Evaluation of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex linn. fruits

This study investigated the possible anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits in selected experimental animal models. Anti-inflammatory activity of  Pedalium murex Linn., with doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated by Lambda-carrageenan induced paw oedema in Wistar albinorats; analgesic activity with doses of 280 mg/kg and 560 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated by hot plate method and acetic acid induced writhing method in Swiss albino mice; and antipyretic activity with doses of 110 mg/kg and 220 mg/kg, p.o., was evaluated in New Zealand white rabbits by injecting gram –ve lipopolysaccharide obtained from E. coli. Results were analysed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparison test.  Pedalium murex Linn. showed significant anti-inflammatory activity from 15 min to 180 min as compared to vehicle treated animals. It was comparable to diclofenac sodium at 180 min. The extract did not prolong the reaction time on hot plate method but significantly reduced the number of writhing after acetic acid administration. Also the extract did not show any antipyretic activity on lipopolysaccharide induced pyrexia. It is therefore concluded that the ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex Linn. fruits has an anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic effects.Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Antipyretic, Pedalium murex Linn., Carrageena

Fertility desires and condom use among HIV-positive women at an antiretroviral roll-out program in Zimbabwe

As access to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) increases in sub-Saharan Africa, fertility and contraception patterns are likely to change. Two hundred  HIV-positive women at an ART roll-out site in Zimbabwe responded to a questionnaire on fertility desires and condom use. Ten women (5%) reported planning a pregnancy in the next year, comprising 0% of women not yet eligible for ART, 8.22% of women on the waitlist for ART, and 4.17% of women on ART. Younger age, fewer living children, and higher quality of life were individually associated with intended pregnancy in the next year; however in multivariate analysis only the association with higher quality of life remained significant. Reported ever use of condoms was relatively low (46.5%) and condom use varied by neither ART status nor by fertility desires. In conclusion, our data demonstrates fertility desires among HIV-positive women in Zimbabwe correlate with higher perceived quality of life (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[2]: 27-35)

Effect of different nitrogen sources and nitrification inhibitors on soil nitrogen distribution in Kinnow orchard

This record was migrated from the OpenDepot repository service in June, 2017 before shutting down

Pheochromocytoma in pregnancy: Case report

This is a case presentation of a 32 year old woman with pheochromocytoma diagnosed at 27 weeks of gestation, she was managed till term, induced and had assisted vaginal delivery. The pheochromocytoma was surgically re-sected successfully at six weeks postpartum

Diabetic retinopathy for the non-ophthalmologist

Diabetic retinopathy is a microangiopathy resulting from the chronic effects of diabetes mellitus. Healthcare professionals often work in isolation to deliver highly specialised care efficiently and effectively for people living with diabetes. It is not uncommon for people with diabetes to be making frequent visits to community and hospital clinics to see a variety of specialists and healthcare professionals, with seemingly little opportunity for coordination of this complex health management programme between the wider team. In a field that is so diverse and rapidly changing, healthcare professionals of all specialties need to be aware of developments across all aspects of diabetes management. In this article, we discuss the epidemiology and natural history of diabetic retinopathy and describe an approach to its assessment and diagnosis. We provide an overview of the principles of diabetic retinopathy management and outline possible future treatments for diabetic retinopathy

Mid-Upper Arm Circumference based Nutrition Programming: evidence for a new approach in regions with high burden of Acute Malnutrition

In therapeutic feeding programs (TFP), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) shows advantages over weight-for-height Z score (WHZ) and is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an independent criterion for screening children 6-59 months old. Here we report outcomes and treatment response from a TFP using MUAC ≤118 mm or oedema as sole admission criteria for severe acute malnutrition (SAM)

Virtual Interactive Surgical Skills Classroom: Protocol for a Parallel-Group, Noninferiority, Adjudicator-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial (VIRTUAL)

BACKGROUND: Traditional face-to-face training (FFT) for basic surgical skills is inaccessible and resource-intensive. Noninteractive computer-based learning is more economical but less educationally beneficial. Virtual classroom training (VCT) is a novel method that permits distanced interactive expert instruction. VCT may optimize resources and increase accessibility. OBJECTIVE: We aim to investigate whether VCT is superior to computer-based learning and noninferior to FFT in improving proficiency in basic surgical skills. METHODS: This is a protocol for a parallel-group, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial. A sample of 72 undergraduates will be recruited from 5 medical schools in London. Participants will be stratified by subjective and objective suturing experience level and allocated to 3 intervention groups at a 1:1:1 ratio. VCT will be delivered using the BARCO weConnect software, and FFT will be provided by expert instructors. Optimal student-to-teacher ratios of 12:1 for VCT and 4:1 for FFT will be maintained. The assessed task will be interrupted suturing with hand-tied knots. RESULTS: The primary outcome will be the postintervention Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills score, adjudicated by 2 experts blinded to the study and adjusted for baseline proficiency. The noninferiority margin (δ) will be defined using historical data. CONCLUSIONS: This study will serve as a comprehensive appraisal of the suitability of virtual basic surgical skills classroom training as an alternative to FFT. Our findings will assist the development and implementation of further resource-efficient, accessible, virtual basic surgical skills training programs during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the future. TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN12448098; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12448098. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/28671

The metabolic cost of inspiratory muscle training in mechanically ventilated patients in critical care

Availability of data and materials: The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.Supplementary Information is available online at https://icm-experimental.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40635-023-00522-6#Sec19 .Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Background: Diaphragmatic dysfunction is well documented in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been used to facilitate weaning by strengthening the inspiratory muscles, yet the optimal approach remains uncertain. Whilst some data on the metabolic response to whole body exercise in critical care exist, the metabolic response to IMT in critical care is yet to be investigated. This study aimed to quantify the metabolic response to IMT in critical care and its relationship to physiological variables. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study on mechanically ventilated patients ventilated for ≥ 72 h and able to participate in IMT in a medical, surgical, and cardiothoracic intensive care unit. 76 measurements were taken on 26 patients performing IMT using an inspiratory threshold loading device at 4 cmH2O, and at 30, 50 and 80% of their negative inspiratory force (NIF). Oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured continuously using indirect calorimetry. Results: First session mean (SD) VO2 was 276 (86) ml/min at baseline, significantly increasing to 321 (93) ml/min, 333 (92) ml/min, 351(101) ml/min and 388 (98) ml/min after IMT at 4 cmH2O and 30, 50 and 80% NIF, respectively (p = 0.003). Post hoc comparisons revealed significant differences in VO2 between baseline and 50% NIF and baseline and 80% NIF (p = 0.048 and p = 0.001, respectively). VO2 increased by 9.3 ml/min for every 1 cmH2O increase in inspiratory load from IMT. Every increase in P/F ratio of 1 decreased the intercept VO2 by 0.41 ml/min (CI − 0.58 to − 0.24 p < 0.001). NIF had a significant effect on the intercept and slope, with every 1 cmH2O increase in NIF increasing intercept VO2 by 3.28 ml/min (CI 1.98–4.59 p < 0.001) and decreasing the dose–response slope by 0.15 ml/min/cmH2O (CI − 0.24 to − 0.05 p = 0.002). Conclusions: IMT causes a significant load-dependent increase in VO2. P/F ratio and NIF impact baseline VO2. The dose–response relationship of the applied respiratory load during IMT is modulated by respiratory strength. These data may offer a novel approach to prescription of IMT. Take home message: The optimal approach to IMT in ICU is uncertain; we measured VO2 at different applied respiratory loads to assess whether VO2 increased proportionally with load and found VO2 increased by 9.3 ml/min for every 1 cmH2O increase in inspiratory load from IMT. Baseline NIF has a significant effect on the intercept and slope, participants with a higher baseline NIF have a higher resting VO2 but a less pronounced increase in VO2 as the inspiratory load increases; this may offer a novel approach to IMT prescription. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number: NCT05101850. Registered on 28 September 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05101850Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity Fellowshi