A prospective analysis of the cost-effectiveness of alfuzosin, tamsulosin and silodosin for 12 weeks in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is usually seen in men above 45 years. α-blockers (alfuzosin, tamsulosin and silodosin) form the mainstay of pharmacological management of symptomatic BPH and may differ in their efficacy, tolerability and treatment costs. The present study compares them prospectively to evaluate the most cost-effective α-blocker in the management of BPH.Methods: Ninety subjects diagnosed with symptomatic BPH were randomised to receive alfuzosin, tamsulosin or silodosin and were followed up at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment initiation. Effectiveness was assessed by rate of treatment success and number of symptom free days (SFDs). Treatment related direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect costs were analysed both from patient and third-party perspective. Cost-effectiveness was assessed using average cost-effectiveness ratio (ACER) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).Results: With rate of treatment success as the outcome measure, alfuzosin had the least ACER, followed by tamsulosin and silodosin. With number of SFDs as the outcome measure, alfuzosin had the least ACER followed by silodosin and tamsulosin. An additional INR 3982 and INR 30 were required per extra success and extra SFD respectively with alfuzosin when compared to tamsulosin. Alfuzosin dominated silodosin as a more cost-effective option in achieving treatment success. However, an additional INR 231 was required to achieve an extra SFD with silodosin.Conclusions: Compared with tamsulosin and silodosin, alfuzosin seems to be the most economical α-blocker in the management of BPH, both from patient and third-party perspective.Short duration of study of 12 weeks was a limitation in the present prospective study

Molecular characterization and assessment of genetic diversity of sorghum inbred lines

Selecting parents of diverse genetic base with contrasting phenotype is an important step in developing mapping populations for quantitative trait loci (QTL) detection and marker-assisted selection. We studied genetic diversity in 31 sorghum parents using 413 sorghum simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. The polymorphism information content (PIC), a measure of gene diversity, varied from 0 to 0.92 with an average of 0.53 and was significantly correlated with number of alleles. The primers IS10215, IS10270 and IS10333 could differentiate all the 31 lines conclusively. Clustering analysis based on the genetic dissimilarity grouped the 31 parents into eight clusters and grouping was in good agreement with pedigree, race and geographic origin. Diverse pairs of sorghum parents were identified with contrast phenotype for various biotic and abiotic stresses with higher genetic diversity for developing recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping populations to identify QTLs/genes for important traits in sorghum. One of the mapping populations resulted in the identification of QTLs for resistance to sorghum shoot fly and these QTL results were validated in a second mapping population.Key words: Simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers, genetic diversity, sorghum, mapping parents

Hybrid Embryo Rescue: A Non-Conventional Breeding Strategy in Horticultural Crops

Production of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids is useful for transfer of desirable genes from wild species into cultivated species. In many instances, progeny from wide crosses is difficult to produce owing to several barriers. Post-zygotic barriers such as endosperm abortion and, at later stages, embryo degeneration are of common occurrence, leading to low fertility; but these have been overcome through the use of embryo rescue and several hybrids have been developed. This approach is especially useful in horticultural crops, more so in fruit crops. In our laboratory, we have developed protocols for hybrid embryo rescue in several top-of-the-line fruit crops that suffer from an inability to cross naturally (e.g., distant crosses, use of seedless parent/s) or instances where initial fruit drop is very high. Thus, interspecific, intergeneric and intervarietal hybrids have been generated in mango, banana, seedless grape, papaya and seedless citrus using embryo rescue. Culture of embryos has also been demonstrated in rose, capsicum, hot pepper, onion and tomato. Among the very important strategies under non-GM biotechnologies figure techniques of hybrid embryo rescue, and related applications like ovule/ovary/placental cultures through sequential embryo culture. Embryo culture applied to practical problems is a tissue culture technique that has proven to be of greatest value to breeders

Present status and future scope for fish production in cages and enclosures in India

The paper highlights the role of intensive fish husbandry system in cages and enclosures in the overall fisheries development of the country. This system of fish culture in widely dispersed aquatic ecosystems in India has yielded stimulating results, though there are some immediate constraints. The pressing problems of cage size, shape and material, diseases and parasites, and location of operational sites have been discussed. Such intensive culture systems have numerous advantages over the traditional pond culture. It 15 conduded that cage and enclosure culture of fifish and shellfish will ultimately carve its niche in the streams, rivers, canals, heels, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, lagoons, bays and coastal areas of the country

Atherogenic dyslipidemia in diabetic nephropathy: lipoprotein (a), lipid ratios and atherogenic index

Background: Atherogenic lipid profile is reported to become pronounced with onset of nephropathy. Lipid ratios also indicate atherogenic dyslipidemia. Lipoprotein (a) [(Lp(a)] considered as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), may play an important role in development and progression of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study aimed to assess atherogenic dyslipidemia in T2DM and diabetic nephropathy patients. Methods: Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides(Tgl), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), Lp(a), lipid ratios: TC/HDL, Tgl/HDL, LDL/HDL, non-HDL cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI) was assessed in T2DM (n=35), diabetic nephropathy (n=30) and healthy individuals (n=30). Means of biochemical parameters were compared by ANOVA (analysis of variance). Pearson correlation was performed to study the association between parameters. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was done to assess the predictive ability of the variables.Results: Atherogenic dyslipidemia with elevated Lp(a), TC, Tgl, VLDL, LDL, non-HDL cholesterol, lipid ratios, AI and low HDL levels were observed in both T2DM patients with and without nephropathy when compared to controls. Significantly high Tgl/HDL, TC/HDL and AI were observed in diabetic nephropathy when compared to T2DM. Conclusion: T2DM and diabetic nephropathy are associated with dyslipidemia which was more pronounced in diabetic nephropathy. Elevated Lp(a) levels may be considered as an independent CVD risk marker in T2DM and diabetic nephropathy patients along with atherogenic lipid ratio indicators

Studies on Tensile Characteristics of Kevlar/Jute/ Syntactic Foam Hybrid Sandwich Composites

In this study, a structured approach combining Taguchi experimental design and analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to investigate the effects of skin material choice, material density, and percentage of reinforcement on the tensile properties of Kelvar/jute/synthetic foam hybrid sandwich composites. By deliberately changing these variables and examining how they affect tensile strength, modulus, and other important qualities, the goal is to maximize the mechanical performance of these composites. This work gives helpful insights into the interaction of these variables and their contribution to the overall tensile behavior of the composites through a series of carefully planned experiments and statistical studies. While ANOVA aids in quantifying the importance of individual components and interactions, the Taguchi approach makes it easier to identify the ideal parameter values. Making a substantial addition to the field of materials science and engineering, this combined method provides a solid framework for improving the design and engineering of lightweight, high-strength sandwich composites with customized features

Clinical manifestation and prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and nerve dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is recognized as a major health problem. Prevalence of CKD is rising continuously; mostly CKD is affecting the elderly aged population and/or patients with diabetes and hypertension. Present study was aimed to explore clinical manifestation and evaluate the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and peripheral nerve dysfunction in CKD patients attending our hospital with reference to the severity and duration of the CKD.Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted in 74 patients affected with chronic kidney disease, of different age groups at the medical wards of King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam. The presence of peripheral nerve dysfunction was assessed by nerve dysfunction clinically (motor or sensory symptoms and signs) and electrophysiological nerve conduction studies.Results: Out of 74 patients, 65% of study population was suffering from chronic kidney disease with peripheral nerve dysfunction. The peripheral nerves dysfunction was more prevalent in elder age (>65 years) subjects when compared to subjects with age <65 years. Moreover, the results shown that the rate of prevalence of peripheral nerves dysfunction was observed higher in subjects with longer duration of CKD. Male subjects were affected more when creatinine clearance is <15 ml/minute. Both sexes were affected equally when creatinine clearance is between 30-59 ml/minute.Conclusion: This study enlightens the prevalence and clinical presentation of peripheral nerve dysfunction in patients with CKD. The CKD was found to cause peripheral neuropathy including overt and subclinical neuropathy, of which distal symmetrical sensory motor neuropathy was common in CKD. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was directly proportional to duration and severity of CKD.

Astrophysical S_{17}(0) factor from a measurement of d(7Be,8B)n reaction at E_{c.m.} = 4.5 MeV

Angular distribution measurements of $^2$H($^7$Be,$^7$Be)$^2$H and $^2$H($^7$Be,$^8$B)$n$ reactions at $E_{c.m.}\sim$~4.5 MeV were performed to extract the astrophysical $S_{17}(0)$ factor using the asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC) method. For this purpose a pure, low emittance $^7$Be beam was separated from the primary $^7$Li beam by a recoil mass spectrometer operated in a novel mode. A beam stopper at 0$^{\circ}$ allowed the use of a higher $^7$Be beam intensity. Measurement of the elastic scattering in the entrance channel using kinematic coincidence, facilitated the determination of the optical model parameters needed for the analysis of the transfer data. The present measurement significantly reduces errors in the extracted $^7$Be(p,$\gamma$) cross section using the ANC method. We get $S_{17}$~(0)~=~20.7~$\pm$~2.4 eV~b.Comment: 15 pages including 3 eps figures, one figure removed and discussions updated. Version to appear in Physical Review

Structural, Optical and Magnetic Properties of (In0.90Sn0.05Cu0.05)(2)O-3 Nanoparticles

This study examined structural, optical and magnetic properties of ITO (In0.95Sn0.05)(2)O-3 and Cu doped ITO (In0.90Sn0.05Cu0.05)(2)O-3 nanoparticles synthesized by solid state reaction method. The synthesized nanoparticles were subjected to structural, optical and magnetic studies. The structural properties of the nanoparticles were carried out using XRD, Raman, FT-IR characterization techniques. Optical properties of the samples were studies using UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The magnetic measurements were carried out using vibrating sample magnetometer. The ITO (In0.95Sn0.05)(2)O-3 nanoparticles exhibited room temperature ferromagnetism with clear hysteresis loop. The strength of magnetization decreased in Cu doped ITO (In0.95Sn0.05)(2)O-3. The ITO nanoparticles were also exhibited ferromagnetism at 100 K with a magnetic moment of 0.02 emu/g