Systematic Investigation of Parameters Affecting the Performance of an Agitated Filter-Dryer

A systematic experimental investigation of contact drying operation was carried out in an agitated Charles Thompson filter-dryer. In this study, the effect of process parameters (wall temperature, impeller speed, fill level) on the drying performance in the filter-dryer is quantified as a function of bed temperature and solvent concentration. In addition, the impact of drying conditions on the particle size distribution was also examined. It was found that in the range of parameters investigated, drying rate increased with wall temperature and reduced bed depth. The effect of impeller speed was variable where favorable drying conditions were strongly dependent on the particle properties. Moreover, decrease in the particle size was evident with an increase in impeller speed and decrease in the bed depth due to increased collision frequency and reduction in the fill volume both leading to particle attrition respectively. Besides, the average wall to solid heat transfer coefficient is also estimated for variable operating conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 102:2198–2213, 2013     

Autologous Therapies in Dermatology

Autologous therapy is a therapeutic intervention that uses an individual’s cells or tissues, which are processed outside the body, and reintroduced into the donor. This emerging field presently represents a mere tip of the iceberg with much knowledge and applications yet to be discovered. It, being free from risks of hypersensitivity reactions and transmission of infectious agents, has been explored in various fields, such as plastic surgery, orthopedics, and dermatology. This review article focuses on various forms of autologous therapies used in dermatology along with their applications and mechanisms of action.Autologous therapy is a novel therapeutic intervention that uses an individual’s cells or tissues, which are processed outside the body and reintroduced into the donor. Currently, this form of therapy has broad applications in modern medicine, orthopedics, and therapeutic and cosmetic dermatology.     

What's new in the treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections?

Eradicating multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms has been a major challenge in healthcare settings worldwide. Newly approved drugs and those currently in the pipeline may have a promising solution to this issue. The purposes of this review are to describe the various resistance mechanisms of Gram-negative bacteria and to provide a summary of the current literature available on the newer agents, such as ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, and other emerging agents used for the treatment of MDR Gram-negative infections. Given that MDR organisms confer resistance to treatment by various methods, including enzymatic degradation, efflux pumps, and porin mutation, an understanding of mechanisms of bacterial resistance combined with information on newer antimicrobial agents against MDR Gram-negative bacteria will further assist clinicians in determining the best suitable therapy for the treatment of various complicated infections.     

Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Systems

Recent progress and evolution in device engineering, surgical implantation practices, and periprocedural management have advanced the promise of durable support with left ventricular assist systems (LVAS) in patients with stage D heart failure. With greater uptake of LVAS globally, a growing population of LVAS recipients have pre-existing cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Strategies for optimal clinical management of CIEDs in patients with durable LVAS are evolving, and clinicians will increasingly face complex decisions regarding implantation, programming, deactivation, and removal of CIEDs. Traditional decision-making pathways for CIEDs may not apply to LVAS-supported patients, as few patients die of arrhythmic causes and many arrhythmias may be well tolerated. Given limited data, treatment decisions must be individualized and made collaboratively among electrophysiologists, advanced heart failure specialists, and patients and their caregivers. Large, prospective, well-conducted studies are needed to better understand the contemporary utility of CIEDs in patients with newer-generation LVAS.     

Improvisations in classic and modified techniques of flap surgery to improve the success rate for pressure ulcer healing in patients with spinal cord injury

The recurrence of pressure ulcers (PrUs) and dehiscence of reconstructive flap have always been a problem. The present study aimed to evaluate the results of reconstructive flap surgeries in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) having PrUs, using classic and modified flaps with improvisations to decrease wound dehiscence, flap necrosis and tension in flap. This is a prospective clinical study. The setting was a tertiary care centre in northern India. Thirty‐five patients with SCI having 37 stage III and IV PrUs. PrUs were treated using classic and modified flaps with improvisations. The outcome was evaluated using criteria of wound dehiscence, flap necrosis and recurrence. The results of flap surgery were excellent in 32 (86·48%) patients, good in 4 (10·81%) patients and poor in 1 (2·7%) patient. Partial flap necrosis (2·7%), low incidence of PrU recurrence rate at flap site (5·4%) and overall PrU recurrence (11·4%) were the complications observed. Improvisation of classic and modified techniques of flap surgeries along with reinforcement of general care principles of paraplegia can be effective in minimising complications often associated with PrU reconstructive surgery thus improving the ultimate outcome.