The radioprotective potential of bioflavonoid, rutin (RUT) and quercetin (QRT) was investigated in Swiss albino mice exposed to gamma radiation. The radioprotective potential of RUT and QRT was assessed in pre-treatment group of mice followed on radiation-induced changes in glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were also analyzed. Elevation in the GSH, GST, SOD, CAT, and decreased LPO levels were observed in RUT and QRT pretreated group when compared to the irradiated animals. Furthermore, it was observed that RUT and QRT treatment was found to inhibit various free radicals generated in vitro, viz., 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH), O2, 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS)+, and OH in a concentration-dependent manner. This study clearly demonstrates the free radical scavenging action of RUT and QRT, indicating that it may have its potential as a radioprotective agent. Furthermore, the presence of a phenolic group in RUT and QRT is known to contribute to scavenging the radiation-induced free radicals and inhibition of oxidative stress. Present findings demonstrate the potential of RUT and QRT in mitigating radiation-induced oxidative stress, which may be attributed to the inhibition of radiation-induced decline in the endogenous antioxidant levels and scavenging of radiation-induced free radicals.

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Nano silver/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel nanocomposites have been prepared using gamma irradiation technique. Gamma irradiation serves as a crosslinking agent for the polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels and also acts as a reducing agent for reduction of Ag+ ions to zero valent Ag0 within the polyvinyl alcohol crosslinked network. The microstructural characteristics of the prepared composites were studied using powder X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis. The data obtained by these characterizations indicate the homogeneous distribution of silver nanoparticles on the polyvinyl alcohol network. The swelling properties and mechanical parameters of the silver/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel nanocomposites tend to show improvements, making them a better material for wound care applications. The silver/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel nanocomposites have shown good antibacterial potential against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and shown nil or minimal cytotoxic effect on human melanoma (SK-MEL-2) and mouse melanoma (B16-F1) cell lines. Overall, it was concluded that under optimized condition, silver/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel nanocomposites synthesized using gamma irradiation technique are excellent candidates for wound dressing application.

Summary: Surface seawater and sediment parameters indicate the trophic state of coastal marine systems. We used a biochemical approach to identify descriptors of the trophic state and environmental quality of intertidal ecosystems, based on the analysis of the quality and quantity of sedimentary organic matter, water nutrients and their correlation with the foraminiferal population at two sites on the west coast of India. Surface intertidal sediments were collected for a period of 17 months from January 2012 to May 2013 at intervals of two months by using a short core tube. Total foraminiferal number and live foraminiferal number showed a peak during the post-monsoon period, when there is an enrichment of sediment chlorophyll a as well as a dominance of carbohydrates over sedimentary protein. Thus, a small change in the trophic status of the environment from a lower oligotrophic to a higher oligotrophic condition is responsible for the enhancement of foraminiferal population and diversity in the study sites. In particular, sediment protein concentration appeared to be a good descriptor of the trophic state. A gradual increase in foraminiferal population from a protein-rich, fresh organic matter environment to a carbohydrate-rich, detritus organic matter environment indicates the foraminiferal preference for detritus food sources. Thus, the main regulation factor for abundance and diversity of foraminifera at the study sites is trophication.Keywords: Foraminifera; trophic state; organic matter composition.Relación entre la abundancia de foraminíferos y las condiciones tróficas de la zona marino-costera, al oeste de la India Resumen: Los parámetros del agua de mar superficial y del sedimento son indicadores del estado trófico de los sistemas marinos costeros. Hemos usado una aproximación bioquímica para identificar los descriptores del estado trófico y calidad ambiental de los ecosistemas intermareales, basado en el análisis de la calidad y la cantidad de materia orgánica sedimentaria, de los nutrientes del agua y su correlación con la población de foraminíferos en dos lugares de la costa oeste de la India. Las muestras de la superficie de los sedimentos intermareales se recogieron durante un período de diecisiete meses desde enero de 2012 a mayo de 2013, a intervalos de dos meses mediante el uso de un corer. El número total de foraminíferos (TFN), así como el número de foraminiferos vivos (LFN) mostró un pico durante el periodo posterior al monzón cuando se produce un enriquecimiento de clorofila a en el sedimento y un dominio de la concentración de hidratos de carbono sobre la de las proteínas sedimentarias. Por tanto, un cambio pequeño en el estado trófico del medio ambiente desde condiciones de menos a más oligotróficas son responsables de la mejora de la población y la diversidad de foraminíferos en los sitios de estudio. En particular, la concentración de proteína del sedimento resultaba ser un buen descriptor del estado trófico del sistema. Un incremento gradual de la población de foraminíferos desde un amb...