Investigations on the control of cell behaviour and the cell cycle

Little work has been done previously on cells grown as sail-sheets. This thesis describes the morphology, behaviour and movement of chick heart fibroblasts (CHFs) in sail-sheets and the effects of mechanical tension on actin content and the cell cycle of these cells. Abercrombie et ad. (1970 a) quantified the measurements on the features of movement of CHFs on glass coverslips (or, conventional cultures). Since the sail-sheet cultures appeared to resemble more closely the in vivo situation than the conventional cultures, it seemed appropriate that the features of cell movement in sail-sheets be studied and compared with those in conventional cultures. The work presented in this thesis suggests that CHFs in sail-sheets do exhibit such features as described for conventional cultures (Abercrombie et al., 1970 a) but at a relatively lower speed. Mechanical tension occurs within and between cells during embryogenesis, wound healing and in the repetitive contractile processes performed by various muscles of the body. Curtis and Seehar (1978) found that short-term tensing of sail-sheets with a low frequency oscillator shortened the duration of the cell cycle in CHFs. This thesis investigates whether tensing of sail-sheets for longer durations and at much lower frequencies produces any different effects than those found by Curtis and Seehar (1978). The work from these experiments suggested that on the whole, tension causes a reduction in the duration of the cell cycle. The effects of tension in a rectangular cell sheet differ from corners, edges and centres perhaps because of local stress concentration. The hypothesis that the effect of tension on the cell cycle may be due to its effect on the microfilaments was investigated. Results were inconclusive

Developing Standard Treatment Workflows—way to universal healthcare in India

Primary healthcare caters to nearly 70% of the population in India and provides treatment for approximately 80–90% of common conditions. To achieve universal health coverage (UHC), the Indian healthcare system is gearing up by initiating several schemes such as National Health Protection Scheme, Ayushman Bharat, Nutrition Supplementation Schemes, and Inderdhanush Schemes. The healthcare delivery system is facing challenges such as irrational use of medicines, over- and under-diagnosis, high out-of-pocket expenditure, lack of targeted attention to preventive and promotive health services, and poor referral mechanisms. Healthcare providers are unable to keep pace with the volume of growing new scientific evidence and rising healthcare costs as the literature is not published at the same pace. In addition, there is a lack of common standard treatment guidelines, workflows, and reference manuals from the Government of India. Indian Council of Medical Research in collaboration with the National Health Authority, Govt. of India, and the WHO India country office has developed Standard Treatment Workflows (STWs) with the objective to be utilized at various levels of healthcare starting from primary to tertiary level care. A systematic approach was adopted to formulate the STWs. An advisory committee was constituted for planning and oversight of the process. Specialty experts' group for each specialty comprised of clinicians working at government and private medical colleges and hospitals. The expert groups prioritized the topics through extensive literature searches and meeting with different stakeholders. Then, the contents of each STW were finalized in the form of single-pager infographics. These STWs were further reviewed by an editorial committee before publication. Presently, 125 STWs pertaining to 23 specialties have been developed. It needs to be ensured that STWs are implemented effectively at all levels and ensure quality healthcare at an affordable cost as part of UHC

Nickel catalysed steam gasification of chars obtained from coal - alkali reaction at 600ºC

Studies on the steam gasification of washed residual chars (obtained from coal–alkali reaction at 600 ºC) were carried out at 500 ºC and 100 kPa pressure in a fixed bed glass reactor with or without nickel (as nickel nitrate) as catalyst. The results when compared with the corresponding data on coal, revealed that under similar reaction conditions, the coals yielded more gas with higher H2 and CO contents than their corresponding chars. It was concluded that presence of functional groups, especially oxygen containing is a requirement for nickel catalysed steam gasification of coals/lignites. The recovery of nickel achieved was about 80%

Solubility enhancement of Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr. extract through a self dispersible lipidic formulation approach

Boswellic acids (BAs) are isolated from oleo gum resin of Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr. and are reported to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activity with better tolerance and lesser side effects compared to NSAIDs. Pharmacokinetic studies of BAs revealed its poor absorption through oral route due to poor solubility. The present study was aimed to develop and characterize a lipid based drug delivery system of Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) to enhance the solubility and in turn, the oral absorption of BAs. Suitable compositions for lipidic formulation were screened via solubility and compatibility studies. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were used to evaluate the microemulsion existence area. The self microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) was characterized by solubility, clarity, drug precipitation, globule size, emulsification time and drug release profile. The optimal formulation of SMEDDS comprised of 37.5 % Tween-80, 12.5 % PEG-400 and 50 % oil (Caprylic/capric triglycerides). The dissolution study in hydrochloric acid buffer pH 1.2 showed significantly improved dissolution of BSE-SMEDDS (>90 %) compared to Plain BSE (practically no release) in 120 minutes. BSE-SMEDDS showed better anti-inflammatory activity than plain BSE in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. The developed formulation was found to have better solubility and can be used as a possible alternative to traditional oral formulations of BSE with potential applications

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-GB">Solubility enhancement of<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> Boswellia serrata </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Roxb. ex Colebr. extract through a self dispersible lipidic formulation approach</span></span>

9-18<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-GB">Boswellic acids (BAs) are isolated from oleo gum resin of Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr. and are reported to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activity with better tolerance and lesser side effects compared to NSAIDs. Pharmacokinetic studies of BAs revealed its poor absorption through oral route due to poor solubility. The present study was aimed to develop and characterize a lipid based drug delivery system of Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) to enhance the solubility and in turn, the oral absorption of BAs. Suitable compositions for lipidic formulation were screened via solubility and compatibility studies. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were used to evaluate the microemulsion existence area. The self microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) was characterized by solubility, clarity, drug precipitation, globule size, emulsification time and drug release profile. The optimal formulation of SMEDDS comprised of 37.5 % Tween-80, 12.5 % PEG-400 and 50 % oil (Caprylic/capric triglycerides). The dissolution study in hydrochloric acid buffer pH 1.2 showed significantly improved dissolution of BSE-SMEDDS (>90 %) compared to Plain BSE (practically no release) in 120 minutes. BSE-SMEDDS showed better anti-inflammatory activity than plain BSE in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. The developed formulation was found to have better solubility and can be used as a possible alternative to traditional oral formulations of BSE with potential applications. </span

Neuropathological spectrum of Rasmussen encephalitis

Background: Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a chronic epileptic disorder of unknown etiology, and is clinically characterized by progressive neurological deterioration, focal seizures often progressing to intractable epilepsy, cognitive decline and hemispheric atrophy. Aims: We report the spectrum of neuropathological changes seen in RE, and discuss the evolutionary mechanisms of this disease. Materials and Methods: Surgically obtained specimens from RE patients diagnosed during 2002-2004 at this institute were evaluated for the presence and extent of different histopathological features of RE. The H&amp;E and immunohistochemistry stained slides were also evaluated for the type and distribution pattern of inflammatory infiltrates, along with a semiquantitative evaluation for the severity of inflammation. Results: Four cases of RE were admitted during the study period, all of which presented with partial seizures with successive deterioration to intractable epilepsy. The age at onset varied between 5 and 10 years (mean 7.8 years), with three male and one female patients. Subsequently, all four patients underwent hemispherotomy. Histopathological features of perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate, neuronal loss, microglial nodules, and reactive astrocytosis, with or without evidence of neuronophagia confirmed a diagnosis of RE. These cases also had varying degrees of T-cell-rich (CD3-positive) inflammatory infiltrates and CD68-immunopositive microglial proliferation. It was observed that the severity of inflammation had a trend to inversely correlate with the duration of symptoms. Conclusion: It is proposed that an accurate evaluation and histopathological grading of these lesions may possibly have a role in patient prognostication

Original Article - Neuropathological spectrum of Rasmussen encephalitis

Background : Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a chronic epileptic disorder of unknown etiology, and is clinically characterized by progressive neurological deterioration, focal seizures often progressing to intractable epilepsy, cognitive decline and hemispheric atrophy. Aims : We report the spectrum of neuropathological changes seen in RE, and discuss the evolutionary mechanisms of this disease. Materials and Methods : Surgically obtained specimens from RE patients diagnosed during 2002-2004 at this institute were evaluated for the presence and extent of different histopathological features of RE. The H&E and immunohistochemistry stained slides were also evaluated for the type and distribution pattern of inflammatory infiltrates, along with a semiquantitative evaluation for the severity of inflammation. Results : Four cases of RE were admitted during the study period, all of which presented with partial seizures with successive deterioration to intractable epilepsy. The age at onset varied between 5 and 10 years (mean 7.8 years), with three male and one female patients. Subsequently, all four patients underwent hemispherotomy. Histopathological features of perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate, neuronal loss, microglial nodules, and reactive astrocytosis, with or without evidence of neuronophagia confirmed a diagnosis of RE. These cases also had varying degrees of T-cell-rich (CD3-positive) inflammatory infiltrates and CD68-immunopositive microglial proliferation. It was observed that the severity of inflammation had a trend to inversely correlate with the duration of symptoms. Conclusion : It is proposed that an accurate evaluation and histopathological grading of these lesions may possibly have a role in patient prognostication

Surgical outcome of cortical dysplasias presenting with chronic intractable epilepsy: A 10-year experience

Background: There has been sparse description of cortical dysplasias (CDs) causing intractable epilepsy from India. Aim: Clinical retrospective study of CDs causing intractable epilepsy that underwent surgery. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven cases of CDs reviewed (1995 till July 2006) are presented. All patients had intractable epilepsy, and underwent a complete epilepsy surgery workup (inter ictal electroencephalography (EEG), video EEG, MRI as per epilepsy protocol, SPECT {interictal, ictal with subtraction and co-registration when required}, and PET when necessary). Surgical treatment included a wide exposure of the pathology with a detailed electrocorticography under optimal anesthetic conditions. Mapping of the sensori-motor area was performed where indicated. Procedures included resection either alone or combined with multiple subpial transactions when extending into the eloquent areas. Results: Our study had 28 (49.12%) cases of isolated focal CDs, and 29 (50.67%) with dual pathology. Average age at the time of onset of seizures in our series was 7.04 years (three months to 24 years), and average age at the time of surgery was 10.97 years (eight months to 45 years). Among coexistent pathologies, one had associated MTS, 16 had coexistent gangliogliomas and 12 (dysembryonic neuroepithelial tumor) DNTs. At an average follow-up of 3.035 years (range 5-10 years), three patients were lost to follow-up. Fifty-one per cent (29/57) patients had a good outcome (Engel Grade I) and 26%(15/57) had a Grade II outcome. Conclusion: Cortical dysplasias have a good outcome if evaluated and managed with concordant electrical and imaging modalities

Surgical outcome of cortical dysplasias presenting with chronic intractable epilepsy: A 10-year experience

Background: There has been sparse description of cortical dysplasias (CDs) causing intractable epilepsy from India. Aim: Clinical retrospective study of CDs causing intractable epilepsy that underwent surgery. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven cases of CDs reviewed (1995 till July 2006) are presented. All patients had intractable epilepsy, and underwent a complete epilepsy surgery workup (inter ictal electroencephalography (EEG), video EEG, MRI as per epilepsy protocol, SPECT {interictal, ictal with subtraction and co-registration when required}, and PET when necessary). Surgical treatment included a wide exposure of the pathology with a detailed electrocorticography under optimal anesthetic conditions. Mapping of the sensori-motor area was performed where indicated. Procedures included resection either alone or combined with multiple subpial transactions when extending into the eloquent areas. Results: Our study had 28 (49.12%) cases of isolated focal CDs, and 29 (50.67%) with dual pathology. Average age at the time of onset of seizures in our series was 7.04 years (three months to 24 years), and average age at the time of surgery was 10.97 years (eight months to 45 years). Among coexistent pathologies, one had associated MTS, 16 had coexistent gangliogliomas and 12 (dysembryonic neuroepithelial tumor) DNTs. At an average follow-up of 3.035 years (range 5-10 years), three patients were lost to follow-up. Fifty-one per cent (29/57) patients had a good outcome (Engel Grade I) and 26%(15/57) had a Grade II outcome. Conclusion: Cortical dysplasias have a good outcome if evaluated and managed with concordant electrical and imaging modalities

Neuropathological spectrum of lesions associated with intractable epilepsies: a 10-year experience with a series of 153 resections

Background: Surgical management of intractable epilepsies is currently an established mode of therapy in various clinical settings. Aims: To retrospectively evaluate the neuropathological findings in both temporal and extratemporal lobe resections in such patients. Materials and Methods: The study included resected specimens from patients with intractable epilepsy managed at a tertiary care hospital of India, during a 10-year period (1995-2004). Results: A total of 153 patients, with mean age of 19.4 years and male predominance (73.2%) were included in the study. Overall, there was a predilection for the temporal lobe (73.2%), while 41cases were extratemporal in location. On histopathology, mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) (24.8%) was the commonest lesion, followed by tumors (19.6%) and isolated focal cortical dysplasia (FCD-15.11%). Other less common findings included Rasmussen encephalitis, non-specific gliosis and vascular malformations. In addition, 20.9% (32 cases) had dual lesions, majority of which included FCD with ganglioglioma (15 cases) or with dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (12 cases). In the temporal lobe, neoplasms and dual lesions formed the majority (apart from MTS), unlike dual lesions followed by neoplasms and FCD, in the extratemporal location. Conclusion: This series demonstrates that most patients with chronic intractable epilepsy have significant histopathological findings and highlights the neuropathological spectrum of such lesions, in the Indian context. This was similar to that reported from the West, but different from the single Indian series available in the literature. Further, the overall profile of temporal lobe lesions was not different from the extratemporal ones