In Vitro Structural and Functional Evaluation of Gold Nanoparticles Conjugated Antibiotics

Bactericidal efficacy of gold nanoparticles conjugated with ampicillin, streptomycin and kanamycin were evaluated. Gold nanoparticles (Gnps) were conjugated with the antibiotics during the synthesis of nanoparticles utilizing the combined reducing property of antibiotics and sodium borohydride. The conjugation of nanoparticles was confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electron microscopic (EM) studies. Such Gnps conjugated antibiotics showed greater bactericidal activity in standard agar well diffusion assay. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of all the three antibiotics along with their Gnps conjugated forms were determined in three bacterial strains,Escherichia coli DH5α,Micrococcus luteusandStaphylococcus aureus. Among them, streptomycin and kanamycin showed significant reduction in MIC values in their Gnps conjugated form whereas; Gnps conjugated ampicillin showed slight decrement in the MIC value compared to its free form. On the other hand, all of them showed more heat stability in their Gnps conjugated forms. Thus, our findings indicated that Gnps conjugated antibiotics are more efficient and might have significant therapeutic implications

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Not AvailableA total of 23 traditional practices (indigenous technical knowledge, ITK) on fish production practices in Nagaon district of Central Assam were documented. Aspects such as Pond preparation & renovation (22.22%), water quality management of the fish pond (27.78%), stocking managment (16.67%), fish feeding management (33.33%) and disease and pest control constituted the dominant categories of indigenous technical knowledge. Scientific rationality, awareness and adoption among farmers regarding these ITKs were analysed and 17 rationale practices as perceived by the experts studied further to examine their perceived effectiveness. The scientific rationale/operational principles behind 17 rational ITK were also elucidated in this study. Farmers’ knowledge on a majority of selected ITK was good with more than 50% of the sampled farmers (51.25 to 84.50% per practice) were having awareness on 12 practices. Four practices were adopted by more than 50 % of the farmers. Of the 17 ITK studied for effectiveness, 7 were perceived as highly effective by the practicing farmers as well as experts from the particular location, implying that many indigenous practices were both rational as well as effective. This calls for more scientific intervention to validate the indigenous knowledge, which in turn would enrich our fisheries technology.Not Availabl

Perceived effectiveness of indigenous traditional fishing methods including gears and traps in Nagaon district of Assam

103-111A total of 26 traditional fishing practices in Nagaon district of Central Assam were selected. Scientific rationality and adoption among fishers regarding these ITKs were analysed and five ITKs were identified as not rationale or unsustainable practices which should not be promoted. Then, the perceived effectiveness of the remaining 21 selected ITK was analysed. Of the 21 ITKs studied for effectiveness, 12 practices (46.15%) were rational and effective. Of these, high mean PEI values were obtained by ITK 6, 12, 17 and 18 (MPEI score is 2.87, 2.68, 2.75 and 2.54, respectively) and stood as highly effective (15.38 %). Five practices were adopted by more than 50% of the farmers and except ITK-6 all these ITKs were perceived as highly effective, implying that many indigenous practices were both rational as well as effective. This calls for more scientific intervention to validate the indigenous knowledge, which in turn would enrich our fisheries technology. Objective of the study is to explore the logics of prevalent traditional fishing practices among fishers of Nagaon district, central Assam

Ocular morbidity among children at a tertiary eye care hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal

Eye diseases in childhood are important causes of medical consultation and it affects learning ability, adjustment in school and personality. To determine the pattern of ocular morbidity a cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 714 children, attending Ophthalmology department at a tertiary eye care center in Kolkata, West Bengal. All the children less than 15 years of age, attending in Unit II outpatient department were selected by complete enumeration method for duration of one year (January-December 2010). Distribution of association was analyzed by Chi-square test and difference between two proportions was calculated by z test for proportions. The common ocular morbidity were refractive errors (23.67%) followed by allergic conjunctivitis (17.23%), infection of the eye and adnexa (15.13%), ocular trauma (12.74%), and congenital eye diseases (13.59%). Majority of ocular morbidity is treatable and need early attention through eye screening cum intervention program beginning right from the childhood

Inhibitors Targeting CDK9 Show High Efficacy against Osimertinib and AMG510 Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells

Non-small cell lung cancer has a 5-year survival rate of less than 12–15%, calling for the development of additional therapeutic strategies to combat this disease. Here we tested the efficacy of inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) on lung cancer cell lines with K-Ras and EGFR mutations and on lung cancer organoids. Three different CDK9 inhibitors reduced the viability and anchorage-independent growth of lung cancer cell lines at very low nanomolar to micromolar concentrations. CDK9 inhibition suppressed the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Mcl1, as well as the embryonic stem cell transcription factors, Sox2 and Sox9, which are pro-tumorigenic. In contrast, treatment with CDK9 inhibitors increased the levels of WT p53 and its downstream target p21 in K-Ras mutant cell lines. Furthermore, the CDK9 inhibitors could markedly reduce the viability of Osimertinib-resistant PC9 and AMG510-resistant H23 and H358 cells with comparable efficacy as the parental cells. CDK9 inhibitors could also significantly reduce the growth and viability of lung cancer organoids with high potency. Taken together, the data presented here strongly suggest that CDK9 inhibitors would be efficacious against K-Ras mutant and EGFR mutant NSCLCs, including those that develop resistance to targeted therapies

Indigenous technical knowledge for pond maintenance, fish health management and fish seed in Tripura, India

66-71Traditional knowledge base rheostats the livelihood of inhabitants of Tripura. Fishers’ community of the state are precisely innovative and skilful to use traditional knowledge in fish culture and its management. The study attempted at compilation and documentation of indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) related to pond maintenance, fish health management and fish seed. The objective was achieved through primary survey using semi-structure interview method at village level. 160 farmers from 16 villages of four districts shared their knowledge. Study discussed traditional techniques of controlling predatory animals, unwanted fish, snake, snails, and tadpole under pond maintenance theme. Besides, study identified traditional techniques of controlling algal bloom using water hyacinth and cattle urine. Their unique practice for checking water pH was also documented. Under fish health management theme, control of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) and control of external parasite of fish was two important areas of identification. ITKs to reduce the seed mortality and susceptible measures to mitigate disease contamination during transportation also have been documented.</span

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Not AvailableTowards sustainable management of fisheries resource in wetlands: Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices of fishers of Eastern India.Not Availabl