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We have designed and tested several synthesis routes targeting a highly fluorinated disordered rocksalt (DRX) cathode, Li1.2Mn0.4Ti0.4O1.6F0.4, with each route rationalized by thermochemical analysis. Precursor combinations were screened to raise the F chemical potential and avoid the formation of LiF, which inhibits fluorination of the targeted DRX phase. MnF2 was used as a reactive source of F, and Li6MnO4, LiMnO2, and Li2Mn0.33Ti0.66O3 were tested as alternative Li sources. Each synthesis procedure was monitored using a multi-modal suite of characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. From the resulting data, we advance the understanding of oxyfluoride synthesis by outlining the key factors limiting F solubility. At low temperatures, MnF2 consistently reacts with the Li source to form LiF as an intermediate phase, thereby trapping F in strong Li-F bonds. LiF can react with Li2TiO3 to form a highly lithiated and fluorinated DRX (Li3TiO3F); however, MnO is not easily incorporated into this DRX phase. Although higher temperatures typically increase solubility, the volatility of LiF above its melting point (848 °C) inhibits fluorination of the DRX phase. Based on these findings, metastable synthesis techniques are suggested for future work on DRX fluorination.

We report that ceric ammonium nitrate mediated the synthesis of 1, 3-oxazine derivatives under the green method. In the reaction, 20 mol% catalysts are sufficient for the complete conversion of the reaction. The condensation reaction of β-naphthol with formaldehyde and primary amines those containing electron-donating as well as electron-withdrawing substituents under the aqueous reaction condition at ambient temperature in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate has been developed as an efficient and eco-friendly precursor for the determination of 1, 3-oxazine derivatives. This approach has numerous benefits beyond conventional systems, notably ease of use, expense, reusability of the catalyst, and faster reaction times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a catalyst composite of Co–Cu was prepared from chloride-containing precursor of Co(II) and Cu(II) metals using the milky latex of the Euphorbia neriifolia plant following green principles of synthesis. The catalyst composite was characterized using XRD, EDAX, SEM, HR-TEM, FTIR, XPS and TOF-MS. The crystallinity of the mixed-oxide composite with a distorted octahedral nature was confirmed from analysis. Chemical charge analysis of the Co–Cu mixed phase based on XPS revealed Co2+ and Cu2+ oxidation states. This material was used for synthesizing 2,4,5-triaryl-1H-imidazole (TIMDZOL) derivatives. Analysis of reaction conditions revealed that EtOH : PEG at 8 : 2 ratio under microwave conditions showed better yields with less time and better reusability of the Co–Cu catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the diagnostic efficacy of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Mycobacterium leprae-specific repetitive element (RLEP) PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) PCR in the diagnosis of pediatric leprosy as an alternative to slit-skin smear (SSS) examination. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 26 children aged 0–18 years with characteristic skin lesions of leprosy. SSS examination for acid fast bacilli (AFB) was performed for all children. Additionally, urine, stool and blood samples were tested by three PCR techniques - multiplex, RLEP and LAMP. The results of these tests were compared with each other and with results of SSS examination for acid fast bacilli (AFB) using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Out of 26 patients studied, SSS examination was positive for AFB in 7 cases (26.9%). In blood samples, the positivity of multiplex PCR, RLEP PCR and LAMP PCR was 84.6%, 80.8%, and 80.8%, respectively. Multiplex PCR in blood samples was positive in 100% (n = 7) of SSS positive cases and 84.2% (16 out of 19) of the SSS negative cases (P < 0.001). The positivity of all PCR methods in urine and stool samples was significantly lesser than in blood. Conclusion: Multiplex PCR in blood sample is a superior diagnostic tool for pediatric leprosy compared to RLEP PCR and LAMP PCR as well as SSS examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriophages infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 are numerous and, hence, are classified into clusters based on nucleotide sequence similarity. Analyzing phages belonging to clusters/subclusters can help gain deeper insights into their biological features and potential therapeutic applications. In this study, for genomic characterization of B1 subcluster mycobacteriophages, a framework of online tools was developed, which enabled functional annotation of about 55% of the previously deemed hypothetical proteins in B1 phages. We also studied the phenotype, lysogeny status, and antimycobacterial activity of 10 B1 phages against biofilm and an antibiotic‐resistant M. smegmatis strain (4XR1). All 10 phages belonged to the Siphoviridae family, appeared temperate based on their spontaneous release from the putative lysogens and showed antibiofilm activity. The highest inhibitory and disruptive effects on biofilm were 64% and 46%, respectively. This systematic characterization using a combination of genomic and experimental tools is a promising approach to furthering our understanding of viral dark matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cation‐disordered rocksalt (DRX) cathodes have recently emerged as a promising class of cobalt‐free, high‐capacity cathodes for lithium‐ion batteries. To facilitate their commercialization, the development of scalable synthesis techniques providing control over composition and morphology is critical. To this end, a sol‐gel synthesis route to prepare Mn‐rich DRX cathodes with high capacities is presented here. Several compositions with varied Mn content and nominal F doping are successfully prepared using this technique. In‐situ X‐ray diffraction measurements demonstrate that DRX formation proceeds at moderate temperature (800 °C) through the sol‐gel route, which enables intimate mixing among reactive intermediate phases that form at lower temperatures. All synthesized compositions possess cation short‐range order, as evidenced by neutron pair distribution function and electron diffraction analysis. These DRX materials demonstrate promising electrochemical performance with reversible capacities up to 275 mAh g. Compared to the baseline oxide (Li1.2Mn0.4Ti0.4O2), the Mn‐rich compositions exhibit improved cycling stability, with some showing an increase in capacity upon cycling. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of preparing high‐capacity DRX cathodes through a sol‐gel based synthesis route, which may be further optimized to provide better control over the product morphology compared to traditional synthesis methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study analyses several first line and second line drugs, CD4 counts and viral load in patients experiencing treatment failure over a period of 1 to 6 years of first line antiretroviral therapy (ART). The study emphasizes the implementation of tailor-made regimen and the drug resistance testing in the national programme in India. Aim and Objectives: A study on the efficacy of the first line individualized regimen of HIV-1 subtype C infected North Indian population and recommendation of first line tailor made regimen after detection of Drug Resistance Mutations (DRM) associated with first line drugs. Material and Methods: The study of HIV-1 patients taking first line ART (period 2009-2016) was conducted at ART centre, S.N Medical College, Agra, India. The follow-up of fiftyseven patients were conducted after a confirmation of genotyping test. The primary data analysis was done on the data availability based on inclusion criteria to observe the correlation between the CD4 counts and viral loads (markers of the clinical outcome) of the individual North Indian patients infected with HIV-1 Subtype C. The DRM in individual patients were analysed through the drug resistance database, Stanford University, United States of America. The study design was based on the primary data analysis of the 57 patients' drug profiles which were associated with DRM during the first line ART. The data of the resistance associated drugs, CD4 counts, viral loads of the individual patient were compiled and the patterns of drug resistance profiles were statistically analysed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS Version 22. The normality of the data was checked by Shapiro-Wilk test (p<0.05). Results: Fifty-one patients were detected with DRM. Out of 57 first line ART failure patients, 45 patients were continuing with first line and second line ART in alive condition. Twelve patients died during the treatment of first line and second line ART. Twenty four patients whose complete data of CD4 counts and viral load were available, did not show difference in drug adherence. Despite being resistant to most of the first line drugs, CD4 count increased and viral load decreased in 12 patients. Both CD4 count and viral load increased in 3 patients. Both markers declined in 2 patients while 7 of them with decrease in CD4 counts showed increase in viral loads. Median duration of treatment was 41.84 months while median treatment adherence was 98.25%. Among the 24 patients, 16 patients were shifted on second line regimen. Conclusion: The study suggests the provision of a tailor-made first line and second line individualized regimen to each patient under a policy program of National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Govt. of India. The implementation of drug resistance testing of first- and second-line therapy is very essential for changing the suitable regimen to increase CD4 counts and decrease viral load of individual patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to detect anti-ganglioside antibodies in the sera of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome and correlate their presence with clinical features, electrophysiological studies and outcome. Twenty patients with GBS were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically. Serological assays for antibodies against GM1, GD1a and GD1b gangliosides were carried out by ELISA, Twelve patients tested positive; two had antibodies against all three gangliosides, one against both GM1 and GD1a, one against GM1, GD1a or GD1b alone were seen in two, five and one patient respectively. No significant correlation was noted between the presence or type of antibody with clinical features, electrophysiological findings and outcome.