Immunological and non-immunological markers of cardiac allograft vasculopathy amongst heart transplant recipients

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a unique form of accelerated atherosclerosis in heart transplant recipients that limits long-term survival. The pathophysiology of CAV is not fully clear, but is likely to be mulitfactorial with a range of immunological and non-immunological contributors. The aims of this thesis were to investigate the prognostic significance of both immunological and non-immunological markers of CAV. Paper I examines the role of the neurohormonal biomarker, NT-proBNP, and the inflammatory biomarker, CRP, in identifying patients at higher risk of CAV and cardiac mortality. Paper II explores the prognostic significance of impaired renal function following heart transplantation and the associated risk of CAV and mortality. In paper III, the role of chronic infection with the parasite T.gondii is investigated in relation to CAV. Finally, in paper IV, intravascular ultrasound is employed with parallel measurement of a broad range of inflammatory biomarkers to help allow identification of novel markers of CAV. The findings of this thesis demonstrate that both immunological and non-immunological markers can be utilized to accurately identify patients at higher risk of developing CAV and routine measurement in clinical practice could, potentially, help improve long-term survival following heart transplantation

Degradation Kinetics and Mechanical Studies of Intumescent Coated Cotton Fabric

In the present study, cotton fabric were prepared via coating with intumescent formulations of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), guanidine nitrate, penta erythritol (PER) and metal salts at different loading levels via 'Pad-dry cure' method. Thermal degradation behavior of prepared cotton derivatives was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) from ambient temperature to 700 oC. Dynamic TG analysis was used to study the thermal degradation behavior of samples at four different heating rates of 2, 5, 10 and 20 oC min-1 in air atmosphere. The treated cotton fabric decomposes at lower temperatures and produces higher amount of char yields. The degradation activation energy was calculated using Friedman, modified Coats-Redfern and Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (O-F-W) iso-conversional model free methods. Tensile properties of coated fabric were found to be reduced with increase in loading of intumescent formulation but there was an abrupt increase in sample coated with intumescent and silica. With the insertion of iron (Fe) metal ion along with intumescent reduces the fabric strength due to formation of metal complexes with cotton cellulose which decreases the crosslinking. The maximum flame ratardancy of CF 12APP-Si among all cotton derivatives is suggested as the flame retardancy directly proportional to char yield (22 % at 650 oC) that is highest and inversely proportional to MMLR value (8.3 % min-1), that is least among all samples. Based on thermal and kinetic studies, the optimum concentration of flame retardant is worked out

A REVIEW FROM HISTORICAL TO CURRENT-CELASTRUS PANICULATUS

Celastrus paniculatus is commonly known as “Malkangani”, widely distributed in the Maldives, Australia, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Nepal, Thailand as well as in the Pacific Islands and all over India mainly Maharashtra, Orissa and Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands on an altitude of 1800m. It climbs up to over 10m. The leaves are ovate or elliptic in shape with dentate margin. Seeds are ellipsoid or ovoid, yellowish-brown in color and grow inside the capsules. Celastrus paniculatus (Malkangni) is used in Ayurveda as a nervine tonic, tranquilizer and diuretic and in rheumatism, gout, leprosy and asthma. Different Parts of Celastrus paniculatus after extraction and fractionation give different active constituents such as sesquiterpene esters-malkanguinol, malkangunin, sesquiterpene alkaloids-celapanin, celapanigin, alkaloids-celastrine, paniculatine, fatty acids-oleic acid, palmittic acid, linoleic acid and stearic acid, crystalline substance tetracasanol and sterol. Different pharmacological activities are anti-rheumatic, anti-fungal, nootropic activity, antimalarial activity, anti spermatogenic effect, anti-anxiety and anti-atherosclerotic effect. In the present review, our target is to search, bring together and compile the data of Celastrus paniculatus, which have less side effects and very valuable for the treatment of rheumatism. Related information is procured from various scientific publications using online, seek out engines such as Google scholar, Pubmed and Science Direct. A total of 200 articles was reviewed out of which 55 articles are selected to review for the description of the plant, parts used, chemical constituents, traditional uses and for reported activities

COMPARATIVE IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ETHYL ACETATE AND ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF CALLICARPA MACROPHYLLA

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the antioxidant activity of (EA and E) ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of (CM) Callicarpa macrophylla. Methods: The physiochemical parameters were assessed according to guidelines given by the world health organization. The total content of phenols and flavonoids was assessed by Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods. In vitro, antioxidant activity was screened by (DPPH) 1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl and(H2O2) hydrogen peroxide scavenging and reducing power assay. Results: The physicochemical parameters fulfilled the standards of WHO guidelines. Total phenol and flavonoid content were more in ethanol extract as compared to ethyl acetate extract of CM. The antioxidant activity of ethanol extract was further high as compared to ethyl acetate extract of Callicarpa macrophylla. The IC50 of Callicarpa macrophylla ethanol extract was less than the ethyl acetate extract. So, more antioxidant activity of ethanol extract compared to ethyl acetate extract of CM. Conclusion: Overall, both the extracts showed antioxidant activity and can be used further for diseases that can be managed using antioxidants. Ethanol extract possessed significant antioxidant effects than the ethyl acetate extract

Saponins from the roots of Mimosa hamata Willd.

61-6

Use of bottom ash as part replacement of sand for making concrete blocks

Coal-based thermal power plants all over the world facing serious problems of handling and disposal of the ash produced. The productive use of coal Bottom Ash (BA) is the best way to alleviate the problems associated with its disposal. This paper covers the studies on laboratory scale evaluation of vibro compaction concrete blocks using BA I, BA II & BA III collected from three different location of Coal Fed Thermal Power Station. In the present investigation laboratory investigation have been carried to utilize BA as part replacement of sand in concrete. This study cover manufacture of concrete blocks without flyash & with BA using for making solid block as per specification laid down in IS:2185 using vibro compaction machine. Three different sources of BA were used in concrete mix each @ 30%, 40% & 50% replacement by weight of sand were adopted in making concrete blocks. Comparative study of compressive strength of concrete at different age of curing, wet density, drying shrinkage is reported in this study. Wet density is found to be lower in blocks containing BA & dry shrinkage values are found well within the limits of specifications. Concrete Blocks having BA @ 30% by weight of sand are found suitable for use in the manufacture of concrete blocks

Model free Multiple Heating Rate Degradation Kinetic Studies of Modified Celluloses

Abstract: The present paper depicts about the synthesis of cellulose ethyl ammonium thiophosphate (CEASP) and its metal complexes with Cd, Mo and Ce. CEASP and its metal complexes have been characterized by infrared (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) studies. The surface morphology of samples has been premeditated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal studies of samples have been carried out at multiple heating rates 2, 5, 10 and 20 °C min -1 from ambient to 700 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. Nonisothermal model free kinetic methods have been used to calculate activation energy of samples i.e. Friedman, Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (O-F-W) and modified Coats-Redfern. The activation energy of samples lie in range 72-282 kJ mol -1 . Thermal study shows that initial degradation temperature of CEASP and its metal complexes decreases and there is abrupt increase in char yield of synthesized samples as compared to pure cellulose. These and other related information suggest that such type of derivatisation could be proved a good flame retardant for cellulose

Patient perceptions of the re-usable Respimat® Soft MistTM inhaler in current users and those switching to the device : a real-world, non-interventional COPD study

Acknowledgements: Medical writing assistance, in the form of the preparation and revision of the manuscript, was supported financially by Boehringer Ingelheim and provided by Paul Todd, PhD, at MediTech Media, UK under the authors’ conceptual direction and based on feedback from the authors. Funding: Support for this project, medical writing support and in the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data was provided by Boehringer Ingelheim International GmBH.Peer reviewedPublisher PD