Phyco-Nanotechnology: New Horizons of Gold Nano-Factories

Nanoparticles are gaining importance as versatile materials showing novel or advanced characteristics as compared to larger particles. Synthesis of nanoparticles is being done via chemical and physical methods, and it restricts the potential applications in fields like biomedical and agriculture. Among the biological resources, algae have a tremendous role in bioconversion to different particles. Several applications of metal nanoparticles and nanomaterials have emerged in recent past. Among these, gold nanoparticles have their significant role owing to their potential use in nanoelectronics, deoxyribonucleic acid labeling and biosensor development. This review paper focuses on the use of algae for gold nanoparticle synthesis and on its potential and future prospects as well. It can be concluded that various factors like different algae, pH, protocol, time and pigments affect the shape, structure, size and yield of gold nanoparticles synthesized by the algae. Further, potential applications of nanoparticles synthesized by different algae have been reported.

     

Overall survival in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and solid malignancies receiving biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic therapy

Clinical Rheumatology - The effects of biologic disease–modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cancer are largely unknown. We examined overall...     

4‐Hydroxy‐α‐Tetralone and its Derivative as Drug Resistance Reversal Agents in Multi Drug Resistant Escherichia coli

The purpose of present investigation was to understand the drug resistance reversal mechanism of 4‐hydroxy‐α‐tetralone ( 1 ) isolated from Ammannia spp. along with its semi‐synthetic derivatives ( 1a – 1e ) using multidrug resistant Escherichia coli (MDREC). The test compounds did not show significant antibacterial activity of their own, but in combination, they reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of tetracycline (TET). In time kill assay, compound 1 and its derivative 1e in combination with TET reduced the cell viability in concentration dependent manner. Compounds 1 and 1e were also able to reduce the mutation prevention concentration of TET. Both compounds showed inhibition of ATP dependent efflux pumps. In real time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) study, compounds 1 and 1e alone and in combination with TET showed significant down expression of efflux pump gene (yojI) encoding multidrug ATP binding cassettes (ABC) transporter protein. Molecular mechanism was also supported by the in silico docking studies, which revealed significant binding affinity of compounds 1 and 1e with YojI. This study confirms that compound 1 and its derivative 1e are ABC efflux pump inhibitors which may be the basis for development of antibacterial combinations for the management of MDR infections from inexpensive natural product.     

Assessing Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Dopaminergic Neuron Progenitor Transplants Using Non-invasive Imaging Techniques

Molecular Imaging and Biology - Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells (DAPCs) are a potential therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, their...     

Interface enriched highly interlaced layered MoS2/NiS2 nanocomposites for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye

In the past few decades, air and water pollution by organic dyes has become a serious concern due to their high toxicity. Removal of these organic dyes from polluted water bodies is a serious environmental concern and the development of new advanced photocatalytic materials for decomposing organic dyes can be a good solution. In this work, layered molybdenum disulfide/nickel disulfide (MoS₂/NiS₂) nanocomposites with various NiS₂ content was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method using citric acid as a reducing agent. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows the hexagonal and cubical crystal structure of MoS₂ and NiS₂, respectively. Morphological analysis confirms the formation of MoS₂/NiS₂ nanosheets. The elemental composition of the samples was carried out by XPS, which shows a significant interaction between NiS₂ and MoS₂. The photocatalytic performance of MoS₂/NiS₂ nanocomposites was studied by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB). Ni-4 sample shows higher photocatalytic activity with a maximum degradation of 90.61% under visible light irradiation for 32 min.

The photocatalytic performance of MoS₂/NiS₂ nanocomposites was studied by the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB). Ni-4 sample shows higher photocatalytic activity with a maximum degradation of 90.61% under visible light irradiation for 32 min.     

Image-guided percutaneous biopsy of intramedullary lytic bone lesions: utility of aspirated blood clots

The diagnostic value of aspirating blood clots while performing percutaneous biopsy of intramedullary lytic bone lesions was assessed. This was a retrospective analysis of 400 patients with intramedullary lytic bone lesions who underwent image-guided needle biopsy. The nature of the specimens obtained was noted from the histopathology records. In 83 (20.8%) of the 400 patients, the specimen obtained was either blood clot only or essentially blood clot with only tiny fragments of bone or soft tissue. Lesional tissue was present on needle biopsy specimens in 65 (78.3%) of the 83 cases, while in 18 (21.7%) cases no lesional tissue was obtained. In 24 of the 83 cases, there was no surgical histological diagnosis available. Inthe 59 cases where surgical histological diagnosis was available for comparison, the diagnostic accuracy for needle biopsy was 73%. Percutaneous biopsy provided the diagnosis allowing appropriate further management in 62 cases, for an overall diagnostic yield of 75%. The results of our study show a sufficiently good diagnostic value in obtaining blood clots as to necessitate routine attempts at obtaining such material while performing percutaneous biopsy of intramedullary lytic bone lesions.     

Role of Elective Laparoscopic Appendicectomy for Chronic Right Lower Quadrant Pain

Chronic right lower quadrant pain is a common clinical entity and continues to remain a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Laparoscopy is changing the view regarding exploration in patients with chronic right lower quadrant pain. Of recent, chronic or recurrent right lower quadrant pain is an entity that has generated much interest, hence this study has been undertaken. To study the role of elective laparoscopic appendicectomy for chronic or recurrent right lower quadrant pain. To study the relationship between clinical improvement and histopathological findings of removed appendix. Forty three cases of chronic right lower quadrant pain, who met the inclusion criteria, were included in the clinical study. Three cases were excluded during initial diagnostic laparoscopy because of ovarian cyst. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was performed in 40 cases. In our study amongst 40 (100 %) patients, 36(90 %) patients were relieved of pain completely. Only 4(10 %) patients continued to have persistent right lower quadrant pain. Duration of follow up was 6 months. Postoperative pain scores favour appendicectomy (p < 0.005). There was no association between postoperative pain scores and histopathology findings. There was no mortality in our study. Persistent or recurrent right lower quadrant pain can be treated successfully by elective laparoscopic appendicectomy in properly selected cases. Laparoscopic appendectomy is a feasible and safe procedure. Histopathology of the removed appendix does not contribute to the diagnosis.