Transcriptional Control of Impaired Th1 Responses in Patent Lymphatic Filariasis by T-Box Expressed in T Cells and Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Genes

T-bet (T-box expressed in T cells) and GATA-3 are transcription factors that play a critical role in the development of Th1 and Th2 cells, as do genes of the SOCS (suppressor of cytokine signaling) family, albeit indirectly. Another transcription factor, Foxp3, is a master regulator of natural regulatory T cells (Tregs). To identify the role of these factors in impaired Th1 responses of patent filarial infection, analysis of cytokine, SOCS, and transcription factor mRNA expression was performed on purified T cells of filaria-infected individuals (n � 6) and uninfected controls (n � 6). As expected (and in contrast to cells of uninfected individuals), there was a significant depression of gamma interferon (IFN-�) and a concomitant increase in interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and IL-10 mRNA expression following stimulation with parasite antigen (BmA) but not with a polyclonal T-cell (anti-CD3) stimulus. T-bet (but not GATA-3) was expressed at significantly lower levels in cells of filaria-infected individuals in response to BmA compared with those from the uninfected group, accounting, at least partially, for the diminished IFN-� expression. Second, we found no significant differences in expression of Foxp3 between the two groups, although induction of Foxp3 expression correlated with induced expression levels of IL-10, implicating Tregs in the IL-10 expression seen. Finally, parasitespecific T-cell expression of SOCS-1, SOCS-5, and SOCS-7 was significantly diminished among infected patients; in contrast, expression of SOCS-3 increased. Our data therefore indicate that the impaired Th1 responses observed in patent lymphatic filariasis are associated with decreased expression of T-bet, SOCS-1, SOCS-5, and SOCS-7 and increased expression of SOCS-3 in T cells

Management of Anthracnose in Soybean Using Fungicide

Experiments on soybean (Glycine max L. Meril) were carried out aiming to control anthracnose (pod blight) caused by fungus, Colletotrichum truncatum with five treatments represented by different fungicidal sprays against control receiving no spray with three replicates of each under field conditions during two consecutive years from 2012 to 2013. In 2012, the higher Percent Disease Control (PDC) and Percent Yield Increase (PYI) were estimated in plot treated with SAAF (Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63%) followed by Mancozeb fungicides. The mean Pod Infection (PI) was low in plots treated with SAAF followed by Mancozeb. Almost similar trends of disease control were observed in 2013. The lower Percent Disease Index (PDI) was 46.25% and mean PI was 29.67% with higher yield value of 2431.25 kg/ha obtained from the plots sprayed with SAAF then by Mancozeb. The results showed that, the combined treatment with fungicides, SAAF followed by Mancozeb were effective to control anthracnose or pod blight disease of soybean to increase the yield.Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council Vol.1 2015 pp.29-3

Internet of Things

As we are moving towards the Internet of Things (IoT), the number of sensors deployed around the world is growing at a rapid pace. Market research has shown a significant growth of sensor deployments over the past decade and has predicted a significant increment of the growth rate in the future. These sensors continuously generate enormous  amounts of data. However, in order to add value to raw sensor data we need to understand it

A Comparative study of Anaesthetic efficacy of 0.2% Ropivacaine alone and 0.2% Ropivacaine with Fentanyl 50 mics in Intravenous Regional Anaesthesia

INTRODUCTION: Intravenous regional anaesthesia is a method of producing analgesia and muscle relaxation of the distal part of a limb by intravenous local anaesthetic injection while circulation to the limb is occluded. Intravenous regional anaesthesia was discovered by August Bier, professor of surgery in berlin in 1908. To administer intravenous anaesthesia he occluded the circulation in a segment of the arm with two tourniquets and then injected a solution of 0.5% procaine into a vein in the isolated segment. This technique was revived by Holmes in 1963, who used lignocaine because it appeared to give more reliable anaesthesia than procaine. Currently, intravenous regional anaesthesia sometimes referred to as Bier’s block is regarded as one of the several alternative techniques for arm anaesthesia. Various drugs such as procaine, prilocaine, lignocaine, bupivacaine has been used in intravenous regional anaesthesia. Among these, lignocaine is the drug commonly used. As lignocaine does not have post tourniquet deflation analgesia other local anaesthetic dugs have been tried to improve the duration and post operative analgesia. A longer acting agent bupivacaine initially gained substantial popularity but was laden with potentially serious side effects. Bupivacaine has been identified as a fast-in, slow-out type of local anaesthetic that maintains high affinity and binds tightly to myocardial sodium receptors. Therefore, if high plasma concentrations of bupivacaine are achieved irreversible cardiac arrest may occur. The amide local anaesthetic ropivacaine is a pure -s- enantiomer and is structurally related to bupivacaine. The duration of effect of ropivacaine is almost similar to that of bupivacaine. Ropivacaine has been shown to result in less depression of the cardiac conduction system when compared with bupivacaine. Intravenous ropivacaine, compared with bupivacaine and lignocaine in several studies has less cardiac and central nervous system side effects but has achieved better surgical anaesthetic conditions. In an attempt to reduce the amount of local anaesthetic required or to improve the quality of the block or both, various additives such as opiods, muscle relaxants, alpha2 agonists have been tried in intravenous regional anaesthesia with various results. Among these fentanyl a synthetic opiod is used in this study along with ropivacaine. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study is to evaluate, 1. The anaesthetic effects of 0.2% ropivacaine, 2. To compare it with the addition of fentanyl 50 mics in intravenous regional anaesthesia. The anaesthetic efficacy regarding, 1. Onset of Sensory Block, 2. Onset of Motor Block, 3. Occurrence of Tourniquet Pain, 4. Duration of Post OP Analgesia, 5. Side effects, if any are noted and compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in 50 patients undergoing hand surgeries in KAPV Govt medical college hospital. After getting institutional ethical committee approval and after explaining the procedure in detail, informed consent obtained from every patient. The patients were assigned into two groups each containing 25 patients. GROUP 1: Patients in this group received 40 ml of 0.2 % ropivacaine. GROUP 2: Patients in this group received 40 ml of 0.2 % ropivacaine with fentanyl 50 mics. Selection of Patients: The patients selected for this study were of ASA I and II, undergoing elective hand surgeries where the expected duration is less than an hour. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with history of any cardiovascular, respiratory or central nervous system disorders were excluded from the study. Patients with haematological disorders like sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia, patients with known hypersensitivity to ropivacaine, patients with difficult airway, were also excluded from the study. SUMMARY: We conducted a randomised control study in 50 ASA I and II patients aged 19 to 60 for elective hand surgeries by intravenous regional anaesthetic technique at KAPV Govt medical college hospital, Trichy. This study was to evaluate the, 1. anaesthetic efficacy, 2. post tourniquet release analgesia, 3. side effects of ropivacaine 0.2% alone and to compare it with adding fentanyl 50 mics. The patients were divided into two groups namely group 1 and group 2. 1. Sensory block onset, 2. motor block onset, 3. incidence of tourniquet pain, 4. post tourniquet release analgesia, 5. side effects ,if any were evaluated. We found that fentanyl 50 mics when added with ropivacaine 0.2% in intravenous regional anaesthesia improved the anaesthetic efficacy, lengthened post tourniquet analgesia and reduced the incidence of tourniquet pain as compared to Ropivacaine alone, which has been proved statistically significant using quantitative and qualitative analysis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ropivacaine 0.2% with fentanyl 50 mics in intravenous regional anaesthesia has good anaesthetic efficacy, lengthened post operative analgesia and less incidence of intra operativetourniquet pain with minimal alterations in hemodyanamics after tourniquet release when compared to ropivacaine 0.2% alone

Controlled drug delivery of diltiazem hydrochloride as transdermal patches: a novel approach on formulation evaluation in vitro and in vivo parameters

A significant effort was done to formulate transdermal patches (Paranjothi 1998) of Diltiazem Hydrochloride (DH), a benzothiazepine calcium channel blocker, mainly meant for the treatment of hypertension, chronic stable angina pectoris; by using hydroxy ethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and Eudragit RLPO. Six batches of transdermal patches were prepared by solvent casting technique in which the best formulation was found out. The polymers HEC, EC and Eudragit RLPO were incorporated with Diltiazem Hydrochloride in various proportions, out of which the best formulation on the ratio [HEC: EC: EUDRAGIT RLPO-1:1:2] with the drug was determined. The prepared transdermal patches were spherical, uniform in shape and white in color. The obtained transdermal films were evaluated for physico-chemical characteristics, in vitro release profile and in vivo evaluation in albino mice. Higuchis plot studies revealed that the predominant mechanism of drug release was diffusion

Design and evaluation of timolol maleate ocuserts

A remarkable attempt was made to prepare timolol maleate ocuserts, which is significant beta adreno receptor antagonist, by the aid of different of different ratio of composition of polymers such as EC, HPMC and Eudragit RS 100. Twelve batches of suitable ophthalmic films formulated by the method of solvent casting technique. Out of which the best formulation was found out the zero order release was observed in batch and was considered as the least drug releasing one. The formulated ocuserts were flexible, uniform and was meant for physic-chemical evaluator parameters, in vitro drug release profile and in vivo evaluation made on male rabbit

Formulation and evaluation of controlled release matrix tablets of antihypertensive drug using natural and synthetic hydrophilic polymers

The present study is to prepare and evaluate controlled release matrix tablets of Losartan potassium using natural and synthetic polymers. Tablets were prepared by direct compression method using different drug: polymer concentration. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) study revealed no chemical interaction between drug and polymers used. Precompression and postcompression parameters complied with pharmacopoeial limit for the tablets. In-vitro release studies was performed and the results indicates that matrix tablet  (F9) containing 50% w/w blend of natural and synthetic polymer has better controlled release for a period of 24 h

Selection of antigenically advanced variants of seasonal influenza viruses

Influenza viruses mutate frequently, necessitating constant updates of vaccine viruses. To establish experimental approaches that may complement the current vaccine strain selection process, we selected antigenic variants from human H1N1 and H3N2 influenza virus libraries possessing random mutations in the globular head of the haemagglutinin protein (which includes the antigenic sites) by incubating them with human and/or ferret convalescent se

Research studies on polymeric effect of indomethacine transdermal films

The objective of this study was to design and evaluate transdermal patches of Indomethacine using HPMC, EC and Eudragit RLPO using solvent casting technique. The in vitro drug release studies were performed by using the USP (paddle type) dissolution list apparatus in 1000 ml of 0.1N HCl (Medium Employed) at 37o C room temperature for an rpm maintained at 100 within a stipulated time interval of 15 minutes. The withdrawn Samples were analyzed by using UV visible  spectrophotometer at 268 mm using regent blank. The prepared  transdermal patches had undergone physic chemical evaluator parameters such as PMA, PML, swelling index, water vapour transmission rate, film thickness, weight cheek, and folding Endurance and drug content clearance. In vitro dissolution study of drug along with different  combination of polymers; i.e. HPMC, EC and Eudragit has been  performed; out of which batch B6 shows the best moisture of films and the graph representing the best controlled drug release. As the percentage of ethyl cellulose was reduced the rate of the release of the drug was increased. [Batch B6 > HPMC: EC: Eudragit RLPO - 2:1:2]. Films with batch  code B6 shows better stability and suitability. Higuchi’s plot revealed that the predominant Mechanism of drug release was diffusio

Evaluating the Impact of Total Knee Arthroplasty on Hindfoot Alignment and Function

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common surgical intervention for advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA), primarily aimed at alleviating pain and restoring knee function. This study examines the impact of TKA on hindfoot alignment and functionality, given the biomechanical interdependence between knee and hindfoot structures. Our findings reveal that TKA-induced corrections in knee alignment, particularly from varus or valgus deformities to a neutral stance, result in significant compensatory adjustments in hindfoot alignment. Preoperative varus knee deformities often shifted toward hindfoot valgus post-TKA, while valgus knee deformities tended toward hindfoot varus. Postoperative assessment, including radiographic and functional evaluations, demonstrated improvements in hindfoot function for most patients. However, 15% of participants reported persistent hindfoot discomfort, linked to residual malalignment. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring hindfoot alignment in post-TKA care to optimize functional outcomes and patient satisfaction. The study advocates for a holistic approach in TKA management, addressing both knee and hindfoot alignment to reduce complications and enhance recovery. Future research should focus on targeted rehabilitative strategies for patients with persistent hindfoot malalignment, potentially improving long-term outcomes and quality of life