Simultaneous electrochemical determination of acetaminophen and metoclopramide at electrochemically pre-treated disposable graphite pencil electrode

A sensitive and economic voltammetric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of acetaminophen (AMP) and metoclopramide (MCP) using pre-treated graphite pencil electrode (PTGPE). Compared to a graphite pencil electrode, the pre-treated electrode showed an apparent shift of the oxidation potentials in the positive direction and a notable enhancement in the current responses for both AMP and MCP. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to study the voltammetric behavior of the drugs, while differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used to determine AMP and MCP simulta-neously. The dependence of the current on scan rate, pH and concentration was investi-gated to boost the experimental conditions for simultaneous determination. The calibra-tion curves were obtained over the range of 0.1×10-7 to 1.1×10-7 M, the concentration of each of both the drugs was varied by keeping the other constant, and achieved lower detection limit of 3.25 nM for AMP and 1.16 nM for MCP. The developed method was found to be selective, and rapid for the simultaneous determination of AMP and MCP. The proposed method was applied simultaneously in real samples and pharmaceutical samples, with satisfactory results

Regeneration of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) via apical shoot culture system

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the most suitable concentration of growth regulators for regeneration of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Monech) via apical shoot culture system. The study of apical shoot culture system was found effective for regeneration of apical shoots. The okra (A. esculentus L. Monech) N-550 line evolved at R&D, Nirmal Seeds Pvt. Ltd., was used as basic material for experiment of regeneration using different auxin and cytokinin hormone combination. Nine to ten days old germinating seedlings were used for isolation of shoot tip explants, isolated shoot tips were cultured on regeneration medium, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with alone indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (0.25, 0.5, 1.00, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/L) and IBA 1.0 mg/L with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.25, 0.5, 1.00, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/L). After regeneration, cultures were inoculated on elongation medium containing MS medium supplemented with kinetin (0.25, 0.5, 1.00, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/L). Elongated shoots transferred to rooting medium containing MS medium supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IAA) (0.25, 0.5, 1.00, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mg/L). Combination of 1.0 mg/L IBA and 0.5 mg/L NAA were found to be most effective for plant regeneration from apical shoot. Best shoot elongation observed in MS medium supplemented with kinetin 0.5 mg/L. Elongated shoots rooted most effectively in MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L IAA and 1.0 g activated charcoal. The success of apical shoot culture system of okra was encouraged by acclimatization of the plantlets in the field conditions.Key words: Abelmoschus esculentus, apical shoot, auxins, cytokinines, regeneratio

Wearable Technology and Extended Applications

We are living in the turbulent flow of technology, which increases exponentially with every second we live. Technology has made our life ease, effective and enables us to do something we always dreamed of. Wearable Technology is the next step that is taken towards the next generation interaction with new modules and future designed gadgets that works with much efficiency, flexibility, accuracy and can perform various complex operation with ease. Wearable technologies are adding more layers to our life by increasing the ways we communicate and share information with each other. The continuity of these devices creates a continuous link between people that they can relate to each other. Wearable Technology is aimed to provide the real time interaction with new evolving mobile widgets and gadgets. We would see how this technology will overcome the limitations of the existing mobile gadgets and bring it to the new extended level in compare to current scenario. Wearable Technology is new technological revolution that would create a world faster reliable and secure data transmission network. We would analysis the capability, expandability and limitations of it

Association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with anthropometric and metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes: a retrospective analysis

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which mediates increased insulin resistance and is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Aim of the study was to understand the association of NAFLD with anthropometric and metabolic parameters in T2DM.Methods: A retrospective observation of data obtained from a private diabetes care centre in non-alcoholic T2D patients was performed. Association of presence of NAFLD with anthropometric, metabolic (glycemic, lipid) parameters, and also blood pressure were assessed. Patients were duly informed that the data collected pertaining to their illness could be used for research purposes. No changes or interventions in the management of the illness were made as part of this study.Results: In total, 300 cases were included in analysis. NAFLD was seen in 38.0% of the cases. Patients with fatty liver were much older than those without fatty liver (P<0.0001). A significant association of NAFLD was seen with all anthropometric (P<0.05 for each) and lipid (p<0.05 for each) parameters and also systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements (p<0.0001 for both). There was no significant association with glycemic levels in patients with NAFLD. Other factors which had significant association with fatty liver include duration of diabetes, duration of hypertension and a known history of hypertension and dyslipidaemia (p<0.0001 for each).Conclusions: NAFLD has significant association with cardio-metabolic risk factors and may be an independent risk factor for CV disease. Further prospective studies with effect of diabetes treatment and progression/regression of NAFLD and its association with CV outcomes in T2D are warranted

Newer drugs in the management of diabetes mellitus

Modern life style with present days technological advances have made human life sedentary. This is causing increasing prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity amongst population. The number of cases of diabetes worldwide in the year 2000 among adults 20 years of age is estimated to be 171 million in recent reports   and is said to rise to more than 300 million by 2025. The raised plasma glucose levels give rise to complications in the form of microvascular and macrovascular complications diminished quality of life with reduced life expectancy. The currently available drugs used in the management of type II DM are not completely satisfactory in regard of controlling blood glucose level, many of the times they are associated with undesirable side effects. Hence there is continuous ongoing work in development of newer drugs, which are safe, efficacious and potent as well as free of undesirable effects such as sustained hypoglycaemia. Fortunately there are newer drug, few of them approved while other still knocking the door from the classes of drug such as GLP-1Mimetic, DPP-4 Inhibitors and others. Here we have tried to cover them in brief

Enteroviruses in Patients with Acute Encephalitis, Uttar Pradesh, India

An outbreak of viral encephalitis occurred in northern India in 2006. Attempts to identify an etiologic agent in cerebrospinal fluid by using reverse transcription–PCR showed positivity to enterovirus (EV) in 66 (21.6%) of 306 patients. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of PCR products from 59 (89.3%) of 66 specimens showed similarity with EV-89 and EV-76 sequences

Room Temperature Synthesized TiO2/Bi2Se3 Bilayer Thin Film by Simple Chemical Route: Study the Effect of Deposition Time of Bismuth Selenide on Physical Properties of Film

Simple chemical route namely Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) has been successfully employed for deposition of Bismuth Selenide (Bi2Se3) nanoparticles on porous TiO2 at room temperature. The effect of deposition time of Bi2Se3 on structural, surface morphological and optical properties of TiO2/Bi2Se3 bilayer film has been systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectra analysis was confirmed the Bi2Se3 nanoparticles are of effectively deposited on anatase TiO2 film. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) images shows the TiO2 film uniformly covers by Bi2Se3 nanoparticles. Optical absorption spectrum is reflecting the considerable enhancement in absorption of visible light with increasing deposition time of Bi2Se3 on TiO2 thin film

Shielding in whole brain irradiation in the multileaf collimator era: Dosimetric evaluation of coverage using SFOP guidelines against in-house guidelines

Aim : Compare the planning target volume (PTV) coverage in three different shielding techniques in cranial irradiation. Settings and Design : Tertiary care center, prospective study. Materials and Methods : The whole brain and meninges were contoured in ten planning CT scans, and expanded by 5 mm for the PTV. Shielding was designed using the French Society of Pediatric Oncology (SFOP) guidelines (SFOP plan), in-house recommendation (with 1 cm margin from the orbital roof and sphenoid wing) on a igitally Reconstructed Radiograph (DRR) and a third plan was generated using a 3D conformal radiation technique (3DCRT). The coverage of the PTV was noted using the isodose covering 95% of the PTV(D95), minimum dose within the PTV(D min ), and maximum dose within the PTV(D max ). The location of PTV not covered by the 95% isodose curve was noted. The median dose and maximum dose (D max ) to both eyes and maximum dose D max for the lens were noted. Statistical Analysis : General linear model method repeated the measure of analysis of variance test (ANOVA). Results : PTV coverage was significantly poorer in the SFOP and in-house plans as compared to 3DCRT plan (P=0.04). Median volume of PTV not covered by 95% isodose curve was 4.18 cc, 1.01 cc, and 0 cc in SFOP, in-house, and 3DCRT plan, respectively. Conclusions : In the absence of volumetric planning techniques, SFOP guidelines lead to inadequate coverage and the in-house method is recommended

Pelvic Exenteration: Experience from a Rural Cancer Center in Developing World

Background. Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a morbid procedure. Ours is a rural based cancer center limited trained surgical oncology staff. Hence, this audit was planned to evaluate morbidity and outcomes of all patients undergoing PE at our center. Methods. This is a IRB approved retrospective audit of all patients who underwent PE at our center from January 2010 to August 2013. The toxicity grades were retrospectively assigned according to the CTCAE version 4.02 criteria. Chi-square test was done to identify factors affecting grades 3–5 morbidity. Kaplan Meier survival analysis has been used for estimation of median PFS and OS. Results. 34 patients were identified, with the median age of 52 years (28–73 years). Total, anterior, posterior, and modified posterior exenterations were performed in 4 (11.8%), 5 (14.7%), 14 (41.2%), and 11 (32.4%) patients, respectively. The median time for surgery was 5.5 hours (3–8 hours). The median blood loss was 500 mL (200–4000 mL). CTCAE version 4.02 grades 3-4 toxicity was seen in nine patients (25.7%). The median estimated progression free survival was 31.76 months (25.13–38.40 months). The 2-year overall survival was 97.14%. Conclusion. PE related grades 3–5 morbidity of 25.7% and mortality of 2.9% at our resource limited center are encouraging