Synthesis of launch vehicle design and trajectory optimization

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3280416

An Overview on Steps to Accelerate Science Communication in Tamil

Our country’s Science, Technology, Innovation Policy (STIP 2020) was released last year. Generally, there exists a gap between science and technology and the general public. It is impertinent to bridge this gap between scientific domain experts, technology aficionados and common (wo)man. STIP 2020 aims to maximize the number of people that participate in and contribute to the scientific discussions, missions and processes in the country. Current science and technology innovations, opportunities, and efforts need to reach every citizen through every spoken and written language of our country. This can be realized by enriching vocabulary in vernacular languages, revisiting words which are not in vogue, translating, transliterating, building technical dictionaries, publishing revised editions, creating copious web resources in Tamil and other local languages. Collaboration with science and technology experts and their contribution towards increasing the technical vocabulary is indispensable to achieve this in the current situation. Translators, linguists, litterateurs should work in unison with experts from different fields. In this article, the authors share their concerns and ideas based on their experience in translating students’ science resources to Tamil

Efficacy and toxicity of 8 day methotrexate/folinic acid regimen in the management of low risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: a prospective observational study

Background: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a rare malignancy that arises from abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic cells. Low risk GTN responds well to single agent chemotherapy with good survival rate. Objective of the study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate chemotherapy in low risk GTN patients receiving 8-day methotrexate (MTX)/folinic acid (FA) regimen. A prospective observational study done in a tertiary care hospital in South India.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in south India between July 2015 and July 2018 and included 56 patients with low risk GTN treated with 8-day MTX/FA regimen.Results: Among the 56 patients treated, complete remission was achieved in 50 (89.3%). Molar pregnancy was the most common preceding pregnancy event (96.7%) and 63.3% of them developed GTN within 4 months of evacuation. Six non responders were treated with EMACO regimen and achieved complete remission. The most common toxicities were mucositis (46.4%) and neutropenia (17.8%). Overall survival of low risk GTN was 100% at the end of median follow up period of 14.4 months.Conclusions: For patients with low risk GTN, 8-day MTX/FA regimen is associated with a high rate of remission and low toxicity

Ascites, a New Cause for Bilateral Hydronephrosis: Case Report

Bilateral hydronephrosis secondary to urinary obstruction leads to a buildup of back pressure in the urinary tract and may lead to impairment of renal function. We present a case of a 57-year-old male with a history of alcoholic liver cirrhosis, who presented with tense ascites and acute renal failure. Bilateral hydronephrosis was seen on abdominal ultrasound. Multiple large-volume paracenteses resulted in resolution of hydronephrosis and prompt improvement in renal function

Optimized outcome of pregnancy in a woman with Glanzmann thrombasthenia with multidisciplinary approach

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT), an autosomal recessive disorder of defective platelet aggregation due to abnormalities of platelet receptor GPIIb/IIIa, can result in complication of bleeding during pregnancy. We report multidisciplinary management of a case with optimized outcome. 23 years old short statured (142 cm) primigravida was referred for contracted pelvis at term in labour. She was diagnosed with GT at 12 years of age during evaluation of gum bleeding, easy bruising, and prolonged post traumatic bleeding. She was born of a second-degree consanguineous marriage. At admission she was hemodynamically stable but moderately pale. Her hemoglobin was 8.7 g%, with 4.6 lacs platelets and clotting time of 15 minutes. Multidisciplinary team of hematologist, transfusionist and anesthetist was activated. Arranging single donor platelets in a short notice was challenging. Emergency cesarean section under general anesthesia was performed after transfusing two units packed red blood cell and 2 single donor platelets to deliver an alive male baby of 3.3 kg. Hemostasis was secured with cautery and ligatures. Tranexamic acid infusion and sublingual misoprostol was given prophylactically. she was transfused another 4 random donor platelets during operation and postoperatively. The case details will be presented. GT have normal to high platelet counts though they are normal morphologically, they are dysfunctional. This fact needs to be recognized and referred early to equipped centres. We used component transfusion, active management of third stage and tranexamic acid for optimizing outcome due to haemorrhage. At present, there is lack of consensus regarding optimum treatment of post-partum hemorrhage in patients with GT

Knowledge and attitude towards contraceptive methods for spacing and decision making factors regarding its use in postpartum women

Background: Though the permanent methods have been successful in our country the spacing methods lag behind and unwanted unplanned pregnancies continue to be high. This study was undertaken to explore the knowledge level, attitude and the factors influencing the potential use of spacing contraception among recently delivered women.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in a teaching institution using a structured questionnaire among recently delivered women willing to participate in the study.Results: Among the 404 women studied 74% were primipara. The level of awareness about spacing contraception was 70% though only 30% knew the correct use. The most frequent source of information was social circle and friends. Two thirds of women felt the need for spacing but 65.8% were not willing to adopt any modern method for fear of side effects and want of husband approval. Bivariate analysis showed that prenatal counselling (X2=41.33 P<0.001) and higher education (X2=16.6 P<0.001) were significant predictors of knowledge about spacing contraception. On bivariate analysis prenatal counselling (X2=3.83p<0.05) and prior discussion with husbands (X2=17.4 P=0.001) emerged to be the most significant predictors of positive attitude towards contraception. On multivariate analysis prior discussion with husband emerged as the most significant factor to predict the likely use of contraception for spacing (Adjusted OR-2.8; 95%CI 1.6-5.1).Conclusions: Prenatal counselling detailing about the contraceptive methods and doing away with the myths and involving husbands in these sessions would be important strategies to improve the effective use of spacing contraception among recently delivered women

Mutation causing self-aggregation in human γC-crystallin leading to congenital cataract

Purpose: Many forms of congenital hereditary cataract are associated with mutations in the crystallin genes. The authors focus attention on congenital lamellar cataract, which is associated with the R168W mutation in γC-crystallin, and congenital zonular pulverulent cataract, which is associated with a 5-bp insertion in the γC-crystallin gene. Methods: To understand the molecular phenotypes-i.e., the functional defects that have occurred in the mutant γC-crystallin molecule in two cases described-the authors cloned, expressed, isolated, and compared the solution state structural features of these mutants with those of normal (wild-type) γC-crystallin. Structural models of the wild-type and mutant have been generated using comparative modeling. Circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopic methods were used to determine the conformation of the proteins, and temperature dependent self-aggregation was used to observe the quaternary structural features. The structural stability of the proteins was monitored with the use of chemical and thermal denaturation. Results: The authors found that the 5-bp insertion led to a loss of secondary and tertiary structures of the molecule and to an enhanced tendency of self-aggregation into light-scattering particles, offering a possible factor in lens opacification. The R168W mutant, on the other hand, was remarkably similar to the wild-type molecule in its conformation and structural stability, but it differed in its ability to aggregate and scatter light. Conclusions: These results support the idea that unfolding or structural destabilization is not always necessary for crystallin-associated cataractogenesis

Prevalence of abnormal Pap smear during pregnancy in a teaching hospital in South India

Background: The prevalence of cancer cervix is very high in our country. Women in our country typically present late when the disease is advanced. Screening during pregnancy gives an opportunity to pick up at pre-invasive/early stage as women come voluntarily seeking health care to hospitals. Abnormal cervical cytology is also associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of abnormal Pap smear among pregnant women.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in a teaching institution among pregnant women using conventional cytology (with Ayer’s spatula) reported by Bethesda system after obtaining informed consent. The study was approved by institute ethics committee.Results: Among the 316 women studied the mean (SD) age at marriage was 22 (3) years. The mean period of gestation was 30 weeks. Only one participant (0.3%) reported high risk behaviour. The speculum examination was found to be normal in 99.7% women. There was one abnormal Pap smear report. Specific infection with Candida was reported in 14.6%; in none of these the speculum examination showed a characteristic discharge of candidiasis. Further a significantly higher prevalence of Candida infection was found in rural compared to urban population (Chi square 3.7, p=0.046).Conclusions: The prevalence of abnormal Pap smear is particularly low at 0.3% in our study group. However the prevalence of asymptomatic Candida infection which was missed on speculum exam because of lack of the characteristic discharge was high at 14.6%. Thus the authors recommend routine prenatal microbiological examination to detect candida infection

Anti-B7-1/B7-2 antibody elicits innate-effector responses in macrophages through NF-kB-dependent pathway

Blocking T cell co-stimulatory signals by anti-B7-1/B7-2 mAb is an attractive approach to treat autoimmune diseases. However, anti-B7-1/B7-2 mAb treatment is known to exacerbate autoimmune diseases through mechanisms not fully understood. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) also play important roles in determining the clinical outcome of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we demonstrate that the anti-B7-1 and the anti-B7-2 mAbs activate macrophages for higher induction of TNF-α and other effector responses such as bacterial cytotoxicity and production of ROS. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) was found to be increased with anti-B7-1/B7-2 mAb treatment. Inhibition of NF-kB activity by over-expression of phosphorylation-defective I-kappaB alpha in anti-B7-1/B7-2 mAb-treated macrophages decreased TNF-α production. These data indicate that anti-B7-1 and anti-B7-2 mAbs can trigger innate-effector responses in macrophages by activating NF-kB-signaling pathway. Our results suggest that the B7 molecules are not only essential for induction of adaptive immune responses but also play roles in activation of innate immune responses