Persistence of V. cholerae O139 Biofilm Against Physical,Chemical and Antibiotic Lethal Challenges

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Since its emergence, cholera caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae remains as a significant threat to human...     

Liquid‐based cytology of pigmented phaeohyphomycotic lesion of the palm masquerading as a metastatic tumor

Phaeohyphomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous fungal infection caused by dematiaceous fungi, commonly involving the extremities, which present as single or multiple lesions mimicking a benign tumor. Fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an easy method for the diagnosis of the lesion. Morphology of the fungus is characteristic with no difficulty for cytopathologist for identification; with a close differential diagnosis of Candida and Aspergillosis. The special stains like periodic acid schiff (PAS) highlights the fungus and the Masson Fontana confirm the melanin pigment and dematiaceous nature of the fungi. Liquid‐based cytology (LBC) preparation of the aspirated material was attempted, which is not usually performed on day to day basis. However, in our case the conventional smears were better for appreciating the fungal morphology.     

Antiallergic, antipyretic, hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective effects of aqueous extract of Coronopus didymus Linn

The aqueous extract of whole plant of Coronopus didymus LINN (CD) [Family: Bracicacea] was screened for antiallergic, antipyretic and hepatoprotective effects in rats and hypoglycemic activity in mice. The extract showed significant antiallergic, antipyretic, hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective activity at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses on oral administration. Mechanistically, CD acts as an antioxidant as evidenced by its ability to scavenge DPPH and superoxide radicals. All the observed activities may be due to the presence of flavonoids, saponins and tannins as they are reported to possess a variety of biological activities.     

Shape Memory Materials from Rubbers

Smart materials are much discussed in the current research scenario. The shape memory effect is one of the most fascinating occurrences in smart materials, both in terms of the phenomenon and its applications. Many metal alloys and polymers exhibit the shape memory effect (SME). Shape memory properties of elastomers, such as rubbers, polyurethanes, and other elastomers, are discussed in depth in this paper. The theory, factors impacting, and key uses of SME elastomers are all covered in this article. SME has been observed in a variety of elastomers and composites. Shape fixity and recovery rate are normally analysed through thermomechanical cycle studies to understand the effectiveness of SMEs. Polymer properties such as chain length, and the inclusion of fillers, such as clays, nanoparticles, and second phase polymers, will have a direct influence on the shape memory effect. The article discusses these aspects in a simple and concise manner.     

Synthesis and evaluation of fused pyrimidine derivatives as anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antimicrobial agents

In this study, condensation of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzoic acid with benzoyl chloride afforded 2-benzamido-5-chloro benzoic acid which on cyclization with different primary amines yielded the corresponding 6-chloro-2-phenyl-3-substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones (V1–V8). The reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatographic analysis. The structure of the synthesized compounds was confirmed by spectral studies and elemental analysis. All these compounds were screened for their anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities. Anti-inflammatory activity was done by rat paw oedema method. Compounds V6 and V5 showed a good percentage inhibition of inflammation at the 2nd and the 3rd?h, respectively. Antiproliferative activity was carried out by MTT assay against Chang liver, Hep2 and HeLa cell lines. Compounds V1, V5 and V8 showed antiproliferative activity at low concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the synthesized compounds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus was studied by microdilution assay. Compound V4 was found to be a potent antimicrobial agent against the organisms tested. Further, it was selected for time kill study. These data revealed that the compounds containing chloro- and/or fluoro-substituted phenyl ring or N,N-dimethyl ethyl substitutions in the quinazolin-4(3H)-ones led to increase of their biological activities.     

Green syntheses of silver nanoparticle decorated reduced graphene oxide using l-methionine as a reducing and stabilizing agent for enhanced catalytic hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol and antibacterial activity

Herein, we have reported a facile and green synthesis approach of Ag NP decorated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) through an in situ self-assembly method in the presence of l-methionine (l-Met) as reducing and stabilizing agent. The electronic properties, crystal structure, and morphology of the as-synthesized RGO–Ag nanocomposite were investigated by UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. UV-Vis and FTIR show the effective reduction of GO and the formation of Ag NPs using l-Met. FESEM, TEM, and XRD analysis show the successful impregnation of Ag NPs into RGO with a 23 nm average crystallite size. The RGO–Ag nanocomposite with NaBH₄ shows a fast-catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AMP). The enhanced catalytic activity of RGO–Ag nanocomposites can be attributed to the synergistic effect of improved adsorption capacity and the absence of agglomeration of Ag nanoparticles. Moreover, RGO–Ag showed strong antibacterial activity against B. subtilis and E. coli.

Herein, we have reported a facile and green synthesis approach of Ag NP decorated reduced graphene oxide (RGO) through an in situ self-assembly method in the presence of l-methionine (l-Met) as reducing and stabilizing agent.     

Anti-Arthritic Potential of the Plant Justicia Gendarussa Burm F

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the anti-arthritic potential of the plant Justicia gendarussa using two different rat models.

MATERIALS AND METHOD:

The anti-arthritic potential of the alcoholic extract of the plant Justicia gendarussa was evaluated using the Freund’s adjuvant-induced and collagen-induced arthritic rat models. The rats were treated with the ethanolic extract of Justicia gendarussa and with standard aspirin.

RESULTS:

The ethanolic extract of Justicia gendarussa showed significant anti-arthritic activity that was statistically similar to that of aspirin. Our results suggest that the alcoholic extract of Justicia gendarussa exhibits significant anti-arthritic potential.     

Benign anal and perianal polypoid neoplasms and tumor-like lesions

Mesenchymal anal and perianal tumors are relatively uncommon. The majority are malignant. Benign mesenchymal anal tumors are rare. Some are common stromal neoplasms, but with the rare presentation as anal polyps. Other lesions are rare, but unique to the anal/perianal region. Common keratinous cysts might uncommonly present as anal polyps, while other rare cysts are unique to the anogenital region.     

Facile simultaneous synthesis of tetraaniline nanostructures/silver nanoparticles as heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol

Nanocomposites of tetraaniline (TAN) nanostructures/silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesized by an interfacial polymerization method using N-phenyl-1, 4-phenylenediamine (NPPD), AgNO₃ and ammonium persulphate (APS) as monomer, oxidizing agent in immiscible solvent toluene–water respectively. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared TAN and Ag NPs were investigated by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetry (TG). The results of FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the formation of TAN and Ag NPs and those of XRD showed the presence of the face centred cubic (fcc) phase of Ag NPs. The FESEM and TEM images gave direct evidence that Ag NPs stabilized with the TAN nanostructures. TGA indicated the enhanced thermal stability of the nanocomposites (NCs). The catalytic activity of TAN/Ag NCs was investigated for the model reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of excess sodium borohydride.

Nanocomposites of tetraaniline/silver nanoparticles were synthesised using an interfacial polymerisation method. The catalytic activity was investigated for the model reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of excess sodium borohydride.