Long term follow-up study for abdominal sacrocolpopexy/sacrohysteropexy

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse is common in women and 7-9% undergo surgical repair. Abdominal sacrocolpopexy and sacrohysteropexy is the most durable operation for vault prolapse and Nulliparous prolapse respectively. The objectives of this study were to describe Anatomic and symptomatic outcomes up to 5 years after abdominal sacrocolpopexy or sacrohysteropexy.Methods: This study was conducted in ASCOMS hospital for a cohort of patients who underwent abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) or sacrohysteropexy (ASH) in 2 years (2013-2015) and follow up done for a period of 5 years from 2015-2019. These patients were evaluated for subjective and objective outcomes following ASC and ASH. women completed questionnaires and were examined in gynaecology clinic. Prospective follow up study using standarised examination with pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q) and questionnairesResults: In the present study, there was low incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications as well as long term complications were significantly low. The anatomical cure rate and patient satisfaction rate was both 100%.Conclusions: Abdominal sacrocolpopexy for vault prolapse and sacrohysteropexy for Nulliparous prolapse is safe and effective method and is considered gold standard for treatment of Apical compartment prolapse

BIO-HERBICIDAL EFFICIENCY OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA AGAINST IMPORTANT HIMALAYAN WEEDS

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the bioherbicidal activity of Withania somnifera against germination and growth of noxious weeds of Himalaya i.e. Ageratum coenyzoides, Chenopodium album and Achyranthus aspera in a laboratory and foliar spray bioassay which will act as a tool of weed management in the Himalayan region.Methods: Root, stem and leaf aqueous extract of Withania somnifera at 100% concentration were applied to determine their effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of tested weeds under laboratory condition. Foliar spray bioassay was carried out by spraying extracts of Withania somnifera on three-month-old seedlings of weeds for two months. Germination and growth of weeds were assessed using growth parameters into account i.e. germination percentage, stem length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, no of shoot branches and no of root branches.Results: The results revealed that all the aqueous extracts markedly suppressed germination and seedling growth of A. coenyzoides, C. album and A. aspera. Withania extracts remarkably effected germination, the growth of Ageratum coenyzoides in comparison to other studied weeds. The leaf extract of Withania was more pronounced than stem and root extracts in germination assay. Infoliarspray bioassay, aqueous leaf extracts of 100% w/v concentrations were sprayed on three month old seedlings of weeds at an interval of 5 d. All the aqueous extracts significantly suppressed shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of Ageratum coenyzoides, Chenopodium album and Achyranthus aspera seedling. In foliar spray bioassay, leaf extract suppressed the stem length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, no. of root branches and no of shoot branches of studied weeds more commendably than stem and root extract. The suppression of growth parameters could be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals present in the extracts of Withaniasomnifera.Conclusion: The present study concludes that Withania somnifera contain bio-herbicidal compounds in leaf, stem and root as plant extracts adversely affect weed growth of studied weeds. Henceforth the strategy bio-control of weed is a safe and effective method which could prove a milestone in weed management in Mid-Himalaya

Diversity, indigenous uses and traditional practices of dye yielding plants in Central Himachal Pradesh, North western Himalaya

560-564The present paper is an attempt to assess the diversity and document the indigenous uses and traditional practices of dye yielding plants in Central Himachal Pradesh North Western Himalaya. A total of 17 species of dye yielding plants belonging to 13 families and 17 genera were recorded. These species are used to dyeing clothes and other items. Different plant parts were utilized, of which fruit (07 spp.) was used in the majority, followed by flowers (05 spp.); bark (04 spp.) and leaves (03 spp.) Information on indigenous uses and traditional practices was documented with the help of local inhabitants. Natural dye yielding plants have immense significance in the socio-economic and socio-cultural aspects of the inhabitants. The indigenous knowledge of extractions, processing and practices of in situ and ex situ conservation of the species; natural dyes has declined to a great extent. Therefore, to maintain dye yielding plant wealth, awareness among the inhabitants; involvement of local inhabitants and Forest Department about the indigenous uses and traditional practices have been suggested

Diversity, indigenous uses and traditional practices of dye yielding plants in Central Himachal Pradesh, North western Himalaya

The present paper is an attempt to assess the diversity and document the indigenous uses and traditional practices of dyeyielding plants in Central Himachal Pradesh North Western Himalaya. A total of 17 species of dye yielding plants belongingto 13 families and 17 genera were recorded. These species are used to dyeing clothes and other items. Different plant partswere utilized, of which fruit (07 spp.) was used in the majority, followed by flowers (05 spp.); bark (04 spp.) and leaves(03 spp.) Information on indigenous uses and traditional practices was documented with the help of local inhabitants.Natural dye yielding plants have immense significance in the socio-economic and socio-cultural aspects of the inhabitants.The indigenous knowledge of extractions, processing and practices of in situ and ex situ conservation of the species; naturaldyes has declined to a great extent. Therefore, to maintain dye yielding plant wealth, awareness among the inhabitants;involvement of local inhabitants and Forest Department about the indigenous uses and traditional practices havebeen suggested

Diversity, distribution pattern and traditional knowledge of sacred plants in Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), Himachal Pradesh, Northwestern Himalaya

642-651Himachal Pradesh, the mountainous part of Indian Himalayan Region, also referred as Dev Bhoomi, is famous for its religious culture and traditions. People from the state are highly religious and believe that the plants which are sacred to the Gods and Goddess also have vast medicinal potential. Hence, the present study has been carried out to investigate diversity, distribution pattern and traditional knowledge of sacred plants by the native communities of Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), Himachal Pradesh. The study revealed that 33 species (trees 06; shrubs 16; herbs 11) belonging to 29 genera and 22 families were being used in numerous religious ceremonies and also as folk medicine by indigenous people of the KWLS. Of the total, 20 species were native and 01 was endemic to the Himalayan region. It was found that leaves of 17 species, flowers of 11 species and whole plant of 8 species were used, extensive use of which may lead to decrease in their population to a great extent. Therefore, there is an utmost need to develop a proper management plan and appropriate strategy for the conservation and sustainable utilization of such sacred plants, so that their population could be maintained for posterity

Diversity, distribution pattern and traditional knowledge of sacred plants in Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), Himachal Pradesh, Northwestern Himalaya

Himachal Pradesh, the mountainous part of Indian Himalayan Region, also referred as Dev Bhoomi, is famous for its religious culture and traditions. People from the state are highly religious and believe that the plants which are sacred to the Gods and Goddess also have vast medicinal potential. Hence, the present study has been carried out to investigate diversity, distribution pattern and traditional knowledge of sacred plants by the native communities of Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), Himachal Pradesh. The study revealed that 33 species (trees 06; shrubs 16; herbs 11) belonging to 29 genera and 22 families were being used in numerous religious ceremonies and also as folk medicine by indigenous people of the KWLS. Of the total, 20 species were native and 01 was endemic to the Himalayan region. It was found that leaves of 17 species, flowers of 11 species and whole plant of 8 species were used, extensive use of which may lead to decrease in their population to a great extent. Therefore, there is an utmost need to develop a proper management plan and appropriate strategy for the conservation and sustainable utilization of such sacred plants, so that their population could be maintained for posterity

Bioactive compounds of edible fruits with their anti-aging properties: a comprehensive review to prolong human life

Aging is a complicated biological process in which functional and structural alterations in a living organism take place over time. Reactive oxygen species is one of the main factors responsible for aging and is associated with several chronic pathologies. The relationship between aging and diet is quite interesting and has attained worldwide attention. Healthy food, in addition to dietary antioxidants, are required to delay the process of aging and improve the quality of life. Many healthy foods such as fruits are a good source of dietary nutrients and natural bioactive compounds which have antioxidant properties and are involved in preventing aging and other age-related disorders. Health benefits linked with healthy consumption of fruit have drawn increased interest. A significant number of studies have documented the advantages of fruit intake, as it suppresses free-radical development that further reduces the oxidative stress created in the body and protects against several types of diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory disorders, and other cardiovascular diseases that ultimately prevent aging. In addition, fruits have numerous other properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, and have health-promoting effects. Mechanisms of various bioactive compounds that aids in preventing various diseases and increases longevity are also described. This manuscript provides a summary of various bioactive components present in fruits along with their health-promoting and antiaging properties

Evaluation of Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Mineral Composition of Selected Medicinal Plants for Therapeutic Uses from Cold Desert of Western Himalaya

The aim of this study was to determine the elemental and nutritive values of leaf parts of 10 selected wild medicinal plants, Acer pictum, Acer caecium, Betula utilis, Oxalis corniculata, Euphorbia pilosa, Heracleum lanatum, Urtica dioica, Berberis lycium, Berberis asiaticaand, and Quercus ilex, collected from the high hills of the Chitkul range in district Kinnaur, Western Himalaya. The nutritional characteristics of medicinal plant species were analyzed by using muffle furnace and micro-Kjeldahl methods, and the mineral content in plants was analyzed through atomic absorption spectrometry. The highest percentage of used value was reported in Betula utilis (0.42) and the lowest in Quercus ilex (0.17). In this study, it was found that new generations are not much interested in traditional knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants due to modernization in society. Therefore, there is an urgent need to document ethnomedicinal plants along with their phytochemical and minerals analysis in study sites. It was found that rural people in western Himalaya are dependent on wild medicinal plants, and certain steps must be taken to conserve these plants from extinction in the cold desert of Himalayan region. They are an alternative source of medicine because they contain saponin, alkaloid, and flavonoid etc. as well as minerals. The leaves used for analysis possesses good mineral content, such as Na, N, K, P, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ca, Mg, and S. Hence, in the current study it was observed that medicinal plants are not only used for therapeutic purposes, but they can also be used as nutritional supplements

Potential Role of Aromatase over Estrogen Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Migraine Susceptibility: A Case Control Study from North India

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to find out the role of estrogen pathway related gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to migraine in Northern Indian population. Aromatase, CYP19A1 (rs10046 and rs4646); estrogen receptors, ESR1 (rs2234693, rs1801132, rs2228480 and rs9340799) and ESR2 (rs1271572 and rs1256049) polymorphisms were selected for the present study. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The patients were recruited in two cohorts - primary (207) and replicative (127) along with 200 healthy controls and genotyped for various polymorphisms. Logistic regression analysis was applied for statistical analyses. The results were validated in the replicative cohort and pooled by meta analysis using Fisher's and Mantel-Haenszel test. Furthermore, Benjamini - Hochberg false discovery rate test was used to correct for multiple comparisons. CYP19A1 rs10046 and CYP19A1 rs4646 polymorphisms were found to confer risk and protective effect, respectively. Out of four ESR1 polymorphisms, only rs2234693 variant allele was significantly associated in migraine with aura. No significant associations were observed for ESR2 polymorphisms. Significant haplotypes were identified for CYP19A1 and ESR1 polymorphisms. Gene- gene interactions of genotypes as well as haplotypes were observed for CYP19A1- ESR1 showing both risk and protective combinations. CONCLUSION: We strongly suggest CYP19A1 polymorphisms to be the major contributing factors in migraine susceptibility instead of genetic variants of estrogen receptors

Ethnomedicinal Plants Used in the Health Care System: Survey of the Mid Hills of Solan District, Himachal Pradesh, India

The study was performed in the mid hills of the Dharampur region in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. At the study site, a total of 115 medicinal plants were documented (38 trees, 37 herbs, 34 shrubs, 5 climbers, 1 fern, and 1 grass). In the study region, extensive field surveys were performed between March 2020 and August 2021. Indigenous knowledge of wild medicinal plants was collected through questionnaires, discussions, and personal interviews during field trips. Plants with their correct nomenclature were arranged by botanical name, family, common name, habitat, parts used, routes used, and diseases treated. In the present study, the predominant family was Rosaceae, which represented the maximum number of plant species, 10, followed by Asteraceae and Lamiaceae, which represented 8 plant species. The rural inhabitants of the Dharampur region in the Solan district have been using local plants for primary health care and the treatment of various diseases for a longer time. However, information related to the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants was not documented. The rural inhabitants of the Dharampur region reported that the new generation is not so interested in traditional knowledge of medicinal plants due to modernization in society, so there is an urgent need to document ethnomedicinal plants before such knowledge becomes inaccessible and extinct