A prospective observational study to analyse the relationship between fundus changes in pregnancy induced hypertension with visual impairment and its reversibility

Background: Irreversible visual impairment and morbidity are associated with pregnancy induced hypertension. It causes pathological changes in vascularity of placenta, kidney and brain along with two major pathological types of changes in fundus namely arteriolar vasospasm and permeability changes in vascular endothelium. The aim of our study was to analyse the relationship between fundus changes in pregnancy induced hypertension with visual impairment and its reversibility.Methods: A prospective observational study done on pregnant women with any grade of pregnancy induced hypertension with recent visual impairment from 24 completed weeks of pregnancy.Results: Out of 75 patients with PIH, all the patients had varying degree of fundus changes in one or both eyes. In 150 eyes of the 75 patients, 86 (57.30%) eyes had isolated arteriolar vasospasm, 14 (9.33%) had grade III hypertensive retinopathy, 4 (2.66%) had grade IV hypertensive retinopathy, 30 (20%) had macular oedema, 4 (2.66%) had central serous chorioretinopathy, 2 (1.33%) had vascular occlusion, 2 (2.66%) eyes had normal fundus with cortical blindness, 2 (2.66%) had exudative retinal detachment, 6 (4%) eyes had normal fundus with changes in the other eye.Conclusions: Out of 75 patients, 7 (9.3%) patients had irreversible loss of vision, 3 (42.85%) due to arteriolar vasospasm, and 4 (57.15%) due to choroidal ischemia. Among the 4 patients with choroidal ischemia, 3 (75%) were in the group of eclampsia and 1 (25%) in gestational hypertension

Mechanics and force transmission in soft composites of rods in elastic gels

We report detailed theoretical investigations of the micro-mechanics and bulk elastic properties of composites consisting of randomly distributed stiff fibers embedded in an elastic matrix in two and three dimensions. Recent experiments published in Physical Review Letters [102, 188303 (2009)] have suggested that the inclusion of stiff microtubules in a softer, nearly incompressible biopolymer matrix can lead to emergent compressibility. This can be understood in terms of the enhancement of the compressibility of the composite relative to its shear compliance as a result of the addition of stiff rod-like inclusions. We show that the Poisson's ratio $\nu$ of such a composite evolves with increasing rod density towards a particular value, or {\em fixed point}, independent of the material properties of the matrix, so long as it has a finite initial compressibility. This fixed point is $\nu=1/4$ in three dimensions and $\nu=1/3$ in two dimensions. Our results suggest an important role for stiff filaments such as microtubules and stress fibers in cell mechanics. At the same time, our work has a wider elasticity context, with potential applications to composite elastic media with a wide separation of scales in stiffness of its constituents such as carbon nanotube-polymer composites, which have been shown to have highly tunable mechanics.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Hypolipidemic effect of sitagliptin, voglibose and glimepiride in combination with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at a tertiary care teaching hospital: a comparative study

Background: The prevalence of coronary artery disease has been increased in diabetic dyslipidemia; hence the present study would like to compare the dyslipidemic effects of Sitagliptin, Voglibose, and Glimepiride in combination with Metformin in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.Methods: This study was a Prospective, Randomized Clinical trial conducted at SRM medical College Hospital and Research centre. Potheri, Kancheepuram District in diabetic outpatient department after obtaining approval from Institutional Ethics Committee. The patients receiving antidiabetic drugs were divided into three groups. Patients received Metformin with Sitagliptin were grouped as I, Metformin with Voglibose were named as Group II and Metformin with Glimepiride were marked as Group III. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, in each group, 40 patients were assigned as per simple randomization method. The level of lipid profile and BMI was evaluated at the end of 6 months.Results: There was a significant reduction of Total Cholesterol (TC) in Group II and Group III (p value- <0.001, <0.006). Group I showed significant elevation of HDL-C level with the p value of <0.03. Group III showed significant reduction of Triglyceride (TG) level with the p value of <0.04, significant reduction of Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) level with the p value of <0.02 and significant reduction in Very Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (VLDL-C) level with the p value of <0.05. There was no significant reduction in Body Mass Index (BMI) among the groups. On multiple comparisons, Group III showed higher efficacy in reducing TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels.Conclusions: The results of this study were analysed and it could be concluded as Metformin with Glimepiride combination (Group III) showed significant reduction of TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels

A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Educational Spaces and Black Identity Development

Guided by Critical Race Theory, Racial Space Theory, and Black Identity Development through the lens of the Nigrescence model, this mixed-methods study explored the links between educational spaces/places and Black identity development in a sample of Black professional adults (n=39). Correlation analysis revealed a weak positive relationship between space and Black racial identity and little to no correlational effect between place and Black racial identity. Three themes were identified: educational spaces, HBCU versus PWI debate, and stages of Black identity development with each providing more depth of understanding of how educational spaces influence Black identity development. Study implications are discussed

Quotient Cordial Labeling of Graphs

In this paper we introduce quotient cordial labeling of graphs, respectively denote the number of edges labelled with even integers and number of edges labelled with odd integers. A graph with a quotient cordial labeling is called a quotient cordial graph. We investigate the quotient cordial labeling behavior of path, cycle, complete graph, star, bistar etc

Study on prevalence of prelabour rupture of membranes and its maternal and fetal outcomes

Background: The aim is to study the prevalence of prelabour rupture of the membranes (PROM), to identify risk factors, mode of delivery, and its maternal and fetal effects.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Government Head Quarters Hospital, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, with a duration of 6months (January 2020 – June 2020). The study was conducted on 800 pregnant women between 28-42 weeks of gestational age consecutively and those who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken into study.Results: The prevalence of PROM was 27.9% (tPROM 24.6% and PPROM 3.2%). Most of the cases were primigravida (74%). Risk factors associated with PROM were low socioeconomic state (63.2%), urinary tract infection (UTI) (7.2%), vaginal infections (5.8%), and previous history of PROM (3.1%). Most of the patients were delivered by lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) (55.2%), normal vaginal delivery (39.9%) and forceps delivery (4.9%). The most common indication for LSCS was fetal distress (43.9%). Misoprostol induction was associated with more failed induction (2 times) than syntocinon. Maternal complications were post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) (8%), fever (6.7%), wound infection (6.2%), manual removal of placenta (4.4%), and puerperal sepsis (0.9%). Neonatal complications were neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions (14%), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (11%), neonatal sepsis (2.6%). Maternal (54.5%) and neonatal (90%) morbidity were more in prolonged PROM &gt;24 hours.Conclusions: Antenatal screening for genitourinary infections especially in cases of the previous history of abortions and PROM should be done. Oxytocin is the preferred method of induction over misoprostol in this study. Active management in term PROM cases can reduce the cesarean section rate

PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF PROPHYLACTIC ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS USED IN PREOPERATIVE PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Objective: This study was designed to analyze the prescription pattern of prophylactic antimicrobial agents used in preoperative patients.Methods: A descriptive observational study was done at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Potheri from July to December 2013 after obtaining of Institutional Ethics Committee clearance.Results: Total 284 patients were included in this study, out of which 141(49.6%) were females and 143(50%) were males. In the department of general surgery, the very commonly used antimicrobial agents were cefotaxime (81%) followed by cefoperazone sodium (42%). In the orthopaedics department, the frequently used antimicrobial agents were cefoperazone and sulbactam (39%) followed by cefazolin (29%). Most commonly used antimicrobial agent was cefotaxime (100%) in gynaecology department.Conclusion: Antimicrobial prophylaxis is helpful in declining the frequency of post-operative infections. This study explained about the various antimicrobial agents used prior to surgeries. Practitioners must prescribe an antibiotic based on their hospital antibiotic policy

PATTERN OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim of this study was to carry out adverse drug reactions (ADRs) monitoring in various departments of a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on ADRs reported in the hospital from December 2012 to May 2013 after obtaining InstitutionalEthics Committee approval.Results: A total of 40 ADRs were reported, 47.50% were males and 52.50% were females. The female adult population was 45%. The majority of ADRswere due to antimicrobial agents especially beta-lactam antibiotics (42.5%) followed by NSAIDs (7.50%). A maximum number of patients (75%)were reported with dermatological manifestations. The department of medicine reported the highest number of ADRs (37.5%). As per Naranjo'sprobability scale, 62.5% reports were assessed as probable. 62.5% reports were documented as mild according to Modified Hartwig's criteria forseverity assessment.Conclusion: This study was done to sensitize the practicing physicians on the importance of adverse drug monitoring and reporting.Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, Adverse drug reactions, Tertiary care teaching hospital, Antimicrobial agents