Quinary Prevention and Lower Segment Cesarean Section

Lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) is a safe mode of delivery and has definite indications. However, at times, patients do not accept the advice to undergo elective or emergency LSCS, as appropriate. This leads to avoidable complications and cost. This communication discusses the style and salient features of counseling patients to understand and accept LSCS, as part of informed consent-taking. This discussion is geared towards obstetric care providers who encounter LSCS hesitancy in spite of having explained the indication(s) for surgery

Digital transformation of career landscapes in radiology: personal and professional implications

Millennial radiology is marked by technical disruptions. Advances in internet, digital communications and computing technology, paved way for digitalized workflow orchestration of busy radiology departments. The COVID pandemic brought teleradiology to the forefront, highlighting its importance in maintaining continuity of radiological services, making it an integral component of the radiology practice. Increasing computing power and integrated multimodal data are driving incorporation of artificial intelligence at various stages of the radiology image and reporting cycle. These have and will continue to transform the career landscape in radiology, with more options for radiologists with varied interests and career goals. The ability to work from anywhere and anytime needs to be balanced with other aspects of life. Robust communication, internal and external collaboration, self-discipline, and self-motivation are key to achieving the desired balance while practicing radiology the unconventional way

Extraction and characterization of silk sericin

Study compares the quality and quantity of sericin obtained from four sources, namely mulberry silk cocoons, silk flats, reeling silk waste and woven silk fabric. Sericin has been extracted using the conventional HTHP machine as well as IR heating machine. Results show that among the four sources, the maximum yield of sericin (28%) is obtained from silk fabric followed by 25% sericin obtained from silk flats. IR machine extraction gives ~13 times higher yield of sericin as compared to that obtained by HTHP at 1000C for 60 min. Sample obtained from IR extraction is also compared with the standard sample in terms of its physical properties, morphological structure, protein quality, protein structure, molecular weight and thermal behaviour using various analytical methods. The study proposes a protocol for assessing the quality of sericin protein. Since the source as well as the method of extraction can affect the properties of sericin, this protocol can be used to assess and determine the quality parameters of various sericin samples

Addressing Lower Segment Cesarean Section Hesitancy: A Patient-centered, Pragmatic Communication Guide

In women in whom a normal vaginal delivery is not possible or is not indicated, delayed acceptance of lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) or outright LSCS refusal, leads to complications that can easily be avoided. Hence, it makes sense for obstetricians and other health care professionals, to address LSCS hesitancy as an integral part of obstetric care. In this article, we discuss both the communication style and communication content, that is required to manage LSCS hesitancy in women in whom the intervention is indicated. We highlight the need to analyze the reasons for hesitancy, and address them in an appropriate and affable manner, using accurate information to buttress one’s points. We also encourage seeking assistance from colleagues in the health care team, utilizing audio-visual and social media aids, and offering alternatives if the patient so desires

Age-related hearing loss and its association with central obesity: experience at a tertiary centre

Background: Presbycusis is a slow, progressive, age-related sensorineural hearing loss, which is insidious, slow, progressive and irreversible disease and usually affects high pitch sound. It can be associated with various factors. Obesity is such a modifiable factor and its independent role with age-related hearing loss needs to be explored.Methods: This is a prospective study carried out over a period of three years in department of otorhinolaryngology at study institute. It included 1000 cases with symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss.Results: Among obese cases, high frequency hearing loss was found in significantly large number of cases. The most common audiogram in both male and female was Abrupt high tone loss type, irrespective of presence or absence of obesity.Conclusions: Obesity is a modifiable factor which has a significant association with high frequency hearing loss among the elderly population

Relationship between the duration of diabetes and severity of neuropathy in patients of peripheral neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) has devastating impact on the social, personal as well as economic life of a diabetic patient. In US, prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in adult diabetics is approximately 28%. The aim of this study is to establish relationship between the duration of diabetes and severity of neuropathy in patients with peripheral neuropathic DFU. Methods: This is a prospective observational study, including 30 patients, who underwent history, examination and Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS) was used for diagnosing severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (mild, moderate, severe) from a period of October 2015 to June 2017. Results: In this study, we observed that the mean age of the diabetic foot patients was 53.50±12.03 years ranging from 30 to 75 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. The mean duration of diabetes was 6.38±4.57 years. The patients with mild neuropathy had a mean duration of diabetes of 4.77±2.61 years, while, those with moderate and severe neuropathy had mean duration of 7.17±1.48years and 8.48±4.59 years, respectively. Conclusions: The study concluded that there is a significant association between duration of diabetes and severity of neuropathy, i.e., patients with longer duration of diabetes had severe peripheral neuropathy

Spontaneous unscarred fundal rupture after normal vaginal delivery

Uterine rupture is one of the most dangerous obstetric situation carrying an increased risk of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, associated with poorly managed labour. The incidence of spontaneous rupture of unscarred uterus is around 1 in 8000 to 1 in 15000 deliveries. We report this unusual case of spontaneous unscarred fundal rupture after normal vaginal delivery. This case under reference developed shock soon after delivery and was explored due to suspected intraperitoneal hemorrhage. This case is being reported to emphasis the need for proper post-delivery monitoring not only to diagnose post-partum hemorrhage but also to suspect uterine rupture as a cause of unexplained shock developing after delivery inspite of all resuscitative measures. Although unexpected in a woman with an unscarred uterus, rupture should be considered as a possible cause of unusual pain or hypotension in the mother. The most effective way to reduce the number of morbidity and mortality would be to prevent unwanted pregnancies by informed and effective use of contraception

Optimization of parameters for application of sericin on cotton knits

In this study, a process has been developed for durable coating of sericin on cotton knits. Treated samples are tested for wicking, stiffness, moisture vapour transmission rate and air permeability. Results show that cotton knits become more hydrophilic on application of sericin. Air and water vapour transmission improve, thus making the cotton sample suitable for applications in skin moisturizing and skin healing. These results indicate that sericin can be used to develop a durable finish on cotton for use in medical and sports garments

ANTIMICROBIAL STUDY OF VYADHIVIDHWANSANA RASA (AN HERBOMINERAL PREPARATION): IN VITRO STUDY

Ayurveda-The traditional medicinal science in India has holistic approach and practiced widely in the subcontinent. Large parts of the Ayurvedic drugs are heromineral preparations. These preparations are broad spectrum as far as its indications are concerned. Definite mode of action of these drugs are inexplicable. Vyadhividhwansana Rasa is an herbomineral preparation used for treating acute fever, interrupted fever, fever of unknown origin, ascites, splenomegaly, colic pain, Vata vyadhi, Aama jwara (first stage of fever) and Vishama jwara (irregular fever). In view of its therapeutic indications an antimicrobial study was designed to ascertain its probable mode of action. The present study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Vyadhividhwansana Rasa against test organisms at different concentration. Vyadhividhwansana Rasa was prepared as per Ayurvedic texts. Positive control Streptomycin [5mg(w/v)] and negative control 20% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were prepared. Solution of Vyadhividhwansana Rasa were prepared in three concentrations at 50 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml and 150 mg/ml in DMSO and was tested for its antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi by agar-well diffusion method. The measured Inhibition Zone ranged from 4-34 mm for all the sensitive bacteria. All the bacteria except Salmonella typhi were found Susceptible (S) against Vyadhividhwansana Rasa compared to standard. Salmonella typhi was found Intermediate sensitive (I). The antimicrobial activity of the extracts increased when the solution is more concentrated

Taxation Policy: A Much-Needed Push for Intellectual Property Creation in India

Tax is one of the sources of funds for the State to be able to provide public goods. Tax policy has also been strategically exploited by the State to achieve desired social interventions and developments. In the modern era, such social development is driven in large part by the growth of intellectual property. Each State strives to achieve an edge over other states through intellectual property. India is no exception and is striving to incentivize the creation of IP via the tax system. In this paper, the authors establish how both tax policy and a robust intellectual property regime have led to the development of the country. The authors have carried out a brief comparative analysis of the tools used by Singapore in their taxation policy which have resulted in the growth of intellectual property. The paper briefly analyses the various tools used by India in its taxation policy for the promotion of intellectual property and their likely impact on India’s aspiration to become self-reliant and globally competitive in the sphere of intellectual property