Indian Legal Framework on the Right to Privacy in Cyberspace-Issues and Challenges

Right to privacy is nowhere cited in the Constitution of India in any specific and express words. However, this right is culled from Article 21 read with Directive Principle of State Policy by the judiciary. It is to be noted that like other fundamental rights, right to privacy is not an absolute right. Privacy is not just confined to some specific place or domain.  But recent developments in technology and internet usage has rapidly exposed privacy to potential threats. On the one hand, technology has provided endless possibility to human beings of development but on the other hand, it has posed numerous challenges in front of us.  Unreasonable interference upon person’s domain, disclosure of personal information, misappropriation of some one’s identity, hacking, digital stalking etc. will lead to violation of privacy. The present paper discusses the relationship between privacy and the increasing usage of technology. In this regard, protection provided by Indian laws as well as international instruments will be discussed to protect privacy right in digital world. After discussing issues and challenges, viable solutions will be discussed at the end of the article

The Importance of Telemedicine in a Post COVID World

Telemedicine has found immense popularity, especially in a COVID-19 affected world.  Its application shall improve the quality of health care provided to patients and help in time management as it help facilitates optimized referral systems which are based on the immediate/follow up needs of the patient, decision-making, reduction in patient’s waiting time as well as consultation time.  This review is an effort to shed light on the main practical applications of telemedicine for emphasizing potentialities, problems, and applications of this relatively new branch in medicine. The paper also highlights the various aspects of telemedicine in relation to the healthcare sector, its advantages/disadvantages in a post COVID-19 world

Prospecting endophytic fungal assemblage of Digitalis lanata Ehrh. (foxglove) as a novel source of digoxin: a cardiac glycoside

Endophytes, the chemical synthesizers inside plants, are the microorganisms having mutualistic relationship with the host plant. They can be used by plants for defense in addition to the production of a wide variety of beneficial bioactive secondary metabolites. There are reports that microbial endophytes mimic the bioactive compounds as produced by the plant itself thus making them a promising source of novel compounds. During the present study, endophytes were isolated from the symptomless leaves and stem of the angiosperm, Digitalis lanata (foxglove). Digitalis lanata belongs to the family Plantaginaceae and is an important medicinal plant known for the production of an important glycoside, digoxin having valuable medicinal importance. Glycosides from Digitalis have been reported to be cardiotonic and are widely used in the treatment of various heart conditions namely atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, heart failure, etc. Endophytic fungi were isolated from Digitalis to screen them for such glycosides as have been found in the plant itself. A total of 35 fungal endophytes were isolated and screened for the production of secondary metabolites. After preliminary analysis by thin layer chromatography for the presence of bioactive compounds, crude extracts of five fungal cultures were selected for HPLC. HPLC chromatograms revealed the production of glycoside digoxin from the five selected endophytic cultures, thus providing a novel, alternative and eco-friendly source for the production of such a pharmaceutically important and valuable drug

Análise comparativa das atividades antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórias dos chás vermelho, azul e preto para benefícios à saúde

The current COVID-19 predicament necessitates a greater emphasis on developing immunity. Herbal teas are abundant in antioxidants which are important for strengthening the immune system. Hot water decoction of Hibiscus rosa sinensis flowers (red tea), Clitoria ternatea flowers (blue tea) and commercially available black tea were evaluated by comparing for in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Anthocyanin pigment in red, blue, and black tea demonstrated Rf values of 0.52, 0.86 and 0.78 respectively. Blue and black teas exhibited dominance of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins as compared to red tea. The highest total phenolic (12.25 ± 0.245 mg GAE/gm extract-1) and flavonoid (15.84 ± 0.268mg QE/gm extract-1) content were observed with black and blue tea respectively. Blue tea, and black tea extracts exhibited FRPA values of 1.81 ± 0.413 mg and 1.93 ± 0.178 mg AAE per gram extract-1 respectively. Black tea exhibits the highest antioxidant capacity in reducing molybdate ions (1.94 ± 0.354 mg AAE per gram extract-1) followed by blue tea (1.56 ± 0.199 mg AAE per gram extract-1). Blue tea extract at a very low concentration showed highest percentage hemolytic inhibition (57.14 ± 0.567%). According to the study, blue tea is a rich source of antioxidants with significant anti-inflammatory properties. The research may offer a valuable supplementary strategyfor its therapeutic applications.La situación actual de COVID-19 requiere un mayor énfasis en desarrollar inmunidad. Los tés de hierbas son ricos en antioxidantes, que son importantes para fortalecer el sistema inmunológico. Se evaluó la decocción en agua caliente de flores de Hibiscus rosa sinensis (té rojo), flores de Clitoria ternatea (té azul) y té negro comercialmente disponible para determinar sus propiedades antioxidantes y antiinflamatorias in vitro. El pigmento de antocianina en el té rojo, azul y negro demostró valores de Rf de 0,52, 0,86 y 0,78, respectivamente. Los tés azul y negro exhibieron un predominio de polifenoles, flavonoides, taninos, glucósidos, terpenoides y saponinas en comparación con el té rojo. Los niveles más altos de fenoles totales (12,25 ± 0,245 mg EAG/g de extracto-1) y flavonoides (15,84 ± 0,268 mg QE/g de extracto-1) se observaron en los tés negro y azul, respectivamente. Los extractos de té azul y té negro exhibieron valores de FRPA de 1,81 ± 0,413 mg y 1,93 ± 0,178 mg de AAE por gramo de extracto-1, respectivamente. El té negro tiene la mayor capacidad antioxidante en la reducción de iones molibdato (1,94 ± 0,354 mg AAE por gramo de extracto-1), seguido del té azul (1,56 ± 0,199 mg AAE por gramo de extracto-1). El extracto de té azul a muy baja concentración presentó el mayor porcentaje de inhibición hemolítica (57,14 ± 0,567%). Según el estudio, el té azul es una rica fuente de antioxidantes con importantes propiedades antiinflamatorias. La investigación puede ofrecer una valiosa estrategia complementaria para sus aplicaciones terapéuticas.A situação atual do COVID-19 exige uma maior ênfase no desenvolvimento da imunidade. Os chás de ervas são abundantes em antioxidantes, importantes para fortalecer o sistema imunológico. A decocção de água quente de flores de Hibiscus rosa sinensis (chá vermelho), flores de Clitoria ternatea (chá azul) e chá preto comercialmente disponível, foi avaliada comparando as propriedades antioxidantes e anti-inflamatórias in vitro. O pigmento antocianina no chá vermelho, azul e preto, demonstrou valores de Rf de 0,52, 0,86 e 0,78, respectivamente. Os chás azul e preto, exibiram predominância de polifenóis, flavonoides, taninos, glicosídeos, terpenoides e saponinas em comparação com o chá vermelho. Os maiores teores de fenólicos totais (12,25 ± 0,245 mg EAG/gm extrato-1) e flavonoides (15,84 ± 0,268 mg QE/gm extrato-1) foram observados nos chás preto e azul, respectivamente. Os extratos de chá azul e chá preto exibiram valores de FRPA de 1,81 ± 0,413 mg e 1,93 ± 0,178 mg de AAE por grama de extrato-1, respectivamente. O chá preto apresenta a maior capacidade antioxidante na redução de íons molibdato (1,94 ± 0,354 mg AAE por grama de extrato-1), seguido pelo chá azul (1,56 ± 0,199 mg AAE por grama de extrato-1). O extrato de chá azul em concentração muito baixa, apresentou a maior porcentagem de inibição hemolítica (57,14 ± 0,567%). De acordo com o estudo, o chá azul é uma rica fonte de antioxidantes com propriedades anti-inflamatórias significativas. A pesquisa pode oferecer uma valiosa estratégia complementar para suas aplicações terapêuticas

Anti-bacterial activity of neoandrographolide derivatives: In silico interaction with the bacterial target

157-164Natural products and their semi synthesized molecules have been used as efficient antibiotics since a long time. The present global health scenario has raised the demand for novel antimicrobial agents and drug targets that are effective against drug resistant pathogens, emerging infections etc. The current study has promoted the antibacterial activity of the glucoside labdane ‘neoandrographolide’, isolated from the methanolic extract of the medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata. Further modification at its glucoside hydroxyl groups to generate ester and acetonide derivatives was done and the antibacterial potential of these compounds was screened against common bacterial pathogens. Among various derivatives, 4,6-O-(4-methoxybenzylidene) neoandrographolide exhibited promising results. In addition, molecular modeling study of the active compound was also explored to identify its probable binding mode on the bacterial target. The present study reported antibacterial activity of neoandrographolide derivatives for first time and also the bioactive molecule, 4,6-O-(4-methoxybenzylidene) neoandrographolide was examined as a potent antibacterial agent against different strains

Phenotyping in Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Sorghum is one of the most important cereal crops grown in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) of Asia, Africa and Americas for its food, feed, fodder and fuel value. Sorghum production is constrained by several biotic and abiotic stresses. Genetic enhancement of sorghum for grain and stover yield, nutritional quality and plant defense traits (abiotic and biotic) which stabilize the crop performance requires thorough knowledge on crop genetic and crop breeding principles. Rapid progress in biotechnology provided powerful and cost-effective molecular/genomic tools to develop desired products in sorghum. However, development of robust and efficient phenotyping methods for traits of interest is critical to make use of these new tools. There is no publication with efficient phenotyping protocols for sorghum research compiled at one place for use by sorghum workers. This book chapter is an attempt to fill that gap and we hope various phenotyping methods discussed hereunder will be useful to sorghum researchers in developing improved products by using them in combination with appropriate breeding/genomic tools