Comparative study of vectis versus manual method for extraction of fetal head during lower segment cesarean section

Background: Delivery of fetal head through uterine incision is often the major technical problem during low transverse cesarean section when the presenting part is unengaged. Techniques to deliver head under special circumstances are traumatic to both mother and fetus. This study aims to establish the role of vectis in extraction of fetal head during lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) and to assess associated difficulties or untoward effects of use of vectis over manual method.Methods: The study was undertaken in PESIMSR, Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh over two years. Vectis was used in extraction of fetal head in LSCS in 100 cases of full term pregnancy and maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared with 100 cases of manual extraction.Results: Incision-delivery time interval was similar in both vectis and manual extraction method (p value of 0.390). Vectis group did not require any fundal pressure for extraction of head where as 100% of women in manual extraction group required fundal pressure (p value: <0.001) which is statistically significant. The length of abdominal incision for majority of cases in vectis group was smaller and statistically significant compared to manual extraction group (p value of 0.001). Neonatal outcomes were similar in both the groups.Conclusions: As per our study, usage of vectis has shown significant advantage in reducing maternal discomfort caused due to fundal pressure and length of abdominal incision required, with negligible difference in neonatal and other maternal outcomes in comparison to manual method of extraction

Screening and Optimization of Physical Parameters for Enhanced Alkaline Protease Production by Alkaliphilic Bacillus Subtilis SH2 Isolate

The present investigations dealt with the optimization of the physical parameters for production of alkaline protease by alkaliphilic Bacillus subtilis SH-2 isolated from slaughter house soil of Warangal, Telangana State, India. Primary screening of four different samples revealed one potent isolate. Morphological and Biochemical characterization followed by Molecular signature of 16s rRNA homology confirmed that the isolate SH-2 belongs to Bacillus subtilis. Bacillus subtilis SH-2 was screened on four different reported mediums (M1213, M660, Horikoshi and Halophilic Bacillus medium) under shake culture conditions. Maximum alkaline protease production (500 EU/ml) obtained on M1213 and Horikoshi mediums. Further optimization of physical parameters by OVAT method revealed that mean generation time (41.18 min), 4% level inoculum, incubation time 72 hrs, pH 10, temperature 350C and agitation 150 rpm are ideal for enzyme production. OVAT method resulted in 2.2 fold increased production of alkaline protease production (1100 EU/ml)

Adjustment of interaural-time-difference analysis to sound level

To localize low-frequency sound sources in azimuth, the binaural system compares the timing of sound waves at the two ears with microsecond precision. A similarly high precision is also seen in the binaural processing of the envelopes of high-frequency complex sounds. Both for low- and high-frequency sounds, interaural time difference (ITD) acuity is to a large extent independent of sound level. The mechanisms underlying this level-invariant extraction of ITDs by the binaural system are, however, only poorly understood. We use high-frequency pip trains with asymmetric and dichotic pip envelopes in a combined psychophysical, electrophysiological, and modeling approach. Although the dichotic envelopes cannot be physically matched in terms of ITD, the match produced perceptually by humans is very reliable, and it depends systematically on the overall sound level. These data are reflected in neural responses from the gerbil lateral superior olive and lateral lemniscus. The results are predicted in an existing temporal-integration model extended with a level-dependent threshold criterion. These data provide a very sensitive quantification of how the peripheral temporal code is conditioned for binaural analysis

Advances in the use of biological stabilisers and hyper-compaction for sustainable earthen construction materials.

In the majority of cases, earthen construction materials for real buildings require amendment to deliver suitable material properties, which could be some additional strength or resilience to erosion. In modern earthen construction, in India, Australia and other parts of the world, cement and lime have been successfully used as stabilisers, providing both strength and durability benefits. However, the use of cement is detrimental to the green credentials of earthen construction materials, due to the large carbon footprint of that material’s manufacture and, for some time, researchers have been motivated to find more appropriate stabilisers and manufacturing methods. In this paper, we present recent findings from two projects that are linked by this motivation, and involve the study of bio-based stabilisers and alternative manufacturing methods for insitu and unit-based materials. Results are presented from laboratory testing of strength and durability of a range of materials, bio-stabilisers and manufacturing processes, indicating that there could be viable alternatives to cement and lime, certainly for many current uses of earthen construction materials

What's in a message? Delivering sexual health promotion to young people in Australia via text messaging

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Advances in communication technologies have dramatically changed how individuals access information and communicate. Recent studies have found that mobile phone text messages (SMS) can be used successfully for short-term behaviour change. However there is no published information examining the acceptability, utility and efficacy of different characteristics of health promotion SMS. This paper presents the results of evaluation focus groups among participants who received twelve sexual health related SMS as part of a study examining the impact of text messaging for sexual health promotion to on young people in Victoria, Australia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight gender-segregated focus groups were held with 21 males and 22 females in August 2008. Transcripts of audio recordings were analysed using thematic analysis. Data were coded under one or more themes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Text messages were viewed as an acceptable and 'personal' means of health promotion, with participants particularly valuing the informal language. There was a preference for messages that were positive, relevant and short and for messages to cover a variety of topics. Participants were more likely to remember and share messages that were funny, rhymed and/or tied into particular annual events. The message broadcasting, generally fortnightly on Friday afternoons, was viewed as appropriate. Participants said the messages provided new information, a reminder of existing information and reduced apprehension about testing for sexually transmitted infections.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Mobile phones, in particular SMS, offer health promoters an exciting opportunity to engage personally with a huge number of individuals for low cost. The key elements emerging from this evaluation, such as message style, language and broadcast schedule are directly relevant to future studies using SMS for health promotion, as well as for future health promotion interventions in other mediums that require short formats, such as social networking sites.</p

Increased dynamics in the 40-57 Ω-loop of the G41S variant of human cytochrome c promote its pro-apoptotic conformation

Thrombocytopenia 4 is an inherited autosomal dominant thrombocytopenia, which occurs due to mutations in the human gene for cytochrome c that results in enhanced mitochondrial apoptotic activity. The Gly41Ser mutation was the first to be reported. Here we report stopped-flow kinetic studies of azide binding to human ferricytochrome c and its Gly41Ser variant, together with backbone amide H/D exchange and 15N-relaxation dynamics using NMR spectroscopy, to show that alternative conformations are kinetically and thermodynamically more readily accessible for the Gly41Ser variant than for the wild-type protein. Our work reveals a direct conformational link between the 40-57 Ω-loop in which residue 41 resides and the dynamical properties of the axial ligand to the heme iron, Met80, such that the replacement of glycine by serine promotes the dissociation of the Met80 ligand, thereby increasing the population of a peroxidase active state, which is a key non-native conformational state in apoptosis

Hypoglycaemia in severe malaria, clinical associations and relationship to quinine dosage

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hypoglycaemia is an independent risk factor for death in severe malaria and a recognized adverse treatment effect of parenteral quinine. In 2006 our hospital changed quinine treatment policy from 15 mg/kg loading (plus 10 mg/kg 12-hourly) to 20 mg/kg loading (plus 10 mg/kg 8-hourly) to comply with new WHO guidelines. This presented us with the opportunity to examine whether there was any dose relationship of quinine and hypoglycaemia occurrence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Retrospective case notes review of all children admitted to hospital with severe falciparum malaria between April 2002 - July 2009, before and after the introduction of the new WHO quinine regimen. Four-hourly bedside glucose levels were measured until intravenous quinine was discontinued. Clinical events immediately preceding or concurrent with each episode of hypoglycaemia (glucose < = 3.0 mmol/l) were recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>954 children received the old quinine regime and 283 received the new regime. We found no evidence of an increased prevalence of hypoglycaemia (< = 3.0 mmol/L) on the new regime compared to former (15% vs. 15%); similar findings were noted for profound hypoglycaemia (< 2.2 mmols/L) 8% v 5%, P = 0.07. Episodes were co-incident with disease severity markers: coma (57%), circulatory failure (38%) and respiratory distress (21%) but less commonly with seizures (10%). Disruption of maintenance fluids and/or blood transfusion concurred with 42% of the hypoglycaemia episodes. Post admission hypoglycaemia increased odds of fatal outcome (24%) compared to euglycaemic counterparts (8%), odds ratio = 3.45 (95% confidence interval = 2.30-5.16) P < 0.01.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There was no evidence to indicate a dose relationship between quinine and occurrence of hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia concurred with severity features, disruption of glucose infusion and transfusion. Careful glucose monitoring should be targeted to these complications where resources are limited.</p

Emergence of Tuning to Natural Stimulus Statistics along the Central Auditory Pathway

We have previously shown that neurons in primary auditory cortex (A1) of anaesthetized (ketamine/medetomidine) ferrets respond more strongly and reliably to dynamic stimuli whose statistics follow "natural" 1/f dynamics than to stimuli exhibiting pitch and amplitude modulations that are faster (1/f(0.5)) or slower (1/f(2)) than 1/f. To investigate where along the central auditory pathway this 1/f-modulation tuning arises, we have now characterized responses of neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICC) and the ventral division of the mediate geniculate nucleus of the thalamus (MGV) to 1/f(gamma) distributed stimuli with gamma varying between 0.5 and 2.8. We found that, while the great majority of neurons recorded from the ICC showed a strong preference for the most rapidly varying (1/f(0.5) distributed) stimuli, responses from MGV neurons did not exhibit marked or systematic preferences for any particular gamma exponent. Only in A1 did a majority of neurons respond with higher firing rates to stimuli in which gamma takes values near 1. These results indicate that 1/f tuning emerges at forebrain levels of the ascending auditory pathway

Adolescent/Youth Reproductive Mobile Access and Delivery Initiative for Love and Life Outcomes (ARMADILLO) Study: formative protocol for mHealth platform development and piloting

BACKGROUND: There is a high unmet need for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services among youth (ages 15-24) worldwide (MacQuarrie KLD. Unmet Need for Family Planning among Young Women: Levels and Trends 2014). With the proliferation of mobile technology, and its popularity with this age group, mobile phones offer a novel and accessible platform for a discreet, on-demand service providing SRH information. The Adolescent/Youth Reproductive Mobile Access and Delivery Initiative for Love and Life Outcomes (ARMADILLO) formative study will inform the development of an intervention, which will use the popular channel of SMS (text messages) to deliver SRH information on-demand to youth. METHODS/DESIGN: Following the development of potential SMS message content in partnership with SRH technical experts and youth, formative research activities will take place over two phases. Phase 1 will use focus group discussions (FGDs) with youth and parents/caregivers to develop and test the appropriateness and acceptability of the SMS messages. Phase 2 will consist of ‘peer piloting’, where youth participants will complete an SRH outcome-focused pretest, be introduced to the system and then have three weeks to interact with the system and share it with friends. Participants will then return to complete the SRH post-test and participate in an in-depth interview about their own and their peers’ opinions and experiences using ARMADILLO. DISCUSSION: The ARMADILLO formative stage will culminate in the finalization of country-specific ARMADILLO messaging. Reach and impact of ARMADILLO will be measured at later stages. We anticipate that the complete ARMADILLO platform will be scalable, with the potential for national-level adoption