On the varied emission fingerprints of particulate matter over typical locations of NCR (Delhi) - A perspective for mitigation plans.

Source apportionment study of PM2.5 using positive matrix factorization was performed to identify the emission characteristic from different sectors (sub-urban residential, industrial and rapidly urbanizing) of Delhi during winter. Chemical characterization of PM2.5 included metals (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn), water soluble ionic compounds (WSICs) (Cl-, NO3-, SO42- and NH4+) and Carbon partitions (OC, EC). Particulates (PM2.5) were collected on filter twice daily for stable and unstable atmospheric conditions, at the locations with specific characteristics, viz. Ayanagar, Noida and Okhla. Ions solely occupied 50% of the total PM2.5 concentration. Irrespective of location, high correlation between OC and EC (0.871-0.891) at p ≤ 0.1 is observed. Relatively lower ratio of NO3/SO4 at Ayanagar (0.696) and Okhla (0.84) denotes predominance of emission from stationary sources rather than mobile sources like that observed at Noida (1.038). Using EPA PMF5.0, optimum factors for each location are fixed based on error estimation (EE). Crustal dust, vehicular emission, biomass burning and secondary aerosol are the major contributing sources in all the three locations. Incineration contributes about 19% at Ayanagar and 18% at Okhla. Metal industries in Okhla contribute about 19% to PM2.5. These specific local emissions with considerable potency are to be targeted for long-term policymaking. Considerable secondary aerosol contribution (15%-24%) indicates that gaseous emissions also need to be reduced to improve air quality.

Fate of fipronil in cotton and soil under tropical climatic conditions.

Field study was carried out to investigate fate of fipronil (Regent 0.3G) in cotton and soil applied at the time of sowing of cotton crop (Variety: H-1117)@56 (T1) and 112 g a.i.ha⁻¹ (T2) during kharif season (summer season, from April to November) 2006-07. The residues of fipronil in both the doses dissipated almost completely with in 90 days. Kinetic studies revealed that dissipation of fipronil followed first order kinetics with half-life period of 23.35 days in single dose and 24.31 days in double dose. At the time of harvest, residues in soil, cotton lint and seed were below the quantifiable limit of 0.01 mg kg⁻¹.

Antioxidant effect of Triticum aestivium (wheat grass) in high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress in rabbits.

Wheat grass is used as a general health tonic and is reported to be effective against several medical disorders, although detailed literature is not available. Besides drug therapy, a number of medicinal plants are effective in treating hyperlipidemia. This study examined the effects of wheat grass on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rabbits. Thirty rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 10 rabbits each, group I receiving a control diet, group II a high-fat diet and group III a high-fat diet together with wheat grass over a period of 10 weeks. Fasting serum samples from the animals were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C, and the results were compared. The high-fat diet resulted in hyperlipidemia and an increase in oxidative stress, indicated by a significant rise in MDA levels, whereas antioxidant levels of GSH and vitamin C were significantly reduced. Wheat grass supplementation with a high-fat diet resulted in improved lipid levels (decreased total cholesterol and increased HDL-C) together with significantly reduced MDA levels and increased GSH and vitamin C levels. These results indicate the beneficial role of wheat grass in ameliorating hyperlipidemia and the associated oxidative stress.

Maternal mortality in eclampsia: 489 cases.

In all, 489 women with eclampsia were reviewed, 20 (4%) of whom died, constituting 16% of all maternal mortality. Of all births in the hospital, 33% had stillbirths.

Evaluation of the efficacy of mifepristone/misoprostol and methotrexate/misoprostol for medical abortion.

BACKGROUND: Unsafe abortion is a major cause of mortality among women in India accounting for 12% of all maternal deaths. In developing countries, annually, up to 200,000 women die of complications after illegal abortion. Medical abortion is potentially a simple and a safe method for use in developing countries. We conducted a prospective controlled trial to compare the efficacy of low-lose mifepristone and methotrexate for medical abortion. OBJECTIVE: To find out the efficacy of low-dose mifepristone and methotrexate for inducing abortion. METHOD: In this prospective clinical study, 100 women opted for a medical method of abortion. Out of these, 50 patients were given 50 mg/m2 of methotrexate intramuscularly followed by 800 micro gm of intravaginal misoprostol, and 50 patients were given 200 mg of mifepristone orally followed by 800 micro gm of intravaginal misoprostol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complete abortion was the principal outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were side effects and acceptability data. RESULTS: The rate of expulsion by first week after initiation of treatment was 58% in methotrexate and 98% in mifepristone group (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: Low-dose mifepristone and intravaginal misoprostol is safe, effective, and well tolerated as compared to methotrexate and misoprostol.

Cesarean section in a wedged head.

Cesarean section many a times, has to be done late in labour when the head is deeply wedged in the pelvis. The techniques described in standard text books, usually result in extension of the incision either laterally into the broad ligament or vertically upwards into the upper segment or downwards posterior to the bladder from the centre of the incision line. In this study we have reviewed the Patwardhan's technique for the extraction of baby and fetomaternal outcome was compared with cases where this technique was not used. There was no extension of the incision either laterally into broad ligament or upwards or downwards. Haemorrhage due to extension of incision requiring blood transfusion occurred in 24% of patients in group II as compared to nil in group I.