Screening for the loss of protective sensation in people without a history of diabetic foot ulceration: Validation of two simple tests in India.

The ability of the Ipswich touch test (IpTT) and VibratipTM to detect loss of protective sensation (LOPS) was tested against a neurothesiometer in an outpatient diabetic population without a history for ulceration. Our results support the use of the IpTT as a screening tool for LOPS, but not of VibratipTM.

The Biological Potentialsof Indian Traditional Medicine, Curcumin for Treating Human Diseases.

Curcumin is an active compound extracted from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. (Turmeric). It possesses a di phenolic structure and there are three important fractions of curcumin namely curcumin, mono-desmethoxycurcumin and bis-desmethoxycurcumin. Curcumin is having high medicinal value. It is widely in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicine formulations to treat various diseases. It is effective against microbial pathogens like bacteria, virus and fungi. It is highly potent and kills cancerous cells. Curcumin exhibits antioxidant activity and reduces lipoperoxidation. Cardioprotective nature of curcumin is also reported. It can protect the brain from neurodegenerative disorders caused by oxidative stress. It is safe to use in humans and animals. In addition to its medicinal value, it is also having numerous commercial applications like dyeing, cooking purposes and antiseptics etc. The cultivation of turmeric by means of inorganic inputs makes it contaminated with heavy metals is reported. Improving the biological use of curcumin provides healthy humankind and increases the economic status of a country.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)-degrading potential bacteria from marine ecosystem of Gulf of Mannar, India.

AIMS: Assessment of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-degrading bacteria isolated from plastic waste dumpsites of Gulf of Mannar. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rationally, 15 bacteria (GMB1-GMB15) were isolated by enrichment technique. GMB5 and GMB7 were selected for further studies based on their efficiency to degrade the HDPE and identified as Arthrobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp., respectively. Assessed weight loss of HDPE after 30 days of incubation was nearly 12% for Arthrobacter sp. and 15% for Pseudomonas sp. The bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbon (BATH) assay showed that the cell surface hydrophobicity of Pseudomonas sp. was higher than Arthrobacter sp. Both fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis and protein content of the biofilm were used to test the viability and protein density of the biomass. Acute peak elevation was observed between 2 and 5 days of inoculation for both bacteria. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum showed that keto carbonyl bond index (KCBI), Ester carbonyl bond index (ECBI) and Vinyl bond index (VBI) were increased indicating changes in functional group(s) and/or side chain modification confirming the biodegradation. CONCLUSION: The results pose us to suggest that both Pseudomonas sp. and Arthrobacter sp. were proven efficient to degrade HDPE, albeit the former was more efficacious, yet the ability of latter cannot be neglected. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Recent alarm on ecological threats to marine system is dumping plastic waste in the marine ecosystem and coastal arena by anthropogenic activity. In maintenance phase of the plastic-derived polyethylene waste, the microbial degradation plays a major role; the information accomplished in this work will be the initiating point for the degradation of polyethylene by indigenous bacterial population in the marine ecosystem and provides a novel eco-friendly solution in eco-management.