Comparison of the effects of caffeine, aminophylline, and saline on the recovery from total intravenous anesthesia in laparoscopic surgeries: A randomized controlled trial.

Background and Aims: The return of consciousness (ROC) after general anesthesia (GA) is by stopping the administration of anesthetic agents. At present, no drug is given to reverse the loss of consciousness produced by general anesthetic agents. This study is conducted to find whether caffeine and aminophylline hasten the ROC. Material and Methods: This study was conducted on 75 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and II female patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy, aged between 18 and 60 years. The patients were divided into three equal groups (Group C: caffeine citrate, Group A: aminophylline, and Group S: saline) of 25 each by a computer-generated random number table. GA was induced with propofol, fentanyl, and maintained with propofol infusion. On completion of the surgery, the neuromuscular blocking agent was reversed and then the infusion of propofol was stopped. The study drug was administered intravenously when the BIS 60 was achieved. Time to achieve BIS 90, return of first gag reflex, eye-opening on verbal command, and extubation after study drug administration were noted. Hemodynamic parameters and SpO2 were also monitored. Results: The time for BIS 60 to 90 was 10 (4.25) min in the caffeine group, 13 (4.25) min in the aminophylline group, and 26 (9.0) min in the saline group. The time to return of gag reflex and time to extubation were shorter in the caffeine and aminophylline group compared to the saline group. The time to eye-opening on verbal command was shorter in the aminophylline group compared to the saline group. Hemodynamic parameters after infusion of the study drug were comparable in all three groups. Conclusion: Caffeine hastens the recovery from total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and fentanyl in laparoscopic hysterectomy as effectively as aminophylline.

Implication of composite electrode on the functioning of photo-bioelectrocatalytic fuel cell operated with heterotrophic-anoxygenic condition.

Electrode materials play a vital role in biofilm formation and electron conduction for efficient functioning of fuel cells. In the present study, graphite polymer composite electrode (GPF) was evaluated as anode for photo-bioelectrocatalytic fuel cell (PhFC; biophotovoltaic system) and compared with much studied graphite electrode (Gc) with photosynthetic bacteria as biocatalyst under anoxygenic condition. The electrogenic activity noticed in GPF (584mV; 2.67mA) was slightly lower than Gc (604mV; 2.92mA; OL2/HRT2). Consequently, COD removal observed by GPF (87.3%) was lower than Gc (91.8%). The increase in bacterial chlorophyll pigment showed a positive influence on electrogenic activity for both the electrodes. The polarization resistance (OL2 and HRT2 condition) was significantly higher for GPF (330Ω) as compared to Gc (110Ω). It is interesting to note that the performance of GPF is slightly lower than Gc based PhFC. The findings have opened avenues for composite materials for PhFC.

Azo dye load-shock on relative behavior of biofilm and suspended growth configured periodic discontinuous batch mode operations: critical evaluation with enzymatic and bio-electrocatalytic analysis.

Effect of dye (C.I.Acid Black 10B) load-shock was comparatively evaluated in biofilm (self-immobilized) and suspended growth systems operated in periodic discontinuous batch mode (PDBR, anoxic-aerobic-anoxic) was investigated. At higher dye load (1250 mg dye/l), biofilm system showed relatively higher dye (74.5%) and COD (46%) removal efficiencies than the corresponding suspended mode operation (dye/COD removal efficiency, 42%/65%). Increment in dye load showed increment in azo reductase and dehydrogenase enzyme activities. Voltammograms (cyclic) showed higher reduction currents (RC) with increment in dye load specifically in biofilm system. Derivative cyclic voltammograms analysis depicted the involvement of mediators (NAD (+), FAD(+), etc.) which presumably played a major role in electron transport chain and dye degradation. Disappearance of peak (1612 cm(-1)) specific to azo group in FTIR spectrum, at higher loading rate in both the systems indicates the non-inhibitory and robust nature of PDBR operation.

Formulation and optimization of coated PLGA - Zidovudine nanoparticles using factorial design and in vitro in vivo evaluations to determine brain targeting efficiency.

In the current study zidovudine loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared, coated and further investigated for its effectiveness in brain targeting. IR and DSC studies were performed to determine the interaction between excipients used and to find out the nature of drug in the formulation. Formulations were prepared by adopting 2(3) factorial designs to evaluate the effects of process and formulation variables. The prepared formulations were subjected for in vitro and in vivo evaluations. In vitro evaluations showed particle size below 100 nm, entrapment efficiency of formulations ranges of 28-57%, process yield of 60-76% was achieved and drug release for the formulations were in the range of 50-85%. The drug release from the formulations was found to follow Higuchi release pattern, n-value obtained after Korsemeyer plot was in the range of 0.56-0.78. In vivo evaluations were performed in mice after intraperitoneal administration of zidovudine drug solution, uncoated and coated formulation. Formulation when coated with Tween 80 achieved a higher concentration in the brain than that of the drug in solution and of the uncoated formulation. Stability studies indicated that there was no degradation of the drug in the formulation after 90 days of preparation when stored in refrigerated condition.