Management of Acute Diarrhea in Emergency Room

Acute diarrhea is the second leading cause of under-five mortality in India. It is defined as the passage of frequent watery stools (>3/24 h). Recent change in consistency of stools is more important than frequency. Acute diarrhea is caused by variety of viral, bacterial and parasitic agents. The common ones are: Rotavirus, E. coli, Shigella, Cholera, and Salmonella. Campylobacter jejuni, Giardia and E. histolytica are also not uncommon. The most important concern in management of acute diarrhea in Emergency room (ER) is fluid and electrolyte imbalances and treatment of underlying infection, wherever applicable. It includes, initial stabilization (identification and treatment of shock), assessment of hydration and rehydration therapy, recognition and treatment of electrolyte imbalance, and use of appropriate antimicrobials wherever indicated. For assessment of hydration clinical signs are generally reliable; however, in severely malnourished children sunken eyes and skin turgor are unreliable. Oral Rehydration Therapy is the cornerstone of management of dehydration. Intravenous fluids are not routinely recommended except in cases of persistent vomiting and/or shock. Majority of cases can be managed in ER and at home. Hospitalization is indicated in infants <3 mo, children with severe dehydration, severe malnutrition, toxic look, persistent vomiting and suspected surgical abdomen. Supplementations with zinc and probiotics have been shown to reduce severity and duration of diarrhea; however evidence does not support the use of antisecretary, antimotility and binding agents. Education of parents about hand hygiene, safe weaning and safe drinking water etc., can help in reducing incidence of this important health problem in the country.     

Evaluation of KCB-328, a new IKr blocking antiarrhythmic agent in pacing induced canine atrial fibrillation.

HYPOTHESIS: KCB-328 is a new potassium channel blocker, which prolongs action potential duration with exhibition of minimal reverse use dependence. We tested the efficacy and proarrhythmic potential of KCB-328, dofetilide and propafenone in the pacing induced canine model of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Mongrel dogs in complete heart block were paced for 1-6 weeks to produce AF, and given KCB-328 or dofetilide. A subset then received propafenone 14+/-3 days after testing the first drug. RESULTS: KCB-328 prolonged right and left atrial (RA and LA) activation times and AF cycle length (CL), terminating AF in 3 of 6 dogs. RA effective refractory period (ERP) and ventricular ERP and QT interval were prolonged. Dofetilide terminated AF in 1/6 dogs, and increased AF CL and ventricular ERP and QT interval. Dofetilide's reverse use dependency on the QT interval was greater than KCB-328. Propafenone prolonged RA and LA activation times and AF CL and terminated AF in 8 of 9 dogs. One death occurred with dofetilide, none with KCB-328 or propafenone. CONCLUSION: The spectrum of effect of the three drugs differed significantly: propafenone showed the greatest success in AF termination, and both propafenone and KCB-328 appeared less proarrhythmic than dofetilide in this model.     

Multicenter collaborative for orthopaedic research in India: An opportunity for global leadership

Road traffic accidents are increasing at an alarming rate and have become a major public health concern in India. In addition, there is a lack of trauma research output and reliable data from India. There are several issues and challenges that have presented an opportunity for researchers and surgeons in India to develop a collaborative aimed at improving the quality and productivity of orthopaedic trauma research. Establishing a network of surgical researchers across India is a necessary first step towards global leadership in orthopaedic surgery trials.     

A comparative study of ketanserin and metoprolol in essential hypertension

The role of serotonin in the pathogenesis of hypertension is interesting, and its investigation is much in vogue at present. This study compared the hypotensive effect of ketanserin, a specific 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist, with metoprolol in essential hypertension. On a double-blind basis, one treatment group (19 patients on ketanserin) was compared with another (21 patients on metoprolol). There was a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure with both ketanserin and metoprolol (P less than 0,001). Side-effects were insignificant. One patient on metoprolol and 2 on ketanserin complained of dizziness. The dose of ketanserin was 40 mg twice a day and that of metoprolol 100 mg twice a day. Ketanserin does not appear to cause abnormal haematological values or biochemical adverse effects. It can be given to hypertensive patients with cardiac failure or bronchial asthma without adverse effects and may improve the peripheral vascular status of a hypertensive patient.     

Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak, India, 2005

An outbreak of viral encephalitis occurred in Gorakhpur, India, from July through November 2005. The etiologic agent was confirmed to be Japanese encephalitis virus by analyzing 326 acute-phase clinical specimens for virus-specific antibodies and viral RNA and by virus isolation. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these isolates belonged to genogroup 3.     

R study of suicide with special reference to endometrial study in female individuals

A study was conducted at Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal, on suicide victims whose postmortem examination was performed between 1st January, 2003 and 31st December, 2003. Various epidemiological, aetiological and other related factors were studied. There were 42 males (36.21%) and 74 females (63.79%) among the total victims (n=116). Torture by in-laws for dowry was found to be the commonest predisposing factor for suicide (n=34; 29.31%). Consumption of poison was the commonest method (n=48; 41.38%). Incidence of suicide was at its peak during the month of May (n=18; 15.52%). Endometriums of female subjects of child-bearing age (n=60) were studied under microscope and most of them (n=47) were seen to be in secretory phase at the time of commitment of suicide.