Fabrication of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)/gelatin electro spun nanofiber patch containing CaCO3/SiO2 nanocomposite and quercetin for accelerated diabetic wound healing

An open wound or sore on the bottom of the foot caused by diabetes is known as a diabetic foot ulcer. Preventive measures are essential, including consistent foot care and glycemic management. The dangers associated with diabetic foot ulcers can be reduced via early identification and timely treatment. The risk of foot ulcers and limb amputation increases with age and duration of diabetes. Quercetin contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the calcium carbonate/silica (CaCO3/SiO2) nanocomposite has a good anti-inflammatory property due to the presence of calcium, which will aid in wound healing. As a result, combining quercetin (plant based anti-inflammatory drug) and CaCO3/SiO2 nanocomposite will boost the wound healing rate. We have synthesized CaCO3/SiO2 nanocomposite in sol-gel method and characterized using XRD, FTIR and TEM. Cell line tests and the MTT assay revealed that the PLGA/gelatin/CaCO3/SiO2/quercetin patch enhanced the proliferation of cells. Its anti-bacterial efficacy against four major bacterial strains often found in wound locations, as well as its water retention, make it an ideal material for diabetic wound healing. In-vivo trials confirms the enhanced diabetic wound healing potential of the patch.

Synthesis and Characterization of Naringin Functionalized Nano-Hydroxyapatite for Bone Tissue Engineering

Bone is a unique nanocomposite tissue composed of organic and inorganic materials. Bone grafting is a common surgical method used to improve bone regeneration in dentistry and orthopedic surgery. Because standard therapies have substantial drawbacks, nanomaterials provide alternative options for bone repair. Owing to its high bioactivity, osteoconductivity, biocompatibility, and topography that matches the architecture of real bone, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (n-HA) are commonly used in bone treatment. We report here the synthesis and characterization of Naringin (NA) functionalized n-HA using HRTEM, FTIR, XRD, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The obtained results indicated that the n-HA can be functionalized with Naringin and they might be used as a bone regenerative material in medical and dental fields.

Assessment of ecosystem health of a micro-level Ramsar coastal zone in the Vembanad Lake, Kerala, India

Health of an ecosystem is very much important as we depend on its goods and services for our existence. Because of this, we need to continuously monitor its health for human benefit and for identifying areas for improvement of our natural systems. The present study tries to assess the condition of a coastal ecosystem within the Vembanad Lake, Kerala, India, using key water quality parameters at micro-level. Principal component analysis identified the minimum required water quality dataset for further analysis and was scored using linear scoring functions. The weighted additive method was used to integrate the individual scores to arrive at a final score representing the ecosystem health. Spline interpolation was applied to develop the ecosystem health map of the study area. Using this method, 35.8% area of the aquatic ecosystem studied was characterized as good, 32.2% as moderate, 26.2% as fair and 5.8% as poor. The assessment results can help the policymakers/managers to make appropriate decisions for the better management of the coastal ecosystems studied. Moreover, this methodology can be replicated for the assessment of coastal regions with similar ecosystem characteristics.

Water and sediment quality parameters of the restored mangrove ecosystem of Gurupura River and natural mangrove ecosystem of Shambhavi River in Dakshina Kannada, India

Restoration of Rhizophora mucronata stand in the Gurupura Estuary resulted in improved water and sediment quality parameters. Monthly monitoring from 2011 to 2016 indicates that the restored mangroves grew to a height of 61.49 ± 5.76 cm. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that increased duration of salinity in the estuary aided the growth of barnacles in planted mangroves which reduced survival by 10%. The United States Environmental Protection Agency ratings revealed that natural mangrove site in Shambavi River exhibit the maximum good water quality rating though dissolved inorganic phosphorous was rated highest due to non-point pollution sources. The pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, silicate, phosphate, ammonia, and rainfall demonstrated significant seasonal differences (P < 0.001). Mangrove roots and biomes aided in accumulation of clay and significant difference (P < 0.001) was observed yearly. Land use management, efficient waste disposal system along with restoration of diverse mangroves can improve the water quality of estuarine ecosystem.

Epizootics of epizootic ulcerative syndrome among estuarine fishes of Kerala, India, under post-flood conditions

Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS), primarily caused by the water mold Aphanomyces invadans, is an OIE-notifiable disease, having potential impacts on fisheries. We report EUS epizootics among estuarine fishes of Kerala, India, during 2018, under post-flood conditions 3 decades after its primary outbreak. Six fish species (Mugil cephalus, Platycephalus sp., Scatophagus argus, Arius sp., Planiliza macrolepis and Epinephelus malabaricus) were infected, including the first confirmed natural case in E. malabaricus and P. macrolepis. Salinity, surface temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH of resident water during the epizootic were <2 ppt, 25°C, 4.1 ppm and 7.0. The presence of zoonotic bacterial pathogens (Aeromonas veronii, Shewanella putrefaciens, Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus) in tissues of affected fish indicates that EUS-infected fish may pose a public health hazard if not handled properly. Lack of clinical evidence in the region during the last 3 decades, a high number of affected fishes, including 2 new fish species, the severity of skin lesions and very low water salinity (<2 ppt) during the outbreak in contrast to historical water salinity records suggest relatively recent invasion by A. invadans. Phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer region of the rRNA gene showed that the same clone of pathogen has spread across different continents regardless of fish species and ecotypes (fresh/estuarine environments). Altogether, the present study provides baseline data which can be applied in EUS management strategies within brackish-water ecosystems. We recommend strict surveillance and development of sound biosecurity measures against the disease.

PVA/SA/TiO2-CUR patch for enhanced wound healing application: In vitro and in vivo analysis

Wound healing is a complex multistep process. Wound healing materials should have good antibacterial activity against wound infection causing microbes. Curcumin has effective antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a biocompatible, nontoxic material used for many biomedical applications. The Usage of curcumin tagged TiO₂ nanoparticles for wound healing activity is promising due to the properties of both curcumin and TiO₂. We have synthesized curcumin tagged TiO₂ nanoparticles. The synthesized materials are characterized with XRD, FTIR and TEM. TiO₂-Cur nanocomposite was incorporated into poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA) patch. The PVA/SA/TiO₂-Cur patch was prepared by gel casting method. Antibacterial efficiency of PVA/SA/TiO₂-Cur patch was analyzed. Further, in vivo studies conducted on Wister rats confirmed the enhanced wound healing property of the PVA/SA/TiO₂-Cur patch. Our results suggest that this could be an ideal biomaterial for wound dressing applications.

Fiber degradability, chemical composition and conservation characteristics of alfalfa haylage ensiled with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes and a ferulic acid esterase-producing inoculant

Lynch, J. P., Prema, D., Van Hamme, J. D., Church, J. S. and Beauchemin, K. A. 2014. Fiber degradability, chemical composition and conservation characteristics of alfalfa haylage ensiled with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes and a ferulic acid esterase-producing inoculant. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 697–704. This study investigated the effects of two fibrolytic enzyme products, applied at baling alone or in combination with a ferulic acid esterase-producing bacterial additive, on the ensilage dynamics, chemical composition and digestibility of alfalfa haylage. Five replicate wrapped bales were produced with one of five treatments, including an untreated control, and one of two fibrolytic enzyme products (EN1 and EN2) applied either alone or in combination with a ferulic-acid producing bacterial additive (FAEI). No effect of treatment was observed on the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (P=0.889) or acid detergent fiber (ADF) (P=0.065) concentrations of haylage after ensilage, but haylage produced using fibrolytic enzyme products underwent greater (P<0.018) increases in temperature following exposure to aerobic conditions. Haylages produced with fibrolytic enzyme products had a greater (P<0.001) in vitro NDF degradability (NDFD) than untreated haylage. The use of fibrolytic enzymes applied to alfalfa haylage at ensiling increased the NDFD, despite minimal effects on the chemical composition of the herbage. However, the greater aerobic deterioration of fibrolytic enzyme-treated bales indicates higher dry matter losses during aerobic exposure. The use of FAEI with fibrolytic enzymes did not further enhance the effects of fibrolytic-enzyme treatments.