p-toluene sulfonic acid doped polyaniline carbon nanotube composites: synthesis via different routes and modified properties

Composites of polyaniline and carbon nanotube (CNT) were prepared by in-situ chemical polymerization method using various aniline concentrations in the initial polymerization solution with p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTS) as secondary dopant and mechanical mixing of the PANI and CNT using different weight ratios of PANI and CNTs. The structural characterizations of the composites were done by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Ultra violet visible spectroscopy (UV-Visible). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the surface morphology of the composites. It was found that the composites prepared by in-situ chemical polymerization had smoother surface morphology in comparison to the composites obtained by mechanical mixing. The capacitive studies reveal that the in-situ composite has synergistic effect and the specific capacitance of the composite calculated from cyclic voltammogram (CV) was 385.1 F/g. Thermal studies indicate that the composites are stable as compared to PANI alone showing that the CNT contributes towards thermal stability in the PANI-CNT composites

Pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of a single co-administered dose of diethylcarbamazine, albendazole and ivermectin in adults with and without Wuchereria bancrofti infection in Cote d\u27Ivoire

BackgroundA single co-administered dose of ivermectin (IVM) plus diethylcarbamazine (DEC) plus albendazole (ALB), or triple-drug therapy, was recently found to be more effective for clearing microfilariae (Mf) than standard DEC plus ALB currently used for mass drug administration programs for lymphatic filariasis (LF) outside of sub-Saharan Africa. Triple-drug therapy has not been previously tested in LF-uninfected individuals from Africa. This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and efficacy of triple-drug therapy in people with and without Wuchereria bancrofti infection in West Africa.MethodsIn this open-label cohort study, treatment-naïve microfilaremic (>50 mf/mL, n = 32) and uninfected (circulating filarial antigen negative, n = 24) adults residing in Agboville district, Côte d’Ivoire, were treated with a single dose of IVM plus DEC plus ALB, and evaluated for adverse events (AEs) until 7 days post treatment. Drug levels were assessed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Persons responsible for assessing AEs were blinded to participants’ infection status.FindingsThere was no difference in AUC0-inf or Cmax between LF-infected and uninfected participants (P>0.05 for all comparisons). All subjects experienced mild AEs; 28% and 25% of infected and uninfected participants experienced grade 2 AEs, respectively. There were no severe or serious adverse events. Only fever (16 of 32 versus 4 of 24, PConclusionsModerate to heavy W. bancrofti infection did not affect PK parameters for IVM, DEC or ALB following a single co-administered dose of these drugs compared to uninfected individuals. The drugs were well tolerated. This study confirmed the efficacy of the triple-drug therapy for clearing W. bancrofti Mf and has added important information to support the use of this regimen in LF elimination programs in areas of Africa without co-endemic onchocerciasis or loiasis.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02845713.</div

Synthesis and Characterisation of Some New Aluminium Derivatives of Schiff Bases Containing N, O and S Donor Atoms and the Anti Fertility Activity of the Derivative Al[SC6H4N:C(CH3)CH2COCH3]3

Some new compounds of aluminium having the general formula AI[SC6H4N:C(R) CH2 C(O)R’]3 where R = CH3, R' = CH3 (1); R' = CH3, R' = C6H5 (2); R = CF3, R’ = -C = CH - CH = CHS (3); R = CF3, R’ = C6H5 (4) have been synthesised by the reactions of Al(OPri)3 and the corresponding ligands in 1:3 molar ratios in benzene. Elemental and spectroscopic (IR, 1H, 13C, and 27AI NMR) characterisation of these monomeric compounds reveals monofunctional bidentate behaviour of ligand moiety and the octahedral geometry around aluminium atom. Compound (1), AI[SC6H4N:C(CH3)CH2COCH3], has been tested for its antifertility activity in male albino rats. The oral administration of this compound at the dose level 6.5 rag/rat/day reduced the weights of testes and epididymides. Significant decrease in sperm motility as well as sperm density resulted in the reduction of male fertility by 100%. Production of primary spermatocytes (preleptotene and pachytene), secondary spermatocytes and step-19 spermatids declined by 56.10%, 44.42 %, 63.35 % and 64.57 % respectively. These results indicate that the administration of compound (1) in male rats brought about an interference with spermatogenesis which ultimately caused infertility

Zika Virus- Emergence, Evolution, Pathology, Diagnosis, and Control: Current Global Scenario and Future Perspectives- A Comprehensive Review

This review converses the Zika virus which has attained global concern due to its rapid pandemic potential and impact on humans. Though Zika virus was first isolated in 1947, till the recent large-scale outbreak which occurred in Micronesia, in 2007, the virus was placed into the innocuous pathogen category. The World Health Organization on 1 February 2016 declared it as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.\u27 Of the note, American as well as Pacific Island strains/isolates is relatively closer to Asian lineage strains. The African and American strains share more than 87.5% and 95% homologies with Asian strains/isolates, respectively. Asian strains form independent clusters, except those isolated from China, suggesting relatively more diversity than African strains. Prevention and control are mainly aimed at the vector population (mosquitoes) with Aedes aegypti being the main species. Surveys in Africa and Asia indicated seropositivity in various animal species. However, so far its natural reservoir is unknown. There is an urgent need to understand why Zika virus has shifted from being a virus that caused mild illness to unforeseen birth defects as well as autoimmune-neurological problems. Unfortunately, an effective vaccine is not available yet. Availability of cryo-electron microscopy based on 3.8 angstrom resolution revealing mature Zika virus structure and the probable virus attachment site to host cell would provide critical insights into the development of antiviral treatments and vaccines