Synthesis of iron nanoparticles, its characterization and anti-microbial activity assessment

We report the efficacy of the Iron nanoparticles (IONPs) and assessed two different approaches for the synthesis of IONPs i.e. Polyol and co-precipitation method and further, evaluate their antimicrobial properties. Ferrous sulphate heptahydrate salts were reduced with ethylene glycol to obtain IONP and Fe+2 and Fe+3 co-precipitation reaction was performed with KOH at optimum heating. Further, synthesized (IONPs) were characterized by hydrodynamic radii measurement done by DLS clearly indicating the size of IONPs is 79.75nm in polyol based and 135.1 nm in co-precipitation method. The biological efficacy in terms of antimicrobial activity was assessed by the Kirby Bauer method, applied for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The ZOI values i.e. Zone of inhibition diameter was found to be clearly visible in both S. aureus and E. coli, indicating bactericidal activity. Further growth kinetics studies and bacterial genotoxicity was also assessed. Hence, IONPs synthesized are proposed to have great potential as an antibacterial agent and can be used in drug delivery.

Nanotechnology in Forensic Science: Extensive Applications and New Perspective

Rapid advances in nanotechnology are setting new paradigms in science and technology. Nano-forensic offers a fresh perspective for real-time investigation of crimes with established advanced nano-imaging tools for visualization, nano-manipulators and nanosensors. Nanotechnology enables enhanced and improved efficiency of traditional and applied forensic techniques with high sensitivity, accuracy, and reduced requirement of time. Therobust nanotechnological applications of classic tools for investigating the documents in question, time since death, age of bloodstains, along with its application in DNA analysis, in improving polymerase chain reaction (PCR) efficiency, and explosive detection. In microbial forensics, only an extensive collection of strains from around the world and high-quality sequence data can provide the basis for meaningful results. Nanotechnology will help faster disclosure of cases and evidence to competent courts, will quickly identify proxies, interpret sources, and present those findings in court as evidence.Forensic palaeontology relies heavily on pollen fingerprinting which is one of the most effective methods for detecting and analyzing evidence of exposure. Nano-based strategies hold enormous future in detecting latent fingerprinting, for illicit drug screening and security features. Nanotechnology is likely to play an important role in forensic science, providing reliable evidence in addition to being more selective and sensitive. This review offers valuable insights into the applications of nanoparticles in forensic science.

Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles, its characterization and anti-microbial activity assessment

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the most abundant metal oxides nanoparticles. It provides excellent thermal, electrical and chemical stabilities with low biotoxicity; its photo-oxidising and photo-catalytic impact on biological and chemical species is of great importance, thereby making it a promising candidate to be used for in-vitro and in-vivo studies in biomedical field. Hereby, ZnO NPs were synthesized using precipitation method with zinc acetate and sodium hydroxide as starting materials. This study has characterized the synthesized ZnO NPs using different techniques such as UV-Visible spectroscopy indicating a peak at 365 nm wave length, size of ZnO NPs was determined to be 286.7 nm by measuring hydrodynamic radii using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) phenomena. Further predominant charge existing at surface of the synthesised ZnO NPs was evaluated to be 31.6mV. Anti-microbial activity of ZnO NPs was determined by Kirby-Bauer method for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, S. aureus and E. colirespectively. Anti-microbial activity was determined as Zone of Inhibition that measures both bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity of ZnO NPs and was found to be more potent for Gram-positive (S. aureus)bacteria and its activity increased with increasing concentration of nanoparticles. Growth kinetics was studied to determine percentage growth inhibition, for this optical density was recorded as a function of time in bacterial culture broth with and without treatment. Further DNA fragmentation assay was performed to determine genotoxicity caused by nanoparticles and its effect on genomic DNA of bacteria. Highlighting its potential role as a nano-carrier system for leading antibacterial drugs for enhanced effectiveness of the antibacterial therapies

Versatility of berberine as an effective immunomodulator and chemo sensitizer against p53 mutant cell

Cancer is the leading cause of death among individuals due to its poor prognosis. Various therapeutics treatments are available in form radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy but major point of concern is the treatment of cancer resistant cell lines. Homozygous loss of the p53 gene is virtually present in every type of cancer. Mutation in DNA binding domain of p53 leads to formation of mutant forms having altered amino acid sequence which lacks DNA binding activity. Berberine is chemo-sensitizing isoquinoline quaternary alkaloid molecule obtained from Berberis vulgaris. Berberine has the capability to suppress the growth of broad range of tumors. It exhibits pharmacological, biochemical and anticancer properties which can potentiate the activities of the existing therapeutics available in a way that it can re-sensitize the cancer resistant clones. Berberine has an immanent potential to bind with DNA and can communicate with several cellular targets, further it also shows hormetic effect which refers to biphasic dose response curve in order to determine dose dependent stimulatory and inhibitory effect. Mode of action involved is yet not well understood but mechanistic pathway involved are autophagy, up-regulation of tumor-suppressor gene (p53) and epigenetic alterations in the viral DNA. In this review, versatility of berberine can be utilized ideally or in combination with chemotherapeutics drugs to potentiate chemo sensitization of the resistant cancer cell line. Further, cancer cell specific receptor targeting can also be employed in combination with berberine for therapeutic treatment of metastasizing cancer cells.

Nano-therapeutic efficacy of green synthesized gold nanoparticles (gAuNPs) and its antibacterial efficacy

We report the efficacy of the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized using the leaf extracts of Syzygium cumini (common name Jamun) with auric chloride (AuCl4) which was used as both reducing and capping agent at room temperatures- 25°C. Synthesized AuNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy indicating a peak in the range of 520-540 nM. The hydrodynamic radii measured by DLS clearly indicated the size of AuNPs in the range of 14-64 nM. The biological efficacy in terms of antimicrobial activity was assessed by the Kirby Bauer method, applied for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively. The Zone of inhibition (ZOI) diameter was found to be 4 mM and 3 mM in S. aureus and E. coli, as indicated by the bactericidal activity. Hence, AuNPs synthesized by green synthesis are proposed as economical, environment friendly with immense potential as an antibacterial agent and for drug delivery.

Downmodulation of lysophosphatidic acid by Berberine loaded folate-conjugated glycol chitosan nanoparticles (BFGCN) to mitigate Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) & Cardio-vascular disease(CVD): Current knowledge and future perspectives

The perils of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are enhanced by systemic chronic inflammation in autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in which the patients generally exhibit a high inflammatory burden, dyslipidemia causing 50-60% of RA patients susceptible to CVD dependent mortality. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a polar, pleiotropic lipid molecule that is water soluble and present in the synovial fluid that can be exploited as an effective biomarker for lipid-signalling. Current research on alternative medicine has recognized various new molecular targets of Berberine (BBR) and established novel signals in support of the efficacy and therapeutic potential of BBR to fight CVD. Therefore, BBR, an alkaloid with poor aqueous solubility could be foreseen as a therapeutic strategy for the reduction of inflammation induced lipidemia by targeting the macrophages and modulating their functions. Hence, a novel BBR loaded folate-conjugated glycol chitosan nanoparticles (BFGCN) could be hypothesized as a three-pronged approach to target activated macrophages, fibroblasts of synovial fluid for downmodulation of LPA. The greatest challenge is the heterogeneity, complexity and interdependence of RA and CVD. Investigation of prognostic and predictive biomarkers is urgently required. Therefore, an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of RA would facilitate identifying an improved targeted treatment and management of RA patients.

Chemical denaturants induced folding unfolding pathway of the recombinant zebrafish dihydrofolate reductase

Denaturation of proteins plays a crucial part in cellular activities. In this study, we have investigated the folding unfolding pathways of zebrafish dihydrofolate reductase (zDHFR) in presence of different chemical denaturants which were found to be an influential factor for the refolding yield by UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis. The activity change of zDHFR has been observed in presence of three different denaturants like Acetic Acid (AcOH), Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS), and Ethanol (C2H5OH). Spectrophotometric analysis reveals that protein unfolded completely at different concentrations and times by these denaturants. The spontaneous refolding experiments of chemically denatured zDHFR were also conducted to verify the spontaneous refolding yield. These investigations have helped us to decipher a picture about the denaturants contributing to achieving the refolding yield. We observed that acetic acid is a stronger denaturant among all, and the spontaneous refolding yields were higher from SDS denaturation. In the light of the above findings, higher spontaneous refolding yields were obtained from the low concentration of denaturants.

Effect of prenap coffee on daytime sleepiness in university students

Background: Daytime sleepiness impairs academic performance in college students. Napping is a counter to daytime sleepiness, but often causes sleep inertia on waking up. Caffeine absorption from beverages peaks 30 minutes after their ingestion presenting a window of opportunity to have a short nap such that the time of waking up is in synchrony with onset of action of caffeine; thereby abolishing post-nap inertia and achieving synergistic mitigation of fatigue.Objective of this study to assess effect of nap, coffee, ‘coffee and nap’ and ‘wakeful break without coffee’ on daytime sleepiness using Psychomotor Vigilance Tests (PVTs) and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) score.Methods: After Institutional Review Board clearance, 10 subjects (aged 19-21 years) were selected using their Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (ESS >5) and called to the study site 8 times on different days to be exposed to these four conditions twice - only coffee (standardized), only nap (30min), coffee immediately followed by 30min nap, wakeful break (30min) without coffee or nap. Pre and post scores were recorded for electronic PVT (Reaction Time and Motor Responsiveness) and KSS for each attempt.Results: Test outcome was associated with intervention used (p=0.00001). ‘Nap only’ group was associated with deterioration in outcomes (p=0.00001), accounting for highest percentage (41%) of all deteriorated test outcomes. ‘Coffee only’ group was associated with improvement in test scores (p=0.00001), responsible for highest share (38.8%) of all improved test outcomes. ‘Nap only’ and ‘Coffee-nap’ group showed improvement in 11.67% and 21.67% of outcomes respectively. Conclusions: Pre-nap coffee is a proactive counter-measure to post nap sleep inertia.

A prospective randomized study to compare dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block for post-operative analgesia in caesarean delivery

Background: Caesarean section is most frequently performed surgery worldwide. Patients experience moderate to severe pain in the first 48 hours post-operatively. Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block for postoperative analgesia in patients of caesarean section.Methods: A total 120 ASA I and II patients undergoing elective and emergency caesarean section under subarachnoid block were randomly divided into three groups B, BDM, BDX to receive bupivacaine alone or dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block. Postoperatively, the patients were evaluated for pain level at rest and on movement with a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain), time to demand of first analgesic request, number of analgesic requirements, nausea or vomiting, sedation and patient satisfaction at 0 hours and at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours.Results: VAS score was significantly higher in group B in comparison to BDM and BDX, and higher in BDX in comparison to group BDM. Mean duration of analgesia was significantly higher in group BDM in comparison to group B and BDX. Total number of rescue analgesic demands were significantly lower in group BDM in comparison to group B and BDX. Sedation score and satisfaction score was higher in group BDM as compared to group B and BDX.Conclusions: Addition of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine reduces postoperative pain, prolongs analgesia, decreases demand for additional analgesics and provides better maternal satisfaction as compared to plain bupivacaine group in TAP block in patients undergoing caesarean section under subarachnoid block. Among dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine had prolonged analgesia as compared to dexamethasone group.

Risk factors for low bone mass in healthy young adults from North India: studies on BMD and bone turnover markers.

Background: Despite availability of adequate sunshine, Indian population has the highest prevalence of low bone mass and Bone Mineral Content (BMC). Risk factors for osteoporosis have been extensively studied in the west but poorly investigated in India. We studied BMD and Bone Turnover Markers (BTMs) among healthy young adults. Methods: Fifty one healthy young adults (28 Males, 23 Females) in the age group of 20-35 years were studied. Morphometric, biochemical parameters and BMD (whole body, spine, hip & wrist) were recorded. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, BMI and Waist/Hip Ratio (WHR). BTMs studied included - serum Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase (sBAP), serum Collagen cross-linked C-Terminal telopeptide (sCTx), serum Osteocalcin (OC) and human intact parathyroid hormone (hPTH) using standard ELISA kits. Results: Of 51 healthy volunteers 21.57% had normal BMD, 13.73% were frankly osteoporotic and 64.70% were osteopenic. Age, weight and BMI were the best predictors of total BMD and BMC at all sites. sCTX positively correlated with Total Bone Area (TBA), BMD at Hip and Forearm. Using multiple regressions - age, weight, and BMI were significant predictors of BMD in young adults. Percentage body fat had inverse correlation with BMC, BMD and TBA. Weight and height positively correlated with BMD at femoral neck, inter-trochanter and Ward’s triangle. Body weight was best predictor of BMD at femoral neck, Ward’s triangle, forearm UD, forearm MID and forearm1/3. Conclusion: Majority of healthy young Indians have poor bone health as evidenced by bone markers.

Study of psycho-social impairment in patients presenting with age related macular degeneration in a tertiary eye care hospital.

Background: Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) is an eye condition affecting old age people causing severe vision loss. This study was carried out to assess the psycho-social impairment in the ARMD patients and compare it with the normal eye patients. Methods: A Two study groups were made: 1. ARMD patients. 2. Control group patients. Patients of both the groups were made to fill “The validated Gujarati version of: General Health Quality Questionnaire-28 (GHQ 28)”. Self-scoring was done according to 0-1-2-3 lower to higher disability respectively. Results: Prevalence GHQ Mean score of ARMD patients was 34.27 and that of normal eye patients was 24.66. 80.85% of ARMD patients and 26.73% of normal eye patients were psychosocially impaired. Conclusion: ARMD patients are psychosocially more impaired as compared to control group patients (p value <0.001, highly significant).

Effect of Savitri pranayama on respiratory parameters in healthy individuals.

Background: Yoga makes the mind calm & relaxed, strengthens & tunes the body, brings them into harmony with each other. Pranayama have been shown to reduce the resting respiratory rate, further they increase the vital capacity, timed vital capacity, Maximum voluntary ventilation, Breath holding time, Maximum expiratory pressure. Savitri pranayama is one of the unique pranayama techniques which involves slow, rhythmic, and deep breathing. This pranayama has an added advantage that it is effective even if it is done in lying down position .So it can be practiced by non-ambulatory patients too. Aims & Objective: To compare changes in respiratory parameters in the subjects practicing Savitri Pranayama and with that of subjects not practicing any type of Pranayama. Material and Methods: New entrants in yoga class of shivanand ashram, Ahmedabad were selected as subjects for this study & compared with control group- not performing any type of exercise or yoga. The test group were trained by a qualified instructor & then practiced savitri pranayama for 6 days in a week for 12 weeks. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Maximum Breathing Capacity, Expiratory pressure,40mm endurance test, Breath holding time were recorded twice in test group - before starting pranayama & after 12 weeks. Readings of control group were taken in both phases too. Results: First phase recording showed no significant differences in any of the tested parameters between Test and Control groups. Second phase recordings showed significant differences in all the tested parameters between Test and Control groups. Conclusion: In the test group there is statistically significant increase in PEFR, MBC, EP, 40mm endurance test & BHT. So it is concluded that a practice of Savitri Pranayama has beneficial respiratory effects. This pranayam can be practiced by bedridden & physically handicap persons. It has psychological effect for relaxing the patients so can be practiced for mental well-being.

Co-polymeric hydrophilic nanospheres for drug delivery: Release kinetics, and cellular uptake.

Nanobiotechnology focuses on the biological effects and applications of nanoparticles that include nano-safety, drug encapsulation and nanotherapeutics. The present study focuses on hydrophilic nanospheres of copolymers N-isopropylacrylamide [NIPAAM] and vinyl pyrrolidone [VP], encapsulating a bioactive derivative of 5-fluorouracil-hexyl-carbamoyl fluorouracil (HCFU). The size of the nanospheres was ~58 nm and the surface charge measured was -15.4 mV. Under optimal conditions, the yield was >80%, and the drug loading was 2%. The entrapment efficiency was ~75%. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the entrapped HCFU was present in an amorphous state, which has higher water solubility compared with the crystalline state. Slow drug release from nanospheres was observed in PBS and serum, with ~80% released at 37°C after 72 h. The HCFU loaded polymeric nanospheres have been found to be stable in whole blood having negligible RBC toxicity. Cytotoxicity in Mia-Paca 3, pancreatic cancer cell line was done in a 24-72 h assay. Dose dependant cytotoxicity was observed when incubated with various concentrations of HCFU loaded polymeric nanospheres while HCFU per se (<1 mg) showed 90% toxicity within 24 h.

A study of job satisfaction and work environment perception among doctors in a tertiary hospital in Delhi.

Background : Many doctors are dissatisfied with their jobs, which is due to long working hours and overwork. This can affect patient care and reduce quality of care. Objectives : To study job satisfaction among doctors in a tertiary hospital in Delhi and the various factors related with it. Materials and Methods: Data collection was done among 250 doctors on tenure-based job, selected by stratified random sampling, in a teaching hospital in Delhi, by using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Analysis : Proportions and Chi-square tests. Results : The mean number of work-hours among doctors was 9.7 +/- 2.7 hours per day, and the mean number of night shifts was 5.6 per month. About half (49.6%) of the doctors were dissatisfied with the average number of work-hours per day. Dissatisfaction was significantly more in those who had an average of> 8 work-hours per day and who had >/=8 night shifts per month. About half (45.6%) of the doctors considered their salary as 'bad,' and this was significantly more among unmarried doctors, interns and those who had >/=8 night shifts per month. More than half (55.2%) of the doctors were dissatisfied with their choice of profession, i.e., being a doctor, as compared to other professions. Conclusions : A significant proportion of doctors were found to be dissatisfied with the average number of their work-hours and salary. Factors like the average number of work-hours per day and the number of night shifts per month were found to have a significant relation with dissatisfaction. Further studies are needed to explore how best the work-hours of doctors could be adjusted to improve their job satisfaction.

Immunization status in children.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies and surveys are observing a declining trend of routine immunization coverage and fully immunized children in India are reported to be 38%. A rapid assessment technique was used on National Immunization Day (PPI) to assess the immunization status among children in the age group of 12-23 months covering urban, rural and slum areas in UT, Chandigarh. METHODS: The study covered 796 children in proportion of their distribution in urban, rural and slum areas. RESULTS: Evaluation recorded fully immunized children as 72.23%, partially immunized as 22.99% and unimmunized as 4.64%. Only 58.66% children in urban slums were fully immunized. The overall coverage for various vaccines was BCG: 93.09%, DPT1/OPV1: 93.97%, DPT2/OPV2: 90.57%, DPT3/OPV3: 85.92% and measles: 76%. No sex-wise difference was noticed in the study. CONCLUSION: Efforts must be made to strengthen routine immunization programme especially in the underprivileged groups and areas such as slum in cities so that target of universal coverage can be achieved as envisaged at national level.

Non-viral infections of the liver.

The function and anatomy of the liver renders this organ peculiarly susceptible to bacterial and parasitic infections; fungal infections are increasingly recognised in the immunocompromised. As biochemical abnormalities of liver function can be non-specific, a high index of suspicion of liver or biliary infection is required. A need for prompt investigation is emphasised by the potentially rapid progression and poor prognosis of some bacterial and fungal infections, and the public health implications of parasitic diseases. This review encompasses the major infections of the liver and biliary tree other than viral hepatitis and includes aspects of pathogenicity, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management.