Insights into purification of contaminated water with activated charcoal derived from hamburger seed coat.

Hamburger seed coat is a readily available agricultural waste product generated in large quantities annually. In this study, activated charcoal was produced using hamburger seed coat activated with zinc chloride and its physicochemical properties such as fixed carbon, specific surface area, volatile matter, ash and moisture content were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry techniques were used to study the surface morphology and variations in the absorption bands of functional groups, respectively. The adsorbent biosorption of pollutants abilities from contaminated water was investigated using standard methods with a view to ascertaining the adsorbent purification potential. The results showed that the adsorbent was of high porous structure with adsorption capacity significantly correlated with iodine value. The physicochemical properties of the contaminated water treated with the adsorbent were comparable with commercial activated charcoal (control)-treated water but indicated a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, conductivity, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, anions and heavy metal ions when compared to the untreated water. With the exception of alkalinity, other parameters investigated in the water treated with the test adsorbent fell within the standards set for potable water. Results of this study therefore revealed possibility of converting large quantities of hamburger seed coat wastes that could constitute environmental pollution to a profitable product that could be employed for treatment of wastewater. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13762-021-03577-8.

Serine-glycine-betaine, a novel dipeptide from an endophyte Macrophomina phaseolina: isolation, bioactivity and biosynthesis.

AIMS: Endophytes are a rich source for structurally complex chemical scaffolds with interesting biological activities. Endophytes associated with Brugmansia aurea L. (family: Solanaceae), a medicinal plant, have not yet explored for the bioactive metabolites. METHOD AND RESULTS: Hence, Macrophomina phaseolina, a fungal endophyte, was isolated from the roots of the plant. Its methanolic extract was found active against human cancer cell lines with IC50 <20 µg ml-1 . Later, a di-peptide compound, serine-glycine-betaine, was isolated and characterized. Serine-glycine-betaine consists of a unit of an N-trimethyl glycine attached to serine. It exhibited potent activity against MIA PaCa-2 and HCT-116 cell lines with IC50 8·9 and 15·16 µmol l-1 , respectively. Furthermore, it induced apoptosis in MIA PaCa-2 cells confirmed by microscopy. The apoptotic cell death in MIA PaCa-2 cells was evidenced biochemically with the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species level and leading to loss of mitochondrial membrane potential due to activation of the intrinsic pathway. This study describes the plausible biosynthesis of serine-glycine-betaine based on genomics (genome sequencing, annotation and genes alignment). CONCLUSIONS: A novel di-peptide, serine-glycine-betaine isolated from M. phaseolina induced apoptosis in MIA-Pa-Ca-2 cells. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study confirms that dipeptides like serine-glycine-betaine and tyrosine-betaine might be specific to fungal genera, hence being used for diagnostic purposes.

Complete genome sequence and genetic organization of a Garlic virus D infecting garlic (Allium sativum) from northern India.

The present paper describes first full genome sequence of the Garlic virus D (GarV-D) from northern India with a genome size of 8425 bp long ssRNA. The infected leaves and bulbs of garlic variety Yamuna Safed (G-282) plants suspected for GarV-D infection were collected with the aim to identify contagion virus during March, 2018. The total RNA was extracted from the pooled garlic plants using TRIzol reagent and sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. BLASTn search in the NCBI database identified contagion as GarV-D (MK518067). It shared 83.63-85.83% nucleotide sequence identities with other (GarV-D) isolates from Argentina (KF550407, KF555653, KR819505) and 83.15% with isolates from China (MF795136, MF363012). Keywords: Allium sativum; Allexivirus; Garlic virus D; India.

A new method of administering local anesthesia for calf disbudding: Findings from a comparative on-farm study in New Zealand.

Anesthesia of the horn bud for calf disbudding commonly is attained by injection of local anesthetic over branches of the cornual nerve, with anesthesia achieved in 3 to 20 min. With experienced and trained staff, this method is effective in 88 to 100% of calves. Variability in response and time of onset can compromise calf welfare if calves are disbudded before anesthesia is attained. Proposed legislative reliance on effective local anesthetic as the minimal method of pain relief for calves at disbudding means that administration of local anesthetic must achieve a repeatable level and rapid onset of analgesia. We describe an alternative method of local anesthesia administration that uses local site infiltration of anesthetic over the horn bud. However, this method has not yet been scientifically validated. This study assessed differences between disbudding using the cornual nerve block and disbudding with local anesthesia administered by local site infiltration. Efficacy of local anesthesia was assessed at 30-s intervals after administration by absence of reaction to 3 consecutive needle pricks over the horn buds. Behavior indicating pain was assessed during disbudding and scored from 0 to 3. Calf behavior was also recorded for 3 h after disbudding. Accelerometer data loggers were fitted to each calf for 24 h before and after disbudding to assess lying and standing times. Median time to cutaneous desensitization for local infiltration was 60 s compared with 225 s for cornual nerve block, and the variance in time to desensitization was less with local infiltration. Calves disbudded under cornual block had a larger behavioral response (indicated by a graded aversive body reaction) than calves disbudded under local infiltration. A multivariable model predicted that the mean body reaction score would be 0.6 for calves disbudded under local infiltration and 1.2 for calves disbudded under cornual block. There was no difference in any behaviors between the treatment groups in the 3 h after disbudding. Method of analgesia had no effect on lying time over the 24 h after disbudding. In this study, local infiltration was at least as effective in providing analgesia for disbudding as the cornual nerve block. Our results suggest that a more consistent, effective level of analgesia during disbudding was achieved using local infiltration and that there was no difference in postoperative expressions of pain.

Effectiveness of Homeopathic Medicines as Add-on to Institutional Management Protocol for Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Children: An Open-Label Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is endemic to certain parts of India, with limited treatment options. In our initial exploratory comparative observational study of 151 patients with AES, there was significantly reduced mortality with adjunctive homeopathy compared to institutional management protocol (IMP). The present randomized placebo-controlled trial brings more statistical rigor to this research program. METHODS: This study was conducted at a pediatric unit from 2013 to 2015. Children aged > 6 months and ≤ 18 years and receiving IMP were randomized to receive adjunctive homeopathy (n = 325) or placebo as control (n = 323). The primary effectiveness analysis was based on Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Morbidity was assessed using the Liverpool Outcome Score for Assessing Children at Follow-up. Analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: A total of 612 children were analyzed (Homeopathy [H] = 304; Control [C] = 308). The primary outcome, GOS, differed significantly between H and C groups. There was 14.8% death/neuro-vegetative state in the H group compared to 29.8% in the C group. Relative risk was 0.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.36 to 0.68), with absolute risk reduction of 15.0% (95% CI: 8.6 to 21.6%). Number needed to treat to prevent one additional death/neuro-vegetative state was 6.6 (95% CI: 4.6 to 11.6). Proportional-odds analysis also revealed a greater effect in the H group: odds ratio, 0.40 (95% CI: 0.27 to 0.60). The most frequently used medicines were Belladonna (n = 116), Stramonium (n = 33), Arsenicum album (n = 25), Sulfur (n = 18), Opium (n = 17), and Nux vomica (n = 10). CONCLUSION: Adjunctive homeopathic medicines may improve clinical outcomes associated with AES. Further randomized and controlled studies, using double-blinded trial design, are recommended to discover if the current findings may be corroborated.

Lolium perenne peptide immunotherapy is well tolerated and elicits a protective B-cell response in seasonal allergic rhinitis patients.

BACKGROUND: Systemic allergic reactions are a risk for allergen immunotherapy that utilizes intact allergen preparations. We evaluated the safety, efficacy and immune mechanisms of short-course treatment with adjuvant-free Lolium perenne peptides (LPP) following a 6-week dose-escalation protocol. METHODS: In a prospective, dose-escalation study, 61 grass pollen-allergic patients received 2 subcutaneous injections of LPP once weekly for 6 weeks. Safety was assessed evaluating local reactions, systemic reactions and adverse events. The clinical effect of LPP was determined by reactivity to the conjunctival provocation test (CPT). Specific IgE, IgG4 and blocking antibodies were measured at baseline (V1), during (V6) and after treatment (V8). RESULTS: No fatality, serious adverse event or epinephrine use was reported. Mean wheal diameters after injections were <0.6 cm and mean redness diameters <2.5 cm, independent of dose. Transient and mostly mild adverse events were reported in 33 patients. Two patients experienced a grade I and 4 patients a grade II reaction (AWMF classification). At V8, 69.8% of patients became nonreactive to CPT. sIgG4 levels were higher at V6 (8.1-fold, P < .001) and V8 (12.2-fold, P < .001) than at V1. The sIgE:sIgG4 ratio decreased at V6 (-54.6%, P < .001) and V8 (-71.6%, P < .001) compared to V1. The absolute decrease in IgE-facilitated allergen binding was 18% (P < .001) at V6 and 25% (P < .001) at V8. CONCLUSION: Increasing doses of subcutaneous LPP appeared safe, substantially diminished reactivity to CPT and induced blocking antibodies as early as 4 weeks after treatment initiation. The benefit/risk balance of LPP immunotherapy remains to be further evaluated in large studies.

Awake Fiberoptic Intubation in Cervical Spine Injury: A Comparison between Atomized Local Anesthesia versus Airway Nerve Blocks.

Background In cooperative patients with cervical spine injury, awake fiberoptic intubation is an excellent option for elective and semi urgent situations. It allows documentation of neurologic examination before and after intubation and surgical positioning. We have compared anesthesia of airway by nerve block and the local anesthesia atomizer undergoing awake fiberoptic intubation in cervical spine injury patients, in terms of the intubation time and discomfort. Objective To compare the intubation time and discomfort in patient with cervical spine injury with anticipated difficult airway potential to aggravate pre-existing injury undergoing awake fiberoptic intubation, based on cough and gag scores, between anesthesia of airway by (transtracheal and bilateral superior laryngeal) nerve block with local anesthetic agent and the local anesthesia atomizer. Method After institutional ethical approval and having informed written consent, 30 patients scheduled for elective surgery who require awake fiberoptic intubation, were included in the study. Patients were allotted by computer-generated random series into two groups; Group N received nerve block (transtracheal and bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve block) and Group A received atomized lignocaine. Result The time taken for awake fiberoptic intubation was significantly lower in nerve blocks group as compared with the atomizer group [Group N: 90.2±11.7secs and Group A: 210.4±10.6 secs (p=0.041)]. Atomizer group had an increased coughing and gagging episodes than nerve block group [Group N: one patient, Group A: 11 patients (p=0.006)]. Ease of intubation and patient comfort were significantly better in nerve block group. Demographic and hemodynamic parameters were comparable in the two groups. Conclusion The nerve blocks (bilateral superior laryngeal and transtracheal recurrent laryngeal) provides adequate airway anesthesia, lesser patient discomfort, and faster intubation to aid in awake fiberoptic intubation in patients with anticipated difficult airway as compared to topical anesthesia using atomizer.

Care seeking for childhood pneumonia by rural and poor urban communities in Lucknow: A community-based cross-sectional study.

CONTEXT: Globally, around 16% of under-five children die due to pneumonia. Childhood pneumonia, if identified early is a readily treatable through low-cost antibiotics. Access to timely and appropriate care is a key action to control pneumonia. AIMS: The aim of the study was to understand the caregiver's care-seeking behavior for the management of childhood pneumonia among rural and urban poor communities in Lucknow. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Rural areas and urban slums of Lucknow district, from September 2014 to August 2015. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study. Total of 1065 under-five children were selected by multistage random sampling method. Caregivers of children (<5 years of age) were interviewed through pretested, semi-structured interview schedule. Information was gathered on episode of cough, difficult breathing, and or chest indrawing in child within 2 weeks preceding the survey, and caregiver's treatment seeking practices. RESULTS: Out of total 1065 children, 52 (%) had pneumonia within 2 weeks preceding the survey. At the onset of illness, difficult/fast breathing was identified by 86.5% caregivers, but majority of them did not perceive it as a serious condition and resort to home remedies. Only 9.6% sought appropriate care at onset of illness. Appearance of chest indrawing in the child was identified by caregivers as a serious condition and sought treatment from outside. The mean time taken from onset of illness to the seeking care from health facility was around 2½ days (2.39 ± 0.75). Qualified private practitioners (70.5%) were the preferred choice and majority (87.0%) of the children received antibiotic for pneumonia. However, even after perception of seriousness of the illness, 26.8% and 11.1% caregivers in urban slums and rural areas, respectively sought inappropriate care at the first consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers were unable to perceive the severity of fast breathing leading to the delayed initiation of the appropriate treatment. There is a need of community mobilization through behavior change communication interventions to promote early symptom recognition and appropriate care seeking for pneumonia.

A 12-week DBPC dose-finding study with sublingual monomeric allergoid tablets in house dust mite-allergic patients.

BACKGROUND: In sublingual immunotherapy, optimal doses are a key factor for therapeutic outcomes. The aim of this study with tablets containing carbamylated monomeric house dust mite allergoids was to determine the most effective and safe dose. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-finding study, 131 patients with house dust mite-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were randomized to 12-week treatments with 300 UA/day, 1000 UA/day, 2000 UA/day, 3000 UA/day or placebo. Conjunctival provocation tests (CPT) were performed before, during and after treatment. The change in mean allergic severity (primary endpoint), calculated from the severity of the CPT reaction, and the proportion of patients with an improved CPT threshold (secondary endpoint) determined the treatment effect. RESULTS: The mean allergic severity decreased in all groups, including the placebo group. It was lower in all active treatment groups (300 UA/day: 0.14, 1000 UA/day: 0.15, 2000 UA/day: 0.10, 3000 UA/day: 0.15) than in the placebo group (0.30). However, this difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.1). The percentage of patients with an improved CPT threshold was higher in the active treatment groups (300 UA/day: 73.9%; 1000 UA/day: 76.0%; 2000 UA/day: 88.5%; 3000 UA/day: 76.0%) than in the placebo group (64.3%). The difference between placebo and 2000 UA/day was statistically significant (P = 0.04). In 13 (10%) exposed patients, a total of 20 treatment-related adverse events of mild severity were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The 12-week daily treatment using 2000 UA/day monomeric allergoid sublingual tablets is well tolerated and reduces the CPT reaction in house dust mite-allergic patients.

Metabolomic signatures of drug response phenotypes for ketamine and esketamine in subjects with refractory major depressive disorder: new mechanistic insights for rapid acting antidepressants.

Ketamine, at sub-anesthetic doses, is reported to rapidly decrease depression symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD). Many patients do not respond to currently available antidepressants, (for example, serotonin reuptake inhibitors), making ketamine and its enantiomer, esketamine, potentially attractive options for treatment-resistant MDD. Although mechanisms by which ketamine/esketamine may produce antidepressant effects have been hypothesized on the basis of preclinical data, the neurobiological correlates of the rapid therapeutic response observed in patients receiving treatment have not been established. Here we use a pharmacometabolomics approach to map global metabolic effects of these compounds in treatment-refractory MDD patients upon 2 h from infusion with ketamine (n=33) or its S-enantiomer, esketamine (n=20). The effects of esketamine on metabolism were retested in the same subjects following a second exposure administered 4 days later. Two complementary metabolomics platforms were used to provide broad biochemical coverage. In addition, we investigated whether changes in particular metabolites correlated with treatment outcome. Both drugs altered metabolites related to tryptophan metabolism (for example, indole-3-acetate and methionine) and/or the urea cycle (for example, citrulline, arginine and ornithine) at 2 h post infusion (q<0.25). In addition, we observed changes in glutamate and circulating phospholipids that were significantly associated with decreases in depression severity. These data provide new insights into the mechanism underlying the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine and esketamine, and constitute some of the first detailed metabolomics mapping for these promising therapies.

Similar biological activity in skin prick test for Oralair® (8200 BAU) and Grazax® (6200 BAU) reinforces effective SLIT dosing level.

In Europe, allergen extracts are standardized based on skin prick wheal size in 20-30 allergic subjects. To understand the biological activity of clinically effective Sublingual immunotherapy, we used this method to determine the biological activity of solution and tablet Timothy grass pollen (TIM) extracts, compared to an FDA-approved extract (Reference) of 10 000 BAU/ml. Blinded, quadruplicate skin prick tests with concentrate and three serial half-log dilutions allowed the construction of a semilogarithmic regression line per extract. Bioequivalent allergy units (BAU) values were obtained from the comparison with reference. Extracts and dilutions showed a neat linear dose response (all: R2 > 0.98) in 33 rhinitis patients. Relative potencies: Staloral® 12 000 BAU/ml, Soluprick® 10 300 BAU/ml, Oralair® 8200 BAU, and Grazax® 6200 BAU. Even though all extract concentrates differed in wheal size (P = 0.01-0.001), Grazax® producing a 25% smaller wheal size than Oralair® , and the biological activity of these clinically effective TIM tablets led in the same range (6200-8200 BAU; 0.92-1.23 cm2 ). SLIT dose-finding studies for other pollens might start with allergen extracts producing 1.1 cm2 wheal surface.

Antimicrobial Properties of Teas and Their Extracts in vitro.

Tea has recently received the attention of pharmaceutical and scientific communities due to the plethora of natural therapeutic compounds. As a result, numerous researches have been published in a bid to validate their biological activity. Moreover, major attention has been drawn to antimicrobial activities of tea. Being rich in phenolic compounds, tea has the preventive potential for colon, esophageal, and lung cancers, as well as urinary infections and dental caries, among others. The venture of this review was to illustrate the emerging findings on the antimicrobial properties of different teas and tea extracts, which have been obtained from several in vitro studies investigating the effects of these extracts against different microorganisms. Resistance to antimicrobial agents has become an increasingly important and urgent global problem. The extracts of tea origin as antimicrobial agents with new mechanisms of resistance would serve an alternative way of antimicrobial chemotherapy targeting the inhibition of microbial growth and the spread of antibiotic resistance with potential use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

A novel cobiotic-based preventive approach against high-fat diet-induced adiposity, nonalcoholic fatty liver and gut derangement in mice.

BACKGROUND: High-fat diets (HFDs) induce systemic inflammation, gut microbial derangements and disturb metabolic homeostasis, resulting in weight gain, insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). Numerous antioxidants and prebiotic/probiotics per se may prevent HFD-associated comorbidities, but there are no reports related to their combination. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aim to evaluate a cobiotic combination of lycopene (antioxidant) and isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMOs, a prebiotic) for prevention of HFD-induced alterations. DESIGN: Male Swiss albino mice were fed either normal pellet diet (NPD) or HFD and lycopene (5 and 10 mg kg(-1)), IMOs (0.5 and 1 g kg(-1)) or their combination for 12 weeks. Systemic adiposity, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, feeding regulators in hypothalamus, hepatosteatosis and liver inflammation, cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), serum inflammatory cytokines, gut morphology and alterations in selected gut microbes were studied. RESULTS: Lycopene, IMOs and their combination prevented weight gain, adiposity, improved adipose tissue fat mobilization and reduced insulin resistance. Hypothalamic orexigenic and anorectic genes have also been modulated by these treatments. Dietary interventions prevented NAFL-like symptoms and improved glucose homeostasis. Improvement in selected gut microbial abundance and SCFA concentration along with reduced systemic inflammation, metabolic endotoxemia and improved ileal and colonic health were observed in mice supplemented with lycopene, IMOs and their combination. Interestingly, cobiotic combination synergistically improved many of the HFD-induced alterations. CONCLUSION: The present work provide evidence that new approach based on cobiotic combination (antioxidant plus prebiotic) can be employed to develop novel class of functional foods for their application against HFD-associated pathological complications.

Histological response, pattern of tumor destruction and clinical outcome after neoadjuvant chemotherapy including bevacizumab or cetuximab in patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastases.

AIM: We investigated whether the type of antibody [bevacizumab (bev) or cetuximab (cet)] added to neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy before curative liver resection was associated with histological response, the pattern of tumor destruction and clinical outcome in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM). METHODS: We investigated 138 patients with KRAS wild-type status (codon 12, 13 and 61) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy including bev (n = 101) or cet (n = 37). The primary endpoint was histological response. Secondary endpoints were necrosis and fibrosis of metastases, radiological response, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Histological response was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.19). A significantly higher fraction of patients in the bev group showed necrosis of the metastases of ≥ 50% (P < 0.001), while a higher fraction of patients in the cet group showed fibrosis of ≥ 40% (P = 0.030). Radiological response was not significantly different (P = 0.17). Median RFS was significantly shorter in the cet group in univariable analysis (HR 1.59 (95% CI 1.00, 2.51), P = 0.049), but this difference did not remain significant in multivariable analysis (P = 0.45). The 3-year OS rate was not significantly different (P = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of bevacizumab to combination chemotherapy showed more necrosis but less fibrosis of metastases compared to cetuximab and a trend towards higher histological and radiological response and longer RFS. Further investigations of biological tumor characteristics are required to individualize treatment combinations.

Potential of native shrubs Haloxylon salicornicum and Calligonum Polygonoides for restoration of degraded lands in Arid Western Rajasthan, India.

Shrub-induced soil property spatial heterogeneity is common in arid and semi-arid ecosystems and aids desertified land restoration. However, the effectiveness of this technique may rely on the plant species used and the habitat conditions present. To assess the degree to which planting two native species, Haloxylon salicornicum and Calligonum polygonoides, facilitates degraded land restoration, soil and herbaceous plant community properties were measured 7 years after planting. Soil samples were extracted at two depths (0-5 and 5-20 cm) from three sub-habitats, i.e., under the shrub canopy, from alleys between shrubs and from the open area. Shrub planting increased the quantity of silt + clay content (30-39 %); enhanced water holding capacities (24-30 %); increased the levels of organic carbon (48-69 %), available nitrogen (31-47 %), available phosphorus (32-41 %), and electrical conductivity (21-33 %); and decreased the pH (7-12 %) and bulk density levels (5-6 %) in the surface layer of soils beneath the canopy. Soil property changes were more significant at the surface (0-5 cm) than in the deeper layer (5-20 cm), and were more pronounced under H. salicornicum than under C. polygonoides. Furthermore, the density and biomass levels of herbaceous plants were 1.1 to 1.2 and 1.4 to 1.6 times greater, respectively, in the shrub alleys than in open area. H. salicornicum induced more robust soil amelioration and herbaceous plant facilitative properties than did C. polygonoides. Artificially planting these shrubs may thus be employed to restore degraded areas of arid regions.

Effect of vehicle and route of administration of letrozole on ovarian function in a bovine model.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of vehicle and route of administration of letrozole on ovarian function in sexually mature beef heifers. On Day 3 (Day 0=ovulation), heifers were assigned randomly to four treatment groups and given 1mgkg(-1) letrozole intravenously (iv, n=10) or intramuscularly (im, n=10) or given a placebo iv (control iv, n=5) or im (control im, n=5). The interwave interval was longer in heifers treated with letrozole im than in im and iv controls (11.7±0.30 vs 9.5±0.50 and 10±0.43, respectively; P<0.05). Corpus luteum diameter profiles and plasma progesterone concentrations were greater (P<0.03 and P<0.05, respectively) in heifers treated with letrozole im compared with control im. Plasma oestradiol concentrations were lower in both letrozole-treated groups compared with controls (P≤0.03). Plasma LH concentrations tended to be elevated at the time of wave emergence in heifers treated with letrozole im compared with other groups (group-by-day interaction, P=0.06) and plasma FSH concentrations tended to be greater (P<0.09) in heifers treated with letrozole by either route compared with a single control group. We conclude that intramuscular administration of letrozole in oil is a feasible route and vehicle for the development of a letrozole-based treatment protocol for herd synchronisation in cattle.

Improvement of conception rate in postpartum flaxseed supplemented buffalo with Ovsynch+CIDR protocol.

The present study was conducted on lactating Murrah buffalo to assess the effect of crushed flaxseed (a source of omega-3 fatty acids) supplementation (300g/100kg bwt/day for 60 days), over and above the routine feed, on luteolytic signal (PGF2α), luteal function (progesterone) and conception rate. In first experiment, on day 50 post-calving, six non-supplemented buffalo were treated to synchronize time of ovulation using an Ovsynch+Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) protocol followed by intravenous oxytocin treatment (OT; 100IU) on day 15 post-ovulation. Blood samples were collected at 15min interval, 1h before to 4h after OT challenge. Thereafter, the same buffalo were supplemented with flaxseed, treated to synchronize time of ovulation starting on day 35 post-supplementation using the same protocol and subjected to OT treatment and blood sampling on day 15 post-ovulation. The PGF2α response was measured as the venous concentration of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2α (PGFM). The mean hourly concentration of PGFM subsequent to flaxseed supplemented was less (P<0.05) than in the pre-supplementation period at all the occasions. Flaxseed supplementation did not affect plasma fatty acids and other plasma metabolites except for an increase (P<0.05) in plasma cholesterol and plasma alanine transaminase. In the second experiment, 31 buffalo were randomly assigned to a control (n=16) and flaxseed supplemented (n=15) group. The latter group was supplemented with flaxseed starting from day 15 post-calving. On day 50-post-calving, buffalo of both groups were treated to synchronize time of ovulation among animals as described for the first experiment followed by artificial insemination (AI). Post-AI luteal phase plasma progesterone was greater (P<0.05) in the supplemented group compared to controls. Conception rate on day 63 post-AI was 66.7% in supplemented and 31.2% in controls (P<0.05). The present study indicated the beneficial impact of dietary supplementation of crushed flaxseed on conception rate through attenuation of luteolytic signal and improvement in post-breeding luteal profile.

Pharmacognostic standardisation and antiproliferative activity of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa leaves in various human cancer cell lines.

Therapeutic management of cancer is a great clinical challenge and alternative medicines are being extensively explored to have integrated approach to cure cancer. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Rutaceae) is known for its hypoglycaemic, radioprotective, antidiarrhoeal and many other pharmacological activities. The present study is designed to carryout pharmacognostic standardisation and evaluation of antiproliferative activity of the leaf extracts Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Rutaceae) and the chromatographic fractions of the most active extract. Hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol extracts of the shade dried leaves were prepared by soxhelation and antiproliferative activity was assessed using human cancer cell lines of lung (A-549), colon (CoLo-05), ovary (IGR-OV-1), prostrate (PC3), leukaemia (THP-1) and breast (MCF-7) cancer. Bioactivity-derived fractionation was carried out for most active extract by column chromatography. The phytochemical studies indicated alkaloids, anthraquinones, terpenoids in the alcohol, chloroform extracts and tannins, terpenoids, reducing sugars in the petroleum ether and hexane extracts. Ethanol extract showed maximum inhibition in colon and breast carcinoma cell lines at a dose of 100 µg/ml. Column chromatography of the ethanol extract yielded five fractions. Out of this, fractions 2, 4 and 5 showed significant inhibition in leukaemia cell line with IC50 of 12.5, 86.2 and >100 µg/ml for fractions 2, 4 and 5, respectively. High-performance thin layer chromatography of the fraction 2 revealed imperatorin as one of the major phytoconstituents. Among the different extracts investigated, ethanol extract exhibited significant antiproliferative activity and its fraction 2 containing furanocoumarin imperatorin showed antiproliferative activity against leukaemia cell line with IC50 of 12.5 µg/ml.

Homeopathy in chronic sinusitis: a prospective multi-centric observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to ascertain the therapeutic usefulness of homeopathic medicine in the management of chronic sinusitis (CS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicentre observational study at Institutes and Units of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, India. Symptoms were assessed using the chronic sinusitis assessment score (CSAS). 17 pre-defined homeopathic medicines were shortlisted for prescription on the basis of repertorisation for the pathological symptoms of CS. Regimes and adjustment of regimes in the event of a change of symptoms were pre-defined. The follow-up period was for 6 months. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: 628 patients suffering from CS confirmed on X-ray were enrolled from eight Institutes and Units of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. All 550 patients with at least one follow-up assessment were analyzed. There was a statistically significant reduction in CSAS (P = 0.0001, Friedman test) after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Radiological appearances also improved. A total of 13 out of 17 pre-defined medicines were prescribed in 550 patients, Sil. (55.2% of 210), Calc. (62.5% of 98), Lyc. (69% of 55), Phos. (66.7% of 45) and Kali iod. (65% of 40) were found to be most useful having marked improvement. 4/17 medicines were never prescribed. No complications were observed during treatment. CONCLUSION: Homeopathic treatment may be effective for CS patients. Controlled trials are required for further validation.

Contributions of ancient Indian physicians--implications for modern times.

Ayurveda traces its origins to contributions of mythological and real physicians that lived millennia earlier. In many respects, Western medicine also had similar origins and beliefs, however, the introduction of anatomical dissection and progressive application of scientific evidence based practices have resulted in divergent paths taken by these systems. We examined the lives, careers, and contributions made by nine ancient Indian physicians. Ancient texts, translations of these texts, books, and biographical works were consulted to obtain relevant information, both for Indian traditional medicine as well as for Western medicine. Ayurveda has retained principles enunciated by these physicians, with minor conceptual advances over the centuries. Western medicine separated from ancient Indian medicine several hundred years ago, and remains the foundation of modern medicine. Modern medicine is evidence based, and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are the gold standard by which efficacy of treatment is evaluated. Ayurvedic medicine has not undergone such critical evaluation to any large extent. The few RCTs that have evaluated alternative medical treatment recently have shown that such therapy is no better than placebo; however, placebo treatment is 30% effective. We suggest that foreign domination, initially by Mughals, and later by the British, may have contributed, in part, to this inertia and protracted status quo.