Background: The present study accounts for measurement of indoor air pollution (IAP) owing to combustion of solid biomass fuels (wood, cow dung etc.) in traditional cooking stoves during rural survey of households of five villages around Pune city, India. The use of biofuels leads to serious disease burden among Indians and environmental hazards as compared to other countries, specifically affecting women and children indoors. Aims and Objectives: The main objective was to evaluate whether Algal biomass pellets acts as a possible remedy for reduction of IAP. Methods: The indoor air samples of kitchens from cook-stoves in the breathing zone were analysed for various toxic pollutants from the distance of 25 cm and indicated high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) in the range of 72.11-260.6 ppm, 0.72-1.84 ppm of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), 0.1-1.1 ppm of sulphur dioxide (SO2) compared to liquefied petroleum gas (1.0-5.28, 0-1.0, 0-0.15 ppm for CO, NO2, SO2 respectively) during cooking hours. Thus, to reduce the exposure to cook-stove generated smoke, it has been channelized for the cultivation of algal consortia under laboratory conditions. Studies on combustion of single biomass at a time demonstrated that emission of flue gas by burning of biomass was in the order, Algal biomass pellets (ABPs) < wood < cow dung < sawdust, this was analysed at 10cm distance from the source of combustion. Results: The inorganic carbon content from flue gas of algal biomass was four times less than that of wood which suggests its better combustion efficacy. Subsequently, ABP was assessed for its safety by comet assay in vitro to check its oxidative DNA damage effect on healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC's). ABP displayed no significant DNA damage (10.02% DNA in tail) when exposed to flue gas and exhibited 56.45% and 66.72% reduction in pollution due to cow dung and cigarette smoke. Conclusion: The results revealed that ABP could serve as possible remedy for reducing IAP. The study provides an alternative to biomass fuels in the form of ABP, which would act as sustainable energy source for the cook stoves in rural Pune.

Derivatives of flavanone are reported to have a major role in cell cycle arrest and metastasis and invasion and angiogenesis. Among them, PI3K-Akt pathway is a vital pathway for drug target. A co-crystal structure of Akt1 complex with substrate peptide and inhibitor Protein Data Bank (PDB ID: 3CQW) was used to study the interactions between the existing drug databases such as DrugBank, PubChem, and Zinc. Newly designed compounds were based on the modifications at the B-ring position of the core structure of flavanone. As per recent literature, the modifications at the B-ring position would enhance the stability and maintain the anticancer activity. The screened compounds were docked against Akt protein with defined grid space advance docking tool FlexX used for docking calculation. Based on the hydrogen bond and electrostatic potential interaction with targeted protein, favorable conformations were calculated. These studies would help in designing and development of new lead molecules through in silico analysis.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays an important role in activating several signaling molecules and pathways during inflammation, wound healing, and cancer progression. Since flavonoids have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, we assessed the antiproliferative activity of quercetin, a flavonoid on colon carcinoma cell line through in vitro assays, and in order to design more specific MMP-9 inhibitors, we have used insilico approach to obtain potent quercetin derivatives. Materials and Methods: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of quercetin on cell viability and migration on cultured HCT-15 cells using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and wound healing assay. The docking analysis of quercetin and its derivatives with the crystal structure of MMP-9 (PDB ID: 3OE9) was performed using FlexX software. Result: Quercetin showed an antiproliferative and antimigratory activity on HCT-15 cells in time- and dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Novel quercetin derivatives targeting MMP-9 have been identified for further synthesis and validation.

Background: In recent times, various human health disorders including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases are noticed among human populations. Currently, genetic and proteomic approaches are highly reported to detect metabolic disorders that also include inborn error of metabolisms. These existing detection methods are faced with cost issue and time-consuming factors. Therefore, metabolites as biomarkers are one of the potential avenues to detect metabolic disorders. Further, exploitation of urine as potential source of metabolite biomarkers, there are limitations in this area of research due to abundance of nonmetabolite components such as proteins and nucleic acids. Hence, methods and processes are required to precisely fractionate metabolites from urine of inborn error of metabolism patients and are then identified by analytical tools such as liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Materials and Methods: Sterile filtered urine samples (750 μl) mixed with (250 μl) loading buffer were electrophoresed on VTGE that uses acrylamide gel (acrylamide: bisacrylamide, 30:1) as a matrix of 15%. Further, vertical tube gel electrophoresis (VTGE) technique combined with LC-HRMS to identify metabolites that are known as the biomarkers of metabolic disorders was carried out. Results and Discussion: The authors provide evidence on the use of novel VTGE coupled with LC-HRMS to detect metabolites among metabolic disorders. Data suggest the applicability of VTGE coupled with LC-HRMS technique to detect metabolites such as 2-methyluridine, 2-methylglutaric acid, 2-methylcitric acid, and 2-hydroxyglutaric acid in case of metabolic disorders. Conclusion: This preliminary work is suggested to be extended to large clinical samples to validate application of this method to detect metabolic disorders including the inborn error of metabolisms.

Galectins are a class of animal lectins that bind to β-galactoside residues through a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain of about 130 amino acids. The carbohydrate-binding specificity of mammalian galectins revealed its affinity toward lactose, related beta-galactosides, and any glycoconjugates with a nonreducing galactoside terminus. Recent studies have indicated that galectin-1 upregulation impacts progression of tumor through its pleiotropic roles such as cell transformation and proliferation, angiogenesis, adhesion, and invasiveness and immunosuppression. Several galectin-1 inhibitors such as thiodigalactoside, Anginex GM-CT-01 and GR-MD-02 have been designed for applications in cancer therapy. GM-CT-01 (DAVANAT), a modified polysaccharide, composed of mannose and galactose (galactomannan) and a variant of DAVANAT, GR-MD-02, which is a polysaccharide with a backbone of rhamnogalacturonate and branches that terminate with galactose and arabinose residues are produced from chemically processed and modified industrial-grade apple pectin are also found to be beneficial in therapy toward cancer as well as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Various reports have also presented evidence that galectin-1-targeted therapy will play a major role to reduce the distribution of tumor cells, inhibit angiogenesis, and restrict tumor growth, thus seeing the importance of pectins and pectin polysaccharides in cancer therapy, we purified and characterized pectins from okra pods (Abelmoschusesculentus) and citrus peels (Citruslimetta) and studied the residual protein content, total carbohydrate content, characteristic properties using Fourier-transform infrared, galacturonic acid content, equivalent weight, and methoxyl content and methyl esterification of extracted okra and citrus pectins. We further performed insilico binding study of pectin and pectic polysaccharides with Galectin-1.

Background: Vision plays a vital role in the reading process. Refractive error leading to low vision is undiagnosed for long periods. The World Health Organization has grouped uncorrected refractive error with trachoma, ocular trauma, infectious diseases, and Vitamin A deficiency among the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to assess the visual acuity of school-age children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, using a stratified random sampling technique with 225 samples. Snellen visual acuity chart was used to check visual acuity. Results: Nearly 83.6% of the school-age children had Grade I visual acuity, 16% of them had Grade II, and 0.4% of them had Grade III visual acuity. Almost 96.4% of the school-age children had Grade II (±−<3) refractive error and 3.6% of the school-age children had Grade I (no refractive error) refractive error. Conclusion: School screening is recommended for early detection and management of visual problem. Students, teachers, and parents must be educated about the early detection of refractive errors and its correction to prevent the progression of visual impairment.

“Interdisciplinary,” is a twentieth-century word. Interdisciplinary or interdisciplinary studies involve the combining of two or more academic disciplines or research into one activity. Ayurveda is classified into eight main sections, namely Kaya-General medicine, Bala – pediatrics including obstetrics, Graha-psychological disorders due to possession by evil spirits, urdhwaga-diseases of the head (eyes, ears, nose, throat and teeth), Shalya-Surgery, Damshtra-Toxicology, Jara-Geriatrics and rejuvenation and Vrisha – aphrodisiacs and the treatment of sterility. These areas can be conveniently classified into basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical. There are many disciplines within each of these areas and significant overlap in and between these three major groupings. These overlapping of the areas can be considered as interdisciplinary approach of the ancient Indian medicine system. Again, over the course of time, many new additions were done in this science. In Sushruta Samhita sutrasthana chapter 4 in shloka 7, it is clearly written that by the study of a single science a man can never understand the true knowledge; hence, a physician should study as many allied branches of science as possible. Moreover, the physician who studies and practices medicine with all aspects is the true physician. So here, it is clearly indicated in Ayurveda science that an interdisciplinary approach is must to acquire the holistic knowledge of the science. The present article is an effort to explore the scope of interdisciplinary research in Ayurveda.

Nowadays woman has to face stress in pregnancy due to changing lifestyle. They need to be guided for their self-management on physical and mental level. Garbhasnskar is nothing but qualitative antenatal care suggested by Ayurveda and Yoga to increase mental stability and physical fitness.

E-Health is referred as electronic means of assisting healthcare services. It describes health initiatives that use digital platform for delivering healthcare data and information. It has several benefits like: It helps in paperless record management, gives fast access to patients' medical record, initiates easy collaboration between multiple departments in the hospitals, enhances efficiency of hospital and healthcare work, provides accurate information so less chances of error in the entire process of medical record maintenance, allows to book appointments for medical checkup, provides variable pricing list based on insurance policies and generates graphical reports. In the future, it is expected that the e-health technology will bring revolution in healthcare sector and it needs continuous improvement in developing information and communication technologies. Healthcare professionals will prefer automated systems as patients can also access the e-health data from healthcare service provider.

Background: India is way behind many developing countries such as China, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam in terms of some health indicators and health insurance utilization. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate: (1) the source of health insurance in India, (2) the awareness of health insurance in India, and (3) to measure the satisfaction level of investors on health insurance provider. Methodology: Primary data were collected through the questionnaire among 102 general population of Maharashtra. Results: Ninety-seven percent are aware of health insurance and also have a policy. About 47.1% have all the family members covered under the health insurance, whereas 8.5% said that only the head of the family is covered. About 79.4% of the consumers were satisfied with the service provided by their health insurance provider. In the private sector, Apollo Munich and ICICI Lombard are among the ones which were preferred by the people. Sources of awareness of health insurance include employer, the Internet, newspaper, friends, and television. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is a need to create awareness among people for health insurance. Health insurance investment should not look at contingency, but it must be a regular habit. Nearly 79.4% of consumers of our sample are satisfied with the current service provider of health insurance.

Background: Neck pain and visual disturbances are the major adversity observed among the smartphone users. Neck pain is frequently treated but visual impairments are often overlooked. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of cervical muscle strengthening and ocular muscle training among students with smartphone adversity. Materials and Methodology: Thirty smartphone users including both male and female having neck pain and visual impairment (smartphone adversity) were recruited for the study. Four types of cervical muscle strengthening exercise repeated five times and four types of ocular muscle training were performed by the students for 2 weeks once a day. Pre- and post outcome measures (ocular surface disease index [OSDI] and pressure biofeedback) were assessed. Results: The pressure biofeedback reading pre intervention was 23.3 ± 1.11 and postintervention was 28.1 ± 1.96. The pre-OSDI score was 20.3 ± 5.5 which reduced to 7.7 ± 3.07 post intervention. There was a statistically significant difference for both the outcome measures. Conclusion: Cervical muscle strengthening and ocular muscle training are effective for the students having smartphone adversity.

Objective: To find the effectiveness of yogic eye exercises for myopia and to find whether there is reduction in eye power of individuals after sessions of yoga. Methodology: A randomized control trial was conducted. Ninety-six participants diagnosed as myopia by ophthalmologist were included in the study. Qualifying individuals were assigned into two groups using simple random sampling. Group A (n = 48) received yogic eye exercises with three sets of 10 repetitions, 5 days a week for 4 weeks, and continued with their use of spectacles as advised by the ophthalmologist. Group B (n = 48) was a control group that did not receive any exercises and continued with their use of spectacles as advised by the ophthalmologist. Pretreatment and posttreatment refractive power was taken with automated refractor as an outcome measure. Results: In the study group, the pretreatment right eye refractive power was −1.48 which reduced to −1.45, while in the left eye, it reduced from 1.58 to 1.53. Individuals in Group A showed meager improvement, but it was not statistically significant. In the control group, the power of −1.12 in the right eye and −1.21 in the left eye remained the same. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was change in refractive power in the experimental group after intervention of yogic eye exercises. This suggests that there are clinical benefits of yoga in treating individuals with myopia.

Background: By the age of 40–60 years, females achieve menopause. A lot of changes occur in the body because of menopause. It often accompanies alterations in the functioning of the female pelvic floor. Change in the routine with an improved diet and exercise cycle helps in the reduction of distresses related with menopause. Evidences recommend that yoga has an effect on core muscles and cardiovascular components. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of yoga on pelvic floor muscles' (PFMs) strength using perineometer and Brink score in females attaining menopause. Materials and Methods: A study was done on 17 menopausal females aging between 40 and 70 years. Participants were taught yoga exercises on day 1 and asked to do exercises at home for 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Primary outcome measures were PFM strength using perineometer and Brink score readings. Results: The patients showed no significant improvement in Brink score (P = 0.13) and no significant improvement in perineometer readings (P > 0.05). Postreadings of both outcome measures showed no significant improvement in PFM strength in patients. Conclusion: The study concluded that PFM strength did not show an increase after practicing yoga for a period of 4 weeks. This states that the effect of simple exercises cannot work on PFMs.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is often associated with physical discomfort and functional limitations that may cause disability and interfere with their quality of life. Conventional physiotherapy treatment includes hot pack, back flexion, and extension exercises with few stretching. Aim: The aim of this study was to check the effects of conventional physiotherapy treatment on kinesiophobia, pain, and disability in mechanical LBP. Materials and Methodology: The study was conducted in the outpatient department of a physiotherapy college. The target population was patients with subacute and chronic LBP with a sample size of 30 and employing convenient sampling type. The outcome measures used were Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for disability. Results: Thirty samples that had LBP were evaluated. Pretreatment VAS at rest was 4.133 ± 1.59, which significantly reduced to 1.533 ± 0.68 post treatment with a t-value of 9.64. Pretreatment VAS on activity was 7.667 ± 0.71, which significantly reduced to 1.867 ± 1.07 post treatment with a t-value of 24.4. Pretreatment value for TSK was 49.6 ± 4.11, which reduced to 34.13 ± 3.13. Pretreatment value for ODI was 38.13 ± 9.49, which reduced to 24.4 ± 8.84. Conclusion: This study concluded that conventional physiotherapy treatment produces effectiveness in reducing pain, kinesiophobia, and disability in patients with mechanical LBP.

Shoulder impingement is one of the major causes of shoulder pain accounting to about almost 30%. It is classified as structural or functional and is commonly seen in patients with repetitive overhead activity. The patient was a 25-year-old active male involved in cricket as a part of his recreational activity. He complained of severe pain every time his arm came near his ear while bowling. As the pain did not subside on its own, he decided to take medical intervention. The patient received a combined intervention of Spencer's mobilization and Agnikarma for three sessions for a period of 1 week. Pre- and posttreatment muscle strength and functional disability were documented. Pre to post intervention showed significant improvement in muscle strength and functional disability. The combined effect of mobilization with Agnikarma is found promising on short-term basis.

Context: Temporomandibular disorders are musculoskeletal condition presenting with pain and dysfunction in masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and related structure. Aim: To determine the role of myofascial release technique on mobility and function in TMJ Disorder patients with neck pain. Settings and Design: Experimental study design conducted in Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Pimpri, Pune. Subjects and Methods: Overall 30 subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental group (Group A) was given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) and myofascial release to Upper trapezius, Sternocleidomastoid, Masseter and Temporalis three times a week for 2 weeks. Control group (Group B) was given NSAID's. At the end of treatment prepost comparison was done for temporomandibular (TM) joint range of motion and function. Statistical Analysis Used: Data was analysed with Primer software using Wilcoxon signed rank sum test and Mann–Whitney U-test. Results: Mobility in terms of mouth opening and lateral excursion post intervention in both groups have been significantly improved, however, in the experimental group significant improvement was seen in lateral excursions only. Limitation of daily function score reduced from 22.2 to 5 in the experimental; group and 21.3–13.5 in the control group. However more statistical reduction was seen in the experimental group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Myofascial release technique along with NSAIDSs was able to improve mobility and function among the TM joint disorder patients with neck pain.

Background: Several studies have shown that carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that reduces the functional activities of daily living due to pain and paresthesias. Primary approaches for the treatment of CTS include electrotherapy, splinting steroid injections, and decompression surgeries. The compression of the median nerve is treated with various remedies in single; very few researches are available in combination with different approaches. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CTS management by the combination of physiotherapy and homeopathic remedies as compared to physiotherapy treatment alone. Methodology: Thirty participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: Experimental Group A received median nerve gliding exercises, tendon gliding exercises (3 sets and 10 repetitions, twice daily), and Hypericum perforatum medicine (4 pills once daily, before breakfast) for 10 days and control Group B received median nerve gliding exercises and tendon gliding exercises (3 sets and 10 repetitions, twice daily) for 10 days. Pre- and post-pain score was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (0–10). Results: Within group comparison showed a statistically significant decrease in pain with P < 0.05, but there was no statistically significant difference when compared between the experimental and control groups for pain reduction. Conclusion: The effectiveness of CTS management by the combination of physiotherapy and homeopathy remedies in reducing pain was the same when compared to physiotherapy treatment alone. There was no added benefit of homeopathy remedy.

Background: The repair and regeneration of bone is a major issue in the oral and maxillofacial surgery and for the whole human body in general. Bone defects may result from trauma, oncologic surgeries, acute or chronic infections, and congenital malformations. Stem cells are natural and direct source from which stable differentiated cells are generated which lead to tissue formation. Mesenchymal stem cells exhibit the potential to differentiate into a variety of cells such as osteoblasts, myoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes when subjected to various preconditioning agents. Praval Bhasma has never been tested as a preconditioning agent in human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Materials and Methods: Pulp was extirpated from the teeth of patients who fit in the selection criteria. HDPSCs were then isolated, characterized, and differentiated. Praval Bhasma was used as a preconditioning agent to replace each ingredient in standard osteogenic cocktail and individually to induce osteogenic potential in hDPSCs. Results: Praval Bhasma-induced osteogenic differentiation in hDPSCs when used to replace an ingredient in standard osteogenic cocktail and also when used individually. Conclusion: The use of Praval Bhasma may prove to be a better preconditioning agent for bone formation in hDPSCs.

Background: Stem cells have infinite self-renewing capacity and potential for differentiation and regeneration. Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) from the extracted tooth are a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells, which can regenerate into osteogenic, chondrogenic, or adipogenic lineages. Chitosan which is a porous structure may have the ability to house these stem cells for regeneration. This study was to determine the effectiveness of growth of hDPSCs in the chitosan scaffolds. Methodology: The study was conducted in the Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital in coordination with Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, and Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, Pune. The chitosan scaffolds were prepared at Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. Twenty extracted human dental pulp were used for stem cells differentiation. Results: The chitosan scaffold showed an excellent growth of chondrogenic cells per unit in × 40 magnification, and hence, this sets a benchmark for hDPSC study in India. Conclusion: hDPSCs in porous chitosan scaffolds help us to regenerate chondrogenic cells and will initiate the research in an interdisciplinary approach toward cartilage regeneration.