Pd Nanoparticle-Decorated Novel Ternary BiOCO-BiMoO-CuO Heterojunction for Enhanced Photo-electrocatalytic Ethanol Oxidation.

Recently, photo-electrooxidation of fuel using a noble metal-semiconductor junction has been one of the most promising approaches in fuel cell systems. Herein, we report the development of a Pd-supported BiMoO-BiOCO-CuO novel ternary heterojunction for ethanol oxidation in alkali in the presence and absence of visible light. Various spectroscopic and microscopic characterization techniques confirm strong coupling between palladium nanoparticles and BiMoO-BiOCO-CuO ternary heterojunction supports.

Size-Dependent Catalytic Activity of PVA-Stabilized Palladium Nanoparticles in -Nitrophenol Reduction: Using a Thermoresponsive Nanoreactor.

Palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) of various average global diameters (2.1-7.1 nm) encapsulated with hydrophilic polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) have been synthesized and used as catalysts for sodium borohydride assisted reduction of -nitrophenol to -aminophenol.

Magnetic, Pseudocapacitive, and HO-Electrosensing Properties of Self-Assembled Superparamagnetic CoZnFeO with Enhanced Saturation Magnetization.

The present work explores the structural, microstructural, optical, magnetic, and hyperfine properties of CoZnFeO microspheres, which have been synthesized by a novel template-free solvothermal method. Powder X-ray diffraction, electron microscopic, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic techniques were employed to thoroughly investigate the structural and microstructural properties of CoZnFeO microspheres. The results revealed that the microspheres (average diameter ∼121 nm) have been formed by self-assembly of nanoparticles with an average particle size of ∼12 nm.

Anodic Oxidation of Butan-1-ol on Reduced Graphene Oxide-Supported Pd-Ag Nanoalloy for Fuel Cell Application.

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-supported bimetallic Pd Ag alloy nanoparticles of various compositions were synthesized by one-pot coreduction of respective precursors with hydrazine for use in the anode catalysis of oxidation of butan-1-ol in alkali. The as-synthesized catalyst materials were characterized by microscopic, spectroscopic, and diffraction techniques. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, and polarization studies infer that a few Pd Ag materials exhibit an enhanced and synergistic catalytic activity in reference to Pd and Ag nanomaterials.

Size-Dependent Catalytic Activity and Fate of Palladium Nanoparticles in Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling Reactions.

Stable, catalytically active palladium nanoparticles of various average diameters (1.9-7.4 nm) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and microscopy techniques to demonstrate remarkable size-dependent and renewed catalytic activity toward the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction in green protocol.

Electrochemical Energy Storage Properties of Ni-Mn-Oxide Electrodes for Advance Asymmetric Supercapacitor Application.

In this work, we report a facile one-spot synthesis process and the influence of compositional variation on the electrochemical performance of Ni-Mn-oxides (Ni:Mn = 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4) for high-performance advanced energy storage applications. The crystalline structure and the morphology of these synthesized nanocomposites have been demonstrated using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron Microscopy. Among these materials, Ni-Mn-oxide with Ni:Mn = 1:3 possesses a large Brunauer?Emmett?Teller specific surface area (127 m g) with pore size 8.

Inhibitory effects of sildenafil and tadalafil on inflammation, oxidative stress and nitrosative stress in animal model of bronchial asthma.

Background: Cyclic neucleotides are involved in many cellular functions including smooth muscle relaxation, inflammation, and signal transduction. Sildenafil and tadalafil are phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors which prevent the degradation of cyclic neucleotide i.e.

Cadmium level in brain correlates with memory impairment in F1 and F2 generation mice: improvement with quercetin.

The increased exposure to cadmium (Cd) through environmental pollutants, food and cigarette smoke is a concern worldwide. The association of Cd with impaired learning disabilities led us to hypothesise that cadmium levels in brain tissue could be dose-dependently related to the extent of memory impairment and oxidative stress. In this study, we proposed to study whether cadmium exposure to dams could alter the brain Cd levels, memory parameters, antioxidant enzymes in brain and their gene expression in the F1-F2 generation mice and whether quercetin could modulate this effect.

Synthesis and characterization of biopolymer based hybrid hydrogel nanocomposite and study of their electrochemical efficacy.

A highly competent material, based on poly lactic acid (PLLA) grafted hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG-g-PLLA) and polypyrrole/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube (PPy/C-MWCNT) composite of various binary composition and copolymer of one of these nanocomposites have been synthesized successfully by in-situ polymerization. The environmentally affable nanocomposites have been characterized by spectroscopy, microscopy and thermogravimetry. Cytotoxicity of bio-nanocomposite has been inquired by cell viability study, which reveals its eco-friendly nature.

Alteration in cognitive behaviour, brain antioxidant enzyme activity and their gene expression in F1 generation mice, following Cd exposure during the late gestation period: modulation by quercetin.

We investigated whether in-utero Cd(II) chloride exposure of the dams between 14th to 21st day of gestation affects memory and learning, oxidative stress, antioxidant enzyme activity and their gene expression in brain of the pups in their adulthood. In the Morris water maze, cadmium (Cd) exposure impaired spatial memory which was reversed following co-treatment with quercetin (100 mg/kg). In the passive avoidance paradigm, retention memory was adversely affected but was significantly reversed by co treatment with quercetin (25, 50, 100 mg/kg).

Phase control synthesis of α, β and α/β BiO hetero-junction with enhanced and synergistic photocatalytic activity on degradation of toxic dye, Rhodamine-B under natural sunlight.

Nano particles of a few α/β BiO hetero-junctions of various compositions synthesized by one- pot hydrothermal method, exhibit exceptional and synergistic photo-catalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine-B in aqueous solution under natural sunlight. Pure α and pure β BiO are also synthesized by control post heating of synthesized hetero-junction. The nano-materials were characterized by diffraction (XRD), microscopic and spectroscopic techniques.

Topical Corticosteroid Misuse: The Scenario in Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in New Delhi.

Introduction: Irrational use of Topical Corticosteroid (TC) is quite common in India due to unrestricted availability and use of TC not only by general public but also by physicians and chemists due to quick relief of symptoms in different dermatological conditions.

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate and analyse the prevalence of misuse of TC and the causes behind misuse of TC among patients in a dermatology outpatient department in New Delhi.

Materials And Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational questionnaire based study conducted over a period of 5 months (1 June 2015 to 30 November 2015).

Oral Ondansetron in Management of Dehydrating Diarrhea with Vomiting in Children Aged 3 Months to 5 Years: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the role of oral ondansetron in facilitating successful rehydration of under-5-year-old children suffering from acute diarrhea with vomiting and some dehydration.

Study Design: Children (n = 170) aged 3 months to 5 years with acute diarrhea with vomiting and some dehydration were enrolled in this double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The participants were randomized to receive either single dose of oral ondansetron (n = 85) or placebo (n = 85) in addition to standard management of dehydration according to World Health Organization guidelines.

Quercetin Modulates the Effects of Chromium Exposure on Learning, Memory and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in F1 Generation Mice.

In the present study, we investigated whether chromium (Cr) administered to the dams (F0) during lactation period could affect memory and oxidative stress in F1 generation mice in their adulthood and whether quercetin could modulate these effects. Morris water maze (MWM) was used to test for spatial memory. Passive avoidance task and elevated plus maze were used to test for acquisition and retention memory.

Cadmium exposure during lactation causes learning and memory-impairment in F1 generation mice: amelioration by quercetin.

Cadmium (Cd) is a known pollutant present in the environment at low levels and is reported to affect reproduction in many ways. The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of Cd in F1 generation mice on cognitive parameters, and to further investigate whether quercetin could modulate these effects. In this study, female lactating mice were exposed to cadmium for seven days just after delivery.

Chronic administration of modafinil induces hyperalgesia in mice: reversal by L-NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester and 7-nitroindazole.

Modafinil [2-((diphenylmethyl) sulfinyl) acetamide] is a central nervous system stimulant. It has received considerable attention as a potential psychotropic agent in several psychiatric disorders. The current study was carried out to investigate the effect of modafinil after acute administration on animal models of pain in mice.

Atorvastatin prevents type 2 diabetes mellitus--an experimental study.

Recent reports of increased diabetes risk have raised concerns regarding the use of statins. The present study was therefore planned to clarify whether atorvastatin can prevent diabetes development in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eight week old male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups (n = 12 each group).

Augmented primary humoral immune response and decreased cell-mediated immunity by Murraya koenigii in rats.

Background: Murraya koenigii (Rutaceae) (curry patta: Hindi) of the family Rutaceae is used in the traditional Indian system of medicine for its immunomodulatory properties. The essential oil of the leaves of M. koenigii possesses antimicrobial, antifungal, and pesticidal activities and is used for the treatment of amebiasis, diabetes, and hepatitis.

Effect of resveratrol on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice.

Background: Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring compound found in grapes, wine, peanuts and cranberries. Recently, in vitro and cell culture studies have reported beneficial effects of resveratrol in the neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, in vivo effect of resveratrol in models of learning and memory is not yet evaluated.

Melatonin attenuates cognitive dysfunction and reduces neural oxidative stress induced by phosphamidon.

Melatonin is an important modulator of nervous system functioning and important neural antioxidant. Organophosphate pesticides like phosphamidon (PHOS) have been shown to adversely affect memory and induce oxidative stress on both acute and chronic exposure. This study was designed to explore the modulation of the effects of PHOS on cognitive function by melatonin (MEL).

Effect of progesterone on phosphamidon-induced impairment of memory and oxidative stress in rats.

Progesterone (a neurosteroid) is an important modulator of the nervous system functioning. Organophosphorus pesticides like phosphamidon have been shown to adversely affect memory and induce oxidative stress on both acute and chronic exposure. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of progesterone (PROG) on phosphamidon-induced modulation of cognitive function and oxidative stress in rats.

Alteration of superoxide- and nitric oxide-mediated antimicrobial function of macrophages by in vivo cocaine exposure.

Cocaine is a popular drug of abuse and despite impressive advances in the understanding of its physiological, pharmacological, and toxic effects, its mechanism of immunosuppression at the cellular level is not well understood. In this paper we report the role of effector molecules like superoxide and nitric oxide in the antibacterial function of macrophages exposed to acute and chronic doses of cocaine in vivo. Bacterial killing by acute cocaine-exposed macrophages (ACE-Mphis) increased significantly, with a concomitant rise in respiratory burst and generation of superoxide and nitric oxide, compared with control macrophages.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients and its correlation with glycaemic control.

Infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Chronic hyperglycaemia impairs host defense mechanism such as cell mediated immunity, polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) function, antibody formation etc. PMNL serves as bodies first line of defense against various infections.

Drug dose calculation need to be drilled.

A study was conducted to establish the knowledge of correct dose calculations and conversion between mass concentration, dilution and percentage concentrations amongst medical and paramedical personnel handling patient, with life saving support system. A questionnaire was prepared having five standard questions to be answered in ten minutes by medical house officers and nurses. Results of the study suggested that the knowledge of correct dose calculations of both the medical and paramedical personnel needs to be improved to impart best possible management to the critically ill patients.

Current status of prophylactic use of antimicrobial agents for caesarean section in a tertiary care teaching hospital in eastern Nepal.

A prospective assessment of the current status of prophylactic use of antimicrobial agents (AMAs) for caesarean section deliveries at BPKIHS, Dharan, Nepal was done. Data was collected by systemic random sampling of 349 in patient case sheets. The prevalence of use of ampicillin either alone or in combination with metronidazole was noted in both the elective and non-elective groups, either in the hospital or at discharge, while only 7.