Growth Kinetics of Zr-4 in Sodium Bisulphite: Solvent Studies

Abstract: Anodization of zircaloy-4 in 0.1 M sodium bisulphite has been carried out. Kinetics of anodic oxidation of zircaloy-4 has been studied at a constant current density of 8 mA.cm -2 and at room temperature. The plots of formation voltage vs. time, reciprocal capacitance vs. time and reciprocal capacitance vs. formation voltage were drawn. From these plots, formation rate, current efficiency and differential field were calculated. The addition of solvent (Ethylene glycol) showed better kinetic results. For 20, 40, 60 and 80% aquo-glycolic media, the dielectric constant values are low leading to the marked improvement in the kinetics

Correlation between ultrasonographic and histopathological findings of hysterectomy specimen in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: AUB is a common and debilitating condition and it is one of the main gynaecological reasons for hysterectomy. Ultrasonography can be as good as histopathology (HPE) in the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding. Hence, our study was conducted to validate the ultrasonographic findings with HPE findings in diagnosis of AUB.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 86 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with department of Pathology, RIMS, Imphal from September 2017 to March 2019. The clinical history and socio demographic profile were collected using a pre-designed proforma. General physical examination, pelvic examination and ultrasonagraphy was carried out and the hysterectomy specimens were subjected to histopathological examination.Results: Fibromyoma was diagnosed by ultrasound in 62.8% of the patients and it was the common diagnosis in this study. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and kappa statistics of USG for diagnosing leiomyoma was 92.9%, 93.3%, 96.3%, 87.5% and 84.9% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and kappa statistics of USG for diagnosing adenomyosis was 53.8%, 98.6%, 87.5%, 92.3% and 62.3% respectively.Conclusions: The study provides an evidence that ultrasonography has good diagnostic accuracy as histopathology in the diagnosis of fibroid in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. However, as with all the diagnostic procedures, the utility of ultrasound in the diagnosis of adenomyosis is questionable, since it has a low sensitivity amidst good specificity

A Study of Serum Paraoxonase And Malondialdehyde in Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is one of the leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Treatment is symptomatic till date. Early identification and monitoring of disease progression could prevent adverse complications. Oxidative stress is considered as one of the etiological factor resulting in lipid peroxidation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is formed as an end product of lipid peroxidation. It causes oxidation of LDL and eventually leads to membrane damage. This could be an indicator of oxidative stress. Paraoxonase (PON1) is a HDL associated esterase enzyme which exhibit antioxidative property by preventing lipoproteins from oxidative damage. Aim& Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate serum MDA and PON1 in normotensive pregnant women and in women with PIH and their role in predicting the severity of PIH. Materials and methods:  A case control study was done, in which 50 women were normotensive pregnant women (Group 1) and 50 were women diagnosed with PIH (Group 2). Group 2 was further divided into mild (n=28) and severe PIH(n=22). Serum MDA levels and PON1 activity were estimated. Data was analysed using Graph pad prism version 7.0. Unpaired t-test was performed to test the significance of difference between the two groups and the subgroups.Results: serum MDA levels were significantly elevated in Group 2(5.087 ± 1.245nmol/ml) when compared to Group 1(2.812 ± 0.7395nmol/ml). In subgroups, serum MDA levels were significantly higher in severe PIH than in mild PIH (P < 0.001). Serum PON1 activity was significantly decreased in Group 2(225.3 ± 39.65IU/L) when compared to Group 1(335 ± 71.69IU/L). Also, PON1 levels were significantly decreased in severe PIH than in mild PIH with P < 0.001.Conclusion: Serum MDA was elevated in PIH indicating increased oxidative stress. PON1 activity was decreased resulting in oxidant and antioxidant imbalance. Thus, serum MDA and PON1 can play a significant role in the pathogenesis of PIH and they can aid in detecting the severity of the disease. &nbsp