The role of tourniquet in myomectomy: an observational study

Background: Leimymoma is one of the commonest benign tumours encountered in women during the reproductive age. One quarter of these women may be symptomatic. When surgical management is indicated, myomectomy may be considered as the procedure of choice. Myomectomy can be complicated by severe intraoperative haemorrhage. One of the methods to reduce blood loss during myomectomy is the mechanical application of tourniquet.Methods: A prospective observational single arm study was done with 24 women who underwent open myomectomy to determine the utility of tourniquet in reducing blood loss during the procedure.  Women of reproductive age group, having symptomatic fibroid, not responding to medical therapy, not completed their family and with total uterine size not exceeding 20 weeks were included in the study while those with pregnancy, concomitant adenomyosis, cervical or broad ligament fibroid, bleeding diathesis were excluded. The 7-French pediatric feeding tube was used as tourniquet. Our primary end point was intra-operative blood loss. Secondary outcome measures included operative morbidity and blood transfusion rates.Results: It was seen that application of the tourniquet considerably reduced the amount of blood loss and made resection of the myoma much easier. 83.3% patients had a blood loss less than 200ml and the rest between 200ml and 400ml. For majority of the patients (75%) the postoperative change of PCV was between 1 and 2%.Conclusions: The infant feeding tube form of tourniquet is cheap, safe, readily available, effectively reduces blood loss during myomectomy while not adding to the complications due to the operation

Health and safety aspects of textile workers from Solapur (India) textile industries

Introduction: Textile sector in India plays an important role in the country's economy, providing employment to a significant population in rural and urban areas. Objectives: This paper focuses on health and safety aspects of textile workers in Solapur City (one of the key textile cluster) in the state of Maharashtra, India. Methodology: A sample of 180 workers from the identified textile industries of Solapur city were assessed for their generalphysique, muscle tone, lung condition, and eyesight using different techniques. The study aimed at developing a framework for understanding risks to textile workers resulting from lack of health and safety standards in companies. Results: Findings showed that most of the workers have been affected by respiratory problems, increase in muscle tone, eye problems and musculoskeletal problem. It has been also observed that job security or regular work impacts positively to the worker’s long term body health. However, there is an immediate need to adopt and implement measures in accordance with Indian Factories Act (OHSAS 18001/ILO-OSH 2001) which includes directions and procedures in respect of industrial installations, work environment and occupational health and safety guidelines

Effects of selective imidazolin-1 receptor agonists’ vs Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers on insulin resistance in patients of hypertension with metabolic syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Co-existence of insulin resistance in pre-diabetic hypertensive patients is associated with the higher risk for onset of diabetes and higher incidences of cardiovascular events in existing diabetics. Hence there is a need for selecting an anti-hypertensive drug with favourable metabolic effects. Present study aims at comparing the metabolic and hemodynamic effects of selective imidazolin-1 (I1) receptor agonists vs dihydropyridines (DHPs).Methods: After electronic data base search in PUBMED, Cochrane library and EMBASE, total four RCTs were found eligible and included in analysis. Two studies used moxonidine (0.2-0.4mg), other two used rilmenidine (1-2mg) as selective I1-agonists and among DHPs, amlodipine (5-10mg) was used in three studies and isradipine (5-10mg) in one.Results: Use of DHPs was associated with significant decrease in DBP (MD = -2.37mm Hg; 95% CI:-1.39, -3.36) both at the end of short-term (3 months) and long-term (6 months) treatment. Significant decrease in fasting serum insulin level (MD = -2.63mU/L; 95% CI:-4.66, -0.60) and HOMA index for insulin resistance (MD = -1.14, 95% CI:-1.48, -0.80) observed in patients treated with I1-agonists at three months were not persistent at the end of six months. Effects of both groups of drugs on plasma lipids concentration were inconclusive.Conclusions: In addition to the concern over safety of I-1 agonists in heart failure patients, there is a lack of data on therapeutic benefits of I1-agonists on cardiovascular related events in hypertension. Hence for time being and with available evidences, DHPs seem to be better choice than I1-agonists in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome

Evaluation of zinc as anti-asthma agent: a preclinical study on guinea pigs

Background: The role of intravenous magnesium sulfate in acute asthma is restricted to severe and resistant cases while that of zinc as prophylactic agent. What is quite interesting is to know the benefits of zinc in acute attack of asthma and that of magnesium as prophylactic agent. The objective of the study was to analyze the bronchodilatory effects of zinc sulfate and prophylactic role of magnesium sulfate using a preclinical model of histamine and acetylcholine induced acute bronchial asthma in conscious guinea pigs.Methods: Animals were exposed to histamine diphosphate (1%) and acetylcholine chloride (10%) aerosols before and after administration of the respective test drugs after acute and sub-acute treatment regimens. Time for onset of preconvulsive dyspnea (PCD) was noted and compared within and between the treatment groups interms of percentage of protection.Results: Magnesium significantly prolonged time for convulsion compared to control group. But this difference was insignificant when compared with antihistaminic and anticholinergic drugs. Zinc was superior to control and magnesium treatment group in sub-acute treatment study.Conclusions: Magensium sulfate has bronchodilatory effects but no prophylactic effects while it is vice versa with zinc sulfate

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: an observational study in a tertiary care centre in Pondicherry, India

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial, polygenic and multisystem endocrine disorder affecting women in reproductive age. PCOS diagnosis is based on 2003 Rotterdam criteria It has been noted that hyperinsulinemia is a central factor in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Many studies show evidence of a critical link between PCOS and Metabolic Syndrome (MBS).Methods: It was a hospital - based observational study done over a period of one year with a sample size of 177.An observational study was done in patients satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After taking informed and written consent, history was obtained from the patient to know the age, socioeconomic status, present and past clinical history, menstrual and obstetric history, personal and family history and any other history as deemed necessary. Patient was clinically assessed to know the height, weight, body mass index.Results: The prevalence of MBS was 37.2%. The commonest age group was between 25- 35 years.There is no statistical association between educational qualification, economic status and the prevalence of MBS and There no significant association between the presence of acne, androgenic aloepecia and the presence of PCOS.While the presence of increased waist circumference > 88cms, USG findings consistent with PCOS, high blood pressure > 130/85 mm of Hg, elevated FBS > 110 mg/dl, low HDL <50 mg/dl were statistically significant.Conclusions: The results can be used to formulate a screening policy for metabolic syndrome, particularly in the low resource settings of developing countries

Data-intensive research in physics: challenges and perspectives

Raman Research Institute (RRI) in recent years has been engaged in data-intensive research. The paper aims to understand the challenges faced by graduate students and their perspectives in data-intensive research at RRI regarding datatypes; collection methods; storage and access; data processing; legal and ethical issues. Questionnaire survey method and information extraction from ETD repository of RRI were used for data collection. Graduate students have expressed their desire for a better technical infrastructure, and need for training courses on different aspects of data related research and acquisition of data processing software. Observations in this study indicate that researchers are not well informed about some of the social issues associated with data and research such as legal aspects, ethical issues, plagiarism, data citation attributions, etc,. The study recommends steps to empower research students to handle the challenges in data-intensive research

Application of novel, efficient and agro-waste sourced catalyst for Knoevenagel condensation reaction

258-270A greener, economic and eco-friendly method for Knoevenagel condensation of aromatic aldehyde, salicylaldehyde with active methylene compounds like malononitrile and Meldrum&rsquo;s acid to synthesize benzylidinemalononitrile and 3-carboxy coumarin derivatives respectively is demonstrated. The reaction has been carried out in the absence of external base using agro-waste sourced green catalyst WENBA {Water Extract of Nilgiri Bark Ash (Eucalyptus)} as an efficient natural catalytic medium. WENBA is a novel, ecologically safe and inexpensive green catalyst obtained from the agro-waste feedstock. The synthesized compounds benzylidinemalononitrile and 3-carboxy coumarin (2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran) backbone have multiple applications in medicinal chemistry for the synthesis of bioactive molecules. Thus, a wide number of methodologies have been developed for the synthesis of this class of organic molecules. However, some of the methods reported are associated with hazardous materials and are toxic to the environment. They have longer reaction times, poor yields, and with lower purity of final isolated compound. In spite of a large number of methodologies available for this bioactive molecule synthesis, there is still demand for the development of newer reagents, which give environmentally friendly protocols, mild reaction conditions, inexpensive catalyst and final product isolation in pure form with good yields

Screening of alcohol de-addiction potential of zinc: a study on albino rats

Background: With regard to tobacco and alcohol addiction, involvement of NMDA receptors and glutamate as neurotransmitter has been highlighted. Few indirect evidences support possible de-addiction potential of zinc being mediated through their interaction with nicotinic and NMDA receptors. The objectives of the present study were planned to analyze the alcohol de-addiction potential of oral zinc sulfate as a monotherapy and as a supplement to topiramate, in male wistar albino rats.Methods: Male wistar albino rats were exposed to ‘two-bottle free choice’ model of voluntary ethanol consumption, wherein each animal had access to water and 10% v/v ethyl alcohol in two separate bottles. Thirty male rats divided into five groups, each containing six rats were treated as control group, receiving 1ml/kg/d distilled water orally; zinc sulfate group receiving 18mg/kg/d of elemental zinc orally; topiramate group receiving topiramate 5mg/kg/d, orally and Topiaramate plus Zinc sulfate group receiving both zinc sulfate (18mg/kg/d) and topiramate (5mg/kg/d) orally for two weeks.Results: There were no significant differences with regard to all the three parameters in two-way ANOVA. However, there were significant differences with regard to amount of alcohol and water consumed but not API, in all the treatment groups in post-hoc test.Conclusions: It is unclear on to the alcohol de-addiction potential of zinc as monotherapy and combination therapy with topiramate