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Background: Given the demanding nature of labour, alterations in the cardiotocography (CTG) trace may be an indication of how the foetus is responding to continuous hypoxic or mechanical stressors, such as compression of the umbilical cord or a decrease in placental blood flow. Any foetus deemed to be at a "high risk" of experiencing intrapartum hypoxic damage requires constant foetal monitoring. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate CTG in high-risk pregnancy and its correlation with maternal and fetal outcomes. Methodology: Two hundred antenatal patients with ≥ 37 weeks period of gestation with high-risk pregnancies were included in the study. As per the RCOG guidelines, the CTG analysis of recruited patients was performed. Maternal and fetal outcomes were then correlated with the CTG. Results: The mean age of the patients was 27.84 ± 4.58 years. Patients with non-reactive CTG found to have significantly high risk of premature rupture of membranes. Prolonged labour was also encountered significantly high in patients with non-reactive CTG. No significant difference in the mode of delivery was observed between patients with reactive or non-reactive CTG. APGAR score was significantly low in patients with non-reactive CTG. NICU admissions was also significantly high in patients non-reactive CTG. Conclusion: A non-reactive CTG indicate a lack of fetal well-being, which may be due to various causes such as fetal distress, umbilical cord compression, or low fetal oxygenation. In present study, we found that patients with non-reactive CTG tends to have poor maternal and foetal outcomes compared to the patients with reactive CTG which indicate potential role of CTG in predicting outcomes in high-risk pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lime treatment of soil is a widely adopted technique to improve its properties. However, the durability of lime-treated soil under varying environmental conditions such as contamination with chemical agents is still a matter of concern. An attempt has been made to examine the swelling behaviour of untreated and lime-treated expansive soil subjected to sulphate contamination (i.e. soluble gypsum). Series of the free swell index and one-dimensional oedometer swell tests have been performed in untreated and lime-treated soil inundating with soluble gypsum of varying sulphate concentration (i.e. low to high; 0 to 30000 ppm). The results of one-dimensional oedometer swell tests revealed that the sulphate contamination leads to the reduction in the maximum swelling percentage of untreated soil. On contrary, a drastic increase in the swelling percentage has been observed in the lime-treated soil subjected to contamination up to 16000 ppm, which diminishes thereafter with an increase in sulphate concentration. It is revealed that the sulphate contamination has observed promising effect on untreated soil; whereas a susceptible behaviour is pronounced in the lime-treated soil up to 16000 ppm sulphate concentration. Further, experimental outcomes are elucidated based on the detailed microanalyses (XRD, SEM, EDAX and FTIR) of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein S is a multifunctional plasma protein, whose deficiency, results in a rare congenital thrombophilia, inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. It can aggravate the hypercoagulable state of pregnancy, when it presents in parallel with the condition, leading to adverse maternal outcomes and foetal loss. A 35-year-old female third gravida having previous 2 deliveries by Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) presented to emergency at 10 weeks pregnancy with chief complaints of pain and swelling in left thigh since 4-5 days. After thorough investigations and work-up, the patient was diagnosed with Protein S deficiency. She was managed conservatively and was delivered by elective LSCS with bilateral tubal ligation at 38 weeks of gestation with good foetal and maternal outcomes. The rarity of Protein S deficiency along with the successful outcome of the pregnancy makes this a unique case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) have potential widespread applications in diverse biomedical fields. However, under physiological conditions, protein corona formation on these AuNRs is inevitable. Human serum albumin (HSA), being the most abundant serum protein, tends to act like a reservoir for holding various therapeutic payloads. In the current study, we utilized the protein corona formed by HSA on differently functionalized (CTAB, PSS, and PEG) AuNRs for doxorubicin loading. Parameters such as surface functionalization of the AuNRs, amount and pattern of HSA corona influenced doxorubicin loading. The doxorubicin loading pattern was found to be in the order PSS–AuNRs ＞ CTAB–AuNRs ＞ PEG–AuNRs. Corona formation and doxorubicin loading modulated the absorption spectral peaks, mean hydrodynamic diameter, and surface charge of the functionalized AuNRs. The pH-responsiveness and sustained release behavior of the drug-loaded coronated particles were evaluated. A payload leakage study over a period of 14 days indicated that both surface functionalization and amount of bound corona had a combinatorial effect on the retention of drug payload. Additionally, the influence of bound payload on the stability of the corona was also analyzed. Finally, a biocompatibility assessment was done using a hemolytic assay where the presence of HSA corona was seen to be advantageous in preventing excessive RBC membrane damage. The study highlights the relevance and probable applications of protein-coronated gold nanorods with ideal surface functionalization as a new nanoplatform for drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in gene editing are enabling the engineering of cells with an unprecedented level of scale. To capitalize on this opportunity, new methods are needed to accelerate the different steps required to manufacture and handle engineered cells. Here, we describe the development of an integrated software and hardware platform to automate Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), a central step for the selection of cells displaying desired molecular attributes. Sorting large numbers of samples is laborious, and, to date, no automated system exists to sequentially manage FACS samples, likely owing to the need to tailor sorting conditions ("gating") to each individual sample. Our platform is built around a commercial instrument and integrates the handling and transfer of samples to and from the instrument, autonomous control of the instrument's software, and the algorithmic generation of sorting gates, resulting in walkaway functionality. Automation eliminates operator errors, standardizes gating conditions by eliminating operator-to-operator variations, and reduces hands-on labor by 93%. Moreover, our strategy for automating the operation of a commercial instrument control software in the absence of an Application Program Interface (API) exemplifies a universal solution for other instruments that lack an API. Our software and hardware designs are fully open-source and include step-by-step build documentation to contribute to a growing open ecosystem of tools for high-throughput cell biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a polymer-based bioadsorbent was prepared by cross-linking chitosan to filter mud and magnetic pectin (Ch-mPC@FM) for the removal of Bismark Brown R dye (BB-R) from wastewater. Morphological characterization analysis indicated that Ch-mPC@FM had a higher surface area and better pore structure than its components. The Artificial Neuron Network (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) were employed to evaluate the simulation and prediction of the adsorption process based on input variables like temperature, pH, dosage, initial BB-R dye concentration, and contact time. ANFIS and ANN demonstrated significant modeling and predictive accuracy, with R2 > 0.93 and R2 > 0.96, and root mean square error < 0.023 and <0.020, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic models provided the best fits to the equilibrium and kinetic data. The thermodynamic assessment showed spontaneous and endothermic adsorption with average entropy and enthalpy changes of 119.32 kJ mol−1 K and 403.47 kJ mol−1, respectively. The study of BB-R dye adsorption on Ch-mPC@FM revealed multiple mechanisms, including electrostatic, complexation, pore filling, cation-π interaction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions. The approximate production cost of US$ 5.809 Kg−1 and excellent adsorption capability render Ch-mPC@FM an inexpensive, pragmatic, and ecologically safe bioadsorbent for BB-R dye removal from wastewater. [Display omitted] • Chitosan conjugated magnetic pectin loaded Filter mud was used as bioadsorbent. • Bismark Brown R dye was effectively removed from the solution with q max 143 mg g−1. • Pseudo-second-order was proved to be the best-described kinetic model. • ANN and ANFIS model were successfully used to model the process. • The cost estimate for bioadsorbent was presented as US$ 5.809/Kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a polymer-based bioadsorbent was prepared by cross-linking chitosan to filter mud and magnetic pectin (Ch-mPC@FM) for the removal of Bismark Brown R dye (BB-R) from wastewater. Morphological characterization analysis indicated that Ch-mPC@FM had a higher surface area and better pore structure than its components. The Artificial Neuron Network (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) were employed to evaluate the simulation and prediction of the adsorption process based on input variables like temperature, pH, dosage, initial BB-R dye concentration, and contact time. ANFIS and ANN demonstrated significant modeling and predictive accuracy, with R2 > 0.93 and R2 > 0.96, and root mean square error < 0.023 and <0.020, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic models provided the best fits to the equilibrium and kinetic data. The thermodynamic assessment showed spontaneous and endothermic adsorption with average entropy and enthalpy changes of 119.32 kJ mol−1 K and 403.47 kJ mol−1, respectively. The study of BB-R dye adsorption on Ch-mPC@FM revealed multiple mechanisms, including electrostatic, complexation, pore filling, cation-π interaction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions. The approximate production cost of US$ 5.809 Kg−1 and excellent adsorption capability render Ch-mPC@FM an inexpensive, pragmatic, and ecologically safe bioadsorbent for BB-R dye removal from wastewater. [Display omitted] • Chitosan conjugated magnetic pectin loaded Filter mud was used as bioadsorbent. • Bismark Brown R dye was effectively removed from the solution with q max 143 mg g−1. • Pseudo-second-order was proved to be the best-described kinetic model. • ANN and ANFIS model were successfully used to model the process. • The cost estimate for bioadsorbent was presented as US$ 5.809/Kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zika virus (ZIKV) exhibits a tropism for brain tumor cells and has been used as an oncolytic virus to target brain tumors in mice with modest effects on extending median survival. Recent studies have highlighted the potential for combining virotherapy and immunotherapy to target cancer. We postulated that ZIKV could be used as an adjuvant to enhance the long-term survival of mice with malignant glioblastoma and generate memory T-cells capable of providing long-term immunity against cancer remission. To test this hypothesis mice bearing malignant intracranial GL261 tumors were subcutaneously vaccinated with irradiated GL261 cells previously infected with the ZIKV. Mice also received intracranial injections of live ZIKV, irradiation attenuated ZIKV, or irradiated GL261 cells previously infected with ZIKV. Long-term survivors were rechallenged with a second intracranial tumor to examine their immune response and look for the establishment of protective memory T-cells. Mice with subcutaneous vaccination plus intracranial irradiation attenuated ZIKV or intracranial irradiated GL261 cells previously infected with ZIKV exhibited the greatest extensions to overall survival. Flow cytometry analysis of immune cells within the brains of long-term surviving mice after tumor rechallenge revealed an increase in the number of T-cells, including CD4+ and tissue-resident effector/ effector memory CD4+ T-cells, in comparison to long-term survivors that were mock-rechallenged, and in comparison to naïve untreated mice challenged with intracranial gliomas. These results suggest that ZIKV can serve as an adjuvant to subcutaneous tumor vaccines that enhance long-term survival and generate protective tissue-resident memory CD4+ T-cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide water quality is degrading and most of the water bodies are now being contaminated by heavy load of pollutants from various industries. Aquatic ecosystems are also disrupted affecting various flora and fauna adversely. Water bodies dominated with aquatic plants have high yielding capacity. These plants are capable of high nutrient accumulation and creating favorable condition in rhizosphere for microbial organic degradation, which can be applied in the restoration process of polluted lakes, natural streams and wetlands, etc. Ecological Floating Bed (EFB) is designed by using aquatic plants, floating like mat on the surface of water. The plant roots hang beneath the floating mat and provide a large surface area for biofilm growth. This paper reviewed the EFB concept, structure, mechanisms and functions. Screening of suitable macrophyte species, involvement of biofilm in organic removal process and necessity of growth media have been discussed briefly. Apart from this, effect of depth, buoyancy, vegetation coverage ratio are also represented. Detail mechanisms of oxygen transfer from top to bottom of water biomass have been well analyzed. Various pollutants present in wastewater like organics, solids, nitrogen, phosphorous, heavy metals etc. and their removal mechanism have also mentioned. Again biomass needs to be harvested in regular interval, else the absorbed nutrients may re-enter to the water body. Overall, EFB is an efficient and effective wastewater treatment technology and further research is necessary for its better utilization. Finally, based on reviews, recommendations have been made for future research. Image 1 • Factors considered in Design of Ecological Floating Bed (EFB). • Various mechanism of oxygen transfer in aquatic plants. • Process of heavy metal removal from wastewater by EFB. • Biomass harvesting in floating bed and its maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • DFT electronic and optical properties calculations were performed for MoS 2 -graphene-Au complexes. • Tunable optical properties of MoS 2 due to underlying graphene (Gr) in vertical vdWH are reported. • Decreased work function of MoS 2 /Gr suggested modulated electronic properties attributed to interlayer coupling albeit weaker. • Local photoconductivity confirmed MoS 2 /Gr heterojunction behavior, which boosts modern optoelectronic devices. We present a computational and experimental study for various heterostructures and heterointerfaces comprising two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) and graphene (Gr) supported on gold (Au). These structures are useful for photo-electrochemical and nanophotonic applications, as well as for hydrogen generation. The frequency-dependent dielectric function, the refractive index, and the reflectivity are calculated using light polarization parallel and perpendicular to the respective monolayer c axis. We identify the transitions within MoS 2 and graphene, which correspond to peaks in the imaginary part of the frequency-dependent dielectric function. The Gr-MoS 2 dielectric function appears as a composition of the corresponding dielectric functions from the isolated monolayers with their peaks being shifted. However, for the Gr-MoS 2 -Au heterointerfaces, some of these peaks from the isolated monolayers are no longer detected. Charge transfers and work function calculations show that MoS 2 and graphene are n and p -type semiconductors, respectively, which agree with our experimental local photoconductivity measurements. The heterojunction behavior for Gr-MoS 2 is attributed to the interlayer electronic coupling, while minimizing Fermi level pinning at the MoS 2 /Au interface and charge transfers from graphene to MoS 2. Thus, interfacing MoS 2 with graphene signifies substrate engineering, allowing tunable MoS 2 physical properties for diverse applications across the electromagnetic spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]