Thin layer chromatographic separation of lipids

A chromatographic separation in general is a technique in which a mobile phase while passing over a stationary phase transports different substances with different velocities in the direction of flow. In the case of thin layer chromatography the stationary phase (an adsorbent such as silica gel, silicic acid or cellulose) is placed on a glass support. A processed sample is spotted onto the stationary phase and then placed into a chromatographic chamber containing a relevant solvent system (mobile phase). As the solvent rises through the adsorbent by absorption and capillary action, it tends to resolve the components of the sample. Electrostatic forces of the stationary phase act to retard the component in the sample as the mobile phase rises. This and the fact that the components have different solubilities in the mobile phase cause the individual components to move at different rates below the solvent front (Stahl, 1958)

A study on peripheral neuropathy in HIV infected patients: clinicoepidemiological and electrophysiological profile

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is one among the commonest HIV-associated neurologic complications. The spectrum and the frequency of this complication are changing due to the introduction of new antiretroviral drugs, aging of the HIV-infected people, etc. Hence there is need for a better understanding of these complications and their pathogenesis. This study was done with the aim of finding out the risk factors, clinical characteristics and various types and patterns of peripheral neuropathy in HIV infected patients of our region.Methods: This study was a cross sectional study conducted for about a period of one year. Patients attending the out patient department of anti retroviral therapy (ART) centre were taken for the study. Selected patients were analysed for the signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and they underwent electrophysiological study.Results: Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in HIV infected patients in our study population was 43.3%. Peripheral neuropathy was seen more in patients with advanced clinical stage and increasing age. Distal symmetric polyneuropathy was the commonest type. Common pathological pattern of neuropathy was mixed (both axonal and demyelination) neuropathy.Conclusions: As peripheral neuropathy is a common HIV-associated neurologic complication, large number of studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms leading to peripheral neuropathy in HIV infected patients, which in turn will allow for the development of effective therapies that provide adequate symptomatic relief and halt or reverse the damage to the nerves

Family Relationships in Vannadhasan's Short Stories

For a long time, Tamil literature has been describing about people's lives. Literature is the expression of the people's thoughts and feelings by the people for the people. Life is not a meaningless story of just about eating and dying. Life is a rare opportunity to showcase our amazing potential and it is a chance to know ourselves. A man is afraid to be alone because he knows that loneliness is terrible and gives pain. Human beings form relationships because they know the pain of isolation and alienation. That is why he maintains a good relationship with others, falls in love and gets married. Woman is woven for man, man for woman. Vannadhasan in his short story expresses how women love their husbands and worship him as a deity, about men who seek another woman instead, doubts in family relationships, the wives who bear the mistakes of men and run the family for their children, and about the daughter-in-law and who gives love and warmth. The purpose of this article is to enrich the lives of the people of this world

Statistical optimization of culture medium for yellow pigment production by Thermomyces sp.

In present study, Thermomyces sp. were able to produce high yield of yellow pigments screened. Pigment production by Thermomyces sp was optimized by employing factorial design and response surface techniques in submerged fermentation. The variables evaluated were the concentrations of, sucrose, yeast extract, ammonium sulphate, magnesium sulphate and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate having as response pigment production. One factor at-a-time method was employed for the optimization of media components. Response surface methodology (RSM) optimized these nutrient parameters for maximum yellow pigment production (1387 OD units), which resulted at 35.5 g/L sucrose 5.5 g/L yeast extract, 2.5 g/L NH4SO4, 0.3 g/L MgSO4 and 1.0 g/L K2HPO4 in the medium. Response surface methodology (RSM) was further used to determine the optimum values of process variables for maximum yellow pigment production. The fit of the quadratic model was found to be significant. A significant increase in yellow pigment production was achieved using RSM

Optimization of fermentation conditions for producing Indian rock bee (Apis dorsata) mead using response surface methodology

Mead is a traditional drink which results from the alcoholic fermentation of diluted honey carried out by yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae KF233529). The present investigation was carried out for the optimization of fermentation parameters for maximizing the yield of ethanol. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based central composite design was employed to obtain best combination of temperature, fermentation time and total soluble solids (TSS). The optimum conditions for ethanol yield were temperature 28°C, TSS 15°Brix and 6 days after fermentation. The model showed that the value of R2 (0.9998) was high and p- value of interaction of variance was <0.0001. Hence the model can be said to be of highly significant

Tree leaf meal from fodder trees in silvipasture and their potential to support growth in young ruminants

The study was conducted with the aim of utilizing leaf meal prepared from Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium trees from silvipasture model of agroforestry as alternate feeding strategy on partial replacement of feed ingredients in compound feeds of goat kids and buffalo calves. The edible leaf biomass from Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium was 9.20 and 18.54 MT/ha/year respectively and their respective crude protein content was 14.81 and 17.66 per cent. Two feeding trials were conducted with Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium leaf meal mix (1:1 ratio) incorporated in concentrate feed for goat kids and buffalo calves at 30 per cent inclusion. The average daily gain of goat kids and buffalo calves fed tree leaf meal incorporated concentrate feed was comparable to daily gain of kids / calves fed conventional concentrate feed in 90 days feeding trial. It was concluded that tree leaf meal (Leuceana leucocephala / Gliricidia sepium - 1:1) can be included up to 30% level in concentrate feed of goat kids and buffalo calves without any change in the growth rate but reducing feed cost

A case of elephantiasis neuromatosa

Elephantiasis neuromatosa (EN) is a rare and unique complication of plexiform neurofibroma, a type of neurofibromatosis type 1, and manifests as hypertrophy of an extremity (either lower limb or upper limb). EN can be seen in individuals of any age group including children and young adults where males and females are affected equally. Diagnosis is done primarily by magnetic resonance imaging of the affected region along with a history and clinical examination. EN may lead to severe functional impairment of the involved limb with cosmetic disfigurement. Treatment is mainly surgical with less satisfactory results. Here, we present a 6-year-old child with EN