The crystal structure of the complex of meso-tetrasulfonatophenylporphyrin (H(2)TPPS) with jack fruit (Artocarpus integriflora) agglutinin (jacalin) has been determined at 1.8 A resolution. A porphyrin pair is sandwiched between two symmetry-related jacalin monomers in the crystal, leading to a cross-linking network of protein molecules. Apart from the stacking interactions, H(2)TPPS also forms hydrogen bonds, some involving water bridges, with jacalin at the carbohydrate-binding site. The residues that are involved in rendering galactopyranoside specificity to jacalin undergo conformational adjustments in order to accommodate the H(2)TPPS molecule. The water molecules at the carbohydrate-binding site of jacalin cement the jacalin-porphyrin interactions, optimizing their complementarity. Interactions of porphyrin with jacalin are relatively weak compared with those observed between galactopyranoside and jacalin, perhaps because the former largely involves water-mediated hydrogen bonds. While H(2)TPPS binds to jacalin at the carbohydrate-binding site as in the case of ConA, its mode of interaction with jacalin is very different. H(2)TPPS does not enter the carbohydrate-binding cavity of jacalin. Instead, it sits over the binding site. While the porphyrin binding is mediated by replicating the hydrogen-bonding network of mannopyranoside through the sulfonate atoms in the case of ConA, the plasticity associated with the carbohydrate-binding site accommodates the pluripotent porphyrin molecule in the case of jacalin through an entirely different set of interactions.

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In order to assess the effect of handwashing agents like soap and ash on the control of bacterial contamination, the study was carried out in two villages of Rajendranagar mandal of Rangareddy district, Andhra Pradesh. Twenty households belonging to high income group and twenty households belonging to low income group having 1-2 years age children were randomly selected for the study handwash samples. Before feeding the child handwash samples after washing with different agents were collected and analysed for bacterial contamination. The study revealed that use of soap or ash for washing hands before feeding the child reduced hand contamination significantly.

The present research was aimed at developing surface coatings on NiTi archwires capable of protection against nickel release and to investigate the stability, mechanical performance and prevention of nickel release of titanium sputter coated NiTi arch wires. Coated and uncoated specimens immersed in artificial saliva were subjected to critical evaluation of parameters such as surface analysis, mechanical testing, element release, friction coefficient and adhesion of the coating. Titanium coatings exhibited high reliability on exposure even for a prolonged period of 30 days in artificial saliva. The coatings were found to be relatively stable on linear scratch test with reduced frictional coefficient compared to uncoated samples. Titanium sputtering adhered well with the Ni-Ti substrates at the molecular level, this was further confirmed by Inductive coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICPE) analysis which showed no dissolution of nickel in the artificial saliva. Titanium sputter coatings seem to be promising for nickel sensitive patients. The study confirmed the superior nature of the coating, evident as reduced surface roughness, friction coefficient, good adhesion and minimal hardness and elastic modulus variations in artificial saliva over a given time period.