Light scattering from a magnetically tunable dense random medium with weak dissipation : ferrofluid

We present a semi-phenomenological treatment of light transmission through and its reflection from a ferrofluid, which we regard as a magnetically tunable system of dense random dielectric scatterers with weak dissipation. Partial spatial ordering is introduced by the application of a transverse magnetic field that superimposes a periodic modulation on the dielectric randomess. This introduces Bragg scattering which effectively enhances the scattering due to disorder alone, and thus reduces the elastic mean free path towards Anderson localization. Our theoretical treatment, based on invariant imbedding, gives a simultaneous decrease of transmission and reflection without change of incident linear polarisation as the spatial order is tuned magnetically to the Bragg condition, namely the light wave vector being equal to half the Bragg vector (Q). Our experimental observations are in qualitative agreement with these results. We have also given expressions for the transit (sojourn) time of light and for the light energy stored in the random medium under steady illumination. The ferrofluid thus provides an interesting physical realization of effectively a "Lossy Anderson-Bragg" (LAB) cavity with which to study the effect of the interplay of spatial disorder, partial order and weak dissipation on light transport. Given the current interest in propagation, optical limiting and storage of light in ferrofluids, the present work seems topical

Correlation between thyroxin hormone level, bilirubin and uric acid in diabetic subjects

Background: Levels of thyroxin hormone along with T3, TSH and other markers such as uric acid, bilirubin and glucose are important in diagnosis and medical management of diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorder. Relationship between these parameters are important in both diabetes mellitus and Thyroid gland disease, as both disorders are increasing very fast in Indian population. Present study aimed to analyzed T3, T4, TSH, uric acid and bilirubin in Haroti Region of Jhalawar, Rajasthan in diabetic and non diabetic subjects.Methods: One hundred diabetes mellitus subjects and 100 healthy control subjects were analyzed for determination of thyroxin, T3, TSH, uric acid and bilirubin by commercial kit method.Results: One hundred subjects of diabetes mellitus between age 30-60 years male and female were analyzed. It was observed significantly T3 <0.001 T4 <0.001 TSH <0.001 bilirubin <0.01 in diabetic subjects and found to be significant when compared in both groups. However, uric acid level insignificant in both patients and control groups.Conclusions:This study demonstrated that thyroxin hormone with T3, TSH and bilirubin and uric acid, are important parameters and their values are significant when compared with healthy subjects in diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorder. 

Clinical outcome of proximal left anterior descending revascularization with everolimus eluting stents via transradial route: a single centre experience in Western Rajasthan, India

Background: The proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenosis represents the most important proximal site for obstructive coronary artery, as it supplies 40%–50% of the total left ventricular myocardium and could result in ischemia to a large area of myocardium. This study assesses the clinical outcome of patients with coronary artery diseases undergoing percutaneous revascularization with everolimus eluting stent implantation in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery via trans radial route.Methods: 150 patients with significant angiographic lesion of proximal LAD artery stenosis treated with PTCA and stenting to proximal LAD via TRA were selected for study and were followed for one year.Results: Total 15 events were recorded 4 (2.6%) deaths and 11 (7%) MI and TLR was noted in 4% of patients. One (0.6%) case of acute stent thrombosis was recorded.Conclusions: Total MACE of this record (10% at 12 months of clinical follow-up) is consistent with those observed in the large randomized and multi-center studies with drug-eluting stents implanted in the proximal left anterior descending artery

Study of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes and induced anisotropies under optical and fluid forces

Background &amp; objectives: The effect of P. falciparum on erythrocytes has been studied for a long time at the population level but actual studies at the single cell level remain largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to address the host-parasite relationship at the single cell level under two different kinds of forces, an optical force and a fluid force. The questions addressed were about the basic host-parasite interactions, but our findings have larger implications in diverse fields of parasite biology. Methods: Erythrocytes were monitored under optical forces (using optical tweezers) and fluid forces (using microfluidic chambers) and dynamical images were captured in real-time video clips. These videos were then split into their respective frames so as to yield temporal information and various parameters pertaining to membrane structure, ionic imbalance and interaction with different forces were studied. Results: The results of this study mainly bring to fore the inherent differences between infected and normal cell populations at the single cell level under various external forces. We probed three different criteria folding times, rotation speeds and rolling frequency to show inherent difference in various cell populations and also the dependence of the above to the cycle of the parasite. Interpretation &amp; conclusion: This study portrays the importance of single cell observations pertaining to the host-parasite relationship. It shows the effect the malarial parasite has on erythrocytes and how the intrinsic property of the infected and its neighbouring uninfected cells change as compared to normal erythrocytes. There are thus implications in the fields of cytoadherence, parasite invasions and host immune evasion

Percutaneous transcatheter intervention in a cyanotic congenital heart disease at tertiary care hospital in Western Rajasthan: a single centre experience

Background: Treatment of congenital heart disease (CHD) is either surgical or interventional. Medical management is mainly symptomatic or palliative. Although surgery is the main mode of treatment but in the recent past non-surgical interventional method is replacing it because of its multiple advantages over surgical procedures. In this article, we report the success rate of the percutaneous transcatheter device closure procedures in our tertiary care hospital.Methods: The aim of this study is to review the short-term outcome of the non-surgical interventional treatment of congenital heart diseases. We included percutaneous transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD), ventricular septal defect (VSD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm (SVA) performed at our hospital between September 2014 and November 2016.Results: We performed total 28 cases of ASD device, 3 cases of VSD device, 12 cases of PDA device, 2 cases of ruptured SVA device closures. Almost all our intervention procedures were successful except two cases of failure of ASD closure. There was no mortality and major complication related to procedures. All patients of successful interventional treatment are enjoying new life without any morbidity.Conclusions: Percutaneous transcatheter device closure for suitably selected cases of a cyanotic CHDs including ASD, VSD, PDA and ruptured SVA may be an alternative, lucrative, safe and effective option with least morbidity and mortality

Plasmodium-infected red blood cells exhibit enhanced rolling independent of host cells and alter flow of uninfected red cells

The pathogenicity of Plasmodium falciparum results from its unique ability to adhere to endothelium and uninfected erythrocytes. It is, therefore, important to understand the events leading to flowing blood cells undergoing such adhesion. Largely based on the leukocyte adhesion model, it is postulated that the slowing down (rolling) of Plasmodium-infected red blood cells (PRBCs) is initiated by interactions between certain host adhesion molecules and the parasite proteins. In this article we present data demonstrating that PRBCs do not require the presence of host adhesion molecules to slow down and roll. In a synchronized culture, the proportion of slow-flowing cells increased with parasite development and was highest at the trophozoite stage. We also observed that the uninfected red cells (URBCs), originating from a parasite culture containing PRBCs, were also inherently slower compared to malaria-unexposed normal red blood cells (NRBCs). NRBCs became slower upon incubation with supernatant taken from a parasite culture. However, such an effect was transient and the NRBCs reverted to their normal flow speed within 12 h upon withdrawal of culture supernatant. Based on our observations, we suggest that the higher propensity of PRBCs and URBCs to slow down is due to inherent structural anisotropy and altered membrane rigidity. Thus the initial events leading to the slowing down of malaria-infected blood cells appear to be different from those occurring during leukocyte adhesion

A comparative study of propofol and N2O versus sevoflurane and N2O with respect to haemodynamic response and ease of laryngeal mask airway insertion: a prospective randomized double blinded study

Background: Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is an accepted airway device for spontaneous and modest positive pressure ventilation. Propofol is widely used Induction agent. Sevoflurane is a newer pleasant volatile anaesthetic with rapid induction and recovery with stable haemodynamics. The aim of this study was to compare propofol and sevoflurane with respect of haemodynamic changes and conditions for LMA insertion.Methods: This study was done on 60 female patients of ASA I, II grade between 20-60 years of age. Patients were randomized into two groups (n=30). All patients were preoxygenated and received inj. fentanyl 2µg/kg. Induction agent was propofol 2.5mg/kg (group P) or sevoflurane 8% with vital capacity breath (group S). Loss of eyelash reflex was the end point of induction. Induction time, conditions for LMA insertion, number of attempts, time of successful LMA insertion and haemodynamic parameters were noted.Results: time for induction and LMA insertion was significantly faster in propofol group than group S (p<0.05). Successful LMA insertion in first attempt was 100% in group P with excellent conditions (score 18) while in group S, it was 86.7% with excellent to satisfactory conditions (score 16-17). A significant fall in mean arterial pressure (p<0.05) was noted in group P while pulse rates were comparable in both groups.  Conclusions: Sevoflurane vital capacity breath inhalational induction can be used as an effective alternative to propofol though it requires greater time for LMA insertion but with better haemodynamic stability.