Nanopatterning Induced Si Doping in Amorphous Ga2O3 for Enhanced Electrical Properties and Ultra-Fast Photodetection.

Ga2O3 has emerged as a promising material for the wide-bandgap industry aiming at devices beyond the limits of conventional silicon. Amorphous Ga2O3 is widely being used for flexible electronics, but suffers from very high resistivity. Conventional methods of doping like ion implantation require high temperatures post-processing, thereby limiting their use. Herein, an unconventional method of doping Ga2O3 films with Si, thereby enhancing its electrical properties, is reported. Ion-beam sputtering (500 eV Ar+) is utilized to nanopattern SiO2-coated Si substrate leaving the topmost part rich in elemental Si. This helps in enhancing the carrier conduction by increasing n-type doping of the subsequently coated 5 nm amorphous Ga2O3 films, corroborated by room-temperature resistivity measurement and valence band spectra, respectively, while the nanopatterns formed help in better light management. Finally, as proof of concept, metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photoconductor devices fabricated on doped, rippled films show superior properties with responsivity increasing from 6 to 433 mA W-1 while having fast detection speeds of 861 µs/710 µs (rise/fall time) as opposed to non-rippled devices (377 ms/392 ms). The results demonstrate a facile, cost-effective, and large-area method to dope amorphous Ga2O3 films in a bottom-up approach which may be employed for increasing the electrical conductivity of other amorphous oxide semiconductors as well.

Surviving Pneumonia: A Rare Outcome of Compensatory Hyperinflation in Fibrotic Lung Disease.

Chronic respiratory insufficiency can result from respiratory infections like pneumonia, which can permanently harm the lungs and respiratory system. A 21-year-old female patient arrived at our emergency medicine department (ED) complaining of acute lower-limb pain that worsened when she walked. She also reported feeling weak and having an acute, undiagnosed fever that was resolved by taking medicine two days after the day of admission. She was found to have a body temperature of 99.4°F, decreased air entry on the left side of the chest, and diminished bilateral plantar responsiveness. With the exception of a low calcium level and an increased liver function test, her biochemical indicators were normal. The left lung's basal region had fibrosis, and the right lung's hyperplasia served as a compensatory mechanism, according to the chest radiograph and CT scan of the thorax. The patient underwent treatment with intravenous pantoprazole, ondansetron, ceftriaxone, multivitamin supplementation, gabapentin, and tablets of amitriptyline. On Day 7, her lower limb pain had significantly recovered. After an eight-day hospital stay, she was discharged with instructions to follow up with the pulmonary medicine outpatient department (OPD) and the neurology OPD. A well-known occurrence known as compensatory hyperinflation of the lung happens when one lung is severely injured or rendered inoperable, leading the other lung to enlarge to make up for the loss of respiratory function. This case demonstrates the ability of the respiratory system to compensate for significant damage to one of the lungs.

Lipidome unsaturation affects the morphology and proteome of the Drosophila eye.

While the proteome of an organism is largely determined by the genome, the lipidome is shaped by a poorly understood interplay of environmental factors and metabolic processes. To gain insights into the underlying mechanisms, we analyzed the impacts of dietary lipid manipulations on the ocular proteome of Drosophila melanogaster . We manipulated the lipidome with synthetic food media that differed in the supplementation of an equal amount of saturated or polyunsaturated triacylglycerols. This allowed us to generate flies whose eyes had a highly contrasting length and unsaturation of glycerophospholipids, the major lipid class of biological membranes, while the abundance of other membrane lipid classes remained unchanged. By bioinformatically comparing the resulting ocular proteomic trends and contrasting them with the impacts of vitamin A deficiency, we identified ocular proteins whose abundances are differentially affected by lipid saturation and unsaturation. For instance, we unexpectedly identified a group of proteins that have muscle-related functions and increase their abundances in the eye upon lipidome unsaturation but are unaffected by lipidome saturation. Moreover, we identified two differentially lipid-responsive proteins involved in stress responses, Turandot A and Smg5, whose abundances decrease with lipid unsaturation. Lastly, we discovered that the ocular lipid class composition is robust to dietary changes and propose that this may be a general homeostatic feature of the organization of eukaryotic tissues, while the length and unsaturation of fatty acid moieties is more variable to compensate environmental challenges. We anticipate that these insights into the molecular responses of the Drosophila eye proteome to specific lipid manipulations will guide the genetic dissection of the mechanisms that maintain visual function when the eye is exposed to dietary challenges.

Organic waste recycling by vermicomposting amended with rock phosphate impacts the stability and maturity indices of vermicompost.

Recycling organic waste can help the land be nourished, properly disposed of, and protected from the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers. Organic additions like vermicompost can help restore and preserve the quality of the soil, however, producing vermicompost of a high enough standard is difficult. This study was planned to prepare vermicompost by utilizing two different organic wastes viz. household waste and organic residue amended with rock phosphate and further evaluate their stability and maturity indices during vermicomposting for quality of produce. For this study, the organic wastes were collected and vermicompost was prepared by using earthworm (Eisenia fetida) and with or without enriching with rock phosphate. Results showed that pH, bulk density, and biodegradability index were decreased and water holding capacity and cation exchange capacity was increased with the gradual progress of composting starting from 30 to 120 days of sampling/composting (DAS). Initially (upto 30 DAS) water-soluble carbon and water-soluble carbohydrate increased with rock phosphate enrichment. The population of the earthworms and enzymatic activities (CO2 evolution, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase) were also increased on enriching with rock phosphate and with the progression of the composting period. Rock phosphate addition (enrichment) also reflected the higher content of phosphorus (106% and 120% for household waste and organic residue, respectively) in the final product of vermicompost. The vermicompost prepared from household waste and enriched with rock phosphate showed greater maturity and stability indices. Overall, this can be concluded that the maturity and stability of vermicompost depend on the substrate used and improves on enriching with rock phosphate.Implications: Our study concludes that the quality of vermicompost depends on different substrates, composting period, and enrichment with rock phosphate. The qualities of vermicompost were best found under household waste-based vermicompost enriched with rock phosphate. The efficiency of vermicomposting process using earthworms was found maximum for enriched and without enriched household-based vermicompost. The study also indicated that several stability and maturity indices are influenced by different parameters and hence cannot be determined by a single parameter. The addition of rock phosphate increased the cation exchange capacity, phosphorus content, and alkaline phosphatase. Nitrogen, zinc, manganese, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were found higher under household waste-based vermicompost relative to organic residue-based vermicompost. All four substrates promoted earthworm growth and reproduction in vermicompost.

Simultaneous pharmacokinetic assessment of phytopharmaceuticals in fenugreek extract using LC-MS/MS in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Fenugreek seeds are used in numerous marketed herbal formulations with therapeutic benefits. Some of its bioactive components such as 4-hydroxyisoleucine, trigonelline, raffinose, and pinitol are reported to possess potential therapeutic activities, such as antibacterial, antidiabetic, stomach stimulant, and anti-invasive, against hyperandrogenism and other allied diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome. A fully validated, selective, and sensitive bioanalytical method for the simultaneous rapid quantification of the aforementioned bioactive components has been developed using hyphenated liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The analytes were separated within 5 min using gradient elution in a C18 column at a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. Plasma protein precipitation technique was employed to isolate the analytes from the samples. Oral pharmacokinetic profile of the four bioactive components in Sprague-Dawley rats was further evaluated using noncompartmental analysis using Phoenix WinNonlin software.

Understanding the Phytoestrogen Genistein Actions on Breast Cancer: Insights on Estrogen Receptor Equivalence, Pleiotropic Essence and Emerging Paradigms in Bioavailability Modulation.

Prevalent as a major phenolic ingredient of soy and soy products, genistein is recognized as an eminent phytoestrogen owing to its interacting ability with estrogen receptors (ERs). The metabolic conversion of plant-derived genistin to genistein by gut microbes and intestinal enzymes enhances its absorption at intestinal pH of ~7.5-7.8. Genistein interferes in breast cancer (BC) development via pleiotropic actions on cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Though multiple investigations have demonstrated genistein intake-driven reduced BC risk, similar efficacy has not been replicated in clinical trials. Furthermore, multiple studies have structurally and functionally equated genistein extents with 17-ß-estradiol (E2), the most available physiological estrogen in females, culminating in aggravated BC growth. Of note, both genistein and E2 function via interacting with ERs (ERα and ERß). However, although E2 shows almost equal affinity towards both ERα and ERß, genistein shows more affinity towards ERß than ERα. Our cautious literature survey revealed typical intake mode, ER expression pattern and the ratio of ERα and ERß, transactivators/ regulators of ERα and ERß expression and activities, patient age, and menopausal status as decisive factors affecting genistein BC activities. Of further interest are the mechanisms by which genistein inhibits triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), which lack ERs, progesterone receptors (PRs), and human epidermal growth factor receptors (HER2). Herein, we attempt to understand the dosage-specific genistein actions in BC cells and patients with an insight into its better response via derivative development, nanocarrier-assisted, and combinatorial delivery with chemotherapeutic drugs.

Ayurveda-based phytochemical composition attenuates lung inflammation and precipitates pharmacokinetic interaction with favipiravir: an in vivo investigation using disease-state of acute lung injury.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a critical form of acute lung injury (ALI). Here, we investigated the effect of a defined combination of ten pure phytochemicals in equal proportions of weight (NPM) from plants, recommended by Ayurveda for any protective action against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Results indicate that NPM markedly improved protein and neutrophil contents, myeloperoxidase and hydroxyproline levels, oxidative stress markers (glutathione and malonaldehyde), inflammatory cytokines, and genes (IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-ß, and NF-κB/IκBα) in BALF/lung tissue. The histopathological examination of the lung revealed the shielding effect of NPM against ALI. NPM exhibited a protective effect on the lung by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting inflammation. A substantial drop in favipiravir's oral exposure was observed in ALI-state compared to normal-state, but oral exposure upon NPM treatment in ALI-state followed similar behaviour of favipiravir alike normal-state without NPM treatment. Overall, results offer potential insight into Ayurvedic recommendations for immunity boosting during ALI situations.

Study of aggression and its factors among school going adolescents of Delhi, India.

Background: Adolescence is an important developmental phase of life associated with various ideas and emotions filled with energy, many times spent in the form of aggressive behavior. Mental Health, as an important part of healthy well-being, cannot be ignored, and hence it becomes imperative to study aggression and associated factors among adolescents. Objective: To determine the prevalence of aggression among school-going adolescents and to study factors associated with aggression amongst study participants. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire having questions regarding socio-demographic data, details of friends, history of substance use etc. and the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee of Safdarjung Hospital, and informed written consent was taken from participants. Results: The study involved a total of 463 school-going adolescents with a mean age of 13.78 ± 2.06 years. More than half (50.5%) of the participants were found to be aggressive. Male gender, history of family member ever jailed, parent's argument in front of them, ever tried cigarette/smoking, being involved in some fight and provocation by friends for aggression were the factors found to be significantly associated with aggression. Conclusion: The prevalence of aggression among school-going adolescents of Delhi was quite high. There is a need to make the students aware about aggression and how to deal with it. A holistic approach may be adopted in which all authorities and stakeholders must work together to provide safer and nurturing environment to all students.

Prevalence of anemia among toddlers (12-36 months) in urban area of district Rohtak, Haryana.

Background: Children are considered as an important asset for any country and their health as one of the important indicators of a healthy country. There are several factors affecting children's health and anemia is one of them. Globally around 1.62 billion people are affected by it, which corresponds to 24.8% of the population, with the highest prevalence of anemia (47.4%) among preschool-aged children. Aim: The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of anemia among toddlers (12-36 months) and to determine the associated factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among toddlers (12-36 months) in the urban field practice area of Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak. A total of 170 toddlers were enrolled in the study and their mothers were interviewed using a semi-structured pretested questionnaire. Hb was estimated by Sahli's acid hematin method. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Results: In the present study, more than half (55.9%) participants were girls and 44.1% were boys. The overall prevalence of anemia was found to be 62.4%, with mild, moderate, and severe anemia being 41.8%, 17.7%, and 2.9%, respectively. The children with regular intake of iron supplementation were found to be 6.625 times likely to be nonanemic as compared to those with no supplementation. Conclusion: Every endeavor should be made to combat the anemia in children through multisectoral and multipronged approach such as nutritional education of mothers, growth monitoring, nutritional supplementation, etc.

Distribution profile of iridoid glycosides and phenolic compounds in two Barleria species and their correlation with antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Introduction: Barleria prionitis is known for its medicinal properties from ancient times. Bioactive iridoid glycosides and phenolic compounds have been isolated from leaves of this plant. However, other parts of a medicinal plants are also important, especially roots. Therefore, it is important to screen all organs for complete chemical characterization. Method: All parts of B. prionitis, including leaf, root, stem and inflorescence in search of bioactive compounds, with a rapid and effective metabolomic method. X500R QTOF system with information dependent acquisition (IDA) method was used to collect high resolution accurate mass data (HRMS) on both the parent (MS signal) and their fragment ions (MS/MS signal). ESI spectra was obtained in positive ion mode from all parts of the plant. A comparative analysis of antioxidant and antibacterial activity was done and their correlation study with the identified compounds was demonstrated. Principal component analysis was performed. Result: Iridoid glycosides and phenolic compounds were identified from all parts of the showing variability in presence and abundance. Many of the compounds are reported first time in B. prionitis. Antioxidant and antibacterial activity was revealed in all organs, root being the most effective one. Some of the iridoid glycoside and phenolic compounds found to be positively correlated with the tested biological activity. Principal component analysis of the chemical profiles showed variability in distribution of the compounds. Conclusion: All parts of B. prionitis are rich source of bioactive iridoid glycosides and phenolic compounds.

Decoding the silent walk of COVID-19: Halting its spread using old bullets.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) develops within 3-14 days when CoV2 invades epithelial, myeloid cells in the nasopharynx and pneumocytes in the respiratory tract through angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE2). Infection swiftly disseminates to gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal organs as well as immune system to deregulate their normal functioning through unique and distinct mechanisms. The health system and economy has been intensely thwarted by the rapid spread and exorbitant mortality caused by COVID-19 disease across the globe. The acute progression of the disease and high infection rate pose an enormous challenge for its therapeutic management and critical care. The viral structure, genome and proteome have been deciphered which yielded cues for targeting already available therapeutic entities. More than 200 compounds have been screened and till date approximately 69 therapeutic agents are undergoing clinical trials across the world. Among these, remedesivir (RMD), chloroquine (CQ), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), noscapine (NOS) and heparin have demonstrated fairly promising results in preclinical and clinical studies. Recently, RMD has been approved by USFDA for the management of COVID 19. However, intense research is going on to screen and ace the 'magic bullets' for the management of SARS-CoV2 infection worldwide. The current review illustrates the plausible therapeutic targets in SARS-CoV2 important for inhibition of virus cycle. In addition, the role of RMD, CQ, HCQ, NOS and heparin in combating infection has been addressed. The importance of vitamin C and D supplements as adjunct therapies in the prevention of SARS-CoV2 virus infection have also been summarized.

The FDA-approved gold drug auranofin inhibits novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2) replication and attenuates inflammation in human cells.

SARS-COV-2 has recently emerged as a new public health threat. Herein, we report that the FDA-approved drug, auranofin, inhibits SARS-COV-2 replication in human cells at low micro molar concentration. Treatment of cells with auranofin resulted in a 95% reduction in the viral RNA at 48 h after infection. Auranofin treatment dramatically reduced the expression of SARS-COV-2-induced cytokines in human cells. These data indicate that auranofin could be a useful drug to limit SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated lung injury due to its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-reactive oxygen species (ROS) properties. Further animal studies are warranted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of auranofin for the management of SARS-COV-2 associated disease.

Synergistic effect of dietary selenium nanoparticles and riboflavin on the enhanced thermal efficiency of fish against multiple stress factors.

An experiment was designed to delineate the efficacy of a dietary mixture of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) and riboflavin (RF) on the thermal efficiency/tolerance of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus reared under arsenic (2.8 mg/L) and high-temperature (34 °C) stress. A green synthesis method was employed for the synthesis of Se-NPs using fish gills, which are normally discarded as by-products. Four isocaloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets were used, namely, a control diet (Se-NPs and RF @ 0 mg/kg diet) and diets containing RF @ 5, 10 or 15 mg/kg diet and Se-NPs @ 0.5 mg/kg diet, and feeding was performed for 95 days. At the end of the feeding trial, the thermal tolerance was evaluated by determination of the following parameters: critical thermal minimum (CTMin), lethal thermal minimum (LTMin), critical thermal maximum (CTMax), and lethal thermal maximum (LTMax). The anti-oxidative status in the form of catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities was significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced upon concurrent exposure to arsenic and high temperature at LTMin and LTMax, whereas a non-significant (p > 0.05) change in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was observed in the brain at LTMin and brain, gill and kidney at LTMax. Supplementation with Se-NPs @ 0.5 mg/kg diet and RF @ 5, 10 or 15 mg/kg diet significantly (p < 0.01) improved the anti-oxidative status with or without stressors. AChE activity in the brain was significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited upon concurrent exposure to arsenic and high temperature and improved in the treatment group supplemented with Se-NPs and RF. The arsenic concentration in muscle and experimental water and Se concentration in muscle and experimental feed were analysed. Overall, the results indicated that supplementation with RF @ 5 mg/kg diet and Se-NPs @ 0.5 mg/kg diet could confer protection to the fish against arsenic and thermal stress and led to enhanced thermal efficiency/tolerance of P. hypophthalmus.

Data on retinoic acid and reduced serum concentration induced differentiation of Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells.

The present data describe the relative neuro-2a cellular differentiation induced by reducing serum concentration (0.1% FBS) in DMEM in the presence/absence of 20 µM retinoic acid (RA). Neurite outgrowth was observed within 24 h in DMEM supplemented with reduced serum and retinoic acid (GpIV). The CFSE based proliferation assay data signified cessation of neuro-2a cellular proliferation in GpIV. An increase in the number of cells arrested at G0/G1 phase was also evident in GpIV and DMEM supplemented with 0.1% FBS (GpIII). Moreover, GpIV cells had improved mRNA and protein expression of Rbfox3/NeuN and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT).

Trait anxiety and neural efficiency of abstract reasoning: An fMRI investigation.

Worries preoccupy the working memory capacity in anxious individuals, thereby affecting their performance during tasks that require efficient attention regulation. According to the attentional control theory (ACT), trait anxiety affects the processing efficiency, i.e. the effort required for task performance, more than the accuracy of task performance. We investigated the relation between trait anxiety and neural response for a reasoning task in healthy subjects. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was carried out on 22 healthy participants and blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast estimates were extracted from a priori regions of interest (ROIs) that were earlier implicated in reasoning (i.e., bilaterally caudate head, globus pallidus, thalamus, prefrontal cortex [[ostral, dorsal and ventral regions]] inferior parietal lobule and middle occipital gyrus). Controlling for the effects of age, gender, state anxiety and depressive symptoms, for equivalent levels of task performance, trait anxiety of the participants was found to be associated with an increase in task related BOLD activation in right globus pallidus, left thalamus and left middle occipital gyrus. Our results suggest a reduced processing efficiency for reasoning in high trait anxiety subjects and provides important brain-behaviour relationships with respect to sub-clinical anxiety.

Protective Effect of Hyperforin on ß Amyloid Protein Induced Apoptosis in PC12 Cells and Colchicine Induced Alzheimer's Disease: An Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Therapy.

The current investigation aimed to scrutinize the neuro-protective effect of hyperforin on ß­amyloid peptide (Aß)1-42 and H2O2 induced injury in PC12 cells and colchicine induced Alzheimer's disease (AD). PC12 cells were treated with H2O2 and (Aß)1-42 in the presence of hyperforin. The cell viability was determined via suing the MTT assay; malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were also scrutinized. Colchicine induced the destruction of memory and learning which was exhibited in neurobehavioral theory (passive avoidance and Morris water maze) connected with reduced activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Anti­oxidant and inflammatory parameters also estimated. Hyperforin dose dependently increased the cell viability and reduced the MDA and LDH release via PC12 cell injured with H2O2 and (Aß)1-42. Hyperforin treatment lead to a considerable enhance in TLT in the retention trials as comparisian to acquisition trial suggesting as boosting memory and learning in rats. Hyperforin treatments significantly increase the AChE and reduced the superoxide dismutase, glutathione, MDA, protein carbonyl, glutathione peroxdiase, catalase, NF­kB and IL­1ß at dose dependent manner. In summary, the model of H2O2 and (Aß)1-42 induced PC12 cell injury was successfully developed and dose dependently treatment of hypoforin showed the neuroprotective effect against the H2O2 and (Aß)1-42 induced cell damage. These finding clearly exhibited that hyperforin reverted the colchicine induced neuro­chemical and behavioural alteration via potent anti­inflammatory and anti­oxidant activity.

Evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial potential and GC-MS analysis of Camellia sinensis and Terminalia arjuna.

Traditionally, Camellia sinensis and Terminalia arjuna are being used widely to cure various diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer etc. In the present study, extracts of these plants were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against some human pathogenic bacteria viz. E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and fungus C. albicans. In-vitro inhibition of these pathogenic microorganisms produced inhibition zone ranging from 9 to 18 mm. MIC values of these plant extracts ranged from 6.25 to 12.5 mg/ml. MBC of C. sinensis for E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus was found to be 50 and 12.5 mg/ml, respectively. In case of T. arjuna, the MBC of all the tested microorganisms was found to be 25 mg/ml. The MFC of C. sinensis and T. arjuna against C. albicans was observed to be 50 and 25 mg/ml, respectively. GC-MS analysis of C. sinensis and T. arjuna extract identified 13 and 21 compounds, respectively.

Baicalein protects isoproterenol induced myocardial ischemic injury in male Wistar rats by mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of baicalein, main bioactive constituent from roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and Scutellaria lateriflora, on isoproterenol (ISO) induced acute myocardial infarction model in rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms. METHOD: Rats were treated with baicalein (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) orally for 14 days and on 13th and 14th day, myocardial injury was induced by ISO injection (100 mg/kg, subcutaneous) at an interval of 24 h. RESULT: Our study showed that ISO administration resulted in significant elevations in the levels of cardiac injury biomarkers such as cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase-MB, AST and ALT. Concentrations of reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species in the heart tissue increased significantly while antioxidant enzymes level declined. The levels of tissue pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were significantly increased after ISO administration. Pretreatment with baicalein significantly reversed these alterations induced by ISO administration. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms of protective effect of baicalein pretreatment revealed that it repressed the expression of nuclear factor kappa B and restored the ISO induced elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative and nitrosative stress. We found that baicalein pretreatment enhanced the level of antioxidant defense enzymes like SOD, catalase and GSH. Furthermore, the present study also demonstrated cardioprotective effects of baicalein by the histopathological findings. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our findings demonstrated that baicalein pretreatment might have a potential benefit in prevention and terminating ischemic heart diseases like myocardial infarction.

The interaction of actinide and lanthanide ions with hemoglobin and its relevance to human and environmental toxicology.

Due to increasing use of lanthanides/actinides in nuclear and civil applications, understanding the impact of these metal ions on human health and environment is a growing concern. Hemoglobin (Hb), which occurs in all the kingdom of living organism, is the most abundant protein in human blood. In present study, effect of lanthanides and actinides [thorium: Th(IV), uranium: U(VI), lanthanum: La(III), cerium: Ce(III) and (IV)] on the structure and function of Hb has been investigated. Results showed that these metal ions, except Ce(IV) interacted with carbonyl and amide groups of Hb, which resulted in the loss of its alpha-helix conformation. However, beyond 75µM, these ions affected heme moiety. Metal-heme interaction was found to affect oxygen-binding of Hb, which seems to be governed by their closeness with the charge-to-ionic-radius ratio of iron(III). Consistently, Ce(IV) being closest to iron(III), exhibited a greater effect on heme. Binding constant and binding stoichiometry of Th(IV) were higher than that of U(VI). Experiments using aquatic midge Chironomus (possessing human homologous Hb) and human blood, further validated metal-Hb interaction and associated toxicity. Thus, present study provides a biochemical basis to understand the actinide/lanthanide-induced interference in heme, which may have significant implications for the medical and environmental management of lanthanides/actinides toxicity.