Nutritional Composition of Selected Commercially Sold Ready-to-eat Indian Meat and Vegetable Curried Dishes

A significant influence of dietary and nutrition transition is on the food behaviour of populace reflected in higher dependence on processed or catered foods. The traditional home cooked meals have been largely replaced by street or restaurant foods. While the nutritional composition of processed foods is declared on the label, there is no such information available regarding catered foods and the consumer cannot make an informed choice while selecting food at an eatery. With this premise, the present study was undertaken to analyse the nutritional composition of selected meat and vegetables based Indian dishes sourced from three different catering establishments. Similar dishes were also prepared in laboratory and the nutritional value computed using food composition database. The dishes selected were curries made with chicken, mutton, fish, mixed vegetable, Malai kofta (potato and cheese balls in creamy gravy) and Gobi Manchurian (deep fried spiced cauliflower snack). The results revealed that there were wide variations in the energy and fat content of foods sourced from different eateries. In general, the fat content of dishes was very high. In comparison, laboratory prepared items had lesser energy and fat content. The information will help in creating a nutrient database of ready-to-eat foods and help the consumer in selectin of dishes

An Ayurvedic pragmatic approach to Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis vis-à-vis Yakritodara

Liver is considered to be the key organ of the body as it is concerned with filtration, metabolism, detoxification and other vital functions. Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) represents a part of a wide spectrum of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NASH is typically associated with Obesity, Type II Diabetes, Dyslipidemia and the Metabolic Syndrome. Epidemiological studies suggest the prevalence of NAFLD is around 9% to 32% of general population in India with a higher prevalence in those with Obesity and Diabetes. It can be understood that the Nidana and Samprapti of Yakritodara is similar to the etiopathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). Ayurveda known for its safe and cost effective medication has a great potential in treating NASH. Virechana being the most suitable Shodhana Karma is indicated in liver disorders in Bahu Doshavastha and Srotorodha. Hence, it is the need of the hour to search an effective and safe Hepatoprotective ideal remedy from the Ayurvedic treasure of therapeutics for the welfare of mankind

SMART TRAFFIC CONTROL BARRICADE SYSTEM

At present traffic management is a big challenge and plays a vital role in moving the vehicles from one corner of the city to the other. This system not only controls the traffic signals but also it reduces violating traffic rules and accidents. Here when the red light signal is ON there will be a servomotor which pops up barricade from ground level. It applies one special condition in the road by placing a barricade before the zebra crossing which will stop the vehicles when the signal red light is ON. The barricade will automatically pops up on the vehicle stopping mark, when the signal leaves it pops down to the ground. For ambulance, it is having a special feature that there will be an RFID tag which can sense about its arrival. For this reason the RFID reader is fixed to road. During the red signal, when the ambulance needs to pass at that time RFID reads the tag and changes red light to green light in traffic signal through GSM where RFID reader card number is stored in control system. So the barricade will pop down to ground and the other three ways are stopped with red signal light so that the ambulance can easily pass through the way by these one can save someone's life. This project work is carried out by using IOT technology

Thioflavones as novel neuroprotective agents

Oxidative stress is associated with the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Identification of small molecules capable of protecting against oxidative stress is therefore of significant importance. In this context, a library of 76 hydroxy flavones, methoxy flavones and their 4-thio analogues has been evaluated for neuroprotection against H2O2-induced oxidative stress. This revealed the synthetic 7,8-dihydroxy 4-thioflavones as neuroprotective compounds, with 14d and 18d showing highest neuroprotective effects at lower concentrations (0.3 μM). Neuroprotection was found to be mediated via activation of the anti-apoptotic cell survival proteins of the ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt pathways. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed the B-ring phenyl group as essential for greater neuroprotection. Replacing the 4-C=O moiety with a 4-C=S moiety also generally enhanced neuroprotection

Synthetic flavonoids as novel modulators of platelet function and thrombosis

Cardiovascular diseases represent a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the world and thrombotic conditions such as heart attacks and strokes are caused by unwarranted activation of platelets and subsequent formation of blood clots (thrombi) within the blood vessels during pathological circumstances. Therefore, platelets act as a primary therapeutic target to treat and prevent thrombotic conditions. Current treatments are limited due to intolerance and they are associated with severe side effects such as bleeding complications. Hence, the development of novel therapeutic strategies for thrombotic diseases is an urgent priority. Flavonoids are naturally occurring plant-derived molecules that exert numerous beneficial effects in humans through modulating the functions of distinct cell types. However, naturally occurring flavonoids suffer from several issues such as poor solubility, lipophilicity, and bioavailability, which hinder their efficacy and potency. Despite this, flavonoids act as versatile templates for the design and synthesis of novel molecules for various therapeutic targets. Indeed, several synthetic flavonoids have recently been developed to improve their stability, bioavailability and efficacy including for the modulation of platelet function. Here, we provide insight into the actions of certain natural flavonoids along with the advantages of synthetic flavonoids in the modulation of platelet function, haemostasis and thrombosis

Repurposing cancer drugs, batimastat and marimastat, to inhibit the activity of a group I metalloprotease from the venom of the Western Diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox

Snakebite envenomation causes over 140,000 deaths every year predominantly in developing countries. As a result, it is one of the most lethal neglected tropical diseases. It is associated with an incredibly complex pathophysiology due to the vast number of unique toxins/proteins found in the venoms of diverse snake species found worldwide. Here, we report the purification and functional characteristics of a group I metalloprotease (CAMP-2) from the venom of the western diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox. Its sensitivity to matrix metalloprotease inhibitors (batimastat and marimastat) was established using specific in vitro experiments and in silico molecular docking analysis. CAMP-2 shows high sequence homology to atroxase from the venom of Crotalus atrox and exhibits collagenolytic, fibrinogenolytic and mild haemolytic activities. It exerts a mild inhibitory effect on agonist-induced platelet aggregation in the absence of plasma proteins. Its collagenolytic activity was completely inhibited by batimastat and marimastat. Zinc chloride also inhibits the collagenolytic activity of CAMP-2 by around 75% at 50 M, while it is partially potentiated by calcium chloride. Molecular docking studies demonstrate that batimastat and marimastat are able to bind strongly to the active site residues of CAMP-2. This study demonstrates the impact of matrix metalloprotease inhibitors in the modulation of a purified, group I metalloprotease activities in comparison to the whole venom. By improving our understanding of snake venom metalloproteases and their sensitivity to small molecule inhibitors, we can begin to develop novel and improved treatment strategies for snakebites

Recent Advances and Impact of Chemotherapeutic and Antiangiogenic Nanoformulations for Combination Cancer Therapy

Traditional chemotherapy, along with antiangiogenesis drugs (combination cancer therapy), has shown reduced tumor recurrence and improved antitumor effects, as tumor growth and metastasis are often dependent on tumor vascularization. However, the effect of combination chemotherapy, including synergism and additive and even antagonism effects, depends on drug combinations in an optimized ratio. Hence, nanoformulations are ideal, demonstrating a great potential for the combination therapy of chemo-antiangiogenesis for cancer. The rationale for designing various nanocarriers for combination therapy is derived from organic (polymer, lipid), inorganic, or hybrid materials. In particular, hybrid nanocarriers that consist of more than one material construct provide flexibility for different modes of entrapment within the same carrier-e.g., physical adsorption, encapsulation, and chemical conjugation strategies. These multifunctional nanocarriers can thus be used to co-deliver chemo- and antiangiogenesis drugs with tunable drug release at target sites. Hence, this review attempts to survey the most recent advances in nanoformulations and their impact on cancer treatment in a combined regimen-i.e., conventional cytotoxic and antiangiogenesis agents. The mechanisms and site-specific co-delivery strategies are also discussed herein, along with future prospects

A prospective observational study on drug utilization pattern in medical intensive care unit of a tertiary medical care hospital

Background: Drug utilization research is a part of Pharmacoepidemiology defined by the WHO as the study of marketing, distribution, prescription, and use of drugs in a society, with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social and economic consequences. Conducting periodic studies of pattern of drug use in our hospital setting is essential to critically analyse the current hospital drug policies and to make recommendations based on various guidelines to improve upon the current drug usage pattern. Aims and objectives of the study was to generate data on the drug utilization pattern in Medical ICU and to monitor antimicrobial usage in MICU.Methods: Patients who were admitted in medical ICU of Hassan institute of Medical Sciences were recruited based on inclusion-exclusion criteria. The study was conducted over a period of 3 months from April 2018 to June 2018. The demographic and clinical treatment data of patients were collected. The prescriptions were assessed as per the WHO indicators.Results: Common causes of admission were suicidal poisoning, snake bite, viral thrombocytopenia, myocardial infarction and stroke. The average duration of stay was 5.74 days and average number of drugs/patient was 5.26. Pantoprazole, Ranitidine, Ceftriaxone, Atropine, Pralidoxime, ASV, Ondansetron, and N-acetylcysteine were commonly prescribed drugs. 42.4% of drugs were prescribed by generic names and 84.2% of the drugs were prescribed from Essential Medicine List.Conclusions: This study will provide database to address prescription protocols and guide appropriate use of drugs in the ICU setting

The endogenous antimicrobial cathelicidin LL37 induces platelet activation and augments thrombus formation

Platelet-associated complications including thrombosis, thrombocytopenia and haemorrhage are commonly observed during various inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, sepsis and inflammatory bowel disease. Despite the reported evidence on numerous mechanisms/molecules that may contribute to the dysfunction of platelets, the primary mechanisms that underpin platelet-associated complications during inflammatory diseases are not fully established. Here, we report the discovery of formyl peptide receptor 2, FPR2/ALX in platelets, and its primary role in the development of platelet-associated complications via ligation with its ligand, LL37. LL37 acts as a powerful endogenous antimicrobial peptide but it also regulates innate immune responses. We demonstrate the impact of LL37 in the modulation of platelet reactivity, haemostasis, and thrombosis. LL37 activates a range of platelet functions, enhances thrombus formation, and shortens the tail bleeding time in mice. By utilising a pharmacological inhibitor and Fpr2/3 (an orthologue of human FPR2/ALX)-deficient mice, the functional dependence of LL37 on FPR2/ALX was determined. Since the level of LL37 is increased in numerous inflammatory diseases, these results point towards a critical role for LL37 and FPR2/ALX in the development of platelet-related complications in such diseases. Hence, a better understanding of the clinical relevance of LL37 and FPR2/ALX in diverse pathophysiological settings will pave the way for the development of improved therapeutic strategies for a range of thromboinflammatory diseases