PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL STUDIES ON LEAF EXTRACTS OF ALTERNANTHERA BRASILIANA (L.) KUNTZE

Objectives: The present study was to study the phytochemical and antibacterial properties of Alternanthera brasiliana leaf extracts using three different solvents (hexane, chloroform and methanol) against human pathogenic microorganism. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening of leaf extracts (in different solvents) of A. brasiliana were qualitatively tested using standard procedures. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) was performed to detect the phytochemical compounds present in A. brasiliana. Antibacterial activity of crude extract was determined by disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were also performed for the hexane extract. Results: The preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening of hexane extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phytosterols and carbohydrates. In chloroform and methanolic extracts, all the tested phytochemicals were present except flavanoids and saponins. Alkaloids were not present in the chloroform extract. TLC analysis revealed the presence of seven compounds with Rf values ranging from 0.173 to 0.933. Promising antibacterial activity was observed in the hexane extract with an inhibition zone of 22 mm against E. coli. Chloroform and methanolic extracts showed negligible antibacterial activities. Conclusion: The results revealed that the hexane leaf extract of A. brasiliana alone exhibited potential antibacterial activity specifically against pathogenic E. coli (MTCC 729)

Financial Inclusion Strategies For Inclusive Growth In India

The two decades of post reform period in India witnessed transformation of the economy in to a higher growth plane signaling the arrival of the country in the global stage. But this robust growth failed to translate the economic well being of the large number of marginalized and excluded sections due to structural rigidities. For economic growth of a nation to be sustainable, it requires all sections of the society included and participates in the growth process. One of the many alternative strategies available for Inclusive Growth is through developing an Inclusive Financial System. Financial inclusion is useful to facilitate economic transaction, manage day today resources, improve quality of life, protect against vulnerability, make productivity enhancing investments and leverage assets. But the indicators of financial use in the country are very poor and there is wide inequality among different sections of the society, between rural and urban areas and between geographical areas. In this context, the paper builds the case for developing inclusive financial system for achieving inclusive economic growth in India. The rationale for inclusive financial system, taking banking services to the vulnerable sections, role of micro finance institutions in spreading financial literacy and the role of technology in taking financial services available & affordable to the poor are discussed in the paper

Financial Inclusion Strategies For Inclusive Growth In India

The two decades of post reform period in India witnessed transformation of the economy in to a higher growth plane signaling the arrival of the country in the global stage. But this robust growth failed to translate the economic well being of the large number of marginalized and excluded sections due to structural rigidities. For economic growth of a nation to be sustainable, it requires all sections of the society included and participates in the growth process. One of the many alternative strategies available for Inclusive Growth is through developing an Inclusive Financial System. Financial inclusion is useful to facilitate economic transaction, manage day today resources, improve quality of life, protect against vulnerability, make productivity enhancing investments and leverage assets. But the indicators of financial use in the country are very poor and there is wide inequality among different sections of the society, between rural and urban areas and between geographical areas. In this context, the paper builds the case for developing inclusive financial system for achieving inclusive economic growth in India. The rationale for inclusive financial system, taking banking services to the vulnerable sections, role of micro finance institutions in spreading financial literacy and the role of technology in taking financial services available & affordable to the poor are discussed in the paper

Stability of Transgene Expression in Reduced Allergen Peanut (\u3ci\u3eArachis hypogaea\u3c/i\u3e L.) across Multiple Generations and at Different Soil Sulfur Levels

Transgenic peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) containing a gene designed for RNA interference (RNAi) showed stable complete silencing of Ara h 2 and partial silencing of Ara h 6, two potent peanut allergens/proteins, along with minimal collateral changes to other allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 3, across three generations (T3, T4, and T5) under field conditions. Different soil sulfur levels (0.012, 0.3, and 3.0 mM) differentially impacted sulfur-rich (Ara h 2, Ara h 3, and Ara h 6) versus sulfur-poor (Ara h 1) proteins in non-transgenic versus transgenic peanut. The sulfur level had no effect on Ara h 1, whereas low sulfur led to a significant reduction of Ara h 3 in transgenic and non-transgenic seeds and Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 in non-transgenic but not in transgenic peanuts because these proteins already were reduced by gene silencing. These results demonstrate stability of transgene expression and the potential utility of RNAi in allergen manipulation

Evaluation of the Frails' Fall Efficacy by Comparing Treatments (EFFECT) on reducing fall and fear of fall in moderately frail older adults: study protocol for a randomised control trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Falls are common in frail older adults and often result in injuries and hospitalisation. The Nintendo^®Wii™ is an easily available exercise modality in the community which has been shown to improve lower limb strength and balance. However, not much is known on the effectiveness of the Nintendo^®Wii™ to improve fall efficacy and reduce falls in a moderately frail older adult. Fall efficacy is the measure of fear of falling in performing various daily activities. Fear contributes to avoidance of activities and functional decline.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This randomised active-control trial is a comparison between the Nintendo WiiActive programme against standard gym-based rehabilitation of the older population. Eighty subjects aged above 60, fallers and non-fallers, will be recruited from the hospital outpatient clinic. The primary outcome measure is the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale and the secondary outcome measures are self-reported falls, quadriceps strength, walking agility, dynamic balance and quality of life assessments.</p> <p>Discussions</p> <p>The study is the first randomised control trial using the Nintendo Wii as a rehabilitation modality investigating a change in fall efficacy and self-reported falls. Longitudinally, the study will investigate if the interventions can successfully reduce falls and analyse the cost-effectiveness of the programme.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): <a href="http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12610000576022.aspx">ACTRN12610000576022</a></p

Global epidemiology of hip fractures: a study protocol using a common analytical platform among multiple countries

INTRODUCTION: Hip fractures are associated with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. Globally, there is wide variation in the incidence of hip fracture in people aged 50 years and older. Longitudinal and cross-geographical comparisons of health data can provide insights on aetiology, risk factors, and healthcare practices. However, systematic reviews of studies that use different methods and study periods do not permit direct comparison across geographical regions. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate global secular trends in hip fracture incidence, mortality and use of postfracture pharmacological treatment across Asia, Oceania, North and South America, and Western and Northern Europe using a unified methodology applied to health records. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This retrospective cohort study will use a common protocol and an analytical common data model approach to examine incidence of hip fracture across population-based databases in different geographical regions and healthcare settings. The study period will be from 2005 to 2018 subject to data availability in study sites. Patients aged 50 years and older and hospitalised due to hip fracture during the study period will be included. The primary outcome will be expressed as the annual incidence of hip fracture. Secondary outcomes will be the pharmacological treatment rate and mortality within 12 months following initial hip fracture by year. For the primary outcome, crude and standardised incidence of hip fracture will be reported. Linear regression will be used to test for time trends in the annual incidence. For secondary outcomes, the crude mortality and standardised mortality incidence will be reported. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Each participating site will follow the relevant local ethics and regulatory frameworks for study approval. The results of the study will be submitted for peer-reviewed scientific publications and presented at scientific conferences

Secondary Fracture Prevention: Plucking The Low Hanging Fruit

It is well known that one fragility fracture begets another. Fracture Liaison Services have been shown to narrow the care gap that exists in the care of patients with fragility fractures. A secondary fracture prevention programme "OPTIMAL" (Osteoporosis Patient Targeted and Integrated Management for Active Living) has been in existence in the public restructured hospitals and polyclinics of Singapore since 2008 and this is beginning to show significant beneficial results in terms of identification and management of fragility fractures. However, significant obstacles in the path of appropriate management of the patient with a fragility fracture still exist. A concerted, multipronged and interdisciplinary approach is needed to overcome these barriers