An attempt to solve the taxonomical conflicts in Basella alba L.

669-674Basella alba is a perennial climber with great medicinal potential. The plant is widely used as a green leafy vegetable. There are two forms which are distributed throughout the Southern Asian sub-continent. These forms differ in stem colour, one is green and the other has reddish purple coloured stem. Different workers have different opinions in related with the taxonomy of the Basella alba. Some mentioned these two as single species, some as separate species while some have mentioned as the different varieties or cultivars. Henceforth morphological, anatomical, palynological, stomatographic and seed surface studies were undertaken to overcome the taxonomical conflicts. The results supports the opinion as per the IPNI, that both these belongs to the same species, i.e., alba. Further molecular studies will elucidate the taxonomical conflicts within the Basella

Skin-to-skin contact after birth and the natural course of neurosteroid levels in healthy term newborns.

ObjectiveTo determine the postnatal course of neurosteroid levels in relation to gender, mode of delivery and the extent of skin-to-skin (STS) contact during the first days of life in healthy term newborns.Study designProspective observational study of 39 neonates in which parents recorded total duration of STS in the first 2 days and nine neurosteroids (dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, progesterone, pregnenolone, pregnenolone-sulfate, allopregnanolone, isopregnanolone, epipregnanolone, pregnanolone and pregnanolone-sulfate) were assayed from blood samples at birth and at 1-2 days of age.ResultsAll nine neurosteroid levels declined significantly during the first 2 days of life. Gender did not significantly affect the change in neurosteroid levels. The decline in neurosteroid levels was generally more pronounced in vaginal deliveries, and there was a trend toward a larger decline with more exposure to STS.ConclusionOngoing studies may better characterize the role of neurosteroids and the influence of STS in more critically ill and premature neonates

Skin-to-skin contact after birth and the natural course of neurosteroid levels in healthy term newborns.

ObjectiveTo determine the postnatal course of neurosteroid levels in relation to gender, mode of delivery and the extent of skin-to-skin (STS) contact during the first days of life in healthy term newborns.Study designProspective observational study of 39 neonates in which parents recorded total duration of STS in the first 2 days and nine neurosteroids (dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, progesterone, pregnenolone, pregnenolone-sulfate, allopregnanolone, isopregnanolone, epipregnanolone, pregnanolone and pregnanolone-sulfate) were assayed from blood samples at birth and at 1-2 days of age.ResultsAll nine neurosteroid levels declined significantly during the first 2 days of life. Gender did not significantly affect the change in neurosteroid levels. The decline in neurosteroid levels was generally more pronounced in vaginal deliveries, and there was a trend toward a larger decline with more exposure to STS.ConclusionOngoing studies may better characterize the role of neurosteroids and the influence of STS in more critically ill and premature neonates