Behavior of Light in a Photobioreactor and Design of Light Guides

The purposes of the thesis is to explain the microalgae cultivation in a photobioreactor system; demonstrate the light activity in a flat-plate photobioreactor; and design the light channeling system. Generally, microalgae are cultivated in open ponds and in closed photobioreactor systems. In open ponds, the productivity of microalgal biomass is very low, due to lack and improper use of carbon and energy sources. In photobioreactor systems, all required inputs can be supplied effectively to the microalgae which in turn increases the biomass productivity. However, these systems are expensive to build and to maintain in a largescale basis. In a photobioreactor, the supply of carbon source can be controlled easily, but not the supply of energy. The main energy source in a photobioreactor is light. Controlling light activity in a photobioreactor can be a big challenge. Since light plays a vital role in microalgal growth, studying light activity in a photobioreactor is crucial. The fundamentals of light behavior is also presented. An experiment has been carried out to analyze the interaction of light with all the factors like growth medium, gas bubble flumes, biomass concentration, and the light path length in the photobioreactor system. These experiments are used to determine the light penetration in to a photobioreactor system

Design and development of novel bandages for compression therapy

During the past few years there have been increasing concerns relating to the performance of bandages, especially their pressure distribution properties for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. This is because compression therapy is a complex system and requires two or multilayer bandages, and the performance properties of each layer differs from other layers. The widely accepted sustained graduated compression mainly depends on the uniform pressure distribution of different layers of bandages, in which textile fibres and bandage structures play a major role. This article examines how the fibres, fibre blends and structures influence the absorption and pressure distribution properties of bandages. It is hoped that the research findings will help medical professionals, especially nurses, to gain an insight into the development of bandages. A total of 12 padding bandages have been produced using various fibres and fibre blends. A new technique that would facilitate good resilience and cushioning properties, higher and more uniform pressure distribution and enhanced water absorption and retention was adopted during the production. It has been found that the properties of developed padding bandages, which include uniform pressure distribution around the leg, are superior to existing commercial bandages and possess a number of additional properties required to meet the criteria stipulated for an ideal padding bandage. Results have indicated that none of the mostly used commercial padding bandages provide the required uniform pressure distribution around the limb

Melioidosis: a multiple disease imposter

Melioidosis, an endemic disease in South East Asia and Australia is emerging a potential infectious threat off late in India. Though not highly infectious it can be extremely fatal. It has various manifestations which can mimic a wide array of disease including tuberculosis, malignancy, etc., Though not an untreatable disease it can certainly worsen with treatment. An interesting fact is that the fast deteriorating and fatality has made Burkholderia pseudomaleii, the causative organism qualified for biological warfare

Experimental evaluation of the anti-ulcer activity of the ethanolic extract of grape (Vitis vinifera) seed in wistar albino rats against aspirin plus pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer model

Background: There is an increased demand for newer safer drugs for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease as its incidence is increasing gradually in view of changing lifestyle and stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of ethanol extract of seeds of Vitis vinifera.Methods: The ethanol extract of Vitis vinifera was investigated for its anti-ulcer activity in rats against Aspirin plus Pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer.The antiulcer activity was assessed by determining and comparing gastric volume, pH, free and total acidity; ulcer number and its inhibition, ulcer severity and ulcer index.Results: A significant antiulcer activity was observed. Pylorus ligation model showed significant (p<0.01) reduction in gastric volume, free acidity and ulcer index as compared to control.Conclusions: This present study indicates that Vitis vinifera seed extract have potential anti-ulcer activity in the model tested

EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-ULCER ACTIVITY OF GRAPE (VITIS VINIFERA) SEED EXTRACT IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS AGAINST HYDROCHLORIC ACID – ETHANOL INDUCED ULCER MODEL

Background:Herbal products are finding increasing demand in the treatment of Peptic ulcer, on account of their better safety and efficacy.Objectives:To evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of ethanolic extract of seeds of Vitis Vinifera in Wistar albino rats.Methods:The ethanolic extract of Vitis Vinifera was investigated for its anti-ulcer activity in rats against HCl – Ethanol induced ulcer model. The antiulcer activity was assessed by determining and comparing gastric volume, pH, free and total acidity; ulcer number and its inhibition, ulcer severity and ulcer index.Results:A significant antiulcer activity was observed. The grape seed 100mg/kg group showed significant [p &lt; 0.05] reduction in ulcer number 30.00 ± 3.23 as compared to the control. The grape seed 200mg/kg showed significant [p &lt; 0.05] reduction in ulcer number 27.33 ± 2.97, free acidity 20.00 ± 2.26, and gastric lesion18.00 ± 2.96 as compared to the control.Conclusion:This present study indicates that Vitis vinifera seed extract has potential anti ulcer activity in the model tested. Keywords: Vitis vinifera, Anti-ulcer, Ethanol, Free acidity, Total acidit

Evaluation of High Throughput Scale-Down Models and Scale-Up of an Intensified Dynamic Cell Culture Platform Process

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Association analysis of nine candidate gene polymorphisms in Indian patients with type 2 diabetic retinopathy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is classically defined as a microvasculopathy that primarily affects the small blood vessels of the inner retina as a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM).It is a multifactorial disease with a strong genetic component. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of a set of nine candidate genes with the development of diabetic retinopathy in a South Indian cohort who have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seven candidate genes (<it>RAGE, PEDF, AKR1B1, EPO, HTRA1, ICAM </it>and <it>HFE</it>) were chosen based on reported association with DR in the literature. Two more, <it>CFH </it>and ARMS2, were chosen based on their roles in biological pathways previously implicated in DR. Fourteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one dinucleotide repeat polymorphism, previously reported to show association with DR or other related diseases, were genotyped in 345 DR and 356 diabetic patients without retinopathy (DNR). The genes which showed positive association in this screening set were tested further in additional sets of 100 DR and 90 DNR additional patients from the Aravind Eye Hospital. Those which showed association in the secondary screen were subjected to a combined analysis with the 100 DR and 100 DNR subjects previously recruited and genotyped through the Sankara Nethralaya Hospital, India. Genotypes were evaluated using a combination of direct sequencing, TaqMan SNP genotyping, RFLP analysis, and SNaPshot PCR assays. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze the genotype and allele frequencies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the nine loci (15 polymorphisms) screened, SNP rs2070600 (G82S) in the <it>RAGE </it>gene, showed significant association with DR (allelic P = 0.016, dominant model P = 0.012), compared to DNR. SNP rs2070600 further showed significant association with DR in the confirmation cohort (P = 0.035, dominant model P = 0.032). Combining the two cohorts gave an allelic P < 0.003 and dominant P = 0.0013). Combined analysis with the Sankara Nethralaya cohort gave an allelic P = 0.0003 and dominant P = 0.00011 with an OR = 0.49 (0.34 - 0.70) for the minor allele. In <it>HTRA1</it>, rs11200638 (G>A), showed marginal significance with DR (P = 0.055) while rs10490924 in LOC387715 gave a P = 0.07. No statistical significance was observed for SNPs in the other 7 genes studied.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study confirms significant association of one polymorphism only (rs2070600 in <it>RAGE</it>) with DR in an Indian population which had T2DM.</p

Tuberculosis tenosynovitis of the wrist: a rare case report

Tuberculosis (TB) is a common disease of the Asian continent and has a varied presentation. Involvement of the musculoskeletal system is uncommon and presents in 10% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The atypical sites of tuberculous infection are the spine (51%) pelvis (12%), hip and femur (10%), knee and tibia (10%), and ribs (7%), but involvement of the wrist is rare. Tuberculosis tenosynovitis is a rare site of extra-articular TB. Delayed diagnosis and hence treatment is because it mimics many other disease processes and as a result, complications are common. Median nerve compression leading to carpal tunnel syndrome may also occur in these patients. Here, we present a case of tuberculous tenosynovitis involving the wrist flexors and the radial and ulnar bursae treated with surgery