Cost analysis of different brands of antianginal drugs available in India

Background: Ischemic heart diseaseis the most common cardiovascular disease in developed countries such as United States and Angina pectoris is the most frequent among them. If not managed adequately angina results in significant morbidity and mortality too due to the complications. Antianginal therapy is lifelong. Therefore, analysis of the price of drugs used in ischemic heart disease will help to improve patient compliance.Methods: Prices of various antianginal drugs of different strengths and combinations marketed by different companies was obtained from current index of medical stores. The variation between highest and lowest price of the same medication manufactured by various pharma companies and percentage variation in price for ten tablets was calculated.Results: In India, percentage variation in price for antianginal drugs was found to be: tablet isosorbide dinitrate (5 mg) 250%, glyceryltrinitrate (6.4 mg) 24.44%. In calcium channel blockers group, tablet amlodipine 10 mg shows maximum price variation of 1045%, closely followed by 5 mg of amlodipine with a variation of 1040%, while 120 mg of diltiazem shows the least variation of 262%. In beta-adrenergic receptor blockers group, tablet atenolol 50 mg shows maximum price variation of 563%, whereas 100 mg of extended release metoprolol shows the least variation of 42%.Conclusions: To increase the benefit to the patient and reduce drug in compliance, doctors should be trained to be familiar from internship period itself about the brand names of cost-effective drugs with good safety profile for a long period

Convolutional Gated Recurrent Neural Network Based Automatic Detection and Classification of Brain Tumor using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) might be a problematic assignment for tumor fluctuation and complexity because of brain image classification. This work presents the brain tumor classification system using Convolutional Gated Recurrent Neural Network (CGRNN) algorithm based on MRI images. The proposed tumor recognition framework comprises of four stages, to be specific preprocessing, feature extraction, segmentation and classification. Extraction of identified tumor framework features was accomplished utilizing Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) strategy. At long last, the Convolutional Gated Recurrent Neural Network Classifier has been created to perceive various kinds of brain disease. The proposed framework can be effective in grouping these models and reacting to any variation from the abnormality. The entire framework is isolated into different types of phases: the Learning/Training Phase and the Recognition/Test Phase. A CGRNN classifier under the scholarly ideal separation measurements is utilized to decide the chance of every pixel having a place with the foreground (tumor) and the background. MATLAB software is used in the development of the simulation of the proposed system. The suggested method's simulation results show that the analysis of brain tumours is stable. It shows that the proposed brain tumor classifications are superior to those from brain MRIs than existing brain tumor classifications. The overall accuracy of the proposed system is 98.45%

STUDY ON IN VITRO CYTOTOXICITY OF PAPAIN AGAINST LIVER CANCER CELL LINE HEP G2

Objective: Cancer is a devastating public health problem all over the world. Herbal medicines have a vital role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme and a phyto therapeutic agent which highly appreciated in the medical field that prevents several chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. The aim of the study describes about the cytotoxicity of papain against liver cancer cell line HepG2. Methods: In different concentrations of samples have been taken for cytotoxicity analysis using the MTT assay and calculate the percentage of cell viability. Results: The 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of a sample was 125µg/ml and their cell viability percentage was 49.20. The 85% of cytotoxicity has been observed in 1000 µg/ml of papain against HepG2 cell line than other concentrations. Conclusion: 1000 µg/ml of papain has maximum (85%) cytotoxicity effect against liver cancer cell line hepG2

High-Sensitivity Magnetic Sensors Based on GMI Microwire-SAW IDT Design

This work presents a design approach for a highly sensitive, miniaturized magnetic sensor. The design makes use of GMI microwires and a multi-electrode SAW IDT. The use of SAW IDTs allows for the magnetic effect of the GMI microwire to be measured through the transduction process. This approach permits simultaneous measurement at different frequencies of operation, enabling highly sensitive measurement over a wide range of magnetic fields. This technique may find application in magnetic sensing for non-invasive battery SOC measurement

Modern Clustering Techniques in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are employed in various applications from healthcare to military. Due to their limited, tiny power sources, energy becomes the most precious resource for sensor nodes in such networks. To optimize the usage of energy resources, researchers have proposed several ideas from diversified angles. Clustering of nodes plays an important role in conserving energy of WSNs. Clustering approaches focus on resolving the conflicts arising in effective data transmission. In this chapter, we have outlined a few modern energy-efficient clustering approaches to improve the lifetime of WSNs. The proposed clustering methods are: (i) fuzzy-logic-based cluster head election, (ii) efficient sleep duty cycle for sensor nodes, (iii) hierarchical clustering, and (iv) estimated energy harvesting. Classical clustering approaches such as low energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) and selected contemporary clustering methods are considered for comparing the performance of proposed approaches. The proposed modern clustering approaches exhibit better lifetime compared to the selected benchmarked protocols

Cytopathological spectrum of thyroid lesions: A Hospital based study

INTRODUCTION : Diseases of the thyroid gland are commonly encountered in clinical practice and comprise a spectrum of entities which cause systemic diseases like Autoimmune thyroiditis ,a localised lesion such as colloid goiter or a tumor mass. Prompt accurate diagnosis and early management help in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with the thyroid pathology. The significance of the study lies in bringing to focus the change in scenario of the variation in thyroid pathology in the recent years. This is an attempt to evaluate the spectrum of various thyroid lesions using cytopathology which is a simple and non-interventional method of study. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To evaluate the morphology of the thyroid lesions by fine needle aspiration cytology in adult patients with swelling of the thyroid gland .2. To study the distribution of lesions according to age and sex. 3. To correlate cytomorphological features of the thyroid gland lesions with histopathological features wherever possible. 4. To evaluate sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of different lesions. SOURCE AND DATA FOR THE MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was conducted in the Department of Pathology Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur. Duration of study: 2015-2017-A two year prospective study. Sample size: 100 cases. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Adult patients with palpable thyroid gland enlargement attending the out and in -patient department in our hospital. Both adult men and women are included in the study. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Children with thyroid enlargement below 12 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHOD: After explaining about the procedure and getting his/her written consent, the Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid gland was performed. The smears were stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin, Giemsa and Papanicolaou stains and interpreted using Bethesda System of Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (BSRTC). RESULTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Our study of 100 cases of thyroid swellings revealed that the majority of the patients with thyroid swellings were females and the mean age was 41.3 years. Majority of the cases showed Benign lesions. In the present study Autoimmune thyroiditis was found to be the commonest thyroid pathology to be diagnosed cytologically, followed by Colloid goiter. Out of the 100 study cases only 27 cases were subjected to histopathology. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that in our population, Benign lesions are the most common and Autoimmune thyroiditis being the predominant pathology reported here. This study brings to focus the recent change in the scenario of the cytological spectrum of thyroid lesions i.e a shift from Iodine - deficient colloid goiters to Auto-immune based thyroiditis

Comparative study of therapeutic efficacy of PUVA, NBUVB and PUVASOL in the treatment of chronic plaque type psoriasis

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a common, immunologically mediated inflammatory dermatosis with genetic predisposition, characterized by erythematous scaly plaques involving the scalp and extensors of limbs affecting 0.5 to 1.5% individual’s worldwide. Psoriasis evokes considerable physical, psychological and social morbidity among the affected individuals. This common dermatosis is extremely variable in clinical manifestations by morphology and extent of involvement, ranging from innocuous lesion to widespread life threatening pustular and erythrodermic forms. It can affect any area including palms, soles and genitalia. Several treatment modalities are currently available and many guidelines have been formulated all over the world. The treatment is mainly suppressive aimed at inducing remissions and improving the patient’s quality of life. The treatment is also depends on the patient’s own perceptions of disability occurring due to the disease. Routinely for limited plaque psoriasis coal tar, topical corticosteroids, dithranol, calcipotriol and topical photochemotherapy are administered. For extensive psoriasis UVB, PUVA, PUVASOL, methotrexate, hydroxyurea, acitretin and cyclosporine are preferred. Disease modifying agents such as etanercept, infliximab and other biological may be required in resistant cases. This study was designed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of PUVA, PUVASOL and NBUVB in the treatment of chronic plaque type psoriasis involving more than 20% body surface area. AIM OF THE STUDY: Aim of the study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of: 1. PUVA (Psoralen ultraviolet A therapy), 2. NBUVB (Narrow band ultraviolet B therapy), 3. PUVASOL (Psoralen ultraviolet A solar therapy), in patients with chronic plaque type of psoriasis involving more than 20% of body surface area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients of chronic plaque type psoriasis who attended the psoriasis outpatient clinic at the Department of Dermatology, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai were randomly selected from August 2010 to September 2012. The diagnosis of psoriasis was made clinically by morphology of lesions and Auspitz sign. Study Design: Prospective study. Inclusion Criteria: P atients with chronic plaque type of psoriasis involving more than 20% of body surface area. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Photosensitive disorders or history of photo damage. 2. Pregnant and Lactating women. 3. Children < 12 years of age. 4. Previous or family history of malignant melanoma. 5. H/O exposure to inorganic arsenic or ionizing radiation. 6. Women contemplating conception. 7. Pustular, erythrodermic psoriatic patients. All patients were explained about the disease, benefits and side effects of the treatment were discussed with them. Informal written consent was obtained from all patients before initiation of treatment. CONCLUSION: • PUVA therapy is an effective modality of treatment in chronic plaque type psoriasis. • NBUVB therapy has equal efficacy to PUVA therapy in our study. • The mean cumulative dose is almost equal for both PUVA and NBUVB therapy. • However the mean number of exposure is less for PUVA group when compared to NBUVB group. • When PUVA and NBUVB are compared there is no statistically significant difference in mean PASI score reduction at 16 weeks. The percentage of reduction of mean PASI at 16 weeks in PUVA group is 98.9% and in NBUVB group is 97.9%. So both are almost equally effective. But when duration of treatment is taken into account PUVA therapy scores over the NBUVB therapy. • When PUVA and NBUVB therapy are compared with PUVASOL the rate of clearance of lesions in later group is poor. • All the side effects noted in our study were minor and they were treated conservatively. • In conclusion our study has shown that both PUVA and NBUVB groups achieved >75% or complete clearance at end of 16 weeks when compared to PUVASOL group. But PUVA group achieved faster clearance with less number of exposures as compared to NBUVB group

Gibbs energies of formation of rare earth oxysulfides

The standard Gibbs energy change accompanying the conversion of rare earth oxides to oxysulfides by reaction of rare earth oxides with diatomic sulfur gas has been measured in the temperature range 870 to 1300 K using the solid state cell: Pt/Cu+Cu2S/R2O2S+R2O3||(CaO)ZrO2||Ni+NiO, Pt where R=La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, and Dy. The partial pressure of diatomic sulfur over a mixture of rare earth oxide (R2O3) and oxysulfide (R2O2S) is fixed by the dissociation of Cu2S to Cu in a closed system. The buffer mixture of Cu+Cu2S is physically separated from the rare earth oxide and oxysulfide to avoid complications arising from interaction between them. The corresponding equilibrium oxygen partial pressure is measured with an oxide solid electrolyte cell. Gibbs energy change for the conversion of oxide to the corresponding oxysulfide increases monotonically with atomic number of the rare earth element. Second law enthalpy of formation also shows a similar trend. Based on this empirical trend Gibbs energies of formation of oxysulfides of Pr, Eu, Ho, and Er are estimated as a function of temperature

Standard free energies of formation of rare earth sesquisulphides

An e.m.f. technique is used for the measurement of the Gibbs' energy changes involved in the conversion of the rare earth oxysulphides to the corresponding sesquisulphides in the temperature range 870 to 1120 K. The cell arrangement is Au, Ag + Ag2S|R2O2S + R2S3|| (Y2O3)ThO2|| Fe + Fe0.95O, Au where R = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd. Yttria-doped thoria is used as the solid electrolyte because it has predominant ionic conduction at the low oxygen potentials developed at the R2O2S + R2S3 electrode, especially for systems containing heavier rare earth elements. The sulphur potential at the left-hand electrode is established by the dissociation of Ag2S to silver in a closed system. The changes in the standard free energy, enthalpy and entropy associated with the conversion of the rare earth oxysulphide to the sesquisulphide all show a smooth variation with rare earth atomic number. Based on these empirical trends, the corresponding thermodynamic functions for terbium, dysprosium and holmium systems are estimated. The measured free energy values are combined with recent data on the standard free energies of formation of the rare earth oxysulphides to obtain the Gibbs' energies of formation of the corresponding sesquisulphides

Defense related enzyme induction in coconut by endophytic bacteria (EPC 5)

Endophytic bacteria Bacillus subtilis (EPC 5) was isolated and tested in vitro along with Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf1) and the fungus Trichoderma viride (Tv1) against Ganoderma lucidum (Leys) Karst, the causal agent of basal stem rot on coconut palm. The endophytic bacterial strains namely EPC 5 and EPC 8 showed higher vigor index (germination percentage, root and shoot length) and more inhibition against G. lucidum over un-inoculated control. These strains were confirmed as Bacillus subtilis by biochemical tests, cloning and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The Bacillus subtilis (EPC 5) along with Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf1) and Trichoderma viride (Tv1) has been tried as bioconsortia against basal stem rot disease under greenhouse conditions. The soil application of bioconsortia enriched with farm yard manure (FYM) enhanced the coconut saplings growth under greenhouse conditions and showed higher induction of defense related enzymes like peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase and phenols when challenged with pathogen