Biotransformation of ß-estradiol isolated from Sonchus eruca

The biotransformation of ß-estradiol (1,3,5-estratriene-3,17,ß-diols) by Bacillus subtillus resulted in four metabolites which were (1) 3,5-estratriene-3-ol–17–one, (2) 1,3,5-estratriene-3,16,17-triol, (3) 1,3,5,7- estratetra-ene-3-ol-17-one and (4) 1,3,5,6, estratetra-ene-3-ol-17-one. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. Compound 3 showed good inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase enzyme.Key words: Microbial transformation, ß-estradiol (1,3,5-estratriene-3,17,ß-diols), Bacillus subtillus, Aspergillus niger, lipoxygenase

A Comparative Analysis on the Innate Immune Responses of <i>Cirrhinus mrigala</i> Challenged with <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>

Microbes are the most significant ubiquitous pathogens that cause serious infections in freshwater fish, leading to tremendous economic losses. The present study was designed to investigate the extent of changes in cytokine expression, hemato-biochemical parameters, and tissue histology of Cirrhinus mrigala (C. mrigala) challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum). Fish were divided into three major groups: control, P. aeruginosa-challenged, and F. oxysporum-challenged. The infection in both challenge assays was allowed to progress until 7 days post infection. Upregulated expression of TNF-α and IL-1β was found in blood, gills, livers, and kidneys of the challenged fish. Significant differences were noted in hematological parameters of challenged fish. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline aminotransferase levels also showed significant differences in infected and control groups. An increase in serum albumin and globulin and a decrease in total protein were noted in infected groups as compared to the control group. Severe histological alterations were noted in gill, liver, and kidney tissues of the infected groups as compared to control. The order of histological alteration index for P. aeruginosa challenge was liver &gt; kidney &gt; gills, and for F. oxysporum challenge it was kidney &gt; liver &gt; gills. These changes in fish infected by P. aeruginosa and F. oxysporum can be used as an effective and subtle index to monitor the physiological and pathological conditions of fish

Green preparation of antimicrobial cotton fabrics by using bioactive agents from cupressaceae pods

Antimicrobial fabrics have become essential in organizing and managing infestation and reducing odor formation by microbes. Various green sources add antimicrobial properties to fabrics, especially cotton. However, the major problem with microbial fabrics is the reduction of antimicrobial activity after each wash. Cupressaceae pods have shown natural potential as an antimicrobial agent in herbal medicine. This study utilizes cupressaceae for incorporating antimicrobial properties in cotton fabric. After the methanolic extraction of the cupressaceae extract, it was applied to the cotton fabric. The application of the extract to cotton fabric was made by optimizing concentration, temperature, and pH parameters. The extract modified cotton showed the best performance at 15 wt.% of concentration, 140°C and pH 7.5. The treated fabrics were tested in the presence and absence of the binder using the standard washing method ISO 105-C10:2006. Mordant-treated fabric retained 16.4% more activity after 20 washes. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of the greenly developed antimicrobial cotton fabrics was checked against Staphylococcus, E. coli, Bacillus, and C. albicans by using AATCC 100-2004 test method. The study indicated that the prepared cotton fabric showed better antimicrobial activity against the earlier mentioned strains, except for C. albicans. The prepared antimicrobial fabric showed a wide range of antimicrobial activity and less fungal activity. Thus, the prepared fabric can be used for wound dressings, hospital staff gown material, and athlete's sportswear to prevent microbial infection

An overview on recent biomedical applications of biopolymers: Their role in drug delivery systems and comparison of major systems

Polymers are ubiquitous in our daily lives, from workplaces to homes. Biopolymers are becoming more popular as an alternative to petroleum-based polymers because of their lower environmental impact due to their low carbon footprint and easy degradation. The primary aim of developing technology is a better quality of life. Improved therapies and tailor-made treatments are currently the focus of scientists. However, the delivery of drugs has been a long problem in the field of medicine. As a result, many drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been created for this purpose. Among these, nanotechnology-based DDSs, especially nanofibers, hold a promising future. This review focuses on the importance of naturally abundant biopolymers in recent medical applications, especially their role in DDSs, and provides a crucial comparison of the merits and demerits of the major DDSs for researchers to develop tailor-made DDSs

Bio-corrosion behavior and mechanical characteristics of magnesium-titania-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites coated by magnesium-oxide flakes and silicon for use as resorbable bone fixation material

This study was aimed to improve of the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of Mg/15TiO2/5HA nanocomposite by silicon and magnesium oxide coatings prepared using a powder metallurgy method. The phase evolution, chemical composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of uncoated and coated samples were characterized. Electrochemical and immersion tests used to investigate the in vitro corrosion behavior of the fabricated samples. The adhesion strength of ~36 MPa for MgO and ~32 MPa for Si/MgO coatings to substrate was measured by adhesion test. Fabrication a homogenous double layer coating with uniform thicknesses consisting micro-sized particles of Si as outer layer and flake-like particles of MgO as the inner layer on the surface of Mg/15TiO2/5HA nanocomposite caused the corrosion resistance and ductility increased whereas the ultimate compressive stress decreased. However, after immersion in SBF solution, Si/MgO-coated sample indicates the best mechanical properties compared to those of the uncoated and MgO-coated samples. The increase of cell viability percentage of the normal human osteoblast (NHOst) cells indicates the improvement in biocompatibility of Mg/15TiO2/5HA nanocomposite by Si/MgO coating

Beyond bone biology: Lessons from team science

Today, research in biomedicine often requires the knowledge and technologies in diverse fields. Therefore, there is an increasing need for collaborative team science that crosses traditional disciplines. Here, we discuss our own lessons from both interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams, which ultimately ushered us to expand our research realm beyond bone biology. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Comparison of Blister Aneurysm Treatment Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective Blood blister aneurysms are small, thin-walled, rapidly growing side-wall aneurysms that have proven particularly difficult to treat, and evidence-based guidance for treatment strategies is lacking. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to aggregate the available data and compare the three primary treatment modalities. Methods We performed a comprehensive literature search according to PRISMA guidelines followed by an indirect meta-analysis that compares the safety and efficacy of surgical, flow-diverting stents (FDS), and other endovascular approaches for the treatment of ruptured blood blister aneurysms. Results A total of 102 studies were included for quantitative synthesis with sample sizes of 687 treated surgically, 704 treated endovascularly without FDS, and 125 treated via flow-diversion. Comparatively, FDS achieved significantly reduced rates of perioperative retreatment compared to both surgical (P=0.025) and non-FDS endovascular (P<0.001). The FDS subgroup also achieved a significantly lower incidence of perioperative rebleed (P<0.001), perioperative hydrocephalus (P=0.012), postoperative infarction (P=0.002), postoperative hydrocephalus (P<0.001), and postoperative vasospasm (P=0.002) when compared to those patients in the open surgical subgroup. While no significant differences were found between groups on the basis of functional outcomes, angiographic outcomes detailed by rates of radiographic complete occlusion were highest for surgical (90.7%, 262/289) and FDS (89.1%, 98/110) subgroups versus the non-FDS endovascular subgroup at (82.7%, 268/324). Conclusion Flow-diversion appears to be an effective treatment strategy for ruptured BBAs with lower rates of perioperative complications when compared to surgical and other endovascular techniques but studies investigating long-term outcomes following flow-diversion warrant further study

Awareness and Use of Benzodiazepines in Healthy Volunteers and Ambulatory Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross Sectional Survey

Background: Indiscriminate prescription of Benzodiazepines in Pakistan and subsequent availability over-the-counter without prescription is a major public health problem, requiring systematic inquiry through research. Additionally, there is limited data on the awareness and use of Benzodiazepines from developing countries making it impossible to devise meaningful health policies. Methodology/Principal Findings: This was an Observational, Cross-Sectional study. conducted at Aga Khan University. A total of 475 (58.5 % males, 41.5 % females) people visiting a tertiary care hospital were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire. The results showed that majority of population was aware of one or more Benzodiazepines (80.4%) and 30.4 % had used them at some point in life. 42.4 % of the users had been using it for more than a year. Commonest reason for use was sleep disturbance. Frequency of usage was higher for females, married individuals, educated (.Grade12), high socioeconomic status and housewives. More (59%) were prescribed than not and of them most by GP (58.5%). Only 36.5% of them were particularly told about the long-term addiction potential by the use of these drugs. Conclusion: Easy availability, access to re-fills without prescription and self prescription compounded with the lack of understanding of abuse potential of benzodiazepines constitutes a significant problem demanding serious consideratio