“EFFECT OF COPPER ACETATE ON ACUTE TOXICITY OF FISH CHANNA PUNCTATUS AT 48 HR BY DRAGSTEDT AND BEHREN'S METHOD ”

This study was carried out on ?sh channa punctatus to investigate the lethal concentration of copper acetate on ?sh channa punctatus at 48 hr. Experiment procedure was repeated ?ve times at the selected copper acetate concentrations, noting the number of ?sh killed. The mean values was taken. These values was taken to determine LC50 value for 48 hr. By Dragstedt and Behrens Method

A Scoping Review of Persistent Symptoms after COVID Infection at Different Follow-Up Periods

The clinical entity termed as long COVID has gained importance in the recent past. As this phenomenon is still evolving, it is important to document the magnitude of the syndrome during different time periods. This scoping review attempts to synthesize evidence generated from longitudinal studies which have follow‑up periods beyond 3 months, up to 12 months. The review also documents the reported prevalence of long COVID for the different regions of the World Health Organization. Longitudinal studies published till March 2022 were systematically searched on PubMed, Google Scholar, and medRxiv. Among the identified 594 studies, 48 were included in this review. Data from selected studies were synthesized. The overall pooled prevalence of long COVID was 49% (40%–58%). The pooled estimates after 3 months, 4–6 months, 7–9 months, and 10–12 months were 44% (32%–57%), 50% (43%–57%), 49% (37%–62%), and 54% (46%–62%), respectively. Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) had the highest pooled prevalence of 63% (34%–92%] and the South East Asian Region (SEAR) had the least pooled estimate of 15% (10%–21%). The study brings out the high prevalence of long COVID even after 12 months of follow‑up. It also shows the regional differences in the reported prevalence of the syndrome. This review highlights the need for well‑planned follow‑up studies, especially in developing nations to understand the magnitude and the pattern of long COVID‑related symptoms as they emerge.

Knowledge, attitude and practices among sanitation workers regarding SARS-CoV-2 prevention – A cross-sectional study

Aim: To evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices among sanitation workers regarding SARS?CoV?2 prevention during hospital waste management. Materials and Methods: A cross?sectional study was conducted among 426 sanitation workers using an interviewer?administered questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of the study participants. The unpaired t?test and Spearman’s correlation were used to find the mean difference and correlation among different study variables. Statistical significance was set at 5% (confidence interval 95%). Results: The mean knowledge score of the participants was found to be 7.15 ± 2.02. About 93.7% of the participants had good knowledge about COVID?19. About 64.3% of the participants strongly agreed that COVID?19 is a life?threatening disease. Regarding practices, a majority reported (69.7%) that they washed hands frequently using water and soap. A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge, attitude, practices and education, indicating a favourable work environment in hospital settings. Conclusion: More than half of the sanitation workers and housekeeping staff had adequate knowledge of COVID?19, and their attitudes were found to be favourable. They also had satisfactory practices, which may be a result of the prompt training and sensitization of sanitation workers by the authorities. Clinical Relevance: Sanitation workers come under the essential services category and their knowledge, attitude and practices needed to be assessed and updated in the concerned area for their protection and better management of biomedical waste, especially in the current pandemic situation.

Effect of lethal concentration of cadmium nitrate on glycogen content in liver,gill, kidney, Intestine and stomach of freshwater fish, channa punctatus

This study was carried out on fish channa punctatus to investigate the lethal concentration of cadmium nitrate in liver, gill, kidney, intestine and stomach of fresh water fish channa punctatus compare to control one. Lc50 for cadmium nitrate is 0.57 ppm. Fish exposed to 96hr. LC50 of cadmium nitrate. Cadmium increases the rate of glycolysis

Protective Role Of Berberine In Ameliorating Diabetic Complications In Streptozotocin-High Fat Diet Model In Experimental Animals

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a serious, complex metabolic disorder and growing health threat disease in the world. Berberine, one of the main constituent in Rhizoma coptidis is widely used in the treatment of diabetes. Potential of berberine in the management of diabetic complications, namely diabetic nephropathy and cardiomyopathy, is however, not yet explored. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to explore the potential of berberine for the management of diabetic nephropathy and diabetic cardiomyopathy in high-fat diet (HFD) and low dose streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats. Methods: Rats were fed a high-fat diet for 4 w followed by a single intraperitoneal dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Animals were divided in five groups. Berberine was given orally in two different dose levels (75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg) for 28 d. Metformin (100 mg/kg) was used as a standard antidiabetic drug. At the end of the study, parameters evaluated includes glycemic profile, lipid profile, left ventricular indices, urinary protein, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and cardiac antioxidants. Histopathology of kidney and pancreas was carried out. Results: Berberine treated groups showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, glycosylated Hb, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and urinary total proteins, whereas there was a significant improvement in serum insulin, liver glycogen, skeletal muscle glycogen and cardiac antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: Present study indicated that berberine shows a protective role in diabetes-associated renal and cardiovascular complications.

Informed consent in psychiatry outpatients

Background & objectives: Comprehension and process of consent are important for persons with mental illness as they may not be impaired in considering research participation. The American Psychiatric Association developed a detailed Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI). The present study was a part of field testing of CFI, aimed to standardize cultural information affecting the patients' management in India. This paper describes the process and conclusions from the consent-seeking process of this study. Methods: The purpose and procedures about field trial of the CFI were introduced and the patient and caregiver were requested for participation. Consent process was carried out step by step, by reading out the consent form to the first new patient of the day in the psychiatry outpatients department of a tertiary care hospital in north India, inviting questions followed by the 'comprehension' questions. The entire process was audiotaped without any personal identifiers. The process was repeated if not comprehended. Results: A total of 67 patients consented, 11 refused and majority were educated more than secondary school. Some concerns shown by the patients and caregivers included risk of participation, loss or benefits of participation, privacy, etc. All types of mentally ill patients participated in the study. Interpretation & conclusions: Translations of consent forms used simple words, consonant with understanding of the potential participants. Patients' belief that participating in this long process would improve their care, and serve humanity, influenced their decision to participate. Except for intoxication and severe psychosis, patients could understand and comprehend issues around consent. Main issues were confidentiality and culture. Our experience in the psychiatry OPD refutes the commonly held belief that mentally ill persons lack comprehension and ability to consent.

Emerging/re-emerging viral diseases & new viruses on the Indian horizon

Infectious diseases remain as the major causes of human and animal morbidity and mortality leading to significant healthcare expenditure in India. The country has experienced the outbreaks and epidemics of many infectious diseases. However, enormous successes have been obtained against the control of major epidemic diseases, such as malaria, plague, leprosy and cholera, in the past. The country's vast terrains of extreme geo-climatic differences and uneven population distribution present unique patterns of distribution of viral diseases. Dynamic interplays of biological, socio-cultural and ecological factors, together with novel aspects of human-animal interphase, pose additional challenges with respect to the emergence of infectious diseases. The important challenges faced in the control and prevention of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases range from understanding the impact of factors that are necessary for the emergence, to development of strengthened surveillance systems that can mitigate human suffering and death. In this article, the major emerging and re-emerging viral infections of public health importance have been reviewed that have already been included in the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.

Variation In The Position Shape And Direction Of Mental Foramen In Dry Mandible.

Aim of the study: Purpose of this study was to find out the most common position shape and direction of mental foramen in dry mandible of Maharashtra region. Background: Study of mental foramen is important for dentists in administering regional anesthesia and performing periapical surgery in the mental region of the mandible. Material and methods: Seventy five adult dry mandibles of unknown sex are studied for position shape and direction of mental foramen. All mandibles are studied for position shape and direction of mental foramen. Results: The most frequent position of mental foramen was in line with the longitudinal axis of the IInd premolar tooth. The shape of mental foramen was round or oval. Conclusions: Knowledge about morphometry of mental foramen is important for various dental procedure involving periapical region.

Anomalous branching pattern of the axillary artery.

In routine dissection of upper extremity, in a 70yrs old male cadaver, we found the abnormal branching pattern of the third part of axillary artery on the right side. The third part of axillary artery divided into medial and lateral trunks. The medial trunk is referred to as deep brachial artery and lateral trunk is referred to as superficial brachial artery. The superficial brachial artery continues as brachial artery in arm and finally in cubital fossa divides into radial and ulnar arteries. The deep brachial artery at its origin was trapped by two roots of median nerve and later divided in to Subscapular artery, Anterior circumflex humeral artery, Posterior circumflex humeral artery and profunda brachii artery. The branching pattern of the axillary artery was normal on left side. This variation is important for surgeons for lymphectomies, to anesthesiologist and orthopedic surgeons considering the frequency of procedures done in this region.

Physiological studies of Arachis Hypogaea L. under the influence of sulfosalicylic acid.

A study was carried out on growth, photosynthetic pigments, and yield attributing and seed characteristics of Arachis hypogaea L. (Cv. SB-11). The treatments comprised of different concentrations (5, 50, 100 and 200 ppm) of Sulfosalicylic acid (SSA). The results showed that 50 ppm concentration of foliar applied SSA effectively promoted the growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments (chl a, chl b, total chl, carotenoids and chlorophyll stability index), yield parameters and seed protein and seed oil contents of groundnut. Similarly significant decrease in severity of tikka disease was reported with 50 ppm SSA. SSA 100 ppm profound better influence on the number of branches, height of plant and the shelling percentage. It could be concluded that SSA proved to be beneficial in promoting plant growth and yield and in inducing systemic resistance against tikka disease in groundnut.

Interactive effect of boron and NaCl on germinatinion performance in soybean.

The present work was carried out to study the individual and combined effects of boron and salinity on soybean seed germination. The results revealed that all the treatments of both NaCl and boron (5 ppm) delayed the germination. However higher concentrations (50 and 100 ppm) of boron was found to be enhanced germination percentage over control by 10 %. The combinations of boron with NaCl (especially 5 and 100 ppm Boron with 200 mM NaCl and 50 ppm boron with 100 mM NaCl) effectively mitigate the adverse effects of NaCl on germination of soybean seeds. In addition to it 50 mM NaCl concentration was found to be reduced the delayed effects of 5 ppm boron on germination.

Antibacterial activity of di-2-ethylaniline phosphate screened by paper disc diffusion method.

Antibacterial activity di-2-ethylaniline phosphate was studied against four Gram negative bacteria at 100-10000 μg/ml concentration using the paper disc diffusion method. Results indicated that the test compound, di-2-ethylaniline phosphate has demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against all selected Gram negative bacteria. Di-2-ethylaniline phosphate was found to be effective against bacteria A at lowest concentration 100 μg/ml where the zone of inhibition was 9 mm diameter in size and largest zone 24 mm diameter formed at highest concentration 10000 μg/ml against bacteria D while bacteria B and C exhibited more resistance as compared to bacteria A and D. In conclusion di-2-ethylaniline phosphate exhibited an efficient antibacterial activity.

Behavioral surveillance survey regarding human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among high school and junior college students.

Background and Aims: It is necessary to know the baseline knowledge, attitude, and practices about human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among young people and the changes in these with intervention to guide prevention efforts. Methods: A cross-sectional pre- and post-survey with health education as a method of intervention was carried out in four different randomly selected schools and junior colleges among the Class IX-XII students of both sex. Instrument developed by the World Health Organization (WHO)/UNAIDS in their best practice recommendations was used for data collection. Results: Knowledge about all correct methods was present in 61.23% of the respondents. Knowledge of at least two methods of prevention was present in 70.31% of the respondents. Misconceptions about prevention were that good diet (33.42%), avoiding mosquito bite (49.71%) and avoiding public toilets (65.14%) could help in the prevention. With intervention, there was an improvement in the knowledge. However, the proportion of students with misconceptions did not come down. Correct knowledge about two methods of prevention also did not reach the WHO recommendation of 90%. Conclusion: It is very difficult to change the attitude and practices by a single health educational intervention and an ongoing behavior change communication is recommended.

Effect of salicylic acid on germination performance in groundnut.

The present investigation has been carried out on the influence of various concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) on the germination performance of groundnut seeds of cv. W-55, W-44, TAG and SB-11. The groundnut cultivars W-44, TAG and SB-11 showed significant germination by SA application over control. In cv. W-55 all the imposed SA concentrations increased germination except 10 ppm SA particularly after 48 hrs of germination. In general Salicylic acid with 50 ppm concentration showed significant germination in all groundnut cultivars. SA also showed positive impact on root and shoot growth in W-44, TAG and SB-11 cultivars whereas opposite trend was noticed in W-55. These findings clearly indicated that the cv. SB-11 was the best performer to salicylic acid among the studied cultivars of groundnut.

Murine monoclonal anti-H as typing reagent.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The antigen H present on the surface of red cells in varying concentration, is maximum in O group red cells, but absent in Bombay phenotype individuals. This differentiation is generally detected by seed extracts of Ulex europaeus. The titre of such an extract is usually low and is subjected to batch variation. Hence, we carried out this study to raise potent murine monoclonal antibody against H antigen. METHODS: Spleen cells of female BALB/c mice immunized with O group red cells were fused in presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1500 with a mouse myeloma cell line Sp2/0 Ag14 in hypoxanthine aminopterine thymidine (HAT) selective medium and incubated at 37 degrees, 5 per cent CO(2) and 95 per cent humidity for a week. RESULTS: The culture supernatants showing anti-H activity, were further subcloned and two clones 3E8A10 and 3E8A11 generated which showed a good potency, avidity and specificity. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The anti-H clones thus produced indigenously provided a potent reagent in distinguishing normal O group from Bombay phenotype individuals. The unlimited availability makes this reagent cost-effective to ensure a constant supply of hybrid clones with the similar specificities.

Dose-dependent response of central dopaminergic systems to buspirone in mice.

Buspirone, a partial agonist of 5-hydroxytryptaminelA autoreceptors, preferentially blocks the presynaptic rather than the postsynaptic D2 dopamine (DA) receptors. Behavioural effects of a wide dose range of buspirone were therefore studied in mice. Buspirone at 0.625 to 5 mg/kg ip induced stereotyped cage climbing behaviour which was antagonized by pretreatment with haloperidol, alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine and small doses of apomorphine. Buspirone at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg ip induced catalepsy and antagonized oral stereotypies induced by high doses of apomorphine and methamphetamine and apomorphine-induced cage climbing behaviour. The findings indicate that buspirone at 0.625 to 5 mg/kg selectively blocks the presynaptic mesolimbic D2 DA autoreceptors and releases DA which stimulates the postsynaptic mesolimbic D2 and D1 DA receptors and induces cage climbing behaviour. Buspirone, at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg blocks the postsynaptic striatal and mesolimbic D2 and D1 DA receptors. Pretreatment with 1-tryptophan, dexfenfluramine and fluoxetine antagonized buspirone induced cage climbing behaviour and potentiated buspirone induced catalepsy. Pretreatment with trazodone, mianserin and p-chlorophenylalanine potentiated buspirone induced cage climbing behaviour and antagonized buspirone induced catalepsy. The results indicate that drugs which influence the activity of central serotonergic systems modulate the intensity of buspirone induced cage climbing behaviour and catalepsy.

Effects of buspirone on dopamine dependent behaviours in rats.

Buspirone, a partial agonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine autoreceptors, selectively blocks presynaptic nigrostriatal D2 dopamine (DA) autoreceptors. At doses which antagonised action of apomorphine in biochemical presynaptic nigrostriatal D2 DA autoreceptor test systems buspirone neither induced catalepsy nor antagonised apomorphine-induced turning behaviour in rats indicating that at these doses buspirone does not block postsynaptic striatal D2 and D1 DA receptors. This study determines whether at high doses buspirone blocks postsynaptic striatal D2 and D1 DA receptors and provides behavioural evidence for selective blockade of presynaptic nigrostriatal D2 DA autoreceptors by smaller doses of buspirone. We investigated in rats whether buspirone induces catalepsy and effect of its pretreatment on DA agonist induced oral stereotypies and on cataleptic effect of haloperidol and small doses (0.05, 0.1 mg/kg, ip) of apomorphine. Buspirone at 1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/kg, ip neither induced catalepsy nor antagonised apomorphine stereotypy but did potentiate dexamphetamine stereotypy and antagonised cataleptic effect of haloperidol and small doses of apomorphine. Buspirone at 10, 20, 40 mg/kg, ip induced catalepsy and antagonised apomorphine and dexamphetamine stereotypies. Our results indicate that buspirone at 1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/kg blocks only presynaptic nigrostriatal D2 DA autoreceptors while at 10, 20, 40 mg/kg, it blocks postsynaptic striatal D2 and D1 DA receptors. Furthermore, buspirone at 1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/kg by selectively blocking presynaptic nigrostriatal D2 DA autoreceptors, increases synthesis of DA and makes more DA available for release by dexamphetamine and during haloperidol-induced compensatory 'feedback' increase of nigrostriatal DAergic neuronal activity and thus potentiates dexamphetamine stereotypy and antagonizes haloperidol catalepsy.

Effects of dextromethorphan on dopamine dependent behaviours in rats.

Dextromethorphan, a noncompetitive blocker of N-methyl-D- aspartate (NMDA) type of glutamate receptor, at 7.5-75 mg/kg, ip did not induce oral stereotypies or catalepsy and did not antagonize apomorphine stereotypy in rats. These results indicate that dextromethorphan at 7.5-75 mg/kg does not stimulate or block postsynaptic striatal D2 and D1 dopamine (DA) receptors. Pretreatment with 15 and 30 mg/kg dextromethorphan potentiated dexamphetamine stereotypy and antagonised haloperidol catalepsy. Pretreatment with 45, 60 and 75 mg/kg dextromethorphan, which release 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), however, antagonised dexamphetamine stereotypy and potentiated haloperidol catalepsy. Apomorphine stereotypy was not potentiated or antagonised by pretreatment with 7.5-75 mg/kg dextromethorphan. This respectively indicates that at 7.5-75 mg/kg dextromethorphan does not exert facilitatory or inhibitory effect at or beyond the postsynaptic striatal D2 and D1 DA receptors. The results are explained on the basis of dextromethorphan (15-75 mg/kg)-induced blockade of NMDA receptors in striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta. Dextromethorphan at 15 and 30 mg/kg, by blocking NMDA receptors, activates nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and thereby potentiates dexampetamine stereotypy and antagonizes haloperidol catalepsy. Dextromethorphan at 45, 60 and 75 mg/kg, by blocking NMDA receptors, releases 5-HT and through the released 5-HT exerts an inhibitory influence on the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons with resultant antagonism of dexampetamine stereotypy and potentiation of haloperidol catalepsy.

Mechanism of spasmolytic activity of a fraction of Sarcostemma brevistigma Wight.

The effect of chloroform soluble fraction (F-A) of twigs of Sarcostemma brevistigma on contractions induced by KCl, histamine, and acetylcholine in the isolated guinea pig ileum and taenia coli smooth muscles has been evaluated. F-A (19.5 microg/ml) significantly inhibited the contraction induced by 40 mM KCl to the extent of 87.6% in the isolated guinea pig ileum. In the isolated guinea pig ileum, F-A (64.3 and 59.2 microg/ml) significantly inhibited the contractions induced by acetylcholine and histamine to the extent of 85 and 83% respectively. In the isolated guinea pig taenia coli, F-A (65.2 microg/ml) significantly inhibited the contraction induced by 40 mM KCl to the extent of 96.0%. The inhibitory effect of F-A (40 microg/ml) on the isolated guinea pig taenia coli was reduced by Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M) to the extent of 61.6 from 73.6%. These results suggest that the F-A may exhibit smooth muscle relaxant activity by blocking the Ca2+ channels.

Cytogenetic effects of a mixture of selected metals following subchronic exposure through drinking water in male rats.

The current study examines the genotoxic effects of subchronic exposure via drinking water to a mixture of eight metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, chromium, nickel, manganese and iron) found as contaminants of water sources in different parts of India and its possible association with oxidative stress. Male rats were exposed to the mixture at 0, 1, 10 and 100 times the mode concentration of each metal daily for 90 days. Another dose group at concentration equivalent to maximum permissible limit (MPL) for each metal and a reference group given ip cyclophosphamide were incorporated. The mixture at 100x level significantly increased chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei induction (2.4 folds) in bone marrow cells and reduced the ratio of polychromatic to normochromatic erythrocytes by 25%. The mixture significantly increased sister chromatid exchange in bone marrow (1.67 and 2.3 folds) and spleen (1.57 and 1.98 folds) cells with both 10x and 100x doses. Cyclophosphamide was more potent than the mixture in causing cytogenetic damage in these parameters. In rat spleen, the mixture at 10x and 100x doses caused dose-dependent increase in lipid peroxidation (25.95 and 52.71%) and decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (20.36 and 40.62%), catalase (18.24 and 35.50%), glutathione peroxidase (22.33 and 36.12%) and glutathione reductase (19.22 and 31.35%) and in the level of GSH (19.76 and 35.15%). The results suggest that the mixture induced genotoxicity in rat bone marrow and spleen cells at concentrations relatively higher than that found in groundwater sources and the genotoxic effect could relate to induction of oxidative stress. However, observations with lower doses indicate that additive or synergistic interactions following exposure to metal components at MPL levels or at mode concentrations of contemporary groundwater levels in India may not result in clastogenicity in male rats.