Synthesis and Characterization of Coconut Shell Ash.

Synthesizing Coconut Shell Ash (CSA) is a kind of manufacturing the powder form ash material which can be incorporated in the composite as reinforcement. This ash material used to improve the mechanical properties of metals when added in Metal Matrix Composite's (MMC's) based preparation. The fabrication of CSA powder is the preparatory functional part, because it varies its properties based on the manufacturing method. In this work, a novel method is used to manufacture the ash powder and to study the physical and chemical properties of CSA particles. CSA particles are synthesized in open fire hearth. Physical properties such as pH, ash content, moisture content, loss on ignition, density, surface area, pore volume and pore dia were studied. Chemical characterization study is carried out for chemical composition analysis, the morphology of ash particles, percentage of various elements present and various chemical functional groups present in the samples through XRF, SEM/EDS and FTIR techniques respectively. Crystallite structures, average particle size, and thermal stability of CSA were investigated by XRD and TGA methods. The result shows that the total maximum percentage of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 (~84%) will increase the strength of MMC's. The total percentage of Ca and K is minimum than the other CSA preparation methods, so that it will reduce the corrosion. And also produce low density ash powder (1.65 gm/cc) which will reduce the weight and density of MMC's. This CSA powder can be used in MMC where maximum strength-weight ratio and wear resistance is required.

Adjuvant yoga therapy for symptom management of functional dyspepsia: A case series.

Functional Dyspepsia (FD), commonly called chronic indigestion, comes under the umbrella of 'Disorders of Gut-Brain Axis'. It manifests as a cluster of upper gastrointestinal symptoms including epigastric pain or burning, postprandial fullness and early satiety. Since the pathophysiology is complex, it is often difficult to effectively manage and significantly impacts the patient's quality of life. This case series aims to elucidate the role of Yoga as an adjuvant therapy to modern medicine in providing relief of dyspeptic symptoms in such patients. Yoga is an ancient Indian mind-body practise that has the potential to be used for various brain-gut disorders. Apart from treating the gut disorders from top down (mind-gut) pathway, it may have more direct physiological effects as well. Researches on IBS and one research on abdominal pain related FGID have shown Yoga therapy to be effective in ameliorating the symptoms. In this study, we present three such cases (1 male and 2 female) having a clinical diagnosis of FD in detail. These patients were initially non-responsive to medications but later showed remarkable improvement in symptoms within one month of added Yoga therapy intervention. This study was conducted as a part of a larger study conducted at a tertiary hospital in Pondicherry in collaboration between its Yoga department and Medical Gastroenterology Department. Yoga therapy protocol was given along with their regular medical management for a month. Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Dyspepsia Symptom Score questionnaires were used to assess symptoms before and after the intervention period. All three patients showed marked reductions in symptom scores both in the GSRS and Dyspepsia Questionnaire. The present case series suggests effect of adjuvant Yoga therapy in reducing symptoms of functional dyspepsia. Future studies may clarify the psycho-physiological basis of the same.

Yoga Therapy in Functional Dyspepsia. A Narrative Review.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by bothersome epigastric pain or burning, fullness after meals or early satiety. The precise pathophysiology remains incompletely understood but may include the role of disordered gut-brain communication leading to disturbances in gastro-duodenal physiological functioning. Even if there are several pharmacological treatment options, it is a chronic and relapsing disorder with persistent symptoms that makes its management difficult. Yoga is a fast-spreading complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) specialty, that has gained attention in the medical field for its ability to address the physical, emotional, mental and social aspects of health and disease. Various other CAM therapies are being used for FD with varying efficacy. However, apart from one research study that used yoga therapy on abdominal pain related functional gastrointestinal disorders in children which included a few FD cases as well (11.6%), no other study using yoga therapy has been done in FD as per our best knowledge. Therefore, in the present review, we have summarized the current scientific understanding of the probable effects of yoga on the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in FD (gastric motility, fundic accommodation, hypersensitivity, duodenal inflammation, psychological distress and gut-brain dysfunction). The literature suggests yoga can have a beneficial role in the management of FD. However, rigorous research and clinical trials are required to confirm the same.