A CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF SAINDHAVADI TAILA MATRA VASTI IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AMAVATA W.S.R. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

  Objective: The objective of the study is to find the efficacy of Saindhavadi Taila Matra Vasti in the management of Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis [RA]).Methods: For the present clinical study 15 patients of Amavata (RA) were registered from the Outpatient Department, PG Department of Kayachikitsa, Rishikul Campus, Haridwar. Saindhavadi Taila Matra Vasti was given 60 ml once daily for 8 days, followed by an interval of 7 days. Again Vasti was given once daily for 8 days followed by gap of 7 days. Same cycle was repeated next month. Assessment of the patients was done on the basis of subjective, objective, and functional parameters at the interval of 15 days.Results: Statistically significant result was found in subjective parameters such as pain intensity, Sandhishotha, Gaurav, Apaka (p<0.01 in each), Jwara, Aruchi, and Utsahahani (p<0.05 in each). Statistically non-significant result was found in all the functional parameters (p>0.05), that is, in grip strength, foot pressure, and goniometry. In biochemical parameters, statistically significant result was found in erythrocyte sedimentation rate only (p<0.05). Although non-significant result was found in other biochemical parameters such as hemoglobin, RA factor, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, the mean scores of RA factor and CRP were reduced from 48.7 IU/ml and 10.4 mg/L before treatment to 25.8 IU/ml, 8.2 mg/L after treatment, respectively.Conclusion: In the clinical study, patients got symptomatic relief in many of the complaints but no significant result was found in functional parameters and most of the biochemical parameters. Thus, it can be concluded that Saindhavadi Taila Matra Vasti alone is effective in mild-to-moderate cases of Amavata (RA) and in severe cases it can be used along with oral Ayurvedic formulations for better results

Dimensional tradeoffs in the perception of complex tone sequences

This paper reviews a study of four complex tones and sound perception among the tones

Claudin Family of Proteins and Cancer: An Overview

Tight junctions are the apical cell-cell adhesion that regulate paracellular permeability and are critical for epithelial cell polarity. Molecular architecture of tight junction has been studied extensively, which has confirmed that claudin family of proteins is integral component of tight junction. Loss of cell-cell adhesion is central to the cellular transformation and acquisition of metastatic potential; however, the role of claudin family of proteins play in a series of pathophysiological events, including human carcinoma development, is only now beginning to be understood. Several claudin mouse knockout models have been generated and the diversity of phenotypes observed clearly demonstrates their important roles in the maintenance of tissue integrity in various organs and suggest that claudins also participate in cellular contexts other than tight junctions. The mechanisms of claudin regulation and their exact roles in normal physiology and disease are being elucidated, but much work remains to be done. In this review, we have discussed the conceptual framework concerning claudins and their potential implication in cancer. We predict that next several years will likely witness a boom in our understanding of the potential role of claudins in the regulation of tumorigenesis, which may, in turn, provide new approaches for the targeted therapy

21st-century competencies in engineering education: initiation, evolution, current, and now whither to

The fibre of engineering education has evolved from knowledge to competencies. This is a logical consequence of the technologically advanced and multifaceted learning environment where engineers are expected to be technically acute along with a set of essential non-technical competencies. This change is referred to as a ‘paradigm shift’ in engineering education. Hence, the vision of learning is to immerse a progressive, learner-centric, and competency-based learning environment to face the uncertainties of the 21st century. There are various ways to improve the performance of learners by implementing the available competency frameworks, but the need is to initiate a set of essential competencies according to their nature and purpose that can endure across disciplines. In this paper, the evolution of competencies from the essential to the necessary is reviewed. Finally, the benefits of these competencies in relation to the performance of the engineers are discussed in detail through semi-structured interviews conducted with the engineers. MAXQDA, a qualitative data analysis tool, is used to analyse the data. The findings will help the engineers in grooming their competencies according to the industries

Perceptual correlates of spectral changes in complex tones

This paper reviews a study of tonal precepts such as pitch and timbre as a means of facilitating auditory discrimination tasks

Packing directed beneficial role of 3-D rigid alicyclic arms on the templated molecular aggregation problem

Subtle changes in molecular structure have been used to alter the molecular packing and optical properties of organic luminophores. Thus it is important to study simple and advantageous structural modification to overcome limitations of aggregation quenching of fluorescence. Planar conjugated organic compounds are unlikely to be used in OLED devices as they suffer with luminescence weakening due to pi-pi cofacial stacking and excimer formation in the solid state. To avoid such critical issues, doped device architecture for OLED devices has widely been adopted which actually complicates the device fabrication process. Thus an approach for delimiting these drawbacks using simple methodologies is highly desirable for cost effective OLED device fabrication. In this context, two 3-dimensional rigid arms have been introduced into a planar benzo[h]chromen-2-one core, which suffers from aggregation caused quenching, as peripheral substituents to tune the molecular packing and subsequently their optical properties. The resultant compounds 1 and 2 have been tested for non-doped and doped OLED device application. Compound 1 was found to be highly thermally stable with a decomposition temperature of 344 degrees C. Single crystal XRD studies helped to elucidate that voluminous ring substituents are capable of eradicating co-facial pi-pi stacking by increasing the intermolecular distance and hence the luminescence in the solid state could be regenerated. This tuning of intermolecular distance between molecules helped to mitigate the close packed arrangement at a molecular level and also provided the bulk with the enhanced emission property. Electroluminescence from a pristine layer of compound 1 was possible. Thus an approach enabling planar luminophores to be used in OLED applications utilizing thin films of structurally engineered luminophores has been presented

Obesity-induces Organ and Tissue Specific Tight Junction Restructuring and Barrier Deregulation by Claudin Switching

Obesity increases susceptibility to multiple organ disorders, however, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The subclinical inflammation assisted by obesity-induced gut permeability may underlie obesity-associated co-morbidities. Despite eminent clinical significance of the obesity led gut barrier abnormalities, its precise molecular regulation remains unclear. It is also unknown whether barrier deregulations, similar to the gut, characterize other vital organs in obese individuals. The claudin family of proteins is integral to the tight junction (TJ), the apical cell-cell adhesion and a key regulator of the epithelial barrier. Using comprehensive physiological and biochemical analysis of intestinal and renal tissues from high-fat diet fed mice, critical for maintaining metabolic homeostasis, this study demonstrates that profound TJ-restructuring by organ and tissue-specific claudin switching characterize obese organs. Protein expression and cellular distribution were examined. In-silico analysis further highlighted potential association of select claudins, modulated by the obesity, with signaling and metabolic pathways of pathological significance. In vitro studies using Leptin or DCA-treatment suggested causal significance of obesity-induced changes in tissue microenvironment in regulating barrier deregulations in tissue-specific manner. Overall, current findings advances our understanding of the molecular undertakings of obesity associated changes that help predispose to specific diseases and also identifies novel windows of preventive and/or therapeutic interventions

Updates in Pharmacogenetics of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Though significant clinical advances have been made, lung cancer remains the most lethal, with a low 5-year survival rate. The variability in patient response towards therapy is substantial and is associated with lung cancer’s genomic landscape. Pharmacogenetic studies have deciphered many clinically relevant associations between tumor genetic alterations and their influences on drug efficacy, toxicity sensitivity and overall outcomes of cancer treatment. Biomarkers are tools in the arsenal that can help in the prediction, prognosis, diagnosis and follow-up of cancer treatment. Bulk and single-cell next-generation sequencing of large patient cohorts have generated a better understanding of the genetic underpinnings of lung cancer, and opening up personalized therapeutic opportunities. Immunotherapy and personalized medicine are providing hope for lung cancer patients. This review highlights the genetic alterations and important lung cancer biomarkers. The pharmacogenetic associations, personalized immunotherapy and challenges associated with effective therapy are also discussed. Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics can open up new vistas for optimized, personalized NSCLC treatment

Pyrroline-5-Carboxylate Reductase-2 Promotes Colorectal Carcinogenesis by Modulating Microtubule-Associated Serine/Threonine Kinase-like/Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

Background: Despite significant progress in clinical management, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. A positive association between PYCR2 (pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase-2), a terminal enzyme of proline metabolism, and CRC aggressiveness was recently reported. However, how PYCR2 promotes colon carcinogenesis remains ill understood. Methods: A comprehensive analysis was performed using publicly available cancer databases and CRC patient cohorts. Proteomics and biochemical evaluations were performed along with genetic manipulations and in vivo tumor growth assays to gain a mechanistic understanding. Results: PYCR2 expression was significantly upregulated in CRC and associated with poor patient survival, specifically among PYCR isoforms (PYCR1, 2, and 3). The genetic inhibition of PYCR2 inhibited the tumorigenic abilities of CRC cells and in vivo tumor growth. Coinciding with these observations was a significant decrease in cellular proline content. PYCR2 overexpression promoted the tumorigenic abilities of CRC cells. Proteomics (LC-MS/MS) analysis further demonstrated that PYCR2 loss of expression in CRC cells inhibits survival and cell cycle pathways. A subsequent biochemical analysis supported the causal role of PYCR2 in regulating CRC cell survival and the cell cycle, potentially by regulating the expression of MASTL, a cell-cycle-regulating protein upregulated in CRC. Further studies revealed that PYCR2 regulates Wnt/β-catenin-signaling in manners dependent on the expression of MASTL and the cancer stem cell niche. Conclusions: PYCR2 promotes MASTL/Wnt/β-catenin signaling that, in turn, promotes cancer stem cell populations and, thus, colon carcinogenesis. Taken together, our data highlight the significance of PYCR2 as a novel therapeutic target for effectively treating aggressive colon cancer