Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET) of the Kidney with Level IV Inferior Vena Caval Thrombus: A Case Report

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is classified as a malignant tumor of the kidney. It was first recognized by Arthur Purdy Stout in 1918, as a member of the family of “small round-cell tumorsâ€. Primitive renal localization is very rare. We report a case of Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney with level IV inferior vena caval (IVC) thrombus. Histologically, the tumor consisted of small round cells with round nuclei and scant cytoplasm

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, AND ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITIES OF Curcuma amada AND Curcuma longa ESSENTIAL OIL FROM UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

The present research work aims to analyze the chemical, phytochemical composition and biological activities of Curcuma amada with Curcuma longa L. essential oil, the 2 variants collected from the diverse elevations and geographical variations of Kumaun and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand, India. The analysis was done by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, and other established biochemical methods. The results for essential oil yield varied from 0.212% - 0.396% and the major components identified were hedycaryol (8.7%), α -zingiberene (13.5%), α -santalene (13.5%) curlone (14%), eucalyptol (26.4%) and turmerone (44.3%). Further in–vitro antioxidant, biological activity was performed by DPPH freeradical scavenging, reducing power and metal chelation ability followed by anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic activities.The essential oil of Curcuma longa Garhwal species exhibited promising antioxidant activities and antidiabetic activity (11.95±0.11 µg/mL). A good anti-inflammatory activity was exhibited by Curcuma amada (7.46±0.04 µg/mL) when compared with standard drugs. The relative difference in results can be influenced by the altitudinal variation, species, and testing methodology of the samples. The study strongly clarifies that essential oils from the local variant of Curcuma species possess promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic activity

VALIDATION OF BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EXTRACTS OF Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) BENTH. AND HOOK.F. FROM HILLY TERRAINS OF UTTARAKHAND HIMALAYA

The paper focuses on the biological activities of polar and non-polar extracts made from the aerial part of the plant Anaphalis margaritacea that was further chemically characterized. Both extracts’ constituent components were identified by their GC-MS profiles. In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic and hexane extracts was further investigated.  The methanolic extract showed the identification of twenty-eight compounds that constituted 83.29% of the total methanolic extract of which 5R, 8R, 9S, 10R)-2-Formyl-3-Hydroxy-5Isopropeny-8-8Methyl (3a10)-octahydronaptho (13.15%) was identified as the major compound. Identified compounds constituted 51.88% of the total composition of the hexane extract with hexatriacontane as one of the most prominent compounds occupying 20.43%. When compared to hexane extract, the methanolic extract revealed lower IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging activity (75.94±0.66 µg/mL), metal chelating activity (72.90±0.096 µg/mL), and reducing power activity (79.64±5.360 µg/mL) demonstrating that it possesses strong antioxidant potential. Additionally, methanolic extract demonstrated better anti-inflammatory properties, with an IB50 value of 37.581±050 g/mL. Based on these results, methanolic extract appears to be a more potent antiinflammatory and antioxidant agent than hexane extract

A Doctor’s Training in COVID Era

Doctors have severely been impacted by COVID19 not only by overburden but also by a shift in training programmes. With objective to identify the impact of COVID19 on the present training programme of doctors and delineate the possible future impact and find ways to reduce it, a literature review was carried on. Various impacts and adaptations were found. These could be different for different individuals, specialities, and regions based on available resources and the direct impact of COVID19. Although long-term effects are yet to be seen, it has raised several brows, especially questioning the traditional way of training and competency of individuals trained in specialities. We recommend a hybrid model—a mixture of virtual and real training and assessment—for medical education even in the post-COVID era to reap the benefits of both

Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Wheat: Genome to Field

Nitrogen (N), being the most limiting macroelement for optimal plant growth and development needs synthetic N fertilizer usage for uplifting crop yields; nevertheless, an excessive and inefficient use of N fertilizer is a global concern incurring high production costs, environment pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, developing crop plants with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is an essential research target to achieve a better agricultural sustainability. NUE being a complex trait depends on our understanding of genetics (G), environment (E), management (M), and their interrelationships (G x E x M). NUE improvement is preceded by key processes such as nitrogen capture, utilization efficiency, nitrogen partitioning, trade-offs between yield and quality aspects, as well as interactions with the capture and utilization of other nutrients. An in-depth knowledge can be attained on NUE mechanisms through the UK Wheat Genetic Improvement Network project (http://www.wgin.org.uk/) using an integrated strategy that look into the physiological, metabolic, molecular, and genetic aspects influencing NUE in wheat. The current book chapter highlights the recent progress in understanding and improving NUE in wheat, focussing on N impact on plant morphology and agronomic performances, using a combination of approaches, including whole-plant physiology and quantitative, forward and reverse genetics

A systematic review for the development of Alzheimer’s disease in in vitro models: a focus on different inducing agents

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disease and is associated with dementia. Presently, various chemical and environmental agents are used to induce in-vitro models of Alzheimer disease to investigate the efficacy of different therapeutic drugs. We screened literature from databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google scholar, emphasizing the diverse targeting mechanisms of neuro degeneration explored in in-vitro models. The results revealed studies in which different types of chemicals and environmental agents were used for in-vitro development of Alzheimer-targeting mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Studies using chemically induced in-vitro AD models included in this systematic review will contribute to a deeper understanding of AD. However, none of these models can reproduce all the characteristics of disease progression seen in the majority of Alzheimer’s disease subtypes. Additional modifications would be required to replicate the complex conditions of human AD in an exact manner. In-vitro models of Alzheimer’s disease developed using chemicals and environmental agents are instrumental in providing insights into the disease’s pathophysiology; therefore, chemical-induced in-vitro AD models will continue to play vital role in future AD research. This systematic screening revealed the pivotal role of chemical-induced in-vitro AD models in advancing our understanding of AD pathophysiology and is therefore important to understand the potential of these chemicals in AD pathogenesis