Chemopreventive Herbal Anti-Oxidants: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Cancer chemoprevention is fast becoming a lucrative approach for controlling cancer. Carcinogenesis being a complex multi-step, multi-factorial process, a number of chemopreventive interventions can be employed. These strategies are generally directed against two broad events of carcinogenesis viz., initiation and promotion/progression. Anti-initiation interventions principally involve inhibition of carcinogen activation, scavenging of free radicals and reactive carcinogen metabolites along with enhanced detoxification of carcinogens by modulating cellular metabolism. Anti-promotion strategies involve attenuation of enhanced cellular proliferation along with induction of cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Dietary agents or herbal anti-oxidants due to low toxicity and relative safety are promising chemopreventive agents. These agents after emerging successful through a series of in vitro and in vivo assays enter clinical trials. Many dietary compounds have emerged as promising chemopreventive agents in empirical experiments. However, in clinical trials these compounds have met with limited success. This emphasizes the need for further detailed research on the mechanisms of observed chemoprevention and choice, dose, duration and bioavailability of chemopreventive agent used. Complex issues such as choice and nutritional status of target population, genetic variation, gene-environment interactions and relevance of biomarkers analyzed also warrant further research and analyses

Ohvira syndrome with left radial hemimelia: a rare association

Ohvira syndrome is rare complex anomaly consisting of uterus didelphys, unilateral ipsilateral obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis. It typically presents with dysmenorrhea or pelvic pain shortly after menarche due to collection of secretions in the uterus. Reporting a case of 32 years unmarried nulligravida lady with complaints of pain abdomen since 20 days with history of similar complaints 15 years bac. Patient was on Inj. DMPA 2 years back. On examination upper limb skeletal deformity-left radial hemimelia present with a mass of 14-16 weeks gravid uterus on per abdomen examination. USG (February 2020), was suggestive of uterus didelphys bicollis with collection of 108 cc noted in the right uterine cavity with right kidney agenesis with obscured right ovary. Total abdominal hysterectomy with left salphingo-oopherectomy was done. Specimen features were suggestive of uterus didelphys bicornis bicollis with right uterus hematometra with right cervix blind with right sided blind vagina with features suggestive of Ohvira syndrome

Multiple myometrial cysts micmicking multiple fibroid uterus

Adenomyosis is the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in the context of the myometrium, with adjacent smooth muscle hyperplasia. It may be diffuse or cystic. Adenomyotic cysts of the uterus are extremely rare. A 31 years old nulligravida woman presented to our OPD with complaints of severe dysmenorrhea and back pain since 8 months. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed retroverted uterus with diffuse adenomyosis with intramyometrial endometriotic cysts in both cornual areas, both adnexa showing multiple small endometriotic cysts. On Laparoscopy – cystic masses around 5x4cm was found near the cornua and anterior uterine wall, which were excised and diagnosed as adenomyotic cyst on histopathology

Formation of iron nitride thin films with Al and Ti additives

In this work we investigate the process of iron nitride (Fe-N) phase formation using 2 at.% Al or 2 at.% Ti as additives. The samples were prepared with a magnetron sputtering technique using different amount of nitrogen during the deposition process. The nitrogen partial pressure (\pn) was varied between 0-50% (rest Argon) and the targets of pure Fe, [Fe+Ti] and [Fe+Al] were sputtered. The addition of small amount of Ti or Al results in improved soft-magnetic properties when sputtered using \pn $\leq$ 10\p. When \pn is increased to 50\p non-magnetic Fe-N phases are formed. We found that iron mononitride (FeN) phases (N at% $\sim$50) are formed with Al or Ti addition at \pn =50% whereas in absence of such addition \eFeN phases (N\pat$\sim$30) are formed. It was found that the overall nitrogen content can be increased significantly with Al or Ti additions. On the basis of obtained result we propose a mechanism describing formation of Fe-N phases Al and Ti additives.Comment: 9 Pages, 7 Figure

Design and Implementation of High End Multiple Security Based ATM Monitoring System

Design and Implementation of High End Security based ATM Monitoring System is invented as a result of observations made in our real life incidents happening around us. This Implementation deals with prevention of ATM robbery with added high end algorithm to the existing technology found in our society. Whenever ATM theft attempt occurs, vibration produced from the machine will be sensed by attached sensor module to it. A panic switch is another module for additional security. Once Vibration is sensed or panic switch activated, a high alert message will be sent to the nearest police station and Bank Authorities using GSM module and a buzzer beep sound will occur at the same time. This system uses PIC controller based embedded system to process real time data collected using sensor and panic switch module. In addition it also restricts the number of occupiers of the machine to single within the pre defined area. This is achieved by processing 3 dimensional real time IR sensors data using ONE_AT_TIME algorithm

Ayurvedic management of Chronic Kidney Disease : A Case Report

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a spectrum of different pathophysiologic processes associated with abnormal kidney function and a progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate. Globally it is the 12th cause of death and 17th cause of disability. Clinically this condition can be correlated to madumeha and mutrakshaya. Methodology: A 60yr old female patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (stage 4) was advised hemo-dialysis, which she was not willing to undergo, attended out patient department of Kayachikitsa, at SDM College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Hassan. Patient was treated with shamanaaushadi, Mustadiyapana basti, and with specific pathyaahara. Assessment was done before and after treatment with serum creatinine, eGFR and oedema grade. Result: After 9 days of treatment, there was significant change in the bilateral pedal oedema, urine output, general condition and also reduction in the serum creatinine. Conclusion: Chronic kidney disease was effectively managed by treatment modalities mentioned in Ayurveda after proper assessment of the dosha, dushya and vyadhi avasta

THE NOOTROPIC EFFECT OF SWARNAYOG IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

In the world of competition, every child stood in the race for first position. This may exposing the young brains for educational and competitive stress, eventually result in an inability to concentrate and affect memory and the level of cognition. To overcome the situations nootropics are use as brain boosters or memory enhancer. In Ayurveda many Yogas are recommended to use as Medhya (brain booster) in children, Swarnayog is one of them. This study was design to evaluate the nootropic effect of Swarnayog in school children. Normal children without having any physical or mental illness of age group 7-9 yrs was selected. Further they were evaluated for IQ and school performance report. The IQ was not less than 70 and the school performance report was not less than 40% was considered for the study. Total of 60 children were enrolled and randomly divided in two groups A & B. A was treatment and B was control group. The group A was received Swarnayog in the dose of 5 drops per day in morning hours and the group B was received Honey as placebo in the dose of 5 drops per day in morning hours for the period of 30 days. The day 31 children are assessed for general health condition and further on the day 60 children were assessed for academic performance and IQ level. The effect of Swarnayog on group A for academic performance was statistically significant compared with group B, the p value < 0.05= the level of significance. The effect of Swarnayog on group A for IQ was statistically significant compared with group B, the p value < 0.05= the level of significance.   The study was found that group A showed significant effect compared to group B, it showed the positive changes in academic performance & IQ score. Thus the Swarnayog was a good nootropic drug, further study will require for their pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic actions

Nanocrystallization and Amorphization Induced by Reactive Nitrogen Sputtering in Iron and Permalloy

Thin films of iron and permalloy Ni80Fe20 were prepared using an Ar+N2 mixture with magnetron sputtering technique at ambient temperature. The nitrogen partial pressure, during sputtering process was varied in the range of 0 to 100%, keeping the total gas flow at constant. At lower nitrogen pressures RN2<33% both Fe and NiFe, first form a nanocrystalline structure and an increase in nitrogen partail pressure results in formation of an amorphous structure. At intermediate nitrogen partial pressures, nitrides of Fe and NiFe were obtained while at even higher nitrogen partial pressures, nitrides themselves became nanocrystalline or amorphous. The surface, structural and magnetic properties of the deposited films were studied using x-ray reflection and diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, polarized neutron reflectivity and using a DC extraction magnetometer. The growth behavior for amorphous film was found different as compared with poly or nanocrystalline films. The soft-magnetic properties of FeN were improved on nanocrystallization while those of NiFeN were degraded. A mechanism inducing nanocrystallization and amorphization in Fe and NiFe due to reactive nitrogen sputtering is discussed in the present article.Comment: 13 Pages, 15 Figure

Ayurvedic Management of Ankylosing Spondylitis - A Case Report

Introduction: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a sero negative chronic inflammatory arthritis of unknown cause that primarily affects the axial skeleton which usually begins in the second or third decade of life with a male to female ratio of 3:1. The prevalence rate of AS in India is 0.03%. It is clinically correlated to Danda Apatanaka in Ayurveda. It is caused due to the vitiated Vata and Kapha Dosha which enters the Dhamani and causes stiffness of the body. Due to its known complications and its tendency to hamper the quality of life, there is a need for an effective Ayurvedic intervention. This report is based on a case of Ankylosing Spondylitis which presented with pricking pain over nape of the neck and low back associated with stiffness and restricted movements, swelling over nape of neck right shoulder and right side of face, associated with restricted movements of right upper limb. Methods: This case was diagnosed as Danda Apatanaka and was treated with Basti Karma, Abhyanga along with oral medications. Assessment was done before and after treatment using relevant scales. Result: After 2 weeks of treatment pain and swelling over the nape of neck, right shoulder and face resolved completely, pain and stiffness of low back reduced, pain in right upper limb reduced and patient was able to perform normal movements. Stiffness of neck still persisted. Conclusion: Ankylosing spondylitis can be effectively managed by Ayurvedic treatment modalities after proper assessment of the involved Dosha and Dhatus