Relationship of umbilical coiling index and cord twist direction with adverse perinatal outcomes

Background: The main objectives of this study were to examine - (1) relationship of pregnancy-related factors (maternal age, gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension, oligohydramnios, small for gestational age (GA), and fetal gender) and postnatally measured umbilical coiling index (UCI); (2) association of UCI and cord twist directions with the following adverse perinatal outcomes, meconium staining of amniotic fluid, non-reassuring FHR on CTG, low Apgar score ( 34 weeks. The cases were categorized in hypocoiled (UCI 90th percentile) and normocoiled groups. To study relationship of pregnancy-related factors and UCI multivariate logistic regression was used; whereas bivariate analysis was used to study impact of UCI on various adverse perinatal outcomes. UCI was measured by a single observer.Results: In total, 100 subjects were enrolled. The mean UCI was 0.268 (SD = 0.13; 10th percentile = 0.139; 90th percentile =0.410) coils/cm. Pregnancy-related factors had non-significant relationship with UCI. For adverse perinatal outcomes, only the non-reassuring/abnormal FHR patterns were significantly associated with hypercoiled groups (OR = 4.5; CI= 1.15-17.58). Both the cord directions had almost equal distribution without any significant difference in outcomes; however, anticlockwise twisted cords were found to have significantly high UCI.Conclusions: No significant relationship was observed with pregnancy-related factors and UCI. However, it was observed that hypercoiled cords had significant association with non-reassuring/abnormal FHR patterns on CTG

Survey on Om Meditation: Its Effects on the Human Body and Om Meditation as a Tool for Stress Management

Meditation and yoga both have positive effects on physical, as well as mental health. Om mantra chanting, a simple and easy to practice, also comes under the aspect of meditation. The “Om” mantra is also considered as the very name of the absolute. Om meditation not only affects the various parts of the brain, such as pre-frontal cortex, vagus nerve, amygdala and others but also affects the heart rate and respiratory rate. Considering the healing effects of Om meditation, through this paper, we are trying to explore all the relevant work done in the field of Om meditation. The survey includes a large number of papers covering the research previously conducted by many researchers, their results and different techniques adopted to study the effect of Om meditation on human beings. Studies on Om meditation are categorized under four different heads: Neuroimaging studies, EEG studies, evoked potentials studies and other methods studies. Even though the existing research evidenced capability of Om meditation in curing anxiety and depression, more rigorous studies with better design, with larger sample size and with different control groups are required. Especially the need to explore untouched research areas of Loud Om meditation using EEG is suggested in the paper. Furthermore, future research directions are also suggested

Long term effect of INM on aonla (Emblica officinalis) and soil quality under rainfed hot semi-arid environment

The experiment was conducted on seven and eight years old aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) tree of NA-7 to study the influence of various levels of organic (FYM and biofertilizers) and inorganic (NPK) sources of nutrients on morphometrix, productivity and quality attributes of aonla and soil quality during 2009-10 and 2010-11 under hot semi-arid ecosystem. Significant improvement was recorded in soil quality by application of different combinations of NPK, FYM and biofertilizers. The vegetative growth, yield and quality of aonla were influenced significantly by different sources of nutrients. The maximum vegetative growth was recorded in the plants which were applied with standard doses of NPK which was followed by farmyard manure plus 50% of the standard dose of NPK. The maximum mean yield per plant (48.45 kg) was recorded in the plants treated with standard doses of NPK followed by FYM + 50% of standard dose of NPK (45.27 kg). TSS, total sugar, vitamin C and total phenols were influenced considerably by the application of different organic sources of nutrients being highest in T5 (FYM + Azotobactor + VAM) treatment. The soil properties in terms of pH and EC declined whereas hydraulic conductivity, organic carbon increased from their initial values with the application of various organic sources of nutrient in different combinations, while pH, EC, hydraulic conductivity, bulk density and organic carbon of the basin soil treated with standard dose of NPK were not improved considerably

Dynamics of vegetative morphomatrix, productivity and economics of NA 7 aonla (Emblica officinalis) in different planting systems under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different planting systems and densities on plant growth and their relation to yield and quality attributes of NA 7 aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) during the years 2011-2013 under rainfed hot semi- arid ecosystem of western India. The present study contained 5 planting systems as treatments namely, square, hedgerow, double hedge row, cluster and paired system. Different planting systems significantly influenced the vegetative growth, yield and quality of fruits during both the years of experimentation. The highest plant height was noted in double hedgerow system (7.80 m) and the lowest in paired system (7.08 m). Consequently, the rootstock (59.82cm), scion girth (58.38 cm) and plant spread (6.99 cm) was measured maximum in square system of planting. However, these parameters were measured the lowest in double hedgerow followed by hedgerow and cluster planting systems. Result of study revealed that the mean yield/plant (110.24 kg) was recorded the highest in square but the yield/ha were recorded maximum in double hedgerow (225.90 q) followed by hedgerow (202.65 q) and cluster (170.37 q). During the experimentation, a considerable difference in yield over previous year was observed among the different planting systems. An increase in yield over square system by the rest of the system ranged between 83.8% - 132.39% being highest in double hedgerow and lowest in paired system, whereas per cent increase in yield in double hedgerow over other systems ranged between 26.44-132.39 being the maximum and minimum upon square and hedgerow systems of planting, respectively. There were significant differences amongst different planting system with regards to fruit physical and quality attributes. Among the different planting systems, the square system exhibited better values for physical qualities, whereas chemical attributes like TSS, total sugar, vitamin C and total phenols were observed maximum in double hedgerow planting system. The net economic return was computed with double hedgerow (₹192 270.00 and ₹ 243 035.00) followed by hedgerow (₹ 150 800.00 and ₹195 650) and it was minimum in square (₹ 83 950.00 and ₹ 107 605.00) system of planting

Multiple lumbar transverse process stress fractures as a cause of chronic low back ache in a young fast bowler - a case report

A rare case of multilevel transverse process stress fractures as a cause of low back ache in a professional cricket player has been presented. The report discusses the possible mechanism of such an injury in a cricket player and also highlights the preventive and therapeutic aspects of management in such patients. The report also stresses upon the need for early identification of such sports related injuries to prevent long term morbidity in the athletes

A Systematic Evaluation of Ultrasound-based Fetal Weight Estimation Models on Indian Population

Background: The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate ultrasound-based fetal weight estimation models on Indian population to find out their performance across different weight bands and ability to correctly categorize low birth weight (LBW) and high birth weight (HBW) fetuses. Methods: We used retrospectively collected data of 154 cases for the study. Inclusion criteria were a live singleton pregnancy, gestational age ≥34 weeks and ultrasound scan to delivery duration ≤7 days. Cases with fetal growth restriction or malformation were excluded. The cases were divided into standard weight bands of 500 g each based on newborns' actual birth weights (ABW). For each weight band, performance of 12 different models based on abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC) and femur length (FL) was evaluated by mean percentage error (MPE) and its standard deviation (random error). Sensitivity and positive predict value (PPV) of models to categorize LBW (ABW ≤ 2500 g) and HBW (ABW >3500 g) neonates were also evaluated. Results: We observed a significant variation in MPE of the 12 models with no single model being consistently superior across all the weight bands. For the cases with birth weight ≤3000 g, the Woo (AC-BPD) model was found to be more appropriate, whereas for the cases with birth weight >3000 g the Woo (AC-BPD-FL) model was found more appropriate. In general, models had a tendency to overestimate fetal weight in LBW neonates and underestimate it in HBW neonates. Overall, the models showed poor sensitivity and PPV to categorize LBW and HBW neonates. The highest sensitivity (57.1%) for LBW identification was observed with the Woo (AC-BPD) model; the highest PPV (50%) for HBW neonate identification was observed with the Hadlock (AC-HC), Warsof (AC-BPD) and Combs (AC-HC-FL) model. Conclusion: We found that the existing fetal weight estimation models have high systematic and random errors on Indian population, with a general tendency of overestimation of fetal weight in the LBW category and underestimation in the HBW category. We also observed that these models have a limited ability to predict babies at a risk of either low or high birth weight. It is recommended that the clinicians should consider all these factors, while interpreting estimated weight given by the existing models

A reduced complexity MIMO system with antenna selection for high data rate wireless communications

498-504In this paper, orthogonal space-time block codes (OSTBC) are considered for investigating impact of receive antenna selection on the capacity and error probability analysis of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. The results are compared with and without antenna selection of 2X2 and 2X4 MIMO systems. Achieved capacity with receive antenna selection for Nr≥NT has been found close to the capacity of full complexity system, whereas upper capacity bound is tight for Nr ≤ NT

Pregnancy through assisted reproductive technology in a patient with thoracic endometriosis syndrome

Extrapelvic endometriosis is known to be difficult to diagnose. Appropriate management in an infertile patient with extrapelvic endometriosis is not only difficult but also not well established. This case report describes a patient with thoracic endometriosis syndrome who was managed successfully for controlling her pleural endometriosis and achieving a pregnancy through assisted reproductive technology (ART)

Ultrasonography-based Fetal Weight Estimation: Finding an Appropriate Model for an Indian Population

Background: Very limited information is available regarding the accuracy and applicability of various ultrasonography parameters [abdominal circumference (AC), biparietal diameter (BPD), femur length (FL), and head circumference (HC)]-based fetal weight estimation models for Indian population. The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate commonly used fetal weight estimation models to determine their appropriateness for an Indian population. Methods: Retrospective data of 300 pregnant women was collected from a tertiary care center in Bengaluru, India. The inclusion criteria were a live singleton pregnancy, gestational age > 34 weeks, and last ultrasound scan to delivery duration < 7 days. Cases with suspected fetal growth restriction or malformation were excluded. For each case, fetal weight was estimated using 34 different models. The models specifically designed for low birth weight, small for gestation age, or macrosomic babies were excluded. The models were ranked based on their mean percentage error (MPE) and its standard deviation (random error). A model with the least MPE and random error ranking was considered as the best model. Results: In total, 149 cases were found suitable for the study. Out of 34, only 12 models had MPE within ± 10% and only seven models had random error < 10%. Most of the Western population-based models had a tendency to overestimate the fetal weight. Based on MPE and random error ranking, the Woo's (AC-BPD) model was found to be the best, followed by Jordaan (AC), Combs (AC-HC-FL), Hadlock (AC-HC), and Hadlock-3 (AC-HC-FL) models. It was observed that the models based on just AC and AC-BPD combinations had statistically significant lesser MPE than the models based on all other combinations (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was observed that the existing models have higher errors on Indian population than on their native populations. This points toward limitations in direct application of these models on Indian population without due consideration. Therefore, it is recommended that clinicians should exert caution in interpretation of fetal weight estimations based on these models. Moreover, this study highlights a need of models based on native Indian population

Maternal solubility test and high performance liquid chromatography of newborns in combination as a better neonatal screening protocol for sickle cell disease

Introduction: The incidence and prevalence of sickle cell disease in India is high and they are major health problem in India. Neonatal detection and prophylactic management can reduce morbidity and mortality in childhood. A study is therefore planned for analyzing maternal solubility test and HPLC of newborn as effective screening protocol. Material and Method: The infants born of solubility positive mothers were taken for hemoglobin analysis using Biorad Hemoglobin variant by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at birth and the test was repeated at six months of age. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical method. Results: A total of 100 mothers were positive on solubility test, their infants underwent Hb analysis by high performance liquid chromatography. 74 infants shows normal hemoglobin variants while 19 were heterozygous for Hbs (sickle cell trait) and 7 babies were homozygous for HbS at birth. On follow up at 6 month of age cases were reanalyzed by HPLC , 12 cases were lost in follow up, 7 cases who were heterozygous for sickle cell turned out to be homozygous for sickle cell, and of those with normal reports 7 cases were homozygous. Conclusion: Maternal solubility test and HPLC of newborn at birth is good screening protocol for sickle cell anemi