Addressing Irreversibility and Structural Distortion in WS2 Inorganic Fullerene-Like Nanoparticles: Effects of Voltage Cutoff Experiments in Beyond Li+-Ion Storage Applications

Large interlayer spacing beneficially allows Na+- and K+-ion storage in transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD)-based electrodes, but side reactions and volume change, which pulverize the TMD crystalline structure, are persistent challenges for the utilization of these materials in next-generation devices. This study first determines whether irreversibility due to structural distortion, which results in poor cycling stability, is also apparent in the case of inorganic fullerene-like (IF) tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanocages (WS2IF). To address these problems, this study proposes upper and lower voltage cutoff experiments to limit specific reactions in Na+/WS2IF and K+/WS2IF half-cells. Three-dimensional (3D) differential capacity curves and derived surface plots highlight the continuation of reversible reactions when a high upper cutoff technique is applied, thereby indirectly suggesting restricted structural dissolution. This resulted in improved capacity retention with stable performance and a higher Coulombic efficiency, laying the ground for the use of TMD-based materials beyond Li+-ion storage devices.

Chiral Nanoparticle Chains on Inorganic Nanotube Templates

Fabrication of chiral assemblies of plasmonic nanoparticles is a highly attractive and challenging task, with promising applications in light emission, detection, and sensing. So far, primarily organic chiral templates have been used for chirality inscription. Despite recent progress in using chiral ionic liquids in synthesis, the use of organic templates significantly limits the variety of nanoparticle preparation techniques. Here, we demonstrate the utilization of seemingly achiral inorganic nanotubes as templates for the chiral assembly of nanoparticles. We show that both metallic and dielectric nanoparticles can be attached to scroll-like chiral edges propagating on the surfaces of WS₂ nanotubes. Such assembly can be performed at temperatures as high as 550 °C. This large temperature range significantly widens the portfolio of nanoparticle fabrication techniques, allowing us to demonstrate a variety of chiral nanoparticle assemblies, ranging from metals (Au, Ga), semiconductors (Ge), and compound semiconductors (GaAs) to oxides (WO₃).

Effect of saroglitazar 2 mg and 4 mg on glycemic control, lipid profile and cardiovascular disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 56-week, randomized, double blind, phase 3 study (PRESS XII study)

BACKGROUND

The potential for PPAR agonists to positively affect risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is of persistent attention. The PRESS XII study primarily aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of saroglitazar (2 mg and 4 mg) as compared to pioglitazone 30 mg on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

In this randomized double-blind study, patients with T2DM [glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 7.5%] were enrolled from 39 sites in India. Patients received once-daily doses of either saroglitazar or pioglitazone (1:1:1 allocation ratio) for a total of 24 weeks. Patients were continued in a double blind extension period for an additional 32 weeks. Efficacy evaluations of glycemic parameters [HbA1c (Primary endpoint at week 24), FPG and PPG] and other lipid parameters (TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, HDL-C, TC, Non HDL-C, Apo A1 and Apo B) were conducted at week 12, 24 and 56 and compared to the baseline levels. The efficacy analyses were performed by using paired t-test and ANCOVA model.

RESULTS

A total of 1155 patients were enrolled in this study. The baseline characteristics were similar between the three treatment groups. The within group mean (± SD) change in HbA1c (%) from baseline of the saroglitazar (2 mg and 4 mg) and pioglitazone treatment groups at week 24 were: - 1.38 ± 1.99 for saroglitazar 2 mg; - 1.47 ± 1.92 for saroglitazar 4 mg and - 1.41 ± 1.86 for pioglitazone, respectively. Statistically significant reduction from baseline in HbA1c was observed in each treatment group at week 24 with p-value < 0.016. There was a significant reduction in TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, TC and Non HDL-C with a significant increase in HDL-C from baseline levels (< 0.016). Most of the AE's were 'mild' to 'moderate' in severity and were resolved by the completion of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Saroglitazar effectively improved glycemic control and lipid parameters over 56 weeks in patients of T2DM receiving background metformin therapy and has a promising potential to reduce the cardiovascular risk in T2DM patients. Trial registration CTRI/2015/09/006203, dated 22/09/2015.

<b>Macrofungus <I>Nitschkia macrospora</I> Teng (Ascomycetes: Nitschkiaceae), a new report to India</b>

In the present investigation, an interesting lignicolous ascomycetes belonging to the family Nitschkiaceae, having small stroma in clusters, attached weakly to the substratum, was collected.  Based on the morphology and anatomical features, the fungus was identified as Nitschkia macrospora Teng.  

Degradation of polyethylene by Trichoderma harzianum--SEM, FTIR, and NMR analyses

Trichoderma harzianum was isolated from local dumpsites of Shivamogga District for use in the biodegradation of polyethylene. Soil sample of that dumpsite was used for isolation of T. harzianum. Degradation was carried out using autoclaved, UV-treated, and surface-sterilized polyethylene. Degradation was monitored by observing weight loss and changes in physical structure by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. T. harzianum was able to degrade treated polyethylene (40%) more efficiently than autoclaved (23%) and surface-sterilized polyethylene (13%). Enzymes responsible for polyethylene degradation were screened from T. harzianum and were identified as laccase and manganese peroxidase. These enzymes were produced in large amount, and their activity was calculated using spectrophotometric method and crude extraction of enzymes was carried out. Molecular weight of laccase was determined as 88 kDa and that of manganese peroxidase was 55 kDa. The capacity of crude enzymes to degrade polyethylene was also determined. By observing these results, we can conclude that this organism may act as solution for the problem caused by polyethylene in nature.

Bioaccumulation potential of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus for removal of heavy metals from paper mill effluent

In the present study Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus isolated from paper mill effluent showed tolerance and accumulation of toxic metals Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu from synthetic medium and paper mill effluent. Physico-chemical and heavy metals characterization of industrially treated paper mill effluent showed insignificant reduction in BOD, hardness, TDS and heavy metals as compared to permissible limits of BIS and WHO. A. niger and A. flavus were treated with synthetic medium containing 100-1000 mg l(-1) of six heavy metals. A. niger was able to tolerate and grow in 1000 mg l(-1) Pb, 500 mg l(-1) Cu, 250 mg l(-1) Zn and 100 mg l(-1) Cr, Ni respectively. No growth of A. niger was observed in 100 mg l-(-1) of Cd. A. flavus was capable to tolerate and grow in 1000 mg l(-1) Pb, Zn and Ni, 100mg l(-1) Cu. A. flavus growth was completely inhibited in 100 mg l(-1) of Cd and Cr. The Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb reduction were found significant (p < 0.05) in the paper effluent inoculated with A. niger and A. flavus biomass compared to industrial treated effluent. A. niger and A. flavus accumulated maximum of Pb (75.82%) followed by Zn (49.40%) > Cu (45.34%) > Ni (25.20%), while only 41% Cr was accumulated by A. nigerfrom 100 mg l(-1) of Cr solution.

Diphyllobothriasis in a nine-year-old child in India: a case report

Introduction

The Diphyllobothrium genus belongs to the Diphyllobothridea order of tapeworms. Diphyllobothrium spp., which is commonly known as fish tapeworm, is generally transmitted in humans, but also in other species, such as bears, dogs, cats, foxes, and other terrestrial carnivores. Although worldwide in distribution, the original heartland of Diphyllobothrium spp. spreads across Scandinavia, northern Russia, and western Serbia. We report a rare case that occurred in India.

Case presentation

A nine-year-old south Indian girl was brought to the casualty at the Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences with complaints of vomiting and loose stools that had started three days earlier. The vomit did not have a foul smell and contained no blood or mucus, but it did contain undigested food particles. The patient described a history of recurrent abdominal pain. She was a non-vegetarian and said she had a history of eating fish.

Conclusion

The incidence of Diphyllobothrium spp. infection is infrequent in India. Since this is only the fourth reported case in India, and since the previously reported cases also involved observed pediatric patients, we emphasize the need for clinical microbiologists and pediatricians to suspect fish tapeworm infection and recommend epidemiological study of Diphyllobothrium spp. infection.

An approach to obtain specific polyclonal antisera to Xanthomonas campestris pv. cyamopsidis and its potential application in indexing of infected seeds of guar

Clusterbean seed health testing is warranted since the pathogen (Xanthomonas campestris pv. cyamopsidis (Xccy)) is seed-borne and seed-transmitted. A polyclonal antibody was developed in rabbit via subcutaneous and intramuscular injections and characterized for sensitivity, specificity and its applicability to ELISA which: (i) was sensitive in detecting as few as 102 cells ml - 1 at a titre of 1: 4000; (ii) was specific, since it reacted only with Xccy and not with other xanthomonads; (iii) reacted both with Xccy cells and culture filtrate, indicating that the antigenic determinant is a secretory component; (iv) was applicable and reliable in seed health testing since it reacted only with infected seeds and plant materials and not with healthy seeds and (v) a purified fraction of antibody was virulent-specific since heat-denatured and avirulent isolates were not detected. The ELISA thus developed is highly reproducible and therefore suitable for the evaluation of the potential disease status of seeds and plant health, which is appropriate for routine seed health testing.