Comparative evaluation of adherence to antiretroviral therapy

Background: While treating  patients with HIV infection it is important to achieve more than 95% compliance to ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) in order to suppress viral replication.Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, record based study of HIV positive patients undergoing treatment with ZLN (zidovudine 300 mg, lamivudine 150 mg, nevirapine 200 mg) and TLE ( tenofovir 300 mg, lamivudine 150 mg, efavirenz 600 mg) regimens. The treatment charts of the patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were reviewed.Results: Analysis of adherence showed that there were 12 patients out of 150 on ZLN regimen and 31 patients out of 150 on TLE regimen were nonadherent to the respective treatments.Conclusions: In this observational study patients on ZLN regimen were showing greater compliance than TLE regimen

A Study of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Environment

Today's culture has made sexual harassment both a hobby and a major issue. When women experience sexual harassment on the job, it compromises their fundamental rights to equality under articles 14 and 15 of India's Constitution, as well as her right to life and to live with dignity under article 21 of the Constitution, and her right to exercise and career or to hold on any occupation, exchange, or business with, which includes a right to a secure environment free from sexual harassment. We will use Vishaka and others as the point of origin of the sexual harassment. The case of V U.O.I. 1997 deals with the problem of sexual harassment of women in the workplace. It is a landmark judgment cases within side the records of sexual harassment which as being determined through preferred court. Sexual harassment is a hassle giving bad impact on each women and men is not unusual place everywhere. Every 2nd and each minute they're being stressed. Especially girls in India are taken into consideration as the second one grade citizens. They are violated, exploited and confused by and large at workplaces. Sexual harassment is a severe hassle within side the place of work. The look at analyzes the sexual harassment of girls in popular and in particular. The observe additionally complements the techniques for the safety of ladies from sexual harassment on the place of job

Enhancement of lipase production by ethyl methane sulfonate mutagenesis of soil fungal isolate

Strain improvement through random mutagenesis is an extremely developed practice and it plays an important role in the economic growth of microbial agitation processes. The present study comprises of genetic improvement of fungus isolated from petrol pump soil by ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis for increased production of extracellular lipase. Random mutagenesis was performed by incubating the spore suspension of fungus with EMS at a concentration of 5% (v/v) and 8% (v/v) for 30, 60 and 90 min, respectively. Control set was prepared by incubating the spore suspension with sterile distilled water. Control plate showed maximum number of fungal colonies whereas number of colonies was decreased as we increased exposure time of EMS from 30 to 90 min. The lipase activity of six mutagenic strains and wild strain was determined under submerged fermentation and solid state fermentation. Treated culture named as EMS5%-60min (obtained after 60 min exposure with 5% EMS) exhibited maximum activity (32.09 ± 1.84 IU/ml/min) in SmF as compared to wild strain (8.77 ± 3.52 IU/ml/min) and another treated strain named as EMS8%-90min (obtained after 90 min exposure with 8% EMS) exhibited maximum activity (7.99 ± 0.12 IU/g/min) in SSF as compared to wild strain (1.77 ± 0.71 IU/g/min). The activity of mutagenic strain i.e. EMS5%-60min was increased to 365.90% as compared to 100% activity of wild strain in SmF whereas activity of another mutagenic strain i.e. EMS8%-90min was increased to 451.41% as compared to 100% activity of wild strain in SSF

Diagnostic aid in Ayurveda - Nadi Pariksha

Nadi Pariksha is the ancient art and science of detecting the existing status of a person’s body, mind, soul and spirit. It is used as diagnostic, prognostic tool and determine the Prakruti (body constitution), Vikruti, status of Dosha in each organ and effect on Dhatus, Manas and Sukshma Sharir. It is a noninvasive science that helps to reach root cause of disease and not just the symptoms. There are very few ancient texts which have been completely dedicated to the above topic. Concept of Nadi Pariksha found in various ancient Ayurved Samhitas like, Bhavprakash, Sharangdhar Samhita, Yogratnakara, Nadi Pariksha by Ravansamhita, Nadivigyan by Kanad. Pulse diagnosis was initially identified in the books of Sharangdhar Samhita in the 13th century highlighting the correlation between Nadi and Tridosha. Later, in the 16th century it was again mentioned in ‘Bhavprakash’ scripted by Shri Bhav Mishrji. However, Nadi Pariksha gained its significance during the 17th century in Yogratnakara through 48 shlokas, detailing the science of Nadi. The examinations of Nadi Pariksha (Pulse examination) are evidence of many diseases as per Yogratnakara. In Charaka and Sushruta Samhita information about Nadi is not found separately. Nadi Parikshan requires expertise who has long experience and skill of reading the pulses for any disease diagnosis. They were popular diagnostic tools in the past but nowadays not specifically used, so there is need to re-establish their results so that they can be used in future. Several problems that remain undiagnosed even with the aid of sophisticated diagnostic tests can be accurately judged by examining the pulse

Comparison of effects of benidipine and amlodipine on clinical and biochemical parameters in hypertensive patients: an observational study

Background: Hypertension is a widespread public health problem and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, dilates arterioles by blocking L-type calcium channels. Benidipine inhibits L, N, and T type calcium channels. We compared the efficacy of Amlodipine and benidipine on blood pressure, pulse rate, proteinuria and lipid profile in hypertensive patients.Methods: The study was an observational, prospective, open label comparison. Eligible hypertensives were given either amlodipine (5mg/d) or benidipine (4mg/d). Clinical features and laboratory parameters were recorded initially and after 3 months. Adverse events were recorded with the help of a questionnaire. Compliance was assessed by return pill count.Results: Out of 35 patients, recruited for study, 16 received amlodipine and 17 were treated with benidipine and two were lost during follow up. Both the groups were well matched in terms of age, body weight, clinical findings and laboratory values. Both the drugs significantly (P <0.05) reduced systolic (142±16 to 138±15 vs.148±16 to 134±14mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (81±9 to 79±7). In the Amlodipine group the pulse rate after treatment tended to be higher than before (70±9 to 72±10bpm). In the Benidipine group there was decrease in pulse-rate after treatment (69±9 to 67±9). Unlike Amlodipine, Benidipine significantly (P<0.05) decreased urinary protein excretion (1.0±1.2 to 1.1±1.4 vs. 1.4±2.5 to 1.1±1.7g/g-Cr) and serum triglycerides (125±25 to 120±23 vs 130±26 to 115±21mg/dl).Conclusions: In this study, amlodipine and benidipine were found to be be equally effective anti-hypertensive in patients with stage 1 hypertension. However, there was significant reduction in proteinuria and serum triglycerides in Benidipine group as compared to Amlodipine group. Benidipine may be a better alternative to existing calcium channel blockers

Novel Topical Drug Delivery Systems in Ophthalmic Applications

The eye is the utmost attention-grabbing organ owed to its drug disposition characteristics. Generally, topical application (90% are eye drops) is the method of choice because of its patient compliance and safety. Transcorneal penetration is the major route for ophthalmic drug absorption. However, corneal absorption has been observed to be slower process as compared to elimination. Therefore, conventional dosage forms are associated with rapid precorneal drug loss. Thus, to improve ocular drug bioavailability, there is a substantial effort directed toward the development of novel topical drug delivery systems for ophthalmic administration. These novel delivery systems (Contact lenses, In situ gels, Microemulsions, Niosomes, Liposomes, Implants, Microspheres, and Micelles) provide the controlled release behaviour for treating the chronic ailments, and help patients and doctors to curtail the dosing frequency and invasive method of treatment. Hence, the current chapter discusses the progress of novel topical ocular drug delivery systems in the pharmaceutical industry

RECOGNITION AND TRACKING MOVING OBJECTS USING MOVING CAMERA IN COMPLEX SCENES

ABSTRAC

Early Biomarkers and Intervention Programs for the Infant Exposed to Prenatal Stress

Functional development of affective and reward circuits, cognition and response inhibition later in life exhibits vulnerability periods during gestation and early childhood. Extensive evidence supports the model that exposure to stressors in the gestational period and early postnatal life increases an individual's susceptibility to future impairments of functional development. Recent versions of this model integrate epigenetic mechanisms of the developmental response. Their understanding will guide the future treatment of the associated neuropsychiatric disorders. A combination of non-invasively obtainable physiological signals and epigenetic biomarkers related to the principal systems of the stress response, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary axis (HPA) and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), are emerging as the key predictors of neurodevelopmental outcomes. Such electrophysiological and epigenetic biomarkers can prove to timely identify children benefiting most from early intervention programs. Such programs should ameliorate future disorders in otherwise apparently healthy children. The recently developed Early Family-Centered Intervention Programs aim to influence the care and stimuli provided daily by the family and improving parent/child attachment, a key element for healthy socio-emotional adult life. Although frequently underestimated, such biomarker-guided early intervention strategy represents a crucial first step in the prevention of future neuropsychiatric problems and in reducing their personal and societal impact.Comment: 18 pages-Revie

Size, composition and distribution of human resource for health in India: new estimates using National Sample Survey and Registry data

Objectives We provide new estimates on size, composition and distribution of human resource for health in India and compare with the health workers population ratio as recommended by the WHO. We also estimate size of non-health workers engaged in health sector and the size of technically qualified health professionals who are not a part of the health workforce. Design Nationally representative cross-section household survey and review of published documents by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence. Setting National Participants Head of household/key informant in a sample of 101 724 households. Interventions Not applicable. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was the number and density of health workers,and the secondary outcome was the percentage of health workers who are technically qualified and the percentage of individuals technically qualified and not in workforce. Results The total size of health workforce estimated from the National Sample Survey (NSS) data is 3.8 million as of January 2016, which is about 1.2 million less than the total number of health professionals registered with different councils and associations. The density of doctors and nurses and midwives per 10 000 population is 20.6 according to the NSS and 26.7 based on the registry data. Health workforce density in rural India and states in eastern India is lower than the WHO minimum threshold of 22.8 per 10 000 population. More than 80% of doctors and 70% of nurses and midwives are employed in the private sector. Approximately 25% of the currently working health professionals do not have the required qualifications as laid down by professional councils, while 20% of adequately qualified doctors are not in the current workforce. Conclusions Distribution and qualification of health professionals are serious problems in India when compared with the overall size of the health workers. Policy should focus on enhancing the quality of health workers and mainstreaming professionally qualified persons into the health workforce