Effect of plasma surface treatment of poly (dimethylsiloxane) on the permeation of pharmaceutical compounds

This paper addresses the modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane), i.e. PDMS, using plasma surface treatment and a novel application of the membrane created. A set of model compounds were analysed to determine their permeation through PDMS both with, and without, plasma treatment. It was found that plasma treatment reduced permeation for the majority of compounds yet had little effect for some compounds, such as caffeine, with results indicating that polarity plays an important role in permeation, as is seen in human skin. Most importantly, a direct correlation was observed between plasma-modified permeation data and literature data through calculation of membrane permeability (Kp) values implying plasma-modified silicone membrane (PMSM) could be considered a suitable in vivo replacement to predict clinical skin permeatio

Outcome of tetanus patients admitted in Rangpur Medical College Hospital

Background: Tetanus remains one of the major public health hazards of the developing world. Mortality is much lower in the developed world because of the availability of facilities, unlike in most developing countries' Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the outcome of tetanus patients admitted in infectious disease unit of Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Methods: A total of 91 cases of tetanus patients were seen in the 18 month period with a mean of 5 cases per month; they are diagnosed and managed for tetanus in the medical wards from January 2011 to June 2012. The data were retrieved from their case records and analyzed. Results: There were thirty one deaths, accounting for an overall mortality of 34.16o.Total fifty six patients were cured among which sixteen (17.67%) were cured with complication and four (4.4%) patient were absconded. Mortality was high 45.84% (11 patients out of 24) ?40 years age, whereas low 29.85 (20 patient out of 87) in <40 yea15 age (45.84% vs 29.85%). Mortality rate was also higher among female than male patients (34.66% vs 33.85%). Farmers experienced more death than non-farmer (4l.l8% vs 29-82%, P<0.05). Mortality was higher in patients who had not received any medical treatment for their wound than in patients who had received it for their wound (52.78% vs 21.81%, p<0.05). Patients with short incubation period of less than one week had higher mortality in comparison with those who had incubation period more than one week (53.33% vs 23.25%, P<0'05). Of the 91 patients, fifty six (64.34%) were alive, though four remained in a persistent vegetative state due to tetanus toxin-induced brain damage and another two required a below knee amputation of the left leg. Hence, 40 were discharged well and 16 were discharged with permanent disabilities. Conclusion: The case fatality rate of tetanus has remained consistently high in the medical college. Factors that were significantly associated with high mortality included older age, and incubation period of less than 7 days. It is recommended that preventive immunization against tetanus be given to all Bangladeshis with secondary vaccination at adulthood

Performance and variability for yield and yield contributing characters in spring wheat

The present study was conducted with twenty bread wheat genotypes at the experimental field of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during the period from November 2008 to March 2009 to assess performance of the genotypes, variability, heritability and genetic advance among yield and important yield contributing characters. Considering yield per plant the genotype Peacock was the best followed by BAW-1008, Pavon-76, Mayoor, Bulbul and BAW-1004. BAW-1008 was the early maturing genotype followed by Mayoor, BAW- 861, BAW-1004 and Balaka. BAW-970, Akbar, BAW-1004, Pavon-76, BAW-861 and BAW-1006 were semi dwarf in plant height as such they were of desired type. TP-1 and Mayoor were superior for effective tillers per plant. BAW- 1004 was the best genotype for spike length and grains per spike. For 100-grain weight Bulbul, for harvest index BAW-1006 was the best. Days to 90% maturity, plant height, grains per spike, 100-grain weight and harvest index exhibited high heritability. Among them grains per spike, 100-grain weight and harvest index showed high genetic advance in percentage of mean

Study on relationship and selection index for yield and yield contributing characters in spring wheat

The present study was conducted with twenty bread wheat genotypes at the experimental field of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, during the period from November 2008 to March 2009 to assess the relationship and selection index among yield and important yield attributing characters. Days to maturity, grains per spike, 100-grain weight and harvest index showed significant and positive correlation with grain yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis suggested that grains per spike followed by 100-grain weight and effective tillers per plant contributed maximum to grain yield positively and directly. Thus, selection based on these characters might be effective for improving grain yield. Selection indices were constructed through the discriminate functions using eight characters. From the results, the highest relative efficiency was observed with the selection index based on three characters; plant height and grains per spike and grain yield per plant. The present investigation indicates that the index selection based on these three characters might be more effective and efficient for selecting high yielding wheat genotypes

A middle aged man with Caroli's disease: A case report

Caroli's disease (CD) is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by non-obstructive dilatation of intra hepatic bile ducts, which may be complicated by stone formation, recurrent cholangitis, biliary abscess and higher risk for biliary malignancy. We report a 37-year-old man with recurrent bouts of upper abdominal pain, high grade pyrexia, mild icterus with normal liver function tests who was diagnosed as a case of Caroli's disease. The laboratory studies confirmed Caroli' s disease with a SOL in liver suggestive of liver abscess and the patient received broad spectrum antibiotics with anaerobic and amoebicidal coverage. With 14 days course of antibiotics, he gradually recovered from his symptoms

A middle aged man with Caroli's disease: A case report

Caroli's disease (CD) is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by non-obstructive dilatation of intra hepatic bile ducts, which may be complicated by stone formation, recurrent cholangitis, biliary abscess and higher risk for biliary malignancy. We report a 37-year-old man with recurrent bouts of upper abdominal pain, high grade pyrexia, mild icterus with normal liver function tests who was diagnosed as a case of Caroli's disease. The laboratory studies confirmed Caroli' s disease with a SOL in liver suggestive of liver abscess and the patient received broad spectrum antibiotics with anaerobic and amoebicidal coverage. With 14 days course of antibiotics, he gradually recovered from his symptoms

Outcome of tetanus patients admitted in Rangpur Medical College Hospital

Background: Tetanus remains one of the major public health hazards of the developing world. Mortality is much lower in the developed world because of the availability of facilities, unlike in most developing countries' Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the outcome of tetanus patients admitted in infectious disease unit of Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Methods: A total of 91 cases of tetanus patients were seen in the 18 month period with a mean of 5 cases per month; they are diagnosed and managed for tetanus in the medical wards from January 2011 to June 2012. The data were retrieved from their case records and analyzed. Results: There were thirty one deaths, accounting for an overall mortality of 34.16o.Total fifty six patients were cured among which sixteen (17.67%) were cured with complication and four (4.4%) patient were absconded. Mortality was high 45.84% (11 patients out of 24) ?40 years age, whereas low 29.85 (20 patient out of 87) in <40 yea15 age (45.84% vs 29.85%). Mortality rate was also higher among female than male patients (34.66% vs 33.85%). Farmers experienced more death than non-farmer (4l.l8% vs 29-82%, P<0.05). Mortality was higher in patients who had not received any medical treatment for their wound than in patients who had received it for their wound (52.78% vs 21.81%, p<0.05). Patients with short incubation period of less than one week had higher mortality in comparison with those who had incubation period more than one week (53.33% vs 23.25%, P<0'05). Of the 91 patients, fifty six (64.34%) were alive, though four remained in a persistent vegetative state due to tetanus toxin-induced brain damage and another two required a below knee amputation of the left leg. Hence, 40 were discharged well and 16 were discharged with permanent disabilities. Conclusion: The case fatality rate of tetanus has remained consistently high in the medical college. Factors that were significantly associated with high mortality included older age, and incubation period of less than 7 days. It is recommended that preventive immunization against tetanus be given to all Bangladeshis with secondary vaccination at adulthood