Haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation via intubating laryngeal mask airway versus direct laryngoscopic tracheal intubation

Objective: To compare the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation using either direct larygoscopy or Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway. Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. One hundred adult ASA-I and ASA - II patients coming to the Anaesthesia Department of Aga Khan University Hospital were randomly divided into two groups. In group- I endotracheal intubation was done with the help of Macintosh laryngoscope while in group-II patients were intubated with the help of the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway. Systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at baseline, at laryngoscopy and at 1 minute interval for 10 minutes following intubation. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to age, weight, height and gender. The rise in systolic blood pressure in group-I was 26 and 13% when compared with the baseline for first two minutes, while in group II the increase was 8-12%. When both groups were compared statistically significant difference (P\u3c0.05) was observed. The rise in diastolic blood pressure was 23% and 7% in group - I and II respectively when compared with the baseline. Statistically significant difference (P\u3c0.05) was observed at first two minutes following intubation between the two groups. The rise in mean arterial blood pressure after intubation was statistically significant. The increase in heart rate was observed after intubation in both the groups and when both the groups were compared the rise was not statistically significant. Conclusion: We concluded that intubation through intubating laryngeal mask airway is accompanied by minimal cardiovascular responses than those associated with direct laryngoscopic tracheal intubation, so it can be used for patients in whom a marked pressor response would be deleteriou

Experiential Learning in the Technology Disciplines February 2020

Learning-by-doing has long been a tradition in the technology disciplines. It is the hands-on work, combined with student reflection, feedback and assessment, that reinforces theory into practice. Over the past 40 years, experiential learning (EL) in higher education has grown beyond in-class assignments to include internships, cooperative education, team-based learning, project-based learning, community engagement, service learning, international and study-away experiences, capstone projects and research opportunities. This paper provides an overview of experiential education theory and practice in the undergraduate technology disciplines, and presents examples of how experiential learning practices have evolved over time at a medium-sized institution in the Northeast USA. In addition, this paper offers instructors theoretical strategies to improve the hands-on work that is likely already present in their courses

A meta-analysis and experimental data for multidrug resistance genes in breast cancer

Background: Increasing trend of breast cancer incidence worldwide is a known fact. This curable disease may become fatal if drug resistance is developed leading to metastatic cancerous tissue. Objective: This is a two parts study; a meta-analysis exploring association of drug resistance (mdr1 and ABCG2) genes with breast cancer and mutational association with molecular subtypes of cancer. Methods: PCR-SSCP for genomic polymorphisms and RT-PCR for expression analysis were performed. Results: C3435T polymorphism of mdr1 gene was most commonly studied mutation with contradictory results. Association of ABCG2 gene mutations with untreated breast cancer was reported only by one study so far. Regarding current genomic analysis of mdr1 gene, three novel mutations were found in exon 12 and 2 mutations were found in exon 26. In ABCG2 gene, addition of C and T were found in intron 8 at the intron-exon junction. A positive correlation was observed between these mutations and tumor grade. Levels of mRNA expression revealed that they were over expressed in cancerous tissues compared with controls. Conclusion: These findings suggest that these genes are associated with breast cancer. Keywords: Expression; mutations; mdr1; ABCG2; breast cancer

Application of chitosan padded rice and wheat husk for the removal of reactive dye from aqueous solution

Industrial waste especially textile effluents contain many harmful ingredients, which cause environmental problems. In the present study, the removal of reactive red 195 dye was carried out using chitosan padded wheat husk (CWH) and rice husk (CRH) adsorbents. Chitosan was prepared in the laboratory from chitin which was obtained from crab shells by adopting reported method. The removal of dye was carried out by batch adsorption method under the optimized conditions of amount of adsorbent, stay time, temperature and dye concentration. Spectrophotometric technique was adopted for the measurement of concentration of dye before and after adsorption. Adsorption data was fitted in Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption isotherm equations. The values of the corresponding constants were evaluated from the slope and intercept of their respective plots. Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy (ΔGo), enthalpy (ΔHo), and entropy (ΔSo) of the system were also calculated by using distribution coefficient KD. From the percent removal data, it was concluded that chitosan-rice husk (CRH) and chitosan- wheat husk (CWH) systems showed about 83 and 79% removal tendency respectively. Chitosan itself act as a good adsorbent and its derivative with rice and wheat husk (mainly cellulose) show high removal tendency and may be used as low cost biosorbents for the removal of pollutants from the industrial effluent.Keywords: Adsorption, reactive red 195 dye, chitosan, rice husk, wheat hus

Effect of Casting Technique on the Compressive Behaviour of Fully Recycled Aggregate Concrete

The research work presented in this contribution investigated the impact of Compression Casting Technique (CCT) on the compressive behavior of fully Recycled Aggregates Concrete (RAC). RAC mix containing 30% fine aggregates, 70% coarse aggregates and 15% cement by weight of total aggregates was prepared under two different casting pressures (i.e., 25 & 35 MPa). For the purpose of comparison, Natural Aggregate Concrete (NAC) mix was also prepared under same casting pressures. Samples of RAC mix were also made by compaction through vibration. Recycled concrete aggregates required for this study were prepared by crushing of damaged concrete samples having compressive strength in the range of 21 to 28 MPa. Compressive response was evaluated in terms of compressive strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE). Ultrasonic pulse velocity test was employed to check the quality of internal matrix of concrete samples prepared by CCT and vibration. The results demonstrated positive effect of CCT on the properties of concrete resulting in higher compressive strength and MOE compared to properties of concrete prepared by compaction through vibration. With the increase in casting pressure from 25 to 35 MPa, compressive strength and MOE of RAC was increased by 21% and 29%, respectively. It was found that RAC mix exhibited inferior properties (i.e., compressive strength and MOE) compared with NAC mix

Comparison of Crop Water Productivity of Traditional and Hybrid Maize Varieties

A field study was conducted on clay loam soil at the research farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar during Kharif 2012. Objective of the study was to compare the crop water productivity of maize using two traditional (V1=Azam and V2=Jalal) and two hybrid (V3=3025W and V4=30K08) varieties having four replicates. Soil moisture was determined by gravimetric method taking into account soil moisture, rainfall, and irrigation water applied. Crop water productivity (CWP) was calculated by dividing grain yield and total seasonal water applied to each variety. Results showed that CWP of maize variety V1 ranged from 0.75-0.8 kg m-3 with a mean of 0.8 kg m-3, CWP of V2 ranged from 0.82-0.91 kg m-3 with a mean of 0.85 kg m-3, CWP of V3 ranged from 1.16-1.23 kg m-3 with a mean of 1.19 kg m-3 and CWP of V4 ranged from 1.19-1.31 kg m-3 with a mean value of 1.24 kg m-3. Crop water productivity in case of V1 was low compared to FAO reported values. CWP was found statistically significant (P ? 0.05) for the selected maize varieties. Results showed that among all the varieties V4 performed better therefore, it is recommended for irrigated areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Key Words: crop water productivity, hybrid maize, traditional varieties

Effect of yeast supplementation on production parameters, egg quality characteristics and crude protein digestibility in hens

Background: Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has a buffering effect in the digestive tract, and proper feed additives in chicken diets can improve the birds’ digestive efficiency. The present study planned with aim to investigate the effects of different levels of yeast supplementation on the egg production, egg quality traits and crude protein digestibility in hens.Methods: A total of 84 hens (40 weeks of age) were fed the dietary treatments until 50 weeks of age. The hens were distributed into 4 treatments and 3 replicates with 7 hens per experimental unit. The yeast was incorporated into basal feed with various levels (0, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2%). The production data was obtained during trial. For determining egg quality characteristics, 30 eggs from each treatment group were used at 14-day interval of the experiment from a 2-day collection of eggs during the week. The excreta from each replicate were collected after every 2 weeks for determining the crude protein digestibility.Results: Maximum egg production and egg mass were attained from the hens provided 0.15% and 0.20% yeast supplementation. The eggshell thickness decreased with supplementation of yeast. Higher yolk weight, albumen weight, Haugh unit and grading values were observed at 0.2% level than other groups. Crude protein digestibility also improved at high levels of yeast supplementation at all ages.Conclusion: This study envisaged that yeast supplementation between 0.15 and 0.20% could be sufficient during 40 to 50 weeks of age, to augment the overall layer performance. Keywords: Baker’s yeast; feed intake; egg production; egg qualit

PREVALENCE OF DENGUE VIRAL INFECTION IN PESHAWAR, KPK, PAKISTAN

Background: Dengue is a widespread mosquito-borne viral infection in human beings, which is a major public health concern all over the world. In recent years, dengue is predominant in the tropics and subtropics with a high incidence and increased considerably over the last three decades. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dengue in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhunkhwa, Province of Pakistan. A total of 823 samples were collected from 823 patients by puncturing the vein in aseptic condition. Serum of patient was analyzed by Immunochromatography technique (ICT). Results: Out of patients, 671 were male and 152 were female. Among the total of 823 samples, 196 (23.81%) patients were positive for Dengue Non-Structure 1 (NS1) while 627 (76.18%) were negative. In male patients 147 (21.90%) were positive for Dengue NS1 while 524 (78.09%) were negative. Out of 152 (18.46%) female patients 49 (32.23%) were positive for Dengue NS1 and remaining 103 (67.76%) were negative. Conclusion: It is concluded that the prevalence of dengue infection is higher in male than in female due to susceptibility of male to certain risk of dengue. Key Words: Prevalence, Dengue viral infection, Peshawa