Oscillations in a maturation model of blood cell production.

We present a mathematical model of blood cell production which describes both the development of cells through the cell cycle, and the maturation of these cells as they differentiate to form the various mature blood cell types. The model differs from earlier similar ones by considering primitive stem cells as a separate population from the differentiating cells, and this formulation removes an apparent inconsistency in these earlier models. Three different controls are included in the model: proliferative control of stem cells, proliferative control of differentiating cells, and peripheral control of stem cell committal rate. It is shown that an increase in sensitivity of these controls can cause oscillations to occur through their interaction with time delays associated with proliferation and differentiation, respectively. We show that the characters of these oscillations are quite distinct and suggest that the model may explain an apparent superposition of fast and slow oscillations which can occur in cyclical neutropenia. © 2006 Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics

Extensive injuries following a ‘trip at home’: a case report

A 52-year-old, Caucasian, British man suffered significant injury following simple fall. A man with no significant past medical history, presented to the accident and emergency with right side chest pain and shortness of breath. He reported a simple fall, two days before admission. Chest radiograph showed simple bilateral pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. Subsequent computerised tomography confirmed the thoracic injury and identified complex pathophysiology as described. This case shows the extent of injury a person can sustain from a simple fall and the high index of suspicion required to discover the full extent of a patient's injuries. We review the literature to find other forms of presentation

Paediatric Boerhaave’s syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

We report a case of paediatric Boerhaave’s syndrome in 15-year-old girl associated with massive dilatation of the stomach into the pelvis and transient hepatitis of uncertain aetiology. This cluster of clinical finding has not previously been reported. The young girl initially presented with abdominal pain, vomiting and lower urinary tract symptoms. She was initially treated for urinary tract infection after urine dipstick showed leucocytes and nitrates. Later she was found to have the spectrum of findings as described. Patient was treated by restricting to strict no oral intake and gastric decompression. Enteral nutrition maintained via a feeding jejunostomy

Role of soluble, cell wall bound phenolics, tannin and flavonoid contents in maize resistance to pink stem borer Sesamia inferens Walker

The pink stem borer Sesamia inferens Walker is an important pest of winter maize which causes significant yieldlosses. In an attempt to identify the biochemical basis of resistance against S. inferens, total soluble phenolics, boundphenolics, cell wall-bound hydroxycinnamic acids-p-coumaric acid (p-CA), ferulic acid (FA), total tannin contentand total flavonoid contents, were measured in leaf at 10, 20 days after germination (DAG); stem at 20, 40 DAG;pith and rind tissues at 60 DAG (stem differentiated). From the present study, it was found that bound phenolics,p-CA, ferulic acid and total tannin contents contribute to the maize defense mechanism against S. inferens. Totalbound phenolic content showed negative correlation with Leaf Injury Rating (LIR). Highly significant strong positivecorrelation (+0.9750) was observed between LIR and total soluble phenolics in leaf tissue at 20 DAG. Similarlyhighly significant strong positive correlation between LIR and total tannins (+0.9354**) and flavonoids (+0.9582**)in pith at 60 DAG was observed. Further, a strong significant positive correlation was also observed between LIRand p-CA (+0.9199*) in pith at 60 DAG and total ferulic acid (+0.9051*) in rind at 60 DAG. The significant strong negativecorrelation between LIR and p-CA (-0.8441*) in stem at 40 DAG was observed. The total bound phenolicsin rind at 60 DAG (0.756), in leaf at 20 DAG (0.681), and total soluble phenolics in the stem at 20 DAG (0.685) showedhigher loadings with PC1, PC2, and PC3, respectively. Genotype-by-biochemical factor biplot showed that thedata of biochemical parameters measured in different tissues and stages could be able to group the genotypesaccording to their reaction to S. inferens

Culture of normal human blood cells in a diffusion chamber system II. Lymphocyte and plasma cell kinetics

Normal human blood leukocytes were cultured in Millipore diffusion chambers implanted into the peritoneal cavities of irradiated mice. The evaluation of survival and proliferation kinetics of cells in lymphyocytic series suggested that the lymphoid cells are formed from transition of small and/or large lymphocytes, and the lymphoblasts from the lymphoid cells. There was also evidence indicating that some of the cells in these two compartments are formed by proliferation. The evaluation of plasmacytic series suggested that the plasma cells are formed from plasmacytoid-lymphocytes by transition, and the latter from the transition of lymphocytes. In addition, relatively a small fraction of cells in these two compartments are formed by proliferation. mature plasma cells do not and immature plasma cells do proliferate. Estimation of magnitude of plasma cells formed in the cultures at day 18 indicated that at least one plasma cell is formed for every 6 normal human blood lymphocytes introduced into the culture

Evaluation of biophysical, anatomical and biochemical traits of resistance to Sitophilus oryzae L (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in stored maize

Sitophilus oryzae L is the most destructive insect pest of stored maize and is widely distributed in tropical regions. In the present study, eighteen maize genotypes were screened for several susceptibility parameters against S. oryzae by using «No Choice method». Biophysical traits (test weight, thousand kernel weight, kernel hardness), anatomical fractions (tip cap, germ, pericarp, endosperm), biochemical variants (starch, protein, oil, sugar) were correlated with insect susceptibility parameters. There is significant relationship among test weight, kernel hard- ness, and insect susceptibility parameters. Pericarp was positively correlated while endosperm, starch content were negatively correlated with median development period but were non-significant. Majority of the maize geno- types containing harder kernels and thick pericarp showed less susceptibility to S. oryzae. The results indicated that the biophysical, anatomical and biochemical traits are responsible for varying levels of resistance to S. oryzae

Strategic selection of white maize inbred lines for tropical adaptation and their utilization in developing stable, medium to long duration maize hybrids

White maize plays an important role in human diet, especially in traditional crop growing regions of northern hill region, north-eastern states and central-western parts of India. Breeding efforts to enhance the genetic potential of white maize was not so prominent as compared to yellow maize in the country. As a result, genetic base of the material utilized in white maize breeding program in India is very narrow and majorly contains indigenous germplasm and few introductions. Hence, efforts were made to use 365 white maize inbred lines from CIMMYT, Mexico, for breeding program. These new inbred lines were grown at winter nursery center, Indian Institute of Maize Research, New Delhi for its tropical adaptation. After preliminary evaluation, a total 47 inbred lines were selected and evaluated in randomized complete block design with two replications at Regional Maize Research and Seed Production Centre, Begusarai, Bihar, during rabi 2014. Out of this top performing 12 inbred lines viz, CML 47, CML 95, CML 314, CML 319, CML 377, CML 488, CML 494, CML 504, CML 517, CML 522, CML 531 and CML 538 were selected and were crossed in diallel manner to obtain 66 medium to long duration experimental hybrids. Stability analysis using AMMI model was done to identify adaptive hybrids with high yielding potentiality. According to the ASVi value obtained, the hybrid G38 appeared to be stable followed by G50 and G44. On the other hand, the hybrid G25 appeared as location specific hybrid suitable for high input conditions

A novel technique for the treatment of post operative retro-rectal haematoma: two case reports

Rectal bleeding following any form of rectal surgery is a well recognised complication 1, 2, 3 & 4. However retro-rectal bleeding and tracking which then presents as rectal bleeding has not been reported in the literature. We describe a novel way of dealing with this technically difficult post-operative complication

Point Prevalence Surveys of Antimicrobial Use among Hospitalized Children in Six Hospitals in India in 2016.

The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in India is among the highest in the world. Antimicrobial use in inpatient settings is an important driver of resistance, but is poorly characterized, particularly in hospitalized children. In this study, conducted as part of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance, Prescribing, and Efficacy in Neonates and Children (GARPEC) project, we examined the prevalence of and indications of antimicrobial use, as well as antimicrobial agents used among hospitalized children by conducting four point prevalence surveys in six hospitals between February 2016 and February 2017. A total of 681 children were hospitalized in six hospitals across all survey days, and 419 (61.5%) were prescribed one or more antimicrobials (antibacterials, antivirals, antifungals). Antibacterial agents accounted for 90.8% (547/602) of the total antimicrobial prescriptions, of which third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) accounted for 38.9% (213/547) and penicillin plus enzyme inhibitor combinations accounted for 14.4% (79/547). Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was the most common indication for prescribing antimicrobials (149 prescriptions; 24.8%). Although national guidelines recommend the use of penicillin and combinations as first-line agents for LRTI, 3GCs were the most commonly prescribed antibacterial agents (55/149 LRTI prescriptions; 36.9%). In conclusion, 61.5% of hospitalized children were on at least one antimicrobial agent, with excessive use of 3GCs. Hence there is an opportunity to limit their inappropriate use

Point prevalence surveys of antimicrobial use among eight neonatal intensive care units in India: 2016

BACKGROUND: Information about antimicrobial use is scarce and poorly understood among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in India. In this study, we describe antimicrobial use in eight NICUs using four point prevalence surveys (PPSs). METHODS: As part of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance, Prescribing, and Efficacy in Neonates and Children (GARPEC) study, one-day, cross-sectional, hospital-based PPSs were conducted four times between 1 February 2016 and 28 February 2017 in eight NICUs. Using a standardized web-based electronic data entry form, detailed data were collected for babies on antimicrobials. RESULTS: A total of 403 babies were admitted to NICUs across all survey days, and 208 (51.6%) were prescribed one or more antimicrobials. Among 208 babies, 155 (74.5%) were prescribed antimicrobials for treatment of an active infection. Among 155 babies with an active infection, treatment was empiric in 109 (70.3%). Sepsis (108, 49.1%) was the most common reason for prescribing antimicrobials. Amikacin (17%) followed by meropenem (12%) were the two most commonly prescribed antimicrobials. For community-acquired sepsis, piperacillin-tazobactam (17.5%) was the most commonly prescribed drug. A combination of ampicillin and gentamicin was prescribed in only two babies (5%). CONCLUSIONS: The recommended first-line antimicrobial agents, ampicillin and gentamicin, were rarely prescribed in Indian NICUs for community acquired neonatal sepsis