study corroborate the hypothesis that gradual loss of ovarian function is associated with a decrease in antioxidant status. Menopause also leads to changes in lipid components, which can predispose women to cardiovascular diseases

Regioselective synthesis of bis(2-halo-3-pyridyl) dichalcogenides (E = S, Se and Te): Directed ortho-lithiation of 2-halopyridines

A novel method for the preparation of hitherto unknown symmetrical bis(2-halo-3-pyridyl) dichalcogenides ( E = S, Se and Te) by the oxidation of intermediate 2-halo-3-pyridyl chalcogenolate, prepared by lithiation of 2-halo pyridines using lithium diisopropylamine is being reported. All the newly synthesized compounds have been characterized through elemental analysis employing various spectroscopic techniques, namely, NMR ((1)H, (13)C, (77)Se), infrared, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystal structures in representative cases

Covid-19 and Ukrainian Crisis Exponentiates the Need for the Inclusion of Conflict and Disaster Medicine in Medical Curriculum

© The Author(s) 2022.Conflict medicine is an age-old branch of medicine which focuses on delivering healthcare services to the injured in the setting of conflicts, wars, disasters, and/or other calamities. The course in its purest form has been traditionally given only in military medical schools while civilian medical students are usually taught parts of the course in other overlapping subjects like surgery, infectious diseases, etc. However, in a crisis situation, civilian doctors are expected to double up as military doctors, which leads to emotional, mental, and physical stress for the civilian doctors along with logistical and organizational challenges. The current Covid-19 pandemic and the Russo-Ukrainian conflict have highlighted once again the emergent need for the implementation of conflict medicine courses in regular medical curricula, so as to make the medical students situation-ready. With our present discussion, we aim to provide a brief overview of the course, its core modules, challenges to its implementation, and possible solutions. We believe that the complex management skills gained by this course are not only useful in conflict scenario but are also valuable in managing day-to-day medical emergencies.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Platelets Regulate Pulmonary Inflammation and Tissue Destruction in Tuberculosis.

RATIONALE: Platelets may interact with the immune system in tuberculosis (TB) to regulate human inflammatory responses that lead to morbidity and spread of infection. OBJECTIVES: To identify a functional role of platelets in the innate inflammatory and matrix-degrading response in TB. METHODS: Markers of platelet activation were examined in plasma from 50 patients with TB before treatment and 50 control subjects. Twenty-five patients were followed longitudinally. Platelet-monocyte interactions were studied in a coculture model infected with live, virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) and dissected using qRT-PCR, Luminex multiplex arrays, matrix degradation assays, and colony counts. Immunohistochemistry detected CD41 (cluster of differentiation 41) expression in a pulmonary TB murine model, and secreted platelet factors were measured in BAL fluid from 15 patients with TB and matched control subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Five of six platelet-associated mediators were upregulated in plasma of patients with TB compared with control subjects, with concentrations returning to baseline by Day 60 of treatment. Gene expression of the monocyte collagenase MMP-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1) was upregulated by platelets in M.tb infection. Platelets also enhanced M.tb-induced MMP-1 and -10 secretion, which drove type I collagen degradation. Platelets increased monocyte IL-1 and IL-10 and decreased IL-12 and MDC (monocyte-derived chemokine; also known as CCL-22) secretion, as consistent with an M2 monocyte phenotype. Monocyte killing of intracellular M.tb was decreased. In the lung, platelets were detected in a TB mouse model, and secreted platelet mediators were upregulated in human BAL fluid and correlated with MMP and IL-1β concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Platelets drive a proinflammatory, tissue-degrading phenotype in TB