A clinical study on Rattha Moolam (Bleeding Piles) with the evaluation of siddha drug Moolaroga Chooranam

The clinical study on RATTHA MOOLAM was carried out in Post graduate department of Maruthuvam, Government Siddha Medical College, Aringar Anna Hospital, Chennai – 106 during the period of 2015-2017. A total of 40 patients were treated in the Outpatient department. The clinical and pathological assessment was carried out on the basis of Siddha and Modern aspects. All the patients were treated with MOOLAROGA CHOORANAM, 1 Gm, daily with Honey for a duration of 48 days. The Toxicological studies of the trial medicine reveal no toxicity. The pharmacological studies reveal that, the trial drug has good styptic activity in rat models. Most of the patients were in the age group between 31-40 years (42.5%). Most of the patients were from Neithal nilam 77.5%. Most of the patients were Office workers (27.5%) and home makers (22.5%) Among 40 cases 72.5% comes under low economic status category Among 40 patients, 7 patients (17.5%) were taking vegetarian food and 33 patients (82.5%) were taking mixed diet. In paruvakaalam highest incident of cases, 13 cases (32.5%) were noted in Munpani kaalam In Vatham, Abaanan (100%) was affected in all the cases. In Pitham, Saathagam, Ranjagam, and Analagam were affected in 100%, 35% and 32.5% cases respectively. In Iyyam, , Kilethagam was affected in 32.5% of cases. In Ezhu udal thathukkal, Saaram (100%), Seneer (35%) were affected. In Envagai thervu Nadi (100%), malam (100%) and Na (35%) were mostly affected. Regarding naadi, Pitha vatha naadi (82.5%) was the most common naadi observed. 22.5% of patients show good improvement, 25% of patients shows mild improvement and 47.5% patients show moderate improvement and 5% of patients the improvement was poor. Bio- statistical analysis of the clinical trial reveals significant p value < 0.0001 and concluded that the treatment is effective and significant. CONCLUSION: The drug, Moolaroga chooranam is a combination of nine herbs having astringent, laxative and anti-inflammatory properties. Most of the ingredients of Moolaroga chooranam are indicated for hemorrhoids, which are mentioned in general characteristics in Siddha Materia medica. The taste of the trial drug is Astringent. As Rattha moolam is mainly due to the derangement of Pitha kutram, the astringent property of the drug neutralizes the Pitha kuttram. So, it is considered as Ethirurai maruthuvam. The drug, Moolaroga chooranam did not show any toxicity in the Toxicological studies and thus proved to be safe for human administration. From the Pharmacological studies it is evident that, the trial medicine has significant Styptic activity. Treatment improved the functions of abana vaayu, which regularizes the bowel habits. No adverse effects were reported during the course of the treatment. The trial medicine gave good relief from the symptoms of Rattha moolam. The trial medicine Moolaroga chooranam can give a better solution for RATTHAMOOLAM (BLEEDING PILES). Along with the trial drug supportive therapies like diet and changing of their lifestyles may control the disease

Comparison of oral morphine and neurolytic celiac plexus block in patients with upper abdominal malignancies

CONTEXT: Neurolytic celiac plexus block is used to relieve pain in patients with upper abdominal malignancies. AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare the analgesic effect of oral morphine and neurolytic celiac plexus block in patients with upper abdominal malignancies. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective randomised comparative clinical study. METHOD: 60 patients of ASA/PS II & III category are included in the study. 30 patients are grouped into oral morphine and 30 patients grouped for neurolytic celiac plexus block. Under USG guidance over the epigastric region aorta visualised and celiac plexus visualised. Local skin infiltration was done using 3 ml of inj.2% xylocaine. After 3 minutes 18G 9cm venflon needle was inserted under USG guidance ,position of needle confirmed near celiac plexus and inj.1%xylocard 10 ml injected around the plexus after negative aspiration. Then 10 ml 50% ethyl alcohol is injected around the celiac plexus after negative aspiration and finally needle was flushed with 5 ml of 1%xylocard. Postprocedure pain relief was analysed using visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The mean VAS scores after NCPB decreased from 3.27 at 1st week to .93 at 4 months, the mean VAS scores in oral morphine group decreased from 7.07 at 1st week to 5.27 at 4th month. There was a great reduction in VAS scores in NCPB group compared to oral morphine group. CONCLUSION: In advanced stage of malignancy neurolytic celiac plexus block is more beneficial, with decrease in dosage of oral morphine and its side effects compared to oral intake of morphine alone

Microultrasound characterisation of <i>ex vivo</i> porcine tissue for ultrasound capsule endoscopy

Gastrointestinal (GI) disease development and progression is often characterised by cellular and tissue architectural changes within the mucosa and sub-mucosa layers. Current clinical capsule endoscopy and other approaches are heavily reliant on optical techniques which cannot detect disease progression below the surface layer of the tissue. To enhance the ability of clinicians to detect cellular changes earlier and more confidently, both quantitative and qualitative microultrasound (μUS) techniques are investigated in healthy ex vivo porcine GI tissue. This work is based on the use of single-element, focussed μUS transducers made with micromoulded piezocomposite operating at around 48 MHz. To explore the possibility that μUS can detect Crohn's disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases, ex vivo porcine small bowel tissue samples were cannulised and perfused with phosphate-buffered saline followed by various dilutions of polystyrene microspheres. Comparison with fluorescent imaging showed that the microspheres had infiltrated the microvasculature of the samples and that μUS was able to successfully detect this as a mimic of inflammation. Samples without microspheres were analysed using quantitative ultrasound to assess mechanical properties. Attenuation coefficients of 1.78 ± 0.66 dB/mm and 1.92 ± 0.77 dB/mm were obtained from reference samples which were surgically separated from the muscle layer. Six intact samples were segmented using a software algorithm and the acoustic impedance, Z, for varying tissue thicknesses, and backscattering coefficient, BSC, were calculated using the reference attenuation values and tabulated

Achieving Deep Cuts in the Carbon Intensity of U.S. Automobile Transportation by 2050: Complementary Roles for Electricity and Biofuels

Passenger cars in the United States (U.S.) rely primarily on petroleum-derived fuels and contribute the majority of U.S. transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Electricity and biofuels are two promising alternatives for reducing both the carbon intensity of automotive transportation and U.S. reliance on imported oil. However, as standalone solutions, the biofuels option is limited by land availability and the electricity option is limited by market adoption rates and technical challenges. This paper explores potential GHG emissions reductions attainable in the United States through 2050 with a county-level scenario analysis that combines ambitious plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) adoption rates with scale-up of cellulosic ethanol production. With PHEVs achieving a 58% share of the passenger car fleet by 2050, phasing out most corn ethanol and limiting cellulosic ethanol feedstocks to sustainably produced crop residues and dedicated crops, we project that the United States could supply the liquid fuels needed for the automobile fleet with an average blend of 80% ethanol (by volume) and 20% gasoline. If electricity for PHEV charging could be supplied by a combination of renewables and natural-gas combined-cycle power plants, the carbon intensity of automotive transport would be 79 g CO2e per vehicle-kilometer traveled, a 71% reduction relative to 2013

In-Silico Computational Screening of Siddha formulations Visha Sura Kudineer and Adathodai Kudineer against RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS CoV-2

Background: Siddha Medicine is an important therapeutic option used for treating various respiratory viral infections and has antiviral herbs. Aim: The study aims to perform the In Silico computational studies of Phytoconstituents of Siddha formulation Visha Sura Kudineer and Adathodai Kudineer which are commonly used in the treatment of viral fever and respiratory tract infections and could be effective against the novel coronavirus disease. Methods: Autodock program was used for the molecular docking studies against RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) (PDB ID: 6NUR). Results: A total of 9 compounds were screened, of these 4 compounds namely, Andrographolide of Visha Sura Kudineer and Anisotine, Apioside, and 1-(p-Methoxybenzoyl) aziridine of Adathodai Kudineer showed high binding affinity against RdRp. Conclusion: Based on further experiments and clinical trials, formulations Visha Sura Kudineer and Adathodai Kudineer could be effective in the treatment of COVID-19