Abstract A study was conducted to record the effect of modified atmospheric packaging (MAP), storage conditions (ambient, zero energy cool chamber and refrigerated) as well as storage period on shelf-life and quality of tomatoes produced through Subhash Palekar natural farming (SPNF) and chemical farming (CHEM) systems. Freshly harvested tomatoes (SPNF and CHEM) packed in LDPE pouches (25.40 μm and 10 pin holes/100 cm2 area) and without packaging were stored under ambient (27±2 °C and 70±2% RH), zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) (17±2 °C and 82 ±2 % RH) and low temperature conditions (10±2 ºC and 90 % RH) for shelf-life studies. The shelf-life comparison was done at every two days’ interval up to 24 days based on physiological loss in weight (PLW) and spoilage percentage. SPNF and CHEM tomatoes were compared on the basis of quality attributes (firmness, acidity, TSS, sugars, total phenols, antioxidant activity etc.), mineral content and sensory characteristics. Results revealed that tomato stored in refrigerated condition had significantly (p ˂0.05) lowest PLW and spoilage incidence and highest sensory acceptability up to 24 days and was at par with ZECC stored tomatoes. Quality evaluation indicated that tomatoes grown under SPNF system contained a higher amount of total solids, total sugars, reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, total phenols and ash. The results showed that tomatoes with MAP and stored under refrigerated storage condition retained maximum quality up to 24 days followed by tomatoes stored under ZECC (18 days) compared to 12 days at ambient conditions.

Abstract Radioactive trivalent chromium (51Cr3+) is a known radiopharmaceutical used to tag plasma proteins, platelets and also for estimation of blood volume. Nevertheless, there exist insufficient reports with limited sample sizes concerning its clearance from blood and its biodistribution after intravenous administration. This study focused to understand clearance rate of 51Cr3+ from blood and analyze its biodistribution. For biodistribution, six adult New Zealand white albino rabbits were injected with 51Cr3+ through their marginal vein. Percentage clearance of 51Cr3+ from blood was calculated by recording radioactive counts obtained at 1, 58, 61, 120, 180 and 240 minutes post-administration in thirty-three adult New Zealand white albino rabbits. For evaluating 51Cr3+ biodistribution, organs were surgically removed from the rabbits and weighed. Radioactivity of the organs and urine were counted in a nucleonix gamma-ray spectrometer with a NaI scintillation detector. Data were expressed as cps/g. Average clearance of 51Cr3+ was 34% from the first to the 58 minute. Subsequent measurements for hourly clearance at 120, 180 and 240 minutes showed percentage reduction of radioactivity of 33, 14 and 8, respectively. Minimal specific activities were found in the muscle and brain. Spleen, lungs, liver and kidneys exhibited moderate radioactivity. Urine tracer-concentrations were found to be ten times more than that of plasma. From this study, it has been observed that clearance of 51Cr3+ from blood was faster initially which slowed down progressively and there displayed moderate uptake of 51Cr3+ by certain organs. Understanding pharmacokinetics of 51Cr3+ is relevant for its potential use as a diagnostic tool.

Abstract Background: The oral cavities of snakes are replete with various types of bacterial flora. Culture-dependent studies suggest that some of the bacterial species are responsible for secondary bacterial infection associated with snakebite. A complete profile of the ophidian oral bacterial community has been unreported until now. Therefore, in the present study, we determined the complete bacterial compositions in the oral cavity of some snakes from India. Methods: Total DNA was isolated from oral swabs collected from three wild snake species (Indian Cobra, King Cobra and Indian Python). Next, the DNA was subjected to PCR amplification of microbial 16S rRNA gene using V3-region-specific primers. The amplicons were used for preparation of DNA libraries that were sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Results: The cluster-based taxonomy analysis revealed that Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most predominant phyla present in the oral cavities of snakes. This result indicates that snakes show more similarities to birds than mammals as to their oral bacterial communities. Furthermore, our study reports all the unique and common bacterial species (total: 147) found among the oral microbes of snakes studied, while the majority of commonly abundant species were pathogens or opportunistic pathogens to humans. A wide difference in ophidian oral bacterial flora suggests variation by individual, species and geographical region. Conclusion: The present study would provide a foundation for further research on snakes to recognize the potential drugs/antibiotics for the different infectious diseases.

Abstract A novel Quadruple-shaped Dielectric Resonator Antenna (DRA) excited by a coaxial feed is investigated. The dielectric used for investigation is biodegradable polymer based dielectric material having a dielectric constant (εr) of 3.45 and dielectric loss tangent (δ) =0.02. The resulting antenna offers broad impedance bandwidth of 63.2% for |S11| < −10 dB from 2.8 to 5.2 GHz frequency band. This antenna is suitable for practical use in WLAN (5.15-5.35 GHz) and Wi-Max (3.4-3.69 GHz) applications. The results show the peak gain of the antenna is 4.5dBi at resonant frequency 3.8 GHz. It is also observed that the new proposed structure of Quadrupleshaped DRA offers broadside radiation patterns and high efficiency for the entire operating band. The simulated and experimental results are well in agreement.

INTRODUCTION: Internal thoracic artery (ITA) is an established arterial graft for the coronary artery by-pass surgery. Special micro-anatomical features of the ITA wall may protect it from age related pathological changes. One of the complications seen after coronary artery bypass grafting is vasospasm. Sympathetic nerves may be involved in vasospasm. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the sympathetic innervation of the internal thoracic artery and to assess the effect of aging on this artery by histomorphometry. METHOD: Fifty-four human internal thoracic artery samples were collected from 27 cadavers (19 male and 8 female) with ages of 19 to 83 years. Samples were divided into three age groups: G1, 19-40 years; G2, 41-60 years; G3, >61 years. Sections (thickness 5 mm) of each sample were taken and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Verhoeff-Van Gieson stains. Five of fifty-four samples were processed for tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining. RESULTS: The thickness of the tunica intima was found to be constant in all age groups, whereas the thickness of the tunica media decreased in proportion to age. Verhoeff-Van Gieson staining showed numerous elastic laminae in the tunica media. Significant differences (p<0.0001) in the number of elastic laminae were found between G1 with G2 cadavers, between G2 and G3 cadavers and between G3 and G1 cadavers. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining demonstrated sympathetic fibers, located mainly in the tunica adventitia and the adventitia-media border. The sympathetic nerve fiber area and sympathetic index were found to be 0.0016 mm² and 0.012, respectively. DISCUSSION: Histology of the ITA showed features of the elastic artery. This may be associated with lower incidence of Atherosclerosis or intimal hyperplasia in ITA samples even in elderly cases. Low sympathetic index (0.012) of ITA may be associated with fewer incidences of sympathetic nervous systems problems (vasospasm) of the ITA. CONCLUSION: Sympathetic nerve fibers are present in the adventitia of the internal thoracic artery. This is an elastic artery, although anatomically it is considered to be medium-sized. The sympathetic index may be used for analysis of sympathetic nerve fiber-related problems of the internal thoracic artery

Este trababalho teve como objetivo estabelecer um perfil farmacognóstico dos tuvérculos da planta Momordica tuberosa Cogn., Cucurbitaceae. A morfoanatomia dos tubérculos da espécie foi realizada para estabelecer um perfil completo que possa ajudar na identificação e evitar problemas na sua taxonomia. Os ensaios foram realizados usando microscópio ótico, procedimentos fisico-químicos e fitoquímicos estabelecidos pela OMS. Os parâmetros apresentados podem ser usados para apresetar a autenticidade dos tubérculos desta espécie, uma vez que esta parte da droga é utilizada tradicionalmente na Índia e, também, para diferenciá-la de outras espécies de Momordica.

The study was aimed at establishing pharmacognostical profile for the tubers of plant Momordica tuberosa Cogn., Cucurbitaceae. Morphoanatomy of tubers of this plant were studied in order to establish its complete profile to aid in its identification and avoid confusion in its taxanomic species. These were established using light microscopy, WHO recommended physicochemical and phytochemical procedures. The parameters presented here may be used to establish the authenticity of tubers of this plant as this part has been used traditionally in India and also to differentiate between closely related Momordica species.