Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using leaf extracts of Raphanus sativus var. Longipinnatus and evaluation of their anticancer property in A549 cell lines.

In 21 st century, nanomedicine has turned out to be an emergent modulus operation for the diagnosis and treatment for cancer. The current study includes the Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) from the leaves of Raphanus sativus var. Longipinnatus and interpretation of its anticancer activity. Synthesized ZnO NPs were investigated by UV-vis, FTIR, particle size analysis, SEM, XRD and its anticancer activity using A549 cell lines. The UV-vis and particle size confirmed the developed ZnO NPs are in nanoscale. The FTIR studies confirmed the presence of various functional groups. SEM and XRD pictures confirmed the partial crystal spherical shape and wurtzite crystal nature. The cytotoxicity results pointed out the enhanced cytotoxic effect of the synthesized ZnO NPs. This is the first attempt of Raphanus sativus var. Longipinnatus facilitated synthesis of ZnO NPs as anticancer agents and may subsequently be potential chemopreventive agent against other cancer treatment in future.

Development of Sn-doped ZnO based ecofriendly piezoelectric nanogenerator for energy harvesting application.

In this work, we have a demonstrated zinc oxide (ZnO) polymer-based ecofriendly piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) on a paper substrate for an energy harvesting application. The ZnO thin film is developed on the paper substrate, where different doping concentrations of Sn have been investigated systematically to validate the effect of doping towards enhancing the device performance. The piezoelectric potential of the fabricated device is evaluated by applying three different loads (4 N, 8 N, 22 N), where the source of the corresponding mechanical loads is based on the object of a musical drum stick. The results suggest that the pristine ZnO PENG device can generate a maximum output voltage and current of 2.15 V and 17 nA respectively. Moreover, the ZnO PENG device doped with 2.5% Sn achieved an even higher voltage (4.15 V) and current (36 nA) compared to pristine ZnO devices. In addition, the hydrothermal growth technique used to develop Sn-doped ZnO has the benefits of high scalability and low cost. Hence, the Sn-doped PENG device is a suitable candidate for energy harvesting applications operating in both uniform and non-uniform loading conditions.

Hyperspectral Image Features Classification Using Deep Learning Recurrent Neural Networks.

The implementation of Deep learning (DL) techniques, Object detection and classification has achieved remarkable results in remote sensing application. Deep learning with Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) technique on hyper-spectral data has been presented here. The only model which can analyze the hyper-spectral pixels as the sequence of information and also to identify the additional information categories through network reasoning is RNN model. This is first time that the framework of RNN has been introduced for the classification of hyper spectral Image. An activation function is proposed by the DL-RNN and also the parameter rectified functions for analyzing the sequence of data in the hyper-spectral images. Throughout the training procedure, the higher learning rates are fairly used by the activation function which has been proposed by avoiding the risk of divergence. In the proposed system the pixels of hyper-spectral images through the sequential perspective has been processed for capturing the sequence based data. The experimental result also shows that the proposed RNN has produced the improved F- score than the traditional deep learning methods.

A Multimodal Authentication for Biometric Recognition System using Intelligent Hybrid Fusion Techniques.

Biometric Recognition and Authentication is used in many applications for the secured identification of the persons. Several Researches has been carried out to strengthen the security algorithms through which the identification can be done in secured manner. With this objective, a new algorithm called Hybrid Adaptive Fusion(HAF) has been proposed which works on the principle of hybrid fusion of two feature inputs such as Hand geometry and iris of the users. As mentioned, the proposed algorithm uses the novel and hybrid fusion of feature extraction along with the accurate machine learning classifier. Effective Linear Binary Patterns (ELBP) and Scale Invariant Fourier Transform (SIFT) are stored in the databases for the further verification. The features stored are fed into the Extreme Learning machines for the detection of the verified users. This algorithm has been tested with the CASIA Image Datasets and with the different classifiers such as Neural Networks, Baiyes Networks. The proposed algorithm with ELM has better accuracy of 98.5% when compared with the other machine learning algorithms.

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoflakes anchored carbon nanoplates for antioxidant and anticancer activity in MCF7 cell lines.

ZnO nanoparticles with flakes-like structures were synthesized by simple wet chemical route using triethanolamine as a mild base. The well distributed ZnO nanoflakes onto carbon nanoplates (ZnO/C) were prepared by wet impregnation method. The crystalline structure and purity of the synthesized samples was inspected using XRD. The shape, structural morphology and elemental composition analysis was studied using FESEM and EDS. The probable anticancer activity of the synthesized samples was studied through their activity on human breast cancer MCF7 cell line. Exposure of breast cancer cells to ZnO and ZnO/C resulted in a dose dependent loss of cell viability, and the characteristic apoptotic features such as early and late apoptosis by dual staining. The results exhibited an enhanced antioxidant activity in the ZnO/C treated cells. This present study demonstrated that the ZnO and ZnO/C can be suggested as compounds with potential activity to induce apoptosis probable anticancer activity agents.

Multi-Response Optimization of WEDM Process Parameters for Machining of Superelastic Nitinol Shape-Memory Alloy Using a Heat-Transfer Search Algorithm.

Nitinol, a shape-memory alloy (SMA), is gaining popularity for use in various applications. Machining of these SMAs poses a challenge during conventional machining. Henceforth, in the current study, the wire-electric discharge process has been attempted to machine nickel-titanium (Ni55.8Ti) super-elastic SMA. Furthermore, to render the process viable for industry, a systematic approach comprising response surface methodology (RSM) and a heat-transfer search (HTS) algorithm has been strategized for optimization of process parameters. Pulse-on time, pulse-off time and current were considered as input process parameters, whereas material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness, and micro-hardness were considered as output responses. Residual plots were generated to check the robustness of analysis of variance (ANOVA) results and generated mathematical models. A multi-objective HTS algorithm was executed for generating 2-D and 3-D Pareto optimal points indicating the non-dominant feasible solutions. The proposed combined approach proved to be highly effective in predicting and optimizing the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process parameters. Validation trials were carried out and the error between measured and predicted values was negligible. To ensure the existence of a shape-memory effect even after machining, a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) test was carried out. The optimized parameters were found to machine the alloy appropriately with the intact shape memory effect.

Discal Cyst of the Lumbar Spine: Case Report of a Rare Clinical Entity.

Being a rare clinical entity, discal cyst presents indistinguishably from other causes of lower back pain and radiculopathy. It is an extremely rare pathology with unclear pathogenesis, indeterminate natural history with no consensus on the ideal management of the condition. We report a rare case of discal cyst in a patient who presented to our centre with localised low back pain and subsequently left sided radicular pain. With the aid of MRI and with clear surgical indication we proceeded with endoscopic removal of the cyst and intraoperatively confirmed its origin from the adjacent disc. The patient had immediate relief of his symptoms and no postoperative complications. We recommend that endoscopic surgery can be an effective alternative to conventional open surgery for discal cyst of the lumbar spine.

Discal Cyst of the Lumbar Spine: Case Report of a Rare Clinical Entity

@#Being a rare clinical entity, discal cyst presents indistinguishably from other causes of lower back pain and radiculopathy. It is an extremely rare pathology with unclear pathogenesis, indeterminate natural history with no consensus on the ideal management of the condition. We report a rare case of discal cyst in a patient who presented to our centre with localised low back pain and subsequently left sided radicular pain. With the aid of MRI and with clear surgical indication we proceeded with endoscopic removal of the cyst and intraoperatively confirmed its origin from the adjacent disc. The patient had immediate relief of his symptoms and no postoperative complications. We recommend that endoscopic surgery can be an effective alternative to conventional open surgery for discal cyst of the lumbar spine.

Studies on the growth and characterization of a non linear optical crystal: 3 Hydroxy Pyridinium Tartrate Mono Hydrate (3HPTMH).

Single crystals of 3 Hydroxy Pyridinium Tartrate Mono Hydrate (3HPTMH) was synthesised and successfully grown in mixed solvent of ethanol and water by slow evaporation technique at room temperature. 3HPTMH belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system with space group P212121. The lattice parameters of 3HPTMH are a=7.4597(2)Å, b=8.7012(3)Å, c=17.8786(5)Å, V=1160.47(6)Å(3), obtained by single crystal X ray diffraction studies. Hyperpolarizability and HOMO-LUMO analysis were performed for grown crystal using DFT calculations using Gaussian 03 software. Functional groups were identified by FT-IR studies. The lower cut-off wavelength of the 3HPTMH has been identified by UV-Vis study. The thermal behavior has been studied by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The powder second harmonic generation efficiency of 3HPTMH was compared with KDP.

Crystal structure of N'-[(E)-(4-chloro-phen-yl)(phen-yl)methyl-idene]-4-methyl-benzene-sulfono-hydrazide.

The title compound, C20H17ClN2O2S, was obtained by a condensation reaction between 4-chloro-benzo-phenone and tosyl hydrazide. The plane of the methyl-substituted benzene ring forms dihedral angles of 20.12 (12) and 78.43 (13)° with those of the chlorine-substituted benzene ring and the benzene ring, respectively, with the last two rings forming a dihedral angle of 67.81 (13)°. The chlorine substituent was also found to be 0.868 (2):0.132 (2) disordered over these two rings. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked through pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, giving centrosymmetric cyclic dimers [graph set R 2 (2)(8)], which are linked by weak C-H⋯O and C-H⋯Cl inter-actions into a chain structure which extends along the a-axis direction.

Investigations on the vibrational modes and non-linear optical properties of 4-Fluoro Chalcone crystal.

Organic Nonlinear Optical (NLO) crystals of 4-fluorochalcone (4FC) were synthesized and grown by slow evaporation solution growth method. The grown crystals have been characterised by powder X-ray diffraction, factor group analysis, FTIR, FT-Raman, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, powder SHG and Vickers microhardness tests. Theoretical quantum chemical analysis were performed to determine the first order hyperpolarizability (ß) and HOMO-LUMO analysis of the title compound were computed by GAUSSIAN 03 package.

Silibinin potentially attenuates arsenic-induced oxidative stress mediated cardiotoxicity and dyslipidemia in rats.

Cardiac dysfunction is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Chronic exposure of arsenic (As) mainly leads to cardiotoxic effect. Cardiotoxicity was induced by the sodium arsenite as the source of As (5 mg/kg BW, PO) for 4 weeks. As intoxication significantly (p < 0.05) increased the serum cardiac markers, viz. creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, oxidative stress markers in heart, plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids (FFA), low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as cardiac lipid profile (TC, TG and FFA) and significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the level of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol, cardiac PL, mitochondrial enzymes such as ICDH, SDH, MDH, α-KDH and NADH dehydrogenase, levels of enzymatic antioxidant, nonenzymatic antioxidants and membrane-bound ATPases in heart. In addition, As-intoxicated rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) up-regulation of myocardial NADPH (NOX) oxidase sub units such as NOX2 and NOX4 as well as Keap-1 and down-regulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expressions. Pre-administration of silibinin (SB) (75 mg/kg BW) remarkably recovered all these altered parameters to near normalcy in As-induced cardiotoxic rat. Moreover, the light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic study further supports the protective efficacy of SB on the heart mitochondria. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that SB has a potential to extenuate the arsenic-induced cardiotoxicity and dyslipidemia in rat.

Crystal structure of (E)-N'-(4-chloro-benzyl-idene)-4-methyl-benzene-sulfono-hydrazide: a hexa-gonal polymorph.

The title compound, C14H13ClN2O2S, crystallized in the enanti-omorphic defining hexa-gonal space group P61 [Flack parameter = -0.02 (7)]. The partially hydrated form of the same compound, crystallizing in the triclinic space group P-1, has been reported previously [Kia et al. (2009b). Acta Cryst. E65, o1119], as has the crystal structure of the bromo derivative, also crystallizing in the space group P-1 [Kia et al. (2009a). Acta Cryst. E65, o821]. The title mol-ecule is non-planar with the planes of the benzene rings being inclined to one another by 76.62 (13)°, and has an E conformation about the C=N bond. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds forming 61 helical chains running along [001]. The chains are linked via C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, C-H⋯π inter-actions and short Cl⋯O [3.015 (3) Å] inter-actions, forming a three-dimensional structure.

Quercetin potentially attenuates cadmium induced oxidative stress mediated cardiotoxicity and dyslipidemia in rats.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium is one of the potent cardiotoxic heavy metals in the environment, which induces oxidative stress, dyslipidemia and membrane disturbances in heart. Quercetin is an effective antioxidant and free radical scavenger against oxidative stress. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of quercetin (QE) on cardiac marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation products, lipid profile, membrane bound ATPases and antioxidant status in cadmium (Cd)-intoxicated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four male albino rats were used. Cadmium induced oxidative cardiotoxicity was induced by the oral administration of Cd for four weeks. Quercetin  was pretreated along with Cd for four weeks to assess its cardioprotective effect against Cd intoxication. Rats treated with vehicles alone were used as controls. RESULTS: Rats intoxicated with cadmium (5 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks in combination with quercetin (50 mg/kg/day) respectively. Cd-induced cardiotoxicity and dyslipidemia was indicated by increased activities of marker enzymes such as creatine kinase-MB, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in serum. In addition, the levels of lipid peroxidation products and protein carbonyl contents in heart were significantly (p < 0.05) increased and the activities of enzymic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase in the heart and non-enzymic antioxidants such as glutathione, vitamin C and E in the heart were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in Cd intoxicated rats. The levels total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), phospholipidis (PL), free fatty acids (FFA), LDL and VLDL were significantly (p < 0.05) increased and the level of HDL was significantly decreased in the serum of Cd-treated rats. Cd intoxication also increased the levels of TC, TG and FFA and decreased the level of PL in the heart tissue. Further Cd treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the levels of membrane bound ATP ases in heart. QE treatment along with Cd showed significant protective effect on all the biochemical parameters studied. Histopathological findings of QE and Cd treated heart confirmed the biochemical findings of this study. Thus, QE protects the myocardium against Cd-induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in rats. CONCLUSIONS: Quercetin may be beneficial in combating the cadmium induced oxidative cardiotoxicity and dyslipidemia in rats.  

Design and evaluation of matrix diffusion controlled transdermal patches of coumarin.

The aim of the present investigation was to prepare coumarin matrix transdermal systems using the combinations of Eudragit RL-100/Eudragit RS-100. The formulations were evaluated for various physicochemical properties (thickness, weight variation, drug content uniformity, moisture content and water absorption uptake), in vitro release studies, in vitro skin permeation studies and skin irritation studies. In vitro skin permeation and skin irritation studies were carried out on rat skin and rabbit respectively. The drug-polymer interaction results revealed no interaction between the drug and the polymers. Drug content uniformity of the patches was found more than 98%. Variations in drug permeation profiles were observed among the formulations. From the results concluded that coumarin can be formulated into the transdermal matrix type patches to overcome the first pass effect, reduced frequency of administration of coumarin and sustain its release characteristics; the polymeric composition Eudragit RL and Eudragit RS (1:1) with 1mL of ethanol was found to be the best choice for the formulation of transdermal patches of coumarin among the formulation studied.

Investigations on the physico chemical properties of 4-bromochalcone single crystals for nonlinear optical applications.

Good quality yellow transparent single crystals of 4-bromochalcone (4BC) crystal have been synthesized and grown by slow evaporation solution growth method. The UV-Vis spectra was recorded for the grown crystal. The thermal behavior of the title crystal was studied. Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectral studies were performed for analyzing and assigning the vibrations and to identify the functional groups. The relative SHG efficiency of the material was investigated to explore the NLO characteristics for the first time in the literature. The SHG efficiency of the material is found to be 1.14 times greater than urea. Hyperpolarizability and HOMO-LUMO analysis of 4-bromochalcone (4BC) were performed with the help of Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations using Gaussian 03 software.

Silibinin ameliorates arsenic induced nephrotoxicity by abrogation of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in rats.

Arsenic (As) is an environmental and industrial pollutant that affects various organs in human and experimental animals. Silibinin is a naturally occurring plant bioflavonoid found in the milk thistle of Silybum marianum, which has been reported to have a wide range of pharmacological properties. A body of evidence has accumulated implicating the free radical generation with subsequent oxidative stress in the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of As toxicity. Since kidney is the critical target organ of chronic As toxicity, we carried out this study to investigate the effects of silibinin on As-induced toxicity in the kidney of rats. In experimental rats, oral administration of sodium arsenite [NaAsO(2), 5 mg/(kg day)] for 4 weeks significantly induced renal damage which was evident from the increased levels of serum urea, uric acid, creatinine with a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in creatinine clearance. As also significantly decreased the levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine in urine. A markedly increased levels of lipid peroxidation markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid hydroperoxides) and protein carbonyl contents with significant (p < 0.05) decrease in non-enzymatic antioxidants (total sulfhydryl groups, reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E) and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase), Glutathione metabolizing enzymes (glutathione reductase and glutathione-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and membrane bound ATPases were also observed in As treated rats. Co-administration of silibinin (75 mg/kg day) along with As resulted in a reversal of As-induced biochemical changes in kidney accompanied by a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation and an increase in the level of renal antioxidant defense system. The histopathological and immunohistochemical studies in the kidney of rats also shows that silibinin (75 mg/kg day) markedly reduced the toxicity of As and preserved the normal histological architecture of the renal tissue, inhibited the caspase-3 mediated tubular cell apoptosis and decreased the NADPH oxidase, iNOS and NF-κB over expression by As and upregulated the Nrf2 expression in the renal tissue. The present study suggests that the nephroprotective potential of silibinin in As toxicity might be due to its antioxidant and metal chelating properties, which could be useful for achieving optimum effects in As-induced renal damage.

Silibinin potentially protects arsenic-induced oxidative hepatic dysfunction in rats.

Arsenic (As) compounds are reported as environmental toxicants and human carcinogens. Exposure to arsenic imposes a big health issue worldwide. Silibinin (SB) is a major flavonolignan compound of silimarin and is found in milk thistle of Silybum marianum. It has been reported that silibinin has antioxidant efficacy as metal chelators due to the orientation of its functional groups. However, it has not yet been explored in experimental animals. In view of this fact, the purpose of this study was to delineate the ameliorative role of silibinin against arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Rats were orally treated with arsenic alone (5 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day) plus silibinin (75 mg/kg bw/day) for 4weeks. Hepatotoxicity was evaluated by the increased activities of serum hepatospecific enzymes namely aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and total bilirubin along with increased elevation of lipid peroxidative markers, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, protein carbonyl content and conjugated dienes. The toxic effect of arsenic was also indicated by significantly decreased activities of membrane bound ATPases, enzymatic antioxidants like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase along with nonenzymatic antioxidants like reduced glutathione, total sulfhydryl groups, vitamins C and E. Administration of silibinin exhibited a significant reversal of arsenic-induced toxicity in hepatic tissue. All these changes were supported by reduction of DNA damage in hepatocytes and histopathological observations of the liver. These results suggest that silibinin has a potential protective effect over arsenic-induced hepatotoxicity in rat.

Protective effect of Piper betle leaf extract against cadmium-induced oxidative stress and hepatic dysfunction in rats.

The present study was undertaken to examine the attenuative effect of Piper betle leaf extract (PBE) against cadmium (Cd) induced oxidative hepatic dysfunction in the liver of rats. Pre-oral supplementation of PBE (200 mg/kg BW) treated rats showed the protective efficacy against Cd induced hepatic oxidative stress. Oral administration of Cd (5 mg/kg BW) for four weeks to rats significantly (P > 0.05) elevated the level of serum hepatic markers such as serum aspartate transaminase (AST), serum alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), bilirubin (TBRNs), oxidative stress markers viz., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), protein carbonyls (PC) and conjugated dienes (CD) and significantly (P > 0.05) reduced the enzymatic antioxidants viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and non-enzymatic antioxidants Viz., reduced glutathione (GSH), total sulfhydryls (TSH), vitamin C and vitamin E in the liver. Pre-oral supplementation of PBE (200 mg/kg BW) in Cd intoxicated rats, the altered biochemical indices and pathological changes were recovered significantly (P > 0.05) which showed ameliorative effect of PBE against Cd induced hepatic oxidative stress. From the above findings, we suggested that the pre-administration of P. betle leaf extract exhibited remarkable protective effects against cadmium-induced oxidative hepatic injury in rats.