Following Cyclone Aila, a block of Sundarban area, West Bengal, India, reported an increased number of diarrhoea cases at the end of May 2009. This study was performed to identify the agent and source of the outbreak as well as to propose control measures. The outbreak is described by time, place and person. A matched case-control study was conducted and rectal swabs and water specimens were collected. In total, 1076 probable case patients and 14 deaths (attack rate 44/10 000) were identified. Vibrio cholerae El Tor Ogawa was isolated from two of five probable case patients' stool specimens. The outbreak started in the fourth week of May, with two peaks in the second and fourth weeks of June, and lasted until August 2009. Compared with controls, cases were more likely to drink non-chlorinated piped water [matched odds ratio (MOR)=16, 95% CI 4.9-51; population attributable fraction 58%) and were less likely to drink chlorine-treated water (MOR=0.06, 95% CI 0.02-0.18). Villagers broke the water pipelines near their houses for easy access to water. Piped water specimens and stored drinking water were positive for faecal contamination. Contaminated drinking water was the probable source of the cholera outbreak. Repairing the pipelines, chlorination at household level and educating villagers regarding the danger of breached water pipe connections controlled the outbreak.

Wounds continue to be a serious medical concern due to their increasing incidence from injuries, surgery, burns and chronic diseases such as diabetes. Delays in the healing process are influenced by infectious microbes, especially when they are in the biofilm form, which leads to a persistent infection. Biofilms are well known for their increased antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the development of novel wound dressing drug formulations and materials with combined antibacterial, antibiofilm and wound healing properties are required. Nanomaterials (NM) have unique properties due to their size and very large surface area that leads to a wide range of applications. Several NMs have antimicrobial activity combined with wound regeneration features thus give them promising applicability to a variety of wound types. The idea of NM-based antibiotics has been around for a decade at least and there are many recent reviews of the use of nanomaterials as antimicrobials. However, far less attention has been given to exploring if these NMs actually improve wound healing outcomes. In this review, we present an overview of different types of nanomaterials explored specifically for wound healing properties combined with infection control.

Development of an ecofriendly, reliable, and rapid process for synthesis of nanoparticles using biological system is an important bulge in nanotechnology. Antioxidant potential and medicinal value of Adiantum philippense L. fascinated us to utilize it for biosynthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs). The current paper reports utility of aqueous extract of A. philippense L. fronds for the green synthesis of AuNPs and AgNPs. Effect of various parameters on synthesis of nanoparticles was monitored by UV-Vis spectrometry. Optimum conditions for AuNPs synthesis were 1 : 1 proportion of original extract at pH 11 and 5 mM tetrachloroauric acid, whereas optimum conditions for AgNPs synthesis were 1 : 1 proportion of original extract at pH 12 and 9 mM silver nitrate. Characterization of nanoparticles was done by TEM, SAED, XRD, EDS, FTIR, and DLS analyses. The results revealed that AuNPs and AgNPs were anisotropic. Monocrystalline AuNPs and polycrystalline AgNPs measured 10 to 18 nm in size. EDS and XRD analyses confirmed the presence of elemental gold and silver. FTIR analysis revealed a possible binding of extract to AuNPs through –NH2 group and to AgNPs through C=C group. These nanoparticles stabilized by a biological capping agent could further be utilized for biomedical applications.

Background: Biological route for synthesis of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) with therapeutic potential is a major challenge. In this study, CuNPs were synthesized by D. bulbifera tuber extract (DBTE) which were further evaluated for antidiabetic and free radical scavenging activity. Methods: CuNPs synthesized by DBTE were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. CuNPs were checked for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition along with interaction studies employing fluroscence spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy and computational docking. DPPH, nitric oxide and superoxide radical scavenging activities of CuNPs were also checked. Results: Spherical monodispersed CuNPs were synthesized within 5 h that was indicated by a colour change from pale blue to brown. Majority of the nanoparticles synthesized were found to be between 12 to 16 nm as showed in DLS which grew till a final size of 86 to 126 nm as indicated in TEM. Bioreduced CuNPs showed 38.70 ± 1.45% and 34.72 ± 1.22% inhibition against porcine and murine pancreatic amylase, respectively with an uncompetitive mode that was further confirmed by docking studies. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the interaction of CuNPs to the enzyme via Trp residues while CD spectra indicated the structural and conformational changes on binding of CuNPs to the enzyme. CuNPs exhibited 99.09 ± 0.15% inhibition against α-glucosidase while 90.67 ± 0.33% inhibition against murine intestinal glucosidase, respectively. CuNPs showed 40.81 ± 1.44%, 79.06 ± 1.02% and 48.39 ± 1.46% scavenging activity against DPPH, nitric oxide and superoxide radicals respectively. Conclusion: D.bulbifera tuber extract mediated bioreduction is most rapid route to synthesize novel CuNPs with promising antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. This is the first detailed report which provides intense scientific rationale for the use of CuNPs as nanomedicine for efficient control of T2DM and oxidative stress.