Modeling Whitecaps on Global Scale

Whitecaps play an important role in the surface-atmosphere interactions across the ocean. They are directly linked to the energy dissipation rate during wave breaking and transfer of heat, momentum, and gas/aerosol exchange from the wind to the sea surface. Although the first models of W were dependent only on wind speeds, a large number of diverse models based on wind and sea state which include wave height, wave age, friction velocity, and stability effects have been proposed since then. However, it is recognized that most of the proposed W models have strong systematic (e.g., zonal bias) and random errors when compared against observations. This is partly due to the differences in environmental conditions, measurement techniques, and geographical locations among these studies. But, some of these biases are linked to the inability of the proposed models to capture the variability in W in certain wind/wave regimes. Despite the knowledge of existing biases, W residual relationships from the models with wind and wave fields remain highly uncertain, with residual trends varying between the published studies. Here, we take advantage of the availability of relatively dense observations of W from WindSat microwave satellite retrievals in combination with the University of Miami wave model which was recently incorporated within the NASA GMAO/GEOS system (GEOS-UMWM). We use Windsat W retrievals to assess and constrain the previously published W models and understand the relationships of residuals from models in different wind/wave regimes. We link these unexplained residual variations to additional factors such as swell index, drag coefficient etc and add information to the existing whitecap models. Since Windsat retrievals cover wide range of environmental conditions, it helps to reduce the uncertainties associated with differences in measurement techniques. Regression of wind-wave fields against all Windsat data points (CTL) results in larger residuals for lower wave age and W is overestimated upto ~4% for wave age < 10 and underestimated by upto ~2% as wave age increases. We attest to this bias by considering two approaches. One is to perform regression separately for different stages of wave development such as developing sea, fully developed, and wind sea regimes thereby understanding the sensitivity of regression coefficients to sea state (EXP1). Another is to derive coefficients of W models in EXP1 as a function of additional wind/wave factors such as swell index, drag coefficient, and mean squared slope, deriving more nonlinear W models (EXP2). EXP2 provides reduction in Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) by 0.1-0.3%. Sea surface drag has a stronger relationship with regression coefficients compared to swell index.These additional factors provide improved parameterizations in different wind and wave age regimes, with smaller unexplained/residual variations in W that has been a major concern in the W community

Preliminary Screening of Antimicrobial Properties of Few Medicinal Plants

Crude extracts were prepared from the leaves of ten medicinal plants viz., Alpinia galanga, Artabotrys uncinatus, Commelina benghalensis, Costus igneus, Euphorbia cyathopora, Justicia gendarussa, Kalanchoe pinnata, Panicum antidotale, Sauropus androgynous and Hibiscus using methanol as solvent and screened for their antibacterial activity against ten bacterial pathogens. The tested gram positive bacterial strains were Bacillus cerus, Bacillus megaterium, Micrococcus leuteus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus lactis, and gram negative strains were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium. Among the ten plants tested, the methanol extracts of Alpinia galanga, Artabotrys uncinatus, Costus igneus and Yellow Hibiscus exhibited higher antibacterial activity when compared to the other plant extracts. These four plant extracts were further used for the phytochemical analysis. Results of the phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds and flavanoids. The antibacterial activities of the leaves were due to the presence of various secondary metabolite

HPTLC method development and validation of stigmasterol from different extracts of Tagetes erecta and Capsicum annuum

A new, simple, sensitive, selective, precise and robust high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for analysis of stigmasterol was developed and validated for the determination of stigmasterol in different extracts. A new, simple, sensitive, selective, precise and robust high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for analysis of stigmasterol was developed and validated for the determination of stigmasterol in different extracts. Analysis of stigmasterol was performed on TLC aluminium plates pre-coated with silica gel 60F-254 as the stationary phase. Linear ascending development was carried out in twin trough glass chamber saturated with mobile phase consisting of Hexane : Acetone (8:2 v/v) at room temperature. (25 °C ± 2 °C) Camag TLC scanner III was used for spectrodensitometric scanning and analysis in absorbance mode at 490nm. The system was found to give compact spots for stigmasterol. (Rf value of 0.44 ± 0.02) The linear regression analysis data for the calibration plots showed good linear relationship with r2 =0.9997 ± 0.0002 in the concentration range 200-1200 ng spot−1 with respect to peak area. According to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines the method was validated for precision, recovery and robustness. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the method is reproducible and selective for the estimation of stigmasterol. Keywords: Tagetes erecta, Capsicum annuum, stigmasterol, HPTLC, method validatio

A case of post dural puncture headache following labour epidural analgesia, managed by sphenopalatine ganglion block

Postpartum headache is a common complaint faced by most obstetricians, with over 39% of women having headache in the first postpartum week. With the increasing use of labour epidural analgesia, the incidence of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) due to inadvertent dural puncture is 0.5-1%. Most treatment modalities relieve the symptoms of PDPH by minimizing compensatory cerebral vasodilatation, or by sealing the dural puncture site. Treatment options include, conservative, pharmacological, and the gold standard, epidural blood patch (EBP). EBP is invasive and may result in rare however, severe complications. Sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) has been proposed as a non-invasive intervention for PDPH, which has minimal adverse effects, which can be performed bedside. Here we are reporting a case of PDPH, following labour epidural analgesia which was effectively managed by a sphenopalatine block.

Evaluation of Anti-Epileptic Activity of Tuberous Roots of Ipomoea Batatas Lam by Maximal Electroshock and Isoniazid Induced Convulsions in Wistar Rats

INTRODUCTION: According to WHO, Epilepsy is a chronic non communicable disease of the brain that affects around 50 million people worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement that may involve a part of the body (partial) or the entire body (generalized) and are sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness and control of bowel or bladder function. SCOPE: According to the WHO, there are over 70 million suffers in the world today of which 80% live in the developing countries. An estimated 3.2 million new cases occur each year globally, with at least 55% of the cases begin in childhood. Epilepsy responds to treatment about 75% of the time, some cases show poor treatment due to inadequate medical supply and proper treatment. Epilepsy increases a person’s risk of premature death by about two to three times. It is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide with no boundaries. Management of epilepsy is a global problem and successful treatment is very essential for preventing or at least delaying the onset of long-term complications. Remedies to treat such different types of seizure are available in nature in the form of herbal medicines or drugs with very minimal adverse effects when compared to the available synthetic drugs. Such herbal drugs as therapeutic agents are a boon when compared to the severe adverse effects of the allopathic medical practice for epileptic seizure, though the quest for a complete and permanent cure for the disease is being pursued by eluding physicians and researchers. Therefore, herbal medicines have been used for the treatment of various disease because of their fewer adverse effects that conventional medicine. It is believed that the traditional medicines used for the treatment of epilepsy and also in progression of complications of the disease. Main objective of the proposed work is to evaluate the beneficial effects of Ipomoea batatas Lam. for its anti-epileptic activity by using MES and INH model. MATERIALS AND METHOD: COLLECTION AND AUTHENTICATION: The tuberous roots of Ipomoea batatas Lam. were collected from local market, Tamil Nadu. The plant material was identified and authenticated by P. Jayaraman, M.Sc., Ph.D., Professor, Director of Plant anatomy research Centre (PARC), Chennai–600045, Tamilnadu. Certificate number PARC/2021/4522. A voucher specimen was submitted at C.L. Baid Metha College of Pharmacy, Chennai- 600097. PREPARATION OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Ipomoea batatas LAM. (EEIB): The tuberous root of Ipomoea batatas was collected from local market and they were sliced into thin pieces and dried in shade and made to a coarse dry powder. And they were subjected to extraction. Method of Extraction: A weighed Quantity of the powder were extracted with 70 % ethanol at room temperature for 5 days using Soxhlet’s apparatus. The filtrates were collected and then evaporated under reduced pressure to give a viscous mass, which gave a brownish golden colour residue. The extract was stored at 0-4°C. Percentage Yield: The percentage yield of hydro alcoholic extract was 5.22 % w/w, and it was preserved in refrigeration for further use. EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS: Wistar rats of weighing 100 -150 gm were used for this study. The inbred animals were procured from the animal house of C.L. Baid Metha College of Pharmacy, Thoraipakkam, Chennai- 97. They were housed three per cage under standard laboratory conditions at a room temperature at 22±20 C with 12 hr light/dark cycle. The animals were acclimatized to laboratory conditions for one week provided with standard pellet chow and water ad libitum. Ethical committee approval was obtained from IAEC of CPCSEA. (07/321/PO/Re/S/01) dated: 17/11/2021). CONCLUSION: The Tuberous roots of Ipomoea batatas Lam. showed reduction in the flexion, extensor, clonus and stupor duration in MES induced epilepsy model. Which shows the antiepileptic activity of EEIB. Hence the Ethanolic extract of Ipomoea batatas Lam can be used in Grandmal epilepsy. The Tuberous roots of Ipomoea batatas Lam. showed reduction in morbidity and mortality of animals in INH induced epilepsy model, which shows the antiepileptic activity of EEIB. Hence the Ethanolic extract of Ipomoea batatas Lam can be used in TLE (Temporal Lobe Epilepsy). The Histopathology of brain showed normal architecture and there is increased neuronal density which is comparable with phenytoin. GABA level is increased in EEIB treated group, so the drug may probably act by GABA mechanism by Inhibiting the GABA transaminase enzyme or by increasing the synthesis of GABA The Standard drug Diazepam acts by GABA mediated mechanism. Hence it is used in the treatment of Epilepsy. Aslike Diazepam, the EEIB also shows increase in GABA level as it contain the active constituent GABA in it. Hence it is used in treatment of epilepsy. Thus, it may be concluded that Ipomoea batatas Lam. produces significant Anti-Epileptic activity in both MES and INH induced epilepsy in Wistar Rats, which is comparable with that of Phenytoin and Diazepam. Further work is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of action involved in the antiepileptic activity of Ipomoea batatas Lam. with special reference to Phytochemical constituents