Climate change impacts on coastal lakes: an evaluation of the impact on Vembanad, Chilka and Pulicat lakes and their resources

Bivalves play key role in ecosystem stabilisation due to inherent filter feeding capability and clams are important components of soft bottom benthic communities. In the Tuticorin Bay, mass mortality of fishes and shellfishes was observed in Februay 2008. The probable cause for the large scale mortality has been indicated as increased levels of ammonia (Asha et al., 2009). A rapid survey was conducted in the bay to assess the impact on the bivalve fauna

Efficacy and safety during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) under total intravenous anesthesia – propofol alone versus propofol supplemented with dexketa, a comparative study in medical college, Kolkata

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an invasive procedure and, hence, is distressing for awake patients, requiring an adequate level of anesthesia. Recent advancements have encouraged the use of monitored anesthesia care, that allows the patient to tolerate unpleasant experiences during procedures while maintaining cardio-respiratory function. Usually, propofol-based anesthesia is given in ERCP. The main aim of this study is to compare the effect of propofol alone and propofol with ketamine and dexmedetomidine on the hemodynamics during ERCP, recovery profile, and side effects (if any). Aims and Objectives: (1) To compare efficacy in terms of hemodynamic stability and desaturation events. (2) Recovery and quality of recovery. (3) Pain score. (4) Incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting. Materials and Methods: This is a comparative double-blinded study. Adult patients from the age group of 18–70 years belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA-I) and ASA-II who had undergone ERCP under total intravenous anesthesia were taken and randomly assigned to either of the two groups. Both groups received 0.01 mg/kg glycopyrrolate, 0.1 mg/kg ondansetron, 0.05 mg/kg midazolam, 50 mcg fentanyl, and 40 mg hyoscine. Group A patients received 30 mg propofol as a bolus dose and then repeated according to requirements. Group B patients received 0.5 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine as a loading dose and 0.3 mcg/kg/h as a maintenance infusion dose. 30 mg propofol was given before negotiating scope and then 1 mL (1:1) mixture of propofol and ketamine was repeated according to requirements. Total propofol consumption, hemodynamics, quality of recovery, and side effects (if any) were recorded at regular intervals. Results: The study showed significant cases in Group A had episodes of hypotension and apneic events, whereas there were very few hemodynamic instability and almost no apneic events in Group B patients. The requirement of propofol was much higher in Group A patients. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine when used along with propofol and ketamine in ERCP patients reduced the dose requirement of propofol and maintained hemodynamic stability without causing any apneic events

भारत के दक्षिण-पशिचम तट के अष्टमुडी झील में अवसाद और पानी की गुणता के परिवेश में सीपी संस्तरों का निर्धारण

कृपया पूरा लेखा पढ

Sediment quality evaluation towards developing scientific restoration protocol for mangroves

The role of mangroves as bio-shields and as critical habitats are being increasingly recognised and proved in the recent years. However, urbanisation and other anthropogenic activities have reduced the mangrove cover of most coastal areas. To overcome this, restoration programs are planned in several areas. Planting of mangrove seedlings without considering the ecological criteria suitable for the biological success of the mangroves, have given poor success rate

Fishery Management Plan for Ashtamudi Lake Clam Resources അഷ്ടമുടിക്കായലിലെ കക്ക സമ്പത്ത് ഒരു പരിപാലന പദ്ധതി

Th e Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has been studying the exploitation and biology of the key clam resource in the Ashtamudi Lake ecosystem from the late nineteen seventies. As a result of such concerted studies, an intervention for the scientifi c management of the clam resources could be made in the nineteen eighties, and ever since then, a sustained fi shery for the short-neck clam is being practiced by the fi shers. Realizing that the short-neck clam fi sheries is one of the few scientifi cally managed fi sheries in India, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF, India) initiated steps to get the fi sheries certifi ed or ecolabelled as per the criteria of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). Th is survey report and fi sheries management plan is a direct result of the WWF’s positive steps and the WWF has provided logistic support for the survey conducted by the CMFRI. We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Mr. Vinod Malayilethu, Senior Coordinator, Marine Conservation Programme, WWF, India for all support and help. We are also thankful to the Director, CMFRI for facilities, constructive criticism and encouragement to bring out this work as a special publication of the institute

Comparison of Digital and Bougie-aided Technique for Proseal Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion in Mastoid Surgery: A Randomised Clinical Study

Introduction: While placing the Proseal-laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) using the digital technique, there may be failed insertion or inadequate ventilation. Therefore, a placement technique using the Gum Elastic Bougie (GEB)-aided placement was employed. Aim: To compare the clinical efficacy of Proseal Laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) insertion by two different techniques viz. Digital and Gum elastic bougie-aided, in mastoid surgery in adult patients done under General Anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: In this randomised clinical study conducted at the Department of Anaesthesiology, R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India from November 2016 to December 2022. A total of 88 patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) class I and II of either sex undergoing mastoid surgery using the PLMA as an airway management device were allocated to Digital (Group D) and gum elastic Bougie (Group B) techniques. Parameters studied included the percentage of successful insertion of PLMA on the first attempt, number of attempts required and time taken for successful insertion of PLMA and postoperative complications if any. The t-test was used to compare the groups regarding PLMA insertion time, while categorical data such as airway trauma was compared using Chi-square test or Fischer’s-exact test (whichever applicable). Results: In the present study 88 patients were included, with 44 patients in each of the two groups. The difference in Mallampati scoring of both groups was statistically insignificant. In the present study 68.18% patients in Gum elastic bougie group and 70.45% patients in Digital group were of ASA Grade I, showing no statistical significance between these two groups regarding ASA status. In Group B (GEB), PLMA was successfully inserted in 95.45% of cases on the first attempt, and in group D (digital) the corresponding figure was 77.27% and 22.72% of cases required a 2nd attempt, this difference was statistically significant (p-value<0.001). The difference of PLMA insertion mean time was statistically significant between the two groups (24.33±3.209 seconds in gum elastic bougie group whereas in digital group it was 13.42±3.228 seconds) (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: The GEB-aided Proseal-LMA insertion is more successful in the first attempt than in the digital technique. Although GEB-aided insertions of PLMA took longer, they helped achieve higher oropharyngeal leak pressure. With peak airway pressures less than 20 cm of H2O there was no audible leak from the drain tube and there were fewer failed insertions

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST): Is the Incidence rising in India? —A Hospital Based Analysis

Context: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are rare tumours of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) but they are the most common amongst the mesenchymal tumours. However, there are very few published articles on patients with the diagnoses of GISTs from the Indian subcontinent and particularly from the eastern part of India. Also we noted an increased number of patients with the diagnosis of GISTs in our clinical practice compared to the past decade and have observed an increased incidence of tumours arising from the small bowel and large bowel compared to the stomach. Aims: To study the incidence of symptomatic GISTs, the demographic details, clinical presentations, the histopathological and immunohistochemistry features and survival of the patients and response of these tumours to imatinib therapy. Settings and Design: A retrospective study based on hospital registry conducted in the Departments of Radiotherapy and General Surgery, IPGME&amp;R- SSKM Hospital, Kolkata and NRSMCH, Kolkata. Methods &amp; Material: Cross sectional imaging and endoscopic evaluations were used to diagnose the tumours. Tumor categorization required microscopic and immunohistochemistry studies for c-Kit, DOG-1 and other tumor markers. High risk group tumours were treated with imatinib 400 mg/day for 3 years duration. Statistical Analysis:Incidence of GISTs was analyzed using Pearson Chi-square test and Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Pearson Chi-square test. Results: Incidence of GISTs in 2010-2011 was 0.37% whereas in 2018-2019 it was 2.48% with 85% increase, p value of &lt;0.001. The commonest tumor location was in the small bowel (40.7%), followed by stomach (25.4%) and colo-rectum (10.2%). Mean duration of imatinib therapy was 19.33 months with 84% overall survival. Estimated three-year OS (overall survival) was 73.6%. Estimated mean OS was 66±5.39 months with 95% CI 55.6-76.7. Mean survival of patients with metastatic disease on imatinib therapy was 16.88 months with p=0.000. Primary response to imatinib therapy was observed in 93.87% (43/46) patients. Patients developing disease progression on imatinib were treated with Sunitinib and they demonstrated partial response. Conclusion: We have documented an increased incidence of gastrointestinal stromal tumours and there is increased proportion of small bowel and colorectal tumours compared to gastric tumours. Keywords: Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours, Incidence, cKIT, DOG-1, Imatinib

Efficacy and safety of aripiprazole lauroxil in schizophrenic patients presenting with severe psychotic symptoms during an acute exacerbation.

Aripiprazole lauroxil (AL), a new long-acting injectable antipsychotic, demonstrated safety and efficacy in treating acute exacerbation symptoms of schizophrenia in a 12-week placebo-controlled trial of two doses of AL (441mg and 882mg) administered every 4weeks. We performed a post hoc analysis of this trial to evaluate the efficacy of AL in the subgroup of patients with severe psychotic symptoms, defined as those with baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Total score above the median score of 92 (n=309). Change from baseline to Day 85 in PANSS Total score; Positive, Negative, and General Psychopathology subscale scores; and overall response rate were assessed. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in PANSS Total score were demonstrated with AL 441mg and AL 882mg, with placebo-adjusted differences of -14.7 (p&lt;0.0001) and -16.6 (p&lt;0.0001), respectively. Significant and clinically meaningful findings with both doses of AL were also demonstrated for the PANSS subscales and responder rates. Overall responder rates at Day 85 were significantly greater for AL 441mg (49%; p&lt;0.001) and 882 mg (61%; p&lt;0.001) groups vs. placebo (18%). Common adverse events (&gt;5%) were schizophrenia, akathisia, headache, insomnia, and anxiety. AL demonstrated robust efficacy in treatment of the subgroup of patients experiencing severe psychotic symptoms. Both doses (441mg and 882mg) were effective, with numerically greater improvement in symptoms and proportion of responders favoring the higher dose arm. Both doses had a side effect profile consistent with the known safety profile of aripiprazole

Efficacy and safety of aripiprazole lauroxil in schizophrenic patients presenting with severe psychotic symptoms during an acute exacerbation.

Aripiprazole lauroxil (AL), a new long-acting injectable antipsychotic, demonstrated safety and efficacy in treating acute exacerbation symptoms of schizophrenia in a 12-week placebo-controlled trial of two doses of AL (441mg and 882mg) administered every 4weeks. We performed a post hoc analysis of this trial to evaluate the efficacy of AL in the subgroup of patients with severe psychotic symptoms, defined as those with baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Total score above the median score of 92 (n=309). Change from baseline to Day 85 in PANSS Total score; Positive, Negative, and General Psychopathology subscale scores; and overall response rate were assessed. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in PANSS Total score were demonstrated with AL 441mg and AL 882mg, with placebo-adjusted differences of -14.7 (p&lt;0.0001) and -16.6 (p&lt;0.0001), respectively. Significant and clinically meaningful findings with both doses of AL were also demonstrated for the PANSS subscales and responder rates. Overall responder rates at Day 85 were significantly greater for AL 441mg (49%; p&lt;0.001) and 882 mg (61%; p&lt;0.001) groups vs. placebo (18%). Common adverse events (&gt;5%) were schizophrenia, akathisia, headache, insomnia, and anxiety. AL demonstrated robust efficacy in treatment of the subgroup of patients experiencing severe psychotic symptoms. Both doses (441mg and 882mg) were effective, with numerically greater improvement in symptoms and proportion of responders favoring the higher dose arm. Both doses had a side effect profile consistent with the known safety profile of aripiprazole