ANTIFILARIAL ACTIVITY OF PLUMERIA ALBA LINN BARK

The aqueous extract of Bark of Plumeria. alba was tested for its effect on thespontaneous movements of the whole worm (w.w) preparation and nerve muscle (n.m)complex of Setaria cervi a cattle filarial parasite, and on the survival of microfilariae .The aqueous extract could inhibit the spontaneous movements of S.cervi, characterizedby initial stimulation followed by reversible paralysis. The concentration required toproduce similar effect on nerve muscle complex was less as compared to the wholeworm. The lethal concentration 50 (LC50) and lethal concentration 90 (LC90) for aqueousextract were 80 ng/ml and 105 ng/ml respectively

Time to reinvent the branch of medical pharmacology

Pharmacology is one of the most active branches of medicine with respect to the amount of research and innovation. The field of pharmacology is actively involved in new drug discovery and identification of new therapeutic targets. However, unfortunately, same cannot be said for the medical pharmacology departments in various medical colleges in India and abroad

A study to evaluate antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of roots of Valeriana wallichii in CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Background: Drugs for liver ailments have been important in research, but still the number of drugs acting on various hepatic diseases is very limited. This study, for the first time, evaluates the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of the roots of Valeriana Wallichii in albino rats.Methods: The hepatotoxicity was induced by CCl4. Animals were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each. Group I (Normal control) was given only distilled water. Group II (Negative control)was administered CCl4 for 7 days while Group III (Positive control) was given silymarin and CCl4 for 7 days. The test groups (Group IV & V) were given an aqueous extract of roots of V. Wallichii in a dose of 300 mg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The animals were sacrificed on 8 days and blood was collected for biochemical analysis (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase). Liver tissue was extracted for histopathological examination and in vivo antioxidant tests Catalase [CAT], glutathione and malondialdehyde. The extract was also subjected to in vitro antioxidant tests (Total reducing power and total phenolic content).Results: The test extracts in the dose of 500 mg/kg were shown a significant decrease in the levels of AST and ALT (p>0.05) and CAT activity. 300 mg/kg dose of extract showed minimal hepatoprotection. The findings were confirmatory to histopathology. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of roots of V. Wallichii in a dose of 500 mg/kg offers partial protection against hepatotoxicity produced by CCl4 in albino rats

Role of anti-diabetic drugs as therapeutic agents in Alzheimer's disease

Recent data have suggested a strong possible link between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), although exact mechanisms linking the two are still a matter of research and debate. Interestingly, both are diseases with high incidence and prevalence in later years of life. The link appears so strong that some scientists use Alzheimer’s and Type 3 Diabetes interchangeably. In depth study of recent data suggests that the anti diabetic drugs not only have possible role in treatment of Alzheimer’s but may also arrest the declining cognitive functions associated with it. The present review gives an insight into the possible links, existing therapeutics and clinical trials of anti diabetic drugs in patients suffering from AD primarily or as co-morbidity. It may be concluded that the possible beneficial effects and usefulness of the current anti diabetic drugs in AD cannot be neglected and further research is required to achieve positive results. Currently, several drug trials are in progress to give conclusive evidence based data

IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND IN VIVO HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF LEAVE EXTRACT OF RAPHANUS SATIVUS IN RATS USING CCL4 MODEL

Background: Raphanus sativus is reported to have a variety of biological activities. This work screened the hepato-protective and antioxidant activity of ethanol (ERS), and aqueous (ARS), extracts of leaves of Raphanus sativus in Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), model in rats. Material and Methods: The extracts were subjected to antioxidant tests (Total reducing power and Total phenolic content), and preliminary phytochemical screening. A pilot study was done on 100 and 300 mg/kg extracts, form which 300 mg was chosen for further experiments. The albino rats (200-250 grams), were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each (n=6). There were three control groups comprising of normal control (normal saline -1ml/kg), negative control group (CCl4 1ml/kg in olive oil in a ratio of 1:1 v/v), and positive control group (Silymarin 50mg/kg). The Test drugs were given in a dose of 300 mg/kg for both ERS and ARS extract for 7 days. Biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, Alkaline phosphatase, Total Bilirubin), histo-pathological examination of liver and in vivo antioxidant tests [CAT, GSH and MDA] were done. Results: The phytochemical study showed the presence of flavanoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins and sterols. A dose dependent increase in the oxidative potential was observed in both the extracts with total phenolic content 70.1 and 44.4 GAE/g extract for ERS and ARS respectively. ERS 300mg/kg showed a significant (

Corrosion resistance and thermal stability of sputtered Fe44Al34Ti7N15 and Al61Ti11N28 thin films for prospective application in oil and gas industry

Fe-and Al-based thin-film metallic glass coatings (Fe44Al34Ti7N15 and Al61Ti11N28) were fabricated using magnetron co-sputtering technique, and their corrosion performances compared against wrought 316L stainless steel. The results of GI-XRD and XPS analyses demonstrated amorphous structure and oxide layer formation on the surface of the fabricated thin films, respectively. The potentiodynamic (PD) polarization test in chloride-thiosulfate (NH4Cl ​+ ​Na2S2O3) solution revealed lower corrosion current (Icorr) (0.42 ​± ​0.02 ​μA/cm2 and 0.086 ​± ​0.001 ​μA/cm2 Vs. 0.76 ​± ​0.05 ​μA/cm2), lower passivation current (Ipass) (1.45 ​± ​0.03 ​μA/cm2 and 1.83 ​± ​0.07 ​μA/cm2 Vs. 1.98 ​± ​0.04 ​μA/cm2), and approximately six-fold higher breakdown potential (Ebd) for Fe- and Al-based coatings than those of wrought 316L stainless steel. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) of both films showed 4- and 2-fold higher charge transfer resistance (Rct), 7- and 2.5-times higher film resistance (Rf), lower film capacitance values (Qf) (10 ​± ​2.4 ​μS-sacm-2, and 5.41 ​± ​0.8 ​μS-sacm-2 Vs. 18 ​± ​2.21 ​μS-sacm-2), and lower double-layer capacitance values (Qdl) (31.33 ​± ​4.74 ​μS-sacm-2, and 15.3 ​± ​0.48 ​μS-sacm-2 Vs. 43 ​± ​4.23 ​μS-sacm-2), indicating higher corrosion resistance of the thin films. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) scan exhibited that the passive films formed on the Fe- and Al-based coatings were more stable and less prone to pitting corrosion than the wrought 316L stainless steel. The surface morphology of both films via SEM endorsed the CV scan results, showing better resistance to pitting corrosion. Furthermore, the thermal analysis via TGA and DSC revealed the excellent thermal stability of the thin films over a wide temperature range typically observed in oil-gas industries

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative sars-cov-2 infection: An international cohort study

Background The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (740%) had emergency surgery and 280 (248%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (261%) patients. 30-day mortality was 238% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (512%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 380% (219 of 577), accounting for 817% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 175 [95% CI 128-240], p<00001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (230 [165-322], p<00001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3-5 versus grades 1-2 (235 [157-353], p<00001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (155 [101-239], p=0046), emergency versus elective surgery (167 [106-263], p=0026), and major versus minor surgery (152 [101-231], p=0047). Interpretation Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Phthalates-another reason to reduce fast food consumption

Owing to its widespread availability, fast foods have managed to attract people from all social and economic backgrounds. This growing menace is causing widespread destruction in terms of human health. A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives suggests that fast food may be a significant source of noxious chemicals that may damage the reproductive system and cause infertility. These chemicals are phthalates, which are currently a hot topic of discussion. Phthalates which are mainly used as plasticizers are known to have many perverse health impacts. Procedures like food processing and packaging require equipment that contains phthalates which may leach into food. [Med-Science 2017; 6(1.000): 180-1