Comparative study of hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine and hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine with low dose dexmedetomidine in spinal anaesthesia

Background: Spinal anaesthesia remains one of the basic techniques in the arsenal of modern anaesthesiology despite the waxing and waning of its popularity over last 100 years since its introduction into clinical practice.It avoids biochemical and metabolic changes consequent to the stress of general anesthesia for surgery as well as provides near optimal conditions for surgery. In present study, we tried to study effectiveness of intrathecal 0.5% heavy bupivacaine alone with Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to intrathecal 0.5% heavy bupivacaine for lower limb and lower abdominal surgeries.Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of anaesthesiology from December 2011 to September 2013.This study was a prospective, randomised controlled, single blind, study conducted in 100 patients of ASA grade I and II undergoing elective surgeries under spinal anaesthesia. The patients were divided randomly into two groups, containing 50 patients in each group. Dosages of drugs selected are divided as Group B: Patients received 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (15mg) and Group BD: Patients received 3 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (15mg) plus 10 µg Dexmedetomidine. Spinal block characteristics, Mean arterial pressure, Mean pulse rate, sedation and side effects were studied during intra-operative and postoperative period.Results: It was found from present study that in Dexmedetomidine group time to reach T10 sensory blockade and complete motor blockade was earlier and a higher level of sensory blockade compared to control group achieved. Duration of sensory, motor blockade and duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in the Dexmedetomidine group compared to the control group. Hemodynamic parameters were preserved both intra-operatively and postoperatively. However there were a small percentage of patients who developed hypotension and bradycardia which were easily managed without any untoward effect. Hence Dexmedetomidine is a better neuraxial adjuvant for providing early onset of sensory and motor blockade, prolonged sensory blockade and post operative analgesia and adequate sedation.Conclusions: Intrathecal low dose Dexmedetomidine in a dose of 10µg along with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine is an addition into anaesthesiologist's armamentarium for spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing elective lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries

In-process rheometry as a PAT tool for hot melt extrusion

YesReal time measurement of melt rheology has been investigated as a Process Analytical Technology (PAT) to monitor hot melt extrusion of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) in a polymer matrix. A developmental API was melt mixed with a commercial copolymer using a heated twin screw extruder at different API loadings and set temperatures. The extruder was equipped with an instrumented rheological slit die which incorporated three pressure transducers flush mounted to the die surface. Pressure drop measurements within the die at a range of extrusion throughputs were used to calculate rheological parameters such as shear viscosity and exit pressure, related to shear and elastic melt flow properties respectively. Results showed that the melt exhibited shear thinning behavior whereby viscosity decreased with increasing flow rate. Increase in drug loading and set extrusion temperature resulted in a reduction in melt viscosity. Shear viscosity and exit pressure measurements were found to be sensitive to API loading. These findings suggest that this technique could be used as a simple tool to measure material attributes in-line, to build better overall process understanding for hot melt extrusion

Perception, knowledge, and attitudes of first-year postgraduates toward postoperative pain management: A questionnaire-based study

Context: Inadequately controlled postoperative pain has undesirable physiological and psychological consequences. It increases postoperative morbidity, delays recovery, and hence causes a delayed return to normal daily living. Furthermore, the lack of adequate postoperative pain treatment may lead to persistent pain after surgery, which is often overlooked. Overall, inadequate pain management increases the use of health care resources and health care costs. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of first-year postgraduate students toward postoperative pain. Study Design: This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 42 first-year postgraduate students. Materials and Methods: A 20-point questionnaire was prepared based on the various aspects of postoperative pain services. The students were asked to provide their answers on a five-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree.” The responses were kept anonymous, and the results were expressed in terms of percentage. Results: Almost 70% of students had a good knowledge of opioids, 52% strongly felt the need for a structured pain curriculum, 76% were well aware of nonpharmacological methods of pain relief, 48% agreed on the need for a pain physician, and 52% were aware of the advantage of postoperative analgesia. Conclusion: This pilot study helped us to evaluate the current understanding of our first-year postgraduate students and further created awareness on the importance of pain relief postoperatively

Chitosan and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose as release retardant for Aceclofenac

Plenty of natural polymers has been found effective to modulate the drug release. Numerous natural polymers either alone or in combination with other polymers were found effective in controlling the drug release. In the current study attempts were made to combine chitosan (degree of deacetylation 88.42 %, Molecular weight 50,000 Da, and viscosity 93 CPS) and HPMC K 15M to retard the release of aceclofenac in tablet formulation. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method and evaluated for pre and post- compression parameters. All the pre-compression parameters were found within the limit.  The mechanical strength was determined in terms of hardness and friability values these were found in the range of 4.16-5.22 kg/cm2 and 0.1-0.75% respectively. The drug content was found in the range of 97.51 – 99.66 %.  Weight variation test complied the official limit as per Indian Pharmacopoeia.  With increasing the concentration of both the polymers the swelling index was increased and drug release decrease. Highest concentration of both the polymers was found to retard the drug release up to 8 h. &nbsp

Meglumine Sulfate: An Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of Quinoxalines

Meglumine Sulfate: An Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of Quinoxaline

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Not AvailablePectin is a plant-based heteropolysaccharide macromolecule predominantly found in the cell wall of plants. Pectin is commercially extracted from apple pomace, citrus peels and sugar beet pulp and is widely used in the food industry as a stabilizer, emulsifier, encapsulant, and gelling agent. This review highlights various parameters considered important for describing the inherent properties and biofunctionalities of pectins in food systems. These inherent descriptors include monosaccharide composition, galacturonic acid content, degree of esterification, molecular weight, structural morphology, functional group analysis, and functional properties, such as water and oil holding capacity, emulsification, foaming capacity, foam stability, and viscosity. In this study, we also delineate their potential as a nutraceutical, prebiotic, and carrier for bioactive compounds. The biofunctionalities of pectin as an anticancer, antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and antidiabetic agent are also conceptually elaborated in the current review. The multidimensional characteristics of pectin make it a potential candidate for use in food and biomedical science.Not Availabl

A novel gene THSD7A is associated with obesity

Body mass index (BMI) is a non-invasive measurement of obesity. It is commonly used for assessing adiposity and obesity-related risk prediction. Genetic differences between ethnic groups are important factors, which contribute to the variation in phenotypic effects. India inhabited by the first out-of-Africa human population and the contemporary Indian populations are admixture of two ancestral populations; ancestral north Indians (ANI) and ancestral south Indians (ASI). Although ANI are related to Europeans, ASI are not related to any group outside Indian-subcontinent. Hence, we expect novel genetic loci associated with BMI. In association analysis, we found eight genic SNPs in extreme of distribution (P <= 3.75 x 10(-5)), of which WWOX has already been reported to be associated with obesity-related traits hence excluded from further study. Interestingly, we observed rs1526538, an intronic SNP of THSD7A; a novel gene significantly associated with obesity (P = 2.88 x 10(-5), 8.922 x 10(-6) and 2.504 x 10(-9) in discovery, replication and combined stages, respectively). THSD7A is neural N-glycoprotein, which promotes angiogenesis and it is well known that angiogenesis modulates obesity, adipose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, hence our result find a correlation. This information can be used for drug target, early diagnosis of obesity and treatment