A socio-medical study of morphological changes in endocervix with the use of oral contraceptives

The present study was conducted among the oral contraceptive users to see any impact of their socialfactors on the morphological changes in the en- docervix. These changes were seen more prominantly in the advancing age, low socio-economic group multiparous and having their marital life more than 5 years period. The oral contraceptives were taken by 53.33 percent ofwomen for 7-18 months duration. The prevalence and severity of the mor­phological change increased significantly with the increase in duration 'of use of contraceptives. However no relationship was observed with the religion and nativity of the users as well as the types of oral contraceptives used. &nbsp

Perception of dental practitioners in and around Kanpur city towards forensic odontology: a cross sectional study

Background: In the present era, forensic odontology has expanded as one of the most remarkable and commendable branches of Forensic Sciences. Through forensic odontology, a dentist plays a very important role in crime investigation of any type. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge, percipience and practical perception of forensic odontology among the dental practitioners in and around Kanpur city.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from Jan-Mar 2019 among 207 dental practitioners in and around Kanpur city including 143 BDS and 64 MDS through a questionnaire proforma. The proforma consisted of 20 questions prepared on the topic of forensic Odontology and role of dentist in the field of forensic Odontology.Results: In this study, nearly 70% of dental practitioners were aware of the role of dentist in forensics, and around 60% of dental practitioners maintain dental records with recording of personal data and clinical findings being the most frequently used method. In the present study most of the dental practitioners were not aware of significance of chelioscopy (63%) and rugoscopy (66%) in field of forensic Odontology. Nearly 70% of dentist accepted the fact that their level of knowledge regarding forensic dentistry is inadequate and nearly 40% of them were not confident in giving any opinion regarding the same.Conclusions: This study shows that although there is an adequate awareness of role of dentist in forensic Odontology, but there is lack of good knowledge, confidence and practical approach of the dental practitioners towards forensic Odontology which may be due to lack of training, experience, exposure in field of forensics. Thus, the need of the hour lies in updating the knowledge and also developing interest of the dental practitioners regarding forensic Odontology

Assessment of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and potential biological efficacy of few Pinus species growing in Northern Himalayas

Environmental interventions and ecological adaptations harbor millions of valued substances and metabolites in plants which can be employed and commercialized for human benefits. Present study encompasses the untapped potential of pine needles of Indo-Himalayan region for the production of different metabolites and their pharmacological significance in terms of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid content from the needles of ten pine species was quantified using three different solvent systems. Results revealed that out of 10 different selected Pinus species, Pinus taeda L. showed the highest concentration of total phenolics, Soluble-F phenolics and flavonoids content (approx. 147.02 mg/g, 141.08 mg/g and 21.91 mg/g, respectively) as compared to other species. On the other hand, Pinus greggii Engelm. ex Parl. showed the highest Bound-W phenolic content (approx. 3.62 mg/g). Among all the selected plant species, the needles of Pinus echinata Mill. exhibited the highest and Pinus thunbergii Parl. had the lowest ratio of total flavonoids to total phenolics. Most of these compounds were found to have effective antioxidant activities as well as antimicrobial activity, as estimated by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and disk diffusion test, respectively

Novel cost-effective design for bio-volatilization studies in photosynthetic microalgae exposed to arsenic with emphasis on growth and glutathione modulation

A novel laboratory model was designed to study the arsenic (As) biotransformation potential of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis sp. and the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum. The Algae were treated under different concentrations of As(III) to check their growth, toxicity optimization, and volatilization potential. The results revealed that the alga Nannochloropsis sp. was better adopted in term of growth rate and biomass than C. vulgaris and A. doliolum. Algae grown under an As(III) environment can tolerate up to 200 μM As(III) with moderate toxicity impact. Further, the present study revealed the biotransformation capacity of the algae A. doliolum, Nannochloropsis sp., and Chlorella vulgaris. The microalga Nannochloropsis sp. volatilized a large maximum amount of As (4,393 ng), followed by C. vulgaris (4382.75 ng) and A. doliolum (2687.21 ng) after 21 days. The present study showed that As(III) stressed algae-conferred resistance and provided tolerance through high production of glutathione content and As-GSH chemistry inside cells. Thus, the biotransformation potential of algae may contribute to As reduction, biogeochemistry, and detoxification at a large scale

Major phenolic compounds, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of Selinum carvifolia (L.) collected from different altitudes in India

Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat to public health, raising the number of diseases in the community. Recent research has shown that plant-derived phenolic compounds have strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties against a variety of microorganisms and work as great antioxidants in such treatments. The goal of the current work is to evaluate the anticancerous, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity activities in the extracts of the different plant parts (leaves, stems, and roots) of S. carvifolia (L.) L. This is a medicinally important plant and has been used for different kinds of diseases and ailments such as hysteria and seizures. The phenolic compounds from the different plant parts were analyzed using HPLC and the following were found to be present: chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, rutin, syringic acid, vanillic acid, cinnamic acid, caffeic acid, and protocatechuic acid. Gallic acid was found to have the highest concentration (13.93 mg/g), while chlorogenic acid (0.25 mg/g) had the lowest. The maximum TPC value, which ranged from 33.79 to 57.95 mg GAE/g dry extract weight, was found in the stem. Root extract with 9.4 mg RE/g had the greatest TFC level. In the leaf and stem extracts, the RSC ranged from 0.747 mg/mL to 0.734 mg/1 mL GE/g dry extract weight, respectively. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to measure in vitro antioxidant activity. In a concentration-dependent way, promising antioxidant activity was reported. Moreover, 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) and the Folin–Ciocalteu phenol reagent technique were used to determine reducing sugar content and total phenolic content, respectively. Antibacterial activity against eight strains (MIC: 250–1,000 μg/mL) was analyzed, and the stem extract exhibited maximum activity. Antifungal activity was also assessed, and potent activity was reported especially in the extract obtained from the stem. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using an MTT assay in the A549 cell line, where different doses (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL) of leaf, root, and stem extracts were used. Treatment with these extracts reduced the cell viability, indicating that S. carvifolia may possess anticancer potential, which can be of great therapeutic value

Common variants in CLDN2 and MORC4 genes confer disease susceptibility in patients with chronic pancreatitis

A recent Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) identified association with variants in X-linked CLDN2 and MORC4 and PRSS1-PRSS2 loci with Chronic Pancreatitis (CP) in North American patients of European ancestry. We selected 9 variants from the reported GWAS and replicated the association with CP in Indian patients by genotyping 1807 unrelated Indians of Indo-European ethnicity, including 519 patients with CP and 1288 controls. The etiology of CP was idiopathic in 83.62% and alcoholic in 16.38% of 519 patients. Our study confirmed a significant association of 2 variants in CLDN2 gene (rs4409525—OR 1.71, P = 1.38 x 10-09; rs12008279—OR 1.56, P = 1.53 x 10-04) and 2 variants in MORC4 gene (rs12688220—OR 1.72, P = 9.20 x 10-09; rs6622126—OR 1.75, P = 4.04x10-05) in Indian patients with CP. We also found significant association at PRSS1-PRSS2 locus (OR 0.60; P = 9.92 x 10-06) and SAMD12-TNFRSF11B (OR 0.49, 95% CI [0.31–0.78], P = 0.0027). A variant in the gene MORC4 (rs12688220) showed significant interaction with alcohol (OR for homozygous and heterozygous risk allele -14.62 and 1.51 respectively, P = 0.0068) suggesting gene-environment interaction. A combined analysis of the genes CLDN2 and MORC4 based on an effective risk allele score revealed a higher percentage of individuals homozygous for the risk allele in CP cases with 5.09 fold enhanced risk in individuals with 7 or more effective risk alleles compared with individuals with 3 or less risk alleles (P = 1.88 x 10-14). Genetic variants in CLDN2 and MORC4 genes were associated with CP in Indian patients

Neurodevelopmental disorders in children aged 2-9 years: Population-based burden estimates across five regions in India.

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) compromise the development and attainment of full social and economic potential at individual, family, community, and country levels. Paucity of data on NDDs slows down policy and programmatic action in most developing countries despite perceived high burden. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We assessed 3,964 children (with almost equal number of boys and girls distributed in 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories) identified from five geographically diverse populations in India using cluster sampling technique (probability proportionate to population size). These were from the North-Central, i.e., Palwal (N = 998; all rural, 16.4% non-Hindu, 25.3% from scheduled caste/tribe [SC-ST] [these are considered underserved communities who are eligible for affirmative action]); North, i.e., Kangra (N = 997; 91.6% rural, 3.7% non-Hindu, 25.3% SC-ST); East, i.e., Dhenkanal (N = 981; 89.8% rural, 1.2% non-Hindu, 38.0% SC-ST); South, i.e., Hyderabad (N = 495; all urban, 25.7% non-Hindu, 27.3% SC-ST) and West, i.e., North Goa (N = 493; 68.0% rural, 11.4% non-Hindu, 18.5% SC-ST). All children were assessed for vision impairment (VI), epilepsy (Epi), neuromotor impairments including cerebral palsy (NMI-CP), hearing impairment (HI), speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and intellectual disability (ID). Furthermore, 6-9-year-old children were also assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders (LDs). We standardized sample characteristics as per Census of India 2011 to arrive at district level and all-sites-pooled estimates. Site-specific prevalence of any of seven NDDs in 2-<6 year olds ranged from 2.9% (95% CI 1.6-5.5) to 18.7% (95% CI 14.7-23.6), and for any of nine NDDs in the 6-9-year-old children, from 6.5% (95% CI 4.6-9.1) to 18.5% (95% CI 15.3-22.3). Two or more NDDs were present in 0.4% (95% CI 0.1-1.7) to 4.3% (95% CI 2.2-8.2) in the younger age category and 0.7% (95% CI 0.2-2.0) to 5.3% (95% CI 3.3-8.2) in the older age category. All-site-pooled estimates for NDDs were 9.2% (95% CI 7.5-11.2) and 13.6% (95% CI 11.3-16.2) in children of 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories, respectively, without significant difference according to gender, rural/urban residence, or religion; almost one-fifth of these children had more than one NDD. The pooled estimates for prevalence increased by up to three percentage points when these were adjusted for national rates of stunting or low birth weight (LBW). HI, ID, speech and language disorders, Epi, and LDs were the common NDDs across sites. Upon risk modelling, noninstitutional delivery, history of perinatal asphyxia, neonatal illness, postnatal neurological/brain infections, stunting, LBW/prematurity, and older age category (6-9 year) were significantly associated with NDDs. The study sample was underrepresentative of stunting and LBW and had a 15.6% refusal. These factors could be contributing to underestimation of the true NDD burden in our population. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies NDDs in children aged 2-9 years as a significant public health burden for India. HI was higher than and ASD prevalence comparable to the published global literature. Most risk factors of NDDs were modifiable and amenable to public health interventions

Rottboellia husainii P. Agnihotri & S. Tripathi 2021, sp. nov.

Rottboellia husainii P. Agnihotri & S. Tripathi sp. nov. (Fig.1–2, Table 1) Type:— INDIA. Jammu and Kashmir: Ramban, on the way to Nathatop, Rakh Jargoh, 33.096102N & 75.312527E, 2077 m, 17 July 2019, Shailja Tripathi, Shubham Jaiswal & Rekha Yadav 316339 (holotype LWG!, isotype LWG!). Diagnosis:— Differs from R. cochinchinensis by hairy leaf sheath margin (vs. glabrous), spikelets 5.5–6.5 mm long (vs. 3.5–5.0 mm long), pedicels 3.5–4.0 mm long (vs. 3.0– 3.5 mm long); glumes 5.5–6.0 mm long (vs. 4.5–5.0 mm long) and glumes bearing tuberculate spiny hairs on upper margin (vs. glabrous) and anthers 3.0– 3.5 mm long (vs. 2.0– 2.5 mm long). Description:— Annual herbs. Roots fibrous. Culms upto 100 cm high, slender, erect, glabrous; nodes 4–5, sparsely hairy, lower nodes frequently giving rise to roots. Leaf sheaths 5–10 cm long, terete, hairy. Leaf blades 15–30 × 0.8–1.0 cm, flat, linear-lanceolate, smooth on the adaxial surface, margins serrate, base truncate, apex acuminate; collar sparsely hairy. Ligules fringe of hairs. Inflorescence a spike like raceme, 10–20 cm long, emerging from upper leaf sheath, terete, hairy, peduncles thick exserted from spathe. Pedicels and rachis joints (internodes) cylindrical, joints 5.5–6.5 mm long, minutely ciliate. Sessile spikelets bisexual, 5.5–6.5 × 0.5–1.0 mm, lanceolate-ovate, sparsely hairy, without awns, callus pilose. Lower glume 5.5–6.0 × 1.0– 1.5 mm, lanceolate, chartaceous, glabrous or slightly pubescent on the upper margins, muticous, 7–9(–13)-nerved, margins curved inwards, apex obtuse. Upper glume 5.5– 6.0 × 1.0– 1.3 mm, lanceolate, membranous, muticous, margins curved inwards, apex acute. Lower lemma 5.0–5.5 × 1.0– 1.2 mm, lanceolate, coriaceous; palea not present; anthers 3, anthers 3.2–3.5 mm long, light brown. Upper lemma 4.5–5.0 × 1.0– 1.5 mm, coriaceous, glaucous, margins curved inwards; palea membranous, delicate, hyaline; anthers 3, 3– 3.5 mm long; pistil 2.3–2.5 mm long. Pedicels fused with the joints, 3.5–4.0 mm long. Pedicellate spikelet 5.5–6.0 × 0.5–1.0 mm long, staminate, similar to the sessile spikelets in indumentum, muticous. Lower glume 5.5–6.0 × 1.0– 1.5 mm, lanceolate, chartaceous, muticous, margins curved inwards, 7–9-nerved. Upper glume 5.5–6.0 × 1.0– 1.2 mm, lanceolate, membranous, apex acute; lower floret sterile. Lower lemma 3.0– 3.5 mm long, hyaline, 1-keeled, apex acute; palea hyaline, 1.5–2.0 mm long, apex acute. Upper lemma 3.0– 3.5 mm long, hyaline, muticous; palea not present; anthers 3.0– 3.5 mm long, golden-yellow. Flowering:—July–August Habitat and distribution:— Rottboellia husainii is so far known only from its type locality in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir (Fig. 3). Ramban, situated in the lap of Pir Panjal range along the river Chenab is a hilly and mountainous region with rugged topography, steep slopes, high ranges, deep valleys and gently sloping meadows. The lower fringes of this area are honey combed with human habitation under immense biotic pressure, as a result the region experiences pronounced effects of grazing and human pressure. To meet out the increasing demand of land for agriculture and settlement, encroachments have been in trend leading to habitat fragmentation. It has been observed that anthropogenic activities including urbanization and overgrazing by domestic animals influence the distribution of the new species as we could locate R. husainii in patchy areas. Etymology:— The specific epithet is named after Dr. Tariq Husain, former scientist, CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow to commemorate his contribution in the field of Angiosperm Taxonomy. Notes:— The species was found growing in association with Digitalis purpurea Linnaeus (1753: 621) and Phleum pratense Linnaeus (1753: 59) and was apparently different from other existing population. Occurrence of solitary spike like raceme, cylindrical pedicels and rachis internodes, paired and sunken spikelets, and muticous glumes, place the new species in Rottboellia. R. husainii is characterized by its hairy nodes, longer spikelets, hairy joints and longer pedicel, features that can distinguish the new species from its closely allied species R. cochinchinensis. R. husainii differs from R. goalparensis in possessing longer raceme, while it can be differentiated from R. clarkei and R. striata by having pedicels of the spikelet fused with joints (internodes) of the rachis. Additional specimens examined: — R. cochinchinensis: INDIA. Uttarakhand: Dehradun, Mothrowala, 28 October 1958, K.M.M. Dakshini 6280 (BSD!); Ranmagar, Mohaan road, 27 September 1969, S.V. Rao 39944 (BSD!); Sahiya, 14 September 2001, M.K. Kandwal 775 (BSD!).Published as part of Tripathi, Shailja, Jaiswal, Shubham, Prasad, Dileshwar, Yadav, Rekha, Saxena, Gauri & Agnihotri, Priyanka, 2021, Rottboellia husainii (Poaceae: Andropogoneae), a new grass species from Western Himalaya, India, pp. 98-104 in Phytotaxa 507 (1) on pages 99-102, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.507.1.5, http://zenodo.org/record/542553

Field performance of somaclones of rose scented geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L'Her Ex Ait.) for evaluation of their essential oil yield and composition

Several randomly selected glasshouse grown somaclones of rose scented geranium, Pelargonium graveolens L'Her Ex Ait. cv. Hemanti were successfully transferred to the field in Northern India for evaluation. Two distinct morphotypes were described on the basis of leaf dentation-one resembling the parental cultivar in having highly dentated leaves (HDL) and the other with less dentated leaves (LDL). After repeated field-testing for 3 consecutive years, the HDL clones closely resembled the parental cultivar with respect to the different quantity and quality determining traits, while the LDL group was clearly different. The field established LDL somaclones possessed higher herb yield, number of branches and other oil yield attributing traits as compared to the HDL clones and the parent cultivar. The chemical investigations of the essential oil revealed significant differences between the LDL clones, the HDL clones and the control. Selection of such somaclones, which are superior to the parental in most of the quantitative and qualitative traits and show better adaptability to different areas of cultivation, will help towards commercialization of geranium in India