Consultations of health service providers amongst patients of pulmonary tuberculosis from an urban area

Aims: To describe the number, types and reasons of consultations amongst patients of pulmonary tuberculosis from an urban area. Settings and Design Cross sectional study was conducted amongst new patients of pulmonary tuberculosis initiated on DOTS at District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC), Yavatmal from January to June 2006. Material and Methods: The data regarding consultations were collected along a time line. The reasons for consultations were studied by in-depth interviews. Statistical analysis: Logistic regression analysis and transcripts of interviews. Results and Conclusions A total of 55 patients were studied in whom median duration between first consultation to treatment initiation was 15 days. A majority of cases (87.27%) had first consulted a private practitioner. A total of 32 patients reported more than two consultations and 19 had consulted more than two private health service providers. Amongst the movements between consultations, a majority were from private to government. Only four patients had come to DTC without any prior consultation. Many patients came to government health service provider on their own when the symptomatic treatment prescribed by the private practitioners did not relieve their symptom

Effect of L-Ascorbic Acid on the Glycogen Contents During Mercury Intoxication in the Freshwater Bivalve, Parreysia Cylindrica

Freshwater bivalve, Parreysia cylindrica was exposed to acute (0.6 ppm) and chronic (0.12 ppm) doses of HgCl2 and HgCl2 with several concentrations of ascorbic acid. Glycogen contents from mantle, foot, gills, gonads and digestive glands were estimated after 24 hours and 96 hours of acute and 7 days and 21 days of chronic exposure from each group of test animals. Depletion of glycogen contents in different tissues caused due to mercury stress was much more as compared to those exposed to HgCl2 with ascorbic acid

Comparison of ultrasound parameters for diagnosis of IUGR

Background: An active approach to the diagnosis of IUGR should be undertaken so that the foetus can be closely monitored and when indicated, be promptly delivered.Methods: Study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvalla. All pregnant women whose gestational ages were assessed by ultrasonography in 1st trimester was included in the study. An ultrasonographic biometric evaluation was done between 22-24 weeks and repeated at 32-34 weeks of gestational age and their ratios compared, using standard formulae.Results: We has observed that at 22-24 weeks of gestational age abdominal circumference (AC) has a better sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV when compared with femur length (FL), head circumference (HC), FL/AC and HC/AC. AC has got lowest FP and FN with a highest accuracy rate of 83% as compared to FL, HC, FL/AC and HC/AC at 22-24 weeks of gestational age. At 32-34 weeks of gestational age AC remains better in sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV, FP and FN values as compared to FL, HC, FL/AC and HC/AC.Conclusions: AC has a better sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV for diagnosis of IUGR when compared with FL, HC, FL/AC and HC/AC. AC has got lowest FP and FN with a highest accuracy rate at both 22-24 weeks of gestational age and 32-34 weeks of gestational age. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of AC is more at 32-34 weeks of gestation than at 22-24 weeks for diagnosis of IUGR

Various Approximations for the Isotopic Thermal Diffusion Factor. I. Application to Helium Isotopes

arious formulae for the isotopic Thermal diffusion factor have been reviewed and a new formula has been derived. Numerical calculations have been performed for the particular case of He3-He4 in a region where quantum effects are negligible. These calculations establish the relative adequacy of a comparatively simpler formula advanced by us and will be useful to interpret the recent experimental results of Saxena, Kelley and Watson on the thermal diffusion factor as a function of temperature

A comparative study of two different techniques of subcutaneous tissue closure in abdominal surgery

Background: Surgical access to abdomen is required for many operative procedures. The subcutaneous tissue of the anterior abdominal wall can either be sutured or left unsutured with drain in situ. The purpose of this study was to compare the two methods of closure of the subcutaneous tissue and determine the benefit of one over the other.Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care centre with sample size of 30 each in study and control group. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected and depending on the randomisation the closure of subcutaneous tissue was done either by polyglactin 910, 2-0 or left unsutured with indigenously designed syringe suction drain kept in situ. The patients were followed up till the day of suture removal and further in case of any complications.Results: Total duration taken for the procedure was significantly increased in the study group. There was a significant level of discomfort among the participants due to drain. The rate of surgical site infection, hospital readmission morbidity was significantly higher in the study group.Conclusions: The type of drain studied was indigenously designed where the closed system was not maintained during charging the drain, hence further studies need to be conducted which will compare this with the other closed suction drains to determine the difference in the risk of wound complications

Cost variation analysis of commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drugs available in Indian market: a pharmaco-economic study

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring lifelong treatment. Due to rapid expansion of urbanization, unhealthy diet habits and sedentary lifestyle, the incidence of DM is increasing. The chronic nature of DM causes significant personal suffering and economic difficulty to families. The was aimed at investigating the cost difference in various brands of the same oral anti-diabetic drug.Methods: The minimum and the maximum cost in rupees (INR) of a particular anti-diabetic drug manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies were obtained from current index of medical specialties (CIMS) website, Indian drug review (IDR) 2021 issue and National pharmaceutical pricing authority-pharma sahi daam. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation were noted for each brand.Results: Amongst single drug therapy, metformin 500 mg sustained release showed highest price variation (3668%). Minimum cost variation was found with glipizide 2.5 mg (65%). Amongst the fixed dose combinations, highest cost variation was seen with glimepiride 2 mg+metformin 1000 mg (2703%) while minimum cost variation was found with repaglinide 1 mg+voglibose 0.3 mg (29%).Conclusions: A noticeable cost variation was found in different brands of the same anti-diabetic drug. Prescribing a more expensive brand when a cheaper one is available can burden the patient financially and thus reduce patient compliance. In addition, the Government should also include more anti-diabetic drugs under the price control policy to ensure that affordable and efficacious medicines are available to all.Background:  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring lifelong treatment. Due to rapid expansion of urbanization, unhealthy diet habits and sedentary life style, the incidence of DM is increasing .The chronic nature of DM causes significant personal suffering and economic difficulty to families. The present study aims at investigating the cost difference in various brands of the same oral anti-diabetic drug.Methods: The minimum and the maximum cost in rupees (INR) of a particular anti-diabetic drug manufactured by various brands were obtained from Current Index of Medical Specialties (CIMS) website, Indian Drug Review (IDR) 2021 issue and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority – Pharma sahi daam. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation were noted for each brand.Results: Amongst single drug therapy, Metformin 500mg Sustained Release showed highest price variation (3668%). Minimum cost variation was found with Glipizide 2.5mg (65%).Amongst the fixed dose combinations, highest cost variation was seen with Glimepiride 2mg + Metformin 1000mg (2703%) while minimum cost variation was found with Repaglinide 1mg + Voglibose 0.3mg (29%). Conclusions: A noticeable cost variation was found in different brands of the same anti-diabetic drug. Prescribing a more expensive brand when a cheaper one is available can burden the patient financially and thus reduce patient compliance. In addition, the Government should also include more anti-diabetic drugs under the price control policy to ensure that affordable and efficacious medicines are available to all. Keywords: Anti-diabetic agents, Cost variation, Pharmaco-economics, Adherence, Brands   Background:  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring lifelong treatment. Due to rapid expansion of urbanization, unhealthy diet habits and sedentary life style, the incidence of DM is increasing .The chronic nature of DM causes significant personal suffering and economic difficulty to families. The present study aims at investigating the cost difference in various brands of the same oral anti-diabetic drug.Methods: The minimum and the maximum cost in rupees (INR) of a particular anti-diabetic drug manufactured by various brands were obtained from Current Index of Medical Specialties (CIMS) website, Indian Drug Review (IDR) 2021 issue and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority – Pharma sahi daam. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation were noted for each brand.Results: Amongst single drug therapy, Metformin 500mg Sustained Release showed highest price variation (3668%). Minimum cost variation was found with Glipizide 2.5mg (65%).Amongst the fixed dose combinations, highest cost variation was seen with Glimepiride 2mg + Metformin 1000mg (2703%) while minimum cost variation was found with Repaglinide 1mg + Voglibose 0.3mg (29%). Conclusions: A noticeable cost variation was found in different brands of the same anti-diabetic drug. Prescribing a more expensive brand when a cheaper one is available can burden the patient financially and thus reduce patient compliance. In addition, the Government should also include more anti-diabetic drugs under the price control policy to ensure that affordable and efficacious medicines are available to all. Keywords: Anti-diabetic agents, Cost variation, Pharmaco-economics, Adherence, Brands   Background:  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring lifelong treatment. Due to rapid expansion of urbanization, unhealthy diet habits and sedentary life style, the incidence of DM is increasing .The chronic nature of DM causes significant personal suffering and economic difficulty to families. The present study aims at investigating the cost difference in various brands of the same oral anti-diabetic drug.Methods: The minimum and the maximum cost in rupees (INR) of a particular anti-diabetic drug manufactured by various brands were obtained from Current Index of Medical Specialties (CIMS) website, Indian Drug Review (IDR) 2021 issue and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority – Pharma sahi daam. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation were noted for each brand.Results: Amongst single drug therapy, Metformin 500mg Sustained Release showed highest price variation (3668%). Minimum cost variation was found with Glipizide 2.5mg (65%).Amongst the fixed dose combinations, highest cost variation was seen with Glimepiride 2mg + Metformin 1000mg (2703%) while minimum cost variation was found with Repaglinide 1mg + Voglibose 0.3mg (29%). Conclusions: A noticeable cost variation was found in different brands of the same anti-diabetic drug. Prescribing a more expensive brand when a cheaper one is available can burden the patient financially and thus reduce patient compliance. In addition, the Government should also include more anti-diabetic drugs under the price control policy to ensure that affordable and efficacious medicines are available to all. Keywords: Anti-diabetic agents, Cost variation, Pharmaco-economics, Adherence, Brands        

Energy optimization of industrial drive at Sanjivani sugar factory

India's power sector is facing an actuate problem of meeting the growing demand of electricity. Improving energy efficiency by employing energy efficient devices would be the better alternative for meeting apart of the new demand. The use of energy efficient motor instead of standard induction motor in agricultural and industrial sector. It will result into substantial saving in electrical energy over a standard motor. The effort taken introduced in this paper analyze use of additional energy in different norm in a cycle plant in addition energize the utilization of energy productive motor over standard Induction Motor with boundary like motor input power (kVA), energy consumed (kWh), apparent power, power factor and efficiency (kW)

New Chromogenic Spray Reagent for TLC Detection and Identification of Organophosphrous Insecticide Monocrotophos in Biological Material.

Monocrotophos is a member of Organophosphate insecticide. It is an important insecticide and has a diversified role in agriculture in INDIA. The increasing numbers of human poisoning cases were found to be occurred by the consumption of organophosphate insecticide monocrotophos. So in this paper, we represent a novel Thin Layer Chromatographic spray reagent for the detection and identification of Monocrotophos

Association between architectural parameters and burden of tuberculosis in three resettlement colonies of M-East Ward, Mumbai, India

Architecture and site planning play an important role in ensuring houses receive good light and ventilation and in turn have a healthy and livable environment. To investigate the strength of association between structural factors of slum resettlement colonies buildings and the burden of tuberculosis (TB), a questionnaire-based semi-quantitative survey of 4080 households was carried out in three resettlement colonies (Lallubhai Compound, Natwar Parekh Compound and PMG colony) with questions on architectural patterns, socioeconomic details as well as occurrence of TB in any member of the household. Computational modelling for Sky View Factor, Daylight Autonomy and Natural Ventilation in the houses of all three colonies was also performed. The results show that lower floors do not have access to sufficient light and ventilation in the living area. All colonies had poor Sky View Factors, Daylight Autonomy and ventilation. Occurrence of TB was strongly associated with lower floor of the house, closed or only partially openable windows, lack of exhaust fans as well as the built environment of the houses. The study also traced back the poor conditions of light and ventilation to the relaxations in development control regulations (DCR 1991 and modifications) given to rehabilitation and slum redevelopment buildings. The study recommends better planning and architecture measures to be taken by the city government to bring improvements in housing and avert a public health crisi

An alum [KAl (SO4)2.12H2O] catalyzed microwave assisted multicomponent synthesis of bioactive functionalized benzylpyrazolyl coumarin and quinolinone derivatives in PEG

An efficient and environmentally benign method has been developed for the synthesis of benzylpyrazolyl coumarin and quinolinone derivatives, hydroxy coumarin derivatives using Alum [KAl (SO4)2.12H2O] catalyst and Polyethylene glycol as green solvent under microwave condition. Keywords: Knoevenagel, Michael addition reaction, coumarins, quinolinones, alum, polyethylene glycol, multicomponent microwave irradiation method