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The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the contamination that prompts sickness19(covid-19), has spread quickly from the initially known cases in china in December 2019 to nations round the globe. On March 10,2020, the world health organization reported that there have been 113,702 affirmed instances of corona virus -19 round the globe, additionaly to 4,012 passing. Due to this worldwide well being emergency analysts are handling build up a corona virus immunization. Protected and compelling immunizations are going to be a game changer: yet for years to return we should always wearing covers, genuinely separating and staying faraway from swarms. Being inoculated doesn't imply that we will laugh in the face of any potential risk and put ourselves as well as other people in danger, especially in light of the very fact that it is as yet not satisfactory what proportions the antibodies can ensure against sickness also as against contamination and transmission. Vaccine for corona virus are basic devices for managing the pandemic when joined with compelling testing and existing anticipation measures. The general undertaking to form a secure and effective coronavirus vaccine is proving to be fruitful. A handful of vaccines now are authorized round the globe, may more in development. Antibodies save an excellent many lives per annum.

In response to pathogens, injury or irritation, inflammation is a natural biological mechanism. The inflammation process is a difficult immune response that can be characterised as the synchronous activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation seems to be significantly correlated with various types of diseases, such as arthritis, allergy, atherosclerosis and cancer. Some intermittent events, including redness, swelling, heat, and pain, often progressing to exudation and loss of function, typically describe inflammation. Some inflammatory cytokines that are important chemical substances found in the tissues of the body, including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, prostacyclin, lymphocytes, and chemokines such as interferon-alpha (IFN-α), IFN-γ, are involved in the inflammation phase. Vegetables and fruit-derived formulations have been used to treat inflammatory conditions and their associated disorders. Evidence shows that fruits like grapes, watermelon, orange and vegetable-rich diets like Allium cepa, Momordica charantia, Raphanus sativus etc. are beneficial against common chronic diseases, cancer, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, these fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals and fibre in our diet. Anti-inflammatory compounds in onions help to lessen the clinical symptoms associated with conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Due to the presence of various phytochemicals in bitter melon, it is used in inflammation in bones and joints, inflammation in cancer and cardiovascular as well as neurodegenerative diseases and haemorrhoids. Lycopene in tomato also acts on cytokine channels in human adipose tissue, and inhibit the level of inflammatory biomarkers. This article focuses on such healthy foods and vegetables that have the capability to treat inflammatory disorders. From this we can conclude that fruits and vegetables are promising in limiting the inflammation.

The present study explored the assessment of the antidiabetic potential of Tinospora cordifolia & Juglans regia composite extract in STZ induced diabetes in wistar rats. As streptozotocin -associated infiltrations of increase glucose level has been reported to be responsible for diabetes. We evaluated the glucose lowering potential of Tinospora cordifolia & Juglans regia on the basis of its anti-diabetic property. Rats were administered streptozotocin (55 mg/kg i.p., once) with nicotinamide (120mg/kg) to induce experimental toxicity. The development of diabetes was assessed biochemically as well as histologically 72 hours after induction of diabetes. Body weight and blood glucose levels were determined in (0, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th) days. Serum lipid profile and enzyme estimated, (kidney, liver, pancreas) tissue was measured at the end of the experimental period. Treatment with composite extracts TCAE high dose (350 gm/kg b.w.) & JRAE high dose (800 mg/kg b.w.) and TCHE high dose (350 gm/kg b.w.) & JRHE high dose (800 mg/kg b.w.) were noted to be more effective against the streptozotocin- induced toxicity as compared to Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg b.w.). it may be concluded that streptozotocin-induced glucose may be accountable for the induction of diabetes toxicity in rats. Interestingly, improvement in body weight, glucose level, lipid profiles, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in kidney, liver and pancreas was observed following herbal treatment in STZ induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, composite extract of TCAE (350mg/kg b.w.) & JRAE (800mg/kg b.w.) was found to be efficacious than the composite extract of TCHE (350mg/kg b.w.) & JRHE (800mg/kg b.w.).

We aimed to evaluate the effect of anti-diabetic activity of Terminalia arjuna, and Syzygium cumini extracts in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in Wistar rats. STZ (55mg/kg) followed by nicotinamide (100mg/kg) was given to rats by intraperitoneal route to induce diabetes. Oral administration of alcoholic and hydro-alcoholic extracts of T. arjuna (TAAE) (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg), S. cumini (SCAE) (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) and their composite extract were given to rats along with standard anti-diabetic drug Glibenclamide (5mg/kg). We evaluated body weight, glucose level, lipid profile and biochemical parameters in STZ induced diabetic rats. Also, histopathological studied were done in liver, kidney and pancreatic tissues of rats. Our finding revealed that TAAE and TAHE at 250mg/kg b.w. and 500mg/kg b.w., SCAE and SCHE at 400mg/kg b.w. and combination of TAAE (250mg/kg b.w.)+SCAE (400mg/kg b.w.) had a positive effect in lowering the blood glucose level and body weight on 28th day as compared to the initial observation on 0th day and also restored all the biochemical parameters such as LDL, VLDL, triglycerides and total Cholesterol and HDL towards the normal levels as well as histopathological improvement in Kidney, Liver and Pancreas. Data analysis showed that composite extract of TAAE (250mg/kg) and SCAE (400mg/kg ) improved diabetic consequences more effectively than composite extract of TAHE (500mg/kg) and SCHE (400mg/kg). TAAE and SCHE, in combination, demonstrate as a potential therapeutic agent against diabetes.

Increased blood lipid profile (hyperlipidaemia) has been described as a significant risk factor, which is majorly responsible for making the coronary heart diseases more severe. Coronary heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia are the primary cause of death. The increase in total cholesterol and total low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is described for its main risk factor, which is responsible for cardiovascular disease. The anti-hyperlipidemic drugs are used frequently for its lipids lowering potential to protect disorders which are induced by a condition like atherosclerosis. Still, these hypolipidemic agents also have various sorts of adverse events. Many plants and their derivatives and have been tested successfully for their anti-hyperlipidemic role. Almost 70 medicinal plants and more than this have been successfully screened for their significant anti-hyperlipidemic role. The significant increase observed in the use of medicinal plants in metropolitan regions of developed countries in the last decades. There are so many medicinal plants play a crucial role in lowering the blood lipid level. The most important advantage and popularity of traditional medicine system are because of effectiveness, safety, affordability and acceptability. This review focus on the anti-hyperlipidemic role of Avipattikar Churna and Triphala Churna used for the treatment of hyperlipidaemia.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), belongs to the class of metabolic diseases having the primary symptom associated with this disease is high sugar levels in the blood for an extended period. It can be categorized to the world's major diseases considering that affects the high population on the earth and presents two main types I and II.The prevalence of diabetes for all age-groups world-wide was estimated to be 2.8% in 2000 and 4.4% in 2030. Diabetes complications include possible blindness, amputation of a lower limb, renal failure, and cardiac arrest or stroke. There are twenty types of Pramehas (Kaphaja-10 Pittaja-6, and Vataja-4) have been mentioned in the Ayurveda. ‘Prameha’ and ‘Diabetes’ are synonymous. Diabetes is one of the ‘Prameha’ which consists of two words, ‘Pra’ meaning abundant, and ‘Meha' meaning 'passing of large quantity of Urine. Incidentally, the term diabetes has been derived from the Greek term 'Diabainein' to mean 'to cross through a siphon' meaning the continuous free flow of water and applied to mean the elimination of large quantity of Urine. Thus the terms ‘Prameha’ and ‘Diabetes’ carry similar meaning. This review summarizes the two Ayurvedic formulations for both types of DM, which are mentioned in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India. Till now, various kinds of synthetic and herbal formulations were made, and many are more frequently used to achieve desirable treatment. Patients prefer oral anti-diabetic medications since they are more comfortable to be administered, and for this reason, researchers focus their studies in this direction. This review aimed to explore the possibility of anti-diabetic treatment from herbal sources well mentioned in Ayurvedic Formulary of India that is Avipattikara Churna, Triphala Churna.Triphala Churna

Peptides test drug 1, 2, 3 and 4 coded as RK, KH, RRH, and RRK were subjected to in-vitro antioxidant screening methods for the assessment of their potency using Ascorbic acid as the standard drug. Antioxidant screening in-vitro methods used are such as Superoxide radical scavenging activity, Reducing power method, Phosphomolybdenum method, Ferric thiocyanate method, Thiobarbituric acid method, β-Carotene linoleic acid method/conjugated diene assay, and Fenton's reagent method. Different concentrations of test drugs were made and antioxidant activity was calculated by estimating inhibition percentage and IC50 values which were consequently compared with standard drug. The entire test drug RK, KH, RRH, and RRK showed relatively better antioxidant competence with that of the standard drug. Based on the above estimations, KH and RRH could be considered as the best potent drug for the diverse formulations of antioxidant effect suitable for the avoidance of various human diseases.

Background: Patients are treated with statins for the control of cholesterol; but statins control only low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and not non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL). Also, LDL is not a good coronary risk predictor. That creates the necessity to find a better biomarker for future coronary risk prediction. Hence, biomarkers under this territory such as total cholesterol (TC)/HDL, LDL/HDL, triglyceride (TG)/HDL ratios, non-HDL, apolipoprotein-B (apo-B), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were to be assessed and correlated with LDL to find the better biomarker in Indian patients. Objective: The objective was to study non-HDL, apo-B, TC/HDL, TG/HDL, LDL/HDL ratios, and hs-CRP in patients under statin therapy; and to correlate them with their LDL; to predict the risk of future coronary events; and to identify which biomarker among them is better at detecting the same. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study performed by systematic random sampling among 87 patients under statin therapy, and the levels of LDL, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, TG/HDL ratios, non-HDL, apo-B, and hs-CRP were measured in such patients, and their correlation with optimized and unoptimized LDL groups were done. Continuous data were represented as mean and standard deviation, andP value was calculated using independent t-test or z-test. Results: Non-HDL, TC/HDL, and LDL/HDL ratios were found to be statistically significant – all three parameters withP < 0.0001 in predicting the coronary artery disease attacks in the future. Conclusion: Even though all patients in our study were under statin therapy, they are still under the risk of developing coronary events. This can be solved by targeting the control of non-HDL or TC/HDL or LDL/HDL ratios, as they are found be better biomarkers for future coronary risk prediction.

Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing digital screens for extended periods leading to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). The solutions to digital screen- related vision problems are by insisting suitable preventive actions by obtaining regular eye care. The proposed work uses Viola Jones algorithm for detecting the eyes, eye blink using background subtraction, gradient based corner detection and it is capable of detecting common cases of fatigued behaviour linked with prolonged computer use by tracking the eye blink rate. Hence, this proposed system could significantly reduce the symptoms among regular computer users leading to improved health habits.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) results from mutations within the gene encoding the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR), a transmembrane chloride channel found on the apical surface of epithelial cells. The most common CF-causing mutation results in a deletion of phenylalanine 508 (ΔF508-CFTR), a residue normally found within the NBD1 domain. Loss of F508 causes NBD1 to be less thermodynamically stable and prevents proper tertiary folding of CFTR. As a result, CFTR is not properly trafficked to the cell surface. Recently, progress has been made towards the development of small molecule “correctors” that can restore CFTR tertiary structure and stabilize the channel to overcome the instability inherent in ΔF508-CFTR. However, the resultant improvement in channel activity has been modest, and the need for potent correctors remains. To fully inform such efforts, a better understanding of the molecular pathology associated with ΔF508-CFTR is required. Here we present a comprehensive study of the impact of F508 deletion on both purified NBD1 and full-length CFTR. Through the use of homology modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, mutational analysis, biochemical, biophysical and functional characterization studies, we obtained insight into how the ΔF508 mutation may lead to helical unraveling of transmembrane domains 10 and 11 (TM10, TM11), and how the known suppressor mutations V510D and R1070W, as well as novel second site suppressor mutations (SSSMs) identified in this work, may act to rescue ΔF508-CFTR maturation and trafficking.

Thirty-five years old female and 12 years old male wild elephant were found dead at Seviyodu and Cherangode of Cherambadi range at Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu state. On post mortem examination, maggots were recovered from palate of oral cavity and gastric mucosa of the stomach and identified as Chrysomyia bezziana and Cobbaldia elephantis, respectively. Histopathology of oral tissue specimen revealed myonecrosis of soft palate due to myiasis and cross section of encysted larvae surrounded by fibrous capsule and inflammatory cells. This study reports the mixed infection of wound and gastric myiasis due to C. bezziana and C. elephantis and its histopathological lesions in wild elephants.

A total of 281 fresh fecal samples (65 sheeps and 216 goats) were examined for the presence of Cyclospora species in Tamil Nadu from October 2017 to April 2018. All the faecal samples were examined by direct smear method, saturated sucrose floatation technique and modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining method and it was confirmed—at genus level with PCR technique. Overall prevalence of Cyclospora infection in—small ruminant was 2.14%. The prevalence of Cyclospora species in sheep and goat was 3.08 and 1.85% respectively. Cyclospora oocyst was observed mostly during winter season (Dec–Feb) with 7.14% followed by summer (March and April) and Northeast mansoon (October and November) with 1.67 and 1.66% respectively. The oocyst detected from faecal sample through conventional faecal examination was confirmed by PCR.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) involving the tongue are uncommon lesions in the head and neck region. They present with bleeding that can be massive and life-threatening apart from debilitating symptoms of pain, ulcers, difficulty in phonation or swallowing. Various therapeutic approaches have been used in their management-surgery, endovascular embolization, radiation and ablation procedures like laser ablation. We report two patients-a 34 year-old man and 56 year-old female who presented with massive bleeding due to lingual AVM and had comorbidities as liver cirrhosis and chronic medical renal disease respectively, and treated with glue embolization, with a review of the literature.

A total of 120 tissue samples (Rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum, small intestine and large intestine) were collected from slaughter houses in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts and five samples from necropsy room at Department of Veterinary Pathology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Overall prevalence of GI parasites was 52.00%. Among the positive samples, single infection was found to be more (53.84%) than themixed infection (46.15%). Out of which, oesophagostomosis was 17.00% and found as single infection. In oesophagostomosis, significant gross lesions observed in the small and large intestine were multiple small to large, round to irregular, hard, fibrotic, raised nodules. The wall of the large intestine was greatly thickened and oedematous and the nodules were seen projecting into the lumen and mucosal surface was intact. On histopathological examination, ileum of sheep showed parasitic nodules with central baso-eosinophilic necrotic area, larval stages in the necrotic area, surrounded by layers of inflammatory cells and finally encapsulated in a thick fibrous connective tissue capsule. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) with Vimentin showed intense cytoplasmic positive signals DAB Brown. PCR was carried out targeting ITS2 regions of the O. columbianum and O. venulosum. DNA isolated from both the faecal eggs and adult worms showed good amplification.

A pathobiological study was conducted using Vibrio parahaemolyticus ( V P ) strain isolated from vibriosis affected shrimp ( Penaeus vannamei ) farms in Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu during August 2014 to February 2015. The isolate was identified based on the morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characters. LD 50 value with intramuscular injection was determined as 2.6 × 10 4 cfu/shrimp and sequential pathology was studied giving 6.1 × 10 3 cfu/shrimp (LD 25 ). Total plate count (TPC) and total Vibrio count (TVC) in water, pond sediment, haemolymph, muscle, HP and gut were found significantly (P P. vannamei . Major histopathological manifestations observed were haemocyte infiltration/nodule in the epidermis, skeletal and cardiac muscles, atrophy of the excretory organ, and disrupted HP tubules with diffuse interstitial edema and haemocytic infiltration. Further HP showed that there was thickening of intertubular space, karyomegaly with prominent nucleoli, rounding and sloughing of HP tubular epithelium, many mitotic figures with bacterial colonies and apoptotic bodies, separation of shrunken tubule epithelium from myoepithelial fibers, regeneration of tubules, cystic, dilated and vacuolated appearance of HP tubules, hypoplastic changes in the tubules with no B, R and F cells, granuloma formation, concretions in tubules, calcification, necrosis, and washed out appearance with complete loss of architecture. The progression of the degenerative changes in the HP tubular epithelial cells was from proximal to distal end. In haematopoietic organ, increased mitotic activities with focal to extensive depletion and degeneration were observed. Degeneration of the stromal matrix with spheroid formation in lymphoid organ was observed among the Vp infected natural and experimental animals. Degeneration of glandular structures in the prehensile appendages with bacterial colonies, melanization and loss of epithelial layer in oesophagus, swelling and loss of architecture with mucinous secretion in the stomach, degeneration of peritrophic membrane in the lumen of intestine were observed in field cases but not in the experimental studies. Further, this study established the pathobiology of the Vp isolate to P. vannamei .

Focal-onset seizures can be caused by underlying brain lesions including focal lesions such as granulomas, low-grade neoplasms, vascular lesions, or neuronal migration disorders. Polymicrogyria is a congenital abnormality of cortical formation occurring during embryonic life. Choroidal fissure cysts are either arachnoid or neuroepithelial cysts arising at the choroidal fissure, and mostly they are incidental findings having no significant clinical implications. Coexistence of both of these can lead to dilemma in the management decisions. We present a case of focal-onset seizures with an unreported coexistence of polymicrogyria with choroidal fissure cyst.

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a chronic, devastating dysfunction of neurons in the brain leading to dementia. It mainly arises due to neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus area of the brain and is clinically manifested as a progressive mental failure, disordered cognitive functions, personality changes, reduced verbal fluency and impairment of speech. The pathology behind AD is the formation of intraneuronal fibrillary tangles, deposition of amyloid plaque and decline in choline acetyltransferase and loss of cholinergic neurons. Tragically, the disease cannot be cured, but its progression can be halted. Various cholinesterase inhibitors available in the market like Tacrine, Donepezil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine, etc. are being used to manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The paper’s objective is to throw light not only on the cellular/genetic basis of the disease, but also on the current trends and various strategies of treatment including the use of phytopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Enormous literature survey was conducted and published articles of PubMed, Scifinder, Google Scholar, Clinical Trials.org and Alzheimer Association reports were studied intensively to consolidate the information on the strategies available to combat Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, several strategies are being investigated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Immunotherapies targeting amyloid-beta plaques, tau protein and neural pathways are undergoing clinical trials. Moreover, antisense oligonucleotide methodologies are being approached as therapies for its management. Phytopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals are also gaining attention in overcoming the symptoms related to AD. The present review article concludes that novel and traditional therapies simultaneously promise future hope for AD treatment.

Objective:Dietary guidelines are an essential policy tool for facilitating optimal dietary patterns and healthy eating behaviours. We report: (i) the methodological approach adopted for developing the National Dietary Guidelines of Greece (NDGGr) for Infants, Children and Adolescents; and (ii) the guidelines for children aged 1–18 years.Design:An evidence-based approach was employed to develop food-based recommendations according to the methodologies of the WHO, FAO and European Food Safety Authority. Physical activity recommendations were also compiled. Food education, healthy eating tips and suggestions were also provided.Setting:The NDGGr encompass food-based nutritional and physical activity recommendations for promoting healthy dietary patterns and eating behaviours and secondarily to serve as a helpful tool for the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity.Results:The NDGGr include food-based recommendations, food education and health promotion messages regarding: (i) fruits; (ii) vegetables; (iii) milk and dairy products; (iv) cereals; (v) red and white meat; (vi) fish and seafood; (vii) eggs; (viii) legumes; (ix) added lipids, olives, and nuts; (x) added sugars and salt; (xi) water and beverages, and (xii) physical activity. A Nutrition Wheel, consisting of the ten most pivotal key messages, was developed to enhance the adoption of optimal dietary patterns and a healthy lifestyle. The NDGGr additionally provide recommendations regarding the optimal frequency and serving sizes of main meals, based on the traditional Greek diet.Conclusions:As a policy tool for promoting healthy eating, the NDGGr have been disseminated in public schools across Greece.

Powder compacted and sintered Nb2O5 pellets were cathodically polarised against graphite anode in calcium chloride melt at 1173 K to study the influence of various factors on the electrochemical reduction of the oxide. The parameters were; duration and temperature of electrolysis, open porosity of pellets, nature of anode, mode of electrolysis and configuration of the oxide cathode. The experiments were also conducted in KCl, KCl-25 mol% CaCl2 and NaCl melts to understand the effect of melt composition on the electroreduction. Different Ca–Nb–O and Nb–O intermediates were found in the pellets electrolysed for different durations of time in CaCl2 melt which eventually reduced to Nb. The current efficiency of the process decreased with increasing duration of electrolysis. Decrease in electrolysis temperature from 1173 to 1073 K led to the decrease in the rate of reduction of the oxide pellets. Pellets with high open porosity reduced faster. Carbon contamination of the melt was relatively less when pyrolytic graphite was used as anode. Of all the melts studied, the reduction was found to be better in calcium chloride melt, that too when alumina crucible was used as container of the melt.

Sarcoptes scabiei are burrowing mites which causes major constraints in rabbit production. Eighty-eight rabbits were examined for mange infestation at University Research Farm, Tamil Nadu. Overall incidence of mange infestation in rabbit was 23.6 %. On microscopical examination, the mite was identified as Sacoptes scabiei var cuniculi. Among the breeds, Soviet Chinchilla were found to be infested more (57.14 %) followed by New Zealand White (28.57 %) and White Giant (28.57 %). Among the age groups, adults (33.33 %) were heavily infested than the grower (21.88 %) whereas, suckling had no infestation of mange. Among the sex, males (21.95 %) were heavily infested than the females (14.89 %). Lesions were mostly found on the edges of ear, nose, face and legs and characterized by loss of hair, thickening of the skin, irregular dried dirty encrusted scabs with erythema and disfigurement of face and ear.

Mass transfer studies have been carried out in a continuous countercurrent liquid–solid adsorber to remove methylene blue from wastewater using activated carbon under steady-state conditions. Experimental data on axial concentration profile and overall removal efficiency has been obtained using a pilot plant set-up. The overall colour removal efficiency of the adsorber increases with increase in solid velocity, and a decrease in liquid velocity and initial dye concentration. A mathematical model has been developed to predict the axial concentration profiles, which compare with the experimental data satisfactorily. The overall mass transfer coefficient has also been evaluated using this model.

The prevalence of tick infestation and their predilection sites on sheep, goat, horse and wild hare were studied at various places of Tamil Nadu, India. The prevalence of tick infestation in Madras red sheep, Tellicherry goat and horse was 77.11, 78.21 and 13.33%, respectively. Sheep were heavily infested with Haemaphysalis bispinosa followed by Hyalomma isaaci, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides and H. anatolicum. The ticks from goats were identified as H. bispinosa, R. haemaphysaloides, H. isaaci and R. sanguineus. Horses were infested with Otobus megnini and R. sanguineus. The ticks on wild hare (Lepus nigricollis) were identified as R. haemaphysaloides and H. bispinosa. Wild hare acts as a source of infestation to the sheep and goats since these animals shared the same field.

Surviving stroke is a life changing experience. Rehabilitation therapies for post-stroke patients plays an important role to regain independence and improve their quality of life. However therapies are often costly and requires constant monitoring by a trained physician. In this paper we present a cost effective home based rehabilitation system for post-stroke patients using kinect sensor. Since upper limb movements are greatly impaired after stroke, a quantitative evaluation of the limb functions of the patients is analysed. Healthy subjects, without any form of impairments, were asked to perform predefined actions with their dominant limb. Limb motions of these subjects are captured using kinect sensor. Skeletal data obtained from kinect sensor are processed to compute various kinematic parameters and a database is then created with these computed parameters. These database can be used as reference to compare and asses the values computed from the data of stroke patients who are undergoing therapies for limb evaluation. Thus with these reference values, an automated cost effective, user-friendly instrumental evaluation of post-stroke patients can be made.

Objective : The present study was designed to explore the combination therapy of lycopene with aliskiren in doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy. Methods : Cardiomyopathy was induced in Wistar rats by i.p. administration of Doxorubicin (DOX) (15 mg/kg, single dose). Haemodynamic parameters (Systolic, diastolic blood pressure, Heart rate), heart weight, heart weight/body weight ratio, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), oxidative stress (TBARS) and antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione, SOD and catalase) as well as transmission electron microscopein heart tissue were carried out. Results : There was significant increase in blood pressure, serum, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), oxidative stress (TBARS) and significant decrease in heart weight, heart weight/body weight ratio and antioxidant enzymes in cardiomyopathic rats. Combined therapy of lycopene (2 and 4mg/kg) with aliskiren (100 mg/kg) treatment showed pronounced beneficial effect on above parameters. Furthermore lycopene with aliskiren significantly improves the antioxidant defense by increasing reduced glutathione, SOD, catalase, heart size and heart weight/body weight ratio. It is clearly observed from Transmission electron microscopic slides of DOX treated rats, there was swelling of mitochondria with disruption of cristae, rupture of nuclear membrane, condensation and margination of nuclear chromatins which were well protected by lycopene along with aliskiren treatment. Conclusion : Therefore, combination therapy of lycopene with aliskiren offers better treatment for DOX-induced cardiomyopathy than ALK alone.

Melioidosis is an uncommon tropical infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. Neurological complications of melioidosis are extremely uncommon in infants. A 10-month-old girl is described who presented with disseminated melioidosis with subcutaneous nodules, arthritis, hepatomegaly and a lung cavity, and developed a left medial rectus palsy. Cranial MRI demonstrated mid-brain, pontine and basal ganglia micro-abscesses. Therapy with meropenem and cotrimoxazole led to resolution of the medial nerve palsy. At 5-month follow-up, the child had no residual neurological deficits.

Prevalence of Vibrio spp. with special reference to Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) infection was assessed in Penaeus vannamei farms in Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu during the period August 2014 to February 2015. Isolation and identification of bacteria from haemolymph, stomach and hepatopancreas of P. vannamei was done from all the farms for the prevalence of Vp infection. Based on the morphological, physiological and biochemical characterisation, 74 isolates were identified as Vp (35.14%), V. harveyi (21.62%), V. anguillarum (16.22%), V. campbellii (10.81%), V. mimicus (8.11%), V. alginolyticus (5.41%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.7%). The PCR results showed that there were 26 (35.14%) isolates positive for Vp specific toxR and tlh genes and negative for human pathogenic tdh and trh genes. All isolates were also negative for acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) specific AP1, AP2, AP3 ( pirAvp ) and AP4 ( pirAvp and pirBvp ) genes. The study revealed that there was no AHPND causing Vp strain in farmed P. vannamei from two important coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, India.

Thirteen human beings were infested with ticks at Sandynallah and Gudalur of the Nilgiris district and Mottur Suruvakkam of Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu from January 2016 to December 2016. The collected ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Otobius megnini and Hyalomma isaaci. The tick infestation was observed more on the persons working with animals (sheep and goats) than those working in tea estate. The person infested with R. haemaphysaloides revealed erythematous papule (2 mm size) and inflammatory lesion up to 16 days whereas, the people infested with H. isaaci showed continuous itching and irritation for > 6 months and wound formation (0.5 cm) at the biting site. The people infested with O. megnini showed irritation, vomiting sensation and fever.

Some Bis indole substituted coumarin deriva tives prepared in 3 steps. The final compound III is react with different substituted indole compounds and aceto nitrile at room temperature for 30 minutes the compounds S 1 - S 6 is obtained. The present investigation deals with the synthesized compounds havi ng anti hyperlipidemic activity. Table 1 and 2 show the levels of Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL of control and experiment rats respectively. Serum of hyperlipidemic rats showed significantly increased levels of Cholesterol, Triglycerides, L DL - C and low HDL – C, when compared with normal rats. In rats treated with various synthetic drugs and Atorvastatin there was significant decrease in the content cholesterol, TGs, LDL – C, and VLDL and increases HDL – C, when compared with cholesterol co ntrol rats.

Our objective is to investigate the smaller chain tripeptides and tetrapeptides with the efforts mainly directed towards the identification of compounds presenting a high bactericidal activity. In this connection, 5 peptides, Met-Arg-Tyr (MRY), Met-Val-Tyr (MVY), Met-Ile-Cys-Tyr (MICY), Phe-Trp-Lys-Tyr (FWKY) and Met-Trp-Lys-Tyr (MWKY) were synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis. The column eluted pure synthesized compounds were tested for in-vitro antibacterial disc diffusion assay using 2 g positive S. aureus, B.subtilis and 1 g negative E.coli bacterial strains at different concentrations predicted by pH and inhibitory concentration findings. 2 of the tetrapeptides, Phe-Trp-Lys-Tyr (FWKY) and Met-Trp-Lys-Tyr (MWKY) were found to be highly efficient against all the gram positive and microbial strains tested. Maximum activity was observed at a concentration of 300 µg/ml (499.17 µM) for the tetrapeptide Phe-Trp-Lys-Tyr (FWKY) against B. subtilis and at a concentration of 450 µg/ml (748.75 µM) against E. coli with the corresponding zonal inhibition diameter readings (17 mm; 16 mm). The tetrapeptide Met-Trp-Lys-Tyr (MWKY) was found to have high potency against S. aureus at a concentration of 450 µg/ml (769.23 µM) with the corresponding zonal inhibition diameter as 13 mm. The experimental results are analysed statistically by t-test at 5% and 1% level of significance. Our tetrapeptides have shown antibacterial action against both gram positive and gram negative strains and are considered safer as par with commercial antibiotics available today. Further clinical studies will make sure to position our potent small chain tetrapeptides in the arsenal of new broad spectrum anti-gram positive and anti-gram negative agent.

The XRN family of 5’→3’ exoribonucleases is critical for ensuring the fidelity of cellular RNA turnover in eukaryotes. Highly conserved across species, the family is typically represented by one cytoplasmic enzyme (XRN1/PACMAN or XRN4) and one or more nuclear enzymes (XRN2/RAT1 and XRN3). Cytoplasmic and/or nuclear XRNs have proven to be essential in all organisms tested, and deficiencies can have severe developmental phenotypes, demonstrating that XRNs are indispensable in fungi, plants and animals. XRNs degrade diverse RNA substrates during general RNA decay and function in specialized processes integral to RNA metabolism, such as nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), gene silencing, rRNA maturation, and transcription termination. Here, we review current knowledge of XRNs, highlighting recent work of high impact and future potential. One example is the breakthrough in our understanding of how XRN1 processively degrades 5’ monophosphorylated RNA, revealed by its crystal structure and mutational analysis. The expanding knowledge of XRN substrates and interacting partners is outlined and the functions of XRNs are interpreted at the organismal level using available mutant phenotypes. Finally, three case studies are discussed in more detail to underscore a few of the most exciting areas of research on XRN function: XRN4 involvement in small RNA-associated processes in plants, the roles of XRN1/PACMAN in Drosophila development, and the function of human XRN2 in nuclear transcriptional quality control. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA Decay Mechanisms.

Electro-reduction of solid UO 2 to U has been studied with molten CaCl 2 or LiCl as the electrolyte medium. Electro-reduction of thick (>3 mm), powder compacted and sintered pellets of UO 2 showed incomplete reduction resulting in a mixture of uranium metal and UO 2 . The extent of reduction of UO 2 to U was determined by employing a novel method called ‘metal estimation by hydrogen sensor (MEHS)’, in which the hydrogen evolved during the reaction of U metal in the reduced product with con. HBr was measured using an in-house developed polymer electrolyte based amperometric hydrogen sensor. The results of our investigations on incompletely reduced UO 2 pellets in both CaCl 2 and LiCl melts showed that the extent of reduction of different regions of the oxide pellet was different. It varied from 88.3% on the surface of the pellet as against 3.7% towards the centre bulk during electro-reduction in CaCl 2 (at 1173 K). The metallisation was found restricted to the surface of the pellets reduced in LiCl melt (at 923 K). Electro-reduction of small chunks of UO 2 pellet in CaCl 2 melt resulted in products with lower extent of reduction. Based on the measurements, a probable mechanism on the propagation of reduction through the solid UO 2 matrix during the electrochemical reduction process has been proposed.

Radiation stability of some room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) that find useful electrochemical applications in nuclear fuel cycle has been evaluated. The ionic liquids such as protonated betaine bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (HbetNTf 2 ), aliquat 336 (tri-n-octlymethylammonium chloride), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (bmimCl), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (hmimCl), N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPyNTf 2 ) and N-methyl-N-propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (MPPiNTf 2 ) have been irradiated to various absorbed dose levels, up to 700 kGy. The effect of gamma radiation on these ionic liquids has been evaluated by determining the variations in the physical properties such as color, density, viscosity, refractive index and electrochemical window. The changes in density, viscosity and refractive index of these ionic liquids upon irradiation were insignificant; however, the color and electrochemical window varied significantly with increase of absorbed dose.

Coccidiosis, caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria, is one of the major parasitic diseases characterized by subclinical contagious enteritis in domestic and wild animals. A total of 125 tissue samples (Abomasum, small intestine and large intestine) of sheep and goat were collected from slaughter houses in Chennai, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts and samples from necropsied small ruminants at Department of Veterinary Pathology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The overall prevalence of coccidiosis in single infection in collected samples was 28.57% (10/35). Grossly, the ileum and jejunum infected with coccidia showed oedema, congestion of serosa and mucosa. In few cases, the ileum showed a single white round raised spot. On histopathological examination, infected tissues showed different developmental stages like early, young and mature first generation schizonts with stage of blastophore formation, early stage of compartmentalization, advanced stage of compartmentalization, early and mature second generation schizonts with stage of merozoite formation, macromeronts, micromeronts, mature meronts, microgametocytes, macrogametocytes, microgamonts, macrogamonts and mature oocysts in the intestinal mucosa mainly in the epithelial crypts.

Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a rare cause of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) diagnosed in children and young adults with a nonspecific clinical presentation of dyspnea, cough, chest pain, and fatigue. It is characterized by extensive proliferation of pulmonary capillaries within alveolar septa. The imaging features include diffuse centrilobular ground-glass opacities with features of pulmonary hypertension. We present a case of PCH in an 11-year-old boy who was diagnosed with PPH in echocardiography and referred for diagnostic imaging.

This paper discusses the case report on Mycoplasma infection in cat and its timely diagnosis by blood smear examination and haematology. It also discusses the treatment and response of the cat for the disease. Haemobartonellosis in cats is caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis , formerly known as Haemobartonella felis . An eight months old Persian cat was received in the Small Animal Clinics, Out Patient Ward, Medicine department, Madras Veterinary College with the history to suspect for feline Mycoplasmosis. Peripheral blood smear and whole blood sample was collected and subjected to blood smear examination and whole blood for routine haematological study. It revealed codocytosis, anisocytosis and hypochromasia. Few ghost cells also were seen. Nearly 80–85% of the RBCs revealed darkly stained small organism at the rim or periphery of the cells.

Nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal of thiourea mixed cadmium–lead chloride dihydrate Cd[(PbCl3)(NH2CSNH2)].2H2O (TCCPC) have been grown in solution by slow evaporation technique at room temperature. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern has been recorded and indexed. The UV-Vis-NIR transmittance and FT-IR spectrum have been recorded in the range 200-1090 nm and 400-4000 cm-1, respectively. The lower cut-off wavelength is 280 nm in the UV region, which is higher than that of pure Cd(PbCl3) (CCPC) crystal. The presence of functional groups has been confirmed by FT-IR analysis. The TCCPC crystal was characterized by SEM and EDX spectrum. The second harmonic generation (SHG) of the thiourea mixed cadmium–lead chloride (TCCPC) crystal is demonstrated by the Kurtz Perry method using Nd:YAG laser and the results confirm that the grown crystal is roughly three times more efficient than ADP. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

SUMMARY In the present study, the ethanolic leaf and bark extract of Wrightia tomentosa were tested forcomparative in vivo antitumour properties against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumourbearing mice at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight doses given orally once daily for 16 days. TheEAC mice receiving 100 and 200 mg/kg ethanolic leaf and bark extract showed a dose dependentelevation in tumour – free survival and a highest number of survivors were observed at 200 mg/kg for leaf extract of ethanol, which was considered as an optimum dose for its anti neoplasticaction. The Median survival time for this dose was approximately 44 days when compared with23 days of non-drug treated controls. The results indicate that the administration of leaf extractnot only increased the survival of animals with ascites tumour and reduced packed cell volumeand viable tissue cell count, but also altered many hematological parameters changed duringtumour progression, indicating the potent antitumour nature of leaf extract than the bark extract.Statistical analysis also reveals that the leaf extract showed highly significant anti tumour potency(p < 0.001) when compared with control.Key words: Wrightia tomentosa; Ethanol extract; Leaf, Bark; Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC);antitumour

The mechanism of postovulatory follicle (POF) regression in birds is still poorly understood. In the current study, expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-13, chCXCLi2, chCCLi2, chCCLi4, chCCLi7, IL-10 and TGF-beta2 mRNAs was estimated in regressing POF by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, the changes in immune cell population, histological and apoptotic changes were also studied in regressing POF. The expression of cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta2) and chemokines (chCXCLi2, chCCLi2, chCCLi4 and chCCLi7) was upregulated in POFs, suggesting a role for these molecules in tissue regression. The histological findings suggested a significant infiltration of immune cells, especially heterophils, lymphocytes and macrophages, into the regressing POF. The flow cytometry analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations revealed that CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+) and Bu-1(+) lymphocytes were significantly increased during this regression. The significant up-regulation of chemokines might have attracted the immune cells during POF regression. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly increased during the regression of POF. The up-regulation of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta2 and down-regulation of GM-CSF might have induced apoptosis during the POF regression. However, expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 was not significantly altered during POF regression. In conclusion, cytokines appear to play an important role in the regression of POF in chicken. Furthermore, the regression of chicken POF seems to be an inflammatory event similar to luteolysis of the mammalian corpus luteum.

To investigate the prevalence of neurocysticercosis among free ranging pigs and to study the type of pathomorphological lesions in affected brains, a total of 200 brains were collected from pigs slaughtered at a local abattoir, between August, 2005 to March, 2006. Gross and histopathological examination revealed 3 % (6/200) occurrence of neurocysticercosis in pigs. Taenia solium cysticercosis is an under-rated zoonosis and is a leading cause of epilepsy due to neurocysticercosis in human population of India. The prevailing situation warrants immediate implementation of effective control measures for this dreaded disease.

Background: It is well established that accelerated atherosclerosis occurs in middle-aged and elderly adults with family history of coronary artery disease (CAD). However similar data on younger population with genetic predisposition is lacking. As identifying and treating this target group at an early stage will help in postponing the disease progression and delay the onset of clinical events later in life. Aim: We undertook the present study to investigate whether structural vascular changes related to atherosclerosis are detectable in healthy young adults with family history of CAD by non-invasive high resolution scan of the carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT). Materials and Methods: Fifty healthy young adults of both sexes, aged 18-25 years with family history of CAD were taken as cases and fifty age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure matched subjects without family history of CAD served as control. All participants completed a standardized cardiovascular disease risk assessment questionnaire and resting blood pressure, pulse rate and BMI were recorded. None of the subjects were smoker or alcoholic. Both cases and controls were subjected to high resolution B-mode ultrasonographic evaluation of CIMT. Fasting blood samples were drawn for baseline investigations and lipid profile estimation. Results: Compared to control subjects, cases had increased CIMT (mean of combined sites 0.57 ± 0.08 mm vs 0.46 ± 0.05 mm in controls, p

In the present work few novel 2-(4-methylbenzenesulphonamido)pentanedioic acid amide derivatives and the basic compound 2-(4-methylphenylsulfonamido)pentanedioic acid have been synthesized, characterized and screened for their possible antineoplastic activity both in vitro and in vivo . The in vitro activity was performed against five human cell lines like human breast cancer (MCF-7), leukemia (K-562), ovarian cancer (OVACAR-3), human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and Human kidney carcinoma (A-498). The in vivo activity was performed in female swiss albino mice against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Among the synthesized compounds, ureide, p -bromoanilide, p -nitoanilide, o -bromoanilide and p -methylanilide derivatives of 2-(4-methyl benzene sulphonyl)-pentanedioic acid amides showed encouraging activity in both the in vitro and in vivo compared to other compounds. It was noticed that final derivative compounds show a better activity than the parent compound and it may be due to the substituents present in those compounds.

In the present work few novel 2-(4-methylbenzenesulphonamido)pentanedioic acid bis amide derivatives and the basic compound 2-(4-methylphenylsulfonamido)pentanedioic acid have been synthesized, characterized and screened for their possible antineoplastic activity both in vitro and in vivo . The in vitro activity was performed against five human cell lines like human breast cancer (MCF-7), leukemia (K-562), ovarian cancer (OVACAR-3), human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and Human kidney carcinoma (A-498). The in vivo activity was performed in female swiss albino mice against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Among the synthesized compounds, ureide, anilide, p -nitoanilide and o -bromoanilide derivatives of 2-(4-methyl benzene sulphonyl)-pentanedioic acid bis amides showed encouraging activity in both the in vitro and in vivo compared to other compounds. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjp.v9i4.19774