SIGNIFICANCE OF USING UPAMANA PRAMANA IN AYURVEDA

Ayurveda, the ancient Medico Holistic Science, which is comprised of numerous fundamental concepts with basic doctrines. Ayurveda along with its concepts is eternal (Shaswata), and have their own identity which does not require other science to indulge in between. Such fundamental concepts are literally better understood, analyzed and merely utilized in clinical practice only with the proper utility of Pramanas. Pramanas in Ayurveda are means of true knowledge. Acharya Sushruta describe four Pramanas and among the four Pramanas i.e. Pratyaksha (Direct perception), Agama (Teaching of scriptures), Anumama (Inference), Upamana (Analogy). Upamana Pramana is used widely in Ayurvedic literatures. Upamana is having its own importance. Upamana or Aupamya give the knowledge or idea of an object by similar comparison. Acharya Charaka has not included Upamana Pramana under Pramanas but he described it under Vada Marga i.e. technical terms used in Sambasha by Vaidya-Samuha and ultimately helps in attaining valid knowledge, but more than being used in Sambasha, Upamana is having its clinical utility. Upamanas are the analogies or similes that bridge the known to the unknown and after the conceptual system of existing knowledge by modifying and strengthening its associations. Prime intention of such Upamana is incorporating open-ended, forced and visual similes to teach complex concepts and involving students in a creative dynamic though process to enhance understanding of such complex medical concepts. But we have to be very careful about its understanding such analogies, otherwise it may lead to wrong concepts. As said that “An Analogy is like a car, if you take it too far, it breaks downâ€. So here a sincere effort has been made to evaluate and analyze the Upamana Pramana in a simple way in three aspects i.e., physiological, diagnostic, philosophical aspects.

Ethylene-propylene Diene Rubber as a Futuristic Elastomer for Insulation of Solid Rocket Motors

The study carried out so far on the application of ethylene-propylene diene rubber (EPDM)in the field of insulation of case bonded solid rocket motors has been reviewed. The variousstudies by the authors (unpublished work) have also been reported. All these findings bring outthe excellent potential of EPDM as insulator in view of its ageing resistance, low-temperatureflexibility, low erosion rate, and low specific gravity

Effect of Organic Cultivation of Capsicum annuum L. on Soil Microbial Properties under Open-Field and Shade-House Conditions

Two bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties, viz., California Wonder and Gangavati Local, were raised under nine completely organic nutrient sources, along with recommended package of practices, and, under completely inorganic nutrient sources. Irrespective of the variety and growing environment, there was substantial increase in total bacterial count (22.97% and 24.98%), population of fungi (20.23% and 20.23%), actinomycetes (36.89% and 36.83%) and mycorrhiza (44.63% and 29.40%) in open-field and shade-house conditions, respectively, in all the nutrient combinations where organic sources were used, compared to the inorganic treatment. All organic nutrient sources used were found to be similar in their effect on soil microbes

Effect of Organics and Inorganics on Yield Parameters in Bell Pepper under Open Condition

Investigations were carried out to study the effect of organics on yield and fruit quality parameters in bell pepper grown under open condition. Split plot design, with three replications, was adopted taking two bell pepper varieties, viz., California Wonder and Gangavati Local (as main-plot treatments) and nutrient source (as sub-plot treatments). Variety California Wonder performed better with respect to yield parameters compared to the Local variety. Application of 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through a combination of 50% FYM and 50% poultry manure (O5) as basal dose recorded significantly higher fruit yield (16.33 t/ha) and yield components over other treatments. Among interactions, O5 (FYM (50%) + poultry manure (50%) recorded significantly higher fruit yield (18.47 t/ha), followed by 18.31 t/ha with organic application in O1 (FYM (50%) + Vermicompost (50%) in California Wonder variety

On the complete integrability of a nonlinear oscillator from group theoretical perspective

In this paper, we investigate the integrability aspects of a physically important nonlinear oscillator which lacks sufficient number of Lie point symmetries but can be integrated by quadrature. We explore the hidden symmetry, construct a second integral and derive the general solution of this oscillator by employing the recently introduced $\lambda$-symmetry approach and thereby establish the complete integrability of this nonlinear oscillator equation from a group theoretical perspective.Comment: 15 page

Filled Ethylene-propylene Diene Terpolymer Elastomer as ThermalInsulator for Case-bonded Solid Rocket Motors

Ethylene-propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)-based insulation system is being globallyused for case-bonded solid rocket motors. A study was undertaken using EPDM as base polymer,blended with hypalon and liquid EPDM and filled with fibrous and non-fibrous fillers. Theseformulations were evaluated as rocket motor insulation system. The basic objective of the studywas to develop an insulation system based on EPDM for case-bonded applications. A series ofrocket motor insulator compositions based on EPDM, filled with particulate and fibrous fillerslike precipitated silica, fumed silica, aramid, and carbon fibres have been studied for mechanical,rheological, thermal, and interface properties. Compositions based on particulate fillers wereoptimised for the filler content. Comparatively, fumed silica was found to be superior as fillerin terms of mechanical and interface properties. Addition of fibrous filler (5 parts) improved thepeel strength, and reduced the thermal conductivity and erosion rate. All the compositions wereevaluated for sulphur and peroxide curing. Superior mechanical properties were achieved forsulphur-cured products, whereas peroxide-cured products exhibited an excellent ageing resistance.Rocket motors were insulated with optimised composition and propellant cast, and the motorswere evaluated by conducting static test in end-burning mode.Defence Science Journal, 2008, 58(1), pp.94-102, DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.58.162

Molecular profiling of angiogenesis in hypericin mediated photodynamic therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the administration of a tumor-localizing photosensitizing drug, which is activated by light of specific wavelength in the presence of molecular oxygen thus generating reactive oxygen species that is toxic to the tumor cells. PDT selectively destroys photosensitized tissue leading to various cellular and molecular responses. The present study was designed to examine the angiogenic responses at short (0.5 h) and long (6 h) drug light interval (DLI) hypericin-PDT (HY-PDT) treatment at 24 h and 30 days post treatment in a human bladder carcinoma xenograft model. As short DLI targets tumor vasculature and longer DLI induces greater cellular damage, we hypothesized a differential effect of these treatments on the expression of angiogenic factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Immunohistochemistry (IHC) results showed minimal CD31 stained endothelium at 24 h post short DLI PDT indicating extensive vascular damage. Angiogenic proteins such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis growth factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-α (IFN-α) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were expressed to a greater extent in cellular targeting long DLI PDT compared to vascular mediated short DLI PDT. Gene expression profiling for angiogenesis pathway demonstrated downregulation of adhesion molecules – cadherin 5, collagen alpha 1 and 3 at 24 h post treatment. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Ephrin-A3 (EFNA3) were upregulated in all treatment groups suggesting a possible activation of c-Met and Ephrin-Eph signaling pathways.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, long DLI HY-PDT induces upregulation of angiogenic proteins. Differential expression of genes involved in the angiogenesis pathway was observed in the various groups treated with HY-PDT.</p

In-vivo optical detection of cancer using chlorin e6 – polyvinylpyrrolidone induced fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Photosensitizer based fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy is fast becoming a promising approach for cancer detection. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) formulated in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a potential exogenous fluorophore for fluorescence imaging and spectroscopic detection of human cancer tissue xenografted in preclinical models as well as in a patient.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fluorescence imaging was performed on MGH human bladder tumor xenografted on both the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and the murine model using a fluorescence endoscopy imaging system. In addition, fiber optic based fluorescence spectroscopy was performed on tumors and various normal organs in the same mice to validate the macroscopic images. In one patient, fluorescence imaging was performed on angiosarcoma lesions and normal skin in conjunction with fluorescence spectroscopy to validate Ce6-PVP induced fluorescence visual assessment of the lesions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Margins of tumor xenografts in the CAM model were clearly outlined under fluorescence imaging. Ce6-PVP-induced fluorescence imaging yielded a specificity of 83% on the CAM model. In mice, fluorescence intensity of Ce6-PVP was higher in bladder tumor compared to adjacent muscle and normal bladder. Clinical results confirmed that fluorescence imaging clearly captured the fluorescence of Ce6-PVP in angiosarcoma lesions and good correlation was found between fluorescence imaging and spectral measurement in the patient.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Combination of Ce6-PVP induced fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy could allow for optical detection and discrimination between cancer and the surrounding normal tissues. Ce6-PVP seems to be a promising fluorophore for fluorescence diagnosis of cancer.</p