Limited Options to Manage Specialty Drug Spending

Outlines rising trends in costs of and spending on specialty drugs; health plans' efforts to curb specialty drug spending, including patient cost sharing and utilization management; and efforts to integrate medical and pharmaceutical coverage

Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance: Down, But Not Out

Presents findings from twelve metropolitan areas about employers' efforts to control employee healthcare costs in response to the recession and national healthcare reform by firm size. Projects employer trends through 2014, including greater cost sharing

DRUG pKa VALUE PREDICTION – FROM COMPRESSED GRAPH

Objective: Topological indices are interesting since they capture some of the properties of a molecule in a single number. pKa value indicates the strength of the acid in each molecule of the chemical compounds or drugs. The objective of this research was to predict the pKa value of drugs using graph theory. Method: In this paper, we use a graph property eccentricity and the regression, a statistical model to predict the value of pKa by compressing the hexagonal system of the graph structure of drugs which reduces the calculation of eccentricity. Results: pKa value of the new medicine can be determined using regression analysis by fitting in a linear equation of a straight line. Conclusion: The results obtained in this research work clearly indicated that we found out the pKa value of local anesthesia which has similar structures. Further, we can use this method for other physicochemical properties such as boiling point, melting point, and vapor pressure by compressing the drug graph

Isolation, purification, characterization and applications of serine protease from Bacillus megaterium

Bacillus megaterium isolated from poultry farm soil was identified by standard biochemical tests and screened for the production of serine protease. Production of serine protease was done using 5 different medias by varying the type of amino acid added. The purification was done by salt precipitation, dialysis and DEAEcellulose ion exchange chromatography. The proline containing media obtained the highest fold purification out of the five different medias (leucine, lysine, proline, tryptophan and methionine cotaining media). The enzyme showedan optimal activity at the temperature 37°C and the pH 6 which are known as its optimum temperature and pH respectively. The enzyme was proved as a Mn2+ dependent serine protease as it was activated by Mn2+ ions and inhibited by PMSF. The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined by SDS-PAGE technique as around 30kDa. It showed an excellent detergent activity on the blood stains and a very good stability in presence of locally available detrgents. The enzyme acted on the keratin protein of the chicken feather and showed a degrading capacity on the protein. So it was proved that the recently studied serine protease has a keratinase activity also. From these datas I conclude that the protease isolated from Bacillus megaterium is a Mn2+ dependent serine protease which has both keratinase and detergent activity

Super-Resolution Overlay in Multi-Projector Displays

A technique, associated system and computer executable program code, for projecting a superimposed image onto a target display surface under observation of one or more cameras. A projective relationship between each projector being used and the target display surface is determined using a suitable calibration technique. A component image for each projector is then estimated using the information from the calibration, and represented in the frequency domain. Each component image is estimated by: Using the projective relationship, determine a set of sub-sampled, regionally shifted images, represented in the frequency domain; each component image is then composed of a respective set of the sub-sampled, regionally shifted images. In an optimization step, the difference between a sum of the component images and a frequency domain representation of a target image is minimized to produce a second, or subsequent, component image for each projector

An Optimization Model for Secure Sharing of Visual Cryptographic Images Generated by Using arbitrary Pixel Stereogram

Visual cryptography schemes (VCSs) are the methods to provide data security in network systems by generating random and non meaningful shares of a original image under consideration. There occurs a problem of transmission loss and also the possibility of the intruder attack when the shares are passed within the same network. Previous research have focused on hiding the shares in halftone images but the possible risks they lead to are pixel expansion problems and degradation in the quality of the resultant images. Hence a binocular VCS (BVCS) and an encryption algorithm are proposed to hide the shared pixels in the single image random dot stereogram’s (SIRDSs) along with the different modes of transmission for the generated possible shares. Since the SIRDSs have the same 2D appearance as the conventional shares of a VCS, this paper tries to use SIRDSs as cover images of the shares of VCSs to reduce the transmission risk of the shares. The encryption algorithm used may modify the random dots in SIRDS’s to equalize the quality of the resultant image. This process is done using the construction rule of BVCS. Altering the dots may also have a impact on the pixel quality and hence an optimization model based on the quality requirement is used. Finally the shares are passed to the recipients over varied networks DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.150314

ANALYSIS OF THE PHYTOCHEMICALS, ANTIOXIDANTS, AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF FICUS TSJAHELA BURM. F LEAF, BARK, AND FRUIT EXTRACTS

Objective: Ficus tsjahela Burm. f is a medicinal tree species, endemic to the Western Ghats having various healing properties. This study focused to check the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the leaf, bark, and fruit samples of F. tsjahela. Methods: The plant samples were subjected to Soxhlet extraction for phytochemical analysis and further experimental studies. The test on phytochemical studies indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, and flavonol glycosides within the plant parts, respectively. The estimation of alkaloids, saponins, in vitro antioxidant, and antibacterial activities revealed that the methanol bark extracts have high activity compared to others. Results: Total alkaloid and saponin content was found to be high in leaf methanol extract was 996.17 mg/g quinine equivalent/g and 957.3 mg/g diosgenin equivalent/g, respectively. In vitro antioxidant assays revealed a strong radical scavenging potential of the methanol bark extract against stable (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)), phosphomolybdenum, and superoxide radicals. Agar well diffusion method has been used to determine the antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Acetobacter aceti, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Conclusion: The bark methanol extract of F. tsjahela has exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity and significant antibacterial activity (p<0.05) against all tested bacterial strains observed

ASSESSMENT OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF SARCOSTEMMA BRUNONIANUM WIGHT AND ARN

Objective: Sarcostemma brunonianum Wight and Arn is a potential medicinal plant belonging to Asclepiadaceae. Bioactive constituents of the plant support the application of treating various ailments in the traditional system of medicine. The study aims to determine the presence of various phytoconstituents in stem, root, and flowers. Methods: Hot percolation method was carried out to obtain crude extracts using different solvent systems from low polar-high polar solvents ranging from petroleum ether, chloroform, (mid-polar) ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Estimation of total phenols, tannins and In vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated for the determination of potential pharmaceutical drugs. Results: The results revealed the presence of some phytoconstituents such as phenols, tannins, glycosides, gums and mucilages. Ascorbic acid, BSA, Rutin and Gallic acid were used as the reference standard. The total phenolic content was found to be high in stem methanol extract 440.84±69.99 mg/g Gallic acid equivalent, whereas the tannin content was 291.78±4.68 mg/g GAE. The result proves that the S. brunonianum stem methanol extract possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities when compared to reference standards. In vitro, Nitric oxide scavenging activity of stem showed a maximum % of inhibition in methanol stem extract (24.39µg/ml) and anti-inflammatory activity maximum inhibition was found to be (55.56 %) in stem methanol and flower(53.62 %). The IC50 (concentration required for 50% inhibition) was also calculated for the DPPH radical model. Conclusion: This study results proclaims and justifies the role of folklore medicinal plant S. brunonianum in the treatment of inflammatory-related ailments and can be recommended for an effective drug

Role of regular yoga practice in improvement of various pulmonary parameters in first year medical students

Background: tress at any stage of life virtually produces several respiratory limitations and reduces tolerance to physical efforts, sometimes leading to pulmonary diseases in individuals. Various yoga and Pranayama like Kapalbhati and Nadi-sodhan involves powerful strokes of exhalation, which trains the subject to make full use of diaphragm and abdominal muscles.Methods: This study is performed on 1st yr. medical students whose stress level is in higher side due to academic burden. 55 medical students were selected as participants through counseling and were divided into Yoga group (n= 27) and control group (n=28). Pulmonary functions of subjects were tested using Pony FX advanced desktop spirometer manufactured by Cosmed. Yoga is performed 1 hr/day for 6 days /week for 12 weeks by yoga group.Results: Pulmonary functions tested in Yoga and control group were FVC, FEV1, PEF and FVC/FEV1. There were significant improvements in pulmonary functions in yoga group. In Yoga group (FVC- 5.8% increases, FEV1- 5.2% increase, PEF- 34% increase and FVC/FEV1- 3.15% increase). In control group also, all parameters increased but P value was not significant.Conclusions: This study concludes that practicing Yoga has shown a significant improvement on pulmonary functions in 1st year medical students

Maternal and perinatal outcome in abruption placenta in tertiary care center: a record based case series study

Background: Abruptio placenta is premature separation of the normally implanted placenta before delivery. It is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and neonatal morbidity and mortality, more so because of the difficulty to predict the acute event. It occurs in approximately one in 80 deliveries and remains a significant cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Objective of the study was to study maternal and perinatal outcome in cases of abruption. Methods: 42 cases of pregnant women who presented with abruption placenta to HSK hospital and Research Centre, S. Nijalingappa Medical College, a tertiary care centre at Bagalkot, from January 2022 to December 2022. Maternal and perinatal characteristics were retrieved from the case papers. Results: Among 42 cases of abruption 70% delivered vaginally and 30% underwent caesarean section. 84% had preterm delivery. 66% were still born. 21% were case of severe anaemia and required blood transfusion. 1 had maternal mortality. Conclusions: The availability of advanced emergency obstetric care across greater number of referral hospitals has been responsible for decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with many obstetric conditions. However, the challenge with abruptio placenta is the difficulty of predicting this condition, and hence appropriate management. As of now, early referral to tertiary care centres, better availability of blood and blood products and early interventions have the potential to limit adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Research regarding predictors of placental abruption can help in improving maternal and perinatal outcome.