A model analysis to measure the adherence of Etanercept and Fezakinumab therapy for the treatment of psoriasis

This article deals with a immunological model, which includes multiple classes of T cells, namely, the naive T cell, type I, type II and type 17 T helper cells (Th1, Th2, Th17), regulatory T cell (Treg) along with the activated natural killer cells (NK cells) and epidermal keratinocytes. In order to describe the etiology of psoriasis development, we have studied the basic mathematical properties of the model, existence and stability of the interior equilibrium. We have also derived the drug-induced mathematical model using impulse differential equation to determine the effects of combined biologics Etanercept (TNF-α inhibitor) and Fezakinumab (IL-22 monoclonal antibody) therapy considering perfect dosing during the inductive phase. We have determined the required dosing interval of both drugs to maintain the keratinocytes concentration below a threshold level. This study shows that Etanercept alone could theoretically maintain the keratinocytes level, whereas frequent dosing of Fezakinumab alone may not be enough to control the hyper-proliferation of keratinocytes. Furthermore, combination of the drugs with perfect dosing has the noticeable effect on keratinocytes dynamics, which may be suitable therapeutic approaches for treatment of psoriasis

Impact of Perfect Drug Adherence on Immunopathogenic Mechanism for Dynamical System of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a frequent autoimmune chronic skin disease differentiated by T-Cells agreeable hyperproliferation of epidermal Keratinocytes. The feature of TCells held up Psoriatic scratches is the epidermal penetration of basically oligoclonal CD8+ T-Cells and also of CD4+ T-Cells in the dermis. Psoriatic lesions are sharply distinguished, red and enlarged scratches together with whitish silver scales. In this research article, we propose a mathematical depiction for Psoriasis, involving a set of differential equations, regarding T-Cells, Dendritic Cells, CD8+ T-Cells and epidermal Keratinocytes. Here, we specially introduce the interaction between Dendritic Cells and CD8+ T-Cells to monitor the impact of this interaction upon the system dynamics. We also analyze the mathematical model both in presence and absence of effectiveness of two drugs. We study the system analytically and numerically to comprehend the significance of effectiveness of the drugs, integrated in the model system. Here, we reduce the Keratinocyte population to restrict Psoriasis by applying the combination of two drugs and able to enlighten the perspective of the disease dynamics for Psoriasis

Effect of CD4+ T-Cells and CD8+ T-Cells on Psoriasis: a mathematical study

Paper presented at the 3rd Strathmore International Mathematics Conference (SIMC 2015), 3 - 7 August 2015, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya.Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that is differentiated by repeated occurrences of raised scaly and red skin plaques. It is generated through several applications of drugs, strains, physical wounds to the skin and also for infectivity. Psoriasis is identified by composite interactions of T-Cells, Dendritic Cells, Cytokines and downstream transcription factors (type 1 Cytokines network). The effects of T-Cells in dermal layer (CD4+ T-Cells) are well-studied in the disease dynamics of Psoriasis from mathematical as well as biological context. But the concept of T-Cells in epidermal layer (CD8+ T-Cells) for disease progression of Psori-asis has not yet been explored till now from mathematical avenue. Here we introduce both CD4+ and CD8+ T-Cell, Dendritic Cell and Keratinocyte population to notice the impact of them on immunopathogenic cell-biological mechanism of Psoriasis. Numerical simulation is also furnished to establish the analytical outcomes

Renewable energy biodiesel: a mathematical approach from ecology to production

Paper presented at the 3rd Strathmore International Mathematics Conference (SIMC 2015), 3 - 7 August 2015, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya.Biodiesel is one of promising renewable energy source and used as an alternative of conventional hydrocarbon fuels. Jatropha curcas plant oil (JCPO) is the most cost effective sources of biodiesel. The plant can be cultivated in wastelands and grows on almost any type of territory, even on sandy and saline soils. Judicious agricultural practices and effective crop management of Jatropha curcas is preliminary requisite to get maximum yield of oil. Production of biodiesel by transesterification of Jatropha oil significantly depends on four reaction parameters viz., reaction time, temperature, oil to alcohol molar ratio and stirrer speed. In this work, we have formulated a mathematical model of Jatropha curcas plant, which is affected by many type of pest with the aim to control the pest through Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV). Here we have also concentrated on insecticide spraying as controlling measure to reduce the pest, to get maximum yield of Jatropha seeds, which gives Jatropha oil. We have also shown the effect of different variants on mass transfer in biodiesel production from JC oil and how the control theoretic approach flags the maximum production of biodiesel under the mathematical paradigm. Our analytical results provide an idea of the cost effective faster rate of biodiesel production, which satisfies our numerical conclusions

Influence of gender and parental migration on IYCF practices in 6-23-month-old tribal children in Banswara district, India: findings from the cross-sectional PANChSHEEEL study

BACKGROUND: The interdisciplinary Participatory Approach for Nutrition in Children: Strengthening Health, Education, Engineering and Environment Linkages (PANChSHEEEL) study used a participatory approach to develop locally-feasible and tailored solutions to optimise Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices at an individual, household, community, and environmental level. This paper aims to evaluate the influence of gender; migration; and Health, Education, Engineering and Environmental (HEEE) factors on IYCF practices, with the primary outcomes being three key complementary-feeding practices of Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD), Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF) and Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 325 households with children aged 6-23 months was conducted in nine purposively selected villages in two blocks of Banswara district, Rajasthan, India. A survey tool was developed, translated into the local language, pre-tested, and administered in a gender-sensitive manner. Data-collection processes were standardized to ensure quality measures. Association of the primary outcome with 27 variables was tested using a Chi-square test (Mantel-Haenszel method); backward stepwise regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of effect modifiers (gender, parental migration). RESULTS: Half of the surveyed children were of each gender, and fathers from half of the households were found to have migrated within the previous year to search for additional income. Parental literacy ranged from 60 to 70%. More than half of the households had access to milk-producing animals. Consumption of each of the seven food groups, eggs (4.7% vs 0.7%; p < 0.02), MDD (10.5% vs 3.2%; p < 0.02) and MAD (9.4% vs 2.6%; p < 0.02) were higher for boys than for girls. After controlling for contextual factors, a male child was 4.1 times more likely to get a diet with MDD and 3.8 times more likely to get a diet with MAD. A child from a non-migrant household was 2.0-2.1 times more likely to get a diet with MDD and MAD as compared to a child from a migrant household. However, this association was not found to be statistically significant after regression. Presence of milk-producing animals in households and consumption of milk/milk products by children in the previous 24 h were the other two strong predictors of MDD and MAD, although access to animal milk in the house did not translate to an increase in consumption of milk/milk products by a child. CONCLUSION: Gender discrimination in diet diversity and complementary-feeding practices starts early in childhood with boys having a distinct advantage over girls. In the case of parental migration, further research is required to establish if it has an adverse impact on feeding practices. Emphasis needs to be given to gender issues and other contextual factors when developing strategies to optimise complementary feeding practices. TRIAL REGISTRATION: With UCL ethics [Ethics ID 4032/002] in United Kingdom and with Sigma IRB [10,025/IRB/D/17-18] in India

Role of schools in community mobilisation to improve IYCF practices in 6-24-month-old tribal children in the Banswara district, India: findings from the qualitative PANChSHEEEL study

OBJECTIVE: India has been struggling with infant malnutrition for decades. There is a need to identify suitable platforms for community engagement to promote locally feasible, resource efficient Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) interventions. This study aims to explore if and how schools could represent a site for community engagement in rural India, acting as innovation hubs to foster positive change in partnership with the Angawadi centres. DESIGN: Five-phase formative study; A parallel mixed methods approach structured by a socioecological framework was used for data collection at individual, household and community levels. This paper focuses on the qualitative findings. SETTING: This study was undertaken in nine villages within two blocks, 'Ghatol' and 'Kushalgarh', in the Banswara district of Rajasthan, India. PARTICIPANTS: 17 schools were identified. Interviews were conducted with local opinion leaders and representatives in the education sector, including principals, schoolteachers, block and district education officers. Across the nine study villages, information was gathered from 67 mothers, 58 paternal grandmothers using Focus Discussion Groups (FDGs) and 49 key respondents in Key Informant Interviews. RESULTS: Schools were considered an important community resource. Challenges included limited parental participation and student absenteeism; however, several drivers and opportunities were identified, which may render schools a suitable intervention delivery site. Enrolment rates were high, with schools and associated staff encouraging parental involvement and student attendance. Existing initiatives, including the mid-day meal, play opportunities and education on health and hygiene, further highlight the potential reliability of schools as a platform for community mobilisation. CONCLUSIONS: Schools have been shown to be functional platforms frequently visited and trusted by community members. With teachers and children as change agents, schools could represent a suitable setting for community mobilisation in future wider scale intervention studies. Expanding the supportive environment around schools will be essential to reinforce healthy IYCF practices in the long term