Physicochemical evaluation of common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) accessions through correlation and regression

It is important to look at the physicochemical qualities of Portulaca, a weed species used as a vegetable and a herb for medical and therapeutic purposes. India has a wide range of variations in this species' morphology and nutraceutical value. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of various purslane accessions from different regions of Tamil Nadu. A total of 15 purslane accessions (PA 1, PA 2, PA 3, PA 4, PA 5, PA 6, PA 7, PA 8, PA 9, PA 10, PA 11, PA 12, PA 13, PA 14 and PA 15) were collected and evaluated. Physical traits like colour of the leaves and stems were quantified as hue angle and chroma value, which showed a degree of variation. Estimates suggested that phytochemical properties related the hue and chroma of leaf and stem to the pigments in plants. Among the accessions, PA 3 has recorded the highest phytochemical properties viz., leaf total chlorophyll content 1.43±0.16 mg g-1, leaf total carotenoid content 0.24±0.03 mg g-1, stem total chlorophyll content 0.49±0.05 mg g-1, stem total carotenoid content 0.12±0.01 mg g-1 and total anthocyanin content 19.25±1.54 µg g-1. The multiple regression model suggested that the values can predict the estimated values. The evaluation of physicochemical properties along with the regression model helps in the breeding programme to select the traits; phytochemical analysis proved the ample supply of chlorophylls, carotenoids and anthocyanins, so these wild species could be a cheap source to alleviate several diseases.     

Inverted 'V' osteotomy excision arthroplasty for bony ankylosed elbows

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bony ankylosis of elbow is challenging and difficult problem to treat. The options are excision arthroplasty and total elbow replacement. We report our midterm results on nine patients, who underwent inverted 'V' osteotomy excision arthroplasty in our hospital with good functional results.</p> <p>Materials</p> <p>Our case series includes 9 patients (seven males and two females) with the mean age of 34 years (13-56 years). Five patients had trauma, two had pyogenic arthritis, one had tuberculous arthritis, and one had pyogenic arthritis following surgical fixation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The average duration of follow up is 65 months (45 months-80 months). The mean Mayo's elbow performance score (MEPS) preoperatively was 48 (35-70). The MEPS at final follow up was 80 (60-95). With no movement at elbow and fixed in various degrees of either flexion or extension preoperatively, the mean preoperative position of elbow was 64°(30°to 100°). The mean post operative range of motion at final follow up was 27°of extension (20-50⁰), 116°of flexion (110⁰-130⁰), and the arc of motion was 88°(80⁰-100⁰). One patient had ulnar nerve neuropraxia and another patient developed median nerve neuropraxia, and both recovered completely in six weeks. No patient had symptomatic instability of the elbow. All patients were asymptomatic except one patient, who had pain mainly on heavy activities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that inverted 'V' osteotomy excision arthroplasty is a viable option in the treatment of bony ankylosis of the elbow in young patients.</p

Population genetic structure of Garcinia imberti Bourd. an endangered endemic tree of southern Western Ghats, India

Assessing the genetic diversity of endemic plants is of great importance in future conservation programmes. The genetic diversity in Garcinia imberti from Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve of southern Western Ghats was assessed through ISSR markers by molecular characterization with 15 primers. A total of 157 accessions from six populations were used for the study. They generated 102 amplified products, out of which 89 were polymorphic (87.25%). It produced an average of 6.8 bands per primer and 5.93% polymorphism per primer. The present study revealed that G. imberti has moderate level of genetic diversity at species level but differs at population level. The dendrogram constructed following UPGMA exhibited that all accessions were clustered together except Poonkulam population. The genetic diversity analysis of G. imberti showed that even though the populations are closely associated, every population have their own characteristic diversity and should be conserved. Among the populations, Chemunji is the largest one with more genetic diversity and may conserve as the potential source of gene pool of this species

Monsoon onset over Kerala and pre monsoon rainfall peak

In the present study the pentad Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) estimate have been used, which is a blended product of microwave, infrared and in-situ gauge data for the region bounded by 8 ° - 13 ° N; 70 ° - 95 ° E, from 1st March to 31st May for the years 1979 to 2001. The monsoon onset dates over Kerala, as declared by India Meteorological Department has been used in the present study. For each year, the midday of the pentad with the rainfall peak was looked for in the period from 1st April to 10th May and identified as the Pre Monsoon Rainfall Peak (PMRP). The analysis showed that PMRP exists about seven pentads prior to the onset of the monsoon over Kerala coast. The correlation between PMRP date and the monsoon onset date over Kerala was found to be 0.72, which was statistically significant. Thus, as is felt that the pre monsoon rainfall estimate from the satellite data can be used for predicting the monsoon onset over Kerala coast. The results and the methodology used are briefly presented

Ophiorrhiza, a promising herbaceous source of the anticancer compound camptothecin

Camptothecin is an important source for the synthesis of some of the major anti-cancer agents such as irinotecan and topotecan. Traditional source of camptothecin are prominently woody plants such as Camptotheca acuminata Decne. and Nothopodytes nimmoniana (Graham) Mabb., and the increasing demand for camptothecin leads to the level of threatening their existence. Ophiorrhiza species composed of herbaceous plants with quick growth characteristics which are reported as alternative source of camptothecin. The present review focus on taxonomical status, traditional uses, biological activities and phytochemical constituents with a special attention in bioproduction of camptothecin from Ophiorrhiza species and its future prospects

Screening of antimicrobial activity of diarylamines in the 2,3,5-trimethylbenzo[b]thiophene series : a structure-activity evaluation study

Gram positive (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis), Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) bacteria and Candida albicans as a representative of fungi were used for screening the in vitro antimicrobial activity of diarylamines in the 2,3,5-trimethyl benzo[b]thiophene series bearing different substituents, synthesised by us using the palladium-catalyzed C-N coupling methodology. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and structure-activity relationships (SARs) were evaluated.Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Superficial preparation of biocompatible carbon quantum dots for antimicrobial applications

UGC-NFHE; GC-RGNF; New Delhi, India; Government of India

Efficacy of a 6-month versus 9-month Intermittent Treatment Regimen in HIV-infected Patients with Tuberculosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Rationale: The outcome of fully intermittent thrice-weekly antituberculosis treatment of various durations in HIV-associated tuberculosis is unclear. Objectives: To compare the efficacy of an intermittent 6-month regimen (Reg6M: 2EHRZ(3)/4HR(3) [ethambutol, 1,200 mg; isoniazid, 600 mg; rifampicin, 450 or 600 mg depending on body weight or =60 kg; and pyrazinamide, 1,500 mg for 2 mo; followed by 4 mo of isoniazid and rifampicin at the same doses]) versus a 9-month regimen (Reg9M: 2EHRZ(3)/7HR(3)) in HIV/tuberculosis (TB). Methods: HIV-infected patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB were randomly assigned to Reg6M (n = 167) or Reg9M (n = 160) and monitored by determination of clinical, immunological, and bacteriological parameters for 36 months. Primary outcomes included favorable responses at the end of treatment and recurrences during follow-up, whereas the secondary outcome was death. Intent-to-treat and on-treatment analyses were performed. All patients were antiretroviral treatment-naive during treatment. Measurements and main results: Of the patients, 70% had culture-positive pulmonary TB; the median viral load was 155,000 copies/ml and the CD4(+) cell count was 160 cells/mm(3). Favorable response to antituberculosis treatment was similar by intent to treat (Reg6M, 83% and Reg9M, 76%; P = not significant). Bacteriological recurrences occurred significantly more often in Reg6M than in Reg9M (15 vs. 7%; P < 0.05) although overall recurrences were not significantly different (Reg6M, 19% vs. Reg9M, 13%). By 36 months, 36% of patients undergoing Reg6M and 35% undergoing Reg9M had died, with no significant difference between regimens. All 19 patients who failed treatment developed acquired rifamycin resistance (ARR), the main risk factor being baseline isoniazid resistance. Conclusions: Among antiretroviral treatment-naive HIV-infected patients with TB, a 9-month regimen resulted in a similar outcome at the end of treatment but a significantly lower bacteriological recurrence rate compared with a 6-month thrice-weekly regimen. ARR was high with these intermittent regimens and neither mortality nor ARR was altered by lengthening TB treatment. Clinical Trials Registry Information: ID# NCT00376012 registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov

Understanding our seas: National Institute of Oceanography, Goa

The present article summarizes the research done at the CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography in 2014 in ocean science, resources and technology. Significant research has been conducted on air–sea interactions and coastal circulation, biogeochemistry, biology, marine geophysics, palaeoceanography, marine fishery, gas hydrates and wave energy. Technological advances covered topics like oceanographic tools. Major strides have been made in marine resources research and evaluation

Understanding our seas: National Institute of Oceanography, Goa

The present article summarizes the research done at the CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography in 2014 in ocean science, resources and technology. Significant research has been conducted on air–sea interactions and coastal circulation, biogeochemistry, biology, marine geophysics, palaeoceanography, marine fishery, gas hydrates and wave energy. Technological advances covered topics like oceanographic tools. Major strides have been made in marine resources research and evaluation