A rare case of term viable abdominal pregnancy with review of literature

Abdominal pregnancies are rare types of ectopic pregnancies with high rates of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Abdominal pregnancy accounts for up to 1.4% of ectopic pregnancies. We report a case of term live abdominal pregnancy without malformation with implantation of the placenta into the uterus and anterior abdominal wall, discovered during a planned obstetric hysterectomy indicated for placenta accreta. Abdominal pregnancy is a serious and potential life-threatening condition. Diagnosis and management can be difficult especially in developing countries. A high index of suspicion is key for timely diagnosis and intervention to prevent life-threatening complications

Study of effect of intravenous iron sucrose on different haematological parameters in patients of anaemia in pregnancy

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous Iron sucrose by comparing the various hematological parameters before and after infusion of intravenous iron sucrose and also the safety and compliance in cases of pregnancy with anaemia.Methods: One fifty patients visited in OPD with haemoglobin level <7 gm/dl during 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy and all patients of 3rd trimester with mild, moderate or severe anemia after satisfying the inclusion criteria were included. These patients were investigated with different hematological parameters. Patient’s hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, peripheral blood smear repeated after the completion of doses after 21 days.Results: Results were significant with increase in haemoglobin from baseline 6.7 ± 1.2 to 10.2 ± 1.9 after 21 days of treatment. There was significant rise of serum iron levels (93.14 ± 1.9 mcg/dl) post treatment. However repeat TIBC (94.66%) significantly decreased from baseline, mean TIBC was 314.66 ± 1.8 mcg/dl. Significant increase was also noted in MCV, MCH and PCV.Conclusions: This study showed significant improvement of hemoglobin and iron stores in pregnant women given calculated dose of iron sucrose complex infusion. It was safe for mother and fetus and is well tolerated

Cloning and semi-quantitative expression of endochitinase (ech42) gene from Trichoderma spp.

Species of Trichoderma such as T. harzianum, T. viride and T. atroviride are some of the most potent antagonistic fungi, and have been used as plant growth promoters in developed countries. Endochitinase (ech42) gene which is involved in mycoparasitism, was isolated from Trichoderma spp. taken from hot-arid soils of Rajasthan, cloned, sequenced and its expression profiling was carried by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. The cloned DNA sequence was 1,476 base pairs. Gene encoding endochitinase was ligated in pGEMT cloning vector. The plasmids were transformed in DH5α Escherichia coli competent cells and clones were confirmed through sequencing and restriction analysis. Endochitinase gene expression was then observed for different Trichoderma isolates viz., T. harzianum (T14 and T12) and T. atroviride (T5). Among the three, higher expression of endochitinase was observed in T14 and T12, whereas T5 showed lesser expression with respect to T14 and T12 strain. The Trichoderma chitinase enzyme activity was monitored for all isolates under study. The highest chitinase activity was observed in T14 and T11 viz., 17.21 (1 enzyme μg/ml) and 13.11 enzyme μg/ml, respectively.Keywords: Endochitinase, cloning, expression, Trichoderma atroviride, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma virid

Gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) for risk stratification of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasonography:an international expert consensus

The Gallbladder Reporting and Data System (GB-RADS) ultrasound (US) risk stratification is proposed to improve consistency in US interpretations, reporting, and assessment of risk of malignancy in gallbladder wall thickening in non-acute setting. It was developed based on a systematic review of the literature and the consensus of an international multidisciplinary committee comprising expert radiologists, gastroenterologists, gastrointestinal surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and pathologists using modified Delphi method. For risk stratification, the GB-RADS system recommends six categories (GB-RADS 0–5) of gallbladder wall thickening with gradually increasing risk of malignancy. GB-RADS is based on gallbladder wall features on US including symmetry and extent (focal vs. circumferential) of involvement, layered appearance, intramural features (including intramural cysts and echogenic foci), and interface with the liver. GB-RADS represents the first collaborative effort at risk stratifying the gallbladder wall thickening. This concept is in line with the other US-based risk stratification systems which have been shown to increase the accuracy of detection of malignant lesions and improve management. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

CURRENCY DEMONETIZATION- A VALIANT MOVE TO UPROOT BLACK MONEY & PREVAILING CORRUPTION FROM INDIAN ECONOMY

On November 8, 2016, night, in an unusual televised address to the nation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprisingly announced the demonetization of `500 and `1000 currency notes in order to check on black money. This is one of the historical steps ever taken by an Indian Prime Minister. The banknotes that were declared illegal tender represent more than 86% of cash in circulation in India. Since then, the entire nation is suffering from a financial hurricane. This currency demonetization has taken a lot of attention from the citizens of India, politicians, media and research community as well. The incidence of fake Indian currency notes in higher denomination has been increasing since the last few decades. For ordinary citizens, the fake notes look similar to genuine notes issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These fake Indian currency notes are used for anti-national and illegal activities. High denomination notes like `500 and `1000 banknotes have been misused by terrorists and for hoarding black money

Skin Reaction to an Asthmatic Patient on Hydrocortisone

Steroids constitute the basic of treatment of asthma by interrupting the development of inflammation. Although being prescribed to subjects for allergies, they can also be the culprit behind allergic reactions. We report a case of a 38-year-old woman, who was prescribed hydrocortisone for severe acute asthma, and presented with an allergy to hydrocortisone in the form of generalized pruritus, cutaneous mucosal lesions in the form of purpura and ecchymoses on the abdomen and limbs. The substitution of hydrocortisone led to recovery

Oleogranuloma of rectum co-existing with primary malignant melanoma: Report of a rare occurrence

Oleogranulomas are rare in rectum and usually present as pseudotumor as a result of foreign body reaction secondary to injection into wall of any oily substance, most commonly mineral oil for treatment of hemorrhoids or oil enemas for constipation. Their occurrence along with malignant melanomas which are also uncommon tumors in the rectum have not been reported in the literature so far. We report one such rare occurrence in a 55-year-old female who presented with alteration of bowel habits and passage of blood in the stool. Clinical and radiological examination suggested a tumor in the rectum. The biopsy report was suggestive of malignant melanoma. The patient underwent abdominoperineal resection. Gross examination of resected specimen revealed blackish ulceroproliferative growth in the lower part of the rectum. Histopathological examination revealed characteristic features of malignant melanoma along with oleogranulomas comprising of multinucleated foreign body giant cells and epithelioid cell granulomas surrounding large clear spaces giving “swiss cheese appearance.

Response to comments on "Reduced band gap & charge recombination rate in Se doped alpha-Bi2O3 leads to enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performance: Theoretical & experimental insight"

For better utilization of solar spectrum and complete redox of water for water splitting applications, it is required to have a semiconductor which is photoactive in visible region. In this study, we report theoretical and experimental investigations on morphological and opto-electronic modifications induced in α-Bi2O3 due to Selenium (Se) doping tested for photoelectrochemical (PEC) & photocatalytic properties. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations revealed band gap reduction and direct to indirect transitions in Se-doped α-Bi2O3. This reduction in band gap is attributed to hybridization of Se p & Bi s in valence band and Se d & Bi p orbital in conduction band. To support this finding experimentally, we synthesized Se-doped α-Bi2O3 using simple chemical precipitation method and measured its band gap using photoluminescence and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Experimental results also confirmed the reduction in band gap energy and recombination rate of charge carriers as compared to pristine α-Bi2O3 sample. PEC study of Se-doped α-Bi2O3 showed an increased photocurrent density, charge carrier density and lowered impedance, which indicates its efficient solar spectrum utilization and better hydrogen generation efficiency. Photocatalytic measurement also revealed higher rate of dye degradation with Se doped α-Bi2O3