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The present study was aimed at evaluating and comparing anaesthetic effects of propofol on induction and maintenance, with triflupromazine hydrochloride (group I), diazepam (Group II) as premedicants in twelve dogs. The character of anaesthesia during induction, surgical plane of anaesthesia and recovery was asessed. Physiological; biochemical and haematological parameters were recorded. No significant changes were observed in any of the parameters. It is concluded that continuous infusion of propofol with diazepam and triflupromazine provides adequate muscle relaxation and satisfactory surgical anaesthesia in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The detailed epidemiological and molecular characterization of an outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia at a neurotrauma intensive care unit of a level 1 trauma centre is described. The stringent infection control interventions taken to successfully curb this outbreak are emphasized. Methods: The clinical and microbiological data for those patients who had more than one blood culture that grew B. cepacia were reviewed. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using automated Vitek 2 systems. Prospective surveillance, environmental sampling, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed for extensive source tracking. Intensive infection control measures were taken to further control the hospital spread. Results: Out of a total 48 patients with B. cepacia bacteraemia, 15 (31%) had central line-associated blood stream infections. Two hundred and thirty-one environmental samples were collected and screened, and only two water samples grew B. cepacia with similar phenotypic characteristics. The clinical strains characterized by MLST typing were clonal. However, isolates from the water represented a novel strain type (ST-1289). Intensive terminal cleaning, disinfection of the water supply, and the augmentation of infection control activities were done to curb the outbreak. A subsequent reduction in bacteraemia cases was observed. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and appropriate therapy, along with the rigorous implementation of essential hospital infection control practices is required for successful containment of this pathogen and to curb such an outbreak. Keywords: Burkholderia cepacia, Outbreak, Neurotrauma unit, MLST typing, Novel ST type

Objective: Subclavian carotid transposition (SCT) is generally performed for stenoocclusive disease of the proximal subclavian artery. This study was undertaken to analyze the results of SCT at our center and also highlight the usefulness of this procedure in varied pathologies involving the proximal subclavian artery. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included 16 consecutive patients from 2011 to 2016 who presented to our department. The study was carried following approval by the Institute Research Committee and the Institute Ethics Committee. The data were collected from the departmental database, and the patients were followed up prospectively and the data were analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients at presentation was 46.6 years with standard deviation of 11.48. Eleven patients (78%) had total occlusion of the proximal subclavian artery. About 81% of the patients had left-sided SCT. The etiology for SCT was varied with ten patients (62.5%) having proximal subclavian artery occlusion with chronic upper-limb ischemia, three patients (18.75%) with acute subclavian artery occlusion, one patient with bilateral cervical ribs, one patient with dysphagia lusoria with aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), and one patient with right common carotid aneurysm. The mean follow-up duration was 64 months. The patency rate was 100% in the study population. There were no immediate occlusions or stenosis noted in our series. Conclusion: SCT is a safe, effective, and durable procedure with long-term patency rates with less morbidity and reintervention rates. It can be safely done for both acute and chronic subclavian artery occlusions and various other conditions too such as dysphagia lusoria due to ARSA and cervical rib with subclavian artery occlusion. Hence, a vascular surgeon should master the art of doing SCT for its good results and for its being effective for varied pathologies.

Introduction: Emphysematous Pyelonephritis (EPN) is a serious life threatening, necrotising infection which can affect renal parenchyma, collecting system and nearby tissue with presence of gas within renal system Aim: To check likelihood of kidney salvagibility by minimally invasive approaches in EPN and to see the prognostic factors that support kidney salvagibility in EPN. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted during October 2018 to June 2020 on 30 patients who were admitted in Department of Urology, Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha,India with features of EPN. Thirty patients with clinical and radiological features (Huang Tseng Classification) of EPN were enrolled in the study. All the biochemical parameters, clinical features and outcomes (patient who managed conservatively included in good outcome group while the patients who required nephrectomy were included in poor outcome group) continuous variables were analysed with the Unpaired t-test and categorical variables were analysed with fisher-exact test and multiple logistic regression test. Results were considered statistical significance when p-value was

This article deals with the investigation of the effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) waviness on the effective thermal conductivities of a novel fuzzy fiber-reinforced composite (FFRC). The distinctive feature of the construction of this novel FFRC is that wavy CNTs are radially grown on the circumferential surfaces of the carbon fibers. Effective thermal conductivities of the FFRC are determined by developing the method of cells (MOCs) approach in conjunction with the effective medium (EM) approach. The effect of CNT waviness is studied when wavy CNTs are coplanar with either of the two mutually orthogonal planes of the carbon fiber. The present study reveals that (i) if CNT waviness is parallel to the carbon fiber axis then the axial (Ki) and the transverse (Kz) thermal conductivities of the FFRC are improved by 86% and 640%, respectively, over those of the base composite when the CNT volume faction present in the FFRC is 16.5% and the temperature is 400 K, (ii) the effective value of Kj of the FFRC containing wavy CNTs being coplanar with the carbon fiber axis is enhanced by 75% over that of containing straight CNTs for the fixed CNT volume faction when the temperature is 400 K, and (Hi) the CNTIpolymer matrix interfacial thermal resistance does not affect the effective thermal conductivities of the FFRC. The present work also reveals that for a particular value of the CNT volume fraction, optimum values of the CNT waviness parameters, such as the amplitude and the wave frequency of the CNT for improving the effective thermal conductivities of the FFRC can be estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on canine mammary tumours (CMT) and treatment through the use of various chemo-surgical methods. Observed were changes in biochemical and haematological parameters including haemoglobin (Hb), differential Leucocyte count (LDC) and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) levels after every chemotherapy and before and after an operation. Considered as best option for localized, benign CMT is surgical excision and combination of chemotherapy for CMT regional metastasis.

The article presents a study which examines the prenatal development of metacarpals and metatarsals in buffalo. The study is investigated by radiographs, alizaren red S method, and heamatoxylin and eosin method. Results show that the large metacarpals first appeared as cartilagenous masses at 47 days while metatarsals were observed at 57 days in 48 buffalo foetuses.

Watershed avifaunal inventories are useful in devising management strategies appropriate to the habitat, as well as species conservation. The Chenab River basin forms one of the largest and most important river basins in Jammu & Kashmir. The upper Chenab catchment offers a rich and diverse fauna, especially birds, owing to variety of habitats, different climatic regimes, and a wide range of altitude,. We present an avifaunal list of four watersheds—Bhot, Marusudar, Kalnai and Neeru of the Chenab River basin including Kishtwar Town and the surrounding area of the upper Chenab catchment over an elevation range of 820–4,500 m. The list includes 251 species belonging to 60 families and 150 genera of which six are globally threatened, 127 residents, 124 migrants and three new to the state. The paper also describes species-wise habitat occupancy, feeding behaviour, migratory status and abundance of the avifauna. The study reveals that mosaic habitats comprising forests, riverbeds, rangelands and rocky outcrops are crucial for the conservation of birds in the region.

Abstract Background Extensive epidemiological and clinical studies revealed that Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) are most likely to appear simultaneously in aged people as T2D is a major risk factor for AD. Therefore, development of potential multifunctional agents for dual therapy of AD and T2D has received much attention. Buchanania axillaris, Hemidesmus indicus and Rhus mysorensis have been used extensively in popular medicine. The present study was aimed at phytochemical profiling and evaluating multifunctional ability of titled plants in the AD and T2D dual therapy. Methods Methanolic extracts and their derived fractions were evaluated for their inhibitory capacities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) & butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), and α– & β–glucosidase besides kinetic analysis of inhibition using methods of Elmann and Shibano, respectively. Antioxidant potency of active fractions was assessed by their DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. Active fractions were tested by the MTT assay to verify cytotoxicity and neuroprotective ability in human nueroblastoma cell lines. Phytochemical screening was done with the aid of spectrophotometric methods. Results All the methanolic extracts of test plants (BAM, HIM, RMM) showed concentration dependent inhibitory activities against AChE, BuChE, α– and β–glucosidase enzymes. Subsequent fractionation and evaluation revealed that chloroform fractions BAC, HIC and RMC with IC50 values of 12.29±2.14, 9.94±2.14, 16.65±1.99 and 27.38±1.24; 28.14±0.9, 5.16±0.22, 11.03±0.5 and 87.64±15.41; 41.35±1.6, 15.86±7.3, 26.04±0.37 and 25.33±0.3 were most prominent with regard to inhibition potential against AChE, BuChE, α– and β–glucosidase, respectively. Kinetic analysis of these active fractions proved that they disclosed mixed-type inhibition against AChE, BuChE, α– and β–glucosidase enzymes. In the MTT assay, active fractions BAC, HIC, RMC showed significant cell viability at high concentrations (400 μg). Moreover, in MTT assay, the active fractions displayed excellent neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress induced cell death and significant cell viability in SK N SH cells at all concentrations. Conclusion The strong anticholinesterase, antiglucosidase, antioxidant and neuroprotective activities of methanolic extracts and their derived chloroform fractions indicate the potential of Buchanania axillaris, Hemidesmus indicus and Rhus mysorensis as multifunctional therapeutic remedies for the dual therapy of T2D and AD.

Abstract: This paper deals with the analysis of active damping of geometrically nonlinear vibrations of doubly curved smart sandwich shells integrated with a patch of active constrained layer damping (ACLD) treatment. The substrate sandwich shell is composed of orthotropic laminated composite faces separated by a thick flexible core. The constraining layer of the ACLD treatment is made of the vertically/obliquely reinforced 1–3 piezoelectric composites (PZCs). The constrained viscoelastic layer is modeled using the Golla–Hughes–McTavish (GHM) method in the time domain. A three dimensional finite element (FE) model has been developed to study this coupled nonlinear electro-elastic problem. The numerical results indicate that the ACLD patch significantly improves the damping characteristics of the paraboloid and hyperboloid sandwich shells with laminated cross-ply and angle-ply facings for suppressing their geometrically nonlinear vibrations. Particular emphasis has been placed on investigating the effect of the variation of piezoelectric fiber orientation angle on the performance of the ACLD treatment. Unlike the doubly curved laminated composite shells, the performance of the ACLD treatment becomes maximum for causing active damping of geometrically nonlinear vibrations of doubly curved sandwich shells with laminated composite facings if the constraining layer of the treatment is made of obliquely reinforced 1–3 PZC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Effect of hot rolling of the order of 90% reduction in thickness on the enhancement of ambient and high temperature mechanical properties of the vacuum hot-pressed dispersion hardened Cu–Cr–Nb alloy samples is studied. The vacuum hot-pressed samples are made by consolidation of alloy powders. The ambient and high temperature mechanical properties of the hot-pressed and hot-rolled samples are evaluated. Though the hot-rolled and hot-pressed materials exhibit comparable strength, high temperature ductility of the hot-rolled sample has greatly improved as compared to hot-pressed alloy. This attributes to the fragmentation of prior particle boundary network of the sintered materials and reduction in pore size and porosity level during hot rolling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Context: Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as 'Kala Haldi' in Bengali, has been traditionally used for the treatment of cancer, bruises, inflammation and as an aphrodisiac. Objective: To evaluate the antitumor activity and antioxidant status of the methanol extract of Curcuma caesia (MECC) rhizomes on Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC)-treated mice. Materials and methods: In vitro cytotoxicity assay of MECC was evaluated by using Trypan blue method. Determination of in vivo antitumor activity was performed after 24 h of EAC cells (2 × 106 cells/mouse) inoculation; MECC (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) was administered daily for nine consecutive days. On day 10, half of the mice were sacrificed and the rest were kept alive for assessment of increase in lifespan. Antitumor effect of MECC was assessed by the study of tumor volume, tumor weight, viable and non-viable cell count, hematological parameters and biochemical estimations. Furthermore, antioxidant parameters were assayed by estimating liver and kidney tissue enzymes. Results: MECC showed direct cytotoxicity (IC50 90.70 ± 8.37 μg/mL) on EAC cell line. MECC exhibited significant ( p < 0.01) decrease in tumor volume, tumor weight, viable cell count and percentage increased the lifespan (57.14 and 88.09%) of EAC-treated mice. Hematological profile, biochemical estimation, tissue antioxidant assay significantly ( p < 0.01) reverted to normal level in MECC-treated mice. Conclusion: MECC possesses potent antitumor activity that may be due to its direct cytotoxic effect or antioxidant properties. Further research is in progress to find out the active principle(s) of MECC for its antitumor activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are an essential tool in integrated pest management. Nanopermethrin was prepared by solvent evaporation from an oil-in-water volatile microemulsion. The efficacy of the formulated nanopermethrin was tested against Aedes aegypti and the results compared to those of regular, microparticular permethrin. The 24 h LC for nanopermethrin and permethrin was found to be 0.0063 and 0.0199 mg/L, respectively. The formulated nanopermethrin was tested for toxicity against non-target organisms. Nanopermethrin did not show antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 13534 and 25922) or against Bacillus subtilis. Phytotoxicity studies of nanopermethrin to the seeds of Lycopersicum esculentum, Cucumis sativus, and Zea mays showed no restraint in root length and germination percentage. In the Allium cepa test, regular microparticular permethrin treatment of 0.13 mg/L showed a mitotic index (MI) of 46.8 % and chromosomal aberration of 0.6 %, which was statistically significant ( p < 0.05) compared to control. No significant differences were observed in 0.13 mg/L nanopermethrin exposure as compared to control (MI of 52.0 and 55.03 % and chromosomal aberration of 0.2 and 0 %, respectively). It was concluded that formulated nanopermethrin can be used as a safe and effectual alternative to commercially available permethrin formulation in agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to assess the adsorption potential of cobalt (II) using cuttlefish bones. The bones were treated with 0.01 N HCl to enhance the heavy metal uptake. The adsorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. An adsorption study was conducted in a batch system to optimize process variables such as initial concentration of cobalt (II), pH, sorbent loading, particle size, process temperature, and contact time. The optimal pH was found to be 9. The kinetic data followed the pseudosecond-order kinetic model, and the equilibrium time was found to be 20 min. In the first minute of the adsorption process, 50% of the cobalt (II) was adsorbed by the cuttle bones. Adsorption isotherms were expressed by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The Langmuir adsorption model fits the experimental data reasonably well compared with the Freundlich model. The maximum adsorption capacity of this new sorbent was found to be 76.6 mg g−1 at 40 °C. Thermodynamic parameters, including the Gibbs free energy (Δ Go), enthalpy (Δ Ho), and entropy (Δ So), indicated that the adsorption of cobalt (II) by cuttlefish bones was feasible and endothermic at a temperature range of 20-40 °C. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two methods, prescribed in USP, for the analysis of related substances of valganciclovir hydrochloride drug substance, were evaluated in terms of selectivity and ease of use. A new, simple, selective, stability indicating and user friendly RP-LC method was developed for related substances analysis. The developed single method is capable of separating all known impurities, which are quantified by two methods of USP. A central composite design was applied to optimize the critical chromatographic parameters. A multi step gradient program was strategically designed and a part of the program was optimized through Design of Experiments. Separation was achieved with a Zorbax SB C18 column with 0.1% trifluoro acetic acid and methanol in gradient elution. Design space is proposed graphically for the robust operation of the method. The method is linear, precise and accurate from LOQ level to 150% level of specification limit of impurities. Simple modification in the gradient program with reduced run time is also proposed for assay and diastereomer ratio. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper deals with the analysis of active constrained layer damping (ACLD) of sandwich plate with laminated composite faces. The constraining layer of the ACLD treatment is composed of the vertically/obliquely reinforced 1-3 piezoelectric composites. Several honeycomb core materials like HEREX honeycomb and honeycomb with foam fill separated by different facing materials have been studied and a three-dimensional finite element model has been developed considering first order shear deformation theory individually for each layer of the sandwich plate. The effect of the ratio between the face sheet thickness and the core thickness of the sandwich plate on the frequency response has been studied. Particular emphasis has been placed on investigating the effect of the variation of piezoelectric fiber orientation angle on the performance of the ACLD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in twelve clinical cases of horses for diagnostic and surgical procedures warranting general anaesthesia were randomly divided into two groups, group I and group II, each consisting of six cases. Xylazine @ 0.50mg/kg and acepromazine @ 0.03mg/kg body weight was used as pre-anaesthetic in both the groups. Ketamine @ 2.20 mg/kg body weight and 0.50mg/kg/min was used as induction and maintenance agent in group I and Propofol 2.0 mg/kg body weight and 0.15mg/kg/min was used as induction and maintenance agent in group II. The mean time for sedation in group I and group II were 5.16±0.30 minutes and 5.10±0.21 minutes respectively. The mean quality of sedation in group I and group II were 2.27 ±0.21 minutes and 2.67 ± 0.21 minutes respectively and the mean time for induction was 1.83± 0.17 minutes and 1.17 ±0.17 minutes respectively. The induction was smooth in all horses (100%) in group II. In group I smooth induction was observed in 83.33% and rough induction in 16.67% of the cases. The total dose of xylazine administered including the incremental doses in group I was 1.00 ± 0.00 mg/kg/hr where as in group II xylazine incremental dose was not administered. The calculated dose was 6.52 ± 0.13mg/kg/hr in group I and 11.86± 0.533 mg/kg/hr in group II. The score for the quality of muscle relaxation was 2.50± 0.22 and 2.33 ± 0.21 in group I and group II respectively. The score for reflex status in group I and group II were 1.00± 0.36 and 0.67±0.31 respectively. The mean time for recovery in group I and group II were 32.00±2.87 minutes and 14.00±1.05 minutes respectively. The quality of recovery was smooth in 66.66% of group I and 83.33% of group II. The quality of recovery was rough in 33.34% of group I and 16.67% of group II. The number of attempts for unassisted standing was 4.67± 0.21 times in group I and 1.50± 0.22 times in group II. None of the animals in any groups showed any intra and post operative complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in twelve clinical cases of horses undergoing diagnostic and surgical procedures warranting general anaesthesia. The cases were randomly divided into two groups: group I and group II each consisting of six cases. Xylazine @ 0.5mg/kg and Acepromazine @ 0.03 mg/kg body weight were used as pre-anaesthetic in both the groups. Ketamine @ 2.20 mg/ kg body weight and 0.50mg/kg/min was used as induction and maintenance agent in group I and Propofol @ 2.0 mg/kg body weight and 0.15mg/kg/min was used as induction and maintenance agent in group II. A non significant difference in the neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, and monocyte counts were observed in both the groups. The magnitude of blood glucose was higher in group I compared to that of group II. A non significant reduction in total serum protein was observed after sedation, after induction, during maintenance and after recovery in both the groups. Group I exhibited an increase in Plasma cortisol level, when compared to that of group II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rare case of cutaneous malignant melanoma in a buffalo and its surgical management was described. Cauliflower like tumour mass was present anterior to right Para lumbar fossa and was excised under sedation with xylazine hydrochloride and local analgesia with 2% lignocaine hydrochloride in standing position. Histopathology of the mass showed pleomorphic cells with melanin pigment of dermal origin. Neither recurrence nor signs of metastasis were observed for a period one year after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inguinal hernia due to entry of a gravid uterus in a bitch has been diagnosed by the presence of a foetal skeleton at the inguinal region. Surgery was carried out over the hernial sac and the foetus was delivered. Repositioning could not be done due to narrow space and adhesions through the inguinal ring. The herniated uterus was pulled inside after performing laparotomy and breaking the adhesions. The incisions at the inguinal and linea alba were sutured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A selective stability indicating HPLC method was developed and validated for quantification of impurities (process related and degradants) and assay determination of Exemestane. Stability indicating power of the method was established by forced degradation experiments and mass balance study. The chromatographic separation was achieved with Hypersil BDS-C-18 using gradient elution. The developed method is validated for parameters like accuracy, linearity, LOD, LOQ, ruggedness. Box–Behnken experimental design was applied to check the robustness of the method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As current evidence suggests the involvement of epigenetic modification of tumour suppressor genes in human cancer, we investigated the aberrant promoter methylation of FHIT and RASSF1A genes in human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated cervical cancer in Indian women. We analysed 60 cervical cancer tissue biopsies of different clinical stage and histological grading and 23 healthy control samples with normal cervical cytology. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) was performed to analyse the methylation status of FHIT and RASSF1A genes and confirmed by sequencing. Both patients and controls were screened for HPV infection and 98% of the HPV-infected cases showed positivity for HPV type 16. Aberrant promoter methylation of the FHIT gene was found in 28.3% (17/60) of cases and of the RASSF1A gene in 35.0% (21/60) of cases; promoter methylation of both the genes was found in 13.3% (8/60) of cervical cancer cases. Methylation was significantly (p<0.01) associated with the cervical cancer cases compared with controls. None of the 23 controls was found to be methylated in either of these genes. This is the first study indicating a correlation between the promoter methylation of FHIT and RASSF1A genes and the clinical stage and histological grading of cervical carcinoma in Indian women. Future studies are underway to examine the practical implications of these findings for use as a biomarker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]