Physicochemical characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) produced by the rare halophile Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum MTCC 13074.

BACKGROUND: Polyhydroxybutyrate is a biopolymer produced by bacteria and archaea under nitrogen-limiting conditions. PHB is an essential polymer in the bioplastic sector because of its biodegradability, eco-friendliness, and adaptability. The characterization of PHB is a multifaceted process for studying the structure and its properties. This entire aspect can assure the long-term viability and performance attributes of the PHB. The characteristics of PHB extracted from the halophile Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum were investigated with the objective of making films for application in healthcare. RESULTS: This was the first characterization study on PHB produced by a rare halophile, Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum (MTCC 13074). In this study, the strain produced 2.72 g/l of PHB for.5.1 g/l of biomass under optimal conditions. Methods are described for the determination of the physicochemical properties of PHB. The prominent functional groups CH3 and C = O were observed by FT-IR and the actual chemical structure of the PHB was deduced by NMR. GCMS detects the confirmation of four methyl ester derivatives of the extracted PHB in the sample. Mass spectrometry revealed the molecular weight of methyl 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3HB) present in the extract. The air-dried PHB films were exposed to TGA, DSC and a universal testing machine to determine the thermal profile and mechanical stability. Additionally, the essential property of biopolymers like viscosity was also assessed for the extracted PHB. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated the consistency and quality of B. paraconglomeratum PHB. Therefore, Brachybacterium sps are also a considerable source of PHB with desired characteristics for industrial production.

Assessment and Evaluation of Soft Tissue Measurements between Various Mandibular Divergences in the South Indian Population: A Cephalometric Study.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the mandibular divergent patterns and soft tissue chin (STC) thickness measured at different chin levels in nongrowing patients. Methodology: Pretreatment lateral cephalograms of 400 adult patients were segregated into four groups based on mandibular divergence pattern defined by the mandibular plane to cranial base angle (average 32° ± 5°), Group I with low angle (below 27°), Group II with medium low angle (28°-32°), Group III with medium high angle (33°-36°), and Group IV with high angle (above 37°). STC thickness was measured between Pog-Pog' (pogonion), Gn-Gn' (gnathion), and Me-Me' (menton), thickness and height of the upper and lower lips were also measured. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc Tukey analysis. Results: A significant difference in the STC thickness at Pog, Gn, and Me was observed among all four groups with hyperdivergent patterns, showing decreased STC thickness than the hypodivergent mandibular pattern. Thickness of the upper and lower lips was greater in hypodivergent mandible, whereas height of the lips was greater in hyperdivergent mandible.

Vanillic acid attenuates cell proliferation, xenobiotic enzyme activity, and the status of pulmonary mitochondrial enzymes in lung carcinoma.

The purpose of the study is to determine the anti-proliferative and mitochondrial status of benzo(a)pyrene-induced lung cancer in Swiss albino mice, as well as the modulatory effect of vanillic acid on it. B(a)P had altered levels of lysosomal enzymes, xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, cell proliferation, inflammation, and mitochondrial abnormalities, whereas treatment with VA treatment significantly reversed the aforementioned activities. According to the findings, VA greatly reduces lung carcinogenesis by restoring antioxidants and xenobiotic-enzyme levels, consequently proving to be an anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory drug against lung cancer in mice. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: As we all know, lung cancer is on the rise all over the world. A recent study demonstrated that vanillic acid protects against B(a)P in experimental mice. According to the findings, VA considerably suppresses lung carcinogenesis by restoring lysosomal enzyme levels, xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme levels, and mitochondrial activities, effectively functioning as an anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory therapy against lung cancer. According to the most recent study, vanillic acid can be used as a defensive medicine in the treatment of lung cancer.

Transesophageal echocardiography guided optimal positioning of central venous catheter tip in superior vena cava during surgical repair of sinus venosus atrial septal defect.

Positioning of central venous catheter (CVC) tip in the intrathoracic portion of superior vena cava (SVC) is essential during the surgical repair of superior sinus venous atrial septal defects (SVASD). Although tracheal carina is described as a radiological landmark for positioning the tip of CVCs, it may not be successful at all times. We describe a case of SVC type SVASD, where the SVC-right pulmonary artery crossing point imaged on transesophageal echocardiography was used as an echocardiographic landmark for optimal positioning of the CVC tip.

Crystallographic, spectral and computational studies on (S)-4-(4-aminobenzyl) oxazolidin-2-one.

The experimental geometry (XRD), vibrational (IR and Raman), electronic (UV-visible) and NMR spectra of (S)-4-(4-Amino-benzyl)-oxazolidin-2-one (ABO) have been corroborated with the corresponding first principle calculated values at DFT using hybrid B3LYP exchange correlation functional invoking 6-311++g(d, p) basis set. The optimized geometrical parameters were found to be in satisfactory agreement with the experimental values obtained from the X-ray diffraction structural features of ABO. The scaled down computed vibrational frequencies with appropriate scaling factors were in good correspondence with the experimental observations. Room-temperature 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies were supported by advanced density functional theory calculations. The theoretical spectrograms of FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and UV of the title compound have been constructed and compared with experimental spectra and Hirshfeld surface analysis has also been made to study the intermolecular interactions. The electronic structure of the title compound has also been studied in terms of HOMO, LUMO and MESP diagrams.

Diosmin exhibits anti-hyperlipidemic effects in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of diosmin on experimentally induced myocardial infarcted rats. Diosmin (5 and 10mg/kg body weight) was administered orally as pretreatment daily for a period of 10 days. Then isoproterenol (100mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously into rats at an interval of 24h for 2 days (on 11th and 12th day). Isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats showed significant changes in electrocardiogram and an increase in the levels of cardiac markers, compared with normal rats. Additionally, increased plasma lipid peroxidation products and altered lipid metabolism in the plasma were observed in the isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats. Pretreatment with diosmin (5 and 10mg/kg body weight) minimized the electrocardiographic changes, decreased the levels of serum cardiac marker enzymes reduced plasma lipid peroxidation and minimized the alterations in the lipid metabolism of isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats. Also, diosmin inhibited the enhanced activity of liver HMG CoA reductase. The in vitro study revealed the free radical scavenging activity of diosmin. The free radical scavenging and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects are the reasons for the cardioprotective effects of diosmin.