Protective effect of Ipomoea aquatica against reserpine induced oxidative stress in brain using mice

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective potential of alcoholic extract of Ipomoea aquatica extract against haloperidol induced catatonia, reserpine induced hypokinesia and reserpine induced oxidative stress.Methods: The mice were treated with reserpine for three days every other day. It was observed that Ipomoea aquatica MA extract significantly decreased haloperidol induced catatonia at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes respectively. The biochemical analysis of brain showed that the treatment with reserpine significantly enhanced peroxidation of lipid and lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GSH), which will be an index for oxidative stress process. Co-administration of extract at (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) significantly lowered the lipid peroxidation and reversed the decrease in brain SOD, CAT and GSH levels.Results: It was observed that the alcoholic extract of Ipomoea aquatica had a protective role against haloperidol induced catatonia, reserpine induced hypokinesia, and reserpine induced oxidative stress.Conclusions: Ipomoea aquatica showed significant activity at the dose of (400 mg/kg)

Design and Analysis of Microstrip Patch Antennas Using Artificial Neural Network

The microstrip patch antenna can also be designed using an artificial neural network (ANN) modeling technique where size of the antenna is major limitation especially in mobile and wireless applications. In this chapter, analysis and synthesis problems for designing of microstrip patch antennas were discussed using the artificial neural network technique. An analysis problem refers to calculation of resonant frequency of microstrip patch antenna whereas a synthesis problem refers to calculation of dimensions of patch antenna. Both problems are reciprocal of each other. Results are implemented using graphical user interface (GUI) tools of MATLAB programming language. Back‐propagation training algorithm of artificial neural network is used to train the network for minimization of error and computation time. Therefore, the geometric dimensions of patch are obtained with high accuracy in less computation time as compared to simulation software

Solar Dryers for Tropical Food Preservation: Thermophysics of Crops, Systems and Components

Drying reduces the moisture content of harvested crops thus slowing decay processes to enable longerterm storage. Solar dryers contain the crop being dried, to enhance solar energy collection incurring lower crop losses than are associated with open-sun drying and recurrent costs than are inherent to uses of fossil-fuels for drying. The influences of key environmental, operational and design parameters for solar dryers are discussed including: (i) psychrometry of drying processes and ambient conditions, (ii) how initial crop properties are converted to final desired product attributes, (iii) feasibility of using powered components such as fans and (iv) air-heating solar collector selection

A novel approach towards investigating the performance of different PVT configurations integrated on test cells: An experimental study

This study elaborates the theoretical and experimental analysis for the effectiveness of different photovoltaic thermal (PVT) configurations along with their building implications. An experiment was performed on especially designed four identical prototype test cells emphasise the building integration photovoltaic thermal (BiPVT) systems. A comparative analysis of four different possible PVT configurations integrated on identical test cells namely; Case 1: Glass-to-glass PV with duct integrated on a test cell, Case 2: Glass-to -glass PV without duct integrated on a test cell, Case 3: Glass to tedlar PV with duct integrated on a test cell and Case 4: Glass to tedlar PV without duct integrated on a test cell was carried out. Analytical model of the electrical and thermal performance for different cases was developed and experimentally validated in outdoor conditions. On the basis of the correlation coefficient (r) and root mean square percent deviation (e), a fair agreement between theoretically calculated and experimentally observed values is achieved. The glass to glass PV module gives better both electrical and thermal performance with hourly average ηm 12.65% and 12.70% for case 1 and 2 respectively. Similarly, the hourly average ηith was observed 32.77% and 25.44% for case 1 and 2 respectively. Further, thermal load levelling with varying packing factor, mass flow rate of air through the PV integrated duct, absorptivity (degradation effect) and transmittivity (dusting effect) are also discussed

Prevalence and Pattern of Tobacco use among Young Adults Attending a Tertiary care Hospital in Central India

Introduction: Changing lifestyle in the present era is engulfing the youth in risky behavioural practises prepondering themselves to the morbidities once thought of old age.Tobacco intake is one of these risk factors. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and pattern of tobacco use among young adults (15 to 24 years) attending a tertiary care centre of Central India. Methods: One to one interview was conducted with the participants who consented. Tobacco use was categorised as ever used, current use or never used. Results: A total of 954 participated in the study with a mean age of about 19 years. About 30% of the participants had ever used any tobacco product while 16% were current users, initiating it at around 12- 13 years of age. Use was higher among males while females were exclusively using smokeless tobacco products. Among smoked form cigarette (64%) is the most consumed product while hooka is the least (7%). Kharra is the most commonly used smokeless tobacco product. Conclusion: Use of tobacco products among youth is rising and becoming a major public health concern. The habit of tobacco use starts usually from the initial years of adulthood, targeted efforts must be directed towards our youth so as to avert them

Thermal modeling and experimental evaluation of five different photovoltaic modules integrated on prototype test cells with and without water flow

An analytical model of temperature dependent electrical and thermal efficiency of mono-crystalline (m-Si), polycrystalline (p-Si), amorphous silicon thin film (a-Si), cadmium telluride thin film (CdTe) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) photovoltaic modules integrated on five prototypes identical insulted test cells is developed with and without surface water flow. This model helps in ascertaining the influence of temperature on their performance of building integrated photovoltaic-thermal (BiPVT) system. The theoretically calculated results are experimentally validated in outdoor ambient environment. The electrical & thermal efficiencies are calculated for both high and low mass flow rate of water, ṁw. Daily average electrical efficiency of photovoltaic modules; m-Si, p-Si, a-Si, CdTe and CIGS with and without water flow are found to be 12.30%, 10.98%, 6.08%, 6.60% and 7.71%, and 11.41%, 10.30%, 5.86%, 6.26% and 6.99% respectively. In constant room temperature mode, variation in mass flow rate of water, ṁw is also evaluated. Overall thermal efficiency and overall exergy for all photovoltaic modules in both cases are also calculated. The characteristic equations of photovoltaic modules integrated on test cells are also developed for both cases

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting Bioactivities

Mangifera indica L. belongs to the family of Anacardiaceae and is an important fruit from South and Southeast Asia. India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, Brazil, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and the Philippines are among the top mango producer countries. Leaves of the mango plant have been studied for their health benefits, which are attributed to a plethora of phytochemicals such as mangiferin, followed by phenolic acids, benzophenones, and other antioxidants such as flavonoids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and tocopherols. The extracts from mango leaves (MLs) have been studied for their biological activities, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-obesity, lipid-lowering, hepato-protection, and anti-diarrheal. In the present review, we have elaborated on the nutritional and phytochemical profile of the MLs. Further, various bioactivities of the ML extracts are also critically discussed. Considering the phytochemical profile and beneficial effects of the MLs, they can be used as a potential ingredient for the development of functional foods and pharmaceutical drugs. However, more detailed clinical trials still needed to be conducted for establishing the actual efficacy of the ML extracts

Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting Biological Activities

Annona squamosa L. (custard apple) belongs to the family Annonaceae and is an important tropical fruit cultivated in the West Indies, South and Central America, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, India, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Egypt. Leaves of custard apple plants have been studied for their health benefits, which are attributed to a considerable diversity of phytochemicals. These compounds include phenol-based compounds, e.g., proanthocyanidins, comprising 18 different phenolic compounds, mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. Extracts from Annona squamosa leaves (ASLs) have been studied for their biological activities, including anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiobesity, lipid-lowering, and hepatoprotective functions. In the current article, we discussed the nutritional and phytochemical diversity of ASLs. Additionally, ASL extracts were discussed with respect to their biological activities, which were established by in vivo and in vitro experiments. A survey of the literature based on the phytochemical profile and health-promoting effects of ASLs showed that they can be used as potential ingredients for the development of pharmaceutical drugs and functional foods. Although there are sufficient findings available from in vitro and in vivo investigations, clinical trials are still needed to determine the exact effects of ASL extracts on human health

Priorities for cancer research in low- and middle-income countries: a global perspective

Cancer research currently is heavily skewed toward high-income countries (HICs), with little research conducted in, and relevant to, the problems of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This regional discordance in cancer knowledge generation and application needs to be rebalanced. Several gaps in the research enterprise of LMICs need to be addressed to promote regionally relevant research, and radical rethinking is needed to address the burning issues in cancer care in these regions. We identified five top priorities in cancer research in LMICs based on current and projected needs: reducing the burden of patients with advanced disease; improving access and affordability, and outcomes of cancer treatment; value-based care and health economics; quality improvement and implementation research; and leveraging technology to improve cancer control. LMICs have an excellent opportunity to address important questions in cancer research that could impact cancer control globally. Success will require collaboration and commitment from governments, policy makers, funding agencies, health care organizations and leaders, researchers and the public