Cichorins D-F: Three New Compounds from and Their Biological Effects.

L., (chicory) is employed in various traditional medicines to treat a wide range of diseases and disorders. In the current investigation, two new naphthalane derivatives viz.

Effect of Substituents on the Crystal Structures, Optical Properties, and Catalytic Activity of Homoleptic Zn(II) and Cd(II) β-oxodithioester Complexes.

Five novel zinc(II) and cadmium(II) β-oxodithioester complexes, [Zn()] (), [Zn()] (), [Zn()] () [Cd()] (), [Cd()] (), with β-oxodithioester ligands, where = 3-(methylthio)-1-(thiophen-2-yl)-3-thioxoprop-1-en-1-olate, = 3-(methylthio)-1-(pyridin-3-yl)-3-thioxoprop-1-en-1-olate, and = 3-(methylthio)-1-(pyridin-4-yl)-3-thioxoprop-1-en-1-olate, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy (H and C{H}). The solid-state structures of all complexes were ascertained by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The β-oxodithioester ligands are bonded to Zn(II)/Cd(II) metal ions in an OS and N chelating/chelating-bridging fashion leading to the formation of 1D (in -) and 2D (in ) coordination polymeric structures, but complex was obtained as a discrete tetrahedral molecule.

Building climate change resilience by using a versatile toolkit for local governments and communities in rural Himalaya.

With the impacts of climate disruption becoming more evident there has been an increase in the uptake of climate change adaptation "toolkits" to assist local governments build community resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change. There is increasing attention and call for practitioners to adopt proactive and participatory approaches to help in the adaptive response planning process. One such toolkit is the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCRN) Process (IAP).

sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from a hot spring.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and coccoid-shaped actinobacterial strain, designated YIM 730233, was isolated from a sediment sample, collected from a hot spring in Tibet, China. Colonies were brownish, circular, smooth and convex. Strain YIM 730233 was able to grow in the temperature range of 20-50 °C, pH 6.

Surface-passivated, soluble and non-toxic graphene nano-sheets for the selective sensing of toxic Cr(vi) and Hg(ii) metal ions and as a blue fluorescent ink.

Non-toxic amine-functionalized soluble graphene nano-sheets (f-GNS) were synthesized by using an old and well-known simple organic procedure. The f-GNS exhibited enhanced optical properties, such as strong blue fluorescence emission with a high value of quantum yield (∼13%). The O,O'-bis-(2-aminopropyl) polypropylene glycol--polyethylene glycol--polypropylene glycol 800 as block polymeric amine (BPA)-passivized surface of f-GNS exhibited high aqueous solubility and excitation-dependent fluorescence emission behavior with a strong photo-stability performance.

Spontaneous Resolution upon Crystallization and Preferential Induction of Chirality in a Discrete Tetrahedral Zinc(II) Complex Comprised of Achiral Precursors.

A pair of enantiomeric tetrahedral complexes (Λ-[Zn(L)] and Δ-[Zn(L)]) comprised of the achiral ligand methyl-3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-2-propenedithioate (L) have been synthesized by spontaneous resolution. Two chiral inducers, viz., d-(-)- and l-(+)-tartaric and mandelic acids, have been employed to achieve bulk homochirality and extend the generality of the present work.

The mechanistic basis of chromotherapy: Current knowledge and future perspectives.

Chromotherapy is a method of treatment that uses wavelengths in the visible region for curing different diseases and medical conditions. Recent advances in photobiology and the speciality of Photobiomodulation are uncovering the cellular and molecular effects of visible range electromagnetic radiation. We discuss the reported effects of visible range radiation on cells (in vitro and in vivo) and the attempted explanations of the underlying processes with regard to therapeutic effects.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Assessment of aflatoxins in peanuts grown in the Pothohar area of Pakistan.

A survey was carried out to assess the mycotoxin (aflatoxins) contamination in locally grown peanuts. A total of 72 samples of raw, roasted and salty peanuts were collected randomly from the Pothohar Plateau of Pakistan. The samples were dried, ground and extracted by adding acetonitrile:water (84:16; v/v%).

In silico T-cell and B-cell Epitope Based Vaccine Design Against Alphavirus Strain of Chikungunya.

Background: Chikungunya an arbovirus, is transmitted to humans by the bite of Aedes mosquito. The virus occurrences have been reported in Southeast Asian countries including Pakistan. Its symptoms include typical febrile illness and arthralgic syndrome.

Extraction and characterization of high purity chitosan by rapid and simple techniques from mud crabs taken from Abbottabad.

Chitosan and chitosan based materials offer diverse applications in the field of biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, environmental protection and tissue engineering due to their various biological and physicochemical properties. Major sources of chitosan are shrimps, crabs and lobsters. Properties of chitosan differ with the degree of deacetylation and the molecular weight.

Population structure, genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of different rural and commercial chickens of Pakistan using complete sequence of mtDNA D-loop.

Chicken is the most important poultry bird in Pakistan that not only provides nutrition but also contributes to country's economy. The Pakistani chicken and its germplasm resources are not genetically characterized and explored. Here, we focused at rural and commercial chickens of Pakistan and explored genetic diversity, population structure and phylogeny.

Electrochemically Enhanced Drug Delivery Using Polypyrrole Films.

The delivery of drugs in a controllable fashion is a topic of intense research activity in both academia and industry because of its impact in healthcare. Implantable electronic interfaces for the body have great potential for positive economic, health, and societal impacts; however, the implantation of such interfaces results in inflammatory responses due to a mechanical mismatch between the inorganic substrate and soft tissue, and also results in the potential for microbial infection during complex surgical procedures. Here, we report the use of conducting polypyrrole (PPY)-based coatings loaded with clinically relevant drugs (either an anti-inflammatory, dexamethasone phosphate (DMP), or an antibiotic, meropenem (MER)).

Donor-π-Acceptor-Type Configured, Dimethylamino-Based Organic Push-Pull Chromophores for Effective Reduction of Mild Steel Corrosion Loss in 1 M HCl.

In this work, donor-π-acceptor-type four crystalline compounds have been tested for the first time to restrict the corrosion of mild steel in 1 M HCl. The details of the compounds are: C1, 4-,-dimethylamino-β-nitrostyrene; C2, 2-(4-(dimethylamino) benzylidene)malononitrile; C3, ethyl 2-cyano-3-(4-(dimethylamino) phenyl)acrylate; and C4, methyl 2-cyano-3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)acrylate. The corrosion inhibition potentials of the compounds have been primarily investigated by electrochemical techniques, such as linear polarization resistance, Tafel polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Botany, ethnomedicines, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Himalayan paeony (Paeonia emodi Royle.).

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Himalayan paeony (Paeonia emodi Royle.) is an important species used to treat various diseases. This study aimed to compile the detailed traditional medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicological investigations on P.

Animal manure-derived biochars produced via fast pyrolysis for the removal of divalent copper from aqueous media.

Here, we report a pyrolyzed guinea fowl manure-derived biochar (GFM-BC) and cattle manure-derived biochar (CTM-BC) and their use as adsorbent for the removal of divalent copper from aqueous media was evaluated. The BCs physical and chemical properties were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Elemental dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results presented that the BCs obtained higher content were quite effective for Cu (II) removal with maximum capacities of 43.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Sida acuta extract for antimicrobial actions and corrosion inhibition potential.

Nanotechnology exhibits a multidisciplinary area and gained interests for researchers. Nanoparticles produced via physical and chemical methods affects ecosystem drastically. Green synthesis is the charming technique that is inexpensive and safe for the environment.

Paraquat treatment modulates integrin associated protein (CD47) and basigin (CD147) expression and mitochondrial potential on erythroid cells in mice.

The present study is focused on the interaction of paraquat with the erythroid system in bone marrow and spleen of mice. Administration of paraquat (10 mg/kg of body weight i.p.

Green synthesised zinc oxide nanostructures through extract shows tremendous antibacterial potential against multidrug resistant pathogens.

To grapple with multidrug resistant bacterial infections, implementations of antibacterial nanomedicines have gained prime attention of the researchers across the globe. Nowadays, zinc oxide (ZnO) at nano-scale has emerged as a promising antibacterial therapeutic agent. Keeping this in view, ZnO nanostructures (ZnO-NS) have been synthesised through reduction by aqueous extract without the utilisation of any acid or base.

The distribution of Aedes aegypti (diptera, culicidae) in eight selected parks of Lahore, using oviposition traps during rainy season.

Objective: To investigate the seasonal distribution of immature habitat of Aedes aegypti mosquito species and its association with environmental and climatic conditions.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in eight parks in Lahore, Pakistan, over three years from 2011 to 2013.A total of 2,496 ovitraps were placed in environmentally different conditions near water channels, thick vegetation cover/shades, clean/unclean sites and places where there was lot of human activity.

Respiring cellular nano-magnets.

Magnetotactic bacteria provide an interesting example for the biosynthesis of magnetic (FeO or FeS) nanoparticles, synthesized through a process known as biologically controlled mineralization, resulting in complex monodispersed, and nanostructures with unique magnetic properties. In this work, we report a novel aerobic bacterial strain isolated from sludge of an oil refinery. Microscopic and staining analysis revealed that it was a gram positive rod with the capability to thrive in a medium (9K) supplemented, with Fe ions at an acidic pH (~3.

Mixed-Ligand LMOF Fluorosensors for Detection of Cr(VI) Oxyanions and Fe/Pd Cations in Aqueous Media.

Zn(II)/Cd(II)-based dual ligand Luminescent Metal-Organic Frameworks (LMOFs) {[M(ATA)(L)]}·xHO (1) and (2) were synthesized by versatile synthetic routes, viz., diffusion of precursor solutions, conventional reflux, and green mechanochemical (grinding) reactions from bipyridyl-based Schiff base, (E)-N'-(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)isonicotinohydrazide (L) and amino functionalized 2-aminoterephthalic acid (HATA) as linkers. Chemical and thermal stability, phase purity, and characterization of both LMOFs were established by various analytical methods.

Sero-surveillance of dengue in the city Lahore, Pakistan.

Objective: To conduct sero-surveillance of dengue cases, and to find out the demographic and socio-economic status of dengue patients.

Methods: This community-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at the Institute of Public Health, Lahore, Pakistan, from July to December each year in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and comprised patients suspected to have dengue. Blood samples of dengue patients in five randomly selected union councils of the 10 towns of the city were subjected to the dengue test.

Predicting dengue outbreak in the metropolitan city Lahore, Pakistan, using dengue vector indices and selected climatological variables as predictors.

Objective: Dengue viruses have rapidly spread in Southeast Asia, particularly in Pakistan, during the last few years, so the present study was undertaken to formulate a model for predicting dengue outbreak.

Methodology: A panel data using STRATA statistical software was employed to determine the effects of entomological indices, Per Man Hour Density (PMHD), Minimum Infection Rate (MIR) and selected climatic variables on dengue patients by using Fixed Effects (FE) and Random Effects (RE) models.

Results: Results showed that R2 value, reflecting fitness of model was 0.