Pharmacological Evaluation Of Antidiabetic And Diuretic Activity Of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract Of Anogeissus Latifolia Bark

The objective of the present investigation was to study the antidiabetic and diuretic potential of Anogeissus latifolia (A. latifolia) bark in experimental rats. The A. latifolia bark was extracted with hydro-alcoholic solvent by cold extraction method. Acute toxicity study was performed according to OECD 425 guidelines for hydro-alcoholic extracts of A. latifolia bark (ALBE). The dose of 150 mg/kg p.o. and 300 mg/kg, p.o. of ALBE was selected for further studies. Animals were prepared diabetic by administration of alloxan (120 mg/kg, i.p.). The albino rats were divided in to five groups for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and alloxan induced anti diabetic model with six animals in each group. Diabetic animals were treated with hydro-alcoholic extract of A. latifolia bark for 20 days. The blood glucose level was estimated according to standard procedures. Diuretic activity hydro-alcoholic extracts of A. latifolia was evaluated by Lipshitz method. The result shows that hydro-alcoholic extract from bark of Anogeissus latifolia 300 mg/kg (ALBE-II) shown significant hypoglycemic activity as compared to glibenclamide and diabetic group. The ALBE does not exhibit significant diuretic activity which is considered as positive marker in diabetic phenomena. Hence in present study extract of A. latifolia posses antidiabetic activity. This study may be benchmark in future to use of this drug scientifically.

Temperature integrity and exposure to freezing temperature during vaccine transfer under the universal immunization program in Three States of India

Temperature excursion and exposure to sub-zero temperatures may reduce the potency of the freeze-sensitive vaccines. This study assessed temperature during vaccine transfers at various levels under the Universal Immunization Program. This cross-sectional study undertaken in 21 districts of three states of India – Bihar (n = 8), Kerala (n = 8), and Gujarat (n = 5). We documented temperature inside the cold boxes and vaccine carriers using LogTag-Trix8 data loggers. In total, 110 vaccine transportation episodes were observed; 55 inter-facility transfers and 55 outreach sessions. Sizable proportions of inter-facility (9% to 35%) and outreach vaccine transfers (18%) were exposed to sub-zero temperature. The proportions of exposure to temperature to >8°C were in the range of 0.8%–11.3% for inter-facility transfers and 2.3% for outreach sessions. The vaccines were exposed to freezing temperatures for significant durations during transportation across the cold chain. Rigorous monitoring of temperature integrity is essential to ensure the delivery of potent vaccines and to avoid vaccine failure.

Screening for HIV infection by health professionals in India.

BACKGROUND: Stigma and discrimination, particularly in access to healthcare, remains a major problem for people Infected with HIV in most parts of India. METHODS: We did a multicentre study (n = 10) with a cross-sectional survey design using a standardized, interviewer-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 2200 healthcare providers participated. The knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) related to HIV service delivery were very poor with a mean overall KAP score of only 49.7% (CI: 49.1-50.3). Only 5%, 5% and 1% of the participants scored more than 75% separately for the dimensions of knowledge, attitude and practice, respectively. Only 24.4% and 36.7% of responders knew that HIV screening was not recommended prior to surgery and pre-employment check-up. Many doctors (19.4%) had refused treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) at least some of the time and nearly half (47.2%) identified and labelled them; 23.9% isolated them in separate care areas and 13.3% postponed or changed treatment based on the patient's HIV status. Screening for HIV prior to elective surgery was done by 67% of providers. While 64.7% of responders were aware of the existence of national guidelines on and recommendations for HIV testing, only 38.4% had read the policy document. CONCLUSION: There is a growing need to provide care, support and treatment to a large number of PLHA. The capacity of healthcare providers must be urgently built up so as to improve their knowledge of and attitude to HIV to enable them to deliver evidence-based and compassionate care to PLHA in various healthcare settings.

Degradation of xenobiotic compounds by lignin-degrading white-rot fungi: enzymology and mechanisms involved.

White-rot fungi (WRF) are ubiquitous in nature with their natural ability to compete and survive. WRF are the only organisms known to have the ability to degrade and mineralize recalcitrant plant polymer lignin. Their potential to degrade second most abundant carbon reserve material lignin on the earth make them important link in global carbon cycle. WRF degrade lignin by its unique ligninolytic enzymatic machinery including lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, laccase, cellobiose dehydrogenase, H2O2-generating enzymes, etc. The ligninolytic enzymes system is non-specific, extracellular and free radical based that allows them to degrade structurally diverse range of xenobiotic compounds. Lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase carry out direct and indirect oxidation as well as reduction of xenobiotic compounds. Indirect reactions involved redox mediators such as veratryl alcohol and Mn2+. Reduction reactions are carried out by carboxyl, superoxide and semiquinone radicals, etc. Methylation is used as detoxification mechanism by WRF. Highly oxidized chemicals are reduced by transmembrane redox potential. Degradation of a number of environmental pollutants by ligninolytic system of white rot fungi is described in the present review.

Bilateral congenital trigger thumb: role of heredity.

Bilateral congenital trigger thumb is a relatively uncommon condition, with few well documented cases in literature. Lack of awareness and mode of presentation creates diagnostic confusion to a majority of physicians who are not familiar with this condition. There is also controversy surrounding its aetiology, natural course, ideal treatment and the age for intervention. We report the case of bilateral congenital trigger thumb in a mother and child, review the literature and discuss the possible hereditary influence which is still less known and reported.