LOFAR search for radio emission from galaxies hosting tidal disruption events

Radio emission from 23 tidal disruption event host galaxies were searched in the 144 MHz LOFAR-LoTSS2 images. Three host galaxies are detected with diffuse radio emission, which can be interpreted as either galactic synchrotron radio emission or diffuse radio halo in dense galactic environments. Non-detection of (transient) radio emission in majority of galaxies could be due to self-absorption of radio emission associated with the tidal disruption event. The detected objects are AT2018iih, RBS 1032, and NGC 5905. Non-detection for Sw 1644+57 is also reported.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, In Research Notes AAS (RNAAS

Thoracic reconstruction of exposed lung by contralateral pectoralis major muscle flap

Chest wall defects are defined as defects with variable loss of skin, muscles, and rib cage with exposed pleura or lung. The exposed lung is a life-threatening emergency and requires urgent intervention to restore airtight closure. We use contralateral pectoralis major muscle turnover flap to obliterate dead space and airtight closure for full thickness right-sided chest wall injury with exposed lungs

Quantum chemical investigation of the reaction of O(<SUP>3</SUP>P<SUB>2</SUB>) with certain hydrocarbon radicals

The reaction of ground-state atomic oxygen [O(3P2)] with methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and isopropyl radicals has been studied using the density functional method and the complete basis set model. The energies of the reactants, products, reaction intermediates and various transition states as well as the reaction enthalpies have been computed. The possible product channels and the reaction pathways are identified in each case. In the case of methyl radical the minimum energy reaction pathway leads to the products CO + H2 + H. In the case of ethyl radical the most facile pathway leads to the products, methanal + CH3 radical. For propyl radical (n- and iso-), the minimum energy reaction pathways would lead to the channel containing ethanal + methyl radical

A quick and selective rhodamine based “smart probe” for “signal-on” optical detection of Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺ in water, cell imaging, computational studies and solid state analysis

A novel rhodamine hydrazone 1 has been synthesized by the condensation of rhodamine B hydrazide with allylsalicylaldehyde and has been fully characterized using various physicochemical techniques including single crystal XRD. Probe 1 can detect Cu2+ and Al3+ ions in aqueous media and displays a turn-on response in absorbance with a high degree of selectivity amongst other common interfering analytes. Al3+ ions lead to fluorescence enhancementby the opening of the spirolactum ring resulting in chelation enhanced fluorescence. DFT and TDDFT calculations support the experimental results. The 1-Al3+ ensemble acts as secondary sensor for pyrophosphate anion due to metal ion induced decomplexation resulting in a low detection limit. Probe 1 can be utilized for bio imaging and displays morphological transformations from crystalline to amorphous state with associated color changes due to mechanical switching. In the solid state, probe 1 displays distinct color changes with emission at different wavelengths in particular Al3+ and Hg2+result in a red shift of the CIE-diagram. While the band gap of probe 1can be tuned from 2.08 eV to 1.60 eV.Probe 1 meets many real-world-challenges in that it is prepared using simple synthetic methods, produces fast and distinct response towards multiple-ions, observed by the “naked eye” in solution and on a TLC plate, and can be exploited for binary data storage

In silico studies reveal antiviral effects of traditional Indian spices on COVID-19

BACKGROUND: The global health emergency due to SARS-CoV-2 causing the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the scientific community to intensify their research work for its therapeutic solution. In this study, Indian traditional spices owing to various medicinal properties were tested in silico for their inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 proteins. SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins (SP) and main proteases (Mpro) play a significant role in infection development were considered as potential drug targets. METHODS: A total of 75 phytochemicals present in traditional Indian spices retrieved from the published literature and Dr. Duke\u27s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Database, were docked with Mpro (PDB IDs: 6YNQ), and the SP (PDB IDs: 6LXT and 6YOR). RESULTS: Through the screening process, 75 retrieved phytochemicals were docked with spike protein (PDB IDs: 6LXT and 6YOR) and main protease (PDB ID: 6YNQ) of SARS-CoV-2. Among them, myricetin, a flavonoid (rank score: 6LXT: -11.72383; 6YOR: -9.87943; 6YNQ: -11.68164) from Allium sativumL and Isovitexin, an example of flavone (rank score:6LXT: -12.14922; 6YOR: -10.19443; 6YNQ: - 12.60603) from Pimpinella anisumL were the most potent ligands against SP and Mproof SARS-CoV-2. Whereas, Astragalin from Crocus sativusL.; Rutin from Illicium verum, Oxyguttiferone from Garcinia cambogia; Scopolin from Apium graveolens L, Luteolin from Salvia officinalis, Emodin, Aloe-emodin from Cinnamomum zeylanicium and Apigenin from Allium sativumL showed better inhibition against Mpro than SP of SARS-CoV-2. The amino acid residues like SER, LYS, ASP and TYR were found playing important role in protein-ligand interactions via hydrogen bonding and Vander Waals forces. CONCLUSION: Optimal use of traditional spices in our daily meals may help fight against COVID-19. This study also paves the path for herbal drug formulation against SARS-CoV-2 after wet lab validation

Substantial magneto-electric coupling near room temperature in Bi2Fe4O9

We report remarkable multiferroic effects in polycrystalline Bi2Fe4O9. High-resolution X-ray diffraction shows that this compound has orthorhombic structure. Magnetic measurements confirm an antiferromagnetic transition around 260 K. A pronounced inverse S-shape anomaly in the loss tangent of dielectric measurement is observed near the Neel temperature. This feature shifts with the application of magnetic field. These anomalies are indicative of substantial coupling between the electric and magnetic orders in this compound.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Production of Potent Antimicrobial Compounds from Streptomyces cyaneofuscatus Associated with Fresh Water Sediment

The genus Streptomyces under phylum actinobacteria has been recognized as a prolific source for the production of bioactive secondary metabolites. An actinobacterial strain designated as DST103 isolated from a wetland fresh water sediment of Tamdil Lake, Mizoram, Northeast, India was identified as Streptomyces cyaneofuscatus (KY287599) using 16SrRNA gene sequencing which shares 99.87% sequence similarity with Streptomyces cyaneofuscatus NRRL B-2570T. The strain showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activities against Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli MTCC 739 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 2453), Gram positive bacteria (Micrococcus luteus NCIM 2170 and Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 96) and yeast pathogen Candida albicans MTCC 3017). The methanolic extract of the strain DST103 exhibited highest antimicrobial activity against E. coli (IC50 = 2.10 μg/mL) and minimum activity against S. aureus (IC50 = 43.63 μg/mL). Five antibiotics [trimethoprim (18 μg/g), fluconazole (6 μg/g), ketoconazole (18 μg/g), nalidixic acid (135 μg/g), and rifampicin (56 μg/g)] were detected and quantified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Further, biosynthetic potential genes [polyketide synthases type II, non-ribosomal peptide synthetases, and aminodeoxyisochorismate synthase (phzE)] were also detected in strain DST103 which may possibly be responsible for the production of antimicrobial compounds. Additionally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of four volatile compounds which might be responsible for their diverse biological activity. The present study revealed the presence of bioactive compounds in strain DST103, which may be a promising resource for the discovery of novel bioactive metabolites against wide range of pathogens

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Tailored Exosomes Treat Bacteria-Associated Diabetes Foot Ulcers: A Customized Approach From Bench to Bed

Exosomes are nano-vesicles of endosomal origin inherited with characteristics of drug delivery and cargo loading. Exosomes offer a diverse range of opportunities that can be exploited in the treatment of various diseases post-functionalization. This membrane engineering is recently being used in the management of bacteria-associated diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Diabetes mellitus (DM) is among the most crippling disease of society with a large share of its imposing economic burden. DM in a chronic state is associated with the development of micro- and macrovascular complications. DFU is among the diabetic microvascular complications with the consequent occurrence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived exosomes post-tailoring hold promise to accelerate the diabetic wound repair in DFU associated with bacterial inhabitant. These exosomes promote the antibacterial properties with regenerative activity by loading bioactive molecules like growth factors, nucleic acids, and proteins, and non-bioactive substances like antibiotics. Functionalization of MSC-derived exosomes is mediated by various physical, chemical, and biological processes that effectively load the desired cargo into the exosomes for targeted delivery at specific bacterial DFUs and wound. The present study focused on the application of the cargo-loaded exosomes in the treatment of DFU and also emphasizes the different approaches for loading the desired cargo/drug inside exosomes. However, more studies and clinical trials are needed in the domain to explore this membrane engineering

Sphincter saving anorectoplasty (SSARP) for the reconstruction of Anorectal malformations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This report describes a new technique of sphincter saving anorectoplasty (SSARP) for the repair of anorectal malformations (ARM).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty six males with high ARM were treated with SSARP. Preoperative localization of the center of the muscle complex is facilitated using real time sonography and computed tomography. A soft guide wire is inserted under image control which serves as the route for final pull through of bowel. The operative technique consists of a subcoccygeal approach to dissect the blind rectal pouch. The separation of the rectum from the fistulous communication followed by pull through of the bowel is performed through the same incision. The skin or the levators in the midline posteriorly are not divided. Postoperative anorectal function as assessed by clinical Wingspread scoring was judged as excellent, good, fair and poor. Older patients were examined for sensations of touch, pain, heat and cold in the circumanal skin and the perineum. Electromyography (EMG) was done to assess preoperative and postoperative integrity of external anal sphincter (EAS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The patients were separated in 2 groups. The first group, Group I (n = 10), were newborns in whom SSARP was performed as a primary procedure. The second group, Group II (n = 16), were children who underwent an initial colostomy followed by delayed SSARP. There were no operative complications. The follow up ranged from 4 months to 18 months. Group I patients have symmetric anal contraction to stimulation and strong squeeze on digital rectal examination with an average number of bowel movements per day was 3–5. In group II the rate of excellent and good scores was 81% (13/16). All patients have an appropriate size anus and regular bowel actions. There has been no rectal prolapse, or anal stricture. EAS activity and perineal proprioception were preserved postoperatively. Follow up computed tomogram showed central placement the pull through bowel in between the muscle complex.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The technique of SSARP allows safe and anatomical reconstruction in a significant proportion of patients with ARM's without the need to divide the levator plate and muscle complex. It preserves all the components contributing to superior faecal continence, and avoids the potential complications associated with the open posterior sagittal approach.</p