Use of Pregnant Cow Urine for Androgenic Alopecia in Medieval India

Methodology: A detailed and in-depth semantic analysis of (i) the name Indralupta, used around 2500 years ago by Suśṟuta to denote a type of alopecia and, (ii) the medications prescribed in two Maṇipravāḷam (medieval Malayāḷam which is admixed with Sanskrit) medical poems, dated to early 1300s CE, was done so as to identify whether the meanings are pertinent to the underlying character of the disease and principle of management. This was done as part of a project aimed at identifying any system of nomenclature of organs, diseases, drugs, etc., the link between these and areas where principles of Āyurvēda correlate with those of Modern medicine Results: The analysis shows that semantically, Indralupta is same as AGA and that the medieval Āyurvēdics had used pregnant cow urine for its treatment. Conclusion: The findings indubitably establish that Āyurvēdic physicians had the clear concept that: (i). A virilising substance in the body caused Indralupta, (ii). Pregnant women have antagonists to this which is excreted through urine, and (iii). Local application of these would be effective in antagonising the virilising one. These are the same as the modern concepts of AGA and its management, thereby underscoring the scientific nature of Āyurvēda, even as per the standards of modern science. It is also concluded that that the method of semantic analysis used here is a feasible and appropriate method to bring out hidden knowledge in Āyurvēda DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.11668.6080

Alveolar soft part sarcoma: the new primary intracranial malignancy. A case report and review of the literature

The purpose of this paper is to serve as a reference to aid in the management of this poorly understood intracranial malignancy. The authors report their experience treating the eighth ostensible case of a primary intracranial alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS). A 21-year-old man presented to hospital after collapsing. He gave a 1-year history of headache, a 2-month history of reduced visual acuity and on examination had left facial paraesthesia with left-sided incoordination. MRI of the brain revealed a large left posterior fossa mass. The patient underwent resection of the tumour with good recovery in function. Immunohistochemical analysis of the tumour specimen confirmed an ASPS, and multimodal imaging in search of an extra-cranial disease primary was negative. A review of the literature yielded only seven other cases of primary intracranial ASPS. A variety of diagnostic imaging modalities were employed in search of a disease primary, as were various combinations of surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy as treatment. Half of the cases documented delayed disease recurrence. The authors discuss the following: the unique radiological and immunohistological characteristics of this disease including the potential for its misdiagnosis; the investigations required to diagnose a primary intracranial ASPS; the efficacy of current medical and surgical treatment options and the factors that will aid in prognostication. This is the first review of this new primary intracranial malignancy. From our analysis, we offer a joint radiological and immunohistochemical algorithm for the diagnosis of primary intracranial ASPS and specific operative considerations prior to resection

Some problems related to the measurements of primary production using radiocarbon technique

The SCOR/IBP Working Group-24 held its first meeting in Southampton (U.K.) from 30 July to 1 August 1968 under the chairmanship of Dr. T. R. PARSON(Canada). The members of this Working Group were : Dr. O. I. KOBLENTZ- MISHK(EU .S.S.R.), Prof. S. ICHIMURA(Japan), Dr. P. D. V. SAVAGE (U.K.) and Dr. S. Z. QASIM (India). The terms of reference of the Working Group were: "To review and suggest the best methods for estimating primary production under special conditions, such as those found beneath polar ice, and the turbid conditions found in estuaries, heavily polluted waters and exceptionally eutrophic or oligotrophic waters"

Effect of intensity and quality of illumination on the photosynthesis of some tropical marine phytoplankton

Using solar energy as a source of illumination, photosynthesis in 11 species of marine plankton algae was studied as a function of light intensity. From the photosynthesis-light curve for each organism, the saturation points (Is) in different organisms were determine

Primary production of an atoll in the Laccadives

According to YONGE (1960) "an atoll raised to the surface in the midst of oceanic waters may be described as a large scale experiment in nature". Earlier studies have contributed to an understanding of primary production of atolls and coral reefs of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans (SARGENTan d AUSTIN, 1949, 1954; ODUMa nd ODUM1, 955; KOHNa nd HELBRICH1, 957; ODUMB, URKHOLDER and RIVERO1, 959 ; GORDOaNn d KELLY1, 962). Comparable information on the atolls of the Indian Ocean has been completely lacking. Since GARDINER (1903-1906) published his classical work on the Maldive and Laccadive Archipelagoes, practically no knowledge has been added to the atolls of the Laccadive

Early surgery versus initial conservative treatment in patients with spontaneous supratentorial lobar intracerebral haematomas (STICH II):a randomised trial

SummaryBackgroundThe balance of risk and benefit from early neurosurgical intervention for conscious patients with superficial lobar intracerebral haemorrhage of 10–100 mL and no intraventricular haemorrhage admitted within 48 h of ictus is unclear. We therefore tested the hypothesis that early surgery compared with initial conservative treatment could improve outcome in these patients.MethodsIn this international, parallel-group trial undertaken in 78 centres in 27 countries, we compared early surgical haematoma evacuation within 12 h of randomisation plus medical treatment with initial medical treatment alone (later evacuation was allowed if judged necessary). An automatic telephone and internet-based randomisation service was used to assign patients to surgery and initial conservative treatment in a 1:1 ratio. The trial was not masked. The primary outcome was a prognosis-based dichotomised (favourable or unfavourable) outcome of the 8 point Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) obtained by questionnaires posted to patients at 6 months. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered, number ISRCTN22153967.Findings307 of 601 patients were randomly assigned to early surgery and 294 to initial conservative treatment; 298 and 291 were followed up at 6 months, respectively; and 297 and 286 were included in the analysis, respectively. 174 (59%) of 297 patients in the early surgery group had an unfavourable outcome versus 178 (62%) of 286 patients in the initial conservative treatment group (absolute difference 3·7% [95% CI −4·3 to 11·6], odds ratio 0·86 [0·62 to 1·20]; p=0·367).InterpretationThe STICH II results confirm that early surgery does not increase the rate of death or disability at 6 months and might have a small but clinically relevant survival advantage for patients with spontaneous superficial intracerebral haemorrhage without intraventricular haemorrhage.FundingUK Medical Research Council

Reactive Nitrogen in Coastal and Marine Waters of India and Its Relationship With Marine Aquaculture

India is bordered in the soutii, south-west, and south-east with Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea (AS), and the Bay of Bengal (BOB), respectively. Indian coast is 7517 km long comprising 5423 km in the peninsular India and 2094 km in Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands. The Indian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is spread in 2.02 million sq km (0.86 million sq km in west coast, 0.56 m illion sq km in east coast and 0.6 million sq km in Andaman and Nicobar Islands). The Indian marine environmentconsisting of adjoining coastal areas and EEZ directly sustains useful habitats and suppons the livelihood of 3.9 million fishers. Nearly 25% of the country’s population resides in these areas and about 340 communities are primarily occupied in marine and coastal fisheries (MoEF, 2009; SACEP, 2014). Nitrogen (N) exists in various chemical forms, produced by marine biota through several chemical transformations during their growth and metabolism in the marine environment. Nitrogen as N2 is generally unavailable in marine conditions and thereby, the equilibrium of the processes of N2 fixation (conversion of atmospheric N2 to organic nitrogen) and denitrification (conversion of nitrate to N2) decides the bioavailable nitrogen supply and productivity (Gruber, 2008)

Neuroimaging standards for research into small vessel disease and its contribution to ageing and neurodegeneration: A united approach

Item does not contain fulltextCerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a common accompaniment of ageing. Features seen on neuroimaging include recent small subcortical infarcts, lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, perivascular spaces, microbleeds, and brain atrophy. SVD can present as a stroke or cognitive decline, or can have few or no symptoms. SVD frequently coexists with neurodegenerative disease, and can exacerbate cognitive deficits, physical disabilities, and other symptoms of neurodegeneration. Terminology and definitions for imaging the features of SVD vary widely, which is also true for protocols for image acquisition and image analysis. This lack of consistency hampers progress in identifying the contribution of SVD to the pathophysiology and clinical features of common neurodegenerative diseases. We are an international working group from the Centres of Excellence in Neurodegeneration. We completed a structured process to develop definitions and imaging standards for markers and consequences of SVD. We aimed to achieve the following: first, to provide a common advisory about terms and definitions for features visible on MRI; second, to suggest minimum standards for image acquisition and analysis; third, to agree on standards for scientific reporting of changes related to SVD on neuroimaging; and fourth, to review emerging imaging methods for detection and quantification of preclinical manifestations of SVD. Our findings and recommendations apply to research studies, and can be used in the clinical setting to standardise image interpretation, acquisition, and reporting. This Position Paper summarises the main outcomes of this international effort to provide the STandards for ReportIng Vascular changes on nEuroimaging (STRIVE)