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BackgroundCancer rates continue to climb, owing largely to the world population’s aging and growth, as well as economically developing countries, a surge in cancer-causing behavior, particularly smoking. The third or fourth most prevalent type of cancer is colon cancer. Cancer of the large intestine (colon) is one of the primary causes of death from cancer. Colorectal cancer prevention is mostly based on adenomatous disease screening approaches. The cytotoxic and pharmacological properties of Phoenix pusilla are widely documented. As a result, there is little recorded evidence of its cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells. Therefore, we planned to study the efficacy of a methanolic leaf extract of Phoenix pusilla against in vitro colon cancer cells. AimTo evaluate the anti-cancer effects of the methanolic leaf extract of Phoenix pusilla on colon cancer cell lines. Materials and MethodsIn vitro screening and anti-cancer effects of the methanolic effect of Phoenix pusilla on colon cancer cell lines were assessed by cell viability assays and cell and nuclear morphological studies. For the in vitro cell culture study, different concentrations of Phoenix pusilla leaf extract (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 μg/ml) were used, and IC50 doses were calculated. ResultsThe results of the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay revealed that the fraction of viability cells significantly decreased in treated cells when compared to untreated control groups, was expressed as 100%, and an inhibitory concentration of μg/ml was identified. A phase-contrast microscope was used to observe cell shrinkage and cytoplasmic membrane blebbing. A fluorescent microscope was used to examine the apoptotic nuclei (internally dyed nuclei, shattered nuclei, and condensed chromatin). ConclusionIn conclusion, the present study results showed that the leaf extracts of Phoenix pusilla had a strong cytotoxic effect and induced significant apoptosis in the colon cancer cell lines at a concentration of 75 μg/ml in the 24 h incubation period. More research is needed to investigate the extract’s active components as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-cancer properties.

BackgroundWood apple (Limonia acidissima) has been reported to possess various pharmacological activities. The present study aimed to evaluate the 11 selected constituents of Wood apple (L. acidissima) as potent anti-dandruff and anti-acne agents using a molecular docking approach. Materials and MethodsThe 11 selected constituents of Wood apple were studied on the molecular docking behavior of Malassezia globosa Lipase-1 and Cutibacterium acnes beta-keto acyl synthase-III enzymes by using the patchdock method. Furthermore, STITCH analysis was carried out to determine the ligand-protein interactions. STITCH analysis reveals that two ligands, namely, psoralen and umbelliferone, have exhibited interactions with both the M. globosa and P. acnes KPA 171202 proteins. ResultsThe docking studies revealed that isopimpinellin and saponarin exhibited the highest (ACE) atomic contact energy (−162.32 and − 318.63 kcal/mol) with that of M. globosa Lipase-1 and C. acnes beta-ketoacyl synthase-III, respectively. ConclusionThus, the present finding provides new knowledge for understanding the 11 selected ligands of Wood apple (L. acidissima) as potent anti-dandruff and anti-acne agents.

Harini Bejjanki,1 Lazarus K Mramba,2 Stacy G Beal,3 Nila Radhakrishnan,1 Rohit Bishnoi,1 Chintan Shah,1 Nikhil Agrawal,4 Neil Harris,3 Robert Leverence,1 Kenneth Rand3 1Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 2Statistics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 3Department of Pathology, Immunology, & Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; 4Department of Nephrology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Background: The recommendations of the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation’s “Choosing Wisely®” initiative recognize the importance of improving the appropriateness of testing behavior and reducing the number of duplicate laboratory tests.Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an electronic medical record Best Practice Alert (BPA or “pop up”) intervention aimed at reducing duplicate laboratory tests and hospital costs.Design: Comparison of the number of duplicated laboratory tests performed on inpatients before and after the intervention.Setting: University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, Gainesville, FL, USA, during 2014–2017.Intervention: The electronic medical record intervention was a BPA pop-up alert that informed the ordering physician if a recent identical order already existed along with the “ordering time”, “collecting time”, “resulting time”, and the result itself.Main outcome measures: Percentage change in the number of inpatient duplicate orders of selected clinical biochemistry tests and cost savings from reduction of the duplicates. Student’s t-test and beta-binomial models were used to analyze the data.Results: Results from the beta-binomial model indicated that the intervention reduced the overall duplicates by 18% (OR=0.82, standard error=0.016, P-value

The present article reviews various evolutionary events that resulted in skin color variation among humans. Skin of the early man is presumed to be colorless as that of the chimpanzees. During the course of evolution, hairless state of skin with sweat glands would have occurred for the purpose of thermoregulation. Thermoregulation was very important for brain development and function. In due course, pigmentation occurred in the naked skin of man in order to offer photo-protection. The physiological demand of vitamin D 3 and folate in human system and the effect of sun-light in their synthesis and metabolism would have further established some changes in the skin color of man in various geographic locations. Although genetics and physiological adaptations have determined human skin color in different groups/races, during the course of civilization, humans have developed a deep desire to change skin color. Current scientific research on development of novel agents for modulation of skin color is likely to benefit in pigmentary disorders and also in psychological well being through the use of cosmetics.

Background: The key focus of crop diversification is the selection of compatible crops for increasing biodiversity, efficient use of resources and enhancing system productivity. Monocropped coconut gardens provide ample scope for crop diversification through the inclusion of several crops as intercrops. The present study was conducted to assess the feasibility of intercropping maize, finger millet, black gram and green gram in coconut garden. Methods: Field experiments were conducted during two consecutive summer seasons to assess the suitability of maize, finger millet, black gram and green gram as intercrops in coconut garden. Result: The present investigation revealed that maize (cereal) and finger millet (millet) were suitable as intercrops in coconut garden. The adaptability of the tested crops and system productivity were assessed and discussed. On the whole, the nutrient balance sheet revealed the importance of soil test based nutrient management for intercropping in coconut garden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is the most widely cultivated pulse crop of Kerala. Deficiencies of micronutrients viz., Zn and B are a common problem in cowpea. Foliar nutrition is very effective to correct the micronutrient deficiencies in pulses but it is too laborious. Seed pelleting and priming are two simple cost-effective methods to overcome the micronutrient deficiencies. The present study aimed to study the effect of seed invigouration with zinc sulphate and borax and to evaluate its effect along with Trichoderma viride on nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status of grain cowpea. Methods: The experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The experiment was conducted in RBD with 8 seed invigouration treatments and a control during Rabi 2018. Result: Seed invigouration treatments had significant effect on nutrient uptake and nutrient availability. Seeds primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4h recorded the highest NPK uptake by crop, the highest soil organic carbon content, available N and Zn status. Zinc uptake by crop and available soil K status were recorded the highest in seed primed in ZnSO4 0.05 per cent for 4 h + Trichoderma viride seed treatment 10 g kg-1 seed. Boron uptake by crop and available soil B and P status were recorded the highest in seeds pelleted with borax 100 mg kg-1 seed. Hence it can be concluded that seed primed in ZnSO4 with 0.05 per cent for 4 h improved the Zn availability and uptake and seed pelleting with borax 100 mg kg-1 improved the B availability and uptake of grain cowpea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In August 2022, snake gourd plants (cv. Kaumudi; n = 90) were observed with mosaic, mottling, blistering, vein banding and deformed fruits at Vellayani (N 8°25'59.6", E 76°59'09.5"), Kakkamoola (N 8°25'26.0", E 77°00'21.9") and Manamboor villages (N 8°42'58.0", E 76°46'36.0") of Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. Disease incidence ranged between 28.5 and 100%. The viruses were sap transmissible and maintained in snake gourd and in local lesion hosts viz., Chenopodium amaranticolor and Nicotiana tabacum var Samsun. The viruses were mechanically transmissible to cucurbitaceous crops and N. glutinosa. No symptoms were produced in tomato, chili, brinjal and papaya. The symptomatic snake gourd samples reacted positively with Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) polyclonal antiserum (DSMZ, Germany) in double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) polyclonal antiserum (ICAR-NRC, Tamil Nadu) in Direct antigen coating ELISA. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction gave amplicons of size 1200 and 400 bp with primers specific to the coat protein gene of PRSV and the 2a protein gene of CMV, respectively. Comparative nucleotide sequence alignment of isolates revealed 86.5 and 93.8% homology with PRSV and CMV isolates of snake gourd from Tamil Nadu. Phylogenetic analysis identified PRSV isolates as type W. The results of the current study revealed for the first time the etiology of the snake gourd mosaic disease complex in Kerala, which can pave the way for devising management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]