EVALUATION OF NOOTROPIC ACTIVITY OF ACHYRANTHES ASPERA LEAVES EXTRACT IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the nootropic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Achyranthes aspera leaves using elevated plus maze and radial arm maze.Methods: Adult Wistar rats were allotted to three groups; Group 1 served as control, Groups 2 and 3 received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of AA extract, respectively, orally for 2 weeks after which the extent of improvement of memory was assessed.Results: AA showed nootropic activity in both elevated plus maze and radial arm maze. 200 mg/kg of AA extract showed better improvement in learning and memory compared to 400 mg/kg.Conclusions: These results indicate that AA leaves extract clearly exhibited the improvement in learning and memory

Non-descent vaginal hysterectomy versus total abdominal hysterectomy in fibroid uterus: a comparative study in tertiary care hospital in Uttarakhand, India

Background: Hysterectomy comprises one of the most common elective surgeries in hysterectomy as the operative modality. The vaginal route of hysterectomy has been largely reserved for prolapsed uteri or non-descent cases with nearly normal size uteri. In the state of Uttarakhand, where specialized health services are difficult to access, abdominal route forms the prime choice for surgical treatment of fibroid uterus. A multitude of research data has suggested the superiority of vaginal over abdominal route. Despite this, there is a definite hesitation amongst gynecologists to resort to NDVH for fibroid uterus. This study was done with the objective to compare and analyze the outcome of abdominal vs. vaginal route for uterine fibroids.Methods: A retrospective study carried out for 80 patients admitted in one year duration with the diagnosis of fibroid uterus. These patients underwent either total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) or (non-descent vaginal hysterectomy) NDVH depending upon patient discretion after thorough discussion with the operating doctor.Results: The results displayed vaginal route to be superior in terms of operative time, intra-operative blood loss and postoperative recovery.Conclusions: We concluded from this study that patients can be safely offered NDVH, thus minimizing the need for laparotomy for fibroid uterus

Total vaginal hysterectomy: outcome analysis of 108 cases at a tertiary centre

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate, analyze the indications of surgery, patients profile with respect to age group, parity, and comorbidities, intraoperative techniques, intra and post-operative complications and post-operative recovery.Methods: A hospital based cross sectional descriptive study of 108 cases was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a tertiary hospital over a period of one year. All patients admitted with benign gynecological conditions of the uterus were included in study. The patients with uterine prolapse, uterine size >16wks and more than one previous sections were excluded from the study.Results: Among all the indications of TVH, abnormal uterine bleeding was the most common. Mean age group was 44.89 years and the mean parity was 2. Majority of the patients had no intra and post-operative complications. Postoperative recovery was good with shorter hospital stay.Conclusions: TVH should be promoted as the route of choice for all benign gynaecological conditions. It is safe to do TVH in patients who are at poor general anaesthesia risk. In a state like Uttarakhand where medical facilities are hard to avail due to difficult geographic terrain, TVH has a special role .In lack of endoscopic facility, trained medical and paramedical staff and lack of postoperative monitoring instead of; there is a need to promote TVH. To top it all, TVH is the most cost effective route of hysterectomy. It is truly the natural orifice scarless surgery

Pathomicrobial studies on Salmonella Gallinarum infection in broiler chickens

Aim: To conduct detailed pathomicrobial studies on Salmonella Gallinarum infection in broiler chickens.Materials and Methods: Bacteriological and pathological studies were conducted on 134 dead poultry birds collected from 23 different farms suspected to be infected with S. Gallinarum.Results: Mortality pattern revealed that maximum mortality occurred in 1-2 week aged birds. Out of 23 Salmonella isolates, 19 samples were identified as S. Gallinarum (9, 12) and 4 samples as Salmonella Enteritidis (9, 12: gm). Isolates were found to be most sensitive to Polymyxin B (100%). The present study also showed re-emergence of chloramphenicol sensitivity (83.33%). Pathological lesions observed were bronze discolouration of liver, splenomegaly and necrotic foci on liver, spleen and heart. Microscopically, liver and spleen revealed aggregation of heterophils, lymphocytes and macrophages, non-suppurative myocarditis, fibrinous pericarditis, interstitial nephritis, necrotic enteritis and serofibrinous pneumonia.Conclusion: It was concluded that S. Gallinarum 9, 12 was the main serotype causing Salmonellosis in poultry birds. Polymyxin B was the most sensitive drug (100%) for Salmonella infection along with re-emergence of chloramphenicol sensitivity for Salmonella (83.33%) infection

Hydroureteronephrosis in women with pelvic organ prolapse: a prospective cohort study

Background: Pelvic organ prolapses (POP) is a common problem in women. The prevalence of POP increase with age. The true prevalence and risk factor for developing hydroureteronephrosis (HUN) in women with pelvic organ prolapse is still unclear due to lack of prospective studies on sufficiently large cohorts. This prospective study was done to study the prevalence of HUN in women with POP and to identify the risk factors for developing HUN.Methods: In this prospective observational study 219 patients were recruited for surgical repair for pelvic organ prolapse for 2 years.  Preoperatively, all patients had transabdominal scan to assess the uterus, adnexa and to look for Hydroureteronephrosis (HUN). Women with presence of HUN were followed postoperatively look for the resolution of HUN.Results: The prevalence of bilateral HUN was 6.85%. The mean age of women with HUN ranged from 51-69 years. Diabetes and hypertension were significant risk factor for development of HUN (OR 4.70, 95% CI -1.59-13.88 and OR 3.72, 95% CI- 1.23-11.1 respectively). There was a statistically significant correlation between chronic kidney disease and HUN. (OR 1 with 95%: CI 9.49-30.42). The correlation between stage of pelvic organ prolapse and HUN was not statistically significant (p = 0.062). There was a statistically significant correlation between the duration (2years -15 years) of POP to HUN. (OR 0.233, 95%0.13-0.419). Patients were followed up post operatively for resolution of HUN. HUN resolved in 9 women (60%) and persisted in 6 (40%).Conclusions: The prevalence of bilateral HUN in women with pelvic organ prolapse was 6.8%. Presence of hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease was a risk factor for HUN. HUN resolved in 60% of women after pelvic reconstructive surgery

Remote preconditioning by aortic constriction: affords cardioprotection as classical or other remote ischemic preconditioning? Role of iNOS

Dose remote preconditioning by aortic constriction (RPAC) affords cardioprotection similar to classical or other remote ischemic preconditioning stimulus? Moreover study was also designed to investigate role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in remote preconditioning by aortic constriction. There are sufficient evidences that "ischemic preconditioning" has surgical applications and afford clinically relevant cardioprotection. Transient occlusion of circumflex artery, renal artery, limb artery or mesenteric artery preconditions the myocardium against ischemia reperfusion injury in case of ischemic heart disease leading to myocardial infraction. Here abdominal aorta was selected to produce RPAC. Four episodes of Ischemia-reperfusion of 5 min each to abdominal aorta produced RPAC by assessment of infract size, LDH and CK. These studies suggest RPAC produced acute (FWOP) and delayed (SWOP) cardioprotective effect. RPAC demonstrated a significant decrease in Ischemia-reperfusion induced release of LDH, CK and extent of myocardial infract size. L-NAME (10 mg/Kg i.v.), Aminoguanidine (150 mg/Kg s.c.), Aminoguanidine (300 mg/Kg s.c.), S-methyl isothiourea (3 mg/Kg i.v.), 1400W (1 mg/Kg i.v.) administered 10 min. before global ischemia reperfusion produced no marked effect. Aminoguanidine (150 mg/Kg s.c.), Aminoguanidine (300 mg/Kg s.c.), S-methyl isothiourea (3 mg/Kg i.v.), 1400W (1 mg/Kg i.v.) pretreatment after RPAC produced no significant effect on acute RPAC induced decrease in LDH, CK and infract size, whereas L-NAME (10 mg/Kg i.v.) increased RPAC induced decrease in LDH, CK and infract size. Most interesting observation is in delayed RPAC, where all NOS inhibitors pretreatment attenuate RPAC induced decrease in LDH, CK and infract size. In conclusions, "Remote preconditioning by aortic constriction" (RPAC) affords cardioprotection similar to classical or other remote ischemic preconditioning stimulus. Moreover, late or delayed phase of RPAC has been mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) whereas it has not involved in acute RPAC

AN EXPEDIENT APPROACH TO TREAT ASTHMA THROUGH NON-STEROIDAL, NATURAL TRANSFEROSOMES AEROSOL SYSTEM

Asthma is the most common respiratory disease, affecting an estimated 262 million people and resulting in 461,000 fatalities in 2019. The treatment is available on the market, but it is quite expensive, and it also has serious adverse effects due to the high concentration of steroids in the medicine. If given effectively, curcumin, formononetin, and matrine’s anti-inflammatory properties can play a significant role in treatment. To improve the chemical stability and therapeutic potential of these active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in the respiratory tract, a transferosomes system was designed, which encapsulates the APIs inside its vesicular structure and delivers them selectively to the inflamed cells. The DPPC layer will allow for efficient penetration, whereas Tween-80 will aid in deformability and lower interfacial tension, resulting in a small Z-average diameter, allowing for efficient penetration between layers of cells. The APIs’ stability at alkaline pH (7.6) is ensured by the nano-vesicular structure, which significantly increases cellular antioxidant activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power values. On the RAW264.7 cell line, the formulation will be tested for anti-inflammatory activity. Nuclear factor kappa B, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, nitric oxide, and cyclooxygenase-2 are all reduced by curcumin, formononetin, and matrine. They also have an inhibitory effect on the MAPK signaling pathway, preventing extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 from causing inflammation. This formulation can effectively treat asthma without the use of steroids, has no adverse effects, and is inexpensive

The association of anthropometric measures and osteoarthritis knee in non‐obese subjects: a cross sectional study

OBJECTIVE: Body mass index (BMI) and knee osteoarthritis have a strong association, but other anthropometric measures lack such associations. To date, no study has evaluated non-obese knee osteoarthritis to negate the systemic and metabolic effects of obesity. This study examines the validity of the contention that BMI and other anthropometric measures have a significant relationship with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: In total, 180 subjects with a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis were recruited and classified according to Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grades. Body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, waist-hip ratio and triceps-skinfold thickness were recorded by standard procedures. Osteoarthritis outcome scores (WOMAC) were evaluated. RESULTS: (1) In both genders, the BMI was significantly higher for KL grade 4 than for grade 2; triceps-skinfold thickness was positively correlated with the joint space width of the tibial medial compartment. (2) In males, triceps-skinfold thickness significantly increased as the KL grades moved from 2 to 4; the significantly higher BMI found in varus aligned knees was positively correlated with WOMAC scores. (3) In females, the waist-hip ratio was significantly higher for KL grade 4 than for grade 2; a significant correlation was found between BMI and WOMAC scores. The waist-hip ratio was significantly associated with varus aligned knees and it positively correlated with WOMAC scores and with the joint space width of the tibial medial compartment. The mid-upper arm circumference demonstrated no correlation with knee osteoarthritis. CONCLUS'ON: This study validates the contention that BMI and other anthropometric measures have a significant association with knee osteoarthritis. Contrary to common belief, the triceps-skinfold thickness (peripheral fat) in males and the waist-hip ratio (central fat) in females were more strongly associated with knee osteoarthritis than BMI

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF POLYHERBAL GEL FOR ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY

Objective: Piper betal and Piper nigrumare traditional medicinal plants that have antifungal activity against Candida albicans, a combination of these two plants have not been known for its activity against this fungus. The purpose of this research was to formulate topical gel, a combination of P. betal and P. nigram which has antifungal activity against Candida albicans.Methods: The antifungal activity test of P. betal and P. nigrum using agar well diffusion method was carried out. Thereafter, a topical gel formulation was prepared using Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a gelling agent of concentration 1; 1.5 and 2%. Test parameters for topical gel includes organoleptic, pH, extrudability, spreadability, diffusion, and stability test.Result: The results of this study showed that P. betel and P. nigrum extracts had antifungal activity. Antifungal activity combination of P. betel and P. nigrum leaf extract is synergistic. For the formulation materials, the concentration chosen is 1: 1 (P. betel: P. nigrum) because in that combination the value of the resistor area is still categorized well. The stability test results stated that all the formulas were stable even after 30 d of stability studies.Conclusion: This is the first report on the scientific evaluation of betel and pepper leaf extracts combination as a gel for antifungal activity. Thus our study reveals both leaf extracts to be good antifungals; their methanolic hydro extracts may be formulated as hydrogels with satisfactory physicochemical parameters

Fabrication of Variable Morphologies on Argon Sputtered PMMA Surfaces

Ion beam induced patterning and fabrication of various topographies over polymeric surfaces has drawn strong interest due to latent applications in photonics, magnetic devices, optical devices and photovoltaics etc. In this work, we report the controlled surface structuring and evolution of different morphologies in Poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer using Ar+ ion beam fabrication technique. Morphological and structural analysis has been performed by ex situ Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-ray Diffraction. The effect of oblique incidences on argon sputtered films was evaluated by various surface topography and texture parameters, such as Fast Fourier Transforms, surface roughness, skewness, kurtosis. AFM study demonstrates fabrication of transient morphologies over argon sputtered surfaces. One dimensional (1D) cross section scans of surface profiles are determined and morphological features are investigated. The results showed halo peaks in the XRD patterns, which indicate the amorphous nature of this type of polymer. The formation of these surface structures is attributed to the different degree of sputtering yield at different off-normal incidences and preferential sputtering of hydrogen in comparison to carbon in ion sputtered surfaces