Comparative study of neuroimaging features and clinical symptoms in patients with eclampsia

Background: Eclampsia is a life-threatening emergency that remains a major cause for feto-maternal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of our study was to access various computed tomographic scan (CT) findings in eclampsia patients and compare neurological symptoms with radiological findings. Methods: A prospective analytical study was undertaken in department of obstetrics and gynecology, J. K. Lon hospital, Kota during the period of 2019-2020. Women who presented as eclampsia and admitted in indoor wards were included in the study. Data analyzed included various maternal and fetal parameters, CT scan findings and outcome of pregnancy. Results: The incidence of eclampsia was 1.1% of total deliveries. High risk factors associated with eclampsia were primigravida (70%), maternal age (70% in 21-25 years age group), illiteracy (64%), inadequate antenatal care (96%), early gestation (68%). On CT scan findings 52% patients had abnormal CT scan findings of which most common was cerebral edema (57.7%). Parieto-occipital lobe was most common region to be affected. Altered sensorium was found to be significantly associated with abnormal CT scan findings.Conclusions: Eclampsia is a major cause of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality.  CT scan in eclampsia have significant role in early diagnosis of patients with cerebral pathologies and these CT scan findings were associated with the level of consciousness and number of convulsive episodes.  Thus, CT scan helps in further management of these patients by multidisciplinary approach

LEARNER STRATEGIES AND COMMUNICATIVE ACQUISITION: LEARNER’S AUTONOMY FROM THE INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Purpose: To investigate the conscious strategies learners use in acquiring language skills, though the main focus of the investigation has been on communicative strategies used in the SLA environment coping with communication difficulties in the target language situation. Methodology: A survey has been conducted of 100 BBA students (to understand the strategies adopted by them) with the help of questionnaires and follow up interviews which are used for observations in this study. Main findings: Learners do indulge different kinds of learning strategies and the choice of these strategies depends on the aim, objective and situation. Also, this selection/choice vary from learner to learner. Applications: This study will be useful for the teachers and students of ELT, EFL, and SLA to understand how learning strategies affect learning. Novelty: The goal of this study is to monitor learner strategies and to develop the learners’ motivational or affective level, or methods of selecting, organizing, acquiring and integrating new knowledge of the students. (Chamot and O’Malley, 1990), then by providing them with the tools to self-regulate their learning autonomy will be functional

Dermoid cyst indenting bladder: a diagnostic dilemma

A dermoid cyst is a benign cutaneous developmental anomaly that arises from the entrapment of ectodermal elements along the lines of embryonic closure. These benign tumors are lined by stratified squamous epithelium with mature skin appendages found on their wall and their lumens filled with keratin, hair, teeth etc. They are usually benign in nature. Mature ovarian dermoid cysts are very common accounting for 25% of all benign ovarian neoplasms. Uncomplicated dermoid cysts are usually asymptomatic and easy to diagnose on imaging. Presentation of dermoid cysts are extremely rare in the urinary bladder and it is a diagnostic challenge to the gynecologist, pathologist and urologist. Only few cases are found and documented till now. We present an extremely rare case of dermoid cyst involving bladder in a 29 year old female who presented with chief complaint of pain abdomen associated with passage of hair through the urine since 2 months. Her cystoscopy showed presence of hair and caseous material on the surface of the lesion.

Effects of leaf extracts of selected medicinal plants on blood against hypotonic solution by measuring optical density: An in vitro study

420-425The medicinal plant leaf extracts alter the morphology of the cellular components of blood, especially RBCs. However, information on biochemical changes occurring during these events in vitro is lacking. Here, we studied the effect of medicinal plant [Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem), Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Indian Gooseberry or Amla) and Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Holi basil or Tulsi)] leaf extracts as against the hypotonic solution by measuring the optical density of blood at various wavelengths at 0 and 30 min. The blood, exposed to hypotonic solution, showed cellular degradation and higher protein metabolism; higher glucose metabolism and oxidative cellular damage as well as higher oxygen absorption as compared to test samples. Among the three leaf extracts studied, the Amla extract treatment had comparatively more protective role for cellular components of the blood as against hypotonic solution. However, Tulsi extract significantly reduced hemolysis, heme catabolism and redox stress in RBCs. Tulsi also increased glucose metabolism indicating its antidiabetic property. To conclude, Amla leaf extract significantly reversed the effects of the hypotonic solution on the cellular components while Tulsi extract exhibited therapeutic role in maintaining homeostasis of cellular components in blood

Role of serum folic acid and vitamin B12 levels in abruptio placentae and the fetomaternal outcome

Background: Over the course of pregnancy, there is a steady decline in maternal plasma folate concentration and vitamin B12 concentration about 50%of non pregnant levels. Insufficient folate and vitamin B12 status has been associated with many reproductive complications including abruption, IUGR, pre eclampsia, early pregnancy loss. The aim of the study was to determine the role of serum folic acid and vitamin B12levels in patients with abruptio placentae and to study the feto-maternal outcome in these patients. Feto maternal outcome is seen in terms of mode of delivery whether vaginal or caesarean, period of gestation whether term or preterm, need of blood transfusion, stillbirths. Methods: In this prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary hospital from 2018-2020, 50 pregnant women with abruptio placentae were included and their serum folic acid and vitamin B12 levels were measured by ELIZA method using commercially available kits. Results: Serum folic acid levels were not low in the cases of placental abruption with range= 25 ng/ml to 80.5 ng/ml. Mean folic acid level ±SD is 47.98±13.15 ng/ml and median is 48 ng/ml. In this study vitamin B12 levels were low in the cases, range 14 pg/ml to 70 pg/ml. Mean vitamin B12 value ±SD is 27.15±11.63 pg/ml and median is 25 pg/ml.The rate of caesarean section was 44%, preterm delivery was 64% and stillbirth was 38% in these cases with mean folic acid levels of 48.7±15.4 ng/ml, 46.94±13.85 ng/ml and 46.03±8.13 ng/ml respectively and mean vitamin B12 levels of 23.34±6.74 pg/ml, 28.73±13.44 pg/ml and 28.32±11.75 pg/ml respectively. There was a significant association (p=0.006) between vitamin B12 and mode of delivery. No other significant association was seen between serum folic acid and vitamin B12 levels and the different fetomaternal outcome. Conclusions: Low levels of vitamin B12 is seen in cases with abruptio placentae. The rate of caesarean section, preterm delivery, stillbirth and need of blood transfusion is high but no significant association is seen

Detection of Brain Tumor in MRI Image through Fuzzy-Based Approach

The process of accurate detection of edges of MRI images of a brain is always a challenging but interesting problem. Accurate detection is very important and critical for the generation of correct diagnosis. The major problem that comes across while analyzing MRI images of a brain is inaccurate data. The process of segmentation of brain MRI image involves the problem of searching anatomical regions of interest, which can help radiologists to extract shapes, appearance, and other structural features for diagnosis of diseases or treatment evaluation. The brain image segmentation is composed of many stages. During the last few years, preprocessing algorithms, techniques, and operators have emerged as a powerful tool for efficient extraction of regions of interest, performing basic algebraic operations on images, enhancing specific image features, and reducing data on both resolution and brightness. Edge detection is one of the techniques of image segmentation. Here from image segmentation, tumor is located. Finally, we try to retrieve tumor from MRI image of a brain in the form of edge more accurately and efficiently, by enhancing the performance of diffe rent kinds of edge detectors using fuzzy approach

A study of acoustical parameters of cupric oxide nanoparticles dispersed in aqueous solutions of various glycols

In this study cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were synthesised by precipitation method using                    cupric acetate dihydrate [Cu(CH3COO)2.2H2O] as a starting material. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). These nanoparticles were dispersed in three different base fluids which were 10% aqueous solutions of ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (PG) and hexylene glycol (HG). Ultrasonic velocity (U), density (ρ) and viscosity (η) of these nanofluids were measured at different concentrations of CuO nanoparticles as a function of temperatures (T = 303.15K, 308.15K and 313.15 K). Using these values various acoustical parameters such as adiabatic compressibility, intermolecular free length, relaxation time, acoustic impedence and attenuation coefficient were evaluated

Endoscopic management of retrocalcaneal pain: a prospective observational study

Background: In an effort to reduce morbidity and complications of open surgery, an endoscopic technique was used for the management of the conditions leading to retrocalcaneal pain. With this purpose, the current study was undertaken to evaluate results of endoscopic management of retrocalcaneal pain using American orthopaedic foot and ankle score (AOFAS).Methods: 20 patients (26 heels) in the age group 18-80 years presenting with retrocalcaneal pain not responding to conservative management underwent endoscopic decompression of the retrocalcaneal bursae and excision of bony spurs. Two portals were created, one laterally and one medially, over the posterosuperior portion of the calcaneus to gain access to the retrocalcaneal space. The inflamed bursal tissue was identified and removed, and the prominent bone was resected. The functional outcome was evaluated pre and postoperatively with the AOFAS.Results: 70% patients have retrocalcaneal bursitis, 20% Haglund’s deformity as confirmed on lateral view of ankle X-ray and only 10% of non-insertional tendinosis. Mean operative time was 54.95 minutes. Mean duration of hospital stay was 3.90±0.64 and the mean follow-up was 66 days (range 30-180 days). The average AOFAS score improved from 65.60 points pre-operatively to 96.80 points at final follow-up. There were fifteen excellent results, seven good results, two fair results and two poor results.Conclusions: Endoscopic procedure for retrocalcaneal bursitis and Haglund deformity seemed to be a safe and efficacious option for surgical treatment of retrocalcaneal pain

CLINICO - HISTOPATHOLOGICAL SPECTRUM OF CUTANEOUS VASCULITIS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 62 CASES

Context: Cutaneous Vasculitis is the inflammation of vessel walls which leads to hemorrhagic or ischemic events. The histopathological classification of cutaneous vasculitis depends on the vessel size and the dominant immune cell mediating the inflammation. Object: We studied the etiological factors and clinico-pathological spectrum of patients with cutaneous vasculitis at a tertiary referral centre of north India. Design: Skin biopsies of all patients with clinically suspected cutaneous vasculitis presenting over 5 years, between 2009-2014 were reviewed. Cutaneous vasculitis was classified on the basis of etiology (primary or secondary), on the basis of size of vessel wall as well as on the dominant inflammatory cell infiltrating the vessels. Results: Over 5 years, 62 / 103 patients evaluated for vasculitic syndromes had histologically proven vasculitis. Clinically, vasculitis was primary (77.4%) or secondary (22.5%) to drugs, infections, underlying connective tissue diseases and malignancy. Neutrophilic (n=30), lymphocytic (n=18), eosinophilic (n=10), and granulomatous (n=4) vasculitis were the major histopathological groups. Small vessel involvement was seen in 97% cases. Conclusion: Skin biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing cutaneous vasculitis. Small vessel vasculitis was the most common type of cutaneous vasculitis with the dominant cell type being neutrophilic. Eosinophilic infiltrate was exclusively associated with primary vasculitis. KEYWORDS: Cutaneous vasculitis; Small vessel vasculitis; Skin biopsy

Railway Accident Monitoring

Rail accidents are one of the major issues till the present day. Despite of safety measures, every year at least one major accident is recorded. The aim of this paper is to present a handy module consisting of sensors and microsystems which are used to detect faults which cause accidents. The causes of accidents are categorized into different modules which include anti-collision, track detection, wheel balance, level crossing, and tunnel accidents. IR sensor, Piezo sensor, reed sensor are used to detect faults.LCD(Liquid crystal display), Motor, Led?s and Buzzer are output devices which continuously inform the status and occurrence of fault