Phytochemical profiling and evaluation of modified resazurin microtiter plate assay of the roots of Trillium govanianum

Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don (Melanthiaceae alt. Trilliaceae), is native to the Himalayas. The present study, for the first time, was undertaken to explore the antimicrobial potential, to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the methanol extract of the roots of Trillium govanianum and its solid phase extraction (SPE) fractions by using resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial registered strains and to carry out phytochemical analysis. The remarkable amount of gallic acid equivalent phenolic and quercetin equivalent flavonoid content was manifested by MeOH extract (20.27±3.03 mg GAE/ g DW and 9.25± 0.50 mg QE/ g DW respectively). The GC/MS analysis revealed the presence saturated and unsaturated components. Considerable level of antibacterial potential against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC: 2.5-0.009 mg/mL) than against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC: 2.5-0.165 mg/mL). The use of microtiter plates has the advantage of lower cost, fast and quantitative results

Smokeless tobacco - a substantial risk for oral potentially malignant disorders in South Asia

Data sources: Medline, the Science Citation Index (SCI) via Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Global Index Medicus, Google Scholar and SLT-related reports of the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Cancer Institute of the United States. Study selection: Observational studies on the use of SLT and the risk of developing OPMDs in South Asian Populations. Data extraction and synthesis: Duplicate selection of studies was undertaken with two reviewers undertaking data abstraction and quality assessment independently. Risk and odds ratios were extracted or calculated for studies where possible. Meta odds ratios (mOR) were calculated using a random effects analysis. Results: Fifteen papers reporting 18 studies were included. The majority (12) were from India. All the studies were case-control designs. MOR for any OPMD with the use of any SLT product was 15.5 (95% CI; 9.9–24.2). Risk was higher in women; mOR = 22.2 (95% CI, 9.1–54.1) than men; mOR = 8.7 (95% CI, 2.1–34.8). Betel quid with tobacco carried the highest risk for OPMD, mOR = 16.1 (95% CI, 7.8–33.5). Conclusions: The findings of our study point towards a strong association between some forms of OPMDs and SLT use in South Asia. The risk estimates are high, irrespective of controlling for confounders such as smoking and alcohol or stratification by sex, country or source of controls. There is also an exposure-response relationship between OPMDs and SLT use

The extinct, giant giraffid Sivatherium giganteum: skeletal reconstruction and body mass estimation

Sivatherium giganteum is an extinct giraffid from the Plio–Pleistocene boundary of the Himalayan foothills. To date, there has been no rigorous skeletal reconstruction of this unusual mammal. Historical and contemporary accounts anecdotally state that Sivatherium rivalled the African elephant in terms of its body mass, but this statement has never been tested. Here, we present a three-dimensional composite skeletal reconstruction and calculate a representative body mass estimate for this species using a volumetric method. We find that the estimated adult body mass of 1246 kg (857—1812 kg range) does not approach that of an African elephant, but confirms that Sivatherium was certainly a large giraffid, and may have been the largest ruminant mammal that has ever existed. We contrast this volumetric estimate with a bivariate scaling estimate derived from Sivatherium's humeral circumference and find that there is a discrepancy between the two. The difference implies that the humeral circumference of Sivatherium is greater than expected for an animal of this size, and we speculate this may be linked to a cranial shift in centre of mass

Evaluation of Resazurin Microtiter Plate Assay and HPLCPhotodiode Array Analysis of the Roots of Asparagus adscendens

Asparagus adscendens Roxb. (Asparagaceae), is native to the Himalayas. The present study, for the first time, was undertaken to explore the antimicrobial potential, to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the methanol extract of the roots of Asparagus adscendens and its solid phase extraction (SPE) fractions by using resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) against gram positive and negative bacterial registered strains and to carry out HPLC-Photodiode array analysis of the SPE fractions. The methanol extract and all SPE exhibited considerable level of antibacterial potential against gram-positive bacteria (MIC: 2.5-0.009 mg/mL) than against gram-negative bacteria (MIC: 1.25-2.5 mg/mL). The use of microtiter plates has the advantage of lower cost, fast and quantitative results. Like other Asparagus species, the presence of phenolic compounds in all SPE fractions was evident in the HPLC-PDA data

Minimum reporting standards for clinical research on groin pain in athletes

Groin pain in athletes is a priority area for sports physiotherapy and sports medicine research. Heterogeneous studies with low methodological quality dominate research related to groin pain in athletes. Low-quality studies undermine the external validity of research findings and limit the ability to generalise findings to the target patient population. Minimum reporting standards for research on groin pain in athletes are overdue. We propose a set of minimum reporting standards based on best available evidence to be utilised in future research on groin pain in athletes. Minimum reporting standards are provided in relation to: (1) study methodology, (2) study participants and injury history, (3) clinical examination, (4) clinical assessment and (5) radiology. Adherence to these minimum reporting standards will strengthen the quality and transparency of research conducted on groin pain in athletes. This will allow an easier comparison of outcomes across studies in the future

Are current case-finding methods under-diagnosing tuberculosis among women in Myanmar? An analysis of operational data from Yangon and the nationwide prevalence survey.

BACKGROUND: Although there is a large increase in investment for tuberculosis control in Myanmar, there are few operational analyses to inform policies. Only 34% of nationally reported cases are from women. In this study, we investigate sex differences in tuberculosis diagnoses in Myanmar in order to identify potential health systems barriers that may be driving lower tuberculosis case finding among women. METHODS: From October 2014 to March 2015, we systematically collected data on all new adult smear positive tuberculosis cases in ten township health centres across Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar, to produce an electronic tuberculosis database. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional analysis of sex differences in tuberculosis diagnoses at the township health centres. We also analysed national prevalence survey data to calculate additional case finding in men and women by using sputum culture when smear microscopy was negative, and estimated the sex-specific impact of using a more sensitive diagnostic tool at township health centres. RESULTS: Overall, only 514 (30%) out of 1371 new smear positive tuberculosis patients diagnosed at the township health centres were female. The proportion of female patients varied by township (from 21% to 37%, p = 0.0172), month of diagnosis (37% in February 2015 and 23% in March 2015 p = 0.0004) and age group (26% in 25-64 years and 49% in 18-25 years, p < 0.0001). Smear microscopy grading of sputum specimens was not substantially different between sexes. The prevalence survey analysis indicated that the use of a more sensitive diagnostic tool could result in the proportion of females diagnosed at township health centres increasing to 36% from 30%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study, which is the first to systematically compile and analyse routine operational data from tuberculosis diagnostic centres in Myanmar, found that substantially fewer women than men were diagnosed in all study townships. The sex ratio of newly diagnosed cases varied by age group, month of diagnosis and township of diagnosis. Low sensitivity of tuberculosis diagnosis may lead to a potential under-diagnosis of tuberculosis among women

Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of 2-(1,3- Benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)arylsulfonohydrazide derivatives

Purpose: To study the antibacterial activity of various sulfonamides derived from 1,3-benzodioxol-5- carbohydrazide.Methods: The synthesis involved the conversion of 1,3-benzodioxol-5-carboxylic acid (1) to ethyl 1,3- benzodioxol-5-carboxylate (2) and then to 1,3-benzodioxol-5-carbohydrazide (3). The target molecules, 2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)arylsulfonohydrazide derivatives (5a-l) were synthesized through a benignant method from aqueous medium by the reaction of 3 and arylsulfonyl chlorides (4a-l). The structural formulae of the synthesized compounds were characterized by infra red spectroscopy (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS). The compounds were screened for in vitro antibacterial activity by determining their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).Results: The molecule, 5k, bearing 2-hydroxy-3,5-dichlorophenyl group exhibited the highest activity with MIC of 11.92 ± 3.40 (S. typhi), 8.37 ± 2.22 (E. coli), 9.28 ± 2.31 (P. aeroginosa), 11.76 ± 1.30 (B. subtilis) and 10.30 ± 1.63 (S. aureus) μmoles/L relative to that of ciprofloxacin with 9.42 ± 1.09, 8.02 ± 2.17, 8.11 ± 1.32, 8.88 ± 2.00 and 9.23 ± 1.87 μmoles/L respectively.Conclusion: The most potent of the synthesized compounds (5k) posesses moderate activity against all the bacterial strains, while 5g remained completely inactive.Keywords: 1,3-Benzodioxol-5-carboxylic acid, Antibacterial activity, Sulfonohydrazide, Synthesi

Validity and reliability of the Dutch translation of the VISA-P questionnaire for patellar tendinopathy

Background: The VISA-P questionnaire evaluates severity of symptoms, knee function and ability to play sports in athletes with patellar tendinopathy. This English-language self-administered brief patient outcome score was developed in Australia to monitor rehabilitation and to evaluate outcome of clinical studies. Aim of this study was to translate the questionnaire into Dutch and to study the reliability and validity of the Dutch version of the VISA-P. Methods: The questionnaire was translated into Dutch according to internationally recommended guidelines. Test-retest reliability was determined in 99 students with a time interval of 2.5 weeks. To determine discriminative validity of the Dutch VISA-P, 18 healthy students, 15 competitive volleyball players (at-risk population), 14 patients with patellar tendinopathy, 6 patients who had surgery for patellar tendinopathy, 17 patients with knee injuries other than patellar tendinopathy, and 9 patients with symptoms unrelated to their knees completed the Dutch VISA-P. Results: The Dutch VISA-P questionnaire showed satisfactory test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.74). The mean (+/- SD) VISA-P scores were 95 (+/- 9) for the healthy students, 89 (+/- 11) for the volleyball players, 58 (+/- 19) for patients with patellar tendinopathy, and 56 (+/- 21) for athletes who had surgery for patellar tendinopathy. Patients with other knee injuries or symptoms unrelated to the knee scored 62 (+/- 24) and 77 (+/- 24). Conclusion: The translated Dutch version of the VISA-P questionnaire is equivalent to its original version, has satisfactory test-retest reliability and is a valid score to evaluate symptoms, knee function and ability to play sports of Dutch athletes with patellar tendinopathy