A vacuum-compatible cylindrical inertial rotation sensor with picoradian sensitivity.

We describe an inertial rotation sensor with a 30-cm cylindrical proof-mass suspended from a pair of 14 µm thick BeCu flexures. The angle between the proof-mass and support structure is measured with a pair of homodyne interferometers, which achieve a noise level of ∼5prad/Hz. The sensor is entirely made of vacuum compatible materials, and the center of mass can be adjusted remotely.

Efficacy of salbutamol by nebulizer versus metered dose inhaler with home-made non-valved spacer in acute exacerbation of childhood asthma.

This study was done to evaluate and to compare the efficacy of jet nebulizer and metered dose inhaler (MDI) with home-made non-valved spacer (HM NVS) to deliver aerosolized salbutamol in acute exacerbation of asthma in children. HM NVS was made by 500ml plastic mineral water bottle. It was perforated at the bottom for the insertion of MDI and proximal end was cut for placing the mouth. This prospective randomized study was conducted in the department of Pediatrics, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, during April 2007 to March 2008 with 50 known cases (2-12 years) of bronchial asthma with acute exacerbation. After randomized enrollment, each patient received three doses of salbutamol either through a jet nebulizer or through a HM NVS. Oxygen saturation (SaO2), wheeze, heart rate, respiratory rate were recorded throughout the treatment period. Data were analyzed with SPSS for Windows 10.0 at p value <0.05 was considered significant. The mean age of patients was 59.8 months in nebulizer group versus 69.4 months in MDI with HM NVS group. Baseline clinical characteristics in nebulizer group were SaO2 87.7±2.5 versus 89.0±1.8 percent, RR 59.2±7.3 vs. 63.2±4.8 per minute, HR 155.4±11.8 versus 149.0±10.8 per minute and wheeze in 22(88.0%) cases versus 21(84.0%) cases respectively (p>0.05). After therapy improvement was noted among the nebulizer group (SaO2 87.7±2.5 vs. 94.3±2.8 percent; RR 59.2±7.3 vs. 39.3±4.9 per minute; HR 155.4±11.8 vs. 151.60±17.3 per minute; wheeze 88% vs. 8%) as well as in the MDI with HM NVS group (SaO2 89.0±1.8 vs. 94.8±1.8 percent; RR 63.2±4.8 vs. 38.7±6.4 per minute; HR 149.0±10.8 vs. 144.5±13.5 per minute; wheeze 84% vs. 16%) [p<0.001; CI:95%]. However, these improvements did not differ significantly between the nebulizer group and HM NVS group (SaO2 94.3±2.8 vs. 94.8±1.8 percent, RR 39.3±4.9 vs. 38.7±6.4 per minute, HR 151.60±17.3 vs. 144.5±13.5 per minute and wheeze persisted in 2(8.0%) cases versus 4(16.0%) cases respectively) [p>0.05]. The overall response to these modalities of treatment was satisfactory in nebulizer (19/25) and HM NVS (17/25). Salbutamol delivered through both nebulizer as well as MDI with HM NVS is equally effective in the treatment of acute asthma in children.

Chronic Caffey's disease: an uncommon entity in children.

Chronic Caffey's disease in an uncommon condition in children is characterized by an acute inflammatory reaction in the periosteum along with systemic disturbances. A 30 months old boy was reported in the pediatric unit of BSMMU, Dhaka about two and half years back with the complaints of multiple painful soft tissue swelling in different parts of the body since birth and delay in growth and development. The child was found well and alert, moderately pale, febrile with hard, tender swelling of mandible on both sides. There were multiple swellings over the right arm, forearm, both thighs and bowing of the lower limbes. Investigations revealed normal serum calcium and phosphate level with mild elevation of alkaline phosphatase. Radiological findings showed periosteal new bone formation in mandible and long bones. There was diaphyseal expansion of the long bones with expansion of the ribs anteriorly. He was diagnosed as a case of chronic caffey's disease on the basis of history, clinical examination and investigation.