Adsorption mechanism of different toxic gases onto pristine BNC2 and Al-doped BNC2 monolayers.

Graphene-based ternary BNC materials have been widely explored for the fabrication of gas sensors because of their various two-dimensional conjugated structures, high conductivity and large specific surface areas. To understand the essential physics and gas sensing properties, we focus on a sheet with equal concentration of C and BN, i.e. a BNC2 sheet. Using density functional theory, we have explored the effects of doping of an aluminium (Al) atom on the structural and electronic properties of a ternary BNC monolayer. We have studied the adsorption mechanism of various gas molecules such as CO, CO2, NO, NO2, SO2, and SO3 on BNC2 and Al@BNC2 MLs. Doping of the Al atom in BNC2 changes the structural as well as electronic properties of the host dramatically. The large-sized Al atom protrudes out from the BNC2 ML. The induced defects due to doping of the Al atom in BNC2 reduce the band gap of the BNC2 ML and enhance the reactivity of the BNC2 ML. The adsorption of CO, CO2, NO, NO2, SO2, and SO3 gas molecules shows higher interaction towards the Al@BNC2 ML as compared to the BNC2 ML. Among all the gas molecules, the maximum interaction of NO2 gas molecules is found with the Al@BNC2 ML. Adsorbed gas molecules act as charge acceptors from both the MLs. The improved conductivity of the Al@BNC2 ML as compared to BNC2 with the adsorption of gas molecules offers the basis for the development of ternary BNC-based gas sensors.

Pathogenic gene expression of epicardial adipose tissue in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background & objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD), a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide has multifactorial origin. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has complex mechanical and thermogenic functions and paracrine actions via various cytokines released by it, which can have both pro- and anti-inflammatory actions on myocardium and adjacent coronaries. The alteration of EAT gene expression in CAD is speculated, but poorly understood. This study was undertaken to find out the difference in gene expression of epicardial fat in CAD and non-CAD patients. Methods: Twenty seven patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and 16 controls (non-CAD patients undergoing valvular heart surgeries) were included in the study and their EAT samples were obtained. Gene expressions of uncoupling protein-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), adiponectin, adenosine A1 receptor (ADORA-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were studied by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Glucose, insulin, lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine, vitamin D, TNF-α and leptin levels were estimated in fasting blood samples and analyzed. Results: Leptin levels were significantly higher in CABG group as compared to controls (P <0.05), whereas other metabolic parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. MCP-1, VCAM-1 and TNF-α were upregulated in the CABG group as compared to controls. Further, multivariate analysis showed significantly reduced adjusted odds ratio for MCP-1 [0.27; 95% confidence interval: 0.08-0.91] in the CABG group as compared to controls (P <0.05). Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings showed an alteration in EAT gene expression in CAD patients with significant upregulation of MCP-1. Further studies with a large sample need to be done to confirm these findings.

Theoretical study of interaction of Fe13O8@Zn48O48 cluster with dopamine: Magnetic and optical properties.

In this study, we modelled the interaction of Fe13O8 and Fe13O8@Zn48O48 (core@shell) cluster with a biologically active dopamine molecule using density functional theory. First, the electronic, magnetic and optical properties of core@shell, Fe13O8@Zn48O48 cluster investigated and compared with isolated Fe13O8 and Zn48O48 clusters. Fe13O8@Zn48O48 cluster is found to be energetically stable. For Fe13O8 and Fe13O8@Zn48O48 clusters have the net magnetic moment 42 µB. The decrease in HOMO-LUMO gap of core@shell cluster as compared to that of isolated clusters reflects the higher reactivity. The results of the site dependent interaction of Fe13O8 and Fe13O8@Zn48O48 clusters with dopamine molecule are presented. The interaction strength is determined in terms of the cluster-dopamine complex binding energy and found to be enhanced for core@shell cluster than the Fe13O8. Furthermore, the calculated results predict that in presence of dopamine, the magnetic moment of Fe13O8 and Fe13O8@Zn48O48 cluster remains unaffected. The analysis of optical spectra of core@shell indicates the obvious red shift compared to Zn48O48 clusters. The optical spectra of Fe13O8@Zn48O48-dopamine shows the higher oscillator strength as compared to that of Fe13O8-dopamine complex. Fe13O8-dopamine complex gives rise to more quenched oscillator strengths as compared to that of bare iron oxide cluster. These results indicate interesting magneto-optical behaviour, which can be useful for biomedical applications.

Phytosynthesis of gold nanoparticles: Characterization, biocompatibility, and evaluation of its osteoinductive potential for application in implant dentistry.

Gold nanoparticles have been extensively used in diagnostics, biomedical imaging, and drug delivery owing to simple method of synthesis and versatile surface functionalization. Present investigation aims to evaluate the osteoinductive property of Salacia chinensis (SC) mediated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for its application in implant dentistry. The formation of GNPs was assessed initially using the visual method and characterized analytically by using UV-visible spectroscopy, Zetasizer, X-RD, ICP-AES, AFM, and TEM. Green synthesized GNPs exhibited a remarkable stability in various blood components (0.2 M histidine, 0.2 M cysteine 2% bovine serum albumin, and 2% human serum albumin) and were found to be nontoxic when evaluated for their cytocompatibility and blood compatibility using periodontal fibroblasts and erythrocytes respectively. Exposure of GNPs to MG-63 cell lines displayed increased percent cell viability (138 ±â€¯27.4) compared to the control group (96 ±â€¯3.7) which confirms its osteoinductive potential. Herein, it can be concluded that the stable, biocompatible and eco-friendly GNPs can be used as an effective bone inductive agent during dental implant therapy.

Preventive and Protective Effect of Nishamalaki in STZ Induced Diabetic Complications in Wistar Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is a metabolic disease of vital health importance because of the complications associated with it. Clinical trials and animal studies have demonstrated the anti-hyperglycaemic effect of Nishamalaki. Present study was planned to evaluate the protective potential of Nishamalaki on diabetic complication in rats. AIM: To study the Nephro-protective effect and to assess the protective potential on retinal changes of Nishamalaki in diabetic wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes induced with 60 mg/kg of Streptozotocin and 110 mg/kg Nicotinamide IP. Nishamalaki, a combination of Curcuma longa and Emblica officinalis administered orally with honey. Rats divided into six groups, control and diabetic rats with blood glucose above 250 mg/dl were divided into 5 groups. After 8 weeks test animals were treated with Nishamalaki, Enalapril and control with saline for 30 days. Biochemical parameters measured like Serum BSL, BUN and Creatinine and rats were observed for development of cataract. Rats sacrificed and kidney samples were taken to examine histopathological changes. RESULTS: Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinine values were significantly (p<0.01) reduced in Nishamalaki group than control group. Nishamalaki showed the protective effect on kidney pathology as seen on histopathology by near normal glomerular and tubular structures. Control group showed shrunken glomerulus and tubular vacuolations. In Nishamalaki group immature sub capsular cataract with mild lenticular opacity were seen compared to the mature cataract with significant lenticular opacity and corneal vascularisation in control group. CONCLUSION: Nishamalaki showed protective effect on development of Nephrotoxicity and it has also delayed the progression of cataract in rats.

Neonatal gastric perforations: are they really spontaneous?

CASE REPORT: We report a case of 4-day-old male infant who developed rapid abdominal distension with progression to shock. Abdominal radiography showed free gas under diaphragm for which emergency laparotomy was done revealing a perforation in the greater curvature of the stomach that was sutured after excising surrounding ischemic stomach wall.

Thymectomy through lateralized partial sternotomy.

A young woman with nonthymomic myasthenia gravis with failure of medical treatment was offered thymectomy through partial sternotomy. Shifting of vertical arm of "L" incision laterally avoids fracture of opposite sternal flange and provides better sternal stability postoperatively.