ABSTRACT
Background: Epidural anesthesia is one of the most used anesthetic technique for a lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant with bupivacaine with plain bupivacaine in epidural anesthesia with respect to onset and duration of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia, hemodynamic changes, adverse effects and sedation. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients of either sex with age ranging from 18 to 65 years and belonging to ASA Grades I and II physical status, scheduled for surgery under epidural anesthesia. The patients were divided into two groups with 30 patients each. Group 1 was given 20 ml 0.5% plain bupivacaine + 0.5 ml saline and Group 2 was given 20 ml 0.5% plain bupivacaine + 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine. Results: The time of sensory onset up to T10 was shorter in Group 2 (7.10 ± 2.10 min) as compared to Group 1 (15.02 ± 2.6 min). The time of motor block onset to bromage 3 was shorter in Group 2 (14.50 ± 5.18 min) as compared to Group 1 (20.36 ± 3.4 min). The time of motor block regression to bromage 0 was longer in Group 2 (248.70 ± 28.40 min) as compared to Group 1 (152 ± 12.2 min). The time of sensory block regression and the duration of analgesia were also longer in Group 2. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine seems to be a good choice as an adjuvant with bupivacaine in epidural anesthesia.
ABSTRACT
The field experiments were conducted on sandy loam soil at New Delhi, during 2007 and 2008 to investigate the effect of conservation tillage, irrigation regimes (sub-optimal, optimal and supra-optimal water regimes), and integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on soil biological parameters in wheat cultivation. The conservation tillage soils has shown significant (p<0.05) increase in soil respiration (81.1 percent), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) (104 percent) and soil dehydrogenase (DH) (59.2 percent) compared to the conventional tillage soil. Optimum water supply (3-irrigations) enhanced soil respiration over sub-optimum and supra-optimum irrigations by 13.32 percent and 79 percent respectively. Soil dehydrogenase (DH) activity in optimum water regime has also increased by 23.33 percent and 8.18 percent respectively over the other two irrigation regimes. Similarly, SMBC has also increased by 12.14 percent and 27.17 percent respectively in soil with optimum water supply compared to that of sub-optimum and supra-optimum water regime fields. The maximum increase in soil microbial activities is found when sole organic source (50 percent Farm Yard Manure+25 percent biofertilizer+25 percent Green Manure) has been used in combination with the conservation tillage and the optimum water supply. Study demonstrated that microbial activity could be regulated by tillage, water and nitrogen management in the soil in a sustainable manner.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Prenatal karyotyping using foetal blood samples obtained by cordocentesis is a useful method of detecting abnormal chromosomes in the foetus. METHODS: Cordocentesis was performed in 187 cases for prenatal karyotyping between January 1995 and September 2000. Pregnant women were between 18 and 38 weeks of gestation and their ages ranged from 18 to 40 years. The common indications were ultrasonographic abnormalities (47.6%), history of previous Down syndrome (13.3%), advanced maternal age (11.7%), low maternal serum alpha foetoprotein levels (10.7%), previous child with malformation (10.7%), previous child with trisomy (chromosome 13/18) (2.6%), parent a balanced translocation carrier (1.6%) and high maternal serum alpha foetoprotein levels (1.6%). RESULTS: Analysis of 137 successful cultures showed 8 (5.2%) karyotype abnormalities. The remaining samples could not be reported due to the presence of maternal contamination of the sample (12.3%), inadequate sample (6.4%) or culture failure (9.8%). In those with an abnormal karyotype, obstetric management could be altered appropriately. CONCLUSION: In foetuses at high risk of a chromosomal aberration, a rapidly obtained karyotype is helpful in obstetric management.