Antibakterijski učinak ekstrakta lista biljke Plectranthus amboinicus Benth u uzorcima voća, povrća i pilećeg mesa

The ability of acetone and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of a traditional Indian medicinal plant, Indian borage (Plectranthus amboinicus Benth) to prevent spoilage of artificially inoculated model food systems (cabbage and papaya) and natural microflora of chicken meat was evaluated. These extracts were able to reduce the bacterial counts in all food systems; however, the effective concentration varied with the complexity of the system (in descending order: cabbage, papaya and chicken). A probable mode of action of extracts was investigated by analyzing the changes they cause in bacterial cell wall and leakage of nucleic acid from bacterial cells. Both acetone and ethyl acetate extracts at their respective minimum inhibitory concentrations resulted in leakage of cell constituents to an extent of 40 to 80 and 60 to 95 %, respectively, compared to the control, and finally leading to disintegration of cell walls. These findings indicate the potential use of ethyl acetate and acetone extracts of Indian borage leaves in food preservation.U radu je ispitan učinak ekstrakata lišća drevne indijske ljekovite biljke Plectranthus amboinicus Benth, izoliranih pomoću acetona i etilnog acetata, na sprečavanje rasta bakterija uzročnika kvarenja inokuliranih u uzorke svježeg kupusa i papaje, te na prirodnu mikrofloru pilećeg mesa. Dobiveni su ekstrakti uspješno smanjili broj bakterija u svim uzorcima hrane, no njihova je učinkovitost ovisila o složenosti sastava uzorka, pa je najveća bila u kupusu, zatim u papaji, a najmanja u mesu. Ispitan je utjecaj ekstrakata na razgradnju stanične stijenke bakterija i otpuštanje nukleinskih kiselina u međustanični prostor. Ekstrakt lišća dobiven pomoću acetona je pri minimalnoj inhibicijskoj koncentraciji uzrokovao otpuštanje 40 do 80 % staničnog sadržaja, a ekstrakt dobiven pomoću etilnog acetata 60 do 95 % staničnog sadržaja bakterija u usporedbi s kontrolnim uzorkom, što je naposljetku uzrokovalo potpunu razgradnju stanične stijenke. Rezultati pokazuju da se ekstrakti lišća indijske biljke Plectranthus amboinicus Benth, dobiveni pomoću etilnog acetata ili acetona, mogu upotrijebiti za konzerviranje hrane

Prevalence of Menopon gallinae Linn. (Insecta, Phthiraptera, Menoponidae, Amblycera) upon poultry birds (Gallus gallus domesticus) of selected locality of district Chamoli Garhwal (Uttarakhand), India

Prevalence and intensity of infestation of Menopon gallinae (Linn.) was recorded from 688 poultry birds belonging to 30 selected locality of district Chamoli (Uttarakhand) during March, 2012 to February, 2013, out of which 310 were found infested (45.06%). Prevalence rate were higher in female (46.8%) than male (42%) birds in present investigation. Higher infestation were noted in certain parameters like captivity (larger group), poor health, poor hygienic condition, poor feather condition, black feather colour, desi breed and older birds. Singly reared, good health, good hygienic condition, good feather condition, mix colour, broiler breed and younger poultry birds were found to have least infestation. Intensity of infestation was noted by coding system. Maximum poultry bird bore very light (VL) infestation (29.68%) while very few were found with very heavy (VH) infestation (4.52%). Relative monthly intensity of infestation remained more or less similar in all the categories. Lice were peaked during summer in comparison to the winter. Strong positive correlation existed between monthly lice index and temperature (+0.79); lice index and photoperiod (+0.84), while the same were found insignificant with humidity (-0.23) and rainfall (-0.17)

Quantification of Parasite Load in Clinical Samples of Leishmaniasis Patients: IL-10 Level Correlates with Parasite Load in Visceral Leishmaniasis

A rapid and accurate method to detect and quantify Leishmania parasite is urgently needed to facilitate early diagnosis of Leishmaniasis and monitoring of antileishmania therapy. In this study, real-time assay was applied to estimate parasite load in clinical samples of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients. The mean parasite load in blood of VL patients (n = 31) was 8,372 parasites/ml, while the mean parasite load in bone marrow aspirate (BMA) was 194,962 parasites/million nucleated cells (n = 12). Parasite load was undetectable after treatment with amphotericin B (n = 9) in VL, while a residual parasite burden was detected in 2 of 6 patients following treatment with sodium antimony gluconate. Further, circulating levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-2 were analysed in VL patients (n = 29) by Cytometric Bead Array to evaluate correlation with parasitic load. Interestingly, IL-10 levels correlated significantly with parasite load (r = 0.82, P<0.0001). The mean parasite load in dermal lesions of PKDL patients was 9,502 parasites/µg tissue DNA at pre-treatment stage (n = 25), with no detectable parasites after therapy (n = 5). Parasite burden was distinctly higher (P<0.0001) in nodular lesions (n = 12) (19,586 parasites/µg tissue DNA) compared to papular/macular lesions (n = 13, 193 parasites/µg tissue DNA). Further, chronic PKDL lesions showed significantly (P = 0.0166) higher parasite load in comparison with acute lesions. Results indicate that chronic, nodular cases constitute the major parasite reservoir for anthroponotic transmission. Our results establish that the high parasite load in VL is strongly correlated with a high level of IL-10, implicating IL-10 as a marker of disease severity. The assay is applicable for diagnosis as well as prognosis of both VL and PKDL, providing a simple molecular tool to monitor the efficacy of antileishmanial drugs or vaccines

Management practices for west syndrome in south Asia: A survey study and meta-analysis

Objectives: Considering the dearth of literature on West syndrome (WS) from South Asian countries, this study aimed to evaluate the management practices in South Asia by an online survey and meta-analysis.Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to 223 pediatric neurologists/pediatricians in India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Their responses were evaluated and supplemented by a meta-analysis.Results: Of 125 responses received (response rate: 56%), around 60% of responders observed male preponderance and an approximate lead-time-to-treatment (LTTT) of 4-12 weeks. The commonest etiology observed was a static structural insult (88.6% of responders). Most commonly used first-line drug (country-wise) was as follows: India-adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH, 50%); Pakistan-oral steroids (45.5%); Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Nepal-oral steroids (94.4%); Bangladesh-ACTH (2/2); Bhutan-vigabatrin (3/5). ACTH and vigabatrin are not available in Myanmar and Nepal. The most commonly used regime for ACTH was maximal-dose-at-initiation-regime in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh and gradually escalating-regime in Pakistan. Maximum dose of prednisolone was variable-most common response from India: 3-4 mg/kg/d; Pakistan, Bhutan, and Bangladesh: 2 mg/kg/d; Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Myanmar: 5-8 mg/kg/d or 60 mg/d. The total duration of hormonal therapy (including tapering) ranged from 4 to 12 weeks (67/91). Most responders considered cessation of spasms for four weeks as complete response (54/111) and advised electroencephalography (EEG; 104/123) to check for hypsarrhythmia resolution. Difficult access to pediatric EEG in Bhutan and Nepal is concerning. More than 95% of responders felt a need for more awareness. The meta-analysis supported the preponderance of male gender (68%; confidence interval [CI]: 64%-73%), structural etiology(80%; CI 73%-86%), longer LTTT (2.4 months; CI 2.1-2.6 months), and low response rate to hormonal therapy(18% and 28% for ACTH and oral steroids respectively) in WS in South Asia.Significance: This study highlights the practices and challenges in the management of WS in South Asia. These include a preponderance of male gender and structural etiology, a longer LTTT, difficult access to pediatric EEG, nonavailability of ACTH and vigabatrin in some countries, and low effectiveness of hormonal therapy in this region

Strong impact of TGF-&#946;1 gene polymorphisms on breast cancer risk in Indian women: a case-control and population-based study

Introduction: TGF-&#946;1 is a multi-functional cytokine that plays an important role in breast carcinogenesis. Critical role of TGF-&#946;1 signaling in breast cancer progression is well documented. Some TGF-&#946;1 polymorphisms influence its expression; however, their impact on breast cancer risk is not clear. Methods: We analyzed 1222 samples in a candidate gene-based genetic association study on two distantly located and ethnically divergent case-control groups of Indian women, followed by a population-based genetic epidemiology study analyzing these polymorphisms in other Indian populations. The c.29C&#62;T (Pro10Leu, rs1982073 or rs1800470) and c.74G&#62;C (Arg25Pro, rs1800471) polymorphisms in the TGF-&#946;1 gene were analyzed using direct DNA sequencing, and peripheral level of TGF-&#946;1 were measured by ELISA. Results: c.29C&#62;T substitution increased breast cancer risk, irrespective of ethnicity and menopausal status. On the other hand, c.74G&#62;C substitution reduced breast cancer risk significantly in the north Indian group (p  =  0.0005) and only in the pre-menopausal women. The protective effect of c.74G&#62;C polymorphism may be ethnicity-specific, as no association was seen in south Indian group. The polymorphic status of c.29C&#62;T was comparable among Indo-Europeans, Dravidians and Tibeto-Burmans. Interestingly, we found that Tibeto-Burmans lack polymorphism at c.74G&#62;C locus as true for the Chinese populations. However, the Brahmins of Nepal (Indo-Europeans) showed polymorphism in 2.08% of alleles. Mean TGF-&#946;1 was significantly elevated in patients in comparison to controls (p&#60;0.001). Conclusion: c.29C&#62;T and c.74G&#62;C polymorphisms in the TGF-&#946;1 gene significantly affect breast cancer risk, which correlates with elevated TGF-&#946;1 level in the patients. The c.29C&#62;T locus is polymorphic across ethnically different populations, but c.74G&#62;C locus is monomorphic in Tibeto-Burmans and polymorphic in other Indian populations

Enhanced recovery after surgery in liver surgery

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) or fast-track surgery protocols, have been implemented across surgical fields with positive impact on outcomes. These protocols represent a standardized and evidence-based multimodal perioperative strategy founded on a series of measures aiming to attenuate the physical and psychological stress responses to surgical insults, and to potentiate the postoperative rehabilitation of patients. The successful adoption of ERAS protocols in various specialties enabled its gradual acceptance in the complex field of liver surgery. Even though many elements have been adapted especially from colorectal surgery, a few elements of ERAS protocol are unique to liver surgery. The goals of enhanced recovery can be achieved with efforts beginning at the first interaction on outpatient basis. Core elements of this multidisciplinary effort include pre-operative counseling, shortened preoperative fasting, no pre-anesthetic medication, targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis and early withdrawal, preventing and treating of postoperative nausea and vomiting, minimally invasive approaches, avoidance of postoperative nasogastric decompression, preventing hypothermia, optimal perioperative fluid management, selective use of abdominal drains, early urinary catheter removal, optimal pain control, early oral feeding and mobilization. The available evidence from recent randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses comparing ERAS programs with traditional care in liver surgery suggests that length of hospital stay is shortened without increasing morbidity, mortality or readmission rates

Analysis of VMM computation strategies to implement BNN applications on RRAM arrays

The growing interest in edge-AI solutions and advances in the field of quantized neural networks have led to hardware efficient binary neural networks (BNNs). Extreme BNNs utilize only binary weights and activations, making them more memory efficient. Such networks can be realized using exclusive-NOR (XNOR) gates and popcount circuits. The analog in-memory realization of BNNs utilizing emerging non-volatile memory devices has been widely explored recently. However, most realizations typically use 2T-2R synapses, resulting in sub-optimal area utilization. In this study, we investigate alternate computation mapping strategies to realize BNN using selectorless resistive random access memory arrays. A new differential computation scheme that shows a comparable performance with the well-established XNOR computation strategy is proposed. Through extensive experimental characterization, BNN implementation using a non-filamentary bipolar oxide-based random access memory device-based crossbar is demonstrated for two datasets: (i) experimental characterization was performed on a thermal-image based Rock-Paper-Scissors dataset to analyze the impact of sneak-paths with real-hardware experiments. (ii) Large-scale BNN simulations on the Fashion-MNIST dataset with multi-level cell characteristics of non-filamentary devices are performed to demonstrate the impact of device non-idealities