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Pain is an unpleasant sensation, but a protective mechanism of our body. It is the most common medical complaint requiring a visit to a physician. The new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) - zaltoprofen, is a preferential COX-2 inhibitor. It also inhibits bradykinin-induced nociceptive responses by blocking the B2 receptor-mediated pathway in the primary sensory neurons. The present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the anti-nociceptive activity of zaltoprofen with a conventional NSAID - piroxicam, in a mouse model of acute pain using hot plate and tail flick tests. Twenty-four adult Swiss albino mice (20-25 g) of either sex were used in this study. Oral zaltoprofen and piroxicam were used as test and standard drugs respectively. Anti-nociceptive activity was evaluated and compared using hot plate and tail flick tests. In comparison to the control group (vehicle), zaltoprofen showed a significant increase in reaction time at various time periods in the hot plate and tail flick tests. In the hot plate method, zaltoprofen groups (15 and 20 mg/kg) showed a significant elevation in pain threshold in comparison to control group (vehicle) ( <0.001). In the tail flick model also, zaltoprofen groups (15 and 20 mg/kg) showed a significant increase in the reaction time in comparison to control group (vehicle). In both the analgesiometer assays, zaltoprofen was found to be non-inferior compared to a standard drug - piroxicam (positive control). Our study concludes that zaltoprofen is an effective analgesic agent in various pain models. Our results support that zaltoprofen has therapeutic potential for treating pain disorders and is non-inferior to a standard drug - piroxicam.

Current electrocardiography (ECG) criteria indicate only the presence or absence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). LVH is a continuum and a direct relationship exists between left ventricular mass (LVM) and cardiovascular event rate. We developed a mathematical model predictive of LVM index (LVMI) using ECG and non-ECG variables by correlating them with echocardiography determined LVMI. The model was developed in a cohort of patients on treatment for essential hypertension (BP>140/90 mm of Hg) who underwent concurrent ECG and echocardiography. One hundred and forty-seven subjects were included in the study (56.38±11.84 years, 66% males). LVMI was determined by echocardiography (113.76±33.06 gm/m ). A set of ECG and non-ECG variables were correlated with LVMI for inclusion in the multiple linear regression model. The model was checked for multicollinearity, normality and homogeneity of variances. The final regression equation formulated with the help of unstandardized coefficients and constant was =18.494+ 1.704 ( ) + 0.969 ( ) + 0.295 ( ) + 15.406 ( ) (aLL - sum of deflections in augmented limb leads; RaVL+SV3 - sum of deflection of (R wave in aVL + S wave in V3); MBP - mean blood pressure; IHD=1 for the presence of the disease, IHD=0 for the absence of the disease). In the model, 50.4% of the variability in LV mass is explained by the variables used. The findings warrant further studies for the development of better and validated models that can be incorporated in microprocessor-based ECG devices. The determination of LVMI with ECG only will be a cost-effective and readily accessible tool in patient care.

BACKGROUND: Consumers are key stakeholders in drug safety, yet, till recently, their potential has remained untapped in terms of contributing to the drug safety data. The Medicines Side Effect Reporting Form for Consumer (MSERC), launched by the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, is an important tool for the consumer to report adverse drug reactions (ADRs). OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the awareness and acceptability of the MSERC among the general population and the quality of data entered by the consumers. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at a tertiary healthcare center in Madhya Pradesh (Central India). RESULTS: The study included 203 participants, with 115 self-reports and 88 reports of ADRs experienced by a relative. All mandatory fields were filled by 149 (73.4%) participants. More than half of the reporters (113, 55.57%) took <5 min to fill the form and found it easy to fill it (123, 60.59%). Most of the participants expressed a willingness (186, 91.63%) to fill the MSERC. The time taken to complete the form and the difficulty in filling the form were significantly greater in the elderly (age >60 years). Significantly more women were aware about the MSERC (P = 0.026), as compared to men. Participants with graduate, postgraduate, or professional degrees took significantly less time to fill the form (P < 0.001) and found it easier to fill it (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Awareness about the form was found in only 6.4% of the responders, highlighting a need to generate more awareness among the consumers about the MSERC form to improve the ADR reporting.

Objective To evaluate medication adherence, the effect of recall periods on self‐reported adherence and factors influencing medication adherence among patients of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, particularly in the community. Methods A cross‐sectional cohort study was conducted among individuals with hypertension and/or diabetes coming as outpatients in community camps organised in a cluster of urban slums. Responses towards questions regarding self‐reported quantitative and qualitative adherence for one week and one month along with information on pill burden, socio‐demographic and other factors were recorded using a mobile application. Results Among 379 participants living in urban slum communities, who were prescribed anti‐hypertensive or oral anti‐diabetic medications previously, mean medication adherence over previous one week was 67.99% (standard deviation (SD) ± 38.32) and 6.87 (SD ± 3.62) on a ten‐point numeric scale. The medication adherence for one month showed a strong significantly positive correlation with that of 1 week for both percentage‐based (r = +0.910, 95% CI = 0.864 to 0.950, P < .0001) and Likert (ρ = +0.836, 95% CI = 0.803 to 0.863, P < .0001) scales. Age (r = 0.219, 95% CI = 0.120 to 0.313, P = .043) and pill burden (r = −0.231, 95% CI = −0.145 to −0.322, P < .0001) were found to significantly affect medication adherence. The odds of random blood sugar reduction were found to be significant (OR 1.98, 95% CI = 1.30 to 3.00, P = .001) with adequate adherence. A linear regression equation was developed to predict medication adherence percentage for a patient which was found to have 61.8% predictive power using multilayer perceptron modelling. Conclusion Overall, medication adherence was sub‐optimal. Adherence assessments can be reliably performed using either one week or one month recall periods. With further refinement and validation, the regression equation could prove to be a useful tool for physicians.

Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertension is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Conversely, regression of LVH is associated with better prognosis. Lowering of blood pressure in patients with hypertension is the unequivocal determinant of regression of LVH. Unless otherwise contraindicated, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs) are drugs of first choice in patients with essential hypertension with LVH. In this article, we summarise the preclinical and clinical evidence of the last 3 decades that established the preferential use of ACEIs/ARBs in hypertensive heart disease.

Purpose: Pain is an unpleasant sensation, but a protective mechanism of our body. It is the most common medical complaint requiring a visit to a physician. The new non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)--zaltoprofen, is a preferential COX-2 inhibitor. It also inhibits bradykinin-induced nociceptive responses by blocking the B2 receptor-mediated pathway in the primary sensory neurons. The present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the anti-nociceptive activity of zaltoprofen with a conventional NSAID--piroxicam, in a mouse model of acute pain using hot plate and tail flick tests. Materials and methods: Twenty-four adult Swiss albino mice (20-25 g) of either sex were used in this study. Oral zaltoprofen and piroxicam were used as test and standard drugs respectively. Anti-nociceptive activity was evaluated and compared using hot plate and tail flick tests. Results: In comparison to the control group (vehicle), zaltoprofen showed a significant increase in reaction time at various time periods in the hot plate and tail flick tests. In the hot plate method, zaltoprofen groups (15 and 20 mg/kg) showed a significant elevation in pain threshold in comparison to control group (vehicle) (p<0.001). In the tail flick model also, zaltoprofen groups (15 and 20 mg/kg) showed a significant increase in the reaction time in comparison to control group (vehicle). In both the analgesiometer assays, zaltoprofen was found to be non-inferior compared to a standard drug--piroxicam (positive control). Conclusion: Our study concludes that zaltoprofen is an effective analgesic agent in various pain models. Our results support that zaltoprofen has therapeutic potential for treating pain disorders and is non-inferior to a standard drug--piroxicam. Keywords: anti-nociceptive, hot plate, tail flick, zaltoprofen, piroxicam, mouse model

This study presents a unique method of enhancing light intensity and efficiency of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by incorporating micro-pillars’ array on top of the substrate layer. The micro-pillars’ array on the substrate layer increases the light extraction efficiency, which in turn increases the external quantum efficiency (EQE) and output light intensity of the LEDs. The simulation works have been conducted using finite difference time domain method. To achieve white LED, we inserted a thin NiO layer inside the n -type ZnO and p -type GaN layers. The basic n -ZnO/NiO/ p -GaN heterojunction-based LED showed an EQE of 10.99% as the effective refractive index of the LED structure was 1.48. The EQE of the basic LED was further increased by engraving micro-pillars’ array on the top of the substrate layer. A maximum EQE of 12.8% was achieved for Pillar-2 type micro-pillars array having pillars’ width and height of 2 µm and 0.2 µm where effective refractive index of the LED structure was 1.38. On the contrary, the peak electroluminescence light intensity was 2.22 times higher in Pillar–2 type micro-pillars’ array-based LED than the basic LED. Due to the excellent electroluminescence spectrum and intensity profile, the proposed Pillar–2 type micro-pillars’ array engraved LED can be considered as a potential candidate for white LED.

More than a decade ago, a National Research Council (NRC) report popularized the term “valley of death” to describe the region where research on weather satellites had struggled to reach maturity for societal applications. A similar analogy can be drawn for other satellite missions, since their vantage point in space can be highly useful for some of the world's otherwise fundamentally intractable operational problems. One such intractable problem is flood forecasting for downstream nations where the f looding is transboundary. Bangladesh fits in this category by virtue of its small size and location at the sink of the mighty Ganges and Brahmaputra. There has been the claim made that satellites can be a solution for Bangladesh in achieving forecasts with lead times beyond three days. This claim has been backed up by scientific research done by numerous researchers, who have shown proof of concept of using satellite data for extending flood forecasting range. This article aims to take the reader on a journey that had its humble beginnings with this promising research and ended with making the dream of an operational system that is independently owned by the stakeholders a reality. The idea behind this article is to shed light on some of the commonly experienced but less familiar (in the academic community) roadblocks to making an operational system based on recent research survive in developing nations without long-term incubation.

Apparently, word clouds have grown as a clear and appealing illustration or visualization strategy in terms of text. Word clouds are used as a part of various settings as a way to give a diagram by cleansing text throughout those words that come up with most frequently. Generally, this is performed constantly as an unadulterated text outline. In any case, that there is a bigger capability to this basic yet intense visualization worldview in text analytics. In this work, we investigate the adequacy of word clouds for general text analysis errands and also analyze the tweets to find out the sentiment and also discuss the legal aspects of text mining. We used R software to pull twitter data which depends altogether on word cloud as a visualization technique and also with the help of positive and negative words to determine the user sentiment. We indicate how this approach can be viably used to explain text analysis tasks and assess it in a qualitative user research.

Bangladesh has a multi-pronged strategy of increasing its wood resources through tree planting and conservation measures. Vast areas of land which were once covered by closed forests are currently denuded (covered by shrubs and grasses) and are awaiting re-afforestation. The costs of tree planting are rising and it may be faster and cheaper to bring the denuded areas under complete forest cover by assisting natural regeneration, rather than through tree planting. This study investigates this possibility. Afin d'augmenter ses ressources en bois, le Bangladesh suit une double stratégie axée sur les plantations et les mesures de conservation. Alors que de vastes surfaces de terres autrefois densément boisées, recouvertes aujord'hui de quelques herbes et buissons clairsemés, attendant d'être reboisées, le coût des plantations augmente. Il serait peut-être moins coûteux et plus rapide de recréer les forêts par la régénération naturelle que par les plantations. Cette étude enquête sur cette possibilité. Bangladesh tiene una estrategia multiple para aumentar sus recursos forestales a través de la planta de árboles y otras medidas conservadores. Terranos vastos que estaban cubiertos por bosques están ahora desnudos (cubiertos solamente por arbustos y pasto) y están esperando la repoblación forestal. Los costos de plantar árboles está aumentando y puede que sea más rápido y más barato someter los áreas denudos a cubierto forestal completo a través de la regeneración natural que por la planta de árboles. Este estudio investiga esta posibilidad.