Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Datura stramonium leaf extract and assessment of their antibacterial activity

Silver nanoparticles of 15-20 nm size with spherical shape were synthesized from green synthesis method using Datura stramonium leaf extract. Synthesized Ag NPs were studied for their optical, structural, surface morphological and antibacterial properties. The optical study shows that the appearance of SPR peak at 444 nm in the absorption spectrum is affirming the formation of Ag NPs and its high intensity with narrowed width indicating the homogenous size and shape of the Ag NPs. Structural studies reveal the good crystalline nature of face center cubic structure of Ag crystal and preferentially oriented along (111) plane with average crystallite size of 18 nm. FTIR analysis exhibits the possible reducing biomolecules within the leaf extract. The well defined homogenous spherical shape of the Ag NPs is clearly observed from the TEM studies and lattice fringes spacing of 0.23 nm shows the high crystalline nature of the synthesized Ag NPs. EDAX profile affirms the Ag crystal by the presence of energy peak at 3 eV. The synthesized Ag NPs showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. However, well pronounced activity was observed against E. coli

Molecular modeling of 3,4-pyridinedicarbonitrile dye sensitizer for solar cells using quantum chemical calculations

AbstractThe geometries, electronic structures, polarizabilities, and hyperpolarizabilities of organic dye sensitizer 3,4-pyridinedicarbonitrile was studied based on Hartree–Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) using the hybrid functional B3LYP. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrum was investigated by time dependent DFT (TD-DFT). Features of the electronic absorption spectrum in the visible and near-UV regions were assigned based on TD-DFT calculations. The absorption bands are assigned to π→π∗ transitions. Calculated results suggest that the three lowest energy excited states are due to photoinduced electron transfer processes. The interfacial electron transfer between semiconductor TiO2 electrode and 3,4-pyridinedicarbonitrile is due to electron injection process from excited dye to the semiconductor’s conduction band. The role of cyanine in 3,4-pyridinedicarbonitrile in geometries, electronic structures, and spectral properties were analyzed

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON PHARMACOECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENT IN TWO DIFFERENT HOSPITALS IN TAMIL NADU

Objective: The objective of the present study is to compare the prescribing patterns and cost of illness of Rheumatoid arthritis patients in two different hospitals. Methods: This is an observational study conducted in two different tertiary care hospitals in Salem district after obtaining approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) (Registration Number EC/PHARM D/2019.06). A sample size of 102 (above 18 y) patients were included (52 from group 1 hospital and 50 from group 2 hospital). The study was conducted over a period of 6 mo from February 2019 to July 2019. The cost was collected by a patient face-to-face interview. Results: Out of 102 patients, females (57.84%) patients were more prevalent than men with the age group of 50-59 y in both groups. Methotrexate was most commonly prescribed drug in group 1(36.5%), whereas in group 2 are Sulfasalazine (37%). Among the DMARDs unit cost of methotrexate is high but the monthly cost was high for Sulfasalazine, because the methotrexate is prescribed on a once-weekly basis while sulfasalazine is taken twice a day. The cost of NSAIDs comes around 46.47% of the total drug cost of the month. In steroids, cost comes around 11.73% of the total drug cost. Among the direct cost of two groups, the drug cost and transportation cost is higher when compared with other costs. Indirect costs such as lost wages, due to disease is higher in group 1. Conclusion: The study concluded that the burden of RA to the patient is huge, Appropriate standard prescribing guidelines should be developed and implementation of the rational drug must be promoted. Polypharmacy was reported in group 1 hospital, the progression of symptoms was the same in both hospitals, it increases the cost of therapy and overall cost of patients. Hence it becomes vital to diagnose and control the disease at an early stage to control the economic burden on the patient

Perception of Community Pharmacist on self-medication in Erode, India

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of community pharmacists towards the concept of self-medication Erode, India. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Erode between august2010and December, 2010. A 20-item self-completion questionnaire was administered to randomly selected sample of 50 community pharmacists from Erode. Main outcome measures included understanding of self-medication, reasons for why patients practice self-medication, source for drug of choice, attitude towards Patient counseling, barriers to implementation of patient counseling. Data's were analyzed. Descriptive results were expressed as frequency and percentage. Most patients were seeking self medication for headache 14.72%, Fever 14.29%, urinary tract infections 10.13% etc. The drugs most commonly dispensed or purchased on a self medication basis were NSAIDS 33.7%. Pharmacists 56% and previous prescription 24% were the common sources from where patients get information about drug of choice. Simplicity of the disease 44% was the reason why patients prefer selfmedication. Lack of time 60% and lack of interest of the patients 36% were the reasons that pharmacists mentioned for not counselling the patients. Main reason for practicing self-medication irrational self-medication is due to their lack of knowledge about the complications that can occur by practicing self-medication without proper diagnosis. These barriers could be overcome through participation in effective continuing educational programs and creating awareness to the public about the complication of self-medication without proper diagnosis. Patient health awareness programs and pharmacist continuing education are necessary in Erode

The H3K27M mutation alters stem cell growth, epigenetic regulation, and differentiation potential

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders increase brain tumor risk, suggesting that normal brain development may have protective properties. Mutations in epigenetic regulators are common in pediatric brain tumors, highlighting a potentially central role for disrupted epigenetic regulation of normal brain development in tumorigenesis. For example, lysine 27 to methionine mutation (H3K27M) in the H3F3A gene occurs frequently in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPGs), the most aggressive pediatric glioma. As H3K27M mutation is necessary but insufficient to cause DIPGs, it is accompanied by additional mutations in tumors. However, how H3K27M alone increases vulnerability to DIPG tumorigenesis remains unclear. RESULTS: Here, we used human embryonic stem cell models with this mutation, in the absence of other DIPG contributory mutations, to investigate how H3K27M alters cellular proliferation and differentiation. We found that H3K27M increased stem cell proliferation and stem cell properties. It interfered with differentiation, promoting anomalous mesodermal and ectodermal gene expression during both multi-lineage and germ layer-specific cell specification, and blocking normal differentiation into neuroectoderm. H3K27M mutant clones exhibited transcriptomic diversity relative to the more homogeneous wildtype population, suggesting reduced fidelity of gene regulation, with aberrant expression of genes involved in stem cell regulation, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. These phenomena were associated with global loss of H3K27me3 and concordant loss of DNA methylation at specific genes in H3K27M-expressing cells. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these data suggest that H3K27M mutation disrupts normal differentiation, maintaining a partially differentiated state with elevated clonogenicity during early development. This disrupted response to early developmental cues could promote tissue properties that enable acquisition of additional mutations that cooperate with H3K27M mutation in genesis of DMG/DIPG. Therefore, this work demonstrates for the first time that H3K27M mutation confers vulnerability to gliomagenesis through persistent clonogenicity and aberrant differentiation and defines associated alterations of histone and DNA methylation

Topologically non-trivial metal-organic assemblies inhibit \u3b22-microglobulin amyloidogenesis

Inhibiting amyloid aggregation through high-turnover dynamic interactions could be an efficient strategy that is already used by small heat-shock proteins in different biological contexts. We report the interactions of three topologically non-trivial, zinc-templated metal-organic assemblies, a [2]catenane, a trefoil knot (TK), and Borromean rings, with two \u3b22-microglobulin (\u3b22m) variants responsible for amyloidotic pathologies. Fast exchange and similar patterns of preferred contact surface are observed by NMR, consistent with molecular dynamics simulations. In vitro fibrillation is inhibited by each complex, whereas the zinc-free TK induces protein aggregation and does not inhibit fibrillogenesis. The metal coordination imposes structural rigidity that determines the contact area on the \u3b22m surface depending on the complex dimensions, ensuring in vitro prevention of fibrillogenesis. Administration of TK, the best protein-contacting species, to a disease-model organism, namely a Caenorhabditis elegans mutant expressing the D76N \u3b22m variant, confirms the bioactivity potential of the knot topology and suggests new developments

Treatment Burden of Weekly Somatrogon vs Daily Somatropin in Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Randomized Study

Context: Somatrogon is a long-acting recombinant human growth hormone treatment developed as a once-weekly treatment for pediatric patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). / Objective: Evaluate patient and caregiver perceptions of the treatment burden associated with the once-weekly somatrogon injection regimen vs a once-daily Somatropin injection regimen. / Methods: Pediatric patients (≥3 to <18 years) with GHD receiving once-daily somatropin at enrollment were randomized 1:1 to Sequence 1 (12 weeks of once-daily Somatropin, then 12 weeks of once-weekly somatrogon) or Sequence 2 (12 weeks of once-weekly somatrogon, then 12 weeks of once-daily Somatropin). Treatment burden was assessed using validated questionnaires completed by patients and caregivers. The primary endpoint was the difference in mean overall life interference (LI) total scores after each 12-week treatment period (somatrogon vs Somatropin), as assessed by questionnaires. / Results: Of 87 patients randomized to Sequence 1 (n = 43) or 2 (n = 44), 85 completed the study. Once-weekly somatrogon had a significantly lower treatment burden than once-daily Somatropin, based on mean overall LI total scores after somatrogon (8.63) vs Somatropin (24.13) treatment (mean difference -15.49; 2-sided 95% CI -19.71, -11.27; P < .0001). Once-weekly somatrogon was associated with greater convenience, higher satisfaction with treatment experience, and less LI. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) for Somatropin and somatrogon was 44.2% and 54.0%, respectively. No severe or serious AEs were reported. / Conclusion: In pediatric patients with GHD, once-weekly somatrogon had a lower treatment burden and was associated with a more favorable treatment experience than once-daily Somatropin

What triggers Koyna region earthquakes? Preliminary results from seismic tomography digital array

The cause for prolific seismicity in the Koyna region is a geological enigma. Attempts have been made to link occurrence of these earthquakes with tectonic strain as well as the nearby reservoirs. With a view to providing reliable seismological database for studying the earth structure and the earthquake process in the Koyna region, a state of the art digital seismic network was deployed for twenty months during 1996-97. We present preliminary results from this experiment covering an area of 60&#215;80 km2 with twenty seismic stations. Hypocentral locations of more than 400 earthquakes confined to 11&#215;25 km2 reveal fragmentation in the seismicity pattern - a NE - SW segment has a dip towards NW at approximately 45&#176;, whilst the other two segments show a near vertical trend. These seismic segments have a close linkage with the Western Ghat escarpment and the Warna fault. Ninety per cent of the seismicity is confined within the depth range of 3-10 km. The depth distribution of earthquakes delimits the seismogenic zone with its base at 10 km indicating a transition from an unstable to stable frictional sliding regime. The lack of shallow seismicity between 0 and 3 km indicates a mature fault system with well-developed gouge zones, which inhibit shallow earthquake nucleation. Local earthquake travel time inversion for P- and S-waves show &#8776;2% higher velocity in the seismogenic crust (0-10 km) beneath the epicentral tract relative to a lower velocity (2-3%) in the adjoining region. The high P- and S-wave velocity in the seismogenic crust argues against the presence of high pressure fluid zones and suggests its possible linkage with denser lithology. The zone of high velocity has been traced to deeper depths (&#8776;70 km) through teleseismic tomography. The results reveal segmented and matured seismogenic fault systems in the Koyna region where seismicity is possibly controlled by strain build up due to competent lithology in the seismic zone with a deep crustal root