Correlation of clinical outcome with laboratory parameters in children with dengue infection: An appraisal from a tertiary children’s hospital in India

Introduction: Dengue infection is caused by the dengue virus (arbovirus), the incidence of which is increasing in India. In dengue endemic settings, early diagnosis and monitoring for complications are important, especially in children. Concurrent testing of NSI antigen, dengue specific IgG and IgM will help to diagnose patients with suspected dengue fever.Objective: To correlate the clinical profile and outcome of dengue fever with detection of NSI antigen, dengue specific IgG and IgM antibody, hematological and biochemical parameters and blood component utilization.Methods: All children presenting to Rainbow hospital and diagnosed with dengue infection using NS1 and dengue specific IgG and IgM antibody during a one year period (1st November 2016 to 31st October 2017) were included in the study. The haemogram and biochemistry parameters were done using automated analyzers. Inpatients were classified as severe or non-severe based on clinical and/or laboratory evidence. The degree of association between clinical parameters and disease severity in relation to NS1 positivity was expressed as an odds ratio.Results: Among 213 children diagnosed, 126 were treated as inpatients and the rest as outpatients. The age range of the study sample was 6 months to 15 years. NS1 positivity was observed in 72.3 % patients. NS1 positivity, when compared to severity of disease was significant (Odds ratio: 2.3; p&lt;.05). One death was reported in the severe group. Chi square test applied to assess the correlation of platelet count and NS1 positivity was also significant (Z score: 3.8 p&lt;.05). Among the NS1 positive patients, in 8.5% (7) patients, very severe thrombocytopenia of &lt;25000 cells/ mm3 was observed.Conclusions:  Using all three tests (NS1, dengue specific IgM and IgG) was useful, as in 59 (27.7%) patients, despite a negative NS1, based on a positive dengue antibody response (IgG and/or IgM), the patients were admitted and monitored. NS1 positivity was associated with a higher risk of thrombocytopenia in this study.</p

Genetic variability and correlation analysis in F2 segregating population in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Genetic advance denotes the improvement in the mean genotypic values of selected families over the base population. Thus, it helps the breeder select the progenies in the earlier generation. The objective of the study was to analyse the heritability, genetic advance and genetic variability for ten traits in brinjal contributing to fruit yield were studied in the F2 population obtained from the cross of Sevathampatti local x Seetipulam local. The study examined the subsistence of a significant extent of genetic variability for the traits considered. The characteristics of brinjal exhibited higher values of genotypic variation (GCV), viz., the height of the plant (20.93), yield per plant (17.42), number of branches (22.73)  and shoot infestation (56.39) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) viz., the height of the plant (21.10), yield per plant (22.32), number of branches (23.42)  and shoot infestation (57.24). However, the number of branches (45.44 %), height of the plant (42.76%), number of fruits (38.58%), fruit yield (28.02%) and shoot infestation (114.4%) exhibited high estimates of genetic advance and heritability for plant height (98.36), number of branches per plant (94.19) and shoot infestation (97.06). These characteristics can be effectively improved through selection. Association analysis mentioned that the yield of the fruit was significantly and positively correlated with the number of fruits, number of branches, individual fruits per plant and fruit girth. Direct selection may be executed because of these characteristics as the key choice of criteria to minimize the indirect result of additional traits throughout the improvement of high yielding varieties

Report on a stranded sea cow, Dugong dugon in the Gulf of Mannar coast

On 31 March 2019, an adult dead female sea cow (Dugong dugon) measuring more than three meters of total length got stranded along the Gulf of Mannar coast at Gandhi Nagar, Mandapam, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu (09º 27' 6658'' N; 79º 15' 0459'' E). The morphometric details of the female whale that was weighing approximately 350 kg is given in Table 1. The specimen had relatively robust body with loss of almost one third of the ventral skin along with blubber from the thoracic and abdominal region of the body. There were significant cut wounds present on the dorsal as well as lateral sides of the body. The internal organs did not reveal any significant abnormalities for the cause of death. Based on the body condition and external injuries it can be concluded that the cause of death might be due to attempted hunting. Dugongs fall in schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act whose hunting is banned and poachers are liable for punishment

Simulation of Four Four Quadrant Operation of Three Phase BLDC Motor Using Fuzzy

Abstract-Brushless DC (BLDC) motor drives are becoming more popular in industrial and traction applications. The control of BLDC motor in four quadrants is very vital. This paper deals with the fuzzy logic control of three phase BLDC motor. Without any loss of power the motor can be controlled in all the four quadrants. During regenerative braking period energy is conserved. The calculation capability of digital signal processor and controlling capability of fuzzy logic controller is used to achieve a precise control. Index terms-BLDC motor. dsPIC, fuzzy logic control, four quadrants, regenerative braking

Feature level fusion of vibration and acoustic emission signals in tool condition monitoring using machine learning classifiers

To implement the tool condition monitoring system in a metal cutting process, it is necessary to have sensors which will be able to detect the tool conditions to initiate remedial action. There are different signals for monitoring the cutting process which may require different sensors and signal processing techniques. Each of these signals is capable of providing information about the process at different reliability level. To arrive a good, reliable and robust decision, it is necessary to integrate the features of the different signals captured by the sensors. In this paper, an attempt is made to fuse the features of acoustic emission and vibration signals captured in a precision high speed machining center for monitoring the tool conditions. Tool conditions are classified using machine learning classifiers. The classification efficiency of machine learning algorithms are studied in time-domain, frequencydomain and time-frequency domain by feature level fusion of features extracted from vibration and acoustic emission signature

TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA LEVEL IN SERA OF SOUTH INDIAN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: CORRELATION WITH ANTICYCLIC CITRULLINATED PEPTIDE ANTIBODY LEVEL

Objective: The present study was aimed to find out the anticyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody level and expression level Th2 cytokine-liketumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from South India.Methods: The patients attending the Arthritis and Rheumatism Care Centre, Vadapalani, Chennai and healthy individuals from the Presidency College, Chennai, were enrolled for this study. The study group included 74 patients with RA and 50 healthy individuals without history of RA. 3-5 ml of blood samples was aseptically collected using Vacutainer, and the separated serum samples were transported to the Department of Microbiology, Presidency College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in cold chain. Anti-CCP antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum concentrations of TNF-α were studied in patients with RA and in healthy controls, using an ELISA method.Results: The results of anti-CCP enzyme immunoassay revealed that out of 74 patients, all were anti-CCP positive, which included 65 females and 9 males. Higher levels of anti-CCP (456 IU/ml) were present in the age group between 41 and 50 followed by 21-30 years age group which shows 335.28 IU/ml of anti-CCP antibody level. The level of serum TNF-α was measured in the range of 4.6-1082.84 pg/ml for RA patients and6.630-459.74 pg/ml for the healthy control group.Conclusion: TNF-α levels were significantly increased in RA patients compared to healthy individuals. A negative correlation was found between anti- CCP antibody and TNF-α level in RA patients.Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodie

Fishers livelihood improvement through seaweed farming - A success story

The Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI selected Puthukudi village, Thondi in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu for implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub- Plan (SCSP) a programme fully funded by Government of India. This village has 97 per cent of SC families in the total village population and majority of them are involved in fishing. Moreover, this village is located near to the sea shore and mariculture activities like cage farming, marine ornamental fish seed rearing and seaweed farming can be easily adopted by them

Population genetic structure of Garcinia imberti Bourd. an endangered endemic tree of southern Western Ghats, India

Assessing the genetic diversity of endemic plants is of great importance in future conservation programmes. The genetic diversity in Garcinia imberti from Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve of southern Western Ghats was assessed through ISSR markers by molecular characterization with 15 primers. A total of 157 accessions from six populations were used for the study. They generated 102 amplified products, out of which 89 were polymorphic (87.25%). It produced an average of 6.8 bands per primer and 5.93% polymorphism per primer. The present study revealed that G. imberti has moderate level of genetic diversity at species level but differs at population level. The dendrogram constructed following UPGMA exhibited that all accessions were clustered together except Poonkulam population. The genetic diversity analysis of G. imberti showed that even though the populations are closely associated, every population have their own characteristic diversity and should be conserved. Among the populations, Chemunji is the largest one with more genetic diversity and may conserve as the potential source of gene pool of this species

Supernumerary Teeth -An Overview of Location, Diagnosis and Management

ABSTRACT A supernumerary tooth is one of the developmental problems in child. Supernumerary teeth can present in various forms and in any region of the mandible or maxilla, but have a predisposition for the anterior maxilla. They can cause a variety of complications in the developing dentition. This article reviews the clinical features, diagnosis and options for the management of supernumerary teeth

Ophiorrhiza, a promising herbaceous source of the anticancer compound camptothecin

Camptothecin is an important source for the synthesis of some of the major anti-cancer agents such as irinotecan and topotecan. Traditional source of camptothecin are prominently woody plants such as Camptotheca acuminata Decne. and Nothopodytes nimmoniana (Graham) Mabb., and the increasing demand for camptothecin leads to the level of threatening their existence. Ophiorrhiza species composed of herbaceous plants with quick growth characteristics which are reported as alternative source of camptothecin. The present review focus on taxonomical status, traditional uses, biological activities and phytochemical constituents with a special attention in bioproduction of camptothecin from Ophiorrhiza species and its future prospects