Pregnancy outcome among gestational diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care centre

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus poses numerous health problems for both mother and the fetus. Even though there are improved outcomes, complications of gestational diabetes still persists. Objectives of this study was to find out the maternal and perinatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods: This study was done among pregnant women attending antenatal outpatient department at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam. oral glucose tolerance test was done at between 24 to 28 weeks and the values more than their cutoff was labelled as gestational diabetes and their outcome was measured as complications during antenatal period, mode of delivery and perinatal outcome in view of neonatal intensive care unit admissions due to hyperbilirubinemia and respiratory distress syndrome.Results: Out of 500 antenatal mothers 65 were found to have gestational diabetes which is approximately 13%. Obstetric outcomes were 10% of them developed pregnancy induced hypertension, 12% of them ended in preterm labour and polyhydramnios in 2%. Delivery by caesarean section and vaginal route is almost similar. Maximum number of neonatal intensive care admissions are due to hyperbilirubinemia followed by respiratory distress.Conclusions: Screening for gestational diabetes and adequate glycemic control is necessary in preventing short term and long-term complications

The peculiar herpetofauna of some Tsaratanana rainforests and its affinities with Manongarivo and other massifs and forests of northern Madagascar

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Mechanical and moisture diffusion behaviour of hybrid Kevlar/Cocos nucifera sheath reinforced epoxy composites

The aim of this research is partial replacement of plain woven Kevlar 29(K) with naturally woven cocous nucifera sheath (CS) waste. Laminated K/CS reinforced epoxy hybrid composites were fabricated by hand lay-up method followed by hot compression moulding with 105 °C temperature at 275 bar pressure for 1 h. The total fibre loading of the hybrid composite was maintained 45 wt.% and the ratio of Kevlar and Cocous nucifera sheath varies in weight fraction of 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100. Mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact), moisture diffusion and morphological behaviour of the laminated composites were evaluated. The results showed that the hybrid composites (75/25) declined the tensile strength by 19% compared to Kevlar fabric reinforced epoxy composites. But, the hybrid composites (75/25) exhibited highest flexural strength (175 MPa) and flexural modulus (18 GPa) than pure Kevlar reinforced epoxy composites. Moreover, the impact toughness of hybrid composites (86 kJ/m2) at 75/25 wt.% showed good agreement with the pure Kevlar fabric reinforced polymer composites (90 kJ/m2). From the moisture diffusion analysis, hybrid composites (75/25) exhibited better moisture resistance. Statistical analysis of the results has been carried out using one way-ANOVA (analysis of variance) and it shows that there is a statically significant difference between the obtained mechanical properties of the laminated composites. Morphology of the tensile fractured laminates showed the delamination's, matrix cracking and fibre/matrix adhesion. From the results, it has been concluded that naturally woven Cocos nucifera sheath has the potential to replace Kevlar fabric in the polymer composites exclusively for defence applications

Higher dietary micronutrients are required to maintain optimal performance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed a high plant material diet during the full production cycle

A full life cycle (parr to harvest) study of growth and performance was conducted in Atlantic salmon fed diets high in plant ingredients supplemented with graded levels of a nutrient premix (NP), containing selected amino acids, taurine, cholesterol, vitamins and minerals to re-evaluate current nutrient recommendations. Triplicate groups were fed one of three NP levels included at 1×, 2× and 4×, where 1× corresponds to recommendations of NRC (2011). Whole body and specific tissue concentrations of nutrients were monitored throughout the experiment as requirement markers. Growth in parr was significantly enhanced in 2xNP, but restricted in 4xNP, while in post-smolts growth was positively correlated with NP level. Spinal deformity decreased linearly with increased NP level in both smolt and post-smolts. When fishmeal and fish oil are present at very low levels, as in the present study, we found beneficial effects with moderate increased levels of the B-vitamins niacin, riboflavin and cobalamin. Further, vitamin C should be increased, based on metabolic responses, although it did not influence growth. Increased Zn and Se affected fish metabolism in a positive manner. Alterations in hepatic transcriptome profiles and expression of specific genes of metabolic pathways were evident in response to micronutrient supplementation level. Collectively, increasing the levels of the micro-nutrient package to a too high level, showed a negative effect and cannot be recommended. NRC (2011) recommendations should therefore be revised for diets in which plant ingredients form the major part of the formulation