Informatics Publishing Limited

Pooja Rawat ¹, Y. S. Rajput ¹, Mahesh K. Bharti ¹, Rajan Sharma ²

Affiliations
1 Animal Biochemistry Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132 001, IN
2 Dairy Chemistry Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal 132 001, IN

Abstract

The present communication describes the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using 1-amino-2- naphthol-4-sulphonic acid (ANSA) with enhanced stability. The method of preparation is similar to the conventional method using sodium citrate as reducing agent. Briefly, ANSA was quickly added to a boiled solution of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate under stirring, resulting in the synthesis of deep red-coloured AuNPs. The AuNPs prepared by ANSA (AuNPs-ANSA) exhibit twofold increase in stability towards sodium chloride over those prepared by sodium citrate. AuNPs-ANSA are 35.1 nm in size and particles has various shapes, viz. hexagonal, pentagonal, spherical, etc. AuNPs-ANSA can be functionalized with immunoglobulins and functionalized nanoparticles exhibit flow properties in lateral-flow assay.

Keywords

Gold Nanoparticles, Immunoglobulins, Lateral Flow Assay, Reducing Agent.

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Pooja Rawat ¹, Richa Malhotra ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Lady Sri Ram College for Women, Delhi University, Delhi, IN
2 Department of Psychology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

A state of positive health and well-being ensures an individual's functioning in various spheres of life. There exists an urgent need to attend to mental health as it remains largely neglected, that can potentially have adverse implications for the general healthcare. The current study aims at understanding the perception of mental health amongst adolescents and various misconceptions attached to it. A pre-drafted questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was used. For this purpose, participants between 17-19 years were selected through convenience sampling. An ex post facto design was used. Data was subjected to content analysis to elicit the broad themes. Prominent themes that emerged as findings included conception of mental health, challenges faced, factors contributing to mental health issues and mental health as a shameful and stigmatizing disease. This study brought to light certain limitations such as small sample size and use of convenience sampling. Based on the research findings, it is suggested that further attempts must be encouraged to understand various facets of mental health, and appropriate interventions be introduced by mental health professionals and policy makers at a community level, such that a larger section of our society can benefit.

Keywords

Mental Health, Well Being, Adolescents, Content Analysis.

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Pooja Rawat ¹, Pawan Kumar Singh ¹, Vipin Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Value Addition Research and Development – Human Health, National Innovation Foundation-India, Grambharti, Mahudi Road, Gandhinagar 382 650, IN

Abstract

Herbals, particularly traditional herbal medicines (codified or non-codified) are of immense value. These have significantly contributed to the development of various medications, and hence have become the focus area of researchers for drug discovery. Eighty per cent of the medications of plant origin are suggested to be based on original ethnopharmacological uses¹. Paclitaxel (Taxol^®), the most extensively used drug for breast cancer, was isolated from Taxus brevifolia bark. Artemisinin and its derivative artemotil, isolated from Artemisia annua and quinine, isolated from Cinchona succirubra bark are approved antimalarial drugs. Apomorphine, used to treat Parkinson’s disease, is a derivative of morphine, which was isolated from Papaver somniferum. Many more effective and safe herbals may be developed as alternative and complementary medicine for different indications with inclusive efforts of the governments, policy makers and technocrats.

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