Role of methylergometrine versus oxytocin in the active management of third stage of labour: a randomised control trial

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal death globally. The routine practice of active management of third stage of labour has been shown to reduce haemorrhage by up to 60%. The present study evaluated the role of methylergometrine versus oxytocin in active management of third stage of labour in reducing the risk of PPH.Methods: This study was conducted on a total of 400 women admitted in the labour ward of PESIMSR hospital, by using simple randomized design. The first study group included women who received intramuscular oxytocin (n=200) and, the second group included women who received intravenous Methylergometrine (n=200) within, one minute of delivery of the baby.Results: The mean blood loss among study first and the second study group were 172.8 ml and 148.9 ml respectively (p<0.05) and, the mean duration of third stage of labour were 5.9 and 5.1 minutes respectively (p<0.05). The mean pre-and post-delivery haemoglobin values among the first and second group were 11.76 mg/dl, 10.46 mg/dl and, 11.76 mg/dl, 10.6 mg/dl respectively (p<0.05). There was an increase in the blood pressure in the ergometrine group and, slight decrease of blood pressure in oxytocin group.Conclusions: The use of methyl ergometrine as part of active management of third stage of labour was associated with a significant reduction in mean blood loss value, duration of third stage of labour, and the additional need of oxytocic though, methylergometrine has significant side effects like nausea, vomiting and rise in blood pressure

A study on pattern of adverse drug reaction in an adverse drug reaction monitoring centre of a tertiary care hospital in South Kerala, India

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADR) are rated as fifth leading cause of death and accounts for approximately 5% of all hospital admissions. Under reporting of ADR from healthcare professional is considered as the contributing factor for increased morbidity and mortality. India has taken well appreciated step to launch Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) to safeguard heath care of Indian population. This study looks into the detailed analysis of ADR reported to adverse drug reaction monitoring centre (AMC), Government Medical College, Trivandrum to assess its pattern, causality, severity and seriousness of ADR. Primary objectives of this study are the pattern of adverse drug reactions reported to ADR monitoring centre (AMC) and secondary objective is to assess causality, severity.Methods: A record based descriptive study was conducted in the ADR monitoring centre of government medical college, Trivandrum, Kerala from September 1st  2016 to February 2017(6 months). The data were collected from the all reported case records/ ADR report form of CDSCO. The details of the various adverse drug reactions were identified and analysed to find the pattern of adverse drug reactions including distribution of age, gender, causal drug group, system organ class. Also, an attempt is made to do causality assessment using WHO UMC scale and severity by using Heart wig Seigel Scale.Results: Out of 320 ADR cases, majority of reports were due to cutaneous manifestations. Most common ADRs were erythema, induration, and rash, itching. Females were 56% and males were 44%. Majority cases were of adult age group. Causality 91.88% were probably related, 75.6% were mild reaction. 25% of cases were serious. 77.5% were recovered. Antibacterial implicated 25(7.8%) followed by anti-epileptics 24 (7.5%) ADR.Conclusions: The pattern of adverse drug reactions reported to this AMC is comparable to the studies done in other parts of country. A strong need for streamlining of ADR monitoring system and reporting reemphasized by this study, which will promote the ADR reporting in healthcare professionals

Effect of pilates and breathing exercise on quality of life and sleep quality among medical students with premenstrual syndrome

Background: Quality of life and sleep quality have been documented as a challenge for college students, with reports indicating impacts on daytime functioning and academic achievement. The present study evaluates the effect of Pilates and breathing exercise on quality of life and sleep quality among medical college students. Methods: This pre-test and post-test quasi experimental study involving 132 participants consists of one experimental group (assigned Pilates and breathing exercise) and control group (breathing exercise). After the first supervised session, participants were instructed to perform the exercise protocol three times a week for eight weeks. Quality of life and sleep quality were measured by short form 36 quality of life questionnaire and Pittsburgh sleep quality index, respectively. The variables were assessed at baseline and after eight weeks of the study. Results: After eight weeks, findings showed an improvement in the quality of life and sleep quality in experimental group (p&lt;0.05) compared to the control group. The subjects in the experimental group who followed the Pilates and breathing exercise improved quality of life after the intervention. Especially the role limitation in their activities of daily living due to health problem and emotional problem and the social functioning improved significantly comparing to the pre-test evaluation done prior to the intervention.  When comparing the different PSQI components in both pre and post-test of experimental group, the strongest difference was observed in component 3 (sleep duration, p&lt;0.05) and component 7 (daytime dysfunction, p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: Eight week of Pilates and breathing exercise have significant improvement in quality of life and sleep quality in medical college students

Management of coriander wilt using biocontrol agents

A replicated field trial on biocontrol of coriander wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f., sp. coriander; was conducted in kharif season during 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98 in the Department of Spices and Plantation Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Coimbatore. Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride at 4 g kg-1 of seed was found to be more effective in reducing the wilt incidence to 5.3 per cent as against 28.3 per cent recorded in untreated, control plots in all the three years. The mean yield (387.5 kg ha-1) for all the three years was also significantly higher in seed treatment with T. viride as against very low yield (162 kg ha-1) obtained in untreated plots. The cost benefit ratio was also enhanced with the same treatment. &nbsp

Effect of Dietary Fats on Oxidative-Antioxidative Status of Blood in Rats

This study was performed to examine the effect of different fat sources, lard, sunflower oil (SO), and fish oil (FO) in high-fat and low-fat diet on reactive oxygen species generation by blood phagocytes, glutathione redox status in erythrocytes, and total plasma antioxidant ability in rats. Whole blood chemiluminescence (CL) did not differ between three low-fat fed groups. However, baseline and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated CL in blood of high-lard fed rats were lower than in low-lard and high-SO fed animals. Phagocyte-stimulated oxidative burst was higher in rats fed high-SO diet than in those fed low-SO and high-FO diets. The highest level of oxidize glutathione (GSSH), the lowest reduce glutathione (GSH)/GSSG ratio in erythrocytes, and the highest plasma activity to reduce ferric ions were observed in rats fed both diets contaning linoleic acid-rich sunflower oil compared to animals fed the corresponding energy from other fats. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of plasma was lower in high-lard and high-FO fed rats compared to the corresponding low-fat diets, and the lowest in low-FO fed rats among low-fat fed animals. We presume from our results that linoleic acid may have dual effect, prooxidative in blood cells but maintaining total antioxidant plasma ability

Management of coriander wilt using biocontrol agents

A replicated field trial on biocontrol of coriander wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f., sp. coriander; was conducted in kharif season during 1995-96, 1996-97 and 1997-98 in the Department of Spices and Plantation Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Coimbatore. Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride at 4 g kg-1 of seed was found to be more effective in reducing the wilt incidence to 5.3 per cent as against 28.3 per cent recorded in untreated, control plots in all the three years. The mean yield (387.5 kg ha-1) for all the three years was also significantly higher in seed treatment with T. viride as against very low yield (162 kg ha-1) obtained in untreated plots. The cost benefit ratio was also enhanced with the same treatment. &nbsp

Pedogenesis and clay mineralogy of semi arid tropical soil in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu

Four representative soil profiles from Melur block of Madurai district in Tamil Nadu were assessed for the degree of chemical weathering, pedogenesis and clay mineralogy. Morphological, geochemical and mineralogical analysis were done following standard procedures. Soils are classified as follows: Pedon 1- Keeranoor was Fine loamy, non-acid, mixed, megathermic, Typic Hapluestepts, Pedon 2 - Arritapatti was Fine loamy, non-acid, mixed megathermic, Oxyaquic Hapluestepts Pedon 3 - Uranganpatti was Fine, mixed, non-acid, megathermic, fluventic Hapluestepts and Pedon 4 - Panangadi was Fine loamy, non-acid, mixed megathermic, Oxyaquic Hapluestepts. The soils generally exhibited a sandy texture with moderate weathering nature, comprising more than 50% of fine and medium sand fractions, little textural variation suggesting more uniform weathering. Soils are slightly alkaline, except for Pedon 2, having had a higher Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) (&gt; 15%) and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) (15 cmol (p+ ) kg-1 ). Mineralogical investigation revealed dominance of kaolinite and illite mixed with smectites in pedons and increased silica activity with limited lessivage. The mean Chemical Index of Alteration values ranged from 80.75 to 93.44, indicating moderate soil weathering. The ternary A-CN-K diagram displayed preferential leaching of CaO and Na2O followed by K2O, as plagioclase was more susceptible to weathering. Bivariate plot results of SiO2 against (Al2O3+K2O + Na2O) indicated rapid weathering influenced by the climatic conditions

Formulation and Evaluation of Novel Deflazacort and Tamsulosin Loaded Mouth Dissolving Films

Mouth dissolving films (MDFs) is a newly emerging drug delivery system that contains a polymer to retain the dosage form which adhere to mucosa, and disintegrate quickly and releases the medication. Since Deflazacort and Tamsulosin belongs to BCS II classification, MDFs formulation was developed with the intention of obtaining better therapeutic efficiency with increase in bioavailability that can be beneficial to treat kidney stones. In this study, three MDFs with the combination of Deflazacort and Tamsulosin was formulated by solvent casting method using three different concentrations of polymer (PVA), and evaluated for various parameters such as thickness, folding endurance, surface pH, drug content, weight variation, in vitro disintegration and in vitro dissolution studies. Physical incompatibilities between API and the excipients in the films were tested using FTIR. Formulated MDFs complied with films parameters and physical incompatibilities. Among the 3 formulations, optimized formulation F2 exhibited more than 97% drug release within 10 min and disintegrated within 55 secs. Mouth dissolving films of Deflazacort and Tamsulosin were found to be suitable for eliciting better therapeutic effect for treating renal calculi

Allosteric Regulation of Fibronectin/α5β1 Interaction by Fibronectin-Binding MSCRAMMs

Citation: Liang, X. W., Garcia, B. L., Visai, L., Prabhakaran, S., Meenan, N. A. G., Potts, J. R., . . . Hook, M. (2016). Allosteric Regulation of Fibronectin/alpha(5)beta(1) Interaction by Fibronectin-Binding MSCRAMMs. Plos One, 11(7), 17. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159118Adherence ofmicrobes to host tissues is a hallmark of infectious disease and is often mediated by a class of adhesins termed MSCRAMMs (Microbial Surface Components Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules). Numerous pathogens express MSCRAMMs that specifically bind the heterodimeric human glycoprotein fibronectin (Fn). In addition to roles in adhesion, Fn-binding MSCRAMMs exploit physiological Fn functions. For example, several pathogens can invade host cells by a mechanism whereby MSCRAMM-bound Fn bridges interaction with alpha(5)beta(1) integrin. Here, we investigate two Fn-binding MSCRAMMs, FnBPA (Staphylococcus aureus) and BBK32 (Borrelia burgdorferi) to probe structure-activity relationships of MSCRAMM-induced Fn/alpha(5)beta(1) integrin activation. Circular dichroism, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and dynamic light scattering techniques uncover a conformational rearrangement of Fn involving domains distant from the MSCRAMM binding site. Surface plasmon resonance experiments demonstrate a significant enhancement of Fn/alpha(5)beta(1) integrin affinity in the presence of FnBPA or BBK32. Detailed kinetic analysis of these interactions reveal that this change in affinity can be attributed solely to an increase in the initial Fn/alpha(5)beta(1) on-rate and that this rate-enhancement is dependent on high-affinity Fn-binding by MSCRAMMs. These data implicate MSCRAMM-induced perturbation of specific intramolecular contacts within the Fn heterodimer resulting in activation by exposing previously cryptic alpha(5)beta(1) interaction motifs. By correlating structural changes in Fn to a direct measurement of increased Fn/alpha(5)beta(1) affinity, this work significantly advances our understanding of the structural basis for the modulation of integrin function by Fn-binding MSCRAMMs

Approaches in biotechnological applications of natural polymers

Natural polymers, such as gums and mucilage, are biocompatible, cheap, easily available and non-toxic materials of native origin. These polymers are increasingly preferred over synthetic materials for industrial applications due to their intrinsic properties, as well as they are considered alternative sources of raw materials since they present characteristics of sustainability, biodegradability and biosafety. As definition, gums and mucilages are polysaccharides or complex carbohydrates consisting of one or more monosaccharides or their derivatives linked in bewildering variety of linkages and structures. Natural gums are considered polysaccharides naturally occurring in varieties of plant seeds and exudates, tree or shrub exudates, seaweed extracts, fungi, bacteria, and animal sources. Water-soluble gums, also known as hydrocolloids, are considered exudates and are pathological products; therefore, they do not form a part of cell wall. On the other hand, mucilages are part of cell and physiological products. It is important to highlight that gums represent the largest amounts of polymer materials derived from plants. Gums have enormously large and broad applications in both food and non-food industries, being commonly used as thickening, binding, emulsifying, suspending, stabilizing agents and matrices for drug release in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In the food industry, their gelling properties and the ability to mold edible films and coatings are extensively studied. The use of gums depends on the intrinsic properties that they provide, often at costs below those of synthetic polymers. For upgrading the value of gums, they are being processed into various forms, including the most recent nanomaterials, for various biotechnological applications. Thus, the main natural polymers including galactomannans, cellulose, chitin, agar, carrageenan, alginate, cashew gum, pectin and starch, in addition to the current researches about them are reviewed in this article.. }To the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientfíico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for fellowships (LCBBC and MGCC) and the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nvíel Superior (CAPES) (PBSA). This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, the Project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462) and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) (JAT)