To Compare the Intravenous Bolus Dose of Propofol With an Equipotent Dose of Intravenous Thiopentone for the Facilitation of Laryngeal Mask Airway Insertion.

Objectives Insertion of laryngeal mask airway has been facilitated by using a variety of induction agents and their combinations with minimal side effects. The current prospective study is a randomized, double-blind study conducted using induction agents, namely, propofol and its equipotent dose of thiopentone, for laryngeal mask airway insertion, and to compare their side effects in patients undergoing minor surgeries requiring general anaesthesia. Methods This prospective study was carried out at the Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Department of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Assam, India. The randomized, double-blinded study comprised 80 patients aged 18 to 60 years undergoing minor surgeries (≤45 minutes) under general anaesthesia fitting into the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II and Mallampati score (MPS) 1 and 2. The participants were randomly divided into two groups in a 1:1 ratio. Group A (n = 40) received propofol (2.5 mg/kg), while group B (n = 40) received thiopentone (5 mg/kg) injections for induction of anaesthesia. Pre-medication with midazolam (0.04 mg/kg) injection and fentanyl (1.5 mcg/kg) injection was provided to patients in both groups. Post-laryngeal mask airway insertion, parameters like conditions for insertion, time taken for laryngeal mask airway insertion, overall response, and haemodynamic parameters were recorded. The data analysis was executed using equivalence tests considering a two-sided p < 0.05 as significant. Results Group A had a higher and statistically significant ease of insertion (p = 0.029). The mean insertion time was notably different between the two groups (p < 0.001). The difference in the overall response to insertion showed no statistical significance in the two groups. Statistically, a significant difference was found in falls in heart rate and various blood pressure levels between the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion Propofol at a rate of 2.5 mg/kg was found to be superior to thiopentone at a rate of 5 mg/kg as far as suppression of upper airway reflexes in laryngeal mask airway insertion.

Role of metal-nanoparticles in farming practices: an insight.

Nanotechnology introduces revolutionary approaches for agriculture in the form of nano-based pesticides, fertilizers, sensors, weed-controlling agents, enhanced seed germination materials, etc. Even though metal-nanoparticles (NPs) have shown their potential to improve crop yield, the mode of action at the cellular level and fate in the human body and the environment are not well understood yet. Several metal-nanoparticles have been studied extensively by researchers for their active role in enhancing the rate of seed germination and crop quality augmentation which may happen due to several mechanisms such as increased porosity in nano-primed seeds inducing up-regulation of the expression of aquaporin and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) genes involved in water uptake, improving the root dehydrogenase activity to enhance the water absorption capability, etc. However, researchers have also demonstrated and reported the possible toxicity of NPs in the environment due to their agricultural practices. But the fate of NPs and their environmental impact are still unclear and largely vary based on several factors such as the size of NPs, coating material, mode of discharge and locations, etc. This review thoroughly focuses on the mode of action of various NPs in seed germination and accumulation, translocation through cells, and potential environmental and health risks.

Bioremediation of motor oil-contaminated soil and water by a novel indigenous Pseudomonas otitidis strain DU13 and characterization of its biosurfactant.

Production of biosurfactant by a novel indigenous isolate Pseudomonas otitidis strain DU13 and its role in bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon is reported. The identity of the isolate was confirmed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis (Genbank accession: MK177190). The biosurfactant produced by the isolate could reduce the surface tension of petroleum supplemented medium by 46% just after 7 days of treatment. The emulsification index (E 24 ) of the surfactant was found 37, 35, and 20%, respectively, against used motor oil, diesel, and kerosene. The FTIR spectrum of the crude biosurfactant showed the presence of υC-H stretch, υCH2, υ-C=C stretch and υC-H bonding. The isolated strain could degrade 26% of TPH content of used motor oil in liquid culture. Whereas, ex situ pilot-scale field trial demonstrated very high bioremediation potential of the isolate in terms of germination rate of Vigna radiata and Cicer arietinum seeds and plant growth just after 20 days of treatment.