SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF DOXYLAMINE SUCCINATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND FOLIC ACID BY CHEMOMETRIC SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

Simultaneous estimation of three component tablets containing Doxylamine succinate (DOX), Pyridoxine hydrochloride (PYR) and Folic acid (FA) was carried out by UV spectrophotometric assisted chemometric methods. Four chemometric methods i.e. classical least square (CLS), inverse least square (ILS), principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS) were applied to simultaneous assay of DOX, PYR and FA in tablets without any chemical separation and any graphical treatment of the overlapping spectra of three drugs. The chemometric calculations were performed by using the Chemometrics Toolbox 3.02 software (Kramer, 1995) along with MATLAB 6. The results of four chemometric methods were statistically compared with each other. These chemometric calibrations were successfully applied to the marketed tablets without any separation procedure. Mean recoveries (percent) and relative standard deviation of ILS, CLS, PCR, PLS methods were found to be 98.77/1.76, 100.59/1.53, 97.91/1.50, 97.53/1.73 for DOX; 99.79/1.22, 100.22/0.58, 100.31/1.68 and 99.33/1.10 for PYR; 99.79/1.37, 100.57/1.56 and 98.38/0.96 for FA respectively. All of the four chemometric methods in this study can be satisfactorily used for the quantitative analysis of multi-component dosage form

Two-Layered Model of Blood Flow through Composite Stenosed Artery

In this paper a steady, axisymmetric flow, with a constricted tube has been studied. The artery has been represented by a two-layered model consisting of a core layer and a peripheral layer. It has been shown that the resistance to flow and wall shear stress increases as the peripheral layer viscosity increases. The results are compared graphically with those of previous investigators. It has been observed that the existence of peripheral layer is useful in representation of diseased arterial system

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in Spinacea oleracea grown in distillery effluent irrigated soil

The aim of the present study was to estimate the accumulation of heavy metals in Spinacea oleracea plant grown in Distillery Effluent (DE) irrigated soil. The results revealed that there was an increase in the metal contents Fe (+2.39%), Zn (+14.27%), Ni (+70.45%), Cd (+34.15%)and Cr (+20.46%) of soil irrigated with DE. In case of S. oleracea grown in the DE irrigated soil, it was observed that there was maximum concentration of Fe (353.24±7.94 mg/kg) and Zn (78.95±7.59 mg/kg) in leaves and that of Cr (54.19±8.39 mg/kg), Cd (7.73±1.41 mg/kg) and Ni (66.47±3.65 mg/kg) in root. The value of Bio-concentration factor (BCF) was found maximum for Cr (2.00) in comparison to other metals in the S. oleracea irrigated with DE. The value of Transfer factor (TF) was found maximum for Zn (TF- 1.51) for the soil irrigated with DE in comparison to soil irrigated with Bore well water (BWW). The DE can be a source of contamination to the soil as some toxic metals may also be transferred to roots and then to leaves in S. oleracea. The practice of continuous irrigation of agricultural land by DE may increase the risk of metal contamination in growing food crops to cause human health risks

Somatic embryogenesis in two cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) genotypes

Plant breeding through hybridization in cassava is facing a problem due to inconsistent flowering, and also the donor genes controlling superior traits are limited. An alternative method of breeding is through genetic transformation, and regeneration via somatic embryogenesis is promising route to achieve this. As somatic embryogenesis in cassava is genotype-specific, in the present study a protocol has been developed for UJ-3 and BW-1 genotypes. Immature sterile leaves from 7-10 days axillary shoots in a pre-condition medium were used as an explant. Leaves were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing picloram (0.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, and 15.0 mg/L) and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA, 6 mg/L) for induction of somatic embryos (SEs). Genotype BW-1 showed best results as early callus formation time i.e. 8.04±0.32 days after induction (dai) compared to UJ-3 (8.67±2.13 dai). The callus fresh weight (0.64 g) was also higher in BW-1 than UJ-3 (0.38 g) after 4 weeks in callus induction medium (CIM), and the callus formation ranges between 85.19±3.70 to 96.30±3.70% for both genotypes. Subculturing embryogenic callus to MS+CuSO4 (4 µM) + picloram (6 mg/L) +NAA (0.5 mg/L) (SK1 medium) germinated maximum SEs in BW-1 (46.56±36.86), whereas the number was less for UJ-3 (11.89±11.90). Further, shoots were developed from green cotyledons followed by hardening and acclimatization of plantlets

Development of Shoot Cultures from Leaf Explant of Portulaca quadrifida L.

Portulaca quadrifida (Portulacaceae) is an annual succulent herb having medicinal value and is consumed as a vegetable or salads in India. In the present study, leaf explants were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium fortified with sucrose (3%) and combinations of N6-benzyladenine (6-BA) and kinetin (KIN) individually and in combination with 1-naphtalene acetic acid (NAA). Rapid regeneration was observed in medium fortified with combinations of 6-BA (8 µM) and NAA (1 µM) which formed 19.40 ± 0.64 shoots with 100% response. Variation in sucrose concentrations (4-6%) was tried but it failed to increase the shoot number. When the optimized medium was fortified with different carbon sources viz. dextrose, glucose and maltose, they could not evoked better response and sucrose proved to be more effective for regeneration. Rooting of in vitro shoots was achieved in ½MS + sucrose (1%) + indole-3-butyric acid (IBA, 2 µM)

Percutaneous transfemoral repositioning of malpositioned central venous access device: A report of two cases

Placement of long term central venous access devices (CVAD) such as chemo ports and Hickman\u2032s catheters are associated with a definite risk of catheter tip malpositioning. As such, malpositioning runs a risk of venous thrombosis and related complications; it is imperative to reposition the catheter. Percutaneous transfemoral venous approach has been described as a minimally invasive and safe method for the repositioning. We present two cases in which the CVAD implanted in one subclavian vein got malpositioned in contra lateral subclavian vein. A percutaneous transfemoral venous approach utilizing 5 Fr angiographic catheter was successful in repositioning of the catheters in both cases

The essential oil composition of aerial parts of Artemisia austriaca Jacq. from three accessions of Northern Kazakhstan

In the flora of Kazakhstan there are many medicinal plants, of which the genus Artemisia (Asteraceae) includes 81 species. In the current study, chemical composition of essential oil from aerial parts of Artemisia austriaca Jacq. collected from different sites of Northern Kazakhstan was determined using GC-MS analysis. The chemical analysis demonstrated that the oil was dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes amounting to 39.49-59.20% with camphor (7.03-20.52%), 1,8-cineole (8.95-13.55%), α-thujone (3.16-25.78%) and β-thujone (0.87-9.92%) as major constituents. The results also suggested that there was difference in composition as well as amount among different sites depending on pH and organic matter of the soil. Further chemometric analysis using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of A. austriaca essential oil compositions from the published literature as well as the composition from present study were used in order to demonstrate geographical variations in the composition of the essential oils. It showed the existence of two main clusters: mixture of α- and β-thujones (32.5±21.6%) / 1,8-cineole (13.9±7.8%) (Cluster I) and camphor (40.5±17.4%) / 1,8-cineole (19.4±9.5%) (Cluster II)

Immune regulation of a chronic bacteria infection and consequences for pathogen transmission

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of host immunity has been recognized as not only playing a fundamental role in the interaction between the host and pathogen but also in influencing host infectiousness and the ability to shed pathogens. Despite the interest in this area of study, and the development of theoretical work on the immuno-epidemiology of infections, little is known about the immunological processes that influence pathogen shedding patterns.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We used the respiratory bacterium <it>Bordetella bronchiseptica </it>and its common natural host, the rabbit, to examine the intensity and duration of oro-nasal bacteria shedding in relation to changes in the level of serum antibodies, blood cells, cytokine expression and number of bacteria colonies in the respiratory tract. Findings show that infected rabbits shed <it>B. bronchiseptica </it>by contact up to 4.5 months post infection. Shedding was positively affected by number of bacteria in the nasal cavity (CFU/g) but negatively influenced by serum IgG, which also contributed to the initial reduction of bacteria in the nasal cavity. Three main patterns of shedding were identified: i- bacteria were shed intermittently (46% of individuals), ii- bacteria shedding fell with the progression of the infection (31%) and iii- individuals never shed bacteria despite being infected (23%). Differences in the initial number of bacteria shed between the first two groups were associated with differences in the level of serum antibodies and white blood cells. These results suggest that the immunological conditions at the early stage of the infection may play a role in modulating the long term dynamics of <it>B. bronchiseptica </it>shedding.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We propose that IgG influences the threshold of bacteria in the oro-nasal cavity which then affects the intensity and duration of individual shedding. In addition, we suggest that a threshold level of infection is required for shedding, below this value individuals never shed bacteria despite being infected. The mechanisms regulating these interactions are still obscure and more studies are needed to understand the persistence of bacteria in the upper respiratory tract and the processes controlling the intensity and duration of shedding.</p

Simultaneous presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer: experience from a regional cancer centre

Background: Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis is very high in India. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in males in Delhi and because of close similarity in clinical and radiological features of lung cancer and tuberculosis many of lung cancer patients have had received empirical anti tubercular treatment (ATT) before a diagnosis of lung cancer was established. True incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in lung cancer is not known. Tuberculosis in lung cancer may get reactivated following chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Simultaneous presentation of tuberculosis and lung cancer independent of treatment with immunosuppresants, however, is rare. Material and Methods: At our center we evaluated records of 580 lung cancer patients seen over a period of 5 years to see incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in lung cancer. Patients who had been worked up for pulmonary tuberculosis like sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for AFB smear or culture were identified. Results: Two hundred and ninety eight of these patients were worked up for pulmonary tuberculosis. Twelve patients in the present study had documented evidence of simultaneous existence of pulmonary tuberculosis (acid fast bacilli positive sputum and or culture positivity) and lung cancer. Radiologically, no separate active tubercular lesion was identified except in one patient who had left upper zone fibro parenchymal lesion. Fibrosis and calcification on chest X-rays (CXR) suggestive of old tuberculosis were evident in 7 patients. Eight patients died of progressive lung cancer within 3 months of diagnosis, 4 patients became acid fast bacilli (AFB) negative after 2 months of anti tubercular therapy. Diagnosis of lung cancer was delayed in 4 patients as they were receiving anti tubercular therapy after detection of AFB in sputum. Conclusion: Recognition of tuberculosis is important not only because it is curable but also due to the fact that its presence interferes with radiological assessment to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Sputum acid fast smear may be done more frequently in patients of lung cancer in countries where tuberculosis has high prevalence. The true incidence may be still higher and newer techniques e.g. PCR based and others may help in knowing true incidence of co existence of lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis

Streamlining Sporozoite Isolation From Mosquitoes by Leveraging the Dynamics of Migration to the Salivary Glands

Background: Sporozoites isolated from the salivary glands of Plasmodium-infected mosquitoes are a prerequisite for several basic and pre-clinical applications. Although salivary glands are pooled to maximize sporozoite recovery, insufficient yields pose logistical and analytical hurdles; thus, predicting yields prior to isolation would be valuable. Preceding oocyst densities in the midgut is an obvious candidate. However, it is unclear whether current understanding of its relationship with sporozoite densities can be used to maximize yields, or whether it can capture the potential density-dependence in rates of sporozoite invasion of the salivary glands. Methods: This study presents a retrospective analysis of Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes infected with two strains of the rodent-specific Plasmodium berghei. Mean oocyst densities were estimated in the midguts earlier in the infection (11-15 days post-blood meal), with sporozoites pooled from the salivary glands later in the infection (17-29 days). Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to determine if (1) mean oocyst densities can predict sporozoite yields from pooled salivary glands, (2) whether these densities can capture differences in rates of sporozoite invasion of salivary glands, and (3), if the interaction between oocyst densities and time could be leveraged to boost overall yields. Results: The non-linear effect of mean oocyst densities confirmed the role of density-dependent constraints in limiting yields beyond certain oocyst densities. Irrespective of oocyst densities however, the continued invasion of salivary glands by the sporozoites boosted recoveries over time (17-29 days post-blood meal) for either parasite strain. Conclusions: Sporozoite invasion of the salivary glands over time can be leveraged to maximize yields for P. berghei. In general, however, invasion of the salivary glands over time is a critical fitness determinant for all Plasmodium species (extrinsic incubation period, EIP). Thus, delaying sporozoite collection could, in principle, substantially reduce dissection effort for any parasite within the genus, with the results also alluding to the potential for changes in sporozoites densities over time to modify infectivity for the next host