Functional Foods: Potential Activity For Controlling Heart Disease

In modern communities, functional foods are very much acceptable to health-conscious people. Functional foods are considered healthy foods. Chronic diseases like Heart-related issues develop due to the intake of excessive quantities of fat, refined sugar, salt, and cholesterol-rich foods. However functional foods are involved to facilitate heart distress. Intake of active food ingredients like micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), dietary fibre, antioxidants, and probiotic foods improve cardiovascular disorder therefore upgrading physical and mental well-being. Authors have demonstrated that aged people suffer chronic distress in general therefore it can be prevented by functional foods. functional foods are more relevant than synthetic drugs or pharmaceuticals. So, heart-related issues are torn down by the consumption of functional foods in adequate quantity. Functional foods which have good quantity of bioactive compounds, nutraceutical attributes these are fruits and vegetables, green tea, turmeric, onion, spirulina, soyabean, oats and barley, probiotics and prebiotics, extra virgin olive oil and so on, have capability to mitigate intricate difficulties of cardiovascular disease. Precisely, the motive of this review is the advantageous effect of functional foods in preventing the manifestations of heart disorders around the globe. This review article highlights functional foods' potential activity to control heart disorders

Socio-Demographic and Clinical Profile of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre of Kolkata

Background: Drug resistant tuberculosis is a major public health threat that hinders progress in tuberculosis control worldwide. In 2019, India contributed highest cases of TB (27%) Worldwide. In 2019, 3.3% of new TB cases and 18% of previously treated cases had MDR/RRTB worldwide and India (27%) had the largest share of the global burden. This study was done to find out the sociodemographic and clinical profile of drug resistant TB patients. Methodology: It is an observational descriptive study with cross-sectional design, conducted at the drug resistant tuberculosis centre of R. G. Kar Medical College of Kolkata, West Bengal. Study Population consisted of the patients who were registered for the DR-TB regimen. Study duration was July 2016 –March 2017. Pre-tested, semi-structured schedule was designed to capture their sociodemographic profile, treatment history, clinical findings and available medical records. Data were compiled in MS Excel and analyzed in IBM SPSS 23.0. Results: Out of 159 cases, 27% patients were between 21-30 years. Males were predominant (68.6%). Most patients (56.6%) were underweight (BMI<18.5kg/m2). HIV seropositivity was found in 4 (2.5%) cases. Among all cases, 81.1% had history of taking ATD and 34.4% was cured in previous episode of treatment. The commonest associated comorbidity was DM (15.7%). Rifampicin resistance (93.1%) was most common followed by Isoniazid (8.2%). Pallor was found among 94.3% patients. Most patients had bilateral (62.3%) and moderately extensive (57.2%) lesions in chest x-ray. Conclusion: DR-TB control should focus adequately on younger age group as numbers of resistance is increasing among them. Relapse in previously cured cases was found to be major contributor of DR-TB suspect cases. Though, Rifampicin resistance was so common but prevalence of resistance to 2nd line drugs is still low. Focus should be given on early detection of drug resistance in all TB cases and improvement of nutritional status of the TB patient

Ferromagnetism in transparent Mn(II)-doped indium tin oxide films prepared by sol-gel process

We observe remarkably strong room temperature ferromagnetism (~1.5 Bohr Magneton/Mn) in optically transparent Mn(II)-doped indium tin oxide (ITO) films. The nanocrystalline films with average grain size 10-22 nm and thickness 150-350 nm are prepared by sol-gel coating technique on sodalime silica glass substrate. The ferromagnetic property is, of course, weak for films deposited on pure silica glass substrate. The structural parameters of the films appear to be governing the magnetic property strongly which vary appreciably depending on the substrate. The observation of room temperature ferromagnetism in transparent conducting ITO films may find a plethora of applications in the area of magneto-optics.Comment: 17 pages including 3 figures; pdf onl

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of some nickel, cadmium and mercury complexes of 5-methyl-3yl-N-(2′-methylthiophenyl)-methyleneimine, (MPzOATA) ligand

S.M. is thankful to the U.G.C., Govt. of India for providing financial support in the form of fellowship (videUGC Award No.: File No. 17-81/2008 (SA-I) dated: 04.1.2011). The financial support received from the University of Kalyani in the form of Personal Research Grant is thankfully acknowledged.Abstract Herein, we report the syntheses and structures of Ni(II) complexes, [Ni(MPzOATA)2] (Cl) (PF6) ( I ), [Ni(MPzOATA)2](ClO4)2.CH3CN (II) & [Ni(MPzOATA)2](BF4)2.H2O ( III ); Cd(II) complex, [Cd(MPzOATA)Cl2]2 ( IV ) and a Hg(II) complex, [Hg(MPzOATA)Cl2] ( V ), of a pyrazole based ‘NNS’ donor ligand, 5-methylpyrazole-3yl-N-(2′-methylthiophenyl)methyleneimine, (MPzOATA). The complexes are characterized byelemental analyses,electronic, IR, 1H NMR (only for IV & V ) spectral parameters, conductivity and fluorescence measurements. X-ray crystallographic data of the complexes reveal that the Ni(II) complexes have NiN4S2 octahedral coordination, one of them is a mixed-anion complex having Cl− and PF6− as counter anions; the Cd(II) complex is a chloro bridged binuclear complex with octahedral coordinationenvironment aroundeach metal centre, while the Hg(II) complex is a square pyramidal one. Among the reported complex species, the Ni(II) complexes are non-fluorescent, while the Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes can be used as potential photoactive materials as indicated from their characteristicemission properties. The reported complexes are screened for their antimicrobial activities against some Gram positive and Gram negative microbial strains, and they are found to be potential antimicrobial agents in broad spectrum against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.PostprintPeer reviewe

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activities of Co(III) and Ni(II) complexes with 5-methyl-3-formylpyrazole-N(4)-dihexylthiosemicarbazone (HMPzNHex2) : X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations of [Co(MPzNHex2)2]ClO4·1.5H2O (I) and [Ni(HMPzNHex2)2]Cl2·2H2O (II)

Manan Saha is thankful to the U.G.C., Govt. of India for providing financial support in the form of Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (Number and date of award letter: F1-17.1/2013-14/RGNF-2013-14-SC-WES- 51398/(SA-III/Website); 06/02/2014). N.C. Saha is thankful to the University of Kalyani for financial assistance received in the form of Personal Research Grant.A new pyrazole containing ligand, 5-methyl-3-formylpyrazole-N(4)-dihexylthiosemicarbazone (HMPzNHex2), and a host of its cobalt(III) and nickel(II) complexes, [Co(MPzNHex2)2]X·mH2O and [Ni(HMPzNHex2)2]X2·nH2O (X= Cl, Br, ClO4, BF4 and NO3; m = 0 for Cl, Br, BF4 & NO3 and 1.5 for ClO4; n = 0 for Br, ClO4, BF4 & NO3 and 2 for Cl), respectively, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic measurements (polycrystalline state), 1H NMR (for the ligand and its Co(III) complexes), electronic and IR spectral parameters. All the reported Co(III) and Ni(II) complexes are cationic in nature and behaving as 1:1 and 1:2 electrolytes, respectively, in MeOH. Electronic spectral data of the complexes categorize them as havingdistorted octahedral coordination geometry. IR spectral features (4000-/450 cm-1) specify a monodeprotonated / neutral tridentate (NNS) function of the ligand, HMPzNHex2 coordinating to the Co(III) / Ni(II) via the pyrazolyl (tertiary) ring nitrogen, azomethine nitrogen and thiolato / thioketo sulfur atom. 1H NMR spectral data (in CDCl3 at 400 MHz) for the primary ligand and those of its Co(III) complexes are in agreement with the proposition of bonding sites evidenced from IR data. The single crystal x-ray data of I (C2/c (#15); monoclinic) and II (P-1 (#2); triclinic) have confirmed a CoN4S2 and a NiN4S2 octahedral coordination, respectively. The pair of monoprotic / neutral coordinating ligands is more or less orthogonal to each other in the complex species. The data obtained from DFT calculations are reasonably in agreement with the UV-Vis spectral assignment and the structures of the complex species. Although the ligand and the tested metal ion complexes are capable of inhibiting microbial growth, the cobalt complexes can be promoted as better antimicrobial agents.PostprintPeer reviewe

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of medical, dental and non-medical healthcare professionals in Bangladesh : findings and connotation

Lockdown measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic had an appreciable impact on the education of all medical, dental, and non-medical healthcare professional (HCP) students. These included the closure of universities necessitating a rapid move to e-learning and new approaches to practical’s. However initially, there was a lack of knowledge and expertise regarding e-learning approaches and the affordability of internet bundles and equipment. We initially con-ducted two pilot studies to assess such current challenges, replaced by a two-stage approach including a full investigation involving 32 private and public universities during the early stages of the pandemic followed by a later study assessing the current environment brought about by the forced changes. Top challenges at the start of the pandemic included a lack of familiarity with e-learning approaches, cost of the internet, lack of IT equipment and the quality of the classes. Universities offered support to staff and students to a varying degree to address identified challenges. Since then, e-learning approaches have widened the possibilities for teaching and learning at convenient times. However, challenges remain. In conclusion, there were considerable challenges at the start of them pandemic. Several key issues have been addressed with hybrid learning here to stay. Remaining challenges include a lack of ICT equipment. However, new innovations will continue

Synthesis of nanostructured sol-gel ITO films at different temperatures and study of their absorption and photoluminescence properties

Nanostructured indium tin oxide (ITO) films were deposited on silica glass by sol-gel dipping method from salt derived PVA based aqueous precursor. The films were cured at 250 degrees C, 350 degrees C, 450 degrees C, 600 degrees C, 700 degrees C and 900 degrees C and characterized by XRD, SEM, AFM techniques to observe heating effect on nano-structured feature. Nanocluster sizes were determined by TEM study. Different crystal phases of ITO were existed in the temperature range 250-900 degrees C. Quantum confinement behavior of the nanoclusters was observed for their size being near Bohr radius. Absorption, band gap and photoluminescence behavior of the nanstructured ITO films supported excitonic transitions due to the formation of electron hole pair generated by interaction of electromagnetic radiation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Synthesis and photoluminescence study of nanostructured sol–gel Mn(II) doped indium tin oxide films on silica glass

Sol–gel based dip coated Mn(II) doped indium tin oxide (ITO) films were prepared on pure silica glass at 350 °C and 450 °C using the aqueous solutions of In(III), Sn(IV) and Mn(II) salts having atomic ratio of In:Sn:Mn as 84.6:9.4:6.0. Thin films were characterized by XRD, EDX, SEM, AFM, TEM and photoluminescence (PL) studies. Oxygen deficiency in ITO films decreased due to Mn(II) doping. Quantum confinement of electron–hole pairs occurred in nanocrystals of Mn(II) doped ITO of average size range from 4.7 nm to 6.4 nm. Excitonic transitions and PL behaviours have been illustrated to focus quantum confinement and exciton–phonon interaction

Synthesis and photoluminescence property of nanostructured sol-gel indium tin oxide film on glass

Sol-gel dip coated indium tin oxide film of In:Sn = 90:10 was prepared on glass at 350 degrees C from aqueous precursor. Nanostructured feature and cubic phase of the film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies, respectively. Average cluster of 4.7 nm diameter was measured by the transmission electron microscopy and it is near to Bohr radius of In2O3. The evaluated bandgap of the nanocluster (E-g = 4.0 eV) is consistent with the absorption band appearing for quantum confinement. The confinement phenomenon resulted in photoluminescence (PL) when excited at different photoluminescence excitation wavelengths. The PL bands have been identified as the emissions of bound and free excitons. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved