Mechanism of plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles - A review on biomolecules involved, characterisation and antibacterial activity.

Engineering a reliable and eco-accommodating methodology for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles is a crucial step in the field of nanotechnology. Plant-mediated synthesis of metal nanoparticles has been developed as a substitute to defeat the limitations of conventional synthesis approaches such as physical and chemical methods. Biomolecules, such as proteins, amino acids, enzymes, flavonoids, and terpenoids from several plant extracts have been used as a stabilising and reducing agents for the synthesis of AgNPs. Regardless of an extensive range of biomolecules assistance in the synthesis procedure, researchers are facing a significant challenge to synthesise stable and geometrically controlled AgNPs. In the past decade, several efforts were made to develop Plant-mediated synthesis methods to produce stable, cost effective and eco-friendly AgNPs. More than hundred different plants extract sources for synthesising AgNPs were described in the last decade by several researchers. Most of the reviews were focused on various plant sources for synthesis, various characterization techniques for characteristic analysis, and antibacterial activity against bacterial. There are many reviews are available for the plant-mediated synthesis of AgNPs as well as antibacterial activity of AgNPs but this is the first review article mainly focused on biomolecules of plants and its various parts and operating conditions involved in the synthesis. Apart from, this review includes the characterisation of AgNPs and antibacterial activity of such nanoparticles with size, shape and method used for this study.

A Study of Prescription Pattern of Neutraceuticals, Knowledge of the Patients and Cost in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Neutraceuticals are increasingly becoming a part of diet in a health-conscious society. People have changed their outlook towards neutraceuticals because of varying lifestyle diseases and they see the need to improve their physical and mental health. AIM: To study the prescription pattern by doctors, knowledge of patients, cost for patients and patient satisfaction regarding neutraceuticals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total of 120 patients were included in the study after obtaining written informed consent. The patients were interviewed and the prescriptions and bills were scrutinized. The data was gathered based on a structured pretested questionnaire comprising of socio-demographic variables, their knowledge of neutraceuticals and history of regular usage, reason for their use, total cost for a month on neutraceuticals alone. The data was analysed using tests of proportions and percentages. RESULTS: Vitamins were prescribed maximum in Internal Medicine (51%), Orthopaedics (43%) and Surgery (37%). Minerals were prescribed maximum in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (30%). 66% of the patients were aware about neutraceuticals. The awareness was maximum in medicine department (70%) and least in surgery department (63.3%). The study showed that the average amount that the patients spent was Rs 357.45 per month on neutraceuticals alone, maximum was Rs 557 in orthopaedics and minimum was Rs 219 in medicine respectively. A 61.6% of the patients expressed their satisfaction after taking the neutraceuticals. However, 12.45% of the patients were dissatisfied even after taking the neutraceuticals. CONCLUSION: Neutraceuticals are being increasingly perceived as beneficial to health and are being continuously used in the treatment of various diseases. Therefore, it is imperative that a doctor educates the public and creates an awareness of the required amount of neutraceuticals that can be safely used. The future of neutraceuticals is bright and can transform healthcare in a developing country like India which utilizes a large number of natural compounds.

Management of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty by a New Innovative Customized Articulating Knee Spacer: An Early Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Management of infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a challenge to patient and surgeon alike. Two-stage exchange is the universally acclaimed method to tackle this problem. Various spacer devices are available for the first stage surgery for local delivery of antibiotics. Here, we report our experience with management of infected TKA patients with our indigenously designed and produced knee spacer. CASE REPORT: Between 2012 and 2013, 28 patients with infected total knee replacement (TKR) have been managed by our indigenous knee spacer. Minimal spacer-related complications and a stable knee joint with range of motion up to 100° were noted in these patients. After a mean period of 6-8 weeks, the spacer was removed and definitive TKR fixation done. At a mean follow-up of 4-months post second stage definitive surgery, patients were infection free with no evidence of recurrence of infection. CONCLUSION: Our new innovative customized articulating knee spacer, which has intramedullary stem extension, has potential to significantly reduce spacer-related complications along with providing improved knee function.

Comparative cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of cobalt (II, III) oxide, iron (III) oxide, silicon dioxide, and aluminum oxide nanoparticles on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Despite the extensive use of nanoparticles (NPs) in various fields, adequate knowledge of human health risk and potential toxicity is still lacking. The human lymphocytes play a major role in the immune system, and it can alter the antioxidant level when exposed to NPs. Identification of the hazardous NPs was done using in vitro toxicity tests and this study mainly focuses on the comparative in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of four different NPs including cobalt (II, III) oxide (Co3O4), iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) on human lymphocytes. The Co3O4 NPs showed decrease in cellular viability and increase in cell membrane damage followed by Fe2O3, SiO2, and Al2O3 NPs in a dose-dependent manner after 24 h of exposure to human lymphocytes. The oxidative stress was evidenced in human lymphocytes by the induction of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and depletion of catalase, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase. The Al2O3 NPs showed the least DNA damage when compared with all the other NPs. Chromosomal aberration was observed at 100 µg/ml when exposed to Co3O4 NPs and Fe2O3 NPs. The alteration in the level of antioxidant caused DNA damage and chromosomal aberration in human lymphocytes.