Neuroprotective effect of peroxiredoxin 6 against hypoxia-induced retinal ganglion cell damage.

Background: The ability to respond to changes in the extra-intracellular environment is prerequisite for cell survival. Cellular responses to the environment include elevating defense systems, such as the antioxidant defense system. Hypoxia-evoked reactive oxygen species (ROS)-driven oxidative stress is an underlying mechanism of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death that leads to blinding disorders.

Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Evaluation of the leaves of Bauhinia purpurea Linn.

Various pharmacognostic parameters including macroscopy, microscopy, chemomicroscopy and behaviour of powdered drug on treatment with different chemical reagents were studied on the leaves of Bauhinia purpurea Linn. (Family Caesalpinaceae). Phytochemical screening of the plant part with various solvents revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, phytosterols, saponins and glycosides in it.

WITHDRAWN: Curcumin inhibits Jurkat cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis via activation-induced cell death.

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, http://dx.doi.org/10.

Quality of life in cancer patients receiving palliative care.

Background: The main focus of palliative care services is to improve the patient's quality of life (QOL), which is defined as the subjective evaluation of life as a whole or the patient's appraisal and satisfaction with their current level of functioning compared with what they perceive to be possible or ideal.

Aims: In this prospective study we attempt to validate the Hindi version of a questionnaire designed by the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy (FACIT) measurement system; to measure the subjective QOL of cancer patients receiving home-based palliative care, determine ease of use of the questionnaire and correlate the QOL of these patients with the objective assessment of their Karnofsky's performance status and their numerical pain score.

Settings And Design: One hundred cancer patients receiving free home-based palliative care in New Delhi, India.

Influence of boron on carrot cell wall structure and its resistance to fracture.

Plant cell wall structure integrity and associated tissue mechanical properties is one of key determinants for the perceived texture of plant-based foods. Carrots (Daucus carota) were used to investigate the effect of mineral supply of boron (B) and/or calcium (Ca), during plant growth, on the plant cell wall structure and mechanical properties of matured root tissues. Five commercial cultivars of carrots, Kuroda (orange), Dragon Purple, Kuttiger White, Yellow, and Nutri-Red, were cultivated under controlled glasshouse conditions over two seasons.

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some New Quinoxaline Derivatives.

2-Chloro-3-methylquinoxaline was selected as a nucleus around which various molecular transformations were performed to obtain new compounds expected to possess optimized antimicrobial activity. As very little work regarding attachment of ether linkages replacing chlorine at C-2 has been reported, it was thought worthwhile to synthesize various quinoxaline derivatives by replacing the C₂ chlorine with an ether linkage attached to a benzene ring possessing an aldehyde or a free amino group which can be further reacted with aromatic amines and aromatic aldehydes, respectively, to yield new Schiff bases containing quinoxaline moieties. Thus the compounds 4-(2-methylquinoxalinyloxy) benzaldehyde (4), 2-[4-(substituted-benziminomethyl)-phenoxy]-3-methyl quinoxalines 5a-e, 4-(2-methyl-quinoxaline-3-yloxy)benzamine (6) and 4-(2-methylquinoxalin-3-yloxy)-N-substituted benzylidine benzamines 7a-e were synthesized and tested for their antimicrobial activity.

Room temperature synthesis and high temperature frictional study of silver vanadate nanorods.

We report the room temperature (RT) synthesis of silver vanadate nanorods (consisting of mainly beta-AgV O(3)) by a simple wet chemical route and their frictional study at high temperatures (HT). The sudden mixing of ammonium vanadate with silver nitrate solution under constant magnetic stirring resulted in a pale yellow coloured precipitate. Structural/microstructural characterization of the precipitate through x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the high yield and homogeneous formation of silver vanadate nanorods.

In search of an ideal test for diagnosis and prognosis of kala-azar.

The latex agglutination test (KAtex), direct agglutination test (DAT), and the rK39 immuno-chromatographic strip test (dipstick test) were evaluated for their role in the diagnosis and prognosis of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in India. Sera and urine samples from 455 subjects--150 confirmed visceral leishmaniasis cases, 160 endemic controls, 100 non-endemic controls, and 45 other febrile diseases--were included in the study. The sensitivity of the KAtex, DAT, and rK39 strip test was 87% [95% confidence interval (CI) 80-96], 93.

Macrocyclic metal complexes derived from 2,6-diaminopyridine and isatin with their antibacterial and spectroscopic studies.

Condensation reaction of 2,6-diaminopyridine with isatin in the presence of divalent metal ions results in the formation of the macrocyclic complexes of the type [M(C(26)H(16)N(8))X(2)], where M=Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and X=Cl(-), NO(3)(-), CH(3)COO(-). The complexes have been characterized with the aid of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, electronic, NMR, infrared and EPR spectral studies. The lower values of molar conductance indicate them to be non-electrolytes.

Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma during pregnancy.

Spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma (SSEH) is rare in pregnancy and only five cases have been reported. We present a case of a 25-year-old female G1P0 (gravida one, para zero) who at 31 weeks of gestation developed progressive descending quadriplegia and numbness upto the level of C4. MRI of the spine was performed, which demonstrated a cervical epidural evolving hematoma/abscess extending from C3 to C7 vertebrae.

Template synthesis, spectroscopic, antibacterial, and antifungal studies of trivalent transition metal ion macrocyclic complexes.

A novel series of complexes of the type [M(C(36)H(22)N(6))X]X(2), where M = Cr(III), Mn(III), Fe(III); X = Cl(-), NO(3)(-), CH(3)COO(-); and (C(36)H(22)N(6)) corresponds to the tetradentate macrocyclic ligand, have been synthesized by condensation of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and isatin in the presence of trivalent metal salts in methanolic medium. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, conductance and magnetic measurements, and UV/Vis, IR, and mass spectroscopy. On the basis of these studies, a five coordinate square pyramidal geometry for all of these complexes is proposed.

Compararative evaluation of rK9, rK26 and rK39 antigens in the serodiagnosis of Indian visceral leishmaniasis.

Background: This study was designed for comparative evaluation of two relatively newer recombinant hydrophilic antigens, rK9 and rK26 of Leishmania chagasi along with rK39 (a 39-aminoacid-repetitive immunodominant B-cell epitope of kinesin-related antigen from L. chagasi) and crude soluble antigen (CSA) for the serodiagnosis of Indian visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients by quantitative ELISA.

Methodology: In the present study a total of 80 subjects comprising of 55 confirmed VL cases and 25 endemic controls (EC) were subjected to ELISA using four different antigens, namely rK9, rK26, rK39 and CSA (derived from Leishmania donovani promastigotes).

Isolation and characterization of exopolysaccharides produced by the cyanobacterium Limnothrix redekei PUPCCC 116.

Limnothrix redekei PUPCCC 116, a filamentous cyanobacterium, has been identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) of this organism have been isolated and characterized chemically, and its rheological properties were compared with commercial xanthan. The organism produced 304 microg EPS/ml culture in 21 days.

Influence of pre- and postharvest factors on beta-carotene content, its in vitro bioaccessibility, and antioxidant capacity in melons.

Fresh and stored melons were analyzed for total and bioaccessible beta-carotene content, as well as total antioxidant potentials, to investigate the effects of genotype, season, sowing time, and storage on nutritional quality. There were significant cultivar effects on beta-carotene content (P < 0.001), ranging from 1 to 23 mg kg(-1) of fresh weight (FW), its bioaccessibility (P < 0.

Anion-sensitive regions of L-type CaV1.2 calcium channels expressed in HEK293 cells.

L-type calcium currents (I(Ca)) are influenced by changes in extracellular chloride, but sites of anion effects have not been identified. Our experiments showed that CaV1.2 currents expressed in HEK293 cells are strongly inhibited by replacing extracellular chloride with gluconate or perchlorate.

New 14-membered octaazamacrocyclic complexes: synthesis, spectral, antibacterial and antifungal studies.

A novel series of macrocyclic complexes of the type [M(C(18)H(14)N(10)S(2))X]X(2) where M=Cr(III), Fe(III) and Mn(III); X=Cl(-), NO(3)(-) and CH(3)COO(-) have been synthesized by [2+2] condensation of thiocarbohydrazide and isatin in the presence of trivalent metal salts in methanolic medium by template method. The complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic measurements, electronic, NMR, IR and mass spectral studies. On the basis of these studies, a five coordinate square pyramidal geometry for all of these complexes has been proposed.

Antibacterial and antifungal studies of macrocyclic complexes of trivalent transition metal ions with their spectroscopic approach.

A new series of complexes of the type [M(C24H16N4)X]X2, where M = Cr(III), Fe(III), and Mn(III), X = Cl-, NO3-, and CH3COO-, has been synthesized by template condensation of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and glyoxal in the presence of trivalent metal salts in methanolic medium. The complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic measurements, and electronic, NMR, IR, and mass spectral studies. On the basis of these studies, a five-coordinate square pyramidal geometry for all of these complexes has been proposed.

Efficacy of periarticular injection of bupivacaine, fentanyl, and methylprednisolone in total knee arthroplasty:a prospective, randomized trial.

We evaluated the efficacy of periarticular infiltration of corticosteroid, opioid, and a local anesthetic by comparing pain scores, knee flexion, and quadriceps function on the day of surgery, first postoperative day, day of discharge, and 2 and 4 weeks after surgery between the infiltrated and the noninfiltrated knee in 40 patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty who were randomized to receive the injection in the right or left knee. In comparison to the noninfiltrated side, the infiltrated knee showed significantly lower pain scores, significantly greater active flexion up to 4 weeks, and superior quadriceps recovery up to 2 weeks after surgery. This simple and inexpensive technique can significantly reduce pain and hasten functional recovery in the first month after total knee arthroplasty.

Synthesis and characterization of different metal oxide nanostructures by simple electrolysis based oxidation of metals.

We report the Synthesis of different metal oxide (Cu2O, SnO2, Fe3O4 and PbO2) nanostructures by simple electrolysis based oxidation of metals (Cu, Sn, Fe and Pb). We have utilized the two electrode set up for the electrolysis and used different metal electrodes as anode and platinum as cathode. The synthesized nanomaterials were delaminated in the electrolyte.

Synthesis and optical properties of different CuO (ellipsoid, ribbon and sheet like) nanostructures.

We report the Synthesis of different CuO (ellipsoid, ribbon and sheet like) nanostructures in a solution phase with high yield at low cost bysimple reduction of aqueous solution of copper nitrate with alkaline solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The morphology of the synthesized nanostructures is significantly influenced by the feedingconcentration of alkaline NaOH solution. Cu(OH)2 nanomaterials can be readily obtained by the reduction of Cu(NO3)2 solution with NaOH solution and these synthesized materials obtained atdifferent molar concentration of NaOH solution get transformed into different nanostructures ofCuO by subsequent heat treatment at 80 degrees C for half an hour.

Template synthesis of macrocyclic complexes and their spectroscopic and antibacterial studies.

A new series of macrocyclic complexes of type [M(TML)X]X(2), where M = Cr(III), Fe(III), TML is tetradentate macrocyclic ligand, and X = Cl(-), NO(3)(-), CH(3)COO(-), have been synthesized by condensation of isatin and ethylenediamine in the presence of metal salt. The complexes were synthesized by both conventional and microwave methods. The complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analysis, conductance measurement, magnetic measurement, and infrared, far infrared, and electronic spectral studies.

Protein expression profiling of lens epithelial cells from Prdx6-depleted mice and their vulnerability to UV radiation exposure.

Oxidative stress is one of the causative factors in progression and etiology of age-related cataract. Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), a savior for cells from internal or external environmental stresses, plays a role in cellular signaling by detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thereby controlling gene regulation. Using targeted inactivation of the Prdx6 gene, we show that Prdx6-deficient lens epithelial cells (LECs) are more vulnerable to UV-triggered cell death, a major cause of skin disorders including cataractogenesis, and these cells display abnormal protein profiles.

New 14-membered octaazamacrocyclic complexes of divalent transition metal ions with their antimicrobial and spectral studies.

A novel series of macrocyclic complexes of the type [M(C(18)H(14)N(10)S(2))X(2)]; where M=Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II); X=Cl(-), NO(3)(-), CH(3)COO(-) has been synthesized by [2+2] condensation of thiocarbohydrazide and isatin in the presence of divalent metal salts in methanolic medium. The complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic measurements, electronic, NMR and infrared spectral studies. The low value of molar conductance indicates them to be non-electrolytes.

Seasonal occurrence of phlebotominae sand flies (Phlebotominae: Diptera) and it's correlation with Kala-Azar in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India.

In this investigation, the species composition of sand flies, and their seasonality, nocturnal activity, sex ratio, and resting site, for implementation of future control measures, were surveyed in eastern (Gonda and Basti) Uttar Pradesh, India. Adult sand flies (2,893) were collected from internal and external sites by sticky and light traps. The sand flies were captured using light traps hung at different heights in trees and in peridomiciliary and extradomiciliary areas of a forest during both dry and rainy months.