Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Potential of Streptomyces sp. G-18 Grown in Various Media.

Streptomyces are bacteria well known for producing bioactive secondary metabolites which are commonly found in diverse habitats. The biosynthesis of metabolites from Streptomyces is influenced by various factors such as the growth medium, environmental conditions, and gene regulation. This study aimed to investigate the influence of different growth media on biomass production and the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potential of a crude extract obtained from Streptomyces sp. G-18 isolated from high altitudinal soil of Nepal. The highest dry weight growth was observed in R2YE medium (184 mg/L), followed by R5 (144 mg/L), YEME (38 mg/L), and R5M media (30 mg/L). The crude extract showed notable antioxidant activities against free radicals. The highest alpha-amylase inhibition was observed in the R2YE medium, and worthy lipase and tyrosinase inhibition was observed in the YEME medium. However, only the R2YE medium exhibited inhibitory potential against elastase and acetylcholinesterase, while crude extracts from R5, YEME, and R5 modified did not show any such activity. Overall, our findings suggest that the production of bioactive secondary metabolites in Streptomyces sp. G-18 was significantly influenced by the growth medium. This strain may be a promising source of enzyme inhibitors with potential applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

A STUDY ON THE RADIATION DOSE DUE TO DISSOLVED 222RN IN WATER SAMPLES OF MANDYA CITY, KARNATAKA, INDIA.

Measurement of dissolved radon concentrations in the water samples collected from selected borewells (depth ~300 ft), wells (depth ~25 ft) and overhead tanks (height ~30 ft) of Mandya city, Karnataka, India, has been carried out by using Emanometry method. The radon concentrations in the waters of borewell, well and overhead tank ranges from 1.5 ± 0.1 to 102.8 ± 5.1, 1.3 ± 0.1 to 3.8 ± 0.4 and 2.5 ± 0.2 to 9.7 ± 1.1 Bq l-1 with the mean values of 16.8, 2.5 and 6.2 Bq l-1, respectively. Majority of borewell water samples showed higher concentrations of dissolved 222Rn compared to waters of well and overhead tank. The overall mean value of dissolved radon concentration of 12.2 Bq l-1 is found to be close to the maximum contaminant level of 11 Bq l-1 suggested by US Environment Protection Agency. The physicochemical parameters like pH, TDS and conductivity were also measured, and dependence of dissolved 222Rn on these parameters has been studied. Using the mean value of dissolved radon concentration, a new attempt has been made to compute the doses imparted to different organs and tissues of the human body. Dosimetric calculations showed that stomach and small intestine receive greater doses due to dissolved radon compared to other organs.

The Sensory Abnormalities and Neuropsychopathology of Autism and Anxiety.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of interpersonal communications and restricted interest and deficits in sensory and social interactions. It co-occurs with anxiety and mostly in 30% of cases related to specific phobia. This review article summarises the sensory association between anxiety and ASD. The role of emotions and neurobiology discussed and sensory over-reactivity (SOR) was related to ASD and anxiety. PubMed database systematically searched for related articles on ASD and anxiety. The keywords used are autism spectrum disorder, autism spectrum disorder and emotion, anxiety disorder, sensory in autism and anxiety, and psychopathology. The results were most significant and related to the sensory association between ASD and anxiety. Out of 19 studies discussed, there were eight systematic reviews with meta-analysis, seven systematic reviews, three traditional reviews, and one included both systematic reviews with randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, due to possible limitations and considerations, like small sample size and few clinical trials; hence, further recommendations to randomized clinical trials and cohort studies warranted. This review article helps scientists to plan and focus on necessary studies and possible screening for the disease to improve possible clinical outcomes. People gain awareness of the disease. Early recognition, as well as educational, behavioral, and family therapy, might decrease symptoms and support learning and development in children.

MEASUREMENT OF RADON SOIL GAS IN AND AROUND BHARATHINAGARA, MANDYA DISTRICT.

Radon activity concentration in soil gas has been studied in and around Bharathinagara, Mandya district (12° 13|| N and 77° 20|| E) using Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors with Twin cup dosimeter. The activity concentration of 222Rn in soil gas was studied at two depths. Radon in soil gas was found to increase with depth and decrease with increase in moisture content of the soil. Radon in soil gas was found to be higher in winter season which varies from 0.22 ± 0.01 to 1.31 ± 0.01 kBq/m3 with a Geometric mean value of 0.56 ± 0.01 kBq/m3 in 1 m depth and lower radon soil gas was found to be 0.16 ± 0.01 to 0.60 ± 0.01 kBq/m3 with a Geometric mean value of 0.30 ± 0.01 kBq/m3 in 0.5 m depth during summer season. The activity concentrations of radon soil gas from in and around Bharathinagara are lower compared to those in other parts of the world.

Stem-cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma in regenerative medicines: A review on pros and cons of the technologies.

Regenerative medicine encompasses new emerging branch of medical sciences that involves the functional restoration of tissues or organs caused by severe injuries or chronic diseases. Currently, there are two contending technologies that can repair and restore the damaged tissues, namely platelet-rich plasma (PRP)- and stem cell (SC)-based therapies. PRP is a component of blood that contains platelet concentrations above the normal level and includes platelet-related growth factors and plasma-derived fibrinogen. Platelets are the frontline healing response to injuries as they release growth factors for tissue repair. SCs, on the other hand, are the unspecialized, undifferentiated, immature cells that based on specific stimuli can divide and differentiate into specific type of cells and tissues. Differentiated SCs can divide and replace the worn out or damaged tissues to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with specialized functions. Despite these differences, both approaches rely on rejuvenating the damaged tissue. This review is focused on delineating the preparation procedures, similarities and disparities and advantages and disadvantages of PRP- and SC-based therapies.

Potential Explosion Hazard of Carbonaceous Nanoparticles: Screening of Allotropes.

There is a concern that engineered carbon nanoparticles, when manufactured on an industrial scale, will pose an explosion hazard. Explosion testing has been performed on 20 codes of carbonaceous powders. These include several different codes of SWCNTs (single-walled carbon nanotubes), MWCNTs (multi-walled carbon nanotubes) and CNFs (carbon nanofibers), graphene, diamond, fullerene, as well as several different control carbon blacks and graphites. Explosion screening was performed in a 20 L explosion chamber (ASTM E1226 protocol), at a concentration of 500 g/m3, using a 5 kJ ignition source. Time traces of overpressure were recorded. Samples typically exhibited overpressures of 5-7 bar, and deflagration index KSt = V1/3 (dP/dt)max ~ 10 - 80 bar-m/s, which places these materials in European Dust Explosion Class St-1. There is minimal variation between these different materials. The explosive characteristics of these carbonaceous powders are uncorrelated with primary particle size (BET specific surface area).

Potential explosion hazard of carbonaceous nanoparticles: Explosion parameters of selected materials.

Following a previous explosion screening study, we have conducted concentration and ignition energy scans on several carbonaceous nanopowders: fullerene, SWCNT, carbon black, MWCNT, graphene, CNF, and graphite. We have measured minimum explosive concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE), and minimum ignition temperature (MITcloud) for these materials. The nanocarbons exhibit MEC ~10(1)-10(2) g/m(3), comparable to the MEC for coals and for fine particle carbon blacks and graphites. The nanocarbons are confirmed mainly to be in the St-1 explosion class, with fullerene, at K(St) ~200 bar-m/s, borderline St-1/St-2. We estimate MIE ~ 10(2)-10(3) J, an order of magnitude higher than the MIE for coals but an order of magnitude lower than the MIE for fine particle graphites. While the explosion severity of the nanocarbons is comparable to that of the coals, their explosion susceptibility (ease of ignition) is significantly less (i.e., the nanocarbons have higher MIEs than do the coals); by contrast, the nanocarbons exhibit similar explosion severity to the graphites but enhanced explosion susceptibility (i.e., the nanocarbons have lower MIEs than do the graphites). MIT(cloud) > 550 °C, comparable to that of the coals and carbon blacks.

Aorto-oesophageal fistula and aortic pseudoaneurysm caused by a swallowed fish bone.

We describe a rare case of aorto-oesophageal fistula and aortic pseudoaneurysm in a middle-aged man, who presented with chest pain and haematemesis 1 week after swallowing a fish bone. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and computed tomographic angiography findings were consistent with oesophageal perforation, proximal descending aortic pseudoaneurysm, and aorto-oesophageal fistula. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair was performed. The patient died from severe mediastinal sepsis. Early surgical intervention and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy are crucial in preventing life-threatening mediastinal infection.

Evaluating the anti-inflammatory potential of Tectaria cicutaria L. rhizome extract in vitro as well as in vivo.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The rhizome of Tectaria cicutaria has been used in the folklore system of Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda) for the treatment of various disorders such as rheumatic pain, chest complaints, burns, sprain, poisonous bites, tonsilitis, toothache, gum complaints, cuts and wounds. The present work has for the first time tried to elucidate the anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous extract of Tectaria cicutaria rhizome (TCRaq) in vitro as well as in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anti-inflammatory potential of TCRaq was analyzed in vivo in carrageenan induced rat paw edema model. Serum antioxidant status in TCRaq-treated as well as untreated control rodents was measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. In vitro experiments for analyzing the anti-inflammatory potential of TCRaq were performed on murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Analysis of nitric oxide release in RAW 264.7 cells was done by Griess reaction. RT-PCR and western blotting experiment was performed to analyze the expression of iNOS. Expression of COX-2 and NFκB proteins was evaluated by western blotting. RESULTS: TCRaq significantly reduced the paw volume in Sprague-Dawley rats at a dose of 200mg/kg body weight, which was comparable with the standard diclofenac treatment. The rats treated with TCRaq showed a significant increase in the serum antioxidant levels compared to the untreated control animals. TCRaq was able to reduce the nitric oxide (NO) levels in RAW 264.7 cells that had been stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in iNOS expression at mRNA and protein level. Interestingly, TCRaq was found to decrease the expression of COX-2 as well as the nuclear translocation of NFκB in RAW 264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: Our study signifies the anti-inflammatory potential of Tectaria cicutaria and scientifically validates its traditional use in inflammatory conditions.

Indoor radon concentration and its possible dependence on ventilation rate and flooring type.

The results of radon concentration measurements carried out in dwellings with natural ventilation for 1 y in Bangalore are reported. Measurements, covering three sessions of the day (morning, afternoon, night) were performed two times in a month for 1 y at a fixed place of each dwelling at a height of 1 m above the ground surface in selected dwellings. The low-level radon detection system (LLRDS), an active method, was used for the estimation of radon concentration. The measurements were aimed to understand the diurnal variation and the effect of ventilation rate and flooring type on indoor radon concentration. The geometric mean (± geometric standard deviation) of indoor radon concentration from about 500 measurements carried out in 20 dwellings is found to be 25.4 ± 1.54 Bq m⁻³. The morning, afternoon and night averages were found to be 42.6 ± 2.05, 15.3 ± 2.18 and 28.5 ± 2.2 Bq m⁻³, respectively. The approximate natural ventilation rates of the dwellings were calculated using the PHPAIDA--the on-line natural ventilation, mixed mode and air infiltration rate calculation algorithm and their effects on indoor radon concentrations were studied. The inhalation dose and the lung cancer risk due to indoor radon exposure were found to be 0.66 mSv y⁻¹ and 11.9 per 106 persons, respectively. The gamma exposure rate was also measured in all the dwellings and its correlation with the inhalation dose rate was studied.

Distribution, enrichment and principal component analysis for possible sources of naturally occurring and anthropogenic radionuclides in the agricultural soil of Punjab state, India.

Enrichment factor (EF) of elements including geo-accumulation indices for soil quality and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to identify the contributions of the origin of sources in the studied area. Results of (40)K, (137)Cs, (238)U and (232)Th including their decay series isotopes in the agricultural soil of Mansa and Bathinda districts in the state of Punjab were presented and discussed. The measured mean radioactivity concentrations for (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K in the agricultural soil of the studied area differed from nationwide average crustal abundances by 51, 17 and 43 %, respectively. The sequence of the EFs of radionuclides in soil from the greatest to the least was found to be (238)U > (40)K > (226)Ra > (137)Cs > (232)Th > (228)Ra. Even though the enrichment of naturally occurring radionuclides was found to be higher, they remained to be in I(geo) class of '0', indicating that the soil is uncontaminated with respect to these radionuclides. Among non-metals, N showed the highest EF and belonged to I(geo) class of '2', indicating that soil is moderately contaminated due to intrusion of fertiliser. The resulting data set of elemental contents in soil was also interpreted by PCA, which facilitates identification of the different groups of correlated elements. The levels of the (40)K, (238)U and (232)Th radionuclides showed a significant positive correlation with each other, suggesting a similar origin of their geochemical sources and identical behaviour during transport in the soil system.

Unusual presentation of a patient with GBL withdrawal: a case report.

GBL (gamma-butyro-lactone) is converted to Gamma hydroxyl butyrate (GHB) in the body. GBL and GHB are available in liquid form and powder form. Once categorised under "legal highs", these two are not associated with any dependence or withdrawal in animal studies. But there are case reports indicating their high dependence potential in humans. We here present a case of a 29 year old who came to the attention of psychiatric services with very bizarre presentation and needed a host of investigations and expert views from various medical disciplines. He was treated mainly symptomatically followed by a sudden dramatic recovery on the 11th day after presentation. GBL is getting popular as a recreational drug and its withdrawal should be seriously considered in the list of medical causes leading to Delirium.

Neuroleptic Malignant syndrome (NMS): a rare presentation induced by an antiemetic - case report.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is one of the life threatening complications of antipsychotic psychotropic medication. We here report a case of a 39 years old male who has had a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia since the age of 18. He had been on antipsychotic therapy since then. He was stable on a combination of antipsychotics. He had mild hyper-salivation for a long time but was not very concerned about it. He requested and was prescribed Hyoscine Hydrobromide 300 mcg BD for hyper-salivation. There was no other medication change. After 5 days of starting Kwells, the patient presented with Neuroleptic Malignant syndrome. One has to watch for NMS while starting Hyoscine Hydrbromide for someone on antispychotics.

Bresol inhibits phosphodiesterase 4 gene expression and modulates the levels of select mediators of inflammation in human monocytic cells.

Bresol-a poly-herbal formulation, has been reported to be effective against bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis in children. In vivo studies have supported the anti-histaminic and anti-anaphylactic action of bresol. However, the mechanism of action of bresol in modulation of inflammation has not been studied at the cellular and molecular level. The present study was aimed to elucidate the mechanism(s) of action of bresol at the cellular and molecular levels, using human monocyte leukemia cells. The effects of bresol on phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) gene expression were analyzed using human monocytic U937 leukemia cells. The ability of bresol to stimulate cAMP formation in these cells, as well as its effects on mediators of inflammation like tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), nitric oxide (NO), and cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated U937 cells, were also studied. The results here indicated that bresol exhibited potential anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting LPS-induced PDE4B gene expression in the cells. Bresol also dose dependently activated cAMP formation, and inhibited TNFα, NO, as well as COX-2 formation in the LPS-stimulated cells. Based upon the results, we concluded that the reported anti-inflammatory activity of bresol might be attributed to its abilities to inhibit PDE4B and thus elevate cAMP levels in human monocytes. The anti-inflammatory effects of bresol might also be a result of the capacity of bresol to modulate the formation of TNFα, NO, and COX-2 in monocytes.

Ethanol extract of Justicia gendarussa inhibits lipopolysaccharide stimulated nitric oxide and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in murine macrophage.

CONTEXT: Justicia gendarussa Burm (Acanthaceae) is a plant used to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, the mechanism involved in the anti-inflammatory properties of this plant has not been studied well. OBJECTIVE: The in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Justicia gendarussa leaves (J-01) are studied here for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ethanol extract, J-01 was prepared from the leaves of Justicia gendarussa. The inhibitory effect of J-01 in nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) gene expressions were studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. RESULTS: J-01 in a concentration dependent manner (200-50 µg/mL) attenuated NO production from macrophage stimulated with LPS (1 µg/mL). Further, J-01 significantly suppressed iNOS mRNA expression in these cells. J-01 has also downregulated the MMP-9 gene expression in LPS stimulated macrophage. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The modulatory function of J-01 in inhibiting NO, iNOS, and MMP-9 as obtained from the present in vitro studies provide first scientific evidence to support the anti-inflammatory properties of Justicia gendarussa. This plant may have potential use in the management of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.

Anti-inflammatory properties of Septilin in lipopolysaccharide activated monocytes and macrophage.

In vivo studies have suggested the immunomodulatory properties of Septilin, an herbal preparation. This drug is being used against various types of inflammatory disorders. However, the mechanism of action of Septilin in the modulation of inflammation is not explored using suitable in vitro models. Hence, we decided to study the modulatory role of Septilin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediated signaling in macrophage and monocyte cells. It was observed from the present study that by employing tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) bioassay and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Septilin inhibited TNF-α production in LPS (1 µg/mL) stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (p < 0.05). 80% inhibition of TNF-α was observed even at 2.5% Septilin. Septilin at all the concentrations tested could also significantly block the LPS mediated nitric oxide (NO) production (p < 0.01) and expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene. LPS mediated interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 production was also blocked by Septilin at the concentrations tested. This herbal preparation could also inhibit cycloxygenase 2 (COX-2) activity and suppression of COX-2 and phosphodiesterase 4 B (PDE4B) mRNA expression in a concentration dependent manner. Taken together, these findings from the present in vitro study suggest the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of Septilin.

An interesting case of cardiotoxicity due to bufotoxin (toad toxin).

Consumption of toads for their aphrodisiac effect is a common practice in Laos, China and in some parts of India. Toad secretions from parotid and skin contains toxin similar to cardiac glycosides. It results in bradycardia and cardiac dysfunction leading on to death in some cases. We report a case of toad poisoning in a young previously healthy male.