Defence Life Science Journal
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Role of Calpeptin in Amelioration of Hypobaric Hypoxia Induced Skeletal Muscle Damage in Rats: A Pilot Study
Get PDFHypobaric hypoxia, a condition of low oxygen availability at high altitude, has a great impact on health via producing oxidative stress which could lead to protein modifications and skeletal muscle damage. Enhanced calpain activity has a major role in hypobaric hypoxia induced protein modifications and protein degradation in the skeletal muscle. The pilot study was designed to investigate the role of a calpain inhibitor, calpeptin in amelioration of hypoxia induced skeletal muscle damage. Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia (HH) with and without calpeptin (50 µg/kg, ip) treatment. HH exposure was given for 6 h at 25,000 ft. Following exposure, the animals were sacrificed and hind limb skeletal muscle was excised for analysis. Calpeptin administration inhibited protein oxidation (decrease protein carbonyl and AOPP content). Decrease in oxidized tryptophan and bityrosine content was also observed in calpeptin pre-treated group in comparison to HH exposed group. Beside this, HH induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also ameliorated via calpeptin treatment. Conclusively, calpeptin administration better maintained the oxidative homeostasis in skeletal muscle under hypobaric hypoxia and significantly protected against the protein damage and degradation. However, the exact mechanism is still unknown. Therefore, further research needs to be done to unravel the underlying mechanism
Role of Cyclooxygenase Pathway and Risk Associated with Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Therapy in Cardiovascular Diseases
Get PDFNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzyme activity through differentmechanisms and prevent inflammation. But they all have different risks associated with them. Some are associated withgastrointestinal bleeding and some are strongly allied with the cardiovascular risks. Cyclooxygenase enzyme regulatesprostaglandin synthesis by converting arachidonic acid present at the sn-2 position of membrane phospholipids toprostaglandin H2. Prostaglandin H2 is the precursor of all prostaglandins. There are two isoforms of cyclooxygenaseenzyme, cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 which differ in their active site due to an isoleucine to valinesubstitution at amino acid 523 in cyclooxygenase-2. Cyclooxygenase-1 is constitutively expressed in plateletswhere it helps in the formation of thromboxane whereas cyclooxygenase-2 is inductive form and is expressed inthe endothelial cells due to shear stress and forms prostacyclins. Both thromboxanes and prostacyclins maintainthe homeostasis of the vascular wall. During vascular injury prostacyclin production decreases as a result of whichthromboxane synthesis increases in the platelets which leads to platelet aggregation. Although, being stronglyassociated with cardiovascular risks, NSAIDs are still prescribed to the patients to prevent pain according to theircondition. So this review aims to summarise the mechanism of cyclooxygenase pathway, possible mechanism ofaction of NSAIDs and the risks of cardiovascular events associated with the use of NSAIDs
Psychological Capital: Gender Differences and its Relationship with Job Involvement
Get PDFThis preliminary study explored the relationship between positive psychological capital and job involvement among 100 male and 32 female officers of armed forces. It was hypothesised that officers with higher levels of PsyCap would also exhibit higher job involvement. The study also aimed to investigate whether gender differences in psycap had any influence on job involvement. Psychological capital questionnaire and job involvement scale were administered on the sample. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential (Pearson correlation and regression analysis) statistics. It is found there is no evidence in support of gender difference in psycap. Psycap has a role in maintaining the job involvement among male officers. Implications of the findings and suggestions for developing positive behaviours which will be of great value to meet future leadership challenges in light of complex and volatile military situations
Development of Region Specific Hybrid Goat and their Performance Evaluation under High Altitude Condition
Get PDFGoat meat (chevon) comprises an important source of protein to provide essential amino acids in addition to other meat and plant sources of proteins. Therefore, demands for chevon are huge from civil and defence sector in this region. However, there is limited availability of fresh tender chevon in Ladakh region round the year. Hence, there was a need of augmenting local availability of fresh goat meat by developing animal technology for fast growing region-specific crossbred goat for meat purpose that can efficiently perform under adverse climatic conditions prevailing in this region. The present crossbred goat was developed by using mixing genes of adaptive and meat traits through cross breeding between local goats (Changthangi and Gaddi breeds of goats) and Sirohi/Black Bengal goats. To develop this technology, we introduced Black Bengal and Sirohi from plain areas and native breed of goats viz. Gaddi and Changthangi goats for further adaptation and growth performance studies at Leh-Ladakh. After initial studies goats were divided into high altitude resistant/adapted and susceptible groups. High altitude resistant/adapted goats were taken for further cross breeding and pure breeding. All the kids produced out of this breeding were studied for physiological responses, growth performance, and blood biochemical parameters to know their adaptive and growth performance at high altitude. Crossbred kids of Sirohi ♂/Black Bengal ♂ X Changthangi ♀ had significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gain, adaptive physiological responses and blood biochemicals level as compared to exotic pure bred and other cross bred kids. These crossbred kids attained market weight faster than local as well as breeds from plain areas (Sirohi and Black Bengal goats). Average meat yield is 7-10 kg per adult crossbred goat if slaughtered at 9-12 month age. These cross bred (broiler goat) may be reared at Leh-Ladakh for meat purpose. Hence, this animal technology may help in increasing of fresh goat meat (chevon) supply to meet army’s and civil requirements in Leh-Ladakh
Chromatographic determination of bioactive compounds in Hippophae leaf extracts: a comparative study of three varieties.
Get PDFSeabuckthorn plants (Hippophae Linn), belonging to the family Elaeagnaceae have shown diverse therapeutic potential and the adaptogenic activity of some of the species have also been established in our previous studies. The present study aims to characterize aqueous and alcoholic leaf extracts of three different varieties of seabuckthorn, namely, Hippophae salicifolia, Hippophae rhamnoides mongolica and Hippophae rhamnoides turkestanica and evaluate their antioxidant potential in vitro. An elaborate characterization of phytochemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOC) and flavonoids occurring in the concerned extracts has been carried out by GC-MS and HPTLC respectively. GC-MS demonstrated the presence of 35 distinct VOCs in the seabuckthorn leaf extracts which are known to possess substantial pharmacological and antioxidant potential. The most abundant VOCs identified were trimethylsilyl palmitate, methyl octadec-9-enoate, methyl palmitate, methyl stearate and methyl (9E)-9-octadecenoate. HPTLC results revealed variable quantities of quercetin, gallic acid, ascorbic acid and rutin in all the seabuckthorn leaf extracts. HPTLC-centered chemometric analysis using R programming helped to distinguish among the various extracts based on pattern recognition and unsupervised clustering, thus, enabling grouping of the extracts for further studies
Psychological Strength in Military Set up: Current Status and Future Direction
Get PDFThe paper is an attempt to critically examine the application of some the constructs in vogue of positive psychology with special reference to psychological strength. Dwelling on the application of positive psychology in American army it tries to highlight the application of some of the key psychological strength constructs which are being used to train the soldiers of American army. With reference to India the paper advocates for looking into the indigenous constructs of psychological strength rooted in religio-philosophical traditions of India and its implication in contemporary context. It identifies some of the indigenous constructs of psychological strength which have been empirically investigated in the recent past. Finally, the paper briefly discusses the outcomes studies undertaken to profile psychological strength at different levels of leadership in Indian army. Instead of following American model of psychology, the paper strongly advocates for bringing out a culturally sensitive model of psychological strength applicable to Indian socio-cultural set up. Replication of the method used in the present study is suggested to study psychological strength of other sectors of the countr
Will the Big Five Personality Factor Stand-up: An Analysis of NEO Personality Inventory-Revised
Get PDFThe aim of the present study was to examine the factorial invariance of a major instrument i.e., NEO-Personality Inventory-Revised-Form S (NEO PI-R)1, tapping broad five factor of personality such as: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experiences, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. It also aimed to study the replication of broad five factors in Indian population. To achieve these objectives, the NEO PI-R was administered on a sample of 375 subjects (age range from 18 yrs to 22 yrs) randomly selected from various academic institutes in Indian. The statistical analysis such as descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and factor analysis were performed on collected data. The higher mean score on neuroticism in present data indicates a cultural variation across the country. Reliability analysis was confirmed test-retest reliability ranging from 0.70 to 0.78 (n = 108, gap of over 60 days) and strikingly high internal consistency ranging from 0.98 to 0.99 for the big five factor in India. Bivariate correlation analyses demonstrate positive significant correlations among the facets scale of NEO-PI-R and their corresponding factor except few correlations. The significant correlations among the five factors question their independence in the measurement of personality structure. In factor analysis, the three personality dimension such as conscientiousness, neuroticism, and agreeableness were clearly replicates and the other two factors such as extraversion and openness to experience were partially replicate to define the personality structure in Indian population. These findings are in line with existing literature and have strong implications to define the personality structure in Indian populatio
Estimation of Stature from Different Anthropometric Measurements of Gorkha Soldiers
Get PDFStature is one of the most important elements in the identification of a person. Many different anthropometric dimensions can be used in the estimation of stature. Establishing the identity of an individual from body fragments has become an important necessity in recent times due to natural and man-made disasters. This study was performed on 226 Gurung soldiers of Gorkha regiment of Indian Army. The studied soldier’s age range was 18 years - 48 years. Six anthropometric measurements (Stature, Hand length, Arm length, Standing knee height, Foot length and Leg length) were measured and stature is estimated with the help of these measurements.There was no significant difference between actual and estimated stature. All anthropometric measurements were highly correlated with stature at significance level p< 0.001 but leg length had better correlation (r=0.816) compared to other variables. Staturecan be estimated with the help of standing knee height (r=0.686, p<0.001) and arm length (r=0.653, p<0.001). It can be concluded that leg length was a very good predictor of stature estimation for the studied population
Yield and Palatability of Potential Indigenous Leafy Vegetable of Cold Arid trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India
Get PDFNot much attention has been paid to a wide range of indigenous leafy vegetables that can grow in high altitude harsh climatic conditions with minimal care. Therefore, a study was carried out on yield potential and palatability of indigenous leafy vegetables (ILV) that grows in trans-Himalayan Ladakh. Seven ILV viz. Fagopyrum tataricum, Rumex patientia, Fagopyrum esculentum, Amaranthus cruentus, Malva vertisilester, Lepidium latifolium and Atriplex hortensis that are being used by native people of Ladakh were recorded for their morphological characters, earliness, yield and other consumer preference traits. The highest yield was recorded for A. hortensis (1.80±0.06 kg/m2). The study suggested that A. hortensis and A. crunteus have high palatability and are most preferred by the consumers. Yield potential of the cold hardy A. hortensis is significantly higher and it is an early maturing crop. Therefore, detail studies on A. hortensis are required, and efforts need to be made for large scale cultivation of the species
Effect of Intermittent Normobaric Hypoxia Exposures on Acute Mountain Sickness During Acute Ascent to 3500 m in Indian Military Personnel
No full textIn emergencies/war like situations, rapid deployment of army personnel into high altitude occurs without proper acclimatization. Rapid deployment of unacclimatized soldiers to high mountainous environments may cause debilitating effects on operational capabilities and development of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Altitude acclimatization is the best strategy for the prevention of AMS Use of pharmacological intervention for prevention of AMS is a common practice. The use of intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE) is an alternative approach for altitude acclimatization and it reduces occurrence and severity of AMS is. But, the use of intermittent normobaric hypoxia exposure at sea level on occurrence of AMS after acute ascent to 3500m altitude in Indian army personnel has not been tested yet