ANN Based Virtual Classification Model for Discriminating Active and Inactive Withanolide E Analogs against Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7

Withanolides are a group of natural C-28 steroids built on an ergostane skeleton and classified into two major groups according to their structural skeleton: (a) compounds with a beta-oriented side chain and (b) compounds with an alpha-oriented side chain. Withanolide E represents one of the members of the latter group. Classification of active compounds on the basis of pharmacophore against specific cancer cell line poses a serious concern at the primary stage of virtual screening. To overcome this problem we have developed an artificial neural network based virtual screening model for discriminating active and non-active Withanolide-E-like derivatives or analogs against human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. In the present work, a 2D chemical descriptors ensemble pharmacophore has been modelled on the basis of withanolide E structural featured molecules. The ANN structure activity based classification model could be useful for identification of active withanolide analogs as anticancer leads against MCF-7. This model can be used for predicting possible growth inhibitory concentration (logGI50) against breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The virtual screening tool “CanWithaANN” can be accessed at local network of CIMAP

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Budd-Chiari Syndrome at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), its causes and outcome at a tertiary care hospital. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study .PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Aga Khan University Hospital,Karachi, from 2004 to 2014. METHODOLOGY: Aretrospective analysis of data was conducted. Apredesigned questionnaire was filled from medical records of patients with BCS. Clinical features, etiology, management and outcome was noted from 2004 to 2014. Descriptive statistics were determined. RESULTS: Forty-five patients\u27 charts were reviewed; 26 (57.8%) were male patients. The median (IQR) age at diagnosis was 26.0 (20.5 to 34.5) years. Primary BCS was seen in 27 (60.0%) patients. The most frequent clinical features included ascites (82.2%), abdominal pain (55.6%), and hepatomegaly (31.1%). Acombined hepatic vein/inferior vena cava block was found in 25 (55.6%) patients. Out of the 28 tested patients protein C and protein S deficiencies were detected in 22 (78.6%) and 17 (60.7%) patients, respectively. Antithrombin III deficiency was detected in 14 (58.3%) of those tested patients. Anticoagulants were used in 24 (53.3%) patients. TIPS was done in 11 (24.4%) patients. Mortality was 6.7% (n=3). CONCLUSION: Congenital thrombophilia was a major causal factor. Age, clinical features, biochemistry and management are important factors in survival

Evidence of Plasmonic Induced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production on Pd/TiO2 Upon Deposition on Thin Films of Gold

H2-production from renewables using sunlight is probably the holy grail of modern science and technology. Among the many approaches for increasing reaction rates, by increasing light absorption, plasmonic materials are often invoked. Yet, most plasmonic metals on semiconductors are also good for Schottky barrier formation. In this work, we are presenting evidences of de-coupling the plasmonic from Schottky effects on photoreaction. To conduct this we have systematically changed the under-layer gold film thickness and associated particle size. On top of the thin film layer, we have deposited the exact amount of a prototypical Schottky-based photo-catalyst (Pd/TiO2). We found up to 4 times increase in the H2-production rate at a critical Au film thickness (8 nm-thick). Below this thickness, the plasmonic response is not too strong while above it, the PR decays in favor of the Drude absorption mode. The reaction requires the presence of both UV (to excite the semiconductor) and visible light (to excite Au particles) in order to obtain high hydrogen production, 800 µmol/gCatal.min (probably the highest direct hydrogen (not current) production rate reported on a performing catalyst). The enhancement origin is quantitatively traced to its computed electric field strength (EFS). Adding a dielectric (SiO2) in between the Au thin layer and the catalyst exponentially decreased the reaction rate and EFS, with increasing its thickness. This work indicates the possibility of making an active and stable photo-catalyst from fundamental concepts yet further progress on the structural (technological) front is needed to make a practical catalyst

Medicines prescribing for homeless persons:analysis of prescription data from specialist homelessness general practices

Background Specialist homelessness practices remain the main primary care access point for many persons experiencing homelessness. Prescribing practices are poorly understood in this population. Objective This study aims to investigate prescribing of medicines to homeless persons who present to specialist homelessness primary care practices and compares the data with the general population. Setting Analyses of publicly available prescribing and demographics data pertaining to primary care in England. Methods Prescribing data from 15 specialist homelessness practices in England were extracted for the period 04/2019-03/2020 and compared with data from (a) general populations, (b) the most deprived populations, and (c) the least deprived populations in England. Main outcome measure Prescribing rates, measured as the number of items/1000 population in key disease areas. Results Data corresponding to 20,572 homeless persons was included. Marked disparity were observed in regards to prescribing rates of drugs for Central Nervous System disorders. For example, prescribing rates were 83-fold (mean (SD) 1296.7(1447.6) vs. 15.7(9.2) p = 0.033) items), and 12-fold (p = 0.018) higher amongst homeless populations for opioid dependence and psychosis disorders respectively compared to the general populations. Differences with populations in the least deprived populations were even higher. Prescribing medicines for other long-term conditions other than mental health and substance misuse was lower in the homeless than in the general population. Conclusions Most of the prescribing activities in the homeless population relate to mental health conditions and substance misuse. It is possible that other long-term conditions that overlap with homelessness are under-diagnosed and under-managed. Wide variations in data across practices needs investigation. Impact of findings on practice statements The majority of prescribing activities focused on homeless populations relates to mental health conditions and substance misuse. Our findings suggest potential under-diagnoses and under-treatment of other long-term health conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions in homeless populations. Improving access to prevention and treatment of wider long term health conditions that overlap with homelessness and promoting medicines optimisation and adherence to prescribed treatments are key to improving the health of homeless populations

Prescription audit of corticosteroid usage in the department of dermatology at a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Corticosteroids are a group of commonly used drugs in dermatology practice whose non judicious use frequently results in undesirable and unwanted effects. Prescribing them rationally with care allows us to derive the maximum benefit out of them with minimal side effects.Methods: Retrospective analysis of 112 case files belonging to patients admitted in the department of dermatology over a period of one year was undertaken to ascertain the usage pattern of corticosteroids in relation to their potency, strength, frequency, duration, route, quantity to be applied. The data thus collected was expressed in terms of averages, ratios and proportions.Results: The total number of formulations prescribed were 929 out of which 10.8% were corticosteroids. The average number of formulations prescribed per patient was 8.29. About 78(70%) patients admitted in dermatology received corticosteroids. Topical steroids were prescribed in 50 patients (44.7 %) out of whom 36 (72%) received only topical, the remaining 14(28%) were prescribed both systemic and topical corticosteroids.Brand names were used in all cases. Highly potent corticosteroids like clobetasol, halobetasol and mometasone were prescribed to 39(50%) of all cases who received topical corticosteroids.Conclusion: The study reveals the deficiencies which exist in the present prescribing pattern of corticosteroids. Educational interventions among the doctors as well as students should be carried out to in order to promote rational drug use

Harmonic mitigation and power quality improvement in utility grid with solar energy penetration using distribution static compensator

Abstract Distribution static compensator is based on power electronic devices technology which is utilized to supply rapid changes in active power as well as reactive power of utility grids. This is useful to achieve corrections in power factor, balancing of load, compensation of current and filtering of harmonics. Therefore, proposed work investigates the improvement of the power quality by utilizing the distribution static compensator, which is equipped by battery energy storage system and interfaced to distribution network with solar photo voltaic (PV) energy integration. In the present study, distribution static compensator is controlled using a control strategy based on the synchronous reference frame theory. Customised IEEE‐13 nodes test system incorporating solar PV generation and distribution static compensator, is utilized to perform the harmonic mitigation and power quality analysis. Disturbances of power quality and harmonics have been investigated due to abrupt changes in the insolation of solar radiation, outage of PV plant from grid and synchronization of PV plant to grid. MATLAB/Simulink environment is utilized to perform the study. Effectiveness of a developed approach is validated by comparing results of simulation with results extracted in real time using real time digital simulator. Results indicate that the developed method is more effective for harmonic mitigation and improving power quality of electrical power in distribution network integrated with solar PV generation. Performance of the approach is compared with the performance of methods reported in the literature to establish the suitability of the method for harmonics mitigation and power quality improvement in grid with solar energy

Manoeuvring simulations of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle using quaternion

The dynamics of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), which can perform manoeuvres with pitch angles in the range of 90° is investigated in this paper. The purpose of the AUV is to perform station keeping manoeuvre at about 90° pitch angle by varying propeller revolution. The AUV is launched / retrieved in horizontal orientation.  Quaternion mathematics, 4 quadrant propeller open water characteristics and PID controller for propeller revolution are incorporated in manoeuvring mathematical model for this purpose.  A procedure for optimizing the gain coefficients for the PID controller is developed using the manoeuvring mathematical model. Two design configuration of the AUV are investigated, positively buoyant and negatively buoyant. It is shown that both the optimal gain coefficients for the PID controller for propeller revolution and dynamic response of the AUV are different for each design configuration.&nbsp

Diagnosing isolated hepatosplenic tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient: A case report

For many years, tuberculosis (TB) has been endemic in Pakistan; many rare and unusual presentations have been reported. There is a myriad of non-specific symptoms which always requires a high index of clinical suspicion for TB. World Health Organization data suggest that Pakistan ranks as the fifth highest country burdened with TB and has the fourth highest prevalence of multi-drug resistant TB globally. With an annual incidence of 277 cases per 100,000, the importance of early diagnosis and treatment is self-evident. We present a case where a strong suspicion of isolated hepatosplenic TB in an immunocompetent patient justified a directed approach