Lanthanum and Indium intermetallics nanomaterial for thermal photovoltaic applications - A full potential study.

In this work Full Potential study performed on Lanthanum compounds to analyze its photovoltaic properties. Five different combinations of Lanthanum and Indium with phosphorus are chosen in this study are La3P, La2InP, LaIn2P, LaP and InP. The optical, structural, thermoelectric, thermal, and electronic properties of all the above-mentioned compounds are analyzed using Density Functional Theory (DFT) applied in the WIEN2k software. Based on the analysis of electronic properties is concluded that La3P, LaP, La2InP and LaIn2P are conductors whereas InP is semiconductor (direct band gap) with band gap (energy) value 0.39 eV. The optical properties analysis shows these materials have desirable properties in the near UV or in the UV region. The low value of Gibbs energy indicates high thermodynamic stability. Power factor values for La2InP, LaP, InP and La3P are found to be in agreement with existing thermoelectric material, rendering them as potential thermal photovoltaic materials.

Labial adhesions in a pre-pubertal girl: The importance of awareness.

Labial adhesion affects up to 0.6-5% of pre-pubertal girls. They may be congenital or acquired. Patients usually are asymptomatic, and thus, labial adhesions are found incidentally on routine examination. If the patient is indeed truly asymptomatic, there is no need for any treatment, and reassurance only is needed. When treatment is indicated, topical application of oestrogen cream is advised, but when this fails, surgical intervention is recommended. Recurrence is common regardless of the treatment. We present the case of a three-year-old girl managed by release of adhesions under topical anaesthesia and topical application of oestrogen cream.

Comparison of different criteria for diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: The International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been adopted by most associations across the world including the American Diabetes Association and World Health Organization (WHO). We conducted a study comparing the IADPSG and previous WHO criteria and their effects on neonatal birth weight. METHODS: The study was carried out in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of a tertiary care institute in South India in collaboration with Endocrinology Department. Thousand two hundred and thirty-one antenatal cases with at least one risk factor for GDM and gestational age of more than 24 weeks were included in the study. Both criteria were compared on the basis of 75 g oral glucose tolerance test results. RESULTS: The prevalence of GDM using IADPSG and previous WHO criteria were 12.6% and 12.4%, respectively. The prevalence of GDM was 9.9% when both criteria had to be satisfied. Both GDM criteria groups did not differ in neonatal birth weight and macrosomia rate. However, there was a significant increase in lower segment cesarean section in IADPSG criteria group. Elevated fasting plasma glucose alone picked up only one GDM in the previous WHO criteria group. CONCLUSIONS: A single 2 h plasma glucose is both easy to perform and economical. A revised WHO criterion using a 2 h threshold of ≥140 mg % can be adopted as a one-step screening and diagnostic procedure for GDM in our country.

High serum testosterone levels during postpartum period are associated with postpartum depression.

In view of the reported cases of mood disorders that occur in mothers following childbirth and believing that sex steroid hormones contribute to mood and behavioral changes, this study has been aimed to explore the role of sex steroid hormones as an etiological factor for postpartum depression (PPD). This study was conducted at JIPMER, Puducherry, India between January 2010 and 2011. 103 women were recruited in the study after childbirth, out of which 62 women who were believed to be suffering from PPD were categorized as cases and the remaining 41 with no mood changes as controls, using Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) (cases had EPDS score ≥10 at 24-28h, controls had score <10 at 24-48h postpartum). The hormones estimated in these two groups included estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, and their levels were compared between these two groups. A significantly high testosterone levels were observed in cases with PPD at 24-28h when compared to controls. Estradiol and progesterone levels did not show significant difference between cases and controls. ROC analysis done at 24-28h showed that testosterone levels beyond 42.71ng/mL predict the development of PPD with 79% sensitivity, 63% specificity, 68% positive predictive value, 74% negative predictive value with AUC being 0.708. This study shows that there is an association between persistent high serum testosterone level in women following childbirth and PPD.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of sublingual misoprostol with intracervical dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening in prelabour rupture of membranes after 34 weeks of gestation.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of sublingual misoprostol with intracervical dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening in prelabour rupture of membrane after 34 weeks of gestation. METHODS: One eighty-eight women having >34 weeks of gestation with PROM, singleton viable fetus and no prior caesarean section were randomized to sublingual misoprostol (50 µg every 4 h and maximum of 3 doses) and intracervical dinoprostone (0.5 mg every 2 h and maximum of 2 doses). Oxytocin augmentation was commenced in those with a satisfactory Bishop score, inadequate contractions and who did not go into spontaneous active labour. Primary outcome measures were induction-delivery interval and the number of women that went into spontaneous labour without oxytocin augmentation. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in induction to delivery interval in sublingual misoprostol group compared to intracervical dinoprostone (8.3 ± 3.6 h vs 12.2 ± 6.6 h; p = 0.000). There was a significant reduction in duration of rupture of membrane to delivery interval (p = 0.015), 1st stage of labour (p = 0.000) in sublingual misoprostol group as compared to the intravaginal dinoprostone group. There was no difference observed in spontaneous vaginal delivery between the groups (0.919). Oxytocin requirement was significantly higher in the dinoprostone group p = 0.006). There were more maternal adverse effects of sublingual misoprostol (p = 0.026). However, maternal and neonatal safety profiles were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Sublingual misoprostol and intracervical dinoprostone at the dose studied are equally efficacious in achieving spontaneous vaginal delivery, reduction in induction-delivery interval and in reducing the need for oxytocin, in women after 34 weeks gestation with rupture of membranes.

Human papillomavirus infection among human immunodeficiency virus-infected women in Maharashtra, India.

INTRODUCTION: Frequency and distribution of HPV types in HIV-infected women with and without cervical neoplasia and their determinants have not been widely studied in India. We report and discuss HPV prevalence and type distribution in HIV-infected women. METHODS: HPV genotyping was done using cervical samples from 1109 HIV-infected women in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Any HPV was detected in 44.8% and high-risk ones in 41.0% women. Frequency of single and multiple high-risk infections were 26.7% and 14.3%, respectively. Frequencies of high-risk HPV infections in women with and without cervical neoplasia were 73.5% and 37.6%, respectively. HPV16 was the most common genotype, present in 11.5%, and 58.5% of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 and 3. Other most common high-risk HPV types in CIN 2-3 lesions were HPV 31 (22.6%); 56 (13.2%); 18 and 68a (11.3%) and 33, 35 and 51 (9.4%); and 70 (7.5%). Women under 30 or over 44 years, no abortions, and women with diagnosis of HIV infection within the last 5 years were at high risk of multiple oncogenic HPV infection. CONCLUSION: We observed a very high frequency of high-risk HPV and multiple infections in HIV-infected women.