Iodine and Thyroid Cancer in Goa

There is a low papillary to follicular ratio in iodine deficient areas. A study of malignant thyroid tumors done over a period of 4 years in Goa shows that the ratio of papillary to follicular carcinoma in Goa conforms to a iodine deficient status of the population

Importance of Shodhana processes of herbomineral drugs with special reference to detoxification and modification of therapeutic activities

Background: Rasachikitsa has formed an integral part of Ayurvedic treatment. It will not be wrong to state that Ayurvedic therapy is incomplete without proper usage of the Rasaushadhis. Some misconceptions are prevailing regarding toxic effects of the Rasaushadhis. It is an accepted fact that the Rasadravyas are having certain toxic effects, but this can be overcome by treating these toxic Rasadravyas along with certain Shodhana Dravyas. This article deals with the Shodhana concept of Rasaushadhis, the therapeutic utility of these Rasaushadhis, and the Shodhana processes performed on these Rasaushadhis, so as to make them therapeutically effective. Objectives: To have the critical review of Shodhana processes with reference to the changes taking place during Shodhana and to study its utility in Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics. Materials and Methods: The physical, chemical and biological changes were noted; Processes involved and role of Shodhana Dravyas was also noted; use of Shodhana in Rasaushadhi preparation; different types of Shodhana are discussed. The Panchabhautik aspect of Shodhana is also discussed. Results: Shodhana process imparts certain physical, chemical and biological changes through incorporation of certain properties of the media used. The processes involved offer multiple benefits to the Shuddha Dravyas. This imparts better therapeutic efficacy and offers a broad spectrum utility against a number of diseases. Conclusion: Shodhana is one of the most scientific methods described in the Ayurvedic texts. It is one of the Samskaras which potentiates the therapeutic properties and thus is one of the most useful processes in the Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics

Critical Review of Bhavana Processes with special reference to its Utility in Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics

Background: Bhavana is a process of wet grinding in which a powdered drug of herbal, animal or mineral origin are ground with particular liquid media (expressed juice, decoction, urine etc.) for a specific period. This process of trituration is followed by drying and is carried out till attainment of Subhavit Lakshana and complete absorption of liquid into the powder and drying of the mixture is done. Objectives: To have the critical review of Bhavana process with reference to the changes taking place during Bhavana and to study its utility in Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics. Materials and Methods: The physical, chemical and biological changes are noted; Processes involved and role of Bhavana Dravyas are also noted; role of Bhavana Dravyas, use of Bhavana in Rasaushadhi preparation; different types of Bhavana are discussed. Griffith Theory in Particle Size Reduction is also discussed in this research article. Results: Bhavana performed through Levigation or soaking method along with the prescribed liquid media imparts certain physical, chemical and biological changes. The processes involved offer multiple benefits to the Bhavana Dravyas. Conclusion: Bhavana is one of the most scientific methods described in the Ayurvedic texts. It is one of the Samskaras which potentiates the therapeutic properties and thus is most useful process in the Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics

Analytical and antimicrobial study of Vanga Bhasma with special reference to Ayurved Prakash

Background: Bhasma, the Ayurvedic organometallic preparation, is an incinerated metal or mineral prepared after several rounds of processing through Puta. Vanga Bhasma is also a novel preparation routinely prescribed for Prameha and genito-urinary disorders. Objectives: The present study deals with the preparation of Vanga Bhasma according to the procedures mentioned in Ayurved Prakash. The synthesized Bhasma samples were characterized by various analytical techniques. The Antimicrobial effects of these samples were studied against certain Gram +ve, Gram –ve and fungal organisms. Materials and Methods: The different steps involved in the synthesis of Vanga Bhasma include Shodhan, Jaran, Bhavana and Maran. Bhasma was incinerated by the traditional method of heating i.e., Puta. The obtained samples were analyzed for the quality control checks, on the parameters described in Ayurvedic texts as well as modern techniques such as SEM, EDX and XRD to find out the nature of the Vanga Bhasma samples. The anti-microbial study was done to find out the anti-microbial efficacy of the Vanga Bhasma samples. Results and Conclusions: This study reveals that the synthesized Bhasma was converted into its nontoxic oxide form and had a highly reduced particle size observed from SEM images. Average 13 Puta are required to prepare Vanga Bhasma which is grayish white coloured. Vanga Bhasma showed antimicrobial activity in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans with a concentration of 100mg/ml

At Low Cost, Easily Accessible Telepresence Using Mobile Phone

The term telepresence was tossed by Marvin Minsky in an article in 1980 that focused on giving the remote participation a feeling of actually being presen

Efficacy of cognitive pragmatic treatment on theory of mind functioning, quality of life and reduction of symptom severity in adults with schizophrenia

Objective: Schizophrenia is a severely debilitating disorder characterized by heterogeneous psychopathology, it impacts an individual’s subjective well-being, pragmatic communication skills, and cognitive functioning. The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive pragmatic treatment (CPT), an evidence-based group intervention program, on theory of mind (ToM) functioning, quality of life (QoL), and symptom severity of disorder in adults with schizophrenia. Methods: One hundred individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia were chosen and randomly split into two groups, as control group (n=25) and experimental group (n=75). Experimental group received CPT for 3 months, while the control group got only routine psychiatric care. The individuals were assessed for symptom severity of the disorder, ToM functioning and QoL before and after the intervention. 3-months post-intervention, a follow-up evaluation was carried out. The data were analysed using both parametric as well as nonparametric statistics. Results: The results of two-way Repeated Measure ANOVA found statistically significant differences between groups as well as tests (p<0.001) and between groups and their interaction with the tests (p<0.001). Experimental post-test as well as follow-up evaluation showed significant improvement in reducing the symptom severity of the disorder, improvement in ToM functioning and QoL compared to control group Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that cognitive pragmatic treatment as evidence-based intervention can improve theory of mind functioning, as well as QoL of individuals with schizophrenia, by reducing the symptom severity

ANFIS Based Temporally Ordered Routing Algorithm to Enhance the Performance in Mobile Ad-hoc Networks

A Mobile Ad hoc network (MANET) consists of mobile nodes, a router with multiple hosts and wireless communication devices. Mobile Adhoc Networks can operate without any fixed infrastructure and can survive rapid changes in the network topology. Link failure and route failure takes place. Provisioning of QoS is a problem in MANETs. TORA is the only protocol which supports either Proactive or Reactive modes in routing. In this paper, we incorporated the ANFIS to the existing TORA to enhance the performance. Evaluating the performance of ANFIS-TORA is the simulation by using OPNET MODELLER. Evaluating the relative performance with respect to performance metrics are Throughput, End-to-End delay, and Network Load. We generate various simulation scenarios with varying network size such as small, medium and large. In this paper, ANFIS based TORA for MANETs are considered and their performance was analyzed for different network size. From the simulation results, we conclude that ANFIS based TORA outperforms for small medium and large network. Throughput was increased by 48.27% in small network, 61.29% in medium network and 8.29% in the large network in Reactive mode. In Proactive, the throughput is increased by 103.46% in small network, 4.58% in medium network and 5.05% in large network

Role of Panchamruta Rasa (Panchadasha) as a immunomodulator w.s.r. Rasayana : A Review

In Ayurveda, text immunity had been described by Chakrapani in terms of Vyadhikshamatva and it is termed as a state of equilibrium of Oja, Bala, Prakrit Kapha. The modulation of immune response by using Ayurvedic herbal medication as a possible therapeutic measure has now become a subject of scientific investigation. Immunomodulators can be defining as substance which can affect any function of the immune system including both innate and adaptive immunity. In Ayurveda, this concept of immunomodulation correlated with Rasayana. Rasayana acts in the body at three levels i.e. Rasa, Agni, Strotas. The present review is undertaken for screening minerals & herbs (ingredients) of Panchamruta Rasa (Panchadasha) to evaluate their immunomodulatory properties and establish the correlation between Rasayana and immunomodulatory effect. Critical review of minerals & herbs to show immunomodulatory property is compiled from various Ayurvedic texts as well as from multiple articles on the internet to justify their immunomodulatory property on the basis of data collected. This also shows their potential to act as antioxidant, anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, vaccine adjuvant, or immunity against diseases property

Hereditary Spherocytosis in a 17 year girl: A case report

Abstract— Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a familial hemolytic disorder with marked heterogeneity of clinical features, ranging from an asymptomatic condition to a fulminate haemolytic anaemia. Although a positive family history of spherocytosis increases the risk for this disorder, it may be sporadic in some cases. Seventeen years old girl presented with mild anaemia, jaundice and moderate splenomegaly. Her haematological parameters supported diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis. Appropriate treatment was started with an advice to patient to undergo splenectomy as an active part of management of the disorder. Mother and other siblings were normal

Studies on Pharmacognostical, Preliminary Phytochemistry of Stem of Justicia gendarussa Burn

Objective: To study the detailed pharmacognostical, preliminary phytochemical evaluation of the stem of Justicia gendarussa Burm, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, commonly known as ‘‘vatham kolli”. Traditionally this plant was used in treatment of bronchitis, inflammation, eye diseases, ear ache, vaginal discharges, rheumatism, dysentery, eczema and jaundice. Methods: Stem of Justicia gendarussa was studied by its Macroscopical, Microscopical, Preliminary phytochemical, Physiochemical analysis and other methods for standardization recommended by WHO. Results: Macroscopically, the stem is gray to brown, has a characteristic odour, is 10-60 cm long and 0.5-2 cm wide, thick, multi-branched, glabrous and bitter in taste. The young stem is circular in transverse sectional view with dense matter of epidermal trichomes which are two types, glandular and non-glandular. The vascular bundle consists of prominent discontinuous masses of bundle cap fibers, thin layer of phloem and several short parallel lines of xylem elements. The pith is wide and parenchymatous. The thick stem exhibits well developed secondary growth having closed vascular bundle with secondary xylem and phloem. These were the anatomical study's diagnostic characteristics. Physiochemical parameters have also been determined, such as loss of drying, extractive values and ash values. In the preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the presence of sterols, carbohydrates, flavanoids, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides and saponin. Conclusion: The result of study can serve as a valuable source of information and provide adequate standards in future investigations and applications to identify this plant material