Variation in morphometric characters, germination and oil content of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. seeds collected from various provenances of Odisha, India

The wide distribution of Terminalia bellirica in natural forests of Odisha has a good opportunity to identify better genotypes with higher oil yielding potential.  The study related to variation in oil content, morphometric characters and germination of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. seeds was carried out in nine provenances viz. Deogan, Bolangir Kasturi Bahal, Narada, Kantamal, Jeypore, Gunupur, Kuchinda and  Ghatikia of Odisha (India) keeping in the importance of the seed oil for biodiesel production, soap industry and medicinal values. T. bellirica is widely distributed in Odisha with gregarious fruiting of which most of the fruits remain unused except used as myrobalan for medicinal purposes. It revealed that Kantamal provenance expressed highest fruits length (3.87cm) and 100 fruit weight (1340.17gm), 100 seed weight(649.05gm) and 100 kernel weight(99.43gm) with maximum oil yield which can be taken up for further improvement study. However, the progeny testing at nursey level was also found to have the same provenance performing best for germination and seedling characters. &nbsp

A clinical study on retinopathy of prematurity in a tertiary care centre

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial vasoproliferative retinal disorder that increases in incidence with decreasing gestational age. India shares 20% of the world childhood blindness. Besides congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma and ocular injuries, ROP is emerging as one of the important causes of childhood blindness in India.Methods: This hospital based prospective study was undertaken during October 2016 to September 2018 in the Department of Ophthalmology, SCB Medical College. Authors included (a) all preterm infants weighing less than 1750gm or gestational age less than 34 weeks at birth, (b) infants with birth weight between 1750gm to 2000gm and gestational age more than 34 weeks (late preterm and term infants) those were considered as high risk.Results: Among the 328 babies included in our study, the incidence of ROP was 29.57%. Bilateral ROP was found in 76.29% with nearly equal stages in both eyes and only 23 neonates showed unilateral involvement.Conclusions: Low birth weight, lower gestational age, blood transfusion, Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), apnoea, supplemental oxygen therapy, maternal anaemia and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were strongly associated with development of ROP

Bioactive food components and their inhibitory actions in multiple platelet pathways

In addition to hemostasis and thrombosis, blood platelets are involved in various processes such as inflammation, infection, immunobiology, cancer metastasis, wound repair and angiogenesis. Platelets\u27 hemostatic and non-hemostatic functions are mediated by the expression of various membrane receptors and the release of proteins, ions and other mediators. Therefore, specific activities of platelets responsible for the non-hemostatic disease are to be inhibited while leaving the platelet\u27s hemostatic function unaffected. Platelets\u27 anti-aggregatory property has been used as a primary criterion for antiplatelet drugs/bioactives; however, their non-hemostatic activities are not well known. This review describes the hemostatic and non-hemostatic function of human blood platelets and the modulatory effects of bioactive food components. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this review, we have discussed the antiplatelet effects of several food components. These bioactive compounds inhibit both hemostatic and non-hemostatic pathways involving blood platelet. Platelets have emerged as critical biological factors of normal and pathologic vascular healing and other diseases such as cancers and inflammatory and immune disorders. The challenge for therapeutic intervention in these disorders will be to find drugs and bioactive compounds that preferentially block specific sites implicated in emerging roles of platelets\u27 complicated contribution to inflammation, tumour growth, or other disorders while leaving at least some of their hemostatic function intact

PREVALENCE AND SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF ESBL PRODUCERS IN DIFFERENT CLINICAL ISOLATES FROM A TERTIARY HEALTHCARE CENTER OF EASTERN INDIA, A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background Antimicrobial-resistant organisms have led to increased mortality, morbidity, and economic burden throughout the globe. This study focused on measuring the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance bacteria mostly by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers from several samples in a facility providing tertiary care in Eastern Odisha.  Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2021 to January 2022. During that time a total of 2452 culture-positive specimens were processed from different samples. Identification of organisms and antibiotic susceptibility was done manually through Kirby Beuer’s disc diffusion method. Phenotypic detection of ESBL producers was performed by a Double disc synergy test.  Results During the study, E. coli (852) was identified as the most prevalent organism followed by S. aureus (661) and K. pneumoniae (301).  Among them, 1571 isolates were ESBL-producing and E. coli was the most prevalent one followed by S. aureus and K. pneumoniae which were 659, 479, and 172 in number respectively. Most of the ESBL producers were isolated from urine samples and the least number from stool samples. We found in this study that the highest population of P.mirabilis and K. oxytoca were resistant to the fluoroquinolones group of antibiotics, Pseudomonas and K. oxytoca are highly resistant to aminoglycosides group of antibiotics, P.mirabilis, Enterobacter, P. vulgaris and Enterococci were showing high resistance towards penicillin group of antibiotics, P.mirabilis was highly resistant towards β-lactamase inhibitor group of antibiotics.  Conclusion As per the study findings, E. coli is the main producer of ESBLs among members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, and urine is the main source of ESBL-positive isolates. These findings are highly significant from a medical and scientific standpoint and may influence policymakers to better monitor and manage antibiotic resistance

Functional Foods: A Promising Strategy for Restoring Gut Microbiota Diversity Impacted by SARS-CoV-2 Variants

Natural herbs and functional foods contain bioactive molecules capable of augmenting the immune system and mediating anti-viral functions. Functional foods, such as prebiotics, probiotics, and dietary fibers, have been shown to have positive effects on gut microbiota diversity and immune function. The use of functional foods has been linked to enhanced immunity, regeneration, improved cognitive function, maintenance of gut microbiota, and significant improvement in overall health. The gut microbiota plays a critical role in maintaining overall health and immune function, and disruptions to its balance have been linked to various health problems. SARS-CoV-2 infection has been shown to affect gut microbiota diversity, and the emergence of variants poses new challenges to combat the virus. SARS-CoV-2 recognizes and infects human cells through ACE2 receptors prevalent in lung and gut epithelial cells. Humans are prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection because their respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts are rich in microbial diversity and contain high levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. This review article explores the potential use of functional foods in mitigating the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on gut microbiota diversity, and the potential use of functional foods as a strategy to combat these effects.Funding Agencies|Chettinad Academy of Research and Education(CARE),Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI),Kelambakkam, Chennai, India [004/Regr./AR-Research/2022-04]</p