Recent advances in pomegranate peel extract mediated nanoparticles for clinical and biomedical applications.

Manufacturing new materials at the nanoscale level is a field that is rapidly expanding with widespread application in advanced science and MMT is effectively used for the technology. Nanoparticles (NP), the building blocks of nanotechnology, exhibit improved properties than the larger counterparts and can be prepared from a variety of metals, including silver, copper, gold, zinc, and others. Phytonanotechnology is gaining major attention as various clinical researches have focused on the excellent properties (physicochemical and biological) of nanoscale phytochemicals and its applications in biological systems. In recent developments, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has gained major attention due to the phenolic compounds like apigenin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, cyanidin, ellagic acid, gallic acid, granatin A, granatin B, pelargonidin, punicalagin, punicalin and quercetin found in its peel. Pomegranate Peel Extract (PPE) that aid the synthesis of PPE mediated nanoparticles (PPE-MNPs) like PPE-MAuNPs, PPE-MAgNPs, PPE-MZnONPs, PPE-MCuNPs, PPE-MPtNPs and PPE-MFeNPs has yielded plethora of beneficial properties in both plants and humans. In the current review, we discuss in detail the recent advances in synthesis and characterization of various nanoparticles from PPE. Moreover, the multitude biological properties of PPE-MNPs make up the long list of clinical uses. In addition, we discuss the pharmacokinetics, current advantages, and limitations of PPE-MNPs which can further help in development of more efficient therapeutics. Despite some of the challenges, PPE-MNPs hold a lot of potential for drug delivery and are always a better choice. The convergence of science and engineering has created new hopes, in which phytomedicines will have more efficacy, bioavailability, and less toxicity.

Facile synthesis of Ni/NiO nanocomposites: the effect of Ni content in NiO upon the oxygen evolution reaction within alkaline media.

We present the facile synthesis of Ni/NiO nanocomposites, via a solution combustion methodology, where the composition of metallic Ni within NiO is controlled by varying the annealing time, from 4 minutes up to 8 hours. The various Ni/NiO nanocomposites are studied via electrically wiring them upon screen-printed graphite macroelectrodes by physical deposition. Subsequently their electrochemical activity, towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), is assessed within (ultra-pure) alkaline media (1.0 M KOH). An optimal annealing time of 2 hours is found, which gives rise to an electrochemical oxidation potential (recorded at 10 mA cm-2) of 231 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl 1.46 vs. RHE). These values show the Ni/NiO nanocomposites to be significantly more electrocatalytic than a bare/unmodified SPE (460 mV vs. Ag/AgCl). A remarkable percentage increase (134%) in achievable current density is realised by the former over that of the latter. Tafel analysis and turn over frequency is reported with a likely underlying mechanism for the Ni/NiO nanocomposites towards the OER proposed. In the former case, Tafel analysis is overviewed for general multi-step overall electrochemical reaction processes, which can be used to assist other researchers in determining mechanistic information, such as electron transfer and rate determining steps, when exploring the OER. The optimal Ni/NiO nanocomposite exhibits promising stability at the potential of +231 mV, retaining near 100% of its achievable current density after 28 hours. Due to the facile and rapid fabrication methodology of the Ni/NiO nanocomposites, such an approach is ideally suited towards the mass production of highly active and stable electrocatalysts for application within the anodic catalyst layers of commercial alkaline electrolysers.

Soft tissue esthetic norms for mahabubnagar population of southern India.

AIMS: The Aim of the study was to establish Soft Tissue Cephalometric Norms for skeletal and dental relationships amongst the Mahabubnagar adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty subjects (30 Males & 30 Females) subjects from different part of Mahabubnagar in the age group 18-25 Years (Mean age 21.3 Years) were selected at random for the study and lateral cephalograms were taken. All the cephalograms were traced by two operators using conventional hand tracing. The parameters used in the study were taken from Arnett and Bergman soft tissue cephalometric analysis (STCA). Overall 46 measurements including 40 linear, 6 angular parameters were used. Mean and standard deviation values were calculated. The difference between males and females were evaluated using student t-test. RESULTS: The values obtained from the study showed significant difference in most of the parameters from that of Arnett et al., norms and between males and females within Mahabubnagar population. CONCLUSION: Males had thicker soft tissue structures, acute nasolabial angle, increased facial lengths and heights, increased midface deficiency, recessive lower face, more convex profile and less upright mandibular incisors than females within Mahabubnagar population.

Homicidal acute formalin poisoning in an infant from a rural sericulture family presenting with multisystem failure.

Acute poisoning of formalin is rare because of its strong irritating effect and alarming odor. Although few cases of acute poisoning in adults have been reported in literature, to our knowledge, this is the first case report of formalin poisoning in an infant presenting with multisystem failure. Despite proper supportive treatment in the absence of antidote, the infant died within 13 hours after deliberate poisoning.