Free radical-scavenging and antimutagenic potential of acetone, chloroform and methanol extracts of fruits of Argemone mexicana

The antioxidant potency of acetone, chloroform and methanol extracts of Argemone mexicana was investigated by employing in vitro systems like nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and 1,1-Diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay whereas antimutagenic activity was determinedby Maron and Ames assay using Salmonella typhimurium TA100 tester strain against sodium azide. In this study, dried fruits of A. mexicana were extracted with different solvents by maceration method in order of increasing polarity. It was observed that, acetone extracts were comparatively more effective than the other extracts in both the assays. The maximum inhibitory activities noticed were 79.0 and 71.0% in NBT and DPPH assay, respectively, at the maximum concentration tested. The inhibitory potential was compared with standard antioxidant (L-ascorbic acid). The IC50 value of the acetone extract of the fruit of A. mexicana was more than that of L-ascorbic acid showing the maximum inhibitory effect. Among the different extracts, the antimutagenic effect of methanol extract was found to be more followed by acetone and chloroform extracts. The methanol extract showed maximum inhibition of 80.5% at doses of 1.00~1033 μg/ml in pre-incubation modes of the experiments, respectively. Chloroform extract showed maximum inhibition of 62.14 and 50.71% in co-incubation and pre-incubation mode of experiments at the highest concentration tested. Antimutagenicity of the acetone extract was more in co-incubation than pre-incubation mode of theexperimentation. These results indicate that, A. mexicana fruit extracts have antioxidant as well as antimutagenic properties. The antioxidant and antimutagenic activities were significantly correlated.Key words: Argemone mexicana, antioxidant, antimutagenic, sodium azide

Crop Security Model for Improvement in Agricultural Productivity Using Iot: Smart Farming

Most of the time in agriculture field, crops ravaged by local animals that leads to huge losses for the farmers. It’s very difficult for farmers to barricade entire fields and monitors continuously. Here the crop protection system model is developed for the farmers to prevent the crops from the animals. The model adopts the Arduino Uno based system and uses wired security that gives the shock to animals if they are approaching the field. The fire sensor is also used in the model to detect fire issues. In such situations, the microcontroller will turn ON the motor if there is a fire that interns intimate the farmers through mobile application. The temperature sensor and humidity sensors are also used in the model to provide the details of temperature and soil moisture of the field. The experimental values obtained by the model ensure complete safety of crops from animals and from fire thus protecting the farmer’s loss. In addition, mobile applications are also developed to provide the details of parameters such as temperature, moisture, water levels to farmers

Antifungal activity of naphthothiazoles derived from Lawsone (Lawsonia inermis)

A series of Naphtho [2,3-d] thiazole-4, 9-diones was prepared by the condensation of bromolawsone with thiosemicarbazones derived from the aldehydes and ketones in dry dimethyl formamide (DMF). The products are also obtained by the cyclization of the intermediate 2-chlorobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone of 1,4-napthoquinone in ethanol containing K2CO3 obtained from 2,3-dichloro naphthoquinone. These compounds showed that maximum fungicidal activity varied with substituent on the compounds of Lawsone.Key words: Lawsonia inermis, 2,3-dichloronaphthoquinones, thiosemicarbazones, naphthothiazoles, fungicidal activity, Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia lunata

Incidence and risk factors of gestational diabetes in Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli

Background: Gestational diabetes is essentially the development of diabetes in pregnancy with a return to normal glucose tolerance after delivery. Objective of the study was to know incidence and risk factors of gestational diabetes in Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli.Methods: This prospective study conducted in KIMS Hubli, for a period of one year from October 2009 to November 2010, in all pregnant women attending OPD of OBG Department. The number of cases included in the study was 200.Results: Incidence of GDM was found to be 3.5% in the 200 patients studied. Patients were in the age group 18-36 yrs. There was increasing in the incidence after 25 yrs. There is gradual increase in prevalence of GCT positive case with increasing age. 60% of the patients had risk factors. Risk factors of importance were positive family history 40%, BMI>27 was 37.5%.Conclusions: Gestational diabetes mellitus can be present in patients without risk factors. Hence the need for universal screening. Glucose challenge test with 75g glucose at 2 hours is highly sensitive in detecting GDM

Comparison of analgesic efficacy of intramuscular tramadol and pethidine in labour

Background: Labour pain is among the most severe pain experienced by women. It is unpleasant and distressing to the parturient. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of intramuscular tramadol and pethidine in labour. Methods: The prospective study conducted in SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Department of OBG, from December 2013 to November 2014. The study was a study of the parturients admitted in the labour theatre. Written and informed consent was taken from all the patients enrolled in the study. One hundred parturient at term in active labour were randomly assigned to one of the two groups to receive intramuscularly either tramadol 100 mg or pethidine 75 mg. Results: Results were comparable in terms of maternal age, maternal weight and neonatal weight. Proportion of cases with satisfactory to good pain relief was 74% in the tramadol group and 78% in the pethidine group. Nausea and/or vomiting (12% versus 8%), fatigue (6% versus 4%) and drowsiness (8% versus 4%) were significantly high in the pethidine group than the tramadol group(p<0.05). The drugs used did not appear to influence the mode of delivery. Proportion of cases with non-reassuring foetal heart rate was high in the pethidine group. Meconium stained liquor was equally seen in both the groups and there were no incidence of neonatal respiratory depression in any of the groups.Conclusion: Tramadol is an equally effective labour analgesic as pethidine with less maternal and perinatal side effects

An Observational study on Oral Paracetamol in Closure of Hemodynamically Significant PDA in Preterm Neonates Less than 34 weeks

BACKGROUND: Ductus arteriosus is a vascular connection between the pulmonary artery and descending aorta. The incidence is inversely related to birth weight and gestational age (GA). In preterm infants it varies between 40% and 60% on the third day of life. At present, the choice of treatment of clinically significant PDA is with either ibuprofen or indomethacin, but they carry many contraindications and potential side effects. Hence it is important to consider that paracetamol may be used as an alternative to other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and is effective in ductal closure with minimal side effects. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Our study is aimed to determine the efficacy of oral paracetamol in closing hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants <34 weeks where ibuprofen contraindicated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy eight preterm infants with hemodynamically significant PDA (hs-PDA) were treated with oral paracetamol and subsequent closure was evaluated clinically and by follow-up 2D-Echo. Repeat Echo (1, 2 and 3) done at 24 plus or minus 4 hours on 1st, 2nd, 3rd day drug dose for closure of PDA. If ductus still open on echo 3, repeat course of the same study drug of same duration given and the echo would be repeated as per the first course schedule. The ductus would be finally labelled as failed to close based on echo 6 which would be done at the end of the last dose of the second course of the study. RESULTS: The effectiveness of the closure of the ductus arteriosus with paracetamol reported in our study was 65.38% (n=51). Out of 51 cases of PDA closure, 22 cases (43.14%) had a positive response after one treatment course and 29 cases (56.86%) had a positive response after two treatment courses. While analysing effect of paracetamol on PDA among study patients, it was observed that before administration of paracetamol, study subjects mean PDA measurement of 3.01 mm and after administration of paracetamol, mean PDA measurement 1.10 mm which was found to be statistically significant (p <0.05). There was no abnormal liver function tests and temperature variation following paracetamol administration. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that treatment with oral paracetamol is associated with PDA closure. Babies with treatment on oral paracetamol are 3.54 times more likely to have closure of PDA. The use of paracetamol for ductus arteriosus closure could be effective, economical and with fewer side effects than current treatments. Our data on the effectiveness of paracetamol in the treatment of PDA merits for conduction of further well designed and robust randomized control trials, to confirm the usefulness of paracetamol as first choice agent in management of PDA due its lesser side effect profile. It may also be considered as an alternative to surgical ligation in whom ibuprofen is either contraindicated or resistant

A Study on Accuracy of Respiratory Cytology for Cancer Diagnosis.

Sputum Cytology Has Been The Traditional Focus For Teaching Respiratory Cytology For Many Years. However The Emphasis Has Been Altered By The Introduction Of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy (Fob) And Fine Needle Aspiration22. Recent Developments In Sampling Techniques Have Changed The Practice Of Respiratory Tract Cytology, Although New Methods Have Not Completely Supplanted More Traditional Ones. Methods For Obtaining Cell Samples From The Respiratory Tract Include Sputum, Bronchial Brushing, Bronchial Washing, Bronchioalveolar Lavage, Transbronchial Needle Aspiration, Transthoracic Fine Needle Aspiration And Endoscopic Ultrasonography Guided Fine Needle Aspiration. Each Of These Methods Has Advantages And Limitations. Bronchial Brushings, Washing, Fine Needle Aspiration And Lavage Procedures Usually Yield Better Diagnostic Material Than Is Obtained By Simple Exfoliative Sampling22. Bronchial Washing Is Complementary To Brushing When An Endobronchial Lesion Is Observed And Superior To Brushing When The Lesion Is Beyond The Reach Of The Brush. It Is Also Helpful In The Diagnosis Of Peripheral Lung Lesions With Submucosal Or Peribronchial Tumour Spread18. Washings Are Sent As Part Of The Procedure And Are Routinely Processed And Add A Small Increment To Sensitivity, Mainly When Brush Or Biopsy Cannot Reach More Peripheral Tumours22. Bronchioalveolar Lavage Is Another Technique Particularly Useful When A Diffuse Infiltrate Is Seen On The X-Ray And An Opportunistic Infection Or Lymphangitic Spread Of Tumour Is Suspected. The Bronchioalveolar Lavage May Provide A Higher Yield Than Bronchial Washing For Diagnosis Of Peripheral Tumours, Particularly Adenocarcinoma And Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma. The Bronchoscopic Approach To The Diagnosis Of Tumours Of The Tracheobronchial Tree Is Guided Primarily By The Size And Location Of The Tumour. A Combination Of Cytologic Modalities Is Often Performed With Or Without Forceps Biopsy To Increase The Diagnostic Yield18. Central Bronchogenic Lesions May Present As An Exophytic Mass, A Submucosal Or Infiltration Lesion Or Extrinsic Bronchial Compression And Narrowing. The Use Of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopic Instruments And Simultaneous Recording Of The Findings On Videotape For Future Review Has Significantly Enlarged The Ability To Localise Early Lesions. Roughening And Redness Of The Bronchial Epithelium, Especially In The Areas Of Bronchial Spurs And In Areas Of Bronchial Subdivisions, May Signal An Important Lesion. Bronchial Brushing Of Such Areas For Cytologic Examination And Biopsies Of Even Tiny Lesions Are Now Technically Feasible And Have Been Successfully Implemented13. While Forceps Biopsy Is Suitable For Endobronchial Mass Lesions, Bronchial Brushing Allows Sampling Of A Larger Mucosal Area. If The Mucosa Appears Grossly Normal, However, Little Or No Information May Be Obtained18. Combined Study Of Cytology And Biopsy Material Enhances The Sensitivity Of Diagnosis Of Malignant Tumours And Their Specific Subtyping. The Combined Use Of Cytology And Biopsy Facilities Accurate Classification Of The Tumour Type, Since Cytologic Samples Often Provide Better Morphologic Preservation Of The Cells And Lower Likelihood Of Crushing Artifacts (Particularly In Small Cell Carcinoma), Whereas Histologic Samples Better Demonstrate Tissue Architecture And Provide More Material For Ancillary Techniques Such As Immuno Histochemistry. Thus, Even In The Presence Of An Endobronchial Lesion, Collection Of Cytologic Samples Is Recommended In Addition To Forceps Biopsy