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ABSTRACT: Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent lifestyle-associated ailment linked to the gut microbiota that significantly influences patients' quality of life. A notable correlation exists between Blastocystis infections and susceptibility to IBS, with infected individuals exhibiting an increased likelihood of developing the condition. Despite promising results from using probiotics to modulate the gut microbiota and manage IBS, the precise mechanisms and potential risks remain unclear. Objective: This review aims to explore the therapeutic potential of probiotics, particularly Saccharomyces boulardii, in the management of IBS, highlighting the role of the gut microbiota and the gut–brain axis in IBS pathophysiology. Methods: A comprehensive literature survey was conducted to examine the association between gut microbiota and IBS, the role of probiotics in managing IBS, the mechanisms of their action, and the potential risks associated with their long-term use. Additionally, this study addresses the influence of Blastocystis infections on IBS susceptibility and evaluates various ongoing clinical trials investigating probiotic use for IBS. Results: S boulardii, a yeast species with probiotic properties, has demonstrated effectiveness in both the treatment and prophylaxis of IBS. Its administration is associated with a decrease in the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 8 and an increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10. Probiotics appear to function by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and regulating neurotransmitter activity, influencing the gut–brain axis. However, selecting appropriate probiotic strains and dosing regimens is crucial because of potential adverse effects, such as infections and allergic reactions. Conclusions: Probiotics, specifically S boulardii, offer a promising avenue for IBS management by modulating gut microbiota. However, further research is necessary to delineate the precise mechanisms of action, optimal strains, dosing regimens for IBS treatment, and potential risks associated with long-term use. A comprehensive approach incorporating probiotics, a low-FODMAP diet, and cognitive-behavioral therapy may provide effective management of IBS symptoms.

Introduction: Slums are the most vulnerable settlements for COVID-19 infection due to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. Thus, this study was undertaken to determine the level of seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 infection among slum dwellers. Material and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional seroepidemiological survey was conducted at several slums of Patna over four weeks, that is, January 20–February 20, 2021. A total of 650 participants were recruited in the study by applying a two-stage random sampling technique. Results: Seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibody was found to be 31.5% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 27.9–35.1). The seropositivity prevalence was found to be statistically higher among participants belonging to the age group of 18–30 years (41.1%), male gender (67.9%), high-risk occupation (70%), below poverty line (BPL) economic status (62.1%), and residing in a hut (51.2%) and kutcha house (42.4%). Further, 262 participants reported having COVID-like symptoms in the preceding 1 month of the survey, which was found to be significantly associated with the seropositivity status. Conclusion: The finding of the study reflects that a moderate seroprevalence level of COVID-19 infection was acquired in the slum settings of Bihar. Unchecked spread in these informal communities will pose a serious threat to the rest of the bigger sections of urban populations. This indirectly calls for early intervention in the form of preference in the roadmap of COVID-19 vaccination.

Hyperglycaemia following surgical and anaesthetic stress is a well-established entity which might have undesirable clinical consequences in known diabetics. We encountered a rare event where an undiagnosed diabetic patient developed ketoacidosis in the immediate post-operative period which was her initial presenting symptom of deranged glucoregulation. Presumably, the stress induced by surgery and anaesthesia lead to the genesis of this event. We discuss the management of this case. In addition, we highlight the importance of glycosylated haemoglobin as a subject of future research in identifying such "at risk" patients and for stratifying the risk of hyperglycaemic complications in perioperative settings.

Ultrafastspectroscopy on solutes, whose dynamics is very sensitiveto the friction in its local environment, has strong potential toreport on the microenvironment existing in complex fluids such asionic liquids. In this work, the torsional relaxation dynamics ofThioflavin-T (ThT), an ultrafast molecular rotor, is investigatedin two fluoroalkylphosphate ([FAP])-based ionic liquids, namely, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazoliumtris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate ([EMIM][FAP]) and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazoliumtris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate ([OHEMIM][FAP]), using ultrafastfluorescence up-conversion spectroscopy. The emission quantum yieldand the excited-state fluorescence lifetime measurement suggest thatthe torsional relaxation of Thioflavin-T, in this class of ionic liquids,is guided by the viscosity of the medium. The temporal profile ofthe dynamic Stokes’ shift of ThT, measured from time-resolvedemission spectrum (TRES), displays a multiexponential behavior inboth ionic liquids. The long time dynamics of the Stokes’ shiftis reasonably slower for the hydroxyethyl derivative as compared tothe ethyl derivative, which is in accordance with their measured shearviscosity. However, the short time dynamics of Stokes’ shiftis very similar in both the ionic liquids, and seems to be independentof the measured shear viscosity of the ionic liquid. We rationalizethese observations in terms of different locations of ThT in theseionic liquids. These results suggest that despite having a higherbulk viscosity in the ionic liquid, they can provide unique microenvironmentin their complex structure, where the reaction can be faster thanexpected from their measured shear viscosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photophysical properties and ultrafast excited state torsional dynamics of the protein binding dye, Thioflavin-T, have been investigated in a nanoconfined water pool of reverse micelles using both steady-state fluorescence and the femtosecond fluorescence upconversion technique. It is seen that due to the confined environment in the reverse micelle, the fluorescence yield of Thioflavin-T is dramatically enhanced ∼250-fold as compared to that in bulk water. The fluorescence yield decreases nonlinearly with the increase in the water pool size of the reverse micelles. Fluorescence lifetime of Thioflavin-T is also seen to decrease sharply with an increase in the water pool size. The results have been rationalized on the basis of the effect of confinement on the ultrafast torsional motion in the Thioflavin-T. The rate constants for the torsional motion in Thioflavin-T molecule in confined water pool have been estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of cosurfactant concentration on the location of a dissolved solute in a block copolymer−surfactant supramolecular system has been investigated using time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy and dynamic Stokes’ shift measurements. Pluronic F88 and cosurfactant CTAC have been used to form a supramolecular assembly. The anion of coumarin 343 dye has been used as the solute/probe. It is seen that as the CTAC concentration is increased in the F88−CTAC supramolecular assembly, the microviscosity around the probe gradually increases. The result suggests that the probe undergoes a gradual migration from micellar surface to the interior of the micelle as the concentration of the CTAC is increased. This is also supported by the dynamic Stokes’ shift results. It is seen that as the CTAC concentration is increased in the system, the observed Stokes’ shift gradually increases due to the movement of the probe away from the bulk water. By comparing the present results with those reported in another pluronic−surfactant system, namely, P123−CTAC, it is indicated that the extent of modulation in the position of the probe in such supramolecular systems is largely determined by the composition of the pluronic, especially on the length of its hydrophilic ethyleneoxide block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present results demonstrate that the redox potential and hence the chemical reactivity of a solute dissolved in a polymer−surfactant supramolecular assembly, considered as a nanoreactor, can be tuned substantially by changing the composition of the supramolecular assembly. It is understood from detailed study that, on changing the polymer−surfactant composition of the supramolecular assembly, the probe undergoes a change in its location in these nanoreactors and accordingly its physical and chemical properties can be modulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of electrostatic interaction on the location of a solubilized molecular probe with ionic character in a supramolecular assembly composed of a triblock copolymer, P123 ((ethylene oxide) 20−(propylene oxide) 70−(ethylene oxide) 20) and a cosurfactant cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) in aqueous medium has been studied using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Coumarin-343 dye in its anionic form has been used as the molecular probe. In the absence of the surfactant, CTAC, the probe C343 prefers to reside at the surface region of the P123 micelle, showing a relatively less dynamic Stokes’ shift, as a large part of the Stokes’ shift is missed in the present measurements due to faster solvent relaxation at micellar surface region. As the concentration of CTAC is increased in the solution, the percentage of the total dynamic Stokes’ shift observed from time-resolved measurements gradually increases until it reaches a saturation value. Observed results have been rationalized on the basis of the mixed micellar structure of the supramolecular assembly, where the hydrocarbon chain of the CTAC surfactant dissolves into the nonpolar poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) core of the P123 micelle and the positively charged headgroup of CTAC resides at the interfacial region between the central PPO core and the surrounding hydrated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) shell or the corona region. The electrostatic attraction between the anionic probe molecule and the positively charged surface of the PPO core developed by the presence of CTAC results in a gradual shift of the probe in the deeper region of the micellar corona region with an increase in the CTAC concentration, as clearly manifested from the solvation dynamics results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Often an intramolecular relaxation process takes place in a time scale similar to that of the solvent relaxation process. Under these circumstances the dynamic Stokes’ shift of the probe can be modulated by the combined effect of these two relaxation processes. In the present article we have studied ultrafast solvent relaxation using three different coumarin dyes and proposed a methodology for the quantitative separation of the dynamics of two competing processes, namely, solvent relaxation and bond twisting, that take place simultaneously in the present systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of constituent block size of triblock copolymers on the nature of the water molecules in the corona region of their micelles have been investigated using time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The physical nature of the water molecules in the micellar corona region of the block copolymer, Pluronic F88 ([ethylene oxide (EO)] 103−[propylene oxide (PO)] 39−EO 103), has been studied using a solubilized coumarin dye. Solvent reorientation time and rotational correlation time have been measured and compared with another block copolymer, Pluronic P123 (EO 20−PO 70−EO 20), which has a different composition of the constituent PO and EO blocks. It is noted that due to the presence of larger number of EO blocks in F88 as compared with P123, the corona region of the former micelle is more hydrated than that of the latter. The solvent reorientation time and rotational correlation time are found to be relatively shorter for F88 as compared with P123. This indicates that the water molecules in the corona of the F88 micelle are more labile than those of P123, which is also supported from the estimated number of water molecules associated with each EO unit, measured from the size of each type of micelle and its aggregation number. To understand the effect of block size on the chemical reactions in these microheterogeneous media, electron transfer reactions have been carried out between different coumarin acceptors and N, N-dimethylaniline donor. The electron transfer results obtained in F88 micelles have been compared with those obtained in P123, and the results are rationalized on the basis of the relative hydration of the two triblock copolymer micelles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The host–guest interactions of the neutral (AO) and cationic (AOH+) forms of the dye acridine orange with the macrocyclic hosts cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) were investigated by using ground-state absorption and steady-state as well as time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The cationic form undergoes no significant complexation with β-CD, but binds strongly with CB7 (Keq = 2.0 × 105 M−1), causing a large enhancement in fluorescence intensity and lifetime of the dye in the latter host. The strong and selective binding of AOH+ with CB7 is attributed to ion–dipole interactions involving the ureido carbonyl rims of CB7 and the charged AOH+. In contrast, the neutral AO form of the dye shows quite similar binding with both CB7 and β-CD, but the binding constants are lower by more than two orders of magnitude compared to that of the AOH+–CB7 system. CB7 and β-CD show a contrasting behavior in modifying the acid–base character of the dye, shifting its pKa by about 2.6 units upward and about 0.7 units downward, in the two respective cases. These divergent pKa shifts of the dye arise from the differential affinity of the two host molecules to encapsulate the protonated and neutral form of the dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The phenomenal popularity of social networking sites has been used globally by medical professionals to boost professional associations and scientific developments. They have tremendous potential to forge professional liaisons, generate employment,upgrading skills and publicizing scientific achievements. We highlight the role of social networking mediums in influencing teaching, training and research in anaesthesiology. Background: The growth of social networking sites have been prompted by the limitations of previous facilities in terms of ease of data and interface sharing and the amalgamation of audio visual aids on common platforms in the newer facilities. Review: Contemporary social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr,Linkedn etc and their respective features based on anaesthesiology training or practice have been discussed. A host of advantages which these sites confer are also discussed. Likewise the potential pitfalls and drawbacks of these facilities have also been addressed. Conclusion: Social networking sites have immense potential for development of training and research in Anaesthesiology. However responsible and cautious utilization is advocated.

Pressure injuries are an accepted complication of prone positioning during the neurosurgical procedures. Horseshoe headrest are intended to reduce the incidence and severity of such injuries by allowing limited areas of contact between the skin of dependent areas of contact and the supporting surfaces. We report a case where a patient positioned prone over a horseshoe headrest developed inadvertent unilateral facial pressure injuries following a 6-h long craniovertebral junction (CVJ) surgery. We attempt to highlight this complication, analyze its causation, and briefly review the existing literature related to similar reported injuries.

Intra Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) is conventionally used to support coronary perfusion and weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. IABP in situ has its own share of complications. We present a case where a patient on IABP support who had reduced peripheral pulsations of the ipsilateral limb and was initially misdiagnosed as IABP catheter associated thromboembolism. A negative embolectomy ruled out the same. Further looking for the cause of reduction of ipsilateral pulses it was found that the tight compressive bandage at saphenous vein conduit harvesting site had led to development of compartment syndrome (CS).

Severe cardiovascular responses in the form of tachycardia and hypertension following nasal speculum insertion occur during sublabial rhinoseptal trans-sphenoid approach for resection of small pituitary tumours. We compare the effects of preoperative administration of clonidine (α-2 agonist) and atenolol (α-blocker) over haemodynamic response, caused by speculum insertion during trans-sphenoid pituitary resection. We enrolled 66 patients in age range 18-65 years, of ASA I-II, and of either sex undergoing elective sublabial rhinoseptal trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy. Group I (control) received placebo, group II (clonidine) received tablet clonidine 5 μg/kg, and group III (atenolol) received tablet atenolol 0.5 mg/kg. The heart rate increased on speculum insertion and 5 and 10 minutes following speculum insertion as compared to the pre-speculum values in the control group, while no change in the heart rate was observed in other groups (P