Ublažavajući učinak biljke Andrographis paniculata na promjene u brojlera uzrokovane bakterijom E. coli

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Andrographis paniculata during E. coli-induced pathology in broilers. Day-old broiler chicks (n = 100) were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group I served as a negative control and was fed with a commercial diet. On day 8, the birds from groups II and IV were challenged with a single oral dose of E. coli broth culture 0.2 mL (1×109 cfu/mL). Groups III and IV were fed with Andrographis paniculata 5 g/kg of feed from day old to the end of the experiment. The total duration of the experiment was 35 days. On the 7th, 21st and 28th day post infection (DPI) with E. coli, six birds from each group were randomly sacrificed and observed for gross and histopathogical observations. Group II birds showed ascites and thickened intestinal mucosa with cheesy material on the 28th and 35th DPI. Pathomorphological alterations, viz. congestion, hemorrhages, degenerations, necrosis, fibrinous exudates, edema, mononuclear cell and heterophil infiltration in the lung, liver, heart, kidneys and duodenum were observed in group II birds, along with depletion of the lymphoid cell population in the spleen. Pretreatment of Andrographis paniculata in the E. coli challenged group led to mild degenerative changes in all organs, indicating the putative protective effect of the plant during E. coli induced pathology in broilers. However, further, more elaborated study is required to calculate the dosage of Andrographis paniculata for use as an antibacterial agent in broiler feed.Istraživanje je provedeno kako bi se procijenio ublažavajući učinak biljke Kineski andrografis (Andrographis paniculata) na patološke procese u brojlera uzrokovane bakterijom E. coli. Jednodnevni pilići (n = 100) slučajnim su odabirom podijeljeni u četiri jednake skupine. Prva je skupina poslužila kao negativna kontrola i hranjena je komercijalnom hranom. Osmi dan pilićima iz druge i četvrte skupine peroralno je dana jednokratna doza E. coli bujona u količini od 0,2 mL (1×109 cfu/mL). Treća i četvrta skupina hranjene su biljkom Andrographis paniculata u količini od 5 g/kg hrane od početka do kraja pokusa. Istraživanje je trajalo 35 dana. Sedmi, 21. i 28. dan nakon zaražavanja bakterijom E. coli po šest pilića iz svake skupine nasumce je usmrćeno te su promatrane makroskopske i patohistološke promjene. U drugoj je skupini uočen ascites i zadebljanje crijevne sluznice sa sirastim naslagama 28. i 35. dan poslije zaražavanja. U toj su skupini promatrane patomorfološke promjene poput kongestije, krvarenja, degeneracije, nekroze, fibrinskog eksudata, edema, infiltracije pluća, jetre, srca, bubrega i dvanaesnika mononuklearnim i heterofilnim stanicama, uz depleciju limfoidnih stanica u slezeni. Dodavanje biljke Andrographis paniculata skupini zaraženoj bakterijom E. coli utjecalo je na pojavu blažih degenerativnih promjena u svim organima, što upućuje na zaštitni učinak biljke tijekom izlaganja brojlera bakteriji E. coli. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja kako bi se izračunala doza biljke Andrographis paniculata kao antibakterijskog dodatka/lijeka u prehrani brojlera

Aerosol control on depth of warm rain in convective clouds

Aircraft measurements of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and microphysics of clouds at various altitudes were conducted over India during CAIPEEX (Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment) phase I and II in 2009 and 2010 respectively. As expected, greater CCN concentrations gave rise to clouds with smaller drops with greater number concentrations (Nc). The cloud drop effective radius (re) increased with distance above cloud base (D). Warm rain became detectable at the tops of growing convective clouds when re exceeded 12 µm with appreciable liquid water content (> 0.01 g/Kg). The re is determined by the number of activated CCN, Nad, and D. The Nad can be approximated by the maximum measured values of Nc. Higher Nc resulted in greater D for reaching the re threshold for onset of warm rain, re, denoted as D. In extreme cases of highly polluted and moist air that formed the monsoon clouds over the Indo-Gangetic plains, D exceeded 6 km, well above the 0{degree sign}C isotherm level. The precipitation particles were initiated there as supercooled rain drops at a temperature of -8{degree sign}C. Giant CCN reduced re and D, by initiating raindrops at warmer temperatures. This effect was found mainly in dusty air masses over the Arabian Sea. Besides, the aerosol effect on D, D was found to decrease with increase in cloud water path

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among South Indian pregnant women

Background: Deficiency of vitamin D is widespread across the globe. Expectant women are one of the most vulnerable groups for vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Even in South India with abundance of sunlight, pregnant women are believed to be at a high risk of this deficiency. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of VDD in antenatal women, associate it with modifiable risk factors and evaluate its correlation with low birth weight. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, in Chennai, in 100 pregnant women in their last trimester on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria and their vitamin D and calcium levels were assessed. A detailed history regarding physical activity, diet, and sun exposure were collected and results were analyzed. Results: The point prevalence of VDD (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) level <20 ng/mL) among antenatal women in our study is 62%. Univariate analysis revealed that sun exposure and socioeconomic status were the significant factors associated with higher percentage of VDD. Linear regression analysis showed that only sun exposure was a significant predictor for serum 25(OH) D levels. VDD is also associated with increased risk of low-birth-weight babies. Conclusion: VDD is highly prevalent among pregnant women in South India leading to adverse health consequences in the mother and offspring. Less physical activity, decreased sun exposure, darker skin complexion, lower socioeconomic status and lack of awareness are the major risk factors associated with VDD in our study population

Role of yoga in stress management and implications in major depression disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of disability affecting more than 340 million people and second largest contributor to global burden of disease. Chronic stress is a common risk factor and important contributor for MDD. Stress could be defined as the “perceived inability to cope”. Stressful life events are shown to provoke a sequence of psychological and physiological adjustments including nervous, endocrine and immune mechanisms. Stress can lead to elevation of a variety of inflammatory cytokines and stress hormones, can cause autonomic dysfunction and imbalance in neurotransmitters. Yoga can reduce depressive symptoms by alleviating stress. Studies have shown that yoga can reduce inflammation, maintain autonomic balance and also has a role in maintaining the neurotransmitters. It has role on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, the peripheral nervous system including GABA, limbic system activity, inflammatory and endocrine responses. Yoga along with antidepressants can help in reducing the depressive symptoms in patient with MDD. Yoga is an ideal complementary and alternative therapy for mental health disorders

Synthesis, reactivity and preliminary biological activity of iron(0) complexes with cyclopentadienone and amino-appended N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Neutral and cationic cyclopentadienone (CpO) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) bis-carbonyl iron(0) complexes bearing, appended to the NHC ligand, either a terminal amino group on the lateral chain, [Fe(\u3b7 4 -CpO)(CO) 2 (\u3baC-NHC(CH 2 ) n NH 2 )] with n&nbsp;=&nbsp;2 (2a) and 3 (2b), or a cationic NMe 3+ fragment, [Fe(\u3b7 4 -CpO)(CO) 2 (\u3baC-NHC(CH 2 ) 2 NMe 3 )](I) (3), were prepared and characterized in terms of their structure, stability and reactivity. The photochemical properties of 2a and 2b were examined both in organic solvents and in water, revealing the photoactivated release of one CO ligand followed by the formation of the chelated complex [Fe(\u3b7 4 -CpO)(CO)(\u3ba 2 C,N-NHC(CH 2 ) 2 NH 2 )] (4), whose molecular structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. This metallacyclization occurs only in the case of 2a, with the ethylene spacer between NHC ring and NH 2 group in the lateral chain, allowing the formation of a stable 6-membered ring. On the other hand, 2b undergoes decomposition upon irradiation. The reactivity in aqueous solutions revealed the chemical speciation of the complexes at different pH and especially under physiological conditions (phosphate buffer solution at pH&nbsp;7.4 and 37&nbsp;\ub0C). The lack of data on the biological properties of iron(0) complexes prompted us to preliminarily investigate their cytotoxicity against model cancer cells (AsPC-1 and HPAF-II), along with a determination of their lipophilicity