IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND RADICAL SCAVENGING ABILITIES OF AQUEOUS METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF CASSIA OBTUSA L. PLANT PARTS (CAESALPINIACEAE)

Objective: The present study was carried out to examine the in vitro antioxidant activity of the aqueous methanolic extracts of Cassia obtusa plant parts.Methods: The activity was assessed using various in vitro assay models viz., ferric reducing antioxidant power, DPPH•, OH•, O2-, ABTS•+ scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibiting activities. The results were substantiated with well known natural as well as synthetic antioxidants.Results: Among the samples analyzed, C. obtusa leaf extracts determined (P<0.05) effective antioxidant power in terms of all the assays tested.Conclusion: Based on these findings, C. obtusa leaf can be considered as a potent source of nutraceutical contributor which could offer protection and ameliorate oxidative stress-induced physiological malfunctions

PHYSIOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND BIOVALUATION OF TiO2 NANOCRYSTALS SYNTHESIZED BY CHEMICAL AND GREEN ROUTE

Objectives: In this present work, we have compared titanium dioxide nanocrystals synthesized by both chemical method and biological method from Titanium tetra isopropoxide as precursor. The biological method was performed by using the aqueous root extract of Desmodium gangeticum and further they were characterized and checked for their biological activities. Methods: The TiO2 nanocrystals were characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometer for its maximum SPR peak, X-ray diffractometry for its crystalline size and shape, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for functional entity identification and Zeta potential for its colloidal stability. Antioxidant assay and antimicrobial test were performed to evaluate its biological behaviour. Results: The nanocrystals synthesized by biological method were found to have higher antioxidant potential, antimicrobial activity and phenolic content than the chemically synthesized ones. Evaluation of toxicity in cell line LLC-PK1 suggests that TiO2nanocrystals synthesized by green route is less toxic. Conclusion: Green synthesized TiO2 nanocrystals were seen to have less toxicity than the chemical method in showing their biocompatibility nature which can be applied in the field of medical science

Development of decadal (1985–1995–2005) land use and land cover database for India

India has experienced significant Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LULCC) over the past few decades. In this context, careful observation and mapping of LULCC using satellite data of high to medium spatial resolution is crucial for understanding the long-term usage patterns of natural resources and facilitating sustainable management to plan, monitor and evaluate development. The present study utilizes the satellite images to generate national level LULC maps at decadal intervals for 1985, 1995 and 2005 using onscreen visual interpretation techniques with minimum mapping unit of 2.5 hectares. These maps follow the classification scheme of the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP) to ensure compatibility with other global/regional LULC datasets for comparison and integration. Our LULC maps with more than 90% overall accuracy highlight the changes prominent at regional level, i.e., loss of forest cover in central and northeast India, increase of cropland area in Western India, growth of peri-urban area, and relative increase in plantations. We also found spatial correlation between the cropping area and precipitation, which in turn confirms the monsoon dependent agriculture system in the country. On comparison with the existing global LULC products (GlobCover and MODIS), it can be concluded that our dataset has captured the maximum cumulative patch diversity frequency indicating the detailed representation that can be attributed to the on-screen visual interpretation technique. Comparisons with global LULC products (GlobCover and MODIS) show that our dataset captures maximum landscape diversity, which is partly attributable to the on-screen visual interpretation techniques. We advocate the utility of this database for national and regional studies on land dynamics and climate change research. The database would be updated to 2015 as a continuing effort of this study

Leptin gene polymorphism in association with lactation milk yield in Murrah buffaloes

PCR amplification of exon-2 of leptin gene yielded an amplified product of 210 bp in Murrah buffaloes. RFLP of leptin gene done with Aci1 restriction enzyme revealed 3 types of genotypes CC, TC and TT in Murrah buffaloes of NDRI herd with a frequency of 0.26 , 0.73 and 0.013% respectively. Results suggested that CC genotype of leptin gene in Murrah buffaloes is significantly associated with 305 days milk yield. Overall study suggested the scope of considering genetic information of leptin gene in breeding and management strategies for the improvement of Murrah buffaloes of NDRI herd

Activating the knowledge-to-action cycle for geriatric care in India

Despite a rapidly aging population, geriatrics - the branch of medicine that focuses on healthcare of the elderly - is relatively new in India, with many practicing physicians having little knowledge of the clinical and functional implications of aging. Negative attitudes and limited awareness, knowledge or acceptance of geriatrics as a legitimate discipline contribute to inaccessible and poor quality care for India's old. The aim of this paper is to argue that knowledge translation is a potentially effective tool for engaging Indian healthcare providers in the delivery of high quality geriatric care. The paper describes India's context, including demographics, challenges and current policies, summarizes evidence on provider behaviour change, and integrates the two in order to propose an action plan for promoting improvements in geriatric care

Signs and symptoms in children with a serious infection: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of serious infections in children is difficult in general practice, as incidence is low, patients present themselves at an early stage of the disease and diagnostic tools are limited to signs and symptoms from observation, clinical history and physical examination. Little is known which signs and symptoms are important in general practice. With this qualitative study, we aimed to identify possible new important diagnostic variables. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with parents and physicians of children with a serious infection. We investigated all signs and symptoms that were related to or preceded the diagnosis. The analysis was done according to the grounded theory approach. Participants were recruited in general practice and at the hospital. RESULTS: 18 children who were hospitalised because of a serious infection were included. On average, parents and paediatricians were interviewed 3 days after admittance of the child to hospital, general practitioners between 5 and 8 days after the initial contact. The most prominent diagnostic signs in seriously ill children were changed behaviour, crying characteristics and the parents' opinion. Children either behaved drowsy or irritable and cried differently, either moaning or an inconsolable, loud crying. The parents found this illness different from previous illnesses, because of the seriousness or duration of the symptoms, or the occurrence of a critical incident. Classical signs, like high fever, petechiae or abnormalities at auscultation were helpful for the diagnosis when they were present, but not helpful when they were absent. CONCLUSION: behavioural signs and symptoms were very prominent in children with a serious infection. They will be further assessed for diagnostic accuracy in a subsequent, quantitative diagnostic study

Biological preservation of foods–Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria

446-454Lactic acid bacteria and their antimicrobial metabolites have potential as natural preservatives to control the growth of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in foods. To date, nisin is the only bacteriocin that has found practical applications in some industrially processed foods. Its antibacterial activity and possible use as a biopreservative has been studied in a large number of food systems. Its application for the control of some pathogens and food spoilage organisms has been approved in a number of countries. Limited studies have shown that pediocins from several Pediococcus strains can also be used effectively in food systems to control Listeria monocytogenes. This review discusses the potential of lactic acid bacteria and their principal antimicrobial peptides, bacteriocins in biological preservation of foods. It is anticipated that the advances in bacteriocins research and combination treatments for food preservation will benefit both the consumer and the producer