2-Dimensional layered molybdenum disulfide nanosheets and CTAB-assisted molybdenum disulfide nanoflower for high performance supercapacitor application.

In this study, the supercapacitor performance of the hydrothermal synthesized molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets and the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted MoS2 nanoflower morphology have been investigated. The as-synthesized MoS2 nanoflower and nanosheet morphology structures were investigated via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and the internal microstructure was examined via high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) technique. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra were obtained to identify the chemical interaction and the functional groups present in the material. The shifting of the binding energy, oxidation states, and elemental identification were conducted by X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS). The MoS2 nanoflower possesses surface defects, which produce numerous active sites. The MoS2 nanoflower and nanosheet electrodes demonstrate the high specific capacitance (C sp) values of 516 F g-1 and 438 F g-1, respectively, at a current density of 1 A g-1. However, the MoS2 nanoflower shows high C sp due to the large surface area with active edges, making them store more energy in the electrode.

Snake Venom-specific Phospholipase A2: A Diagnostic Marker for the Management of Snakebite Cases.

Background: Snakebites are a common cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in tropical countries. Snakebites in any community are managed based on the clinical features and intravenous administration of antisnake venom (ASV). The administration of ASV is either deficient or given in excess based on clinical decisions and whole blood clotting test results. The present study is designed to analyze the level of snake venom component in the blood of snakebite in association with the clinical features. Patients and methods: Blood samples were collected from the patients admitted to Karnataka Institute of Medical (KIMS) hospital with a history of snakebite considering the inclusion criteria. Serum was collected from the blood of snakebite patients before and after ASV and used to assess the level of venom-specific phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzyme using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results: Quantitative ELISA results revealed that the snake venom-specific PLA2 in the victim's blood was in the range of 0.3-1.27 mg/mL before the administration of ASV. However, the concentration of PLA2 after 24 hours of ASV administration was decreased in most of the patients. Further, it was observed that envenomation complications were directly proportional to the amount of snake venom-specific PLA2 found in the blood of the snakebite patient. Conclusion: The study concludes that snake venom-specific PLA2 in the blood of snakebite patients could be used as a reliable venom marker, which helps in determination of appropriate ASV dosage in snakebite patients. How to cite this article: Kaulgud RS, Hasan T, Vanti GL, Veeresh S, Uppar AP, Kurjogi MM. Snake Venom-specific Phospholipase A2: A Diagnostic Marker for the Management of Snakebite Cases. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(12):1259-1266.

A SnO2QDs/GO/PPY ternary composite film as positive and graphene oxide/charcoal as negative electrodes assembled solid state asymmetric supercapacitor for high energy storage applications.

The work demonstrates tin oxide quantum dots/graphene oxide/polypyrrole (SnO2QDs/GO/PPY) ternary composite deposited on titanium foil as a positive electrode and graphene oxide (GO)/charcoal on titanium foil as negative electrode separated by polyvinyl alcohol/potassium hydroxide (PVA/KOH) gel-electrolyte as a solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor for high energy storage applications. Here, tin oxide quantum dots (SnO2QDs) were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal technique, and SnO2QDs/GO/PPY ternary composite was synthesized by an in situ method with pyrrole monomer, SnO2, and GO. A pH value controlled, which maintained the uniform size of SnO2QDs dispersed on PPY, through GO ternary composite was used for fabricating the asymmetric supercapacitor electrode with the configuration (SnO2QDs/GO/PPY)/GO/charcoal (85 : 10 : 5). The device achieved the highest specific capacitance of 1296 F g-1, exhibited an energy density of 29.6 W h kg-1 and the highest power density of 5310.26 W kg-1 in the operating voltage from 0 to 1.2 V. The device also possessed excellent reliability and retained the capacitance of 90% after 11 000 GCD cycles. This ternary composite is a prominent material for potential applications in next-generation energy storage and portable electronic devices.

Prevalence and characteristics of supernumerary teeth in a non-syndromic South Indian pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Supernumerary teeth are one of the most widely reported and significant anomaly in patients affecting the primary and early mixed dentition. AIM: To describe the distribution and characteristics of the supernumerary teeth in South Indian population of paediatric patients. DESIGN: In a 12 year retrospective study, a total of 63,569 patients up to the age of 14 years who visited our department between June 2003 and May 2013 were revised.790 cases of supernumerary teeth were found. Patients were evaluated for age, sex, site, status of dentition, number, position, orientation and type of supernumerary teeth. Statistical analysis was carried out using chi square test. RESULTS: 790 subjects with supernumerary teeth (481 males and 309 females) were detected, revealing male-female ratio of 1.55:1.The most common supernumerary teeth were mesiodens (82.28%), the most common site was the anterior maxilla (92.53%)region. Majority of patients had a single erupted supernumerary oriented straight in the arch. Patients in mixed dentition stage reported with maximum number of supernumerary teeth. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in non syndromic South Indian paediatric population is 1.24% with slight male predilection and conical mesiodens being the commonest.

Comparison of antibacterial activity of glass-ionomer cement and amalgam in class two restorations by Streptococcus mutans count analysis at fixed intervals: an in vivo study.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of glass ionomer cement and amalgam restoration on the level of Streptococcus mutans in the interproximal plaque at periodic intervals and also to compare these values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen adult patients having two proximal carious lesions on any quadrant of the jaw (either opposing or contralateral) were selected for this study. Carious lesions were diagnosed clinically and from bitewing radiographs. Of the two carious lesions, one was restored with glass ionomer cermet cement and another with amalgam. Plaque samples were collected from interproximal areas before and at 1 month and 3 months post-treatment in a test tube containing 5 ml of modified Stuart's liquid transport fluid. Identification of organisms in the colony was done after Gram staining. RESULTS: Comparison of values before restoration and after restoration at 1 month interval showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.001). Similarly, comparison of values before and after restorations at 3 months also showed statistically significant decrease (p<0.02). But comparison of restorations of 1 and 3 months intervals showed no statistical significant difference (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Glass ionomer restorations have definite advantage over the amalgam, as the tunnel preparation is more conservative and fluoride release from the glass ionomer inhibits the growth of S. mutans in the plaque. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Glass ionomer cement should be preferred over amalgam in conservatively prepared restorations as it reduces the microbial activities due to fluoride release.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 7-(2-substituted phenylthiazolidinyl)-benzopyran-2-one derivatives.

A series of 7-(2-substituted phenylthiazolidinyl)-benzopyran-2-one derivatives have been synthesized by reaction of 7-amino-4-methyl-benzopyran-2-one (1) with an appropriate substituted aldehydes to obtain various Schiff bases (3a-k) which on treatment with thioglycolic acid afforded the title compounds (4a-k). Purity of the compounds has been confirmed by TLC. Structure of these compounds were established on the bases IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and Mass spectral data. Schiff bases and title compounds were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities against various bacterial and fungal strains. The results showed that compounds 3d, 3f, 4d, 4f and 4i (100 microg/ml) exhibited good antibacterial and antifungal activity as that of standard antibiotics Ciprofloxacin and Griseofulvin.

Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of a novel series of isonicotinylhydrazide derivatives.

A novel series of 14 new isonicotinyl hydrazide derivatives 2a-g, 3a-g containing a 4-thiazolidinone / 2-azetidinone nucleus were synthesized by reacting N'-substituted arylidene / heteroarylidene isonicotinyl hydrazide 1a-g with thioglycollic acid in the presence of dry benzene and with chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine, respectively. Structures of all newly synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral data (IR and (1)H-NMR). All the title compounds were tested for their in-vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv using Alamar-Blue susceptibility test, and the activity is expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in microg/mL. Among the series, compounds 2b, 2g, 3b, and 3g displayed an encouraging antimycobacterial activity profile as compared to that of the reference drugs isoniazid / rifampicin.

Synthesis and evaluation of antiinflammatory and analgesic activities of a novel series of coumarin Mannich bases.

A novel series of coumarinyl Mannich bases (3a-1) have been synthesized by reacting 3-acetyl coumarin (1) with various substituted secondary amines (2a-1) in presence of paraformaldehyde. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS (high resolution mass spectral) data. Title compounds were screened for in vivo acute anti-inflammatory activity using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay model. Among the compounds tested, 3-[3-(diethylamino)propanoyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (3a)and 3-[3-(piperidine-1-yl) propanoyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (3c) showed 63.1 and 66.7% inhibition, respectively, as compared to the standard drug diclofenac (CAS 15307-86-5, 68.8%). These potent compounds showed encouraging analgesic andantipyretic activities.

Synthesis and evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of a novel series of substituted-N-(4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl) benzamides.

A novel series of coumarinyl amides (IVa-l) have been synthesized by reacting 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (III) with various substituted aromatic acid chlorides. IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS spectral data characterized the structure of the synthesized compounds. The title compounds were screened for in vivo acute anti-inflammatory activity using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay model. Among the compounds tested, 2-chloro-N-(4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)benzamide (IVb) and 4-chloro-N-(4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)benzamide (IVc) showed 60.5 and 62.3% edema protection, respectively, as compared to the standard drug diclofenac (CAS 15307-86-5) (63.5%) after third hour. Compounds N-(4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)-4-nitrobenzamide (IVf) and N-(4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl)cinnamamide (IVg) showed moderate activity. The new compounds have been also tested for in vivo analgesic activity. Quantitative structure-activity relationship studies indicated that the chloro substitution at the aromatic ring enhanced the anti-inflammatory activity (IVb and IVc). These compounds were also found to provide significant protection in acetic acid induced writhing animal model, showing remarkable analgesic activity. Compounds IVb and IVc showed 55.1% and 56.3% protection, respectively, as compared to acetylsalicylic acid (CAS 50-78-2) (57.7%).