Shahid S. Narvi

Levels of select organophosphates in human colostrum and mature milk samples in rural region of Faizabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Introduction: Human colostrum and mature milk samples from rural mothers were separately screened for organophosphate pesticides (OPPs). The samples were assessed for the pollution load they are transmitting to the nursing infant to determine potential toxicity. The role of colostrum for toxicity monitoring was assessed in comparison to mature milk as it is the very first infant food. Materials and methods: The pesticides were quantified using a Gas Chromatograph equipped with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) and the results were further validated on GC linked with Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Results: A total of 33 samples were analyzed out of 40 samples collected. These samples were from 33 mothers. Out of these, 25 were colostrum samples and 8 were mature milk samples. Frequency percentage (N%) of organophosphates analyzed was highest for ethion (23.1% or 6/26) in colostrum and chlorpyrifos (50% or 4/8) in mature milk samples. Frequency percentage in colostrum was 19.2% (5/26) for chlorpyrifos and 3.8% (1/26) for dimethoate; 25.0% (2/8) mature milk samples carried dimethoate and 12.5% (1/8) carried ethion. Mean OPPs in colostrum: dimethoate (85.888 ng/g fat) > ethion (48.000 ng/g fat) > chlorpyrifos (4.003 ng/g fat); and mature milk: ethion (744.925 ng/g fat) > chlorpyrifos (37.274 ng/g fat) > dimethoate (26.752 ng/g fat). MS data revealed the presence of methyl parathion, which was not quantitated. None of the samples exceeded acceptable daily intake standards set by Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR). The study will pave way for further analysis on pesticide toxicology.

Application of polymer nanocomposites in the nanomedicine landscape: envisaging strategies to combat implant associated infections

This review article presents an overview of the potential biomedical application of polymer nanocomposites arising from different chemistries, compositions, and constructions. The interaction between the chosen matrix and the filler is of critical importance. The existing polymer used in the biomedical arena includes aliphatic polyesters such as polylactide (PLA), poly(∊-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO), poly(butylenes succinate) (PBS), poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s, and natural biopolymers such as starch, cellulose, chitin, chitosan, lignin, and proteins. The nanosized fillers utilized to fabricate the nanocomposites are inorganic, organic, and metal particles such as clays, magnetites, hydroxyapatite, nanotubes chitin whiskers, lignin, cellulose, Au, Ag, Cu, etc. These nanomaterials are taking root in a variety of diverse healthcare applications in the sector of nanomedicine including the domain of medical implants and devices. Despite sterilization and aseptic procedures the use of these biomedical devices and prosthesis to improve the patients ‘quality of life’ is facing a major impediment because of bacterial colonization causing nosocomial infection, together with the multi-drug-resistant ‘super-bugs’ posing a serious threat to its utility. This paper discusses the current efforts and key research challenges in the development of self-sterilizing nanocomposite biomaterials for potential application in this area.

Coating Made from Pseudotsuga menziesii Phytosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles is Efficient Against Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation

In this nano era, biomaterials associated infection is a serious problem in the biomedical arena. The race between microbial adhesion and tissue integration becomes a major cause of concern, during the implantation process. Microbial adhesion further gives rise to biofilm formation which finally leads to implant failure. We have therefore designed a strategy to fight effectively against the encroachment of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm, which is chiefly responsible for majority of biomaterials associated infections. Silver nanoparticles have been synthesized for the purpose using foliage needles of the plant Pseudotsuga menziesii, our Christmas tree. Thereafter the nanoparticles were dispersed in chitosan, a biopolymer matrix and a bionanocomposite, self-sterilizing coating biomaterial was developed. The silver nanoparticles produced, the bionanocomposite developed, and the coating over medical implant, have been characterized through various techniques. The efficacy of the silver/chitosan bionanocomposite, against S. aureus biofilm has been studied here, after being coated over medical implant. It was found that coating of medical implants with this material can definitely restrict bacterial adhesion and their subsequent biofilm formation. This biomaterial was found to be blood and biocompatible at specific levels through testing.

Rudraksha Assisted Generation of Silver Nanoparticles for Integrated Application in the Biomedical Landscape

ABSTRACT Today, there is a call for environmentally-friendly, cost-effective technique to eliminate the use of harsh, toxic reagents and minimize hazardous by-products. We thus allocated to synthesize silver nanoparticles through a green route graced with the mystical properties of five faceted beads of the plant Elaeocarpus granitrus Roxb., the Rudraksha. Positive feature of the Rudraksha bead is that it does not degrade, degenerate, or disintegrate; the same bead can be repeatedly intervened for flabbergasting generation of nanoparticles umpteen times bestowing approximately similar results. The nanoparticles were involved for development of bionanocomposite using chitosan matrix. Various techniques were used for characterization. Antimicrobial assay was completed.

Potentiality of the plant Pseudotsuga menzietii to combat implant-related infection in the nanoregime

Today, the most alarming problem in the biomedical arena is bacterial infection at the site of implanted medical devices, prosthetics and sensors. Despite aseptic measures and sterilisation procedures microbial infection poses a major impediment and a big question mark to the utility of biomaterials. Therefore, in this nanoregime, we have attempted to bring forth antimicrobial, self-sterilising silver/chitosan bionanocomposite which can indubitably be used for coating of medical implants and surgical devices. Herbal route employing leaves of the plant Pseudotsuga menzietii, the Christmas tree, has been implicated for the formation of silver nanoparticles. For the first time, this plant has been involved for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles and to mitigate the menace of implant associated infection. To investigate the formation of silver nanoparticles and the development of bionanocomposite, several characterisation techniques have been used like UV/visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy, etc. together with antimicrobial analysis. Thus, in a cost effective way we have strived to develop a winning strategy to conquer implant-related infection.

Di­aqua­bis­(nicotinamide-κN1)bis­(thiocyanato-κS)cobalt(II)

In the title compound, [Co(NCS)2(C6H6N2O)2(H2O)2], the CoII cation is located on an inversion centre and is coordinated by two thiocyanate anions, two nicotinamide molecules and two water molecules in a distorted N2O2S2 octahedral geometry. The amide group is twisted by 31.30 (16)° with respect to the pyridine ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H⋯O, O—H⋯S and N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional supramolecular network. Weak π–π stacking is observed between parallel pyridine rings of adjacent molecules, the centroid–centroid distance being 3.8270 (19) Å.

Diaquabis(nicotinamide-κN1)bis(thiocyanato-κN)nickel(II)

In the title complex, [Ni(NCS)2(C6H6N2O)2(H2O)2], the NiII ion is located on an inversion center and is coordinated in a distorted octahedral environment by two N atoms from two nicotinamide ligands and two water molecules in the equatorial plane, and two N atoms from two thiocyanate anions in the axial positions, all acting as monodentate ligands. In the crystal, weak N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds between the amino groups and the thiocyanate anions form an R 4 2(8) motif. The complex molecules are linked by O—H⋯O, O—H⋯S, and N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. Weak π–π interactions between the pyridine rings is also found [centroid–centroid distance = 3.8578 (14) Å].

Di-aqua-bis-(nicotinamide-κN (1))bis-(thio-cyanato-κN)nickel(II).

In the title complex, [Ni(NCS)2(C6H6N2O)2(H2O)2], the NiII ion is located on an inversion center and is coordinated in a distorted octahedral environment by two N atoms from two nicotinamide ligands and two water molecules in the equatorial plane, and two N atoms from two thiocyanate anions in the axial positions, all acting as monodentate ligands. In the crystal, weak N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds between the amino groups and the thiocyanate anions form an R 4 2(8) motif. The complex molecules are linked by O—H⋯O, O—H⋯S, and N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. Weak π–π interactions between the pyridine rings is also found [centroid–centroid distance = 3.8578 (14) Å].

Di­aqua­bis­(nicotinamide-κN1)bis­(thio­cyanato-κN)nickel(II)

In the title complex, [Ni(NCS)2(C6H6N2O)2(H2O)2], the NiII ion is located on an inversion center and is coordinated in a distorted octahedral environment by two N atoms from two nicotinamide ligands and two water molecules in the equatorial plane, and two N atoms from two thiocyanate anions in the axial positions, all acting as monodentate ligands. In the crystal, weak N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds between the amino groups and the thiocyanate anions form an R 4 2(8) motif. The complex molecules are linked by O—H⋯O, O—H⋯S, and N—H⋯S hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. Weak π–π interactions between the pyridine rings is also found [centroid–centroid distance = 3.8578 (14) Å].

Mythology Merges with Technology for Majestic Production of Silver Nanoparticles: Rudraksha Enabled

In this nanoregime attempts to bring forth nanoparticles and nanomaterials are myriads, with there interesting and demanding applications in almost every field. Today the field of nanoscience has bloomed with the confluence of nanotechnology with material science, biology, biotechnology and medicine and the need for nanotechnology will only increase as miniaturization becomes extremely important in various arrays of life. Since time immemorial silver nanoparticles have been extensively used for hygienic and healing purposes, and even until most recently, it has indispensible vital role especially in the biomedical arena. Thus in an attempt to generate silver nanoparticles employing green, environmentally benign route, we have designed to converge mythology with technology, with the mystical production of silver nanoparticles, enabled by the blueberry beads of the plant Elaeocarpus granitrus Roxb., the Rudraksha. This non-degradable bead does not disintegrate, but retains the potentiality, even after unlimited production of silver nanoparticles, assisting infinite times. The extremely cost-efficient nanoparticles thus developed in a superiorly efficient manner were characterized through different techniques; like UV/visible spectroscopy, PL spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and nanoparticle size analysis.