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OBJECTIVES: To compare the duration required to regain birth weight following early fortification of human milk vs. late fortification among preterm infants. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included hemodynamically stable 120 preterm infants (≤32 wk of gestation). The intervention and comparator groups received standard fortification with human milk fortifier when enteral feeds reached 30 ml/kg/d (early fortification) and 80 ml/kg/d (late fortification) respectively. Neonates in both the groups received feed increments as per standard NICU protocol. Anthropometric measurements (weight, length, and head circumference) at birth and during postnatal follow-up were done following standard precautions and plotted on the sex-specific Fenton growth charts. Primary outcome was the mean duration required to regain birth weight. Secondary outcomes included weight gain velocity, linear growth, increase in head circumference and occurrence of sepsis, feed intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis. RESULTS: Preterm neonates who received early fortification regained birth weight earlier compared to those in the late fortification group (10.13 ± 2.90 vs. 11.26 ± 3.06, p <0.05). The weight gain velocity, linear growth and increase in head circumference were better in the early fortification group. There was no increased risk of culture proven sepsis, feed intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis in the early fortification group compared to late fortification. CONCLUSIONS: Standard fortification with human milk fortifier when enteral feeds reach 30 ml/kg/d helps preterm neonates regain birth weight earlier. Early fortification is well tolerated and safe for the population studied.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of an electronic infrared tap with voice reinforcement to improve hand hygiene compliance among health care workers. METHOD: This pre-post intervention study used an automated electronic infrared tap with voice reinforcement as intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Hand hygiene adherence rates of health care workers were monitored using a video camera. RESULTS: A total of 2718 hand hygiene events were observed. Baseline rates of hand hygiene (complete or partial adherence rates) were 86.9% in NICU and 81.2% in PICU, that improved to 94.9% for NICU and 92.9% for PICU post-intervention (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Use of an electronic infrared (EIR) tap with voice reinforcement in handwashing stations of NICU and PICU improved hand hygiene compliance among health care workers.

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This work appraises the prospect of utilising groundnut shell hydrolysate as a feedstock used for PHB biosynthesis by Azotobacter chroococcum MTCC 3853 under SMF conditions. Sugar reduction: untreated and pretreated 20% H2SO4 (39.46 g/l and 62.96 g/l, respectively), untreated and enzymatic hydrolysis (142.35 mg/g and 568.94 mg/g). The RSM-CCD optimization method was used to generate augment PHB biosynthesis from groundnut shell hydrolysate (30 g/l), ammonium sulphate (1.5 g/l), ammonium chloride (1.5 g/l), peptone (1.5 g/l), pH 7, 30 °C, and a 48 h incubation time. The most convincing factors (p < 0.0001), coefficient R2 values of biomass 0.9110 and PHB yield 0.9261, PHB production, highest biomass (17.23 g/l), PHB Yield(11.46 g/l), and 66.51 (wt% DCW) values were recorded. The control (untreated GN) PHB yield value of 2.86 g/l increased up to fourfold in pretreated GN. TGA results in a melting range in the peak perceived at 270.55 °C and a DSC peak range of 172.17 °C, correspondingly. According to the results, it furnishes an efficient agricultural waste executive approach by diminishing the production expenditure. It reinforces the production of PHB, thereby shrinking our reliance on fossil fuel-based plastics.

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The motive of this work is to synthesis aromatic polyimides by a two-step poly condensation process and the prepared aromatic polyamides (APIs) is been used as an effective functionalized adsorbent for the removal of carcinogenic crystal violet (CV) from aqueous medium. The adsorption efficiency of the APIs was enhanced by incorporation different functional moieties (varying aromatic dianhydrides with -O-, -(CF3)2-, -(CH3)2-) in the polymer structure. The initial and final concentration of CV was measured using UV-Vis spectrometer. The adsorption process was optimized by varying the parameters such as the effect of solution pH, contact time, initial dye concentration, and adsorbent dosage. Kinetics and isotherms of the adsorption system were appraised using data obtained from effect of contact time and initial dye concentration with corresponding empirical modelling techniques respectively. The evaluated results of the adsorption kinetic studies confirmed that the adsorption of API onto CV is followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption behaviour and their interactions between APIs and CV are well established. The experimental results of this research output could be confirmed that APIs is a very effective adsorbent for the removal of cationic dye from aqueous.

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CRISPR-Cas system contributes adaptive immunity to protect the bacterial and archaeal genome against invading mobile genetic elements. In this study, an attempt was made to characterize the CRISPR-Cas system in Staphylococcus coagulans, the second most prevalent coagulase positive staphylococci causing skin infections in dogs. Out of 45 S. coagulans isolates, 42/45 (93·33%) strains contained CRISPR-Cas system and 45 confirmed CRISPR system was identified in 42 S. coagulans isolates. The length of CRISPR loci ranged from 167 to 2477 bp, and the number of spacers in each CRISPR was varied from two spacers to as high as 37 numbers. Direct repeat (DR) sequences were between 30 and 37, but most (35/45) of the DRs contained 36 sequences. The predominant S. coagulans strains 29/45 did not possess any antimicrobial resistant genes (ARG); 26/29 strains contained Type IIC CRISPR-Cas system. Three isolates from Antarctica seals neither contain CRISPR-Cas system nor ARG. Only 15/45 S. coagulans strains (33·33%) harboured at least one ARG and 13/15 of them were having mecA gene. All the methicillin susceptible S. coagulans isolates contained Type IIC CRISPR-Cas system. In contrast, many (10/13) S. coagulans isolates which were methicillin resistant had Type IIIA CRISPR-Cas system, and this Type IIIA CRISPR-Cas system was present within the SCCmec mobile genetic element. Hence, this study suggests that Type II CRISPR-Cas in S. coagulans isolates might have played a possible role in preventing acquisition of plasmid/phage invasion and Type IIIA CRISPR-Cas system may have an insignificant role in the prevention of horizontal gene transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes in S. coagulans species.

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The phytohormone producing Streptomyces rosealbus MTTC 12,951 (S.R) and green microalga Chlorella vulgaris MSU-AGM 14 (C.V) were cultivated in co-culture system to evaluate exogenous hormonal activity. Biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and their precursors were quantitatively evaluated by employing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The concentration of IAA (0.72 ± 0.02 µg mL-1) was observed to be elevated in co-cultivation system due to symbiotic interaction between Streptomyces and microalgae. In exchange, microalgae produced adequate volume of tryptophan (Trp) to induce IAA biosynthesis. The Trp stress in late exponential phase encouraged lipid accumulation (175 ± 10 mg g-1). The bioflocculation property of microalgae ensures potential and economic viable harvesting process by reducing 148% input energy compared to conventional method. The overall results evidenced that C.V co-cultivation with S.R exhibits promotional behavior and serves as a promising cultivation process for microalgae in terms of cost efficiency and energy conservation.

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The present study was designed to assess the effect of sublethal concentrations of electoplating industry effluent (EIE) on the non-specific and specific immune responses in the freshwater fish, Cyprinus carpio. Sublethal concentrations of electroplating industry effluent such as 0.004, 0.007, 0.010 and 0.013% were chosen based on the LC50 values. Experimental fish were exposed to these sublethal concentrations of EIE for 28 days. After 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of treatment, non-specific immune response by serum lysozyme activity, myeloperoxidase activity and antiprotease activity and specific immune response by antibody response to Aeromonas hydrophila using bacterial agglutination assay and ELISA were assessed. The results showed that chronic exposure of fish to 0.004, 0.007, 0.010 and 0.013% EIE, dose-dependently decreased the non-specific and specific immune responses on all the days tested compared to control fish whereas statistically significant suppressive effects were observed in fish exposed to 0.013% of EIE on all activities tested.

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OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of 4 day course (study group) with 7 day course (control group) of antibiotic treatment in neonatal pneumonia, on treatment success rate. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital. Seventy, term and near-term neonates with pneumonia who had clinical remission by 48 h of antibiotic therapy were included. The neonates were randomized to receive a total of 4 d of antibiotics (Group 1) or 7 d of antibiotics (Group 2). The outcome measure was treatment failure in each group within 3 d of discharge. RESULTS: The treatment success rate of both the groups was 100%. There was a significant reduction in the duration of hospital stay (p < 0.001), antibiotic usage (p < 0.001), and cost (p < 0.001) in the 4 d group. On follow up till 28 d of enrollment, no infective morbidity was found in either group. CONCLUSIONS: For term and near-term neonates who become clinically asymptomatic within 48 h of antibiotic therapy, 4 d of antibiotic therapy is as effective and safe as 7 d of antibiotic therapy, with significant reduction in hospital stay, antibiotic usage and cost.

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Taraditionally, the water-soluble contaminants of biodiesel are treated by water wash method. However, water wash method ends up in an aqueous effluent, which might then cause a harmful environmental impact. As a consequence, waterless purification of biodiesel has triggered primary interest in biodiesel manufacturing process. To address this issue, an endeavour has been made in this work to investigate the waterless purification of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using cow dung ash at different concentration of 1, 2, 3 and 4 wt/wt %. The optimum concentration of cow dung ash for biodiesel purification was found through chemometric analysis by comparing the Fourier transform infrared transmission (FTIR) spectral characteristics of cow dung ash with the water treated FTIR. It was observed from the experimental study that 1 wt/wt % of cow dung ash exhibited similar structural characteristics as that of traditional water treated method of biodiesel purification. Therefore, bio-waste cow dung ash is an effective adsorbent in purifying biodiesel analogous to traditional water washing technology.

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The modern scenario reveals that the world is facing energy crisis due to the dwindling sources of fossil fuels. Environment protection agencies are more concerned about the atmospheric pollution due to the burning of fossil fuels. Alternative fuel research is getting augmented because of the above reasons. Plant seed oils (vegetable oils) are cleaner, sustainable, and renewable. So, it can be the most suitable alternative fuel for compression ignition (CI) engines. This paper reviews the availability of different types of plant seed oils, several methods for production of biodiesel from vegetable oils, and its properties. The different types of oils considered in this review are cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) oil, ginger oil, eucalyptus oil, rice bran oil, Calophyllum inophyllum, hazelnut oil, sesame oil, clove stem oil, sardine oil, honge oil, polanga oil, mahua oil, rubber seed oil, cotton seed oil, neem oil, jatropha oil, egunsi melon oil, shea butter, linseed oil, Mohr oil, sea lemon oil, pumpkin oil, tobacco seed oil, jojoba oil, and mustard oil. Several methods for production of biodiesel are transesterification, pre-treatment, pyrolysis, and water emulsion are discussed. The various fuel properties considered for review such as specific gravity, viscosity, calorific value, flash point, and fire point are presented. The review also portrays advantages, limitations, performance, and emission characteristics of engine using plant seed oil biodiesel are discussed. Finally, the modeling and optimization of engine for various biofuels with different input and output parameters using artificial neural network, response surface methodology, and Taguchi are included.

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The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Pterocarpus marsupium (PM) on acetic acid (AA)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats. The rats were divided into five groups, each having six rats. PM extract 100 mg and 200 mg/kg was given orally to groups four and five, respectively, and standard drug sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg, p.o) to group three. Group two served as UC control animals, and group one control animals received vehicle for 7 days. UC was induced by administering AA (3 % v/v of 2 ml) to all the animals except group one. After 72 h, the animals were killed and the colon was dissected out for microscopic, clinical evaluation, histopathological study and biochemical estimation. PM (100 and 200 mg/kg)-treated group had significantly reduced colon inflammation and mucosal damage. The treatment also normalized the altered antioxidant enzyme levels (LPO, SOD and GSH). Histopathological studies support the effect. The protective effect of PM may be due to antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties.

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The effect of integrated textile mill effluent on the haematological characteristic of the fish Heteropneustes fossilis was studied. LC50 values were found to be 34%-38% on 96-24 h duration. Four sub-lethal concentrations were selected for this study. Exposure to effluent caused an increase in large lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils and basiphil granulocytes and decrease in small lymphocytes in H.fossilis.

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Saccharified water hyacinth hydrolysates (acid and enzyme hydrolysate) were used for the efficient production of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) via the Cupriavidus necator bacteria. The bacterium significantly utilizes the enzymatic hydrolyzate which gave the maximum PHB concentration (4.3 ± 0.4 g L(-1)), this was greatly exceeded the value of 2 ± 0.1 g L(-1) obtained from the acid hydrolysate amended media. Moreover, for the optimal PHB production, response surface methodology was used through central composite rotary design method which gave improved PHB concentration in microbial cells. After 72 h, 35 g L(-1) of reducing sugar contained water hyacinth hydrolysate and 1.5 g L(-1) of (NH(4))(2)SO(4) supplementation in laboratory scale fermentor gave 12 g L(-1) of dry cell weight and 7 g L(-1) of PHB. The produced PHB was characterized under FTIR, GPC and DSC instruments to find out the number average molecular mass, polydispersity index and melting temperature were 1.7 × 10(5)kDa, 1.9 and 170°C respectively.

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This study was undertaken to determine the effect of chronic exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of tannery effluent (TE) on the humoral antibody response and the cell-mediated immune response of the fish Cyprinous carpio. The LC(50) value of the TE for C. carpio was determined by bioassay to be 3.8%. Sub-lethal concentrations of TE (0.6% and 0.3%) significantly suppressed the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Exposure of C. carpio to the TE had a significant effect on mean acceptance time (MAT) for transplanted scales. MAT was found to be 5-8 days for autografts and 4-7 days for allografts. The somatic indices of the kidney and spleen were reduced compared with controls.

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The biosorption of As(III) ions on dry, heat-treated and NaOH-treated Aspergillus nidulans in aqueous solutions was studied. The effect ofpH (2-6), temperature (25, 30, 35, 45 degrees C), and initial concentration (250-700 mg L(-1)) of As(III) ions were investigated in a batch system. The maximum biosorption rate of As(III) ions on the tested biosorbent were obtained at pH 4 and 35 degrees C in about 240 min. The maximum biosorption capacities of dry, heat-treated and NaOH-treated fungal biomass were 127, 178 and 166 mg g(-1) of dry biomass, respectively. The As(III) adsorption data were analyzed using the first- and the second-order kinetic models. The experimental results suggest that the second-order equation is the most appropriate equation to predict the biosorption capacity by dry, heat-treated and NaOH-treated Aspergillus nidulans. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to evaluate the data, and the regression constants were derived. Biosorption equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model followed by the Freundlich model.

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In this study, we demonstrate that the sorghum field waste, sorghum stover could be used to produce fuel grade ethanol. The alkaline treatment of 2% NaOH for 8h removed 64% of lignin from sorghum stover. Maximum of 68 and 56 g/L of ethanol yield were obtained by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MTCC 173) and Pachysolen tannophilus (MTCC 1077) from sorghum stover under optimized condition, respectively. pH and temperature were optimized for the better growth of S. cerevisiae and P. tannophilus. A total of 51% and 48% more ethanol yield was obtained at initial sugar concentration of 200 g/L than 150 g/L by P. tannophilus and S. cerevisiae, respectively. Respiratory deficiency and ethanol tolerance of the organisms were studied. This investigation showed that sorghum field waste could be effectively used for the production of fuel ethanol to avoid conflicts between human food use and industrial use of crops.

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Chlorella vulgaris MSU 01 strain isolated from the sediment of the pond is able to produce molecular hydrogen in a clean way. To relate the dynamic coupling between the cultural conditions and biological responses, an original lab scale set up has been developed for hydrogen production. Different sources like mannitol, glucose, alanine, citric acid, aspartic acid, l-alanine, l-cysteine, sodium succinate and sodium pyruvate were used for algal media optimization. Corn stalk, from 1 to 5 g/L was tested for the effective algal growth and hydrogen production. The cell concentration of 1.6-19 g/L dry cell weight (DCW) was found at the 10th day. The kinetic parameters involved in the hydrogen production at 4 g/L corn stalk using the algal inoculum (50 mL) in the bioreactor volume (500 mL) was found to be with the hydrogen production potential (P(s)) of 7.784 mL and production yield of (P(r)) 5.534 mL respectively. The growth profile of the algal biomass at the above mentioned condition expressed the logistic model with R(2) 0.9988. The final pH of the broth was increased from 7.0 to 8.5-8.7. The anaerobic fermentation by C. vulgaris MSU 01 strain involved in the conversion process of complex carbon source has increased the H(2) evolution rate and higher butyrate concentration in the fermentate.

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Determination of optimum sperm requirement in artificial breeding helps to improve the fertilization efficiency, sperm economy and minimize the sacrificing of males for milt. Quantification of sperm cells was done by spectrophotometer at 420 nm followed by haemocytometer counting. Best correlation (r2 = 0.97) was recorded. The minimum number of sperm required for optimal fertilization success in Heteropneustes fossilis was determined. An average fertilization success of 78-93% was recorded at 8 × 103 to 8 × 107 sperm per egg. The optimum contact duration of gametes was 5 minutes. The highest fertilization rate of 98.18% was recorded at 8 × 107 spermatozoa.egg-1.

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The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of Helicteres isora L. on four important enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism (glucokinase [GK], hexokinase [HK] phosphofructokinase [PFK] and fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase [FBP]) along with glycogen content of insulin-dependent (skeletal muscle and liver) and insulin-independent tissues (kidneys and brain) in streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg)-induced model of diabetes for 30 days. Administration of bark extracts (100, 200 mg/kg) for 30 days led to decrease in plasma glucose levels by approximately 9.60% and 22.04% and 19.18% and 33.93% on 15th and 30th day, respectively, of the experiment. Liver and two-kidney weight expressed as percentage of body weight significantly increased in diabetics (P < 0.05) versus normal controls. Renal glycogen content increased by 10 folds while hepatic and skeletal muscle glycogen content decreased by 75% and 68% in diabetic controls versus controls. H. isora did not affect glycogen content in any tissue. The decreased activities of PFK, GK, FBP and HK in diabetic controls were 40%, 50%, 50% and 60% and bark extract of H. isora partially corrected this alteration. The efficacy of the bark extract was comparable with Tolbutamide, a well-known hypoglycemic drug.

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High concentrations of heavy metals, such as arsenic, in soils have potential long-term environmental and health consequences due to their persistence in the environment and their associated toxicity to biological organisms. Aspergillus nidulans isolated from arsenic-contaminated soil has the potential to remove arsenic from soil. The isolated resistant strain showed resistance up to 500 ppm and the mean weight was found to be 1.309 g. The main objective of this research was to study the improvement to the remediation of arsenic-contaminated soil by the addition of nutrient sources such as carbon (0.15-0.85 g L(-1)), nitrogen (0.25-1.05 g L(-1)) and phosphate (0.10-0.30 g L(-1)) to the medium. The effect of ionic strength on Aspergillus nidulans was optimized by NaCl at 0.12-0.30%. The biomass concentration and growth profile of Aspergillus nidulans in arsenic-contaminated soil was found to be 0.709 g after 11 days. The arsenic adsorption potential of Aspergillus nidulans from the contaminated soil was found to be 84.35% after 11 days at pH 4 and a temperature of 35 degrees C. This investigation indicated that the isolated resistant strain had an important role in adsorption of arsenic from the contaminated soil.

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