Vertex Graceful Labeling-Some Path Related Graphs

Treating subjects as vertex graceful graphs, vertex graceful labeling, caterpillar, actinia graphs, Smarandachely vertex m-labeling

Whole shoot mineral partitioning and accumulation in pea (Pisum sativum)

Several grain legumes are staple food crops that are important sources of minerals for humans; unfortunately, our knowledge is incomplete with respect to the mechanisms of translocation of these minerals to the vegetative tissues and loading into seeds. Understanding the mechanism and partitioning of minerals in pea could help in developing cultivars with high mineral density. A mineral partitioning study was conducted in pea to assess whole-plant growth and mineral content and the potential source-sink remobilization of different minerals, especially during seed development. Shoot and root mineral content increased for all the minerals, although tissue-specific partitioning differed between the minerals. Net remobilization was observed for P, S, Cu, and Fe from both the vegetative tissues and pod wall, but the amounts remobilized were much below the total accumulation in the seeds. Within the mature pod, more minerals were partitioned to the seed fraction (\u3e75%) at maturity than to the pod wall for all the minerals except Ca, where only 21% was partitioned to the seed fraction. Although there was evidence for net remobilization of some minerals from different tissues into seeds, continued uptake and translocation of minerals to source tissues during seed fill is as important, if not more important, than remobilization of previously stored minerals

Fat feeding potentiates the diabetogenic effect of dexamethasone in Wistar rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of cortisol and its increased action/availability is implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome but the mechanism of increased action/availability is not known. Availability of several other lipophilic hormones, drugs and pollutants are also reported to be increased in obesity. Increased lipids in the circulation are reported to alter the fluidity and permeability of membranes. Hyperlipidemia is also reported to alter the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lipophilic molecules and also membrane fluidity and permeability. In this context we assumed that the hyperlipidemia associated with human obesity might play a role in the altered action/availability of cortisol and this in turn might have initiated the metabolic complications. To evaluate our assumption we have administered dexamethasone [low [50 μg/kg/day] or high [250 μg/kg/day] dose] to high-fat [coconut oil & vanaspati] fed rats and the results were compared with rats administered with either dexamethasone or high-fat.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>Within two weeks, the rats co-administered with high-fat and dexamethasone developed severe hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance compared to rats treated either of them alone. High-fat fed rats treated with higher dose of dexamethasone were presented with severe hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and also severe glycosuria. The hyperlipidemia caused by high-fat feeding might have altered the transport and distribution of dexamethasone, probably by altering the physical state of membranes and transport proteins.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>From the results obtained, it can be speculated that the altered lipid and cortisol metabolism could affect one another, forming a vicious cycle.</p

A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled, phase IV, proof-of-concept, comparative study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Swasawin asthaloc tablets when given as add-on therapy in patients suffering from mild to moderate persistent bronchial asthma

Background: Asthma, known as “Tamaka Shwasa” in Ayurveda, as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways associated with increased airway hyper-responsiveness, recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing, particularly at night/early morning. The key component to improving control and preventing attacks is the avoidance of triggers. Swasawin Asthaloc tablet, a polyherbal proprietary medication, is claimed to be effective in asthma. The Objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Swasawin Asthaloc tablets when given as add-on therapy to patients suffering from mild to moderate persistent bronchial asthma.Methods: The study was initiated after receiving Institutional Ethics Committee approval. Patients suffering from mild-to-moderate persistent bronchial asthma were randomized to 2 study groups after written informed consent process for 6 months. Group I received the study medication Swasawin Asthaloc tablet (1 tablet twice daily) in addition to regular anti-asthmatic medications (inhaler ± oral medications). Group II received Placebo tablets in a similar dose as add-on therapy. The study efficacy parameters included spirometry, breath holding time (BHT), Asthma symptom score and Ayurvedic Asthma symptom score.Results: 60 patients were enrolled in the study, of which 50 patients completed the study. In case of spirometry, both FEV1 and PEFR values showed statistically significant improvement at the end of 6 months therapy. Significant improvement in the Breath Holding Time (BHT), Ayurvedic Asthma symptom score and Asthma symptom score was observed in the active group as compared to the baseline (p <0.001).Conclusions: Add-on therapy with Swasawin Asthaloc tablets helped in reducing bronchial inflammation and improving asthmatic symptoms by virtue of its anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory and antihistaminic properties. Hence it can be used as add-on therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent bronchial asthma and may decrease the need for rescue medications especially steroids

A Study on Altered Total Plasma Homocysteine Level and Lipid Profile in Newly Diagnosed Hypothyroid Individuals

One of the major complication of hypothyroidism is atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an important and independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Hypothyroidism decreases hepatic levels of enzymes which converts homocysteine to methionine that leads to increase in homocysteine level in the circulation of hypothyroid individuals. The aim of the study was to assess fasting total plasma homocysteine level in recently diagnosed hypothyroidism. The study included thirty recently diagnosed hypothyroid individuals, thirty treated hypothyroidism and thirty apparently healthy subjects with age and sex matched. The study group was selected after obtaining ethical committee clearance and consent from subjects attending outpatient department of Endocrinology, Madras Medical College, Chennai. Thyroid profile, homocysteine and lipid profile were measured in fasting blood samples. Total plasma homocysteine levels was significantly more in recently diagnosed hypothyroidism compared to controls and treated hypothyroidism with p value 0.006. By this study we confirmed hyperhomocysteinemia in hypothyroidism which may lead to atherosclerosis. Hypothyroidism is one of the treatable cause for hyperhomocysteinemia. Lipid profile was altered in recently diagnosed hypothyroidism. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were high in recently diagnosed hypothyroidism compared to controls and treated hypothyroidism. Lipid profile was highly significant between the study groups with the p value <0.001 except HDL cholesterol. During treatment with thyroxine hypothyroid patients should be monitored for lipid profile, total plasma homocysteine levels. In hypothyroidism estimation of total plasma homocysteine level is may be used as screening test to identify and monitor cardiovascular risk

EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF COMBINATION OF ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM) AND LAWSONIA INERMIS (HENNA)

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Lawsonia inermis(henna) individual extract and in combination using the same solvent.Methods: The leaf material of A. indica and L. inermis was collected from surroundings of Aditya College of Pharmacy, Kakinada, East Godavari.Powdered material was subjected to successive solvent extraction process. The yield was collected and prepared different concentrations (50, 100,and 200 μg/ml) of plant extracts. Diclofenac sodium was used as standard drug. The anti-inflammatory activity was performed by in vitro methodssuch as albumin denaturation method and human red blood cells membrane lysis method.Results: Denaturation of proteins is a well-documented cause of inflammation. Neem showed a significant membrane stabilizing activity of 46.62% and protein denaturation inhibition activity of 57.32% at concentration of 200 μg/ml. Henna showed a significant membrane stabilizing activity of 39.89% and protein denaturation inhibition activity of 53.75% at 200 μg/ml. In combination, both the extracts showed a significant membranestabilizing activity of 56.63% and protein denaturation inhibition activity of 67.69% at concentration of 200 μg/ml.Conclusion: The present study concluded that combination of A. indica and L. inermis possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity when comparedwith individual extract.Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Human red blood cell, Protein denaturation, Lawsonia inermis, Azadiracta indica

Levonorgestrel intrauterine contraceptive device in heavy menstrual bleeding: our experience in a tertiary level government hospital

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of levonorgestrel intrauterine contraceptive device (LNG-IUCD) on menstrual blood loss and its acceptance in Indian women with Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).Methods: 50 women with HMB and meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the prospective non-randomized observational study from November 2013-2014 in PGIMER, RML HOSPITAL, a tertiary care hospital. LNG-IUCD was inserted and patients were followed up for six months. Reduction in menstrual blood loss, reduction in endometrial thickness, improvement in hemoglobin and serum ferritin and side effects due to LNG-IUCD was noted.Results: LNG-IUCD was effective in 47 out of 50 patients suffering from HMB. There was 98% reduction in menstrual blood loss (PBAC score) and 67.8% reduction in endometrial thickness after six months. Improvement in hemoglobin was by 2.44 gm/dl whereas serum ferritin improved by 15.39 µg/l after 6 months. Relief in dysmenorrhea was 94.7%. Complete amenorrhea was achieved in 19.14% and 44.6% were suffering from spotting. Treatment failure was seen in 3 patients who expelled LNG-IUCD at varying intervals. One patient with misplaced LNG-IUCD was relieved of symptoms after repositioning. Proper counseling prior to insertion and after insertion made LNG-IUCD well accepted in our study population.Conclusions: LNG-IUCD is an effective and acceptable non-surgical alternative to a common problem of HMB. The success rate was 94% in our study with only 3 patients needing hysterectomy due to expulsion. Emphasis on counseling patients of troublesome spotting and correct fundal placement is essential

Cost analysis of critical patient care at a pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care public hospital in an urban metropolis of India

Background: The cost of critical care is widely recognized as being high. However, it remains a challenge to accurately assess the cost of intensive care due to a lack of standardized methodology. There is also considerable heterogeneity with regard to allocation of resources and distribution of critical care services.Methods: We conducted a prospective study to analyse diagnosis-based costs of paediatric patient care at a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in a public hospital in Mumbai on the basis of identified cost components; direct (fixed and variable) and indirect costs.Results: Out of 167 (102 boys, 61%) patients enrolled, 65 (39%) were aged 1-7 months. They spent an average of 4±1.46 bed days in the PICU. The cost of direct fixed components (salaries, capital equipment, disposables) was Rs. 64,48,200 for six months. The maximum cost of direct variable components spent by the hospital (physiotherapy intervention, expert opinion, investigations, medicines, blood products, piped gases) amounted to Rs. 548.63/patient/day for treatment of non-infectious diseases. Cost of indirect components (building maintenance) was Rs. 12,500/six months. Linear regression analysis showed 83-99.99% dependency of treatment cost to diagnosis and bed days. The average cost of treatment of infectious and non-infectious diagnoses/patient/day spent by the hospital was Rs. 260 and Rs. 548.63 respectively as compared to Rs. 169.96 and Rs. 356.21 spent by the patients.Conclusions: Our study showed that majority of the treatment costs depended on the diagnosis and number of bed days of the patients. Also being a tertiary care public hospital, 60% of the treatment costs were borne by the hospital. Thus, our study attempts to quantify, in financial terms, the expenditure involved in running a paediatric ICU in a tertiary care public hospital so as to assist doctors and healthcare decision makers in the allocation of resources

Assessment of the degree of awareness among post-graduate medical physicians and Pharmacists about look-alike, sound-alike drug and potential medication errors

Background: With thousands of drugs currently in the market, the potential for medication errors due to confusing drug names amongst practising physicians, pharmacists and patients is significant. The existence of confusing drug names is one of the most common causes of medication error. There are many look-alikes, sound-alike (LASA) combinations that could potentially result in medication errors. There is insufficient data about medication errors due to LASA. Hence, we conducted the present study to determine the degree of awareness regarding LASA drugs among post graduate medical physicians and Pharmacists.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey, conducted among 137 year post graduate medical residents of a tertiary care teaching hospital and 121 local pharmacists in an urban metropolitan Indian city.Results: There were 34% resident doctors and 17% pharmacists were aware of concept of LASA drugs. Only 46% resident doctors and 22% pharmacists had knowledge about the full form of LASA. Among resident doctors, 39% came across prescription errors due to LASA drugs. Only 69% of the pharmacists agreed that they consulted their doctors when they faced problems due to prescription errors due to similar looking and similar sounding drugs.Conclusions: Look-Alike, Sound-Alike (LASA) drugs are common source of medication errors. Our study suggests that there is lack of awareness about LASA drugs amongst resident doctors and pharmacists, which may contribute to occurrence of medication errors. Therefore, combined efforts by prescribers, pharmacists, organizations, manufacturers and patients is required to overcome medication errors due to LASA drugs