Body and Temperature: Configurations of Colonial Desire in Contemporary German Literature

The central argument of this essay is gathered from two historical novels published around same time and revolving around the same historical figure August Engelhardt. High temperature, in particular the tropical heat finds its metaphorical expression in the sun and then the fever as two prototypical colonial phantasies and/or fears and weaves the narrative around the temperature driven intricacies. Marc Buhls Das Paradies des August Engelhardt (2011) and Christian Krachts Imperium (2012) form the primary sources for the discussion within the topic of colonial desire with reference to the temperature as a significant indicator of either appreciation or devaluation underlining the colonial mentality. My paper concentrates on the overlapping sites within German speaking literature from post-colonial perspective. Along with the works of Marc Buhl and Christian Kracht, I cursorily touch upon Ilija Trojanows novel Der Weltensammler (2006), since it deals with the figure of a historical British colonial officer, Richard Francis Burton. The common thread running through all three works is not only the fact that they deal with scurrile biographies from the pages of colonial history in India and Africa, but that they develop the narrative on another common indicator – the Tropes and their Temperatures.The central argument of this essay is gathered from two historical novels published around same time and revolving around the same historical figure August Engelhardt. High temperature, in particular the tropical heat finds its metaphorical expression in the sun and then the fever as two prototypical colonial phantasies and/or fears and weaves the narrative around the temperature driven intricacies. Marc Buhls Das Paradies des August Engelhardt (2011) and Christian Krachts Imperium (2012) form the primary sources for the discussion within the topic of colonial desire with reference to the temperature as a significant indicator of either appreciation or devaluation underlining the colonial mentality. My paper concentrates on the overlapping sites within German speaking literature from post-colonial perspective. Along with the works of Marc Buhl and Christian Kracht, I cursorily touch upon Ilija Trojanows novel Der Weltensammler (2006), since it deals with the figure of a historical British colonial officer, Richard Francis Burton. The common thread running through all three works is not only the fact that they deal with scurrile biographies from the pages of colonial history in India and Africa, but that they develop the narrative on another common indicator – the Tropes and their Temperatures

Evaluation of holy basil mouthwash as an adjunctive plaque control agent in a four day plaque regrowth model

Objectives: Various antibacterial and antiplaque agents are used in chemical plaque control but none are without their shortcomings. Chlorhexidine considered a gold standard, also has an array of side effects. To overcome these, numerous herbal extracts have been tried and tested and one among them is holy basil. The present study evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of holy basil in vitro against some periodontopathogens and its antiplaque ef fect in vivo. Study Design: Thirty periodontally healthy volunteers were randomly divided into three groups and refrained from all mechanical oral hygiene measures for 4 days and used one of the randomly assigned mouthwash (1- chlor - hexidine; 2- holy basil; and 3- sterile water [placebo]) twice daily. The Plaque Index (PI) was assessed at days 0 and 5. Aqueous extract of holy basil was tested against Prevotella intermedia ( P. intermedia ) and Fusobacterium nucleatum ( F.nucleatum ). Results: Holy basil extract showed inhibition of both the tested periodontopathogens ( P.intermedia and F.nucleatum ) at various concentrations. In all groups, the PI increased from baseline to day 5. There was a statistically significant difference ( p < .05) between the chlorhexidine and placebo rinse and the holy basil and placebo rinse, but no statis - tically significant difference was found between the chlorhexidine and holy basil rinse with respect to PI. Conclusions: These results indicate that the holy basil mouthwash has an antiplaque effect and is efficacious against P. intermedia and F. nucleatum strains in vitro. Hence holy basil mouthwash may have potential as an antiplaque mouthwash with prophylactic benefits

Knowledge, practices and influencing factors defining unhealthy food behavior among adolescents in India: a scoping review

Unhealthy food behaviors are the major contributing factors to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adolescents in India. Knowledge and practices related to unhealthy eating are significant factors influencing adolescents’ food behavior. In this scoping review, we aim to map evidence and identify gaps on knowledge, practices, and the influencing factors associated with unhealthy food behavior among Indian adolescents by examining the existing literature. Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ manual were used for this review. After the screening, 33 articles were identified according to the inclusion criteria. Data extraction was performed according to the study objectives, followed by narrative summarization. The studies included a total of 20,566 adolescents. Most studies reported insufficient knowledge about healthy food choices among adolescents. Diet intake patterns among the adolescents showed a lower amount of fruits and vegetables and an increase in fried items, sugar-sweetened beverages, packaged food, and fast food in both sexes, with a broader association with peer influence (21.2%), parental unhealthy food behavior (15.1%), place of residence (6.06%), emotional status (6.06%), and mass media exposure (18.1%). The scoping review highlights the need for targeted interventions aimed at improving the knowledge and practices of Indian adolescents by promoting healthy food choices and sensitizing them about the risk of non-communicable diseases. The analysis of evidence around adolescent dietary behavior in India shows a monotonous, limited, and narrow range in scope, indicating the extended need for research

Defective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) phosphorylation exacerbates TH17-mediated autoimmune neuroinflammation

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling regulates lymphocyte egress from lymphoid organs into systemic circulation. Sphingosine phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) agonist, FTY-720 (Gilenya™) arrests immune trafficking and prevents multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses. However, alternative mechanisms of S1P-S1P1 signaling have been reported. Phosphoproteomic analysis of MS brain lesions revealed S1P1 phosphorylation on S351, a residue crucial for receptor internalization. Mutant mice harboring a S1pr1 gene encoding phosphorylation-deficient receptors [S1P1(S5A)] developed severe experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) due to T helper (TH) 17-mediated autoimmunity in the peripheral immune and nervous system. S1P1 directly activated Janus-like kinase–signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK-STAT3) pathway via interleukin 6 (IL-6). Impaired S1P1 phosphorylation enhances TH17 polarization and exacerbates autoimmune neuroinflammation. These mechanisms may be pathogenic in MS

BRCA1 Regulates Follistatin Function in Ovarian Cancer and Human Ovarian Surface Epithelial Cells

Follistatin (FST), a folliculogenesis regulating protein, is found in relatively high concentrations in female ovarian tissues. FST acts as an antagonist to Activin, which is often elevated in human ovarian carcinoma, and thus may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention against ovarian cancer. The breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) is a known tumor suppressor gene in human breast cancer; however its role in ovarian cancer is not well understood. We performed microarray analysis on human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 that stably overexpress wild-type BRCA1 and compared with the corresponding empty vector-transfected clones. We found that stable expression of BRCA1 not only stimulates FST secretion but also simultaneously inhibits Activin expression. To determine the physiological importance of this phenomenon, we further investigated the effect of cellular BRCA1 on the FST secretion in immortalized ovarian surface epithelial (IOSE) cells derived from either normal human ovaries or ovaries of an ovarian cancer patient carrying a mutation in BRCA1 gene. Knock-down of BRCA1 in normal IOSE cells demonstrates down-regulation of FST secretion along with the simultaneous up-regulation of Activin expression. Furthermore, knock-down of FST in IOSE cell lines as well as SKOV3 cell line showed significantly reduced cell proliferation and decreased cell migration when compared with the respective controls. Thus, these findings suggest a novel function for BRCA1 as a regulator of FST expression and function in human ovarian cells

OECD-407 Driven 28-day-repeated-dose non-clinical safety evaluation of Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) stem aqueous extract in Sprague-Dawley rats under GLP compliance

Introduction:Tinospora cordifolia (Wild.) Hook.f. &amp; Thomson (Giloy), has been widely used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. However, some sporadic under-powered case studies have recently reported Tinospora cordifolia associated toxicity. Thus, following OECD 407 guidelines, a 28-day-repeated-dose-14-day-recovery toxicological evaluation of the aqueous extract of T. cordifolia stem (TCWE) was conducted under good laboratory practice (GLP), in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.Methods: 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day of TCWE was given orally to designated treatment groups of either sex. Two separate 14-day recovery satellite groups received either vehicle control or 1000 mg/kg/day of TCWE.Results: In this study, TCWE was found safe up to a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day with no mortality or related toxicological manifestation in terms of clinical signs, ocular effects, hematology, urinalysis, clinical chemistry parameters, or macro- or microscopic changes in any organs. The satellite group did not show any adverse effect after 14-day recovery period. Thus, the No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) of TCWE was determined to be 1000 mg/kg/day.Discussion: In conclusion, this study established the non-clinical safety of the aqueous extract of T. cordifolia stem, which confirms the age-old safe medicinal use of this herb, and also paves the path for future clinical research on formulations containing Tinospora cordifolia

Effect of hydrogen dilution in silane on light induced degradation of hydrogenated amorphous silicon films for solar photovoltaic applications

Hydrogenated amorphous silicon films (a-Si:H) have been deposited by r.f. glow discharge of silane (SiH4) and hydrogen (H2) gas mixture. The hydrogen concentration in the gas mixture and the applied r.f. power density have been varied. The initial photoconductivity (&#963;p), photosensitivity (&#963;p/&#963;d ), activation energy (Ea), optical band gap (Eg), hydrogen concentration, sub band gap absorption, Urbach energy (E0) and defect density of the films have been measured, and the degradation, i.e., the reduction of photoconductivity under AM-I (100 mW/cm2) white light, has been studied. Films prepared with 95% hydrogen dilution and 6O mW/cm2 r.f power density show the lowest degradation

Outcomes of Orthognathic Surgery-A Case Report

Orthognathic surgeries are cosmetic surgical procedures performed on the face to improve the esthetics and appearance. People are becoming more conscious about their looks and are more open to procedures, which helps in improving their appearance. More and more people visit an&nbsp;Orthodontist&nbsp;to improve the alignment of their teeth and there appearance. But there are limitations to what an orthodontist can do, and that is when the role of an&nbsp;Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon&nbsp;comes into play in the form of Orthognathic surgeries. These surgical procedures (lefort 1 osteotomy)alter the architecture of the facial body skeleton and align then in suitable positions so as to attain a final facial profile that is pleasing or infact even more beautiful to look at as evident in this case report. The treatment does not change only the bony relations of the facial structures, but soft tissues as well, and by doing so, may alter the patient&rsquo;s appearance. Contemporary orthognathic techniques can be applied in many fields of surgery: apart from correcting congenital and posttraumatic malocclusion