Fabrication and characterization of curcumin loaded ZnO nanoparticles and their in vitro antibacterial activity

Nanotechnology is broadly defined as the study and development of the chemical physical and natural properties of materials, devices, and structures that differ from those found on a larger scale, and Nano patents are derived from the Japanese language. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are used in a wide-ranging applications, visible light, catalytic actions, ultrasonic, deodorizing, diabetes treatment, cosmetics, lasers, paints, ultraviolet light absorbing constituents, rubber industry, catalytic agent for light flattening, and specifically in the medical and pharmaceutical sciences7. Curcumin is a useful plant-based material derived from "turmeric" that has the potential to be used in the green synthesis of ZnONPs. This is due to the influence of "polyphenol," which may also result in the formation of ZnONPs during the reduction process. Characterization reported Spherical particles with varying size from few nanometers to about 900 nm. The antibacterial activity by disk diffusion method against E. coli (Gram negative), Pseudomonas aerugionsa, Bordetella bronchiseptics & Micrococcus luteus revealed mark able zone of inhibition that declared potent antibacterial activity of Curcumin ZnO NP against gram positive bacteria more than negative ones where Ciprofloxacin was used as standard

Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Heart Failure Prevention in Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes and heart failure (HF) are closely linked, with one causing a worse prognosis in the other. The majority of anti-hyperglycaemic agents primarily reduce risk of ischaemic microvascular events without targeting the mechanisms involved for diabetes cardiomyopathy and HF. Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a novel class of glucose-lowering agents that have consistently reduced HF hospitalisations, unlike other agents. The authors discuss the current evidence and highlight possible future directions for the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in HF prevention

Prevalence of drug resistance associated mutations in plasmodium vivax against sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in southern Pakistan

Background: In Pakistan, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum co-exist and usage of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) against P. falciparum exposes P. vivax to the drug leading to generation of resistant alleles. The main aim of this study was to investigate frequency distribution of drug resistance associated mutations in pvdhfr, pvdhps genes and provide baseline molecular epidemiological data on SP-associated resistance in P. vivax from southern Pakistan.Methods: From January 2008 to May 2009, a total of 150 samples were collected from patients tested slide-positive for P. vivax, at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, or its collection units located in Baluchistan and Sindh Province. Nested PCR using pvdhfr and pvdhps specific primers was performed for all samples.91.3% (137/150) of the samples were tested PCR positive of which 87.3% (131/137) were successfully sequenced. Sample sequencing data was analysed and compared against wild type reference sequences.Results: In dhfr, mutations were observed at codons F57L, S58R and S117N/T. Novel non-synonymous mutations were observed at codon positions N50I, G114R and E119K while a synonymous mutation was observed at codon position 69Y. In dhps, mutations were observed at codon position A383G and A553G while novel non-synonymous mutations were observed at codon positions S373T, E380K, P384L, N389T, V392D, T393P, D459A, M601I, A651D and A661V.Conclusion: This is the first report from southern Pakistan on SP resistance in clinical isolates of P. vivax. Results from this study confirm that diverse drug resistant alleles are circulating within this region

Web OPAC Services and Users’ Expectations with Web OPACs of Public and Private Sector University Libraries in Pakistan

This study aimed to investigate the current status online services portfolio of web OPACs and users’ expectations with web OPACs of public and private sector university libraries in Lahore, Pakistan. The researcher administrated a self-reported instrument (reviewed by experts and pilot tested with Cronbach’s alpha value.86) and collected data from n=425 respondents selected using a stratified convenient sampling technique. This study reported that most services offered by web OPACs are satisfying users’ expectations. Hence, some of the services need to be improved as per users’ opinions. It has also been ascertained that 18 out of 34 university libraries have not yet developed and provided web OPAC services. The results generated illustrate pragmatic insights which can be used as a guide towards users’ friendly design and development of web OPACs

Extraction of saponins and toxicological profile of Teucrium stocksianum boiss extracts collected from District Swat, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: The current era is facing challenges in the management of neoplasia and weeds control. The currently available anti-cancer and herbicidal drugs are associated with some serious side effects. Therefore numerous researchers are trying to discover and develop plant based alternative particularly for the rational management of cancer and weed control. Teucrium stocksianum possess antioxidant and analgesic activities. The current study was designed to evaluate crude saponins (CS), methanolic extract and sub-fractions of T. stocksianum for cytotoxic and phytotoxic potentials. CS, methanolic extract and sub-fractions were extracted from powdered plant material using different solvents. Cytotoxic potential of the extracts at a dose of 10, 100 and 1000 μg/ml were evaluated against Brine shrimp's nauplii. Phytotoxic assay also performed at the same concentration against Lemna minor. Etoposide and Paraquat were used as positive controls in cytotoxic and phytotoxic assays respectively. RESULTS: The percent yield of crude saponins was (5%). CS demonstrated tremendous brine shrimp lethality showing < 10 μg/ml LC50. The n-hexane (HF) and chloroform fractions (CF) demonstrated excellent cytotoxicity with 80 and 55 μg/ml LC50 respectively. Whereas the methanolic extract (TSME), ethyl acetate (EAF) and aqueous fractions (AF) revealed moderate cytotoxicity showing 620, 860 and 1000 μg/ml LC50 values respectively. In phytotoxic assay profound inhibition was displayed by HF (96.67%) and TSME (95.56%, 30 μg/ml LC50) against the growth of Lemna minor at 1000 μg/ml respectively. Both CF and EAF demonstrated profound phytoxicity (93.33%) respectively at highest concentration (1000 μg/ml), while AF and CS demonstrated weak phytotoxicity with 1350 and 710 μg/ml LC50 values respectively. CONCLUSION: Cytotoxicity and phytotoxicity assays indicated that the crude saponins, n-hexane and chloroform fractions of T. stocksianum could play a vital role in the treatment of neoplasia and as potential natural herbicides. Therefore these sub-fractions are recommended for further investigation with the aim to isolate novel anti-cancer and herbicidal compounds

The effect of thermo-catalytic reforming of a pyrolysis bio-oil on its performance in a micro-gas turbine burner

Abstract The combustion performance and pollutant emissions of a pyrolysis bio-oil (also called pyrolysis oil) upgraded with a thermo-catalytic reforming process were investigated experimentally in a micro-gas turbine burner and compared with those of a conventional bio-oil, ethanol (EtOH), and diesel fuel. The upgraded intermediate pyrolysis bio-oil called thermo-catalytic reforming bio-oil (TCRBO) has lower water and oxygen contents, suspended solid particulates, and non-volatile residue, along with higher carbon content, physical and chemical stability, and compatibility with fossil oils compared to the conventional fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO). A stable flame with 100% TCRBO was possible in the present burner, whereas 50% by volume fraction EtOH had to be added to FPBO to improve its ignition and combustion characteristics. The original externally-mixed twin-fluid nozzle of the micro-gas turbine was replaced with an internally-mixed one which exhibited a superior performance with bio-oils. Over the practical range of air-to-liquid mass flow ratio for bio-oils, 0.3 ALR 0.7 , the spray Sauter mean diameter (SMD) of TCRBO was estimated larger than that of FPBO/EtOH blend for the both nozzles. However, most of the measured emissions from TCRBO spray flame were lower than those of FPBO/EtOH blend, owing to its improved combustion related properties, except nitrogen oxides (NO) which originated from the high nitrogen biomass feedstocks used for TCRBO production. Furthermore, contrary to FPBO, no flame instability due to the coke formation on the premixer tube of the burner was observed when using TCRBO. Conducting combustion investigations of the bio-oils in the present burner revealed that the thermo-catalytic reforming of bio-oil can greatly improve its ignition, combustion and pollutant emissions compared to conventional bio-oils

pH-Responsive Liposomes of Dioleoyl Phosphatidylethanolamine and Cholesteryl Hemisuccinate for the Enhanced Anticancer Efficacy of Cisplatin

The current study aimed to develop pH-responsive cisplatin-loaded liposomes (CDDP@PLs) via the thin film hydration method. Formulations with varied ratios of dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) to cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHEMS) were investigated to obtain the optimal particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, in vitro release profile, and stability. The particle size of the CDDP@PLs was in the range of 153.2 ± 3.08-206.4 ± 2.26 nm, zeta potential was -17.8 ± 1.26 to -24.6 ± 1.72, and PDI displayed an acceptable size distribution. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a spherical shape with ~200 nm size. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis showed the physicochemical stability of CDDP@PLs, and differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed the loss of the crystalline nature of cisplatin in liposomes. In vitro release study of CDDP@PLs at pH 7.4 depicted the lower release rate of cisplatin (less than 40%), and at a pH of 6.5, an almost 65% release rate was achieved compared to the release rate at pH 5.5 (more than 80%) showing the tumor-specific drug release. The cytotoxicity study showed the improved cytotoxicity of CDDP@PLs compared to cisplatin solution in MDA-MB-231 and SK-OV-3 cell lines, and fluorescence microscopy also showed enhanced cellular internalization. The acute toxicity study showed the safety and biocompatibility of the developed carrier system for the potential delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. These studies suggest that CDDP@PLs could be utilized as an efficient delivery system for the enhancement of therapeutic efficacy and to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy by releasing cisplatin at the tumor site

End stage renal disease: Seroprevalence of hepatitises B and C along with associated aetiology and risk factors in children

Background: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) normally requires dialysis or transplantation for survival. Since ESRD patients are on long term dialysis, infections such as Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are commonly reported.Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out at a government hospital during a 12-month period from January 2013 to December 2013. The data was collected using a predesigned pro forma to note the etiology, gender, age, and HBsAg and anti-HCV test result of each patient.Results: 444 children suffering from ESRD were included in our analysis. The mean age of sample was 12.7 ± 4.1 years. Sixty percent (n = 262) of the children were boys. The most common etiology of ESRD was kidney stones (n = 44, 29.3%). HBV was positive in 11 children (2.5%) while HCV was positive in 13 (2.9%).Conclusion: This study asserts the need for carrying out further work to confirm these findings and expand our recommendations. It is imperative to reliably determine the burden of HBV and HCV disease and to determine the aetiology of their spread especially in children with ESRD