Characterization and antioxidant effect of mucilage in leaves from .

Natural polysaccharides are attractive biodegradable polymers. Among the natural plant-based polysaccharides, mucilage is an interest for numerous biomedical applications. Hence, mucilage was isolated from the leaves of (Family; ) and tested for its phytochemicals, physio-chemical characteristics using standard procedure such as solubility, pH, swelling index and structural characterization studies using FTIR, GC-MS and SEM followed by antioxidant and cytotoxic assays.

Selenium Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Examination of Synthesis Techniques and Their Diverse Applications in Medical Research and Toxicology Studies.

Selenium is a trace and necessary micronutrient for human, animal, and microbial health. Many researchers have recently been interested in selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) due to their biocompatibility, bioavailability, and low toxicity. As a result of their greater bioactivity, selenium nanoparticles are widely employed in a variety of biological applications.

A review on algal mediated synthesis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles and their emerging biomedical potential.

In the recent two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the biosynthesis of nanomaterials employing live organisms, their components, extracts, or biomolecules as catalysts. Algae has been used majorly for commercial and industrial uses such as food, feed, skin care, medicines, and fertilizers, algae are now being explored to synthesize green nanoparticles (NPs). Indeed, algae are a rich source of bioactive substances, are easy to produce, grow quickly, and are scalable, therefore this trend is growing by the day.

Development of mathematical model and experimental Validation for batch bio-drying of municipal solid waste: Mass balances.

Bio-drying of solid waste is a complex process that involves anoxic hydrolysis, aerobic oxidation, evaporation, absorption, and condensation. To understand the interaction between different variables (concentration of volatile matter, moisture, microbial biomass, and temperature) and to predict the system performance, a powerful tool is necessary for improved drying rates. Hence, a mathematical model of mass balances of the batch bio-drying of municipal solid waste (MSW), associated with rate equations of evaporation of moisture from the waste matrix and absorption of leachate on absorbents is developed which is the novelty of the present study.

Unexplored deep sea habitats in active volcanic Barren Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are sources of novel halophilic eubacteria.

Deep Sea sediment cores were collected from the surrounding of active volcanic Barren Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. A total of 24 halophilic eubacteria were isolated and identified based on their biochemical and 16S rDNA sequences. Three major classes (Gamma-Proteobacteria, Alpha-Proteobacteria and Bacilli) of bacteria were detected in the deep sea sediments of active volcanic Barren Island.

Orientation of Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae and Adults Toward Volatiles Associated With Almond Hull Split and Aspergillus flavus.

The navel orangeworm Amyelois transitella (Walker, 1863, Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a pest of California tree nuts, is associated with the fungus Aspergillus flavus, and previous research suggests these species are facultative mutualists. Because navel orangeworm larvae exhibit improved performance on diets containing this fungus, orientation toward hostplants infected with A. flavus may be adaptive.

Functional and molecular characterization of a lipopeptide surfactant from the marine sponge-associated eubacteria Bacillus licheniformis NIOT-AMKV06 of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

The production of a lipopeptide surfactant from the sponge-associated eubacteria Bacillus licheniformis NIOT-AMKV06 from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was investigated. The highest production was attained with glucose and yeast extracts as the carbon and nitrogen sources (1.789 mg mL(-1)), respectively.

Role of arthropod communities in bioenergy crop litter decomposition†.

The extensive land use conversion expected to occur to meet demands for bioenergy feedstock production will likely have widespread impacts on agroecosystem biodiversity and ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration. Although arthropod detritivores are known to contribute to litter decomposition and thus energy flow and nutrient cycling in many plant communities, their importance in bioenergy feedstock communities has not yet been assessed. We undertook an experimental study quantifying rates of litter mass loss and nutrient cycling in the presence and absence of these organisms in three bioenergy feedstock crops-miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and a planted prairie community.

Effects of a naturally occurring and a synthetic synergist on toxicity of three insecticides and a phytochemical to navel orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is the most destructive lepidopteran pest of almonds [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.

Estimating the risk of fatal arrhythmia in patients in methadone maintenance treatment for heroin addiction.

Aims: To estimate risk of death due to cardiac arrhythmia during methadone maintenance treatment.

Background: There is evidence that methadone prolongs the QT interval, and has been associated with ventricular tachycardia in some individuals.

Methods: We identified 51 deaths occurring during methadone treatment, occurring in a cohort with a defined exposure to methadone treatment.

Complete deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase in mice is associated with impaired retinal function and variable mortality, hematological profiles, and reproductive outcomes.

Severe deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) with homocystinuria can result in early demise or later-onset neurological impairment, including developmental delay, motor dysfunction, and seizures. We previously characterized BALB/c Mthfr (-/-)mice as a model for this disorder and have recently backcrossed the disrupted allele onto the C57Bl/6 background to examine the variable phenotypes in MTHFR deficiency. Compared with BALB/c Mthfr (-/-)mice, C57Bl/6 Mthfr (-/-)mice have enhanced survival rates (81% vs 26.

Strain-specific defects in testicular development and sperm epigenetic patterns in 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase-deficient mice.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a crucial folate pathway enzyme that contributes to the maintenance of cellular pools of S-adenosylmethionine, the universal methyl donor for several reactions including DNA methylation. Whereas Mthfr(-/-) BALB/c mice show growth retardation, developmental delay, and spermatogenic defects and infertility, C57BL/6 mice appear to have a less severe phenotype. In the present study, we investigated the effects of MTHFR deficiency on early germ cell development in both strains and assessed whether MTHFR deficiency results in DNA methylation abnormalities in sperm.

Methotrexate-induced apoptosis is enhanced by altered expression of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase.

Folates are essential for DNA synthesis and methylation reactions. The antifolate methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug which inhibits DNA synthesis and induces apoptosis. Changes in activity of a critical folate-metabolizing enzyme, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), might alter the chemosensitivity to MTX, as the MTHFR substrate is required for nucleotide synthesis and its product is used in homocysteine remethylation to methionine.

Comparing overdose mortality associated with methadone and buprenorphine treatment.

Aim: To compare overdose mortality associated with methadone and buprenorphine treatment for opioid dependence.

Methods: Data linkage study. Since 1 April 2006, the Division of Analytic Laboratories (DAL) has routinely tested all New South Wales (NSW) coronial post-mortem samples for both methadone and buprenorphine.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency and low dietary folate reduce tumorigenesis in Apc min/+ mice.

Background: Clinical studies suggest that mild methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency and high dietary folate may reduce the risk for colorectal cancer. There is concern, however, that high folate intake (a consequence of food fortification) may enhance tumour growth in individuals with pre-existing tumours or genetic predisposition to tumorigenesis.

Aim: To determine if Mthfr deficiency and low dietary folate influence tumorigenesis in mice genetically predisposed to form numerous intestinal adenomas (Apc(min/+)).

Altered expression of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase modifies response to methotrexate in mice.

Objective: Folates provide one-carbon units for nucleotide synthesis and methylation reactions. A common polymorphism (677C-->T) in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) encodes an enzyme with reduced activity. Response to the antifolate methotrexate (MTX) may be modified in 677TT individuals because MTHFR converts nonmethylated folates, used for thymidine and purine synthesis, to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, used in homocysteine remethylation to methionine.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR): a novel target for cancer therapy.

Tumor cells have an enhanced requirement for glucose, amino acids and DNA precursors. Since folates are required for the synthesis of thymidine and purines, the metabolism of folate has been exploited as an anti-cancer target for over 6 decades, with emphasis on the inhibition of DNA synthesis. However, folate is also used to generate methionine, which is essential for proliferation by virtue of its role in protein synthesis, polyamine synthesis and transmethylation reactions.

Methionine synthase reductase deficiency results in adverse reproductive outcomes and congenital heart defects in mice.

Low dietary folate and polymorphisms in genes of folate metabolism can influence risk for pregnancy complications and birth defects. Methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) is required for activation of methionine synthase, a folate- and vitamin B(12)-dependent enzyme. A polymorphism in MTRR (p.

Strain differences in mice highlight the role of DNA damage in neoplasia induced by low dietary folate.

In earlier work, we showed that low dietary folate induced intestinal tumors in BALB/c mice. In this study, our goal was to examine the effect of the same diets on a strain that is more resistant to tumorigenesis (C57Bl/6). We also questioned whether supplementation of the folate-deficient diet (FD) with betaine, an alternate methyl donor, would influence tumor formation.

Genetic and nutritional deficiencies in folate metabolism influence tumorigenicity in Apcmin/+ mice.

Epidemiological studies indicate that adequate dietary folate is protective against colon cancer, although mechanisms remain largely elusive. We investigated the effects of genetic disruptions of folate transport and metabolism and of dietary folate deficiency in a mouse model of colon cancer, the Apc(min/+) mouse. Apc(min/+) mice with heterozygous knockout of the gene for reduced folate carrier 1 (Rfc1(+/-)) developed significantly fewer adenomas compared to Rfc1(+/+)Apc(min/+) mice [30.

An analogue approach to audit in anaesthesia.

The predicted outcome of anaesthesia and surgery was compared with the immediate outcome in 508 patients by means of two 100 mm linear analogue scales. The results were used to obtain a statistically based rule by which the anaesthetist may consistently select three groups of patients for audit: group 1, patients in whom immediate outcome of anaesthesia and surgery is worse than predicted; group 2, patients whose outcome is better than predicted; and group 3, the remaining patients. The rule, which is simply adapted to departmental audit, does not necessarily need a computer but is suited to the computer as it is numerically based.