Effect of turmeric and curcumin on BP-DNA adducts

Many human cancers that are widely prevalent today can be prevented through modifications in life-styles, of which diet appears to be an important agent. Several dietary constituents modulate the process of carcinogenesis and prevent genotoxicity. Many plant constituents including turmeric appear to be potent antimutagens and antioxidants. Therefore the modulatory effects of turmeric and curcumin on the levels of benzo[a]pyrene induced DNA adducts in the livers of rats were studied by the newly developed 32P-postlabelling assay method. Turmeric when fed at 0.1, 0.5 and 3% and the active principle of turmeric (curcumin) when fed at a level of 0.03% in the diet for 4 weeks significantly reduced the level of BP-DNA adducts including the major adduct dG-N2-BP, formed within 24 h in response to a single i.p. injection of benzo[a]pyrene. The significance of these effects in terms of the potential anticarcinogenic effects of turmeric is discussed. Further, these results strengthen the various other biological effects of turmeric which have direct relevance to anticarcinogenesis and chemoprevention

On occurrence of certain biotoxins along the Kerala Coast

Occurrence of algal blooms has been reported from the coastal regions of Kerala. A study was conducted to collect detailed information on location and seasonality of the incidence of PSP and DSP toxins in-the bivalves of (his region for providing advance warning to avoid shellfish poisoning. A database on the hydrographic parameters in relation to algal blooms and toxic blooms at selected stations, which are sites of frequent blooms in the past years, was prepared

TEX: The New Insensitive High Explosive

Insensitive high explosive 4, 10-dinitro-2,6,8, 12-tetraoxa-4, 10-diazatetracyclo (5.5.0.0.5,9 03,11) dodecane (TEX) has been synthesised by an improved laboratory-scale process using 93 per cent to 96 per cent nitric acid as nitrating agent. Characterisation of the product was done based on its physical constants, infrared, differential thermal analysis, and mass spectral studies. Explosive and ballistic parameters of TEX containing formulations were computed using Becker-Kistiakowsky-Wilson (BKW) code and NASA Chemical Equilibrium Composition- 71 programme, respectively. Semi-empirical quantum mechanical calculations using the parametric model 3 (PM3) method have been carried out for the TEX molecule. The optimised geometrical parameters and heats of formation were obtained from semi-empirical PM3

Explosive Nitrotriazolone Formulates

Nitrotriazolone has been synthesised and fully characterised. This explosive was found to exhibit self-binding properties forming pellets at different loads. The compression strength of these pellets were in the range 80-128 kgf/cm2 under one to three tonne/cm2 load. Other pressable formulations containing nitrotriazolone have also been successfully prepared. A composition comparable to composition B was also prepared using nitrotriazolone and trinitrotoluene (60:40). Mechanical properties and insensitivity of this new composition were found to be superior

Assessment on the Use of High Capacity “Sn4_{4}P3_{3}”/NHC Composite Electrodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries with Ether and Carbonate Electrolytes

This work reports the facile synthesis of a Sn–P composite combined with nitrogen doped hard carbon (NHC) obtained by ball-milling and its use as electrode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). The “Sn$_{4}$P$_{3}$”/NHC electrode (with nominal composition “Sn$_{4}$P$_{3}$”:NHC = 75:25 wt%) when coupled with a diglyme-based electrolyte rather than the most commonly employed carbonate-based systems, exhibits a reversible capacity of 550 mAh g$_{electrode}$$^{−1}$ at 50 mA g$^{−1}$ and 440 mAh g$_{electrode}$$^{−1}$ over 500 cycles (83% capacity retention). Morphology and solid electrolyte interphase formation of cycled “Sn$_{4}$P$_{3}$”/NHC electrodes is studied via electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The expansion of the electrode upon sodiation (300 mAh g$_{electrode}$$^{−1}$) is only about 12–14% as determined by in situ electrochemical dilatometry, giving a reasonable explanation for the excellent cycle life despite the conversion-type storage mechanism. In situ X-ray diffraction shows that the discharge product is Na$_{15}$Sn$_{4}$. The formation of mostly amorphous Na$_{3}$P is derived from the overall (electro)chemical reactions. Upon charge the formation of Sn is observed while amorphous P is derived, which are reversibly alloying with Na in the subsequent cycles. However, the formation of Sn$_{4}$P$_{3}$ can be certainly excluded

Potential marine fishery resources of India

Marine fisheries resources of our country, being dynamic and self renewing in nature, are subject to fluctuations due to fishery-dependent and fishery-independent factors. Therefore, it becomes necessary to review periodically the status of exploited resources and make critical assessment of the fishery potential as more and more data are gathered and new knowledge based on exploratory surveys and researches emerges. Such vital information on the potential resources of the country is an essential prerequisite for proper planning of development strategies with regard to the marine fisheries sector

Fishery resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the northwest coast of India

For well over two decades now, trawling operations, both exploratory and commercial, have been going on along the north-western region, off the Goa, Maha rashtra and Gujarat coasts (15°-24°N). A historical resimie of trawling in India has been given by Jayaraman et al. (1959) in their account of the demersal fishery resources of the shelf waters of this area, for the period 1950 to 1955. Similar accoimts on the distribution patterns of major exploited fisheries for 1961-1967 and 1968-1970, have been given by Rao (1969) and Rao et al. (1966, 1972) and Nair (1974). Apart from the above accoimts on the fisheries in general, detailed studies on the pattern of distribution and abundance of individual species have been reported by Rao (1965— Pseudosciaena' diacanthus), Kagwade (1973—Polynemus heptadactylus), Deshmukh (1973—Pomadasys hasta), Kaikini (1974—Lactarius lactarius) and Kagwade {1966—prawns), as also (Prabhu and Dhawan, 1974)— regional fisheries off Goa. The results of these studies, based on bottom-trawling operations mostly in regions less than 80 metres in depth, have given us a fair knowledge of the demersal resources potential of this region

Higher incidence of perineal community acquired MRSA infections among toddlers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A six-fold increase in pediatric MRSA infections, prompted us to examine the clinical profile of children with MRSA infections seen at Mercy Children's Hospital, Toledo, Ohio and to characterize the responsible strains.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Records were reviewed of pediatric patients who cultured positive for MRSA from June 1 to December 31, 2007. Strain typing by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFT) and DiversiLab, SCC<it>mec </it>typing, and PCR-based <it>lukSF-PV </it>gene (encodes Panton-Valentine leukocidin), arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) and <it>cap</it>5 gene detection was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Chart review of 63 patients with MRSA infections revealed that 58(92%) were community acquired MRSA (CAMRSA). All CAMRSA were skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Twenty five (43%) patients were aged < 3 yrs, 19(33%) aged 4-12 and 14(24%) aged 13-18. Nineteen (76%) of those aged < 3 yrs had higher incidence of perineal infections compared to only 2(11%) of the 4-12 yrs and none of the 13-18 yrs of age. Infections in the extremities were more common in the older youth compared to the youngest children. Overall, there was a significant association between site of the infection and age group (Fisher's Exact p-value < 0.001). All CAMRSA were USA300 PFT, clindamycin susceptible, SCC<it>mec </it>type IVa and <it>lukSF-PV gene </it>positive. Nearly all contained ACME and about 80% were <it>cap</it>5 positive. Of the 58 USA300 strains by PFT, 55(95%) were also identified as USA300 via the automated repetitive sequence-based PCR method from DiversiLab.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>CAMRSA SSTI of the perineum was significantly more common among toddlers and that of the extremities in older children. The infecting strains were all USA300 PFT. Further studies are needed to identify the unique virulence and colonization characteristics of USA300 strains in these infections.</p

Minimal residual disease in Myeloma: Application for clinical care and new drug registration

The development of novel agents has transformed the treatment paradigm for multiple myeloma, with minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity now achievable across the entire disease spectrum. Bone marrow–based technologies to assess MRD, including approaches using next-generation flow and next-generation sequencing, have provided real-time clinical tools for the sensitive detection and monitoring of MRD in patients with multiple myeloma. Complementary liquid biopsy–based assays are now quickly progressing with some, such as mass spectrometry methods, being very close to clinical use, while others utilizing nucleic acid–based technologies are still developing and will prove important to further our understanding of the biology of MRD. On the regulatory front, multiple retrospective individual patient and clinical trial level meta-analyses have already shown and will continue to assess the potential of MRD as a surrogate for patient outcome. Given all this progress, it is not surprising that a number of clinicians are now considering using MRD to inform real-world clinical care of patients across the spectrum from smoldering myeloma to relapsed refractory multiple myeloma, with each disease setting presenting key challenges and questions that will need to be addressed through clinical trials. The pace of advances in targeted and immune therapies in multiple myeloma is unprecedented, and novel MRD-driven biomarker strategies are essential to accelerate innovative clinical trials leading to regulatory approval of novel treatments and continued improvement in patient outcomes

A systematic review of Vancouver B2 and B3 periprosthetic femoral fractures

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of Vancouver type B2 and B3 fractures by performing a systematic review of the methods of surgical treatment which have been reported. Materials and Methods A systematic search was performed in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. For inclusion, studies required a minimum of ten patients with a Vancouver type B2 and/or ten patients with a Vancouver type B3 fracture, a minimum mean follow-up of two years and outcomes which were matched to the type of fracture. Studies were also required to report the rate of re-operation as an outcome measure. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database. Results A total of 22 studies were included based on the eligibility criteria, including 343 B2 fractures and 167 B3 fractures. The mean follow-up ranged from 32 months to 74 months. Of 343 Vancouver B2 fractures, the treatment in 298 (86.8%) involved revision arthroplasty and 45 (12.6%) were treated with internal fixation alone. A total of 37 patients (12.4%) treated with revision arthroplasty and six (13.3%) treated by internal fixation only underwent further re-operation. Of 167 Vancouver B3 fractures, the treatment in 160 (95.8%) involved revision arthroplasty and eight (4.8%) were treated with internal fixation without revision. A total of 23 patients (14.4%) treated with revision arthroplasty and two (28.6%) treated only with internal fixation required re-operation. Conclusion A significant proportion, particularly of B2 fractures, were treated without revision of the stem. These were associated with a higher rate of re-operation. The treatment of B3 fractures without revision of the stem resulted in a high rate of re-operation. This demonstrates the importance of careful evaluation and accurate characterisation of the fracture at the time of presentation to ensure the correct management. There is a need for improvement in the reporting of data in case series recording the outcome of the surgical treatment of periprosthetic fractures. We have suggested a minimum dataset to improve the quality of data in studies dealing with these fractures