Land-based food and hospitality in Perumbanatruppadai

During the Sangam period, people depended on the departments. They lived on food from their land. Based on that, in one of Sanga literature's Aartuppai books, Perumpanaartuppail Panar, the poet who is receiving a gift from Ilanthirayan, on the way of Panan, who is living in poverty, talks about the merit of the gift, the food and hospitality given to them by the people of Mullai, Marutham, weaving, Balai, Kurinji, who live there in this article

LARVICIDAL AND ENZYME INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF ACALYPHA FRUTICOSA (F.) AND CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS L (G) DON. LEAF EXTRACTS AGAINST CULEX QUINQUEFASCIATUS (SAY.) (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

ABSTRACTObjective: The prime objective of this study is to evaluate the larvicidal and enzyme inhibitory effects of Acalypha fruticosa and Catharanthus roseusleaf extracts against Culex quinquefasciatus.Methods: Insecticidal susceptibility tests were carried out using the World Health Organization standard method, and the mortality was observedafter 24 hrs exposure.Results: The tested extracts showed a significant larvicidal activity depending on the dose of the plant extracts. However, maximum larval mortalitywas detected in ethyl acetate extract of A. fruticosa with a lethal concentration (LC50) value of 253.08 ppm and (LC90) value of 455.40 ppm followedby hexane extract of C. roseus with LC50 value of 645.33 ppm and LC90 value of 1452.88 ppm against the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus. In control, therewere five different fractions of α-carboxylesterases resolved in the gel with the mobilities ranging between 0.14 and 0.66. β-carboxylesterase isozymeprofile of larvae treated with hexane extract of A. fruticosa showed higher enzyme activities by way of intense staining of fractions both at 1/4 and1/10 LC50 value of 48 hrs treatments. A. fruticosa ethyl acetate extract, and C. roseus hexane extract exposed larvae indicated increased quantitiesof β-Est4/5 isozymes in the concentration of 1/4 and 1/10 of LC50 value of 24 hrs treatment when compared to control. The protein quantity in themajority of treatments decreased compared to control.Conclusion: The results revealed that the organic leaf extract of A. fruticosa and C. roseus had significant larvicidal and enzyme inhibitory effectsagainst C. quinquefasciatus.Keywords: Acalypha fruticosa, Catharanthus roseus leaves extract, β-carboxylesterase, Culex quinquefasciatus, Lethal concentration50

Elevated expression of long intergenic non-coding RNA HOTAIR in a basal-like variant of MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is critical to phenotypic maintenance and transition of human breast cancer cells. HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is a long intergenic non-coding RNA that epigenetically represses gene expression via recruitment of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase. Elevated expression of HOTAIR promotes progression of breast cancer. In the current study we examined the expression and function of HOTAIR in MCF-7-TNR cells, a derivative of the luminal-like breast cancer cell line MCF-7 that acquired resistance to TNF-α-induced cell death. The expression of HOTAIR, markers of the luminal-like and basal-like subtypes, and growth were compared between MCF-7 and MCF-7-TNR cells. These variables were further assessed upon inhibition of HOTAIR, EZH2, p38 MAPK, and SRC kinase in MCF-7-TNR cells. When compared with MCF-7 cells, MCF-7-TNR cells exhibited an increase in the expression of HOTAIR, which correlated with characteristics of a luminal-like to basal-like transition as evidenced by dysregulated gene expression and accelerated growth. MCF-7-TNR cells exhibited reduced suppressive histone H3 lysine27 trimethylation on the HOTAIR promoter. Inhibition of HOTAIR and EZH2 attenuated the luminal-like to basal-like transition in terms of gene expression and growth in MCF-7-TNR cells. Inhibition of p38 and SRC diminished HOTAIR expression and the basal-like phenotype in MCF-7-TNR cells. HOTAIR was robustly expressed in the native basal-like breast cancer cells and inhibition of HOTAIR reduced the basal-like gene expression and growth. Our findings suggest HOTAIR-mediated regulation of gene expression and growth associated with the basal-like phenotype of breast cancer cells

A Rare Case of Childhood Lipoblastoma presenting as Tongue Mass

Introduction Lipoblastoma is a rare benign tumour arising from embryonic white fat been commonly noted in limbs and trunk, but tongue involvement is rare and has not yet been reported. Case Report A child with tongue lipoblastoma is reported, whose imaging reported an encapsulated, well-delineated, fat-containing tumour. Surgical excision was performed with no post-operative morbidities.  Discussion Lipoblastoma is an uncommon childhood tumour, which rarely affects the tongue. It presents as a progressive painless swelling, rarely causing any symptom. MRI is helpful to assess the precise location and extent of the lesion. Although the ratio of fat to myxocollagenous tissue in the tumour is variable, the diagnosis can be suggested in most cases based on the imaging characteristics. Recommended treatment is complete surgical excision and confirmation of diagnosis by histopathological examination

Assessment of Women empowerment and its determinants and utilization of Government Welfare Scheme among women in the adopted villages of a private medical college: A cross sectional study

Background: In rural India, women\u27s empowerment is hindered by challenges such as limited access to education, economic opportunities, and healthcare services, compounded by entrenched gender inequalities. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive assessments of empowerment indicators to inform targeted interventions and policy initiatives aimed at promoting gender equity and sustainable development. The utilization of various national and state women welfare schemes varies based on awareness level and access, which are determined by socioeconomic factors. Therefore, this research aimed to assess the various dimensions of women empowerment, and various factors associated with it, and the utilization of government welfare schemes. Objectives: To measure the various dimensions of women empowerment (household autonomy, freedom of mobility, gender preference & domestic violence, etc.,) among women in the adopted villages of a private medical college. To find the various factors associated with the dimensions of women empowerment. To estimate the utilization of government women welfare schemes among women in the adopted villages. Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving 587 married women out of 3833 females were selected by stratified random sampling among each stratum (5 adopted villages). All married women < 60 years old in the village willing to participate were included in the study, excluding widows. The data was collected using a pretested standardized questionnaire adopted from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) containing socioeconomic demographic details, indicators of women empowerment, and utilization of women welfare programs. The data was collected by the personal interview method. Results: The mean age of the study population was 39±12 [CI: -4.155 to 0.173].  Among the 587 study participants, 74.1% of women have autonomy over making household decisions, 62.2% have freedom of mobility, 69.8% responded that it is adequate if their girl children are educated up to high school, 74.8% of women have a positive attitude against domestic violence. 34.2% of women were registered and utilized the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. Conclusion: This study showed that women empowerment is improving in rural areas over time. However, regular promotional and awareness campaigns are required to improve various dimensions of women empowerment and their quality of life

Berbris aristata DC: Pharmacognostical Standardization and Phytochemical Studies of its Leaves

Berberis aristata DC. (Fam: Berberidaceae) commonly known as Daruharidra, Indian Barberry or tree turmeric. Leaves of this plant are traditionally used in the treatment of inflammation, wound healing, skin disease, menorrhagia, diarrhea, jaundice and infection of eyes etc. Micromorphology and physicochemical analysis of the leaves of B.aristata were performed as per WHO and Pharmacopoeial methods. Leaves (4.9cm × 1.8cm) are deep green on dorsal and light green on ventral side. Leaves are in tufts of 5 to 8, phyllotaxy verticillate, simple spiny, lanceolate, toothed, leathery, sessile, acuminate apex and reticulate pinnate venation. Microscopic evaluation of leaves showed biconvex midrib and thick lamina. The epidermal layers of the midrib are thick with small, less conspicuous cells and thick cuticle. The vascular system consists of three large vascular bundles; the median one is small than the two lateral bundles; the bundles are collateral and wedge shaped.  Lamina is made of epidermal layer on the adaxial side with spindle shaped thick walled cells and papillate cuticle. The abaxial epidermis has squarish or rectangular epidermal cells with prominent spiny cuticular outgrowths. Powder microscopy showed the presence of cuticular papillae, anomocytic stomata and spiny outgrowth. Preliminary phytochemical screening of appropriate solvent extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, sterols, tannins, proteins and amino acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponin, carbohydrates and absence of glycosides and volatile and fixed oil. Microscopic analysis and other parameters were informative and provide valuable information in the identification, standardization of B.aristata leaves. Keywords: Berberis aristata, Berberidaceae, leaf, Microscopical evaluation

Aloe vera gel finished 3D spacer knitted sports textiles

In this study, polyester fibre is converted to 3D spacer knitted fabric of fully hydrophobic in nature. In this study, polyester fibre has been converted in to 3D spacer knitted fabric which is fully hydrophobic in nature. The silicone based hydrophilic softeners are applied on the surface of one side of 3D spacer fabric to make it hydrophilic layer using spraying techniques. The hydrophilic layer of 3D spacer fabric is then finished with aloe vera gel for its use in sportswear. Bioactive compounds available in aloe vera gel, such as tannin, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, and flavonoids, have been tested using a thin layer chromatographic technique. Aloe vera gel extract and gel finished fabrics are assessed for antibacterial activity by using agar well diffusion method and parallel streak method. The test results provide excellent antibacterial property at the inhibition zone of 33mm against Escherichia coli and 35mm against Staphylococcus aureus. Physical and comfort properties of aloe vera gel finished spacer fabric and normal polyester knitted sports fabric are assessed using ASTM and AATCC standards. The test results obtained from aloe vera gel finished spacer fabric are found higher with respect to fabric thickness, fabric weight, water vapour permeability, bursting strength, vertical wickability, and air permeability as compared to normal polyester knitted sports fabric. It can also be used for protective textiles, agro textiles, aerospace textiles and medical textiles

Pharmacognostical Standardization and Phytochemical Studies on the leaves of Solanum torvum Sw

A genus of plant belongs to the family Solanaceae well distributed in India more than 26 species which are found naturalised in India. Solanum torvum Sw. is a medium sized flowering plant in the Solanaceae family that is found in India, Malaysia. Transverse section of lamina showed the adaxial part has thick, short hump; the midrib and the adaxial hump have thin, angular epidermal cells. The upper part of adaxial hump has a few layers sclerenchyma cells. The inner layer of the adaxial midrib also has few layers of thick walled cells. The ground tissue consists of wide circular thin walled parenchyma cells with narrow inter cellular spaces. The vascular system of the midrib showed bi-collateral structure. Non glandular, profusely branched, thick walled, lignified epidermal trichome occurs as both on the veins and lamina. Physico-chemical standards such as Foreign Matter, Total Ash, Water Soluble Ash, Sulphated Ash, Loss on Drying, Water Soluble Extractive, Alcohol Soluble Extractive and Crude Fiber Content in percentage were estimated. Preliminary phytochemical screening of appropriate solvent extracts showed the presence of Alkaloids, Amino Acids, Carbohydrates, Cellulose, Lignin, Fats & Fixed Oils, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Tannins, Proteins, Starch, Steroids and Triterpenoids and absence of Volatile Oil, Mucilage and Pectin. Microscopic analysis and other parameters were informative and provide valuable information in the identification, standardization of Solanum torvum leaves. Keywords: Solanum torvum, Solanaceae, leaf, Microscopical evaluation

Designing bus transit services for routine crowd situations at large event venues

National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under International Research Centres in Singapore Funding Initiativ

Differences sustained between diffuse and limited forms of juvenile systemic sclerosis in expanded international cohort. www.juvenile-scleroderma.com

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the baseline clinical characteristics of juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) patients in the international Juvenile SSc Inception Cohort (jSScC), compare these characteristics between the classically defined diffuse (dcjSSc) and limited cutaneous (lcjSSc) subtypes, and among those with overlap features. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed using baseline visit data. Demographic, organ system evaluation, treatment, and patient and physician reported outcomes were extracted and summary statistics applied. Comparisons between dcjSSc and lcSSc subtypes and patients with and without overlap features were performed using Chi-square and Mann Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: At data extraction 150 jSSc patients were enrolled across 42 centers, 83% were Caucasian, 80% female, dcjSSc predominated (72%), and 17% of the cohort had overlap features. Significant differences were found between dcjSSc and lcjSSc regarding the modified Rodnan Skin Score, presence of Gottron's papules, digital tip ulceration, 6 Minute walk test, composite pulmonary and cardiac involvement. All more frequent in dcSSc except for cardiac involvement. DcjSSc patients had significantly worse scores for physician rated disease activity and damage. A significantly higher occurrence of Gottron's papules, musculoskeletal involvement and composite pulmonary involvement, and significantly lower frequency of Raynaud's phenomenon, were seen in those with overlap features. CONCLUSION: Results from a large international jSSc cohort demonstrate significant differences between dcjSSc and lcjSSc patients including more globally severe disease and increased frequency of ILD in dcjSSc patients, while those with lcSSc have more frequent cardiac involvement. Those with overlap features had an unexpected higher frequency of interstitial lung disease