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Introduction: Spinal Anaesthesia (SA) is frequently associated with hypotension, which is due to sympathectomy causing vasodilation, leading to relative hypovolemia. This decrease in venous return to the heart causes a decrease in left ventricular filling pressure, leading to the activation of the Bezold-Jarisch Reflex (BJR), which causes bradycardia. This response is mediated by mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors present on the heart walls. These chemoreceptors are mediated through serotonin (5-HT). Therefore, the activation of 5-HT3 receptors at sensory vagal nerve endings in the heart causes hypotension and bradycardia. Aim: To assess the efficacy of Palonosetron in attenuating spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension and bradycardia. Materials and Methods: The trial was a parallel-design, randomised, double-blind controlled trial conducted over two years, from February 2021 to August 2022 in the Department of Anaesthesiology, Kalinga Institution of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, among patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia for various surgeries. The patients were divided into two groups based on the type of medication received: Group A-Palonosetron group and Group B- the saline group. Computer-generated random number generator software was used for randomisation. At a 1:1 ratio, 150 patients were chosen (75 in each group). Baseline assessment of haemodynamic parameters was performed, followed by continuous monitoring. The drug was administered 10 minutes prior to spinal anaesthesia, and the haemodynamic parameters (Heart Rate [HR], Systolic Blood Pressure [SBP], Diastolic Blood Pressure [DBP], and Mean Arterial Pressure [MAP]) were monitored. Continuous variables are expressed as mean±Standard Deviation (SD). The Student's t-test was used to compare the difference between the two groups, and categorical variables are expressed as frequency and percentage, with comparisons done using the Chi-square test. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of Group A and Group B was 40.88 and 42.14, respectively. Significant haemodynamic changes (hypotension) were observed following induction in Group B (28 [37.3%]) compared to Group A (9 [12%]). Consumption of vasopressors and intravenous (i.v.) fluids was significantly higher in Group B compared to Group A. The incidence of bradycardia in Group A and Group B was 15 (20%) and 18 (24%), respectively. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) in Group A and Group B were 3 (4%) and 8 (10.7%), respectively. Conclusion: Based on the present study, the prophylactic administration of 0.075 mg Palonosetron 10 minutes before subarachnoid block is effective in attenuating the incidence of spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension and bradycardia. There is also decreased consumption of vasopressors and a lower incidence of PONV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The study aims to characterise the electrodiagnostic findings of patients with traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) in India and to analyse the association between aetiologies and levels of injuries. Methods: A total of 111 consecutive electrodiagnostic studies done between January 2009 and June 2011 on persons with traumatic BPI were retrospectively analysed. Setting: Electrodiagnostic Laboratory, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in a tertiary care university teaching hospital in South India. Main outcome measures: Nerve conduction velocities and electromyography (EMG) to locate the level of BPI, Dumitru and Wilbourne scale to assess the severity of BPI. Results: We studied 106 males and five females, ranging from 11 to 59 years of age. All but one had unilateral BPI. Motorcycle crashes were the most frequent cause (n =64, 58%). Isolated supraclavicular injury was found in 98 arms (88%) and infraclavicular injury in seven arms (6%). Root-level injuries were more common in motorcycle crashes and occupation-related trauma, while trunk-level injuries were more often found in automobile crashes, falls, bicycle-related trauma and penetrating wounds. Pan root (C5-T1) involvement was more common in the motorcycle trauma group (74%). There was no significant association between aetiologies and levels of BPIs. A total of 73 (65%) plexus injuries were of ‘severe’ category as per Dumitru and Wilbourn scale. Conclusions: Motorcycle crash is the most common cause of traumatic BPIs. Supraclavicular injury is the rule in most cases. Proper attention needs to be given to differentiate the mild to moderate injuries from the severe injuries with EMG techniques since most of the cases are severe. There was no significant association found between aetiologies and levels of injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a multi-system autoimmune disorder predominantly involving multiple small and large joints along with certain extra-articular manifestations. The presence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis contributes significantly to the functional limitation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Objectives: To study the prevalence, types, and determinants of peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and Methods: We studied 74 patients with rheumatoid arthritis of at least 2 year duration for the presence of peripheral neuropathy both clinically and electrophysiologically. The data obtained were entered into a database and continuous variables were analyzed using the Student t test and categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: Peripheral neuropathy was detected in 39.19% (29 out of 74 patients) patients on electrophysiologic testing and 82.76% (24 out of 29 patients) of the patients were asymptomatic. There was significant association between the presence of peripheral neuropathy and disease duration and rheumatoid factor positivity by the latex agglutination method. Sensory neuropathy was the most common form detected. Conclusions: Our study shows that subclinical peripheral neuropathy particularly sensory neuropathy which is not related to disease severity is very common in patients with prolonged disease duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of electroreception and olfaction as key sensory modalities in locating prey. It also mentions about dipnoans which are represented by lungfish and has three distinct genera on 3 of the remnants of Gondwana including South Africa, Africa and Australia. Moreover, a fish and its eye grow together in which as it ages, it adds photoreceptors to its peripheral retina despite of the decrease in its overall density of cones.

Presents news briefs related to bioscience. How hair cells deep inside the ear operate when exposed to sound waves; How scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture are using pathogenic fungus to infect and subdue grasshopper populations in western U.S. rangelands; Length of time grasshoppers need to spend in the sun to warm their bodies enough to destroy the fungus; Effectiveness of face masks worn on the back in warding off tiger attacks in the Sunderban reserve of west Bengal; Number of volunteers who wore masks, depicting human faces, on the backs of their heads as they went about fishing and gathering.