Bactericidal Efficacy of Allium sativum (garlic) Against Multidrug Resistant Vibrio cholerae O1 Epidemic Strains

In recent years, emerging trend of antibiotic resistance in Vibrio cholerae associated with cholera epidemics is a matter of serious concern for the management of the disease. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics generally results in selection of antibiotic resistant strains. Introduction of newer antibiotics is a challenging task for the researchers as bacteria soon attain resistance. Therefore, identifying natural compounds of medicinal importance for control of cholera would be the best alternative. Garlic (Allium sativum) was recognised for many centuries in early Chinese, Egyptian and Indian civilisations as an herbal or traditional medicine. In present study, garlic was selected for screening of antimicrobial efficacy against V. cholerae. A total of 55 V. cholerae strains isolated from various outbreaks/epidemics were subjected to antimicrobial testing as per CLSI, USA 2010 guidelines. Antimicrobial screening of garlic extract was performed against all the multidrug resistant strains of V. cholerae. The garlic extracts showed antibacterial activity against all the V. cholerae strains tested, irrespective of their origin, multidrug resistance and virulence. Antibacterial efficacy of garlic on V. cholerae was also evident from in vivo study on sealed adult mice model. Thus, the Garlic extract harnesses the potential to control infection of multidrug resistant V. cholerae, especially in outbreak like situations in remote and under developed areas where drug supply itself is a challeng

A Framework for Assessing the Impact of Urbanization and Population Pressure on Garo Hills Landscape of North-East India

The important factors influencing landscape changes could be climate, geology, topography, plant succession, species extinction and species evolution. Human, since time immemorial, have influenced the landscape they live in a variety of ways resulting in varied land use changes. Increase in population leads to the expansion in agriculture land, built-up areas, uncontrolled forest fires, mining of minerals, extraction of timber and permanent plantations, which in turn are responsible for habitat degradation and loss of biodiversity. Garo hills districts of Meghalaya are endowed with rich biodiversity both in terms of flora and fauna. With the increasing of population there is pressure exerted on these natural resources for the livelihood as there is hardly any alternative available. In the meantime small forest based urban centers were developed and with the expansion of these the requirement of the local people also changed. Due to urbanization and population pressure the traditional shifting cultivation (jhum), which is still the only livelihood of many areas of the Garo hills; have been converted into permanent cash crop areas. This conversion has a reverse impact on the environment. In the traditional jhumming method the native forests which were slushed and burned for agriculture purposes could revive in 18 to 20 years’ time (Jhum cycle). But due to the introduction of economically sound plantation crops like areca nut, cashew nut and tea the native diversity of the forest area is in the verse of extinction. The present study reveals that rapid population growth is the solely responsible factor for changes the landscape of Garo hills of Meghalaya

Immunomodulatory Activity of Shilajatu (Asphaltum punjabinum) Processed in Different Media

Immunomodulators modify the immune response of the body to a threat by potentiating it, but conventional immunomodulatory drugs are associated with higher costs and adverse drug reactions. Therefore, the exploration of herbal immunomodulators is a need of time. Shilajatu is a compound of therapeutic importance that is described in Ayurveda as Rasayana (Immunomodulator). The current study has been planned to assess the Rasayana property (Immunomodulatory activity) of Shilajatu (Asphaltum punjabinum) collected from two market sources i.e. Amritsar and Nepal, processed in Water and Triphala Kwatha (decoction prepared from fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Haritaki), Terminalia bellirica Gaertn. Roxb. (Vibhitaki) & Phyllanthus emblica L.(Amalaki) on cell-mediated immunity. It involved Wistar strain albino rats, weighing 180 ± 20 g of either sex, which were divided into five groups. Test animals were subcutaneously sensitized (0.5 ml/100 g body weight) with triple antigen solution on day 1 and the test drug was administered orally at the dose level of 100 mg per kg in four groups and one group was served as negative control. On the seventh day, again 0.1 ml was injected into the plantar aponeurosis, and hind paw edema was assessed at 24 and 48 hrs for cell-mediated immunity. Groups with drug intervention have shown more edema inhibitory percentage than the water control group at all intervals. Besides, Shilajatu samples processed in Triphala Kwatha have shown a better immunity-enhancing profile than water-processed samples at both the time intervals i.e., 24 and 48 hrs. Therefore, Shuddha Shilajatu can be used as a potent immunomodulator in the management of various diseases as well as enhancing the immunity of a healthy person. Moreover, processing media and supply sources of drugs should be considered for achieving desired therapeutic outcomes

Stokes Flow past a Swarm of Porous Nanocylindrical Particles Enclosing a Solid Core

This paper concerns the Stokes flow of an incompressible viscous fluid past a swarm of porous nanocylindrical particles enclosing a solid cylindrical core with Kuwabara boundary condition. An aggregate of porous nanocylindrical particles is considered as a hydro-dynamically equivalent to a solid cylindrical core with concentric porous cylindrical shell. The Brinkman equation inside the porous cylindrical shell and the Stokes equation outside the porous cylindrical shell in their stream function formulations are used. Explicit expressions for the stream functions in both regions have been investigated. The drag force acting at each nanoporous cylindrical particle in a cell is evaluated. Also, we solved the same problem by using Happel boundary condition on the hypothetical cell. In certain limiting cases, drag force converges to pre-existing analytical results, such as the drag on a porous circular cylinder and the drag on a solid cylinder in Kuwabara's cell or Happel's cell. Representative results are then discussed and compared for both cases and presented in graphical form by using Mathematica software

Influence of a magnetic field on the flow of a micropolar fluid sandwiched between two Newtonian fluid layers through a porous medium.

The present problem is concerned with the flow of micropolar/Eringen fluid sandwiched between two Newtonian fluid layers through the horizontal porous channel. The flow in both the regions is steady, incompressible and the fluids are immiscible. The flow is driven by a constant pressure gradient and a magnetic field of uniform strength is being applied in the direction perpendicular to the flow. The flow of electrically conducting fluids, in the three regions, is governed by the Brinkman equation with the assumption that the effective viscosity of each fluid is the same as the viscosity of the fluid. No-slip conditions at the end of the plates, continuity of velocity, continuity of shearing stress and constant rotational velocity at the interface have been used as the boundary conditions to get the solution of the problem considered. The numerical values of the solution obtained are used to analyse the effect of various transport parameters, such as permeability of porous region, magnetic number, viscosity ratio etc. on the velocity profile and micro rotational velocity profile graphically. Also, the variations in the flow rate and the wall shear stress, with respect to the governing parameters, are presented in tabular form

An insight to self emulsifying drug delivery systems, their applications and importance in novel drug delivery

Abstract Since last couple of years Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems are becoming important tool in novel drug delivery. It is very useful in solving problems such as low bioavailability issues associated with poorly water soluble drugs. The bioavailability of lipophilic drugs (BCS-II and IV) can be enhanced by these systems. SEDDS is released in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) after administration and with the aid of GI fluid a fine emulsion (micro-/nanoemulsion) is formed. The increased surface area and amphoteric nature of SEDDS lead to increase in bioavailability. The hepatic first-pass effect can be bypassed by these systems because the drugs can subsequently be absorbed by lymphatic pathways. In this review we present a report on the formulation, characterization and dosage forms and applications of selfemulsifying formulations, with examples of currently marketed preparations

Status Dystonicus as an Acute Sequelae Following Anoxic Cerebral Damage

Background: Status dystonicus (SD) is the term used for extreme, continuous, generalized muscle contractions that are poorly responsive to treatment. Here, we report a rare case of acute hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy presenting with SD. Case Report: A young male sustained cerebral hypoxia following a cardiac event and presented with opisthotonic posturing and dystonia refractory to medical therapy. His serum creatine phosphokinase was high and his urine tested positive for myoglobin. Discussion: SD as an acute sequelae following acute brain hypoxia is rare. Management of brain anoxia is challenging, even more so when the presentation is compounded by refractory SD. Keywords: Dystonia, emergency, hypoxia, status, anoxia Citation: Ray S, Sidhu RJS, Pal PK, Yadav R. Status dystonicus as an acute sequelae following anoxic cerebral damage. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov. 2019; 9. doi: 10.7916/98r0-743

Investigation for natural fiber reinforced hybrid composite

256-261Natural fiber reinforced hybrid composite is developed to meet the environment friendly and sustainable demand of industry. Jute and sisal fibers are mixed in different composition to produce Jute-Sisal-Epoxy hybrid composites using hand layup methods. Hybrid composites are developed by mixing 15% of fiber fraction by weight with 85% epoxy resin and hardener. Both are mixed respectively in the ratio of 70 to 30. Tensile test and moisture absorption test have been carried out according to ASTM standard to determine the most appropriate fiber combination. It has been observed that moisture gain was highest in 100% sisal fiber composite and decreases gradually with raise in the percentage of jute fiber. However, tensile strength was highest for sisal fiber composite as compared to jute fiber

Inside the plant: Bacterial endophytes and abiotic stress alleviation

Bacterial endophytes are the microbes internally associated with the plant, nourished in an isolated environment which is free from the external harsh and changeable ecological condition. They entered into the plant tissues and alleviate the biotic and abiotic stresses by producing numerous secondary metabolites. They are engaged with the de novo synthesis of structural compounds and stimulation of plant immunity. They are also involved in the process of exclusion of the pathogen by niche competition and actively take part in phenylpropanoid metabolism. Abiotic stresses in particular salinity problem, low pH, heavy metal toxicity and accumulation of recalcitrant complex compounds in the soil affecting the plant health are a major threat to the agriculture sector in crop production and stability of ecosystems. To cope with these problems agriculture productivity has been intensified by using synthetic chemicals and pesticides causes numerous problems worldwide. Endophytic bacteria are thus being utilized as a substitute to reduce the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides. They may be employed as a biological agent in the plant growth promotion and for the management of the global environment. There is a tremendous scope for the isolation and identification of new endophytic bacteria with excellent potential

Effects of Deforestation and Forest Degradation on Forest Carbon Stocks in Collaborative Forests, Nepal

There are some key drivers that favor deforestation and forest degradation. Consequently, levels of carbon stock are affected in different parts of same forest types. But the problem lies in exploring the extent of the effects on level of carbon stocking. This paper highlights the variations in levels of carbon stocks in three different collaborative forests of same forest type i.e. tropical sal (Shorea robusta) forest in Mahottari district of the central Terai in Nepal. Three collaborative forests namely Gadhanta-Bardibas Collaborative Forest (CFM), Tuteshwarnath CFM and Banke- Maraha CFM were selected for research site. Interview and workshops were organized with the key informants that include staffs, members and representatives of CFMs to collect the socio-economic data and stratified random sampling was applied to collect the bio-physical data to calculate the carbon stocks. Analysis was carried out using statistical tools. It was found five major drivers namely grazing, fire, logging, growth of invasive species and encroachment. It was found highest carbon 269.36 ton per ha in Gadhanta- Bardibash CFM. The findings showed that the levels of carbon stocks in the three studied CFMs are different depending on how the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation influence over them