A study of neurological disorders in pregnancy and puerperium

Background: Neurological diseases contribute to 20% of maternal deaths. The objective of this study was to find the prevalence of primary and secondary neurological disorders in pregnant and postpartum patients, to study their clinical features, feto-maternal outcome and diagnosis using radiological imaging.Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study done over a period of 1 year. Pregnant and postpartum women with neurological disorders except eclampsia were enrolled. A total of 100 cases were analysed out of which 92 underwent radiological imaging to confirm diagnosis. Primary outcome in the form of prevalence of neurological disorders and secondary outcome in the form of maternal and foetal outcome was assessed.Results: The prevalence of neurological disorders in pregnancy is 1150/100000 deliveries. 75 cases were classified as primary neurological disorders (prevalence of 862/100000) which included epilepsy, cerebrovascular accidents, CNS infections, neoplasm, neuropathies and miscellaneous. 25 cases were secondary neurological disorders (prevalence of 287/100000) which included hepatic and septic encephalopathy. Among primary disorders the prevalence of cerebrovascular accidents was found to be highest (33.3%) followed by epilepsy (32%) while that among secondary neurological disorder was of Hepatic encephalopathy (92%). Majority (68%) had recovery while 15%of women had residual deficit. There were 17 (17%) cases of maternal mortality.Conclusions: Neurological disorders were significantly associated with poor feto- maternal outcome. Radiological imaging in the form of MRI is an excellent diagnostic tool for confirming diagnosis of neurological disorders

DYSLIPIDEMIA AMONG SMOKERS

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of this study is to evaluate lipid profile among cigarette smokers and compare it with non-smokers.Methods: About 125 subjects aged between 20 and 40 years including 100 smokers as case group and 25 non-smokers as control were taken intostudy. They did not having any history of any disease (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, liver diseases, renal diseases, or obesity) or alcohol intake. Theywere not taking any drug such as B-blockers, lipid lowering drugs, or thiazide diuretics.Results: The mean serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very LDL-C (VLDL-C) were significantly raised (p<0.05) inall three groups of mild, moderate, and heavy smokers as compared to non-smokers control while mean serum high--density lipoproteins cholesterol(HDL-C) was significantly lower in all three above said groups.Conclusion: Cigarette/beedi smoking is associated with lower level of god cholesterol, i.e., HDL, and higher level of cholesterol, triglycerides, andserum LDL and VLDL.Keywords: Dyslipidemia, smoker

Rapid Solvent-free Synthesis of Aromatic Hydrazidesunder Microwave Irradiation

A variety of aromatic hydrazides has been synthesised by solvent-free hydrazinolysis ofcorresponding esters with hydrazine hydrate under microwave irradiation

Comparison of Models for Ball Bearing Dynamic Capacity and Life

Generalized formulations for dynamic capacity and life of ball bearings, based on the models introduced by Lundberg and Palmgren and Zaretsky, have been developed and implemented in the bearing dynamics computer code, ADORE. Unlike the original Lundberg-Palmgren dynamic capacity equation, where the elastic properties are part of the life constant, the generalized formulations permit variation of elastic properties of the interacting materials. The newly updated Lundberg-Palmgren model allows prediction of life as a function of elastic properties. For elastic properties similar to those of AISI 52100 bearing steel, both the original and updated Lundberg-Palmgren models provide identical results. A comparison between the Lundberg-Palmgren and the Zaretsky models shows that at relatively light loads the Zaretsky model predicts a much higher life than the Lundberg-Palmgren model. As the load increases, the Zaretsky model provides a much faster drop off in life. This is because the Zaretsky model is much more sensitive to load than the Lundberg-Palmgren model. The generalized implementation where all model parameters can be varied provides an effective tool for future model validation and enhancement in bearing life prediction capabilities

Characterization of a Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Mutant Having a Mutation in Elongation Factor-2

Retroviral insertional mutagenesis provides an effective forward genetic method for identifying genes involved in essential cellular pathways. A Chinese hamster ovary cell line mutant resistant to several bacterial ADP-ribosylating was obtained by this approach. The toxins used catalyze ADP-ribosylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF-2), block protein synthesis, and cause cell death. Strikingly, in the CHO PR328 mutant cells, the eEF-2 substrate of these ADP-ribosylating toxins was found to be modified, but the cells remained viable. A systematic study of these cells revealed the presence of a structural mutation in one allele of the eEF-2 gene. This mutation, Gly717Arg, is close to His715, the residue that is modified to become diphthamide. This Arg substitution prevents diphthamide biosynthesis at His715, rendering the mutated eEF-2 non-responsive to ADP-ribosylating toxins, while having no apparent effect on protein synthesis. Thus, CHO PR328 cells are heterozygous, having wild type and mutant eEF-2 alleles, with the latter allowing the cells to survive even in the presence of ADP-ribosylating toxins. Here, we report the comprehensive characterization of these cells

Trajectory planning for unmanned surface vehicles operating under wave-induced motion uncertainty in dynamic environments:

We present a deliberative trajectory planning method to avoid collisions with traffic vessels. It also plans traversal across wavefields generated by these vessels and minimizes the risk of failure. Our method searches over a state-space consisting of pose and time. And, it produces collision-free and minimum-risk trajectory. It uses a lookup table to account for motion uncertainty and failure risk. We also present speed-up techniques to increase performance. Our wave-aware planner produces plans that (1) have shorter execution times and safer when compared to previously developed reactive planning schemes and (2) comply with user-defined wave-traversal constraints and Collision Regulations (COLREGs

Study of Export Trade Financing in India with Particular Reference to Commercial Banks: Problems and Prospects

Exports are instrumental in the development of an economy, particularly developing nations. The Indian Financial System, through commercial bank offer financial resources for promoting exports by providing both pre and post shipment finances. LERMS and Full –convertibility on trade account of Indian rupee have provided importers to export financing, so also the New Trade Policy, provides a Favourable climate for exports. The present paper spells out the role and share of commercial banks in export financing and issues in export financing i.e. aspirations and requirements of borrowers and discontentment of banks with the present regulation of export credit. The paper suggests for increasing the flow of bank credit to export sector, restructuring the interest rates. It also calls for a change in the attitudes of banks conservative and risk avers. The need for coordination between banks and financial institutions, role of EIGC in timely settlement of claims are impetus for a favorable export business. The stress is on introducing the new innovative services of counter trade, overseas borrowings, international factoring and banker’s acceptance for accelerating promotion of exports

Effects of Nano-LiTaO(3) Crystallization on the Dielectric and Optical Properties in Er(3+)-Doped Li(2)O-Ta(2)O(5)-SiO(2)-Al(2)O(3) Glasses

The precursor glass of LiTaO(3) nanocrystals was prepared in a new Er(3+)-doped Li(2)O-Ta(2)O(5)-SiO(2)-Al(2)O(3) system by the melt-quench technique. They were isothermally crystallized at 680 degrees C for 3-100 h to obtain nanostructured glass-ceramics. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirm the nanocrystallization of LiTaO(3) (16-34 nm) yielding transparent glass-ceramics. A steep rise in the dielectric constant with the heat-treatment time is attributed to ferroelectric LiTaO(3) crystallization. Photoluminescence spectra exhibit the (4)I(13/2) -> (4)I(15/2) emission transition of Er(3+) ions at 1570 nm when excited at 984 nm. Its intensity and lifetime decrease with an increase in heat-treatment time due to concentration quenching effect

Role of 3D printed customized implants in periarticular fractures: a narrative review

“3D printing” is a common term used for a number of technologies which operate on the principle of converting a computer-generated 3D image into a physical model. Advantage of 3D printed parts is that they can assume complex shape, with solid and porous components that can be combined to provide the best combination of strength and performances and can help visualize the complex fractures which are difficult to apprehend with conventional imaging. Presently, the primary applications for 3D printing are the production of anatomical models for planning and surgery simulation, patient-specific instruments and custom-made prosthesis which have transformed how orthopedic problems are addressed now. This review aims to describe the utility and future directives into the application of this technology in orthopedics

A RAPID METHOD FOR THE FUNCTIONALISATION OF POLYMER SUPPORTS FOR SOLID PHASE OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS

ABSTRACT A rapid method is described for the covalent anchoring of appropriately protected 2'-deoxyribonucleoside-3'-O-succinates to LCAA-CPG, widely used support for solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis. The method involves the reaction of nucleoside-3'-O-succinates with aminoalkyl functions of the support in the presence of improved and commercially available condensing reagent, TBTU or TPP-DTNP to generate fully functionalised polymer supports with excellent nucleoside loadings