Solanum tuberosum tuber-driven starch-mediated green-hydrothermal synthesis of cerium oxide nanoparticles for efficient photocatalysis and antimicrobial activities

In this study, we are reporting for the first time the utilization of Solanum tuberosum tuber-driven, starch-mediated, green-hydrothermally synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles (G-CeO2 NPs) for the antibacterial activity and photodegradation of cationic (methylene blue, MB) and anionic (methyl orange, MO) dyes separately and in combination, aimed at environmental remediation. The XRD analysis confirms the fluorite structure of G-CeO2 NPs, displaying an average crystallite size of 9.6 nm. Further, XPS confirms the existence of 24% of Ce3+ oxidation states within G-CeO2 NPs. Morphological studies through FE-SEM and TEM reveal that starch-driven OH- ion production leads to a high percentage of active crystal facets, favoring the formation of Ce3+-rich CeO2 NPs. Photocatalytic experiments conducted under UV-A illumination demonstrate the superior degradation performance of G-CeO2 NPs, with MB degradation reaching 93.4% and MO degradation at 77.2% within 90 min. This outstanding catalytic activity is attributed to the mesoporous structure (pore diameter of 5.63 nm) with a narrow band gap, a large surface area (103.38 m2g-1), and reduced charge recombination, as validated by BET, UV-visible, and electrochemical investigations. The identification of photogenerated intermediates is achieved through LCMS, while the mineralization is monitored via total organic carbon analysis. Moreover, the scavenging experiments point towards the involvement of reactive oxygen species in organic oxidation, demonstrating efficiency over five consecutive trials. Additionally, G-CeO2 NPs exhibit potent antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This study presents an innovative, and efficient approach to environmental remediation, shedding light on the potential of G-CeO2 NPs in addressing environmental pollution challenges.

Nanoantibiotic effect of carbon-based nanocomposites: epicentric on graphene, carbon nanotubes and fullerene composites: a review

Carbon in many different forms especially, Graphene, Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and Fullerene is emerging as an important material in the areas of the biomedical field for various applications. This review comprehensively describes the nano antibiotic effect of carbon-based nanocomposites: epicenter on graphene, carbon nanotubes, and fullerene Composites. It summarises the studies conducted to evaluate their antimicrobial applications as they can disrupt the cell membrane of bacteria resulting in cell death. The initial section gives a glimpse of both "Gram"-positive and negative bacteria, which have been affected by Graphene, CNTs, and Fullerene-based nanocomposites. These bacteria include Staphylococcus Aureus, Bacillus Thuringiensis, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebseilla pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Pseudomonas syringae , Shigella flexneri,Candida Albicans, Mucor. Another section is dedicated to the insight of Graphene, and its types such as Graphene Oxide (GO), Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs), Graphene Nanoribbons (GNRs), and Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs). Insight into CNT, including both the types SWCNT and MWCNT, studied, followed by understanding fullerene is also reported. Another section is dedicated to the antibacterial mechanism of Graphene, CNT, and Fullerene-based nanocomposites. Further, an additional section is dedicated to a comprehensive review of the antibacterial characteristics of Graphene, CNT, and nanocomposites based on fullerene. Future perspectives and recommendations have also been highlighted in the last section.

MXene-modified molecularly imprinted polymer as an artificial bio-recognition platform for efficient electrochemical sensing: progress and perspectives

The development of efficient electrochemical sensors of exceptional features, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been extensively utilized due to their great vitality as an alternative to bio-recognition elements. MIPs as...

Polydopamine Decorated MoS2 Nanosheets based Electrochemical Immunosensor for Sensitive Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein in Clinical Samples

The outbreak of highly contagious COVID-19 disease was triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demands a rapid, low-cost, and highly sensitive biosensor that can detect and identify...

Comparison of continuous cardiac output monitoring derived from regional impedance cardiography with continuous thermodilution technique in cardiac surgical patients

Background:

Cardiac output (CO) assessment is a corner stone in advanced haemodynamic management, especially in critical ill patients. The present study was conducted to validate cardiac index and cardiac output by NICaS™ with the thermodilution technique using pulmonary artery catheter in post-operative cardiac surgical patients.

Materials and Methods:

This was a prospective observational clinical study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. 23 adult patients in the age range of 18-65 years who had undergone for elective coronary artery bypass grafting were included in the study.

Results:

Spearman's correlation coefficient of cardiac index between continuous Thermodilution (cTD) and Non-Invasive Cardiac System (NICaS™) showed a good correlation (r = 0.765, 95% confidence interval 0.70 to 0.82, P < 0.0001). There was a good correlation between cTD and NICaS™ for cardiac output (r = 0.759, 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 0.81, P < 0.0001), Bland-Altman plot for cardiac index between cTD and NICaS™ showed a mean bias of −0.66 ± 0.6919 with limits of agreement being −2.02 to 0.6936. Bland-Altman plot for cardiac output between cTD and NICaS™ showed a mean bias of −1.0386 ± 1.17 with limits of agreement being −3.34 to + 1.26. Percentage error for cardiac index and cardiac output were 64.78% and 64% respectively. Polar plot analysis showed an angular bias of 6.32° with radial limits of agreement being −8.114° to 20.75° for cardiac index and angular bias of 5.6682° with radial limits of agreement being −9.1422° to 20.4784° for cardiac output.

Conclusion:

NICaS™ demonstrated a good trending ability for both CI and CO. However, NICaS™ derived parameters are not interchangeable with the values derived from continuous thermodilution technique.

Aqueous Na-ion capacitor with CuS graphene composite in symmetric and asymmetric configurations

The symmetric device shows a maximum specific energy density of 30 W h kg−1 at a specific power density of 380 W kg−1, which was reduced to 4 W h kg−1 at a highest specific power density of 4224 W kg−1.

Correction: Electrochemical studies on crystalline CuS as an electrode material for non-aqueous Na-ion capacitors

Correction for ‘Electrochemical studies on crystalline CuS as an electrode material for non-aqueous Na-ion capacitors’ by Manoj Goswami et al., New J. Chem., 2020, 44, 5278–5284; DOI: 10.1039/C9NJ06465F.

Potential of graphene-based materials to combat COVID-19: properties, perspectives, and prospects

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new virus in the coronavirus family that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), emerges as a big threat to the human race. To date, there is no medicine and vaccine available for COVID-19 treatment. While the development of medicines and vaccines are essentially and urgently required, what is also extremely important is the repurposing of smart materials to design effective systems for combating COVID-19. Graphene and graphene-related materials (GRMs) exhibit extraordinary physicochemical, electrical, optical, antiviral, antimicrobial, and other fascinating properties that warrant them as potential candidates for designing and development of high-performance components and devices required for COVID-19 pandemic and other futuristic calamities. In this article, we discuss the potential of graphene and GRMs for healthcare applications and how they may contribute to fighting against COVID-19.

Electrochemical studies on crystalline CuS as an electrode material for non-aqueous Na-ion capacitors

Current investigations are concentrated on the investigations of copper sulphide (CuS) for sodium-ion capacitors (NICs).

Efficacy of bilateral pectoralis nerve block for ultrafast tracking and postoperative pain management in cardiac surgery

Background:

Good postoperative analgesia in cardiac surgical patients helps in early recovery and ambulation. An alternative to parenteral, paravertebral, and thoracic epidural analgesia can be pectoralis nerve (Pecs) block, which is novel, less invasive regional analgesic technique.

Aims:

We hypothesized that Pecs block would provide superior postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing cardiac surgery through midline sternotomy compared to parenteral analgesia.

Materials and Methods:

Forty adult patients between the age groups of 25 and 65 years undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgeries through midline sternotomy under general anesthesia were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups with 20 in each group. Group 1 patients did not receive Pecs block, whereas Group 2 patients received bilateral Pecs block postoperatively. Patients were extubated once they fulfilled extubation criteria. Ventilator duration was recorded. Patients were interrogated for pain by visual analog scale (VAS) scoring at rest and cough. Inspiratory flow rate was assessed using incentive spirometry.

Results:

Pecs group patients required lesser duration of ventilator support (P < 0.0001) in comparison to control group. Pain scores at rest and cough were significantly low in Pecs group at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 18 h from extubation (P < 0.05). At 24 h, VAS scores were comparable between two groups. Peak inspiratory flow rates were higher in Pecs group as compared to control group at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h (P < 0.05). Thirty-four episodes of rescue analgesia were given in control group, whereas in Pecs group, there were only four episodes of rescue analgesia.

Conclusion:

Pecs block is technically simple and effective technique and can be used as part of multimodal analgesia in postoperative cardiac surgical patients for better patient comfort and outcome.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on diseased coronary vessel diameter and myocardial protection in percutaneous coronary interventional patients

Introduction:

Dexmedetomidine is an alpha-2 agonist used for conscious sedation. It has also been shown to have a myocardial protective effect in off-pump coronary artery bypass patients. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of dexmedetomidine for myocardial protection in percutaneous coronary interventional patients.

Methodology:

A total of 60 patients (group dexmedetomidine, n = 30 and group normal saline, n = 30) were enrolled in the study. Dexmedetomidine infusion (1 mcg/kg) over 15 min was given as a loading dose after coronary angiography in group dexmedetomidine (D) while normal saline was given in the control group (C) and later maintenance infusion was started at 0.5 mcg/kg/h in both the groups. Coronary vessel diameter was noted before (T0) and after (T1) loading dose of dexmedetomidine/saline in each group. Troponin T (Trop T) values were noted at baseline (T0), 6 h (T2), 12 h (T3) and 24 h (T4) after starting the loading dose. Hemodynamic variables (heart rate [HR] and blood pressure) were monitored at T0, T1, and at regular intervals till 2 h postprocedure.

Results:

Coronary vessel diameter and HR significantly decreased in group D as compared to control group (P < 0.05) whereas the decrease in Trop T at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h were not statistically significant between the two groups.

Conclusion:

Dexmedetomidine decreases the coronary vessel diameter, but maintains the myocardial oxygen demand-supply ratio by decreasing the HR. The decrease in Trop T is statistically insignificant at the doses used.

Comparison between noninvasive measurement of central venous pressure using near infrared spectroscopy with an invasive central venous pressure monitoring in cardiac surgical Intensive Care Unit

Introduction:

Central venous pressure (CVP) measurement is essential in the management of certain clinical situations, including cardiac failure, volume overload and sepsis. CVP measurement requires catheterization of the central vein which is invasive and may lead to complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of measurement of CVP using a new noninvasive method based on near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in a group of cardiac surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.

Methodology:

Thirty patients in cardiac surgical ICU were enrolled in the study who had an in situ central venous catheter (CVC). Sixty measurements were recorded in 1 h for each patient. A total of 1800 values were compared between noninvasive CVP (CVPn) obtained from Mespere VENUS 2000 CVP system and invasive CVP (CVPi) obtained from CVC.

Results:

Strong positive correlation was found between CVPi and CVPn (R = 0.9272, P < 0.0001). Linear regression equation - CVPi = 0.5404 + 0.8875 × CVPn (r² = 0.86, P < 0.001), Bland–Altman bias plots showed mean difference ± standard deviation and limits of agreement: −0.31 ± 1.36 and − 2.99 to + 2.37 (CVPi–CVPn).

Conclusion:

Noninvasive assessment of the CVP based on NIRS yields readings consistently close to those measured invasively. CVPn may be a clinically useful substitute for CVPi measurements with an advantage of being simple and continuous. It is a promising tool for early management of acute state wherein knowledge of CVP is helpful.

Anesthetic management of a case of Gilbert's syndrome for mitral and aortic valve replacement: Role of transesophageal echocardiography

Gilbert's syndrome (GS) is an autosomal inherited disorder characterized by relative deficiency of glucuronyl transferase and poor uptake of unconjugated bilirubin by hepatocytes. Cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in these patients triggers further hepatic dysfunction. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and Doppler assessment of hepatic vein help in assessing hepatic blood flow (HBF) during cardiac surgery. Here, we discuss anesthetic management and role of TEE in maintaining HBF perioperatively in a 25-year-old male patient with GS undergoing double valve replacement with tricuspid valve plasty. TEE-guided HBF monitoring and management of hepatic perfusion by modifying anesthetic and CPB protocol resulted in the favorable outcome.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated Oral Cancers and Treatment Strategies

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to be associated with several types of human cancer, including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and head-and-neck cancers. Among these cancers, HPV-associated head-and-neck cancers, inclusive of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OCSCC), have recently risen dramatically in men under 50 years old. Within 20 years, the percentage of HPV-positive OSCC in total OSCC went from less than 20% to more than 70% in the United States and some European countries. This article reviews the incidence trend and pathogenesis of HPV-associated head-and-neck cancers as well as current treatment modalities for the disease.

Review of advantages of Joel-Cohen surgical abdominal incision in caesarean section: a basic science perspective

Caesarean section is a common operation and the best postoperative outcomes are desired. Surgical techniques have been devised or modified to reduce operative and post operative discomfort. Many studies have evaluated or compared the Joel-Cohen abdominal incision with Pfannenstiel incision and found the former to be superior for various reasons such as less postoperative febrile morbidity, less analgesia requirements, shorter operating time, less intra operative blood loss and adhesion formation, reduction in hospital stay and wound infection in the group undergoing Caesarean section by this technique. This study is to find whether better postoperative outcomes of the Joel-Cohen incision group can be justified by the explanations of fundamentals of the basic sciences. Literature was reviewed for randomized clinical trials and review articles comparing the different kinds of abdominal incisions for Caesarean section. The study revealed that the Joel-Cohen method was beneficial. The fundamentals of basic sciences were studied to try to find an explanation to the enumerated advantages of the Joel-Cohen procedure; attributing to the differences in the techniques used.

Human papillomavirus genotypes associated with cervical neoplasia in India

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in tissue with cervical neoplasias in patients from south and east India. Cross-sectional cervical tissue was obtained from 100 patients from south India and 30 patients from east India who had a biopsy for clinically invasive cervical cancer or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in a tertiary care hospital in India. DNA amplification was done with biotinylated PGMY 09/11 primers, and the line blot assay was used to determine the HPV genotype. HPV DNA was detected in 95% of invasive cancers (113/119) and 91% of CINs (10/11). A single HPV type was found in 100 women (77%), and mixed infections were found in 23 women (18%). HPV 16 (60%) and HPV 18 (14%) were the most frequent types, but 16 other types (26, 31, 33, 35, 42, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 61, 62, 64, 81, and 82) were also identified. HPV 16 was present in 63% of patients from south India and in 50% of patients from east India, while HPV 18 was present in 12% and 20%, respectively. There are several high-risk HPV types associated with cervical neoplasias of which types 16 and 18 are the most common.

Raman and AFM studies of swift heavy ion irradiated InGaAs/GaAs heterostructures

The effect of swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation on InGaAs/GaAs heterostructures is studied using Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The structures consist of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) grown InGaAs layers on GaAs(001), having layer thicknesses of 12, 36, 60 and 96 nm. After irradiation, the GaAs type longitudinal optical (LO) mode blue shifted to higher frequency in thin samples and red shifted towards lower frequency in thick samples. These results are discussed invoking the penetration depth of the probe radiation (λ = 514.5 nm) in InGaAs. Deconvoluting the Raman spectra of thin samples indicates a compressive strain developed in the substrate, close to the interface upon irradiation. This modification and diffusion of indium across the interface results in an increase of strain and reduction of the defect densities in the InGaAs layer. The variations in FWHM of the Raman modes are discussed in detail. The surface morphology of these heterostructures has been studied by AFM before and after SHI irradiation. These studies, combined with Raman results, help to identify different relaxation regimes.

A pilot study for serological evidence of hantavirus infection in human population in south India

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses of the family Bunyaviridae that have been identified as aetiological agents of two human diseases, haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). There are no reports of hantavirus infections in humans from India, hence this pilot study was undertaken to provide the serological evidence of hantavirus infections in humans in south India.

METHODS

Serum samples were obtained from individuals with acute febrile illness and from voluntary blood donors, majority of whom were from south India. Serum samples were tested for anti-hantavirus IgM using a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Samples found positive by the EIA were tested by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using slides coated with Seoul virus (SEOV) infected cells as substrate.

RESULTS

Of the 152 serum samples from individuals with pyrexic illness, 23 (14.7%) were positive for anti-hantavirus IgM by EIA. In contrast, only 5.7 per cent of healthy blood donors were positive by this assay. Eighteen of the 22 (82%) EIA-positive samples from patients were positive by the IFA assay. In contrast, only 2 of the 5 (40%) blood donor EIA positive samples were positive in the IFA assay.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION

The finding of this study indicated the possible presence of hantavirus infections in the human population of India presenting both as asymptomatic and symptomatic infections. Further studies need to be done to confirm the findings on a larger sample using molecular techniques.

Comparison of molecular and conventional methods for typing of enteroviral isolates

Twenty-eight enteroviral isolates obtained from various clinical specimens were typed by Lim-Benyesh-Melnick (LBM) pool-based neutralization, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and partial sequencing of the VP1 region of the enteroviral genome. Sequencing was found to be a good alternative to LBM typing, while PCR-RFLP was inadequate for identification of enteroviral isolates.

Comparison of IgM capture ELISA with a commercial rapid immunochromatographic card test & IgM microwell ELISA for the detection of antibodies to dengue viruses

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

There is a need for a reliable test for the early diagnosis of dengue fever (DF), which is now active in many parts of India especially in the post monsoon months. This study evaluated two commercial tests with an assay available from a national laboratory in India to obtain information and to make a comparison among the three tests as to which will be the most suited for the detection of IgM antibodies to dengue virus.

METHODS

An IgM capture ELISA (National Institute of Virology, Pune, India) was compared with two commercial tests, the PanBio Rapid Immunochromatographic Card Test (Brisbane, Australia) and the PanBio Microwell IgM ELISA for the detection of IgM antibodies to dengue virus. We tested 154 samples from individuals with febrile illnesses having DF--like symptoms.

RESULTS

The NIV IgM capture ELISA (MAC-ELISA) showed a high positivity rate (38.9%) as compared to the PanBio Rapid (22.7%) and the PanBio IgM ELISA (20.7%). The true prevalence of disease, sensitivity and specificity of the three tests were estimated using 2LC latent class models using expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The NIV MAC-ELISA showed a high sensitivity (96%) as compared to PanBio Rapid (73%) and PanBio IgM ELISA (72%). A subset of 68 samples (of the 154 tested) were analyzed by the NIV MAC-ELISA for IgM antibodies additionally to Japanese encephalitis (JE) and West Nile (WN) of which 31 samples showed positivity to either one, two or all three flaviviruses. Out of the 8 samples which were positive for dengue IgM alone by the NIV MAC-ELISA, only 2 (25%) each were picked up by the other 2 tests. While out of 7 samples positive for IgM to all three flaviviruses IgM by the NIV MAC-ELISA, 5 (71%) were picked up by the other 2 tests. Of the 5 that were picked up by the PanBio tests, 3 had the highest absorbance values to WN by the NIV MAC-ELISA, indicating cross reactivity by PanBio tests.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

The MAC-ELISA though a 3 day procedure, would be a valuable screening test for the detection of IgM to dengue in routine diagnostic laboratories because of its high sensitivity and specificity rates. The test uses specific viral antigens to detect IgM antibodies not only to dengue but also to JE and West Nile as a result of which IgM antibodies to all the 3 commonly encountered flaviviruses can be detected in a single run. It also has the advantage in that depending on the strength of the antibody units obtained to a specific flaviviral antigen, presumptive diagnosis as to which particular arboviral infection has occurred can be made in conjunction with clinical presentation.