A new species of Cirolana Leach, 1818 (Isopoda, Cymothoidea, Cirolanidae), from Havelock Island, Andaman Sea, northern Indian Ocean.

Cirolana swaraj sp. nov. was collected from brackish-water Neil Lagoon on Havelock Island, South Andaman and is described and illustrated in detail.

Inhaled Volatiles for Status Asthmaticus, Epilepsy, and Difficult Sedation in Adult ICU and PICU: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Inhaled volatile anesthetics support management of status asthmaticus (SA), status epilepticus (SE), and difficult sedation (DS). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of using inhaled anesthetics for SA, SE, and DS in adult ICU and PICU patients.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase.

A bio-inspired approach for the synthesis of few-layer graphene using beetle defensive gland extract.

Graphene exhibits remarkable properties and holds substantial promise for diverse applications. Its unique combination of thermal, chemical, physical, and biological properties makes it an appealing material for a wide range of uses. But, the lack of an economical and environmentally friendly approach to synthesize good-quality graphene represents an immense challenge for the scientific community.

Cassidinidea andamanensis sp. nov., a new species of intertidal Sphaeromatidae (Crustacea: Isopoda) from the Andaman Islands, northern Indian Ocean.

Cassidinidea andamanensis sp. nov. was collected from intertidal habitats on the coast of South Andaman, Andaman Islands, India and is described and illustrated in detail.

Bio-Fabricated Silver Nanoparticles from the Leaf Extract of the Poisonous Plant, : Assessment of Antimicrobial, Antimitotic, Anticancer, and Radical-Scavenging Properties.

This study presents a novel approach to fabricate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the poisonous plant, leaf extract. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by a color change from green to dark brown and validated by UV analysis. FTIR analysis identified functional groups on the AgNPs, while Zeta potential analysis assessed their stability.

A novel approach for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using the defensive gland extracts of the beetle, Luprops tristis Fabricius.

Discovering novel natural resources for the biological synthesis of metal nanoparticles is one of the two key challenges facing by the field of nanoparticle synthesis. The second challenge is a lack of information on the chemical components needed for the biological synthesis and the chemical mechanism involved in the metal nanoparticles synthesis. In the current study, microwave-assisted silver nanoparticle (AgNP) synthesis employing the defensive gland extract of Mupli beetle, Luprops tristis Fabricius (Order: Coleoptera; Family: Tenebrionidae), addresses these two challenges.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using the Leaf Extract of the Medicinal Plant, and Its Antibacterial, Antiangiogenic, Anticancer and Catalytic Properties.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) made by green synthesis offer a variety of biochemical properties and are an excellent alternative to traditional medications due to their low cost. In the current study, we synthesised AgNPs from the leaf extract of the medicinal plant , commonly called narumpanal. The nanoparticles were characterised by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

The Chemical Composition and Antimitotic, Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Properties of the Defensive Gland Extract of the Beetle, Fabricius.

The unpredictable invasion of the Mupli beetle, Fabricius (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), makes areas uninhabitable to humans. These beetles produce a strong-smelling, irritating secretion as a defence mechanism, which causes blisters on contact with human skin. In the current study, gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) analysis of the defensive gland extract of the Mupli beetle revealed the presence of compounds such as 2,3,dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 2,5-dimethyl hydroquinone, tetracosane, oleic acid, hexacosane, pentacosane, 7-hexadecenal and tert-hexadecanethiol.

A new species of Corallana Dana, 1852 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Corallanidae) from the Andaman Islands, northern Indian Ocean.

Corallana mishrai sp. nov. collected from dead mangrove roots at Kodiyaghat, South Andaman, Andaman Islands, India is described and illustrated in detail.

Use of inhalational anaesthetic agents in paediatric and adult patients for status asthmaticus, status epilepticus and difficult sedation scenarios: a protocol for a systematic review.

Introduction: Inhaled volatile anaesthetics have a long tradition of use as hypnotic agents in operating rooms and are gaining traction as sedatives in intensive care units (ICUs). However, uptake is impeded by low familiarity with volatiles, unique equipment and education needs. Inhaled anaesthetics are often reserved in ICUs as therapies for refractory and life threatening status asthmaticus, status epilepticus, high and difficult sedation need scenarios given they possess unique pharmacological properties to manage these medical conditions while providing sedation to acutely ill patients.

A new species of Aphantolana Moore amp; Brusca, 2003 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cirolanidae) from the Andaman Islands, northern Indian Ocean.

Aphantolana wandoor sp. nov. is described from intertidal algae in South Andaman, Andaman Islands.

Prospects of siRNA cocktails as tools for modifying multiple gene targets in the injured spinal cord.

Unlabelled: Gene silencing through RNA interference (RNAi) has been touted as a boon for identifying potential therapies for difficult-to-treat pathologies. In this regard, siRNA-mediated gene silencing for tackling the multifaceted pathophysiology of spinal cord injury seemed promising. The genes caspase 3 and sarm1 were targeted in the present study, using siRNAs in a rodent model of spinal cord injury, as the feasibility of concomitant silencing of more than one gene had not been previously attempted.

Microphytobenthic biomass, species composition and environmental gradients in the mangrove intertidal region of the Andaman Archipelago, India.

Monthly sampling in mangrove intertidal sediments of Andaman Archipelago was carried out during a 1-year study (January to December, 2013) in order to analyse the spatial and temporal distribution of microphytobenthos (MPB) and MPB biomass (sediment chlorophyll-a (chl-a)) in the surficial layer 0-1 cm. The MPB community was mainly composed of diatoms. The MPB biomass concentration in surface sediment (0-1 cm) ranged from 0.

Statistical optimization of exopolysaccharide production by Lactobacillus plantarum NTMI05 and NTMI20.

In this study, 27 strains of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated and identified from different milk sources. All the isolates were biochemically characterized and screened for their ability to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS), among which two isolates namely Lactobacillus plantarum NTMI05 (197mg/L) and Lactobacillus plantarum NTMI20 (187mg/L) showed higher EPS production. Both the isolates were molecular characterized and tested for their probiotic properties.

Ethenoguanines undergo glycosylation by nucleoside 2'-deoxyribosyltransferases at non-natural sites.

Deoxyribosyl transferases and functionally related purine nucleoside phosphorylases are used extensively for synthesis of non-natural deoxynucleosides as pharmaceuticals or standards for characterizing and quantitating DNA adducts. Hence exploring the conformational tolerance of the active sites of these enzymes is of considerable practical interest. We have determined the crystal structure at 2.

Experimental studies on the effect of different metallic substrates on marine biofouling.

In the wake of adoption of the resolution by the International Maritime Organization to control biofouling on vessels, which is recognized as a major vector for transfer of invasive species, this study attempts to create a baseline data on major hard-shelled biofouling organisms in the harbour waters. This study was primarily focused towards understanding the biofouling and corrosion pattern on various metals and their performance under immersed condition in a marine environment, at 0.3 and 3.

Influence of surface characteristics on biofouling formed on polymers exposed to coastal sea waters of India.

Biofouling on six different (silicone rubber, polydimethylsiloxane, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, and polycarbonate) substrata with varying surface energy (18-40 mN/m) and surface roughness (R(a) 45-175 μm) was studied in the Eastern coastal waters of India over a short period of time (3 days). The results showed that the substrata surface energy (SE) followed by the surface roughness (R(a)) had profound effect on attachment of fouling organisms. After one day of immersion, viable count of bacteria in the biofilm was positively correlated with surface energy (r=0.

Mesozooplankton distribution near an active volcanic island in the Andaman Sea (Barren Island).

The study addresses the distribution and diversity of mesozooplankton near the active volcano-Barren Island (Andaman Sea) in the context of persistent volcanic signature and warm air pool existing for the last few months. Sampling was done from the stations along the west and east side of the volcano up to a depth of 1,000 m during the inter monsoon (April) of 2006. Existence of feeble warm air pool was noticed around the Island (Atm.

Biofouling studies on nanoparticle-based metal oxide coatings on glass coupons exposed to marine environment.

Titania, niobia and silica coatings, derived from their respective nanoparticle dispersions or sols and fabricated on soda lime glass substrates were subjected to field testing in marine environment for antimacrofouling applications for marine optical instruments. Settlement and enumeration of macrofouling organisms like barnacles, hydroides and oysters on these nanoparticle-based metal oxide coatings subjected to different heat treatments up to 400 degrees C were periodically monitored for a period of 15 days. The differences observed in the antifouling behaviour between the coated and uncoated substrates are discussed based on the solar ultraviolet light induced photocatalytic activities as well as hydrophilicities of the coatings in case of titania and niobia coatings and the inherent hydrophilicity in the case of silica coating.

Iminohydantoin lesion induced in DNA by peracids and other epoxidizing oxidants.

The oxidation of guanine to 5-carboxamido-5-formamido-2-iminohydantoin (2-Ih) is shown to be a major transformation in the oxidation of the single-stranded DNA 5-mer d(TTGTT) by m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) and dimethyldioxirane (DMDO) as a model for peracid oxidants and in the oxidation of the 5-base pair duplex d[(TTGTT).(AACAA)] with DMDO. 2-Ih has not been reported as an oxidative lesion at the level of single/double-stranded DNA or at the nucleoside/nucleotide level.

Quantitative monitoring of dermal and inhalation exposure to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate monomer and oligomers.

Respiratory sensitization and occupational asthma are associated with exposure to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) in both monomeric and oligomeric forms. The monomer and polymers of diisocyanates differ significantly in their rates of absorption into tissue and their toxicity, and hence may differ in their contribution to sensitization. We have developed and evaluated a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method capable of quantifying HDI and its oligomers (uretidone, biuret, and isocyanurate) in air, tape-stripped skin, and paint samples collected in the automotive refinishing industry.

Influence of environmental properties on macrobenthos in the northwest Indian shelf.

The paper deals with the standing stock of macrobenthic infauna and associated environmental factors influencing the benthic community in the shelf region of the northwest Indian coast. The data were collected onboard FORV Sagar Sampada during the winter monsoon (January-February, 2003) to understand the community structure and the factors influencing the benthic distribution. The environmental parameters, sediment characteristics and macrobenthic infauna were collected at 26 stations distributed in the depths between 30 and 200 m extending from Mormugao to Porbander.

Quantitative analysis of N-terminal valine peptide adducts specific for 1,2-epoxy-3-butene.

Butadiene (BD) metabolism shows gender, species and concentration dependency, making the extrapolation of animal results to humans complex. BD is metabolized mainly by cytochrome P450 2E1 to three epoxides, 1,2-epoxy-3-butene (EB), 1,2;3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB) and 1,2-epoxy-butanediol (EB-diol). For accurate risk assessment it is important to elucidate species differences in the internal formation of the individual epoxides in order to assign the relative risks associated with their different mutagenic potencies.