7th order harmonic suppression and wide rejection band using CSRR backed BSF

To obtain the high rejection level for undesired band from a microstrip band pass filter, a complimentary split ring resonator (CSRR) backed bandstop filter (BSF) has been used at the input of bandpass filter. This arrangement gives harmonic suppression for symmetric passband response with a minimum area of filter. In this paper, we have investigated role of CSRR backed BSF for suppression of higher order harmonics along with wider rejection bandwidth. Through better optimization, we report a filter of area 154.242 × 30 mm2, which consists of BSF/CSRR at both input and output ports. Simulation results demonstrate the rejection level of 18.94 dB for the fifth order harmonic with maximum rejection of 115 dB in stop band. Better rejection upto the seventh order and wide rejection bandwidth of 4.6 GHz (1.7 – 6.3 GHz) have been obtained experimentally

Ovarian stem cells: absence of evidence is not evidence of absence

BACKGROUND: Lei and Spradling in a recent study published in PNAS failed to detect ‘germline cysts’ by elegant studies using lineage tracing approach and thus concluded that adult mouse ovaries lack stem cells. They proposed that primordial follicle pool generated during fetal life is sufficient to sustain oogenesis and that there is no renewal of oocytes during adult life. Contrary to their results, we have reported presence of very small pluripotent, embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), their immediate descendants (OGSCs) and germ cell ‘cysts’ or ‘nests’ (formed by rapid cell division and incomplete cytokinesis) in surface epithelial cell smears of adult sheep, monkey and human ovaries. METHODS: In the present study, ovaries were collected from adult mouse (treated with 5 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, PMSG) and sheep (from slaughter house) and testis from mouse treated with busulphan (25 mg/Kg). Ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells and testicular smears were studied for the presence of cysts. Sheep OSE smears were also used to show cytoplasmic continuity amongst the cyst cells studied by immunolocalization and confocal microscopy of stem cells specific markers OCT-4 and SSEA-4. RESULTS: Cysts were observed and confocal microscopy imaging confirmed cytoplasmic continuity amongst the cells comprising the cysts. CONCLUSIONS: Cysts represent self-renewal and clonal expansion of stem cells with incomplete cytokinesis and are a hallmark feature of stem cells. We suggest the use of PMSG stimulated mouse ovaries and use of more primitive markers like OCT-4 or STELLA rather than MVH for lineage tracing studies to conclusively show presence of stem cells by lineage-tracing studies

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF PSORIASIS - A CASE STUDY

In Ayurveda, all types of skin diseases are described under one umbrella term of Kushtha. Acharyas have described that all Kushthas have Tridosha involvement but the type of Kushtha depends on the predominance of particular Doshas. Eka Kushtha is compared with psoriasis due to its maximum resemblance. Psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin. These skin patches are typically red, itchy, and scaly. They may vary in severity from small and localized to extensive, large and spread in complete body. It typically presents with red patches and white scales on the top. Areas of the body most commonly affected are the back of the forearms, shins, around the navel, and the scalp. Psoriasis is generally thought to be a genetic disease which is triggered by environmental factors. Other factors such as local trauma, general illness and stress are also involved. In modern medicine, the cure of this disease is out of question as the cause is unknown. Ayurveda propounds a holistic treatment approach for psoriasis. As per Ayurvedic view point Vata, Pitta and Kapha vitiation are the major contributing pathological factors in the body. The line of treatment of skin diseases are Shodhana and Shamana therapy. Virechana Karma (purgation therapy) followed by internal medications are considered as the best line of management for skin disorders. A case report of 13 year old male child presented with well demarcated raised red scaling silvery patches on trunk and back region, limbs with itching and burning will be presented in the full paper

Power transformer winding fault analysis using transfer function

Condition monitoring of power transformers is essential to maintain the reliability of electricity grid. Frequency response analysis (FRA) is a useful tool for the detection of incipient mechanical faults within power transformers. There are various methods of evaluating the frequency spectrum for fault classification and quantification. This paper presents a useful method to detect and to identify various winding faults of a power transformer based on its FRA signature. Simulation results show that location of resonance frequencies which are the key parameters in identifying various winding deformations are uniquely altered due to different faults

IP3 3-kinase opposes NGF driven neurite outgrowth.

The inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate 3-kinases comprise a family of enzymes (A, B, and C) that phosphorylate the calcium mobilising molecule inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate (IP(3)) to generate inositol (1,3,4,5) tetrakisphosphate. This molecule can function as a second messenger, but its roles are not completely understood. The A isoform of inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate 3-kinase localises to filamentous actin within dendritic spines in the hippocampus and is implicated in the regulation of spine morphology and long term potentiation, however the mechanisms through which it signals in neuronal cells are not completely understood. We have used NGF driven neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells as a platform to examine the impact of signaling via inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate 3-kinase activity in a neuronal cell. We have found that the catalytic activity of the enzyme opposes neurite outgrowth, whilst pharmacological inhibition of inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate 3-kinase leads to a significant increase in neurite outgrowth, and we show that the reduction in neurite outgrowth in response to inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate 3-kinase activity correlates with reduced ERK activity as determined by western blotting using phosphorylation-specific antibodies. Our findings suggest a novel neuronal signaling pathway linking metabolism of IP(3) to signaling via ERK

STABILITY INDICATING METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION FOR ESTIMATION OF DORIPENEM IN BULK AND IN SOLID DOSAGE FORM BY RP-HPLC

A robust and reliable high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) approach was developed and validated for the analysis of Doripenem in pharmaceutical dosage form. The method is characterised by its simplicity, selectivity, precision, and capacity to accurately determine the stability of Doripenem. The experimental setup included the use of a Hypersil BDS-C18 column (250 X 4.6 mm ID, 5 µm) as the stationary phase in a chromatographic system. The mobile phase consisted of a combination of methanol and potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate with a pH of 6.7, in a ratio of 20:80. The flow rate of the mobile phase was set at 1 ml/min. The detection of the eluents occurred at a wavelength of 290 nm. The observed retention time for Doripenem was 5.56 minutes. Doripenem underwent acid and alkali hydrolysis, oxidation, photochemical degradation, and heat degradation. The results obtained from the linear regression analysis of the calibration plot demonstrated a strong linear connection within the concentration range of 70 – 130 µg/ml, as shown by a correlation coefficient value of 0.9995. The methodology was assessed to determine its precision, accuracy, ruggedness, and robustness. The medication experiences deterioration when exposed to environments characterised by acidity, alkalinity, photochemical reactions, and thermal stress. The active medicinal component exhibited distinct retention periods for each of its degradation product peaks, indicating successful resolution. The approach's ability to successfully isolate the medication from its degradation products renders it suitable for use as a stability-indicating method

TRIPHALAGUDUCHYADI VATI WITH DIET AND LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY- A CASE REPORT

Childhood Obesity (Sthaulya) is one of the major non communicable diseases of the modern era, increasing in prevalence. Diet (Ahara) and life-style (Vihara) play significant role both in the development and control of obesity Sthaulya (obesity). As per Ayurveda texts, over consumption of energy dense foods along with sedentary lifestyle hampers the functioning of Medodhatvagni results in decrease fat metabolism hence causes obesity. So Triphalaguduchyadi Vati was chosen to break the etiopathogenesis of Sthaulya and to enhance the fat metabolism. A 16 year old, 11th standard, Hindu male child visited with parents to KB OPD, IPGTRA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, having chief complaint of progressive weight gain since 6-7 years. Triphalaguduchyadi Vati was intervened in appropriate dose for 8 weeks along with modified diet and lifestyle. Physical and laboratory assessments were done before and after the intervention. After 8 weeks of drug intervention, there was marked relief in symptoms, also there was significant decrease in physical and laboratory parameters. After reviewing, this case study it can be concluded that Triphalaguduchyadi Vati with modified diet and lifestyle is effective treatment regimen for Sthaulya in children

A Critical Review on Balachaturbhadra Churna: An Effective Ayurveda Formulation for the Pediatric Age

Balachaturbhadra Churna offers a multitude of health benefits for which it has become so poapular prescription by Kaumarbhritya practioners of Ayurveda. It is a combination of four drugs Musta, Pippali, Ativisha and Karkatashringi. This combination was first mentioned in Chakradatta and has been in practice since a millennium. Many queries have been raised on the usage of Aconite species of drugs recently, thus doubting the safety and efficacy of Balachaturbhadra Churna. Very few works have been published on Balachaturbhadra Churna till now. The aim of the present study was to compile and review such available references from classics and research works published on Balachaturbhadra Churna. Total five studies are published on Balachaturbhadra Churna, which revalidated the impact of classical guidelines. The research papers revealed standards of Quality Control and pharmacological efficacy of the drug. All the experimental studies revealed that Balachaturbhadra Churna is having no toxic hazards at very higher Dose levels, proving it safe for therapeutic use. Though certain limitations were observed in these researches, the results can be considered as a lead for further well stratified clinical studies

Endogenous, very small embryonic-like stem cells: Critical review, therapeutic potential and a look ahead

© The Author 2016. BACKGROUND: Both pluripotent very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were reported in 2006. In 2012, a Nobel Prize was awarded for iPS technology whereas even today the very existence of VSELs is not well accepted. The underlying reason is that VSELs exist in low numbers, remain dormant under homeostatic conditions, are very small in size and do not pellet down at 250-280g. The VSELs maintain life-long tissue homeostasis, serve as a backup pool for adult stem cells and are mobilized under stress conditions. An imbalance in VSELs function (uncontrolled proliferation) may result in cancer. SEARCH METHODS: The electronic database \u27Medline/Pubmed\u27 was systematically searched with the subject heading term \u27very small embryonic-like stem cells\u27. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: The most primitive stem cells that undergo asymmetric cell divisions to self-renew and give rise to progenitors still remain elusive in the hematopoietic system and testes, while the presence of stem cells in ovary is still being debated. We propose to review the available literature on VSELs, the methods of their isolation and characterization, their ontogeny, how they compare with embryonic stem (ES) cells, primordial germ cells (PGCs) and iPS cells, and their role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. The review includes a look ahead on how VSELs will result in paradigm shifts in basic reproductive biology. OUTCOMES: Adult tissue-specific stem cells including hematopoietic, spermatogonial, ovarian and mesenchymal stem cells have good proliferation potential and are indeed committed progenitors (with cytoplasmic OCT-4), which arise by asymmetric cell divisions of pluripotent VSELs (with nuclear OCT-4). VSELs are the most primitive stem cells and postulated to be an overlapping population with the PGCs. Rather than migrating only to the gonads, PGCs migrate and survive in various adult body organs throughout life as VSELs. VSELs express both pluripotent and PGC-specific markers and are epigenetically and developmentally more mature compared with ES cells obtained from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst-stage embryo. As a result, VSELs readily differentiate into three embryonic germ layers and spontaneously give rise to both sperm and oocytes in vitro. Like PGCs, VSELs do not divide readily in culture, nor produce teratoma or integrate in the developing embryo. But this property of being relatively quiescent allows endogenous VSELs to survive various kinds of toxic insults. VSELs that survive oncotherapy can be targeted to induce endogenous regeneration of non-functional gonads. Transplanting healthy niche (mesenchymal) cells have resulted in improved gonadal function and live births. WIDER IMPLICATIONS: Being quiescent, VSELs possibly do not accumulate genomic (nuclear or mitochondrial) mutations and thus may be ideal endogenous, pluripotent stem cell candidates for regenerative and reproductive medicine. The presence of VSELs in adult gonads and the fact that they survive oncotherapy may obviate the need to bank gonadal tissue for fertility preservation prior to oncotherapy. VSELs and their ability to undergo spermatogenesis/neo-oogenesis in the presence of a healthy niche will help identify newer strategies toward fertility restoration in cancer survivors, delaying menopause and also enabling aged mothers to have better quality eggs

Effect of feeding live Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC 15 and lactic fermented milk as probiotics on the performance of early weaned crossbred (Landrace × Desi) piglets

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of feeding live Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC 15 and lactic fermented milk (LFM) as probiotics on the performance of early weaned crossbred (Landrace × Desi) piglets. Crossbred (Landrace × Desi) piglets (36) weaned at 28 days were assigned to treatments T1, T2 and T3 (12) following completely randomized block design. Piglets were fed concentrate mixture as per standards consisting of maize, soyabean, wheat bran and fish meal as a major ingredients. Piglets of T1 were fed basal diet without probiotics, while T2 and T3 were fed basal diet fermented with L. acidophilus NCDC 15 (200g/day/piglet, 5.8×107 cfu/g) and curd (200g/day/piglet, 6.7×107 cfu/g), respectively, for 120 days. Supplementation of probiotics (L. acidophilus NCDC 15 and LFM) to piglet diet improved total feed intake and the net body weight gain as compared to control group. The carcass parameters like carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass length, back fat thickness and loin eye area was higher in L. acidophilus NCDC 15 and LFM supplemented groups as compared to control group where no probiotic was fed. Owing to the comparable affect of both the probiotics tested, it can be concluded that to improve the performance of the piglets, LFM (curd) can be used as probiotic