A Study on Kalanchaga Padai (காளாஞ்சக படை)

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The disease “Azhal Keel Vayu” is a major ailment of the elderly. Though there is no mortality in this disease, its clinical condition worsens in elderly people. The purpose of author’s work is to elucidate a good medicine from ancient Siddha literatures and to create hope and faith in their treatment. Their being a preliminary endeavour by the author, as if it would be a helping hand to the sufferers. With this view this dissertation subject was undertaken. 1. To prove the efficacy of our Siddha Medicine to the world. 2. To study the clinical cause of the disease “Azhal Keel Vayu” with keen observation on the Aetiology, Pathology, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Complications and the Treatment by making use of Siddha aspect. 3. To expose the unique diagnostic methods mentioned by Siddhars, to know the disease “Azhal Keel Vayu” alters the normal condition under the topic Mukkutram, Poripulangal, Ezhu Udal Kattukkal and Envagai thervugal. 4. To know the extent of correlation of Aetiology, Classification, Signs and Symptoms of Azhal Keel Vayu in Siddha aspect with Osteo arthritis in Modern medicine. 5. To have an idea about the incidence of the disease with age, sex, socio-economic status and climatic conditions. 6. To have a detailed clinical investigations. 7. To have a clinical trial on Azhal Keel Vayu tha author has given the drugs, Perarathai Chooranam as internal medicine and Nathaichoori Thylam as external medicine. 8. To evaluate the Bio-chemical and Pharmacological effects of trial medicine. 9. To use modern parameters to confirm the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. 10. To pave way for further research work in future. SUMMARY: Fifty five cases with Azhal Keelvayu, diagnosed clinically. Out of them thirty cases were admitted in the in-patient PG Sirappu Maruthuvam Ward, Govt. Siddha Medical College Hospital, Palayamkottai were observed for clinical diagnosis, lab diagnosis and treatment by the trial medicines. Out of them twenty cases were selected for study. Twenty five cases were treated as out patients. 1. Clinical diagnosis of Azhal Keel vayu was done on the basis of clinical features described in Sabapathi Manuscript . 2. Before starting the treatment, careful detailed history was taken out and recorded for the 20 seleceted cases. 3. The various Siddha aspects of examination of the disease were carried out and data were recorded in the proforma. 4. Laboratory diagnosis of Azhal Keelvayu was done by modern methods of examination in the Govt. Siddha Medical College Hospital, Palayamkottai. 5. The trial medicine chosen for both internal and external treatment and the management of Azhal Keelavayu • Perarathai chooranam as per the severity of the complaints, the dosage were given 1 gm two times a day with luke warm water for twenty days and above. • Nathaichoori Ennai (Externally). 6. During the period of treatment, all the patients were put under strict pathiyam-a specific dietary regimen. 7. The observation made during the clinical study shows that the main drug Perarthai chooranam (Internally) is clinically effective. It has moderate analgesic action and significant anti inflammatory action. 8. The action of Nathaichoori Ennai (Externally) over the affected joint was also clinically effective.It has Significant anti inflammatory action. 9. A periodical laboratory investigation were made for all the case for blood, urine and motion test etc., along with radiological reports. 10. Since Azhal Keel vayu is a chronic disease, it required minimum treatment for twenty days, treated both internally and externally to minimize the severe pain, tenderness and swelling, but also slight disappearance of the crepitation. 11. Thoug there was appreciable clinical improvement, there was not much remarkable radiographic changes. 12. The advantages of the selected drugs were listed as, • The drugs were found to be free from adverse effects. • The raw materials were available in almost all seasons. • And finally it is economic. These merits were essential in promoting this drug in future globally

Deactivation and regeneration of Ni catalyst during steam reforming of model biogas: An experimental investigation

his paper presents detailed study of biogas reforming. Model biogas with different levels of H2S is subjected to reforming reaction over supported Ni catalyst in a fixed bed reactor at 700 °C and 800 °C. In order to understand the poisoning effects of H2S the reactions have been initially carried out without H2S in the feed stream. Three different H2S concentrations (20, 50 and 100 ppm) have been considered in the study. The H2O to CH4 ratio is maintained in such as way that CO2 also participates in the reforming reaction. After performing the poisoning studies, regeneration of the catalyst has been studied using three different techniques i) removal of H2S from the feed stream ii) temperature enhancement and iii) steam treatment. Poisoning at low temperature is not recoverable just by removal of H 2S from the feed stream. However, poisoning at high temperature is easily reversed just by removal of H2S from the feed stream. Unlike some previous reports by Li et al. (2010) and Rostrup-nielsen (1971) [1,2], catalyst regeneration is achieved in shorter time frames for all the regeneration techniques attempte

A detailed kinetic model for biogas steam reforming on Ni and catalyst deactivation due to sulfur poisoning

This paper deals with the development and validation of a detailed kinetic model for steam reforming of biogas with and without H2S. The model has 68 reactions among 8 gasphase species and 18 surface adsorbed species including the catalytic surface. The activation energies for various reactions are calculated based on unity bond index-quadratic exponential potential (UBI-QEP) method. The whole mechanism is made thermodynamically consistent by using a previously published algorithm. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to understand the influence of reaction parameters on surface coverage of sulfur. The parameters describing sticking and desorption reactions of H2S are the most sensitive ones for the formation of adsorbed sulfur. The mechanism is validated in the temperature range of 873-1200 K for biogas free from H 2S and 973-1173 K for biogas containing 20-108 ppm H2S. The model predicts that during the initial stages of poisoning sulfur coverages are high near the reactor inlet; however, as the reaction proceeds further sulfur coverages increase towards the reactor exit. In the absence of sulfur, CO and elemental hydrogen are the dominant surface adsorbed species. High temperature operation can significantly mitigate sulfur adsorption and hence the saturation sulfur coverages are lower compared to low temperature operation. Low temperature operation can lead to full deactivation of the catalyst. The model predicts saturation coverages that are comparable to experimental observatio

Cross-understanding will help complex and diverse teams achieve mutually agreeable solutions

Teams whose members have diverse backgrounds can experience differences in task knowledge, sensitivities to various aspects of the task system, as well as beliefs and preferences about how to best approach or solve a problem. How might managers deal with this? Niranjan Janardhanan, Kyle Lewis, Rhonda R. Reger, and Cynthia K. Stevens write that, rather than focusing on common ground, team leaders should emphasise cross-understanding. Understanding the bases of someone’s views will help get to the real reasons behind differences in opinion, and therefore help to achieve mutually agreeable solutions

Skewed task conflicts in teams: what happens when a few members see more conflict than the rest?

Task conflict has been the subject of a long-standing debate in the literature—when does task conflict help or hurt team performance? We propose that this debate can be resolved by taking a more precise view of how task conflicts are perceived in teams. Specifically, we propose that in teams, when a few team members perceive a high level of task disagreement while a majority of others perceive low levels of task disagreement—that is, there is positively skewed task conflict, task conflict is most likely to live up to its purported benefits for team performance. In our first study of student teams engaged in a business decision game, we find support for the positive relationship between skewed task conflict and team performance. In our second field study of teams in a financial corporation, we find that the relationship between positively skewed task conflict and supervisor ratings of team performance is mediated by reflective communication within the team

Predicting the temperature and reactant concentration profiles of reacting flow in the partial oxidation of hot coke oven gas using detailed chemistry and a one-dimensional flow model

A numerical approach is presented for predicting the species concentrations and temperature profiles of chemically reacting flow in the non-catalytic partial oxidation of hot coke oven gas (HCOG) in a pilot-scale reformer installed on an operating coke oven. A detailed chemical kinetic model consisting of 2216 reactions with 257 species ranging in size from the hydrogen radical to coronene was used to predict the chemistries of HCOG reforming and was coupled with a plug model and one-dimensional (1D) flow with axial diffusion model. The HCOG was a multi-component gas mixture derived from coal dry distillation, and was approximated with more than 40 compounds: H2, CO, CO2, CH4, C2 hydrocarbons, H2O, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons up to coronene. The measured gas temperature profiles were reproduced successfully by solving the energy balance equation accounting for the heat change induced by chemical reactions and heat losses to the surroundings. The approach was evaluated critically by comparing the computed results with experimental data for exit products such as H2, CO, CO2, and CH4, in addition to the total exit gas flow rate. The axial diffusion model slightly improves the predictions of H2, CO, and CO2, but significantly improves those of CH4 and total exit flow rate. The improvements in the model predictions were due primarily to the improved temperature predictions by accounting for axial diffusion in the flow model

Establishment of reference CD4+ T cell values for adult Indian population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>CD4+ T lymphocyte counts are the most important indicator of disease progression and success of antiretroviral treatment in HIV infection in resource limited settings. The nationwide reference range of CD4+ T lymphocytes was not available in India. This study was conducted to determine reference values of absolute CD4+ T cell counts and percentages for adult Indian population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A multicentric study was conducted involving eight sites across the country. A total of 1206 (approximately 150 per/centre) healthy participants were enrolled in the study. The ratio of male (N = 645) to female (N = 561) of 1.14:1. The healthy status of the participants was assessed by a pre-decided questionnaire. At all centers the CD4+ T cell count, percentages and absolute CD3+ T cell count and percentages were estimated using a single platform strategy and lyse no wash technique. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Scientist (SPSS), version 15) and Prism software version 5.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The absolute CD4+ T cell counts and percentages in female participants were significantly higher than the values obtained in male participants indicating the true difference in the CD4+ T cell subsets. The reference range for absolute CD4 count for Indian male population was 381-1565 cells/μL and for female population was 447-1846 cells/μL. The reference range for CD4% was 25-49% for male and 27-54% for female population. The reference values for CD3 counts were 776-2785 cells/μL for Indian male population and 826-2997 cells/μL for female population.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study used stringent procedures for controlling the technical variation in the CD4 counts across the sites and thus could establish the robust national reference ranges for CD4 counts and percentages. These ranges will be helpful in staging the disease progression and monitoring antiretroviral therapy in HIV infection in India.</p

Structure-Activity Relationship for the Oxadiazole Class of Antibacterials

A structure-activity relationship (SAR) for the oxadiazole class of antibacterials was evaluated by syntheses of 72 analogs and determination of the minimal-inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against the ESKAPE panel of bacteria. Selected compounds were further evaluated for in vitro toxicity, plasma protein binding, pharmacokinetics (PK), and a mouse model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Oxadiazole 72c shows potent in vitro antibacterial activity, exhibits low clearance, a high volume of distribution, and 41% oral bioavailability, and shows efficacy in mouse models of MRSA infection.Fil: Boudreau, Marc A.. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Ding, Derong. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Meisel, Jayda E.. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Janardhanan, Jeshina. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Spink, Edward. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Peng, Zhihong. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Qian, Yuanyuan. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Yamaguchi, Takao. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Testero, Sebastian Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Química Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Química Rosario; Argentina. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: O'Daniel, Peter I.. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Leemans, Erika. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Lastochkin, Elena. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Song, Wei. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Schroeder, Valerie A.. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Wolter, William R.. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Suckow, Mark A.. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Mobashery, Shahriar. University of Notre Dame; Estados UnidosFil: Chang, Mayland. University of Notre Dame; Estados Unido

Citostatsko i protuupalno djelovanje polisaharida biljke Ganoderma lucidum

In this study, polysaccharides were isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (Polyporaceae) and their antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated using in vivo models. Potential antitumor activity was shown by G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) against solid tumor induced by Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma cells. GLP at 100 mg kg–1 body mass showed 80.8 and 77.6 % reduction in tumour volume and tumour mass, respectively, when administered 24 h after tumour implantation. Again, GLP at the same dose but when administered prior to tumour inoculation, showed 79.5 and 81.2 % inhibition of tumour volume and tumour mass, respectively. GLP showed significant dose-dependent activity in carrageenean-induced (acute) and formalin-induced (chronic) inflammation assays. At 100 mg kg–1, GLP exhibited 57.6 and 58.2 % inhibition in carrageenean-induced and formalin-induced assays, respectively.U radu je ispitano in vivo citostatsko i protuupalno djelovanje polisaharida (GLP) izoliranih iz biljke Ganoderma lucidum (Polyporaceae). Ispitivani polisaharidi pokazali su potencijalno antitumorsko djelovanje na Ehrlichov ascitesni tumor. GLP su u dozi od 100 mg kg1 tjelesne mase inhibirali volumen tumora za 80,8, a njegovu masu za 77,6 %, kada su primijenjeni 24 h nakon implantacije tumora. Ako se GLP daju u istoj dozi prije inokulacije tumora, inhibiraju volumen tumora za 79,5, a njegovu masu za 81,2 %. GLP pokazuju značajno, o dozi ovisno, protuupalno djelovanje u karagenan testu (akutna upala) i formalin testu (kronična upala). U dozi od 100 mg kg1, GLP inhibiraju upalne procese za 57,6 odnosno 58,2 % u testu s karagenanom, odnosno formalinom

Brain structural covariance networks in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a graph analysis from the ENIGMA Consortium.

Brain structural covariance networks reflect covariation in morphology of different brain areas and are thought to reflect common trajectories in brain development and maturation. Large-scale investigation of structural covariance networks in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may provide clues to the pathophysiology of this neurodevelopmental disorder. Using T1-weighted MRI scans acquired from 1616 individuals with OCD and 1463 healthy controls across 37 datasets participating in the ENIGMA-OCD Working Group, we calculated intra-individual brain structural covariance networks (using the bilaterally-averaged values of 33 cortical surface areas, 33 cortical thickness values, and six subcortical volumes), in which edge weights were proportional to the similarity between two brain morphological features in terms of deviation from healthy controls (i.e. z-score transformed). Global networks were characterized using measures of network segregation (clustering and modularity), network integration (global efficiency), and their balance (small-worldness), and their community membership was assessed. Hub profiling of regional networks was undertaken using measures of betweenness, closeness, and eigenvector centrality. Individually calculated network measures were integrated across the 37 datasets using a meta-analytical approach. These network measures were summated across the network density range of K = 0.10-0.25 per participant, and were integrated across the 37 datasets using a meta-analytical approach. Compared with healthy controls, at a global level, the structural covariance networks of OCD showed lower clustering (P &lt; 0.0001), lower modularity (P &lt; 0.0001), and lower small-worldness (P = 0.017). Detection of community membership emphasized lower network segregation in OCD compared to healthy controls. At the regional level, there were lower (rank-transformed) centrality values in OCD for volume of caudate nucleus and thalamus, and surface area of paracentral cortex, indicative of altered distribution of brain hubs. Centrality of cingulate and orbito-frontal as well as other brain areas was associated with OCD illness duration, suggesting greater involvement of these brain areas with illness chronicity. In summary, the findings of this study, the largest brain structural covariance study of OCD to date, point to a less segregated organization of structural covariance networks in OCD, and reorganization of brain hubs. The segregation findings suggest a possible signature of altered brain morphometry in OCD, while the hub findings point to OCD-related alterations in trajectories of brain development and maturation, particularly in cingulate and orbitofrontal regions