On the occurrence of priapulids in the littoral region of Bhimilipatnam (Vishakhapatnam, Bay of Bengal)

Very little is known about the eucoelomate phylum Priapuiida, which arc marine vermiform cylindrical organisms attaining a length of over 12 cm with a bulbous anterior end destitute of appendages and with an eversible proboscis. Surface of the body is superfic ia lly •segmented and covered with spines

A kinetic and mechanistic study on the silver (I)-catalyzed oxidation of l-alanine by cerium (IV) in sulfuric acid medium

AbstractThe kinetics and mechanism of Ag(I)-catalyzed oxidation of l-alanine by cerium (IV) in sulfuric acid media have been investigated by titrimetric technique of redox in the temperature range of 298–313K. It is found that the reaction is of first order with respect to Ce(IV) and l-alanine, and it is of a positive fractional order with respect to Ag(I). It is found that the pseudo first order ([l-alanine]≫[Ce(IV)]≫[Ag(I)]) rate constant k′ increases with the increase of[H+]. The major oxidation product of alanine has been identified as acetaldehyde by an 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy. Under the experimental conditions, the kinetically active species has been found to be Ce4+. Under nitrogen atmosphere, the reaction system can initiate the polymerization of acrylonitrile, indicating generation of free radicals. On the basis of the experimental results, a suitable mechanism has been proposed. The rate constants of the rate-determining step together with the activation parameters were evaluated

A study of hypokalemic paralysis - etiology, clinical profile and outcome.

INTRODUCTION : Acute flaccid paralysis is a potentially reversible medical emergency and has a wide differential diagnosis that includes neurologic, metabolic and infectious etiologies. Acute hypokalemic paralysis (HP) constitutes a group of heterogenous disorders that present with acute muscular weakness and can at times be potentially life threatening. Complications secondary to hypokalemia such as a cardiac arrhythmia or respiratory failure lead to morbidity and mortality. Although there are many potential causes of hypokalemia, there are far fewer entities in the differential diagnosis of hypokalemic paralysis. Hypokalemia and paralysis can be divided into 2 types, hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) where there is short-term shift of potassium into cells and non- HPP resulting from a large deficit of potassium due to various etiologies. The differential diagnosis in a patient with HP can be challenging due to heterogeneity of its etiologies, but it is important to make the diagnosis promptly because different therapies are required for each type and identifying causes that are reversible are important. Presence of a positive family history and recurrent episodes in a patient can be helpful in making a diagnosis of HPP , but HPP and non-HPP are almost indistinguishable and there is diagnostic difficulty. Familial periodic paralysis has been reported as the most common cause of hypokalemic paralysis in Caucasians. Thyrotoxic hypokalemic paralysis (TPP) is common in the Asian (oriental) population. The etiology of hypokalemic paralysis is likely to depend on ethnicity, vigor of the investigation, and the setting of the medical practice. In this study an attempt has been made to analyze the various etiologies of HP that appears to be common in our region. We have also analyzed the metabolic profile that will aid in diagnosis and outcome of patients with hypokalemic paralysis. AIM : To analyze the clinical presentation, etiology, and outcome of patients presenting with hypokalemic paralysis. CONCLUSIONS : 1. The commonest causes for hypokalemic paralysis (HP) in our study were sporadic periodic paralysis (SPP) and renal tubular acidosis (RTA). 2. Among the patients with hypokalemic paralysis, 57% of them were due to secondary causes. Presence of acidosis or alkalosis in arterial blood gas analysis suggests a renal cause for Hypokalemic paralysis. 3. Spot urine K+/Cr ratio helps to distinguish the diagnostic categories of HPP (Hypokalemic paralysis due to K+ shifts) with non-HPP (Hypokalemic paralysis due to K+ deficits) 4. There was a male predominance in Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP). Sporadic periodic paralysis (SPP) was more common than familial periodic paralysis (FPP) in this study. 5. Male predominance was noted in Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis ( TPP). Absence of history of thyroid disease or clinical thyrotoxicosis does not exclude the diagnosis of TPP. So thyroid function tests should be done in all patients with HP. 6. Though much less potassium is needed during therapy of HPP (SPP, TPP), there is still a danger of rebound hyperkalemia. 7. Hypomagnesemia should be looked for and corrected along with the correction of hypokalemia in patients with metabolic alkalosis

COMPARATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF CRINUM DEFIXUM KER-GAWLER LEAVES USING GC-MS

The present investigation was carried out to determine the possible phytochemical compounds present in the various extracts of Crinum defixum Ker-Gawler leaves. It is an important medicinal plant worldwide trends towards the utilization of natural plant remedies has created an enormous need for the use of medicinal plants. Different pharmacological properties of C.defixum Ker-Gawler have already been reported. Thus, the present study was performed to investigate the preliminary phytochemical screening, separation, identification of compounds and compare the phytochemical composition of various fractions of C.defixum Ker-Gawler leaves using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The plant was extracted for various solvents in increasing order of polarity from using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, butanol and methanol. The extracts were subjected to GC-MS analysis and also confirmed by spectral analysis. Keywords: Crinum defixum Ker-Gawler, Phytochemical screening, Separation and identification of compounds, GC-MS, Spectral analysis

Morin, A Flavonoid, On Lipid Peroxidation And Antioxidant Status In Experimental Myocardial Ischemic Rats

Background: Myocardial infarction affects a large population in the world. Lipid peroxide metabolism plays an important role in the pathology of myocardial infarction. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant potential of morin, a flavonoid in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI), in rats.Materials and Methods: Male albino Wistar rats were pre-treated with morin (40 mg/kg), daily for a period of 30 days. After the treatment period, ISO (85 mg/kg), was subcutaneously injected in rats at an interval of 24 h for 2days.Re s u l t s : ISO-administered rats showed elevated levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and lipid hydro-peroxide (LOOH), in plasma and heart. Pretreatment with morin, the above changes were significantly reduced to near normal level. ISOadministered rats showed decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in heart. In addition, decrease the levels non enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C and vitamin E in plasma and heart while ceruloplasmin in plasma.Conclusion: Pretreatment with morin, reversed these above biochemical changes towards normalcy. These findings revealed that, the morin possess antioxidant activity in experimentally induced cardiac toxicity.Key words: Morin, Isoproterenol, Myocardial infarction, Lipid peroxidation, Antioxidant

Influence of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf extract on membrane-bound ATPases in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Background: Cardiospermum halicacabum L. proved to have anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antiglycation, analgesic and antipyretic activities. It also has been used in Ayurveda and folk medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, fever and earache.Objective: The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf extract (CHE) on membrane-bound ATPases in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Diabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by intraperitonial administration of STZ (40 mg/kg BW). CHE (200 mg/kg BW) or glibenclamide (600 μg/kg BW) was administered orally once daily for 45 days to normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats.Results: The activities of membrane-bound ATPases such as total ATPase, Na+/K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase were significantly decreased in erythrocytes and tissues of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of CHE to diabetic rats significantly increased the activities of these enzymes towards near normalcy.Conclusions: Thus, the present study indicates that the beneficial role of membrane-bound ATPases in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties of CHE could be helpful to maintain the activities of membrane-bound ATPases in STZ-induced diabetic rats showing the membrane stabilizing property of extract.Keywords: Streptozotocin, blood glucose, diabetes, membrane-bound ATPases, Cardiospermum halicacabu

Adherence to treatment with artemether-lumefantrine or amodiaquine-artesunate for uncomplicated malaria in children in Sierra Leone: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Prompt, effective treatment of confirmed malaria cases with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is a cornerstone of malaria control. Maximizing adherence to ACT medicines is key to ensuring treatment effectiveness. METHODS: This open-label, randomized trial evaluated caregiver adherence to co-formulated artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and fixed-dose amodiaquine-artesunate (AQAS) in Sierra Leone. Children aged 6-59 months diagnosed with malaria were recruited from two public clinics, randomized to receive AL or AQAS, and visited at home the day after completing treatment. Analyses were stratified by site, due to differences in participant characteristics and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 784 randomized children, 680 (85.6%) were included in the final per-protocol analysis (340 AL, 340 AQAS). Definite adherence (self-reported adherence plus empty package) was higher for AL than AQAS at both sites (Site 1: 79.4% AL vs 63.4% AQAS, odds ratio [OR] 2.16, compared to probable adherence plus probable or definite non-adherence, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-3.49; p = 0.001; Site 2: 52.1% AL vs 37.5% AQAS, OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.00-2.33, p = 0.049). However, self-reported adherence (ignoring drug package inspection) was higher for both regimens at both sites and there was no strong evidence of variation by treatment (Site 1: 96.6% AL vs 95.9% AQAS, OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.39-3.63, p = 0.753; Site 2: 91.5% AL vs 96.4% AQAS, OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.15-1.07, p = 0.067). In Site 2, correct treatment (correct dose + timing + duration) was lower for AL than AQAS (75.8% vs 88.1%, OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.23-0.76, p = 0.004). In both sites, more caregivers in the AQAS arm reported adverse events (Site 1: 3.4% AL vs 15.7% AQAS, p < 0.001; Site 2: 15.2% AL vs 24.4% AQAS, p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported adherence was high for both AL and AQAS, but varied by site. These results suggest that each regimen has potential disadvantages that might affect adherence; AL was less likely to be taken correctly at one site, but was better tolerated than AQAS at both sites. Measuring adherence to anti-malarials remains challenging, but important. Future research should focus on comparative studies of new drug regimens, and improving the methodology of measuring adherence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01967472. Retrospectively registered 18 October 2013, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01967472

Core Verbal Autopsy Procedures with Comparative Validation Results from Two Countries

BACKGROUND: Cause-specific mortality statistics remain scarce for the majority of low-income countries, where the highest disease burdens are experienced. Neither facility-based information systems nor vital registration provide adequate or representative data. The expansion of sample vital registration with verbal autopsy procedures represents the most promising interim solution for this problem. The development and validation of core verbal autopsy forms and suitable coding and tabulation procedures are an essential first step to extending the benefits of this method. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Core forms for peri- and neonatal, child, and adult deaths were developed and revised over 12 y through a project of the Tanzanian Ministry of Health and were applied to over 50,000 deaths. The contents of the core forms draw upon and are generally comparable with previously proposed verbal autopsy procedures. The core forms and coding procedures based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD) were further adapted for use in China. These forms, the ICD tabulation list, the summary validation protocol, and the summary validation results from Tanzania and China are presented here. CONCLUSIONS: The procedures are capable of providing reasonable mortality estimates as adjudged against stated performance criteria for several common causes of death in two countries with radically different cause structures of mortality. However, the specific causes for which the procedures perform well varied between the two settings because of differences in the underlying prevalence of the main causes of death. These differences serve to emphasize the need to undertake validation studies of verbal autopsy procedures when they are applied in new epidemiological settings

Numerical Simulation for Freeze Drying of Skimmed Milk with Moving Sublimation Front using Tri-Diagonal Matrix Algorithm

Freeze drying is a highly advanced dehydration technique used for preserving pharmaceuticals, human organs transplanted to others and highly heat sensitive food products. During the freeze drying, there are two layers formed namely dried region and frozen region. In this present work, a numerical model is developed to estimate the temperature distribution of both regions. The sample object considered is skimmed milk. The transient heat conduction equations are solved for both regions of dried and frozen region. The interface layer between the two region is considered as moving sublimation front as same as the realistic case. Radiative boundary condition at the top and convective boundary condition at the bottom are considered. The model has been solved by finite difference method and the scheme used is backward difference in time and central difference in space (implicit scheme), which generates set of finite difference equations forming a Tri-Diagonal Matrix. A computer program is developed in MATLAB to solve the tri-diagonal matrix. The temperature distribution along the length of the product with varying chamber pressures and the sublimation front temperature with time are estimated. The transient effect of sublimation front movement was estimated with different applied chamber pressure. It was noticed that at lower pressure the sublimation rate is very fast