An Introduction to Visual Communication Tools

Visual Communication is the communication through a visual aid and is described as the conveyance of ideas and information in forms that can be read or looked upon. Visual communication relies on vision, and is primarily presented or expressed with two dimensional images, it includes: signs, typography, drawing, graphic design, illustration, Industrial Design, Advertising, Animation colour and electronic resources

Composition of Kanakasava and its medicinal properties

Kanakasava is an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation which comes under Sandhana Kalpana. It is explained in the context of Hikkaswasa Rogadhikara in Bhaishajya Ratnavali. Datura (Datura metel Linn.), Vasa (Justicia adhathoda L.), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), Pippali (Piper longum L.), Kantakari (Solanum virginianum L.), Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea L.), Shunti (Zingiber officinalis Rosc.), Bharangi (Rotheca serrata L.), and Talisapatra (Abies spectabilis D.don) are the ingredients of Kanakasava. Dhataki Pushpa (Woodfordia fruiticosa Kurz) is used as the Sandhana Dravya and Draksha as Kwatha Dravya. This formulation is mainly indicated in Kasa, Swasa, Rajayakshma, Kshataksheena, Jirna Jwara, Raktapitta and Urakshata. The present review highlights on the method of preparation, Properties of each ingredient in the preparation and its mode of action

Soft tissue allograft for primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Background: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction has become one of the most commonly performed arthroscopic surgeries. Inspite of extensive research on available autograft options, controversy still persists regarding the ideal graft. Allograft tendons usage in orthopedic operations has increased because of its advantages. This study was conducted to assess the functional outcome in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with soft tissue allografts.Methods: 15 patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury presenting from 2012-2014 who underwent Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with soft tissue allograft were the subjects of this Prospective study. Assessment of the involved knee was performed to obtain subjective measures of the clinical outcomes of the ACL reconstruction. All patients were followed up at regular intervals of 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 2 years.Results: At the final follow up, the patients had an average Lysholm knee score of 85.60, Tegner score of 7.24 and IKDC score of 85.28. Knee flexion of >1200 was achieved in >80% of patients and minimal laxity in 60% patients but no functional disability in any of them. No graft failures were noted. Conclusions: Contrary to the fear of graft failure and complications associated with allograft construct for primary ACL reconstruction, allografts yield the same clinical outcome as autografts with the advantages of reduced operative time, no donor site morbidity, preservation of native hamstring tendons, faster and comfortable rehabilitation. Allografts are a good alternative to autografts for primary ACL reconstruction

ASSESSMENT OF PRESCRIBING PATTERN AMONG ORTHOPEDIC IN-PATIENTS USING WHO PRESCRIBING INDICATORS

Objective: Evaluating the prescribing indicators regularly help to monitor the prescriptions to reduce indiscriminate use of drugs. The present study was conducted to explore the prescribing pattern in orthopedic in-patients using the WHO prescribing indicators in a tertiary care teaching hospital, Mangalore.Methods: Data was collected from case records of orthopedic in-patients regarding patient demographics, diagnosis, and details of drugs in a structured pro forma and analyzed for the WHO prescribing indicators using descriptive statistics. Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, percentages as applicable.Results: A total of 379 patient prescriptions were included in the study which consisted of 2195 drugs. Of the 379 patients, 221 (58.3%) were male and 158 (41.7%) were female. The mean age group of the patients was 44 years. Acute trauma such as fractures, tendon damage, and disc prolapse (57.8%) were the most common indications for admission. Analgesics were the most commonly prescribed group of drugs comprising 27.28% of the prescriptions followed by multivitamins (20.68%) and proton-pump inhibitors (17.12%). The most commonly prescribed analgesic was nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (86.81%). Most of the drugs (65.80%) were administered through the oral route and 40.31% of drugs were fixed-dose combinations. The mean number of drugs per prescription was 5.79± 2.59. Antibiotics were prescribed in 60.4% of the prescriptions. 76.3% of prescriptions were with injectables. Use of drugs by generic name was 7.7% and only 44% of drugs were from the national list of essential medicines 2015.Conclusion: The study provides an insight into the prescribing pattern in orthopedic in-patients. It highlights the importance of emphasizing rational drug prescribing and toward improving awareness of the physicians and medical students to the WHO recommended standards on prescribing indicators

Multiple-Dose activated Charcoal for treatment of Yellow Oleander Poisoning: A Single-blind, Randomised, Placebo - Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION: Yellow oleander poisoning is the most common plant poisoning in South India. It being a cardiac glycoside has significant cardiac toxicity and a mortality rate of about 10%1. In Madras Medical College, Chennai, Poison Centre alone, there were 210 persons admitted with oleander poisoning during the period September 1, 2001 to May 31, 2004 with a mortality rate of 11.43%2. Specialized treatment with antidigoxin fab fragments and cardiac pacing is expensive and not widely available. Multiple dose activated charcoal binds cardiac glycosides in the gut lumen and promotes their elimination. Aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of multiple dose activated charcoal in the treatment of patients with yellow oleander poisoning. During the period June 1, 2004 to May 31, 2005 there were 63 cases of yellow oleander poisoning at the IMCU / Poison Centre of Madras Medical College, Chennai and the study included 47 patients who met the inclusion criteria. OBJECTIVES: Aim of the study was to assess between the two arms of the trial whether: a) Any significant reduction in mortality. b) Any reduction in occurrence of major or life threatening cardiac arrhythmias. c) Any reduction in the doses of other drugs-atropine- needed. d) Any significant reduction in the number of days of stay in the hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients admitted during the period, June 1, 2004 to May 31, 2005 to the poison centre of Madras Medical College, Chennai, were included for the trial. Patients aged 12 – 70 years who were admitted within 24 hours of ingestion of yellow oleander seeds were eligible for inclusion. Patients who had taken another drug such as alcohol, organophosphates, paracetamol or sedatives, had other debilitating diseases like diabetes mellitus, hepatic or renal disease, heart failure or malignant disease, had abdominal surgery within the past 1 year were excluded from the trial. Patients with known hypersensitivity to activated charcoal, those with severe infections and pregnant and lactating women also excluded. Patients who received corticosteroids as part of treatment, as suggested by cardiologist, were also excluded from the study, to avoid confounding. Patients were informed about the nature, objectives, importance, expected benefits and possible adverse effects of the treatment. If the patient did not give the consent, permission from a parent, spouse or guardian was sought. Patients were told they were free to withdraw from the trial at any time if they wished to do so, without any prejudice to subsequent management. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was carried out for 47 subjects- 23 persons in the single dose activated charcoal and placebo group and 24 persons in the multiple dose charcoal group-after categorizing each variable. Patient’s age, sex, weight, no of seeds, seeds crushed or not, time taken after ingestion was matched. Other base line parameters like pulse rate, blood pressure, serum potassium level, serum sodium level, B. Urea, & S. Creatinine were analysed. Occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias at presentation and at 24 hours after presentation, dose of atropine required, no of days for normalisation of ECG and duration of stay in hospital were evaluated& compared. Microsoft excel and SPSS (Statistical package for social sciences) were used for analysis and Z tests were done to assess differences between percentages and difference between means. Analysis was by intention to treat. Statistical significance was taken when P<0.05. CONCLUSION: The following are conclusions from the study: 1. Multiple dose activated charcoal is safe and effective in the treatment of oleander seed poisoning and it reduced the atropine requirement significantly. 2. It is effective in reducing death and life threatening cardiac arrhythmias in oleander seed poisoning. But this reduction is not statistically significant. This impression in this study may be due to smaller sample size. 3. There was no reduction in the number of days of stay in the hospital or in the number of days taken for normalisation of ECG

FABRICATION AND ELECTROCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF THE LITHIUM BATTERY, Li0.5La0.5TiO3/LiFePO4-C INTERFACE

The Li0.5La0.5TiO3 and LiFePO4/C has been prepared using sol-gel method for its interface analysis towards its application for all solid state assembly. The LiFePO4cathode material and Li0.5La0.5TiO3 solid electrolyte has been individually tested for its electrochemical reversibility. The thin film battery assembly shows severe capacity fading, which results in electrochemically non active with the chosen anode materials. In order to verify the electrochemical activity and interaction of Li0.5La0.5TiO3-LiFePO4/C interface the mixture has been tested for its electrochemical reversibility. The Li0.5La0.5TiO3-LiFePO4/C interface exhibits well resolved oxidation-reduction hype which verifies its suitability towards all solid state assemblies

Comparative study of platelet indices in cirrhosis, cirrhosis with sepsis and normal population

Background: Platelet indices are the first hematologic indices to be affected in cirrhosis. Cirrhosis patients are particularly susceptible to bacterial infections. The incidence of sepsis in cirrhosis is estimated to be at least 30-50% of hospital admissions. Sepsis also causes alterations in platelet indices. We studied and compared the platelet indices namely platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and platecrit in cirrhosis, cirrhosis with sepsis and normal control population.Methods: This observational study included forty cirrhosis, forty three cirrhosis with sepsis and sixty one controls. Platelet indices were reviewed and compared between the groups and correlation of platelet indices with CTP score, MELD, platelet count and spleen size was also evaluated.Results: Platelet indices were significantly altered in cirrhosis compared to normal population. MPV and PDW were significantly higher in cirrhosis compared to control population. Platelet count and platecrit were significantly lower in cirrhosis compared to control population. CTP score and MELD showed significant positive correlation with MPV and platelet count showed significant negative correlation with PD. Sepsis in cirrhosis was associated with significant decrease in platelet count and platecrit but caused significant increase in PDW compared to cirrhosis without sepsis. Cirrhosis with sepsis group had four patients with variceal bleeding with significantly higher mean PDW(19%) and significantly lower mean platecrit (0.04) compared to nonbleeding group (p value <0.05).Conclusions: Platelet indices are useful parameters in cirrhosis. Other than platelet count, PDW and platecrit are useful indices to be monitored in cirrhosis with sepsis

Amine impregnated porous silica gel sorbents synthesized from water-glass precursors for CO2 capturing

In this work, porous silica gel-solid beads have been made from economically affordable water-glass precursors via sol-gel nano casting technique. A stable nanometric silica sol was prepared first from water glass and studied for surface potential and sol to gel transition. A free-flow, injectable gel was obtained upon aging the sol which was then assembled into spherical silica beads in a chemical bath. A surface area of 304.7m2g-1 was obtained for water glass derived silica gel beads. These gel beads were impregnated with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and polyethylenimine (PEI) active functional groups at different percentages for turning the gel beads as sorbents for CO2 gas adsorption. The effect of amine loading on the thermal stability, morphology as well as porosity was studied and was correlated with CO2 adsorption values. Depending upon the amount of amine loaded in the gel support CO2 uptake was found varied. These amine modified silica gel porous adsorbents showed CO2 adsorption capacity at temperatures as low as 100°C; samples modified with 15wt% PEI had CO2 adsorption capacity of 1.16mmolg-1 at 50°C. © 2015 Elsevier B.V

EVALUATION OF EX VIVO ANTICATARACT ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS LEAVES ON DEXAMETHASONE-INDUCED CATARACT BY USING ISOLATED GOAT LENS

Objective: To investigate the ex vivo anticataract activity of ethanolic extract of Alstonia scholaris (EEAS) leaves on dexamethasone-induced cataract using isolated goat lens.Methods: Anticataract activity is done using isolated goat lens. Goat lens was divided into four groups. Group I: Lens was incubated in artificial aqueous humor (normal control). Group II: Lens was incubated with dexamethasone 10 mg (toxic control). Group III and IV: Lens was incubated with dexamethasone and EEAS (50 µg and 100 µg) and subjected to photographic evaluation for opacity; lens was homogenized using Tris-phosphate buffer, and sodium, potassium, total protein, and catalase concentrations were determined.Results: The grades of opacity were 0, 3, 1, and 1 in group I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The present study showed higher total proteins (p&lt;0.05 at all concentration) and K+  ions (p&lt;0.05 at all concentration), whereas lower concentrations of Na+  ions (p&lt;0.05 at all concentration) with EEAS-treated groups. The level of catalase was found to be less in experimentally induced cataract lenses as compared to normal control group. The lenses treated with EEAS showed a significant rise in enzyme level suggesting maintenance of antioxidant enzyme integrity.Conclusion: The present investigation suggests that EEAS leaves effectively prevent the cataractogenic condition. Thus, the goat lens model and dexamethasone-induced cataract model could be used for testing of various anticataract agents.Keywords: Cataract, Artificial aqueous humor, Lens, Dexamethasone, Alstonia scholaris.Â