An observational study to explore the Samprapti Ghatakas in Hypothyroidism

Background: Hypothyroidism is the most common functional disorder of the thyroid gland. It is a hypometabolic clinical state resulting from inadequate production of thyroid hormones for prolonged periods. The prevalence of this disease in India is 6% and more than 10 million cases per year are reported. It is a multisystemic disorder which has a wide range of clinical symptoms. This condition is not mentioned in Ayurveda classics by any specified name. In Ayurveda, determining the elements that contribute to Samprapti is essential in developing a treatment plan. Hence, the current study attempts to evaluate the Samprapti Ghatakas and as a result, formulate probable Samprapti. Objectives: To study and explore the Samprapti Ghatakas of hypothyroidism and to propose possible Samprapti. Methods: The study was conducted in 100 cases of hypothyroidism between the age of 16 to 70 years. A case proforma was prepared which includes history taking, physical signs and symptoms and required examination. The calculations were done in Microsoft excel and the values obtained were assessed on the basis of percentage of individual parameters in relation with Samprapti Ghatakas of hypothyroidism. Results: Kapha and Vata are the main Doshas involved in the Samprapti. Important Dooshyas are Rasa, Meda. Agni involved is Dhatwagni and the disease is caused primarily due to Dhatwagnimandya. Udakavaha, Annavaha, Medovaha, Swedavaha, Purishavaha, Rasavaha are the main Srotas involved with Sanga type of Srotodushti. Udbhava Sthana can be considered as Amashaya; Sanchara Sthana, Vyakta Sthana and Adhishtana is Sarva Shareera. All the three Rogamarga are involved

Research Article A New Informatics Framework for Evaluating the Codon Usage Metrics, Evolutionary Models and Phylogeographic Reconstruction of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) in Different Regions of Asian Countries

Not AvailableTomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a major devastating viral disease, majorly affecting the tomato production globally. The disease is majorly transmitted by the Whitefly. The Begomovirus (TYLCV) having a six major protein coding genes, among them the C1/AC1 is evidently associated with viral replication. Owing to immense role of C1/AC1 gene, the present study is an initial effort to elucidate the factors shaping the codon usage bias and evolutionary pattern of TYLCV-C1/AC1 gene in five major Asian countries. Based on publicly available nucleotide sequence data the Codon usage pattern, Evolutionary and Phylogeographic reconstruction was carried out. The study revealed the presence of significant variation between the codon bias indices in all the selected regions. Implying that the codon usage pattern indices (eNC, CAI, RCDI, GRAVY, Aromo) are seriously affected by selection and mutational pressure, taking a supremacy in shaping the codon usage bias of viral gene. Further, the tMRCA age was 1853, 1939, 1855, 1944, 1828 for China, India, Iran, Oman and South Korea, respectively for TYLCV-C1/AC1 gene. The integrated analysis of Codon usage bias, Evolutionary rate and Phylogeography analysis in viruses signifies the positive role of selection and mutational pressure among the selected regions for TYLCV (C1/AC1) gene.Not Availabl

EPHA2 Polymorphisms and Age-Related Cataract in India

Objective: We investigated whether previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of EPHA2 in European studies are associated with cataract in India. Methods: We carried out a population-based genetic association study. We enumerated randomly sampled villages in two areas of north and south India to identify people aged 40 and over. Participants attended a clinical examination including lens photography and provided a blood sample for genotyping. Lens images were graded by the Lens Opacification Classification System (LOCS III). Cataract was defined as a LOCS III grade of nuclear >= 4, cortical >= 3, posterior sub-capsular (PSC) >= 2, or dense opacities or aphakia/pseudophakia in either eye. We genotyped SNPs rs3754334, rs7543472 and rs11260867 on genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes using TaqMan assays in an ABI 7900 real-time PCR. We used logistic regression with robust standard errors to examine the association between cataract and the EPHA2 SNPs, adjusting for age, sex and location. Results: 7418 participants had data on at least one of the SNPs investigated. Genotype frequencies of controls were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (p > 0.05). There was no association of rs3754334 with cataract or type of cataract. Minor allele homozygous genotypes of rs7543472 and rs11260867 compared to the major homozygote genotype were associated with cortical cataract, Odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (1.1, 3.1) p = 0.03 and 2.9 (1.2, 7.1) p = 0.01 respectively, and with PSC cataract, OR = 1.5 (1.1, 2.2) p = 0.02 and 1.8 (0.9, 3.6) p = 0.07 respectively. There was no consistent association of SNPs with nuclear cataract or a combined variable of any type of cataract including operated cataract. Conclusions: Our results in the Indian population agree with previous studies of the association of EPHA2 variants with cortical cataracts. We report new findings for the association with PSC which is particularly prevalent in Indians