SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF FLUPENTIXOL AND NORTRIPTYLINE HCl USING RP-HPLC WITH PDA DETECTOR

Objective: In the current investigation, to separated and validate the cancer healing drugs (Nortriptyline HCl and Flupentixol) through the HPLC (e-2695) instrument containing a PDA detector. Methods: A simple, selective, validated and well-defined stability that shows isocratic RP-HPLC methodology for the quantitative determination of Nortriptyline HCl and Flupentixol. The chromatographic strategy utilized Agilent eclipse XDB column of dimensions 250x4.6 mm, 5 micron, using isocratic elution with a mobile phase of Methanol and 0.1% orthophosphoric acid (40:60). A flow rate of 1 ml/min and a detector wavelength of 250 nm utilizing the PDA detector were given in the instrumental settings. Validation of the proposed method was carried out according to an international conference on harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Results: LOD and LOQ concentrations for Flupentixol were 0.015 µg/ml, 0.05 µg/ml and for Nortriptyline HCl were 0.3 µg/ml, 1.0 µg/ml. The calibration charts plotted were linear with a regression coefficient of R2>0.999. Recovery, specificity, linearity, accuracy, robustness, ruggedness were determined as a part of method validation and the results were found to be within the acceptable range. Conclusion: The proposed method to be fast, simple, feasible and affordable in assay condition. During stability tests, it can be used for routine analysis of production samples and to verify the quality of drug samples during stability studies

Predictors of candidemia in pediatric patients (0–12 years) admitted in a tertiary care hospital of Northern India

Background: Bloodstream infections due to Candida species are becoming a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. The emergence of non-albicans Candida (NACs) species with lesser susceptibility to antifungals has added to the woes of clinicians. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the clinical and laboratory predictors and microbiological profile of candidemia in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: This is a hospital-based, prospective, and cross-sectional study conducted in the pediatric department of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 250 children aged 0–12 years with risk factors for fungal sepsis were enrolled. Demographic details, clinical, and laboratory parameters were noted and samples were sent for culture. Cultures yielding growth of Candida were included in the study, and antifungal susceptibility performed. Associations were assessed using Chi-square test first and then through logistic regression models. Results: Among the 250 patients with risk factors for fungal sepsis, 47 patients (18.8%) with culture proven candidemia were identified. Predictors of candidemia among neonates were prematurity (<30 weeks), prolonged ventilation (>72 h), and thrombocytopenia. Among pediatric patients, prolonged steroid intake, Candida isolation from sites other than blood and persistent neutropenia, were significantly associated with the candidemia. NAC species were the predominant isolates (78.7%). Conclusion: Candidemia should be suspected in premature neonates requiring prolonged ventilation with unexplained thrombocytopenia. Among pediatric patients, prolonged steroid intake, Candida isolation from sites other than blood and persistent neutropenia are predictors of candidemia

Disparity in Relation to Covid-19 Preventive Behaviour and Associated Myths among Rural and Urban Residents of Lucknow: A Community Based Study

Introduction: For curbing Covid-19 disease, adequate knowledge, attitude, and practices of both rural and urban population for Covid-19 disease prevention is required along with busting of the associated myths. Objectives: To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of urban and rural residents of Lucknow district regarding covid-19 preventive behaviour and associated myths. Methodology: A community-based study was conducted among 420 rural and 421 urban residents of Lucknow. Multistage random sampling was done to select the study subjects. A pre-designed pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the information regarding the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of the residents for covid-19 disease causes, prevention, and treatment. Further, KAP scoring was done to compare the two groups. Results: The mean age of the rural and urban residents was 31.48 ± 12.05 and 30.93 ± 11.96 years respectively. Only 40.4 % urban and 25.5 % rural people had correct knowledge about social distancing (p<0.0001). Knowledge regarding quarantine for covid-19 disease prevention was less among the urban residents (64.6%) as compared to rural (70.5%) (p=0.035). More than one-third (37.6%) of the rural resident believed in the myth that alcohol can prevent the covid-19 disease (p=0.003). 68.8 and 70.5 percent rural and urban residents had positive attitude towards the Indian government’ efforts in curbing the disease. Majority of the urban (90%) and rural (87.6%) residents wore mask when they went out. Only one-fourth of the urban (24.7%) and rural (22.9%) had correct practices for the duration of hand washing. Conclusion: The knowledge was more among the urban people, attitude and practices were almost similar among both the rural and urban residents while myths were more observed among the rural residents

What happens before, during and after crisis for someone with dementia living at home: a systematic review

Background People living with dementia often experience crisis. Home treatment of crisis is an alternative to hospital admission that can have better outcomes. This systematic review is about people with dementia living at home and in crisis. It identifies modifiable factors in the crisis process that may facilitate crisis resolution. Methods The protocol is registered on PROSPERO. A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AHMED, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and references of retrieved publications, identified empirical research in English language and date range January 2000 to February 2019. Two researchers independently screened abstracts, selected publications and extracted data using a framework based on published guidelines. This is a report of the analysis and narrative synthesis. Results The search identified 2755 titles and abstracts, 76 were selected for full-text examination and 13 agreed for inclusion. The included studies evidence that: for a person with dementia, crisis is a process that begins with a problem judged to put them or others at risk of harm. It leads to decision and action to treat this risk, thus resolve the crisis. Such crisis can be predicted or unpredicted and progress quickly or slowly. Medical treatment, community resources and psychosocial support of personal resources, decision making, relationships and social networks, are all modifiable factors that can treat the risk of harm during crisis. Carers’ and professionals’ knowledge and skills in dementia care are likely to play a key role in crisis resolution in the home. Conclusion There has been limited investigation of the process and management of crisis at home for people living with dementia. The results of this review provide a foundation for future research. There is no consensus on critical components of home treatment to facilitate crisis resolution. However, education in dementia care for carers and professionals is likely to prove essential to successful home treatment

Complementary feeding at 4 versus 6 months of age for preterm infants born at less than 34 weeks of gestation: a randomised, open-label, multicentre trial

Background Evidence on the optimal time to initiation of complementary feeding in preterm infants is scarce. We examined the effect of initiation of complementary feeding at 4 months versus 6 months of corrected age on weight for age at 12 months corrected age in preterm infants less than 34 weeks of gestation. Methods In this open-label, randomised trial, we enrolled infants born at less than 34 weeks of gestation with no major malformation from three public health facilities in India. Eligible infants were tracked from birth and randomly assigned (1:1) at 4 months corrected age to receive complementary feeding at 4 months corrected age (4 month group), or continuation of milk feeding and initiation of complementary feeding at 6 months corrected age (6 month group), using computer generated randomisation schedule of variable block size, stratified by gestation (30 weeks or less, and 31–33 weeks). Iron supplementation was provided as standard. Participants and the implementation team could not be masked to group assignment, but outcome assessors were masked. Primary outcome was weight for age Z-score at 12 months corrected age (WAZ12) based on WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study growth standards. Analyses were by intention to treat. The trial is registered with Clinical Trials Registry of India, number CTRI/2012/11/003149. Findings Between March 20, 2013, and April 24, 2015, 403 infants were randomly assigned: 206 to receive complementary feeding from 4 months and 197 to receive complementary feeding from 6 months. 22 infants in the 4 month group (four deaths, two withdrawals, 16 lost to follow-up) and eight infants in the 6 month group (two deaths, six lost to follow-up) were excluded from analysis of primary outcome. There was no difference in WAZ12 between two groups: –1·6 (SD 1·2) in the 4 month group versus –1·6 (SD 1·3) in the 6 month group (mean difference 0·005, 95% CI –0·24 to 0·25; p=0·965). There were more hospital admissions in the 4 month group compared with the 6 month group: 2·5 episodes per 100 infant-months in the 4 month group versus 1·4 episodes per 100 infant-months in the 6 month group (incidence rate ratio 1·8, 95% CI 1·0–3·1, p=0·03). 34 (18%) of 188 infants in the 4 month group required hospital admission, compared with 18 (9%) of 192 infants in the 6 month group. Interpretation Although there was no evidence of effect for the primary endpoint of WAZ12, the higher rate of hospital admission in the 4 month group suggests a recommendation to initiate complementary feeding at 6 months over 4 months of corrected age in infants less than 34 weeks of gestation

Small and sick newborn care during the COVID-19 pandemic: global survey and thematic analysis of healthcare providers' voices and experiences.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting health systems globally. Maternity care disruptions have been surveyed, but not those related to vulnerable small newborns. We aimed to survey reported disruptions to small and sick newborn care worldwide and undertake thematic analysis of healthcare providers' experiences and proposed mitigation strategies. METHODS: Using a widely disseminated online survey in three languages, we reached out to neonatal healthcare providers. We collected data on COVID-19 preparedness, effects on health personnel and on newborn care services, including kangaroo mother care (KMC), as well as disruptors and solutions. RESULTS: We analysed 1120 responses from 62 countries, mainly low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Preparedness for COVID-19 was suboptimal in terms of guidelines and availability of personal protective equipment. One-third reported routine testing of all pregnant women, but 13% had no testing capacity at all. More than 85% of health personnel feared for their own health and 89% had increased stress. Newborn care practices were disrupted both due to reduced care-seeking and a compromised workforce. More than half reported that evidence-based interventions such as KMC were discontinued or discouraged. Separation of the mother-baby dyad was reported for both COVID-positive mothers (50%) and those with unknown status (16%). Follow-up care was disrupted primarily due to families' fear of visiting hospitals (~73%). CONCLUSION: Newborn care providers are stressed and there is lack clarity and guidelines regarding care of small newborns during the pandemic. There is an urgent need to protect life-saving interventions, such as KMC, threatened by the pandemic, and to be ready to recover and build back better

Object picking using robotic arm mounted with a camera for detection using image processing

In lieu of making today’s world working environment better for humans, the field of robotics has taken up new challenge these days with devices like humanoid type robot which works on human command. Robotic arm is one of the most important parts of the humanoid. In this paper, the design of robotic arm that can be used to pick up objects of given shape and color is described. The robotic arm works with a voice command from user. This arm is realized using servo motor for joints of robotic arm, Bluetooth module, Arduino Uno, MATLAB software and a mounted camera. The designed robotic arm is practically implemented to demonstrate its effectiveness such that it is able to pick objects of given shape and color using voice command from user. The task is completed using control of servo motors via Arduino board/ MATLAB software and a camera