A REVIEW ON TOXICITY OF CALOTROPIS (ARKA) AND MANAGEMENT

The herbal medicine occupies distinct position right from ancient period in Ayurveda. Arka (Calotropis) an important drug of Ayurvedic toxicology and therapeutics is known in India from ancient period since Samhitakala. There are two types of Arka mentioned in Ayurveda. Sweata arka (Calotropis gigantea) and Rakta arka (Calotropis procera). Among the two Raktaarka (Calotropis procera) is more toxic and is assumed even more poisonous than cobra venom. Both these plants belong to Asclepiadaceae family and closely resemble each other in chemical and physiological actions. It is included under Bhedaniya (Vagbhata) Vamanopaga, Svedopaga (Caraka), Arkadi, Adhobhagahara, gana (Susruta) and also included under Guduchyadi Osadhi varga. Toxic principals are Uscharin, Calotoxin, Calactin, Calotropin, Calotropage. Ksheera (Milk) being an irritant, neurotoxic and also due to anticholinergic responses cause toxicity and various fatal presentation. Serum containing 3% of Gigantin is highly virulent CSF toxicant. Toxic symptoms are Vanti (vomiting), Rechana (diarrhoea) on ingestion. It exerts caustic (Kshara) effect to the skin on direct contact. It can lead to blindness if its latex is put in to the eyes, causing opacity to the cornea. Ghee is considered to be an antidote for internal usage and external application of Cincha patra kalka. The dried latex and dried root are used as an antidote for snake poisoning in Bagata tribe of Eastern Ghats of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. A detailed account of toxic effect of Arka and its descriptions in Ayurveda along with its management have been emphasized in the present review with toxic symptoms, management, medico legal cases and case reports

Prospective study of contraceptive knowledge among the patients seeking medical termination of pregnancy in 1st and 2nd trimester in a tertiary health care

Background: A rapid population growth is a burden on the resources of many developing countries. Unregulated fertility, which contributes to such situations compromise the economic development and political stability.Methods: It was a prospective, observational study over a period of 12 months at Vani Vilas hospital, attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. All patients seeking medical termination of pregnancy in I and II trimester in tertiary health care were evaluated for contraceptive knowledge.Results: Majority of the patients were from 25 – 30 years, educated, and had married life of 5 years, multipara, with no relationship with religion. The major reason for seeking termination of pregnancy was V i.e. failure of contraception. Intrauterine devices are the most popular method of contraception. There were various sources for knowledge.Conclusions: This study concludes that there is considerable level of knowledge and awareness about contraception in the above studied women but actual practice of those methods is low

Evaluation of Biopesticides against Spotted Alfalfa Aphid, \u3cem\u3e Therioaphis \u3c/em\u3e spp on Alfalfa

Alfalfa or Lucerne, Medicago sativa L. recognised as the oldest among the forage crops, also called as Queen of forages is considered as a superior feed for dairy, horses etc because it is quickly digested, relatively high in protein, low in NDF, excellent source of Ca, Mg, P, vit D and carotene. As a legume it is also known to improve soil structure because it is effective source of biological nitrogen. It mainly suffers both qualitatively and quantitatively from the spotted alfalfa aphid, Therioaphis maculata and pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Green fodder yield losses were reported to be 33% in alfalfa due to aphid in new Mexico. Since insecticide usage is discouraged in fodder crops, it was intended to manage the spotted alfalfa aphid with few of the available biopesticides

A prospective study of role of doppler in pregnancy and the perinatal outcome

Background: The development of doppler ultrasonographic technology has provided an opportunity to obtain a qualitative and quantitative assessment of maternal and foetal circulation using a non-invasive method. It has been proved by many studies that doppler has a very important role in screening of high-risk pregnancies. Objective of this study was to evaluate the role of colour doppler study in normal and high-risk pregnancy in relation to perinatal outcome.Methods: A prospective study was done including 75 women with high risk pregnancy and 75 normal pregnant women during the period October 2018 to September 2019 in hospitals attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. Doppler examination was done after recording patients’ history, clinical examination and ultrasound. Results were analysed and conclusions were made.Results: Out of the 22 patients with PIH, 20 patients had abnormal umbilical artery S/D ratio and all 22 had abnormal MCA PI. Out of 12 patients with diabetes, 10 had abnormal umbilical artery S/D ratio. All the patients with IUGR had abnormal umbilical artery S/D ratio and abnormal MCA PI.Conclusions: Colour doppler flow velocimetry done repeatedly can predict adverse foetal events with a great degree of accuracy

Content-Split Block Search Algorithm Based High Efficiency Video Coding

690-693In this paper, the video streaming generation in H.265 using novel technique based on content split block (CSB) search algorithm is presented. The proposed algorithm exploits the Inter and Intra prediction through motion estimation and compensation (IPME) encoded to use four different QPs: 22, 27, 32, and 37, during the redundancy analysis in order to improve the quality of video frame encoded. The proposed algorithm exhibits the useful property of block structure based on content-tree representation for each and every frame to IPME coded without affecting either the bit rate of video stream and perceptual quality of the video frame. The proposed Search algorithm improves the visual quality of coded video frame and reduces the blocking artefacts of video frame passed through multi-stages of H.265

First and second trimester bleeding and pregnancy outcome: a prospective study in a tertiary government hospital

Background: Bleeding in first and second trimester of pregnancy is one of the common complications of pregnancy. there is evidence from various prospective and retrospective studies that first and second trimester vaginal bleeding which continue with pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, including preterm delivery, low birth weight babies, perinatal death and congenital anomalies. Objective of this study was to know the outcome of pregnancies who have bleeding in first and second trimester of pregnancy.Methods: This study was prospective study done in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Vanivilas Hospital, Bangalore from September 2018 to August 2019.Results: This study concludes that I trimester vaginal bleeding are at increased risk of abortion than in II trimester vaginal bleeding. Risk of placenta previa was more in II trimester vaginal bleeding than in I trimester vaginal bleeding.Conclusions: This study concludes that I trimester vaginal bleeding are at increased risk of abortion than in II trimester vaginal bleeding. Risk of placenta previa was more in II trimester vaginal bleeding than in I trimester vaginal bleeding. Bleeding in I trimester and II trimester call for special attention in view of increased risk of preterm birth and perinatal death. Recognition of these association will be useful for detection and follow up of pregnancies being at high risk

PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIOXIDANT AND IN-VITRO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF RUTA GRAVEOLENS L. LEAVES

Objective: The uses of medicinal herbs in prevention and treatment of numerous diseases attracting attention of scientists worldwide. It is necessary to bring vital healthcare to the people and the better substitute for various infectious diseases. Ruta graveolens is traditionally used as a medicinal plant as well as a flavoring agent in food. In the present study R. graveolens leaves extracts were evaluated for phytochemical and anti-inflammatory activity.Methods: The phytochemical, antioxidant (DPPH), ferrous reducing antioxidant property, Anti-lipid peroxidation and superoxide scavenging activity of extracts were assayed by spectrophotometerically. Anti-inflammatory activities; Human plural fluid phospholipase A2 (HPF-PLA2) inhibition by egg yolk plate method and lipoxigenase (LOX) inhibition were assayed by IN VITRO method.Results: The phenolics were significantly higher than the flavonoids, saponins and alkaloids contents in all the extracts. Among extracts of R. graveolens, ethanol and water extracts exhibits more phytochemicals. The ethanol extract had the highest antioxidant activity followed by the aqueous extract. The ethanol extract shows highest DPPH free radical scavenging, ferric reducing, superoxide scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activity and IC50 was 3.27±0.03, 3.58±0.05, 3.87±0.04 and 4.77±0.04 µg/µl respectively at dose-dependent manner. Further ethanol and water extracts were subjected for LOX inhibition in the concentration dependent manner and IC50 values are 4.25±0.05, 5.15±0.05 µg/µl for 5-LOX and 4.15±0.04, 4.66±0.05 µg/µl for 15-LOX respectively.Conclusion: The result shows R. graveolens has strong antioxidant property and anti-inflammatory activity. It suggests that the strong correlation between antioxidant activity and the phytochemical contents of the extracts.Keywords: HPF, Human Pleural Fluid, Anti-inflammatory, sPLA2, Secretory Phospholipase A2, HPF-PLA2, Human Pleural Fluid-PLA2. LOX Lipoxigenase, Lipid peroxidation, Anti-inflammation

Platelet count as a prognostic indicator in pregnancy induced hypertension

Background: Hypertensive disorders are most common medical complications of pregnancy, and are one of the major causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Thrombocytopenia complicating hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are responsible for approximately 20% of all cases of thrombocytopenia during pregnancy.Our study was done to assess the utility of platelet count as a prognostic indicator in pregnancy induced hypertension to recognize and manage early the complications arising and to have a better pregnancy outcome.Methods: This study includes 76 cases of pregnancy induced hypertension over a period of 18 months. Platelet estimation was done for all cases and patients with documented platelet count of less than 1,50,000/cumm was documented as thrombocytopenia.Results: Of the 76 cases of pregnancy induced hypertension, 32 (42.1%) were diagnosed with thrombocytopenia, and an increased incidence of maternal and fetal morbidity & mortality was observed.Conclusions: Our study and the results show that the assay of platelets can be considered as one of the prognostic tool in management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Abnormal uterine bleeding in relation to thyroid dysfunction

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding is an abnormal bleeding from the uterus in absence of any organic disease of genital tract and demonstrable extra genital causes. Thyroid dysfunction is marked by large number of menstrual abnormalities. This study is aimed at detecting thyroid dysfunction in patients with provisional diagnosis of AUB (abnormal uterine bleeding).and refer positive cases to physician for further management.Methods: All patients from are from puberty to pre-menopausal age groups, presenting as menoraghia, metrorragia, polymenorrhoea, polymenorragia, hypomenorrhoea, and acyclical bleeding. Onset, duration, amount of bleeding, complaints related to thyroid dysfunction was noted in detail. A thorough clinical examination including general physical examination, neck examination, systemic and gynecological examination was carried out, with special reference to thyroid dysfunction. A provisional clinical diagnosis of DUB was made. Patients with clinical signs and symptoms of thyroid disease were excluded. All these patients were subjected to routine investigations like Hb%, blood counts, urine routine, and bleeding and clotting time to rule out coagulation defects. Then all were subjected for serum T3, T4, and TSH estimation. Patients were then grouped into 4 categories: euthyroid, subclinical lhypothyroid, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid. Patients who had thyroid disease, on hormonal treatment, IUCD users, and bleeding disorders were excluded.Results: Among 100 patients studied with abnormal uterine bleeding, patients were distributed according to age groups from puberty to perimenopause age. Majority of patients belongs to 31-40 years of age about 40% and the least age group were between 41-45 years of age.(7%).Among different parity status AUB was more common among para three patients(26%). Out of 100 patients, 32% of patients had thyroid dysfunction of which 16% of patients had subclinical hypothyroidism. 15% of patients had hypothyroidism and only 2% of patients had hyperthyroidism. The commonest bleeding abnormality in AUB were polymenorrhoea (30%) and menorrhagia (35%). All hyperthyroid cases were oligomenorrhoeic.Conclusions: This study concludes that thyroid dysfunction should be considered as an important etiological factor for menstrual abnormality. The biochemical evaluation of T3, T4, and TSH estimations should be made mandatory in AUB cases to detect apparent and occult thyroid dysfunction

Association of Etonogestrel-Releasing Contraceptive Implant with Reduced Weight Gain in an Exclusively Breastfed Infant: Report and Literature Review

Background: Studies have not found that hormonal contraceptive implants adversely affect breastfeeding, but theoretical concerns exist