Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar os compostos bioativos das folhas de Conocarpus lancifolius (C. lancifolius). A análise por GC-MS do extrato metanólico quente das folhas (HMEL) de C. lancifolius exibiu os compostos bioativos como 1- (3-Metoxi-2-nitrobenzil) isoquinolina, morfina-4-ol-6,7- diona, 1-bromo-N-metil-, fitol, ácido hexadecanoico, 2,3-di-hidroxipropil éster, 2,2 ': 4', 2 ” - tertiofeno, isoalocolato de etil, óxido de cariofileno, campesterol, epiglobulol, colestano -3-ol, 2-metileno-, (3á, 5à) -, dasycarpidan-1-metanol, acetato (éster) e ácido oleico, éster eicosílico. A análise FT-IR de HMEL de C. lancifolius mostrou um pico único em 3184, 2413, 1657 cm-1 representando ácido cumarico, ácido clorogênico e ácido ferúlico. O HMEL de C. lancifolius inibiu ativamente a proliferação de células de câncer de mama MCF-7 ATCC na concentração de 72,66 ± 8,21 µg / ml como valor de IC50. O HMEL de C. lancifolius também revelou bom espectro de atividade contra culturas de bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas rastreadas neste trabalho. A atividade observada mostrou efeitos mais ou menos semelhantes contra bactérias rastreadas. No entanto, a magnitude da potencialidade foi significativamente menor em comparação com o disco de ciprofloxacina padrão em nível de p < 0,001 (intervalos de confiança de 99%). Além disso, o estudo demonstrando os compostos bioativos pode ser isolado das folhas de C. lancifolius.

Abstract The objective of the present study was to analyse the bioactive compounds of the leaves of Conocarpus lancifolius (C. lancifolius). The GC-MS analysis of the hot methanolic extract of the leaves (HMEL) of C. lancifolius exhibited the bioactive compounds such as 1-(3-Methoxy-2-nitrobenzyl) iso quinoline, morphin-4-ol-6,7-dione, 1-bromo-N-methyl-, phytol, hexadecanoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester, 2,2':4',2”-terthiophene, ethyl iso-allocholate, caryophyllene oxide, campesterol, epiglobulol, cholestan-3-ol, 2-methylene-, (3á,5à)-, dasycarpidan-1-methanol, acetate (ester) and oleic acid, eicosyl ester. The FT-IR analysis of HMEL of C. lancifolius showed a unique peak at 3184, 2413, 1657 cm-1 representing coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid. The HMEL of C. lancifolius was actively inhibiting the proliferation of breast cancer cells MCF-7 ATCC at the concentration of 72.66 ± 8.21 µg/ml as IC50 value. The HMEL of C. lancifolius also revealed a good spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cultures screened in this work. The activity observed has shown more or less similar effects against screened bacteria. However, the magnitude of potentiality was significantly lesser compared to standard ciprofloxacin disc at p< 0.001 level (99% confidence intervals). Furthermore, the study demonstrating the bioactive compounds can be isolated from the leaves of C. lancifolius.

Aluminium metal matrix composites are highly dominated composites for various applications such as military, marine, aircraft, aerospace and automobile because of their corrosion resistance, tribological and mechanical properties. In this research, aluminium alloy 5032 composite reinforced with SiCnp (4, 8, 12 and 16 wt.%) was manufactured using stir casting method and subjected to various mechanical, metallurgical and wear tests. The novelty of this research lies in the fabrication and characterization of Al5032/SiCnp composites, which has been not done before. The Energy Dispersive X ray analysis (EDAX) was used to examine the presence of SiC in Al5032 matrix and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was employed to examine the microstructure of the composite. Further micro hardness, wear resistance, tensile and impact tests were carried out. The aforesaid properties increases upto 12 wt.% addition of silicon carbide in Al5032 alloy and thereafter reduces. The nanocomposite Al5032/12wt.%SiC exhibits 98 HV, 256 MPa tensile strength, 19 MPa impact strength and 5 mg wear loss.

BACKGROUND: Pretend play is a form of play that involves nonliteral actions. There are limited studies reporting the developmental trends of pretend play behaviours of typically developing pre-schoolers. This knowledge would be beneficial in the early identification of deviations in pre-schoolers who have or are at risk of developing developmental disabilities. AIM: The present study aimed to describe the developmental trends in pretend play skills across different age groups of pre-schoolers. The study also aimed to understand the differential patterns in pretend play observed across the Free Play and Structured Toy Play scenarios SETTING: This study was conducted on pre-schoolers in a classroom of the school. METHOD: The study followed a cross-sectional study design. Forty-eight participants were recruited for the study and were divided into four groups. A video recording of the child's pretend play skills was recorded using a Sony-HDRCX405 camcorder in Free Play and Structured Toy Play scenarios. The recorded video was coded and analysed for the occurrence of pretend play skills using the Play in Early Childhood Evaluation System (PIECES) coding scheme RESULTS: The study results depict a developmental trend in the occurrences of pretend play skills in pre-schoolers. It also emphasises the importance of amalgamation of Structured Toy Play and Free Play scenarios for the child's holistic development because of the unique benefits of each scenario. CONCLUSION: The study findings could help in the formulation of Individualised Education Programme objectives for typically developing children and children with developmental disabilities involving play, thus enabling these children experience normalised, contextually pertinent experiences like their peers.

Abstract The present work was designed to investigate the presence of bioactive chemicals in the reaction mixtures (RMs) of peels of Valencia, Mandarin, and African navel oranges, through GC-MS and FT-IR studies. Limonene, a unique compound, is present in the RMs of the three orange peels. Moreover, hexadecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester was identified in the RMs of all the three-orange peels. The RM of Mandarin orange exhibited potent cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 ATCC human breast cancer cells (HBC). All the three RMs exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against the human pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603), Salmonella choleraesis (ATCC 10708), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), and Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 299).

Resumo O presente trabalho almejou investigar a presença de produtos químicos bioativos nas misturas de reação (MRs) de cascas de Valência, Tangerina e laranja umbigo africana, por meio de estudos de GC-MS e FT-IR. Assim, constatou-se que limoneno, um composto único, está presente nos RMs das três cascas de laranja. Além disso, o éster 2-hidroxi-1-(hidroximetil) etílico do ácido hexadecanóico foi identificado nos RMs de todas as cascas de três laranjas. A RM da tangerina exibiu potente efeito citotóxico contra células de câncer de mama humano (HBC) MCF-7 ATCC. Todos os três RMs exibiram atividade antibacteriana moderada contra as bactérias patogênicas humanas dos seguintes tipos: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603), Salmonella choleraesis (ATCC 10708), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) e Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 299).

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to move towards a more complete understanding of the qualitative properties of solutions to discrete boundary value problems. In particular, we introduce and develop sufficient conditions under which the existence of a unique solution for a third-order difference equation subject to three-point boundary conditions is guaranteed. Our contributions are realized in the following ways. First, we construct the corresponding Green’s function for the problem and formulate some new bounds on its summation. Second, we apply these properties to the boundary value problem by drawing on Banach’s fixed point theorem in conjunction with interesting metrics and appropriate inequalities. We discuss several examples to illustrate the nature of our advancements.

RESUMEN El propósito de este artículo es avanzar hacia un entendimiento más completo de las propiedades cualitativas de las soluciones a problemas discretos de valor en la frontera. En particular, introducimos y desarrollamos condiciones suficientes bajo las cuales se garantiza la existencia de una única solución para una ecuación en diferencias de tercer orden sujeta a condiciones de borde en tres puntos. Nuestras contribuciones son de dos tipos. En primer lugar, construimos las funciones de Green correspondientes para el problema y formulamos nuevas cotas para su suma. En segundo lugar, aplicamos estas propiedades al problema de valor en la frontera usando el teorema del punto fijo de Banach junto con métricas interesantes y desigualdades apropiadas. Discutimos varios ejemplos para ilustrar la naturaleza de nuestros avances.

Abstract A series of 10 new hispolonpyrazole sulfonamides were designed and synthesized using hispolons and 4-sulfonamide phenylhydrazine hydrochloride with better yields. The synthesized pyrazole sulfonamides were screened for anti-TB, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal activities to compare the role sulfonamide moiety. Among them, 3a and 3b showed selective potent anti-tubercular nature (MIC 6.25µg/mL). Further, the antimicrobial studies of the compounds showed only compound 3b with a good inhibition zone on Staphylococcus aureus among other bacteria and fungi studied.

Resumen Se prepararon 10 nuevas hispolon-pirazol-suklfonamidas con buenos rendimientos haciendo reaccionar hipolonas y el clorhidrato de 4-sulfonamidil-fenílhidrazina. Los productos obtenidos se probaron contra cepas de hongos y bacterias con especial interés en la tuberculosis, encontrando algunos derivados con actividades del orden de MIC 6.25µg/mL.

ABSTRACT Objective This study aims to determine the cost effectiveness of rapid frozen section (RFS) for indeterminate thyroid nodules. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was conducted between January 2009 and June 2013 at a tertiary care institution. Main outcomes were number needed to treat, RFS efficacy, and cost-savings of avoiding second completion thyroidectomy. Cost-effectiveness was estimated using 2015 Medicare reimbursement rate. Results Out of 1,114 patients undergoing thyroid surgery, 314 had preoperative AUS/FLUS cytopathology and subsequent thyroid lobectomy with RFS. RFS identified 13 of the 32 patients with malignancy resulting in a total thyroidectomy. 19 of the 29 malignancies not detected by RFS were papillary microcarcinomas. Conclusions Completion thyroidectomy was avoided in 1 out of every 24 patients resulting in cost-savings of $ 80.04 per patient. In the era of outpatient thyroid surgery, intraoperative RFS for indeterminate thyroid nodules is cost-effective.

Self-assembly of molecular gelators in a variety of liquids provides an attractive route for the construction of nanostructured materials with desired functionalities. This review focuses on correlations between structural features of gelators, specifically derivatives of long-chain, naturally-occurring fatty acids in which functional groups have been modified systematically and their gelation efficiencies in a wide range of liquids. It is shown that molecular packing at different distance scales within the gel assemblies and the microscopic and macroscopic physical properties of the gels are sensitive to even small changes in gelator sturcture and properties of the liquid component. Structural insights are provided to understand better the basis for the rational design of molecular gelators.

A bacterial isolate capable of utilizing tributyltin chloride (TBTCl) as sole carbon source was isolated from estuarine sediments of west coast of India and identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri based on biochemical tests and Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis. This isolate was designated as strain DN2. Although this bacterial isolate could resist up to 3 mM TBTCl level, it showed maximum growth at 2 mM TBTCl in mineral salt medium (MSM). Pseudomonas stutzeri DN2 exposed to 2 mM TBTCl revealed significant alteration in cell morphology as elongation and shrinkage in cell size along with roughness of cell surface. FTIR and NMR analysis of TBTCl degradation product extracted using chloroform and purified using column chromatography clearly revealed biotransformation of TBTCl into Dibutyltin dichloride (DBTCl2) through debutylation process. Therefore, Pseudomonas stutzeri strain DN2 may be used as a potential bacterial strain for bioremediation of TBTCl contaminated aquatic environmental sites.

Uma síntese estratégica de novas piperazinas sulfonil metilpirimidina envolvendo acoplamento Suzuki foi desenvolvida e as atividades farmacológicas dos compostos foram avaliadas. As reações foram realizadas pelo método convencional e apresentaram boas transformações dos grupos funcionais e elevados rendimentos. As estruturas dos novos compostos sintetizados foram estabelecidas por espectroscopia no infravermelho (IR), ressonância magnética nuclear (NMR) de ¹H e de 13C, e cromatografia líquida-espectrometria de massas (LC-MS) e análise elementar. Os compostos foram testados quanto à atividade antibacteriana in vitro contra as cepas bacterianas Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus, à atividade antihelmíntica utilizando Pheretima posthuma e à atividade anti-inflamatória envolvendo o modelo de edema de pata de rato induzido pela carragena. Provou-se que alguns compostos são farmacóforos potentes.

A strategic synthesis of novel methylpyrimidine sulfonyl piperazines involving Suzuki coupling was designed and pharmacological activities of the compounds were evaluated. Reactions were carried out under conventional method and show good functional group transformations and high yields. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established by infrared spectroscopy (IR), ¹H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and elemental analysis. The compounds were tested for in vitro antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strains, anthelmintic activity using Pheretima posthuma and anti-inflammatory activity involving carrageenan induced rat paw edema model. Some compounds were proven to be potent pharmacophores.

Uma série de dez novos análogos de 1,3,4-oxadiazóis contendo uma parte dibenzosuberano foram sintetizados usando tanto uma aproximação de síntese linear, quanto convergente. Todos os compostos foram caracterizados por espectrometria de massas, espectroscopias no infravermelho (IR), de ressonância magnética nuclear de ¹H (¹H NMR ) e 13C (13C NMR) e análise elementar. As atividades bactericidas e antifúngicas destes compostos foram avaliadas, determinando-se que entre estes, quatro derivados, especificamente 8a, 8d,8e e 8j, foram altamente bactericidas e antifúngicos.

A series of ten novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole analogs containing dibenzosuberane moiety were synthesized using linear as well as convergent synthesis approach. All the compounds were characterized by mass spectrometry, infrared (IR), ¹H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR and 13C NMR) spectroscopies and elemental analysis. These compounds were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Among ten analogs, four compounds, namely, 8a, 8d,8e and 8j were found to be highly active antibacterial and antifungal agents.

In this study we report the potential of alcohols as morphogenetic regulators in Candida albicans. All the alcohols tested influenced various modes of growth like planktonic as well as biofilm forms. Viability was affected at high concentrations. Among the alcohols, the response of C. albicans to amyl alcohol (pentanol) was noteworthy. Amyl alcohol at a concentration 0.5% which was not inhibitory to growth and viability specifically inhibited morphogenetic switching from yeast to hyphal forms. It also inhibited normal biofilm development favoring yeast dominated biofilms. Based on this study we hypothesize that alcohols produced under anaerobic conditions may not favor biofilm development and support dissemination of yeast cells. Since anaerobic conditions are not found to favor production of quorum sensing molecules like farnesol, the alcohols may play a role in morphogenetic regulation.

Partículas podem ser separadas em campos elétricos quando forças eletrostáticas ultrapassam a força devido à gravidade. Para partículas condutoras, o lift-off ocorre quando o campo elétrico gera carga a ser transferida de uma superfície aterrada para a partícula, e a partícula carregada é então separada no campo elétrico; este mecanismo ocorre com qualquer polaridade do campo elétrico. Para partículas isolantes perfeitas, esta transferência de carga não pode ocorrer, mas as partículas que já estão carregadas podem ser separadas por um campo elétrico de polaridade apropriada (mas não outra polaridade). Experimentos foram conduzidos, em condições ambiente e controlados ambientalmente, nos lift-off de partículas compostas de diferentes materiais, e os resultados para os necessários campos elétricos limites para o lift-off foram comparados a previsões baseadas em modelos de partículas condutoras e isolantes. Os resultados para uma partícula de alumínio estão em acordo com o modelo de partícula condutora. Nos casos de partículas isolantes, a separação das partículas de politetrafluoretileno (PTFE) mostra-se consistente com o modelo de partícula isolante, mas partículas de Nylon® e de vidro exibiram comportamento dependente da umidade. Em baixa umidade, partículas de Nylon® e de vidro são separadas de acordo com o modelo de partícula isolante, enquanto que à umidade elevada, o comportamento de separação surpreendentemente seguiu o modelo de partícula condutora. Sugere-se que a elevada umidade, a natureza hidrofílica das superfícies das partículas de Nylon® e de vidro levou à formação de uma camada superficial condutora que facilita a transferência de carga do mesmo modo que uma partícula de metal.

Particles can be lifted in electric fields when the electrostatic forces overcome the force due to gravity. For conducting particles, the lift-off occurs when the electric field causes charge to be transferred from a grounded surface to the particle, and the charged particle is then lifted in the electric field; this mechanism occurs with either polarity of the electric field. For perfectly insulating particles, this charge transfer cannot occur, but the particles that are already charged can be lifted by an electric field of the appropriate polarity (but not the other polarity). Experiments were carried out, under ambient and environmentally controlled conditions, on the lift-off of particles composed of different materials, and the results for the threshold electric fields necessary for lift-off were compared with predictions based on the conducting and insulating particle models. Results for an aluminum particle are in agreement with the conducting particle model. In the case of insulating particles, the lifting of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles is consistent with the insulating particle model, but Nylon® and soda-lime glass exhibit humidity-dependent behavior. At low humidity, Nylon® and soda-lime glass particles are lifted in accordance with the insulating particle model, while at high humidity, the lifting behavior surprisingly follows the conducting particle model. It is suggested that at high humidity, the hydrophilic nature of the Nylon® and soda-lime glass particle surfaces leads to a conducting surface layer of water that facilitates charge transfer similar to a metal particle.

The current in vitro study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of boesenbergin A (BA), a chalcone derivative of known structure isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), non-small cell lung cancer (A549), prostate adenocarcinoma (PC3), and normal hepatic cells (WRL-68) were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of BA using the MTT assay. The antioxidant activity of BA was assessed by the ORAC assay and compared to quercetin as a standard reference antioxidant. ORAC results are reported as the equivalent concentration of Trolox that produces the same level of antioxidant activity as the sample tested at 20 µg/mL. The toxic effect of BA on different cell types, reported as IC50, yielded 20.22 ± 3.15, 10.69 ± 2.64, 20.31 ± 1.34, 94.10 ± 1.19, and 9.324 ± 0.24 µg/mL for A549, PC3, HepG2, HT-29, and WRL-68, respectively. BA displayed considerable antioxidant activity, when the results of ORAC assay were reported as Trolox equivalents. BA (20 µg/mL) and quercetin (5 µg/mL) were equivalent to a Trolox concentration of 11.91 ± 0.23 and 160.32 ± 2.75 µM, respectively. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of BA was significant at 12.5 to 50 µM and without any significant cytotoxicity for the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 at 50 µM. The significant biological activities observed in this study indicated that BA may be one of the agents responsible for the reported biological activities of B. rotunda crude extract.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami left significant sand deposits along the coastal tract of southeast India (Tamil Nadu state). These deposits serve as a benchmark to understand the effects of present day tsunami on the coastline. Additionally, the geological signatures of tsunami in the coastal stratigraphy can assist in providing modern analogs for identification and interpretation of ancient tsunami. This article presents the field observations of tsunami deposits, their internal stratigraphy and foraminiferal distribution, all of which varied from north to south depending upon coastal geomorphology, near shore bathymetry and sediment sources. In a few places, the tsunami deposits have been reworked due to subsequent events that caused modification in the internal stratigraphy. The tsunami deposits of the northern Tamil Nadu coast comprise at least 50% or more reworked foraminiferal specimens, indicating that the tsunami sediments may have been derived from a paleostrandline from a water depth of at least 45 m.

El tsunami de 2004 en el Océano Índico acumuló una capa de sedimentos gruesos (depósitos de arena) a lo largo de la costa sureste de la India, particularmente en el estado de Tamil Nadu. Esos depósitos sedimentarios sirven como referencia para entender los efectos de tsunamis actuales en las zonas costeras. Además, las características geológicas de los depósitos de tsunami actuales en la estratigrafía costera asisten en identificación e interpretación de los tsunamis antiguos. En este artículo presentamos las observaciones del campo sobre los depósitos de tsunami, su estratigrafía interna y distribución de foraminíferos según varía de norte a sur, dependiendo de la geomorfología costera, de la batimetría somera, y de la proveniencia de los sedimentos. En algunas localidades, la estratigrafía interna de los depósitos fue perturbada debido a eventos subsiguientes. Los depósitos de tsunami de 2004 en la costa norte de Tamil Nadu constituyen al menos 50% o más de las foraminíferas retransportadas, lo cual indica que los sedimentos de tsunami fueron derivados de un paleo-costa, actualmente ubicado a una profundidad de al menos 45 m.