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Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) capped Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) formed through reduction of Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) by Sodium Borohydride (NaBH4) were studied for different PVA concentrations (C, %w/w of solution) in the bulk. Diameter (DAg) of Ag metallic core, obtained from plasmon resonance in Ultraviolet-Visible spectra, had a peak (≈12.8 nm) at C~0.24, which almost exactly matched the gyration sphere diameter of PVA molecule (∼13 nm). Cluster diameter (Dcl), measured after a month through Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) study, gave the number of NPs per cluster showing a dip at C∼0.24. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNPs on Escherichia coli (E. coli), assayed from standard broth dilution method (CLSI M07-A8), showed MIC of 0.66 μg/ml at the PVA concentration of 0.24%. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed NP clusters accumulating over E. coli to have Dcl ∼ DAg whereas those lying outside the bacteria to have Dcl ∼ 3DAg, consistent with a strong size selectivity of antimicrobial efficacy.

Environmental pollution with spilled oil and waste hydrocarbons has become a problem of major concern on the global scale. The study determined the biodegradation potentials of coliform from soil treated with petrol in Jega metropolis. A total of nine (9) soil samples were collected and analyzed using Physicochemical and Microbiological standard techniques. The mean values of the physicochemical parameters tested ranged; pH (6.8-7.8), Temperature (–32.6b), Electrical conductivity (-), Dissolved oxygen (2.4-8.9), Biological oxygen demand ( -), Chemical oxygen demand (), Nitrogen content (1.30.2 -) and Phosphorous contents (2.90.- ). The spectrophotometric biodegradation potential of the soil samples reveals the turbidity range of 2.3-7., after which the bacterial isolates as scoliform were obtained, the isolates were further biochemically characterized, their percentage of occurrence show; Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 5 (29.4%), Escherichia coli with 3 (17.6%), Proteus vulgaris with 3 (17. 6%), Citrobacter koseri with 2 (11.8%), Citrobacter freundii with 2 (11.8%), while Proteus mirabilis with 2 (11.8%). The bacteria isolated fit for utilizing hydrocarbons as energy source. Therefore, microbes can be considered as a key component in the cleanup strategy for petroleum hydrocarbons remediation.

Solanum tuberosum commonly known as potato belongs to solanaceae family. The whole part of potato plant including leaves; tuber, peel and juice are used in traditional medicine. A number of pharmacological activities of potato have been reported viz. Antioxidant, anticancer, antiallergy, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, anti-ulcer activity. Potato contains Phenolic acids, anthocyanin, flavonoids, vitamin B6, vitamin B3, pantothenic acid, potassium, manganese, phosphorous; copper and fibres. The medicinal properties, traditional uses, nutritional value, phytochemical constituents, taxonomy, geographic origin and distribution have been mentioned in this present review to provide collective data for multipurpose benefits.

Purpose. Monitoring of Newcastle disease among different groups of birds in Dnipropetrovsk region. Method. The biological material of the investigated bird specimens was checked for antibodies to Newcastle disease virus using methods such as haemagglutination and immunoassay. Results. An intravenous index of pathogenicity of an isolated Newcastle disease virus has been established. Newcastle disease virus circulation in the population of farm birds in the study period is absent, wild andsinanthropic birds should be classified as a risk group and considered as a reservoir for the Newcastle disease virus. Scientific novelty. The results obtained and their novelty: the extent of the Newcastle disease virus spread among various species of birds in Dnipropetrovsk region for 2015 is analyzed. Practical meaningfulness. The results obtained are a scientific basis for developing measures to combat, prevent, and prevent the emergence of Newcastle disease among farmed birds., Цель. Проведение мониторинга болезни Ньюкасла среди различных групп птиц в Днепропетровской области. Методика. Биологический материал исследуемых экземпляров птицы проверяли на наличие антител к вирусу ньюкаслской болезни, используя такие методы как реакция задержания гемагглютинации и иммуноферментный анализ. Результаты. Установлено интравенозного индекс патогенности изолированного вируса ньюкаслской болезни. Циркуляция вируса болезни Ньюкасла в популяции сельскохозяйственных птиц в исследованный период отсутствует, дикую и синантропных птицу следует отнести к группе риска и рассматривать как резервуар для вируса болезни Ньюкасла. Научная новизна. Полученные результаты и их новизна: проанализирована степень распространения вируса болезни Ньюкасла среди различных видов птиц в Днепропетровской области за 2015 год. Практическая значимость. Полученные результаты являются научной основой для разработки мероприятий по борьбе, профилактики и предупреждения возникновения болезни Ньюкасла среди сельскохозяйственных птиц., Мета. Проведення моніторингу хвороби Ньюкасла серед різних груп птахів у Дніпропетровській області. Методика. Біологічний матеріал досліджуваних екземплярів птиці перевіряли на наявність антитіл до вірусу ньюкаслської хвороби, використовуючи такі методи як реакція затримання гемаглютинації та імуноферментний аналіз. Результати. Встановлено інтравенозний індекс патогенності ізольованого вірусу ньюкаслської хвороби. Циркуляція вірусу хвороби Ньюкасла в популяції сільськогосподарських птахів в досліджений період відсутня, дику та синантропну птицю слід віднести до групи ризику та розглядати як резервуар для вірусу хвороби Ньюкасла. Наукова новизна. Одержані результати та їх новизна: проаналізовано ступінь поширення вірусу хвороби Ньюкасла серед різних видів птахів у Дніпропетровській області за 2015 рік. Практична значимість. Отримані результати є науковою основою для розробки заходів щодо боротьби, профілактики та попередження виникнення хвороби Ньюкасла серед сільськогосподарських птахів.

Antibacterial activity of frond extracts of three ethno medicinal important ferns viz. Angiopteris helferiana C. Presl, Cyathea brunoniana (Wall. ex Hook.) C.B. Clarke & Baker and Pronephrium nudatum (Roxb. ex Griff) Holttum was assayed by well diffusion method against multi drug resistant organisms i.e., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The result revealed that the ethyl acetate frond extract of Cyathea brunoniana, Pronephriumnudatum were active against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus while that of Angiopteris helferiana was active against only Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). The minimum inhibitory concentration of crude ethyl acetate frond extract of Cyathea brunoniana, Pronephriumnudatum was found to be 400 mg/ml against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The synergistic activity of the crude extract with the antibiotics showed that the antibacterial activity of the antibiotics increased in synergy with crude extract of Cyathea brunoniana and Pronephriumnudatum respectively. Thereby, the results indicated the possibility of using the fern extract of Cyathea brunoniana and Pronephriumnudatum as a future treatment option against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

As part of Federal Government policy on Small Medium Enterprises in Nigeria, a lot of small scale businesses have sprung up including soap making industries using indigenous contents. The ability of indigenously manufactured soaps to remove germs and dirt is paramount. An in vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity of twelve randomly collected indigenously made soaps in Gombe metropolis, Nigeria was conducted using agar well diffusion method against strains of reference microbes viz; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumonia being human skin bacteria, followed by time kill kinetic assay to determine the pharmaco-dynamics of active soaps against susceptible test organisms. The results obtained show that six of the soaps exhibited antibacterial activity with varying degree of zones of inhibition. S. aureus was the most susceptible amongst the organisms while E. coli and P. aeruginosa were the least susceptible microbes. The time kill kinetic assay shows that the bactericidal effect of the soaps is dose and contact time dependent as the susceptible organisms were eliminated after 8 h exposure. The antibacterial activities exhibited by these soaps suggest them as potential candidate in bio-prospecting for antibacterial.

Mosquito remains as a global threat for millions of lives since they serve as vector for most of the deadly pathogens and parasites. Several methods such as indoor spraying, insecticidal usage, and nets are employed to evade mosquito threat. However, the chemicals present in such compositions not only have negative impact on the human health and environment but also paves the way for the development of resistance in the insect vectors. Under such circumstances, novel and safer alternative tools have been recently researched to improve mosquito control. Medicinal plants species have been screened as a potential source for secondary metabolites with larvicidal and antimicrobial properties. In view of such fact, the present study investigated the solvent extracts of A. auriculiformis for its antimicrobial, antioxidant and larvicidal properties against the malarial and Japanese encephalitis vector Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus respectively. Results evidently showed that the ethanol, ethyl acetate, and water extracts inhibited the test pathogens significantly as compared to the other extracts at sub-MIC levels. DPPH and FRAP antioxidant studies elucidate, strong antioxidant potential of the ethanol and chloroform extracts of A. auriculiformis. TLC profile of the ethanol extract showed six prominent bands with respectively coloured band patterns in the UV spectrum which corroborated with the presence of more than one active principles in the extract. The larvicidal activity assay revealed that the ethanol extract significantly inhibited the mosquito vectors with an LC50 of 6.1 and 4.2 µg/ml respectively. Notably, the toxicity assay on the non target organism G. affinis showed low mortality at the tested concentrations (LC50 = 1670 µg/ml) which is ten times greater than the lethal concentration to the mosquito species. Overall, this study highlights the preliminary results which substantiates that A. auriculiformis is an important source of eco-friendly and b

The present work examined the in vitro antioxidant activity of sequentially extracted, solvent extracts (Petroleum ether, chloroform and Methanol) of stem bark, leaves and callus from Amoora rohituka. The antioxidative capacity of the extracts were examined by using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl,2-picryl hydrazyl), ABTS (2,2’-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiozoline-6-sulphonic acid) and NOS (Nitric oxide scavenging) assays by using Gallic acid as standard control. Among the tested extracts, methanol extract of stem bark showed better antioxidative capacity. The total antioxidant activity was expressed as µg equivalent of Gallic acid per gram on dry weight basis. IC50 values for methanol extract of stem bark were 7.53 µg/ml; 34.92 µg/ml and 56.31 µg/ml in ABTS, DPPH and NOS assays respectively. Whereas, leaves and callus extracts showed moderate antioxidative properties.

BACKGROUND: A high burden of lower airway symptoms is found in elite swimmers. To what extent elite swimmers suffer from upper airway symptoms and how these associate with nasal inflammation is less clear. We here aimed to evaluate upper airway symptoms and nasal inflammation in elite athletes. METHODOLOGY: Elite swimmers, indoor athletes and age-matched controls were recruited. Upper airway symptoms were assessed by sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT)-22 questionnaire. Visual Analogue score (VAS) for nasal symptoms as well as neurogenic and inflammatory mediators in nasal fluid were assessed at baseline, immediately and 24-hours after sport-specific training. The effect of hypochlorite on nasal epithelial cells was evaluated in vitro. RESULTS: Baseline SNOT-22 and VAS for nasal itch and impaired smell were significantly higher in swimmers compared to controls. Nasal substance P and uric acid levels were increased in elite swimmers 24-hours after swimming compared to baseline. In elite swimmers, uric acid levels 24-hours post-exercise correlated with baseline SNOT-22. As increased symptoms and inflammation were found in swimmers but not in indoor athletes, we hypothesized that hypochlorite exposure might be the underlying mechanism. In vitro, the highest dose of hypochlorite decreased nasal epithelial cell integrity and induced release of uric acid. CONCLUSION: Upper airway symptoms are frequently reported in elite swimmers. Intensive swimming resulted in a delayed increase of epithelial injury and neurogenic inflammation

Background/objectives: Candida spp. has been detected in the mouths with extensive carious lesions in adults as well as children with variable frequency in different geographical areas. In this study we evaluated the prevalence of candida spp. in the oral cavity of children of central India with and without dental caries.Method and materials: Children (3-12 years) were examined for decayed, missing and filled teeth (deft/DMFT) scores. Children (n-25) having ≤3 score made control group while those (n-25) having score ≥4 made experimental group. Mycological examination was conducted on the collected saliva sample of selected children. Oral yeast colonization was assessed by culturing Candida albicans on suitable broth. Collected data was then statistically analyzed.Results: The CFU/plate of candida in experimental group was statistically higher than in control group children. Spearman's rank correlation (rs = 0.643) showed linear relationship of CFU/plate with deft/DMFT scores.Conclusion: This study showed the active role of C. albicans in dental caries in children of 3-12 years of age group in Indore city of central India.

Objectives: Recently, mucoadhesive formulations have become popular as drug delivery for periodontal pocket and oral mucosa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of thermoresponsive and mucoadhesive chitosan in situ gel in treatment of chronic periodontitis.Methods: Vehicle and medicated in situ gel containing Levofloxacin and Metronidazole was applied in ten systemically healthy subjects (20–50 yrs) with chronic periodontitis adjunctive to scaling and root planing (SRP) in comparison to SRP alone. Clinical parameters were plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BoP), which were recorded at baseline and 15th, 30th, 60th, and 90th days, as well as probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession (GR), which were recorded at baseline and 30th, 60th, and 90th days.Results: The results suggested that changes in clinical parameters were significant from baseline for all groups on the 90th day. On the 90th day, PI was 0.7 ± 0.48, 0.4 ± 0.51, and 0.3 ± 0.48; GI was 0.6 ± 0.051, 0.5 ± 0.52, and 0.3 ± 0.48; BoP was 0.5 ± 0.52, 0.3 ± 0.48, and 0.2 ± 0.42; PPD reduction was 2.5 ± 0.52 mm, 3.4 ± 0.69 mm, and 4.6 ± 0.51 mm; CAL gain was 1.2 ± 0.42 mm, 2.6 ± 0.84 mm, and 3.8 ± 0.42 mm; and GR was 1.1 ± 0.73 mm, 1.0 ± 0.00 mm, and 0.5 ± 0.52 mm for SRP, vehicle, and medicated in situ gel groups, respectively. Reduction in PPD and gain in CAL was also significant after comparison between the treatment groups.Conclusion: Vehicle and medicated in situ gel showed better clinical outcomes as compared to SRP alone, which could be attributed to the presence of chitosan that is not only effective in treatment of periodontitis but also acts as a good carrier to deliver drug into periodontal pockets.

Rotenone, a botanical insecticide is known to cause apoptosis in various cell types. Trans-resveratrol, a natural phytophenol present in red grapes and wine, is also well documented for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, and anticarcinogenic activities. Therefore, the present investigations were carried out to assess the protective effect of trans-resveratrol against rotenone-induced cell death in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells. MCF-7 cells were exposed with various concentrations of rotenone for 24 h, and the loss in percent cell viability was evaluated by MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays. A significant decrease in percent cell viability in MCF-7 cells was observed at 50 µM and above concentrations of rotenone, as compared to untreated control. Furthermore, various concentrations (5, 10, and 25 µΜ) of trans-resveratrol were used to see its protective role on cell viability in rotenone-induced cell death in MCF-7 cells. Pre- or post- treatment of trans-resveratrol for 24 h was given to the cells. The data exhibited a significant dose dependent increase in the percent cell viability under pre- and post-treatment conditions. However, post-treatment of trans-resveratrol for 24 h after rotenone exposure to the cells was relatively less effective. Overall, the results suggest that trans-resveratrol significantly protects MCF-7 cells from rotenone-induced cell death. This model can be used as an effective and economical alternative to animal models for screening the antioxidant activity of a variety of natural compounds/drugs.

Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. is a member of family Convolvulaceae and commonly called as Ksheervidari is widely used in various traditional medicines for the treatment of many diseases. In the present work the column fractions of leaf extracts of I. mauritiana obtained by Soxhlet exrtaction was subjected to TLC, column chromatography, HPLC and liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). The compounds like caffeic acid and β-amyric acetate were tentatively identified to be present in one of the purified fraction. The column fraction was also tested for anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced rat paw edema assay. The column fraction tested showed a very good anti inflammatory activity.

type:Journal Article, DNA extraction from wastewater sludge (COD 50000 and BOD 25000 mg/l) was conducted using nine different methods normally used for environmental samples including a procedure used in this study and the results obtained were compared. The quality of the differently extracted DNAs was subsequently assessed by measuring humic acid concentration, cell lysis efficiency, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of methanogenic and eubacterial 16S rDNA. The protocol developed in this study was further evaluated by extracting DNA from various high-strength wastewater sludge samples, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses. The results revealed that great differences existed among the nine procedures and only a few produced satisfactory results when applied to high-strength wastewater sludge. Thermal shock alone was shown inefficient to disrupt the methanogenic cell wall to release the DNA. The method presented in this study (Procedure 9) is generally recommended because of the low concentration of contaminants and its high efficiency despite its simplicity., source:http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJB

type:Journal Article, An over-expressed L-ldh gene derivative of Escherichia coli BAD-ldh was developed. L-ldh gene from Enterococcus facelis KK1 consisted of an open reading frame of 954 bp encoding 316 amino acids. L-ldh gene was cloned into pBAD vector and transformed into E. coli SZ85 by electroporation. SDS-page and western blotting method confirmed the presence of recombinant L-LDH enzyme with the approximate size of 40 kD. The activity of L-lactate dehydrogenase was achieved at 170 U ml-1. E. coli BAD85 was found to produce 0.62 g l-1 of lactic acid from 1 g l-1of fructose in 24 h. L-ldh gene from was successfully transformed into E. coli SZ85 with the maximum production of L-lactic acid at 0.62 g l-1., source:http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJB

Historically, multiplicity of actions in synthetic compounds is a rule rather than exception. The science of non-antibiotics evolved in this background. From the antimalarial and antitrypanosomial dye methylene blue, chemically similar compounds, the phenothiazines, were developed. The phenothiazines were first recognised for their antipsychotic properties, but soon after their antimicrobial functions came to be known and then such compounds were designated as non-antibiotics. The emergence of highly drug-resistant bacteria had initiated an urgent need to search for novel affordable compounds. Several phenothiazines awakened the interest among scientists to determine their antimycobacterial activity. Chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, methdilazine and thioridazine were found to have distinct antitubercular action. Thioridazine took the lead as researchers repeatedly claimed its potentiality. Although thioridazine is known for its central nervous system and cardiotoxic side-effects, extensive and repeated in vitro and in vivo studies by several research groups revealed that a very small dose of thioridazine is required to kill tubercle bacilli inside macrophages in the lungs, where the bacteria try to remain and multiply silently. Such a small dose is devoid of its adverse side-effects. Recent studies have shown that the (–) thioridazine is a more active antimicrobial agent and devoid of the toxic side effects normally encountered. This review describes the possibilities of bringing down thioridazine and its (–) form to be combined with other antitubercular drugs to treat infections by drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and try to eradicate this deadly disease. [Int Microbiol 2015; 18(1):1-12]Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis · phenotiazines · thioridazine · tuberculosis