bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of Salinity Intrusion in Community Health: A Review of Effectiveness of Adaptation Measures to Decrease Drinking Water Sodium (DWS) from Coastal Areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Shammi Mashura , Rahman Md. Mostafizur , Bodrud-Doza Md.
Published: January 2019

Increasing salt intake has substantial negative impacts on health and well-being. This review article focusses on the effect of salinity intrusion (SI) on the water quality and community health of coastal Bangladesh and to find out the effectiveness of interventions for reducing the negative effects of salinity. Saline water is a noteworthy reason for hypertension or high blood pressure in the coastal areas. Health status of women especially the pregnant women are vulnerable because of drinking water sodium (DWS) prompting to pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure and hypertension as well as infant mortality. Several interventions such as rainwater harvesting and Pond sand filter (PSF) system as well as managed aquifer recharge (MAR) usage and the integration of mixed sources were reviewed on the content of drinking water sodium (DWS). Although rainwater has the positive impact of low or no sodium intake on human health, it still possesses negative impacts from not having vital minerals. Despite what might be expected, in MAR a steady increment in sodium concentration through the span of the dry season was observed. It is, subsequently, important to increase awareness about drinking water sodium (DWS) intake by providing and adopting correct technological interventions.
Fast Processing Intelligent Wind Farm Controller for Production Maximisation
Authors: Ahmad Tanvir , Basit Abdul , Akhtar Samia , Anwar Juveria , Coupiac Olivier , Kazemtabrizi Behzad , Matthews Peter C.
Published: January 2019

A practical wind farm controller for production maximisation based on coordinated control is presented. The farm controller emphasises computational efficiency without compromising accuracy. The controller combines Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) with a turbulence intensity based Jensen wake model (TI-JM) for exploiting the benefits of either curtailing upstream turbines using coefficient of power ($C_P$) or deflecting wakes by applying yaw-offsets for maximising net farm production. First, TI-JM is evaluated using convention control benchmarking WindPRO and real time SCADA data from three operating wind farms. Then the optimized strategies are evaluated using simulations based on TI-JM and PSO. The innovative control strategies can optimise a medium size wind farm, Lillgrund consisting of 48 wind turbines, requiring less than 50 seconds for a single simulation, increasing farm efficiency up to a maximum of 6% in full wake conditions.
Entropy Generation Optimization for Rarified Nanofluid Flows in a Square Cavity with Two Fins at the Hot Wall
Authors: Al-Kouz Wael , Al-Muhtady Ahmad , Owhaib Wahib , Al-Dahidi Sameer , Hader Montasir , Abu-Alghanam Rama
Published: January 2019

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is utilized to study entropy generation for the rarefied steady state laminar 2-D flow of air-Al2O3 nanofluid in square cavity equipped with two solid fins at the hot wall. Such flows are of great importance in industrial applications, such cooling of the electronic equipment’s and nuclear reactors. In the current study, effects of Knudsen number (Kn), Rayleigh number (Ra) and the nano solid particles volume fraction (ϕ) on the entropy generation are investigated. The values of parameters considered in this work are as follows: 0≤Kn≤0.1, 〖10〗^3≤Ra≤〖10〗^6,0≤ϕ≤0.2. Length of the fins (LF) is considered to be fixed and equals to 0.5 m, whereas the location of the fins with respect to the lower wall (HF) is set to 0.25 and 0.75 m. Simulations demonstrate that there is an inverse direct effect of Kn on the entropy generation. Moreover, it is found that when Ra is less than 104, the entropy generation, due to the flow, increases as ϕ increases. In addition, the entropy generation due to the flow will decrease at Ra greater than 104 as ϕ increases. Moreover, the entropy generation due to heat will increase as both the ϕ and Ra increase. In addition, a correlation model of the total entropy generation as a function of all of the investigated parameters in this study is proposed. Finally, an optimization technique is adapted to find out the conditions at which the total entropy generation is minimized
State’s debt sustainability management: case of Ukraine
Authors: Zhuravka Fedir , Filatova Hanna , Podmarov Oleksandr , Aldiwani Khaled , Shukairi Fathi
Published: January 2019

Nowadays one of the relevant problems of economic development of Ukraine is the excessive increasing of the public debt that has a number of negative consequences for the financial system of the country. The article is devoted to the research of state’s debt sustainability concept. Special attention is paid to the development of an effective system of debt sustainability management. The aim of the article is to study the theoretical bases of the state’s debt sustainability, investigate scientific and methodological approaches to its management, analyze the public debt and debt sustainability of Ukraine. In order to achieve that goal, the following scientific methods were used: analysis and generalization, decomposition analysis, comparison and compilation. The authors analyzed the structure of the debt sustainability management system: objects, subjects, key principles, objectives, methods, instruments, etc. The list of key indicators of debt sustainability was substantiated and the authors compared their normative values in Ukraine and in world practice. Besides, the state and structure of public debt and the ratio of government debt to GDP were scrutinized. The obtained results proved the debt crisis deepening in Ukraine.
Demographic potential of sex-age structure as a factor of population dynamics
Authors: Arkhangelskiy Vladimir N. , Zinkina Yuliya V. , Shulgin Sergey G.
Published: January 2019

The study aims to assess the sex-age population structure in terms of its impact on the up-coming dynamics of natural increase and, consequently, on the general change in the population size. There are various approaches to assessing this influence, proposed and used by scientists who have studied this aspect of demographic dynamics. This article discusses a relatively simple indica-tor of the sex-age population structure, which allows estimating its future influence on the ratio of births to deaths, and on the natural population growth. The indicator proposed is the so-called demographic potential of the sex-age structure, which is the ratio of female population aged 10–39 to the population of both sexes aged 65 years and older. The number of births in the next 10–15 years largely depends on the size of the first one, while the number of deaths in this period depends on the size of the second one.

Before using the demographic potential of the sex-age structure to forecast the dynamics of natural population growth, a retrospective assessment of the relation of this potential with subse-quent natural population growth should be carried out for some particular time point in the past. We chose the sex-age structure of the mid-2000s and the natural increase (per 1000 population) in 2000–2015 for such assessment, accounting for 201 countries. The high value of the correlation coefficient (0.815) indicates that the current sex-age structure and its demographic potential can be used (with varying degrees of conditionality, of course) to forecast the future dynamics of natural growth. In turn, the size of the demographic potential of the sex-age structure of the population depends on the preceding levels of fertility and mortality.

An assessment of the demographic potential of the sex-age population structure in mid-2015 for 201 countries of the world showed that in a number of countries in Asia and Africa the value of this potential exceeds 10, so significant natural population growth is highly probable there in the next 10–15 years. Meanwhile, in a number of European countries the value of this potential is less than 1 (i.e., the population aged 65 years and older is larger than the female population aged 10–39 years), which is likely to result in a very small natural increase (in case of a favorable mode of pop-ulation reproduction) or even a natural decline.
T-wave Area Dispersion in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting is Indicative for Increased Risk of Adverse Events in Diabetics
Authors: Simov Dimitar , Christov Ivaylo , Simova Iana
Published: January 2019

:

Problems in measuring the QT-dispersion are associated mostly with the inaccurate location
of the T-wave end. The complications are: (i) In methodology due to various definition for Tend, (ii) In
automatic measurements, due to low amplitude of T-wave, presence of U-wave and noise, and (iii) In
manual measurements, due to lack of repeatability in the results, and involuntary subjectivism, when
the QT-dispersion is measured by a person familiar with the ultimate goal of the study.

:

New ECG repolarization parameter, ‘T-Wave Area Dispersion’ (TWAD), has been defined by Kenttä
et al. 2018. Clustering ability of TWAD for prediction of risk for Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) has
been proven by the authors, working with a large database.

:

We have measured TWAD in peri-, and postoperative ECG recordings of patients, undergoing coronary
artery bypass grafting. Analysis of perioperative TWAD has shown an increased risk of adverse
events in diabetics. Postoperative TWAD parameters have deteriorated proportionally in both diabetics/
non-diabetics groups indicating increased cardiac risk within the first ten postoperative days.

:

The ability for diabetics/non-diabetics clustering of TWAD has been proven even in case of inaccurate
location of the Tend. So far this is a reasonable advantage of TWAD vs. QT-dispersion in the study of
ECG repolarization.
Endothelium: A Target for Harmful Actions of Metals
Authors: Vassallo Dalton V. , Wiggers Giulia A. , Padilha Alessandra S. , Simões Maylla R.
Published: January 2019

The use of heavy metals is closely linked to the history of mankind. They have been used
as important materials in a wide variety of human activities such as manufacturing utensils and
tools. Such extended use has significantly increased professional and environmental exposure to
mercury, lead and cadmium. These metals are known to produce hypertension in humans and animals
and, among other effects, they can also affect endothelial function. Results described here
suggest that mercury, lead and cadmium affect vascular reactivity, even at low doses or concentrations.
Several vascular actions are mediated by the endothelium via increasing the production of
free radicals and angiotensin II by local ACE stimulation. These results provide further evidence
that these toxic metals, even at low doses, are an environmental risk factor to the exposed population.
These results also suggest that continuous exposure to these metals, followed by their absorption
and progressive accumulation in the body, may be hazardous to cardiovascular function. Therefore,
the current reference values, which are considered safe, need to be reduced.
Comprehensive Review on Diabetes Associated Cardiovascular Complications - The Vitamin D Perspective
Authors: Durgarao Y. , Manjrekar Poornima A. , Adhikari Prabha , Chakrapani M. , Rukmini M.S.
Published: January 2019

Vitamin D, a steroid hormone is primarily known for its role in calcium and bone mineral homeostasis. Over the years, vitamin D has been implicated in various non-skeletal diseases. The extraskeletal phenomenon can be attributed to the presence of vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in almost all cells and identification of 1-α hydroxylase in extrarenal tissues. The vitamin D deficiency (VDD) pandemic was globally reported with increasing evidence and paralleled the prevalence of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A dependent link was proposed between hypovitaminosis D glycemic status, insulin resistance and also the other major factors associated with type 2 diabetes leading to CVDs. Insulin resistance plays a central role in both type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance syndrome. These 2 disorders are associated with distinct etiologies including hypertension, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and significant vascular abnormalities that could lead to endothelial dysfunction. Evidence from randomised clinical trials and meta-analysis, however, yielded conflicting results. This review summarizes the role of vitamin D in the regulation of glucose homeostasis with an emphasis on insulin resistance, blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, endothelial dysfunction and related cardiovascular diseases and also underline the plausible mechanisms for all the documented effects.
Stingray and Shark Tagging Analysis in Promotion of Population and Ecosystem Conservation: Alabama, Florida 2015-2018 Project Report
Authors: Lahn Rhoni A.
Published: January 2019

Stingrays and sharks are linchpin species that help maintain the function and stabilization of local bay systems. A three-year tagging project was designed and implemented in an effort to gather migration and habitat data of target species. Seventy-two specimens were tagged using labeled, plastic anchor tags placed in the medial pectoral radials for rays and adjacent the dorsal fin for sharks. To date, tagged stingrays have a 0% return, sharks have a 12.5% return. Continued research is needed for a more complete understanding of their population dynamics in the promotion of on-going conservation efforts.
Greening the Urban Transport System towards Achieving Sustainability
Authors: Saha Polin Kumar , Akhter Shahida
Published: January 2019

The transport system comes along with a broad range of sustainability issues, including environmental, social and economic stability of the transportation. As we are going through a new development paradigm with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), therefore, our urban transport system should now be “green”, that requires an alignment with the core purposes of several stakeholder groups. The study explores the stand point of the situation in the context of rapid urbanization and addresses the components of our urban transport systems. The study follows a qualitative approach to find out the possible answer considering the daily transport experiences of city dwellers. Urban transport system is considered as the study experimental unit and a sample of four Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) conducted within four groups of urban citizens-adult male, female, older and younger. Finally, the study experiences illustrate with many technical and non-technical strategic solutions, which might be implemented in the context of poor road infrastructure, technology, people’s desires, capital intensive nature and the overall the good governing system. With different approaches towards greening the transport system, research concludes that the non-technical review is more important and quicker solution than the technical solutions for Dhaka city.
La Ciudadanía en el siglo XXI. Una reflexión a partir de la expansión de la informalidad
Authors: Álvarez Enríquez Lucía
Published: January 2019

Este texto se propone reflexionar y proponer a debate la vigencia, actualidad y pertinencia que detenta la idea-concepto de ciudadanía en el siglo XXI, a la luz de un conjunto de procesos y fenómenos político-sociales que han puesto en cuestión algunos de sus referentes y rasgos normativos más clásicos: el Estado-nación, la institucionalidad democrática, la universalidad, la legalidad y la vigencia de los derechos. Interesa destacar estos cambios a la luz de la creciente urbanización experimentada en los distintos continentes en el marco de la globalización, la intensificación de las migraciones intra e internacionales en todo el planeta, la acreditación de la diversidad cultural y social, y de la expansión sin precedentes de la población informal, siendo este último proceso, el eje principal de la reflexión en este trabajo.
Screening of antioxidant property of Eclipta alba
Authors: Mittal Rohit , Kumar R , Chahal HS
Published: January 2019

The aim of the study was to examine the possible antioxidant activities of the methanolic extracts of medicinal plants, Eclipta alba. We examined for such properties such as nitric oxide radical scavenging assay, DPPH radical scavenging activity. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that have one or more unpaired electrons on its outer orbital, highly reactive, and could damage cell inside human body. Human body produce antioxidant to neutralize free radicals, but human ageing and stress oxidative conditions would increase the formation of free radicals, therefore an exogenous antioxidant are needed. Asteraceae is the largest family among the plant kingdom, therefore it has a great potential as source of exogenous antioxidant. The flavonoid content of the plant extract was estimated by the method of (Lamaison and Carnat, 1990). Briefly 1.0 ml of plant extract was mixed with 1.0 ml of aluminium chloride reagent and resultant colour was read at 430 nm. The flavonoid content of the extract was expressed as mg quercetin equivalent/gm dry wt. of extract. The coarsely powdered plant materials of Eclipta alba (2000 g) were extracted separately to exhaustion in Soxhlet apparatus for 72 hours by using methanol solvent The crude extract was filtered using 125 mm Whatman® qualitative filter paper under sterile condition. A methanol solution of the sample at various concentrations was added to 0.5 ml of 0.1 mM methanolic solution of DPPH and allowed to stand for 30 min at 25°C in darkness. The absorbance of the sample was measured at 517 nm. A 0.1 mM solution of DPPH in methanol was used as control, whereas ascorbic acid was used as reference standard.  The absorbance of the pink chromophore formed during the diazotization of the nitrite with sulphanilamide and the subsequent coupling with naphthyl ethylenediamine dihydrochloride was measured at 546 nm.  The percentage of inhibition of the extract shown 39% in 25µg and in 100µg it was 73 percent.
Formulation and evaluation of transdermal drug delivery system of verapamil hydrochloride
Authors: Marapur S C , Wali D S , Hunasagi B S , Chetankumar M , Patil R G
Published: January 2019

The aim of this research was to develop and evaluate a matrix type of transdermal drug delivery system containing Verapamil Hydrochloride. The series of formulations containing Verapamil Hydrochloride were formulated by using different polymers like HPMC (hydrophilic), CAP (hydrophobic) and EC (hydrophobic) in different ratios by solvent evaporation technique. Propylene glycol and Dibutyl phthalate were used as plasticizers. The 20% and 40% of DMSO is used as the penetration enhancer. Formulated transdermal patches were physically evaluated for thickness, weight variation, drug content, flatness, tensile strength, folding endurance, and water vapour transmission rate. The in-vitro drug release study was carried out by using Franz diffusion cell. The data obtained from release study shows increased percentage of drug permeated in 20% of DMSO containing formulation than 40% of DMSO containing formulation. Drug permeation is enhanced in the formulation containing high concentration of HPMC (VH1). The VH2 and VH6 helped in maintaining the rate of release at a constant level (20% DMSO). But in case of 40% DMSO is used as the concentration of CAP increases the rate of permeation increases. Skin irritation study does not show any irritation on the skin of rabbit. There is no possible interaction between drug and polymers in FITR as well as DSC. XRD of selected formulation shows that drug present in the formulation is in crystalline form.

Keywords: Verapamil HCl, HPMC, EC, CAP, DMSO, TDDS, Solvent evaporation
A brief review of some important medicinal plants used in the treatment of asthma
Authors: Patel Arshu P , Siddaiah M.
Published: January 2019

Asthma is a common disease that is rising in prevalence worldwide with the highest prevalence in industrialized countries. Asthma affects about 300 million people worldwide and it has been estimated that a further 100 million will be affected by 2025. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Folk (Tribal) medicines are the major systems of indigenous medicines. Over three-quarters of the world population relies mainly on plants and plant extracts for health care. Unlike many diseases, which can be attributed to the life style of modern man, asthma is an ancient illness. There are number of medicinal plants have been reported for antihistaminic/anti-asthmatic activities like Achyranthes aspera, Tephrosia purpurea, Dolichos lablab, Eclipta alba, Jasminum sambac, Balanites aegyptiaca, Viscum album, Tridex procumbens, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Cassia fistula. Present review is focused on used of medicinal plants for treatment of asthama. It is suggested that formulation and patent of the reported medicinal plants is mandatory for further use against asthma and if possible, clinical trials should be done of these plants for their appropriate use.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, Asthma, Mast cells, Antihistaminic.
Physicochemical, Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis of the Leaf and Bark of Bombax Ceiba L (Red Silk Cotton Tree)
Authors: Karole Sarita , Gautam Girendra , Gupta Shailesh
Published: January 2019

Bombax ceiba L is a big deciduous tree found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and Australia. Conventional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani have been highlighted the use of B. ceiba parts (bark, leaves and flower) for the treatment of manydiseases like hypertension, HIV infections, inflammation, catarrhal affection, ulcer, acne, gynecological disorders, fever, dysentery, algesia, hepatotoxicity,  piles and urinary infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate pharmacognostic, physicochemical, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of leaf and bark of B. ceiba collected from Bhopal region of Madhya Pradesh. The pharmacognostic studies out in terms of various investigations like organoleptic or morphological characters, microscopic or anatomical studies, physicochemical evaluations (loss on drying, ash value, extractive values and acid insoluble ash value). Qualitative analysis of various phytochemical constituents and quantitative analysis of total phenolics and flavonoids were determined by the well-known test protocol available in the literature. The detail microscopy of bark revealed the presence of cork cell, lignified fibre, calcium oxalate crystals, xylem vessels. Physiochemical parameters such as percentage of foreign matters, ash values, loss on drying swelling index, extractive values were determined. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and glycosides.  In the procedure of quantitative analysis of flavonoids and phenolic   compound was carried out by aluminium chloride Folins and Ciocalteau reagent method .In this methodthe totalflavonoids content and phenolic content of B. ceiba ethanolic and aqueous barks extracts was found to be 6.272, 3.363 and 2.607, 1.607mg /100mg respectively and total phenolic and flavonoids content of B. ceiba ethanolic, aqueous leaves extracts was found to be 7.381, 4.590 and 3.200, 1.792 mg/100mg respectively. These information will also be helpful to differentiate B. ceiba from the closely related other species. The diverse array of phytochemicals present in the plant thus suggests its therapeutic potentials which may be explored in drug manufacturing industry as well as in traditional medicine.
Gastro-protective effects of methanol extract of Tephrosia calophylla
Authors: Ramesh C , Prameela Rani A.
Published: January 2019

Objective: The present research work was designed to investigate gastro protective potentials of methanol extract of Tephrosia calophylla.

Methods: The aerial parts of Tephrosia calophylla were dried under shade, powdered and deffated with petroleum ether and then marc left over was subjected to methanol extraction using soxhlet apparatus. Antiulcer activity of methanol extract was determined against stress induced and aspirin induced ulcers in experimental animal models. The total number of ulcers formed, ulcer index, percentage inhibition, ulcerated area, protected area, pH and Total acidity were parameters in the study.

Results: Methanol extract of Tephrosia calophylla have significantly reduced the total number of ulcers formed, ulcer index, ulcerated area and total acidity in therapeutic groups compare to vehicle control and there by significantly increased percentage inhibition of ulcers and protected area which was evident by significant rise in pH of gastric content. The effect of extracts was dose dependent and results were comparable to that of standard drug omeprazole.

Conclusion: The results obtained from the present work suggest that the methanol extract of Tephrosia calophylla possess significant anti-ulcer potentials against experimentally induced ulcers in albino rats.

Keywords: Tephrosia calophylla, Anti ulcer activity, Ethanol, Aspirin Ulcer index, pH, total acidity, Percentage inhibition and percentage of protected area.
Gruhadhuma in Agada Yogas: a review
Authors: Hussain Gazala , Kadibagil Vinay R
Published: January 2019

Gruhadhuma is an ingredient mentioned in Ayurveda pharmaceutics in a group of drugs termed as panchamrittika. It is an ingredient that is used in various formulations in the treatment of vishas (poisons). Many formulations for the management of various poisons like snake bite, keetavisha (insect poisons), etc. have been explained in Ayurveda treatise that contains it as an ingredient. The agada yogas (formulations for poisonous bites) mentioned for the management of various poisons in bruhatrayee contain ingredients that are both herbal and mineral in origin. Formulations having gruhadhuma have been mentioned for oral administration, as nasya (nasal inhalation), anjana (collyrium), lepa (anointment), etc.  A literary search through the treatises of Ayurveda has put a light on the various formulations containing it.

Keywords: Agadayogas, Gruhadhuma, poisons, formulations
Virtual screening and molecular docking of Anti-Antileishmanial for selected pharmacophore for visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Rana Sindhuprava , Sivaperumal R
Published: January 2019

Objective: DNA amplification of Cysteine protease of Leishmania donovani and study the interaction of cysteine protease inhibitors, antileishmanial compounds with cysteine protease receptor in various computational programs.

Materials and methods: Cysteine protease DNA of Leishmania donovani was amplified by PCR. The sequence of cysteine protease has been modeled and docked with suitable inhibitors by using various servers and computational tools. The model was designed, compared and validated by DOPE and Verify 3D scores. The model and the compound interaction were studied by LibDock and other programs.

Results: Cysteine protease DNA of Leishmania donovani was successfully amplified by PCR. The structural modeling was done to achieve effective enzyme inhibition, inhibitors block the binding sites of that protein. Homology modeling of cysteine protease has been done and docked with suitable inhibitors by using various servers and computational tools. The model was designed, compared and validated by DOPE and Verify 3D scores by using DSv3.5. Licochalcone-a alone showed 37 LibDock conformations with 6 different poses, were suitably docked at the site 1 with hydrogen bond formation. The study would help to design the novel drugs in respect of resistant one for the treatment of harmful visceral Leishmaniasis.

Conclusion: The molecular interaction of vinyl sulfones, hydrazide derivatives, antileishmanial drugs molecules and carbohydrazide derivatives have exhibited ideal molecular interaction with cathepsin B, a cysteine protease of L. donovani, amino acids such as Cys29, Hisl88 and Asn208 has been found to be active residues. Licochalcone-a and hydrazide derivative may become future antileishmanial compounds, which needs to be tested in in vitro and in vivo.

Keywords: Cysteine Protease, Vinyl Sulfone, Hydrazide, Antileishmanial Drugs, Licochalcone, Visceral Leishmaniasis.
Update Review Article: Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Authors: Chouhan Priyanka , Dubey Rupal , Upmanyu Neeraj , Shrivastava Anoop
Published: January 2019

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and severe complication in cirrhotic patients with ascites. To describe spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in the context of currently accepted criteria for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. A review of SBP and its associated etiopathogenic factors is presented. Numerous studies on mechanisms of disease, bacteriology, epidemiology, diagnostic markers, and current guidelines for its diagnosis, treatment and prevention are discussed. Peritonitis in patients with ascites in the absence of secondary causes, such as perforation of a viscus, occurs primarily in patients with end-stage liver disease. Enteric organisms, mainly gram-negative bacilli, probably translocate to regional lymph nodes to produce bacteremia and seeding of ascitic fluid. Signs and symptoms of peritonitis are usually subtle. The ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear leukocyte count is the best determinant for early diagnosis and treatment of SBP. Third-generation cephalosporins such as cefotaxime are considered the drugs of choice for treatment, whereas quinolones such as norfloxacin are used to decrease recurrence. Despite increased awareness, early diagnosis, and prompt and effective antimicrobial therapy, SBP recurs frequently and is associated with a high mortality rate. Patients with SBP should be assessed for candidacy for liver transplantation.

Keyword: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, Bacteriology, Epidemiology, Diagnostic markers, Cephalosporins
Drafting of comprehensive harmonized regulatory guideline for storage and disposal of radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Sharma Sandeep , Baldi Ashish , Singh Rajesh K. , Sharma Rakesh Kumar
Published: January 2019

Recent era has witnessed an inordinate rise in the demand for radiopharmaceuticals due to their multifarious biomedical and clinical application. Scientific fraternity worldwide is continuously working in developing different innovative radiopharmaceuticals of immense clinical importance both from specialized theranostics and personalized medicine point of view. However, this increased production and use of radiopharmaceuticals in various nuclear medicine procedures have been accompanied by an inevitable problem concerning their storage after use and final disposal. Keeping in view the inherently hazardous nature of radiopharmaceuticals due to the presence of radionuclide in them, it is imperative to have an adequate regulatory backup which if followed meticulously can assure their safe storage and disposal so that threat to men and environment is prevented. The present work has been aimed to draft comprehensive regulatory guidelines for the storage and disposal of radiopharmaceuticals which is in resonance with the global standards. For this, the methodology consisting of a thorough research of existing guidelines from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) exclusively on storage and disposal of radiopharmaceuticals in India has been done with the objective to identify and select various parameters not yet explicitly covered as is their scope. The guideline has been made to suitably address all sorts of necessary documentation, allocation of responsibility, ways of waste prevention, various mechanisms to deal with radiopharmaceuticals waste in all forms of matter and suggestive recommendations.

Keywords: Radiopharmaceuticals, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Regulatory guidelines of radiopharmaceuticals
Anti-diarrhoeal activity of ethanolic extract of heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium roxb.
Authors: Shridhar Bhawna , Mani Munesh , Kumar Prevesh , Yadav Shivansh , Mahaur Kamal Kumar
Published: January 2019

Diarrhoea is a common cause of death in developing countries and second most common cause of infant’s death worldwide. Pterocarpus marsupium is a medicinal herb belonging to the family Fabaceae has been traditionally used in the treatment of diarrhoea. They were found to contain tannins, alkaloids, saponins, sterols, triterpenes and reducing sugars. This study evaluated the antidiarrhoeal activity of ethanolic extract of heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium induced by castor oil and magnesium sulphate in rat at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. The doses were given orally and showed significant antidiarrhoeal activity comparable with that of the standard drug loperamide. The statistical analyses of results were carried out using one-way analysis (ANOVA) followed by Student t-test.  On the basis of these ﬁndings, it can be assumed that Pterocarpus marsupium could be a potential source for novel discovery for antidiarrhoeal. These results may support the fact that this plant is used traditionally to cure diarrhoea.

Keywords: Pterocarpus marsupium, Anti-Diarrhoeal, Castor Oil, Magnesium Sulphate, Loperamide
Concept of essential hypertension in Ayurvedic perspectives
Authors: Kamble Sandeep S. , Khuje Sanjeev , Dwivedi O.P. , Jain Jinesh
Published: January 2019

Essential hypertension is an instrumental disease which is the recent diagnostic invention of modern science. However there is no any reference which directly resembles with its pathophysiological views in Ayurvedic classics. Lots of works have been carried out on concept of hypertension to evaluate the perfect diagnosis and mode of treatment on the basis of Ayurvedic principles, but a widely acceptable theory is still not available. Different nomenclatures also have been adopted by Ayurvedic researchers like Rakta pradoshaj Vyadhi, Uchharaktachapa and Uchharaktabhara etc. on the basis of pathophysiology and symptoms of disease. Different diseases were considered parallels to hypertension such as; Raktagata Vata, Raktavrita Vata, Pranavrita Vyana, Vyanavrita Prana and Shleshmavrita Vyana etc. Ayurveda believe that pathophysiology of other diseases routes through hypertension.

Keywords: Ayurveda, hypertension, Rakta pradoshaj Vyadhi, Raktagata Vata and Raktavrita Vata.
Formulation and evaluation sustained release mucoadhesive gastroretentive pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate tablets for anti–ulcer
Authors: Reddy M. Sunitha , Jalajakshi Bairapaka
Published: January 2019

Objective: The objective of this research work is to develop and evaluate the mucoadhesive gastroretentive tablets of an anti – ulcer drug for sustain release. Materials and Methods: Mucoadhesive tablets were prepared by direct compression method using Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K4M, Carbopol 940 NF and Guar gum in the various drug – polymer ratios.  The prepared tablets were evaluated for their pre and post compression parameters. In this study the optimized formulation was obtained within the specified limits. Results: The final optimized formulation was showed mucoadhesion time 12 h, mucoadhesive strength of tablets were ready with HPMC K4M, Carbopol 940 NF and gum were found to be 45 g and the extreme proportion of drug release was obtained 97.11% at the completion of 12 h. The drug release mechanism for optimized formulations of pantoprazole mucoadhesive sustain release tablets was observed to be zero order kinetic model. Conclusion: The formulation of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose showed excellent mucoadhesive ability and a suitable drug release pattern.

Keywords: Pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate, Gastroretentive, mucoadhesive polymers
A novel approach for failed lumbar spine surgery with topical phytotherapeutic treatment: a unique case study
Authors: Ganguly Apurba , Ganguly Devika
Published: January 2019

Objective: The aim of the study was to treat successfully the failed Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery (LSFS) with topical phytotherapy within twelve-week.

Methods: A male patient, aged 45years, was cripple with acute pain due to slipped disc for 4years and subsequently undergone LSFS at L4-L5 3years back. Being failed in surgery, he was treated with topical application of phytoextracts of seven medicinal plants (Cissus quadrangularis, Calotropis gigantea, Zingiber officinalis, Rosemarinus officinalis, Boswellia serratia, Curcuma longa and Withania somnifera) mixed with sesame oil and beeswax with specialized technique for twelve-week.

Results:  The percentages of improvement in international-approved pain related abnormalities and overweight were observed after post-treatment: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (Right leg: 94.91, Left leg: 94.87  and Lower back: 93.62), WOMAC index  (Pain: 88.23, Stiffness: 84.71 and Physical function: 74.07), Oswestry Disability index (ODI) (74.47), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) (62.50), Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) (80.00) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (11.93) and substantial improvement in radiological images as assessed by KL grading scale (≥ 2).

Conclusion: Results showed the failed LSFS at L4-L5 can be successfully treated with specialized topical phytotherapy within twelve-week, evidenced by normalization of international acclaimed pain parameters such as VAS, WOMAC index, ODI, LEFS, KPS and BMI and radiological feature as assessed by KL grading scale.

Key word: Intervertebral disc degeneration; Failed spine surgery; Phytoextracts; Phytotherapy for failed LSFS;  Medicinal plants
Antioxidant activity of stem bark of Elephant Apple in different solvents
Authors: Pandey Shipra , Singh Vineeta , Rao Anita , Tiwari Neha , Nanda Vageshwari , Pandey Vashist Narayan
Published: January 2019

Plants have been always played an important role in maintaining human health directly or indirectly. Dillenia indica Linn. is a plant known for its nutritive as well as medicinal properties. Bark of the plant has been blessed with various phytochemicals as alkaloids, tannins, phenols etc. which give the plant a defence mechanism to protect the plant. Presence of these phytochemicals proved that bark is also beneficial for human beings because of their therapeutic properties. In the present study the total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of the different extracts of bark of Dillenia indica Linn. have been examined and it is found that ascorbic acid as standard having the great antioxidant activity with lowest IC50. Fifty per cent methanolic extract showed higher amount of total phenolic content 47.6± 0.92 mg/gm and lowest IC50 value 13.43 ± 1.25µg/ml having highest antioxidant activity. In contrast with its aqueous extract having highest IC50 value 239.1 ± 2.15 µg/ml with lowest antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity has proved to be great source in the prevention of many life threatening diseases. The antioxidant activity of Dillenia indica Linn. should be further explored commercially to take its health benefits for serving the human society.
In-vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Argyreia cuneata (Willd.) Ker Gawl. (Convolvulaceae)
Authors: Prashith Kekuda TR , Bharadwaj Nitish A. , Sachin MB , Sahana BK , Priyanka GS
Published: January 2019

Objectives: Argyreia cuneata (Willd.) Ker Gawl. belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. The present study was performed to screen the potential of crude extract of various parts of A. cuneata to exhibit antimicrobial activity. Methods: Extraction of shade dried and powdered leaf, stem and flower of A. cuneata was carried out by maceration technique. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of extracts was evaluated by Agar well diffusion and Poisoned food technique respectively. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging and ferric reducing assays. Results:  All extracts were effective in inhibiting test bacteria and the susceptibility of bacteria to extracts was in the order: Bacillus cereus > Shigella flexneri > Escherichia coli > Salmonella typhimurium. Leaf extract and stem extract exhibited highest and least antibacterial activity, respectively. Extracts were effective in causing inhibition of seed-borne fungi viz. Aspergillus niger and Bipolaris sp to >50%. Leaf extract exhibited marked antifungal activity followed by flower extract and stem extract. All extracts were shown to exhibit concentration dependent scavenging and reducing activity. Antioxidant activity of extracts observed was in the order: leaf extract > flower extract > stem extract.  Conclusion: Among various parts of A. cuneata, leaf extract exhibited marked antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The plant can be employed as an effective antimicrobial and antioxidant agent in suitable form. Further studies may be undertaken to recover phytochemicals from the plant and to investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of isolated components.

Keywords: Argyreia cuneata, Maceration, Antimicrobial, Agar well diffusion, Poisoned food technique, Antioxidant
Formulation and evaluation of oxymetazoline hydrochloride nasal gels
Authors: Ramesh Yerikala , Abhirami B , Gnana Sri K , Kaveri S , Neha Sulthana SK , Sravya A.S.L.S.M. , Sujatha K
Published: January 2019

The main intend of the implement sniff out formulate and evaluate oxymetazoline nasal gels. To achieve more persistent blood levels with decrease dosage of medicine by extended drug evidence and by passing hepatic initially cross metabolism and body including inferable disgrace. Mod FTIR & DSC spectra there is not any discrepancein the seam clean medicine, polymers & lipids. The Carbopol consisting of reinforce precail eventual scintillating moreover transparent Poloxamer, Hydroxy Propyl Methyl cellulose gels crop up prospective lucent as a consequence frosted slimy. The pH value of all developed formulations of gels (ONGF1-ONGF8) was in the range of 6.2 to 6.9. Spreadability of gels was in the range 19.51 - 33.91 g.cm/sec, The Viscosity of various formulated gels was found in range of 8628 to 9622 centipoises. The percentage drug content of all prepared gel formulations were found to be in the range of 78.53 to 98.56 %. The gel strength of all prepared formulations of gels was found to be in the range of 69 to 96 %. In-vitro diffusion drug release of Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride of nasal gels ONGF1 shows the 95% drug release. The release order kinetics shows all the formulations ONGF1 to ONGF8 formulations were followed Korsemeyer-Peppas with correlation coefficient R2=0.8969 & 0.2692 respectively. ONGF1 formulation follows both Zero order and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, it indicates diffusion release mechanism followed by non-fickian transport.

Keywords: Nasal, gels, Oxymetazoline, In vitro diffusion, Carbopol.
Study to assess the health issues among employees working in selected call centres of Mangalore
Authors: Insha Maqbool , Rodrigues Devina E , Chavan Kiran Rao
Published: January 2019

Background: The new mantra for job opportunities among young population is “call center”. Though Bangalore is considered as hub for call centres, the slowly call centres are emerging in Mangalore. Since this job has got a lot of mental pressure, it can be even exhibited in the form of physical and physiological symptoms. Hence, an attempt has been made by the investigator to assess the health issues among call centre employees. Objectives: A descriptive study aimed to assess the health issues among employees working in selected call centres. Materials and Methods: Convenience sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 80 call centre employees. The dichotomous questionnaire having 22 items and baseline proforma having 16 items were given for the subjects to place their responses. Results: The present study revealed that overall percentage of health issues was around 19% that shows the employees had one or the other type of health issue. Headache was the most frequent complaint (66.3%) sounded by the subjects. Second common complaint was eye strain (45%) followed by back pain (43%). Less proportion (28.8%) of the respondents were restless and 27.5% had gained weight. There was  a significant association between age (χ2 =16.20,p<0.05), gender (χ2 =6.5,p <0.05), religion (χ2 =33.80,p<0.05), marital status (χ2 =49.37,p<0.05), type of family (χ2 =45.0,p <0.05), habits (χ2 =174.1,p <0.05), frequency of habits (χ2 =48.05,p <0.05), years of job experience (χ2 =28.67,p<0.05), type of shift (χ2=45.0,p<0.05), average number of working hours (χ2 =72.20,p <0.05), rest period (χ2 =54.45,p<0.05), duration of rest period (χ2 =25.87,p<0.05) and participation in health awareness program (χ2=76.05,p<0.05) with baseline characteristics. Conclusion: From the findings, it can be inferred that the longer the working hours, the more the health issues. The rest period ensures the less health issues. More the years of job experience more will be the health issues, the smokers had more health issues than the non smokers.                     

Keywords: Health issues, employees, call centres
Role of Kalmegha (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Wall. Ex Nees) in treating Vatarakta (Gout)
Authors: Sehgal Harsh , Singh Bhavna , Thapliyal Sanandan
Published: January 2019

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. Ex. Nees (A. Paniculata), i.e. Kalmegha is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various diseases such as fever, diarrhea, worm infestation, hepatic and skin diseases. Modern studies have also explicitly revealed that A. Paniculata has a wide range of pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-viral, anti-malarial, hepato-protective, anti-cancer, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and also work as an immune stimulator. On the other hand, Gout (Vatarakta) is one common metabolic disorder which affects over 1% of the world’s adult population.

Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of A.Paniculata in Gouty Arthritis.

Study Design: A clinical research, prospective in style, wherein a hypothesis, based on the previous studies on the various effects of A. Paniculata, was made; to assess its efficacy in treating Gout.

Methodology: Randomly selected patients (n = 31) were administered powder of A. Paniculata, 2 gms thrice daily with water, for 45 days with a follow-up in every 15 days for one month. Assessment of the treatment was based on before treatment (BT) and after treatment (AT) effects of A. Paniculata on the parameters namely; subjective, i.e. the symptoms of Gout and objective, i.e. the levels of Serum Uric Acid.

Results: In subjective parameters, Wilcoxon non-parametric test was used. The outcome shows that except the symptom i.e. Pallor (shwetata), in all other symptoms of Gout, p value was either < 0.05 or < 0.01, which is considered to be significant to highly significant. In objective parameter, Z test was used, in which the outcome of p value was < 0.01, which indicates that the effect of A.Paniculata on Serum Uric Acid is highly significant.

Keywords: Kalmegha, Andrographis paniculata, Gout, Vatarakta, Serum Uric Acid, Clinical Studies