PHARMACEUTICAL AND ANALYTICAL STUDY OF TRINETRA RAS – HERBO-MINERAL FORMULATION

Trinetraras is a Kharliya Rasayan mentioned in Yogratnakar for the treatment of Hridroga (Yogratnakar Uttarardha Hridroga Chikitsa 1,2). It consists of Shuddha Parad, Shuddhagandhak and Abhrakbhasma where Bhavanadravya is Arjuna bark decoction. Aim: Pharmaceutical and analytical study of Trinetraras. Materials and methods: Paradshodhan, Gandhakshodhan, Vajrabhrakshodhan, Dhanyabhraknirmana, preparation of Abhrakbhasma, preparation of Kajjali are the procedures required to be performed before the preparation of Trinetraras. Total 40 times Abhrak was subjected to Maransanskar in Gajaputa (40 puti Abhrakbhasma). Trinetraras can be prepared from Shuddha Parad, Shuddhagandhak and Abhrakbhasma, Arjuna bark decoction is needed for 21 Bhavana. Total three batches of Trinetra Ras were prepared as per the classical method mentioned in the reference. Observations and results: Prepared samples of Trinetraras and Abhrakbhasma were tested on the basis of organoleptic and physicochemical parameters. Along with Ayurvedic parameters modern parameters such as L.O.D., L.O.I., pH, conductivity, successive solubility, elemental assay of Hg, S and Fe, TLC, phenolic assay etc. were applied to the samples of Trinetraras. Conclusion: Analytical study of Trinetraras revealed the uniformity of the procedures in the three samples of Trinetraras, as evidenced by the observations of the analytical values of the three samples were not much variation found. Analytical profile showed the presence of the ingredients used. Data generated from pharmaceutical, analytical studies can be used to develop a preliminary standard profile for the formulation of Trinetra Ras

Role of fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of breast lumps

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a cost effective, easy procedure in the diagnosis of breast lump.Methods: This was a one year retrospective study between January 2016 and December 2016. Needle aspiration was done in 100 patients presenting with breast lump. Histopathology correlation was done in 33 cases.Results: Fibroadenoma were most common lesions. Malignancy was reported in 13 cases. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were found to be 85%, 100%, 100%, 96.3% and 97% respectively.Conclusions: Fine needle aspiration cytology is a simple, easy, OPD based, cost effective procedure with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in diagnosis of breast lumps

Assessing the impact of environmental factors influencing the spatio-temporal distribution of Johnius belangerii (Cuvier, 1830) Belanger's croaker along Mumbai, Northwest Coast of India

903-907The aim of this study was to assess the impact of environmental factors influencing the spatio-temporal distribution of Johnius belangerii. Fishery independent fortnightly resource surveys were conducted in Mumbai waters from September, 2017 to May, 2018 to determine the effect of environmental variables on spatio-temporal distribution. A Generalized Additive Modelling (GAM) approach showed that distribution and abundance of J. belangerii varied spatio-temporally, and environmental factors were found to be influential. GAM models demonstrated that higher catch was located in waters of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) from 25.1 - 31.1  °C with Sea Bottom Temperature (SBT) values ranging from 26-31 °C and salinity of more than 34 0/00. Correlation of environment variables with Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) suggests significant relationship with SST (0.81), SBT (0.85) and Sea Bottom Chlorophyll-a (0.73). The result of this study will be helpful for clearly understanding the intricacies of spatial distributions of fish in relation to changing habitat condition which will be useful in the sustainable management of aquatic resources

Loss of Function Mutation in Ank Causes Aberrant Mineralization and Acquisition of Osteoblast-Like-Phenotype by the Cells of the Intervertebral Disc

Pathological mineralization of intervertebral disc is debilitating and painful and linked to disc degeneration in a subset of human patients. An adenosine triphosphate efflux transporter, progressive ankylosis (ANK) is a regulator of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate levels and plays an important role in tissue mineralization. However, the function of ANK in intervertebral disc has not been fully explored. Herein we analyzed the spinal phenotype of Ank mutant mice (ank/ank) with attenuated ANK function. Micro-computed tomography and histological analysis showed that loss of ANK function results in the aberrant annulus fibrosus mineralization and peripheral disc fusions with cranial to caudal progression in the spine. Vertebrae in ank mice exhibit elevated cortical bone mass and increased tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase-positive endplate chondrocytes with decreased subchondral endplate porosity. The acellular dystrophic mineral inclusions in the annulus fibrosus were localized adjacent to apoptotic cells and cells that acquired osteoblast-like phenotype. Fourier transform infrared spectral imaging showed that the apatite mineral in the outer annulus fibrosus had similar chemical composition to that of vertebral bone. Transcriptomic analysis of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus tissues showed changes in several biological themes with a prominent dysregulation of BMAL1/CLOCK circadian regulation. The present study provides new insights into the role of ANK in the disc tissue compartments and highlights the importance of local inorganic pyrophosphate metabolism in inhibiting the mineralization of this important connective tissue

Recent Innovations & Daily Problems. A new prosthesis in inguinal hernia repair:preliminary results of a pilot study.

Introduction: Elective surgery for inguinal hernia is affected by very low mortality « 1 per 10000 operation); in contrast, when surgery is carried out for complicated inguinal hernia, risks of postoperative complication are higher. TAPP is a world-wide accepted surgical practice in the treatment of elective bilateral or recurrent inguinal hernia, above all in young patients. Few exploratory studies were published on laparoscopic approach in the treatment of urgent complicated inguinal hernia. Aim of this study was to analyze feasibility (operative time, conversion rate), safety (postoperative morbidity, length of hospital stay) and quality of life (acute and chronic pain, return to work) of trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal laparoscopic hernia repair in acute incarcerated inguinal hernia. Rationale of laparoscopic trans-abdominal approach is the easier hernia reduction under vision and a better exploration of the abdominal cavity. Methods: from September 2012 to September 2013, 15 consecutive patients admitted in emergency at the Division of General Surgery of University "Sapienza", Polo Pontino, for acute incarcerated inguinal hernia were submitted to TAPP using 3 trocars (1 of 10 mm and 2 of 5mm) and polyester prosthesis fixed by fibrin glue. Exclusion criteria for laparoscopic approach were age III, previous abdominal surgery, signs of strangulated hernia. All of them were evaluated for operative time, conversion rate, postoperative morbidity, organ resection or other surgery required. All patients were scored for pain by Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) during postoperative in hospital stay at 7 days, 1,6 and 12 months after surgery. Results: median follow-up was 16 months and 12 as minimum. In all cases reduction of hernia was always possible and none conversion to open surgery was recorded, median operative time was 89 minutes (55-137 as range), omental resection was carried out in one patient (6,6%), no other organ resections needed, whereas contralateral hernia was diagnosed and repaired at the same time in 4 patients (26,6%). No major complications were observed, median blood loss was 100 ml, minor morbidity was contained to 18% represented by fever and wound infection of surgical umbilical scar. Median in hospital stay was 1,5 days with 1-5 days as range. Postoperative median acute pain, measured by visual analogic scale (VAS), was 2 (range:0-4), none patient referred any pain during follow-up. Median time of return to work was 6,5 days, ranged between 3 to 15 days. Patients' compliance to treatment and to follow-up was complete as well their satisfaction. Conclusions: In centres skilled for laparoscopy in emergency, TAPP could be considered a feasible and safe technique. In well-selected patients (especially if emolled in controlled clinical trial) TAPP could represent an alternative surgical approach for complicated incarcerated inguinal hernia to conventional open surgery even in urgency. The main advantages of laparoscopic approach are the ability to perform surgical hernia reduction under vision, a better exploration and evaluation of abdominal cavity and diagnosis and treatment of eventual contralateral defect of wall, otherwise often missed. Finally, the good control of acute and chronic pain, faster return to normal activity and work, better aesthetic results contributed to total satisfaction and compliance of the patients

Nanotechnology intervention of the microbiome for cancer therapy

The microbiome is emerging as a key player and driver of cancer. Traditional modalities to manipulate the microbiome (for example, antibiotics, probiotics and microbiota transplants) have been shown to improve efficacy of cancer therapies in some cases, but issues such as collateral damage to the commensal microbiota and consistency of these approaches motivates efforts towards developing new technologies specifically designed for the microbiome–cancer interface. Considering the success of nanotechnology in transforming cancer diagnostics and treatment, nanotechnologies capable of manipulating interactions that occur across microscopic and molecular length scales in the microbiome and the tumour microenvironment have the potential to provide innovative strategies for cancer treatment. As such, opportunities at the intersection of nanotechnology, the microbiome and cancer are massive. In this Review, we highlight key opportunistic areas for applying nanotechnologies towards manipulating the microbiome for the treatment of cancer, give an overview of seminal work and discuss future challenges and our perspective on this emerging area

Severe Geomagnetic Disturbance of 19 Dec. 1980

76-77Features of a severe geomagnetic storm with sudden commencement on 19 Dec. 1980, recorded at Indian magnetic stations are compared and some salient statistics are presented

Histopathological spectrum of gall bladder lesions

Background: Gall bladder diseases are a very common health problem that affects millions of people throughout the world. Cholelithiasis is commonly associated with carcinoma gallbladder. Cholecystectomy is the most commonly performed surgical procedure done for gall bladder disease.Methods: A total of 161 cases of gall bladder lesions were evaluated from January 2017 to December 2018 which were sent to department of pathology. Specimens were fixed in 10% formalin. Appropriate areas were selected from the specimen and grossed, processed, sectioned, stained using haematoxylin and eosin and were observed under microscope.Results: Out of 161 cases, 105 were female (65.22%) and 56 cases were male (34.78%).Histopathologically, the most common diagnosis was Chronic calculus cholecystitis (57.76%) followed by chronic acalculus cholecystitis (22.36%). Remaining cases were of Acute on chronic cholecystitis (6.21%), Acute on chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis (4.96%), Acute on chronic cholecystitis with perforation peritonitis (1.24%), Acute suppurative cholecystitis with perforation peritonitis (0.62%), Biliary Atresia (1.24%), Chronic cholecystitis with choledochal cyst (1.24%), Follicular cholecystitis (1.24%), Adenocarcinoma (0.62%), Adenosquamous carcinoma (0.62%) and one case was inconclusive (0.62%).Conclusions: The incidence of chronic calculus cholecystitis was found to be 57.76% with female preponderance and mostly in third decade. Malignancy of gall bladder is a rare condition. Routine histopathological examination of all cholecystectomy specimens is strongly recommended for the detection of various variants of chronic cholecystitis and also of incidental carcinoma of gall bladder which helps in their treatment and prognosis