Spent marigold flower meal as an alternate feed for goats.

This research trial is aimed to study the nutritional qualities and significance of feeding spent marigold flower meal (SMFM) in goats. SMFM and diet containing iso-nitrogenous concentrate mixture with different levels of spent marigold flower meal (0-30%) were studied for in vitro degradation. Depending upon the in vitro results, concentrate mixture containing 15% level of SMFM was selected for in vivo trial. In vivo studies were conducted for a period of 60 days, and 12 local, non-descript, adult male goats (10-14 months age; 31.09 ± 2.91 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to two groups and were fed on ad libitum wheat straw with either conventional (control) or SMFM containing concentrate mixture (treatment). Results of the study showed that there was no variation in body weight of the goats between periods and between groups. DM and OM intake along with their digestibility were similar among the two groups. The digestibility of all other nutrients was comparable between the two groups. Nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance were positive in both the groups without any significant disparity. Moreover, experimental goats did not differ in biochemical parameters, without any significant difference between periods and dietary treatments except AST level which was significantly higher (P > 0.05) in treatment group. So, this study successfully demonstrates that SMFM could be incorporated in the concentrate mixture, up to 15% without any discernable difference in the performance of goats.

Phytochemical evaluation and anti-hemorrhoidal activity of bark of Acacia ferruginea DC.

The present study has been carried out to evaluate antihemorrhoidal activity of bark of Acacia ferruginea DC. The total phenolic, total flavonoid and saponins were determined. Anti-hemorrhoidal potential of bark extract was determined by levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, PGE2 and recto-anal coefficient (RAC). The histopathological examination was done to evaluate the severity score in the treated and untreated groups. The results of phytochemical screening of the hydroalcoholic extract of A. ferruginea revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoid, saponins, tannins and phenolic compounds The total phenolic, flavonoid and saponin contents were found to be 438.8mg/g GAE, 66.6mg/gRE and 34%w/w respectively. Hydroalcoholic extract of bark of A. ferruginea significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokines {TNF-α(8.40±0.188), IL-6(3.95±0.181), PGE2(53.27±2.956) and RAC(0.998±0.094)}as compared to positive control group{TNF-α(13.36±0.141), IL-6(7.25±0.161), PGE2(82.34±3.395) and RAC(1.131 ± 0.008)}. Noticeably the results were comparable to that of standard pilex granules {TNF-α (7.12±0.166), IL-6(3.01±0.156), PGE2(42.51±2.157) and RAC (0.968±0.084)}. Molecular docking and structure based pharmacophore mapping further confirmed the anti-inflammatory mediated antihemorrhoidal activity of the hydroalcoholic extract. The antihemorrhoidal activity of hydroalcoholic extract of A. ferruginea may attribute to the flavonoids.

Prevalence of lymphatic filariasis in a tea garden worker population of Dibrugarh (Assam), India after six rounds of mass drug administration.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in the state of Assam and mass drug administration (MDA) programme for LF elimination is being implemented in the state since 2004. A study on prevalence of microfilaria (mf), disease endemicity and vector infection was carried out in a tea garden population of Dibrugarh, Assam (India) to assess the effect of ongoing MDA programme on elimination of LF. METHODS: Finger prick thick blood smears (20 mm3) were made from individuals aged ≥2 yr old during night blood survey in between 2000-0000 hrs during the period of November 2012 to February 2013. Blood smears were dehaemoglobinised, stained with Giemsa and examined under microscope for presence of mf. Indoor resting mosquitoes were collected during 0600-1000 hrs and female Culex quinquefasciatus were dissected and examined under microscope for larval forms of the parasite. RESULTS: A total of 634 blood smears were collected and screened for mf and 47 (7.41%) individuals were found microfilaraemic, with predominance of males (74.5%). Highest mf rate (20.0%) was seen in the males of 30-39 yr age group while in females, age group of 10-19 yr recorded maximum mf rate (5.48%). Entomological collection and dissection of Cx. quinquefasciatus revealed presence of larval stages of the parasite and infection and infectivity rates recorded were 13.20 and 3.70%, respectively. Chronic clinical manifestations in the form of elephantiasis and hydrocele were recorded in 33 (5.73%) subjects of the 575 examined. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Mass drug administration data showed six rounds of MDA with drug distribution coverage in between 63.42 and 95.93% in the study population. Out of 634 individuals examined 47 were found microfilaraemic giving an overall infection rate of 7.41%. Mosquito vector infection and infectivity rates were 13.20 and 3.70%, respectively. Presence of high mf rate, vector infectivity rate and clinical cases in the study population after six rounds of MDA warrants concerted efforts to be made for effective implementation and monitoring of MDA for success of LF elimination programme.

Overview of current and upcoming strategies implied for the therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Population explosion, urbanization, changes in lifestyle management, improper food habits and various other factors play focal contributors in the massive prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the developing countries. Although insulin is the cornerstone in the management of type 1 diabetes; insulin, anti-hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic agents are proved to be effective in type 2 diabetes, although their efficacy decreases with the progress of the disease. Moreover a significant number of side effects, mostly hypoglycemia and weight gain have put a bar in using these drugs confidently. Many novel therapeutic strategies with convincing efficacy and less adverse effects are currently emerging for providing efficient means of treatment of this disorder. This article mainly focuses on newer and unconventional pharmaceutical or biotechnical strategies that may or may not have been implied for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus on a widescale basis so far. These strategies are supposed to be efficient in controlling glycemic levels and possess a significant potential to reduce the co-morbidities associated with this disease.

Standardization of some herbal antidiabetic drugs in polyherbal formulation.

BACKGROUND: Ayurvedic formulations are used to treat a wide variety of diseases including diabetes mellitus Standardization of herbal formulation is essential in order to assess the quality of drugs. The present paper reports standardization of eight herbal anti-diabetic drugs-Momordica charantia (seeds), Syzigium cumini (seeds), Trigonella foenum (seeds), Azadirachta indica (leaves), Emblica offi cinalis (fruits), Curcuma longa (rhizomes), Gymnema sylvestre (leaves), Pterocarpus marsupium (heart-wood) individually and in polyherbal marketed samples of Baidyanath Madhumehari Churna MATERIAL AND METHODS: Shivayu Madhuhari Churna, Meghdut Madhushoonya Churna and were compared to the in-house preparation for physicochemical properties. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The limits obtained from the different physicochemical parameters of the individual eight herbal drugs and the marketed formulations could be used as reference standard for standardization of the anti-diabetic drugs in a quality control laboratory.

Effect of zinc supplementation on the status of thyroid hormones and Na, K, And Ca levels in blood following ethanol feeding.

The influence of zinc (Zn) on the serum levels of triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxine (T(4)), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and sodium (Na), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) was evaluated following ethanol toxicity to the rats. To achieve this, male Wistar rats (150-195 g) were given 3 ml of 30% ethanol orally, and zinc was given in the form of zinc sulfate (227 mg/l) in their drinking water daily for 8 weeks. Ethanol feeding resulted in a slight decrease in T(3) and T(4) levels and a significant increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration, which may be due to the direct stimulatory effect of ethanol on thyroid. Interestingly, when zinc was given to these rats, all the above levels were brought quite close to their normal levels, thus indicating the positive role of zinc in thyroid hormone metabolism. Serum Zn and Ca levels were found to be reduced, but Na levels were raised upon ethanol feeding. Restoration of normal levels of these metals upon zinc supplementation to ethanol fed rats confirms that zinc has potential in alleviating some of the altered thyroid functions following ethanol administration.

Influence of an enzyme cocktail and phytase individually or in combination in Ven Cobb broiler chickens.

1. An experiment (21 d) was conducted to determine if the response of chicks to a cocktail of xylanase, amylase, and protease (XAP) or Escherichia coli-derived phytase individually or in combination when fed a nutritionally marginal maize-soybean meal diet is age-dependent. 2. A total of 250 one-day-old Ven Cobb broiler chicks were allocated to 5 dietary treatments in a randomised complete block design. The treatments were as follows: (1) positive control with supplemental inorganic P; (2) negative control (NC) marginal in P and ME; (3) NC plus XAP to provide (per kg of diet) 650, 1650 and 4000 U of xylanase, amylase, and protease, respectively; (4) NC plus phytase added to provide 1000 phytase units/kg; and (5) NC plus a combination of XAP and phytase. 3. Low ME and P in the NC diet depressed weight gain and gain:feed. A cocktail of XAP alone did not improve performance, but phytase supplementation improved weight gain. The enzymes were additive in their effects on growth performance. 4. The enzymes had no effect on ileal digestible energy. Ileal N digestibility was higher in diets with XAP or phytase individually compared with NC. Both phytase and XAP individually and in combination improved ileal P digestibility compared with NC. 5. Total tract nutrient retention and ME increased as the birds grew older. There were age x diet interactions in total tract retention of P and Ca; improvement in P retention due to phytase use decreased by 50% as the chicks matured. 6. The current study shows that a combination of XAP and phytase improved performance, but the enhancement in performance appears to be due mainly to phytase. Both XAP and phytase were effective in improving P digestibility and retention of chicks receiving nutritionally marginal maize-soybean meal. 7. The data also showed that the chicks benefited more from the enzyme addition at a younger age and that the contribution of the enzymes to nutrient retention decreased with age in chickens.

Effect of change in symptoms, respiratory status, nutritional profile and quality of life on response to treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life (QOL), and pulmonary and nutritional parameters are important outcome measures during treatment of lung cancer; however, the effect of chemotherapy on these factors and their relationship with clinical response is unclear. METHODS: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were evaluated for symptom profile, nutritional status (using anthropometry), pulmonary functions by spirometry and six minute walk distance (6 MWD), and QOL using the WHO-QOL Bref 26 questionnaire, before and after chemotherapy. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were studied (mean (SD) age, 55 (10) years, 75% males). The majority (98%) had stage III or IV disease and 72% were current / ex-smokers with median pack-years of 27.0 (range, 0.5-90). Some 61% had a Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) 70 or 80. The commonest symptoms were coughing, dyspnea, chest pain, anorexia and fever (79%, 72%, 68%, 57% and 40%, respectively). The mean (SD) 6 MWD was 322.5 (132.6) meters. The mean (SD) percentage forced vital capacity (FVC %), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 %) were 64.7 (18.8) and 57.8 (19.4), respectively. The mean (SD) QOL scores for the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains were 52.9 (20.5), 56.1 (17.9), 64.5 (21.8), 57.1 (16.6), respectively. Fourteen patients (32%) responded to chemotherapy. Non-responders had significantly higher baseline occurrence of fever, anorexia, and weight loss, higher pack-years of smoking and poorer KPS compared to responders. Overall, chemotherapy caused significant decline in the frequency of coughing, dyspnea, chest pain, fever, anorexia, weight loss, and improvement in hemoglobin and albumin levels. There was no significant improvement in pulmonary functions, nutritional status, or QOL scores after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer patients have a poor QOL. Although chemotherapy provides significant symptomatic benefit, this does not translate into similar benefit in respiratory and nutritional status or QOL. Patients with constitutional symptoms, higher smoking burden, and poor KPS are less likely to respond to chemotherapy. Management of NSCLC must include strategies to improve various aspects of QOL, nutritional status and pulmonary reserve to achieve comprehensive benefit.

[The best of clinical pharmacology in 2006]. / L'essentiel de l'année 2006 en pharmacologie clinique cardiovasculaire.

The clinical pharmacological and therapeutic working group was particularly impressed by twelve recent publications relative to its various themes of interest. Two studies were made of the prognostic impact of non-observance of treatment which seems to be associated with an extra-mortality even when the treatment is placebo: the probable explanation is that the non-observance of drug therapy is also associated with the non observance of dietary/life style measures and with cognitive dysfunction associated with more severe cardiac disease. A recent study on n-acetyl-cysteine has rekindled the debate on this substance for preventing nephrotoxicity of radiological contrast used during angioplasty in high risk patients. The risks of AINS drug therapy has been reassessed. The increased risk of myocardial infarction is confirmed with celecoxib but not with "classical" AINS drugs if not prescribed for more than one year and without aspirin. With respect to lipid-lowering drugs, should statins be prescribed to attain a target value of LDL-cholesterol or to attain a given reduction in LDL-cholesterol? The death knell of fibrates has more or less been rung by the results of the FIELD study and the real value of OMEGA-3 drugs should be reassessed by good quality prospective studies. In the domain of hypertension, the recent arrival of aliskiren, the first of the antirenin drugs, is noteworthy although its role in the therapeutic strategy, remains to be defined. Finally, a comment is made on the results of the TROPHY study which suggest value in the possible prevention of hypertension with angiotensin II inhibitors in patients at risk of developing hypertension.

Analgesic activity of Calotropis gigantea flower.

The alcoholic extract of the flowers of Calotropis gigantea was administered orally and explored for its analgesic activity in chemical and thermal models in mice. In acetic acid induced writhing test, an inhibition of 20.97% and 43.0% in the number of writhes was observed at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. In the hot plate method the paw licking time was delayed. The analgesic effect was observed after 30 min of dose administration which reached its maximum after 90 min.

Influence of zinc on the status of hepatic trace elements and biokinetics of 65Zn in ethanol treated rats.

Whole body counting studies of 65Zn indicated that the Tb1 (the faster component) was significantly decreased while the slower component (Tb2) was increased significantly following ethanol treatment. Interestingly, following zinc treatment to ethanol treated rats, slower component (Tb2) of 65Zn came back to within normal limits while the faster component (Tb1) got significantly elevated in comparison to ethanol treatment. Percent uptake values of 65Zn were found to be increased in liver, intestine, muscle, brain and kidney, and decreased in bone under alcoholic conditions. Interestingly, the uptake values of 65Zn in all the organs except muscle were reverted back to within normal limits upon zinc supplementation to these ethanol intoxicated animals. A significant decrease in zinc contents was noticed in ethanol treated rats, which, however, were raised to normal levels upon zinc supplementation: Copper levels, on the other hand, were significantly enhanced in both ethanol fed and combined ethanol + zinc treated rats. Calcium levels were significantly decreased in both ethanol and zinc treated rats, which however were further reduced upon zinc supplementation to ethanol fed rats. However, no significant change was observed in the concentrations of sodium and potassium in any of the treatment groups. In conclusion, zinc appears to play a protective role by normalizing the turnover of 65Zn in whole body as well as in its uptake in different organs under alcoholic conditions.

Energy cost and cardiorespiratory changes during the practice of Surya Namaskar.

Surya Namaskar (SN), a group of Yogic exercise consists of a set of twelve postures which is practiced by some of the yoga practitioners. The present study was undertaken to observe critically the energy cost and different cardiorespiratory changes during the practice of SN. Twenty-one male volunteers from the Indian Army practiced selected Yogic exercises for six days in a week for three months duration. The Yogic practice schedule consisted of Hatha Yogic Asanas (28 min), Pranayama (10.5 min) and Meditation (5 min). In the Yogic practice schedule 1st they practiced Kapal Bhathi (breathing maneuvers) for 2 min then Yogamudra (yogic postural exercise) for 2 min, after that they took rest until oxygen consumption and heart rate (HR) came to resting value. Subsequently subjects performed SN for 3 min 40 seconds on an average. After three months of training at the beginning of the fourth month subjects performed entire Yogic practice schedule in the laboratory as they practiced during their training session and experiments were carried out. Their pulmonary ventilation, carbondioxide output, Oxygen consumption, HR and other cardiorespiratory parameters were measured during the actual practice of SN. Oxygen consumption was highest in the eighth posture (1.22+/-0.073 1 min(-1)) and lowest in the first posture (0.35+/-0.02 1 min(-1)). Total energy cost throughout the practice of SN was 13.91 kcal and at an average of 3.79 kcal/min. During its practice highest HR was 101+/-13.5 b.p.m. As an aerobic exercise SN seemed to be ideal as it involves both static stretching and slow dynamic component of exercise with optimal stress on the cardiorespiratory system.

Effects of vitamin E supplementation during erythropoietin treatment of the anaemia of prematurity.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on haemoglobin concentration and the requirement for transfusion in premature infants treated with erythropoietin and iron. METHODS: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. Thirty infants

Synthesis of combinatorial libraries based on terpenoid scaffolds.

Triterpenoid-based scaffolds betulinic acid (1a) and ursolic acid (1b), have been used for the generation of combinatorial libraries in parallel format using solid phase organic synthesis method. These templates have the potential for the synthesis and amplification of triterpenoid-based compounds with one and two-point diversity. This has been demonstrated by the synthesis of two small libraries comprising 18 derivatives each of betulinic acid and ursolic acid with structural diversity at C-3 and C-28 positions. The primary screening of antimalarial activity of these libraries against P. falciparum in vitro led to the identification of four compounds with 5 fold increase in the activity compared to betulinic and ursolic acids.

Studies on (beta,1-->5) and (beta,1-->6) linked octyl Gal(f) disaccharides as substrates for mycobacterial galactosyltransferase activity.

The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and the continuing pandemic of tuberculosis emphasizes the urgent need for the development of new anti-tubercular agents with novel drug targets. The recent structural elucidation of the mycobacterial cell wall highlights a large variety of structurally unique components that may be a basis for new drug development. This publication describes the synthesis, characterization, and screening of several octyl Galf(beta,1-->5)Galf and octyl Galf(beta,1-->6)Galf derivatives. A cell-free assay system has been utilized for galactosyltransferase activity using UDP[14C]Galf as the glycosyl donor, and in vitro inhibitory activity has been determined in a colorimetric broth microdilution assay system against MTB H37Ra and three clinical isolates of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Certain derivatives showed moderate activities against MTB and MAC. The biological evaluation of these disaccharides suggests that more hydrophobic analogues with a blocked reducing end showed better activity as compared to totally deprotected disaccharides that more closely resemble the natural substrates in cell wall biosynthesis.

Studies on alpha(1-->5) linked octyl arabinofuranosyl disaccharides for mycobacterial arabinosyl transferase activity.

The appearance multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) throughout the world has prompted a search for new, safer and more active agents against tuberculosis. Based on studies of the biosynthesis of mycobacterial cell wall polysaccharides, octyl 5-O-(alpha-D-arabinofuranosyl)-alpha-D-arabinofuranoside analogues were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors for M. tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium. A cell free assay system has been used for the evaluation of these disaccharides as substrates for mycobacterial arabinosyltransferase activity.

Aerobic capacity & perceived exertion after practice of Hatha yogic exercises.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Reports on the effect of yogic exercises on aerobic capacity are few. There is also no literature available on the effect of yogic exercise on perceived exertion (PE) after maximal exercise. In this study the effect of training in Hatha yogic exercises on aerobic capacity and PE after maximal exercise was observed. METHODS: Forty men from the Indian army (aged 19-23 yr) were administered maximal exercise on a bicycle ergometer in a graded work load protocol. The oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide output, pulmonary ventilation, respiratory rate, heart rate (HR) etc., at maximal exercise and PE score immediately thereafter were recorded. The subjects were divided into two equal groups. Twelve subjects dropped out during the course of study. One group (yoga, n = 17) practiced Hatha yogic exercises for 1 h every morning (6 days in a week) for six months. The other group (PT, n = 11) underwent conventional physical exercise training during the same period. Both groups participated daily in different games for 1 h in the afternoon. In the 7th month, tests for maximal oxygen consumption (VO2Max) and PE were repeated on both groups of subjects. RESULTS: Absolute value of VO2Max increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the yoga group after 6 months of training. The PE score after maximal exercise decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in the yoga group after 6 months but the PT group showed no change. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The practice of Hatha yogic exercises along with games helps to improve aerobic capacity like the practice of conventional exercises (PT) along with games. The yoga group performed better than the PT group in terms of lower PE after exhaustive exercise.

Histopathological and biochemical changes in the sutural region in craniosynostosis.

OBJECT: Histopathological observations and biochemical analysis of sutural bones in nine patients with craniosynostosis were compared with control subjects of the same age range. METHODS: Microscopic examination in craniosynostosis showed formation of an active osseous front, with higher osteoblastic activity than in controls. Biochemical analysis revealed higher calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, phospholipids and chondroitin sulphate-A contents in sutural bones of the same patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study systematically establishes a premature increase in osteogenesis in the sutures of craniosynostosis patients.

Possible involvement of cholinergic and adrenergic mechanisms in changing contractility of guinea pig ileum by Ipomoea carnea.

The study aimed to elucidate the mechanism (s) of action of Ipomoea carnea leaf juice (ILJ) in changing contractility of guinea pig ileum. ILJ produced dose-dependent (10-10000 microg/ml) triphasic responses. The initial contractile phase was blocked by atropine (1 microg/ml) but had additive effect with acetylcholine (2 ng/ml) or carbachol (2 ng/ml). Neostigmine (30 ng/ml) or lignocaine (50 microg/ml) failed to alter the response. In cold-induced denervated preparations, this phase was augmented. The relaxatory phase of ILJ was not modified by phenoxybenzamine (35 microg/ml) but was reduced by propranolol (1 microg/ml) and abolished by lignocaine (50 microg/ml). The final contractile phase of ILJ was not affected by atropine (1 microg/ml). These results suggest that the triphasic response of ILJ is possibly mediated through cholinergic, adrenergic and non-cholinergic mechanisms, respectively.

Acupressure wristbands do not prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting after urological endoscopic surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of acupressure wristbands in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). METHODS: Two hundred ASA I-II patients undergoing elective endoscopic urological procedures were included in a randomized, prospective, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Spherical beads of acupressure wristbands were placed at the P6 points in the anterior surface of both forearms in Group I patients (acupressure group, n = 100) whereas, in Group 2 (control group, n = 100) they were placed inappropriately on the posterior surface. The acupressure wristbands were applied 30 min before induction of anesthesia and were removed six hours postoperatively. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with nitrous oxide and oxygen, fentanyl, isoflurane and vecuronium. The tracheas were extubated on the operation table after patients received neostigmine and atropine. Post operative nausea and vomiting were evaluated separately as none, mild, moderate or severe at the time of patient's arrival in PACU, then at six hours and twenty-four hours after surgery by a blinded observer. RESULTS: In the acupressure group, 25 patients had PONV compared with 29 patients in the control group (P = NS). CONCLUSION: Application of acupressure wristbands at the P6 of both forearms 30 min before induction of anesthesia did not decrease the incidence of PONV in patients undergoing endoscopic urological procedures.