Comparative Study of Effect of Farming on Anthropological Parameters among Farmers and Non-farmers

Abstract: In most countries, agriculture is recognized as one of the most hazardous industries. Investigating the health status of agricultural workers is a challenging goal. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of physical activity and exercise on both farmers' and non-farmers health status on farm production at selected villages in Bankura district, West Bengal. In this cross-sectional study, certain anthropological parameters were compared between farmers and nonfarmers living in the same rural area. Farmers and non-farmers, matched per age and sex, were selected randomly in the agricultural areas of different parts of Bankura. According to personal statements, farmers suffered from several musculoskeletal disorders and joint pains such as waist region, low back pain. BMI, HR, BP were found to be lower among farmers. Whereas their PFI scores and recovery duration were higher than non-farmers. This study also shows though farmers have more musculoskeletal disorders than normal sedentary workers, farmers are comparatively more fit than non-farmers. According to personal statements, farmers suffered from hypertension, cardiovascular and orthopaedic problems in higher frequency

Hypoglycemic and antioxidant potency of ethyl acetate fraction of hydro-methanolic extract (60:40) of Tamarindus indica Linn. seed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic experimental animal

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia due to defective insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Nowadays massive developments in variety of synthetic modern medicines, alternative and traditional medicinal plants are still widely used for the management of diabetes mellitus. In this context when ethyl acetate fraction at the dose of 100 mg body weight/kg body weight was administered for 28 days, significant diminution in the STZ-induced hyperglycaemia was noticed. Plasma insulin and C-peptide levels as well as activities of antioxidant defense enzymes such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hepatic tissue were found to be decreased in diabetic animals. This was corrected after the treatment of ethyl acetate fraction of hydro-methanolic extract of T. indica. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) reveals that the fraction at the above said dose showed a remarkable decrease of blood glucose level in normal and diabetic rat and also increased glucose tolerance. On the other hand, in diabetic animals body weight decreases along with a decrease in total hemoglobin content in blood and increase in HbA1C level

Assessment of Pulmonary Function Test among Petrol Pump Workers in Bankura District

Background and Aim: Health problems posed by the pollutants at the working environment of an individual are linked to the nature and level of exposure to these hazardous chemicals. Petrol pump workers are exposed to high level of different types of air pollution along with petrol and diesel vapors exhibit a number of effects on the respiratory functions. The main objective of the study was to assess the pulmonary functions in petrol pump workers (filling attendants) who are continuously exposed to petrol/diesel vapors during duty hours and compare with the normal healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study was conducted at seven different petrol pumps of Bankura and 65 petrol pump workers (filling attendants) were included. Each subject’s age, smoking habits, the duration of exposure, health conditions, BMI and BP were recorded. Their PFT were assessed using spirometer and was compared with 65 normal healthy individuals. Results: A significant decrease in the values of Tidal Volume, Vital Capacity, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Maximum Voluntary Ventilation, Respiratory Rate and Oxygen saturation in petrol pump workers when compared to control group. Significant increase in BP was observed in case of petrol pump workers and reduction in muscle strength. Conclusion: The present findings demonstrate the adverse effects of petrol and diesel vapors and fumes, hydrocarbons markedly decreased the pulmonary functions

Comparative Study on Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Separate and Composite Extract of Seed of Eugenia jambolana and Root of Musa paradisiaca in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Albino Rat

Herbal medicine development against the non-communicable disease like diabetes is one of the thrust area of research in the field of global medicine. Here we have studied the separate and composite methanolic extract of seed of Eugenia jambolana and root of Musa paradisiaca for the management of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. We have measured the fasting blood glucose level and glycogen content in liver as well as in skeletal muscle.Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are two important characters of diabetes mellitus. Hyperlipidemia developed in these experimental diabetic rats was assessed by quantification of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and triglyceride (TG) in serum. We noted that after treatment of methanolic extract of above plant parts in separate as well as in composite manner in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat resulted a significant remedial effect on blood glucose level as well as in the quantity of liver and skeletal muscle glycogen. Serum insulin level that was diminished in streptozotocin-induced diabetic state was recovered significantly after the co-administration of extract of above plant parts. Serum lipid profile was also corrected significantly in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats after the composite extract co-administration.The recovery in all the above-mentioned parameters was more effective when we use the composite extract in comparison to the separate extract of above plant parts. None of the extract has any metabolic toxicity induction in general. So the composite extracts of above plant parts have some remedial effects against streptozotocin-induced diabetic state

Protection of Swimming-Induced Oxidative Stress in Some Vital Organs by the Treatment of Composite Extract of Withania Somnifera, Ocimum Sanctum and Zingiber Officinalis in Male Rat

Composite methanolic extract of roots of Withania somnifera, leaves of Ocimum sanctum, and rhizomes of Zingiber officinalis was administered by gavage at the dose of 40 mg 100 g−1 body weight day−1 to rat orally for 15 days prior to experimentation followed by co-administration of above extract at the same dose for 28 days of swimming to find out the remedial effect of this extract on exhaustive physical exercise-induced oxidative damage. Swimming resulted significant diminution (p<0.05) in the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase along with elevation (p<0.05) in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and conjugated dienes in cardiac, skeletal, hepatic tissues, cerebrum and cerebellum in respect to control. The levels of all these parameters were resettled significantly (p<0.05) towards the extract pretreated cum co-treated swimming group. The antioxidative potency of this composite extract was compared with standard non-enzymatic antioxidant (vitamin-E) in forced swimming state. The above extract has no general toxic effect as reflected here from the study of transaminase activities in liver and kidney. Results lead to conclude that the composite extract of above three plant parts has a therapeutic protective effect on forced swimming-induced oxidative stress in vital organs

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Leaf of Aegle marmelos on Testicular Activities in Rats

The aqueous extract of leaf of Aegle marmelos (Bael) at the dose 50 mg/100 g body weight resulted a significant diminution in the activities of key testicular steroidogenic enzymes along with low levels of plasma testosterone and relative wet weights of sex organs in respect to control without any significant alteration in general body growth. Germ cells numbers in different generation at stage VII of seminiferous epithelial cell cycle were diminished significantly after the treatment of the above extract. The above mentioned dose did not exhibit any toxicity in liver and kidney. Therefore, it may be predicted that the aqueous extract of leaf of Aegle marmelos has a potent antitesticular effect at a specific dose

Streptomycin, an inhibitor of miR-21 reduces invasion and suppresses tumor growth

227-231Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate around 60% genes. These small RNAs play important roles in maintaining biological robustness and deregulation of miRNAs has been associated with different diseases, including cancer. Thus, modulation of miRNA levels is of immense therapeutic importance. miR-21, one of the important oncomirs over-expresses in different type of cancers and targets tumor suppressor genes, which are involved in invasion and metastasis. This makes miR-21 a potential therapeutic target. Previously, we have shown that streptomycin down-regulates miR-21 expression by hindering the processing of Dicer, an enzyme that facilitates the maturation of pre-miR-21 into its mature form in the cytoplasm. Here, we have explored the anti-cancer potential of streptomycin via modulation of miR-21. Our kinetic analysis shows the strong binding interaction between pre-miR-21 and streptomycin. In cell culture system, streptomycin treatment significantly reduces the invasiveness of B16F10 cells (where miR-21 is over-expressed). In mouse xenograft model, injection of streptomycin pretreated cells causes significant delay in tumor formation with reduced tumor size, when compared with untreated or other structurally related aminoglycoside treated cells. These results clearly indicate the therapeutic potential of streptomycin in reducing the aggressiveness in cancer

Mucormycosis during COVID-19 era: A retrospective assessment

In a retrospective view, this review examines the impact of mucormycosis on health workers and researchers during the COVID era. The diagnostic and treatment challenges arising from unestablished underlying pathology and limited case studies add strain to healthcare systems. Mucormycosis, caused by environmental molds, poses a significant threat to COVID-19 patients, particularly those with comorbidities and compromised immune systems. Due to a variety of infectious Mucorales causes and regionally related risk factors, the disease's incidence is rising globally. Data on mucormycosis remains scarce in many countries, highlighting the urgent need for more extensive research on its epidemiology and prevalence. This review explores the associations between COVID-19 disease and mucormycosis pathology, shedding light on potential future diagnostic techniques based on the fungal agent's biochemical components. Medications used in ICUs and for life support in ventilated patients have been reported, revealing the challenge of managing this dual onslaught. To develop more effective treatment strategies, it is crucial to identify novel pharmacological targets through “pragmatic” multicenter trials and registries. In the absence of positive mycology culture data, early clinical detection, prompt treatment, and tissue biopsy are essential to confirm the specific morphologic features of the fungal agent. This review delves into the history, pathogens, and pathogenesis of mucormycosis, its opportunistic nature in COVID or immunocompromised individuals, and the latest advancements in therapeutics. Additionally, it offers a forward-looking perspective on potential pharmacological targets for future drug development