Performance of strawberry cultivars in mid hill region of Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh

The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of strawberry cultivars in mid hill region of Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh. For this purpose nine strawberry cultivars viz Addie, Belrubi, Brighton, Chandler, Dana, Etna, Fern, Pajaro and Selva were planted at spacing of 30 x 15 cm in double rows on raised beds of 1m × 3m size at Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Bajaura, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized block design. The maximum plant height (16.37cm) was recorded with cv. Belrubi and maximum plant spread was attained by cv. Fern (EW 23.27 cm and NS 21.03 cm), maximum leaf length (16.90 cm) was recorded by cv. Belrubi and minimum (10.00 cm) with cv. Dana. The maximum leaf area was recorded with Chandler (76.03 cm2). The maximum fruit weight (14.93gm), total soluble solids (12.00oB), reducing sugars (5.01%) and total sugars (5.44%) were recorded with cv. Chandler. The maximum fruit yield per plant was observed with cv. Belrubi (996.3g/plant) which was closely followed by cv. Chandler (966.7 g/plant). Thus from the above studies it is concluded that Strawberry cultivars Belrubi and Chandler were best for commercial cultivation in mid hill region of Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh

FORMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES OF DIMETHYL FUMARATE USING BOX-BEHNKEN DESIGN

Objective: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is a methyl ester of fumaric acid. It has been approved by USFDA recently for the treatment of an autoimmune disorder, multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of present study was to synthesize and optimize chitosan loaded nanoparticles of DMF by box-behnken design (BBD), to provide a better drug delivery system for the management and treatment of MS. Methods: Polyelectrolyte complex coacervation technique was used to prepare Chitosan (CS) loaded DMF nanoparticles and box behnken design using 3 factors and 3 levels were selected for optimization of the formulation. Effect of three independent factors that is, polymer CS concentration, polymer dextran sulfate (DS) concentration and the amount of drug were studied on two dependent responses that is particle size and % drug entrapment efficiency. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to evaluate the significant differences between the independent variables. Results: The optimized batch showed the highest % drug entrapment (65.36) and an average particle size (355 nm). Zeta potential value was optimum to maintain the stability of the formulation. In vitro drug release behavior followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model which showed the initial release of 21.7±1.3% with prolonged drug release of 69.5±0.8% from optimized CS nanoparticle up to 24 h. The % cumulative drug release (% CDR) of optimized nanoparticles was 84%. Conclusion: The optimized nanoparticles of DMF with improved properties could be a promising formulation for the treatment and management of MS

Evaluation of Geotechnical Properties of Local Clayey Soil Blended with Waste Materials

Nowadays, disposal of waste materials has become a matter of serious concern due to environmental and ecological issues. In this paper, an attempt is made to determine an optimum proportion mix suitable for geotechnical applications by blending the locally available clayey soil with sand, fly ash, tile waste and jute fibers. This optimum mix provides a cheaper construction material and helps in effective utilization of waste materials like fly ash and tile waste; thus solving the problem of disposal of waste materials to some extent. In this research, the percentage of waste materials added to the clayey soil to make the optimum mix is obtained on the basis of compaction characteristics and the optimum mix is further checked for strength and permeability characteristics. The basic idea behind this study is to explore the collective benefit of the material properties of waste materials when used in a composite form. It can be revealed from this study that mixing of waste materials brings out significant improvement in geotechnical properties of locally available clayey soil. From economic analysis, it can be concluded that the optimum mix obtained in this study yields an improved and cheaper construction material for the construction of flexible pavement

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTROLLED RELEASE FAMOTIDINE MATRIX TABLETS CONTAINING COMPLEXES

Objective: The aim of the present study was to formulate the controlled release (CR) tablets of famotidine-cyclodextrin complexes to make the feasibility of complex in CR tablets and to access the kinetic of drug release mechanismMethods: In this work the solubility study of famotidine was performed in various solvents like 0.1 N HCl, phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and distilled water. Enhancement of the solubility and dissolution rate of famotidine was done by complexation with cyclodextrin before formulation into controlled release tablets. Tablets were prepared in different batches by using different concentration of HPMC K15M (hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose) and EC (ethyl cellulose) polymers and polymer blend. All batches were evaluated for pre-compression and post-compression parameters. Release kinetics was analyzed using zero order, first order, higuchi, peppas and hixon-crowell model.Results: All the formulation showed compliance with Pharmacopoeial standards. Release studies indicated that polymer blend (62%HPMCK15M and 38%EC) based matrix tablets with complexed drug was able to control the release of famotidine up to 12 h. Optimized formulation F13 containing complexed drug with same polymer blend showed zero order release and the release mechanism was predominant matrix swelling with erosion.Conclusion: Results of the present study demonstrated that the drug: β-cyclodextrin complex would be a suitable candidate for preparing controlled release tablets of famotidine to improve drug solubility, flow properties and compressibility. Thus the complex used in matrix tablet is a promising approach to achieve appropriate controlled release dosage

Adenoviral Vector-Based Vaccines and Gene Therapies: Current Status and Future Prospects

Adenoviruses are one of the most genetically diverse DNA viruses and cause non-life-threatening infections in the ocular, respiratory, or gastrointestinal epithelium of a diverse range of hosts. Adenoviruses are excellent vectors for delivering genes or vaccine antigens to the target host tissues and are being tested in several vaccine and gene therapy studies. Adenovirus-based vectors offer several advantages over other viral vectors such as broad range of tissue tropism, well-characterized genome, ease of genetic manipulation including acceptance of large transgene DNA insertions, inherent adjuvant properties, ability to induce robust transgene-specific T cell and antibody responses, non-replicative nature in host, and ease of production at large scale. However, several studies have highlighted major drawbacks to using adenovirus as vaccine and gene therapy vectors. These include pre-existing immunity in humans, inflammatory responses, sequestering of the vector to liver and spleen, and immunodominance of the vector genes over transgenes. In the same vein, recently discovered protein sequence homology and heterologous immunity between adenoviruses and hepatitis C virus have significant implications in the use of adenoviral vectors for vaccine development, especially for hepatitis C virus. This chapter focuses on the current scope and challenges in using adenoviral vector-based vaccines and gene therapies

Prediction of Sub-cellular Localization of Scramblase Protein Family

In the present work, we discuss an anaysis about the localization of different members of scramblase protein family. Different scramblase sequences were picked up from organisms of all eukaryotic phyla and their localization were predicted using the P-SORT programme. Our analysis showed that the scramblase protein family shows multiple subcellular localization. Most proteins were found to be localized to the cytoplasm, where as others were found to be present in the nucleus or mitochondria. Interestingly, we found that in yeast, all putative scramblases were localized in the nucleus with a reliability of more than 95%. Our analysis shows that scramblases are a family of protein having diversed cellular localization and hence hypothesized to be performing multiple cellular functions in various organism

Concept of Shukra Dhatu and Stree Shukra - A Review

Ayurveda has described three basic functional elements of human body, viz., Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. Human body is made up of seven Dhatus (Seven categories of tissue), viz., Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja & Shukra. Shukra is 7th Dhatu. It is present in whole body. It becomes active after the age of sixteen years, even though it is present from birth. Concept of Stree-Shukra discussed in classics because Acharya Sushruta has mentioned that when sexual activities happen in two sexually excited women, they secrete Shukra within each other, due to which there is formation of foetus without bones. Acharya Vagbhatta has clarified that even though woman secrete Shukra during coitus, it is useless for fertilization. All Dhatus have their definite sites in the body; they are present in every cell in subtle form. Every cell retains capacity to divide or reproduce itself. Thus, one must interpret the Garbhotpadana (reproduction) function of Shukra Dhatu. In future, it may be possible that with the development of the facts; we will discover any content in the cell which possesses definite role in cell division. Sperms as well as spermatic fluid and male sex hormones are also one part of Shukra, parallel to which females retain Artava

The association of sleep problem, dietary habits and physical activity with weight status of adolescents in Nepal.

Overweight/obesity among adolescents is an emerging public health issue worldwide. However, the evidence on the determinants of body weight status and lifestyle behaviors among Nepalese adolescents is limited. This study aims to explore the sleep characteristics, dietary habits, and physical activity and its association with body mass index (BMI) among Nepalese adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2019 among 627 randomly selected adolescents from eight schools located in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal. A self-administrated structure questionnaire was used to collect the data. Anthropometric measurements (adolescent's BMI), sleep characteristics, dietary habits, and physical activity were assessed using validated tools. Multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed the association between covariates and BMI categories. The statistical significance was considered at p-value < 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The overall prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity among adolescents was 9.1% (95% CI: 7.1-11.6) and 23.7% (95% CI: 20.6-27.7) respectively. In multinomial logistic regression, adolescents who reported sleep problem compared to those with no such problem (Relative risk ratio (RRR) = 13.37, 95% CI: 7.14-25.05), adolescents who had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms (RRR = 3.21, 95% CI:1.31-7.86), who consumed soft drink ≥1 time/day in past 1 months (RRR = 5.44, 95% CI: 2.93-10.10), consumed high-fat dietary ≥2 times/day (RRR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.18-3.99), and had a habit of junk food consumptions (RRR = 5.71, 95% CI:2.55-12.82), adolescents who had 5-6 h/day sedentary behavior (RRR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.14-9.09), adolescents from Terai/Madhesi castes (RRR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.19-6.64) and adolescents whose father was employed (RRR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.04-3.98) were at increased risk of being overweight/obesity. In contrast, adolescents aged 14-16 years had 71% lower (RRR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.16-0.52), and adolescents who consumed less than five food groups had 45% lower (RRR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.31-0.97) risk of being overweight/obesity compared to 12-14 years age groups and consumed more than five food groups respectively. The findings of this study warrant immediate interventions to improve the lifestyle to reduce overweight/obesity among Nepalese adolescents. Creating a conducive environment, both at school and home is essential to encourage adolescents for the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors