Editorial

Introduction: We came across patients inquiring with oncologists about cheap copy medicines. These were of recently licensed innovator drugs that should have been available from original company holding their patents. In fact these copy medicines were manufactured in our neighboring countries and made available in India. We investigated further and this manuscript puts together the startling information that we were able to find regarding the thriving grey market for fake generic medicines.

Introduction:A semi-supervised clustering algorithm is proposed that combines the benefits of supervised and unsupervised learning methods. The approach allows unlabeled data with no known class to be used to improve classification accuracy [2]. The objective function of an unsupervised technique, e.g. K-means clustering, is modified to minimize both the cluster dispersion of the input attributes and a measure of cluster impurity based on the class labels. Minimizing the cluster dispersion of the examples is a form of capacity control to prevent over fitting [4]. For the output labels, impurity measures from decision tree algorithms such as the Gini index can be used. A genetic algorithm optimizes the objective function to produce clusters. Experimental results show that using class information improves the generalization ability compared to unsupervised methods based only on the input attributes [6]. Training using information from unlabeled data can improve classification accuracy on that data as well. Genetic Algorithms (GAs) have been widely used in optimization problems for their high ability in seeking better and acceptable solutions within limited time. Clustering ensemble has emerged as another flavour of optimal solutions for generating more stable and robust partition from existing clusters [1]. GAs has proved a major contribution to find consensus cluster partitions during clustering ensemble. Currently, web video categorization has been an ever challenging research area with the popularity of the social web. In this paper, we propose a framework for web video categorization using their textual features, video relations and web support [3]. There are three contributions in this research work. First, we expand the traditional Vector Space Model (VSM) in a more generic manner as Semantic VSM (S-VSM) by including the semantic similarity between the features terms [5]. This new model has improved the clustering quality in terms of compactness (high intra-cluster similarity) and clearness (low inter-cluster similarity). Second, we optimize the clustering ensemble process with the help of GA using a novel approach of the fitness function. We define a new measure, Pre-Paired Percentage (PPP), to be used as the fitness function during the genetic cycle for optimization of clustering ensemble process [7]. Third, the most important and crucial step of the GA is to define the genetic operators, crossover and mutation. We express these operators by an intelligent mechanism of clustering ensemble. This approach has produced more logical offspring solutions [9]. Above stated all three contributions have shown remarkable results in their corresponding areas. Experiments on real world social-web data have been performed to validate our new incremental novelties [8].

Backgroundand Aims: Background and Aim of the Study: Acute pancreatitis is a surgical condition which may impact other organs resulting in damage to multiple organs or death. Chronic pancreatitis (CP) has deadly long-term consequences such as diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer. Although there have been several studies evaluating the epidemiology of pancreatitis in India, due to the diversity of the country, more evidence is required from different regions of the country. Therefore, this study evaluates the epidemiology of acute and CP in the state of Odisha. Methodology: This study was a prospective study carried out in a single hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences and Sum Hospital, Bhubaneswar, during 2016–2017. Results: Results showed that there were more acute cases of pancreatitis (n=65, 73.9%) and overall pancreatitis was more prevalent in men (n = 70; 79%). Unfortunately, an overwhelming majority of the patients do not know what aggravates (n = 71; 81.8%) or alleviates (n = 79; 89.8%) their condition. There was no significant difference in the type of pancreatitis (acute, chronic, acute, or chronic) by gender, smoking, educational status, diet, alcohol intake, socioeconomic status, and religion (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Men were more likely to develop acute and CP than women. Future studies should explore the genetic interactions modifying disease development, especially in India.

Backgroundand Aims: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is the most debilitating and disfiguring among all diseases. The National Health Policy (2002) had set the goal of elimination of LF in India by 2015. The concept of mass drug administration (MDA) is to approach every individual in the target community and administer an annual single dose of antifilarial drugs (diethylcarbamazine and albendazole). Objectives: The objectives of this study were (1) to find the coverage and compliance of MDA at Dakshina Kannada district and (2) to assess the knowledge of responsible adult respondent regarding elephantiasis/filariasis and MDA program. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted to evaluate the coverage and compliance of MDA in Dakshina Kannada District which was held on January 23, 2012. The evaluation was conducted for 1 week by a team of investigators. A total of 232 houses were visited randomly in four clusters (1 in urban + 3 in rural area) covering of 982 beneficiaries between the age group of 2 and 60 years of age in pre-designed and semi-structured pro forma. Results: The coverage of MDA was 84%, and compliance among those who received the tablets was 80.24%. There was marginally better coverage in urban areas (89.27%) compared to rural area (82.41%), and compliance was better in rural areas (87.94%) compared to urban area (63.18%). The coverage compliance gap which shows why people do not consume the tablet was 3.74%, and the effective coverage rate was 67.41%. The coverage was maximum, i.e., 91.3% in Kalladka (cluster 3) and minimum, i.e., 76.21% in Koila (cluster 2), whereas compliance was maximum, i.e., 90.73% in Koila (cluster 2) and minimum, i.e., 63.18% in Attavara (cluster 1). Conclusion: The coverage and compliance rate in Dakshina Kannada district were 84.01% and 80.24%, respectively, with effective coverage rate of 67.41%. Awareness regarding MDA program was poor.

Sleep disturbance is one among the biggest worldwide health threats. Regardless of the age groups, people are affected with symptoms of insomnia one or the other way. To mention, the geriatrics. The objectives of the study are to assess the effectiveness of warm foot bath on quality of sleep among experimental group. Evaluative approach and quasi-experimental, non-randomized control group design were adopted for the study. A total of 60 subjects were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique. The subjects were assigned to experimental and control group so as to include 30 subjects in each group. The quality of sleep was assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the quality of sleep between experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, the mean post-test score of the quality of sleep among the elderly (11.73 ± 3.9) was much less than of control group (15.16 ± 4.24). In the experimental group the mean difference was 4.16 and it was more than the difference of control group (-2.26). Furthermore, in the experimental group, the calculated “t” value (t(29) = 18.08) was found to be greater than the table value (t(29) = 2.09) at <0.05 level of significance, indicating that warm foot bath is effective in improving the quality of sleep among elderly people. The likelihood ratio and Chi-square test were used to find the association between pre-test scores of the quality of sleep and selected demographic variables. There was no association between pre-test sleep quality scores and selected demographic variables.

The Present study was made to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of chitosan extracted from crab shells against human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549). Chitosan was extracted from crab shells which includes deproteinization, demineralization, deacetylation. MTT method to find out the toxicity and cell viability of chitosan in both normal and cancer cells (A549). The Propidium iodide staining and DNA fragmentation is to analyze the apoptotic bodies in A549 cell line. Chitosan appeared creamy white in colour and the total carbohydrate content was estimated as 0.07 mg/ml. The antiproliferative effect of chitosan against A549 cells clearly emphasizes, that there is a decrease in the cell viability. The 50 % inhibition (IC50) of the cell growth was found at 20 µg/ml.The cytolocalization of nuclear morphology and DNA fragmentation assay revealed the induction of apoptotic cell death in A549 at 24 hours. Chitosan exhibits the inhibitory effect by inducing loss of cell viability, morphology change and DNA fragmentation in A549 cells due to the presence of free protonated amino groups on the polymer chain. Our preliminary studies support that chitosan could be an efficient therapeutic agent for cancer.

Background and Aims:A large proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus suffer from preventable vascular angiopathies. Altered platelet structure and functions have been linked with these vascular complications. Hence, this study was undertaken to correlate platelet indices and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels with glycemic control and vascular complications to assess whether they can be used as predictive factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 56 non-diabetics (control) and 145 diabetic patients were enrolled in this study. Criteria of fasting blood glucose =126 mg/dL/postprandial plasma glucose (2 h) levels >200 mg/dL/HbA1c =6.5 were considered. The diabetic group was further subdivided into diabetics without (82) and with complication (63) on the basis of clinical presentation, investigation, and examination. Platelet indices (mean platelet volume [MPV], platelet distribution width [PDW], and platelet large cell ratio [P-LCR]) were assessed on complete blood count analyzer. hs-CRP was done qualitatively and those samples which tested positive were assessed quantitatively. Observation: All the three platelet indices assessed - MPV, PDW, and P-LCR were significantly higher in diabetics compared to nondiabetic group and increased with increasing HbA1c level. However, only P-LCR showed a significant difference between diabetics with and without complications (P = 0.002) and MPV showed a significant difference among all the subgroups when correlated with HbA1c (P = 0.04). For hs-CRP, the difference in the values was significant among the diabetics with and without complications (P = 0.01). Conclusion: A continuous increase in the value of MPV, PDW, and P-LCR with decreasing glycemic control proves that in diabetics ongoing inflammation causes persistent generation of larger platelets with enhanced activity. P-LCR should be the indice of choice for predicting the possibility of future complication as in our study, it was the only parameter which showed significant difference between diabetics with and without complications.

Background: Childhood pneumonia is the leading cause of morbidity in children < 5 years with most cases occurring in India (43 million). Pneumonia contributes to 27.5% of total under five year mortality in India.Streptococcus pneumonia, Hemophilus influenza and respiratory syncytial virus have been identified as responsible pathogens. India’s multi-year plan for immunization highlights need for accelerated introduction of new and underutilized vaccines against diseases with significant morbidity and mortality. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines (PCV) have been licensed in India since 2006. The objective of this study was to document the etiology and immunization status of children < 5 years who were newly diagnosed cases of CAP in private and public sector. Material/Methods: This study was a retrospective review of inpatient records (n=532) of children <5 years diagnosed with CAP in 2 hospitals- one private and other public multispecialty hospital that had pediatric ward, pediatric ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) in Mumbai, India. Cases where primary diagnosis was not clearly documented were confirmed for diagnosis with laboratory reports and X-rays. Using the electronic case report form, baseline demographic and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, date of diagnosis, primary diagnosis on admission, prior immunization, diagnostic and laboratory test, treatment during inpatient stay and advice on discharge were extracted. Results: The average age at admission was 1.95 ± 1.45 years in private hospital and 1.51 ± 1.17 years in public hospital. Etiology was not established in a majority of the clinical diagnosed CAP cases i.e. 92/105 (93.13 %) in private hospital and 62/67 (92.54 %) in public hospital. Considerable morbidity due to CAP with the average length of stay 5.87 ± 3.50 days in private hospital versus 7.97 ± 4.74 days in public hospital was observed. Also 100 % of the children in private hospital received antibiotics versus 95.52 % in the public hospital. The mean duration of antibiotics in private hospital was 4.38 ± 4.61 days and in public hospital 2.1 ± 3.26 days. The number of unvaccinated children or children whose immunization status is not known was significantly higher in the public hospital (34.33 %) than the private hospital (20.59 %) (p=0.0465) Conclusions:A greater proportion of cases of CAP were classified as unspecified pneumonia due to lack of adequate diagnostic facilities which act as an impediment in establishing etiology of CAP in Indian setting leading to considerable antibiotic use. An important way forward for India would be to consider a possible timeline to achieve universal childhood immunization through introduction of vaccines directed against pneumonia in the national immunization program across the country in the remaining states.