Antiseptic treatment for human foot wounds using piper betel extract finished bamboo/cotton fabrics

In this study, the extracts of Piper betel leaves have been obtained and finished on to the natural and regenerated bamboo/cotton knitted fabrics. The finished fabrics are assessed for the antibacterial activity against the selected pathogens Staphylococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Proteus sp., which are commonly present in the human foot wounds. The obtained results are compared with the untreated fabrics and also with the fabric samples treated with two antibiotics, viz Cefixime and Levofloxacin which are commonly used for the treatment of the foot wounds. The herbal extract treated fabrics show good antibacterial activity against the pathogens, which makes them to have an antiseptic property. To enhance the wash durability of the finished samples the herbal extracts are microencapsulated and their wash durability is assessed using the standard methods

A CLINICAL STUDY ON EFFECT OF SNEHANA NASYA IN VISHWACHI W.S.R TO CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Vishwachi is one among the Vataja Nanatmaja Vyadhi. It affects the neck and upper extremities with signs and symptoms like Ruk, Stambha, Toda, Karmakshaya and Chestapaharana of Bahu as explained by different Acharyas. Dalhana opines that the condition resembles Gridhrasi which affects the lower limb, and is of two types, Vataja and Vatakaphaja. The clinical presentation of Vishwachi is similar to that of Cervical Spondylosis which is a degenerative condition of the cervical spine. Being an Urdhwajatrugatavikara, Nasya karma has been mentioned as the prime line of treatment. Dhatukshaya can be considered as main factor leading to a condition like Vishwachi. Hence in order to find an effective solution in this condition, Snehana Nasya with Shuddhabala Taila has been taken for the study. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Snehana Nasya in Vishwachi. Methods: It is an open label single arm clinical trial with pre-test and post-test design. A special proforma was prepared considering history taking, physical examination and assessment needed for the condition. The study was carried out in 30 patients of Vishwachi. Nasya karma was done by instilling 16 Bindu of Shuddhabala Taila for 7 days. Data was collected on the 1st day before treatment and 7th day after treatment. Results: The reduction in severity of symptoms was statistically analysed by Wilcoxon sign rank test. Significant improvement was found in all the patients. Conclusion: Analysis of overall effect of the treatment showed significant results. Hence Nasya karma with Shuddhabala Taila was found to be effective in Vishwachi

Synthesis, structure and optical properties of rare-earth benzene carboxylates

Two series of rare-earth isophthalates of the general formula, [M2(H2O)] [{C6H4(COO)2}2{C6H4(COOH)(COO)}2]·H2O, M = La (I), Pr (Ia), and Nd (Ib) and [M2(H2O)2][{C6H4(COO)2}3]·H2O, M = Y (II), Gd (IIa), and Dy (IIb) have been prepared by the reaction of the corresponding trivalent lanthanide salts and isophthalic acid under mild hydrothermal conditions. The La (I), Pr (Ia) and Nd (Ib) have MO9 polyhedra connected to the isophthalate anions forming a two-dimensional structure, whereas Y (II), Gd (IIa) and Dy (IIb) have MO7 and MO8 polyhedral units connected to the isophthalate anions forming a different, but related two-dimensional structure. Both the structures are stabilized by hydrogen bonding and π···π/CH···π interactions. Partial substitution of Eu and Tb (2 and 4%) at the La (I) and Y (II) sites give rise to characteristic red/pink or green luminescence, indicating a ligand-sensitized metal-centered emission. The Nd (Ib) compound shows interesting UV and blue emission through an up-conversion process

Mental health and sleep: in COVID positive health care workers in India

Background: Starting from Wuhan as a local transmission, COVID-19 turned out to be a pandemic affecting the entire global population either as a patient or at least being exposed to the novel corona virus. The present study has been done to see how much working to treat Covid patients has put stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance on health care professional after becoming covid positive themselves, essentially their own life at risk. Methods: This was a prospective observational cross-sectional study done in Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, with ethics approval. Sample size was 145 health care workers who had covid infection. The study comprised of questions from Dass 21 questionnaire and Likert sleep scale. Results: Mild levels of stress was seen in 16 members (11.03%), moderate stress was seen in 3 members (2.06%). The chi square value was calculated as significant p value of 0.045. Mild anxiety was seen among 13 (8.96%), moderate anxiety seen in 23 (15.86%), severe anxiety was seen in 2 (1.37%), Extremely severe anxiety was seen in 1 individual (0.68%). Mild depression was seen in 12 (8.27%), moderate depression was seen in 14 (9.65%). The quality of sleep was rated on a 10-point scale, 5.5% had reported poor sleep, 53.8% reported moderate sleep disturbance. Conclusions: This study reveals that mental health issues are possible for medical professionals too and that anxiety needs to be addressed in health professionals too. More so when isolated from their families and friends

Hydroxyurea-induced hyperpigmentation with iron deposition

Hydroxyurea is a chemotherapeutic agent that is used in the treatment of various hematological diseases including chronic myelogenous leukemia, polycythemia vera, and sickle cell anemia. Hydroxyurea is also used to treat psoriasis. Drug-induced hyperpigmentation is a known cutaneous side effect of hydroxyurea along with xerosis, dermal ulcers, and dermatomyositis-like eruptions. Hyperpigmentation has been observed in the oral mucosa, nails, and in a generalized or a diffuse pattern. The mechanism of hyperpigmentation related to hydroxyurea is believed to be correlated with increased melanin. Classically, clinical types of diffuse hyperpigmentation owing to iron deposition in the dermis have been associated with minocycline and not with hydroxyurea. We report a novel case in which hydroxyurea hyperpigmentation is associated with iron deposition

KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE TOWARD COVID-19 DISEASE AMONG VARIOUS PROFESSIONALS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ONLINE SURVEY

Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice associated with COVID-19 disease by undertaking a web-based online survey. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted all over India during the initial phase of COVID-19 hit between March 19, 2020, and March 29, 2020. Anyone aged 18 years and above using social media were included in the study. The questionnaire had a section on sociodemography which had questions regarding age, gender, marital status, and occupation. This was followed by questions on knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The knowledge scores were summarized as median with interquartile range as the data followed a non-normal distribution. Attitude and practice questions were summarized individually as proportions and its association with socio-demographic variables was established using Chi-square test. The statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Occupational groups, marital status, and age group had significant difference between the groups with at least one of the practices with p<0.05. Conclusion: Since the study provides enhancing effect of knowledge toward protective behaviors, the awareness raising activities and health education through mass media and campaigns, this should urgently be conducted focusing on effectiveness of hand washing, cough etiquette, social distancing, and responsibility to inform suspected cases to local health authority to prevent COVID-19

ONE STEP QUANTIFICATION ANALYTICAL METHOD AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VALSARTAN BY LC-MS

Objective: To develop precise LC-MS method for the estimation of valsartan impurities and perform validation as per ICH guidelines.Methods: Valsartan (VLN) and its degradation products were analyzed by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using mobile phase water: acetonitrile: glacial acetic acid: phosphate buffer in the ratio of 500:500:1:0.5 v/v/v/v at 225 nm using column nucleosil C18, 125 ×4.0 mm, 5 µm. VLN sample (VLN SPL) thus obtained an unknown major impurity (UIMP) of 0.5 % at 0.38 retention time ratio (RRt) and purity of VLN was found to be 98.70 % respectively.Results: Estimation of VLN SPL total unknown impurities was found to be 1.3% by RP-HPLC. In similarly by liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) a typical chromatogram of valsartan (VLN) at Rt 9.03 min and UIMP at Rt 3.3 min were recorded at a total run time of 23 min. Assay of VLN SPL was validated as per international council for harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Average % recovery was found to be 100.04 % for VLN SPL.Conclusion: The proposed work clearly indicates that the method can be easily adapted for the routine one step estimation of VLN active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of the Leaf Extract of Mirabilis jalapa Against Pathogenic Microorganisms

Investigation of the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts of Mirabilis jalapa were carried out using acetone, chloroform, ethanol and methanol. These extracts were subjected to screening of preliminary phytochemical tests. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, phenols, glycosides, tannins, saponins and lignins. The methanol extract exhibited the largest zone of inhibition (21mm in dia with 500μg/disc extract) against Staphylococcus aureus and the highest inhibition of fungal radial mycelial growth (97.5% with 500μg/ml medium) against Aspergillus flavus. The methanol extract exhibited the lowest MIC against Staphylococcus aureus (39 μg/ml) and Aspergillus flavus (45μg/ml). It appeared that M. jalapa could be a potential natural source of new antimicrobial agent.Keywords: Mirabilis jalapa, leaf extract, phytochemicals, antimicrobial activity

Investigations on Anti-Diabetic Medicinal Plants Used by Tribal Inhabitants of Nalamankadai, Chitteri Reserve Forest, Dharmapuri, India

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to collect information about medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetics and associated complications by tribals in Nalamankadai village of Chitteri Hills, Dharmapuri District. The indigenous knowledge of local traditional healers and native plants used for the treatment of diabetics related health disorders were collected through questionnaire and personal interviews. A total of 10 informants with in the age group of 50 to 68 were interviewed, among them two were tribal practitioners. The investigation revealed that, the traditional healers and the inhabitants use 29 species of plants distributed in 28 genera belonging to 22 families to treat diabetics and related complications. Results depict that fresh plant materials were invariably preferred for the treatment of long term complications associated with diabetics. Anti-diabetic medicinal plants used by Malayali’s in Chitteri have been listed along with plant parts used