Protective effect of Solanum torvum on monosodium glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mice

Solanum torvum is a well known traditional herbal medicinal plant used in many neurological disorders. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of S. torvum on monosodium glutamate (MSG) induced neurotoxicity. Swiss albino mice received MSG (1000 mg/kg, p.o) followed by a methanolic and hydroalcoholic extract of S. torvum(100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o) for 14 days. MSG-treated mice showed significant (p<0.05) behavioural changes, decrease in relative organ weight of brain, a decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels and significant (p<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation in brain tissue. Histopathological changes observed in brain tissue were vacuolated cells, pyknotic nuclei, decreased neuronal density and distorted layers of brain tissue. Both extracts of S. torvum (100 and 300 mg/kg) showed normal behavior, significant (p<0.05) increase in relative organ weight of brain, significant (p<0.05) decrease in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and significant (p<0.05) increase in reduced glutathione (RGSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) concentration in brain tissue as compared to MSG-treated mice. Treatment with S. torvum extracts reversed the histopathological changes induced by MSG. The study suggests that S. torvum seed extracts have the potential to ameliorate neuronal damage induced by MSG. Total flavonoid content of methanolic and hydroalcoholic extract of S. torvum was found to be44±1.2,and32±0.8 µg of rutin equivalent/mg of extracts and total phenolic content was found to be 70±0.28 and 52±0.62 µg of gallic acid equivalent/mg of extracts respectively

Aerodigestive and Ear Foreign Bodies at Lumbini Medical College

oai:ojs.jlmc.edu.np:article/1  Introduction: Aerodigestive and Ear foreign bodies are common Ear Nose Throat (ENT) emergencies. They arecommonly encountered by otolaryngologists, paediatricians, and primary care physicians. Objective: The aim ofthis study is to analyze different types of foreign bodies and sociodemographic correlates of self-inflicted foreign body insertion in ear, nose and throat.   Method: Seventy-four patients with aerodigestive foreign body coming to our Hospital over a period of one year, starting from January 1, 2012, were enrolled in the study. Hospital based cross sectional descriptive study was done. Socio-demographic data was collected by history and clinical examination of all those patients. The data collected from 74 patients were entered and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statisticalmethods using SPSS version 17.0.   Result: There were total of 74 cases of ENT foreign body. Male predominance was noted (61%). Foreign body of ear was found to be most frequent (43%) followed by throat (37%) and nose (20%). Foreign body of nose was almost limited in paediatrics population (14 out of 15) whereas in the elderly group foreign body of throat was only found. Seeds, meat bolus or bone or both, insects and cotton bud were the most common foreign bodies. There was significant relation between the type of foreign body and age (p <0.05) and the living foreign body and ear.   Conclusion: Foreign bodies of nose, ear and throat are common in ENT department. They should be timely managed to prevent potential complications

Environmental improvement initiatives in the coal mining industry: maximisation of the triple bottom line

Mining is an economically important industry, which faces several environmental and social challenges. Other than operational improvement activities, mining companies are increasingly paying attention to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and maximise social welfare to satisfy multiple stakeholders and the rise of corporate social responsible initiatives. Based on a case study analysis of coal mining companies we develop a triple bottom line (TBL) initiatives framework that provides a starting point for mining companies to develop a strategic approach to environmental improvement initiatives that can positively impact all elements of the TBL. We highlight four types of process and offset-based initiatives that are available to mining companies to reduce their GHGs, each having differential effects on elements of the TBL. Our findings suggest the importance of company-wide strategies of looking at initiatives through all rather than individual elements of the TBL. Such a strategy would provide an appropriate estimate of the costs and benefits of the initiatives and results in a balanced approach that takes care of operational improvement, reduces GHGs and improves the social welfare of people engaged in mining operations and wider society