An insight into mercury reduction process by humic substances in aqueous medium under dark condition.

Mercury (Hg) reduction by humic substances (HS) in the aquatic medium under the dark condition is a poorly understood but important process in Hg biogeochemical cycling. In this study, an effort was made to provide a better understanding of Hg(II) reduction by well-characterized humic substances under dark condition. Reduction of Hg(II) by dissolved HS in aquatic systems increases with increasing Hg loading.

Quercetin interferes with the fluid volume and receptivity development of the uterus in rats during the peri-implantation period.

Hypothesis: Quercetin could induce changes to the fluid volume and receptivity development of the uterus during peri-implantation period.

Methods: Female rats were treated with quercetin (10, 25 and 50mg/kg/day) subcutaneously beginning from day-1 pregnancy. Uterus was harvested at day-4 (following three days quercetin treatment) for morphological, ultra-structural, protein and mRNA expressional changes and plasma sex-steroid levels analyses.

Correlation of various serum biomarkers with the severity of diabetic retinopathy.

Unlabelled: Hyperglycemia induced inflammation and angiogenic factors are implicated as a contributor to the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (T2DM). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are inflammatory cytokines which induce retinal VEGF and are involved in the progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Therefore the aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between diabetic retinopathy and systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purification and structural elucidation of three bioactive compounds isolated from Streptomyces coelicoflavus BC 01 and their biological activity.

The strain Streptomyces coelicoflavus BC 01 was isolated from mangrove soil and used as inoculum for submerged fermentation. The fermented broth was extracted with ethyl acetate, the crude extract was subjected to silica gel column chromatography and the homogeneity of the isolated fractions was determined by TLC and then subjected to RP-HPLC for their purity. The purification steps led to the isolation of three pure bioactive compounds named as BC 01_C1, BC 01_C2 and BC 01_C3.

Association of angiotensinogen gene SNPs and haplotypes with risk of hypertension in eastern Indian population.

Background: Angiotensinogen (AGT) enzyme comprises a vital module of RAAS system that effectively controls the blood pressure and related cardiovascular functions. Ample association studies have reported the importance of AGT variants in cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular adversities. But lately, owing to the complexity of the many anomalies, the haplotype based examination of genetic variation that facilitates the identification of polymorphic sites which are located in the vicinity of the causative polymorphic site, gets greater appreciation.

Characterization of human monoclonal antibodies that neutralize multiple poliovirus serotypes.

Following the eradication of wild poliovirus (PV), achieving and maintaining a polio-free status will require eliminating potentially pathogenic PV strains derived from the oral attenuated vaccine. For this purpose, a combination of non-cross-resistant drugs, such as small molecules and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), may be ideal. We previously isolated chimpanzee and human mAbs capable of neutralizing multiple PV types (cross-neutralization).

Therapeutic effect of green tea extract on alcohol induced hepatic mitochondrial DNA damage in albino wistar rats.

The present study principally sought to investigate the effect of green tea extract (GTE) supplementation on hepatic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in alcohol receiving rats. MtDNA was isolated from hepatic tissues of albino wistar rats after alcohol treatment with and without GTE supplementation. Entire displacement loop (D-loop) of mtDNA was screened by PCR-Sanger's sequencing method.

Spatial distribution of ectoparasites on the gills of the mullet, : the effects of pollution.

Spatial distribution of ectoparasites on the gills of the mullet collected from two sites, the unpolluted reference site (Site I) and the heavily polluted North western arm of Visakhapatnam harbour (Site II), was analysed. Of the various ectoparasite species found on the gills of the mullet, only (Monogenea) and (Copepoda), occurred commonly at both the sites with more or less high prevalence and mean intensity. at site I preferred gill arch 1 and posterior most and central sections, whereas at site II, it showed preference for gill arch 3, and posterior and proximal sections of the gill.

Polydatin alleviates alcohol-induced acute liver injury in mice: Relevance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and hepatic antioxidants.

Background: Alcohol, a most commonly consumed beverage, is the foremost cause of liver injury throughout the world. Polydatin, a stilbenoid glucoside, was known to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is being investigated for use in various disorders.

Purpose: The present study was intended at investigating the hepatoprotective efficacy of polydatin against acute-alcohol induced liver injury model in mice.

Three species of Heteromazocraes Mamaev, 1981 (Monogenea: Mazocraeidae), including two new species from Thryssa spp. (Teleostei: Engraulidae) off Visakhapatnam coast, Bay of Bengal.

Three species of Heteromazocraes Mamaev, 1981 including two new taxa are described from the gills of three species of engraulid fishes Thryssa mystax (Bloch & Schneider), T. setirostris (Broussonet) and T. malabarica (Bloch) collected from the coastal waters off Visakhapatnam, Bay of Bengal.

Anticancer Potential of Nutraceutical Formulations in MNU-induced Mammary Cancer in Sprague Dawley Rats.

Background: Nutraceuticals help in combating some of the major health problems of the century including cancer, and 'nutraceutical formulations' have led to the new era of medicine and health.

Objective: To develop different nutraceutical formulations and to assess the anticancer potential of nutraceutical formulations in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary cancer in Sprague Dawley rats.

Materials And Methods: Different nutraceutical formulations were prepared using fine powders of amla, apple, garlic, onion, papaya, turmeric, and wheat grass with and without cow urine distillate.

Effect of strontium on Nd doped Ba Sr CeZrNdO proton conductor as an electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cells.

This paper investigated the Sr doping effect on the microstructure, chemical stability, and conductivity of Ba Sr CeZrNdO (0 ⩽  ⩽ 0.2) electrolyte prepared by sol-gel method. The lattice constants and unit cell volumes were found to decrease as Sr atomic percentage increased in accordance with the Vegard law, confirming the formation of solid solution.

Quantification and In Silico Toxicity Assessment of Nimesulide and its Related Substances.

Availability of analytical method which is compatible with both Ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to identify and quantify the impurities in pharmaceutical products is an advantage for drug product development; such analytical method was developed for Nimesulide using a fused core column. Ammonium acetate and methanol were used as mobile phase in the gradient elution at a detection wavelength 230 nm. Quality-by-design principles helped in identifying the critical method development parameters and design space.

Enhanced oral bioavailability and anticancer efficacy of fisetin by encapsulating as inclusion complex with HPβCD in polymeric nanoparticles.

Fisetin (FST), a potent anticancer phytoconstituent, exhibits poor aqueous solubility and hence poor bioavailability. The aim of the present study is to improve the oral bioavailability of FST by encapsulating into PLGA NPs (poly-lactide-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles) as a complex of HPβCD (hydroxyl propyl beta cyclodextrin) and to assess its anti-cancer activity against breast cancer cells. FST-HPβCD inclusion complex (FHIC) was prepared and the supramolecular complex formation was characterized by FTIR, DSC, PXRD and H NMR.

Synthesis of new analogs of AKBA and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory activities.

A new series of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid analogs (5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 18a-d, 27a-c, 28a-d) were synthesized by modification of hydroxyl and acid functional moieties of boswellic acids. The structures of these analogs were confirmed by spectral data analysis (H, C NMR and mass). Compounds 18b, 27a and 8 showed potent 5-lipoxygenase enzyme inhibitory activity (IC: 19.

Synthesis of Ofornine mimics from natural product l-vasicine as anti-hypertensive agents.

We report the chemical synthesis of Ofornine mimics from l-vasicine, structure-activity relationship studies and their in vivo screening for anti-hypertensive action in Wistar rats. It was observed that most of the analogs possessed anti-hypertensive effect; however, the duration of the effect was variable and mostly transient. The results demonstrated that the analogs 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 showed a sharp and significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure for 30-60min after intravenous administration.

Biofabrication of size controllable silver nanoparticles - A green approach.

A facile biosynthetic approach for the size controllable production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the leaf extract of Cinnamomum tsoi as reducing and capping agent is developed. The polyphenolic functionalities present in the extract are essentially responsible for the synthesis and stabilization of AgNPs. The size and morphology of the AgNPs were effectively tuned by changing the volume of the extract.

Araucaria Gum: Novel Natural Polymer for Controlled Drug Delivery. Development, In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Araucaria Gum Based Matrix Tablets for Controlled Release.

Context: Assessment of natural polymers in oral controlled drug delivery.

Objective: The objective of the present investigation was to assess of Araucaria gum (AHG) obtained from bark exudates of the Araucaria heterophylla (family: Araucariaceae) for the design of oral controlled release forms, in particular tablet dosage forms by using matrix systems. Diclofenac sodium was used as model drug and compared with the marketed formulation.

Data on polymorphism of XRCC1 and cervical cancer risk from South India.

X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) is a major DNA repair gene involved in BER mutation. Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes associated with repair efficiency against DNA damage may predispose an individual׳s cancer susceptibility. Data from cervical cancer patients was collected from South Indian Women.

Influence of curcumin on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of gliclazide in animal models.

Purpose: Patients suffering from obesity-related diseases use multiple prescription drugs to control their condition, and it is therefore essential to determine the safety and efficacy of any combination. Gliclazide is one of the most commonly used drug of choice for treatment of type 2 diabetes, and curcumin is a widely used herbal supplement to counter obesity condition. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of oral administration of curcumin on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of gliclazide in rats and rabbits to further evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this combination.

Synthesis, screening and docking analysis of hispolon analogs as potential antitubercular agents.

A series of 20 hispolons/dihydrohispolons were synthesized and characterized by spectral data. These compounds were subjected to in vitro antitubercular activity screening against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv) strain. The synthesized compounds showed varied antitubercular activity ranging from 100 to 1.

" Gortzia shahrazadis", a Novel Endosymbiont of and a Revision of the Biogeographical Distribution of -Like Bacteria.

spp. and " Gortzia infectiva", known as -like bacteria (HLB), are commonly found as nuclear endosymbionts of ciliates, especially the genus. HLB are related by phylogenetic relationships, morphological features, and life-cycles, which involve two alternating morphotypes: reproductive and infectious forms (RF, IF).

Protective effect of Allium sativum (garlic) aqueous extract against lead-induced oxidative stress in the rat brain, liver, and kidney.

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the ameliorative activity of Allium sativum against lead-induced oxidative stress in the brain, liver, and kidney of male rats. Four groups of male Wistar strain rats (100-120 g) were taken: group 1 received 1000 mg/L sodium acetate and group 2 was given 1000 mg/L lead acetate through drinking water for 2 weeks. Group 3 and 4 were treated with 250 mg/kg body weight/day of A.

One pot oxidative dehydration - oxidation of polyhydroxyhexanal oxime to polyhydroxy oxohexanenitrile: A versatile methodology for the facile access of azasugar alkaloids.

A unique oxidative dehydration-oxidation of polyhydroxy-oxime (7) to the corresponding ketonitrile (8) in one pot is reported for the first time in carbohydrate literature. Key ketonitrile intermediate (8) upon palladium hydroxide mediated cascade reaction afforded 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) 1b in moderate diastereoselectivity. The cascade reaction involves the conversion of nitrile to amine, heteroannulation, reduction of the imine and subsequent debenzylation to furnish the azasugars.