Biology of Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual activity is a multifaceted activity, involving complex interactions between the nervous system, the endocrine system, the vascular system and a variety of structures that are instrumental in sexual excitement, intercourse and satisfaction. Sexual function has three components i.e., desire, arousal and orgasm. Many sexual dysfunctions can be categorized according to the phase of sexual response that is affected. In actual clinical practice however, sexual desire, arousal and orgasmic difficulties more often than not coexist, suggesting an integration of phases. Sexual dysfunction can result from a wide variety of psychological and physiological causes including derangements in the levels of sex hormones and neurotrensmitters. This review deals with the biology of different phases of sexual function as well as implications of hormones and neurotransmitters in sexual dysfunctio

Assessment of adoption gaps in the management of aflatoxin contamination of groundnut Arachis hypogaea L.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil seed crop of India. It has great potential for diversification to food uses due to its nutritive virtues. One of the major impediment for diversification is aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins are the toxic substances produced by strains of fungi belonging to Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. The present study was undertaken during the 2005-06, rainy season in Junagadh, Gujarat, India to assess the adoption gaps in aflatoxin management practices of groundnut (AMPG) and the farmers characteristics influencing this gap. The district was selected because it was identified as one of the high risk area for aflatoxin contamination in rainy season. The results indicated that majority of the farmers were in high adoption gap category as most of the farmers had not adopted the harvest and post-harvest management practices. Farmer\'s characteristics knowledge, market orientation and innovativeness influenced the adoption gap significantly. Based on the results, it is suggested to formulate strategies to increase the knowledge of farmers through various extension approaches. The selection of innovative farmers for groundnut production and differentiating the contamined and afltoxin free groundnuts by the markets will help in reducing the adoption gap. Keywords: Groundnut, Aflatoxin contamination, Aflatoxin management, Adoption gaps.South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 37 2008: pp. 45-5

Correlation-regression model for physico-chemical quality of groundwater in the South Indian city of Gulbarga

Groundwater is a major source of municipal and private water supply in Gulbarga city. Water samples were collected from spatially referenced bore wells located in various wards of the city. 150 bore well water samples were analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3-, CO32- Cl¡¥, SO42- ,NO3¡¥, F and Fe. All tests were performed as per standard methods and water quality was compared for both Indian and WHO drinking water standards. Significantly positive correlation at 1 and 5% was found between many parameters. EC prediction with multiple R2 value of 0.999 indicated that 99.9% variability in observed EC could be ascribed to Cl¡¥ (76%), HCO3¡¥ (12.5%), NO3- (10.3%) and SO42- (1.1%). Multiple regression models can predict EC at 5% level of significance. Nitrate, chlorides, TDS and fluoride concentration exceed permissible level of drinking water in 75, 41, 95 and 3.33% of the samples respectively. It is recommended to treat groundwater prior to domestic use.Key words: Groundwater, water quality, bore well, water supply, correlation, regression

Histogenesis and Histomorphometric study of Human Fetal Small Intestine

Background: Intestine plays a major role for the normal growth of the fetus during the prenatal period. The process of the embryonic development is not quantified histologically. Therefore the main aim of the study was to measure the thickness of all part of the wall of the small intestine that are mucosa, submucosa and muscularis externa and to look for the appearance of the Brunner’s glands and Peyer’s patches in the submucosa of duodenum and ileum.Methods: The present study was carried out on 30 fetuses of gestational ages ranging from 11-36 weeks. Ten fetuses from each trimester were used in the study. Fetal small intestine were dissected carefully, and were separated as duodenum, jejunum & ileum and fixed in formalin solution. The tissue was processed for histology and then slides were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The microscopic features were noted using light microscope.Results: The thickness of the mucosa, submucosa and the muscularis externa was observed to be increased in first trimester, decreased in the second trimester and again increased in the third trimester, which could be because of the increase cell turnover and the arrangement of the collagen fibers as to support the mucosa and the muscularis externa.Conclusion: Thus, the knowledge of the histogenesis and histomorphometry of the human fetal small intestine is crucial for the adult gastroenterologist to appreciate, because of the potential for these early life events to affect the responsiveness of the intestine to physiological or pathological challenges in later life.

In vitro Anti-Leishmanial and Anti-Tumour Activities of a Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Compound Isolated from the Fruits of Dregea volubilis Benth Asclepiadaceae

Purpose: Dregea volubilis Benth, commonly known as Jukti in Bengal, is used in the treatment of boils and abscesses from ancient times. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the active compounds and as well as their anti-leishmanial and anti-tumour activities. Methods: Dried and crushed fruits of Dregea volubilis were extracted by petroleum ether (40 - 60°C); the best solvent system had first been verified by analytical Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). The extract was subjected to TLC and column chromatography (CC) to isolate the pure compounds. Spectradata were obtained by Infra Red pectroscopy, Mass Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - Proton Magnetic Resonance (PMR), Carbon Magnetic Resonance (CMR) and Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer (DEPT) - for structure elucidation of the isolated compound(s). One of the compounds isolated was screened for anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani and anti-tumour activity on K562 leukemic cell line.Results: A pentacyclic triterpenoid compound was isolated and designated as taraxerone, and then characterized as d-friedoolean-14-en, 3 one together with ß-sitosterol and a long chain lipid fraction.This compound showed in vitro anti-leishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania donovani (strain AG 83) and anti-tumour activity on K562 leukemic cell line. Conclusion: A pentacyclic triterpenoid compound designated as taraxerone and characterized as Dfriedoolean-14-en, 3 one together was successfully isolated. The structure was determined on the basis of spectral analysis (IR, MASS, NMR (PMR, CMR and DEPT) and the compound demonstrated in vitro anti-leishmanial and anti-tumour activities

Estimation of adiponectin levels in diabetic, non-diabetic fatty liver diseases and healthy controls

Background:Estimation of adiponectin levels in diabetic and non-diabetic fatty liver and healthy controls.Methods:We studied 25 subjects for diabetic fatty liver, 25 subjects for non-diabetic fatty liver and 25 healthy controls. Clinical evaluation included anthropometric measurements, BMI, biochemical investigations and adiponectin estimation by ELISA.Results: There were 15 males (60%) and 10 (40%)females subjects in the DFL group, 18 males (72%) and 7 females (28%) subjects in the NDFL group and 13 males (52%) and 12 females (48%) subjects in the control group. 80% (20) of the DFL patients and 72% (18) subjects of NDFL group had BMI >25kg/m2. 80% (12 males and 8 females) of subjects in the DFL group and 68% (12 males and 5 females) had a waist circumference that indicated central obesity as per Indian cut-offs (>90 cm for females and >80 cm for males). The mean adiponectin (μg/ml) ± SD levels in DFL were 4.03 ± 0.43, NDFL was 5.01 ± 0.55 and in controls was 7.63 ± 0.66, the difference being statistically significant with P <0.001. The difference in the adiponectin levels was statistically significant between each of the three groups with P <0.001. There was no difference in serum adiponectin levels between males and females in all three groups.Conclusion:The chief conclusion of this study are that serum adiponectin levels are lower in subjects with NAFLD than those without it; adiponectin levels are inversely related to the degree of steatosis in NAFLD, with the lowest levels in more severe forms of steatosis.

TRENDS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS

Ever since the first HIV case reported, there is a dramatic increase in the prevalence of HIV infection which urged the need for an effective diagnostic method.  There are several improvements in diagnostic methods employing various technologies to screen for HIV infection using enzyme immunoassays and rapid diagnostic tests which simultaneously detect antigen and antibody with significantly reduced window period.  Further, western blot or immunofluorescence methods are used to confirm the results. Nucleic acid amplification tests, though sensitive, are expensive and hence not employed for screening but instead used to monitor the antiretroviral drug response. In spite of appreciable advancements in the sensitivity and specificity of the detection techniques, the algorithms are still the method of choice for ensuring the accuracy of test results

EVALUATION OF REVERSAL EFFECTS OF EUGENIA JAMBOLANA SEED EXTRACTS AGAINST HIGH-FRUCTOSE DIET-INDUCED INSULIN RESISTANCE IN ALBINO RATS

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the reversal effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of jamun seeds against high-fructose (HFr) diet-induced insulin resistance (IR) in albino rats.Methods: Thirty male albino rats were divided into five groups (n=6), and all the group rats except normal control were provided with HFr (60% w/v) to their drinking water daily for 42 days. Group 1 and 2 served as a normal and fructose control. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were supplemented with metformin (MET 500mg/kg p.o) and aqueous and ethanolic extracts of jamun seeds (Jamun seed aqueous extract [JSAE] and Jamun seed ethanolic extract [JSEE] 1000 mg/kg of each p.o), from day 28 to day 42, respectively. Physical (body weights, food, and water intake) and biochemical (glucose, insulin, and lipid) parameters were estimated, and Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR values were calculated.Results: HFr diet significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased weight gain and water intake with decreased food intake in rats. HFr-fed rats exhibited a significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid levels along with increased HOMA-IR values and confirms the development of IR. Supplementation with MET, JSAE, and JSEE significantly (p&lt;0.05) restored the physical parameters and reversed fasting glucose and lipid levels in comparison with HFr control. Whereas, only JSAE had significantly reversed the fasting insulin levels in comparison with HFr control. HOMA-IR values were significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased in both the extract groups of HFr-fed rats, and the results were comparable to MET.Conclusion: Our study concludes that both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of jamun exhibit a significant reversal effect against HFr diet-induced IR, due to insulin-sensitizing actions at the target tissues

POTENTIAL OF BAJRA [PENNISETUM GLAUCUM (L.) R. BR.] IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

Bajra, also known as pearl millet, African millet or spiked millet, originated in Northern-Central Sahel of West Africa, was introduced 2500 years ago into Indian subcontinent. However, it is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts from 14th Century AD onwards as Nali under Truna dhanya or Kudhanya vargas. It is considered as a major source of Gluten free diet and is used in the management of Coeliac disease and other gluten allergy conditions worldwide. Indians are also including millet into their day to day diet in accordance with the global trend.  However the conditions of Gluten allergy and Coeliac disease are not common in Southern India. Hence, the necessity of Gluten free diet in South Indian Population is under question. It is hypothesized that excessive millet usage could be a reason behind thyroid dysfunction and goitre. Regular millet only diet may also lead to a nutrition deprived state in people who are not gluten sensitive. Ayurveda also emphasizes on avoidance of regular use of Kudhanyas. This review comprises different aspects of dietary inclusion of Bajra. The properties and usability of Bajra as a gluten free diet, utility of Bajra in populations which are not gluten allergic and the effects of Bajra on health and disease form the core of this review.

Bore well recharging technique

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