Anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extract of mimosa pudica whole plant in rats

Background: Mimosa pudica is a traditionally used folk medicine to treat various disorders like infections, anxiety, depression, bleeding disorders, convulsions, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular pain, asthma, snake bite etc. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Mimosa pudica whole plant (HAEMPWP) in rats.Methods: HAEMPWP was prepared using Soxhlets apparatus. Acute toxicity tests were done with HAEMPWP given orally to albino rats in increasing doses up to 3200 mg/ kg body weight. The anti-inflammatory action was evaluated by Carrageenan induced paw edema method. Thirty albino rats were grouped into five groups and each contained six rats. Group I (control group) received distilled water orally. Group II (standard) received Aspirin orally dissolved in distilled water. Groups III, IV and V received HAEMPWP in doses of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800mg/kg orally dissolved in distilled water. Data analysis was done by one way ANOVA and unpaired t test using SPSS 16 for windows.Results: HAEMPWP showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity as compared to control. There was no statistically significant dose dependent increase in the anti-inflammatory activity.Conclusions: HAEMPWP possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity and could be an effective treatment option for various inflammatory conditions

A Study on Barriers and Practices of Supply Chain Social Sustainability in Indian and North American Energy and Manufacturing Sectors

The paper paves a way to understand supply chain social sustainability practices and their associated barriers to implementation in the Indian and North American energy and manufacturing sectors. A systematic literature review and 4-point Likert scale survey provide clarity on the barriers and their perception from an industrial perspective. Findings from this study highlight that while the criticality of barriers differs with industry and geographies, some barriers are common to all. The study also highlights an approach needed for these sectors by identifying the most common barriers by providing a clear path on what practices can bring about the most impact in resolution. 20 barriers are identified, of which 3 show a stark difference in perception on its criticality against current published research work.  The paper also identifies the top barriers along with the practices that make it most easy to implement. 11 common barriers that exist in the target industries of the two countries are identified and 6 easiest-to-resolve barriers are revealed, analyzing the maximum number of mitigation practices available. The paper concludes by identifying eight most impactful social sustainability practices that can help resolve the maximum number of implementation barriers and highlights avenues for further research in the field

home sick, Notes on diasporic melancholia

The primary focus of my research is to investigate and explore melancholia in diaspora using decolonial methods and a return to ancestral knowledge and practices. Through objects and memories that are both intimate and estranged, I wish to consider the effects of assimilation and fragmentation that migrant experiences hold. Using interdisciplinary artistic practices that mix realities and center performative film, oil paintings, installations, embroidery, digital collage, poetry and short stories, my work is a play on expectations and translations of racialized and migrant bodies. I aim to empower racialized bodies through ritual while celebrating symbols of beauty like the brown skin and the black braid that have been undermined by colonialism, wielding ancestral knowledges as a way of offering, of healing, and of sharing. My work makes note of oppressive structures and attempts to undo colonial damage by creating decolonized safe spaces of healing while privileging the examination of diaspora through multiple, diverse, and intersubjective lenses. My thesis exhibition is a space that blatantly celebrates the differences in media and interdisciplinarity to “disrupt” the white cube through decoration while evoking a sense of feeling “at home” to honor the mother, the motherland, the mother tongue and rituals lost to the onslaught of overwhelming eurocentrism and patriarchal colonialism

Y-short tandem repeat haplotype and paternal lineage of the Ezhava population of Kerala, south India

Aim To analyze the haplotype of the Ezhava population of Kerala, south India, using 8 short tandem repeat (STR) loci on the Y chromosome and trace the paternal genetic lineage of the population. Methods Whole blood samples (n = 104) were collected from unrelated healthy men of the Ezhava population over a period of one year from October 2009. Genomic DNA was extracted by salting out method. All samples were genotyped for the 8 Y-STR loci by the AmpFiSTR Y-filer PCR Amplification Kit. The haplotype and allele frequencies were determined by direct counting and analyzed using Arlequin 3.1 software, and molecular variance was calculated with the Y-chromosome haplotype reference database online analysis tool, www.yhrd.org. Results Among the 104 examined haplotypes, we found 98 unique ones. The average gene diversity was 0.669, with the highest diversity of 0.9462 observed for the biallelic Y-STR marker DYS 385. The allele frequency among DYS loci varied between 0.0096 and 0.75. Out of the 104 haplotypes, 10 were identical to the Jat Sikh population of Punjab, which is the greatest number among the Indian populations, and 4 to the Turkish population, which is the greatest number among the European populations. According to the allele frequency of Y-STR, the Ezhavas were genetically more similar to the Europeans (60%) than to the East Asians (40%). Conclusion The vast majority of haplotypes were observed only once, reflecting the enormous genetic heterogeneity of the Ezhavas. Based on the genotype, the Ezhavas showed more resemblance to Jat Sikh population of Punjab and the Turkish populations than to the East Asians, hence indicating a paternal lineage of European origin

Radical Pair Model for Magnetic Field Effects on NMDA Receptor Activity

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is a prominent player in brain development and functioning. Perturbations to its functioning through external stimuli like magnetic fields can potentially affect the brain in numerous ways. Various studies have shown that magnetic fields of varying strengths affect these receptors. We propose that the radical pair mechanism, a quantum mechanical process, could explain some of these field effects. Radicals of the form [\mbox{RO}^\bullet \mbox{ Mg(\mbox{H}_2$O$)_n}^{+\bullet}], where R is a protein residue that can be Serine or Tyrosine, are considered for this study. The variation in the singlet fractional yield of the radical pairs, as a function of magnetic field strength, is calculated to understand how the magnetic field affects the products of the radical pair reactions. Based on the results, the radical pair mechanism is a likely candidate for explaining the magnetic field effects observed on the receptor activity. The model predicts changes in the behaviour of the system as magnetic field strength is varied and also predicts certain isotope effects. The results further suggest that similar effects on radical pairs could be a plausible explanation for various magnetic field effects within the brain

ROLE OF AGNI KARMA AND SNEHAPANA IN MANAGEMENT OF PAIN IN CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS: A CASE STUDY

Introduction: Cervical spondylosis (Greevasthamba) is a degenerative condition with pain in cervical region as a major symptom. In modern science condition is usually treated with analgesic, corticosteroids, surgical decompression, traction etc. which not contribute much promising results. But in Ayurveda several methods like Snehana, Upanaha, Agnikarma, Raktamokshana and Panchakarma etc. are specified in management of pain. Case presentation: A male patient aged 42 years admitted CARIN-MSD, IPD with pain in the neck region since 2 months, which was also radiating to the right upper limb along with numbness up to the tip of fingers. Cervical active range of motions were painful during flexion, extension and lateral rotation. Spurling test and lhermittes sign were positive. Along with the support of X- ray and MRI investigations the patient was diagnosed with cervical spondylosis due to chronic postural strain. Management and Outcome:Patient was treated with Agnikarma and Snehapana, the pain score over visual analogue scale and NPQ percentage before treatment was Nine and 87.5 % respectively while after intervention it was reduced to Two and 33.33 % within seven days. Conclusion: In acute painful stage of cervical spondylosis Agnikarma and Snehapana can play a major role in management of pain

Y-short tandem repeat haplotype and paternal lineage of the Ezhava population of Kerala, south India

Aim To analyze the haplotype of the Ezhava population of Kerala, south India, using 8 short tandem repeat (STR) loci on the Y chromosome and trace the paternal genetic lineage of the population. Methods Whole blood samples (n = 104) were collected from unrelated healthy men of the Ezhava population over a period of one year from October 2009. Genomic DNA was extracted by salting out method. All samples were genotyped for the 8 Y-STR loci by the AmpFiSTR Y-filer PCR Amplification Kit. The haplotype and allele frequencies were determined by direct counting and analyzed using Arlequin 3.1 software, and molecular variance was calculated with the Y-chromosome haplotype reference database online analysis tool, www.yhrd.org. Results Among the 104 examined haplotypes, we found 98 unique ones. The average gene diversity was 0.669, with the highest diversity of 0.9462 observed for the biallelic Y-STR marker DYS 385. The allele frequency among DYS loci varied between 0.0096 and 0.75. Out of the 104 haplotypes, 10 were identical to the Jat Sikh population of Punjab, which is the greatest number among the Indian populations, and 4 to the Turkish population, which is the greatest number among the European populations. According to the allele frequency of Y-STR, the Ezhavas were genetically more similar to the Europeans (60%) than to the East Asians (40%). Conclusion The vast majority of haplotypes were observed only once, reflecting the enormous genetic heterogeneity of the Ezhavas. Based on the genotype, the Ezhavas showed more resemblance to Jat Sikh population of Punjab and the Turkish populations than to the East Asians, hence indicating a paternal lineage of European origin

BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM FISH AND PRAWN

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from various samples of fresh and frozen fish and prawn. Thirteen species of Lactobacillus were identified among the 64% isolates. Among them, L. plantarum was the dominant species. The remaining 36% isolates of Lactobacillus could not be assigned to any species with the available taxonomic schemes

Understanding of Samhanana based on Ayurvedic Concepts

In Ayurveda, Daśavida Parīkṣha helps in assessing the patient in all aspects. All Prakṛthyadi examination except Vikṛtaparīkṣa is to assess the Śarīra Bala of a person in a Svasta (Healthy condition). By assessing Svasta condition abnormality easily can be perceived. Saṁhanana is an examination which included Carakācārya in Daśavidaparīkṣha. Saṁhanana can relate with the different Ayurvedic concepts like Praśastha Puruṣa, Vyādhi Kṣamatva, Bala, Prakriti, Dhatu Saratha, Pramana, Guru Vyādhita and Laghu Vyādhita and it can be relate with the some of the modern concepts. This paper aims to understand the Saṁhanana in different aspects

Beneficial impacts of biochar as a potential feed additive in animal husbandry

In the last decade, biochar production and use have grown in popularity. Biochar is comparable to charcoal and activated charcoal because it is a pyrogenic carbonaceous matter made by pyrolyzing organic carbon-rich materials. There is a lack of research into the effects of adding biochar to animal feed. Based on the reviewed literature, including its impact on the adsorption of toxins, blood biochemistry, feed conversion rate, digestion, meat quality, and greenhouse gas emissions, adding biochar to the diet of farm animals is a good idea. This study compiles the most important research on biochar's potential as a supplement to the diets of ruminants (including cows and goats), swine, poultry, and aquatic organisms like fish. Biochar supplementation improves animal growth, haematological profiles, meat, milk and egg yield, resistance to illnesses (especially gut pathogenic bacteria), and reduced ruminant methane emission. Biochar's strong sorption capacity also helps efficiently remove contaminants and poisons from the animals' bodies and the farm surroundings where they are raised. Animal farmers are predicted to make greater use of biochar in the future. Biochar could potentially be of value in the healthcare and human health fields; hence research into this area is encouraged. The present review highlights the potential benefits of biochar as an additive to animal feed and demonstrates how, when combined with other environmentally friendly practices, biochar feeding can extend the longevity of animal husbandry