SCTIMST DSpace (Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology)
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Multifunctional hybrid nanoconstruct of zerovalent iron and carbon dots for magnetic resonance angiography and optical imaging: An In vivo study
No full textIn magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), gadolinium (Gd) complexes are very often used as contrast agents to enhance the signal from soft tissue deformities and vascular anomalies, to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. The safety concern of using Gd complexes in renally compromised patients pose limitations on its application. To overcome this scenario, we introduce a nontoxic zerovalent iron based nanoparticle as a novel contrast agent for MR angiography and a hybrid version of the same to serve as a dual function contrast agent for targeted liver imaging. The synthesized zerovalent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles after citrate stabilization (C@ZVI) had an average size of 10 nm and exhibited paramagnetic property which is a prerequisite for a positive MRI contrast agent. The longitudinal magnetic relaxivity, r1 of C@ZVI was 4.93 mM-1s-1 which is much higher than that of clinically used Gd based agent, gadoterate meglumine (3.6 mM-1s-1). For multimodal imaging of the liver, initially the ZVI nanoparticle was tailored with a highly liver specific polysaccharide pullulan, and later with fluorescent carbon dots (Cdts) facilitating both optical and MR imaging. The magnetic relaxivity was retained in P@ZVI-Cdts for T1 contrast imaging with an r1 value of 3.48 mM-1s-1. The in vivo MR angiogram using C@ZVI and the liver targeted MRI and optical imaging using P@ZVI-Cdts were successfully demonstrated proving their potential as MRA contrast agent and a liver specific multimodal imaging agent
Spatial distribution of category III dog bite in Palakkad district and its associated factors
No full textDepression and its related factors among small and marginal farmers in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra
No full textFluorescence spectroscopy as an efficient tool for staging the degree of liver fibrosis: an in vivo comparison with MRI
No full textThe study utilizes autofuorescence spectroscopy (AFS) along with multivariate spectral analysis
for diferentiating various stages of hepatic fbrosis. AFS has recently emerged as an efcient tool
for evaluating the variations in diferent endogenous furophores. In this study, the potential of AFS
for diferentiating the stages of liver fbrosis is assessed and compared with the results of enzyme
evaluation, histopathology and the most advanced diagnostic tool, MRI. Using a fber optic probe,
the emission profle of the furophores such as favin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), lipofuscin-like
lipopigments (lipopigments), porphyrins and the variation in the total hemoglobin concentration are
evaluated in vivo on liver fbrosis induced animal models adopting a minimally invasive technique.
Signifcant diference (p<0.05) in the level of these biomarkers was observed between diferent stages
of liver fbrosis. Normal hepatic tissue could be distinguished from mild and moderate hepatic fbrosis
with a sensitivity of 95 to 100% and specifcity of 90 to 100% using multivariate spectral analysis. The
results are favourable to consider this technique as a potential tool for diagnosing liver fbrosis at an
early stage, which is monumental as it otherwise can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure
Antenatal exposure to anti epileptic drugs and cognitive, behavioural and language function in Children of Women with Epilepsy
No full textA comparison of various methods of blood sampling in mice and rats: Effects on animal welfare
No full textThis study was conducted to investigate the effects of blood sampling on animal welfare in a total of 60 NTac:SD rats and 72 C57BL/6NTac mice of both sexes. Blood was sampled either by sublingual vein puncture, tail vein puncture or by retrobulbar plexus/sinus puncture under light isoflurane anaesthesia and, additionally, by facial vein puncture in mice. Non-punctured animals as well as isoflurane-anaesthetised animals were used as controls. Pre- and post-puncture sucrose intake (1.5% w/w) was measured in rats, and nest building scores were studied in mice for 24 h post-puncture. Post-puncture activity and anxiety levels of rats and mice were measured using an elevated plus maze test and an open field test. Stress levels 24 h post-puncture were assessed by analysing faecal corticosteroid metabolites. Sucrose intake and faecal corticosteroid levels were not affected by the blood sampling procedures. Rats showed reduced activity in the open field test and an increased level of anxiety in the elevated plus maze test following retrobulbar plexus puncture and isoflurane anaesthesia. In mice, nest building activity was affected in all the groups compared with the control group, except for animals subjected to facial vein puncture. Retrobulbar sinus puncture, tail vein puncture and sublingual puncture in mice resulted in reduced activity and increased anxiety. We conclude that, of the tested methods, puncture of the tail vein and the sublingual vein have the least adverse effects in rats, whereas facial vein puncture had the least adverse effects on the welfare parameters in mice
Central lineassociated bloodstream infection: A study on creating awareness about specimen collection
No full textBackground: Central line associated Blood stream infection(CLA-BSI) is a hospital acquired infection that is
often missed. In a patient on a central line, culture of peripheral blood along with a sample of blood taken
through the CL or CL tips is imperative, for a better laboratory diagnosis of CLA-BSI.
Aim: (1) To compare the number of CLA- BSI detected in 2010 with the number in 2012 after the awareness
campaign was conducted in 2011. (2) To compare specimen collection in different units and formulate
strategies for improvement.
Methods: Using the laboratory information network, the number of cannula tips and blood cultures sent for
culture in 2010 was taken. An intensive campaign to detect CLA-BSI, was initiated in 2011 by the Infection
Control Team. The total number of CLA-BSI detected in 2010 was then compared with the number in 2012
after this campaign.
Results: A total of 158 cannula tips were sent for culture during the year 2010, while in 2012, 276 cannula
tips were sampled. In 2010, while incomplete sampling occurred in 39%, this was reduced to 33% in 2012.
Number of correctly diagnosed CLA-BSI increased from 13 to 27 cases in 2012.
Conclusion: The campaign has led to detection of more correctly defined CLA-BSI and hence, continuing
the training in sending samples is essential to collect the correct data of CLA-BSI. The case studies included
show the benefits of correctly identifying such infections
Real Time Imaging and Dynamics of Hippocampal Zn2+ under Epileptic Condition Using a Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe
No full text. A group-based lifestyle intervention for diabetes prevention in low- and middleincome country: implementation evaluation of the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program
No full textBackground
While several efficacy trials have demonstrated diabetes risk reduction through targeting key lifestyle behaviours, there is a significant evidence gap in relation to the successful implementation of such interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This paper evaluates the implementation of a cluster randomised controlled trial of a group-based lifestyle intervention among individuals at high-risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the state of Kerala, India. Our aim is to uncover provider-, participant- and community-level factors salient to successful implementation and transferable to other LMICs.
Methods
The 12-month intervention program consisted of (1) a group-based peer-support program consisting of 15 sessions over a period of 12 months for high-risk individuals, (2) peer leader (PL) training and ongoing support for intervention delivery, (3) diabetes education resource materials and (4) strategies to stimulate broader community engagement. The evaluation was informed by the RE-AIM and PIPE frameworks.
Results
Provider-level factors: Twenty-nine (29/30, 97%) intervention groups organised all 15 sessions. A 2-day PL training was attended by 51(85%) of 60 PLs. The PL handbook was found to be ‘very useful’ by 78% of PLs. Participant-level factors: Of 1327 eligible individuals, 1007(76%) participants were enrolled. On average, participants attended eight sessions. Sixty-eight percent rated their interest in group sessions as ‘very interested’, and 55% found the group sessions ‘very useful’ in making lifestyle changes. Inconvenient time (43%) and location (21%) were found to be important barriers for participants who did not attend any sessions. Community-level factors: Community-based activities reached to 41% of the participants for walking groups, 40% for kitchen garden training, and 31% for yoga training. PLs were readily available for support outside the sessions, as 75% of participants reported extracurricular contacts with their PLs. The commitment from the local partner institute and political leaders facilitated the high uptake of the program.
Conclusion
A comprehensive evaluation of program implementation from the provider-, participant- and community-level perspectives demonstrates that the K-DPP program was feasible and acceptable in changing lifestyle behaviours in high-risk individuals. The findings from this evaluation will guide the future delivery of structured lifestyle modification diabetes programs in LMICs
