In-Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Microbial Properties of Ethanolic Extract of Cydonia Oblonga Seeds

49-52Phytochemical, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ethanol extract of Cydonia oblonga were studied. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy of the extract was assessed through different methods using DPPH and bovine albumin respectively. Total phenolic content (TPC) was estimated using Folin-Cioucalteu reagent. Antimicrobial effect of seeds was studied using disc diffusion method against gram positive and negative bacteria viz; S.aureus, P.aeruginosa and fungi C. albicans. Phyto-chemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins, amino acids, carbohydrate, fats/oils and glycosides. TPC of the seed extract was found to be 37.46±0.10 mg GAE/gm, extract also showed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 value of 299.98µg/ml and 300µg/ml respectively. Anti-microbial results indicated that Cydonia oblonga seeds extract is effective against gram positive bacteria

A retrospective study of post-partum intrauterine contraceptive devices in a government maternity home of Delhi

Background: Post-partum period is defined to be an ideal time for family planning counselling. Being a second largest populated country, India has a high rate of unintended pregnancy especially in post- partum women. There is a need for accessible, reliable contraception like post-partum intra uterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) in our country. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intra- uterine devices in post-partum women.Methods: The study population included all the women who delivered vaginally who were counselled for PPIUCD insertion in prenatal period, early labour and within 48 hours of delivery and were willing to participate in the study. Participants were interviewed prior to discharge after receiving a PPIUCD and then six, ten, fourteen weeks and 6 months or earlier when necessary. Institutional ethical approval and informed consent were taken.Results: A total of 1625 deliveries took place out of which only 888 were inserted PPIUCD. So, the total acceptance rate was 54.6%. Majority of cases were between the age group of 21-25 (46.4%) and most of them were primipara (39.8%). 34.8% came for routine follow up in OPD at 6 weeks, 14% at 6 months and 6.1% at 1 year.Conclusions: The IUCD insertion has been proved to be a safe and effective method of contraceptive with very few side effects and no major complications. To increase the knowledge and skills among health care providers, it is necessary to arrange training on PPIUCD

Readiness and Perception of Pacific Students to Mobile Phones for Higher Education

The emergence and advancement of Information Communication Technologies have transformed facilitation and content delivery in higher education worldwide, the Pacific region being no exception. The extensive use of mobile phones in the Pacific, especially with the student-aged populace, is gradually creating a niche for mobile learning in the education landscape. However, there is a growing concern on the effectiveness of this innovative intervention keeping in mind the digital intelligence of Pacific students. This paper explores the readiness and perception of the Pacific students using mobile devices for learning. An online questionnaire was used to collect data for this exploratory research. While the results revealed the student’s willingness and positive perception to leverage on mobile phones for learning in higher education, their readiness for the mobile-driven education is rather dependent on various factors which are explored in detail. The paper concludes with recommendations for the higher education institutes and education ministries in the Pacific region

In-Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Microbial Properties of Ethanolic Extract of Cydonia Oblonga Seeds

Phytochemical, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ethanol extract of Cydonia oblonga were studied. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy of the extract was assessed through different methods using DPPH and bovine albumin respectively. Total phenolic content (TPC) was estimated using Folin-Cioucalteu reagent. Antimicrobial effect of seeds was studied using disc diffusion method against gram positive and negative bacteria viz; S.aureus, P.aeruginosa and fungi C. albicans. Phyto-chemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins, amino acids, carbohydrate, fats/oils and glycosides. TPC of the seed extract was found to be 37.46±0.10 mg GAE/gm, extract also showed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 value of 299.98µg/ml and 300µg/ml respectively. Anti-microbial results indicated that Cydonia oblonga seeds extract is effective against gram positive bacteria

A Panel of Protein Kinase Chemosensors Distinguishes Different Types of Fatty Liver Disease

The worldwide incidence of fatty liver disease continues to rise, which may account for concurrent increases in the frequencies of more aggressive liver ailments. Given the existence of histologically identical fatty liver disease subtypes, there is a critical need for the identification of methods that can classify disease and potentially predict progression. Herein, we show that a panel of protein kinase chemosensors can distinguish fatty liver disease subtypes. These direct activity measurements highlight distinct differences between histologically identical fatty liver diseases arising from diets rich in fat versus alcohol and identify a previously unreported decrease in p38α activity associated with a high-fat diet. In addition, we have profiled kinase activities in both benign (dietinduced) and progressive (STAM) disease models. These experiments provide temporal insights into kinase activity during disease development and progression. Altogether, this work provides the basis for the future development of clinical diagnostics and potential treatment strategies

Esters of petroselinic acid containing Trachyspermum copticum seed oil: Potential industrial lubricant base stocks

126-134Trachyspermum copticum seed oil contains volatile oil rich in thymol, which is distilled out and used for medicinal and aromatic formulations. The seed powder after removal of the volatiles loses its importance. However, the fixed oil being rich in unsaturation with petroselinic acid (18:1, Δ6; 68.3%) and linoleic acid (18:2; 25.3%) is used for preparing biolubricant base stocks. Methyl, isopropyl and 2-ethyl hexyl esters of the oil have been converted to epoxides, followed by in situ hydroxylation and acylation using hexanoic and butyric anhydrides. The acylated products have been evaluated for lubricant properties, and are found to exhibit density (0.91-0.97 g/cc); viscosity of 23.5-27.3 cSt at 40°C and 4.85-5.33 cSt at 100°C. The values are comparable to jatropha acylated products. The products exhibited good copper corrosion resistance value of ‘1a’ and high flash points of 230-242°C. The acylated esters with good weld load behavior, and lower wear and pour point values and viscosity indices, 128.84-138.94, can be potential base stocks belonging to group III category lubricants with ISO VG Grade about 22. These products can be further explored for the preparation of hydraulic, metal working and other industrial fluid formulations

Chronic alcohol exposure alters circulating insulin and ghrelin levels: role of ghrelin in hepatic steatosis

Fatty liver is the earliest response of the liver to excessive ethanol consumption. Central in the development of alcoholic steatosis is increased mobilization of nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFAs) to the liver from the adipose tissue. In this study, we hypothesized that ethanol-induced increase in ghrelin by impairing insulin secretion, could be responsible for the altered lipid metabolism observed in adipose and liver tissue. Male Wistar rats were fed for 5–8 wk with control or ethanol Lieber-DeCarli diet, followed by biochemical analyses in serum and liver tissues. In addition, in vitro studies were conducted on pancreatic islets isolated from experimental rats. We found that ethanol increased serum ghrelin and decreased serum insulin levels in both fed and fasting conditions. These results were corroborated by our observations of a significant accumulation of insulin in pancreatic islets of ethanol-fed rats, indicating that its secretion was impaired. Furthermore, ethanol-induced reduction in circulating insulin was associated with lower adipose weight and increased NEFA levels observed in these rats. Additionally, we found that increased concentration of serum ghrelin was due to increased synthesis and maturation in the stomach of the ethanol-fed rats. We also report that in addition to its effect on the pancreas, ghrelin can also directly act on hepatocytes via the ghrelin receptors and promote fat accumulation. In conclusion, alcohol-induced elevation of circulating ghrelin levels impairs insulin secretion. Consequently, reduced circulating insulin levels likely contribute to increased free fatty acid mobilization from adipose tissue to liver, thereby contributing to hepatic steatosis