Prospect of herbal drugs in the age of globalization - Indian scenario

423-431There are 2,50,000 known species of higher plants on the Earth and some more may be discovered. Of these, only six per cent have been analysed chemically and only a small fraction pharmacologically. According to pharmacopoeia of the world, at least 119 distinct chemical substances derived from plants are important drugs currently-used within 62 therapeutic categories, and 91 species are the source of these drugs. India has a vast reservoir of 400, 000 Ayurvedic, Siddha, Uninani or Homoeopathic practioners, hardly used adequately in the health care delivery system. Nearly 80 per cent of drugs used in Indian system of medicine and homoeopathy are derived from plants. With 46, 000 licensed pharmacies manufacturing and satisfying the needs of traditional remedies, large-scale cultivation of medicinal plants must be planned. A number of CSIR laboratories, University departments and hospitals, other scientific institutions are participating in the further evaluation and finetuning of such drugs through use of modern methods and tools. With pooled resources, efforts are being made to reach the goal of development of new drugs, herbal preparations, pest management agents, bio-enhancers, and drug delivery systems. A few examples have been presented in the face of globalisation and WTO

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles in improved strain of Auricularia polytricha -an edible mushroom from Nigeria and its antimicrobial activities

Nano materials and their application are of great use in research because of their size range. In this study, Auricularia polytricha (EW1) collected from Benin in Southern Nigeria was subjected to mutation by exposure to UV-light resulting in a mutant (EW1M1). EW1 and EW1M1 were evaluated for biosynthesis of silver nano-particles. The anti-microbial properties of both strains were also evaluated. Absorption spectra of silver nano-particle (AgNPs) of mutant exhibited a strong broad peak at 420 nm while wild type absorption peak was obtained at less than 420 nm. The mutant was further characterised. DLS showed a monodispersion with diverse sizes, morphology and shapes. TEM micrograph revealed a monodispersed formation of the nano-particles, with uniform size at 10 – 20 nm. FTIR study revealed the absorption bands at 3380, 2921, 2839, 1658, 1083 and 610 cmֿ1 respectively showing the functional groups reducing the silver nitrate to silver ion. There was formation of zone of inhibition on all the microorganisms that were used for the study but the control showed no zone of inhibition. The mushroom extract of mutant strain exhibited higher anti microbial activity than the wild type

Performance Evaluation of a High Bandwidth Liquid Fuel Modulation Valve for Active Combustion Control

At the NASA Glenn Research Center, a characterization rig was designed and constructed for the purpose of evaluating high bandwidth liquid fuel modulation devices to determine their suitability for active combustion control research. Incorporated into the rig s design are features that approximate conditions similar to those that would be encountered by a candidate device if it were installed on an actual combustion research rig. The characterized dynamic performance measures obtained through testing in the rig are planned to be accurate indicators of expected performance in an actual combustion testing environment. To evaluate how well the characterization rig predicts fuel modulator dynamic performance, characterization rig data was compared with performance data for a fuel modulator candidate when the candidate was in operation during combustion testing. Specifically, the nominal and off-nominal performance data for a magnetostrictive-actuated proportional fuel modulation valve is described. Valve performance data were collected with the characterization rig configured to emulate two different combustion rig fuel feed systems. Fuel mass flows and pressures, fuel feed line lengths, and fuel injector orifice size was approximated in the characterization rig. Valve performance data were also collected with the valve modulating the fuel into the two combustor rigs. Comparison of the predicted and actual valve performance data show that when the valve is operated near its design condition the characterization rig can appropriately predict the installed performance of the valve. Improvements to the characterization rig and accompanying modeling activities are underway to more accurately predict performance, especially for the devices under development to modulate fuel into the much smaller fuel injectors anticipated in future lean-burning low-emissions aircraft engine combustors

Improving evidence on women’s groups: a proposed typology and common reporting indicators

Women’s groups are a widely implemented and researched development intervention, particularly in South Asia and Africa. Groups encompass many models and aim to address a range of objectives. However, there is no consistent approach to describing their varied implementation models, which hinders the accurate interpretation of evidence and construct validity. Drawing from three recent evidence reviews and research experience with groups, we propose a typology and common reporting indicators to describe women’s groups. As large-scale investments in women’s groups grow, these tools can support the interpretation and transferability of evidence across models and settings

A report on injuries and illnesses among athletes and games officials during XII South Asian Games-2016, Shillong, India

Background: The 12th South Asian Games (SAG) was held from February 5-16, 2016 in Guwahati and Shillong. International level mega-events bring people of different background to a single geographic location after extensive travel. Surveillance and measures for primary and secondary prevention of injuries and illnesses by the organizers and host country is highly desirable. There is no such previous published report on South Asian games. The study was conducted with the aim to analyse the medical arrangements and report injuries and illnesses in athletes and games officials during the South Asian Games-2016 at Shillong venue.Methods: : It is a retrospective study from all daily records of injuries and illnesses reported to the principal referral hospital designated to treat all significant injuries and illnesses for games officials and athletes from all eight participating countries staying in Shillong.Results: Eight major sports were conducted in Shillong that included Badminton, Boxing, Football, Judo, Taekwondo and Wushu. The average age of the injured athletes or ill officials combined was 27.5 years. Male to female ratio was approximately 7:3. There were a total of 65 injuries (59.6%) out of 109 hospital visits including six dislocations involving the upper limbs, but only one athlete required hospitalization. Athletes from three major contact sports namely taekwondo, football and wushu dominated the injured list. A significant number of games officials had injuries and medical illnesses, some requiring hospitalization.Conclusions: Thorough planning for befitting medical care arrangements is indispensable for successful conduct of any major sports event. Significant training, sensitization, preparedness, knowledge-based manpower and infrastructure are needed for adequate medical coverage before, during and after the schedule of any major sports events.

From Moscow with love

One of the less researched aspects of postcolonial India’s “progressive” culture is its Soviet connection. Starting in the 1950s and consolidating in the 1960s, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics invested in building up “committed” networks amongst writers, directors, actors, and other theater- and film-practitioners across India. Thus, an entire generation of cultural professionals was initiated into the anticolonial solidarity of emerging Afro-Asian nations that were seen, and portrayed, by the Soviets as being victims of “Western” imperialism. The aspirational figure of the New Soviet Man was celebrated through the rise of a new form of “transactional sociality” (Westlund 2003). This paper looks at selected cases of cultural diplomacy—through the lens of cultural history—between the USSR and India for two decades after India’s Independence, exploring the possibility of theorizing it from the perspective of an anticolonial cultural solidarity that allowed agency to Indian interlocutors

Study of environmental radon exhalation, radium and effective dose in Dilli-Jeypore coalfield, India using LR-115 (II) nuclear track detectors

690-695The radium contents, radon exhalation rates and corresponding annual effective doses due to inhalation of radon from coal and soil of Dilli-Jeypore coalfield of Assam, India have been measured using LR-115 (II) nuclear track detectors in the context of health risks. In the present paper, the results of the study with their corresponding geometric means (GM), geometric standard deviations (GSD) and error estimates for both coal and soil samples are presented. The estimated values for coal samples are in the range 1274.2-1658.8 Bq/m3, 16.0-20.8 mBq/kg/h, 532.5-693.2 mBq/m2/h, 16.4-21.4 Bq/kg and 38.7-50.3 µSv/y for radon activity, mass exhalation rate, surface exhalation rate, radium content and annual effective dose, respectively. In the case of soil, the values for radon activity, mass exhalation rate, surface exhalation rate, radium content and annual effective dose were estimated to be in the range 1308.8-2105.6 Bq/m3, 16.4-26.4 mBq/kg/h, 547.0-880.0 mBq/m2/h, 16.9-27.1 Bq/kg and 39.7-63.9 µSv/y, respectively. The lifetime fatality risk estimates have also been assessed

Study of radon exhalation rates using LR-115 (II) nuclear track detectors in coal-mining area of the foothills of Mokokchung District, Nagaland

665-668The coal-mining area of the foothills of Mokokchung District, Nagaland bears significant geological features. Radon exhalation from ground plays an important role in enhanced indoor radon levels. Exhalation rates (mass and surface) from coal and soil samples of the area have been studied using LR-115 (II) nuclear track detectors. The mass and surface exhalation rates from coal samples varied in the range 9.7-16.2 mBq/kg/h and 323.5-538.6 mBq/m2/h, respectively. The mass and surface exhalation rates from soil samples varied in the range 11.1-15.2 mBq/kg/h and 368.3-507.6 mBq/m2/h, respectively. The study has revealed substantial presence of radionuclides in the coal and soil of the area

Probiotic chocolate : future prospect

The concept of “Probiotic Chocolate” is an interesting aspect of food microbiology that combines the goodness of probiotics with chocolate which is one of the most popular and heavenly foods of all times. Food scientist and industries around the globe have made many attempts in finding creative ways of maintaining the viability of probiotic bacteria in chocolate to protect them from environmental stress conditions and for optimal delivery to the host colon. “Microencapsulation” has been found beneficial in incorporating these bacterial strains in dairy products like cheese, yogurt and ice cream and non-dairy products like meat, fruits and cereals. This technology, therefore, possesses great potential to overcome the viability issues of probiotic microbial strains in the preparation of probiotic chocolate. For instance, algae-based micro-capsule would enhance the survival status of the probiotic organisms. Interestingly, researchers have also evaluated chocolate as a potential protective carrier for oral delivery of a microencapsulated mixture of probiotic strains indicating coating of these organisms in chocolate can be an excellent solution for optimal survival and delivery. These findings have opened up possibilities of using chocolate as a new balanced matrix in the field of probiotics. It is also postulated that the fat in the cocoa butter could protect the probiotic bacteria in probiotic chocolate. Incorporation of Omega-3 fatty acid from other sources like flax seed for protecting the probiotic microorganisms has also been suggested. The concept of “Probiotic chocolate” is not very new, nevertheless, it indeed is fascinating to enhance the goodness of chocolate using health benefiting probiotic microorganisms. Hence, this interesting area of food microbiology requires systematic and scientific approach for creating better products