Role of Oxidative Stress in various stages of Psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory, immune mediated, provocative and challenging skin condition. It is a non-contagious but debilitating disease and a leading cause of socioeconomic burden on the health system. Objective: To evaluate the role of antioxidant levels, lipid peroxidation status and lipid profile in the etiology and degree of severity of psoriatic illness among psoriasis patients presenting in Dermatology department. Study Design: This study was carried out as a retrospective case control study. Place and duration of Study: It was carried out by the Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI) in collaboration with Departmnt of Biochemistry, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar and Department of Skin and Venereal disease, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) Karachi. Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty cases (n=130) of already diagnosed psoriasis patients were randommely and fifty healthy matched controls (n=50) of the same age and gender were included from the general population for comparison. Lipid profile including serum total cholesterol, TG, HDL-c and LDL-c levels were measured by enzyme colorimetric analysis on Micro Lab 300 (Merck & Germany). Antioxidant status SOD and lipid peroxidation status MDA were measured by ELISA technique. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software Version 16. In this analysis, a “p” value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The study showed significantly elevated levels of MDA, serum TG, total cholesterol and LDL-c levels in psoriatic patients in comparison with controls, whereas SOD levels and HDL-c levels were found to be significantly lower in psoriatic patients as compared to normal healthy matched controls. Conclusion: The findings of this study support the hypothesis that an imbalance in oxidant-antioxidant system may play a role in the etiology of psoriasis and the degree of severity of its presentation. The study also concluded that dyslipidemia was an observed risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases in psoriatic patients.

Consensus interferon plus ribavirin for Hepatitis C genotype 3 patients previously treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin

Background Not enough data are available about the effectiveness of consensus interferon (CIFN) among HCV genotype 3 patients who failed to respond to pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Objectives We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of CIFN and ribavirin in non-responders and relapsers to pegylated interferon with ribavirin therapy. Patients and Methods This open-label investigator-initiated study included 44 patients who received CIFN 15 µg /day plus ribavirin 800-1200 mg daily. In patients with an early virological response (EVR), the dose of CIFN was reduced to 15 µg thrice a week for further 36 weeks. Patients with delayed virological response continued to receive daily CIFN plus ribavirin to complete 48 weeks. The patients were considered “non-responders” if there were less than 2 log reduction in HCV RNA at 12 weeks and detectable HCV RNA at 24 weeks. Results Twenty-four patients (55%) were non-responders and 20 patients were relapsers to the previous treatment with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (mean age 43.6 ± 9.4 years, males 25 (57%)). Nine patients were clinically cirrhotic (Child A). End of treatment virological response was achieved in 19 (43.1%) patients and sustained virological response (SVR) occurred in 12 (27.3%). Out of these 12 patients, eight were non-responders and four were relapsers to the previous treatment. Advanced fibrosis or clinical cirrhosis was associated with low SVR. Adverse events were fever, myalgia, anorexia, depression, and weight loss. Two patients received granulocyte colony stimulating factor for transient neutropenia. Seven patients were given erythropoietin to improve hemoglobin, and six were treated for mild depression. Two patients developed portosystemic encephalopathy. Conclusions More than one-quarter of treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 3 achieved SVR after re-treatment with consensus interferon plus ribavirin

Performance analysis and control of a novel 7-level active neutral point clamped (ANPC) topology

This paper introduces a novel 7-level active neutral-point clamped (ANPC) switched capacitor multilevel inverter (SCMLI) with voltage-boosting capabilities. The proposed converter can produce seven levels and a voltage boosting of 1.5 times with a single dc source. For boosting the voltage, two self-balanced switched capacitors and two dc link capacitors with active neutral point are used with nine switches. For controlling the output voltage, the level-shifted modulation technique and modified nearest level control technique is used. The performance of the converter is evaluated with both modulation techniques. The operation of the proposed SCMLI and the design of capacitors for the proposed circuit is discussed in detail. The proposed topology can eliminate the leakage current and has reduced voltage stress across switches which makes it suitable for solar photovoltaic applications. The proposed converter is compared with some other recently introduced converters in terms of voltage gain, the number of components used, and the voltage stress across the switches. For verifying the performance of the proposed circuit, the experimental and simulation results are presented in the paper. The experimental results closely agree with the simulation and theoretical studies. The total harmonic distortion (THD) in the output voltage and efficiency is compared with both modulation techniques. 2023 The Authors. IET Power Electronics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Institution of Engineering and Technology.Scopu

Park availability and major depression in individuals with chronic conditions: Is there an association in urban India?

Green space exposure has been positively correlated with better mental-health indicators in several high income countries, but has not been examined in low- and middle-income countries undergoing rapid urbanization. Building on a study of mental health in adults with a pre-existing chronic condition, we examined the association between park availability and major depression among 1208 adults surveyed in Delhi, India. Major depression was measured using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The ArcGIS platform was used to quantify park availability indexed as (i) park distance from households, (ii) area of the nearest park; and within one km buffer area around households - the (iii) number and (iv) total area of all parks. Mixed-effects logistic regression models adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics indicated that relative to residents exposed to the largest nearest park areas (tertile 3), the odds [95% confidence interval] of major depression was 3.1 [1.4-7.0] times higher among residents exposed to the smallest nearest park areas (tertile 1) and 2.1 [0.9-4.8] times higher in residents with mid-level exposure (tertile 2). There was no statistically significant association between other park variables tested and major depression. We hypothesized that physical activity in the form of walking, perceived stress levels and satisfaction with the neighborhood environment may have mediating effects on the association between nearest park area and major depression. We found no significant mediation effects for any of our hypothesized variables. In conclusion, our results provide preliminary and novel evidence from India that availability of large parks in the immediate neighborhood positively impacts mental well-being of individuals with pre-existing chronic conditions, at the opportune time when India is embarking on the development of sustainable cities that aim to promote health through smart urban design - one of the key elements of which is the inclusion of urban green spaces

Scalable heterogeneous nodes deployment algorithm for monitoring of underwater pipeline

Underwater Wireless Linear Sensor Networks (UW-LSNs) possess unique features as compared to the terrestrial sensor networks for pipeline monitoring. Other than long propagation delays for long range underwater pipelines and high error probability, homogeneous node deployment also makes it harder to detect and locate the pipeline leakage efficiently. Determining the exact leakage position with minimum delay stays a major issue where pipelines length is extremely long and expensive to deploy many underwater sensors. In order to tackle the problem of large scale pipeline monitoring and unreliable underwater link quality, many algorithms have been proposed and even some of them provided good solutions for these issues but the scalable nodes deployments still need focus and prime attention. In order to handle the problem of nodes deployment, we therefore propose a dynamic nodes deployment algorithm where every node in the network is assigned location in a quick and efficient way without needing any localization scheme. It provides an option to handle the heterogeneous types of nodes, distribute topology and mechanism in which new nodes are easily added to the network without affecting the existing network performance. The proposed distributed topology algorithm divides the pipeline length into segments and sub-segments in order to manage the higher delay issue. Normally nodes are randomly deployed for the long range underwater pipeline inspection yet it requires some proper dynamic nodes deployment algorithm assigning unique position to each nod

Quasi mono-energetic heavy ion acceleration from layered targets

In the present work, we demonstrate acceleration of quasi monoenergetic heavy ions during the interaction of a high-intensity short-pulse laser with multi-layer targets. The targets, consisting of layers of high-Z (gold) and low-Z (carbon) species a few nm thick, have been used to tailor the energy spectra of the high-Z ion species. Au-ion bunches of energy around 500 keV with an energy spread of less than 20% are observed. Particle-in-cell simulations provide explanation for a number of features of the experimental observations. Several behaviors, in addition to the expected sheath-field acceleration, were found to be involved. It is found that the Au layer is pistoned outward by the underlying Si substrate whilst simultaneously being tamped at its leading edge by the carbon overlay. The simulations show best agreement with the experiments when the carbon layer is first rarefied by the laser prepulse. In these cases, the simulations reproduce the double-humped spectra found in the experiment. Ion-electrostatic instabilities rapidly lead to the formation of a single trapping-like structure in phase space of relatively long wavelength. This long-lived structure dominates the ion acceleration and produces a double-peaked energy spectrum. It is suggested that the instability responsible may be of the Pierce-type

Clinical practice guidelines on the management of variceal bleeding

Gastroesophageal variceal bleeding occurs in 30 - 50% of patients of liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension, with 20-70% mortality in one year. Therefore, it is essential to screen these patients for varices and prevent first episode of bleeding by treating them with β-blockers or endoscopic variceal band ligation. Ideally, the patients with variceal bleeding should be treated in a unit where the personnel are familiar with the management of such patients and where routine therapeutic interventions can be undertaken. Proper management of such patients include: initial assessment, resuscitation, blood volume replacement, vasoactive agents, prevention of associated complications such as bacterial infections, hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia, and specific therapy. Rebleeding occurs in about 60% patients within 2 years of their recovery from first variceal bleeding episode, with 33% mortality. Therefore, it is mandatory that all such patients must be started on combination of β-blockers and band ligation to prevent recurrence of bleeding. Patients who required shunt surgery/TIPSS to control the acute episode do not require further preventive measures. These clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been jointly developed by Pakistan Society of Hepatology (PSH) and Pakistan Society of Study of Liver Diseases (PSSLD)

Impact of novel processing techniques on the functional properties of egg products and derivatives: a review

Eggs are an excellent source of quality proteins. Eggs as a whole and its components (egg white and egg yolk) are employed in a range of food preparations. Thermal processing employed for stabilizing and improving shelf‐life of egg components is known to have adverse effect on heat‐sensitive proteins leading to protein denaturation and aggregation thus, reducing the required functional, technological, and overall quality of egg proteins and other constituents. Therefore, the current challenge is to identify novel processing techniques that not only improve the intrinsic functional properties of eggs or its components, but also improve the quality of the product. This review focuses on the use of technologies such as ultrasound, pulsed electric field, high‐pressure processing, radiofrequency, ultraviolet light, microwave, and cold plasma for egg products. These novel technologies are known for their advantages over thermal treatments especially in protecting the heat sensitive nature and retaining the overall quality of the egg and egg products. Availability of alternatives processing has significantly improved the structural properties, techno‐functional, nutritional and as well improving the safety egg and egg products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Eggs are consumed worldwide as whole egg or in some cases, consumed partly as egg whites or egg yolks. Egg components with improved techno‐functional properties can be used in various food industries (such as baking, confectionery, and culinary preparation, etc.). Value addition of new products can be achieved through modification of egg proteins. Additionally, these techniques also provide microbial safety and have a reduced impact on nutritional content and overall food quality