Carbon Sequestration Potential of Pasture-Based Systems Along an Altitudinal Gradient in the North-Western Himalayas

The present investigation was carried out in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh (India) to identify the pasture-based land use systems being practiced by farmers and to find out their carbon sequestration potential along different altitudes. For carrying out the study, the area was divided into four altitudinal ranges viz., zone-I (\u3c1000 m amsl), zone-II (1000-1500 m amsl), zone-III (1500- 2500 m amsl) and zone-IV (\u3e 2500 m amsl), according to agro-ecological zones in the state. Results revealed that the pasture-based systems practiced by the farmers in the altitudinal zone-I and zone-II were silvo-pasture and pastoral-silviculture, while, at altitudinal zone-III and zone-IV, the pasture-based systems being practiced were pastoral-silviculture and horti-pastoral depending upon the composition of the components. The aboveground biomass was found ranging between 27.78- 38.18 Mg ha-1 among different pasture-based land use systems with maximum aboveground biomass under silvo-pasture system and minimum under pastoral-silviculture. Along altitudinal gradient, aboveground biomass was found to have been increased with values varying between 29.09- 34.12 Mg ha-1 . Belowground biomass ranged between 6.93- 9.80 Mg ha-1 in different systems under consideration and generally showed increasing trend with increasing altitude. Overall biological productivity was found to be highest under silvo-pasture system followed by horti-pastoral and pastoral-silviculture system. Being biologically most productive, silvopasture system stored maximum carbon stock and ultimately sequestered more carbon as compared to the other systems. The estimated vegetation carbon sequestration potential of the pasture-based systems was 63.71- 88.06 Mg ha-1 , while, along altitude the carbon sequestration potential varied from 67.14- 78.62 Mg ha-1 showing increasing trend with altitude

Fracture neck of femur treated with hemiarthroplasty and cannulated cancellous screw fixation: a comparative study

Background: Intracapsular fracture neck of femur has always presented great challenges to every Orthopaedic surgeons and it is remain a mystery whether to fix or to replace the fracture in the elderly. The aim of the study was to analyze the functional outcome of two widely used and accepted modalities of treatment in the age group 57-75 years, in Garden’s type I and II fractures, namely (a) cannulated cancellous screw fixation(internal fixation) and (b) modular bipolar prosthetic replacement of the femoral head (hemiarthroplasty).Methods: The total 110 patients were including in the study from age groups 57-75 (mean age 66). The Garden classification of fracture neck of femur was used to evaluate the displacement of femoral neck fractures. Only grade 1 and 2 was included in the study. 55 patients were included in each group A and B. Osteosynthesis (fracture fixation) was carried out by closed reduction and insertion of cannulated cancellous screw and in other group hemiarthroplasty was done.Results: In group A 55 patient with fracture neck of femur was treated by osteosynthesis i.e. fixation using 02 or 03 cannulated cancellous screw and in group B, 55 patients with fracture neck of femur was treated by modular bipolar replacement hemiarthroplasty. In Group A out of 55, 41 patients union was achieved between 08 to 14 months (mean 11.5 month), 09 patients developed non-union even after 16 months and 05 patients develop collapse of head with AVN with shortening at end of 02 year, however in Group B out of 55 patients 51 patients started walking after 2nd postoperative days, 02 patients developed infection, and 02 patients developed posterior dislocation.Conclusions: The fracture fixation may be tempting for fracture neck femur in age group 57-75 especially of Garden Type I but internal fixation put risk of non-union and AVN and second surgery may be required after few months or years  if patients survive. Based on results in our study we therefore can conclude that in Garden Type I and II femur neck fractures in the patients between 57-75 years of age, hemiarthroplasty is the better modality of treatment

A Review on “Churg-Strauss Vasculitisâ€Â

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a systemic disorder characterized by asthma, transient pulmonary infiltrates, hypereosinophilia, and systemic vasculitis. Eosinophilicvasculitis may involve multiple organ systems, including the lungs, heart, skin, gastrointestinal tract and nervous system. Thus allergy and angiitis are the two hallmarks of CSS. Conditions in the differential diagnosis of CSS include Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), drug reactions, bronchocentricgranulomatosis, eosinophilic granuloma, fungal and parasitic infections, and malignancy. Onset typically occurs in patients aged from 15 to 70 years.On presentation, patients often have pulmonary infiltrates on chest x-ray, but they may also have sinusitis, neuropathy, constitutional symptoms, or gastrointestinal or cardiac manifestations. It is important to establish a tissue diagnosis by biopsy and exclude other diseases in the differential diagnosis of CSS because treatment differs significantly from that of other eosinophilic lung diseases. Untreated, CSS may have a dire prognosis, but treatment with corticosteroids or cytotoxic agents, or both,usually results in clinical remission. Although the exact etiology of CSS is unknown, this syndrome is likely believed to represent an autoimmune process because of the prominence of allergic features and the presence of immune complexes, heightened T-cell immunity and altered humoral immunity, as shown by elevated immunoglobulin (Ig) E and rheumatoid factor. Treatment consists of glucocorticoid (GC)-monotherapy, data on outcome and affectivity is lacking on other immunosuppressive regimens such as cyclophosphamide (CP) or GC plus CP. Treatment with INF-alpha has been effective in patients refractory to GC plus CP

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF ECZEMA (VICHARCHIKA) - A REVIEW

In the Ayurvedic text all skin diseases were included under the Kushtarog. Which is classified in two divisions i.e. Mahakushta and Kshudrakushta. Vicharchika is described under Kshudrakushta. The clinical presentation of Vicharchika similar to Eczema in modern dermatology. Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis) is characterized by dry itchy skin with areas of poorly demarcated erythema and scale. In the acute phase eczema may be vesicular and oozing, in the chronic phase it may become hyperpigmented and lichenified (thickened). Excoriations (scratch marks) are frequently seen. The modern science has greatly advanced, particularly in dermatology but there is no specific medicaments for sure cure of eczema but symptomatic treatments like steroids are used, but they produce serious side effects like nephrotoxicity, osteoporosis, skin cancer etc. Modern pharmacology whole body. It brings a balance of body, mind and spirit. Ayurveda believes that All Dosha in balance is essential for well-being. offers treatment for the symptom of eczema. However, it does not provide treatment for the root. Therefore, recurrence is very common. Ayurveda offers treatment for the root of eczema by cleansing vitiated Dosha and balancing the Dosha and Dhatus

Evolving role of platelet function testing in coronary artery interventions

The substantial reduction in ischemic events provided by the dual antiplatelet regimen with aspirin and clopidogrel is well documented in patients with acute coronary syndrome and patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Recently the variable response to the antiplatelet agents has received considerable attention after several “boxed warnings” on clopidogrel. This led to intense controversy on pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacogenomic issues of antiplatelet drugs, especially clopidogrel. Research use of platelet function testing has been successfully validated in identifying new antiplatelet drugs like prasugrel and ticagrelor. These platelet function assays are no longer regarded just as a laboratory phenomenon but rather as tools that have been shown to predict mortality in several clinical trials. It is believed that suboptimal response to an antiplatelet regimen (pharmacodynamic effect) may be associated with cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral arterial events. There has been intense controversy about this variable response of antiplatelet drugs and the role of platelet function testing to guide antiplatelet therapy. While the importance of routine platelet function testing may be uncertain, it may be useful in high-risk patients such as those with diabetes mellitus, diffuse three vessels coronary artery disease, left main stenosis, diffuse atherosclerotic disease, and those with chronic renal failure undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. It could also be useful in patients with suspected pharmacodynamic interaction with other drugs to assure the adequacy of platelet inhibition. While we wait for definitive trials, a predictive prognostic algorithm is necessary to individualize antiplatelet therapy with P2Y12 inhibitors based on platelet function assays and genetic testing

A Review on Formulation and Evaluation of Gastroretentive Floating Tablet of Nifedipin

Different mass transport processes may occur during drug release from polymer-based matrix tablets, including water imbibition into the system, polymer swelling, drug dissolution, drug diffusion out of the tablet, and polymer dissolution. Depending on the type of drug, polymer and release medium and on the tablet composition, the respective processes are more or less important. Velasco et al.24 reported that the rate and mechanism of nifidipine release from HPMC K15M-based matrices were mainly controlled by the drug/ HPMC ratio, and that drug release was independent of the compression force in the range between 3 and 12 kN. The effects of the two formulation variables ‘‘HPMC/ lactose ratio’’ and ‘‘HPMC viscosity grade’’ on the release of adinazolam mesylate from cylindrical tablets was studied by Sung et al. The resulting drug release rate was found to increase with decreasing ‘‘HPMC/ lactose ratio’’ and decreasing ‘‘HPMC viscosity grade Keywords: HPMC, Floating tablet, Gastroretentive, Gastric residence

The interaction between clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors (PPI): is there any clinical relevance?

The potential interaction between clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) raises serious concerns for cardiologists. However, in patients on this combination of drugs, there is no conclusive evidence of an increase in adverse cardiovascular events. From pharmacologic and pharmacodynamic perspectives, there is a real interaction between clopidogrel and PPIs because of the competitive inhibition of CYP2C19 isoenzyme which is required for biotransformation of clopidogrel to its active metabolite. The consequent decrease in the availability of this active metabolite leads to attenuation of antiplatelet efficacy of clopidogrel. In several observational trials, it was shown that decreased antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel due to PPIs may translate into poor cardiovascular outcomes. However, an incomplete RCT (COGENT) and a post hoc analysis of two large trials (PRINCIPLE-TIMI 44 and TRITON-TIMI 38 trial) showed no significant adverse cardiovascular events with this combination. Caution is however needed in patients who are hypometabolizers of clopidogrel putting them at a higher risk of adverse coronary events. Since 3% of patients are likely to be hypometabolizers of clopidogrel, routine combination of clopidogrel and PPIs should be avoided. There is a heightened awareness of this interaction following multiple advisory warnings. At the same time, one should not withhold PPIs in patients who are at a high risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. In these patients, selected choices of PPI such as pantoprazole may be helpful and for low risk patients, serious consideration should be given to H2 receptor antagonists or antacids. Therefore, while not compromising the cardioprotective effect of antiplatelet agents, the gastroprotective benefit of PPI should be strongly considered in patients who need both. Health care providers should remain alert to more outcome data. Future researchers will need to demonstrate the safety of coadministration of PPIs and clopidogrel and trials should be powered to detect major adverse cardiovascular events and facilitate risk stratification based on genetic polymorphism