Enhancement of quantum efficiency of a dye-sensitized electrochemical cell by using triturated zinc oxide mixed with two organic dyes, azure C and rose bengal

For efficiently utilising solar energy, when suitable nanoparticles are being engineered, triturated zinc oxide an eco-friendly, easily available, low-cost material has been used as an agent for solar energy conversion. Two organic dyes Azure C and Rose bengal having absorption bands in two different spectral regions at 545 nm and 610 nm respectively, were chosen in order to overcome the band absorption limits of each dye and utilise the broad spectrum of solar radiation. The material was mixed with these two dyes in a specially devised electrochemical cell and photovoltage with significant efficiency was generated. The energy conversion efficiency of the cell using three different potencies 6C, 30C and 200C of triturated zinc oxide with the same concentration of two dyes (0.5x10-5 M) in all cases are 0.39%, 0.43% and 0.35% respectively. The efficiency is only 0.15% for the mixed dye under similar conditions.

Effects of homeopathic medicine on physical properties of matter - a classical and QED perspective

Homeopathic medicines affect physical properties of matter which depend on the characteristic and the potency of the medicine1. These effects can be explained from two aspects: (a) classical and (b) quantum electrodynamical. Using three different sets of experiments where homeopathic medicines have affected the physical properties of matter, we have shown how the results can be interpreted from both these points of view. (AU)

Effect of ultrahigh diluted homeopathic medicines on the electrical properties of PVDF-HFP

In an effort to improve the electrical properties of the electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP), we introduced a novel and simple approach to synthesize PVDFHFP composite films by incorporating ultrahigh dilutions of two homeopathic medicines Ferrum metallicum (FM) and Zincum oxidatum (ZO) in different potencies. The homeo-PVDF-composite films (HPCF) were synthesized by simple solution casting technique. XRD, FESEM, FTIR studies were performed to check the presence of nanoparticles in the film. The electrical properties of the HPCF samples get enhanced significantly due to the incorporation of the medicines and the effect increases with the increase in potency of the medicines.

Derivation of an empirical relation between the size of the nanoparticle and the potency of homeopathic medicines

Homeopathic medicines are often prescribed at very high dilutions and it is a clinically observed fact that the medicinal effect of the drug remains even at these high dilutions. The increase in potency of a medicine due to potentization is still debatable from physico-chemical point of view. Out of various hypotheses to explain this phenomenon, a recent hypothesis, advanced by us and supported by others, is that the size of the constituent particles decreases and eventually achieves nano dimension due to potentization. From the experiments performed by our group, the size of nanoparticles (NPs) of Cuprum metallicum, Zincum oxydatum, Aurum metallicum, Ferrum metallicum and Aconitum napellus (6cH, 30cH and 200cH) have been estimated. A general mathematical expression of the form y = a x-n has been derived which relates the size of NPs (y) with the corresponding potencies (x). There is no method to calculate the accurate potency of the homeopathic medicine, as the potency of a medicine depends to some extent on the method of preparation, for which a standardized procedure is warranted. Also, while handling a medicine, the solvent might evaporate causing a change in the potency. Thus by measuring the size of the NPs and using our proposed standard curve, the potency may be estimated...

Degradation of bacterial DNA by a natural antimicrobial agent with the help of biomimetic membrane system.

The antimicrobial efficacy of methylglyoxal (MG) against several gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli has been reported. To determine the mechanism of action of MG, molecular interactions between lipid and MG within the liposomal membrane were also investigated. Multilamellar and unilamellar vesicles were prepared from 1, 2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC). The effect of MG on DPPC liposomal membrane was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicate that MG interacts mainly with the DPPC head group that produces a significant increase in the fluidity of liposomal vesicles, which could be the cause of a fusion/aggregation effect in microbial cells. The agarose gel electrophoresis study with the genomic DNA extracted from E. coli ATCC 25922 revealed that addition of MG could completely degrade this DNA within 1 h, pointing out to their distinctly high degree of sensitivity towards MG. Further, the drug was able to cross the cell membranes, penetrating into the interior of the cell and interacting with DNA for demonstrating antibacterial activity of MG.

Distinct synergistic action of piperacillin and methylglyoxal against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The dicarbonyl compound methylglyoxal is a natural constituent of Manuka honey produced from Manuka flowers in New Zealand. It is known to possess both anticancer and antibacterial activity. Such observations prompted to investigate the ability of methylglyoxal as a potent drug against multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 12 test P. aeruginosa strains isolated from various hospitals were tested for their resistances against many antibiotics, most of which are applied in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections. Results revealed that the strains were resistant to many drugs at high levels, only piperacillin, carbenicillin, amikacin and ciprofloxacin showed resistances at comparatively lower levels. Following multiple experimentations it was observed that methylglyoxal was also antimicrobic against all the strains at comparable levels. Distinct and statistically significant synergism was observed between methylglyoxal and piperacillin by disc diffusion tests when compared with their individual effects. The fractional inhibitory concentration index of this combination evaluated by checkerboard analysis, was 0.5, which confirmed synergism between the pair. Synergism was also noted when methylglyoxal was combined with carbenicillin and amikacin.