Biochemical Screening, Fabrication of Green Nanoparticles and Its Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Studies of Endophytic Fungus Phlebia Species.

Endophytes are organism dwelling totally dynamic and novel biotopes this makes them able to produce novel biochemicals that may become assets to the future. This study aims at understanding the biochemical components of the endophytic fungus Phlebia sp. synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles from it, and the antimicrobial as well as antioxidant ability of these green synthesised nanoparticles. Aqueous fungal extract was subjected for HRLCMS analysis which revealed 34 biochemicals within the extract. Silver and gold nanoparticles were also produced from the fungal extract. UV-vis analysis revealed a peak at 450 nm for silver nanoparticle and 550 nm for gold nanoparticles. FESEM analysis confirmed the presence of these nanoparticles with its spherical shape. Both of these nanoparticles were able to produce a conspicuous zone of inhibition in the antimicrobial tests against Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi. For both of the organisms under study, a concentration-dependent expansion of the zone of inhibition was discovered in the nanoparticles. However, with silver nanoparticles, a relatively high zone of inhibition and vulnerability of the organism was discovered. Four in vitro free radical scavenging assays, including the DPPH, Hydroxyl, Superoxide, and Nitric oxide radical scavenging assays, were used for antioxidant analysis. The results of every test demonstrated that green synthesised silver nanoparticles had higher activity than gold nanoparticles. All of the tests showed that silver nanoparticles were more active than gold nanoparticles with the maximum value of 86.254 ± 0.296% being discovered at the greatest concentration of superoxide radical scavenging assay.

Larvicidal efficacy and chemical constituents of O. gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) essential oil against Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae).

The current study accentuates the use of botanicals as an alternative to the chemical compounds in vector control by estimating the mosquito larvicidal potential of Ocimum gratissimum L. leaf essential oil against the fourth instar larvae of Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae). The chemical composition of essential oil from leaves was evaluated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. GC/MS revealed that the essential oil of O. gratissimum contained 51 compounds. The major chemical constituents identified were 3-allyl-6-methoxyphenol (19.30%), 4-(5-ethenyl-1-azabicyclo (2, 2, 2) octan-2) (16.82%), 1-(2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-propanol (12.23%) and 1-(1-hydroxybutyl)-2, 5-dimethoxybenzene (5.53%). The essential oil showed pertinent larvicidal effect, and the LC50 value in 24 h was 26.10 ppm (LC90 = 82.83 ppm). Aromatic plants and their essential oils are very important sources of many compounds that are used for different applications, and they are more promising pesticides or insecticides for control of mosquito populations than synthetic ones. The results of the present investigation justify the larvicidal potential of leaf essential oil of O. gratissimum as a safer and more effective larvicide against A. albopictus.

Genotoxic assessment of calcium hypochlorite and Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds-two commonly used water purifying agents.

The role of water in our daily lives cannot be highlighted enough, and ensuring the availability of pure water is an urgent need. Bleaching powder (calcium hypochlorite) and Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds are commonly used in water purification as a disinfectant and anticoagulant, respectively, yet their safety levels have not been analyzed so far. Hence, a genotoxic assessment was conducted using Allium cepa chromosome aberration assay. Reduction in mitotic index and increase in abnormality percentage was observed for both, but this effect was dose dependent. All values were statistically significant at p<0.05%. Bleaching powder was found to be cytotoxic and genotoxic compared with the control. Abnormality percentage was found to be significantly high when compared with the positive control. Chromosome aberrations like binucleate condition, micronuclei formation, stickiness, and lesions could only be observed in root meristems treated with positive control and bleaching powder. The seeds of S. potatorum expressed mild cytotoxicity, but the genotoxic effect was found to be negligible when compared with positive control. Other chromosome aberrations observed included chromosome bridges, c-metaphases, chromosome laggards, shift in microtubule organizing centre, polyploidy, early movement of chromosomes, vagrant chromosomes, as well as diagonal, disturbed, and scattered arrangement of chromosomes. Thus, the genotoxic effect of bleaching powder warns people to use a safer choice of S. potatorum in water purification, whenever possible, as in the condition of muddy, coagulated water.

Iatrogenic autoimmune progesterone dermatitis caused by 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate for preterm labor prevention.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in otherwise healthy infants, and the rate of pregnancies complicated by a premature delivery continues to rise. Subsequently, attempts have been made to reduce this rate by using progesterone supplementation during pregnancy. 17alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P), a metabolite of progesterone, also has been used as supplementation during pregnancy to prevent preterm births. We report a case of iatrogenic autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD) in a pregnant woman who received 17P therapy. Due to the increased use of 17P, our case could represent an increasingly prevalent entity that dermatologists and obstetricians should recognize. In this article, we discuss our findings and provide a basic review of APD.

Chemical composition and mosquito larvicidal activities of Salvia essential oils.

CONTEXT: Vector control is facing a threat due to the emergence of resistance to synthetic insecticides. In this context, essential oils have received much attention as potentially useful bioactive compounds against insects. Therefore, our present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of essential oils from the aerial parts of Salvia elegans Vahl, Salvia dorisiana Standl., Salvia splendens Sello ex J.A. Schult Blue Ribbon, and S. splendens Sello ex J.A. Schult Scarlet Sage Red (Lamiaceae) against the fourth instar larvae of Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae). OBJECTIVE: The mosquito larvicidal activities of the essential oils and chemical composition of four taxa of Salvia are investigated in this article for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemical compositions of essential oils obtained from four taxa of Salvia were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), GC-FID, and the effects of essential oils on fourth instar larvae of A. albopictus were investigated. RESULTS: The main components identified from each Salvia essential oils were as follows: spathulenol (38.73%) and caryophyllene (10.32%) from S. elegans; ledol (45.8%) and 4,4'-[(p-phenylene)diisopropylidene]diphenol (17.38%) from S. dorisiana; ß-cubebene (22.9%), and caryophyllene (12.99%) from S. splendens Blue Ribbon; phytol (41.46%) and cyclooctasulfur (24.88%) from S. splendens Scarlet Sage Red. The essential oils of S. elegans and S. splendens Blue Ribbon had excellent inhibitory larvicidal effect against A. albopictus larvae, and their LC(50) values in 24 h were 46.4 ppm (LC(90) = 121.8 ppm) and 59.2 ppm (LC(90) = 133.0 ppm), respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that the essential oils of these Salvia species could be considered as the powerful candidates to bring about useful botanicals so as to prevent the resurgence of mosquito vectors.

Evaluation of genoprotection against malathion induced toxicity by Orthosiphon thymiflorus Sleesen.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide toxicity is considered to be one of the significant reason for increased incidence of cancer. Plants are treasure troves of active phytochemical compounds which are used as herbal medicine as well as nutraceuticals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the genoprotective potential of Orthosiphon thymiflorus (Roth) Sleesen, (Lamiaceae) against the toxicity induced by malathion by a battery of four in vivo assays in Swiss albino mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Micronucleus assay was performed for analyzing the micronuclei induction and ratio of polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes (PCE/NCE). Anticlastogenic and mito depressive effect of the methanol and hexane extracts of O.thymiflorus were evaluated by chromosome aberration assay. Alkali comet assay was performed to assess double strand DNA repair. DNA damage sensing ability of the bone marrow cells were assessed by γ-H2AX foci formation. Phytochemical screening of hexane and methanol extract was done by GC-MS analysis. RESULT: O. thymiflorus extracts showed a dose dependant protective effect in all assays. It significantly decreased the frequency of micronuclei and improved PCE/NCE value in post treated groups of animals. Malathion induced clastogenic aberrations were effectively attenuated by methanol and hexane extracts. DNA comet assay showed that malathion induced damage can be protected by O. thymiflorus extracts. Multiple foci formation in γ-H2AX assay confirmed the activation of DNA repair proteins in post treated animals. CONCLUSION: Genoprotective effect of O. thymiflorus against malathion induced toxicity was confirmed. This study would be helpful to initiate more research including clinical using O. thymiflorus extract against pesticide induced toxicity.

An overview on breast cancer genetics and recent innovations: Literature survey.

Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers nowadays. The genetical mechanism behind breast cancer development is an intricate one. In this review, the genetical background of breast cancer, particularly BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 had been included. Moreover, to summarize the genetics of breast cancer, the recent and ongoing preclinical and clinical studies on the treatment of BRCA-associated breast cancer had also been included. A prime knowledge is that the BRCA gene is the basis of breast cancer risk. How it mediates cell proliferation and associated mechanisms are reviewed here. BRCA 1 gene can influence all phases of the cell cycle and regulate cell cycle progression. BRCA 1 gene can also respond to DNA damages and induce responsive mechanisms. The action of the BRCA gene on associated protein has a wide consideration in breast cancer development. Heterogeneity in breast cancer makes them a fascinating and challenging stream to diagnose and treat. Several clinical therapies are available for breast cancer treatments. Chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy are the milestones in the cancer treatments. Ral binding protein 1 is a promising target for breast cancer treatment and the platinum-based chemotherapies are the other remarkable fields. In immunotherapy, the usage of anti-programmed death (PD)-1 antibody is a new class of cancer immunotherapy that hinders immune effecter inhibition and potentially expanding preexisting anticancer immune responses. Breast cancer genetics and treatment strategies are crucial in escalating survival rates.

Pre-apoptotic activity of aqueous extracts of Cynanchum sarcomedium Meve & Liede on cells of Allium cepa and human erythrocytes.

Cynanchum sarcomedium Meve & Liede is a member of Apocynaceae, seen in dry and rocky areas. The present study highlights the cytotoxic potential of C. sarcomedium mediated by apoptosis on cells of Allium cepa and human red blood cells (RBCs). Cytogenetic changes in A. cepa and in situ visualization of cell death were revealed through acetocarmine and Evans blue staining techniques. Quantitative estimation of cell death was carried out at 600 nm in a spectrophotometer. Membrane characteristics of RBC in response to the treatment were evaluated by May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cell membrane damage is a major factor for assessing apoptosis which is observed in the present study (90.91 %). Cell shrinkage, cytoplasmic fragmentation, condensed chromatin and presence of apoptotic bodies were the common cytological changes in A. cepa associated with apoptosis. Blebs in RBC evidenced by SEM revealed the membrane damage potential of the plant. Results obtained hereby suggest that the plant is an effective source to be used in toxicological studies and anti-cancer therapy.

Induction of giant cells by the synthetic food colorants viz. lemon yellow and orange red.

Cytotoxicity and giant cell formation induced by lemon yellow and orange red synthetic food colorants were evaluated in the present study. The aqueous solutions of both the dye solutions were tested for cytotoxicity using Allium cepa assay. Frequency of giant cells were determined after treating the root tips with different concentrations of both food colorant solutions viz., 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 % for varying time durations (1/2, 1, 2, 3 h). These colorants may cause giant cell formation primarily by interfering with the normal course of mitosis. Giant cells showing multiple aberrations viz. bridged and binucleate condition, cellular fragmentation, nuclear lesion, double and multiple nuclear lesions, double nuclear peaks and cellular breakage, elongated nucleus, nuclear budding, hyperchromasia, micronucleus, nuclear erosion, pulverized nucleus etc. were induced in root tips treated with both of the colorants. The synthetic food colorant treated cells showed inhibition of cell division and induction of giant cells. A dose dependant decrease in the mitotic index [88.20 % (c(-ve), 3h) to 81.54 % (Lx4, 3h) and 88.20 % (c(-ve), 3h) to 73.17 % (Ox4, 3h)] was observed. All mitotic phases show significant induction of giant cells when treated with both food colorants. Interphase stage shows higher percentage of giant cells, whereas in cytokinesis it was negligible. The orange red food colorant is observed to be more toxic because it recorded higher percentage of giant cell induction when compared with lemon yellow [27.93 % (Lx4, 3h) and 28.07 % (Ox4, 3h)].

Early intervention for perinatal depression.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to design a process that effectively identifies and facilitates early intervention for women in an obstetrics clinic who are at risk for postpartum depression. STUDY DESIGN: Under this new program, labeled ISIS (Identify, Screen, Intervene, Support), we educated our new obstetric patients and clinic staff about postpartum depression through patient education classes, departmental lectures, and handouts. Then, we implemented simple procedures to identify risk factors for depression at intake and screened for depressive symptoms at the 32-week visit using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). In addition, we facilitated treatment of at-risk or symptomatic patients with the introduction of a social work consultant in the clinic setting. RESULTS: In an obstetric chart review, 75% of our patients were screened for depression in pregnancy. Ten percent of these women demonstrated symptoms of depression warranting further evaluation. CONCLUSION: Preliminary data from our multidisciplinary approach suggest that educating, screening, and appropriately treating or referring these women can take place in a busy obstetric clinic.