Vascular Response to Sildenafil Citrate in Aging and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly - share many risks factors as atherosclerosis, which exhibits loss of vascular compliance resulting from aging and oxidative stress. Here, we attempt to explore choroidal and retinal vascular compliance in patients with AMD by evaluating dynamic vascular changes using live ocular imaging following treatment with oral sildenafil citrate, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor and potent vasodilator. Enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A) were performed on 46 eyes of 23 subjects, including 15 patients with non-exudative AMD in one eye and exudative AMD in the fellow eye, and 8 age-matched control subjects. Choroidal thickness, choroidal vascularity, and retinal vessel density were measured across the central macula at 1 and 3 hours after a 100 mg oral dose of sildenafil citrate. Baseline choroidal thickness was 172.1 ± 60.0 μm in non-exudative AMD eyes, 196.4 ± 89.8 μm in exudative AMD eyes, and 207.4 ± 77.7 μm in control eyes, with no difference between the 3 groups (P = 0.116). After sildenafil, choroidal thickness increased by 6.0% to 9.0% at 1 and 3 hours in all groups (P = 0.001-0.014). Eyes from older subjects were associated with choroidal thinning at baseline (P = 0.005) and showed less choroidal expansion at 1 hour and 3 hours after sildenafil (P = 0.001) regardless of AMD status (P = 0.666). The choroidal thickening appeared to be primarily attributed to expansion of the stroma rather than luminal component. Retinal vascular density remained unchanged after sildenafil in all 3 groups (P = 0.281-0.587). Together, our studies suggest that vascular response of the choroid to sildenafil decreases with age, but is not affected by the presence of non-exudative or exudative AMD, providing insight into changes in vessel compliance in aging and AMD

Compressed Natural Gas Operated Two-Wheeler

In this paper the results obtained on a 110cc two-wheeler S.I. engine using both petrol and CNG as fuel. Tests like Acceleration test, Emission test, Mileage test and Exhaust noise test were conducted at different operating condition. The basic petrol engine is converted into a bi-fuel engine and regulated by means of an electronically controlled Solenoid Actuated Valve system. On a comparative analysis CNG fuelled engine accelerated slower compared to petrol fuelled engine, but the CO and CO2 emissions were lesser indicated that CNG when used as fuel accelerates at a faster rate, the emission of hazardous gases is comparatively far lower than petrol, fuel consumption of CNG is less and it is economical. The noise test shows that the exhaust of CNG is louder as compared to petrol

THE NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF MEDICINAL PLANTS ON ALZHEIMER`S DISEASE: A REVIEW

In the 21st century, the human population is suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder in which neuronal death occurs due to a long-term chronic condition causing substantial major health concerns. When neurons die, they are not regenerated, causing cognitive impairment, i.e., Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and dementia. This review concentrates only on Alzheimer’s disease aetiology and various plants having potent neuroprotective activity related to Alzheimer’s disease. The most common aetiology of Alzheimer’s disease is a deposition of APP protein, hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein, a reduction in acetylcholine and oxidative stress, which are discussed briefly. Moreover, pertinent evidence is also discussed for medicinal plants with potent or promising neuroprotective activity related to Alzheimer’s disease

CFD analysis of fully decaying, partially decaying and partly swirl flow in round tubes with short length twisted tapes

CFD investigation was carried out to study the heat transfer characteristics of air flow inside a circular tube with a fully decaying, partially decaying and partly swirl flow. Four combinations of tube with twisted-tape inserts, half-length upstream twisted tape condition (HLUTT), half-length downstream twisted tape condition (HLDTT), full-length twisted tape (FLTT), inlet twisted tape (ILTT) are considered along with plain tube (PT) for comparison.. Three different twist parameter, ? = 0.14, 0.27, and 0.38, for twisted tape configuration have been studied for the above four configurations. 3D numerical simulation was performed for an analysis of heat transfer and fluid flow for turbulent regime. The results of CFD investigations of heat transfer, and friction characteristics are presented for the FLTT, HLUTT, HLDTT and the ILTT along with a velocity and temperature profiles analysis in comparison with the PT case. Keywords: HLUTT, HLDTT and FLTT, enhancement, Tape inserts, partially decaying swirl flow

RAG-induced DNA double-strand breaks signal through Pim2 to promote pre-B cell survival and limit proliferation

Interleukin 7 (IL-7) promotes pre–B cell survival and proliferation by activating the Pim1 and Akt kinases. These signals must be attenuated to induce G1 cell cycle arrest and expression of the RAG endonuclease, which are both required for IgL chain gene rearrangement. As lost IL-7 signals would limit pre–B cell survival, how cells survive during IgL chain gene rearrangement remains unclear. We show that RAG-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) generated during IgL chain gene assembly paradoxically promote pre–B cell survival. This occurs through the ATM-dependent induction of Pim2 kinase expression. Similar to Pim1, Pim2 phosphorylates BAD, which antagonizes the pro-apoptotic function of BAX. However, unlike IL-7 induction of Pim1, RAG DSB-mediated induction of Pim2 does not drive proliferation. Rather, Pim2 has antiproliferative functions that prevent the transit of pre–B cells harboring RAG DSBs from G1 into S phase, where these DNA breaks could be aberrantly repaired. Thus, signals from IL-7 and RAG DSBs activate distinct Pim kinase family members that have context-dependent activities in regulating pre–B cell proliferation and survival

EXISTENCE AND UNIQUENESS OF SOLUTION OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION OF FRACTIONAL ORDER VIA S-ITERATION

In this paper, we study the existence, uniqueness and other properties of solutions of differential equation of fractional order involving the Caputo fractional derivative. The tool employed in the analysis is based on application of S− iteration method. The study of qualitative properties in general required differential and integral inequalities, and here S−iteration method itself has equally important contribution to study various properties such as dependence on initial data, closeness of solutions and dependence on parameters and functions involved therein. Finally, we present an example in support of all proved results

A rare presentation of immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is defined as a hematologic disorder, characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia without any apparent cause. Some patients may be diagnosed during routine blood investigations or may present with bleeding diathesis. Treatment required for moderate to severe thrombocytopenia or those with bleeding manifestations. We present a case of 43 year old male, sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis on isoniazid (H), rifampin (R), pyrazinamide (Z), and ethambutol (E) (HRZE) with persistent thrombocytopenia. He developed hepatitis hence isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin were stopped. He had fever, rash, purpura, hematuria and blood tinged sputum with platelet count of 10,000. 4 random donor platelets (RDPs) given. He suffered from mild COVID-19 infection and recovered in 2 weeks but platelets remained low. Bone marrow examination was suggestive of ITP. Inspite of steroid therapy no improvement was seen. Later was treated with injection romiplostim, and started on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) regimen for tuberculosis and discharged with regular follow up. Last platelet count being 1,20000/dl, liver function tests normal and now restarted on HRZE

EVALUATION OF ANTI-DIABETIC POTENTIAL OF IXORA PAVETTAIN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: Evaluation of anti-diabetic potential ofIxorapavetta in streptozotocin induced diabetic ratsMethods: Diabetes was induced by thesingle dose of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg body weight i. p.) to female Wistarrats. Diabetic rats were stabilized for six day and from seventh day butenolic fraction of Ixorapavetta(BIP) was administered at a dose of 250 mg/kg, p. o. and 500 mg/kg for 3 weeks. Glibenclamide 10 mg/kg P. O. was used as a standard. The effects of BIP and standard drug on following parameters were recorded - body weight, blood glucose and various biochemical parameters like serum lipid profile eg. total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG), HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL. At the end of the study oxidative stress markers like CAT, GSH, and lipid peroxidation were analyzed in the pancreases. Histopathological changes were studied in pancreases of representative animals of the each group.Results: Administration of butenolic fractionof Ixorapavetta(BIP) at a dose of 250 mg/kg, p. o. and 500 mg/kg, p. o did not show any significant change in blood glucose level of normoglycemic rats, whereas, oral glucose tolerance test depicted significant (P<0.001) reduction in blood glucose level at 30 to 60 min. In streptozotocininduced diabetic rats, BIP was found significantly beneficial in controlling elevated blood glucose level and serum lipid parameters. The findings were strengthening by improved antioxidant status in diabetic rats as well as protection towards pathological damage of pancreases. The results showed by 500 mg/kg of butenol fractionof Ixorapavettawere comparable with standard treatment of Glibenclamide 10 mg/kg.Conclusion: Butenolfractionof Ixorapavettapossessanti-diabetic action in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.Â