Antidiabetic,hypolipidemic and histopathological analysis of Dillenia indica (L.) leaves extract on alloxan induced diabetic rats

Objective:To investigate antidiabetic,hypolipidemic histopathological analysis of Dillenia indica(D.indica) methanolic leaves(DIME) extract in alloxan induced diabetic rat by administering oral doses(250 and 500 mg/kg body weight).Methods:Blood glucose levels were measured using blood glucose test strips with elegance glucometer on weekly intervals till the end of study(i.e.3 weeks).Other parameters e.g.liver profile,renal profile and total lipid levels were determined in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats after oral administration of the extract for 21 days.Histopathological changes in diabetic rat organs(pancreas,liver and kidney) were also observed after extract treatment Results:Daily oral administration DIME(250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) and glibenclamide(10 mg/kg) showed beneficial effects on blood glucose level (P【0.001) as well as improving kidney,liver functions and hyperlipidaemia due to diabetes. The extract treatment also showed to enhanced serum insulin level and body weight of diabetic rats as compared to diabetic control group.Furthermore,the extract has a favorable effect on the histopathological changes of the pancreas,liver and kidney in alloxan induced diabetes. Conclusions:D.indica possess antidiabetic property as well improve body weight,liver profile, renal profile and total lipid levels.DIME has also favorable effect to inhibit the histopathological changes of the pancreas and kidney in alloxan induced diabetes.

Evaluation of potential landslide damming: Case study of Urni landslide,Kinnaur, Satluj valley, India

This work aims to understand the process of potential landslide damming using slope failure mechanism,dam dimension and dam stability evaluation. The Urni landslide, situated on the right bank of the Satluj River, Himachal Pradesh(India) is taken as the case study. The Urni landslide has evolved into a complex landslide in the last two decade(2000-2016) and has dammed the Satluj River partially since year 2013,damaging ～200 m stretch of the National Highway(NH-05). The crown of the landslide exists at an altitude of ～2180-2190 m above msl, close to the Urni village that has a human population of about 500.The high resolution imagery shows ～50 m long landslide scarp and ～100 m long transverse cracks in the detached mass that implies potential for further slope failure movement. Further analysis shows that the landslide has attained an areal increase of 103,900 ± 1142 m^2 during year 2004-2016. About 86% of this areal increase occurred since year 2013. Abrupt increase in the annual mean rainfall is also observed since the year 2013. The extreme rainfall in the June, 2013; 11 June(～100 mm) and 16 June(～115 mm),are considered to be responsible for the slope failure in the Urni landslide that has partially dammed the river. The finite element modelling(FEM) based slope stability analysis revealed the shear strain in the order of 0.0-0.16 with 0.0-0.6 m total displacement in the detachment zone. Further, kinematic analysis indicated planar and wedge failure condition in the jointed rockmass. The debris flow runout simulation of the detached mass in the landslide showed a velocity of ～25 m/s with a flow height of ～15 m while it(debris flow) reaches the valley floor. Finally, it is also estimated that further slope failure may detach as much as 0.80 ±0.32 million m^3 mass that will completely dam the river to a height of 76±30 m above the river bed.

Evaluation of potential surface instability using finite element method in Kharsali Village,Yamuna Valley,Northwest Himalaya

Kharsali village, located in the Northwest Himalaya near the confluence of the Yamuna River and Unta Gad, is situated on a thick(>150 m) paleolandslide deposit. The village is continuously being eroded at its base by the two rivers. Cracks are noted in most houses while the ancient Shani Temple lying to the south of the village has tilted ~5° towards the northeast. Three slope sections(S-1, S-2, S-3) were modelled and analysed to determine the displacement and shear strain patterns of the slopes. Based on surface failure conditions, potential slope instability of the Kharsali village was evaluated from 2D Finite Element Method(FEM) using Shear Strain Reduction(SSR) analysis in the Phase2 software. Results indicate a critical Stress Reduction Factor(SRF) of 1.5 for the southern edge of the village(S-1) housing the Shani Temple. The development of failure surfaces at its lower portion signifies the propagating, progressive nature of the slope. The S-2 slope section is most vulnerable to slope failure, with a critical SRF of 1.08. This has been inferred by the formation of failure surfaces with displacements of 0.05-0.08 m. The S-3 section in the northern part of the Kharsali shows highest critical SRF of 2.76. The un-metalled road section in the north of the village near S-3 hasdeveloped a failure surface with displacement of 0.003-0.004 m, and a zone of subsidence. The S-3 section is relatively stable, whereas the S-2 section is the most vulnerable portion of the village.

Designandconstructionof athree-dimensionalelectrodewith biomass-derived carbon current collector andwater-soluble binder for high-sulfur-loading lithium-sulfur batteries

Lithium-sulfur batteries attract lots of attention due to their high specific capacity,low cost,and environmental friendliness.However,the low sulfur utilization and short cycle life extremely hinder their application.Herein,we design and fabricate a three-dimensional electrode by a simple filtration method to achieve a high-sulfur loading.Biomass porous carbon is employed as a current collector,which not only enhances the electronic transport but also effectively limits the volume expansion of the active material.Meanwhile,an optimized carboxymethyl cellulose binder is chosen.The chemical bonding restricts the shuttle effect,leading to improved electrochemical performance.Under the ultrahigh sulfur load of 28mg/cm2,the high capacity of 18mAh/cm2 is still maintained,and stable cycling performance is obtained.This study demonstrates a viable strategy to develop promising lithium-sulfur batteries with a three-dimensional electrode,which promotes sulfur loading and electrochemical performance.

五桠果提取物对糖尿病大鼠的降血糖及降血脂作用(英文)

目的:使用实验性糖尿病Wistar大鼠模型验证五桠果(Dillenia indica)甲醇提取物的生物活性成分(乙酸乙酯馏分)的降血糖及降血脂作用。方法:通过腹腔内注射链脲佐菌素(60mg/kg)建立大鼠1型糖尿病模型,腹腔内注射烟酰胺(120mg/kg)15min后腹腔内注射链脲佐菌素(60mg/kg)建立大鼠2型糖尿病模型。在不同的实验模型中,用药组大鼠均分别给予200mg/kg和400mg/kg的五桠果甲醇提取物的乙酸乙酯馏分连续21d。使用血糖仪每周1次测定各组大鼠血糖水平。使用自动分析仪器分别测定各组大鼠血清总胆固醇、三酰甘油及高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平。结果:在两个实验模型中,与模型组比较,五桠果甲醇提取物的乙酸乙酯馏分均能显著降低模型大鼠的血糖水平(P<0.01)以及血清总胆固醇(P<0.05)和三酰甘油(P<0.05)含量,升高高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平(P<0.05)。结论:五桠果甲醇提取物的乙酸乙酯馏分在400mg/kg剂量时,对于1型及2型糖尿病模型大鼠具有显著的治疗作用。因此这种提取物有望被研究开发成为治疗糖尿病的又一替代药物。

Natural Remedies against Multi-Drug Resistant <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an infectious deadly disease and the treatment of which is one of the most severe challenges at the global level. Currently more than 20 chemical medications are described for the treatment of TB. Regardless of availability of several drugs to treat TB, the causative agent, M. tuberculosis is nowadays getting resistant toward the conventional drugs and leading to conditions known as Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). This situation has terrified the global health community and raised a demand for new anti-tuberculosis drugs. Medicinal plants have been used to cure different common as well as lethal diseases by ancient civilizations due to its virtue of variety of chemical compounds which may have some important remedial properties. The aim of the present review is to focus the anti-tubercular medicinal plants native to India as well as the plants effective against MDR or XDR-TB across the globe. In the present review, we have addressed 25 medicinal plants for TB and 16 plants effective against MDR-TB testified from India and 23 herbal plants described for MDR-TB across the world during 2011-2015. These herbal plants can serve as promising candidates for developing novel medications to combat multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis.

A cautionary note on decadal sea level pressure predictions from GCMs

A comparison of sea level pressure(SLP)trends in a subset of seven Coupled Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP)phase 5 general circulation models(GCM),namely decadal simulations with CCSM4,CanCM4,MPI-ESM-LR,FGOALS-g2,MIROC4h,MIROC5,and MRICGCM3,to their CMIP3 counterparts reveals an unrealistically strong forecast skill in CMIP3 models for trend predictions for 2001e2011 when using the 1979e2000 period to train the forecast.Boreal-winter SLP trends over five high-,mid-,and low-latitude zones were calculated over the 1979e2000 initialization period for each ensemble member and then ranked based on their performance relative to HadSLP2 observations.The same method is used to rank the ensemble members during the 2001e2011 period.In CMIP3,17 out of 38 ensemble members retain their rank in the 2001e2011 hindcast period and 3 retain the neighboring rank.However,numbers are much lower in more recent CMIP5 decadal predictions over the similar 2001e2010 period when using the 1981e2000 period as initialization with the same number of ensembles.Different periods were used for CMIP3 and CMIP5 because although the 1979e2000 initialization is widely used for CMIP3,CMIP5 decadal predictions are only available for 30-year periods.The conclusion to consider the forecast skill in CMIP3 predictions during 2001e2011 as unrealistic is corroborated by comparisons to earlier periods from the 1960s to the 1980s in both CMIP3 and CMIP5 simulations.Thus,although the 2001e2011 CMIP3 predictions show statistically significant forecast skill,this skill should be treated as a spurious result that is unlikely to be reproduced by newer more accurate GCMs.

Dynamism of Antimicrobial Activity of Actinomycetes—A Case Study from Undisturbed Microbial Niche

Escalation of drug resistant microbes (bacteria) had forced researchers to search new and improved therapeutic compounds from different possible sources, including metabolites secreted by the actinomycetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of antimicrobial actinomycetes from physiologically distinct soil of different geographical locations. Forty five soil samples were collected from 5 districts of Gujarat including two sanctuaries as source of survey for bioactive actinomycetes. Crowded plate technique was used for isolation and Agar cylinder method was employed for the antimicrobial screening. A total of 171 actinomycetes were isolated and screened against eighteen pathogens responsible for causing diseases in plants and humans. Results indicate that 79% of the isolates were active against at least one of the eighteen tested pathogens. Some of the actinomycetes strain had shown strong antibacterial and antifungal activity which may be a good source of obtaining novel antimicrobials.

Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Fluxes Predicted from MODIS Satellite Data and Large-Scale Disturbance Modeling

The CASA (Carnegie-Ames-Stanford) ecosystem model based on satellite greenness observations has been used to estimate monthly carbon fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems from 2000 to 2009. The CASA model was driven by NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation cover properties and large-scale (1-km resolution) disturbance events detected in biweekly time series data. This modeling framework has been implemented to estimate historical as well as current monthly patterns in plant carbon fixation, living biomass increments, and long-term decay of woody (slash) pools before, during, and after land cover disturbance events. Results showed that CASA model predictions closely followed the seasonal timing of Ameriflux tower measurements. At a global level, predicting net ecosystem production (NEP) flux for atmospheric CO2 from 2000 through 2005 showed a roughly balanced terrestrial biosphere carbon cycle. Beginning in 2006, global NEP fluxes became increasingly imbalanced, starting from -0.9 Pg C yr-1 to the largest negative (total net terrestrial source) flux of -2.2 Pg C yr-1 in 2009. In addition, the global sum of CO2 emissions from forest disturbance and biomass burning for 2009 was predicted at 0.51 Pg C yr-1. These results demonstrate the potential to monitor and validate terrestrial carbon fluxes using NASA satellite data as inputs to ecosystem models.

Wave Transmission in Dispersive Si-Based One Dimensional Photonic Crystal

Transmission of electromagnetic waves through a Si-based one dimensional photonic crystal has been investigated. The proposed structure works as an omni-directional reflector for a certain range of wavelength for an angle of incidence up to 55?. The structure works as a narrow band TM-polarization filter for an angle of incidence more than 55?, i.e. a filter which completely blocks TE-polarized waves but allows certain wavelengths of TM-polarized waves. But at an angle of incidence of 89?, the structure works as a multiple narrow band TM-polarization filter even though no defect layer is introduced inside the structure. It is also found that this multiple narrow pass-bands of TM-polarized waves can be tuned to a desired range of wavelength by changing the temperature of the structure.

NKT cell subsets as key participants in liver physiology and pathology

Natural killer T （NKT） cells are innate-like lymphocytes that generally recognize lipid antigens and are enriched in microvascular compartments of the liver. NKT cells can be activated by self- or microbial-lipid antigens and by signaling through toll-like receptors. Following activation, NKT cells rapidly secrete pro-inflammatory or anti- inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and thereby determine the milieu for subsequent immunity or tolerance. It is becoming clear that two different subsets of NKT cells-type I and type II--have different modes of antigen recognition and have opposing roles in inflammatory liver diseases. Here we focus mainly on the roles of both NKT cell subsets in the maintenance of immune tolerance and inflammatory diseases in liver. Furthermore, how the differential activation of type I and type II NKT cells influences other innate cells and adaptive immune cells to result in important consequences for tissue integrity is discussed. It is crucial that better reagents, including CDld tetramers, be used in clinical studies to define the roles of NKT cells in liver diseases in patients.

Invariant natural killer T cells contribute to chronic-plus-binge ethanol-mediated liver injury by promoting hepatic neutrophil infiltration

Neutrophil infiltration is a hallmark of alcoholic steatohepatitis; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We previously reported that chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding synergistically induces hepatic recruitment of neutrophils, which contributes to liver injury. In this paper, we investigated the roles of invariant natural killer T （iNKT） cells in chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding-induced hepatic neutrophil infiltration and liver injury. Wild-type and two strains of iNKT cell-deficient mice （CDld- and Ja18-deficient mice） were subjected to chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding. Liver injury and inflammation were examined. Chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding synergistically increased the number of hepatic iNKT cells and induced their activation, compared with chronic feeding or binge alone, iNKT cell-deficient mice were protected from chronic-plus-binge ethanol-induced hepatic neutrophil infiltration and liver injury. Moreover, chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding markedly upregulated the hepatic expression of several genes associated with inflammation and neutrophil recruitment in wild-type mice, but induction of these genes was abrogated in iNKT cell-deficient mice. Importantly, several cytokines and chemokines （e.g., MIP-2, MIP-1, IL-4, IL-6 and osteopontin） involved in neutrophil infiltration were upregulated in hepatic NKT cells isolated from chronic-plus-binge ethanol-fed mice compared to pair-fed mice. Finally, treatment with CDld blocking antibody, which blocks iNKT cell activation, partially prevented chronic-plus-binge ethanol-induced liver injury and inflammation. Chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding activates hepatic iNKT cells, which play a critical role in the development of early alcoholic liver injury, in part by releasing mediators that recruit neutrophils to the liver, and thus, iNKT cells represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease.

Specific Control of Immunity by Regulatory CD8 T Cells

T lymphocytes with dedicated suppressor function(Treg)play a crucial role in the homeostatic control of immunity in the periphery.Several Treg phenotypes have now been identified in the CD4 and CD8 T cell populations, suggesting their down-regulatory function in both human and animal models of autoimmunity,transplantation and tumor immunity.Here we will focus on the CD8 Treg population and their ability to specifically inhibit a pathogenic autoimmune response.This review will detail the current advances in the knowledge of CD8 Treg in the context of antigen specificity,phenotype,MHC restriction,mechanism of action,and priming.Cellular & Molecular Immunology.2005;2(1):11-19.

Self-powered pressure sensor for ultra-wide range pressure detection

The next generation of sensors should be self-powered, maintenance-free, precise, and have wide-ranging sensing abilities. Despite extensive research and development in the field of pressure sensors, the sensitivity of most pressure sensors declines significantly at higher pressures, such that they are not able to detect a wide range of pressures with a uniformly high sensitivity. In this work, we demonstrate a single-electrode triboelectric pressure sensor, which can detect a wide range of pressures from 0.05 to 600 kPa with a high degree of sensitivity across the entire range by utilizing the synergistic effects of the piezoelectric polarization and triboelectric surface charges of self-polarized polyvinyldifluoride-trifluoroethylene （P（VDF-TrFE）） sponge. Taking into account both this wide pressure range and the sensitivity, this device exhibits the best performance relative to that of previously reported self-powered pressure sensors. This achievement facilitates wide-range pressure detection for a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from simple human touch, sensor networks, smart robotics, and sports applications, thus paving the way forward for the realization of next-generation sensing devices. Moreover, this work addresses the critical issue of saturation pressure in triboelectric nanogenerators and provides insights into the role of the surface charge on a piezoelectric polymer when used in a triboelectric nanogenerator.

Gastric antisecretory and cytoprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Plumeria alba Linn. leaves in rats

OBJECTIVE： This study was conducted to evaluate the antiulcerogenic property of hydroalcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of Plumeria alba Linn. METHODS： Antiulcer assays were performed using the protocols of ulcer induced by non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ethanol and pylorus ligation. The hydroalcoholic extract （HAPA）, and various fractions of HAPA like, n-hexane extract （HPA）, ethyl acetate extract （EAPA） and n-butanol extract （BPA） were administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg for HAPA and 100 and 200 mg/kg for fractions of extracts. Parameters of gastric secretion （volume, pH, total protein, and free and total acidity） were determined by the pylorus ligation model. Parameters like aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were also determined in ethanol- induced ulcer model. To determine the mechanism of action, role of nitric oxide was also evaluated. RESULTS： EAPA and BPA （100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.） showed gastric ulcer-healing effect in indomethacin-induced ulcer model, while HAPA （200 mg/kg） and HPA showed no significant antiulcer effect. Both EAPA and BPA showed gastric cytoprotective effect in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and inhibited gastric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. CONCLUSION： The results of the present study show that some hydroalcoholic extract of Plumeria alba L. displays antiulcer activity, as demonstrated by the significant inhibition of ulcer formation induced by different models, which is consistent with the literature report in folk medicine.

Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological updates on Hygrophila auriculata (Schum.) Hiene： an overview

This article explores the most recent evidence-based information on ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological understanding of Hygrophila auriculata for the treatment of various diseases and health conditions. Various ethnomedicinal writings suggest the use of the plant or its parts for the treatment of jaundice, oedema, gastrointestinal ailments, diarrhoea, dysentery, urinogenital disorder, gall stones, urinary calculi, kidney stone, leucorrhoea, rheumatism, tuberculosis, anaemia, body pain, constipation, skin disease, and as an aphrodisiac. The plant has been reported to contain flavonoids （apigenin, luteolin, ellagic acid, gallic acid and quercetin）, alkaloids （asteracanthine and asteracanthicine）, triterpenes （lupeol, lupenone, hentricontane and betulin）, sterols （stigmasterol and asterol）, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, aliphatic esters and essential oils. Extracts and bioactive compounds from the plant have been found to possess antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antitermite, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, central nervous system protective, antitumour, antidiabetic, anticataract, antioxidant, haematopoietic, diuretic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antimotility, aphrodisiac, neuroprotection, anti- endotoxin and anti-urolithiatic activities. For this paper, we reviewed patents, clinical studies, analytical studies and marketed formulations from the earliest found examples from 1887 to the end of 2017.

Association of metabolic NCD risk factors with oral, breast and cervical precancers and cancers in India

Objective To find an association between metabolic non-communicable disease(NCD)risk factors(high blood pressure(BP),high random blood sugar(RBS)and overweight/obesity)and oral,breast,cervical cancers/precancerous or potentially malignant conditions.Design This is an observational study using convenience sampling.The participants were screened through opportunistic or population-based screening.setting The study was conducted at a health promotion clinic(HPC)located in Northern India under the Indian Council of Medical Research.HPC is a screening clinic where screening is done for hypertension(HT),diabetes mellitus(DM),obesity,and oral,breast and cervical cancers.The study was conducted between December 2016 and January 2019.Participant The number of participants screened was 8352(6712 women and 1640 men).All consenting men and women above 18 years were included.All participants were screened for oral cancer,DM,HT and obesity.All women were also screened for breast and cervical cancers.Cervical screening was done for non-pregnant women 21 years and above with history of sexual activity.result Oral potentially malignant disease(OPMD)was the most prevalent,followed by breast cancer,oral cancer,cervical cancer and cervical precancer.High RBS had a strong association with oral cancer(OR=2.29,95%CI 1.09 to 4.82,p=0.03)and breast cancer(OR=1.95,95%CI 1.01 to 3.76,p=0.05).High BP had a strong association with breast cancer(OR=2.50,95%CI 1.43 to 4.35,p<0.0001).An inverse association was noted between oral cancer and overweight/obesity(OR=0.20,95%CI 0.08 to 0.48,p<0.0001).Current tobacco use was strongly associated with oral cancer(OR=6.51,95%CI 3.63 to 11.67,p<0.0001)and OPMD(OR=9.82,95%CI 8.13 to 11.86,p<0.0001).No association was elicited between the metabolic NCD risk factors and cervical cancer/precancer.Conclusions The study reaffirms that NCD metabolic risk factors determine oral and breast cancers.Besides NCD risk factors,current tobacco use was a strong determinant of OPMD and oral cancer.Hence,primary and primordial prevention measures to control NCD metabolic risk factors and tobacco use should move along with secondary prevention of breast and oral cancers.