Total dose infusion of fractionated iron dextran complex in management of anaemia in antenatal cases

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is common clinical manifestation in pregnancy. It can be easily prevented or corrected by early diagnosis and proper treatment successfully. This study was done to know the efficacy, effectiveness, rise in hemoglobin level and adverse effects of newly available low molecular weight iron dextran complex.Methods: A prospective clinical trial was conducted in randomly selected 50 antenatal women who attended the OPD of OBG department and were moderately anemic and fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the studyResults: All the 50 women were moderately anemic with hemoglobin level between 7-9 gm%. After total dose infusion of low molecular weight fractionated iron dextran complex, hemoglobin level was measured at 4 weeks and at term. The mean hemoglobin level rose to 9.5 gm/dl by 4 weeks after infusion and to 11.53 gm/dl at term, which was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Only one patient developed non-cardiac chest pain during the test dose and two patients developed urticaria during total dose infusion.Conclusion: The study showed a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin level after total dose infusion of low molecular weight iron dextran complex with a good safety profile and minimal hospital stay

A comparative study between cilnidipine and amlodipine on learning and memory in albino mice

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, followed by vascular dementia (VaD). Animal studies have shown that amlodipine improves learning and memory. Since, cilnidipine produces lesser side effects than amlodipine, and animal studies have shown that it has neuroprotective action, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cilnidipine on learning and memory and its comparison with amlodipine in alprazolam induced amnesic albino mice.Methods: This study was carried out on albino mice, divided into three groups of six animals each. Amnesia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alprazolam in all the three groups from day 1 to 14. In addition, group 1, 2 and 3 received normal saline as a control, amlodipine and cilnidipine as test drugs respectively, by same route for the same duration. Then, learning and memory of the animals was assessed using elevated plus maze and cook’s pole climbing models. Results were compared among the groups using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey’s test.Results: In both the model’s amlodipine and cilnidipine groups showed statistically significant reduction in transfer latency and conditioned avoidance response duration in comparison with normal saline. But no difference was found between amlodipine and cilnidipine groups.Conclusions: Cilnidipine and amlodipine showed a non-inferiority response on learning and memory enhancing effect in this study. Since, cilnidipine has lesser side effects than amlodipine, it can be taken up for evaluating its effect on cognitive improvement in dementia patients

Probing the massive star forming environment - a multiwavelength investigation of the filamentary IRDC G333.73+0.37

We present a multiwavelength study of the filamentary infrared dark cloud (IRDC) G333.73+0.37. The region contains two distinct mid-infrared sources S1 and S2 connected by dark lanes of gas and dust. Cold dust emission from the IRDC is detected at seven wavelength bands and we have identified 10 high density clumps in the region. The physical properties of the clumps such as temperature: 14.3-22.3 K and mass: 87-1530 M_sun are determined by fitting a modified blackbody to the spectral energy distribution of each clump between 160 micron and 1.2 mm. The total mass of the IRDC is estimated to be $~4700 M_sun. The molecular line emission towards S1 reveals signatures of protostellar activity. Low frequency radio emission at 1300 and 610 MHz is detected towards S1 (shell-like) and S2 (compact morphology), confirming the presence of newly formed massive stars in the IRDC. Photometric analysis of near and mid-infrared point sources unveil the young stellar object population associated with the cloud. Fragmentation analysis indicates that the filament is supercritical. We observe a velocity gradient along the filament, that is likely to be associated with accretion flows within the filament rather than rotation. Based on various age estimates obtained for objects in different evolutionary stages, we attempt to set a limit to the current age of this cloud.Comment: 26 pages, 20 figures, accepted by Ap

Waste Not, Want Not: The Potential for Urban Water Conservation in California

The largest, least expensive, and most environmentally sound source of water to meet California's future needs is the water currently being wasted in every sector of our economy. This report, "Waste Not, Want Not," strongly indicates that California's urban water needs can be met into the foreseeable future by reducing water waste through cost-effective water-saving technologies, revised economic policies, appropriate state and local regulations, and public education

Amplified eccentric connectivity index of graphs

A new distance based graphical index, coined as amplified eccentric connectivity index, has been established and the formulae to calculate the amplified eccentric connectivity index of some standard graphs, Dutch windmill graph and molecular graph of cycloalkenes has been computed. Also, in the case of boiling points of primary and secondary amines, the study shows that the amplified eccentric connectivity index gives a greater correlation of 98%, when compared to the Wiener and Eccentric connectivity indices

Correlative study of sonological appearance of BI-RADS 4 and above breast lumps with histopathology and immunohistochemistry markers

Background: Breast cancer is clinically categorized into 4 major subtypes, ER (+), PR (+), Her2 (+), and TNBC. Although the correlation between sonographic features of breast cancer and immunohistochemistry markers expression is found, it is not still very clear; thus, this study aimed to investigate the ultrasound features of breast cancer and analyze the correlation between them. Methods: This was a prospective study, in which patients with breast lumps were sonologically categorized as BI-RADS 4 and above. Percutaneous biopsy was done. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry markers were correlated with ultrasound findings. Results: ER (+), PR (+) tumors were associated with irregular shape. ER (+), PR (+), and Her2 (+) tumors were associated with indistinct margin. TNBC tumor was associated with microlobulated margin. TNBC cases had more posterior acoustic enhancement. Conclusions: Young female with ultrasound features of oval/round shape, micro-lobulated margin, abrupt tumor interface, showing posterior acoustic enhancement, absence of microcalcification was significantly associated with TNBC.  Tumor with an irregular shape, indistinct margin, hyperechoic halo, no change in posterior acoustic feature, and presence of microcalcification were significantly associated with ER (+) cancers. Tumor with irregular shape, indistinct margin, and no change in the posterior acoustic feature was significantly associated with PR (+) cancers. Tumour with indistinct margin, and hyperechoic halo is significantly associated with Her2 (+) cancers. Tumor with irregular shape, indistinct margin, hyperechoic halo, and no posterior acoustic feature was associated with NTNBC

Randomised comparison of oral and vaginal misoprostol when combined with mifepristone for termination of second trimester pregnancy

Background: Objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of vaginal (200µg) and oral (400µg) misoprostol when combined with mifepristone (200 mg) in termination of second trimester pregnancy.Methods: 60 women who were pregnant between 13 and 20 weeks were included in the study. They were divided into two groups by random sampling method and they all received 200 mg of mifepristone orally on day 1. 36 hours later they received 200 µg of misoprostol vaginally or 400 µg of misoprostol orally every 3 hours as determined by the random sampling method. Main outcome measures were induction abortion interval, complete abortion rate and side effects.Results: There was a statistical difference in the amount of misoprostol required in the oral and the vaginal group, the total dose being higher in the oral group. The mean induction-abortion interval in the vaginal group was 6.2 hrs  and oral group was 11.6 hrs and this difference was statistically significant. There was no statistical difference in the complete abortion rate of the two groups. There was no difference in the side effects caused by both routes of misoprostol administration.Conclusion: 200 µg misoprostol inserted vaginally is better than 400 µg of oral misoprostol, 36 hours after administration of tab. Mifepristone 200 mg for termination of second trimester pregnancy

A comparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of parenteral ceftriaxone and cefotaxime in pediatric population for acute bacillary dysentery in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Diarrheal disorders in childhood account for a large proportion (18%) of childhood mortality. Among diarrheal diseases, dysentery is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries.Methods: This is an open labelled, prospective, randomised, comparative study carried out at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College Hospital, Bangalore from November 2014 to November 2015 after Institutional Ethics Committee approval. A total of 80 Paediatric patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study after taking written informed consent from parents and assigned into two groups, Group A- Inj. Ceftriaxone (50-100mg/kg/day) and Group B- Inj. Cefotaxime (100 mg/kg/day) in divided doses for a period of 3-5 days based on requirement.Results: In this study, Cefotaxime was non inferior to Ceftriaxone as the Mean Duration of Hospitalisation was 3.30±0.72 days in Group A and 3.30± 0.72 days in Group B with p value of 1.000, showing no statistically significant difference. Both were well tolerated without any reports of ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction).Conclusions: In this study shows that Inj. Cefotaxime is equally efficacious and well tolerated as Inj. Ceftriaxone in the treatment of Acute Bacillary Dysentery in paediatric patients

A cross sectional questionnaire based study on self medication practice of analgesics among MBBS students at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Background: Self medication with analgesics is prevalent worldwide due to easy procurement of over the counter drugs. Present study was done to assess knowledge, attitude, practice and perception of self medication of analgesics among MBBS students at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 5th term MBBS students of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru in November 2019.  A pre-designed validated questionnaire was used to collect information on knowledge, attitude, practice and perception of self medication of analgesics. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: 83.3 % of 5th term MBBS students practiced self medication with analgesics. Majority of students had some knowledge on self medication with analgesics. Common reason for using analgesic self medication was headache (59.7%) and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (90%) were commonly used analgesics. Analgesics were used for quick relief (73.3%) and source of information was from medical textbooks (61.6%). Students stopped taking analgesics after symptoms disappeared (75%). Students agreed that self medication is acceptable for medical students (63.3%) and medical license is required for better administration of drugs (51.3%).Conclusions: This study has found that self medication with analgesics was common among undergraduate medical students for minor illness. It is necessary to create awareness and educate students regarding dangers of analgesic self medication

A comparative study on self-medication practice of analgesics among MBBS students of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru

Background: Self-medication with analgesics is prevalent worldwide among medical students due to easy availability of drugs and may lead to irrational usage of drugs. To assess knowledge, attitude, practice and perception of self-medication of analgesics.Methods: A comparative study on self-medication of analgesics was conducted on 3rd and 5th term Bachelor of medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College, Bengaluru in November 2019. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect information on self-medication with analgesics.Results: 74.5% of 3rd term and 65.5% of 5th term MBBS students practiced self-medication with analgesics. Majority of students in both groups had some knowledge on self-medication with analgesics. Common condition for using analgesic self-medication was headache (75.8%, 59.7%, p=0.0172) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (80.6%, 90%, p=0.0780) were commonly used analgesics. Analgesics were used for quick relief (67.7%, 73.3%, p=0.4512) and students in group II referred medical textbooks as a source of information for practicing self-medication with analgesics (22.5%, 61.6%, p&lt;0.001). Students agreed that self-medication is acceptable for medical students (45.8%, 43%, p=0.045) and medical license is required for better administration of drugs (51.3%, 63.2%, p=0.225).Conclusions: This study has found that self-medication with analgesics was common among MBBS students for minor illness. It is necessary to create awareness and educate students regarding the hazards of self-medication