Morphological Analysis of the Human Internal Iliac Artery in South Indian Population

Objectives: The accidental hemorrhage is common due to erroneous interpretation of the variant arteries during surgical procedures, hence the present study has been undertaken with reference to its morphological significance. The objectives were to examine the level of origin, length and the branching pattern of the human internal iliac artery in South Indian population. Methods: The study included 60 human bisected pelvises irrespective of their side and sex. The specimens were collected from the anatomy laboratory and were fixed with the formalin. The branching patterns were studied and demonstrated as per the guidelines of Adachi. Results: The origin of internal iliac artery was at the level of S1 vertebra in majority (58.3%) of the cases. The average length of internal iliac artery was 37 ± 4.62 mm (range, 13-54 mm). The type I pattern of the internal iliac artery was most common (83.5%) followed by types III and II. The type IV and V pattern of adachi were not observed. Conclusions: The results of this study were different from those reported by others and may be because of racial and geographical variations. Prior knowledge of the anatomical variations is beneficial for the vascular surgeons ligating the internal iliac artery or its branches and the radiologists interpreting angiograms of the pelvic region

Soil Property Variations Under Different Land Use/ Cover Types In Traditional Agricultural Landscape In Northeast India

Clearing of forests and their subsequent conv ersion into croplands greatly influence soils in terms of its water holding capacity, structure stability and compactness, nutrient supply and storage as well as its biological life. Consequently, many agricultural soils in the tropics are now below their potential levels. In this paper we are reporting that there is expansion of agricultural land use in Northeast India at the expense of forest area in order to meet increasing human population and market demands. New land use/ cover types are also being introduced for commercial and well as subsistence purpose. On the other hand fallow period of shifting agriculture has been reduced. We suggest that a minimum fallow period of seven years is necessary sufficiency of soil nutrients and vegetation in this humid subtropical mountain landscape of Northeast India

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC ROOT EXTRACT OF COIX LACHRYMAJOBI ON HYALURONIDASE AND L-AMINO ACID OXIDASE OF NAJA NAJA AND DABOIA RUSSELLI VENOM

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of inhibitory effect of ethanolic root extract (ERE) of plant Coix lachrymajobi (Poaceae) on hyaluronidase and L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) of Daboia russelii and Naja naja venom. Methodology: The ethanolic root extract of C. lachrymajobi is used to treat snake bite victims by traditional healers as folk medicine for centuries, was tested in-vitro to determine its ability to inhibit D. russelli and N. naja hyaluronidase and LAAO activities.  In-vitro studies were carried out with different doses of ERE.Results & Discussion: which effectively neutralized hyaluronidase and LAAO activities of both D. russelli and N. naja venom.  ERE at doses of 2000µg successfully inhibited D. russelli (50 µg) hyaluronidase activity by 67.04% and LAAO activity by 77.86%.  The hyaluronidase activity of N. naja venom (50 µg) was inhibited by 71.83% and LAAO activity was reduced by 74.83%.  From the results, It is evident that the ERE of Coix lachrymajobi effectively neutralizes important toxic enzymes of the D. russelli and Naja naja venoms.Keywords: Daboia russelii; Naja naja; Coix lacryma-jobi; Hyaluronidase; L-amino acid oxidas

PRELIMINARY PHTOCEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND ANTI-VENOM ACTIVITY OF COIX LACRYMAJOBI ROOT EXTRACT AGAINST DABOIA RUSSELLI VENOM-INDUCED MYONECROSIS

Objective: The aim of the study was to carry out the preliminary phytochemical investigation and to evaluate the inhibition of Daboia russellivenom‑induced myonecrosis by root extract (RE) of Coix lacrymajobi.Methods: The roots of C. lacrymajobi were subjected to differential extraction by soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate,and ethanol. The resultant extracts were subjected to the preliminary phytochemical investigation to identify the different chemical groups present inthe extracts. Myonecrotic activity was conducted, to assess the ability of ethanolic RE to inhibit the myonecrosis induced by D. russelli venom in rats.Results: The preliminary phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of triterpenoids, resins, steroids and fixed oils in petroleum ether extract,flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins and fixed oils in chloroform extract and alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, resins, saponins, steroids,and tannins. Ethanolic extract was found to have maximum number of phytochemicals, and hence, it was used for further study. The ethanolic REsignificantly inhibited the myonecrotic activity at dose level 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight.Conclusion: The screening of phytochemicals presents on the different fractions of the RE was studied successfully. Supporting the use of roots bytraditional healers, ethanolic extract successfully inhibited D. russelli venom‑induced myonecrosis in rats.Keywords: Coix lacrymajobi, Daboia russelli, Myonecrosis

Studies on Copper and Aβ1-16-Induced Conformational Changes in CAG/CTG Trinucleotide Repeats Sequence

DNA conformation and stability are critical for the normal cell functions, which control many cellular processes in life, such as replication, transcription, DNA repair, etc. The accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and Copper (Cu) are the etiological factors for neurodegenerative diseases and hypothesized that they can cause DNA instability. In the current investigation, we studied copper and Aβ1-16 induced conformation and stability changes in CAG/CTG sequences and found alterations from B-DNA to altered B-conformation. Further, the interaction of the copper and Aβ1-16 with CAG/CTG sequences was studied by molecular docking modeling and results indicated that the interaction of copper and Aβ1-16 was through the hydrogen bond formation between adenine, guanine, and cytocine. This study illustrates the role of the copper and Aβ1-16 in modulating the DNA conformation and stability.DNA conformation and stability are critical for the normal cell functions, which control many cellular processes in life, such as replication, transcription, DNA repair, etc. The accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and Copper (Cu) are the etiological factors for neurodegenerative diseases and hypothesized that they can cause DNA instability. In the current investigation, we studied copper and Aβ1-16 induced conformation and stability changes in CAG/CTG sequences and found alterations from B-DNA to altered B-conformation. Further, the interaction of the copper and Aβ1-16 with CAG/CTG sequences was studied by molecular docking modeling and results indicated that the interaction of copper and Aβ1-16 was through the hydrogen bond formation between adenine, guanine, and cytocine. This study illustrates the role of the copper and Aβ1-16 in modulating the DNA conformation and stability

Wild leafy vegetables: A study of their subsistence dietetic support to the inhabitants of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India

Consumption of greens is a major source of vitamins and micro-nutrients for people using only vegetarian diets rich in carbohydrates. In remote rural settlements where vegetable cultivation is not practiced and market supplies are not organized, local inhabitants depend on indigenous vegetables, both cultivated in kitchen gardens and wild, for enriching the diversity of food. Knowledge of such foods is part of traditional knowledge which is largely transmitted through participation of individuals of households. A total of 123 households in six villages of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve buffer zone was surveyed using a schedule to assess the knowledge, availability and consumption pattern of wild leafy vegetables. Quantity estimations were done using regular visits with informants from 30 sample households of the six study villages during the collections. Monetization was used to see the value of wild leafy vegetables harvested during a year. The diversity of wild leafy vegetables being use by the local inhabitants is 21 species belonging to 14 genera and 11 families. This is far less than that being reported to be used by the communities from Western Ghats in India and some parts of Africa. Irrespective of social or economic status all households in the study villages had the knowledge and used wild leafy vegetables. The number of households reported to consume these wild leafy vegetables is greater than the number of households reporting to harvest them for all species except for Diplazium esculentum and Phytolacca acinosa. The availability and use period varied for the species are listed by the users. The study indicated that the knowledge is eroding due to changing social values and non participation of younger generation in collection and processing of such wild leafy vegetables

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITIES OF CRUCIFERAE VEGETABLES

Objective: The aim of this research program is to evaluate the antioxidant potentialities comprehensively utilizing commonly available cruciferous vegetables of India, viz., cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and radish.Methods: The plant materials were procured and processed for cold extraction procedure using 70% ethanol. The extracts were primarily assessedfor their phytoconstituents and further for their in vitro antioxidant activity using various qualitative and quantitative estimations. The results of quantitative estimations were expressed in terms of equivalence with respective standards, and the antioxidant potentiality of various scavenging and chelating activities were expressed in terms of 50% effective concentration. Further, correlation studies were made between quantitative and qualitative assays to study the relationship between the effects of different phytoconstituents groups.Results: In this study, the results revealed that all the four cruciferous vegetable extracts possess potential antioxidant activities. Among the extractsunder study kohlrabi has recorded superior antioxidant potential than others. It is clear from the study that the tested cruciferous vegetablesmanifested differential expression of antioxidant capacity due to their phytoconstituents.Conclusion: From the results, it can be concluded that the Cruciferae vegetables have potent antioxidant activity contributing to the use for healthbenefits in addition to their nutritive role as vegetable.Keywords: Cruciferae vegetables, Phytochemicals, In vitro antioxidant activity, Correlation

India's Recent Inward Foreign Direct Investment: An Assessment

Most often the reported FDI flows are accepted unquestioningly and are analysed and interpreted in a simplistic manner in spite of their many nuances. The discovery of some serious limitations and specific features of India’s FDI inflows adds a hitherto little discussed dimension which impacts the understanding of the flows significantly. The study, India’s Recent Inward Foreign Direct Investment: An Assessment, published in July 2018, vividly explains the various shortcomings and special features of the data using multiple examples and case studies and demonstrates that the annual aggregates cannot provide adequate guidance regarding the year-to-year changes. Nor do they truly reflect capacity creation in the economy. The problem turns out to be more acute at the sectoral level. The study conveys a strong message that the reporting mechanism and analysis have to be reshaped drastically in order to provide reliable guidance to policymakers and other national and international users. It could provide a template for understating the inflows into developing countries, in general