Reversal agents in anaesthesia and critical care

Despite the advent of short and ultra-short acting drugs, an in-depth knowledge of the reversal agents used is a necessity for any anaesthesiologist. Reversal agents are defined as any drug used to reverse the effects of anaesthetics, narcotics or potentially toxic agents. The controversy on the routine reversal of neuromuscular blockade still exists. The advent of newer reversal agents like sugammadex have made the use of steroidal neuromuscular blockers like rocuronium feasible in rapid sequence induction situations. We made a review of the older reversal agents and those still under investigation for drugs that are regularly used in our anaesthesia practice

Reversal agents in anaesthesia and critical care

Despite the advent of short and ultra-short acting drugs, an in-depth knowledge of the reversal agents used is a necessity for any anaesthesiologist. Reversal agents are defined as any drug used to reverse the effects of anaesthetics, narcotics or potentially toxic agents. The controversy on the routine reversal of neuromuscular blockade still exists. The advent of newer reversal agents like sugammadex have made the use of steroidal neuromuscular blockers like rocuronium feasible in rapid sequence induction situations. We made a review of the older reversal agents and those still under investigation for drugs that are regularly used in our anaesthesia practice

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Not AvailableThe present study was undertaken at the watershed level to identify the major constraints in adopting/developing participatory agri-aquaculture and to make technological interventions with low input-based scientific aquaculture practices. The constraint analysis through preferential ranking technique delineated as many as nine constraints with Rank Based Quotient values ranging between 19.05 (priority to domestic use) to 100.0 (lack of awareness and technical knowledge) in all the three study locations. After problem identification, an attempt was made to improve the existing agri-aquaculture practices with community participation. Under the participatory intervention, fish yield was enhanced from 0.26-0.3 t ha-1 (before intervention) to 0.94-1.72 t ha-1 (after intervention), while the net water productivity of water harvesting structures ranged between Rs. 4.7-5.35 m-3. The return from rabi crop was highly encouraging and farmers had additional income. Economic analysis of the interventions clearly showed that the fish culture along with agriculture activity (post-intervention) enhanced the annual income of the farming community by Rs. 3561 - Rs. 12533 per hectare. Further, utilisation of water from the water harvesting structures (WHSs) during rabi crop enhanced the cropping intensity from 100 to 137%. As in the present study, scientific approach with low input-based participatory aquaculture and multiple use of water would certainly enhance the overall crop productivity, cropping intensity, water productivity and income.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAn on-farm experiment was carried out during 2005–07 to study the impact of fish and prawn rearing on rice-field ecology and productivity in rice–fish–prawn system. Water pH, total alkalinity, total suspended solid, plankton and chlorophyll-a were significantly lower in the rice mono crop than the rice–fish–prawn system, where supplemental feed was provided. However increased phytoplankton and chlorophyll-a concentration in the rice–fish–prawn system did not help in maintaining higher dissolved oxygen levels compared to rice mono-crop probably due to decreased autotrophic/increased heterotrophic activity. Gut content analysis of the cultured species indicated plenty availability of planktonic, periphytic and benthic food to fish and prawn in the rice-field (22.7–48.9%), that reduce the supplemental feed input. Rice grain yield of 3.04 tonnes/ha in the rice–fish–prawn system was 16.9% higher than the rice mono-crop. In rice–fish–prawn system, when 50% area is devoted for fish and prawn culture, the net return enhanced by 23-folds in comparison to rice monocrop. Significantly higher net return of Rs 79 585/ha, net water productivity of Rs 7.66/m3 and the higher ratio of the output value to the cost of cultivation (1.6) in the rice–fish–prawn system infers that, rice–fish–prawn culture is more beneficial can be adopted and expanded in lowland/ waterlogged areas.Not Availabl

Comparison of different molds (epoxy, polymer and silicon) for microfabrication by hot embossing technique

In the fabrication of microfluidic devices by hot embossing, secondary molds made from epoxy and other polymeric materials with high Tg are commonly used in lab-scale research and for short production runs of several hundred products. However, few studies have been conducted to compare the performance and efficacy of such molds compared to the master silicon mold. To allow such molds to be exploited fully, this study investigates the performance of silicon, epoxy and COC (TOPAS-6017 grade) molds to fabricate microchannels on COC (TOPAS-8007 grade) substrate using hot embossing. The degree of filling of the mold cavity during microfabrication was assessed. At the optimum embossing conditions (i.e. 100 °C, 2.94 kN load and 5 min loading time), all three molds had similar performance in terms of replication fidelity. However, at sub-optimum conditions (e.g. 80 °C), the silicon mold was the best in terms of mold cavity filling followed by COC and epoxy. For surface roughness and friction coefficient which are important factors affecting tool life, it was found that epoxy mold gives the lowest values followed by COC and silicon. The surface energy determined using contact angle measurements gave a similar trend with epoxy having the lowest surface energy (28 dyne/cm), followed by COC (33.52 dyne/cm) and silicon (71.63 dynedyne/cm). A lower surface energy will result in lower adhesion and friction coefficient between the polymer and mold, resulting in easier demolding

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Not AvailableThe degraded state of the fragile ecosystem of Chilika lagoon on the east coast of India caused by natural changes and anthropogenic pressure was in the process of restoration through an effective hydrological intervention during 2000 after thorough scientific investigation including EIA study. The rich fisheries of Chilika lagoon that support livelihood of 0.2 million local fisherfolk was in dwindling state during the ecodegradation phase. Studies on fisheries and fish biodiversity of the lagoon for 4 years before and 4 years after the intervention showed the stark and rapid recovery of fishery immediately after opening of the new mouth with sixfold increase in average annual landing. The average productivity (11.3 t/km2) and CPUE (6.2 kg boat/day) during post intervention phase registered 528 and 464% increase, as compared to Pre-intervention years. In total, 277 species of fish and shell fish were documented as occurring in Chilika lagoon before the hydrological intervention. Inventory survey for fish and shell fish species diversity during and after hydrological intervention documented 68 and 97 species, respectively. New records of 56 species of fish and shell fish (7 freshwater, 20 brackishwater and 29 marine) were documented from Chilika lagoon after the hydrological intervention. Analysis of commercial catches showed that the migratory species contributed to the bulk of catches (75% by species and 68% by catch weight). Fish yield and biodiversity seemed to be very sensitive to salinity and hydrologic dynamics of the lagoon. Correlation analysis indicated inverse relationship between water transparency and fish catch (R2 = 0.715; d.f. = 25; P < 0.01). Positive correlation between salinity and prawn landing (R2 = 0.542; d.f. = 25; P < 0.01) and salinity and mud crab landing (R2 = 0.628; d.f. = 25; P < 0.001). Average salinity for the whole lagoon was significantly increased by 42.7% (P < 0.007) as compared to pre-intervention situation. Maintenance of estuarine character of Chilika’s ecosystem particularly the salinity gradient, un-hindered auto-recruitment of fish and shell fish and prevention of destructive fishing are the key factors for fisheries enhancement. Unless carefully planned conservation and regulation measures are ensured with the active participation of local communities during the early phase of restoration, the present scenario of fisheries enhancement may not sustain for longer time.Not Availabl

Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis with Anomalous Pancreaticobiliary Ductal Union (Komi’s Type IIIc3) with Santorinocele in a Child: A Rare Case Report

Anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union (APBDU) can cause recurrent acute pancreatitis. We describe the case of a 16-year-old boy with recurrent acute pancreatitis. The discussion provides a review of recent literature, supporting use of various diagnostic modalities and surgery as choice of treatment

Clinical significance and molecular characteristics of circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor microemboli in patients with small-cell lung cancer

Purpose Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may have utility as surrogate biomarkers and “virtual” biopsies. We report the clinical significance and molecular characteristics of CTCs and CTC clusters, termed circulating tumor microemboli (CTM), detected in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) undergoing standard treatment. Patients and Methods Serial blood samples from 97 patients receiving chemotherapy were analyzed using EpCam-based immunomagnetic detection and a filtration-based technique. Proliferation status (Ki67) and apoptotic morphology were examined. Associations of CTC and CTM number with clinical factors and prognosis were determined. Results CTCs were present in 85% of patients (77 of 97 patients) and were abundant (mean ± standard deviation = 1,589 ± 5,565). CTM and apoptotic CTCs were correlated with total CTC number and were detected in 32% and 57% of patients, respectively. Pretreatment CTCs, change in CTC number after one cycle of chemotherapy, CTM, and apoptotic CTCs were independent prognostic factors. Overall survival was 5.4 months for patients with ≥ 50 CTCs/7.5 mL of blood and 11.5 months (P &lt; .0001) for patients with less than 50 CTCs/7.5 mL of blood before chemotherapy (hazard ratio = 2.45; 95% CI, 1.39 to 4.30; P = .002). Subpopulations of apoptotic and of proliferating solitary CTCs were detected, whereas neither were observed within cell clusters (CTM), implicating both protection from anoikis and relative resistance to cytotoxic drugs for cells within CTM. Conclusion Both baseline CTC number and change in CTC number after one cycle of chemotherapy are independent prognostic factors for SCLC. Molecular comparison of CTCs to cells in CTM may provide novel insights into SCLC biology. </jats:sec