Combating COVID-19 with Proficiency and Precision

It has been two years since the first case of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) was detected in India in the state of Kerala in March 2020. (1) The Government and the citizens of India have united together to combat the virus since then. India is the largest democracy in the world and the second highest populous country with an estimated 1.36 billion population. The country has witnessed three major waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past 3 years, the second being the worse. In the month of June 2022, India has reported a cumulative total of approximately 4.34 crore confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 511,903 deaths. The state of Maharashtra has been the worst effected in all three waves. Presently the recovery rate from COVID-19 in India has crossed 98%. (2

Placing of the recently observed bottom strange state BsJ(6063)B_{sJ}(6063) and BsJ(6114)B_{sJ}(6114) in bottom spectra

We have employed HQET to give the spin-parity quantum numbers for recently observed bottom strange states $B_{sJ}(6063)$ and $B_{sJ}(6114)$ by LHCb collaborations. By exploring flavour independent parameters $\Delta_{F}^{(c)} =\Delta_{F}^{(b)}$ and $\lambda_{F}^{(c)} = \lambda_{F}^{(b)}$, we calculated masses of experimentally missing bottom strange meson states $2S, 1P, 1D$. We have also analyzed these bottom strange masses by taking ${1/m_Q}$ corrections which lead modifications of parameter terms as $\Delta_{F}^{(b)} =\Delta_{F}^{(c)} + \delta\Delta_F$ and $\lambda_{F}^{(b)} = \lambda_{F}^{(c)}\delta\lambda_F$. Further, we have analyzed their two-body decays, couplings, and branching ratios via the emission of light pseudoscalar mesons. Based on predicted masses and decay widths, we tentatively identified the states $B_{sJ}(6063)$ as $2^3S_1$ and $B_{sJ}(6114)$ as $1^3D_1$. Our predictions provide crucial information for future experimental studies

PRESERVATION OF MICROBIAL SPOILAGE OF FOOD BY BIOSURFACTANT-BASED COATING

Objectives: Microbial spoilage of food is one of the leading causes of food scarcity worldwide, which could have devastating effect on the socioeconomic of any country. Along with classical food preservation methods, various innovative approaches can significantly increase the food safety. Biosurfactants are the amphiphilic microbial metabolites, while many of them have potential antimicrobial properties and therefore can be used for food preservation. Methods: During this study, three biosurfactants obtained from Bacillus subtilis (two of them) and Pseudomonas sp. (rhamnolipid) were screened for their antifungal activity against Aspergillus oryzae (MTCC 1846), Fusarium solani (MTCC 350), and Curvularia sp. by various in vitro and in vivo methods. Results: During this study, among three surfactants only Pseudomonas sp. biosurfactant (rhamnolipid) exhibited significant antifungal activity against A. oryzae, F. solani, and Curvularia sp. Further, the rhamnolipid coating (1 mg/ml) on lemon, potato and tomato protected them from fungal spoilage up to 15 days at room temperature in contrast to untreated samples which started spoiling in 6–7 days. Discussion: Above findings emphasis on the potential use of biosurfactants for the preservation of food items, however, a detailed study to ensure the safety of biosurfactant is of prerequisite.Â

Molecular Epidemiology of O139 Vibrio cholerae: Mutation, Lateral Gene Transfer, and Founder Flush

Vibrio cholerae in O-group 139 was first isolated in 1992 and by 1993 had been found throughout the Indian subcontinent. This epidemic expansion probably resulted from a single source after a lateral gene transfer (LGT) event that changed the serotype of an epidemic V. cholerae O1 El Tor strain to O139. However, some studies found substantial genetic diversity, perhaps caused by multiple origins. To further explore the relatedness of O139 strains, we analyzed nine sequenced loci from 96 isolates from patients at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Calcutta, from 1992 to 2000. We found 64 novel alleles distributed among 51 sequence types. LGT events produced three times the number of nucleotide changes compared to mutation. In contrast to the traditional concept of epidemic spread of a homogeneous clone, the establishment of variant alleles generated by LGT during the rapid expansion of a clonal bacterial population may be a paradigm in infections and epidemics

New developing reagent for latent fingermark visualization: Fuller’s earth (Multani Mitti)

A number of methods have been reported in the literature for the development of latent fingermarks on different surfaces. This paper reports a new and simple powdering method which is non-toxic and has been employed on different substrates successfully for the development and visualization of latent fingermarks up to the time period of 6 days in varying temperature conditions. In this investigation a less expensive, simple and easily available fuller’s earth (Multani Mitti) powder has been used to decipher the latent fingermarks on different substrates namely black cardboard box, clear glass, coverslip box, steel surface, laminated wooden sheet, clear plastic, colored plastic bag and surface of highlighter pen. It is observed that it gives very clear results on majority of substrates and can be successfully used for the development and visualization of latent fingermarks

Wetlands Conservation-A burning issue

81-85In our country wetlands are found in both the forms i.e. natural & un-natural. Wetlands are of many types. They have environmental & economic importance. Growing populations, urbanization, agriculture, land fill of solid waste, industrialisation are responsible for degradation of wetlands. Now-a-days the national importance of Wetlands are being recognized due to the multi-dimensional efforts of ministry of Environment & Forest. So that wetlands can be conserved naturally & managed properly. Wetlands are one of the most productive eco-system of the earth. The Scientists are making efforts to save them, but due to lack of awareness, only some efforts have been made in this direction. It is unfortunate that now-a-days besides the conserved & other marked wetlands, unmarked wetlands are degrading very fast. In this paper the importance, profits and methods to conserve wetlands have been highlighted

Dietary intake, physical activity and body mass index among postmenopausal women

Context: Nutrition plays a vital role in the quality of life in postmenopausal women. Aim: The aim is to determine the dietary intake, physical activity, and assess the body mass index (BMI) among postmenopausal women. Settings and Design: A community-based sample survey. Materials and Methods: The present study included 140 postmenopausal women (40–70 years) from Udupi, Manipal areas of Karnataka. The study was carried out between July and December 2013. Sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire. Anthropometric data included height, weight, waist, and hip circumference. Dietary intake was determined using 24 h dietary recall. Physical activity information was collected. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Paired t-test was performed to determine the dietary adequacy. Results: Obesity was 42.1% among the study participants. Increased WHR and waist circumference were 82.1% and 77.1%. Mean daily intake of calcium and saturated fatty acids were significantly higher than recommended dietary allowance (RDA) (P < 0.001). Mean intake of energy, protein, carbohydrate, mono and poly unsaturated fatty acid, fiber and sodium were significantly lower than RDA (P < 0.001). Average daily intake of cereals, pulses, roots and tubers, meat and products, fats and oils, green leafy, and other vegetables were significantly (P < 0.001) lower than RDA. Intake of fruits, milk and milk products, and sugar was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than RDA. Only 37.1% of women performed moderate or active exercises regularly. Conclusions: Even though, nutrient and food group deficiencies were observed among postmenopausal women physical inactivity and effects of menopausal transition instigate increased BMI imposing a need to educate on nutrition and physical activity