Effect of cervical cerclage on rate of cervical shortening.

OBJECTIVE: Although cerclage has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent preterm birth in a high-risk patient population, the mechanism by which this occurs is not well understood. Our objective was to evaluate whether cerclage affects the rate of cervical shortening taking into account exposure to 17-hydroxyprogesterone and vaginal progesterone. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of women who had serial cervical length measurements due to a history of spontaneous preterm delivery. Demographic data, obstetric history, progesterone administration, delivery information and serial cervical length measurements were collected. The rate of cervical shortening was compared in women with and without cerclage. Subgroup analyses were performed to compare rates of cervical shortening by indication for cerclage (history indicated vs ultrasound indicated) and outcome in the current pregnancy (cerclage vs no cerclage among those who delivered preterm). RESULTS: A total of 414 women were included of whom 32.4% (n = 134) had a cerclage. There was no difference in the rate of cervical shortening between the cerclage (0.8 mm/week) and no-cerclage (1.0 mm/week, P = 0.43) groups. The rates of cervical shortening among history-indicated and ultrasound-indicated cerclage groups were similar (0.9 vs 1.3 mm/week, respectively, P = 0.2). Among patients with a preterm delivery in the index pregnancy, the rates of cervical shortening among those with (1.31 mm/week) and without (1.28 mm/week, P = 0.78) cerclage were also similar. CONCLUSION: Cervical shortening among women with cerclage occurs at a similar rate to that among women without a cerclage, regardless of indication for cerclage or pregnancy outcome.

Vegetation change detection and recovery assessment based on post-fire satellite imagery using deep learning.

Wildfires are uncontrolled fires fuelled by dry conditions, high winds, and flammable materials that profoundly impact vegetation, leading to significant consequences including noteworthy changes to ecosystems. In this study, we provide a novel methodology to understand and evaluate post-fire effects on vegetation. In regions affected by wildfires, earth-observation data from various satellite sources can be vital in monitoring vegetation and assessing its impact. These effects can be understood by detecting vegetation change over the years using a novel unsupervised method termed Deep Embedded Clustering (DEC), which enables us to classify regions based on whether there has been a change in vegetation after the fire. Our model achieves an impressive accuracy of 96.17%. Appropriate vegetation indices can be used to evaluate the evolution of vegetation patterns over the years; for this study, we utilized Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) based trend analysis showing the greening fraction, which ranges from 0.1 to 22.4 km2 while the browning fraction ranges from 0.1 to 18.1 km2 over the years. Vegetation recovery maps can be created to assess re-vegetation in regions affected by the fire, which is performed via a deep learning-based unsupervised method, Adaptive Generative Adversarial Neural Network Model (AdaptiGAN) on post-fire data collected from various regions affected by wildfire with a training error of 0.075 proving its capability. Based on the results obtained from the study, our approach tends to have notable merits when compared to pre-existing works.

Ludwig's Angina During Pregnancy-A Case Report.

ABSTRACT: Pregnancy is accompanied by several physiological changes such as altered salivary flow rate, mucosal immunity and altered microbial flora. This may predispose pregnant women to oral health problems. This could be accentuated by oral health neglect, polypharmacy and a host of other factors, including dietary modification. However, a very significant percentage of women are not counselled on oral health during pregnancy. Lack of proper oral healthcare and awareness predispose pregnant women to oral and odontogenic infections, which can lead to severe complications. The manuscript aims to present a rare case of Ludwig's angina (LA) in a full-term pregnant woman requiring immediate attention.

Isolation and cloning of a Drosophila homolog to the mammalian RACK1 gene, implicated in PKC-mediated signalling.

The mammalian RACK1 protein binds activated protein kinase C, acting as an intracellular receptor to anchor the activated PKC to the cytoskeleton. Genes encoding RACK1-like proteins have been isolated from a wide range of eucaryotic organisms; we report the isolation of a Drosophila member of this family. This Drosophila RACK1-like protein shows 76% identity to the mammalian RACK1 proteins, but only about 60% identity to related proteins from plants and fungi. The Drosophila rack1 gene has a dynamic pattern of expression during early embryogenesis with the highest expression in the mesodermal and endodermal lineages.

The embryonically active gene, unkempt, of Drosophila encodes a Cys3His finger protein.

The unkempt gene of Drosophila encodes a set of embryonic RNAs, which are abundant during early stages of embryogenesis and are present ubiquitously in most somatic tissues from the syncytial embryo through stage 15 of embryogenesis. Expression of unkempt RNAs becomes restricted predominantly to the central nervous system in stages 16 and early 17. Analysis of cDNAs from this locus reveals the presence of five Cys3His fingers in the protein product. Isolation and analysis of mutations affecting the unkempt gene, including complete deletions of this gene, indicate that there is no zygotic requirement for unkempt during embryogenesis, presumably due to the contribution of maternally supplied RNA, although the gene is essential during post-embryonic development.

Segmentally restricted, cephalic expression of a leucine zipper gene during Drosophila embryogenesis.

The expression pattern and DNA sequence of a newly identified gene, CNC (cap'n'collar), suggest a role for this gene in cephalic patterning during Drosophila embryogenesis. In situ hybridization reveals transcripts localized to the mandibular segment and the hypopharyngeal and labral primordia first detectable in late blastoderm stages. Sequence analysis of cDNA clones from the CNC locus shows the CNC gene product to be related to transcription factors of the leucine zipper (bZIP) class. Based on its protein sequence, we propose that CNC is a subunit of a heterodimeric regulatory protein involved in the control of head morphogenesis.

knot is required for the hypopharyngeal lobe and its derivatives in the Drosophila embryo.

The genetic control of segmentation in the Drosophila larval head has been only partially elucidated. We report that the knot (kn) gene of Drosophila is required for the formation of the hypopharyngeal lobe in the germ-band stage embryo and the ventral arms and lateralgräte of the larval head skeleton. Rearrangement mutations of knot disrupt the previously characterized gene, collier, which encodes a COE-family transcription factor. kn is required for the activation of cnc (cap'n'collar, a bZIP homeotic selector gene) in the progenitors of hypopharyngeal lobe. kn is also required for the activation of an EST marker for the cephalic mesoderm, CK01299. Based on the relative expression of kn and the posterior compartment-specific gene hedgehog, we provide additional evidence that in Drosophila, unlike many other insects, the hypopharyngeal lobe arises from part of the mandibular segment.

The height-for-age of Indian children.

The height for age of children is used as an indicator of the prevalence of undernutrition, i.e., 'stunting'. This study uses unit-record data on over 20,000 rural children, from 16 states of India, to explain variations in their height-for-age. Previous studies of children's heights have focused exclusively on the mean of the distribution of heights-for-age using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Instead, this paper uses quantile regression--which analyses different parts of the height for age distribution--and permits a richer set of conclusions to be drawn. The analysis shows the importance of locating malnourished children in terms of their place in the distribution of nutritional outcomes and, then, studying the differential impact of the determining variables on outcomes for children in different locations of the distribution.

Studies of VA-Mycorrhizal fungi associated with some weed plants in sugar mill effluent soils.

This study is to isolate the effluent strain of VAM fungi from polluted soils of sugar mill effluents. Analysis showed that pH and EC was more but the organic matter is less when compared to non-polluted soils. Even though there was low P content that enhances the mycorrhizal infection, the percent of root colonization was less than 75% in polluted study site. The number of VAM propagules and its distribution were also greatly affected due to various factors. Nine different VAM species were isolated and identified from the polluted study site. Using Allium cepa L. as the host plant the efficiency of the native effluent tolerant strains of VAM fungi isolated from the polluted study site was determined. Highest growth rate, high dry weight of gram per plant and increased growth was observed in the order of Glomus intraradices followed by Gigaspora margarita and Glomus fasciculatum. Consequence of the study clearly showed that Glomus intraradices was the efficient strain in sugar mill effluent polluted areas.

Gender bias among children in India in their diet and immunisation against disease.

This paper conducts an econometric analysis of data for a sample of over 4000 children in India, between the ages of 1 and 2 years, with a view to studying two aspects of the neglect of children: their likelihood of being immunised against disease and their likelihood of receiving a nutritious diet. The starting hypothesis, consistent with an universal interest in gender issues, was that girls were more likely to be neglected than boys. The analysis confirmed this hypothesis. In respect of vaccinations, the likelihood of girls being fully vaccinated, after controlling for other variables, was 5 percentage points lower than that for boys. In respect of receiving a nutritious diet, the treatment of girls depended very much on whether or not their mothers were literate: there was no gender discrimination between children of literate mothers; on the other hand, when the mother was illiterate, girls were 5 percentage points less likely to be well-fed relative to their brothers and the presence of a literate father did little to dent this gender gap. But the analysis also pointed to a broader conclusion which was that all children in India suffered from sharper, but less publicised forms of disadvantage than that engendered solely by gender. These were the consequences which stemmed from children being born to illiterate mothers and being brought up in the more impoverished parts of India.

The role of immunological & virological techniques in the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis.

The efficacy of immunological and virological methods in the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) was studied in 22 patients diagnosed as HSE by clinical, radiological EEG parameters. CSF cell counts were elevated in 14 of 18 patients with a lymphocytic predominance in 13. Virus specific IgG antibody detection by ELISA in paired CSF samples was possible in 8 of 17 patients. HSV antigen could be detected by immunohistochemical methods in the cells of the CSF and/or brain tissue in 7 of 9 patients. In four of them antemortem diagnosis was possible facilitating prompt specific antiviral therapy. Virus isolation was possible in 2 of 8 patients, one from brain biopsy tissue and the other from brain tissue obtained at autopsy. Using all the three methods, the diagnosis of HSE could be confirmed in 14 of 22 (63.6%) patients.

Recurrent trophoblastic neoplasia.

An unusual case of recurrent benign trophoblastic growth occurring for the fourth time in a gravida 4, para 0, 30-year-old woman is reported. Prophylactic chemotherapy was instituted to avert the disaster again, without success. The question of her future obstetric outcome poses a formidable dilemma and no radical measures could be undertaken, as the patient hoped for a normal pregnancy.

On the incidence of diarrhoea among young Indian children.

Diarrhoea, claiming over three million young lives in the world every year, is the second biggest killer of children in developing countries. Using data for over 13,000 children in rural India, under the age of 3 years, this paper examines the relative effects of the different factors--inter alia the quality of the water supply, mother's literacy, housing conditions, and the level of development of the villages in which the children lived--contributing to diarrhoea. The paper highlights the importance of two factors: that children born to undernourished mothers may be more susceptible to infection than children whose mothers are well nourished, and that good hygienic practices within the home, such as washing hands with soap before feeding a child, can reduce the incidence of diarrhoea. The paper also quantifies the relative strength of the factors that determine whether mothers do so. The results emphasize the importance of mothers being literate, of household affluence and of institutional support (through the availability of trained midwives and mother and child centres in villages) in promoting domestic hygiene.

Enterogenous cyst of spinal cord : a case report.

A case of spinal cord compression due to an enterogenous cyst is described.

Intraventricular neurocytoma : a clinical and electro-microscopic study.

Intraventricular neurocytomas are rare or have been earlier misdiagnosed as Oligodendroglioma, a tumour which they closely resemble at light microscopy. Three such intraventricular tumours are described, all of which were diagnosed as Oligodendroglioma on CT scan and at routine light microscopy. The judicious use of EM for a definite diagnosis of these tumours is emphasised. Cells with multiple processes, abundant RER and dense core vesicles and profiles of axon terminals with groups of synaptic vesicles, clinches the diagnosis. Even though the prognosis of neurocytomas is generally believed to be good, it may depend on whether they have only neuronal or associated Glial differentiation.

Menstrual abnormalities in school going girls - are they related to dietary and exercise pattern?

CONTEXT: Adolescence is the transitional phase of physical and mental development between childhood and adulthood and is characterized by immense hormonal changes.75% of girls experience some problems associated with menstruation. AIM: We tried to find out the prevalence of menstrual abnormalities in school going girls in Pondicherry and their association with dietary and exercise habits. SETTING AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted in adolescent girls who attained menarche in four secondary schools of Pondicherry, India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All students who attained menarche and willing to participate in the study were invited to answer the questionnaire, which dealt with anthropometric data, socioeconomic data, menstrual history, and diet and exercise pattern. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test was used to compare the dietary and exercise patterns among students having menstrual abnormalities and those who do not have menstrual abnormalities. RESULTS: A total of 853 students participated in the study. Dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms were the most frequent problems encountered. Premenstrual symptoms were significantly more common among girls who were overweight, in girls who were eating junk food regularly, in girls who were eating less food (dieting) in order to lose weight and in those who were not doing regular physical activity. Dysmenorrhea was significantly more common in the girls who were dieting to lose weight. Passage of clots was also significantly high in the girls who were dieting. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle modifications like regular physical activity, decreasing the intake of junk food and promoting healthy eating habits should be emphasised in school health education programs to improve their menstrual health.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of cysticercosis-a case report.

Cysticercosis, caused by cysticercus cellulosae, the larval form of Taenia solium, is potentially a dangerous systemic disease with variable clinical manifestations. The disease most commonly involves subcutaneous and muscle tissues, followed by the eye and brain. Cysticercosis can be diagnosed by various radiologic means or by serology, both of which, however, are not definitive. Biopsy and histologic examination containing the cysticerci is the most definitive method of diagnosis. We report a case of cysticercosis in a 27-year-old male patient, who presented with a subcutaneous swelling in the back which was diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

The mystic thyroid nodule: A cytologist's confront.

Metastatic thyroid carcinoma is clinically silent and found only at autopsy in most instances. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common and constitutes 56% of all secondary malignancies. However, preoperative distinction between primary and secondary thyroid neoplasms is often challenging. Fine needle aspiration is helpful in establishing a correct preoperative diagnosis. A local surgical resection is curative if prompt preoperative diagnosis is established. We hereby report a case of isolated metastatic RCC to the thyroid in a 65-year-old woman, diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology and later confirmed with histopathological examination.

Molecular mechanisms of antigen retrieval: antigen retrieval reverses steric interference caused by formalin-induced cross-links.

The overwhelming majority of antibodies useful for formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues require antigen retrieval to reverse the effect of formalin fixation and re-establish immunoreactivity. How this reversal happens is poorly understood. We developed a new experimental model for studying the mechanism of formalin fixation and antigen retrieval. Epitope mapping studies on nine antibodies useful for FFPE tissues revealed that each consisted of a contiguous stretch of amino acids in the native protein (linear epitope). Small peptides representing the epitopes of antibodies to human epidermal growth factor receptor type (HER2), estrogen, and progesterone receptors were attached covalently to glass microscope slides in a peptide array. Most peptides retained immunoreactivity after formalin fixation. Immunoreactivity was completely abrogated for all peptides, however, if an irrelevant large protein was present during formalin-induced cross-linking. We hypothesize that cross-linking the irrelevant protein to the peptide epitopes sterically blocked antibodies from binding. Antigen retrieval dissociates irrelevant proteins and restores immunoreactivity. Because the epitopes for clinical antibodies require only primary protein structure, the fact that antigen retrieval probably denatures the secondary and tertiary structure of the protein is irrelevant. The same mechanism may occur in tissue samples subjected to formalin fixation and antigen retrieval.