Histopathological profile of ovarian tumors in a tertiary care center- a descriptive study

Background: Ovarian neoplasms are a heterogeneous group of tumors with varied clinical, morphological and histological features. Ovarian cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancer in females and is the 5th most common cause of death due to cancer because most ovarian tumors spread beyond ovary by the time of diagnosis. The objective of the study was to document the histological pattern and prevalence of ovarian tumors in specimens received at department of pathology government medical college Alappuzha.Methods: This was a prospective study of 18 months duration which comprised of 245 cases of ovariectomy and ovariotomy specimens received in the department of pathology, govt. T.D medical college Alappuzha, Kerala. After detailed and thorough gross examination of the specimens, bits from representative areas were routinely processed and stained with H and E. Tumors were classified as per WHO classification. Appropriate immunohistochemical studies were performed wherever required.Results: Out of 245 cases studied, majority were benign tumors (78.36%), followed by malignant tumors (15. 11%). Borderline tumors comprised (6.53%) of the total cases. Age groups studied ranged from 11-70 years. Epithelial tumors were the most common (76.32%) followed by germ cell tumors (17.55%), sex cord stromal tumors (5.03%) and carcinoma arising in germ cell tumors (0.81%). Serous cystadenoma was found to be the commonest benign tumor and serous cystadenocarcinoma was the commonest malignant ovarian neoplasm.Conclusions: Surface epithelial tumors were the most common ovarian tumors. The maximum number of tumors were noted in the age group 21-40 years. Malignant tumors were common above 40 years.

1-Naphthylazo derivatives of some 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and their Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes

The coupling of diazotized 1-aminonaphthalene with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds (acetylacetone, methylacetoacetate and acetoacetanilide) yielded a new series of bidentate ligand systems (HL). Analytical, IR, 1H-NMR and mass spectral data indicate that the compounds exist in the intramolecularly hydrogen bonded keto-hydrazone form. With Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), these potential monobasic bidentate ligands formed [ML2] type complexes. The IR, 1H-NMR and mass spectral data of the complexes are consistent with the replacement of the chelated hydrazone proton of the ligand by a metal ion, thus leading to a stable six-membered chelate ring involving the hydrazone nitrogen and the hydrogen bonded carbonyl oxygen. The Ni(II) and Zn(II) chelates are diamagnetic, while the Cu(II) complexes are paramagnetic. In the metal complexes of the naphthylazo derivatives of acetylacetone and methylacetoacetate, the acetyl carbonyl is involved in coordination, whereas in the chelates of the naphthylazo derivative of acetoacetanilide, the anilide carbonyl is bonded with the metal ion

How are gender inequalities facing India’s one million ASHAs being addressed? Policy origins and adaptations for the world’s largest all-female community health worker programme

Background: India’s accredited social health activist (ASHA) programme consists of almost one million female community health workers (CHWs). Launched in 2005, there is now an ASHA in almost every village and across many urban centres who support health system linkages and provide basic health education and care. This paper examines how the programme is seeking to address gender inequalities facing ASHAs, from the programme's policy origins to recent adaptations. Methods: We reviewed all publically available government documents (n = 96) as well as published academic literature (n = 122) on the ASHA programme. We also drew from the embedded knowledge of this paper’s government-affiliated co-authors, triangulated with key informant interviews (n = 12). Data were analysed thematically through a gender lens. Results: Given that the initial impetus for the ASHA programme was to address reproductive and child health issues, policymakers viewed volunteer female health workers embedded in communities as best positioned to engage with beneficiaries. From these instrumentalist origins, where the programme was designed to meet health system demands, policy evolved to consider how the health system could better support ASHAs. Policy reforms included an increase in the number and regularity of incentivized tasks, social security measures, and government scholarships for higher education. Residential trainings were initiated to build empowering knowledge and facilitate ASHA solidarity. ASHAs were designated as secretaries of their village health committees, encouraging them to move beyond an all-female sphere and increasing their role in accountability initiatives. Measures to address gender based violence were also recently recommended. Despite these well-intended reforms and the positive gains realized, ongoing tensions and challenges related to their gendered social and employment status remain, requiring continued policy attention and adaptation

Interventions for acute stroke management in Africa: a systematic review of the evidence

Abstract Background The past decades have witnessed a rapid evolution of research on evidence-based acute stroke care interventions worldwide. Nonetheless, the evidence-to-practice gap in acute stroke care remains variable with slow and inconsistent uptake in low-middle income countries (LMICs). This review aims to identify and compare evidence-based acute stroke management interventions with alternative care on overall patient mortality and morbidity outcomes, functional independence, and length of hospital stay across Africa. Methods This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. An electronic search was conducted in six databases comprising MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Web of Science, Academic Search Complete and Cochrane Library for experimental and non-experimental studies. Eligible studies were abstracted into evidence tables and their methodological quality appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Data were analysed and presented narratively with reference to observed differences in patient outcomes, reporting p values and confidence intervals for any possible relationship. Results Initially, 1896 articles were identified and 37 fully screened. Four non-experimental studies (three cohort and one case series studies) were included in the final review. One study focused on the clinical efficacy of a stroke unit whilst the remaining three reported on thrombolytic therapy. The results demonstrated a reduction in patient deaths attributed to stroke unit care and thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolytic therapy was also associated with reductions in symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (SICH). However, the limited eligible studies and methodological limitations compromised definitive conclusions on the extent of and level of efficacy of evidence-based acute stroke care interventions across Africa. Conclusion Evidence from this review confirms the widespread assertion of low applicability and uptake of evidence-based acute stroke care in LMICs. Despite the limited eligible studies, the overall positive patient outcomes following such interventions demonstrate the applicability and value of evidence-based acute stroke care interventions in Africa. Health policy attention is thus required to ensure widespread applicability of such interventions for improved patients’ outcomes. The review findings also emphasises the need for further research to unravel the reasons for low uptake. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD4201605156

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Cirrhosis presenting as <i>Parkinsonism</i>

Cirrhosis presenting as Parkinsonism is a distinct subset of acquired chronic hepatocerebral degeneration. The entity is not rare, and unless suspected, cirrhosis can easily be overlooked. We report our experience with three such patients. They presented to us, over a period of two years, with symmetrical Parkinsonism and were later diagnosed to have cirrhosis with portal hypertension. All patients had minimal or absent tremors. Reversal of serum albumin to globulin ratio and evidence of cirrhosis on abdominal ultrasound were consistent. All three patients had the characteristic MRI abnormality of symmetrical T1 hyperintensity in basal ganglia and anterior midbrain. They improved to variable extents after treatment for cirrhosis, along with dopa agonists. We stress the importance of recognizing this syndrome and briefly review the relevant literature

Original scientific paper

Abstract: The coupling of diazotized 1-aminonaphthalene with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds (acetylacetone, methylacetoacetate and acetoacetanilide) yielded a new series of bidentate ligand systems (HL). Analytical, IR, 1 H-NMR and mass spectral data indicate that the compounds exist in the intramolecularly hydrogen bonded keto-hydrazone form. With Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), these potential monobasic bidentate ligands formed [ML 2] type complexes. The IR, 1 H--NMR and mass spectral data of the complexes are consistent with the replacement of the chelated hydrazone proton of the ligand by a metal ion, thus leading to a stable six-membered chelate ring involving the hydrazone nitrogen and the hydrogen bonded carbonyl oxygen. The Ni(II) and Zn(II) chelates are diamagnetic, while the Cu(II) complexes are paramagnetic. In the metal complexes of the naphthylazo derivatives of acetylacetone and methylacetoacetate, the acetyl carbonyl is involved in coordination, whereas in the chelates of the naphthylazo derivative of acetoacetanilide, the anilide carbonyl is bonded with the metal ion

Oxidation kinetics of nickel nano crystallites obtained by controlled thermolysis of diaquabis(ethylenediamine) nickel(II) nitrate

The metal complex, [Ni(en)2(H2O)2](NO3)2 (en = ethylenediamine), was decomposed in a static furnace at 200 C by autogenous decomposition to obtain phase pure metallic nickel nanocrystallites. The nickel metal thus obtained was studied by XRD, IR spectra, SEM and CHN analysis. The nickel crystallites are in the nanometer range as indicated by XRD studies. The IR spectral studies and CHN analyses show that the surface is covered with a nitrogen containing species. Thermogravimetric mass gain shows that the product purity is high (93%). The formed nickel is stable and resistant to oxidation up to 350 C probably due to the coverage of nitrogen containing species. Activation energy for the oxidation of the prepared nickel nanocrystallites was determined by non-isothermal methods and was found to depend on the conversion ratio. The oxidation kinetics of the nickel crystallites obeyed a Johnson–Mehl–Avrami mechanism probably due to the special morphology and crystallite strain present on the metal