Agenesis of distal segment of right vertebral artery: a case report.

A case is being reported in which the basilar artery was formed only by the left vertebral artery. This was detected incidentally in a female on a non contrast magnetic resonance angiogram. The right vertebral artery arose as a direct branch of the right subclavian artery but terminated blindly at the level of second cervical vertebra. The left vertebral artery which contributed to the formation of basilar artery continued as left posterior cerebral artery while right posterior cerebral artery was seen as a continuation of right posterior communicating artery. The knowledge of variations of the vertebrobasilar arterial complex is important to Clinicians, Radiologists and Surgeons operating on the great vessels and its branches, particularly vascular surgeons dealing with vertebral artery in order to prevent a vascular catastrophe

Stroke treatment academic industry roundtable recommendations for individual data pooling analyses in stroke

Pooled analysis of individual patient data from stroke trials can deliver more precise estimates of treatment effect, enhance power to examine prespecified subgroups, and facilitate exploration of treatment-modifying influences. Analysis plans should be declared, and preferably published, before trial results are known. For pooling trials that used diverse analytic approaches, an ordinal analysis is favored, with justification for considering deaths and severe disability jointly. Because trial pooling is an incremental process, analyses should follow a sequential approach, with statistical adjustment for iterations. Updated analyses should be published when revised conclusions have a clinical implication. However, caution is recommended in declaring pooled findings that may prejudice ongoing trials, unless clinical implications are compelling. All contributing trial teams should contribute to leadership, data verification, and authorship of pooled analyses. Development work is needed to enable reliable inferences to be drawn about individual drug or device effects that contribute to a pooled analysis, versus a class effect, if the treatment strategy combines ≥2 such drugs or devices. Despite the practical challenges, pooled analyses are powerful and essential tools in interpreting clinical trial findings and advancing clinical care

Tracking and data acquisition system for the 1990's. Volume 7: TDAS space technology assessment

The results of the TDAS and user spacecraft technology assessment effort are provided. For each TDAS Satellite enhancement and user spacecraft element previously enumerated, the technology issues are identified and the R&D needed to resolve these issues is delineated. Subsequently, taking into account developments taking place elsewhere, the addition unique TDAS satellite module and user spacecraft element R&D efforts needed are identified, and conclusions are drawn in each case. From these conclusions, it is evident that with additional unique R&D efforts carried out for TDAS and appropriate user spacecraft elements the desired TDAS' capabilities for the 1990's can be realized and user spacecraft can be implemented that adequately interface with the projected TDAS

Spices and condiments: safer option for treatment of hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is a lipoprotein metabolic disorder characterized by high serum Low density Lipoprotein and blood cholesterol. It is a major risk factors in the development and progression of atherosclerosis that eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases. This poses a major problem to majority of society because of the close correlation between cardiovascular diseases and lipid abnormalities. There are various features which are associated directly or indirectly as etiological factors viz. heredity, age, obesity, sex, diet, physical inactivity, hypertension, lifestyle disorders and various stress factors. For alleviation and treatment there are many ways such as allopathic medications, alternative systems like Ayurvedic, Diet control, lifestyle discipline etc. Recently Spice therapies are seen useful and effective. In India, Ayurveda and other Indian literature mentions the use of various plants and spices. Spices in diet are useful as they play effective role in the functioning of various body systems such as gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and nervous system. Along with proper food habits, diet which contains variety of spices which have been proved as hypolipidemic, can be effective in controlling hyperlipidemia. Spices used in day-to-day life as food, can also be used in the treatment of various human ailments. Along with the taste, flavor, colour and preservative property, spices also possess hypolipidemic effects. This review is focused mainly on the beneficial hypolipidemic effect of five spices (Dill, Garlic, Fenugreek, Ginger, Coriander) in the management of hyperlipidemia. This article is based on the traditional knowledge, mechanism of action for hypolipidemic activity and some experimental scientific studies done to support the use of these spices in the management of hyperlipidemia

Coping with disasters in shimla: a multidisciplinary approach

Despite recent achievements in the field of disaster management, the increase in death and damage points out that there is a need for a realistic and practical plan. Advances within single disciplines, alone, cannot solve the challenges in disaster management. As various disciplines have become increasingly diversified, a more complete understanding of the vulnerability and mechanism in which disaster happens is needed, so that adequate strategy is identified. This paper explores the emerging consensus among scholars and practitioners for multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to disasters and emergency management. It explains why such this strategy is deemed necessary and highlights the benefits of moving beyond explanations emanating from single or separate fields of study. To achieve this aim, the expertise of sciences, social sciences and language is combined. There has been recent progress in these individual disciplines, but multidisciplinary approaches must be implemented to tackle disasters in the future. The geographical location of Shimla is such that it is environmentally fragile and ecologically highly vulnerable to multiple disasters. It lies in Himalayan region located in the Zone IV and V making the region liable to experience the earthquake of intensity MSK VIII or more. In addition to it, river Satluj, Giri, Pabar rivers renders the population living on the banks of these rivers susceptible to floods. Now days due to the increasing developmental activities, the landslides are on the rise. Further the Shimla being enriched with the green cover leads to irreparable losses during summers due the incidents of forest fire. Keeping these problems in view, this paper comprises three objectives. They are: a) to record the spatial temporal incidences of disaster in the Shimla, b) to analyse the causes and impact of disasters in the Shimla and c) to suggest measures of mitigation based on multidisciplinary perspective. The investigation leads to analysis that the disasters are on the rise. Hence, there is a need of multidisciplinary research to mitigate disasters and to prepare the community by way of capacity building to respond in a better way by adopting appropriate measures to reduce the adverse impacts

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF LINEZOLID TOPICAL PREPARATIONS ON DIABETIC RATS

Objective: The aim of the study is to formulate and evaluate the topical preparations of antibacterial formulation for the treatment of diabetic wound infection. Methods: Different types of topical formulations were prepared and evaluated for in vitro release. The prepared formulations were also tested for its antibacterial activity against the pathogens existing in diabetic wound infection. Based on in vitro drug release and antimicrobial activity, two formulations were selected as optimized formulations. Optimized formulations were tested for wound healing activity in diabetic rats. Results: Based on in vitro drug release and antimicrobial activity two formulations (F8, F10) were selected as optimized formulations. FTIR studies of pure drug and optimized formulation shown absence of any incompatibility between drug and excipients. Optimized formulation shown good physicochemical properties and passed short-term stability study. F8 and F10 formulations were applied to untreated diabetic rats for diabetic wound infection, the rate of wound healing was quite faster. These results indicate that the linezolid semisolid dosage form could provide an adjunctive antimicrobial formulation for the management of diabetic wounds. Conclusion: Further studies are required on chronic diabetic wounds with and without diabetic medications to confirm its effectiveness. Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, Linezolid, Semisolid dosage forms, Wound healing activit

Estimating the furrow infiltration characteristic from a single advance point

Management and control of surface irrigation, in particular furrow irrigation, is limited by spatio-temporal soil infiltration variability as well as the high cost and time associated with collecting intensive field data for estimation of the infiltration characteristics. Recent work has proposed scaling the commonly used infiltration function by using a model infiltration curve and a single advance point for every other furrow in an irrigation event. Scaling factors were calculated for a series of furrows at two sites and at four points down the length of the field (0.25 L, 0.5 L, 0.75 L and L). Differences in the value of the scaling factor with distance were found to be a function of the shape of the advance curves. It is concluded that use of points early in the advance results in a substantial loss of accuracy and should be avoided. The scaling factor was also strongly correlated with the furrow-wetted perimeter suggesting that the scaling is an appropriate way of both predicting and accommodating the effect of the hydraulic variability

Local level skilled WASH human resource mapping: a case from Nepal

Improved WASH services are not just for dignity of people but also human rights and Nepal constitution has also endorsed it as a fundamental human right. Despite of hard hit by earthquake 2015, WASH sector in Nepal is moving ahead to achieve the national universal coverage target by 2017 and SDGs; however, sustainability and functionality of WASH facilities are not materialized as envisaged. People want to improve their ladder from basic service to improved service level in water supply and sanitation and seek support from service providers at local level. This study was conducted in 4 districts of Nepal to explore the present status of WASH skilled human resources; resulted that only 30% trained people were working professionally and there was remarkable drop out of trained people. Key reasons behind dropping out are less demand and income, financial constraints for establishing business and lack of updated knowledge and skills

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of antiulcer activity of ethanolic extract of Spathodea campanulata leaves

Peptic disorders like Gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, etc., are the common in today’s life style. This may be due to stressful life style or improper balance diet. The pathology behind these disorders may be discrepancy between offensive and defensive mechanisms either by excess secretion of acid and pepsin or diminished ability of the gastro-duodenal mucosal barrier to protect against stomach acid-pepsin secretion. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of the most commonly used medicines and proven to be effective for certain disorders. Some people use NSAIDs on daily basis for preventive purpose. But a variety of severe side effects can be induced by NSAIDs. Studies have shown that edible natural ingredients exhibit preventive benefit of gastric ulcer. Therefore present study was designed to evaluate antiulcer activity of ethanolic extract of Spathodea campanulata (S. campanulata) leaves in rats. Qualitative analysis of various phytochemical constituents was determined by the well-known test protocol available in the literature. The in vivo anti-ulcer activity of ethanolic extract was assessed against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Depending on the model, outcome measures were volume and pH of gastric fluid, free acidity, total acidity and ulcer index as well as percent inhibition of ulcer index. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols & tannins, saponin. Further ethanolic extract of 200 and 400mg/ kg /p.o reduced the gastric volume, pH, ulcer number, ulcer index, free acidity and total acidity in aspirin induced ulcer models in rats. The findings of this study confirmed that S. campanulata extract has anti-ulcer pharmacologic activity due to one or more of the secondary metabolites present in it. Therefore, this study validates its anti-ulcer use in Indian folk medicine. Further investigations on isolation of specific phytochemicals and elucidating mechanisms of action are needed. Keywords: Spathodea campanulata, Phytochemical constituents, Antiulcer, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Aspirin-induced gastric ulcer