PEGASIS-E: Power Efficient Gathering in Sensor Information System Extended

In this paper, an improved energy efficient PEGASIS based protocol (PEGASIS-E) has been proposed. PEGASIS-E uses average distance among the sensor nodes as the criteria for chaining, thereby providing better performance in terms of energy dissipation and amount of information sent to BS. The simulation results obtained show that PEGASIS-E gives an increase in the network lifetime as compared to PEGASIS

Scrub typhus: a hidden causative agent for pyrexia of unknown origin cases in a tertiary care hospital from Jhalawar, Rajasthan

Background: Scrub typhus presents as an acute, febrile, exanthematous illness. Due to its non-specific and varied clinical presentation, this is underdiagnosed. Low index of suspicion among clinicians, and lack of diagnostic facilities also keeps it undiagnosed. This study was carried out to know the seroprevalence of scrub typhus in a tertiary care centre with pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) and to compare a rapid test with IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of scrub typhus.Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted for a period of 1 year. The study population comprised mainly 320 patients attending outdoor and indoor patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with fever and related symptoms. The serum samples were tested for IgM ELISA, and rapid card test.Results: The mean age group of the study population was 35–60 years, of which 30 cases were positive. The major predisposing factors for scrub typhus infection were crops and animals around houses. The sensitivity and specificity of both, card test and IgM ELISA were 100%.Conclusions: In this study, 9.3% of febrile patients were positive for scrub typhus. Dengue, malaria and typhoid were the common coinfections found in scrub typhus, positive patients. Early identification of cases and treatment at the earliest will prevent complications.

Expression of genes related to Na⁺ exclusion and proline accumulation in tolerant and susceptible wheat genotypes under salt stress

In the present investigation, expression of genes related to Na+ exclusion such as salt overly sensitive (TaSOS1) and Na+/H+ antiporter (TaNHX1) and proline accumulation such as pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5CR) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT) was studied in seedlings of Kharchia 65 (Kh 65, salt tolerant) and HD 2009 (sensitive) under salt stress (ECe, 12 dSm–1) and controlled conditions. As compared to HD 2009, Kh 65 showed significantly lower accumulation of Na+ (p + exclusion in root and compartmentation in leaf and increased proline concentration are associated with tolerance to salinity stress in wheat. The information will be useful for improving wheat genotypes for salt tolerance

A study of prevalence of anemia among hypothyroidism patients and relationship between types of anemia and hypothyroidism

Background: The association between anemia and hypothyroidism has been recognized, although the prevalence of anemia in hypothyroid patients varies widely between studies. The main objectives were to study the prevalence, type, etiology of anemia in primary hypothyroidism and to correlate severity of anemia with severity of hypothyroidism.Methods: This research was conducted as a case-control study. Patients with newly diagnosed overt primary hypothyroidism and euthyroid controls totaling 170 in total were included in the study. The morphological subtypes of anemia and the causes of each were investigated. There was a correlation between the severity of anemia and that of hypothyroidism.Results: Anemia was highly prevalent among cases, as it was present in 110 (64.7%) of patients with hypothyroidism and in 60 (35.3%) of patients who did not have hypothyroidism in the control group. In cases, 100 (58.8%) of serum samples tested positive for anti-TPO, while just 20 (11.8%) of control samples did so. In these cases, with elevated TSH, the anemia was severe.Conclusions: Our study concluded that a statistically significant high anaemia prevalence was found among the patients with primary hypothyroidism. In comparison to the controls, it was shown that cases had a significantly higher incidence of certain types of, as well as anti-TPO positive and iron insufficiency. The TSH level and hemoglobin level were shown to have a statistically significant inverse association with one another

Development and characterization of physical modified pearl millet starch-based films

Pearl millet is an underutilized and drought-resistant crop that is mainly used for animal feed and fodder. Starch (70%) is the main constituent of the pearl millet grain; this starch may be a good substitute for major sources of starch such as corn, rice, potatoes, etc. Starch was isolated from pearl millet grains and modified with different physical treatments (heat-moisture (HMT), microwave (MT), and sonication treatment (ST)). The amylose content and swelling capacity of the starches decreased after HMT and MT, while the reverse was observed for ST. Transition temperatures (onset (To), peak of gelatinization (Tp), and conclusion (Tc)) of the starches ranged from 62.92–76.16◦C, 67.95–81.05◦C, and 73.78–84.50◦C, respectively. After modification (HMT, MT, and ST), an increase in the transition temperatures was observed. Peak-viscosity of the native starch was observed to be 995 mPa.s., which was higher than the starch modified with HMT and MT. Rheological characteristics (storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G′′)) of the native and modified starches differed from 1039 to 1730 Pa and 83 to 94 Pa; the largest value was found for starch treated with ST and HMT. SEM showed cracks and holes on granule surfaces after HMT as well as MT starch granules. Films were prepared using both native and modified starches. The modification of the starches with different treatments had a significant impact on the moisture, transmittance, and solubility of films. The findings of this study will provide a better understanding of the functional properties of pearl millet starch for its possible utilization in film formation

Evaluation of improved pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) varieties for organoleptic dal quality in India

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajanL.) is an important pulse crop in the Indian diet and one of the most important sources of dietary protein for the population. Organoleptic qualities of pigeon pea dal were tested to draw conclusions on the preferred varieties. Organoleptic qualities such as taste, texture, aroma, tenderness, sweetness and overall acceptance were tested by a trained sensory panel. Available and commercially viable improved varieties were selected for the analysis. All samples were milled and cooked under the same conditions. Results indicated that PUSA ARHAR 16, one of the improved varieties, presents a good potential in terms of agronomic characteristics for farmers and is also well accepted by the sensory panel during the organoleptic evaluation. Generating sound scientific evidence on organoleptic characteristics of pigeon pea is important for the breeders, as they will evaluate which varieties have a commercial potential and are accepted by the consumers

Prospective randomized trial of iliohypogastric-ilioinguinal nerve block on post-operative morphine use after inpatient surgery of the female reproductive tract

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To determine the impact of pre-operative and intra-operative ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block on post-operative analgesic utilization and length of stay (LOS).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a prospective randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial to assess effectiveness of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block (IINB) on post-operative morphine consumption in female study patients (<it>n </it>= 60). Patients undergoing laparotomy via Pfannenstiel incision received injection of either 0.5% bupivacaine + 5 mcg/ml epinephrine for IINB (Group I, <it>n </it>= 28) or saline of equivalent volume given to the same site (Group II, <it>n </it>= 32). All injections were placed before the skin incision and after closure of rectus fascia via direct infiltration. Measured outcomes were post-operative morphine consumption (and associated side-effects), visual analogue pain scores, and hospital length of stay (LOS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No difference in morphine use was observed between the two groups (47.3 mg in Group I vs. 45.9 mg in Group II; <it>p </it>= 0.85). There was a trend toward lower pain scores after surgery in Group I, but this was not statistically significant. The mean time to initiate oral narcotics was also similar, 23.3 h in Group I and 22.8 h in Group II (<it>p </it>= 0.7). LOS was somewhat shorter in Group I compared to Group II, but this difference was not statistically significant (<it>p </it>= 0.8). Side-effects occurred with similar frequency in both study groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this population of patients undergoing inpatient surgery of the female reproductive tract, utilization of post-operative narcotics was not significantly influenced by IINB. Pain scores and LOS were also apparently unaffected by IINB, indicating a need for additional properly controlled prospective studies to identify alternative methods to optimize post-surgical pain management and reduce LOS.</p