THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF THRIPHALA RASAYANA IN PRIMARY HYPERLIPIDEMIA- AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARATIVE STUDY

Background: Elevated concentration of lipids in the blood is considered as the well-established and strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Primary hyperlipidaemia occurs solely due to interaction of mutated gene with unprecedented epidemiologic transitions associated with lifestyle changes and dietary patterns. Early detection and management of asymptomatic hyperlipidaemia is imperative to reduce the incidence of cerebrovascular, peripheral vascular and coronary artery diseases. Preferred screening test i.e. lipid panel test will be substantial on many levels including mortality, morbidity and staggering financial burden related with vascular endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic changes. Simple, low-cost and potential pharmacological interventions with Ayurveda drugs are highly beneficial in these preventable epidemics. The main ingredient, “Thriphala“ in the trial drug is considered as the best known rejuvenative (Rasayana) combination, which stimulate and correct the impaired inherent digestive capacity (Dhatwagni) by removing the inflammatory and obstructive causes (Srothorodha) associated with the dysfunctions in lipid metabolism. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of an Ayurveda formulation on lipid level in patients with primary Hyperlipidaemia. It also ascertains the safety of the therapeutic formulation by evaluating the variations in the blood biochemical parameters. Methods: The study design was an experimental comparative study intended to compare the effect of potentiated Thriphalarasayana with standard anti-lipidemic drug in primary hyperlipidaemia. 29 cases in study group and 15 samples in control group participated in the trial. The data was analysed by using appropriate statistical techniques. Results: In the study group the values of total cholesterol, LDL and Atherogenic index shows more significant result than the control group receiving conventional anti-lipidemic drug. Conclusion: strategies for early detection and comprehensive management with Ayurveda formulations can be highly effective in reducing the global burden of vascular dysfunction related with hyperlipidaemia

Sexual Health Education and Family Planning: A Vital Component of the Healthy Start Program

The paper will describe the Healthy Start program as a comprehensive sex education program and implications for preventing subsequent adolescent pregnancies

The lived experiences of the spouses of alcohol dependent partners: a phenomenological study

# Background Alcoholism is rising in India, affecting both individuals and their families. This study explored the lived experience of women cohabiting men with alcohol use disorder (AUD) to understand the experience and coping resources they adopted from their perspective. # Methods Interpretive phenomenology design was used. Purposive sampling was employed to select women cohabiting men with AUD attending the de-addiction clinic. After explaining the study and written informed consent, in-depth interviews were conducted. By the interview of the 11^th^ participant, data saturation was reached. # Results Thematic analysis was undertaken. Significant statements and meaning units were identified, and codes were assigned. Three categories, namely impact on self, effect on life and coping strategies, were developed, and two main themes (*faced numerous challenges* and *used adaptive and maladaptive coping)* were generated. # Conclusions Women faced innumerable problems of poor health, physical misery, marital discord, emotional disturbances, strained social relations, and financial burden. Most women relied heavily on avoidance or tolerance coping like covering up, taking on extra work, withdrawing, distancing, and hiding from friends and family. Putting on a brave front and not doing anything is not productive for women and men with AUD

A Case Study on Pulmonary Embolism

Jacqueline Lewis (left) & Mini George (right) pictured.https://openworks.mdanderson.org/aprn-week-22/1015/thumbnail.jp

Approach and implementation strategies for Marine Fisheries Census 2016

Fisheries sector plays a significant role in the socio-economic development of a developing country like India by generating employment and income, besides being source of protein for a large section of the population. It generates a substantial amount of foreign exchange through exports. Over a period, marine fisheries sector in India has witnessed a significant improvement in fishing gear technologies, infrastructure, communication and transportation facilities which resulted in an increase in the annual marine fish production from 0.5 million tonnes in 1950 to 3.59 million tonnes in 2014. Marine fisheries are considered as renewable resources, but its management and development supported by focussed research activities are necessary to ensure sustainable fish production from the seas

Satellite Remote Sensing Applications in Mariculture Activities

During the last two decades the marine fisheries sector in India has undergone considerable change. The fishing fleet became larger and more energy-intensive, and the catch and trade of marine fishes increased substantially. Concern arising from the increasing fishing effort and the potential for overexploitation in Indian waters, led to scientific assessment of the status of several fish stocks. Consequently, attempts were made to shift from open to regulated access fisheries through Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs). However, conflicts in sharing the limited resources intensified within and with other sectors and this, in turn, had high economic, social and environmental costs (Vision 2050, CMFRI). Thus, in recent years, the sector recognized the need for effective management for sustainable fisheries and a healthy marine environment through ecosystem approach and habitat restoration. Success has been achieved in mariculture, raising hopes of producing a plentiful supply of fish in future by farming marine fis

Trends in abundance of marine fishery resources in India examined through dynamic factor analysis

Dynamic factor analysis (DFA) was used to identify common trends to explain the variability for a historical time series data (1980-2010) on all India annual marine fish landings for 16 resource groups. In this study, three common trends were identified for classifying the resource groups. Trend-1 increases gradually and reaches a peak in 1997, decreases sharply until 2001 and then increases further. Landings of carangids were clearly related to trend-1 with positive factor loading magnitude. Trend-1 is important for Bombayduck as well but with negative factor loading. In the case of trend-2, it is declining until 1993 and remains steady with slight fluctuations till 2003 and increases further. Both, silverbellies and pomfrets landings were determined by trend-2 with similar positive factor loadings. All other resources were associated with more than one trend. Trend-3 shows an increasing trend throughout the period with slight fluctuations. Perches, seerfishes, tunnies, flatfishes, crustaceans and molluscs formed a homogenous group associated with both trend-1 and trend-3. These trends were important for elasmobranchs too as they had similar loadings on both trends but with opposite signs. Resource-wise explanations based on the different trends are discussed citing the examples of clupeids, carangids, Bombayduck, pomfrets and silverbellies

Use of Gold Markers for Setup in Image-Guided Fractionated High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy as a Monotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Background and Purpose: : In order to use a single implant with one treatment plan in fractionated high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-B), applicator position shifts must be corrected prior to each fraction. The authors investigated the use of gold markers for X-ray-based setup and position control between the single fractions. Patients and Methods: : Caudad-cephalad movement of the applicators prior to each HDR-B fraction was determined on radiographs using two to three gold markers, which had been inserted into the prostate as intraprostatic reference, and one to two radiopaque-labeled reference applicators. 35 prostate cancer patients, treated by HDR-B as a monotherapy between 10/2003 and 06/2006 with four fractions of 9.5 Gy each, were analyzed. Toxicity was scored according to the CTCAE Score, version 3.0. Median follow-up was 3 years. Results: : The mean change of applicators positions compared to baseline varied substantially between HDR-B fractions, being 1.4 mm before fraction 1 (range, -4 to 2 mm), -13.1 mm before fraction 2 (range, -36 to 0 mm), -4.1 mm before fraction 3 (range, -21 to 9 mm), and -2.6 mm at fraction 4 (range, -16 to 9 mm). The original position of the applicators could be readjusted easily prior to each fraction in every patient. In 18 patients (51%), the applicators were at least once readjusted > 10 mm, however, acute or late grade ≥ 2 genitourinary toxicity was not increased (p = 1.0) in these patients. Conclusion: : Caudad position shifts up to 36 mm were observed. Gold markers represent a valuable tool to ensure setup accuracy and precise dose delivery in fractionated HDR-B monotherapy of prostate cance

Molecular defects in the mannose binding lectin pathway in dermatological disease: Case report and literature review

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and the Mannose-binding lectin-associated serine proteases (MASPs) are an essential aspect of innate immune responses that probably play an important but understudied role in cutaneous function. The MBL-MASP pathway appears to exert its primary role by assisting in the clearance of apoptotic skin cells (thus preventing accumulation and a subsequent autoimmune response) and promoting opsonophagocytosis of invading pathogens, limiting their dissemination. Deficiencies of the pathway have been described and are associated with infectious, autoimmune and vascular complications. However, the role of this pathway in dermatological disease is essentially unexplored. We describe 6 patients presenting with recurrent inflammatory and/or infectious skin conditions who also demonstrated severely low MBL levels. One patient also had a defect in the MASP2 gene. Genotype analysis revealed specific point mutations in the MBL2 promoter in all 6 patients and a variant MASP-2 gene in one patient. Five patients presented recurrent pustular skin infections (cellulitis, folliculitis and cutaneous abscess). A case of Grover's disease and one forme fruste of Behcet's syndrome (orogenital ulcers) were also observed. The patients responded to antimicrobial therapy, although in some, recurrence of infection was the rule. It appears that MBL deficiency may contribute to recurrent skin infections and to certain forms of inflammatory skin disease. The mechanisms may relate to the role of this pathway in innate immunity, removal of apoptotic cells and in immune complexes. Further study of MBL pathway defects in dermatological disease is required

Non-operational trawlers and ban on Hilsa export by Bangladesh adversely impacts the fish availability in West Bengal

Fish availability in the domestic markets of West Bengal had adverse impacts owing to the recent ban on import of Hilsa from Bangladesh. Due to incessant rise in prices of Hilsa, catfish, major and minor carps in the recent past, fish loving Bengalis relied on marine fishes such as mackerel, sciaenids, seabass, Bombay-duck and flatfishes for their consumption. The marine fishes were less preferred by Bengali fish eating population earlier because of their colour and smell