Showing papers by "Anuj Sharma published in 2020"

Was Hawan Designed to Fight Anxiety-Scientific Evidences?

Abstract: Anxiety is a psychiatric disorder with unknown neurobiology; however, neurotransmitters like gamma-amino butyric acid, norepinephrine and serotonin (5-HT) play crucial roles in mediating anxiety. Present drug modules pose dependence risk to the patient; hence, there is a great need to develop complementary therapies to fight this disorder. Aromatherapy has also been employed in ancient times for a number of mental disorders. Mahamrituanjay Mantra, Om triambkum yajamahe, sughandhim puushtivardhanam, urvarukmev vandhanaat, mrityu mokshay mamritaat!!!!, the part of veda enlightens that aroma gives rise to good health (sughandhim puushtivardhanam). Hawan is a religious practice recommended for mental peace. Hawan is a process in which special herbs are offered in the fire of medicinal woods ignited in a specially designed fire pit. Analysis of literature demonstrates that the components of Hawan are having a number of volatile oils that are specifically useful for prevention and treatment of anxiety through some mechanism of action. Due to high temperature of fire, the vapors of these oils from herbs enter into the central nervous system through nasal route. As per modern science and ancient texts on medicine, nasal drug delivery systems are the best for the diseases related to brain and head. The routine of performing Hawan might keep the threshold value of the therapeutic components in the body and help in preventing anxiety. In the present manuscript, authors highlight and integrate the modern and ancient concepts for treatment and prevention of anxiety through scientific evidences.

Association of Psoriasis with Autoimmune Disorders: Results of a Pilot Study.

Abstract: Background: Association of psoriasis with other autoimmune diseases remains an ongoing research subject. Objectives: To investigate the association of psoriasis with other autoimmune disorders. Materials and Methods: We studied 80 (M: F 57:23) psoriasis patients aged 13–75 years for concurrent autoimmune disorders. After clinical examination, hemogram, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, thyroid function tests, anti-TPO antibody, rheumatoid factor, anti-tTG antibody, anti-CCP antibody, ANA, anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-Ro antibody, and fecal calprotectin were estimated. Results: Mild-to-moderate and severe psoriasis was present in 86.3% and 13.8% patients, respectively. Psoriatic arthritis was present in 3.8% patients, all of whom also had severe psoriasis. Only 37 (46.3%) patients had clinical and/or sero-abnormality suggestive of autoimmune disorders; vitiligo in 3.8%, type-1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in 1.3%, and type-2 DM in 6.3% patients. Sero-positivity reflecting subclinical autoimmunity was noted for anti-CCP antibodies (in 2.5%), rheumatoid factor (in 2.5%), hypo- or hyper-thyroidism (in 8.8%), anti-TPO antibodies (in 5.0%), anti-tTG antibody (in 1.3%), ANA (in 5.0%), anti-dsDNA antibody (in 2.5%), and anti-Ro antibody in 11.3% patients. Elevated fecal calprotectin levels suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) occurred in 11.2% of 27 patients. Multiple abnormalities happened in 2.5% patients. Conclusion: Apparently psoriasis patients seem to have a predilection for other autoimmune disorders particularly for vitiligo, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and IBD. However, association between psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders at best remains tenuous for want of strong evidence. Nevertheless, screening for them will improve overall management of these patients. Cross-sectional study design and small number of study subjects remain important limitations.

Genomic Landscape and Targeted Treatment of Gallbladder Cancer: Results of a First Ongoing Prospective Study.

Abstract: Background Prognosis of gallbladder cancer (GBC) has not changed in the past 20 years. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) carries potential to determine the actionability for multiple targets, including ERBB2, ERBB3, MET, ROSI, FGFR, and PIK3. This study evaluates the role of CGP and targeted therapies. Methods This is a multicenter, prospective, single-arm study. All consecutive patients of unresectable and/or metastatic GBC of age ≥18 years were enrolled. Hybrid capture-based CGP was performed by Foundation Medicine CDx. All patients received first-line chemotherapy with gemcitabine–cisplatin regimen. Patients with ERBB2/3 amplification received trastuzumab with capecitabine or nab-paclitaxel, and patients with MET amplification were treated with crizotinib. For ERBB2/3 mutations, lapatinib plus capecitabine regimen was used. Results Fifty patients were studied with a median age of 56 years (range 26–83) and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.6. ERBB2 and ERBB3 amplification was seen in 9 (18%) and 2 (4%) patients, respectively. Four patients with ERBB2 amplification received trastuzumab and/or lapatinib, showed partial response, and maintained response beyond 12 weeks. One patient had mixed response, whereas two patients progressed on trastuzumab and lapatinib. Three patients with ERBB3 mutations showed response to lapatinib–capecitabine. One patient with MET amplification responded to crizotinib for 4 weeks. PIK3 mutations were present in 14% of cases and were independent of ERBB aberrations. Conclusion GBC is enriched in 28% of patients with ERBB2 and ERBB3 amplifications and/or mutations. Responses are seen with lapatinib in concurrent ERBB2 mutation and amplification. ERBB3 mutation showed response to lapatinib. MET and PIK3 are new findings in GBC, which may be targeted.

The Association of Thyroid Dysfunction with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Descriptive Observational Study.

Abstract: Background: Associations among thyroid dysfunction, thyroid autoimmunity, and clinical features including age, gender, disease duration, and severity of psoriasis is less studied. Objectives: To study frequency of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity and examine association among thyroid dysfunction, thyroid autoimmunity, and clinical features including gender, age, duration, and severity of psoriasis. Material and Methods: The medical records of 290 (m:f 2.15:1) patients aged 13–75 years with plaque psoriasis were analyzed for thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity. Thyroid dysfunction was defined as 10% variation in any thyroid hormone levels. Thyroid autoimmunity was diagnosed from presence of antithyroid peroxide (anti-TPO) antibodies. Results: The majority, 57.9% patients, was aged ≥41 years (Type-2 psoriasis) and duration of disease was

The association of anti-gliadin and anti-transglutaminase antibodies and chronic plaque psoriasis in Indian patients: Preliminary results of a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Abstract: Background Gluten sensitivity among psoriasis patients and its association with gender, age, disease duration and severity of psoriasis are under studied in Indians. Objective To examine association among serum levels of anti-tTG and anti-gliadin antibodies and clinical features including gender, age, duration and severity of psoriasis. Methods Serum levels of anti-transglutaminase and anti-gliadin antibodies were measured quantitatively in 80 (M:F 57:23) psoriasis patients aged 15 to 83 years and matched healthy subjects. Results Forty-five (56.3%) patients were aged ≥41years, duration of disease was >5years in 43(53.8%) patients, and 22 (27.5%) patients had moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Two (2.5%) patients had arthritis and elevated serum anti-gliadin antibody. Significantly more patients than controls had elevated serum anti-gliadin antibody (67.5% vs. 2.5%) and anti-transglutaminase antibody levels (62.5% vs. 0%). Two patients, each with mild and moderate-to-severe psoriasis, had highly elevated serum anti-gliadin antibody and symptoms akin to coeliac disease. Except for a longer duration of psoriasis in patients with elevated anti-gliadin antibodies, there was no statistically significant difference in gender, age, and severity of psoriasis when compared with patients having normal levels. Conclusion Significant elevation of serum anti-transglutaminase and anti-gliadin antibodies levels is noted in psoriasis patients reflecting a possible link. However, results need careful interpretation for any significance of gluten sensitivity in pathogenesis of psoriasis/arthritis or as a stand-alone risk factor for chronicity/severity of psoriasis or whether gluten-free diet will be ameliorating. Small number of subjects, cross-sectional study design, lack of pathological/endoscopic diagnosis and follow-up are study limitations.

Rheological Behaviour of Hybrid Nanofluids: A Review

Abstract: A colloidal mixture of two different nanoparticles into conventional fluid (water, oil and metal working fluids etc.) called as hybrid nanofluids. Hybrid nanofluids are considered as the most promising and emerging as heat transfer fluid in cooling applications as compared to the conventional fluid and a well as mono type nanofluids. Mixture of solid particles and fluid is also called as two phase fluids. Mixing of nano meter-sized particles into conventional heat transfer fluid enhance the performance of the newly developed hybrid nanofluid. In last few years, it has taken the researchers attention to work on the mixing of two or more nano-sized particles in conventional heat transfer fluids. Few of the studies shows that hybrid nanofluid perform better as compared to single nanofluids and has the ability to replace the single nanoparticles mixed fluid. However, in the published literature several studies has shown that there are number of parameters such as concentration of nanoparticles, shape, size, temperature, intensity of ultra-sonication, pH, and stability affecting the performance of the nanoparticles mixed cutting fluids. In the present paper, a comprehensive study has been carried out to show the recent development related to the hybrid nanofluids.

Assessment of effect of post space preparation on the sealing ability of mineral trioxide aggregate and gutta-percha

Abstract: Material and method: 32 freshly extracted human teeth were used for this study (premolars for orthodontic treatment). No 10 K file was used to establish the working length. Following canal preparation and drying the teeth were grouped into 4 study groups: Group A: (n = 8) cold lateral Gutta-percha compaction, followed by immediate post space preparation, Group B: (n = 8) 8 mm MTA apical plug as obturation, followed by removal of 4 mm MTA for post space preparation,Group C: (n = 8) 4 mm MTA apical plug only, followed by delayed post space preparation, Positive control: (n = 8) did not receive any filling material after instrumentation. All these samples were then subjected to the bacterial leakage test after 5 days. The number of leaking samples for each group at different time intervals were observed and noted.