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Pulse Phytonutrients: Nutritional and Medicinal Importance
Get PDFPulses are important food crops which offer significant nutritional and health advantages due to their high protein content and a unique nutritional profile, i.e., low fat source of digestible protein, dietary fibre, complex carbohydrates, resistant starch and a number of essential vitamins, especially, the B-group vitamin B9 (folate). In addition to these vitamins and minerals contributing to a healthy diet, pulses contain a number of non-nutritive bioactive substances including enzyme inhibitors, lectins, saponins, phytates, phenolic compounds and oligosaccharides. The latter contributes beyond basic nutritional value and is particularly helpful in the fight against non-communicable diseases often associated with diet transitions and rising incomes. Phytic acid exhibits antioxidant activity and protects DNA damage, phenolic compounds have antioxidant and other important physiological and biological properties, and galacto-oligosaccharides may elicit prebiotic activity. Research findings on different phytochemicals in pulse seeds and their role in preventing the lifestyle diseases has been discussed. Encouraging awareness of the nutritional value of pulses can help consumers adopt healthier diets and also could be an important dietary factor in improving longevity
Surface Behavior and Thickness Measurement of Free Standing Thin Film of Liquid Crystal Compound Biphenyl (E7)
No full textA simple experimental setup based on a polarizing optical technique is designed to find the thickness of free standing thin film of Biphenyl (E7). Monochromatic light is passed through a liquid crystal thin film in two different modes of placement. In each mode approximately 10 mg of Biphenyl is used. The films of varying area were used in this study. The thin films were highly stable and could survive more than one day. The intensity of transmitted monochromatic radiation is measured using this technique by placing thin film in horizontal and vertical modes. Using Beer-Lambert’s Law the thickness of thin film is also measured using polarizing optical technique. In both the modes (horizontal and vertical) different behaviors of thickness of thin film are observed.
Expansion of Residential Colonies and Conversion of Farmland in Bahawalpur City, Pakistan: A Temporal View
Get PDFThis study focuses on the issue of farmland conversion into housing colonies in Bahawalpur City. In order to understand the magnitude of this issue, data of 102 sample colonies was collected for the period of 1950-2011 through field survey and secondary sources including TMA Bahawalpur City. The year of establishment, area occupied and legal status of colonies were recorded and the data were aggregated into 10-year categories for analysis and to produce temporal maps. Results indicate that during the last 61 years, an area of 1,142 acres (462.15 hectares) had been converted to 102 colonies at an average rate of 18.72 acres per year. Among these colonies only 18 were approved by concerned authorities whereas 84 were not approved legally. Approved colonies occupy an area of just 197 acres (17.25% of the total) whereas non-approved colonies and towns cover a huge area of 945 acres (82.74%). The conversion of farmland fluctuated substantially over time. During the period of 1950-1960 merely seven colonies were built which consumed an area of 97 acres indicating a conversion rate of 9.7 acres per year, while during the period of 2000-2010 a total of 32 colonies were built that consumed an area of 422 acres (170.77 hectares) indicating conversion rate of 42.2 acres per year. These findings indicate that the rate of farmland conversion is accelerating. If this trend goes unchecked, the problem of farmland conversion may change into a serious threat for future food supplies. This study identified several suggestions to tackle the issue
In-Vitro Antileishmanial Activity of Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus
Get PDFLeishmaniasis is a major public health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality around the world specially Asia, Africa and Latin America. The present preliminary in-vitro study reports antileishmanial potential of Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus. Various concentrations of ethanolic extract of plant were used. The tested extract showed noteworthy inhibition (concentration – dependant) of Leishmania promastigotes. The IC50 of extract was found to be 39 μg/ml. The results of present study could be helpful in future for antileishmanial therapy
Radiation Dose Distribution Measurements of Kilo-Voltage Photons Using Optically Stimulated Luminescence Detectors (OSLs) in Radiological Procedures
Get PDFOSL detectors were used for dose measurement in a solid water phantom. Two other detectors, Cobia Flex (RTI Electronics) and PTW-Diados were also used to verify the measurements. Radiation doses were measured for a wide range of radiographic techniques and set of parameters from very low (1 mAs, 55 kV) to very high (140 mAs, 120 kV) exposures. Multiple x-ray units were used to ensure that the measured doses are independent of x-ray units and are dependent on the specified radiographic parameters. Measurements were performed at the standard medical radiographic imaging Source-to-Image-Distances (SID) of 100 cm and 180 cm. all the x-ray beams were collimated to produce a 20 cm × 20 cm field size.We measured the radiation doses at different depths and estimated entrance surface doses during common radiological procedures. Measured doses fall exponentially with depths at all energies and exposures. A nonlinear relation is clearly evident between the dose and the x-ray beam energy. The measurements also show that the radiation dose is directly proportional to the exposure. Entrance Surface Doses (ESD) were also measured and found to be as low as 0.119 mGy±0.020 (0.092-0.141) for extremities to as high as 13.083 mGy±3.988(8.246-17.560) to the Spine and Abdomen. ESDs for the chest x-ray were measured to be 0.158 mGy±0.074(0.034-0.275)
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Sub-Clinical Mastitis in Kundhi Buffaloes
Get PDFThe present study aimed to elucidate the magnitude and distribution of subclinical mastitis and associated risk factors in ‘Kundhi’ buffaloes of Hyderabad, Tandojam and Tando Allahyar locations of the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Milk samples (n=840) collected from 210 buffaloes were evaluated for the presence of subclinical mastitis in buffaloes using California Mastitis Test (CMT) and severity; moderate, severe, more severe, most severe. The positive samples were further processed for isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens. The overall intensity of subclinical mastitis at animal level was recorded as 54.29% while significantly higher prevalence (
Influence of Varying Temperature on Life Stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) under Laboratory Conditions
Get PDFA laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different temperatures on life stages of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) on frozen eggs of Sitotroga crealella. The study was conducted under laboratory conditions at | department of Plant Protection, SAU, Tandojam Sindh, Pakistan during 2013-14. The result revealed that the maximum hatching 88 % of eggs was recorded at 28 ºC followed by 25, 31, 22, 34 and 37 ºC. The highest mortality (dx) was recorded in first instar at 34 ºC followed by at 22, 31, 37, 25 and 28 ºC, whereas, minimum (dx) was recorded in third instar and pupal stages as well. The highest and lowest apparent mortality (100qx) was observed in the first instar and egg stages at 37 ºC. The data further depicted that the highest survival fraction (Sx) was recorded as (0.98) in second instar, third instar and pupa at 28 ºC, whereas, the lowest (Sx) was observed as (0.13) in the first instar at 37 ºC. The maximum indispensable mortality (IM) was 42 in egg stage at 37 ºC and lowest 1.0 in pupal stage at all temperature regimes. The number of the surviving at the beginning of the stage (lx) was highest 39 adults emerged at 28 ºC followed by 31, 24, 20 and 5 adults emerged at 25, 31, 22 and 34 ºC, respectively. On the other hand, minimum total generation mortality (K) was recorded as 0.11 at 28 ºC followed by 0.21, 0.32, 0.40, and 1.00 at 25, 31, 22 and 34 ºC, respectively. The minimum duration from egg to adult emergence was 12.0 days at 34 ºC and maximum 23.5 days at 22 ºC. There was significant difference between the duration and treatments (
Evaluation of The Potential of Amaranth Flour for Lactic Acid Fermentation
Get PDFAlthough cereals and pseudocereals are deficient in some basic components, fermentation process is the most economical and simple way, how to improve nutritional value, functional qualities and sensory properties of the final products. In our study, we focused on the evaluation of amaranth flour for preparation of new probiotic functional foods suitable for celiac patients. That is why the growth dynamics of several Lactobacillus sp. in amaranth mashes were evaluated. All the monitored strains showed sufficient growth in mashes (growth rates of lactobacilli ranged from 0.73 to 1.52 h-1). Based on the rates, only Lb. rhamnosus VT1 was able to grow with the values higher than 1.38 h-1 in both milk and water based mashes.In the second part of our study, we described behaviour of Lb. rhamnosus GG in amaranth water- or milk- based mashes after 8 h of co-cultivation with Fresco DVS 1010 culture (37 ± 1 °C, 5 % CO2). Final counts after the fermentation reached values 108 CFU.ml-1 and no decrease was recorded during 2-week storage period at 6 ± 1 °C. Thus we may conclude that densities of lactobacilli were able to maintain above the limit of >106 CFU.ml-1 essential from the legislation point of view
The Effect of Mulberry Leaf Tea on Postprandial Glycemic Control and Insulin Sensitivity: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study
Get PDFLeaves of mulberry (Morus alba, L.) have been one of the prominent herbs widely used by traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mulberry leaf tea on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin sensitivity after the ingestion of sucrose solution in non-diabetic subjects. This study was conducted on 14 subjects, with a crossover design. Subjects were initially screened for non-diabetic status (FBS < 126 mg/dL). Subjects were randomized to either mulberry leaf tea or water as control. The drink was consumed 30 minutes prior to oral administration of 75 grams sucrose solution. Blood samples were collected before (time point 0) and after sucrose ingestion at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 minutes. The treatment group which received mulberry leaf tea prior to the tolerance test tends to have a lower level of plasma glucose, serum insulin concentrations and AUC0-150 compared to the controlled group, but without significant difference. The mean difference of the incremental glucose level at each time point also tends to be lower for the mulberry group, with significant difference at 30-min time point (p = 0.04). No significant differences were found in insulin sensitivity. Therefore, the consumption of mulberry leaf tea may aid in postprandial glycemic control during the first 30 minutes after meal
Myths and Facts about Placebo
Get PDFMany patients, physicians, and sometimes even academics have questionable perceptions of placebo and the so-called placebo effect, Many believe that placebo have its own effects. Although psychological aspects, namely expectations of patients or the persuasive power of the physicians, might sometimes be substantial, such aspects may have little or even no relevance in other situation where placebo control is essential nevertheless. Even in settings where psychological effects should be envisaged, their extent is usually highly variable, indicating that other factors might still exceed the importance of psychological effects. Placebo is defined in US regulations as an inactive preparation designed to resemble the test drug as far as possible. This means that placebo itself cannot be effective. If it would, its correctness is challenged and it should be replaced if still possible. And as placebo is not effective, it can also not have secondary effects, vulgo side effects. Placebo is always used for two reasons: To control bias and to provide the reasonably largest delta, i.e. the difference between two treatments. Placebo should never be interpreted as being able to cause effects