A comparative study of ropivacaine 0.75% and bupivacaine 0.5% for segmental epidural anaesthesia in patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is used for fragmentation and removal of stones from pelvicalyceal system using a nephroscope passed into the kidneys through a track created in the patients back. PCNL is the treatment of choice for larger renal stones of size more than 20 to 30 mm, staghorn stones and stones that are multiple or resistant to extra corporeal shock.Methods: This prospective, randomized, open, controlled trial was carried out in 60 adult patients undergoing elective surgical procedure. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each. Each group underwent PCNL under segmental epidural.Results: Both the groups were comparable with respect to their demographic data, duration of surgery, size of stone and baseline vital parameters. Nine patients in Ropivacaine group and seven patients in Bupivacaine group developed clinically significant hypotension. The incidence of complications was similar in both the group. The fall in haemoglobin was similar in both the groups and none of the patients required blood transfusion.Conclusions: Segmental epidural anaesthesia is a safe alternative technique to general anesthesia for PCNL. Both the drugs ropivacine and bupivacaine were safe and clinically comparable in segmental epidural for PCNL.

Short Communication Residence time distribution in the extra capillary space of hollow fiber bioreactors

The residence time distribution (RTD) in the extracapillary space (ECS) of hollow fiber bioreactors (HFBRs) has been studied using a high molecular weight protein, bovine serum albumin, as a tracer. The RTD measurements have been carried out at different conditions of flow in the ECS and the intracapillary space (ICS). The RTD results obtained give an indication of the flow patterns existing in the ECS. The implications of these studies on cell cultivation as well as product recovery from HFBRs have been discussed

Separation and liquid-liquid extraction of thorium(IV) as sulfate complex withsynergistic mixture of N-n-octylaniline and trioctylamine as an extractant

ABSTRACT Extraction of thorium from aqueous sulphuric acid medium with a synergistic mixture of N-n-octylaniline and trioctylamine (TOA) in xylene is reported in this paper. The effects of varying the concentration of sulphuric acid, N-n-octylaniline and trioctylamine on the distribution ratio of Thorium have been studied. Based on the results obtained, the possible extraction mechanism has been discussed. The determination of thorium and its separation from synthetic mixture has been suggested. The method has been extended to the analysis of thorium in monazite sand and gas mantle

Genome-wide association study of antidepressant response: involvement of the inorganic cation transmembrane transporter activity pathway

Description and statistics referred to the SNPs that showed p<0.05 (response phenotype) in both the analyzed samples. (DOC 157 kb

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors for Pain Control: Premise and Promise

The precise mechanisms of pain perception and transmission in the central nervous system have not been fully elucidated. However, extensive data support a role for the monoamine neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine, in the modulation of pain. Experiments with animal models of pain indicate that noradrenergic interventions, and to a lesser extent serotonergic interventions, reduce pain-related behavior. This is supported by data from clinical trials in humans in which antidepressants have been shown to reduce pain and functional impairment in central and neuropathic pain conditions. These effects are particularly well-studied in trials with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which have provided a useful tool in the clinician’s arsenal, particularly considering the limitations of other classes of pain medications such as opioids, anti-inflammatories, and anticonvulsants (i.e., limited efficacy, safety and tolerability issues). Moreover, painful physical symptoms are frequently comorbid with major psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. This paper reviewed and summarized the rationale and potential role of SNRIs for the control of pain including clinical and preclinical background. Currently evidence does not definitely support a role of the SNRIs, while limited data propose a putative promise of SNRIs in the treatment of pain related disorders including fibromyalgia and depressed patients with multiple somatic complaints. More researches are warranted to generalize currently available preliminary evidences

DAOA Variants on Diagnosis and Response to Treatment in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether selected D-amino acid oxidase activator ( DAOA) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs3916966, rs3916967, rs2391191, rs3916968, rs7139958, rs9558571, rs778293) are associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), and whether they can predict clinical outcomes in Korean in-patients treated with antidepressants and mood stabilizers, respectively. METHODS: In total, 145 patients with MDD, 132 patients with BD and 170 psychiatrically healthy controls were genotyped for the DAOA SNPs. Baseline and final clinical assessments included the Montgomery—Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Young Mania Rating Scale for patients with MDD and BD, respectively. RESULTS: There was no association between DAOA SNP genotypes or alleles with diagnosis, clinical improvement, response rates or remission rates for MDD and BD. Haplotype analyses found no association with MDD or BD diagnosis or clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the DAOA SNPs investigated may not affect MDD or BD phenotype, clinical symptoms or other clinical factors, and are unlikely to be involved in MDD or BD development and treatment outcomes. Given the study's limitations, further investigation should be carried out