Comparison between ropivacaine and bupivacaine in deep topical fornix nerve block anesthesia in patients undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification

Purpose: In this study, we intend to analyze ropivacaine and bupivacaine in various parameters during phacoemulsification under deep topical fornix nerve block (DTFNB), a known form of nerve block for phacoemulsification. Methods: This prospective randomized study was conducted on 100 patients undergoing elective cataract surgery by phacoemulsification under DTFNB. Patients were divided into two equal groups of fifty patients each, Groups B (bupivacaine) and Group R (ropivacaine). Two sponges, approximately 2 mm × 3 mm dimensions, saturated with either 0.5% bupivacaine or 0.75% ropivacaine were placed deep in the conjunctival fornices to perform the deep topical block. Both groups were evaluated for magnitude of pain and discomfort at various stages of phacoemulsification using a simple pain scoring system. The level of surgeon satisfaction, requirement for supplementary anesthesia, and surgical complications were also evaluated. Quantitative variables between the two groups were compared using unpaired t-test. Qualitative variables were correlated using Chi-square test. Results: Overall demographic parameters of patients were similar in both groups. Similar mean pain scores were found in the ropivacaine and bupivacaine groups, with no statistical significance. Surgical satisfaction and the need for supplemental anesthesia were also statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Ropivacaine is a good alternative for deep topical anesthesia as it has a better safety margin and lesser toxic effect than other comparable local anesthetic agents.

Exploring plant growth-promotion actinomycetes from vermicompost and rhizosphere soil for yield enhancement in chickpea

Abstract The main objective of the present study was to isolate and characterize actinomycetes for their plant growth-promotion in chickpea. A total of 89 actinomycetes were screened for their antagonism against fungal pathogens of chickpea by dual culture and metabolite production assays. Four most promising actinomycetes were evaluated for their physiological and plant growth-promotion properties under in vitro and in vivo conditions. All the isolates exhibited good growth at temperatures from 20 °C to 40 °C, pH range of 7–11 and NaCl concentrations up to 8%. These were also found highly tolerant to Bavistin, slightly tolerant to Thiram and Captan (except VAI-7 and VAI-40) but susceptible to Benlate and Ridomil at field application levels and were found to produce siderophore, cellulase, lipase, protease, chitinase (except VAI-40), hydrocyanic acid (except VAI-7 and VAI-40), indole acetic acid and β-1,3-glucanase. When the four actinomycetes were evaluated for their plant growth-promotion properties under field conditions on chickpea, all exhibited increase in nodule number, shoot weight and yield. The actinomycetes treated plots enhanced total N, available P and organic C over the un-inoculated control. The scanning electron microscope studies exhibited extensive colonization by actinomycetes on the root surface of chickpea. The expression profiles for indole acetic acid, siderophore and β-1,3-glucanase genes exhibited up-regulation for all three traits and in all four isolates. The actinomycetes were identified as Streptomyces but different species in the 16S rDNA analysis. It was concluded that the selected actinomycetes have good plant growth-promotion and biocontrol potentials on chickpea.

Contribution of oxidative stress to radiosensitization by a combination of 2-DG and 6-AN in human cancer cell line.

In the present studies, the role of oxidative stress in radiosensitization by a combination of 2-DG and 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) was examined in a human glioma cell line (BMG-1: wild type p53). Presence of 2-DG or 6-AN for 4 hr after irradiation (gamma ray 2.5 Gy) significantly enhanced the radiation-induced cell death by 18% and the combination (2-DG + 6-AN) enhanced the cell death by 35%. Neither 2-DG nor 6-AN had any further significant effect on the glutathione levels in irradiated cells. However, the combination (2-DG + 6-AN) caused a significant decrease in GSH content, increase in GSSG levels, and enhanced the superoxide radical generation under these conditions. The enhanced cell death caused by the combination (2-DG + 6-AN) mainly resulted by the process of apoptosis as revealed by annexin V binding and was associated with elevated levels of Cyclin B1. However, no significant change was observed in the levels of Bcl-2. Thus, for the first time, our results have demonstrated that the radiosensitizing effects of these modifiers could also be mediated through alterations in the oxidative stress besides energy limited inhibition of repair and recovery processes.

Serum cortisol and prolactin response to surgical stress in infants and children.

In a prospective study on 40 infants and children undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia, serum cortisol and prolactin levels were compared to assess hormonal response to stress as regards to age, sex, length of surgery and anaesthetic techniques. The rise in serum cortisol was independent of age, sex, length of surgery and anaesthetic techniques while percentage rise in serum prolactin were more in females compared to males and significant post-induction surge irrespective of sex.

Effects of calcium on phthalocyanine sensitized photohemolysis.

Influence of divalent Ca2+ ions in sulphonated chlorophthalocyanine (ClAlPcS2) induced photohemolysis in rabbit red blood cells has been investigated. Loading of excess Ca2+ to ClAlPcS2 sensitized RBC suspension enhanced hemolysis in a concentration dependent manner. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chlorpromazine and cation chelator EDTA reduced Ca2+ enhanced photohemolysis. Photohemolysis increased with calcium channel blockers diltiazem and nifidipine. Enhancement in photohemolysis by Ca2+ ions can arise either by its ability to liberate Fe2+ bound to phosphatidylserine or by stimulation of PKC. Inability of calcium channel blockers to prevent Ca2+ influx following photodynamic treatment of red blood cells suggest nonspecific leakage rather than involvement of Ca2+ channels in erythrocytes.