Phytochemical and biological review of Aegle marmelos Linn

India has one of the most expanded plant-origin medical traditions in the world. Researchers have evaluated molecules obtained from plants to treat a variety of ailments. Literature review shows that fundamental parts of the plant are used to treat different diseases. The related data is retrieved from Google scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. The keywords include Bael, A. marmelos, Vilvam, and Marmelosin. Extensive studies show that A. marmelos has antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, chemopreventive, antipyretic, ulcer healing, antigenotoxic, diuretic, antifertility, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this work, an updated literature review is presented to clarify the current state of research on A. marmelos elucidating its constituents and their most relevant biological activities.

514 F1-taught Orthopaedic Teaching for Students (FOTS)

Introduction

F1 doctors, despite being expected to teach, have had reduced opportunity to do so during COVID-19. Medical students have also become increasingly concerned for upcoming exams due to time away from placements. A national orthopaedic teaching programme was designed to provide F1 doctors with opportunities to develop their teaching skills and synergistically improve students’ confidence in performing clinical orthopaedic examinations.

Method

A University Trauma & Orthopaedics society coordinated the teaching programme consisting of 6-weekly online sessions on each joint examination (shoulder, hip, knee, hand, ankle and lumbar spine). Each session was delivered by two F1 tutors. Pre- and post-session MCQs were provided to students to assess improvement in knowledge. Anonymous feedback forms were also disseminated.

Results

From the 341 students that attended, 87.1% provided feedback. 86.2% felt that they had de-skilled due to time off, with a mean 15 weeks off from placement. Based on a 5-point Likert scale, students displayed a mean improvement in confidence (1.9±1.1, p < 0.001) and MCQ scores (1.4±1.3, p < 0.001) before and after the sessions. 91.6% of students agreed that the use of online teaching increased attendance. Of the 10 tutors, all reported improvement in confidence to teach and teaching skills.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that online delivery of clinical orthopaedic examinations is effective and present our findings to encourage similar teaching programmes to be adopted at other locations and specialities.

513 Clinical Audit Platform for Students (CAPS): A Pilot Study

Introduction

Clinical audit projects work to decrease the occurrence of clinical mistakes and ensure current practice is optimal for patients. However, many clinicians are unable to carry out regular audits given their time constraints. Conversely, medical students are often eager to complete audits early in their career to strengthen their portfolios. As such, the clinical audit platform was designed to connect willing supervisors and these medical students.

Method

A medical school Trauma & Orthopaedics (T&O) society organised clinical audit teaching sessions for interested students. Allocation of students to project supervisors was based on similar topic interests. There was regular communication to track progress and anonymised feedback forms were distributed to all students and supervisors after the programme.

Results

A total of 17 responses were received from the 19 students who were involved in a project. Based on a 5-point Likert scale, students displayed a mean improvement in their understanding of a clinical audit (1.18 ± 1.07, p &lt; 0.001), the confidence to approach a supervisor (1.29 ± 1.21, p &lt; 0.001) and the ability to conduct an audit by themselves in the future (1.77 ± 1.15, p &lt; 0.001). Eagerness to pursue a career in T&O increased from 35.3% to 70.6% of students following the programme. Of the 7 affiliated supervisors, 5 provided feedback and all were happy with the quality of work produced.

Conclusions

The platform produced high quality projects which were disseminated both locally and nationally, demonstrating positive collaboration between students and clinicians. We present our findings to encourage similar audit platforms to be adopted at other locations.

Dynamic Watermarking-based Defense of Transportation Cyber-physical Systems

The transportation sector is on the threshold of a revolution as advances in real-time communication, real-time computing, and sensing technologies have brought to fruition the capability to build Transportation Cyber-Physical Systems (TCPS) such as self-driving cars, unmanned aerial vehicles, adaptive cruise control systems, truck platoons, and so on. While there are many benefits that TCPSs have to offer, a major challenge that needs to be addressed to enable their proliferation is their vulnerability to cyber attacks. In this article, we demonstrate, using laboratory prototypes of TCPSs, how the approach of Dynamic Watermarking can secure them from arbitrary sensor attacks. Specifically, we consider two TCPSs of topical interest: (i) an adaptive cruise control system and (ii) a system of self-driving vehicles tracking given trajectories. In each of these systems, we first show how cyber attacks on sensors can compromise safety and cause collisions between vehicles in spite of the presence of a collision avoidance module in the system. We then apply the approach of Dynamic Watermarking and demonstrate that it detects attacks with “low” delay. Once an attack is detected, the controller can take appropriate control actions to prevent collisions, thereby guaranteeing safety in the sense of collision freedom.

Individually optimal routing in parallel systems

Jobs arrive at a buffer from which there are several parallel routes to a destination. A socially optimal policy is one which minimizes the average delay of all jobs, whereas an individually optimal policy is one which, for each job, minimizes its own delay, with route preference given to jobs at the head of the buffer. If there is a socially optimal policy for a system with no arrivals, which can be implemented by each job following a policy γ in such a way that no job ever utilizes a previously declined route, then we show that such a γ is an individually optimal policy for each job. Moreover γ continues to be individually optimal even if the system has an arbitrary arrival process, subject only to the restriction that past arrivals are independent of future route-traversal times. Thus, γ is an individually optimal policy which is insensitive to the nature of the arrival process. In the particular case where the times to traverse the routes are exponentially distributed with a possibly different mean time for each of the parallel routes, then such an insensitive individually optimal policy does in fact exist and is moreover trivially determined by certain threshold numbers. A conjecture is also made about more general situations where such individually optimal policies exist.

A comparative therapeutic management of anoestrus in buffaloes using insulin and GnRH

Aim:

Anoestrus is one of the most common functional disorders of the reproductive cycle in buffaloes. In spite of technical advancement, there is no single cure for the management of anoestrus. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find out the efficacy of gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) and metabolic hormone for the management of true anoestrus in buffaloes.

Materials and Methods:

The experimental animals were selected on the basis of history, gyneco-clinical examinations and progesterone estimation. Deworming was done with Fenbendazole and thereafter mineral mixture was given @ 50 g per animal per day for 10 days in all the selected buffaloes before the start of treatment. The selected buffaloes were randomly divided into four groups (n=25). In Group I, buffaloes were administered 20 µg of buserelin intramuscularly. Buffaloes of Group II were administered long-acting insulin @ 0.25 IU/Kg body weight subcutaneously for 5 consecutive days. In Group III, buffaloes were treated with a combination of insulin and buserelin in the above-mentioned doses whereas buffaloes of Group IV were kept as untreated control.

Results:

The higher oestrus induction (64% vs. 28%) was found in Group III and differed significantly (p<0.05) as compared to control group. The conception rate (69.23% vs. 66.66%) was also found higher in Group III but did not differ significantly among the treated groups. The mean time taken for the onset of oestrus was recorded significantly shorter in insulin (8.80±0.69) and GnRH (7.60±0.92 days) alone and as compared to other (Group III, 14.43±0.83 and Group IV, 20.57±1.69 days) groups.

Conclusion:

The results of this study indicated better fertility response using Insulin plus Buserelin in true anoestrus buffaloes under field conditions.

An experimental methodology for monitoring contaminant transport through geotechnical centrifuge models

In this paper, an attempt has been made to highlight an experimental methodology for monitoring contaminant transport through locally available silty soil and commercially available clay in geotechnical centrifuge models, for different compaction states. Use of multiple depth sensors to determine depth distribution of sodium chloride in the soil column has been detailed. The obtained results have been compared with argentometric method. To validate the centrifuge modelling, modelling of models has been used. The test setup developed can simulate contaminant transport mechanisms through the soil mass, which is approximately 10 m deep, over a period of 600 days. R (e) and P (e) are found to be N times higher in the centrifuge models. These numbers are found to be several orders less than unity. This indicates that laminar flow prevails and the dominating Cl(-) transport mechanism in centrifuge is diffusion. The study also highlights the fact that the geotechnical centrifuge modelling can be used as a viable alternative to field scale experimentation.

A novel technique for monitoring contaminant transport through soils

An experimental setup which is capable of simulation as well as monitoring contaminant transport through soil mass has been developed. Efficiency of the experimental setup has been demonstrated by comparing the results obtained from the argentometric method. Reynolds number (R(e)) and the Peclet number (P(e)) have been found to be less than unity. This indicates that flow of the solute through soil mass is laminar and the dominant contaminant transport mechanism is diffusion.

Capacity bounds for ad hoc and hybrid wireless networks

We study the capacity of static wireless networks, both ad hoc and hybrid, under the Protocol and Physical Models of communication, proposed in [1]. For ad hoc networks with <i>n</i> nodes, we show that under the Physical Model, where signal power is assumed to attenuate as 1/r^α, α > 2, the transport capacity scales as Θ(√<i>n</i>) bit-meters/sec. The same bound holds even when the nodes are allowed to approach arbitrarily close to each other and even under a more generalized notion of the Physical Model wherein the data rate is Shannon's logarithmic function of the SINR at the receiver. This result is sharp since it closes the gap that existed between the previous best known upper bound of O(<i>n</i>^α-1/α) and lower bound of Ω(√n).

We also show that any spatio-temporal scheduling of transmissions and their ranges that is feasible under the Protocol Model can also be realized under the Physical Model by an appropriate choice of power levels for appropriate thresholds. This allows the generalization of various lower bound constructions from the Protocol Model to the Physical Model. In particular, this provides a better lower bound on the best case transport capacity than in [1].

For hybrid networks, we consider an overlay of μ<i>n</i> randomly placed wired base stations. It has previously been shown in [6] that if all nodes adopt a common power level, then each node can be provided a throughput of at most Θ(1/log <i>n</i>) to randomly chosen destinations. Here we show that by allowing nodes to perform power control and properly choosing ν(1/log <i>n</i>), it is further possible to provide a throughput of Θ(1) to any fraction <i>f</i>, 0 < <i>f</i> < 1, of nodes. This result holds under both the Protocol and Physical models of communication. On the one hand, it shows that that the aggregate throughput capacity, measured as the sum of individual throughputs, can scale linearly in the number of nodes. On the other hand, the result underscores the importance of choosing minimum power levels for communication and suggests that simply communicating with the closest node or base station could yield good capacity even for multihop hybrid wireless networks.

The tertiary structure at 1.59 A resolution and the proposed amino acid sequence of a family-11 xylanase from the thermophilic fungus Paecilomyces varioti bainier

We report the crystal structure at 1.59 A and the proposed amino acid sequence of an endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (PVX) from the thermophilic fungus Paecilomyces varioti Bainier (PvB), stable up to 75 degrees C. This fungus is attracting clinical attention as a pathogen causing post-surgical infections. Its xylanase, known as a skin-contact allergen, is the first protein from this fungus whose three-dimensional structure has been elucidated. The crystals of PVX conform to the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1 )with a=38.76 A, b=54.06 A and c=90.06 A. The structure was solved by molecular replacement techniques using polyalanine coordinates of the Thermomyces lanuginosus xylanase (PDB code 1YNA) and a careful model building based on the amino acid sequence known for two trypsin-digested peptide fragments (17 residues), the sequence and structural alignment of family-11 xylanases and electron density maps. The final refined model has 194 amino acid residues and 128 water molecules, with a crystallographic R-factor of 19.07 % and a free R-factor of 21.94 %. The structure belongs to an all-beta fold, with two curved beta-sheets, forming the cylindrical active-site cleft, and a lone alpha-helix, as present in other family-11 xylanases. We have carried out a quantitative comparison of the structure and sequence of the present thermophilic xylanase (PVX) with other available native structures of mesophiles and thermophiles, the first such detailed analysis to be carried out on family-11 xylanases. The analysis provides a basis for the rationalisation of the idea that the "hinge" region is made more compact in thermophiles by the addition of a disulphide bridge between Cys110 and Cys154 and a N-H.O hydrogen bond between Trp159 near the extremity of the lone alpha-helix and Trp138 on beta-strand B8. This work brings out explicitly the presence of the C-H.O and the C-H.pi type interactions in these enzymes. A complete description of structural stability of these enzymes needs to take account of these weaker interactions.

Effect of cigarette smoking on muscle strength of flexibility of athletes

Kraus-Webber test which indicates muscle strength and flexibility of certain group of muscles showed significant decrease in cigarette smoking athletes in the age group of 19-30 years compared to nonsmoking athletes. The results indicate tobacco smoke inhalation affects muscle flexibility and strength required for athletes.

Tetralogy of Fallot with flap valve ventricular septal defect producing suprasystemic right ventricular pressure: echocardiographic observations

Tetralogy of Fallot with restrictive ventricular septal defect and suprasystemic right ventricular pressure is an uncommon anomaly with high mortality rate. Very few such cases have been reported pre-operatively. This report describes echocardiographic features of five patients with restrictive ventricular septal defect due to flap valve in tetralogy of Fallot. In all the five cases, accessory or excessive tricuspid valve tissue obstructed the defect. Recognition of restrictive ventricular septal defect in tetralogy of Fallot is important because it appears to have poor prognosis.

Thermal stabilization of multimeric proteins: a case study with alpha-globulin

Preferential interaction parameters of multisubunit protein, alpha-globulin and monomeric protein human serum albumin (HSA) were determined in different cosolvents using precision densitymetry. The apparent partial specific volumes were determined under both isomolal and isopotential conditions for alpha-globulin in 0.02 M glycine-NaOH buffer at pH 10 and the values were 0.692+/-0.002 and 0.688+/-0.001, ml/g, respectively, at 20.00+/-0.01 degrees C. From the partial specific volume data with cosolvents the preferential interaction parameter (xi3) and other thermodynamic parameters were calculated at different solvent concentrations. The (xi3) values increased with an increase in the solvent concentration up to 30% and reached a maximum with the values of-0.111+/-0.018 g/g and -0.076+/-0.012 g/g in sucrose and sorbitol, respectively. In glycerol the (xi3) values decreased with an increase in solvent concentration. The above data is further supported by thermal denaturation profiles in which the apparent thermal denaturation temperature (apparent Tm) of alpha-globulin shows an increase from 63 degrees C to higher temperatures in the order of sucrose, sorbitol and glycerol. Alpha-globulin showed coagulation due to protein interaction at temperatures above 50 degree C. The apparent Tm of 63 degrees C for control protein was increased significantly up to 75 degrees C in 40% sorbitol with two fold increase in the delta(S) values showing the increased structural stability of alpha-globulin. At high solvent concentration the protein gets dissociated and the resultant monomers are hydrated which was evident by fluorescence data and the difference spectral results with a 6nm red shift in the emission maximum and 2 nm blue shift in UV-absorption maximum arising out of perturbation of aromatic chromophores. The studies were performed both at native pH of 7.9 where the protein is in its oligomeric form and at pH of 10 where it is dissociated form and the results compared. The data showed that the solvent is excluded more from the protein vicinity in the dissociated state.

Synergistic effect of heat-shock and UV-irradiation on mitosis and protein synthesis in G2-phase plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum Schw--reduction in UV-induced mitotic delay in a preheat-shocked system

The synergistic effect of UV irradiation and heat-shock during the last 3 hr of G2 phase of the cell cycle in the plasmodia of P. polycephalum, in terms of mitotic delay and inhibition of protein synthesis, has been evaluated. The mitotic delay due to both perturbers coordinately increased closer to mitosis. Maximum mitotic delay was obtained in plasmodia heat-shocked after UV irradiation, indicating the presence in this system of either a heat-labile mitogenic substance which is comparatively less susceptible to UV or a substance which is made more susceptible to hyperthermia by UV. A protective role for heat-shock applied before irradiation has been observed in that, radiation-induced mitotic delay is significantly reduced in this combination. There was severe inhibition of translation in all the perturbed classes. Organelle level effects which are independent of major protein synthetic activities or different levels of heat-shock protein production could be the reason for the lack of correlation between percentage inhibition of general protein synthesis and the extent of mitotic delay with respect to the two double-perturbed systems.

Purification and functional characterization of a low molecular weight immune modulating factor produced by Lewis lung carcinoma

Previously, we reported that mouse tumors contain a low molecular weight factor which is capable of affecting in vitro properties of macrophages. We now describe the purification to homogeneity of the only factor with macrophage modulating activity from one of these tumors Lewis lung carcinoma. The purified tumor factor appears to be a carboxylic acid and it retains all of the macrophage modulating properties which are characteristic of the unfractionated crude tumor extracts. This factor therefore reverses the spreading of macrophages, enhances the migration of macrophages out of capillary tubes and inhibits their chemotactic and tumoricidal activities. The purified tumor factor also inhibits immune responses of spleen cells. Specifically, proliferation of normal lymphocytes in response to mitogens and to alloantigens, as well as the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a mixed leukocyte culture, are suppressed when these cells are cultured in the presence of the purified tumor factor. The mixed leukocyte reaction of lymphoid cells obtained from mice which had been treated with the tumor factor is reduced compared to the response of lymphocytes obtained from normal mice. It is possible that there is a relation between production of this factor by tumor cells and survival of the tumor in a host.