A biphasic compartmentation of neuro-transmission associated metabolic patterns during electro-induced axoplasmic transport in sheep medulla oblongata

In the sheep medulla oblongata, on the induction of polarity by the applied voltage gradient of direct current along the length, the enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase and glutamate dehydrogenase showed anodal transport while the enzyme arginase showed cathodal transport indicating the possession of negative and positive charge densities on the enzymes. These studies indicated that the glutamate bound metabolism, one towards ammonia formation and the other towards the energy production and neural transmission, have opposed electro-characteristics. The acetylcholinesterase system had anodal characteristics coupled to the glutamate dehydrogenase patterns. The existence of two charge based compartmentation is envisaged in the neural tissue.     

Ultrasonic tissue characterization of blood clots

Ultrasonic tissue characterization based on an analysis of the power spectrum of backscattered signals obtained with ultrasound was used to distinguish morphologic components of blood clots. The three morphologic features for which discrimination was attempted were loose fibrin, red-cell, and dense fibrin clots. The UTC was able to distinguish the morphologic blood components tested. This in vitro work was based on the analysis of parameters related to ultrasound-tissue interaction and on inferences related to the physical properties of scatterer properties (scatterer size, scatterer concentration, and ratio of scatterer to medium acoustic impedances). The ability to distinguish these blood-clot components suggests that UTC may be able to distinguish red from white thrombi and to assess the structures and changes within thrombi associated with the age of the thrombus, their mechanical properties, and treatment monitoring.     

Manpower utilization in pulse polio immunization

The present study was conducted in Union Territory of Chandigarh to find out the utilization pattern of manpower engaged in the implementation of Pulse Polio Campaign (PPI) on 7th December, 1997 with the objective to achieve a coverage close to 100% and thereby, eradicating poliomyelitis. Over 100,000 under-five children were expected to participate on PPI day. Out of 240 polio centres established in the Union Territory, 16 were selected by stratified random sampling covering 14,858 children. The observing teams recorded the information about the children and presence of staff members throughout the day between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. It was observed that nearly half of the children received the polio drops within the first three hours while only a little over 5% visited polio centres in the last two hours. The average number of manpower varied between 5 and 6 throughout the day (more than the recommended four). The staff posted at urban, rural and slum centres did not visit the houses except for the few volunteers in slums. Unimmunized children should be identified by the staff in last two hours when the load at polio centres is extremely low. Adequate utilization of the full potential of the manpower will help in enhancing the PPI coverage close to 100%.     

Posture and the spread of hyperbaric bupivacaine in parturients using the combined spinal epidural technique

This study was undertaken to analyze the effect of posture on the spread of hyperbaric bupivacaine in pregnant women using a combined spinal extradural technique, and to assess the quality of analgesia provided by 10 mg bupivacaine when using this technique. Fifty parturients undergoing elective Caesarean section under regional anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive 2.0 ml hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% in either the sitting or left lateral position. Spinal injection was performed with a 27 gauge, 120 mm long spinal needle using a single space combined spinal extradural technique. The onset time to analgesia at T₄, and grade 3 motor block was on average 7.7 min and 6.9 min respectively in the lateral group, compared with 10.8 min (P < 0.05) and 9.4 min (P < 0.05) in the sitting group. Nine women in the sitting group and one woman (P < 0.05) in the lateral group required epidural supplementation. Hypotension occurred in 48% of the parturients in the lateral group and in 13% (P < 0.05) of the parturients in the sitting group. Nausea was noted in 61% of the parturients in the lateral group and in 22% (P < 0.05) of the parturients in the sitting group. There was no difference between the two groups in neonatal outcome. Overall, the position of the patient during induction of spinal anaesthesia does influence the rate of onset of analgesia and motor blockade. Injection of 10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine in the sitting position would not provide adequate analgesia for Caesarean section when using a single space combined spinal extradural technique.     

Comparison of the diagnostic ability of Moorfield's regression analysis and glaucoma probability score using Heidelberg retinal tomograph III in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma

Purpose:

To compare the diagnostic performance of the Heidelberg retinal tomograph (HRT) glaucoma probability score (GPS) with that of Moorfield’s regression analysis (MRA).

Materials and Methods:

The study included 50 eyes of normal subjects and 50 eyes of subjects with early-to-moderate primary open angle glaucoma. Images were obtained by using HRT version 3.0.

Results:

The agreement coefficient (weighted k) for the overall MRA and GPS classification was 0.216 (95% CI: 0.119 – 0.315). The sensitivity and specificity were evaluated using the most specific (borderline results included as test negatives) and least specific criteria (borderline results included as test positives). The MRA sensitivity and specificity were 30.61 and 98% (most specific) and 57.14 and 98% (least specific). The GPS sensitivity and specificity were 81.63 and 73.47% (most specific) and 95.92 and 34.69% (least specific). The MRA gave a higher positive likelihood ratio (28.57 vs. 3.08) and the GPS gave a higher negative likelihood ratio (0.25 vs. 0.44).The sensitivity increased with increasing disc size for both MRA and GPS.

Conclusions:

There was a poor agreement between the overall MRA and GPS classifications. GPS tended to have higher sensitivities, lower specificities, and lower likelihood ratios than the MRA. The disc size should be taken into consideration when interpreting the results of HRT, as both the GPS and MRA showed decreased sensitivity for smaller discs and the GPS showed decreased specificity for larger discs.     

Endotracheal aspirate microscopy,cultures and endotracheal tube tip cultures for early prediction of ventilator associated pneumonia in neonates

Objective

To evaluate the utility of endotracheal aspirate microscopy, culture and endotracheal tube tip culture for early diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia in neonates.

Methods

Inborn ventilated neonates were followed-up for ventilator-associated pneumonia using Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Endotracheal aspirate microscopy, culture and endotracheal tube tip cultures were performed.

Results

Ventilator-associated pneumonia occurred in 28/68 (41%) neonates as per CDC criteria. Endotracheal aspirate microscopy (≥5 polymorphonuclear cells per high power field) and endotracheal aspirate culture had 78.6% and 75% sensitivity, 87.5% and 90% specificity, positive predictive value of 81.5% and 84%, and negative predictive value of 85.4% and 83.72%, respectively. Mean (SD) time of result of microscopy and endotracheal aspirate culture was 55.7 (4.3) h and 108.3 (19.7) h, respectively in comparison to diagnosis made at 143.5 (23.3) h, as per CDC criteria.

Conclusion

Endotracheal aspirate microscopic examination and culture can be supportive in objective diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia with an added advantage of earlier prediction.

     

Noninvasive assessment of cutaneous alterations in mice exposed to whole body gamma irradiation using optical imaging techniques

We report the results of a study carried out to investigate the potential of optical techniques such as optical coherence tomography, Mueller matrix spectroscopy, and cross-polarization imaging for noninvasive monitoring of the ionizing radiation exposure-induced alterations in cutaneous tissue of mice. Radiation dose-dependent changes were observed in tissue microvasculature and tissue optical parameters like retardance and depolarization as early as 1 h post radiation exposure. Results suggest that these optical techniques may allow early detection of radiation dose-dependent alterations which could help in screening of population exposed to radiation.