Mechano-regulation by clathrin pit-formation and passive cholesterol-dependent tubules during de-adhesion

Adherent cells ensure membrane homeostasis during de-adhesion by various mechanisms, including endocytosis. Although mechano-chemical feedbacks involved in this process have been studied, the step-by-step build-up and resolution of the mechanical changes by endocytosis are poorly understood. To investigate this, we studied the de-adhesion of HeLa cells using a combination of interference reflection microscopy, optical trapping and fluorescence experiments. We found that de-adhesion enhanced membrane height fluctuations of the basal membrane in the presence of an intact cortex. A reduction in the tether force was also noted at the apical side. However, membrane fluctuations reveal phases of an initial drop in effective tension followed by saturation. The area fractions of early (Rab5-labelled) and recycling (Rab4-labelled) endosomes, as well as transferrin-labelled pits close to the basal plasma membrane, also transiently increased. On blocking dynamin-dependent scission of endocytic pits, the regulation of fluctuations was not blocked, but knocking down AP2-dependent pit formation stopped the tension recovery. Interestingly, the regulation could not be suppressed by ATP or cholesterol depletion individually but was arrested by depleting both. The data strongly supports Clathrin and AP2-dependent pit-formation to be central to the reduction in fluctuations confirmed by super-resolution microscopy. Furthermore, we propose that cholesterol-dependent pits spontaneously regulate tension under ATP-depleted conditions.

Advanced technologies for the determination of quantitative structure-activity relationships and degradation efficiency of micropollutants and their removal in water - A review

The growing concentrations of micropollutants in aquatic ecosystems are a global water quality issue. Understanding micropollutants varied chemical composition and potency is essential to solving this complex issue. Micropollutants management requires identifying contaminants to reduce, optimal reduction targets, and the best wastewater recycling locations. Management requires appropriate technological measures. Pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, hormones, and other micropollutants can enter the aquatic environment from point and diffuse sources, with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) distributing them in urban areas. Micropollutants like pharmaceuticals and hormones may not be removed by conventional WWTPs. Micropollutants affect the EU, especially in densely populated areas where surface water is consumed. This review examines several technological options that can be integrated into existing treatment methods to address this issue. In this work, oxidation, activated carbon, and their combinations as potential solutions, considering their efficacy and cost were evaluated. This study illuminates micropollutants origin and physico-chemical properties, which affect distribution, persistence, and environmental impacts. Understanding these factors helps us develop targeted micropollutant mitigation strategies to protect water quality. This review can inform policy and decision-making to reduce micropollutant impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Advanced biofuel production, policy and technological implementation of nano-additives for sustainable environmental management - A critical review

This review article critically evaluates the significance of adopting advanced biofuel production techniques that employ lignocellulosic materials, waste biomass, and cutting-edge technology, to achieve sustainable environmental stewardship. Through the analysis of conducted research and development initiatives, the study highlights the potential of these techniques in addressing the challenges of feedstock supply and environmental impact and implementation policies that have historically plagued the conventional biofuel industry. The integration of state-of-the-art technologies, such as nanotechnology, pre-treatments and enzymatic processes, has shown considerable promise in enhancing the productivity, quality, and environmental performance of biofuel production. These developments have improved conversion methods, feedstock efficiency, and reduced environmental impacts. They aid in creating a greener and sustainable future by encouraging the adoption of sustainable feedstocks, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerating the shift to cleaner energy sources. To realize the full potential of these techniques, continued collaboration between academia, industry representatives, and policymakers remains essential.

Resource potential mapping of bifacial photovoltaic systems in India

Bifacial photovoltaic is one of the technologies that can spearhead Indian ambitions to achieve the 7th United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Nationally Determined Contributions of COP 26. But, like all emerging technology, the lack of awareness and unavailability of extensive data, like technology potential maps that could aid people in identifying the advantages of newer technologies, has led to sluggish growth in the Indian market. To expedite the growth of bifacial PV in the Indian market, optimized resource potential maps of bifacial PV were developed from an experimentally validated view factor-based bifacial PV model. The annual average bifacial gain was found to vary between 2.5% and 22% at various locations in India. The effect of ground albedo and height of installation was also studied. Furthermore, the annual and seasonal power out of bifacial PV was higher than monofacial PV at any location in India.

The National List of Essential Medicines of India 2022 (NLEM 2022): Tommy, Toe the Line

India recently released its fifth National List of Essential Medicines 2022 (NLEM 2022). A critical analysis of the list was performed and was compared with the WHO 22nd Model List of Essential Medicines published in 2021. The Standing National Committee, since its inception, have taken four years to finalise a list. The analysis identified that all the available formulations and strengths of the selected drugs are included in the list, which must be avoided. Furthermore, the antibacterial agents are not categorised as access, watch and reserve (AWaRe) and this list is not aligned with the national programs, standard treatment guidelines and nomenclature. There are a few factual errors and some typographic errors. These problems in the list need to be rectified immediately so that the document would be able to serve the community more effectively as a true model list.

Comparison of Occlusal Digital Analysis Using T-Scan in Orthognathic Surgery with Only Conventional Orthodontic Patients

Aim and Objectives

The aims of this study were to compare the changes in occlusal parameters, TMJ status clinically in patients after the completion of orthognathic surgery, and patients undergoing only orthodontic treatment and with patients having normal occlusion, using T-Scan.

Methodology

This prospective controlled clinical trial, consisting of three groups with a sample size of twelve. Group 1 consisted of patients who underwent orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment. Group 2 consists of patients who underwent only orthodontic treatment (camouflage). Clinical examination of the patient (TMJ and Occlusal status) and T-Scan was performed at the time of debonding of the orthodontic brackets, 6 months and 1-year after first evaluation for group 1 and 2 patients.

Results

The collected data between groups are compared and interpreted. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA/IC version 16.1 statistical software. Intragroup comparison for the study variables occlusion time, disocclusion time and maximum bite force between different time periods (T1, T2, T3) for all the three intervention groups using repeated measures. Hypothesis testing for maximum bite force, occlusion time and disocclusion time in orthognathic group (Group 1) as compared to orthodontic group (Group 2) for three different time periods using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni test showed P value < 0.05 which is statistically significant.

Conclusion

In conclusion, evaluation of occlusion using T-Scan give us an insight of the discrepancies in occlusion which is useful during pre-operative planning and especially in the post-operative follow-up period during the retention phase. Examination of TMJ in these patients at various intervals is necessary as any minor occlusal disturbances may lead to TMJ disorders.

Recent advances in carbon-based nanomaterials for the treatment of toxic inorganic pollutants in wastewater

Wastewater contains inorganic pollutants, generated by industrial and domestic sources, such as heavy metals, antibiotics, and chemical pesticides, and these pollutants cause many environmental problems.

Origin, transport and ecological risk assessment of illicit drugs in the environment - A review

Illicit drugs are a novel group of emerging pollutants. A growing global environmental load and ecological risk is created by the ongoing release of these toxins into the environment. Conventional water processing plants fail to completely remove drugs of abuse from both surface water and wastewater. The origin, environmental fate and ecological repercussions of illicit drugs, despite their detection in surface waterways around the world, are not well understood. In this review, illicit drug detections in potable water, surface water and wastewater globally have been studied during the past 15 years in order to establish a baseline for future years. The most common drugs with abuse potential detected in different sources of potable and surface water were methadone (0.12-22.7 ng/L), cocaine (0.05-506.6 ng/L), benzoylecgonine (0.07-1019 ng/L), amphetamine (1.4-342.6 ng/L), and codeine (0.002-42 ng/L). The bulk of research only looked at a small number of drugs of abuse, indicating that despite widespread use, a large spectrum of these intoxicants has yet to be detected. This review focuses on the origin of illicit drug contaminants in water bodies, air, and soil, their persistence in the environment, and the typical concentrations at which they occur in the environment. The impact of these drugs on aquatic organisms like Elliptio complanata mussels, crayfish and zebrafish has also been reviewed.

Carbon-based nanomaterial intervention and efficient removal of various contaminants from effluents - A review

Water treatment is a worldwide issue. This review aims to present current problems and future challenges in water treatments with the existing methodologies. Carbon nanotube production, characterization, and prospective uses have been the subject of considerable and rigorous research around the world. They have a large number of technical uses because of their distinct physical characteristics. Various catalyst materials are used to make carbon nanotubes. This review's primary focus is on integrated and single-treatment technologies for all kinds of drinking water resources, including ground and surface water. Inorganic non-metallic matter, heavy metals, natural organic matter, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, disinfection by-products and microbiological pollutants are among the contaminants that these treatment systems can remediate in polluted drinking water resources. Significant advances in the antibacterial and adsorption capabilities of carbon-based nanomaterials have opened up new options for excluding organic/inorganic and biological contaminants from drinking water in recent years. The advancements in multifunctional nanocomposites synthesis pave the possibility for their use in enhanced wastewater purification system design. The adsorptive and antibacterial characteristics of six main kinds of carbon nanomaterials are single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, fullerene and single-walled carbon nanohorns. This review potentially addressed the essential metallic and polymeric nanocomposites, are described and compared. Barriers to use these nanoparticles in long-term water treatment are also discussed.

Microstructural evidence of reversal of PCOS by steroidal saponins of asparagus racemosus in PCOS induced rats

The purpose of this study is to investigate the histological and hormonal observations in fructose-fed, letrozole-induced polycysticovarian- syndrome (PCOS) rats treated with various doses of extract of asparagus racemosus (EAR) and Steroidal saponin (SAPO). 48 female Wistar albino rats were divided into 8 groups, including Vehicle Control (VC); PCOS; EAR 400 mg/kg; SAPO 40 mg/kg; PCOS + EAR 200 mg/kg; PCOS + EAR 400 mg/kg; PCOS + SAPO 20 mg/ kg; PCOS + SAPO 40 mg/kg. PCOS group was administered letrozole at a concentration of 1 mg/kg dissolved in 1% CMC per oral(p.o.) once daily for 28 days. Along with these, rats were allowed free access of 10% fructose solution daily. Calculated dosages of EAR and SAPO were given with oral gavage for 30 days. During experimental period, vaginal smears were collected daily for estrus cycle determination. Rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for hormonal assay. Ovaries were removed to proceed with histopathological study. Slides were stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stains. When compared to the vehicle control group, PCOS ovaries had a higher incidence of ovarian cysts, incomplete luteinization, and a lower number of corpus lutea. Although serum estradiol, progesterone, and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were lower in the PCOS group, testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were higher. The findings of this study indicated that taking EAR 400 mg/kg and SAPO 40mg/kg orally could alleviate PCOS-related symptoms. It appears that consuming SAPO 40mg/kg reduces LH and testosterone levels while increasing FSH, estrogen, and progesterone hormone levels. Because of the hormonal balancing nature of these drugs, EAR 400mg/kg- and SAPO 40mg/ kg-treated rats had a lower number of cystic follicles and a higher number of corpora lutea. In PCOS rats, this results in a normal process of folliculogenesis and ovulation. In the current study, we observed that SAPO 40mg/kg is better compared to EAR 400mg/kg treatment.

Recent advances in biogas production using Agro-Industrial Waste: A comprehensive review outlook of Techno-Economic analysis

Agrowaste sources can be utilized to produce biogas by anaerobic digestion reaction. Fossil fuels have damaged the environment, while the biogas rectifies the issues related to the environment and climate change problems. Techno-economic analysis of biogas production is followed by nutrient recycling, reducing the greenhouse gas level, biorefinery purpose, and global warming effect. In addition, biogas production is mediated by different metabolic reactions, the usage of different microorganisms, purification process, upgrading process and removal of CO₂ from the gas mixture techniques. This review focuses on pre-treatment, usage of waste, production methods and application besides summarizing recent advancements in biogas production. Economical, technical, environmental properties and factors affecting biogas production as well as the future perspective of bioenergy are highlighted in the review. Among all agro-industrial wastes, sugarcane straw produced 94% of the biogas. In the future, to overcome all the problems related to biogas production and modify the production process.

Removal of nanoplastics in water treatment processes: A review

Nanoplastics are drawing a significant attention as a result of their propensity to spread across the environment and pose a threat to all organisms. The presence of nanoplastics in water is given attention nowadays as the transit of nanoplastics occurs through the aquatic ecosphere besides terrestrial mobility. The principal removal procedures for macro-and micro-plastic particles are effective, but nanoparticles escape from the treatment, increasing in the water and significantly influencing the society. This critical review is aimed to bestow the removal technologies of nanoplastics from aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on the treatment of freshwater, drinking water, and wastewater, as well as the importance of transit and its impact on health concerns. Still, there exists a gap in providing a collective knowledge on the methods available for nanoplastics removal. Hence, this review offered various nanoplastic removal technologies (microorganism-based degradation, membrane separation with a reactor, and photocatalysis) that could be the practical/effective measures along with the traditional procedures (filtration, coagulation, centrifugation, flocculation, and gravity settling). From the analyses of different treatment systems, the effectiveness of nanoplastics removal depends on various factors, source, size, and type of nanoplastics apart from the treatment method adopted. Combined removal methods, filtration with coagulation offer great scope for the removal of nanoplastics from drinking water with >99 % efficiency. The collected data could serve as base-line information for future research and development in water nanoplastics cleanup.

Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment in Post-Covid Patients: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Aims: To compare the impact of covid-19 infection and its associated factors among various domains of quality of life (general health (GH), physical health (PH), mental health, and pain). To determine the variation and it’s contributing factors to the quality of life (QoL). To identify the most common persisting symptoms after covid-19 infection. Study Design: Cross-sectional community based online survey. Place and Duration of Study: Community-based online survey done for a period of 6 months (March 2021- September 2021) among patients who recovered from covid-19. Methodology: A validated self-made questionnaire with informed consent was used to gather information on the patient’s demographics (age, gender, educational qualification, occupation, marital status, and risk factors) covid-19 details (vaccination, severity, and hospitalization details), persisting symptoms, andHealth Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). The HRQoL questions with scored options were framed under four domains general health, physical health, mental health, and pain. A convenient sample of 120 participants was included in our study. Results: The median and inter-quartile ranges were used to describe the HRQoL score. For normal data, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) was used to investigate the relationship between the dependent and independent variables.MLR results demonstrated that risk factors, severity, and length of hospital stay were negatively associated with QoL. For non-normal data, the Kruskal Wallis test (KWT) and Mann Whitney U (MWU) test were used to compare the effect of covid-19 and its associated factors among various domains of HRQoL. KWT and MWT showed that the ability to perform physical activity was highly impaired in most post-covid patients. Cough, myalgia, arthralgia, and headache were the significant persisting symptoms of covid-19, reported by our participants. IBM SPSS software version 28.0 was used for statistical analysis. Conclusion: We conclude that health care intervention is needed to manage persisting symptoms and to improve HRQoL.

Advances in bioremediation of emerging contaminants from industrial wastewater by oxidoreductase enzymes

The bioremediation of emerging recalcitrant pollutants in wastewater via enzyme biotechnology has been evolving as cost-effective with an input of low-energy technological approach. However, the enzyme based bioremediation technology is still not fully developed at a commercial level. The oxidoreductases being the domineering biocatalysts are promising candidates for wastewater treatments. Henceforth, comprehending their global market and biotransformation efficacy is mandatory for establishing these techno-economic bio-enzymes in commercial scale. The biocatalytic strategy can be established as a combinatorial approach with existing treatment technology to achieve towering bioremediation and effective removal of emerging pollutants from wastewater. This review provides a novel insight on the toxicological xenobiotics released from industries such as paper and pulps, soap and detergents, pharmaceuticals, textiles, pesticides, explosives and aptitude of peroxidases, nitroreductase and cellobiose dehydrogenase in their bio-based treatment. Moreover, the review comprehensively covers environmental relevance of wastewater pollution and the critical challenges based on remediation achieved through biocatalysts for future prospectives.

Graphene oxide-based nanomaterials for the treatment of pollutants in the aquatic environment: Recent trends and perspectives - A review

Graphene oxide can be used to store energy, as electrodes and purify industrial and domestic wastewater as photocatalysts and adsorbents because of its remarkable thermal, electrical, and chemical capabilities. Toward understanding graphene oxide (GO) based nanomaterials considering the background factors, the present review study investigated their characteristics, preparation methods, and characterization processes. The removal of contaminants from wastewater has recently been a focus of attention for materials based on GO. Progress in GO synthesis and surface modification has shown that they can be used to immobilize enzymes. It is possible to immobilize enzymes with varying characteristics on graphene-oxide-based substrates without sacrificing their functioning, thus developing a new environmental remediation platform utilizing nano biocatalysts. GO doping and co-doping with a variety of heterogeneous semiconductor-based metal oxides were included in a brief strategy for boosting GO efficiency. A high band-gap material was also explored as a possibility for immobilization, which shifts the absorption threshold to the visible range and increases photoactivity. For water treatment applications, graphene-based nanomaterials were used in Fenton reactions, photocatalysis, ozonation, photo electrocatalysis, photo-Fenton, and a combination of photon-Fenton and photocatalysis. Nanoparticles made from GO improved the efficiency of composite materials when used for their intended applications. As a result of the analysis, prospects and improvements are clear, especially when it comes to scaling up GO-based wastewater treatment technologies.

Enhanced biogas production from food waste and activated sludge using advanced techniques - A review

Biogas generation using food waste anaerobic co-digestion with activated sludge provides a cleaner addressable system, an excellent solution to global challenges, the increasing energy demands, fuel charges, pollution and wastewater treatment. Regardless of the anaerobic digestate end product values, the technology lacks efficiency and process instability due to substrate irregularities. Process parameters and substrate composition, play a vital role in the efficiency and outcome of the system. Intrinsic biochar properties such as pore size, specific surface properties and cation exchange capacity make it an ideal additive that enriches microbial functions and enhances anaerobic digestion. The pretreatment and co-digestion of food waste and activated sludge are found to be significant for efficient biogas generation. The advantages, drawbacks, limitations, and technical improvements are covered extensively in the present review besides the recent advancement in the anaerobic digestion system.

Assessment of prescribing pattern of drugs and completeness of prescriptions as per the World Health Organization prescribing indicators in various Indian tertiary care centers: A multicentric study by Rational Use of Medicines Centers-Indian Council of Medical Research network under National Virtual Centre Clinical Pharmacology activity

OBJECTIVE

The rational use of medicines as per the World Health Organization (WHO) should be practiced globally. However, data regarding the completeness of the prescriptions and their rational use is lacking from developing countries like India. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prescribing patterns of drugs and completeness of prescriptions as per WHO core drug use and complementary indicators to provide real-life examples for the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) online prescribing skill course for medical graduates.

METHODS

Prescriptions of the patients, fulfilling inclusion criteria, attending Outpatient Departments of various specialties of tertiary care hospitals, were collected by thirteen ICMR Rational use of medicines centers located in tertiary care hospitals, throughout India. Prescriptions were evaluated for rational use of medicines according to the WHO guidelines and for appropriateness as per standard treatment guidelines using a common protocol approved by local Ethics committees.

RESULTS

Among 4838 prescriptions, an average of about three drugs (3.34) was prescribed to the patients per prescription. Polypharmacy was noted in 83.05% of prescriptions. Generic drugs were prescribed in 47.58% of the prescriptions. Further, antimicrobials were prescribed in 17.63% of the prescriptions and only 4.98% of prescriptions were with injectables. During the prescription evaluation, 38.65% of the prescriptions were incomplete due to multiple omissions such as dose, duration, and formulation.

CONCLUSION

Most of the parameters in the present study were out of the range of WHO-recommended prescribing indicators. Therefore, effective intervention program, like training, for the promotion of rational drug use practice was recommended to improve the prescribing pattern of drugs and the quality of prescriptions all over the country.

Periodontal heath in first trimester of pregnancy and birth weight outcomes

Introduction

The oral microbiome is influenced by numerous immediate environmental factors including pH, anaerobic conditions, nutrition, and hormone levels. During pregnancy, due to the associated hormonal changes, periodontal tissues show an enhanced inflammatory response to plaque microbiome. This is mediated by female sex hormones that are drastically altered in pregnancy. This study was undertaken to estimate the association of birth weight and the influence of the oral periodontal health in pregnant women in Chennai, South India and correlate the same with education and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

This was a controlled, minimal interventional, prospective, observational study to identify the relationship of gingival health in the first trimester of pregnancy and on birth weight. Potential participants were referred by health-care providers. Pregnant women (≥18 years and ≤25 years) in the first trimester were enrolled for this study.

Results

: Of the 165 pregnant women, 121 pregnant women formed the study group.

Conclusion

It was found that low birth weight could be a consequence of several modifiable and non-modifiable factors. This study shows the association of oral health of the mother in the first trimester with low birth weight. The findings of this study need to be confirmed with a large-scale, multi-centric study accounting for all known confounders. Till such a study is performed, the need for optimal oral health of an expectant mother cannot be discounted and there is no absolute harm in having good oral hygiene.

Decreasing medication errors in four intensive care units of a tertiary care teaching hospital in India using a sensitization programme

Background

Medication errors have an adverse impact on the healthcare system by increasing patient morbidity and mortality. They are preventable, and educational or technology-based interventions are needed to reduce their prevalence and improve medication safety. We aimed to study the impact of a sensitization programme and a blame-free reporting tool for doctors and nurses on the prevalence and reporting of medication errors in the intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods

This prospective interventional study was conducted in the ICUs of cardiology, medicine, paediatrics and neonatology. Baseline medication errors were detected by prescription order review and direct observation of administration of medication for 30 days. A sensitization programme was conducted for doctors and nurses in these ICUs, the results were discussed, and a blame-free medication error reporting tool was introduced. Medication charts were modified to remove the transcription process in the cardiology and paediatrics ICUs. The follow-up study was conducted for 30 days in each ICU to monitor the impact of the sensitization programme.

Results

The prevalence of medication errors was found to be 334.1/1000 patient observation days. Prescription errors were the most common types of errors at 129.1/1000 patient observation days. The interventions significantly reduced the error rate in all four ICUs. The overall number of prescriptions with errors was reduced from 9.1% (177/1944) to 3.5% (48/1373) and no medication error was reported using the tool.

Conclusion

The sensitization programme on medication errors for doctors and nurses may be effective in improving medication safety. The impact was more pronounced in prescription errors. Reporting of medication errors did not improve in this study despite the introduction of a blame-free reporting tool.

Screening of Weight-Loss Herbal Products for Synthetic Anti-Obesity Adulterants: A Target-Oriented Analysis by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

BACKGROUND

The medical and social impact of being overweight, as well as the difficulty in making long-term changes in diet, physical activity, and pitfalls associated with allopathic management, lure obese individuals to over-the-counter weight-loss herbal products (WHPs). However, the safety of herbals is questionable, as reports from all over the world suggest adulteration with synthetic weight loss agents. Objective: The present study was carried out to develop a rapid and sensitive method to screen potential weight loss adulterants in WHPs. Methodology: We procured 33 licensed brands of WHPs that are available in Puducherry (India) and through web stores. Drug-free spiked herbal matrices were used for internal proficiency testing. Spiked herbal matrices and samples were extracted and centrifuged. The supernatant was collected and subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses. Isocratic elution was carried out by the mobile phase of methanol: 0.1% v/v formic acid (70%:30% v/v) through a C₁₈ column. Analytes were monitored in electrospray ionization positive and negative modes, and an multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scan was used. Results: Run time was 12 min. Intra- and inter-day precision was < 15% and recoveries were in the range of 99% to 115%. Limit of quantification (LOQ) of the analytes were in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 ng/ml. Conclusion: We developed a sensitive and rapid validated method for the detection of potential adulterants in WHPs. None of the WHPs analyzed were found to contain adulterants. The proposed method will be useful for routine monitoring. WHPs analyzed in this study were not adulterated indicating that WHPs from licensed sources are reliable.

Oral versus topical tamoxifen in cyclical mastalgia-A randomized controlled trial

Mastalgia affects premenopausal in which cyclical mastalgia affects up to 40% of women. In approximately 8% of these women, pain will be severe and interfere with their normal activities. oral tamoxifen widely used in the treatment of mastalgia is associated with a wide range of side effects. Topical tamoxifen has the potential to be a more efficacious and safer alternative with lower blood drug levels hence having lower systemic side effects. To compare reduction in the pain, nodularity and blood drug levels of tamoxifen using topical verus oral tamoxifen in cyclical mastalgia. Patients who presented to the surgery outpatient department with complaints of breast pain were provided with a breast pain evaluation questionnaire. Patients were randomized using a computer generated sequence into two groups with 75 participants in each group. In Group 1, the participants received topical tamoxifen gel and a placebo tablet for 3 months, and in Group 2, the participants received Oral Tab Tamoxifen 10 mg OD and a placebo gel for 3 months. They were provided with a Cardiff Breast Pain assessment chart and asked to mark the severity of their pain and response to treatment in the following month and asked to report to the investigator. Patients were called for review every month, and the pain chart was monitored and documented. The response to therapy (relief of pain) was assessed after 3 months of treatment and once more at the end of 6 months for recurrence. After completion of 1 month of treatment, blood sample was drawn to check for the blood drug levels. There is a significant difference of mean pain score between oral and topical tamoxifen groups (P < .001) at the end of 1 month, 3 months (P < .001), and 6 months (P < .001). There is a significant difference in the Nodularity found between oral and topical groups at presentation (P = .004), at 1 month (P = .003) and at 6 months (P < .001). There is a significant difference of mean blood tamoxifen level (ng/mL) in oral and topical tamoxifen groups (P < .001). From this study, we conclude that topical tamoxifen is more effective than oral tamoxifen treatment in reducing cyclical breast pain and decreasing breast nodularity with lesser side effects and lower recurrence rates.

Screening of herbal medicines for potential allopathic antidiabetic adulterants: An analytical study

Background:

There are several reports worldwide on adulteration of herbal medicines (HMs) with allopathic drugs. In India, only a few studies have reported adulteration of HMs with antidiabetics and there are no systematic studies.

Aims:

To develop a rapid and validated method for detection of allopathic antidiabetic adulterants and to explore the extent of adulteration in HMs sold in South India.

Materials and Methods:

Standards and solvents were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Different brands of antidiabetic HM samples with manufacturing licenses were procured from dispensaries. Spiked drug free psyllium husk as solid and flask seed oil as liquid herbal matrices were used for method development. The spiked matrices with different concentrations were extracted with methanol and subjected to centrifugation. The supernatant was collected and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Isocratic elution was carried on a C18 column with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid:methanol (3:7, v/v) as a mobile phase. All drugs were monitored for two ion products in positive electrospray ionization mode using multiple reaction monitoring scans.

Results:

The retention time was 9 min. Limit of detection is 10 Pictograms (pg) for all analytes except for metformin, which was 370 pg. Recoveries of analytes range from 96% to 117%. Forty different brands of antidiabetic HMs were analyzed. Adulterant peaks were not observed in the mass chromatograms of HMs.

Conclusions:

A single-run method was developed by LC-MS/MS for the detection of proposed antidiabetics in HMs from licensed manufacturing units and online sold HMs across herbal dispensaries in Puducherry union territory, India. None of the HMs was found to be adulterated with proposed allopathic antidiabetic adulterants.

A Modulation Technique for Sensorless Control of Switched Reluctance Motor

The switched reluctance motor (SRM) uniquely bears several merits with respect to other motor configurations. Especially, the construction of the rotor is simple in the sense that it neither contains copper not contains permanent magnets. Because of this construction, likelihood of rotor’s failure is less than the other motor configurations. This makes this motor more suitable for harsh environments. On the flip side, this motor cannot directly operate with AC or DC power source and needs electronic commutation. For commutation, the information on instantaneous orientation of the rotor is essential. Since inclusion of appropriate sensor adds to the cost and complexity of the system, sensor-less commutation of SRM gained interest among the researchers and has been studied extensively in literature. The techniques for sensorless control of SRM can be broadly classified into Active phase and Idle phase techniques. Idle phase techniques are generally believed to be not suitable for high speed operation beause of tail current in a phase, i.e., because of inductive nature of the phase, it takes time for flow of current to stop. This paper proposes a novel idle phase technique that is conducive for high speed operation of switched reluctance motor.

A facile synthesis of 1,3-diphenyl-4-arylspiro[pyrazoline-5, 3′-flavan-4′-one]

Synthesis of a series of novel 1,3-diphenyl-4-arylspiro[pyrazoline–5,3′-flavan-4′-ones] has been accomplished in good yields by the regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of diphenylnitrilimine with (E) 3-benzylideneflavan-4-ones.

Field evaluation of Bacillus cereus VCRC B540 for mosquitocidal activity - A new report

A major challenge to control the vector mosquitoes and their diseases. The discovery of bacteria like Bacillus sphaericus Neide (Bs) and B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis de Barjac (Bti), which are highly toxic to dipterans larvae, have opened up the possibility of their use as potential bio-larvicides in mosquito eradication programmes the world over. These bacteria have some important advantages over conventional insecticides in mosquito control operations, besides being safe for non-target organisms including human beings. But, the recent researchers have been reported mosquito resistant against these biological agents. Bacillus cereus VCRC B540 is one of the most potential bio-pesticides which were isolated from the gut contents of the marine fish (Lutjanuas sanguineus) collected in east coastal zone of the Bay of Bengal (Union Territory of Pondicherry, India) to control Culex, Anopheles and followed by Aedes species. The isolated strain was confirmed as Bacillus cereus based on the biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA gene sequence. The larvicidal activity of B. cereus VCRC B540 was further characterized.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy with obesity for elective cesarean section: Anesthetic management and brief review of the literature

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is an autosomal recessive disorder in which the pelvic or shoulder girdle musculature is predominantly or primarily involved. We report the management of a 27-year-old primigravida with LGMD associated with obesity posted for elective cesarean section. She was successfully managed with epidural anesthesia assisted with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. She had an uncomplicated intra- and post-operative course.

Preparation and Thermo-Physical Properties of Fe2O3-Propylene Glycol Nanofluids

Iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles were prepared from ferric chloride and ferrous sulphate by precipitation reaction. Fe2O3-propylene glycol nanofluid was prepared by dispersing Fe2O3 nanoparticles in propylene glycol through stirred bead milling, shear homogenization and probe ultrasonication. The nanofluid was characterized through measurement of viscosity, particle size distribution and thermal conductivity. The interactions between Fe2O3 nanoparticles and propylene glycol on the nanoparticle surfaces lead to reduction in viscosity, the magnitude of which increases with nanoparticle concentration (0-2 vol%) at room temperature. The thermal conductivity enhancement for 2 vol% nanofluid was about 21% at room temperature, with liquid layering being the major contributor for thermal conductivity enhancement.