Chiral plasma instability and primordial Gravitational wave

It is known that cosmic magnetic field, if present, can generate anisotropic stress in the plasma and hence, can act as a source of gravitational waves. These cosmic magnetic fields can be generated at very high temperature, much above electroweak scale, due to the gravitational anomaly in presence of the chiral asymmetry. The chiral asymmetry leads to instability in the plasma which ultimately leads to the generation of magnetic fields. In this article, we discuss the generation of gravitational waves, during the period of instability, in the chiral plasma sourced by the magnetic field created due to the gravitational anomaly. We have shown that such gravitational wave will have a unique spectrum. Moreover, depending on the temperature of the universe at the time of its generation, such gravitational waves can have a wide range of frequencies. We also estimate the amplitude and frequency of the gravitational waves and delineate the possibility of its detection by future experiments like eLISA.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Dual frequency bi-othogonally polarized antennas for GPS applications

Dual frequency bi-orthogonally polarized antenna to be used in Global Positioning System applications operating in Li (1575.42 ± 10.23 MHz) and L2 (1227.60 ± 10.23 MHz) Bands has been studied. To ensure compatibility with existing applications, the antenna size is limited in dimensions to 4.120 x 4.680 x 1.250 including the radome. Orthogonally placed two dual frequency probe excited patches were designed using a high dielectric constant substrate (ε r = 9.8 and thickness of 250 mils, Rogers TMM10i material) to obtain vertical and horizontal polarization for each band. The measured performance of this antenna showed good agreement with the specifications required to meet the application needs. As an attractive alternative a stacked dual patch antenna configuration has been suggested and a prototype antenna has also been developed. Using low and high dielectric constants of 2.20 and 9.8 and relative thicknesses of 125 and 250 mils for each layer an orthogonally placed dual patch configuration has been designed, fabricated and tested on a 2 square feet ground plane. Effects of radomes using materials with different permittivities have been studied through numerical simulations and radomes have been fabricated using plastic materials including UMHW, HDPE and Delrin. Numerical simulations have been carried out using IIE3D software package developed by Zeland Software Inc. Antennas that were fabricated based on optimized parameters have further required tuning due to inaccuracies in simulation and material properties. The measurement setup has been enhanced to accommodate axial ratio measurements in polarization pattern characterization by adding a rotary joint to rotate a linearly polarized antenna operating in the receiving mode. The performance characteristics showed that adequate bandwidths and beam widths were obtained and gain of these antennas were measured to be in the order of 3.5 dBi along the main lobe. Further work is continuing to obtain antennas with wider bandwidths using thicker substrates

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF COCRYSTALS OF A BCS CLASS II DRUG USING GLYCINE AS COFORMER

Objective: Development of pharmaceutical co-crystals is an interesting area of research as co-crystals are unique because they have the advantages of maintaining drug’s intrinsic properties along with improvement in its physicochemical attributes. Objective of this research was to improvise solubility of a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II drug (Ezetimibe) along with better dissolution profile using cocrystallization technique. Methods: In the present study, pharmaceutical cocrystals of a BCS class II drug, Ezetimibe, were prepared using glycine as coformer using neat grinding method. Prepared cocrystals were characterized using Hot Stage Microscopy (HSM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Powder X-Ray Diffract meter (PXRD). In addition, solubility and dissolution studies were also performed. Results: HSM study and DSC study represented melting at Ezetimibe (166 °C), Glycine (233 °C) and cocrystals (174 °C), respectively. Melting point of cocrystal is between API and coformer, indicating towards interaction. During XRD studies, a new peak was observed at 14.7193 and 23.3211 at position 2θ in comparison to parent peaks of Ezetimibe (18.5537, 19.2737 and 21.6487) and Glycine (19.0631, 21.8418, 25.3521, 35.4189, 39.0489 and 39.1631). PXRD pattern of cocrystals represented several newer peaks (-OH group in API shifted from 3241.42 cm-1 to 3202.61 cm-1and-NH2 in Glycine shifted from 1601.86 cm-1 to 1690.18 cm-1). This indicated towards possible interaction between these two-group leading to cocrystal formation. Improvement in dissolution profile of cocrystals (89.59%) was observed over the pure drug (32.41%) in 90 min. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical cocrystals of Ezetimibe with glycine as coformer represented a promising approach in tailoring the physicochemical properties

A study on clinical profile of patients with ulcerative colitis and association of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio with disease severity

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune mediated chronic inflammatory condition. Systemic inflammatory conditions like UC are associated with increased WBC count and inflammatory markers. A growing body of evidence suggested that neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a useful bio-maker of systemic inflammatory response.Methods: An observational study was carried out at department of digestive health and diseases, government Kilpauk medical college, Chennai, from October 2020 to September 2021. All the patients diagnosed as UC were included. Age and sex matched controls were included. Clinical details and colonoscopic findings and laboratory values including WBC, ESR, NLR were noted and analyzed.Results: A total of 70 patients of UC came during this period. The 32 patients had active UC and 38 patients had inactive UC. 40 age and sex matched controls were included. Mean age of the patients with UC was 40.76±9.81 years. Out of UC cases, 58.57% were females. Maximum patients presented with bloody diarrhoea (88.57%) and left sided colitis was more common (41.43%). On analyzing laboratory values, the NLR values of active UC group were significantly elevated compared with those of the patients with inactive UC and controls (2.84±0.66, 2.05±0.21 and 1.60±0.25 respectively) p<0.001.Conclusions: UC is an inflammatory condition with bloody diarrhoea as the primary presenting symptom. NLR was significantly elevated in patients with active disease. NLR is a useful biomarker of systemic inflammatory response and it maybe a promising marker of disease severity in UC.

Formulation and characterization of an apigenin-phospholipid phytosome (APLC) for improved solubility, in vivo bioavailability, and antioxidant potential

The apigenin-phospholipid phytosome (APLC) was developed to improve the aqueous solubility, dissolution, in vivo bioavailability, and antioxidant activity of apigenin. The APLC synthesis was guided by a full factorial design strategy, incorporating specific formulation and process variables to deliver an optimized product. The design-optimized formulation was assayed for aqueous solubility, in vitro dissolution, pharmacokinetics, and antioxidant activity. The pharmacological evaluation was carried out by assessing its effects on carbon tetrachloride-induced elevation of liver function marker enzymes in a rat model. The antioxidant activity was assessed by studying its effects on the liver antioxidant marker enzymes. The developed model was validated using the design-optimized levels of formulation and process variables. The physical-chemical characterization confirmed the formation of phytosomes. The optimized formulation demonstrated over 36-fold higher aqueous solubility of apigenin, compared to that of pure apigenin. The formulation also exhibited a significantly higher rate and extent of apigenin release in dissolution studies. The pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a significant enhancement in the oral bioavailability of apigenin from the prepared formulation, compared to pure apigenin. The liver function tests indicated that the prepared phytosome showed a significantly improved restoration of all carbon tetrachloride-elevated rat liver function marker enzymes. The prepared formulation also exhibited antioxidant potential by significantly increasing the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and decreasing the levels of lipid peroxidase. The study shows that phospholipid-based phytosome is a promising and viable strategy for improving the delivery of apigenin and similar phytoconstituents with low aqueous solubility

Polymer conformation and dynamics in crowded environments: A combined diffusion NMR and small-angle neutron scattering study

The effect of particles on the behavior of polymers in solution is important in a number of important phenomena such as the effect of “crowding” proteins in cells, colloid-polymer mixtures, and nanoparticle “fillers” in polymer solutions and melts. In this talk, I will present a study of the effect of spherical inert nanoparticles (which we refer to as “crowders”) on the diffusion coefficient and radius of gyration of polymers in solution using pulsed-field-gra- dient NMR and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), respectively. In addition, the role of enthalpic crowder- crowder interactions on the crowding process is unknown: we can control this by varying charge on the crowder particle. Below a characteristic polymer concentration, which we identify as the overlap threshold concentration c⋆, the diffusion coefficients exhibit a plateau. Above c⋆, in a crossover region between the dilute and semidilute regimes, the (long-time) self-diffusion coefficients are found, universally, to decrease exponentially with polymer concentration at all crowder packing fractions, consistent with a structural basis for the long-time dynamics. When the polymer radius of gyration and crowder size are comparable, the polymer size is very weakly affected by the presence of crowders, consistent with recent computer simulations. We find that crowder charge only weakly affects polymer size and dynamics in the crowding limit, but that local macromolecular mobility depends strongly on molecular flexibility

Drug-Phospholipid Complex-loaded Matrix Film Formulation for the Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Quercetin

A novel quercetin-phospholipid-complex(QPLC)-loaded matrix film for improved transdermal delivery of quercetin was developed. The QPLC formulation, prepared using a solvent-evaporation method, was optimized using a central-composite design. The optimized QPLC formulation was characterized by particle size and zeta potential analysis, thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR). QPLC formulation was functionally evaluated for solubility and in vitro dissolution of quercetin. Matrix films of pure quercetin (Q-MF)or QPLC QPLC-MF) were prepared using a solvent casting method. The prepared Q-MF and QPLC-MF were characterized for weight uniformity, folding endurance, moisture content, and moisture uptake. The films were also functionally characterized for in vitro diffusion of quercetin through a dialysis membrane and ex vivo permeability of quercetin across rat skin. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity of the films was evaluated on carrageenan-induced paw edema in Wistar albino rats. The experimental design identified the optimal formulation and process variables for the preparation of QPLC. The validation of the obtained model using these values confirmed the suitability and robustness of the model. The physical-chemical characterization of the prepared QPLC supported the formation of a stable complex. The solubility analysis of QPLC showed a 22-fold increase in quercetin aqueous solubility, compared to pure quercetin. The dissolution results exhibited a significantly higher rate and extent of quercetin dissolution from QPLC compared to that of pure quercetin. The permeability of quercetin from Q-MF and QPLC-MF across rat skin mirrored those obtained from the dissolution studies. Topical application of QPLC-MF exhibited a significant (p\u3c0.05) inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats compared to that of Q-MF. This study provides a promising combination approach, i.e., phospholipid-based complexation and transdermal film formulation for improved transdermal delivery of quercetin and similar pharmacologically active phytoconstituents

Kaempferol-Phospholipid Complex: Formulation, and Evaluation of Improved Solubility, In Vivo Bioavailability, and Antioxidant Potential of Kaempferol

The current work describes the formulation and evaluation of a phospholipid complex of kaempferol toenhance the latter’s aqueous solubility, in vitro dissolution rate, in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotectiveactivities, and oral bioavailability. The kaempferol-phospholipid complex was synthesized using a freeze-drying method with the formulation being optimized using a full factorial design (32) approach. The resultsinclude the validation of the mathematical model in order to ascertain the role of specific formulation andprocess variables that contribute favorably to the formulation’s development. The final product wascharacterized and confirmed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform InfraredSpectroscopy (FTIR), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-NMR), and Powder X-rayDiffraction (PXRD) analysis. The aqueous solubility and the in vitro dissolution rate were enhanced comparedto that of pure kaempferol. The in vivo antioxidant properties of the kaempferol-phospholipid complex wereevaluated by measuring its impact on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-intoxicated rats. The optimizedphospholipid complex improved the liver function test parameters to a significant level by restoration of allelevated liver marker enzymes in CCl4-intoxicated rats. The complex also enhanced the in vivo antioxidantpotential by increasing levels of GSH (reduced glutathione), SOD (superoxide dismutase), catalase anddecreasing lipid peroxidation, compared to that of pure kaempferol. The final optimized phospholipidcomplex also demonstrated a significant improvement in oral bioavailability demonstrated by improvementsto key pharmacokinetic parameters, compared to that of pure kaempferol

Bilateral phyllodes tumor of the breast in a young nulliparous woman

Cystosarcoma phyllodes is a rare breast tumor with incidence of 1% of all the mammary tumors. Bilateral occurrence is very rare. Median age of presentation is 40-50 years. We present a case of 24 years old nulliparous female with phyllodes tumour developing in both the breasts one after another with a gap of five years. Patient underwent simple mastectomy on both sides. Histopathology report confirmed benign variety of cystosarcoma phyllodes on both sides

Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS): An effective tool to screen undiagnosed diabetes

Background: Diabetes is an insidious public health problem. India has the second largest number of adults living with diabetes worldwide (77 million). Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) is a simple, cost-effective and feasible tool for mass screening programme at community level. Aim &amp; Objective: To assess diabetes risk in adults aged 30 years and above and to identify high risk subjects for screening undiagnosed diabetes in an urban population of Meerut. Settings and Design: Community based cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: All adults who were ?30 years of age and non-diabetic were interviewed using pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire for their socio-demographic profile and lifestyle. Fasting Blood glucose of all study subjects were done to screen undiagnosed diabetics. Statistical analysis used: Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Epi Info TM 7.2.3.1 was used. Pearson’s Chi Square were applied. Results: 33.4% were found to have high diabetes risk. Risk of diabetes increases with age. 7.6% of the study subjects were found to be diabetic and were unaware of their diabetic status. Physical inactivity and increasing waist circumference were found to be significantly associated with risk of diabetes. Diabetes risk was also significantly associated with positive family history. Conclusions: Screening and early identification of high risk individuals would help in early diagnosis and treatment to prevent or to delay the onset of diabetes mellitus and its complications