Economic, Social And Environmental Implications Of Urban Solid Waste And Need For Valorization Of Waste

“Source reduction is, on the face of it, perhaps the most appealing of all the possible approaches to solid-waste management” - William Rathje and Cullen Murphy Waste poses a threat to public health and environment and hence it should be properly collected and disposed. Managing municipal solid waste is a pervasive problem for any urban area and the Singara Chennai is no exception to it. Admitting that it is one of the best managed city, but still problem of dealing with solid waste generated in the ever expanding Chennai city is an uphill task. The materialistic world has been sustaining, so to say, by transforming natural resources into garbage. This is an unnatural behavior because mother nature does not throw stuff away – dead trees, birds, beetles and for that any natural material including human being are pretty quickly recycled by the earth system. Our perception of waste as an unwanted material with no intrinsic value has to change because of the fact that the waste generated is a resource with transformed material. Hence, to extract value from this science, technology and attitudinal changes are the need of the hour for converting the ever increasing waste into wealth. For a long time our economy has been linear but there is a positive shift to the circular economy which has changed the way we look at the urban solid waste which no longer remains a waste but is a resource now. The paper deals with the environmental and health implications of the urban solid waste and its impact on society if a timely intervention to make it a part of circular economy is not attempted seriously. The paper brings out the economic, social and environmental benefits of treating solid waste as a resource

Effectiveness of sodium chloride application on episiotomy wound healing among postnatal mothers at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: A study to evaluate the Effectiveness of sodium chloride application on episiotomy wound healing among postnatal mothers at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the episiotomy wound healing among postnatal mothers. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of sodium chloride application on episiotomy wound healing among postnatal mothers. 3. To associate the episiotomy wound healing among postnatal mothers with their socio demographic and obstetrical variables. HYPOTHESES: There is a significant difference between pre test and post test episiotomy wound healing among postnatal mothers. There is a significant association between episiotomy wound healing among postnatal mothers with their socio demographic and obstetrical variables. METHODOLOGY: True experimental pre test post test design was used. 60 subjects were selected by using simple random sampling. 30 in interventional and 30 in control group. Intervention group sodium chloride application was given twice a day for 3 consecutive days. RESULTS: The findings revealed that improvement in wound healing after intervention, confirmed by paired “t” test (t = 11.74 and p = < 0.001%) level. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that sodium chloride was effective in wound healing among post natal mothers

A study of obstetric and fetal outcome of placenta previa in scarred and unscarred uterus

Background: This study was conducted to study the maternal and fetal outcome in case of placenta previa in a scarred and unscarred uterus.Methods: This was 10 months’ prospective study conducted in Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Science, Kulasekharam in the year between January 2021 to October 2021, among the cases of placenta previa with scarred and unscarred uterus. During the study period out of 1882 deliveries 20 cases of placenta previa beyond 28 weeks of gestation were reported. These cases were divided into two groups, scarred uterus (group A) and unscarred uterus (group B).Results: Incidence of placenta previa in scarred uterus (A) was higher than in unscarred uterus (B). Postpartum haemorrhage was seen in 25% of cases malpresentation was found in 55% of cases among which 5 cases in scarred group and in 6 cases in unscarred. Caesarean hysterectomy was performed in 1 case in scarred uterus. Neonatal intensive care unit was required for 15% of babies born to mother with placenta previa.Conclusions: The risk of placenta previa increases with increase in number of previous caesarean section, increased parity and advanced maternal age. Postpartum hemorrhage and blood transfusion are not uncommon in both group. Planned management at a tertiary care centre is obligatory. Mode of delivery is by emergency LSCS in case of bleeding per vaginum or elective LSCS

Pregnancy outcome among gestational diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care centre

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus poses numerous health problems for both mother and the fetus. Even though there are improved outcomes, complications of gestational diabetes still persists. Objectives of this study was to find out the maternal and perinatal outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods: This study was done among pregnant women attending antenatal outpatient department at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam. oral glucose tolerance test was done at between 24 to 28 weeks and the values more than their cutoff was labelled as gestational diabetes and their outcome was measured as complications during antenatal period, mode of delivery and perinatal outcome in view of neonatal intensive care unit admissions due to hyperbilirubinemia and respiratory distress syndrome.Results: Out of 500 antenatal mothers 65 were found to have gestational diabetes which is approximately 13%. Obstetric outcomes were 10% of them developed pregnancy induced hypertension, 12% of them ended in preterm labour and polyhydramnios in 2%. Delivery by caesarean section and vaginal route is almost similar. Maximum number of neonatal intensive care admissions are due to hyperbilirubinemia followed by respiratory distress.Conclusions: Screening for gestational diabetes and adequate glycemic control is necessary in preventing short term and long-term complications

Gender inequalities and academic journal publishing: The view from the Journal of American Studies

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Cambridge University Press via the DOI in this recordThis virtual special issue is the outcome of a project entitled Women and JAS, which was launched by the coeditors of the Journal of American Studies in October 2019 to document the involvement of women in the journal's day-to-day business from its inception in 1956 as the Bulletin of the British Association for American Studies. The project arises out of – and will hopefully contribute to – larger conversations about the progression of women scholars in academia. While the UK and US higher-education contexts (the contexts most pertinent to this discussion) differ, there are notable similarities in terms of the relationship between gender and career advancement. Both witness attrition of women from academia as they progress from undergraduate studies to PhD and beyond; both see disproportionate numbers of women scholars employed in precarious, part-time and/or teaching-only roles; both see a very low proportion of women in senior professorial roles; fewer women in both locations apply for (and are, therefore, awarded) major grants. In the UK, specifically, recent conversations around gender inequality in higher education have revolved around issues (and initiatives) such as the gender pay gap, Athena SWAN, sexual harassment and the effects of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs), caring responsibilities and affective labour

Low renal but high extrarenal phenotype variability in Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia

Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD) is a rare multisystem disorder with early mortality and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) progressing to end-stage kidney disease. We hypothesized that next-generation gene panel sequencing may unsurface oligosymptomatic cases of SIOD with potentially milder disease courses. We analyzed the renal and extrarenal phenotypic spectrum and genotype-phenotype associations in 34 patients from 28 families, the largest SMARCAL1-associated nephropathy cohort to date. In 11 patients the diagnosis was made unsuspectedly through SRNS gene panel testing. Renal disease first manifested at median age 4.5 yrs, with focal segmental glmerulosclerosis or minimal change nephropathy on biopsy and rapid progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) at median age 8.7 yrs. Whereas patients diagnosed by phenotype more frequently developed severe extrarenal complications (cerebral ischemic events, septicemia) and were more likely to die before age 10 years than patients identified by SRNS-gene panel screening (88 vs. 40%), the subgroups did not differ with respect to age at proteinuria onset and progression to ESKD. Also, 10 of 11 children diagnosed unsuspectedly by Next Generation Sequencing were small at diagnosis and all showed progressive growth failure. Severe phenotypes were usually associated with biallelic truncating mutations and milder phenotypes with biallelic missense mutations. However, no genotype-phenotype correlation was observed for the renal disease course. In conclusion, while short stature is a reliable clue to SIOD in children with SRNS, other systemic features are highly variable. Our findings support routine SMARCAL1 testing also in non-syndromic SRNS

THREE-DIMENSIONAL QUANTITATIVE STRUCTURE–ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS MODELING STUDIES OF PHYTOCHEMICALS FROM BRASSICACEAE AS POTENT INHIBITORS AGAINST TUMOR INFLAMMATION

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationships (3D-QSARs) model for studying theinteraction of different phytochemicals with nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ĸB) inducing kinase, a major regulator in tumor inflammation.Methods: Different phytochemicals (ligands) from Brassicaceae were selected and tested for Lipinski's rule of five and further analyzed using interaction studies (docking) to identify the binding site in the target protein. Ligands with best fit were made to pass through ADMET filter, and the nontoxic ligands were selected based on the pIC50 values.Results: The 3D-QSARs of the ligands were designed using comparative molecular field analysis, and glucoraphanin was found to be stable and fit after subjecting for molecular dynamics simulation with annealing studies.Conclusion: Thus, the model may be prospectively used in drug design to find possible inhibitors of NF-ĸB, which plays a key prominent role in cancer inflammation.Keywords: Three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationships, Brassica oleracea, Simulation, Annealing, Nuclear factor kappa B kinase

Epidemiology of childhood and adolescent cancer in Bangladesh, 2001-2014

Background: Cancer burden among children and adolescents is largely unknown in Bangladesh. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview on childhood and adolescent cancers and to contribute to the future strategies to deal with these diseases in Bangladesh. Methods: Data on malignant neoplasms in patients aged less than 20years diagnosed between 2001 and 2014 (N=3143) in Bangladesh was collected by the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital and ASHIC Foundation. The age pattern and distribution of cancer types were analysed and the incidence rates were calculated. Results: The age-standardised incidence rate was 7.8 per million person-years for children (0-14 years) in the last time period (2011-2014). Retinoblastoma (25%) and leukaemia (18%) were the most common childhood cancers. For adolescents (15-19 years), the age-specific incidence rate was 2.1 per million person-years in the same time period. Most common adolescent cancers were malignant bone tumours (38%), germ cell and gonadal tumours (17%), and epithelial tumours (16%). There were more boys affected (M: F ratio 2.0 in children and 1.4 in adolescents) than girls. Conclusion: Cancer incidences were lower than expected most likely due to a low level of awareness about cancer among clinicians and the population, inadequate access to health care, lack of diagnostic equipment and incomplete recording of cases. Improvements on different levels should be made to get a better epidemiologic insight and to detect cancer earlier resulting in a better outcome for affected chil

Promoting cross-regional collaboration in antimicrobial stewardship: Findings of an infectious diseases working group survey in Arab countries of the Middle East.

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global issue that presents an increasing threat to patients' wellbeing. Although a global concern, the emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms is of particular significance in the Middle East. In recent years, this region has seen an alarming increase in antimicrobial resistance presenting a major challenge to physicians managing various infectious diseases. Methods A Working Group comprising experts in infectious diseases from Arab countries of Middle East assembled to review similarities and differences in antimicrobial practices and management of multi-drug resistant organisms across the region and assess the barriers to achieving cross-regional collaboration. The Working Group conducted an anonymous online survey to evaluate current practice and understanding of management of multi-drug resistant organisms across the region. Results A total of 122 physicians from Arab countries of the Middle East responded to the survey. Their responses demonstrated heterogeneity between countries in awareness of local epidemiology, management of multi-drug resistant organisms and antimicrobial stewardship practices. The Working Group recognized similarities and differences in the management of multi-drug resistant organisms across the region, and these were validated by the data collected in the survey. Overall, the similarities across the region reflect several key issues that can have an impact on the management of multi-drug resistant organisms and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance. Conclusions This paper highlights the urgency of addressing antimicrobial resistance in Arab countries of the Middle East. The Working Group identified key barriers to effective management which may guide the development of future coherent strategies to promote effective antimicrobial stewardship in the region. Here, we outline a call to action for the region, with a need to focus on training and education, capacity building, infrastructure, regional research, and regional surveillance