Association of Allergic Symptoms with Dengue Infection and Severity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The relationship between the severity of dengue infection and allergy is still obscure. We conducted an electronic search across 12 databases for relevant articles reporting allergic symptoms, dengue infection, and dengue classification. These studies were categorized according to dengue severity and allergy symptoms, and a meta-analysis was performed by pooling the studies in each category. Among the included 57 articles, pruritus was the most common allergic sign followed by non-specified allergy and asthma(28.6%, 13%, and 6.5%, respectively). Despite the reported significant association of dengue with pruritus and total Ig E level(P \ 0.05), in comparison with non-dengue cases and healthy controls, there was no association between the different severe dengue group with pruritus, skin allergy, food allergy or asthma. However,removing the largest study revealed a significant association between asthma with dengue hemorrhagic fever(DHF) rather than dengue fever(DF). In comparison with DF, DHF was associated with Ig E positivity. Furthermore, specific-Ig E level was higher in secondary DF rather than primary DF. There was a possible association between allergy symptoms and dengue severity progression. Further studies are needed to clarify this association.     

Promising applications of cold plasma for microbial safety,chemical decontamination and quality enhancement in fruits

Consumers’ demand is increasing for safe foods without impairing the phytochemical and sensory quality. In turn, it has increased research interest in the exploration of innovative food processing technologies. Cold plasma technology is getting popularity now days owing to its high efficacy in decontamination of microbes in fruit and fruit-based products. As a on-thermal approach, plasma processing maintains the quality of fruits and minimizes the thermal effects on nutritional properties. Cold plasma is also exploited for inactivating enzymes and degrading pesticides as both are directly related with quality loss and presently are most important concerns in fresh produce industry. The present review covers the influence of cold plasma technology on reducing microbial risks and enhancing the quality attributes in fruits.     

Advanced psychometric testing on a clinical screening tool to evaluate insomnia: sleep condition indicator in patients with advanced cancer

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - To examine the psychometric properties of the Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI) using different psychometric approaches [including classical test theory, Rasch models,...     

Efficiency Enhancement of Ultra-thin CIGS Solar Cells Using Bandgap Grading and Embedding Au Plasmonic Nanoparticles

The objective of this study is to enhance the efficiency of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells. To accomplish that, composition grading of absorber layer was carried out by using SILVACO’s technology aided computer design (TCAD) ATLAS program. Results showed a meaningful improvement of output parameters including open-circuit voltage (V_oc), short-circuit current (I_sc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (η). For further performance improvement of the cell, Au plasmonic scattering nanoparticles were loaded on the top of the ZnO window layer. Plasmonic nanoparticles can restrict, absorb, navigate, or scatter the incident light. By using the spherical Au nanoparticles, a very good increase in the light absorption in the cell over the reference planar CIGS solar cell was observed. The highest η = 19.01% was achieved for the designed ultra-thin bandgap-graded CIGS solar cell decorated by Au nanoparticles.

     

Identifying Metal Nanoparticle Size Effect on Sensing Common Human Plasma Protein by Counting the Sensitivity of Optical Absorption Spectra Damping

Colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) interact with biological fluids such as human plasma to form a protein coating (corona) on the surface of NPs (NP-protein complex). However, the impact of size and type of NPs on binding of the hard corona to the surface of NPs as well as damping of their optical spectra has not been systematically explored. To elucidate the interaction between biological environment (human plasma) and NPs, a photophysical measurement was conducted to quantify the interaction of two different types of NPs (gold (Au) and silver (Ag)) with common human plasma proteins. The colloidal AuNPs and AgNPs were electrostatically stabilized and varied in diameter from 10 to 80 nm in the presence of common human plasma. The sizes of the NPs were determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Optical absorption spectra were obtained for the complexes. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement and zeta potential were used to characterize the sizes, hydrodynamic diameters, and surface charges of the protein-NPs complexes. Protein separation was performed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to isolate and identify the protein bands. The absorption of proteins to the NPs was found to be strongly dependent on the size and type of NPs. The distance between surface of NPs by absorbed protein bound to the NPs gradually increased with size of NPs, particularly for AgNPs with primary diameter of < 50 nm. The chi-square test proved that AgNPs are a good candidate in sensing the protein complex in human plasma compared with AuNPs mainly for the AgNPs with diameter sized 50 nm.

     

Characterization of Aqueous Dispersions and Gels Made of Sodium Caseinate and Basil Seed Gum: Phase Behavior,Rheology, and Microstructure

The interactions between sodium caseinate (NaCas) and basil seed gum (BSG) in the presence of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) were investigated. The phase behavior of the mixed aqueous dispersions and their gels revealed a homogeneous mixture, obtained at the higher concentrations of both CaCl₂ and BSG. The Herschel-Bulkley model sufficiently fitted the flow behavior of the mixture solution data. Apparent viscosity increased significantly (p < 0.05) by increasing the concentration of BSG, where the addition of CaCl₂ had no significant effect on the viscosity of the samples (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there was an increase in thixotropy due to the higher concentrations of BSG and CaCl₂. Based on the frequency sweep test, at the low frequencies, a more gel-like behavior was observed in the case of the higher concentrations of either BSG or CaCl₂. The rheological and SEM data suggested that the stronger structure of NaCas-BSG gel in the presence of the higher concentrations of CaCl₂ was related to the induction of complex formation between the two biopolymers.

     

CaСl2 Salt Signaling in Primary Root Architecture and Lateral Root Emergence in Arabidopsis thaliana

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - Plant root architecture modulates during developmental stages and adjusts with the environmental condition. The cytosolic calcium which is a ubiquitous...     

Design and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of New Pyrazole, 1,2,4-Triazole,and 1,3,4-Thiadiazol Derivatives Bearing 1,4-Dihydroquinoxaline Moiety

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - An effective method for synthesizing a series of fifteen new compounds ethyl 3-(2-(3-amino-1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2-carbonyl)hydrazono )butanoate (II),...     

Azotobacter: A potential bio-fertilizer for soil and plant health management

Stressor (biotic as well as abiotic) generally hijack the plant growth and yield characters in hostile environment leading to poor germination of the plants and yield. Among the plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, Azotobacter spp. (Gram-negative prokaryote) are considered to improve the plant health. Various mechanisms are implicated behind improved plant health in Azotobacter spp. inoculated plants. For example, acceleration of phytohormone like Indole-3-Acetic Acid production, obviation of various stressors, nitrogen fixation, pesticides and oil globules degradation, heavy metals metabolization, etc. are the key characteristics of Azotobacter spp. action. In addition, application of this bacteria has also become helpful in the reclamation of soil suggesting to be a putative agent which can be used in the transformation of virgin land to fertile one. Application of pesticides of chemical origin are being put on suspension mode as the related awareness program is still on. As far as the limitations of this microbe is concerned, commercial level formulations availability is still a great menace. Present review has been aimed to appraise the researchers pertaining to utility of Azotobacter spp. in the amelioration of plant health in sustainable agroecosystem. The article has been written with the target to gather maximum information into single pot so that it could reach to the dedicated researchers.