Seasonal Variation of Mycorrhizal Association (Root Colonization and Spore Density) in Selected Industrial Sites in Kota District of Rajasthan, India

This paper aims to assess the impact of seasonal variation on mycorrhizal association in selected industrial wastelands in the Kota district of Rajasthan. In the study mycorrhizal association was quantified in terms of percentage root colonization and spore density in three different seasons. The study was conducted during 2019-2021 and the data was collected for 3 seasons; summer (March-June), Rainy (July–October), and winter (November-February) to study the response to variable climatic factors to the root colonization and spore density of mycorrhiza. To determine the significance of variations in AMF spore density and percentage root colonization during different seasons, one-way ANOVA was performed. Results showed that in all the sites maximum mean spore density was observed in the summer (March-June) season but in the case of percentage root colonization, the value was found maximum in the humid season (July-October) in the control site whereas, in the three experimental sites, the maximum root colonization was observed in summer season (march-June). Hence, it may be concluded that hot climatic condition is favourable for mycorrhizal spore formation and root colonization was also favoured by hot climate.

Formulation And Evaluation Of Metformin Hydrochloride Loaded Floating Microspheres

Objective: The main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the eudragit and HPMC coated metformin hydrochloride floating microspheres, in which HPMC helps in floating and eudragit as a coating material for a site-specific drug release in a controlled manner and the active moiety metformin used as anti-hyperglycemic agent. Methods: The floating microsphere was prepared by the solvent evaporation method incorporating metformin as a model drug. The prepared floating microsphere were characterized for particle size, %yield, drug loading and entrapment efficiency, compatibility study, %buoyancy, surface morphology and In vitro drug release and release kinetics. Results: The result metformin loaded floating microsphere was successfully prepared and the particle size range from 397±23.22 to 595±15.82 µm, the entrapment efficiency range from 83.49±1.33 to 60.02±1.65% and drug loading capacity range from 14.3±0.54 to 13.31±0.47% and %buoyancy range from 85.67±0.58 to 80.67±1.15%. The FT-IR and X-RD analysis confirmed that no any interaction between drug and excipient, and surface morphology confirmed those particles are sphere. The floating microsphere show maximum 96% drug release in pH 0.1N HCL and follow the Korsmeyer peppas model of the super case-2 transport mechanism. Conclusion: These results suggest that metformin loaded floating microspheres could be retain in stomach for long time and give site specific drug release in controlled manner.

Operative Treatment of Knee Cartilage Injuries: A Review of the Current Literature on Non-Cell-Based and Cell-Based Therapies.

Aims: Cartilage is frequently damaged through injury and disease but shows little or no capacity for repair. Injuries that extend to the subchondral level show some capacity for repair due to the release of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells. Focal articular cartilage defects are challenging clinical problems that may progress to more generalised lesions. We reviewed the literature to analyse the results of available noncell- based and cell-based strategies for the repair of articular cartilage defects in the knee. Study design: Review Article Place and Duration of Study: University College London Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 4LP, United Kingdom Methodology: We reviewed the literature to identify studies on the use of non-cellbased and cell-based strategies for the repair of articular cartilage defects in the knee. Results: Repair techniques that do not utilise cell therapy include bone marrow stimulating techniques such as microfracture that is effective in small well-contained lesions and has the advantages of being performed arthroscopically as a single stage and cheaper costs compared to cell-based therapies. It also associated with no donor site morbidity unlike mosaicplasty, and perichondrial or periosteal grafting. The evidence suggests that none of the techniques described above consistently produce durable results. There are encouraging mid-term results with Autologous Matrix Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC) procedures in small number of patients. Although microfracture is appropriate for smaller cartilage defects, Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) and Matrix-carried Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (MACI), as well as other cell carrier systems, are currently used to treat larger full thickness chondral defects in the knee. Although the results are fairly similar, MACI and procedures using other cell carrier systems are amenable to be performed arthroscopically or through a more limited approach. There are a small number of studies using mesenchymal stem cells with promising early results bur further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed before this treatment becomes more routinely available. Conclusion: Focal articular cartilage defects are challenging clinical problems that progress to more generalised lesions. Only cartilage injuries that extend to the subchondral level show some capacity for repair due to the release of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells. Bone marrow stimulating techniques such as microfracture are effective in small well-contained lesions (<2cm2) and have the advantages of being performed arthroscopically as a single stage and cheaper costs compared to cell-based therapies. Mosaicplasty, and perichondrial or periosteal grafting are associated with donor site morbidity. Longer term studies on AMIC may help define the role for this procedure. The best form of non-cell-based treatment for focal articular cartilage defects in the long term is still unknown. ACI and MACI, as well as other cell carrier systems, are currently used in clinical practice to treat larger full thickness chondral defects in the knee. There are a small number of studies using mesenchymal stem cells and further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed before this treatment is optimised.

Intermediate-term follow-up after transmyocardial laser revascularisation.

Transmyocardial laser revascularisation has emerged as a new therapeutic option for patients with severe diffuse coronary artery disease refractory to conventional modes of therapy. One hundred and two patients underwent isolated transmyocardial laser revascularisation between December 1994 and November 1997. After transmyocardial laser revascularisation, angina class improved from 2.56 +/- 0.8 to 0.8 +/- 0.9 by the end of one year and 54 percent patients were angina-free. Treadmill test workload increased from 3.6 +/- 1.7 METS pre-operatively to 6.0 +/- 3.4 METS (p < 0.005) at the end of one year's follow-up. However, left ventricle ejection fraction by MUGA slightly decreased (p = NS) at the end of one year. We conclude that transmyocardial laser revascularisation provides symptomatic benefit, improves quality of life and objectively improves the exercise tolerance at 12 months post-procedure.

Plasma fibrinogen levels in stroke.

Plasma fibrinogen levels were estimated in 56 patients of stroke, admitted in the hospital within 24 hours of symptoms. The levels were found to be raised significantly (531.73 +/- 74 mg%) compared to those of the age and sex matched control group (445.78 +/- 92.28 mg%). When the levels in stroke group with one risk factor were compared to those of individuals with comparable control group with same risk factor, a significant difference was observed in hypertensive, smokers, alcoholics and atherosclerotic stroke groups, which indicates that the observed rise is related to phenomenon of stroke rather than the associated risk factors. However, the rise observed in hypertensive stroke group (554.26 +/- 47.08 mg%) is significantly more (p. less than 0.01) than that occurring for nonhypertensive stroke group (497.82 +/- 93.12 mg%) indicating that the presence of hypertension does contribute to the rise.