Introduction: A huge reservoir of bioactive compounds exists in many species of plants, only a small percentage of which have been examined and continued to be an important source of anticancer agents. Worldwide effects are ongoing to identify new anticancer compounds from plants.With the current decline in the number of new molecular entities from the pharmaceutical industry, novel anticancer agents are being sought from traditional medicines. Objective: In the present study we investigated the efficacy of methanol extracts of Pavonia odorata, for its clonogenic inhibition on Human Breast cancer (MD-MB-231), Prostate cancer (PC-3) and Lung cancer (Calu-6) cell lines. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxic effect was evaluated by MTT assay. Results: The methanol extract of P. odorata showed significant cytotoxicity against MD-MB-231 and Calu-6, when compared to PC-3cells. Conclusion: The methanol extracts of P. odorata, showed effective cytotoxic activities in a dose dependent

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Storm surge simulation models require certain parameters for evaluating the worst possible event that could occur at a site with respect to a certain return period. The most significant probable maximum tropical cyclone parameters are pressure deficiency at the centre (ΔP) and maximum wind speed (Vmax) during the cyclone. In this study the probable maximum tropical cyclone parameters that would yield the maximum probable storm surge along the Indian coasts of Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are estimated. Datasets are created based on various existing data archives for each basin. The datasets are subjected to extreme value analysis for determining the ΔP and Vmax parameters. The data is fitted to various probability distributions (Gumbel, Frechet, Weibull and Log-normal) whose parameters (scale, shape, and location parameters) are estimated using graphical (least square fit) and numerical (order statistics approach) methods. A mean recurrence interval of 1,000 and 10,000 years is considered for strategic structures. The best fit distribution and its parameters are obtained based on goodness of fit criteria. The resulting ΔP and Vmax is compared with theoretical maximum cyclone parameter values of each basin and revised till an optimal set of values are reached. The analysis shows that ΔP and Vmax values for Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are best represented by Weibull distribution. The estimated parameters are useful input to a storm surge model to determine the design basis flood level for the strategic coastal sites.

Smoking is associated with high incidence of morbidity and mortality. The free radicals released during smoking thought to play an important role in forming imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. A total number of 200 subjects comprising of 50 healthy controls and 150 cases of smokers divided into mild, moderate and heavy smokers studied. In all the subjects, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant serum vitamin C were estimated. Serum MDA was significantly increased in smokers when compared to controls. The oxidative stress level was elevated in accordance with the intensity of smoking. The antioxidant serum vitamin C was significantly decreased in smokers when compared to controls. The presence of increased systemic oxidative stress in smokers seems to be associated with current active smoking and systemic inflammation. The decrease in antioxidant levels appears to be mainly a consequence of increased oxidative stress. Hence by advising cessation of smoking and taking diet rich in antioxidants may prevent oxidative damage and prevent oxidative stress related diseases.