Preparation, Characterization and Structure Prediction of In2SnO3 and Spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, NMR and UV-Visible) Study Using Computational Approach.

Unadulterated and scorch stage In2SnO3 nanopowder is effectively arranged with the doping proportion of 80-20% (In2O3-Sn) by simple sol-gel combustion direction. The material is characterized by XRD measurements and their geometrical parameters are compared with calculated values. The FT-IR and NMR spectra are recorded in both bulk and nanophase and FT-Raman spectrum is recorded in bulk phase and the fundamental frequencies are assigned. The optimized parameters and the frequencies are calculated using HF and DFT (B3LYP, B3PW91 and MPW1PW91) theory in bulk phase of In2SnO3 and are compared with its nanophase. The vibrational frequency pattern in nanophase gets realigned and the frequencies are shifted up and down little bit to the region of spectra when compared with bulk phase. The UV-visible spectrum is simulated and analyzed. The frontier molecular orbital analysis has been carried out and the values of the HOMO-LUMO bandgap (Kubo gap) explore the optical and electronic characteristics of the In2SnO3. Structural studies by XRD showed the crystallite sizes of the particles. The atomic arrangement in the grain boundary seems to be somewhat different from regular periodic arrangement whereas inside the grain there is a good periodic arrangement of atoms. Above 10 mol% Sn ions, 15 mol% Sn ions, 20 mol% Sn ions to 50 mol% Sn ions form correlated clusters, 20 mol% Sn ions which lead to broadening. These EPR spectra were formed to contain two different components, one from the single isolated ions and the other from the clusters. The transition is observed for different composition increase with decreasing grain size.

Influenza A virus enhances its propagation through the modulation of Annexin-A1 dependent endosomal trafficking and apoptosis.

The influenza virus infects millions of people each year and can result in severe complications. Understanding virus recognition and host responses to influenza infection will enable future development of more effective anti-viral therapies. Previous research has revealed diverse yet important roles for the annexin family of proteins in modulating the course of influenza A virus (IAV) infection. However, the role of Annexin-A1 (ANXA1) in IAV infection has not been addressed. Here, we show that ANXA1 deficient mice exhibit a survival advantage, and lower viral titers after infection. This was accompanied with enhanced inflammatory cell infiltration during IAV infection. ANXA1 expression is increased during influenza infection clinically, in vivo and in vitro. The presence of ANXA1 enhances viral replication, influences virus binding, and enhances endosomal trafficking of the virus to the nucleus. ANXA1 colocalizes with early and late endosomes near the nucleus, and enhances nuclear accumulation of viral nucleoprotein. In addition, ANXA1 enhances IAV-mediated apoptosis. Overall, our study demonstrates that ANXA1 plays an important role in influenza virus replication and propagation through various mechanisms and that we predict that the regulation of ANXA1 expression during IAV infection may be a viral strategy to enhance its infectivity.

In vivo and in vitro studies on the roles of neutrophil extracellular traps during secondary pneumococcal pneumonia after primary pulmonary influenza infection.

Seasonal influenza virus infections may lead to debilitating disease, and account for significant fatalities annually worldwide. Most of these deaths are attributed to the complications of secondary bacterial pneumonia. Evidence is accumulating to support the notion that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) harbor several antibacterial proteins, and trap and kill bacteria. We have previously demonstrated the induction of NETs that contribute to lung tissue injury in severe influenza pneumonia. However, the role of these NETs in secondary bacterial pneumonia is unclear. In this study, we explored whether NETs induced during pulmonary influenza infection have functional significance against infections with Streptococcus pneumoniae and other bacterial and fungal species. Our findings revealed that NETs do not participate in killing of Streptococcus pneumoniae in vivo and in vitro. Dual viral and bacterial infection elevated the bacterial load compared to animals infected with bacteria alone. Concurrently, enhanced lung pathogenesis was observed in dual-infected mice compared to those challenged with influenza virus or bacteria alone. The intensified NETs in dual-infected mice often appeared as clusters that were frequently filled with partially degraded DNA, as evidenced by punctate histone protein staining. The severe pulmonary pathology and excessive NETs generation in dual infection correlated with exaggerated inflammation and damage to the alveolar-capillary barrier. NETs stimulation in vitro did not significantly alter the gene expression of several antimicrobial proteins, and these NETs did not exhibit any bactericidal activity. Fungicidal activity against Candida albicans was observed at similar levels both in presence or absence of NETs. These results substantiate that the NETs released by primary influenza infection do not protect against secondary bacterial infection, but may compromise lung function.

Antiinflammatory activity of Solanum trilobatum.

The antiinflammatory effect of solasodine (50 mg/kg p.o.), of a purified component named sobatum (50 mg/kg p.o.) and of methanol extract of Solanum trilobatum (100 mg/kg p.o.) was evaluated. All the tested articles showed significant antiinflammatory activity.