Digoxin Immunoassays on the ARCHITECT i2000SR and ARCHITECT c8000 Analyzers Are Free From Interferences of Asian,Siberian, and American Ginseng

Asian, Siberian, and American ginseng are known to interfere with serum digoxin measurements using fluorescence polarization technology, Digoxin II and Digoxin III assays (Abbott Laboratories, Green oaks, IL) as well as other digoxin assays. Abbott Laboratories more recently launched two new digoxin assays: iDigoxin, a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay for application on the ARCHITECT i1000SR and i2000SR immunoassay analyzers, and cDigoxin, a particle‐enhanced turbidimetric inhibition immunoassay for application on the ARCHITECT c4000, c8000, and c1600 clinical chemistry analyzers; and we studied potential interferences of ginsengs with these two assays in vitro. When aliquots of drug‐free serum pool treated with activated charcoal were supplemented with extracts of various ginsengs, no significant apparent digoxin values were observed. In addition, when aliquots of the digoxin pool prepared from patients taking digoxin were further supplemented with these ginseng extracts and the digoxin values were re‐measured, we observed no statistically significant difference in observed digoxin values compared to the original digoxin value of the pool. These results further establish that relatively new digoxin assays for application on the ARCHITECT analyzers that employ specific monoclonal antibodies against digoxin are free from interferences from Asian, Siberian, and American ginseng.     

Impact of Environmental Stressors on the Performance of Backyard Poultry

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of different climatic parameters on production performance of Vanaraja poultry birds under deep litter system of rearing. The experiment was carried out at the hatchery unit of Bihar Veterinary College, Patna. A total of 129 birds were used for the study. Different climatic parameters such as temperature, relative humidity and temperature–humidity index were studied. Based upon average daily dry and wet bulb temperatures, temperature–humidity index values of the shed were calculated. The evaluation of egg production rate and external and internal egg quality traits at different climatic parameters was carried out. The overall average temperature, relative humidity, temperature–humidity index in different months of Bihar ranged from 16.67 ± 0.23 to 33.08 ± 0.28, from 46.60 ± 2.40 to 90.20 ± 1.12 and from 64.84 ± 0.30 to 85.94 ± 0.38, respectively. Egg production, fertility, hatchability on total egg set and on fertile egg set was significantly lower at the temperature–humidity index range from 85.53 ± 0.18 to 85.94 ± 0.38 (May–August). temperature–humidity index values inside the shed in the month of May–August suggested that the birds were in stress during the experiment. However, there was negligible effect of temperature–humidity index on egg quality. It was concluded that during the extremes of temperature–humidity index (>85) the performance of the Vanaraja birds in terms of egg production was less.     

Cost-effectiveness analysis should continually assess competing health care options especially in high volume environments like cataract surgery

Context:

Cost-effectiveness analysis should continually assess competing health care options especially in high volume environments like cataract surgery.

Aims:

To compare the cost effectiveness of phacoemulsification (PE) versus manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS).

Settings and Design:

Prospective randomized controlled trial. Tertiary care hospital setting.

Subjects and Methods:

A total of 52 consenting patients with age-related cataracts, were prospectively recruited, and block randomized to PE or MSICS group. Preoperative and postoperative LogMAR visual acuity (VA), visual function-14 (VF-14) score and their quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were obtained, and the change in their values calculated. These were divided by the total cost incurred in the surgery to calculate and compare the cost effectiveness and cost utility. Surgery duration was also compared.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Two group comparison with Student''s t-test. Significance set at P < 0.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) quoted where appropriate.

Results:

Both the MSICS and PE groups achieved comparative outcomes in terms of change (difference in mean [95% CI]) in LogMAR VA (0.03 [−0.05−0.11]), VF-14 score (7.92 [−1.03−16.86]) and QALYs (1.14 [−0.89−3.16]). However, with significantly lower costs (INR 3228 [2700–3756]), MSICS was more cost effective, with superior cost utility value. MSICS was also significantly quicker (10.58 min [6.85–14.30]) than PE.

Conclusions:

MSICS provides comparable visual and QALY improvement, yet takes less time, and is significantly more cost-effective, compared with PE. Greater push and penetration of MSICS, by the government, is justifiably warranted in our country.     

Evaluation of Posterior Capsular Opacification following Phacoemulsification,Extracapsular and Small Incision Cataract Surgery

Background

Posterior capsular opacification is the most common complication of modern cataract surgery.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted on 150 patients (150 eyes) out of which 50 eyes each underwent cataract surgery by extracapsular cataract extraction, small incision cataract surgery and phacoemulsification technique. On postoperative follow up posterior capsular opacification and Neodymium: Yttrium Aluminium Garnet laser capsulotomy rate was evaluated.

Result

Posterior capsular opacification rate was significantly less (p=0.03) in eyes which had undergone phacoemulsification as compared to extracapsular cataract extraction. However capsulotomy rate was not statistically significant after comparison of the three surgical techniques of cataract surgery.

Conclusion

Posterior capsular opacification following cataract surgery can be minimized by the use of small incision cataract surgery and phacoemulsification.Key Words: Posterior capsular opacification, Capsulorrhexis, Hydrodissection     

Coexistence of a mature teratoma and mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in the same ovary--a case report

A case of right sided abdominal lump with pain in a 45 years female was presented. Radiological investigation revealed a multiloculated cystic mass with a few mural nodules arising from right ovary. The tumor was removed by exploratory laparotomy and histopathological examination showed coexistence of dermoid cyst with mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in the same ovary. Left ovary and uterus was healthy and there was no tumor extension or omental deposits. Postoperative period was uneventful.     

Interrupted Aortic Arch with Anomalous Origin of Left Pulmonary Artery from Aorta

We report a case of interrupted aortic arch and origin of the left pulmonary artery from the aorta with bilateral ductus arteriosus and discuss its possible embryological basis. To the best of our knowledge, this combination of anomalies has not been reported in the English medical literature.