Fresh seeds of Piper nigrum were procured from the botanical garden of Kokan Krushi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri. The ethanolic extract of the seeds was carried out by soxhlate extraction method. Sixty four (64) Sprague- Dawley rats (average weight 150 - 240 g) of either sex were used for the experiment. The ETH and PAS drugs and Piper nigrum were given to respective groups daily for 28 days. At the end of study various biochemical parameters were analyzed from serum such as of Serum Albumin, Urea, Creatinine, Total proteins and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN). The kidney tissues were analyzed for Histopathology. Graph Pad Prism 7 was used for statistical analysis by one way variance (ANOVA). The value p< 0.05 considered as significant. Ethanolic seed extract of Piper nigrum (Linn.) was administered independently as well as in combination with ETH and PAS drugs. It is found that the pretreated test groups with Piper nigrum ameliorated the toxic effect of the drugs. Piper nigrum (.Linn) also showed the normalization of histoarchitecture of the kidney by confirming nephroprotective activity against ETH and PAS drugs. Based on the above results it is concluded that the Piper nigrum act as nephroprotective agent and a good bio-enhancer against nephrotoxicity induced by ETH and PAS drugs in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The transesterification process using heterogeneous catalysts has been widely studied to replace the role of homogeneous catalysts. ZnO doping into metal oxides can increase activity of heterogeneous catalyst in transesterification reaction. This study was conducted to provide information on the effect of ZnO concentration doped into calcium oxide (CaO) to the transesterification reaction of avocado seed oil with high free fatty acid (ALB) to methyl ester, at 65 0C, methanol ratio: oil = 10: 1 , for 1.5 hours, using a reactor. Research variable is ZnO concentration doped into CaO, that is: 0%, 1%, 2%. The test parameters are methyl ester content obtained from the results of transesterification reaction with gas chromatographi analysis. In this study, ZnO/CaO nanocatalysts were synthesized and doped with sol gel method and calcined at 450 0C in air for 60 min. The synthesized ZnO/CaO nanoparticles were characterized by XRD. From the experiment, the highest yield of methyl ester was obtained on ZnO/CaO 1% catalyst with yield of 90,8820%.

There is growing trend of psychiatric morbidity among children and adolescents all over the world. Medications are prescribed to this age group mainly depending on data obtained from adult population. Proper study to find out exact burden of the problem and the effects of these drugs to young population has not been done in our part of the world. The study was done to identify the incidence of different psychiatric problems with the most common pharmacotherapy given in children and adolescents. It is a cross sectional observational study conducted in the Psychiatry OPD of Medical College Kolkata by the department of Pharmacology from May 2014 to October 2014. After institutional ethics committee approval and consent from guardians, 86 patients of either sex were included in the study. Patient demographics (gender distribution, age of the patients, diagnosis) and drug-related information (antipsychotic drugs, route of administration) was recorded on a customized data collection sheet. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. 61.9% in children and 67.69% in adolescent age group were boys. Mood disorder, mental retardation and epilepsy are 3 major diagnosis encountered. Average number of psychotropic drug per prescription was 1.41±0.8. 91.73% drugs were prescribed by generic name. 80.16% of the drugs supplied from hospital pharmacy. Antidepressants (29.75%) most commonly prescribed followed by Antipsychotics (26.44%). 30% patients were receiving polytherapy. We found 1-18 year age group was common in psychiatry OPD. Most common diagnosis was behavioural and neurotic disorders, while the most commonly prescribed drugs were antidepressants and antipsychotics.

We investigated the effect of vanadium citrate in the amounts of 0.125, 0.5 and 2.0 μg/ml of water on the indicators of lipid metabolism in the blood plasma of rats with alloxan induced diabetes. Blood plasma was extracted using chloroform-methanol mixture according to the Folch method. The total amount of lipids was determined by weighing the dry residue (gravimetric method). The division of lipids into classes was performed by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel. During the research, we found that the total amount of lipids, phospholipids, non-esterified cholesterol, triacylglycerols, non-esterified fatty acids, as well as the cholesterol-to phospholipid ratio increased in the blood plasma of rats with alloxan induced diabetes. However, the level of diacylglycerols and esterified cholesterol decreased. Given the consumption of vanadium citrate, the total levels of lipids, phospholipids, non-esterified cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and non-esterified fatty acids in the blood decreased, but the level of diacylglycerols and esterified cholesterol increased compared to the rats with experimentally induced diabetes. It was found that lipid metabolism is normalized in the blood of rats with experimentally induced diabetes that were watered with the solution of vanadium citrate in the amount of 0.125 μg/ml of water.

89 nonvigorous neonates with meconium stained liquor were followed in the immediate neonatal period. 41 neonates received endotracheal tube (ET) suctioning at birth and 48 neonates did not receive ET suctioning at birth. Of the 41 ET neonates 16 had meconium related morbidity /mortality at NICU stay and 25 was normal. Of the 48 non ET neonates 9 had meconium related mortality /morbidity, 39 were normal. Odds ratio of mortality/ morbidity is significantly high (2.77)in ET group with narrow confidence interval (1.063,7.234),P value 0.03.Relative risk of ET group of having nonfavorable outcome is 1.7.Tracheal suctioning of meconium in nonvigorous neonates at birth did not decrease the meconium related morbidity /mortality during NICU stay.

Objective of The Study: To assess C-peptide levels in Cord Blood of Infants born to Diabetic Mothers (GDM and type 2 DM mothers) and to find it’s correlation with the anthropometric measures of the new born. Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised 40 babies born to GDM mothers and 20 babies born to type 2 DM mothers. Controls consist of 30 babies born to non-diabetic mothers .Instituitional ethics committee approval was obtained. Anthropometric measures of the newborn including gestational age, birth weight, ponderal index, length of the babies and head circumference were measured. 10 ml of Cord blood was collected and cord serum was separated and stored at -200C until further analysis. C-peptide levels in the cord serum was measured by ELISA. Result: Significant increase was observed in the serum C-peptide levels in infants born to GDM and type 2 DM mothers. Birthweight, head circumference and other anthropometric measures were also found to be significantly increased in the infants of diabetic mothers and they showed a strong correlation with C-peptide levels. Conclusion: When the mother has type 2 diabetes / gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), fetal hyperinsulinemia is common despite treatment of disease. This effect is more pronounced in those women with Type 2 DM. This maternal diabetic environment could be a contributing factor for the infants to develop obesity and abnormal glucose tolerance later in life. Therapeutic targets should be aimed at controlling the fetal hyperinsulinemia of GDM which could prevent the development of diabetes in the future.

First trimester sonographic diagnosis traditionally focused on evaluation of growth by serial examination to differentiate normal from abnormal gestations. Current trends in ultrasound late in the first trimester focus on measuring nuchal translucency thickness combined with maternal age and biochemical tests to determine the risk of chromosomal abnormalities and structural anomalies. The objective of the study was to compare normal reference range of mean fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness among pregnant women who were coming to the clinic with international reference values. A cross sectional study was conducted in a private ultrasound clinic, Lahore, Pakistan in one year starting from April 2016 to April 2017, after approval from the Institutional Review Committee of the University. A total of 59 pregnant women at 11-14 weeks gestation, were included in this study after taking consent. All NT measurements were performed by a certified sonographer using the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) recommended protocol. Descriptive statistics were presented in the form of range, mean and standard deviation. The mean maternal age and mean gestational age were (27.9 ± 4.4 years) and (11.8 ± 0.8 weeks) respectively. The mean calculated for nuchal translucency thickness, which ranges from (0.6-2.9 mm), is 1.77 mm. This study results show that normal range of NT thickness coincides with the normal range of mean Nuchal translucency found internationally.

Variations in the superficial veins of the face and neck are quite common and this knowledge is important in performing various head and neck surgical procedures. Aim of this study was to observe variations in the formation and termination of the superficial veins of face and neck. We studied 30 cadavers of male and female of South Indian population which were used for routine dissection for teaching medical graduates. During the study, we found an unusual termination of retromandibular vein on both sides in one cadaver and also variations in the formation and termination of anterior facial vein, lingual vein and superior thyroid vein were found in the same cadaver.

Cross sectional study was carried out on donkeys in some districts of Dhamar governorate with objectives to identify and determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes of donkeys from December 2017 to May 2018. Fecal samples were collected randomly from 369 donkeys and examined with flotation, McMaster and Baerman fecal examination techniques. The results revealed that, the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes was 67.75.5%. Seven species of gastrointestinal nematodes were identified. The species identified in descending order of prevalence are: Trichostrongylus axie (35.50%); Oxyuris equi (34.42%); Trichonema or Cyathostomins (24.93), Strongylus vulgaris (21.14%), Strongylus quinus (15.99), Strongylus edentatus (7.046%) and Parascaris equorum (4.065%). Statistically, significant differences (P=0.000) among prevalence of species were observed. The higher prevalence rate recorded in young animals, month of April, male animal and Maghreb anss district was as 83.57%, 78.26%, 68.06% and 88.24% respectively. The age-wise and month variation showed association (P=0.001) with prevalence; while, no with sex and area factors. The higher mean of FEC was recorded in the month of April (1482.04); whereas the lower in the month of December (729.3). It is concluded that working donkeys in study area harbor variety species of gastrointestinal nematodes. Raising awareness regarding gastrointestinal parasites and improved management practices are recommended to control gastrointestinal nematodes of donkeys.

Background and Objectives: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a common microvascular complication in diabetic patients, is characterized by gradually increasing urinary albumin excretion (UAE), and affects 20-40% of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in India. The defective insulin action in the metabolism of lipoproteins leads to lipid abnormalities as well as glycation of lipoproteins cause abnormalities in the lipoprotein metabolism in Type 2 DM patients. Dyslipidemia causes glomerular injury which will lead to progression of proteinuria. Methods: 100 Type 2 Diabetic patients with not less than 10 years duration of diabetes were selected and divided in three groups; Normoalbuminuric (n=42), Microalbuminuric (n=41) and Macroalbuminuric (n=17). Lipid profile, HbA1c, S. Creatinine and Urinary Albumin Excretion (UAE) were measured and data analysis was performed. Result: Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG) and LDL-C levels were not significantly associated with increase in proteinuria. HDL-C levels and TG/HDL ratio were significantly associated with different stages of proteinuria. Conclusion: HDL–C levels and TG/HDL ratio can be considered an excellent tool and approach for estimating risk of development of overt proteinuria among Type 2 diabetes patients.

Background: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder which interferes with the person's ability to communicate and relate to others. Median of global prevalence of autism spectrum disorders is 62/10 000. Both genetic and environmental factors are responsible for its development. The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic, prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal risk factors of autism. Methods: This study was done from the digital database of the child guidance clinic of the department of Psychiatry of a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata. Results: In this study male-female ratio among autistic children was found 3:1. Two thirds of the children came from urban nuclear families. Families of autistic children were more or less evenly distributed among all social classes. Antenatal, Perinatal and neonatal factors which were found to be significantly associated with Autism were antepartum haemorrhage or threatened abortion, pregnancy induced hypertension, prematurity and pathological jaundice. Conclusion: The present study found significant correlation between birth factors like antepartum haemorrhage, pregnancy induced hypertension, prematurity and pathological jaundice with autism. Further studies are needed to verify our findings, and investigate the effects of multiple factors on autism.

Lately, there was a face-off between chieftains in Africa and the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the indictment sitting African heads of state. Former Sudanese leader Omar al Bashir and the President of Kenya and his Deputy were indicted by the ICC for crimes against humanity committed in their countries. Following their indictment, the African Union (AU) made a representation to the ICC to suspend their trials while their term in office subsisted. This request was turned down. A similar request was made to the Security Council and was also rejected. In response, the AU decided to stop any form of collaboration with the ICC. It argued that sitting heads of state enjoy immunity under customary international law. Against the backdrop of persistent gross human rights abuses in Africa and the inertia exhibited by the AU, this paper calls for continued cooperation of two institutions in the interest of the victims of these abuses and the progress of the continent.

With the fast depleting conventional energy reserves, the thrust for developing newer and alternative energy sources is the key research area worldwide. With the increase in the pollution level there is a need for searching a sustainably developed and environmental friendly energy source. The municipal solid waste has become one of the major pollutants worldwide. About twenty percent of the municipal waste comprises of the different types of polyethylene waste. The process of conversion of the polyethylene waste into useful fuel has become one of the emerging fields, countries are working worldwide. The development of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons from polyethylene mix via hydropyropysis process is being studied. The hydropyrolytic process of converting LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE and HDPE type of polyethylene into useful gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon fuel provides a path to degrade waste polyethylene into small and very small chain products. The different fractionation of the extract obtained from the mother liquid was studied. The fraction ranging from temperature 150 0C to 400 0C has been studied to observe the diesel type fraction present in the liquid. The different blend study with the conventional diesel is being studied for property determination and end use. The chromatographic, distillate properties by simulated distillation analysis and mass spectra studies were carried out to understand the properties of the product. The blend study of the diesel type fuel from polyethylene with conventional diesel fuel provides a scope for its usefulness as feedstock in internal combustion engines and power generation.

This paper aims to research whether there is link between FDI inflows and Economic growth in the Republic of Seychelles Island. The ordinary least square results obtained shows that, the impact of FDI inflows on economic growth is low. Small Island Developing States attracts less FDI inflow because they are limited to few resources that attracts overseas firms which results in retarded development. The research lighted that impact of foreign direct investment on host countries does not only depend on the quality and quantity of the FDI inflows but some other variables such as the internal policies and the management skills, market structures, economic trends among others.

Starting from Placid Tempels’ discovery of “being-force” as characteristic of the worldview of Bantus and from the natural theology of Kôngo religion as the exposition of its essential doctrines through deductive logic, this paper attempts a generalization of the notion of n‟kisi, often wrongly reduced to the concept of fetish. This generalization demonstrates that the concept of n‟kisi alludes to spiritual power as the protecting presence surrounding the human being and the animating spirit governing human beings, phenomena as well as objects of nature and of human creation. Thus defined, the concept of n‟kisi can be grasped through the divine, human, and demonic modes. While the divine n‟kisi is related to the practice of African traditional religion, the human-produced n‟kisi is rather an aspect of African traditional technology. As for the demonic n‟kisi, it is the result of the loss of the support of holy ancestors due to failure to observe ethical requirements, and/or the use of submitted evil spirits.