LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF PYELOPLASTY IN CHILDREN WITH POORLY FUNCTIONING KIDNEYS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Background: Pediatric pyeloplasty in ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is indicated in renal impaired drainage or renal function deterioration. The improvement of renal function after pediatric pyeloplasty is still controversial in poorly functioning kidneys. Past studies on poorly functioning kidneys had a variable SRF specification, and these studies often had a limited number of patients so that they did not achieve statistical significance. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and long-term results of pyeloplasty in children with poorly functioning kidneys. Method: Patients who underwent pyeloplasty at Department of Urology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Science, Ranchi for last twelve years were the subject of a retrospective data study. Postoperative outcome was the parameter under study. Success was measured by either symptom improvement or better drainage on postoperative Tc-99m DTPA renography, which was performed after two months and then yearly after that. Results: 60 individuals were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 8.5 years (3 months to 12 years), a male-to-female ratio of 2:1, and poor function on the isotope renogram (31%). The ratio of left to right sides was 1.2:1. All patients had dismembered pyeloplasty procedures. 37 patients (66.8%) underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty, whereas 23 (33.2%) underwent open surgery. 35 patients had follow-up renograms available; of these, 30 showed improved drainage and no further decline in renal function, while 5 displayed an obstructed pattern; of these, 3 patients had noticeably worsened split function, and the other two underwent a second open pyeloplasty. A mean follow-up of 21.5 months revealed a 91% overall success rate. Conclusion:  In the pediatric age group, pyeloplasty provides satisfactory intermediate results in kidneys with inadequate function

Ayodhya: The Imageability and Perceptions of Cultural Landscapes

Most of the visitors (pilgrims in the majority) and the dwellers (mostly Hindus) perform some sorts of rituals at varying degrees and become involved in the religious activities to gain solace or soul healing. Of course, as sidetrack visitors also perform other activities of recreation and side-show. However, these are the marginal activities. It is obviously noted that personality of pilgrims and dwellers in the context of economic, social, cultural, job status, and perspective of life, has a direct effect on the nature of environmental sensitivity to its sacred landscapes and mythologies that support and make them alive. Ongoing rituals, continuous performances of Ramalila in the evening, pilgrimages and auspicious glimpses to the divine images, and associated happenings together make the whole are a part of the sacred environment. These are categorised within the frame of responsive perception, testing Kevin Lynch’s scale of imageability represented with the five elements, viz. path, edge, node, district, and landmark. The perceptual survey of dwellers and pilgrims are codified into a composite cognitive map that reflects the generalised images of various behavioural attributes that fit the cultural and natural landscapes of the city; this is similar to other holy cities of north India like Varanasi, Mathura, and Chitrakut

Some Generalizations In Matrix Differentiation With Applications In Multivariate Analysis.

Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1972 .S58. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 33-10, Section: B, page: 5059. Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1972

EFFECT OF GIBBERELLIC ACID PRE-TREATMENTS ON GROWTH PARAMETERS OF WALNUT (Juglans regia L.)

Present investigation was carried out during the winter season at Horticulture Research block, Department of Horticulture, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. To investigate the effect of GA3 treatment on growth attributes and days taken for germination initiation of walnut. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and twelve treatments. The treatments comprised following levels of GA3 concentrations viz. 500ppm, 1000ppm, 15000ppm and control in three different replications of Horticultural Research Block. Various observations regarding growth parameters such as leaf length, leaf width, shoot length, shoot width and numbers of days taken for germination initiation of walnut were recorded. The result revealed that treatment of GA3 1500ppm of nursery polybag application found to be beneficial for vegetative characters viz, found to be the most effective treatment for increasing leaf length, shoot length and shoot diameter. In another point of view, 1500ppm GA3 treatment in polyhouse was found to be profitable as compared to rest of treatments in terms of number of days taken for germination. Apart from this leaf width of 1000ppm in nursery polybag was found best. View Article DOI: 10.47856/ijaast.2021.v08i3.00

Electrophoretic Studies of Biologically Important Mixed Metal – Ascorbic Acid –Nitrilotriacetate Complexes

Quantitative indication of a complex formation comes from the estimation of the stability or formation constants characterizing the equilibria corresponding to the successive addition of ligands. The binary equilibria of metal (II) / (III)–ascorbic acid and also mixed equilibria metal (II) / (III)–ascorbic acid–NTA have been studied using ionophoretic technique. The stability constants of metal–ascorbic acid binary complexes are found to be 103.77, 102.47,102.27 and that of metal–ascorbic acid–NTA mixed complexes have been found to be 106.05, 105.93, 105.75, for Fe(III), Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes, respectively at 25 °C and ionic strength Ic = 0.1 mol dm–3 (HClO4). (doi: 10.5562/cca1778

Roots of Withania somnifera Inhibit Forestomach and Skin Carcinogenesis in Mice

We evaluated the cancer chemopreventive efficacy of the Withania somnifera root, which has been used in the Indian traditional medicine system for many centuries for the treatment of various ailments. Since, studies showing its mechanism-based cancer chemopreventive efficacy are limited, this was investigated in the present study. We studied the effect of dietary administration of Withania root on hepatic phase I, phase II and antioxidant enzymes by estimation of its level/activity, as well as in attenuating carcinogen-induced forestomach and skin tumorigenesis in the Swiss albino mouse model. Our findings showed that roots of W.somnifera inhibit phase I, and activates phase II and antioxidant enzymes in the liver. Further, in a long-term tumorigenesis study, Withania inhibited benzo(a)pyrene-induced forestomach papillomagenesis, showing up to 60 and 92% inhibition in tumor incidence and multiplicity, respectively. Similarly, Withania inhibited 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-induced skin papillomagenesis, showing up to 45 and 71% inhibition in tumor incidence and multiplicity. In both studies, Withania showed no apparent toxic effects in mice as monitored by the body weight gain profile. Together, these findings suggest that W.somnifera root has chemopreventive efficacy against forestomach and skin carcinogenesis and warrants the identification and isolation of active compounds responsible for its anticancer effects, which may provide the lead for the development of antitumor agents

Thespesialampas mediated green synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles for enhanced biological applications

The present study investigated the synthesis and biological applications of green, economical, and multifunctional silver and gold nanoparticles (TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs) using the ethnomedical important medicinal plant Thespesia lampas for biological activities. Relatively higher levels of antioxidant components were measured in T. lampas compared to the well-known Adhatoda vasica, and Diplocyclos palmatus suggested the potential of T. lampas for the study. Synthesized TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs were characterized through UV–Vis, XRD, SEM-EDS, HR-TEM, SAED, and FTIR techniques. SEM revealed that TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs were predominantly spherical in shape with 19 ± 7.3 and 43 ± 6.3 nm crystal sizes. The sizes of TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs were found to be12 ± 4.8 and 45 ± 2.9 nm, respectively, according to TEM measurements. The FTIR and phytochemical analyses revealed that the polyphenols and proteins present in T. lampas may act as bio-reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis. Synthesized NPs exhibited enhanced scavenging properties for ABTS and DPPH radicals. TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs were able to protect DNA nicking up to 13.48% and 15.38%, respectively, from oxidative stress. TSAgNPs possessed efficient antibacterial activities in a concentration-dependent manner against human pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli, B. subtilis, P. vulgaris, and S. typhi. Furthermore, TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs showed significant cytotoxicity against FaDu HNSCC grown in 2D at 50 and 100 μg mL−1. Tumor inhibitory effects on FaDu-derived spheroid were significant for TSAgNPs > TSAuNPs at 100 μg mL−1 in 3D conditions. Dead cells were highest largely for TSAgNPs (76.65% ± 1.76%), while TSAuNPs were non-significant, and Saq was ineffectively compared with the control. However, the diameter of the spheroid drastically reduced for TSAgNPs (3.94 folds) followed by TSAuNPs (2.58 folds), Saq (1.94 folds), and cisplatin (1.83 folds) at 100 μg mL−1. The findings of the study suggested the bio-competence of TSAgNPs and TSAuNPs as multi-responsive agents for antioxidants, DNA protection, antibacterial, and anti-tumor activities to provide a better comprehension of the role of phytogenic nanoparticles in healthcare systems

Perspectives on the INternational CLassification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11); an international qualitative study to Understand and improve mental health Diagnosis using expertise by Experience: INCLUDE Study

Developed in collaboration with the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, this study conducted in the UK, India, and the US, integrated feedback from mental health service users into the development of the chapter on mental, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental disorders for the Eleventh Revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11). The ICD-11 is set for approval by the World Health Assembly in May, 2019. As a reporting standard and diagnostic classification system it will be highly influential on the policy, clinical practice, and research that affect mental health service users; yet this is the first study to systematically seek and collate service user perspectives on a major classification and diagnostic guideline. Focus groups were used to collect feedback on five diagnoses: depressive episode, generalised anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar type 1 disorder, and personality disorder. Participants were given the official draft diagnostic guidelines and a parallel lay translation. Data were thematically analysed. This formed the basis of co-produced recommendations for the WHO, which included features that could be added or revised to better reflect lived experience and changes to language that was confusing or objectionable to service users. The findings also indicated that an accessible lay language version of the ICD-11 could be beneficial for service users and their supporters

Improving Adherence to Essential Birth Practices Using the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist With Peer Coaching: Experience From 60 Public Health Facilities in Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to evidence-based essential birth practices is critical for improving health outcomes for mothers and newborns. The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) incorporates these practices, which occur during 4 critical pause points: on admission, before pushing (or cesarean delivery), soon after birth, and before discharge. A peer-coaching strategy to support consistent use of the SCC may be an effective approach to increase birth attendants' adherence to these practices. METHODS: We assessed data from 60 public health facilities in Uttar Pradesh, India, that received an 8-month staggered coaching intervention from December 2014 to September 2016 as part of the BetterBirth Trial, which is studying effectiveness of an SCC-centered intervention on maternal and neonatal harm. Nurse coaches recorded birth attendants' adherence to 39 essential birth practices. Practice adherence was calculated for each intervention month. After 2 months of coaching, a subsample of 15 facilities was selected for independent observation when the coach was not present. We compared adherence to the 18 practices recorded by both coaches and independent observers. RESULTS: Coaches observed birth attendants' behavior during 5,971 deliveries. By the final month of the intervention, 35 of 39 essential birth practices had achieved >90% adherence in the presence of a coach, compared with only 7 of 39 practices during the first month. Key behaviors with the greatest improvement included explanation of danger signs, temperature measurement, assessment of fetal heart sounds, initiation of skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding. Without a coach present, birth attendants' average adherence to practices and checklist use was 24 percentage points lower than when a coach was present (range: -1% to 62%). CONCLUSION: Implementation of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist with coaching improved uptake of and adherence to essential birth practices. Coordination and communication among facility staff, as well as behaviors with an immediate, tangible benefit, showed the greatest improvement. Difficult-to-perform behaviors and those with delayed or theoretical benefits were less likely to be sustained without a coach present. Coaching may be an important component in implementing the Safe Childbirth Checklist at scale.Note: At the time of publication of this article, the results of evaluation of the impact of the BetterBirth intervention were pending publication in another journal. After the impact findings have been published, we will update this article on the effect of the intervention on birth practices with a reference to the impact findings