Application of LIBS in Detection of Antihyperglycemic Trace Elements in Momordica charantia

The present study exploits the information based on concentration of trace elements and minerals in understanding the role/mechanism of action of freeze-dried fruit powder suspended in distilled water of Momordica charantia (family: Cucurbitaceae) in diabetes treatment. Laser-induced break down spectroscopy (LIBS) spectra of plant product was recorded under optimized experimental conditions and analyzed. Several atomic lines such as Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Al, etc. have been observed in the LIBS spectra of the above plant product. The concentrations of these minerals are determined by using calibration-free LIBS method. Correlation between the concentration of these elements/minerals and their defined role in diabetes management was studied in normal as well as diabetic animal model

LIBS-Based Detection of Antioxidant Elements in Seeds of Emblica officinalis

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the elements of the extract of seed from Emblica officinalis on antioxidant enzymes and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes membrane in normal as well as streptozotocin-induced severely diabetic albino Wister rats. The results revealed that the untreated diabetic rats exhibited increase in oxidative stress as indicated by significantly diminished activities of free radical scavenging enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 37.5% (p

Pattern of cutaneous wound healing in a live fish Clarias batrachus (L.)(Clariidae, Pisces.)

Incisional wounds of the same length and depth were made on skin between dorsal fin and the lateral line canal of Clarias batrachus and the pattern of wound closure has been studied histologically. Following infliction, a marked change in the colour of the skin surrounding the wound was observed which lasted for about 30 h and restored thereafter. Mucus and blood cells plugged the wound gap shortly after infliction. The epidermis surrounding the wound was found to be detached from the basement membrane. Mass movement of epidermal cells was observed from both side of the wound gap. The epidermal cells at the margin of the wound became hypertrophied. The epidermis became normal by 32 days. The dealing of sub-epidermal tissue indicated degenerative and regenerative changes of muscle fibres. The mucus and blood cells were accumulated in the wound gap and later fine blood vessels were formed. Gradually granulation tissue was formed and fibroblasts and myoblasts appeared. Myoblast differentiated into muscle bundles. The epidermal repair was completed within 35 days

A record production from an integrated farming system utilising sewage enriched water

The results of experiments conducted on a pond dyke (655m²) in the Wastewater Aquaculture Division of the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Rahara, during 1992-93 for maximising production through optimum utilisation of resources are communicated. Round the year intensive cultivation of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus and A. viridus), water-bind weed (Ipomea aquatica), Indian spinach (Basella rubra), radish (Raphanus sativum), amaranth (Amaranthus viridis), cauliflower (Brassica oleracia var. votrytis), cabbage (Brassica oleracia var. capitota) and papaya (Carica papaya) was undertaken using the treated sewage water from fish ponds for irrigation. The pond dyke yielded 5,626.5 kg vegetable which worked out to 85.9 tons per ha per year. Multiple cropping with these vegetables excluding papaya on a 460 m² dyke recorded a production of 4,926.5 kg at the rate of 107.1t per ha/yr. An improved yearly net return of about 35% over investment could be achieved through the selection of highly productive and pest resistant vegetable crops of longer duration for integration into the system. Introduction of this type of integrated farming would enhance the overall productivity and returns from farming

Utilisation of vegetable leaves for carp production

The results of two sets of experiments on mono-culture of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and mixed culture of carps (grass carp 50 : catla 20 : rohu 15 : mrigal 15) fed exclusively with vegetable leaves are reported. The experiments were conducted with two replicates each in 0.02 ha ponds of Wastewater Aquaculture Division of the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Rahara during 1991-93. Monoculture of grass carp stocked at 1000/ha demonstrated an average net production of 21.0 kg/ 0.02 ha/8 months (1501 kg/ha/yr). Mixed culture of carps stocked at 5000 /ha recorded an average net production of 22.5 kg/0.02 ha/8 months (1903.7 kg/ha/yr). Field studies revealed that water bind weed (Ipomoea aquatica) is the most preferred feed of grass carp amongst vegetable leaves followed by amaranths (Amaranthus gangeticus and Amaranthus viridis), cauliflower (Brassica oleracia var. votrytis) and cabbage (Brassica oleracia var. capitata) leaves. Through selection of highly productive leaf vegetables and suitable crop planning on fallow fish pond dykes, round the year feeding programme of grass carp has been explored. Recycling of sewage effluent for vegetable production and utilisation of vegetable leaves for fish production is considered an ideal way of integrated resource management for low cost production

Fabrication of a Resonant Photoacoustic Cell for Samples Study

Nondestructive treatment of a sample in photoacoustic spectroscopy is helpful in the study of thermal and optical properties of ice and snow. In the present study, a  low-temperature resonant photoacoustic cell, based on Helmholtz resonator model, has been designed and fabricated for the study of samples like ice or snow. Its performance has also been studied using carbon black as a standard sample and various other samples like water, ice, glass, plexi-glass, polycarbonate, etc. Thermal diffusivity of ice, water, and many other transparent materials has been determined by varying chopping frequency and recording corresponding phase changes in the photoacoustic signal. The results obtained are in good agreement with those predicted by Rosencwaig-Gersho (R-G)' theory

ROLE OF EPIGENETIC MECHANISMS IN VARIOUS CANCER THERAPIES

Epigenetics play a role not just in the normal functioning of the cell and its development, but also in diseases like neurological diseases and cancer. Epigenetic therapies can help to resolve non-identical problems of these pathophysiological conditions. Cancer is a complex disease with both genetic and epigenetic origins. The importance of epigenetics in cancer has been identified, and the field has emerged rapidly in recent years. Epigenetic and genetic alterations contribute to the initiation and progression of cancer. Epigenetic modifications introduced genetic changes, and usually occur at an early stage in development of a neoplasm, but may also be involved in its invasion and spread. Recent technological advances in genetics and epigenetics offer a better understanding of the underlying epigenetic alterations during initiation and in the progression process of the human tumors

Clean coal technology to improve environmental qualtiy and energy efficiency

Coal is the world’s most abundant and widely distributed fossil fuel source. It is a major source of commercial energy in the present scenario. Coal currently supplies over one third of the world’s electricity and 23% of global primary energy needs. Conventional power generation system, though one of the cheapest means of production of electricity in the world, have energy efficiency only 30-35%. However, it has enormous environmental impact which includes emission of large amount of gases like CO2, SO2, NOx, and Hg, particulate matter which primarily includes fly ash. This is responsible for global warming and air and water pollution. To reduce this environmental impact due to emissions from thermal power plant and to meet the quality requirements of the coal consumers, it is imperative to adopt clean coal technologies. “Clean coal” is a term used in the promotion of the use of coal as an energy source by emphasizing methods being developed to reduce its environmental impact. This paper addresses advanced power generation systems like integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) system and underground coal gasification (UCG) which claim to have energy efficiency in the rage of 45-50%. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology for capturing emitted CO2 and storing it in geological formation appears to be one of the efficient means to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. This technology has also been enumerated in this paper. An account for global and Indian initiatives for clean coal technology is given. Clean coal mining operation along with coal preparation technology practiced in India is also discussed in brief

Development and evaluation of floating microspheres of curcumin in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Purpose: To prepare and evaluate floating microspheres of curcumin for prolonged gastric residence and to study their effect on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Floating microsphere were prepared by emulsion-solvent diffusion method, using hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose, chitosan and Eudragit S 100 polymer in varying proportions. Ethanol/dichloromethane blend was used as solvent in a ratio of 1:1. The floating microspheres were evaluated for flow properties, particle size, incorporation efficiency, as well as in-vitro floatability and drug release. The anti-diabetic activity of the floating microspheres of batch FM4 was performed on alloxaninduced diabetic rats.Result: The floating microspheres had particle size, buoyancy, drug entrapment efficiency and yield in the ranges of 255.32 - 365.65 μm, 75.58 - 89.59, 72.6 - 83.5, and 60.46 - 80.02 %, respectively. Maximum drug release after 24 h was 82.62 % for formulation FM4 and 73.879, 58.613 and 46.106 % for formulations FM1, FM2, and FM3 respectively. In-vivo data obtained over a 120-h period indicate that curcumin floating microspheres from batch FM4 showed the better glycemic control than control and a commercial brand of the drug.Conclusion: The developed floating curcumin delivery system seems economical and effective in diabetes management in rats, and enhances the bioavailability of the drug.Keywords: Gastro-retentive, Sustained release, Bioavailability, Curcumin, Floating microspheres, Diabete