In vitro photoprotective, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Vernonia squarrosa (D. Don) Less

Vernonia squarrosa (D. Don) Less. (Asteraceae) is an ethnomedicinally important plant of unexplored medicinal potential. The Hydro-Methanolic Leaf Extract (HMLE) reveals presence of alkaloids, terpenoid, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, saponins and also cardiac glycosides with notable amount of phenol, flavonoid, ? carotene and lycopene. The high antioxidant activity of HMLE when assessed by 2, 2 diphenyl 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) shows significant EC50 value of 11.63 ± 2.60 µg/ml. Photo-protection efficiency of HMLE was determined and expressed as Sun Protection Factor (SPF). Reasonably high SPF value of 38 (SPF=38 at 200 µg/ml) provides UV blockage up to 98%. HMLE extract was also screened for antibacterial activity against four human pathogenic bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 2940), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 2453), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 441), Escherichia coli (MTCC 739). Results showed prominent antibacterial impact on these tested bacteria. Lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpenoid was found to be present as a dominant member in Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of HMLE. Lupeol is a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound with diverse pharmaceutical applications. This is the maiden report of bioactive compounds from V. squarrosa highlighting their antibacterial, photoprotective and antioxidant activities

Arm rotated medially with supination – the ARMS variant: description of its surgical correction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients who have suffered obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) have a high incidence of musculoskeletal complications stemming from the initial nerve injury. The presence of muscle imbalances and contractures leads to typical bony changes affecting the shoulder, including the SHEAR (Scapular Hypoplasia, Elevation and Rotation) deformity. The SHEAR deformity commonly occurs in conjunction with Medial Rotation Contracture (MRC) of the arm. OBPI also causes muscle imbalances at the level of the forearm, that lead to a fixed supination deformity (SD) in a small number of patients. Both MRC and SD will cause severe functional limitations without surgical intervention.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fourteen OBPI patients were diagnosed with MRC of the shoulder and SD of the forearm along with SHEAR deformity during a 16 month study period, with eight patients available to long-term follow-up (age range 2.2 – 18 years). Surgical correction of the MRC was performed as a triangle tilt or humeral osteotomy depending on the age of the child, after which, the patients were treated with a radial osteotomy to correct the fixed supination deformity. Function was assessed using the modified Mallet scale, examination of apparent supination and appearance of the extremity at rest.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant functional improvements were observed in patients with surgical reconstruction. Mallet score increased by an average of 5.2 (p < 0.05). Overall forearm position was not significantly changed from an average of 5° to an average of 34° maximum apparent supination after both shoulder rotation and forearm rotation corrective surgeries.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The simultaneous presence of two opposing deformities in the same limb will visually offset each other at the level of the wrist and hand, giving the false impression of neutral positioning of the limb. In reality, the neutral-appearing position of the hand indicates a fixed supination posture of the forearm in the face of a medial rotation contracture of the shoulder. Both of these deformities require surgical attention, and the presence of concurrent MRC and SD should be monitored for in OBPI patients.</p

ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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Soil conservation issues in India

Despite years of study and substantial investment in remediation and prevention, soil erosion continues to be a major environmental problem with regard to land use in India and elsewhere around the world. Furthermore, changing climate and/or weather patterns are exacerbating the problem. Our objective was to review past and current soil conservation programmes in India to better understand how production-, environmental-, social-, economic- and policy-related issues have affected soil and water conservation and the incentives needed to address the most critical problems. We found that to achieve success in soil and water conservation policies, institutions and operations must be co-ordinated using a holistic approach. Watershed programmes have been shown to be one of the most effective strategies for bringing socio-economic change to different parts of India. Within both dryland and rainfed areas, watershed management has quietly revolutionized agriculture by aligning various sectors through technological soil and water conservation interventions and land-use diversification. Significant results associated with various watershed-scale soil and water conservation programmes and interventions that were effective for reducing land degradation and improving productivity in different parts of the country are discussed