Performance of broiler chicken on dietary supplementation of protected organic acids blend.

1. The fatty acid coated organic acids blend was evaluated for its potential as a growth promoter.2. A six-week experiment was conducted following a completely randomised design. One-day old broiler chicks (n = 384) were randomly divided into four dietary groups (eight replicates per group). Diet treatments were an unsupplemented basal diet or containing 0.3, 0.6 and 1 g/kg of a coated organic acid blend. Birds were evaluated for growth performance, carcass traits, immune-competence, total viable count and gut villus height.3. The broiler chickens fed with 1 g/kg organic acids blend showed significantly higher body weight gain with improved feed conversion ratio and lower mortality than those fed the basal diet.4. The carcass traits vis. eviscerated yield, dressing percentage, breast yield and relative weight of giblets, were significantly better in the group fed with 1 g/kg coated organic acids blend with reduction in abdominal fat.5. Significantly higher cell-mediated, humoral immune responses and villi height with higher lymphoid organ weight (bursa and thymus) and a significant decrease in the total viable count were recorded in birds fed 1 g/kg organic acids blend.6. The results indicated that dietary inclusion of coated organic acids blend (1 g/kg) improved growth performance, carcass traits, immunity, and gut health in broiler chicken and reduced total viable count and abdominal fat, indicating its potential role as a promising growth promoter in poultry.

Antiplasmodial activity-aided isolation and identification of quercetin-4'-methyl ether in Chromolaena odorata leaf fraction with high activity against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of Chromolaena odorata leaf extract and gradient fractions through in vivo and in vitro tests, aimed at identifying its antiplasmodial constituents. Sub-fractions obtained from the most active gradient fraction were further tested for cytotoxicity against THP-1 cells, chloroquine-sensitive (HB3) and chloroquine-resistant (FCM29) Plasmodium falciparum. Our results showed the dichloromethane gradient fraction was most effective, significantly (P < 0.05) suppressing infection by 99.46% at 100 mg/kg body weight. Amongst its 13 sub-fractions (DF1-DF13), DF11 was highly active, with IC50 of 4.8 and 6.74 µg/ml against P. falciparum HB3 and FCM29, respectively. Cytotoxicity of DF11 was estimated to be above 50 µg/ml, and its separation by column chromatography yielded a flavonoid which was characterized as 3, 5, 7, 3' tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone from its spectroscopic data. It significantly suppressed infection (65.43-81.48%) in mice at 2.5-5 mg/kg doses and compared favourably with the effects of chloroquine and artemisinin. It may therefore serve as a useful phytochemical and antiplasmodial activity marker of C. odorata leaves, which exhibit potential for development as medicine against malaria.

Medical co-morbidities and practice.

All-oral treatments of hepatitis C (HCV) have been trialled in patients with hereditary bleeding disorders and found to be effective. Further refinements of dosing and duration are being established. Importantly for patient acceptability these regimens are interferon-free. Cohort studies in older patients with haemophilia direct the need for attention to weight control, exercice, assessment of cardiovascular risk, especially hypertension and detection of osteoporosis. Where patients live a long way from a comprehensive care centre, telemedicine connections can engage centre experts with the patient and his/her local practitioners in devising and monitoring care plans.

Investigation into the mechanism of action of essential oil of Pistacia integerrima for its antiasthmatic activity.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Pistacia integerrima J.L. Stewart ex Brandis locally known as Karkatashringi is an important medicinal plant whose galls are valued in traditional medicine used in India for the treatment of asthma, chronic bronchitis, phthisis, diarrhea, fever, other ailments for the respiratory tract, and as antispasmodic, carminative, antiamoebic and anthelmintic. However, in vitro and in vivo investigations providing new insights into its pharmacological properties have not been thoroughly investigated yet. The present investigation aimed to elucidate the probable mechanism of antiasthmatic action of essential oil of Pistacia integerrima J.L. Stewart ex Brandis galls (EOPI). METHODS: EOPI was tested using in vitro studies such as antioxidant activity, mast cell degranulation, angiogenesis, isolated guinea pig ileum preparation and soyabean lipoxidase enzyme activity. In vivo studies included lipopolysaccharide-induced bronchial inflammation in rats and airway hyperresponsiveness in ovalbumin in sensitized guinea pigs using spirometry. RESULTS: EOPI (5-30 µg/ml) inhibits 5-lipoxidase enzyme activity with IC50 of 19.71 µg/ml and DPPH scavenging activity up to 100 µg/ml with maximum inhibition of 44.93 ± 2.53% at 100 µg/ml. Pre-treatment with EOPI inhibited erythropoietin-induced angiogenesis. It showed dose dependent (10, 30 and 100 µg/ml) anti-allergic activity by inhibiting compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation to an extent 19.08 ± 0.47%. The finding that essential oil induced inhibition of transient contraction of acetylcholine in calcium free medium, and relaxation of S-(-)-Bay 8644-precontracted isolated guinea pig ileum jointly suggests that the L-subtype Cav channel is involved in spasmolytic action of EOPI. Treatment with EOPI dose dependently (7.5, 15 and 30mg/kg i.p.) inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in total cell count, neutrophil count, nitrate-nitrite, total protein, albumin levels in bronchoalveolar fluid and myeloperoxidase levels in lung homogenates. Roflumilast was used as a standard. EOPI reduced the respiratory flow due to gasping in ovalbumin sensitized guinea pigs. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates the effectiveness of essential oil of Pistacia integerrima J.L. Stewart ex Brandis galls in bronchial asthma possibly related to its ability to inhibit L-subtype Cav channel, mast cell stabilization, antioxidant, angiostatic and through inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase enzyme.

Colour stability of maxillofacial silicone elastomers: a review of the literature.

Colour degradation is a serious limitation of maxillofacial silicone elastomers and most silicone facial prostheses have to be remade within 1 year due to colour deterioration. A comprehensive review of the literature was completed using MEDLINE and PubMed Library databases. This was supplemented with a manual search of selected journals and textbooks. English language articles published in peer-reviewed journals from 1966 to January 2012 in which colour stability of silicone elastomers was evaluated using standard research protocols were included. In all, 127 articles were identified and 23 met the inclusion criteria. Current literature reveals that average colour stability of maxillofacial silicone prostheses is 6-12 months, and inherent unstable nature of silicones is responsible for the color degradation. Opacifiers, oil pigments and inorganic colourants may have a protective effect on colour stability of prostheses. Organic colourants, ultraviolet (UV) light, cleansing solutions, dust and aging can adversely affect colour stability of silicone prostheses. A direct comparison between studies has not been possible, because of the differences in experimental set-up such as materials tested, colourants used, or method of aging. There appears to be a need for a standardised test protocol for colour stability of maxillofacial materials. Colour degradation limits the useful lifespan of maxillofacial silicones. Improvements in colour stability is possible with the use of certain nano opacifiers, UV absorbers, photoprotective agents, and use of inorganic pigments and metal oxides.

Inheritance of pollen-less anthers and "thrum" and "pin" flowers in periwinkle.

Two mutants, 1 with small, pollen-less anthers (OR-EA) and another with "pin" flowers (EMS 13-2), in contrast to "thrum" flowers found in normal periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) plants, were isolated after induced mutagenesis in strain OR and cultivar, "Dhawal," respectively. Inheritance of these 2 traits, pollen-less anthers, and pin flowers was studied by crossing the mutants with their respective parental strains. Segregation ratios observed in F(2) and testcross generations of the cross OR-EA x OR suggested that the pollen-less anthers trait was determined by duplicate recessive genes. Data obtained from F(2) and F(3) generations of the cross involving mutant EMS 13-2 with pin flowers and its parental variety Dhawal, suggested that production of pin (mutant) and thrum (normal) flowers was under the control of inhibitory epistatic interaction between 2 independently inherited genes.

The U.S. Thrombosis and Hemostasis Centers pilot sites program.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite important advances in understanding the etiology of VTE, delivery of care to patients with thrombosis and thrombophilia is frequently incomplete and highly variable. A comprehensive model of health care has been used successfully to treat and prevent complications for people with hemophilia and other chronic disorders. The effectiveness of an integrated healthcare model for patients with all coagulation disorders has yet to be evaluated. The Division of Hereditary Blood Disorders of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with eight Thrombosis and Hemostasis Centers (pilot sites) to provide health-related services and conduct research directed toward the reduction or prevention of complications of thrombosis and thrombophilia. The initial objectives of the collaboration are to (1) determine the efficacy of integrated multidisciplinary care and prevention services for people with hemostatic disorders, (2) assess unmet needs for service delivery and identify outreach strategies to improve access to care, (3) develop effective messages aimed at disease management and prevention, and (4) foster the development of training programs to enhance provider skills for the delivery of patient care. To address these objectives, the investigators and CDC have developed and implemented a web-based patient registry to follow prospectively service allocation and patient outcomes. Funding for the program began in October 2001. All eight funded centers are affiliated with U.S. medical schools. Principal investigators at the centers are hematologists (five adult, two pediatric) or cardiologists. Faculty in obstetrics-gynecology, surgery, and multiple other specialties are integral to the model of care at the centers. Other critical components at the centers are clinical laboratory services, training programs, research networks, and education and outreach programs. From August 2003 to March 2006, over 2,600 patients were enrolled in the registry, accounting for a total of more than 5,000 visits to the centers. Immediate goals of the data collection at the centers are to characterize patients receiving care at centers and document the state of health services provided. Long-term goals are to evaluate prospectively clinical outcomes for patients receiving multidisciplinary care and prevention services at centers. The network of data collection across centers will facilitate future collaborative clinical and epidemiologic investigations and enhance collective expertise in hemostasis and coagulation disorders.

Allelic differences at two loci govern different mechanisms of intraflower self-pollination in self-pollinating strains of periwinkle.

Periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don], an ornamental and medicinal plant, is a self-compatible, insect-pollinated plant species in which intraflower self-pollination does not occur because of spatial separation of the stigma and anthers. Recently three self-pollinating strains-MJ, VI, and OR-were identified. Self-pollination in these strains was found to be brought about by continuous increase in gynoecium length from anthesis to self-pollination, in contrast to non-self-pollinating strains, in which the stigma remained below the base of the anthers from anthesis to flower drop. Self-pollination in these strains was found to be controlled by duplicate, recessive genes. Self-pollination in strains MJ and VI was brought about by an increase in gynoecium length resulting from an increase in the length of the ovary, while in the strain OR, the increase in gynoecium length was because of an increase in the length of the style from anthesis to self-pollination. The three strains were intercrossed to determine the relationship between genes governing self-pollination in these strains. The F(1) plants and all plants of the F(2) generation of the cross MJ x VI exhibited self-pollination that was brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary, indicating that the same genes were involved in these two strains. The F(1) plants of crosses OR x MJ and OR x VI, exhibited self-pollination that was brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary, indicating that self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary was dominant over self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the style. In the F(2) and backcross [(OR x MJ) x OR and (OR x VI) x OR] generations, both self-pollinating and non-self-pollinating plants were observed. The ratio of plants with self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary, non-self-pollinating plants, and plants with self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the style in the F(2) and backcross generations fit 9:6:1 and 1:2:1 ratios, respectively. All plants of the backcrosses [(OR x MJ) x MJ and (OR x VI) x VI] exhibited self-pollination brought about by an increase in the length of the ovary. The results thus supported the earlier finding that self-pollination in the studied strains was controlled by duplicate, recessive genes and suggested that three alleles at two loci determine the occurrence or nonoccurrence of intraflower self-pollination in periwinkle.

Melanin-concentrating hormone overexpression in transgenic mice leads to obesity and insulin resistance.

Several lines of investigation suggest that the hypothalamic neuropeptide melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) regulates body weight in mammals. Obese mice lacking functional leptin overexpress the MCH message in the fed or fasted state. Acute intracerebroventricular injection of MCH increases energy intake in rats. Mice lacking the MCH gene are lean. To test the hypothesis that chronic overexpression of MCH in mice causes obesity, we produced transgenic mice that overexpress MCH (MCH-OE) in the lateral hypothalamus at approximately twofold higher levels than normal mice. On the FVB genetic background, homozygous transgenic animals fed a high-fat diet ate 10% more and were 12% heavier at 13 weeks of age than wild-type animals, and they had higher systemic leptin levels. Blood glucose levels were higher both preprandially and after an intraperitoneal glucose injection. MCH-OE animals were insulin-resistant, as demonstrated by markedly higher plasma insulin levels and a blunted response to insulin; MCH-OE animals had only a 5% decrease in blood glucose after insulin administration, compared with a 31% decrease in wild-type animals. MCH-OE animals also exhibited a twofold increase in islet size. To evaluate the contribution of genetic background to the predisposition to obesity seen in MCH-OE mice, the transgene was bred onto the C57BL/6J background. Heterozygote C57BL/6J mice expressing the transgene showed increased body weight on a standard diet, confirming that MCH overexpression can lead to obesity.

Influence of plant growth stage on the essential oil content and composition in Davana (Artemisia pallens wall.).

The influence of three plant growth stages (full emergence of flower heads, anthesis, and initiation of seed set) on the essential oil content and composition in Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall) was investigated over two successive seasons. The essential oil content was found to be higher at the full emergence of flower heads than at anthesis and initiation of seed set stages. The contents of davanone, the major constituent of davana oil, and linalool decreased while those of (Z)- and (E)-methyl cinnamate, (E)-ethyl cinnamate, bicyclogermacrene, davana ether, 2-hydroxyisodavanone, and farnesol increased from flower heads emergence stage to the initiation of seed set stage. These results support the general practice of harvesting the crop at full bloom stage. Five compounds, viz., (Z)- and (E)-methyl cinnamates, (Z)- and (E)-ethyl cinnamates, and geranyl acetate, were identified for the first time in davana oil.

Pediatric transfusion therapy: practical considerations.

Over the past decade, safety of blood has increased tremendously because of better donor screening as well as testing of the units for transmissible diseases. Component therapy has allowed more effective and economic use of blood. Whole blood is rarely used; instead, packed red cells, platelets, and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) are the most common components used. These products are further refined using irradiation and microaggregate filters and in the case of FFP, viral inactivation. Irradiation prevents transfusion-associated graft versus host disease, whereas microaggregate filters remove leukocytes, decreasing the rates of alloimmunization, febrile nonhemolytic (FNH) reactions, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission. Autologous donation in older children probably provides the safest blood as far as transmissible diseases are concerned. More families request a directed donation and solicit physician help in deciding as well as making arrangements for autologous and/or directed donations. Transfusions of blood and blood components in children are often challenging and require a knowledge of physiologic changes in hemoglobin and blood volumes during different ages. The unique needs of neonates, immunocompromised patients, and patients with congenital hemolytic anemia (sickle cell, thalassemia) mandate that the pediatrician have an appropriate knowledge of transfusion volumes and choice of blood product as well as indications for transfusion.

The effect of wait time on T2 distributions from NMR experiments.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation curves for both T1 and T2 on two brine-saturated core plugs have been measured at 1 MHz. T2 distributions were extracted from Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) measurements using different wait times between consecutive echo sequences. The analysis was performed with both a limited number of exponentials and a continuous B-spline basis. The distributions depend strongly on wait time. The distributions were generally restored to the true distributions when a wait time correction was applied.

Immunotherapeutic modification by an ayurvedic formulation Septilin.

Effect of Septilin, an ayurvedic formulation proven to be effective in the therapy of chronic infections, was investigated on the phagocytic system and humoral response in rats and mice. Septilin exhibited significant protection in E. coli-induced abdominal sepsis in normal mice and in Staphylococcus aureus-induced sepsis in neutropenic mice. It significantly reduced the viable E. coli cells when incubated with neutrophils in rats. Septilin stimulated the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system in mice. In normal rats, Septilin enhanced anti-SRBC hemagglutination antibody titre by 5.7-fold and showed significant protection in cyclophosphamide-induced humoral suppression.

Protective effect of Liv.52 on alcohol-induced fetotoxicity.

The adverse effects of maternal alcohol consumption on the development of the fetus are well known. The adverse effects of ethanol on the liver are now believed to be due to acetaldehyde formed as an intermediate metabolite of ethanol. Liv.52 has been shown to bring about faster elimination of acetaldehyde from the body and thus prevent alcoholic liver damage. Other toxic effects of alcohol may also be due to acetaldehyde and may be prevented by Liv.52. In this study, rats were given 20% (v/v) ethanol in drinking water, during the gestation period, and the effect on maternal body weight and fetal outcome was noted. The protective effect of Liv.52 administration during the gestation period was studied. The results show that ethanol ingestion caused a decrease in gestational weight gain, total fetal weight, and number of live fetuses. There were increases in resorptions. Liv.52 administration reduced the deleterious effects of ethanol. The concentration of acetaldehyde in the amniotic fluid of ethanol-consuming animals was 0.727 microgram/ml. Liv.52 administration lowered it to 0.244 microgram/ml. The protective effect of Liv.52 could be due to the rapid elimination of acetaldehyde.

Composition of the Essential Oil of Cymbopogon travancorensis.

The chemical composition of the essential oil of CYMBOPOGON TRAVANCORENSIS Bor. (Poaceae) was investigated by capillary GC and GC-MS. Thirty-five compounds were identified. The oil contains mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (39.60%), oxygenated terpenes (30.45%), and phenyl propanoids (22.04%). The main constituents of the oil are camphene (11.86%), limonene (18.07%), borneol (9.71%), elemicin (17.22%), and elemol (11.21%).

Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.

The clinical efficacy of a herbomineral formulation containing roots of Withania somnifera, the stem of Boswellia serrata, rhizomes of Curcuma longa and a zinc complex (Articulin-F), was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over study in patients with osteoarthritis. After a one-month single blind run-in period, 42 patients with osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to receive either a drug treatment or a matching placebo for a period of three months. After a 15-day wash-out period the patients were transferred to the other treatment for a further period of three months. Clinical efficacy was evaluated every fortnight on the basis of severity of pain, morning stiffness, Ritchie articular index, joint score, disability score and grip strength. Other parameters like erythrocyte sedimentation rate and radiological examination were carried out on a monthly basis. Treatment with the herbomineral formulation produced a significant drop in severity of pain (P less than 0.001) and disability score (P less than 0.05). Radiological assessment, however, did not show any significant changes in both the groups. Side effects observed with this formulation did not necessitate withdrawal of treatment.

Alcohol hangover and Liv.52.

Ethanol and acetaldehyde levels in blood and urine have been evaluated in 9 volunteers following administration of Liv.52 and placebo on the evening of the study and on the following morning. On the following morning the volunteers scored their symptoms and completed visual analogue scales. Single dose and multiple dose studies were done. Liv.52 produced a considerable reduction in blood and urine levels of ethanol and acetaldehyde after 12 h. It is possible that Liv.52 prevents the binding of acetaldehyde, bringing about higher initial blood levels followed by rapid elimination. It reduced the hangover symptoms.

Effect of Liv.52, a herbal preparation, on absorption and metabolism of ethanol in humans.

In 8 social drinkers, the effect of a single dose of Liv.52 or placebo on ethanol absorption has been studied after ingestion of 30 ml whisky in 5 min. The t1/2 absorption with Liv.52 was 3.62 min, significantly less than after placebo, 6.29 min. The peak concentration after Liv.52 (49.9 mg.100 ml-1) was significantly higher than with placebo (40.5 mg.100 ml-1). Whisky 120 ml consumed by regular alcohol users in 1 h, before and following 15 days of Liv.52 treatment produced significantly higher ethanol levels at 2, 3 and 4 h and significantly lower acetaldehyde levels at 3 and 4 h after Liv.52 treatment. Liv.52 enhanced the rate of absorption of ethanol and rapidly reduced acetaldehyde levels, which may explain its hepatoprotective effect on ethanol-induced liver damage.

Effect of Abana on ventricular function in ischemic heart disease.

Mechanocardiography has been in use to evaluate ventricular function and the cardiac effect of drugs. Twenty-five patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and 25 patients with IHD and mild hypertension (HTN) were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo controlled study of Abana. Half the patients in each group received Abana--a formulation based on Ayurvedic principles--and the other half received a placebo in a randomized manner. The effect of Abana was evaluated by means of LV apex cardiogram (ACG), phonocardiogram and carotid pulse tracing and ECG (mechanocardiography) before and at the end of 8 weeks of treatment. As compared to placebo, Abana significantly reduced the frequency and severity of anginal episodes, as judged by clinical improvement and nitrate consumption. Significant improvement in ventricular function was observed as reflected by a decrease in ACG A amplitude and A wave duration, along with a significant increase in LV ejection fraction and VCF. The decrease in double and triple products reflected decreased MVO2. A significant fall in diastolic blood pressure was noted in patients with mild hypertension. Abana seems to reduce preload and afterload and improve diastolic function and pump function, which may be responsible for the beneficial effects of Abana in ischemic heart disease.