IN VITRO ANTICANCER POTENTIAL OF BIOSYNTHESIZED ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLES FROM THE SEAWEED TURBINARIA CONOIDES

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the anticancer potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and hydroethanolic extract of Turbinaria conoides (HETC) against Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) cell line. Methods: Nanoparticles were synthesized from the HETC. An ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometric analysis was performed to confirm the formation of ZnO-NPs. Size, morphology, and elemental composition of ZnO-NPs were also analyzed using scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxic activity of ZnO-NPs and HETC was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-. 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue dye exclusion assays on DLA cells. The apoptosis inducing the effect was observed through acridine orange staining method (AO and EB) and DNA ladder assay. Results: The results of in vitro cytotoxic studies by MTT and trypan blue dye exclusion assays on DLA cell line in the presence of ZnO-NPs showed an IC50 value of 23.13 and 25.81 μg/ml, respectively. The DNA ladder assay and AO/EB staining clearly demonstrated that the ZnO-NPs at 50 μg/ml concentration induced a maximum apoptosis in DLA cells when compared with HETC. Conclusion: In the present study, the cytotoxic and apoptotic inducing effect of the synthesized ZnO-NPs and HETC were assessed, and it was found that ZnO-NPs possessed potent anticancer effect against DLA cells

Influence of integrated nutrient management practices on dry matter production, yield and NPK uptake of transplanted rice (Oryza sativa)

A field investigation was carried out during Rabi season (Pishanam rice) of 2012-2013 at wetland of Central Farm, Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Killikulam, to study the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on dry matter production, yield and NPK uptake of transplanted rice. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice using the rice variety ADT(R) 45. Among the different integrated nutrient management practices, application of GLM @ 6.25 t ha-1 + Azophosmet + 100 % NPK registered significantly the highest (P<0.01) dry matter production at all the stages (Active tillering; 1690, flowering; 9100 and harvest;14490 kg ha-1). The grain yield was increased, when GLM was integrated with 100 % NPK application (6030 kg ha-1). The grain yield was further increased, when Azophosmet was applied through seed and soil application along with GLM and 100 % NPK (6617 kg ha-1). However, it was on par with application of FYM + Azophosmet + 100 % NPK. The same trend was noticed in straw yield also. The uptake of N, P and K nutrients by rice crop at har-vest stages (95.6, 37.7 and 118 kg ha-1) of crop growth was remarkably increased by the application of GLM + Azophosmet + 100 % NPK. Among the various nutrient management practices, application of GLM + Azophosmet + 100 % NPK registered superior growth indicators due to the effective utilization of various nutrients and subsequent accumulation of more assimilates which inturn led to improved vegetative growth and higher yield of transplanted rice

Study on the quality of beche-de-mer in trade and shrinkage of specimens during processing

The beche-de-mer industry in India is a cent percent export oriented industry being confined to south east coast in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu. Chemical quality of 180 trade samples of beche-de-mer of four sizes collected from the beche-de-mer curing centres of Ramanathapuram district was studied. Moisture ranged from 6.2 to 24.4% and sand content from 0.11 to 20.42% for all grades. Mean values of sand content are for grade 1=3.47%, grade 2=4.50%, grade 3=3.68%, grade 4=6.87%. Sodium chloride was almost constant for all grades at 5.7%. TVBN values ranged from 10 to 78.4 mg%. 44 laboratory samples of different grades were prepared following trade practice and examined for chemical quality. Mean moisture values are for grade 1=13.4%, grade 2=12.44%, grade 3=12.62%, grade 4=12.08% and mean values of sand are for grade 1=0.70%, grade 2=0.90%, grade 3=1.16%, grade 4=2.15%. The percentage of shrinkage of the animals ranged from 56% to 60% for dried beche-de-mer of 7.5 cm size and above

Potential Application of Electrical Conductivity (EC) Map for Variable Rate Seeding

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 7 (2005): Potential Application of Electrical Conductivity (EC) Map for Variable Rate Seeding by M. R. Ehsani, C. D. Durairaj, S. Woods, M. Sulliva

In vitro antioxidant activity of Elaeocarpus tectorius (Lour.) Poir – an Indian medicinal plant

72-77The study aimed to investigate bioactive phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of Elaeocarpus tectorius (Lour.) Poir leaf extract. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by four antioxidant methods, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazylhydrate assay, hydroxyl radical (HO%) scavenging assay, superoxide anion (O2%) radical scavenging assay, and nitric oxide (NO%) scavenging assay. The free radical scavenging activity of hydroethanolic extract of E. tectorius was found to be high for DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. The content of total phenols, flavonoids, and tannins was also high in the hydroethanolic extract. The antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were shown to be significantly related, indicating that phenolic chemicals are the primary contributors to plants' antioxidant capabilities. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the hydroethanolic leaf extract of E. tectorius could serve as a potential source of antioxidants and can be explored as a therapeutic agent in free radical-induced diseases

Palbociclib has no clinically relevant effect on the QTc interval in patients with advanced breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to assess the potential effects of palbociclib in combination with letrozole on QTc. PALOMA-2, a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, compared palbociclib plus letrozole with placebo plus letrozole in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative advanced breast cancer. The study included a QTc evaluation substudy carried out as a definitive QT interval prolongation assessment for palbociclib. Time-matched triplicate ECGs were performed at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h at baseline (Day 0) and on Cycle 1 Day 14. Additional ECGs were collected from all patients for safety monitoring. The QT interval was corrected for heart rate using Fridericia's correction (QTcF), Bazett's correction (QTcB), and a study-specific correction factor (QTcS). In total, 666 patients were randomized 2 : 1 to palbociclib plus letrozole or placebo plus letrozole. Of these, 125 patients were enrolled in the QTc evaluation substudy. No patients in the palbociclib plus letrozole arm of the substudy (N=77) had a maximum postbaseline QTcS or QTcF value of ≥ 480 ms, or a maximum increase from clock time-matched baseline for QTcS or QTcF values of ≥ 60 ms. The upper bounds of the one-sided 95% confidence interval for the mean change from time-matched baseline for QTcS, QTcF, and QTcB at all time points and at steady-state Cmax following repeated administration of 125 mg palbociclib were less than 10 ms. Palbociclib, when administered with letrozole at the recommended therapeutic dosing regimen, did not prolong the QT interval to a clinically relevant extent

The Hyperdense Internal Carotid Artery Sign: Prevalence and Prognostic Relevance in Stroke Thrombolysis

Introduction. The hyperdense internal carotid artery sign (HICAS) has been suggested as a common marker of terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombus associated with poor outcomes following thrombolysis. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and prognostic significance of the HICAS in an unselected cohort of patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis. Methods. Prethrombolysis NCCTs of 120 patients were examined for the presence of the HICAS and hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS). A poor outcome was defined as a discharge Barthel score <15 or inpatient death. Results. A HICAS was present in 3 patients (2.5%). Prethrombolysis neurological deficits were significantly more severe in patients with a HICAS (P = 0.019). HICAS was not significantly associated with a poor outcome (P = 0.323). HMCAS was significantly associated with severe prethrombolysis neurological deficits (P = 0.0025) and a poor outcome (P = 0.015). Conclusions. This study suggests that the prevalence of the HICAS may be lower than previously reported. The presence of a HICAS was associated with severe prethrombolysis neurological deficits in keeping with terminal ICA occlusion. The role of the HICAS as a prognostic marker in stroke thrombolysis remains unclear

Correlation of 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol and Glycaemic Status in Recent Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a non communicable disease caused by increased insulin resistance and beta cells dysfunction. Recently vitamin D has sparked wide spread interest in pathogenesis of diabetes by playing a role in insulin resistance. As a major regulator of homeostasis of calcium, vitamin D directly and/or indirectly improves insulin exocytosis and glucose tolerance. Aim: To estimate the serum 25 hydroxy cholecalciferol level and also to correlate with fasting, two hour postprandial blood glucose and Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) values in recent onset T2DM patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Kilpauk Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India from November 2017-April 2018. One hundred and thirty nine recently diagnosed T2DM patients aged between 30-60 years of both sex, who were on oral hypoglycemic drugs for less than three months duration were included in the study. The patients were grouped into three groups according to their vitamin D levels, Group 1 Vitamin D deficient- 52 patients (≤20 ng/mL), Group 2- Insufficient Vitamin D -33 patients (>20-30 ng/mL), Group 3- Vitamin D sufficient-54 patients (>30 ng/mL). Fasting and 2 hour postprandial glucose, 25 hydroxy cholecalciferol and HbA1c were estimated. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Out of 139 participants, 64 were males and 75 were females. The mean age of the study population was 50.64±5.343 years. The mean fasting blood glucose values among the three groups were 168.13, 129.61, and 125.33 mg/dL respectively. The mean two hour postprandial blood glucose values among the three groups were 269.44, 212.45, and 194.11 mg/dL respectively. The mean HbA1c among the three groups were 7.481±1.16, 6.027±0.31, and 5.86±0.19, respectively. Decreased 25 hydroxy cholecalciferol level in patients of T2DM showed a statistically significant inverse correlation with fasting and two hour postprandial blood glucose and HbA1c with p-value <0.001. Conclusion: The study suggested that hypovitaminosis D was prevalent in T2DM. The study showed that decreased vitamin D level in T2DM patients was associated with increased fasting, postprandial blood sugar, and HbA1c. So, vitamin D screening in diabetics and supplementation can improve the glycemic status