Extractability and availability index of sulphur in selected soils of Odisha

We aimed to evaluate the extractability of two reagents viz.0.15% CaCl2 & 0.01M Ca (H2PO4) for sulphur along with the sulphur availability index of mixed red and black soils. For this 86 soil samples were collected from mixed red and black soil regions and extracted with these solutions. Results showed that both these solutions ex-tracted nearly similar amount of sulphur in black soils while the Ca phosphate solution extracted higher amount (13.9mgkg-1) compared to Ca chloride solution (11.5mgkg-1) in red soil regions. Considering all the 86 soil samples tested, there was an excellent correlation between the extractable sulphur, the highest correlation being reported from black soils (R2= 0.97). Sulphur availability index was found to be higher in black soils (mean 6.6) compared to red soils (mean 5.1). Also the content of adsorbed sulphur was found to be high in red soils (2.4mgkg-1) compared to black soils (1.5mgkg-1). Correlation matrix and regression equations (Ca phosphate S= 5.00+ 0.77 Ca chloride S) were worked out between the extractable sulphur and soil properties to justify the results

Changes in land use practices influence soil sulfur fractions and their bioavailability

Changes in land use practices may affect the distribution of soil sulfur (S) fractions and their bioavailability. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess the influence of different land use changes on the distribution of soil S fractions and their bioavailability for plant nutrition. Soil samples from farmers’ fields with different land use practices such as rice-mustard-jute (R-M-J), rice-lentil-jute (R-L-J), rice-lentil-sesame (R-L-S), rice-vegetable-jute (R-V-J), and rice-potato-green gram (R-P-G) were collected and analyzed for different fractions of S. The bioavailability of S was assessed by extracting the soil with six different extractants (acidic, neutral, and alkaline) with different extraction modes and chemistry. The results showed that changes in land use practices could influence the distribution of soil S fractions and their bioavailability. Organic S was the dominant fraction, accounting for 93.5% of total S across land use practices. The inorganic S fraction (water-soluble, sorbed, and occluded) varied significantly among the land use practices. Among the inorganic fractions, the water-soluble fraction was the dominant fraction across the land use practices. The bioavailability of S, as assessed by different chemical extractants, was in the following order: sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) > mehlich-3 > ammonium bicarbonate-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (AB-DTPA) > ammonium acetate-acetic acid (NH4Ac-HOAc) > calcium dihydrogen phosphate {Ca(H2PO4)2} > calcium chloride (CaCl2). By establishing relationships between extractable S and soil S fractions, it was observed that all the extractants could obtain S from the water-soluble, sorbed, and organic S fractions, with little extractability from the occluded fraction. Among the extractants tested, mehlich-3 extracted a similar amount of S corresponding to the inorganic fraction across the land use practices. It also maintained positive relationships with different fractions of S, and as a multi-nutrient extractant, its use in routine soil testing can be recommended

Drug utilization pattern in out-patients with respiratory tract infections in a rural teaching hospital: a prospective observational study

Background: Respiratory tract infections are common clinical problems in the general population. Antimicrobials are the mainstay in the management and irrational use of them may increase resistance to bacteria and the total cost of treatment. Objectives: To evaluate the pattern of drug prescriptions for respiratory tract infections in Medicine and Pediatric outpatient departments of a rural teaching hospital.Methods: Over a period of 18 months, 391 prescriptions of outpatients with respiratory tract infection were collected. The drugs prescribed, their dose and duration of treatment were recorded. DU 90% was calculated.Results: The mean (±SEM) age of the patients was38.55±0.9 years and there were 204 (52.1%) men and 187 (42.1%) women. The most common disorder among the patients was acute rhinitis (61.1%) while the least common was acute bronchitis (1.3%). Microbial culture and sensitivity was done in 23 patients and Klebsiella pneumonia (8.2%) and enterococcus (0.07%) was the most common and least common organism respectively. Penicillins (50.9%), cephalosporins (26.7%), antitubercular drugs (8.5%), macrolides (4.8) constituted DU 90%. Monotherapy was advocated in 91.7% and multidrug therapy in 8.3% of patients. The average number of antimicrobials prescribed per prescription was 0.52. Two thirds (67.6%) of the prescribed drugs were from the national list of essential medicines 2011 (NLEM).Conclusions: Penicillins and cephalosporins were the commonly used antibiotics for respiratory tract infection in outpatients of a rural teaching hospital and two thirds of the prescribed drugs were essential medicines

Optical properties of US nanoparticles and the energy transfer from US nanoparticles to Rhodamine 6G

In the present work, we report the synthesis of colloidal US nanoparticles with different sizes and the band gaps of these samples exhibit a systematic dependence on the size of particles. We also study the photophysical properties of US nanoparticles and the energy transfer from US nanoparticles to Rhodamme 6G dyes by steady state and time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. The experimental results show that the relaxation of the excited state of US nanoparticles is composed of three different components. The calculated energy transfer efficiency from US nanoparticles to dye is 43% for 3.0 nm US nanoparticles. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Optical properties of CdS nanoparticles and the energy transfer from CdS nanoparticles to Rhodamine 6G

In the present work, we report the synthesis of colloidal CdS nanoparticles with different sizes and the band gaps of these samples exhibit a systematic dependence on the size of particles. We also study the photophysical properties of CdS nanoparticles and the energy transfer from CdS nanoparticles to Rhodamine 6G dyes by steady state and time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. The experimental results show that the relaxation of the excited state of CdS nanoparticles is composed of three different components. The calculated energy transfer efficiency from CdS nanoparticles to dye is 43% for 3.0 nm CdS nanoparticles

Cordyceps sinensis (yarsagumba): Pharmacological properties of a mushroom

Introduction: Yarsagumba (Cordyceps sinensis or Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is a fungus that parasitizes ghost moth larvae and produces a fruiting body prized as herbal medicine, belonging to the Ophiocordycipitaceae family. Cordyceps species are also known as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as it has wide applications in the pharmaceutical and health sectors. For thousands of years, Yarsagumba has been recognized in Nepal. It is one of the world's most promising medicinal mushrooms. Its unusual life cycle and wide range of medical applications piqued scientists' curiosity throughout the previous three decades. The purpose of this review is to compile information on Yarsagumba, including its history, cultivation, taxonomic characteristics, and many therapeutic uses, as well as phytochemical and pharmacological studies completed to date. Methods: Different sources and distribution of the fungus have been presented along with its life cycle, morphology, collection procedure, and history as traditional Chinese medicine. Various chemical constituents of the fungus have been presented in tabular form with their significance as nutrients and traditional medicine. Various pharmacological activities have also been presented in tabular form with their mechanism of action, which include antiasthmatic, antineoplastic, antibacterial, aphrodisiac, cardioprotective, anti-cancer, immunomodulator, etc. Different adulteration methods and standardization approaches have also been summarized. Results: This review summarizes various aspects of yarsagumba relevant to its uses as traditional Chinese medicine. Conclusion: Despite its scientific advancement, further research is needed, particularly in the design of dosage forms and analysis that will lead to the most effective use of this most expensive medicinal fungus

Nature of Sexual Dysfunctions in Major Depressive Disorder and its Impact on Quality of Life

Background: Adequate sexual expression is an essential part of many human relationships, and may enhance quality of life and provide a sense of physical, psychological, and social well-being. Epidemiological and clinical studies show that depression is associated with impairments of sexual function and satisfaction, even in untreated patients. Most antidepressant drugs have adverse effects on sexual function, but accurate identification of the incidence of treatment-emergent dysfunction has proved troublesome. However, few investigators have reported the base rate for disturbances in sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm or ejaculation in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) prior to antidepressant treatment. The purpose of this study is to define the frequency of sexual dysfunction (SD) in 60 patients with MDD and examine the relationship between SD and quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction variables. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 24 male and 36 female MDD patients diagnosed by SCID-DSM IV assessment completed a series of psychometric measures including a Sexual Function Questionnaire-Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) which asked about change in sexual interest and function as well as quality of life of life enjoyment using QLESQ-SF. Results: Over 33.33% of men and 42% of women reported decreased sexual interest. Reduced levels of arousal were more common in both men and women (8-22%) than ejaculatory or orgasm difficulties (11-16%). In women, SDs were more than males. Quality of life was more impaired in sample with SDs than those without dysfunction showing significant impact of SD on quality of life. Limitation and Conclusion: Although limited by a relatively small sample of drug-free patients with MDD, and by the absence of a non-depressed comparison sample, these results emphasize the importance of factors beyond specific drug effects in the assessment of SD in drug naive-depressed patients

Targeting the mitochondrial pathway to induce apoptosis/necrosis through ROS by a newly developed Schiff’s base to overcome MDR in cancer

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer, a major obstacle to successful application of cancer chemotherapy, is often characterized by over-expression of multidrug resistance-related proteins such as MRP1, P-gp or elevated glutathione (GSH) level. Efflux of drugs by functional P-gp, MRP1 and elevated GSH level can confer resistance to apoptosis induced by a range of different stimuli. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new cell death inducers with relatively lower toxicity toward non-malignant cells that can overcome MDR by induction of apoptotic or non-apoptotic cell death pathways. Herein we report the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a GSH depleting, redox active Schiff’s base, viz., potassium-N-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde)-alaninate (PHMBA). Cytotoxic potential of PHMBA has been studied in doxorubicin-resistant and -sensitive T lymphoblastic leukemia cells and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells. PHMBA kills both the cell types irrespective of their drug-resistance phenotype following apoptotic/necrotic pathways. Moreover, PHMBA-induced cell death is associated with oxidative stress mediated mitochondrial pathway as the H₂O₂ inhibitor PEG-Catalase abrogated PHMBA-induced apoptosis/necrosis. PHMBA induces anti-tumor activity in both doxorubicin-sensitive and -resistant EAC-tumor-bearing Swiss albino mice. The non-toxicity of PHMBA was also confirmed through cytotoxicity studies on normal cell lines like PBMC, NIH3T3 and Chang Liver. To summarise, our data provide compelling rationale for future clinical use of this redox active Schiff’s base in treatment of cancer patients irrespective of their drug-resistance status