Th9 cytokines curb cervical cancer progression and immune evasion.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in developing countries. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major determinant for the development of cervical cancer. Role of newly discovered T helper 9 (Th9) cells in cervical cancer pathogenesis is yet unfolded. In this study, we observed a huge infiltration of PU.1+ cells and overrepresentation of IL-9R in tissue biopsy specimens of CIN patients in cervical cancer cases. Treatment with Th9 signatory cytokines, IL-9 and IL-21, suppressed proliferation, enhanced apoptosis and stimulated the expression of MHC I and e-cadherin on HeLa cell lines. Th9 thus seems enhance antitumor immune response through T cell cytotoxicity and play crucial role in a controlling malignant cell transformation. Therefore, this study helps in firmer understanding of relevance of Th9 in cervical cancer immunity.

Impact of counseling in knowledge, attitude and practice and association of nutritional status with CD4 count and opportunistic infections of HIV patients of Udupi, India.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: HIV infection and insufficient nutritional intake form a malicious cycle which leads to immunodeficiency and malnutrition. Thus, this research was done to see the effect of nutritional counseling on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of HIV patients of Udupi district. Also, the rational evidence of association of nutritional status with CD4 counts and opportunistic infections combined are limited which led to design of this study. METHODS: This interventional study was done in ART Centre, Udupi, India with a sample size of 66 with 33 each in experimental and control group (EG and CG). At first, the biochemical parameters, KAP, 3 day dietary intake and food group intake over Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) were recorded. PG-SGA (Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment) scoring was used to categorize patients' nutritional status. Individual nutritional counseling was provided to EG and change in KAP of EG and CG were recorded after 1 month. RESULTS: Pre-KAP mean of EG was 151.56 which increased to 169.13 after intervention. The mean KAP score of EG was statistically different from CG after counseling, P < 0.001. Of the total, 15 (22.7%) patients were found to be malnourished. The dietary intake of nutrients and food group was significantly lower than RDA. Tukey HSD post hoc analysis showed significant statistical difference for the CD4 count between moderate and severe malnourished category with P = 0.017. Statistically significant nutrient intake differences were also observed between PGSGA groups while odds ratio showed no significant association. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in KAP and poor nutritional status indicates that individual Nutrition and Health Education Counseling be made an integral part in the management of HIV in Udupi. Also, the difference in CD4 count across two PG-SGA stages depicts an association between nutritional status and immune status of HIV patients.

All-optical regenerator of multi-channel signals.

One of the main reasons why nonlinear-optical signal processing (regeneration, logic, etc.) has not yet become a practical alternative to electronic processing is that the all-optical elements with nonlinear input-output relationship have remained inherently single-channel devices (just like their electronic counterparts) and, hence, cannot fully utilise the parallel processing potential of optical fibres and amplifiers. The nonlinear input-output transfer function requires strong optical nonlinearity, e.g. self-phase modulation, which, for fundamental reasons, is always accompanied by cross-phase modulation and four-wave mixing. In processing multiple wavelength-division-multiplexing channels, large cross-phase modulation and four-wave mixing crosstalks among the channels destroy signal quality. Here we describe a solution to this problem: an optical signal processor employing a group-delay-managed nonlinear medium where strong self-phase modulation is achieved without such nonlinear crosstalk. We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, simultaneous all-optical regeneration of up to 16 wavelength-division-multiplexing channels by one device. This multi-channel concept can be extended to other nonlinear-optical processing schemes.Nonlinear optical processing devices are not yet fully practical as they are single channel. Here the authors demonstrate all-optical regeneration of up to 16 channels by one device, employing a group-delay-managed nonlinear medium where strong self-phase modulation is achieved without nonlinear inter-channel crosstalk.

Dietary Intake, Physical Activity and Body Mass Index among Postmenopausal Women.

CONTEXT: Nutrition plays a vital role in the quality of life in postmenopausal women. AIM: The aim is to determine the dietary intake, physical activity, and assess the body mass index (BMI) among postmenopausal women. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A community-based sample survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 140 postmenopausal women (40-70 years) from Udupi, Manipal areas of Karnataka. The study was carried out between July and December 2013. Sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire. Anthropometric data included height, weight, waist, and hip circumference. Dietary intake was determined using 24 h dietary recall. Physical activity information was collected. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Paired t-test was performed to determine the dietary adequacy. RESULTS: Obesity was 42.1% among the study participants. Increased WHR and waist circumference were 82.1% and 77.1%. Mean daily intake of calcium and saturated fatty acids were significantly higher than recommended dietary allowance (RDA) (P < 0.001). Mean intake of energy, protein, carbohydrate, mono and poly unsaturated fatty acid, fiber and sodium were significantly lower than RDA (P < 0.001). Average daily intake of cereals, pulses, roots and tubers, meat and products, fats and oils, green leafy, and other vegetables were significantly (P < 0.001) lower than RDA. Intake of fruits, milk and milk products, and sugar was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than RDA. Only 37.1% of women performed moderate or active exercises regularly. CONCLUSIONS: Even though, nutrient and food group deficiencies were observed among postmenopausal women physical inactivity and effects of menopausal transition instigate increased BMI imposing a need to educate on nutrition and physical activity.

Enstrophy-based proper orthogonal decomposition for reduced-order modeling of flow past a cylinder.

Here proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) modal decomposition are performed for flow past a circular cylinder at supercritical Reynolds numbers by projecting this onto instability modes. The important task of modeling a cylinder wake by Stuart-Landau (SL) and the Stuart-Landau-Eckhaus (SLE) equation for instability modes is discussed, with the latter shown to be more consistent with multimodal pictures of POD and instability modes. The difficult task of finding the coefficients of the SLE equation is reported by taking a least squares approach for the reduced order model (ROM). The important aspect of the ROM is the choice of initial condition for the developed SLE equations, as these are stiff ordinary differential equations which are very sensitive to the choice of initial conditions. An accurate representation of enstrophy-based POD also reveals the presence of modes which occur in isolation (in comparison to modes that come in pairs) and the traditional approach of treating instability modes by SL or SLE equations does not work directly, which also reveals higher frequency variations. Quantifying effects of this mode by time-averaged Navier-Stokes equation (NSE) fail to show the variation of the phase of these isolated time-varying modes and this is captured here using direct numerical simulation (DNS) data by a multitime scale approach. A reconstructed 3-mode ROM solution and the disturbance vorticity from DNS match globally in the flow. The agreement between 3-mode SLE reconstruction and DNS also proves the consistency of the proposed method and helps explain the physical nature of the ensuing Hopf bifurcation following an instability.

Clinical evaluation of Varnya Gana Lepa in Vyanga (melasma).

BACKGROUND: Vyanga type of Kshudra Roga, characterised by Niruja (painless), Shyava Varna Mandalas (bluish black patches) occurring especially on the face. The clinical features correlate with melasma, which is an acquired chronic hyperpigmentation disorder, usually seen in women of childbearing age. The drugs which constitute the Varnya Gana Lepa bestow the normal Varna (color) by virtue of their qualities and actions. AIM: To determine the efficacy of Varnya Gana Lepa in the management of Vyanga. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a single armed clinical trial in which total 40 patients of Vyanga belonging to the age group of 16-60 years were enrolled. Paste for external application was prepared by mixing the fine powders of 10 drugs (in equal quantity) of Varnya Gana with lukewarm water and advised to apply Lepa twice daily for 15 days on affected part. The different parameters such as skin color, lesion color, texture-dryness/oiliness, luster, number and size of the lesions, darkness, area and homogeneity of lesion, itching, burning sensation, and melasma area severity index (MASI) score were assessed. RESULTS: There was statistically significant improvement in MASI scores, but in overall assessment, 64.5% patients had mild improvement. Clinical improvement was more evident in darkness parameter when compared to other parameters. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that Varnya Gana Lepa is a safe and effective formulation in the management of Vyanga (melasma).

Critical review on the pharmaceutical vistas of Lauha Kalpas (Iron formulations).

Iron is one among the major metals present in the earth's crust and is essential for sound sustenance of human body. Its deficiency leads to various health ailments. Contemporary medicine advises iron supplements in iron deficiency anemia. Ayurvedic classics also quote significant information about administration of iron. Lauha Kalpas are the unique compound herbo-mineral formulations where iron (Lauha) is used as a major ingredient. Relevant literature (Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Charaka Samhita, Rasendra Sara Samgraha etc.) reviewed to gather information about Lauha Kalpas. Critical analysis of these Lauha Kalpas reveals that ancient seers administered iron in a better acceptable form. Unlike popular understanding these are not only Khalviya preparations; but Churna (powders), Avaleha (confectionaries), Rasakriya (solidified decoctions), and Putapaka (incinerated) form of preparations are also found. Apart from solid dosage forms, semisolid dosage forms mentioned in classics are very much useful. Unfortunately most of the formulations are not found in the market. Hence Pharmaceutical firms may bring these unique dosage forms in to the market to supply the healthcare needs of the community. It is interesting that iron preparations are used in Ayurveda in different medical conditions apart from anemia (Pandu). This leaves a scope for further researches on different dosage forms of iron and their indications.

Sexual dysfunction (Krcchra Vyavaya) in obesity (Sthaulya): Validation by an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study intends to evaluate the relationship between Sthaulya (obesity) and Krcchra Vyavaya (sexual dysfunction) with respect to different phases of sexual intercourse through a single-centered, observational study in male patients of obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 33 obese males from the outpatient department of the Institution whose sexual functioning was assessed using an International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, which was meant to assess five specific areas of sexual functioning. RESULTS: A varying degree of sexual dysfunction was observed in four out of five areas of sexual functioning viz. erectile function (P < 0.02), orgasmic function (P < 0.02), sexual desire (P < 0.08), and overall satisfaction (P < 0.000) in obese individuals. Statistically significant dysfunction was not observed in intercourse satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Varying degree of sexual dysfunction is present in obese males, suggesting that obesity has a possible role in reducing the quality of sexual functioning in males as indicated in the classical ayurvedic literature.