Methanol fractionations of Catha edulis frosk (Celastraceae) contracted lewis rat aorta in vitro: a comparison between crimson and green leaves

The study investigated the effect of methanol extract and its fractionations obtained from Yemeni khat on the smooth muscle isometric tension in Lewis rat aortal ring preparations and compared the effects of the crimson and green leaves. Khat leaves were sorted into green (khat Light; KL) and crimson (khat Dark; KD) leaves, extracted with methanol, followed with solvent-solvent extraction (benzene, chloroform and ethylacetate). The contractile activity of the fractions was tested using aortal ring preparations. The control (phenylepherine contraction) methanol extracts contracted aortas at concentrations 250, 125 and 67.5 μg /1 ml buffer by 80.2% , 57.3%, 26.4% and 81.5%, 65.6% , 24.6% for KL and KD, respectively. Fractions of benzene (BF) and ethylacetate (EaF) contracted the aorta with 2μgm, whereas, chloroform (ChF) with 1 μgm / 1 ml buffer was less potent. The shape of contraction curve produced by EaF differed from that of ChF and BF of both (KL and KD). The EaF induced-contraction peaked after 3.3 ± 0.94 mins, whereas those of BF and CHF peaked after 18.0 ± 2.2, 19.7 ± 0.94 mins, respectively. Pre-incubation with nifedipine (10-6 M) insignificantly reduced the contraction induced by all fractionations, but prazosin (10-6 M) reduced the contraction by 81.9%, 63.1%, 71.8% with p= 0.23, 0.09, 0.15 for BF, ChF and EaF of KL, respectively. It significantly reduced contraction of ChF, 64.1%; p= 0.02, and of EaF, 73.5%; p= 0.04 of KD, while the reduction in contraction of BF was 63.1%; p= 0.06. In conclusion, fractions of green and crimson Yemeni khat leaves contracted aortas of Lewis rats. Both leaves behave almost similarly. Contraction induced by chloroform fraction produced alphasympathetic activity.Key words: Catha edulis, aorta contraction, rat, cathinone

Association of Physical Activity with Co-morbid Conditions in Geriatric Population

To find out association of physical activity with co-morbid conditions in geriatric population, a cross-sectional study was conducted in different cties of Pakistan in 2015. A total of 114 participants were inducted by non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data was collected after informed verbal consent by a validated questionnaire that is Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA). Participants were categorized into two groups i.e. physically active and physically inactive. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS version 20. There were 66 (57.9%) males and 48 (42.1%) females with mean age of 57.04±7.348 years. Among hypertensive individuals (n=43, 37.7%) there were 39 (90.7%) physically inactive, among individuals having angina (n=17, 14.9%) there were 15 (88.2%) physically inactive. Out of 37 (32.5%) diabetics, 35 (94.6%) were physically inactive. Among individuals suffering from arthritis (n=40, 35.1%), there were 38 (95%) physically inactive. A significant association was found between physical activity and diabetes and arthritis with p-value of 0.048 and 0.029 respectively. Physical activity is significantly associated with diabetes and arthritis in geriatric population. Adequate physical activity should be performed to reduce the risk of co-morbid conditions and improve the quality of life in geriatric population

Monitoring and Controlling Power using Zigbee Communications

Smart grid is a modified form of electrical grid where generation, transmission, distribution and customers are not only connected electrically but also through strong communication network with each other as well as with market, operation and service provider. For achieving good communication link among them, it is very necessary to find suitable protocol. In this paper, we discuss different hardware techniques for power monitoring, power management and remote power controlling at home and transmission side and also discuss the suitability of Zigbee for required communication link. Zigbee has major role in monitoring and direct load controlling for efficient power utilization. It covers enough area needed for communication and it works on low data rate of 20Kbps to 250Kbps with minimum power consumption. This paper describes the user friendly control home appliances, power on/off through the internet, PDA using Graphical User Interface (GUI) and through GSM cellular mobile phone.Comment: 5th International Workshop on NGWMN with 7th IEEE International Conference on BWCCA 2012, Victoria, Canada, 201

Viability of Split Thickness Autogenous Skin Transplantation in Canine Distal Limb Reconstruction – An Experimental Evaluation

Distal limb reconstruction is complicated by the paucity of local tissues and the frequent association of orthopedic injury with cutaneous loss. Though, second-intention healing or skin stretching techniques are used for wounds involving less than a 30% circumference of the limb, however, skin grafts are recommended for reconstruction of larger superficial wounds. The present study was designed to clinically evaluate the viability of split thickness autogenous skin transplantation (STAST) in dogs. Standardized surgical defects of variable size i.e. 3×3, 4×4 and 5×5 sq cm were made on the left middle radial area (forearm) of 15 mongrel dogs assigned to Group A, B and C, respectively having 5 dogs each. Split thickness autogenous skin grafts were harvested from mid thorax and placed in these defects through several simple interrupted sutures. Results indicated a success rate of 80% with no clinical difference in the survival rate of three different sizes of grafts used. Hence, STAST can successfully be used for canine distal limb reconstruction

METHANOL FRACTIONATIONS OF CATHA EDULIS FROSK (CELASTRACEAE) CONTRACTED LEWIS RAT AORTA IN VITRO: A COMPARISON BETWEEN CRIMSON AND GREEN LEAVES

The study investigated the effect of methanol extract and its fractionations obtained from Yemeni khat on the smooth muscle isometric tension in Lewis rat aortal ring preparations and compared the effects of the crimson and green leaves. Khat leaves were sorted into green (khat Light; KL) and crimson (khat Dark; KD) leaves, extracted with methanol, followed with solvent-solvent extraction (benzene, chloroform and ethylacetate). The contractile activity of the fractions was tested using aortal ring preparations. The control (phenylepherine contraction) methanol extracts contracted aortas at concentrations 250, 125 and 67.5 µg /1 ml buffer by 80.2% , 57.3%, 26.4% and 81.5%, 65.6% , 24.6% for KL and KD, respectively. Fractions of benzene (BF) and ethylacetate (EaF) contracted the aorta with 2µgm, whereas, chloroform (ChF) with 1 µgm / 1 ml buffer was less potent. The shape of contraction curve produced by EaF differed from that of ChF and BF of both (KL and KD). The EaF induced-contraction peaked after 3.3 ± 0.94 mins, whereas those of BF and CHF peaked after 18.0 ± 2.2, 19.7 ± 0.94 mins, respectively. Pre-incubation with nifedipine (10-6 M) insignificantly reduced the contraction induced by all fractionations, but prazosin (10-6 M) reduced the contraction by 81.9%, 63.1%, 71.8% with p= 0.23, 0.09, 0.15 for BF, ChF and EaF of KL, respectively. It significantly reduced contraction of ChF, 64.1%; p= 0.02, and of EaF, 73.5%; p= 0.04 of KD, while the reduction in contraction of BF was 63.1%; p= 0.06. In conclusion, fractions of green and crimson Yemeni khat leaves contracted aortas of Lewis rats. Both leaves behave almost similarly. Contraction induced by chloroform fraction produced alpha-sympathetic activity

Effect of tannery effluents on seed germination and growth of two sunflower cultivars

The wastewater of a tannery in Multan, Pakistan, was alkaline with high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) values along with much higher concentrations of total settle able salts and suspended solids, sodium adsorption ratio and high amount of sodium having the water quality class C3S1. Effluent was examined for its chemical constituents and the effect of its various dilutions was examined in greenhouse on two newly recommended sunflower cultivars (FH-330 and FH- 245) during their whole growth period. Percentage of germination, chlorophyll, carbohydrates and protein contents of both the sunflower cultivars showed significant (p = 0.05) decreasing trend with increasing effluent concentrations. Vegetative growth parameters like plant height and number of leaves per plant were significantly (p = 0.05) reduced with the increasing levels of effluents. Rate of leaf senescence of both cultivars was higher under higher effluent concentrations. Yield of sunflower crop in both cultivars was significantly (p = 0.05) reduced due to effluent concentrations. Seeds per capitulum were decreased to 49%, seeds weight per plant to 61 - 66% and 100-seed weight to 49 - 59%. The appearance of pale yellowish color of the affected plants was due to reduction in photosynthetic material under higher effluent concentration. Full strength effluent concentration caused the reduction in biomass accumulation and reproductive growth of sunflower cultivars. The results revealed that cultivar FH-330 was relatively resistant to varying effluent concentrations as compared to the cultivar FH- 245. However, the tannery effluents due to the presence of chemicals are not suitable for inclusion in irrigation system.Key words: Tannery effluents, sunflower, seed germination, growth, adverse effect, reduced yield

Antimicrobial activity analysis of extracts of Acacia modesta, Artimisia absinthium, Nigella sativa and Saussurea lappa against Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of certain herbs including Acacia modesta (leaf and stem), Artimisia absinthium (leaf and stem), Nigella sativa (seeds) and i (root) was evaluated against three Gram positive and two Gram negative microorganisms. The Gram positive organisms included Bacillus subtalis (ATCC 6633), Entereococcus faecalis (ATCC 14506) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and the Gram negative organisms included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Salmonella typhi (ATCC 14028). Methanolic, hot water and cold water extracts of these plants were taken for antibacterial assay through Discs agar diffusion technique using commercial filter paper discs applied on inoculated Muellar Hinton agar plates. The objective of this study was to explore the curative powers of these herbs that exist in nature as a tool to counter disease causing agents. The maximum zone of inhibition of 18 mm of methanolic extract of N. sativa was observed against B. subtalis and S. aureus. Similarly, the maximum zone of inhibition of 18 mm of cold water extract of N. sativa against S. aureus and methanolic extract of Saussurea lappa against S. aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also observed. The antibacterial action was compared with the effect of ceftriaxone, ceftriaxone sodium, cefuroxine, ciprofloxacin, gentamycine, levofloxacin, metronidazole and tranexamic acid that were used as standered drugs. Based on the results obtained in this study, it may be concluded that plant extracts of A. modesta, A. absinthium, N. sativa and Saussurea lappa have a stronger and broader spectrum of antimicrobial activity against a number of food borne bacteria.Key words: Herbs, methanolic extract, Acacia modesta, Bacillus subtalis, gentamycine, gram negative, gram positive