Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and steroids: benefit or harm

Background: Corticosteroids are being widely used in conditions related to allergy and inflammation. There are great species differences in the responses to glucocorticoids that mean a “steroid resistant” species. Steroids have profound effect on inflammatory response by way of vasoconstriction, decreased chemotaxis and interference with macrophages. There still are enormous gaps in our knowledge of the action of glucocorticosteroids in patients of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).Methods: This study was done in the department of general medicine at SKIMS, Srinagar from December 2017 to December 2018 on patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A total number of 100 patients were enrolled for the study but 20 patients, 10 from each group lost their follow up. To see the effect of steroids on pulmonary function tests, patients were divided into case and control group. Patients in case group were given prednisolone 30 mg orally for two week (tapering dose). Patients in control group were given placebo for the same duration of two weeks. Steroid response was defined as 15% improvement in baseline forced expiratory volume (FEV).Results: Steroid response was defined as 15% increase in forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) after receiving tapering dose of prednisone 30 mg for 2 weeks, no patients in case group showed increase in FEV1/FVC of 15%. The change in pulmonary function tests was comparable in each group (p>0.5).Conclusions: The change in pulmonary function tests were comparable in each group (p>0.5). So, steroids in stable patients of COPD are best to be avoided

Comparative bioelectricity generation from waste citrus fruit using a galvanic cell, fuel cell and microbial fuel cell

This article demonstrates the new approaches for the generation of bioelectricity from waste citrus fruit using direct a galvanic cell (DGC), an indirect galvanic cell (IDGC), a conventional fuel cell (CFC) and a microbial fuel cell (MFC). The citrus fruit was used as whole for the preparation of DGC and their juices for the preparation of IDGC, CFC and MFC. The performance and bioelectrical parameters obtained were compared. The voltage found to be increased by increasing the number of cells in a series while, the current remains constant. Whereas the voltage remains constant and the current found to be increased with increasing the number of cells in parallel sequence. The power output of three units of citrus fruit connected together in a series found to be sufficient to turn on the LED light bulb in all cases. The result showed that lemons have the maximum power output by the DGC and MFC method, whereas grapefruit showed the maximum power output by IDGC, and thus considered as the best citrus fruit. Addition of NaCl solution in DGC and IDGC slightly increased the values of power output. The power output of citrus fruit was also determined by CFC and MFC before and after the inoculation of Escherichia coli. The detailed microscopic analysis of all the samples was carried out. It is found that all MFCs have higher power output as compared to their counterpart CFCs. However, maximum power output was displayed by DGCs. Moreover, a lemon fuel cell has the higher power output as compared to the fuel cells of other citrus fruit. This approach can be used to overcome the disadvantages of many non-renewable and conventional sources of energy including burning of fossil fuels to mitigate the major source of global warming and pollution by using such biodegradable and renewable sources

Comparative bioelectricity generation from waste citrus fruit using a galvanic cell, fuel cell and microbial fuel cell

This article demonstrates the new approaches for the generation of bioelectricity from waste citrus fruit using direct a galvanic cell (DGC), an indirect galvanic cell (IDGC), a conventional fuel cell (CFC) and a microbial fuel cell (MFC). The citrus fruit was used as whole for the preparation of DGC and their juices for the preparation of IDGC, CFC and MFC. The performance and bioelectrical parameters obtained were compared. The voltage found to be increased by increasing the number of cells in a series while, the current remains constant. Whereas the voltage remains constant and the current found to be increased with increasing the number of cells in parallel sequence. The power output of three units of citrus fruit connected together in a series found to be sufficient to turn on the LED light bulb in all cases. The result showed that lemons have the maximum power output by the DGC and MFC method, whereas grapefruit showed the maximum power output by IDGC, and thus considered as the best citrus fruit. Addition of NaCl solution in DGC and IDGC slightly increased the values of power output. The power output of citrus fruit was also determined by CFC and MFC before and after the inoculation of Escherichia coli. The detailed microscopic analysis of all the samples was carried out. It is found that all MFCs have higher power output as compared to their counterpart CFCs. However, maximum power output was displayed by DGCs. Moreover, a lemon fuel cell has the higher power output as compared to the fuel cells of other citrus fruit. This approach can be used to overcome the disadvantages of many non-renewable and conventional sources of energy including burning of fossil fuels to mitigate the major source of global warming and pollution by using such biodegradable and renewable sources

Comparative In vitro study of antimicrobial activities of flower and whole plant of Jasminum officinale against some human pathogenic microbes

Jasminum officinale Linn. (Chameli / Yasmine; Oleaceae), is native to temperate region and cultivated in France, Italy, China, India and Pakistan. Plant is documented to possess beneficial effect in impotence, menstrual disorder, mental depression, analgesic, antispasmodic galactogogue, antiseptic and skin disease etc,. Although, previous studies have documented the antimicrobial study of this plant, while, this work is designated to evaluate and compare the specific antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts (methanol, DCM) of the flowers and whole plant (leaves, barks and roots), in order to know the best extract and plant part having the beneficial activity against specific microorganisms. In-vitro, antimicrobial tests were performed by adopting disc diffusion method against pathogenic bacteria species of both G +ve strains, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, G -ve strains, i.e., Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae and two species of fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger), on nutrient agar and sabouraud dextrose agar respectively, to analyze the percentage zone of inhibition at the concentration range of 100 mg/ml of the extract by comparing with various standard antibiotic discs (10 ?g/disc). Whole plant extract (methanol) showed significant antimicrobial activity with relative percentage of inhibition of 83.60 (G +ve), 70.25 (G-ve) and 61.15 (fungi) while flowers extract (methanol) showed 64.30, 51.88 and 51.97 relative percentage of inhibition against G +ve, G -ve and fungi respectively. Whereas, DCM extract of flowers and whole plant showed the moderate antimicrobial activity as compared with methanolic extract of flowers and whole plant respectively. Modified agar well diffusion method was adopted to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration. From the present study, it can be inferred that the antimicrobial activity varies from part to part of plant and solvent used, so whole plant extract can be further investigated to discover antibacterial agent for developing new pharmaceuticals to control studied human pathogenic bacteria for the severe illness. Keywords: Jasminum officinale, Methanol Extract, Dichloromethane Extract, Antimicrobial Activity, Disc Diffusion Method, Minimum Inhibitory Concentratio

Impact Of Job Status And Demographic Trends On Quality Education: A Case Study Of Private Universities In Pakistan

The major purpose of this paper was to examine the quality of various aspects of higher education in the private sector of Pakistan by adopting a descriptive method of research. The population of the study constituted 270 administrators, 6,180 teachers and 61,108 students in existing 54 private universities and degree-awarding institutions of Pakistan. The method of cluster sampling was used to select the study sample of 840 people, which was carried out in two stages. In the first stage, 12 clusters of universities were randomly chosen out of the total population of private universities. In the second stage, 60 administrators, 180 teachers and 600 students were selected through a random sampling procedure with five administrators, 15 teachers and 50 students from each selected cluster. Three questionnaires, developed and refined through pre-testing, were used as measuring instruments to collect data. The researcher personally visited each university and collected data from the sample. The collected data was tabulated, analyzed and interpreted by using ANOVA and t test techniques

Shale wettability characteristics via air/brines and air/oil contact angles and influence of controlling factors: A case study of Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

Wettability is the fundamental parameter that influences the productivity of hydrocarbon reservoirs. The knowledge of this regarding shale formation is yet inadequate; thus, detailed analysis is essential for successful development of such reservoirs. The Early Cretaceous Sembar formations in the Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan, is considered as the key target for energy exploration; however, it exhibits large uncertainties due to the lack of data availability. Sembar shales hold significant hydrocarbon volumes rich in organic content; however, prior to this, no comprehensive research has been conducted to quantify the wetting behavior of these shales. Thus, precise information about the wetting behavior of Sembar shale formations is essential, as it is influenced by many factors. Therefore, in this study, we examined the wettability of Sembar shale samples by performing a suit of contact angle (CA) measurements. The CA measurements on shale samples were performed using different salt types (NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, and Reef Salt) and concentrations of 0.1 M and 0.5 M under ambient pressures and varying temperatures (25 - 50 °C). The CA was measured via air-brine and air-oil under prevailing pressure and temperature conditions. Subsequently, the sample morphology and surface topography were examined via field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The mineral compositions were obtained via X-ray diffraction studies. The results clearly show that the Sembar shale possesses a mixed wetting behavior. Under dry surfaces, they have large affinity to oil and deionized water in which the droplet spreads quickly on the sample surfaces. Conversely, the samples aged with n-decane and NaCl brines exhibited higher CAs than the untreated samples. Additionally, the CA measured by changing temperatures led to an increase for all brine droplets; the CA further increased as the concentrations of salts increased from 0.1 to 0.5 M. We then discussed the possible reasons for the discrepancy in CA values due to temperature changes and brine concentrations. Moreover, the CA was measured corresponding to the surface roughness from which it appears that it merely affects the wettability of these shale samples. However, the present study results lead to an improved understanding of the wettability of Sembar shale of the Lower Indus Basin in Pakistan

An investigation of the antimicrobial activity of the aqueous, dichloromethane, ethanol and methanol extract of the seeds and whole plant of Ipomoea nil

Ipomoea nil (Linn) Roth, (morning glory / kaladanah; Convolvulaceae), is frequently grown in gardens and lawns for its ornamental flowers and often runs wild in hedges and wastelands. Plant is documented to possess beneficial effect in erectile dysfunction, impotence and also have antispasmodic, bronchodilator, blood purifier, diuretics, astringent, anti-inflammatory and hepato-protective etc. In this study, disc diffusion method was adopted to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and organic (DCM, ethanol, methanol) extracts of the seeds and whole plant (leaves, flower and bark) of Ipomoea nil, in order to know the best extract and plant part having the beneficial activity against pathogenic bacteria species of both G +ve strains, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, G -ve strains, i.e., Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae and two species of fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger). Methanolic and ethanolic extract of the seeds of the Ipomoea nil showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (G +ve) having the relative percentage of inhibition of 89.88 % and 85.67 % respectively, while methanolic extract of the whole plant also have relative percentage of inhibition of 83.96%, whereas ethanolic extract of the whole plant have good antibacterial activity. Aqueous and DCM extract of seeds and whole plant showed weak inhibitory response. Modified agar well diffusion method was adopted to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and MIC values for G +ve, lies within the range of 30 to 60 ?g /ml (seeds), 60 to 90 ?g /ml (whole plant) and for the Gram –ve, it lies within the range of 90 to 250 ?g /ml (seeds), 180 to 500 ?g /ml (whole plant)  and for the fungi, it varies from 500  to 2000 ?g /ml. Present study clearly indicate that the antimicrobial activity varies from part to part and the plant material used and it also indicate that the methanolic extract of Ipomoea nil is a potentially good candidate for the therapy of antibacterial-resistant bacteria and would therefore require further study

Fatality of salt stress to plants: Morphological, physiological and biochemical aspects

Soil salinity affects various physiological and biochemical processes which result in reduced biomass production. This adverse effect of salt stress appears on whole plant level at almost all growth stages including germination, seedling, vegetative and maturity stages. However, tolerance to salt stress at different plant developmental stages varies from species to species. The plant response to salt stress consists of numerous processes that must function in coordination to alleviate both cellular hyperosmolarity and ion disequilibrium. Salt tolerance and yield stability are complex genetic traits that are difficult to establish in crops since salt stress may occur as a catastrophic episode, be imposed continuously or intermittently and become gradually more severe at any stage during development. The objective of this review is to summarize the morphological, physiological and biochemical aspects of plants under salt stress. It was then concluded that salt stress affects plant physiology at whole plant as well as cellular levels through osmotic and ionic adjustments that result in reduced biomass production. This adverse effect of salt stress appears on whole plant level at almost all growth stages including germination, seedling, vegetative and maturity stages. Despite causing osmotic and ionic stress, salinity causes ionic imbalances that may impair the selectivity of root membranes and induce potassium deficiency.Keywords: Salt stress, ions, osmotic adjustment, morphological, physiological and biochemicalAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(34), pp. 5475-5480, 23 August, 201