Identity parameters on traditionally used Antiurolithiatic Herb - Scoparia Dulcis Linn.

Introduction: Scoparia dulcis Linn. locally known as Manithumbe Gida belongs to Scophularaceae family and used in medicine by the traditional practitioners for the treatment of urinary calculi. Materials and Methods: Matured plants are collected from Udupi district and authenticated. Macromicroscopic features, physico-chemical standards, HPTLC and secondary metabolites were recorded as per standard guidelines. Result: TS of leaf has shown the presence of mesophyll and bi-collateral vascular bundles. Outer cork tissue, a layer of cortex and conjoint collateral closed vascular bundles and central pith are inclusions of stem TS. Pitted and reticulate vessels are characteristic features of plant powder. Physico-chemical standards and presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannin and coumarins were indicative of its chemical nature. HPTLC fingerprints are a record of its different chemical constituents. Thus the quality monograph prepared on this drug beneficial in future research

A recurrent case of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency is an inherited inborn error of metabolism causing lactic acidosis and several neurological symptoms. Its incidence and prevalence are not known. Here we report about a child with global developmental delay, central hypotonia and dyskinesia. Sanger sequencing was done and found to have homozygous nonsense mutation in exon 4 of PDHX gene causing lactic acidosis. In the next pregnancy selective Sanger variant analysis was carried out and the fetus was also found to be affected with the same genetic defect. Hence medical termination of Pregnancy was carried out. We conclude that early selective genetic testing will prevent further affected births

Survival, morphological variability, and performance of Opuntia ficus-indica in a semi-arid region of India

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) can survive extreme environmental condition and is known for its fodder potential in many parts of the world. The morphological diversity of 15 introduced accessions was evaluated at Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The plants were established in 2013. Survival and nutrient status were evaluated after two years. Above-ground plant height, biomass, primary and secondary cladode numbers, primary and secondary cladode lengths and below-ground root length, weight, and surface area measurements were done six years after cladode planting. Yellow San Cono, White Roccapalumba, and Seedless Roccapalumba survived 100%. The discriminant traits according to principal component analysis were: primary cladodes plant−1 (component loading, 0.87), primary cladodes biomass (0.95), secondary cladodes plant−1 (0.83), canopy width (0.84), and plant biomass (0.92). Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped 15 accessions into two main clusters based on 17 morphological traits. Cluster I showed favorable values for many above- and below-ground morphological traits while Cluster II showed higher performance for root system width, height, and biomass, and primary and secondary cladode numbers. The results indicate that cactus pear accessions have considerable morphological variability and genetic diversity suitable for promotion as alternative fodder resources in semi-arid regions of India

Sequential herbicide application coupled with mulch enhances the productivity and quality of winter onion (Allium cepa L.) while effectively controlling the mixed weed flora

Weed control poses substantial difficulties for winter season onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivation in the north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains, primarily due to the constrained efficacy of the existing herbicides. To address this issue, a 2-year field study was conducted to assess the efficacy of pre- and post-emergence herbicides (pendimethalin, ethoxysulfuron, imazethapyr, and quizalofop-p-ethyl) individually and in combination with crop residue mulch for weed control in winter onion. The results revealed that using herbicides or mulches in isolation did not provide satisfactory weed control. However, the integration of natural mulch with pendimethalin followed by quizalofop-p-ethyl application proved to be the most effective weed control strategy, resulting in the least reduction in bulb yield (10.3%) compared to other treatments. On the contrary, combinations of pendimethalin with ethoxysulfuron or imazethapyr showed adverse effects on the onion crop and inflicted the highest yield losses among all treatments (78.6 and 83.4%, respectively). However, the combination of pendimethalin with quizalofop-p-ethyl coupled with crop mulch resulted in season-long weed control and over 80% bulb yield (36.58 t/ha) gains compared to the weed-free condition. These findings emphasize the efficacy of combining herbicides and mulches as an integrated weed management strategy for onions. By adopting such integrated approaches, farmers could improve weed control while maintaining bulb yield and quality, reducing the risks associated with herbicide resistance, and promoting sustainable onion production in the north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

DESIGN & ANALYSIS OF FLY BACK CONVERTER FOR GRID & FILAMENT POWER SUPPLIES OF TRAVELLING WAVE TUBE

In High Power Pulsed Radar Transmitters the gridded TWT are used and consists of floating deck modulator unit which houses the Grid and Filament power supplies. The Grid Control includes the Grid Positive & Grid Negative Power Supplies. The Positive voltage is used to turn on the TWT & Negative voltage is used to operate the TWT in off state. The Filament power supply heats the cathode to required temperature to emit electrons. The aim of the project is to design the Grid power supplies and Filament Power supply based on the Fly back Converter topology which is operated at 100 KHz in DCM mode and CCM mode respectively. The Pulse width modulation technique is used to maintain the voltage at desired value using an IC UC1526.The switching device is protected against over currents by pulse to pulse current limiting using current transformer and current limit comparator of uc1526

COVID -19- Infodemic overtaking Pandemic? Time to disseminate facts over fear

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a humanitarian emergency. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Governments are making their best efforts to prevent the spread of disease. But a global epidemic of misinformation which is rapidly spreading through social media platforms and other outlets is posing serious problem to the public health interventions. This rapid spread of all sorts of information pertaining to the epidemic which makes its solution difficult is termed as infodemic. Infodemic creates fear, confusion and stigmatization among people and makes them more vulnerable to practice the measures which are not evidence based and scientifically sound. Hence there is an urgent need to identify the source of misinformation and prevent them from further spreading. WHO and the government of India have taken several steps in controlling this problem but there is a need for active involvement of social media companies, professional bodies, health care providers and general public in identification of misinformation and combating its spread

Pharmacognosy and quality characterization of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile fruits

Fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile syn. B. roxburghii Planch (Family Balanitaceae) is considered as source of Ingudi of Ayurveda. It is a thorny tree with ovoid pulpy drupe type of fruit. In Ayurveda, Ingudi bark, leaf and fruits are said to be beneficial as blood purifier, diuretic, in leprosy, poisoning, ulcers, worm infestation, leucoderma, anorexia and constipation. Seed extract is hypotensive and the seed oil is used for burns and freckles. The unripe fruits are cathartic and the ripe ones are used in whooping cough and skin troubles. The fruits are also reported to possess antihperglycemic activity. In the present study, systematic pharmacognostical evaluation of ripe fruits has been carried out as per standard methodologies used for drug standardisation. Macroscopical, microscopical and physico-chemical features of the fruit have been documented. Preliminary phytochemical investigations indicated presence of carbohydrates, coumarins, triterpenoids and saponins. HPTLC fingerprint profile has been developed for methanol extract of pulp using diosgenin as standard. The result obtained from standardization of fruit established set diagnostic tests to authenticate genuine fruits. These parameters can be utilized for rapid identification of the drug as whole and as powder

<span style="font-size:15.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-US">Pharmacognosy and quality characterization of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Balanites aegyptiaca</i> (L.) Delile fruits</span>

40-50<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-US">Fruits of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile syn. B. roxburghii Planch (Family Balanitaceae) is considered as source of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Ingudi of Ayurveda. It is a thorny tree with ovoid pulpy drupe type of fruit. In Ayurveda, Ingudi bark, leaf and fruits are said to be beneficial as blood purifier, diuretic, in leprosy, poisoning, ulcers, worm infestation, leucoderma, anorexia and constipation. Seed extract is hypotensive and the seed oil is used for burns and freckles. The unripe fruits are cathartic and the ripe ones are used in whooping cough and skin troubles. The fruits are also reported to possess antihperglycemic activity. In the present study, systematic pharmacognostical evaluation of ripe fruits has been carried out as per standard methodologies used for drug standardisation. Macroscopical, microscopical and physico-chemical features of the fruit have been documented. Preliminary phytochemical investigations indicated presence of carbohydrates, coumarins, triterpenoids and saponins. HPTLC fingerprint profile has been developed for methanol extract of pulp using diosgenin as standard. The result obtained from standardization of fruit established set diagnostic tests to authenticate genuine fruits. These parameters can be utilized for rapid identification of the drug as whole and as powder.</span