Free radical scavenging and elastase inhibitory activity of different extracts of Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link- An in vitro study

61-67Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link has been used for curing various ailments including skin disease in traditional medicine for decades. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential and anti-elastase activity of L. aspera (Willd.) Link. The hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone and ethanol extracts were prepared using the Soxhlet extraction method. The phytochemical analysis, in vitro free radical scavenging, and anti-elastase activities, were conducted. The total phenol and flavonoids compounds were found to be significantly high for the hexane extract and the ethyl acetate extract respectively. In vitro antioxidant assays like percentage reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging activity, the total antioxidant capacity by FRAP assay, revealed that the acetone extract of the plant L. aspera possesses significantly the highest activity. The anti elastase assay revealed that all the extracts possess elastase inhibitory activity and the hexane extract possessed significantly highest activity with IC50 of 247.42 µg/mL, at a significant level (α) 0.05. The present result supports the traditional use of L. aspera

Free radical scavenging and elastase inhibitory activity of different extracts of Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link- An in vitro study

Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link has been used for curing various ailments including skin disease in traditional medicine for decades. The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential and anti-elastase activity of L. aspera (Willd.) Link. The hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone and ethanol extracts were prepared using the Soxhlet extraction method. The phytochemical analysis, in vitro free radical scavenging, and anti-elastase activities, were conducted. The total phenol and flavonoids compounds were found to be significantly high for the hexane extract and the ethyl acetate extract respectively. In vitro antioxidant assays like percentage reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging activity, the total antioxidant capacity by FRAP assay, revealed that the acetone extract of the plant L. aspera possesses significantly the highest activity. The anti elastase assay revealed that all the extracts possess elastase inhibitory activity and the hexane extract possessed significantly highest activity with IC50 of 247.42 µg/mL, at a significant level (α) <0.05. The present result supports the traditional use of L. aspera

Vertical variance analysis of geomagnetic disturbance during solar cycle 23

300-309The geomagnetic field consists of temporal variations induced primarily by the variations in the solar wind and embedded interplanetary magnetic field. 34 stations across the Earth have been categorized in this paper on the basis of their geomagnetic disturbance during solar cycle 23 (1997-2008). The Vertical Variance (VV) disturbance quantifier has been used to develop such profile. The latitude profile of geomagnetic disturbance has been found to exhibit a typical ‘Knee’ behaviour, with the fluctuation content seen to rise sharply beyond this critical latitude determined near 52° latitude. The increasing trend in geomagnetic fluctuation content however is seen to end around the auroral oval beyond where abrupt variations has been observed indicating the transition from closed to open magnetic field lines. The physical mechanism behind this trend has also been explored. The VV analysis of geomagnetic disturbance has revealed prominent features of solar wind – magnetosphere coupling

Paradoxes of agricultural transformation: changing gender roles and power relations in Kerala, India

This research examines the paradoxes of agricultural transformation of national and Indian and local (Kerala) in the post-reform period of economic liberalisation since 1990 in Kerala, India. The research was conducted in four locations in Kerala - Ambalavayal and Thomatchal (composite village) in the highland region, Thathamangalam in the midland region, Karamuck in the lowland region and Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. It employs a mixed methodological approach and takes a postructuralist feminist stance focussing on women’s differences. It addresses current gaps in the literature on women’s informal agricultural and key issues of space, differences and power relations and makes a contribution to gender, development and globalisation debates in South Asia. The research reveals that women have generally borne the brunt of agricultural transformation and the impact on their farm roles has been paradoxical in terms of their inclusion and exclusion. However, these impacts vary across different geographical locations of highland, midland and lowland and for women of different caste and ethnicity groups, although marginalised low caste remain particularly affected. Changes to farm roles have been paralleled by shifting gender power relations at the household scale, which varied for women of different age groups. Old and middle-aged women have experienced a reversal in gender equalities whilst young women are withdrawing into domesticity and have limited economic empowerment, despite gaining considerable social empowerment. This reveals a paradoxical situation of (some) women becoming socially empowered alongside their inability to bargain on the farm and within the household. In particular, the research identifies a shift from caste to class-based alliances of ‘Sanskritisation’. These debates of crisis of development and paradoxes of women’s empowerment in Kerala have much to contribute to general debates about gender and development elsewhere

Paradoxes of agricultural transformation : changing gender roles and power relations in Kerala, India

This research examines the paradoxes of agricultural transformation of national and Indian and local (Kerala) in the post-reform period of economic liberalisation since 1990 in Kerala, India. The research was conducted in four locations in Kerala - Ambalavayal and Thomatchal (composite village) in the highland region, Thathamangalam in the midland region, Karamuck in the lowland region and Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. It employs a mixed methodological approach and takes a postructuralist feminist stance focussing on women’s differences. It addresses current gaps in the literature on women’s informal agricultural and key issues of space, differences and power relations and makes a contribution to gender, development and globalisation debates in South Asia. The research reveals that women have generally borne the brunt of agricultural transformation and the impact on their farm roles has been paradoxical in terms of their inclusion and exclusion. However, these impacts vary across different geographical locations of highland, midland and lowland and for women of different caste and ethnicity groups, although marginalised low caste remain particularly affected. Changes to farm roles have been paralleled by shifting gender power relations at the household scale, which varied for women of different age groups. Old and middle-aged women have experienced a reversal in gender equalities whilst young women are withdrawing into domesticity and have limited economic empowerment, despite gaining considerable social empowerment. This reveals a paradoxical situation of (some) women becoming socially empowered alongside their inability to bargain on the farm and within the household. In particular, the research identifies a shift from caste to class-based alliances of ‘Sanskritisation’. These debates of crisis of development and paradoxes of women’s empowerment in Kerala have much to contribute to general debates about gender and development elsewhere.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Strict Treatment Regimen and Febrile Neutropenia Guidelines Allow Favorable Outcomes for Pediatric ALL in Southern India

Abstract Background: Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in resource-poor countries face major challenges including treatment abandonment and poor overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). To address these issues, in 2002 a non-profit pediatric hematology-oncology center was established in a tertiary medical institution in Kerala, India to provide high-quality treatment and supportive care at low cost. A standardized approach to pediatric leukemia care began in 2010. We present evidence that outcomes on par with that seen in resource-rich nations can be achieved with a rigorous treatment and supportive care approach. Methods: Following IRB approval, we reviewed clinical information and outcomes of all patients above 1 year and less than 14 years of age treated for newly diagnosed B- or T-ALL between January 1, 2010 and January 31, 2015. Seventy-six children were consecutively treated and all are included in this analysis. B-ALL patient treatment was stratified according to BFM relapse risk criteria with standard risk (SR) defined by age 1-6 yrs, peripheral WBC 38o C to initiation of broad spectrum antibiotics. To minimize sepsis risk, prophylactic GCSF was given between cycles to target ANC > 0.5 x 106/uL. OS and EFS were assessed by Kaplan-Meier method. Patients were censored at last follow-up. Abandonment was treated as an event in calculating EFS. Kuppuswami Socioeconomic Scale (KES) was applied using phone interviews of guardians. Results: Median follow-up time was 30.3 months (range, 1.9-61 months). One patient (1.3%) died during induction, 1 was censored at loss to follow-up upon transfer of treatment to another center, none abandoned treatment, and 6 (7.9%) relapsed, with 1 (1.3%) relapse within 90 days of diagnosis. At median follow-up, the OS was 93.4% and EFS 90.8% (95% CI, 81.1%-99.1%). SR accounted for 28 (36.8%), IR for 36 (47.4%), and HR for 11 (14.5%) patients. OS by risk stratification is shown in Figure 1. KES analysis on the 65 contactable families revealed a median family income between Indian Rs. 14,000-37,000 (US $218-577)/month, and 14 (21.5$145)/month. Thirty (46.1%) stratified as lower-middle class or lower. The primary wage earner had less than a high school education in 21 (32.3%), and was at a clerical or lower work level in 46 (70.8%) of families. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that, for pediatric ALL, results similar to resource-rich countries can be provided in resource-poor areas through a tertiary care center maintaining adherence to globally accepted guidelines for treatment and management of treatment-associated complications. We plan to report minimum 5-year follow-up for all patients in future. Future prospective studies will examine the role of MRD-based stratification and allogeneic transplant options for high-risk patients, as well as seek to extend the low rates of toxic death and abandonment to neighboring centers by implementation of best practices throughout the region. Figure 1. OS by Risk Stratification Figure 1. OS by Risk Stratification Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare

Immunophenotyping of normal individuals classified on the basis of human dosha prakriti

Background:Human variations related to immune response and disease susceptibility is well-documented in Ayurveda. Prakriti (body constitution) is the basic constitution of an individual established at the time of birth and distinguishes variations, into three broad phenotype categories such as vata, pitta and kapha. Variation in immune response is often attributed to and measured from the difference in cluster differentiation (CD) markers expressed in lymphocytes. Currently, there are no reports available on the expression of CD markers related to prakriti. Objective: This is a pilot study performed to evaluate a panel of lymphocyte subset CD markers in dominant prakriti individuals. Materials and Methods: Immunophenotyping was carried out using whole blood from a total of healthy 222 subjects, who are grouped into kapha (n = 95), pitta (n = 57) and vata (n = 70) prakritis. CD markers such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14, CD25, CD56, CD69, CD71 and HLA-DR were analyzed using flow cytometry method. Differences between groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparisons between groups were performed by Bonferroni or Mann-Whitney U test with corrections for type I error respectively. Significance was evaluated by ANOVA and Pearson′s correlation. Results: We observed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the expression of CD markers such as CD14 (monocytes), CD25 (activated B cells) and CD56 (Natural killer cells) between different prakriti groups. CD25 and CD56 expression was significantly higher in kapha prakriti samples than other prakriti groups. Similarly, slightly higher levels of CD14 were observed in pitta prakriti samples. Conclusion: Significant difference in the expression of CD14, CD25 and CD56 markers between three different prakriti is demonstrated. The increased level of CD25 and CD56 in kapha prakriti may indicate ability to elicit better immune response, which is in conformity with textual references in Ayurveda

Efficacy and safety of sparsentan versus irbesartan in patients with IgA nephropathy (PROTECT): 2-year results from a randomised, active-controlled, phase 3 trial

BackgroundSparsentan, a novel, non-immunosuppressive, single-molecule, dual endothelin angiotensin receptor antagonist, significantly reduced proteinuria versus irbesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, at 36 weeks (primary endpoint) in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy in the phase 3 PROTECT trial's previously reported interim analysis. Here, we report kidney function and outcomes over 110 weeks from the double-blind final analysis.MethodsPROTECT, a double-blind, randomised, active-controlled, phase 3 study, was done across 134 clinical practice sites in 18 countries throughout the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Patients aged 18 years or older with biopsy-proven primary IgA nephropathy and proteinuria of at least 1·0 g per day despite maximised renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 12 weeks were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive sparsentan (target dose 400 mg oral sparsentan once daily) or irbesartan (target dose 300 mg oral irbesartan once daily) based on a permuted-block randomisation method. The primary endpoint was proteinuria change between treatment groups at 36 weeks. Secondary endpoints included rate of change (slope) of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), changes in proteinuria, a composite of kidney failure (confirmed 40% eGFR reduction, end-stage kidney disease, or all-cause mortality), and safety and tolerability up to 110 weeks from randomisation. Secondary efficacy outcomes were assessed in the full analysis set and safety was assessed in the safety set, both of which were defined as all patients who were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of randomly assigned study drug. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03762850.FindingsBetween Dec 20, 2018, and May 26, 2021, 203 patients were randomly assigned to the sparsentan group and 203 to the irbesartan group. One patient from each group did not receive the study drug and was excluded from the efficacy and safety analyses (282 [70%] of 404 included patients were male and 272 [67%] were White) . Patients in the sparsentan group had a slower rate of eGFR decline than those in the irbesartan group. eGFR chronic 2-year slope (weeks 6–110) was −2·7 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year versus −3·8 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (difference 1·1 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year, 95% CI 0·1 to 2·1; p=0·037); total 2-year slope (day 1–week 110) was −2·9 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year versus −3·9 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (difference 1·0 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year, 95% CI −0·03 to 1·94; p=0·058). The significant reduction in proteinuria at 36 weeks with sparsentan was maintained throughout the study period; at 110 weeks, proteinuria, as determined by the change from baseline in urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, was 40% lower in the sparsentan group than in the irbesartan group (−42·8%, 95% CI −49·8 to −35·0, with sparsentan versus −4·4%, −15·8 to 8·7, with irbesartan; geometric least-squares mean ratio 0·60, 95% CI 0·50 to 0·72). The composite kidney failure endpoint was reached by 18 (9%) of 202 patients in the sparsentan group versus 26 (13%) of 202 patients in the irbesartan group (relative risk 0·7, 95% CI 0·4 to 1·2). Treatment-emergent adverse events were well balanced between sparsentan and irbesartan, with no new safety signals.InterpretationOver 110 weeks, treatment with sparsentan versus maximally titrated irbesartan in patients with IgA nephropathy resulted in significant reductions in proteinuria and preservation of kidney function