Drynaria quercifolia suppresses paracetamol­induced hepatotoxicity in mice by inducing Nrf-2.

Paracetamol is a popular and safe drug preferred by victims of pain or pyrexia; however, its overdose or abuse is a growing concern worldwide. Here the hepatoprotective effect of an ethnomedicinal plant Drynaria quercifolia against paracetamol­induced toxicity in murine model is demonstrated. This fern, native to tropical countries including the Northeast India, is used by local tribes to treat inflammatory conditions. Paracetamol 500 mg/kg body weight was orally administered on alternate days for a period of 21days to mimic a chronic overdose. Drynaria quercifolia acetone extract (DQA) treatment interspaced with paracetamol significantly decreased serum biomarkers of hepatotoxicity (ALT, AST and ALP) renal toxicity (urea, creatinine), lipid peroxidation level, histological damage in liver and kidney. The protein and mRNA expressions of the transcription factor, Nrf2, and its target antioxidant genes (SOD1, CAT and GST) as well as activities of these antioxidant enzymes were downregulated by paracetamol administration but significantly recovered following the DQA treatment (Tab. 3, Fig. 5, Ref. 31). Keywords: acetaminophen/paracetamol, Drynaria quercifolia, renal toxicity, hepatotoxicity, Nrf-2.

Tunable absorber embedded with GST mediums and trilayer graphene strip microheaters.

Investigation was made of the optical response of metal-dielectric stacks-based cavity structures embedded with graphene microheaters for the purpose of perfect absorption. The absorber configuration exploits the Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) phase changing medium, and the effects of different parametric and operational conditions on the absorption spectra were explored. The refractive indices of GST layers can be manipulated by the external electrical pulses applied to microheaters. The amplitude and duration of electrical pulses define the crystallinity ratio of the used GST mediums. The results revealed achieving perfect absorption (> 99%) in the visible and infrared (IR) regimes of the electromagnetic spectrum upon incorporating two thin GST layers of different thicknesses (in the stack) in the amorphous state. The proposed configuration showed the capability of introducing independent transition state (amorphous and/or crystalline) for each GST layer-the visible regime could be extended to the IR regime, and the perfect absorption peak in the IR regime could be broadened and red-shifted. It is expected that the structure would find potential applications in active photonic devices, infrared imaging, detectors and tunable absorbers.

Bioactive Loaded Lipid-based Nanostructures: A Novel Insight for Age-related Neurodegeneration.

Substantial affirmation suggested that oxidative stress remains an impelling target, contributing to initiate and exacerbate the multiple neurological complications in age-related neurodegeneration (ARN). Factors including gene and environmental toxins are now becoming the most threatening cause of oxidative stress, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction of the neurons that ultimately causes permanent loss of their functionality. Clinical trials on antioxidants are still in the pipeline to access them as a potential therapeutic class. But this raised the generosity for not only to investigate the module of the antioxidant mechanism but also to justify the drug delivery and dose regimen. Biological barriers, predominantly, Blood-brain barrier (BBB) and rapid firstpass metabolism, are some of the potential obstacles for the effective targeting of the therapeutic agent. Bioactive drugs with antioxidant capacity, loaded with lipid-based Nano career system have revealed to be a novel therapeutic intervention for ARN. The review will deal with the comprehensive state-of-art methodology for the delivery of bioactive loaded lipid Nanocarriers to treat neurodegeneration. A systematic analysis of published reports will help the researchers to understand the role of natural compound loaded Nanoengineered system in the field of ARN as a potential Nano therapeutic intervention.

A Walk with Lu-177 PSMA: How Close we Have Reached from Bench to Bedside?

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a natural sequela in advanced prostate cancer following resistance to standard treatment regimes, where patients develop with rising PSA, bone pains, and high disease volume. Further palliative treatment is the need of the hour for ensuring disease control and quality of life. In recent times, many novel methods have been evolved for these patients. Endo-radioligand therapy with Lutetium 177 prostate-specific membrane antigen 617 (Lu-177 PSMA) based on the Theranostic concept has emerged as a promising tool among these. We present here the current status of Lu177-PSMA for mCRPC patient and future directions.

Elliptical metallic rings-shaped fractal metamaterial absorber in the visible regime.

Achieving the broadband response of metamaterial absorbers has been quite challenging due to the inherent bandwidth limitations. Herein, the investigation was made of a unique kind of visible light metamaterial absorber comprising elliptical rings-shaped fractal metasurface using tungsten metal. It was found that the proposed absorber exhibits average absorption of over 90% in the visible wavelength span of 400-750 nm. The features of perfect absorption could be observed because of the localized surface plasmon resonance that causes impedance matching. Moreover, in the context of optoelectronic applications, the absorber yields absorbance up to ~ 70% even with the incidence obliquity in the range of 0°-60° for transverse electric polarization. The theory of multiple reflections was employed to further verify the performance of the absorber. The obtained theoretical results were found to be in close agreement with the simulation results. In order to optimize the results, the performance was analyzed in terms of the figure of merit and operating bandwidth. Significant amount of absorption in the entire visible span, wide-angle stability, and utilization of low-cost metal make the proposed absorber suitable in varieties of photonics applications, in particular photovoltaics, thermal emitters and sensors.

On the Core-Shell Nanoparticle in Fractional Dimensional Space.

The investigation of core-shell nanoparticles has been greatly exciting in biomedical applications, as this remains of prime importance in targeted drug delivery, sensing, etc. In the present work, the polarizability and scattering features of nanoparticles comprised of nano-sized dielectric/metallic core-shell structures were investigated in the fractional dimensional (FD) space, which essentially relates to the confinement of charged particles. For this purpose, three different kinds of metals-namely aluminum, gold and silver-were considered to form the shell, having a common silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticle as the core. It is noteworthy that the use of noble metal-SiO2 mediums interface remains ideal to realize surface plasmon resonance. The core-shell nanoparticles were considered to have dimensions smaller than the operating wavelength. Under such conditions, the analyses of polarizability and the scattering and absorption cross-sections, and also, the extinction coefficients were taken up under Rayleigh scattering mechanism, emphasizing the effects of a varying FD parameter. Apart from these, the tuning of resonance peaks and the magnitude of surface plasmons due to FD space parameter were also analyzed. It was found that the increase of FD space parameter generally results in blue-shifts in the resonance peaks. Apart from this, the usage of gold and silver shells brings in fairly large shifts in the peak positions of wavelengths, which allows them to be more suitable for a biosensing purpose.

Data on optimization of microprojectile bombardment parameters in development of salinity tolerant transgenic lines.

This data deals with the optimization of microprojectile bombardment particles for efficient genetic transformation in an indica rice involving AmSOD gene for development of salinity tolerant transgenic lines [1]. In this study, various parameters such as effect of genotypes, helium pressure, osmoticum, explants, flight distance, particle size, particle volume, vacuum, carrier DNA and stopping screen properties have been evaluated to determine their role in transformation of indica rice involving AmSOD gene for development of salinity tolerant Pusa Basmati 1 rice variety. To perform the transformation process, plasmid vector pCAMBIA 1305.2 was used, which harbours GUS Plus™ gene, intron from the castor bean catalase gene, pBR322 ori, kanamycin resistant gene and Xho I site. The transformants have been confirmed using slot blot, polymerase chain reaction and Southern hybridization techniques.

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity of polyherbal formulation.

According to Ayurveda, individual herbs are insufficient to achieve a desired therapeutic effect. When it is optimized as multiple herbs composition in a particular ratio it will give a therapeutic effect in a better way with reduced toxicity. In order to develop such an intervention, the present study was intended to develop a polyherbal drug from methanolic extracts of Plumbago zeylanica Linn, Datura stramonium Linn and Argemone mexicana Linn. The study also aimed to evaluate the impact of polyherbalism on antimicrobial and antioxidant effect, thereafter the ratio of individual plant extracts was optimized accordingly to treat the wound. The poyherbal drug was put on preclinical trial to access the anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity as 2% and 5% polyherbal carbopol-940 gels. The antimicrobial activity was assessed by agar well diffusion and broth dilution method while wound healing activity was evaluated by excision and incision wound models. Topical anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by carrageenan induced paw oedema. The findings of the study revealed the synergistic antimicrobial potential of Polyherbal drug against gram-positive and negative strains. Polyherbal carbopol- 940 gels (2% and 5%w/w) promoted the wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect. The high rate of wound contraction (<0.0001), early epithelialization period (<0.0001) and increased wound breaking strength (<0.0001) were observed in 2% and 5% polyherbal gel treated group when compared to the normal control and negative control group. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect of Polyherbal drug provoked and promoted the wound healing process through accelerated remodelling of damaged tissue.

Biodegradation of sulfosulphuron in agricultural soil by Trichoderma sp.

UNLABELLED: Sulfosulphuron-degrading fungus was isolated by enrichment technique from the sulfosulphuron-contaminated soil of wheat rhizosphere. To assess the biodegradation potential of isolated Trichoderma sp., minimal potato dextrose agar broth with different levels of sulfosulphuron (up to 2 g l(-1) ) was evaluated in the growth and biotransformation experiments. ESI LC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of degradation products 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine (I) and 2-ethylsulfonyl imidazo{1,2-a} pyridine-3-sulfonamide-2-ethylsulfonyl imidazo{1,2-a} pyridine-3-sulfonamide (II) indicating the cleavage of the urea bridge and the presence of the by-product N-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea (III) indicating the degradation of sulfonylamide linkage. Two other metabolites, N-(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)-N'-hydroxyurea (IV) and N, N'-bis(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)urea (V), were also identified. From the previous reports, it was found that the degradation of sulfonyl urea herbicides took place through the chemical degradation of the sulfonylurea bridge followed by microbial degradation. During this investigation, Trichoderma sp. grew well with and degraded sulfosulphuron via both the decarboxylation on the sulphonyl urea bridge and the hydrolytic cleavage of the sulfonylamide linkage as demonstrated by the formation of metabolites. Trichoderma is nonphytopathogenic in nature, and some species of it restrict the growth of soil-dwelling phytopathogens. Therefore, it is a promising candidate for the decontamination of soil from sulfosulphuron residues. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The degradation of sulfosulphuron by any individual fungus is being reported for the first time. Trichoderma sp. isolated from wheat-rhizospheric soil could survive in minimal broth rich in sulfosulphuron. Previous reports have described the complete degradation of any sulfonyl urea herbicides by micro-organisms only after the pH-dependent chemical hydrolysis of the sulfonyl urea bridge of the herbicide. This study demonstrates the novel result that the Trichoderma sp. utilized the sulfosulphuron as a sole carbon source and degraded it by cleaving sulfonyl urea bridge and sulfonylamide linkage. Thus, the application of Trichoderma sp., which is nonphytopathogenic, has the potential to decontaminate agricultural soil from sulfosulphuron load.

Incidentally detected arterial thrombosis in (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate skeletal scintigraphy: an atypical observation.

The association between cancer and venous thrombosis is well established. However, that between malignancy and arterial thrombosis is less well described. We herein report a 48-year-old male patient diagnosed with base of tongue carcinoma, referred for Tc-methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone scan study to evaluate recently developed pain and numbness in his right leg while undergoing chemoradiation. Tc-MDP bone scan study revealed complete absence of radiotracer distribution in the right lower limb below the knee region. This finding was inferred to be due to avascularity in this region secondary to thrombo-embolism that was substantiated by color Doppler sonography.

Influenza vaccination in India: position paper of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, 2013.

Burden of Influenza is significantly higher in developing countries as compared to developed countries, but the data on the disease burden is less well defined in most of the developing countries including India, and consequently, constraints evolving strategies for prioritization of measures to prevent and control it. The swine flu or A(H1N1) pandemic is on the wane but the virus continues to circulate causing sporadic outbreaks even in 2013. The A(H1N1)pdm09 has replaced the previous circulating seasonal A (H1N1) virus and acquired the status of a seasonal virus. Limited influenza activity is usually seen throughout the year in India with a clear peaking during the rainy season. The rainy season in the country lasts from June to August in all the regions except Tamil Nadu where it occurs from October to December. IAP recommends the ideal time for offering influenza vaccines is just before the onset of rainy season. The efficacy/effectiveness data of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines are also presented in different age groups and different categories of individuals. The IAP maintains its earlier recommendations of using the current trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in all children with risk factors but not as a universal measure. IAP has now prioritized different target groups for influenza vaccination based on contribution of the group to the overall influenza burden, disease severity, and vaccine effectiveness in different age groups and categories. The current trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines incorporate the 2009 pandemic strain also, hence avert the need of a separate A (H1N1) vaccine. IAP stresses the need of more refined surveillance; large scale studies on effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccines in Indian children, and more effective, properly matched, higher-valent influenza vaccines.

Measles control strategies in India: position paper of Indian Academy of Pediatrics.

Measles continues to be a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in India. Recent studies estimate that 80,000 Indian children die each year due to measles and its complications, amounting to 4% of under-5 deaths. Immunization against measles directly contributes to the reduction of under five child mortality and hence to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG 4). The live attenuated measles vaccines are safe, effective and provide long lasting protection. The key strategies being followed globally for measles mortality reduction are high coverage of measles first dose, sensitive laboratory supported surveillance, appropriate case management, and providing second dose of measles vaccine. Prior to 2010, India was the only country in the world that had not introduced a second dose of measles vaccine in its National immunization program. We herein discuss the current status of measles vaccination along with the rationale and challenges of providing a second opportunity for measles vaccination, and the principles of measles catch-up campaigns.

3.4 Gbit/s visible optical wireless transmission based on RGB LED.

In this paper, we experimentally realized a gigabit-class indoor visible light communication system using commercially available RGB White LED and exploiting an optimized DMT modulation. We achieved data rate of 1.5 Gbit/s with single channel and 3.4 Gbit/s by implementing WDM transmission at standard illumination levels. In both experiments, the resulting bit error ratios were below the FEC limit. To the best of our knowledge, these values are the highest ever achieved in VLC systems.

Interdistrict variations in child health status and health services utilization: lessons for health sector priority setting and planning from a cross-sectional survey in rural India.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on interdistrict variations in child health status and health services utilization within the states of India. We conducted this study to identify and understand district-wise variations in child morbidity, mortality, healthcare seeking, and the status of health facilities in India. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based cluster survey was conducted from April to July 2007 in 16 districts of eight states in India. Two districts with similar demographic profile and health criteria were selected from each study state. RESULTS: A total of 216 794 households and 24 812 under-5 children were surveyed. There were wide interdistrict variations in the health status of children within the same state and between different states across India. Interdistrict difference of >5 points/1000 live-births was found for infant mortality rate and under-5 mortality rate in all eight study states, while in six out of eight states this difference was >10 points/1000 live-births. Four states had a difference of >10 points/1000 live-births between respective districts for neonatal mortality rate. The interdistrict differences were also noted in childhood morbidity and health-seeking behaviour. Analysis of proportion of health facilities conforming to Indian public health standards revealed that the difference was m10% for availability of vaccines in five states, emergency services in three, laboratory services and logistics in four each, and referral facility in three of the eight study states. CONCLUSION: This study underscores an important information gap in the country where planners seem to rely heavily on a few selected national-level databases that may not be adequate at the micro level. The current process of sporadic health surveys also appears inadequate and inappropriate. There is a need for district-specific data for planning, improving quality of service and generating demand for health service utilization to improve child survival in India. The findings of this study may prove useful for child health programme planning in India.

The Panton-Valentine leukocidin vaccine protects mice against lung and skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus USA300.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is increasingly responsible for staphylococcal infections in the community. A large percentage of the community-acquired methicillin-resistant (CA-MRSA) strains in the USA produce Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), which is associated with severe infections. The virulence of the clinical CA-MRSA strain USA300 was compared to that of its isogenic pvl-deleted mutant, and it was shown that PVL contributes to lung and muscle tissue destruction, respectively, in murine necrotizing pneumonia and skin infection models. Mice infected with the USA300 strain developed a dominant anti-PVL response. The PVL subunits were therefore tested as vaccinogens against this isolate, and their vaccine efficacy correlated with both the route of vaccination and infection. These data suggest that PVL is a virulence factor in murine CA-MRSA infections.

HPLC method for estimation of metformin hydrochloride in formulated microspheres and tablet dosage form.

A simple, accurate, economical and reproducible HPLC method has been developed for quantitative estimation of metformin hydrochloride from tablet dosage form and formulated microspheres. The developed HPLC method is a reverse phase chromatographic method using phenomenex C(18) column and acetonitrile:phosphate buffer (65:35) pH adjusted to 5.75 with o-phosphoric acid as mobile phase and glipizide as internal standard. The linearity was observed in concentration range of 0-25 mug/ml for metformin hydrochloride. Results of analysis were validated statistically and by recovery studies.

Formulation and evaluation of ethyl cellulose microspheres prepared by the multiple emulsion technique.

The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate microencapsulated controlled release preparations of metformin hydrochloride using ethyl cellulose as the retardant material with high entrapment efficiency and extended release. Microspheres were prepared by the double emulsion solvent diffusion method. A mixed solvent system consisting of acetonitrile and dichloromethane in 1:1 ratio and light liquid paraffin were chosen as the primary and secondary oil phases, respectively. Span 80 was used as the surfactant for stabilizing the secondary oil phase. The prepared microspheres were characterized by drug loading, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The in vitro release studies were performed in a series of buffer solutions with variable pH. The drug loaded microspheres showed 55-85% of entrapment and the release was extended for up to 12 h. SEM studies revealed that the microspheres were spherical and porous in nature. Data obtained from in vitro release studies were fitted to various kinetic models and high correlation was obtained with the Higuchi model. The drug release was found to be diffusion controlled. Oral administration of the microspheres to the albino mice provided decreased plasma glucose for more than 10 h.

Identification and detection of genetic relatedness among important varieties of pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown in India.

Among the cool season legume crops grown in India and the Indian sub-continent, peas are very popular and preferred by the growers as well as consumers for various uses. The third largest area in pea cultivation is occupied by India after Canada and Russia. Among the important and popular varieties of peas that are grown in India, several are from exotic background. But very little work has been done to carry out the genetic diversity present in the widely adapted Indian pea varieties using DNA markers. Twenty-four most popular and widely adapted varieties were subjected to RAPD analysis to find out the genetic relatedness among them using 60 decamer primers. All the primers used in our study were found to be polymorphic and seven of them showed 100% polymorphism. Out of 579 amplified products, 433 showed polymorphism (74.8%). On an average, 9.65 bands were amplified per primer. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard's similarity coefficient using UPGMA grouped all the tall type varieties together, whereas, dwarf types formed two different clusters based upon their pedigree. The arithmetic mean heterozygosity (Hav) value and marker index (MI) was found to be 0.496 and 4.787, respectively, thus this indicated the efficiency of RAPD as a marker system. Moreover, the calculated value of probability of identical match by chance suggested that about 10(53) genotypes can be unambiguously distinguish by employing 60 RAPD primers.

Scintimammography screening for recurrent breast cancer in women.

Scintimammography (SM) is a nuclear medicine technique in which a tumour seeking radionuclide is used to localize or trace an active or residual tumour in breast tissue. It involves the injection ofa radiopharmaceutical into circulation and obtaining a scan of the breast tissue l0-15 min later. This procedure has been shown to be an accurate diagnostic tool in patients with symptomatic breast lesion with a non-diagnostic mammogram and for whom characterizing the lesion becomes important. This retrospective study was done using the case records of all 72 patients who had presented for scintimammography on follow -up for breast conservation surgery from January to August 2005. The result of scintimammography done using 99mTc tetrofosmin method was compared with mammograms and cytology reports when available. A total number of 52 patients, mean age 49.4 +/- 8.71 years (range 35-67) were analyzed. The commonest presentation was induration at site of surgery. In 43 patients without recurrent disease, scintimammography correctly characterized 42 while 8 out of the 10 patients with recurrent disease confirmed by histology reports were correctly identified The sensitivity of this study was 88.8%, while specificity was 95.4%. The positive predictive value was 80%, while the negative predictive value was 95.3%. Given the non-invasiveness of scintimammography and the high diagnostic index, it is a very useful tool in breast cancer diagnosis and followup. Furthermore, the radiation dose to the patient is lower than a chest radiograph and as such the fear of radiation comparatively is milder.