B\"acklund transformations for fourth Painlev\'e hierarchies

B\"acklund transformations (BTs) for ordinary differential equations (ODEs), and in particular for hierarchies of ODEs, are a topic of great current interest. Here we give an improved method of constructing BTs for hierarchies of ODEs. This approach is then applied to fourth Painlev\'e ($P_{IV}$) hierarchies recently found by the same authors [{\em Publ. Res. Inst. Math. Sci. (Kyoto)} {\bf 37} 327--347 (2001)]. We show how the known pattern of BTs for $P_{IV}$ can be extended to our $P_{IV}$ hierarchies. Remarkably, the BTs required to do this are precisely the Miura maps of the dispersive water wave hierarchy. We also obtain the important result that the fourth Painlev\'e equation has only one nontrivial fundamental BT, and not two such as is frequently stated.Comment: 23 pages, 2 figures, to appear Journal of Differential Equation

Pharmacovigilance study in psychiatry out-patient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Adverse drug reactions are important in psychiatry practice like any other branch of medicine. Adverse drug reactions associated with psychotropic drugs causes either noncompliance or at times discontinuation of therapy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence and nature of adverse drug reactions in psychiatry outpatient department and to assess the causality and severity of the documented adverse drug reactions.Methods: Prospective observational study was done in the psychiatry outpatient department. All the patients were interviewed for basic details, history of medications and relevant history for adverse drug reactions. The causality, severity and modes of management assessment of the documented adverse drug reactions were done.Results: 2,727 patients attended psychiatry outpatient department, of which 582 patients developed at least one adverse drug reaction. The incidence of adverse drug reaction observed to psychotropic drugs was 21.34%. Majority of adverse drug reactions were seen with antidepressants 298 (10.93%) followed by antipsychotics 187 (6.86%), sedative hypnotics, anticonvulsants and antimanics. The most common adverse drug reactions were sedation 3.44%, weight gain 3.04%, and extrapyramidal symptoms 2.79%. Reported adverse drug reactions were assessed for causality and maximum belonged to probable (15.6 9%). The severity assessment of the reported adverse drug reactions revealed that most of the adverse drug reactions were mild (16.83%) in nature and majority of patients were made to continue the same treatment.Conclusions: Active monitoring of adverse drug reactions in psychiatry outpatient department can help in early detection and management of adverse drug reactions

Status of Women Employees in NGOs: A Qualitative Analysis

The scope for best practices in social work profession is largely evident from understanding the functioning of Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs). The economic aspect of any profession is crucial in determining the dignity of life of the employee.  It is especially noted that, in most of the NGOs, women form the major workforce especially at the field work and project implementation levels (Vasan, 2004). Loads of admiration for achievements of NGOs are often boasted out; however a little is heard about NGOs as employers. The wages paid to the NGO workers are found to be very less. The study briefly analyses the economic exploitation which happens in the NGOs with the help of three case studies.The study also looks into the gender aspects of economic division. A brief enquiry is made through the opinion of the selected subjects about any gender based disparity existing in NGO sector in terms of economic allocations. The paper points out to the need of self reflection from the part of social work professionals. The study increasingly identifies the fact that actual practice is far away from what is being preached. Gender and economy are the two crucial aspects while considering NGOs as workplace (Mitra, 2013). The paper highlights the need for fixing standardized salary and working conditions for the workers, especially women and also the need for adopting a special labour policy for the employees in NGOs. This study also hopes to provide suggestions for making NGOs gender sensitive workplaces. Keywords: NGO employees, Economic exploitation, Gender disparit

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HYPOMAGNESEMIA AND DYSLIPIDEMIA IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Magnesium is an important macro mineral in the mammalian cells. It is a cofactor for many enzymes involved inlipid metabolism like lipoprotein lipase, pyrophosphatase etc. In magnesium deficiency, these enzymes are defective and leads todyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients. Objective: To observe the association between hypomagnesemia and dyslipidemia intype 2 diabetic patients. Methodology: A case control South Indian population study consisted of control group (40 healthyindividuals) and case group (203 patients who were diagnosed as type 2 diabetes). Serum magnesium and lipid profile wasanalyzed in blood samples using standard kits in fully automated analyzer. The data was analyzed using Student’s ‘t’ test andcorrelation coefficient. Result: In the present study, a significant low serum magnesium levels (p<0.01) in case group wasobserved when compared to control group. A significant decreased cholesterol levels (p<0.05) and serum HDL levels (p<0.001)was observed in case group when compared to control group. In case group, we found a significant increased triglycerides(p<0.05) and LDL levels (p<0.001) when compared to control group. A positive correlation was observed between magnesiumand cholesterol (r = 0.195, p<0.01), magnesium and LDL (r = 0.202, p<0.01), magnesium and total cholesterol HDL ratio (r =0.142, p<0.05) in the case group. Conclusion: We observed hypomagnesemia in type 2 diabetes patients with dyslipidem

EVALUATION OF SERUM-FREE IRON AND GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN IN UNCONTROLLED TYPE-II DIABETIC PATIENTS

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common health problem in the world. Free iron may contribute to the pathogenesis and progress of this disease and its complication. Iron causes hyperinsulinemia by decreasing the insulin uptake and metabolism by hepatocytes. Elevated iron stores are commonly found in insulin resistance. Iron in its free form is known to induce oxidation of biomolecules by producing harmful hydroxyl radicals. In this study, we aimed to estimate and compare the serum levels of free iron in diabetes and healthy individuals.Methods: This study included 244 subjects in two groups. Group-I comprised 204 subjects with DM and Group-II comprised 40 healthy subjects. Blood sugar, free iron, and glycated hemoglobin were analyzed in blood samples using standard kits. The results of all the parameters were expressed as mean±standard deviation. Student t-test was done to assess the statistical significance between two groups. The association between the parameters was studied by Pearson correlation.Results: In this study, we found a significant increase in serum free iron in Group-I (p<0.01) when compared with Group-II. A significant correlation between the serum free iron and glycated hemoglobin (r=0.59; p<0.001) and fasting blood sugar (r=0.43; p<0.001).Conclusion: The elevated serum free iron in uncontrolled diabetes may contribute to oxidative stress which may be associated with complications of diabetes.Keywords: Free iron, Glycated hemoglobin, Hyperinsulinemia, Diabetes mellitus

PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION OF HINGULLOTHA PARADA

In Ayurveda Classics Rasaushadhi are prepare from Ashtasanskarita Parada because of its Rasayana guna and therapeutic properties, but it require great patience, time, skill and money hence a way has been given in the literature i.e. Hingulatha parada can be used in place of Astha sunskarita parada. Present study done with the aim of pharmaceutical Standardization of Extraction of Hingullotha Parada & study for usefulness of Hingullotha parada instead of Ashtasanskarita Parada in Ayurveda formulations.In the present study Extraction of Hingullotha Parada done three times then last three Sanskaras were done for Gunavardhana. After extraction of Hingullotha Parada % of yield was 42.61 % that is less it may be because of instrumental error.In Ashtasanskara of Parada last three Sanskar Bodhana, Niyamana & Deepan are having Gunavardhana property. Deepan sanskar improve Boobhuksha (bonding capacity) of Parada. After go through the classics it can be conclude that Hingullotha parada can be use instead of Astasanskarit Parada. And last three Sanskara can be doing for Gunavardhana (improving the Rasayana & Rogashamana property of Parada)

Simultaneous Measurement of Changes in Thickness and Refractive Index of Weakly Absorbing Self-Standing Solid Films Using Optical Interferometry

A nondestructive optical interferometric method, which enables a direct and simultaneous measurement of small changes in both thickness and refractive index of thin films, is described. Optical interferometric methods are sensitive to the changes in the optical path length (the product of the refractive index and the physical thickness) through the film. Thus, when the film is subjected to changing environmental conditions such as changing temperature or humidity, it is a challenge to determine the change in thickness and the change in refractive index separately, using interferometry. By simultaneously monitoring two different sets of interference fringes, i.e., transmission and reflection fringes, we have been able to successfully address this challenge. Our measurements on well-characterized pedigree glass samples are presented. The results agree well with the expected values for these samples, supporting the feasibility of this characterization technique to new materials. Self-standing, transparent (weakly absorbing) films ranging in thickness from tens to hundreds of microns can be characterized from direct measurements

Effects of static electromagnetic fields on sleep patterns: a cross-sectional study

Background: Sleep is an important process of our body and a good sleep will lead to a healthy lifestyle. In medical field, students have sleep patterns changing due to heavy academic workload. This may have ill effects on their health. Though most factors that affect sleep are modifiable and treatment for them exists still there are can be many factors that affect sleep which should be explored. The thermal model of human body is a theoretical model that accounts for thermal effects of electromagnetic waves on a given point in human body. This could be easily affect brain as it has highest electrical activity in body and may lead to sleep related disorders.Methods: This study is conducted on medical and dental students to analyse the amount of electromagnetic field they get exposed to and any changes in sleep patterns associated with it. The findings of medical and dental students are compared to see if changes in sleep patterns are due to professional course pursued. Any other confounding factors affecting this study are screened by self-rated Pacific Sleep Questionnaire.Results: There were significant changes seen in the time taken to fall asleep and total sleep period but the time taken to wake up from sleep remained unaffected. The sleeping habits of medical and dental students showed no significant changes.Conclusions: Static electromagnetic fields have significant impact on sleep onset and sleep duration. This is regardless of academic background

Effect of obesity on cognitive function: a cross-sectional study

Background: Obesity is the leading cause of many health problems. It mostly affects the brain by cerebrovascular events, but since it is a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, inflammatory cytokines in blood alter neuronal function. The jolly-fat hypothesis says that obese people have better cognition as they have more fat storage which is required to make neurotransmitters. Many studies have been done to support each of the above hypotheses but most are done in the paediatric or geriatric populations which can have other confounding factors. Obesity can be easily treated with proper dietary interventions, exercise, pharmaceutical therapies, or surgical interventions. Thus, it was worth exploring as simple lifestyle changes might lower the incidence of cognitive disabilities.Methods: This study was done on undergraduate medical students with a sample size of 120 (60 male and 60 female). Their body mass index was calculated after taking body weight and height. The cognition of subjects was studied using the Washington click reaction time test. This was correlated with body mass index using a t test to find a p value with a level of significance of 0.05.Results: High body mass index is associated with poor cognition as the p<0.05 (0.025006). There was no role of gender on body mass index or cognitive functions.Conclusions: Obesity does affect the cognitive function in healthy adult populations with no comorbidities irrespective of the gender of the individual. More prospective studies with a more sensitive battery of tests can be done to further understand this