Observation of Mixed Alkali Like Behaviour by Fluorine Ion in Mixed Alkali Oxyfluro Vanadate Glasses: Analysis from Conductivity Measurements

In this communication we report the fluorine ion dynamics in mixed alkali oxyfluro vanadate glasses. We have measured the electrical conductivity using impedance spectroscopy technique Room temperature conductivity falls to 5 orders of magnitude from its single alkali values at 33 mol% of rubidium concentration. We have also estimated the distance between similar mobile ions using the density values. Assuming this distance as the hopping distance between the similar ions we have estimated the anionic (Fluorine ion in our case) conductivity. It is observed that the fluorine ion dynamics mimics the mixed alkali effect and scales as the onset frequency f0.Comment: submitted to DAE-SSDP 2018 Indi

Estimation of maternal serum vitamin D levels and its correlation with gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: Several studies in the past two decades have proved beyond doubt that there is a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D worldwide including India which has almost taken the shape of a pandemic. The study aims to determine the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the pregnant population of Delhi and its correlation with gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods: This prospective cross sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Dr R.M.L Hospital, New Delhi over a period of 1 year and 4 months. Four hundred term patients were enrolled randomly from amongst the patients admitted in labor room or antenatal ward at PGIMER, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 3-4ml of fasting blood samples were collected of all the enrolled women and were analysed for total serum calcium levels and serum vitamin D levels. History of presence of gestational diabetes mellitus was noted along with any treatment history. The 25(OH)D levels for each subject was recorded and correlation of vitamin D levels with gestational diabetes mellitus was analysed. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA/ Kruska Wallis test and Chi-Square test/ Fisher’s exact test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the present study was 86.25%. The overall mean serum vitamin D level was 14.06±9.43 ng/ml. Thirty five out of 37 GDM patients had hypovitaminosis D i.e. 94.59%. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among non-GDM population was 85.40%. The association between GDM and Vitamin D deficiency was statistically non- significant in the present study with p value=0.186.Conclusions: There is a very high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in pregnant females attending present institute i.e. 86.25%. Although 94.59 % of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus patients had vitamin D deficiency, there is no statistically significant association between Gestational diabetes mellitus and serum vitamin D levels

Comparison and Performance Analysis on Clustering Scheme

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REASONS FOR PATIENT DELAYS & HEALTH SYSTEM DELAYS FOR TUBERCULOSIS IN SOUTH INDIA

Background: Globally, the burden of Tuberculosis is escalating. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of tuberculosis treatment is essential for an effective tuberculosis control programme. Objectives: To study the self reported reasons for patient and health system (diagnosis &amp; treatment) delays in Tuberculosis patients. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 98 new sputum positive TB cases aged &gt; 15 years registered under RNTCP from Oct 2006 to June 2007 &amp; receiving treatment under DOTS in Udupi taluk by interviewing them. Results: Total 98 patients were recruited and 68% were males. Out of 17 patients with patient delays, 82% felt that their symptoms were not severe, 71% felt that patient delay was due to lack of awareness and 71% did not take it seriously. Out of 86 patients with health system delays, 82.6% of patients mentioned that doctor has not advised for sputum examination, 76.7% of patients told that they first consulted a private doctor, 21% of them mentioned that doctor was unaware to diagnose TB. Conclusion: Symptoms not severe is the main reason for the patient delay and doctor didn’t advise for sputum examination is the main reason for health system delays

THE SOCIAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROBLEMS OF CHILD LABOUR: A CHALLENGE THE WORLD IS FACING

Eliminating child labour is one of the biggest challenges that the world is facing. Child labour not only causes damage to a child’s physical and mental health but also keeps him deprived of his basic rights to education, development, and freedom. Children of lower socio-economic class are known to be inducted as child labour. The main causes of child labour include poverty, unemployment, excess population and urbanization. The construction sector is one of the most hazardous working environments especially for children. Children are exposed to dangerous machinery causing fatal and non-fatal injuries, while operating or working near them. Children are exposed to strenuous labour, which can affect the musculo-skeletal development of the children. In industries, child workers are exposed to various physical, mental, social occupational hazards resulting in lower growth and poor health status. Working long hours, child labourers are often denied a basic school education, normal social interaction, personal development and emotional support from their family. The Child Labour Act was implemented in India in 1986 that outlaws child labour in certain areas and sets the minimum age of employment at fourteen. Eradicating poverty is only the first step on the road for eliminating child labour. There is an urgent need for intensive focus and research along with political and practical decisions to improve the conditions of working children for the betterment of their health and development. Proper education of the children and banning child labor will help in boosting the success of the country

Profile of congenital defects in foetuses: incidence and risk factors: a prospective observational study

Background: Perinatal outcome is one of the major indicators of evaluating health care system of a country. Congenital defects form important components of this parameter. The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors associated with congenital malformations in foetuses.Methods: All antenatal mothers whose foetuses were detected to have congenital defects on ultrasonography irrespective of period of gestation were enrolled for the study.Results: Eighty-six pregnant women with prenatally diagnosed fetal anomalies were enrolled for the study, out of which, 87.2% (N=75) belonged to 20-30 years age group. Majority of the subjects were educated till secondary school. Compared to primigravidae, the incidence of malformations was significantly higher in the multigravida group (69.8% vs 30.2% respectively). Thirty-eight (44.2%) mothers with malformed foetuses missed folic acid intake during early pregnancy. Only 40% mothers had prior history of abortions. Smoking was seen in 9% of subjects with malformations. Seven (8.3%) mothers had previous history of malformations and 5 (5.8%) reported a family history of malformations. Consanguineous marriage was observed in 4.7% of couples. Oligohydramnios or anhydramnios was associated with 11.6% foetuses, while polyhydramnios was seen in 53.5%. CNS malformations were seen in 57% of foetus, followed by genitourinary system malformations (9.2%).Conclusions: Tertiary level hospitals need to be upgraded with a dedicated multidisciplinary team of foetal medicine to cater to medical, clinical, surgical, preventive and therapeutic needs of malformed foetuses

Clinical and ultrasonological features of adenomyosis and its histopathological correlation

Background: Adenomyosis is a common gynaecological condition that affects the menstruating women. Uterine enlargement, dysmenorrhoea and HMB are regarded as the cardinal clinical symptoms of adenomyosis. Classically it was thought, compared with ultrasonography, when adenomyosis is suspected, MRI enables more accurate diagnosis of the disease.Methods: 78 subjects were enrolled after an informed consent that had complaints of HMB, Dysparenuia, dysmenorrhea, and chronic pelvic pain. Detailed history of the enrolled subjects was taken, followed by a clinical examination. These patients were then subjected to TVS where myometrial echo texture, presence of myometrial cysts, blurring of endomyometrial junction was noted. After hysterectomy, histopathological diagnosis was obtained.Results: 78 subjects enrolled in the study. The mean age was 44.2 years. 43.5% had parity of 4 or more. HMB was present in 97.8% and dysmenorrhea in 93.48 % of HPE positive patient. Transvaginal sonography had a sensitivity of 89.13%, specificity of 90.62%, positive likelihood ratio of 9.51, negative likelihood ratio of 0.12, positive predictive value of 93.18%, negative predictive value of 85.29% and a diagnostic accuracy of 89.74%.Conclusions: Thus adenomyosis has a prevalence of 30.23%. HMB with dysmenorrhoea and chronic pelvic pain helps in diagnosis. TVS is both sensitive and specific in diagnosing adenomyosis without need for additional diagnostic tool. Endomyometrial junction blurring is the sensitive and specific criteria on TVS

Complications as indicators of quality assurance after 401 consecutive colorectal cancer resections: the importance of surgeon volume in developing colorectal cancer units in India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The low incidence of colorectal cancer in India, coupled with absence of specialized units, contribute to lack of relevant data arising from the subcontinent. We evaluated the data of the senior author to better define the requirements that would enable development of specialized units in a country where colorectal cancer burden is increasing.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrospectively analyzed data of 401 consecutive colorectal resections from a prospective database of the senior author. In addition to patient demographics and types of resections, perioperative data like intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, complications, re-operation rates and hospital stay were recorded and analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median age was 52 years (10-86 years). 279 were males and 122 were females. The average duration of surgery was 220.32 minutes (range 50 - 480 min). The overall complication rate was 12.2% (49/401) with a 1.2% (5/401) mortality rate. The patients having complications had an increase in their median hospital stay (from 10.5 days to 23.4 days) and the re-operation rate in them was 51%. The major complications were anastomotic leaks (2.5%) and stoma related complications (2.7%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This largest ever series from India compares favorably with global standards. In a nation where colorectal cancer is on the rise, it is imperative that high volume centers develop specialized units to train future specialist colorectal surgeons. This would ensure improved quality assurance and delivery of health care even to outreach, low volume centers.</p