Conformational Study of Polyelectrolytes

We have presented the conformational study of anionic polyelectrolyte, sodium sulfonated polystyrene having molecular weight 70kDa with the variation of the added electrolyte concentration. From the zeta potential measurements we found the decrease in particle mobility on increasing the salt concentration from 0M to 0.15M resulting in a decrease in the effective charge on the molecules. A similar decreasing pattern was observed for the viscosity measured by capillary viscometer with increase in the electrolyte concentration. The hydrodynamic radius of the particles obtained from the dynamic light scattering experiments showed significantly lower values with increment in salt concentration. The decreasing values of these parameters with rise in ionic strength indicate the collapsing of the extended polyelectrolyte chains in presence of salt

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS OF GRANISETRON HYDROCHLORIDE USING PLANTAGO OVATE AS NATURAL SUPERDISINTEGRANTS

The main objective of the study was to develop orodispersible tablets of Granisetron hydrochloride, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (an antivomiting agent) for improving patient compliance, especially those of paediatric & geriatric categories with difficulties in swallowing. In the wet granulation method orodispersible (ORD) tablets were prepared using natural super disintegrants  plantago ovate.The prepared batches of tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, wetting time, in vitro dispersion time, drug content and in vitro dissolution studies. The tablet formulation batch F4 was considered as the overall best formulation (with an in vitro drug release study of 99.11%).Short term stability studies (at 40±2ºC/75±5% RH) on the best formulation indicated that there no significant changes in drug content. From the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy study indicated that there are no drug excipient interactions. Key words:  Granisetron hydrochloride, Orodispersible tablets, FTIR spectroscopy, in vitro drug release study

Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study (SN--DREAMS III): Study design and research methodology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To describe the methodology of the Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study III, an ongoing epidemiological study to estimate the prevalence of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy in rural population of Kanchipuram and Thiravallur districts of Tamil Nadu, India and to elucidate the clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and genetic risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy in this rural population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sankara Nethralaya Diabetic Retinopathy Epidemiology and Molecular Genetic Study III will be a mobile van based epidemiological study; 11,760 participants aged ≥ 40 years will be recruited from the study areas. Eligible subjects will undergo blood sugar estimation to diagnose Diabetes. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test will be done to conform diabetes. All subjects with diabetes will undergo complete information of knowledge, aptitude and practice of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy, Diet questionnaire, demographic data, socioeconomic status, physical activity, anthropometric measurements, and risk of sleep apnoea. A detailed medical and ocular history, a comprehensive eye examination including refraction, slit lamp biomicroscopy examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp biomicroscopy, digital stereo fundus photography and ultrasound of eye will be done in the mobile van. Blood will be collected for biochemical investigations including blood hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid profile, urea and creatinine, genetic study. Urine will be collected for microalbuminuria. All fundus photographs will be graded at base hospital. Participants who need treatment will be sent to the base hospital. A computerized database is created for the records.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study is expected to provide an estimate of the prevalence of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy and also a better understanding of the genetic, anthropometric and socio-economic risk factors associated with Diabetic Retinopathy in a Rural South Indian population.</p

Navigational Analysis of Artificial Intelligence based Control Strategy for Humanoid Robot

To accomplish difficult tasks in cluttered environments and to reduce human effort in performing a task, humanoid robots are employed and have gained immense research interest. While performing any hazardous or tedious task, it is important for the humanoid robot to have correct navigational trajectory. Hence, the investigation about the navigational strategies of humanoids may be treated as a subject of significant concern. The current investigation is focused on path optimisation and obstacle avoidance capabilities for humanoid robots using the artificial intelligence techniques. By performing the kinematic analysis of the humanoid and a standard designed biped robot, the fundamental constraints and important parameters in the motion analysis can be conceived. The artificial intelligent techniques used here are Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimisation (APSO) and Adaptive Ant Colony Optimisation (AACO) for path planning by avoiding static or dynamic obstacles. The path length and the time required to reach the target position from the initial point are the important aspects, which are considered while designing a particular navigational controller. After application of standalone techniques, a hybridization of different techniques has been performed that reveals better results as compared to individual methods. The algorithms are first simulated in the VREP 3.1.3 software then for the validation of the same real time experiments has been carried out by taking the NAO and Biped Robot. Multiple NAO robots have also been maneuvered in various environments for which each NAO acts as a dynamic obstacle for the other in addition to the static obstacles. Finally, a comparison among all the techniques reveals facts about the efficiency of each technique in terms of path length and time required. Some future scopes are also suggested in this field of research in terms of qualitative and quantitative approach

Observation, Work at Height, Behavior Based Safety and Safety Precaution taken in Coke Oven Plant

Observation deals with the processes in a Coke Oven Plant such as- How coke is produced from coal? What are the sections of a Coke Oven Plant? How coal is heated to form good quality of Coke? Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries. Common cases include falls from ladders and from fragile surfaces. ‘Work at height’ means work in any place where, if there were no precautions in place, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury (for example a fall from a greater height while cleaning a chimney). Behavior Based Safety deals with the workers' behavior while working in hot and hazardous areas of a coke oven plant. Similarly, safety precautions play a very important role in a coke oven plant. For example, the workers must be provided CO gas monitor to identify any possible CO gas leakage from time to time. Otherwise, this colorless gas may become deadly when inhaled by workers

Liposomes for the treatment of prostate cancer therapy: A review

One of the cancers that affect men, prostate cancer considerably raises mortality rates for males around the world. Patients with prostate cancer can have a localized or advanced form of the illness. Digital rectal examinations, prostate-specific antigen analyses, and prostate biopsies are all used to identify prostate cancer. The onset, development, and spread of cancer are all correlated with mutations in specific genes. Radical prostatectomy, ablative radiation, and active surveillance are all forms of treatment for localized prostate cancer. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), radiation, and chemotherapy are given to men who have metastatic prostate cancer or have experienced a relapse. When compared to traditional cancer chemotherapeutic methods, the liposome-based drug delivery technology offers less toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible nanomedicine. Liposomes offer great advantages for use in nanomedicines by improving the sensitivity, specificity, and persistence of these anti-malignant cell agents in the body. Liposomal formulations are undergoing clinical trials of variety of cancers including prostate cancer. The present narrative review describes the composition and types of liposomes, its advantages, disadvantages, and the methods of preparation, research studies, clinical applications, drug repurposing and administration

Projection of Yield of Rice Crop over Prayagraj with Future Climatic Scenario

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of climate change on productivity of rice cultivars Swarna sub-1, Sarjoo-52, Pant Dhan 4, and NDR-359 for the years 2030, 2050, 2070, and 2090 for the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh using the Marksim and DSSAT crop simulation model under four different climate change scenarios, namely RCPs 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5. The model evaluation indicated good performance with both calibration (PE=2.43,6.26,4.31,3.79, RMSE= 132.79, 345.13, 237.44, 237.85, nRMSE = 2.53, 7.31, 4.46, 3.97) and validation (PE =3.58, 10.03, 4.28, 6.09, RMSE = 197.88, 456.35, 238.37, 366.52, nRMSE = 3.95, 10.55, 4.67, 6.39) for Swarna sub-1, Sarjoo-52, Pant Dhan 4 and NDR-359 cultivars respectively, which showed good agreement between anticipated and observed values. For the Prayagraj region, NDR-359 yields the most among&nbsp;the four varieties, followed by Pant Dhan 4, Swarna Sub-1, and Sarjoo-52. By examining the future climate data that MarkSim's weather generator downloaded, it was noticed that all other weather variables, such as solar radiation, average maximum and minimum temperature increases while rainfall decreases. The findings of the study reveal that, among all projection scenarios, the grain yield is greater for RCP 2.6 and lowest for RCP 8.5. Analysis of the expected climate scenario data with yield revealed that the yield was higher in 2030 and lower in 2050. Additionally, it was observed that again in 2090 the yield gets increased for RCP 2.6 &amp; decreased for RCP 4.5,6.0 &amp; 8.5. Among all the four cultivars the yield of Sarjoo-52 will be reduced for RCP 4.5,6.0 &amp; 8.5 for the year of 2050,2070 &amp; 2090.These findings may offer insightful information about possible climate change effects on rice yield and suitable adaptive strategies to minimize the negative effects of future climate change

An unusual long standing tracheal foreign body – A rare incidence

Foreign body (FB) inhalation is often encountered by emergent otolaryngology services. A long standing undiagnosed FB in trachea is very rare and lethal. Inhalation of betel nut and presenting at the proximal trachea is rarer. As often in the airway FB gravitate to bronchi, long standing tracheal FB is a rare presentation and also rare in the literature. Children who are not given proper individual attention at an early age are more liable to inhale FB. FB aspiration is associated with significant morbidity