Quantification of absorbed doses from radioactive gold nanoparticles and chromium 51 seed implants

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on June 11, 2014).In the ever ending search to seek better options of treatments in radiation therapy, few novel approaches are presented in this thesis. The work presented is in 2 folds. Potentially both can be applied in radiation dose deposition through the method of brachytherapy. One of the study measures the absorbed doses radioactive gold of Au198 and Au199 in nanoparticulate form. Secondly radioactive chromium (Cr51) is discussed in the traditional brachytherapy seed implant form. Both of these approaches are not interdependent. However, it provides size comparative benefits. Gelatin based dosimeters are used to quantify the absorbed radiation doses of Au198 and Au199. Also the quantification for Au198, Au199 and Cr51 is presented using MCNP5 code from the Monte Carlo Techniques of Oak Ridge National Labs. In the outcome of quantification, it was estimated that large amount of radiation doses in therapeutic range was deposited by the beta radiation of Au198 and Au199. In the other study related to Cr51, MCNP5 code evaluates the radiation doses for 1 miliCurie of radioactivity and confirms its candidacy in brachytherapy applications

Occupational stress among community health workers in a rural field practice area of Belagavi

Introduction: Community health workers (CHW) are the first level of contact between the health system and the community. This study aimed to find out the level and areas of occupational stress among CHWs so that they can be addressed accordingly. Methods: This study was carried out among 105 CHWs in a rural field practice area of Belagavi. A pre-tested, structured, standard questionnaire was provided to them. After obtaining informed consent, they were asked to fill in the questionnaire. The collected data was entered and analysed through SPSS Version 26. Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.91 years. Majority were Hindu (79.1%). Most of the participants had completed high school (51.4%). 25.7% of the participants belonged to socioeconomic class IV, 34.3% said that theirs is the only income in the family, and 22.9% said that salary is the motivation for them to continue working. Among the participants, 16.19% had low stress, 80.95% moderate stress, and 2.85% high stress. The major area of stress was role overload (18.3%). Conclusion: CHWs are vital for the efficient functioning of primary health services at community level and their role in healthcare and the delivery of various national health programmes is indispensable, so their health and proper work environment should be ensured and safeguarded

Triggers leading to substance abuse in patients admitted at de-addiction centers in a city of North Karnataka: A qualitative study

Background: Substance abuse is defined as ‘‘Harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs’’. Main substances abused include tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, opiates, hallucinogens, amphetamines, prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse. Substance abuse results in health and social issues for those who consume them, and also to the family members and the community. The present study aims to find out the triggers leading to substance abuse in patients admitted at de-addiction centers in Belagavi, a city of North Karnataka. Objective: To find out different triggers leading to substance abuse by qualitative in depth interview. Methodology: It was a Qualitative study done using in depth interview from 1st January 2021 to 30th April among 25 participants admitted at the five de-addiction centres located at Belagavi city during the study period. Results: When participants were asked about what was there trigger which lead to initiation of substance use, we got 4 major themes, peer pressure, family background for addiction, relationship breakdown/academic failures, physical environment. Conclusion: There is a need for further studies to detect the community prevalence of substance abuse and the reasons for initiation. Community based studies are vital to find out the magnitude of the problem and its related factors for better decision making

Quality of life in patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of the prevalent skin conditions in the United States. This chronic condition has a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life. Psoriasis has been linked to the depression and suicidal tendencies in the patients. The costs associated with decrements in quality of life, lost productivity, and work absenteeism may be enormous, increasing overall costs associated with the disease management. This review attempts to outline different quality of life measures available for psoriasis and describes their use in studies examining patient reported outcomes associated with pharmacological interventions for psoriasis. Factors associated with quality of life in psoriasis patients are described. It further describes physician's role in the psoriasis management to improve patients' overall well-being

A Novel Method to Monitor Sequential Displacement of Capped Ligands in Gold Nanoparticles [abstract]

Nanoscience Poster SessionNanochemistry of ligand displacement reactions has attracted much attention in recent years for the development of myriad of new gold nanomaterials. Gold nanoparticles have shown applications ranging from tumor imaging agent in nanomedicine to single electron devices in information technology. New gold materials are synthesized by exchange of neutral or anionic ligands with thiolated molecules. Completion of ligand substitution reactions in gold nanoparticles are monitored by using UV-Vis spectrometry. However, there are no methods available to monitor the sequence of the ligand substitution reactions. Monitoring and predicting the sequence of ligand substitutions would provide a convenient handle for the design and development of hybrid nanomaterials containing two or more ligands. In this context, we have developed a novel technique utilizing disc centrifuge systems to monitor the sequential displacement of ligands in various gold nanoconstructs. In our studies, we have used gold nanoparticles stabilized with both anionic and neutral ligands. Gold nanoparticles of various different substitutions have been identified and characterized by disc centrifuge systems. Details of substitution reactions and mechanism on monitoring the sequential displacement using strong ligands will be presented

In vitro antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of Jatropha species

Leaf extracts, stem extract, roots extract, latex and oil of Jatropha curcas, J. glandulufera, J. integerrima and J. gossypofolia were screened in order to study their effect on plant pathogenic fungi Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani and plant pathogenic bacteria Erwinia carotovora pv. Carotovora, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas campestris pv. Citri and Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae. Degree of variation of antifungal and antibacterial activity of different parts of Jatropha sp. was observed

Enormous, rapidly growing breast mass.

BACKGROUND: Signs and symptoms of a rapidly enlarging breast mass are not only important for all clinicians to recognize and assess, but also are not uncommon occurrences. We describe a similar but unique case that developed into an enormous, 36 cm exophytic mass. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old woman with history of psychiatric conditions presented for signs and symptoms of sepsis. It was determined that the source was an enormous 36 cm mass originating from the breast/chest wall. After stabilizing the patient with antibiotics, she underwent successful resection. Surgical margins were positive, and histopathology demonstrated bland spindle cells with stromal overgrowth. Together with clinical and histopathological information, the patient was diagnosed with a phyllodes tumor. CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis of rapidly growing breast masses is discussed, which are not uncommon occurrences in clinical medicine. One etiology, phyllodes tumors, can grow into large, exophytic masses as described. Oncologic treatment is discussed, usually consisting of surgery with postoperative radiotherapy for high-risk features

Green nanotechnology from cumin phytochemicals : generation of biocompatible gold nanoparticles

Published in final edited form as: Int J Green Nanotechnol Biomed. 2009 January 1; 1(1): B39-B52. doi:10.1080/19430850902931599.The powerful antioxidant characteristics of various phytochernicals within cumin prompted us to test their efficacy in reducing sodium tetrachloroaurate to corresponding gold nanoparticles. We, herein, report an unprecedented synthetic route that involves the production of well-defined spherical gold nanoparticles by simple mixing of cumin to an aqueous solution of sodium tetrachloro aurate. Production of gold nanoparticles in this cumin-mediated Green Nanotechnological process is achieved under biologically benign conditions. The gold nanoparticles generated through cumin-mediated process did not aggregate suggesting that the cocktail of phytochemicals including proteins serve as excellent coatings on nanoparticles and thus, provide robust shielding from aggregations. In addition, the phytochemical coatings on nanoparticles have rendered nontoxic features to these 'Green Gold Nanoparticles' as demonstrated through detailed MTT assays performed on 'normal fibroblast cells. Results of our studies presenting a new 'Nano-Naturo' connection for the production and utility of gold nanoparticles for potential applications in nanomedicine and nanotechnology are discussed in this paper.This work has been supported by the generous support from the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute under the Cancer Nanotechnology Platform program (grant number: 5R01CA119412-01), NIH - 1R21CA128460-01 and University of Missouri-Research Board - Program C8761 RB 06-030

An Effective Strategy for the Synthesis of Biocompatible Gold Nanoparticles Using Cinnamon Phytochemicals for Phantom CT Imaging and Photoacoustic Detection of Cancerous Cells

This is a post-print version of the Pharmaceutical Research Article. The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com. DOI 10.1007/s11095-010-0276-6Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to explore the utilization of cinnamon coated gold nanoparticles (Cin-AuNPs) as CT/optical contrast enhancement agent for detection of cancer cells. Methods: Cin-AuNPs were synthesized by a “Green” procedure and the detailed characterization has been performed by physic-chemical analysis. Cytotoxicity and cellualar uptake studies were carried out in normal human fibroblast and cancerous (PC-3 and MCF-7) cells respectively. The efficacy of detecting cancerous cells was monitored using photoacoustic technique. In vivo biodistribution was studied after IV injection of Cin-AuNPs in mice and a CT phantom model was generated. Results: Biocompatible Cin-AuNPs were synthesized with high purity. Significant uptake of these gold nanoparticles was observed in PC-3 and MCF-7 cells. Cin-AuNPs internalized in cancerous cells facilitate detectable photoacoustic signals. In vivo biodistribution in normal mouse shows steady accumulation of gold nanoparticles in lungs and rapid clearance from blood. Quantitative analysis of CT values in phantom model reveals that the cinnamon phytochemicals coated AuNPs has reasonable attenuation efficiency. Conclusions: The results indicate that these non-toxic Cin-AuNPs can serve as excellent CT/ photoacoustic contrast enhancement agents and may provide a novel approach toward the tumor detection through nanopharmaceuticals.This work has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute under the Cancer Nanotechnology Platform program (grant number: 5R01CA119412-01), NIH - 1R21CA128460-01; NIH-SBIR-Contract no. 241, and University of Missouri-Research Board - Program C8761 RB 06-030