Anti-inflammatory activity of Ruta graveolens Linn on carrageenan induced paw edema in wistar male rats

Aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Ruta graveolens were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced paw edema in wistar male rats, and compared to a positive controldrug, Voveran. These extracts were given (ip) in a concentration of 20 and 50 mg/kg b.w. before carrageenan injection. Methanolic extracts of R. graveolens with a concentration of 20 mg/kg b.w. and ethanolic extract with a concentration of 50 mg/kg b.w. showed maximum (90.9%) inhibition on carrageenan induced rat paw edema. The effect was significantly (P< 0.05) higher than that of the standard drug Voveran (72.72%). Methanol extract with a concentration of 50 mg/kg b.w. produced 81.81% inhibition, which was also high as compared to the standard drug. Ethanolic extract with a dose of 20 mg/kg b.w and the two doses of aqueous extract produce less percentage of inhibition as compared to the standard drug voveran

A variable magnetic disc wind in the black hole X-ray binary GRS 1915+105?

Context. GRS 1915+105 being one of the brightest transient black hole binaries (BHBs) in the X-rays offers a unique testbed for the study of the connection between accretion and ejection mechanisms in BHBs. In particular, this source can be used to study the accretion disc wind and its dependence on the state changes in BHBs.Aims. Our aim is to investigate the origin and geometry of the accretion disc wind in GRS 1915+105. This study will provide a basis for planning future observations with the X-ray Imaging Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), and may also provide important parameters for estimating the polarimetric signal with the upcoming Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE).Methods. We analysed the spectra of GRS 1915+105 in the soft and hard chi classes using the high-resolution spectroscopy offered by Chandra HETGS. In the soft state, we find a series of wind absorption lines that follow a non-linear dependence of velocity width, velocity shift, and equivalent width with respect to ionisation, indicating a multiple component or stratified outflow. In the hard state we find only a faint Fe XXVI absorption line. We model the absorption lines in both the states using a dedicated magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) wind model to investigate a magnetic origin of the wind and to probe the cause of variability in the observed line flux between the two states.Conclusions. The MHD disc wind model provides a good fit for both states, indicating the possibility of a magnetic origin of the wind. The multiple ionisation components of the wind are well characterised as a stratification of the same magnetic outflow. We find that the observed variability in the line flux between soft and hard states cannot be explained by photo-ionisation alone but is most likely due to a large (three orders of magnitude) increase in the wind density. We find the mass outflow rate of the wind to be comparable to the accretion rate, suggesting an intimate link between accretion and ejection processes that lead to state changes in BHBs

Mode of Ayurvedic intervention in Diabetic Retinopathy (Sannipathika Kacha) associated with Chronic Renal Failure - A Case Study

Diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy are microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus affecting eye and kidney respectively. The patient has reported gradual loss of vision (counting finger at a distance of 70cm) in both eyes for one month associated with history of Chronic Renal Failure. In Ayurvedic classics defective urination and diminution of vision are mentioned in the context of Prameha (Diabetes mellitus). Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed haemorrhages and fluid collection at the level of retina especially at macula due to microvascular damage. The derangement of Pittadosha (humor)by improper dietary habits and irregular lifestyle result in the vitiation of Raktha, which is more evident in eyes. The condition showing clinical similarity with Sannipathika Kacha, a disease affecting Dhrishtipatala of the eye. The logical interpretation on the basis of both subjective and objective clinical findings concluded the diagnosis as Pittadhika Sannipathika Kacha. The treatment principle adopted was Rakthasthambhana, Pittakaphasophahara, Abhisyandhahara and Srothovisodhana with good metabolic control. The treatment was planned without giving any internal herbal medicines except medicated porridge. After treatment his vision has improved as 6/24 (Rt. Eye) and 6/12 (Lt. eye). The study discusses about the Ayurvedic management of diabetic retinopathy associated with chronic renal failure

Perspectives and future vision for augmenting seafood export from India

India is bestowed with a long coastline of 8129 km, 0.5 million sq.km of continental shelf, 2.02 million sq.km of EEZ, and a catchable annual marine fishery potential of 4.41 million tons. India is the second largest fish-producing country in the world accounting for 7.56 percent of global production and 4th largest fish exporter. In 2021-22, India's total marine fish production stood at 3,05 million tons

महाराष्ट्र की डोल जाल मात्स्यिकी

महाराष्ट्र की डोल जाल मात्स्यिक

Prompt emission polarimetry of Gamma Ray Bursts with ASTROSAT CZT-Imager

X-ray and Gamma-ray polarization measurements of the prompt emission of Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are believed to be extremely important for testing various models of GRBs. So far, the available measurements of hard X-ray polarization of GRB prompt emission have not significantly constrained the GRB models, particularly because of the difficulty of measuring polarization in these bands. The CZT Imager (CZTI) onboard {\em AstroSat} is primarily an X-ray spectroscopic instrument that also works as a wide angle GRB monitor due to the transparency of its support structure above 100 keV. It also has experimentally verified polarization measurement capability in the 100 $-$ 300 keV energy range and thus provides a unique opportunity to attempt spectro-polarimetric studies of GRBs. Here we present the polarization data for the brightest 11 GRBs detected by CZTI during its first year of operation. Among these, 5 GRBs show polarization signatures with $\gtrapprox$3$\sigma$, and 1 GRB shows $\>$2$\sigma$ detection significance. We place upper limits for the remaining 5 GRBs. We provide details of the various tests performed to validate our polarization measurements. While it is difficult yet to discriminate between various emission models with the current sample alone, the large number of polarization measurements CZTI expects to gather in its minimum lifetime of five years should help to significantly improve our understanding of the prompt emission.Comment: Accepted for Publication in ApJ ; a figure has been update

Purse seine fishing in Maharashtra

Purse seines are one of the important gears operated along the west coast of India for harvesting shoaling pelagic fishes, mostly oil sardine and mackerel. Purse seine fishing method invented to harvest the large shoal of pelagic fish in Maine, United State of America during 1830’s later is was spread to Norway, Sweden, Japan etc. In India purse seine was introduced on experimental basis in 1954 under Indo-Norwegian project off Quilon, Kerala and other attempt was made in Goa in 1957 when the territory was still ruled by Portuguese. The commercial purse seining taken up by the fishers in Karnataka during the mid 1970s was later adopted by the fishers in Kerala and Goa. In Maharashtra, fishers from the southern region (Ratnagiri and Sindhdurg) adopted purse seine fishing in late eighties and Mirkarwada emerged as a major base of operation for these purse seiners. In northern Maharashtra, fishers were mostly engaged in set bagnet (Dol nets) and trawl fishing until the late 1990s when a few trawl fishers shifted to purse seine fishing expecting better economic prospects

Quality of life of alcohol dependent patients attending a deaddiction centre in Kannur district

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is individuals' perceptions of their position in life. QOL of alcohol dependent patients is an area that has received relatively less attention compared to other alcohol related problems.Methods: A deaddiction centre based cross sectional study was done on 370 individuals using a predesigned questionnaire during the period of 2012-2013. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 17. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to find association between the study variables.Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 38.08±8.46 years. The mean duration of drinking was 12.62±7.47 years. The overall score of the QOL and the perceived health in alcohol dependent patients was 3.19±0.89 and 3.01±0.98 respectively. The mean of the transformed scores of physical, psychological, social and environmental domains are 69.12±12.82, 57.84±12.81, 58.52±17.05, 68.62±10.23 respectively. Statistical analysis of age with physical, environmental and social domains showed a significant negative correlation; literacy status with QOL, perceived health, physical, psychological, social and environmental domains showed a significant positive correlation; socio economic status with QOL and psychological domain showed a significant positive correlation; duration of drinking with QOL, perceived health, physical and psychological domain showed a significant negative correlation.Conclusions: Harm from alcohol use is a major public health problem. Reducing the level of social and health harms from alcohol requires preparation and planning

Plastic menace faced by fishers of Satpati, Maharashtra

Small conical stationary bag nets (Bokshi) are operated by artisanal fishers mostly in creeks, with strong tidal currents in certain regions of Maharashtra. The net is set using wooden pole (Khunt) driven at creek bottom against the flood or ebb tide. At Satpati, Bokshi nets are operated in the near shore creek for about 16 days in a month at a rate of 2 hauls per day. Here, fishermen are concerned about the increasing quantity of plastic debris entering their nets during fishing operations adversely affecting their livelihood

Minimum Legal Size (MLS) for marine capture fisheries management in Maharashtra

The marine capture fisheries sector of Maharashtra has undergone tremendous change in terms of fishing patterns, fishing methods, spatial expansion of fishing grounds, multiday fishing and innovations in crafts and gears, among others. With the increasing demand for marine fish for consumption and other non-food utilization of fishes, exploitation of juvenile fishes is becoming more common. Exploitation of juveniles which causes ‘growth overfishing’ is a major concern as it affects the health of fish stocks and the ecosystem which impacts livelihood of fishers and causes much economic loss to all stakeholders