Lichen diversity of Padder Valley Kishtwar (J&K), India

Lichens are one of the most successful group of organisms and form an important aspect of biodiversity of any region. But still lichens are under explored in most of regions.  The present work has been carried out in Padder Valley, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). A thorough survey of the lichen diversity from all the possible habitats was conducted in the study area which indicated the presence of 110 species belonging to 54 genera and 23 families. Parmiliaceae has been recorded as the largest family (16 genera, 27 species) and is followed by Physciaceae (8 genera, 14 species). Four families have been observed to be monotypic. Lecanora has been recorded as dominant genera with 7 species followed by Peltigera with 5 species. Corticolous was most preferred substratum exhibited by 61 species while foliose was the most dominant type of growth form represented by 52 species. The study has added 94 lichen taxa as new records for district Kishtwar and is first of its kind in Padder Valley, J&K

Sistema de administración de fármacos autoemulsionante: una estrategia para mejorar la biodisponibilidad oral

Objetivo: La vía oral siempre ha sido la ruta preferida de administración de fármacos en muchas enfermedades y hasta hoy es la primera forma investigada en el desarrollo de nuevas formas de dosificación. El principal problema en las formulaciones de fármacos orales es la baja y errática biodisponibilidad, lo que resulta fundamentalmente por la escasa solubilidad en agua, con lo que plantean problemas en su formulación. Para la administración terapéutica de los grupos activos lipófilos (BCS clase II drogas), las formulaciones a base de lípidos están teniendo cada vez más atención. Métodos: Con ese objetivo, a partir de los sitios web de PubMed, HCAplus, Thomson, y sus registros se utilizaron como fuentes principales para llevar a cabo la búsqueda de los artículos de investigación más importantes publicados sobre el tema. A continuación, la información fue analizada cuidadosamente, poniendo de relieve los resultados más importantes en la formulación y desarrollo de sistemas de administración de fármacos auto-emulsionante micro, así como su actividad terapéutica. Resultados: El sistema de administración de fármacos autoemulsionante (SMEDDS) ha ganado más atención debido a la mejorada que permite la reducción de la biodisponibilidad oral en dosis, los perfiles temporales más consistentes de la absorción del fármaco, la orientación selectiva de fármaco (s) hacia la ventana de absorción específica en el tracto gastrointestinal, y la protección del fármaco (s) desde el entorno poco receptivo en el intestino. Conclusiones: Este artículo proporciona una visión completa de SMEDDS como un enfoque prometedor para abordar eficazmente el problema de moléculas poco solubles.Aim: Oral route has always been the favorite route of drug administration in many diseases and till today it is the first way investigated in the development of new dosage forms. The major problem in oral drug formulations is low and erratic bioavailability, which mainly results from poor aqueous solubility, thereby pose problems in their formulation. For the therapeutic delivery of lipophilic active moieties (BCS class II drugs), lipid based formulations are inviting increasing attention. Methods: To that aim, from the web sites of PubMed, HCAplus, Thomson, and Registry were used as the main sources to perform the search for the most significant research articles published on the subject. The information was then carefully analyzed, highlighting the most important results in the formulation and development of self-micro emulsifying drug delivery systems as well as its therapeutic activity. Results: Self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) has gained more attention due to enhanced oral bio-availability enabling reduction in dose, more consistent temporal profiles of drug absorption, selective targeting of drug(s) toward specific absorption window in GIT, and protection of drug(s) from the unreceptive environment in gut. Conclusions: This article gives a complete overview of SMEDDS as a promising approach to effectively deal with the problem of poorly soluble molecules

Effect of Ni ion irradiation on microstructure and corrosion properties of Zr59Nb3Cu20Al10Ni8 amorphous alloy

The amorphous Zr59Nb3Cu20Al10Ni8 alloy has been irradiated by 100 MeV Ni+7 ion beam at the fluence rates of 1×1013 and 1×1014 ions/cm2 at room and elevated temperature. The effect of irradiation on structure sensitive properties of Zr-based amorphous alloys has been investigated in this study using XRD and FESEM and potentiodynamic polarization study. The results reveals that there are no significant changes in the microstructure at lower fluence rate but the formation of nanocrystalline structures have been observed at the higher fluence rates and the results have been corroborated using corrosion studies

Management of Labour Pain by using non-pharmacological Measures

Introduction: Pain during childbirth is a special experience of a woman that vary from one individual to another, that is caused by uterine contractions and cervical dilatation during labour. Nature and level of pain influence by various physiology, psychology and environmental factors. Thus, pain relief during childbirth is essential therefore, the delivery period will be uneventful. Non-pharmacological pain relief measures: Controlling pain without harm to mother, non-pharmacological measures assure in reducing labour pain with less or even no harm to the mother and fetus. These measures include sensory stimulation measures eg. breathing technique, aromatherapy and music therapy that provides sensory input to the brain to promote relaxation, enhance positive thoughts and transmission of nociceptive stimuli of pain during labour and cutaneous stimulation measures include back massage, changing position, heat and cold application, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hydrotherapy and acupressure that work as to stimulation of nerves by using skin manipulation in an attempt to reduce pain impulses to the brain. Conclusion: The major aspects of midwifery care are supporting women during labour pain thus, they must understand the choices of the mother\u27s for manage with labour pain. However, non-pharmacological measures are helpful for decelerating pain and discomfort during labour which is easy to given and cost-effective.  Key Words: Breathing technique, aromatherapy and music therapy, back massage, changing position, application of heat and cold, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, acupressure and hydrotherapy

Myco-Biocontrol of Insect Pests: Factors Involved, Mechanism, and Regulation

The growing demand for reducing chemical inputs in agriculture and increased resistance to insecticides have provided great impetus to the development of alternative forms of insect-pest control. Myco-biocontrol offers an attractive alternative to the use of chemical pesticides. Myco-biocontrol agents are naturally occurring organisms which are perceived as less damaging to the environment. Their mode of action appears little complex which makes it highly unlikely that resistance could be developed to a biopesticide. Past research has shown some promise of the use of fungi as a selective pesticide. The current paper updates us about the recent progress in the field of myco-biocontrol of insect pests and their possible mechanism of action to further enhance our understanding about the biological control of insect pests