Development of Sn-doped ZnO based ecofriendly piezoelectric nanogenerator for energy harvesting application.

In this work, we have a demonstrated zinc oxide (ZnO) polymer-based ecofriendly piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) on a paper substrate for an energy harvesting application. The ZnO thin film is developed on the paper substrate, where different doping concentrations of Sn have been investigated systematically to validate the effect of doping towards enhancing the device performance. The piezoelectric potential of the fabricated device is evaluated by applying three different loads (4 N, 8 N, 22 N), where the source of the corresponding mechanical loads is based on the object of a musical drum stick. The results suggest that the pristine ZnO PENG device can generate a maximum output voltage and current of 2.15 V and 17 nA respectively. Moreover, the ZnO PENG device doped with 2.5% Sn achieved an even higher voltage (4.15 V) and current (36 nA) compared to pristine ZnO devices. In addition, the hydrothermal growth technique used to develop Sn-doped ZnO has the benefits of high scalability and low cost. Hence, the Sn-doped PENG device is a suitable candidate for energy harvesting applications operating in both uniform and non-uniform loading conditions.

Comparative profile of circulating antigenic peptides in CSF, serum & urine from patients with neurocysticercosis diagnosed by immunoblotting.

Traditionally serum and/or CSF specimens have been used for detection of either specific antibodies or antigens as a supportive diagnosis of NCC. However, in recent days, much interest has been shown employing noninvasive specimens such as urine. In our study, we identified and compared a profile of circulating antigenic peptides of parasite origin in three different body fluids (CSF, serum and urine) obtained from confirmed NCC cases and control subjects. The circulating antigenic peptides were resolved by SDS-PAGE and subjected to immunoblotting. For confirmation of their origin as parasite somatic or excretory secretory (ES) material, immunoreactivity was tested employing affinity purified polyclonal Taenia solium metacestode anti-somatic or ES antibodies, respectively. Only lower molecular weight antigenic peptides were found circulating in urine in contrast to serum and CSF specimens. Few somatic peptides were identified to be 100% specific for NCC (19·5 kDa in all three specimens; 131, 70 kDa in CSF and serum only; 128 kDa in CSF only). Similarly, the specific ES peptides detected were 32 kDa (in all three specimens), 16·5 kDa (in serum and CSF only), and 15 kDa (urine only). A test format detecting either one or more of these specific peptides would enhance the sensitivity in diagnosis of NCC.

Phenotypic and genotypic assays for detecting the prevalence of metallo-beta-lactamases in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from a South Indian tertiary care hospital.

Nosocomial infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii often prove difficult to treat owing to their multiple drug resistance. Carbapenems play a pivotal role in the management of severe Acinetobacter infections. However, reports of carbapenem resistance have been increasing alarmingly due to production of a variety of carbapenemases including metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs). This study investigated by both phenotypic and genotypic assays the prevalence of MBLs in a total of 55 A. baumannii strains isolated from a South Indian tertiary care hospital. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) genotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing for nine clinically relevant antibiotics was done for characterization of isolates. Phenotypic expression of MBLs was examined by a simple double disc synergy (DDS) test, and the presence of the most frequent MBL coding genes, bla(IMP1) and bla(VIM2), was checked by PCR. RAPD analysis generated six clusters of isolates and there was very little correlation between RAPD clusters and resistant profiles. Most of the isolates showed complete or high resistance to imipenem (100 %), meropenem (89 %), amikacin (80 %), cefotaxime (89 %) and ciprofloxacin (72 %). In addition, 44 % of isolates showed a high MIC level (> or =16 microg ml(-1)) for meropenem. Thirty-nine isolates (70.9 %) were positive for MBL production by the DDS test while bla(IMP1) gene amplification was seen only in 23 isolates (42 %). Interestingly, none of the isolates showed amplification of bla(VIM2). Further investigations on DDS-positive/PCR-negative isolates by spectrophotometric assay showed MBL activity in most of the isolates, suggesting involvement of other genes. The high incidence of isolates possessing MBL activity in the present study represents an emerging threat of complete resistance to carbapenems among Acinetobacter spp. in India.

Cloning, expression, and sequence analysis of diaminopropionate ammonia lyase gene from a nonvirulent Salmonella typhimurium PU011.

BACKGROUND: Seeds ofLathyrus sativus, a legume plant, contain 3-oxalyl and 2,3-dioxalyl DAP (O-DAP), neurotoxins which when consumed causes Neurolathyrism or Osteolathyrism, in humans, affecting nervous system and bone formation respectively. Some microorganisms viz virulent and non-virulentSalmonella typhimurium, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonad have been shown to detoxifyL-alpha,beta-diaminopropionate (DAP), the immediate precursor of O-DAP. RESULT: The gene coding for diaminopropionate ammonia lyase (DAPAL) which detoxifies DAP was cloned from nonvirulentS. typhimurium PU011 into Escherichia coli DH5alpha and the nucleotides sequenced (1212 bp). Whereas the specific enzyme activity of DAPAL obtained from recombinantE. coli PU018 was 0.346 U/mg, the specific activity of the enzyme from nonvirulentS. typhimurium PU011 was 0.351 U/mg. The DAPAL corresponding to 43 kDa protein was found both in nonvirulentS. typhimurium PU011 andE. coli PU018. The Km value was found to be 0.740 mM and 0.680 mM forS. typhimurium PU011 and 0.741 mM and 0.683 mM forE. coli PU018 when grown in minimal medium (MM+DAP) andL. sativus seed extracts respectively, indicating that both of them were capable of utilizing the neurotoxins present inL. sativus seeds. The biomass, enzyme production and the effect of pH and temperature on DAPAL enzyme activity from both non-virulentS. typhimurium PU011 andE. coli PU018 were found to be similar. CONCLUSION: The recombinantE. coli PU018 as well as non-virulentS. typhimurium PU011 are as good as pathogenicS. typhimurium in detoxifying DAP, the immediate precursor of O-DAP present inL. sativus seeds.

Efficacy of Bromelain along with Trypsin, Rutoside Trihydrate Enzymes and Diclofenac Sodium Combination Therapy for the treatment of TMJ Osteoarthritis - A Randomised Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disorder characterized by chronic inflammatory response of cartilage and articular surface involving Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). Pain as one of the major symptom of osteoarthritis affects the quality of life and is usually managed by Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac sodium. Bromelain, trypsin and rutoside trihydrate formulation can be used to treat this disease because of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. AIM: To assess the effectiveness of oral bromelain, trypsin, rutoside trihydrate enzymes and diclofenac sodium combination therapy over diclofenac sodium for the treatment of TMJ osteoarthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Patients with symptomatic TMJ osteoarthritis were randomly divided into three groups. 10 patients were treated with diclofenac sodium (Group 1), 10 were given oral enzymes (bromelain, trypsin, rutoside trihydrate) and diclofenac sodium combination (Group 2), and 10 were treated with oral enzyme preparation (bromelain, trypsin, rutoside trihydrate) (Group 3). Patients were evaluated on day 1, day 4, day 7 and day 10. Comparison of pain rating within three groups was assessed using numeric rating scale. The efficacy criteria were analysed applying ANOVA followed by post-hoc test. RESULTS: Inter group comparison of the effectiveness of management of pain, resulted in a value p < 0.05 between Group 2 and other two groups, which indicated that Group 2 patients responded better than Group 1 and Group 3, while p > 0.05 between Group 1 and Group 3 showed both groups responded equally to the treatment. CONCLUSION: The trial showed significant improvement in reducing pain in patients treated with oral enzymes and diclofenac sodium combination therapy.

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro biological activity studies of Cu-M (M = Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Zn2+) bimetallic complexes.

Six new bimetallic complexes of the type CuCu, CuCo, CuNi, CuZn and CuMn were prepared. The structures of these complexes and the ligand have been proposed on the basis of FAB mass, elemental analysis, UV-vis, IR, EPR and CV studies. All the complexes completely cleave pBS (SK-) DNA at a concentration of 10 microM; however, even at lower concentrations of 2 microM and 0.1 microM, the complexes (I and Ia) showed partial cleavage. The results of the fluorescence binding studies of the metal complexes with CT-DNA showed that the presence of aliphatic ligands added additional binding effects including electrostatic, hydrogen binding and vander Waals interactions. Complexes (I, Ia) showed 50% inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 activities at as low a concentration as 12.5 microM, 13.5 microM, 14 microM and 14.5 microM. Inhibition assay of top I and top II by different complexes in mutant yeast strains (JN394, JN394 t(-1) and JN394 t(2-5)) with all the complexes showed significant inhibition of topoisomerase at 5 microM concentration. Complexes I and Ia exhibited good anti-microbial activities against all human pathogens tested except Klebsiella pneumoniae. The following studies showed that among the synthesized bimetallic complexes, complexes I and Ia seem to be promising candidates possessing DNA cleavage activities besides anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties to serve as chemical nucleases and chemotherapeutic agents.

Mucormycosis presenting as palatal perforation.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that is caused by normally saprobic organism of the class Zygomycetes. The main form of mucormycosis are pulmonary and rhinocerebral. Rhinocerebral mycormycosis typically starts in the maxillary antrum, particularly in poorly controlled diabetics. Invasion of surrounding tissue can cause necrotizing ulceration of palate with a blackish slough and exposure of bone. A case of mucormycosis presenting as palatal performation is discussed in this article.

A paradoxical presentation of rickets and secondary osteomyelitis of the jaw in Type II autosomal dominant osteopetrosis: Rare case reports.

Osteopetrosis is a rare genetic bone disorder arising due to a defect in the differentiation or function of osteoclast which results in a generalized increase in bone mass. Osteomyelitis is one of the most common complications because of decreased bone marrow function and compromised blood supply. Radiologist plays a vital role in diagnosing osteopetrosis. Here, we present two cases of autosomal dominant osteopetrosis Type II (ADO II) with secondary osteomyelitis changes which were reported to our department. One of these two cases presented with secondary osteomyelitis in both maxilla and mandible and features of rickets, which is very rarely seen in ADO II. To the best of our knowledge, the presentation of rickets with ADO is the first of its kind to be reported. In this paper, we describe the clinical and radiological features leading to the diagnosis of ADO in these two patients. Further, a review of the literature regarding ADO is discussed.

Dilated odontoma: A report of two cases from a radiological perspective.

Dilated odontoma is the most extreme form of dens invaginatus. The lesion appears as a roughly spherical mass that does not resemble a tooth but in a way appears tooth - like on radiographs due to somewhat similar radiodensity. The lesion is mostly spherical in appearance and hence the term "dilated." Occasionally, we come across cases of simultaneous pathologies. Here, we report two cases of a dilated odontoma one of which is associated with dentigerous cyst and in other case dilated odontoma pushing the maxillary sinus superiorly. Histologically, the mass was composed of dentinal tubules. These morphological and histological features are compatible with those of a dilated odontoma.

RNase Activities Are Reduced Concomitantly with Conservation of Total Cellular RNA and Ribosomes in O2-Deprived Seedling Roots of Maize.

The effect of O2 deprivation on the activities of RNases and levels of total cellular RNA and ribosomes in seedling roots of maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels containing RNA were used to distinguish RNase isoenzymes by apparent molecular mass. Since O2 deprivation causes a decrease in cytosolic pH from approximately pH 7.4 to 6.4 and an elevation in cytosolic Ca2+, RNase levels were examined in the physiological range of cytosolic pH and in the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, ethylenediaminetetracetate, or ethyleneglycol-bis([beta]-aminoethyl ether)-N,N[prime]-tetraacetic acid. The activity of a number of RNases present in aerobic roots was reduced in response to O2 deprivation. Several RNases with a pH optimum of 6.4 were rapidly down-regulated by O2 deprivation. Spectrophotometric assay of extracts revealed that RNase activity was higher at pH 6.4 than at 7.2, and ethylenediaminetetracetate-insensitive RNase activity decreased in response to O2 deprivation. The decrease in RNase activity was correlated with no loss of total cellular RNA or ribosomes, despite a 4-fold decrease in run-on transcription of rRNA in isolated nuclei. Regulation of RNase activity may facilitate the conservation of nontranslating ribosomes and poorly translated mRNAs during O2 deprivation.

Maintaining dental implants--do general dental practitioners have the necessary knowledge?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand the opinion of general dental practitioners about the current level of implant education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to the general dental practitioners working in a group of practices in the West Midlands, UK. The completed responses were analysed. RESULTS: Ninety-one out of 101 dentists responded to the questionnaires (95.6%). Sixty-seven (77%) dentists stated that they learnt only theoretical aspects of dental implants during their undergraduate training. The majority of them stated that the training they received was not adequate. In addition, few barriers in dental implant provision by general dentists were also identified in the survey. The main barriers were risk of failures (56.3%), to avoid complications (65.5%) and the cost of learning (51.7%). The results were correlated to the implant competences set by the regulatory organisations such as General Dental Council and Association of Dental Education Europe. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed that the current implant education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the UK does not instil confidence to the GDPs to provide and maintain dental implants.

Complications from external (condom) urinary drainage devices.

External urinary drainage devices are usually considered safe and are in wide clinical use. There are only a few reports of complications arising from their improper use. We present 6 patients who suffered major complications from external condom drainage at home. The etiology and preventive measures are discussed.

Paraneoplastic syndrome in squamous cell carcinoma of urinary bladder.

Hypercalcemia with metastatic tumor is a common clinical entity, but without metastasis, hypercalcemia as a manifestation of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder is rare. We present a case demonstrating immunoreactive parathyroid hormone-like activity in a nonmetastasizing tumor. Hypercalcemia subsided after ablative surgery.

Effects of chlorpromazine on ischemic rat kidney: a functional and ultrastructural study.

The effects of chlorpromazine, an agent with inhibitory effects of calcium influx, phospholipase activation, and Na-K-ATPase, on preserving renal function and proximal tubular ultrastructure were evaluated in renal ischemia. After right nephrectomy chlorpromazine (0.025 mg) or 1 ml of 0.9 per cent saline was selectively administered to the rat kidney immediately prior to a sixty-minute occlusion of the remaining renal artery. Pretreatment with chlorpromazine resulted in a significant attenuation in the rise in postischemic serum creatinine. Hypothermia of the kidney during ischemia provided an additional protective effect. Electron microscopic study of the proximal convoluted tubule demonstrated that the structural damage was less severe in chlorpromazine-treated rats and virtually complete preservation of a normal ultrastructure was observed when hypothermia was added.

Fascial pathways of extravasation of blood in lower abdomen following angiography-anatomic and clinical correlation.

The extravasation of urine following traumatic rupture of the urethra or periurethral abscess is well known to clinicians. The extravasation of blood following angiography, in the same anatomical space, is rare. Extravasation of fluids in the lower abdomen, groin and external genitalia follows distinct anatomical pathways. This case illustrates the anatomical pathways and emphasizes their clinical importance.

Phenotypic and genetic diversity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains isolated in India active against Spodoptera litura.

Bacillus thuringiensis strains isolated from different agroclimatic regions of India were found to harbor cry1 family genes. Of 831 strains 18 that were found to produce 130- and 68-kDa mol wt proteins in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacry1amide gel electrophoresis were subjected to bioassay against second instar larvae of Spodoptera litura. According to the time response curve, while the highest toxic activity against S. litura was observed in PBT-782 with an LT50 of 25.46 h, strains PBT-372, PBT-574, PBT-801, and PBT-716 in descending order of merit had LT50 values of 36.81, 48.18, 50.35, and 73.53 h. The results of the field experiment testing the efficacy of different B. thuringiensis strains in controlling S. litura larvae infecting peanut plants showed that the chemical insecticide chlorpyriphos was the most effective in controlling S. litura throughout the study period. However, among B. thuringiensis strains, PBT-372 was superior. All the B. thuringiensis strains except PBT-689 were found to contain cry1Ac1-type gene. However, only nine strains contained cry1Aa1 gene. While cry1Ab1 was present only in PBT-372 and PBT-689, cry1Ca1 was present in PBT-574, PBT-688, PBT-689, and PBT-695. cry1Da1 was detected only in PBT-688 and PBT-692. None of the strains contained cry1Ba1 and cry1Ea1 genes. When polymerase chain reaction analysis using cry1Ca1 primer was performed, PBT-695 produced an unexpected 739-bp product, which showed 33% homology with cry1Ca1 gene between nucleotides 1819 and 2107. Our results indicated that among the field-collected B. thuringiensis strains, PBT-372 harbors multiple cry-type genes and could be employed for biological control of insects.

Reconstruction of finger tip amputations with advancement flap and free nail bed graft.

Fifteen finger tip amputations through the proximal half of the nail bed were reconstructed with palmar V-Y advancement flaps and full thickness nail bed grafts. The undersurface of the V-Y flap was sutured to the nail bed remnant and the raw area was covered with full thickness nail bed grafts from the amputated part. They were followed for a minimum period of one year and the nail bed grafts took fully in all patients. The results were best in the thumb and least favourable in the little finger but all the patients were happy with the cosmetic result and the functional outcome. This technique results in an average gain of 5 mm of extra length to the nail. This is a useful technique when replantation of a distal fingertip amputation is not possible.

Dependence of yeast sporulation on mitochondrial protein synthesis.

Sporulation in diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae is not dependent on continued protein synthesis in the mitochondria. Using chloramphenicol, it is shown that proteins essential for respiration and sporulation are synthesized in mitochondria early during growth in a presporulation medium.

Metastases to the penis from renal cell carcinoma.

Extensive venous communication among the pelvic, lumbar, penile and left renal veins may cause metastasis to the genitalia from left renal adenocarcinoma. To prevent this, we propose that during radical nephrectomy the spermatic and, lumbar veins be ligated immediately following the ligation of the renal artery and vein.

Cemento ossifying fibroma.

Cemento ossifying fibroma is a benign, non odontogenic tumour of the jaw, a subdivision of fibro-osseous lesions. The age of occurrence is between 20 and 40 years. It has a female to male predilection of 2:1. A rare case of cemento ossifying fibroma involving maxilla and mandible in a 30 years old female is presented with a discussion on its clinical and radiographical features, computed tomograph scan findings, histopathological presentation with a review of literature.