ANTIMICROBIAL UTILIZATION PATTERN OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: To study and analyze the pattern of antimicrobial utilization in urinary tract infection (UTI).Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted in tertiary care hospital for 6 months including both male and female patients of all agegroups. Case sheets diagnosed with UTI based on ICD-10 disease coding were collected from medical records department. The demographic dataand prescription pattern of each case sheet were evaluated in detail. Drug utilization pattern was compared among different age groups of patients.Results: A total of 108 patients were included in the study, out of which 44.4% were males, and 55.6% were females. Most of the patients were in40-60 years age group (40.7%). UTI confirmed by culture in 59.26% patients; in which Escherichia coli was isolated in 35.9% patients followedby Klebsiella species (14.06%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.8%). Cephalosporins (70.37%) were most commonly used antibiotic followed byfluoroquinolones (38.89%), penicillins (29.63%), azithromycin (17.59%), and aminoglycosides (15.74%). Among the cephalosporins, third generationparenteral was most commonly used. In penicillins, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid combination was used in 9 patients. Amikacin was most commonlyused aminoglycoside followed by gentamicin. Mean duration of treatment was 6.28±3.02 days.Conclusion: Third generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefixime) were used as first line drug in most of the cases irrespective of the causativeorganism. This group should be reserved for complicated UTIs.Keywords: Urinary tract infections, Escherichia coli, Cephalosporins, Fluoroquinolones

Comprehensive assessment of post operative pain in single versus multiple visit endodontic treatment attempted in maxillary lateral incisors: An original research study

Aim: This incidence based study was conducted to comprehensively assess the incidence of post-operative pain in single and multiple visit endodontic treatment attempted in maxillary lateral incisors. Materials & Methods: This study was designed to conduct on the treated patient of department OPD. Patients were firstly explained about the study and asked to voluntarily participate in this study. Total 40 patients (both males and females) were selected and assessed for their reactions. Single rooted maxillary lateral incisors were included in the study. For ease of study, all participants were separated into two major study groups of 20 each. Group one has all participants wherein root canal treatment was completed in one visit. Group two has all participants wherein root canal treatment was completed in more than one visit (multiple). Estimation of pain in post-treatment visits was conducted by Visual Analogue Scale. Patients were explained about user instructions of this scale. They requested to make responses on VAS scale with prefixed values. Pain was observed on VAS scale in follow up stages of 12, 24 and 36 hours.&nbsp

Theory-Enabled High-Throughput Screening of Ion Dissociation Explains Conductivity Enhancements in Diluted Ionic Liquid Mixtures

The growing demand for room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) for energy applications necessitates the development of an efficient screening platform. In this study, we have successfully developed a fully automated high-throughput RTIL screening platform specifically designed for assessing ionic conductivity. By utilizing the 96-wells of a microtiter plate as individual electrolysis cells, we measured ionic conductivity of 22 different RTILs, encompassing various combinations of cations and anions, and benchmarked the values with existing literature. We also employed the screening platform to investigate the conductivities of RTIL mixtures with a non-aqueous solvent, ethylene glycol (EG). Our results reveal specific combinations of RTILs with EG that result in approximately 200% enhancement in the conductivity values as compared to the pure RTILs. To understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for this enhancement, we developed a theoretical framework that considers factors such as degree of dissociation, viscous forces, and molal volume of the RTIL-EG mixtures. The optimized electrolyte mixture was then employed in the migration-assisted moisture gradient (MAMG) CO2 capture process to study the effects of improved ionic conductivity on the energy efficiency of the process. Notably, the enhanced conductivity of the RTIL-EG mixture led to nearly 50% reduction in energy consumption for capturing CO2. These outcomes highlight the effectiveness of our strategy in screening RTILs and improving existing processes. Moreover, our fully automated high-throughput setup, combined with the developed theoretical framework, provides a comprehensive platform for screening and studying RTIL mixtures with different solvents, enabling their application in various fields

Assessment of metal ions levels in blood of dental implant patients

Background: Dental implants use has significantly increased and the concentration of metal ions into blood may have detrimental effect of human body. The present study aimed to determine metal ions levels in blood of dental implants patients. Materials and Methods: 48 patients scheduled for dental implant surgery was assessed for measurement of titanium and aluminum pre-operatively and post-operatively at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Results: Out of 48 patients, males were 22 (45.8%), and females were 26 (54.2%). The mean ± SD titanium metal levels in blood pre-operatively was 2.34 ± 0.47 mg/dl, at 6 weeks was 2.35 ± 0.48 mg/dl, at 3 months was 2.37 ± 0.52 mg/dl, at 6 months was 2.37 ± 0.42 mg/dl, and at 1 year was 2.38 ± 0.51 mg/dl. A non-significant difference was seen (P > 0.05). The mean ± SD aluminum metal levels in blood pre-operatively was 4.4 ± 0.12 mg/dl, at 6 weeks was 4.45 ± 0.14 mg/dl, at 3 months was 4.7 ± 0.13 mg/dl, at 6 months was 4.7 ± 0.21 mg/dl, and at 1 year was 4.8 ± 0.17 mg/dl. A non-significant difference was seen (P > 0.05). Conclusion: A non- significant increase in titanium and aluminum ions level in blood of patients receiving dental implants was observed

CURRENT PERSPECTIVES ON APPLICATIONS OF NANOPARTICLES FOR CANCER MANAGEMENT

In the realm of cancer diagnostics, imaging and therapeutics, nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems have gained extensive importance owing to their promising attributes and potential to enhance therapeutic effectiveness. The primary area of research revolves around formulating innovative intelligent nanocarriers such as nanoparticles (NPs) which are capable of selectively responding to cancer-specific conditions and efficiently delivering medications to target cells. These nanocarriers, whether operating in a passive or active manner, can transport loaded therapeutic cargos to the tumor site while minimizing drug elimination from the drug delivery systems. This review primarily focuses on presenting recent advancements in the development and utilization of nanoparticles in the treatment of various cancer types, such as pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer

The Spectrum of Dystrophin Gene Mutations in Duchene Muscular Dystrophy Patients of South-Western Maharashtra in India

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common neuromuscular disease of childhood caused by deletion or point mutations in the dystrophin gene. Though the importance of deletion mutations in the dystrophin gene causing DMD have been reported worldwide, no data available from rural population of Maharashtra. Objectives: This study specifically aimed at the investigation of deletion mutations in the DMD gene from the patients from South-Western Maharashtra. Material & Methods: Fifty patients with clinically diagnosed DMD were analyzed to screen for intragenic deletions in 21 exons within the DMD gene using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Results: Amongst the 50 unrelated DMD patients from South-Western Maharashrra we found DMD gene deletions in 47 cases which represent 94 % mutations in DMD patients. Majority of the deletions (85.10%) were located at distal hot spot region that encompasses exons 42-53 and 10.63% of the deletions were located at the proximal hot spot region (exons 2-19). Exons 50, 51, 52 and 53 are most frequently deleted. Conclusion: It is important to note that we could be the first to search for the most frequent deletions in the exons of DMD gene in from the rural areas of Maharashtra with the help of molecular biology tools

Comprehensive Assessment of Post Operative Pain in Single Versus Multiple Visit Endodontic Treatment Attempted in Maxillary Lateral Incisors: an Original Research Study

Aim: This incidence based study was conducted to comprehensively assess the incidence of post-operative pain in single and multiple visit endodontic treatment attempted in maxillary lateral incisors. Materials & Methods: This study was designed to conduct on the treated patient of department OPD. Patients were firstly explained about the study and asked to voluntarily participate in this study. Total 40 patients (both males and females) were selected and assessed for their reactions. Single rooted maxillary lateral incisors were included in the study. For ease of study, all participants were separated into two major study groups of 20 each. Group one has all participants wherein root canal treatment was completed in one visit. Group two has all participants wherein root canal treatment was completed in more than one visit (multiple). Estimation of pain in post-treatment visits was conducted by Visual Analogue Scale. Patients were explained about user instructions of this scale. They requested to make responses on VAS scale with prefixed values. Pain was observed on VAS scale in follow up stages of 12, 24 and 36 hours.&nbsp

Assessment of heavy metal content in suspended particulate matter of coastal industrial town, Mithapur, Gujarat, India

Heavy metal concentrations in suspended particulate matter (SPM) were investigated for their distribution and source in the atmosphere of coastal industrial town, Mithapur, Gujarat, India. SPM, at 10 locations covering three seasons, were trapped on glass fibre filters using high volume samplers and quantification of metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry employing HNO3 based wet digestion. Results show relatively low concentrations of SPM (211.3 to 375.2 μg/m3) compared to National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), specified By Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB, India), however, they were 2–3 times higher as compared to reference site. Among the heavy metals Cr, Mn and Pb levels were low, while Ni and Cd found to be exceeding the USEPA standards. The metal levels were also compared with those reported for other rural, coastal, industrial and urban parts around the world. Enrichment Factor analysis indicated that Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni were highly enriched relative to their crustal ratios (to Fe) and correspond to substantial contribution of anthropogenic source of these metals. The source identification was carried out by principal component analysis by applying a Varimax Rotated Component Matrix

Occurrence and distribution of selected heavy metals and boron in groundwater of the Gulf of Khambhat region, Gujarat, India

The concentration of selected heavy metals, like As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn as well as B, was measured by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES) in groundwater samples from various locations in the Gulf of Khambhat (GoK), an inlet of the Arabian Sea in the state of Gujarat, India, during postmonsoon, winter, and pre-monsoon seasons in a year. Most heavy elements are characterized by low mobility under slightly alkaline and reducing conditions; concentrations in confined aquifers are smaller than the maximum permissible values for drinking water. The temporal changes indicate that a majority of metals is entering the aquifer during monsoon. Principle component analysis of the heavy metal data suggests that Co, Cu, Cd, and Zn are interrelated with each other and derived significantly from anthropogenic route, while input of Pb and Cr may be due to atmospheric deposition in the study area. Both weathering of rocks and anthropogenic input were found to be main sources of elements in the groundwater. The heavy metal levels in groundwaters of the GoK region in comparison with some of the European and Asian sites were higher; however, these metal levels were found to be comparable with few urban sites in the world