Study of diuretic activity of aqueous extract of amaranthus spinosus linn on rats

Background: Traditional Siddha medicine literature claims that the Amaranthus spinosus Linn. Whole plant possesses diuretic property. The aim of the present study is to investigate the diuretic activity of aqueous extract of amaranthus spinosus linn on rats.Methods: The rats were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each and deprived of food for 18 hours before the experiments. Control (Group I) rats were treated with Normal saline (5ml/Kg,) and Standard (Group II) rats were administered furosemide 15mg/Kg, I.P. Group III and IV were treated with Aqueous extract of Amaranthus spinosus Linn (AEAS) 250 and 500 mg/kg in normal saline respectively, The urine was collected after 5 and 24 hours. The urine volume and the total concentration of Na+, K+, and Cl- in the urine were estimated. The data were presented as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Student's "t"-test. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Conventional windows software was used for statistical analysis.Results: Urine analysis showed that Na+, K+, and Cl- levels were significantly (p<0.05) increased with AEAS 250 and 500 mg/kg as rats treated with furosemide 15mg/kg. Urine volume is significantly (p<0.05) increased in rats treated with drugs (AEAS 500 mg/kg and furosemide 15mg/kg) compared to normal saline 25ml/Kg, treated rats at 5 and 24 hours.Conclusions: These data suggest that AEAS has produced notable diuretic effect which appeared to be comparable to that produced by the standard diuretic furosemide

Deciphering Plant-Insect-Microorganism Signals for Sustainable Crop Production

Agricultural crop productivity relies on the application of chemical pesticides to reduce pest and pathogen damage. However, chemical pesticides also pose a range of ecological, environmental and economic penalties. This includes the development of pesticide resistance by insect pests and pathogens, rendering pesticides less effective. Alternative sustainable crop protection tools should therefore be considered. Semiochemicals are signalling molecules produced by organisms, including plants, microbes, and animals, which cause behavioural or developmental changes in receiving organisms. Manipulating semiochemicals could provide a more sustainable approach to the management of insect pests and pathogens across crops. Here, we review the role of semiochemicals in the interaction between plants, insects and microbes, including examples of how they have been applied to agricultural systems. We highlight future research priorities to be considered for semiochemicals to be credible alternatives to the application of chemical pesticides

Assessment of the Linkages and Leakages in a Cloud-Based Computing Collaboration among Construction Stakeholders

The uniqueness of the construction industry can be understood in the large volumes of information in terms of paper works, processes, and communication disseminated daily. The voluminous information requires close coordination which cloud based systems offer. The aim of this research is to assess the linkages and leakages in a cloud-based computing collaboration among construction stakeholders. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the participants of the study. A questionnaire based instrument was distributed to eighty (80) construction stakeholder in Lagos State, Nigeria. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS v.21. Statistical tools such as frequencies, stacked bars, mean scores, factor analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in the study. The result of the study revealed that construction stakeholders rarely utilize cloud-based technologies for their construction processes. Construction professionals that access cloud based technologies, do so with their smart mobile phones, laptops, and tablet. The study classified the leakages that exist in the use of cloud-based technologies as securitybased factors, cloud-based infrastructure factors, and cloud-based benefits deficiency based factors. In conclusion, the study revealed that the linkages in the use of cloudbased technologies include knowledge sharing, remote access of back-office activities and engendering collaboration among construction stakeholders. It was recommended that construction stakeholders should leverage on the benefits cloud-based technologies has to offer in today’s competitive economy. Construction stakeholdersshould be adequately informed on the available cloud-based computing technologies and the additions it can bring into the construction process. Cloud computing technology vendors should improve on the security and privacy features of the platform for adequate protection of building data

IL-1β Stimulates COX-2 Dependent PGE2 Synthesis and CGRP Release in Rat Trigeminal Ganglia Cells

OBJECTIVE: Pro-inflammatory cytokines like Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine and inflammatory pain. The trigeminal ganglion and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are crucial components in the pathophysiology of primary headaches. 5-HT1B/D receptor agonists, which reduce CGRP release, and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors can abort trigeminally mediated pain. However, the cellular source of COX and the interplay between COX and CGRP within the trigeminal ganglion have not been clearly identified. METHODS AND RESULTS: 1. We used primary cultured rat trigeminal ganglia cells to assess whether IL-1β can induce the expression of COX-2 and which cells express COX-2. Stimulation with IL-1β caused a dose and time dependent induction of COX-2 but not COX-1 mRNA. Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of COX-2 protein in neuronal and glial cells. 2. Functional significance was demonstrated by prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)) release 4 hours after stimulation with IL-1β, which could be aborted by a selective COX-2 (parecoxib) and a non-selective COX-inhibitor (indomethacin). 3. Induction of CGRP release, indicating functional neuronal activation, was seen 1 hour after PGE(2) and 24 hours after IL-1β stimulation. Immunohistochemistry showed trigeminal neurons as the source of CGRP. IL-1β induced CGRP release was blocked by parecoxib and indomethacin, but the 5-HT1B/D receptor agonist sumatriptan had no effect. CONCLUSION: We identified a COX-2 dependent pathway of cytokine induced CGRP release in trigeminal ganglia neurons that is not affected by 5-HT1B/D receptor activation. Activation of neuronal and glial cells in the trigeminal ganglion by IL-β leads to an elevated expression of COX-2 in these cells. Newly synthesized PGE(2) (by COX-2) in turn activates trigeminal neurons to release CGRP. These findings support a glia-neuron interaction in the trigeminal ganglion and demonstrate a sequential link between COX-2 and CGRP. The results could help to explain the mechanism of action of COX-2 inhibitors in migraine

Growth of research in oilseeds and collaboration trends: A case study

The Journal of Oilseeds Research, published by the Indian Society of Oilseeds Research, has played a key role in the dissemination of oilseeds information in India. Describes a citation analysis of the references covered in the journal for the period 1984-1993. Authorship patterns and collaboration coefficients are reported and a list of ten core periodicals for oilseeds research is identified based on the citation analysis

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the fetus

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become an established technique in fetal medicine, providing complementary information to ultrasound in studies of the brain. MRI can provide detailed structural information irrespective of the position of the fetal head or maternal habitus. Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ( HMRS) is based on the same physical principles as MRI but data are collected as a spectrum, allowing the biochemical and metabolic status of in vivo tissue to be studied in a non-invasive manner. HMRS has been used to assess metabolic function in the neonatal brain but fetal studies have been limited, primarily due to fetal motion. This review will assess the technique and findings from fetal studies to date

Brain metabolism in fetal intrauterine growth restriction: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate alterations in brain metabolism in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and evidence of cerebral redistribution of blood flow. Study Design: Biometry and Doppler assessment of blood flow was assessed with ultrasound in 28 fetuses with IUGR and cerebral redistribution and in 41 appropriately grown control subjects. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the fetal brain was then performed to determine the presence of choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), and lactate and to generate ratios for NAA:Cho, NAA:Cr, and Cho:Cr. Results: Sixty-five percent of spectra were interpretable: N-acetylaspartate, choline, and creatine peaks were identified in all these spectra; lactate was present in 5 IUGR fetuses and in 3 appropriately grown fetuses. NAA:Cr and NAA:Cho ratios were significantly lower in IUGR fetuses with cerebral redistribution. Conclusion: Cerebral redistribution is associated with altered brain metabolism that is evidenced by a reduction in NAA:Cho and NAA:Cr ratios