Mosquito larvicidal and antimicrobial activities of synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using mature fruit extract of Cestrum diurnum L.

592-599Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were prepared using mature fruit extract of Cestrum diurnum L. (family: Solanaceae) as a reducing agent. The stabilized AgNPs were characterized by time-dependent UV–Vis Spectrophotometric analysis. The spherical/oval shape of the nanoparticle was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis with an average particle size of about 50 nm. The crystalline nature of the AgNPs was confirmed in the XRD spectrum by the characteristic Bragg peaks. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic analysis of AgNPs confirms the presence of several functional groups. AgNPs showed effective larvicidal activities against larval instars of Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in the laboratory bioassay. Synthesized AgNPs also showed good antibacterial activity against some fish pathogenic and human pathogenic bacteria which is evident from the inhibition zone diameter in the antibacterial bioassay experiment

ABC Transporter Genes Show Upregulated Expression in Drug Resistant Clinical Isolates of Candida auris : a Genome-Wide Characterization of ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter Genes

Funding This work was supported by the ICMR (AMR/149/2018-ECD-II) and DBT (BT/PR14117/BRB/10/1420/2015) to RP. AKM appreciates the support by research grant EMR/2016/001927 and DST PURSE II from the Department of Science and Technology (IN). MW was grateful for a Senior Research Fellowship from the University Grant Commission. NG acknowledges the Wellcome Trust support of a Senior Investigator (101873/Z/13/Z), Collaborative (200208/A/15/Z), and Strategic Awards (097377/Z11/Z), and the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology (MR/N006364/1). AJM was supported by the University of Aberdeen studentship. Work in AL’s laboratory was supported by the Wellcome Trust (212524/Z/18/Z) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen (MR/P501955/1 and MR/N006364/1). Acknowledgments We thank the Centre for Genome Enabled Biology and Medicine at the University of Aberdeen (E. Collie-Duguid and S. Shaw) for sequencing and support with genome analysis.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Analysis of electrochemical impedance of polyaniline films prepared by galvanostatic, potentiostatic and potentiodynamic methods

Polyaniline (PANI) films have been deposited on stainless steel (SS) substrate by galvanostatic, potentiostatic and potentiodynamic methods. Electrochemical impedance spectra of the electrodes have been analyzed using a transmission line model consisting of two rails of finite resistances. The impedance spectra of the galvanostatically prepared electrodes are similar in shape to those of potentiostatically grown electrodes. The resistance of aqueous pore $(R_{aq})$ due to ionic doping–dedoping process is greater than the resistance $(R_p)$ of electronic chargetransfer on polymer chain. These parameters exhibit an increase in magnitude with thickness of PANI, as expected from the transmission line theory. The shape of impedance spectra of potentiodynamically grown PANI, however, is different and its $R_{aq} \leq R_p$. The impedance parameters of potentiodynamically prepared PANI/SS electrodes have been found to depend on the sweep rate used for the deposition of PANI. Several possible explanations have been discussed to understand the influence of sweep rate during deposition on impedance parameters of the electrodes. In contrast to the behavior of PANI deposited by galvanostatic and potentiostatic methods, $R_p$ decreases with an increase in thickness of PANI deposited by the potentiodynamic method. The effect of concentration of aniline used for the deposition of PANI on impedance parameters has also been studied. The results of capacitance of PANI obtained from the ac impedance studies have been found to be comparable with those obtained from the cyclic voltammetric studies

Functional response analysis of Anisops sardea (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) against Culex quinquefasciatus in laboratory condition

Background & objectives: Culex quinquefasciatus is the principal vector of lymphatic filariasis (LF). Application of alternative vector control methodologies are aimed at reduction of mosquito breeding sites and biting activity through the use of biological control methods. In the present study, functional response of aquatic Hemipteran backswimmer, Anisops sardea was assessed against Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae in laboratory bioassay. Methods: The functional respons of A. sardea was assessed against III rd instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Respective handling times and coefficient of attack rates were determined by a non linear polynomeal regression equation. Results: The results of rates of predation in variable prey densities exhibited a ′linear rise to plateau curve′, associated with ′Type -II′ functional response. The logistic regression estimated a significant negative linear parameter (P 1 <0) which also supported the same observation. Associated ′attack rates′ and ′handling times′ were also calculated using the Holling Disc Equation. Interpretation & conclusions: The results of present experiments indicate that A. sardea can be used as a biocontrol agent against the larval forms of Cx. quinquefasciatus in temporarily available breeding places of mosquito with relatively clear water. However, a detailed field study has to be done to confirm these findings

Mosquito larvicidal and antimicrobial activities of synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using mature fruit extract of Cestrum diurnum L.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were prepared using mature fruit extract of Cestrum diurnum L. (family: Solanaceae) as a reducing agent. The stabilized AgNPs were characterized by time-dependent UV–Vis Spectrophotometric analysis. The spherical/oval shape of the nanoparticle was confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis with an average particle size of about 50 nm. The crystalline nature of the AgNPs was confirmed in the XRD spectrum by the characteristic Bragg peaks. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic analysis of AgNPs confirms the presence of several functional groups. AgNPs showed effective larvicidal activities against larval instars of Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in the laboratory bioassay. Synthesized AgNPs also showed good antibacterial activity against some fish pathogenic and human pathogenic bacteria which is evident from the inhibition zone diameter in the antibacterial bioassay experiment

A randomized trial of intravenous labetalol & oral nifedipine in severe pregnancy induced hypertension

Background: Hypertension is the most frequently encountered medical disorder in obstetrics practice &amp; remain a major cause of maternal, fetal &amp; neonatal morbidity &amp; mortality. The present study was undertaken to compare the time taken to reach the therapeutic goal blood pressure after using intravenous labetalol &amp; oral nifedipine in severe pregnancy induced hypertension.Methods: Randomly allocated patients received labetalol 20 mg initially, followed by escalating doses of 40, 80, 80 &amp; 80 mg &amp; a placebo tablet every 20 minutes or initially nifedipine tablet 10 mg orally with repeated doses of 20 mg every 20 minutes up to 5 doses &amp; intravenous placebo 0.9% isotonic saline until the therapeutic goal blood pressure, Systolic ≤ 150 mmHg &amp; diastolic ≤ 100 mmHg was achieved. Primary and secondary outcomes like the time interval required to achieve a blood pressure of ≤150/100 mmHg and urinary output, agent failure &amp; adverse effects respectively were reported.Results: Patients received oral nifedipine achieved the goal therapeutic blood pressure more rapidly in 28.2±11.7 minutes (mean±SD) as compared with 48.4±23.5 minutes in those received intravenous labetalol (p=0.001). The nifedipine group also required significantly fewer doses (3.5±0.5 vs 4.5±1.5; p=0.001) to reach the goal blood pressure. Urine output was significantly increased (p&lt;0.001) at one hour after nifedipine therapy (95.6±1.2) compared with labetalol (41.9±1.6 ml) &amp; remained significantly increased at 4,8,16&amp;24 hours after initial therapy. Few adverse effects were reported but not significant. No patients required cross over therapy.Conclusions: Oral nifedipine &amp; intravenous labetalol regimens are effective in the management of severe hypertension in pregnancy; however nifedipine controls hypertension more rapidly &amp; is associated with a significant increase in urinary output

Cdr1p highlights the role of the non-hydrolytic ATP-binding site in driving drug translocation in asymmetric ABC pumps

International audienc

Cdr1p highlights the role of the non-hydrolytic ATP-binding site in driving drug translocation in asymmetric ABC pumps

International audienc

Energy storage in symmetric and asymmetric supercapacitors based in carbon cloth/polyaniline-carbon black nanocomposites

In this work, the construction of electrochemical capacitors using polyaniline-carbon black nanocomposites as electrode material is described. Symmetric and asymmetric cells were assembled. The active material was supported on carbon cloth acting as current collector as well. The electrolyte was H2SO4 0.5 M, and the selected potential range was 1V. The electrochemical behavior of the arrayed supercapacitors was studied by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge runs. At a constant current density of 0.3 A/g, a specific capacitance value of 1039 F/g was obtained for a symmetric assembly using both electrodes prepared with polyaniline and carbon black nanocomposites. When the set is asymmetric, being the positive electrode made of polyaniline and carbon black nanocomposites, the specific capacitance value is 1534 F/g. For the latter array, the specific power and energy density values are 300 W/kg and 426 Wh/kg at 0.3 A/g, and 13 700 W/kg and 28 Wh/kg at 13.7 A/g. These results suggest a good capacity of fast energy transfer. Moreover, this asymmetric supercapacitor demonstrated a high stability over 1000 cycles being the loss of only 5%.Fil: Bavio, Marcela Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones En Física E Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarria. Departamento de Electromecánica. Grupo INTELYMEC; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, Gerardo Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones En Física E Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarria. Departamento de Electromecánica. Grupo INTELYMEC; ArgentinaFil: Kessler, Teresita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería Olavarria. Departamento de Electromecánica. Grupo INTELYMEC; Argentin