Medicinal and Phamacological Potential of Nigella sativa: A Review

Herbs are vital source of drugs from the ancient time holding the scenario of the Indian system of medicine. Nigella sativa commonly known as karayal is an annual flowering plant, native to southwest Asia. Seeds and their oil have a long history of folklore usage in various systems of medicines and are used in food as well as medicine. The present paper enumerates the medicinal, pharmacological, traditional value and folk remedies of this herb, which may help the researchers to set their minds for approaching the utility, efficacy and potency of Nigella sativa

Pharmacognostic Standardization, Physico- and Phytochemical Evaluation of Amaranthus Spinosus Linn. Root

Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (Amaranthaceae) is found throughout India. This tree species has been of interest to researchers because it is a medicinal plant employed in the Indian traditional system of medicine. Pharmacognostic standardization; physico-and phytochemical evaluation of the roots of Amaranthus spinosus was carried out, to determine its macro-and microscopical characters, and also some of its quantitative standards. Microscopical studies were done by using the trinocular microscope. Total ash, water-soluble ash, acid-insoluble ash, sulfated ash values, and alcohol-and water-soluble extractive values were determined for physico-chemical evaluations. A preliminary phytochemical screening was also done to detect different phytoconstituents. Microscopically, the root showed cork, cortex, stellar region, and calcium oxalate crystals. Powder microscopy showed anamalous secondary growth in between the xylem vessels and Calcium Oxalate crystals in the cortex region. Total ash was approximately three times more than acid insoluble and water soluble ash. The ethanol soluble extractive was approximately the same as the water soluble extractive. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) of the Petroleum-ether extract using Benzene : Ethyl acetate (6 : 1), showed six spots. In the chloroform extract, using Benzene : Ethyl acetate (4 : 1) nine spots were seen, and in the ethanol extract, using Chloroform: Methanol (93 : 7), only four spots were observed, using Iodine vapor as a viewing medium. Phytochemically, the root exhibited terpenes, alkaloids, glycosides, and sugars. These findings might be useful to supplement information with regard to its identification parameters, which are assumed significant in the way of acceptability of herbal drugs, in the present scenario, which lacks regulatory laws to control the quality of herbal drugs

TNFRSF1B +676 T>G polymorphism predicts survival of non-Small cell lung cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The dysregulation of gene expression in the TNF-TNFR superfamily has been involved in various human cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Furthermore, functional polymorphisms in <it>TNF-α </it>and <it>TNFRSF1B </it>genes that alter gene expression are likely to be associated with risk and clinical outcomes of cancers. However, few reported studies have investigated the association between potentially functional SNPs in both <it>TNF-α </it>and <it>TNFRSF1B </it>and prognosis of NSCLC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We genotyped five potentially functional polymorphisms of <it>TNF-α </it>and <it>TNFRSF1B </it>genes [<it>TNF-α </it>-308 G>A (rs1800629) and -1031 T>C (rs1799964); <it>TNFRSF1B </it>+676 T>G (rs1061622), -1709A>T(rs652625) and +1663A>G (rs1061624)] in 225 NSCLC patients treated with chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate associations between these variants and NSCLC overall survival (OS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that the <it>TNFRSF1B </it>+676 GG genotype was associated with a significantly better OS of NSCLC (GG <it>vs. </it>TT: adjusted HR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.15-0.94; GG <it>vs. </it>GT/TT: adjusted HR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.14-0.88). Further stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the <it>TNFRSF1B </it>+676 GG was an independent prognosis predictor in this NSCLC cohort (GG <it>vs. </it>GT/TT: HR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.14-0.85), in the presence of node status (N_2-3<it>vs. </it>N_0-1: HR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.09-2.35) and tumor stage (T_3-4<it>vs. </it>T_0-2: HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.08-2.03).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although the exact biological function for this SNP remains to be explored, our findings suggest a possible role of <it>TNFRSF1B </it>+676 T>G (rs1061622) in the prognosis of NSCLC. Further large and functional studies are needed to confirm our findings.</p

Assessment of Noise Pollution and Health Impacts of the Exposed Population in an Urban Area of Chhattisgarh, India

The present study aimed to evaluate the possible impact of noise pollution. This study was conducted in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh state, India, to analyze the relationship between noise pollution and health complaints. A total of 18 locations were selected for monitoring noise pollution levels in the morning (9:00-10:30 AM) and evening (7:00-8:30 PM). Noise maps were prepared for both the time interval, and it was found that the highest equivalent noise level (Leq)of 81.31 dBA was observed at location L3 whereas the lowest Leq of 63.25 dBA was observed at L16 in the morning and in the evening 77.33 dBA at L3 and 60.14 dBA at L16 were observed. A questionnaire survey was performed on the population (n = 400) exposed to noise and analyzed through a variance-based partial least square (PLS) structural equation model (SEM). From the survey, it was found that most of the respondents are exposed to higher noise levels and are facing health issues of “pain in the ear,” “rise in blood pressure,” “loss of sleep,” “whistling and buzzing” in their ear, “headache,” “heaviness” and “efficiency problem.” A total of 109 hypotheses were proposed and analyzed through bootstrapping with a subsample size of 5000 in SmartPLS software. 18 hypotheses were found to be significant in the proposed model. SEM analysis revealed an interrelation between noise pollution and health effects. It is recommended that strict regulation in nearby sensitive areas must be imposed and an awareness drive on a large scale shall be conducted to enlighten the city’s population regarding noise effects as well as various measures for controlling

Study the Quality of Life Post Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy

Background &amp; Method: Aim of this study is to Study the quality of life post Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy. The records of patients who underwent Endoscopic DCR in the last five years were retrieved from the archival records of Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, K.G.M.U and were reviewed for demographic data, laterality, pre-operative complaints, co-morbidities, clinical and surgical profiles, adjunctive procedures, complications, and success rates at the last follow up. Result: On comparing pre to post op swelling around eye status, it was found that at pre op the mean swelling score was 2.90±2.33 which was reduced to 0.50±1.03 at post op. So a mean reduction of 2.40±0.14 was observed which was significant statistically (p&lt;0.001). On comparing pre to post op general condition status, it was found that at pre op the mean condition score was 0.08±0.48 which was unchanged at post op. Conclusion: Endoscopic DCR has improved the treatment of Nasolacrimal duct obstruction, with outcome as comparable to external DCR. Thus the present study state Endoscopic DCR as an effective and safe alternative to external DCR with improved patient satisfaction.&nbsp

Effect of Shot Size and Peening Pressure on the Low Stress Abrasive Wear Behavior of Annealed Medium Carbon Steel

The effect of shot size and peening pressure on abrasive wear of annealed medium carbon steel has been studied. The peening pressure was varied between 3-5 bar and shot size in the rangenbsp of 0.6-1.00 mm at fixed peening intensity of 0.27A.The low stress abrasive wear tests were conducted using dry abrasion test rig TR-38 at an applied load of 50 N. It was noted in general, that the wear rate decreases with increase in sliding distance. It is interestingly noted that the minimum wear rate is observed at 0.8 mm shot size and 4 bar peening pressure. Further, decrease or increase in peening pressure or shot size leads to higher wear rate. This has been understood from the surface and the subsurface microstructures, work hardening and residual stress distribution after shot peening. The wear rate further correlated empirically with peening parameters.nbs