Management Of Phimosis With Use Of Betamethasone And Prepucial Dilatation -A Prospective Study

Introduction: Physiological phimosis, a common complaint in the surgery outpatient department presenting as non–retractile foreskin is due to adhesions between the inner layer of the prepuce with glans penis or due to tight tip of the prepuce. These patients are managed with circumcision, preputial dilatation and topical application of steroid. In this study, we compare different outcomes measures in children treated with dilatation along with Betamethasone ointment. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of General surgery outpatient department in 2018. We followed up 50 patients who underwent application of betamethasone ointment followed by dilatation and application of betamethasone impregnated antibiotic cream twice daily over a period of six weeks. We recorded basic demographic features, parent anxiety, parental compliance, parent satisfaction, complete response and persistence of phimosis at the end of the treatment. Results: The median age of the patients was 36 with range (23–48) months. At the end of six weeks, with regard to all outcome measures namely parent compliance, parent satisfaction, symptom resolution. Moreover, phimosis persisted in 3 (6%) of the patients treated with dilatation and betnovate ointment. Conclusions: This study shows that Dilatation and local application of betnovate ointment is a better alternative to circumcision.

Comparison between early and delayed facial nerve decompression in traumatic facial nerve paralysis - A retrospective study

ABSTRACT Purpose To study the intraoperative findings in case of early and delayed decompression of facial nerve paralysis and compare their results. Methods Retrospective data analysis of 23 cases of longitudinal temporal bone fracture with House-Brackmann grade V and VI facial nerve paralysis. All cases were thoroughly evaluated and underwent facial nerve decompression through the transmastoid approach. All cases were under regular follow-up till the date of manuscript submission. Results Clinical improvement of the facial nerve function was observed for early vs. delayed facial nerve decompression. In the early decompression group, facial nerve function improved to grade II in eight cases (80%) and grade III in two cases (20%), whereas in the delayed decompression group it improved to grade II in one case (7.70%), grade III in four cases (30.76%), grade IV in seven cases (53.84%), and grade V in one case (7.70%). Conclusions Early decompression of facial nerve provides better results than delayed decompression because it enables early expansion of the nerve.

Studies on antidiabetic activity of Acacia ferruginea DC. stem bark .

The methanol extract of Acacia ferruginea (Family- Mimosaceae) was studied for possible antidiabetic activity on normoglycaemic, OGTT and alloxan induced diabetic rats at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o. The acute toxicity studies were carried out on Swiss albino mice to determine the LD50 values. The experiments were performed as per OECD guidelines. The results of the normoglycaemic, OGTT and hyperglycaemic studies revealed that the extract exhibited reduction in blood glucose concentration in a dose dependant manner as compared to the standard drug metformin (250 mg/kg, p.o.). The acute toxicity studies revealed no signs of mortality in animals treated with a single dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. Preliminary phytochemical studies of the methanol extract revealed presence of alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, gums and mucilages, proteins and amino acids. The present study justifies the use of the plant for treating diabetes as suggested in folklore remedies.

Pharmacognostic studies of the stem bark of Chloroxylon swietenia DC.

Chloroxylon swietenia DC. (Family: Rutaceae) is an important traditional medicinal plant used in the treatment of various ailments like fungal infection of skin, rheumatism, common cold, cough, ophthalmic infection and cataract, wounds and as an astringent. However, detailed scientific information is not available to identify the plant material, in order to ascertain its quality and purity. In this paper, we report the pharmacognostic evaluation of the bark for the purpose of its identification and differentiation from related species. The macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, ash values, extractive values, fluorescence analysis and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the bark were investigated. Transverse section of the bark shows presence of cork, cortex, medullary rays, and stone cells. Presence of cork, stone cells, phloem fibres and parenchyma cells which were also observed in the powdered sample of the bark. The result of preliminary phytochemical screening indicated presence of alkaloids, steroids, carbohydrates, proteins, phenolic compounds, tannins flavonoids and triterpenoids. The present study will be useful for its identification prior to carrying out further research work. The findings of this study will facilitate pharmacognostic standardization of the plant material and aid in the preparation of a herbal monograph for the species.

Treatment of rayon grade pulp drain effluent by upflow anaerobic fixed packed bed reactor (UAFPBR).

The Rayon grade pulp (RGP) drain effluent of pulp and paper mill was studied to find out pollutant loading and its control measures by low cost and efficient treatment method. Upflow anaerobic fixed packed bed reactor (UAFPBR) with brick ballasts as packing material was used for this purpose. This was compared with conventional anaerobic treatment method. The digested slurry was taken as inoculum from the active cow dung biogas plant. After stabilization of the reactors the reduction in pollutant loading was found to be higher in UAFPBR than conventional anaerobic reactor (CAR). Hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 hr was optimum for the treatment of effluent when 74.5% COD and 81% BOD reduction was obtained. 30% inoculum concentration was best for the anaerobic treatment of RGP colour drain effluent. The maximum biogas production (1.37 l l-1 of effluent) was when the effluent was inoculated with 30% seeding material. Thus, UAFPBR system was very efficient in terms of BOD, COD, TSS and TDS removal from RGP drain of paper mills in ambient environmental conditions.

Effect of carbon and nitrogen source amendment on synthetic dyes decolourizing efficiency of white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Decolourization activity of Phanerochaete chrysosporium for three synthetic dyes viz., congo red, malachite green and crystal violet and impact of additional carbon and nitrogen supply on decolourization capacity of fungus were investigated. Maximum decolourizing capacity was observed up to 15 ppm. Addition of urea as nitrogen source and glucose as carbon source significantly enhanced decolourizing capacity (up to 87%) of fungus. In all the cases, both colour and COD were reduced more in non-sterilized treatments as compared to sterilized ones. Significant reductions in COD content of dye solutions (79-84%) were recorded by fungus supplied with additional carbon and nitrogen. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.78, p < 0.001) between colour and COD of dye solutions was recorded. Thus, a readily available carbon and nitrogen source is imperative to enhance the bioremediation activity of this fungus which has been the most suitable for synthetic dyes and textile industry wastewater treatment.

Combined effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation and mineral nutrients on growth, biomass accumulation and yield characteristics of two cultivars of Vigna radiata L.

In a field experiment, the effect of enhanced UV-B radiation (simulating 20% ozone depletion at Allahabad, 20 degrees 47' N latitude) was studied on two cultivars of Vigna radiata L. with various levels of mineral nutrients (N and P). Study showed decrease in total biomass accumulation, harvest index, RSR and yield after exposure with enhanced level of UV-B. RGR and CGR also showed decline after exposure with UV-B. Application of recommended dose of mineral nutrients alleviated the deleterious effect of UV-B and increased plant dry matter vis a vis yield. Both cultivars showed sensitivity to UV-B but cultivar Malviya Janpriya was more responsive to UV-B than Malviya Jyoti.

Assessment of the pulp and paper mill effluent on growth, yield and nutrient quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Assessment of agropotentiality of the effluent coming out from century pulp and paper mill, Ghanshyamdham, Lalkua (Uttaranchal) has been made on wheat (Triticum aestivum var. UP-2329) crop grown in two soils differing in texture with different effluent concentrations. Diluted effluent increased the chlorophyll content, plant height, shoot and root biomass, grain yield, protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents in wheat grains, while undiluted effluent caused inhibition in plant growth resulting in a sharp decline of yield. Pure soil provided better growth and yield results than those soil mixed with sand.