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The present work was designed to study the modulatory effects of algogen-induced vasosensory reflex responses on short-term heart rate variability (HRV) parameters in naïve and vagotomized rat models. In this study, vasosensory reflex responses were elicited by instilling algogens (bradykinin/histamine), a component of inflammatory mediators into a local segment of medium-sized peripheral blood vessel (femoral artery) while a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded. Short-term (5 min) ECG segments obtained from original recordings were examined in detail and relevant data of HRV parameters were pooled. Time domain and frequency domain analyses were performed using dedicated software (LabChart 8, AD Instruments®, Australia) and results were analyzed. Bradykinin-induced vasosensory reflexes caused significant alterations in both time domain and frequency domain HRV parameters as compared to the time-matched saline control group. Instillation of bradykinin caused a transient increase in NN interval, RMSSD, TSP, HF power (HFP) along with a decrease in the standard deviation of all normal NN intervals (SDNN), SDNN/RMSSD, LF power (LFP), LFP/HFP. Histamine produced a similar pattern of responses, but HRV alterations were less pronounced compared to those with bradykinin. Further analysis revealed that algogen-induced vasosensory reflex responses caused an increase in the parasympathetic influence on the heart accompanied by a decrease in sympathetic influence. In addition, HRV modulation by algogen-induced vasosensory reflexes was significantly attenuated in vagotomized rats, illustrating the principal role of vagus in the reflex HRV modulation. The present study proposes a novel hypothesis regarding the cardio-protective role of inflammatory mediators during acute stress, by potentiating the vagal impact and attenuating the sympathetic impact on the heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) facilitate fast and accurate identification of infectious disease microorganisms and are a valuable component of multimodal antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs but are currently underutilized in the Asia-Pacific region. An experienced group of infectious diseases clinicians, clinical microbiologists, and a clinical pharmacist used a modified Delphi consensus approach to construct 10 statements, aiming to optimize the utility and applicability of infection-related RDTs for AMS in the Asia-Pacific region. They provide guidance on definition, types, optimal deployment, measuring effectiveness, and overcoming key challenges. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was applied to indicate the strength of the recommendation and the quality of the underlying evidence. Given the diversity of the Asia-Pacific region, the trajectory of RDT development will vary widely; the collection of local data should be prioritized to allow realization and optimization of the full benefits of RDTs in AMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Permanent vascular access is an essential intervention in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its success depends on various non-modifiable and modifiable factors. Considering the element of unpredictability and failure, we attempted to analyze various factors responsible for primary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure in presumed high-risk groups. Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational study of newly created AVFs at a tertiary referral government hospital in Eastern India between January 2014 and June 2015. All adult CKD patients undergoing AVF creation were included. Primary AVF failure was assessed at 12 weeks and total follow-up was 24 weeks in presumed high-risk groups of females, patients aged ≥65 years and those with diabetes mellitus. Results: Female gender was at a higher risk of primary AVF failure if aged ≥65 years (P = 0.0026), second AVF creation (P = 0.03), loupe magnification not used (P = 0.03), arterial plaque (P = 0.028), absent immediate thrill, and with radiocephalic AVF (P = 0.02). Absent immediate thrill (<0.0001) and AVF size ≤5 mm (P = 0.002) were important independent risk factors for primary failure. Diabetes or elderly age did not have additional risk, except with uncontrolled hypertension and female gender. Conclusion: Female gender was at a higher risk of poor unassisted AVF patency if their age was ≥65 years, had second AVF creation, loupe magnification not used or if arterial plaque was present. An absence of thrill immediately or at 24 hours or an AVF diameter ≤5 mm were independent intraoperative factors for poor outcome. On the contrary, diabetics, elderly males and intimal thickness were essentially noncontributors for AVF failure, except in few subsets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. FNAC is a useful method for evaluating suspicious salivary glands lesions due to its low cost, minimum morbidity, rapid turnaround time, high specificity, and sensitivity. Aim. To know the frequency of the salivary gland lesions and cytohistological correlation in the Jhansi region, Uttar Pradesh, India. Material and Methods. In present study 124 cases were included and cytohistological correlation was made in 86 cases only. FNA was performed by using a 23/24-gauge needle without local anaesthesia. Air dried and 95% ethyl alcohol fixed wet smears were stained with Giemsa stain and Papanicolaou stain, respectively. Paraffin embedded tissue sections were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. Results. Parotid gland was the most commonly involved salivary gland. The commonest age group was 20 to 29 years, 30 to 39 years, and 60 to 69 years for nonneoplastic lesions, benign tumours, and malignant tumours, respectively. The overall male to female ratio was 1.17 : 1. The diagnostic accuracy of FNAC was 100%, 93.3%, and 88.2% for nonneoplastic lesions, benign tumours, and malignant tumours, respectively. Conclusion. The high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of FNAC confirm that preoperative cytology is a useful, quick, reliable diagnostic technique for rapid diagnosis and suitable for developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current practice for chemotherapy in most oncology departments is the use of dedicated venous access for the continuous and frequent delivery of drugs, fluids and blood products, and the monitoring of the effects of treatment. The frequent venipuncture of peripheral veins is associated with various complications and discomfort to the patients. Permanent central venous access is therefore very important. Totally Implantable Vascular Access Device (TIVAD) is a type of central venous access that utilizes the central veins; the internal jugular vein, the subclavian or the femoral veins. It is a kind of permanent central venous access where a central venous catheter is connected to a subcutaneously buried port or septum which can be accessed at any time and has the ability to stay for almost 5 years. They are therefore the preferred form of long-term central venous access in patients treated by oncology departments. We share our initial experience of 5 patients in our institution. There were 4 females and one young boy who had been diagnosed with Hemophilia. Three of the patients had new implantation, one had removal of her 5-year-old TIVAD that had been implanted in another country and one had the TIVAD accessed when she had been referred to our hospital for breast surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality Problem or Issue: To assess impact of medical emergency team (MET) in reducing "out-of-ICU" cardiopulmonary arrests and identify barriers to its optimal utilization. Initial Assessment: Frequently observed critical clinical signs and laboratory values of "out-of-ICU" crashes were used to develop Amrita Early Warning Criteria. Choice of Solution: A physician-led MET was established to respond to code MET, activated by a primary nurse. Implementation: Rates of "out-of-ICU" cardiopulmonary arrests per 1000 admissionswere compared in pre-MET (2013-2014) and post-MET periods (2014-2016) along with disposition following MET and mortality. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for comparative analysis. Evaluation: For continued quality improvement, a Likert agreement scale questionnaire collated the nurse's feedback on MET. 386 Code MET were recorded with an activation rate of 18.8 per 1000 inpatients for 2014-2016. CommonMET triggers were desaturation (53%), seizure (10%), and syncope (9%). Seventy-one percent of activations were attended within 5 minutes, with 45% reported during nurse's night shift hours. Medical emergency team interventions resulted in 59% being shifted to ICU. In the "post-MET" period, "Cold Blue" dose reduced from 6.9 in 2013-2014 to 2.6 (P= .0002) in 2014-2015 and 3.2 (P= .01) in 2015-2016. Ninety-three percent of the Code Blues with priorMET calls were "delayedMET" and 28% of the Code Blues without prior MET activation were "missed MET." Nurse's feedback revealed that 46% lacked knowledge of correct MET activation process while 31% expressed a fear of reprisal for inappropriate activation. Lessons Learned: Although MET intervention was successful in significantly reducing "out-of-ICU" Code Blues, focused training of nurses is required for continued quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]