Asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a tertiary care centre

Background: The term asymptomatic bacteriuria is defined as the presence of > 100,000 colonies of a single bacterial species per millilitre of urine (105 cfu /mL), cultured from clean catch midstream sample in the absence of declared symptoms. The aim of this study was to know the incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy and the various factors influencing it, to identify the pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns.Methods: Clean catch mid-stream urine samples were collected from 3000 pregnant women (all trimesters) aged between 18-35 years of age attending the antenatal OPD in GMCH, Guwahati for a period of one year (July 2018-June2019).  Identification of organisms and antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed as per standard methods.Results: In our study, incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was found to be 12.1%. Most women (52.89%) were in the age group of (20-30) years, mostly in second trimester (47.1%). Gram negative organisms were the commonest organisms isolated; among which Escherichia coli (56.75%) was the principal urinary pathogen followed by Klebsiella sp (14.33%) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (12.67%). The isolates were most sensitive to Nitrofurantoin (87.88%).Conclusions: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common in pregnancy. Once ASB is recognized during pregnancy, it should be appropriately treated with antibiotics and promptly followed up

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with both hypoxia and systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Those trial participants with hypoxia (oxygen saturation <92% on air or requiring oxygen therapy) and evidence of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L) were eligible for random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to usual standard of care alone versus usual standard of care plus tocilizumab at a dose of 400 mg–800 mg (depending on weight) given intravenously. A second dose could be given 12–24 h later if the patient's condition had not improved. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between April 23, 2020, and Jan 24, 2021, 4116 adults of 21 550 patients enrolled into the RECOVERY trial were included in the assessment of tocilizumab, including 3385 (82%) patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Overall, 621 (31%) of the 2022 patients allocated tocilizumab and 729 (35%) of the 2094 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0·85; 95% CI 0·76–0·94; p=0·0028). Consistent results were seen in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including those receiving systemic corticosteroids. Patients allocated to tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from hospital within 28 days (57% vs 50%; rate ratio 1·22; 1·12–1·33; p<0·0001). Among those not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, patients allocated tocilizumab were less likely to reach the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilation or death (35% vs 42%; risk ratio 0·84; 95% CI 0·77–0·92; p<0·0001). Interpretation: In hospitalised COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and systemic inflammation, tocilizumab improved survival and other clinical outcomes. These benefits were seen regardless of the amount of respiratory support and were additional to the benefits of systemic corticosteroids. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

MODERN POLLEN RECORD ON BAT GUANO DEPOSIT FROM SIJU CAVE AND ITS IMPLICATION TO PALAEOECOLOGICAL STUDY IN SOUTH GARO HILLS OF MEGHALAYA, INDIA

Abstract: Meghalaya is well known for its rich tropical biodiversity and numerous natural caves. The Siju Cave of Meghalaya, also known as cave of the bat, is among the longest caves on the Indian subcontinent. The palynological study of fifty bat-guano samples from Siju Cave and of thirty surface soil and moss cushion from the area immediate surrounding the cave reflects the close similarity between the modern pollen and vegetation in the region in the two areas sampled. The resulting palynodata comprise mainly the native flora, dominated by riparian taxa like Duabanga, Syzygium, Careya, and Ficus, along with evergreen and deciduous elements in the region. The evergreen taxa Mesua, Elaeocarpus, and Garcinia, along with Impatiens, reflect the high precipitation in the region. The climate of the region and the vegetation are strongly influenced by the Simsang River, and the heavy rainfall results in the dominance of riparian taxa and other high-rainfall indicator taxa. The occurrence of pollen from Nepenthes khasiana, an endemic and endangered plant of Meghalaya, in bat guano is significant and may be due to its insectivorous and entomophilous nature. However, medicinal plants like Swertia chirata, Cinchona, and Rauvolfia are not encountered in the bat-guano sediments, despite their luxuriant growth around the cave, and these species could be avoided by the insects due to their alkaloid contain and bitter taste. The presence of highland taxa such as Pinus, Abies, Picea, and Larix in the bat guano deposit is significant and suggestive of high winds from higher altitudes, or the pollen may be introduced by the return of migratory Siberian birds during winter to the nearby Siju wildlife and bird sanctuary. The recovery of cerealia along with Areca catechu and Citrus pollen indicate the human activity in the region. The abundance of fungal remains, namely Meliola, Glomus, and Microthyriaceae along with degraded palynomorphs are suggestive of strong microbial activity under warm and humid conditions during sedimentation in the region. The main objective of this study is to identify the potential of bat guano for palaeoecological research and as supportive data for surface and sedimentary soil profiles in the South Garo Hills of Meghalaya. The palynodata from the bat guano of the Siju Cave provides a useful source for palaeoecological information for the South Garo Hills, where intensive natural and human-caused forest fires, heavy rainfall, and soil erosion occur every year and there is a relative scarcity of the lake, wetland, and swamp habitats that normally preserve pollen

Some medicinal plant leaves used by Boro (tribal) people of Goalpara district, Assam

88-90North Eastern region of India has abounds in floristic wealth which will depend on proper utilization of plant reserve. The present study is concerned with 31 numbers of plant species leaves, which have been used as medicine for several common diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, boils, pain, etc. Among the Boro (tribal) people of Goalpara district of Assam

First synthesis and structural assessment of alkali-metal carbonatodioxoperoxouranate(VI) monohydrates, A<SUB>2</SUB>[UO<SUB>2</SUB>(O<SUB>2</SUB>)(CO<SUB>3</SUB>)].H<SUB>2</SUB>O, and carbonato-oxodiperoxovanadate(V) trihydrates, A<SUB>3</SUB>[VO(O<SUB>2</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB>(CO3)].3H<SUB>2</SUB>O

The complexes A2[UO2(O2)(CO3)].H2O (A = Na or K) have been synthesised from the reaction of the product obtained by treating UO2(NO3)2.6H2O with AOH and AHCO3(ratio U : CO32-= 1:4) with an excess of 30% H2O2 at pH 7-8, and A3[VO(O2)2(CO3)].3H2O (A = Na or K) have been synthesised by treating V2O5 with A2CO3(ratio V: CO32-= 1 :1.5) and an excess of 30% H2O2 at pH ca. 7. They were precipitated with ethanol. The occurrence of trans OUO and terminal VO in the [UO2(O2)(CO3)]2- and [VO(O2)2(CO3)]3- ions, respectively, and the presence of triangular bidentate O22- and chelated bidentate CO32- groups, have been ascertained from i.r. and laser Raman spectra. The complexes A2[UO2(O2)(CO3)].H2O can be dehydrated at Ca. 100 &#176;C, a temperature at which A3[VO(O2)2(CO3)].3H2O starts to decompose

Thermal modeling of activated carbon based adsorptive natural gas storage system

A homogeneous, isotropic porous matrix of activated carbon inside a portable steel cylinder is considered as the adsorption bed for natural gas (NG), which is idealized as pure methane for the purpose of simulation. The heat and fluid flow inside the porous adsorption bed are modeled using a volume averaging technique and Darcy–Brinkman formulation. The effective thermal conductivity of the activated carbon–methane system is calculated as a function of uptake according to the Luikov model. Heat generation due to the exothermic process of adsorption is considered. The governing equations are solved using an implicit finite volume method for the given boundary conditions. Three different models of adsorption are considered, namely (i) a no-flow model, (ii) flow model with uniform adsorption and (iii) a flow model with local adsorption. For each of these models, transient temperature profiles in the adsorption bed during the charging process are obtained, and the corresponding mass adsorption potentials are calculated. Parametric studies are performed to investigate the effects of gas inlet temperature and rate of charging on the maximum bed temperature and the time required to fill the cylinder

Modern botanical analogue of endangered Yak (Bos mutus) dung from India: Plausible linkage with extant and extinct megaherbivores.

The study reports the micro- and macrobotanical remains on wild Yak dung, providing evidence for understanding the diet, habitat, and ecology of extant and extinct megaherbivores. Grasses are the primary diet of the yak as indicated by the abundance of grass pollen and phytoliths. Other associated non-arboreal and arboreal taxa namely, Cyperacaeae, Rosaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Artemisia, Prunus, and Rhododendron are also important dietary plants for their living. The observation of plant macrobotanical remains especially the vegetative part and seeds of the grasses and Cyperaceae is also in agreement with the palynodata. The documented micro- and macrobotanical data are indicative of both Alpine meadow and steppe vegetation under cold and dry climate which exactly reflected the current vegetation composition and climate in the region. The recovery of Botryococcus, Arcella, and diatom was observed in trace amounts in the palynoassemblage which would have been incorporated in the dung through the ingestion of water and are indicative of the presence of perennial water system in the region. Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis marked that the element contained in dung samples has variation in relation to the summer and winter, which might be due to the availability of the food plants and vegetation. This generated multiproxy data serves as a strong supplementary data for modern pollen and vegetation relationships based on surface soil samples in the region. The recorded multiproxy data could also be useful to interpret the relationship between the coprolites of herbivorous fauna and the palaeodietary, the palaeoecology in the region, and to correlate with other mega herbivores in a global context