Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Solenostemon Monostachyus Leaf Extract and its Antimicrobial Activity

Communication In Physical Sciences 2020 ,66(1) : 699-705 Received 24 August 2020/Accepted 07 September 2020 A simple and rapid biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) obtained using Solenostemon monostachyus leaf extract. The ZnO NPs was characterised by UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/Energy dispersed X-ray, Fourier Transform Infra-red and X-ray Diffraction techniques. The UV-visible spectrum showed a maximum absorption peak at 350 nm which is typical for ZnO NPs and was ascribed to the excitation of Surface Plasmon Resonance phenomenon. FTIR Spectroscopy revealed a broad peak around 3455 cm-1 which was attributed to OH stretching vibration (υOH) that is probably from alcohols, flavonoids and phenols. X-ray Diffraction studies were observed at 2θ = 11.1°, 13.8°, 16.7°, 25.1°, 28.9° and 44.0°. The X-ray spectrum indicated typical for crystalline nanoparticles. Calculated nano particle size was 23.06 nm and was within the literature range for nano zinc oxide. The synthesized NPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus but exhibited moderate activity against Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella typhimurium. Significant antifungal activity was also observed against Aspergellus niger and Candida albican

Selenium supplementation in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy : a proof-of-concept trial

Background: We studied the efficacy and safety of selenium supplementation in patients who had peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and selenium deficiency. Methods: We randomly assigned 100 PPCM patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) &lt; 45% and selenium deficiency (&lt; 70 mu g/L) to receive either oral Selenium (L-selenomethionine) 200 mu g/day for 3 months or nothing, in addition to recommended therapy, in an open-label randomised trial. The primary outcome was a composite of persistence of heart failure (HF) symptoms, unrecovered LV systolic function (LVEF &lt; 55%) or death from any cause. Results: Over a median of 19 months, the primary outcome occurred in 36 of 46 patients (78.3%) in the selenium group and in 43 of 54 patients (79.6%) in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.43-1.09; p = 0.113). Persistence of HF symptoms occurred in 18 patients (39.1%) in the selenium group and in 37 patients (68.5%) in the control group (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.30-0.93; p = 0.006). LVEF &lt; 55% occurred in 33 patients (71.7%) in the selenium group and in 38 patients (70.4%) in the control group (HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.57-1.45; p = 0.944). Death from any cause occurred in 3 patients (6.5%) in the selenium group and in 9 patients (16.7%) in the control group (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.10-1.37; p = 0.137). Conclusions: In this study, selenium supplementation did not reduce the risk of the primary outcome, but it significantly reduced HF symptoms, and there was a trend towards a reduction of all-cause mortality.Errata: Karaye, K.M., Sa’idu, H., Balarabe, S.A. et al. Correction to: Selenium supplementation in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy: a proof‑of‑concept trial. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 21, 4 (2021). DOI: 10.1186/s12872-020-01782-w </p