Antiviral activities of Cholistani plants against common poultry viruses

@#Herbal medicines are becoming more popular and acceptable day by day due to their effectiveness, limited side effects, and cost-effectiveness. Cholistani plants are reported as a rich source of antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, and anticancer agents. The current study has evaluated antiviral potential of selected Cholistani plants. The whole plants were collected, ground and used in extract formation with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. All the extracts were concentrated by using a rotary evaporator and concentrate was finally dissolved in an appropriate vol of the same solvent. All of the extracts were tested for their antiviral potential by using 9-11 days old chick embryonated eggs. Each extract was tested against the Avian Influenza virus H9N2 strain (AIV), New Castle Disease virus Lasoota strain (NDV), Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and an Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Hemagglutination test (HA) and Indirect Hemagglutination (IHA) tests were performed for different viruses. The overall order of the antiviral potential of Cholistani plants against viruses was NDV>IBV>IBDV>AIV. In terms of antiviral activity from extracts, the order of activity was n-butanol>ethyl acetate>n-hexane. The medicinal plants Achyranthes aspera, Neuroda procumbens, Panicum antidotale, Ochthochloa compressa and Suaeda fruticose were very effective against all four poultry viruses through their extracts. The low IC50 values of these extracts confirm the high antiviral potential against these viruses. It is worth to mention that Achyranthes aspera was found positive against IBDV through all its extracts which overcome the problem of unavailability of any known drug against IBDV. In short, the study proved that Cholistani plants are rich source of antiviral agent and their extracts can be used as good source of antiviral drugs both in crude and in purified form.

The effect of different mouth washes and text messages reminder in the oral health of orthodontic patients

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different mouth washes and to study the effect of text message reminder on the oral health status of orthodontic patients treated with fixed appliances. Methods: This study was a clinical trial with pre-test and post-test control group design, conducted on 24 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment aged 15-30 years. The patients randomly divided into two groups; one received a weekly telephone text massage reminder for the instructions of brushing and rinsing while the second group did not receive any messages. Ortho-plaque index and gingival index were used to evaluate the patient's oral hygiene status. The reading indices after brushing only were regarded as a control, then the patients were instructed to use two mouth washes, one containing sodium fluoride with cetylpyridinium chloride, the second containing chlorhexidine digluconate with cetylpyridinium chloride and Aloe Vera. Each one was used routinely for 4 weeks with the same amount and method. The washout period between the two types mouth washes was 4 weeks with a standardized toothbrush and paste. Results: Ortho-plaque index values decreased over the time between first, second and third visits. However, this index raised up at the fourth visit and again dropdown at the fifth visit. Similar results were detected for gingival index. Also, significant interaction between messages and the assessments was recorded for gingival index with a significant difference between the group of text messages and without text messages group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the combination of sodium fluoride with cetylpyridinium chloride was more potent for plaque control, while chlorhexidine digluconate with cetylpyridinium chloride and Aloe Vera combination showed a better gingival improvement. Moreover, the text messages reminder could enhance, but not replace direct oral hygiene instruction in orthodontic patients

pH-induced reversible molecular self-assembly of perylene based imidazolate ester: a probable marker for biological species

Dianhydrides of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid (PTCDA) provide an excellent backbone for design and synthesis of various molecules of interest. Many water-soluble perylene derivatives with stimuli responded functionality being reported but there is few pH responded perylene derivatives were synthesized. The PTCDA derivatives so far synthesized are pH sensitive. These derivatives in an acid medium exist in its monomer form and undergo self-assembly with an increase in pH. In this paper, we report synthesis of pH-sensitive perylene based imidazolate ester, which exists in monomer form at pH 12 and undergo self-assembly with the decrease in pH contrary to the earlier reports. This phenomenon can be well explained for a probable marker in biological processes occurring specifically at pH 12.

Survey of Medical Students to find out their Choice of Paper Types for Examination

Introduction: Researchers have paid little attention to evaluating examination methodologies. Both subjective and objective questionnaires are needed to assess overall knowledge and skill of students. To make the papers student friendly, a survey on students’ choice for question papers is of utmost importance. Subjects and Methods: 122 students were provided with five question paper types having equal marks and given equal time to solve them. At the end of the examination they were asked to grade the paper as per their choice which were tabulated and analyzed. Results: Majority of the students gave the first preference to question paper type V (MCQs). As far as the choice of second best paper type was considered, there was discrepancy among good and mediocre students. The former considered paper type I (long essay type) while the latter selected type IV (write in brief) as the best paper type. Conclusion: To make the examination process, student friendly, paper having three question paper type i.e. MCQs, long essay type and write in brief should be coined.

Prevalence and Risk Correlates of Hypertension among Adults in Rural Field Practice Area of Tertiary Care Medical College at South India.

Background: In India, lifestyle diseases were considered in the urban setting; so the medical fraternity has concentrated more on the urban people. With epidemiological transition, a dramatic reduction in physical exercise has been observed in the rural areas with an increase in the stresses of life. According to World Health Report 2002, cardiovascular diseases will be the largest cause of death and disability by 2020 in India; the contributing factors are increasing hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, overweight or obesity, physical inactivity, and using tobacco. Our study aims to determine prevalence of hypertension in an adult rural community and to identify the risk factors of Hypertension among adults in Rural Field Practice Area Singanodi of Navodaya Medical College, Raichur, Karnataka. Methods: The present study is a cross sectional study, carried out in village Singanodi, which is designated as rural field practice area of Community Medicine Department, Navodaya Medical College. It has population coverage of 14,200.The study population include all subjects who were aged 30 years and above. The present study was a population based study. Results: Out of total population, 240 (37.3%) were in age group of 30-39 years, 222 (34.5%) were in age group of 40-49 years. Males and females were 386 (60.03%) and 257 (39.97%) respectively. Our study revealed that hypertension was significantly associated with body mass index, maximum in obese patients when compared to normal and underweight (p<0.0001) There is significant association between smoking and hypertension 77 (29.9%). (p<0.015) There is significant association with physical activity; that is sedentary people were more prone for getting hypertension when compared to heavy worker. However, salt intake > 6 grams/day and family history of hypertension were found to be significantly associated. (p=0.009; p=0.003 respectively) The prevalence of hypertension among subjects on vegetarian diet vs. mixed diet was 23.9% vs. 22.2%, respectively but the difference was not statistically significant. (p= 0.09) Conclusion: From our study we conclude that there is a high prevalence of hypertension even in rural area and advocate to flourish awareness regarding modifiable risk factors of hypertension among the people.