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Background The microbiome is an important and increasingly-studied mediator of organismal metabolism, although how the microbiome affects metabolism remains incompletely understood. Many investigators use antibiotics to experimentally perturb the microbiome. However, antibiotics have poorly understood yet profound off-target effects on behavior and diet, including food and water aversion, that can confound experiments and limit their applicability. We thus sought to determine the relative influence of microbiome modulation and off-target antibiotic effects on the behavior and metabolic activity of mice. Results Mice treated with oral antibiotics via drinking water exhibited significant weight loss in fat, liver, and muscle tissue. These mice also exhibited a reduction in water and food consumption, with marked variability across antibiotic regimens. While administration of bitter-tasting but antimicrobially-inert compounds caused a similar reduction in water consumption, this did not cause tissue weight loss or reduced food consumption. Mice administered intraperitoneal antibiotics (bypassing the gastrointestinal tract) exhibited reduced tissue weights and oral intake, comparable to the effects of oral antibiotics. Antibiotic-treated germ-free mice did not have reduced tissue weights, providing further evidence that direct microbiome modulation (rather than behavioral effects) mediates these metabolic changes. Conclusions While oral antibiotics cause profound effects on food and water consumption, antibiotic effects on organismal metabolism are primarily mediated by microbiome modulation. We demonstrate that tissue-specific weight loss following antibiotic administration is due primarily to microbiome effects rather than food and water aversion, and identify antibiotic regimens that effectively modulate gut microbiota while minimizing off-target behavioral effects.

Introduction Cross-cover, the process by which a nonprimary team physician cares for patients, usually during afternoons, evenings, and weekends, is common in academic medical centers. With the advent of residency duty-hour restrictions, cross-cover care has increased, making education in effective cross-coverage an urgent need. Methods We implemented a cross-cover didactic activity composed of 18 interactive cases with 29 senior medical students enrolled in an internal medicine residency preparation course. The curriculum was facilitated by one faculty member and one senior medical resident and utilized think-pair-share learning techniques to discuss an approach to a range of common (both urgent and routine) cross-cover scenarios. We analyzed confidence and feelings of preparedness pre- and postintervention. We also examined differences in medical knowledge based on two multiple-choice written cross-cover cases that addressed both medical management and triage. Results This curriculum significantly improved feelings of confidence (from 1.8 to 3.2, p < .0001), reduced anxiety (from 4.5 to 4.1, p < .03), and improved performance in clinical case scenarios (from 82% to 89%, p < .02). Discussion This curriculum covered not only the important medical aspects of cross-cover care (e.g., diagnostics and management) but also equally important roles of cross-cover, such as how to effectively triage cross-cover scenarios. The curriculum was well received by students.

Sougata Ghosh,1 Rahul Nitnavare,1 Ankush Dewle,1 Geetanjali B Tomar,1 Rohan Chippalkatti,1 Piyush More,1 Rohini Kitture,2 Sangeeta Kale,2 Jayesh Bellare,3 Balu A Chopade4 1Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, University of Pune, 2Department of Applied Physics, Defense Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune, 3Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 4Department of Microbiology, University of Pune, Pune, India Abstract: Medicinal plants serve as rich sources of diverse bioactive phytochemicals that might even take part in bioreduction and stabilization of phytogenic nanoparticles with immense therapeutic properties. Herein, we report for the first time the rapid efficient synthesis of novel platinum–palladium bimetallic nanoparticles (Pt–PdNPs) along with individual platinum (PtNPs) and palladium (PdNPs) nanoparticles using a medicinal plant, Dioscorea bulbifera tuber extract (DBTE). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed monodispersed PtNPs of size 2–5 nm, while PdNPs and Pt–PdNPs between 10 and 25 nm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis confirmed 30.88%±1.73% elemental Pt and 68.96%±1.48% elemental Pd in the bimetallic nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated strong peaks at 3,373 cm-1, attributed to hydroxyl group of polyphenolic compounds in DBTE that might play a key role in bioreduction in addition to the sharp peaks at 2,937, 1,647, 1,518, and 1,024 cm-1, associated with C–H stretching, N–H bending in primary amines, N–O stretching in nitro group, and C–C stretch, respectively. Anticancer activity against HeLa cells showed that Pt–PdNPs exhibited more pronounced cell death of 74.25% compared to individual PtNPs (12.6%) or PdNPs (33.15%). Further, Pt–PdNPs showed an enhanced scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, and hydroxyl radicals. Keywords: Dioscorea bulbifera, platinum nanoparticles, palladium nanoparticles, platinum–palladium bimetallic nanoparticles, anticancer, antioxidant

Sougata Ghosh1, Sumersing Patil1, Mehul Ahire1, Rohini Kitture2, Sangeeta Kale3, Karishma Pardesi4, Swaranjit S Cameotra5, Jayesh Bellare6, Dilip D Dhavale7, Amit Jabgunde7, Balu A Chopade11Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, University of Pune, Pune, 2Department of Electronic Science, Fergusson College, Pune, 3Department of Applied Physics, Defense Institute of Advanced Technology, Girinagar, Pune, 4Department of Microbiology, University of Pune, Pune, 5Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, 6Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, 7Garware Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Pune, Pune, IndiaBackground: Development of an environmentally benign process for the synthesis of silver nanomaterials is an important aspect of current nanotechnology research. Among the 600 species of the genus Dioscorea, Dioscorea bulbifera has profound therapeutic applications due to its unique phytochemistry. In this paper, we report on the rapid synthesis of silver nanoparticles by reduction of aqueous Ag+ ions using D. bulbifera tuber extract.Methods and results: Phytochemical analysis revealed that D. bulbifera tuber extract is rich in flavonoid, phenolics, reducing sugars, starch, diosgenin, ascorbic acid, and citric acid. The biosynthesis process was quite fast, and silver nanoparticles were formed within 5 hours. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction confirmed reduction of the Ag+ ions. Varied morphology of the bioreduced silver nanoparticles included spheres, triangles, and hexagons. Optimization studies revealed that the maximum rate of synthesis could be achieved with 0.7 mM AgNO3 solution at 50°C in 5 hours. The resulting silver nanoparticles were found to possess potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Beta-lactam (piperacillin) and macrolide (erythromycin) antibiotics showed a 3.6-fold and 3-fold increase, respectively, in combination with silver nanoparticles selectively against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Notable synergy was seen between silver nanoparticles and chloramphenicol or vancomycin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and was supported by a 4.9-fold and 4.2-fold increase in zone diameter, respectively. Similarly, we found a maximum 11.8-fold increase in zone diameter of streptomycin when combined with silver nanoparticles against E. coli, providing strong evidence for the synergistic action of a combination of antibiotics and silver nanoparticles.Conclusion: This is the first report on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using D. bulbifera tuber extract followed by an estimation of its synergistic potential for enhancement of the antibacterial activity of broad spectrum antimicrobial agents.Keywords: Dioscorea bulbifera tuber extract, silver nanoparticles, antimicrobial synergy

We compared Aminocaproic acid with tranexamic acid, prospectively in 120 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were assigned to one of the 3 groups. Group A (n=40) did not receive any drug and acted as the control group. Group B (n=4) received aminocaproic acid 100 mg/kg each at anaesthetic induction, on bypass and after protamine reversal of heparin. group C (n=40) received tranexamic acid 10 mg/kg each at anaesthetic induction, on bypass and after protamine reversal of heparin. Postoperative blood loss at 24 hours, blood and blood product usage, and re-exploration rates were recorded, and tests for coagulation were performed at 6 hours postoperatively. It was found that blood loss in group A at 24 hours (780+/-120 mL) was significantly greater than Group B (360+/-90 mL) and Group C (215+/-70 mL). Plasma and platelet concentrate use in Group A (215+/-30 mL and 150+/-30 mL) was greater than Group B (190+/-20 mL and 75+/-30 mL) and Group C (185+/-20 mL and 80+/-30 mL). Re- explorations in Group A, 8/40 (20%) were greater than Group B, 2/40 (5%) and Group C, 2/40 (5%). Coagulation tests revealed better preservation of fibrinogen and lower levels of fibrin degradation products, in group B and C. These two groups were however statistically indistinguishable in respect to all the parameters studied, when compared with each other. It was concluded that both the antifibrinolytic agents in the doses studied were equally effective in reducing postoperative blood loss, blood and blood products usage and re-exploration rates. Coagulation parameters were better preserved as compared to the control group.

Presented is a case of cavernous sinus thrombosis in a young female with fatal outcome. There were not any septic focus, no history of head trauma, no relation with pregnancy. Computed tomography scan of brain showed chronic subdural hematoma. An attempt is made to correlate the aetiopathology with the clinical features of this rare case presentation.

Skeletal muscle Akt activity stimulates muscle growth and imparts resistance to obesity, glucose intolerance and fatty liver disease. We recently found that ursolic acid increases skeletal muscle Akt activity and stimulates muscle growth in non-obese mice. Here, we tested the hypothesis that ursolic acid might increase skeletal muscle Akt activity in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. We studied mice that consumed a high fat diet lacking or containing ursolic acid. In skeletal muscle, ursolic acid increased Akt activity, as well as downstream mRNAs that promote glucose utilization (hexokinase-II), blood vessel recruitment (Vegfa) and autocrine/paracrine IGF-I signaling (Igf1). As a result, ursolic acid increased skeletal muscle mass, fast and slow muscle fiber size, grip strength and exercise capacity. Interestingly, ursolic acid also increased brown fat, a tissue that shares developmental origins with skeletal muscle. Consistent with increased skeletal muscle and brown fat, ursolic acid increased energy expenditure, leading to reduced obesity, improved glucose tolerance and decreased hepatic steatosis. These data support a model in which ursolic acid reduces obesity, glucose intolerance and fatty liver disease by increasing skeletal muscle and brown fat, and suggest ursolic acid as a potential therapeutic approach for obesity and obesity-related illness.

Surveys were made in the Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts of the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India during 2017-2018 for the collection of mummified insect samples from different mango orchards in order to isolate entomopathogenic fungi. The collected mummified insect samples were brought to the laboratory and incubated on PDA plates. Those samples showing growth on PDA plates were sub-cultured until pure fungus growth was obtained. They were tested for their pathogenicity in the laboratory and 14 samples were found pathogenic to mango hoppers. They were sent to NFCCI, Agarkar Research Institute, Pune for identification. Out of the 14 entomopathogenic samples identified, 7 were from Genus Fusarium, 4 were mixed cultures of Fusarium and Aspergillus, and one sample each from Genus Trichoderma, Mucor and Nigrospora. Studies showed that Fusarium species were the most common entomopathogenic fungi associated with mango pests, especially mango hoppers. Laboratory evaluation of these samples showed that amongst different isolated entomogenus fungi, Fusarium semitectum sample 16(1) was more pathogenic to mango hoppers than other fungal samples. Field evaluation of this sample also proved its efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MXene Ti3C2T x (30% HF-etched, named Ti3C2T x -30) plays a pivotal role in the substantial enhancement of the structural modification of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3). Additionally, as the surface MoO3 molecules come into contact with reducing gas moieties, they actively participate in gas sensing at room temperature. The percentage of Ti3C2T x -30 in the MoO3 matrix was varied at 10%, 20%, and 40%, denoted as MM-10, MM-20, and MM-40, respectively. Structural analysis confirmed the composition of the basic elements and evolution of TiO2 at a higher percentage of Ti3C2T x -30. Spectroscopy analysis showed the interactions between Ti3C2T x -30 and MoO3, showcasing work functions of 6.91 eV, 6.75 eV, and 7.21 eV for MM-10, MM-20, and MM-40, respectively, confirming MM-20 to be an optimum composition. When the samples were exposed to ammonia gas, MM-20 showed a high response (93% for 100 ppm) at room temperature, with a response time of ∼10 s. Compared to bare MoO3, these samples showed ten-fold improvement. The excess electrons on the surface of Ti3C2T x -30 facilitate the formation of O2− species, which also provides stability to the otherwise highly reactive MXene surface. These species actively react with ammonia molecules in the presence of adsorbed MoO3, thereby changing the resistance of the system. This can be a significant step towards imparting high gas sensitivity to metal oxides at room temperature via incorporation of an optimum percentage of optimized Ti3C2T x. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed to develop a suitable, specific, simple, precise, robust, and reproducible analytical method using RP-HPLC for simultaneous estimation of Ipratropium bromide and Mometasone furoate. The separation was carried out using mobile phase Acetonitrile: Phosphate buffer (pH modified up to 3.7 by orthophosphoric acid) in the ratio of 50:50 % v/v at 1 ml/min flow rate and detection was carried out at 210 nm. The method was validated by determining system specificity, selectivity, suitability, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, and LOQ-LOD as per ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines. The developed method was found to be suitable for the routine quantitative analysis of Ipratropium bromide and Mometasone furoate in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage forms. It was also concluded that the developed method was accurate, precise, linear, reproducible, robust, and sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]