EVALUATION OF IN VITRO IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF EULOPHIA NUDA LINDL

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro immunomodulatory activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of dried tubers of Eulophia nuda.Methods: Effect of both the extracts was evaluated at various concentrations (832–6.5 μg/ml) for secretion of mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, lysosomal enzyme, and myeloperoxidase activity of isolated murine peritoneal macrophages.Results: The extracts showed stimulation of NO, statistically significant at 832 μg/ml (SI 1.739) for ENA and at 832 μg/ml (stimulation index [SI] 1.662) for ENE; significant stimulation on lysosomal enzyme release for ENA at 832 μg/ml (SI 1.404) and ENE at 832 μg/ml (SI 1.513); myeloperoxidase activity was statistically significant for ENA at 832 μg/ml (SI 1.728) and ENE at 832 μg/ml (SI 1.770).Conclusion: In vitro phagocytic index showed significant results and thus proving the need for confirmation through in vivo studies

EVALUATION OF IN VIVO IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF EULOPHIA NUDA L.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo immunomodulatory activity of an aqueous and ethanolic extract of dried tubers of Eulophia nuda (ENA and ENE).Methods: Effect of both the extracts was evaluated on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, serum antibody response, and cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression in Swiss albino mice.Results: The extracts showed stimulation of DTH reaction in mice in response to T-cell dependent antigen by both ENE () and ENA (); significant increase in serum antibody titer at of ENA (768.01) and ENE (768.33) extract at 200 mg/kg, compared to control group (213.33); Combined treatment of ENA+Cytochromes P450 [CYP]-25 mg/kg and ENE+CYP-25mg/kg (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) doses of ENA and ENE each with 25 mg/kg resulted in restoration of bone marrow activity as compared with CYP treatment alone.Conclusion: Both specific and non-specific immunostimulating properties of the ENE and ENA tubers in in vivo experimental methods suggest its therapeutic usefulness in immunocompromised conditions

Modelling an off-grid integrated renewable energy system for rural electrification in India using photovoltaics and anaerobic digestion

This work describes the design optimisation and techno-economic analysis of an offgrid Integrated Renewable Energy System (IRES) designed to meet the electrical demand of a rural village location in West Bengal – India with an overall electrical requirement equivalent to 22 MWh year-1. The investigation involved the modelling of seven scenarios, each containing a different combination of electricity generation (anaerobic digestion with biogas combined heat and power (CHP) and photovoltaics) and storage elements (Vanadium redox batteries, water electrolyser and hydrogen storage with fuel cell). Microgrid modelling software HOMER was combined with additional modelling of anaerobic digestion, to scale each component in each scenario considering the systems' ability to give a good quality electricity supply to a rural community. The integrated system which contained all of the possible elements including except hydrogen production and storage presented the lowest capital ($US 71k) and energy cost ($US 0.289 kWh-1) compared to the scenarios with a single energy source. The biogas CHP was able to meet the electrical load peaks and variations and produced 61% of the total electricity in the optimised system, while the photovoltaics met the daytime load and allowed the charging of the battery which was subsequently used to meet base load at night

Antianaemic properties of Ayurvedic drugs, raktavardhak, punarnavasav and navayas louh in albino rats during phenylhydrazine induced haemolytic anaemia

253-257Single injection of phenylhydrazine[PH] reduced the number of RBC and haemoglobin content; decreased myeloid : erythroid cell ratio in bone marrow and increased Cathepsin D activity in spleen of rats. Ayurvedic drugs raktavardhak, punarnavasav and navayas louh recovered the number of RBC and haemoglobin content and raised myeloid: erythroid cell ratio and normalised cathepsin D activities by counteracting the action phenyl hydrazine. The results confirm the claims of ayurveda that these drugs possess the potency to cure anaemia through protection of RBCs from haemolysis and simultaneously lowering cathepsin D activities from the spleen

Optimization and Techno-Economic Analysis of PV-Wind Power Systems for Rural Location in India.

One downside to Green Energy is that it cannot be estimated. Therefore, determining the optimum planning and perfect working strategies for the resources to be included in the hybrid system is very important. HOMER software has been used in this research paper to solve the case study of the hybrid renewable energy system. Due to its extensive analytical capabilities and advanced prediction capabilities based on the sensitivity of variables, HOMER is one of the most used software for optimal planning purposes. A case study for the sizing of a renewable energy-based hybrid system is solved in this article, using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software. Photovoltaic panels (PV panels), wind turbines (WT), batteries, converters, electric charge and grid are used in case study. The results of the simulation are presented in graphical form and tabulated for better system visualization. The design of a system to supply 6.8 KWh/d whereas the peak is 1.04 KW electric loads has been performed using HOMER software. In order to allow the user to choose the most suitable option, a comparative analysis has made, showing the pros and cons of cases. Optimum construction conditions help to lower operating costs

Experimental Study on Effect of Water Spray Characteristics on Performance of Cooling Tower

Cooling tower is an indispensable part, used as a direct contact type heat exchanger mainly for evaporative cooling. Cooling tower generally dissipates, remove heat from thermal power plants. In an induced draft cooling tower of counter flow, used for a mini-steam power plant, hot water enters at the top, while the air is introduced at the bottom and exits at the top, air is allowed to come in contact with falling water droplets, causing evaporative cooling. A possibility of desired change with different spray angle, patterns, is tried and analysed. On findings, best suited spray nozzle angle resulted is 90°, and amongst three spray patterns, full cone, hollow cone and spiral type nozzle; full cone nozzle of 90° spray angle helps achieving efficiency up to 82%. The range increases successively from 9.8°C to 15.5°C for FC nozzle, in approach to WBT; the desirable fall of 3.56°C is attained with effectiveness of 81.63%

<span style="font-size: 21.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Hepatoprotective action of abhrak bhasma, an Ayurvedic drug in albino rats against hepatitis induced by CCl_{<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">4</span>}<span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></span>

1022-1027<span style="font-size: 15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">Abhrak bhasma is a commonly used ayurvedic drug against many diseases including hepatitis. It is tested in albino rats using a model of hepatitis induced by a single dose of CCl<span style="font-size:12.5pt;mso-bidi-font-size:5.5pt; font-family:" arial","sans-serif""="">4<span style="font-size:12.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size:5.5pt;font-family:" arial","sans-serif""=""> (3 ml/kg body wt). Different doses of abhrak bhasma (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg body wt) were tested to decide the dose related hepatoprotective efficacy. The centrolobular necrosis induced by single dose of CCl4 was reduced significantly by abhrak bhasma (10 mg) and liver histology was also protected by 20 mg dose. Liver acid lipase activity was lowered, while alkaline and lipoprotein lipase activities were elevated due to treatment of single dose of CCI<span style="font-size:13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:6.0pt; font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">4<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:6.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">. Abhrak bhasma counteracted the action of CCI<span style="font-size:13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:6.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">4 on liver lipolytic enzymes. CCl<span style="font-size:13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:6.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">4 did not alter the kidney histologically. Activities of three lipases of rat kidney (acid, alkaline and lipoprotein lipases) were reduced by CCI4 <span style="font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif""="">treatment and were reversed by administration of abhrak bhasma. Acid lipase activity of rat adipose tissue was reduced by CCI4 treatment. On the contrary alkaline, lipoprotein and hormone sensitive lipases were enhanced after 24 hr of administration of CCI4 . <span style="font-size:15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif""="">Acid lipase activity was raised by administration of different doses of abhrak bhasma concurrent with CCI4. Abhrak bhasma treatment along with CCI<span style="font-size:13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:6.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""="">4 enhanced alkaline lipase activity at 10 and 20 mg dose and later it was <span style="font-size: 15.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;font-family:" times="" new="" roman","serif""=""> reduced at 30 and 40 mg doses and came to normal levels. Lipoprotein and hormone sensitive lipases were reduced by the counteraction of increasing doses of abhrak bhasma. </span

PCCI-DI Combustion Simulation for Significant Reduction of NOX and PM for GENSET Engine

Improvements in engine combustion are required due to the stringent pollution norms. This can be achieved either by making improvements in the combustion or by equipping after-treatment devices to control engine emission levels. PCCI is one of the popular techniques used to enhance the combustion. In this work, Diesel-RK software is used for the simulation. The main and pre-injection timings are altered to give the benefits in power and emissions. Based on a literature survey, the fourth and fifth modes are finalized for PCCI combustion simulation. The amount of total fuel injected was kept the same to compare the performances in DI and PCCI modes. The simulation results show the reduction in soot (PM) and NOx simultaneously with the help of PCCI concept at lower BMEP levels. The results show a decrease in PM by up to 26%, a reduction in NOx by up to 30% and an increase in power by 2%. &nbsp