Validation of the Bengali version of the Caregiver Collusion Questionnaire: A tool for measuring collusion among caregivers of terminally ill patients.

Background: In palliative care settings, collusion or "conspiracy of silence" frequently interferes with communication and interpersonal relationships among patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The "Caregiver Collusion Questionnaire" is the only tool available for assessing caregiver collusion. The purpose of the study is to translate and adapt the English version of this instrument into Bengali, followed by standard validation. Methods: The study was carried out in two stages. Four independent translators conducted forward and backward translations of the English version of the "Caregiver Collusion Questionnaire" into Bengali. The Bengali version of the instrument was finalized following expert committee reviews, pre-testing, and cognitive debriefing. The final validation was carried out among 71 caregivers of patients with advanced incurable illnesses admitted to the palliative medicine and internal medicine departments of two Bangladeshi hospitals. In the final phase, the validity (content, face, and construct validity) and reliability (interclass item-wise correlation coefficient) of the translated tool were assessed. Result: 60% of the participants fully understood 19 items, whereas 40% struggled with one or more items. The expert committee expressed their satisfaction with the face and content validity of the translated version. The Bengali version also had quite good reliability (α = 0.62). Seven components were identified using principal component analysis with the distribution of Varimax Rotation distribution. Items under each factor had adequate factor loading, ranging from 0.4 to 0.8. Conclusion: The Bengali version of the "Caregiver Collusion Questionnaire" was found valid reliable and culturally acceptable for measuring caregiver collusion among the Bengali-speaking people. Based on the scale, the reasons for collusion can be identified and measures can be taken for breaking the collusion.

Interfacial Effect-Induced Electrocatalytic Activity of Spinel Cobalt Oxide in Methanol Oxidation Reaction.

In this study, spinel cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles without combining with any other metal atoms have been decorated through the influence of two hard templating agents, viz., zeolite-Y and carboxy-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNT). The adornment of the Co3O4 nanoparticles, through the combined impact of the aluminosilicate and carbon framework has resulted in quantum interference, causing the reversal of signatory Raman peaks of Co3O4. Apart from the construction of small Co3O4 nanoparticles at the interface of the two matrices, the particles were aligned along the direction of COOH-MWCNT. The catalyst Co3O4-Y-MWCNT exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in comparison to Co3O4-Y, Co3O4-MWCNT, and bared Co3O4 with the current density of 0.92 A mg-1 at an onset potential of 1.33 V versus RHE. The material demonstrated persistent electrocatalytic activity up to 300 potential cycles and 20,000 s without substantial current density loss. High surface area of zeolite-Y in combination with the excellent conductivity of the COOH-MWCNT enhanced the electrocatalytic performance of the catalyst. The simplicity of synthesis, scale-up, and remarkable electrocatalytic activity of the catalyst Co3O4-Y-MWCNT provided an effective way toward the development of anode materials for direct methanol fuel cells.

Using a novel CLEM system to localize lipid droplets and membranes in desiccated embryonic axis cells of soybean seeds.

Lipid droplets and membranes in radicle cells from desiccated embryonic axes of soybean (Glycine max) seeds were examined by a recently developed correlative light and electron microscopy system, which has been designed to facilitate the observation of identical locations using an upright reflected light microscope and compact SEM successively with minimum time lapse. Lipids are major components of membranes and are also stored in numerous lipid droplets lining plasma membranes in many seed cells. Fluorescently stained lipid droplets and membranes in the desiccated radicle cells were mainly located along the surface of shrunk protoplasm and around presumptive protein bodies, which will turn into vacuoles and increase their volume for radicle protrusion. Co-localization of lipid droplets and membranes suggests the presence of a membrane protection mechanism during desiccation and rehydration processes that ensures prompt elongation of radicle cells during germination.

Localization of Lipid Droplets in Embryonic Axis Radicle Cells of Soybean Seeds under Various Imbibition Regimes Indicates Their Role in Desiccation Tolerance.

Desiccation tolerance allows plant seeds to remain viable during desiccation and subsequent re-hydration. In this study, we tried to develop an experimental system to understand the difference between desiccation tolerant and desiccation sensitive radicle cells by examining excised embryonic axes after re-desiccation and subsequent imbibition under various regimes. Embryonic axes excised from soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seeds imbibed for 3 h to 15 h which remained attached to the cotyledons during imbibition would grow normally after 24 h of desiccation and re-imbibition on wet filter paper. By contrast, when the embryonic axes excised after 3 h imbibition of seeds were kept on wet filter paper for 12 h to 16 h, their growth was significantly retarded after 24 h of desiccation and subsequent re-imbibition. Numerous lipid droplets were observed lining the plasma membrane and tonoplasts in radicle cells of desiccation tolerant embryonic axes before and after desiccation treatment. By contrast, the lipid droplets lining the plasma membrane and tonoplasts became very sparse in radicle cells that were placed for longer times on wet filter paper before desiccation. We observed a clear correlation between the amount of lipid droplets lining plasma membranes and the ability to grow after desiccation and re-imbibition of the excised embryonic axes. In addition to the reduction of lipid droplets in the cells, a gradual increase in starch grains was observed. Large starch grains accumulated in the radicle cells of those axes that failed to grow further.

Comparative Physicochemical Evaluation of Kharekhasak (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) Before and After Mudabbar Process.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mudabbar/Tadbeere advia is referred to the processes performed on the drugs to detoxify, purify, and enhance therapeutic action and to reduce its doses before making the formulations in Unani medicine. It improves quality of drugs either by optimizing its desirable characteristics or minimizing the undesirable ones; it makes drug effective, safe, and specific. There is a need of comparative evaluation to understand its significance. Tadbeer of Kharekhasak (KK) khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn. fruit) is described by Rabban Al-Tabari in Firdausul Hikmat, Akbar Arzani in Qarabadeene Qadri, etc., during the compounding of aphrodisiac formulations. Mudabbar Kharekhasak (MKK) used in Safoofe Kharekhasak mentioned in Al-Qarabadeene was evaluated in this work. METHODS: Mudabbar/Tadbeer process was carried out by blending fresh KK. Juice with powdered dry KK and drying it under the sun. Juice used for process is thrice the weight of dry KK powder. The KK before and after the process was evaluated using physicochemical tests: powder characterization, extractive value, alcohol and water soluble matter, ash value, loss on drying (LOD) at 105°C, pH, high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting, and diosgenin content. RESULTS: Powder characterizations were set in. Increase in successive and nonsuccessive extractive values in various solvents, water/alcohol-soluble content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, and sulfated ash of MKK was noted in comparison with KK. Decrease in LOD at 105°C and pH of MKK powder was observed. HPTLC fingerprinting data were developed for the identification and evaluation. Quantification of diosgenin content increased to 432.1 g/g in MKK as compared to 144.5 g/g in KK, suggesting significant increase in saponin content. CONCLUSION: Data obtained clearly indicated changes in MKK validating the classical Mudabbar process, probably to enhance/modify the action of drug. Standards for crude and MKK were established for future reference. SUMMARY: Mudabbar process on Tribulus terrestris Linn (KK) havebeen validated.Physicochemical data for Mudabbar and non mudabbar Kharekhasak (KK) powder have been set in.Diosgenin content was increased significantly in mudabbar KK. Abbreviations Used: KK: Kharekhasak, TT: Tribulus terrestris, MKK: mudabbar Kharekhasak, SK: Safoofe Kharekhasak, LOD: loss of weight on drying, HPTLC: High performance thin layer chromatography, BSS: British standard sieve, µl: microliter, SEM: Standard error of mean, nm: nanometer, g: gram.

Standardization of Unani Antidiabetic Tablet - Qurse Tabasheer.

BACKGROUND: Quality control of Unani polyherbal formulations is the need of the day for better acceptance of Unani medicine. Qurse Tabasheer (QT) is a Unani polyherbal formulation containing six ingredients, Tabasheer (Siliceous concretions) (Bambosa arundinaceae Retz.), Gule Surkh (Rosa damascena Mill. flower), Gulnar (Punica granatum Linn. flower), Tukhme kahu (Lactuca sativa Linn. seed), Tukhme khurfa (Portulaca oleraceae Linn. seed), and Gile Armani (bole) widely used in treatment of diabetes. The present study was taken up to scientifically evaluate the various physicochemical parameters to standardize the formulation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate various physicochemical parameters including ash values, moisture content, extractive values, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance TLC (HPTLC), friability, disintegration, uniformity, and weight variation for standardization of QT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ingredients were identified by the experts. The method mentioned in national formulary of Unani Medicine with modification was followed for preparation of the tablets. Physicochemical standards were established for ideal batch of tablets on the basis of set parameters regarding friability, hardness, and disintegration. Various parameters such as organoleptic characters, extractive values for the extract and HPTLC fingerprinting postcompression were carried out for evaluation of QT. RESULTS: Parameters for loss of weight on drying, pH, ash values, extractive values documented. Qualitative chemical tests indicated the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, tannins, and steroids. TLC and HPTLC fingerprinting studies showing the presence of major peaks were documented. Friability, hardness, and disintegration time of ideal batch was 0.09 ± 0.0057, 4.03 ± 0.087, and 25.57 ± 0.4860 min, respectively, and it was found to be within the set limit. Weight variation was <5%. Total fungal and bacterial counts were found to be within the limit. CONCLUSION: Standards were established for poly herbal formulation QT, which may be used as reference for preparation and standardization of QT. SUMMARY: In this work Standardization of anti-diabetic tablet Qurse Tabasheer with diverse ingredients including herbal and mineral origin drugs has been attempted with identification of its ingredients, formulation, physicochemical evaluation and HPTLC finger printing, which may help in preparing consistent and better efficacious formulations. Abbreviations Used: QT: Qurse Tabasheer TLC: thin layer chromatography HPTLC: high-performance thin layer chromatography WHO: World health organization FRLHT: Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions Fe2O3: Iron oxide Sio2: Silica CaCo3: Calcium carbonate, Tio2: Titanium Oxide NIUM: National Institute of Unani Medicine #: Mesh size LOD: Loss of weight on drying USP: United state Pharmacopeia UV: Ultra Violet λ: Lambda θ: theta CFU: Colony-forming unit.

Pioglitazone, a PPAR-gamma ligand inhibited the nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced sperm abnormalities in type-2 diabetic Wistar rats.

Oxidative stress due to chronic hyperglycemia is known to cause infertility in diabetic patients. Pioglitazone (PIO), a PPAR-gamma ligand is known to possess the antioxidant property however, its role on the oxidative stress mediated germinal damage in Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is poorly studies in the literature. In this study, the effect of PIO (1 and 10 mg/kg, p.o. daily for 4 weeks) was evaluated against the nicotinamide (NA- 230 mg/kg, ip) and streptozotocin (STZ-65 mg/kg, ip) induced changes in sperm abnormality and antioxidant status in Wistar rats. The effect of PIO on the male reproductive cells was studied by determining the sperm shape abnormality and sperm count in the experimental T2DM. The antioxidant profile was studied by estimating the serum lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. The higher dose of PIO (10 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) reduced the sperm shape abnormality and increased the sperm count (p<0.001), besides decreasing (p<0.05) the LPO and enhancing the GSH and GPx levels in the diabetic rats. However, the lower dose of PIO (1 mg/kg) produced inhibitory (p<0.05) effect against the changes induced by T2DM in the sperm shape abnormality and GSH levels. alpha-tocopherol tested as an standard antioxidant agent prevented (p<0.001) the NA-STZ mediated alterations in sperm abnormalities and antioxidant enzyme levels. The results suggest that the inhibitory effect of PIO against the T2DM induced sperm abnormality could be related to its antioxidant property.

Protective role of glibenclamide against nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced nuclear damage in diabetic Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effect of glibenclamide against the experimental diabetes-induced nuclear damage in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-mutagenic effect of glibenclamide (0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg, p.o daily for 4 weeks) was evaluated against the nicotinamide (NA)-streptozotocin (STZ) induced type-2 diabetes mellitus using bone marrow micronucleus and sperm abnormalities tests. The antioxidant status was tested by estimating the serum levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). RESULTS: The results indicated that glibenclamide at 50 mg/kg decreased the frequency of micronuclei in erythrocytes (P < 0.05) and sperm shape abnormality (P < 0.01) besides enhancing the antioxidant status (P < 0.05) in the diabetic rats. However, glibenclamide treatment did not enhance the polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes (P/N) ratio and sperm count in the diabetic condition. CONCLUSION: The observations indicate that the glibenclamide has anti-mutagenic potential which could be related to the antioxidant effect and might also possess anti-proliferative property.

Role of Pioglitazone with Metformin or Glimepiride on Oxidative Stress-induced Nuclear Damage and Reproductive Toxicity in Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress due to improper control of blood glucose in chronic diabetes plays a major role in the development of secondary complications including cancer and birth defect. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of combination of pioglitazone with metformin or glimepiride against the experimental type-2 diabetes induced nuclear damage and reproductive toxicity in rats. METHODS: The combinations of Pioglitazone (Pio-1 mg/kg) with metformin (Met-50 mg/kg) or glimepiride (Gmp-0.2 mg/kg) given orally daily for 4 weeks were tested against nicotinamide (NA-230 mg/kg, ip)-streptozotocin (STZ-65 mg/kg, ip)-induced micronuclei (MN) formation and sperm abnormalities in male Wistar rats. The antioxidant status was evaluated by measuring the levels of serum lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). RESULTS: The administration of Pio+Met significantly (P<0.01) reduced the number of micronucleated erythrocytes, increased the polychromatic: normochromatic erythrocytes (P/N ratio), reduced (P<0.001) sperm morphology defects and increased (P<0.05) the caudal sperm count compared to the untreated diabetic condition. Furthermore, the Pio+Met combination enhanced the antioxidant status in diabetic animals. However, Pio+Gmp did not attenuate the nuclear and sperm defects or oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: The observations suggest that Pio+Met combination reduced nuclear damage and sperm abnormalities by enhancing the antioxidant status in the diabetic animals.

Inhibitory effect of glimepiride on nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced nuclear damages and sperm abnormality in diabetic Wistar rats.

The generation of reactive oxygen species in diabetes is considered to be the major cause for the mutation related defects such as cancer, infertility etc. Glimepiride (Gmp) is a third generation antidiabetic sulphonylurea known to possess the antioxidant effect in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes. In this study, the anti-mutagenic activity of Gmp (0.175, 17.5 and 175 mg/kg, po daily for 4 weeks) was evaluated against the nicotinamide (NA-230 mg/kg) and STZ (65 mg/kg) induced somatic and germinal cells defect using bone marrow micronucleus (MN) test and sperm abnormality test respectively in male Wistar rats. Administration of Gmp at 175 mg prevented the NA-STZ induced increased frequency of MN in polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes. The treatment with Gmp also decreased the sperm shape abnormality and enhanced the sperm count besides improving the antioxidant status in the diabetic rats. However, the other doses of Gmp (0.175 and 17.5 mg) did not produce significant change in the MN frequency and sperm abnormality although Gmp at 17.5 mg showed significant antidiabetic effect in the hyperglycemic animals. The results indicated that Gmp inhibited the NA-STZ mediated changes in the MN frequency and sperm abnormality and enhanced the antioxidant defense. The observations suggest that the antioxidant property of Gmp could have contributed for its ability to decrease the NA-STZ mediated defects in somatic and germinal cells.

Attitudes towards health and exercise of overweight women.

AIM: To investigate the attitudes and beliefs held by UK Bangladeshi women on health and exercise and explore possible ways of increasing levels of physical activity in this group. METHODS: A survey based on an interview-guided questionnaire, with 25 British Bangladeshi females, 30-60 years old, from the Borough of Tower Hamlets, East London, who have been referred to a gym by their general practitioner (GP) in order to improve health. Main reasons for referral were: obesity, metabolic syndrome, risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. RESULTS: Forty per cent of the subjects were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) and the remaining 60% were overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2). The great majority of the subjects (96%) reported that they were only willing to take up exercise if they were referred to the gym by their GP as an alternative or additional treatment for their complaints. They would not exercise voluntarily. Even though all women in our sample were either overweight or obese, 16% of the subjects reported that they did not know if they were overweight and 20% thought that they were actually of normal weight. Most women identified swimming as the type of physical activity of preference, if they had to exercise, followed by slow walking, with running being the least enjoyed activity. CONCLUSION: Bangladeshi women take little regular exercise to improve their health, predominant because of certain cultural beliefs and attitudes. More needs to be done to encourage levels and types of exercise that would be more appropriate for this ethnic group.

Effect of thiazolidinediones on the erythropoeitic and germinal cells in the male wistar rats.

Hyperglycemia is the main determinant of long term diabetic complications mainly through induction of oxidative stress responsible for secondary defects including cancer, infertility etc. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are known to posses the antioxidant potential against the reactive oxygen species. The ability of clinically used TZDs like Rosiglitazone (RSG) and Pioglitazone (PIO) in diabetic complications is still need to be studied extensively in the literature. In this study, the role of RSG and PIO on the frequency of nuclear and germinal cell damage was studied using bone marrow micronucleus (MN) test, sperm shape abnormality and sperm count in normal animals. The drugs were tested in the three doses (1, 10 and 100 mg/kg) after acute (48 hrs and 72 hrs) and chronic (4 weeks) treatment. The results indicated that RSG has produced significant (p < 0.01) decrease in P/N (polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes) ratio at 10 and 100 mg/kg without affecting the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes, sperm shape morphology and sperm count. PIO in the tested doses did not induce any change in P/N ratio and sperm count but the higher dose (100 mg/kg) showed suppression of MN in normochromatic erythrocytes and % sperm shape abnormality compared to the control group.

Citral, a component of lemongrass oil inhibits the clastogenic effect of nickel chloride in mouse micronucleus test system.

Citral is a major component of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass oil). The aqueous suspension of citral (60 mg/kg body weight, per oral) treated for one week was tested for the anti-clastogenic effect using mouse micronucleus test system. A known mutagen nickel (Nickel chloride-10 mg/kg, b.w. intra-peritoneal) was used to induce the nuclear damage measured in polychromatic erythrocytes and normochromatic erythrocytes. The frequency of the micronucleated erythrocytes were studied in peripheral blood and bone marrow after 24, 48 and 72 hours of mutagenic exposure. The antioxidant activity of citral was tested in vitro by superoxide scavenging method. The results indicated that citral significantly (P<0.01) inhibited the formation of micronuclei induced by nickel. Further, a good superoxide scavenging activity (EC50=19 mcg/ml) was observed in citral treated groups, suggesting that the antioxidant action could be responsible for the anti-clastogenic effect of citral against nickel chloride.

Chemical composition, iron bioavailability, and antioxidant activity of Kappaphycus alvarezzi (Doty).

Kappaphycus alvarezzi, an edible seaweed from the west coast of India, was analyzed for its chemical composition. It was found that K. alvarezzi is rich in protein (16.24% w/w) and contains a high amount of fiber (29.40% w/w) and carbohydrates (27.4% w/w). K. alvarezzi showed vitamin A activity of 865 mug retinal equivalents/100 g of sample. It contained a higher quantity of unsaturated fatty acids (44.50% of the total), in which relative percentage of oleic acid was 11%, cis-heptadecanoic acid 13.50%, and linoleic acid 2.3% and 37.0% of saturated fatty acids (mainly heptadecanoic acid). K. alvarezziwas also found to be good source of minerals, viz 0.16% of calcium, 0.033% of iron, and 0.016% of zinc, which are essential for various vital biological activities. Bioavailability of iron by in vitro methods showed a higher efficiency in intestinal conditions than in stomach conditions. Ascorbic acid influenced higher bioavailability of iron. Successive extracts of n-hexane, acetone, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and direct extractables of chloroform/methanol (1:1 and 2:1) were screened for antioxidant activity using a beta-carotene linoleic acid model system (B-CLAMS), DPPH (alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl) model system and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The chloroform/methanol (2:1) extract has shown 82.5% scavenging activity at 1000 ppm. Acetone fraction extracts at the 1000 ppm level showed 63.31% antioxidant activity in beta-carotene linoleic acid system. The acetone extract showed 46.04% scavenging activity at 1000 ppm concentration. In the case of hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, all the extracts showed better activity at the concentrations of 25 and 50 ppm, where at the 50 ppm level ethyl acetate extract showed 76.0%, acetone 75.12%, and hexane 71.15% activity, respectively. Results of this study suggest the utility of K. alvarezzi (Eucheuma) for various nutritional products, including antioxidant for use as health food or nutraceutical supplement.