Accuracy of Dare's formula in estimating fetal birth weight in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of Dare's formula in estimating fetal birth weight in pregnant women. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi after institutional ethical committee clearance. In all, 175 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies of 37 weeks or more were included. The aim was to assess fetal birth weight by Dare's formula and ultrasonography. This estimated fetal weight (EFW) was compared with actual birth weight (ABW) of newborn. RESULTS: Estimated fetal birth weight by Dare's formula was within 10% of ABW in 77 (44.00%) cases. Meanwhile in the majority (98; 56.00%), EFW by Dare's formula was not within 10% of ABW. The proportion of EFW by ultrasonography within 10% and not within 10% of ABW were comparable (50.29% [88] and 49.71% [87], respectively). CONCLUSION: Dare's formula can be used by medical personnel as a clinical method in routine prenatal care to estimate fetal weight, for better management of women in labor to decrease the maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.

Analysis of Distance of Frontal Sinus Ostium from Columella by CT PNS: Our Experience.

Introduction: Knowledge of variable anatomy, narrow frontal sinus ostium and vital anatomical structures near outflow tract, is very important during preoperative planning for exposure of the frontal sinus recess during endoscopic sinus surgery. Preoperative knowledge of distance of nasofrontal beak and anterior skull base from columella is very helpful in avoiding intraoperative complication by deeper penetration into cranial cavity. Aim: To analyse distance from columella to the anterior and posterior border of the Frontal sinus ostium in males and females by CT PNS. Materials and methods: This retrospective observational study carried out in katihar medical college, Katihar during the period of 01 July 2021 to 31 December 2021 including 31 patients. Result and Conclusion: A distance approx 60.9 mm in men and 57.34 mm in women from the columella to frontal sinus ostium is safe during endoscopic sinus surgery.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Maternofetal Outcome in Pregnant Women with Severe Anemia.

Background: Anemia is the most common nutritional disease in pregnancy with significant adverse maternofetal outcome. The objective of the present study is to study the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the pregnancy outcomes of women with severe anemia. Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at LHMC and SSK Hospital, Delhi. The study included all antenatal women admitted at a gestational age of >26 weeks (third trimester) with severe anemia and hemoglobin level of 7 g/dL. In our study, a total of 4031 women were included as cases during study period (July to December 2022) and 6659 women as controls from pre-COVID-19 period (July to December 2019). Results: In present study, a total of 4031 women delivered during study period as compared to 6659 in control period. In the present study, the prevalence of anemia was observed to be 74.7% in the study group and 51.6% in the control group (P < 0.001). Mean hemoglobin level was significantly lower in study group as compared to the control groups P<0.05. Microcytic hypochromic anemia was the most common morphological type of anemia in both groups. Serum ferritin, serum iron, serum B12, and folic acid levels among cases were significantly (P < 0.05) lower as compared to controls. Odds of fetal growth restriction were 1.4 times higher among study group as compared to control groups. The odds of newborn complications such as low birth weight were 2.49 (95% CI: 1.04-5.91) and need for nursery or NICU admission were 4.84 times (95% CI: 0.48-48.24) higher in cases as compared to controls. Low birth rate was higher in cases and was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic had indirect impact on adverse maternal and fetal outcome in women with severe anemia.

A Study of Anatomical Variations of Sphenoid Sinus on CT PNS: Our Experience.

Sphenoid sinus anatomical variations are very common, its prior knowledge is very essential while doing skull base surgery to avoid catastrophic complications which might be due to damage of surrounding neurovascular structures. This retrospective observational study was done to examine the different anatomical variations of sphenoid sinus on CT PNS which was conducted in KMCH, Katihar from May 2019 to April 2020 involving 60 cases above 15 years of age who had undergone CT PNS. Sellar type of pneumatization was seen in 66.7%, pterygoid process pneumatization was seen in 25%. Single septation was present in 43.3%, septum attached to optic nerve was seen in 33.3%, onodi cell was seen in 36.7%, anterior clinoid process pneumatization was seen in 13.3% of cases. By this study we came to a conclusion that preoperative assessment of sphenoid sinus anatomy and its variations is mandatory to avoid surrounding neurovascular structure damage and CSF leak.

Knowledge, attitude, and hesitance toward COVID-19 vaccination - a cross-sectional study from Jharkhand.

Introduction: In order to enhance public acceptability and reduce vaccine hesitancy in the face of the disease, it is necessary to examine the general public's awareness of the coronavirus vaccination. Vaccination resistance to the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) vaccination continues to be a problem throughout the world. Some of the greatest hurdles to dedication to hygienic standards are a lack of scientific testing for the vaccination, the fear of vaccine side effects, and reports of active viruses in immunizations. National and international health groups are launching initiatives to promote public knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccinations. This study aimed to understand the knowledge, attitude, and hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine among the people of the Hazaribag district from Jharkhand. Methodology: The present study was conducted in Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital, a tertiary care hospital of Jharkhand. It was a cross-sectional study. The research was conducted from June 2021 to December 2021. Result: The majority of respondents (83.3%) were confident in taking the COVID-19 vaccine, and 76% respondents agreed that the COVID-19 vaccinations now in use were safe; nevertheless, concern was expressed by 8% of respondents, whereas neutrality was expressed by 15.1%. Conclusion: Overall, the participants in the study had a good understanding of the coronavirus vaccine and agreed to take it. The development of mild or major side effects following immunization is the most important determinant for vaccine reluctance. Vaccine acceptability may improve whenever more information about vaccine safety and efficacy becomes available in the public domain, preferably from a centralized, trustworthy source. To promote public vaccination acceptance and reduce vaccine hesitancy, ongoing training and health education programs are required.

RGB colorimetric method based detection of oxytocin in food samples using cysteamine functionalized gold nanoparticles.

In the present investigation, a colorimetric method has been demonstrated for detection of oxytocin using Cysteamine functionalized gold nanoparticles (Cys-AuNP). The analyte oxytocin which finds its use in medical field is purposefully injected in fruits and vegetables for their faster growth. Also, it is used in the milk letdown in cattles. The complexity of segregating oxytocin induced fruit and vegetables from naturally grown ones led to development of the method. The choice of spherical gold nanoparticles for development of sensor was influenced from its unique optical properties. Moreover, functionalization with cysteamine increased its sensitivity towards oxytocin detection. The method was coupled with RGB colorimetric technique which exhibited excellent linear correlation between Oxytocin concentration and RGB color values (R2 = 0.96). The RGB method used measured the intensity of color and a relation was established between measured RGB values and concentration of analyte (Oxytocin) present in the sample. This formed the basis for generation of simple colorimetric card that can be used to relate the color with amount present in the sample. More significantly, the Cys-AuNP shows excellent selectivity towards other coexisting substances present in the sample. This method with good precision (RSD>15%) offers suitability for onsite application without need for complex instrumentation.

Success Rate of Type I Tympanoplasty Using Temporalis Fascia by Underlay Technique in Safe Mucosal COM in KMCH, Katihar.

Otitis media is inflammation of middle ear, commonly seen in children of school going age. Chronic otitis media is permanent abnormality of tympanic membrane most commonly as a result previous acute otitis media. Early diagnosis and management of chronic otitis media is important because it may affects hearing of child which in turn may affect cognitive development of children. This is a retrospective observational study done on 60 patients of age between 18 and 60 yrs during the period from May 2019 to November 2019 in ENT department of Katihar Medical College, Katihar, Bihar and assessed success rate of Type I Tympanoplasty using Temporalis Fascia by Underlay technique in safe mucosal COM. Success rate was 90% when preoperative dry ear was for more than one month. Graft taken up properly in 50 patients out of 60 cases i.e. 83.33%.

Yoga: a tool for improving the quality of life in chronic pancreatitis.

AIM: To determine the effectiveness of yoga on improving the quality of life in patients of chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: The patients were randomized to two groups. The control group continued their usual care as directed by their physicians. Patients in the yoga group, in addition, received biweekly yoga sessions for 12 wk. The patients' demographic and health behaviour variables were assessed before and after the yoga programme using Medical Outcomes Short Form (SF-36) for quality of life, Profile of Mood States for assessing mood and Symptoms of Stress Inventory for measuring stress. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were enrolled, with 8 drop-outs. Thirty patients were randomized to the yoga group and 30 to the control group. Significant improvements were seen in overall quality of life, symptoms of stress, mood changes, alcohol dependence and appetite after the 12 wk period apart from the general feeling of well-being and desire to continue with the programme in future in the yoga group, while there was no difference in the control group. CONCLUSION: Yoga is effective on improving the quality of life in patients of chronic pancreatitis.