Biological Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles from Different Plant Species

Green chemistry for the synthesis of different nanoparticles (NPs) from metal has become a new and promising field of research in nanotechnology in recent years. The inspire applications of metal oxide NPs have attracted the interest of researchers around the world. Various physical, chemical and biological methods in material science are being adapted to synthesize different types of NPs. Green synthesis has gained widespread attention as a sustainable, reliable, and eco-friendly protocol for biologically synthesizing a wide range of metallic NPs. Green synthesis has been proposed to reduce the use of hazardous compounds and as a state of a harsh reaction in the production of metallic NPs. Plants extract used for biosynthesis of NPs such as silver (Ag), cerium dioxide (C2O2), copper oxide (CuO), Gold (Au), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and zinc oxide (ZnO). This review article gives an overview of the plant-mediated biosynthesis of NPs that are eco-friendly and have less hazardous chemical effects

Constraint Based Hybrid Approach to Parsing Indian Languages

PACLIC 23 / City University of Hong Kong / 3-5 December 200

A Lytic Lesion in Proximal Phalanx of Hand: A Case Report and Diagnostic Approach

Lytic lesions arising in the hand can be confused with an enchondroma. Enchondroma is the most common tumor of the hand and can present with varied features. It often requires only observation. A dilemma arises when surgically treatable lesions like aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) present in uncommon locations like the hand. To diagnose a lytic lesion in the hand, percutaneous biopsy is commonly done. But, percutaneous biopsy is unnecessary in enchondroma and may not be useful in conditions like simple bone cyst and ABC. In such situations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can differentiate between the most frequent benign lesions of the hand thereby reducing the need for invasive procedures. We present a 25-year-old lady who presented with a painless right index finger swelling for the past 6 months. Radiographs revealed a lytic expansile lesion in the proximal phalanx of the hand. MRI showed multiple fluid-fluid levels. Curettage and autologous iliac crest bone grafting was done. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an ABC. The patient was followed up for 12 months without any recurrence. We briefly review the paucity of literature on the diagnostic approach to benign lytic lesions of the hand

Investigations on feasibility of in situ development of amphotericin B liposomes for industrial applications

Amphotericin B (AmB) liposome formulations are very successful in the treatment of fungal infections and leishmaniasis. But higher cost limits its widespread use among people in developing countries. Therefore, we have developed a modified ethanol-injection method for the preparation of AmB liposomes. Two liposomal formulations were developed with dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine [F-1a] and soya phosphatidylcholine [F-2a], along with egg phosphatidyl glycerol and cholesterol. AmB was dissolved in acidified dimethyl acetamide and mixed with ethanolic lipid solution and rapidly injected in 5% dextrose to prepare liposomes. Liposomes were characterized on the basis of size (~100 nm), zeta (–43.3 ± 2.8 mV) and percent entrapment efficiency (>95%). The in vitro release study showed an insignificant difference (P ≥ 0.05) for 24-hour release between marketed AmB liposomes (AmBisome) and F-1a and F-2a. Proliposome concentrate, used for the preparation of in situ liposomes, was physically stable for more than 3 months at experimental conditions. Similarly, AmB showed no sign of degradation in reconstituted liposomes stored at 2–8°C for more than 3 months. IC50 value of Ambisome (0.18 µg/mL) was comparatively similar to F-1a (0.17 µg/mL) and F-2a (0.16 µg/mL) against intramacrophagic amastigotes. Under experimental conditions, a novel modified method for AmB liposomes is a great success and generates interest for development as a platform technology for many therapeutic drug products

Amyloidosis and 30-Day Outcomes Among Patients With Heart Failure: A Nationwide Readmissions Database Study.

BackgroundThe burden of amyloidosis among hospitalized patients is increasing over time. However, amyloidosis remains an underdiagnosed cause of heart failure (HF) hospitalization among older adults.ObjectivesWe investigated the prevalence and prognostic implications of amyloidosis among patients hospitalized with HF.MethodsAll hospitalizations for primary diagnosis of HF between January 1, 2010, and August 31, 2015, identified in the Nationwide Readmissions Database were categorized into those with and without a secondary diagnosis of amyloidosis. HF hospitalizations with amyloidosis were then matched in a 3:1 fashion to HF hospitalizations without amyloidosis using the year of admission, discharge quarter, age, sex, and Charlson comorbidity index. Primary outcomes were inpatient mortality and 30-day readmission. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between HF with amyloidosis and clinical outcomes.ResultsOf 1,593,360 HF hospitalizations that met inclusion criteria, 2,846 (0.18%) had HF with a secondary diagnosis of amyloidosis and were matched to 8,515 hospitalizations for HF without amyloidosis. Hospitalizations for HF with amyloidosis were associated with higher prevalence of kidney disease (56% vs. 45%), malignancy (20% vs. 4%), and higher inpatient mortality (6% vs. 3%) as compared with HF without amyloidosis. In adjusted analyses, HF with amyloidosis was associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17 to 1.82), 30-day readmission (odds ratio: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.31), and longer mean length of stay (least-squares mean difference: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.80).ConclusionsIn patients hospitalized with decompensated HF, presence of amyloidosis was associated with higher risk of inpatient mortality and 30-day readmission