EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE FILTER MEDIA FOR THE ROTARY MICROFILTER

The Savannah River Site is currently developing and testing several processes to treat high level radioactive liquid waste. Each of these processes has a solid-liquid separation process that limits its throughput. Savannah River National Laboratory researchers identified and tested the rotary microfilter as a technology to increase solid-liquid separation throughput. The authors believe the rotary microfilter throughput can be improved by using a better filter membrane. Previous testing showed that asymmetric filters composed of a ceramic membrane on top of a stainless steel support produced higher filter flux than 100% stainless steel symmetric filters in crossflow filter tests. Savannah River National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working together to develop asymmetric ceramic ? stainless steel composite filters and asymmetric 100% stainless steel filters to improve the throughput of the rotary microfilter. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Inorganic Membrane Group fabricated samples of alternative filter membranes. In addition, Savannah River National Laboratory obtained samples of filter membranes from Pall, Porvair, and SpinTek. They tested these samples in a static test cell with feed slurries containing monosodium titanate and simulated sludge

Antimicrobial prescribing pattern in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections in children in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Acute respiratory infections are among the most common causes of physician consultation in the pediatric age group. Typically, the underlying etiology is viral, hence does not always requiring antibiotic prescription. However, antibiotics are often used for the treatment of many acute respiratory infections. Hence the present study was undertaken to analyse the current prescribing trends of antimicrobial use in acute respiratory tract infection in children in a tertiary care hospital and to do a quantitative analysis of overall antimicrobials used and their source.Methods: This is a cross sectional, observational study conducted in the pediatrics inpatient department of tertiary care hospital. A total of 100 cases which included both upper respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection patients were analyzed. The total duration of study was 6 months.Results: Penicillins were the most commonly prescribed class of drugs.Conclusions: We noted a favourable trend towards monotherapy. All drugs in our study were prescribed by generic name

A study of vitamin C, superoxide dismutase and FEV1/FVC ratio in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by incomplete reversible airflow limitation, which is associated with emphysema and chronic inflammation. Oxidative/antioxidant imbalance is one of the mechanisms of the current pathogenesis of COPD ECSOD is an antioxidant protein that scavenges superoxide free radicals from cigarette smoke and protects the lungs from free radical damage and chronic inflammation. Methods: Vitamin C was estimated by acid phosphotungustate on spectrometer at 660nm (Ayekygw 1978) method. SOD was estimated by Marklund S and Marklund G (1974) modified by Nandi and Chatterjee.  FEV1/FEV ratio was done by spirometry technique. Results: The present study revealed that there was an increased oxidative stress in patients with COPD, when compared with controls and also decreased level of antioxidant activity in COPD patients, when compared with controls. In our studies significantly decreased sr. superoxide dismutase activity and FEV1/FVC ratio levels were found in subjects with COPD than healthy normal subjects. Conclusions: A significant decline in lung function may be associated with altered antioxidant enzyme activity due to the strong correlation between SOD and lung functions with COPD severity

Stakeholder engagement in hydro-climatic services in India: report of pump priming project April 2019

The India-UK Water Centre (IUKWC) promotes cooperation and collaboration between the complementary priorities of NERC-MoES water security research. This report presents an overview of a research project funded as a pump priming activity by the India-UK Water Centre (IUKWC), carried out between July–October 2017. Project activities included: a webinar, a desk-based literature review, a series of expert interviews and a participatory workshop held at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, in September 2017. The research was led by Dr Zareen Pervez Bharucha (Anglia Ruskin University), who worked with a team of scholars from the UK and India. This report outlines the key activities undertaken during the project, gives an overview of our research methods, and outlines the main findings. It is intended for participants in the research process, members of the India-UK Water Centre, and other stakeholders who have an interest in developing hydro-climatic services in India or comparable contexts. It should be read in conjunction with a State of the Science brief available on the IUKWC website (www.iukwc.org)

Bacteriological study of surgical site infections in a tertiary care hospital at Miraj, Maharashtra state, India

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are one of the common post-operative complications. Apart from bacterial contamination of wound, various patient and environment related factors play role in development and outcome of SSI. The present study is undertaken to study the frequency of SSI with reference to factors contributing to it and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the causative organisms.Methods: This single-observer, cross-sectional, complete-enumeration prospective study was carried out over a period of one year. 196 pus samples from cases of surgical site infections were processed for gram staining, culture, biochemical identification tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were detected by using oxacillin and cefoxitin disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oxacillin was tested by broth dilution technique.Results: The overall frequency of SSI was 6.17%. Most common isolates were Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS), E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The frequency of MRSA was 8.6%. The maximum frequency was among patients operated on emergency basis in surgical department.Conclusions: The most important determinants for SSI were emergency surgery and presence of co-morbid conditions. The frequency of occurrence was age-dependent, with maximum rate of SSI in males and females in the third and sixth decades of life, respectively

Evaluation of Alternative Filter Media for the Rotary Microfilter

The Savannah River Site is currently developing and testing several processes to treat high level radioactive liquid waste. Each of these processes has a solid-liquid separation process that limits its throughput. Savannah River National Laboratory researchers identified and tested the rotary microfilter as a technology to increase solid-liquid separation throughput. The authors believe the rotary microfilter throughput can be improved by using a better filter membrane. Previous testing showed that asymmetric filters composed of a ceramic membrane on top of a stainless steel support produced higher filter flux than 100% stainless steel symmetric filters in crossflow filter tests. Savannah River National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working together to develop asymmetric ceramic ? stainless steel composite filters and asymmetric 100% stainless steel filters to improve the throughput of the rotary microfilter. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory Inorganic Membrane Group fabricated samples of alternative filter membranes. In addition, Savannah River National Laboratory obtained samples of filter membranes from Pall, Porvair, and SpinTek. They tested these samples in a static test cell with feed slurries containing monosodium titanate and simulated sludge

A cross sectional study of knowledge, attitude and practices related to fixed dose combinations use among clinicians and resident doctors at a tertiary care teaching hospital in India

Background: In the year 2016, Government of India had banned 350 fixed dose combinations (FDCs) for the safety and efficacy purpose. The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of the clinicians and residents about the use of FDCs at a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A questionnaire based study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital after getting approval from institutional ethics committee. A pre-validated questionnaire comprising of 30 items was distributed to 100 participants. The questionnaire focused on the prescribing behaviour, knowledge on therapeutic efficacy, advantages and limitations of FDC use, clinician perception regarding FDC use and the strategies to improve the awareness about the regulatory updates of the marketed drugs.Results: Total 52/100 clinicians responded. Out of these, 88% prescribed FDCs in their practice, 62% prescribed FDCs only after ensuring therapeutic efficacy and 50% prescribed WHO approved FDCs. 64% were aware of the recent ban on some FDCs by DCGI. Internet was the most common source of latest updates on the regulatory status of the drug, as stated by 55% clinicians. All clinicians agreed that efforts are needed to ensure that prescribers remain up to date about the post-marketing regulatory status of the drugs.Conclusions: Even though many clinicians prescribe FDCs regularly, they appreciated the step of banning some FDCs; however, the clinicians need to be trained to update themselves regularly. The source and relevance of these updates should be taught to the undergraduate students during their training period which can be reemphasized during post graduate training period