Therapeutic efficacy of artemether–lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria from three highly malarious states in India

Additional file 1. Flowchart showing site-wise enrolment and follow-up profile

Compliance with bladder protocol during concurrent chemoradiation for cancer of the cervix and its impact on enteritis: A prospective observational study

AimThis prospective study aims to assess the compliance with bladder protocol and the correlation with enteritis during pelvic radiation.BackgroundBladder protocol is routinely used for patients undergoing pelvic radiation to reduce radiation enteritis. It is very difficult to maintain constant volume especially in the last two weeks due to radiation enteritis and cystitis.Materials and methodsHistologically proven 35 cervical cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation in a tertiary care center were the subjects of this prospective study. Following CT simulation and after every fraction, patients were asked to void urine in a calibrated urine container and the volume was documented. Patients were assessed for the highest grade of radiation enteritis weekly as per common toxicity criteria. The mean voided urine volume was correlated with the radiation enteritis.ResultsThe mean urine volume at planning CT scan was 295.85[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]±[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]300[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]ml (SD) with a range of 75–650. At the end of treatment, it was reduced to 233.14[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]±[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]250[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]ml (range 50–400[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]ml), a reduction by 21% (p[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]

Circulation of Dengue virus-1 (DENV-1) serotype in Delhi, during 2010–11 after Dengue virus-3 (DENV-3) predominance: A single centre hospital-based study

Background: Delhi, a city in north India, has so far witnessed several reported outbreaks of dengue. Dengue inDelhi from being epidemic is slowly changing towards being endemic and hyper-endemic. Circulating type ofthe virus is also changing over the years. In the absence of an effective vaccine, dengue prevention to a majorextent relies on virological surveillance, and development of effective, locally adapted control programmes. Inthe present study, we tried to identify the between-year non-epidemic serotype of dengue virus circulating inDelhi, during 2010–11.Methods: Acute-phase samples were collected from the patients attending the Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences,New Delhi, India. Dengue diagnosis was done using WHO case definitions. All the samples were subjected toDengue NS1 Ag ELISA and modified nested RT-PCR.Results: A total of 75 acute-phase samples were received, of which 19 (25.3%) were positive for dengue NS1antigen. Dengue RT-PCR was positive in 14.6% (11/75) samples. All the RT-PCR isolates were of DENV-1serotype. No case of concomitant infection with more than one serotype was observed. Median age of involvementwas 23 yr (range10–86). Maximum number of cases were seen in the age group of 21–30 yr. Male to female ratiowas 1.2 : 1. Maximum number of suspected dengue cases (n=79) was seen during September and October.Conclusions: DENV-1 was circulating in Delhi in the year 2010–11 in non-epidemic period following reportedpredominance of DENV-3 and co-circulation of all dengue serotypes in the epidemic years 2003, 2006 and 2007

Advances in Bioresearch O OR RI IG GI IN NA AL L A AR RT TI IC CL LE E Combinatorial Potentiality of Aspergillus flavus and Cuscuta reflexa against Mosquito Vectors

ABSTRACT [2] belong to the most promising groups used for mosquito control. Biological control, including the use of enthomopathogenic fungi, as a part of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy is expected to reduce the dependence on synthetic pesticides. The synergists are considered straight forward tools for overcoming metabolic resistance and could be more effective than the individual components of the mixture. Thus, synergism has been preferred as an ideal strategy for resistance related problems, eco-friendliness and economical as it reduces the quantity of insecticide needed to kill the target population than the individual components of the mixture. A combination of entomopathogenic fungus with a plant-based insecticide may provide a more sustainable pest management strategy. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the compatibility of plants extract with entomopathogenic fung

Polylysine Functionalized Graphene Aerogel for the Enhanced Removal of Cr(VI) through Adsorption: Kinetic, Isotherm, and Thermodynamic Modeling of the Process

The amine functionalized graphene aerogel (GAFP) was prepared by using polylysine as an amine-rich cross-linker with the graphene oxide. The prepared GAFP aerogel was characterized by various analytical techniques including FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The as-prepared GAFP aerogel showed an excellent uptake capacity (170.64 ± 9.69 mg/g) for Cr­(VI) which was much greater as compared to recently reported graphene-based adsorbents. The kinetics of Cr­(VI) adsorption on the GAFP followed the pseudo-second-order model. The mechanism of adsorption was explored through various diffusion models such as Mckay et al., Waber-Morris, and Richenberg which revealed that the external diffusion and intraparticle diffusion governed the rate of Cr­(VI) adsorption. The isotherm studies confirmed that the Cr­(VI) chemically adsorbed on the GAFP in monolayer fashion which was consistent with the electrostatic interaction between oxyanions and protonated amine groups. The process of Cr­(VI) adsorption was found to be thermodynamically spontaneous and endothermic

Varicella pneumonia in an immunocompetent child: A case report

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a type of herpes virus that causes varicella (primary infection) and herpes zoster/shingles (due to reactivation of latent infection). Usually a benign and a self-limited illness, the illness sometimes can result in severe complications in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons. Varicella Pneumonia as a complication of herpes zoster is a rare event, with reports primarily concerning immunocompromised individuals. Here we report a 14-year-old female who developed a secondary bacterial infection of the skin lesions and varicella pneumonia associated with VZV infection. The patient presented with multiple painful vesicles that later turned into pustular lesions over the right cheek with erosions and hemorrhagic crusting. Swelling involving the right half of both upper and lower lips was present. She developed a fever, cough, and shortness of breath after two days of the presence of vesico-pustular lesions. A diagnosis of Pneumonia was made based on symptoms of fever and cough and findings on chest x-ray. This case highlights, though rare, varicella pneumonia has a high rate of respiratory failure, but early diagnosis with prompt administration of antiviral medications can improve outcomes

DNA methylation biomarkers to identify epigenetically abnormal spermatozoa in male partners from couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss

Previously, we showed that DNA methylation defects in spermatozoa from male partners of couples undergoing recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) could be a contributing paternal factor. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether the methylation levels of selected imprinted genes can be used as diagnostic markers to identify epigenetically abnormal spermatozoa sample in these cases. The methylation levels of selected imprinted genes in spermatozoa, which were previously found to be differentially methylated, were combined into a probability score (between 0–1) using multiple logistic regression. Different combinations of these genes were investigated using Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, and the threshold values were experimentally validated in an independent cohort of 38 control and 45 RPL spermatozoa samples. Among the different combinations investigated, a combination of five imprinted genes comprising IGF2-H19 DMR, IG-DMR, ZAC, KvDMR, and PEG3 (AUC = 0.88) with a threshold value of 0.61 was selected with a specificity of 90.41% and sensitivity of 70%. The results from the validation study indicated that 97% of the control samples had probability scores below this threshold, whereas 40% of the RPL samples were above this threshold with a post-hoc power of 97.8%. Thus, this combination can correctly classify control samples and potentially identify epigenetically abnormal spermatozoa samples in the male partners of couples undergoing RPL. We propose that the combined DNA methylation levels of these imprinted genes can be used as a diagnostic tool to identify spermatozoa samples with epigenetic defects which could contribute to the pathophysiology of RPL and the couple could be counselled appropriately

Size-Dependent Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles and Their Peroxidase-Like Activity for the Colorimetric Detection of Glutathione from Human Blood Serum

An eco-friendly and economic efficient approach has been developed for the photoinduced synthesis of more stable AuNPs using an aqueous extract of <i>Croton bonplandianum</i> (AEC) as a reducing and capping agent. The reaction mixture of AEC and HAuCl₄.xH₂O, when exposed to sunlight turned purple which primarily confirmed the biosynthesis of AuNPs. The biosynthesis was monitored using UV–vis spectroscopy which exhibited a sharp SPR band at 530 nm after 16 min of sunlight exposure. The parameters affecting the synthesis of AuNPs such as sunlight exposure, AEC inoculum dose, and HAuCl₄.xH₂O concentration were also optimized. The HR-TEM study revealed that, as the metal ion concentrations increased, the average size and anisotropic nature of the AuNPs increased. The X-ray diffraction pattern of AuNPs synthesized confirmed the formation of face-centered cubic crystal lattice of metallic gold. The involvement of polyphenolics in the synthesis of AuNPs was confirmed by comparing the FTIR analysis of pure tannic acid, AEC, and pre- and postannealed AuNPs. The XPS analysis corroborated the presence of two individual peaks attributed to the Au 4f_7/2 and Au 4f_5/2 binding energies which corresponded to the presence of metallic gold. The AuNPs thus obtained showed peroxidase-like mimicking activity which catalyzed the oxidation of TMB to oxTMB with the development of blue color and absorption spectra at 652 nm. However, the presence of GSH caused further reduction of oxTMB. This detection experiment showed an excellent linear relationship between 1 and 40 μM with a limit of detection of 0.013 μM. In addition to this, the significant recovery of GSH from human blood serum advocated that the developed system was simple and sensitive for the real sample analysis

Genome-Wide Expression of Transcriptomes and Their Co-Expression Pattern in Subtropical Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) under Waterlogging Stress

<div><p>Waterlogging causes extensive damage to maize crops in tropical and subtropical regions. The identification of tolerance genes and their interactions at the molecular level will be helpful to engineer tolerant genotypes. A whole-genome transcriptome assay revealed the specific role of genes in response to waterlogging stress in susceptible and tolerant genotypes. Genes involved in the synthesis of ethylene and auxin, cell wall metabolism, activation of G-proteins and formation of aerenchyma and adventitious roots, were upregulated in the tolerant genotype. Many transcription factors, particularly ERFs, MYB, HSPs, MAPK, and LOB-domain protein were involved in regulation of these traits. Genes responsible for scavenging of ROS generated under stress were expressed along with those involved in carbohydrate metabolism. The physical locations of 21 genes expressed in the tolerant genotype were found to correspond with the marker intervals of known QTLs responsible for development of adaptive traits. Among the candidate genes, most showed synteny with genes of sorghum and foxtail millet. Co-expression analysis of 528 microarray samples including 16 samples from the present study generated seven functional modules each in the two genotypes, with differing characteristics. In the tolerant genotype, stress genes were co-expressed along with peroxidase and fermentation pathway genes.</p></div