A quick method for surveillance of 59 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables using rapid three-dimensional gas chromatography (GC/MSD/µ-ECD/FPD) and LC/MS-MS

This article describes a simple, quick and inexpensive method for determination of pesticides in fruits and vegetables. The method, known as the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) method for pesticide residues, involves the extraction and simultaneous liquid-liquid partitioning formed by adding anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) plus sodium acetate (NaAc) followed by a simple cleanup step known as dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE). The extracts were analyzed by three-dimensional gas chromatography GC/MSD/µ-ECD/FPD in trace ion mode and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). Method sensitivity, linearity, repeatability and reproducibility, accuracy, matrix effects, and overall uncertainties have been studied for method validation according to the international norm ISO/IEC: 17025:2005 for both techniques. Identification, quantification and reporting with Total and Extracted ion chromatograms, µECD and DFPD were facilitated to a great extent by Deconvolution Reporting Software (DRS) for GC and Mass hunter software for LC. For all compounds LODs were 0.001 to 0.01 mg/kg and LOQs were 0.005 to 0.020 mg/kg. Correlation coefficients of the calibration curves were >0.991.To validate the effects of matrices, repeatability, reproducibility, recovery and overall uncertainty were calculated for twenty-four matrices at 0.020, 0.050 and 0.500 mg/kg. Recovery ranged between 75-107 % with RSD <17 % for repeatability and intermediate precision and UM of ± 13-22 %

Fundus fluorescein angiographic assessment of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular edema before and after intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab

Background: To assess the role of intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema in terms of change in leakage area and best-corrected visual acuity.Methods: This prospective randomized interventional study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology from September 2013 to August 2015 and included thirty eyes of twenty patients.After a detailed history and ocular examination, diagnosed cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) underwent sequential fundus fluorescein angiography. Bevacizumab was administered intravitreally. Patients were assessed two hours after injection for anterior chamber reaction and intraocular pressure and were advised follow-ups at 24 hours and then at 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. For the outcome, the change of retinal new vessels by assessment of leakage area using Quantitative Planimetric Analysis (QPA) of photographs as well as the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to the 12 weeks follow-up, were done. Results were analyzed statistically by applying t-test.Results: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection lead to a significant decrease in leakage in DME and PDR, and improvement in mean BCVA. The effect was maximum at 4 weeks which weaned off as the study progressed through it remains statistically significant at the end of 12 weeks.Conclusions: Intravitreal bevacizumab plays a major role in treating and reducing visual deterioration in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema

Assessment of dimensional stability, biodegradability, and fracture energy of bio composites reinforced with novel pine cone

In this investigation, biodegradable composites were fabricated with polycaprolactone (PCL) matrix reinforced with pine cone powder (15%, 30%, and 45% by weight) and compatibilized with graphite powder (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight) in polycaprolactone matrix by compression molding technique. The samples were prepared as per ASTM standard and tested for dimensional stability, biodegradability, and fracture energy with scanning electron micrographs. Water-absorption and thickness-swelling were performed to examine the dimensional stability and tests were performed at 23 °C and 50% humidity. Results revealed that the composites with 15 wt % of pine cone powder (PCP) have shown higher dimensional stability as compared to other composites. Bio-composites containing 15–45 wt % of PCP with low graphite content have shown higher disintegration rate than neat PCL. Fracture energy for crack initiation in bio-composites was increased by 68% with 30% PCP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the composites have shown evenly-distributed PCP particles throughout PCL-matrix at significantly high-degrees or quantities of reinforcing

How different are corporate social responsibility motives in a developing country? Insights from a study of Indian agribusiness firms

Against the backdrop of increasing foreign direct investment flows in the developing economies in Asia the investigation of topical aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the region increases in importance. We examine the CSR motives of four large indigenous agribusiness firms in India with a view to assess the validity of the claim that CSR in this country, compared to developed countries, is influenced substantially more by moral, cultural and religious considerations and less by self-interest and profit seeking. Unlike numerous other investigations of CSR that rely on questionnaires and company reports, our data are drawn from in-depth interviews and theme analysis revealing some intricate motives behind CSR behavior and business conditions that inspire them. Our findings challenge some previously reported results and indicate that the degree to which such behavior is affected by the state of economic development and cultural differences may be smaller than is often argued

Synthesis of novel 4-methylthiocoumarin and comparison with conventional coumarin derivative as a multi-target-directed ligand in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by cognitive deficit and memory loss. The pathological feature of the disease involves β-amyloid senile plaques, reduced levels of acetylcholine neurotransmitter, oxidative stress and neurofibrillary tangles formation within the brain of AD patients. The present study aims to screen the inhibitory activity of newly synthesized and existing novel 4-methylthiocoumarin derivative against acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, BACE1, β-amyloid aggregation and oxidative stress involved in the AD pathogenesis. The in vitro assays used in this study were Ellman’s assay, FRET assays, Thioflavin T, transmission electron microscopy, circular dichroism, FRAP, and TEAC. Molecular docking and dynamics studies were performed to correlate the results. C3 and C7 (thiocoumarin derivatives) were found to be the most potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (IC50-5.63 µM) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC50-3.40 µM) using Ellman’s assays. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that C3 and C7 compounds followed by the mixed mode of inhibition using LB plot. C3 also moderately inhibited the BACE1 using FRET assay. C3 inhibited the fibrillization of β-amyloid peptides in a concentration-dependent manner as observed by Thioflavin T, TEM studies and Circular dichroism data. Molecular modeling studies were performed to understand the probable mode of binding of C3 and C7 in the binding pocket of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, BACE1 and amyloid β peptides. This indicates the important role of hydrophobic interactions between C3 and acetylcholinesterase. C3 also exhibited significant antioxidant potential by FRAP and TEAC assays. Hence, C3 might serve as a promising lead for developing novel multi target-directed ligand for the treatment of AD

Inhibition of Amyloid Fibrillation of HEWL by 4-Methylcoumarin and 4-Methylthiocoumarin Derivatives

Background: Several human diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, and systemic amyloidosis are associated with the misfolding and aggregation of protein molecules. Objective: The present study demonstrated the comparison of 4-methyl coumarin and 4-methylthiocoumarin derivative for their anti-amyloidogenic and disaggregation activities. The hen egg-white lysozyme is used as a model system to study protein aggregation and disaggregation under in vitro conditions. Methods: Techniques used in the study were Thioflavin T fluorescence assay, intrinsic fluorescence assay, circular dichroism, transmission electron microscopy, and molecular dynamics. Results: Fifteen compounds were screened for their anti-amyloidogenic and disaggregation potential. Six compounds significantly inhibited the fibril formation, whereas ten compounds showed disaggregation property of pre-formed fibrils. Under in vitro conditions, the compound C3 and C7 showed significant inhibition of fibril formation in a concentration-dependent manner as compared to control. C3 and C7 demonstrated 93% and 76% inhibition of fibril formation, respectively. Furthermore, C3 and C7 exhibited 83% and 76% disaggregation activity, respectively, of pre-formed HEWL fibrils at their highest concentration. These anti-amyloidogenic and disaggregation potential of C3 and C7 were validated by intrinsic fluorescence, CD, molecular dynamics, and TEM study. Discussion: 4-methylthiocoumarins derivatives have shown better anti-amyloidogenic activity as compared to 4-methylcoumarin derivatives for both amyloid formation as well as disaggregation of preformed amyloid fibrils. Structurally, the derivatives of 4-methylthiocoumarins (C3 and C7) contain thio group on 2nd position that might be responsible for anti-amyloidogenic activity as compared to 4- methylcoumarin derivatives (C2 and C4). Conclusion: C3 and C7 are novel 4-methylthiocoumarin derivatives that can be used as a lead for alleviation and symptoms associated with protein aggregation disorders

Glaucoma drainage devices

Glaucoma drainage devices (GDD) occupy an important place in the surgical management of glaucoma that is not responding to medications and trabeculectomy operations. In certain conditions, such as neovascular glaucoma, pediatric glaucoma, iridocorneal endothelial syndrome, penetrating keratoplasty with glaucoma, glaucoma following retinal detachment surgery, it has become the preferred operation. GDD create an alternate aqueous pathway from anterior chamber by channeling aqueous out of the eye through a tube to subconjunctival space. Glaucoma drainage implants that have been used extensively include the non-restrictive and restrictive drainage devices. This article outlines history of implants, types of implant, surgical technique of implantation, various complications following GDD insertion and their management

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