IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF THE FERN, DRYNARIA QUERCIFOLIA (L) SM., RHIZOME EXTRACT

Objective: The study was aimed to evaluate polyphenolic composition and antioxidant properties of methanol extract of rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) Sm. Methods: In this study, assessment of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were performed using Foiln-Ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride methods respectively. Antioxidant capacity of crude methanolic extract of rhizome of D. quercifolia were examined using established 1,1 – diphenyl – 2-picrylhydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH∙) assay, hydroxyl ion radicals (˙OH), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)and 2, 2'-Azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulphonic acid) ABTS•+ scavenging assays.  Results: The extract yielded total phenolic content (TP) of 240 ± 0.01 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100g of fresh mass (FM) and total flavonoid content (TF) of 150 ± 0.02 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/100g of fresh mass (FM). The extract of D. quercifolia rhizome exhibited remarkable scavenging capacity towards DPPH∙ (EC50 18.54 ±0.70 µg mL-1), ˙OH (EC50 37.60±0.41 µg mL-1) NO (EC50 42.40 µg mL-1), H2O2 (EC50 32.80±1.89 µg mL-1) and ABTS•+ (EC50 29.80 ±0.70 µg mL-1). The antioxidant capacities of the extract were comparable and stronger than that of the antioxidant standard, butyl hydroxy toluene (BHT). The findings were also comparable with antioxidant properties of other medicinal ferns which are discussed in the study. Conclusion: Significant and positive correlations (R2 0.999-0.862) were observed between polyphenolic contents and the antioxidant capacities, indicating that the phenolics were major contributors of the antioxidant property. Thus, the methanol extract from the rhizome of D. quercifolia indicated the existence of strong antioxidants and it can be used as tonic

Trajna primjena fitoestrogena daidzeina poboljšava srednji arterijski tlak i vaskularnu funkciju u L-NAME štakora s povećanim krvnim tlakom.

The ‘silent killer’, hypertension, leads to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and premature death. The phytoestrogen daidzein has been associated with vaso-protective action similar to oestrogen, with minimal side effects. To explore the vaso-protective activity of daidzein and also its effect on mean arterial pressure (MAP), daidzein was chronically administered in N-G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-hypertensive male Wistar rats for 6 weeks. The male Wistar rats were divided into three groups, namely group-A (control), group-B (L-NAME-treated) and group-C (L-NAME+daidzein treated). After completion of 42 days (6 weeks) of daidzein treatment, MAP and vascular activity were observed in all the groups. Daidzein treatment of L-NAME hypertensive rats (group-C) for 6 weeks significantly decreased the MAP (144 mm Hg) as compared to untreated-L-NAME-hypertensive rats/group-B (173.2 mm Hg), indicating the blood-pressure lowering property of daidzein. Also daidzein significantly increased acetylcholine-induced maximal relaxations of the thoracic aorta isolated from daidzein-treated (Emax = 72.55 %) in comparison to untreated-L-NAME-hypertensive rats (Emax = 39.33 %). The results of the present study suggest that chronic administration of daidzein (0.5 mg/kg/day, s.c.) helps to lower blood pressure, as indicated by a decrease in MAP, and also shows vaso-protective action, as indicated by the improvement in ACh-induced relaxation.Hipertenzija kao „tihi ubojica“ dovodi do bolesti srca, moždanog udara, zatajivanja bubrega i prerane smrti. Fitoestrogen daidzein, slično kao i estrogen, djeluje zaštitno na krvne žile uz minimalne popratne učinke. S ciljem istraživanja zaštite krvnih žila, te učinka na krvni tlak (srednji arterijski tlak - SAT), daidzein je tijekom 6 tjedana bio primjenjivan Wistar štakorima s L-NAME - hipertenzijom. Štakori su bili podijeljeni u tri skupine: skupina A (kontrola), skupina B (L-NAME liječena) i skupina C (L-NAME + liječena daidzeinom). Nakon 42 dana liječenja u svim je skupinama bila analizirana funkcija krvnih žila i SAT. Liječenje štakora oboljelih od L-NAME hipertenzije (skupina C) daidzeinom dovelo je do signifikantnog sniženja srednjega arterijskog tlaka (144 mm Hg) u usporedbi s neliječenim oboljelim štakorima iz skupine B (173,2 mm Hg). Navedeno pokazuje učinke daidzeina na snižavanje krvnog tlaka. Osim toga, daidzein dovodi do signifikantnog povećanja maksimalne relaksacije torakalnog dijela aorte izazvane acetilkolinom. To pokazuju vrijednosti u skupini štakora liječenih daidzeinom (Emaks= 72,55 %), u usporedbi sa skupinom neliječenih štakora (Emaks= 39,33 %). Rezultati istraživanja potvrđuju da trajna primjena daidzeina (0,5 mg/kg/dan s.c.) pomaže snižavanju krvnog tlaka, na što upućuje njegova smanjena arterijska vrijednost. Osim toga, opisana primjena daidzeina djeluje zaštitno na krvne žile, jer poboljšava njihovu relaksaciju izazvanu acetilkolinom

A pilot study for smartphone photography to assess bleb morphology and vasculature post-trabeculectomy

Purpose The current grading systems used for bleb morphology assessment in patients post-trabeculectomy are based on standardized slit-lamp photographs and anterior segment imaging devices. The lack of availability of these expensive and non-portable devices in resource-deficient settings is a significant deterrent in their widespread utilization for proper post-operative management. The rapidly evolving utilization of smartphone photography has significantly benefited diagnostics of posterior segment disorders and is now being increasingly utilized for monitoring anterior segment pathologies as well as post-surgical course. In this study, we study a novel use of smartphones for bleb photography for assessing the morphological characteristics as vascularity and microcysts. Methods In this pilot, observational study, we compared the trabeculectomy bleb images of five subjects, obtained by iPhone X (dual lens) and iPhone 6S (single lens). We captured two image sets with both smartphones first with a focussed torchlight and then with a built-in flash video light. Results The images resulting from the newer iPhone X were substantially superior than those from iPhone 6S. For the 12-megapixel dual-camera set-up on the iPhone X, the 1 x lens resulted in better images than the 2 x lens with contrast and overall clarity of the area of interest. While the macro-lens attachment had promising results at 1 x zoom, there is no added advantage of the macro-lens attachment as it resulted in considerable loss of image quality at twice the zoom. Using a 20 D lens helped attain higher magnification and better framing as it reduced the focussing distance needed to get sharp images. The images obtained from both smartphones were of higher quality when illuminated from an external source when compared to the native iPhone flash due to even exposure and fewer autofocus artefacts. Conclusion Analyses of all image sets showed that the current generation in-built camera app on IOS and newer iPhone camera optics resulted in high-quality images of the ocular surface with high magnification without any loss in clarity.Ophthalmic researc

Targeting and killing of glioblastoma with activated T cells armed with bispecific antibodies

Abstract Background Since most glioblastomas express both wild-type EGFR and EGFRvIII as well as HER2/neu, they are excellent targets for activated T cells (ATC) armed with bispecific antibodies (BiAbs) that target EGFR and HER2. Methods ATC were generated from PBMC activated for 14 days with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in the presence of interleukin-2 and armed with chemically heteroconjugated anti-CD3×anti-HER2/neu (HER2Bi) and/or anti-CD3×anti-EGFR (EGFRBi). HER2Bi- and/or EGFRBi-armed ATC were examined for in vitro cytotoxicity using MTT and 51Cr-release assays against malignant glioma lines (U87MG, U118MG, and U251MG) and primary glioblastoma lines. Results EGFRBi-armed ATC killed up to 85% of U87, U118, and U251 targets at effector:target ratios (E:T) ranging from 1:1 to 25:1. Engagement of tumor by EGFRBi-armed ATC induced Th1 and Th2 cytokine secretion by armed ATC. HER2Bi-armed ATC exhibited comparable cytotoxicity against U118 and U251, but did not kill HER2-negative U87 cells. HER2Bi- or EGFRBi-armed ATC exhibited 50—80% cytotoxicity against four primary glioblastoma lines as well as a temozolomide (TMZ)-resistant variant of U251. Both CD133– and CD133+ subpopulations were killed by armed ATC. Targeting both HER2Bi and EGFRBi simultaneously showed enhanced efficacy than arming with a single BiAb. Armed ATC maintained effectiveness after irradiation and in the presence of TMZ at a therapeutic concentration and were capable of killing multiple targets. Conclusion High-grade gliomas are suitable for specific targeting by armed ATC. These data, together with additional animal studies, may provide the preclinical support for the use of armed ATC as a valuable addition to current treatment regimens

Novel Microbial System Developed from Low-Level Radioactive Waste Treatment Plant for Environmental Sustenance

A packed bed bioreactor efficiently treated low-level radioactive waste for years with a retention time of 24 h using acetate as the sole carbon source. However, there was generation of dead biomass. This bioreactor biomass was used to develop a bacterial consortium, which could perform the function within 4 h while simultaneously accumulating nitrate and phosphate. The dead mass was negligible. Serial dilution technique was used to isolate the world’s first pure culture of a nitrate accumulating strain from this consortium. This isolate could simultaneously accumulate nitrate and phosphate from solution. Its ability to form biofilm helped develop a packed bed bioreactor system for waste water treatment, which could optimally remove 94.46% nitrate within 11 h in batch mode while 8 h in continuous mode from waste water starting from 275 ppm of nitrate. The conventional approach revealed the strain to be a member of genus Bacillus but showed distinct differences with the type strains. Further insilico analysis of the draft genome and the putative protein sequences using the bioinformatics tools revealed the strain to be a novel variant of genus Bacillus. The sequestered nitrate and phosphate within the cell were visualized through electron microscopy and explained the reason behind the ability of the isolate to accumulate 1.12 mg of phosphate and 1.3 gm of nitrate per gram of wet weight. Transcriptome analysis proposed the mechanism behind the accumulation of nitrate and phosphate in case of this novel bacterial isolate (MCC 0008). The strain with the sequestered nutrients work as biofertilizer for yield enhancement in case of mung bean while maintaining soil fertility post-cultivation

Fuel cycle modelling of open cycle thorium-fuelled nuclear energy systems

In this study, we have sought to determine the advantages, disadvantages, and viability of open cycle thorium–uranium-fuelled (Th–U-fuelled) nuclear energy systems. This has been done by assessing three such systems, each of which requires uranium enriched to ∼20% 235U, in comparison to a reference uranium-fuelled (U-fuelled) system over various performance indicators, spanning material flows, waste composition, economics, and proliferation resistance. The values of these indicators were determined using the UK National Nuclear Laboratory’s fuel cycle modelling code ORION. This code required the results of lattice-physics calculations to model the neutronics of each nuclear energy system, and these were obtained using various nuclear reactor physics codes and burn-up routines. In summary, all three Th–U-fuelled nuclear energy systems required more separative work capacity than the equivalent benchmark U-fuelled system, with larger levelised fuel cycle costs and larger levelised cost of electricity. Although a reduction of ∼6% in the required uranium ore per kWh was seen for one of the Th–U-fuelled systems compared to the reference U-fuelled system, the other two Th–U-fuelled systems required more uranium ore per kWh than the reference. Negligible advantages and disadvantages were observed for the amount and the properties of the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) generated by the systems considered. Two of the Th–U-fuelled systems showed some benefit in terms of proliferation resistance of the SNF generated. Overall, it appears that there is little merit in incorporating thorium into nuclear energy systems operating with open nuclear fuel cycles

Traditional use of medicinal plants among the tribal communities of Chhota Bhangal, Western Himalaya

The importance of medicinal plants in traditional healthcare practices, providing clues to new areas of research and in biodiversity conservation is now well recognized. However, information on the uses for plants for medicine is lacking from many interior areas of Himalaya. Keeping this in view the present study was initiated in a tribal dominated hinterland of western Himalaya. The study aimed to look into the diversity of plant resources that are used by local people for curing various ailments. Questionnaire surveys, participatory observations and field visits were planned to illicit information on the uses of various plants. It was found that 35 plant species are commonly used by local people for curing various diseases. In most of the cases (45%) under ground part of the plant was used. New medicinal uses of Ranunculus hirtellus and Anemone rupicola are reported from this area. Similarly, preparation of "sik" a traditional recipe served as a nutritious diet to pregnant women is also not documented elsewhere. Implication of developmental activities and changing socio-economic conditions on the traditional knowledge are also discussed

System of crop intensification for more productive, resource-conserving, climate-resilient, and sustainable agriculture: experience with diverse crops in varying agroecologies

With continually increasing demand for food accompanied by the constraints of climate change and the availability and quality of soil and water, the world’s farmers are challenged to produce more food per hectare with less water, and with fewer agrochemical inputs if possible. The ideas and methods of the system of rice intensification which is improving irrigated rice production are now being extended/adapted to many other crops: wheat, maize, finger millet, sugarcane, tef, mustard, legumes, vegetables, and even spices. Promoting better root growth and enhancing the soil’s fertility with organic materials are being found effective means for raising the yields of many crop plants with less water, less fertilizer, reduced seeds, fewer agrochemicals, and greater climate resilience. In this article, we review what is becoming known about various farmer-centred innovations for agroecological crop management that can contribute to agricultural sustainability. These changes represent the emerging system of crop intensification, which is being increasingly applied in Asian, African, and Latin American countries. More research will be needed to verify the efficacy and impact of these innovations and to clarify their conditions and limits. But as no negative effects for human or environmental health have been identified, making these agronomic options more widely known should prompt more investigation and, to the extent justified by results, utilization of these methodologies

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

SummaryBackground The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 provides an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence for risk factor exposure and the attributable burden of disease. By providing national and subnational assessments spanning the past 25 years, this study can inform debates on the importance of addressing risks in context. Methods We used the comparative risk assessment framework developed for previous iterations of the Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and trends in exposure by age group, sex, year, and geography for 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2015. This study included 388 risk-outcome pairs that met World Cancer Research Fund-defined criteria for convincing or probable evidence. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from randomised controlled trials, cohorts, pooled cohorts, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. We developed a metric that allows comparisons of exposure across risk factors—the summary exposure value. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk level, we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We decomposed trends in attributable burden into contributions from population growth, population age structure, risk exposure, and risk-deleted cause-specific DALY rates. We characterised risk exposure in relation to a Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Findings Between 1990 and 2015, global exposure to unsafe sanitation, household air pollution, childhood underweight, childhood stunting, and smoking each decreased by more than 25%. Global exposure for several occupational risks, high body-mass index (BMI), and drug use increased by more than 25% over the same period. All risks jointly evaluated in 2015 accounted for 57·8% (95% CI 56·6–58·8) of global deaths and 41·2% (39·8–42·8) of DALYs. In 2015, the ten largest contributors to global DALYs among Level 3 risks were high systolic blood pressure (211·8 million [192·7 million to 231·1 million] global DALYs), smoking (148·6 million [134·2 million to 163·1 million]), high fasting plasma glucose (143·1 million [125·1 million to 163·5 million]), high BMI (120·1 million [83·8 million to 158·4 million]), childhood undernutrition (113·3 million [103·9 million to 123·4 million]), ambient particulate matter (103·1 million [90·8 million to 115·1 million]), high total cholesterol (88·7 million [74·6 million to 105·7 million]), household air pollution (85·6 million [66·7 million to 106·1 million]), alcohol use (85·0 million [77·2 million to 93·0 million]), and diets high in sodium (83·0 million [49·3 million to 127·5 million]). From 1990 to 2015, attributable DALYs declined for micronutrient deficiencies, childhood undernutrition, unsafe sanitation and water, and household air pollution; reductions in risk-deleted DALY rates rather than reductions in exposure drove these declines. Rising exposure contributed to notable increases in attributable DALYs from high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, occupational carcinogens, and drug use. Environmental risks and childhood undernutrition declined steadily with SDI; low physical activity, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose increased with SDI. In 119 countries, metabolic risks, such as high BMI and fasting plasma glucose, contributed the most attributable DALYs in 2015. Regionally, smoking still ranked among the leading five risk factors for attributable DALYs in 109 countries; childhood underweight and unsafe sex remained primary drivers of early death and disability in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation Declines in some key environmental risks have contributed to declines in critical infectious diseases. Some risks appear to be invariant to SDI. Increasing risks, including high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, drug use, and some occupational exposures, contribute to rising burden from some conditions, but also provide opportunities for intervention. Some highly preventable risks, such as smoking, remain major causes of attributable DALYs, even as exposure is declining. Public policy makers need to pay attention to the risks that are increasingly major contributors to global burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation