Efficient and prolonged antibacterial activity from porous PLGA microparticles and their application in food preservation.

Simple addition of a minute quantity of non-toxic mustard oil in water/oil/water (W/O/W) double emulsion led to a porous morphology at the surface as well as in the interior of the biodegradable PLGA (Poly(l-lactide-co-glycolide)) microparticles. An attempt was made to understand the mechanism of pore formation by analyzing optical micrographs and SEM images in addition to solution viscosity of organic phase and interfacial tension values between organic and aqueous phases. The origin of surface porosity was thought to come from the inclusion of inner water droplet, stabilized by heteroaggregation of mustard oil and PLGA chains along with PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), to the solidifying polymer skin.

Attachment and child behaviour and emotional problems in autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability.

Background: Behaviour and emotional problems are highly prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In typically developing children, attachment quality acts as a risk/protective factor for behavioural outcomes and adjustment, warranting investigation in children with ASD.

Method: We investigated the relationship between attachment and child behaviour and emotional problems in children with ASD and comorbid intellectual disability.

Differential expression of structural and functional proteins during bean common mosaic virus-host plant interaction.

Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), the most common seed-borne pathogen in Phaseolus vulgaris L. is known to cause severe loss in productivity across the globe. In the present study, proteomic analyses were performed for leaf samples from control (healthy) and susceptible BCMV infected plants.

Malnutrition, nutritional interventions and clinical outcomes of patients with acute small bowel obstruction: results from a national, multicentre, prospective audit.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of patients presenting with small bowel obstruction (SBO), along with associated nutritional interventions and clinical outcomes.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: 131 UK hospitals with acute surgical services.

New regression models for dental age estimation in children using third molar maturity index: A preliminary analysis testing its usefulness as reliable age marker.

This paper concerns a method to estimate age in children using third molar maturity index (IM) as independent variable and age as the dependent variable. Total of 1283 digital orthopantomograms (OPTs) of south Indian children aged between 7 and 22 years was included. Training sample of 933 OPTs was used to derive regression formulae, and validation sample of 350 OPTs used to verify accuracy of newly derived regression models.

Data sets on spatial analysis of hydro geochemistry of Gudur area, SPSR Nellore district by using inverse distance weighted method in Arc GIS 10.1.

The data represent on specific water quality monitoring parameters for 40 sampling points at Gudur area and Hydro geochemistry showed as spatial variation diagrams such as pH, TH, EC, TDS, SO, HCO, Ca, Mg, Na and F of Gudur area. The spatial maps show that high concentrations of physicochemical parameters in the North-East (NE) and South-East (SE) directions have been observed. The proper planning and various management activities were carried out with the help of these maps.

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase producing beneficial rhizobacteria ameliorate the biomass characters of Panicum maximum Jacq. by mitigating drought and salt stress.

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) is a precursor molecule of ethylene whose concentration is elevated in the plant subjected to biotic and abiotic stress. Several soil microorganisms are reported to produce ACC deaminase (ACCd) which degrades ACC thereby reducing stress ethylene in host plants. This study is aimed to apply ACCd producing beneficial rhizobacteria to improve biochemical parameters and cell wall properties of Panicum maximum exposed to salt and drought stress, focusing on bioethanol production.

A web resource for nutrient use efficiency-related genes, quantitative trait loci and microRNAs in important cereals and model plants.

Cereals are key contributors to global food security. Genes involved in the uptake (transport), assimilation and utilization of macro- and micronutrients are responsible for the presence of these nutrients in grain and straw. Although many genomic databases for cereals are available, there is currently no cohesive web resource of manually curated nutrient use efficiency (NtUE)-related genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs).

Relationship between islet autoantibody status and the clinical characteristics of children and adults with incident type 1 diabetes in a UK cohort.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of children and adults with incident type 1 diabetes in contemporary, multiethnic UK, focusing on differences between the islet autoantibody negative and positive.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: 146 mainly secondary care centres across England and Wales.

Comparison of infectivity and virulence of clones of Trypanosoma evansi and Ttrypanosoma equiperdum Venezuelan strains in mice.

Livestock trypanosomoses, caused by three species of the Trypanozoon subgenus, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. evansi and T. equiperdum are widely distributed and limit animal production throughout the world.

HDAC inhibitors show differential epigenetic regulation and cell survival strategies on p53 mutant colon cancer cells.

Besides inactivating tumour suppressor activity in cells, mutations in p53 confer significant oncogenic functions and promote metastasis and resistance to anticancer therapy. A variety of therapies involving genetic and epigenetic signalling events regulate tumorogenesis and progression in such cases. Pharmacological interventions with HDAC inhibitors have shown promise in therapy.

Is having quality as an item on the executive board agenda associated with the implementation of quality management systems in European hospitals: a quantitative analysis.

Objective: To assess whether there is a relationship between having quality as an item on the board's agenda, perceived external pressure (PEP) and the implementation of quality management in European hospitals.

Design: A quantitative, mixed method, cross-sectional study in seven European countries in 2011 surveying CEOs and quality managers and data from onsite audits.

Participants: One hundred and fifty-five CEOs and 155 quality managers.

Prospective, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of an Octenidine-based hydrogel on bacterial colonisation and epithelialization of skin graft wounds in burn patients.

Background: Moist wound treatment improves healing of skin graft donor site wounds. Microbial colonised wounds represent an increased risk of wound infection; while antimicrobially active, topical antiseptics may impair epithelialization.

Objectives: The aim of this prospective randomised controlled clinical trial was to examine the influence of an Octenidine-dihydrochloride (OCT) hydrogel on bacterial colonisation and epithelialization of skin graft donor sites.

Nifedipine inhibits hypoxia induced transvascular leakage through down regulation of NFkB.

We have studied the prophylactic administration of nifedipine and its molecular mechanism involved in reducing the transvascular leakage and inflammation in rats under hypoxia. Rats exposed to an altitude of 7620m for 6h resulted into significant increase in transvascular leakage, oxidative stress with increased NFkB expression in lungs followed by significant increase in pro inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α) with up regulation of cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-I, VCAM-I, E-selectin, and P-selectin) in the lungs over control. Prophylactic administration of nifedipine significantly reduced the transvascular leakage, oxidative stress, inhibited the up regulation of NFkB in lungs of rats compared to control.

Spatial Distribution of Naturally Occurring Po and Ra in Children's Teeth.

Deciduous and permanent teeth extracted from juveniles for orthodontic purposes have been analysed using α-sensitive plastic track detectors for the spatial distribution of total α-activity and naturally occurring Pb-supported Po and Ra. The distribution of these radionuclides is nonuniform, with Po being primarily associated with outer enamel and Ra with the pulp. The observations suggest that Pb/Po concentrates at the interface of enamel with saliva or blood, by means of unidirectional ionic exchange with calcium.