Sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus and risk analysis of vertical transmission among pregnant women attending the obstetrics and gynecology hospital, Chennai (Tamilnadu), India

Background: Majority of the transmission of Hepatitis B viral infection occurs by vertical transmission from a carrier mother to infants. However, data regarding the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women and risk factors associated with vertical transmission are lacking in India especially South India.Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted at Institute of Obstetric and Gynecology and Department of Hepatology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The study included of 2730 consecutive pregnant women and 160 cord blood samples of neonates of HBsAg positive mothers.Results: The seroprevalence of HBsAg was found to be 5.86% among pregnant women. Vertical transmission was documented in 27.5% (44 of 160) of neonates born to mothers who were positive for HBsAg, it was highest in India reported anywhere. Although univariate analysis had shown the association of vertical transmission of HBV infection with maternal factors such as HBeAg, HBV DNA, Infection status, anti-HBe and mode of delivery, Multivariate analysis had revealed that LSCS is independent risk factor (OR, 0.057; 95% CI, 0.010 - 0.312; P<0.001)  for vertical transmission.Conclusions: Prevalence of HBV in pregnant women was found to be high compared to general population reported earlier. LSCS had independent risk factor on vertical transmission than any other risk factors. Therefore, LSCS may not be advisable in HBsAg-positive pregnant women to prevent vertical transmission of HBV

On the stability of inhomogeneous fluids under acoustic fields

In this work, we present the stability theory for inhomogeneous fluids subjected to standing acoustic fields. Starting from the first principles, the stability criterion is established for two fluids of different acoustic impedance separated by a plane interface. Through stability theory and numerical simulations we show that, in the presence of interfacial tension, the relocation of high-impedance fluid from anti-node to node occurs when the acoustic force overcomes interfacial tension force, which is in agreement with recent microchannel experiments. Furthermore, we establish an acoustic Bond number that characterizes stable (Bo_a 1) regimes. Remarkably, it is found that the critical acoustic energy density required for relocation can be significantly reduced by increasing the channel height which could help design acoustofluidic microchannel devices that handle immiscible fluids.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure

Effect of Haemoglobin and Iron Status of the Antenatal Mothers on their Newborns at Birth: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Iron deficiency (ID) anaemia in pregnant mothers can affect the iron reserves of their newborns and lead to anaemia later. The haematological indices and iron status of pregnant women and its correlation with their neonates is still unclear. Aim: To assess the correlation between maternal and cord blood Hb and iron status. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 134 antenatal mothers, at term gestation without any significant antenatal complications. Complete haemogram, serum iron, ferritin, and iron binding capacity were assessed for these mothers before delivery and also from the cord blood samples of their newborns at birth. Statistical difference and correlation were observed using Chi-square test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Maternal anaemia Hb <11 gm/dL) was observed in 62 (46.3%). The mean Hb and ferritin of the mothers were 11.06±1.02 gm/dL and 113.3±7.1 μg/L, respectively. The mean Hb and ferritin levels of the cord blood samples were 12.24±0.17 gm/dL and 214.3±20.1 μg/L, respectively. In univariate analysis, maternal Hb showed a significant correlation with cord blood Hb with Odds Ratio (OR) 0.508 and 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.428-0.603. The Pearson’s correlation showed a moderate correlation between mother and cord blood Packed Cell Volume (PCV) (r=0.344, p<0.001) and weak correlation between other maternal and cord blood iron indices and serum ferritin (r=0.191, p=0.027 and r=0.203, p=0.019). Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between maternal and cord blood Hb in term neonates. The study indicates that the haematological indices of pregnant women determine the neonatal Hb in term babies

Bactericidal Efficacy Of Antibiotic Combinations Against Enterococcus Faecalis – An In Vitro Study

Endodontics plays a major role in the eradication of pulpal inflammation, the primary goal includes the treatment of apical periodontitis and maintaining the pulpal health. An immature necrotic tooth poses various challenges in the management of pulpal necrosis which traditionally aims at the formation of calcific barrier that aid in the obturation. The prolonged duration of the procedure with multiple review appointments, and the risk of cervical fracture have posed a challenge in the conventional apexification procedures1. Regenerative endodontics is a biological based procedure designed to replace damaged structures such as dentin, root structures, and cells of the pulp-dentin complex. The evolution of the method of biologically replacing dental tissues by regeneration has overcome the challenges by increasing the root length and thickness of the root canal walls, inducing apexogenesis 2. The outcomes of regenerative procedures rely on the complete elimination of bacteria, facilitation of root development, and closure of sinus tracts3. The infection of the root canal system is polymicrobial, consisting of predominantly facultative anaerobes and anaerobic bacteria. The existence of bacterial species results in the persistence of apical periodontitis and inflammation4. The virulence of the bacteria on causing disease and tissue damage is proportionate to the type and the numbers of bacteria present5. The microbial flora in failed endodontic teeth normally include varied microorganisms of which Enterococcus faecalis is the most prevalent and highly resistant to intracanal medicaments6. It is an established fact that regeneration of the pulpal tissue of an infected immature tooth with open apex and apical periodontitis was considered to be impossible due to the presence of various microorganisms. Local antibiotics application has been widely used in the eradication of intracanal infection, hence the systemic routes of administration have been greatly reduced 7. To encounter the diverse flora in the root canal system, combinations of antibiotics are used known as the TRIPLE ANTIBIOTIC PASTE which comprises of combination of Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole and Minocycline 8. The synergy of antibiotics used in the triple antibiotic paste is used to efficiently combat the polymicrobial environment in the infected root dentin 9. Minocycline is known for its broad-spectrum activity but has the disadvantage of discoloration of teeth which has led to the necessity of finding an alternative antibiotic. In this study in the triple antibiotic combination minocycline is replaced with clindamycin. This study aimed at comparing and evaluating the antibacterial efficacy of double or triple antibiotic combinations used as intracanal medicament. A standard strain of Enterococcus faecalis is used as a indicator organism to test the efficacy. The primary objective was to compare the efficacy of clindamycin over minocycline in combination with other antibiotic

Government General Hospital

Abstract Introduction: Various components of metabolic syndrome have an important role in the pathogenesis of both non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and psoriasis, suggesting an association between these diseases. However, at present very few studies have reported on the systematic evaluations of the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with psoriasis disorder. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. The study also evaluated the parallel relationship between both of the diseases. Material and methods: Patients over18 years old and with a diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris at the outpatient unit of Department of Dermatology were considered for enrolment and were followed up by the Department of Hepatology, Madras Medical College. Each and every patient completed a questionnaire, underwent a thorough skin evaluation, and had a right upper quadrant ultrasound and fasting blood workup. Results: Two hundred and fifty patients were enrolled in the study. The participants were predominantly middle aged (mean: 44.74 ±11.989 years), overweight (average body mass index (BMI): 24.772 ±3.611 kg/

Sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus and risk analysis of vertical transmission among pregnant women attending the obstetrics and gynecology hospital, Chennai (Tamilnadu), India

Background: Majority of the transmission of Hepatitis B viral infection occurs by vertical transmission from a carrier mother to infants. However, data regarding the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women and risk factors associated with vertical transmission are lacking in India especially South India.Methods: A cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted at Institute of Obstetric and Gynecology and Department of Hepatology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The study included of 2730 consecutive pregnant women and 160 cord blood samples of neonates of HBsAg positive mothers.Results: The seroprevalence of HBsAg was found to be 5.86% among pregnant women. Vertical transmission was documented in 27.5% (44 of 160) of neonates born to mothers who were positive for HBsAg, it was highest in India reported anywhere. Although univariate analysis had shown the association of vertical transmission of HBV infection with maternal factors such as HBeAg, HBV DNA, Infection status, anti-HBe and mode of delivery, Multivariate analysis had revealed that LSCS is independent risk factor (OR, 0.057; 95% CI, 0.010 - 0.312; P&lt;0.001)  for vertical transmission.Conclusions: Prevalence of HBV in pregnant women was found to be high compared to general population reported earlier. LSCS had independent risk factor on vertical transmission than any other risk factors. Therefore, LSCS may not be advisable in HBsAg-positive pregnant women to prevent vertical transmission of HBV

“Caring for the Uncared for”: A Novel Initiative of Madras Medical College

Background: Every society has persons with illness who do not have any family support. Taking care of such uncared-for patients requires a well-structured system providing medical, psychological, emotional, and rehabilitory support. The first ever rehabilitation ward among government hospitals in Tamil Nadu was created at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Chennai with the motto of “Caring for the uncared for.” This paper highlights the organizational structure, functionality, profile of patients admitted, challenges faced, and the outcome of patients admitted in the rehabilitation ward. Methods: A retrospective study was done on the “untended” patients, who were admitted in the rehabilitation ward at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from December 2020 to June 2022. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and outcome of the patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 201 adults with physical disabilities or mixed physical and psychiatric disabilities were admitted for intensive rehabilitation. Common medical illnesses included orthopedic disorders in 80 (39.8%), followed by neurological illness in 43 (21.4%) patients. The median length of stay was 50 (24.5-103.5) days with longest stay of 447 days. Of those patients who recovered, 54 patients (26.9%) reunited with family and returned home and 125 (62.2%) patients were sent to old age homes/asylums. Conclusion: A dedicated ward for untended patients is the first of its kind in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Such a venture has proved to be of benefit, considering the positive outcome in a significant proportion of the beneficiaries