A Criminological Study on Family Environmental Factors Affecting Child Sexual Abuse in Sri Lanka

Child sexual abuse is a serious crime prohibited by Sri Lankan criminal law, which is discussed under child abuse. There are various factors that contribute to the sexual abuse of children. This research has conducted a criminological study of the family environmental factors affecting child sexual abuse in Sri Lanka. The research was conducted in the Kalutara and Colombo districts of the Western Province and 228 sexually abused children were used as the main sample in 2015-2020. Two separate samples were also used for officers on duty with regard to parents and children from the victims. The data obtained from the research have been extensively analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. 87% of victims of sexual abuse are girls. The majority of 42% represent the 15-17 category. 47% of the majority are victims of corruption. The boyfriend (42%) is responsible for most of the abuse. 33% of victims have been sexually abused in their own home and 32% in the home of the abuser. Family vulnerabilities such as family economic difficulties, parental ignorance, extramarital affairs, single parent family, parental separation, family disputes, parental emigration, paternal and drug abuse, various physical and mental disorders of the parents, family moral decline, and breakdown of parent-child cooperation And various problems of children, problems in the social environment can be identified as factors contributing to sexual abuse. A child faces many problems when he or she is sexually abused. This physical, mental and social impact is detrimental not only to the child affected but also to his family, society and the country as a whole. It can be pointed out that an integrated approach is more effective in controlling and preventing child sexual abuse.    DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v07i02.08 &nbsp

Screening for plant growth promoting fungi and their ability for growth promotion and induction of resistance in pearl millet against downy mildew disease

A total of forty nine plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF) were successfully isolated from the rhizosphere of various grass species in Karnataka State, India. All the PGPF isolates were tested for their ability to enhance pearl millet seed quality parameters and to induce resistance against downy mildew disease in pearl millet. Susceptible pearl millet seeds 7042S were treated with PGPFs conidial suspension (1 x 108 cfu ml-1) and barley grain inocula (BGI) at 5%, 10% and 20% concentrations. Only six isolates among the forty nine tested recorded significant (P < 0.001) enhancement of seed germination and vigor when compared with the untreated control. Of the PGPF, Penicillium sp. (UOM PGPF 27) at 5% (w/w) concentration recorded highest seed germination of 92% and 1701.9 seedling vigor. The in planta colonization of the six PGPF isolates determined successfully in re-isolating the fungus from the basal root segments of 6 cm and 4 cm plated on PDA plates and also from the rhizosphere serial dilution of 10 3 to 10 5. Among the PGPFs tested in two modes, in BGI treatments, Penicillium sp. (UOM PGPF 27) at 5% (w/w) and Pythium sp. (UOM PGPF 41) at 10% (w/w) showed maximum disease protection of 67% and 61% respectively against downy mildew disease of pearl millet In case of conidial suspension treatments Penicillium sp. (UOM PGPF 27) and Trichoderma sp. (UOM PGPF 37) recorded highest disease protection of 71% and 66%, respectively under greenhouse conditions. Thus, the present study suggests that the tested PGPF, both as BGI inocula and conidial suspensions, can be used for pearl millet downy mildew disease management and also for plant growth. &nbsp

Brain Research to Ameliorate Impaired Neurodevelopment - Home-based Intervention Trial (BRAIN-HIT)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of an early developmental intervention program on the development of young children in low- and low-middle-income countries who are at risk for neurodevelopmental disability because of birth asphyxia. A group of children without perinatal complications are evaluated in the same protocol to compare the effects of early developmental intervention in healthy infants in the same communities. Birth asphyxia is the leading specific cause of neonatal mortality in low- and low-middle-income countries and is also the main cause of neonatal and long-term morbidity including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Mortality and morbidity from birth asphyxia disproportionately affect more infants in low- and low-middle-income countries, particularly those from the lowest socioeconomic groups. There is evidence that relatively inexpensive programs of early developmental intervention, delivered during home visit by parent trainers, are capable of improving neurodevelopment in infants following brain insult due to birth asphyxia.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This trial is a block-randomized controlled trial that has enrolled 174 children with birth asphyxia and 257 without perinatal complications, comparing early developmental intervention plus health and safety counseling to the control intervention receiving health and safety counseling only, in sites in India, Pakistan, and Zambia. The interventions are delivered in home visits every two weeks by parent trainers from 2 weeks after birth until age 36 months. The primary outcome of the trial is cognitive development, and secondary outcomes include social-emotional and motor development. Child, parent, and family characteristics and number of home visits completed are evaluated as moderating factors.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The trial is supervised by a trial steering committee, and an independent data monitoring committee monitors the trial. Findings from this trial have the potential to inform about strategies for reducing neurodevelopmental disabilities in at-risk young children in low and middle income countries.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00639184</p

Attenuation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species with suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages by bark extract of Buchanania lanzan

Background: Oxidative stress is one of the most critical factors implicated in disease conditions. Buchanania lanzan Spr. (Anacardiaceae) bark powder preparation has been reported for treating an inflammatory condition in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Objective: In the present study, we investigate the effect of the bark methanol extract (BLM) on reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), the expression of protein and mRNA of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to provide scientific validation of the above said medicinal property. Materials and Methods: The capacity to quench ROS and RNS was evaluated by 5-(and-6) chloromethyl-20,70-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate acetyl ester fluorescence and nitrite estimations in LPS/SNP-stimulated macrophages respectively. The protein and transcript expression of iNOS was evaluated through Western Blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis respectively. Results: Macrophages pretreated with BLM (> 100 g/mL) for 24 h, stimulated with LPS for the last 18 h of experimental duration recorded a significantly (P 100 g/ml (1.6-fold) credited to a reduced protein and mRNA expression of iNOS as recorded by Western blots and RT-PCR results respectively. The reversed-phase liquid chromatography-diode array detection analysis identified the presence of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, quercetin and p-coumaric acid (Rt values 5.444, 5.569 and 9.580 respectively). Conclusions: The potential of BLM inhibiting ROS/RNS production validates the medical use of bark, could find beneficial application under conditions of immune stimulation and/or bacterial infection

Bioactive potential of medicinal plants from Western Ghats Region, India

Methanol extracts of Elaeocarpus, E. serratus, E. tuberculatus (Elaeocarpaceae), Catunaregam uliginosa, C. spinosa (Rubiaceae), Elaeagnus conferta (Elaeagnaceae), Evodia lunu-ankenda (Rutaceae), Glycosmis arborea (Rutaceae), Melastoma malabathricum. (Melastomataceae), and Smilax zeylanica (Liliaceae) leaves were screened for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxicity to Vero cell lines. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2-2�-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging capacities were identified C. spinosa and E. tuberculatus. Anti-inflammatory capacity with lipoxygenase and human cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition for E. tuberculatus and E. serratus was recorded. The extracts prevented DNA damage by hydroxyl radicals produced by Fenton reagent. Cell cytotoxicity studies revealed S. zeylanica and E. tuberculatus with potent cytotoxicity to Vero cells

In vitro antioxidant activity, lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and dna protection properties of Memecylon species

Traditionally several species of Memecylon are used to cure skin problems. However, scientific validation of the plant as a modern medicine is lacking. Therefore, in the present study methanolic extracts of three species of Memecylon i.e., M. umbellatum, M. talbotianum and M. malabaricum were assessed for their antioxidant, anti-microbial, DNA protection capacities, 5-lipoxygenase and human cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibition. Methods: 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) ABTS radical scavenging capacities for extracts in dose range of 50 μg/mL - 10 mg/mL were measured. 15-Lipoxygenase inhibition for these extracts at 10 - 200 μg/mL dose was studied. Human cyclooxygenase-2 was recorded for doses 10 and 50 μg/mL. DNA-nicking assay at 10 μg was recorded. Cell cytotoxicity was recorded by colorimetric MTT assay using doxorubicin as control for extracts (50 - 500 μg/mL). Results: The IC50 values for scavenging the DPPH radical ranged from 0.11 to 0.17 mg/mL and those for the ABTS radical cation from 2.1 to 3.7 mg/mL for the extracts. M. malabaricum leaf extract exhibited highest lipoxygenase inhibition capacity with an IC50 value of 29.87 μg/mL. It also inhibited human COX-2 (80.6 % at 50 μg/mL). Methanolic leaf extracts could prevent DNA nicking by hydroxyl radicals, produced in the Fenton reaction. M. malabaricum leaf extracts inhibited growth of Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Conclusion: This study forms initial screening of these plants with further studies directed towards identification of bioactive molecules as potential lead candidates

Evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of methanolic flower extract of Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitch

Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitch is a member of the family Asteraceae, with attractive yellow flowers borne singly at the end of each stem. The work was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and DNA protecting ability of the methanol extract of W. trilobata flower. Antioxidant properties were assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis 3- thylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay. The methanol extract and standard ascorbic acid showed antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 90 μg/ml and 60 μg/ml respectively in DPPH radical scavenging assay. The in vitro antibacterial screening was evaluated by disc diffusion method against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative human pathogenic bacteria. The extract showed zones of inhibition of 10-16 mm against different strains.The phenolic content of the extract was 250 gallic acid equivalence (GAE in µg) whichwas measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method. The extract was tested for pTZ57R/T plasmid DNA protection against hydroxyl radicals as evidenced by DNA fragmentation assay

Evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of methanolic flower extract of Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitch

Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitch is a member of the family Asteraceae, with attractive yellow flowers borne singly at the end of each stem. The work was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and DNA protecting ability of the methanol extract of W. trilobata flower. Antioxidant properties were assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis 3- thylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay. The methanol extract and standard ascorbic acid showed antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 90 μg/ml and 60 μg/ml respectively in DPPH radical scavenging assay. The in vitro antibacterial screening was evaluated by disc diffusion method against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative human pathogenic bacteria. The extract showed zones of inhibition of 10-16 mm against different strains. The phenolic content of the extract was 250 gallic acid equivalence (GAE in μg) which was measured by Folin-Ciocalteu method. The extract was tested for pTZ57R/T plasmid DNA protection against hydroxyl radicals as evidenced by DNA fragmentation assay.Key words: Asteraceae plant species, methanol extract, antioxidant, antimicrobial, DNA protection assay

Potential anti-inflammatory bioactives from medicinal plants of Western Ghats, India

Natural products have long been a thriving source for the discovery of new drugs because of their chemical diversity. With increased use of herbal remedies, traditionally used medicinal plants are receiving increased attention from scientific and pharmaceutical communities. The newer work on medicinal plants is mostly the rediscovery of traditional effects at cellular and molecular levels. Development of standardized, safe and effective herbal formulations as multi-target therapeutics and prophylaxis could be a tenable approach for the future. Hundreds of plant metabolites are reported to have many pharmacological activities although most of these reports are of academic interest and very few find entry at clinical trials. Compilation of the information would help promote wider acceptance and use of these plant based drugs in main stream of medicine. The present review is directed towards compilation of the pharmacological attributes of medicinal plants of Western Ghats, India in the drug discovery and development process as it could be a driving force to identify lead molecules providing an attractive strategy for novel and improved therapeutics

Endophytic fungal assemblages in calophyllum and garcinia spp. of clusiaceae family in Western Ghats, India

A total of 596 fungal endophytes were isolated from ~2000 bark and twig samples of five medicinal plants from Clusiaceae family of Western Ghats, India, during three seasons viz., rainy, winter and summer. The isolated endophytes belonged to different fungal classes which were Ascomycetes (0.6%), Coelomycetes (19.3%), Hyphomycetes (52.1%), Zygomycetes (1.3%) and Sterile mycelia (0.7%). The most frequently recovered endophytes were Pestalotiopsis sp., Trichoderma sp., Myrothecium sp., Acremonium sp., Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus niger. A few other species recovered were Aspergillus spp., Ascochyta sp., Botrytis cinera, Botryodiplodea theobromae, Chaetomium sp., Cladosporium sp., Colletotrichum spp., Fusarium spp., Morteirella sp., Nigrospora oryzae, Penicillium sp., Paecilomyces sp., Phyllosticta sp. and Verticillium sp. Endophytes recovery was significantly more during the rainy season than winter and summer seasons