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Utilization of fruit peel wastes to grow thraustochytrids for nutritional enrichment of wastes will lower environmental and economic costs associated with feedstock specific for aquaculture industries. In this study, high-carbohydrate content agricultural wastes, such as orange, pineapple, banana, and mausambi fruit peels were enriched with essential fatty acids producing thraustochytrids Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276. Characterizations of fruit peels revealed the presence of high carbohydrate content (9–16%) and reducing sugars essential for the growth of thraustochytrids. Optimization for lipid production of Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 was carried out using response surface methodology (RSM) in combination with different concentrations of fruit peels in solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions. Fruit peels composed of SSF experiments were designed using a central composite design. Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 cells efficiently utilized the sugar components of fruit peels for their growth and lipid accumulation. Different SSF composites made of fruit peels were significantly enriched with fatty acids of Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 cells. Culturing Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 cells with these waste materials demonstrated distinct responses towards lipid accumulation at different compositions. The optimized SSF composite consists of 9.91 g 100 mL−1 orange, 5 g 100 mL−1 mausambi, 4.12 g 100 mL−1 pineapple, and 8.01 g 100 mL−1 banana peels and was enriched with 8.37% of Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276-derived lipids. This study expands the benefits and bioprocessing potential of essential fatty acids producing Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC276 along with fruit peel wastes which a frontier in circular bioeconomy and valorizing waste for usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA) is a rare disease globally. It is characterized by marked dyserythropoiesis as the name suggests. There are only a few hundred cases of Type- I CDA described sporadically. Here we are presenting two cases of CDA –I which were diagnosed based on a simple examination of bone marrow after ruling out common mimickers. One of our patients presented in the neonatal period while the other child presented at the age of six months. Bone marrow examination of both patients showed dyserythropoiesis, and binucleated erythroblasts with much of karyorrhexis. CDA- type II, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria was ruled out among other diseases. Genetic tests could not be done. After diagnosis, both patients were put on lifelong blood transfusion therapy and subsequently on iron chelation for treating iron overload secondary to repeated transfusion. Genetic counseling was done in both cases and a bone marrow transplantation option was offered to both families but could not be done due to the non-availability of matched donors and financial constraints. Both patients are still on regular follow-up from our center and growing well. Our case report highlights the fact that this rare entity of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia can be reliably diagnosed even in a resource-poor setting using a simple investigation of bone marrow examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nanocomposite system based on Fe3O4 nanoparticles confined in three-dimensional (3D) dual-mode cubic porous carbon is developed using the nanocasting and wet-impregnation methods to assess its performance as an anode for lithium-ion batteries. Several Fe3O4 precursor concentrations are chosen to optimize and determine the best-performing nanocomposite composition. The cubic mesoporous carbon CMK-9 offers a better ability for the Fe3O4 nanoparticles to be accommodated inside the mesopores, efficiently buffering the variation in volume and equally enhancing electrode/electrolyte contact for rapid charge and mass transfer. Among the prepared nanocomposites, the Fe3O4(13)@C9 anode delivers an excellent reversible discharge capacity of 1222 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at a current rate of 100 mA g−1, with a capacity retention of 96.8% compared to the fourth cycle (1262 mA h g−1). At a higher current rate of 1000 mA g−1, the nanocomposite anode offers a superior discharge capacity of 636 mA h g−1 beyond 300 cycles. The present study reveals the use of a 3D mesoporous carbon material as a scaffold for anchoring Fe3O4 nanoparticles with impressive potential as an anode for new-generation lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are nutritionally and pharmacologically well-recognized beneficial compounds widely used as nutrient supplements for various applications. As the human body cannot accomplish de novo synthesis of PUFA, we depend on exogenous bioresources for the supply of these essential PUFA for day-to-day activities. The PUFA global market is expected to reach about US$ 9.7 billion by 2032. The recent drop in natural fish catch and global climate change severely hamper the global PUFA supply chain. As a sustainable, promising resource, marine zoosporic microorganisms are considered to be safe and alternative primary producers of beneficial PUFAs for direct and indirect human consumption. However, by considering the limitations associated with strain efficiency, final product yield and production cost, more viable low-cost production strategies and establishment of highly efficient, stable, high production cell lines specific for marine zoosporic microbes are essential to meet global PUFA market demand. The exploration of the latest techniques for research and development could shape the dynamics better for the global market for marine zoosporic organism-based PUFA products. Therefore, this review first summarizes low-cost production and strain improvement strategies, and later highlights the advantages and commercial prospects for marine zoosporic microbe-derived PUFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Diganta. Saikia, Bandana. Mahanta Children are at increased risk of perioperative respiratory and cardiovascular complications because of their unique respiratory and cardiovascular physiology compared to adults. Anaesthesia can exaggerate [...]

Well‐ordered cubic mesoporous silicas KIT‐6 functionalized with sulfonic acid moiety (−SO3H) (up to 30 mol% based on silica) are synthesized via co‐condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) under acidic conditions using Pluronic P123 as the structure directing agent and H2O2 as the oxidant. The materials are used as heterogeneous catalysts for the dehydration of fructose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), and the HMF yield as high as 88 % is achieved at 135 °C within 40 min in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvent. The effects of various experimental parameters, such as reaction temperature, time, solvent, and the mass ratio of fructose to catalyst, on the HMF yield are also systematically investigated. The catalyst could be easily recovered from the reaction and reused, and 83 % HMF yield could be retained after used for three cycles, which demonstrated the remarkable stability of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new crosslinked organic‐inorganic hybrid polymer electrolyte membrane is developed by first reacting polyetherdiamine with diphenylmethane diisocyanate, followed by addition of organosilane precursors 3‐(glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane and 2‐[methoxy(polyethyleneoxy) propyl] trimethoxysilane and LiClO4 salt. Various characterization methods are employed to probe the crystallinity behavior, morphology, ionic interactions, thermal stability, architectural durability and dynamic performance of the hybrid solid polymer electrolyte (HSPE) membranes. Among the electrolytes, the HSPE membrane with [EO]/[Li] ratio of 32 delivers the excellent ionic conductivity value of 1.2×10−4 S cm−1 at 30 °C. When the hybrid membrane without salt is plasticized with various electrolyte solvents, the ionic conductivity enhances significantly to values in the range of 1.2 to 1.8×10−3 S cm−1 at 30 °C. The lithium metal battery (LMB) assembled with the gel polymer electrolyte (GPE), lithium anode and LiFePO4 cathode provides excellent rate and cycle performances. The LMB delivers very stable discharge capacity of 121.1 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles at the rate of 0.1 C with 97.6 % capacity holding compared to first cycle and exhibits above 99 % Coulombic efficiency values. The present crosslinked hybrid polymer electrolytes are potentially promising for the future development of high performance lithium‐metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We describe the trajectory of clinical course, laboratory markers and outcomes in children with severe multi-- inflammatory syndrome temporally related to COVID-19 (MIS-C) admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Methods: This was a prospective case series of children admitted to PICU between May 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021, fulfilling the case definition of MIS-C published by World Health Organization (WHO) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We analyzed demographic, clinical, laboratory data and echocardiographic findings. We also plotted the variation in trends between survivors and nonsurvivors. Results: Of the 34 critically ill children referred to PICU with diagnosis of MISC only 17 fulfilled the WHO/CDC classification of MIS-C, rest were MISC mimickers albeit other tropical infections. Median age at admission was 4 years (range 1y 6 mo-8 years). Fever, rash and conjunctival redness were most prominent symptoms. Myocardial involvement was seen in 70.5% while 76.4% developed shock; Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in 64.7% cases. Inflammatory markers showed a downward trend such as--median C- reactive protein (mg/L) had a serial reduction in levels--from (median/IQR) 210 (132.60, 246.90) at admission to 52.3 (42, 120) on Day 3. Median Ferritin (ng/ml) (n=12) was 690 (203, 1324), serum LDH (IU/L) (n =12) was 505 (229.5, 1032) and Mean D-dimer (ng/ml) (n =7) was 5093.85 (1991.65), suggestive of hyperinflammatory syndrome. Twelve patients received intravenous immune globulin, with adjunctive steroid therapy used in two third of the cases. Six children died, 4 of them were under--5 years of age. Tocilizumab was prescribed in two children with high vasotrope inotrope score (VIS), cardiogenic shock and oxygenation index more than 15, both survived. Conclusions: Severe MIS-C has a heterogenous presentation, local or regional outbreaks of prevalent infectious diseases often lead to confusion and overdiagnosis. Higher proportion of mortality was seen in Under -5 children with MISC. Shock--like presentation, presence of myocardial dysfunction or nonsurvivor status is associated with higher trend of inflammatory markers and more profound multi-organ dysfunction. If disease progresses rapidly despite first line therapy (IvIg and steroids), use of Tocilizumab should be considered--as a rescue therapy under resource limitations in the absence of extracorporeal support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of low dose insulin infusion (0.05 U/kg/h) against the standard dose insulin infusion (0.1 U/kg/h) in children with diabetic ketoacidosis. Method: Children (age <12 years, n = 30) presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis were enrolled and randomised to receive insulin infusion either as 0.05 U/kg/h (low dose) or 0.1 U/kg/h (standard dose) as an open labelled randomised controlled trial. The rest of the management was identical in both groups. The time taken for resolution of acidosis (pH =7.3 and HCO3 =15) was the primary outcome variable. The secondary outcome variables included the time taken until a decline in blood glucose to 250 mg/dl, the proportion of children developing hypoglycemia and hypokalemia, and any treatment failure. Results: The two groups were similar with respect to mean age, weight and gender distribution. New-onset diabetes was diagnosed on 24/30. The mean ± SD time for resolution of acidosis was similar between the groups; 27.0 ± 6.1 hours in the low dose group vs 23.4 ± 7.3 hours in standard dose group, P = 0.16. The mean time for the decline in blood glucose to 250 mg/dl was 13.0 ± 5.9 hours in low dose vs 11.6 ± 6.0 hours in standard dose group, P = 0.52. A lesser proportion of participants developed hypoglycemia and hypokalemia in the low dose group, though not statistically significant. There was no incidence of treatment failure in either group. Conclusion: Low dose insulin infusion is equally effective and safe as standard dose insulin infusion in children with diabetic ketoacidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a lack of evident data to explain the true scenario of age-specific enteric fever in India. The current study aimed to evaluate the burden and disease pattern of enteric fever among infants in a tertiary care pediatric hospital.Methods: A prospective laboratory-based surveillance was conducted from April 2018 to January 2020 at a children's hospital in North India, under the Surveillance for Enteric Fever in India study. The study included children <1 year of age in whom Salmonella serovar Typhi/Salmonella serovar Paratyphi grew in cultures from blood or sterile body fluid. The key outcome measures included disease spectrum and clinical presentation.Results: Of the 10 737 blood cultures from infants, 26 were positive for S. Typhi or S. Paratyphi. The majority of cases occurred in infants aged 6-12 months, with the youngest being 1 month old. Fever with abdominal pain and diarrhea were the common symptoms, with 46% of infants requiring inpatient care. All of the isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone. Third-generation cephalosporins were used as the first-line therapy for hospitalized infants. The average duration of fever was 8.6 days. The overall case-fatality rate among infants with enteric fever was 7.4%.Conclusions: Enteric fever is a major contributor to disease and death among children. Robust surveillance studies are required to understand the true disease burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafine CoO particles immobilized into the mesopores of three‐dimensional cubic bimodal ordered mesoporous carbon CMK‐9 is successfully prepared by using a combination of nanocasting and wet‐impregnation methods. It is found that the cubic bimodal interconnected mesoporous framework of CMK‐9 plays a crucial role in achieving the excellent electrochemical performances by assisting the rapid mass and charge transfer. Among the prepared nanocomposites, CoO(10)@CMK‐9 delivers a discharge capacity of 830 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1 in lithium‐ion batteries. At a higher current density of 1000 mA g−1, the anode presents an outstanding discharge capacity of 636 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles. In sodium‐ion batteries, the anode provides a discharge capacity of 296 mAh g−1 after 250 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1. The remarkable performances of CoO(10)@CMK‐9 demonstrate the promising potentials of the nanocomposite as the anode for rechargeable batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]