Performance of Deep Learning in Land Use Land Cover Classification of Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) LISS – III Multispectral Data

Identification of land use land cover is a very important task. However, methods existing for the above mention purpose are labor incentives, time-consuming, and costly. Remote sensing plays very important role in the mappings. classification of land cover features and offers very noteworthy and sensed information. The present study shows the semantic segmentation of Indian remote sensing (IRS) LISS-III multispectral image and the comparison of three algorithms U-Net, Deeplabv3+and Tiramisu. The deep neural network was used to perform the study. We present total 3 innovative datasets, built on these LISS-III images that has 4 different spectral bands (Band – 2 (Blue), Band-3 (Green), Band-4(Red), and Band-5 (Nearly Infrared), FCC (false color composite) images and the ground truth mask images. Dataset has 13500 labelled images. A fully-convolutional network (FCN) with skip connections is trained to take an input image of size 128 X 128 X 3 and outputs a matrix of shape 128 X 128 X 4 i.e., a one-hot encoded version of the mask. The experiment identifies 4 classes successfully (Water Bodies, Vegetation, Uncultivated Land, and Residential areas). The experiment showed that the U-Net algorithm has a very good capability for the classification of LISS -III images for land use land cover class detection then Tiramisu and Deeplabv3+. U-Net achieved accuracy 84%, Deelabv3+ achieved 29% whereas Tiramisu achieved accuracy 33%

Drug utilization pattern of analgesics in various departments of a tertiary care teaching rural dental hospital

Background: The aim was to study drug utilization pattern of analgesics in various departments of a tertiary care teaching rural dental hospital.Methods: A prospective and observational study was undertaken in 150 patients from January 2014 to February 2014. Relevant information was obtained from the interview as well the hospital case record. Structured and pre-tested format were used for compiling the data.Results: The majority of the patients (46%) were in the age group 41-60 years. Common indications for analgesic use included endodontic diseases (61.3%), surgical procedures (41.33%), and periodontal diseases (27.33%). Three analgesic formulations were used leading to a total of 150 drug uses. Fixed-dose drug combination (FDC) of diclofenac sodium plus paracetamol (78.66%) was the most commonly prescribed analgesic formulation, followed by aceclofenac plus paracetamol (15.33%) and ibuprofen (6%). The average number of analgesics prescribed per patient was 1.94. Analgesics were prescribed for 3 days. Except ibuprofen, FDC of diclofenac sodium + paracetamol and aceclofenac + paracetamol have been included in the WHO model list of essential medicines. All analgesic drug formulations were prescribed by their brand names.Conclusions: Drug utilization data can help to formulate appropriate clinical guidelines for drug use and facilitate rational use of medicines in population

Knowledge, attitude and practice of adverse drug reaction reporting among healthcare professionals of a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat

Background: The objective of the present study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of adverse drug reaction reporting among healthcare professionals of Parul Sevashram Hospital, Parul University, Vadodara.Methods: The study was prospective, observational and questionnaire-based involving medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists of Parul Sevashram Hospital. A total number of 210 structured questionnaires were distributed among health care professionals (100 clinicians from various specialities, 100 nurses and 10 pharmacists). Written informed consent forms were obtained from participants as their consent to participate in the study.Results: All questionnaires were filled and returned producing overall response rate of 100%. 80% of the respondents were aware of the existence of Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI). 90.95% and 91.90% of respondents felt ADR reporting is necessary and it would be beneficial to the patients respectively. Only 11.43% of respondents had reported ADRs. 90.95% and 85.24% of respondents suggested training is required in reporting ADR and regular information should be provided regarding ADR by PvPI respectively.Conclusions: The health care professionals had positive knowledge and attitude towards pharmacovigilance and there is a need to create awareness for better practice of ADR reporting. It would help to improve patient care

Counterfeit drugs in India: significance and impact on pharmacovigilance

Counterfeit drugs have emerged as a major global problem. This issue has been brought to the centre of the Indian media due to the death of 15 women attending a sterilization camp in Chhattisgarh. India’s pharmaceutical industry exports drugs worth 15 billion dollars, which means a high prevalence of counterfeiting in India’s drug industry has global repercussions. However, accurate figures on the extent of counterfeit drugs in India are not available. The scientific literature as well as media reports often quotes figures of 10-35%, though studies done by the Indian Government dispute this. Counterfeit drug numbers have been known to be under represented by Governments due to fear of undermining their economy and health systems. On the other hand, rival companies in other countries may have an incentive to over hype India’s counterfeit problem to dent India’s growing status as the leading global supplier of generic medicines. Lack of clear definitions and differences between laws of countries further complicate reporting. A high prevalence of counterfeit drugs has a large impact on both health and economic indicators. Additionally, counterfeit drugs provide significant challenges to Pharmacovigilance programmes. Hence, here we discuss the significance of use of counterfeit drugs in India and challenges faced by Pharmacovigilance due to the extensive use of counterfeit drugs

Multimodal investigations of trans-endothelial cell trafficking under condition of disrupted blood-brain barrier integrity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Stem cells or immune cells targeting the central nervous system (CNS) bear significant promises for patients affected by CNS disorders. Brain or spinal cord delivery of therapeutic cells is limited by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) which remains one of the recognized rate-limiting steps. Osmotic BBB disruption (BBBD) has been shown to improve small molecule chemotherapy for brain tumors, but successful delivery of cells in conjunction with BBBD has never been reported.</p> <p>We have used a clinically relevant model (pig) of BBBD to attempt brain delivery of TALL-104, a human leukemic T cell line. TALL-104 cells are potent tumor killers and have demonstrated potential for systemic tumor therapy. The pig model used is analogous to the clinical BBBD procedure. Cells were injected in the carotid artery after labeling with the MRI T1 contrast agent GdHPDO3A. Contrast CT scans were used to quantify BBBD and MRI was used to detect Gd⁺⁺-loaded cells in the brain. Transcranial Doppler was used to monitor cerebral blood flow. EEG recordings were used to detect seizures. Immunocytochemical detection (Cresyl Violet, anti-human CD8 for TALL-104, Evans Blue for BBB damage, GFAP and NEUN) was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At the concentration used TALL-104 cells were tolerated. Incomplete BBBD did not allow cell entry into the brain. MRI scans at 24 and 48 hours post-injection allowed visualization of topographically segregated cells in the hemisphere that underwent successful BBBD. Perivascular location of TALL-104 was confirmed in the BBBD hemisphere by Cresyl violet and CD8 immunocytochemistry. No significant alteration in CBF or EEG activity was recorded during cell injections.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data show that targeted CNS cell therapy requires blood-brain barrier disruption. MRI-detectable cytotoxic anti-neoplastic cells can be forced to transverse the BBB and accumulate in the perivascular space. The virtual absence of toxicity, the high anti-tumor activity of TALL-104, and the clinical feasibility of human osmotic BBBD suggest that this approach may be adopted to treat brain or spinal cord tumors. In addition, BBBD may favor CNS entry of other cells that normally lack CNS tropism.</p

Two-year safety and efficacy of Indigenous Abluminus Sirolimus Eluting Stent. Does it differ amongst diabetics? – Data from en-ABLe- REGISTRY

Introduction: To evaluate the efficacy/safety profile of the Abluminus DES+ over 2-years follow-up in the "real-world" scenario in diabetics as compared to non-diabetics. Methods: In prospective, all-comers, open-label registry conducted at 31 sites, patients were analyzed for 1 & 2-year outcomes with the primary endpoint defined as 3P-MACE of CV death, target vessel related myocardial infarction (TV-MI), ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR)/target vessel revascularization (TVR) apart from Stent thrombosis (ST). Results: Of 2500 patients of PCI with 3286 Abluminus-DES+, 1641 (65.64%) were non-diabetics while859 (34.36%) were diabetics. The 3-P MACE for the cohort at 1 & 2 years were 2.9%, and 3.16%; TLR/TVR - 1.4% at both the intervals for 2493 patients at 2 yrs. follow-up. TV-MI & ST were 0.36% and0.56% at 1st and 2nd year respectively. The 3P-MACE was lower in non-diabetics at 1 & 2 years (2.3%vs 4.2%; 2.4% vs 4.7% respectively). For components of MACE, CV mortality (0.9 vs 1.9% at 1 yr ; 1.0vs 2.1% at 2 years) was significant (P &lt; 0.05) while TLR (1.1 vs 1.9% at 1 yr. & 1.1 vs 2.1% at 2 yrs.) and TV-MI (0.9 vs 1.9% at 1 yr. & 1 vs 2.1% at 2 years) were similar for diabetics and non-diabetics so was ST (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Abluminus-DES+ showed excellent 2-year safety and efficacy with low 3-P MACE which was higher in diabetics driven by higher CV death but similar TLR, TV-MI and ST

Metabolism of apolipoprotein A-II containing triglyceride rich ApoB lipoproteins in humans

OBJECTIVE: To characterize human triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) with and without apoA-II and to study their metabolism in vivo. METHODS: Plasma from 11 participants on a controlled diet given a bolus infusion of [D5]l-phenylalanine to label apoB was combined into four pools and applied to anti-apoA-II immunoaffinity columns. Fractions with and without apoA-II were separated into VLDL and IDL by ultracentrifugation; lipids and apolipoproteins were measured. For kinetic measurements, apoB was isolated and hydrolyzed to the constituent amino acids. Tracer enrichment was measured by GCMS. Metabolic rates were determined by SAAM-II. RESULTS: VLDL and IDL with apoA-II comprised 7% and 9% of total VLDL and IDL apoB respectively. VLDL with apoA-II was enriched in apoC-III, apoE, and cholesterol compared to VLDL without apoA-II. Mean apoB FCR of VLDL with apoA-II was significantly lower than for VLDL without apoA-II (2.80 ± 0.96 pools/day v.s. 5.09 ± 1.69 pools/day, P = 0.009). A higher percentage of VLDL with apoA-II was converted to IDL than was cleared from circulation, compared to VLDL without apoA-II (96 ± 8% vs. 45 ± 22%; P = 0.007). The rate constants for conversion of VLDL to IDL were similar for VLDL with and without apoA-II. Thus, a very low rate constant for clearance accounted for the lower FCR of VLDL with apoA-II. CONCLUSION: VLDL with apoA-II represents a small pool of VLDL particles that has a slow FCR and is predominantly converted to IDL rather than cleared from the circulation