Cryptographic Key generation using Sclera and Finger Print: Proposed Method

Need for information security and privacy is increasing in recent times. Cryptography is intended to ensure the secrecy and authenticity of the message. The long cryptographic keys are very difficult to remember also protecting its confidentiality is one of the major issues to be deal with. These problems can be solved by integrating Biometrics with cryptography. Since biometric identifiers are unique to individuals, they are more reliable in verifying and identifying than knowledge based methods. Biometrics based authentication systems are progressively acquiring more attention in the field of research. Conventional techniques depend upon biometric features like face, fingerprint, iris, voice etc. In this paper we propose a method for cryptographic key generation fusing Finger print and Sclera

Brown adipose tissue in the buccal fat pad during infancy.

BackgroundThe buccal fat pad (BFP) is an encapsulated mass of adipose tissue thought to enhance the sucking capabilities of the masticatory muscles during infancy. To date, no conclusive evidence has been provided as to the composition of the BFP in early postnatal life.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine whether the BFP of neonates and infants is primarily composed of white adipose tissue (WAT) or brown adipose tissue (BAT).Materials and methodsThe percentage of fat in the BFP in 32 full-term infants (16 boys and 16 girls), aged one day to 10.6 months, was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) determinations of fat fraction.ResultsBFP fat fraction increased with age (r = 0.67; P<.0001) and neonates had significantly lower values when compared to older infants; 72.6 ± 9.6 vs. 91.8 ± 2.4, P<.0001. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the age-dependent relationship persisted after accounting for gender, gestational age, and weight percentile (P = .001). Two subjects (aged one and six days) depicted a change in the MRI characteristics of the BFP from primarily BAT to WAT at follow-up examinations two to six weeks later, respectively. Histological post-mortem studies of a 3 day and 1.1 month old revealed predominantly BAT and WAT in the BFP, respectively.ConclusionThe BFP is primarily composed of BAT during the first weeks of life, but of WAT thereafter. Studies are needed to investigate the contributions of BAT in the BFP to infant feeding and how it is altered by postnatal nutrition

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Identification of Practical Pharmacology Skills Useful for Good Clinical Practice

Background: Awareness about animal ethics is increasing everywhere. This increased awareness coupled with strict regulations discouraging the use of animals for routine experiments have tied the hands of many pharmacologists. They are now forced to develop alternative experiments without using animals. At present, there is acute need to come out with more innovative and useful practical exercises for pharmacology practical sessions. In this background, the present study was undertaken to develop the much-needed alternative experiments. Aims and Objective: To identify new pharmacological practical skills useful for good clinical practice. Material and Methods: A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 110 doctors of different categories like house surgeons, postgraduate students, assistant professors and professors who are working in a tertiary care hospital. They were asked to give their suggestions regarding new pharmacology practical skills useful for good clinical practice. Statistical analysis: Responses of the participants to the questions asked were tabulated and analyzed. Suggestions given by them were listed out and studied. Results: Use of emergency drugs, dosage calculation, drugs used in pregnancy, case discussions and prescription writing exercises received a lot of support from the participants. Research methodology, cost calculation, animal experiments and interpretation of data of animal experiments did not receive support from the participants. Suggestions given by the participants regarding useful pharmacological skills belonged to the areas like therapeutics, safe use of drugs, recent advances, analysis of information given by the medical representatives and analyzing articles in journals for knowing the efficacy of drugs. Conclusion: Exercises relevant to the clinical practice, as identified in this study, can be introduced as practical pharmacology exercises. Steps are to be taken to highlight the importance of research methodology and pharmaco-economics to the undergraduates

Assessment of HIV-TB co-infection in newly diagnosed HIV positive patients and their correlation with CD4 and viral load

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) constitute a major burden of infectious diseases in India. TB is the most common opportunistic infection and a leading cause of death among HIV positive patients. This study was conducted to assess the HIV–TB co-infection in newly diagnosed HIV patients and correlate co-infection with CD4 and viral load (VL). Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out from January 2021 to June 2022 at ART center of a tertiary care hospital. Screening for TB was done by GeneXpert and Radiology. These patients were monitored for absolute CD4 count by flow cytometer and VL by Real time PCR. Results: Among 380 newly diagnosed HIV patients screened, 94 (24.70%) had HIV-TB coinfection. Of these, 42 (44.6%) were pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and 52 (55.3%) were extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) of 42 patients with PTB, 31 (73.80%) were microbiologically confirmed by GeneXpert whereas of 52 patients with EPTB, 33 (63.46%) were diagnosed clinically and radio-logically. Of 94 patients, only 55 patients could be followed up further at 6 months. Of 55 patients, 33 (60%) had CD4 count <350 cells/mm3 and 2 (3.6%) had baseline VL≥1000 copies/ml. 46.80% patients completed their anti-tubercular treatment. Conclusions: EPTB was more as compared to PTB. Co-infection was more with low CD4 counts. Hence, CD4 test can be used as a good immunological marker in co-infection. The study highlights the need of periodic screening of newly diagnosed HIV patients for TB and their monitoring for CD4 and VL

Food Consumption Pattern among School Going Children in a Rural Area of Kerala

A study was conducted to assess the socioeconomic details and food consumption pattern of school children in a rural community. A total of 100 children in the age group of 10-12 years in Ernakulam district of Kerala was selected using simple random sampling. Interview method with the help of structured and pretested schedule was used to collect the data. The frequency of consumption of different foods was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. The findings revealed high consumption of rice, milk & milk products, sugar & jaggery, fats & edible oils, medium consumption of vegetables & non vegetarian items, and low consumption of pulses, nuts, oil seeds & fruits. This indicates the poor socioeconomic status prevailing in the area under study.

Evaluation of vitamin D levels in term pregnancy and its obstetric outcome in Indian women

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is currently a global pandemic affecting all age groups. Vitamin D is considered a fundamental hormone in calcium homeostasis and bone health. Risk of vitamin D deficiency increases during pregnancy due to increased maternal and fetal demands and altered vitamin D metabolism. Recently, maternal vitamin D deficiency has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth. Adequate vitamin D status appears to be relevant to health at all ages, and even in prenatal life.Methods: This is a cross sectional, observational study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at R. L. Jalappa Hospital. A total number of 160 subjects were included. 5 ml of venous blood was collected and was centrifuged at 3000 rpm and stored at - 80°C till analysis. Analysis of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D was done using ELISA.Results: Majority of the subjects were vitamin D deficient (81.87%) and 12.5% were vitamin D insufficient and only 5.63% were vitamin D sufficient. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was more among primigravidas (85.6%) and was associated with higher rates of caesarean section (92.4%). High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was seen in lower middle socioeconomic class (62.5%). Maternal vitamin D deficiency was associated low birth weight of neonates (100%).Conclusions: In this study it was concluded that majority of subjects were vitamin D deficient and belonged to lower middle socioeconomic class. Majority of this subjects who underwent caesarean section were vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D deficiency was associated only with low birth weight of neonates and no other adverse obstetric outcome

COX-2 expression mediated by calcium-TonEBP signaling axis under hyperosmotic conditions serves osmoprotective function in nucleus pulposus cells.

The nucleus pulposus (NP) of intervertebral discs experiences dynamic changes in tissue osmolarity because of diurnal loading of the spine. TonEBP/NFAT5 is a transcription factor that is critical in osmoregulation as well as survival of NP cells in the hyperosmotic milieu. The goal of this study was to investigate whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is osmoresponsive and dependent on TonEBP, and whether it serves an osmoprotective role. NP cells up-regulated COX-2 expression in hyperosmotic media. The induction of COX-2 depended on elevation of intracellular calcium levels and p38 MAPK pathway, but independent of calcineurin signaling as well as MEK/ERK and JNK pathways. Under hyperosmotic conditions, both COX-2 mRNA stability and its proximal promoter activity were increased. The proximal COX-2 promoter (-1840/+123 bp) contained predicted binding sites for TonEBP, AP-1, NF-κB, and C/EBP-β. While COX-2 promoter activity was positively regulated by both AP-1 and NF-κB, AP-1 had no effect and NF-κB negatively regulated COX-2 protein levels under hyperosmotic conditions. On the other hand, TonEBP was necessary for both COX-2 promoter activity and protein up-regulation in response to hyperosmotic stimuli

Hyperuricemia as a risk factor for increase severity of coronary vessel occlusion disease: a cross-sectional study in North Indian population

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death worldwide. The present study was conducted to study uric acid as a potential biomarker in predicting the severity of CVD in terms of vessel involvement.Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted at Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Tahirpur, Delhi. A total of 52 consecutive male and female patients age between 30 to 70 years was included in this study. Written informed consent was obtained from all the enrolled patients. Automated analysers were used for the analysis of blood glucose, lipid profile and serum uric acid level. IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 20.0, IBM SPSS, IL, USA) was used for the statistical analyses.Results: In this study, a total of 52 consecutive patients were divided into three groups; single-vessel disease (n=19), double vessel disease (n=19) and triple vessel disease (n=14). Biochemical profile of all the groups was calculated. A group of triple vessel disease patients showing higher amount (164±42 mg/dl) of cholesterol level as compared to the other two groups (157±34 mg/dl). The mean level of serum uric acid levels significantly differed and its mean levels increases as the severity of vessel diseases increases. The receiver operating characteristic curve shows the uric level has 71% sensitivity and 52.5% specificity for detecting the severity of coronary vessel disease.Conclusions: This study demonstrated an increased serum uric acid levels were associated with increased severity of vessel disease, and serum uric acid is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease

Association of Insurance Expansion With Surgical Management of Thyroid Cancer

Importance: To our knowledge, thyroid cancer incidence is increasing faster than any other cancer type and is currently the fifth most common cancer among women. While this rise is likely multifactorial, there has been scarce consideration of the effect of insurance statuses on the treatment of thyroid cancer. Objective: We evaluate the association of insurance expansion with thyroid cancer treatment using the 2006 Massachusetts health reform, which serves as a unique natural experiment. Design, Setting, and Participants: We used the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality State Inpatient Databases to identify patients with government-subsidized or self-pay insurance or private insurance who were admitted to a hospital with thyroid cancer and underwent a thyroidectomy between 2001 and 2011 in Massachusetts (n = 8534) and 3 control states (n = 48 047). Difference-in-differences models were used to evaluate an association between the 2006 Massachusetts health care reform and thyroid cancer treatment, and participants were controlled for age, sex, comorbidities, and secular trends. Main Outcomes and Measures: Change in the thyroidectomy rate for thyroid cancer treatment was the primary outcome evaluated. Results: The Massachusetts cohort consisted of 6443 women (75.5%) and 2091 men (24.5%), of whom 6388 (79.6%) were white, 391 (4.9%) were black, 527 (6.6%) were Hispanic, 424 (5.3%) were Asian/Pacific Islander, 63 (0.8%) were Native American, and 228 (2.8%) were other. The participants from control states included 36 818 women (76.6%) and 11 229 men (23.4%), of whom 30 432 (65.5%) were white, 3818 (8.2%) were black, 6462 (13.9%) were Hispanic, 2591 (5.6%) were Asian/Pacific Islander, 211 (0.5%) were Native American, and 2947 (6.3%) were other. Before the 2006 Massachusetts insurance expansion, patients with government-subsidized or self-pay insurance had lower thyroidectomy rates for thyroid cancer in Massachusetts and the control states compared with patients with private insurance. The Massachusetts insurance expansion was associated with a 26% increased rate of undergoing a thyroidectomy (incident rate ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.04-1.52; P = .02) and a 22% increased rate of neck dissection (incident rate ratio, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.07-1.37; P = .002) for treating cancer compared with control states. Conclusions and Relevance: The 2006 Massachusetts health reform, which is a model for the Affordable Care Act, was associated with a 26% increased rate of thyroidectomy for treating thyroid cancer. Our study suggests that insurance expansion may be associated with increased access to the surgical management of thyroid cancer. Further studies need to be conducted to evaluate the effect of healthcare expansion at a national level

DEVELOPMENT AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF NANOLIPID CARRIERS OF CLOBETASOL PROPIONATE AND PRAMOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE FOR TOPICAL DELIVERY

Objective: Formulation and characterization of clobetasol propionate (CP) and pramoxine hydrochloride (PH) loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) offering improved performance in terms of drug loading and long-term stability for topical drug delivery. Methods: Drug-loaded NLC formulation was designed by melt-emulsification ultrasonication technique, by fluctuating the concentration of stearic acid and oleic acid. Poloxamer F68 and tween 80 were used as surfactants in the formulation and soya lecithin was used as stabilizer and co-surfactant. Differential scanning calorimetry (DLS), scanning electron microscopic studies (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD), are the techniques used to characterize the preparations. Optimized drug-loaded formulations were evaluated for particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, hemocompatibility assay and cytotoxicity screening. Results: For drug loaded formulation the particle size was found in nanometric range. In vitro drug release was carried out using dialysis membrane and drug release after 24h was found to be 90.98 %±1.89 for CP and 79.81 %±4.20 for PH. Conclusion: The formulated NLC is a potential approach for sustained release of drug which may reduce systemic side effects, increase skin retention time and duration of action. Further in vivo studies will confirm the effect of NLC to increase skin retention time, decreases systemic absorption of the corticosteroid thereby avoiding side effects