Accuracy Of Serum Ferritin, C-Reactive Protein, Lactate Dehydrogenase And D. Dimers In Assessing Severity And Outcome Of COVID-19 Infection

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Covid-19 emerged as pandemic. In the beginning, due to the rapid spread of virus it was difficult to understand fully its pathogenesis but various inflammatory markers were found to be raised. Along with the detection of virus by polymerase reaction (PCR), studies of these markers not only help in diagnosis but also in assessing the prognosis of covid-19 infection. Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Capital Hospital, CDA Islamabad from December to June 2022. After taking consent various inflammatory markers were recorded on a proforma. Patients were followed and outcome was also recorded. The data collected was analyzed by percentage/ frequency distribution. T-test was applied and p-values were calculated (significant p-value=<0.05).  Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, area under curve (AUC) and accuracy were calculated by using SPSS, version 23. Results: A total of 185 covid-19 PCR positive patients were included in the study. 112(60.5%) were men and 73 (39.5%) were women. 165(89.2%) patients were > 40 years of age. 117 (63.2%) patients had mild /moderate disease and 68(36.8%) had severe disease.  162 (87.5%) patients were discharged and 23 (23.4%) expired. AUC in relation to severity of disease was 0.603 for C- reactive protein (CRP), 0.543 for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 0.525 for D. dimers and 0.619 for ferritin. Accuracy in relation to disease severity was as following: CRP 57.4%, D. dimers 52.4 %, ferritin 57.9% and LDH 55.7%.  AUC in relation to outcome of covid-19 was 0.699 for CRP, 0.668 for LDH, 0.742 for D. dimers and 0.677 for ferritin. Accuracy of inflammatory markers in relation to outcome was as following: CRP 45.9%, D. dimers 61.2%, LDH 48.1% and ferritin 46.9%. Conclusion: Serum ferritin showed the highest accuracy (57.9%) in assessing the covid-19 severity and D. dimer came up with highest accuracy (61.2%) in assessing disease outcome

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Ambient Air Quality in Northwest China (NWC)

SARS-CoV-2 was discovered in Wuhan (Hubei) in late 2019 and covered the globe by March 2020. To prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, China imposed a countrywide lockdown that significantly improved the air quality. To investigate the collective effect of SARS-CoV-2 on air quality, we analyzed the ambient air quality in five provinces of northwest China (NWC): Shaanxi (SN), Xinjiang (XJ), Gansu (GS), Ningxia (NX) and Qinghai (QH), from January 2019 to December 2020. For this purpose, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) were obtained from the China National Environmental Monitoring Center (CNEMC). In 2020, PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 improved by 2.72%, 5.31%, 7.93%, 8.40%, 8.47%, and 2.15%, respectively, as compared with 2019. The PM2.5 failed to comply in SN and XJ; PM10 failed to comply in SN, XJ, and NX with CAAQS Grade II standards (35 µg/m3, 70 µg/m3, annual mean). In a seasonal variation, all the pollutants experienced significant spatial and temporal distribution, e.g., highest in winter and lowest in summer, except O3. Moreover, the average air quality index (AQI) improved by 4.70%, with the highest improvement in SN followed by QH, GS, XJ, and NX. AQI improved in all seasons; significant improvement occurred in winter (December to February) and spring (March to May) when lockdowns, industrial closure etc. were at their peak. The proportion of air quality Class I improved by 32.14%, and the number of days with PM2.5, SO2, and NO2 as primary pollutants decreased while they increased for PM10, CO, and O3 in 2020. This study indicates a significant association between air quality improvement and the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020.The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21667026) and the Social Science Foundation of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (No. 18YB13) funded this work

Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in individuals with psychosis and bipolar disorder in South Asia: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundSuicidal ideation and attempts are growing public health concerns globally. Evidence from high-income countries suggests that individuals with psychosis and bipolar disorder are at increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempts, but there is a scarcity of evidence from South Asia.AimsTo estimate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts in individuals with psychosis and bipolar disorder in South Asia.MethodIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, four databases (PsycINFO, Web of Science, EMBASE and Medline) were searched until December 2022. Pooled prevalence was estimated with random-effects models. Heterogeneity was quantified with the I2-statistic.ResultsThe pooled sample size across the 21 studies was 3745 participants, 1941 (51.8%) of which were male. The pooled prevalence of suicide attempts in South Asian people with either psychosis or bipolar disorder was 22% (95% CI 17-27; n = 15). The pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation with psychosis or bipolar disorder combined was 38% (95% CI 27-51; n = 10). Meta-regression, subgroup and sensitivity analysis showed that the pooled prevalence estimates for both suicide attempt and ideation remained unaffected by variations in critical appraisal ratings and study designs. Only one study reported data on suicide-related deaths.ConclusionsOne in four individuals diagnosed with psychosis or bipolar disorder have reported suicide attempts, whereas up to one in three have experienced suicidal ideation. These findings underscore the urgent need for clinicians to regularly assess and monitor suicidal ideation and attempts among individuals with these disorders in South Asia

Green Adeptness in the Synthesis and Stabilization of Copper Nanoparticles: Catalytic, Antibacterial, Cytotoxicity, and Antioxidant Activities

Abstract Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are of great interest due to their extraordinary properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio, high yield strength, ductility, hardness, flexibility, and rigidity. CuNPs show catalytic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal activities along with cytotoxicity and anticancer properties in many different applications. Many physical and chemical methods have been used to synthesize nanoparticles including laser ablation, microwave-assisted process, sol-gel, co-precipitation, pulsed wire discharge, vacuum vapor deposition, high-energy irradiation, lithography, mechanical milling, photochemical reduction, electrochemistry, electrospray synthesis, hydrothermal reaction, microemulsion, and chemical reduction. Phytosynthesis of nanoparticles has been suggested as a valuable alternative to physical and chemical methods due to low cytotoxicity, economic prospects, environment-friendly, enhanced biocompatibility, and high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The review explains characterization techniques, their main role, limitations, and sensitivity used in the preparation of CuNPs. An overview of techniques used in the synthesis of CuNPs, synthesis procedure, reaction parameters which affect the properties of synthesized CuNPs, and a screening analysis which is used to identify phytochemicals in different plants is presented from the recent published literature which has been reviewed and summarized. Hypothetical mechanisms of reduction of the copper ion by quercetin, stabilization of copper nanoparticles by santin, antimicrobial activity, and reduction of 4-nitrophenol with diagrammatic illustrations are given. The main purpose of this review was to summarize the data of plants used for the synthesis of CuNPs and open a new pathway for researchers to investigate those plants which have not been used in the past. Graphical abstract Proposed Mechanism for Antibacterial activity of copper nanoparticles

Experimental and statistical study for leaching of niobium pentoxide from Pakistani ore

The growing demand for niobium pentoxide, based on its use in separation processes, established its prominent significance as a leading candidate in the field of separation science and technology. This study reports the extraction of niobium pentoxide from pyrochlore ore occurring in Sillai Patai, KPK, Pakistan. It is difficult to recover niobium pentoxide from Pakistani ore due to its low concentration. Niobium pentoxide is an important material used in manufacturing industries for different purposes. Most of the commercially employed extraction processes are associated with serious environmental impacts and are not efficient in extracting niobium pentoxide from low concentration pyrochlore. Alkali potash has been used for separation and purification of niobium pentoxide because it is efficient and an environmentally friendly process. The leaching of niobium pentoxide is carried out in a batch reactor using alkali potash as a leachant. Various process parameters, including ore particle size, reaction temperature, reaction time and alkali to ore mass ratio, were examined statistically during the leaching process. It was observed that reaction temperature and ore particle size were more significant compared to other parameters. The maximum percent recovery of niobium pentoxide (95%) was obtained at 280°C in 90 min, while keeping the ore particle size 44 μm and alkali to ore mass ratio of 7:1

Thermocatalytic Decomposition of Sesame Waste Biomass over Ni-Co-Doped MCM-41: Kinetics and Physicochemical Properties of the Bio-Oil

The increase in industrialization and development has tremendously diminished fossil fuel resources. Moreover, the excessive use of fossil fuels has resulted in the release of various toxic gases and an increase in global warming. Hence, necessitating the need to search for a renewable energy source. In this study, sesame waste biomass (SWB), which is abundantly available in Pakistan, has been used as feedstock for obtaining bio-oil using the pyrolysis technique. Pyrolysis was carried out using thermogravimetry and a pyrolysis chamber. Firstly, thermogravimetric analysis was performed on biomass with/without a laboratory synthesized catalyst Ni/Co/MCM-41 in nitrogen at different temperature programmed rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min. A four-stage weight loss was observed that pointed toward the vaporization of water, and degradation of hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin. The kinetics parameters were determined using the Kissinger equation. The activation energy for the decomposition reaction of hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin, without catalyst, was observed as 133.02, 141.33, and 191.22 kJ/mol, respectively, however, with catalyst it was found as 91.45, 99.76, and 149.65 kJ/mol, respectively. In the catalyzed reaction the results showed the lowest activation energy, which is an indication of the fact that the catalyst is successful in reducing the activation energy to a sufficient level. As the TG/DTG showed active degradation between 200 and 400 °C, therefore, the waste sesame biomass over Ni-Co/MCM-41 was pyrolyzed within the same temperature range in the pyrolysis chamber. Temperature and time were optimized for maximum oil yield. A maximum oil yield of 38% was achieved at 330 °C and 20 min. The oil obtained was studied using GCMS. The physicochemical characteristics of the oil were assessed, and it was found that if the oil was upgraded properly, it could serve as a fuel for commercial use

The Rv3874-Rv3875 chimeric protein shows a promiscuous serodiagnostic potential for tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) stays a major cause of death globally after COVID-19 and HIV. An early diagnosis to control TB effectively, needs a fast reliable diagnostic method with high sensitivity. Serodiagnosis involving polyclonal antibodies detection against an antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in serum samples can be instrumental. In our study, Rv3874 and Rv3875 antigens were cloned, expressed, and purified individually and as a chimeric construct in Escherichia coli BL21. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) based findings revealed that the Rv3874-Rv3875 chimeric construct was two-fold more sensitive (59.7%) than the individual sensitivities of Rv3874 (28.4%) and Rv3875 (24.9%) for 201 serum TB positive samples. Furthermore, the fusion construct was a little more sensitive (60.4%) for male subjects than that for females (58.8%). Lastly, our preliminary findings, molecular insights of secondary structure, and statistical and in silico analysis of each construct also advocate that CEP can be considered a better immunodiagnostic tool in addition to previously reported EC skin test