Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Chronic Lung Disease in Children and Adolescents in Zimbabwe: Chest Radiographic and High-Resolution Computed Tomographic Findings.

Background: Chronic respiratory symptoms are common among children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We investigated the radiological features of chronic lung disease in children aged 6-16 years receiving antiretroviral therapy for ≥6 months in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methods: Consecutive participants from a HIV clinic underwent clinical assessment and chest radiography. Participants with an abnormal chest radiograph (assessed by a clinician) and/or those meeting a clinical case definition for chronic lung disease underwent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Radiological studies were scored independently and blindly by 2 thoracic radiologists. Relationships between radiological abnormalities and lung function were examined. Results: Among 193 participants (46% female; median age, 11.2 years; interquartile range, 9.0-12.8 years), the median CD4 cell count was 720/µL (473-947/µL), and 79% had a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) load of <400 copies/mL. The most common chest radiographic finding was ring/tramline opacities (55 of 193 participants; 29%). HRCT scans were evaluated in 84 participants (69%); decreased attenuation (present in 43%) was the dominant abnormality seen. The extent of decreased attenuation was strongly correlated with both the severity and extent of bronchiectasis (rs = 0.68 and P < .001 for both). The extent of decreased attenuation was also negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in first second of expiration (rs = -0.52), forced vital capacity (rs = -0.42), and forced expiratory flow, midexpiratory phase (rs = -0.42) (P < .001 for all). Conclusions: The HRCT findings strongly suggest that obliterative bronchiolitis may be the major cause of chronic lung disease in our cohort. Further studies to understand the pathogenesis and natural history are urgently needed

Evaluation of Anticonvulsant and Analgesic properties of Ethanolic extract of Elettaria cardamomum Seeds in Wistar Albino rats

BACKGROUND : Central and peripheral oxidative stress are important factors implicated in the pathogenesis of convulsions and pain respectively. Antioxidant potential of Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom) seeds has been proven by several studies. Phytochemical analysis of cardamom seeds have revealed the presence of phenolic compounds like flavonoids and tannins which are effective hydrogen donors capable of reducing oxidative stress. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : To evaluate the anticonvulsant and analgesic properties of ethanolic extract of Elettaria cardamomum seeds in Wistar albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS : A total of 72 healthy Wistar albino rats (180-250 g) of either sex were included in the study and divided into 12 groups consisting of 6 animals each. The ethanolic extract of Elettaria cardamomum seeds was prepared using cold maceration method and was tested at two graded doses (200 mg/kg BW and 400 mg/kg BW) given orally. Anticonvulsant property was evaluated using Maximal Electroshock [MES] model (standard - Phenytoin 10 mg/kg BW; i.p.) and Pentelenetetrazole [PTZ] model (standard - Sodium valproate 400 mg/kg BW i.p.). Analgesic property was evaluated using tail warm water immersion method and writing test (standard - Morphine 5 mg/kg BW i.p.). The results were expressed as Mean±SD. Statistical significance among study groups were carried out by using SPSS-16.0 version software, by applying One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet's post hoc test. RESULTS : The ethanolic extract of cardamom seeds showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mean scores of MES induced seizures at 400 mg/kg BW. 100% protection against Tonic Hind Limb Extension (THLE) was shown by both graded doses of the test drug. The onset of PTZ induced convulsions were delayed and the severity, number and scores of seizures were significantly reduced by cardamom extract at 400 mg/kg BW. At 400 mg/kg BW, there was a significant increase in the reaction time in tail warm water immersion test. There was also significant reduction in total number of writhes and the and the percentage inhibition of writhes [90.28%] was comparable to the standard drugs. CONCLUSION : The ethanolic extract of Elettaria cardamomum seeds possess significant anticonvulsant and analgesic properties in Wistar albino rats at the dose of 400 mg/kg BW

Axi-Higgs portal Dark Matter via Wess-Zumino mechanism

We study the axion portal between the visible and the dark sector, where the Dark Matter is charged under a simple abelian extension of the Standard Model. In general, such models are anomalous and are rendered gauge invariant by a St\"ukelberg axion through Wess-Zumino/Green-Schwarz mechanism. This axion mixes with other Goldstone bosons in the model to give a physical axi-Higgs which becomes massive upon breaking the anomalous gauge group. Such axi-Higgs fields charged under the anomalous symmetry act as mediators for the Dark Matter annihilation to Standard Model particles and can lead to an efficient freeze-out mechanism. Here, we show that the St{\"u}kelberg axion and the resultant axi-Higgs, with its appropriate shift symmetry cancels the quantum anomalies and also generate the observed relic density for the Dark Matter. Moreover, we show that the relevant parameter space in our model, where photon production dominates, is safe from FermiLAT, Cherenkov Telescope Array, and H.E.S.S. indirect detection experiments.Comment: 17 pages, 8 figure

The Impact of Homogeneous Versus Heterogeneous Emphysema on Dynamic Hyperinflation in Patients With Severe COPD Assessed for Lung Volume Reduction

Dynamic hyperinflation (DH) is a pathophysiologic hallmark of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of emphysema distribution on DH during a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in patients with severe COPD. This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data among severe COPD patients who underwent thoracic high-resolution computed tomography, full lung function measurements and maximal CPET with inspiratory manouvers as assessment for a lung volume reduction procedure. ΔIC was calculated by subtracting the end-exercise inspiratory capacity (eIC) from resting IC (rIC) and expressed as a percentage of rIC (ΔIC %). Emphysema quantification was conducted at 3 predefined levels using the syngo PULMO-CT (Siemens AG); a difference >25% between best and worse slice was defined as heterogeneous emphysema. Fifty patients with heterogeneous (62.7% male; 60.9 ± 7.5 years old; FEV(1)% = 32.4 ± 11.4) and 14 with homogeneous emphysema (61.5% male; 62.5 ± 5.9 years old; FEV(1)% = 28.1 ± 10.3) fulfilled the enrolment criteria. The groups were matched for all baseline variables. ΔIC% was significantly higher in homogeneous emphysema (39.8% ± 9.8% vs.31.2% ± 13%, p = 0.031), while no other CPET parameter differed between the groups. Upper lobe predominance of emphysema correlated positively with peak oxygen pulse, peak oxygen uptake and peak respiratory rate, and negatively with ΔIC%. Homogeneous emphysema is associated with more DH during maximum exercise in COPD patients

Implementation of the IWA River Water Quality Model no. 1 in US EPA WASP 5.0

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2002.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-94).by Arjun Ayillath Nair.M.Eng

NOVASOME: A PIONEERING ADVANCEMENTIN VESICULAR DRUG DELIVERY

Pharmaceutical research has developed various new types of innovative forms of drug delivery. Advancement in current drug delivery methods has led to the development of numerous new revolutionary technologies that support safe and efficient formulations over existing ones. Novasome technology is one of the latest liposome developments that have overcome many of the liposomal drug delivery system-related problems. This provides a seven bilayer membrane which is capable of absorbing water-soluble as well as insoluble drugs. The improved efficiency of entrapping drugs with good encapsulation features enables better frequency of dosing, which can be accomplished through the high shear system. These find their applications in diverse fields such as cosmetics, chemicals, personal care, food, pharmacy, and agrochemicals. Several products have already been launched into the market using this technology with an additional launch plan. Due to its depth of penetration, novasomes have been one of the most popular derma cosmetics. It is being studied continuously to obtain improved release characteristics. The prospect of drug delivery and targeting using novasomes is an important area of research and development. This review pinpoints the various aspect of the novasome and will be a milestone for the researchers in the area of drug delivery

FAST DISSOLVING SUBLINGUAL PATCH OF PHENOBARBITAL SODIUM: FORMULATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION

Objective: To formulate and characterize. Phenobarbital sodium loaded sublingual patch using biodegradable, mucoadhesive, fast-dissolving natural polymer pullulan for immediate management of epileptic seizures. Methods: Phenobarbital sodium loaded sublingual patches were prepared by the solvent casting method and were subjected to various physicochemical evaluation parameters to find the optimized sublingual patch. The&nbsp;in vitro&nbsp;drug release study and&nbsp;kinetic model of the optimized formulation was also carried out. The stability study of the optimized Phenobarbital sodium loaded sublingual patch was also done. Results: From in vitro drug release study, it was found that Phenobarbital sodium loaded sublingual patch (S4) exhibited a maximum drug release of 96.24±1.27% at the end of 60 min compared to other formulations indicating a faster drug release from the formulation with release kinetics as Higuchi diffusion model. In fact, a notable release data was obtained between 0.5 to 8 min by all formulations, specifically S4 formulation (20.84±1.97% and 77.22±2.41% drug release at the end of 0.5 min and 8 min respectively) showed a better percentage release profile in comparison with other formulations. Such a trend is vital to deliver the drug at a faster rate to promote immediate effect for managing the fatal and complicated seizure. Considering the physicochemical property and in vitro drug release data, S4 formulation was regarded as an optimized one. The stability study also confirmed that S4 formulation is stable at refrigeration conditions. Conclusion: The formulated Phenobarbital sodium loaded sublingual patch is an effective drug delivery carrier which enables faster drug release to manage epileptic seizure

Operative planning in Thoracic Surgery:A pilot study comparing imaging techniques and 3D printing

Background Careful preoperative planning in thoracic surgery is essential for positive outcomes especially in video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) where palpation and 3-dimensional imaging is restricted. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of different imaging techniques such as Computerized Tomography (CT) scanning, maximal intensity projection (MIP) imaging, 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction as well as 3D printing, to define the anatomy of the hilar structures prior to anatomical lung resection. Methods All patients undergoing elective lung resections by VATS for cancer under a single surgeon were identified over a three-month period. A single surgeon was asked to record the number of pulmonary artery branches supplying the lobe to be resected using the preoperative CT scan, MIP images and 3D reconstructed CT images. 3 patients had their lung hilum printed. These were then compared to the intraoperative findings. Results 16 patients had their preoperative imaging analyzed. A further 3 patients had their lung hilum 3D printed. Although not statistically significant, the 3D prints of the hilum were found to be the most accurate measurement with a correlation of 0.92. CT, 3D reconstructed CT and MIP images tended to under recognize the number of arterial branches and therefore scored between 0.26 and 0.39 in terms of absolute agreement with the number of arteries found at operation. Conclusions 3D printing in the planning of thoracic surgery may suggest a benefit over contemporary available imaging modalities and the use of 3D printing in practicing operations is being established