Curcumin-Conjugated PAMAM Dendrimers of Two Generations: Comparative Analysis of Physiochemical Properties Using Adriatic Topological Indices.

Curcumin (C21H20O6) is a polyphenol found in the plant Curcuma longa. Even though it possesses many pharmacological effects, owing to its limited intestinal absorption, solubility, and oral bioavailability, it is more often used as a health supplement than as a lead chemical. The poly(amido)amine (PAMAM) dendrimer (nanostructure) is utilized to enhance the stability and targeted delivery of drugs. Recently, curcumin was conjugated with the PAMAM dendrimer and analyzed for its photostability. Further investigation into the physiochemical characteristics of different generations can facilitate curcumins' targeted delivery for many diseases, including cancer. However, many of these conjugates' physiochemical properties are not available in databases since they have not been explored theoretically or experimentally. In this article, QSAR/QSPR (quantitative structure-activity relationship/quantitative structure-property relationship) analysis of physiochemical properties was carried out for component structures, which produced encouraging results. Hence, 16 discrete adriatic topological indices and their associated entropy measures were evaluated to theoretically predict a few physiochemical properties of the conjugated structure. The predictions will aid the chemist in drug designing.

Efficacy and safety of 400 mg efavirenz versus standard 600 mg dose when taken with tenofovir and lamivudine combination in Indian adult patients with HIV-1 infection: An open-label, interventional, randomized, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the non-inferiority of low dose efavirenz (400 mg) to standard dose efavirenz (600 mg), when taken in combination with tenofovir and lamivudine in Indian patients with HIV-1 infection. METHODS: An open-label, interventional phase IV study with blinded assessment was conducted across 17 sites in India. HIV-1-infected antiretroviral therapy-naive adult patients (≥18 years of age) with a plasma HIV-1 viral load of at least 1000 copies per mL were randomized to receive either tenofovir/lamivudine/efavirenz (TLE) 400 or TLE 600. The primary endpoint was the difference in the proportion of patients achieving < 200 copies per mL at the end of 24 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 265 patients were enrolled and were randomized in 1:1 ratio to TLE 400 group (130 patients) and TLE 600 group (135 patients). At week 24, the proportion of patients with a viral load of less than 200 copies per mL was 80.70% for TLE 400 and 78.95% for TLE 600 (difference 1.75%, 90% confidence interval: -7.01, 10.49) which was within the predefined margin of -10% (90% confidence interval). Significantly lower study drug-related adverse events were observed in TLE 400 group compared to TLE 600 group (52.30%, n = 68 vs 64.92%, n = 87; P = .037). The treatment discontinuation percentage was marginally higher by 2.08% in TLE 600 group. CONCLUSION: The fixed-dose combination of TLE 400 is non-inferior to TLE 600 in terms of viral suppression and has an improved safety profile over 24 weeks in adult Indian patients with HIV-1 infection.

Solvent extraction and characterization of Brassica carinata oils as promising alternative feedstock for bio-jet fuel production.

As a fossil fuel substitute, bio-jet fuel derived from inedible oilseed crops has the potential to improve energy security, decrease carbon footprint, and promote agricultural economy and social development. The efficient production of bio-jet fuels depends on the identification and characterization of eco-friendly and sustainable feedstocks. Brassica carinata (Arun Braun) cultivars are among the most significant industrial oilseeds that can be utilized as alternative feedstocks in the aviation industry. The study thoroughly evaluated four non-food Brassica carinata cultivars that are indigenous to Ethiopia to determine their suitability as substitute feedstocks for the production of bio-jet fuel. The effects of solvent extraction parameters were studied using response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design in an isothermal batch reactor. Physicochemical characterization, fatty acids profiling, ultimate analysis, analysis of metals and phosphorus concentration, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy characterization, and calorific value analyses were performed to characterize the properties of oils. Accordingly, oil yields ranged from 35.93 to 45.25%. Erucic acid (EA) was the most predominant fatty acid in all oils, accounting for 42-50%, of Derash and Yellow Dodolla oils, respectively, making Yellow Dodolla oil a super-high erucic acid oil. In comparison to the other oils, Yellow Dodolla was observed to be the least oxygenated oil, with a 7.80% oxygen content and oxygen to carbon ratio of 0.07, which may enable it to consume a very limited amount of hydrogen gas during hydrodeoxygenation in bio-jet fuel production. It was determined that, except for calcium and phosphorous levels in Tesfa, the concentrations of the metals and phosphorous were very small. Alkanes, alkenes, carboxylic acids, esters, alcohols, aromatics, and olefins were among the most significant and main functional groups identified. Our extraction and characterization results revealed that the Brassica carinata cultivars have very high oil contents, better physicochemical properties, excellent fatty acid profiles, and very low concentrations of heteroatoms (nitrogen, sulfur), metals and phosphorous concentrations, and very low level of oxygen to carbon ratios, making the oils, notably Yellow Dodolla oil, very high quality and promising alternative feedstocks for upgrading of the oils into bio-jet fuels through hydroprocessing pathway.

Synthesis and characterization of nano zerovalent iron-kaolin clay (nZVI-Kaol) composite polyethersulfone (PES) membrane for the efficacious As2O3 removal from potable water samples.

In this study, Kaolin clay, a mining material, was used as an abundant and available mineral as zero-valent iron-kaolinite composites for As2O3 removal from the water samples. The composites were made by the sodium borohydrate reduction method. The existence of Fe0 in the produced composites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The membranes are prepared with zerovalent nano Iron-Kaolin and PES. The synthesized composites were then mixed with polyethersulfone to prepare the membranes S1, S2, and S3 with varying compositions. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis of the produced membranes showed the porous structure and the contact angle of membranes increased the hydrophilicity. The membranes were explored for the removal of As2O3 (AsIII) in potable water samples. The filtration studies were carried out using the syringe filtration setup. Analysis of the arsenic (III) solution was carried out, before and after the filtration process using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), which showed a maximum of 50% reduction in its original concentration. The filtered membrane is analyzed for arsenic by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) technique. Thus, the synthesized membrane effectively sieves the arsenic in water samples.

Compressive Myelopathy in Dengue Infection: A Report of 2 Cases and Literature Review.

CASES: We report 2 cases of compressive myelopathy secondary to spontaneous neuroaxial bleed in dengue infection. One was treated by surgical decompression during the recovery phase of illness, whereas the other was treated nonoperatively. CONCLUSION: A conscious decision for surgical decompression should be taken in cases not responding to initial medical management and planned during the recovery phase of dengue infection.

Catalytic conversion of sugarcane bagasse to cellulosic ethanol: TiO2 coupled nanocellulose as an effective hydrolysis enhancer.

The present study deals with the production of cellulosic ethanol from bagasse using the synthesized TiO2 coupled nanocellulose (NC-TiO2) as catalyst. Aspergillus nidulans AJSU04 cellulase was used for the hydrolysis of bagasse. NC-TiO2 at various concentrations was added to bagasse in order to enhance the yield of reducing sugars. Complex interaction between cellulase, bagasse, NC-TiO2 and the reaction environment is thoroughly studied. A mathematical model was developed to describe the hydrolysis reaction. Ethanol production from enzymatically hydrolyzed sugarcane bagasse catalyzed with NC-TiO2 was carried out using Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 20602. The glucose release rates and ethanol concentrations were determined. Ethanol produced was found to be strongly dependent on pretreatment given, hydrolysis and fermentation conditions. The study confirmed the promising accessibility of NC-TiO2, for enhanced glucose production rates and improved ethanol yield.

Cavernous hemangioma of tongue: management of two cases.

Hemangiomas are benign tumours of infancy and childhood, most commonly located in the head and neck region and occur more frequently in the lips, tongue and palate. The treatment depends upon lesion location, size and evolution stage and the patient's age. This paper describes the management of cavernous hemangioma in a 2 -year -old child and 14 -year -old child using different approaches.

Adrenal cortex heterotopia in an undescended testis-a case report.

Heterotopic adrenal cortex is usually found in the kidney, retroperitoneum and spermatic cord. It is common among pediatric age group and rarely encountered in adults. Our case presented with swelling in the right inguinal region with on and off dragging pain. On clinical examination testis was absent in the right scotal sac which was confirmed with ultrasonogram. The clinical diagnosis was right side undescended testis. Orchidectomy was performed and on microscopic examination we incidentally found out an ectopic adrenal cortical rest in the rete testis with atropic changes in the testis. Though the ectopic adrenal tissue was indolent in our case, literature suggests that it can undergo transformations like hyperplasia, adenoma and carcinoma, leading to undesirable complications. We present this case for the rarity at this age and site, and for the awareness that it may cause complications if left untreated.