Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles from Sophora flavescens extract and their antibacterial effect against some pathogenic bacteria

Aims@#The current study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of biogenic synthesized golden nanoparticles from Sophora flavescens Aiton roots aqueous extract against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical bacterial isolates.@*Methodology and results@#The green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was accomplished using S. flavescens roots aqueous extract and examined using many accepted techniques. The antibacterial activity of S. flavescens extract and the aqueous AuNPs at concentrations (7% and 9%) ppm were investigated against two clinical MDR bacteria, including Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The findings demonstrate inhibitory activity against the selected MDR bacterial isolates for the aqueous extract of S. flavescens and the aqueous AuNPs noted by the significant decrease in the number of bacteria after treatment with highly significant differences (P≤0.01) compared to the untreated control.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#Sophora flavescens root extracts and their biosynthesized AuNPs with antibacterial activity may find broad applications in fighting MDR pathogenic bacteria and therapeutic manufacturing.

Comparison of Nutritional Status of Children with Congenital Heart Diseases with Minor Illness of Other Children in a Tertiary Level Hospital.

This cross sectional comparative analytical study was undertaken with the objectives to find out the nutritional status of children with congenital heart disease by anthropometric measurement and was compared it with those of children having minor illness and without any congenital heart disease in indoor and outdoor Department of Paediatrics of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Mymensingh, Bangladesh from December 2015 to November 2016. Purposive sampling was done. One hundred children aged 6 to 60 months with congenital heart disease confirmed by echocardiogram were taken as Group A and one hundred children of same age and sex matched having minor illness and without any congenital heart disease were taken as Group B. Age of the patients ranged from 6 to 60 months. There was no obvious difference of socio-demographic status between two groups. Most of the patient (64.0%) had acyanotic congenital heart disease among them VSD was commonest (68.8%). Thirty-six percent (36.0%) patient had cyanotic congenital heart disease and among them Tetralogy of Fallots (83.3%) was commonest. There were significant differences regarding weight, height and MUAC values in between two Groups. Underweight (51%), Stunting (50%) and Wasting (29%) all were higher in congenital heart disease than that of Group B where they were 28%, 31% and 13% respectively and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The findings of this study imply that malnutrition is very common among children with congenital heart disease. So, anthropometric measurement should be done in each and every child with congenital heart disease.

Nicotine impact on the structure of adult male guinea pig auditory cortex.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests that chronic cigarette smoking causes detrimental effects on brain morphology. AIM OF WORK: To study the structural changes in auditory cortex region (Layer V), under the influence of nicotine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three animal groups (10 each) were used; group I (control) and groups IIa and IIb received 3 and 6mg/kg nicotine respectively. The specimens from the auditory cortex were examined using light and electron microscopy and morphometry. RESULTS: Neurons and blood capillaries of the auditory cortex (layer V), were influenced by chronic nicotine treatment in a dose dependent manner. The neurons and their processes revealed disorganization and dissociation of microtubules. The neuronal cells nucleoli characteristically revealed large fibrillar centers detected by silver stain and ultrastructure. The blood capillaries revealed collapse, irregular lumen, thickened basal lamina, abnormal forms of nuclei and organization of microtubules. Neuroglia revealed marked reactivity. Morphometrically, there was a significant decrease in the thickness of the auditory cortex and the number of light neurons and a significant increase in the number of dark neurons in comparison to the control. CONCLUSION: Nicotine affects the integrity of the auditory cortex possibly by reducing metabolic and transcription activities.

Synthesis, anticonvulsant activity and molecular modeling study of some new hydrazinecarbothioamide, benzenesulfonohydrazide, and phenacylacetohydrazide analogues of 4(3H)-quinazolinone.

A new series of quinazoline analogues was designed and synthesized to get the target compounds 18-21, 30-41, 46-53, and 57-76. The Obtained compounds were evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity using PTZ and picrotoxin convulsive models. Compounds 47, 63, 68 and 73 proved to be the most active compounds in this study with a remarkable 100% protection against PTZ induced convulsions. Compounds 47, 63, 68 and 73 proved to be 10, 4, 4, and 5 fold more active, respectively than the used positive control sodium valproate. Structure activity correlation concluded valuable pharmacophoric information which confirmed by molecular modeling studies. Molecular docking study of 68 suggested its agonistic behavior toward GABAA receptor. The studied quinazoline analogues could be considered as useful templates for future development and further derivatization.

Effect of nicotine on the structure of cochlea of guinea pigs.

Smoking has been positively associated with hearing loss in human. However, its effect on the cochlea has not been previously evaluated. Aim of work is to investigate the effect of nicotine, which is the primary pharmacological component of tobacco, on the structure of the cochlea of adult male guinea pigs. Fifteen male guinea pigs were classified into two groups: group I (control) and group II (nicotine treated group). Group II was further subdivided into two subgroups; IIA and IIB according to the dose of nicotine (3 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg, respectively). The cochlea was harvested and processed for light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Nicotine administration induced damage of outer hair cells which were distorted in shape with vacuolated cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei. Topography revealed damage of the stereocilia which included disorganization, bent and limp or complete loss and expansion of the surrounding supporting cells. These changes were more pronounced in the basal turn of the cochlea and mainly involved the outer hair cells. High dose induced more damage and resulted in protrusion of the apical poles of hair cells (blebing), particularly the outer two rows. Nicotine is proved to be harmful to the cells of the cochlea, particularly the outer hair cells of the basal turn. High doses induce blebing of hair cells.

Effect of nicotine on the structure of cochlea of guinea pigs / 대한해부학회지

Smoking has been positively associated with hearing loss in human. However, its effect on the cochlea has not been previously evaluated. Aim of work is to investigate the effect of nicotine, which is the primary pharmacological component of tobacco, on the structure of the cochlea of adult male guinea pigs. Fifteen male guinea pigs were classified into two groups: group I (control) and group II (nicotine treated group). Group II was further subdivided into two subgroups; IIA and IIB according to the dose of nicotine (3 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg, respectively). The cochlea was harvested and processed for light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Nicotine administration induced damage of outer hair cells which were distorted in shape with vacuolated cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei. Topography revealed damage of the stereocilia which included disorganization, bent and limp or complete loss and expansion of the surrounding supporting cells. These changes were more pronounced in the basal turn of the cochlea and mainly involved the outer hair cells. High dose induced more damage and resulted in protrusion of the apical poles of hair cells (blebing), particularly the outer two rows. Nicotine is proved to be harmful to the cells of the cochlea, particularly the outer hair cells of the basal turn. High doses induce blebing of hair cells.

Perception about family physicians: results of a survey of patients visiting specialist clinics for treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To study the perceptions about Family Medicine among patients visiting Specialist Physicians for treatment. METHOD: A questionnaire based survey was conducted at the Specialist Clinic, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, in June 2004. Trained volunteers administered the questionnaire among patients visiting Specialist Physicians for treatment. Confidentiality was ensured to all patients and written informed consent was taken as part of the ethical requirements for the conduct of the study. SPSS computer software and Microsoft Excel were used for data management. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients visiting the Specialist Clinic were interviewed, of which fifty four (54%) were women and forty six (46%) were men. The mean age was 36.3 years. Twenty four (24%) respondents had graduate education. Being well-mannered, being familiar with a family's medical history and possessing the abilities to conduct proper checkups were quoted as main characteristics of Family Physicians by thirty eight (38%), seventeen (17%) and twenty five (25%) respondents respectively. If they had a chest pain, fifty six (56%), forty three (43%) and one (1%) respondents would consult a Family Physician, Cardiologist and Chest Specialist, respectively. CONCLUSION: We have documented perceptions regarding family medicine among patient's visiting Specialist Physicians for treatment. It is recommended that programs highlighting role and functions of family medicine should be started for the public.