A captivating approach to elevate the detection of Al3+ ions incorporates the utilization of a tripodal receptor intricately embellishing the surface of zinc oxide.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration, (USA)) lists ZnO as a material that is widely acknowledged to be safe. ZnO NPs with a range of tiny particle sizes were made using the precipitation process. ZnO nanoparticles' surface is embellished with a tripodal sensor containing naphthol units. The assembly with the same receptor decorated on ZnO NPs is contrasted with the cation detection capabilities of the purified tripodal receptor. The UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis was conducted to study the state transitions of the receptor and the decorated ZnO receptor. A positive selectivity to Al3+ cations is determined by the fluorescence study under ideal circumstances. The particle size and surface morphologies are determined by DLS and SEM analysis for the same receptor - TP1 and embellished with a tripodal receptor TP2. Using a fluorescence switch-on Photoinduced Electron Transfer (PET) mechanism, the receptor coated on ZnO detects the presence of Al3+ ions with specificity. The binding constant value was determined using the B-H plot equation. Binding stoichiometry for [TP1-Al3+, TP2-Al3+] showed a 1:1 ratio. The fluorescence switches ON-OFF process of the ZnO surface adorned - TP2 with Tripodal receptor- TP1 was used to create molecular logic gates, which can function as a module for sensors and molecular switches. The addition of Na2EDTA in the solution of the [TP1; TP2 - Al3+] complex resulted in a noticeable reduction in the emission of fluorescence. This finding offers compelling support for the reversibility of the chemosensor. To enable the practical application of this sensor, we have developed a cassette containing receptors TP1 and TP2. Successfully, it can detect Al3+ metal ions. We performed a comprehensive assessment of the dependability and appropriateness of our approach in measuring the concentration of Al3+ ions in wastewater produced by important industrial procedures.

"Association of High Risk Factors and Hearing Impairment in Infants-A Hospital Based Study".

The aim of the study was to find the association of various risk factors with permanent hearing impairment in infants. A case-control study was designed on 420 infants with permanent hearing impairment and normal hearing. The case control ratio was 1:1. Alternate sampling method was used for selecting the control group. Review of medical records and parent interview was done to collect the information of risk factors. Family history(adj. OR 7.5; 95% CI 3, 14; P = 0.000), Consanguinity (adj. OR: 4; 95% CI 2,4; P = 0.000), intra uterine infection (adj. OR 18, 95% CI: 2.3-126.5, P = 0.000), post natal infection (adj. OR 3, 95% CI: 1.3-5, P = 0.004), low Apgar score (adj.OR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.3-15), craniofacial anomaly (OR-4.6, 95% CI: 1.4-9.5, P = 0.005) and low birth weight (adj. OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2-3.8) were significantly associated with hearing impairment. Among the risk factors, intra uterine infection was having highest significant association with permanent hearing impairment. This is followed by family history, low Apgar score, craniofacial anomaly, consanguinity, post natal infection and low birth weight.

Copper-catalyzed three-component synthesis of aminonaphthoquinone-sulfonylamidine conjugates and in vitro evaluation of their antiproliferative activity.

A series of aminonaphthoquinone-sulfonylamidine conjugates were synthesized via a copper-catalyzed three-component reaction of N-propargyl aminonaphthoquinone, sulfonyl azides and various amines. Majority of the compounds exhibited promising antiproliferative potential when evaluated against a panel of four cancer cell lines. Docking experiments of representative compounds indicated that the conjugates can occupy the ATP-binding pocket of topoisomerase-II enzyme.

Nocardiopsis species: a potential source of bioactive compounds.

Members of the genus Nocardiopsis are an ecologically versatile and biotechnologically important group of Actinomycetes. Most of the isolates are halotolerant or halophilic and they prevail in soils, marine environments or hypersaline locations. To aid their survival under these conditions, they mainly produce extremozymes, compatible solutes, surfactants and bioactive compounds. The current review details the bioactive compounds obtained for this genus. Important antimicrobial agents obtained from this genus include polyketides, phenzines, quinoline alkaloids, terphenyls, proteins, thiopeptides and amines. Polyketides and peptides displaying potent anticancer activities are also significant. Tumour promoting agents, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors, immunomodulators and protein kinase inhibitors are other relevant products obtained from Nocardiopsis species. Structurally, polyketides (synthesized by polyketide synthases) and peptides (made by nonribosomal peptide synthetases or cyclodipeptide synthases) are important compounds. Considered here are also toxins, anti photoaging and adipogenic agents produced by this genus. The gene clusters mediating the synthesis of bioactive compounds have been described. Commercially available products (Apoptolidins and K-252a) derived from this genus have also been described. This review highlights the significance of a single genus in producing an assortment of compounds with varied biological activities. On account of these features, the members of this genus have established a place for themselves and are of considerable value in producing compounds with profound bio-medical applications.

FDG-PET/CT in staging of clear cell odontogenic carcinoma.

Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma (CCOC) is a rare neoplasm; only 75 cases have been reported in the English language literature. They have a tendency for recurrence and a capacity to metastasize. There is very little known regarding the metabolic features of this tumour or the utility of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans in the staging and follow-up of these tumours. We present two cases of CCOC with their relevant FDG-PET/CT scan findings. The first patient had primary CCOC of the mandible that was FDG-avid, and the other had recurrence of CCOC of the anterior mandible and superomedial orbit that was not FDG-avid. FDG uptake in CCOC appears to be variable. Although FDG-PET/CT is useful in other head and neck cancers and has benefits compared to other imaging modalities, further studies are needed to investigate the sensitivity of FDG-PET/CT in CCOC.

Xylitol production by Cyberlindnera (Williopsis) saturnus, a tropical mangrove yeast from xylose and corn cob hydrolysate.

AIM: Potential for xylitol production from xylose and corn cob hydrolysate by a tropical mangrove yeast. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, 21 fungi were isolated from detritus-based mangrove wetlands along the Indian west coast. Of these, one yeast isolate had the ability to grow and assimilate xylose producing significant amounts of xylitol (38·63 g l(-1) ). A maximum yield of 0·54 g g(-1) was obtained after 144 h of growth on xylose (150 g l(-1) ) and corn cob hydrolysate (CCH, containing 65 g l(-1) xylose). Using biochemical and molecular methods, the yeast was identified as Cyberlindnera (Williopsis) saturnus. Preliminary characterization of enzymes in the cell-free extract revealed that while xylose reductase (XR) preferred NADPH to NADH as cofactor, xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) was NAD specific. CONCLUSIONS: Significant amounts of xylitol could be produced on CCH using C. saturnus isolated from tropical mangrove wetlands. The yeast has the potential to assimilate rather than ferment xylose as its XR has a preference for NADPH. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Microbes offer an economically viable and green approach for production of xylitol, an industrially important compound. A mangrove ecosystem with its battery of lignocellulolytic enzymes is an ideal location for isolating fungi capable of producing xylitol from agroindustrial waste such as CCH.

Genetic characterization of Vibrio cholerae strains by inter simple sequence repeat-PCR.

The utility of inter simple sequence repeat-PCR (ISSR-PCR) assay in the characterization and elucidation of the phylogenetic relationship between the pathogenic and nonpathogenic isolates of Vibrio cholerae is demonstrated. A total of 45 V. cholerae strains including 15 O1 El Tor, nine O139 and 21 non-O1/non-O139 strains were analyzed using eight ISSR primers. These primers, which are essentially simple sequence repeats (SSR) with additional nonrepeat bases at the 5' or 3' end, amplify genomic regions interspersed between closely spaced SSRs. Neighbor-joining analysis showed that the strains belonging to the same serogroup clustered together with the exception of one O1 and two O139 strains. The absence of pathogenicity islands in these strains, as confirmed by PCR, suggested their non-O1/non-O139 origin. Thus the ISSR-PCR-based phylogeny was consistent with the classification of V. cholerae based on serological methods. A finer resolution of the clustering of the toxinogenic O1 El Tor and toxinogenic O139 subtypes was obtained by ISSR-PCR analysis as compared with the Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus sequences-based PCR analysis for the same set of strains. Thus, it is proposed that ISSR-PCR is an efficient tool in phylogenetic classification of prokaryotic genomes in general and diagnostic genotyping of microbial pathogens in particular.

Malignant myoepithelioma of the mastoid region - A case report.

A 23-year-old male patient presented with a post auricular mass and an attico antral type of chronic suppurative otitis media. He underwent excision of the mass and canal wall down mastoidectomy. Histopathological diagnosis of malignant myoepithelioma was made.The patient refused treatment and later he died with systemic metastasis.This case is reported for the rarity of the site, young age of presentation and aggressive behaviour.

Evaluation of iron stores in blood donors by serum ferritin.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Regular blood donation can lead to pre-clinical iron deficiency as well as iron deficiency anaemia. There is a need to increase the national voluntary blood donation for safe blood supply. However, there is paucity of data in the country regarding impact of regular voluntary blood donation on iron status of donors. Hence, iron stores were evaluated by serum ferritin estimation in the voluntary blood donors at Chandigarh. METHODS: 400 voluntary blood donors included in the study were divided into four groups depending upon their periodicity of blood donations. Pre-donation haemoglobin assessment was done by copper sulphate method. Serum ferritin was estimated by indirect ELISA. RESULTS: The number of female donors with deficient iron stores was more as compared to male donors. First time donors had higher mean serum ferritin levels than that in repeat donors. The frequency of donations per year was more predictive of decreased iron stores rather than the number of lifetime donations. An increase in donation frequency was accompanied by a significant decrease in serum ferritin; values <15 microg/l were found in 21 and 46 per cent of male and female donors respectively who donated once per year, in 29 and 27 per cent in those who donated twice per year and in 49 and 100 per cent in those who donated thrice per year. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Haemoglobin estimation alone in regular blood donors may not be adequate; serum ferritin estimations may need to be done to detect pre-clinical iron deficiency states. Also, iron supplementation needs to be considered in regular, repeat voluntary blood donors.

Hypothalamic digoxin, hemispheric chemical dominance and sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The isoprenoid pathway produces three key metabolites: endogenous digoxin (membrane sodium-potassium ATPase inhibitor, immunomodulator and regulator of neurotransmitter/amino acid transport), dolichol (regulates N-glycosylation of proteins) and ubiquinone (free radical scavenger). The role of the isoprenoid pathway in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis in relation to hemispheric dominance was studied. METHODS: The isoprenoid pathway-related cascade was assessed in patients with systemic sarcoidosis with pulmonary involvement. The pathway was also assessed in patients with right hemispheric, left hemispheric and bihemispheric dominance for comparison to find out the role of hemispheric dominance in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. RESULTS: In patients with sarcoidosis there was elevated digoxin synthesis, increased dolichol and glycoconjugate levels and low ubiquinone and elevated free radical levels. There was also an increase in tryptophan catabolites and a reduction in tyrosine catabolites. There was an increase in the cholesterol:phospholipid ratio and a reduction in the glycoconjugate level of red blood cell (RBC) membrane in this group of patients. The same biochemical patterns were obtained in individuals with right hemispheric dominance. In individuals with left hemispheric dominance the patterns were reversed. CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous digoxin, by activating the calcineurin signal transduction pathway of T cells, can contribute to immune activation in sarcoidosis. An altered glycoconjugate metabolism can lead to the generation of endogenous self-glycoprotein antigens in the lung as well as other tissues. Increased free radical generation can also lead to immune activation. The role of a dysfunctional isoprenoid pathway and endogenous digoxin in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis in relation to right hemispheric chemical dominance is discussed. All the patients with sarcoidosis were right-handed/left hemispheric dominant according to the dichotic listening test, but their biochemical patterns were suggestive of right hemispheric chemical dominance. Hemispheric chemical dominance has no correlation with handedness or the dichotic listening test.

Digoxin and membrane sodium potassium ATPase inhibition in cardiovascular disease.

Kerala has a high incidence of mucoid angiopathy, metabolic syndrome X and endomyocardial fibrosis. Magnesium deficiency has been reported in these disorders even though the Keralite diet has adequate magnesium. A possible cause of magnesium deficiency is the increased digoxin, a potent inhibitor membrane Na(+)-K+ ATPase which can lead to magnesium depletion. Digoxin is known to be synthesised by the hypothalamus and other tissues and can also be obtained from plant sources in the diet. Inhibition of Na(+)-K+ ATPase can cause intracellular magnesium depletion and increase in intracellular calcium. In view of these, a study has been carried out on the activity of membrane Na(+)-K+ ATPase, using RBC membrane, serum digoxin, magnesium and glycosaminoglycan levels in patients of mucoid angiopathy, endomyocardial fibrosis and syndrome X. Significant decrease in the membrane Na(+)-K+ ATPase was observed in patients while serum digoxin levels showed an increase. Serum magnesium was significantly lower while glycosaminoglycan levels were increased. The inhibition of Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity may be due to increase in endogenous and/or exogenous digoxin. This inhibition leads to depletion of intracellular magnesium and an increase in intracellular calcium load. The role of underlying magnesium-related insulin resistance and the consequence of this intracellular magnesium and calcium alteration in the pathogenesis of these disorders is discussed.