OSTEOPOROSIS WITH TIKTA KSHEER BASTI CHIKITSA-A CASE STUDY

The word osteoporosis is derived from Greek word meaning porous bones, it is a progressive bone disease that is characterised by decrease in bone mass and destiny which can lead to a increased risk of fracture. In Ayurveda Osteoporosis is closely resembles with Asthidhatukshaya. A female patient aged 56 years was admitted in IPD of Rog nidan with complaints of pain in bilateral hip joint and knee joints, swelling, tenderness, restricted movements and general weakness since 8 months. It was diagnosed the case of osteoporosis. As per Acharya Charak, the remedial measures in the disorder of Asthi consist of the Panchkarma therapy, Basti and intake of bitter-medicated milk and ghee. So, in this study, Tiktaksheera Basti was selected for the management of Osteoporosis. The patient was admitted in IPD of hospital and treated with Ayurvedic medicine and Panchkarma therapies. Remarkable improvement was seen in all parameters i.e., pain, swelling and tenderness was reduced, range of movements increased and improvement in general health

Wide Line NMR Investigation of Anthraquinone, m-Nitrobenzaldehyde & 3-Hydroxypyridine at Room Temperature

34-3

Feasible choices in diagnostic methods of malaria

Background & objectives: The present study was undertaken to find out a new easy method in thediagnosis of malaria by centrifuged buffy coat smear, which was found to be a feasible and reasonableprocedure.Methods: Blood samples collected from 120 patients suspected of malaria were subjected to allthree diagnostic modalities—peripheral blood smear (PS), centrifuged buffy coat smear (CBCS)and antigen detection test using pLDH and aldolase (AG).Results: The results of various methods were compared. It was seen that addition of centrifugation(i.e. CBCS) to conventional method of PS (i.e. thick and thin smears) improved its sensitivityfrom 85 to 93.3%. Antigen detection and CBCS were found superior to PS in sensitivity. CBCSgives combined sensitivity and specificity of both antigen and PS.Conclusion: CBCS is as sensitive as antigen test and as specific as PS in species identification. Itis a reasonable and feasible procedure too

THE PHARMACEUTICAL AND ANALYTICAL STUDY OF PALASH KSHARA

Background: Kshara is an important dosage form mentioned in Ayurveda which is derived from plant ash. The Kshara have some similar properties like alkaline nature, water solubility, whitish color etc. Kshara are given advantage over all surgical and parasurgical measures as it can be used in thin, weak and patients who fears for surgery. Different herbs like Apamarga, Snuhi, Kadalipalasha are used to prepare Kshara either single or collectively in classical texts. Therapeutic use of Kshara of different herbs differs from each other hence analytical study of each Kshara is necessary. Aims & Objectives: In the present study preparation of Palash (Butea monosperma) kshara and analytical study is done to understand the characteristics of Palashkshara. Material & methods: The preparation of Kshara is a multistep procedure. In the present study preparation of Palasha Kshara is done according general method of preparation of Kshara mentioned in Sharangadhara Sanhita. Prepared Kshara is subjected to various Physico chemical analyses and results are concluded. Results: The Palash Kshara shows physical properties like whitish in color, pungent odor and soft in touch. Chemically it shows combination of Potassium, Phosphate and Sulphate along with other elements in traces. The present study gives the details of methodology and results of the pharmaceutical and analytical study of Palash Kshara

Mercury Inactivates Transcription and the Generalized Transcription Factor TFB in the Archaeon \u3ci\u3eSulfolobus solfataricus\u3c/i\u3e

Mercury has a long history as an antimicrobial agent effective against eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Despite its prolonged use, the basis for mercury toxicity in prokaryotes is not well understood. Archaea, like bacteria, are prokaryotes but they use a simplified version of the eukaryotic transcription apparatus. This study examined the mechanism of mercury toxicity to the archaeal prokaryote Sulfolobus solfataricus. In vivo challenge with mercuric chloride instantaneously blocked cell division, eliciting a cytostatic response at submicromolar concentrations and a cytocidal response at micromolar concentrations. The cytostatic response was accompanied by a 70% reduction in bulk RNA synthesis and elevated rates of degradation of several transcripts, including tfb-1, tfb-2, and lacS. Whole-cell extracts prepared from mercuric chloride-treated cells or from cell extracts treated in vitro failed to support in vitro transcription of 16S rRNAp and lacSp promoters. Extract-mixing experiments with treated and untreated extracts excluded the occurrence of negative-acting factors in the mercury-treated cell extracts. Addition of transcription factor B (TFB), a general transcription factor homolog of eukaryotic TFIIB, to mercury-treated cell extracts restored \u3e50% of in vitro transcription activity. Consistent with this finding, mercuric ion treatment of TFB in vitro inactivated its ability to restore the in vitro transcription activity of TFB-immunodepleted cell extracts. These findings indicate that the toxicity of mercuric ion in S. solfataricus is in part the consequence of transcription inhibition due to TFB-1 inactivation

Repurposing Drugs in Oncology (ReDO)—mebendazole as an anti-cancer agent

Mebendazole, a well-known anti-helminthic drug in wide clinical use, has anti-cancer properties that have been elucidated in a broad range of pre-clinical studies across a number of different cancer types. Significantly, there are also two case reports of anti-cancer activity in humans. The data are summarised and discussed in relation to suggested mechanisms of action. Based on the evidence presented, it is proposed that mebendazole would synergise with a range of other drugs, including existing chemotherapeutics, and that further exploration of the potential of mebendazole as an anti-cancer therapeutic is warranted. A number of possible combinations with other drugs are discussed in the Appendix

Repurposing drugs in oncology (ReDO)—cimetidine as an anti-cancer agent

Cimetidine, the first H2 receptor antagonist in widespread clinical use, has anti-cancer properties that have been elucidated in a broad range of pre-clinical and clinical studies for a number of different cancer types. These data are summarised and discussed in relation to a number of distinct mechanisms of action. Based on the evidence presented, it is proposed that cimetidine would synergise with a range of other drugs, including existing chemotherapeutics, and that further exploration of the potential of cimetidine as an anti-cancer therapeutic is warranted. Furthermore, there is compelling evidence that cimetidine administration during the peri-operative period may provide a survival benefit in some cancers. A number of possible combinations with other drugs are discussed in the supplementary material accompanying this paper

Regulation of Mercury Resistance in the Crenarchaeote \u3ci\u3eSulfolobus solfataricus\u3c/i\u3e

Mercuric ion, Hg(II), inactivates generalized transcription in the crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus. Metal challenge simultaneously derepresses transcription of mercuric reductase (merA) by interacting with the archaeal transcription factor aMerR. Northern blot and primer extension analyses identified two additional Hg(II)-inducible S. solfataricus genes, merH and merI (SSO2690), located on either side of merA. Transcription initiating upstream of merH at promoter merHp was metal inducible and extended through merA and merI, producing a merHAI transcript. Northern analysis of a merRA double mutant produced by linear DNA recombination demonstrated merHp promoter activity was dependent on aMerR to overcome Hg(II) transcriptional inhibition. Unexpectedly, in a merA disruption mutant, the merH transcript was transiently induced after an initial period of Hg(II)-mediated transcription inhibition, indicating continued Hg(II) detoxification. Metal challenge experiments using mutants created by markerless exchange verified the identity of the MerR binding site as an inverted repeat (IR) sequence overlapping the transcription factor B binding recognition element of merHp. The interaction of recombinant aMerR with merHp DNA, studied using electrophoretic mobility shift analysis, demonstrated that complex formation was template specific and dependent on the presence of the IR sequence but insensitive to Hg(II) addition and site-specific IR mutations that relieved in vivo merHp repression. Despite containing a motif resembling a distant ArsR homolog, these results indicate aMerR remains continuously DNA bound to protect and coordinate Hg(II)-responsive control over merHAI transcription. The new genetic methods developed in this work will promote experimental studies on S. solfataricus and other Crenarchaeota

Building capacities of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) through a complementary mix of directed and selfdirected skill-based learning—A case study in Pune District, Western India

Auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) play a pivotal role in provision of maternal and newborn health at primary level in India. Effective in-service training is crucial for upgrading their knowledge and skills for providing appropriate healthcare services. This paper aims at assessing the effectiveness of a complementary mix of directed and self-directed learning approaches for building essential maternal and newborn health-related skills of ANMs in rural Pune District, India. Methods: During directed learning, the master trainers trained ANMs through interactive lectures and skill demonstrations. Improvement and retention of knowledge and skills and feedback were assessed quantitatively using descriptive statistics. Significant differences at the 0.05 level using the Kruskal-Wallis test were analysed to compare improvement across age, years of experience, and previous training received. The self-directed learning approach fulfilled their learning needs through skills mall, exposure visits, newsletter, and participation in conference. Qualitative data were analysed thematically for perspectives and experiences of stakeholders. The Kirkpatrick model was used for evaluating the results. Results: Directed and self-directed learning was availed by 348 and 125 rural ANMs, respectively. Through the directed learning, ANMs improved their clinical skills like maternal and newborn resuscitation and eclampsia management. Less work experience showed relatively higher improvement in skills, but not in knowledge. 56.6% ANMs either improved or retained their immediate post-training scores after 3 months. Self-directed learning helped them for experience sharing, problem-solving, active engagement through skill demonstrations, and formal presentations. The conducive learning environment helped in reinforcement of knowledge and skills and in building confidence. This intervention could evaluate application of skills into practice to a limited extent. Conclusions: In India, there are some ongoing initiatives for building skills of the ANMs like skilled birth attendance and training in skills lab. However, such a complementary mix of skill-based ‘directed’ and ‘self-directed’ learning approaches could be a plausible model for building capacities of health workforce. In view of the transforming healthcare delivery system in India and the significant responsibility that rests on the shoulder of ANMs, a transponder mechanism to implement skill building exercises at regular intervals through such innovative approaches should be a priority

Fluvoxamine: A review of its mechanism of action and its role in COVID-19

Fluvoxamine is a well-tolerated, widely available, inexpensive selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that has been shown in a small, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study to prevent clinical deterioration of patients with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Fluvoxamine is also an agonist for the sigma-1 receptor, through which it controls inflammation. We review here a body of literature that shows important mechanisms of action of fluvoxamine and other SSRIs that could play a role in COVID-19 treatment. These effects include: reduction in platelet aggregation, decreased mast cell degranulation, interference with endolysosomal viral trafficking, regulation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α-driven inflammation and increased melatonin levels, which collectively have a direct antiviral effect, regulate coagulopathy or mitigate cytokine storm, which are known hallmarks of severe COVID-19