High spin polarization and the origin of unique ferromagnetic ground state in CuFeSb

CuFeSb is isostructural to the ferro-pnictide and chalcogenide superconductors and it is one of the few materials in the family that are known to stabilize in a ferromagnetic ground state. Majority of the members of this family are either superconductors or antiferromagnets. Therefore, CuFeSb may be used as an ideal source of spin polarized current in spin-transport devices involving pnictide and the chalcogenide superconductors. However, for that the Fermi surface of CuFeSb needs to be sufficiently spin polarized. In this paper we report direct measurement of transport spin polarization in CuFeSb by spin-resolved Andreev reflection spectroscopy. From a number of measurements using multiple superconducting tips we found that the intrinsic transport spin polarization in CuFeSb is high ($\sim$ 47\%). In order to understand the unique ground state of CuFeSb and the origin of large spin polarization at the Fermi level, we have evaluated the spin-polarized band structure of CuFeSb through first principles calculations. Apart from supporting the observed 47\% transport spin polarization, such calculations also indicate that the Sb-Fe-Sb angles and the height of Sb from the Fe plane is strikingly different for CuFeSb than the equivalent parameters in other members of the same family thereby explaining the origin of the unique ground state of CuFeSb.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Utjecaj superdezintegratora na oslobađanje efavirenca iz tableta

Efavirenz (EFV) tablets of different doses were prepared by a wet granulation process using different superdisintegrants such as crosscarmellose sodium (CCS), sodium starch glycollate (SSG) and crosspovidone (CP) to evaluate the role of different disintegrants on the in vitro release of EFV. Further, the mode of addition of disintegrants on EFV dissolution from tablets containing 600 mg of the drug was evaluated by incorporating the disintegrant extragranularly (EG), intragranularly (IG) or distributing them equally (IG and EG). In vitro dissolution of the prepared tablets was conducted using the recommended medium and a dissolution medium developed in-house, which had the propensity to discriminate between the formulations. The t50 and t80 values were indicative of the fact that drug release was faster from tablet formulations containing CP. CP was able to release the drug faster than the other two disintegrants in both dissolution media and the drug release was unaffected by the mode of CP addition.U radu je opisana priprava tableta s različitim dozama efavirenca (EFV) metodom vlažne granulacije. Za tabletiranje korišteni su različiti superdezintegratori, poput natrijeve kroskarameloze (CCS), natrijeva škrobnog glikolata (SSG) i krospovidona (CP), kako bi se procijenio utjecaj vrste i načina dodavanja dezintegratora na oslobađanje EFV in vitro. U tu svrhu pripravljene su tablete sa 600 mg EFV, a dezintegrator je dodavan ekstragranularno (EG), intragranularno (IG) ili je bio podjednako raspršen (IG i EG). In vitro oslobađanje praćeno je u preporučenom mediju i mediju izrađenom u našem laboratoriju kako bi se uočila razlika između formulacija. Vrijednosti t50 i t80 ukazuju na to da je oslobađanje lijeka brže iz formulacija koje sadrže CP u oba medija. Način dodavanja CP nema utjecaj na oslobađanje lijeka, osim za CCS, gdje se ekstragranularno dodavanje pokazalo povoljnijim

Phosphorylation of Titin Modulates Passive Stiffness of Cardiac Muscle in a Titin Isoform-dependent Manner

We investigated the effect of protein kinase A (PKA) on passive force in skinned cardiac tissues that express different isoforms of titin, i.e., stiff (N2B) and more compliant (N2BA) titins, at different levels. We used rat ventricular (RV), bovine left ventricular (BLV), and bovine left atrial (BLA) muscles (passive force: RV > BLV > BLA, with the ratio of N2B to N2BA titin, ∼90:10, ∼40:60, and ∼10:90%, respectively) and found that N2B and N2BA isoforms can both be phosphorylated by PKA. Under the relaxed condition, sarcomere length was increased and then held constant for 30 min and the peak passive force, stress-relaxation, and steady-state passive force were determined. Following PKA treatment, passive force was significantly decreased in all muscle types with the effect greatest in RV, lowest in BLA, and intermediate in BLV. Fitting the stress-relaxation data to the sum of three exponential decay functions revealed that PKA blunts the magnitude of stress-relaxation and accelerates its time constants. To investigate whether or not PKA-induced decreases in passive force result from possible alteration of titin–thin filament interaction (e.g., via troponin I phosphorylation), we conducted the same experiments using RV preparations that had been treated with gelsolin to extract thin filaments. PKA decreased passive force in gelsolin-treated RV preparations with a magnitude similar to that observed in control preparations. PKA was also found to decrease restoring force in skinned ventricular myocytes of the rat that had been shortened to below the slack length. Finally, we investigated the effect of the β-adrenergic receptor agonist isoprenaline on diastolic force in intact rat ventricular trabeculae. We found that isoprenaline phosphorylated titin and that it reduced diastolic force to a degree similar to that found in skinned RV preparations. Taken together, these results suggest that during β-adrenergic stimulation, PKA increases ventricular compliance in a titin isoform-dependent manner

Functional outcome of platelet rich plasma on lateral epicondylitis of elbow

Background: The study was conducted with the aim to explore the efficacy of platelet rich plasma in sixty patients who presented to us with lateral epicondylitis of elbow where conservative management has failed.Methods: Between 2013 and 2015, 60 patients (M: F- 20: 40) with lateral epicondylitis of elbow were included. All patients presented to us with lateral epicondylitis of elbow where conservative management has failed. All patients are treated with platelet rich plasma injection. Serial follow-up were done at 1, 6 and 12 month.Results: All sixty patients had significant improvement before and after platelet rich plasma injection. The mean VAS score and the Mayo score suggests significant improvement in pain and elbow function following platelet rich plasma treatment. Conclusions: Platelet rich plasma improves pain and elbow function in patients suffering from lateral epicondylitis where conservative management has failed. Platelet rich plasma treatment may decrease the overall time for healing, and thereby decreasing the overall need for surgical intervention

Effects of green tea and chamomile tea on plaque pH, salivary pH, Streptococcus mutans count

Aim: Green tea is healthy beverage and is a part of our day to day life. Similarly, chamomile tea is known for its aspirin like properties. Beneficial effects of these tea includes protection against dental caries, periodontal disease and tooth loss and found that can a decrease in streptococcus mutans count as well as increase in pH. Hence the present study was to compare the pH of saliva and plaque, before and after the intake of green tea and to evaluate the role of green tea and chamomile tea on growth of s.mutans in culture using saliva. Material and Methods: Salivary samples were collected from 30 healthy individuals aged 20-30 years with certain criteria. The pH of saliva was determined by collecting samples before, immediately after and 15 min, 30 min after drinking tea using pH meter. Similarly the microbial colonies were also counted. The Data obtained were analyzed using Wilcoxon’s, Friedman's and Mann Whitney test. Results: There was statistically no significant difference between salivary streptococcus mutans count before and after (p 0.001) intake of green tea and chamomile tea. Conclusion: The result of the present study has proved that consumption of green tea and chamomile tea inhibit salivary Streptococcus mutans count and cause reduction of pH in saliva. So, it is advisable to encourage the regular consumption of this widely available, tasty and inexpensive beverage as an interesting alternative to other drinks

Development of a Core Curriculum Framework in Cariology for U.S. Dental Schools

Maintenance of health and preservation of tooth structure through risk-based prevention and patient-centered, evidencebased disease management, reassessed at regular intervals over time, are the cornerstones of present-day caries management. Yet management of caries based on risk assessment that goes beyond restorative care has not had a strong place in curriculum development and competency assessment in U.S. dental schools. The aim of this study was to develop a competency-based core cariology curriculum framework for use in U.S. dental schools. The Section on Cariology of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) organized a one-day consensus workshop, followed by a meeting program, to adapt the European Core Cariology Curriculum to the needs of U.S. dental education. Participants in the workshop were 73 faculty members from 35 U.S., three Canadian, and four international dental schools. Representatives from all 65 U.S. dental schools were then invited to review and provide feedback on a draft document. A recommended competency statement on caries management was also developed: "Upon graduation, a dentist must be competent in evidence-based detection, diagnosis, risk assessment, prevention, and nonsurgical and surgical management of dental caries, both at the individual and community levels, and be able to reassess the outcomes of interventions over time." This competency statement supports a curriculum framework built around five domains: 1) knowledge base; 2) risk assessment, diagnosis, and synthesis; 3) treatment decision making: preventive strategies and nonsurgical management; 4) treatment decision making: surgical therapy; and 5) evidence-based cariology in clinical and public health practice. Each domain includes objectives and learning outcomes.</p

Development of a Core Curriculum Framework in Cariology for U.S. Dental Schools

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153683/1/jddj002203372016806tb06133x.pd

Enhanced production of lupeol through elicitation in in vitro shoot cultures of snake grass (Clinacanthus nutans)

Clinacanthus nutans (Acanthaceae), generally known as ‘snake grass’, has diverse uses in customary system of herbal medicine. The species is endowed with various bioactive compounds exhibiting extensive pharmacological properties. The present investigation focused on elicitor-intervened in vitro shoot biomass cultivation and scale-up production of the anti-cancerous compound ‘lupeol’, one of the foremost constituents in this species. For the augmented production of lupeol, the shoot cultures were elicited with various concentrations of yeast extract (YE), chitosan and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Maximum shoot biomass yield and production of lupeol was detected in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mgl-1 BA and 400 mgl-1 YE. The petroleum ether extracts of selected samples upon TLC analysis proved Rf values corresponding to lupeol. HPTLC analysis revealed that the sample treated with YE displayed relatively higher amount (975.50 ng) of lupeol than the in vivo plant (713.69 ng). Hence the in vitro shoot culture system with elicitor (YE) treatment propose an appropriate method for the elevated synthesis of lupeol which can be scaled up via bio-reactor technology in doing so profiting the pharmaceutical appliances