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Kantha Deivi Arunachalam,1 Lilly Baptista Arun,1 Sathesh Kumar Annamalai,1 Aarrthy M Arunachalam2 1Center for Environmental Nuclear Research, SRM University, Potheri, Tamil Nadu, India; 2Division of Educational Services, Kaplan University (Medical), Washington DC, USA Background: Gymnema sylvestre is an ethno-pharmacologically important medicinal plant used in many polyherbal formulations for its potential health benefits. Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) were biofunctionalized using aqueous leaf extracts of G. sylvestre. The anticancer properties of the bioactive compounds and the biofunctionalized SNPs were compared using the HT29 human adenoma colon cancer cell line.Methods: The preliminary phytochemical screening for bioactive compounds from aqueous extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, steroids, and saponins. Biofunctionalized SNPs were synthesized using silver nitrate and characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction for size and shape. The characterized biofunctionalized G. sylvestre were tested for its in vitro anticancer activity against HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells.Results: The biofunctionlized G. sylvestre SNPs showed the surface plasmon resonance band at 430 nm. The scanning electron microscopy images showed the presence of spherical nanoparticles of various sizes, which were further determined using the Scherrer equation. In vitro cytotoxic activity of the biofunctionalized green-synthesized SNPs (GSNPs) indicated that the sensitivity of HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells for cytotoxic drugs is higher than that of Vero cell line for the same cytotoxic agents and also higher than the bioactive compound of the aqueous extract.Conclusion: Our results show that the anticancer properties of the bioactive compounds of G. sylvestre can be enhanced through biofunctionalizing the SNPs using the bioactive compounds present in the plant extract without compromising their medicinal properties. Keywords: Gymnema sylvestre, gymnemic acid, biofunctionalized silver nanoparticles, anticancer activity, HT29 cell line

Kantha D Arunachalam, Sathesh Kumar Annamalai Center for Environmental Nuclear Research, Directorate of Research, SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Abstract: The exploitation of various plant materials for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles is considered a green technology as it does not involve any harmful chemicals. The aim of this study was to develop a simple biological method for the synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles using Chrysopogon zizanioides. To exploit various plant materials for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles was considered a green technology. An aqueous leaf extract of C. zizanioides was used to synthesize silver and gold nanoparticles by the bioreduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) respectively. Water-soluble organics present in the plant materials were mainly responsible for reducing silver or gold ions to nanosized Ag or Au particles. The synthesized silver and gold nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The kinetics decline reactions of aqueous silver/gold ion with the C. zizanioides crude extract were determined by UV-visible spectroscopy. SEM analysis showed that aqueous gold ions, when exposed to the extract were reduced and resulted in the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles in the size range 20–50 nm. This eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of nanoparticles is simple, can be scaled up for large-scale production with powerful bioactivity as demonstrated by the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles can have clinical use as antibacterial, antioxidant, as well as cytotoxic agents and can be used for biomedical applications. Keywords: nanoparticles, bioreduction, SEM, silver, gold

Kantha D Arunachalam, Sathesh Kumar Annamalai, Shanmugasundaram HariCenter for Environmental Nuclear Research, Directorate of Research, SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaAbstract: In this experiment, green-synthesized silver and gold nanoparticles were produced rapidly by treating silver and gold ions with an extract of Memecylon umbellatum leaf. The reaction process was simple and easy to handle, and was monitored using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The effect of the phytochemicals present in M. umbellatum, including saponins, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, and quinones, on formation of stable silver and gold nanoparticles was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology and crystalline phase of the nanoparticles were determined by transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The results indicate that the saponins, phytosterols, and phenolic compounds present in the plant extract play a major role in formation of silver and gold nanoparticles in their respective ions in solution. The characteristics of the nanoparticles formed suggest application of silver and gold nanoparticles as chemical sensors in the future. Given the simple and eco-friendly approach for synthesis, these nanoparticles could easily be commercialized for large-scale production.Keywords: green synthesis, phytochemicals, saponins, nanoparticles, transmission electron microscopy

Background: Adverse cardiac events are common following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Our aim was to investigate the low left ventricular stroke volume index (LVSVI) 30 days after TAVR as an early echocardiographic marker of survival., Hypothesis: Steady-state (30-day) LVSVI after TAVR is associated with 1-year mortality., Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing TAVR from 2017 to 2019. Baseline and 30-day post-TAVR echocardiographic LVSVI were calculated. Patients were stratified by pre-TAVR transaortic gradient, surgical risk, and change in transvalvular flow following TAVR., Results: This analysis focuses on 238 patients treated with TAVR. The 1-year mortality rate was 9% and 124 (52%) patients had normal flow post-TAVR. Of those with pre-TAVR low flow, 67% of patients did not normalize LVSVI at 30 days. The 30-day normal flow was associated with lower 1-year mortality when compared to low flow (4% vs. 14%, p = .007). This association remained significant after adjusting for known predictors of risk (adjusted odds ratio [OR] of 3.45, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-11.63 [per 1 ml/m 2 decrease], p = .046). Normalized transvalvular flow following TAVR was associated with reduced mortality (8%) when compared to those with persistent (15%) or new-onset low flow (12%) (p = .01)., Conclusions: LVSVI at 30 days following TAVR is an early echocardiographic predictor of 1-year mortality and identifies patients with worse intermediate outcomes. More work is needed to understand if this short-term imaging marker might represent a novel therapeutic target., (© 2022 The Authors. Clinical Cardiology published by Wiley Periodicals, LLC.)

New mechanistic insight into how the kidney responds to cardiac injury during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is required. We hypothesized that AMI promotes inflammation and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) activity in the kidney and studied the effect of initiating an Impella CP or veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) before coronary reperfusion during AMI. Adult male swine were subjected to coronary occlusion and either reperfusion (ischemia-reperfusion; IR) or support with either Impella or VA-ECMO before reperfusion. IR and ECMO increased while Impella reduced levels of MMP-9 in the myocardial infarct zone, circulation, and renal cortex. Compared to IR, Impella reduced myocardial infarct size and urinary KIM-1 levels, but VA-ECMO did not. IR and VA-ECMO increased pro-fibrogenic signaling via transforming growth factor-beta and endoglin in the renal cortex, but Impella did not. These findings identify that AMI increases inflammatory activity in the kidney, which may be attenuated by Impella support., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background Unloading the left ventricle and delaying reperfusion reduces infarct size in preclinical models of acute myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that a potential explanation for this effect is that left ventricular (LV) unloading before reperfusion increases collateral blood flow to ischemic myocardium. Methods and Results Acute myocardial infarction was induced by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery for 120 minutes in adult swine, followed by reperfusion for 180 minutes. After 90 minutes of occlusion, animals were assigned to 30 minutes of continued occlusion (n=6) or to 30 minutes of support with either an Impella CP (n=4) or venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n=5) with persistent occlusion. The primary end point was measures of microcirculatory blood flow including the collateral flow index (CFI) during left anterior descending artery occlusion as (P w -RA)/(P a -RA), where P a , P w , and RA are aortic, coronary wedge, and right atrial pressure, respectively. Infarct size was quantified using triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Compared with continued occlusion, Impella, not venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, reduced infarct size relative to the area at risk. Before reperfusion, Impella reduced LV stroke work by 25% and increased the CFI by 75%, but venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation did not. Among all groups, the change in CFI between 90 and 120 minutes correlated inversely with the change in LV stroke work ( r 2 =0.44, P =0.01) and infarct size ( r 2 =0.41, P =0.02). Conclusions We report for the first time that 30 minutes of LV unloading during coronary occlusion increases the CFI, which correlates inversely with LV stroke work and infarct size. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation failed to increase the CFI and did not reduce infarct size.

Wound care management presents one of the substantial and tenacious challenges to the healthcare systems worldwide. Microbial colonization and subsequent biofilm formation after injury have garnered much attention, as there is an appreciable correlation between biofilms formation and delayed healing in chronic wounds. Nanotechnology has emerged as a potential platform for the management of treating acute and chronic wounds. This study presents the utility of electrospun nanofiber mats containing a natural extract (Gymnema sylvestre) that averts biofilm formation but supports human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs) attachment. The scaffolds exhibited good wettability, enhanced mechanical properties and contact mediated inhibition of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. MTS viability assay and confocal imaging further confirmed that the natural extract loaded mats remained non-cytotoxic for hDFs. Overall these findings evidenced the suitability of the Gymnema sylvestre (GS) functionalized electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanofibers, as an effective wound dressing with broad spectrum anti-bacterial properties., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Hemolysis is a potential limitation of percutaneously delivered left-sided mechanical circulatory support pumps, including trans valvular micro-axial flow pumps (TVP). Hemolytic biomarkers among durable left ventricular assist devices include lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) >2.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and plasma-free hemoglobin (pf-Hb) >20 mg/dL. We examined the predictive value of these markers among patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) receiving a TVP. We retrospectively studied records of 116 consecutive patients receiving an Impella TVP at our institution between 2012 and 2017 for CS. Twenty-three met inclusion/exclusion criteria, and had sufficient pf-Hb data for analysis. Area under receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve for diagnosing hemolysis were calculated. Mean age was 62 ± 14 years and ejection fraction was 15 ± 5%. Mean duration of support was 5.4 ± 3.5 days. Pre-device LDH levels were >2.5x ULN in 71% (n = 5/7) of 5.0 and 29% of CP patients, while pre-device pf-Hb levels were >20 mg/dL in 14% (n = 1/7) of 5.0 and 25% (n = 4/16) of CP patients. Given elevated baseline LDH and pf-Hb levels, we defined hemolysis as a pf-Hb level >40 mg/dL within 72 h post-implant plus clinical evidence of device-related hemolysis. We identified that 30% (n = 7/23) had device-related hemolysis. Using ROC curve-derived cut-points, an increase in delta pf-Hb by >27mg/dL, not delta LDH, within 24 h after TVP implant (delta pf-Hb: C-statistic = 0.79, sensitivity: 57%, specificity: 93%, p <0.05) was highly predictive of hemolysis. In conclusion, we identified a change in pf-Hb, not LDH, levels is highly sensitive and specific for hemolysis in patients treated with a TVP for CS., (© 2018 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Exposure to ionizing radiation is harmful to any living organism. It may cause varying levels of genetic mutation or ultimately death. Synthetic compounds have been used to counteract the hazardous effect of radiation on the live cells, but the possibility of these synthetic compounds being harmful to the organism being treated also exists. Herbal formulations are thus being explored as a possible alternative for the synthetic radioprotectant. Induction of DNA damage in fishes caused by ionizing radiation and its protection by phytocompounds is a hardly studied topic. In this study, we analyzed the radioprotective effect of Gymnema sylvestre leaves extract (GS) and its active compound gymnemagenin (GG) against different doses of gamma radiation ( 60 Co) on the freshwater fish Pangasius sutchi. The radioprotective efficacy was assessed by micronuclei and alkaline comet assays. The freshwater fish P. sutchi was pre-treated with intramuscular injection (IM) of amifostine (83.3 mg/kg of B.W.), GS (25 mg/kg of B.W.) and GG (0.3 mg/kg of B.W.), 1 h prior to the gamma radiation. The fishes were exposed to LD 30 , LD 50 and LD 70 of gamma radiation and the protection activities were assessed by analyzing the number of micronuclei (MN) and erythrocytic abnormalities in the blood after 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 days after exposure. Compared to the irradiated fishes, frequency of erythrocytic abnormalities were decreased in response to the radio-protection in the amifostine treated groups for all three doses of gamma radiation (LD 70 - 77.62%), (LD 50 - 80.11%) and (LD 30 - 82.30%); GS (LD 70 - 62.66%), (LD 50 - 69.74%) and (LD 30 - 70.81%); and GG (LD 70 - 49.42%), (LD 50 - 53.43%) and (LD 30 - 58.42%). Similarly, a significant radio-protective effect in terms of decremented DNA damage was observed using the comet assay after post exposure. The percentage of protection noted for amifostine was (LD 70 - 58.68%), (LD 50 - 64.52%) and (LD 30 - 74.40%); GS (LD 70 - 53.84%), (LD 50 - 59.02%) and (LD 30 - 65.97%); GG (LD 70 - 49.85%), (LD 50 - 52.56%) and (LD 30 - 64.30%). From the current study, we can conclude that the radioprotective efficacy of the GS is similar to the synthetic compound (amifostine) and also greater than the bioactive compound (GG). The synergetic effect of the plant extract which leads to a better protection than the bioactive compound must be further studied. MN and Comet assays can easily identify the damage due to radiation exposure and thus can be used as predictive biomarkers for aquatic organisms exposed to radiation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Myocarditis complicated by cardiogenic shock remains a complex problem. The use of acute mechanical circulatory support devices for cardiogenic shock is growing. We explored the utility of Impella transvalvular microaxial flow catheters in the setting of myocarditis with cardiogenic shock., Methods and Results: We retrospectively analyzed data from 21 sites within the cVAD registry, an ongoing multicenter voluntary registry at sites in North America and Europe that have used Impella in patients with myocarditis. Myocarditis was defined by endomyocardial biopsy (n = 11) or by clinical history without angiographic evidence of coronary disease (n = 23). A total of 34 patients received an Impella 2.5, CP, 5.0, or RP device for cardiogenic shock complicating myocarditis. Baseline characteristics included age 42 ± 17 years, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 18% ± 10%, cardiac index 1.82 ± 0.46 L·min -1 ·m -2 , pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 25 ± 7 mm Hg, and lactate 27 ± 31 mg/dL. Before Impella placement, 32% (n = 11) of patients required intra-aortic balloon pump. Mean duration of Impella support was 91 ± 74 hours; 21 of 34 patients (62%) survived the index hospitalization and were discharged with an improved mean LVEF of 37.32% ± 20.31% (P = .001); 15 patients recovered with successful support, 5 patients were transferred to another hospital on initial Impella support, 1 patient underwent orthotopic heart transplantation. Ten patients required transition to another mechanical circulatory support device., Conclusions: This is the largest analysis of Impella-supported myocarditis cases to date. The use of Impella appears to be safe and effective in the settings of myocarditis complicated by cardiogenic shock., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Acute heart failure refractory to medical therapy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The Aortix device (Procyrion Inc) is a percutaneously delivered entrainment pump positioned in the descending aorta., Methods and Results: Using the newest generation Aortix device in 8 adult male Yorkshire swine, we tested the hypothesis that positioning in the abdominal aorta may provide superior hemodynamic effects than thoracic positioning in a swine model of postinfarct left ventricular injury.Abdominal activation generated significantly larger transaortic gradients (proximal minus distal mean aortic pressures) than thoracic positioning at all pump speeds. Compared with baseline values, activation in the abdominal, not thoracic, position significantly increased cardiac output, reduced arterial elastance, and systemic vascular resistance at low speeds. Compared with baseline values, abdominal activation also increased transpulmonary pressure gradients at medium and high speed, which was driven by trends toward higher mean pulmonary artery pressure and lower pulmonary capillary wedge pressure., Conclusions: This is the first report to determine that in contrast to thoracic positioning, abdominal positioning of the newest generation Aortix device reduces left ventricular afterload and increases cardiac output at low speeds. These findings have potentially important implications for the design of early clinical studies by suggesting that device position and speed are major determinants of improved hemodynamic efficacy.

Background: Heart failure after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We recently reported that activation of a transvalvular axial-flow pump in the left ventricle and delaying myocardial reperfusion, known as primary unloading, limits infarct size after AMI. The mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective benefit of primary unloading and whether the acute decrease in infarct size results in a durable reduction in LV scar and improves cardiac function remain unknown., Objectives: This study tested the importance of LV unloading before reperfusion, explored cardioprotective mechanisms, and determined the late-term impact of primary unloading on myocardial function., Methods: Adult male swine were subjected to primary reperfusion or primary unloading after 90 min of percutaneous left anterior descending artery occlusion., Results: Compared with primary reperfusion, 30 min of LV unloading was necessary and sufficient before reperfusion to limit infarct size 28 days after AMI. Compared with primary reperfusion, primary unloading increased expression of genes associated with cellular respiration and mitochondrial integrity within the infarct zone. Primary unloading for 30 min further reduced activity levels of proteases known to degrade the cardioprotective cytokine, stromal-derived factor (SDF)-1α, thereby increasing SDF-1α signaling via reperfusion injury salvage kinases, which limits apoptosis within the infarct zone. Inhibiting SDF-1α activity attenuated the cardioprotective effect of primary unloading. Twenty-eight days after AMI, primary unloading reduced LV scar size, improved cardiac function, and limited expression of biomarkers associated with heart failure and maladaptive remodeling., Conclusions: The authors report for the first time that first mechanically reducing LV work before coronary reperfusion with a transvalvular pump is necessary and sufficient to reduce infarct size and to activate a cardioprotective program that includes enhanced SDF-1α activity. Primary unloading further improved LV scar size and cardiac function 28 days after AMI., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: The utility of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation pumps (IABPs) in low cardiac output states is unknown and no studies have explored the impact of IABP therapy on ventricular workload in patients with advanced heart failure (HF). For these reasons, we explored the acute hemodynamic effects of IABP therapy in patients with advanced HF., Methods: We prospectively studied 10 consecutive patients with stage D HF referred for IABP placement before left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery and compared with 5 control patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) who did not receive IABP therapy. Hemodynamics were recorded using LV conductance and pulmonary artery catheters. Cardiac index (CI)-responder and CI-nonresponder status was assigned a priori as being "equal to or above" or below the median of the IABP effect on CI, respectively, within 24 hours after IABP activation., Results: Compared with controls, patients with advanced HF had lower LVEF, lower LV end-systolic pressure, lower LV stroke work, and higher LV end-diastolic pressures and volumes before IABP activation. IABP activation reduced LV stroke work primarily by reducing end-systolic pressure. IABP therapy increased CI by a median of 20% as well as increased diastolic pressure time index and the myocardial oxygen supply:demand ratio. Compared with CI-nonresponders, CI-responders had higher systemic vascular resistance, lower right heart filling pressures, and a trend toward lower left heart filling pressures with improved indices of right heart function. Compared with CI-nonresponders, the diastolic pressure time index was increased among CI-responders., Conclusions: IABP therapy may be effective at reducing LV stroke work, increasing CI, and favorably altering the myocardial oxygen supply:demand ratio in patients with advanced HF, especially among patients with low right heart filling pressures and high systemic vascular resistance., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ten sampling locations in Nagarjuna Sagar Dam have been selected to assess the suitability of the reservoir water for human consumption. The sediment, water, and fish samples were collected and analyzed for radionuclide ( 238 U, 232 Th, 210 Po, 226 Ra, 210 Pb) and physicochemical parameters like pH, TOC, total hardness, alkalinity, DO, cation exchange capacity, and particle size. The spatial variations among the radionuclides ( 238 U, 232 Th, 210 Po, 226 Ra, 210 Pb) in water and bottom sediments of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam were determined. The uranium concentration in the sediment and water was in BDL (<0.5 ppb). The maximum permissible limits in water samples of the analyzed radionuclides are 238 U-10 Bq/l, 210 Po-0.1 Bq/l, 226 Ra-1 Bq/l, and 210 Pb-0.1 Bq/l. The radionuclides in our water samples were approximately 50 times far below the recommended limit. The ingestion of water and fish would not pose any significant radiological impact on health or cancer risk to the public, implicating that the fishes from Nagarjuna Sagar Dam reservoir are safe for human consumption except the fisherman community.

The early biomarkers for the hematological, serological and histological alterations due to the effect of ½ and ¼ LC 50 of 238 U in different organs in freshwater fish Pangasius sutchi for water-borne 238 U accumulation was investigated. The toxicological data due to 238 U accumulation on the hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and hematocrit (Hct) to evaluate the oxygen carrying capacity has been indicated as the secondary response of the organisms. The biomarkers of liver damage were determined as by Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), γ-Glutamyl Transferase (γ-GT). Similarly, the renal biomarkers of kidney damage were accessed by creatinine, uric acid, triglycerides, and cholesterol. The decrease in hemoglobin in the experimental group due to disturbed synthesis of hemoglobin was directly proportional to the concentration and exposure duration of 238 U. The histological studies proved that liver and gills are the target organ for 238 U toxicity. The extensive histological lesions were observed in various tissues due to oxidative stress by the accumulation of 238 U, and the 238 U toxicity in the organs was in the order of Gills238 U toxicity to assess fish health in Uranium ( 238 U) biomonitoring programs., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The strategic plan of this study is to analyze any possible radiological impact on aquatic organisms from forthcoming uranium mining facilities around the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in the future. The predominantly consumed and dominant fish species Pangasius sutchi, which is available year-round at Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, was selected for the study. To comprehend the outcome and to understand the mode of action of 238 U, the fish species Pangasius sutchi was exposed to ¼ and ½ of the LC 50 doses of waterborne 238 U in a static system in duplicate for 21 days. Blood and organs, including the gills, liver, brain and muscles, were collected at different time periods-0h, 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h, 7, days 14days and 21 days-using ICP-MS to determine the toxic effects of uranium and the accumulation of 238 U concentrations. The bioaccumulation of 238 U in P. sutchi tissues was dependent on exposure time and concentration. The accumulation of uranium was, in order of magnitude, measured as gills>liver>brain>tissue, with the highest accumulation in the gills. It was observed that exposure to 238 U significantly reduced antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lipid peroxidase. The analysis of DNA fragmentation by comet assay and cell viability by flow cytometry was performed at different time intervals. DNA histograms by flow cytometry analysis revealed an increase in the G2/M phase and the S phase. The long-term 238 U exposure studies in fish showed increasing micronucleus frequencies in erythrocytes with greater exposure time. The higher the concentration of 238 U is, the greater is the effect observed, suggesting a close relationship between accumulation and toxicity. A possible ROS-mediated 238 U toxicity mechanism and antioxidant responses have been proposed., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To study the distribution of Polonium ((210)Po) activity in dietary sources in the high background radiation zone of Puttetti in southern Tamil Nadu., Materials and Methods: (210)Po was analyzed in the food materials consumed by the male and female individual representatives living in the high background areas by 24-h Duplicate Diet Study (DDS) and Market Basket Study (MBS). The MBS was performed by collecting the food samples such as, cereals, fruits, leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, other vegetables, fish, meat and milk grown in the high background radiation zone of southern Tamil Nadu as a part of baseline study in this region. The DDS was done by collecting the food materials consumed including the beverages in 24 h from different age groups of male and female individuals living in the village of Puttetti. The intake and ingestion dose of the radionuclide (210)Po was estimated., Results: The average concentration of (210)Po in DDS (n = 33) was found to be 74 mBq.kg(- 1) of fresh weight. The MBS was collected based on food consumption representing more than 85-95% of annual supply, and were divided into eight food groups. The average concentration of (210)Po in the eight food groups namely leafy vegetables was 2176 mBq.kg(- 1) (n = 3), vegetables 55 mBq.kg(- 1) (n = 10), roots and tubers 251 mBq.kg(- 1) (n = 4), fruits 65 mBq.kg(- 1) (n = 5), fish 345 mBq.kg(- 1) (n = 2), meat food 117 mBq.kg(- 1) (n = 3), milk 20 mBq.kg(- 1) (n = 1) and cereal 290 (n = 1) mBq.kg(- 1) of fresh weight, respectively. The annual intake and ingestion dose due to (210)Po was estimated by DDS and MBS in adults, adolescents and children. The overall results showed that the MBS was moderately higher than the DDS in all age groups. Moreover, a DDS approach may even be more realistic, as cooked foodstuffs are used for dietary exposure assessment., Conclusion: The study confirms that the current levels of (210)Po do not pose a significant radiological risk to the local inhabitants.

Background: Gymnema sylvestre is a highly valued ethno pharmacologically important medicinal plant used currently in many poly-herbal formulations due to its potential antidiabetic activity and other health benefits. The present study was carried out to analyze the anti-stress, anti-allergic, and antiulcer activity of the bioactive compounds present in Gymnema sylvestre leaves., Methods: The preliminary phytochemical screening for bioactive compounds from aqueous extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, steroids, and saponins. The antioxidant activities were investigated using DPPH radical scavenging method. The characterization of the extract was carried out using standard compound by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and phytochemical analysis in terms of total phenol, total flavonoids, reducing power and antioxidant potentials, etc. The in vivo studies on albino mice proved the purified fraction has anti-stress/anti-allergic activity against milk induced leucocytosis/eosinophilia and able to inhibit the aspirin induced gastric ulcers., Results: The quantitative estimation for aqueous extract exhibited total antioxidant (9.13 ± 0.04 μg/g), flavonoids (125.62 ± 26.84 μg/g), tannin (111.53 ± 15.13 μg/g), total phenol content (285.23 ± 1.11 μg/g) and free radical scavenging (52.14 ± 0.32%). Further the aqueous extract was consecutively purified by TLC and silica column chromatography. The purified fractions were characterized by HPTLC and GC-MS and the component was identified as gymnemic acid. The potency of the antimicrobial activity of the extract was studied with bacteria. Pharmacological experiments clearly demonstrated that the extracts of all plants given orally showed significant gastric protection against the asprin-induced gastric ulcer model in mice. Furthermore, healing effects were also confirmed through histopathological examination., Conclusions: The aqueous extracts of the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre possess anti ulcerogenic, Anti allergic, Anti stress, properties that may be due to cytoprotective mechanism. These results support the ethno medical uses of the plant in the treatment of gastric ulcer.

Use of plant extracts for treatment of burns and wound is a common practice followed over the decades and it is an important aspect of health management. Many medicinal plants have a long history of curative properties in wound healing. Electrospun nanofibers provide high porosity with large surface area-to-volume ratio and are more appropriate for cell accommodation, nutrition infiltration, gas exchange and waste excretion. Electrospinning makes it possible to combine the advantages of utilizing these plant extracts in the form of nanofibrous mats to serve as skin graft substitutes. In this study, we investigated the potential of electrospinning four different plant extracts, namely Indigofera aspalathoides, Azadirachta indica, Memecylon edule (ME) and Myristica andamanica along with a biodegradable polymer, polycaprolactone (PCL) for skin tissue engineering. The ability of human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) to proliferate on the electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds was evaluated via cell proliferation assay. HDF proliferation on PCL/ME nanofibers was found the highest among all the other electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds and it was 31% higher than the proliferation on PCL nanofibers after 9 days of cell culture. The interaction of HDF with the electrospun scaffold was studied by F-actin and collagen staining studies. The results confirmed that PCL/ME had the least cytotoxicity among the different plant extract containing scaffolds studied here. Therefore we performed the epidermal differentiation of adipose derived stem cells on PCL/ME scaffolds and obtained early and intermediate stages of epidermal differentiation. Our studies demonstrate the potential of electrospun PCL/ME nanofibers as substrates for skin tissue engineering., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The treatment of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease remains controversial. The aim of this survey was to ascertain the current management strategies of this condition amongst UK paediatric orthopaedic surgeons, with particular regard to containment procedures in the fragmentation phase. Questionnaires were distributed at the January 2006 meeting of the British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS) and was posted to all absent members. The results showed a great deal of variability not only in the treatment of Perthes disease, but also in the decision-making processes. Consideration must now be given to a carefully constructed national multi-centre prospective randomised controlled study into the optimum management of this disease.