ABSTRACT
Apicultural products comprise honey, bee pollen, propolis, bee wax and royal jelly which are known for their medicinal and health promoting properties. Among these, bee collected pollen allure much attention for its high nutritional properties. Here, we have investigated the protective role of bee pollen against Salmonella typhimurium induced biochemical alteration in BALB/c mice. Experimental animals (BALB/c mice) were divided equally into 10 different groups including normal and treated. Oxidative stress was induced by injecting Salmonella typhimurium (0.2 mL of 2×104 CFU/mL) intraperitoneally in mice. Bacteria induced sufficient alterations in serum enzymes within 5 days. Aqueous extracts of bee pollen of different crops (250 mg/kg) were administrated orally to control and experimental mice for 21 days. Then, hepatic and renal enzymes were measured with the help of standardized kits. Results of this study have revealed that bacterial infection increases the levels of the hepatic and renal enzymes levels (P <0.001) but after treatment with bee pollen extracts, altered levels of enzymes were normalized up to the normal levels. This normalization was highest with bee pollen of Helianthus annus. Administration of bee pollen alone did not produce any negative effects in mice.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Standard donor lung preservation with cold flush and storage allows up to six hours between retrieval of lungs from the donor and transplantation in the recipient. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) systems mimic physiological ventilation and perfusion in the donor lungs with potential for prolonged lung preservation and donor lung reconditioning. In this study, it was aimed to perform EVLP on discarded donor lungs using a locally developed EVLP system. Methods: Equipment that are routinely used for cardiac surgeries were collected and a functional EVLP system was assembled. This system was used on five pairs of lungs retrieved from brain-dead organ donors. The lungs were ventilated and pulmonary circulation was continuously perfused with a solution containing oxygen and nutrients for four hours. The system was tested without red blood cells (RBCs) added to the solution (acellular group; n=3; A1, A2 and A3) and also with RBCs added to the solution (cellular group; n=2; C1 and C2). Results: The EVLP system was successfully used in four (A1, A2, A3 and C2) of the five lung pairs. Mechanical and gas exchange functions of the lungs were preserved in these lung pairs. One lung pair (C1) worsened and developed pulmonary oedema. Histopathological examination of all five lung pairs was satisfactory at the end of the procedure. Major challenges faced were leakage of solution from the system and obstruction to drainage of RBCs containing solution from the lungs. Interpretation & conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that, it is possible to maintain the lungs retrieved for transplantation in a physiological condition using a locally prepared EVLP system and a solution without RBCs.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To study the effect of plant growth regulators on direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis on Gentiana kurroo Royle – an endangered medicinal plant. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biotechnology, Dr Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan-173230, Himachal Pradesh, India, 2010-2013. Methodology: For induction of direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis petiole, leaf and petiole derived callus (after incubation in activated charcoal) were cultured on MS medium supplemented with a range of combinations of auxins (2,4-D, picloram, dicamba) and cytokinins (zeatin, kinetin). Results: Somatic embryos were observed from both direct and indirect method. The best performance was observed on MS basal medium supplemented 1.0mg/l dicamba. Development of somatic embryos was observed on MS basal+0.50mg/l GA3+1.0 mg/lKn and the maximum plantlets formation was achieved when somatic embryos (directly and indirectly induced) were shifted to half strength MS basal medium. Conclusion: In direct pathway somatic embryos were in contact with maternal tissue in a suspensor like structure. In indirect pathway, the explants first proliferated to give rise to callus before embryoids were induced. Somatic embryos have their own vascular tissues, and can develop new plantlets independently.
ABSTRACT
A total of 1,312 blood samples were electrophoresed for haemoglobins using three buffer systems. The data comprised of 467 Jut Sikh, 271 Khatri, 355 Brahmins and 219 Banias. Ten cases of both slow and fast type of variant haemoglobins were observed Family studies conducted showed that eight of the variants were inherited in nature, whereas the remaining two were transient type.