Estimation of withanolide A in diverse genotypes of Ashwagandha Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Fam. Solanaceae) commonly known as Ashwagandha has been used in traditional Indian medicine system from ancient times. Roots of the plant are being used in the preparation of many Ayurvedic medicines for treatment of many diseases. Many compounds have been reported and isolated from the roots, which mainly consists of withanolides, (steroidal lactones). In present study, the roots of 25 diverse W. somnifera genotypes were collected and evaluated for morphological parameters, such as root length, root diameter and dry root yield. Total alkaloids, crude fibers and starch content were also estimated from the dried roots of these accessions. TLC and HPLC revealed the presence of withanolide A in the methanolic extract of roots from diverse genotypes. Quantification through reverse-phase HPLC revealed varied concentrations of withanolide A in different genotypes grown under field conditions. Accumulation of withanolide A was reported highest in the genotype UWS-59 makes this genotype superior for medicinal use.

Time Series Modelling Of Hospital Census: Application On Out Patient Department Data Of An Ayurvedic Secondary Care Hospital

The main objective of this paper is to fitt a curve on OPD data, for predicting the hospital OPD data. Four models were selected for curve fitting. All four models were fitted to old and new OPD patients for male and female separately. Models equations and coefficient of determination were calculated. Second order polynomial model was fitted well in all situations though exponential model was fitted well on old OPD patient data.

SSR-Marker assisted evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Mungbean ( Vigna radiata (L.) Wilcezk) genotypes

ABSTRACT Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) also known as green gram is an important source of protein in the category of food legumes. In the present study, SSR marker is used to analyze the genetic diversity amongst 23 genotypes of mungbean. Out of a total of 10 primers used for SSR analysis revealed generation of 15 alleles. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one (CEDG006, CEDG010, CEDG050, CEDG088, CEDG092 and CEDG232) to three (CEDG 214), with an average of 1.5 allele per primer. The index for expected heterozygosity was 0.29 ranging from 0.15 to 0.49 revealed a deficit in heterozygosity. The size of amplification products varied in case of each primer and the range was found to be 100 bp to 190 bp. 13 out of 15 alleles were found polymorphic. The average PIC value of SSR marker was found to be 0.205. The value of Jaccard's similarity coefficient had ranged from 0.28-1.00 with an average value of 0.64. The dendrogram constructed on SSR molecular marker data through UPGMA method and PCA using average linkage, had enabled grouping of the genotypes into three main clusters. Clustering pattern based on SSR marker data clearly indicated the narrow genetic base of mungbean genotypes that emphasizes the need to explore and exploit more number of germplasm from additional source to study genetic variation in mungbean for genetic improvement. The results indicated the marked usefulness of SSR in the assessment of genetic diversity in mungbean crop.

Manifestations of pulmonary disease in adults with congenital heart disease.

Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are more frequently living into adulthood as their survival has improved due to availability of better medical and surgical management in recent times. Management of adults with CHD is emerging as new challenge in the field of medical science. Adults surviving with CHD for longer duration have been observed to develop more complications as compared to children. It is important to recognise and treat these complications early to reduce the morbidity. Pulmonary diseases are the most common systemic complications associated with adults having CHD. These individuals are presenting to clinics or emergency for pulmonary complaints, hence, pulmonologist must be aware about the pulmonary manifestations of CHD and their management.

Bronchoscopy and endobronchial disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been significantly altered since the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, lung diseases are still common in these patients. This makes flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy a valuable diagnostic tool. Knowledge of the visual appearance of various diseases would be of utmost importance to the bronchoscopist. Timely recognition of the endobronchial appearance of these diseases can narrow the differential diagnosis and potentially mitigate an avoidable delay in the diagnosis.

Diagnosis and management bronchopleural fistula.

The diagnosis and management of bronchopleural fistula (BPF) remain a major therapeutic challenge for clinicians. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis and localisation of BPF is sometimes difficult and may require multiple imaging and bronchoscopies. Successful management of a fistula is combined with treatment of the associated empyema cavity. The first step, therefore, should be control of active infection and adequate drainage of the hemithorax. When deemed required, definitive surgical repair should be accomplished expeditiously, minimising the number of procedures performed. In cases of a small fistula or where the surgical risk is high, various bronchoscopic methods have been used to close the fistula. When treatment is protracted, secondary complications are more likely and survival is adversely affected. In this article, approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of BPF are discussed, with particular emphasis on bronchoscopic management options.

Pulmonary manifestations of primary sjögren’s syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a complex autoimmune exocrinopathy with multifactorial pathogenesis and multisystem manifestation. It is called primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) when the manifestations are seen without any other co-existent rheumatic diseases. The incidence of respiratory system involvement varies widely in the reported medical literature, partly due to lack of a universal agreement over the diagnostic criteria of the disease and the type of study methods employed. Respiratory system manifestations are protean; upper airway symptoms are very common and so is the complaint of dry cough. The PSS patients may develop interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) such as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP), bronchiolitis obliterans and organising pneumonia (BOOP), etc. They may also develop the whole spectrum of lymphoproliferative disorders of the lung ranging from LIP to follicular bronchiolitis, nodular lymphoid hyperplasia and low-grade lymphomas. Therapeutic options include symptomatic and supportive measures and corticosteroids as the mainstay of the treatment for ILDs occurring in these patients. In recent years, rituximab (anti-CD20) has emerged as a promising treatment for this disease, though data from controlled trials are still lacking. Pulmonary involvement may be a source of significant morbidity in these patients, though only rarely, it is the cause of death.

A contemporary review of chylothorax.

OBJECTIVES: This review will focus on anatomical and aetiologic factors as well as the conservative and operative therapy of chylothorax. DATA SOURCE: A Pubmed search for studies pertaining to the aetiology and/or treatment published in the English language from 1960 to 2007. STUDY SELECTION: Studies presenting case reports, series, observational and/or retrospective studies, and those with unique issues pertaining to chylothorax were reviewed independantly by both authors. Studies that were selected by both authors contain most clinically relevant data. RESULTS: Chylothorax is caused by injury or obstruction of the thoracic duct or its main tributaries leading to chyle accumulation in the pleural space. It most commonly occurs from trauma or malignancy, but other causes have been described. Although chylous effusions are rare, they have serious clinical consequences including cachexia and immunodeficiency. There are no evidence-based guidelines to assist in the management of this disease. CONCLUSIONS: A prompt diagnosis is needed to start treatment of the underlying cause. Treatment can be divided into conservative and surgical interventions. There are no evidence-based guidelines to assist in the management of this disease. Initial conservative therapy includes intercostal decompression of the pleural effusion along with nutritional support in the form of total parenteral nutrition, and reduction of chylous formation with somatostatin. Surgical interventions include thoracic duct ligation, pleuroperitoneal shunt and percutaneous embolisation.

Sleep in the intensive care unit.

Sleep is commonly disrupted in intensive care unit patients. The causes of this sleep disruption include the underlying medical illness itself, intensive care unit (ICU) environment, psychological stress, and effects of many medications and other treatments used to help those who are critically ill. The purpose of this review is to discuss the relevant literature in this regard, in order to improve the knowledge and recognition of this problem by health care providers. Also general and specific integrative steps to improving sleep of patients in the ICU is also described.

Blepharospasm hemifacial spasm and tremors possibly due to isolated caudate nucleus lesions.

Isolated caudate nucleus lesions have only rarely been documented to cause focal extrapyramidal dysfunction. Two cases with possible infarcts in the head of left caudate nucleus presenting with contralateral tremors and blepharospasm with hemifacial spasm are reported. The possible mechanisms for such a presentation are discussed.

Leiomyoblastoma of the stomach.

A case of gastric leiomyoblastoma in a 37 year old male is presented. The patient presented with 3 episodes of melaena requiring blood transfusion on one occasion. There was no associated haematemesis, abdominal pain, obstruction or a palpable lump. The tumor was sessile and completely intraluminal with superficial ulceration displaying distinctive histologic features. Seven years after partial gastrectomy the patient has remained asymptomatic.

Changes in thyroid hormones in surgical trauma.

A prospective study of 20 patients who underwent elective surgery, is presented reporting the effect of surgical trauma on circulating thyroid hormone levels. Although no increase in the serum T4 levels was observed following surgery, serum T3 values were found to decrease and serum rT3 values were found to increase in the post-operative period, representing activation of an alternate pathway in the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3. Since trauma induces a hypermetabolic state due to hypersecretion of cortisol, alterations in thyroid hormone levels were concluded to represent an appropriate response in trauma to counter the effects of trauma-induced cortisol hypersecretion.