Authentication of herbal drug Tukhm‐e‐balango (Lallemantia royleana Benth.) using microscopic,pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization

The study is aimed to provide a comprehensive account on authentication of herbal drug named as Tukhm‐e‐balango (Lallemantia royleana Benth.) from the seeds of Ocimum basilicum by using microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization. The crude medicinal plants and their parts are often adulterated or substituted in market due to improper identification by the consumers while among herbal plant sellers, taxonomic confusion is caused due to morphological similarities of the plant parts and lack of a standard identification system.In microscopy, both herbarium and fresh specimens were studied using qualitative and quantitative morphological characteristics of leaves, seeds, and pollen. For pharmacognosy, solubility, fluorescence, and physicochemical characterizers were analyzed whereas a total phenolic and flavonoids contents was determined in addition to DPPH radical scavenging activity. In current study, microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization clearly differentiated L. royleana from O. basilicum. The major problem in herbal drug industry is caused due to confusion and controversy of certain synonyms used for more than one or two drugs. Sometimes, under the same common or local name, entirely different taxa are being sold in herbal markets. It is concluded that correct and proper identification of medicinal plants is very crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines, as many medicinal plants are intentionally or unintentionally adulterated with similar species or varieties. In herbal market, the seeds of L. royleana are adulterated with seeds of O. basilicum due to their similar morphology.     

Thermosiphon solar domestic water heating systems: long-term performance prediction using artificial neural networks

The objective of this work is to use artificial neural networks (ANN) for the long-term performance prediction of thermosiphonic type solar domestic water heating (SDWH) systems. Thirty SDWH systems have been tested and modelled according to the procedures outlined in the standard ISO 9459-2 at three locations in Greece. From these, data from 27 of the systems were used for training and testing the network while data from the remaining three were used for validation. Two ANNs have been trained using the monthly data produced by the modeling program supplied with the standard ISO 9459-2. Different networks were used depending on the nature of the required output, which is different in each case. The first network was trained to estimate the solar energy output of the system for a draw-off quantity equal to the storage tank capacity (at the end of the solar energy collection period) and the second one was trained to estimate the solar energy output of the system and the average quantity of hot water per month at demand temperatures of 35 and 40°C. The collector areas of the considered systems were varying between 1.81 m² and 4.38 m². Open and closed thermosiphonic systems have been considered both with horizontal and vertical storage tanks. In this way the networks were trained to accept and handle a number of unusual cases. The input data in both networks are similar to the ones used in the program supplied with the standard. These were the size and performance characteristics of each system and various climatic data. In the second network the demand temperature was also used as input. For the first network the statistical coefficient of multiple determination (R²-value) obtained for the training data set was equal to 0.9993. For the second network the R²-value for the two output parameters was equal to 0.9848 and 0.9926, respectively. Unknown data were subsequently used to investigate the accuracy of prediction and R²-values equal to 0.9913 for the first network and 0.9733 and 0.9940 for the second were obtained. These results indicate that the proposed method can successfully be used for the prediction of the solar energy output of the system for a draw-off equal to the volume of the storage tank or for the solar energy output of the system and the average quantity of the hot water per month for the two demand water temperatures considered.     

Postnatal phenotype of dairy cows is altered by in vitro embryo production using reverse X-sorted semen

Abnormal fetuses, neonates, and adult offspring derived by assisted reproductive technologies have been reported in humans and mice and have been associated with increased likelihood of certain adult diseases. To test the hypothesis that bovine females derived by assisted reproductive technologies have altered postnatal growth and adult function, a retrospective cohort study evaluated survival, growth, and production traits of offspring derived by in vitro embryo production (IVP) with conventional (IVP-conv) or reverse X-sorted semen (IVP-sexed), multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, and artificial insemination (AI) in a large dairy herd. Live calves produced by IVP were born slightly heavier compared with AI calves. In addition, IVP-sexed calves had a higher cumulative mortality from 90 to 180 d of age compared with AI offspring. Mortality of IVP-conv and multiple ovulation and embryo transfer offspring was intermediate and not different from AI or IVP-sexed offspring. The altered phenotype of offspring from IVP-sexed extended to adult milk production. Cows derived by IVP-sexed produced less milk, fat, and protein in their first lactation compared with dairy cows derived by AI. Additionally, females born to nulliparous dams had a distinct postnatal phenotype compared with offspring from parous dams even when data were restricted to offspring of surrogate females. In conclusion, procedures associated with in vitro production of embryos involving use of reverse-sorted spermatozoa for fertilization result in an alteration of embryonic programming that persists postnatally and causes an effect on milk production in adulthood. Thus, some benefits of reverse-sorted semen for genetic improvement may be offset by adverse programming events.     

Regional clustering of human capital: school grades and migration of university graduates

The spatial distribution of human capital plays a fundamental role for regional differences in economic growth and welfare. This paper examines how individual ability indicated by the grade point average (GPA) from comprehensive school affects the probability of migration among young university graduates in Sweden. Using detailed microdata available from the Swedish population register, the study examines two cohorts of individuals who enrol in tertiary education. The results indicate that individual abilities reflected by the GPA are strongly influential when it comes to completing a university degree and for the migration decision after graduation. Moreover, there is a positive relationship between the GPA and the choice of migrating from regions with a relatively low tax base and a relatively small share of highly educated people in the population, while individuals with higher GPA tend to stay at a higher rate in more flourishing regions.     

A conceptualization of knowledge governance in project-based organizations

This paper conceptualizes and defines knowledge governance (KG) in project-based organizations (PBOs). Two key contributions towards a multi-faceted view of KG and an understanding of KG in PBOs are advanced, as distinguished from knowledge management and organizational learning concepts. The conceptual framework addresses macro- and micro-level elements of KG and their interaction. Our definition of KG in PBOs highlights the contingent nature of KG processes in relation to their organizational context. These contributions provide a novel platform for understanding KG in PBOs.     

Behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in avocado pulp and processed guacamole

The potential ability of Listeria monocytogenes to grow or survive in avocado pulp (AP) and processed guacamole (PG) stored at 22, 4 to 7, and -18 degrees C was studied. Both products were obtained from a factory in Michoacan, Mexico. PG consisted of AP mixed with dehydrated vegetables, antioxidants, and preservatives. Populations of L monocytogenes in AP stored at 22 degrees C increased from 2 to 6 and 9 log CFU/g after 24 and 48 h, respectively. At 4 to 7 degrees C, the growth rate of L monocytogenes in AP was greatly decreased; generation time was 8.2 h, in contrast with 1.35 h observed at 22 degrees C. L. monocytogenes populations did not increase in PG either at 22 degrees C for 48 h or at 4 to 7 degrees C for 15 days. The bacteriostatic effect in PG may have resulted from the presence of added substances, especially citric acid and disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate. Aerobic plate counts and coliforms increased in AP and PG stored at ambient temperature and under refrigeration. However, these increments did not affect the growth of the pathogen. L. monocytogenes (50,000 most probable number [MPN]/g) survived at least 58 weeks in both products stored frozen at -18 degrees C; the final population was 335 MPN/g in AP and 23 MPN/g in PG. Although the composition of avocado fruit differs significantly (high content of lipids and scarcity of simple carbohydrates) from that typical of most fruits, these results underline AP as a potential vehicle of human listeriosis and indicate that freezing should not be used as the sole mechanism to control this pathogen.     

Alcohol and cancer

Immunocytochemically detectable MT and p53 have been found more commonly in comedo DCIS of the breast with high-grade cytology. The aim of this study is to confirm these findings and to investigate the relationship between MT and p53 in a single large series of cases of DCIS of the breast. To this end, 127 cases of DCIS were classified histologically according to architecture, cytonuclear differentiation (grade), presence and extent of intraduct necrosis, and using the Van Nuys system. Sections were immunostained for p53 and MT (E9) using established techniques, and the extent and intensity of staining were assessed semi-quantitively. The results confirmed that there was generally more MT and p53 positivity in poorly differentiated (grade 3) DCIS with extensive necrosis and that MT expression was greater in grade 2 lesions than p53 expression. However, overall there was no statistically significant correlation between p53 and MT staining. The results indicate that MT and p53 overexpression may arise from independent mechanisms in early breast neoplasia.     

The deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme gene is associated with target organ damage in essential hypertension

The activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is thought to play a significant role in the development of target organ damage in essential hypertension. An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has recently been associated with increased risk for left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary heart disease in the general population. The D allele is associated with higher levels of circulating ACE and therefore may predispose to cardiovascular damage. The study presented here was performed to investigate the association between the ACE genotype, microalbuminuria, retinopathy, and left ventricular hypertrophy in 106 patients with essential hypertension. ACE gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction technique. Microalbuminuria was evaluated as albumin-to-creatinine ratio (A/C) in three nonconsecutive first morning urine samples (negative urine culture) after a 4-wk washout period. Microalbuminuria was defined as A/C between 2.38 to 19 (men) and 2.96 to 20 (women). Hypertensive retinopathy was evaluated by direct funduscopic examination (keith-Wagener-Barker classification) and left ventricular hypertrophy by M-B mode echocardiography. The distribution of the DD, ID, and II genotypes was 27, 50, and 23%, respectively. The prevalence of microalbuminuria, retinopathy, and left ventricular hypertrophy was 19, 74, and 72% respectively. There were no differences among the three genotypes for age, known duration of disease, body mass index, blood pressure, serum glucose, uric acid, and lipid profile. DD and ID genotypes were significantly associated with the presence of microalbuminuria (odds ratio, 8.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 67.85; P = 0.019), retinopathy (odds ratio, 5.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.71 to 15.75; P = 0.005) and left ventricular hypertrophy (odds ratio, 5.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.52 to 17.94; P = 0.016). Furthermore, patients with DD and ID genotypes showed higher levels of A/C (3.6 +/- 0.9, DD; 2.6 +/- 0.7, ID; 0.9 +/- 0.2 mg/mmol, II; P = 0.0015 by analysis of variance) and increased left ventricular mass index (152 +/- 4.7, DD + ID versus 133 +/- 5.7 g/m2, II; P = 0.01) compared with II patients. The D allele was significantly more frequent in patients with microalbuminuria (odds ratio, 2.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.24 to 5.41; P = 0.013) and in those with retinopathy (odds ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.21 to 4.90; P = 0.015). Multiple regression analyses performed among the entire cohort of patients demonstrated that ACE genotype significantly and independently influences the presence of retinopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, and microalbuminuria. In conclusion, the D allele of the ACE gene is associated with microalbuminuria as well as with retinopathy and left ventricular hypertrophy, and seems to be an independent risk factor for target organ damage in essential hypertension.