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The current study assessed the impact of cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanocerium, NC) on adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy in addition to the physiological role of oxidative stress, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, apoptosis, TGF-β, and Sirt-1 in its action. Forty adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups as follows: control, NC, ADR, and ADR + NC groups. At the end of the experiment, urine, blood samples, and kidney were taken for assessment of serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and urinary protein. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels, histopathological examinations, immunohistochemical examinations for caspase-3, TGF-β, Sirt-1, and real-time PCR for the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 antioxidant genes in kidney tissues were done. NC significantly improved the raised serum creatinine, BUN, and urinary proteins. Also, NC improved the expression of caspase-3 and markers of oxidative stress in kidney tissues, and it also reduced morphological renal damage. Moreover, NC caused a significant increase in the expression of SIRT1 and Nrf2/HO-1 in kidney tissues. Also, markedly decreased renal fibrosis. Nanocerium alleviates ADR nephropathy, which may be related to the antioxidant and anti-fibrotic action of NC. Also, upregulating and activating SIRT1, Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and reduction of apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve spiro thiazolidinone compounds (A–L) were synthesized via either conventional thermal or ultrasonication techniques using Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The modification of the traditional procedure by using Fe2O3 nanoparticles led to enhancement of the yield of the desired candidates to 78–93% in approximately half reaction time compared with 58–79% without catalyst. The products were fully characterized using different analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The structure of the two derivatives 4-phenyl-1-thia-4-azaspirodecan-3-one (A) and 4-(p-tolyl)-1-thia-4-azaspirodecan-3-one (B) were also determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The two compounds (A and B) were crystallized in the orthorhombic system with Pbca and P212121 space groups, respectively. In addition, the crystal packing of compounds revealed the formation of supramolecular array with a net of intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. The energy optimized geometries of some selected derivatives were performed by density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP). The reactivity descriptors were also calculated and correlated with their biological properties. All the reported compounds were screened for antimicrobial inhibitions. The two derivatives, F and J, exhibited the highest levels of bacterial inhibition with an inhibition zone of 10–17 mm. Also, the two derivatives, F and J, displayed the most potent fungal inhibition with an inhibition zone of 15–23 mm. Molecular docking investigations of some selected derivatives were performed using a B-DNA (PDB: 1BNA) as a macromolecular target. Structure and activity relationship of the reported compounds were correlated with the data of antimicrobial activities and the computed reactivity parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we propose an ecofriendly process for the biofabrication of AgNPs by applying fruit waste of Citrus limetta. The aqueous extracts from the peels of the fruit were used as green chelating and stabilizing agents. Structural, optical, vibrational, morphological, and magnetic properties were established using UV–Vis (ultraviolet visible spectroscopy), XRD (X-rays diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy), EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), ESR (electron spin resonance), and PPMS (physical property management system), while the thermal properties were established using TGA/DTG (thermal gravimetric analysis/derivative thermogravimetry). XRD pattern revealed intense peaks with single-phase purity, while the Debye–Scherrer approximation revealed an average crystallite size of 33.18 nm. The W–H plot revealed the size of 55.2 nm and strain 2.68 × 10−4. FTIR spectra revealed the involvement of different functional groups and major IR vibrations were observed at 2329 cm−1, 2092 cm−1, 1794 cm−1, 1268 cm−1, and 754 cm−1. TGA/DTG revealed major weight loss events at 240 °C and 360 °C. SEM revealed spherical or quasi-spherical morphology, while EDS confirmed the presence of elemental silver. The M-H behavior for all measurement temperature shows diamagnetic behavior. Electron spin resonance (ESR) revealed a high proportion of free electrons. Furthermore, the pharmacognostic and nanomedicinal potential CL-AgNPs was established using multiple in vitro and in vivo bioassays. The in vivo wound healing assays in mice revealed excellent healing potential which were similar to positive control. The percent wound healing is reported to be 93% on the 14th day of incision after application of CL-AgNPs. Bioassays were performed to assess enzyme inhibition potential of the CL-AgNPs for Alzheimer disease and antidiabetic applications. The AChE and BChE potential of the CL-AgNPs was highest at 1000 µg mL−1, i.e., 92% and 56%, respectively. The α-glucosidase inhibition potential for the CL-AgNPs was higher as compared to the α-glucosidase, while the DPPH free radical scavenging was reported to be 70% to 11% at varying concentrations between 1000 and 62.5 µg mL−1. Overall, our results indicate that the waste fruit peels can be a sustainable and eco-friendly resource of synthesis of the multifunctional nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents two efficient frameworks for seizure detection and prediction that depend on statistical analysis. The common thread between them is the selection of certain attributes extracted from the electroencephalography (EEG) signals and the derivation of probability density functions (PDFs) of these attributes in two different types of activities of EEG signals. The first framework is for seizure detection based on scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT). Its idea is to choose some segments for normal and seizure activities. These segments are transformed to 2D matrices to be treated with the well-known SIFT. The feature key-points are extracted from those 2D matrices. The parameter that is used to discriminate between normal and seizure activities is the number of key-points. The PDFs of the number of key-points in cases of normal and seizure activities are estimated and a threshold value is used to classify any new segment as either a seizure or a normal segment. The other framework is for seizure prediction. The discrimination in this case is between normal and pre-ictal activities. A statistical treatment is performed on five attributes extracted from the wavelet transforms of different EEG segments for normal and pre-ictal activities. These attributes are amplitude, local mean, local variance, median and derivative. All PDFs of these attributes are estimated for normal and pre-ictal activities. Thresholds are set for all attributes. Decisions are taken based on these thresholds. Finally, a majority-voting strategy is used to merge decisions taken for all attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyphaene thebaica fruits were used for the fabrication of spherical erbium oxide nanoparticles (HT-Er2O3 NPS) using a one-step simple bioreduction process. XRD pattern revealed a highly crystalline and pure phase with crystallite size of ~ 7.5 nm, whereas, the W–H plot revealed crystallite size of 11 nm. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic Er-O atomic vibrations in the fingerprint region. Bandgap was obtained as 5.25 eV using K-M function. The physicochemical and morphological nature was established using Raman spectroscopy, reflectance spectroscopy, SAED and HR-TEM. HT-Er2O3 NPS were further evaluated for antidiabetic potential in mice using in-vivo and in-vitro bioassays. The synthesized HT-Er2O3 NPS were screened for in vitro anti-diabetic potentials against α-glucosidase enzyme and α-amylase enzyme and their antioxidant potential was evaluated using DPPH free radical assay. A dose dependent inhibition was obtained against α-glucosidase (IC50 12 μg/mL) and α-amylase (IC50 78 μg/mL) while good DPPH free radical scavenging potential (IC50 78 μg mL−1) is reported. At 1000 μg/mL, the HT-Er2O3 NPS revealed 90.30% and 92.30% inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. HT-Er2O3 NPs treated groups were observed to have better glycemic control in diabetic animals (503.66 ± 5.92*** on day 0 and 185.66 ± 2.60*** on day 21) when compared with positive control glibenclamide treated group. Further, HT-Er2O3 NPS therapy for 21 days caused a considerable effect on serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL as compared to untreated diabetic group. In conclusion, our preliminary findings on HT-Er2O3 NPS revealed considerable antidiabetic potential and thus can be an effective candidate for controlling the post-prandial hyperglycemia. However, further studies are encouraged especially taking into consideration the toxicity aspects of the nanomaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from marine actinobacteria offers a promising avenue for exploring bacterial extracts as reducing and stabilizing agents. We report extracellular extracts of Rhodococcus rhodochrous (MOSEL-ME29) and Streptomyces sp. (MOSEL-ME28), identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing for synthesis of AgNPs. Ultrafine silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized using the extracts of R. rhodochrous and Streptomyces sp. and their possible therapeutic applications were studied. The physicochemical properties of nanoparticles were established by HR-SEM/TEM, SAED, UV–Vis, EDS, XRD, and FTIR. UV–Vis spectra displayed characteristic absorption at 430 nm and 412 nm for AgNPs from Streptomyces sp. (S-AgNPs) and Rhodococcus sp. (R-AgNPs), respectively. HR-SEM/TEM, XRD, EDS analysis confirmed the spherical shape, crystalline nature, and elemental formation of silver. Crystallite or grain size was deduced as 5.52 nm for R-AgNPs and 35 nm for S-AgNPs. Zeta-potential indicated electrostatic negative charge for AgNPs, while FTIR revealed the presence of diverse functional groups. Disc diffusion assay indicated the broad-spectrum antibacterial potential of S-AgNPs with the maximum inhibition of B. subtilis while R-AgNPs revealed potency against P. aeruginosa at 10 µg/mL concentration. Biogenic AgNPs revealed antileishmanial activity and the IC50 was calculated as 164 µg/mL and 184 µg/mL for R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs respectively. Similarly, the R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs revealed anti-cancer potential against HepG2 and the IC50 was calculated as 49 µg/mL and 69 µg/mL for R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs, respectively. Moreover, the antioxidant activity showed significant results. MTT assay on RD cells, L20B cells, and Hep-2C indicated intensification in viability by reducing the concentration of R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs. The R-AgNPs and S-AgNPs inhibited sabin-like poliovirus (1TCID50 infection in RD cells). Furthermore, hemocompatibility at low concentrations has been confirmed. Hence, it is concluded that biogenic-AgNPs has the potential to be used in diverse biological applications and that the marine actinobacteria are an excellent resource for fabrication of AgNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal sulfide nanoparticles are a source of attraction for different applications, especially in optoelectronics and catalysis, however, their uses in biomedicine are not well explored. To fill this vacuum, we have reported the different physical properties and biological applications of ZnS, MnS and NiS nanoparticles synthesized by a single precursor-based route. Techniques like p-XRD, UV–Vis, TEM and TGA were used to establish their physical properties, whereas, there in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, cytotoxic and hemolytic potential were studied. XRD pattern revealed a single pure phase and sharp peaks owing to the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles. TEM images indicated a different morphology (spherical to cube like) while the size of the nanoparticles was in the order of ZnS (6.5 nm) < MnS (13–24 nm) < NiS (50–90 nm). Antimicrobial potential was established using well-diffusion assay across different concentrations (250 µg/mL to 4 mg/mL). It was observed that the MnS nanoparticles inhibited all of the bacterial strains in the up to 500 µg/mL, however, at 250 µg/mL, 7 and 6.5 mm inhibition zones were revealed for B. subtilis and E. coli, respectively, while the other strains revealed no susceptibility. NiS nanoparticles inhibited S. epidermidis across all the tested concentrations and revealed inhibitory zones from 10 to 6.5 mm across 4 mg/mL to 250 µg/mL. As compared to the antibacterial properties, it was observed that the metal sulfides revealed excellent antifungal potential. All of the tested fungal strains revealed zones of inhibition across the tested concentrations of MnS, NiS and ZnS. Furthermore, the highest concentration i.e. 4 mg/mL revealed high potency then positive control in some cases for example the NiS revealed zone of 20 mm as compared to the 13 mm of antibiotic for A. niger. DPPH free radical scavenging potential was found as MnS-NPs > NiS-NPs > ZnS-NPs. Brine shrimp lethality and hemolysis assays revealed cytotoxic and hemolytic nature which decreased in a dose dependent manner. Our insights into the application of metal sulfide nanoparticles reveals promises, however, we strongly encourage studies on the mechanistic aspects as well as their toxicity in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase stability and microstructure of ZrO2–5CaO and ZrO2–24MgO mixed coating (wt%) by air plasma spraying on 304 stainless steel substrates were investigated. A Ni–5Al (wt%) metallic bond coating was firstly sprayed between the substrate and the ceramic top layer. The results were compared with the individual coatings of ZrO2–5CaO and ZrO2–24MgO for a better understanding of the correlation between their microstructures and mechanical properties. Mixed zirconia coating was found to have a mixture of cubic and tetragonal phases that stabilized under different plasma spray conditions. Microscopic observations and elemental composition analysis of as-sprayed mixed coating showed that modified ceramic-matrix grains had been formed. Microsized ZrO2–5CaO particles were embedded in the matrix grain creating an intragranular microstructure. Results indicated that ceramic-matrix grains provided a diffusion barrier for the growth of oxides induced stress near and onto the bond layer that reduced cracks, thereby overcoming the top delamination of the ceramic coating. Moreover, disparity in wear resistance and microhardness behavior of the coatings was influenced by initial feedstock powder and matrix microstructures. Improvement in the wear resistance of the mixed zirconia coating was attributed to a decrease in oxide content, which resulted in an increase in intersplat cohesive strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opioid drugs are the first line of defense in severe pain but the adverse effects associated with opioids are considered as a serious issue worldwide. Acupuncture/electroacupuncture is a type of Chinese medicine therapy which is an effective analgesic therapy, well documented in animals and human studies. Electroacupuncture stimulation could release endogenous opioid peptides causing analgesia in a variety of pain models. It can be used as an alternative therapy to control the opioid crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure zinc oxide NPs (ZnO NPs) have been synthesized using a simple eco-friendly approach using fruit extracts of Hyphaene thebaica. XRD pattern indicated zincite and highly crystalline phase of ZnO NPs. UV–Vis spectrum revealed surface plasmon resonance at 372 nm and bandgap of 3.36 eV. FTIR spectrum indicated characteristic Zn–O vibration at 450 cm−1. HRTEM images indicated particle size in the range of 8–23 nm having a quasi spherical morphology. Raman shift was observed at 297 cm−1, 405 cm−1 and 548 cm−1. Excellent protein kinase (PK) inhibition and varying antimicrobial potential against different bacterial and fungal strains is reported. E. coli and A. flavus were found as the most susceptible microbial strains. Hemocompatability of the ZnO NPs was revealed. ZnO NPs indicated a dose dependant cytotoxicity. MTT assay revealed a median lethal concentration (IC50) of 106 µg/mL against Leishmania tropica. Different antioxidant assays indicated the antioxidant potential of ZnO NPs. Hyphaene thebaica mediated ZnO NPs revealed excellent therapeutic performance and can used as a potential candidate for diverse biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosynthesis of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanorods was performed using dried fruit extracts of Hyphaene thebaica as a cost effective reducing and stabilizing agent. XRD, DRS, FTIR, zeta potential, Raman, HR-SEM, HR-TEM, EDS and SAED were used to study the main physical properties while the biological properties were established by performing diverse assays. The zeta potential is reported as − 5.21 mV. FTIR indicated Bi–O and V–O vibrations at 640 cm−1 and 700 cm−1/1120 cm−1. Characteristic Raman modes were observed at 166 cm−1, 325 cm−1 and 787 cm−1. High resolution scanning and transmission electron micrographs revealed a rod like morphology of the BiVO4. Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Fusarium solani indicated highest susceptibility to the different doses of BiVO4 nanorods. Significant protein kinase inhibition is reported for BiVO4 nanorods which suggests their potential anticancer properties. The nanorods revealed good DPPH free radical scavenging potential (48%) at 400 µg/mL while total antioxidant capacity of 59.8 µg AAE/mg was revealed at 400 µg/mL. No antiviral activity is reported on sabin like polio virus. Overall excellent biological properties are reported. We have shown that green synthesis can replace well established processes for synthesizing BiVO4 nanorods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anomaly detection is a very vital area in medical signal and image processing due to its importance in automatic diagnosis. This paper presents three efficient anomaly detection approaches for applications related to Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal processing and retinal image processing. The first approach depends on the utilization of Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) for automatic seizure detection. The second one is based on the utilization of digital filters in a statistical framework for seizure prediction. Finally, an automated Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) diagnosis approach is presented based on the segmentation and detection of anomalous objects from retinal images. The presented simulation results reveal the success of the proposed techniques towards automated medical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exact etiology and pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) are still unknown, as a result, available therapeutic options for patients are far from satisfactory. Therefore, there is a need to develop a valid therapeutic approach that can ameliorate the manifestations of CP/CPPS. Fifty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups of ten mice each. All groups except naïve were subcutaneously injected with 0.2 ml of T2 plus complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) on day 0 and 14 to generate valid CP/CPPS model. After successful CP/CPPS induction, model group was injected with 0.2 ml of normal saline while PLGA, PLGA-OVA, and PLGA-T2 groups were administered intravenously with 0.2 ml mixture of PLGA, PLGA-OVA, and PLGA-T2, respectively. Voiding behavior, pain threshold, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to assess micturition habits, pain intensity as well as prostate inflammation. Additionally, TNF-α, CRP, and IL-10 levels in plasma were measured by using ELISA kits. Mice administered with PLGA-T2 showed higher pain threshold, lower urine frequencies, mild edema, and inflammation in prostate tissue in comparison to other groups. Moreover, the expression of TNF-α and CRP levels was markedly decreased while IL-10 expression was increased in the PLGA-T2 treatment group as compared to the other groups. Our results showed that nanoparticles conjugated with autoantigen novel peptide T2 could successfully alleviate or even heal CP/CPPS to some extent in mice. This study provides an easy, useful, and economic tool for ameliorating the manifestations of CP/CPPS that will improve the therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosynthesis has emerged as a frontier technology for fabrication of functionally diverse nanoparticles that possess tremendous therapeutic implications. Various biological resources have already demonstrated their potential to produce nanoparticles with interesting features. Endophytic microbes live in a symbiotic relationship with plants possessing a unique and versatile reservoir of potentially therapeutic secondary metabolites having the tendency to reduce metallic ions into nanoparticles. Successful biosynthesis of AgNPs using endophytic organisms has already been reported; however, the overall picture about its synthesis and applications is still not clear. In the current article, a comprehensive review of literature was performed for comparing different physical and biological properties of endophytic microbe-derived AgNPs. In addition, the present paper mechanistically explains the synthesis of AgNPs and their diverse pharmacognostic properties. Further studies are encouraged to understand the mechanism of biopharmaceutical effects of these endophyte-mediated NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a devastating disease and remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in both developed and developing countries. Although there are large number of drugs that can be used for the treatment of cancer, the problem is selective and specific killing of cancerous cells without harming the normal cells. There are some biological barriers to potential drug delivery in cancer cells like hepatic, renal, abnormal vasculature, dense extracellular matrix, and high interstitial fluid pressure. The physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles (NPs) such as size, shape, and surface charge may also have significant effects on tumor penetration. NPs coated with drug can be used to overcome these biological barriers to enhance targeted delivery. This literature survey encompasses the biological barriers to potential drug delivery in cancer cells, elaborate on designing strategies to enhance NPs penetration and distribution inside the tumor interstitium. Scientists are now doing great efforts to design next-generation of nanomedicines (NMs) that need to be better targeted with high specificity and efficacy to kill cancer cells. These challenges need to be overcome through collaborations among academia, pharmaceutical industries, and regulatory agencies to eradicate this global menace. Furthermore, this review article has critically discussed the recent developments, controversies, challenges, emerging concepts, and future perspectives in cancer NMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-based nanoparticles have gained tremendous popularity because of their interesting physical, biological, optical, and magnetic properties. These nanoparticles can be synthesized using a variety of different physical, chemical, and biological techniques. The biological means are largely preferred as it provides an environmentally benign, green, and cost-effective route for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. These bioresources can act as a scaffold, thereby playing the role of reducing as well as capping agents in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Medicinal plants tend to have a complex phytochemical constituent such as alcohols, phenols, terpenes, alkaloids, saponins, and proteins, while microbes have key enzymes which can act as reducing as well as stabilizing agent for NP synthesis. However, the mechanism of biosynthesis is still highly debatable. Herein, the present review is directed to give an updated comprehensive overview towards the mechanistic aspects in the biosynthesis of nanoparticles via plants and microbes. Various biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites in plants and key enzyme production in microbes have been discussed in detail, along with the underlying mechanisms for biogenic NP synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemicals offer immense promise for sustainable development and production of nanotechnology-enabled products. In the present study, Olax nana Wall. ex Benth. (family: Olacaceae) aqueous extract was used as an effective stabilizing agent to produce biogenic silver (ON-AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (ON-AuNPs), which were investigated for biocompatibility and prospective biomedical applications (antibacterial, anticancer, antileishmanial, enzyme inhibition, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities). Various characterization techniques (XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM, DLS, EDX, and SAED) revealed efficient biosynthesis of ON-AgNPs (26 nm) and ON-AuNPs (47 nm). In the toxicological assessment, ON-AgNPs and ON-AuNPs were found biocompatible towards human RBCs and macrophages (IC50 > 200 μg/mL). In a concentration range of 62.5-2000 μg/mL, a strong antibacterial effect was produced by ON-AgNPs against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 7.14 μg/mL) and Escherichia coli (8.25 μg/mL), while ON-AuNPs was only active against Staphylococcus aureus (9.14 μg/mL). At a concentration of 3.9-500 μg/mL, a dose-dependant inhibition of HepG2 cancer cells was produced by ON-AgNPs (IC50 = 14.93 μg/mL) and ON-AuNPs (2.97 μg/mL). Both ON-AgNPs and ON-AuNPs were found active against Leishmania tropica (KMH23) promastigotes (IC50 = 12.56 and 21.52 μg/mL) and amastigotes (17.44 and 42.20 μg/mL), respectively, after exposure to a concentration range of 1-200 μg/mL for 72 h. Preferential enzyme inhibition against urease and carbonic anhydrase II were noted for ON-AgNPs (39.23 and 8.89%) and ON-AuNPs (31.34 and 6.34%), respectively; however, these were found inactive against xanthine oxidase at 0.2 mg/mL. In the in vivo antinociceptive (acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions) and anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema) activities, ON-AgNPs and ON-AuNPs at doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg, significantly attenuated the tonic nociception (P < 0.001) and ameliorated the carrageenan-induced inflammation (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). The results of in vitro and in vivo activities indicated that the biogenic nanoparticles can be used as valuable theranostic agents for further exploration of diverse biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has emerged as a prominent scientific discipline in the technological revolution of this millennium. The scientific community has focused on the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles as compared to physical and chemical methods due to its eco-friendly nature and high efficacy. Medicinal plants have been proven as the paramount source of various phytochemicals that can be used for the biogenic synthesis of colloidal silver and gold nanoparticles as compared to other living organisms, e.g., microbes and fungi. According to various scientific reports, the biogenic nanoparticles have shown promising potential as wound healing agents. However, not a single broad review article was present that demonstrates the wound healing application of biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles. Foreseeing the overall literature published, we for the first time intended to discuss the current trends in wound healing via biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles. Furthermore, light has been shed on the mechanistic aspects of wound healing along with futuristic discussion on the faith of biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles as potential wound healing agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-(-Piperidin-1-yl) acetamide (2) was easily prepared by reacting chloroacetonitrile with piperidine. Furthermore, (2) was allowed to react with different aromatic aldehydes to afford novel arylidene derivatives (3a,b). Unexpectedly, 2-oxo-4-hydroxy-thiazole (5) was obtained instead of 2-(piperidin-1-yl-methylene) thiazolidin-4-one (4) when (2) was treated with mercaptoacetic acid under fusion conditions. Subsequent treatment of (5) with aromatic aldehydes and either malononitrile or cyanoacetamide (1:1:1 molar ratios) produced the hitherto unknown pyrano[2,3-d] thiazole derivatives (6a,b) and (7). Novel pyrazole derivatives ( 8a, b) and ( 9) were synthesized upon cyclocondensation of (2) with aromatic aldehydes and hydrazine hydrate. Unfortunately, attempts to prepare novel isoxazole derivatives by utilizing hydroxylamine instead of hydrazine hydrate following the previous procedure were failed. Surprisingly, the uncyclized products (10a,b) were obtained rather than 3-hydroxy-4-piperidinyl-isoxazole (11a,b). Upon refluxing thiosemicarbazide with ( 2) and aromatic aldehydes under the same conditions, pyrazolinone carbothioamides (12), (13) and (14a-c) were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design, development, and biomedical applications of phytochemical-based green synthesis of biocompatible colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are becoming an emerging field due to several advantages (safer, eco-friendly, simple, fast, energy efficient, low-cost, and less toxic) over conventional chemical synthetic procedures. Biosynthesized colloidal gold nanoparticles are remarkably attractive in several biomedical applications including cancer theranostics due to small size, unusual physico-chemical properties, facile surface modification, high biocompatibility, and numerous other advantages. Of late, several researchers have investigated the biosynthesis and prospective applications (diagnostics, imaging, drug delivery, and cancer therapeutics) of AuNPs in health care and medicine. However, not a single review article is available in the literature that demonstrates the anti-cancer potential of biosynthesized colloidal AuNPs with detailed mechanistic study. In the present review article, we for the first time discuss the biointerface of colloidal AuNPs, plants, and cancer mainly (i) comprehensive mechanistic aspects of phytochemical-based synthesis of AuNPs; (ii) proposed anti-cancer mechanisms along with biomedical applications in diagnostics, imaging, and drug delivery; and (iii) key challenges for biogenic AuNPs as future cancer nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the process of speaker identification over Bluetooth networks. Bluetooth channel degradations are considered prior to the speaker identification process. The work in this paper employs Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients for feature extraction. Features are extracted from different transforms of the received speech signals such as the discrete cosine transform (DCT), signal plus DCT, discrete sine transform (DST), signal plus DST, discrete wavelet transform (DWT), and signal plus DWT. A neural network classifier is used in the experiments, while the training phase uses clean speech signals and the testing phase uses degraded signals due to communication over the Bluetooth channel. A comparison is carried out between the different methods of feature extraction showing that the DCT achieves the highest recognition rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS) was used to investigate the volatile compounds from oxidised phosphatidylcholine molecular species. 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SOPC) and 1-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (SLPC) were chosen as models. The influence of several parameters on the efficiency of volatile oxidised compounds (VOCs) microextraction, such as type of fibre, extraction duration and temperature were studied. The best results were obtained with a polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) fibre used at 50 °C during 25 min. The effect of oxidation temperature on the yield of VOCs from SOPC and SLPC was investigated. Oxidative kinetics of SOPC and SLPC were investigated by measuring both the production of VOCs and the degradation of starting materials. More than 30 VOCs were detected by means of the reference mass spectra of the National Institute of Standards and Technology mass spectral library, and most of them were further confirmed by comparing their mass spectra and retention time with those obtained from authentic reference compounds under the same analytical conditions. Moreover, the origins of VOCs from oxidised PLs were studied by comparing those obtained from their corresponding triacylglycerides under the same experimental conditions. The main VOCs identified from oxidised SOPC were (E)-2-decenal, nonanal and octanal and from oxidised SLPC were (E)-2-heptenal, (E)-2-octenal and (E, E)-2,4-decadienal. The proposed method was applied to a real food sample, soy lecithin. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:: To determine perinatal complications in infants =4500?g according to delivery mode. STUDY DESIGN:: Records of 231 mothers and live cephalic infants weighing =4500?g over a 13-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Maternal and perinatal complications were compared in relation to delivery mode. RESULTS:: Vaginal delivery (NVD) was achievable in 168/189 (88.9%) of women allowed to labor, of which 36.9% were operative. The cesarean delivery (CS) rate was 27.3%. The NVD group had a lower incidence of diabetes; however, hypoglycemia and transient tachypnea were more common in the CS group. The frequency of low Apgar scores at 1 and 5?minutes was similar in both groups. A total of 13 (7.7%) major fetal injuries were documented in the NVD group (arm weakness 3, hematoma 3, clavicular fracture 2, and brachial plexus injury 5). Shoulder dystocia was documented in only 7/13 (53.8%). CONCLUSION:: Vaginal delivery is achievable in 88.9% of pregnancies with infants =4500?g allowed to labor, at the expense of a 7.7% risk of perinatal trauma.Journal of Perinatology (2003) 23, 136-141. doi:10.1038/sj.jp.7210877 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perinatal outcome of the presenting twin to its co - twin. STUDY DESIGN: All live nonanomalous twin gestations delivered at >25 weeks' gestation between 1984 and 1994 ( N = 461 ) were identified. Twin A was compared to twin B regarding the following variables: presentation, Apgar score ( AS ) < 4 at 1 minute, AS < 7 at 5 minutes, birth weight, gender, traumatic delivery, meconium - stained amniotic fluid, cord prolapse, need for mechanical ventilation, intraventricular hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, seizures, perinatal mortality, and length of nursery stay. RESULTS: Except for differences in presentation, the perinatal outcome was similar in both twins regarding variables studied. This continued to hold true after subdividing according to mode of delivery, when infants with birth weight ≤1500 g were considered separately, and when vaginally delivered cephalic twin A was compared to the noncephalic co - twin. However, differences in some outcome variables became evident when pregnancies with only one affected member were analyzed separately. CONCLUSIONS: When all twin pairs are considered, the outcome of the second - born twin is similar to that of the first - born regardless of the mode of delivery, presentation, or birth weight ≤1500 g. If only those twin pairs with one affected and one unaffected twin are considered, it becomes apparent that the presenting twin is at increased risk for infection - related morbidities whereas the co - twin is at risk for other complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]