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

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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The role of calreticulin transacetylase in the activation of human platelet nitrite reductase by polyphenolic acetates

Our earlier investigations demonstrated the remarkable activation of cytochrome P-450 reductase and nitric oxide synthase by 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin, a model polyphenolic acetate by way of acetylation, catalyzed by the Calreticulin. Protein acetyltransferase action of Calreticulin was hence termed Calreticulin transacetylase (CRTAase). Nitric oxide synthase and nitrite reductase are now considered as parts of nitric oxide cycle. The activation of platelets nitric oxide synthase by 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin has already been demonstrated by us. Also, there are reports that certain proteins such as cytochrome P-450 reductase and cytochrome P-450 are endowed with the nitrite reductase activity in mammalian cells. Keeping these facts in view, we turned our attention to probe whether 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin could alter the levels of nitric oxide independent of the action of nitric oxide synthase in the human platelets model. The incubation of 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin and nitrite with platelets caused significant elevation of nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels possibly due to the activation of nitrite reductase. Several polyphenolic acetates were similarly found to activate the nitrite reductase in tune with their affinities as substrate to CRTAase. N-omega-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, failed to reverse such an effect of 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin. Clotrimazole which is known to be an inhibitor of nitrite reductase, effectively abolished the 7,8-diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin mediated enhancement of nitric oxide levels in platelets as well as the nitric oxide mediated effects; such as cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels as well as adenosine diphospate induced platelets aggregation due to nitrite

Calreticulin transacetylase catalyzed activation of rat tracheal smooth muscle cell nitric oxide synthase by acetoxycoumarins

The Transacetylase function of Calreticulin (CR) catalyzing the transfer of acetyl groups from acetoxycoumarins (AC) to certain proteins was identified for the first time in our laboratory. Protein acetyltransferase action of CR was termed Calreticulin Transacetylase (CRTAase). In the present work, CRTAase of rat tracheal smooth muscle cells (TSMC) was characterized with respect to the specificity for various AC and its role in the activation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). 7,8-Diacetoxy-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC), a model AC, when incubated with TSMC along with L-arginine caused profound activation of NOS as compared to that with L-arginine alone. Further, the inclusion of N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) along with DAMC resulted in the reduction of NO levels of TSMC to that of control, there by confirming the activation of TSMC NOS. Also, several AC were found to activate TSMC NOS in tune with their specificities to CRTAase. The results presented in this paper bear evidence for the activation of TSMC NOS by AC and their effectiveness to enhance NO of airway cells may be expected to find useful applications in respiratory diseases