Computer aided detection of defects in FRP bridge decks using infrared thermography

The objective of this research is to develop a turn-key system that is able to interface with the FLIR ThermaCAM S60 infrared camera and automatically capture and analyze defects in infrared images of FRP bridge decks. Infrared thermography is one of the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques that are being used to locate defects (debonds and delaminations) in bridge components. It is a rapid data collection and interpretation technique having high sensitivity and reliability. Analysis of infrared images by human interpretation is dependent on the users knowledge and hence introduces ambiguity in the defect detection process.;This thesis investigates the use of an automated defect detection system to locate defects in infrared images of FRP bridge decks to eliminate/reduce human intervention. Air-filled and water-filled debonds were inserted between the wearing surface and the underlying FRP deck. Also, simulated subsurface delaminations (of various sizes and thickness) were created at the flange-to-flange junction between two FRP deck modules. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Study of patterns of prescribing antibiotics in geriatric patients admitted to the medical wards in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Evidence indicates high prevalence of inappropriate prescribing of medicines especially in the elderly. This can cause increased incidence of adverse drug reactions, morbidity, mortality and cost of treatment. Also inappropriate use of antibiotics promotes emergence of antimicrobial resistance. This study aims to study the prescribing patterns of antibiotics administered in geriatric patients, disease conditions for which the antibiotics were prescribed and adherence of these antibiotic prescriptions to the 18th WHO essential medicine list.Methods: A prospective study was undertaken, over duration of 4 months at the government teaching hospital, Bidar Institute of Medical sciences, Bidar. Patients of either sex above 65 years of age admitted to medicine wards due to infections or those who acquired infection due to hospitalization and were on antibiotic treatment / prophylaxis were included. Data collection was done by scrutinizing the inpatient case sheets and investigation reports. Individual data was collected on preformed performa.Results: Out of the 140 patients 44.2% patients were admitted for treatment of respiratory tract infections. 17.1% of the patients received antibiotics prophylactically. Cefotaxime was observed to be the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial agent. It was included in 50% of antibiotic prescriptions. It was observed that 90% of antibiotics prescribed were in adherence to the WHO essential drug list.Conclusions: Polypharmacy is commonly observed practice in geriatric patients. Apart from increasing the cost of treatment it also promotes irrational prescription of drugs. Most of the prescriptions were in adherence with the WHO’s Essential Medicine List but antibiotics were mainly prescribed empirically

Online Examination System for University Level Descriptive Examinations

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DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF BILAYER MUCOAHESIVE GASTRORETENTIVE TABLET OF DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE

Objective: The objective of present study was to formulate an oral mcoadhesive tablet of diltiazem hydrochloride. Methods: Investigate the effect of amount of HPMC K4M and sodium alginate on the sustained release and gastric residence time of dosage form. The mucoadhesive tablet prepared by direct compression method was used varying concentrations of HPMC K4M and Sodium alginate and (1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2) Drug and Polymer ratio. Results: The formulations were evaluated and results revealed that FTIR studies showed no evidence of interactions between drug and excipients used. The mucoadhesive strength, residence time and drug content of formulation F3 was found to be 26.35 ± 1.15 mg, >7.5hrs, and 98.75 ± 0.05 % respectively. The formulation F3 exhibited sustained drug release i.e. 75.71% in 12 h. The In Vitro release kinetics studies reveal that formulations fit well with zero order kinetics and mechanism of drug release is Super case II transport. Conclusion: The study was concluded that formulation of mucoadhesive tablets from the cumulative % drug release study reveals that increase in the concentration of adhesive polymers cause slow the drug release. Sustained release tablet of DTZ can be beneficial in treatment of hypertension

Bone hydatid disease of distal femur and diaphysis of tibia: report of two cases with review of literature

Cystic echinococcus or hydatidosis is a parasitic infection of humans and animals. In this we are reporting 2 cases. one is hydatid disease at distal femur left side and other patient having hydatid disease at shaft tibia rt side. both cases investigated and definitive surgery was done as arthrodesis with long tibio-femoral nail for distal femoral hydatidosis and curettage for tibial hydatidosis. Both patient given albendazole and followed up. in recent follow-up both cases do not have signs of recurrence. hence case report of these two cases is discussed along with review of literature

A clinical study of diphtheria cases in a pediatric population in tertiary care hospital in western Maharashtra

Background: Although DPT immunization has been a part of universal immunization program since its inception, still diphtheria continues to be endemic in India and also leading to morbidity in children, especially in areas in the border of the two states. Cases coming to tertiary care level are only tip of iceberg. Objectives: To study the clinical profile, morbidity, and mortality of the diphtheria cases admitted to the Pediatrics Department of a tertiary care hospital and to study their immunization status. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 January, 2012, to 31 June, 2013, on clinically suspected diphtheria cases. Detailed history and clinical examination were done, and their immunization status was recorded. Results: Total 36 clinically suspected children of diphtheria were studied. Sex ratio was 1:1. 12 cases were from 1 to 5 years age group, whereas 15 cases were between 6 and 10 years and remaining 9 cases aged more than 10 years. Among 36 cases, 4 (11.11%) were fully, 11 (30.55%) were partially immunized, and 21 (58.33%) were not immunized. The most common symptom observed was fever in 34 (94.44%) cases followed by throat pain in 25 (69.44%) cases and difficulty in swallowing in 23 (63.88%) cases. Case fatality rate was 13.88%. Maximum numbers of cases were observed during the rainy season. Conclusion: High prevalence of diphtheria in the age group of 5-15 years suggests the need for completing immunization schedule specially booster doses. Immunization activity needs to be strengthened in borderline districts as most of the cases in the present study were from the areas in the border between states

Enteroviruses in Patients with Acute Encephalitis, Uttar Pradesh, India

An outbreak of viral encephalitis occurred in northern India in 2006. Attempts to identify an etiologic agent in cerebrospinal fluid by using reverse transcription–PCR showed positivity to enterovirus (EV) in 66 (21.6%) of 306 patients. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of PCR products from 59 (89.3%) of 66 specimens showed similarity with EV-89 and EV-76 sequences

Chromogranin A regulates gut permeability via the antagonistic actions of its proteolytic peptides

AIM: A 'leaky' gut barrier has been implicated in the initiation and progression of a multitude of diseases, e.g., inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease. Here we show how pro-hormone Chromogranin A (CgA), produced by the enteroendocrine cells, and Catestatin (CST: hCgA352-372 ), the most abundant CgA-derived proteolytic peptide, affect the gut barrier. METHODS: Colon tissues from region-specific CST-knockout (CST-KO) mice, CgA-knockout (CgA-KO) and WT mice were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, ultrastructural and flowcytometry studies. FITC-dextran assays were used to measure intestinal barrier function. Mice were supplemented with CST or CgA fragment pancreastatin (PST: CgA250-301 ). The microbial composition of cecum was determined. CgA and CST levels were measured in blood of IBD patients. RESULTS: Plasma levels of CST were elevated in IBD patients. CST-KO mice displayed (i) elongated tight, adherens junctions and desmosomes similar to IBD patients, (ii) elevated expression of Claudin 2, and (iii) gut inflammation. Plasma FITC-dextran measurements showed increased intestinal paracellular permeability in the CST-knockout mice. This correlated with a higher ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, a dysbiotic pattern commonly encountered in various diseases. Supplementation of CST-knockout mice with recombinant CST restored paracellular permeability and reversed inflammation, whereas CgA-knockout mice supplementation with CST and/or PST in CgA-KO mice showed that intestinal paracellular permeability is regulated by the antagonistic roles of these two peptides: CST reduces and PST increases permeability. CONCLUSION: The pro-hormone CgA regulates the intestinal paracellular permeability. CST is both necessary and sufficient to reduce permeability and primarily acts by antagonizing PST