Neuroprotective effects of Zingerone against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced brain mitochondrial toxicity in Swiss albino mice

The present study targeted the brain mitochondria dysfunction in Swiss albino mice through carbon tetrachloride intoxication and its treatment with Zingerone. It is proposed that brain mitochondria is the main organelle responsible for oxidative stress by producing  reactive oxygen species (ROS). Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups; Group-1 was control; Group-2 was carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxic (1.5mg kg-1 bm i.p two days in a week.); Group-3 was pretreated with Zingerone (100 mg kg-1 b.m)  a day before  the administration of CCl4 and Group-4 was only Zingerone (100 mg kg-1 bm) given orally for 15days once in a day. At the end of the experiment mice were sacrificed and mitochondria were isolated from brain. Isolated brain mitochondria were further analyzed for oxidative stress marker. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content was increased significantly by CCl4 administration in Group-II as compared to the control Group-I, while the antioxidant (GSH) and other antioxidant enzyme GPx , GR, and CAT was depleted significantly in CCl4 treated Group-II as compare to control Group-I. Zingerone protected the  toxicity of brain mitochondria by reducing the lipid peroxidation and enhancing the antioxidant enzyme in Group-III and there was no significant changes were noticed in Group-IV as  compared to Group-I. Overall results showed the potential effects of Zingerone in protecting the neuronal cell loss by oxidative stress. Thus, the  present study indicated that the Zingerone may be used as the potential therapeutic tools for the prevention of CCl4 induced brain mitochondrial toxicity. &nbsp

SORPTION OF NICKEL IONS ONTO CHEMICALLY MODIFIED PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHOROUS L. AND THEIR QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION BY TITRATION.

The removal efficiency of Nickel ions from aqueous solution on chemically treated Parthenium  hysterophorous leaf powder (PHLP) has been investigated. The adsorbent was characterized by SEM images and FTIR spectra analysis.  The effect of several parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, concentration of Ni ion solution and contact time was evaluated using batch experiments. Nickel ions removal was pH dependent and the maximum removal was found to be at pH 7. The maximum removal of Ni ions was achieved within 100 min after the start of every experiment. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubnin- Radushkevich (D-R) adsorption isotherm models to evaluate the models parameter. Experimental results showed that the Langmuir isotherm model best describes for the adsorption of metal than Freundlich isotherm model. Adsorption data were processed according to various kinetic models. Pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order were applied to fit the kinetic results. Pseudo-first order model was less applicable than pseudo-second order. Thermodynamic studies showed spontaneous and exothermic nature in the adsorption of Ni (II) onto PHLP

Pomegranate juice attenuates acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity in rat model of experiment

Background: Pomegranate fruit has high contents of various polyphenols and antioxidants due to which it possesses variety of therapeutic properties. In particular, pomegranate fruit peel and flowers have exhibited high antioxidant activity in different studies. Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the most common cause of drug induced liver toxicity including both accidental and intentional types. In our study, we investigated the protecting mechanism of pomegranate fruit juice (PJ) against toxicity caused by APAP in Wistar rats.Methods: Rats were fed with 0.2% (w/v) pomegranate fruit extract as prophylaxis to counter single dose of APAP (2 g/kg, p.o). After that variation in levels of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) were marked.Results: A single dose of APAP elevated serum toxicity markers including lipid peroxidation. A simultaneous sharp depletion of glutathione and its metabolizing enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) was observed. Oral doses of PJ at (0.1% & 0.2% w/v) caused a significant (P<0.001) reduction in toxicity marker enzymes. A striking elevation in antioxidant armory was seen as in response to PJ.Conclusion: The results provide a clear picture of the defensive effect of PJ against APAP induced hepatic toxicity

A Study of Aerodynamic Drag of Contemporary Footballs

AbstractMost modern footballs possess varied surface characteristics which can affect the flight trajectory of the football. Although the aerodynamic behavior of other sports balls have been studied well, little information is available about the aerodynamic behavior of newly introduced footballs with varied seam configurations and number of panels. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to understand the surface characteristics mainly the seam depth and seam height and their effects on aerodynamic of a range of new generation balls. Four new generation footballs: Kapanya, Cafusa, Tango and Brazuca were selected for this study. Seam length and depth of seam for each ball were measured using 3D scanning technology and also manual measurement. Additionally, the aerodynamic drag forces were measured using wind tunnel over a range of wind speeds for two positions of each ball. It was found that the seam length and depth of seam have influence on the aerodynamic drag of these modern footballs. Results also indicate that the sideway variation of aerodynamic drag is minimal for the Brazuca ball. As a result, this ball may have better stability in flight. The lowest aerodynamic drag was found for the Cafusa ball at high speeds which indicates that this ball is suitable for long distance pass. However, it has highest sideway drag variation that may cause instability in flight

Sustainability of Self-Efficacy among Nascent Disable Entrepreneurs: A Case Study on Disable’s Home

The study has focused on practicality of self-efficacy theory, and how it helps to build confidence among the disables in building their career choice as entrepreneurs. For this we chose a case study approach on Disable’s home, which is a non- profit organization to provide support for disables. The study was conducted in two phases. First phase, from disable people’s perspective who were trainees in the Disable’s home. And second, from the Disable’s home’s perspective. Findings of the first phase suggest, in order to sustain self-efficacy with regard to career choice as entrepreneurs, not only institutional support is enough but other additional supports like social, financial, family supports&nbsp; are important. In the second phase, it was observed that institution needs to be resourceful in order to provide proper support to the disables and embed self-efficacy among them. &nbsp; JEL Classification Code:&nbsp; M3

Preventive role of Withania somnifera on hyperlipidemia and cardiac oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats

Purpose: The present study was intended to investigate the preventive role of Withania somnifera (WS) on hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in the heart of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic rats.Methods: Single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (100 mg/kg) was given to 2 days rat pups to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes was confirmed 90 days after the administration of STZ by measuring blood glucose level. WS (200 and 400 mg/kg) was administered orally once a day for 5 weeks after the confirmation of diabetes. Glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine kinase (CK), total cholesterol (TCh), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), verylow density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and markers of oxidative stress parameters like lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were evaluated in the heart of type 2 diabetic rats.Results: Oral administration of WS for 5 weeks resulted in a significant (P&lt;0.001) reduction in glucose, LDH, CK, TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C levels with significant elevation of HDL-C levels. On the other hand, WS treated diabetic rats significantly (P&lt;0.01-P&lt;0.001) reduced the elevated levels of LPO, increased levels of antioxidant enzymes (i.e, GSH, GPx, GR, GST, SOD and CAT).Conclusion: These findings propose the role of hyperlipidemia and cardiac oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic rats and suggested protective effect of WS in this animal model.Keywords: Withania somnifera; Hyperlipidemia; Oxidative stress; Streptozotocin; Type 2 diabete

Compliance of Boiler Standards and Industrial Safety in Indian Subcontinent

The economic development and industrialisation necessitate the use boilers/pressure vessels. With the increase of boiler numbers and uses, the boiler explosion due to non-compliance of standards and regulations, poor operation, maintenance, repair and safety awareness is also growing. Human error and poor maintenance are responsible nearly 50% of the global boiler explosions. The fatalities due to boiler explosions are sky rocketing in the Indian subcontinent. The paper has reviewed the global boiler explosions fatalities with a special emphasis on boiler accidents occurred in the Indian subcontinent and suggested some remedial actions