QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS USING AERIAL PARTS FROM DOUBLE FLOWER VARIETY OF TABERNEMONTANA DIVARICATA

Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were done using aerial parts of double flower variety of Tabernaemontana divaricata. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was performed to identify the presence of various phytoconstituents with standard procedures. Total phenols, total flavonoids and total protein were determined by folin-ciocaltaeu method, aluminium chloride colorimetric method and Lowrys method. Phytochemical screening exhibits the occurrence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates and protein. In quantitative analysis, elevated level of phenols, flavonoids and protein were identified in leaves, flowers and stem. The present study concluded that Tabernaemontana divaricata plant has the ability to cure a variety of diseases with antioxidant capacity because of the presence of phytochemicals in it

Texture and Color Feature Extraction Form Ceramic Tiles for Various Flaws Detection Classification

Image analysis involves investigation of the image data for a specific application. Normally, the raw data of a set of images is analyzed to gain insight into what is happening with the images and how they can be used to extract desired information. In image processing and pattern recognition, feature extraction is an important step, which is a special form of dimensionality reduction. When the input data is too large to be processed and suspected to be redundant then the data is transformed into a reduced set of feature representations. The process of transforming the input data into a set of features is called feature extraction. Features often contain information relative to color, shape, texture or context. In the proposed method various texture features extraction techniques like GLCM, HARALICK and TAMURA and color feature extraction techniques COLOR HISTOGRAM, COLOR MOMENTS AND COLOR AUTO-CORRELOGRAMare implemented for tiles images used for various defects classifications

An observational study on standardization of siddha diagnostic tools of Kumbavatham [Periarthritis] including line of treatment and dietary regimen

Kumbavaatham is one of the eight types of Vatha disease described by spiritual giant yugi in one of his classics yugi vaithya cintamani 800. 40 cases were analysed for the study in Arignar Anna Government hospital Arumbakkam Chennai. The sample size of 40 cases for the study on the topic Kumbavaatham is approved by IEC. Interpretation of Age: majority of the cases were under the age group of 41 – 60 years.Majority of cases under pithakaalam. (i,e) during 34-66 years. (middle age group). Interpretation of Gender: In the study population, majority of the cases affected females than males. So this study indicates that kumbavaatham is predominant in Females. Among 40 Cases, 29 cases are non diabetic and 11 cases are diabetic Interpretation of Occupation: we see 52.50% of cases were Home makers and labour work like driving or shoveling activities. Due to such orientation of work, heavy movement and in the arm kumbavaatham had occurred. And also due to diabeties patients are affected by the disease of kumbavaatham. Interpretation of Diet:Most of the cases (92.5%) were consuming mixed diet (non vegetarian) than veg diet (7.5%). As people consuming mixed diet were more common in our nation that is reflected in the study of 40 sample size. Interpretation of Udal Vanmai: In the study population majority of the patients were of Iyalbu (5%) and melivu (70%) udal vanmai. Most of the cases were from neithal nilam (25%). The single centric study reveals that due to sea shore and its adjoining area vatha diseases were more common. Interpretation of kaalam: Majority of the cases were affected during Munpani kaalam (55%) and Pinpanikaalam (12.5%) . Usually Vatha diseases will be precipitated in months from aani to karthigai. The prevalence of disease in muthuvenir and kaar kaalam is due to than nilai valarchi and vaetru nilai valarchi of vatham. Out of 40 sample size. All the cases have clinical symptoms of pain and stiffness in the hand, restricted movement of the hand, and 77.5% of cases had burning sensation of the eye.In kumbavaatham poem, yugi mentioned that vertigo, pain present in lower abdomen as one of the symptoms.Patients had such pain in the past. But during visit, patients did not suffer that pain. Pain is caused by the de arrangement of Vatha humor which imbalances the other humor. The diagnostic methodology in siddha system is unique and among them naadi plays a vital role. Out of 40 sample size, 70% of cases had Vatha pitham, 30% of the cases had pitha vaatham. This observational study reveals that most of the kumbavaatham patients showed higher vaatha pitham and pitha vaatham Naadi. In Naa, among 40 cases, 70% of cases had normal tongue, 30% of cases had coated tongue, 70% of cases had normal (pinkish) tongue and 30% had pallor tongue, 97.5 % of cases had normal taste and 2.5% had sour taste, 85% of cases had vedipu visible on their tongue and 15% of cases had normal tongue and I noticed 40% had black dots and 60% had normal tongue. IN vizhi, most of the cases had pazhuppu, 77.5% of cases had burning sensation of the eyes The study reveals that in niram, majority of the cases wheatish (65%), black (30%), and had Fair of skin present (2%). In mozhi, 87.5% of cases had sama oli (medium pitched voice). In vizhi, most of the cases had venmai venvizhi (42.5%) and 45% of cases had vellupu (pallor) present, 75.5% of cases had erichal in the eyes. In sparisam, majority of the cases had mitha veppam (80%) and tenderness (5%) present. 12.5% of cases had migu veppam in affected area. In malam, majority of the cases had manjal (yellow) coloured stool (90%) and constipation (12.5%) present. Due to derangement of vatha humor constipation results. In Neerkuri most of the cases had pale yellow (Ila manjal), no froth, clear normal enjal and manam, one of the case had colorless urine, 2 cases had yellow and 5 cases had yellow and 5% of cases had dark yellow and 2 cases had frothy urine. So most of the cases had normal color, clear, normal enjal and manam, no froth. No specific association could be made out in the study of 40 sample size from the examination of neerkuri. In neerkuri the study of the 40 sample size reveals that 31 cases had pitha vaatham; 7 cases had pitham 2 cases had indicates kabham. Initially vaatha humor deranged and the derangement of these 3 humors results in a disease. The predominant derange humor might be reflected in the neikuri. The components of vaatham manually praanan is responsible to supply O2 to all over the body, samaanam is responsible for neutralization, viyaanan is responsible for movements of all parts of the body, Abaanam is responsible for all downward movements.It is inferred from the study that praanan, samaanam, viyaanan,abaanan are affected. From the study it is inferred that the components of Pitham connected with digestion, activeness and haemopoietic activity were affected. From the study, the components of deranged kabham were tharpagam, Santhigam were affected. It is inferred from the study that in all cases of kumbavaatham, the udal thathukkal saram, seneer, oon, kozhuppu, enbu moolai, sukkilam/suronitham were affected and Mandalam and Kosam were affected. The observations study indicates that majority of the cases had the manikadai nool measurements 9 ½ finger breadth. The clinical features of kumbavaatham are closely related to periarthritis in the contemporary medicine. It was observed that almost all patients had pain and stiffness in the shoulder, restricted movement of the hand, radiating pain to the hand and burning sensation of the eyes. Modern parameter indicates the Radiological findings show narrowing of joint space. On examination, most of the cases had restricted movements of shoulder joint. Difficult to abduct the hand. CONCLUSION: The disease kumbavaatham was taken for author observations as study with reference in yugi vaithya chinthamani – 800. The study on kumbavaatham was carried out in this dissertation giving importance to the changes in uyir thathukkal and udal thakkual were assessed by siddha parameters such as ennvagai thervugyal, poriyaal arithal, pulanal airthal and vinaathal. A parallel modern diagnosis was derived through routine blood test, urine test and x-ray of shoulder. For this study 40 cases were observed clinically in the out – patient division. From this study, the following data’s concluded as, Maximum incidence of age was between 41-60 years. Among 40 cases, 11 cases had diabetes they were affected by kumbavaatham. No difference was found in level of pain and disability level between periarthritis shoulder patients with and without diabetes. In vayu, pranan, viyanan, samanam, Abanam were affected in all cases. In pitham, were affected in all cases. In kapham, tharpagram, Santhigam were affected in all cases. In mandalam, surya mandalam were affected. In kosam, praanamaya kosam, annamaya kosam were affected. The observational study reveals that in envagai thervu, Naa – 2.5% of cases had inflammation of tongue Vizhi – 77.5 % of cases had burning of eyes Naadi – Majority of cases showed vaatha pitham and pitha vaatham naadi. Neer kuri – Majority of cases showed pale yellow coloured urine. Nei kuri – Majority of cases showed Aaravam (vaatham) in nei kuri. By observation of manikadainool, high occurrence is noticed with patients yielding to 9 ½ Viralkadai. Pathogenesis of kumbavaatham was primarily due to derangement of vali which then affected Azhal, Iyyam kutram in various degrees. The symptoms of kumbavaatham may be correlated with periarthritis shoulder in modern diagnosis

Antibacterial properties of Passiflora foetida L. – a common exotic medicinal plant

Passiflora foetida L. (stinking passion flower) is an exotic medicinal vine. The antibacterial properties of leaf and fruit (ethanol and acetone) extracts were screened against four human pathogenic bacteria i.e. Pseudomonas putida, Vibrio cholerae, Shigella flexneri and Streptococcus pyogenes by well-in agar method. The results showed the leaf extract having remarkable activity against all bacterial pathogens compared to fruits. This study supports, the traditional medicines (herbal extracts) to cure manydiseases like diarrhea, intestinal tract, throat, ear infections, fever and skin diseases

BIOACTIVE POTENTIAL OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS (SS03) AGAINST CLINICAL ISOLATES

Objective: This study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of endophytic fungi isolated from the medicinal plant Moringa oleifera Lam. collected from the Omalur region, Salem district.Methods: The endophytic fungi were isolated from stem, leaves, flowers and calyx of Moringa oleifera by surface sterilization method. The samples were surface sterilized by immersing it in 70% ethanol for 5 seconds followed by 4% sodium hypochlorite for 90 seconds and then a final rinsing in sterile distilled water. Then fungal biomass was extracted for intracellular metabolites by using ethyl acetate as solvent. The crude extract was filtered, and the filtrate was dried under vacuum at 40 °C. The filtrate was analyzed for antimicrobial activity. The fungi which showed the maximum activity was identified and the metabolite present in the ethyl acetate extract was characterized and identified by GC-MS and NMR analysis.Results: The predominant endophytic fungi isolated belongs to the genera of Aspergillus spp, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus terreus and dematiaceous fungi namely Bipolaris spp. From this Aspergillus flavus showed the highest zone of inhibition was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus 22 mm and strain of Candida tropicalis 19 mm. The efficiency of the bioactive compound was identified by GC-MS and NMR analysis and found to be Fenaclon, (R)(-) 14 methyl-8-hexadecyn-1-ol, Trans-β-farnesene (E)-β-farnesene, 9-Octcadecene,1,1, DimethoxyConclusion: This study results indicate that the bioactive metabolites produce the endophytic fungi Aspergillus flavus could be promising source as antimicrobial agents

Incidence of invasive candidal infection in very low birth weight neonates over a period of 5-year: A single institutional study

Background: Fungal infection is one of the important causes of bloodstream infection in very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Objective: To find out the incidence, mortality rate, and clinical spectrum of infants with invasive candidal infection (ICI) among VLBW infants. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted over a period of 5-year at a tertiary care hospital. VLBW infants admitted within 24 h of birth were included. The clinical characteristics and the outcome of the infants who developed fungal infection were studied. The end point was either discharge from the unit or death of the infants who developed fungal sepsis. Results: During the study period, there were a total of 641 VLBW infants admitted and 18 neonates had invasive fungal infections (ICI), which accounted to an incidence of 2.8%. The mean birth weight was 1010±289 g, and the mean gestational age (GA) was 28.6±2.93 weeks. End organ involvement was found in 9 (50%) infants with the eye being the most commonly involved organ (39%) followed by renal involvement (22%). Stratified analysis revealed that lower GA and lower birth weight were associated with higher incidence of ICI (p<0.01). Out of 18 isolates that were identified, Candida albicans was the most common organism isolated in 13 (72%) infants. More than ¼ of the cultures (28%) isolated were non-albicans Candida species. The mortality rate among infants with ICI was 11% (2/18). The two infants who died had septicemia caused by C. albicans and multiple (renal and eye) end organ involvement. All-cause mortality in the study group was also 11% (73/641). Conclusion: The incidence of ICI without systemic antifungal prophylaxis was 2.8% and 5.3% in VLBW and ELBW infants, respectively. C. albicans was more common, but the emergence of Candida non-albicans is seen as a growing threat with some of them displaying resistance to azole group of antifungals

Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and xanthine oxidase by amino acids and dipeptides

peer-reviewedXanthine oxidase (XO) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibition by amino acids and dipeptides was studied. Trp and Trp-containing dipeptides (Arg-Trp, Trp-Val, Val-Trp, Lys-Trp and Ile-Trp) inhibited XO. Three amino acids (Met, Leu and Trp) and eight dipeptides (Phe-Leu, Trp-Val, His-Leu, Glu-Lys, Ala-Leu, Val-Ala, Ser-Leu and Gly-Leu) inhibited DPP-IV. Trp and Trp-Val were multifunctional inhibitors of XO and DPP-IV. Lineweaver and Burk analysis showed that Trp was a non-competitive inhibitor of XO and a competitive inhibitor of DPP-IV. Molecular docking with Autodock Vina was used to better understand the interaction of the peptides with the active site of the enzyme. Because of the non-competitive inhibition observed, docking of Trp-Val to the secondary binding sites of XO and DPP-IV is required. Trp-Val was predicted to be intestinally neutral (between 25% and 75% peptide remaining after 60 min simulated intestinal digestion). These results are of significance for the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the increase of the half-life of incretins by food-derived peptides. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.ACCEPTEDpeer-reviewe

Zinc intake, status and indices of cognitive function in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In developing countries, deficiencies of micronutrients are thought to have a major impact on child development; however, a consensus on the specific relationship between dietary zinc intake and cognitive function remains elusive. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship between zinc intake, status and indices of cognitive function in children and adults. A systematic literature search was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases from inception to March 2014. Included studies were those that supplied zinc as supplements or measured dietary zinc intake. A meta-analysis of the extracted data was performed where sufficient data were available. Of all of the potentially relevant papers, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria, 12 of which were randomised controlled trials (RCTs; 11 in children and 1 in adults) and 6 were observational studies (2 in children and 4 in adults). Nine of the 18 studies reported a positive association between zinc intake or status with one or more measure of cognitive function. Meta-analysis of data from the adult’s studies was not possible because of limited number of studies. A meta-analysis of data from the six RCTs conducted in children revealed that there was no significant overall effect of zinc intake on any indices of cognitive function: intelligence, standard mean difference of <0.001 (95% confidence interval (CI) –0.12, 0.13) P=0.95; executive function, standard mean difference of 0.08 (95% CI, –0.06, 022) P=0.26; and motor skills standard mean difference of 0.11 (95% CI –0.17, 0.39) P=0.43. Heterogeneity in the study designs was a major limitation, hence only a small number (n=6) of studies could be included in the meta-analyses. Meta-analysis failed to show a significant effect of zinc supplementation on cognitive functioning in children though, taken as a whole, there were some small indicators of improvement on aspects of executive function and motor development following supplementation but high-quality RCTs are necessary to investigate this further