Late spring frost is major abiotic stress factor causing significant yield losses in vegetable and fruit crops. Low temperatures induce intracellular ice formation, leading to the membrane damage, increased electrolyte leakage, and reduced tissue viability. Therefore, developing ecofriendly strategies to mitigate frost injury are essential. In this study, a natural antifreeze spray was developed using glycerol and sorbitol as osmoprotectants, safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) flower-extract as a natural antioxidant source, and sodium alginate as a film-forming biopolymer. The protective effect of the formulation was evaluated in buds, flowers, and young fruit tissues of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under three temperature conditions (22-24 degrees C, -4 degrees C, and -10 degrees C). Results revealed that the antifreeze treatment significantly improved tissue viability and reduced freezing-induced damage. At -10 degrees C, cellular damage in seed tissues decreased from 82.8% to 30.0%, representing approximately 52% reduction in cell damage. Electrolyte leakage was also reduced from 97.3% to 75.0%, indicating enhanced membrane stability. Overall, the developed formulation effectively mitigated freezing damage and unveiled potential to protect cold-sensitive crops.
Elevated blood cholesterol and glucose levels are common conditions among the elderly, often requiring continuous pharmacological intervention. To explore alternative approaches, the present study investigated the effects of alternating electrical simulation on these parameters, as well as on hemoglobin concentration and blood viscosity, using mice as experimental subjects. Treatment were applied at voltages ranging from 0 to 2.0 V, with a frequency of 500 kHz, for durations of 3 or 5 min day-1 over a 5-day period. The results revealed that electric stimulation at 2.0 V for 5 min reduced cholesterol levels by 7.53-9.0% and glucose levels by 28.41%, while hemoglobin levels tended to increase without a consistent pattern. Blood viscosity decreased under stimulation at 1.0 and 1.5 V but increased at 2.0 V, indicating a voltage dependent response. In conclusion, electrical stimulation effectively lowered cholesterol and glucose levels in mice; however, its effects on hemoglobin and blood viscosity were non-linear, thus suggesting the need for further studies to optimize treatment parameters.
Post-transfusion iron toxicity in (3-thalassemia major can lead to organ damage, which may include injury to the liver and kidneys. Monitoring the iron levels through hepcidin is crucial for patients due to thalassemia. This study was aimed to assess correlation between serum ferritin and hepcidin, and evaluate their role in tracking iron availability following frequent transfusions in these patients. Thirty subjects (19 males and 11 females) suffering (3-thalassemia were chosen against 15 normal individuals. The medical records of patients were examined by using standard criteria. Hematological parameters were recorded, and biochemical assessment was done for serum ferritin, hepcidin, TIBC, LFT, and RFT. The results showed lower RBC indices and notably higher serum ferritin and hepcidin levels in thalassemic patients than in controls. ALP, AST, and ALT levels in patients were 79.03 +/- 10.82, 67.12 +/- 11.13, and 253.18 +/- 22.01 IU L-1, respectively. Significantly (p<0.001) higher levels of creatinine were found in (3thalassemia patients than in control. The study revealed a positive correlation between ferritin and hepcidin as well as LFT parameters. Hepcidin was found to be positively correlated with creatinine. Hence, assessing hepcidin and ferritin concentrations is an important marker for identifying a heightened risk for renal and hepatic toxicity in patients diagnosed with (3-thalassemia major.
Balanced general anaesthesia is pre-requisite for surgical interventions in dogs. The present study was aimed to compare dexmedetomidine and acepromazine premedication in combination with butorphanol and glycopyrrolate in propofol-anesthetised and isoflurane-maintained ASA III dogs. A randomised clinical study was done on 21 dogs. Group 1 included 9 dogs pre-anesthetised with butorphanol (0.2 mg kg-1) + dexmedetomidine (10 & micro;g kg-1) + glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg kg-1) combination, while group 2 included 12 dogs preanesthetised with butorphanol (0.2 mg kg-1) + acepromazine (0.05 mg kg-1) + glycopyrrolate (0.01 mg kg-1) combination, intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol 2-4 mg kg-1, intravenous, and was maintained with isoflurane mixed in 100% oxygen. Heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, blood pressure, oxygen supplementation, isoflurane requirement and end tidal CO2 were noted every 10 min. Post-induction apnoea was common in group 1. The oxygen flow rate and isoflurane requirements were high in group 2 throughout the surgery. Significant bradycardia was recorded after premedication in both the groups, which was more profound in group 1. Group 2 showed tachycardia after induction with propofol. The blood pressure increased significantly post-induction in group 1, while group 2 showed sustained hypotension. The recovery was faster in group 1, although the quality of recovery was similar in both the groups. In conclusions, dexmedetomidine (10 & micro;g kg-1) produced profound sedation and faster recovery than acepromazine in ASA III dogs. Both the combinations were safe for ASA III dogs however, with prominent cardiovascular effect of drugs recorded in ASA III dogs, a reduction in dose or change in protocol (induction agent) is recommended.
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria has necessitated to formulate alternative antimicrobial strategies. This study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of lemongrass oil (LGO) nanoencapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles against MDR Staphylococcus aureus (MDRSA) and Escherichia coli (MDREC). Ionic gelation technique was used to synthesise lemongrass oil loaded chitosan nanoparticles which were further characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV-Visible spectrophotometry, and FTIR analysis. A significant increase in particle size from 168.7 nm for plain chitosan nanoparticles to 318.7 nm following LGO encapsulation, with acceptable polydispersity was observed through DLS, while FESEM confirmed spherical nanoparticles with smooth surfaces and sizes ranging from 50 to 150 nm. Encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity range was 41.7-91.17 and 21.36-74.36%, respectively, with maximum values observed at a 1:1 chitosan-to-LGO ratio. Nanoencapsulation significantly enhanced the antibacterial activity, with LGO-loaded nanoparticles exhibiting lower MIC values as compared to the free LGO against MDRSA (0.052% vs 0.125%) and MDREC (0.0104% vs 0.25%). Similarly, reduced MBC values were observed for the nanoformulation. These findings demonstrate that chitosan-based nanoencapsulation significantly improves the antibacterial efficacy of lemongrass oil against MDR pathogens.
