Determinación mediante pruebas aceleradas y a temperatura ambiente de la actividad antioxidante de varios extractos de plantas en aceite de girasol

The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant potential of 11 medicinally or economically important plant materials indigenous to Pakistan. The materials were extracted with 80% methanol and examined  for their antioxidant activity under different storage conditions using sunflower and soybean oils as oxidation substrates. Preliminary antioxidant activity assessment among the extracts was conducted with the TLC-test and by measuring percent inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation. The rhizome of Iris germanica, leaves of Lawsonia alba, and M. oleifera, coffee (Coffee arabica) beans, rice (Oryza sativa) bran, wheat bran and oats (Avenis sativa) groats and hull, which showed higher antioxidant activity among the extracts, were further evaluated using soybean and sunflower oils as oxidation substrates. The vegetable oils were stabilized with extracts at a dosage of 0.12% (w/w), and individually subjected to accelerated (65 oC, 15 days) and ambient (6 months) storage. The oxidative deterioration level was monitored for the measurement of antioxidant activity index (AI), peroxide value (PV), conjugated dienes and trienes contents. Overall, the extracts of coffee beans, oat groats and hull, Iris germanica and M. oleifera leaves were found to be the most effective in extending oxidative stability, and retarding PV, primary and secondary oxidation products of soybean and sunflower oils. The order of efficiency of the plant extracts for stabilization of the subject oils was as follows: oat groats and hull > coffee beans > M. oleifera leaves > Lawsonia alba > Iris germanica > rice bran > wheat bran. Significant differences in the antioxidant potential of some of the extracts for stabilization of substrate oils were observed under ambient and accelerated storage conditions and thus demonstrated a variable antioxidant prospective of the extracts under different analytical protocols.El presente trabajo se ha realizado para investigar la capacidad antioxidante potencial de once plantas medicinales o económicamente importantes autónomas del Pakistán. Las plantas se extractaron con metanol al 80% y se estudia su capacidad antioxidante bajo diferentes condiciones de almacenamiento, utilizando aceite de girasol y soja como sustratos. Los ensayos previos de capacidad antioxidante se llevaron a cabo con la prueba TLC-test y midiendo el porcentaje de inhibición de la peroxidación del ácido linoleico. El rizoma de Iris germanica, las hojas de Lawsonia alba, y M. oleifera, las semillas de café (Coffee arabica), el salvado de arroz (Oryza sativa), el salvado de trigo y salvado, granos y cáscara de avena (Avenis sativa), que fueron las que tuvieron una mayor capacidad antioxidante, de todos los extractos, se ensayaron después usando los sustratos de girasol y soja. Los aceites vegetales se estabilizaron con una dosis de 0,12 (peso/peso) y se sometieron a ensayos de almacenamiento acelerados (15 días a 65º) o temperatura ambiente (6 meses). El deterioro oxidativo se siguió mediante la medida del índice de actividad (AI), índice de peróxido (PV), así como por el contenido de dienos y trienos. En general, los extractos de semillas de café, partículas y cáscaras de avena, y Iris germanica y hojas de M. oleifera fueron las que mostraron una mayor efectividad para extender la estabilidad de los aceites, y retardar la elevación del PV, así como en la prevención de la aparición de productos de oxidación primarios y secundarios. El orden de eficacia fue: partículas y cáscaras de avena > granos de café > hojas de M. oleifera > Lawsonia alba > Iris germanica > salvado de arroz > salvado de trigo. Se detectaron diferencias significativas en el potencial antioxidante de algunos extractos tanto a temperatura ambiente como en condiciones de las pruebas aceleradas. Ello demostró una amplia gama de propiedades antioxidante de los extractos frente a los diferentes procedimientos analíticos empleados

Motor and Somatosensory Evoked Potential Monitoring Without Wakeup Test during Scoliosis Surgery

Background: Available evidence suggests that Transcranial electric motor evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potential are safe methods to check the integrity of the spinal cord during spine deformity correction surgery. We compare the efficacy of Transcranial electric motor evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potential to detect the nerve injury during Scoliosis surgery. Objectives: To demonstratethe advantages of combined motor and sensory evoked potential monitoring during Scoliosis surgery. Methods: We analyzed records of 65 (48 female and 17 male) Scoliosis surgery cases of Transcranial electric motor evoked potential and Somatosensory evoked potential.Mean age was 15.6 years. Patients who showed significant (at least 55%) of unilateral or bilateral amplitude loss , for at least five to ten minutes during the intervention in scoliosis surgery under total intravenous anesthesia will be included. Results: From 65 patients during surgery seventeen patients have a significant or complete drop of baseline amplitude on transcranial electric motor evoked potentials. Thirteen patients have the complete return of baseline amplitude by surgeon intraoperative intervention, whereas four patients havea reversal of motor response after 8 hours post-operatively. Transcranial electric motor evoked potential monitoring was 100% specific and 100% sensitive, whereas Somatosensory evoked potential was 100% specific and 85% sensitive. Conclusions: SSEPs and MEPs , in combination give accurate and quick information of nerve or spinal cord insult intraoperatively

MicroRNA: A Signature for Cancer Diagnostics

Various tools and techniques are being used for the diagnosis of cancer, but not a sole technique provides powerful result at the very early stages of cancer. This provides the need for type of tools which could detect cancer at early stages so that survival rate could be augmented. There are various diagnostic ways to identify cancer, but in each case, there are always circumstances to compromise on the sensitivity. In this framework, a new and more advanced approach of diagnosis for cancer is microRNA (miRNA). miRNAs are conserved regions among humans and animals, and their synthesis takes place in the nucleus and cytoplasm. There are several types of microRNAs that could be upregulated and downregulated in various cancers. A cancer cell could be identified by measurement of the expression pattern of miRNA. By examining the expression level for different types of cancers, miRNA can be used as biomarker for early detection of cancer in human beings

Importance and Significance of UF/MF Membrane Systems in Desalination Water Treatment

The proposed chapter addresses a comprehensive overview of the history and future outlook of ultrafiltration/microfiltration (UF/MF) membrane for desalination water pretreatment. Known theories on UF/MF membrane formation from phase inversion (Dr/wet) systems can be prolonged to define the consequences of high or low molecular weight additives. Also, direct material reengineering and surface modification for high-performance anti-fouling of UF/MF membranes are also highlighted. Before the modern final polymeric film, the characterization techniques, particularly molecular weight cut-off, pore size, pore size distribution, and microbiological activity classification, on to the UF/MF membrane surface were presented, respectively. Lab scale to commercial scale UF/MF membrane configuration and market size of UF/MF membranes for pretreatment desalination are described. The significance of UF/MF provided here as an unconventional approach for desalination water pretreatment is in contrast with the current conventionally used technologies. The recent development made in the integration of established desalination processes, such as spiral wound reverse osmosis (SWRO), multi-stage flash (MSF), multi-effect distillation (MED), electrodialysis (ED) desalination, and UF pretreatment, is addressed. Finally, the influence of UF/MF on desalination water pretreatment step on to the energy cost of desalination process system is discussed

Multiple Effects of Host Density on Egg Density and the Sex Ratio of Progeny of Bracon hebetor (Say.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Insect parasitoid optimises their reproductive potential by exploiting host immune system, varying clutch size and progeny sex ratio with reference to the host density. Egg density and the progeny sex ratio of Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was studied in relation to the larval density of its host Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Our findings revealed that parasitoid’s egg density increased with the increase in host density. A comparison was made between egg laying and egg hatching on different host densities and maximum number of egg laying was observed (134.7 eggs) at the highest host densities (16 larvae) while a minimum number of egg laying (15.6 eggs) was registered at lowest host density (one larvae). The egg hatching was decreased due to crowding of eggs laid on host’s larvae and the percentage of adult emergence was also decreased with the increase in crowding of eggs on host’s larvae. It was observed that progeny sex ratio (male/total) increased with the increase in host density. Further dispersion pattern of parasitoid eggs on different host densities were estimated by the Green index. This study has generated novel information on egg laying, egg dispersion and sex ratio of B. hebetor which may lead to the development of sustainable biocontrol programs for lepidopteron insect pests

Comparative study for the kinetics of extracellular xylanases from Trichoderma harzianum and Chaetomium thermophilum

Abstract Xylanases assume special importance in the paper and pulp industry as they replace toxic chemicals such as chlorine and chlorine dioxide for developing eco-friendly processes. This study evaluated xylanases produced by two fungi, the mesophilic fungus Trichoderma harzianum and a thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum . Among the polymeric substrates studied for xylanase production by both the fungi, birch wood xylan was found to be the best inducer of xylanases. Xylanases induction was subject to glucose repression. Partially purified xylanases preparation from T. harzianum and C. thermophilum exhibited optimal activities at pH 5 and 6 and at 60\ubaC and 70\ubaC, respectively. The apparent Km and Vmax values for the partially purified xylanase from T. harzianum using oat spelt xylan as a substrate were 4.8 mg mL-1 and 0.526 \u3bcmol min-1 mg-1, respectively. Whereas values of the partially purified xylanase from C. thermophilum were 2.96 mg mL-1 and 0.25 \u3bcmol min-1 mg-1, respectively. These findings in this study have great implications for the future applications of xylanases

ENACTMENT OF SUBJECT SPECIALISTS CONCERNING INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING AND STRATEGIES; A GENDER BASED COMPARATIVE STUDY

ABSTRAC

Invitro antimicrobial efficiency of Lawsonia inermis L (Henna) extracts against Multidrug Resistant Microorganisms

Abstract Antibiotics are becoming less effective as drug resistance spreads throughout the world, making it ever more difficult to treat the disease. The effect of biotic stress on antimicrobial activity of Lawsonia inermis L. (Henna) was studied as an alternate to antimicrobial agents against multidrug resistant microorganisms. The study was carried out in Molecular Biochemistry Lab, Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The plant seedlings were given biotic stress with Fusarium solani. The induced extracts were harvested at different time intervals and the antimicrobial activity was investigated by disc diffusion method. The induced plant extracts revealed highest susceptibility against S. aureus (30±0.02) and Pasteurella multocida (30±0.01) at 12 hpi. The least activity was shown against all the strains at 0 hpi. The highest antifungal activity was found against Ganoderma lucidum (55±0.05) at 24 hpi. The results demonstrated a significant difference in the antimicrobial activities of all the strains with and without fungal stress (P<0.05). The fungal induced extracts of Lawsonia inermis L (Henna) with enhanced antimicrobial activity may have the potential of being alternative and cost- effective agents against antimicrobial resistance

Correlates of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Health Care Waste Management among Hospital Workers of Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Healthcare waste is considered as neglected public health problem in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: We aimed this study to explore the factors affecting the Knowledge, attitude and practices of health workers regarding healthcare waste management (HCWM) in Pakistan. METHODS: Cross sectional study was done in two major public-sector hospitals in Pakistan. Validated, pre-structured questionnaire used to interview 275 physicians, nurses and other auxiliary staff after taking written consent. The sample size was selected according to the proportional size of the each HCW after sample size calculation for their equal representation from all the healthcare workers groups. RESULTS: The responses to 24 questions for knowledge, 12 questions for attitude and 20 for practice were used to create three respective dependent variables for analysis to measure independent association of socio-demographic factors on the health workers’ knowledge, attitude and practice. Younger workers, males and paramedics were statistically significantly less likely to achieve mean score on knowledge and HCWM practices (P=<0.05). Operation theatres workers as compared to other departments were 25 times more knowledgeable and had better practices (P=<0.05). Paramedical staff was more knowledgeable and had better practices while handling the healthcare waste as compared to physicians and nursing staff (P=<0.001). Physicians had positive attitude as compare to paramedics and nursing staff (P=<0.001). Workers with 5-10 years of experience were 4 times more likely to have positive attitude about HCWM (P=<0.02). CONCLUSION: The occupation was statistically significant factors affecting the Knowledge, attitude and practices among doctors, paramedics and nurses