Background: Headache disorders represent a major public health problem globally. It is more so in developing countries with rising trend in young adults affecting negatively their quality of life. There has been very little information on the epidemiology of headache disorder in Kashmir India which has witnessed prolonged and large scale militancy related disturbance. A prospective population based study was undertaken in Srinagar district of Kashmir to determine the prevalence of headache disorder. Methods: The study was a cross sectional survey using cluster sampling with a culturally adapted version of pretested questionnaire translated into local language, in Hazratbal Community Block of Srinagar. In the first phase households were screened. Individuals with headache were then examined by a senior neurologist for migraine and non migraine disorder. Results: The overall prevalence of headache was 66.2 % with female preponderance. Occurrence of headache was as high as 79.90 % in adults of 19-45 years. The prevalence rate declined after the age of 45 years in both the genders. Women had higher prevalence rate than men in all age groups and for all headache categories. Age distribution showed prevalence rate of migraine of 45.69% in young adults of 19-45 years; females 55.44% and males 32.79 %. Non migraine headache was more common than migraine type, and was more prevalent in young age group in both the genders, highest in adolescents (74.20 %). Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of headache both migrainous and non migrainous in Kashmir may be related to the stress the community has been subjected to from militancy related conflict since 1990.
Headaches

Six compounds have been isolated from the leaves of Pyrenacantha staudtii,two of which are new compounds.The new compounds have been characterized as kaempherol 3-O-β-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 4-β-glucopyranosyl-(2-furyl)-5-methy-1,2-glucopyranoside phenylmethanone (2).The known compounds are 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (3),β-sitosterol (4),sitosterol 3-O-β-glucopyranoside (5) and taraxerol (6).Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical evidences.The two new compounds together with 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid showed significant in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first report of these compounds from this plant.

Six compounds have been isolated from the leaves of Pyrenacantha staudtii, two of which are new compounds. The new compounds have been characterized as kaempherol 3-O-beta-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 4-beta-glucopyranosyl-(2-furyl)-5-methy-1,2-glucopyranoside phenylmethanone (2). The known compounds are 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid (3), beta-sitosterol (4), sitosterol 3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (5) and taraxerol (6). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical evidences. The two new compounds together with 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid showed significant in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of these compounds from this plant.
Enzyme Inhibitors ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Kaempferols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Niacin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Xanthine Oxidase ; metabolism

Objective: To investigate the pharmacological potential of Argemone mexicana in treating constipation and emesis by using in vitro and in vivo models.Methods: The spasmogenic and spasmolytic effects were evaluated on isolated rabbit jejunum fragments loaded in a tissue organ bath. The response was recorded with an isotonic transducer attached with Power Lab Data Acquisition System. The laxative and antiemetic activities were assessed in BALB-c mice and poultry chicks challenged with carbamylcholine and copper sulphate stimulated emesis, respectively. Results: The total phenolic and total flavonoids contents of the extract were (267.75 ± 5.77) mg GAE/g and (73.86 ± 6.01) mg QE/g, respectively. Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmogenic effect on isolated rabbit jejunum segments with an EC50 value of 0.016 mg/mL, which was blocked by atropine (0.3 μM). Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmolytic effect in atropine treated jejunum fragments with an EC50 value of 2.185 mg/mL. Furthermore, Argemone mexicana extract relaxed potassium (80 mM)-induced contractions (EC50: 9.07 mg/mL), similar to a standard drug verapamil. The calcium channel blocker activity was confirmed by a rightward shift of concentration-response curve of calcium in the presence of Argemone mexicana extract (1-5 mg/mL) and verapamil (0.1-1 μM). In addition, the extract increased the distance travelled by a charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract and exhibited antiemetic effect on copper sulphate induced emesis in chicks. Conclusions: Argemone mexicana shows cholinergic agonist and calcium channel blocker activities, as well as antiemetic effect. It may be used as a potential agent for treating gastrointestinal disorders.

Objective: To document the recent livestock related practices and possible unhygienic ways of pathogen entry. Identification of the potential risk factors for the spread of infection is important to design an evidence-based disease control programme. Methods: Rapid assessment method was adopted and a purposive sample of 60 dairy farmers were interviewed. The following factors were noted for contributing in primary and secondary transmission of zoonotic infections: (i) persons who come in close contact with animals and their secretions, (ii) management strategies of farm animals (sheds and environment), (iii) management practices adopted at farms, (iv) small scale farmers and rural livestock production systems, (v) milk collection systems. Results: This research unveiled the certain routes of zoonotic disease transmission. Certain management practices, precautionary measures and strategies were the pivotal risk factors. Conclusions: The study emphasizes the need to educate the poor livestock keepers.

Objective: To investigate the pharmacological potential of Argemone mexicana in treating constipation and emesis by using in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: The spasmogenic and spasmolytic effects were evaluated on isolated rabbit jejunum fragments loaded in a tissue organ bath. The response was recorded with an isotonic transducer attached with Power Lab Data Acquisition System. The laxative and antiemetic activities were assessed in BALB-c mice and poultry chicks challenged with carbamylcholine and copper sulphate stimulated emesis, respectively. Results: The total phenolic and total flavonoids contents of the extract were (267.75 ± 5.77) mg GAE/g and (73.86 ± 6.01) mg QE/g, respectively. Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmogenic effect on isolated rabbit jejunum segments with an EC50 value of 0.016 mg/mL, which was blocked by atropine (0.3 μM). Argemone mexicana extract exerted spasmolytic effect in atropine treated jejunum fragments with an EC50 value of 2.185 mg/mL. Furthermore, Argemone mexicana extract relaxed potassium (80 mM)-induced contractions (EC50: 9.07 mg/mL), similar to a standard drug verapamil. The calcium channel blocker activity was confirmed by a rightward shift of concentration-response curve of calcium in the presence of Argemone mexicana extract (1-5 mg/mL) and verapamil (0.1-1 μM). In addition, the extract increased the distance travelled by a charcoal in the gastrointestinal tract and exhibited antiemetic effect on copper sulphate induced emesis in chicks. Conclusions: Argemone mexicana shows cholinergic agonist and calcium channel blocker activities, as well as antiemetic effect. It may be used as a potential agent for treating gastrointestinal disorders.