A Study of Catecholamine Levels in Acute ICH Patients and its Clinical Significance.

ICH is one of the most serious neurological emergency which can result in high mortality which may be related to catecholamine release. We aim to evaluate serum catecholamine levels in acute ICH and correlate their levels with clinical parameters of stress and outcome. MATERIAL: Consecutive patients with CT proven ICH within 7 days of ictus were included and their clinical finding, SIRS Parameters, GCS, NIH score, laboratory parameters (ESR, CRP) were evaluated. Serum Catecholamine (DA, NE, E) levels were measured by LCMS. The patients were followed up at discharge and one month, the outcome was defined by mortality and 1 month modified Rankin scale (good 0-2, poor >2). OBSERVATION: There were 31 patients of acute ICH. Patients were admitted 1 to 2 days after ictus. Among the patients 19 were male and 12 were female.Their age ranged from 31 to 86 with mean 53.3+- 16.7. History of hypertension was present in 27.3% of patients. Their average GCS was median 12 (6.0, 15.0) and NIHSS was 12.5 (8.5, 22) Their average ESR was 30 (13,56) and average CRP was 1.8 (1.1, 5.9). Almost all pateints had raised SIRS parameters. There was an increase in levels of Dopamine (63.2 pg/ml), Epinephrine (73.5 pg/ml) and Norepinephrine (390pg/ml) on admission as compared to their levels 1 week after ictus or on discharge (Dopamine 35.6, Epinephrine 52.1, and Norepinephrine 241 pg/ml). CONCLUSION: CA surge is common in ICH pateints and it correlates with severity and outcome of patient. 6 pateints died in the hospital 72 % of patients had poor outcome. Catecholamine levels were higher in poor outcome patients.

The Role of Extracorporeal Septoplasty in Severely Deviated Nasal Septum.

Extracorporeal septoplasty is a valuable tool in the armamentarium of the nasal surgeon for the reconstruction of the severely deviated septum. Extracorporeal septoplasty offers the surgeon the opportunity to correct the septum under direct visualization, shape the nasal vault and address the nasal dorsum with the ultimate goal of providing both form and function for the patient with a complex septal deviation. The study was conducted with the aim to measure the outcomes of extracorporeal septoplasty in severely deviated nasal septum, relief of symptoms (nasal obstruction), surgical complications, if any, revision, if any with objective to evaluate the functional outcome and aesthetic aspects of extracorporeal septoplasty. This was a prospective observational study of 35 patients with severe deviated nasal septum with or without external deformity of nose attending the ENT OPD between Jan 2015 and Jan 2016 at Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute, Indore (M.P.). In this study, 17 patients (48.57%) shows excellent improvement on VAS scale, out of which 13 patients shows excellent improvement and 4 patients shows good improvement on photographic assessment. 11 patients (31.43%) show good improvement on VAS as well as photographic assessment and 7 patients (20%) show moderate improvement on VAS scale and fair improvement on photographic assessment. Extracorporeal septal reconstruction is an important surgical option for the correction of the markedly deviated nasal septum. Fixation of the straightened and replanted septum at the nasal spine and dorsal septum border with the upper lateral cartilages is essential. Spreader grafts for stabilization of the internal nasal valve and dorsal onlay grafts to prevent dorsal irregularity are strongly encouraged.

Sugar before bed: a simple dietary risk factor for caries experience.

Clinical care pathways have placed renewed emphasis on caries risk assessment and the ability to predict and prevent further disease. With diet considered a key factor in the development of caries, the level of caries risk posed by dietary habits, such as the frequency of intake and timing of free sugars is questioned. OBJECTIVE: To identify reliable and simple dietary risk factors for caries experience. RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study of a convenience sample with data gained from clinical examinations, questionnaire and a 24 hour dietary-recall interview. PARTICIPANTS: 128 subjects aged 11-12 from comprehensive schools in Greater Manchester and Newcastle upon-Tyne, UK. OUTCOME MEASURES: free sugars consumed between meals, before bed and total % of total free sugars consumed were assessed from dietary assessments led by a dietitian. D4-6MFT was generated with a caries threshold of ICDAS stage 4 from clinical examinations. RESULTS: Analysis revealed no significant differences in caries experience when looking specifically at caries into dentine, referred to as the cavity group (split at D4-6MFT), between high and low deprivation, consumption of free sugars between meals and free sugars (%). The consumption of free sugars within the hour before bed revealed a statistically significant difference between the cavity/no cavity groups (p=0.002). Logistic regression analysis on the cavity/no cavity groups revealed an odds ratio of 2.4 (95%CI 1.3,4.4) for free sugars consumption before bedtime. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that the consumption of free sugars before bedtime may be an important risk factor for adolescent caries into dentine experience.

Pyoderma gangrenosum with pathergy: A potentially significant complication following breast reconstruction.

The failure of postoperative surgical site infection to resolve after appropriate antibiotic therapy should alert the clinician to other diagnoses. Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis that is typically characterized by necrotizing ulceration. PG can be exacerbated by minor trauma leading to exaggerated skin injury, a condition known as pathergy. We present a case series of PG arising after immediate reconstruction for breast oncological surgery from 1st January 2006 to 1st September 2014. 395 immediate breast reconstructions were performed in 335 patients. Three cases of post-surgical PG were identified (0.9%), all in the setting of mastectomy for breast cancer. Two cases underwent immediate reconstruction with pedicled transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flaps, and one underwent submuscular expander insertion. A mean delay of 6.3 days was observed from first presentation of symptoms to diagnosis of PG. Immunosuppressants commonly used included methylprednisolone, prednisone, and ciclosporin, with good success at halting disease progress. Significant scarring affected all three women. Once the disease was deemed quiescent, intravenous immunoglobulin used in the perioperative period for further surgical procedures provided favorable results. A diagnostic algorithm is suggested to guide surgeons in investigations and management when post-surgical PG is suspected.

Determination of pesticide and phthalate residues in tea by QuEChERS method and their fate in processing.

In this study, the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method was applied for the analysis of the multiclass pesticide residues of 12 organochlorines (OCs), 9 organophosphates (OPs), 11 synthetic pyrethroids (SPs), 4 herbicides, 6 phthalates in raw tea (loose tea, branded tea and herbal tea), and tea infusion in 4 different containers (glass cup, earthen cup, plastic bag and disposal cup). In loose tea and branded tea residues, malathion (0.257 and 0.118 mg kg-1), cypermethrin (0.065 and 0.030 mg kg-1), and fenvalerate (0.032 and 0.030 mg kg-1) were detected, respectively. In herbal tea, residues of only cypermethrin (0.053 mg kg-1) and fenvalerate (0.045 mg kg-1) were detected. Tea infusion samples contained in a plastic bag were found to be contaminated with only dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (0.038 mg kg-1). Disposable cup was found to be contaminated with DBP (0.026 mg kg-1) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) (0.004 mg kg-1). Further, to know the processing behavior of pesticides, the spiked raw tea was subjected to tea infusion at different brewing times (2, 5, 10 min). The analysis demonstrated that dimethoate, dichlorvos, and malathion had shown more than 10 % of translocation at 5 min of brewing time. Further brewing for 10 min revealed the reduction in concentration of pesticides. Leaching of phthalate residues from different plastic containers was also studied at 10, 30, and 60 min. DBP, benzyl butyl phthalate (BzBP), and di-2-(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were leached in the tea infusion samples packed in plastic bags. On the other hand, in disposable cups, leaching of DBP, DEP, and dimethyl phthalate were found. The concentration of phthalate residues increased with retention time. Pesticide and phthalate contaminants were recorded at low quantities in few samples only.

Ecological implication of variation in the secondary metabolites in Parmelioid lichens with respect to altitude.

Lichens are known to synthesize a variety of secondary metabolites having multifunctional activity in response to external environmental condition. Two common lichen extrolites, atranorin and salazinic acid, are known to afford antioxidant as well as photoprotectant nature depending on the abiotic/biotic stress. The present investigation aims to study the influence of altitudinal gradient on the quantitative profile of atranorin and salazinic acid in three lichen species, Bulbothrix setschwanensis (Zahlbr.) Hale, Everniastrum cirrhatum (Fr.) Hale and Parmotrema reticulatum (Taylor) Choisy, Parmeliaceae using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique. Samples were collected from high-altitude area, usually considered as non-polluted sites of Garhwal Himalaya. Characterization and quantification of the lichen substances in samples were carried out comparing with the standards of atranorin and salazinic acid. Results indicated significant variation in the chemical content with the rising altitude. All the three lichen species showed higher quantities of chemical substances with the altitudinal rise, while among the three lichen species, E. cirrhatum showed the highest quantity of total lichen compounds. The higher abundance and frequency of E. cirrhatum with increasing altitude as compared to B. setschwanensis and P. reticulatum may be attributed due to the presence of higher quantity of photoprotecting/antioxidant chemicals especially salazinic acid. Thus, the present study shows the prominent role of secondary metabolite in wider ecological distribution of Parmelioid lichens at higher altitudes.

A comparative analysis of avoidable causes of childhood blindness in Malaysia with low income, middle income and high income countries.

To determine the avoidable causes of childhood blindness in Malaysia and to compare this to other middle income countries, low income countries and high income countries. Data were obtained from a school of the blind study by Patel et al. and analysed for avoidable causes of childhood blindness. Six other studies with previously published data on childhood blindness in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Indonesia, China and the United Kingdom were reviewed for avoidable causes. Comparisons of data and limitations of the studies are described. Prevalence of avoidable causes of childhood blindness in Malaysia is 50.5 % of all the cases of childhood blindness, whilst in the poor income countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Indonesia, the prevalence was in excess of 60 %. China had a low prevalence, but this is largely due to the fact that most schools were urban, and thus did not represent the situation of the country. High income countries had the lowest prevalence of avoidable childhood blindness. In middle income countries, such as Malaysia, cataract and retinopathy of prematurity are the main causes of avoidable childhood blindness. Low income countries continue to struggle with infections such as measles and nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin A, both of which are the main contributors to childhood blindness. In high income countries, such as the United Kingdom, these problems are almost non-existent.

Reproductive toxicity of lead, cadmium, and phthalate exposure in men.

Environmental toxicants viz lead or cadmium and phthalate esters (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate [DEHP], dibutyl phthalate [DBP], and diethyl phthalate [DEP]) widely found in different environmental strata are linked to deteriorating male reproductive health. The objective was to assess the relationships between the seminal lead, cadmium, and phthalate (DEHP, DBP, DEP) concentrations at environmental level and serum hormone levels and semen quality in non-occupationally exposed men and specify the effect of individual and combined exposure of toxicants on semen quality. A study of 60 male partners of couples attending the Andrology Laboratory of the Reproductive Biology Department, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India for semen analysis to assess their inability to achieve a pregnancy was selected for the study. The results of univariate and stepwise multiple regression analysis in the unadjusted model showed a significant correlation between lead or cadmium and phthalates DEHP/DBP/DEP and sperm motility, sperm concentration, and DNA damage. After adjusting for potential confounders, an association with lead or DEHP was only observed. The present data shows that lead (Pb) or cadmium (Cd) or phthalates might independently contribute to decline in semen quality and induce DNA damage. Phthalates might influence reproductive hormone testosterone. These findings are significant in light of the fact that men are exposed to a volley of chemicals; however, due to the small sample size, our finding needs to be confirmed in a larger population.

Mutation in Drosophila methuselah resists paraquat induced Parkinson-like phenotypes.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent and devastating neurodegenerative disorder having limited cure options and strong association with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the mid brain. Etiology of PD includes both genetic and environmental factors. Paraquat (PQ), a widely used herbicide, is known to be associated with pathogenesis of PD. We report that a mutation in Drosophila methuselah (mth(1)), which is associated with aging, has a role in preventing dopaminergic neuronal cell death in PQ-exposed organism. Exposed mth(1) flies exhibit significant resistance against PQ-induced Parkinson's phenotypes and behavior in terms of oxidative stress, dopaminergic neuronal degeneration, locomotor performance, dopamine content, phosphorylated JNK, pFOXO, Hid, and cleaved caspase-3 levels. Conversely, over-expression of mth in dopaminergic neurons makes the exposed organism more vulnerable to oxidative stress, neuronal cell death, and behavioral deficit. The study suggests that lesser activation of JNK-mediated apoptosis in dopaminergic neurons of exposed mth(1) flies protects the organism from PQ-induced damage, which may be causally linked to a common mechanism for PQ-induced neurodegeneration.

Fetal hemoglobin and alpha thalassemia modulate the phenotypic expression of HbSD-Punjab.

INTRODUCTION: HbSD-Punjab (HbSD) is a less common form of sickle cell disease (SCD) and discrimination between HbSD and HbSS is not possible on alkaline electrophoresis because the two variants overlap in the compound heterozygous state. There are only a few publications consisting mostly of case reports. Thus, the phenotypic expression of HbSD and its modifiers has not been studied. METHODS: We studied the phenotypic expression of 42 cases of HbSD (the largest number of subjects ever included in this kind of study) and compared them with 84 HbSS cases matched for age, sex, and caste. Further, we evaluated the influence of HbF concentration and alpha thalassemia on the phenotypic expressions of HbSD, namely the frequency of VOC and degree of hemolysis. RESULTS: The frequencies of VOC were similar in both the groups. The markers of hemolysis such as total bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin, and LDH were higher where as HbF concentration was significantly low in HbSD. There was a negative correlation between HbF concentration and risk of VOC in the HbSD. The total hemoglobin level and hematocrit were significantly high, and the MCV and MCH were significantly low in HbSD with alpha thalassemia. Alpha thalassemia had no influence on the frequency of VOC and severity of hemolysis in HbSD. CONCLUSION: HbF reduced the frequency of VOC but had no influence on the hemolytic markers in HbSD. HbSD with alpha thalassemia was associated with hypohromic and microcytic features of red blood cells.

Clinical and molecular characterization of Hb Hofu in eastern India.

INTRODUCTION: Hb Hofu (HBB:c. 380T>A) is a rare inherited hemoglobin abnormality with few case reports in the world literature. METHODS: Screening for the sickle cell gene mutation and other hemoglobinopathies was carried out using the sickle slide test, Hb electrophoresis, and HPLC under an ongoing central government project. RESULTS: We detected twelve Hb Hofu heterozygotes and three sickle Hb Hofu compound heterozygotes. The heterozygotes were asymptomatic except for one individual who had chronic kidney disease and moderate anemia. Only one HbS-Hofu case was symptomatic and presented with intermittent attacks of painful crisis. In the carrier state, the Hb Hofu eluted as a hump at the beginning of the HbA(0) window. But in HbS-Hofu cases, Hb Hofu eluted as a single peak in the HbA(0) window, with the HbA(2) levels being >4% consistently. CONCLUSION: HbS-Hofu has a variable clinical presentation. The retention time of Hb Hofu on HPLC is very close to that of HbA(0) and often elutes in the A0 window. Thus, there is every possibility of the HbS-Hofu chromatogram to be misinterpreted as that of a sickle cell trait/transfused sickle cell-beta-thalassemia case. This is the first time where Hb Hofu has been detected by HPLC, which is the widely accepted screening technique for hemoglobinopathies around the world.

Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell: a concise report on its phytopharmacological aspects.

Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.) F. Muell belonging to the family Violaceae, popularly known as Ratanpurus (Hindi) is a herb or a shrub distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In the Ayurvedic literature, the plant is reported to cure conditions of "Kapha" and "Pitta", urinary calculi, strangury, painful dysentery, vomiting, burning sensation, wandering of the mind, urethral discharge, blood trouble, asthma, epilepsy, cough, and to give tone to the breasts. Phytochemically, the plant contains a considerable amount of dipeptide alkaloids, aurantiamide acetate, isoarborinol, and ß-sitosterol, sugars, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenes, phenols, flavones, catachins, tannins, anthraquinones and amino acids. Pharmacologically, the plant is reported to possess antidiabetic, antiplasmodial, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, nephroprotective, aphrodisiac, hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory, aldose reductase inhibitory and free radical scavenging activities. The information provided in this review will be worthwhile to know the applicability of H. enneaspermus for the treatment of various acute or chronic diseases with a diverse nature of phytoconstituents. The overall data in this review article were collected from various scientific sources on the research of H. enneaspermus.

Temporal distribution of fine particulates (PM2.5:PM10), potentially toxic metals, PAHs and Metal-bound carcinogenic risk in the population of Lucknow City, India.

Ubiquitous fine particulates can readily be bound to toxic metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and are considered to be a great threat to human health. The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of air pollution risks to public health by determining four crucial parameters- inhalable particulates, metals in particulates and PAHs which are associated with PM10 in the air environment of Lucknow, India during 2007-09. The values of PM10 and PM2.5 ranged between 102.3-240.5 and 28.0-196.9 µg/m³ whilst the average PM10 was 1.7 times and PM was 1.5 times higher than their respective NAAQS of 100 and 60 µg/m³ respectively. The estimated relative death rate and hospital admissions for each increase in the PM10 levels of 10 µg/m³ ranged from 1.5-8% and from 3.9-8.0% (as per APHEA2 1990) respectively in persons > 65 yrs. Among the locations; AQ, AQ and AQ (with diversified activities and heavy traffic) recorded higher concentrations of both the particulate fractions than the AQ (residential area with low traffic). The average concentrations of Fe, Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd in PM10 were 219.4, 40.6, 35.1, 27.3, 22.2 and 16.2 ng/m³ and that in PM2.5 were 54.3, 33.9, 38.5, 29.4, 8.4, and 1.17 ng/m³ respectively Regression analysis revealed that correlation of metals with PM2.5 was stronger than PM. The ratio of metals adsorbed on surface of particles (PM2.5:PM10) reveals that PM2.5 has more affinity for Ni, Cu and Pb and PM10 for Cd, Fe and Cr. Health risk due to carcinogenic metals bound to respirable particulates was predicted by estimating excess cancer risk (ECR). The highest ECR value was estimated for Cr, 266.70 × 10⁻6, which was associated with PM10 and 100.92 × 10⁻6 which was associated with PM2.5, whereas lead has the lowest ECR value. Amongst PAHs, benzo(a)pyrene (51.96 ± 19.71 ng/m) was maximum in PM10 samples. Maximum concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, metals and PAHs were detected during winter, and the lowest was during monsoon. The higher prevalence of diseases among the population may be due to high concentration of particulates coated with toxic metals and PAHs present in air environment.

An unusual presentation of gestational thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia is classically defined as a platelet count of less than 150 000/µl. Counts from 100 000 to 150 000/µl are considered mildly depressed, 50 000 to 100 000/µl moderately depressed, and less than 50 000/µl severely depressed. Thrombocytopenia occurs in about 10% of pregnant women. Gestational thrombocytopenia (GT) is a diagnosis of exclusion and considered the most prevalent cause of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. GT accounts for almost 75% of cases of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. The cause of GT is unclear, although existing studies denote the possibility of accelerated platelet consumption and the increased plasma volume during pregnancy. The presence of antiplatelet antibodies is not specific to GT. The degree of thrombocytopenia in GT is usually mild to moderate, usually remaining greater than 70 000/µl. Patients are asymptomatic with no evidence of bleeding and rarely preconception history of thrombocytopenia. The platelet count returns to normal within 2-12 weeks post partum. We wish to report a unique case of GT presenting as blurred vision due to retinal hemorrhages.

Analysis of imidacloprid residues in fruits, vegetables, cereals, fruit juices, and baby foods, and daily intake estimation in and around Lucknow, India.

A total of 250 samples-including fruits, fruit juices, and baby foods (50 samples each), vegetables (70 samples), and cereals (30 samples)-were collected from Lucknow, India, and analyzed for the presence of imidacloprid residues. The QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method of extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis were carried out, and imidacloprid residues were qualitatively confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Imidacloprid was not detected in samples of fruit juices and baby foods. It was, however, detected in 38 samples of fruits, vegetables, and cereals, which is about 15.20% of the total samples. Of samples of fruits, 22% showed the presence of imidacloprid, and 2% of samples showed residues above the maximal residue limit. Although imidacloprid was detected in 24% of vegetable samples, only 5.71% showed the presence of imidacloprid above the maximal residue limit. However, 33% of cereal samples showed the presence of imidacloprid, and about 3% of samples were above the maximal residue limit. The calculated estimated daily intake ranged between 0.004 and 0.131 µg/kg body weight, and the hazard indices ranged from 0.007 to 0.218 for these food commodities. It is therefore indicated that lifetime consumption of vegetables, fruits, fruit juices, baby foods, wheat, rice, and pulses may not pose a health hazard for the population of Lucknow because the hazard indices for imidacloprid residues were below one.

Structural, luminescence and EPR studies on SrSnO3 nanorods doped with europium ions.

The present study describes the structural and luminescent properties of SrSnO(3) nanorods containing Eu(3+) ions. Based on Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns corresponding to both undoped and europium doped SrSnO(3) nanorods, it is inferred that the average bond lengths of Sr-O1 linkages, which have a square planar geometry around Sr(2+) in the SrO(12) polyhedra present in SrSnO(3), remained unaffected with Eu(3+) incorporation into the lattice. However, the average bond lengths of shorter Sr-O2 linkages increase and longer Sr-O2 linkages decrease with Eu(3+) doping into the SrSnO(3) lattice. A lack of variation in the lattice parameters of SrSnO(3) with doped Eu(3+) ions is explained based on mutually compensating changes in the average bond lengths of the Sr-O2 linkages in the unit cell. Luminescence studies have confirmed that Eu(3+) ions occupy the centrosymmetric Sr(2+) site only up to 2 at%, beyond which Eu(3+) ions exist in a significantly distorted environment (grain boundaries). Beyond 3%, incorporation of Eu(3+) ions into the SrSnO(3) lattice leads to the formation of a Eu(2)Sn(2)O(7) phase. From the EPR studies it is confirmed that around 5% of the incorporated Eu(3+) ions get converted to Eu(2+) ions and they occupy Sr(2+) sites in the lattice.

Rinodina sophodes (Ach.) Massal.: a bioaccumulator of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Kanpur City, India.

The aim of this study is to determine the possibility of using Rinodina sophodes (Ach.) Massal., a crustose lichen as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bioaccumulator for evaluation of atmospheric pollution in tropical areas of India, where few species of lichens are able to grow. PAHs were identified, quantified and compared to evaluate the potential utility of R. sophodes. The limit of detection for different PAHs was found to be 0.008-0.050 µg g( - 1). The total PAHs in different sites were ranged between 0.189 ± 0.029 and 0.494 ± 0.105 µg g( - 1). The major sources of PAHs were combustion of organic materials, traffic and vehicular exhaust (diesel and gasoline engine). Significantly higher concentration of acenaphthylene and phenanthrene indicates road traffic as major source of PAH pollution in the city. Two-way ANOVA also confirms that all PAHs content showed significant differences between all sampling sites (P 1%). This study establishes the utility of R. sophodes in monitoring the PAHs accumulation potentiality for development of effective tool and explores the most potential traits resistant to the hazardous environmental conditions in the tropical regions of north India, where no such other effective way of biomonitoring is known so far.

Physiological attributes of lichen, Phaeophyscia hispidula in heavy metal rich sites of Dehra Dun, India.

Phaeophyscia hispidula (Ach.) Moberg, foliose lichen is widespread in Garhwal Himalayas and grows luxuriantly on different substratum in polluted as well as non polluted sites, where no other macrolichens are able to colonize. The elemental concentration and biochemical parameters in P. hispidula collected from Dehra Dun city were analyzed to assess its tolerance to heavy metals. The major source of pollution in the city is automobiles. Among the biochemical parameters protein was significantly and negatively correlated with pigment concentrations (r = -0.3838 (Chl.b); -0.5809 (Carotenoid); -0.5034 (OD)) however it is significantly positively correlated with Cd (r = 0.6822: P < 0.01). Among heavy metals, Cd was negatively correlated with Cu (r = -0.4639), Fe (r = -0.2676), and Zn (r = -0.0549). It was observed that the chlorophyll and protein content increased parallel to the level of metallic pollutants indicating the mechanism of stress tolerance in P. hispidula. The study shows that P. hispidula is tolerant to inorganic pollution and a useful tool for biomonitoring of air quality in the Himalayan region.

Barbaloin: a concise report of its pharmacological and analytical aspects.

Barbaloin is C-glucoside of aloe emodin anthrone which is found in the plant name as Aloe vera is a perennial succulent (Liliaceal), also called the healing plant. Barbaloin have variety of pharmacological activity such as strong inhibitory effect on histamine release, anti-inflammatory, cathartic, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant activity and alternative for pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications. The peak amount of barbaloin was reached about 3 h after oral administration. Concentration of barbaloin in Aloe vera leaves was shown to depend on the leaf part, age, and position of the leaf. Young leaves contain more barbaloin compared to old one. Various researches have been done on barbaloin but still the relationship between the barbaloin and its overall effect has not been clarified. A more specific perceptive of the pharmacological activities of barbaloin is required to develop for pharmaceutical purpose. Many attempts have been made regarding its isolation, biological activity to examine their effects, and clarify their functional mechanism. This review gives a brief idea about its uses, ethnomedicinally and commercially important analytical techniques and their pharmacological activities.

An overview on antidiabetic medicinal plants having insulin mimetic property.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the common metabolic disorders acquiring around 2.8% of the world's population and is anticipated to cross 5.4% by the year 2025. Since long back herbal medicines have been the highly esteemed source of medicine therefore, they have become a growing part of modern, high-tech medicine. In view of the above aspects the present review provides profiles of plants (65 species) with hypoglycaemic properties, available through literature source from various database with proper categorization according to the parts used, mode of reduction in blood glucose (insulinomimetic or insulin secretagogues activity) and active phytoconstituents having insulin mimetics activity. From the review it was suggested that, plant showing hypoglycemic potential mainly belongs to the family Leguminoseae, Lamiaceae, Liliaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Asteraceae, Moraceae, Rosaceae and Araliaceae. The most active plants are Allium sativum, Gymnema sylvestre, Citrullus colocynthis, Trigonella foenum greacum, Momordica charantia and Ficus bengalensis. The review describes some new bioactive drugs and isolated compounds from plants such as roseoside, epigallocatechin gallate, beta-pyrazol-1-ylalanine, cinchonain Ib, leucocyandin 3-O-beta-d-galactosyl cellobioside, leucopelargonidin-3- O-alpha-L rhamnoside, glycyrrhetinic acid, dehydrotrametenolic acid, strictinin, isostrictinin, pedunculagin, epicatechin and christinin-A showing significant insulinomimetic and antidiabetic activity with more efficacy than conventional hypoglycaemic agents. Thus, from the review majorly, the antidiabetic activity of medicinal plants is attributed to the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins and other constituents which show reduction in blood glucose levels. The review also discusses the management aspect of diabetes mellitus using these plants and their active principles.