Expression of Toll-like Receptors, Pro-, and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines in Relation to Gut Microbiota in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Evidence for Its Micro-organic Basis

( Ratnakar Shukla ),( Ujjala Ghoshal ),( Prabhat Ranjan ),( Uday C Ghoshal ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2018 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.24 No.4

Background/Aims A Subset of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have mild inflammation due to immune activation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytokines may cause intestinal inflammation. We studied their expression in relation to gut microbiota. Methods Expression of TLRs and cytokines was assessed in 47 IBS patients (Rome III) and 25 controls using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was further performed to confirm the expression of TLR-4 and TLR-5. Results Of 47 patients with IBS, 20 had constipation (IBS-C), 20 diarrhea (IBS-D), and 7 unclassified (IBS-U). The mRNA levels of TLR-4 and TLR-5 were up-regulated in IBS patients than controls (P = 0.013 and P < 0.001, respectively). Expression of TLR-4 and TLR-5 at protein level was 4.2-folds and 6.6-folds higher in IBS-D than controls. The mRNA levels of IL-6 (P = 0.003), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CXCL-11) (P < 0.001) and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR-3) (P < 0.001) were higher among IBS patients than controls. Expression of IL-6 (P = 0.002), CXCL-11 (P < 0.001), and CXCR-3 (P < 0.001) were up-regulated and IL-10 (P = 0.012) was down-regulated in IBS-D patients than controls. Positive correlation was seen between TLR-4 and IL-6 (P = 0.043), CXCR-3, and CXCL-11 (P = 0.047), and IL-6 and CXCR-3 (P = 0.003). Stool frequency per week showed positive correlation with mRNA levels of TLR-4 (P = 0.016) and CXCR-3 (P = 0.005), but inversely correlated with IL-10 (P = 0.002). Copy number of Lactobacillus (P = 0.045) and Bifidobacterium (P = 0.011) showed correlation with IL-10 in IBS-C, while Gram-positive (P = 0.031) and Gram-negative bacteria (P= 0.010) showed correlation with CXCL-11 in IBS-D patients. Conclusions Altered immune activation in response to dysbiotic microbiota may promote intestinal inflammation in a subset of patients with IBS. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018;24:628-642)

Dynamic combination resonance characteristics of doubly curved panels subjected to non-uniform tensile edge loading with damping

Udar, Ratnakar. S.,Datta, P.K. Techno-Press 2007 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.25 No.4

The dynamic instability of doubly curved panels, subjected to non-uniform tensile in-plane harmonic edge loading $P(t)=P_s+P_d\;{\cos}{\Omega}t$ is investigated. The present work deals with the problem of the occurrence of combination resonances in contrast to simple resonances in parametrically excited doubly curved panels. Analytical expressions for the instability regions are obtained at ${\Omega}={\omega}_m+{\omega}_n$, (${\Omega}$ is the excitation frequency and ${\omega}_m$ and ${\omega}_n$ are the natural frequencies of the system) by using the method of multiple scales. It is shown that, besides the principal instability region at ${\Omega}=2{\omega}_1$, where ${\omega}_1$ is the fundamental frequency, other cases of ${\Omega}={\omega}_m+{\omega}_n$, related to other modes, can be of major importance and yield a significantly enlarged instability region. The effects of edge loading, curvature, damping and the static load factor on dynamic instability behavior of simply supported doubly curved panels are studied. The results show that under localized edge loading, combination resonance zones are as important as simple resonance zones. The effects of damping show that there is a finite critical value of the dynamic load factor for each instability region below which the curved panels cannot become dynamically unstable. This example of simultaneous excitation of two modes, each oscillating steadily at its own natural frequency, may be of considerable interest in vibration testing of actual structures.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Bridge between Functional Organic Dichotomy

( Uday C. Ghoshal ),( Ratnakar Shukla ),( Ujjala Ghoshal ) 대한소화기학회 2017 Gut and Liver Vol.11 No.2

The pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), once thought to be largely psychogenic in origin, is now understood to be multifactorial. One of the reasons for this paradigm shift is the realization that gut dysbiosis, including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), causes IBS symptoms. Between 4% and 78% of patients with IBS and 1% and 40% of controls have SIBO; such wide variations in prevalence might result from population differences, IBS diagnostic criteria, and, most importantly, methods to diagnose SIBO. Although quantitative jejunal aspirate culture is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of SIBO, noninvasive hydrogen breath tests have been popular. Although the glucose hydrogen breath test is highly specific, its sensitivity is low; in contrast, the early-peak criteria in the lactulose hydrogen breath test are highly nonspecific. Female gender, older age, diarrhea-predominant IBS, bloating and flatulence, proton pump inhibitor and narcotic intake, and low hemoglobin are associated with SIBO among IBS patients. Several therapeutic trials targeting gut microbes using antibiotics and probiotics have further demonstrated that not all symptoms in patients with IBS originate in the brain but rather in the gut, providing support for the micro-organic basis of IBS. A recent proof-of-concept study showing the high frequency of symptom improvement in patients with IBS with SIBO further supports this hypothesis.(Gut Liver 2017;11:196-208)

Bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: An Indian e-survey

Supriya Sharma,Anu Behari,Ratnakar Shukla,Mukteshwar Dasari,Vinay K. Kapoor 한국간담췌외과학회 2020 Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol.24 No.4

Backgrounds/Aims: In the absence of national registry of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) or its complications, it is impossible to determine incidence of bile duct injury (BDI) in India. We conducted an e-survey among practicing surgeons to determine prevalence and management patterns of BDI in India. Our hypothesis was that majority of surgeons would have experienced a BDI during LC despite large experience and that most surgeons who have a BDI tend to manage it themselves. Methods: An 18-question e-survey of practicing laparoscopic surgeons in India was done. Results: 278/727 (38%) surgeons responded. 240/278 (86%) respondents admitted to a BDI during LC and 179/230 (78%) affirmed to more than one BDI. A total of 728 BDIs were reported. 36/230 (15%) respondents experienced their first BDI even after >10 years of practice and 40% had their first BDI even after having performed >100 LCs. 161/201 (80%) of the respondents decided to manage the BDI themselves, including 56/99 (57%) non-biliary surgeons and 44/82 (54%) surgeons working in non-biliary center. 37/201 (18%) respondents admitted to having a mortality arising out of a BDI; the mortality rate of BDI was 37/728 (5%) in this survey. Only 13/201 (6%) respondents have experienced a medico-legal case related to a BDI during LC. Conclusions: Prevalence of BDI is high in India and occurs despite adequate experience and volume. Even inexperienced non-biliary surgeons working in non-biliary centers attempt to repair the BDI themselves. BDI is associated with significant mortality but litigation rates are fortunately low in India.

Highly efficient bi-metallic bismuth-silver doped TiO2 photocatalyst for dye degradation

Nandana Chakinala,Parag Ratnakar Gogate,Anand Gupta Chakinala 한국화학공학회 2021 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.38 No.12

Several mono-and bi-metallic photocatalysts with different loadings have been synthesized using ultrasound assisted sol gel and wet impregnation methods. Synthesized catalysts were characterized using various analytical techniques to determine the bandgap, functional groups, crystallinity, and surface morphology. Photocatalytic performance of the different catalysts was compared in terms of Rhodamine-B dye degradation, and further process optimization studies were carried out to achieve the maximum extent of degradation. Catalyst performance was studied both under UV and visible light irradiation for the degradation of different dyes. Compared to pure TiO2 and monometallic Ag or Bi doped on TiO2, bi-metallic Bi-Ag on TiO2 catalyst synthesized using wet impregnation was found to be highly active under the conditions investigated. Complete degradation (~100%) was obtained within shorter duration in the presence of minimal catalyst loading (60mg/L). Overall, this work has clearly demonstrated the higher catalytic activity of bi-metallic catalyst, which is attributed to the synergistic effect of Bi and Ag on TiO2 facilitating the efficient charge separation and improved e transfer combined with high ability to absorb in visible light region in effectively degrading organic pollutants.

Microwave assisted persulfate induced degradation of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate

Pravin Sukharaj Bhandari,Parag Ratnakar Gogate 한국화학공학회 2019 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.36 No.12

Microwave assisted persulfate induced degradation of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) was investigated, focusing on establishing the best conditions for maximum degradation. The study involving different persulfate based oxidants, such as potassium persulfate (KPS), ammonium persulfate (NH3PS) and sodium persulfate (NaPS), revealed that the extent of degradation as 98.3, 82.2 and 68.2% was obtained for the use of KPS, NH3PS and NaPS, respectively. The study of the effect of SDBS concentration (25-100mg/L), oxidant loading (0-3g/L) and power (140-350W) established that degradation decreased with an increase in the operating parameter beyond the optimum condition. Under optimized conditions using potassium persulfate (KPS) as an oxidant, 51.6% and 98.3% degradation of 50mg/L SDBS solution was obtained by conventional and microwave assisted chemical oxidation approach, respectively, under optimized conditions of power, oxidant loading, volume and time maintained as 280W, 2g/L, 250mL and 28min, respectively. Extending the conventional approach for 120min resulted in degradation of 92.5%, which establishes that microwave helps in reducing the treatment time significantly. Kinetic study revealed pseudo-first-order behavior for degradation of SDBS. Energy per order (EEO) for conventional and microwave assisted degradation was observed to be 840 and 317.33kWh/m3, respectively. Overall, microwave assisted persulfate induced degradation of SDBS has been established to be promising method giving rapid degradation and better economics.

A Contour Descriptors-Based Generalized Scheme for Handwritten Odia Numerals Recognition

( Tusar Kanti Mishra ),( Banshidhar Majhi ),( Ratnakar Dash ) 한국정보처리학회 2017 Journal of information processing systems Vol.13 No.1

In this paper, we propose a novel feature for recognizing handwritten Odia numerals. By using polygonal approximation, each numeral is segmented into segments of equal pixel counts where the centroid of the character is kept as the origin. Three primitive contour features namely, distance (l), angle (θ), and arc-tochord ratio (r), are extracted from these segments. These features are used in a neural classifier so that the numerals are recognized. Other existing features are also considered for being recognized in the neural classifier, in order to perform a comparative analysis. We carried out a simulation on a large data set and conducted a comparative analysis with other features with respect to recognition accuracy and time requirements. Furthermore, we also applied the feature to the numeral recognition of two other languages― Bangla and English. In general, we observed that our proposed contour features outperform other schemes.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Particularly the Constipation-Predominant Form, Involves an Increase in Methanobrevibacter smithii , Which Is Associated with Higher Methane Production

( Uday C Ghoshal ),( Deepakshi Srivastava ),( Ujjala Ghoshal ),( Ratnakar Shukla ) 대한소화기학회 2016 Gut and Liver Vol.10 No.6

Background/Aims: Because Methanobrevibacter smithii produces methane, delaying gut transit, we evaluated M. smithii loads in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and healthy controls (HC). Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for M. smithii was performed on the feces of 47 IBS patients (Rome III) and 30 HC. On the lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT, done for 25 IBS patients), a fasting methane result ≥10 ppm using 10 g of lactulose defined methane-producers. Results: Of 47, 20 had constipation (IBS-C), 20 had diarrhea (IBS-D) and seven were not sub-typed. The M. smithii copy number was higher among IBS patients than HC (Log₁₀5.4, interquartile range [IQR; 3.2 to 6.3] vs 1.9 [0.0 to 3.4], p<0.001), particularly among IBSC compared to IBS-D patients (Log₁₀6.1 [5.5 to 6.6] vs 3.4 [0.6 to 5.7], p=0.001); the copy number negatively correlated with the stool frequency (R=-0.420, p=0.003). The M. smithii copy number was higher among methane-producers than nonproducers (Log106.4, IQR [5.7 to 7.4] vs 4.1 [1.8 to 5.8], p=0.001). Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, the best cutoff for M. smithii among methane producers was Log₁₀6.0 (sensitivity, 64%; specificity, 86%; area under curve [AUC], 0.896). The AUC for breath methane correlated with the M. smithii copy number among methane producers (r=0.74, p=0.008). Abdominal bloating was more common among methane producers (n=9/11 [82%] vs 5/14 [36%], p=0.021). Conclusions: Patients with IBS, particularly IBSC, had higher copy numbers of M. smithii than HC. On LHBT, breath methane levels correlated with M. smithii loads. (Gut Liver 2016;10:932-938)

A Contour Descriptors-Based Generalized Scheme for Handwritten Odia Numerals Recognition

Mishra, Tusar Kanti,Majhi, Banshidhar,Dash, Ratnakar Korea Information Processing Society 2017 Journal of information processing systems Vol.13 No.1

In this paper, we propose a novel feature for recognizing handwritten Odia numerals. By using polygonal approximation, each numeral is segmented into segments of equal pixel counts where the centroid of the character is kept as the origin. Three primitive contour features namely, distance (l), angle (${\theta}$), and arc-tochord ratio (r), are extracted from these segments. These features are used in a neural classifier so that the numerals are recognized. Other existing features are also considered for being recognized in the neural classifier, in order to perform a comparative analysis. We carried out a simulation on a large data set and conducted a comparative analysis with other features with respect to recognition accuracy and time requirements. Furthermore, we also applied the feature to the numeral recognition of two other languages-Bangla and English. In general, we observed that our proposed contour features outperform other schemes.

Recycling of printed circuit boards (PCBs) to generate enriched rare metal concentrate

Vinod Kumar,이재천,정진기,Manis Kumar Jha,김병수,Ratnakar Singh 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.21 No.1

An eco-friendly process for recycling obsolete PCBs to get enriched rare-metal concentrate usingphysical separation technique is discussed. Metal concentration in digital video disc (DVD) PCBs is43 wt.% whereas in vacuum cleaner (VC) PCBs 30 wt.% with rare metal of 2.8%. Concentrate grade of88% total metals including 5.85% rare metals in-case of DVD-PCBs while 90% of total metalsincluding 2.81% rare metals in-case of VC-PCBs was achieved by froth flotation. While 75% totalmetals including 9.41% rare metals for DVD-PCBs and 65% total metals including 5.10% rare metalsfor VC-PCBs was obtained by pneumatic separation.