Evaluation of DNA damage in the tobacco associated human buccal cells using comet assay

BACKGROUND: The use of tobacco continues to be the leading preventable cause of death in the world. The burden of disease and death that tobacco imposes on the public's health is very extensive. Tobacco is known to have effect on the chemical composition of the cells and the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Among the various techniques, Ostling and Johansson (1984) were the first to quantify the DNA double strand breaks using microgel electrophoresis technique known as single cell gel electrophoresis technique or the Comet assay. AIM & OBJECTIVE: To assess the DNA damage in tobacco associated human buccal cells using comet assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study subjects were recruited from patient attending Vivekanandha Dental College for Women in tiruchengode, following standard clinical diagnostic criteria and under their informed consent. Complete medical history and habit of tobacco usage elicited. Study sample size includes 75 study subjects. Each 25 individuals with no history of tobacco usage, with tobacco usage but without oral lesions, Individuals with tobacco associated oral lesions were included. The cytological smears collected from the individuals were used to assess the DNA damage by measuring the tail length in the comet assay method. RESULTS: The average tail length in the normal mucosa was 1.46μm, tobacco users without oral lesions was 2.86μm, lesional site of the tobacco users was 3.86μm and non-lesional site was 3.67μm. The age, gender and duration and the forms of tobacco had its own impact on the oral mucosa. CONCLUSION: Comet assay helps to assess the subclinical genetic changes of oral mucosa even before the clinical manifestations of the precancerous lesions caused by tobacco usage. Comet assay may bloom out as a novel tool for the prevention of oral cancer in the nearby future

Effectiveness of virtual reality therapy upon anger among alcoholic clients

A Pre Experimental Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Therapy upon Anger among Alcoholic Clients at Selected De-Addiction Center, Chennai. Objectives of the Study : 1. To assess the level of anger among alcoholic clients before and after Virtual reality therapy. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy by comparing the level of anger among alcoholic clients before and after virtual reality therapy. 3. To determine the level of satisfaction on virtual reality therapy among alcoholic clients. 4. To find out the association between selected demographic variables and the level of anger among alcoholic clients before and after virtual reality therapy. 5. To find out the association between selected clinical variables and the level of anger among alcoholic clients before and after virtual reality therapy. The conceptual framework of the study was based on Hildegard E Peplau which was modified for the present study. Null hypothesis were formulated. The level of significance selected was P<0.05. The research design used in this study was pre - experimental research design. A one group pre-test, post-test design, which is pre experimental in nature, is adopted for conducting the study. An extensive review of literature and guidance by experts formed the foundation to the development of research tools such as Demographic variables proforma, Clinical variables Proforma, Clinical anger scale and Rating Scale on the level of satisfaction about Virtual reality therapy. The content validity was established by submitting the tools to experts and reliability was obtained through test-retest and split half technique and found to be highly reliable. The main study was conducted after the pilot study. The study was carried out upon 30 alcoholic clients, Serene Life Deaddiction center Madhurvoyal, Chennai. The level of anger was assessed before and after virtual reality therapy using Clinical anger scale in the group of alcoholic clients. Virtual reality therapy was administered every day morning 5 – 7 minutes for the period of one week for each alcoholic client. After one week, the level of anger was assessed by using Clinical anger scale among the alcoholic clients. Then the level of satisfaction on virtual reality therapy was also assessed by using satisfactory rating scale. The data obtained were analyzed using Descriptive and Inferential statistics. Major findings of the study : A Significant percentage of the alcoholic clients were aged upto 30 years (46.66%) with mean age of 32.9 years and had a family history of alcohol abuse/ dependence (33.33%), were involved in business (36.66%) and had no children (43.33%), were graduates (33.33%). • All of the alcoholic clients were from urban background and from nuclear family (100%) and majority of them were Hindus (86.66%) with monthly family income of Rs. 5001- 10,000 (60%). More than half of them were married (56.66%). • Majority of the alcoholic clients started consuming alcohol at the age of 16-25 years (63.33%) with mean age of 22.5 years, had a previous history of alcoholics de-addiction treatment (66.66%) and made an effort to quit alcohol (76.66%) and the form of alcohol used was beer (73.33%), psychosocial problems of alcoholic clients was conflicts in relationship (66.66%). • More than half of them had excited feeling at first intake of alcohol (59%) and the precipitating factor of consuming alcohol was family problem (53.33%). • Half of the alcoholic clients had wish to improve oneself in motivation to seek treatment (50%) and had >5 years duration of alcohol dependence (50%). • A significant percentage of the alcoholic clients consumed the amount of alcohol was more than 720 ml in a day (43.33%) and the form of alcohol used was brandy (23.33%), rum (1.33%) and frequency of alcohol consumption (30%). • A significant percentage of the alcoholic clients had moderate level of anger (36.66%) in pretest. However after administration of Virtual reality therapy more than half of them had mild level of anger (56.66%). • The anger score of alcoholic clients were high in pretest (M = 29.16, SD = 7.8) whereas after virtual reality therapy, it was found to be less (M =17.3, SD=4.50). The difference was statistically proven to be highly significant at P<0.001. Thus the null hypothesis Ho1 was rejected. It can be attributed to the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy on reducing anger. • There was no significant association between the level of anger and the selected demographic and clinical variables among alcoholic clients. Hence, the null hypothesis Ho2 and Ho3 was retained. Lack of association in this study may be due to small sample. • The researcher found that all of the alcoholic clients were highly satisfied (100%) regarding the intervention of virtual reality therapy. These findings indicated that the administration of virtual reality therapy is well accepted by all the alcoholic clients. This study demonstrated that virtual reality therapy will help to reduce the level of anger among alcoholic clients. Recommendations : The study can be conducted on a larger sample to generalize the results. • The study can be conducted in the other settings also like psychiatric hospitals and rehabilitation centers. • Longitudinal study can be conducted for long term effects of virtual reality on anger. • A comparative study can be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy and with other psychosocial intervention to reduce the level of anger among alcoholic clients. • The study can be conducted among different groups like adolescents, mentally ill patients, teenagers who abuse other substances, family members of alcoholic clients. • A follow up study can be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the present intervention in reducing the relapse rates of alcoholic clients. • A study can be conducted on quality of life among alcoholic clients

PROBIOTIC Rhodotorula mucilaginosa ISOLATED FROM FERMENTED FOOD: INVESTIGATION OF PUFA PRODUCTION AND STRATEGY FOR HEALTH IMPROVEMENT

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are a vital component for human health. PUFA cannot be synthesized by human system and hence dependance on other sources has become inevitable. Though porcine liver and fish oil were the dependable sources for ages past, yet cheaper microbial source was sought after and have gained importance as well. Such microbial oils normally used as biofuels can also be used for several therapeutic purposes. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the quality and quantity of lipids produced by a probiotic yeast, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. The lipid production potential of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa has indeed attracted a lot of attention. Isolation and characterization of the probiotic yeast with enhanced lipid production and determining the lipid components have become the aim of the work

ROLE OF SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION ON ANTIOXIDANT CHANGES IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS AFTER CHRONIC RESTRAINT STRESS

Objective: Stress is a non-specific response of the body to any physical or physiological demand. Oxidative stress may occur due to imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants. Restraint stress or immobilization has been used extensively as a stressor for the study of stress-related biological, biochemical, and physiological responses in animals. Nutritional treatment by exogenous supplementation of antioxidants like selenium reactivates which guard against the insult caused ROS during the repeated restraint stress. The objective of the study is to determine the role of selenium on antioxidant changes in Wistar albino rats after chronic restraint stress. Methods: Adult male Wistar albino rats weighing about 180–200 g were taken for the study and were divided into three groups – the control group (n=6) chronic restraint stress group (n=6) and chronic stress treated with selenium (n=6). Restraint stress was given in wire mesh restrainers for 30 days (6 h/day), and the blood from the jugular vein was collected for estimation of antioxidant status (Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione peroxidase, CAT, Vit C, and Vit E) in rats. Results: One-way analysis of variance statistical test was used to analyses the mean and SD among the groups. The rats pre-treated with selenium (p&lt;0.001) showed a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation. In chronic restraint stress, albino rats administered with Selenium showed a significant increase (p&lt;0.001) in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity when compared to controls. Conclusion: The effect of the Selenium acts as a antidote to counteract the effects of restraint stress and has significant therapeutic application in counter acting oxidative damage on Wistar albino rats

Preparation and Characterization of Nano Titania modified PVA-Pectin polymer electrolyte membranes for DMFC

In this study, poly vinyl alcohol and pectin are in situ cross-linked using dual cross-linker comprising a mixture of sulfosuccinic acid and glutaraldehyde followed by solvent casting.Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are incorporated into polymer solutions that controls alignment and disentanglement of polymer chains at molecular level. It is shown that rational design of membrane microstructure with proper arrangement of hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains has been formulated by blending PVA with PC. Water sorption through nanocomposite membrane enhanced when optimum quantity of titanium dioxide particles are present. In addition, titanium dioxide nanoparticles help to provide more inter-connected proton conducting pathways and acts as reinforcing units. Through the hydrogen bonds formed between surface functional groups of titanium oxide nanoparticles and polymer chains, protons are transferred through the membrane both by hopping and vehicular mechanisms. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles also act as fillers and effectively prevent the methanol permeation. Polymer voids are occupied by the presence of Titanium dioxide nanoparticles that selectively allow protons to pass through form anode to cathode side. Both improved proton conductance and lower methanol permeability, electrochemical selectivity of nano Titanium dioxide modified PVA-Pectin polymer electrolyte membrane is enhanced. With further enriched proton conductivity by the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, fabricated pectin polyvinyl alcohol hybrid nanocomposite membrane exhibit higher electrochemical selective factor

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of heterocyclic triazole derived Schiff base ligands comprising Mn(II) complexes: Implications of their DNA/Protein Binding Docking and Anticancer Activity Studies

Schiff base ligands comprising heterocyclic moieties deserve distinct consideration because of their excellent chemotherapeutic and antioxidant properties as biologically active agents. In present investigation, two novel heterocyclic triazole derived Schiff base ligands were synthesized using 3-chlorobenzaldehyde (L1), 4-methoxybenzaldehyde (L2) with 1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine backbone that are biologically active.  Mn(II) complexes were synthesized by combing  ligands in 1:2 molar ratio (Metal : Ligand), their structure and bonding nature were recognised by respective physical, spectral and analytical data. The ligands (L1 &amp; L2) and their metal complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, electronic spectra (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer FT-IR, Proton 1H and Carbon 13C NMR and EPR spectrum. Antimicrobial activity of the synthesized L1, L2 and their metal complexes were tested against Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive, catalase-positive bacterium) as well as Fungi namely Phylium Aphanidematum, Macrophomina phasiolina, Fusarium oxysporum. Both the ligands and metal complexes exhibit excellent antimicrobial activity under low inhibitory concentration such MIC ≤ 250 μg/ml. Upon co-ordination, antimicrobial properties has been enhanced by 21%. The anticancer activity of the synthesized complex investigated against human tumor cell lines (Breast cancer MCF-7 cells) demonstrated that L1M complex displays potent inhibition against MCF-7. Outcome of research results demonstrate that these compounds are potential candidates for the next step of drugs invention towards breast cancer treatment. Using this molecular docking study we can predict the complex–biomolecular interaction and it plays vital role in the drug discovery and also it is a step by step process which used to place synthesised compounds into the binding sites of the DNA molecule. Further, Molecular DNA docking results demonstrated encouraging responses, thereby opening up new avenues for the application of the synthesized inorganic triazole derivative complexes as leads for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of heterocyclic triazole derived Schiff base ligands comprising Mn(II) complexes: Implications of their DNA/protein binding docking and anticancer activity studies

797-805Schiff base ligands comprising heterocyclic moieties deserve distinct consideration because of their excellent chemotherapeutic and antioxidant properties as biologically active agents. In present investigation, two novel heterocyclic triazole derived Schiff base ligands have been synthesized using 3-chlorobenzaldehyde (L1), 4-methoxybenzaldehyde (L2) with 1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine backbone that are biologically active. Mn(II) complexes have been synthesized by combing ligands in 1:2 molar ratio (metal:ligand), their structure and bonding nature are recognised by respective physical, spectral and analytical data. The ligands (L1 & L2) and their metal complexes are characterized by elemental analyses, electronic, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR and EPR spectroscopy techinques. Antimicrobial activity of the synthesized L1, L2 and their metal complexes are tested against Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive, catalase-positive bacterium) as well as Fungi namely Phylium Aphanidematum, Macrophomina phasiolina, Fusarium oxysporum. Both the ligands and metal complexes exhibit excellent antimicrobial activity under low inhibitory concentration such MIC ≤ 250 μg/mL. Upon co-ordination, antimicrobial properties have been enhanced by 21%. The anticancer activity of the synthesized complex has been investigated against human tumour cell lines (Breast cancer MCF-7 cells) demonstrated that L1M complex displays potent inhibition against MCF-7. Using this molecular docking study, we can predict the complex–biomolecular interaction and it plays vital role in the drug discovery and also it is a step by step process which is used to place synthesised compounds into the binding sites of the DNA molecule. Further, Molecular DNA docking results demonstrated encouraging responses, thereby opening up new avenues for the application of the synthesized inorganic triazole derivative complexes as leads for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs