Supplementation of nano-selenium (SeNPs) improved growth, immunity, antioxidant enzyme activity, and selenium retention in broiler chicken during summer season.

The present experiment was aimed at finding the optimal supplemental dose of nano-selenium in broiler chicken during the summer season for better performance in terms of growth, blood metabolites, immune response, antioxidant status, and selenium concentration in vital organs. Three-hundred-day-old Vencobb broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five dietary treatment groups with six replicates of 10 chicks each. The dietary treatments were as follows: T1 (control group), basal diet; T2, basal diet with 0.0375 ppm of nano-Se; T3, basal diet with 0.075 ppm of nano-Se; T4, basal diet with 0.15 ppm of nano-Se; T5, basal diet with 0.3 ppm of nano-Se. The experiment was carried out for 35 days. The average gain and feed conversion ratio were best observed in T4 and T5. The antibody titres were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the treated birds. At the 5th week, erythrocytic glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly (P < 0.05) higher and lipid peroxidation values were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in all the nano-Se-treated groups. The Se levels in the liver, breast muscle, kidney, brain, and gizzard were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increased dietary nano-Se. Histological studies of the liver and kidney in the highest nano-Se-treated groups (T4 and T5) did not show any abnormal changes. It is concluded that supplementation of nano-selenium at 0.15 ppm over and above the basal level improved the performance and protect the birds from summer stress without any adverse effect on the vital organs of chicken.

Learning Curve of Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy - an Analysis of Critical Perioperative and Surgical Outcomes among 155 Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Patients Treated at a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre.

AIMS: Various factors can influence the learning curve of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Initiating CRS and HIPEC programmes in low- and middle-income countries is challenging due to resource constraints and limited availability of expertise. We present our experience of CRS and HIPEC from a learning curve perspective among a cohort 155 peritoneal surface malignancy patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing CRS and HIPEC between May 2015 and February 2019 were included in the study. Patients were divided into two consecutive cohorts: the first 73 cases comprised the learning phase, group 1; the subsequent cohort of 82 patients were considered as the implementation phase, group 2. A comparative analysis of clinical and surgical outcome parameters was carried out between the two groups. RESULTS: The clinical spectrum was comparable among group 1/group 2. Most were ovarian (56.8%), colorectal (13.5%) and appendiceal (11.0%) malignancies. Group 2 had a higher number of moderate to high peritoneal cancer index patients (34.1% versus 19.1%), total peritonectomies (48.8% versus 45.2%), multi-visceral resections (colonic 41.5% versus 27.4%, small bowel 25.6% versus 19.1%, diaphragmatic 8.5% versus 6.5% and hepatic resections 8.5% versus 2.7%) and completeness of cytoreduction 0/1 rates (97.6% versus 93.1%). A lower incidence of intraoperative urological injuries (2.6% versus 12.3%) was noticed in group 2 (P = 0.007). Non-significant improvements seen in group 2 included surgery duration (6.0 ± 1.3 h versus 6.4 ± 1.7 h), intensive care unit stay (1.3 ± 1.1 days versus 1.8 ± 1.5 days), overall hospital stay (8.1 ± 0.9 days versus 8.8 ± 1.4 days) and reduction in Clavien-Dindo grade 3-4 complications (25.4% versus 36.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study indicate that by implementing standard protocols and mentoring by an experienced team, a learning curve of CRS and HIPEC can be achieved in fewer than 75 cases. The baseline expertise of the treating team can also influence the learning curve.

Sorption-desorption coefficients of uranium in contaminated soils collected around Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

Various radionuclides including fission products and heavy nuclides were released into the environment during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident. The dissolution followed by migration of deposited radionuclides of Cs, Sr and U on soils could take place to the local environment. Therefore, it is necessary to determine sorption-desorption coefficients of U in soil-water system around the FDNPS from a migration viewpoint. The determination of sorption coefficient Kd(S) as well as desorption coefficient Kd(D) for U has been carried out in the present study using a laboratory batch method. Stable U was used for sorption from simulated ground water onto contaminated soil samples collected from Okuma Town, Fukushima. Different soil parameters were measured to understand their effects on sorption and desorption processes. The obtained Kd(S) and Kd(D) values of U were compared with values of Kd(S) and Kd(D) of Cs and Sr and Kd(S)-U in known Fukushima accident contaminated soils reported in the literature for better understanding. It was observed that Kd(S)-U varied from 160 to 5100 L/kg, whereas Kd(D)-U ranged from 200 to 11000 L/kg. Kd(D) was higher than Kd(S) for U in these soils implying irreversibility of the sorption process. Pearson's correlation of Kd(S) values suggested that U sorption is affected by various soil parameters. However, desorption is decided by the nature of U species formed in sorption process and soil parameters like pH, presence of carbonates, Ca ions, clay minerals etc. to some extent. The comparison between Kd(S) and Kd(D) values for Cs, Sr and U revealed that unsorbed Sr could migrate farther than unsorbed Cs or U under the present experimental conditions. Both sorption and desorption studies are of great importance to understand migration of metal ions from contaminated sites to local uncontaminated areas.

Role of postoperative intact serum PTH as an early predictor of severe post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia is a major sequel of thyroidectomy and continues to trouble the endocrinologists and the endocrine surgeons as there is no ideal predictive marker of hypocalcemia which has the potential to develop into a life-threatening complication. The role of early serum intact parathormone (iPTH) to predict post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia is becoming useful but the literature is still unclear regarding the optimal time of testing and the optimal cut-off value of serum iPTH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 111 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy in a tertiary care endocrine surgery referral unit. Serum iPTH was measured after 20 min and 4 h of surgery. Receiver-Operator characteristic Curve (ROC) was used to find out of the best cut-off value of S. iPTH 20 min and 4 h after surgery in predicting hypocalcemia. RESULTS: Hypocalcemia was noted in 60 (54%) out of 111 subjects who underwent total thyroidectomy. The best cut-off values of Serum iPTH to predict hypocalcemia was found to be 4.28 pmol/l at 20 min post total thyroidectomy with a sensitivity and specificity of 81.7% and 51%, respectively. In addition, patients with malignancy or central lymph nodal dissection were significantly over-represented in the hypocalcemia group with serum iPTH above the threshold level of 4.28 pmol/l. Below the cut off level, parenteral calcium supplementation was required in 23% (17/74) subjects while the rate was only 5.4% (2/37) patients when serum iPTH was above the cut-off level. CONCLUSIONS: The decline of serum iPTH below a specific level after surgery has predictive value together with other factors strictly related to patient, the thyroid disease itself and surgery. The risk of development of hypocalcemia and consequent need for calcium supplementation should be evaluated by clinical assessment along with serum PTH measurement.

URANIUM, THORIUM AND RARE EARTH ELEMENTS DISTRIBUTION IN FUKUSHIMA SOIL SAMPLES.

Uranium, thorium and rare earth elements (REEs) in soil samples contaminated by Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident was determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This information provides knowledge about concentration levels of REEs in soil samples as a background data after FDNPP accident. Chondrite-normalised REEs pattern does not show enrichment in concentrations of REEs, which could be related to FDNPP accident. The high concentration of these elements at few sampling points may be due to soil formation process from granitic rocks.

Measurement of uranium distribution coefficient and 235U/238U ratio in soils affected by Fukushima dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident.

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident resulted radioactive contamination in soil due to deposition of mainly radiocesium as well as many long-lived radionuclides surrounding a large area around FDNPP. Depending upon environmental conditions, radionuclides in soil can be mobilized in aquatic systems. Therefore, the fate and transfer of these radionuclides in the soil water system is very important for radiation protection and dose assessment. In the present study, soil and water samples were collected from contaminated areas around FDNPP. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is used for total uranium concentration. Emphasis has been given on isotope ratio measurement of 235U/238U ratio using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) that gives us the idea about its contamination during accident. For the migration behavior, its distribution coefficient (Kd) has been determined using laboratory batch method. Chemical characterization of soil with respect to different parameters has been carried out. The effect of these soil parameters on distribution coefficient of uranium has been studied in order to explain the radionuclide mobility in this particular area. The distribution coefficient values for uranium are found to vary from 30 to 36000 L/kg. A large variation in the distribution coefficient values shows the retention or mobility of uranium is highly dependent on soil characteristics in the particular area. This variation is explained with respect to soil pH, Fe, Mn, CaCO3 and organic content. There is a very good correlation of uranium Kd obtained with Fe content. There is no enrichment of 235U has been noticed in the studied area.

Neuropharmacological evaluation on four traditional herbs used as nervine tonic and commonly available as Shankhpushpi in India.

BACKGROUND: Shankhpushpi is an Ayurvedic drug, widely used for its actions on the central nervous system, especially to improve intellect and boost memory. Four botanicals viz. Canscora decussata Schult. (CD), Clitorea ternatea Linn. (CT), Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy. (CP) and Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. (EA) are considered as sources of Shankhpushpi by Indian practitioners on the basis of their morphological descriptions given in ancient texts. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the neuropharmacological effect of four herbs commonly identified as source of Shankhpushpi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol extracts of all four varieties were tested and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their neuropharmacological effects. Experiments such as protection against ß-amyloid induced neurotoxicity on brain cell line (Neuro 2A), antioxidant potential, AchE (acetylcholinesterase enzyme) inhibition, and 5-LOX (lipoxygenase) enzyme inhibition were conducted for in vitro evaluation. For in vivo evaluation, scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.) induced memory retrieval using pole climbing apparatus and Morris water maze were performed in rat models. RESULTS: It was found that protective effects of EA and CD against ß-amyloid induced neurotoxicity in Neuro 2A cells were significantly higher than CT and CP. EA proved to be superior than other varieties on the basis of antioxidant activity, AchE inhibitory and LOX inhibitory activities. The preventive activity of EA on scopolamine induced memory retrieval in pole climbing and Morris water maze task in rats was found to be higher than that of CD, CT and CP. CONCLUSION: EA has remarkable neuropharmacological effect as compared to other three varieties of Shankhpushpi. This effect may be attributed due to the presence of steroids (stigmasterol and betulinic acid), coumarins (scopoletin) and flavonoids (ß-carotene and chlorogenic acid). Hence it can be used as a promising lead in development and management of neuronal disorders including Alzheimer's disease.

Assessment of liver function in pregnant anemic women upon oral iron and folic acid supplementation.

Oral iron therapy is the most widely prescribed treatment for iron deficiency anemia. However, oral iron supplementation may also lead to various health problems. The recognition of these physiological variations is essential for the diagnosis of liver diseases during the course of pregnancy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the variations in levels of routine liver function tests (LFTs) in pregnant women before and after iron and folic acid treatment. Iron and folic acid was supplemented to 500 normal pregnant anemic women (mild=200, moderate=200 and severe=100) and 100 age matched normal pregnant non-anemic as controls daily for 100 days. Blood index values and liver function parameters were precisely monitored. Hemoglobin (Hb), total protein (TP), iron (Fe), albumin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were found increased (P<0.001; P<0.01; P<0.05) after treatment in mild, moderate, severe and control, respectively. Lipid peroxidation (LPx), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were increased in pretreated mild, moderate and severe groups and further increased after all treated subjects. Moreover, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was found to decrease in pre and posttreated subjects. Treatment with iron and folic acid although has remarkable efficacy for Hb and body iron stores although for the cost of increasing the associated compartment of total bilirubin, AST and ALT concomitant with decreased GGT levels. Data obtained from the present study provide new insights into the mandatory application of liver function tests likely to be monitored at regular and specific intervals during the course of pregnancy.

Development and evaluation of an oral fast disintegrating anti-allergic film using hot-melt extrusion technology.

The main objective of this novel study was to develop chlorpheniramine maleate orally disintegrating films (ODF) using hot-melt extrusion technology and evaluate the characteristics of the formulation using in vitro and in vivo methods. Modified starch with glycerol was used as a polymer matrix for melt extrusion. Sweetening and saliva-simulating agents were incorporated to improve palatability and lower the disintegration time of film formulations. A standard screw configuration was applied, and the last zone of the barrel was opened to discharge water vapors, which helped to manufacture non-sticky, clear, and uniform films. The film formulations demonstrated rapid disintegration times (6-11s) and more than 95% dissolution in 5min. In addition, the films had characteristic mechanical properties that were helpful in handling and storage. An animal model was employed to determine the taste masking of melt-extruded films. The lead film formulation was subjected to a human panel for evaluation of extent of taste masking and disintegration.

An Assessment of Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetes Management System in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Visual damage due to diabetic retinopathy is a major concern which can be reduced through appropriate coordination and cooperation between the diabetes management services and diabetic retinopathy services. The study assessed the existence, availability and accessibility of health care services for diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy in Nepal. METHODS: The study was carried out from 1 April to 24 June 2015. The tool for assessment of diabetic retinopathy and diabetes management systems developed by the World Health Organization was used for the assessment of major stakeholders like endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, ophthalmic assistants, nurses involved in diabetes care, patients and human resources from Ministry of Health and Population and international non-governmental organizations dealing with eye care services in Nepal. RESULTS: Thirty-seven key stakeholders were selected for the study. Six out of fifteen ophthalmologists were unaware about the prioritization of diabetes as national health concern. The main function of diabetes association included patient education and awareness 18(48.6%), clinician education and awareness 16(43.2%). Thirteen professionals (35.1%) said that the patients were not found to be aware about diabetic patients' organizations. The information to community is provided occasionally and only through national-level media. All forms of diabetes care were funded out-of-pocket by the patients themselves. CONCLUSIONS: Coordination should be strengthened for an effective and holistic management of diabetes mellitus making diabetes care and diabetic retinopathy services more accessible. Diabetes mellitus and its complications are becoming a public health threat in Nepal.

Effect of Tamarindus indica leaf powder on plasma concentrations of copper, zinc, and iron in fluorotic cows.

AIM: The main objective of the study was to determine the deleterious effect of fluoride on plasma trace minerals of fluorotic cattle and to evaluate the effect of Tamarindus indica leaf powder toward correction of the same. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 cattle exhibiting chronic sign of fluorosis and 10 healthy cattle from nonfluorotic area were incorporated in this study. Fluorotic cattle were divided into three equal groups consisting of 10 cattle each. Group I from fluoride free area served as healthy control. The Group II received no treatment and served as disease control. Groups III and IV were supplemented with tamarind leaf powder at 15 g and 30 g/day with feed for 60 days. Plasma mineral status was evaluated after 60 days of treatment with double beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of data revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in mean plasma copper (Cu) (0.344±0.007 ppm), zinc (Zn) (0.692±0.06 ppm), and iron (Fe) concentration (1.100±0.01 ppm) in fluorotic cattle in comparison to healthy cattle (0.58±0.010, 2.342±0.04, 1.406±0.04 ppm, respectively). Significant (p<0.05) increase in Cu, Zn, and Fe was recorded after supplementation of tamarind leaf powder to the fluorotic cattle. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that fluorotic cattle might be supplemented with T. indica leaf powder with feed for the correction of the decreased level of certain plasma minerals.

Prospective evaluation of intra-operative quick parathyroid hormone assay as an early predictor of post thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia.

BACKGROUND: Hypocalcaemia following total thyroidectomy is a major contributing factor in delayed hospital discharge and dissuading surgeons from day care thyroidectomy. We prospectively evaluated the utility of Intra-operative serum quick parathyroid hormone level measurement twenty minutes after total thyroidectomy in predicting post-operative hypocalcemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study which included patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign or malignant thyroid disorders at SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India from November 2013 to February 2015. Patients who received calcium prophylaxis were excluded from the study. Intraoperative serum quick PTH level measurements were done twenty minutes after resection of thyroid. Serum calcium levels were estimated preoperatively and on three consecutive post operative days. Calcium supplementation was started in patients with symptomatic hypocalcemia. RESULTS: The study included 100 patients with a mean age of 41 years, range 17-72 years. 48 patients had Euthyroid multinodular goitre, 10 patients grave's disease and 42 patients had differentiated thyroid cancer. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 88 patients, total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection in 12 patients. Post-operatively 23% patients experienced symptomatic hypocalcemia. The IOPTH level of 9 pmol/L, twenty minutes after total thyroidectomy, had the highest sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 83% respectively in predicting post-operative hypocalcemia. CONCLUSION: Parathyroid hormone assay twenty minutes after thyroidectomy is an accurate and reliable means of predicting clinically relevant hypocalcemia. Patients with PTH values greater than 9 pmol/L twenty minutes after thyroidectomy, can be safely discharged on the same postoperative day as the probability of life threatening hypocalcemia is unlikely.

Growth response modulation by putrescine in Indian mustard Brassica juncea L. under multiple stress.

Plants, in general, are put to various kinds of stress, biotic and abiotic, both natural and manmade. Infestation by insect pests and diseases, and extreme conditions such as salinity, temperature, etc., as well as heavy metal contamination affect their growth performance. Here, we studied the impact of salinity and heavy metal pollution on the growth performance of Indian Mustard Brassica juncea L. and its amelioration by the diamine, putrescine, a known media supplement. We evaluated the putrescine (Put) modulation potential on multiple stress effect in 7-day old Indian mustard. The germination, seedlings length and photosynthetic pigments decline under salinity and metal (Cd/Pb) stress condition, alone or in combination, were checked by putrescine. The stress induced increase in root-shoot ratio, RNA and total amino acids content, as well as Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in leaf tissues were also comparatively less. The increased endogenous Cd/Pb accumulation in plants exposed to either metal further elevated under salinity was also found decelerated. However, the multiple stressed seedlings showed increase in glutathione content, which was further elevated with putrescine application. The increase in protein contents in leaf under single or combined stresses in the presence of putrescine could be a qualitative change. The differential changes in parameters examined here resulted in improved growth (> 10%) suggests stress mitigation by the putrescine up to an extent.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of mixed micellar lipid formulation of phyllanthin and piperine in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rodents.

Phyllanthin, a sparingly water-soluble hepatoprotective lignin obtained from Phyllanthus amarus Schum. et Thonn. (Euphorbiaceae) possesses low bioavailability. Phyllanthin along with piperine (a nutraceutical bioenhancer) was formulated as a mixed micellar lipid formulation (MMLF) in the present study and investigated to resolve the low bioavailability and enhance hepatoprotective effects on oral administration. Hepatoprotective, antioxidant and bioavailability studies of MMLF, a complex phosphatidylcholine formulation of phyllanthin (CP-PC), phyllanthin + piperine (CP-P-PC) and its corresponding non-formulated phyllanthin have been carried out. Phyllanthin (30 mg kg(-1) p.o.), CP-PC (30 mg kg(-1) p.o.), CP-P-PC (30 mg kg(-1) p.o.) and the reference drug silymarin (100 mg kg(-1), p.o.) were administered daily to rats for 10 days, followed by liver damage by administering a 1 : 1 (v/v) mixture of CCl4 and olive oil (1 ml kg(-1), i.p.) for 7 days from day 4 to day 10. The degree of protection was evaluated by determining the level of marker enzymes (SGOT and SGPT), bilirubin (TB) and total proteins (TP). Further, the effects of MMLF on lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were estimated in liver homogenates to evaluate the antioxidant activity. Finally the concentration of phyllanthin was evaluated in plasma. EC50 values for the in vitro antioxidant assay with DPPH were found to be 19.99, 15.94 and 13.5 for phyllanthin, CP-PC and CP-P-PC, respectively. CP-P-PC (30 mg kg(-1) p.o.) showed significant (p < 0.05) hepatoprotective effect by reducing the levels of serum marker enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, and TB), whereas, elevated the levels of depleted total protein (TP), lipid peroxidation and antioxidant marker enzyme activities such as, GSH, SOD, CAT, GPX, and GR. The complex MMLF normalized adverse conditions of rat livers more efficiently than the non-formulated phyllanthin. The present findings indicate that the MMLF is helpful in solving the problem of low bioavailability of phyllanthin.

Improved intervention of atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy through biodegradable polymer-encapsulated delivery of glycosphingolipid inhibitor.

D-Threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP), a glycosphingolipid synthesis inhibitor, holds promise for the treatment of atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy but rapid in vivo clearance has severely hindered translation to the clinic. To overcome this impediment, we used a materials-based delivery strategy wherein D-PDMP was encapsulated within a biodegradable polymer composed of poly ethylene glycol (PEG) and sebacic acid (SA). PEG-SA was formulated into nanoparticles that were doped with (125)I-labeled PEG to allow in vivo bio-distribution and release kinetics of D-PDMP to be determined by using γ-scintigraphy and subsequently, by mass spectrometry. Polymer-encapsulation increased the residence time of D-PDMP in the body of a treated mouse from less than one hour to at least four hours (and up to 48 h or longer). This substantially increased in vivo longevity provided by polymer encapsulation resulted in an order of magnitude gain in efficacy for interfering with atherosclerosis and cardiac hypertrophy in apoE-/- mice fed a high fat and high cholesterol (HFHC) diet. These results establish that D-PDMP encapsulated in a biodegradable polymer provides a superior mode of delivery compared to unconjugated D-PDMP by way of increased gastrointestinal absorption and increased residence time thus providing this otherwise rapidly cleared compound with therapeutic relevance in interfering with atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and probably other diseases associated with the deleterious effects of abnormally high glycosphingolipid biosynthesis or deficient catabolism.

Distribution of uranium, thorium and some stable trace and toxic elements in human hair and nails in Niska Banja Town, a high natural background radiation area of Serbia (Balkan Region, South-East Europe).

Human hair and nails can be considered as bio-indicators of the public exposure to certain natural radionuclides and other toxic metals over a long period of months or even years. The level of elements in hair and nails usually reflect their levels in other tissues of body. Niska Banja, a spa town located in southern Serbia, with locally high natural background radiation was selected for the study. To assess public exposure to the trace elements, hair and nail samples were collected and analyzed. The concentrations of uranium, thorium and some trace and toxic elements (Mn, Ni, Cu, Sr, Cd, and Cs) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). U and Th concentrations in hair varied from 0.0002 to 0.0771 µg/g and from 0.0002 to 0.0276 µg/g, respectively. The concentrations in nails varied from 0.0025 to 0.0447 µg/g and from 0.0023 to 0.0564 µg/g for U and Th, respectively. We found significant correlations between some elements in hair and nails. Also indications of spatial clustering of high values could be found. However, this phenomenon as well as the large variations in concentrations of heavy metals in hair and nail could not be explained. As hypotheses, we propose possible exposure pathways which may explain the findings, but the current data does not allow testing them.

Antidiabetic activity of alkaloids of Aerva lanata roots on streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type-II diabetes in rats.

CONTEXT: The roots of Aerva lanata Linn. (Amaranthaceae) (AL) are employed traditionally as an antihyperglycaemic in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. OBJECTIVE: The present investigation is focus for identification and isolation of the bioactive compound from methanol roots extract of AL against streptozocin-nicotinamide induced elevated serum glucose level in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanol extract of the roots was fractionated using different solvents. The partially purified alkaloid basified toluene fraction (PPABTF) showed the presence of alkaloids. The fraction (10 and 20 mg/kg) was tested for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)-induced elevated serum glucose level in rats. The fraction was also subjected to high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) for the determination of content of individual alkaloids. RESULTS: Single oral administration of PPABTF (10 and 20 mg/kg) after 20 h caused a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the serum glucose level (mg/dl). On other hand, PPABTF normalised plasma glucose levels after 2 weeks of repeated oral administration in diabetic rats (p < 0.01). HPTLC analysis on PPABTF showed the presence of three known alkaloids. The fraction was further subjected to column chromatography and the compounds identified by ultraviolet, infrared, mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance, as canthin-6-one derivatives. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The PPABTF in the dose of 20 mg/kg showed significant effects on streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type-II NIDDM in rats. The activity may be due to the presence of alkaloids like canthin-6-one derivatives.

Distribution of uranium and some selected trace metals in human scalp hair from Balkans.

The possible consequences of the use of depleted uranium (DU) used in Balkan conflicts in 1995 and 1999 for the people and the environment of this reason need attention. The heavy metal content in human hair may serve as a good indicator of dietary, environmental and occupational exposures to the metal compounds. The present work summarises the distribution of uranium and some selected trace metals such as Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd and Cs in the scalp hair of inhabitants from Balkans exposed to DU directly and indirectly, i.e. Han Pijesak, Bratoselce and Gornja Stubla areas. Except U and Cs, all other metals were compared with the worldwide reported values of occupationally unexposed persons. Uranium concentrations show a wide variation ranging from 0.9 ± 0.05 to 449 ± 12 µg kg(-1). Although hair samples were collected from Balkan conflict zones, uranium isotopic measurement ((235)U/(238)U) shows a natural origin rather than DU.

Estimation of distribution coefficient of natural radionuclides in soil around uranium mines and its effect with ionic strength of water.

The distribution coefficient, K(d) in soil is an important parameter to predict the migration of contaminants. In this study, uranium (U) and its decay products thorium (Th), radium (Ra), bismuth (Bi), lead (Pb) and polonium (Po), which may contaminate the soil and ground water around uranium mining areas, have been considered. Soil and ground water samples were collected from a proposed uranium mining site in India. The soil samples were characterised for different parameters affecting the K(d) values. The batch sorption method was employed to measure the K(d) of different radionuclides. The important factors affecting the batch method for K(d) estimation were identified and optimised. The variation of K(d) was observed with different ionic strength water samples. Results showed high K(d) values for Th(IV), Po(IV) and Pb(II) (log K(d) ∼4) and low K(d) (log K(d) ∼2-3) for U(VI), Ra(II) and Bi(III) in all three types of water with different ionic strength.