A review on antimicrobial mechanism and applications of graphene-based materials.

In recent years, graphene and its derivatives, owing to their phenomenal surface, and mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties, have emerged as advantageous materials, especially in terms of their potential for antimicrobial applications. Particularly important among graphene's derivatives is graphene oxide (GO) due to the ease with which its surface can be modified, as well as the oxidative and membrane stress that it exerts on microbes. This review encapsulates all aspects regarding the functionalization of graphene-based materials (GBMs) into composites that are highly potent against bacterial, viral, and fungal activities.

Spectrum of Surgically Resected Lesions of the Cavernous Sinus: A Neuropathologic Audit.

 The cavernous sinus is a complex space composed of extradural venous plexus within dural folds. Several important structures like the carotid artery, cranial nerves, and sympathetic nerve fibers traverse through this space. Radiological diagnosis may not be definitive and in the context of discordance between clinical and neuroimaging diagnosis, histopathological evaluation becomes essential for diagnosis and management.

A chemical genetic approach using genetically encoded reporters to detect and assess the toxicity of plant secondary metabolites against bacterial pathogens.

Plant secondary metabolites are emerging as attractive alternatives in the development of therapeutics against infectious and chronic diseases. Due to the present pandemic, therapeutics showing toxicity against bacterial pathogens and viruses are gaining interest. Plant metabolites of terpenoid and phenylpropanoid categories have known antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Homogentisic Acid-Based Whole-Cell Biosensor for Detection of Alkaptonuria Disease.

Clinicians require simple quantitative tools for the detection of homogentisic acid in alkaptonuria patients, a rare inherited disorder of amino acid metabolism. In this study, we report a whole-cell biosensor for homogentisic acid to detect alkaptonuria disease through the expression of green fluorescence protein. The assay system utilizes a promoter sequence (hmgA) isolated from the genome.

Molecular Mimicry between Chikungunya Virus and Host Components: A Possible Mechanism for the Arthritic Manifestations.

Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a reemerging pathogen causes a self limited illness characterized by fever, headache, myalgia and arthralgia. However, 10-20% affected individuals develop persistent arthralgia which contributes to considerable morbidity. The exact molecular mechanisms underlying these manifestations are not well understood.

Neuropathological correlate of the "concentric target sign" in MRI of HIV-associated cerebral toxoplasmosis.

Cerebral toxoplasmosis is a frequent cause of focal brain lesions in the setting of immunodeficiency states, particularly acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important diagnostic modality to differentiate toxoplasmosis from tuberculoma, and primary central nervous system lymphoma with diverse therapeutic implications. Several imaging patterns have been described in cerebral toxoplasmosis. The "concentric target sign" is a recently described MRI sign on T2-weighted imaging of cerebral toxoplasmosis that has concentric alternating zones of hypo- and hyperintensities.

Infectious lesions mimicking central nervous system neoplasms.

Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) presenting as space-occupying lesions are not uncommon, particularly in developing countries. Most often, infective organisms gain entry into the CNS through the hematogenous route, seed the parenchyma, and cause tissue destruction. Subsequently, some form mass lesions in a manner similar to neoplastic growths.

Cysticercal chronic basal arachnoiditis with infarcts, mimicking tuberculous pathology in endemic areas.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common of the parasitic diseases affecting the CNS, with protean clinical manifestations. Stroke as a complication of NCC occurs in a very small percentage of cases, mostly involving small perforating vessels while major intracranial vessel involvement is extremely rare. The present report involves two autopsied cases of chronic cysticercal basal arachnoiditis causing large arterial territory infarcts and, in the second case, a hypothalamic mass.