All the major compounds identified and characterized by spectroscopic method were of biological significance. Besides, the tuber also possesses high calorific value and source for low fat and moderate dietary fibre which is essential for maintaining proper health. Moreover, the mineral content of the tuber can be used as supplement for combating malnutrition especially among rural folk and the vitamin content can serve as good source of natural antioxidant. Thus identification of a good number of important compounds from Alocasia indica tubers can focus on its use for future therapeutic purpose apart from maintaining general health.

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Background: In India, very sparse data are available on the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension among the police force, as a specific occupational group. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors among the policemen of a metropolitan city,

This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Infectious Laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) in commercial layer farms of Chittagong district, Bangladesh. Antigen coated indirect ELISA was performed to determine the antibody titre against ILTV. The overall seroprevalence of ILTV was 17.33% in commercial layer farms in 5 selected Upazilas of Chittagong district. The highest seroprevalence was found in Anowara upazila (26.67%) followed by Rangunia (18.46%), Raozan (16.67%), Boalkhali (13.33%) with the lowest prevalence in Patia (10.90%). The seroprevalence of ILTV was found higher in winter (24%) season compared to rainy (16%) and summer (12%). Significantly higher seroprevalence of ILTV was observed in the birds of 10-35 weeks of age (23.24%) than the birds of 36-70 weeks of age (7.83%). Prevalence of ILT was found significantly higher (P<0.05) in the farms maintaining lower biosecurity (biosecurity category 2) (22.78%) than in the farms maintaining higher biosecurity (biosecurity category 1) (9.17%) and the ILT was more predominant in the birds rearing in deep liter (23.48%) than in the cages (13.14%) which is statistically significant (P < 0.05) with χ2-value of 4.9144. These results denoted that wide seroprevalence of ILTV in commercial layer farms of Chittagong district of Bangladesh.All copyrights reserved to Nexus® academic publishers

Objective:The current study investigates the nephroprotective effect of Amorphophallus campanulatus against chronic alcohol-induced oxidative stress and tissue damage. Methods:The rats were simultaneously supplemented with ethanolic extract of A. campanulatus along with ethanol (40% w/v)2 g/kg body weight/day for 30 days to evaluate the nephroprotective effect against alcohol toxicity. Renal antioxidant enzymes, serum urea, creatinine, and proinflammatory cytokines were assayed biochemically. Histomorphological and histochemical alterations were detected by Hematoxylin and Eosin, periodic acid Schiff, and Feulgen and Picrosirius stain, respectively. The degree of apoptotic cell death was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay technique.Results: Serum urea, creatinine, pro-inflammatory cytokines, tissue TBARS, and activity of glutathione metabolizing enzymes were significantly (p<0.01) elevated, whereas cytosolic and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase, catalase, and levels of reduced glutathione were significantly (p<0.001) decreased in the EtOH group compared to control. However, ethanolic extract of A. campanulatus (ACE) supplementation to the EtOH rats reversed these effects to normal levels. Furthermore, degenerative changes in renal cells with alcohol treatment were minimized to nearness in architecture by ACE supplementation. Glycogen and deoxyribonucleic acid depletion, excess fibrosis due to collagen deposition, and increased apoptotic cell number were also restricted by ACE supplementation, with the higher dose being more promising. Conclusion:Thus ethanol-induced nephrotoxicity was attenuated by ACE treatment by the antioxidative and antiapoptotic property of the extract. Such effects of the extract may be due to the probable presence of different bioactive components in the tuber. Hence, it can be used as a regular nutrient or therapeutic agent to protect the renal cells.