Ayurvedic management of Acute Exacerbation of Atopic Dermatitis - A Case Report

Atopic dermatitis is one of the common skin diseases that affect one’s day to day life. It seriously affects the quality of life of a person. It is the polymorphic inflammatory reaction of skin involving the epidermis and dermis. The term eczema means “to boil over”. Aetiology is unknown. This case study describes a 42-year-old patient who was admitted to Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda college Hospital due to an acute exacerbation of atopic dermatitis. The patient complaints included profuse itching and reddish-brown discoloration over the flexor part of both upper and lower limbs, primarily on the forearm, dorsal part of both palms, and neck region. Patient is a tile worker, always exposed to dust and he is travelling from one state to another as a part of his job. He had a history of allergic rhinitis. On examination, Patient oriented eczema measure (POEM) was 26 which shows very severe eczema, and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire score was 24 which shows extremely large effect on patient’s life. Treatment started internally and externally. Internally the treatment protocol was based on Amapachana, Deepana, Srothosodana, Vyadhikshamatwakara, Dosha Dhathu Samyakara. Externally treatment started with Abhyanga, Sarvanga Thakra Dhara, Lepana, Snehapana and Virechana. After the treatment, clinical signs and symptoms were reduced Patient oriented eczema measure was 9 which shows moderate eczema, and Dermatology life quality index questionnaire score was 10 which shows moderate effect on patient’s life

Digital Quantum Simulations of Hong-Ou-Mandel Interference

Digital quantum simulation is the process of simulating the dynamics of a physical system by a programmable quantum computer. The universality of quantum computers makes it possible to simulate any quantum system, whether fermionic or bosonic. In this work, we discuss the application of digital quantum simulations to simulate a ubiquitous bosonic system, a beam splitter. To perform the boson-to-qubit mapping, we used the gray code, whose superiority over other encoding schemes has been shown recently. We validated our quantum circuit that mimics the action of a beam splitter by simulating the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference experiment. We simulated the experiment in both quantum simulators and actual quantum backends and were able to observe the HOM interference.Comment: 6 pages, 8 figure

Towards Quantum Dynamics Simulation of Physical Systems: A Survey

After the emergence of quantum mechanics and realising its need for an accurate understanding of physical systems, numerical methods were being used to undergo quantum mechanical treatment. With increasing system correlations and size, numerical methods fell rather inefficient, and there was a need to simulate quantum mechanical phenomena on actual quantum computing hardware. Now, with noisy quantum computing machines that have been built and made available to use, realising quantum simulations are edging towards a practical reality. In this paper, we talk about the progress that has been made in the field of quantum simulations by actual quantum computing hardware and talk about some very fascinating fields where it has expanded its branches, too. Not only that, but we also review different software tool-sets available to date, which are to lay the foundation for realising quantum simulations in a much more comprehensive manner.Comment: 37 Pages with 13 Figures and 3 Table

Using a storytelling intervention in schools to explore death, dying, and loss

Purpose: Experiencing bereavement in childhood can cause profound changes to developmental trajectories. This paper aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a public health intervention in schools to encourage pupils aged 12-15 years to independently explore ideas of death, dying, loss and end of life care in a structured and creative format. Design/methodology/approach: A co-produced storytelling intervention was implemented in an independent school in Norwich, UK. Pupils wrote up to 1,000 words in response to the title, “I Wish We’d Spoken Earlier”. Their participation was voluntary and extra-curricular. Stakeholder feedback was used in addition to the submissions as a measure of acceptability, appropriateness, adoption and feasibility. Findings: In total, 24 entries were submitted. Pupils demonstrated their ability to engage thoughtfully and creatively with the subject matter. Feasibility for the storytelling intervention was demonstrated. Importantly, the intervention also prompted family conversations around preferences and wishes for end of life care. Research limitations/implications: To determine whether the intervention has psychological and social benefits will require further study. Practical implications: Educational settings can be considered as anchor institutions to support a public health approach to end of life care. Originality/value: The positive response from all stakeholders in delivering and supporting the intervention indicates that schools are a community asset that could be further empowered to support children and families affected by death, dying and loss

CLASSICAL ASHTAVAIDYAN AYURVEDIC THERAPY IN THE FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: CASE STUDY

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic auto immune connective tissue disease that can affect any part of the body. The disease has no direct reference in Ayurvedic texts. Considering the symptomatology, it can be compared with Upadrava of Vatarakta. Methodology: In this study, 3 patients (age group between 15– 60 yrs) diagnosed SLE with the help of ACR criteria after assessing both objective and subjective parameters have undergone the prescribed classical Ayurvedic treatments, in both IP and OP level to evaluate its effect in the functional improvement. The study period was totally 57 days which included 21 days each at inpatient and outpatient basis and 15 days of follow up. Initially Sathaila Shastika Pinda Sweda was done for first 7 days followed by Takradhara for another 7 days. Consecutively Abhyanga with Pinda taila and Thalam with Amalaki were done for next 7 days. Then treatment was done on OP basis with internal medicines. Result: Results shows that the prescribed Ayurvedic treatments helped to control the progressive signs and symptoms. The quality of life and range of movements of the affected joints improved. Major difference showing a good improvement in carrying out the day today life activities was noted. Conclusion: Traditional Ashtavaidyan Ayurveda therapy is found effective in controlling the progressive symptoms of patients and improvement in functional ability of the patients with SLE. More over there was no adverse drug reaction recorded during as well there was significant change observed in liver and renal function tests. This indicates that the therapy is safe without producing any complication or side effects

EFFECT OF CLASSICAL AYURVEDIC TREATMENT IN THE FUNCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Arthritis and various musculoskeletal disorders are the leading causes of disability in persons between 18 to 65 years of age and are common causes of disability related to employment. Among them Rheumatoid arthritis is a common clinical condition characterized by pain, stiffness and inflammation of joints with varying degree of disability. In this study 50 patients (age group between 20-60 yrs) diagnosed as RA after assessing both objective and subjective parameters have undergone the prescribed classical Ayurvedic treatments, both IP and OP level to evaluate its effect in the functional improvement. The study period was totally 57 days which includes 21 days each at inpatient and outpatient basis and 15 days of follow up. Initial course was Ama pachana treatments for 7 days. It includes Pachana medicines internally and Ruksha pottali sweda externally. Next 14 days, Samana medicines internally and Pathra pottali sweda externally were given. Same internal medicines and oil application were continued for next 21 days as outpatient. The response of treatment was assessed periodically with respective parameters and were showed significant effect. The improvement in functional assessment evaluated by using the Das 28 score, disability index, quality of life index -SF36 and global assessment of disease activity scale are all found significant changes. The lab parameters used to evaluate the liver and kidney function did not show any adverse changes that shows the prescribed treatment is safe

Classical Ashtavaidyan Ayurvedic Therapy in the functional improvement of patients of Psoriatic Arthritis - An open label, single arm exploratory clinical study

Background: Arthritis and various musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of disability in persons between 18 to 65 years of age. Psoriatic arthritis simulates Ayurvedic descriptions of the clinical syndrome - Vatarakta. The study has been designed to evaluate the effectiveness of classical Ashtavaidyan methods of Ayurvedic intervention in the management of psoriatic arthritis and to assess the safety of the therapy. Methodology: Diagnosed cases of psoriatic arthritis (n=30) (20-60 yrs) have undergone the prescribed classical Ashtavaidyan Ayurvedic therapies. The total study period was 57 days which included 21 days each at inpatient and outpatient basis and 15 days of follow up. Initially modified Takradhara was performed along with internal medications for first 14 days; later same internal medication was continued with Sarvanga Abhyanga (therapeutic massage) with Pinda Taila and Vajraka Ghrita in 3:1 ratio externally and Amalaki Thalam for next 7 days. Same internal medicines and oil application were continued for next 21 days as outpatient. Results: The response to treatment was assessed periodically with respective parameters and showed highly significant improvement (P<0.001). There was significant reduction in PASI score and also significant changes in functional parameters related to psoriatic arthritis evaluated by using the visual analogue pain scale, DAS score, disability index scores and SF-36 (quality of life Index). The laboratory parameters used to evaluate the liver and renal functions did not show any significant changes that indicate the prescribed treatment is safe. Conclusion: Traditional Ashtavaidyan Ayurveda therapy is effective in reducing the skin lesions and improving functional ability in Vatarakta vis-à-vis psoriatic arthritis over a period of 42 days. Moreover, there was no adverse drug reaction recorded as well no significant change observed in liver and renal function tests