Comparative full genome analysis revealed E1: A226V shift in 2007 Indian Chikungunya virus isolates

The resurgence of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the form of unprecedented explosive epidemic after a gap of 32 years in India is a point of major public health concern. In 2007 again there was outbreak in Kerala, India, affecting more than 25,000 cases with many reported mortalities. To understand the molecular basis of this high virulence and its implication in large-scale epidemic, a detailed systematic serological, virological and molecular investigation was undertaken with the epidemic samples of Kerala-2007. The comparative analysis of full genome sequence of Chikungunya virus isolate of 2007 with 2006 revealed three unique substitutions in structural and non-structural genes of 2007 isolate [two in E1 region (V14A and A226V) and one in Nsp1 (M184T)]. Our finding further substantiates the association of A226V shift in E1 gene with evolutionary success possibly due to adaptation in the mosquito vector with progression of epidemic, as observed in Reunion Island. This A226V shift which was absent in all 2006 Indian isolates, is found to be present in the four 2007 isolates, analysed in this study. These unique molecular features of the 2007 isolates with the progression of the epidemic from 2005 to 2007 demonstrate their high evolutionary and epidemic potential and thereby suggesting possible implication in higher magnitude and virulence of this outbreak.     

Andrographolide inhibits chikungunya virus infection by up-regulating host innate immune pathways

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of andrographolide, a plant derived compound, against chikungunya virus(CHIKV) infection. Methods: Using flow cytometry and immunoblotting assay, in vitro viral protein expression was studied in THP-1 cells line. In Balb/c mouse neonates, viral RNA copy number was determined by real time PCR. Results:The results showed reduced CHIKV protein expression on andrographolide treatment in CHIKV-infected human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, Vero cells and THP-I cell line.In vivo, andrographolide treatment to CHIKV-infected neonates reduced viral RNA copy number. Further. andrographolide also increased cytotoxic T lymphocytes both in vitro and in vivo. Andrographolide also activated host innate immune pathways, viz., protein kinase R.phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2 α, retinoic acid inducible gene-Ⅰ and interferon regulatory factor 3/7, thereby increasing IFN-a secretion. CHIKV-induced nuclear factor κlight chain enhancer of activated B cells and tumor necrosis factor-a was also reduced on andrographolide treatment. Conclusion: Andrographolide inhibits CHIKV by suppressing viral protein expression and up-regulating host innate immunity and hence could be an effective therapeutic agent against CHIKV infection.     

Decoding “guitar pick sign” in COVID-19–associated mucormycosis: A case series

“Guitar pick sign,” also referred to as posterior globe tenting, is a radiological surrogate marker of tense orbit and profound vision loss. It is seen commonly in traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage and carotico-cavernous fistula and less frequently in orbital cellulitis, subperiosteal abscess, and invasive fungal infections. We report a case series of Coronavirus disease-19–associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis with guitar pick sign, of which none survived, and discuss the causative pathomechanisms, severity grade, and the clinical relevance of this unique radiological finding.     

Understanding the effects of nutrition‐sensitive agriculture interventions with participatory videos and women's group meetings on maternal and child nutrition in rural Odisha,India: A mixed‐methods process evaluation

A trial of three nutrition‐sensitive agriculture interventions with participatory videos and women''s group meetings in rural Odisha, India, found improvements in maternal and child dietary diversity, limited effects on agricultural production, and no effects on women and children''s nutritional status. Our process evaluation explored fidelity, reach, and mechanisms behind interventions'' effects. We also examined how context affected implementation, mechanisms, and outcomes. We used data from intervention monitoring systems, review notes, trial surveys, 32 case studies with families (n = 91 family members), and 20 group discussions with women''s group members and intervention workers (n = 181 and 32, respectively). We found that interventions were implemented with high fidelity. Groups reached around half of the mothers of children under 2 years. Videos and meetings increased women''s knowledge, motivation and confidence to suggest or make changes to their diets and agricultural production. Families responded in diverse ways. Many adopted or improved rainfed homestead garden cultivation for consumption, which could explain gains in maternal and child dietary diversity seen in the impact evaluation. Cultivation for income was less common. This was often due to small landholdings, poor access to irrigation and decision‐making dominated by men. Interventions helped change norms about heavy work during pregnancy, but young women with little family support still did considerable work. Women''s ability to shape cultivation, income and workload decisions was strongly influenced by support from male relatives. Future nutrition‐sensitive agriculture interventions could include additional flexibility to address families’ land, water, labour and time constraints, as well as actively engage with spouses and in‐laws.     

Influence of time dependent laser-irradiation for tuning the linear–nonlinear optical response of quaternary Ag10In15S15Se60 films for optoelectronic applications

The impact of laser irradiation on thin films results in multiple beneficial modifications of their structural, morphological, nonlinear–linear properties for optoelectronics applications. This work deals with the thermally evaporated Ag₁₀In₁₅S₁₅Se₆₀ films and post-laser irradiation to study the variations in structural and optical properties. The current investigation was carried out for different laser irradiation time durations such as 0, 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes by 532 nm laser (2.34 eV). According to the X-ray diffraction analysis, all thin films have polycrystalline character. The change in the surface morphology after being exposed to the laser has been checked by FESEM, whereas the presence of constitutional elements has been verified by the EDX study. The related changes with laser irradiation in the optical properties, including both linear and nonlinear, were studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy data. The irradiation caused an enhancement in the transmission, and the absorption edge moved towards a lower wavelength, increasing the bandgap energy from 1.71 eV to 1.88 eV. The refractive index reduced as a result of the film''s altered structure. The behaviour of the refractive index satisfies Moss''s rule (E_gn⁴ = const). The nonlinear refractive index, first-order and 3rd order nonlinear susceptibility, is found to be decreased with laser irradiation. The dielectric parameters are also observed to be decreased with irradiation. Considering all the alterations in its properties caused by irradiation, the Ag₁₀In₁₅S₁₅Se₆₀ sample could be a favourable material for various photonic devices.

The influence of 532 nm laser irradiation for different times on the optical changes of Ag₁₀In₁₅S₁₅Se₆₀ thin films. The irradiation influenced the structural, linear and the nonlinear optical parameters.     

Influence of Hot-Press Temperature on β-Phase Formation and Electrical Properties of Solvent-Casted PVDF-HFP Co-Polymer Films Prepared from Two Different Solvents: A Comparison Study

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) co-polymer films are prepared via solution casting followed by hot-press method. Two different types of solvents, viz., solvent mixture DMF and acetone and single solvent only DMF are used to prepare two sets of samples which are then hot-pressed at various temperatures (110, 120, and 130 °C) to study the effect of hot-press temperature on samples prepared from different types of solvents. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra shows formation of electroactive β-phase whose fraction remaining above 71% for all the synthesized samples. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is performed to obtain the degree of crystallinity of the as-prepared samples and the hot-pressed samples seemed to have a single exothermic melting peak instead of two in case of the casted ones. Dielectric properties and AC conductivity of the samples are also studied. The highest dielectric constant among the synthesized samples is found to be ≈12 at 1 kHz at room temperature. The static hysteresis loops are traced for all the as-synthesized films. Remnant polarization is found to increase with increase in the hot-press temperature, the coercive field remaining almost similar for all of them. The PUND analysis is also carried out for the all as-prepared samples. A comparison study is presented through this report, emphasizing the influence of hot-press temperature on β-phase fraction of PVDF-HFP films prepared from two different types of solvents, intended for energy harvesting and storage applications.     

Intrahousehold power inequalities and cooperation: Unpacking household responses to nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions in rural India

Nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions offer a means to improve the dietary quality of rural, undernourished populations. Their effectiveness could be further increased by understanding how household dynamics enable or inhibit the uptake of NSA behaviours. We used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to describe the links between household dynamics—specifically intrahousehold power inequalities and intrahousehold cooperation—and dietary quality and to explore whether household dynamics mediated or modified the effects of NSA interventions tested in a cluster-randomized trial, Upscaling Participatory Action and Videos for Agriculture and Nutrition (UPAVAN). We use quantitative data from cross-sectional surveys in 148 village clusters at UPAVAN's baseline and 32 months afterwards (endline), and qualitative data from family case studies and focus group discussions with intervention participants and facilitators. We found that households cooperated to grow and buy nutritious foods, and gendered power inequalities were associated with women's dietary quality, but cooperation and women's use of power was inhibited by several interlinked factors. UPAVAN interventions were more successful in more supportive, cooperative households, and in some cases, the interventions increased women's decision-making power. However, women's decisions to enter into negotiations with family members depended on whether women deemed the practices promoted by UPAVAN interventions to be feasible, as well as women's confidence and previous cultivation success. We conclude that interventions may be more effective if they can elicit cooperation from the whole household. This will require a move towards more family-centric intervention models that empower women while involving other family members and accounting for the varied ways that families cooperate and negotiate.