Long-term fertilization and manuring effects on the nexus between sulphur distribution and SOC in an Inceptisol over five decades under a finger millet-maize cropping system.

Our investigation revealed that alterations in sulphur (S) pools are predominantly governed by soil organic carbon (SOC), soil nitrogen (N), microbial biomass, and soil enzyme activities in sandy clay loam (Vertic Ustropept) soil. We employed ten sets of nutrient management techniques, ranging from suboptimal (50% RDF) to super-optimal doses (150% RDF), including NPK + Zn, NP, N alone, S-free NPK fertilizers, NPK + FYM, and control treatments, to examine the interrelation of S with SOC characteristics. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was utilized to analyze the functional groups present in SOC characterization across four treatments: 100% NPK, 150% NPK, NPK + FYM, and absolute control plots. Principal component analysis (PCA) was then applied to assess 29 minimal datasets, aiming to pinpoint specific soil characteristics influencing S transformation. In an Inceptisol, the application of fertilizers (100% RDF) in conjunction with 10 t ha-1 of FYM resulted in an increase of S pools from the surface to the subsurface stratum (OS > HSS > SO42--S > WSS), along with an increase in soil N and SOC. FT-IR spectroscopy identified cellulose and thiocyanate functional groups in all four plots, with a pronounced presence of carbohydrate-protein polyphenol, sulfoxide (S=O), and nitrate groups specifically observed in the INM plot. The PCA findings indicated that the primary factors influencing soil quality and crop productivity (r2 of 0.69) are SOC, SMBC, SMBN, SMBS, and the enzyme activity of URE, DHA, and AS. According to the study, the combined application of fertilizer and FYM (10 t ha-1) together exert a positive impact on sulphur transformation, SOC accumulation, and maize yield in sandy clay loam soil.

Unraveling a cephalalgic quagmire from a cavern to a cave.

Headache in women in their late forties can be primary or secondary. We report a 48-year-old female with chronic slowly progressive left temporal headache for 1 year. She also had ipsilateral eye pain and facial numbness for 1 month, with restricted abduction in the left eye and diplopia. On neurological examination, she had isolated left abducent nerve palsy, with loss of corneal and conjunctival reflexes, localizing the pathology to the cavernous sinus or its adjacent structures. Anatomically, cranial nerves V and VI are in close proximity to each other in the region of Meckel's cave. In view of her age, insidious onset, progressive symptoms and clinical findings, the provisional diagnosis in this patient was a Meckel's cave tumor. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a 2 cm × 2 cm × 1.7 cm enhancing dumb-bell-shaped mass lesion with mild restricted diffusion in the Meckel's cave projecting into cavernous sinus with alanine, myoinositol and glutamine peaks on MR spectroscopy. Intradural debulking was done; lesion was confirmed by histopathology and patient was cured of her symptoms. An algorithm for diagnosing this entity at the bedside is presented.

The Evaluation of the virulence factors of clinical Candida isolates and the anti-biofilm activity of Elettaria cardamomum against multi-drug resistant Candida albicans.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Today, treatment of life-threatening fungal infections, caused by Candida species, has become a major problem. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility patterns of different clinical Candida isolates, determine the virulence factors in multi-drug resistant (MDR) Candida species, and assess the anti-biofilm activity of Elettaria cardamomum against MDR Candida species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 202 isolates from different Candida species were obtained from three governmental hospitals in Senthamangalam, Tiruchengode, and Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India. The isolates were identified, using conventional methods. Candida species were tested for virulence factors such as biofilm, protease, and phospholipase activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Elettaria cardamomum against MDR biofilm-forming C. albicans was determined, using plate and tube methods. RESULTS: The identified Candida isolates (n=202) were C. albicans (74/202), C. glabrata (53/202), C. parapsilosis (44/202), C. tropicalis (15/202), and C. dubliniensis (16/202). The isolates were subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing and the virulence factors were determined. In terms of biofilm production, non-C. albicans species such as C. dubliniensis showed 75% activity. Also, regarding protease activity, C. parapsilosis (75%) showed the highest percentage of protease production. In addition, Candida species showed strong positivity for phospholipase activity (62.87%). In the MIC method, the acetonic extract completely inhibited biofilm production at a concentration of 125 µl (56.25 µg). In comparison with the ethanolic extract, the acetonic extract showed major activity against biofilm production. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, pathogenic C. albicans species were inhibited by the ethanolic and acetonic extracts of E. cardamomum. In recent years, MDR and biofilm-forming pathogenic Candida species have been increasingly detected in clinical settings. Therefore, herbal derivatives might contribute to the treatment of infections without causing any side-effects and prevent the associated mortality.

Prevalence of non-responsiveness to an indigenous recombinant hepatitis B vaccine: a study among South Indian health care workers in a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Health care workers (HCW) are at higher risk of contracting HBV infection. Non-response to HBV vaccine is one of the major impediments to prevent healthcare associated HBV infection (HAHI). We estimated the prevalence of non-responsiveness to initial 3-dose regimen of an indigenous recombinant HBV vaccine (GeneVac-B) among South Indian HCWs and typed the HLA in non-responders. STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD: Of the 778 subjects screened over 1 year, 454 completed all three doses of the hepatitis B vaccination. Anti-HBs titers were estimated by microparticle enzyme immunoassay AxSYM AUSAB, (Abbott, Germany). HLA typing was done using SSP-PCR assay AllSet+™ Gold SSP (Invitrogen, USA). RESULTS: The overall seroconversion rate (anti-HBs>10 mIU/mL) was 98.89% wherein 90.8% had titers>1000mIU/mL, 7.6% had titers 100-1000mIU/mL, 0.43% had titers<100 mIU/mL and 1.1% were non-responsive (<10 mIU/mL) to the initial 3-dose regimen. Antibody titers<1000 mIU/mL were significantly associated with the highest quartile of body mass index (BMI) (P<0.001). We found no significant difference in seroprotection rate between gender (P=0.088). There was no difference in seroprotection rates among various ethnic groups (P=0.62). Subjects who were non-responsive in our study had at least one HLA allele earlier known to be associated with non-responsiveness to the vaccine. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that non-response to HBV vaccine is not a major impediment to prevent HAHI. Robust seroprotection rates can be achieved using this indigenous HBV vaccine. However, gender and BMI might influence the level of anti-HBs titers. We recommend the use of this cost effective HBV vaccine as well as postvaccination anti-HBs testing to prevent HAHI among HCWs.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of root bark of Grewia asiatica Linn. in rodents.

BACKGROUND: Grewia asiatica Linn. (Family: Tiliaceae), called Phalsa in Hindi is an Indian medicinal plant used for a variety of therapeutic and nutritional uses. The root bark of the plant is traditionally used in rheumatism (painful chronic inflammatory condition). AIMS: The present study demonstrates the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of root bark of G. asiatica in rodents. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The methanolic extract of Grewia asiatica (MEGA) and aqueous extract of Grewia asiatica (AEGA) of the bark were prepared and subjected to phytochemical tests and pharmacological screening for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in rodents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analgesic effect was studied using acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and hot plate analgesia in rats while anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The MEGA or AEGA was administered orally in doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day of body weight. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Dunnett's test. RESULTS: The extracts showed a significant inhibition of writhing response and increase in hot plate reaction time and also caused a decrease in paw oedema. The effects were comparable with the standard drugs used. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that root bark of G. asiatica exhibits peripheral and central analgesic effect and anti-inflammatory activity, which may be attributed to the various phytochemicals present in root bark of G. asiatica.

1'-Methyl-3'-(4-methyl-benzo-yl)-4'-[5-(2-thien-yl)-2-thien-yl]spiro-[acenaphthyl-ene-1,2'-pyrrolidin]-2(1H)-one.

In the title compound, C(32)H(25)NO(2)S(2), the mean plane through the five-membered pyrrolidine ring, which exhibits an envelope conformation, makes dihedral angles of 82.3 (1) and 83.9 (9)° with the benzene ring and the acenaphthyl-ene ring system, respectively. The dihedral angle between the thiophene rings is 19.0(3)°. The crystal structure shows C-H⋯π and π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.869 (2) Å].

3'-(4-Chloro-benzo-yl)-1'-methyl-4'-[5-(2-thien-yl)-2-thien-yl]spiro-[acenaphthyl-ene-1,2'-pyrrolidin]-2(1H)-one.

In the title compound, C(31)H(22)ClNO(2)S(2), the five-membered pyrrolidine ring, which exhibits an envelope conformation, makes a dihedral angle of 87.4 (2)° with the acenaphthyl-ene ring system. The crystal structure is stabilized by π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.869 (2) Å]. A C atom and the S atom of the thiophene ring are disordered over two positions with refined occupancies of 0.629 (7) and 0.372 (7).

Methyl 3-(4-methoxy-phen-yl)-1-methyl-1,2,3,3a,4,11b-hexa-hydro-benzo[f]chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole-3a-carboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(25)H(25)NO(4), the pyrrolidine ring exhibits an envelope conformation and the tetra-hydro-pyran ring exhibits a half-chair conformation. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions.

3-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-3H-benzo[f]isobenzofuran-1-one.

In the title compound, C(19)H(12)O(4), the dioxole ring adopts a flattened envelope conformation with the methyl-ene C at the flap [deviation = 0.104 (2) Å]. The benzene ring of the benzodioxole ring system makes a dihedral angle of 76.45 (5)° with the planar [maximum deviation = 0.016 (1) Å] 3H-benzo[f]isobenzofuran-1-one ring system. In the crystal structure, the mol-ecules are linked into C(5) chains running along the b axis by inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In addition, C-H⋯π inter-actions are observed.

1-(Phenyl-sulfon-yl)benzo[1,2:2',3']thieno[5',4'-b]carbazole.

In the title compound, C(24)H(15)NO(2)S(2), the ring system composed of the five fused rings is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation for all non-H atoms = 0.056 Å). The dihedral angle between the fused ring system and the phenyl ring is 83.4 (9)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by C-H⋯π and π-π inter-actions between parallel ring systems [centroid-centroid distances = 3.526 (3), 3.877 (3) and 3.712 (3) Å].

3-(2,4,6-Trimethyl-benzo-yl)-2-naphthoic acid.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(21)H(18)O(3), contains two crystallographically independent mol-ecules. The two mol-ecules are linked into cyclic centrosymmetric dimers R(2) (2)(8) by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The dihedral angles between the naphthalene ring system and the benzene ring are 87.0 (8) and 84.4 (2)° in the two mol-ecules. The crystal packing is stabilized by O-H⋯O, C-H⋯π and π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.664 (11) Å]. In one mol-ecule, the mesityl ring is disordered over two positions [occupancy ratio 0.690 (3):0.690 (3)].

Diethyl 2-(2-nitro-benzyl-idene)malonate.

In the title compound, C(14)H(15)NO(6), the ethoxy-carbonyl groups adopt extended conformations. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into centrosymmetric dimers via pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with a R(2) (2)(20) motif.

N-(2-Formyl-phen-yl)benzene-sulfonamide.

In the title compound, C(13)H(11)NO(3)S, the two aromatic rings are oriented at an angle of 88.18 (8)°. Intra-molecular N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed, each of which generates an S(6) ring motif. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into C(7) chains along [010] by inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The structure is further stabilized by inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions involving the sulfonyl-bound phenyl ring.

4,5-Bis(1H-imidazol-1-ylmeth-yl)acridine monohydrate.

In the title compound, C(21)H(17)N(5)·H(2)O, the dihedral angles between the acridine ring system and the imidazole rings are 78.8 (1) and 71.2 (1)°. The crystal packing is stabilized by O-H⋯N, C-H⋯O, C-H⋯π and π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid separations = 3.732 (1) and 3.569 (1) Å].

N-[(2-Hydr-oxy-1-naphth-yl)(2-hydroxy-phen-yl)meth-yl]acetamide.

In the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(19)H(17)NO(3), there are two crystallographically independent mol-ecules, which are connected to each other by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming mol-ecular chains as well as cyclic centrosymmetric R(2) (2)(16) dimers.

N-[(2-Hydr-oxy-5-methoxy-phen-yl)(3-nitro-phen-yl)meth-yl]acetamide.

In the title compound, C(16)H(16)N(2)O(5), the meth-oxy group is disordered with site occupancies of 0.20 (3) and 0.80 (3). The dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings is 73.7 (2)°. The crystal structure is characterized by intermolecular N-H⋯O, O-H⋯O, C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π hydrogen bonds.

N-[(3-Phenylsulfanyl-1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indol-2-yl)methyl]acetamide.

In the title compound, C(23)H(20)N(2)O(3)S(2), the phenylsulfonyl ring and phenylthio ring make dihedral angles of 66.5 (7) and 81.2 (6)°, respectively, with the indole unit. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into centrosymmetric dimers via pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with graph-set motif R(2) (2)(14). The crystal structure is further stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O and very weak C-H⋯π inter-actions.

Ethyl 3'-(2,4-dichloro-phen-yl)-5'-hydr-oxy-5'-methyl-4',5'-dihydro-spiro-[fluorene-9,2'(3'H)-furan]-4'-carboxyl-ate.

The furan ring and the five-membered fluorene unit in the title compound, C(26)H(22)Cl(2)O(4), adopt envelope conformations. Inter-molecular C-H⋯O inter-actions between symmetry-related mol-ecules involving two C-H groups and an O atom as a bifurcated acceptor generate centrosymmetric hydrogen-bonded dimers with cyclic R(2) (2)(16) and R(2) (2)(8) ring motifs. A short C-H⋯Cl intramolecular contact occurs in the molecule.

Naphthalene-2,3-diylbis[(2-thien-yl)methanone].

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(20)H(12)O(2)S(2), contains two crystallographically independent mol-ecules which differ in the orientations of thienylmethanone units with respect to the naphthalene ring system [dihedral angles of 65.30 (11) and 50.94 (11)° in one molecule, 41.94 (12) and 69.61 (13)° in the other]. The crystal structure is stabilized by C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π inter-actions.