Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using a combination of Urtica dioica and Scrophularia striata plant extracts and evaluation of their antifungal effects against dermatophytes

       Infection of the skin is caused by various microbial agents such as fungi. Given the alarming spread of microbial resistance, a new therapeutic approach to combat antibiotic-resistant microbes such as nanoparticles seems necessary. The objective of this study was the investigation of properties of silver nanoparticles synthesized by a mixed extract of Scrophularia striata and Urtica dioica and to evaluate their biological activity against skin infectious fungi. ultra violet (UV) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDAX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for characterizing the synthesized nanoparticles. Antimicrobial activity of the nanoparticles was then evaluated against three dermatophytes namely Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans by measuring the growth disc diameter method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were also determined using microdilution technique. The maximum absorption peak of the nanoparticles was observed at 450 nm, which is in the range of absorption for silver nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction also confirmed the presence of nano silver crystals. The electron microscopy imaging showed that the nanoparticles were spherical in shape and have an average size of 40±5 nm. MIC value for biosynthesized nanoparticles were 31, 15 and 7 ppm for T. rubrum, M. canis and C. albicans, respectively. It is suggested that the silver nanoparticles synthesized by using a combination of U. dioica and S. striata extracts could be used as potent antifungal agents against the skin-deep pathogenic fungi

The renal arterial resistive index and stage of chronic kidney disease in patients with renal allograft.

OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the optimal threshold value of renal arterial resistive index as assessed by Doppler ultrasonography determining chronic kidney disease stage 4 or higher in patients with renal allograft. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study the renal arterial resistive index were obtained in interlobar arteries by Doppler ultrasonography in 78 patients with renal allograft. The stage of chronic kidney disease was determined by the estimated glomerular filtration rate equation. RESULTS: The median renal arterial resistive index was 0.61 (interquartile range, 0.56 to 0.66). We observed a significant association between renal arterial resistive index above the upper quartile and chronic kidney disease stage 4 or higher (relative risk, 4.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.71 to 12.55; p = 0.003 by Fisher's exact test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that renal arterial resistive indices (p = 0.02) and time since transplantation (p = 0.04), but not age, gender, or blood pressure were significantly associated with chronic kidney disease stage 4 or higher. CONCLUSION: A renal arterial resistive index higher than 0.66 may determine the threshold value of chronic kidney disease stage 4 or higher in patients with renal allograft

Kaplan-Meier estimates of the fraction of patients presenting with chronic kidney disease stage 4 or higher according to renal arterial resistive index.

<p>Patients were stratified according to renal arterial resistive index (RI) below or above the upper quartile, i.e. 0.66. Relative risk, 4.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.71 to 12.55; p = 0.003.</p

Clinical characteristics of patients with renal allograft.

<p>Patients were stratified according to renal arterial resistive index (RI) below or above the upper quartile threshold value of 0.66. Continuous data are presented as median (interquartile range). Non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used to detect differences in continuous variables between the groups. Differences in categorical variables between the groups were analyzed by Fisher's exact test.</p

Biochemical characteristics of patients with renal allograft.

<p>Patients were stratified according to renal arterial resistive index (RI) below or above the upper quartile (0.66). Continuous data are presented as median (interquartile range). Non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used to detect differences in continuous variables between the groups.</p