Rooting of flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) microshoots

Before flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) can be commercially propagated by tissue culture methods, a reliable and efficient method of production must be developed. Cornus florida has been micropropagated successfully but with a low rooting efficiency of about 50 %. Rooting has been a major problem in tissue culture of many other plants as well. This study was conducted to increase rooting efficiency of flowering dogwood microshoots over that previously achieved. Five to six week old microshoots originating from acclimatized axillary and nodal bud stock cultures were excised and used in the rooting experiments. Cornus florida microshoots were treated with various root promoting substances and bacteria. Microshoots were dipped for 24 h in aqueous diffiisates that were prepared by leaching stem cuttings of either black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) or contorted willow (Salix x erythroflexuosa Rag.). Explants were then transferred to Woody Plant Medium (WPM) with and without indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Various concentrations of salicylic acid and acetylsalicylic acid as root stimulating moeities were tested as a continuous exposure and a 24 h pulse treatments. A recently discovered root stimulating bacterium (RSB) promoted rooting in Pinus seedlings was also used to study rooting of flowering dogwood microshoots. Microshoots were treated with RSB cells as well as extracts obtained at pH 3 and pH 7 from the spent medium in which RSB was grown. Rooting efficiencies of microshoots grown on WPM and treated with these root promoting substances, bacterium and bacterial culture extracts were compared to that of microshoots grown on WPM with 4.9 µM IBA. Microshoots formed roots in all the experiments. Locust and willow diffusate slightly inhibited root formation on microshoots. Continuous exposure to 100 µM salicylic acid and 50 and 100 µM acetylsalicylic acid promoted root generation but not significantly different from that achieved with IBA. The highest mean number of roots/explant were produced when pulsed with 10 µM salicylic acid, 25 and 50 µM acetylsalicylic acid. Significant rooting was not observed on direct exposure of microshoots to live RSB. However, high rooting percentages of 70 % and 90 % were observed when microshoots were transferred to WPM amended with 2.5 ml and 0.5 ml of RSB extract obtained at pH 7 respectively. Of all the treatments tested, treatment of 5 to 6 wk old microshoots with 4.9 µM IBA stimulated the best and most consistent rooting efficiency of 70 to 100 %. Histological studies of root formation and leaf growth were also conducted. Root formation from microshoots started within 10 days of transfer to rooting medium. Microshoots grown on WPM amended with 4.9 µM IBA and leaf samples taken from various stages of micropropagation were sectioned and stained using Flemings triple stain. Leaf sections from plants in the greenhouse were found to be fully acclimatized as the anatomy and arrangement of tissues strongly resembled those from mature dogwood trees

RIZATRIPTAN BENZOATE LOADED NATURAL POLYSACCHARIDE BASED MICROSPHERES FOR NASAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Objective: The objective of this research was to formulate and evaluate the different grades of rizatriptan benzoate loaded polysaccharide based microspheres for the nasal drug delivery system.Methods: The polysaccharide was extracted from the seed of Trigonella foenum-graecum and microspheres were prepared by emulsification, followed by crosslinking using epichlorohydrin. A 32 full factorial design was employed in formulating the microspheres with polymer concentration (X1), and stirring rate (X2) as independent variables and particle size (Y1) and entrapment efficiency (Y2) were dependent variables.Results: The microspheres were discrete and free-flowing. The mean particle size (Y1) of microspheres ranged from 40.82+12 µm to 62.48+0.41 µm and the encapsulation efficiency (Y2) was found to be increased from 60.7+0.2% to 79.22+0.2% as the drug polysaccharide ratio increased. A 32 full factorial design confirmed that the X1 and X2 both effect on particle size whereas X1 alone effect on entrapment efficiency. SEM revealed the smooth spherical surface of microspheres whereas kinetic model revealed that drug release followed the case II transport. FTIR indicated good compatibility of the excipients with rizatriptan benzoate. Stability studies were carried out for formulation F7 at 4°C ambient, 25+2°C/60+5%, 40+2°C/75+5% relative humidity revealed that the physical drug appearance, entrapment efficiency were within the permissible limits.Conclusion: The result obtained in this research work indicate a promising potential of control release rizatriptan benzoate loaded microspheres whereas the Trigonella foenum-graecum polysaccharide used as rate controlling polymer for the effective treatment of migraine patients

Characterization of Root Stimulating Bacterium and its Root Stimulating Abilities

In this study, the characterization of a novel root stimulating bacterium (RSB) is reported and the root stimulating ability of RSB is compared to Sphingomonas and other related bacteria. A morphological examination of RSB was conducted. Nutritional and biochemical characterization was performed in order to obtain a profile of RSB. Pigment analysis indicated the presence of nostoxanthin, a pigment commonly found in Sphingomonas bacteria. Lipid analysis of RSB revealed the presence of sphingolipids in addition to other fatty acids suggesting similarity with other Sphingomonas bacteria. Pulse-field gel electrophoresis of RSB and Sphingomonas echinoides showed a high level of difference in the DNA of these two organisms suggesting difference at least at the strain level. The root stimulating ability of RSB, Sphingomonas and other related bacteria were evaluated using mung bean bioassays. Results of these bioassays suggest that the spent medium used for culturing RSB and Sphingopyxis macrogoltabida contain acidic and neutral compounds that contribute to their promotion of adventitious root formation whereas the spent medium used to culture Novosphingobium capsulata, Sphingomonas echinoides and Sphingomonas paucimobilis contains root stimulating components of acidic nature. Thin layer chromatography of acidic fractions obtained from RSB, Sphingomonas echinoides, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Sphingopyxis macrogoltabida and Novosphingobium capsulata spent growth medium showed Rf values close to those for the standards indolelactic acid (ILA) and indoleacetic acid (IAA). Based on all these tests, RSB most closely resembles bacteria of the Sphingomonas group and the rooting ability observed for RSB is characteristic of some of the Sphingomonas and related bacteria

Direction Estimation Model for Gaze Controlled Systems

Detection of gaze requires estimation of the position and the relation between user’s pupil and glint. This position is mapped into the region of interest using different edge detectors by detecting the glint coordinates and further gaze direction. In this research paper, a Gaze Direction Estimation (GDE) model has been proposed for the comparative analysis of two standard edge detectors Canny and Sobel for estimating automatic detection of the glint, its coordinates and subsequently the gaze direction. The results indicate fairly good percentage of the cases where the correct glint coordinates and subsequently correct gaze direction quadrants have been estimated. These results can further be used for improving the accuracy and performance of different eye gaze based systems

Design and simulation of a building-based off-grid photovoltaic microgrid using PVsyst: A case study

In the absence of a main or central grid, an off-grid renewable energy-based system could be a viable solution to address the electricity demand of a particular region by utilizing the available renewable energy sources (RES) of that area. This also leads society to a step toward sustainable energy development. A planned RES-integrated microgrid system not only fulfills the energy crisis and reduces electricity costs but also plays a significant role in the conservation of fossil fuels. Therefore, the design and simulation of RES integrated systems are indispensable as this type of analysis determines the vital parameters of the system e.g., the system performances including electricity output, energy conversion efficiency, yearly energy potential, and the system losses before being involved in practical implementation. Further, the cell temperature of the Photovoltaic (PV) panel based on regional weather conditions, the system life cycle based on the uncertainty factor of weather, total system installation cost with a full account of the annual savings and payback etc. can also be determined by designing and simulating such systems. This paper presents a design of a 40 kW off-grid photovoltaic (PV) microgrid system according to the load requirements at the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), Tezpur University, India using PVsyst software. The proposed design has been created to meet the daily peak load demand of 37 kW of the department. The energy available through the generating units of the proposed designed PV system is 45.46 MWh/Year and the system performance ratio in terms of efficiency over the year is 0.814. The overall performance analysis and simulation results would be helpful in determining the efficiency and viability of the proposed PV system while implementing it practically in the near future

A retrospective analysis of outcome of pregnancy with acute renal failure during a period of one year at Geetanjali medical college & hospitals, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a life threatening complication of pregnancy. Pregnancy related Acute Renal Failure is usually a consequence of obstetric complication like pregnancy induced hypertension, pre eclampsia, eclampsia, septic abortion, HELLP, antepartum hemorrhage, and puerperal sepsis.Methods: ARF was diagnosed when there was a history of sudden oliguria (urinary output 0.5mg/dl/day from baseline. All patients with obstetrical ARF, antepartum as well as postpartum, were included in this study.Results: From 256 patients, 15 patients (5.8%) had pregnancy related ARF. Maternal outcome was assessed according to grading of AKI. The causes of ARF were pre eclampsia and eclampsia (40%), HELLP (13.33%), APH (13.33%), PPH (20%) and puerperal sepsis (6.66%). Maternal mortality was 13.33%. Neonatal outcome, amongst 14 patients, was noted and analyzed. Intrauterine deaths amongst them were 4/14 (28.57%). Amongst 10 neonates which were admitted in neonatal ICU, 6/10 (60%) survived and 4/10 (40%) of them died.Conclusions: Multidisciplinary services at tertiary level may reduce mortality due to Pregnancy related Acute Renal Failure. Most common etiological factor was pre eclampsia and eclampsia. Disappearance of illegal abortion, improvement in ANC with effective management of complicated pregnancy, the facility for safe early elective delivery whenever indicated, the improvement in resuscitation of obstetric hemorrhage and increased preparation of hospital birth had all contributed to the prevention of this devastating complication of pregnancy

MICROBICIDAL EVALUATION OF PLANT EXTRACTS - IRON METAL IONS COMPLEX

  Objective: The aim of this study is to screen and evaluate the antimicrobial or microbicidal effect of plant metabolites, conjugated with essential iron metal ions.Methods: First batch of study includes screening of antimicrobial activity of leaves of mint (Mentha), methi (Trigonella foenum-graecum), and neem (Azadirachta indica) against Bacillus, Aspergillus, and Rhizopus sp., respectively. Inhibition of microbial growth and propagation was investigated using agar well diffusion method (minimum inhibitory concentration evaluation). Antibiotic agent, streptomycin sulfate, and antimycotic agent, and fluconazole was used as a positive control. The polar, non-polar, and aqueous extracts of plants leaves of abovementioned plant species were screened for their antibacterial activity against Bacillus sp. and antifungal activity against Aspergillus and Rhizopus sp. and their mix culture, respectively. Second batch of study includes evaluation of combinatorial effect of plant extracts of mint (Mentha piperita), methi (T. foenum-graecum), and neem (A. indica) complexed with ferric ions (Fe3+, Iron metal ions) in concentrations at acceptable dosage range.Results: The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the plants leaves extracts in different combinations was evaluated. The plant extracts from selected plant of neem, methi, and mint after conjugation with essential iron metal ions and at a concentration of 100 mg/ml show an enhanced microbicidal (2-3 fold) activity compared to only plant extracts used in the experiment.Conclusion: Based on the above investigation, it can be concluded that the plant extracts possessing antimicrobial property when conjugated with essential metal ions (iron metal ions) show enhanced antimicrobial efficacy compared to only plant extracts used. The result from this investigation could be very helpful in the food preservation and packaging industry

A CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF SHANKHPUSHPYADI YOGA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VYANBALVRIDDHI W.S.R. TO HYPERTENSION

Changing lifestyle is responsible for increase in number of people suffering from Hypertension, Stress, Diabetes mellitus, Obesity, Heart ailments and other Non Communicable diseases. Among these life-style disorders hypertension is an important public health challenge worldwide. The disease Hypertension has no such clear cut reference in Ayurvedic texts. Eminent Ayurvedic scholar Vaidhya Brihaspati Dev Triguna Padam Vibhushan correlated high blood pressure with Vyana BalaVridhi. He postulated that increased Vyana Bala is responsible for increased Arterial pressure. Present study was conducted to explore evidence based therapeutic potential of Shankhpushpyadi Yoga in the management of Vyan Bal Vriddhi w.s.r. to Hypertension. The patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria and voluntarily wiling for trial were registered from O.P.D. & I.P.D. Dept. of Kayachikitsa R.G.G.P.G.AYU Hospital, Paprola. The Clinical trial was approved by I.E.C. The trial formulation contains Hydroalcoholic extract of Shankhpushpi 150 mg, Bhumyamlaki 250 mg, Punarnava 200 mg, Jatamanshi and Sarpagandha 100 mg each.  Clinical trial was of 45 days and total 30 patients were registered for the same.After45days analysis revealed that out of 30 patients, 4 patients showed excellent improvement,15 showed marked, 7 showed mild improvement and no improvement was noted in 2 patients. The mean systolic blood pressure before treatment was 148.71 mm of Hg which dropped to 140.14 mm of Hg at the end of 45 days therapy, with 5.28% reduction. The mean diastolic blood pressure before treatment was 95 mm of Hg which dropped to 87.142 mm of Hg at completion of trial with 8.27% reduction which was statistically significant.  Shankhpushpyadi yoga proved to be an effective and safe remedy for patients of Hypertension.&nbsp

Premature ovarian failure incidence, risk factors and its relation to BMI and infertility

Background: Premature ovarian failure (POF) is cessation in the normal functioning of the ovaries in women younger than age 40 years. It is estimated to affect1% of women younger than 40 years and 0.1% of those under 30 years. Premature ovarian failure is a common cause of infertility in women.Methods: Patient attending outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with age less than 40 years and complaint of menstrual disturbances, symptoms of menopause were enrolled for the study for duration of 1year. This study is planned to calculate the incidence, risk factors, relation to BMI and infertility in patients attending outpatient department at Geetanjali medical college and hospital, Udaipur for all enrolled patient coming with complaints of menstrual disturbances. FSH levels were send for all the patients and those with FSH level more than 20 at day 2/3 for menstruating women and random FSH level for amenorrhea patient more than 20 were classified in to study group and all those women with FSH less than 20 are taken as control group.Results: Present study strongly suggests that simple laboratory test FSH and symptoms of missed and irregularity of menstrual cycle help in early and prompt diagnosis of premature ovarian failure. And early diagnosis helps in avoiding unnecessary medications and helps in improving long term morbidity.Conclusions: Disturbances in menstrual cycle like amenorrhea and infrequent cycles are the symptoms which are associated with premature ovarian failure after ruling out pregnancy and other hormonal and structural causes