Efficacy of oral nifedipine as a tocolytic agent

Background: Preterm birth is defined as birth at less than 37 weeks period of gestation, is the most important single determinant of adverse infant outcome in terms of both survival and quality of life. The need for tocolysis in terms of safety and efficacy is necessary to decrease perinatal mortality and morbidity in preterm labour. This study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nifedipine as a tocolytic for inhibiting uterine contraction in threatened preterm labour.Methods: It was a prospective, nonblinded, single centred, randomized control trial. This study included 100 cases of preterm labour admitted in department of obstetrics and gynaecology, KIMSH, Bangalore, who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were administered with nifedipine tocolysis.Results: 100 cases of preterm were evaluated for the prolongation of pregnancy for more than 48 hours. Prolongation of pregnancy till term was observed in 88% of the cases administered with nifedipine tocolysis. The mean gestational age in each group was 32.58±1.95 weeks. Nifedipine had very few side effects, namely tachycardia and headache and no changes in fetal heart rate.Conclusions: In this study oral nifedipine was found to be efficacious in prolongation of pregnancy for more than 48 hours with the ease of oral administration and with minimal dose tocolytic effect was achieved. It had minimal maternal and neonatal side effects and eliminate the need for intensive maternal monitoring.

Developing policy

A conversation with experts on developing education policy to address gender bias and gender-based violence

Comparison of fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth with an open apex using Biodentine and composite resin: An in vitro study

Aim: To evaluate the fracture resistance in simulated immature teeth that had been backfilled using composite resin and Biodentine after using Biodentine as an apical plug material immediately and after 3 months of aging. Materials and Methods: Sixty extracted human maxillary central incisors were simulated in an immature open apex. The roots of all the specimens were then standardized to a length of 10 mm and canals were instrumented to obtain the radicular dentin thickness around 1.5 mm. All the specimens were then randomly divided into three groups of twenty teeth each. Group I (control) - 4 mm apical plug of Biodentine backfilled with thermoplasticized gutta-percha. Group II - 4 mm apical plug of Biodentine and then backfilled with ParaCore. Group III - completely filled with Biodentine. Ten samples from each group were randomly divided into two subgroups. In subgroup A: Specimens were stored for 1 week. In subgroup B: Specimens were stored in phosphate-buffered saline solution for 3 months and were subjected to universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis. Results: No significant difference in fracture resistance between the groups was observed when tested immediately. After 3 months of aging, only Biodentine group showed a significant reduction in fracture resistance without significant reduction with other two groups. Conclusion: Biodentine group has shown a drastic reduction in fracture resistance after 3 months of aging, and hence cannot be recommended as a reinforcement material in immature teeth with thin dentin walls

Fig 4 -

FTIR spectrum of plant extract and SW-AgNPs: A, Phytosynthesis at room temperature and B, Phytosynthesis at 95°C.</p

Screening of plants for levels of phenolics and flavonoids.

Screening of plants for levels of phenolics and flavonoids.</p

Fig 10 -

Effect of SW-AgNPs on defense/stress enzymes superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities in the protein extracts of groundnut TMV-2 calli: A, peroxidase activity; B, In gel POX isozyme activity; C, SOD activity; D, In gel SOD isozyme activity; Reductant, aqueous sandalwood leaf extract.</p

Fig 7 -

Size, topological features of SW-AgNPs synthesized at Room temperature using AFM and TEM: A, 3-D image of SW-AgNPs obtained from AFM; B, 2-D image of SW-AgNPs; C, graph showing size of nanoparticles as assessed from the 2D AFM image; D, TEM image showing spherical nanoparticles E, TEM image showing size measurements of SWAgNPs, inset shows silver nanoparticles surrounded by capping material; F, high magnification TEM image of a single spherical nanoparticle indicating size.</p

DNA damage assay: Total DNA was isolated from the cervical cell lines and then evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis.

A, 10 μl of DNA from the SW-AgNP treated cervical lines were loaded per well; B, The DNA was estimated and 1 μg DNA of the cervical cell lines was loaded per well. L- DNA marker, C- Untreated Control, 5, 10, 20- concentration of UV treated SW-AgNP in ppm.</p