Photo-bio-synthesis of irregular shaped functionalized gold nanoparticles using edible mushroom Pleurotus florida and its anticancer evaluation.

A green chemistry approach to the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using edible mushroom Pleurotus florida (Oyster mushroom) by photo-irradiation method has been attempted. The mixture containing the aqueous gold ions and the mushroom extract was exposed to sunlight; this resulted in the formation of biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques like UV-visible spectroscopy; X-ray diffraction studies, Energy dispersive X-ray analysis, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Atomic force microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The obtained biofunctionalized gold nanoparticles showed effective anti-cancer property against four different cancer cell lines A-549 (Human lung carcinoma), K-562 (Human chronic myelogenous leukemia bone marrow), HeLa (Human cervix) and MDA-MB (Human adenocarcinoma mammary gland) and no lethal effect is observed in Vero (African green monkey kidney normal cell) cell lines.

Anti-cancer studies of noble metal nanoparticles synthesized using different plant extracts.

Biofunctionalized gold and silver nanoparticles synthesized using different plant extracts of guava and clove in vitro anti-cancer efficacy against four different cancer cell lines human colorectal adenocarcinoma, human kidney, human chronic myelogenous, leukemia, bone marrow, and human cervix have been studied and reported. The present experimental study suggests that flavonoids functionalized gold nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous clove buds extract are more potential than guava leaf extract towards anti-cancer activities. The microscopic and 2,3-bis (2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-5-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium hydroxide (XTT) assay infer that the functionalized irregular shaped gold nanoparticles synthesized with aqueous clove bud extract showed a satisfactory anti-cancer effect on all the cell lines. The silver nanoparticles synthesized using same extracts are devoid of anti-cancer activity. The XTT assay revealed dose-dependent cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines. The study revealed that the free radicals generated by gold nanoparticles are responsible for anti-cancer effect. To confirm the free-radical scavenging efficacy of gold nanoparticle, nitric oxide assay is followed. We observed that the gold nanoparticles swabbed the free radicals in dose-dependent manner. With continued improvements, these nanoparticles may prove to be potential anti-cancer agents.

Validation of the Clinical COPD Questionnaire as a psychophysical outcome measure in adult laryngotracheal stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the Clinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Questionnaire (CCQ), a patient-administered instrument developed for bronchopulmonary disease as a disease-specific psychophysical outcome measure for adult laryngotracheal stenosis. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTINGS: Tertiary/National referral airway reconstruction centre. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three tracheostomy-free patients undergoing endoscopic laryngotracheoplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CCQ and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Dyspnoea scale, a previously validated but more limited scale, were administered to patients 2 weeks before surgery, preoperatively, and 2 weeks after endoscopic laryngotracheoplasty. Pulmonary function was assessed preoperatively. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach alpha statistics and test-retest reliability was determined using intraclass correlation. Correlations between CCQ and MRC scale, and pulmonary function were used to assess convergent and divergent validity respectively. Instrument responsiveness was assessed by correlating total and domain-specific CCQ scores with anatomical disease severity and post-treatment effect size. RESULTS: There were 12 males and 21 females. Mean age was 44 +/- 15 years. Cronbach alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient were 0.88 and 0.95 respectively. Total and domain-specific CCQ scores significantly correlated with the MRC scores (P < 0.001) and significant correlations between CCQ and peak expiratory flow rate and FEV(1) were identified (P < 0.03). There were statistically significant changes in total and domain-specific CCQ scores when different stenosis severities were compared. Clinical COPD Questionnaire scores also changed significantly and congruently following surgery (P < 0.05 in both cases). DISCUSSION: Clinical COPD Questionnaire is a valid and sensitive instrument for assessing symptom severity and levels of function and well-being in adult patients with laryngotracheal stenosis and can be used as a patient-centred disease-specific outcome measure for this condition.

Coronary ventricular fistula as a complication of PTCA: a case report and literature review.

A 58-year-old man with previous myocardial infarction and coronary bypass surgery underwent angioplasty to a totally occluded venous graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The procedure resulted in a coronary-ventricular fistula. Prolonged inflation of the balloon in the proximal part of the graft resulted in obliteration of the fistula with little haemodynamic compromise.