Exploited marine fishery resources off Tuticorin along the Gulf of Mannar coast

Tuticorin coast of Gulf of Mannar is endowed with rocky bottom, coral reefs and sea grass beds with characteristic flora and fauna. It also acts as home for several endangered marine mammals, sea cows and marine turtles. These resources were exploited by a variety of gears during 2000-2005

Study of cosolvent-induced α-chymotrypsin fibrillogenesis: Does protein surface hydrophobicity trigger early stages of aggregation reaction?

The misfolding of specific proteins is often associated with their assembly into fibrillar aggregates, commonly termed amyloid fibrils. Despite the many efforts expended to characterize amyloid formation in vitro, there is no deep knowledge about the environment (in which aggregation occurs) as well as mechanism of this type of protein aggregation. Alpha-chymotrypsin was recently driven toward amyloid aggregation by the addition of intermediate concentrations of trifluoroethanol. In the present study, approaches such as turbidimetric, thermodynamic, intrinsic fluorescence and quenching studies as well as chemical modification have been successfully used to elucidate the underlying role of hydrophobic interactions (involved in early stages of amyloid formation) in α-chymotrypsin-based experimental system. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

DEVELOPMENT OF DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRIN USING CHEMICAL MODIFICATION APPROACH

Proteins are very important molecules as therapeutics. They have several advantages over small molecule drugs but their use is limited by their circulation short half life, immunogenicity and physicochemical instability. Several approaches have been developed to improve the pharmacokinetics of proteins. One that is clinically proven is the covalent conjugation of poly ethylene glycol (PEG) to the protein. This is known as PEGylation. Problems associated with PEGylation include product heterogenicity and low conjugation efficiency. A new approach is applied in this study which is site-specific PEGylation and it is called disulfide bridging PEGylation. The main principle is to reduce a native disulfide bond in the protein molecule followed by PEGylation using a bis-alkylation PEG reagent that can insert a three carbon bridge that connects to the two sulphur that had formed the disulfide. In this study controlled reduction and disulfide bridging PEGylation of transferrin (which has 19 disulfides some that are close to the surface and are accessible) was conducted. For transferrin (Tf) partial reduction was achieved using (0.5 mM) DTT which is considered to be mild reducing conditions. No denaturant was required for the partial reduction of transferrin. Mono-PEGylation was achieved with a small amount of di-PEGylation being observed. Holo-Tf (which is Tf bound to iron) and apo-Tf (which is Tf iron free) were compared to see if bounded iron had any effect on protein conformation that could influence disulfide reduction or PEGylation. Both forms of Tf give the same results by Sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) indicating that iron had no effect. Using higher equivalents of the PEG reagent was unnecessary; we obtained good mono-PEGylation 198 by adding 2 equivalents of PEG to the protein. The results approved by Size exclusion chromatography –High performance liquid chromatography (SEC-HPLC) analysis. These results demonstrate the possibility of controlled reduction of multiple disulfide proteins under mild conditions which may improve the stability, prolong the half life and improve pharmacokinetics of Tf to present it as medicin

FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF MARINE SPONGES COLLECTED FROM KOVALAM, CHENNAI

Objective: The main focus of this study is to screen the marine sponges for potent free radical scavenging activity. Methods: Various methods such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay are employed to ascertain the antioxidant properties of marine sponges namely Dysidea herbacea and Sigmadocia pumila. Results: On analyzing, the result of ABTS assay D. herbacea and S. pumila exhibited almost equal antioxidant properties. While calculating the inhibitory concentration 50% value for DPPH assay, the Sample 1 and 2 has an IC of 655.49 and 826.739 μl, respectively, and in FRAP assay, the Sample 1 and 2 has an IC of 67.587 and 74.57 μg, respectively. Conclusion: Overall from this assay, D. herbacea revealed slightly better antioxidant activity when compared to S. pumila, also which in future may serve as a better source to fight against various disease

Functional evaluation of unstable intertrochanteric fractures treated with proximal femoral nailing

In this study the functional outcome of proximal femoral nailing (PFN) in patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures is studied and outcome is assessed with Modified Harris Hip Score. A post-operative analysis of unstable intertrochanteric fractures treated with PFN is done for its functional assessment. Various national & international studies are taken into consideration and our institutional study is compared with them. Between September 2020 to March 2022, 20 patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures of the hip joint who were operated with PFN were functionally and clinically evaluated as per the Modified Harris Hip Score. Patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were included in the study and follow-up was done up to 9 months. Fracture pattern, operative details and post-operative complications were documented. This study of 20 patients of unstable intertrochanteric fractures fixed with PFN showed excellent results in 9 patients (45 %), good functional outcome in 6 patients (30 %) and fair functional outcome in 3 patients (15 %). 2 patients showed a poor outcome accounting for 10%. The study showed that PFN is a reliable and effective device for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures. It provides a satisfactory fixation, but success is dependent mainly on fracture type, bony architecture, operative technique, postoperative care and rehabilitation. In view of the fewer post-operative complications, early union of fracture, early weight bearing and early return to work, we concluded the PFN to be a versatile, stable and acceptable implant in fixation of unstable intertrochanteric fractures which leads to a better functional outcome

Parent Motivational Climate, Sport Enrollment Motives, and Young Athlete Commitment and Enjoyment in Year-Round Swimming

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(5): 358-372, 2022. Parents are known to influence the athlete sport experience through motivational climates. Athletes’ perception of motivational climates and their own motives for sport participation influence enjoyment and long-term sport commitment. It is unknown, however, the extent parent motives for initially enrolling their child in a year-round sports program associate with children’s sport participation enjoyment and commitment. The purposes of this study were to (a) determine parent motives for enrolling their child (5-8 years) in year-round swimming and (b) explore the relationships of parent motives and motivational climates with child enjoyment and commitment. Parents (n = 40) completed questionnaires on enrollment motives and motivational climate, while children (n = 40) answered questions on enjoyment and commitment. Of the seven motives measured, parents enrolled children in swimming primarily for fitness benefits (M = 4.5, SD = .45) followed by skill mastery (M = 4.31, SD = .48) and fun (M = 4.10, SD = .51) reasons. Findings revealed the fitness motive was moderately, negatively correlated with the success-without-effort facet of a performance climate (r = -.50, p \u3c .01). The fun motive was moderately, positively associated with commitment (r = .43, p \u3c .01). Parent motives for enrolling their child in sport may impact the young child sport experience and long-term sport continuation via motivational climates, enjoyment, and commitment

Utilization of High Volume Fraction of Binary Combinations of Supplementary Cementitious Materials in the Production of Reactive Powder Concrete

The reactive powder concrete (RPC) is one of the special concrete types that characteristics with high cement content which means high production cost and CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. Therefore, to enhance the environment as well as to develop green RPC, alternatives to cement, such as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) were used. Limited studies addressed the use of a high volume fraction of SCMs as a binary combination in the production of RPC. Thus, this study aims to replace a high percentage of cement (50%) with binary combinations of silica fume (SF), type F fly ash (FA) and metakaolin (MK). The experimental program included two phases. In phase one, two groups (SF+FA and MK+FA) were cast without steel fibers. Based on group performance in the first phase, one group was chosen to be used with steel fibers in the second phase. The flow rate, compressive and flexural strengths, density, ultrasonic pulse velocity and dynamic modulus of elasticity tests were conducted. The phase one results showed that SF+FA combination mixtures had better performance than MK+FA mixtures thus they were selected to be used in the second phase (with the addition of 1% volumetric fraction micro steel fibers). Results indicated that it is possible to produce sustainable RPC in which the cement can be replaced with 30% SF and 20% FA (the total replacement is 50%) in the presence of 1% steel fibers with a remarkable enhancement in compressive strength and flexural strength reached up to 44% and 10%, respectively

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Review of COVID‑19 Vaccine

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) accounts for over 92 million confirmed cases worldwide, with over 2.06 million deaths. In the past year, more than 290 candidate vaccines have been tested; COVID‑19 vaccine&nbsp; development was sped up, with shortened timeline, due to the urgent global need in the face of the pandemic. In addition, people with the highest risk of contracting the disease, such as health workers with a high risk of exposure, elderlies, and people with underlying comorbidities, were prioritized with vaccination rollout. The article narratively reviewed original and review articles available on PubMed and Google Scholar related to the theme to provide up‑to‑date information. The different templates developed and studied for COVID‑19 vaccines include the whole‑virus vaccine, viral vector vaccine, nucleic acid (deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid), and protein subunit vaccine. Myths impede vaccine uptake in this part of the globe. Adopting these myths leads to sharing and spreading, which negatively impacts the prevention of COVID‑19 and vaccine uptake. Adverse event following immunizations (AEFIs) is classified based on severity, from minor to severe. The minor ones are common events that pose no potential health risks to the receiver of the vaccine. The type determines the safety profile, severity, and frequency of AEFIs observed with the vaccine administration. Overall, this pandemichas heightened the global level of threat awareness; it has also provided motivation to prepare for future&nbsp; pandemics by developing new vaccines