A comparative study of volume control ventilation versus pressure control ventilation in patients of trauma

Background: Trauma patients may require mechanical ventilation secondary to the respiratory centre depression or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It has become increasingly accepted that mechanical ventilation, although often life-saving, can contribute to lung injury. This concept has led to implementation of lung protective ventilation strategies.Methods: This is a prospective, double blind, comparative study in which sixty patients of intubated trauma patients on mechanical ventilation expected at least for five days are included. They were divided in group V where patients were put on volume control ventilation for four days and group-P where patients were put on volume control for two days and pressure control for next two days, after initial stabilization. Each patient was evaluated for ventilation parameters (partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, peak inspiratory pressure), chest X ray findings and outcome of the patient, keeping the hemodynamic stability and medications same in all patients of both groups.Results: The demographic data like age, weight, and sex were comparable in both volume and pressure control groups.. Baseline ventilation parameters were compared between the groups at every eight hours. During the study we found that there was significant and better oxygenation in pressure control ventilation than volume, less increase in peak inspiratory pressure in pressure controlled ventilation than volume controlled. Other parameters like partial pressure of carbon dioxide also showed less increase in pressure control ventilation. Chest X ray finding showed that the data is comparable and statistically not significant in both the groups. The outcomes of the patients were good in pressure control mode of ventilation than volume control mode and the data was statistically significant.Conclusions: We conclude a better compliance of patients and good respiratory outcome on pressure control than volume. It has better lung compliance with respect to partial pressures of O2 and CO2 and peak inspiratory pressures than the volume control

A commercial micropropagation protocol for virupakshi (AAB) banana via apical meristem

In vitro micropropagation of banana (Musa spp.) cv.virupakshi (Hillbanana) was studied. Suckers were collected from the germ plasm block of Jain R&D (originally established from the suckers from Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu) during summer. The sucker surface sterilized with 1% NaOCl for 30 min gave 100% survival without any contamination. Apical meristems that were isolated and cultured on MS based media supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BAP) 10.0 mg/l and IAA1.0 mg/l gave higher number of shoots (134.3 shoots/explant) within168 days (24 weeks). Kinetin 2.0 mg/l and NAA0.5 mg/l gave early rooting in just five days with 6.6 roots per plant. Observations were recorded after every four weeks up to six sub-culturing. Acclimatization was done in poly house, followed by shade house under 50% light conditions. The hardened plants when shifted to the field showed luxurious growth. The regenerated micro propagated banana plants were tested for genetic uniformity through 13 inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers recommended by NCS-TCP, DBT. Profiles obtained by all the three ISSR primers namely, 834, 840 and 850, respectively exhibited similar banding patterns, which revealed the existence of genetic uniformity in micro- propagated plants.Keywords: Micropropagation, Virupakshi, hill banana, banana bunchy top viru

High Density Planting in Mango cv. Alphonso

A trial was conducted to optimize spacing for high density planting in mango cv. Alphonso to obtain higher yield/ unit area at the Agriculture Research Station, Mulde, during 2006-07 to 2008-09 with four close spacings and one normal spacing as control. Highest yield (6.4 MT/ha) was recorded with a spacing of 5 m x 5 m without reduction in fruit size in 10 year old plants compared to the mean yield of 1.12 MT/ha in 10m x 10m normal spacing. High density plantation helped to get significantly higher yield per unit area compared to the normal spacing, without affecting size and quality of mango fruits. The highest cost:benefit ratio (2.33) was recorded in high density plantation of 5m x 5m, with maximum net returns of Rs.1,12,000/- per hectare. The present findings show promise for more yield and returns per unit area during the initial years of mango plantation by adopting 5m x 5m high density planting

Haematological and Biochemical Characterization of Bubaline Trypanosomosis in Mumbai Region of India

The present study was based on observations on 17 cases of Trypanosoma evansi infection in buffaloes diagnosed by blood smear examination. The degree of parasitaemia revealed heavy (64.70%), moderate (23.52%) and mild (11.76%) infections in buffaloes.Haematological analysis revealed subnormal erythrocytic count and haemoglobin in 70.58% buffaloes. Leukocytosis was evident in 70.58% buffaloes with neutrophilia relatively associated with lymphocytopenia.Blood glucose level of 15 hypoglycaemic buffaloes ranged between 27 to 49.05 gm/dl with an average of 39.35 gm/dl. The comparative analysis of the degree of hypoglycaemia with parasitaemia revealed positive correlation between two parameters. Biochemical analysis of sera and blood samples showed increase level of BUN and serum creatinine in 17.64% buffaloes

Risk-Averse Matchings over Uncertain Graph Databases

A large number of applications such as querying sensor networks, and analyzing protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, rely on mining uncertain graph and hypergraph databases. In this work we study the following problem: given an uncertain, weighted (hyper)graph, how can we efficiently find a (hyper)matching with high expected reward, and low risk? This problem naturally arises in the context of several important applications, such as online dating, kidney exchanges, and team formation. We introduce a novel formulation for finding matchings with maximum expected reward and bounded risk under a general model of uncertain weighted (hyper)graphs that we introduce in this work. Our model generalizes probabilistic models used in prior work, and captures both continuous and discrete probability distributions, thus allowing to handle privacy related applications that inject appropriately distributed noise to (hyper)edge weights. Given that our optimization problem is NP-hard, we turn our attention to designing efficient approximation algorithms. For the case of uncertain weighted graphs, we provide a $\frac{1}{3}$-approximation algorithm, and a $\frac{1}{5}$-approximation algorithm with near optimal run time. For the case of uncertain weighted hypergraphs, we provide a $\Omega(\frac{1}{k})$-approximation algorithm, where $k$ is the rank of the hypergraph (i.e., any hyperedge includes at most $k$ nodes), that runs in almost (modulo log factors) linear time. We complement our theoretical results by testing our approximation algorithms on a wide variety of synthetic experiments, where we observe in a controlled setting interesting findings on the trade-off between reward, and risk. We also provide an application of our formulation for providing recommendations of teams that are likely to collaborate, and have high impact.Comment: 25 page

SOLID DISPERSION: STRATEGY TO ENHANCE SOLUBILITY

The solubility behavior of drugs remains one of the most exigent aspects in formulation development.With the advent of combinatorial chemistry and high throughput screening, the number of poorly water soluble compounds has dramatically increased.  Among all the newly discovered chemical entities, about 40-45% drugs fail to reach market due to their poor water solubility. Because of solubility problem, bioavailability of drugs gets affected and hence solubility enhancement becomes necessary. Solid dispersions have attracted considerable interest as an efficient means of improving the dissolution rate and hence the bioavailability of drugs. This article reviews the various preparation techniques, carriers used, advantages and limitations of solid dispersions and compiles some of the recent advances. There are various methods available to improve the solubility of the new drug in which solid dispersion emerged promising. A Solid dispersion generally composed of two components- the drug and the polymer matrix. Numerous methods are existing to prepare the solid dispersions such as melting method, solvent evaporation method, fusion method, kneading method, melting method, spray drying method, co-grinding method, lyophilization technique, hot melt extrusion, melt agglomeration, supercritical fluid (SCF) technology etc. Solid dispersion technologies are particularly promising for improving the oral absorption and bioavailability of BCS Class II drugs. The experience with solid dispersions over the last 10-15 years indicates that this is a very fruitful approach in improving the release rate and oral bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. Hence, this approach is expected to form a basis for the commercialization of many poorly water-soluble and water-insoluble drugs in their solid-dispersion formulations in the near future. Key words: Dissolution, Solid Dispersion, Solubility, Cellulose Derivatives, Polyethylene glycol

FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION GASTRORETENTIVE DRUG DELIVERY OF TINIDAZOLE

The aim of the current study was to design oral controlled release gastro-retentive drug delivery of Tinidazole. that are designed to retain in the stomach for a long time and have developed as a Local drug delivery system for better eradication of Helicobacter Pylori in peptic ulcer diseases. Tablets were prepared by direct compression and evaluated for evaluated for various physical parameters, Hardness, friability, drug Content, floating ability, Lag time, Swelling Index studies, and in vitro dissolution parameters as well as kinetics of release were assessed.  Factorial design for 2 factors at 3 levels each was employed to systematically optimize drug release profile and Floating Behaviour. Sodium Alginate and Hydroxy Propyl Metheyl Celluiose (HPMC K15M) were taken as the independent variables. Response surface plots and contour plots were drawn.Compressed tablets exhibited zero order drug release kinetics, resulting in regulated and complete release until 12 hours. Polynomial mathematical models, generated for various response variables using multiple linear regression analysis, were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05).Both the polymers had significant effect on the release profiles of the tablets, Besides unraveling the effect of the 2 factors on the various response variables, the study helped in finding the optimum Formulation ‘F4’ with Floating Lag Time (20 sec.) and having controlled release upto 12 hours (99.47%). Meanwhile, sustained profiles of drug release were also obtained.  In general, these systems can float in the gastric conditions and control the drug release from the tablets

Parasitism capacity of Trichogramma pretiosum on eggs of Trichoplusia ni at different temperatures.

ABSTRACT: Trichogramma spp. are egg parasitoids of various pest species of Lepidoptera including Trichoplusia ni, an important pest of plants in the genus Brassica. Of the climatic conditions that can impair Trichogramma spp. parasitism capacity, the temperature is critical. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the parasitism capacity of Trichogramma pretiosum on eggs of T. ni at 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, and 33ºC; 70±10% RH; and 12/12 hours photophase (L/D). Fresh eggs of the host moth were offered to T. pretiosum daily. The parasitism rate varied between 8 and 11.4 eggs/female at the temperatures evaluated for the first 24 hours. The highest number of parasitized eggs per female occurred at 24ºC (53.0 parasitized eggs/female). The period of parasitism and the mean longevity of females were inversely related to the temperature. Temperature heavily influences the parasitism rate of T. pretiosum on eggs of T. ni, and the best overall performance of the parasitoid occurs from 24 to 27ºC. RESUMO. Trichogramma spp. são parasitoide de ovos de várias espécies pragas de Lepidoptera incluindo Trichoplusia ni, uma importante praga de plantas do gênero Brassica. Das condições climáticas que podem influenciar a capacidade de parasitismo de Trichogramma spp., a temperatura é uma das principais. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de parasitismo de Trichogramma pretiosum em ovos de T. ni nas temperaturas de 18, 21, 24, 27, 30 e 33ºC; 70±10% UR; e 14/12h fotofase. Ovos frescos de T. ni foram oferecidos diariamente para T. pretiosum. A taxa de parasitismo nas primeiras 24h variou de 8 a 11,4 ovos/fêmea do parasitoide entre as temperaturas avaliadas. O maior número de ovos parasitados por fêmea ocorreu a 24ºC (53,0 ovos parasitados/fêmea). O tempo de parasitismo e a longevidade média dos parasitoides adultos foram inversamente relacionados à temperatura. Temperatura influência enormemente no parasitismo de T. pretiosum em ovos de T. ni, e os melhores resultados do parasitoide foram obtidos de 24 a 27ºC