Tocotrienol-rich fraction supplementation prevents foetal loss in females mated with corticosterone-treated male Sprague-Dawley rats.

This study examined whether tocotrienol supplementation to corticosterone-treated male rats could prevent foetal loss in females upon their mating. Epididymides of adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with proven fertility were surgically separated at the testis-caput junction. Twenty-four hours post-surgery, these animals received for 7 days either: tocopherol-stripped corn oil (Control), corticosterone 25 mg/kg s.c. (CORT), CORT 25 mg/kg s.c. and tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) 100 mg/kg orally (CORT + TRF) or TRF 100 mg/kg orally (TRF). On day 8, males were cohabited with proestrus females. A spermatozoa-positive vaginal smear indicated pregnancy. Males were euthanised for analysis of testosterone and antioxidant activities. Reproductive organs were weighed. On day 8 of pregnancy, females were laparotomised to count the number of implantation sites. Pregnancy was continued until term. Number of pups delivered and their weights were determined. Data were analysed using ANOVA. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in CORT + TRF group compared with CORT group. Enzymatic antioxidant activities, testosterone level and reproductive organ weights were significantly higher in CORT + TRF group compared with CORT group. Number of implantation sites and live pups delivered, and their birth weights from females mated with CORT + TRF males were significantly higher compared to CORT group. Therefore, TRF prevents foetal loss in females mated with CORT + TRF-treated males.

Unilateral basal-ganglia involvement likely due to valproate-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy.

A male child suffering from generalized tonic clonic epilepsy, on treatment with valproate, developed fulminant hepatic failure, hyperammonemia and encephalopathy due to drug toxicity. The most extraordinary feature was his MRI (FLAIR image) of brain which showed unilateral hyperintensities in right putamen and caudate nucleus. The patient recovered on withdrawal of valproate with mild residual left sided athetotic movements during remission. Repeat investigation confirmed an improved MRI imaging and normalised blood ammonia levels. The case report is unique because of unilateral involvement of basal ganglia due to valproate-induced encephalopathy.

Developing nomogram to estimate birth weight from head circumference and mid-upper arm circumference.

BACKGROUND: Despite the huge proportion of the babies in the developing world being born low birthweight, only about half of the newborns are weighed at birth as weighing scales often tend to be either non-available or defective. OBJECTIVE: Designing a nomogram for estimation of birthweight from head circumference (HC) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). METHOD: Birthweight, HC and MUAC of 500 newborns who were admitted in the baby nursery of Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata between July 2010 to December 2010 were measured. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression equation for prediction of birth weight from MUAC and HC was derived and a nomogram was constructed from the same. CONCLUSION: The birthweight estimation nomogram is an inexpensive and convenient tool for use in the community setting where weighing machines may not be always available and may thus allow prompt and early referral.

Designing colour-coded measuring tapes based on mid-arm and chest circumference to predict low birth weight in the field.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, 80% of the births take place in the community. METHODS: Birthweight, mid-arm and chest circumferences were measured in 294 newborns admitted in a tertiary-level hospital in Kolkata between April and August 2010. Colour-coded measuring tapes were devised using receiver operating characteristic curves to calculate the most sensitive and specific cut-off values to identify birthweight <2.5 and 1.8 kg. RESULT: There is no significant difference in accuracy of Mid-arm circumference (MAC) and Chest circumference (CC) for prediction of low birth weight and birthweight <1.8 kg. The tape has three zones, green [weight (wt) > 2.5 kg, MAC > 8.4 cm, CC > 30 cm], yellow (wt 2.5-1.8 kg, MAC 8.4-6.7 cm, CC 30-25.5 cm) indicating some risk, and red (wt < 1.8 kg, MAC < 6.7 cm, CC < 25.5 cm) indicating babies needing referral and admission in Level II neonatal care unit.

Adolescents speak: why do we smoke?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of different factors that are associated with initiation and continuation of adolescent smoking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2535 students (1465 males and 1070 females) between the age groups of 14 and 19 years were selected from four schools and two colleges of the city by two-stage cluster sampling design for this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The prevalence of cigarette smoking was 21.58%. Smoking was found to be considerably influenced with having seen best friend, father, sibling and favorite movie star smoke and also with receiving pocket money. CONCLUSION: Experimentation of substance use, motivated by family members, peer groups and the surrounding environment is common among adolescents and starts early in life. Therefore, it is necessary to come up with health promotion programs directed toward students which encourage attitude shaping among them toward self-confidence and healthy life style.

Height Estimation of Children under Five Years using Depth Images.

Malnutrition is a global health crisis and is a leading cause of death among children under 5 years. Detecting malnutrition requires anthropometric measurements of weight, height, and middle-upper arm circumference. However, measuring them accurately is a challenge, especially in the global south, due to limited resources. In this work, we propose a CNN-based approach to estimate the height of standing children under 5 years from depth images collected using a smartphone. According to the SMART Methodology Manual, the acceptable accuracy for height is less than 1.4 cm. On training our deep learning model on 87131 depth images, our model achieved a mean absolute error of 1.64% on 57064 test images. For 70.3% test images, we estimated height accurately within the acceptable 1.4 cm range. Thus, our proposed solution can accurately detect stunting (low height-for-age) in standing children below 5 years of age.

Giant condyloma acuminata in pediatric HIV.

We report a 2 year 6 months old girl suffering from HIV infection and presenting with two giant condyloma acuminata of perianal and perivulvar region along with oral candidiasis.

Rare magnetic resonance imaging findings in medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency.

A 3-year-old boy receiving valproate for 1.5 months presented with sudden-onset unprovoked seizures and unconsciousness. Hypoketotic hypoglycemia, hyperammonemia, and deranged liver function were detected. Elevated medium-chain urinary acylglycines and plasma acylcarnitine were detected. His serum valproate level was elevated. Valproate toxicity had been precipitated in presence of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging brain indicated unilateral basal ganglia ischemia instead of the bilateral changes expected in metabolic disease.

Heart failure in children studied in relation to its causes and outcome.

To identify the aetiology and outcome of congestive heart failure in children, a prospective study was carried out in the department of paediatric medicine, Medical College, Kolkata among 0-12 years children with documented signs and symptoms of heart failure. Proper history taking, physical examination, chest x-ray, ECG, echocardiography and maintenance of management records were done. A total of 350 cases were enrolled. Congenital heart disease was seen in 34% cases and the rest were due to acquired heart disease. Anaemia was detected in 17.4% cases. Mortality was 2.85%.

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita with skin ulcerations in a new born.

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) is a rare congenital disorder with persistent cutis marmorata, telengiectasia, and phlebectesia, which may be associated with cutaneaus atrophy and ulceration of the involved skin. We herewith report a full-term newborn female baby with CMTC at birth with ulceration over the extensor aspects of both the knee joints and right elbow joint. CMTC is a benign vascular anomaly representing dilatation of capillaries and veins of dermis and is apparent at birth. The baby had a reticulated bluish purple skin changes all over the body including the face and limb. Although it resembled physiological cutis marmorata, it was strikingly pronounced and definitely was unvarying and permanent. A variety of vascular malformation has been described along with this disorder. Etiology is not very clear and may be multifactorial, teratogens and genes are also been suggested. Prognoses in uncomplicated cases are good.