Search

Background and Aim: Social isolation stress (SIS) and individual housing have been shown to cause abnormal cognitive insufficiencies, altered anxiety levels, and signs of psychiatric diseases. Acorus calamus (AC), commonly known as Sweet Flag, has been widely used in India to treat neurological, metabolic, and respiratory disorders, indicating its potential therapeutic value. This study aimed to determine the antidepressant and antioxidative effects of AC on rats subjected to long-term, social isolation-induced stress. Materials and Methods: This study involved 2-month-old male rats (24) weighing approximately 180–200 g bred in-house. The rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): Group 1 received saline, Group 2 received SIS, Group 3 received only 50 mg/kg AC, and Group 4 received 50 mg/kg AC and SIS for 6 weeks. After this, behavioral, biochemical, and neuronal assays were conducted. Results: Behavioral experiments showed significantly higher activity levels (p < 0.001) in AC-treated rats than in the SIS group. In addition, rats subjected to SIS with AC treatment exhibited enhanced total antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, and neuronal assays compared to rats subjected to SIS alone. Conclusion: Acorus calamus treatment improved the antidepressant and antioxidant potential against SIS in rat brain tissue. Moreover, we proved that AC can effectively reverse the neurotoxicity induced by SIS in animal models. As we battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and social isolation, AC could be considered a supplementary treatment to alleviate depressive-like symptoms in our present-day lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The south west coast of India has been showing a steady increase in shellfish cultivation both for local consumption and fishery export, over recent years. Perna viridis and Crassostrea madrasensis are two species of bivalve molluscs which grow in some selected regions of southern Karnataka, close to the city of Mangalore. In the early 1980s, shellfish consumers in the region were affected by intoxication from Paralytic Shellfish Poison present in local bivalves (clams and oysters) resulting in hospitalisation of many, including one fatality. Since then, there have been no further reports of serious shellfish intoxication and there is little awareness of the risks from natural toxins and no routine monitoring programme in place to protect shellfish consumers. This study presents the findings from the first ever systematic assessment of the presence of marine toxins in mussels and oysters grown in four different shellfish harvesting areas in the region. Shellfish were collected and subjected to analysis for ASP, PSP and lipophilic toxins, as well as a suite of non-EU regulated toxins such as tetrodotoxin and selected cyclic imines. Results revealed the presence of low levels of PSP toxins in oysters throughout the study period. Overall, total toxicities reached a maximum of 10% of the EU regulatory limit of 800 μg STX eq/kg. Toxin profiles were similar to those reported from the 1980 outbreak. No evidence was found for significant levels of ASP and lipophilic toxins, although some cyclic imines were detected, including gymnodimine. The results indicated that the risk to shellfish consumers during this specific study period would have been low. However, with historical evidence for extremely high levels of PSP toxins in molluscs, there is a strong need for routine surveillance of shellfish production areas for marine toxins, in order to mitigate against human health impacts resulting from unexpected harmful algal blooms, with potentially devastating socio-economic consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective was to study the morphology of fissures and lobes of the lung in South Indian population., Materials and Methods: The study included 60 adult cadaveric lungs which were obtained from the human anatomy laboratory. The specimens were macroscopically observed for gross morphology of fissures and lobes., Results: Only 32 (53.3%) lungs showed the fissures and lobes as described in the standard anatomy texts. Among the right lungs, 15 (46.9%) had incomplete horizontal fissure, 6 lungs (18.7%) had absence of the horizontal fissure and one lung (3.1%) had the azygous lobe. The remaining 10 right lungs (31.3%) showed the usual morphology. In the left lungs, normal morphology was observed in 22 cases (78.6%), 2 lungs had incomplete oblique fissure (7.1%), one lung had (3.6%) absence of the oblique fissure, one lung showed an accessory fissure and lobe (3.6%). The anomalous multiple fissures and lobar pattern was observed in 2 cases (7.1%)., Conclusion: Morphological knowledge of fissures and lobes of the lung is of importance to the thoracic surgeons in performing lobectomies and segmental resection. The radiologists should have an idea about these variations in interpreting the MRI and CT scans. We believe that the data from the present study certainly adds an important reference in the medical literature.