University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), formerly Institute of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, is a private university located in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The university was established in 2013 by the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Tradition (FRLHT) through The Institute of Trans-disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology Act, 2013. The founders of FRLHT and TDU are Sam Pitroda and Darshan Shankar, the latter serving as the vice chancellor of TDU.
Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.f.) is an Indian native tree species that is under threat of decline in natural populations due to illicit felling in Eastern Ghats. In the present study, we assessed the genetic variation and population structure across 22 natural populations 16 highly polymorphic SSR markers in 361 individuals. The average number of alleles (Na) was 7.79, with an expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.65, which is lower than that of other woody plants. Interestingly, the Tirupati base-Sadashiva Kona population presented the greatest genetic diversity (He = 0.87), whereas the Chitaleti Pati base Camp population presented the least genetic diversity (He = 0.44). The analysis revealed that extensive genetic variation among populations (72
The global resurgence of Ayurveda, accelerated by the post-COVID-19 focus on preventive and holistic health, faces a critical and often overlooked challenge: the rapid degradation of its medicinal plant base. While unsustainable harvesting is a recognised issue, this article argues that the spread of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) constitutes a parallel and insidious pandemic, systematically destroying primary medicinal plant habitats. By examining the impact of IAS across forest, aquatic, and farmland biomes, we demonstrate how these invaders are causing the local extinction of key medicinal species even before they can be harvested. This article concludes with an urgent call for policymakers, conservation bodies, and the global Ayurvedic industry to adopt integrated, policy-driven conservation strategies to safeguard the biological foundation of Ayurveda, ensuring its sustainability and efficacy for future generations.
Mangrove forests are among the most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth and play a crucial role in climate change mitigation. However, carbon stock assessments in Indian mangrove forests remain limited and poorly documented. Karnataka, a coastal state on the southwest coast of India, supports approximately 1420 hectares (ha) of mangroves, yet information on their current carbon stocks is lacking. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of carbon stocks in the mangrove forests of Karnataka. Extensive field sampling was conducted to estimate above-ground and below-ground vegetative biomass carbon as well as sediment carbon. To estimate vegetative biomass, two commonly used allometric equations specific to the Asian region were applied: Komiyama et al. (2005) (Eq. 1) and Chave et al. (2005) (Eq. 2). Eq. 2 incorporates tree height and provides more accurate estimates of above-ground biomass (AGB). Currently, Karnataka mangrove forests, hold an estimated 390,500 Mg C (mean of 275.0 ± 180.7 Mg C ha-1 using Eq. 1) and 253,896 Mg C (mean of 178.8 ± 78.4 Mg C ha-1 using Eq. 2) of carbon stocks. Biomass carbon stocks varied significantly among sampling areas (p < 0.01). The mean total carbon stock in Karnataka's mangroves was higher than that of the Arabian/Oman Gulf (217.0 Mg C ha-1) but lower than the global average (386.0 Mg C ha-1). Among Indian states, Karnataka had the highest mean total carbon stock, except for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Three sites-Madila, Talapady (Dakshina Kannada), and Karwar (Uttara Kannada)-accounted for 60% of Karnataka's total mangrove carbon stock, mainly due to old, mature structurally developed stands of Avicennia officinalis trees with large basal areas (age >50 years). Natural mangrove forests were found to store more carbon than planted forest patches. Overall, the field analysis highlights Karnataka's mangrove forests as highly effective "blue carbon" sinks, underscoring their importance as Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for climate change mitigation and for achieving India's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ethylene Glycol (EG) and Diethylene Glycol (DEG) are potential contaminants in liquid oral formulations, posing severe toxicological risks. Regulatory agencies mandate stringent controls on their permissible limits. This study outlines the analytical method verification of a gas chromatography (GC) procedure for the quantitative determination of EG and DEG in a polyherbal cough syrup. The method employs a DB-624 capillary column and flame ionization detection (FID), using ethanol as the diluent. System suitability, precision, resolution, and tailing factor criteria were established and verified. The method was confirmed to be accurate, precise, and suitable for routine use in quality control.
Background: The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines on nutrition for cancer patients provides evidence based dietary recommendations that is routinely deployed by dieticians in oncology settings. Although these can be culturally adapted, they do not adequately address inter individual variability in treatment related gastrointestinal symptoms and appetite, issues that increase malnutrition risk in cancer patients. Ayurveda, on the other hand, lacks nutrient based guidelines but offers a well grounded dietary framework to assess digestive function and personalise diets. This study investigated the feasibility of combining the two approaches in a clinical setting. Methods: Consenting adult cancer patients diagnosed with any type and stage of cancer were recruited. At baseline, digestive strength, dietary intake, quality and frequency and Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PGSGA) score were recorded. Based on this, personalised meal plans (MPs) that combine nutrient guidelines from ESPEN and traditional food concepts to support digestive strength were provided to participants. Follow ups ranged from 4 weeks to 6 months, at which digestive strength and PGSGA was noted. To evaluate against a benchmark, meal plans were theoretically constructed using Ayurveda concepts (traditional MP) or ESPEN guidelines (Standard MP) alone. Results: Data is presented for 33 participants, of which 52% had weak digestive strength. Baseline intake averaged 879 kcal/day, well below the recommended 1400 to 1600 kcal/ day level. Traditional MPs improved energy intake but were protein insufficient, aspects that were addressed in the standard MPs. Diet quantity (1417 kcal/day), quality and frequency improved on the integrated MP, with 3 patients achieving optimal digestive strength. Personalised counselling reduced malnutrition risk, as reported by PGSGA score. Conclusion: Customising dietary advice by overlaying nutrient guidelines with Ayurveda dietary concepts is feasible. The evaluation of digestive strength holds promise for personalising nutrition therapy. Trial Registration: CTRI/2023/07/055657 ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Clinical Trial CTRI/2023/07/055657 ### Funding Statement This study was partially funded by Rural India Supporting Trust, New York. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The Internal Ethics Committee (IEC) of The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology gave ethical approval for this work. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors
