Efficacy and superiority of an innovative method (IM) of intravenous (IV) fluid drip drop rate calculation using IV set and its comparison with conventional methods (CM)

Background: Almost every indoor patient requires some form of intravenous (IV) fluids and its infusion rate should be proper as recommended for best treatment outcomes. To overcome the same, a simple, quick and easily applicable new method for drip drop rate calculation is proposed, which is user-friendly at bedside and doesn’t require mathematical skills or help.Methods: Author compared this novel innovative method (IM) of IV fluid drip drop rate method for both regular macro and micro drop infusion set against conventional mathematical calculation method (MC) of infusion in various IV fluid indoor orders and assessed for time-to-initiation of treatment (TI) required and its accuracy. Ten resident doctors and ten nursing staff participated to grade both conventional and novel methods by using pre-printed forms of various parameters like time consumption, comfort level, accuracy and applicability in ward and these both methods were scored on a scale of 1 to 10.Results: Conventional method (CM) required 14.23±1.10seconds, while novel method (IM) required average 3.63±0.73seconds for calculation of drop rate. Average grading for conventional method was 3.63±0.49 and for novel method was 7.84±0.6 out of 10.Conclusions: Novel method of IV fluid drip drop rate formula is easy, quick and superior in comparison to conventional method and it doesn’t require any additional instrumental help. It is good alternative to conventional formula for IV drip drop rate calculation in absence of infusion pump.

The difference of detection rate of avian influenza virus in the wild bird surveillance using various methods

Korea is located within the East Asian-Australian flyway of wild migratory birds during the fall and winter seasons. Consequently, the likelihood of introduction of numerous subtypes and pathotypes of the Avian influenza (AI) virus to Korea has been thought to be very high. In the current study, we surveyed wild bird feces for the presence of AI virus that had been introduced to Korea between September 2017 and February 2018. To identify and characterize the AI virus, we employed commonly used methods, namely, virus isolation (VI) via egg inoculation, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), conventional RT-PCR (cRT-PCR) and a newly developed next generation sequencing (NGS) approach. In this study, 124 out of 11,145 fresh samples of wild migratory birds tested were rRT-PCR positive; only 52.0% of VI positive samples were determined as positive by rRT-PCR from fecal supernatant. Fifty AI virus specimens were isolated from fresh fecal samples and typed. The cRT-PCR subtyping results mostly coincided with the NGS results, although NGS detected the presence of 11 HA genes and four NA genes that were not detected by cRT-PCR. NGS analysis confirmed that 12% of the identified viruses were mixed-subtypes which were not detected by cRT-PCR. Prevention of the occurrence of AI virus requires a workflow for rapid and accurate virus detection and verification. However, conventional methods of detection have some limitations. Therefore, different methods should be combined for optimal surveillance, and further studies are needed in aspect of the introduction and application of new methods such as NGS.

Comparison of a Hemorrhoidectomy With Ultrasonic Scalpel Versus a Conventional Hemorrhoidectomy

PURPOSE: A variety of instruments, including circular staplers, ultrasonic scalpels, lasers, and bipolar electrothermal devices, are currently used when performing a hemorrhoidectomy. This study compared outcomes between hemorrhoidectomies performed with an ultrasonic scalpel and conventional methods. METHODS: The study was a randomized prospective review of data available between May 2013 and December 2013, involving 50 patients who had undergone a hemorrhoidectomy for grade III or IV internal hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoidal pedicle was coagulated with an ultrasonic device in the ultrasonic scalpel group (n = 25) and sutured with 3-0 vicryl material after excision in the conventional method group (n = 25). RESULTS: The patients' demographics, clinical characteristics, and lengths of hospital stay were similar in both groups. The mean ages of the conventional and the ultrasonic scalpel groups were, respectively, 20.8 ± 1.6 and 22.4 ± 5.0 years (P = 0.240). In comparison with the conventional method group, the ultrasonic scalpel group had a shorter operation time (P < 0.005), less postoperative pain on the visual analogue scale score (for example, P = 0.211 on postoperative day 1), and less postoperative bleeding (P = 0.034). No significant differences in postoperative complications were observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: A hemorrhoidectomy using an ultrasonic scalpel is an effective and safe procedure. The ultrasonic scalpel reduces the operation time, the postoperative blood loss, and the postoperative pain. Long-term follow-up with larger-scale studies is required to evaluate normal activity after a hemorrhoidectomy performed with an ultrasonic scalpel.

Utility of Chromogenic Disc Using Replication System versus Conventional Method for Detection of Uropathogens.

Aims: To evaluate utility of replication system using chromogenic disc for detection of uropathogens and to compare the result with conventional method for the same. Design: A total of 625 urine samples were processed from suspected cases of urinary tract infection, admitted in a rural medical college of Maharashtra. Methodology: The culture isolates of uropathogens were identified by both conventional method and by chromogenic disc using replica system. Results: Out of 625 urine specimens, 419 (67.04%) were Culture positive. There was growth of Escherichia coli 197(99.49%), Enterococcus faecalis 88 (21%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 63 (15.03%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 10.73%. There was mixed growth of organisms 15(3.57%) in urine specimens. All uropathogens isolates were identified correctly by conventional as well as chromogenic disc using replica system, except one. One of the Escherichia coli isolate was identified by conventional methods but with replica system it showed colourless colonies instead of purple colonies. Conclusion: Replica system is a rapid, cost effective and easy method for detection of uropathogens with satisfactory result. It can be adopted in clinical microbiology laboratory for presumptive diagnosis of uropathogens.

Histo-architechtural Evaluation of Conventional Versus Two Rapid Microwave Processing Techniques.

Aims: This work aims to reduce the time of tissue processing, exclude xylene from tissue processing as well as to reduce the total quantity of reagents used per cycle of paraffin wax processing technique. Study Design: Harvesting and fixation of tissues. Grossing into triplicates, processing using three different techniques. Staining and grading of sections. Place and Duration of Study: Apparently healthy rabbits from the animal house, National Veterinary research Institute, Vom, Jos, Nigeria, between August and December, 2014. Methodology: Two apparently healthy rabbits were sacrificed and the Trachea, Lungs, Heart, Liver, Kidney, Stomach, Skin, Brain, and the Spleen were harvested and fixed in 10% buffered formalin for three days. They were grossed into triplicates, labeled and processed using the conventional, microwave without vacuum and microwave with vacuum respectively. They were sectioned and stained simultaneously using the haematoxylin and eosin staining technique as well as the Gordon and Sweet’s method. They were graded as excellent if they permitted microscopy, fair if not very good but can permit microscopy and poor if they cannot permit microscopy at all. Results: There is a drastic reduction in the duration of processing as well as the quantity of reagents used in the microwave techniques as compared to the conventional method. Xylene was completely eliminated in the microwave techniques. Tissue histo-architechture, special features as well as silver impregnation were clearly demonstrated without significant differences. Dye uptake as well as section thickness were comparable among the three techniques. Conclusion: Same-day turn-around is possible in histology, with reduced reagent consumption and elimination of xylene, without compromising section quality, dye uptake or ability to reduce silver to its metallic form. This will result to quick diagnosis hence quick intervention at a cheaper rate to both laboratories and clients. It is a good innovation in forensic and diagnostic histopathology and should be encouraged. Its compatibility with histochemical, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques should be evaluated to give a wider application.

Comparison of HIV Antibody Detection by Conventional Method and Dried Tube Specimen : Stability and Validation Study for HIV Serology.

This study was carried out to compare HIV antibody detection by conventional method and serum dried in test tube and to check the stability of dried tube specimen (DTS) at ambient temperature. A total of 50 serum samples were tested for HIV antibodies, which were sent for testing in the state reference laboratory, by conventional method according to NACO guidelines. The same serum samples were dried in test tubes and then after elution with PBS again tested for HIV antibodies by same method and kits at 0 day and after 30 days. DTS eluted by PBS showed linear correlation to the serum samples. The antibodies in DTS were found to be stable at 37o c up to 30 days. This method is simple, sensitive and specific and can be used in resource limited settings embarking on scaling up of HIV testing.

Accuracy of Limb Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty using Image-Free Navigation System: Comparison with Conventional Total Knee Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: We analyzed the comparative results of limb alignment after total knee arthroplasty using conventional method and image-free navigation system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total knee arthroplasties were performed in sixty-four patients(74 knees) with conventional method(37 cases)(Group A) and Orthopilot 4.0 image-free navigation system(37 cases)(Group B). We measured the femoro-tibial angle, femoral and tibial component angle in coronal and sagittal plane using the weight bearing whole leg radiograph taken 1-month postoperatively. RESULTS: Mechanical femoro-tibial angle was 1.4 degrees of varus in conventional group (Group A) and 0.8 degrees of varus in the navigation group (Group B) on average. Femoral and tibial component angle in the coronal plane was mean 1.8 degrees of varus and 0.7 degrees of varus in group A, 0.3 degrees of valgus and 0.5 degrees of varus in group B on average. Average femoral and tibial component angle in sagittal plane was 0.3 degrees of flexion and 0.8 degrees of anterior tilt in group A, 0.7 degrees of flexion and 1.7 degrees of anterior tilt in group B. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in the femoro-tibial angle, femoral and tibial component angle in coronal and sagittal plane. But the ranges of deviation from desired angle were smaller in Group B than Group A. Statistically significant different results of the limb alignment (femoro-tibial angle and femoral component angle in coronal plane) were observed in 5 cases with severely bowed femoral shaft in group B (average femoro-tibial angle 0.9 degrees and femoral component angle in coronal plane 0.9 degrees varus) than group A (average femoro-tibial angle 3.5 degrees and femoral component angle in coronal plane 3.9 degrees varus). CONCLUSION: Accuracy of limb alignment in total knee arthroplasty using navigation system was not statistically significant difference than using the conventional method, but had better results in the deviation of mechanical femoro-tibial angle and femoral component angle in coronal plane than the conventional method, especially in severely bowed femoral shaft.

Comparison of Global Field Power Measurement and Conventional Method in Multi-channel Auditory Event Related Potential P300 Determination

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to compare Global field Power Measurement and conventional method in P300 determination. METHOD: The subjects were composed of patients(N=20) with schizophrenia by DSM-IV and normal controls(N=20). The auditory event related potential P300 was measured by "oddball paradigm". P300 components were determined by Global Field Power Measurement and conventional method at 5 electrodes(Fz, Cz, Pz, T3, T4). RESULTS: P300 amplitudes of patients were smaller than those of controls across all electrodes and in both methods, but there was no differential power in P300 determination between two methods. Asymmetry of auditory event-related potential P300 was not shown between patients with schizophrenia and normal controls. CONCLUSION: It is implicated that it depends on clinical situations and research purposes what method of P300 determination will be more appropriate for patients with schizophernia.

Microangiographic Study on Living Iliac Bone Graft with Microvascular Anastomosis / 第三军医大学学报

The results of living iliac bone graft with microvascular anastomosis in 12 dogs were studied with microangiographic examination. Another 8 dogs with iliac bone graft without vascular anastomosis were also observed as the control. In 11 dogs with patent anastomosed vessels, microvessels were found to have distributed in the grafts two weeks after surgery. The majority of the microvessels in the newly formed bone which connected the graft and the host bone came from the graft and its periostium, only a small part of those originated from the host bone. This indicated that the bone grafts were surviving and participated in the healing process. In the dogs grafted without anastomosis, no microvessel was found in the specimens in the first four weeks after operation, only after 8 weeks, was a scanty amount of microvessels seen to have grown into the grafts from the surrounding soft tissues. This again proves that the "creeping substitution" of the vessels in the grafted bone which occurs in the conventional method of bone graft is very slow.