Tuberculosis immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome: profile of an enigmatic condition

Tuberculosis Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (TB-IRIS) in HIV co-infected TB patients is an intriguing but frequently occurring phenomenon experienced by patients after initiating anti retroviral therapy. It is characterized by paradoxical worsening of clinical and radiological manifestations of TB, after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy, when improvement in the general condition of the patient is usually anticipated. This paradoxical reaction is brought about by a cascade of inflammatory reactions triggered by the recovery of the immune system both in quality and quantity. Manifestations of TB-IRIS range from mild self-limiting symptoms to life threatening compressive syndromes that could rarely be fatal. Often, this condition is confused with treatment failure or drug toxicity, which could lead to unnecessary drug interruption or substitution. Recognition of this syndrome assumes significance in the context of these two diseases, which mandate prolonged therapy with very high adherence to achieve the desired results. This article provides an overview of the risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, available diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for TB-IRIS with impli-cations for patients and personnel involved in TB/HIV care

Knuth-Bendix algorithm and the conjugacy problems in monoids

We present an algorithmic approach to the conjugacy problems in monoids, using rewriting systems. We extend the classical theory of rewriting developed by Knuth and Bendix to a rewriting that takes into account the cyclic conjugates.Comment: This is a new version of the paper 'The conjugacy problems in monoids and semigroups'. This version will appear in the journal 'Semigroup forum

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOCOMPATIBLE POLYHYDROXY BUTYRATE IMPREGNATED WITH HERBAL PLANTS AGAINST WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY ON IN VIVO ANIMAL MODEL

Objective: The current study is to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and in vitro cytotoxicity activities of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and to develop the herbal impregnated PHB cast film for wound healing activities using Albino Wistar rat model. Methods: PHB produced by Azotobacter chroococcum A3 strain was synthesized and characterized (previous study). The PHB was subjected to various biocompatibility studies such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory studies. The PHB was also subjected to cytotoxicity study by (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. PHB films were made using different combinations of plant and algal blends (herbal blends). The herbal blends of PHB films were evaluated for in vivo wound healing activity using Albino Wistar rats. Results: The turmeric impregnated PHB showed the highest result for antimicrobial with 27.25±0.23 mm against skin pathogens and antioxidant activity with the highest percentage of inhibition of 76%. The result predicts that PHB will not let to any toxic substances rather it acts as a chemoprotective agent followed by the inhibitory concentration value was found to be 1.56 μg/ml for 100 μg. The in vivo study showed better wound healing activity for PHB blended with 2% turmeric leaf and rhizome cast film. Whereas the wound healing activity of control and crude PHB was 90.4±0.4 and 91.3±0.56 respectively. Conclusion: The results from the present study showed that PHB can act as a good candidate for drug carrier and it is biocompatible in living cells