Ecological study of an important medicinal plant of Kashmir valley, Capsella bursa pastoris

The vegetation of a geographical landscape relies heavily on the local environment. Altitude is a major factor in shaping the phytodiversity and biomass. The biomass study is essential for estimating the productivity of natural ecosystems. The demand for medicinal plants has been increased and it has become a trend to utilize forests and its products according to their productivities. The present study was aimed to investigate the attitudinal and other ecological variations in biomass of an important medicinal plant of Kashmir, Capsella bursa pastoris. The method, we used to estimate the biomass of selected medicinal plant at different ecological sites, was the harvest method. We compared the biomass (fresh and dry matter) of two protected siteshaving altitudinal and other ecological variations. The maximum biomass was recorded at the site I with lower altitude and the minimum value was recorded at site II with higher altitude. The minimum above ground biomass was recorded at site II. However, at Bijbehara, biomass variation was observed at two different sites. Maximum biomass was found at the site II (Dara Shikoh garden Bijbehara). The below-ground biomass showed a considerable increase on decreasing altitude. Roots react instantly to better soil moisture conditions. The maximum biomass in underground parts at the site I may be because of translocation of the main materials from the above-ground parts to the below-ground parts as the above-ground biomass was greater at same altitude. The minimum biomass at higher altitude and the ecologically disturbed site may be because of unfavourable microclimatic conditions and degradation of medicinal plants by grazing activity respectively.Â

In vitro activity of fosfomycin against uropathogen multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii

Urinary tract infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram negative bacilli constitute a major global healthcare problem. Fosfomycin is considered the best treatment option for such infections. Urine samples were collected and cultured in a tertiary care hospital (Urology). Identification of these uropathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity screening were performed according to CLSI guidelines. Urine samples (n=436) were selected in which Ps. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii werefound to be the significant pathogens and treated-exposed to fosfomycin. Sixty six (15%) were identified as Acinetobacter baumannii, Ps. aeruginosa n=370(85%). Forty four percent of all Ps. aeruginosa were found to be multidrug resistant while 48.5% of the Acinetobacter baumannii strains were found multidrug resistant. Polymyxin B was found to be the most effective drug (100%) against all uropathogens and fosfomycin was found effective against 73% of the multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates and 70% of the multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. It may be concluded that  antimicrobial  activity (in vitro) of fosfomycin, especially against MDR uropathogens, is very effective.Keywords: Fosfomycin, Multidrug resistant Gram negative bacilli, Urinary tract infections, Ps.  aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii L’ACTIVITE IN VITRO DE LA FOSFOMYCINE CONTRE UROPATHOGEN MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT (MDR)PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ET ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNIILes infections des voies urinaires causées par les bacilles de multi résistants Gram négatifs, constituent un problème majeur de sante mondiale. Fosfomycine est considéré comme la meilleure option de traitement pour telles infections. Les échantillons d’urine ont été recueillis et cultives dans un hôpital de soins tertiaires. Identification de ces uropathogènes et programmation de leur sensibilité aux  antibiotiques ont été réalisés selon les directives (CLSI). Les échantillons d’urine (n = 436) ont été choisis dans laquelle Ps. aeruginosa et Acinetobacter baumannii se sont trouves être l’agent pathogène important et traités – exposés a Fosfomycine. Soixante – six (15%) ont été identifies comme  Acinetobacter baumannii, Ps. aeruginosa = 370 (85%). Quarante – quatre pourcent de tous les Ps. aeruginosa se sont trouvés être multi résistants et 48,5% des souches Acinetobacter baumannii sesont trouves multi résistants. Polymyxine B a été trouvé d’être le médicament le plus efficace (100%) contre tous les uropathogènes et Fosfomycine a été trouvé efficace contre 73% des isolats de multi résistants Acinetobacter baumannii et 70% des souches de multi résistants Pseudomonas aeruginosa. On peut conclure que l’activité antimicrobienne (in vitro) de Fosfomycine est très efficace, particulièrement contre les uropathogenes MDR.Mots – clés : Fosfomycine, les bacilles de Multi résistants Gram négatifs, les infections des voies urinaires, Ps. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii.

Clinical assessment of a low-cost, hand-held, smartphone-attached intraoral imaging probe for ALA PDT monitoring and guidance

India has one of the highest rates of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the world, with an incidence of 15 per 100,000 and more than 70,000 deaths per year. The problem is exacerbated by lack of medical infrastructure and routine screening, especially in rural areas. This collaboration recently developed, and clinically validated, a low-cost, portable and easy-to-use platform for intraoral photodynamic therapy (PDT) specifically engineered for use in global health settings. Here, we explore the implementation of our low-cost PDT system in conjunction with a small, handheld smartphone-coupled, multichannel fluorescence and white-light oral cancer imaging probe, which was also developed for global health settings. Our study aimed to use this mobile intraoral imaging device for treatment guidance and monitoring PDT using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PS; PpIX) fluorescence. A total of 12 patients with 14 lesions having moderately/well-differentiated micro-invasive OSCC lesions (<2 cm diameter, depth <5 mm) were systemically administered with three doses of 20mg/kg ALA (total 60mg/kg). Lesion site PpIX and auto fluorescence was analyzed before/after ALA administration, and again after light delivery (fractionated, total 100 J/cm^{2} of 630nm red LED light). Quantification of relative PpIX fluorescence enables lesion area segmentation to improve guidance of light delivery and reports extent of photobleaching. These results indicate the utility of this approach for image-guided PDT and treatment monitoring while also laying groundwork for an integrated approach, combining cancer screening and treatment with the same hardware

Clinical evaluation of smartphone-based fluorescence imaging for guidance and monitoring of ALA PDT

India has one of the highest rates of oral cancer incidence in the world, with an estimated 80,000 new cases per year, accounting for 30% of reported cancers. In rural areas, a lack of adequate medical infrastructure contributes to unchecked disease progression and dismal mortality rates. PDT emerges as a potential modality which can be implemented in resource limited settings, while photosensitizer fluorescence can be leveraged for treatment guidance. Here, as part of an ongoing clinical study evaluating low-cost technology for ALA PDT treatment, we evaluated the capability of a simple smartphone-based device for imaging ALA-induced PpIX fluorescence. The imaging device itself consists of an annulus of 405nm LEDs for PpIX excitation with emission filter in the center mounted over the phone camera. 18 subjects having <2 cm diameter (mean size; ~1.38 cm2) lesions with micro-invasive (≤5 mm. depth) moderately/well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma were administered 60 mg/kg ALA in oral solution and imaged before and after delivery of 100 J/cm2 total light dose to the lesion surface. We will present comparative analysis of pre-and post-treatment fluorescence, white light, and ultrasound images. In general, PpIX fluorescence images obtained prior to therapeutic light delivery are able to resolve lesion margins while dramatic photobleaching in post-treatment images confirms the irradiated zone. Overall this approach is able to generate sufficient fluorescence contrast for treatment guidance and monitoring photobleaching while the use of a smartphone-based device provides a low-cost, widely available platform with potential for telemedicine integration

Anti-Depressant Properties of Crocin Molecules in Saffron

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this recordSaffron is a valued herb, obtained from the stigmas of the C. sativus Linn (Iridaceae), with therapeutic effects. It has been described in pharmacopoeias to be variously acting, including as an anti-depressant, anti-carcinogen, and stimulant agent. The therapeutic effects of saffron are harbored in its bioactive molecules, notably crocins, the subject of this paper. Crocins have been demonstrated to act as a monoamine oxidase type A and B inhibitor. Furthermore, saffron petal extracts have experimentally been shown to impact contractile response in electrical field stimulation. Other research suggests that saffron also inhibits the reuptake of monoamines, exhibits N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonism, and improves brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling. A host of experimental studies found saffron/crocin to be similarly effective as fluoxetine and imipramine in the treatment of depression disorders. Saffron and crocins propose a natural solution to combat depressive disorders. However, some hurdles, such as stability and delivery, need to be overcome.USDA/NIFA1890 Capacity Building ProgramAgricultural Research Station, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityNational Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA

Fixation of metatarsal fracture with bone plate in a dromedary heifer

Abstract An oblique fracture of the distal third of the right metatarsus in a three-year-old dromedary heifer weighing about 300 kilograms was immobilized with a 4.5 mm broad-webbed 12-hole dynamic compression bone plate and two interfragmental compression screws. The animal showed slight lameness after 16 weeks of surgery that disappeared after removal of the plate. The result was quite encouraging and the fracture healed in 16 weeks without major complications. It is concluded that the fracture of this bone can be successfully handled with bone plating at least in young, light weight animals

Factors affecting the extraction of (poly)phenols from natural resources using deep eutectic solvents combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction

This is the final version. Available from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this record. Replacing conventional solvents with deep eutectic solvents (DES) has shown promising effects on the extraction yield of (poly)phenols. DES can be combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) to further increase the extraction efficiency of (poly)phenols from natural resources compared to conventional methods. This review discusses the factors associated with DES (composition, solvent-tosample ratio, extraction duration, and temperature) and UAE (ultrasound frequency, power, intensity, and duty cycle) methods that influence the extraction of (poly)phenols and informs future improvements required in the optimization of the extraction process. For the optimum (poly)phenol extraction from natural resources, the following parameters shall be considered: ultrasound frequency should be in the range of 20–50 kHz, ultrasound intensity in the range of 60–120 W/cm2 , ultrasound duty cycle in the range of 40–80%, ultrasound duration for 10–30 minutes, and ultrasound temperature for 25–50 �C. Among the reported DES systems, choline chloride with glycerol or lactic acid, with a solvent-to-sample mass ratio of 10–30:1 shown to be effective. The solvent composition and solvent-to-sample mass ratio should be selected according to the target compound and the source material. However, the high viscosity of DES is among the major limitations. Optimizing these factors can help to increase the yield of extracted (poly)phenols and their applications

A patient on RIPE therapy presenting with recurrent isoniazid-associated pleural effusions: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The clinical scenario of a new or worsening pleural effusion following the initiation of antituberculous therapy has been classically referred to as a 'paradoxical' pleural response, presumably explained by an immunological rebound phenomenon. Emerging evidence suggests that there also may be a role for a lupus-related reaction in the pathophysiology of this disorder.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>An 84-year-old Asian man treated with isoniazid, along with rifampin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol for suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis, presented with a recurrent pleural effusion, his third episode since the initiation of this therapy. The first effusion occurred one month after the start of treatment, without any prior evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis involvement. Follow-up testing, including thoracoscopic pleural biopsies, never confirmed tuberculosis infection. Further evaluation yielded serological evidence suggesting drug-induced lupus. No effusions recurred following the discontinuation of isoniazid, although other antituberculosis medications were continued.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The immunological rebound construct is inconsistent with the evolution of this case, which indicates rather that drug-induced lupus may explain at least some cases of new pleural effusions following the initiation of isoniazid.</p

Impact of drying on techno-functional and nutritional properties of food proteins and carbohydrates - A comprehensive review

This is the final version. Available on open access from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this recordData availability statement: There is no data available for this article.Foods comprise of many macromolecules that have varying techno-functional and nutritional properties. The isolated proteins and carbohydrates from them are increasingly being used as potential ingredients in the food industries. Numerous processes like drying for food processing and preservation cause variations in functional and nutritional attributes of proteins and carbohydrates in different degrees in the food products that can ultimately affect their possible applications. This article explores different drying technologies being used in the food industries, including freeze-drying, microwave-assisted drying, infrared drying, vacuum drying, spray drying, and oven drying. Based on the evaluation of multiple studies, it can be inferred that these drying methods have the potential to contribute to low drying performance, high operational costs, and strong environmental impact. Moreover, they can affect the nutritional value of macronutrients such as proteins, starches, gums, and dietary fibers present in foods, the integrity of the food structures, and their functional properties. Understanding the correlation between the drying technique used and the functional and nutritional attributes of macromolecules will help to provide better insight into the importance of the different drying methods. Optimization of the operational parameters of the different drying methods could be vital and needs to be evaluated to avoid the degradation of the proteins and carbohydrates and the loss of their properties