Vitamin C in the Prevention and Treatment of Frostbite

Two series of experiments were conducted on rats to evaluate the effect of Vit C for prevention and treatment of frostbite. For studies on prevention, 45 rats were divided into 3 groups, as control, Vit C-short term and Vit C-long term. Frostbite was produced experimentally in both the hind limbs by exposing the animals at -15 degree centigrade for 1 h and the assessment of cold injury was done after 15 days. In another study on prevention, frostbite was produced on 20 rats twice, in each limb separately with and without Vit C therapy. The result showed that administration of Vit C for a short period prior to cold exposure period maintained higher rectal temperature and significantly reduced the incidence of frostbite. For studies on treatment, frostbite was produced experimentally in 4 groups of rats. Group I was treated as control, group II was administered 5 mg of Vit C/100 g bw (orally) daily for 15 days. rapid rewarming at 37 degree centigrade on the exposed limbs of group III animals was carried out immediately after cold exposure. Combination of rapid rewarming followed by C therapy was given to group IV. The degree of injury of various groups were compared statistically. Prolonged Vit C therapy as well as waterbath rewarming at body temperature immediately after cold exposure showed significant reduction in tissue damage. High dose of Vit C therapy preceded by rapid rewarming showed additional benefit in reducing the tissue loss

Behaviour of Cyclically Loaded Model Piles in Soft Clay

Instability studies on offshore piles has been carried out to a very limited extent. Cyclic loading resulting from wave action is a very common phenomenon for such piles. Continuous cycling {both vertical and lateral) presumably leads to substantial degradation in pile-soil response, the ultimate result of which could be disastrous. Over the last decade and a half, some work has been done to study the pile-soil interaction behaviour under repeated cyclic loading. This paper aims to highlight and discuss the salient features and the important observations of extensive model tests on piles subjected to vertical cyclic load. The degradation of pile-soil behaviour with different parameters have been studied, rationally analysed and a set of definite conclusions drawn therefrom

NANOSUSPENSION: A MODERN TECHNOLOGY USED IN DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Nanosuspension consists of the pure poorly water-soluble drug without any matrix material suspended in dispersion. The formulation as nanosuspension is an attractive and promising alternative to solve these problems. Nanosuspension technology solved the problem of drugs which are poorly aqueous soluble and less bioavailability. Stability and bioavailability of the drugs can be improved by Nanosuspension technology. Nanosuspensions are promising candidates that can be used for enhancing the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs. Preparation of Nanosuspension is simple and applicable to all drugs which are aqueous insoluble. Nanosuspensions are prepared by using wet mill, high-pressure homogenizer, emulsion‐solvent evaporation, melt emulsification method and supercritical fluid techniques. Nanosuspension can be prepared by using stabilizers, organic solvents and other additives such as buffers, salts, polyols, osmogent and cryoprotectant. Nanosuspensions can be delivered by oral,parenteral, pulmonary and ocular routes. Nanosuspensions can also be used for targeted drug delivery when incorporated in the ocular inserts and mucoadhesive hydrogels

I Exist, Therefore I Should Vote: Political Human Rights, Voter Suppression and Undermining Democracy in the U.S.

The right to vote is clearly delineated among the rights identified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the US has long held itself as the beacon of that democracy and enfranchisement. Yet, a long history persists of practices and policies of voter suppression and gerrymandering that targets the rights of Black, brown, and indigenous populations in the US, a history that has in recent years escalated. We use the framework of the Human Rights Enterprise to unpack this history and to explore why efforts of voter suppression are intensifying at this particular moment in history

Taste changes after bariatric surgery: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Alterations in taste perception and preferences may contribute to dietary changes and subsequent weight loss following bariatric surgery. METHODS: A systematic search was performed to identify all articles investigating gustation, olfaction, and sensory perception in both animal and human studies following bariatric procedures. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-five articles were identified after database searches, bibliography inclusions and deduplication. Sixty-one articles were included. These articles provide evidence supporting changes in taste perception and hedonic taste following bariatric procedures. Taste sensitivity to sweet and fatty stimuli appears to increase post-operatively. Additionally, patients also have a reduced hedonic response to these stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence suggests that there is a change in taste perception following bariatric procedures, which may contribute to long-term maintenance of weight loss following surgery

Laparoscopic Approach to Incarcerated and Strangulated Inguinal Hernias

Introduction: Acute inguinal hernias are a common presentation as surgical emergencies, which have been routinely managed with open surgery. In recent years, the laparoscopic approach has been described by several authors but has been controversial amongst surgeons. We describe the laparoscopic approach to incarcerated/strangulated inguinal hernias based on a review of the literature with regards to its feasibility in laparoscopically managing the acute hernia presentation. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out including Medline with PubMed as the search engine, and Ovid, Embase, Cochrane Collaboration, and Google Scholar databases to identify articles reporting on laparoscopic treatment, reduction, and repair of incarcerated or strangulated inguinal hernias from 1989 to 2008. Results: Forty-three articles were found, and 7 were included according to the inclusion criteria set. Articles reporting on the use of laparoscopy for the evaluation of the hernia but not reducing and repairing it, the use of the open technique, elective hernia repairs, pediatric series, review articles, and other kinds of hernias were excluded after title and abstract review. This resulted in 16 articles that were reviewed in full. Of these 16 articles, 7 reported on the use of the laparoscopic approach exclusively. From these 7 studies, there were 328 cases reported, 6 conversions, average operating time of 61.3 minutes (SD 12.3), average hospital stay of 3.8 days (SD 1.2), 34 complications (25 of which were reported as minor), and 17 bowel resections performed either laparoscopically or through a minilaparotomy incision guided laparoscopically. Conclusion: The laparoscopic repair is a feasible procedure with acceptable results; however, its efficacy need

Orthostatic intolerance and autonomic dysfunction following bariatric surgery: A retrospective study and review of the literature

The prevalence and costs of the obesity epidemic and obesity-related conditions, including diabetes mellitus, is consistently increasing worldwide. Bariatric medicine is attempting to address this with weight loss and exercise programmes, and with increasing frequency, various forms of bariatric surgery. There has been considerable success reported after bariatric surgery but not without. We describe 14 patients with orthostatic intolerance (OI) post bariatric surgery. We report on OI (postural dizziness, palpitations and fainting), the results of cardiovascular autonomic testing and the associated and/or causative findings as well as reviewing the literature to consider the possible mechanisms. Comprehensive autonomic testing revealed that 35.7% (Buchwald et al., 2004) of these patients fulfilled the criteria for the Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), 57.1% (Cremieux et al., 2008) had low levels of basal BP and 42.9% (Cammisotto & Bendayan, 2007) patients were presyncopal and 14.3% (Billakanty et al., 2008) experienced syncope. We propose that the incidence of OI post-bariatric surgery is higher than considered, that certain cohorts may be more susceptible to complications, and that further research is needed to identify the prevalence and, ideally anticipate occurrence. With the increasing prevalence of obesity and required clinical interventions, further understanding of the pathophysiological processes causing autonomic dysfunction after bariatric interventions will aid management, which may differ in those with an underlying disposition to autonomic involvement, such as diabetics, in whom such procedures are increasingly used

Electrocautery, diathermy, and surgical energy devices: are surgical teams at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to provide a rapid synthesis of available data to identify the risk posed by utilizing surgical energy devices intraoperatively due to the generation of surgical smoke, an aerosol. Secondarily it aims to summarize methods to minimize potential risk to operating room staff. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Continuing operative practice during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic places the health of operating theatre staff at potential risk. SARS-CoV2 is transmitted through inhaled droplets and aerosol particles, thus posing an inhalation threat even at considerable distance. Surgical energy devices generate an aerosol of biological particular matter during use. The risk to healthcare staff through use of surgical energy devices is unknown. METHODS: This review was conducted utilizing a rapid review methodology to enable efficient generation and dissemination of information useful for concurrent clinical practice. RESULTS: There are conflicting stances on the use of energy devices and laparoscopy by different surgical governing bodies and societies. There is no definitive evidence that aerosol generated by energy devices may carry active SARS-CoV2 virus. However, investigations of other viruses have demonstrated aerosolization through energy devise use. Measures to reduce potential transmission include appropriate personal protective equipment, evacuation and filtration of surgical plume, limiting energy device use if appropriate, and adjusting endoscopic and laparoscopic practice (low CO2 pressures, evacuation through ultrafiltration systems). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of transmission of SARS-CoV2 through aerosolized surgical smoke associated with energy device use is not fully understood, however transmission is biologically plausible. Caution and appropriate measures to reduce risk to healthcare staff should be implemented when considering intraoperative use of energy devices