Metamorphic Detection Using Function Call Graph Analysis

Well-designed metamorphic malware can evade many commonly used malware detection techniques including signature scanning. In this research, we consider a score based on function call graph analysis. We test this score on several challenging classes of metamorphic malware and we show that the resulting detection rates yield an improvement over previous research

Preclinical safety evaluation of low molecular weight galactomannans based standardized fenugreek seeds extract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate acute oral toxicity, subchronic toxicity, and mutagenic potential of low molecular weight galactomannans based standardized fenugreek seeds extract (LMWGAL-TF) in laboratory animals rats as per Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. For the acute toxicity (AOT) study, LMWGAL-TF was orally administered to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at a dose of 2000 mg/kg with vehicle control (VC) group (n = 5 per sex per group) as per OECD guideline no. 423. For the repeated dose toxicity study, the SD rats were orally administered with a daily oral dose of LMWGAL-TF 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day with VC group (n = 15 per sex) for a period of 90 days followed by a recovery period of 28 days as per OECD guideline no. 408. The effects on body weight, food and water consumption, organ weights with hematology, clinical biochemistry, and histology were studied. The mutagenic potential of LMWGAL-TF was tested using reverse mutation assay (AMES test, OECD guideline No. 471). The LMWGAL-TF did not show mortality or treatment-related adverse signs during acute (dose 2000 mg/kg) and subchronic (90-days repeated dose 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) administration. The LMWGAL-TF showed oral lethal dose (LD50) more than 2000 mg/kg during AOT study. The dose of 1000 mg/kg was found as no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in rats during subchronic toxicity study. Furthermore, LMWGAL-TF did not show mutagenic potential in vitro. In conclusion, LMWGAL-TF was found safe during acute and subchronic (90 days repeated dose) toxicity studies in rats with no mutagenicity

Study of the prescription pattern of anti-depressants in a tertiary care hospital: a prospective observational study

Background: One of the most important public health priorities are psychiatric disorders. Prescribing medications play a crucial role in providing good health care. Therefore, there is a need to understand prescription patterns at regular intervals. Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study conducted at the psychiatry department OPD of Government Medical College, Aurangabad (Maharashtra, India) from January 2021 to June 2022. Records of prescriptions were collected from the hospital management information system. Results: N=417 prescriptions were analysed. The male: female ratio was 1.25. Among total prescriptions analysed, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were the most prescribed drug class (32.18%) followed by benzodiazepines (25.19%) and atypical antipsychotics (19.97%). Drugs prescribed as fixed dose combinations (FDC) were 2.10%. Most of the patients received polytherapy in which most patients constituted of two drug therapy (46.28%) and 34.53% of patients received monotherapy. In the patients managed by monotherapy, SSRIs were the most prescribed (29.16%), followed by atypical anti-psychotics (26.38%) and benzodiazepines (24.30%). Prescriptions with generic names were 93.12%. The average number of drugs per encounter was 1.88. Drugs prescribed from the essential drugs list (India) were 41.66%. Drugs prescribed from the essential medicines list (WHO) were 47%. The total number of prescriptions with injections 0.23%. Conclusions: Prescribing patterns were according to the WHO-DUS parameters. Most patients were prescribed generic medicines. SSRIs, benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants were the most prescribed drug class

PRENATAL DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY EVALUATION OF LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT GALACTOMANNANS BASED STANDARDIZED FENUGREEK SEED EXTRACT DURING ORGANOGENESIS PERIOD OF PREGNANCY IN RATS

Objective: To evaluate the prenatal developmental toxicity of low molecular weight galactomannans based standardized fenugreek seed extract (LMWGAL-TF).Methods: Rats received oral administration of LMWGAL-TF (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) during the period of gestation from day 5 (implantation day)–19 (1 d before expected day of parturition) post conception. Maternal, embryo, and fetal toxicity parameters were evaluated.Results: LMWGAL-TF exposure did not produce maternal (clinical observations, body weight gain, food intake) and embryo–fetal toxicity. Occasional skeletal and visceral malformations, unrelated to the treatments, were seen in both LMWGAL-TF-treated and vehicle control (VC) groups.Conclusion: Oral exposure of LMWGAL-TF during the prenatal period did not induce significant maternal and embryo–fetal toxicity up to a dose of 1000 mg/kg in rats. The dose of 1000 mg/kg was considered as NOAEL for LMWGAL-TF.Keywords: Developmental toxicity, Low molecular weight galactomannans, Standardized fenugreek seed extract, OECD Test No. 414, Reproductive system, Rat

EFFECT OF DAUHRUDAVASTHA (DESIRES DURING PREGNANCY) ON FETAL DEVELOPMENT

Life begins with conception even nine months prior to the delivery. Entire gestational period is important for achievement of healthy baby along with prevention of complications during pregnancy. Dauhrudavastha is the special concept of Ayurveda affecting fetal growth. It is the period during which pregnant woman (Dauhrudini) expresses dietary and behavioural desires. These longings are desires of fetus, fulfillment of which is beneficial for proper gestation, whereas non fulfillment or ignorance causes various developmental anomalies. In present clinical study, impact of fulfillment of longings of Garbhini (pregnant woman) on fetal growth is assessed. For this, 60 pregnant women were selected. They were grouped on the basis of questionnaire especially prepared for case study. 30 pregnant women who developed Dauhrudavastha and longings were attended and fulfilled registered in group A. Group B involves 30 pregnant women whose longings were ignored. Entire gestational period (up to delivery) is observed during ANC check up. After delivery, gestational ages of neonates were assessed by examining physical and neurological parameters. On comparison of Dauhrudavastha and neonatal examination, it was found that 80% neonates of group A having appropriate at term gestational age. Only 23.33% neonates of group B were having appropriate at term gestational age. The study suggests that along with nutritional support, attention should be given to Dauhrudavastha as it affect fetal growth

CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF YOGIC SHUDDHIKRIYA (CLEANSING PROCEDURE) AND MADHUDAK (HONEY AND WATER) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF STHAULYA (OBESITY)

Life in today’s materialistic era, has become miserable. As a matter of fact, human life is becoming luxury oriented day by day despite all the odds. According to ecological approach, disease is nothing but a mal-adjustment of human being to his environment. The disruption in environment brings about lifestyle disorders. The sedentary lifestyle of today’s era leads to the non-communicable epidemic of Obesity. Hence for the management of Obesity the therapy which offers modification in the lifestyle will be selected from Yogic Shat-shuddhikriyas i.e. Kapalbhati in comparison with dietary therapy of Madhudak (Honey and Water) as mentioned by Ayurvedic sages. In the present study, 60 patients with features of obesity as per Ayurvedic classics and body mass index more than 25 kg/m2 were selected. This patients will be randomly divided into experimental and control group, containing thirty subjects in each. In experimental group patients were made to perform Kapalbhati yogic shuddhikriya daily at morning whereas in comparison for control group dietary therapy of Madhudak. The study reveals that there was a remarkable decrease in subjective and objective parameters in both the groups, but Kapalbhati therapy is found more effective in every aspects of obesity. Average percentage of relief in experimental group is 27.85% and in control group is 9.93%. Hence to prevent this smoldering problem of present era the ‘Sciences of life’ i.e. Yoga offers the lifestyle modifying, time effective, free of cost, objective therapy (Adravyabhoot chikitsa) through its basic principles

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: A study of 39 cases at autopsy

Background: Aspergillus is a common cause of invasive mycosis, especially in immunocompromised or immunosuppressed individuals. Aims: To study the incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and evaluate the predisposing factors and clinico-pathological manifestations. Settings and Design: Retrospective analysis of autopsy material from a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: All autopsies performed over a 12-year period were reviewed and cases with invasive aspergillosis were analysed with respect to their clinical presentation, predisposing factors, gross and histological features, complications and causes of death. Results: Among a total of 20475 autopsies performed in 12 years, 39 patients (0.19 %) had invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. There were 28 males and 11 females. Their ages ranged from five months to 67 years. Dyspnoea, fever, cough with mucopurulent expectoration, chest pain and haemoptysis were commonly encountered symptoms. Forty-one per cent of the patients had no respiratory symptoms. Fungal aetiology was not entertained clinically in any of the patients. The major underlying conditions were prolonged antibiotic therapy, steroid therapy, and renal transplantation, often associated with underlying lung diseases. Pneumonia, abscesses, vascular thrombosis and infarction were common findings at autopsy. Antecedent tuberculosis, mucormycosis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Cytomegalovirus infection were also present. In most cases, death was related to extensive pulmonary involvement or fungal dissemination. Conclusion: A diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis should always be borne in mind whenever one is dealing with recalcitrant lung infections even with subtle immunosuppression. Radiological investigations and serologic markers can be utilised for confirmation and prompt therapy