Ajeet Kumar

Comparative evaluation of midazolam and butorphanol as oral premedication in pediatric patients

Background: To compare oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) with oral butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) as a premedication in 60 pediatric patients with regards to sedation, anxiolysis, rescue analgesic requirement, and recovery profile. Materials and Methods: In a double blinded study design, 60 pediatric patients belonging to ASA class I and II between the age group of 2–12 years scheduled for elective surgery were randomized to receive either oral midazolam (group I) or oral butorphanol (group II) 30 min before induction of anesthesia. The children were evaluated for levels of sedation and anxiety at the time of separation from the parents, venepuncture, and at the time of facemask application for induction of anesthesia. Rescue analgesic requirement, postoperative recovery, and complications were also recorded. Results: Butorphanol had better sedation potential than oral midazolam with comparable anxiolysis at the time of separation of children from their parents. Midazolam proved to be a better anxiolytic during venepuncture and facemask application. Butorphanol reduced need for supplemental analgesics perioperatively without an increase in side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or unpleasant postoperative recovery. Conclusion: Oral butorphanol is a better premedication than midazolam in children in view of its excellent sedative and analgesic properties. It does not increase side effects significantly.

Proteus syndrome: A medical rarity

A 22-year-old female was presented to the Emergency Room with a history of road traffic accident with complaints of pain and distension of the abdomen. She had previously been diagnosed to have PS by the dermatologists at our institute with features of asymmetric overgrowth of lower limbs, lumbar scoliosis and skin lesions [Figures 1 and 2]. On admission, she was conscious and alert with a heart rate of 130/minute and blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg. Airway assessment was consistent with Mallampatti class 3. Systemic examination revealed extreme pallor and a tense, tender distended abdomen. Initial investigations revealed hemoglobin of 2.8 g/dl. Other investigations were unremarkable except the CECT abdomen which showed splenomegaly with a splenic laceration.

Sustainable way for enhancing phosphorus efficiency in agricultural soils through phosphate solubilizing microbes

Phosphorus is the second important key element after nitrogen as a nutrient in terms of quantitative plant requirement. Although phosphorus is abundant in soils (organic and inorganic forms), its availability is restricted as it occurs mostly in insoluble forms. The phosphorus content in soil is about 0.05 per cent (w/w) but only 0.1 per cent of the total phosphorus is available to plant because of poor solubility and its fixation in every type of soil. An adequate supply of phosphorus during early phase of plant development is important for laying down the primordia of plant parts. It plays significant role in root ramification, thereby imparting vitality to plant. It also helps in seed formation and in early maturation of crops. Poor availability or deficiency of phosphorus markedly reduces plant size and growth. Phosphorus accounts about 0.2 - 0.8 per cent of the plant dry weight. To satisfy crop requirements, phosphorus is usually added to soil as chemical fertilizer, however, synthesis of chemical fertilizer is highly energy intensive processes, and has long term impacts on the environment in terms of eutrophication, soil fertility depletion, carbon footprint. Moreover, plants use only a small amount of phosphorus, because about 80–90 per cent of added phosphorus is precipitated by metal–cation complexes, and rapidly fixed in soils. Such environmental concerns have led to the search for sustainable way of phosphorus nutrition of crops. In this regards phosphate–solubilizing microorganisms have been seen as best eco–friendly means for phosphorus nutrition of crop. Although, several bacterial (Pseudomonas and Bacilli) and fungal strains (Aspergillus and Penicillium) have been identified as PSM. Their performance under in situ conditions is not reliable and therefore, needs to be improved by using co-inoculation techniques. This review focuses on the diversity of PSM, mechanism of P solubilization, role of various phosphatase, impact of various factors on solubilization, the present and future scenario of their use and potential for application of this knowledge in managing a sustainable agricultural system

Comparative Assessment of Physicochemical and Biological Quality Characters of Vermicompost from Different Biomass Substrates

In an estimate, the annual total crop residues generated by the world population is projected around 3.8 billion tonnes (Lal, 2005). Around 3 thousand million tonnes of wastes annually produced in India, out of which more than 60% are decomposable (Chauhan et al., 2010). These large quantities of plant residues may serve as potential sources of plant nutrients (Suthar, 2007). These wastes may be recycled by making manure, compost as well as vermicompost which are the best options for its management (Bhat et al., 2013). Animal wastes also require a route for recycling into valuable end product rather being desecrate and discharge in the environment. Composting by using earthworm which offers the rapid recovery of valuable resources from biodegradable plant and animal wastes to humus-like vermicompost at a very short period of time (Pramanik et al., 2007). A large International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 01 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Heat Transfer Correlations on Combustion Chamber Surface of Diesel Engine - Experimental Work

Design and control of recently developing engines have much important towards better fuel economy and reduction in exhaust emissions from an engine. Since the ignition takes place due to high compression (or) self ignition of temperature in case of diesel engines, the temperature distribution and heat flux on the combustion chamber surface are an important phenomenon. While modifying the profile of combustion chamber of diesel engine, it is important to relocate the hot spot regions on the combustion chamber surface which supports combustion initiation. With these hot spot regions on combustion chamber surface regulates/controls ignition delay period which results in controlled detonation. In diesel engines, controlled detonation which in turn improves engine performance and reduced emissions. Therefore, to include the hot spot regions at proper locations, it is required to measure the temperature values at different locations/coordinates with the help of thermocouples on the cylinder head surface exposed to combustion chamber. Also the adiabatic flame temperature, the engine performance parameters, heat balance date, convection and radiation heat transfer related terms were calculated and analyzed

A comparison of dexamethasone and clonidine as an adjuvant for caudal blocks in pediatric urogenital surgeries

Background: Caudal block is a reliable regional analgesic technique for pediatric urogenital surgeries. Various adjuvants have been tried to enhance the duration of action of bupivicaine. Though clonidine is extensively used as an adjuvant in caudal anaesthesia, it can have troublesome adverse effects like bradycardia, hypotension and sedation. Lately dexamethasone has become popular as an adjuvant in paediatric caudals due to its safety profile. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare dexamethasone and clonidine coadministered with bupivicaine caudally in paediatric patients undergoing urogenital surgeries in terms of analgesia and adverse effects. Settings and Design: Prospective, double blinded randomised study. Subjects and Method: Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II children, aged 1-6 years undergoing urogenital surgeries were allocated in 2 groups: Group I: 0.5 mL.kg−1 of 0.25% bupivicaine with dexamethasone 0.1 mg.kg−1 in 1 ml normal saline (NS) Group II: 0.5 mL.kg−1 of 0.25% bupivicaine with clonidine 1 μg.kg−1 diluted in 1 ml normal saline. The parameters studied included duration of analgesia, intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamics, sedation scores and incidence of adverse effects like wound dehiscence, bleeding, vomiting and respiratory depression. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was carried out using Stata Version 10. After checking for the normality assumption, t-test for comparing means of two independent samples was used for comparing baseline continuous variables. P values <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Patients in Group II had longer duration of analgesia postoperatively. Patients in this group also had lower heart rate and more sedation scores. Conclusion: Our study shows that caudal dexamethasone is a good alternative to clonidine with more stable hemodynamics and lesser sedation scores in the immediate postoperative period. Both the drugs offer good analgesia postoperatively with the duration of analgesia more in clonidine.

Constraints to Cabbage ( Brassica Oleracea Var. capitata L.) Production in Peri-Urban Area of Saharsa District in Bihar

Vegetables are the integral part of the balanced diet of human since time immemorial. Globally, the role of vegetables has been recognized in solving the problem of food and nutritional security. A survey conducted to assemble baseline information on farming practices to cabbage production in peri-urban area of Saharsa district.Structured questionnaires used to elicit information from cabbage farmers, where cabbage is intensively produced. The level of education among the growers was low as only 6.67 per cent had secondary education. Majority of the growers (68%) did not own the lands, thus, resulting in approximately 65 per cent of them cultivating less than one acre of cabbage. Majority of cabbage farmers (61.67 %) planted cabbage on raised beds. Cabbage production was characterized by high use of inorganic fertilizer (NPK). Seventy-three per cent farmers employed the watering cans in cabbage production. Farmers in their quest to mitigate the high insect pest infestation and problems such as wilting of plants, leaf curl and leaf spots resorted to high frequency of pesticides application. The information gathered from this study would form the basis for the formulation of an integrated pest management (IPM) as well as integrated nutrient management (INM) strategy to enhance environmentally sustainable production of cabbages. This would reduce environmental degradation and ensure maximum protection for human well being.

Response of pea (Pisum sativum L.) to Rhizobium inoculation and nitrogen application in soils of North East alluvial plains of Bihar.

Among legumes, pea ( Pisum sativum L.) is the second most important legume, which is widely used both in human nutrition and as fodder. Currently, pre-sowing inoculation of pea seeds is a promising treatment and is one of agronomic solutions for sustainable agriculture. As per the objective of the research, to determine the effects of Rhizobium inoculation and different levels of nitrogen on the yield potential and growth attributes of pea, the research was conducted in Split Plot Design with 3 replications, at Research farm of RRS, Agwanpur, Saharsa. Nitrogen application had significant effect on the plant height, number of branches, root and shoot dry weight, number of nodules, seed yield, biomass yield, harvest index, number of pods, as well as crude protein rate of seeds in both years. Plant height, number of pods, harvest index, number of nodules, crude protein rate and root dry weight were higher with application of 20 kg N ha ?1 while seed yield, shoot dry weight and number of branches were higher with application of 60 kg N ha ?1 , in the 2 seasons. The lowest values related to these parameters were obtained from the control treatment. Inoculation treatment had also significant effect on the all parameters investigated in both the years. The highest values regarding these parameters were obtained from inoculated plants, whereas the lowest values were obtained from the un-inoculated plants. Interactions of nitrogen and inoculation had significant effects on the all parameters investigated, except for number of nodules in 2009-2010 and crude protein rate of seeds in both years. The highest seed yield was obtained under treatment 20 kg N ha ?1 + inoculation with 1654.3 and 1625.0 kg ha ?1 in 2009-10 and 2010-11, respectively.

Spatial distribution of macro- and micro- nutrients in soils of Saharsa district of Bihar

Summary The soils samples (0-30 cm depth) were collected from ten block of Saharsa district. The study of macro- and micro-nutrients of some soils of the district was carried out to assess the soil fertility and micro- nutrient status and their relationship with each other. Soils were analyzed for DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and hot water extractable B in relation to chemical properties of soils. The mean values for DTPA-extractable Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and hot water extractable B were 2.36, 1.52, 113.93, 766.03 and 0.10 mg kg -1 , respectively. The mean values of available N, P 2 O 5 , K 2 O and SO 4 -S were 382.04, 38.31, 208.86 and 22.65 kg ha -1 , respectively. Distribution of micronutrients cations were influenced positively by pH, EC and organic carbon content of the soil. Results indicated that the micro- nutrient cations were significantly correlated with each other, suggesting about the dynamic equilibrium among them.

Influence of FYM and irrigation frequency on yield, vitamin and mineral contents of organic cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata).

A field experiment to assess the effect of organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of cabbage was conducted at the Research farm of Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi (U.P.). A Randomized Block Design with four level of FYM replicated three times was used in the experiment. Neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 4 per cent was sprayed at the advent of insect pest infestation. In addition to marketable yields, cabbage leaves were digested and analyzed for 11 macro-and micronutrients. Vitamins C and E of mature crops were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography. Soil samples were also taken at harvest, extracted with suitable extractant solution and analyzed for essential nutrients. Application of different level of FYM had varying effects on the growth and yield of cabbage. Effect of FYM was better in both the cabbage variety with respect to their variables measured, i.e. height, marketable head weight, and yield per ha. These findings can be explained in terms of the availability, especially, of the macro-nutrients in each of the treated plots. The impact of irrigation frequency on yield is transparent. We conclude that irrigation frequency had a significant bearing on yield.