Clinical profile and ophthalmological manifestations of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in adults at a tertiary care center in India: A cross-sectional study

Purpose: Our aim was to describe the clinical profile of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), assess ophthalmological manifestations, and correlate grade of papilledema with optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure. Methods: This was a prospective cross?sectional study. Patients between 18 and 60 years, diagnosed with IIH using modified Dandy criteria were included. Demographic details, ocular symptoms and signs were noted and papilledema graded. Ocular investigations such as B?scan ONSD and perimetry findings were noted for analysis. Results: The study included 32 patients of mean age 35.25(±9.57) years with a predominantly female population (96.9%). Mean BMI was 28.12(±5.32) kg/m2. Common presenting complaint was headache (87.5%). The most common gynecological disorder was dysmenorrhea (15.6%). Vitamin D deficiency (46.9%) was a biochemical abnormality seen. Most patients had BCVA 6/6 (62.5%). Lateral rectus palsy was present in 12.5%. Papilledema was present in 81.3% eyes with 31.3% Grade I. There was visual field loss in 53.1%, with 20.3% Grade I. Mean CSF opening pressure was 376.3(±191.51) mmH2O. MRI showed empty sella (34.4%) and tortuous optic nerve (18.8%). MRV showed transverse sinus stenosis (52.4%) as common abnormality. There was significant correlation between grade of papilledema and B?scan ONSD. No correlation was seen between CSF opening pressure and ONSD, grade of papilledema and grade of visual field defect and CSF opening pressure with BMI. Conclusion: Clinical profile of patients with IIH was an overweight female of child?bearing age with headache. Visual field examinations are essential in management and follow?up. B?scan ONSD is useful to quantify raised ICP.

Utilisation Of Nursing Theories In Nursing Practice - A Review

Nursing theorists have contributed towards the development of a body of knowledge to the profession. Benefits of having a definite body of knowledge include quality patient care and improved professional status. Nurses need to recognise the need for utilising nursing theories to practice. The demand for evidence based practice have gained great momentum in the current Nursing scenario. Ashift from theory development to theory utilisation has contributed to a variety of scholarly approaches to practice of nursing. The purpose of this article is to illustrate successful use of nursing theories in various practice settings. Nursing theorists have tried to explain nursing in their own perspectives and it is the challenge of individual nurse to utilise the one suited to their setting.

In vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of methanol extracts of Erythrina indica Lam. leaves and stem bark

Objective: To determine the total phenolic content and in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of methanol extracts of leaves and stem bark of Erythrina indica. Methods: Folin-ciocalteu method was used to determine the total phenolic content. Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was assayed spectrophotometrically and the degree of enzyme inhibition was determined by measuring the increase in absorbance at 295nm associated with uric acid formation. Results:The methanol extract of stem bark of E. indica contains higher level of total phenolic content (412.8 mg GAE/g extract) and also exhibited higher xanthine oxidase inhibition activity (IC50 52.75μg/mL) than the leaves. Conclusions: It could be concluded that the stem bark of E. indica was highly effective in xanthine oxidase inhibition and might be used for the gout related disorders.

Efficacy of 4-methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin derivatives against vectors Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus.

4-Methyl-7-hydroxy coumarin is considered as a lead molecule as a biopesticide. Its mono bromo and tribromo derivatives were synthesized. Two more derivatives were synthesized by acylation. Compound 1 (3,6,8-tribromo-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-chromen-2-one) was found to be the most potent against IVth instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti the LC50 being 1.49 and 2.23 ppm respectively. It showed 100% larval mortality at 25 ppm against A. aegypti and at 10 ppm against C. quinquefasciatus. Compounds 1 and 2 (3,6,8-tribromo-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-chromen-2'-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl acetate) showed remarkable ovicidal activity. Significant reduction of 80-85% hatching of eggs of both mosquito species was observed at the highest dose of 100 ppm. The hatched larvae showed 100% mortality in the successive instars. Compounds 3 and 4 (3-bromo-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-chromen-2-one and 3-bromo-4-methyl-2'-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl acetate) showed moderate activity against both mosquito species.

Infections related to vascular catheters in a pediatric intensive care unit.

We determined the rate and risk factors for colonization of 103 peripheral intravenous catheter and 32 central venous catheters. 52.5% peripheral catheters had colonization. Common organisms isolated were Pseudomonas (33.3%) and coagulase negative Staphylococci (29.6%). Colonization was higher in catheters inserted in the lower limb. Overall 62.5% of the central catheters were colonized, chiefly by coagulase negative Staphylococci, Pseudomonas and Candida. All central catheters in place for more than 11 days were colonized. Subclavian vein catheters had a higher rate (68.2%) of colonization in comparison to femoral vein insertions (40%). We conclude that upper limb placements are preferable to lower limbs when using peripheral lines. Changing peripheral intravenous catheters every 48 hours and central venous catheters every 10 days may decrease the rate of colonization.

Electroantennogram responses of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) to volatiles.

Electrophysiological responses of adult males and females of C. carnea to commonly occurring plant volatiles were recorded using the electroantennogram technique. Responses to 28 volatiles evaluated indicate that both depolarization and recovery to the baseline were rapid in females compared to males. Normalized EAG responses relative to the standard, trans-caryophyllene reveal significant differences between the chemicals as also between the sexes. The response of males to several of the compounds, particularly the terpenoids was higher than females. The pooled averages to the different classes of chemical compounds reveal greater response for fatty acid derivatives and terpenoids, particularly the oxygenated monoterpenes and the sesquiterpenes. These findings are discussed in relation to volatiles released in the cotton ecosystem.

Bioactivity of non-edible oil seed extracts and purified extracts against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner).

Extracts and purified extracts of seeds of two plant species, Madhuca latifolia and Calophyllum inophyllum when evaluated against the 2nd instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera reared on synthetic diet, exhibited high larval mortality, prolongation of developmental period, morphological deformities and highly significant reduction in adult emergence. The reduction in larval weights in the treatments was also highly significant.