Pseudo cholinesterase-diagnostic and prognostic value in organophosphorus poisoning

Background: Organophosphorus compound poisoning is a common clinical situation encountered in emergency department. The estimation of pseudo cholinesterase levels in plasma help to identify OP poisoning. Aim of this study was the levels of pseudo cholinesterase in plasma as a diagnostic aid in patients with suspected organophosphorus poisoning and to predict the prognosis and mortality based on pseudo cholinesterase activity.Methods: 390 cases of suspected organophosphorus compound poisoning were selected above 18 years of age. Detailed history and clinical examination were done. The serum levels of enzyme pseudo cholinesterase were estimated on 1st and 3rd and 6th day.Results: 61% were males, 39% were females. Age range 18-55 years. Most of the patients were admitted within 4 hours of consumption. 50% cases were mild, 26% were moderate and 24% were severe cases, Commonest clinical features were vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Common signs were miosis (46%), difficulty in breathing (42%), cold calmmy skin, bradycardia. Patients who survived had raising values of enzyme levels and in patients who expired did not show much increase in enzyme values.Conclusions: In initial stages of poisoning, determining pseudo cholinesterase activity forms a reliable test. In patients who survived had values above 4300 U/L and showed increasing levels on successive days indicating better prognosis. Low values of enzymes in initial stages of poisoning as well as decreasing values on the third day indicate increased mortality

Eulerian Walkers as a model of Self-Organised Criticality

We propose a new model of self-organized criticality. A particle is dropped at random on a lattice and moves along directions specified by arrows at each site. As it moves, it changes the direction of the arrows according to fixed rules. On closed graphs these walks generate Euler circuits. On open graphs, the particle eventually leaves the system, and a new particle is then added. The operators corresponding to particle addition generate an abelian group, same as the group for the Abelian Sandpile model on the graph. We determine the critical steady state and some critical exponents exactly, using this equivalence.Comment: 4 pages, RevTex, 4 figure

New and improved method of bamboo cultivation in semi arid areas of Indian Thar desert

Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus Roxb.) is widely utilized in construction, pulp and paper, furniture, food and medicine, fuel and handicrafts for a long time. Due to its wider application, a field experiment was carried out to check its cultivation requirements besides its success rate in semi arid area of Indian Thar desert. In the present work, Guggul (Commiphora wightii Arnott.) which is a resident plant of Thar desert has been proved as a potential intercrop in bamboo cultivation. Improved growth was observed in bamboo with plant height (8.92 to 20.74 feet), number of culms (19 to 38), culm diameter (2.2 to 4.3 cm) during intercropping of guggul. Among different methods of irrigation, highest growth was recorded in drip irrigated plants where 50% recommended N:P:K and organic manure were given in combination followed by N:P:K sole. This study indicates that Guggul may play a role in microclimate development in the bamboo cultivation. This is the first report on successful bamboo cultivation in semi arid area of desert using an intercrop.Key words: Dendrocalamus, soil enzymes, fertilization, guggul, nitrogen

Comparison of safety and toxicity of liposomal versus conventional Doxorubicin: an updated review

Cancer persists to be a major cause of hospitalization and death every year. With the passage of time, new formulations of anticancer drugs are being introduced to the market and are drawing the concern of healthcare professionals in terms of the superiority, toxicology, and cost-effectiveness of the new formulations in comparison to the conventional formulation of the same drugs. Doxorubicin, a highly potent chemotherapeutic agent, it comes with three formulations (pegylated liposomal, nonpegylated liposomal and non-liposomal conventional formulations). English-language literature of the three formulations of Doxorubicin has been reviewed to inform the healthcare professionals regarding the differences between these formulations. Liposomal Doxorubicin promotes better toxicology profile than non-liposomal conventional Doxorubicin with an increased cost. Due to very limited studies, the cost-effectiveness of liposomal Doxorubicin is not well defined. Apart from that, this review highlights the inter patient variability in regard to the clearance and volume of distribution following the administration of liposomal Doxorubicin. In conclusion, further studies regarding the superiority of liposomal formulation of Doxorubicin , efficacy and dose standardization of liposomal Doxorubicin should be sought in the near future in a more better way

Adherence to treatment in patients undergoing dialysis

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a silent disease that is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages. The prevalence and incidence of chronic kidney disease (end-stage renal disease) are continuously increasing, particularly in elderly patients. Poor adherence to complex multimodal therapies is a widely recognized problem in the daily care of dialysis patients, contributing to excess morbidity and mortality of this population. Aims and objectives was to assess the adherence to medications among patients undergoing haemodialysis and to explore the factors affecting non adherence.Methods: After obtaining approval from Institutional Ethics Committee, a prospective observational study was carried out among 150 patients, who were on dialysis in a tertiary care hospital, Hassan. An eight item Morisky Medication adherence questionnaire was used to assess medication adherence. Chi-square test applied to assess statistics.Results: Adherence levels were 28%, 42% and 30% for high, medium and poor adherence respectively. The overall prevalence of non-adherence among respondents was 30%. Among them 77.77% were males, 44.44% belonged to age group of 41-60 years, 40% illiterate, 60% employed, 51.11% of patients with smoking and alcoholic habits were not adherent to Dialysis. Other reasons contributing to non-adherence to treatment were forget fullness (86.66%), inadequate knowledge about side effects (80%), unhappy clinical visits (71.11%) and lack of assistance (48.88%).Conclusions: In this study patient showed moderate adherence. This emphasizes the need for constant motivation and education at frequent intervals to ensure better adherence