Clinical and immunological responses of zidovudine lamivudine-nevirapine versus tenofovir lamivudine-efavirenz antiretroviral treatment among HIV-1 infected adults: Gandhi Hospital, Telangana, India

Background: HAART (Highly active antiretroviral therapy) is the cornerstone of management of patients with HIV infection. Antiretroviral therapy was started in the year 1986 with the first drug Zidovudine (ZDV). Later on, other antiretroviral drugs (NRTIs, NNRTIs and Pls) were introduced. Dual and mono therapies were used initially but the problem of resistance emerged. Currently, 3 or more ARV drugs are recommended globally for the treatment of people with HIV infection.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at a tertiary care Hospital over 200 patients, two commonly used medications are ZLN (Zidovudine+Lamivudine+Nevirapine) and TLE (Tenofovir+Lamivudine+Efavirenz ). The factors considered to affect the clinical and immunologic outcomes in both groups were assessed using baseline CD4 count, WHO clinical staging, presence of chronic diarrhea, anemia, and baseline weight, occurrence of TB, and switching of ART regimen.Results: A total of 200 patients were included in the study. ART documents of 100 patients are on Zidovudine+Lamivudine+Nevirapine) and 100 patients are on TLE (Tenofovir+Lamivudine+Efavirenz) regimen. Out of 200 patients, 97 were males and 103 were females. Maximum number of subjects were in the age of 15-45 years (82.5%) followed by 45 and above (17.5%). Mean age was 34.5±2.5 (years) with range 15 to 65 years. The baseline CD4 count of the patients, 94 were <350 and 6 were ≥350 on ZLN, in case of TLE 82 were <350 and 18 were ≥350. CD4 count after 6 months in 200 patients as follows, 60 were <350 and 40 were ≥350 in case of TLE 53 were <350 and 47 were ≥350.Conclusions: This research finding concluded that there is no critical difference between the two medications in regards to serious adverse events but did find that TDF is superior to AZT in terms of immunologic response and adherence and more frequent emergence of resistance

Groundwater quality mapping using geographic information system (GIS): A case study of Gulbarga City, Karnataka, India

Spatial variations in ground water quality in the corporation area of Gulbarga City located in the northern part of Karnataka State, India, have been studied using geographic information system (GIS) technique. GIS, a tool which is used for storing, analyzing and displaying spatial data is also used for investigating ground water quality information. For this study, water samples were collected from 76 of the bore wells and open wells representing the entire corporation area. The water samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters like TDS, TH, Cl&lt;sup&gt;-&lt;/sup&gt; and NO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;&lt;sup&gt;-&lt;/sup&gt;, using standard techniques in the laboratory and compared with the standards. The ground water quality information maps of the entire study area have been prepared using GIS spatial interpolation technique for all the above&nbsp; parameters. The results obtained in this study and the spatial database established in GIS will be helpful for monitoring and managing ground water pollution in the study area. Mapping was coded for potable zones, in the absence of better alternate source and non-potable zones in the study area, in terms of water quality. Keywords: Groundwater pollution, drinking-water, physico-chemical parameters, spatial interpolation

Prognostic models in first-episode psychosis – Authors' reply

No abstract available

A prospective randomized control trial of topical tranexamic acid used in elderly patients with femoral neck fractures treated with hemiarthroplasty

Background: Geriatric hip fracture patients frequently suffer femoral neck injuries. The advantage of using TXA topically over the IV route is that maximum concentration of the drug is attained at the wound/surgical site with minimal systemic side effects of drug and also it is easy to administer locally. Aim of current study was fragmented necks of the femur can be treated with Tranexamic acid to reduce postoperative blood loss. Methods: Over the course of 20 months from June 2020 to December 2021, the orthopaedics department at SMS Hospital, Jaipur, conducted this study. A total of 174 patients (87 in each group) of age &gt;60 years, presenting with neck of the femur in orthopaedics wards were enrolled in this study. Results: Compared to the control group, the case group experienced 408 ml more blood loss, which was treated with tranexamic acid. In cases and controls, transfusion was necessary for 31 and 41 patients, respectively. Conclusions: One dosage of topical tranexamic acid may be given to an older patient undergoing bipolar hemiarthroplasty for a fractured femoral neck in order to minimize post-operative blood loss

Single Arc Truncated Suspended Rectangular Microstrip Antenna

Today antenna designers are paying more focus on microstrip patch antennas, because of its numerous advantages in field of communication, such as high reliability, light weight, ease of fabrication etc. In this paper design of Single Arc Truncated Suspended Rectangular Microstrip Antenna (SATSRMSA) is presented which operates for dual bands. The substrate material of FR-4 with relative permittivity 4.4 and loss tangent of 0.0245 is used in th0is proposed antenna. The return loss and radiation pattern have been measured by using Vector Network Analyzer. The proposed antenna may find application in microwave communication systems operating in the frequency range of 3 to 16 GHz

STATISTICAL OPTIMIZATION AND EVALUATION OF ETHOSOMAL MICONAZOLE NITRATE SUSPENSION

Objective: The objectives of the present study were to optimize and evaluate the ethosomal suspension of miconazole nitrate for the treatment of local and systemic fungal infections. Methods: Miconazole topical formulation is prepared for better patient compliance and to reduce the dose of a drug. Miconazole nitrate ethosomes were prepared by the cold method using factorial designing with Ethanol(X1), IPA(Isopropyl alcohol)(X2), and Lecithin(X3) as Independent variables and % EE(Entrapment efficiency)(Y1) and % DR(drug release at 8th h)(Y2) was selected as responses. Results: The results obtained in the design showed that there was no significant interaction among factors. The lecithin concentration had a positive response on % EE, while ethanol concentration and IPA had a positive effect. For % DR, Ethanol, and IPA showed a positive effect and Lecithin had a negative response. The formulation EM22 (3 ml X1,3 ml X2 and 300 mg of X3) characterized by high % EE(77.3 %) and optimum % DR(94.2%) and formulation EM6 (2 ml X1,2 ml X2 and 100 mg of X3) characterized by high % DR(97.32 %) and optimum % EE (74.8 %). EM22 was incorporated in the gel as it is showing more entrapment efficiency and compared with the marketed product for drug release. Conclusion: From the result, it was concluded that formulated ethosomal suspension and optimized gel have more drug release than marketed formulation so that formulated suspension can be used for the preparation of antifungal gels, creams, ointments for sustained release

No-Load and Load Tests on 3 Phase Induction Motors used in Irrigation Pumping with Balanced and Unbalanced Supply

Agriculture is the major ocupation in villages and is backbone of India, where irrigated agriculture sector plays an important role in economic development and poverty alleviation of the nation. About 75% of present population of India obtains its livelyhood from the same. Iirrigation is harnessing of water resources for the crops by using motor pumps. Usually wells, tanks, perennial canal and multipurpose river valley projects are worked out. As electrical motors are very affordable and cheaper they are the usual choice to drive pumps. Due to the variation in supply to the pump motor the expected performance is not achieved and lead to variation in machine parameters. The operation of 3 phase motor on single phase supply leads to negative effects like overheating, insulation failure, torque pulsation, de rating and reduction in efficiency. In spite of these adverse effects on motor and irrigation power supply feeder, it is observed that farmers run their 3 phase motor on reduced voltage condition using capacitor splitter and other such. A study of operation of 3 phase motor on no-load and load is performed with balanced and unbalanced voltage condition. Simulation is performed in MATLAB/SIMULINK package for the comparison and justification

Tracing footprints for a greener tomorrow; A cross-sectional study to assess the carbon footprint of the urban households of Vijayapura city

Background: The concept of carbon footprint is rooted in measuring the volume of greenhouse gases, predominantly carbon dioxide (CO2), resulting from human activities. India has witnessed a significant surge in greenhouse gas emissions due to rapid economic growth and population expansion, making it the world's third-largest CO2 emitter. This upsurge intensifies the natural greenhouse effect, leading to global temperature rise, ocean acidification, and heightened risks to human health. Objectives: To assess the Carbon Footprint generated by urban households of Vijayapura. Material and methods: This study employs a cross-sectional approach targeting urban households residing within the operational area of the urban health center in BLDE(DU), Vijayapura City. The sample, comprising 150 households, was selected via systematic random sampling. Data was collected through household visits and interviews with the family heads using a semi-structured questionnaire. and analyzed utilizing SPSS Software Version 26. Results: The analysis of carbon emissions highlights that primary emissions surpass secondary emissions. Notably, households categorized under the upper socioeconomic class exhibit a statistically significant carbon emission rate of approximately 39.47 tonnes per month. Conclusion: This study's assessment of the carbon footprint emanating from urban households illuminates the pivotal connection between day-to-day choices and the broader ecological context

HYDROGEL: RESPONSIVE STRUCTURES FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Hydrogels are water-swollen 3D networks made of polymers, proteins, small molecules, or colloids. They are porous in structure and entrap/encapsulate large amounts of therapeutic agents and biopharmaceuticals. Their unique properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability, sensitivity to various stimuli, and the ability to be easily conjugated with hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs with a controlled-release profile make hydrogels a smart drug delivery system. Smart hydrogel systems with various chemically and structurally responsive moieties exhibit responsiveness to external stimuli including temperature, pH, ionic concentration, light, magnetic fields, electrical fields, and chemical and biological stimuli with selected triggers includes polymers with multiple responsive properties have also been developed elegantly combining two or more stimuli-responsive mechanisms. This article emphasized the types, features, and various stimuli systems that produce responsive delivery of drugs

Analysis And Design Of A Multi Storied Residential Building Of (Ung-2+G+10) By Using Most Economical Column Method

try. As it is rapidly developing in the field of construction in the city is very costly. The design process of structural planning and design requires not only imaginations and conceptual thinking but also a sound full knowledge on how a structural engineer can economies the structure besides the knowledge of practical aspects, such as recent design codes, bye laws, experience, intuition and judgment. The main purpose of the project is to ensure and enhance the safety, keeping careful balance between economy and safety (i.e. Most economical column method). The present project deals with the  analysis and design of a multi storied residential building of (ung-2+g+10) by using most economical column method. The dead load &amp;live loads are applied and the design for beams, columns, footing is obtained etabs with its new features surpassed its predecessors, and compotators with its data sharing.our main aim is to complete a multi-storey building is to ensure that the structure is safe and economical against all possible loading conditions and to fulfill the function for which they have built.safety requirements must be so that the structure is able to serve it purpose with the maintain cost.detailed planning of the structure usually comes from several studies made by town planners, investors, users, architects and other engineers .on that, and a structural engineer has the main influence on the overall structural design and an architect is involved in aesthetic details.for the design of the structure, the dead load, live load, seismic and wind load are considered. The analysis and design for the structure done by using a software package etabs.in this project multistoried construction, we have adopted limit state method of analysis and design the structure. The design is in confirmation with is 456-2000.the analysis of frame is worked out by using etab