Comparison of ovarian crescent sign and risk of malignancy index for prediction of ovarian malignancy in adnexal masses

Background: Objective of the study was to evaluate ovarian crescent sign (OCS) as a sonographic parameter for prediction of ovarian cancer in adnexal masses suspicious of ovarian malignancy and to compare it with risk of malignancy index (RMI).Methods: Presence of OCS and calculation of RMI was done for 50 cases of adnexal masses scheduled to undergo surgery taking histopathology as gold standard.Results: 18% (9/50) of adnexal masses were malignant. OCS was absent in all malignant lesions, giving a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%. OCS was present in 33/41 of benign masses (specificity 80.4%). Relation of OCS to mass size<10 cm and menopausal status was significant (p<0.001). RMI≥200 could not diagnose malignancy in 4/9 cases (sensitivity 55.5%). RMI had specificity and negative predictive value of 95.1% and 90.7% respectively. Combining OCS and RMI had a lower specificity. Sequential application using OCS as first node and RMI as second node failed to diagnose 44.4% (4/9) cases as malignant.Conclusions: OCS is cheaper, easy to perform and appears to be a better test than RMI to differentiate between benign and early-stage malignant ovarian tumors. It can be used for triaging patient for referral

Evaluation of urea and creatinine levels in vaginal wash fluid for the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes

Background: Evaluation of urea and creatinine levels in vaginal wash fluid for the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes.Methods: The study was conducted on150 pregnant patients, 50 in each group. Confirmed PROM and unconfirmed PROM. Per speculum examination was done to look for pooling, pH tested using the Pehanon paper and vaginal wash fluid was collected. Vaginal wash fluid urea and creatinine levels were tested by a kit based on spectrophotometry.Results: The mean urea levels were 26.35 mg/dl in the study Group 1 and 3.12 mg/dl in the control group. ROC curve was plotted and the cut off value of vaginal wash fluid urea was found to be 8.55 mg/dl. The vaginal wash fluid urea levels of >8.55 mg/dl detected PROM with a sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value of 100%. The mean creatinine levels were 0.62 mg/dl in study Group 1 and 0.20 mg/dl in the control group. ROC curve was plotted and the cut off value of vaginal wash fluid creatinine was found to be 0.405 mg/dl. Vaginal wash fluid creatinine levels detected PROM with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 100%. The negative predictive value and positive predictive values were 80.4% and 100%.Conclusions: Urea can be used as a definite marker of PROM and creatinine can be used as a supportive marker

Design of Dual Band Rectangular Patch Antenna for S-band and C-Band Applications

A probe feed rectangular patch antenna is designed, simulated, fabricated and measured. The fabricated antenna operates at the frequency band 2.49 GHz (S-Band) and 5.03 GHz (C-Band). Experimental and simulation results of probe-fed rectangular patch antenna are presented and compared. To achieve dual band characteristics the position of the probe is optimized. Experimental results suggest that the proposed antenna can be used for Wi-Fi and WLAN applications. nbs

Antenatal depression and its correlates - a cross-sectional study in an urban resettlement colony of Delhi

Background- Antenatal depression is affecting 10% pregnant women worldwide with higher prevalence in developing countries. This causes poor maternal and foetal outcome and also affects cognitive development of the child. Aim and objective: To estimate magnitude of antenatal depression and its risk factors. Methodology- A cross-sectional survey was done at the antenatal clinic of community health department catering to an urban resettlement colony, East Delhi. Estimated sample size was 216 (including 10% non-response rate). Pregnant women attending the ANC clinic from October 2019 to February 2020 were enrolled. EPDS questionnaire was used to assess depression during pregnancy. Results-The antenatal depression was found in 11.8% subjects as per EPDS score. Working female and belonging to Muslim religion, past history of abortion, complications in previous pregnancy, financial debt, physical violence and substance use in family showed significant association with antenatal depression. Conclusion –Depression was prevalent among antenatal women and was found to be associated with various risk factors

Three decades of using of gypsum under sodic water irrigation in coarse textured soils

The aim of this study was to determine the long term use of sodic waters and gypsum on physico-chemical properties of coarse textured loamy sand soil. The study consisted of three natural occurring underground sodic waters and amendment gypsum in various cropping systems. The results demonstrated that sodic water irrigation significantly decreased infiltration rate (1.46 &amp; 1.09 cm hr-1) and soil porosity (35.66 &amp; 33.26 %) and increased soil strength (17.49 &amp; 17.67 kg cm-1), pH (9.52 &amp; 9.66), exchangeable sodium percentage (48.00 &amp; 55.00), sodium adsorption ratio (45.14 &amp; 54.10 (mmol/l)1/2) and calcium carbonate content (2.15 &amp; 2.44 %). The gypsum application significantly improved infiltration rate (2.20 cm hr-1) and soil porosity (38.7 %) and reduced soil strength (16.74 kg cm-1), soil pH (9.35) exchangeable sodium percentage (39.00), sodium adsorption ratio (36.93 (mmol/l)1/2) over a period of thirty years. A significant CaCO3 build up in soil was also observed with gypsum application (3.28 % 4.56 %) as compared to its content at the start of study. Thus, it is concluded that in coarse textured soils of North west India, sodic waters up to RSC 12.0 me l-1 could safely be used crop production in combination with gypsum in loamy sand soil without any adverse effect on the physico-chemical characteristics of soil

SOIL HEALTH STATUS OF SELECT VILLAGE OF DISTRICT SONIPAT, HARYANA AND WAY FORWARD

Soil health and fertility are the basis for gaining sustainable profit through higher productivity by the farmers. Using optimal doses of fertilizers and cropping pattern as per the scientific recommendations is the first step towards sustainable farming. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is the most important component in maintaining soil quality because of its role in improving physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. Organic matter is an important source of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Soil Health card is a Government of India's scheme promoted by the Department of Agriculture &amp; Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, apart from giving the health index of soil, will also indicate fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment required for the farm. Under Govt. of Haryana sanctioned Soil Health Card project, ARF carried out the fertility status study of 3000 acres of land of village Baroda Mor, block Mundlana, Tehsil Gohana, Sonipat, Haryana and distribute the cards well before the harvesting of Rabi crop with proper recommendation on dosage of appropriate fertilizer as per deficiency of essential nutrient parameter. View Article DOI: 10.47856/ijaast.2021.v08i6.00

Advances in Multi-Functional Ligands and the Need for Metal-Related Pharmacology for the Management of Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the age linked neurodegenerative disorder with no disease modifying therapy currently available. The available therapy only offers short term symptomatic relief. Several hypotheses have been suggested for the pathogenesis of the disease while the molecules developed as possible therapeutic agent in the last decade, largely failed in the clinical trials. Several factors like tau protein hyperphosphorylation, amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide aggregation, decline in acetyl cholinesterase and oxidative stress might be contributing toward the pathogenesis of AD. Additionally, biometals dyshomeostasis (Iron, Copper, and Zinc) in the brain are also reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Thus, targeting these metal ions may be an effective strategy for the development of a drug to treat AD. Chelation therapy is currently employed for the metal intoxication but we lack a safe and effective chelating agents with additional biological properties for their possible use as multi target directed ligands for a complex disease like AD. Chelating agents possess the ability to disaggregate Aβ aggregation, dissolve amyloid plaques, and delay the cognitive impairment. Thus there is an urgent need to develop disease modifying therapeutic molecules with multiple beneficial features like targeting more than one factor responsible of the disease. These molecules, as disease modifying therapeutic agents for AD, should possess the potential to inhibit Aβ-metal interactions, the formation of toxic Aβ aggregates; and the capacity to reinstate metal homeostasis

Diversity Issues in Literacy Teacher Education

In this study, the researchers examine how diversity and knowledge about diversity were viewed and integrated into higher education literacy programs. Using online focus groups, we collected information about diversity in literacy at the program and course levels. Literacy teacher educators reported complexities in the preparation of current and future teachers regarding working with diverse learners. The three themes of perspectives and dispositions, curriculum issues and decisions, and outside influences emerged. The researchers recommend that teacher educators find innovative ways to increase teacher education program effectiveness to enhance the dispositions and practices of the teachers whom they prepare where diversity is concerned