Ten-year longitudinal investigation of astigmatism: The Yamagata Study (Funagata)

Despite numerous investigations into ocular or corneal astigmatism, the dynamic nature of astigmatism remains poorly understood. To reveal potential associations between age and astigmatism, 264 Japanese participants who underwent systemic and ophthalmological examinations in Funagata Town (Yamagata Prefecture, Japan) were evaluated over a 10-year period. Astigmatism was evaluated with regard to the cylinder power, cylinder axis, and vector analyses. Whereas the refractive cylinders showed age-related increases in patients in their 40s to 60s, the corneal cylinders did not change over 10 years. Nevertheless, cylindrical axis of the cornea demonstrated a continuous shift toward against-the-rule (ATR) astigmatism. Vector analyses revealed that the astigmatic shift toward ATR progressed continually after patients reached their 40s, although the shift did not accelerate with age. These novel insights may pave the way for the development of potential strategies for vision correction, including refractive surgeries, and vision-quality maintenance in the elderly.

A Preliminary HPTLC fingerprint study of Madhuka Indica –An Immune Enhancer

– Ayurveda is now accepted as a global medical science. The world is shifting to herbal remedies which is considered to be safe and effective. But the quality maintenance of these herbal medicines is a difficult task which hinders the globalization of Ayurvedic drugs and thus it’s a need to use suitable techniques to maintain relevant standards. Standardization is very much important for the reproducibility of the efficacy and safety of any drug which is brought to the counter as medicine for sale. Madhuka (1)has been mentioned in classical texts as brimhana, shukrakruta , veerya pushtivardhana, dahahara, shramahara, vatapittavinasham, bhutadi jantudoshagna ,kshatkshayharam etc. This article aims to explore the qualities of Madhuka pushpa, its phytochemical parameters with HPTLC and the preliminary standardization of preparing madhuka pushpa vati for its use as an immune enhancer

Housing, Neighborhood Factors, and Cognitive Status of Older Adults Living in Houses Versus Apartments

This study examines associations between housing, neighborhood factors and cognitive status among community-dwelling older adults, and how the associations differ between older adults who live in houses and in apartment buildings. Specifically, using the neighborhood stressor theory, three research questions are examined: 1) What individual-level factors predict late-life cognitive status? 2) After controlling for individual-level factors, what housing and neighborhood factors are significant in predicting older adults’ cognitive status? 3) How do individual, housing, neighborhood predictors of cognitive status differ between house and apartment residents? Using data from the Wave 3 NSHAP, multilevel linear regression analyses are conducted with the total sample. Results suggest that individual-level factors including young-age, female, white, and having a bachelor’s degree are associated with better cognitive status. After controlling for individual-level factors, housing and neighborhood factors including quality maintenance and high level of community safety are associated with higher cognitive scores. In addition to the additive model, we also test the interactive effect between housing type and three level of factors –individual level, housing, and neighborhood factors. Findings suggest that the joint effect of depression and housing type on cognitive status is significant. To explore the last research question, we conduct parallel regression analyses by housing type. Findings suggest that quality maintenance and high level of community safety are associated with higher cognitive scores among house residents only. Findings highlight the predictors of cognitive health vary between older adults living in different residential environments.

Differential effects of postharvest application of ethylene inhibitors on guava stored under ambient conditions

Aim: To assess the efficiency of ethylene synthesis and action inhibitors on postharvest shelf life of guava fruits under ambient conditions. Methodology: Mature green guava fruits (P. guajava L. cv. Arka Mridula) were harvested and treated with ethylene inhibitors. Various physiological, physical and nutritional changes of the treated fruits in comparison with untreated ones were monitored during ambient temperature storage. Multivariate analysis approach was used for interpreting the data on quality changes during storage. Results: Significant positive correlation (p<0.01) was observed among rates of ethylene production, respiration, ripening and Hunter’s a* value. Biplot from principal component analysis of eleven parameters showed that 1-MCP (500 ppb) treated fruits were grouped together with freshly harvested fruits throughout storage period, and proved superior over other treatments in delaying ripening and quality maintenance. Seven days stored 3.0 mM Salicylic acid and 1.5 mM Sodium nitroprusside treated fruits were grouped together with 5 days stored control fruits, suggesting their effectiveness in extending the shelf life by additional two days. Interpretation: Postharvest application of 1-MCP on guava fruits can extend the shelf life by four days when compared with control. Even PCA indicated that the study of major ripening attributes (L*, a*, b*, Hue, texture, acidity, ethylene rate and respiration rate) was quite sufficient to know the ripening status of the fruits.