Antidyslipidemic Effect of Ocimum sanctum Leaf Extract in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

The antidyslipidemic activity of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract was studied in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. In this model, there was significant increase in plasma markers of diabetic-dyslipidemia following diminution of lipid metabolizing enzymes. Oral administration of leaf extract (500 mg/kg b.w.p.o.) for 15 days resulted in significant decrease in diabetogenic and dyslipidemia parameters; namely blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid peroxide, free fatty acids, small dense low density lipoprotein, lipid and protein components of plasma lipoproteins, adipose and liver. The regulation of lipids was accompanied by stimulation of postheparin lipolytic activity, reactivation of lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase and hepatic lipoprotein lipase enzymes. The results of the present study demonstrated antidyslipidemic and antioxidant activities in leaf extract of O. sanctum which could be used in prevention of diabetic-dyslipidemia and related complications.     

Comparative Study of Serum Amylase and Lipase in Acute Pancreatitis Patients

To establish utility of single enzymatic marker for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. This is a cohort study. Tertiary care centre proven cases of acute pancreatitis (n = 50) admitted in surgery ward between December 2011 and May 2013 were included in the study. Serum amylase and lipase were performed along with many analytes. All relevant data including serum lab values and imaging were collected. All 50 patients included in the study had raised serum lipase, 42 patients had both amylase and lipase raised, 8 patients had amylase normal but lipase raised. In smaller hospitals where limited lab and radiological facilities are available, estimation of serum lipase will be a better choice over serum amylase in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.     

Demonstration of a new biosensing concept for immunodiagnostic applications based on change in surface conductance of antibodies after biomolecular interactions

We report an important observation that the surface conductivity of antibody layer immobilized on polylysine-coated glass substrate decreases upon the formation of complex with their specific antigens. This change in conductivity has been observed for both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. The conductance of monoclonal mouse IgG immobilized on polylysine-coated glass substrate changed from 1.02×10⁻⁸ Ω⁻¹ to 1.41×10⁻¹¹ Ω⁻¹ at 10 V when complex is formed due to the specific biomolecular interactions with rabbit anti-mouse IgG F(ab′)₂. Similar behavior was observed when the same set up was tested in two clinical assays: (1) anti-Leishmania antigen polyclonal antibodies taken from Kala Azar positive patient serum interacting with Leishmania promastigote antigen, and (2) anti-p21 polyclonal antibodies interacting with p21 antigen. The proposed concept can represent a new immunodiagnostic technique and may have wide ranging applications in biosensors and nanobiotechnology too.     

Laboratory simulated dissipation of metsulfuron methyl and chlorimuron ethyl in soils and their residual fate in rice, wheat and soybean at harvest

Two sulfonylurea herbicides, metsulfuron methyl （Ally 20 WP） and chlorimuron ethyl （Classic 25 WP） were evaluated for their dissipation bchaviour in alluvial, coastal saline and laterite soils under laboratory incubated condition at 60% water holding capacity of soils and 30 ℃ temperature was maintained. In field study herbicides were applied twice for the control of grasses, annual and perennials broad leaves weeds and sedges in rice, wheat and soybean to find out the residual fate of both the herbicides on different matrices of respective crops after harvest. Extraction and clean up methodologies for the herbicides were standardized and subsequently analyzed by HPLC. The study revealed that the half-lives of metsulfuron methyl and chlorimuron ethyl ranged from 10.75 to 13.94 d irrespective of soils and doses applied. Field trials with rice, wheat and soybean also revealed that these two herbicides could safely be recommended for application as no residues were detected in the harvest samples.     

Integrated application of some compatible biocontrol agents along with mustard oil seed cake and furadan on Meloidogyne incognita infecting tomato plants

INTRODUCTION Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.), an important vegetable crop is heavily attacked by root knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp. For the manage-ment of root knot nematodes although chemical nematicides were used till 1982, due to their high cost, toxic effect on beneficial soil borne microorganism and carcinogenic effect on human beings alternative approaches are practiced mainly through eco-friendly means like biological control agents, organic amendments, etc. (Singh and …     

Use of Web 2.0 tools in academic libraries: A reconnaissance of the international landscape

The purpose of this paper is to provide a reconnaissance of major academic libraries located in Australia, Canada, the U.K. and U.S.A. that have embraced Web 2.0 tools for enhancing library services. The research is based on a survey of websites of 277 university libraries. The checkpoints used for this evaluative study were given by Nguyen (2008) for evaluating various Web 2.0 tools. Additional checkpoints were arrived at after visiting and browsing the various sites. The findings of the study acknowledge the strength of Web 2.0 tools in improving library services for users. Really Simple Syndication (RSS), Instant Messaging (IM) and blogs are popular in academic libraries. The paper concludes by offering best practices for implementing Web 2.0 tools in academic libraries.     

Temporal Trends of Malondialdehyde in Stored Human Plasma

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is widely used as oxidative stress biomarker in biomedical research. Plasma is stored in deep freezers generally till analysis. Effect of such storage on MDA values, which may be variable and prolong, was incidentally observed in the ongoing study which is to estimate oxidative stress with oral iron. Plasma from blood samples of pregnant women (20–30 years age) in third trimester of singleton pregnancy (n = 139), consuming oral iron tablets was stored at −20 °C with intention of MDA estimation, as soon as possible. However logistic problems led this storage for prolonged and variable period (1–708 days). When values of MDA estimated using “Ohkawa” 79 method and readings were plotted against time to check the temporal effect, it showed a hyperbolic curve. Standard deviation (SD) was lowest when samples were tested within 3 weeks time. The samples analyzed within 3 weeks had mean ± SD value of 31.59 ± 26.11 μmol/L, while 123.7 ± 93.97 and 366.5 ± 189.8 μmol/L for samples stored for 1–3 and 4 months to 1 year respectively. Mean ± SD were 539.9 ± 196.8 in the samples store for more than a year. Rate of change in values was also lowest (0.0433 μmol/L/day) in the samples tested within first 3 weeks, which rose to 1.2 μmol/L/day during 3 month’s storage. This rate peaked at storage of 120 days (1.87 μmol/L/day) and fell to 0.502 μmol/L/day in the second year of storage. It is concluded that at −20 °C, only 3 weeks of storage time should be considered valid for fairly acceptable stability in MDA values.     

Association of Inflammatory Biomarker C-Reactive Protein, Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Capacity Marker with HbF Level in Sickle Cell Disease Patients from Chattisgarh

This study was undertaken to determine the association of inflammatory biomarker, oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity marker with fetal haemoglobin (HbF) level among sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in Chattisgarh. The study group consisted of 51 SCD (SS) patients with painful episode, 49 SCD (SS) patients with steady state, 50 sickle cell trait (AS) and 50 controls. Malondialdehyde (MDA), CRP, total antioxidant power (FARP), total thiol and HbF levels were quantified. We found a significant positive (p < 0.0001) association between CRP and MDA levels and its inverse association with HbF level in SS patients. We also observed that antioxidant capacity had significantly positively (p < 0.0001) associated with HbF level. The protective effect of HbF was found, because the increase in HbF levels resulted in decrease in lipid peroxidation and inflammation in SCD patients. A decrease in the HbF level and its antioxidant capacity has been associated with the pathogenesis of SCD. These finding may explain the high level of HbF is ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammation in SCD patients.     

Lack of Circadian Pattern of Serum TNF-α and IL-6 in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis of a circadian variation in circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured at 4 h intervals of the day in 50 women with FMS satisfying American College of Rheumatology criteria for FMS (age 36.68 ± 9.89) as well as 50 healthy control women (age 32.82 ± 10.53). Serum TNF-α levels were substantially increased in patients with FMS but showed no circadian variation. In contrast, no difference in the levels of IL-6 was found. Moreover, there was also no circadian variation in both the groups of patients and controls. We conclude that no circadian pattern exists in the circulating levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α in patients with FMS, although TNF-α levels are found raised in patients with FMS.