Alcohol and Tobacco Use Among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Students in India: A Multicentric Cross-sectional Study

Background: Substance use among medical fraternity is a well-known phenomenon among both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical students. Yet, there have been very few multi-centric studies to estimate the actual burden of this problem in this important population group in India. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use, assess the knowledge and attitudes towards this issue, and identify factors associated with substance use among UG and PG medical students in India.Methods: A pre-tested, self-report, anonymous questionnaire was administered to medical undergraduates and post graduate medical residents of eight medical colleges across India. This study used a convenience sample of medical colleges with random selection of study participants within each college for each group, UG and PG.Results: Prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use among UG students was 16.6%, 95% CI [14.5, 18.9] and 8.0%, 95% CI [6.4, 9.6], respectively, whereas prevalence was 31.5%, 95% CI [26.3, 37.0] and 14.5%, 95% CI [10.7, 18.9], respectively for PGs. For both substances, males had a higher prevalence of use compared to females in both groups (p < 0.001). Positive family history of substance use (p < 0.001 for both groups) and early age of initiation (p = 0.011 for tobacco; p > 0.05 for alcohol) were associated with a greater difficulty to quit the habit. Over 90% of study participants felt that substance use adversely affected their skills and reported not using substances prior to managing their patients.Conclusions: Since substance use is a relatively common phenomenon among UG and PG medical students in India, future prospective studies and interventions are required to better understand the pattern of substance use and reduce its prevalence.

Titanium(IV)-induced cristobalite formation in titanosilicates and its potential impact on catalysis

Cristobalite, a crystalline form of silica, is shown to be formed within an amorphous titanosilicate, at previously unknown conditions. Mesoporous titanosilicate microspheres (MTSM) were synthesized as efficient catalysts for the epoxidation of cyclohexene with 'tert'-butyl hydroperoxide. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of crystals in this predominantly amorphous material, after calcination at 750 °C. When calcined at 800 °C, the crystals were identified via PXRD as predominantly cristobalite, which possibly marks its first observation in titanosilicates at such a low temperature, without adding any alkali metals during synthesis. Catalytic experiments conducted with MTSM materials calcined at temperatures varying from 650 to 950 °C, reveal that the amount of cristobalite formed increases with temperature, and that it has a significant impact on the pore structure, and, remarkably, correlates with the catalytic activity of titanosilicates

Comparison of the effect for fracture resistance of different coronally extended post length with two different post materials

Aims and Objectives: To compare the effect for fracture resistance of different coronally extended post length with two different post materials. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty endodontically treated maxillary central incisors embedded in acrylic resin with decoronated root portion were taken for the study. The postspaces were prepared according to standard protocol. The samples were divided into two groups according to the post material: glass-fiber post and Quartz fiber post. These groups were further subdivided on the basis of coronal extension of 4 and 6 mm for glass fiber and Quartz fiber posts, respectively. The posts were then luted with dual-polymerizing resin cement followed by core buildup. Samples were subjected to increasing compressive oblique load until fracture occurred in a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and independent Student's t-test. Analysis was done using SPSS version 15 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) Windows software program. Results: Glass fiber post with coronal extension of 4 mm (182.8 N) showed better results than with 6-mm length (124.1 N). Similarly, in quartz fiber posts group, 4-mm postlength (314 N) was better when compared with 6 mm (160 N). The 4-mm coronal extension of quartz fiber post displayed superior fracture resistance. Conclusions: Glass fiber posts showed better fracture resistance than Quartz fiber posts. 4-mm coronal length showed more fracture resistance than 6 mm

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ENTERIC COATED MUCOADHESIVE TABLET OF CAPTOPRIL

Delayed sustained release formulation is to retard release of the drug form the stomach and release in the intestinal pH. Captopril is recommended as first choice of drug. Attacks of the myocardial infarction are generally in the early morning or night. Captopril is showing less bioavailability in presence of food. With enteric coating problem should be solved out. It also minimizes the gastric irritation of the captopril. Captopril is widely used for the arterial hypertension. It also used for myocardial infarction and in diabetic nephropathy. The drug dose is taken three times daily, which may give poor patients compliance. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to decrease dosing frequency by prepare a mucoadhesive tablets using various polymers such as HPMC K4M, bael gum and chitosan. Eudragit RL100 used as enteric coating polymer. Formulations friability, drug content, surface pH, wash off test, mucoadhesive strength and dissolution study. The results of friability tests carried out for all the formulations are within the official limit and acceptable. According to wash off test the formulation containing bael gum showing better results. All the formulation was showing better swelling property. F4 (formulation containing bael gum) was showing best mucoadhesive strength among all the formulations.  In in-vitro drug release study formulation (F4) containing bael gum showing better control release among all the formulations i.e. 86.488 % in 12 hrs

Supported gold catalyst materials with locally controlled chemical and geometric environments for enhanced propylene epoxidation

The conversion of propylene to propylene epoxide (PO) is a reaction of great industrial importance, as PO is used to synthesise polyurethane foams, which finds further applications in manufacturing cosmetics, adhesives, paints, etc. Currently, PO is commercially produced using the chlorohydrin process or the hydroperoxide process, which has many limitations and drawbacks. Ever since Haruta and Hutchings discovered the catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles, the direct gas phase epoxidation of propylene to form PO using H2 and O2 has gained attention as a simple, environmentally benign and less toxic route, using gold supported on titanium (Ti)-containing catalysts.1 Although direct gas phase epoxidation is the most favourable route, there is no economically viable catalyst available for industrial applications. Long term stability and high hydrogen efficiency, along with the high PO selectivity, are the critical parameters for the catalyst to be considered for commercialisation.2 Therefore, understanding and influencing the reaction mechanism, and designing a stable yet selective catalyst are topics of paramount importance both for academic research as well as industrial applications. The overarching goal of this thesis to design a stable, supported gold-based catalyst for the direct gas phase epoxidation of propylene to PO. In order to achieve that, this project takes a multiscale approach, integrating nano- (active site), meso- (porous catalyst architecture) and macroscale (reactor) efforts, which address the challenge of producing an improved propylene oxidation catalyst. On the nanoscale, small gold clusters in a range of sizes from 11-atom clusters to nanoparticles with a diameter of around 10 nm are successfully synthesised using a one pot methodology. Different organic bound ligands are used to influence the electronic and geometric properties of the gold nanoparticle’s surface. The successful synthesis of gold nanoparticles is also demonstrated in a microfluidic system, yielding similar results to the batch process. These nanoparticles are characterised using UV/Vis spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). In addition to the one pot methodology, an electro-spraying technique is also developed to synthesise gold and silver nanoparticles with tunable particle size. This technique is also extended to synthesise bimetallic gold-palladium nanoparticles. On the mesoscale, supports such as titanium silicalite (TS-1), mesoporous TS-1 (m-TS-1), ordered mesoporous silica with controlled surface curvature (SBA-15, MCM-41), and titanium grafted onto SBA-15 and MCM-41 have been prepared with desirable textural and physico-chemical properties for use in comparative studies. The pre-synthesised gold clusters and nanoparticles are successfully immobilised onto various metal oxide supports, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), m-TS-1, TS-1, SBA-15 and MCM-41 without any change in the final size of the dispersed gold clusters. The strategy of nano-confinement and direct immobilisation is used to obtain these supported gold cluster catalysts. Different pre-treatment methods are employed to affect the interfacial sites between the metal nanoparticle and its support. Additionally, gold and silver nanoparticles synthesised using the electro-spraying technique are deposited onto carbonaceous support for electrochemical applications, further demonstrating the versatility and feasibility of the method. Multiple characterisation tools, such as DR-UV/Vis spectroscopy, HRTEM, SEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 physisorption are employed for the characterisation of these catalysts. On the macroscale, an epoxidation reactor unit is designed and built in our lab. The catalyst performance, including long term catalyst stability, activity and selectivity, are evaluated and presented in detail. In summary, this study will aid in the design of a stable and selective catalyst for propylene epoxidation by modifying the environment at and around the active sites through the choice of support and through bulky organic ligands. These modifications aim to enhance the selectivity, stability, and activity of the catalyst in propylene epoxidation. These studies further suggest that catalyst performance is a function of the size of gold nanoparticles, choice of support, preparation methodology and pre-treatment routes

Alcohol and Tobacco Use Among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Students in India: A Multicentric Cross-sectional Study

Background: Substance use among medical fraternity is a well-known phenomenon among both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) medical students. Yet, there have been very few multi-centric studies to estimate the actual burden of this problem in this important population group in India. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use, assess the knowledge and attitudes towards this issue, and identify factors associated with substance use among UG and PG medical students in India. Methods: A pre-tested, self-report, anonymous questionnaire was administered to medical undergraduates and post graduate medical residents of eight medical colleges across India. This study used a convenience sample of medical colleges with random selection of study participants within each college for each group, UG and PG. Results: Prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use among UG students was 16.6%, 95% CI [14.5, 18.9] and 8.0%, 95% CI [6.4, 9.6], respectively, whereas prevalence was 31.5%, 95% CI [26.3, 37.0] and 14.5%, 95% CI [10.7, 18.9], respectively for PGs. For both substances, males had a higher prevalence of use compared to females in both groups (p 0.05 for alcohol) were associated with a greater difficulty to quit the habit. Over 90% of study participants felt that substance use adversely affected their skills and reported not using substances prior to managing their patients. Conclusions: Since substance use is a relatively common phenomenon among UG and PG medical students in India, future prospective studies and interventions are required to better understand the pattern of substance use and reduce its prevalence

Effect of Baseline Status on Cardiovascular Responses Post-isometric Handgrip Exercise

Isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise causes changes in heart rate variability (HRV) and hemodynamic responses with individual differences. We test the hypothesis that baseline measurements affect post-exercise outcomes

Polymer nanotube membranes synthesized via liquid deposition in anodic alumina

Self-standing polystyrene nanotube (PNT) membranes have been fabricated from liquid deposition in the pores of anodic alumina. PNTs were deposited using 3 wt% concentration of 90 kDa polystyrene in the starting solution, followed by 2 h annealing in Argon. Initial polymer concentration, polymer molecular weight and annealing time were varied, and their impact on water flow through the nanotubes assessed. These results open the way to creating PNT membranes with well-defined pores of low tortuosity and tuneable surface properties, overcoming the limits of current polymeric membranes, whose internal transport pathway cannot be controlled or defined as well as for the case of the PNTs presented here.</p

Comparison of clinical performance of the I-gel with LMA proseal

Aim: To compare insertion characteristics of 2 different supraglottic devices [I-gel and Proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA)] and to observe any associated complications. Study Design: This prospective, randomized study was conducted in 80 patients [Group I - I-gel insertion (n = 40) and Group P - LMA Proseal insertion (n =40)] of ASA grades I/II, of either sex in the age group 18-65 years. Both groups were compared with respect to ease of insertion, insertion attempts, fiberoptic assessment, airway sealing pressure, ease of gastric tube placement, and other complications. Materials and Methods: All patients were asked to fast overnight. Patients were given alprazolam 0.25 mg orally at 10 p.m. the night before surgery and again 2 hours prior to surgery with 1-2 sips of water. Glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg, metoclopramide 10 mg, and ranitidine 50 mg were administered intravenously to the patients 45 minutes prior to the surgery. Once adequate depth of anesthesia was achieved either of the 2 devices, selected using a random computerized table, was inserted by an experienced anesthesiologist. In group I, I-gel was inserted and in patients of group P, PLMA was inserted. Statistical Analysis: Student t-test and Mann-Whitney test were employed to compare the means; for categorical variables, Chi-square test was used. Result: Mean insertion time for the I-gel (11.12 ± 1.814 sec) was significantly lower than that of the PLMA (15.13 ± 2.91 sec) (P = 0.001). I-gel was easier to insert with a better anatomic fit. Mean airway sealing pressure in the PLMA group (29.55 ± 3.53 cm H 2 O) was significantly higher than in the I-gel group (26.73 ± 2.52 cm H 2 O; P = 0.001). Ease of gastric tube insertion was significantly higher in the I-gel group (P = 0.001). Incidence of blood staining of the device, sore throat and dysphagia were observed more in PLMA group. No other complications were observed in either of the groups