IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF THE FRACTIONS OF COCCINIA GRANDIS L. LEAF EXTRACT

The present study was aimed at investigating the antioxidant activities of the various fractions of the hydromethanolic extract of the leaves of Coccinia grandis L. Voigt. (Cucurbitaceae). The antioxidant activities of the fractions have been evaluated by using nine in vitro assays and were compared to standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, curcumin and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT). All the fractions showed effective H-donor activity, reducing power, free radical scavenging activity, metal chelating ability and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching. None of the fractions exerted an obvious pro-oxidant activity. The antioxidant property depends upon concentration and increased with increasing amount of the fractions. The free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities may be attributed to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds present in the fractions. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the leaves of C. grandis are a potential source of natural antioxidant

Efficient Digital System Management using IEEE 1451.0 Enabled Control Architecture

The IEEE and National Institute of Standards and Technology have formulated an open universal standard called IEEE 1451 for ‘Smart Transducer Interface’ with digital systems. The objectives of this paper is to propose IEEE 21450 enabled control architectures for efficient management of power system with embedded system parameters as electronic documentation. The control architecture accommodates appropriate number of transducer interface module along with transducer electronic data sheet, which enables active calibration, adaptive tuning and failure proof operation of system management

Nonimmune hydrops foetalis (NIHF): value of fetal autopsy and comparison with ultrasound findings

Background: Nonimmune hydrops foetalis (NIHF) is a terminal catastrophic event of pregnancy caused by numerous diverse etiology. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of foetal autopsy and to compare the prenatal ultrasound (USG) and foetal autopsy findings in cases of NIHF.Methods: All perinatal autopsies performed at the department of pathology between March 2011-February 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Of the received 130 autopsies, twenty cases of NIHF were identified, records of which were collected and correlated with maternal medical history, prenatal imaging and autopsy findings.Results: The malformations with hydrops foetalis were classified according to the involved organ system. They were cardiothoracic (7/20 cases), genitourinary (3/20 cases), gastrointestinal lesions (1/20 cases), chromosomal (4/20 cases) and multisystem anomaly/syndromic association (5/20 cases). Complete agreement between USG and autopsy was seen in 8 (40%) cases. In 5 (25%) cases autopsy findings were in total disagreement with USG diagnosis. The rest of the 7 (35%) cases, autopsy revealed additional information and changed the recurrence risk in two cases.Conclusions: Present study demonstrates the high rate of discordancy between USG and autopsy examination in cases complicated by NIHF. Foetal autopsy confirms the USG findings (quality control/audit), adds additional findings or changes the final diagnosis, which helps in redefining the recurrence risk and plausible genetic counselling for future pregnancies. Hence present study underscores the need for autopsy in all cases of NIHF

Placental pathology in maternal autoimmune diseases-new insights and clinical implications

Background: Pregnancy in women with autoimmune diseases is frequently associated with placental insufficiency leading to adverse perinatal outcome. Aim of the study was to investigate the presence and possible clinical significance of placental lesions in mothers with different autoimmune disorders.Methods: In this retrospective study, 11 placentas from 10 mothers with diverse autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus Erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were studied.Results: Placental correlates were reduced placental weight, maternal vascular under perfusion, abruption, villitis of unknown etiology, multifocal chorangiomatosis, distal villous immaturity, massive perivillous fibrin deposition/maternal floor infarction and foetal thrombotic vasculopathy. Of the 11 pregnancies 3 were untreated (1 SLE, 2 APLA) and resulted in intrauterine foetal demise. The lesions were more severe in these cases. All the treated pregnancies resulted in live born babies (8), of which 3 were growth restricted, 2 were complicated with oligohydramnios and 3 were delivered preterm.Conclusions: In this group of diverse autoimmune disorders, placental lesions were not specific for each of them. Apart from maternal vascular under perfusion, lesions like villitis of unknown etiology, distal villous immaturity and massive perivillous fibrin deposition were identified and may recur in subsequent pregnancies and treatment should be directed towards modifying it. The placental examination should be mandatory in all cases of maternal autoimmunity and pregnancies with poor foetal outcome

Nonimmune hydrops foetalis: value of perinatal autopsy and placental examination in determining aetiology

Background: Authors sought to determine the possible factors in the causation of nonimmune hydrops foetalis by perinatal autopsy with placental examination and to reduce the number of cases in which the cause remains elusive.Methods: Twenty five cases of nonimmune hydrops foetalis were identified in about 200 consecutive perinatal autopsies (including placental examination) performed during a 11 year period. The results were correlated with clinical, laboratory and imaging characteristics in an attempt to establish the aetiology.Results: Perinatal autopsy and placental examination confirmed the following aetiologies: cardiovascular causes (8) [isolated (4), syndromic (3) and associated chromosomal (1)], placental causes (5), chromosomal (4) [isolated(3) and associated cardiovascular disease (1)], intrathoracic (3), genitourinary causes (3), infections(1),gastrointestinal lesions (1) and idiopathic causes (1). Placental mesenchymal dysplasia was a unique pathology identified among the placental lesions, which constituted the second most common cause of nonimmune hydrops foetalis. Despite careful examination no cause was identified in one case. In more than 50% of studied cases, autopsy examination either refuted or altered the ultrasound diagnosis completely.Conclusions: The perinatal autopsy in combination with placental study and prenatal imaging represents the most promising tool in the evaluation of aetiology of nonimmune hydrops foetalis. The identification of   a cause for nonimmune hydrops foetalis will provide a better correlation with   recurrence risk and   parental counselling

Chronic histiocytic intervillositis- a rare placental cause of poor obstetric outcome: a clinicopathological study and literature review

Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHIV) of the placenta is a rare and poorly understood entity which may occur in all trimesters of pregnancy. Till date about 60 cases of CHIV has been reported, with high rate of recurrences in subsequent pregnancies. There is increased risk of perinatal mortality and fetal growth restriction in this group, hence diagnosing CHIV becomes important to predict the outcome of subsequent pregnancies and also to understand the pathogenesis, thus treatment choices. Here in, we present a case of CHIV in a primigravida with second trimester pregnancy loss

A clinical study on the aetiopathogenesis of glaucoma associated with trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy caused by a group of ocular conditions which lead to damage of the optic nerve with loss of visual function. The most common risk factor known is raised intraocular pressure. AIM OF THE STUDY: 1. To analyse the types of glaucoma associated with trauma. 2. To study the causative mechanism of glaucoma associated with trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 patients with glaucoma following trauma who attended the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Chennai, during the period of June 2005 to October 2007 were taken for the study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: All patients with raised intraocular pressure following trauma were included in the study. Cases with all types of injuries causing raised IOP were included. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Patients with pre-existing glaucoma were excluded from the study. 2. Patients who had other pre-existing ocular diseases such as those with anterior segment infection, inflammation were also excluded from the study. SUMMARY Of the 100 cases taken for the study 78 cases were due to blunt trauma, 20 cases were due to penetrating injuries and 2 were caused by chemical injury. 70% cases were under the less than 40 years age group. This is in accordance with other studies which also show a similar preponderance. It is because of the reason that this group is actively involved in their occupation they are engaged. CONCLUSION: Injury to the eye leads to a chain of various complications, of which glaucoma is the most dreadful one. Visual prognosis of ocular trauma depends on several factors. More emphasis should be laid out on preventive measures by educating the population regarding eye injuries and the importance of protective measures. Using protective goggles by people working in industries and while bursting crackers must be stressed upon. Examination and treatment should be carried out immediately following an eye injury to prevent visual loss

Assessment of medical students’ attitude towards didactic lectures taken in pharmacology in a private medical college

Background: To assess the attitude of second year medical students towards the teaching Principles in Pharmacology didactic lecture classes.Methods: It was a descriptive epidemiological and questionnaire based study. Second year students who were attending pharmacology lecture classes for a period of one month (nearly 8 lectures) were given questionnaire and ask to fill it by assessing the theory classes which was conducted throughout that month. Each question was graded with mark and finally total score was converted to 50 marks. Five-level Likert’s criteria were used to analyze few questions in the questionnaire. Data were analyzed by frequency distribution.Results: Out of 115 students who attended the questionnaire session, 61% students were having a very good and better attitude towards the faculty talking Pharmacology lecture classes and remaining students have a few lacking areas in the teaching mode which should be analyzed.Conclusions: Students have good attitude towards the faculty taking didactic lectures and the lacking areas can be future improved by efficient planning of interactive and interesting lecture methods for the usefulness of students as well as the teacher

In vitro antioxidant activity of Vetiveria zizanioides root extract

Free radicals induce numerous diseases by lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. It has been reported that some of the extracts from plants possess antioxidant properties capable of scavenging free radicals in vivo. Vetiveria zizanioides belonging to the family Gramineae, is a densely tufted grass which is widely used as a traditional plant for aromatherapy, to relieve stress, anxiety, nervous tension and insomnia. In this regard, the roots of V. zizanioides was extracted with ethanol and used for the evaluation of various in vitro antioxidant activities such as reducing power ability, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, deoxyribose degradation assay, total antioxidant capacity, total phenolics and total flavonoid composition. The various antioxidant activities were compared with suitable antioxidants such as butyl hydroxy toluene, ascorbic acid, quercetin, alpha tocopherol, pyrocatechol and curcumin respectively. The generation of free radicals O2-, H2O2, OH and NO were effectively scavenged by the ethanolic extract of V.zizanioides. In all these methods, the extract showed strong antioxidant activity in a dose dependent manner. The results obtained in the present study clearly indicates that V. zizanioides scavenges free radicals, ameliorating damage imposed by oxidative stress in different disease conditions and serve as a potential source of natural antioxidant. The study provides a proof for the ethnomedical claims and reported biological activities. The plant has, therefore, very good therapeutic and antioxidant potential