Distribution Pattern and Phytosociological study of Trees Associated with Agroforestry in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir, India

The focus of present study was to find the phytosociology, distribution pattern, and diversity of different species of trees associated with traditional agroforestry in the district of Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Data was collected through quadrat survey method. A total of fifty quadrats of the size (10x10m) each were thrown randomly in agriculture fields. Total 26 tree species belonging to 16 families and 21 genera were encountered in the agricultural fields with Grewia optiva, Pyrus persica and Celtis australis being the tree species in dominance. The most dense species of tree recorded was Grewia optiva with a density value of 3.88 tree/ha which was followed by Pyrus persica with a density of 3.74 tree/ha. Buxus wallichiana was the least dense species recorded (0.82 tree/ha). The study revealed that the area has vast potential sites for the plantation of various agroforestry related tree species to solve the problems of fuel, fodder and timber

Distribution Pattern and Phytosociological study of Trees Associated with Agroforestry in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir, India

The focus of present study was to find the phytosociology, distribution pattern, and diversity of different species of trees associated with traditional agroforestry in the district of Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Data was collected through quadrat survey method. A total of fifty quadrats of the size (10x10m) each were thrown randomly in agriculture fields. Total 26 tree species belonging to 16 families and 21 genera were encountered in the agricultural fields with Grewia optiva, Pyrus persica and Celtis australis being the tree species in dominance. The most dense species of tree recorded was Grewia optiva with a density value of 3.88 tree/ha which was followed by Pyrus persica with a density of 3.74 tree/ha. Buxus wallichiana was the least dense species recorded (0.82 tree/ha). The study revealed that the area has vast potential sites for the plantation of various agroforestry related tree species to solve the problems of fuel, fodder and timber

Open inverted bell and bell formation during the washing of vials

A range of fascinating flow features was observed while cleaning or filling the medicine or liquid vials in the kitchen sink by serendipity. Here, we present the formation of an open inverted bell and bell-shaped flow structures formed from the water sheet in a new geometric arrangement, hitherto unknown. When a laminar jet impinges on the surface of the liquid in the vial of marginally larger or similar diameter, an inverted open water bell is formed, which gradually changes into a flat water sheet to a classical water bell as the flow rate is increased. The inverted water bell structures disintegrate by forming water ridges which finally break down into different sizes of droplets

Piperine: A Mini Review on its Pharmacological Profile and Synthetic Derivatives

Piperine, known for its vast biological profile, is obtained from black pepper (Piper nigrum, Family: Piperaceae) which is one of the most commonly used spice in major parts of the world and is known for its pungent taste. Piperine is also found to act as an important bioenhancer by increasing the bioavailability of drug molecules and reducing their dosing frequency and dosage. This review article aims at providing various biological activities exhibited by piperine and its numerous synthetic derivatives in order to get some potential lead molecule for future drug discovery

FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FIXED-DOSE COMBINATION OF BI-LAYER TABLETS OF EFAVIRENZ, LAMIVUDINE AND TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL FUMARATE TABLETS 600 MG/300 MG/300 MG

Objective: This study is to formulate bi-layer tablet as a multidrug regimen against each reference listed drugs of Brand SUSTIVA® (efavirenz tablets 600 mg), EPIVER®(lamivudine tablets 300 mg), and VIREAD®(tenofovir disoproxil tablets 300 mg) to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Which provides highly active antiretroviral therapy to provide effective treatment. Methods: Bilayer formulation was developed with each blend of layer-I (efavirenz) and layer-II (lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) through wet granulation process and roller compaction process, respectively. Further, both layers were compressed by using bi-layer compression followed by film coating. Layer-I and II formulations were developed by using various concentrations of diluents, surfactants, and disintegrants to improve the solubility of efavirenz and improve the flowability and uniformity of layer-II. Finally, the optimum formulation was developed to compare the in vitro dissolution with each branded formulation. Results: Drug-excipients interaction results revealed that the mixtures of three drug substances in 50 °C/75 % relative humidity (RH) resulted in an increase in tenofovir IMP-E and the highest unknown impurity was significantly increased and additionally decreased tenofovir assay in the presence of efavirenz. Sodium lauryl sulfate is very critical and it acts as a wetting agent and increases the solubility of efavirenz, and directly influences the dissolution of a drug product. Microcrystalline and croscarmellose sodium have a chance to affect the dissolution and friability of tenofovir. Powdered cellulose was acting as a diluent and flow property of the lamivudine part and it also affects the uniformity and dissolution. So, these ranges were optimized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates there are no polymorphic changes for the optimized formulation and there is no interaction between the three active substances, and finally, in vitro dissolution results for the optimized formulation against the reference drugs. Conclusion: Optimum formulation yielded consistent drug release against each branded drug to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV1) infections. This formulation is robust and easily scale up for the next stage

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FIXED-DOSE COMBINATION OF BILAYER TABLETS OF ATAZANAVIR SULFATE AND RITONAVIR 300 MG/100 MG

Objective: The objective of this study is to formulation and development of fixed-dose combination as a single dosage regimen by using the design of experiments (DOE) approach against the single dose of reference listed drugs of brand reyataz capsule 300 mg (atazanavir sulfate) and norvir tablets 100 mg (ritonavir tablets) to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Infections. Methods: Formulation was developed with each blend of ritonavir by using hot-melt extrusion and atazanavir sulfate by wet granulation process and compressed by bilayer technology followed by film coating. Formulation and process optimization by design of experiments (DOE) to evaluate dissolution and related substances of the finished product. Fractional factorial (22+3) and full factorial design (33+3) by using a design expert (version 11.0) were used to evaluate the formulation and process variables to prepare a robust formulation. Results: Results indicate that the sorbitan monolaurate range has played a key role to achieve the dissolution for ritonavir formulation. The studied temperature range and interaction of temperature and feed rate, temperature and screw speed during the hot-melt extrusion process impact on the related substances of the bi-layer tablet. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) also finding the P-value less than 0.0500 and the studied range was significant. Design space was established for the significant factors to control the results within the acceptable limits. The studied formulation and wet granulation process for atazanavir sulfate have no significant impact on dissolution and related substances of the finished product. Further, the studied hardness range of 16-28kp for bi-layer tablets has no critical impact on the dissolution. Optimum formulation and process of bi-layer tablets in F37 yielded similar drug release and related substances against the reference drug product. Conclusion: The present invention of fixed-dose combination can be recommended as a single dosage regimen with the consistent drug release and control of the unknown impurities in the prototype formulation against the individual reference drug product

A review on mushrooms as a versatile therapeutic agent with emphasis on its bioactive constituents for anticancer and antioxidant potential

Mushrooms, due to their many medical, preventive, and nutraceutical purposes, as well as their reputation as a folk remedy, have long been an integral part of traditional cuisines. The therapeutic advantages of mushrooms may be attributed to their bioactive components, including polysaccharides (both low and high molecular weight), terpenoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, lectins, and glucans. The bioactive components have been discovered to possess various health advantages, including antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, radical scavenging, cardiovascular, anti-hypercholesterolemia, and anti-diabetic effects. These effects have gained worldwide attention and stimulated interest in further investigating their potential applications. Functional foods have the dual purpose of serving as both nourishment and medication. They may assist in the management and prevention of health disorders that are not functioning optimally, as well as mitigate some adverse effects of life-threatening diseases. Further evaluation is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms via which mushrooms operate and improve their therapeutic properties. This review delves into the possible medicinal potential of mushrooms and the advantages they may provide to human health

Zinc oxide nanoparticles selectively induce apoptosis in human cancer cells through reactive oxygen species

Mohd Javed Akhtar1,2, Maqusood Ahamed3, Sudhir Kumar1, MA Majeed Khan3, Javed Ahmad4, Salman A Alrokayan31Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India; 2Fibre Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, India; 3King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaBackground: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have received much attention for their implications in cancer therapy. It has been reported that ZnO NPs induce selective killing of cancer cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms behind the anticancer response of ZnO NPs remain unclear.Methods and results: We investigated the cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs against three types of cancer cells (human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, human lung adenocarcinoma A549, and human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B) and two primary rat cells (astrocytes and hepatocytes). Results showed that ZnO NPs exert distinct effects on mammalian cell viability via killing of all three types of cancer cells while posing no impact on normal rat astrocytes and hepatocytes. The toxicity mechanisms of ZnO NPs were further investigated using human liver cancer HepG2 cells. Both the mRNA and protein levels of tumor suppressor gene p53 and apoptotic gene bax were upregulated while the antiapoptotic gene bcl-2 was downregulated in ZnO NP-treated HepG2 cells. ZnO NPs were also found to induce activity of caspase-3 enzyme, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species generation, and oxidative stress in HepG2 cells.Conclusion: Overall, our data demonstrated that ZnO NPs selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells, which is likely to be mediated by reactive oxygen species via p53 pathway, through which most of the anticancer drugs trigger apoptosis. This study provides preliminary guidance for the development of liver cancer therapy using ZnO NPs.Keywords: ZnO nanoparticles, cancer therapy, p53, apoptosis, RO

The Relationship Between Hockey Coaches And Performance Of National Athletes Of Pakistan

The existing paper deals with a primary objective; to examine the relationship between hockey coaches and performance of field hockey players in socio-interaction approach. The secondary objective was to measure the field performance of hockey players on practical measures. The research methodology is based on both descriptive and inferential statistical approaches. The descriptive data was collected in the form of field performance tests (technical skills and fitness capabilities) while the inferential data perceived by players was collected using survey questionnaire. Adopted field performance test measures and survey questionnaire were employed. 296 national field hockey players of Pakistan were selected from national departments of field hockey as samples. The field performance tests and the relationship were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis respectively. The results of the field performance tests were found below than average (weaker) in technical skills and fitness capabilities. However, the findings of the inferential analysis revealed that all constructs of hockey coaches have significant positive relationship with all variables of performance of field hockey players. The significance level was found at the 0.01 (2-tailed)