Ishita Modasiya

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) remains a critical global health challenge, characterized by impaired nutrient absorption and chronic gut inflammation. While probiotics offer a potential therapeutic avenue, the efficacy of single-strain interventions is often limited. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate a Bacillus -based multi-strain probiotic consortium (MSPC) specifically tailored for PEM. Three strains— Bacillus spizizenii BAB 7915, Bacillus tequilensis , and Bacillus rugosus -were selected based on their non-antagonistic, synergistic growth profiles. The MSPC demonstrated superior functional attributes compared to individual strains, exhibiting significant proteolytic activity (0.52 ± 0.03 U/mL) and robust anti-inflammatory potential (5.33 ± 0.06 U/mL). Additionally, the consortium showed high tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions and strong antioxidant properties. These results suggest that the MSPC can effectively enhance protein hydrolysis and mitigate gut inflammation, providing a scientifically validated, low-cost formulation for the nutritional rehabilitation of PEM patients.

Background: Dengue virus infection remains a significant public health concern in India, with changing serotype dynamics influencing disease epidemiology. Understanding local serotype distribution and clinical characteristics is crucial for effective disease management and surveillance. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of dengue virus serotypes and analyze their clinical characteristics among NS1-positive patients at a tertiary-care hospital in Gujarat, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on NS1-positive dengue patients admitted to AIIMS Rajkot from September 2023 to November 2024. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for serotype identification. Clinical and demographic data were collected and analyzed. Results: NS1-positive patients (70) were confirmed by RT-PCR. DENV-2 was the predominant serotype (53 cases, 75.7%), followed by DENV-1 and DENV-3 (7 cases each, 10.0%), and DENV-4 (2 cases, 2.9%). One co-infection case (DENV-2 + DENV-3) (1.4%) was identified. The mean age was 27.7 ± 14.4 years, with male predominance (58.6%). Young adults (19-35 years) were most affected (45.7%), followed by pediatric patients ≤18 years (32.9%). Severe dengue occurred in only one case (1.4%), while hospitalization was required in 25 cases (35.7%). All patients presented with fever, chills, headache (50%), rashes (56%), and malaise (56%), being the most common associated symptoms. Conclusions: DENV-2 showed clear predominance in the Rajkot region during the study period, with low rates of severe disease. The significant pediatric and young adult involvement highlights the need for targeted prevention strategies. These findings contribute to the understanding of regional dengue epidemiology and support evidence-based surveillance and control measures.

A novel series of β ‐lactam analogues derived from 6‐aminopenicillanic acid (6‐APA) was synthesized and evaluated for their antidiabetic potential through in vitro α‐amylase inhibition, molecular docking, and ADMET studies. Structure–activity analysis revealed that electronic effects and substituent orientation significantly influence activity. Compound 4a (benzaldehyde derivative) showed the highest α‐amylase inhibition (83.71 ± 0.98%), comparable to acarbose (86.61 ± 0.65%), followed by 4d ( para ‐nitro, 82.90 ± 0.19%). Molecular docking studies further demonstrated that 4e , 4f , and 4a exhibited superior binding affinities, with total docking scores of 8.21, 7.93, and 7.81, respectively, surpassing that of acarbose (7.87). ADMET analysis confirmed favorable pharmacokinetic profiles, identifying 4h and 4i as the safest analogues with LD ₅₀ values of 15,000 mg/kg and 2880 mg/kg, respectively. Although the series showed moderate antibacterial activity, all compounds displayed high drug‐likeness scores, with 4a achieving the maximum (0.86). These findings highlight 6‐APA as a privileged scaffold for designing safe and effective nontraditional antidiabetic agents.

The infant gut microbiota significantly influences health outcomes, impacting digestion, immunity, and metabolic processes. Identifying beneficial microbes from this source offers promising avenues for novel probiotic development. This study aimed to identify and characterize potential probiotic bacterial isolates from infant fecal samples using 16S rRNA–based identification and in vitro experimental evaluations. A total of 47 isolates were initially screened. Two promising candidates, Lb. paracasei IF5YR and Ent. faecium IF5RW2, were selected and evaluated for gastrointestinal resilience (acid and bile tolerance), functional properties (autoaggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, bile salt hydrolase activity, antioxidant activity via FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH assays), and safety (antibiotic susceptibility). Their genetic affiliations were confirmed using 16S rRNA sequencing, followed by bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses. Both Lb. paracasei IF5YR and Ent. faecium IF5RW2 demonstrated strong acid (pH 1.5) and bile (2%) tolerance, high autoaggregation (>70%), and notable cell surface hydrophobicity (>90% for xylene). Comparative analysis of antibiotic susceptibility confirmed their safety. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequencing supported the taxonomic affiliation of the isolates. Functionally, both strains exhibited bile salt hydrolase activity and strong antioxidant potential, with FRAP values exceeding 75%. These findings suggest Lb. paracasei IF5YR and Ent. faecium IF5RW2 may be considered potential candidates for probiotic applications related to gut health and oxidative stress modulation. They hold potential for development as novel functional food ingredients or health-promoting supplements, although in vivo or clinical studies are needed to confirm any therapeutic effects.

The negative impacts of synthetic dyes on the environment and health have sparked interest in natural dyes as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. We have developed a sustainable method for synthesizing novel sesamol-bearing natural azo dye molecules using water as a solvent. These molecules were tested for their color retention and durability on cotton, linen, and silk materials and showed promising results, indicating their potential application in the textile industry. Furthermore, the synthesized compounds demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects, making them potential candidates for pharmaceutical applications. One of the synthesized compounds showed the highest inhibition of 97.30±0.36% against the tested materials. This study highlights the potential of these dye molecules as vibrant coloring agents for textiles and candidates for pharmaceutical applications, with significant inhibitory activity observed in compounds diazotized with different amines.

The present research was aimed to isolate potential probiotic organisms from dairy products locally made in and around the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. A total of 224 colonies were screened for primary attributes. Based on the results, 70 isolates were carried further for secondary screening. Out of these, only 23 isolates were further tested for antioxidant activities. Only 6 potential probiotic strains were found to have all the probiotic attributes. These isolates demonstrated survivability up to 4 h at pH ≤ 3, bile concentration ≥ 1.5%, autoaggregation ability ≥ 81.08%, and cell surface hydrophobicity more than 70% while using toluene as the test hydrocarbon. The promising six isolates were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing for species‐level identification and found to be belonging to the genus Bacillus, Enterococcus, and Lactobacillus. The isolates demonstrated higher antioxidant potential as determined by ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods. For all three methods, L. rhamnosus was taken as a positive control that showed 85.61%, 39.56%, and 78.18% reduction of free radicals as determined by the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods, respectively. Compared to this, Limosilactobacillus fermentum BAB 7912 demonstrated the highest reduction of ABTS radicals (83.45%), while Bacillus subtilis BAB 7918 reduced 29.95% DPPH free radicals and Bacillus spizizenii BAB 7915 reduced 80.93% ferric ions as determined by the FRAP method. Isolates were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing for species‐level identification and found to be belonging to genus Bacillus, Enterococcus, and Lactobacillus.

Airborne diseases and nosocomial infections contribute significantly to recurring illness, financial burden, morbidity, and mortality. Traditional fumigation using natural substances has been extensively employed to combat various pathogens, yet scientific validation of its efficacy remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal fumigation in reducing microbial load. We conducted controlled experiments in specific areas, measuring the microbial load of bacteria and fungi before and after fumigation using an electric fumigation device with selected herbs. Results indicated that electric fumigation significantly reduced microbial colonies, achieving a 40% reduction in bacterial colonies and a 32.75% reduction in fungal spores in location A, and even greater reductions of 62.5% and 91% in location B, respectively. The electric device ensured uniform fumigation without requiring an ignition agent, enhancing the process's convenience and safety. The findings suggest that combining plant-based fumigation with modern electric devices offers a safe, non-toxic, cost-effective, and efficient method for community-level sanitization. This study provides scientific validation for the ethnopharmacological use of herbal fumigation and supports its integration into public health strategies, particularly in settings where conventional methods are inaccessible or costly.