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We investigate the effect of women's political representation in the state legislative assembly and public administration on natural disaster mortality in 20 Indian states from 1981 to 2019. The paper combines two critical dimensions: political and administrative representation of women and disaster risk reduction. Results suggest that women's political representation reduces total disaster mortality after controlling socioeconomic and political covariates; however, the effects are statistically insignificant for the current and lag periods. We find that a one standard deviation increase in women's representation in public administration lowers total disaster mortality by 20.6 percentage points, which is 9.8 per cent of the sample mean. We observe the impacts of female administrative representation on gender-specific human development outcomes through reduced male and female disaster mortality, and we explain some mechanisms. Thus, women's political and administrative representation is crucial for addressing disaster mortality as it has major public health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public sector banks dominate India's financial sector and play a crucial role. Commercial banks are indispensable in the processes of capital circulation, capital integration, capital resource allocation, and overall societal demand and supply adjustment. But performing these vital roles, the commercial banks are associated with different risks out of which credit risk hampers them a lot. This risk attacks the major pillar of the banking industry i.e., solvency on which the industry survives. In this paper, a modest attempt is made to identify the bank-specific determinants of credit risk in the public sector commercial banks in India. Data was collected from the RBI database for the period 2005 to 2020 for 13 banks. Variables pertaining to credit risk, bank size, capital adequacy ratio, profitability, liquidity and diversification were taken. These variables were analysed with the help of different panel data analytical tools. The size of the bank, represented by the log of total assets, and diversification, measured as the ratio of non-interest income to total income, were found to positively and significantly influence credit risk in public sector commercial banks. The Return on Asset, Loan-deposit ratio, and Capital adequacy ratio were found to be negatively correlated with credit risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a significant public health issue in India. Despite 10–15 rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) in India, the global LF elimination target of 2030 appears challenging. To strengthen the program, community and provider perspectives on ways to bridge a gap in MDA are needed. Through the motivation–opportunity–ability–behaviour (MOAB) lens, we systematically reviewed the facilitators and barriers encountered in LF elimination in India. We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, ProQuest and Google Scholar databases to explore factors related to MDA program implementation in India through 30 June 2021. We analysed the data using a thematic framework. We identified 576 studies; of these, 20 studies were included. This review revealed that the public health system for distributing MDA drugs in India created a better enabling environment, including zero out-of-pocket expenditure, door-step distribution of medicines and ample capacity-building training and follow-up. However, community members were unaware of the rationale for drug consumption, leading to a gap in drug distribution and consumption. Motivation is required among community members, which suggests capacity-building training for service providers to counsel the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) persists as a public health problem in India. Despite more than ten rounds of mass drug administration (MDA), LF continues to be endemic in the Dhenkanal district of Odisha. Hence, we assessed the coverage and compliance of the MDA program and explored the factors affecting it in the Dhenkanal district. Methods: An explanatory mixed-method study was conducted, wherein for the quantitative survey, 552 participants aged 2 years and above were recruited following a multistage cluster random sampling during February 2022. Indepth interviews were conducted among purposively selected key stakeholders and program implementers. Descriptive statistics were used to report coverage and compliance, along with a 95% confidence interval. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Results: We observed coverage of 99.28% and compliance of 85.87% for MDA drugs. Supervised drug administration proved to be a major pillar in increasing compliance. There was difficulty in administering drugs in urban areas due to gated societies, the absence of individuals during the day, and the perspective toward healthcare providers. Participants reported a lack of confidence in drug distributors and a fear of side effects as major causes for non-compliance. Conclusion: There is a need to strengthen MDA, especially in urban areas. An urban-specific strategy, along with surveillance, behavioral change communication, and the involvement of multi-disciplinary teams, is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary aliphatic amines are crucial, and at the very least, millions of tons are required every year. Therefore, significant interest has grown in finding new chemical routes for their synthesis. Additionally, to comply with sustainability requirements, synthetic routes using inexpensive feedstocks are highly prioritized. In this regard, the hydroaminoalkylation (HAA) reaction is highly desirable due to the wide availability and lower price of olefins. Although photoredox catalysis is already known for synthesizing amines, the synthesis of linear aliphatic amines is mostly limited to hydroaminomethylation (HAM) reactions and has never been applied to the synthesis of longer-chain linear aliphatic primary amines. Considering this, the synthesis of functionalized linear aliphatic primary amines is demonstrated by using the decarboxylative radical-polar crossover process, which yielded a wide range of functionalized linear aliphatic amines with excellent yields. The strength of this method is demonstrated by the synthesis of existing drugs and late-stage transformations of complex pharmaceuticals, and elaborated with detailed mechanistic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Dengue, caused by mosquito bite, is an emerging disease of international concern. Evidence regarding the prevalent dengue serotypes is scarce, but essential for its management during the outbreaks. Hence, we mapped the distribution and trends of currently prevalent dengue virus (DENV) serotypes in Odisha. Methods. We conducted a facility-based retrospective study from referral samples sent for the diagnosis/confirmation of dengue in 2018. The samples were serologically tested for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgM antibody and NS1. Only NS1-positive samples were chosen for serotyping. A pool of 8-10 NS1-positive samples were analysed for district-wise serotypes. Ribonucleic acid extraction and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done from NS1-positive samples. The PCR products were then subjected to gel electrophoresis. Results. A total of 2892 samples were screened for dengue virus across various districts of Odisha where 763 samples were found to be NS1-positive. Thirteen of 18 districts covering all topographies of Odisha predominantly had DENV2 serotype. Only few districts such as Balangir, Kalahandi and Rayagada had mixed serotypes. Conclusion. Although DENV2 is predominantly prevalent, mixed serotypes too exist in Odisha. Evidence based on variations of dengue serotypes across topographies, seasons, gender and age groups may support public health efforts in preventing the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a transition metal-free approach for the regioselective functionalization of benzylic C(sp3)–H bonds using alcohols and carboxylic acids as the nucleophiles. This straightforward and general route has provided various benzylic ethers and esters, including twelve pharmaceutically relevant compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel series of mononuclear complexes of the type, [M(L)(H2O)2] [M = Co(II) (1), Ni(II) (2), Zn(II) (3), Cd(II) (4), L = dipicolinate), has been investigated using various techniques, including elemental analyses, FT-IR, ¹H- and 13C NMR spectroscopy, powder XRD and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicate that the coordination of the dipicolinic acid to the metal ions involves two carboxylate O atoms, the pyridine N atom, and two water molecules. The pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and its studied compounds have been screened against microbial species. The findings show that the complexes have higher activity in comparison to the free pyridine-dicarboxylic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a debilitating and disabling parasitic disease of immense public health concern in India with more than 650 million people at risk. Mass drug administration (MDA) is the recommended preventive chemotherapy strategy to eliminate LF. But, its coverage and compliance has been a mixed success. There is an urgent need of evidence to strengthen the program further, which can be done by exploring and understanding implementer as well as beneficiary perspectives. Objective: To systematically review the facilitators and barriers experienced during the coverage and compliance of MDA for LF elimination in India from both beneficiary and provider’s (health system) perspective. Methods and Analysis: We will search at Medline database through PubMed and Embase, along with ProQuest and Google Scholar to retrieve literature. Original qualitative observational studies exploring challenges and enablers in MDA program will be screened by two independent reviewers systematically based on title and abstract followed by full text. The risk of bias will be assessed through critical appraisal skills program checklist for each included article. Data will be extracted in a pre‑designed proforma with study characteristics, demographic features, and texts and quotes of qualitative data. Data will be analyzed through thematic analysis and motivation‑opportunity‑ability‑behavior framework using MAXQDA software. Ethics and Dissemination: This is a literature‑based review with minimal privacy concerns. The findings of this study will be published in a peer‑reviewed journal and disseminated through policy brief to program implementers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formic acid (FA) is well‐known as a promising hydrogen source as well as a valuable chemical for the industries of textiles, pharmaceuticals etc. In fact, 1.137 million metric tons of FA is required worldwide per year to meet the current demand. Therefore, there is a strong interest for the generation of FA in a sustainable way to meet the future demand. Inspired by this information, several strategies have been considered for the sustainable synthesis of FA. Herein, we summarise the recent articles for the oxidative transformation of biomass into FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have discovered chlorophyll catalyzed 1,2-acyl migration reactions to achieve α-amino carbonyl compounds directly from the enaminones. In general, singlet oxygen is generated during photosynthesis in the photosystem II center. This singlet oxygen can readily react with the unsaturated double bonds present in biomolecules. This reactivity intrigued us to apply this concept towards unsaturated enaminones and others to achieve highly valuable compounds. Indeed, this photosensitizer is very cheap, commercially available, main group metal based and provided excellent efficiency for singlet oxygen mediated chemistry by achieving high turnover number (TON) > 300 with a high turnover frequency (TOF) of 50 h−1. Finally, a combination of DFT calculations and detailed mechanistic experiments provided the exact role of the photosensitizer and clear insights into the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a major public health concern in India, causing febrile illness principally associated with viral infection. Bacteria-like scrub typhus and leptospirosis also cause acute febrile illness. Therefore, this study was conceived to address the possible etiological agents contributing to sporadic AES in a tertiary care center in Odisha, India. Method This was a prospective hospital-based study that enrolled 92 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed AES whose blood/cerebrospinal fluid samples were tested for IgM antibodies to dengue, Japanese encephalitis (JE), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), leptospirosis and scrub typhus. Results Viral antibodies to dengue were detected in three (3.26%) cases, HSV1 in four (4.34%) and HSV2 in three (3.26%) cases. Significantly, antibodies to EBV in 22 (23.591%) and to JE in 27 (29.34%) cases were detected. Notably, 30 (32.60%) and 11(12.0%) of patients had IgM antibodies to leptospirosis and scrub typhus, respectively. Conclusion This observation indicates an association of leptospirosis and scrub typhus infection in sporadic cases of AES, besides other viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic filariasis is a complex parasitic disease having a spectrum of clinical parameters which are critical in deciding the severity of the pathogenesis. Individuals residing in the endemic areas are categorized into different clinical groups such as: EC (endemic controls-free of disease and infection), AS (asymptomatic carriers- free of disease but carries both antigens and microfilaria (Mf) in circulation), CR (cryptic-free of disease and Mf but having circulatory antigen) and CH (chronic-having manifestations of elephantiasis and hydrocele). The immune response to the parasitic infection is well studied, whereas the protective mechanism explaining the fate of antigenemia and filaremia between AS and CR group remains unexplained. Increased anti-Mf antibodies have been implicated for Mf clearance in experimental infection models whereas its role in clinical filariasis is not known. Here, we followed up two groups of 24 and 33 CR cases for 18 and 36 months respectively and analyzed both the clinical parameters and the anti-filarial antibody response. The humoral response to both whole filarial antigen and Mf antigens as well as recombinant active parasitic antigens was significantly higher in CR cases than AS individuals, whereas the clinical parameters remain unchanged. This study made insights into the protective immune mechanism responsible for the clearance of Mf from circulation in CR individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, the most common cause of human gastroenteritis, employs several virulence factors including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for infection and establishment of disease inside the host. The LPS of S. enterica serovar Enteritidis consists of lipid A, core oligosaccharide and O-antigen (OAg). The OAg consists of repeating units containing different sugars. The sugars of OAg are synthesized and assembled by a set of enzymes encoded by genes organized into clusters. Present study focuses on the effect of deletion of genes involved in biosynthesis of OAg repeating units on resistance to antimicrobial peptides and virulence in mice. Methods: In the present study, the OAg biosynthesis was impaired by deleting tyv, prt and wbaV genes involved in tyvelose biosynthesis and its transfer to OAg. The virulence phenotype of resulting mutants was evaluated by assessing resistance to antimicrobial peptides, serum complement, adhesion, invasion and in vivo colonization. Results: Deletion of the above three genes resulted in the production of OAg-negative LPS. All the OAg-negative mutants showed phenotype reported for rough strains. Interestingly, ΔwbaV mutant showed increased resistance against antimicrobial peptides and normal human serum. In addition, the ΔwbaV mutant also showed increased adhesion and invasion as compared to the other two O-Ag negative mutants Δtyv and Δprt. In vivo experiments also confirmed the increased virulent phenotype of ΔwbaV mutant as compared to Δprt mutant. Conclusion: OAg-negative mutants are known to be avirulent; however, this study demonstrates that certain OAg negative mutants e.g. ΔwbaV may also show resistance to antimicrobial peptides and cause colitis in Streptomyces pretreated mouse model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of surprises may spring up when the sac is opened in an inguinal hernia. Omentum, bowel diverticulum, ovary, fallopian tube, urinary bladder, large bowel, Meckel's diverticulum or foreign bodies being the varied contents of a hernia sac. The presence of vermiform appendix in the hernia sac in an inguinal hernia is a rare finding. This condition has been named as "Amyand's Hernia" in the honour of an English surgeon, Claudius Amyand. A diagnosis preoperatively is difficult and is most often made intraoperatively. We report here a 52-year-old patient who presented with acute intestinal obstruction due to an obstructed right sided inguinal hernia. A diagnosis of Amyand's hernia was confirmed when on exploration appendix along with a part of ascending colon was found to be content of the sac along with a few loops of small bowel. The contents were reduced after checking the viability and Bassini's repair was done. The patient had an uneventful postoperative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common curable sexually transmitted non-viral infection, which can cause urethritis, prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis among males. Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan causes toxoplasmosis among humans. These infections may lead to decreased fertility. Hence, this study was aimed to estimate the seropositivity of CT and T. gondii infection among the male partners of infertile couples in Odisha, India. In this facility-based cross-sectional study, first void urine, seminal fluid and blood sample were collected from 153 males attending infertility clinics including 74 healthy controls. Urine and seminal fluid were tested through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA and IgM anti-Chlamydia and IgM anti-Toxoplasma antibodies through serum. The prevalence of CT was 1.26 per cent (95% CI: 0.03-6.85) as estimated from semen samples using PCR. We detected anti-Chlamydia antibodies IgM-four per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83-11.24]; IgA-28.16 per cent (95% CI: 18.13-40.09) and IgG-12.5 per cent (95% CI: 5.87-22.4) among participants. Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies IgM were observed in 27.63 per cent (95% CI: 17.98-39.08) of participants. None of the control samples were found positive. Overall seropositivity of CT and Toxoplasma infections is comparable, which suggests that greater attention is required for screening these infections at clinics, especially among infertile couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]