Effect of Al2O3 and SiO2 Nanopartical on Wear, Hardness and Impact behavior of Epoxy composites

A growing need for materials with good tribological and mechanical properties   led to prepare , characterize and measure wear, hardness and impact properties of epoxy (EP)  with different weight percentage of SiO2 and Al2O3 nano particles  (0.5%, 1%,1.5%,2%,2.5%,3%) . Silica and alumina nanoparticles have average diameter size 16.69 and 46.73 nm respectively measured by scanning probe microscope.A combination of two different techniques (high shear mixing followed by ultrasonication) was used to prepared the nanocomposites. Fourier transition infrared (FTIR) was used to characterize the nanoparticles (Al2O3 an SiO2) .Wear rate, hardness and impact energy properties  were measured for EP/ Al2O3, EP/ SiO2 nanocomposites . Decreasing in wear  values with addition of nanoparticles ( especially nano Al2O3) were observed. Approximately 30% and 80% increasing in hardness values and impact energy were observed. An enhancement in whole measurement for all composites was observed, yet (EP/ Al2O3, EP/ SiO2) composites with 2.5%nano Al2O3 show in general better hardness and impact results. Keywords: Nanoparticles, Nanocomposites, wear, Impact, hardness

Students’ Perceived Benefits of Integrating a BSc in Health Sciences within a Medical Degree at Sultan Qaboos University

Objectives: After completing the pre-clinical phase of a Doctor of Medicine (MD) curriculum, undergraduate medical students may choose to add a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in health sciences to their MD degree. Limited data exists on the motives behind students’ decisions to undertake such intercalated degrees. Hence, this study aimed to identify the factors that influence students in making this choice. Methods: Undergraduate students who chose the research-based academic track of the intercalated phase of the BSc programme at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, between 2014–2018 were enrolled. A standardised and validated self-explanatory questionnaire examining motivations to join the intercalated phase was administered to all students in the first week of enrolment. Results: Over a five-year period, out of 557 eligible students, 18 (3%) were enrolled in the intercalated phase and all completed the questionnaire. The mean age was 22 ± 1.5 years and the majority (83%) were female. Out of the 18 students, 10 (55%) had taken the university’s foundation programme. A total of 45% of students chose to intercalate out of their own interest, regardless of career ambitions. The main reasons to intercalate were an opportunity to enhance research experience, alignment with long-term career goals and a chance to publish in indexed journals. Conclusion: Despite the benefits of obtaining an additional degree, a relatively small proportion of MD students were attracted to the intercalated phase. A better presentation of the BSc degree is needed to help students make a more informed decision.Keywords: Medical Education; Undergraduate Medical Education; Career Choice; Curriculum; Oman

Comparison of efficacy and safety of intramuscular magnesium sulphate with low dose intravenous regimen in treatment of eclampsia

INTRODUCTION: Eclampsia contributes to maternal mortality in developing, underdeveloped world. Various drugs have been tried to treat eclampsia. Magnesium sulphate has become the drug of choice due to various advantages and is associated with adverse outcome for both mother and fetus if not used correctly. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intramuscular magnesium sulphate with low dose intravenous regimen in treatment of eclampsia STUDY SETTING: The study was conducted at Gynecology and Obstetrics Department unit II, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, from June 20, 2020 to December 20, 2020. Study design was Randomized Controlled Trial. SUBJECTS & METHODS: Patients were randomly distributed into two groups, group-A (IM Group) and group-B (IV Group). Group-A patients received a loading dose of 4 gm IV MgSO4 over 5-10 minutes+10 gm MgSO4 deep intra-muscular injection (5 gm in each buttock) and a maintenance dose of 5 gm MgSO4 deep intramuscular injection in alternate buttock every 4 hourly. Group-B patients received MgSO4 4 gm slow IV over 5-10 minutes as loading dose and 1 gm MgSO4 per hour as continuous intravenous maintenance infusion. Clinical response to therapy for both drugs was calculated in terms of efficacy and safety. All the data were entered & analyzed by using SPSS v25.0. Both the groups were compared in terms of efficacy and safety by using Chi-Square test. A p-value less than 0.05  was taken as significant. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients with eclampsia were enrolled for this study. Patients were divided into two groups i.e. Group-A (IM MgSO4) and Group-B (IV MgSO4). In group-A, there were 45(56.3%) in 18-30 years age group and 35(43.8%) in 31-40 years age group, while in group-B, there were 48(60.0%) in 18-30 years age group and 32(40.0%) in 31-40 years age group. In IM MgSO4 group, prevention from recurrence of seizure was noted in 74(92.5%) and 78(97.5%) in IV MgSO4 group, which is statistically insignificant with a p-value of 0.147. CONCLUSION: Both IM and IV regimen are equally effective in controlling the recurrence of convulsions. IM Magnesium Sulphate is associated with a higher incidence of toxicity as evidenced by significantly higher incidence of loss of knee jerk reflex. Both IM and IV regimen are equally effective but IM Magnesium Sulphate is associated with a higher incidence of toxicity. KEY WORDS: Eclampsia, Intramuscular MgSO4, Intravenous MgSO4

Role of Modified Biophysical Profile in Prediction of Fetal Asphyxia

Objective    To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Modified Biophysical Profile (MBPP) in determining fetal asphyxia in high risk pregnancies keeping actual birth asphyxia on Apgar Score as gold standard.       Patients and Methods After written informed consent from patients, 235 patients with high risk pregnancies admitted to obstetric ward unit 2 Holy Family Hospital were enrolled in study. BPP was done by modified method in high risk patient at > 36 week gestation. Amniotic fluid index was calculated by measuring 4 quadrant vertical pockets and if sum of 4 pockets was< 5 it was considered as abnormal. Total score in MBPP is 4.Out of which 2 score for CTG and 2 score of AFI. These patients were followed till delivery and newborn will be assessed at the time of delivery for fetal asphyxia. Fetal asphyxia was assessed on the basis of Apgar score at 5 min after birth. All patients delivering beyond 7 days of MBPP was excluded from the study. Results Mean age (years) in our study was 27.11+1.47 whereas mean parity was 2+1.06 with ranges from nulliparous to para four. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicative value and negative predicative value of Modified Biophysical Profile (MBPP) in determining fetal asphyxia in high risk pregnancies keeping actual birth asphyxia on Apgar score as gold standard was 95.02%, 71.43%, 98.13% and 47.62% respectively. Conclusion MBPP was found to have high sensitivity and positive predictive value in predicting fetal asphyxia as assessed by Apgar score at birth. Key words:             Modified Biophysical profile, Perinatal outcome, High risk pregnancies, Non stress tes

Emerging Trends in Peripartum Hysterectomy; A High Alert in Obstetrics

Introduction: The high incidence of lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) leading to morbidly adherent placenta and making it a leading cause of peripartum hysterectomy.Objective: Peripartum hysterectomy is one of the major obstetrical procedures that need to be performed electively/emergency in patients having morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) for the sake of the patient’s life. Need to conduct this study arises because we want to highlight the increasing rate of peripartum hysterectomy secondary to MAP, the emerging trend of increased LSCS in our socio-demographic strata, and its effects on maternal morbidity and mortality.Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study which was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit II, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. All patients who underwent peripartum hysterectomy were included in the study. Data was collected from record files and labor room registers in accordance with ethical guidelines.Results: Out of 11,440 deliveries in one year, 60 patients underwent peripartum hysterectomy with an incidence of 5.2 per 1000 deliveries. The majority of patients (87%) fell in the age group of 25-33 years. 4(6.6%) patients undergone peripartum hysterectomy for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) due to uterine atony, 3(5%) due to the ruptured uterus, and 53(88%) due to MAP. All patients who had undergone a peripartum hysterectomy due to MAP were previously scarred for LSCS (100%). 5% with previous 1 LSCS, 31% with previous 2 LSCS, 44% with previous 3 LSCS and 18% with previous 4 LSCS.Conclusion: The high incidence of peripartum hysterectomies in young patients secondary to MAP highlights the need for critical review and audit of indications of primary LSCS and repeat LSCS. It also highlights the need for expertise at the time of surgery to decrease the rate of maternal morbidity and mortality

Frequency of pregnancy induced hypertension and its association with elevated serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels during mid trimester of pregnancy

Objective: To determine the frequency of PIH amongst elevated beta-hCG levels and non-elevated beta-hCG in the mid-trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: It was Descriptive case series conducted for six months (02-12-2019 to 02-06-2020) in OPD of Gynae Unit-II, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. A total of one hundred and twenty-two (n=122) normotensive pregnant females at 13-20 weeks gestational age and 18-35 years of maternal age were selected in this study after informed consent from every patient. The frequency of PIH in patients with elevated serum beta-hCG was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Effect modifiers were controlled by stratification. A p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean beta-hCG levels in the total study population were found to be 7305.09±3900.64 IU/mL. Median b-hCG levels in our study population were noted as 6936.15 IU/mL. Pregnancy-induced hypertension was found positive in 16 (13.1%) patients. Raised beta-hCG levels were present in 10 (8.2%) patients. The frequency of PIH in raised beta-HCG levels was found in 7/10 (70%) of patients. We found a statistically significant (p-value ≤ 0.05) difference in the frequency of PIH among patients with elevated and not-elevated beta-hCG levels. Conclusion: It is evident from my study that patients with raised levels of serum β-hCG during mid-trimester pregnancy are at increased risk to develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We further elaborated that there is a statistically significant difference in various effect modifiers such as maternal age, gestational age, residential status, and BMI  for developing  PIH among patients with elevated and non-elevated beta-hCG levels

Association between Irregular Labour Pains and Meconium in Low Risk Pregnancies

Background Meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a frequent occurrence seen by health care providers in obstetric and neonatal practice. MSAF is a predictor of adverse perinatal outcome even in low risk pregnancies, so MSAF can be taken as independent marker of fetal distress. MSAF was associated with higher rate of caesarean delivery, meconium aspiration syndrome, hospital admission and perinatal mortality. Objective The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of MSAF in low risk pregnancies presenting with irregular labour pains between 37 to 40 weeks of gestation. Material and Methods This was a Descriptive case series conducted in Gynae / Obs Unit II, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi from December 2020 to May 2021. All patients registered in the labour room of Obs/Gynae Unit-II between 37 to 40 weeks were evaluated for the occurrence of irregular labour pains, with the help of history and clinical examination. Presence of meconium stained amniotic fluid in low risk pregnancies presenting with irregular labour pains was noted. A cutoff value of 12 hours for irregular labour pains was taken and after that elective amniotomy was done to see the colour of liquor and delivery was planned accordingly. Informed written consent was taken from all patients before enrollment in study. All relevant information was recorded on specified proforma. Results Out of 120 low risk pregnant women those presenting with irregular labour pains, meconium was found positive in 77 (64.2%) pregnant women. Out of which majority 45 (37.5%) was 26-30 years old. The mean age of the pregnant women was 28.05 years those fall in the category of low risk pregnancies with irregular labour pains and the standard deviation was 4.354. Among 36 (30.0%) pregnant women who were 19-25 years old, meconium was found positive in 21 (17.5%) pregnant women. Among 45 (37.5%) pregnant women who were 26-30 years old, meconium was found positive in 32 (26.7%) pregnant women. Likewise among 39 (32.5%) pregnant women who were 31-38 years old, meconium was found positive in 24 (20.0%) pregnant women.   Conclusion  Meconium-stained amniotic fluid was prevalent among majority of the women (64.2%) those presented with irregular labour pains and categorized as low risk. Mean age of the women was 28.05 years. MSAF was found positive among all three age groups but it was more prevalence in age group 26-30 years