Characterization of Yashad Bhasma (Zinc calx) and establishment of the importance of Shodhan (purification)

Yashad bhasma (Zinc calx) is prepared through a series of pharmaceutical process namely shodhan (purification), jaran (polling), and maran (incineration). The careful investigation of bhasma at the end of each pharmaceutical process determines the completion and quality of the bhasma. The present study was planned to establish the importance of shodhan process by adopting the pharmaceutical process like shodhan, jaran, and maran with the characterization of yashad bhasma without shodhan, with only vishesh shodhan and with samanya as well as vishesh shodhan though the classical (bhasmapariksha) and contemporary (SEM, XRD and EDAX) parameters. Raw yashad tagged as 99.99% pure was purchased from the local market of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was divided into three batches. Batch 1 proceeded for jaran and maran, no shodhan was done. Batch 2 proceeded with vishesh shodhan, jaran and maran while batch 3 proceeded with samanya as well as vishesh shodhan followed by jaran and maran. Though all the batches passed the bhasma pariksha and established as ZnO, their characteristic appearance were different in terms of time, structure, particle size, composition, and concentration of ZnO. Samanya and vishesh shodhit yashad was best among the three as the long series of pharmaceutical processing were followed for batch 3 of yashad

Characterization of Yashad Bhasma (Zinc calx) and establishment of the importance of Shodhan (purification)

291-299Yashad bhasma (Zinc calx) is prepared through a series of pharmaceutical process namely shodhan (purification), jaran (polling), and maran (incineration). The careful investigation of bhasma at the end of each pharmaceutical process determines the completion and quality of the bhasma. The present study was planned to establish the importance of shodhan process by adopting the pharmaceutical process like shodhan, jaran, and maran with the characterization of yashad bhasma without shodhan, with only vishesh shodhan and with samanya as well as vishesh shodhan though the classical (bhasmapariksha) and contemporary (SEM, XRD and EDAX) parameters. Raw yashad tagged as 99.99% pure was purchased from the local market of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was divided into three batches. Batch 1 proceeded for jaran and maran, no shodhan was done. Batch 2 proceeded with vishesh shodhan, jaran and maran while batch 3 proceeded with samanya as well as vishesh shodhan followed by jaran and maran. Though all the batches passed the bhasma pariksha and established as ZnO, their characteristic appearance were different in terms of time, structure, particle size, composition, and concentration of ZnO. Samanya and vishesh shodhit yashad was best among the three as the long series of pharmaceutical processing were followed for batch 3 of yashad

Učestalost supkliničkog endometritisa u krava koje se pregone te usporedba učinkovitosti različite antibiotske i biljne intrauterine terapije

The present research work was conducted to investigate the incidence of subclinical endometritis (SE) in repeat breeder dairy cattle, and to study the comparative efficacy of different antimicrobial and polyherbal intrauterine therapies. Repeat breeding crossbred cows (>90 days in milking) with clear cervico-vaginal mucous discharge in spontaneous estrus were examined for uterine cytology by the cytobrush technique. The cows with ≥ 4% polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in uterine cytology were considered to be affected with SE. These cows were randomly and equally divided (n=12/group) into 5 groups and treated with the intrauterine medicine Vodine-IU (T1), Metricare-IU (T2), Utriguard-IU (T3), Uraksha (polyherbal preparation) (T4), or left untreated (control/C). In the subsequent estrus, uterine cytology was repeated and the cows were inseminated. The cows that failed to conceive but showed estrus were re-inseminated. The pregnancy status was checked. The incidence of SE was observed to be 36.80% (60/163). The PMNs percentage significantly declined in all the treatment group cows in response to treatment. The highest conception rate was observed in the T4 group (Uraksha treated) cows. It was concluded that the uterine cytobrush technique can be used efficiently for diagnosis of SE in dairy cattle, and polyherbal intrauterine drugs may be a good alternative in intrauterine antimicrobial therapy.Rad je proveden kako bi se istražila učestalost supkliničkog endometritisa (SE) u mliječnih krava koje se pregone. Također, usporedila se učinkovitost različitih antimikrobnih i poliherbalnih intrauterinih terapijskih postupaka. U krava koje se pregone (više od 90 dana u mužnji), s čistim cerviko-vaginalnim iscjetkom iz rodnice u spontanom estrusu, tehnikom citočetkice učinjena je citološka pretraga maternice. Za krave kod kojih je utvrđeno 4% polimorfonuklearnih stanica (PMN) smatralo se da imaju supklinički endometritis. Životinje su nasumično podijeljene u pet skupina s jednakim brojem jedinki (n=12 po skupini) i liječene intrauterino sljedećim lijekovima: Vodine (skupina T1), Metricare (skupina T2), Utriguard (skupina T3), Uraksha (poliherbalni pripravak; skupina T4), dok je peta skupina bila kontrolna skupina (C). U sljedećem estrusu ponovljena je citološka analiza maternice i krave su osjemenjene. Krave nisu ostale gravidne te su u sljedećem estrusu ponovno osjemenjene. Provjeren je status gravidnosti. Incidencija SE-a bila je 36,80 % (60/163). Postotak PMN-a znatno se smanjio u svih krava u tretiranim skupinama kao odgovor na liječenje. Najveća stopa koncepcije zabilježena je u krava u skupini T4 (liječene Urakshom). Zaključeno je da tehnika citočetkica može učinkovito poslužiti u dijagnostici SE-a u mliječnih goveda te da poliherbalni intrauterini lijekovi mogu biti dobra alternativa antimikrobnoj intrauterinoj terapiji

Fingerprinting of Sahaj Vati, additive for natural lovastatin production

The lovastatin has been used in hypercholesterolemia and heart diseases for therapeutic as well as preventative purposes and it is naturally obtained from filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus through biotechnological approach. The additives in fungal media which enhances the fungal growth should also increase the production of lovastatin. Finger printing of Sahaj Vati, a herbo-mineral formulation comprising mixture of Plumbago zeylanica, Curcuma longa, Shilajeet, Commiphora mukul and Clerodendrum phlomidis powder to be added in medium for fungal growth. The fungal growth activity of both batches of Sahaj Vati was tested for fungal isolate of A. flavus by contact measure through hyphal development restraint test utilizing Potato dextrose agar (PDA) and SMKY medium followed by chromatographic and different techniques for standardization. Sahaj Vati has lower antifungal index & increased the fungal biomass and separation of compound was higher in mobile phase Benzene: Ethyl acetate: Pyridine: 5:4.9:0.1 & Hexane: Chloroform: Pyridine: 2.7:1. Sahaj Vati increased the growth and biomass of A. flauvs which may be used for natural production of lovastatin

IN VITRO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF HINGULESWARA RASABASED HERBOMINERAL FORMULATIONS

Objective: The aims of the present investigation were to develop the herbal and/or herbomineral formulations of Hinguleswara rasa and to compare their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, in vitro, with that of standard drug samples.Methods: This study was an interventional investigation in three samples: In the first sample, Hinguleswara rasa (HR1) was prepared as per methodology described in Rasatarangini using Shuddha Hingula (10 g), Shuddha Vatsanabha (10 g), and Pippali (10 g). In the second and third sample, respectively, Hinguleswara rasa was prepared by replacing Shuddha Hingula with Kajjali where Kajjali made from Hingulotha parada and Sodhita parada constitutes two varieties of Hinguleswara rasa, i.e. HR2 and HR3. In vitro antioxidant activity was studied using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and the absorbance was recorded at 517 nm. For evaluating the in vitro anti-inflammatory studies, the inhibition of albumin denaturation technique was performed.Results: The results showed that the formulation of Hinguleswara rasa has shown dose-dependent activity which was observed in 100 μg concentration. HR1, HR2, and HR3 showed 36.11, 17.22, and 16.11% radical scavenging activity.Conclusion: It could be concluded that the changes made in the formulations did not affect the in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the herbomineral formulations

Association of SUMOlation Pathway Genes With Stroke in a Genome-wide Association Study in India

OBJECTIVE: To undertake a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants for stroke in an Indian population. METHODS: In a hospital-based case-control study, 8 teaching hospitals in India recruited 4,088 participants, including 1,609 stroke cases. Imputed genetic variants were tested for association with stroke subtypes using both single-marker and gene-based tests. Association with vascular risk factors was performed with logistic regression. Various databases were searched for replication, functional annotation, and association with related traits. Status of candidate genes previously reported in the Indian population was also checked. RESULTS: Associations of vascular risk factors with stroke were similar to previous reports and show modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, and alcohol consumption as having the highest effect. Single-marker–based association revealed 2 loci for cardioembolic stroke (1p21 and 16q24), 2 for small vessel disease stroke (3p26 and 16p13), and 4 for hemorrhagic stroke (3q24, 5q33, 6q13, and 19q13) at p < 5 × 10(−8). The index single nucleotide polymorphism of 1p21 is an expression quantitative trait locus (p(lowest) = 1.74 × 10(−58)) for RWDD3 involved in SUMOylation and is associated with platelet distribution width (1.15 × 10(−9)) and 18-carbon fatty acid metabolism (p = 7.36 × 10(−12)). In gene-based analysis, we identified 3 genes (SLC17A2, FAM73A, and OR52L1) at p < 2.7 × 10(−6). Eleven of 32 candidate gene loci studied in an Indian population replicated (p < 0.05), and 21 of 32 loci identified through previous GWAS replicated according to directionality of effect. CONCLUSIONS: This GWAS of stroke in an Indian population identified novel loci and replicated previously known loci. Genetic variants in the SUMOylation pathway, which has been implicated in brain ischemia, were identified for association with stroke

Cancer chemotherapy and beyond: Current status, drug candidates, associated risks and progress in targeted therapeutics

Cancer is an abnormal state of cells where they undergo uncontrolled proliferation and produce aggressive malignancies that cause millions of deaths every year. With the new understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) of disease progression, our knowledge about the disease is snowballing, leading to the evolution of many new therapeutic regimes and their successive trials. In the past few decades, various combinations of therapies have been proposed and are presently employed in the treatment of diverse cancers. Targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy, and personalized medicines are now largely being employed, which were not common a few years back. The field of cancer discoveries and therapeutics are evolving fast as cancer type-specific biomarkers are progressively being identified and several types of cancers are nowadays undergoing systematic therapies, extending patients’ disease-free survival thereafter. Although growing evidence shows that a systematic and targeted approach could be the future of cancer medicine, chemotherapy remains a largely opted therapeutic option despite its known side effects on the patient’s physical and psychological health. Chemotherapeutic agents/pharmaceuticals served a great purpose over the past few decades and have remained the frontline choice for advanced-stage malignancies where surgery and/or radiation therapy cannot be prescribed due to specific reasons. The present report succinctly reviews the existing and contemporary advancements in chemotherapy and assesses the status of the enrolled drugs/pharmaceuticals; it also comprehensively discusses the emerging role of specific/targeted therapeutic strategies that are presently being employed to achieve better clinical success/survival rate in cancer patients.All the authors are highly grateful and acknowledge to the authority of the respective departments and institutions for their support in carrying out this research. The authors also express their sincere gratitude to the unknown referee for critically reviewing the manuscript and suggesting useful changes. This research was funded by "Agencia Canaria de Investigación, Innovación y Sociedad de la Información (ACIISI) del Gobierno de Canarias” (No. ProID2020010134), and o´Caja Canarias (Project No. 2019SP43).Peer reviewe

Curcumin―The Paradigm of a Multi-Target Natural Compound with Applications in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

As cancer is a multifactor disease, it may require treatment with compounds able to target multiple intracellular components. We summarize here how curcumin is able to modulate many components of intracellular signaling pathways implicated in inflammation, cell proliferation and invasion and to induce genetic modulations eventually leading to tumor cell death. Clinical applications of this natural compound were initially limited by its low solubility and bioavailability in both plasma and tissues but combination with adjuvant and delivery vehicles was reported to largely improve bio-availability of curcumin. Moreover, curcumin was reported to act in synergism with several natural compounds or synthetic agents commonly used in chemotherapy. Based on this, curcumin could thus be considered as a good candidate for cancer prevention and treatment when used alone or in combination with other conventional treatments

Association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been associated with exposures in the workplace. We aimed to assess the association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study. Methods We analysed cross-sectional data from 28 823 adults (≥40 years) in 34 countries. We considered 11 occupations and grouped them by likelihood of exposure to organic dusts, inorganic dusts and fumes. The association of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, wheeze, dyspnoea, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/FVC with occupation was assessed, per study site, using multivariable regression. These estimates were then meta-analysed. Sensitivity analyses explored differences between sexes and gross national income. Results Overall, working in settings with potentially high exposure to dusts or fumes was associated with respiratory symptoms but not lung function differences. The most common occupation was farming. Compared to people not working in any of the 11 considered occupations, those who were farmers for ≥20 years were more likely to have chronic cough (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.19–1.94), wheeze (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.16–1.63) and dyspnoea (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.53–2.20), but not lower FVC (β=0.02 L, 95% CI −0.02–0.06 L) or lower FEV1/FVC (β=0.04%, 95% CI −0.49–0.58%). Some findings differed by sex and gross national income. Conclusion At a population level, the occupational exposures considered in this study do not appear to be major determinants of differences in lung function, although they are associated with more respiratory symptoms. Because not all work settings were included in this study, respiratory surveillance should still be encouraged among high-risk dusty and fume job workers, especially in low- and middle-income countries.publishedVersio

Search for Gravitational Waves Associated with Gamma-Ray Bursts Detected by Fermi and Swift during the LIGO-Virgo Run O3b

We search for gravitational-wave signals associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the Fermi and Swift satellites during the second half of the third observing run of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo (2019 November 1 15:00 UTC-2020 March 27 17:00 UTC). We conduct two independent searches: A generic gravitational-wave transients search to analyze 86 GRBs and an analysis to target binary mergers with at least one neutron star as short GRB progenitors for 17 events. We find no significant evidence for gravitational-wave signals associated with any of these GRBs. A weighted binomial test of the combined results finds no evidence for subthreshold gravitational-wave signals associated with this GRB ensemble either. We use several source types and signal morphologies during the searches, resulting in lower bounds on the estimated distance to each GRB. Finally, we constrain the population of low-luminosity short GRBs using results from the first to the third observing runs of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo. The resulting population is in accordance with the local binary neutron star merger rate. © 2022. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society