Preparation of Panchashara Rasa - A Herbo-Mineral Formulation

Rasashastra is the branch of Ayurveda which deals with number of formulations for various diseases. It involves sophisticated procedures which should be followed meticulously. The concept of Shodhana and Mardana though seems simple, demands great effort to put through. Panchashara Rasa is a herbo-mineral preparation in a mentioned in Vajeekaradhikara of Bhaishajya Ratnavali. It contains Parada, Gandhaka and a herbal drug Shalmali. The procedures involved are Shodhana, Hingulotta Parada Nirmana, Kwatha preparation, Bhavana, Mardana and Parpati preparation. The current study deals with the conventional preparation of this formulation step by step

Primary Plasma Cell Leukaemia: Case report and review of the literature

Plasma cell leukaemia (PCL) is one of the most aggressive and rarest forms of plasma cell dyscrasia. However, the diagnostic criteria for this condition have not yet been revised and there is no specific treatment to significantly improve the course of the disease. We report a 69-year-old male who presented to the Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India, in 2017 with dyspnoea and chest pain. A peripheral blood smear showed an absolute plasma cell count of 2.16 × 109/L. A bone marrow examination showed 61% atypical plasma cells exhibiting kappa light chain restriction. Biochemical investigations were consistent with a diagnosis of primary PCL with renal involvement. Bortezomib-based chemotherapy was initiated, which resulted in an improvement in the patient’s haematological and biochemical parameters. This case report includes a comprehensive review of the clinical and diagnostic features, pathobiology and treatment of PCL.Keywords: Plasma Cell Leukemia; Multiple Myeloma; Plasma Cells; Case Report; India

Pharmaceutico analytical study of Mukha Kanthikara Lepa and development of its new dosage form into Cream and Gel

The need for cosmetics is seen from very ancient days; peoples were using variety of cosmetic products both for curative purpose as well as enhancing beauty. Mukhakantikara Lepa is a polyherbal formulation mentioned in Sharandhara Samhita in the form of Churna, which is extensively used to enhance skin complexion. In present time, the difficulty of portability, application, removal and shelf life of the Churna is a great challenge to Lepa form though being effective. Here arises a need for newer dosage form. Creams and gels are semisolid preparations which may be defined as topical products intended for application on skin or accessible mucous membrane to provide localised and sometimes systemic effects at the site of application. This dosage forms are more stable, easy to handle, easy to apply and remove. Hence, modification of Mukhakatikara Lepa into Cream and Gel can be a better idea to overcome the shortcoming of Lepa form

A Critical Review on multifold potentiality of Prakshepa Dravyas in Ayurvedic dosage forms

The dosage forms in Ayurveda are given utmost importance. Our Acharyas offer a treasure of practical knowledge on the preparation of medicines and emphasized that the Samyoga (combination) of many drugs in a formulation greatly influence the healing power. One such category of drugs which are added in small quantities other than the main drugs so as to expand the field of activity of the main drugs are labelled as Prakshepa Dravyas. These Dravyas are distinctive to each Kalpana (dosage form). Although there are few drugs which are used as Prakshepa Dravyas irrespective of the dosage forms such as Madhu, Sita, Guda, Trikatu, Chaturjata, Taila, Ghrita, Lavana, Hingu, Kshara, Jeeraka, Shilajatu and Bhasmas of few metals. Prakshepa Dravyas can be considered as additives of modern pharmaceutical science which are limited only to pharmaceutical processing. Prakshepa Dravya acts as a synergizer and also attributes to the pharmacological action. They boost the patient acceptability by providing good taste, fragrance and appearance. The antioxidant and preservative properties are inherent in them. They also promote and augment the absorption of the drug by their bioenhancing activity. The present review aims to provide the comprehensive summary of Prakshepa Dravyas and also illustrates their multi dimensional activity

Struma Ovarii with Pseudo-Meigs’ Syndrome and Raised Cancer Antigen-125 Levels Masquerading as an Ovarian Carcinoma : Case report and literature review

The monodermal teratoma struma ovarii is a rare ovarian tumour; however, struma ovarii presenting with pseudo-Meigs’ syndrome and raised cancer antigen (CA)-125 levels is even rarer. In elderly patients, this presentation can potentially lead to a misdiagnosis of a malignant ovarian carcinoma, resulting in unnecessary extensive surgery. We report a 55-year-old female who presented to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, New Delhi, India, in 2016 with progressive abdominal discomfort, fatigue and abdominal distention. Clinical and radiological features were indicative of a malignant ovarian tumour and ascites. Serum CA-125 levels were elevated at 258 U/mL. A left-sided salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, after which the serum CA-125 levels normalised. There was no evidence of recurrence at a six-month follow-up. A frozen section procedure confirmed the diagnosis of a struma ovarii. This rare condition should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with ovarian masses, ascites and raised CA-125 levels

Pharmaceutical analytical study and their nutritive evaluation of Samsarjanopayogi Pathya Kalpas and their modified form

In present era demand for quick, more convenient, healthy and quality instant food preparations are increasing and there is a leading edge to pharmaceutically modify them in accordance to the patient compliance, portability, and to provide best quality and hygiene by utilizing the presently available sophisticated modern technology. Hence, the study has been specially planned to modify the Peyadi Pathya Kalpas into instant form and assess their physico chemical properties and to evaluate their nutritive values. Flaking technique was used for raw ingredients of Peyadi Pathya preparations. Fresh form of Manda, Peya and Vilepi were prepared using Shashtika Shali and white rice (Tandula) respectively. In same way Yusha was prepared using Mudga and Kulattha separately. The cooking time required for raw grains were 35±1.42, 12±0.41, 35±1.17 and 45±0.73 minutes respectively. The flaked ingredients cooking time was 6±1.35, 3±1.13, 3±1.40, 4±1.20 minutes respectively. The percentage of Carbohydrate observed in raw samples i.e. Shashtika Shali 75.2%, white rice 78.52% respectively and percentage of carbohydrate content in flaked samples were 77.43%, 79.49%. The protein content of raw samples of Mudga and Kulattha are 22.93% and 21.91% respectively and flaked samples were 22.93%, 20.91% respectively, so the flaking technique was used to convert the raw ingredients into flakes which were helpful to reduce the cooking time, energy consumption and less compromising with the nutritive values as concerned

Recurrent Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans with Pigmentation and Myoid Differentiation

Dermatofibrosarcomas protuberans (DFSP) are rare low-grade tumours with various subtypes and usually occur among middle-aged adults. However, myoid differentiation is very rare. We report a 44-year-old woman who presented to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, New Delhi, India, in 2017 with a recurrent pigmented DFSP presenting as an arm swelling. Upon histological and immunohistochemical analysis, myoid differentiation was confirmed. A literature review of the clinical and histopathological features of this rare entity is presented. Keywords: Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans; Melanocytes; Pigmentation; Cell Differentiation; Case Report; India

Work hardening in metastable high entropy alloys: a modified five-parameter model

Article models work hardening response in TRIP HEAs under tensile deformation, which reflects the hardening due to synergistic activity of multiple deformation mechanisms, using a five-parameter work hardening model

Association of SUMOlation Pathway Genes With Stroke in a Genome-wide Association Study in India

OBJECTIVE: To undertake a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants for stroke in an Indian population. METHODS: In a hospital-based case-control study, 8 teaching hospitals in India recruited 4,088 participants, including 1,609 stroke cases. Imputed genetic variants were tested for association with stroke subtypes using both single-marker and gene-based tests. Association with vascular risk factors was performed with logistic regression. Various databases were searched for replication, functional annotation, and association with related traits. Status of candidate genes previously reported in the Indian population was also checked. RESULTS: Associations of vascular risk factors with stroke were similar to previous reports and show modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, and alcohol consumption as having the highest effect. Single-marker–based association revealed 2 loci for cardioembolic stroke (1p21 and 16q24), 2 for small vessel disease stroke (3p26 and 16p13), and 4 for hemorrhagic stroke (3q24, 5q33, 6q13, and 19q13) at p < 5 × 10(−8). The index single nucleotide polymorphism of 1p21 is an expression quantitative trait locus (p(lowest) = 1.74 × 10(−58)) for RWDD3 involved in SUMOylation and is associated with platelet distribution width (1.15 × 10(−9)) and 18-carbon fatty acid metabolism (p = 7.36 × 10(−12)). In gene-based analysis, we identified 3 genes (SLC17A2, FAM73A, and OR52L1) at p < 2.7 × 10(−6). Eleven of 32 candidate gene loci studied in an Indian population replicated (p < 0.05), and 21 of 32 loci identified through previous GWAS replicated according to directionality of effect. CONCLUSIONS: This GWAS of stroke in an Indian population identified novel loci and replicated previously known loci. Genetic variants in the SUMOylation pathway, which has been implicated in brain ischemia, were identified for association with stroke