Simultaneous observations of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and absorption (EIA) in a multi-level V-type system of 87Rb and theoretical simulation of the observed spectra using a multi-mode approach.

We report here simultaneous experimental observation of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) and Electromagnetically Induced Absorption (EIA) in a multi-level V-type system in D2 transition of Rb87, i.e., F=2→F' with a strong pump and a weak probe beam. We studied the probe spectrum by locking the probe beam to the transition F=2→F'=2 while the pump is scanned from F=2→F'. EIA is observed for the open transition (F=2→F'=2) whereas EIT is observed in the closed transition (F=2→F'=3). Sub natural line-width is observed for the EIA. To simulate the observed spectra theoretically, Liouville equation for the three-level V-type system is solved analytically with a multi-mode approach for the density matrix elements. We assumed both the pump and the probe beams can couple the excited states. A multi-mode approach for the coherence terms facilitates the study of all the frequency contributions due to the pump and the probe fields. Since the terms contain higher harmonics of the pump and the probe frequencies, we expressed them in Fourier transformed forms. To simulate the probe spectrum, we have solved inhomogeneous difference equations for the coherence terms using the Green's function technique and continued fraction theory. The experimental line-widths of the EIT and the EIA are compared with our theoretical model. Our system can be useful in optical switching applications as it can be precisely tuned to render the medium opaque and transparent simultaneously.

Retrospective Review of Platelet Transfusion Practices during 2013 Dengue Epidemic of Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: Dengue infection is a major public health problem. During explosive outbreaks, there is sudden surge in demands of platelet products. The present study was carried out in order to review platelet transfusion practices during the epidemic of dengue. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical details including the platelet counts and haemorrhagic tendencies of dengue patients as well as the transfusion requirements of diagnosed dengue cases admitted at our centre. RESULTS: A total of 1,750 random donor platelet and 114 single donor platelet units were transfused to 531 patients. 23.2% platelet transfusions were found to be inappropriate Mean dosage of platelets transfused was 2 × 10(11) platelets per patient. A total of 347 (65.3%) patients had bleeding diathesis at the time of presentation. Skin and the oropharynx were the most common bleeding sites. Major bleeding was seen in 119 (34.3%) patients, whereas 228 (65.7%) patients had minor bleeding episodes. CONCLUSION: The study emphasises the need for minimising unnecessary transfusions and for using this scarce resource judiciously, which can be achieved by strict adherence to evidence-based transfusion guidelines and regular review of the on-going transfusion practices.

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies among blood donors and Multitransfused recipients--a study from north India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary Cytomegalovirus infection caused by transfusion is a major problem for immunocompromised CMV seronegative patients. Documentation of the status of antibodies to cytomegalovirus in the blood donor pool population is vital to the understanding of the potential likelihood of transmission through donor blood and for determining the best transfusion practices to prevent TT-CMV infection. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CMV infection among blood donors and Multitransfused recipients of north Indian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was done on 2100 donors' samples and 200 patients sample for CMV antibodies using the ELISA technique. RESULTS: Out of 2100 donors recruited, 93.8% males and 6.2% females. 98.6% were positive for anti CMV IgG antibodies and only one donor was positive for anti CMV IgM antibody. In Multitransfused patients, out of 200 patients, seroprevalence for anti CMV IgG antibodies was in 100% patients and only one patient was positive for anti CMV IgM antibody. CONCLUSION: The study did not demonstrate statistical significant influence of age and gender on prevalence of anti CMV IgG and IgM antibodies. Other preventive strategies such as universal leucodepletion may be implemented to prevent transmission of CMV in immunocompromised patients.

A Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) Study on Phlebotomy Among Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital in Patna, India.

INTRODUCTION: For most clinicians and nursing officers, laboratory testing is an unfamiliar part of medical caregiving, and ignorance may lead to serious avoidable errors. Phlebotomy, the first basic step towards laboratory testing, is to be taken seriously otherwise unnecessary repeat testing becomes mandatory. We hypothesized that there are some gaps in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among these nursing officers regarding practices of phlebotomy, which may influence the quality of blood samples. This study aims to assess the overall nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice of phlebotomy to provide a remarkable improvement in blood sampling practice in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted involving nurses posted in different wards in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Patna, India. A phlebotomy questionnaire was designed based on KAP on the clinical and laboratory standards of the WHO guidelines. A total of 30 questions were distributed among the nursing staff, 10 each from knowledge, attitude, and practice. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the KAP levels and their influencing factors. All continuous variables were tested for normality conditions using the Shapiro-Wilk test and P>0.05 were considered for normality. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The total average score of knowledge among the nurses was 7.62 (95%CI: 15.77-16.56). It was found that the nurses, on average, had a very strong positive attitude (93.36%). Regarding the distribution of practices of nurses, it was found that 87% had good practice as most of the positive practice items had high responses. The knowledge of phlebotomy among nurses was found to be satisfactory, except in a few areas. An education program on phlebotomy should be developed for nurses to improve and enhance their knowledge of phlebotomy.

Quantum vortices of strongly interacting photons.

Vortices are topologically nontrivial defects that generally originate from nonlinear field dynamics. All-optical generation of photonic vortices-phase singularities of the electromagnetic field-requires sufficiently strong nonlinearity that is typically achieved in the classical optics regime. We report on the realization of quantum vortices of photons that result from a strong photon-photon interaction in a quantum nonlinear optical medium. The interaction causes faster phase accumulation for copropagating photons, producing a quantum vortex-antivortex pair within the two-photon wave function. For three photons, the formation of vortex lines and a central vortex ring confirms the existence of a genuine three-photon interaction. The wave function topology, governed by two- and three-photon bound states, imposes a conditional phase shift of π per photon, a potential resource for deterministic quantum logic operations.

Massive Abdominal Distension in a Five-Year-Old Child: Management of a Giant Mesenteric Cyst.

Mesenteric cyst is a rare entity with a very low incidence. The majority of the cases are incidental. Despite several theories, its etiology remains unknown. Some cases present with non-specific symptoms such as pain abdomen, swelling, and abdominal mass. It may rarely get complicated due to hemorrhage, torsion, or rupture of the cyst. Large mesenteric cysts are quite uncommon. However, these cysts seldom grow to produce clinical symptoms arising from compression of adjoining structures, such as vomiting, constipation due to intestinal obstruction, or dyspnoea due to compression of the diaphragm. Despite several theories, its etiology remains unknown. Diagnosis can be achieved with the help of radiological examinations such as ultrasonography (USG), contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and confirmed by histopathological examination. We report a case of a giant mesenteric cyst in a five-year-old girl.

Screening Donated Blood for Transfusion Transmitted Infections by Serology along with NAT and Response Rate to Notification of Reactive Results: An Indian Experience.

Background. Transfusion safety begins with healthy donors. A fundamental part of preventing transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) is to notify and counsel reactive donors. Donor notification and counselling protect the health of the donor and prevent secondary transmission of infectious diseases. Methods. 113,014 donations were screened for TTIs, namely, HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis, by serology and nucleic acid testing. All reactive donors were retested (wherever possible) and notified of their status by telephone or letter. All initial reactive screens were followed over six months. Results. We evaluated 2,838 (2.51%) cases with reactive screening test results (1.38% HBV, 0.54% HCV, 0.27% HIV, and 0.32% syphilis). Only 23.3% of donors (662) responded to notification. The response among voluntary donors was better as compared to the replacement donors (43.6% versus 21.2%). Only 373 (56.3%) responsive donors followed their first attendance at referral specialties. Over six months, only 176 of 662 (26.6%) reactive donors received treatment. Conclusion. Our study shed light on the importance of proper donor counselling and notification of TTI status to all reactive donors who opt to receive this information. There is also an urgent need to formulate the nationally acceptable guidelines for notification and follow-up of reactive donors.

Anti N antibody in a patient of renal failure on hemodialysis.

Anti N is a rare antibody. It has been reported in renal failure patients on hemodialysis using formaldehyde sterilized equipment. Although anti N is usually clinically insignificant, rarely it can cause hemolytic transfusion reaction. Patients with clinically significant antibodies should receive N antigen negative red cell units. We report a case of anti N antibody active at 37 °C in a patient of chronic renal failure on regular maintenance hemodialysis. The present case is being reported mainly because of its detection during routine blood grouping and compatibility testing by tube method in a patient of chronic renal failure on regular maintenance hemodialysis.