Effectiveness of kinesiotaping and Acu-TENS on maternal and neonatal outcomes in the first stage of labor among primigravidas

Background: The common reason for rise in elective Caesarean Section (CS) rate among primigravidas is maternal request due to labor pain fear. Many non-pharmacological pain relief strategies are available to help women cope with labor pain, providing a positive and satisfactory birth experience. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of KT and Acu-TENS on maternal and neonatal outcomes in primigravidas.Methods: 40 full-term primigravidas with an age range of 20-40 years were enrolled into the study by convenience sampling method and divided into 2 groups. Group A received KT and Group B received Acu-TENS. Both groups received breathing exercises. Pain assessment at various cervical dilatation levels were carried out for all participants before and after treatment using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Duration of active phase in first stage labor, mode of delivery and neonatal well-being were measured following delivery.Results: Group A experienced VAS score reduction significantly more than Group B, p=0.004; 0.05. CS rate was increased in Group A [35% (7/20)] than in Group B [25% (5/20)], but neonatal outcomes were not different.Conclusions: This study proves that KT produced significantly better pain relief than Acu-TENS in first stage labor among primigravidas. Acu-TENS showed reduction in active phase duration of first stage labor than KT. Both interventions can safely be used non-invasively for labor pain relief

Implementing standardised rhodes index to measure the efficacy of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) in pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting

Background: Although nausea and vomiting are natural signs of pregnancy affecting about half the pregnant women during their first trimester of pregnancy, it is unpleasant and difficult symptom to deal with. Considering the fact that medication during pregnancy is not advised, we decided to study the efficacy of a natural product to control nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. Our study was directed to estimate the efficacy of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) in pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting.Methods: A total of 30 women with pregnancy of 4-16 weeks, suffering from nausea and vomiting were included in this study (n=30). Subjects were given ginger extract 250mg, to be taken 3 times a day half an hour before food for 1 week. Severity of vomiting was assessed by Rhodes Index of Nausea and Vomiting by the patients. Baseline scores were compared with the score at the end of 7 day. The findings were analysed statistically.Results: Effect with the ginger extract in pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting was assessed at the end of treatment (day 7) and compared with the baseline values. Four patients reported symptoms of heartburn. Otherwise, there were no other reports of any adverse effects. The results showed significance (p <0.005).Conclusions: Ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) helps in reducing severity and frequency of pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting. Therefore, we conclude that ginger extract can be used for mild to moderate nausea and vomiting induced by pregnancy during first trimester

Priprava i evaluacija novog derivata eritromicina – eritromicin taurat

Erythromycin taurate, a new derivative of erythromycin, was prepared by reacting the erythromycin base with tauric acid and its physico-chemical and biological properties were evaluated. The derivative has reasonably good solubility in organic solvents. The partition coefficient values in chloroform/water 1.17 and octanol/water 1.16 systems indicate its good distribution in various tissues in vivo. The in vitro antimicrobial potency of the derivative (833.33 microgramms per mg) is higher than the existing derivatives such as erythromycin estolate, erythromycin stearate, erythromycin ethyl succinate, erythromycin gluceptate, erythromycin lactobionate. The antimicrobial spectrum is comparable to that of the parent compound. Our results indicate that erythromycin taurate has a high potential for possible clinical application and is more efficient against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae than the parent base.Eritromicin taurat pripravljen je reakcijom eritromicin baze s taurinskom kiselinom. U radu su evaluirana fizičko-kemijska i biološka svojstva ovog novog derivata eritromicina. Eritromicin taurat je relativno dobro topljiv u organskim otapalima. Koeficijent razdjeljenja u sustavu kloroform/voda bio je 1,17 a u sustavu oktanol/voda 1,16 što ukazuje da se ova ljekovita tvar može dobro raspodijeliti u različitim tkivima in vivo. Antimikrobna aktivnost in vitro (833,33 g mg-1) je veća od aktivnosti postojećih derivata eritromicina: estolata, stearata, etil sukcinata, gluceptata, laktobionata. Spektar antimikrobnog djelovanja je sličan spektru samog eritromicina. Zbog svega toga moguća je klinička primjena eritromicin taurata