Constrictive pericarditis in a post–renal transplant patient: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Constrictive pericarditis is a rare complication in the post–renal transplant period. It poses a diagnostic dilemma even in the modern era. Its incidence is not known and tuberculosis is implicated in some of the cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old Sri Lankan man, in the sixth year of transplant presented with resistant ascites, shortness of breath and elevated creatinine from the baseline. Pre-transplant he was empirically treated for tuberculosis pericarditis and was on isoniazid prophylaxis for 1 year following transplantation. Two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac catheterization confirmed the diagnosis, and pericardiectomy was performed, which resulted in full resolution of the symptoms as well as the graft function. The histology or bacteriology failed to demonstrate features suggestive of tuberculosis in the surgical specimen. CONCLUSION: In constrictive pericarditis, a causative factor is difficult to find. Isoniazid prophylaxis shows benefit in preventing tuberculosis-associated constrictive pericarditis

High hydrogen content syngas fuel burning in lean premixed spherical flames at elevated pressures: Effects of preferential diffusion

This study addresses the effects of preferential diffusion on flame structure and propagation of high hydrogen content (HHC) turbulent lean premixed hydrogen-carbon monoxide syngas flames at elevated pressures. The direct numerical simulations with detailed chemistry were performed in three-dimensional domain for expanding spherical flame configuration in a constant pressure combustion chamber. To identify the role of preferential diffusion on flame structure and propagation under low and high turbulence levels at elevated pressure, simulations were performed at an initial turbulent Reynolds number of 15 and 150 at a pressure value of 4 bar. The results demonstrate that the thermo-diffusive instability greatly influences the lean premixed syngas cellular flame structure due to strong preferential diffusion effects under low turbulence level at elevated pressure. In contrast, the results reveal that the thermo-diffusive effects are destabilising and preferential diffusion is overwhelmed by turbulent mixing under high turbulence level at elevated pressure. This finding suggests that the development of cellular flame structure is dominated by turbulence with little or no contribution from the thermo-diffusive instability for the lean premixed syngas flame which operates under conditions of high turbulence and elevated pressures. However, results demonstrate that the flame acceleration and species diffusive flux are still influenced by the preferential diffusion for the lean premixed syngas flame which operates under conditions of high turbulence and elevated pressures

World review of the natural enemies and diseases of Spodoptera litura(F.)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Published information was used to compile a summary of natural enemies(parasitoids, predatorsand diseases) reported attacking Spodoptera litirra (F) under field conditions. Species (71) of insect parasitoids in seven families of Hymenoptera and two families of Diptera were listed as parasitoids of difTerent stages of S. litura. Predatory insects (36) belonging to 14 families and 12 species of spiders from six families have been reported to feed on this species. Four prolozoan, four fungal, seven bacterial, four each of viral and nematode species were also reported to be the pathogens of this species. Published information suggested that periodic releases of large number of egg parasites could help in suppressing populalions of this pest. There is a considerable scope for increased attention to the role of natural enemies as component of integrated pest management programmes of S. litura

Threshold Temperatures and Thermal Requirements for the Development of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Developmental thresholds and thermal requirements for different stages of Spodoptera litura (F.) fed on groundnut leaves were determined under constant laboratory conditions and in the field. An average of 64 degree-days (DD) above a threshold of 8°C was required from oviposition to egg hatch; the larval period required 303 DD and pupal stage 155 DD above a 10°C threshold; females needed 29 DD above a 10.8°C threshold from emergence to oviposition. Fifth and sixth instars accounted for about 50%of the total larval requirement under laboratory and field conditions. The response of various stages of S. litura to temperatures under constant laboratory conditions was similar to that under field conditions. The upper developmental threshold temperature of all stages was 37°C; 40°C was lethal

Objective structured practical examination (OSPE) as a tool in formative assessment of II MBBS students, in pathology

Background: Assessment drives the student learning. Regular periodical assessment not only improves learning habits, but also enhances the competence in all levels of medical education. Traditional practical examination is more subjective. It depends on examiners subjectivity, varying difficulty level of various experiments, and also internal marks variation etc. These flaws can be overcome by newer methods like OSPE. The aim of the study was to implement OSPE as a tool of internal assessment for practical skills in the II MBBS. To compare this with traditional practical examination (TPE). To obtain the students and faculty feedback regarding OSPE as a tool of assessment.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out for 158 students in II internal pathology practical examination for six days in the second week of September 2016 at Department of Pathology, Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha institute of medical sciences & Research Foundation, Chinnaoutpalli. Faculty and students were sensitized; blueprint were used to arrange twenty OSPE stations for the exercises conducted as per TPE and for the same 25 marks as per TPE. Simultaneously, all the students were subjected to both TPE and OSPE at the same time and venue. TPE was assessed by two professors and OSPE by separate eight faculty members independently without interaction with the students. The procedural stations were evaluated by using checklist and the response stations which consisted of short answers and MCQs, facilitated correction. Feedback was given to the student on their performance and feedback was obtained from the students and faculty regarding OSPE by questionnaire with Yes/No answers.Results: Performance score of students in OPSE (13.73 ±2.49) was higher as compared to TPE (9.27±1.86) which was statistically significant. Based on the response to the questionnaire, students perception towards OSPE was analyzed. Majority strongly agree OSPE to be fairer, more transparent and objective in comparison to TPE. In contrast, all the faculty members unanimously opined that OSPE was difficult to arrange, time taken and faculty versus students ratio was high for evaluation. Though, the faculty (91%) overall opined that OSPE should be included as a method of assessment.Conclusions: Present study revealed that OSPE was acceptable, feasible and reliable to the students as well as for faculty for the internal assessment in pathology. Opinions of both students and faculties strongly agreed that OPSE is more effective objective assessment tool

A New Class of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Newly synthesized compounds have been found to inhibit mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) in mouse brain and rat liver. A series of 2-acylamino-3- tert -aminopropiophenones acted preferentially against MAO type B (2-phenylethylamine as substrate), apparently irreversibly. 2-Decanoylamino-3-morpholinopropiophenone acted similarly in vivo toward the cerebral MAO, producing a dose-related inhibition. At high dose levels, MAO type A was also severely inhibited. The effects were produced rapidly and restoration of enzyme activity also appeared rapidly. The half-life for MAO type A could be estimated from the rate of enzyme reappearance to be 13 h. It is suggested that the amino ketones undergo a Β-elimination reaction at the enzyme's active site, forming a reactive species (an Α,Β-unsaturated ketone), which reacts covalently with a nucleophilic group of the enzyme by a Michael addition. Some other related compounds, derivatives of phenylpropane, also showed inhibitory activity against MAO, particularly against type A (serotonin as substrate). The morpholino compound might have promise as a quickly effective, short-acting inhibitor of MAO type B.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66333/1/j.1471-4159.1980.tb06611.x.pd

Synergistic algorithm for estimating vegetation canopy leaf area index and fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation from MODIS and MISR data

A synergistic algorithm for producing global leaf area index and fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation fields from canopy reflectance data measured by MODIS (moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer) and MISR (multiangle imaging spectroradiometer) instruments aboard the EOS-AM 1 platform is described here. The proposed algorithm is based on a three-dimensional formulation of the radiative transfer process in vegetation canopies. It allows the use of information provided by MODIS (single angle and up to 7 shortwave spectral bands) and MISR (nine angles and four shortwave spectral bands) instruments within one algorithm. By accounting features specific to the problem of radiative transfer in plant canopies, powerful techniques developed in reactor theory and atmospheric physics are adapted to split a complicated three-dimensional radiative transfer problem into two independent, simpler subproblems, the solutions of which are stored in the form of a look-up table. The theoretical background required for the design of the synergistic algorithm is discussed