Combating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with natural treatment

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a weakening mental health problem that hampers the child development. Both the hereditary and ecological elements are the primary causes behind the challenge and possibly will be different among persons. The drugs are used for ADHD may be enhancing the health problem. Therefore, huge requirement of ayurvedic based foodstuff is anticipated among the end users that are expected to be healthy as well as afford additional functional benefits. An ayurvedic plant such as brahmi (Bacopamonnieri and Centellaasiatica) is reported to have much useful functional benefits. Brahmi is well-known to harness reminiscence, perception, being sensible and further mental disorderliness. The present review enlightens the functional properties of brahmi for children with ADHD, including intervention programme

Screening of Indigenous Oxalate Degrading Lactic Acid Bacteria from Human Faeces and South Indian Fermented Foods: Assessment of Probiotic Potential

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have the potential to degrade intestinal oxalate and this is increasingly being studied as a promising probiotic solution to manage kidney stone disease. In this study, oxalate degrading LAB were isolated from human faeces and south Indian fermented foods, subsequently assessed for potential probiotic property in vitro and in vivo. Based on preliminary characteristics, 251 out of 673 bacterial isolates were identified as LAB. A total of 17 strains were found to degrade oxalate significantly between 40.38% and 62.90% and were subjected to acid and bile tolerance test. Among them, nine strains exhibited considerable tolerance up to pH 3.0 and at 0.3% bile. These were identified as Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus salivarius using 16S rDNA sequencing. Three strains, Lactobacillus fermentum TY5, Lactobacillus fermentum AB1, and Lactobacillus salivarius AB11, exhibited good adhesion to HT-29 cells and strong antimicrobial activity. They also conferred resistance to kanamycin, rifampicin, and ampicillin, but were sensitive to chloramphenicol and erythromycin. The faecal recovery rate of these strains was observed as 15.16% (TY5), 6.71% (AB1), and 9.3% (AB11) which indicates the colonization ability. In conclusion, three efficient oxalate degrading LAB were identified and their safety assessments suggest that they may serve as good probiotic candidates for preventing hyperoxaluria

Melting/solidification characteristics of paraffin based nanocomposite for thermal energy storage applications

The present work aimed to investigate the melting and solidification characteristics of nanoparticle enhanced phase change material (NEPCM). The NEPCM were prepared using paraffin as the phase change material and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as the nanomaterial without using any dispersant. Thermal conductivity of the NEPCM was measured with respect to temperature and the measured data showed higher enhancement than the phase change material both in liquid and solid state, due to inherent high conductive and the continuous networking of the MWCNT. A reduction in solidification and melting time of 42% and 29% was achieved in the case of NEPCM with 0.9% and 0.3%, respectively. It is concluded that enhanced heat transfer characteristics of NEPCM is highly beneficial towards design and development of efficient thermal energy storage system for various applications

Polytetrafluoroethylene patch versus autologous pericardial patch for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction

Objective: Reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) during repair of Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) often requires placement of a transannular patch (TAP). The purpose of the present study was to compare the outcomes following reconstruction of RVOT using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch versus autologous glutaraldehyde-fixed pericardial patch. Materials and Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients undergoing TAP repair for TOF in a single institute were randomized into two groups: Group I (pericardial patch), Group II (PTFE patch) and their postoperative outcomes in terms of postoperative rhythm, duration of mechanical ventilation, mediastinal and pleural drainage, stay in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital, were assessed. The preoperative and postoperative gradients across the RVOT, pulmonary insufficiency, systolic right ventricular function were assessed echocardiographically by an independent cardiology team. Results: There was one death; there were no differences between the two groups regarding the postoperative duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU, and hospital stay. The requirement of inotropes was less in the PTFE patch group compared to the pericardial patch group (12.80 ± 8.04 vs. 17.30 ± 7.21, median 10 vs. 20, P = 0.025). The re-exploration rate in the PTFE group was higher than the other group (6 vs. 1). There was no difference in the RV systolic function between the two groups as assessed by echocardiogram before discharge. Conclusion: RVOT reconstruction during TOF repair can safely be performed using a PTFE patch with results similar to an autologous patch of glutaraldehyde-treated pericardium. Its results in the mid and long term need further evaluation

Acinetobacter junii AH4-A Potential Strain for Biohydrogen Production from Dairy Industry Anaerobic Sludge

The present study aims to enhance the efficiency of anaerobic sludge microorganisms to produce hydrogen (H2 ) through various pre-treatment methods. The various pre-treatment methods such as base, acid, chloroform, heat shock, freezing and thawing have enabled to isolate acidogenic bacteria with higher bio H2 producing activity in an anoxic environment. From these various treatments, bacteria were isolated and screened for bio H2 capabilities. Among the one bacterial strain, AH4 strain showed maximum cumulative H2 production and Hydrogen Yield (HY) using 100% diary anaerobic sludge. AH4 strain was identified as Acinetobacter junii using 16S rRNA gene sequence and used for further experimental analysis. Biohydrogen productions of Acinetobacter junii were measured at different experimental setup such as various pH levels (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0) and different substrate concentration (10 - 100%) of dairy anaerobic sludge substrate. At pH 7.5 and 60% substrate concentration, the strain AH4 Acinetobacter junii displayed the maximum cumulative H2 production of 945.7 ml/L and H2 yield 1.35 mol H2 / mol glucose. Based on our results, we concluded that Acinetobacter junii can be used as a promising bio agent for hydrogen production on a large scale using dairy anaerobic sludge as substrate

Mutagenicity and Acute Oral Toxicity Test for Herbal Poultry Feed Supplements

Herbal products are being used and trusted globally for thousands of years for their health benefits and limited side effects. Globally, a general belief amongst the consumers is that herbal supplements are always safe because they are “natural.” But later, research reveals that they may not be safe. This raises concern on their safety and implications for their use as feed supplement or medicine. Toxicity testing can reveal some of the risks that may be associated with use of herbs, therefore avoiding potential harmful effects. The present study was designed to investigate five poultry feed supplements (PFS), EGMAX® (to revitalize ovarian activity), FEED-X™ (feed efficiency enhancer), KOLIN PLUS™ (natural replacer of synthetic choline chloride), PHYTOCEE® (natural defence enhancer), and STODI® (to prevent and control loose droppings), for their possible mutagenicity and toxicity. Bacterial reverse mutation (BRMT) and acute oral toxicity tests were employed to assess the PFS for their possible mutagenicity and toxicity. Results indicated that the PFS were devoid of mutagenic effects in BRMT and showed higher safety profile in rodent acute oral toxicity test