A clinical study in the management of Garbhini Chardi with Dhatripanaka w.s.r. to Emesis Gravidarum

Background: Health of pregnant women is of at most importance. A series of physiological and psychological changes happen in different stage of women, some of them may end in discomfort and trouble. Ayurveda classics have mentioned Garbhini Chardi as one among the Vyakta Garbha Lakshanas, which can be correlated with emesis gravidarum. Emesis gravidarum is a worldwide common obstetrical problem seen in the first trimester in about 50% of pregnant women. In this condition nausea and vomiting tend to be the start in the morning and frequently continue throughout the day. Altered hormonal and immunological states are considered responsible for the initiation of the manifestations which is probably aggravated by the neurological factors. For such physiological alteration, if proper care is not given, it may lead to complication like tiredness, weight loss, etc. which may affect mother and growing fetus. Aim: To analyze the efficacy of Dhatripanaka in the management of Garbhini Chardi with special reference to Emesis Gravidarum. Method: A randomized open labelled controlled clinical study of two groups consisting 15 patient each in control and trial group. Results: Dhatripanaka was found to be effective in all subjective and objective parameters. Conclusion: Dhatripanaka and Tab. Doxinate is equally effective in Garbhini Chardi w.s.r. Emesis Gravidarum

Chemopreventive Herbal Anti-Oxidants: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Cancer chemoprevention is fast becoming a lucrative approach for controlling cancer. Carcinogenesis being a complex multi-step, multi-factorial process, a number of chemopreventive interventions can be employed. These strategies are generally directed against two broad events of carcinogenesis viz., initiation and promotion/progression. Anti-initiation interventions principally involve inhibition of carcinogen activation, scavenging of free radicals and reactive carcinogen metabolites along with enhanced detoxification of carcinogens by modulating cellular metabolism. Anti-promotion strategies involve attenuation of enhanced cellular proliferation along with induction of cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Dietary agents or herbal anti-oxidants due to low toxicity and relative safety are promising chemopreventive agents. These agents after emerging successful through a series of in vitro and in vivo assays enter clinical trials. Many dietary compounds have emerged as promising chemopreventive agents in empirical experiments. However, in clinical trials these compounds have met with limited success. This emphasizes the need for further detailed research on the mechanisms of observed chemoprevention and choice, dose, duration and bioavailability of chemopreventive agent used. Complex issues such as choice and nutritional status of target population, genetic variation, gene-environment interactions and relevance of biomarkers analyzed also warrant further research and analyses

EFFECT OF SLIP VELOCITY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF A SHORT BEARING LUBRICATED WITH A MAGNETIC FLUID

This paper aims at analyzing the effect of velocity slip on the behavior of a magnetic fluid based infinitely short hydrodynamic slider bearing. Solving the Reynolds’ equation, the expression for pressure distribution is obtained. In turn, this leads to the calculation of the load carrying capacity. Further, the friction is also computed. It is observed that the magnetization paves the way for an overall improved performance of the bearing system. However the magnetic fluid lubricant fails to alter the friction. It is established that the slip parameter needs to be kept at minimum to achieve better performance of the bearing system, although the effect of the slip parameter on the load carrying capacity is in most situations, negligible. It is found that for large values of the aspect ratio, the effect of slip is increasingly significant. Of course, the aspect ratio plays a crucial role in this improved performance. Lastly, it is established that the bearing can support a load even in the absence of flow, which does not happen in the case of a conventional lubricant

Homelink Program Evaluation

Conducted on behalf of East Side Neighborhood Development Company. Supported by the East Side Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) program at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, University of Minnesota

EFFECT OF SLIP VELOCITY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF A SHORT BEARING LUBRICATED WITH A MAGNETIC FLUID

This paper aims at analyzing the effect of velocity slip on the behavior of a magnetic fluid based infinitely short hydrodynamic slider bearing. Solving the Reynolds’ equation, the expression for pressure distribution is obtained. In turn, this leads to the calculation of the load carrying capacity. Further, the friction is also computed. It is observed that the magnetization paves the way for an overall improved performance of the bearing system. However the magnetic fluid lubricant fails to alter the friction. It is established that the slip parameter needs to be kept at minimum to achieve better performance of the bearing system, although the effect of the slip parameter on the load carrying capacity is in most situations, negligible. It is found that for large values of the aspect ratio, the effect of slip is increasingly significant. Of course, the aspect ratio plays a crucial role in this improved performance. Lastly, it is established that the bearing can support a load even in the absence of flow, which does not happen in the case of a conventional lubricant

Haemodynamic effects of intrathecal dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine intraoperatively and for postoperative analgesia

Background: For lower abdomen and lower limb surgery, spinal anaesthesia is most common modality used in routine. This study was conducted on 50 ASA 1 and 2 planned for lower limb and lower abdomen surgery.Methods: 50 patients of ASA 1 and 2 scheduled for lower limb and lower abdominal surgery were selected. Each patient received 4 milliliter volume of 0.75% isobaric ropivacaine + 5 microgram dexmedetomidine. At the intervals of 1 minute, 2 minute, 5 minute, 10 minute, 20 minute, 30 minute and 1 hour, 2 hour and 3 hour reading of pulse rate and blood pressure were recorded. Postoperatively, pain scores were recorded by using Visual Analogue Scale.Results: There were no significant changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after induction. The combination of ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine provided better postoperative analgesia and reduced requirement of diclofenac injection in first 24 hour.Conclusions: The patients showed excellent hemodynamic stability and postoperative analgesia to ropivacaine + dexmedetomidine. Thus it is a safe modality for lower limb and lower abdomen surgery as far as haemodynamic effects and postoperative analgesia is concerned

ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SHATAVARIN IV FROM ROOT OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS WILLD

Objective: To develop a method for the isolation of the steroidal saponin Shatavarin IV from the root of Asparagus racemosus Willd.Methods: Powder of Asparagus racemosus dried roots were defatted with hexane and extracted with methanol. The methanolic extract was used for isolation of pure compound by column chromatography. Isolated compound was identified by melting point analysis, IR and Mass spectroscopic analysis. Purity was checked by High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC).Results: The highest yield of Shatavarin IV was obtained 401.1 mg from 250 g crude powder and highest purity was achieved 66% of lower atmospheric temperature (17-22 °C).Conclusion: Shatavarin IV isolation using column chromatography was affected with the change in atmospheric temperature. Maximum yield was obtained at the lower temperature i.e. 17-22 °C, whereas at higher temperature the Shatavarin IV showed degradation in purity and yield.Â

Classification of Chest X-ray Images using CNN for Medical Decision Support System

X-rays are a crucial tool used by healthcare professionals to diagnose a range of medical conditions. However, it is important to keep in mind that a timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective patient management and treatment. While chest X-rays can provide highly precise anatomical data, manual interpretation of the images can be time-consuming and prone to errors, which can lead to delays or incorrect diagnoses. To address these issues, healthcare systems have taken steps to improve diagnostic imaging services following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While deep learning-based automated systems for classifying chest X-rays have shown promise, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed before they can be widely used in clinical settings, including the lack of comprehensive and high-quality datasets. To overcome these limitations, a real-time DICOM dataset, has been converted to JPEG format to increase processing speed and improve data control. Three pre-trained models and a convolutional neural network (CNN) model with low complexity and three convolutional layers for feature extraction, along with max pooling layers and ReLU and Softmax activation functions have been implemented. With an validation accuracy of 95.05% on their CNN model using the SGD optimizer, the result has been validated using a separate, real-time unlabeled DICOM dataset of 1000 X-ray images

Repurposing screen identifies mebendazole as a clinical candidate to synergise with docetaxel for prostate cancer treatment

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel chemotherapy in prostate cancer has a modest impact on survival. To date, efforts to develop combination therapies have not translated into new treatments. We sought to develop a novel therapeutic strategy to tackle chemoresistant prostate cancer by enhancing the efficacy of docetaxel. METHODS: We performed a drug-repurposing screen by using murine-derived prostate cancer cell lines driven by clinically relevant genotypes. Cells were treated with docetaxel alone, or in combination with drugs (n = 857) from repurposing libraries, with cytotoxicity quantified using High Content Imaging Analysis. RESULTS: Mebendazole (an anthelmintic drug that inhibits microtubule assembly) was selected as the lead drug and shown to potently synergise docetaxel-mediated cell killing in vitro and in vivo. Dual targeting of the microtubule structure was associated with increased G2/M mitotic block and enhanced cell death. Strikingly, following combined docetaxel and mebendazole treatment, no cells divided correctly, forming multipolar spindles that resulted in aneuploid daughter cells. Liposomes entrapping docetaxel and mebendazole suppressed in vivo prostate tumour growth and extended progression-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Docetaxel and mebendazole target distinct aspects of the microtubule dynamics, leading to increased apoptosis and reduced tumour growth. Our data support a new concept of combined mebendazole/docetaxel treatment that warrants further clinical evaluation

“It is like a mind attack”: stress and coping among urban school-going adolescents in India

Background Mental health problems are leading contributors to the global disease burden in adolescents. This study aims to highlight (1) salient context-specific factors that influence stress and coping among school-going adolescents across two urban sites in India; and (2) potential targets for preventing mental health difficulties. Methods Focus group discussions were undertaken with a large sample of 191 school-going adolescent boys and girls aged 11–17 years (mean = 14 years), recruited from low- and middle-income communities in the predominantly urban states of Goa and Delhi. Framework analysis was used to identify themes related to causes of stress, stress reactions, impacts and coping strategies. Results Proximal social environments (home, school, peers and neighborhood) played a major role in causing stress in adolescents’ daily lives. Salient social stressors included academic pressure, difficulties in romantic relationships, negotiating parental and peer influences, and exposure to violence and other threats to personal safety. Additionally, girls highlighted stress from having to conform to normative gender roles and in managing the risk of sexual harassment, especially in Delhi. Anger, rumination and loss of concentration were commonly experienced stress reactions. Adolescents primarily used emotion-focused coping strategies (e.g., distraction, escape-avoidance, emotional support seeking). Problem-focused coping (e.g., instrumental support seeking) was less common. Examples of harmful coping (e.g., substance use) were also reported. Conclusions The development of culturally sensitive and age-appropriate psychosocial interventions for distressed adolescents should attend to the challenges posed by home, school, peer and neighborhood environments. Enhancements to problem- and emotion-focused strategies are needed in order to bolster adolescents’ repertoire of adaptive coping skills in stressful social environments