Intravenous adrenaline for shock in neonates

Dopamine and dobutamine have been widely used to treat shock with variable success in newborns. In this retrospective data analysis, we report on the use of adrenaline in 20 neonates with birth asphyxia and shock that was refractory to dopamine and dobutamine. We concluded that adrenaline is a safe and effective drug that can be used as an add-on therapy to dopamine and/or dobutamine in newborns with shock secondary to birth asphyxia.

Cervical epidural anaesthesia for thyroid surgery

BACKGROUND

Cervical epidural anaesthesia is a regional anaesthesia technique which has been used for upper limb surgery, upper thoracic wall surgery, carotid artery surgery and neck dissections. Anaesthesia for thyroid surgery can be complicated due to the altered functional status of the thyroid or its large size.

OBJECTIVE

This prospective study was designed to assess the effectiveness and safety of cervical epidural anaesthesia for thyroid surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cervical epidural anaesthesia was attempted in 9 patients and the results compared with 44 patients who underwent thyroid surgery under conventional general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation. The epidural catheter was placed in the C(7) - T(1) vertebral interspace and 10 - 15 ml of 1% Lignocaine with adrenaline was injected.

RESULTS

The technique of cervical epidural anaesthesia was successfully used in 8 out of 9 patients in whom it was attempted All patients were maintained in a state of conscious - sedation and effective analgesia was obtained in all 8 patients. There were no significant complications especially those related to diaphragmatic function and cardiovascular stability. In contrast patients undergoing surgery under conventional general anaesthesia had complications related to endotracheal intubation, cardiac arrhythmias and hypotension

CONCLUSION

The technique of cervical epidural anaesthesia should be considered in thyroid patients where difficult endotracheal intubation is anticipated and in those in whom alterations in thyroid functional state make them vulnerable to cardiovascular complications under conventional general anaesthesia.

Spatial variability of groundwater depth and quality parameters in the National Capital Territory of Delhi

The groundwater quantity and quality scenario is of much concern in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, India, which necessitates an investigation to envisage the extent of spatial variability of groundwater depth and pollutant concentration levels in this region. Therefore, in this study, an effort was made to generate the spatial variability map of groundwater depth and quality parameters (viz. chloride, electrical conductivity, fluoride, magnesium, and nitrate). Ordinary kriging was used to analyze the spatial variability of groundwater depth and quality parameters, whereas indicator kriging was used to analyze groundwater quality parameters equal to or greater than the pollution threshold values. It was observed that the semivariogram parameters fitted well in the exponential model for water depth and in the spherical model for water quality parameters. The generated spatial variability maps indicated that in 43% of the study area, groundwater depth was within 20 m. The salinity level was higher than 2.5 dS m(-1) in 69% of the study area and the nitrate concentration exceeded 45 mg l(-1) in 36% of the area. The probability maps showed that about 24% of the area had the highest probability (0.8-1.0) of exceedence of the threshold electrical conductivity value and an area of 2% exhibited the highest probability of exceedence of the threshold value of nitrate concentration in the groundwater. The generated spatial variability and probability maps will assist water resource managers and policymakers in development of guidelines in judicious management of groundwater resources for agricultural and drinking purposes in the study area.

Intravenous Adrenaline for Shock in Neonates

Dopamine and dobutamine have been widely used to treat shock with variable success in newborns. In this retrospective data analysis, we report on the use of adrenaline in 20 neonates with birth asphyxia and shock that was refractory to dopamine and dobutamine. We concluded that adrenaline is a safe and effective drug that can be used as an add-on therapy to dopamine and/or dobutamine in newborns with shock secondary to birth asphyxia.

Enzyme Inhibition by Molluscicidal Components of Myristica fragrans Houtt. in the Nervous Tissue of Snail Lymnaea acuminata

This study was designed to investigate the effects of molluscicidal components of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Myristicaceae) on certain enzymes in the nervous tissue of freshwater snail Lymnaea acuminata Lamarck (Lymnaeidae). In vivo and in vitro treatments of trimyristin and myristicin (active molluscicidal components of Myristica fragrans Houtt.) significantly inhibited the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP/ALP) activities in the nervous tissue of Lymnaea acuminata. The inhibition kinetics of these enzymes indicates that both the trimyristin and myristicin caused competitive noncompetitive inhibition of AChE. Trimyristin caused uncompetitive and competitive/noncompetitive inhibitions of ACP and ALP, respectively whereas the myristicin caused competitive and uncompetitive inhibition of ACP and ALP, respectively. Thus results from the present study suggest that inhibition of AChE, ACP, and ALP by trimyristin and myristicin in the snail Lymnaea acuminata may be the cause of the molluscicidal activity of Myristica fragrans.

An ultrasonic characterization of ferrofluid

Nanoparticles of Cr(2)O(3) are prepared through hydrothermal synthesis process using CrO(3)/PVA in aqueous solution using sucrose as a reducing agent. The calcination temperature is taken 300 and 350 degrees C. XRD and SEM of the powdered Cr(2)O(3) particles are done for the characterization. The average particle size is found 30-80 nm. It is found that average particle size increases with calcination temperature. The UV-visible absorption spectra are taken for the study of photo-physical properties of ferrofluids. Ultrasonic velocity and absorption measurements are performed in Cr(2)O(3) ferrofluid using variable path interferometer and pulse-echo techniques, respectively. The achieved results are discussed in correlation with the magnetic and other physical properties of Cr(2)O(3).

Molluscicidal activity of Piper cubeba Linn., Piper longum Linn. and Tribulus terrestris Linn. and their combinations against snail Indoplanorbis exustus Desh

The toxic effect of dried berries powder of P. cubeba, dried fruit powder of P. longum and T. terrestris singly as well as in combination [binary (1:1) and tertiary (1:1:1)] were studied against snail L. exustus. Toxicity of these plant products were time and concentration dependent. Ethanol extracts of these plants were more effective than that of other organic solvents. 96 h LC50 value of column purified fraction of T. terrestris against I. exustus was 9.57 mg/l, where as 96 h LC50 values of column purified fractions of P. longum and P. cubeba were 11.57 mg/l and 10.93 mg/l, respectively. Binary (1:1) combination of P. cubeba (PC) + P. longum (PL) (41.78 mg/l) was more effective than P. cubeba (PC) + T. terrestris (TT) (42.17 mg/l) and P. longum (PL) + T. terrestris (TT) (55.84 mg/l) respectively; while tertiary (1:1:1) combinations of P. cubeba (PC) + T. terrestris (TT) + T. foenum-graecum (TF) (10.67 mg/l) was more effective than rest of the combinations. These plants can be used as potent source of molluscicides against the snail I. exustus.

Recurrent meningitis secondary to isolated C3 deficiency

A 5-year-old child presented with the second episode of meningitis when we started investigating her to find a cause for recurrent episode of meningitis. During this she suffered from a third attack after which she was diagnosed as having isolated C(3) deficiency. She was put on penicillin prophylaxis and vaccinated against encapsulated bacteria, after which she is now doing well.

Primary amebic meningoencephalitis

We report an 8 month-old infant with primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAME) due to Naegleria fowleri. The child was treated with amphotericin B, chloramphenicol and rifampicin for 3 weeks. PAME is an almost universally fatal condition with very few survivors till date. Our patient was one of the rare survivors who recovered after treatment and was discharged without any residual neurological deficit.

Effect of binary combination of deltamethrin+MGK-264 on the levels of phospholipid and lipid peroxidation in the snail Lymnaea acuminata

Effect of sublethal treatment of (40% and 60% of 48 h LC50) of deltamethrin+MGK on phospholipid level and rate of lipid peroxidation in nervous and foot tissue of Lymnaea acuminata were studied. Maximum reduction in phospholipid (24.10%) level and increase in rate of lipid peroxidation (586.8%) were observed in foot tissue of snail exposed to 60% of 48 h LC50 of deltamethrin+MGK 264 for 96 h. Alterations in the levels of phospholipids and rate of lipid peroxidation were time and concentration dependent. Use of MGK-264 with deltamethrin increases the toxicity of deltamethrin and their action on membrane phospholipids and rate of lipid peroxidation.

Renal transplantation using live donors with vascular anomalies: a salvageable surgical challenge

Renal transplantation is an established mode of management for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In India, majority of the patients with ESRD depend upon live donors for renal transplantation and renal vascular anomalies are commonly seen in these potential donors. We present our experience in renal transplantation using donors with vascular anomalies. During the period between 2001 and 2004, we performed 36 live related donor renal transplantations. All study patients had only one donor each, with compatible blood group. Ten of the donors had vascular anomalies. Three had bilateral double arteries, one had double left and single right renal artery, one had bilateral triple arteries, one had triple arteries on left and double arteries on right side, of which one had early branching, two had bilateral early branching of arteries, and two other cases had double renal veins. Open donor nephrectomy was performed in all the cases. End-to-side anastomosis with external iliac vein and artery of the recipient was performed by the parachuting technique. Eight kidneys had immediate diuresis after transplantation. In two kidneys, diuresis started 2-3 hours after administration of 120 mg of furosemide. All patients had serum creatinine ranging between 0.9 and 1.8 mg/dl by the 10th post-operative day. Follow-up of these cases have varied from one month to two years. In the current scenario, multiple arteries in the donor are no longer considered relative contraindications for renal transplantation. With good surgical skill and experience in bench surgery, all such donors can be accepted. Use of external iliac artery for anastomosis with the technique of parachuting makes the procedure easy and safe.

Nef modulates the immunogenicity of Gag encoded in a non-infectious HIV DNA vaccine

Gag-CD8+ T cell responses are associated with immune control of HIV infection. Since during HIV infection Nef impairs T cell responses, we evaluated whether deletion of nef from a non-infectious HIV DNA vaccine (Delta4 Nef+), creating Delta5 Nef(-), would affect its immunogenicity. When compared with Delta4, mice injected with Delta5 developed significantly lower CD8+ T cell responses to Gag, but no significant change in the responses to Env was observed. In vitro, deletion of Nef abrogated the induced cell death, production of virus-like particles and release of Gag from transfected cells. Thus, the effect of Nef in causing extrusion of Gag might adjuvant the CD8+ T cell responses to Gag in DNA vaccine.

ESR and optical study of Mn2+-doped sodium hydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate

ESR study of Mn(2+)-doped sodium hydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate (SHOD) single crystals is done at room temperature. The Mn(2+) spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated employing a large number of resonant line positions observed for different orientations of the external magnetic field. The values of g, A, B, D, E and a are: 2.0042+/-0.0002, 86+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 83+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 238+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 76+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 13+/-1 x 10(-4)cm(-1) for site I and 2.0032+/-0.0002, 86+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 83+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 238+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 76+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 13+/-1 x 10(-4)cm(-1) for site II, respectively. The optical absorption study of the crystal is also done. The observed bands are assigned as transitions from the (6)A(1g)(S) ground state to various excited quartet levels of a Mn(2+) ion in a cubic crystalline field. These bands are fitted with four parameters B, C, D(q) and alpha and the values found for the parameters are B=777 cm(-1), C=3073 cm(-1), D(q)=755 cm(-1), and alpha=76 cm(-1). On the basis of the data obtained the surrounding crystalline field and the nature of metal-ligand bonding are discussed.

Soil microorganisms in cotton fields sequentially treated with insecticides

A crop protection system consisting of sequential treatments by six insecticides--dimethoate, monocrotophos, deltamethrin, endosulfan, cypermethrin, and triazophos--at recommended dosages in cotton fields in Punjab, India was investigated for its effects on nontarget soil microorganisms and their activities. Successive applications of the insecticides caused only short-lived adverse effects on the soil microorganisms. None of the insecticides used had any adverse effects on soil fungi as reflected by their total numbers. Significant change in Azotobacter numbers were observed after dimethoate, triazophos, and endosulfan treatment in 1998 soil. An increase of up to 71% in actinomycetes numbers was observed after deltamethrin treatment in the treated fields in 1995. Few short-term changes in iron-reduction capacity were observed after endosulfan and cypermethrin treatments. No adverse effect was observed on the soil respiration during all the experimental periods. The amount of residues detected in soil ranged from 8.5 to 42.0 ng g(-1)dry wt. soil for organophosphorus insecticides and from nondetectable to 5.55 ng g (-1)dry wt. soil for synthetic pyrethroids. It ranged between 7.3 and 35.6 ng g(-1)dry wt. soil for endosulfan. On many occasions two or three insecticide residues were detected together; therefore, the effect observed on soil microorganisms and their activities was a multiresidue effect. In 1998, crop soil amounts of insecticide residues were generally more than those in 1995 and 1996. Persistence and dissipation patterns in soils with a history of exposure to the insecticides compared to the non-history soils were similar.

ESR and optical study of Cu2+ doped calcium malonate dihydrate

The ESR study of Cu(2+) doped calcium malonate dihydrate has been done at room temperature. Four magnetically in-equivalent sites for Cu(2+) have been observed. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters evaluated with the fitting of spectra to rhombic symmetry crystalline field are for Cu(2+) site (I): g(x)=2.0963+/-0.0002, g(y)=2.1316+/-0.0002, g(z)=2.4137+/-0.0002, A(x)=(32+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(y)=(34+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(z)=(49+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), for site (II): g(x)=2.0668+/-0.0002, g(y)=2.0800+/-0.0002, g(z)=2.3561+/-0.0002, A(x)=(34+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(y)=(36+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(z)=(51+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), for site (III): g(x)=2.0438+/-0.0002, g(y)=2.0623+/-0.0002, g(z)=2.2821+/-0.0002, A(x)=(34+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(y)=(36+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(z)=(53+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), and for site (IV): g(x)=2.0063+/-0.0002, g(y)=2.0241+/-0.0002, g(z)=2.2357+/-0.0002, A(x)=(35+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(y)=(37+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(z)=(54+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1). The ground state wave function of Cu(2+) has also been determined. The g-anisotropy has been estimated and compared with the experimental value. Further with the help of optical study the nature of bonding of metal ion with different ligands in the complex has been discussed.