Role of labour admission test in predicting pregnancy outcome in low-risk cases

Background: The present study was carried out to determine the role of labour admission test (LAT) in detecting fetal hypoxia in labour and to correlate the findings of the test with perinatal outcome in low-risk cases.Methods: In this study 150 low risk pregnant term women were subjected to LAT and classified according to NICE 2017 guidelines. Pregnancy outcome in terms of need for operative delivery and neonatal status at birth were noted. Data was analysed statistically by Chi-square test.Results: The LAT was normal in 78.67%, suspicious in 17.33% and pathological in 4%. Operative delivery for fetal distress was observed in 18.75% of normal group, in 50% of suspicious group and in 100% of pathological group. The incidence of meconium-stained liquor was significantly high in pathological (50%) and suspicious group (19.23%). The incidence of low 5-minute Apgar score was significantly high in pathological LAT group (33.33%) as compared to suspicious (7.69%) and normal LAT groups (2.54%). Admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was significantly high in pathological test group (50%). LAT in this study showed 48.15% sensitivity, 96.75% specificity and 76.47% positive predictive value as a screening tool for predicting fetal distress in low-risk patients suggesting that a normal LAT in early labour is an indicator of good pregnancy outcome.Conclusions: LAT is an effective, non-invasive screening method with good specificity to detect fetal distress in low-risk woman and helps to plan management accordingly to improve pregnancy outcome

Viable mass production method for cotton pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)

AbstractCotton seed based artificial diet has been standardized for continuous rearing of pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) at the Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore. The ingredients of the diet are easily available and are cost effective. Basic ingredients of the diet are cotton seed flour (processed) and chick pea flour, Carbohydrate, Protein, Fat sources, multi vitamin, antimicrobial agents and agar as thickening agent are used as other ingredients. Micro centrifuge tubes with lid were used as rearing containers. Individual neonate larvae were released on each piece of the diet inside the micro centrifuge tube and the lids were closed. This prevented larval escape, retaining them inside the tubes and also prevented diet dehydration. The recovery of insect reared on diet was recorded as 95.56%. Egg hatchability and adult emergence were 100% while pupal malformation was nil. Eggs, larval and pupal periods were recorded as 4.8±0.632, 25.10±0.994 and 7.9±0.88days, respectively. Larval and pupal weights were recorded as 21.40mg±3.63, 18.00mg±2.73, respectively

Hybrid optimization algorithm for enhanced performance and security of counter-flow shell and tube heat exchangers

A shell and tube heat exchanger (STHE) for heat recovery applications was studied to discover the intricacies of its optimization. To optimize performance, a hybrid optimization methodology was developed by combining the Neural Fitting Tool (NFTool), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Grey Relational Analysis (GRE). STHE heat exchangers were analyzed systematically using the Taguchi method to analyze the critical elements related to a particular response. To clarify the complex relationship between the heat exchanger efficiency and operational parameters, grey relational grades (GRGs) are first computed. A forecast of the grey relation coefficients was then conducted using NFTool to provide more insight into the complex dynamics. An optimized parameter with a grey coefficient was created after applying PSO analysis, resulting in a higher grey coefficient and improved performance of the heat exchanger. A major and far-reaching application of this study was based on heat recovery. A detailed comparison was conducted between the estimated values and the experimental results as a result of the hybrid optimization algorithm. In the current study, the results demonstrate that the proposed counter-flow shell and tube strategy is effective for optimizing performance

The Malaysia DREEM: perceptions of medical students about the learning environment in a medical school in Malaysia

BACKGROUND: Students’ perceptions of their learning environment, by defining its strengths and weaknesses, are important for continuous improvement of the educational environments and curriculum. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of their learning environment, among medical students in Malaysia. Various aspects of the education environment were compared between year levels and sex. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2012. A total number of 438 medical students participated in this study, and the response rate was 87.6%. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Comparisons of the mean scores of Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) subscales were calculated. The t-test was used to determine statistically significant differences. RESULTS: The majority of the study participants were female, Malay, and from year 3 (68.7%, 65.3%, and 55.7%; respectively). Analysis of each of the 50 items of the DREEM inventory showed that 47 items scored ranged between 2.00 and 3.00, and three items scored below 2.00. These were identified as problem areas in this medical school that are required to be critically addressed. The overall score showed that the medical students’ perceptions were positive. The students’ perception toward educational environment was positive for all five DREEM subscales. CONCLUSION: The study found that, in general, the perceptions of the participants about the learning environment were positive. Nevertheless, the study also found there is a need for curriculum improvement in this school and identified priority areas for such improvement

Missense mutation of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) alters neurocognitive performance in patients with mild traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal study

The predictability of neurocognitive outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury is not straightforward. The extent and nature of recovery in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are usually heterogeneous and not substantially explained by the commonly known demographic and injury-related prognostic factors despite having sustained similar injuries or injury severity. Hence, this study evaluated the effects and association of the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) missense mutations in relation to neurocognitive performance among patients with mTBI. 48 patients with mTBI were prospectively recruited and MRI scans of the brain were performed within an average 10.1 (SD 4.2) hours post trauma with assessment of their neuropsychological performance post full Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) recovery. Neurocognitive assessments were repeated again at 6 months follow-up. The paired t-test, Cohen’s d effect size and repeated measure ANOVA were performed to delineate statistically significant differences between the groups [wildtype G allele (Val homozygotes) vs. minor A allele (Met carriers)] and their neuropsychological performance across the time point (T1 = baseline/ admission vs. T2 = 6th month follow-up). Minor A allele carriers in this study generally performed more poorly on neuropsychological testing in comparison wildtype G allele group at both time points. Significant mean differences were observed among the wildtype group in the domains of memory (M = -11.44, SD = 10.0, p = .01, d = 1.22), executive function (M = -11.56, SD = 11.7, p = .02, d = 1.05) and overall performance (M = -6.89 SD = 5.3, p = .00, d = 1.39), while the minor A allele carriers showed significant mean differences in the domains of attention (M = -11.0, SD = 13.1, p = .00, d = .86) and overall cognitive performance (M = -5.25, SD = 8.1, p = .01, d = .66).The minor A allele carriers in comparison to the wildtype G allele group, showed considerably lower scores at admission and remained impaired in most domains across the timepoints, although delayed signs of recovery were noted to be significant in the domains attention and overall cognition. In conclusion, the current study has demonstrated the role of the BDNF rs6265 Val66Met polymorphism in influencing specific neurocognitive outcomes in patients with mTBI. Findings were more detrimentally profound among Met allele carriers

Primary broad ligament adenocarcinoma

Primary broad ligament carcinoma is a very rare occurrence with 28 reported cases worldwide, to date. The epidemiology, treatment strategy and prognosis are still uncertain because of the scarcity of cases. Currently, all broad ligament carcinomas are managed similar to epithelial ovarian cancer. We report the case of a 43-year-old female with a prolonged complaint of abdominal pain and intermittent urinary retention, requiring frequent catheterization. She was diagnosed with obstructive right hydroureteronephrosis. The abdominal Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) revealed a well-defined heterogeneous lesion of 2.1х3х3.2cm size in the right lateral and posterior wall of the cervix. An ultrasound (USG)-guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the mass was done and it was suspected to be malignant. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, right salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic lymph-nodal sampling, and peritoneal washing. Histological examination depicted an endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the broad ligament. She received adjuvant chemotherapy, followed by hormonal therapy. It has been five years since her surgery, and she is now alive and disease free