Tocodynamometric study of uterine contractions during parturition in queens.

Abstract. Background: Tocodynamometry is an approach in small animal obstetrics to diagnose initiation, progress, completion, and problems related to parturition in queens. Aims: The present study was conducted to monitor uterine contractions using tocodynamometry at full term pregnancy and during queening and to correlate uterine contractile pattern with progression of queening. Methods: Once the signs of impending parturition were noted, the pressure transducer of tocodynamometer was placed on the lateral abdomen to monitor queening. The recordings were plotted as graph of time against pressure in mmHg. Uterine contractile patterns were assessed in order to study their relation to the progression of queening. Results: The initial uterine contractions had a baseline and peak pressures of 7-20 and 15-36.5 mmHg with mean time interval and frequency of 5.53 min and 1.91 peaks per 10 min, respectively, with mean change of amplitude of 15.35 mmHg. The progressive baseline and peak pressures of 15-32.5 and 24-62.3 mmHg increased to 20-55 and 30-89.2, respectively, with an increase in mean frequency from 3.88 to 5.25 peaks per 10 min and increase in mean change of amplitude from 25.21 to 33.87 mmHg, followed by decrease in mean time interval from 2.82 to 1.91 min in expulsive uterine contractions. Conclusion: Monitoring uterine contractions using tocodynamometer helps in understanding progression of queening and problems that may rise during parturition. It was observed that during queening, baseline and peak pressures of uterine contractions remain the same, irrespective of presentation of kittens at birth.

Effects of sedimentary heavy metals on meiobenthic community in tropical estuaries along eastern Arabian Sea.

The central west coast of India comprises the 720 km long coastline of Maharashtra state and houses widespread industrial zones along the eastern Arabian Sea. Sediments from seven industrial-dominated estuaries along the central west coast were studied for metal enrichment and benthic assemblages to determine sediment quality status and ecological effects in these areas. The suit of geochemical indices highlighted the contamination of sediment in the estuaries concerning heavy metals. Positive correlations of Hg with Co, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Pb indicated the source similarity and effect of anthropogenic activity. non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (n-MDS) based on meiofaunal abundance showed a cleared separation of clusters through the gradient of heavy metal concentrations. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) results with the Monte Carlo test signified those heavy metals influenced the meiobenthic community. Heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Hg) were the main drivers shaping the meiofaunal community with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in taxa richness, diversity, and evenness. Dominant meiofaunal assemblages evidence the tolerance of foraminiferans and nematodes. However, these taxa were affected by decreased abundance at impacted sites compared to other fauna. In conclusion, results demonstrated that impairment occurred in the meiofaunal community in most estuaries (except AB and KK).

Appraisal of groundwater from lithological diversity of the western coastal part, Maharashtra, India: An integrated hydrogeochemical, geospatial and statistical approaches.

The present study attempts to decipher the seasonal variations in hydro-geochemistry of groundwater in the Terekhol River Basin, western coastal region, Maharashtra, India. A total of 65 groundwater samples of post-monsoon (POMS) and pre-monsoon (PRMS) seasons were collected and analyzed for major ion composition using standard analytical procedures of APHA. Piper and Gibbs plots is used to elucidate the controlling factors which altering the groundwater composition. Scatter plots of ions indicate that major ions from lithologies exposed in the study area and anthropogenic activities are altering the groundwater chemistry. Statistical analysis includes correlation, factor analysis and cluster analysis used to interpret the hydrochemical data. As compared to the WHO drinking standards, all the groundwater samples are fit for drinking. Irrigation water suitability was ascertained based on SAR, %Na and KR indices. Overall, the groundwater chemistry in study area is reflects changes in natural processes rather than anthropogenic inputs.

Concomitant pulmonary disease is common among patients with extrapulmonary TB.

BACKGROUND: Microbiologic screening of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) patients could inform recommendations for aerosol precautions and close contact prophylaxis. However, this is currently not routinely recommended in India. Therefore, we estimated the proportion of Indian patients with EPTB with microbiologic evidence of pulmonary TB (PTB).METHODS: We characterized baseline clinical, radiological and sputum microbiologic data of 885 adult and pediatric TB patients in Chennai and Pune, India, between March 2014 and November 2018.RESULTS: Of 277 patients with EPTB, enhanced screening led to the identification of 124 (45%) with concomitant PTB, including 53 (19%) who reported a cough >2 weeks; 158 (63%) had an abnormal CXR and 51 (19%) had a positive sputum for TB. Of 70 participants with a normal CXR and without any cough, 14 (20%) had a positive sputum for TB. Overall, the incremental yield of enhanced screening of patients with EPTB to identify concomitant PTB disease was 14% (95% CI 12-16).CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of patients classified as EPTB in India have concomitant PTB. Our results support the need for improved symptom and CXR screening, and recommends routine sputum TB microbiology screening of all Indian patients with EPTB.

Unhealthy alcohol use independently associated with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes among Indian men.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 10% of incident TB cases worldwide are attributable to alcohol. However, evidence associating alcohol with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes is weak.METHODS: We prospectively evaluated men (≥18 years) with pulmonary TB in India for up to 24 months to investigate the association between alcohol use and treatment outcomes. Unhealthy alcohol use was defined as a score of ≥4 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) scale at entry. Unfavorable TB treatment outcomes included failure, recurrence, and all-cause mortality, analyzed as composite and independent endpoints.RESULTS: Among 751 men, we identified unhealthy alcohol use in 302 (40%). Median age was 39 years (IQR 28-50); 415 (55%) were underweight (defined as a body mass index [BMI] <18.5 kg/m²); and 198 (26%) experienced an unfavorable outcome. Unhealthy alcohol use was an independent risk factor for the composite unfavorable outcome (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 1.47, 95% CI 1.05-2.06; P = 0.03) and death (aIRR 1.90, 95% CI 1.08-3.34; P = 0.03), specifically. We found significant interaction between AUDIT-C and BMI; underweight men with unhealthy alcohol use had increased risk of unfavorable outcomes (aIRR 2.22, 95% CI 1.44-3.44; P < 0.001) compared to men with BMI ≥18.5 kg/m² and AUDIT-C <4.CONCLUSION: Unhealthy alcohol use was independently associated with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes, highlighting the need for integrating effective alcohol interventions into TB care.

Measuring TB drug levels in the hair in adults and children to monitor drug exposure and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Testing for anti-TB drugs in small hair samples may serve as a non-invasive tool to measure cumulative drug exposure and/or adherence, as these determine treatment success. We aimed to assess how well hair assays of TB drugs predict TB treatment outcomes.METHODS: A small thatch of hair, ~30 strands, was cut from the occipital region in adults and children from a prospective TB cohort in India. Isoniazid (INH), acetyl-INH and pyrazinamide (PZA) were extracted from the hair samples and quantified using liquid-chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The relationship between drug concentrations in hair and time to unfavourable outcomes was assessed using Cox-proportional hazards regression models.RESULTS: A two-fold increase in hair acetyl-INH concentrations in the 264 participants in our cohort with hair assays for TB drugs indicated a lower hazard of unfavourable TB treatment outcomes (aHR 0.67, 95%CI 0.44-1.02) and TB treatment failure (aHR 0.65, 95%CI 0.42-1.01). Higher summed concentrations (a summed measure of INH and acetyl-INH) indicated a lower hazard of treatment failure (aHR 0.69, 95%CI 0.45-1.05)CONCLUSION: Hair levels of INH and its metabolite may predict TB treatment outcomes, indicating the potential utility of this measure to assess and optimise TB treatment outcomes.

DEVELOPMENT OF NACL-BASED OPTICALLY STIMULATED LUMINESCENT PHOSPHORS FOR THE POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS IN DOSIMETRY.

New highly sensitive optically stimulated luminescent phosphors with NaCl moiety and dopants Ca,Cu,P/Mg,Cu,P are developed. These phosphors show very high optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensitivity. The dose response for NaCl:Ca,Cu,P is linear up to 1.2 Gy and for NaCl:Mg,Cu,P is slightly sub linear from 0.2 Gy. These phosphors show 30% fading during first 4 and later signal gets stabilised with no further signal loss. These sensitive phosphors will find applications in radiation dosimetry using OSL.

Serum FOXO3A: A ray of hope for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often difficult because of distinct and subjective clinical features, especially in the early stage. FOXO3a protein present in the cognitive centre of brain in inferior temporal region and parahippocampus. FOXO3a can be a potential novel target against AD. AD, Mild Cognitive impairment (MCI) and Geriatric Control (GC) were recruited after diagnosis by clinical assessment, MRI, TauPET and FDG-PET. We have quantified serum FOXO3a by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and compare with TauPET between of AD, MCI patients and GC. Serum FOXO3A was significantly lower in AD (1.42 ± 0.09 ng/µl) compare to MCI (1.61 ± 0.14 ng/µl) and GC (1.89 ± 0.07 ng/µl). However, the Tau was higher in AD both in serum and also in PET scan. Serum pTau was significantly over-expressed in AD (0.176 ± 0.03 ng/µl), compare to other groups; MCI (0.16 ± 0.014 ng/µl) and GC (0.15 ± 0.024 ng/µl). Serum FOXO3A could significantly differentiate AD vs MCI, MCI vs GC and AD vs GC. However, Tau protein could only differentiate AD vs GC but not MCI vs GC. Serum FOXO3A may serve as novel blood marker for early detection for AD and target for therapeutic intervention.

Filar arteriovenous fistula associated with anomalous common posterior intercostal arterial trunk - A case report and review of literature.

An anomalous common trunk giving rise to bilateral intercostal arteries at multiple levels is exceedingly rare and its association with spinal filar AVF and low-lying cord has not been reported so far. Here, we report this uncommon anatomical variation in a 60-year-old male who presented with paraplegia and on imaging found to have low-lying spinal cord with filar AVF and venous congestive myelopathy and discuss its embryological basis and associated malformations. Although rare, interventional radiologists should be aware of this entity, as these trunks may be a major source of bleeding in patients with hemoptysis, and also may be involved in vital spinal cord supply.

Assessment of the Xpert assay among adult pulmonary tuberculosis suspects with and without diabetes mellitus.

SETTING: Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area, Maharashtra State, India.OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert® MTB/RIF assay among adults with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and with or without diabetes (DM).DESIGN: As part of a prospective cohort study, we screened 2359 adults presumed to have PTB with no history of TB. All individuals underwent testing for two sputum smears, culture, Xpert, glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood sugar. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of Xpert by comparing it with TB sputum culture result as a gold standard.RESULTS: Among screened individuals, 483 (20%) were diagnosed with DM and 1153 (49%) with pre-DM; 723 (31%) had no DM. Overall sensitivity of Xpert was 96% (95%CI 95-97) and specificity was 91% (95%CI 89-93). Xpert sensitivity was significantly higher among DM group (98%) than in the 'No DM' (95%; P < 0.01) and pre-DM (96%; P < 0.05) groups. Among sputum smear-negative individuals, Xpert sensitivity was higher in the DM group than in the No DM (92% vs. 82%; P = 0.054) and pre-DM group (92% vs. 82%; P = 0.037).CONCLUSION: High sensitivity and specificity of Xpert underscores the need for its rapid scale up for the early detection of TB in settings with a high dual burden of TB and DM.

Endovascular management of a ruptured aneurysm associated with distal PICA fenestration.

Fenestrations are rare but well-known arterial anatomic variations in which a segment of artery divides into two parallel channels that reunite distally. Although fenestrations as such are asymptomatic, they have gained clinical significance because of their association with aneurysms and other intracranial vascular pathologies. Here we present a 35-year-old woman with history of sudden severe occipital headache and vomiting. Imaging revealed a ruptured aneurysm in the distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery arising from one of the limbs of the fenestration. The aneurysm was successfully managed by coiling, and the patient made complete recovery without neurological sequelae.

Endovascular Management of a Rare Case of Pediatric Vertebral Artery Mycotic Aneurysm: A Case Report.

Pediatric posterior-circulation aneurysms are uncommon, difficult-to-treat lesions associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Infections and trauma are important risk factors in children. Here, we present a 10-year-old boy with a lower respiratory tract infection, rapidly progressive right-neck swelling, and weakness of the right upper limb. Imaging revealed a partially thrombosed right vertebral-artery pseudoaneurysm with multiple cavitory lung lesions. Subsequent laboratory work-up showed underlying primary immunodeficiency disorder (chronic granulomatous disease). The aneurysm was successfully managed by parent-artery occlusion. The child made a complete recovery without neurological sequelae.

Application of 1-methylcyclopropene on mango fruit (Cv. Kesar): potential for shelf life enhancement and retention of quality.

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of gaseous application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on quality and shelf life of mango fruits of Cv. Kesar. The freshly harvested matured mango fruits were washed, cleaned and treated with fungicide at 500 ppm concentration for 10 min. The fruits were then subjected to 1-MCP treatment at different concentrations (500, 1000, 1500, 2000 ppb) and exposed for 18 and 24 h at 20 °C temperature in an air tight chamber along with control sample. The results indicated that the ripening in the early stages of mango was delayed by 1-MCP and shelf life of the fruits was increased with increase in the concentration of 1-MCP, also the physico-chemical changes such as percent physiological loss in weight of fruit, total soluble solids and colour was slowly increased and ascorbic acid content was effectively reduced. 1-MCP treatment of 2000 ppb for 24 h exposure time gave the best results for percent physiological loss in weight of fruit from 6.1 to 13% and ascorbic acid content from 80.28 to 22.34 mg/100 g, total soluble solids increased from 7.3 to 16.23 °Brix and the colour was improved from 50.9 to 68.6 h with shelf life of 20 days.

Effect on Morphology, Osmotic Fragility and Electro Kinetic Potential of Erythrocytes in Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a common health problem concerning a large proportion of population and a leading global risk factor for the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of the erythrocyte zeta potential as a potential additional indicator for cardiovascular disorder risk so that patients with this can be more rapidly identified and treated. METHODS: In the present study, blood samples were collected in 5% dextrose solution from patients suffering from hypertension and healthy volunteers (Not taken any medication). The mobility of individual RBCs was tracked by equipped Zeta meter-ZM4DAQ software using microscopicallyacquired video images, data were recorded 10 times for each sample and average zeta-potential in mv was recorded. RESULTS: We found that mean erythrocytic ZP of control group was found to be 23.41 mv (± 1.87) whereas, erythrocytic ZP for Hypertensive patients was found to be 16.05 (±1.72) mV and Hypertensive patients with Diabetes is much lower from 6.96 mV to 22.76 (+3.88) mV along with structural deformities and increased osmotic fragility of erythrocytes. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that there are morphological changes in erythrocyte structure, increased osmotic fragility along with significantly lower ZP value as compared to that of healthy volunteers which may be the major cause for progression to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Intensification of extraction of curcumin from Curcuma amada using ultrasound assisted approach: Effect of different operating parameters.

Curcumin, a dietary phytochemical, has been extracted from rhizomes of Curcuma amada using ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and the results compared with the conventional extraction approach to establish the process intensification benefits. The effect of operating parameters such as type of solvent, extraction time, extraction temperature, solid to solvent ratio, particle size and ultrasonic power on the extraction yield have been investigated in details for the approach UAE. The maximum extraction yield as 72% was obtained in 1h under optimized conditions of 35°C temperature, solid to solvent ratio of 1:25, particle size of 0.09mm, ultrasonic power of 250W and ultrasound frequency of 22kHz with ethanol as the solvent. The obtained yield was significantly higher as compared to the batch extraction where only about 62% yield was achieved in 8h of treatment. Peleg's model was used to describe the kinetics of UAE and the model showed a good agreement with the experimental results. Overall, ultrasound has been established to be a green process for extraction of curcumin with benefits of reduction in time as compared to batch extraction and the operating temperature as compared to Soxhlet extraction.

Pseudocapacitive performance of a solution-processed ß-Co(OH)2 electrode monitored through its surface morphology and area.

In the present study, beta-cobalt hydroxide (ß-Co(OH)2) electrodes of various nanostructures and surface areas, viz. nano-rhombuses (NRs), nano-plates (NPs), and nano-grass (NGs), have been synthesized directly onto a stainless-steel (SS) substrate using a simple, economical and binder-free chemical solution-process, utilizing three cobalt precursor salts, i.e. cobalt acetate, cobalt chloride, and cobalt nitrate, respectively. Structural elucidation proves the crystallite size, type and phase-purity of ß-Co(OH)2, whereas the surface morphology analysis supports the evolution of the above mentioned nanostructures of various surface areas. The electrochemical pseudocapacitor performance investigation demonstrates a specific capacitance (Sc) of 367 F g-1 at 1 mA cm-2 for the NP-type morphology, which is higher than that that displayed by the other morphologies. This change in Sc value is attributed to different charge transfer resistance values, which have been obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy spectra. Finally, we attempt to correlate the relationship between the surface morphology, i.e. surface area, and the charge transfer resistance with the obtained specific capacitance value of the respective electrode.

Molecular cloning and in silico studies of physiologically significant trehalase from Drosophila melanogaster.

Trehalase, a physiologically important glycosidase is known for its crucial role in insect glycometabolism and stress recovery. The present study describes the molecular cloning of a gene fragment, encoding the catalytically active trehalase from Drosophila melanogaster (DmTre) and its heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. The 1275bp gene was overexpressed in two different vectors viz., pET28a and pCOLD TF and investigated for variable soluble expression, purification and activity of the recombinant enzyme with optimum pH and temperature of enzyme as 6 and 55°C, respectively. The sequence was characterized in silico by subjecting it to homology search, multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree construction revealing its identity to other trehalases which belong to glycoside hydrolase family 37. The deduced amino acid sequence and modeled 3D structure of DmTre possessed all features of trehalase superfamily, including signature motifs and catalytic domain. The active site pocket of recombinant DmTre was compared with the crystal structure of E. coli trehalase identifying Glu424 and Asp226 as the putative catalytic residues. Additionally, enzyme-substrate docking suggests possible involvement of other residues in the catalysis along with Asp226. The present study holds significance in understanding the structural aspects of Drosophila trehalase in spite of unavailabilty of eukaryotic trehalase crystal structure.