Lichens: a novel and potential source as antimicrobials for human use

The use of lichens in medicine is based on the fact that they contain unique and varied biologically active substances, as antimicrobials.  Since they are natural antibiotics, their metabolites exert a wide variety of biological actions including antimycotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic effects, they are considered as potential drugs. They contain a variety of secondary metabolites with strong antioxidant activity. These are substances which have high ability to scavenge toxic free radicals due their phenolic groups. These manifold activities of lichen metabolites have now been recognized, and therefore their therapeutic potential have great impact in pharma industries. The present article discusses the importance of lichens in inhibiting various types of human pathogens in addition to their chemical composition and pharmacological activities

Impact of Type 1 diabetes mellitus on skeletal integrity and strength in adolescents as assessed by HRpQCT

Adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are at risk of premature osteoporosis and fractures. The onset of T1DM typically starts during childhood and adolescence. Thus, the effects of DM on the skeleton may be established during this period. Studies in children with T1DM primarily use DXA with conflicting results. We present the first study in adolescents assessing the impact of T1DM on skeletal microstructure and strength using HRpQCT. We recruited 22 patients aged 12 to 16 years with T1DM who were matched by age, gender, and pubertal stage with healthy controls. Paired t tests were applied to assess differences in cortical and trabecular microarchitecture measurements from HRpQCT, and skeletal strength from HRpQCT‐derived microfinite element analysis. Subtotal body, lumbar, and pelvic parameters were assessed using DXA. There was no significant difference in subtotal body, lumbar spine, and pelvic BMD between T1DM and control pairs. However, tibial trabecular thickness was lower (−0.005 mm; 95% CI, −0.01 to −0.001; p = 0.029) and trabecular loading was lower at the distal radius (ratio of the load taken by the trabecular bone in relation to the total load at the distal end (Tb.F/TF) distal: −6.2; 95% CI, −12.4 to −0.03; p = 0.049), and distal and proximal tibia (Tb.F/TF distal: −5.2, 95% CI, −9.2 to −1.2; p = 0.013; and Tb.F/TF proximal: −5.0, 95% CI, −9.8 to −0.1; p = 0.047) in T1DM patients. A subanalysis of radial data of participants with duration of T1DM of at least 2 years and their matched controls demonstrated a reduced trabecular bone number (−0.15, 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.04; p = 0.012), increased trabecular separation (0.041 mm, 95% CI, 0.009–0.072; p = 0.015), an increased trabecular inhomogeneity (0.018, 95% CI, 0.003–0.034; p = 0.021). Regression models demonstrated a reduction in tibial stiffness (−0.877 kN/mm; p = 0.03) and tibial failure load (−0.044 kN; p = 0.03) with higher HbA1C. Thus, in adolescents with T1DM, detrimental changes are seen in tibial and radial microarchitecture and tibial and radial strength before changes in DXA occur and may result from poor diabetic control. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

Transformative Effect of Oxygen Plasma to Upshot the Structural and Electrical Properties of Pr0.5Sr0.5MnO3 Manganites

A methodical inquiry of the outcome of oxygen plasma exposure in low bandwidth compounds belonging to the perovskite family Pr1-xSrxMnO3 manganites where x = 0.5, has been presented in this communication by comparing the structural and transport properties of the untreated and plasma treated samples. It is witnessed that the high-temperature transmission is carried out by small polarons while the low-temperature transmission is attributed to variable range polarons. The changes in the transport properties may be attributed to the structural modification due to plasma exposure as revealed by the Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction pattern. Further, oxygen plasma exposure boosts the conductivity due to the integration of oxygen ions in the plasma-exposed samples, thereby rendering them oxygen-rich.Comment: 21 pages, 9 Figures, 3 Table

Non classic presentations of a genetic mutation typically associated with transient neonatal diabetes

Summary This case report describes a family pedigree of a mother and her children with an E227K mutation in the KCNJ11 gene. People with this particular gene mutation typically present with transient neonatal diabetes; with more than half the cohort relapsing into permanent diabetes in adolescence or early adulthood. However, the mother developed diabetes as an adolescent and thus was initially diagnosed as having Type 1 Diabetes. All her children have inherited the same genetic mutation but with differing presentations. Her second, third and fourth child presented with transient neonatal diabetes which remitted at varying times. Her first child is 16 years old but had not developed diabetes at the time of writing. The KCNJ11 gene codes for the KIR6.2 subunit of the KATP channels of the pancreatic beta cells. Mutations in this gene limit insulin release from beta cells despite high blood glucose concentrations. Most people with diabetes caused by this genetic mutation can be successfully managed with glibenclamide. Learning of the genetic mutation changed the therapeutic approach to the mother’s diabetes and enabled rapid diagnosis for her children. Through this family, we identified that an identical genetic mutation does not necessarily lead to the same diabetic phenotype. We recommend clinicians to consider screening for this gene in their patients whom MODY is suspected; especially in those presenting before the age of 25 who remain C-peptide positive. Learning points: KATP channel closure in pancreatic beta cells is a critical step in stimulating insulin release. Mutations in the KIR6.2 subunit can result in the KATP channels remaining open, limiting insulin release. People with KCNJ11 mutations may not present with neonatal diabetes as the age of presentation of diabetes can be highly variable. Most affected individuals can be treated successfully with glibenclamide, which closes the KATP channels via an independent mechanism. All first degree relatives of the index case should be offered genetic testing, including asymptomatic individuals. Offspring of affected individuals should be monitored for neonatal diabetes from birth. Affected individuals will require long-term follow-up as there is a high risk of recurrence in later life

Electrical properties of praseodymium oxide doped Boro-Tellurite glasses

Glasses of the composition xPr6O11- (35-x)TeO2-65B2O3 (x=0, 0.1 to 0.5 mol %) have been prepared using the melt quenching method. The ac and dc conductivity of glass have been measured over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures. Experimental results indicate that the ac conductivity depend on temperature, frequency and Praseodymium content. The conductivity as a function of frequency exhibited two components: dc conductivity (σdc), and ac conductivity (σ ac ). The activation energies are estimated and found to be decreases with composition. The impedance plot at each temperature appeared as a semicircle passes through the origin

Identification of usable maintainers and restorers for new CMS lines of rice (O. sativa L.)

The success of hybrid rice technology depends on the extent of heterosis realized and the grain quality of rice. Seven new CMSlines developed at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mandya through backcross breeding were evaluated along with twochecks CRMS31A and CRMS 32A for their morphological and floral traits besides aroma during kharif 2008. All the CMSlines evaluated exhibited complete pollen sterility and spikelet sterility. KCMS 29A recorded the higher stigma exsertion(30.31%) and natural outcrossing (19.76%). KCMS 31A had the longest style (1.26 mm) and stigma (1.20 mm) while the anglebetween stigma lobes was wider ( 65.48 (φ)) in KCMS 37A which also had the best panicle exsertion (79.28%). All the nineCMS lines had no aroma. Based on morphological and floral traits CMS lines KCMS 29A, KCMS 31A and KCMS 37A werebetter compared to the checks CRMS 31A and CRMS 32A. To identify usable maintainers and restorers for these CMS lineseleven testers were crossed with all the nine CMS lines in a line x tester fashion. Based on the percent spikelet fertility inhybrids, 60 showed restorer reaction and eight had maintainer reaction while the rest 31 showed partial maintainer / restorerreaction. Among the testers MSN-20-13, MSN-62, MSN-63, MSN-64 and MSN 68 were identified as good maintainers whileKMR-3, KMR-4, MSN-67 and MSN-69 as good restorers

Fusaric acid, a mycotoxin, and its influence on blood coagulation and platelet function

The current study intended to explore the effect of fusaric acid on blood coagulation including plasma coagulation and platelet aggregation. Fusaric acid exhibited biphasic effects on citrated human plasma recalcification time. At concentrations below 50 ng, fusaric acid decreased the clotting time of plasma dose-dependently from 130 = 3s control value to 32 = 3s; however, above 50 ng, fusaric acid increased the clotting time from 32 = 3s and reached a maximum of 152âŠs at 100 ng and remained unaltered thereafter for the increased dose of fusaric acid. Fusaric acid without damaging red blood cells and platelets, inhibited agonists such as collagen, ADP, thrombin, and epinephrine-induced aggregation of both platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and washed platelets preparations of human. Interestingly, fusaric acid showed biphasic effects only in thrombin-induced platelet aggregation of washed platelets, and at lower concentration (below 900âŠng) it activated platelet aggregation; however, in increased concentration (above 900âŠng) it inhibited the platelet aggregation of washed platelets. In addition, fusaric acid also inhibited the agonist ADP-induced platelet aggregation of washed platelet suspension but did not show biphasic effect. Further, fusaric acid did not induce the platelets to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that clearly suggests that the induction of platelet function could be the result of the fusaric acid-mediated receptor interaction but not through the morphological shape change