Anthracene benzene conjugate (ABC): An asymmetric Schiff base for the selective detection of Ag+ ion using fluorimetry and its applications

Anthracene based chemosensor ABC has been synthesized and characterized through ¹H, ¹³C NMR, mass spectral studies. UV absorption and emission studies performed to identify the sensing behavior of chemosensor ABC. The probe ABC, originally bright fluorescent, selectively sense Ag⁺ ion by the quenching the fluorescence intensity through a "Switch On-off" process and quench the fluorescence due to the heavy atom effect interaction with the free chemosensor. The binding constant of the probe ABC with Ag⁺ was calculated as 5.4 × 10⁴ M^-1 and the limit of detection upto 1.4 nM level. The practical utilization of the probe ABC was demonstrated by applying to the real water and soil sample analysis, latent finger print, and the sensor as a fluorescent ink.

Novel Synthesis and Characterization Studies of Spinel Nix Co1-x Al₂O₄ (x = 0.0 to 1.0) Nano-Catalysts for the Catalytic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

Ni-doped cobalt aluminate NixCo1-xAl2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) spinel nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a simple microwave combustion method using urea as the fuel and as well as reducing agent. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was confirmed the formation of single phase, cubic spinel cobalt-nickel aluminate structure without any other impurities. Average crystallite sizes of the samples were found to be in the range of 18.93 nm to 21.47 nm by Scherrer's formula. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectral analysis was confirmed the corresponding functional groups of the M-O, Al-O and M-Al-O (M = Co and Ni) bonds of spinel NixCo1-xAl2O4 structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images was confirmed the particle like nanostructured morphology. Energy band gap (Eg) value was calculated using UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and the Eg values increased with increasing Ni2+ dopant from x = 0.2 (3.58 eV) to x = 1.0 (4.15 eV). Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements exposed that undoped and Ni-doped CoAl2O4 samples have superparamagnetic behavior and the magnetization (Ms) values were increased with increasing Ni2+ ions. Spinel NixCo1-xAl2O4 samples has been used for the catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde and was found that the sample Ni0.6Co0.4Al2O4 showed higher conversion 94.37% with 100% selectivity than other samples, which may be due to the smaller particle size and higher surface area.

Visual Semantic Based 3D Video Retrieval System Using HDFS

This paper brings out a neoteric frame of reference for visual semantic based 3d video search and retrieval applications. Newfangled 3D retrieval application spotlight on shape analysis like object matching, classification and retrieval not only sticking up entirely with video retrieval. In this ambit, we delve into 3D-CBVR (Content Based Video Retrieval) concept for the first time. For this purpose, we intent to hitch on BOVW and Mapreduce in 3D framework. Instead of conventional shape based local descriptors, we tried to coalesce shape, color and texture for feature extraction. For this purpose, we have used combination of geometric & topological features for shape and 3D co-occurrence matrix for color and texture. After thriving extraction of local descriptors, TB-PCT (Threshold Based- Predictive Clustering Tree) algorithm is used to generate visual codebook and histogram is produced. Further, matching is performed using soft weighting scheme with L₂ distance function. As a final step, retrieved results are ranked according to the Index value and acknowledged to the user as a feedback .In order to handle prodigious amount of data and Efficacious retrieval, we have incorporated HDFS in our Intellection. Using 3D video dataset, we future the performance of our proposed system which can pan out that the proposed work gives meticulous result and also reduce the time intricacy.

Antimicrobial Activity of Lysozyme against Oral Pathogens

Saliva contains a number of antimicrobial substances which have their origin either in salivary glands or serum from which they may leak into the mouth via the gingival crevices. Saliva is believed to possess a substantial influence on the aggregates oral pathogens form in the mouth due to the antibodies as well as proteins whose antimicrobial properties do not depend on prior exposure to an antigen. One such enzyme is Lysozyme which is one of the most powerful natural antibacterial and antiviral compounds known to man. According to previous researches, it has been found out that lysozyme may bind and aggregate Gram-positive bacteria such as putative Gram-negative periodontopathic bacteria such as <em>Capnocytophaga gingivalis</em>. This particular study explores the natural phenomenon Lysozyme exhibits against oral microflora with noteworthy conclusions. Saliva samples were collected from the oral cavity of human, cow and dog. From these samples, lysozyme was isolated and purified. Furthermore, the quantity of the enzyme isolated was ascertained by Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis. The quantified enzyme showed 32kDa for cow sample, 23kDa for dog sample and 23kDa for human sample. Finally the antimicrobial activity of the enzyme was determined by agar well diffusion method against <em>Staphylococcus</em> spp. and <em>Enterococcus faecalis</em>. Hence lysozyme in saliva is found to have the antibacterial activity against the pathogen due to the zone of inhibition observed and this proves that a tool to prevent dental decay is available and that there is potential to serve antimicrobial role in the specific application of medical industry.

Synthesis, growth, structural and optical studies of organic nonlinear optical material--piperazine-1,4-diium bis 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate

Piperazine-1,4-diium bis 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate is one of the useful organic materials with nonlinear optical (NLO) and pharmaceutical applications. The material was grown by slow evaporation solution growth method at room temperature. The crystal system and lattice parameters were identified by single crystal XRD analysis. The grown material crystallizes in monoclinic system with P21/n space group. The main functional groups NH2, NO2, CN, CC, and phenolic 'O' atom were identified using FTIR analysis. The protons and carbons of grown crystal with various chemical environments were studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy to confirm the molecular structure. The optical properties of the crystal were studied by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and the transmission 100% range starts from 532 nm onwards. The optical band gap was measured as 2.63 eV from the plot of (αhν)2 versus hν. The thermal stability was detected at 304.1°C using TG-DTA analysis. The dielectric studies of the sample were carried out at different temperatures in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 MHz to establish the dielectric nature of the crystal. Photoconductivity measurements were carried out on the grown crystal. The Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) of the crystal was tested to confirm the nonlinear optical property.

Bioactive potential of Streptomyces against fish and shellfish pathogens

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In the present study, isolation of Streptomyces associated with marine sponges and its bioactive potential against fish and shellfish pathogens were assessed. The Streptomyces sp. were isolated from the marine sponges namely Callyspongia diffusa, Mycale mytilorum, Tedania anhelans and Dysidea fragilis collected from Vizhinjam port, situated in the South-West coast of India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Streptomyces associated with marine sponges were isolated using specific ISP media. The isolates of Streptomyces were characterized for their colony characteristics, morphological properties, physiological and biochemical properties and were tentatively identified. The strains were cultivated on a lab scale level as shake-flask cultures and the crude extracts of the bioactive compounds obtained with ethyl acetate were screened biologically and chemically. By biological screening, the extracts were analyzed for their activity against fish and shellfish pathogens namely Aeromonas hydrophila, Serratia sp. and Vibrio spp, using the disk and agar-well diffusion bioassay method, while by chemical screening the crude culture extracts were analyzed by TLC and UV-Vis spectrophotometer.

RESULTS

Ninety-four isolates were found to be associated with marine sponges, among them only seven strains showed antagonism against fish and shellfish pathogens. Analysis of morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics suggested that these strains belonged to the genus Streptomyces. The initial screening of the isolates by spot inoculation method exhibited antibacterial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila. In-vitro screening of the submerge culture extracts showed positive inhibition against the fish and shellfish pathogens namely Aeromonas hydrophila, Serratia sp. and Vibrio spp. The screening of bioactive compounds confirmed the production of polyene substances by UV spectrum, which resulted in absorbance peaks ranging from 225 to 245 nm and TLC analysis yielded R(f) values ranging from 0.40 to 0.78.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the seven Streptomyces strains isolated from marine sponges produce potential antibacterial compounds against fish and shellfish pathogens.

Transvaginal sonography of cervical length and Bishop score as predictors of successful induction of term labor: the effect of parity

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the predictive value for successful labor induction of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) of cervical length according to parity.

METHOD

TVS of the cervix was performed before term labor induction. Induction was considered successful if vaginal delivery was achieved within 24 hours; 231 women were available for final analysis.

RESULTS

Analysis of the receiver operator characteristics curve showed an optimal cut-off for cervical length of < or = 20 mm for successful induction. Following multivariate logistic regression analysis, a sonographic short cervix (AOR 5.6; p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of successful induction but not a favorable Bishop score (p = 0.47). Among multiparas with a short cervix, positive and negative predictive values for successful induction were 98% (95% CI 90-100%) and 21% (95% CI 13%-32%) and among nulliparas, predictive values were 69% (95% CI 53%-82%) and 77% (95% CI 64%-87%) respectively.

CONCLUSION

In nulliparas, cervical length can usefully predict labor induction outcome.

Predictors of newborn admission after labour induction at term: Bishop score, pre-induction ultrasonography and clinical risk factors

INTRODUCTION

Following labour induction at term, 12 percent of neonates can expected to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. We aimed to evaluate the Bishop score, pre-induction ultrasonography (US) assessment of amniotic fluid, foetal weight and cervical length, and pre-induction and intrapartum risk factors as predictors of neonatal admission.

METHODS

152 women at term, scheduled for labour induction, consented to participate in this prospective study. Transabdominal US was performed to obtain foetal biometry and amniotic fluid index, followed by transvaginal US to measure cervical length. US findings were concealed. The Bishop score was obtained at initiation of labour induction. Pre-induction and intrapartum risk factors were also considered in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. All study women received standard care.

RESULTS

On univariate analysis, factors associated with neonatal admission were: gestational age at less than or equal to 40 weeks, labour induction for diabetes mellitus, Bishop score of less than 5 at initiation of labour induction, estimated foetal weight of less than 2.5 kg by US, induction to delivery interval of more than 24 hours, caesarean delivery and umbilical cord blood pH of less than 7.1. Cervical length of greater than 20 mm on transvaginal US (p-value is 0.10) was not significant. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, controlling for the significant variables, only the unfavourable Bishop score (adjusted OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.2-13.8; p-value is 0.02) and caesarean delivery (adjusted OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.1-13.7; p-value is 0.035) were independent predictors of neonatal admission.

CONCLUSION

The identification of an unfavourable Bishop score as an independent predictor of neonatal admission is useful in the counselling of women who are considering labour induction.

Transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length vs. Bishop score in labor induction at term: tolerability and prediction of Cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVES

To compare transvaginal sonography for cervical length measurement and digital examination for Bishop score assessment in women undergoing labor induction at term, to assess their tolerability (in terms of pain) and ability to predict need for Cesarean delivery.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed on 249 women admitted for labor induction. Cervical length was measured using transvaginal ultrasound examination. A 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) for procedure-related pain was obtained. Bishop score was determined just before labor induction and another pain score was obtained. Delivery outcome was recorded. Analyses were by t-test, Fisher's exact test, receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Transvaginal sonography was significantly less painful than digital examination for Bishop score assessment (mean difference in VAS score 3.46; P<0.001). Analyses of the ROC curves for cervical length and Bishop score indicated that both were predictors of Cesarean delivery (area under the curve 0.611 vs. 0.607; P=0.012 vs. P=0.015, respectively) with optimal cut-offs for predicting Cesarean delivery of >20 mm for cervical length and Bishop score<or=5. Cervical length had superior sensitivity (80% vs. 64%) and marginally better positive (30% vs. 27%) and negative (89% vs. 83%) predictive values. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only nulliparity (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.1; 95% CI, 2.1-8.1; P<0.001) and transvaginal sonographic cervical length>20 mm (AOR 3.4; 95% CI, 1.4-8.1; P=0.006) were independent predictors of Cesarean delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Transvaginal sonography for cervical length measurement is better tolerated than digital examination for Bishop score assessment. Both cervical length and Bishop score are useful predictors of the need for Cesarean delivery following labor induction. A cervical length>20 mm at labor induction at term is an independent predictor of Cesarean delivery.

Electroporation as a tool to transfer the plasmid pRL489 in Oscillatoria MKU 277

To establish the gene transfer system in the cyanobacteria, we successfully introduced the shuttle plasmid pRL489 into Oscillatoria MKU 277 by electroporation with transformation frequencies of up to 102 cfu/mug of plasmid DNA. These findings suggest that Oscillatoria MKU 277 can be used as an experimental tool for genetic maneuvering.

Tolerance of Oscillatoria isolates to agrochemicals and pyrethroid components

Four isolates of Oscillatoria sp from an Indian paddy field have been tested for their tolerance to agrochemicals and pyrethroid components. The isolates possessed considerable tolerance to agrochemicals and reduced toxicity of pyrethroid components towards fish.

Saphenous vein covered stenting for right coronary artery lesion containing thrombus

Vein covered stenting to close coronary pseudoaneurysm and perforation and in the setting of acute myocardial infarction have been described. This case report describes saphenous vein covered stenting to exclude a large thrombus in a right coronary artery lesion. Vein covered stenting may be considered as an option when dealing with a thrombus containing lesion.