Comparative light and scanning electron microscopy in authentication of adulterated traded medicinal plants

The medicinal plants are utilized globally considering the cheap and chemical free source, but their correct identification and authentication is prerequisite for safety and efficacy of plant‐based medicines. The present study encompassed traded medicinal plants (16) with high therapeutic value from diverse families like Brassicaceae, Berberidaceae, Malvaceae, Salicaceae, Myrtaceae, Papilionaceae, Ascelpiadaceae, Colchicaceae, Violaceae, and Vitaceae for detailed microscopic study of characters that is, morphology, pollen shape and sizes, P/E ratio, pore length and width, spine length, colpi dimensions, and exine sculpture pattern. The plants showed noteworthy differences in microscopy of Wattakaka volubilis having pollinia, translator and corpusculum like structures while pores were visible in Colchicum luteum, Alcea rosea, and Hibiscus syriacus. The spines were observed in Centipeda minima, A. rosea, and H. syriacus being dimorphic spines in A. rosea and monomorphic in H. syriacus. The exine sculpturing pattern was reticulate in mostly studied plants however distinctive exine pattern was noted in Berberis aristata and Berberis lyceum. The highest polar diameter, equatorial diameter and exine thickness among studied plants were observed in H. syriacus (161 μm), C. luteum (50 μm) and Vitis jacquemontii (1.10), respectively. Thus, microscopy of medicinal plants in addition to other taxonomic evidence offers a supportive skill in authentication, consequently utilization by local consumers and pharmaceutical industries.     

The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in affluent and poor urban communities of Pakistan

Using previously applied methods a survey of joint symptoms was undertaken among 4232 adults, evenly distributed between affluent and poor areas of Karachi, Pakistan. Only six cases of definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (1958 ARA criteria) were identified in the 245 persons who complained of joint problems of at least 4 weeks duration. The prevalence was 0.9 [confidence interval (CI) 0.21-3.61] and 1.98 (CI 0.55-5.1) per thousand in the poor and affluent districts, respectively. These were substantially less than prevalence rates reported in the West but were similar to figures derived from other developing countries. There was no obvious impact of current living standards on the findings. The relative paucity of older female subjects in both the affluent and poor communities may account at least in part for the low rates observed. The infrequency of rheumatoid nodules in Southern Asians with RA illustrates the difficulty of applying existing diagnostic criteria to this community.     

Proteins in renal stones and urine of stone formers

The iron status of a national sample of adults living in France and participating in the SU.VI.MAX cohort, was assessed using serum ferritin and hemoglobin concentrations. Complete data were obtained for 6648 women 35-60 y old and for 3283 men 45-60 y old. Assessment of iron dietary intakes was realized on a subsample of 3111 women and 2337 men who reported six 24 h dietary records during a one-year period; 22.7% of menstruating women and 5.3% of post-menopausal women presented a total depletion of iron stores (serum ferritin < 15 microg/l). Iron-deficient anemias were found in, respectively, 4.4% and less than 1% of these women. Three-quarters of the anemias were related to iron deficiency in menstruating women. In men, iron depletion and iron deficiency anemia were very rare. Post-menopausal women had much higher serum ferritin levels than menstruating women. In menstruating women, those using intrauterine devices had significantly lower serum ferritin levels than those without contraception, and much lower than those using oral contraception. The frequency of iron depletion reached 28.1% in women using intrauterine devices, but only 13.6% in those using oral contraceptives. The mean iron intake was 16.7 +/- 5.7 mg/d in men and 12.3 +/- 3.4 mg/d in women. Heme iron represented respectively, 11.1 and 10.4% of iron intake. Ninety-three percent of menstruating women had dietary iron intakes lower than recommended dietary allowances (RDA); 52.6% consumed less than two thirds of these RDA. In post-menopausal women and men, respectively 27.7% and 3.6% had dietary intakes lower than RDA. Serum ferritin was positively correlated with meat, fish and total iron intake, and negatively correlated with dietary products consumption, calcium and fiber intake.     

Potassium‐Ion Battery Anode Materials Operating through the Alloying–Dealloying Reaction Mechanism

Anode materials that operate via the alloying–dealloying reaction mechanism are well known in established and maturing battery systems such as lithium‐ion and sodium‐ion batteries. Recently, a new type of metal‐ion battery that utilizes K⁺ ions in its operating principle has attracted significant attention due to a possibility of building high voltage cells using an abundant potassium ionic shuttle. Establishing promising electrode materials is of paramount importance for this new type of battery. This feature article summarizes available early results on the alloying–dealloying anode materials in potassium electrochemical cells. Based on original research (some data are presented for the first time) and independently published literature, experimental results on silicon, tin, phosphorus, antimony, and lead‐containing anodes are critically discussed. The electrochemical properties, charge storage mechanisms, and achievable capacities are considered. The results are compared with the behaviors of the same materials in lithium and sodium cells, and the importance of the volumetric parameters of electrodes is emphasized. Finally, a number of further research directions in these interesting anode materials are suggested. The feature article provides a useful reference for the growing number of researchers and specialists working in the field of emerging metal‐ion batteries with non‐lithium chemistries.     

Enhancing multicast security of cognitive radio networks with antenna correlations over Nakagami-m fading channels

In this paper, we investigate the impact of diversity and antenna correlations on the secrecy capacity and outage performance of a cognitive radio multicast network over Nakagami-m fading channels analytically. The proposed network consists of single primary and secondary user, multiple primary and secondary receivers, and multiple eavesdroppers. It is assumed that each user is equipped with single antenna while all the primary and secondary receivers, and eavesdroppers are equipped with multiple antennas. The primary and secondary users transmit their common messages to the respective receivers in the presence of multiple eavesdroppers. A mathematical model is developed to ensure successful reception of confidential information to the primary receivers protecting the activities of eavesdroppers neglecting the effect of interference due to secondary user. In order to analyze the security of the proposed model, closed-form analytical expressions have been derived for the secrecy multicast capacity, the secure outage probability for multicasting and the probability of non-zero secrecy multicast capacity. Analytical results are justified via Monte-Carlo simulations.

     

Synthesis,characterisation and potential applications of polyaniline/chitosan‐Ag‐nano‐biocomposite

Biodegradable polymers have greatly promoted the development of environmental, biomedical and allied sciences because of their biocompatibility and doping chemistry. The emergence of nanotechnology has envisaged greater options for the development of biodegradable materials. Polyaniline grafted chitosan (i.e. biodegradable PANI) copolymer was prepared by the chemical in situ polymerisation of aniline using ammonium per sulphate as initiator while Ag nanoparticle were synthesised by chemical reduction method and incorporated in to the polymer matrix. The as prepared materials were characterised by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform Infra‐red spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. Moreover energy storage capacity, impedance properties were also studied. The main focus was on the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes to remove the toxic and carcinogenic pollutants. This polymer nano‐biocomposite has multifold applications and can be used as excellent materials for enhanced photodegradation and removal of toxic contaminants from waste waters and natural water streams. In addition, the biocompatible materials with excellent mechanical properties and low toxicity can also be used for tissue engineering, drug delivery and electrical energy storage devices.Inspec keywords: silver, filled polymers, polymer blends, nanocomposites, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, biodegradable materials, polymerisation, reduction (chemical), Fourier transform infrared spectra, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray chemical analysis, X‐ray diffractionOther keywords: polyaniline‐chitosan‐silver‐nanobiocomposite, biodegradable polymers, biocompatibility, doping chemistry, nanotechnology, biodegradable PANI, polyaniline grafted chitosan copolymer, biodegradable materials, chemical in situ polymerisation, nanoparticle, polymer matrix, chemical reduction method, Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, X‐ray diffraction, energy storage capacity, impedance properties, carcinogenic pollutants, toxic pollutants, photodegradation, toxic contaminants, natural water streams, waste waters, drug delivery, tissue engineering, electrical energy storage devices, mechanical properties, Ag     

Fabrication and Characterization of Matrix-Type Transdermal Patches Loaded with Ramipril and Repaglinide Through Cellulose-based Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Polymers: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Permeation Studies

Transdermal patches loaded with ramipril and repaglinide were prepared with the ambition to develop matrix-type transdermal drug delivery system for enhanced permeability and hence improved bioavailability. Different formulations were designed by intermittent concentrations of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M as hydrophilic polymer and ethyl cellulose as hydrophobic polymer. Solvent casting method was used for the fabrication of transdermal patches. Oleic acid and propylene glycol were used to enhance permeability along with polyethylene glycol 400 as plasticizer. Newly designed patches were then evaluated for various physicochemical and mechanical properties. Compatibility studies were performed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy which did not reveal any interaction between drug and polymers. Crystalline nature of drugs was confirmed when they were subjected to X-ray diffraction study and surface morphological studies using scanning electron microscopy. Transdermal patches were of good mechanical strength with folding endurance of more than 300-fold and 100% flatness. Percent drug contents of ramipril and repaglinide ranged from 90 to 105%, i.e., analogous to official limits. In vitro and ex vivo permeation studies were executed using franz diffusion cell. The cumulative amount of drug permeated through skin was 55.22–112.72% for repaglinide and 73.14–91.46% for ramipril. The release behavior of the permeated drug was analyzed by the application of model-dependent approaches. The results showed that Korsmeyer–Peppas model was found to be dominating in most of the formulations and drugs followed diffusion mechanism. It could be concluded that hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M and ethyl cellulose has great potential for ramipril and repaglinide as a vector for transdermal drug delivery effectively because of the formation of smooth surfaces of patches, high folding endurance, and entrapment efficiency with the ability to release the drugs in sustained manner.     

Double gene targeting PCR assay for the detection of Crocodylus porosus in commercial products

The demand for crocodile meat is quickly growing because of its exotic and organoleptic appeal and also the low content of cholesterol and lipids. Moreover, crocodile oil and blood have been used in alternative medicines for treating asthma and several other ailments since ancient times. Furthermore, crocodile hides have great demand in leather industries. All of these have collectively contributed to the extensive hunting, illegal trading and consequent decline of crocodiles in most parts of the world. To keep space with the growing demands, some crocodile species such as Crocodylus porosus have been raised in farms and its commercial trades have been legalised. However, demand for wild crocodiles in foods and medicines has continued in high gear. Recently, several DNA-based methods have been proposed for crocodile detection, but those assays are based on single gene and longer-sized amplicon targets that break down during extensive processing. To address this gap, here we developed and validated a highly stable double gene targeted multiplex PCR assay for the identification of C. porosus materials in commercial products. The assay involved two short sites from C. porosus atp6 (77 bp) and cytb (127 bp) genes and a universal internal control (99 bp) for eukaryotes. The PCR primers were cross-tested against 18 species and validated under pure and mixed matrices under extensive boiling, autoclaving and microwave cooking conditions. Finally, it was used to identify five crocodile-based commercial products. The lower limits of detection for atp6 and cytb genes were 0.001 ng and 0.01 ng DNA, respectively, in pure meat and 1% under mixed matrices. Some inherent features, such as 77–127 bp amplicon sizes, exceptional stability and superior sensitivity, suggested the assay could be used for the identification of C. porosus in any forensic specimen.