Multi-walled carbon nanotube-induced inhalation toxicity: Recognizing nano bis-demethoxy curcumin analog as an ameliorating candidate

Human beings and ecosystems are being possibly exposed to CNTs, as there is a rise in global production rate of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This may affect the health of humans and increases the environmental risk. We have already reported the pulmonary toxicity due to the inhalation of MWCNTs. We claim that a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity may ameliorate the CNT-induced toxic effect. With this view, we have investigated the ameliorative effect of intravenously-administered nano bis-demethoxy curcumin analog (NBDMCA) against MWCNTs-induced inhalation toxicity by examining the lung histopathology for inflammatory cell dynamics, pulmonary remodeling and estimating the inflammatory biomarkers in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. We observed that NBDMCA could ameliorate the injury as evidenced by the decline in the levels of markers of inflammation, cell damage, and the histopathological changes induced by MWCNTs. We conclude that NBDMCA may be used to reduce the risk of MWCNTs-induced inhalation toxicity.     

Early activation of mucosal dendritic cells and macrophages in acute Campylobacter colitis and cholera: An in vivo study

Background and Aim: Macrophages and dendritic cells are closely related mononuclear phagocytic cells. Little is known about their in vivo role in acute intestinal bacterial infections in humans. We undertook to evaluate these cells in rectal mucosal biopsies of patients with acute colitis. Methods: All mucosal mononuclear phagocytic cells in rectal biopsies of patients with acute Campylobacter colitis (n = 5), shigellosis (n = 5), and cholera (n = 10) were evaluated ultrastructurally and compared with those in controls (n = 5). Results: Mononuclear phagocytic cells in the superficial rectal mucosa showed a higher prevalence of ultrastructural features of activation in Campylobacter colitis and cholera than in controls. A lower prevalence of features of activation with increased monocytes was seen in shigellosis. Cells with the ultrastructural morphology of activated dendritic cells constituted 41% and 45% of all mononuclear phagocytic cells in two of five patients with Campylobacter colitis and 4–22% of cells in four of 10 patients with cholera. Their presence in patients with Campylobacter colitis was associated with significant surface epithelial damage and prominent acute inflammatory changes in the mucosa. Conclusions: This is the first ultrastructural study to show activated macrophages and dendritic cells in vivo in acute Campylobacter colitis and cholera. Dendritic cell activation occurred early in the clinical course of these infections. Surface epithelial damage may play a role in the activation of dendritic cells.     

Comparative Study of Alveolar Bone Height and Implant Survival Rate Between Autogenous Bone Mixed with Platelet Rich Plasma Versus Venous Blood for Maxillary Sinus Lift Augmentation Procedure

Aim and Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in alveolar bone height by means of radiographic examination and Straumann implant survival rate following maxillary sinus lift augmentation using autogenous bone in combination with platelet rich plasma (PRP) versus venous blood (VB).

Methods

Fifty patients requiring sinus lift augmentation procedure included in the study were divided into two groups (n = 25). During the procedure the sub antral sinus cavity was augmented using autogenous bone taken from mandibular ramus area and mixed with PRP in one group and autogenous bone mixed with VB in the other group. Orthopantomograms were taken preoperatively, immediate, at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Height of alveolar bone at the site of sinus augmentation was measured on the radiographs. One hundred and twenty-one Straumann dental implants were placed after healing period.

Results

Age of the patients in the study groups ranged from 36 to 69 years. Differences in mean values of bone height measurements recorded in the PRP series revealed significant differences among the three subgroups (P = 0.001). Significant differences were noted between immediate postop and 6 month (P < 0.01), immediate postop and year (P < 0.01). In the VB series also significant differences were revealed among the three subgroups (P = 0.0280). Significant differences were noted between immediate postop and 6 month (P < 0.05). Comparison of results of subgroups of the two series at the three intervals revealed significant differences at ‘immediate postop’ values (P = 0.0002) and ‘sixmon’ values (P = 0.0435). Differences between ‘year’ values were not significant. Two implants were lost in PRP group.

Conclusion

The results of this limited study reveals that both groups recorded a good increase in the alveolar bone height after sinus augmentation and showed no significant differences between these groups when compared to each other at 1 year postoperatively. When both sub groups compared with immediate postop to year, PRP group showed significant difference and blood group showed no significant difference.     

Larvicidal and pupicidal activities of ecbolin A and ecbolin B isolated from Ecbolium viride (Forssk.) Alston against Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)

The mosquitocidal activity of different fractions and isolated compounds from the ethyl acetate extract of Ecbolium viride root was assessed on larvae and pupae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae). The larvae and pupae were exposed to concentrations of 6.125, 12.5, 25 and 50 ppm for fractions and 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 ppm for compound. Among the 12 fractions screened, fraction 6 from the ethyl acetate extract of E. viride was recorded to have the highest larvicidal and pupicidal activities against C. quinquefasciatus. The lethal concentration (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) values of fraction 6 were 4.26 and 9.0 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus larvae and 6.55 and 12.19 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus pupae, respectively, in 24 h. Fraction 7 was recorded to have moderate activity with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 11.25 and 25.02 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus larvae and 13.33 and 31.15 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus pupae, respectively, in 24 h. Ecbolin A and ecbolin B were identified from fractions 7 and 6, respectively. The structure of the isolated compounds was identified on the basis of spectral data (¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) and compared with literature spectral data. Further, the isolated compound, ecbolin B, from fraction 6 was recorded to have strong larvicidal and pupicidal activities than ecbolin A. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of ecbolin B on C. quinquefasciatus larvae were 1.36 and 2.76 ppm, and on pupae, these were 1.54 and 3.51 ppm, respectively. The present results suggest that ecbolin B could be used as a mosquitocidal agent against C. quinquefasciatus.     

Alcoholic extract of 'Bacopa monniera' reduces the in vitro effects of morphine withdrawal in guinea-pig ileum

The effect of the alcoholic extract of the whole plant of Bacopa monniera (Scrophulariaceae) on morphine withdrawal was evaluated in vitro in guinea-pig ileum. After a 4 min in vitro exposure to morphine, addition of naloxone induced a strong contraction. Addition of various concentrations of the alcoholic extract of B. monniera (100-1000 microg/ml) 15 min before exposure to morphine reduced the naloxone-induced contraction in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that B. monniera extract may be useful in reducing the withdrawal symptoms induced by morphine.