Exiguobacterium mediated arsenic removal and its protective effect against arsenic induced toxicity and oxidative damage in freshwater fish, Channa striata

AbstractArsenic is a toxic metalloid existing widely in the environment, and its removal from contaminated water has become a global challenge. The use of bacteria in this regard finds a promising solution. In the present study, Exiguobacterium sp. As-9, which is an arsenic resistant bacterium, was selected with respect to its arsenic removal efficiency. Quantification of arsenic in the water treated with bacterium showed that Exiguobacterium efficiently removed up to 99% of arsenic in less than 20h. In order to reveal the possible effect of this bacterium in removal of arsenic from water and protecting fishes from the detrimental effects of arsenic, we initiated a range of studies on fresh water fish, Channa striata. It was observed that the fishes introduced into bacteria treated water displayed no symptoms of arsenic toxicity which was marked by a decreased oxidative damage, whereas the fishes exposed to arsenic revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the oxidative stress together with the elevated levels of malondialdehyde. Determination of the bioaccumulation of arsenic in the liver tissues of C. striata using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry (HG-AAS) revealed an increased As(III) accumulation in the fishes exposed to arsenic whereas the arsenic level in the control and bacteria treated fishes were found below the detectable limit. In conclusion, this study presents the strategies of bacterial arsenic removal with possible directions for future research

Unscarred uterine rupture - rare entity

Uterine rupture is a disastrous obstetric complication, with high rates of feto-maternal morbidity and mortality. The most frequent risk factor in present times is previous uterine surgery. We hereby report 3 cases of uterine rupture in unscarred uterus with varied presentation at different period of gestation so as to show the spectrum of clinical presentation of this entity. Quick recognition with prompt resort to laparotomy is crucial in influencing feto-maternal morbidity. All uterine ruptures don’t present with classical symptoms. Thus, clinicians should have high index of suspicion for uterine rupture in women presenting with some, or all, of these features, regardless of parity or history of previous uterine surgery or parity

A Comparative Study of Teachers’ Perspectives of the Learning Through Play Approach According to Their Selected Demographics at Selected International Schools in Bangkok

The purposes of this study was to identify demographic profiles of the teachers, to determine teachers’ perspectives towards the learning through play approach  at selected international schools in Bangkok and to compare teachers’ perspectives towards the learning through play approach from their practice of early years based on their nationalities, years of teaching experience and qualification specialty in 2016. From the total number of 170 preschool and kindergarten teachers working at 17 selected international schools in Bangkok; 93 teachers completed the survey. Statistical measures employed in this study included frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation and independent samples t-test. The results of this study has indicated that overall teachers had positive perspectives towards the learning through play approach. There were no significant differences of teachers’ perspectives towards the learning through play approach according to their nationalities and years of teaching experience; however, the researcher discovered that there were significant differences of teachers’ perspectives towards the learning through play approach according to their qualification specialty. Teachers with education degree had more positive perspectives towards the learning through play approach than the teachers with non-education degre

Fuzzy Logic Based Hybrid Image Compression Technology

In this paper, the comparison between Hybrid Image Compressions methods and Fuzzy logic based image Compression is discussed. The Hybrid Comparison Method is a combination of both the DCT and DWT Image Compression method. When more than one compression technique are applied to compressed one image for high value of PSNR (peak signal to noise ratio) and CR (compression ratio) this process is called hybrid compression technique. For reducing MSE (mean square error) and for quality enhancement of an image Fuzzy Logic is applied to same image. The proposed work is designed using MATLAB. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.150515

Comparison of Three Dimensional Partially and Fully Depleted SOI MOSFET Characteristics Using Mathcad

In this Paper, comparison of three Dimensional characteristics between partially and fully depleted Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI MOSFET) is presented, this is done through 3D device modeling using mathcad, based on the numerical solution of three dimensional Poisson’s equation. Behavior of Various Parameters like Surface Potential, Threshold Voltage, Electric field and Drain current are presented in this paper

Study of microalbuminuria in essential hypertension patients with target organ damage

Background: Urinary albumin excretion has been purported to be strongly linked to cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. The prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with essential hypertension and its relationship with target organ damage was evaluated with the present study, as the correlation of microalbuminuria and target organ damage except cardiovascular events has not been deliberated upon much in the past.Methods: One hundred and twenty cases of essential hypertension were enrolled sequentially. Prevalence of urinary albumin excretion and its correlation with target organ damage (left ventricular hypertrophy, retinopathy and stroke) was analyzed. Urinary albumin excretion was assessed by turbidimetry method, while microalbuminuria was calculated by urine albumin to creatinine ratio.Results: Microalbuminuria was observed in 57.7% cases of essential hypertension. Target organ damage was observed in 62.5% (75) patients, out of which 78.66% patients had associated microalbuminuria (p<0.05). Higher prevalence was observed in patients with longer duration and greater severity of hypertension, increased body mass index and dyslipidemia.Conclusions: The assessment of microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients is a great value addition for the evaluation of target organ damage. Prompt control of hypertension and lipid levels along with weight management may lead to decreased risk of microalbuminuria

A comparative study of efficacy and safety of intramuscular carboprost and intravaginal misoprostol for cervical priming prior to first trimester surgical abortion

Background: MTP Act no 34 of 1971 has been defined as Legal termination of pregnancy before the age of viability of fetus that is 20 weeks of gestation. There is a need to find a medical agent which can help in the process of abortion by speeding it up, with minimal side effects. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of I.M carboprost and intravaginal Misoprostol and to evaluate the safety profile of I.M carboprost and Intravaginal Misoprostol. To compare the cervical dilatation caused by I.M carboprost and intravaginal Misoprostol and to compare the blood loss and adverse effects of I.M carboprost and Intravaginal Misoprostol.Methods: Prospective randomized experimental study including pregnant women up to 12 weeks of gestation opting for M.T.P. Study conducted on 200 patients selected from patients admitted in MGM Medical College and M.Y. Hospital, Indore and Kalyanmal Hospital, Indore during the period July 2014 to March 2015. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A who received intramuscular injection of 250 mcg of caboprost or Group B,which received 400 mcg of vaginal Misoprostol 4 hours prior to suction evacuation.Results: Intravaginal misoprostol achieves better cervical dilatation compared I.M carboprost which is statistically significant. Misoprostol is associated with higher blood loss as compared to I.M carboprost which is associated with nausea/vomiting & more likelihood of loose stools and abdominal cramps which is proved statistically.Conclusions: Intravaginal misoprostol is associated with higher blood loss as compared to I.M carboprost which is significant but intravaginal misoprostol achieves more cervical dilatation and causes less adverse events than I.M carboprost which is statistically more significant and therefore intravaginal misoprostol is the drug of choice for cervical priming prior to surgical abortion in terms of both efficacy and safety

Study of cross-referrals to the dermatology department in an inpatient setting at a tertiary care centre

Background: Till recently, dermatology was primarily being considered to be an outpatient focused discipline. However, several inpatient admissions to other specialties require dermatologic consultation for optimum management. This study was conducted to analyse the incidence and indications for inpatient dermatology referrals and the impact of dermatology consultation on patient management.Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken by analyzing the records of 243 patients referred to dermatology department over a 2-year period. Descriptive analysis was conducted in the form of study of presumptive diagnoses by the referring clinicians, causes of referral, distribution of referrals across specialties and the dermatological opinions with respect to diagnosis and management etc.Results: Clinically significant change was documented in the course of skin lesions management of almost two-thirds of referred patients. Maximum referrals were from the department of general medicine with “skin rash” being the most common cause for seeking 2nd opinion. Concordance for diagnosis between the referring clinician and the dermatologist was observed in only 30.2% of the cases.Conclusions: Dermatologic referral does lead to improved patient care. But there is need for better training of non-dermatologists enabling them to recognize and treat common skin lesions

MEDICINAL PLANTS WITH NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES FROM INDIAN ORIGIN

Neuropharmacology is the scientific study of the effects of drugs on the central nervous system. Its primary focus is actions of medications for psychiatric and neurologic disorders as well as those of drugs of abuse. The goal of Neuropharmacology is to apply information about drugs and their mechanisms of action, develop safer and more effective treatments and eventually curative and preventive measures for a host of nervous system abnormalities. There are a number of drugs being used in the traditional medicine for treatment of various CNS disorders and presently many of these drugs are being explored scientifically to ascertain their CNS activities. Significant number of studies has been performed to find alternative treatment for diseases of the nervous forum by identifying structures with activity at the central nervous system. However, most of the screenings are usually conducted on an ad hoc basis and not systematically. The initial purpose of this review is to summarize plants with neuropharmacological activities, in particular, those that have not been fully studied and that have molecular mechanisms whose active constituents are responsible for the activities remained to be identified. The second purpose was to identify potential target plants for future studies of new and alternative therapies for the treatment of neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases

A tertiary care centre profile of heart diseases among diagnosed cases of chronic kidney disease

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases are the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. There is limited data on cardiovascular diseases among CKD patients from developing countries including India. With the present study, the prevalence and patterns of cardiac diseases among patients with CKD were profiled.Methods: This was a cross sectional study in which 217 patients with CKD were studied over a period of two years and six months. Data on demographic characteristics and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Cardiac evaluation was done using resting ECG and echocardiography.Results: One hundred eighteen (54.4%) patients had either eccentric or concentric LVH. Patients with LVH were more likely to be hypertensive (p&lt;0.001) or anemic (p=0.034). Up to 9.2% of study subjects had valvular heart disease (rheumatic or degenerative) and 22% had pericarditis. Patients with pericarditis were more likely to have a serum urea concentration greater than 60mg/dl (p=0.327). Forty-one patients (18.9%) had left ventricular systolic failure (EF&lt;50%). There was a statistically insignificant higher prevalence of systolic failure in patients with LVH (21% vs. 16%), (p=0.346). Thirty-eight participants (17.5%) had diastolic failure while 2% had cardiac rhythm abnormalities.Conclusions: Cardiac abnormalities are common in a relatively young Indian population with CKD. Clinicians should routinely screen and manage cardiovascular disease in CKD patients