Recombinant vaccines:Current updates and future prospects

Recombinant technology-based vaccines have emerged as a highly effective way to prevent a wide range of illnesses.The technology improved vaccine manufacturing,rendering it more efficient and economical.These vaccines have multiple advantages compared to conventional vaccines.The pandemic has heightened awareness of the advantages of these vaccine technologies;trust and acceptance of these vaccines are steadily growing globally.This work offers an overview of the prospects and advantages associated with recombinant vaccines.Additionally,it discusses some of the challenges likely to arise in the future.Their ability to target diverse pathogen classes underscores their contributions to preventing previously untreatable diseases(especially vector-borne and emerging diseases)and hurdles faced throughout the vaccine development process,especially in enhancing the effectiveness of these vaccines.Moreover,their compatibility with emerging vaccination platforms of the future like virus-like particles and CRISPR/Cas9 for the production of next-generation vaccines may offer many prospects.This review also reviewed the hurdles faced throughout the vaccine development process,especially in enhancing the effectiveness of these vaccines against vector-borne diseases,emerging diseases,and untreatable diseases with high mortality rates like AIDS as well as cancer.

Effects of Women’s Autonomy and Male Involvement on Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Service Utilization in Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Effective utilization of reproductive and child health (RCH) services is important to reduce morbidity and mortality among mothers as well as children under-five. After International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), 1994 India has increasingly integrated male participation in women’s reproductive health to improve the women’s health care during pregnancy and child birth. This study examined effect of women’s autonomy and male involvement on RCH services utilization in Uttar Pradesh State of India. Methodology: State level data of Uttar Pradesh from National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), India for currently married women and men aged 15 - 49 years was considered. The study was restricted to couples whose youngest child was born during the three years preceding the survey (N = 2685). Pearson chi-square test was used to determine the association of background characteristics with woman’s autonomy and male involvement in RCH utilization. Logistic regression was used to understand the effects of male involvement and women’s autonomy, using both computed indices after controlling for socio-economic and background characteristics of women and their husbands. Subsequently, the exercise was extended using individual component of both the indices. All findings were reported for 95% CI and p < 0.05. Results: Findings show that except religion, other socio-economic and demographic variables such as age of women, place of residence, number of living children, caste/tribe, women’s work status, education, wealth index, household structure and exposure to mass media, husband’s age, education, and occupation were statistically significant and associated with women’s autonomy and male involvement. Multivariate analysis indicated women’s autonomous decision making and support from their husbands (male involvement) significantly influenced their utilization of RCH services after controlling for all socio-economic and demographic variables. Conclusion: To improve RCH service utilization and overall health status of women and children male involvement and women’s autonomous decision-making should be addressed in all future RCH programs in the State.

Role of live microbial feed supplements with reference to anaerobic fungi in ruminant productivity: A review

To keep the concept of a safe food supply to the consumers, animal feed industries world over are showing an increasing interest in the direct-fed microbials（DFM） for improved animal performance in terms of growth or productivity. This becomes all the more essential in a situation, where a number of the residues of antibiotics and/or other growth stimulants reach in milk and meat with a number of associated potential risks for the consumers. Hence, in the absence of growth stimulants, a positive manipulation of the rumen microbial ecosystem to enhance the feedstuff utilization for improved production efficiency by ruminants has become of much interest to the researchers and entrepreneurs. A few genera of live microbes（i.e., bacteria, fungi and yeasts in different types of formulations from paste to powder） are infrequently used as DFM for the domestic ruminants. These DFM products are live microbial feed supplements containing naturally occurring microbes in the rumen. Among different DFM possibilities, anaerobic rumen fungi（ARF） based additives have been found to improve ruminant productivity consistently during feeding trials. Administration of ARF during the few trials conducted, led to the increased weight gain, milk production, and total tract digestibility of feed components in ruminants. Anaerobic fungi in the rumen display very strong cell-wall degrading cellulolytic and xylanolytic activities through rhizoid development, resulting in the physical disruption of feed structure paving the way for bacterial action. Significant improvements in the fiber digestibility were found to coincide with increases in ARF in the rumen indicating their role. Most of the researches based on DFM have indicated a positive response in nutrient digestion and methane reducing potential during in vivo and/or in vitro supplementation of ARF as DFM. Therefore, DFM especially ARF will gain popularity but it is necessary that all the strains are thoroughly studied for their beneficial properties to have a confirmed ‘generally regarded as safe＇ status for ruminants.

Hepatoprotective activity of Hepax-A polyherbal formulation

Objective:To evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of Hepax,a polyherbal formulation,against three experimentally induced hepatotoxicity models in rats.Methods:Hepatoprotective activity of Hepax was studied against three experimentally induced hepatotoxicity models,namely, carbon tetrachloride(CCl_4),paracetamol and thiocetamide induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Results:Administration of hepatotoxins(CCl_4,paracetamol and thiocetamide) showed significant morphological,biochemical and histological deteriorations in the liver of experimental animals. Pretreatment with Hepax had significant protection against hepatic damage by maintaining the morphological parameters(liver weight and liver weight to organ weight ratio) within normal range and normalizing the elevated levels of biochemical parameters(SGPT,SCOT,ALP and total bilirubin),which were evidently showed in histopathological study.Conclusions:The Hepax has highly significant hepatoprotective effect at 100 and 200 mg/kg,p.o.on the liver of all the three experimental animal models.

Prospective use of bacteriocinogenic Pediococcus pentosaceus as direct-fed microbial having methane reducing potential

Direct-fed microbials（DFM）, generally regarded as safe status, are successfully used in improving rumen ecology, gastro-intestinal health, feed efficiency, milk production and growth rate in ruminants. On the other hand, methanogenesis in rumen, which accounts for a significant loss of ruminant energy and increased greenhouse gas in environment, is of great concern, therefore, use of DFM for improving productivity without compromising the animal health and ecological sustainability is encouraged. The present study was conducted to investigate the methane reducing potential of bacteriocinogenic strain Pediococcus pentosaceus-34. Since, the culture showed no hemolysis on blood agar and DNase activity, hence, it was considered to be avirulent in nature, a prerequisite for any DFM. The culture also showed tolerance to pH 5.0 for 24 h with 0.5% organic acid mixture, whereas when given a shock for 2 h at different p H and organic acids concentrations, it showed growth at pH 3.0 and 4.0 with 0.1 and 1.0% organic acids, respectively, as having good animal probiotics attributes. The total gas production was significantly（P〈0.05） higher in live pedicoccal culture（LPC） and dead pedicoccal culture（DPC） both with wheat straw, when compared to the control. In sugarcane bagasse, gas production was significantly lower（P〈0.05） with LPC compared to the control and DPC both. Methane was reduced by the inclusion of LPC in sugarcane bagasse（0.07 mL CH4 mg–1 dry matter digestibility） with no effect on other rumen fermentation parameters. However, with wheat straw and LPC total gas, in vitro dry matter digestibility, total volatile fatty acids increased significantly but no reduction in methane production was observed in comparison to the control. Therefore, further research is warranted in this direction, if the bacteriocinogenic strains can be used as DFM for ruminants to improve the ruminant productivity.

Elimination of lymphatic filariasis:Where do we stand so far?

Lymphatic filariasis(LF),an asymptomatic,acute,and chronic condition in human beings,is the second most common vector-borne disease after malaria.According to the World Health Organization,there are 120 million LF cases detected in 81 tropical and subtropical countries,and one billion people are at risk.Therefore,the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis was launched in 2000,with the primary objective of stopping LF transmission among all at-risk groups using mass drug administration(MDA),managing morbidities,and preventing LF-related impairments using a minimum treatment package.Additionally,other programs such as epidemiological assessment including National Filaria Control Program and World Health Organization recommended routine and pre-MDA microfilaremia surveys also implemented to stop the LF transmission.The routine filaria surveys were also carried out in around 2000-4000 individuals/month throughout the year whereas pre-MDA surveys were also conducted every year in approximately 4000 individuals in four fixed and four random sites.Furthermore,the Transmission Assessment Survey was also conducted to check the risk of LF among primary school children.Moreover,potential diagnostic methods,systematic surveillance regimes,the Direct Network Report system,and regular trainings and awareness may be also effective in preventing the recurrence of LF.Hence,this review emphasizes the potential advocacy tools and various strategies as well as procedures for monitoring,which could be impactful in eliminating LF.

Common Fixed Point Theorems in Intuitionistic Fuzzy Metric Spaces

In this paper, we introduce the concept of – chainable intuitionistic fuzzy metric space akin to the notion of – chainable fuzzy metric space introduced by Cho, and Jung [1] and prove a common fixed point theorem for weakly compatible mappings in this newly defined space.

Primary tuberculosis of the thyroid gland:a case report

Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland is an uncommon disease and primary involvement of Uiyroid is even more rare.It is a rare disease even in countries in which tuberculosis is endemic.The diagnosis is often difficult as the clinical presentation has no distinct characteristics.Clinical course of the disease may resemble toxic goiter or acute thyroiditis or may follow a subacute or chronic growth pattern without specific symptomatology.Histologically presence of necrotizing epithelioid cell granulomas along with langhans type giant cells are the hallmark of thyroid tuberculosis.Demonstration of acid fast bacilli by ZN staining confirms the diagnosis,but this stain is frequently negative in tissue sections.

Antiplasmodial activity of silver nanoparticles: A novel green synthesis approach

Objective:To synthesize silver nanoparticles using silver nitrate by a green technique which involves different compositions of aqueous leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica(neem)and Ocimum sanctum(tulsi).Methods:Their shape and size were determined using transmission electron microscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy.Their antiplasmodial activity was studied using the malarial parasite strain(Plasmodium falciparum,3D7).The parasite strain(3D7)was collected and revived in vitro using Trager and Jensen method in RPMI 1640 medium for 7-8cycles.Half maximal effective concentration values were calculated by nonlinear regression analysis.Results:Transmission electron microscopy results confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles with size ranging from 4.74-39.32 nm and their size differs by varying the concentrations from 20%to 100%of neem extract in neem and tulsi extracts.It was observed that samples B and C showed half maximum effective concentration of about 0.3μM.Conclusions:It can be easily established that the aqueous leaf extracts of neem and tulsi in combination can be a good source for synthesis of silver nanoparticles with small size possessing appreciable antiplasmodial activity.

热烫温度和时间对魔芋片干燥动力学和品质的影响(摘选)

该文对热风干燥魔芋片的制备工艺条件进行了优化。研究了热烫时间(0、1、3和5min)、热烫温度(80和90℃)和干燥温度(70、80和90℃)对魔芋片干燥动力学及品质特性(色泽、质地、褐变和感官品质)的影响。结果表明,完全干燥发生在降速期间。较长的热烫时间和较低的干燥温度能够起到较好的护色作用,降低魔芋片的褐变指数。热烫同时可以降低产品的硬度和破裂度。在90℃情况下热烫3min,然后在80℃下干燥480min可以使最终产品具有最佳品质。

A multiplicative Gauss-Newton minimization algorithm:Theory and application to exponential functions

Multiplicative calculus(MUC)measures the rate of change of function in terms of ratios,which makes the exponential functions significantly linear in the framework of MUC.Therefore,a generally non-linear optimization problem containing exponential functions becomes a linear problem in MUC.Taking this as motivation,this paper lays mathematical foundation of well-known classical Gauss-Newton minimization(CGNM)algorithm in the framework of MUC.This paper formulates the mathematical derivation of proposed method named as multiplicative Gauss-Newton minimization(MGNM)method along with its convergence properties.The proposed method is generalized for n number of variables,and all its theoretical concepts are authenticated by simulation results.Two case studies have been conducted incorporating multiplicatively-linear and non-linear exponential functions.From simulation results,it has been observed that proposed MGNM method converges for 12972 points,out of 19600 points considered while optimizing multiplicatively-linear exponential function,whereas CGNM and multiplicative Newton minimization methods converge for only 2111 and 9922 points,respectively.Furthermore,for a given set of initial value,the proposed MGNM converges only after 2 iterations as compared to 5 iterations taken by other methods.A similar pattern is observed for multiplicatively-non-linear exponential function.Therefore,it can be said that proposed method converges faster and for large range of initial values as compared to conventional methods.

EFFECTS OF PROCESSING OPERATIONS ON ZETA POTENTIAL AND CATIONIC DEMAND OF PULPS

The zeta potential and cationic demands of various kraft pulps - unbleached, bleached and beaten to different freeness levels were determined in the laboratory. The zeta potential of pulp where the final stage was a lignin degrading and dissolving treatment such as alkaline extraction or hypochlorite was lower than the unbleached pulp. The cationic demand of unbleached pulp was higher compared to that of bleached pulp. Beaten pulps showed larger cationic demands than the unbeaten pulps, which can be attributed to the larger specific surface area of pulp components. Fibres become increasingly electronegative when beaten and therefore cationic demand of pulps increases with beating. When the zeta potential method is used with furnishes of different freeness, the linear relationship is observed. However, the slope is decreasing with the decrease in freeness of the pulp.

Common Fixed Point Theorems for Compatible and Weakly Compatible Maps in G-Metric Spaces

In this paper first we prove common fixed point theorems for compatible and weakly compatible maps. Secondly, we prove common fixed point theorems for weakly compatible maps along with property (E.A.) and (CLRg) property respectively.

Comparison of the Hemodynamic Effects of the Induction Agents Ketamine, Etomidate and Sevoflurane Using the Model of Electrical Velocimetry Based Cardiac Output Monitoring in Pediatric Cardiac Surgical Patients

Objective: To compare the haemodynamic effects of the induction agents ketamine, etomidate and sevoflurane using the model of electrical velocimetry based cardiac output monitoring in paediatric cardiac surgical patients. Design: Prospective randomized study. Setting: Tertiary care hospital. Participants: 60 children < 2 years age undergoing cardiac surgery. Interventions: The patients were randomized into 3 equal groups to receive 1.5-2.5 mg/kg iv ketamine (group K), 0.2-0.3 mg/kg iv etomidate (group E) or upto 8% sevoflurane (group S) as the induction agent. Hemodynamic parameters were noted before and after induction of anaesthesia utilizing a noninvasive cardiac monitor based on the model of electrical velocimetry. Measurements and Main Results: The demographic characteristics of the patients were similar in the three groups. The HR decreased in all groups, least in group E (P ≤ 0.01) but the MAP decreased only in group S (P ≤ 0.001). In group S, the stroke volume improved from 9 ± 3.2 ml to 10 ± 3.2 ml (P ≤ 0.05) and the stroke volume variation decreased from 25% ± 6.4% to 13% ± 6.2% (P ≤ 0.001). The stroke index and systemic arterial saturation improved in all groups (P ≤ 0.01). The cardiac index and index of contractility were unchanged. The transthoracic fluid content reduced in groups E and S, but did not change in group K (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Etomidate appeared to provide the most stable conditions for induction of anesthesia in children undergoing cardiac surgery, followed by ketamine and sevoflurane.

Capacity Calculation and Sub-Optimal Power Allocation Scheme for OFDM-Based Systems

For emerging cellular wireless systems, the mitigation of inter-cell interference is the key to achieve a high capacity and good user experience. This paper is devoted to the performance analysis of interference mitigation techniques for the downlink in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) network, with a focus on the Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) standard. Here we have derived a general closed-form equation of system capacity taking multiple cells into consideration and then we have investigated a coordination technique for interference mitigation. For the given interference constraint, how power should be transmitted into each OFDM sub-carrier for prevailing channel condition such that the total transmission rate of the base station can be maximized.

Structural,optical and antimicrobial properties of pure and Agdoped ZnO nanostructures

In the present work,zinc oxide(ZnO)and silver(Ag)doped ZnO nanostructures are synthesized using a hydrothermal method.Structural quality of the products is attested using X-ray diffraction,which confirms the hexagonal wurtzite struc-ture of pure ZnO and Ag-doped ZnO nanostructures.XRD further confirms the crystallite orientation along the c-axis,(101)plane.The field emission scanning electron microscope study reveals the change in shape of the synthesized ZnO particles from hexagonal nanoparticles to needle-shaped nanostructures for 3 wt%Ag-doped ZnO.The optical band gaps and lattice strain of nanostructures is increased significantly with the increase of doping concentration of Ag in ZnO nanostructure.The anti-microbial activity of synthesized nanostructures has been evaluated against the gram-positive human pathogenic bacteria,Staphylococcus aureus via an agarose gel diffusion test.The maximum value of zone of inhibition(22 mm)is achieved for 3 wt%Ag-doped ZnO nanostructure and it clearly demonstrates the remarkable antibacterial activity.

GIS-based assessment of non-equilibrium pattern between groundwater recharge and irrigation draft in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

Over-exploitation of groundwater for irrigation can result in drastic reduction in groundwater level in Jodhpur district of western Rajasthan, India. In this study, we used the long-term trend analysis of seasonal groundwater level data to predict the future groundwater scenario in 33 villages of Jodhpur district, assessed the impact of water harvesting structures on groundwater recharge and explored the non-equilibrium between groundwater recharge and irrigation draft in the study area. Analysis of groundwater level data from 26 observation wells in 33 villages in the pre-monsoon period showed that groundwater level decreased continuously at the rate of 2.07 m/a. With this declining rate, most of the tube wells （including the well with the maximum depth of 193 m） are predicted to become completely dry by 2050. Behavior of temporal groundwater level data in the study period （from 2004 to 2012） can be explained by different geospatial maps, prepared using ArcGIS software. Statistical analysis of the interpolated maps showed that the area with the maximum positive groundwater recharge occupied 63.14% of the total area during 2010-2011 and the area with the maximum irrigation draft accounted for 56.21% of the total area during 2011-2012. Higher groundwater recharge is attributed to the increase in rainfall and the better aquifer condition. Spatial distribution for the changes of average groundwater recharge and draft （2008-2009 and 2011-2012） showed that 68.50% recharge area was in positive change and 45.75% draft area was in negative change. It was observed that the area of the irrigation draft exceeded that of the groundwater recharge in most of the years. In spite of the construction of several shallow water harvesting structures in 2009-2010, sandstone aquifer zones showed meager impact on groundwater recharge. The best-fit line for the deviation between average groundwater fluctuation due to recharge and irrigation draft with time can be represented by the polynomial curve. Thus, over-exploitation of groundwater for agricultural crops has result in non-equilibrium between groundwater recharge and irrigation draft.

Above and below ground organic carbon stocks in a sub-tropical Pinus roxburghii Sargent forest of the Garhwal Himalayas

Accurate estimates of tree carbon, forest floor carbon and organic carbon in forest soils （SOC） are important in order to determine their contribution to global carbon （C） stocks. However, information about these carbon stocks is lacking. Some studies have investigated regional and continental scale patterns of carbon stocks in forest ecosystems; however, the changes in C storage in dif- ferent components （vegetation, forest floor and soil） as a function of elevation in forest ecosystems remain poorly understood. In this study, we estimate C stocks of vegetation, forest floor and soils of a Pinus roxburghii Sargent forest in the Garhwal Himalayas along a gradient to quantify changes in carbon stock due to differences in elevation at three sites. The biomass of the vegetation changes drastically with increasing elevation among the three sites. The above-ground biomass （AGB） and below-ground biomass （BGB） were highest at site I （184.46 and 46.386 t·ha^-1 respectively） at an elevation of 1300 m followed by site II （173.99 and 44.057 t·ha^-1 AGB and BGB respectively） at 1400 m and the lowest AGB and BGB were estimated at site III （161.72 and 41.301t·ha^-1） at 1500 m. The trend for SOC stock was similar to that of biomass. Our results suggest that carbon storage （in both soil and biomass） is nega- tively correlated with elevation.

Common Fixed Point Theorem in Intuitionistic Fuzzy Metric Space Using <i>R</i>-Weakly Commuting Mappings

In this paper, we prove a common fixed point theorem in Intuitionistic fuzzy metric space by using pointwise R-weak commutativity and reciprocal continuity of mappings satisfying contractive conditions.

Thermal Effect on Vibration of Parallelogram Plate of Bi-Direction Linearly Varying Thickness

In this paper, the effect of thermal gradient on the vibration of parallelogram plate with linearly varying thickness in both direction having clamped boundary conditions on all the four edges is analyzed. Thermal effect on vibration of such plate has been taken as one-dimensional distribution in linear form only. An approximate but quiet convenient frequency equation is derived using Rayleigh-Ritz technique with a two-term deflection function. The frequencies corresponding to the first two modes of vibration of a clamped parallelogram plate have been computed for different values of aspect ratio, thermal gradient, taper constants and skew angle. The results have been presented in tabular forms. The results obtained in this study are reduced to that of unheated parallelogram plates of uniform thickness and have generally been compared with the published one.