PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PRELIMINARY PHYSICO-CHEMICAL EVALUATION OF MATSYAKSHI [ALTERNANTHERA SESSILIS (LINN.) R.Br]

Alternanthera sessilis (Linn) R.Br. is a plant that  belongs to the family Amaranthaceae.  This species has a huge global range, including both native and introduced distribution. The plant has been widely used by the ethnic population for food and medicine. The plant has been mentioned in Ayurvedic classics by the name Matsyakshi. The plant is also observed to be an ingredient in the some of the formulations indicated for urinary system pathologies, in Chikitsamanjari, Yogamruta and some other traditional Ayurvedic texts in Kerala. The quality control of herbal crude drugs and their bioconstituents is of paramount importance in justifying their acceptability. The crude drugs can be identified systematically on the basis of their morphological, histological, chemical, physical and biological studies. The aim of the study is to evaluate the preliminary pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Alternanthera sessilis (Linn) R.Br. Pharmacognostical evaluation of the plant Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) R.Br. was done by studying the macroscopic and microscopic features of leaf, stem and root of the plant. The preliminary phytochemical analysis including quantitative data, qualitative chemical analysis, Thin Layer Chromatography, High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy were determined. Various pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical characters observed in this may help in standardization, identification and carrying out further research in Alternanthera sessilis (linn.)R.Br

Key operations in the wet-rendering of peanut for the isolation of protein, oil and starch

Separation of oil and suspended solids from peanut slurry are two important interdependent operations in wet rendering of peanuts. A 3-way centrifuge cannot be used efficiently for the separation of the different phases due to the large volume of fibrous suspended solids in peanut slurry. Removal of suspended solids from the slurry by filtration is too slow and incomplete, as the fine particles tend to block the screen. The alternative method of centrifugal sedimentation of the suspended solids causes emulsification of the oil and results in the inefficient separation of the oil. It is shown in the paper that efficiency of the separation of oil and carbohydrate fraction from peanut by wet rendering method depends on careful conditioning of the seed

2, 4-Dimethyl-6-hydroxyacetophenone oxime and 3, 5-dibromo-2, 4-dimethyl-6- hydroxyacetophenone oxime as reagents and diethylamine as a synergist in the extraction and separation of metals

1022-10242,4-Dimethyl-6-hydroxyacetophenone oxime and 3,5- dibromo-2,4-dimethyl-6-hydroxyacetophenone oxime act as very good reagents for the extraction and separation of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(III) and Mn(II). Addition of diethylamine as a synergist in the extraction system, not only increases the per cent extraction of the metals but also the molar absorbances of the complexes. The separation of the metals from one another, viz., Cu(II) from Ni(II), Cu(II) from Co(II) and Cu(II) and Ni(II) from Cr(III) becomes far more easier in the presence of diethylamine

Exploring polygenic contributors to subgroups of comorbid conditions in autism spectrum disorder

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have heterogeneous comorbid conditions. This study examined whether comorbid conditions in ASD are associated with polygenic risk scores (PRS) of ASD or PRS of comorbid conditions in non-ASD specific populations. Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data were obtained from 1386 patients with ASD from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) study. After excluding individuals with missing clinical information concerning comorbid conditions, a total of 707 patients were included in the study. A total of 18 subgroups of comorbid conditions (‘topics’) were identified using a machine learning algorithm, topic modeling. PRS for ASD were computed using a genome-wide association meta-analysis of 18,381 cases and 27,969 controls. From these 18 topics, Topic 6 (over-represented by allergies) (p = 1.72 × 10−3) and Topic 17 (over-represented by sensory processing issues such as low pain tolerance) (p = 0.037) were associated with PRS of ASD. The associations between these two topics and the multi-locus contributors to their corresponding comorbid conditions based on non-ASD specific populations were further explored. The results suggest that these two topics were not associated with the PRS of allergies and chronic pain disorder, respectively. Note that characteristics of the present AGRE sample and those samples used in the original GWAS for ASD, allergies, and chronic pain disorder, may differ due to significant clinical heterogeneity that exists in the ASD population. Additionally, the AGRE sample may be underpowered and therefore insensitive to weak PRS associations due to a relatively small sample size. Findings imply that susceptibility genes of ASD may contribute more to the occurrence of allergies and sensory processing issues in individuals with ASD, compared with the susceptibility genes for their corresponding phenotypes in non-ASD individuals. Since these comorbid conditions (i.e., allergies and pain sensory issues) may not be attributable to the corresponding comorbidity-specific biological factors in non-ASD individuals, clinical management for these comorbid conditions may still depend on treatments for core symptoms of ASD

A systematic review of the prevalence of parental concerns measured by the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) indicating developmental risk

© 2014 Woolfenden et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. Background: Parental concerns about their children's development can be used as an indicator of developmental risk. We undertook a systematic review of the prevalence of parents' concerns as an indicator of developmental risk, measured by the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) and associated risk factors. Methods: Electronic databases, bibliographies and websites were searched and experts contacted. Studies were screened for eligibility and study characteristics were extracted independently by two authors. A summary estimate for prevalence was derived. Meta-regression examined the impact of study characteristics and quality. Meta-analysis was used to derive pooled estimates of the impact of biological and psychosocial risk factors on the odds of parental concerns indicating high developmental risk. Results: Thirty seven studies were identified with a total of 210,242 subjects. Overall 13.8% (95% CI 10.9 -16.8%) of parents had concerns indicating their child was at high developmental risk and 19.8% (95% CI 16.7-22.9%) had concerns indicating their child was at moderate developmental risk. Male gender, low birth weight, poor/fair child health rating, poor maternal mental health, lower socioeconomic status (SES), minority ethnicity, not being read to, a lack of access to health care and not having health insurance were significantly associated with parental concerns indicating a high developmental risk. Conclusions: The prevalence of parental concerns measured with the PEDS indicating developmental risk is substantial. There is increased prevalence associated with biological and psychosocial adversity. Trial Registration: PROSPERO Registration: CRD42012003215

Parasitic nematodes and their management in major spices

Black pepper (Piper nigrum), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa) and tree spices are the major spices cultivated in India. Several plant parasitic nematodes are reported on these spice crops and among them, root knot nematodes (Meloidogynespp.), burrowing nematodes (Radopholus similis and root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are the major nematode pests of economic importance. Plant parasitic nematodes are primary incitants of slow decline disease of black pepper. Root knot nematodes are a seious constraint to cardamom cultivation, especially in nurseries. In ginger and turmeric, all three of them cause significant damage. However, not much attention has been given to nematodes of tree spices. The major symptoms of nematode attack, the nature and extent of damage, their interaction with other soil borne microorganisms and various control measures are discussed. Considering the export oriented nature of these crops, emphasis has been given on integrated nematode management with minimum use of chemicals. &nbsp

Evaluation of fungal bioagents for management of root-knot nematodes in ginger and turmeric fields

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) are important herbaceousspices cultivated extensively in different states of India. Being vegetatively propagated, theyare challenged with several pests and diseases including plant parasitic nematodes. Root-knot nematode problem in these crops is currently managed with nematicides, cover cropsand organic amendments. Realizing the scope of biological control in these crops, a series ofexperiments were conducted at Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut, Kerala to screenand evaluate various fungal bioagents for control of root knot nematodes (Meloidogyneincognita) infesting ginger and turmeric under field conditions. Ten antagonistic fungi wereevaluated in different field experiments conducted in root-knot infested ginger and turmericfields at two locations. The most promising isolates that suppressed root knot nematodeswere Aspergillus nidulans (Is.10),  Fusarium oxysporum (Is.11), Paecilomyces lilacinus (Is.36),Trichoderma viride (Is. 25), Verticillium lecanii (Is.35) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (Is.32). Fromthese, three fungi viz.  F. oxysporum, T. viride and P. chlamydosporia were further tested inginger fields using two delivery systems, soil bed application and seed rhizome dippinggenerally applicable in dry shed treatment. The final results showed that  P. chlamydosporiasignificantly suppressed root knot nematodes in ginger and gave the maximum yieldirrespective of the mode of application. &nbsp