Hematological Alterations Induced by Imidacloprid and Ameliorative Effect of Withania somnifera in Female Albino Wistar Rats

Present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of oral administration of imidacloprid on weekly body weights and hematological parameters in female rats and also to determine the protective role of Withania somnifera against imidacloprid induced toxicity. Forty eight (48) female albino Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of twelve (12) animals each. Group 1 served as control, groups 2 was given with imidacloprid at the rate of 30 mg/kg b.wt/day, group 3 was maintained as Withania somnifera (WS) control (1g/ kg feed) and group 4 was treated with both imidacloprid + Withania somnifera (dose as above). The experiment was carried out for a period of 30 days and the test compound was administered daily by oral gavage. Blood samples were collected on 15th and 30th day for hematological analysis. A significant (P < 0.05) reduction in weekly body weights were observed in group 2. Hematology revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in TEC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC and increase (P < 0.05) in TLC in group 2. The DLC revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in neutrophil count and significant (P < 0.05) decrease in lymphocyte count in group 2. Administration of Withania somnifera along with imidacloprid brought moderate protection in all the above parameters

Influence of partial replacement of butter fat with peanut oil (in infant formula) on erythrocyte fatty acids in infants.

Erythrocyte fatty acid composition was studied in infants fed with three different formulae: formula I containing 20% butter fat; formula II containing 10% butter fat and 10% peanut oil; and formula III containing 10% butter fat and 5% peanut oil with a fat content itself reduced to 15%. The linoleic acid levels were 2.5, 18 and 13% in formula I-III, respectively. Analysis of fatty acids at the time of birth, and 3 and 6 months thereafter, indicated that linoleic acid levels could be improved by supplementation with peanut oil. Arachidonic acid levels (20:4, n-6) did not show a proportional relationship with respect to linoleic acid intake. The other ratio such as triene/tetraene, oleic/linoleic, linoleic/arachidonic and arachidonic/linoleic were all within the normal range, indicating normal desaturase and elongase activity. Thus, our present study suggests that peanut oils could be used for enhancing the linoleic acid levels in infants.

Malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma: a case report.

A case report "Malignant Teratoid Medulloepithelioma" is herewith presented for its rarity. Medulloepitheliomas are embryonic tumors occurring infancy and are probably congenital. Occasionally they show glial tissue and cartilage.

Distribution of iodine in marine foods from different regions of India.

The iodine content of fresh and processed marine fish collected from different parts of coastal India was analysed. It was found that Indian marine fish are rich in iodine content (mean of 193 +/- 82 micrograms/100 g on wet weight basis). Also the iodine contents of shell fish and crabs (0.7-2.5 mg/100 g on wet weight basis) were higher than that of other fish. No significant regional differences were noted in the iodine content of marine fish. Further, no differences were observed in case of either salted or sun-dried fish indicating that curing did not influence the iodine content.

Effect of exhaustive ergometric exercise on blood coagulation, platelet adhesiveness and fibrinolytic activity in untrained young men and women.

Exhaustive bicycle ergometric exercise in 20 untrained male and female medical students in the age group of 18-25 yrs resulted in significant changes in clotting and prothrombin time, platelet adhesiveness and fibrinolytic activity. Clotting and Prothrombin time were reduced while platelet adhesiveness and fibrinolytic activity were increased in both the sexes.