Neonatal and maternal outcome in term primigravida with isolated oligohydramnios

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcome in term primigravida with isolated oligohydramnios.Methods: A retrospective, case–control study was carried out in the department of OBG, School of Medical Sciences and Research, Sharda Hospital, Greater Noida from November 2014 to October 2017. The study population comprised of low-risk primigravida with singleton, term pregnancy, with vertex presentation and intact membranes.  After meeting the inclusion and exclusion criterion, the study population was divided into cases (n = 51) and control group (176) and the results were analyzed in reference to rate of induction of labour, C. Section rate and the perinatal outcome.Results: Isolated oligohydramnios is associated with increased rate of induction of labour and increased operative interference, but perinatal outcome in terms of mean birth weight, Apgar score at 5 min and NICU admissions for over 24 hours, are not statistically significant in comparison with control group.Conclusions: Isolated oligohydramnios is not an indicator of adverse perinatal outcome.

A rare case of primary infertility with bilateral agenesis of medial part of fimbrial end with hypoplasia of fimbria and absence of fimbria ovarica with septate uterus with bilateral normal ovaries

Patients with infertility frequently present with associated congenital genital anomalies affecting around 5-6% of patients. Most of these patients have anomalies associated with uterus, cervix and vagina which have been extensively studied through time. The exact association of abnormalities of fallopian tube to infertility is still unknown due to the limited data available. The true incidence of congenital fallopian tube anomalies is unknown because abnormalities may be subtle and are often overlooked or thought to be due to acquired or iatrogenic causes. While reviewing the literature, we observed that partial or complete agenesis of the fallopian tube is rarely reported. They are usually incidental diagnosis on laparoscopy done for some other purposes. Due to rarity of such cases, their effect on fertility and its management is still a challenge. Here, we present a case report of septate uterus with bilateral fimbrial agenesis and normal ovaries in a patient of primary infertility. 

Sacrospinous colpopexy versus McCall’s culdoplasty during vaginal hysterectomy in stage 3 and 4 prolapse for prevention of vault prolapse

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition seen in women due to weakening of support of pelvic organs. Different surgical procedures have been adopted for suspension of vaginal vault during vaginal hysterectomy to restore vault to near normal anatomic position as preventive measures for vault prolapse. The aim of study was to compare the efficacy of the McCall’s culdoplasty and sacrospinous ligament colpopexy in stage 3 and 4 prolapse (POP-Q).Methods: This prospective study comprised 100 women presenting with stage 3 and 4 prolapse (POP-Q). They were divided into two equal groups of 50 each. The patients were randomized to undergo McCall’s culdoplasty (Group A) or sacrospinous ligament fixation (Group B) with vaginal hysterectomy based on note contained in an envelope comparative analysis was done, and patients were evaluated for intra-operative difficulties and immediate (48 hours) post-operative complications using SPSS-version 23 for statistical analysis. The patients were followed up at one month and one year to evaluate symptomatically and objectively.Results: In group A, patients with 3-degree prolapse 1 woman had hemorrhage and 1 woman had bladder injury intraoperatively. Whereas in group B, 5 women had hemorrhage and 1 woman had rectal injury intraoperatively. All complications were dealt successfully. No other major intra- and post-operative complications occurred.Conclusions: Vaginal hysterectomy with sacrospinous colpopexy resulted in better outcomes after surgery. Hence, it was concluded that unilateral or bilateral SSLF may be added to vaginal hysterectomy in patients of stage 3 or 4 prolapse

Study of the cases of severe acute maternal morbidity at a tertiary care centre

Background: Reduction in the maternal morbidity has been the key strategy towards achievement of Millennium Development Goal. Despite exhaustive measures at all levels, the decline has been slow. WHO in 2007 established a technical working group to identify cases of severe acute maternal morbidity. It served dual goals to identify the causes and pointing out delays leading to SAMM. SAMM is now an established superior indicator of surviving women’s health and allows uniform comparisons. The present study was conducted with an aim to identify cases of SAMM at our centre. The objective is to determine the frequency of maternal near miss and conduct an epidemiological survey.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and ICU of School of Medical Sciences and Research, Greater Noida, from November 2014 to October 2017. All the cases identified as SAMM, as per WHO 2009 criteria (modified according to the local protocol), were included in the study.  Results: During the study period there were a total of 2252 delivery, out of which 2051 were live births. There were 123 SAMM cases and 47 were excluded out of study. So, study was done on 76 cases of SAMM, and on 11 maternal deaths in the study period. Calculated MNM incidence ratio was 37.05 per 1000 live births. A mortality index of 12.64% was calculated. MNM to maternal death ratio was 6.9:1. Major identifiable cause for SAMM was hypertension (35.5%)), followed by haemorrhage (18.4%). Haematologic system was the commonest organ system involved. 67.8% of the admissions were done in critical condition.Conclusions: Maternal mortality and SAMM cases shared characteristics, and study of SAMM cases can provide an insight into the causative etiology and give time for early intervention

Mitigation of Salinity Stress in Plants by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis: Current Understanding and New Challenges

Modern agriculture is facing twin challenge of ensuring global food security and executing it in a sustainable manner. However, the rapidly expanding salinity stress in cultivable areas poses a major peril to crop yield. Among various biotechnological techniques being used to reduce the negative effects of salinity, the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is considered to be an efficient approach for bio-amelioration of salinity stress. AMF deploy an array of biochemical and physiological mechanisms that act in a concerted manner to provide more salinity tolerance to the host plant. Some of the well-known mechanisms include improved nutrient uptake and maintenance of ionic homeostasis, superior water use efficiency and osmoprotection, enhanced photosynthetic efficiency, preservation of cell ultrastructure, and reinforced antioxidant metabolism. Molecular studies in past one decade have further elucidated the processes involved in amelioration of salt stress in mycorrhizal plants. The participating AMF induce expression of genes involved in Na+ extrusion to the soil solution, K+ acquisition (by phloem loading and unloading) and release into the xylem, therefore maintaining favorable Na+:K+ ratio. Colonization by AMF differentially affects expression of plasma membrane and tonoplast aquaporins (PIPs and TIPs), which consequently improves water status of the plant. Formation of AM (arbuscular mycorrhiza) surges the capacity of plant to mend photosystem-II (PSII) and boosts quantum efficiency of PSII under salt stress conditions by mounting the transcript levels of chloroplast genes encoding antenna proteins involved in transfer of excitation energy. Furthermore, AM-induced interplay of phytohormones, including strigolactones, abscisic acid, gibberellic acid, salicylic acid, and jasmonic acid have also been associated with the salt tolerance mechanism. This review comprehensively covers major research advances on physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms implicated in AM-induced salt stress tolerance in plants. The review identifies the challenges involved in the application of AM in alleviation of salt stress in plants in order to improve crop productivity

AN OVERVIEW OF INDIAN NOVEL TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS WITH ANTI-DIABETIC POTENTIALS

Diabetes mellitus is a global metabolic epidemic affecting essential biochemical activities in almost every age group. Indian literatures like Ayurveda have already mentioned herbal remediation for a number of human ailments. Among Indian traditional medicinal plants several potential anti-diabetic plants and herbs are being used as part of our diet since prehistoric time. India has a long list of native medicinal plants with confirmed blood sugar lowering property. Some of these have proved remarkable for cure of diabetes and its complications. The current paper is aimed at providing a review on clinical and experimental studies carried out on the most effective and commonly used hypoglycemic plants and herbs species from traditional Indian flora. This write–up includes hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic activities of plants, active hypoglycemic compounds and constituents along with their available toxicity status

Observations on Hawaiian Species of Wikstroemia (Angiospermae: Thymelaeaceae)

Wikstroemia (Thymelaeaceae) is a genus of tropical and subtropical shrubs or trees, widely distributed in southeast Asia to Malaysia, northeast Australia, and the Pacific islands (Ryukyu, Marianas, Caroline, Hawaiian, Society, Marquesas, Tonga, Fiji, Norfolk, and New Caledonia). The Hawaiian species are known by the name Akia or Akea

Effect of ethanolic extract of Feronia elephantum Correa fruits on blood glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

32-36Feronia elephantum Correa (Family — Rutaceae) commonly known as Wood apple has been widely used in Indian folk medicine for treatment of blood impurities, leucorrhoea, and as diuretic and liver tonic. It has not been studied experimentally for its blood glucose lowering potential earlier hence present study was conducted. Oral administration of 250mg/kg body weight of 95% ethanolic extract of unripe fruits significantly lowered the blood glucose levels of fasted, fed and streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rats. It also depressed the peak value in glucose loaded model. Further, study on histology of pancreatic β-cells granularity of normal rats was also done. Marked degranulation in β-cells of extract treated rats, associated with the blood glucose lowering was observed. Extract probably lowered the blood glucose concentrations by stimulating insulin secretogogue activity

Chemically Synthesized AgNPs and <i>Piriformospora</i> <i>indica</i> Synergistically Augment Nutritional Quality in Black Rice

The use of biofertilizers has been the spotlight of research aiming to mitigate the food security threat as well as to restore the fertility of agricultural lands, for decades. Several studies are being conducted to unravel the role and mechanisms of plant growth-promoting microbes. In the present research, we evaluated the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Piriformospora indica on the growth and nutritional enhancement of black rice (Oryzae sativa. L.) individually and in combination. Among the different treatment conditions, the AgNPs + P. indica treatment led to a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in morphological and agronomic parameters. In comparison to the control, the percentage increase in plant height in AgNPs-treated black rice was 2.47%, while that for the treatment with only P. indica was 13.2% and that for the treatment with both AgNPs + P. indica was 30.9%. For the number of productive tillers, the effect of AgNPs in comparison to the control was non-significant; however, the effect of P. indica and AgNPs + P. indica showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase of 13.2% and 30.9% in both the treatments, respectively. Gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry analysis of grains revealed that the contents of phenylalanine, tryptophan, and histidine (aromatic amino acids) were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased by 75%, 11.1%, and 50%, respectively, in P. indica-treated black rice. Nutrient profiling showed that macronutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium were found to be increased by 72.8%, 86.4% and 59.2%, respectively, in the treatment with AgNPs + P. indica in comparison to the control plants. Additionally, a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase of 51.9% in anthocyanin content was observed in AgNPs + P. indica-treated black rice. The P. indica treatment also showed improved growth and augmented nutrient contents. From this study, we were able to understand that AgNPs + P. indica treatment would be a better plant growth-promoting factor and further evaluation would enable us to obtain a clear picture of its mechanisms of action