Assessment of antibacterial efficacy of a biocompatible nanoparticle PC@AgNPs against Staphylococcus aureus.

A plant, Priva cordifolia mediated silver nanoparticle was prepared and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the synthesized nanoparticle against Staphylococcus aureus was found to be 100 ±â€¯0.80 µg/mL with 9.38 ±â€¯0.04 mm zone of inhibition. The bactericidal activity was shown primarily due to membrane damage evident from SEM, atomic force microscopy (AFM), potassium efflux, cellular material leakage, and bio-electrochemical changes in electron transport chain data. It was also of interest to find PC@AgNPs interfering with biofilm formation by S.aureus, assessed qualitatively by SEM, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and quantitatively by dye staining method. The bio-compatibility of PC@AgNPs was established by anti-coagulant, thrombolytic, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin-like activity and fibrinolytic activity that suggested its good maintenance of hemostatic conditions. PC@AgNPs also prevented the coagulation of rabbit plasma which as per the standard drug Dabigatran reaction was indicative of the down-regulation of virulence Coa gene expression.

Synthesis of novel benzodioxane midst piperazine moiety decorated chitosan silver nanoparticle against biohazard pathogens and as potential anti-inflammatory candidate: A molecular docking studies.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are currently being investigated along with the use of biodegradable polymer containing active agents in many areas of medicine for targeted applications. The present study was aimed to synthesize novel compound Benzodioxane midst piperazine (BP) and characterization of a BP decorated chitosan silver nanoparticles (BP*C@AgNPs) and shown effective against hazardous pathogens, and also having anti-inflammatory property. It was further evaluated for molecular docking proofs, and toxicity. The BP*C@AgNPs had spherical shape with size of 36.6nm with wide biocidal activity against hazardous Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with excellent inhibition at 100µg/mL for S. aureus (10.08±0.05mm ZOI), and E. coli (10.03±0.04mm ZOI) compared to antibiotic Streptomycin. The anti-inflammatory activity exhibited IC50 value of 71.61±1.05µg/mL for BP*C@AgNPs compared to indomethacin (IC50=40.15±1.21µg/mL). Also, the docking study of BP showed excellent score for COX1 and DNA gyrase. This in silico study confirmed the achieved efficacy of BP, with less toxicity against normal PMBCs in vitro and in vivo studies. This study concludes that, the novel synthesized BP*C@AgNPs had excellent biocidal property and as anti-inflammatory candidate revealed by docking studies, it confirms BP*C@AgNPs for first-class therapeutic applications in the area of medicinal nanotechnology for the coming days.

Classification, Source, and Effect of Environmental Pollutants and Their Biodegradation.

Any foreign chemical substance that is unusually present within an organism or is unexpectedly found in the environment at a higher concentration than the permissible limits can be termed a xenobiotic or a pollutant. Such substances include carcinogens, drugs, food additives, hydrocarbons, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides or even some natural compounds. Pollutants are known for their higher persistence and pervasiveness, and along with their transformed products, they can remain in and interact with the environment for prolonged periods. In this article, the classification of such substances based on their nature, use, physical state, pathophysiological effects, and sources is discussed. The effects of pollutants on the environment, their biotransformation in terms of bioaccumulation, and the different types of remediation such as in situ and ex situ remediation, are also presented.

Dominant lethals induced by Dithane M-45 in silkworm Bombyx mori.

Dithane M-45, a ethylenebis(dithiocarbamate) fungicide widely used in agriculture, including moriculture and sericulture, was tested for its efficacy in inducing dominant lethals in Bombyx mori. A polyvotine race of Pure Mysore was used for the studies and the topical application method was employed. After treatment with sublethal concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 g/50 larvae, the results have revealed that all of the concentrations could induce significant dominant lethals in a dose-dependent manner compared to controls. The results are discussed in the light of precautionary measures in the use of Dithane M-45 in the sericulture industry.

In vivo cytogenetic analyses of the carbamate pesticides Dithane M-45 and Baygon in mice.

Two carbamate pesticides, Dithane M-45 and Baygon, were analysed for their cytogenetic effects using meiotic chromosome analysis and the micronucleus test in Swiss albino male mice. The three sub-lethal doses of 1687.5, 3375 and 5962.5 mg/kg bw of Dithane M-45 and 1250, 2500 and 3750 mg/kg bw of Baygon were employed in all the experiments. The results demonstrate that neither Dithane M-45 nor Baygon could induce a significant (P > 0.05) increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations in the germ cells or in the percentage of micronuclei in erythrocytes.

Genotoxicity studies with Cuman L in Drosophila melanogaster.

Cuman L, a dithiocarbamate fungicide, was tested for its ability to induce sex-linked recessive lethals (SLRLs) and II-III chromosome translocations in Drosophila melanogaster by the larval feeding method. The three concentrations of Cuman L, of 20, 40, and 60 microliters/100 ml, induced significant (P less than 0.01) increases in SLRLs but failed to induce any translocations.

Cytogenetic effects of Cuman L, a dithiocarbamate fungicide.

Cuman L, a dithiocarbamate fungicide, was assessed for its effects in the germ cells and the bone marrow erythrocytes of Swiss Albino male mice. The 3 sublethal doses of 350, 700 and 1050 mg/kg b.w. of Cuman L induced a significant (P less than 0.01) increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations in the germ cells. A significant increase (P less than 0.01) in the percentage of micronuclei in the erythrocytes was also induced by the three doses.

Mutagenicity studies in Drosophila melanogaster with Lannate 20.

Lannate 20 a carbamate pesticide was evaluated for its mutagenicity in Drosophila melanogaster by the sex-linked recessive lethals and chromosome II-III translocation tests by continuous larval feeding. The 3 sublethal doses of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 microliter of Lannate per 100 ml of the food medium induced a significant (P less than 0.01) increase in the number of sex-linked recessive lethals over the controls. However, no translocations were observed either in the treated or the control series.

Evaluation of lannate 20, a carbamate pesticide in the germ cells of male mice.

Lannate 20, a carbamate pesticide, was evaluated for its effects on the germ cells of Swiss albino male mice, by the sperm morphology assay and meiotic chromosome preparations. The three sublethal concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg body wt administered by the oral intubation method produced significant results (P less than 0.01) with both the above protocols in the said test system under study, thus indicating that lannate 20 is mutagenic in mice.

Mutagenicity studies with safrotin in Drosophila melanogaster and mice.

The mutagenicity of Safrotin [(E)-0-2-isopropoxy carbonyl-1-methyl vinyl O-methyl ethyl phosphoramidothioate] an organophosphorus insecticide was analyzed in Drosophila melanogaster and mice. Sex-linked recessive lethals and II-III translocations were scored in Drosophila while in mice as per in vivo test methods micronucleus test chromosomal aberrations and a sperm morphology assay were made. Different concentrations of the chemical were administered to D. melanogaster by adult and larval feeding and to mice by oral intubation. In the Drosophila test system the investigation yielded negative results revealing the nonmutagenic activity of the insecticide while a weak mutagenic activity was noticed in the mouse test system.

Mutagenic evaluation of propranolol in somatic and germ cells of mice.

The mutagenic effect of an antihypertensive drug, propranolol, was studied on somatic and germ cells of Swiss albino mice. The induction of a significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei in erythrocytes was observed at higher dose levels, whereas, in germ cells, propranolol failed to induce significant chromosomal aberrations at any dose tested.

Investigations on the mutagenicity of two organomercurial pesticides, Ceresan and Agallol 3, in Drosophila melanogaster.

Two organomercurial fungicides, Ceresan containing phenyl mercury acetate and Agallol 3 containing methoxyethyl mercury chloride, were investigated for their mutagenicity in Drosophila melanogaster. The fungicides, administered by both larval and adult feeding techniques, were evaluated for their efficacy in inducing dominant lethals, sex-linked recessive lethals, and II-III translocations in the male germ cells. Both fungicides failed to induce significant dominant lethals, sex-linked recessive lethals, and II-III translocations when administered in the larval diet (P greater than 0.05). But Ceresan in the adult diet brought about a significant increase in the frequency of sex-linked recessive lethals (P less than 0.05). Broodwise analysis revealed that spermatids and spermatocytes were more sensitive than others to all the concentrations of Ceresan and Agallol 3 used. The mutagenic implications of such fungicides in the human environment are discussed.

Population genetics of Drosophila nasuta nasuta, Drosophila nasuta albomicana and their hybrids. VI. Pattern of meiotic F1 chromosome segregation.

Interracial hybridization experiments between D. n. nasuta and D. n. albomicana were made. During gametogenesis there was selective elimination of abnormal gametes in F1 females; hence, only normal gametes were produced. F1 males yielded both normal and abnormal gametes. Fertility tests on F2 and backcross progeny showed males are more often sterile than females. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Population Genetics of DROSOPHILA NASUTA NASUTA, DROSOPHILA NASUTA ALBOMICANA and Their Hybrids. I. Karyotypic Mosaicism in the Hybrid Populations.

D. n. nasuta and D. n. albomicana constitute a pair of chromosomal races with 2n=8 and 2n=6, respectively. The F(1) of these has 2n=7 and it is fertile. There exists a state of karyotypic mosaicism as evidenced by the presence of 26 types of chromosome combinations in F(2), F(3) and F(10) populations. In the midst of this karyotypic noise, the karyotype similar to that of F(1) reached 51% of the population. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Chromosomal polymorphism in Drosophila nasuta. III. Inverted gene arrangements in South Indian populations.

Inversion polymorphism, including a total of 33 inverted gene orders, was studied in South Indian populations of D. nasuta nasuta. Of these, the X chromosome has one, chromosome 2 has 10, and chromosome 3 has 22 inversions. D. nasuta nasuta has simple, tandem, included, overlapping, and complex types of paracentrics in its polymorphic system. The phylogenetic considerations of these gene orders are discussed.