Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Analysis of Asystasia Variabilis Trim. - An Extrapharmacopoeal Ayurvedic Medicinal Plant

Background - Asystasia Variabilis Trim. also known as Maithaala Kaddi by traditional practitioners of Udupi. Belonging to the family Acanthaceae. Is a semi-scandent herb, and effectively used by the Folklore practitioners for the management of Amlapitta (acid peptic disorder), worm infestations and rheumatism. Aim - To explore the pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical parameters of plant to standardize the drug. Materials and Methods - whole mature plant of A.variabilis was collected from Udupi district. Macroscopic, microscopic physico-chemical standards, HPTLC and secondary metabolites screening were scientifically recorded. Results - The pharmacognostical leaf study has shown single layered epidermis throughout midrib and lamina. Anatomical features of stem exhibit single layer of epidermis covered with trichomes. Inner to this, densely arranged collenchyma cells are present. In transverse section of root showed epidermal layer is surrounded by root hairs which are abundant. Powder microscopy characteristics showed the presence of starch in parenchyma region, mesophyll cells with stomata and sclerides were present. The standard out print of the drug is represented by physicochemical standards and HPTLC. Preliminary Phytochemical study shows that it contains Alkaloids, Carbohydrates, Steroids, Tannins and Phenol. Conclusion - Pharmacognostical study carried out on A.variabilis showed quality standards of the drug, with respect to its macroscopy, microscopy, physico-chemical standards and HPTLC

Sin1 phosphorylation impairs mTORC2 complex integrity and inhibits downstream Akt signaling to suppress tumorigenesis

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) functions as a critical regulator of cellular growth and metabolism by forming multi-component, yet functionally distinct complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2. Although mTORC2 has been implicated in mTORC1 activation, little is known about how mTORC2 is regulated. Here we report that phosphorylation of Sin1 at T86 and T398 suppresses mTORC2 kinase activity by dissociating Sin1 from mTORC2. Importantly, Sin1 phosphorylation, triggered by S6K or Akt, in a cellular context-dependent manner, inhibits not only insulin/IGF-1-mediated, but also PDGF or EGF-induced Akt phosphorylation by mTORC2, demonstrating a negative regulation of mTORC2 independent of IRS-1 and Grb10. Lastly, a cancer patient-derived Sin1-R81T mutation impairs Sin1 phosphorylation, leading to hyper-mTORC2 activation via bypassing this negative regulation. Together, our work reveals a Sin1 phosphorylation-dependent mTORC2 regulation, providing a potential molecular mechanism by which mutations in the mTORC1/S6K/Sin1 signaling axis might cause aberrant hyper-activation of mTORC2/Akt that facilitates tumorigenesis

Weather Variability, Tides, and Barmah Forest Virus Disease in the Gladstone Region, Australia

In this study we examined the impact of weather variability and tides on the transmission of Barmah Forest virus (BFV) disease and developed a weather-based forecasting model for BFV disease in the Gladstone region, Australia. We used seasonal autoregressive integrated moving-average (SARIMA) models to determine the contribution of weather variables to BFV transmission after the time-series data of response and explanatory variables were made stationary through seasonal differencing. We obtained data on the monthly counts of BFV cases, weather variables (e.g., mean minimum and maximum temperature, total rainfall, and mean relative humidity), high and low tides, and the population size in the Gladstone region between January 1992 and December 2001 from the Queensland Department of Health, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland Department of Transport, and Australian Bureau of Statistics, respectively. The SARIMA model shows that the 5-month moving average of minimum temperature (β = 0.15, p-value < 0.001) was statistically significantly and positively associated with BFV disease, whereas high tide in the current month (β = −1.03, p-value = 0.04) was statistically significantly and inversely associated with it. However, no significant association was found for other variables. These results may be applied to forecast the occurrence of BFV disease and to use public health resources in BFV control and prevention

Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Barmah Forest Virus Disease in Queensland, Australia

Background Barmah Forest virus (BFV) disease is a common and wide-spread mosquito-borne disease in Australia. This study investigated the spatio-temporal patterns of BFV disease in Queensland, Australia using geographical information system (GIS) tools and geostatistical analysis. Methods/Principal Findings We calculated the incidence rates and standardised incidence rates of BFV disease. Moran's I statistic was used to assess the spatial autocorrelation of BFV incidences. Spatial dynamics of BFV disease was examined using semi-variogram analysis. Interpolation techniques were applied to visualise and display the spatial distribution of BFV disease in statistical local areas (SLAs) throughout Queensland. Mapping of BFV disease by SLAs reveals the presence of substantial spatio-temporal variation over time. Statistically significant differences in BFV incidence rates were identified among age groups (χ2 = 7587, df = 7327,p<0.01). There was a significant positive spatial autocorrelation of BFV incidence for all four periods, with the Moran's I statistic ranging from 0.1506 to 0.2901 (p<0.01). Semi-variogram analysis and smoothed maps created from interpolation techniques indicate that the pattern of spatial autocorrelation was not homogeneous across the state. Conclusions/Significance This is the first study to examine spatial and temporal variation in the incidence rates of BFV disease across Queensland using GIS and geostatistics. The BFV transmission varied with age and gender, which may be due to exposure rates or behavioural risk factors. There are differences in the spatio-temporal patterns of BFV disease which may be related to local socio-ecological and environmental factors. These research findings may have implications in the BFV disease control and prevention programs in Queensland

Snake Bite in South Asia: A Review

Snake bite is one of the most neglected public health issues in poor rural communities living in the tropics. Because of serious misreporting, the true worldwide burden of snake bite is not known. South Asia is the world's most heavily affected region, due to its high population density, widespread agricultural activities, numerous venomous snake species and lack of functional snake bite control programs. Despite increasing knowledge of snake venoms' composition and mode of action, good understanding of clinical features of envenoming and sufficient production of antivenom by Indian manufacturers, snake bite management remains unsatisfactory in this region. Field diagnostic tests for snake species identification do not exist and treatment mainly relies on the administration of antivenoms that do not cover all of the important venomous snakes of the region. Care-givers need better training and supervision, and national guidelines should be fed by evidence-based data generated by well-designed research studies. Poorly informed rural populations often apply inappropriate first-aid measures and vital time is lost before the victim is transported to a treatment centre, where cost of treatment can constitute an additional hurdle. The deficiency of snake bite management in South Asia is multi-causal and requires joint collaborative efforts from researchers, antivenom manufacturers, policy makers, public health authorities and international funders

Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic modeling for the adsorption of heavy metals onto chemically modified hydrotalcite

247-259The adsorption of heavy metals (Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)) from aqueous solutions with tannin-immobilized calcined hydrotalcite (TA-HTC) was studied using batch experiment technique. The surface characterizations of the adsorbent were investigated. Kinetic modeling of removal of metals was done using a pseudo-second-order rate expression. The intraparticle mass transfer diffussion of metals on adsorbent represented the rate-limiting step, with the activation energy of 27.05, 24.22 and 21.96 kJ/mol for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), respectively. Experimental results showed that the adsorption of metals was selective to be in the order of Cu(II)>Zn(II)>Cd(II). Equilibrium isotherm data for metal ions were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Scatchard equations. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm described the adsorption data very well at all studied temperatures. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard enthalpy (ΔH◦), standard entropy (ΔS◦), standard free energy (ΔG◦), activation energy and isosteric enthalpy and entropy were calculated and the results are discussed in detail

Preparation and Physico Chemical Analysis of Arka Lavan

Lavana kalpanas are prepared by using predominantly Lavanas and herbs with Putagni samskara. Arka lavana is a herbo mineral preparation mentioned in Rasa Tarangini, Bhaishajya Ratnavali etc. It is indicated for Yakrit Pleeha Rogas along with water or butter milk as Anupana. The ingredients of this preparation are Arka patra (leaves of Calotropis procera) and Saindhava lavana (rock salt) in equal parts. Standardization is an essential part for proving therapeutic efficacy of a preparation. In this study Arka lavana has prepared according to the traditional method mentioned in textual reference from Rasa Tarangini ie; by Puta Paka method. The analytical study of this preparation was carried out including organoleptic and physicochemical parameters. The pharmaceutical procedure as well as Analytical results can be considered as a reference for further studies