An analysis of particulate pollution using urban aerosol pollution island intensity over Delhi, India.

The accent of the present study is determination of Urban Aerosol Pollution Island (UAPI) intensity and spatial variability in particulate matter concentration (PM10 and PM2.5) over Delhi. For analysis, the hourly concentration dataset of PM2.5 and PM10 from January 2019 to December 2020 was obtained from ten air quality monitoring stations of Delhi. Additionally, UAPI Index has been calculated to assess the intensity of particulate pollution. The daily, monthly, and annual variations in the trends of PM10, PM2.5, and UAPI index along with related meteorological parameters have been analyzed. Particulate pollution peaked majorly during two seasons, i.e., summer and winter. The highest concentration of PM10 was observed to be 426.77 µg/m3 while that of PM2.5 was observed to be 301.91 µg/m3 in January 2019 for traffic-affected regions. During winters, higher PM2.5 concentration was observed which can be ascribed to increased local emissions and enhanced secondary particle formations. While the increase in PM10 concentrations led to an increment in pollution episodes during summers over most of the sites in Delhi. The UAPI index was found to be declining in 2020 over traffic affected regions (77.92 and 27.22 for 2019 and 2020, respectively) as well as in the background regions (64.91 and 19.80 for 2019 and 2020, respectively) of Delhi. Low traffic intensity and reduced pollutant emission could have been responsible for the reduction of UAPI intensity in the year 2020. The result indicates that lockdown implemented to control the COVID-19 outbreak led to an unexpected decrease in the PM10 pollution over Delhi.

Assessment of myocardial performance index in late-onset fetal growth restriction.

The aim of this study is to determine whether the myocardial performance index (MPI) is increased in fetal growth restriction (FGR) fetuses and if increased MPI is related to adverse outcomes of FGR. This is a prospective cross-sectional study. Seventy-three late-onset FGR fetuses and 97 gestational-age matched control fetuses were enrolled in this study. Fetal blood flow parameters including MPI values were measured and compared between the two groups. For the effect of severity of growth restriction on MPI value, they were also compared with < 3rd and 3rd - 10th centile groups. FGR fetuses were divided into two groups by favorable and adverse outcome and ultrasound parameters were compared between these two groups. Moreover, significant factors related to adverse outcomes by univariate analysis were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Pulsatility index of umbilical arterial flow (UA-PI), MPI and amniotic fluid index in the FGR were significantly different from the control fetuses. However, no significant difference between < 3rd and 3rd - 10th centile groups was detected in MPI and UA-PI. The increased levels of MPI and UA-PI were independently related with adverse outcome of late-onset FGR pregnancy. In conclusion, MPI values were increased in late-onset FGR pregnancy, and the higher level of MPI could predict adverse outcome as well as the measurement of UA-PI. Clinicians should consider cardiac dysfunction in FGR through increased MPI.

Successful cervical cerclage in a dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy: A case report.

A 26-year-old primigravid woman presented with a dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy after 7 years of infertility. No formal ultrasound was performed until a morphology check at 19 weeks and 4 days of gestation, at which time a shortened cervix was identified. The patient was already on vaginal progesterone pessaries from conception, as per her infertility specialist, and was advised to change to a rectal route of administration. At 20 weeks and 5 days, progesterone pessaries were increased to twice daily. A repeat scan at 21 weeks and 4 days showed a funnelled cervix 29 mm in length, a closed portion of 4-6 mm and bulging membranes. A speculum examination at this time showed a shortened cervix, 5 mm open, with visible membranes. A cervical cerclage was placed at 21 weeks and 5 days. The patient was given oral antibiotics for 1 week and was continued on progesterone pessaries. The patient was managed through the twins clinic and had serial ultrasound scans throughout the pregnancy. She went on to develop gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. She had a caesarean section at 33 weeks and 4 days due to pre-eclampsia, with abnormal doppler scans. Cervical cerclage was removed at the time of the caesarean section. Both twins were admitted to the nursery for prematurity and progressed well. This case report illustrates how a cervical cerclage can be utilised successfully in a primigravid dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy.