Anticancer Herbs for Improving the Quality of Life

In the world, there are many systems of traditional medicine. Cancer is the major public health burden both in developing and developed countries. Around 50% of existing medicines for cancer treatment have plants origin. Anticancer property of some plant extracts proven to be significantly effective in the treatment of cancer. Many herbs like sadabahar, turmeric, Kalonji, cannabis, garlic, flaxseed contain active components which may be effective in prevention and treatment of many cancers. The present review focuses on the evidence of health benefit of various herbs though recent human and animal studies. 

Assessment of Metastatic Status of Axillary Lymph Nodes using Intravenous Fluorescein in Carcinoma Breast: A Novel Approach in Surgical Management

Background: Assessment of lymph node metastasis is of prime significance for staging and treatment planning for breast cancer. All enlarged lymph nodes do not contain metastasis. Sentinel lymph nodes biopsy is recommended for patients with clinically negative axilla. But there are no standard guidelines for managing patients with enlarge axillary lymph node. In the present paper we have evaluated the role of intravenous Fluorescein to identify the axillary nodal metastasis during axillary dissection. Aim: Identification of metastatic fluorescent node during axillary dissection. Methodology: The present cross-sectional study at All India Institute of medical sciences on 32 operable carcinoma breast cases were enrolled in the study. Fluorescent and non-fluorescent nodes were sent separately for histopathological evaluation. Result: Present study include a total of 32 cases. From these 32 cases a total of 267 lymph nodes were separated out in which 185 nodes were fluorescent and 82 nodes were non fluorescent. Out of 267 fluorescent node 103 were histologically positive and remaining nodes were free of tumor. In non-fluorescent nodes only 6 nodes show the presence of tumor. Conclusion: Intravenous 20% fluorescein sodium has a high sensitivity of 94.5% & specificity of 48% with positive predictive value of 55.7%, which is comparable to conventional sentinel lymph node procedure in detecting early metastasis. Besides time saving and non-toxic, this technique predicts the metastatic status of axillary lymph node during surgery, aiding appropriate surgical intervention

Physics for Surgeons-Part 5: Optics for Surgeons

Optical techniques create a great impact in the biomedical field. Recent advances in the optical techniques (advances in photonics, biomaterials, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology) which are currently used in clinical practice to diagnose and treat the disease. In the present review, we highlight the fundamentals of light and its interaction with matter, applications of optics in the recent techniques so that surgeons can better understand the pattern of disease and find the best way to treat the disease

Physics for Surgeons - Part 4: Energy Devices in Surgery

Modern surgery has advanced astoundingly in the last century owing to the advent of number of energy devices in the operation room. Surgeon in the past were only using electric current –monopolar diathermy to burn and couterize the tissue, the present day surgeons are equiped with a number of more advanced energy devices e.g. LASER, ultrasonic vibrating shears, radiofrequency, shockwaves, argon beam coagulator and advanced bipolar electric energy with hybrid systems and light energy of different wavelengths. In the present paper, we have explained the physical principles involved in the commonly used energy devices in the operation theatre

Förster's resonance energy transfer between Fullerene C60 and Coumarin C440

The interaction between Coumarin C440 with Fullerene C60 has been studied by fluorescence and time resolved spectroscopic techniques. The Coumarin C440–Fullerene C60 pair shows Forster's resonance energy transfer (FRET) from Coumarin C440 (donor) to Fullerenes C60 (acceptor). The FRET efficiency of this pair increases with the increase of the acceptor concentration. The critical energy transfer distance (R0) at which transfer efficiency is 50% is found to be 34 Ǻ. Stern–Volmer plot indicates static as well as dynamic quenching. However, the FRET studies show highest efficiency at the critical stage of dimer formation

Rationality of the Capital Market: Capitalistic System vs. Islamic System

<p><b>Abstract</b></p> <p>Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) is founded on the theory of expected rationality but the theory of behavioural finance concludes that stock market investors are quasi-rational. Therefore, under the capitalistic system, the efficient markets have already failed to protect the rights of investors that have led to chronic capital market crashes and failure to achieve efficiency, justice, fairness, accountability, fair distribution of benefits, and a rational behaviour among investors. However, recently, Islamic financial institutions and markets have been emerging, which stand on the <i>Shariah</i> provision – the guided way to behave rationally or guided rationality. Based on the empirical experiences and evidences of both market systems, this paper discusses and compares the performances of the markets under the theoretical arguments of “rationality”, “quasi-rationality”, and “guided rationality”. This paper suggests that capital market based on guided rationality under the Islamic System can be a better alternative over the conventional market system.</p