A prospective observational study on species differentiation and antifungal susceptibility pattern in patients with genital candidiasis.

Background: Candidial balanitis, balanoposthitis and vulvovaginitis can be diagnosed by direct microscopy, culture and treated with antifungals. Resistance to antifungals is emerging. Hence, we conducted a study to identify the causative species and antifungal susceptibility. Aim: To observe the species differentiation and antifungal susceptibility pattern in patients with genital candidiasis. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out that included 54 patients of age group (18-60 years) diagnosed clinically and direct microscopically (KOH) for genital candidiasis. Culture was done using Sabouraud dextrose agar. Species identification and antifungal susceptibility were tested. Descriptive data were expressed in the form of frequency and percentage. Results: Out of 54 patients, 41 had culture positive candidiasis. Among the isolated species, 68.3% were Candida albicans (28/41) and 31.7% were non- albicans Candida spp. Among non-albicans Candida species (13/41), Candida glabrata (19.5%), Candida tropicalis (7.3%), Candida guilliermondii (2.4%), Candida parapsilosis (2.4%) were identified. Antifungal susceptibility was tested for fluconazole (FLU), clotrimazole (CLTZ), itraconazole (ITZ), ketoconazole (KTZ), voriconazole (VOR), amphotericin-B (AMPH-B). Except C. glabrata and C.parapsilosis, all other species were sensitive to all tested antifungals. All isolated species were sensitive to KTZ, VOR, AMPH-B, and CLTZ. Nearly 22% of isolates were resistant to fluconazole. Conclusion: C. glabrata causes complicated, severe recurrent vulvovaginitis which is fluconazole resistant. Drug sensitivity prior prescribing antifungal agent identifies appropriate drug, decreases patient's disease morbidity and cross resistance.

Follmann balanitis - A very rare presentation of primary syphilis.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. The primary stage of the disease manifests as a chancre. Balanoposthitis as a presenting feature of primary syphilis is a very rare presentation. A 26-year-old male presented with asymptomatic erythematous plaques involving the glans and prepuce after unprotected intercourse with a known female. Routine investigations, serology, and dark field examination were normal. Fontana-Masson stain revealed spirochetes and a diagnosis of syphilitic balanitis of Follmann was entertained. This rare presentation accounts for only 0.3%-0.5% of cases of primary syphilis and hence is highlighted in this case report.

Antiproliferative, apoptotic, and antimutagenic properties of stem bark and seed fractions of Polyalthia cerasoides (Roxb.).

AIMS: The aim was to compare the anticancer and antimutagenic potency of Polyalthia cerasoides seeds and stem bark. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative, apoptotic, antioxidation to DNA, and antimutagenic activity of alcoholic (PS-1 and PS-3) and petroleum ether (PS-2 and PS-4) stem bark and seed fractions of P. cerasoides. METHODS: P. cerasoides stem bark and seeds were extracted with ethanol: water mixture (9:1 ratio v: v) and fractionated with petroleum ether. Fractions were investigated for antiproliferative effect using cell by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole assay (cell line used liver [HepG2] and cervical [HeLa] cancer cell lines), DNA damage protection using hydroxyl radical and antimutagenic effect using chromosome aberration test. RESULTS: PS-1 (IC50 10 µg/ml) and PS-3 (IC50 11 µg/ml) showed maximum antiproliferative activity against HepG2 cell lines, whereas, PS-1 (IC50 10 µg/ml), PS-2 (IC50 24 µg/ml), and PS-3 (IC50 11 µg/ml) showed better antiproliferative activity against HeLa cell lines. PS-3 and PS-4 were protective against oxidation to the supercoiled DNA molecule. Further, petroleum ether extract of both seed (PS-2) and stem bark (PS-4) showed good antimutagenicity as revealed by the less chromosomal aberrations compared to PS-1 and PS-3 fractions. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the beneficial effect of fractions against oxidation of DNA, antiproliferative, apoptotic, and antimutagenic activity. Probably, this property would be attributable by their phenolic and steroid constituents. Therefore, this plant could be used as a potential source of nutraceutical agents.

Aggregation induced emission based active conjugated imidazole luminogens for visualization of latent fingerprints and multiple anticounterfeiting applications.

Aggregation-induced emission based organic heterocyclic luminogens bearing conjugated electronic structures showed much attention due to its excellent fluorescence in aggregation state. In this communication, a novel conjugated blue light emitting imidazole molecule is synthesized by one pot multicomponent reaction route is reported for the first time. The prepared molecule exhibits a strong fluorescence in aggregation state with exceptional properties, such as high purity, inexpensive, eco-friendly, large scale production, high photostability, etc. By considering these advantages, a new fluorescence based platform has been setup for in-situ visualization of latent fingerprints and its preservation by spray method followed by Poly(vinyl alcohol) masking. A clear and well defined fluorescence fingerprint images are noticed on variety of surfaces by revealing level 1-3 ridge features upon ultraviolet 365 nm light exposure. The dual nature of binding specificity as well as excellent fluorescence properties permits the visualization of latent fingerprints for longer durations (up to 365 days) with superior contrast, high sensitivity, efficiency, selectivity and minimal background hindrance. We further fabricated unclonable invisible security ink for various printing modes on valuable goods for protection against forging. The developed labels are displaying uniform distribution of ink and exceptional stability under various atmospheric environments. The development of long preservative information using aggregation-induced emission based luminogen opens up a new avenue in advanced forensic and data security applications.

Sensing and sensitive visualization of latent fingerprints on various surfaces using a versatile fluorescent aggregation-induced emission-based coumarin derivative.

The marked rise in criminal activity in society has made a difficult task for forensic scientists who aim to track any crime scene effectively, therefore visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) plays an increasingly vital role in forensics. In the present report, a highly sensitive solvatochromism, aggregation-induced emission-based 2-(4-nitrophenyl)-3H-benzocoumarin fluorescent dye (CFD) was fabricated using an ultrasonication protocol. The fluorescence properties of the CFD were analyzed using fluorescence spectrophotometer. The CFD produced a greenish yellow emission in solid and fluid states. An in-depth visualization of LFPs showed detailed ridge patterns under normal and ultraviolet light sources (254 and 365 nm) due to the excellent chemisorption of CFD onto the ridge patterns on the finger. All three types of ridge details were visualized without any background interference when using a simple and quick powder dusting method. Results revealed that, the present fluorescent dye can be used successfully for detection of latent fingerprints (LFPs) on various nonporous substrates surfaces, in organic light-emitting diodes applications (OLEDs), and for electrochemical sensing.

Crystal structure and photoluminescent properties of bis-(4'-chloro-2,2':6',2''-terpyrid-yl)cobalt(II) dichloride tetra-hydrate.

In the title hydrated complex, [Co(C15H10ClN3)2]Cl2·4H2O, the complete dication is generated by symmetry. The CoN6 moiety shows distortion from regular octa-hedral geometry with the trans bond angles of two N-Co-N units being 160.62 (9)°. In the crystal, O-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯O inter-actions link the components into (001) sheets. The title compound exhibits blue-light emission, as indicated by photoluminescence data, and a HOMO-LUMO energy separation of 2.23 eV was obtained from its diffuse reflectance spectrum.

New design of highly sensitive AIE based fluorescent imidazole derivatives: Probing of sweat pores and anti-counterfeiting applications.

A novel aggregation induced emission based 2-(1-(3, 5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl) phenol (4) (IMD) fluorescent tags (FTs) was designed by simple acid catalyzed five-member N-heterocyclic ring forming reaction process. Powder X-ray diffraction results showed mechanofluorochromic properties of IMD FTs are easily reversible under external force due to the decrease in crystallinity. These IMD FTs also exhibits strong cyan-blue luminescence in solid state with high quantum efficiency. Detailed investigation of latent fingerprints (LFPs) showed permanent, immutable and unique pores that are distributed on the ridges. The visualization of such sweat pores opens new avenue in the field of forensic science. Hence, the prepared IMD FTs exhibit excellent Lipophicity (LP) properties, which endorse its possible applications for the visualization of sweat pores present in the LFPs. The LFPs visualized by IMD FTs exhibit excellent efficiency, sensitivity, selectivity, low background hindrance and less toxicity. The obtained result evident that the prepared FT and followed technique opens possible applications for the visualization of LFPs on various porous/semi-porous/non-porous surfaces under UV 365 nm light.

Crystal structure of 8-eth-oxy-3-(4-nitro-phen-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one.

In the title compound, C17H13NO5, the coumarin ring system is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.008 Å). The nitro-phenyl ring makes a dihedral angle of 25.27 (9)° with the coumarin ring plane. The nitro group is almost coplanar with the phenyl ring to which it is attached, making a dihedral angle of 4.3 (3)°. The eth-oxy group is inclined to the coumarin ring plane by 4.1 (2)°. Electron delocalization was found at the short bridging C-C bond with a bond length of 1.354 (2) Å. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming sheets in the bc plane. The sheets are linked via π-π stacking [centroid-centroid distances = 3.5688 (13) and 3.7514 (13) Å], forming a three-dimensional structure.

Crystal structure of ethyl 2-(2,4,5-tri-meth-oxy-phen-yl)quinoline-4-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C21H21NO5, the dihedral angle between the quinoline ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.028 Å) and the tri-meth-oxy-benzene ring is 43.38 (5)°. The C atoms of the meth-oxy groups deviate from their attached benzene ring by -0.396 (2), -0.049 (2) and 0.192 (2) Šfor the ortho-, meta- and para-substituents, respectively. The pendant ethyl chain is disordered over two orientations in a 0.527 (5):0.473 (5) ratio. A short intra-molecular C-H⋯O contact closes an S(6) ring. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of weak C-H⋯O inter-actions generate R 2 (2)(6) loops. The dimers are linked by further C-H⋯O inter-actions to generate [1-10] chains.

Synthesis, growth and characterization of a new promising organic nonlinear optical crystal: 4-Nitrophenyl hydrazone.

4-Nitrophenyl hydrazone single crystals were grown by slow evaporation of solvent method using acetone as a solvent. The grown crystals were subjected to various characterizations such as X-ray diffraction studies, UV-visible studies, thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) and second harmonic generation (SHG). The cell parameters were calculated by using single crystal XRD measurement and the crystal system was found as orthorhombic with non-centro-symmetric space group Pca21. The crystallinity of the grown crystal was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies confirmed the presence of functional groups in the sample. The optical transmittance spectrum shows that the crystal is transparent in the visible wavelength range. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the surface morphology of the grown crystal. The chemical composition of the grown crystal was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The TGA/DTA results showed that the material is stable up to 146°C. The NLO property of the crystal was confirmed by Kurtz and Perry method and SHG conversion efficiency is 15.39 times when compared to KDP crystal.

Crystal structure of ethyl 6-bromo-2-[(E)-2-phenyl-ethen-yl]quinoline-4-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C20H16BrNO2, the dihedral angle between the quinolone ring system mean plane (r.m.s. deviation = 0.018 Å) and the phenyl ring bridged by the ethynyl group, is 25.44 (14)°. There is an intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond forming an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds forming chains propagating along the b-axis direction.

Crystal structure of 1-[(2S*,4R*)-6-fluoro-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-quinolin-4-yl]pyrrolidin-2-one.

In the title compound, C14H17FN2O, the 1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-pyridine ring of the quinoline moiety adopts a half-chair conformation, while the pyrrolidine ring has an envelope conformation with the central methyl-ene C atom as the flap. The pyrrolidine ring lies in the equatorial plane and its mean plane is normal to the mean plane of the quinoline ring system, with a dihedral angle value of 88.37 (9)°. The bridging N-C bond distance [1.349 (3) Å] is substanti-ally shorter than the sum of the covalent radii (d cov: C-N = 1.47 Šand C=N = 1.27 Å), which indicates partial double-bond character for this bond, resulting in a certain degree of charge delocalization. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming sheets lying parallel to (10-1). These two-dimensional networks are linked via C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯π inter-actions, forming a three-dimensional structure.

Crystal structure of cis-1-(2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-quinolin-4-yl)azepan-2-one.

In the title compound, C16H22N2O, the azepan-2-one ring adopts a chair conformation, while the 1,2,3,4-tetra-hydro-pyridine ring adopts a half-chair conformation. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming supra-molecular chains propagated along [10-1], with weak C-H⋯O inter-actions occurring between the chains.

Ultrasound assisted hydration of navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

The use of ultrasound to enhance the transport phenomena in food processes has been well recognised in recent times. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sonication on hydration rate and pasting profile of navy beans. The hydration kinetics for control and ultrasound assisted soaking was mathematically described using mechanistic (Fickian diffusion) and empirical (Peleg's equation, Weibull model and First Order equation) models. Ultrasound enhanced the rate of hydration which was evident from the plot of kinetic data and model parameters. The effective diffusivities for water transport without and with ultrasound application were estimated to be 1.36×10(-10) m(2)/s and 2.19×10(-10) m(2)/s respectively, considering Fickian diffusion. The Weibull model was concluded to best predict the hydration kinetics of navy beans in an ultrasonic field. Significant increase in peak viscosity of sonicated bean powder was observed compared to control.

Development of single-strand conformational polymorphism to screen for mutations in hotspot regions of beta-globin gene of beta-thalassemia patients of Sri Lanka.

Beta-thalassemia is prevalent in Sri Lanka and imposes a heavy economic and social burden in the country due to the patients' life-long need for regular blood transfusion and treatment with iron chelation therapy. Thus, there is a need to develop a rapid, reliable and effective population-based presymptomatic and prenatal screening method for beta-thalassemia. Single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) technique was developed as an adjunct for the previously developed allele-specific PCR (ASP) technique to screen the presence of mutations in beta-globin gene. A hotspot region of beta-globin gene containing 98% of known beta-thalassemia mutations was amplified from 24 clinically diagnosed beta-thalassemia patients and two normal individuals. Two overlapping amplicons of 238 bp and 268 bp were subjected to SSCP analysis. The SSCP banding patterns of these two fragments from beta-thalassemia patients were different from the corresponding regions of normal individuals. Sequence analysis of these regions revealed the presence of 4 mutations in the form of deletion and substitution that have not been reported previously from Sri Lanka. Therefore, the SSCP protocol developed in this study together with ASP should provide an appropriate screening approach for presymptomatic and parental diagnosis of beta-thalassemia in the Sri Lankan population.

Ethyl 5-bromo-naphtho-[2,1-b]furan-2-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(15)H(11)BrO(3), the dihedral angle between the naphtho-furan ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.022 Å) and the side chain is 4.50 (2)°. In the crystal, short Br⋯Br [3.4435 (7) Å] contacts propagating along [010] in a zigzag manner and weak π-π inter-actions [shortest centroid-centroid separation = 3.573 (2) Å] directedalong [100] are observed.

An efficient one-pot synthesis and photoinduced DNA cleavage studies of 2-chloro-3-(5-aryl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl)quinolines.

4,5-Dihydroisoxazoles continue to attract considerable interest due to their wide spread biological activities. Here, we identify an efficient protocol for the preparation of 4,5-dihydroisoxazoles (2-isaxazolines) (4a-g) from quinolinyl chalcones. The nucleolytic activities of synthesized compounds were investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis. All these compounds were showed the remarkable DNA cleavage activity (concentration dependent) with pUC19 DNA at 365nm UV light. The DNA cleavage activity was significantly enhanced by the presence of iminyl and carboxy radicals of DIQ.

Synthesis and DNA cleavage studies of novel quinoline oxime esters.

New 2-chloro-3-formyl quinoline oxime esters were synthesized by the reaction of 2-chloro-3-formyl quinoline oximes with various benzoyl chlorides in the presence of triethyl amine and dichloromethane at 0°C. The DNA photo cleavage studies of some new oxime esters were investigated by neutral agarose gel electrophoresis at different concentrations (40µM and 80µM). Analysis of the cleavage products in agarose gel indicated that few of quinoline oxime esters (3d-i) converted into supercoiled pUC19 plasmid DNA to its nicked or linear form.

Analgesic, Antibacterial and Antiviral Activities of 2-(5-Alkyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-ones.

A novel series of 2-(5-alkyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-ones (4a-e) have been evaluated for analgesic, antibacterial and antiviral activities. Analgesic activity was carried out using acetic acid-induced writhing method in Swiss albino male mice. The antibacterial activity was performed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical strains by agar well diffusion method. The in vitro antiviral activity was carried out against camelpox and buffalopox viruses. The analgesic activity exhibited by the compounds 4a, 4c and 4d were found to be more significant compared to the standard. The bacterial activity was determined by the inhibition of growth of the organism by the drugs at different concentrations. All the compounds showed significant activity when compared with the drug ciprofloxacin. The in vitro antiviral activity of the compound 4b tested against camelpox and buffalopox viruses revealed no activity when tested at concentrations of 250 µg. The compound 4b did not alter the titres of both the viruses and the titres remain, respectively, 10(6.5) TCID50 and 10(6.74) TCID50 per ml for camelpox vaccine virus and buffalopox vaccine virus. However, the compounds 4a-e showed significant analgesic and antibacterial activities.

Ascophyllum nodosum enriched bread reduces subsequent energy intake with no effect on post-prandial glucose and cholesterol in healthy, overweight males. A pilot study.

It is well recognised that the consumption of seaweed isolates (such as alginate) successfully reduce energy intake and modulate glycaemic and cholesterolaemic responses. However, to date, the effect of adding whole seaweed to bread has not been widely investigated. Hence, this study aims to investigate the acceptability of Ascophyllum nodosum enriched bread as part of a meal, and measure its effect on energy intake and nutrient absorption in overweight, healthy males to see if it has a similar impact. Results from the acceptability study, (79 untrained sensory panellists) indicated that it is acceptable to incorporate seaweed (A. nodosum) into a staple food such as bread at concentrations of up to 4% per 400 g wholemeal loaf. A single blind cross over trial (n=12 males, aged 40.1±12.5 years; BMI 30.8±4.4 kg/m(2)) was used to compare energy intake and nutrient uptake after a breakfast meal using the enriched bread (4% A. nodosum) against the control bread (0% A. nodosum). Consumption of the enriched bread at breakfast led to a significant reduction (16.4%) in energy intake at a test meal 4 h later. Differences between treatment arms for area under the curve, peak values, and time of peak for blood glucose and cholesterol were not significant. Further investigation of potential mechanisms of action is warranted.