Pediatric Rotavirus Gastroenteritis: A 2 year Analysis to Understand Current Prevalence in Mumbai

Many studies have established the high prevalence of paediatric Rotavirus gastroenteritis in India. The importance of rapid diagnosis of rotavirus infection has also been stressed upon, to initiate prompt rehydration therapy and prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics .We undertook a retrospective analysis of 327 paediatric stool specimens to understand the current prevalence and seasonal distribution of cases in Mumbai and its surrounding areas. Overall Rotavirus positivity rate was 37.9 %, with peak positivity in winter seasons. Infections were more common upto 2 years of age. Incidence of bacterial and parasitic coinfections was low

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC AND ION PAIR CHROMATOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE FOR ESTIMATION OF VALSARTAN AND HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE

Two new simple, sensitive, rapid, accurate and reproducible methods (UV-spectrophotometric and ion pair chromatography) have been developed for simultaneous estimation of valsartan (VAL) and hydrochlrothiazide (HCTZ) from their tablet dosage form. The first method involves multiwavelength spectrophotometric method (Method 1) in which interference of HCTZ at 245nm (wavelength for estimation of VAL) was removed by recording absorbance difference at 245nm and 301 nm whereas HCTZ was estimated directly from its absorbance at 316 nm at which VAL shows no absorbance. Linearity of the response was demonstrated by VAL in the concentration range of 5-45 g/ml with a square correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9998. Linearity of the response was demonstrated by HCTZ in the concentration range of 2-18 g/ml with a square correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9994. The second method utilizes ion pair chromatography (Method 2) on a HIQ sil ODS column (250 mm* 4.6 mm i.d.) using methanol: 0.0025 M orthophosphoric acid: (70:30 by volume) having pH 4.6: 0.1% hexane sulphonic acid as mobile phase with UV detection at 259nm over concentration range for VAL is 240-0 μg/ml, and for HCTZ is 75-0μg/ml. Losartan potassium was used as the internal standard. The suggested procedures were checked using laboratory prepared mixtures and were applied successfully for the analysis of their tablet dosage form. The results of analysis were statistically analysed. Both the methods were validated as per ICH Q2B guideline

Globular clusters as gamma ray sources

There are indications now that globular clusters contain a large number of low magnetic field millisecond pulsars. Since millisecond pulsars are expected to emit γ -rays due to curvature radiation, it is likely that globular clusters will themselves be sources of γ -rays bright enough to be detectable by present day instruments. Using the expression derived by Scharlemann, Arons & Fawley (1978) of the energy acquired by the electrons moving along the open magnetic field lines of the pulsars we have calculated the likely luminosity of γ -rays from globular clusters. We discuss our results in the light of the calculations reported in the literature based on some of the other models

Gamma-ray emission from pulsars

We have attempted to devise a scheme by which it may be possible to identify pulsars which are likely to be γ-ray pulsars. We apply this test to a representative population of pulsars and identify the likely candidates for γ emission. We also discuss some individual cases including the Crab and Vela pulsars

Integrated processing of peanut for the separation of major constituents

Bench-scale experiments were carried out on the processing of peanut by a new method. The decuticled kernels were pasted, and the paste was subjected to the Skipin process to recover approximately 30% oil; the residual paste was made into a dispersion at 10.0 pH and clarified to get a carbohydrate meal (15.7% moisture-free); the clarified dispersion was centrifuged to obtain another 12% fat and the remaining dispersion was acidified to get the protein (21.9% moisture-free). Fifteen batches of 100-1b. (45.4 kg.) each have been processed, and the reproducibility of the yields has been ascertained. The scope for increasing the oil yield and for improving protein quality is discussed

Constraint On The Cosmological Constant From Gravitational Lenses In An Evolutionary Model Of Galaxies

We study the effect of the cosmological constant on the statistical properties of gravitational lenses in flat cosmologies (Omega_{0}+lambda_{0} = 1). It is shown that some of the lens observables are strongly affected by the cosmological constant, especially in a low--density universe, and its existence might be inferred by a statistical study of the lenses. In particular, the optical depth of the lens distribution may be used best for this purpose without depending much on the lens model. We calculate the optical depth (probabilty of a beam encountering with a lens event) for a source in a new picture of galaxy evolution based on number evolution in addition to pure luminosity evolution. It seems that present day galaxies result from the merging of a large number of building blocks. We have tried to put limit on the cosmological constant in this new picture of galaxy evolution. This evolutionary model of galaxies permits larger value of cosmological constant.Comment: Latex file with two figures, 24 page

Bacterial Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis is an ocular inflammation involving vitreous cavity along with the retinal and uveal components of the eye mostly due to infectious agent. The source of infection could be exogenous or endogenous. Exogenous endophthalmitis results from direct inoculation as a complication of ocular surgery, foreign bodies or penetrating ocular trauma, while endogenous endophthalmitis results from haematogenous spread of organisms from a distant source of infection. Endophthalmitis often results in partial or complete loss of vision despite aggressive therapeutic and surgical intervention and hence it is considered as a medical emergency. Diagnosis of infectious agent is critical in the management of these agents. Intravitreal antimicrobial therapy along with anti-inflammatory agents is the key ingredient for successful management of endophthalmitis, while surgical procedures like vitrectomy become necessary in severe endophthalmitis cases. This is a brief review regarding classification, etiological agents causing endophthalmitis, diagnosis and therapeutic challenges of endophthalmitis that will help in improving the visual outcome