Commercialization of Traditional Knowledge Based Technologies by Small Entrepreneurs: An Exploration of Strategic and Policy Options

The paper is based on the case study of an entrepreneur who has invested his career in developing a new product based on traditional knowledge. Using this case we highlight the issues faced by a small entrepreneur in the commercialization of traditional knowledge based technologies in pharmaceuticals industry. The framework developed by Teece is used to analyze the strategic options available to the entrepreneur in a weak appropriability regime. We also analyze a hypothetical scenario of strategic options available to the entrepreneur if the appropriability regime was strong. Since traditional knowledge based entrepreneurial activities have significant scope in India, it is important to explore the policy and strategic options that are available to us. In the context of the case study, the concluding part of the paper reviews these options and the associated implications for the holders of traditional knowledge.

Severe sepsis due to severe falciparum malaria and leptospirosis co-infection treated with activated protein C

Co-infection with falciparum malaria and leptospirosis is uncommon. The aim of this study is to report a case of severe sepsis secondary to dual infection with falciparum malaria and leptospirosis. The literature is also reviewed on the clinical course of such co-infections, and the possible mechanisms and treatment of patients with life-threatening malaria and leptospirosis with activated protein C. The patient was a 25-year old male admitted in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU) with fever, haemolysis, acute renal failure, hepatitis, acute lung injury (ALI) and altered sensorium. A syndromic evaluation was done and investigations revealed falciparum parasitaemia. He was treated with parenteral artesunate, ceftriaxone and doxycycline, and adjunctive therapies as for severe sepsis. Infusion of activated protein C was started 20 hours after onset of organ dysfunction, and intensive haemodialysis was instituted. Over the next four days the patient became afebrile with progressive resolution of ALI, renal failure and hepatitis. His Leptospira serology (requested as part of the evaluation) was reported positive on day 5. Dual infections are common and under-recognized in the tropics. Failure to treat potential co-infections may lead to poor outcomes. Acute lung injury in falciparum malaria has high mortality rates and therapy as for severe sepsis may improve survival. Adjunctive therapies, including activated protein C, cannot replace source eradication

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in acute respiratory failure due to COPD vs other causes: Effectiveness and predictors of failure in a respiratory ICU in North India

Ritesh Agarwal, Rajesh Gupta, Ashutosh N Aggarwal, Dheeraj GuptaDepartment of Pulmonary Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, IndiaObjectives: To determine the effectiveness of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), and the factors predicting failure of NIPPV in acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) versus other causes of ARF.Patients and methods: This was a prospective observational study and all patients with ARF requiring NIPPV over a one-and-a-half year period were enrolled in the study. We recorded the etiology of ARF and prospectively collected the data for heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood gases (pH, partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood [PaO2], partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood [PaCO2]) at baseline, one and four hours. The patients were further classified into two groups based on the etiology of ARF as COPD–ARF and ARF due to other causes. The primary outcome was the need for endotracheal intubation during the intensive care unit (ICU) stay.Results: During the study period, 248 patients were admitted in the ICU and of these 63 (25.4%; 24, COPD–ARF, 39, ARF due to other causes; 40 male and 23 female patients; mean [standard deviation] age of 45.7 [16.6] years) patients were initiated on NIPPV. Patients with ARF secondary to COPD were older, had higher APACHE II scores, lower respiratory rates, lower pH and higher PaCO2 levels compared to other causes of ARF. After one hour there was a significant decrease in respiratory rate and heart rate and decline in PaCO2 levels with increase in pH and PaO2 levels in patients successfully managed with NIPPV. However, there was no difference in improvement of clinical and blood gas parameters between the two groups except the rate of decline of pH at one and four hours and PaCO2 at one hour which was significantly faster in the COPD group. NIPPV failures were significantly higher in ARF due to other causes (15/39) than in ARF–COPD (3/24) (p = 0.03). The mean ICU and hospital stay and the hospital mortality were similar in the two groups. In the multivariate logistic regression model (after adjusting for gender, APACHE II scores and improvement in respiratory rate, pH, PaO2 and PaCO2 at one hour) only the etiology of ARF, ie, ARF–COPD, was associated with a decreased risk of NIPPV failure (odds ratio 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.9).Conclusions: NIPPV is more effective in preventing endotracheal intubation in ARF due to COPD than other causes, and the etiology of ARF is an important predictor of NIPPV failure.Keywords: noninvasive ventilation, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, acute respiratory failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, CPAP, bilevel positive airway pressure, pneumonia, ALI, ARD

An atypical case of fatal chikungunya infection in pregnancy

Chikungunya viral infection is a mosquito borne illness which is known to have a limited course and complete recovery is seen in most of the patients. However the virus has been reported to have atypical manifestations and lethal complications have been reported in patients suffering from chikungunya infection. In the present outbreak of chikungunya virus in the national capital territory of Delhi we report a case of chikungunya fever in a pregnant female with no significant medical history. The patient developed thrombocytopenia, hepatic injury and disseminated intravascular coagulation and ultimately succumbed to the illness due to cardiovascular collapse

A study to evaluate pattern and purpose of smartphone usage and its dependence among medical students of government medical college in northern India

Background: Smartphone usage has become increasingly popular in recent decade. Though it’s of great utility in many aspects, excessive usage among youth has shown increased restlessness, careless lifestyles and greater susceptibility to stress. Aim & Objective: To assess the pattern and purpose of smartphone usage and its dependence among medical students. Methods & Material: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted among 363 MBBS students of 1st, IInd and IIIrd professional year between October 2018 to December 2018 at a government medical college. A 20-item self-administrated questionnaire, focusing on purpose and pattern of use of smart phone and its dependence was filled by all the students. Data was collected, entered and analysed using SPSS Software. Result: Among 363 students, 53% participants were males and rest were females. 80% students were using smartphone for more than 2 years, while 60% were having daily usage of more than 3 hours. Significant association between severity of smartphone dependence and variables like MBBS professional year, daily phone call made and received, daily SMS received, daily WhatsApp message sent and received were observed. Dependence was mild in 8.8% of the students; Moderate in 72.2% while 19% were suffering from severe smartphone dependence. Conclusion: Smart phone dependence is an established and emerging psychological issue which needs attention and intervention. It is of serious concern that all medical students were suffering from smartphone dependence with varying grades of severity. Increased awareness regarding the harmful effects of smartphone addiction is the need of hour

A Review of Recent Case Law Related to Digital Forensics: The Current Issues

Digital forensics is a new field without established models of investigation. This study uses thematic analysis to explore the different issues seen in the prosecution of digital forensic investigations. The study looks at 100 cases from different federal appellate courts to analyze the cause of the appeal. The issues are categorized into one of four categories, ‘search and seizure’, ‘data analysis’, ‘presentation’ and ‘legal issues’. The majority of the cases reviewed related to the search and seizure activity. Keywords: Computer Investigation, Case Law, Digital Forensics, Legal Issues, and Court

A Review of Recent Case Law Related to Digital Forensics: The Current Issues

Digital forensics is a new field without established models of investigation. This study uses thematic analysis to explore the different issues seen in the prosecution of digital forensic investigations. The study looks at 100 cases from different federal appellate courts to analyze the cause of the appeal. The issues are categorized into one of four categories, ‘search and seizure’, ‘data analysis’, ‘presentation’ and ‘legal issues’. The majority of the cases reviewed related to the search and seizure activity. Keywords: Computer Investigation, Case Law, Digital Forensics, Legal Issues, and Court

A review on solid dispersion: a modern formulation approach in drug delivery system

Drugs those are given as solid dosage form and having low solubility often have a lack of flexibility in drug formulation and administration. The dissolution rate could be the rate-limiting process in the absorption of a drug from a solid dosage form of relatively insoluble drugs. Solid dispersion technologies are promising techniques for improving the water solubility, and hence dissolution and bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. It is done for Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) II Class drugs. Solid dispersion is the dispersion of one or more active ingredients in hydrophilic inert carrier matrix at molecular level. Solid dispersions of poorly water-soluble drugs with water-soluble carriers have been reduced the incidence of these problems and enhanced dissolution. The focus of this review article is on advantages, disadvantages and the method of preparation, and characterization of the solid dispersion. This review also discusses the recent advances in the field of solid dispersion technology