Intraoperative haemodynamic profile in patients undergoing lower limb and abdominal surgery under subarachnoid block using 0.5% hyperbaric levobupivacaine: an observational study

Background: The aim of this study was to detect if intrathecal hyperbaric Levobupivacaine provided anaesthesia with more stable hemodynamic profile than 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine for lower limb and abdominal surgery.Methods: This observational study was carried out on 60 Adult patients between 18-65 Years of age, in ASA I and II undergoing lower abdominal surgery. Subarachnoid block using 3.0 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric Levobupivacaine (15 mg) was used as anaesthesia for surgery. Vitals recorded first in operation theatre were taken as baseline and were compared with subsequent readings till closure to judge the fall in blood pressure. Frequencies of parameters falling more than 30% from baseline, amount of IV fluids, vasopressors administered and complications were recorded. The data collected was displayed as mean with a standard deviation and frequency with percentage. Statistical analysis was performed using in stat computer software.Results: On analysis of the data it was found that fall in hemodynamic parameters was significantly lower in the Levobupivacaine group. It was observed that maximum onset of motor block was after 5 minutes, VAS after 4 minutes and loss of pinprick sensation was achieved at T-4 level after 4 minutes. Haemodynamic complications, which required therapeutic interventions, were hypotension (5%), bradycardia (3%), a total of 8%, who required urgent intervention as vasopressors and inotropes.Conclusions: 0.5% Hyperbaric Levobupivacaine, has onset of action similar to other local anaesthetics used for subarachnoid block, but has better hemodynamic profile in comparison to Hyperbaric 0.5% Bupivacaine, the commonly used local anaesthetic agent used for Spinal Anaesthesia

Electromechanical effect in cholesteric liquid crystals with fixed boundary conditions

We describe a number of experiments to demonstrate the electromechanical effect in cholesteric liquid crystals. The Lehmann rotation phenomenon of drops with stress free boundary conditions is the most convincing effect produced by this coupling. In samples with fixed boundary conditions, the cross coupling produces a distortion of the profile of the azimuthal angles of the director. We have used a conoscopic technique to demonstrate this distortion in thick samples containing negative dielectric anisotropy materials. A strong linear electrooptic effect of electromechanical origin is produced in materials with a weak positive dielectric anisotropy. We provide an evidence that a twisted nematic cell without any chiral molecules also exhibits the electromechanical effect, due to the macroscopic chirality of the medium in such a cell

Infant Mortality Trends Among Georgia Residents, 1995-2003: Targeting Healthy People’s 2010 Goals

Population-based trends in infant mortality among Georgia Residents between 1995 and 2003 were assessed on characteristics such as race, birth weight, neonatal and post-neonatal periods, and cause of death. A statistical analysis was conducted to show that the Georgia infant mortality rate (IMR) remained constant throughout the study period and averaged 8.67 per 1,000 live births. The analysis revealed racial disparities, with an IMR ranging from 6.03 in white infants to 13.76 in black infants, with less than one percent (0.86%) change, on average, among the differences between black and white mortality rates across the nine-year period. The disparities were also evident in infants with low birth weight (LBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW). Black infants born with LBW (12.9%) and VLBW (9.98%) have more than twice the rate of infant mortality compared to white infants born with LBW (6.64%) and VLBW (1.12%). Mortality in the neonatal period accounted for more than half (67.96%) of all infant deaths and exhibited considerable ethnic differences. Among all groups, black male neonates (10.7) have the highest mortality rates. The average neonatal mortality rate across the entire study period is 5.89 (SD=0.20); the average postneonatal mortality rate across the entire study period is 2.78 (SD=0.22). The five leading causes of death among Georgian infants in descending order were: birth defects, prematurity and low birth weight, Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths (SUID), other perinatal conditions and respiratory conditions with racial differences in the ordering

Impact of the Online Nutrition Intervention on Health Indicators for Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Obesity in Senior Populations

Background: This study evaluated the effects of an online nutrition intervention program, Food Fitness First, Inc.®, on health indicators for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity among senior center participants. Methods: Thirty individuals aged over 60 completed the 3-month Food Fitness First program, which included initial counseling and 12 educational sessions utilizing the Diabetes FOOD SPIRAL® book and bifold. Pre- and post-treatment assessments measured various health parameters. Results: Results showed significant improvements in Favorable Fitness Factor (FFF) score, which encompasses four key domains: Nutrition, Exercise, Health/Disease, and Lifestyle. FFF factor difference was equal to 13.63, with 95% CI [11.22; 16.03;]. The Eating component also demonstrated a significant improvement, with mean difference = 9.39, 95% CI [7.68; 11.10], p = 0.000. Medical indicators experienced a slight but significant increase, with mean difference =1.23, 95% CI [0.18; 2.27], p = 0.022. Lifestyle factors showed a modest improvement, with mean difference = 0.56, 95% CI [0.07; 1.06], p = 0.027. Conclusion: These findings support the efficacy of the intervention in enhancing multiple health domains. Despite limitations, this study underscores the effectiveness of online nutrition interventions in improving health outcomes among older adults with chronic conditions. By providing accessible and evidence-based nutrition education, online intervention programs can effectively empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being

Association between Serum Lycopene and Lung Cancer Mortality: An 18-Year Follow-up Study of a National Cohort

Background: Lycopene is a carotenoid found in some fruits and vegetables that is responsible for the red pigment in tomatoes and tomato products. While many studies have shown a link between lycopene and protection against the initiation and/or progression of lung cancer, data on its effect on lung cancer survivability is limited. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to see if there was a link between lycopene levels in the blood and lung cancer mortality. A secondary goal was to see if dietary factors influence lycopene levels in the blood. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 14,358 adults who took part in Phase II of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III was carried out (1991- 1994). This dataset served as the baseline for a 15-year (1991-2006) follow-up study, which was correlated with the National Death Index database. The Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Model was used to calculate the HR for all-cause and cancer-related deaths for individuals with high, moderate, and low serum lycopene levels. Results: The unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of deaths associated with low serum lycopene levels (25 percent cutoff) was 1.67 (95 percent CI=1.24-2.23) and 1.00, respectively (ref). After controlling for multiple risk factors such as age and gender, the HR for lung cancer fatalities was 1.45 (95% CI=1.08-1.96) for low serum levels (25 percent cutoff) with a reference value of 1.00. For low vs. high serum lycopene levels, the adjusted HR for lung cancer death using 3-level categorization (and adjusted for fruits and vegetables) was 1.67 (95 percent CI=1.03-2.71). In addition, the adjusted HR for lung cancer death using 3-level categorization (and unadjusted for fruits and vegetables) was 1.68 (95 percent CI=1.04-2.72) for low serum lycopene levels vs. high serum lycopene levels. Conclusions: The results suggest that high serum lycopene levels may reduce the risk of dying from lung cancer. Furthermore, lycopene may not only reduce the risk of lung cancer development but may also improve survival among lung cancer patients. More research is needed to understand the physiological mechanisms underlying this association

Effect of ultra dry seed storage on longevity of onion (Allium cepa) and chinaaster (Callistephus chinensis) under ambient and controlled temperatures.

Not AvailableUltra dry seed storage was studied in onion (Allium cepa L.) and china aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees] to find out its effect on seed longevity under ambient and controlled low temperatures. Seeds of onion cultivars Arka Kalyan and Arka Niketan ultra dried to 2.8 and 2.6 %, respectively, and seeds of china aster cultivar Arka Kamini ultra dried to 3.0% were compared with seeds of respective cultivars having moisture content close to recommended levels for packing in moisture proof containers. These seeds were hermetically sealed in aluminium pouches and stored at ambient and controlled (constant 15°C) temperatures. The initial germination in onion was 90.0 and 88 % in Arka Niketan and Arka Kalyan, respectively, and it remained unaffected after ultra drying. During storage, ultra dry seeds and seeds with ~5% moisture content of both varieties showed no significant reduction in seed germination, first count, seedling vigour and field emergence even after 54 months of storage both under ambient and controlled temperatures. In china aster, seeds with 5.9% moisture showed decline in seed viability and vigour under ambient temperature after 18 months of storage and rapid decline was noticed after 24 months of storage, reaching zero at 36 months but at 15°C showed no decline in viability up to 48 months of storage. Ultra dry seeds maintained higher viability and vigour at both ambient and at 15°C even after 48 months of storage. Genetic fidelity tests on onion seed clearly demonstrated that neither the profiles of soluble proteins and enzymes nor the DNA were affected by ultra drying.Institute fun

Shear-mediated ALK5 expression regulates endothelial activation

Calcific aortic valve disease affects the aortic side of the valve, exposed to low magnitude multidirectional (“disturbed) blood flow, more than it affects the ventricular side, exposed to high magnitude uniaxial flow. Overt disease is preceded by endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Here we investigate the potential role of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) receptor ALK5 in this process. Although ECs are always subject to shear stress due to blood flow, and their responses to shear stress are important in healthy valve development and homeostasis, low magnitude multidirectional flow can induce pathophysiological changes. Previous work has shown ALK5 to be an important mechanosensor. ALK5 transduces mechanically sensed signals via the activation of the SMAD2/3 transcriptional modulators. However, it is currently unclear precisely how ALK5-mediated shear stress responses translate into pathological changes under conditions of chronically disturbed flow. Here, we demonstrate that ALK5 mechanosensory signalling influences flow-induced endothelial leukocyte adhesion and paracellular permeability. Low magnitude multidirectional flow resulted in downregulation of the receptor, accompanied by increased SMAD2 phosphorylation, in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers. These changes correlated with elevated monocyte adhesion and significantly increased transendothelial transport of an albumin-sized tracer. These effects were abolished by inhibition of ALK5 kinase activity. Analysis of ALK5 expression patterns in porcine aortic valve tissue corroborated the findings from cell-based experiments. Together, these results suggest that ALK5 has a role in shear stress-associated cardiovascular disease pathology, emphasising the importance of further mechanistic investigations and supporting it as a potential therapeutic target

Valvulogenesis of a living, innervated pulmonary root induced by an acellular scaffold

Heart valve disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide with no effective medical therapy and no ideal valve substitute emulating the extremely sophisticated functions of a living heart valve. These functions influence survival and quality of life. This has stimulated extensive attempts at tissue engineering “living” heart valves. These attempts utilised combinations of allogeneic/ autologous cells and biological scaffolds with practical, regulatory, and ethical issues. In situ regeneration depends on scaffolds that attract, house and instruct cells and promote connective tissue formation. We describe a surgical, tissue-engineered, anatomically precise, novel off-the-shelf, acellular, synthetic scaffold inducing a rapid process of morphogenesis involving relevant cell types, extracellular matrix, regulatory elements including nerves and humoral components. This process relies on specific material characteristics, design and “morphodynamism”.</p