N-Hydroxysuccinamide functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with 5-flurouracil for hyperthermic therapy of malignant liver cancer cells by DNA repair disruption

Magnetized iron oxide nanoparticles are ideal materials for biological and biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, super paramagnetic behavior, surface capability, and chemical stability. This research article is narrating the overview of methodologies of preparation, functionalization, characterization and applications of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Super paramagnetic nanoparticles are studied for their hyperthermia properties. The proposed mechanism behind the hyperthermia was damaging the proteins responsible for DNA repair thereby, directly accelerating the DNA damages on cancer cells by increasing the temperature in the vicinity of the cancer cells. In this study, super paramagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (SPIONs) and anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil, functionalized with N-Hydroxysuccinimide organic molecules. A specific absorption rate at 351 nm can be achieved using UV analysis. The magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles had a cubic crystalline structure. FE-SEM(field emission scanning Electron microscopy) with EDAX(energy dispersive X-ray analysis) analysis shows that the size of the SPION was about 30-100 nm range and the percentage of chemical compositions was higher in the order of Fe, O, C. for particle size analysis, the SPION were positively charged derived at +9.9 mV and its conductivity is measured at 0.826 mS/cm. In-vitro anti-cancerous activity analysis in Hep-G2 cells (liver cancer cells) shows that the 5-fluorouracil functionalized SPIONs have higher inhibition rate than the bare Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were studied for their hyperthermic abilities at two different frequencies such as 3.05 × 106 kAm-1s-1 and 4.58 × 106 kAm-1s-1.The bare Fe3O4 at low magnetic field, 10 mg was required to raise the temperature above 42°- 45 °C and at high magnetic field, 6 mg was enough to raise the same temperature. The 5-fluorouracil functionalized Fe3O4 shows that at low magnetic field, 6 mg is required to raise the hyperthermia temperature and at high magnetic field, 3 mg is required to raise the temperature above 42°- 45 °C. the rate of heating and the temperature achieved with time can be tuned with concentrations as well as magnetic component present in the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Beyond this concentration, the rate of cell death was observed to increase. The saturation and low residual magnetization were revealed by the magnetization analysis, making them well suited for clinical applications.

Luminescence properties of Ln3+ doped BaMoO4 (Ln3+ = Sm3+ and Dy3+) phosphors under UV excitation

Ln³⁺ doped BaMoO₄ (Ln ³⁺ = Sm³⁺ and Dy³⁺) nanoparticles have been synthesized successfully using ethylene glycol as a solvent. All the prepared samples are well indexed into the pure scheelite-type tetragonal structure of BaMoO₄, the doping of trivalent ions (Ln³⁺) in to the bivalent host ions (Ba²⁺) sites of the BaMoO₄ do not change the pure tetragonal structure of BaMoO₄ although there is a charge difference between Ba²⁺ and Ln³⁺. The SEM image of the prepared BaMoO₄ samples shows a number of uniform shuttle-like nanocrystalline with protrusion in the middle. The doping of Ln³⁺ ions do not change the morphology of the BaMoO₄. The photoluminescence study has been carried in detail by measuring the excitation and emission spectra of the prepared samples. The excitation spectrum consists of a broad band with a maximum at about 268 nm thereby demonstrating the transfer of energy from MoO^2-₄ groups to the doped Ln³⁺ ions. Yellow emission is dominated over blue in case of Dy³⁺ doped BaMoO₄ and in Sm³⁺ doped BaMoO₄ red emission dominated over other lights under UV excitation. The luminescence intensity is highest at 10 at.% Ln³⁺ under the UV excitation. Under this UV excitation BaMoO₄:Sm³⁺ exhibits strong orange-red and BaMoO₄:Dy³⁺ greenish-yellow emissions. Excitation of Dy³⁺ in thin film of BaMoO₄ emits an intense yellow color which could be applicable in the field of biological assays and biological fluorescence labeling.

Investigation on optical band gap, photoluminescence properties and concentration quenching mechanism of Pb1-x Tb3+xWO4 green-emitting phosphors

A series of monophasic Tb³⁺ (2, 5, 7, 10 and 15at%) doped PbWO₄ phosphors were successfully prepared via hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the prepared samples possess a high crystallinity with tetragonal scheelite-type structure. FT-IR and Raman analysis exhibited a WO stretching peak of WO₄^2- group, which is also related to the scheelite structure. UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra indicated a reduction in the optical band gap with the replacement of Pb²⁺ by Tb³⁺ ions. The presence of strong and intense emission peaks characteristic of Tb³⁺ with the dominant peak at 545nm (green, ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transition) under UV irradiation at 320nm demonstrated an efficient energy transfer from the host to Tb³⁺ ions. Using Van Uitert's model, the concentration quenching mechanism between Tb³⁺ ions in PbWO₄:Tb³⁺ phosphor was attributed to a dipole-dipole interaction and the critical distance was determined to be ~12Å. The decay lifetimes and CIE chromaticity co-ordinates of PbWO₄:Tb³⁺ phosphors were also investigated in detail. These prepared materials might serve as a potential phosphor for LED applications.

Effect of annealing on the luminescence properties of YVO₄:Dy³⁺ phosphor on co-doping Pb²⁺ ions

Pb(2+) co-doped YVO4:Dy(3+) phosphors have been synthesized at a relatively low temperature of 120°C via ethylene glycol route. The samples are further annealed at 500 and 900°C. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, spectra energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) and photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD patterns of all samples are well indexed with single tetragonal phase of YVO4. The emission intensity of Dy(3+) is significantly enhanced on co-doping Pb(2+) ions. The highest emission is obtained at 7 at.% Pb(2+) for 900°C annealed samples. Both emission intensity and decay lifetime increases on annealing the samples from 500 to 900°C. On co-doping Pb(2+) into YVO4:Dy(3+) phosphors, the emission color falls near the white region and then shift towards yellow region on annealing from 500 to 900°C thereby indicating that annealing temperature play a role on tuning the color of the phosphors. As well as the emission color of the phosphors remain the same even on changing the excitation wavelengths from 280 nm, which would serve as potential phosphors for white emission in LED applications.

Kinetics and its accompanying thermodynamics studies on simultaneous complexation of heterobimetallic neodymium (III) with zinc (II) and L-tryptophan in aquated DMF using 4f-4f absorption spectra

The 4f-4f absorption spectra of the simultaneous heterobimetallic complexation of trivalent neodymium ion with l-tryptophan and divalent zinc ion in aquated DMF (50%, v/v) at pH 6.0 was recorded at the time interval of 1h. From the observed absorption spectra, the values of intensity parameters such as oscillator strength (P) and Judd-Ofelt intensity (Tλ) parameters, kinetics and thermodynamics parameters were evaluated. The rate constant increases with an increase in the temperature along with the oscillator strengths and Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters. The positive values of the change in the standard enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) indicate that the complexation is endothermic. The negative values of the change in the standard free energy (ΔG°) in the range from 293.15 K to 308.15 K, indicate that the reaction occurs spontaneously and hence the formation of heterobimetallic complex in the solution is favored kinetically and thermodynamically.

Studies on the physico-chemical parameters in water of Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur, India

A study on the physico- chemical parameters of Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) on seasonal basis was carried out for parameters like temperature, pH, transparency, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chloride, hardness, calcium and magnesium at six selected Stations. The temperature ranged from 10.4 to 28 degrees C showing subtropical nature. pH was consistent both spatially and temporally except at one Station where it was alkaline having value ranging from 6.9 to 7.26. There was a trend in dissolved oxygen to be more during cold season. Electrical conductivity ranged between 105.56 to 201 microS cm(-1). It was high during the dry season and low during rainy season. Transparency and turbidity values indicated that in most Stations water was clear and the two parameters were found to be negatively correlated (r = -0.381). Based on the hardness (41 to 78 mg l(-1)), water was soft. Significant negative correlation (r = -0.532) was found between rainfall and hardness. Calcium and magnesium ions were found to be below the prescribed value of WHO. These two parameters were found to be positively correlated with hardness. ANOVA showed a significant variation in the parameters recorded during winter and monsoon season.

Groundwater quality in Imphal West district, Manipur, India, with multivariate statistical analysis of data

The aim of this paper was to analyze the groundwater quality of Imphal West district, Manipur, India, and assess its suitability for drinking, domestic, and agricultural use. Eighteen physico-chemical variables were analyzed in groundwater from 30 different hand-operated tube wells in urban, suburban, and rural areas in two seasons. The data were subjected to uni-, bi-, and multivariate statistical analysis, the latter comprising cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and factor analysis (FA). Arsenic concentrations exceed the Indian standard in 23.3% and the WHO limit in 73.3% of the groundwater sources with only 26.7% in the acceptable range. Several variables like iron, chloride, sodium, sulfate, total dissolved solids, and turbidity are also beyond their desirable limits for drinking water in a number of sites. Sodium concentrations and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) are both high to render the water from the majority of the sources unsuitable for agricultural use. Multivariate statistical techniques, especially varimax rotation of PCA data helped to bring to focus the hidden yet important variables and understand their roles in influencing groundwater quality. Widespread arsenic contamination and high sodium concentration of groundwater pose formidable constraints towards its exploitation for drinking and other domestic and agricultural use in the study area, although urban anthropogenic impacts are not yet pronounced.

Evaluation of intensity and energy interaction parameters for the complexation of Pr(III) with selected nucleoside and nucleotide through absorption spectral studies

The interactions of Pr(III) with nucleosides and nucleotides have been studied in different organic solvents employing absorption difference and comparative absorption spectrophotometry. The magnitudes of the variations in both energy and intensity interaction parameters were used to explore the degree of outer and inner sphere co-ordination, incidence of covalency and the extent of metal 4f-orbital involvement in chemical bonding. Various electronic spectral parameters like Slater-Condon (F(k)), Racah (E(k)), Lande parameter (ξ(4f)), Nephelauxatic ratio (β), bonding (b(1/2)), percentage covalency (δ) and intensity parameters like oscillator strength (P) and Judd Ofelt electronic dipole intensity parameter (T(λ), λ=2,4,6) have been evaluated. The variation of these evaluated parameters were employed to interpret the nature of binding of Pr(III) with different ligands i.e. Adenosine/ATP in presence and absence of Ca(2+).

Studies on the complexation of Pr(III) and Nd(III) with glycyl-glycine (gly-gly) using spectral analysis of 4f-4f transitions and potentiometric titrations

The interaction of gly-gly with Pr(III) and Nd(III) have been studied in different aquated organic solvents like CH(3)OH, CH(3)CN, dioxane and DMF by using 4f-4f transitions spectra. Various energy interaction parameters like Slater Condon (F(k)), Racah (E(k)), Lande (ξ(4f)), nephelauxetic effect (β), bonding (b(1/2)) and percent covalency (δ) parameters have been calculated to explain the nature of complexation. The intensity parameters like oscillator strength (P) and Judd-Ofelt parameters (T(λ), λ=2, 4, 6) also support the mode of binding of gly-gly to metal ions. The results show that Pr(III) and Nd(III) with gly-gly form complexes by ionic linkages with carboxylate anion with weak covalency. The protonation constants and metal-ligand stability constants have also been determined by potentiometric measurements in aqueous medium at different temperatures (290, 300 and 310 K) at constant ionic strength, 0.1 mol dm(-1). The results show the formation of metal-ligand complexes in the stoichiometric ratio 1:1. The stability of complexes is more in Nd(III) complexes as compared to Pr(III) complexes. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) of complexes were also calculated and the negative values of ΔG and ΔH show that the complex reactions are spontaneous and exothermic. The positive values of ΔS indicate high stability of complex reactions which are enthalpy-driven.

Low markers of muscle damage and inflammation following a 3-day trail run

Objectives. To investigate the effect of a 3-day trail run on markersof muscle damage and inflammation in recreational runners.Main outcome measures. Pre-and post-stage and 24-hour and 72-hour post-race concentrations of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), high sensitivity C-reactive Protein (hsCRP), cortisol, cardiac Troponin T (cTnT), and osmolality (sOsm) as well as urinary myoglobin (uMb), changes in body mass, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and thigh circumference (TC) were measured. Continuous recordings of heart rate (HR) and intestinal temperature (Tintest ) were made throughout each stage.Results. Heart rate ranged between 77% and 83% age-predicted maximum (APmax) and Tintest between 36.1 and 40.2ºC during the three stages. Significant rises in mean serum CPK, hsCRP, sOsm and blood neutrophil count reached peak concentrations of 1488U/l, 8.91mg/l, 298mosm/l and 10.21 109/l (p<0.001), respectively. No evidence of elevations in uMb and cTnT were detected. The stage-induced increments in DOMS correlated positively with CPK, r=0.71; 95% CI [0.62, 0.78], TC decreased significantly post S1post and S2post (p<0.05) and a maximum mean body mass loss of 3.09% (±1.04%) occurred during S2.Conclusion. Three consecutive days of 95-km trail running resulted in low markers of muscle damage and inflammation, despite the maintenance of a heart rate above 77% APmax, Tintest rising above 39oC and mean body mass decrement of >2.0%.

Comparative 4f-4f absorption spectral study for the interactions of Nd(III) with some amino acids: Preliminary thermodynamics and kinetic studies of interaction of Nd(III):glycine with Ca(II)

Spectral analysis of Nd(III) complexes with some amino acids viz.; glycine, l-alanine, l-phenylalanine and l-aspartic acid in the presence and absence of Ca(2+) was carried out in some organic solvents; CH(3)OH, CH(3)CN, DMF and dioxane using comparative absorption spectra of 4f-4f transitions. The study was carried out by evaluating various energy interaction parameters like Slator-Condon (F(k)), Lande factor (ξ(4f)), nephelauxetic ratio (β), bonding parameter (b(1/2)), percent-covalency (δ) by applying partial and multiple regression analysis. The values of oscillator strength (P(obs)) and Judd-Ofelt electric dipole intensity parameter T(λ) (λ=2, 4, 6) for different 4f-4f transitions have been calculated. On analysis of the variation of the various energy interaction parameters as well as the changes in the oscillator strength (P(obs)) and T(λ) values, reveal the mode of binding with the different ligands. Kinetic studies for the complexation of Nd(III):glycine:Ca(II) have also been discussed at different temperatures in DMF medium and from it the values of activation energy (E(a)) and thermodynamic parameters like ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG° for the complexation are evaluated.

Studies on the complexation of neodymium(III) ion with 1,2,4-1H-triazole and 1,2,3-benzotriazole in absence and presence of calcium(II) ion in aqueous and some selected different aquated organic solvents by an absorption spectroscopy involving 4f-4f transitions

The absorption spectra of trivalent neodymium ion with 1,2,4-1H-triazole and 1,2,3-benzotriazole in absence and presence of calcium(II) ion in aqueous and some selected different aquated organic solvents have been recorded in the visible and near infrared regions. From the data available in the absorption spectra, various spectroscopic parameters such as Slator-Condon (F(k)), Lande spin-orbit coupling constant (ξ(4f)), nephelauxetic ratio (β), bonding parameter (b(1/2)), percent covalency (δ), oscillator strength (P) and Judd-Ofelt intensity (T(λ)) parameters have been evaluated. The Judd-Ofelt intensity, T(λ) (λ=2, 4, 6) parameters are utilized in evaluating the P(cal) from various excited states of trivalent neodymium ions and ratifying as an inner sphere complexations.

Absorption spectral analysis of 4f-4f transitions for the complexation of Pr(III) and Nd(III) with thiosemicarbazide in absence and presence of Zn(II) in aqueous and organic solvents

The complexation of thiosemicarbazide with Pr(III) and Nd(III) in absence and presence of Zn(II), a soft metal ion in aqueous and organic solvents like CH(3)OH,CH(3)CN, dioxane (C(4)H(8)O(2)) and DMF (C(3)H(7)NO) and their equimolar mixtures are discussed by employing absorption difference and comparative absorption spectrophotometry. Complexation of thiosemicarbazide with Pr(III) and Nd(III) is indicated by the changes in the absorption intensity following the subsequent changes in the oscillator strength of different 4f-4f bands and Judd-Ofelt intensity (T(λ)) parameters. The other spectral parameters like energy interaction parameters namely Slater-Condon (F(k)), Racah (E(k)), Lande (ξ(4f)), Nephelauxetic ratio (β) and bonding parameters (b(1/2)) are further computed to explain the nature of complexation. The difference in the energy parameters with respect to donor atoms and solvents reveal that the chemical environment around the lanthanide ions has great impact on f-f transition and any change in the environment result in modification of the spectra. Various solvents and their equimolar mixtures are also used to discuss the participation of solvents in the complexation.

Comparative absorption spectroscopy involving 4f-4f transitions to explore the kinetics of simultaneous coordination of uracil with Nd(III) and Zn(II) and its associated thermodynamics

The interaction of uracil with Nd(III) has been explored in presence and absence of Zn(II) using the comparative absorption spectroscopy involving the 4f-4f transitions in different solvents. The complexation of uracil with Nd(III) is indicated by the change in intensity of 4f-4f bands expressing in terms of significant change in oscillator strength and Judd-Ofelt parameters. Intensification of this bands became more prominent in presence of Zn(II) suggesting the stimulative effect of Zn(II) towards the complexation of Nd(III) with uracil. Other spectral parameters namely Slator-Condon (F(k)'s), nephelauxetic effect (β), bonding (b(1/2)) and percent covalency (δ) parameters are computed to correlate their simultaneous binding of metal ions with uracil. The sensitivities of the observed 4f-4f transitions towards the minor coordination changes around Nd(III) has been used to monitor the simultaneous coordination of uracil with Nd(III) and Zn(II). The variation of intensities (oscillator strengths and Judd-Ofelt parameters) of 4f-4f bands during the complexation has helped in following the heterobimetallic complexation of uracil. Rate of complexation with respect to hypersensitive transition was evaluated. Energy of activation and thermodynamic parameters for the complexation reaction were also determined.

Absorption spectroscopic probe to investigate the interaction between Nd(III) and calf-thymus DNA

The interaction between Nd(III) and Calf Thymus DNA (CT-DNA) in physiological buffer (pH 7.4) has been studied using absorption spectroscopy involving 4f-4f transition spectra in different aquated organic solvents. Complexation with CT-DNA is indicated by the changes in absorption intensity following the subsequent changes in the oscillator strengths of different 4f-4f bands and Judd-Ofelt intensity (T(λ)) parameters. The other spectral parameters namely Slator-Condon (F(k)'s), nephelauxetic effect (β), bonding (b(1/2)) and percent covalency (δ) parameters are computed to correlate with the binding of Nd(III) with DNA. The absorption spectra of Nd(III) exhibited hyperchromism and red shift in the presence of DNA. The binding constant, K(b) has been determined by absorption measurement. The relative viscosity of DNA decreased with the addition of Nd(III). Thermodynamic parameters have been calculated according to relevant absorption data and Van't Hoff equation. The characterisation of bonding mode has been studied in detail. The results suggested that the major interaction mode between Nd(III) and DNA was external electrostatic binding.

Assessment of Awareness among Clinicians about Concepts in Undergraduate Pharmacology Curriculum: A Novel Cross-sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

In the last 30 years, concepts in pharmacology have moved from Essential Medicines (EM) to P-drugs via the Rational Use of Medicines (RUM), but no structured study has evaluated the level of understanding among working clinicians about these concepts. The present study is designed to fulfill that lacuna.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out in and around the teaching hospitals attached to Medical Colleges, enrolling 504 clinicians from six centers across North India to fill-up a questionnaire containing 25 questions. The results were compiled using percentages and averages.

RESULTS

Only one-fourth of the participants claimed that they always prescribed Essential Medicines; no one could accurately count the number of drugs / drug combinations in the Indian Essential Drug list; only 15.1% of the clinicians used to write the generic names of drugs on a prescription slip; about one-third of the clinicians were not fully aware about the adverse effects, drug interactions, and contraindications of the drugs they prescribed; about 83% of the physicians admitted to rely on information from Medical Representatives (MRs) and the interest in research activities seemed to be lost.

CONCLUSION

Results show a sorry state of affairs among clinicians, as far as the level of understanding about EM, P-drugs, and RUM is concerned, and points toward arranging more continuing medical education (CME) for clinicians regarding these concepts.

Computation of energy interaction parameters as well as electric dipole intensity parameters for the absorption spectral study of the interaction of Pr(III) with l-phenylalanine, l-glycine, l-alanine and l-aspartic acid in the presence and absence of Ca2+ in organic solvents

Studying the absorption difference and comparative absorption spectra of the interaction of Pr(III) and Nd(III) with l-phenylalanine, l-glycine, l-alanine and l-aspartic acid in the presence and absence of Ca(2+) in organic solvents, various energy interaction parameters like Slater-Condon (F(K)), Racah (E(k)), Lande factor (xi(4f)), nephelauxetic ratio (beta), bonding (b(1/2)), percentage-covalency (delta) have been evaluated applying partial and multiple regression analysis. The values of oscillator strength (P) and Judd-Ofelt electric dipole intensity parameter T(lambda) (lambda = 2, 4, 6) for different 4f-4f transitions have been computed. On analysis of the variation of the various energy interaction parameters as well as the changes in the oscillator strength (P) and T(lambda) values reveal the mode of binding with different ligands.

Calculation of electric dipole intensity parameters of 4f-4f transitions of Pr(III) and glutathione reduced (GSH) complex in presence and absence of Zn(II)

Comparative absorption and spectral analysis of 4f-4f transitions of Pr(III) and glutathione reduced (GSH) complex in presence and absence of Zn(II) is carried out in different aquated organic solvents of CH3OH, CH3CN, DMF and dioxane and their equimolar mixtures at different pH (3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0). The values of experimentally calculated oscillator strengths (P) and computed values of Judd-Ofelt electric dipole intensity parameters, Tlambda (lambda=2, 4, 6) are discussed for different 4f-4f transitions in different experimental conditions. The changes in the values of oscillator strengths (P) and Tlambda parameters suggest the specific correlation between relative intensities, ligand structures and nature of interaction of Pr(III) with GSH in the presence and absence of Zn(II).

Calculation of electric dipole intensity parameter to explore some interaction between hard metal ions Pr(III) and Nd(III) with pi-electron density of butene-1,4 and butyne-1,4-diols in non-aqueous solutions: an absorption spectral study

Pr(III) and Nd(III) are hard acceptors in HSAB (hard and soft acid base) sense and hence are known to exhibit practically a little affinity towards electrons. At the same time these metal ions show strong preference for oxygen donor chelating ligands. The ligands chosen for this study are structurally related diols, viz. butane-1,4, butene-1,4 and butyne-1,4-diols which form identical seven membered chelate ring by coordinating to metals in a bidentate manner through oxygen on 1 and 4 positions of the diol molecules. Complexation of these diols with Pr(III) and Nd(III) was carried out in DMF, CH3OH, CH3CN and their equimolar binary mixtures using comparative absorption spectrophotometry of 4f-4f transitions. The variation of oscillator strengths (P) of different 4f-4f bands as well as the magnitude and variation of Judd-Ofelt electric dipole intensity parameters (T lambda, lambda = 2, 4, 6) was discussed. They correlate the interaction between the metal 4f-orbitals of Pr(III) and Nd(III) with the pi-electron densities of the double and triple bonds present in butene-1,4 and butyne-1,4-diols, respectively. The value of empirical intensity parameter [T lambda(complex)/T lambda (aquo)] was calculated and its plot against oscillator strength (P) is drawn.

Comparison of energy interaction parameters for the complexation of Pr(III) with glutathione reduced (GSH) in absence and presence of Zn(II) in aqueous and aquated organic solvents using 4f-4f transition spectra as PROBE

The coordination chemistry of glutathione reduced (GSH) is of great importance as it acts as excellent model system for the binding of metal ions. The GSH complexation with metal ions is involved in the toxicology of different metal ions. Its coordination behaviour for soft metal ions and hard metal ions is found different because of the structure of GSH and its different potential binding sites. In our work we have studied two chemically dissimilar metal ions viz. Pr(III), which prefer hard donor site like carboxylic groups and Zn(II) the soft metal ion which prefer peptide-NH and sulphydryl groups. The absorption difference and comparative absorption spectroscopy involving 4f-4f transitions of the heterobimetallic Complexation of GSH with Pr(III) and Zn(II) has been explored in aqueous and aquated organic solvents. The variation in the energy parameters like Slater-Condon (F(K)), Racah (E(K)) and Lande (xi(4f)), Nephelauxetic parameter (beta) and bonding parameter (b(1/2)) are computed to explain the nature of complexation.

Role of chemoradiation in advanced cervical cancer

A prospective randomized study was conducted in our department of Radiotherapy, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal to evaluating the role of chemoradiation in the management of advanced inoperable cervical cancer (stage IIB-IIIB) taking only radiation treatment as control spanning the period 1996-1999. Of the fifty patients accumulated in the study group, three patients did not complete treatment, one expired due to other causes and three were lost to follow up. Likewise, of the forty-six patients in the control group, one patient did not complete treatment and 4 were lost to follow up. Thus only 43 and 41 patients were available for the result analysis for the study and control groups respectively. The early treatment response as assessed after two months of treatment conclusion were 79.1%, 13.9%, 93.0% and 58.5%, 31.7%, 90.2% as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and total response (TR) respectively for the study and control groups. Our patients included in this study had a median follow up of 35 months and 33 months for study and control groups respectively. For this follow up, the disease-free survival, survival with disease and overall survival were 67.4%, 7.0%, 74.4% and 43.9%, 12.2%, 56.1% for study and control groups respectively. There was an increase in early side-effects in the chemoradiation group but the difference was not significant. Because of the early side effects, treatment delays ensued in 7 patients (16.3%) and in 3 patients (7.3%) in the study and control groups respectively. There was no significant increase in the late treatment toxicities in both the groups.

Extending cardiac allograft ischemic time and donor age: effect on survival and long-term cardiac function

Of 219 heart transplant patients with follow up for at least 3 months after transplantation, cardiac allograft ischemic time was more than 4 hours in 28% and more than 5 hours in 10%. In 1988 and 1989 grafts with ischemic times longer than 4 hours were used in 44% and 45% of cases, respectively. Overall, donor age has been 35 or more years in 22% and 45 or more in 9%. In 1989 donor age was 35 or more years in 39% of cases and 45 or more in 18%. Fifteen of 20 grafts from donors 45 years or older were used for patients aged 50 or older. There was no relationship between donor age or ischemic time and 90-day graft loss. At 3 and 12 months, cardiac function, assessed by treadmill exercise duration, radionuclide angiography, and rest and peak supine exercise hemodynamics, was also unrelated to donor age or ischemic time. Therefore by careful selection of appropriate donors, extending both graft ischemic time and donor age has increased the potential donor pool and has not to date been associated with increased graft loss or adverse effects on cardiac function 3 months and 1 year after heart transplantation.

Cardiac allograft ischemic time. Relation to graft survival and cardiac function

Organ donor scarcity has resulted in an increasing number of long-distance cardiac allograft procurements. The effect on short-term (90-day) survival and cardiac function was assessed in a consecutive series of 167 heart transplants performed between April 1981 and July 1988. During that time, total allograft ischemic time was more than 4 hours in 22% of cases and more than 5 hours in 7%. In 1988, total ischemic times have been more than 4 hours in 38% of cases. Ninety-day graft loss (any cause) was 11% for ischemic times 0-120 minutes, 27% for ischemic times 121-240 minutes, 17% for ischemic times 241-300 minutes, and 0% for ischemic times greater than 300 minutes. In 107 patients who survived 3 months, cardiac function was assessed at 1 week by resting hemodynamics and at 3 months by treadmill testing (Bruce protocol), supine rest and exercise radionuclide angiography, and supine rest and exercise right-heart hemodynamics. Treadmill exercise duration was similar in the four groups of patients. Resting ejection fraction was also not different among the groups. Exercise ejection fraction did not rise in the group with ischemic times greater than 3 hours, but the difference did not achieve statistical significance. Resting right atrial pressure was not different among groups at 1 week and decreased significantly in all groups at 3 months. During supine exercise, right atrial pressure rose markedly in each group but was not different among groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Frequency of angiographic detection and quantitative assessment of coronary arterial disease one and three years after cardiac transplantation

The reported high incidence of coronary atherosclerosis in many transplant series led us to critically review our experience in 83 patients who have had selective coronary angiography at greater than or equal to 1 years after transplantation. Angiograms were reviewed for evidence of coronary vascular disease, and quantitative analysis of multiple coronary artery segments was performed in serial films. Qualitative analysis revealed only 3 of 83 patients with any angiographic abnormality at follow-up, 1 with minimal luminal irregularities in the right coronary artery at 1 year, a second with a 50% diameter stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery and minimal irregularity of the proximal circumflex artery at 1 year and a third patient who developed a new 30% diameter eccentric proximal right coronary artery stenosis at 3-year follow-up. The cumulative incidence of graft vascular disease assessed angiographically was therefore 2% at 1 year and 4% at 3 years. Quantitative analysis, however, showed a significant decrease in coronary artery luminal diameter over time. The mean left main coronary artery diameter decreased from 5.4 +/- 0.9 mm at 1 year to 4.7 +/- 0.8 mm at 3 years (p = 0.0007).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)