Fecundity Studies Of Andrographis Paniculata On Drosophila Melanogaster

Objective: Andrographis paniculata is widely used in Asia for various medicinal purposes. The plant has a major bioactive chemical constituent Andrographolide, which exhibits various essential pharmacological properties. Recently, to enhance immunity against viral fevers especially dengue viral fever during monsoon season, Tamil Nadu state government has advised rural health centres to provide a tea or kashayam made from a mixture containing this plant leaf along with selected plant roots and leaves. However, there is concern among the general public population that this plant extract may have a negative impact on potency. This study is being done to investigate the toxic effects of Andrographis paniculata on fecundity and physiological properties of Drosophila melanogaster. Methods: The flies were treated and mated in pure and mixed form of Andrographis paniculata separately. Results: The results were obtained in the form of egg count, which was compared to control and the conclusion was obtained that Andrographis paniculata might affect the fecundity and at the same time, it was observed that the developmental span from an egg to an adult fly increased upon treatment in successive generations. More importantly, the effect of pure form plant on the fecundity was found to be significant, while that of the mixed form was not. On mating a treated male with an untreated female and an untreated male with a treated female when the treatment is being discontinued, it can be very well seen that there is no effect on the fecundity of the flies. Conclusion: Since the continuity of the treatment played a major role on the effect of fecundity, highlighting the importance of the period of treatment and the exposure time of the compound on the fly system, therefore this research suggests that the conception of tea or kashayam extracted from mixed plant content could not have the same effect as the similar concentration of pure Andrographis paniculata and it does not have any acute effect on the fecundity when being consumed over a short period of time in Drosophila melanogaster model.

Autonomic status in systemic sclerosis in India.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic connective tissue disease characterized by vasomotor disturbances. Autonomic dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various symptoms in patients with SSc. In this retrospective study, thirty patients with SSc as cases and thirty age matched healthy subjects were enrolled as controls. The patients as well as controls were subjected to a standard battery of autonomic tests including reactivity and activity (tone) tests. Resting autonomic variables like blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were also recorded. In our study, we found significantly higher HR and RR in the patient group (P = 0.0001 and 0.012 respectively). We also observed significantly lower parasympathetic tone and parasympathetic reactivity in SSc patients than the controls. This study shows the status of autonomic functions in SSc patients in India, with lower central parasympathetic drive to the heart. The present study may give some insight for better understanding of this multisystem disorder of unknown etiology.

Performance evaluation of common effluent treatment plant for tanneries at Pallavaram CETP.

The Pallavaram Tanners Industrial Effluent Treatment Company Limited has been a forerunner in ensuring cleaner and safe environment. The project was implemented by a company formed by the tanners of the Pallavaram area. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) was the counterpart of UNIDO and took the overall responsibility for implementation of the project. The present study has been undertaken to evaluate performance efficiency of the treatment plant. Water samples were collected at different stages of treatment units and analysed for the major water quality parameters, such as pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) and total dissolved solids (TDS). The performance efficiency of each unit in treating the pollutants was calculated. The generated data presented evidence to that the common effluent treatment plant has been working with the norms of TNPCB and meeting the discharge standard limits.

Restrictive cardiomyopathy due to primary plasma cell leukemia.

The causes of restrictive cardiomyopathy are numerous, of which neoplastic infiltration is also known. Plasma cell leukemia is considered as the, most severe form of multiple myeloma, is an extremely rare condition. Among them, primary plasma cell leukemia has got an incidence of one in one million only. We report a case summary of a patient who was admitted with clinical features suggestive of restrictive cardiomyopathy, the underlying disorder was primary plasma cell leukemia. With chemotherapy the restrictive physiology was relieved supporting the diagnosis of plasma cell infiltration in the myocardium. We report this case due to rarity of the disease itself and its rare presentation.

Recurrent Miller Fisher syndrome.

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a variant of Guillan Barre syndrome characterized by the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia. Recurrences are exceptional with Miller Fisher syndrome. We are reporting a case with two episodes of MFS within two years. Initially he presented with partial ophthalmoplegia, ataxia. Second episode was characterized by full-blown presentation characterized by ataxia, areflexia and ophthalmoplegia. CSF analysis was typical during both episodes. Nerve conduction velocity study was fairly within normal limits. MRI of brain was within normal limits. He responded to symptomatic measures initially, then to steroids in the second episode. We are reporting the case due to its rarity.

Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome presenting as venous infarct and deep vein thrombosis.

We report the case of a young lady with primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, who had two spontaneous abortions and cerebral venous thrombosis and subsequently deep vein thrombosis of the leg veins. Three classes of antiphospholipid antibodies (IgG, IgM, IgA) were elevated. There was no clinical or laboratory evidence for other autoimmune or systemic illnesses. We are presenting the case due to the rarity of the same.