Anesthetic potential of lidocaine/prilocaine cream versus placebo before venepuncture

Background: Pain associated with venepuncture has long been accepted as an unavoidable consequence. Many studies show reducing pain during venepuncture after application of prilocaine/lignocaine, but there are few studies that has depicted, the depth of anesthesia produced by prilocaine/lignocaine tends to be too superficial for the reducing the pain during venepuncture. These two scenarios were debatable. Therefore, authors planned a study to assess anesthetic potential of lidocaine /prilocaine cream versus placebo before venepuncture with help of VAS in an adult patient who were drawn blood sample for investigation purposes.Methods: Prospective interventional study. All adult patient for blood sampling from surgery OPD to central laboratory were included in study. Site of venepuncture selected in both control and study group was left cubital fossa. 30 patients selected in study group received lignocaine/prilocaine locally, 30min prior to venepuncture which was later covered with occlusive tape, whereas 30 control group patient received normal saline locally as placebo. The extent of pain was assessed by patient on 10cm visual analogue scale (VAS) with end points of 0 cm rated as no pain and the points of 10cm as intolerable pain.Results: A total of 60 patient were randomly selected who were referred from surgery OPD for blood sampling. Other 30 patient were applied normal saline as placebo and 30 patient with lignocaine and prilocaine cream. In the control group there were 30 patients (5 female and 25 male). In the study group there were 30 patients (8 females and 22 males). The level of pain among study group is as follows: mild 22, moderate 7, worst 1 and in control group: no pain 0, mild 5, moderate 14 and worst pain 1. Statistical analysis between outcome of two groups done by calculating chi-square test. Chi- square test was 20.0263. P value is 0.000168. Hence the result is significant at p <0.05.Conclusions: The present study shows that prilocaine-lidocaine cream reduces the pain of needle puncture in adults and facilitates the procedure of venous blood sampling

Drug utilization pattern of antimicrobials use in upper respiratory tract infection in paediatric patient of rural tertiary care hospital

Background: Antimicrobial agents (AMAs) are most commonly prescribed drugs for lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). This study was conducted to evaluate pattern of prescription and AMAs use in paediatric patient for LRTI in wards of rural tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: This is prospective, observational study undertaken in paediatric patient in tertiary care hospital. Prescriptions of 60 patient of age group 1-12years diagnosed with LRTI admitted in paediatric ward of rural tertiary care teaching hospital were studied. Positive blood sample were studied for common microorganisms, their sensitivity and resistance to AMAs.Results: Out of 60 patients admitted in paediatric ward of LRTI, 12 patients were of mild to moderate pneumonia, three patients were of bronchiolitis, ten patients were of croups, three patients were of bronchitis and 37 patients were of severe pneumonia. The most frequently prescribed AMAs were combination of cephalosporin and aminoglycosides. The most common organism isolated was streptococcus pneumoniae sensitive to vancomycin in 92.3% and meropenem in 84.6%, resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin and cloxacillin in 92.3% of cases.Conclusions: The study shows utilisation pattern of AMAs in LRTI, prescribing on which future intervention studies may be based to promote rational drug use

Computer Recognition Method as Applied to Codification Process for Inventory System of a Large Multidisciplined Laboratory

A variety of algorithms are existing to retrieve the information by means of furnished keys'. As suggested by Nakatsu N. et al . algorithm for the LCS problem can be used to find string which contain some given words or words similar to them. Some such LCS algorithms with their time responses are discussed 2-6 This paper also describes an effective method of recognizing the information. The method involves two way search giving the weightages to each. Finally the two values are combined to produce a match factor for recognition of information. Its application to codification in inventory system is discussed

Distribution and swarming of mysids in the nearshore waters off Bombay

Distribution and abundance of mysids were studied in the nearshore waters off Bombay along 3 transects located off Versova, off Mahim and Thana creek covering eleven stations during November 1979 to December 1980. Maximum population of mysids was recorded during the premonsoon period. Density of mysids was more in Versova than at Mahim and Thana transects. Tidal variation and pollution load influenced the distribution of mysids. Swarming of Mesopodopsis zeylanica was observed in Versova creek during April 1980

Outcomes of mono-lateral limb reconstruction system in infected non-union of long bones

Background: We planned to evaluate functional and radiological outcomes of mono-lateral limb reconstruction system for infected non-union of long bones and to analyse its complications occurring.Methods: It was a prospective study, conducted during period of September 2015 to August 2017 and consisted of 73 cases of these 60 cases were available for final assessment. This infected non-union were classified by AO classification and were treated with mono lateral limb reconstruction system. All the cases were evaluated by ASAMI criteria for bony and functional outcomes. Our mean follow up period was 16.8 months.Results: Among 60 cases of infected non-union with mono-lateral external fixator were followed for mean 16.8 months. According to these ASAMI criteria in our study 26.6% had excellent; 46.6% had good; 16.6% fair; and 10% poor bony outcome. And the functional outcomes were 13.3%, 60%, 16.6%, 10% were excellent, good, fair and poor respectively. Among the cases 50% had pin tract infections and loosening. Two cases pin revision was done. Sinus tract got cleared in all cases except 6 where multiple sinus tracts were present and healing did not occur. There were no infections at the corticotomy site. Delay in the consolidation phase was present in all cases. There was no difficulty in transportation of bone. Post-operatively wound dehiscence in eight cases was managed with split skin graft cover. Limb length discrepancy upto 2.5 cms in lower limb was managed with modified footwear with heel and sole raise. Non-healing fractures united in mean 5.9 months after start of treatment. Non-union site united in 90% cases. Conclusions: Mono-lateral limb reconstruction system is efficient method for treatment of infected non-union of long bones. It has an additional advantage of correcting limb length discrepancies which sometimes occur during the course of treatment.Keywords: Non-union, Infection, Long bones, Limb reconstruction system, External fixato

Evaluation of nephroprotective effect of Bryonia lacinosa on streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy in rats

Background: Ayurvedic literature indicated use of Bryonia laciniosa (BL) for metabolic abnormalities. However only one study evaluated Bryonia laciniosa seed ethanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats and was found to have anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. The authors looked at the renal function test in addition and found that it prevents deterioration of renal function in rats. Hence it was interesting to find if Bryonia laciniosa had any protective action in streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy in rats.Methods: Streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy model in wistar rats was standardised in phase 1. In phase 2 animals were divided into 4 groups and diabetic nephropathy was induce with STZ. Vehicle Control group animals received CMC 0.5%, Positive control group received enalapril 5 mg/kg, Test group 1 received ethanolic extract of Bryonia laciniosa (EEBL) 250 mg/kg and Test group 2 received (EEBL) 500 mg/kg from 3rd day onwards till 6 weeks. Renal function, morphology and histopthological changes were evaluated.Results: There was a significant reduction (p <0.001) in the serum creatinine and BUN in both low and high dose EEBL groups. High dose of EEBL lowered raised MDA values significantly (p<0.001) and raised the GSH values (p<0.001). On histopathology, the high dose EEBL reversed nephropathic changes which were equivalent to enalapril.Conclusions: Bryonia lacinosa in high doses 500 mg/kg has potential to reverse diabetic nephropathic changes induced in wistar rats

Agent-based homeostatic control for green energy in the smart grid

With dwindling non-renewable energy reserves and the adverse effects of climate change, the development of the smart electricity grid is seen as key to solving global energy security issues and to reducing carbon emissions. In this respect, there is a growing need to integrate renewable (or green) energy sources in the grid. However, the intermittency of these energy sources requires that demand must also be made more responsive to changes in supply, and a number of smart grid technologies are being developed, such as high-capacity batteries and smart meters for the home, to enable consumers to be more responsive to conditions on the grid in real-time. Traditional solutions based on these technologies, however, tend to ignore the fact that individual consumers will behave in such a way that best satisfies their own preferences to use or store energy (as opposed to that of the supplier or the grid operator). Hence, in practice, it is unclear how these solutions will cope with large numbers of consumers using their devices in this way. Against this background, in this paper, we develop novel control mechanisms based on the use of autonomous agents to better incorporate consumer preferences in managing demand. These agents, residing on consumers' smart meters, can both communicate with the grid and optimise their owner's energy consumption to satisfy their preferences. More specifically, we provide a novel control mechanism that models and controls a system comprising of a green energy supplier operating within the grid and a number of individual homes (each possibly owning a storage device). This control mechanism is based on the concept of homeostasis whereby control signals are sent to individual components of a system, based on their continuous feedback, in order to change their state so that the system may reach a stable equilibrium. Thus, we define a new carbon-based pricing mechanism for this green energy supplier that takes advantage of carbon-intensity signals available on the internet in order to provide real-time pricing. The pricing scheme is designed in such a way that it can be readily implemented using existing communication technologies and is easily understandable by consumers. Building upon this, we develop new control signals that the supplier can use to incentivise agents to shift demand (using their storage device) to times when green energy is available. Moreover, we show how these signals can be adapted according to changes in supply and to various degrees of penetration of storage in the system. We empirically evaluate our system and show that, when all homes are equipped with storage devices, the supplier can significantly reduce its reliance on other carbon-emitting power sources to cater for its own shortfalls. By so doing, the supplier reduces the carbon emission of the system by up to 25% while the consumer reduces its costs by up to 14.5%. Finally, we demonstrate that our homeostatic control mechanism is not sensitive to small prediction errors and the supplier is incentivised to accurately predict its green production to minimise costs

Design and evaluation of sustained-release matrix once daily formulation of stavudine

The aim of the present study was to formulate once daily sustained release matrix tablets of Stavudine to increase therapeutic efficacy, reduce frequency of administration and improve patient compliance. The sustained release tablets were prepared by direct compression and formulated using different drug: polymer ratios, formulations such as F1to F15. Hydrophilic polymers like Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and Starch 1500 were used. Compatibility of the drug with various excipients was studied. The compressed tablets were evaluated and showed compliance with pharmacopoeial standards. Formulation containing Stavudine:HPMCK15: Na-CMC (1:2:0.5) with hardness 10-11kg/cm2 showed the desired release profile which matched the theoretical release profile. SEM studies of the formulations were carried out for the confirmation of mechanism of drug release. The in vitro drug release characteristics were studied in both simulated gastric and intestinal fluids for a period of 24 hr using USP Type 2 dissolution apparatus. Mathematical analysis of the release kinetics indicated a coupling of diffusion and erosion mechanisms. The study proves that the developed sustained release tablet is capable of releasing the drug in a sustained manner for 24 hr.Keywords: Sustained release; Matrix tablets; Hydroxy propyl methylcellulose; Stavudin

Design and evaluation of sustained-release matrix once daily formulation of stavudine

The aim of the present study was to formulate once daily sustained release matrix tablets of Stavudine to increase therapeutic efficacy, reduce frequency of administration and improve patient compliance. The sustained release tablets were prepared by direct compression and formulated using different drug: polymer ratios, formulations such as F1to F15. Hydrophilic polymers like Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and Starch 1500 were used. Compatibility of the drug with various excipients was studied. The compressed tablets were evaluated and showed compliance with pharmacopoeial standards. Formulation containing Stavudine:HPMCK15: Na-CMC (1:2:0.5) with hardness 10-11kg/cm2 showed the desired release profile which matched the theoretical release profile. SEM studies of the formulations were carried out for the confirmation of mechanism of drug release. The in vitro drug release characteristics were studied in both simulated gastric and intestinal fluids for a period of 24 hr using USP Type 2 dissolution apparatus. Mathematical analysis of the release kinetics indicated a coupling of diffusion and erosion mechanisms. The study proves that the developed sustained release tablet is capable of releasing the drug in a sustained manner for 24 hr.Keywords: Sustained release; Matrix tablets; Hydroxy propyl methylcellulose; Stavudin

To evaluate and compare the efficacy of alcoholic and aqueous extract of Lagenaria siceraria in high fat diet model in wistar rats

Background: Obesity is not only affecting the affluent society but also affecting developing countries like India. The incidence of obesity is rapidly increasing throughout the world. However, the current anti-obesity drugs have numerous limitations.Methods: The obesity was induced in male wistar rats by giving high-fat diet over 12 weeks. The variables assessed were body weight, abdominal girth, blood triglyceride level, liver weight and fat mass and histopathology of liver. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Lagenaria siceraria (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg Doses) were compared to orlistat (treatment control) and high-fat diet group (disease control) for different variables.Results: Alcoholic and aqueous extracts high dose (400mg/kg) of Lagenaria siceraria significantly reduced total body weight (p&lt;0.05), abdominal girth (p &lt;0.05) at week 10 and 12 compared to high fat diet group. Alcoholic extract (400mg/kg) significantly reduced total blood triglyceride level (p &lt;0.05) and total liver weight (p &lt;0.05) compared to high-fat diet group. None of the study drugs reduced % liver weight. Alcoholic extract high dose (p &lt;0.05) has shown improvement in histopathological score. Both aqueous and alcoholic extracts have shown reduced fat mass compared to high-fat diet group.Conclusions: The alcoholic extract (400mg/kg) of Lagenaria siceraria alleviated high fat diet induced obesity and dyslipidemic changes in rats. The alcoholic extract of Lagenaria siceraria is having better anti-obesity potential than aqueous extract