Mosquito-borne diseases continue to pose major public health challenges, necessitating the development of environmentally safe biological control agents. Although several bacterial larvicides are currently used, novel gut-associated bacteria with high specificity and low non-target toxicity remain under-explored. This study (This is the first report demonstrating mosquito larvicidal activity of Alcaligenes faecalis against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae.) reports, for the first time, the mosquito larvicidal potential of Alcaligenes faecalis against Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. A bacterial (This is the first report demonstrating mosquito larvicidal activity of Alcaligenes faecalisagainst Culex quinquefasciatus larvae.) isolate, obtained from the midgut of naturally dead and moribund Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae, was identified as Alcaligenes faecalis strain BUMCn01 (GenBank accession: PX526002) based on morphological, biochemical, physiological, and 16S rRNA gene analyses. Larvicidal bioassays using A. faecalis strain BUMCn01 formulation were performed against all four larval instars. Bacterial localization and aggregation in the larval midgut following exposure to A. faecalis strain BUMCn01 were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Field efficacy was evaluated in sewage drains of different depths. Laboratory evaluations of the A. faecalis strain BUMCn01 formulation was also conducted on non-target aquatic organisms (Chironomus circumdatus larvae, Daphnia spp., Poecilia reticulata, and tadpoles of Bufo spp.). Furthermore, bacterial proteins were isolated and assessed for larvicidal efficacy against 3rd instar larvae, to identify the bacterial component responsible for the bioactivity. The isolate was identified as Alcaligenes faecalis strain BUMCn01 using a polyphasic approach including morphological, biochemical, physiological and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis (GenBank accession: PX526002).The Alcaligenes faecalis BUMCn01 formulation resulted in clear dose–response relationship. 100

During the present study, we investigated the hypolipidemic activity of chloroform: methanol extract of green leaves of Cestrum nocturnum (Solanaceae: Solanales) in normal albino rats. Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract revealed the presence of essential oil, bi-terpenoids, steroids, protein, phenolics and alkaloids. During the Hematological experiment, normal albino rats were administered a single dose of plant extract (20 mg/ kg body weight/day) for up to fifteen days. In plant extract administered to albino rats, a significant reduction in serum total cholesterol level was observed. The plasma triglyceride levels also significantly decreased. A sharp increase in the HDL Cholesterol level and a substantial decrease in the LDL and VLDL amount were also observed. The result of the atorvastatin-treated rats also showed similar results to that of plant extract-administered rats. A sharp increase in the HDL Cholesterol level and a significant decrease in the LDL and VLDL amount in plant extract administered at a normal albino rate in comparison to control rats established the hypolipidemic activity of the tested dose of plant extract in the experimental animal body.

The use of pesticides presents a looming danger to the living elements of our ecological system, crops, and the well-being of our species. As an outcome, various organic contaminants pollute the soil. Different physical, chemical, and biological remediation techniques have been employed for the decontamination of pesticide-polluted soils. Remediation technology should always be affordable, on-site or in-situ, and capable of restoring the soil's natural functionality. The presence of multiple pesticides can pose challenges in effectively remediating them from the soil. The present work examines the scientific literature on the benefits and drawbacks of various existing and emerging soil remediation techniques. Customized technology choices and designs for specific site conditions enhance the effective cleanup of polluted areas. The present study, which evaluates and contrasts various technological approaches, shall serve as an invaluable tool for determining the optimal soil remediation method for a given contamination dilemma.

Vector control is a major challenge now-a-days when they became resistance against commonly available insecticides. As an alternative, preliminary laboratory evaluation of Azolla pinnata crude and chloroform: methanol solvent extract was carried out under laboratory trials for control of Culex quinquefasciatus. Crude and solvent extract (chloroform: methanol) extracts of A. pinnata leave's were examined for the larvicidal activity against all the larval instars (1st to 4th) of C. quinquefasciatus. Dose-dependent mortality assays were performed using the extracts. Further, determinations of LC50 and LC95 values were accomplished through log-probit analyses and regression analyses. The larvicidal activity was statistically justified through ANOVA analyses. Effects of the extracts were examined on non-target water fauna. Exposure to A. pinnata crude and chloroform: methanol extract increased the mortality of first to fourth-instar C. quinquefasciatus. All the graded concentrations showed significant (P <0.05) larval mortality and the results of the regression equation revealed that the mortality rates were positively correlated with the concentrations of the extracts (R-2 close to 1). LC50 values of all instars after 24 h of exposure were between 86.99-294.06 ppm for crude and 48.87-111.44 ppm for chloroform: methanol extract. Chloroform: methanol extract is better than crude because the nature of biological components can be enhanced in presence of solvent and secondly the stronger extraction capacity could have produced a greater number of active constituents. The residual effect is noted even at the end of 72 h. A negligible toxicity to the larvae of Chironomus circumdatus was noticed as non-target organisms.

Background: Advances in surgical techniques to tackle critical congenital heart diseases (CHD) have enhanced the survival rates and life expectancy of children born with heart disease. Studies to better acknowledge their neurodevelopmental trajectory have paramount implications.Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the nature of brain MRI findings in infants born with critical congenital heart diseases needing intervention in the first 6 months of life, with the help of an MRI scoring system and correlation with long term neurodevelopmental outcomes.Methods: Brain MRI scans of eligible infants were extracted from database, reexamined to categorize, and score them into three main functional areas: cognitive/grey matter, motor/white matter, and visual. The scoring system also included stage of myelination and presence of punctate hemorrhages. The correlation of individual and total MRI scores with neurodevelopmental assessment using Bayley Scales for Infant and Toddler Development- version 3 (BSID III) were examined via logistic regression models while controlling for confounding variables.Result: Median (IQR) MRI score was 6 (4-7) with grey matter score of 2 (1-4). Initial BSID III scores were 80 +/- 15, 80 +/- 18, and 81 +/- 19 for cognitive, motor and language components, respectively. The MRI cognitive score had direct correlation with respiratory index prior to surgery (cc = 0.47, p = 0.03) and cross-clamping time (cc = 0.65, p = 0.001). It displayed a significant inverse correlation with language scores for BSID III at 9 months (R = -0.42, p = 0.04) which lost significance in subsequent visits. Conclusion: This pilot study proved the feasibility of correlating structural brain abnormalities in MRI with later brain developmental deficits in infants with CHD. We envision establishing a standardized MRI scoring system to be performed on a large multi-center cohort that would help better predict and measure brain injury in infants with CHDs.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are rare and challenging diagnoses in preterm neonates. We presented in this case report a preterm infant with recurrent extubation failures. An exhaustive workup to rule out common etiologies of chronic ventilator dependence was negative including a neostigmine trial, acetylcholine receptor antibodies, and chromosomal microarray. Electromyography (EMG) showed features of a neuromuscular junction defect. After ruling out metabolic, inflammatory, and immune mediated causes, a rapid exome sequencing demonstrated CHRNB1 gene mutation diagnostic of autosomal dominant slow channel CMS. The patient was started on fluoxetine and nebulized salbutamol with a gradual improvement in her respiratory function over time with minimal ventilator support.

The work aims at assessing the Water Quality Index (WQI) of surface water of river Damodar, Dharampur, West Bengal, India, by monitoring six sampling locations within the positioning at Damodar river namely (viz., Control Pond (CP), River Upstream (RU), Effluent Discharge Site (EDS), River Downstream (RD), Sewage Fed Pond 1 (SP1) and Sewage Fed Pond 2 (SP2)) for a period of 1 year. For calculating the WQI, 14 parameters, namely, pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, hardness, alkalinity, chloride, nitrite, nitrate, iron, copper, and coliform were considered. The WQI value ranges from 30.11 to 177.11 (summer season), 24.30 to 392.61 (rainy season) and 25.38 to 261.74 (during winter season) falls under the excellent, good, poor, very poor to unsuitable to be used category. The present study revealed that the water of river Damodar at Dharampur, West Bengal, India is polluted (due to surface run-off, bathing activities, agriculture run-off, effluents from upstream from surrounding industrial and garden area, the immersion of idols of God and Goddess during festival season), and is unsuitable for human consumption, and also for the survival of life forms unless treated properly.

Bacterial populations from organs (viz., liver, spleen, kidney and gill) of Clarias batrachus of the sewage fed water areas near IISCo slag disposal site, Dharampur on northern side of Damodar River, Asansol, West Bengal, India, were enumerated, followed by determination of resistance for antibiotics and heavy metals. Maximum resistance is shown against ampicillin (95%) and minimum against ciprofloxacin (5%). Most of the isolates exhibited an increasing order of tolerance for the metals (mu g/mL) copper (200), cadmium (200), iron (400) and chromium (400), with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from <50 to 1600 mu g/mL. A total of 100 bacteria have been successfully isolated from internal organs of Clarias batrachus (Aeromonas species (20%); Escherichia coli, (45%); Bacillus species (4%); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6%), Staphylococcus aureus (18%) and coagulate-negative Staphylococci aureus (7%)). In terms of antibiotic susceptibility testing, each isolate was tested against 10 antibiotics. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of the isolated bacterial ranged from 0.2-0.7. These observations indicate that the bacteria isolates are from a high risk source where antibiotics are frequently used, possibly from sewage effluents. Significant occurrence of bacterial population in organs of fish with high incidence of resistance for antibiotics and heavy metals may pose risk to fish fauna and public health.

This study analyzed the corelation between COVID-19 and temperature in India. Secondary published data from different websites is used by us. The climate indicators included in the study are maximum temperature, minimum temperature. Kendall and Spearman rank correlation tests were chosen for data analysis. We find that maximum temperature has significant relations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of this study will help health regulators to combat COVID-19 in India and the rest of the world.

Botanicals have been cultured to flavour food, to treat health disorders and to put a stop to diseases caused by various microorganisms. The awareness of curative features of different medicinal plants has been spread among human communities. The application of herbal products as antimicrobial agents may be a better choice to the extensive and imprudent use of synthetic antibiotics. World Health Organization recommended traditional medicines as safest remedies for treatment of diseases of microbial origin. The plant extracts are generally non-hazardous, available in plenty at reasonable prices, biodegradable, eco-friendly and show sometimes broad-spectrum activities against different micro organisms. The current knowledge on plant extracts, phytochemicals and their antibacterial activity, target specific mechanism of action, solvents deployed during extraction, properties of active ingredient isolated may obviously help in biological control of bacteria. Antimicrobial properties of different plant parts, which act in a low dose, have been organised separately for easy understanding.

Background Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants have significant morbidities and higher mortality. The major morbidities are bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Release of proinflammatory cytokines has been implicated in the development of systemic inflammation that contributes to BPD aND ROP. Also, cumulative oxygen exposure in the first 3 days of life and use of mechanical ventilation was associated with 3-fold increase in severe IVH. Therefore, early ventilation and oxygenation may contribute significantly to morbidities in ELBW infants. Respiratory severity score (RSS), a product of Mean airway pressure (MAP) and FiO2, is a steady-state noninvasive assessment tool useful in infants to monitor the severity of respiratory failure. We used RSS, in the first 3 days of life of ELBW infants, to predict neonatal morbidities and mortality. Study design In a single-center retrospective cohort study in an urban setting, convenience sampling of ELBW infants meeting the study criteria who were mechanically ventilated at birth for the first 3 days of life were included. Time-weighted average RSS was plotted on receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve in the first 3 days of life to predict outcomes. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and likelihood ratios were calculated. Results A total of 69 infants qualified for the study. RSS in the first 3 days significantly predicted the composite outcome of death, ROP, IVH or BPD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (p < 0.001). Individually, RSS predicted death, severe ROP and IVH with an AUC of 0.86, 0.77 and 0.71 respectively; but did not predict severe BPD (AUC 0.61). RSS was more sensitive and specific than each of its component; FiO(2) and MAP. Weighted RSS in the first 3 days had high-negative predictive value of 98.1% for death between 7 days and 36 weeks, 94.6% for ROP and 91.7% for IVH. Conclusions This study is the first to show that RSS in the first 3 days of life is a good predictor of composite neonatal outcomes: severe IVH, BPD, ROP, or mortality. Early RSS had a high positive predictive value for the composite outcome of morbidities/mortality and a high specificity for mortality, ROP, and IVH individually.

Purpose: Lymphatic filariasis is a crippling disease which affects the health status as well as economic condition of a person and also the society. Many attempts are made by scientists all over the world to control the filarial worm as well as vector. But nature plays important role in controlling the filariasis. Methods: To have some clear picture on how nature helps to control transmission of filarial disease, four slums of Burdwan (Hatgobindapur, Pandaveswar, Jamuria and Memari) were sampled for Daily survival rate (DSR), Daily Mortality Rate (DMR), Presumptive Mortality Rate (PMR) and Ovariolar dilatatations. Results: Lack of synchronization between the highest vector density and transmission disease, fall in parasitic load, mortality between two successive gonotrophic cycles, rise and fall in temperature and humidity is noticed in all the four slums which help to keep the check on transmission level of filaria by nature itself. Conclusions: Factors behind the natural phenomena of control is reflected in this article which perhaps helps to adopt strategies for effective control.

The present study was carried out to establish the hypolipidemic effect of a phyto-steroid compound isolated from the chloroform: methanol extract of fresh mature leaves of the plant Cestrum diurnum (Solanaceae: Solanales). Change in the haematological parameters was studied in normocholesterolemic albino rats after oral administration of single dose of isolated phytosteroid (2 mg/ day) up to 15 days and compared with control rats. Application of phytosteroid fraction resulted in a significant reduction in total plasma cholesterol and free cholesterol levels. The plasma triglyceride levels also decreased significantly. A sharp increase in the HDL cholesterol level and a significant decrease in the LDL and VLDL amount were also documented. Free fatty acid level was significantly low in treated rats.

Botanicals have been cultured to flavour food, to treat health disorders and to put a stop to diseases caused by various microorganisms. The awareness of curative features of different medicinal plants has been spread among human communities. The application of herbal products as antimicrobial agents may be a better choice to the extensive and imprudent use of synthetic antibiotics. World Health Organization recommended traditional medicines as safest remedies for treatment of diseases of microbial origin. The plant extracts are generally non-hazardous, available in plenty at reasonable prices, biodegradable, eco-friendly and show sometimes broad-spectrum activities against different micro organisms. The current knowledge on plant extracts, phytochemicals and their antibacterial activity, target specific mechanism of action, solvents deployed during extraction, properties of active ingredient isolated may obviously help in biological control of bacteria. Antimicrobial properties of different plant parts, which act in a low dose, have been organised separately for easy understanding.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate biochemical and clinical effects of 2 different doses of vitamin D supplementation in preterm infants with late‐onset sepsis (LOS). Study Design: A double blinded randomized controlled stratified trial included preterm infants with gestational age (GA) ≥28 weeks with LOS. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive 400 or 800 IU/day of vitamin D3. Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 were measured at enrollment, 7 days after vitamin D supplementation, and at 40 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA). Short‐term outcomes and growth parameters were assessed. Results: A total of 50 infants were enrolled, 25 in each group. Seventy‐six percentage of enrolled infants were vitamin D‐deficient at enrollment in both groups whereas only one infant in the 400 IU and none in the 800 IU group remained deficient at 40 week's PMA; vitamin D concentrations at 40 weeks PMA were 54.8 ± 35.1 and 67.4 ± 37.1 ng/mL, respectively, P = 0.01). None of the infants enrolled in the study had signs of vitamin D toxicity. Serum pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and TNF‐ α concentrations decreased at 1 week and at discharge in both groups without differences between groups. The 2 groups did not differ in anthropometric measurements, duration of oxygen and respiratory support, duration of antimicrobial use, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Conclusions: A dose of 400 IU of vitamin D was adequate to treat vitamin D deficiency in the majority of premature infants with LOS. The 2 dosing regimens did not differ in clinical or biochemical changes.