Assessment of safety and efficacy of a dietary supplement KaraLiv™ in supporting liver health: a double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial

Background: The liver is responsible for many critical functions within the body. If the liver becomes diseased or injured, loss of those critical functions can cause significant damage to the body. KaraLivTM is a novel herbal formulation which contains a blend of different herbal extract ingredients. The current study tested the safety and efficacy of KaraLivTM versus a placebo control in supporting liver function.Methods: The study is a randomized, double-blind, parallel, and placebo-controlled study. A total of 60 patients were divided into 2 groups of 30 each. One group was given KaraLivTM and the other group was given a placebo for a period of 56 days. Treatment results were assessed by evaluating the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in both groups.Results: The herbal supplement KaraLivTM significantly supported healthy liver function compared to the placebo following the 56 days of treatment. The treatment (KaraLivTM) group showed a statistically significant improvement in assessed liver enzyme levels compared to the placebo group.Conclusions: The all-natural herbal supplement KaraLivTM is a safe and effective product that can significantly help support healthy liver function

Osteoporos Int

SummaryThe aim was to meta-analyze randomized controlled trials of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fracture prevention. Meta-analysis showed a significant 15\uc2\ua0% reduced risk of total fractures (summary relative risk estimate [SRRE], 0.85; 95\uc2\ua0% confidence interval [CI], 0.73\ue2\u20ac\u201c0.98) and a 30\uc2\ua0% reduced risk of hip fractures (SRRE, 0.70; 95\uc2\ua0% CI, 0.56\ue2\u20ac\u201c0.87).IntroductionCalcium plus vitamin D supplementation has been widely recommended to prevent osteoporosis and subsequent fractures; however, considerable controversy exists regarding the association of such supplementation and fracture risk. The aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [RCTs] of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fracture prevention in adults.MethodsA PubMed literature search was conducted for the period from July 1, 2011 through July 31, 2015. RCTs reporting the effect of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation on fracture incidence were selected from English-language studies. Qualitative and quantitative information was extracted; random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to generate summary relative risk estimates (SRREs) for total and hip fractures. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran\ue2\u20ac\u2122s Q test and the I2 statistic, and potential for publication bias was assessed.ResultsOf the citations retrieved, eight studies including 30,970 participants met criteria for inclusion in the primary analysis, reporting 195 hip fractures and 2231 total fractures. Meta-analysis of all studies showed that calcium plus vitamin D supplementation produced a statistically significant 15\uc2\ua0% reduced risk of total fractures (SRRE, 0.85; 95\uc2\ua0% confidence interval [CI], 0.73\ue2\u20ac\u201c0.98) and a 30\uc2\ua0% reduced risk of hip fractures (SRRE, 0.70; 95\uc2\ua0% CI, 0.56\ue2\u20ac\u201c0.87). Numerous sensitivity and subgroup analyses produced similar summary associations. A limitation is that this study utilized data from subgroup analysis of the Women\ue2\u20ac\u2122s Health Initiative.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis of RCTs supports the use of calcium plus vitamin D supplements as an intervention for fracture risk reduction in both community-dwelling and institutionalized middle-aged to older adults.2015-10-28T00:00:00Z26510847PMC471583

A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study to evaluate efficacy and safety of a synergistic multi-herbal extract blend KaraHeart™ in supporting healthy cholesterol levels

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a condition involving abnormally high levels of lipids in the blood. Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and refers to either high levels of triglycerides (TGL) or cholesterol. Herbal supplements have been used in the management of cholesterol levels in Ayurveda, a complete medical system originating in India. KaraHeart™ is a multi-herbal extract synergistic blend that may help in the management of healthy cholesterol levels. The current study tested the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of KaraHeart™ versus a placebo in the management of cholesterol levels of patients with mild hyperlipidemia.Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel, and placebo-controlled study. A total of 100 patients were divided into two groups. One group was given KaraHeart™ and the other group was given a placebo for 120 days. Treatment results were assessed by checking the lipid profile parameters such as total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and TGL.Results: The study found that the herbal supplement KaraHeart™ significantly reduced levels of LDL, VLDL, TGL, and total cholesterol, while increasing the levels of HDL in the blood. Additionally, the study concluded that KaraHeart™ was safe to use.Conclusions: KaraHeart™ was shown to be safe and effective in the management of cholesterol levels

Embodiment as a means for scaffolding young childrenʼs social skill acquisition

In this paper, we discuss the notion of embodiment in the context of the ECHOES project, which aims at developing a multi-modal interactive environment for scaffolding young typically developing (TD) children and children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) in acquiring social interaction skills. Whilst, our approach to embodiment is in line with the current HCI trends, the pedagogical nature of ECHOES and the specific target users pose unusual challenges to the design and implementation of embodied interaction

Temporally variable recurrence regimes of mega-tsunamis in the 6500 years prior to the 2004 Indian Ocean event

The analyses of cores retrieved from three sites near Port Blair (South Andaman) revealed out-of-sequence deposits at various depths. They are identified as previous episodes of tsunami by their sediment characteristics and microfossil content, using the 2004 event deposition as a template. These deposits have median ages of 601 cal. yr BP, 837 cal. yr BP, 1440 cal. yr BP, 3018 cal. yr BP, 3591 cal. yr BP, 4712 cal. yr BP, 5607 cal. yr BP, and 6357 cal. yr BP and are chronologically equivalent of those from the far-field locations in the Indian Ocean region. The distant deposits that are correlated with the South Andaman sites most likely owe their origin to the 2004-type events, as indicated by tsunami simulations in the study region. The long-term record presented here is characterized by an early phase of a quasiperiodic recurrence regime that transitions into a distinct interval of temporally clustered events. The quasiperiodic regime that appears around the mid-Holocene with an inter-event interval of 980 ± 385 years is followed by a sizable quiescent period of 1605 ± 245 years, before being succeeded by a regime of temporally clustered events. The chronology of nine tsunami events in the last 6500 years from the Indian Ocean region, thus implies a nonlinear pattern for the causative earthquakes. As demonstrated in the subduction zones elsewhere, the temporal variability of tsunamigenic great earthquakes is supported by the theoretical models espousing the characteristics of long-term stress recycling processes active within the subduction zones and transfer processes between the lower viscoelastic layer and the upper seismogenic crust

Ethnomedicinal Plants of Sirumalai Hills of Dindigul District, Tamilnadu, India

The present investigation is an attempt to an ethnomedicinal plants survey was carried out in Sirumalai Hills, Dindigul district, Tamilnadu, for the exploration of various ailments herbal remedies. They routine use 40 medicinal plants for the treatment of several disease either in single or in combination with some other ingredients. The information on correct botanical identities with family, local name and traditional practice of 40 plant species belonging of 27 families are discussed here for the treatment of various illnesses

A Combined Dual Leader and Relay Node Selection for Markov Cluster Based WSN Routing Protocol

The major challenge in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is to increase the node’s lifespan and decrease energy utilization. To avoid this issue, many Clustering Routing Protocols (CRPs) have been developed, where Cluster Head (CH) in each cluster accumulates the data from each other node and transfers it to the sink through Relay Nodes (RNs). But both CHs and RNs dissipate more energy to aggregate and transfer data. As a result, it is vital to choose the appropriate CHs and RNs concurrently to reduce energy utilization. Hence, this article proposes a Weighted Markov Clustering with Dual Leader and Relay node Selection based CRP (WMCL-DLRS-CRP) in WSNs. This protocol aims to lessen energy dissipation during inter- and intra-cluster communication. Initially, a Markov Clustering (MCL) algorithm is applied by the sink to create nodes into clusters based on a threshold distance. Then, a dual leader selection scheme is proposed to elect dual CHs in each cluster according to the node weighting factor that considers the node’s remaining energy, the distance between CHs and sink, the distance among all nodes, and abundance. Also, an RN selection scheme is proposed to choose the appropriate RNs based on a new Predicted Transmission Rate (PTR) factor. Moreover, the elected RNs transfer the data from the CHs to the sink, resulting in a tradeoff between the node’s energy utilization and lifetime. At last, extensive simulations illustrate that the WMCL-DLRS-CRP achieves better network performance compared to the existing protocols

Ethnomedicinal Survey of Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Diabetes and Jaundice Among the Villagers of Sivagangai District, Tamilnadu

The present study revealed that totally 12 and 10 modes of treatment were followed by the rural people of Sivagangai district to cure diabetes and jaundice respectively. The rural people of the study area were used 17 plants for diabetes and 12 for jaundice. Among them, 6 plants viz., Azadirachta indica, Carum nothum, Cynodon dactylon, Lablab purpureus, Momordica charantia and Phyllanthus amarus were used to cure both diabetes and jaundice. The plants were used either separately or in combination with other plants. These ethnomedicinal data may provide a base to start the search the new compounds related to phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacognosy. Attention should also be made on proper exploitation and utilization of these medicinal plants

The Role of Soft skills in Empowering Fresh Engineering Graduates in India

Soft Skills are personal attributes that enables one to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. During campus recruitment process students with high grades fail to get a job due to poor soft skills. NASSCOM-McKinsey report (2005), states that only 25% of technical students and 10-15% of the general graduates in India are employable. In the recent past the awareness regarding soft skill has increased but the studentrsquos attitude and efforts to imbibe these qualities hasnrsquot.nbspConsidering the above facts it is high time that the present generation should change their attitude towards imbibing soft skills in their daily life. The growing population, increasing number of engineering colleges across the country, shrinking number of job opportunities and volatile market conditions will only add further burden to our younger generation.nbs

Safety and Clinical evaluation of siddha drug Poonaikali Vithai Chooranam in the treatment of Aan Maladu (Male Infertility)

In developing country like India, one in every four couples found to be affected by infertility. In 2010 almost 50 million couples world wide unable to have a child after five years of marriage. Infertility rate has hardly changed over the past 20 years. The global health community has made great success in improving the infertility care in the past decade. Infertility can lead to distress and depression as well as discrimination and ostracism. infertility can be caused by poor sexual life style habits that are easily remedied. Heavy usage of alcohol, tobacco drugs, tight underwares or pants which raise the scrotal temperature and reduce the sperm count. Infections play an vital role in male infertility that block the ducts through which the sperm travels. Exposure to metals such as lead, chemical and pesticide plays a major role in male infertility.Auto immunity in which antibodies or cells of the human immune system attack sperm cells mistaking them as toxic invaders. Now a days male infertility treatment is a challenging task. In recent years siddha system of medicine have bloomed up in treating male infertility with high success rate. The main aim of this study is to document the effectiveness of siddha medicine poonaikali vithai choornam (Internal medicine) in the management of AANMALADU (Male infertility). The objective of this study is the Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Preclinical studies consist standardisation and safety of the study of drug.Clinical studies conducted in 40 cases. The raw drug were purchased from reputed country medical shop in Chennai and drug authentication by Botanical of NIS. The drug was prepared as per standard operating procedure mentioned in the siddha literature in Gunapadam laboratory of National Institute of Siddha. The standardization of study drug was carried out in the Biochemistry lab of NIS. It revealed the presence of chloride, fluoride, carbonate with the study drug. The preclinical toxicity studies (Acute and repeated oral 28 days toxicity) for the above said study drug was conducted at Pharmacology laboratory, C.L.Baid Metha college (IAEC NO: IAEC/XLIX/13/CLBMCP/2016). The study drug was found to the usage as per the data generated from the studies. The histopathological studies did not reveal any abnormalities in the animals in both control and test group revealed that the drug was non-toxic. The clinical study was conducted with a well defined protocol and a proper proforma after getting the approval of the Institutional Ethical Committee. (IEC NO:NIS/IEC/9/2014-15/7-26.08.2015. The study data were registered in CTRI ( Clinical Triall Registry of India) with ID NO: CTRI/2016/07/011882. After screening 60 cases study based on the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria reporting at the OPD of Maruthuvam, 40 cases were selected for induction to the study. Before enrolment into the trial the informed consent was obtained from the patients. The aim of the study is to increase the sperm count and sperm motility in male infertility patients. The duration of administration of study drug 48 days. The study drug dose was 6grams twice a daily with cow ghee. Before Starting the treatment semen analysis, routine blood and urine examination were taken in all 40 patients. Siddha methods like three Humor, Thegi, Kosangal, udal thathukkal, Envagai thervu, neeikuri, nerkuri and buoyancy of Semen on water were analysed in all 40 Cases.Out of 40 Patients 30 Patients Presence with following Symptoms Premature ejaculation, Erectile dysfunction, Painful micturition, Nocturnal emission.The remaining 10 Patients were symptoms free but their clinical lab semen analysis report showed low sperm count and motility problem with The entire details were noted in the selection proforma. Patients were instructed to come for clinical once in 12 days. They were also instructed to bring back the unconsumed drug during the next visit and return the same.In every visit the clinical assessment was made. At the end of the treatment reduction of clinical symptoms and improvement in clinical lab para meters (Sperm count and motility)in all the 40 patients. Improvement in the Sperm count with in 5 million and more than 5 to 10 million were report in cases each 5%. More than 11 to 20 million was found in cases 10%. More than 21 to 30 million was found in 20% of cases. More than 30 million was reported in 60% of cases. Improvement in the active motility with the range of 50%-70% in 24% of cases. 50%-60% in 41% of cases. 50% in 10% of cases. Less than 50% in 25% of cases were observed. 30patients complaining regarding secondary sexual characters showed improvement. 18 patients attained the stage of fertilization. After the treatment no side effects were noted. The cost of medicine is comparatively low. The ingredients were easily available and the rural people will be benefited more. I have concluded the siddha medicine Poonaikali vithai choornam was effective in treatment of ―Aan maladu‖ (Male infertility especially oligospermia and asthenozoospermia)