Annamalai University

About: Annamalai University is a education organization based out in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Lipid peroxidation & Antioxidant. The organization has 8098 authors who have published 10758 publications receiving 203872 citations.

Biopolymer zein-coated gold nanoparticles: Synthesis, antibacterial potential, toxicity and histopathological effects against the Zika virus vector Aedes aegypti

Abstract: The control of multidrug-resistant bacteria as well as insect pests and vectors is timely and important now a days. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial, antibiofilm and mosquito larvicidal effects of gold nanoparticles synthesized using the zein biopolymer (Ze-AuNPs) against Gram positive (Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis), Gram negative (Shigella sonnei and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and third instar larvae of the dengue and Zika virus vector Aedes aegypti. The synthesized Ze-AuNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial assays testing Ze-AuNPs at 100μg/ml showed that the zones of inhibition against Gram positive species B. pumilus and B. subtilis were 13.9 and 14.2mm, respectively, while for Gram negative S. sonnei and P. aeruginosa they were 18.1 and 18.4mm, respectively. Light and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) confirmed the interruption and disintegration of bacterial biofilm post-treatment with Ze-AuNPs at 100μg/ml. In larvicidal assays on A. aegypti, HAuCl4 and Ze-AuNPs treated third instar larvae of A. aegypti showed LC50 of 26.6 and 6.81mg/L, respectively, and LC90 of 81.1 and 13.6mg/L respectively. The histopathological analysis of A. aegypti treated with Ze-AuNPs showed complete disintegration of abdominal region, particularly the midgut and caeca, with loss of lateral and caudal hairs. The stereomicroscopic visualization of A. aegypti treated with Ze-AuNPs showed the loss of upper head hair, lower head hair, antenna hair, lateral hair and caudal hair. Overall, the study concludes that Ze-AuNPs have excellent antibacterial, antibiofilm effects and has ability to control the larval populations of A. aegypti mosquitoes.

Effect of Heat Input on Mechanical and Metallurgical Properties of Friction Stir Welded AA6061-10% SiCp MMCs

Abstract: Metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with SiC particles combine the matrix properties with those of the ceramic reinforcement, leading to higher stiffness and superior thermal stability with respect to the corresponding unreinforced alloys. However, their wide application as structural material needs proper development of a suitable joining process. In this investigation, an attempt was made to study the effect of heat input on the evolution of microstructure in weld region of friction stir welded AA6061-10% SiCp MMCs. The tensile properties of the joints were evaluated and they are related with microstructure and heat input of the process. The microstructure characterization of the weld zone shows evidence of a substantial grain refinement of the aluminum matrix and fracturing of reinforcement particles due to dynamic recrystallization induced by the plastic deformation and frictional heating during welding.

Antihyperglycaemic effect of Diamed, a herbal formulation, in experimental diabetes in rats.

Abstract: Diamed is a herbal formulation composed of the aqueous extracts of three medicinal plants (Azardirachta indica, Cassia auriculata and Momordica charantia). We have investigated Diamed for its possible antihyperglycaemic action in rats with alloxan-induced experimental diabetes. Oral administration of Diamed (1.39 (0.25 g), 1.67 (0.30 g) or 1.94 (0.35 g) mL kg(-1)) for 30 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, and an increase in plasma insulin and total haemoglobin. The effect was highly significant after administration of the 1.94 mL (0.35 g) g(-1) body weight dose. Diamed also prevented a decrease in body weight. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed in experimental diabetic rats in which there was a significant improvement in glucose tolerance in the animals treated with Diamed. The effect was compared with 600 microg kg(-1) glibenclamide. The results showed that Diamed had antihyperglycaemic action in experimental diabetes in rats.

An evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice of Indian pharmacists towards adverse drug reaction reporting: A pilot study

Abstract: Background: Pharmacovigilance is a useful to assure the safety of medicines and protect consumers from their harmful effects. Healthcare professionals should consider Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting as part of their professional obligation and participate in the existent pharmacovigilance programs in their countries. In India, the National PV Program was re-launched in July 2010. Objectives: This survey was conducted in order to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of Indian pharmacists with the aim of exploring the pharmacists' participation in ADR reporting system, identifying the reasons of under reporting and determining the steps that could be adopted to increase reporting rates. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among the pharmacists in India using a pretested questionnaire with 33 questions (10 questions on knowledge, 6 on attitude, 7 on practice, 7 on future of ADR reporting in India and 3 on benefits of reporting ADRs.). The study was conducted, over a period of 3 months from May 2012 to July 2012. Results: Out of the 600 participants to whom the survey was administered, a total of 400 were filled. The response rate of the survey was 67%. 95% responders were knowledgeable about ADRs. 90% participants had a positive attitude towards making ADRs reporting mandatory for practicing pharmacists. 87.5% participants were interested in participating in the National Pharmacovigilance program, in India. 47.5% respondents had observed ADRs in their practice, and 37% had reported it to the national pharmacovigilance center. 92% pharmacists believed reporting ADRs immensely helped in providing quality care to patients. Conclusion : The Indian pharmacists have poor knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards ADR reporting and pharmacovigilance. Pharmacists with higher qualifications such as the pharmacists with a PharmD have better KAP. With additional training on Pharmacovigilance, the Indian Pharmacists working in different sectors can become part of ADR reporting system.

A modified secure digital image steganography based on Discrete Wavelet Transform

Abstract: Steganography, the secret image is embedded in the cover image and transmitted in such a way that the existence of information is undetectable. The digital images, videos, sound files and other computer files can be used as carrier to embed the information. In this paper, we propose a modified secure and high capacity based steganography scheme of hiding a large-size secret image into a small-size cover image. Arnold transformation is performed to scrambles the secret image. Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is performed in both images and followed by Alpha blending operation. Then the Inverse Discrete Wavelet Transformation (IDWT) is applied to get the stego image. We have investigated the performance of our scheme by comparing various qualities of the stego image and cover image. The results show that the proposed algorithm for modified steganography is highly secured with certain strength in addition to good perceptual invisibility.