Propagation of Gaussian Schell-model beams in modulated graded-index media.

The evolution of partially coherent beams in longitudinally modulated graded-index media is studied. The special cases of Gaussian Schell-model beams and parametric modulation, when the modulation period is half the fiber self-imaging period, are examined in detail. We show that the widths of the intensity and coherence of Gaussian Schell-model beams undergo amplification in parametrically modulated parabolic graded-index media. The process is an analog of quantum mechanical parametric amplification and generation of squeezed states. Our work may find application in spatial and temporal imaging of partially coherent beams in fiber-based imaging systems.

Soliton supermode transitions and total red shift suppression in multi-core fibers.

Soliton propagation in seven-core fibers is studied numerically with the frequency dependence of linear coupling taken into account. It is shown that under certain conditions, solitons can undergo spontaneous supermode transitions upon abrupt red shift, analogous to the recently discovered phenomenon of soliton self-mode conversion in step-index multi-mode fibers. When the core separation is increased, the dynamics change drastically, leading to total suppression of soliton self-frequency shift and the emergence of spatially oscillating solitonic structures with resemblance to solitons in graded-index multi-mode fibers. The observed phenomena are general multi-core effects and not specific to seven-core fibers.

Folate Conjugated Double Liposomes Bearing Prednisolone and Methotrexate for Targeting Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PURPOSE: This investigation was aimed to explore the targeting potential of folate conjugated double liposomes (fDLs) bearing combination of synergistic drugs (Prednisolone and Methotrexate) for effective management of the rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: To overcome the drawbacks of monotherapy, a combination of prednisolone (PRD) (an anti-inflammatory agent) and methotrexate (MTX) (a disease modifying anti-rheumatoid agent, DMARDs) was chosen for dual targeting approach. fDLs were prepared in two steps i.e. development of inner liposomes (ILs) using thin film casting method followed by encapsulation of ILs within folate conjugated outer liposomes (double liposomes; fDLs). Developed liposomes were characterized for various physicochemical parameters and in vivo performance. RESULTS: fDLs were prepared using FA-PEG-4000-NH-DSPE conjugate. These double liposomes were having 429.3 ± 3.6 nm in size with 0.109 PDI, 8.01 ± 0.3 mV zeta potential (ζ) and 66.7 ± 3.9% and 45.3 ± 1.7% entrapments of PRD and MTX, respectively. After 24 h, the concentrations of PRD in blood were observed to be 8.66 ± 3.11 (ILs) and 15.13 ± 0.81% (DLs) while concentration of MTX were found to be 10.89 ± 0.69 and 2.34 ± 3.15% when given as ILs and fDLs, respectively. The concentration of both drugs in inflamed joint was observed to be higher than that in the non-inflamed joints. CONCLUSIONS: The folate conjugated double liposomes possess superior targeting efficiency than conjugated and unconjugated single liposomes.

Fate of a Soliton in a High Order Spatial Mode of a Multimode Fiber.

We show numerically that under certain conditions noise-induced soliton self-mode conversion dominates over soliton self-frequency shift for a soliton in a high order spatial mode of a multimode optical fiber. The input soliton has to be group index matched to a lower order mode for a frequency separation for which the Raman gain is non-negligible, and this condition determines the wavelength of the pulse growing from noise. The phenomenon has no known analogs in single-mode or graded-index fibers. The results demonstrate that it is possible for a noise-induced physical process to dominate over a seeded one even for noise levels at the fundamental limit.

Rare anatomical variant of the cervical internal carotid artery.

Neck dissection is routine for the management of cancers of the head and neck. Knowledge of anatomical variants in the carotid artery system at various levels of dissection should prevent inadvertent injury to major blood vessels, which can cause massive bleeding. We report a rare 180° sharp bend in the cervical course of the internal carotid artery at level II, which we found during a modified neck dissection.

Hydrophobic superparamagnetic FePt nanoparticles in hydrophilic poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) microgels: a new multifunctional hybrid system.

We report the synthesis of a new multifunctional colloidal hybrid system consisting of thermoresponsive amphiphilic biocompatible poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) microgels loaded with hydrophobic superparamagnetic FePt nanoparticles (NPs). In the first step, water swellable poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) microgels were mixed with hydrophobically coated sub-10 nm superparamagnetic FePt NPs in a tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution. In the second step, changing the surrounding solvent from THF to water forces the FePt NPs to migrate into the amphiphilic microgels. These new hybrid microgels (i) are colloidally stable in water and their thermo-responsive properties in terms of volume phase transition are retained, (ii) exhibit superparamagnetic characteristics introduced by FePt NPs, (iii) show a drastically reduced cytotoxicity compared to water-soluble FePt NPs of similar size, as known from the literature. This makes the new hybrid microgels suitable e.g. as biocompatible containers for drug delivery or for imaging.

What is the Temporal Analog of Reflection and Refraction of Optical Beams?

It is shown numerically and analytically that when an optical pulse approaches a moving temporal boundary across which the refractive index changes, it undergoes a temporal equivalent of reflection and refraction of optical beams at a spatial boundary. The main difference is that the role of angles is played by changes in the frequency. The frequency dependence of the dispersion of the material in which the pulse is propagating plays a fundamental role in determining the frequency shifts experienced by the reflected and refracted pulses. Our analytic expressions for these frequency shifts allow us to find the condition under which an analog of total internal reflection may occur at the temporal boundary.

Morphometry and variations of the human suprascapular notch.

AIM: The present study proposes a simple method to study variations in shape and dimensions of suprascapular notch, to classify different types and subtypes of notch and to measure the thickness of superior transverse scapular bar (ossified superior transverse ligament of scapula). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven hundred and twenty-eight dried scapulae were observed, examined and studied in detail. Scapulae with suprascapular notch, with suprascapular foramen having varying degree of ossification in the form of transverse scapular bar were included in the present study. Measurements of suprascapular notch and superior transverse scapular bar were taken with the help of digital vernier calliper and recorded in millimetres. The superior transverse diameter, inferior transverse diameter, depth, maximum thickness of suprascapular notch and thickness at lateral and medial end of transverse scapular bar, mean thickness of superior transverse scapular bar were recorded. The data was analyzed statistically. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS: We observed five types of notch in scapulae, type I: without a discrete notch (ill defined), 25 (3.43%); type II: a "V" shaped notch, 192 (26.37%); type III: "U" shaped notch, 383 (52.60%); type IV: inverted "V" shaped notch, 28 (3.84%); type V with absent suprascapular notch: 6 (0.82%). Type II and type III were again subclassified into subtypes (a, b, c and d) on the basis of depth of notch. Scapulae with superior transverse scapular bar (n=94, 12.91%) were classified according to variation in mean thickness of transverse scapular bar (MTSB). CONCLUSION: This study will help clinicians to correlate suprascapular nerve entrapment with a specific type of suprascapular notch and notch with ossified transverse scapular ligament.

Plastic fiber design for THz generation through wavelength translation.

We report on an all-fiber terahertz (THz) radiation source by exploiting nonlinear parametric process in a theoretically designed microstructured-core double-clad plastic fiber (MC-DCPF). The required phase-matching condition is satisfied through suitable tailoring of the fiber dispersion and nonlinear properties at the pump wavelength of a high-power CO2 laser, with a CO laser of much lower power acting as a seed concomitantly. Our simulated results reveal that a THz radiation source at the frequency of ∼3 THz could be realized with a 3-dB phase-matching band width of 2.13 GHz in a 65-m-long optimized MC-DCPF. Maximum power conversion efficiency >1% is realizable even after including the material loss.

Dispersion engineered Ge11.5As24 Se64.5 nanowire for supercontinuum generation: a parametric study.

A promising design of Ge11.5As24 Se64.5 nanowires for supercontinuum generation is proposed through numerical simulations. It can be used for generating a supercontinuum with 1300-nm bandwidth. The dispersion parameters upto eighth-order are obtained by calculating the effective mode index with the finite-element method. We have investigated dispersion curves for a number of nanowire geometries. Through dispersion engineering and by varying dimensions of the nanowires we have identified a promising structure that shows possibility of realizing a wideband supercontinuum. We have found significant variations in its bandwidth with the inclusion of higher-order dispersion coefficients and indicated the possibility of obtaining spurious results if the adequate number of dispersion coefficients is not considered. To confirm the accuracy of dispersion coefficients obtained through numerical computations, we have shown that a data-fitting procedure based on the Taylor series expansion provides good agreement with the actual group velocity dispersion curve obtained by using a full-vectorial finite-element mode-solver.

Galactose decorated PLGA nanoparticles for hepatic delivery of acyclovir.

The present study explores prospective of surface tailored nanoparticles for targeted delivery of acyclovir along with the interception of minimal side effects. Acyclovir loaded plain and galactosylated poly lectic co glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles were efficiently prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. The formulations were evaluated for in vitro drug release and hemolysis. Further, biodistribution study and fluorescent microscopic studies were carried out to determine the targeting potential of formulations. SEM revealed smooth morphology and spherical shape of the nanoparticles. In vitro, the galactosylated nanoparticles were found to be least hemolytic and exhibited a sustained release pattern. In vivo studies exhibited an augmented bioavailability, increased residence time and enhanced delivery of acyclovir to the liver upon galactosylation. It may therefore be concluded that galactose conjugated PLGA nanoparticles can be used suitably as vehicles for delivery of bioactives specifically to the hepatic tissues and may be thus exploited in the effective management of various liver disorders.

Polymeric nanomedicines as a promising vehicle for solid tumor therapy and targeting.

Inspite of demanding research that has been undertaken for cancer treatment, cancer is a major cause of mortality. Available conventional treatment options of solid tumor are associated with serious side effects. Nanomedicines mediated fascinating approach may be effectively utilized for efficient tumor targeting by avoiding all the problems associated with conventional chemotherapy. Polymeric nanomedicines such as polymer micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, polymersomes and polymer conjugates currently developed for solid tumor treatment have proved to be efficacious cancer therapeutics. These polymeric nanostructures are able to reach tumor tissue or angiogenic endothelial cells either passively or actively. To date, more advancement in the tumor targeting field includes stimuli sensitive polymeric nanocarriers that pass through the intracellular delivery barriers and release the bioactives in response to the microenvironmental trigger of tumor cell. This review discusses the molecular aspects of solid tumor pathophysiology and its dramatic impact on research for innovative and novel therapeutic approaches linked with tumor-targeting polymeric nanomedicines.

Effect of yogic intervention on the autonomic nervous system in the patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized controlled trial.

In this study 258 patients from the Department of Cardiology in Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow were selected to participate. All had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. They were randomly divided into 2 groups, the yoga group and the non-yoga group, 129 in each group; 208 completed the study protocol. The yogic intervention consisted of 35-40 min/day, 5 days a week over a period of 18 months in the Department of Physiology. Autonomic function testing was done in both the groups at zero time and after 18 months. We observed a statistically significant reduction in body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate (P < 0.05), i.e., a significant positive effect was observed when yoga therapy was used as an adjunct in patients with coronary artery disease.

Effect of yogic intervention on the autonomic nervous system in the patients with coronary artery disease:a randomized controlled trial

In this study 258 patients from the Department of Cardiology in Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow were selected to participate. All had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. They were randomly divided into 2 groups, the yoga group and the non-yoga group, 129 in each group; 208 completed the study protocol. The yogic intervention consisted of 35-40 min/day, 5 days a week over a period of 18 months in the Department of Physiology. Autonomic function testing was done in both the groups at zero time and after 18 months. We observed a statistically significant reduction in body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate [P < 0.05], i.e. a significant positive effect was observed when yoga therapy was used as an adjunct in patients with coronary artery disease

Anaphylaxis to artesunate?

Artesunate, an artemissin derivative is a highly efficacious and relatively safe antimalarial agent. Common adverse reactions to artemissin derivatives are nausea, vomiting, anorexia and dizziness. More serious but less-frequent toxic effects of artesunate use are neutropenia, anemia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and severe allergic reactions. However, anaphylactic reaction to artesunate is a rare entity. Here, we report a case of anaphylaxis to parenteral artesunate and its successful management in a female patient to whom intravenous artesunate was administered during surgery under general anesthesia.

Functionalized carriers for the improved delivery of plasminogen activators.

Various plasminogen activators have been routinely used for the treatment of thrombotic diseases. However, these agents possess various problems e.g. short half life and other bleeding complications. To improve the effectiveness as well as to reduce the side effects of these drugs, various modifications have been made. For example, fibrin specific plasminogen activators have been developed. However, these agents also demonstrated various bleeding complications, clinically. Nowadays, so many carrier systems have been explored to improve the activity of these agents. Novel carriers not only improve the effectiveness of these drugs but also reduce the side effects. In the present review, we discuss novel carrier based strategies to improve the delivery of the plasminogen activators to site of thrombus.

Platelets directed liposomes for the delivery of streptokinase: development and characterization.

The present study was aimed to study the effect of RGD peptide conjugation on the bio-distribution behaviour of long circulatory liposomes in the thrombosed rat model. Further, thrombolysis study was also performed to evaluate the therapeutic activity of the prepared liposomes. Liposomes were prepared by film hydration method and peptide was subsequently conjugated on the preformed liposomes using carbodiimide chemistry. Prepared liposomes were characterized for size and size distribution, entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release. In vitro targeting ability of the liposomes was determined by platelets binding assay. In vivo studies were performed in the rat model containing human blood clot inoculated in the carotid artery. Results of the study showed that RGD peptide conjugated liposomes significantly accumulated to the site of blood clot and higher thrombolytic activity was observed with peptide modified liposomes as compared to plain streptokinase solution and long circulatory liposomes.

Effect of yogic practices on lipid profile and body fat composition in patients of coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of regular yogic practices and self-discipline in reducing body fat and elevated lipids in CAD patients. METHOD: In this study one hundred seventy (170) subjects, of both sexes having coronary artery disease were randomly selected form Department of Cardiology. Subjects were divided in to two groups randomly in yoga group and in non-yoga group, eighty five (85) in each group. Out of these (170 subjects), one hundred fifty four (154) completed the study protocol. TIME LINE: The yogic intervention consisted of 35-40 min/day, five days in a week till six months in the Department of Physiology CSMMU UP Lucknow. Body fat testing and estimation of lipid profile were done of the both groups at zero time and after six months of yogic intervention in yoga group and without yogic intervention in non yoga group. RESULTS: In present study, BMI (p<0.04), fat % (p<0.0002), fat free mass (p<0.04), SBP (p<0.002), DBP (p<0.009), heart rate (p<0.0001), total cholesterol (p<0.0001), triglycerides (p<0.0001), HDL (p<0.0001) and low density lipoprotein (p<0.04) were changed significantly. CONCLUSION: Reduction of SBP, DBP, heart rate, body fat%, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL after regular yogic practices is beneficial for cardiac and hypertensive patients. Therefore yogic practices included in this study are helpful for the patients of coronary artery disease.

Development and characterization of site specific target sensitive liposomes for the delivery of thrombolytic agents.

In recent times, search for potent and highly selective thrombolytic agents with minimal side effects has become a major area of research. The aim of the present study was to develop and characterize target sensitive (TS) liposomes encapsulating streptokinase, a thrombolytic agent. The developed TS liposomes were composed of dioleylphophatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE) and dipalmityl-c(RGDfK) (10:1mol/mol). Dipalmityl-c(RGDfK) was synthesized using typical carbodiimide chemistry using palmitic acid and c(RGDfK), while lysine was used as a spacer. Liposomes were of 100-120nm size. In vitro drug release study showed that nearly 40% drug of the entrapped drug was released in 12h in the PBS (pH 7.4), however on incubation with activated platelet about 90% of drug was released within 45min. The results suggested target sensitivity of the liposomes. Further, targeting potential was confirmed using fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry. Clot lysis study revealed that TS liposomes could not only reduce the clot lysis time but also increase the extent of clot lysis as compared to non-liposomal streptokinase solution. In conclusion, the present liposomal formulation will target the thrombolytic agent to the activated platelets in the thrombus and hence will improve the therapeutic efficacy of the drug.

Six-month trial of Yoga Nidra in menstrual disorder patients: Effects on somatoform symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Yoga Nidra is a successful therapy for both recent and long-standing psychological disturbances of all kinds especially depression and high anxiety level and neurotic patterns. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present work, therefore, was to conduct a preliminary randomized study of Yoga Nidra as a treatment in the patients of menstrual disorders with somatoform symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited from Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CSM Medical University (erstwhile KGMU) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. One hundred and fifty female patients with menstrual disorders were randomly divided in to two groups 1- Intervention group: 75 subjects (Yoga Nidra intervention and medication) 2- control group: 75 subjects (without Yoga Nidra intervention only medication). Schedule for clinical assessment in neuropsychiatry tool was used. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in pain symptoms (P<0.006), gastrointestinal symptoms (P<0.04), cardiovascular symptoms (P<0.02) and urogenital symptoms (P<0.005) after 6 months of Yoga Nidra therapy in Intervention group in comparison to control group. CONCLUSION: Yoga Nidra appears to be a promising intervention for psychosomatic problems. It is cost-effective and easy to implement. The results indicate that somatoform symptoms in patients with menstrual disorder can be decreased by learning and applying a program based on Yogic intervention (Yoga Nidra).