C-peptide and cardiovascular system

Background: C-peptide and insulin are secreted by pancreatic beta cells in equimolar concentrations. C- Peptide is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.Methods: Routine outpatient department patients were investigated for serum C-peptide, Diabetes, Ischemic heart disease, hypertension and skin lesion acanthosis negrican.Results: Total ninety five patients  enrolled in study of these peptide level 2, 2 to5 and >5 found in 22,46,27 patients respectively, with diabetes mellitus in 21 (95%), 39(55%) and 24 (89%), ischemic heart diseases 1(5%), 15(33%), 13(48%) , hypertension 9(41%), 20(44%), 12(45%), acanthosis negrican 9 (41%), 27 (59%), 21 (78%), family history 1 (5%), 18 (39%), 11 (41%) respectively. Conclusion: Significant incidence of hypertension and ischemic heart disease is related to raised level of circulating C-peptide

Efficacy and safety of scorpion antivenom plus prazosin compared with prazosin alone for venomous scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus) sting: randomised open label clinical trial

Objective Envenomation by Mesobuthus tamulus scorpion sting can result in serious cardiovascular effects. Scorpion antivenom is a specific treatment for scorpion sting. Evidence for the benefit of scorpion antivenom and its efficacy compared with that of commonly used vasodilators, such as prazosin, is scarce. We assessed the efficacy of prazosin combined with scorpion antivenom, compared with prazosin alone, in individuals with autonomic storm caused by scorpion sting

Erosion of Trust in the Medical Profession in India : Time for Doctors to Act

In India, over the last decade, a series of stewardship failures in the health system, particularly in the medical profession, have led to a massive erosion of trust in these institutions. In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the situation is similar and has reached crisis proportions; this crisis requires urgent attention. This paper draws on the insights from the recent developments in India, to argue that a purely control-based regulatory response to this crisis in the medical profession, as is being currently envisaged by the Parliament and the Supreme Court of India, runs the risk of undermining the trusting interpersonal relations between doctors and their patients. A more balanced approach which takes into account the differences between system and interpersonal forms of trust and distrust is warranted. Such an approach should on one hand strongly regulate the institutions mandated with the stewardship and qualities of care functions, and simultaneously on the other hand, initiate measures to nurture the trusting interpersonal relations between doctors and patients. The paper concludes by calling for doctors, and those mandated with the stewardship of the profession, to individually and collectively, critically self-reflect upon the state of their profession, its priorities and its future direction

Utility of Scorpion Antivenin vs Prazosin in the Management of Severe Mesobuthus tamulus (Indian Red Scorpion) Envenoming at Rural Setting

Abstract Background : Scorpion antivenom (SAV) is specific antidote to scorpion venom. SAV did not prevent the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (autonomic storm), hence its utility in the management for severe scorpion envenoming may be limited. Since 1983 the advent of prazosin revolutionized the management of severe scorpion sting. Since 2002 SAV against Indian red scorpion (IRS) for the treatment of scorpion sting cases is available at primary health centers. We compared the effects of SAV Vs Prazosin (PRA) in the management of severe scorpion stung cases at rural setting in a non-randomised open label manner

GPGPU Processing in CUDA Architecture

The future of computation is the Graphical Processing Unit, i.e. the GPU. The promise that the graphics cards have shown in the field of image processing and accelerated rendering of 3D scenes, and the computational capability that these GPUs possess, they are developing into great parallel computing units. It is quite simple to program a graphics processor to perform general parallel tasks. But after understanding the various architectural aspects of the graphics processor, it can be used to perform other taxing tasks as well. In this paper, we will show how CUDA can fully utilize the tremendous power of these GPUs. CUDA is NVIDIA's parallel computing architecture. It enables dramatic increases in computing performance, by harnessing the power of the GPU. This paper talks about CUDA and its architecture. It takes us through a comparison of CUDA C/C++ with other parallel programming languages like OpenCL and DirectCompute. The paper also lists out the common myths about CUDA and how the future seems to be promising for CUDA.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, Advanced Computing: an International Journal (ACIJ) 201

Impact of Adoption of Improved Tasar Silkworm Rearing Technologies on Cocoons Production of Tasar Silkworm Anthereae mylitta D in Maharashtra

Tasar culture is being practiced in Maharashtra since last 200 years by the tribal folks of four eastern districts of the state. However, the productivity of tasar cocoons in the state is hovering around average of 2000-4000 cocoons/100 Dfls (Disease Free layings) throughout the year against the norm of 6000 cocoons which might be due to the non-adoption or low adoption of improved tasar rearing technologies by the tasar silkworm rearers. Thus, present study was conducted to investigate the impact of adoption of improved tasar silkworm rearing technologies as a strategy for improving tasar cocoon production in the state. For the study, an “Ex Post Facto” research designed was used and 50 adopted seed cocoon rearers and 50 non-adopted seed cocoon rearers were selected through random sampling method. The results of the study showed that, during the Ist Crop of Daba TV rearing, the average cocoon yield of the farmers who have adopted the tasar silkworm rearing technologies ranged from 2907 to 3612 cocoons per 100 dfls while in case of non-adopter it ranged from 2316 to 2616 cocoons per 100 dfls. The overall improvement in cocoon yield in the technology adopted lots over that of control lot was ranged from 26.58 to 32.08 per cent. Similarly, during IInd crop rearing of Daba TV, the cocoon yield of the farmers who adopted the technology ranged from 3126 to 4123 cocoons per 100 dfls while in the control, it ranged from 2639 to 3493 cocoons per 100 dfls with the overall improvement ranged from 11.80 to 20.29 per cent.  Moreover, during IIIrd crop rearing of Daba TV, the cocoon yield of the farmers who adopted the technology ranged from 5322 to 6487 cocoons per 100 dfls compared to non- adopted of technologies which ranged from 4006 to 5213 per 100 dfls. The paired t test showed that there was a significant improvement in cocoon yield due to the adoption of the improved tasar silkworm rearing technology by the adopted seed cocoon rearers in all three crops of Daba TV eco-race. Also, a significant improvement was noticed in the cocoon and shell weight in all the three crops of Daba TV. The study suggests that the effective technology transfer strategies should be developed and implemented in the state coupled with the suitable training programs so as to convince farmers about the benefits of adoption improved tasar silkworm rearing technologies

Homoeopathy for Post COVID 19 illnesses: A Case Series

Introduction: As much as the prevention and treatment of COVID 19 has posed challenge, its post infection sequelae have not been any less challenging. There has been an emerging menace and concern for post COVID 19 illnesses. Patients with microbiological recovery from COVID‐19 show most common symptoms like fatigue, dyspnoea, cough, headache, tightness of chest, arthralgia, muscle pain with drop in the quality of life. Limited treatment options are available in the conventional set up. Cases summary: We present nine cases that were treated for post COVID 19 symptoms at Regional Research Institute (H.), Mumbai, under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. Out of these, seven cases were of acute Post Covid condition and two presented with Chronic Covid sequelae. All these patients were under standard conventional care/treatment but had no resolution of Post Covid symptoms. The Post Covid symptoms reported in these cases were fatigue, dyspnoea on exertion, cough, profuse perspiration, chest tightness and profuse perspiration. Bryonia Alba was the most useful remedy apart from Sulphur, Arsenicum Album, Rhus Toxicodendron and Calcarea Carbonicum. The cases have demonstrated a positive role of homoeopathic treatment in relieving the Post COVID illnesses

Perception of Tasar Silkworm Rearers about the Climate Change Impact on the Tasar Silk Production of Maharashtra

Tasar sericulture is one of the allied sectors of agriculture which is a climate sensitive sector. Understanding farmer’s perception about the climate change impact on the rearing performance tasar silkworm is a key to the development of new climate tolerant technologies so as to encourage the other farmers for adopting sericulture eventually to boost the production of the tasar silk production in the state. Thus, the study was designed to establish farmer’s perception on climate change and its impacts on tasar silkworm rearing performance. The study was conducted in all four tasar silkworm rearing districts of Maharashtra namely Bhandara, Gondia, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur. A total 160 tasar silkworm rearers were selected randomly from all the four districts. Information was collected from each tasar silkworm rearers through Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and focus group discussions (FGD). Climate Change Perception Index (CCPI) and Climate Change Impact Perception Index (CCIPI) were used to assess the perception about the impact of climate change on tasar silk production.  Weighted Average Index (WAI) was used to analysis the impact. Results showed that majority of the respondents perceived that the yield and production of tasar cocoons production has reduced compared to last ten years. Moreover, frequent loss of the crop is noticed due to sudden change in the climatic conditions during the rearing of silkworm. Similarly, the high incidence of diseases and pest is also noticed thereby affecting the income generation of the tribal tasar farmers of the state. The results of the study will be useful for formulating appropriate policy against the ill-effects of the climate change. The results will also give impetus to the researcher to develop the thermo tolerant and climate change tolerant or resistant varieties or races of tasar silkworm so as to boost the tasar silk production of the state

Study of Gaps in Adoption of Improved Tasar Silkworm (Antheraea mylitta D) Rearing Technologies

Maharashtra contributes paltry 0.76 per cent of the total production of tasar silk in the country, with 23 MT but the production of tasar silk in the state is found to be dwindling which might be due to the gaps in knowledge and adoption of improved tasar silkworm rearing technologies. Therefore, present investigation was undertaken to assess the gaps in adoption of tasar silkworm rearing technologies and constraints faced by the tasar farmers in adopting the recommended technologies. The study was conducted in Bhandara, Gondia and Gadchiroli districts of Maharashtra. The “Ex-post facto” research design was used for the study. A total 120 tasar silkworm rearing farmers were randomly selected for the study from those selected districts. The data was analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed that the major gaps in adoption were seen the practices such as Integrated Pest Management for the control of gall disease (91.67%), application of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) or vermi-compost @4 kg/plant or 2kg/plans twice in a year (87.50%) and foliar spraying of 1.5% urea twice @ 15 days’ interval before 30 days of rearing (78.33%) and these were ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The average gaps in adoption were 52.71 per cent. Similarly, non-availability of quality seeds/Dfls for rearing, non availability of disease resistance/tolerant silkworm races, non-enhancement of seed cocoon/reelable cocoon prices due to non-availability of formal and fair market, no hand holding support during the crop failure from the government, outbreak of diseases due to weather fluctuation and difficulty in adoption of recommended package of practices due to insufficient fund were the major constraints experienced by the tasar silkworm rearers. Thus, proper research, extension, communication and training strategies are needed to be formulated so that the constraints faced in adoption will be removed and the gaps in adoption could be bridged in order to accelerate the rate of adoption of modern tasar silkworm technologies in state and, thus, increasing the scope for boosting the tasar silk production of the state in the years to come