Synthesis, physicochemical properties, antimicrobial and antioxidant studies of pyrazoline derivatives bearing a pyridyl moiety

A series of new pyrazoline compounds bearing a pyridyl moiety (4a–i) were synthesized by condensing appropriate chalcones with hydrazine hydrate and tested for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. According to in vitro antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum and antioxidant activity by DPPH method, the compounds 4a, 4d, 4i and 4e, 4f, 4h showed maximum antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, respectively. Physiochemical properties and Lipinski’s ‘Rule of Five’ analysis predicted higher intrinsic quality of the synthesized compounds and revealed that these compounds have good bioavailability and druglikeness properties.     

Coexisting lumbar and cervical stenosis (tandem spinal stenosis): an infrequent presentation. Retrospective analysis of single-stage surgery (53 cases)

Study design

Retrospective analysis of 53 patients who underwent single stage simultaneous surgery for tandem spinal stenosis (TSS) at single centre.

Objective

To discuss the presentation of combined cervical and lumbar (tandem) stenosis and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of single-stage simultaneous surgery.

Summary of background data

Combined stenosis is an infrequent presentation with mixed presentation of upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron signs. Scarce literature on its presentation and management is available. There is a controversy in the surgical strategy of these patients. Staged surgeries are frequently recommended and only few single-stage surgeries reported.

Methods

All the patients were clinico-radiologically diagnosed TSS. Surgeries were performed in single stage by two teams. Results were evaluated with Nurick grade, modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score (mJOA), oswestry disability index (ODI), patient satisfaction index, mJOA recovery rate, blood loss and complication.

Results

The mJOA cervical and ODI score improved from a mean 8.86 and 68.15 preoperatively to 13.00 and 30.11, respectively, at 12 months and to 14.52 and 24.03 at final follow-up. The average mJOA recovery rate was 48.23 ± 26.90 %. Patient satisfaction index was 2.13 ± 0.91 at final follow-up. Estimated blood loss of ≤400 ml and operating room time of <150 min showed improvement of scores and lessened the complications. In the age group below 60 years, the improvement was statistically significant in ODI (p = 0.02) and Nurick’s grade (p = 0.03) with average improvement in mJOA score.

Conclusion

Short-lasting surgery, single anaesthesia, reduced morbidity and hospital stay as well as costs, an early return to function, high patient satisfaction rate with encouraging results justify single-stage surgery in TSS. Age, blood loss and duration of surgery decide the complication rate and outcome of surgery. Staged surgery is recommended in patients above the age of 60 years.     

Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Ofloxacin Tablets using Natural Gums as Binders

Natural gums are economical, easily available, and useful as tablet binders. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to formulate Ofloxacin tablets using three natural binders, namely Acacia arabica, Hibiscus esculentus, and xanthan gum. Such six batches of Ofloxacin tablets were prepared by using different types and amounts of the natural binders by the wet granulation method. The tablets were analyzed for their hardness, friability, and weight variation, and in vitro release was performed in a phosphate buffer at pH 6.8. The prepared tablets were also evaluated for their various release kinetics and similarity factors f₂. The physical properties of the tablets containing the natural binders showed sufficient hardness, desirable disintegration time, and low friability. Their better percentage of drug release was observed as compared to the marketed formulation showing more than 85% drug release within 45 minutes. The in vitro release data was well-fitted into zero-order and the values of release exponent ‘n’ were between 0.303 and 0.514. The high similarity factor f₂ of 64.50 was achieved with the best batch in comparison to the marketed tablets. The results obtained indicated that the gum Acacia arabica performed as well as gelatin compared to the other binders for the Ofloxacin tablet formulation.     

Dynamic Response of Angle Ply Laminates with Uncertainties Using MARS,ANN-PSO,GPR and ANFIS

In the present work, for the first time, free vibration response of angle ply laminates with uncertainties is attempted using Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS), Artificial Neural Network-Particle Swarm Optimization (ANN-PSO), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), and Adaptive Network Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). The present approach employed 2D C⁰ stochastic finite element (FE) model based on the Third Order Shear Deformation Theory (TSDT) in conjunction with MARS, ANN-PSO, GPR, and ANFIS. The TSDT model used eliminates the requirement of shear correction factor owing to the consideration of the actual parabolic distribution of transverse shear stress. Zero transverse shear stress at the top and bottom of the plate is enforced to compute higher-order unknowns. C⁰ FE model makes it commercially viable. Stochastic FE analysis done with Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) FORTRAN inhouse code, selection of design points using a random variable framework, and soft computing with MARS, ANN-PSO, GPR, and ANFIS is implemented using MATLAB in-house code. Following the random variable frame, design points were selected from the input data generated through Monte Carlo Simulation. A total of four-mode shapes are analyzed in the present study. The comparison study was done to compare present work with results in the literature and they were found in good agreement. The stochastic parameters are Young’s elastic modulus, shear modulus, and the Poisson ratio. Lognormal distribution of properties is assumed in the present work. The current soft computation models shrink the number of trials and were found computationally efficient as the MCS-based FE modelling. The paper presents a comparison of MARS, ANN-PSO, GPR, and ANFIS algorithm performance with the stochastic FE model based on TSDT.     

Outcome of percutaneous continuous drainage of psoas abscess: A clinically guided technique

Background:

Percutaneous aspiration of abscesses under ultrasonography (USG) and computer tomography (CT) scan has been well described. With recurrence rate reported as high as 66%. The open drainage and percutaneous continuous drainage (PCD) has reduced the recurrence rate. The disadvantage of PCD under CT is radiation hazard and problems of asepsis. Hence a technique of clinically guided percutaneous continuous drainage of the psoas abscess without real-time imaging overcomes these problems. We describe clinically guided PCD of psoas abscess and its outcome.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-nine patients with dorsolumbar spondylodiscitis without gross neural deficit with psoas abscess of size >5 cm were selected for PCD. It was done as a day care procedure under local anesthesia. Sequentially, aspiration followed by guide pin-guided trocar and catheter insertion was done without image guidance. Culture sensitivity was done and chemotherapy initiated and catheter kept till the drainage was <10 ml for 48 hours. Outcome assessment was done with relief of pain, successful abscess drainage and ODI (Oswestry Disability Index) score at 2 years.

Results:

PCD was successful in all cases. Back and radicular pain improved in all cases. Average procedure time was 24.30 minutes, drain output was 234.40 ml, and the drainage duration was 7.90 days. One patient required surgical stabilisation due to progression of the spondylodiscitis resulting in instability inspite of successful drainage of abscess. Problems with the procedure were noticed in six patients. Multiple attempts (n = 2), persistent discharge (n = 1) for 2 weeks, blocked catheter (n = 2) and catheter pull out (n = 1) occurred with no effect on the outcome. The average ODI score improved from 62.47 to 5.51 at 2 years.

Conclusions:

Clinically guided PCD is an efficient, safe and easy procedure in drainage of psoas abscess.     

Changes in Swallowing Physiology and Patient Perception of Swallowing Function Following Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer

Patients treated with chemoradiation for head and neck cancer often report difficulty with swallowing and are frequently diagnosed with dysphagia. The extent to which patient awareness of dysphagia corresponds to observed physiologic changes in swallowing is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine how both patient awareness of swallowing function and swallowing physiology individually change following chemoradiation and then to clarify the relationship between them. Twenty-one patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation were assessed before and after treatment and matched with twenty-one control subjects. The modified barium swallow test was utilized to examine swallowing physiology. Each subject was also given a series of items regarding awareness of specific dysphagia symptoms. Results showed decreased swallow efficiencies, higher percentages of residue, and more occurrences of penetration and aspiration following chemoradiation. Patients also had significantly higher ratings for 4 of the 12 items (“dry mouth,” “food sticking in my mouth,” “need water to help food go down,” and “change in sense of taste”). Only one strong and significant correlation was found between ratings for “I have difficulty swallowing” and swallow efficiency values. Based on these findings, it appears that patients sense a general difficulty with swallowing but have less awareness of specific symptoms of dysphagia.