Axillary Brachial Plexus Block

The axillary approach to brachial plexus blockade provides satisfactory anaesthesia for elbow, forearm, and hand surgery and also provides reliable cutaneous anaesthesia of the inner upper arm including the medial cutaneous nerve of arm and intercostobrachial nerve, areas often missed with other approaches. In addition, the axillary approach remains the safest of the four main options, as it does not risk blockade of the phrenic nerve, nor does it have the potential to cause pneumothorax, making it an ideal option for day case surgery. Historically, single-injection techniques have not provided reliable blockade in the musculocutaneous and radial nerve territories, but success rates have greatly improved with multiple-injection techniques whether using nerve stimulation or ultrasound guidance. Complete, reliable, rapid, and safe blockade of the arm is now achievable, and the paper summarizes the current position with particular reference to ultrasound guidance

Resonant Raman of OH/OD vibrations and photoluminescence studies in LiTaO3 thin film

Resonant Raman spectra (RRS) of O-H and O-D vibration and libration modes, their combinations and higher harmonics have been observed in LiTaO3 polycrystalline thin films. RRS peaks are superimposed on photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. Monochromatic light from a xenon lamp is used as excitation source. PL spectrum shows two broad peaks, first near the band gap in UV (4.4-4.8eV) and another in the sub band gap region (< 4.0 eV). Band gap PL along with RRS peaks are reported for the first time. Photoluminescence excitation spectrum (PLE) shows a peak at 4.8 eV. Peak positions and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of RRS peaks depend upon the excitation energy. Dispersions of the fundamental and the third harmonic of the stretching mode of O-H with excitation energy are about 800 cm-1/eV and 2000 cm-1/eV respectively. This dispersion is much higher than reported in any other material.Comment: 20 page

Birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant and recently delivered women in villages of a block of Ganjam, Odisha, India: a community based cross-sectional study

Background: Globally approximately 830 women die from pregnancy and child birth every day. Most of deaths can be prevented by proper planning like birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR). The aim of study was to assess awareness and practice regarding BPCR among pregnant women and recently delivered women and to identify socio-demographic factors affecting it.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from September to December 2018 in villages of Chhatrapur block of Ganjam District among pregnant women (completed 24 weeks) and recently delivered women (12 months) regardless of newborn outcome. Sample size was calculated to be 96. Multi stage random sampling was adopted and PPS (Probability proportional to size) method was used. A questionnaire was used which contained socio-demographic information and set of 11 indicators to determine BPCR index. All data were analysed in SPSS.Results: BPCR index was 44.6% and it was higher (61%) in recently delivered women. 26% can be said to be well prepared and 45.8%, 27%, 32.3%, 37.5% knew at least one key danger sign in pregnancy, delivery, post partum and about new born respectively. A significant association was found between maternal education, age and pregnancy with awareness regarding BPCR.Conclusions: BPCR index in study area was low and a low proportion of participants were well prepared. Awareness about danger signs was quite low. So health workers at grassroots level should be encouraged to explain BPCR components to women and educational activities should be carried out to promote women to make plan a priori

Knowledge, awareness and practice of cervical cancer screening among ever married rural women of Ganjam District, Odisha: a community based cross-sectional study

Background: India accounts for 25% of total deaths from cervical cancer. Screening for cervical cancer reduces mortality by early detection and treatment. So, a study was conducted among rural women of Ganjam district with the objective to know knowledge, attitude and practice of cervical screening among them.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from January to February 2019 among ever married women of more than 30 years of age residing in villages of Chhatrapur block of Ganjam district. Sample size was calculated to be 280 by formula Z2pq/l2. Multistage random sampling and PPS method were used to select participants. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data and all data were analysed in SPSS.Results: Among 280 participants, though 70.7% had heard about cervical cancer, only 32.5% knew that there are tests for screening. Only 13.2% of participants said that Pap smear test was to be taken regularly. However, majority didn’t know who should undergo screening test and what age tests should be started. Main source of information for them was health worker (39%). Only 14.6% had any type of cervical screening in their lifetime. The main reason for not going for screening was ignorance (53.9%) followed by thinking tests are not needed unless any symptoms appearedConclusions: Proportion of participants with proper knowledge and awareness regarding cervical cancer screening was low which led to poor uptake of screening. So, awareness regarding cervical cancer screening should be increased. Health camps and education programs should be conducted regularly

A Study Wireless Communication Domain

Wireless communication seem destined to make a large and continuing impact on our lives. Recent developments in wireless technologies provide a new channel for implementation of embedded systems with remote access for mobile and non-mobile products and services. Several wireless technologies are available with their own advantages and disadvantages. This paper examines several available short-range wireless technologies and evaluates them for embedded systems

Epidemiology of overweight and obesity in school going children: 11-15 years in the urban area of Cuttack city

Background: The world health organization has described obesity as one of today’s most neglected public health problems, affecting developed and developing countries in the world. A dramatic increase in overweight and obesity among children and adolescent has raised the concern of various public health physicians especially in developing country like India. This study was conducted with an objective to study the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its associated risk factors among school going children of Cuttack city.Methods: School based cross sectional study was done among the children of 6th to 10th class. To calculate the maximum sample size prevalence of obesity was assumed to be 10%, taking absolute error of 2% and 10% non-response rate the sample was calculated to be 1000. By multistage sampling method the children were selected. Data was collected using a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS version 16.Results: The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 20.2% and it was higher among boys (20.6%) than girls (19.8%). Overweight and obesity was found to be significantly associated with type of school, parent’s occupation, hours of using TV/computer, eating habit, family history of obesity, type of family and mode of transport to school.Conclusions: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be high in school going children, which indicates an urgent need to increase awareness via education and motivation of all stakeholders to prevent the complications in future

ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN THE URBAN FIELD PRACTICE AREA OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF SOUTHERN ODISHA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: Diabetes is a chronic state of hyperglycemia which results in complications involving organs such as eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. Identifying the risk factors at an early stage can help in reducing the complications and co-morbidities of the disease. Hence, the study is carried out to assess the socio-demographic profile and associated risk factors of adult patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out in the urban field practice area of M.K.C.G Medical College for a period of 2 years. Multistage simple random sampling was used to select 160 known diabetic cases. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were taken. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 17 and appropriate statistical tests were used. Results: The mean age of study participants was 53.94. About 41.88% and 21.25% were current tobacco and alcohol users, respectively. Inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, mixed type diet, obesity in the form of increased body mass index, and waist hip ratio and sedentary life style were found to be the predisposing factors of the disease. Conclusion: Early identification of at risk individuals and appropriate intervention to increase physical activity, bring about changes in dietary habits, maintenance of correct body weight could help to prevent or delay the onset of the disease to a great extent