How Safe is the use of Antiseptics and Disinfectants in Children?

A wide range of antiseptic preparations and disinfectants have been used in varying concentrations and combinations in children but much research work regarding their safety and efficacy is not available. The aim of this review is to expand and broaden the pre-existing guidelines useful to the health care professionals so that antisepsis in the pediatric field can be performed appropriately, and at the same time, guarantee safety for children. Previously published studies were also assessed while writing this review. As per the data, there may be several local and systemic toxic effects related to the use of antiseptics and disinfectants in children. Properly designed large multicenter randomized clinical trials are required to direct the healthcare professionals regarding the most appropriate and safe antiseptic and disinfectant to use in pediatric patients

Rise of a Giant: Perovskite Solar Cells and Its Economic Viability

Solar energy is plentiful. Over the last decades, a significant portion of the energy market has been acquired by solar power. There are several types of solar cells in the market chosen, dependent on the application (Nayak et al., 2019). Silicon solar panels are commonly found in solar farms, and for domestic use, or in other words, it is the market leader. However, due to the specific processing of the silicon materials and lack of practical applicability due to its rigid and opaque nature, the worldwide deployment of silicon technology is still not at an appreciable level, especially in developing countries. Based on this, alternative approaches have been widely studied, out of which the most relevant technologies to mention here are Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) (Kokkonen et al., 2021) and Organic Photovoltaics (OPV) (Inganäs, 2018). DSSCs and OPV are based on materials that are easily processed compared to silicon and have attractive characteristics such as color variability and transparency, so they can be applied to windows and can be integrated into building aesthetic designs. With the continuous developments in these technologies, scientists were refining them to beat the efficiency and the stability achieved by its rival silicon solar cells

Pharmacognostical Study of Dioscorea oppositifolia L.

Extraction of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants permits demonstration of their physiological activity. It also facilitates pharmacology studies leading to discovery of synthesis of more potent drugs. The plant selected in the present study is Dioscorea oppositifolia L. (Dioscoreaceae) which is used traditionally for antiseptics, ulcers and abscesses. The root is chewed to cure toothache and aphthae. The whole plant extract is used for secondary syphilis and Psorasis. The present investigation was intended to evaluate the preliminary phytochemical characters and fluorescence analysis of this species

Glucometers for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Are they helpful?

Background: The effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is debated in the literature. We aimed at elucidating the association and patterns of complications between SMBG use and plasma glucose values. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 303 participants from outpatient departments with T2DM for over 12 months. We analyzed sociodemographic and clinical variables including: anthropometry, SMBG use, disease duration, treatment modality, complications, plasma glucose level, and glycated hemoglobin level (%). Results: The mean duration of T2DM was 93 ± 76 months. Participants were grouped into SMBG users (n=115, 38%) and non-SMBG users (n=188, 62%). The mean fasting plasma glucose levels of SMBG and non-SMBG users were 140.7±42.7 (95% Confidence Interval [95%CI]: 132.72;148.67) mg/dl and 145.4±50 (95%CI: 138.12;152.67) mg/dl (p=0.03), respectively. The mean post-prandial plasma glucose levels of the SMBG and non-SMBG groups were 202 ± 63.42 (95%CI: 190.23;213.76) mg/dl and 209±84.54 (95%CI: 196.56;221.43) mg/dl (p=0.002), respectively. The mean difference in HbA1c among the groups were 8.14±1.69% (95%CI: 7.59;8.68) and 8.15±1.98% (95%CI: 7.27;9.02) (p=0.4), respectively. Hypoglycemia (n=50, 43.5%) was the most common complication. The prevalence of neuropathy (n=5, 4.3%, p=0.036) and cardiovascular disease (n=21, 18.3%, p=0.042) were significantly higher in the SMBG group. Conclusion: Although plasma glucose values were significantly lower in the SMBG group, its clinical significance remains questionable. Furthermore, many participants in both groups had shortfalls in awareness, monitoring, and glycemic control. SMBG use needs to be evaluated in a cohort of patients with T2DM with adequate health awareness

Visual uroflowmetry: A viable screening tool for lower urinary tract symptoms?

INTRODUCTION: While a pressure flow voiding study is the definitive measure of bladder outlet obstruction, uroflowmetry is a simple, noninvasive test which provides valuable information. Flow rate measurement represents a reproducible way to quantify the strength of the urinary stream and, when used in combination with symptom scores for a small subset of patients (20%), has a high probability of correctly characterizing whether there is BOO. Chancellor and colleagues found that flow rate recording cannot distinguish between BOO and impaired detrusor contractility as the cause for a low peak flow (Qmax). Qmax appears to predict surgical outcome in some studies. Although considerable uncertainty exists, patients with a Qmax greater than 15 ml/s appear to have somewhat poorer treatment outcomes after prostatectomy than patients with a Qmax of less than 15 ml/s. Uroflowmetry and measurement of post void residue (PVR) are recommended as diagnostic tests in the initial assessment of men with LUTS and should be performed prior to prostatectomy (AUA 2003, EAU 2004 guidelines for BPH). However, Lloyd and Kirk have shown that as few as 28% of surgeons performing resection always carry out uroflowmetry with 46% using it only occasionally or never. This may be attributed to the inconclusive evidence supporting its use. Measurement of urinary flow rate requires sophisticated equipment and in a developing country like India, a major deterrent to setting up a uroflowmetry clinic is the prohibitive cost involved. Hence there is a need to develop a simpler tool which would not only objectively quantify urinary flow but also be cost-effective enough to be made accessible to all practising urologists. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare patients’ visual assessment of urinary flow with uroflowmetry. OBJECTIVES: To compare the patients’ visual assessment of urinary flow guided by the modified Brian Peeling diagram consisting of a multiple choice representation of various flow trajectories with • Age, • Peak flow (Qmax), • International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and • Post void residue (PVR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the uroflow clinic of the Urology department. The study design and methodology was approved by the Ethics Committee and the Institutional Review Board. All patients were explained the nature of the study and an informed consent in the patient’s own language was obtained. Adult males, 18 years of age and older with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) attending the uroflow clinic at the department of Urology were recruited. Patients were asked to fill the IPSS questionnaire and answer a multiple choice pictorial representation of flow trajectory. This was done immediately before performing the uroflowmetry. The flow protocol was unchanged from our standard practice. Uroflowmetry was carried out in a lockable toilet with auto start to remove dependence on the operator. Patients were asked not to strain or waggle their stream. The Dantec Urodyn 1000 rotating disk model was used after calibration. The index test was interpreted independently of the reference standard and without knowledge of the results. The uroflowmetry traces (reference standard) were assessed by an experienced observer to determine the ‘’true” Qmax taking into account “wag” and “straining” artefacts. Those unable to produce a flow volume of > 150ml were excluded. Immediately following the uroflowmetry, post void residue (PVR) was measured using transabdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were studied. The mean age of patients was 53 years. The median age was 56 years with a standard deviation of 13.78. Majority of the patients were over 50 years of age. There was an inverse correlation between age and Peak flow (Qmax) measured by the uroflowmeter. This was found to be significant (p < 0.01). However, eventhough there was an inverse correlation between Visual flow analogues marked by the patients and age, it was not significant (p = 0.05). Of the 100 patients in this study, 69 gave history of poor flow. Majority (82.5%) in this group marked visual flow analogues of 3 or less. Majority (70%) of the remaining 29 patients who did not have poor flow historically marked visual analogues of 4 or more. This difference was found to statistically significant (p < 0.01). Of the 100 patients studied, 64 had perceived a decrease in flow within the past 10 years and 80% in this group marked visual analogues of 3 or less. However those who didn’t perceive any change in flow within the past 10 years marked visual analogues of 4 or more. This difference was statistically significant (p <0.01). There was a significant correlation between between visual flow analogues and Qmax (p < 0.01). This correlation was found to be stronger in those who gave history of poor flow (p < 0.01) compared to those with a negative history (p < 0.05). The correlation between visual analogue scores and Qmax was significant in those who had received high school education or higher. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, self assessment of urinary flow using Visual Uroflowmetry showed significant correlation with peak flow, total IPSS and voiding symptoms in the IPSS like weak stream and incomplete emptying. Significant correlation was also seen between patients’ assessment of flow and QOL as marked in the IPSS. The correlation between visual analogues and Qmax improved with level of education. Hence Visual uroflowmetry may be used as a rapid and inexpensive tool for screening patients with LUTS