Phytochemical screening and evaluation of anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activity of Elettaria cardamom (Cardamom)

The present study deals with the phytochemical screening and evaluation of antibacterial and antioxidant activities from the crude methanol extract of the seeds of cardamom, Elettaria cardamom. Crude methanol extract was investigated for their antibacterial activity against Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Listeria monocytogenes,Bacillus pumilus and Escherichia coli. The extract showed maximum zone of inhibition (20.3 mm) against EPEC, however, the antibacterial potential of the extract was slightly lesser against normal E. coli (19 mm). It showed moderate anti-bacterial activity against L. monocytogenes and B. pumilus. Dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activity was also noticed in crude extract as measured by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Thus, our study reports various phytochemicals in the seeds of cardamom with antioxidant and antibacterial potential

Mutual Perception and Relational Strategies of Hindus and Muslims in India

The present study examines mutual perception and relational strategies of the Hindu and Muslim groups in the cultural context of India by focusing on religion-based “othering.” A sample of 264 participants belonging to Hindu and Muslim groups was studied in Varanasi City. An instrument developed and used in an international project was adapted and given to participants (age range 20–60 years) for measuring their relational strategies, mutual perceptions and perceived discriminations. The findings revealed the ‘Coexistence’ relational strategy to be strongly placed in both Muslim and Hindu participants. Both ‘Integration’ and ‘Assimilation’ strategies were stronger in Muslim participants than in Hindu participants. Hindus preferred the ‘Separation’ strategy, perceived greater discrimination and held less positive views of Muslims. The findings are discussed along with their implications for dealing with the problem of Hindu-Muslim relationships in India

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Gender Differences in Nicotine Induced Dyslipidemia and Hyperglycemia in Mice

The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in nicotine treated male and female mice and to evaluate gender related differences. For these purposes adult male and female BALB/C mice were subjected to chronic nicotine treatment (3.08mg/100ml in drinking water) for 4 weeks. Serum glucose, albumin, corticosterone and lipid profile levels were determined. Body weight changes were also monitored. We have found that nicotine treatment raises total cholesterol and glucose levels more in male as compared to female mice. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were increased by 35% (P<0.01) only in male mice. However rise in triglycerides were greater in females (28%) than males (21%) when compared with their respective controls. Serum albumin levels were increased in both sexes showing 13% greater increase in males as compared to females. However nicotine treatment had no effect on high density lipoprotein cholesterol, corticosterone levels and body weights in both genders. It is concluded that nicotine use is positively associated with LDL-C in males; the results are discussed in relation to prevalence of metabolic syndrome andrisk of cardiovascular events in nicotine users

Metabolic and Behavioral Effects of Nicotine in Swim Stressed Mice

Nicotine, in the form of tobacco smoking, is the most commonly abused drug throughout the world. It contributes to the harmful tobacco smoking habit leading to high morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The drug has addictive properties and causes drug dependence. Apart from these effects, nicotine alters a number of metabolic pathways such as lipid profile and glucose homeostasis leading to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Present study investigated the metabolic and behavioral effects of nicotine in stressed mice. For this purpose adult male mice were subjected to chronic nicotine treatment(3.08 mg/100 ml in drinking water) for 3 weeks followed by forced swim test (FST) and serum glucose, lipid profile and tryptophan were investigated. When swim stressed mice were compared with chow control, it was found that serum glucose (P<0.001), total cholesterol (P<0.001), triglycerides (P<0.01), and LDL cholesterol (P<0.01) were increased. Similarly glucose concentration (P<0.05), total cholesterol (P<0.05), triglycerides (P<0.01) and LDL cholesterol (P<0.05) were increased in drug treated swim stressed mice. However HDL remained unaltered in both groups. Serum tryptophan was decreased (P<0.01) in swim stressed and nicotine treated swim stressed mice. During FST, swimming behavior was significantly increased at the cost of climbing with no change in immobility in nicotine treated mice as compared to controls. It is concluded that nicotine worsens lipid profile and glucose homeostasis in stressful situations thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in chronic smokers and the drug induced behavioral alterations may be related to the serotonergic pathway

Effect of Potassium Chloride on Seed Germination and Early Growth of Three Rape Seed Varieties

Salinity stress is one of the crucial factors affecting at different stages of growth and development of the crop. In the present research, the seeds of three rape seed varieties like Toria selection, Sindh Raya and Sarhein-95 were exposed to increasing concentrations (1 and 2%) of KCl to demonstrate the effect of salt stress on seed germination and early seedling growth of rape seed varieties. Seed germination and seedling growth decreased with the increase of KCl grown in Petri dishes within seven days. Highest germination and seedling growth was recorded in Sindh Raya than Toria and Sarhein-95. On the basis of all growth characteristics, the three genotypes were found to be more sensitive under KCl salt stress

Effect of Potassium Chloride on Seed Germination and Early Growth of Three Rape Seed Varieties

Salinity stress is one of the crucial factors affecting at different stages of growth and development of the crop. In the present research, the seeds of three rape seed varieties like Toria selection, Sindh Raya and Sarhein-95 were exposed to increasing concentrations (1 and 2%) of KCl to demonstrate the effect of salt stress on seed germination and early seedling growth of rape seed varieties. Seed germination and seedling growth decreased with the increase of KCl grown in Petri dishes within seven days. Highest germination and seedling growth was recorded in Sindh Raya than Toria and Sarhein-95. On the basis of all growth characteristics, the three genotypes were found to be more sensitive under KCl salt stress

Effect of Different Levels of Zinc on the Growth and Yield of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) Crop

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of zinc on the yield and growth of cotton in the field of Agronomy section ARI, Tandojam during the Kharif Season 2014. Seeds of cotton were sown in rows 75 x 30 cm in row and plant spacing in soil with four replications in Randomized Complete Block Design. Six zinc levels i.e. untreated 0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 kg ha-1 were evaluated. The results reveals that plant height, number of sympodia plant-1, number of productive bolls plant-1, fibre length, G.O.T (%) and seed cotton yield kg ha-1 affected significantly by the zinc levels, while plant population and number of monopodial branches were not affected. Application of zinc from 5.00 to 15.00 showed similar effect. However, control resulted different in taller plants (130.55 in), while application of 15.00 kg zn ha-1 produced maximum sympodia (16.35 plant-1) however productive bolls were more at 10.00 kg zn ha-1 (50.30 plant-1). The staple length was maximum (27.00 mm) at 7.5 kg zn ha-1, while G.O.T% was greater (38.28%) at 5.00 kg zn ha-1, whereas maximum seed cotton yield was recorded at 7.5 kg zn ha-1 (2556.70 kg ha-1). For the trait of seed cotton yield plant1, there was no any difference between applications of zinc sulphates 5.00 to 7.5kg ha1

Effect of Different Levels of Zinc on the Growth and Yield of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) Crop

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of zinc on the yield and growth of cotton in the field of Agronomy section ARI, Tandojam during the Kharif Season 2014. Seeds of cotton were sown in rows 75 x 30 cm in row and plant spacing in soil with four replications in Randomized Complete Block Design. Six zinc levels i.e. untreated 0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 kg ha-1 were evaluated. The results reveals that plant height, number of sympodia plant-1, number of productive bolls plant-1, fibre length, G.O.T (%) and seed cotton yield kg ha-1 affected significantly by the zinc levels, while plant population and number of monopodial branches were not affected. Application of zinc from 5.00 to 15.00 showed similar effect. However, control resulted different in taller plants (130.55 in), while application of 15.00 kg zn ha-1 produced maximum sympodia (16.35 plant-1) however productive bolls were more at 10.00 kg zn ha-1 (50.30 plant-1). The staple length was maximum (27.00 mm) at 7.5 kg zn ha-1, while G.O.T% was greater (38.28%) at 5.00 kg zn ha-1, whereas maximum seed cotton yield was recorded at 7.5 kg zn ha-1 (2556.70 kg ha-1). For the trait of seed cotton yield plant1, there was no any difference between applications of zinc sulphates 5.00 to 7.5kg ha1

Analysis of Correlation and Regression among M2 Wheat Mutant Population for Yield and its Associated Traits

Crop yield is the resultant product of components character which is not under the control of any single gene, therefore it is necessary for plant breeder to know the relationship between two traits. The present research was conducted to calculate the correlation and regression for yield and yield contributing traits in mutant population of bread wheat. The experiment was conducted at Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tandojam, during rabi season 2015-2016, in split plot design with three replications. Material under study was two wheat varieties (T.D-1 and ESW-9525). These two wheat varieties were evaluated along with control for yield and yield associated traits under normal field conditions. Mean square showed that there were significant differences between wheat varieties for days to 75% heading, days to 75% maturity, plant height (cm), spikelets spike-1, grains spike-1, 1000 grain weight (g), biological yield plant-1 (g), harvest index (%), spike length (cm) and grain yield plant-1 (g). Number of grains spike-1 showed positive and highly significant correlation with spike length, spikelets spike-1, 1000 grain weight and biological yield of plant-1. Significant and positive with days to 75% maturity and harvest index. However, negative correlation was found with height of plant and non-significant but negative with the trait of days to 75% heading. Grain yield plant-1 showed highly positive highly significant association with grains spike-1, number of spikelets spike-1, length of spike, harvest index and biological yield plant-1 and negative with plant height. Approximately 85.9%, 65.2%, 59% and 24.3% variation in grain yield plant-1 is due to grains spike-1, biological yield plant-1, harvest seed index and height of plant, respectively. This shows that taller plants produce lesser grain yield