Ameliorating potentials of N-acetyl-l-cysteine against methoxychlor instigated modulation in structural characteristics of granulosa cells of caprine antral follicles

Follicular granulosa cells (GCs) form an important association with follicle’s survival and health that determines ovulation. Apoptosis induction in GCs leads to follicular atresia and infertility problems. The present study aims at assessing the ultrastructural toxicity of methoxychlor (MXC), an organochlorine insecticide and reproductive toxin, on structural aspects of GCs owing to its potential for inducing apoptosis and the ameliorating potential of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in this toxicity. The ultrastructural morphology revealed MXC induced degenerative changes in GCs like loss of cellular junction complexes and membrane integrity; nuclear abnormalities like occurrence of condensed and marginated chromatin, crescent shaped or blebbed nucleus; presence of disrupted mitochondria with disrupted cristae, vacuolization, empty spaces, large number of homogenous lipid droplets and extensive network of rough endoplasmic reticulum and several cytoplasmic processes at various doses of MXC with maximum degeneration observed at 100 µg/mL. NAC supplementation reduced the observed apoptotic characteristics of GCs with most significant changes at 5 and 10 mM concentration. Thus, it is evident that MXC acts as an apoptotic inducer in GCs that influences the quality of antral follicles in mammals; however, NAC, with its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, turns out to be a potential therapeutic and anti-apoptotic agent against MXC toxicity

Ameliorating potentials of N-acetyl-l-cysteine against methoxychlor instigated modulation in structural characteristics of granulosa cells of caprine antral follicles

366-372Follicular granulosa cells (GCs) form an important association with follicle’s survival and health that determines ovulation. Apoptosis induction in GCs leads to follicular atresia and infertility problems. The present study aims at assessing the ultrastructural toxicity of methoxychlor (MXC), an organochlorine insecticide and reproductive toxin, on structural aspects of GCs owing to its potential for inducing apoptosis and the ameliorating potential of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in this toxicity. The ultrastructural morphology revealed MXC induced degenerative changes in GCs like loss of cellular junction complexes and membrane integrity; nuclear abnormalities like occurrence of condensed and marginated chromatin, crescent shaped or blebbed nucleus; presence of disrupted mitochondria with disrupted cristae, vacuolization, empty spaces, large number of homogenous lipid droplets and extensive network of rough endoplasmic reticulum and several cytoplasmic processes at various doses of MXC with maximum degeneration observed at 100 μg/ml. NAC supplementation reduced the observed apoptotic characteristics of GCs with most significant changes at 5- and 10 mM concentration. Thus, it is evident that MXC acts as an apoptotic inducer in GCs that influences the quality of antral follicles in mammals; however, NAC, with its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, turns out to be a potential therapeutic and anti-apoptotic agent against MXC toxicity

An updated review on Physalis peruviana fruit: Cultivational, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical aspects

97-110Plants have always been rich sources of medicinally active constituents in the quest for curing numerous diseases. Among those, Physalis peruviana has been utilized traditionally as a therapeutic (antispasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, sedative, and analgesic) and nutraceutical herb. It contains numerous active components like essential minerals, α-linolenic acid, iron, vitamins, carbohydrates, phytosterols etc. Its potential as a multifunctional agent in beverages, foods and nutraceutical industries makes it an important crop for consideration. From the agricultural point of view, this fruit is a profitable commercial crop for arid regions also and does not require much effort and investment for cultivation. It easily grows in wild and arid regions. Despite being a nutraceutical and a medicinally important crop, its utilization is not up to the mark. Thus the objective of the present review was to explore and emphasize the nutraceutical and therapeutic potential of Physalis peruviana. It provides exhaustive insight into the origin, distribution, cultivation, harvesting, active constituents and its prospective utility in food, nutrition and pharmaceutical industries

An updated review on Physalis peruviana fruit: Cultivational, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical aspects

Plants have always been rich sources of medicinally active constituents in the quest for curing numerous diseases. Among those, Physalis peruviana has been utilized traditionally as a therapeutic (antispasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, sedative, and analgesic) and nutraceutical herb. It contains numerous active components like essential minerals, α-linolenic acid, iron, vitamins, carbohydrates, phytosterols etc. Its potential as a multifunctional agent in beverages, foods and nutraceutical industries makes it an important crop for consideration. From the agricultural point of view, this fruit is a profitable commercial crop for arid regions also and does not require much effort and investment for cultivation. It easily grows in wild and arid regions. Despite being a nutraceutical and a medicinally important crop, its utilization is not up to the mark. Thus the objective of the present review was to explore and emphasize the nutraceutical and therapeutic potential of Physalis peruviana. It provides exhaustive insight into the origin, distribution, cultivation, harvesting, active constituents and its prospective utility in food, nutrition and pharmaceutical industries

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF FREEZING RESISTANT INTRAVENOUS FLUID

Objectives: Hemorrhagic or hypovolemic shocks accounts for a large portion of civilian and military trauma deaths due to life-threatening blood loss which requires intravenous fluid infusion to prevent essential deficiencies of fluids. However, at low temperature (-150C) fluid bottles freeze out and can not be used in emergency. In view of that, objective of the present work is to develop a freezing resistant intravenous formulation (FRIV) and its in vivo safety and efficacy evaluation. Methods: FRIV formulations were developed using standardized ringer lactate (RL) formulation protocol, in which varying concentrations of ethanol and glycerol were added to induce desired physiochemical properties. Efficacy of FRIV was evaluated in terms of survival percentage of hemorrhagic animal models (Swiss albino strain mice). Acute toxicity studies were carried out through an infusion at dose levels (0, 20 and 40 ml/Kg b. wt.). Results: In vitro data showed that optimized FRIV (F-10) takes more time (360 ± 21 min) for freezing and less time in thawing (50 ± 4.50 min) in comparison to control which takes (110 ± 15 min) in freezing and (80 ± 7.25 min) in thawing. Formulations were found to be stable and sterile up to six months. In vivo efficacy data showed ≥ 75% survival in animals infused with FRIV as compared to control group in hemorrhagic animal models and no treatment related toxic effects of optimized formulation in terms of hematological, serum biochemistry and histopathological analysis. Conclusion: Pre-clinical safety and efficacy data of the present study indicated that developed FRIV formulation could be used for fluid recovery during the hemorrhagic shocks conditions in the combat scenario

Mapping of variations in child stunting, wasting and underweight within the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 2000–2017

Background To inform actions at the district level under the National Nutrition Mission (NNM), we assessed the prevalence trends of child growth failure (CGF) indicators for all districts in India and inequality between districts within the states. Methods We assessed the trends of CGF indicators (stunting, wasting and underweight) from 2000 to 2017 across the districts of India, aggregated from 5 × 5 km grid estimates, using all accessible data from various surveys with subnational geographical information. The states were categorised into three groups using their Socio-demographic Index (SDI) levels calculated as part of the Global Burden of Disease Study based on per capita income, mean education and fertility rate in women younger than 25 years. Inequality between districts within the states was assessed using coefficient of variation (CV). We projected the prevalence of CGF indicators for the districts up to 2030 based on the trends from 2000 to 2017 to compare with the NNM 2022 targets for stunting and underweight, and the WHO/UNICEF 2030 targets for stunting and wasting. We assessed Pearson correlation coefficient between two major national surveys for district-level estimates of CGF indicators in the states. Findings The prevalence of stunting ranged 3.8-fold from 16.4% (95% UI 15.2–17.8) to 62.8% (95% UI 61.5–64.0) among the 723 districts of India in 2017, wasting ranged 5.4-fold from 5.5% (95% UI 5.1–6.1) to 30.0% (95% UI 28.2–31.8), and underweight ranged 4.6-fold from 11.0% (95% UI 10.5–11.9) to 51.0% (95% UI 49.9–52.1). 36.1% of the districts in India had stunting prevalence 40% or more, with 67.0% districts in the low SDI states group and only 1.1% districts in the high SDI states with this level of stunting. The prevalence of stunting declined significantly from 2010 to 2017 in 98.5% of the districts with a maximum decline of 41.2% (95% UI 40.3–42.5), wasting in 61.3% with a maximum decline of 44.0% (95% UI 42.3–46.7), and underweight in 95.0% with a maximum decline of 53.9% (95% UI 52.8–55.4). The CV varied 7.4-fold for stunting, 12.2-fold for wasting, and 8.6-fold for underweight between the states in 2017; the CV increased for stunting in 28 out of 31 states, for wasting in 16 states, and for underweight in 20 states from 2000 to 2017. In order to reach the NNM 2022 targets for stunting and underweight individually, 82.6% and 98.5% of the districts in India would need a rate of improvement higher than they had up to 2017, respectively. To achieve the WHO/UNICEF 2030 target for wasting, all districts in India would need a rate of improvement higher than they had up to 2017. The correlation between the two national surveys for district-level estimates was poor, with Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.7 only in Odisha and four small north-eastern states out of the 27 states covered by these surveys. Interpretation CGF indicators have improved in India, but there are substantial variations between the districts in their magnitude and rate of decline, and the inequality between districts has increased in a large proportion of the states. The poor correlation between the national surveys for CGF estimates highlights the need to standardise collection of anthropometric data in India. The district-level trends in this report provide a useful reference for targeting the efforts under NNM to reduce CGF across India and meet the Indian and global targets. Keywords Child growth failureDistrict-levelGeospatial mappingInequalityNational Nutrition MissionPrevalenceStuntingTime trendsUnder-fiveUndernutritionUnderweightWastingWHO/UNICEF target

Review of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Technologies Globally and in India

India has set an ambitious target to reach 500 GW of installed non-fossil energy capacity by 2030. However, increasing penetrations of renewables - mostly wind and solar - will require the corresponding deployment of flexible resources - such as energy storage and demand response - to support generation variability. To this regard, alongside rapid demand growth for renewables and electrification, grid-scale energy storage will be key to ensuring power system reliability and resilience in the coming years. Here, we conduct a review of grid-scale energy storage technologies, their technical specifications, current costs and cost projections, supply chain availability, scalability potential, and policy frameworks focused on the Indian market and contextualized in the global landscape

Supplementary figs & table - Effective uptake of folate-functionalized ethionamide-loaded hybrid system: targeting alveolar macrophages nnm-2021-0468

Aim: To assess the targeting ability of hybrid nanosystems functionalized with folate. It also aimed to reduce stomach intolerance by substituting the oral route for parenteral delivery. Method: The nanosystems, prepared by nanoprecipitation technique, utilized a one-step method to prepare nanoparticles followed by surface functionalization through adsorption. The prepared nanosystems underwent physical characterization, in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Result: The nanosystems were effective in targeting the alveolar macrophages. Ethionamide was released from the formulation over 5 days. Fourier-transform infrared results proved the structural characteristics, and the positive charge further improved the targeting efficacy on the functionalized system. Conclusion: The hybrid formulation improved the release characteristics. Reduction in dosing frequency due to prolonged release improves compliance with the dosage regimen.</p