Jeevaneeya Mahakashaya: A group of Rejuvenators

Jeevaneeya Mahakashaya of Charaka Samhita is the foremost Mahakashaya among fifty Mahakashaya. Ten important vegetable drugs are enumerated under this section. It is a well known fact that drugs maintained under Jeevaneeya Mahakashaya have become endangered now a day due to environmental change and unawareness regarding its importance. But Ayurvedic classic reflects that these drugs are of great efficacy and potency. However, these drugs treasure various activities but free radical scavenging, antioxidant and rejuvenator properties are well established. Therefore, a comprehensive review of drugs enumerated in Jeevaneeya Mahakashaya is presented in this article which highlights important aspects of Jeevaneeya Mahakashaya

Endogenous Small RNAs in the \u3cem\u3eDrosophila\u3c/em\u3e Soma: A Dissertation

Since the discovery in 1993 of the first small silencing RNA, a dizzying number of small RNAs have been identified, including microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). These classes differ in their biogenesis, modes of target regulation and in the biological pathways they regulate. Historically, siRNAs were believed to arise only from exogenous double-stranded RNA triggers in organisms lacking RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. However, the discovery of endogenous siRNAs in flies expanded the biological significance of siRNAs beyond viral defense. By high throughput sequencing we identified Drosophila endosiRNAs as 21 nt small RNAs, bearing a 2´-O-methyl group at their 3´ ends, and depleted in dicer-2 mutants. Methylation of small RNAs at the 3´ end in the soma, is a consequence of assembly into a mature Argonaute2-RNA induced silencing complex. In addition to endo-siRNAs, we observed certain miRNAs or their miRNA* partners loading into Argonaute2. We discovered, that irrespective of its biogenesis, a miRNA duplex can load into either Argonaute (Ago1 or Ago2), contingent on its structural and sequence features, followed by assignment of one of the strands in the duplex as the functional or guide strand. Usually the miRNA strand is selected as the guide in complex with Ago1 and miRNA* strand with Ago2. In our efforts towards finding 3´ modified small RNAs in the fly soma, we also discovered 24-28nt small RNAs in certain fly genotypes, particularly ago2 and dcr-2mutants. 24-28nt small RNAs share many features with piRNAs present in the germline, and a significant fraction of the 24-28nt small RNAs originate from similar transposon clusters as somatic endo-siRNAs. Therefore the same RNA can potentially act as a precursor for both endo-siRNA and piRNA-like small RNA biogenesis. We are analyzing the genomic regions that spawn somatic small RNAs in order to understand the triggers for their production. Ultimately, we want to attain insight into the underlying complexity that interconnects these small RNA pathways. Dysregulation of small RNAs leads to defects in germline development, organogenesis, cell growth and differentiation. This thesis research provides vital insight into the network of interactions that fine-tune the small RNA pathways. Understanding the flow of information between the small RNA pathways, a great deal of which has been revealed only in the recent years, will help us comprehend how the pathways compete and collaborate with each other, enabling each other’s optimum function

Personality traits of patients with attempted suicide: a hospital based study

Background: Personality disorders (PDs) are linked as unique contributors to suicide related outcomes and reflect important individual differences in predicting suicide attempts. Aim and objectives of the study were to find the personality traits and factors in patients of suicidal attempt in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Navi Mumbai, India.Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted for a period of one year in the department of Psychiatry in a tertiary care hospital, Navi Mumbai, India. Hundred successive patients presents with history of attempted suicide that fulfilled inclusion criteria were taken up for the study and administered the international personality disorder examination (IPDE) scale for evaluation of personality traits. Each patient was informed about the purpose of interview; his/her consent was obtained and strict confidentiality was ensured. General description, demographic data and psychiatric history were recorded using the self-designed proforma and the IPDE.Results: Consumption of organo phosphorus compounds (OPC) was the predominant method used for attempting suicide. A large number of patients perceived poor social support and had stressors preceding the attempt. Financial problems and problems with primary support being most commonly elicited stressors. Patients with borderline personality traits were significantly associated to re-attempt suicide between the period of 1 to 2 years. Cluster ‘B’ was the predominant personality profile observed in suicide attempters with the most predominant type being Borderline personality followed by Dissocial and Histrionic personality traits.Conclusions: Borderline personality dominated the personality trait in patients with attempted suicide. Counseling, simultaneous psychotherapy and medication are necessary for management of maladaptive personality

VARIATIONS IN ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SYZYGIUM CUMINI OF DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

The emergence of antibiotic resistance and the evolution of new strains of disease causing agents, are of highly concern to the global health community. Plants are potential source of antimicrobial agents. They have been used traditionally for prevention of infections caused by micro-organisms. Description of Krimighana herbs enumerated in Ayurveda classics is suggestive towards the importance of this group of medicine. Jambu (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) is a member of Myrtaceae family. In Raja Nighantu it is mentioned that plant Jambu is having Kriminashaka property. It has been widely used medicine in the prevention of various ailments like cough, Dysentary, Diabetes, inflammation and ringworm. It is well established fact that geographical variations effects the potential and activity of medicinal herbs. Hence, the present study was undertaken to investigate Syzygium cumini procured from different geographical locations including Delhi, Rajasthan and Maharashtra for their potential activity against human infections caused by pathogens. Method The aqueous extract of Syzygium cumini of all the three areas was prepared. The activity of the plant extract was evaluated against nine bacterial pathogens and one fungal strain, which include Staphyllococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans. The activity was carried out using Disk diffusion method. Result and Conclusion: All samples of Syzygium cumini showed potential antimicrobial activity against four pathogens including Staphyllococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. MIC was also evaluated against the tested pathogenic strains. The sample from Maharashtra showed MIC i.e. 80µg, 40µg, 80µg against Staphyllococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans respectively which is less as compare to sample from Rajasthan and Delhi. Region wise sample from Maharashtra showed good ZOI and MIC

Reproductive Ecology of Male and Female Strobili and Mating System in Two Different Populations of Pinus roxburghii

We studied several flowering traits, namely, male-female cone phenology, male-female cone production per tree, mating system, sex ratio, air-borne pollen grains and pollen migration, over four successive years in two different natural populations of P. roxburghii from Garhwal Himalaya, India. Assessment of each trait mentioned except pollen dispersion was done by selecting five representative trees randomly in each population. The pollen migration was studied on naturally isolated source trees. The pollen trapping was done in all directions up to 2.5 km. The average reproductive period in P. roxburghii was 36 days with 3–5 days protandry. There were significant year and population effects for male and female cone output and pollen grains production per tree. In mass production year (1999), an average production of pollen cone per tree was estimated as 42.44 ± 8.32 × 103 at lower altitude and 28.1 ± 0.89 × 103 at higher altitude. The controlled pollination results in high level of outcrossing with 90% seed setting. We conclude that the high male-female ratio and tremendous pollen production capacity in P. roxburghii indicate high male competition among trees within populations. The isolation strip of 600 m is considered minimal for the management of seed orchard

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDIES AND PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION ON THE BARK OF BAUHINIA VARIEGATA (CAESALPINIACEAEA)

Bauhinia variegata (Family - Caesalpiniaceaea) is a medium-sized, deciduous tree, found throughout India, ascending to an altitude up to 1800m in Himalayas. The objective of the study was to develop various standardization parameters for the evaluation of Bark of this plant. Microscopy, powder characteristics of bark were observed and results were recorded. Physicochemical analysis such as extractive value includes petroleum ether, ethanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous soluble extractive values of 2.88, 6.86, 2.96, and 8.88% w/w respectively; extracts were analysed by chemical test and showed presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids and triterpenoids etc. The preliminary phytochemical investigation indicated presence of tannins, carbohydrates, flavenoieds and steroids. The results obtained from standardization of bark established the macro and microscopical parameters, physicochemical parameters, TLC profiles that characterize the genuine plant drug (B.variegata) so these parameters are useful for quick identification of drug and are particularly useful in the case of powdered materials

Psychological disorders and personality characteristics of with gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be traced back to disorders of the gastro-esophageal junction but several psychological factors interact to affect treatment outcomes. There is sparse literature from India regarding psychological co-morbidity and personality characteristics in patients with GERD.Aim and Objectives: To study the co-morbid psychological disorders and personality profiles in patients suffering from GERD.Methods: Two hundred patients with GERD-related symptoms were randomly screened for psychological disorders and personality characteristics using 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) respectively. Patients who screened positive for presence of co-morbid psychological disorders were further interviewed using Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis 1 Disorders (SCID-1) to find out the type of psychological disorder. Results:The prevalenceofpsychological co-morbidity in patients with GERD-related symptoms in our sample was foundto be 40%. Major depressive disorder was the most common psychological disorder found co-morbid in these patients. Alcohol dependence was significantly observed in males; while in females, major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder was more commonly seen. Regarding personality characteristics, a higher degree of neuroticism and risk-taking attitudes was found in patients of GERD with associated psychological co-morbidity Conclusions:This study suggests that the management of GERD may include psychological evaluations and possibly interventions in standard treatment protocols.

Monitoring and prediction of pasture quality and productivity using planet scope satellite data for sustainable livestock production systems in Colombia

As the population increases, demand for food increases too, which has led to large-scale land conversion to improve livestock production in Colombia. Fulfilling these criteria of increasing demand in a sustainable way is a challenge and remote sensing data provides an accurate method to support this task. In this study, Planet Scope multispectral satellite datasets and coincident field measurements acquired over test fields in the study area (Patía) of September 2018 was used. Fresh and dry weight biomass was calculated and forage quality analyses, crude protein (CP), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), Ash and standing biomass dry weight (DM) was carried out in the forage nutritional quality laboratory of International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). Field data was related to the remote sensing data using the random forest regression algorithm. R was required for the statistical analysis, to figure out the model performance for IVDMD, CP, Ash and DM. This project also investigated the spatial distribution of livestock which is affected by quality and area of potential forage zones. The R2 values of the regression models were 0.74 for IVDMD, 0.69 for CP, 0.38 for Ash and 0.49 for DM using a predictor combination of vegetation indices, simple ratios and bands