Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a microbiota-derived metabolite has been implicated in human health and disease. Its early detection in body fluids has been presumed to be significant in understanding ...the pathogenesis and treatment of many diseases. Hence, the development of reliable and rapid technologies for TMAO detection may augment our understanding of pathogenesis and diagnosis of diseases that TMAO has implicated. The present work is the first report on the development of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) based electrochemical sensor for sensitive and selective detection of TMAO in body fluids. The MIP developed was based on the polypyrrole (PPy), which was synthesized via chemical oxidation polymerization method, with and without the presence of TMAO. The MIP, NIP and the non-sonicated polymer (PPy-TMAO) were separately deposited electrophoretically onto the hydrolyzed indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glasses. The chemical, morphological, and electrochemical behavior of MIP, non-imprinted polymer (NIP), and PPy-TMAO were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical techniques. The detection response was recorded using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which revealed a decrease in the peak current with the increase in concentration of TMAO. The MIP sensor showed a dynamic detection range of 1-15 ppm with a sensitivity of 2.47 µA mL ppm
cm
. The developed sensor is easy to construct and operate and is also highly selective to detect TMAO in body fluids such as urine. The present research provides a basis for innovative strategies to develop sensors based on MIP to detect other metabolites derived from gut microbiota that are implicated in human health and diseases.
The critical dimension of semiconductor devices is approaching the single-nm regime, and a variety of practical devices of this scale are targeted for production. Planar structures of nano-devices ...are still the center of fabrication techniques, which limit further integration of devices into a chip. Extension into 3D space is a promising strategy for future; however, the surface interaction in 3D nanospace make it hard to integrate nanostructures with ultrahigh aspect ratios. Here we report a unique technique using high-energy charged particles to produce free-standing 1D organic nanostructures with high aspect ratios over 100 and controlled number density. Along the straight trajectory of particles penetrating the films of various sublimable organic molecules, 1D nanowires were formed with approximately 10~15 nm thickness and controlled length. An all-dry process was developed to isolate the nanowires, and planar or coaxial heterojunction structures were built into the nanowires. Electrical and structural functions of the developed standing nanowire arrays were investigated, demonstrating the potential of the present ultrathin organic nanowire systems.
In present study, selenium was selected for evaluating effect of selenium on aluminum chloride (AlCl
3
)-induced Alzheimer’s disease in rats. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into five groups of six ...in each. Group I (control) received distilled water, group II—AlCl
3
(100 mg/kg, p.o.), group III—selenium (1 mg/kg, p.o.), group IV—AlCl
3
+ vitamin E (100 mg/kg, p.o. + 100 mg/kg, p.o.), and group V—AlCl
3
+ selenium (100 mg/kg, p.o. + 1 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days. At end of experiment, various behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological assessments were carried out. The animals showed increase in time to reach platform in Morris water maze and decreased step-down latencies in passive avoidance test indicating learning and memory impairment in aluminum chloride-treated group, but administration of selenium decreased time to reach platform in Morris water maze, increased step-down latencies, and strengthened its memory action in drug-treated animals. There was decrease in muscle strength measured by rotarod test indicating motor incoordination and decrease in locomotor activity assessed by actophotometer test in AlCl
3
control group, whereas in selenium–AlCl
3
group, there was improvement in muscle strength and locomotion. Biochemical analysis of the brain revealed that chronic administration of AlCl
3
significantly increased lipid peroxidation and decreased levels of acetyl cholinesterase, catalase, reduced glutathione and glutathione reductase, an index of oxidative stress process. Administration of selenium attenuated lipid peroxidation and ameliorated the biochemical changes. There were marked changes at subcellular level observed by histopathology studies in AlCl
3
group, and better improvement in these changes was observed in selenium + AlCl
3
group. Therefore, this study strengthens the hypothesis that selenium helps to combat oxidative stress produced by accumulation of AlCl
3
in the brain and helps in prophylaxis of Alzheimer’s diseases.
•Manganese oxide nanoparticles (Mn2O3nps) based electrochemical immunosensor was reported for Aflatoxin-B1 detection.•Pure phase Mn2O3nps were obtained at 550 °C without going for high calcination ...temperature.•The immunoelectrode showed a high sensitivity with better LOD and good selectivity.•Spiked sample study of corn extract showed a very good linear response with up to 98.6% recovery.
This work presents, a manganese oxide nanoparticles (Mn2O3nps) based electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of Aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1). X-ray diffrraction spectroscopy study confirms the purely synthesized Mn2O3nps with an average crystallite size of 31.5 nm. Transmission electron microscopy study confirms average particle size of 45 nm. To fabricate an electrochemical biosensor, a thin film of Mn2O3nps was fabricated onto indium tin oxide (ITO) surface using electrophoretic technique. Such fabricated thin film was utilized to immobilize antibodies (Anti-AFB1) for the selective detection of AFB1 using differential pulse voltammetry technique. Prior to perform sensing, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was utilized to block the uncovered sites on the Anti-AFB1/Mn2O3/ITO immunoelectrode surface. The response of BSA/Anti-AFB1/Mn2O3/ITO immunoelectrode was measured as a function of AFB1 in a linear detection range of 1 pg mL−1 to 10 µg mL−1 and sensor showed highest sensitivity of 2.044 μA mL ng−1cm−2 with lower detection limit of 0.54 pg mL−1. A spiked sample response of corn extract was studied in the linear range of 1 pg mL−1 to 10 µg mL−1 and immunoelectrode (BSA/Anti-AFB1/Mn2O3/ITO) showed recovery rate of 98.6 %.
Emerging data indicate that gut-derived endotoxin (metabolic endotoxemia) may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation in insulin-resistant states. Specific gut bacteria seem to serve as ...lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sources and several reports claim a role for increased intestinal permeability in the genesis of metabolic disorders. Therefore, we investigated the serum levels of LPS and zonulin (ZO-1, a marker of gut permeability) along with systemic levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to control subjects. Study subjects were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study CURES, Chennai, India. Study group (
n
= 45 each) comprised of a) subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and (b) patients with T2DM. LPS, ZO-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of LPS
p
< 0.05, LPS activity
p
< 0.001, ZO-1
p
< 0.001, TNFα
p
< 0.001, and IL-6
p
< 0.001 were significantly increased in patients with T2DM compared to control subjects. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that LPS activity was significantly and positively correlated with ZO-1, fasting plasma glucose, 2 h post glucose, HbA1c, serum triglycerides, TNF-α, IL-6, and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol. Regression analysis showed that increased LPS levels were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes odds ratio (OR) 13.43, 95 % CI 1.998–18.9;
p
= 0.003. In Asian Indians who are considered highly insulin resistant, the circulatory LPS levels, LPS activity, and ZO-1 were significantly increased in patients with type 2 diabetes and showed positive correlation with inflammatory markers and poor glycemic/lipid control.
The rising temperatures and levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are anticipated to have a significant impact on the productivity of agricultural crops. Although, the individual effects of ...elevated CO2 and temperature have been extensively studied in C3 and C4 crops, there remains a scarcity of research investigating their interactive effects specifically on maize hybrids. The impact of elevated temperature and its interaction with elevated CO2 on phenology, physiology, biomass, and grain yield of maize hybrids was assessed in a field experiment using Free Air Temperature Elevation (FATE) facility. The results showed that elevated temperature (eT) increased the anthesis silking interval (ASI), while the presence of elevated CO2 along with elevated temperature (eT + eCO2) mitigated this effect. The differential expression were observed between hybrids depending on their genetic potential. Furthermore, the net photosynthetic rate (Anet), stomatal conductance (gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) of hybrids decreased under elevated temperature but eT + eCO2 condition helped in reverting its impact to some extent. In term of leaf composition, the highest level of total soluble sugars (TSS) and starch was observed under eT + eCO2 conditions, possibly due to improved Anet in the presence of elevated eCO2. The negative impact of eT was also evident through increased proline and MDA content, but eT + eCO2 ameliorated the adverse effect of eT. The biomass and grain yield also responded similarly, among the hybrids 900M GOLD recorded superior performance for grain yield at eT condition exceeding 35 °C. On the other hand, DHM117 experienced a significant reduction in grain yield under eT, but performed better under eT + eCO2 due to its improved physiological response to eCO2. The study indicated that elevated levels of carbon dioxide can actually mitigate the detrimental effects of elevated temperature on maize crop. This positive impact on maize crop can be attributed to an enhanced physiological performance in the presence of eCO2 which enables the plants to maintain satisfactory yield levels despite the challenging environmental conditions.
The objective of the study is to evaluate the association of Ellis Class 2 fracture in children aged between 13 and 17 years. This is a descriptive study that was carried out in a university context, ...using data from patients with Ellis Class 2 fractures between 13 and 17 years from June 2019 to February 2021, which were obtained by analyzing patient records. The records were transferred to the SPSS software for statistical analysis. The association of Ellis Class 2 fracture is common in relation to 11 which is about 29.41% and more common among the age group of 14 years and had a more male prediction. The knowledge of Ellis Class 2 fracture and its association with several parameters are essential in dentistry for various clinical performances. This can be accomplished by increasing awareness through Continuing Dental Education (CDE) programs, demonstrations, and seminars on the clinical regime of Ellis Class 2 fracture.
The present study was designed to examine the protective potential of hydroalcoholic extract of Vitis vinifera in ameliorating the alterations induced by aluminium (Al) on behavioural and ...neurochemical indices. Al was given orally (100mg/kg b.wt./day) whereas V. vinifera extract was administered through diet (400mg/kg, p.o.) to rats for a total duration of 45 days. Passive avoidance and open field tests revealed significant alterations in the short-term memory and cognitive behaviour in rats treated with Al. Further, locomotor as well as muscular activities were also found to be significantly affected. Co-administration of V. vinifera extract with Al caused significant improvement in the short-term memory, cognition, anxiety, locomotion and muscular activity. Al exposure led to a significant decrease in the acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain, increase in serum glucose, TG, TC, ALP and ALT. Anti-oxidant parameters-reduced glutathione, catalase and glutathione reductase levels were also found to be significantly decreased but the levels of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in brain following Al treatment. V. vinifera extract supplementation to Al treated animals caused a significant improvement in the activity of enzyme acetylcholinesterase which was altered by Al. Serum glucose, TG, TC, ALP and ALT were brought back to normal levels. Further, V. vinifera extract when given along with Al was also able to regulate the levels of Anti-oxidant parameters in brain and the values were found close to the normal controls. Histopathological studies revealed neurodegeneration and vacuolated cytoplasm after Al treatment. Therefore, the study strengthens the hypothesis that V. vinifera extract can be used as a neuroprotectant during Al induced neurotoxicity.
The study aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge about Bowen's disease among dental students. Bowen disease is an infrequent skin disorder and is also referred to as squamous cell carcinoma in ...situ. It is a noninvasive form of intraepidermal squamous cell carcinoma with flat or slightly raised lesions. An online survey was conducted among 300 dental students between the age group of 18-30 years in the Chennai district based on Bowen's disease. This is the best approach to data collection due to the large population of the city of Chennai and is also appropriate in the current situation where people need to avoid gatherings and close contact. About 78.21% were BDS students and 21.79% were MDS students. In the age group of 10-20 years, 8.97% responded heard about Bowen disease and 3.85% responded not heard. Within the 21-30 years age group, 44.02% responded that Bowen disease is invasive and 20.09% responded noninvasive. Studies showed that the exact occurrence of Bowen's disease is not known. It is found to be more common in men than in women. To conclude, about 65% of participants were aware of Bowen's disease. Nevertheless, patients with Bowen's disease seem to be at an abnormal risk of internal malignancies, and they need to be educated about the various treatments available to prevent the cause as soon as possible.
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