Emergence of taurine as a therapeutic agent for neurological disorders

Taurine is a sulfur-containing,semi-essential amino acid that occurs naturally in the body.It alternates between inflammation and oxidative stress-mediated injury in various disease models.As part of its limiting functions,taurine also modulates endoplasmic reticulum stress,Ca^(2+)homeostasis,and neuronal activity at the molecular level.Taurine effectively protects against a number of neurological disorders,including stro ke,epilepsy,cerebral ischemia,memory dysfunction,and spinal cord injury.Although various therapies are available,effective management of these disorders remains a global challenge.Approximately 30 million people are affected worldwide.The design of taurine fo rmation co uld lead to potential drugs/supplements for the health maintenance and treatment of central nervous system disorders.The general neuroprotective effects of taurine and the various possible underlying mechanisms are discussed in this review.This article is a good resource for understanding the general effects of taurine on various diseases.Given the strong evidence for the neuropharmacological efficacy of taurine in various experimental paradigms,it is concluded that this molecule should be considered and further investigated as a potential candidate for neurotherapeutics,with emphasis on mechanism and clinical studies to determine efficacy.

Impact of phytoconstituents on oral health practices:a post COVID-19 observation

Appropriate oral hygiene significantly reduces the possibility of oral infections.However,dental caries and periodontal diseases are major oral health issues causing chronic diseases due to poor oral health.Recently,herbal compounds have gained interest in maintaining oral health.Extracts of burdock root(Arctium),noni fruit(Morinda citrifolia),and neem leaf(Azadirachta indica)are now used as intracanal medicaments in endodontics and periodontics.Plectranthus amboinicus species and other plants produces essential oil likeβ-caryophyllene,p-cymene,andγ-terpinene can exhibit antibacterial activity;highlighting phytoconstituents plays a vital role in oral health.The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of hygiene and sanitization,to curb SARS-CoV-2.Oral cavity is among the gateways for virus entry into saliva.Saliva is a potential reservoir of SARS-CoV-2,and there is an increased risk of infection if there is any fissure in the mouth.This enables entry of virus into the vascular system through gingival or periodontal pocket,possibly reaching lung periphery then to lung vessels by interacting with endothelial surface receptors triggering pulmonary vasoconstriction and lung damage due to endothelial dysfunction.This review aims to draw attention to the possible route of SARS-CoV-2 infection via the oral cavity and the importance of oral hygiene against COVID-19.

Trends of Seroprevalence, Epidemiology and Clinical Presentation of HIV in North India: A Tertiary Care Hospital Based Study

Introduction: HIV infection represents a major public health problem for both developing and developed countries as it has grown to global pandemic. Spectrum of clinical presentation of HIV can greatly vary with geopolitical, socioeconomic and cultural environment. Aims: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence, socio-demographic conditions, clinical presentations, opportunistic infections and the possible associated risk factors for acquiring HIV infection. Materials and Methods: An observational prospective study was conducted from January 2010 to December 2014 at our centre situated in north India. As per the strategy and policy prescribed by NACO, tests were performed on the serum samples. Results: Out of the total 35369 clients tested for HIV infection, 292 were found to be HIV-1 seropositive. Two HIV-2 cases were found among the studied population. The seroprevalence of HIV was found to be 0.83% (294/35369). Mean age of the study group was 30 ± 5.65 (range: 02 - 80) years. Overall positivity rates among attendees were found to be 0.97% (138/14098), 0.96% (35/3610), 0.82% (7/850), 0.78% (22/2810) and 0.65% (92/14001) in the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. Heterosexual route of transmission was the major route of infection in 78.2 % patients. At the time of presentation, it was observed that Tuberculosis (14.9%) was the most common opportunistic infection. Conclusion: The study shows that there is a decreasing trend in the HIV prevalence in North India. However, the number of HIV cases is still significant and suggests the need for focused prevention efforts in high-risk groups.

Antidiabetic activity of methanolic bark extract of Alhizia odoratissima Benth.in alloxan induced diabetic albino mice

Objective:To evaluate the antidiabetic potential of methanolic extract of Albizia odoratissima Benth.bark in alloxan induced diabetic mice.Methods:Group-Ⅰ(normal control) mice received only basal diet without any treatment.In Group-Ⅱ(Diabetic control) mice,diabetes was induced by alloxan(150 mg/kg i.p.) and received only Tween 80.5%v/v in normal saline. Group-Ⅲand Group-Ⅳmice received metformin(10 mg/kg) and gliclazide(10 mg/kg) as standard drugs.Group-ⅤandⅥmice received methanolic bark extract of Albizia odoratissima at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight p.o.,respectively.Results:The results of the study indicates that Albizia odoratissima bark extract significantly(P【0.01) reduced the blood sugar level.The bark extract also significantly reduced the levels of serum cholesterol,triglycerides, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase,serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase,alkaline phosphatase and decreases level of total proteins in alloxan induced diabetic mice.Conclusions: Methanolic extract of Albizia odoratissima has protective effects on the protection of vital tissues(pancreas,kidney,liver,heart and spleen),thereby reducing the causation of diabetes in experimental animals.

捕食性瓢虫的体型大小影响其偏好捕食防御性强的猎物吗?（英文）

【目的】尽管瓢虫表现出种间和种内特异性体型大小的变异,但是瓢虫体型大小的变异是否会改变其选择捕食防御性强(即表现出各种防御反应,包括积极躲避捕食、挣脱捕食者或频繁利用防御性化学物质)的猎物,这一问题尚不清楚。本研究中,我们假设不论体型大小,捕食性瓢虫七星瓢虫Coccinella septempunctata(L.)和六斑月瓢虫Menochilus sexmaculatus(Fab.)都将增加其对猎物萝卜蚜Lipaphis erysimi(Kaltenbach)的捕食,只要猎物处于防御性强的龄期,原因是处于防御性强的龄期的猎物体型大且更有活力。【方法】我们将萝卜蚜4龄若虫期作为防御性强的龄期,将2龄若虫期作为防御性弱的龄期,评价七星瓢虫和六斑月瓢虫这两种瓢虫的大型和小型变异体对萝卜蚜的偏好性。【结果】结果表明,六斑月瓢虫的大型和小型雌性变异体更多地捕食防御性弱的萝卜蚜,而七星瓢虫的大型和小型雌性变异体分别对防御性强和防御性弱的萝卜蚜捕食较多。在混合饲料上,七星瓢虫雌性变异体对两类蚜虫的捕食百分比相似,而六斑月瓢虫变异体对防御性弱的萝卜蚜的捕食百分比较高。尽管随着七星瓢虫雌虫体型的增大而对两类猎物的捕食增多,但随着六斑月瓢虫雌虫体型的增大,只对防御性强的蚜虫的捕食量增加。【结论】本研究结果与我们的假设相反,并证明了:(1)小型瓢虫更多地只是捕食防御性弱的猎物,而大型瓢虫选择性地捕食防御性强的猎物;(2)在瓢虫种内和种间,随着捕食者体型的增大,对防御性强的猎物的偏好性增加。可将这些结果用于瓢虫的室内大规模饲养,以提高对萝卜蚜的生物防治。

含笑属植物所含化学成分与其生物活性的综述(英文)

属木兰科的含笑属植物大约有80多个种类,它们大都分布在南亚国家。这些植物被当地人用于治疗各种疾病,如发烧、绞痛、麻风病、眼疾、炎症以及解蝎子毒。从9种含笑属植物中分离出94种化合物,例如倍半萜烯、类固醇、黄酮类、阿扑啡类、苯酚、酯类、生物碱和苯环型化合物等,它们具有抗菌、抗癌以及抗疟原虫活性。本文详细地论述了含笑属植物所含化学成分的生物及化学性能。

防御性被捕食者可利用量的波动可调节六斑月瓢虫的功能反应曲线(英文)

【目的】本研究评价了在被捕食者波动条件下,在花生蚜Aphis craccivora Koch和萝卜蚜Lipaphis erysimi(Kaltenbach)上六斑月瓢虫Menochilus sexmaculatus(Fabricius)4龄幼虫的功能反应。萝卜蚜是一种含烯丙基异硫氰酸酯的防御性被捕食者。我们推测,在试验的被捕食者条件下,在最适量被捕食者或丰富的被捕食者条件下饲养的幼虫比在缺乏被捕食者条件下饲养的幼虫表现出更好的功能反应。而在萝卜蚜上六斑月瓢虫的功能反应曲线的斜率比在花生蚜上要低。【方法】将六斑月瓢虫4龄幼虫从饲养条件(缺乏被捕食者/最适乏被捕食者/丰富的被捕食者)突然转移到不同的试验条件(极为缺乏被捕食者/缺乏被捕食者/次适量被捕食者/最适量被捕食者/丰富的被捕食者)下,外推出其功能曲线。【结果】尽管被捕食资源发生了改变,但是六斑月瓢虫4龄幼虫在花生蚜上表现出Ⅱ型反应,而在萝卜蚜上表现出改变的Ⅱ型反应。此外,在5个试验条件下,不管是哪种被捕食者,在最适量被捕食者/丰富的被捕食者条件下饲养的4龄幼虫均表现出正常的捕食率。但是在缺乏被捕食者条件下饲养的4龄幼虫突然转变到最适量/丰富的被捕食者实验条件下时,它们通过取食比平时更多的被捕食者的生物量来补偿食物的短缺。不过,它们在丰富的被捕食者条件下的取食量最高,在极为缺乏被捕食者的试验条件下的取食量最低。而且,在花生蚜上记录到较高的攻击率和较低的猎物处理时间。【结论】结果说明,萝卜蚜可利用量的波动可改变六斑月瓢虫幼虫的功能反应。然而,对于六斑月瓢虫而言,花生蚜比萝卜蚜是更为合适的被捕食者。

Proactive Connection Recovery Strategy with Recovery Time Constraint for Survivable Elastic Optical Networks

This paper presents a halfway signaling exchange shared path protection(HSE-SPP)on the backup route for a fast connection recovery strategy.In the proposed HSE-SPP,a pre-assigned intermediate node on the backup route is chosen for signaling exchange.When connection fails,source and destination nodes simultaneously generate backup connection setup messages to the pre-assigned intermediate node on the reserved backup route.At the intermediate node,signaling process occurs,and acknowledgment is generated for data transmission to the respective end nodes.Consequently,connection recovery time by applying HSE-SPP becomes very low.Simulations are performed for network parameters and results are verified with existing strategies.The average recovery time(RT),bandwidth blocking probability(BBP),bandwidth provisioning ratio(BPR),and resource overbuild(RO)ratio of HSE-SPP for ARPANET is 13.54 ms,0.18,3.02,0.55,and for dedicated path protection(DPP)are 13.20 ms,0.56,6.30,3.75 and for shared path protection(SPP)22.19 ms,0.22,3.23,0.70 respectively.Similarly,average RT,BBP,BPR and RO of HSE-SPP for COST239 are8.33 ms,0.04,1.64,0.26,and for DPP 4.23,0.47,3.50,2.04,and for SPP 11.81,0.08,1.66,0.27 respectively.Hence,results of the proposed strategy are better in terms of RT,BBP,BPR,and RO ratio.

甲状腺相关性眼病伴眼外肌肌腱受累1例(英文)

目的:报告1例甲状腺相关性眼病的非典型CT扫描表现。方法:一位64岁的中国女性出现复视3mo,无视力模糊。14a前她曾患甲状腺功能亢进症伴多结节甲状腺肿并行甲状腺切除术。眼科检查发现双眼下斜视并向上注视受限。左眼red desaturation并Ⅰ级相对性瞳孔传入障碍。T3,T4和促甲状腺激素(thyroid stimulating hormone,TSH)正常。TSH受体、抗体水平高,与Graves'病一致。磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)显示双下直肌弥漫性增大,肌腱受累。结果:给予几周期静脉注射甲基强的松龙继之以口服强的松后视力无提高,反之继续下降。行左眼眼眶减压术,术后其左眼视力有所改善。结论:有肌腱受累的眼外肌增大不能排除甲状腺相关性眼眶病(thyroid assciated orbitopathy,TAO)的可能。

Comparison of Sensitivity and Specificity of ZN and Fluorescent Stain Microscopy with Culture as Gold Standard

Introduction: Reports indicate that fluorescent staining of smears increases sensitivity of direct microscopy;so ZN staining is being replaced with fluorescent microscopy in RNTCP in India. Chemical processing and sputum concentration may also improve sensitivity of microscopy. Objective: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of microscopy for AFB using ZN and fluorescent stains in direct and concentrated specimen with culture as gold standard. Methods: Morning sputum specimen of patients, suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis, over a period of 6 months was subjected to direct microscopy using fluorescent stain;the same slide was over-stained with ZN stain. Same sputum sample was concentrated by Petroff’s method and subjected to fluorescent microscopy followed by ZN microscopy and finally to culture for AFB. Results: Sensitivity of fluorescent stained concentrated sputum samples was maximum and of ZN stained unprocessed sputum samples was minimum. Specificity of three of the methods was equal at 0.96 but of ZN stained concentrated sputum smears was 0.97. Sensitivity of total fluorescent stains was 0.85 (Specificity 0.96) and sensitivity of total ZN stained smears was 0.80 (Specificity 0.96). Discussion: We used same smear for fluorescent and ZN stains, so smear related variability is decreased. Blinding for microscopy was practically complete. Conclusion: The sensitivity of sputum microscopy for AFB can be increased by concentrating the sputum and using fluorescent microscopy. The specificity remains high in all the methods.

基于遗传算法和模糊λ-tau技术对造纸工业清洗系统的行为预测

随着系统结构变得更加复杂,可用性分析成为工业系统设计领域中的一个重要问题。此外,系统的可用性受诸多因素影响,如设计、制造、安装等,所以针对系统的故障行为建模、分析和预测是非常困难的。本文目的是开发一种新的方法,用于计算任何工业系统中的各种性能指标,即可靠性、可用性、MTBF(平均故障间隔时间),ENOF(预期的故障次数),故障率和维修时间。在该方法中,采用遗传算法获得所有组成部件的故障率和维修时间,然后使用模糊λ-tau技术计算各种性能指标。本研究涉及的清洗系统是造纸工业的主要组成部分。运用Petri网络对工作部件之间的相互作用进行建模。使用三角模糊数表示故障率和修复频率,因为他们允许将可靠信息中的专家观点、语言变量、操作条件、不确定性和不精确性纳入系统模型中。基于计算的可靠性参数形成一个结构框架,可帮助维护工程师分析和预测系统行为。

影响鸡羽毛覆盖状况的饲料因素

发育良好的羽毛对肉鸡十分重要，是其身体健康和性能优良的一个标志。但是，应激和营养不良会造成羽毛覆盖问题。本文将探讨与肉鸡羽毛生长相关的营养问题。鸡的蛋白质含量占其身体的21％左右，而羽毛中蛋白质的含量在94％～96％(Block和Boiling，1951)。因此，鸡在羽毛形成时期对日粮中蛋白质和氨基酸的需求很高，特别是对含硫氨基酸和精氨酸的需求。然而，羽毛中缺乏血液且无神经(Lillie，1948)，但是有报道指出鸡的羽毛覆盖状况会受其摄入的蛋白质(Ambrosen和Petersen，1997)和必需氨基酸(Kumar等，2016)水平的影响。

Pharmacognostic evaluation of leaf and root bark of Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb.

Objective:To evaluate the pharmacognostic characters of an important medicinal plant, Holoptelcu integrifolia(H.integrifolia) Roxb.Methods:The pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic,microscopic,macroscopic and fluorescence analysis.Results: The characteristic microscopic features of leaves were observed as trichomes,multicellular trichomes,xylem cells,phloem cells,collenchyma,vascular bundles,spongy parenchyma and palisade cells.The characteristic microscopic features of root bark included cork cambium, primary cortex,phloem fibers,medullary rays,endodermis,pericycle and lignified fibers in the transverse section and longitudinal section.The characteristic microscopy of root bark powder showed the presence of cortex cells,sieve tubes,calcium oxalate crystals and lignified fibers. Macroscopic study showed that leaf shape-oval,apex-acute,base-cordate and leaf margin was entire with glabrous surface,bitter taste and characteristic odour.The morphological features of root bark showed deep fissured,rough and firm surface with rhitydome and the periderm parallel to cambium.Conclusions:Various pharmacognostic characters observed in this study help in the identification and standardization of H.integrifolia.

Pharmacognostic evaluation of Cayratia trifolia (Linn.)leaf

Objective:To present a detailed pharmacognostic study of the leaf of Cayratia trifolia(C.trifolia)Linn.(Vitaceae),an important plant in the Indian system of medicine.Methods:The macroscopy,microscopy,physiochemical analysis,preliminary testing,fluorescence analysis of powder of the plant and other WHO recommended methods for standardization were investigated.Results:Leaves are trifoliolated with petioles(2-3 cm)long.Leaflets are ovate to oblong-ovate,(2-8 cm)long,(1.5-5 cm)wide,pointed at the tip.The leaf surface shows the anisocytic type stomata covered with guard cells followed by epidermis layer.Leaf surface contents including veins.vein islet and vein termination were also determined.Transverse section of leaf shows the epidermis layer followed by cuticle layer and vascular bandies(xylem and phloem).The mesophyll is differentiated into palisade and spongy parenchyma.Abundant covering trichomes emerge from the upper epidermis.Trichomes are uniseriate and multicellular.Strips of collenchyma are present below and upper layer of epidermis.Conclusions:It can be concluded that the pharmacognostic profile of the C.trifolia is helpful in developing standards for quality,purity and sample identification.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of leaf extracts of Skimmia anquetilia

Objective:To evaluate anti-inflammatory potential of leaf extract of Skimmia anquetilia by invitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory models.Methods:Acute toxicity study was carried out to determine the toxicity level of different extract using acute toxic class method as described in Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines No.423.Carrageenan(1% w/w) was administered and inflammation was induced in rat paw.The leaf extracts of Skimmia anquetilia were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity by in-vitro human red blood cell(HRBC) membrane stabilization method and in-vivo carrangeenan-induced rat paw edema method. Results:The in-vitro membrane stabilizing test showed petroleum ether(PE),chloroform(CE), ethyl acetate(EE),methanol(ME) and aqueous extracts(AE) showed 49.44%,59.39%,60.15%,68.40% and 52.18%protection,respectively as compared to control groups.The in-vivo results of CE,EE and ME showed 58.20%.60.17%and 67.53%inhibition of inflammation after 6h administration of test drugs in albino rats.The potency of the leaf extracts of Skimmia anquetilia were compared with standard diclofenac(10 mg/kg) which showed 74.18%protection in in-vitro HRBC membrane stabilization test and 71.64%inhibition in in-vivo carrangeenan-induced rat paw edema model. The ME showed a dose dependent significant(P< 0.01) anti-inflammatory activity in human red blood cell membrane stabilization test and reduction of edema in carrageenan induced rat paw edema.Condusioiis:The present investigation has confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of Skimmia anquetilia due to presence of bioactive phytoconstitutes for the first lime and provide the pharmacological evidence in favor of traditional claim of Skimmia anquetilia as an antiinflammatory agent.

BanSatDB, a whole-genome-based database of putative and experimentally validated microsatellite markers of three Musa species

The genus Musa is one of three genera in the family Musaceae, which includes bananas and plantains, which are monocotyledonous plants. Bananas have valuable nutritional content of vitamin C, B6, minerals, and dietary fiber and are a rich food energy source, given that carbohydrates account for 22%–32% of fruit weight. Molecular markers are valuable for crop improvement and population genetics studies. The availability of whole-genome sequence and in silico approaches has revolutionized bulk marker discovery. We describe an online web genomic resource, BanSatDB(http://webtom.cabgrid.res.in/bansatdb/) having the highest number(>341,000) of putative STR markers from Musa genera so far, represented by three species: M. acuminata(110,000), M. balbisiana(107,000), and M. itinerans(124,000)from 11 chromosomes of each species. BanSatDB has also been populated with 580 validated STR markers from the published literature. It is based on a three-tier architecture using MySQL, PHP and Apache. The markers can be retrieved by use of multiple search parameters including chromosome number(s), microsatellite types(simple or compound),repeat nucleotides(1–6), copy number, microsatellite length, pattern of repeat motif, and chromosome location. These markers can be used for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability(DUS) tests of variety identification and for marker assisted selection(MAS) in variety improvement and management. These STRs have also proved to be helpful in classification of Musa germplasm to distinguish individual accessions and in the development of a standardized procedure for genotyping. These markers can also be used in gene discovery and QTL mapping. The database represents a source of markers for developing and implementing new approaches for molecular breeding, which are required to enhance banana productivity.

印度某医疗中心机械性眼外伤患者受伤情况分析（英文）

目的:研究农村转诊中心到访以病人机械性眼损伤模式。方法:本研究在Dr.Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College(RPGMC),Kangra(Himachal Pradesh)眼科进行。研究从2013-01-01/2013-12-31,周期12mo,包括数据收集、整理、描述、分析和解释,然后进行为期1mo的随访。前瞻性研究,包括200例机械性眼损伤的患者,所有患者都接受了问卷调查,并进行详细的眼部检查。根据国际眼损伤类型分为开放性眼球损伤和闭合性眼部损伤。受损的眼睑、泪腺以及颅神经麻痹视为独立存在,通过MSExcel 2007表格使用Epiinfo7软件进行数据分析。结果:在研究期间,共接收门诊患者21710例,其中200例为机械性眼损伤,占门诊总人数的0.921%。患者年龄为1~80(平均33.12±20.48)岁。151(75.5%)例男性,49(24.5%)例女性患者,男女比例为3:1。200例受试者中,眼部损伤情况分别为:家中(100眼)、运动场所(29眼)、职业损伤(29眼)、道路交通事故(38眼)、暴力冲突(10眼)、学校(3眼)、宗教场所踩踏事故(1眼)。就诊时视力达到6/12的有47%,<6/12~6/36有13.5%,<6/36~1/60有6%,<1/60~光感有22%,无光感的4%。7.5%患者视力无法通过国际标准视力表评估。大多数患者为闭合性眼部损伤(54.5%),涉及眼睑、泪腺(23%),开放性眼部损伤为19.5%,3%累及颅神经。结论:眼部机械性损伤是造成单眼失明的常见病因,具有可预防性。

具有免疫刺激活性的药用植物概览(英文)

人类使用药用植物治疗疾病可以追溯至远古时代。如今仍有很多人依赖传统医药进行日常保健。印度阿育吠陀医学及其他印度的古老文献中记载了多种植物的药用功效。这些药用植物中,有很多被认为能够提高人的机体对于外界感染的自然抵抗力,即很多药用植物具有免疫刺激活性。本文对这些具有免疫刺激活性的药用植物进行了综述。

Bayesian and hierarchical Bayesian analysis of response - time data with concomitant variables

This paper considers the Bayes and hierarchical Bayes approaches for analyzing clinical data on response times with available values for one or more concomitant variables. Response times are assumed to follow simple exponential distributions, with a different parameter for each patient. The analyses are carried out in case of progressive censoring assuming squared error loss function and gamma distribution as priors and hyperpriors. The possibilities of using the methodology in more general situations like dose- response modeling have also been explored. Bayesian estimators derived in this paper are applied to lung cancer data set with concomitant variables.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Fetus in Fetu with a Well Formed Skull: A Rare Case Report

Fetus in fetu is an extremely rare condition embryologically arising in monozygotic diamniotic twins with an incidence of 1:500,000 births. To the best of our knowledge, number of reported cases should not be more than 100 with majority of cases presenting in post natal life with only 5 cases detected prenatally. We are presenting a case diagnosed at 24 weeks of gestation on ultrasound with presence of well formed skull, facial skeleton and bony orbit.