AIDS-Related Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

In economically developed countries, AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) accounts for a large proportion of malignances in HIV-infected individuals. Since the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996, epidemiology and prognosis of ARL have changed. While there is a slight increase in the incidence of Hodgkin's lymphoma in HIV-infected individuals, use of HAART has contributed to a decline in the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and also a decrease in the overall incidence of ARL. Strategies that employ HAART, improved supportive care, and the use of Rituximab with multi-agent chemotherapy have contributed to improved rates of complete remission and survival of patients with ARL that rival those seen in stage and histology matched HIV negative NHL patients. Most recent clinical trials demonstrate better outcomes with the use of rituximab in ARL. Tumor histogenesis (germinal center vs. non-germinal center origin) is associated with lymphoma-specific outcomes in the setting of AIDS-related diffuse-large B cell lymphoma. High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell rescue (ASCT) can be effective for a subset of patients with relapsed ARL. HIV sero-status alone should not preclude consideration of ASCT in the setting of ARL relapse. Clinical trials investigating the role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in ARL are currently underway

SSI ANALYSIS OF TALL CHIMNEYS WITH ANNULAR RAFT CONSIDERING VARIABLE SOIL PROFILE

SSI analysis of a 200m reinforced concrete chimney with annular raft foundation under along-wind load is carried out in the present study. To study the effect of geometrical properties of chimney, different ratios of height to base diameter(slenderness ratio) are selected. The ratio of outer diameter to thickness of raft were also varied. To understand the effect of flexibility of soil, variable soil profile is considered below the foundation. Three different soil layers were considered below the foundation.Along-wind loads are calculated as per IS:4998-1992. Three dimensional analysis of chimney was carried out using ANSYS software. Lateral tip deflection in chimney and the settlement in raft were obtained in the analysis. The results show that the responses in chimney are affected by the flexibility of soil, slenderness ratio of chimney and thickness of raft

Arduino-based DC Motor Control System using Bluetooth Module

This article implemented an Android application-based speed and direction control of DCmotor using Bluetooth module. This setup consists of two basic primary elementscommunicating with each other: i) Bluetooth of smartphone which is connected to theArduino microcontroller, IC and DC Motor interfaced with a L293D motor driver IC and ii) aBluetooth module HC-05.The android application in smartphone sends/receives data to/fromthe microcontroller using the Bluetooth. An android application in the smartphone acts as adisplay panel for the user to send/receive/view the output and input of the DC motor. Thedisplay includes a screen showing the commands and responses against each other. The motorcan be rotated 0-360 degrees and can even change its direction from left to right until stopped.Thus, this proposed control methodology is applied to control speed and direction of DCmotor wirelessly

Renal Cell Carcinoma Masquerading as Pyonephrosis — A Case Report of A Rare Presentation

We describe here an atypical case of pyonephrosis which on further evaluation turned out to be a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The clinical presentation of the patient was that of an infective etiology. However, the renal mass associated with renal vein thrombus and lung metastasis was later diagnosed based on the clinical deterioration of the patient even after insertion of percutaneous nephrostomy. In this case, an underlying renal cancer was probably complicated secondarily leading to pyonephrosis which was the initial presenting manifestation which led to a delay in diagnosis. Pyonephrosis is usually associated with Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Association of RCC with pyonephrosis is extremely rare and hence seldom reported. Our patient later on underwent radical nephrectomy and the histopathology report was suggestive of RCC. We have described here the clinical manifestations and diagnostic issues of such a case. This case provides evidence that RCC should be kept as one of the differentials in such patients

Formulation and Evaluation of Chitosan Based Hydrogel Matrix of Licorice for Targeting Helicobacter Pylori

In present investigation an attempt has been made to formulate and evaluate chitosan based hydrogel of matrix of Licorice for targeting Helicobacter pylori. Licorice was evaluated for its physical characteristics, analytical profiles and drug polymer compatibility study. The prepared Hydrogel granules were evaluated for pre formulation characteristics like Angle of repose, Bulk density, Tapped density and Carr’s index. The results obtained were found to be satisfactory and within the specified limits. A Stomach retentive licorice loaded chitosan hydrogel was prepared successfully by chemical crosslinking method. Glutaraldehyde was used as chemical crosslinking agent. After compression parameters like Thickness, Hardness, Weight variation, Friability, content uniformity and In-Vitro release studies were evaluated. Mucoadhesive study showed that, licorice loaded hydrogel have good mucoadhesion property and retained in gastric environment tof stomach for prolonged period of time. The results of In-vitro studies showed that by chitosan concentration the extent of swelling and rate of drug release can be modulated. In the present study the effect of concentration of polymer are studied through In-Vitro drug release. It shows that increase in concentration of polymer leads to the controlled drug release from hydrophilic chitosan hydrogelfor12 hrs, which means release rate from hydrophilic chitosan hydrogel depends on type and concentration of polymer used in the formulation. Hydrogel formulation (F5), containing chitosan and Crosslinking agent of Glutaraldehyde is probably showing release upto 96.2±0.65% within 12 hrs. The hydrogel prepared maintain drug concentration in stomach for prolonged period of time, can be used as a drug delivery system for treatment of H. pylori infection and in management of peptic ulcer. According to stability study it was found that there was no significant change in average weight, drug content and in vitro dissolution of optimized formulation (F5). This can be expected to reduced the frequency of administration and decrease the dose dependent side effects. The efficacy and safety of Licorice hydrogel dosage form are expected to offer optimum therapeutic efficacy and improved patient compliance