Plasmablastic lymphoma in the paranasal sinus in a HIV positive patient : a rare entity

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) ranks second after Kaposi sarcoma in individuals who are infected with Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), becoming increasingly more common in oral cavity of HIV patients. PBL has been a investigative and therapeutic challenge because of its atypical morphology, immunohistochemical profile and a clinical course which results in high rate of recurrence and demise. We have described a atypical case of PBL affecting the maxillary sinus extending to involve the ethmoid sinuses and nasal cavity in a HIV infected patient and a brief review of literature regarding PBL.peer-reviewe

Geographical Indications for Kodagu Coffee – A Socio-economic Feasibility Analysis

The feasibility of Geographical Indications (GI) for the Kodagu coffee has been explored, as the coffee is grown under shade and unique conditions in the midst of rich biodiversity; as a result, the productivity of coffee turns out to be relatively low. The results have indicated that productivity of coffee is lower (6 q/ acre) when grown under high shade and native tree cover than under low shade condition (8.9 q/acre). Although, the difference in cost of cultivation between the two shade conditions is not significant, the net gain is to the tune of Rs 10.40/kg for the planters growing under low shade and exotic trees cover. The net loss has been estimated to be around Rs 15.50/kg for the planters growing under high shade and native trees cover. The marginal loss in the productivity of coffee due to shade is not directly reimbursable through the shade benefits. Hence, the coffee planters need to be compensated through a price premium for their products produced under rich biodiversity, thus requiring the GI that ensures quality and price.Agricultural and Food Policy,

A life-cycle cost model for green commercial office buildings with optimal green star credits

The green building is a widely discussed topic worldwide as a solution to increasing adverse impacts on the environment. The paradigm shift from conventional to green buildings is expected to yield environmental, social, and economic benefits. However, green building implementation is adversely affected by initial cost premiums although there are significant savings throughout the life-cycle of green buildings in terms of water, energy, and so on. Therefore, there is a clear need to analyse the initial stages of green building development regarding life-cycle impacts, capturing massive savings in energy, water, and other resources. Although it may be cheaper to select inappropriate technologies during the initial decision-making stages, more importantly, this may preclude life-cycle savings and the desired outcomes of green buildings. In order to aid the initial decision-makers with the selection of credit points considering the lowest life-cycle costs of green buildings, this research develops a life-cycle cost model that incorporates developer constraints while maximising the number of credit points achieved when using the Green Star Australia environmental rating system. The model is based on Green Star Design and As-Built version 1.1 rating tool. Initially, an extensive analysis is carried out for all the key criteria and credits of Green Star Design and As-Built version 1.1 rating tool. Based on the identification of different types of credits, certain credits were eliminated. Afterwards, interdependencies among various credits were established. For all the selected credits, life-cycle cost is calculated considering six main central business districts (CBDs) of Australia. The life-cycle cost calculation followed ‘Building and construction assets – service life planning – Part 5: Life-cycle costing standard’ published by the International Organisation for Standards (ISO) as a guideline. The net present value (NPV) technique is used to calculate life-cycle costs. Further, a sensitivity analysis is also carried out for selected credits to identify the changes to life-cycle cost to the changes in discount rate. Once all the life-cycle cost data is calculated, the proposed model was developed. The proposed model is developed considering a set of rules for exclusions, selections, and inter-dependencies. It initially collects user information and user constraints. Based on the user information, the model provides customised solutions to the users. The user can define the discount rate and even select the regional areas, and based on that information, the life-cycle cost is calculated by the proposed model. The user constraints select or eliminate credits, consider inter-dependencies, and calculate the optimum solutions for a specific green certification level. This model can provide optimum solutions for four-star or five-star certification levels considering Green Star rating. Finally, the proposed life-cycle cost model is validated in terms of cost and optimum credit selections. Cost is validated using costs comparisons with cost databases, industry reports, and actual green-certified buildings and interviews. To validate the credit selections, four case study buildings with Green Star certifications are considered. Based on the validation results, the cost calculations are within the range accepted by various sources. Further, the optimum credits proposed by the life-cycle cost model coincide with the credits obtained by the certified green buildings except for minor changes. Most of the credits that are proposed by the model yet not implemented by the case study buildings happen to have higher initial costs and lower life-cycle costs. This further strengthens the importance of using life-cycle costs during the initial decision-making stages for green building implementation. Further, credits with lower life-cycle costs are mostly eliminated owing to higher initial costs, which can be addressed by using the proposed life-cycle cost model. The model identified green building credits with cost savings, such as the use of photovoltaic panels, which are ignored during the initial stages owing to high initial costs. Further, this model proposed passive methods such as natural ventilation in buildings, using daylight and rainwater tanks to be considered for green building implementations. Out of all the key criteria in Green Star Design and As-Built v1.1, credits representing management criterion are widely achieved in green building implementation. This perfectly coincides with the proposed life-cycle cost model

Integer Matrix Keys for Secure Data Aggregation in Clustered Wireless Sensor Networks

Providing Privacy and security for aggregated data in wireless sensor networks has drawn the attention of practicing engineers and researchers globally. Several cryptographic methods have been already proposed to solve security and data integrity problems for aggregated data. Matrix cryptography is a better option for creating secure encryption/decryption algorithms to counter quantum attack. However, these algorithms have higher computational cost and increased communication overhead. Hence, a new technique of loss-less secure data aggregation in Clustered Wireless Sensor Networks is presented. The proposed method uses integer matrices as keys for data security and data integrity. Matrix operations are carried out in finite field Zp. Loss-less secure data aggregation is extended for homomorphic summation while the cipher text expansion ratio is kept substantially low. The proposed algorithm has inbuilt fast and efficient signature verification facility. The execution time of our signature verification mechanism is found to be approximately 50 percent less compared to a couple of standard existing signature verification schemes

A pilot study on genetic diversity in Indian honeybees-Apis cerana of Karnataka populations

Unravelling the genetic diversity studies of Apis cerana, the indigenous strain of India is very much essential as it provides significant guidance to beekeepers about breeding strategies that would aide in their colonies to survive. There are two predominant species of Indian honey bees, Apis cerana cerana (black strain) and Apis cerana indica (yellow strain). Currently there are no reports on diversity studies on these subspecies are available. The current research in this paper describes the pilot study undertook to evaluate the genetic diversity of Apis cerana from populations of Karnataka. Bee colonies from 12 localities of Karnataka have been genetically characterized through COI gene of mitochondrial genome, providing discreet characteristics for intra-specific diversity studies. This has led to infer the taxonomic status of two subspecies of Apis cerana. The results suggest that Indian populations have larger effective size and genetic diversity. The paper discusses the possibility of introduction of honeybees in India in evolutionary time frame and resolving the diversity in Indian honeybees by assessing the phylogeography

Mitochondrial DNA Diversity Studies in Apis cerana populations of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Ecological diversity of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve provides an appropriate foraging and nesting substrates for different honeybee species making honey hunting a lucrative activity. The molecular diversity studies of Apis cerana, the indigenous strain of India in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is very much essential as it provides significant guidance to beekeepers about breeding strategies that would aide in their colonies to survive. The current research in this paper describe s the pilot study undertook to evaluate the genetic diversity of Apis cerana from populations of Biosphere. Bee colonies from 10 localities of Nilgiri Biosphere have been genetically haracterized through COI gene of mitochondrial genome, providing discreet characteristics for intra- specific diversity studies. There are two predominant species of Indian honey bees, Apis cerana cerana (black strain) and Apis cerana indica (yellow strain). This has led to infer the taxonomic status of two subspecies of Apis cerana. The results suggest that the mobile beekeeping in Nilgiris has resulted in genetic recombination of different strains which are grouped together in the phylogenetic clades. The paper discusses the possibility of introduction of honeybees in India in evolutionary time frame and resolving the diversity in Indian honeybees by assessing the phylogeography. Further characterization of genetic diversity is in need with respect to extensive sampling and with different mitochondrial genes. Mitochondrial DNA Diversity Studies in Apis cerana populations of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264382514_Mitochondrial_DNA_Diversity_Studies_in_Apis_cerana_populations_of_Nilgiri_Biosphere_Reserve [accessed Sep 24, 2016]

Antenatal service utilization among women in South India: a community based cross sectional study

Background: Antenatal period is important for identifying pregnancy related threats and antenatal care (ANC) is one of the most effective health interventions during this period. It provides a unique opportunity for screening and diagnosis, health promotion and disease prevention. This study assessed the antenatal service utilization pattern and its determinants among women.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of a teaching hospital in Mangalore. Study included 142 women who had delivered in the last one year in the study area, selected using snowball sampling method. A pretested semi-structured validated questionnaire was used to collect the data. Predictors of full ANC were identified using univariate analysis and explanatory variables were entered into multivariate regression model to obtain the adjusted odds ratios to find the association between full ANC coverage and its determinants.Results: Among the participants, 99.3% registered their pregnancy and 78.9% had early registration. Majority, 91.5% had minimum antenatal visits, 83.1% consumed iron and folic acid supplements for more than three months and tetanus toxoid (TT) coverage was 98.6%. Full ANC coverage was found to be 81% and unadjusted analysis showed higher odds of full ANC coverage among housewives, primiparous, women in joint family and among literates. However, multi variable analysis revealed literacy as the major determinant of full ANC.Conclusions: In the present study, majority of the women had adequate antenatal care utilization. Full antenatal coverage was found to be statistically significant among literate women

EVIDENCE BASED CLINICAL AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF DADRUKUSHTA (DERMARTOPHYTOSIS) BY CHAKRAMARDA TAILA

Dadru is one of the most common dermatological conditions encountered in clinical practice. Most of skin diseases in Ayurveda are described under the heading of Kushta. In general clinical practice around 10-20% patients suffer from skin disorders and out of them, fungal infections constitute up to 20%. Dadru is a variety of Kushta with Rasa, Rakta and Mamsadhatu involvement, manifesting with Kandu, Mandala, Ruja, Raaga, Rookshata and Pidaka. Chakramarda possesses Katu rasa, Laghu, Rukshaguna, Kapha Vatahara, Varnya, Vishagna, Vranaropana and Kushtagna properties. Chakramardhataila is an Anuboota yoga employed in management of Dadrukushta. Current study includes 42 Patients from O.P.D. of S.D.M. College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan diagnosed to have Dadrukushta based on signs and symptoms. Therapeutic effect was evaluated before, in between and after treatment. The present clinical study has shown Symptoms of Kandu, Raaga and Twakrukshata reduced after application of Chakramarda taila, which were statistically highly significant with P value 0.001. Symptoms of Uthsanna mandala reduced after application of Chakramarda taila. It was also statistically significant with P value 0.002. Pidaka between before treatment to after treatment showed reduction with P value 0.005 which is statistically significant. After Chakramarda taila application on lesion of Dadru Kushta has demonstrated decrease in pathognomonic signs and symptoms Kandu, Raga, Twakrukshata which was statistically highly significant with P value 0.001 and reduction in Uthsanna mandala, Pidaka which is statistically significant. Hence, application of Chakramarda Taila is an effective treatment modality in management of Dadru Kushta.

Treating long standing Primary Infertility with Ayurveda - A Case Study

Infertility is an increasing condition in society which has become a challenge to the gynaecologist. Based on the census reports of India 2001, 1991, 1981 researchers show that childlessness has increased by 50% since 1981. The increase may be due to many reasons, as sexually transmitted infections, coping with stress, the way of living, job pressure, postponing parenthood, galloping urbanization, obesity etc. Vandhya Stree is either due to Beeja Dosha or other causes where she can be treated and made to conceive. Vandhyatva is a condition which occurs as a complication of various diseases, different Yonivyapats, Jatharagnis, Artavadushtis, Beejadosha, Mithyaachara, Daiva are various contributory factors for Vandhya. Many treatments have been available with different success rates. They include fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro sperm injection (ICSI), donor insemination (DI), egg (or embryo) donation and surrogacy. long standing infections of vagina or urinary system, UTI, TORCH infections contribute to non conception due to compromised immune system. Atimaithuna in Baalaavashtha is explained as one of the causes for Yonivyapats, treating the Yonivyapat and reducing infection enhances conception. This theory was followed in this case to achieve conception. Presenting such a case with long standing infertility and infection treated successfully with Ayurvedic medicine and achieved conception