Volume-1 ~ Issue-2 ~ Jan.–Feb. 2015

Abstract: This paper proposes modeling of canine cardiac action potential using fractional differential equations (FDE). The movement of ions across cardiac myocytes (heart muscle) generates a voltage signal which propagates along the body of the cell as action potential. The complex behavior of such physiological events can be understood by developing mathematical models that describe the biological phenomena. Typically, ordinary linear differential equations are used for constructing these mathematical models. In this paper we have shown that a non-integer order differential equation model can capture these events more precisely. Using FDE we are able to model cardiac action potential with a higher degree of accuracy compared to ordinary differential equations (ODE).

Keywords: Action potential (AP), Cardiac arrhythmia, Cardiac myocytes, Electrical model, Fractional differential equations (FDE), Ion exchange mechanism

Abstract: Cold water hot water and ethanol extracts from Brassica oleracea plant they were prepared and tested for their antioxidant activity and efficacy against leukemia cells. All of the extracts showed significant antioxidant activity. All the extracts could kill the majority (50-75%) of abnormal cell among primary cells harvested from 3 patients with acute lympho-blastic leukemia (ALL) and 3 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). DNA fragmentation patterns were detected within treated cells and inferred targeted cell death by apoptosis.The metabolites within the ext-racts may act as tumor inhibitors that promote apoptosis. In addition the plant extracts may be used to supplement or replace established drugs treatments .

Key words: Plant Extract, leukemia cells, Invitro study

Abstract: For the conservation of temperate orchids of Kashmir Himalaya various steps were carried out and a number of orchid speciesgrowing in the Kashmir Himalaya were subjected to ex-situ conservation strategies using different plant parts like pseudobulbs, adventitious roots, tubers and rhizome sections etc. Auxins particularly IBA have been found to induce germination and plantlet regeneration in rhizome sections of Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames. The apical bud elongated and developed into shoot in pots. The shoots grew well and flowered in 2-3 months. The results obtained suggest that this vulnerable medicinal orchid can be propagated easily through rhizome sectionsso as to achieve its mass multiplication.
Keywords: Orchids, vegetative propagation; Spiranthes sinensis (Pers.) Ames; Rhizome sections.

Abstract: Objectives: The present study was undertaken to explore whether MetS and its individual components are associated with NAFLD. Materials and methods: 67 diagnosed NAFLD subjects and 50 healthy controls were included. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasound and serum C-peptide was measured by Immulite technique. Results: The NAFLD and control subjects were age and BMI- matched (age in years, p=0.380 and BMI in kg/m2,p=0.763). On logistic regression analysis, taking NAFLD as the dependent variable a significant association was found with low HDL (p<0.001), WHR, PSG and dyslipidemia (p=0.019, p=0.031, p=0.001 respectively). Conclusions: Nonalcohlic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) does not seem to be associated with MetS in Bangladeshi population as defined by the 3 major criteria provided by IDF, ATP III and WHO. Various components of MetS like central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes are associated with NAFLD. However, they do not seem to cluster in the manner as predicted by IDF, ATP III and WHO criteria.
Key words: Nonalcohlic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Metabolic syndrome (MetS), Insulin resistance, ELISA

Abstract: Effective regulation of blood glucose level is the most important factor for reducing risks of diabetic complications and this must be done without any side effects or interference with normal physiological function of the body which is not usually achievable with the conventional diabetic drugs. This has resulted in the current shift to the use of herbal preparation which is presumed to be effective, cheap with no side effects. Most noted among these are onion and garlic. This present study was therefore conducted to compare the effects of daily administration of garlic and onion extracts on alloxan induced diabetic rat. Diabetes was induced in Female Wister rats weighing 150-200g by intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg body weight).Diabetes was confirmed after seven days in rats showing fasting blood glucose levels ≥ 200mg/dl. The diabetic rats were randomly allocated into three experimental groups which received garlic extract, onion extract or normal saline depending on the group. The extracts were administered orally for six weeks after which the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for Biochemical analyses. From the results obtained it can be concluded that the extracts of fresh Allium sativum and Allium cepa significantly reduced the serum glucose with Allium sativum extract proving to be more potent while no significant difference was shown in their nephro- and hepato-protective activities.
Keyword: alloxan, diabetes, Garlic, herbal preparation, Onion.

Abstract: Alteration in thyroid function results in changes in composition and transport of lipoproteins. Abnormalities of lipid metabolism associated with hypothyroidism may predispose to the development of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. The aim of our study is to evaluate lipids and the oxidative stress due to thyroid dysfunction. Serum T3, T4, TSH, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides were measured using standardized assays. In a total of 80 patients with thyroid dysfunction, 53 patients are hypothyroid and 27 patients are hyperthyroid as compared with 40 healthy controls. In hypothyroid cases, T3 (2.741 ng/dl), T4 (7.3 μg/dl) are significantly decreased where as TSH (10.16 μ IU/ml) levels were elevated. In hyperthyroid patients T3 (6.071 ng/dl) and T4 (7.36 μg/dl) were increased but TSH values are low (2.042 μ IU/ml) but statistically not significant compared to controls. In hypothyroid cases total cholesterol (5.87mg/dl), triglycerides (3.233mg/dl), LDL (5.48mg/dl), VLDL (3.142mg/dl) were significantly increased, but there was no significant change in HDL cholesterol. In hyperthyroid cases, total cholesterol (2.51mg/dl), HDL (3.066mg/dl) significantly high, whereas triglycerides (0.633mg/dl), LDL (2.149mg/dl) and VLDL (0.532mg/dl) are within normal. MDA is higher in both hypothyroid (7.88mg/dl) and hyperthyroid (6.829mg/dl) cases. In conclusion, thyroid disorders are related to oxidative damage in tissues.

Keywords: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, malondialdehyde, oxidative stress, thyroid dysfunction

Abstract: Xylanases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of linear polysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan into xylose. The present study involves isolation of xylanase producing bacterium Bacillus megaterium from rice paddy soil followed by enzyme production in solid state fermentation and then its applications. After the isolation of xylanase producing organism, enzyme production was carried out and then crude xylanase was purified with 40-60% saturation of ammonium sulphate. Purified xylanase was then used to carry out saccharification of untreated, acid treated and alkali treated sugarcane bagasse. And the amount of reducing sugars produced by untreated bagasse (3200μg/ml) was found to be more as compared to acid treated (1460 μg/ml) and alkali treated (1760 μg/ml) bagasse.