Analytical study of Atrial Fibrillation in Government Stanley Hospital, Chennai

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation is a condition of increasing clinical and economic importance. It is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. AF is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia characterized by uncoordinated atria activation with consequent deterioration of atrial mechanical function. Atrial fibrillation is associated with substantial mortality and morbidity. It is caused by many cardiac and non cardiac conditions. AF coexists with common cardiovascular conditions, such as hypertension, heart failure,coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus, and with an increasing older general population af will become an increasing health care burden. AF is increasing in incidence and prevalence. The estimated prevalence of AF in general population is 0.4%. The prevalence and incidence increases with advancing age, affecting approximately 5% of individuals older than 65 years and nearly 10% of those aged older than 80 years. In the Framingham study, yearly incidence rates for persons age 50–59 were approximate 1–9 and 0–9 per 1000 person years in men and women respectively. Over 38 years of follow up, the Framingham study found an over all incidence rate of approximately 3 per 1000 years in men and 2 per 1000 years in women aged 55 – 64 years. The incidence of AF doubled, for every decade increment in age in the Framingham heart study cohort. Men are at moderately higher risk of AF than women, however the onset of AF in women occurs later in life. Prognostically the prevalence of AF is associated with five-fold increase in morbidity risk and a two-fold increase in mortality risk. Most complications and Death associated with AF are due to complications associated cerebrovascular embolic events. Pharmacological treatment modalities form the mainstay of treatment. Recent research has highlighted new approaches to both pharmacological and non pharmacological management strategies.Newer antiarrhythmic agents have been developed and others are being evaluated for their potential use in atrial fibrillation. AIM OF STUDY: To analyse the etiological factor, clinical presentation and complications of 50 cases of Atrial fibrillation in Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, Chennai-1. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted at Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, Chennai during the period of January 2007 to June2007. Fifty cases of patients admitted with atrial fibrillation were recorded. No patient had been counted to if he/she got admitted again after discharge. Paediatric age group (13 Yrs and Less) was not included in this study. CONCLUSION: The Commonest etiology causing atrial fibrillation was Rhenmatic heart disease, which contributed to 60% of the cases. • The majority of the cases of Atrial fibrillation were in the 4th or 5th decade. • There were no significant sex differences in the distribution of Atrial fibrillation but in Dilated cardiomyopathy had a predominant female preponderance. • Rheumatic heart disease patients with atrial fibrillation had a mean of 35.7 years, while patients with ischaemic heart disease had a mean of 58.3 years. • In Rheumatic heart disease the predominant lesion causing AF was mitral valve lesion. • The commonest clinical manifestation causing Atrial fibrillation was palpitations followed by dyspnoea. • A Left atrial size of >4 cm predisposes to Atrial fibrillation in Rheumatic Heart Disease. • The major complication of atrial fibrillation was precipitation of cardiac failure. • Atrial fibrillation perse does not cause cardiac failure in a majority of cases. But it may precipitate overt cardiac failure in a haemodynamically compromised heart as in rheumatic heard disease and pump failure as in DCMP and CHD. Since majority of the cases in the study were rheumatic heard disease precipitation of cardiac failure was the major complication

Service Learning: A Need Of The Hour For Promoting Social Responsibility Among Students In Higher Educational Institutions Through The New Education Policy

A type of experiential learning known as "service-learning" blends academic study with community involvement. The field of service-outcomes research suffers from an absence of critical evaluation. This study used an inductive approach to discover the causes and consequences of the issue and develop strategies for dealing with them. The research strategy  was anchored on qualitative and inductive approaches. Semi-structured, in-depth, one-on-one interviews with six participants. Additionally, two focus groups were convened. The information acquired from diverse sources underwent a sequential and comparative analysis relevant to the study. The research reveals the connection between intellectual growth and personal transformation through service-learning. Although it also identifies potential drawbacks, it is suggested that service-learning is often beneficial and possibly favorable to students transformation. Furthermore, the study suggests incorporating service learning components as one of the mandatory subjects in the corresponding major course through the New Education Policy. &nbsp

Fecundity and viability of eggs in wild breeders of spiny lobsters, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758), Panulirus versicolor (Latrielle, 1804) and Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798)

Berried lobsters collected from landing centres and lobster holding centres were used for larval rearing of the spiny lobsters, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758), Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798) and Panulirus versicolor (Latrielle, 1804). Fecundity of the lobsters used for larval rearing was calculated as the number of eggs deposited on the ovigerous setae on the pleopods. The number of eggs in a single brood ranged from 1,20,544 to 4,49,585 in P. homarus. 5,18,181 to P.ornatus 1,979,522 and that of P. versicolor as 1,70,212 to P.versicolor 7,33,752. The tropical lobsters are reported to and therefore breed two times or more in a year. The absolute (annual) fecundity of these lobsters is expected to be higher. The phyllosoma larvae released, as percentage of fecundity, was maximum in P. homarus 85.7, 49.7 in P. ornatus and 74.0 in P. versicolor. Handling of lobsters at the landing and holding centres and aerial transport resulted in high percentage of eggs in arrested development, complete or partial shedding of eggs and release of weak phyllosoma larvae. Severe bacterial infection leading to complete shedding of eggs was recorded in a few breeders collected from holding centres

Characteristics and properties of nano-LiCoO2 synthesized by pre-organized single source precursors: Li-ion diffusivity, electrochemistry and biological assessment

Background: LiCoO2 is one of the most used cathode materials in Li-ion batteries. Its conventional synthesis requires high temperature (>800 degrees C) and long heating time (>24 h) to obtain the micronscale rhombohedral layered high-temperature phase of LiCoO2 ( HT-LCO). Nanoscale HT-LCO is of interest to improve the battery performance as the lithium (Li+) ion pathway is expected to be shorter in nanoparticles as compared to micron sized ones. Since batteries typically get recycled, the exposure to nanoparticles during this process needs to be evaluated. Results: Several new single source precursors containing lithium (Li+) and cobalt (Co2+) ions, based on alkoxides and aryloxides have been structurally characterized and were thermally transformed into nanoscale HT-LCO at 450 degrees C within few hours. The size of the nanoparticles depends on the precursor, determining the electrochemical performance. The Li-ion diffusion coefficients of our - LiCoO2 nanoparticles improved at least by a factor of 10 compared to commercial one, while showing good reversibility upon charging and discharging. The hazard of occupational exposure to nanoparticles during battery recycling was investigated with an in vitro multicellular lung model. Conclusions: Our heterobimetallic single source precursors allow to dramatically reduce the production temperature and time for HT-LCO. The obtained nanoparticles of LiCoO2 have faster kinetics for Li+ insertion/extraction compared to microparticles. Overall, nano-sized - LiCoO2 particles indicate a lower cytotoxic and (pro-)inflammogenic potential in vitro compared to their micron-sized counterparts. However, nanoparticles aggregate in air and behave partially like microparticles

Nitric oxide, a neuronal messenger. Its role in the hippocampus neuronal plasticity

Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical gas, has recently been recognized as an important messenger molecule having a neurotransmitter-like function. Studies on the localization of the enzyme synthesizing NO (NO synthase-NOS) have indicated its presence in almost all parts of the brain with a prevalence in the cerebellum. From recent experimental investigations it is apparent that NO might meet the essential criteria to function as a retrograde messenger for Long-term potentiation in hippocampal cells, a process known to be involved in mammalian learning and memory. However, within the hippocampus NO is present in a few cell types which probably form the local neuronal circuit. Thus NO might function as a paracrine factor rather than a retrograde messenger in the hippocampal neurons

Calcium binding proteins mediate dioxin-induced motor deficit in sheep

Introduction: Sheep from environmental dioxin contaminated areas show motor discoordination suggesting a pathophysiology in cerebellar function. Since Calcium binding proteins are known to play a role in the Ca2+ homeostasis in neurons and during neurotransmission, we have investigated the role of these proteins in motor deficits in dioxin exposed adult and neonate sheep. We present herein the study of the expression patterns of Calcium binding proteins, Calbindin (CB) and Parvalbumin (PV) in cerebellum of adult and neonatal sheep chronically exposed to dioxin in comparison with those in cerebellum of sheep from uncontaminated area of the Campania Region. Methods: Sheep environmentally exposed to chronic dioxin were obtained from Acerra of Campania Region and the uncontaminated control sheep were from Chiusano S. Domenico of the same Region. Cerebella from control and dioxin-exposed adults and neonates were fixed in paraformaldehyde and processed for immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections, using polyclonal primary antibodies against PV and CB, biotin-avidin detection system using DAB as chromogen. Results: In control animals CB and PV showed specific and different staining patterns in adult and neonatal cerebellum but those in neonates were uniformly more intense than those in adults. Both CB and PV expressions decreased in dioxin exposed cerebellum of adult and neonatal sheep in most cerebellar subpopulations of both stages. Significantly, the fibres of white matter in adult and neonate showed uniformly increased CB and PV expression in animals from dioxin contaminated area. Conclusions: Present results confirm that CB and PV expressions are altered in majority of the cerebellar neurones in chronic environmental dioxin-exposed animals and dioxin is possibly responsible for the pathophysiology of their cerebellum. Thus modifications in the expression patterns of calcium binding proteins could be one of the mechanisms by which environmental dioxin alters the functional aspects of the cerebellar circuit inducing motor and ambulatory deficits. Approved by the Veterinary Scientific Committee of the University of Naples Federico II (art. 3 D.LVO 116/ 92

Phosphate supply influenced the growth, yield and expression of PHT1 family phosphate transporters in seven millets

Main conclusion: Phosphate starvation altered the root morphology and phosphate uptake with the induction of PHT1 family transporter genes in root and shoot tissues of seven millets. Abstract: Millets are nutrient-rich cereals majorly cultivated in Asia and Africa. Foxtail millet (FoxM), pearl millet (PeaM), finger millet (FinM), kodo millet (KodM), little millet (LitM), proso millet (ProM), and barnyard millet (BarM) were examined for the influence of external phosphorous (P) supply on phenotypic traits, P uptake, yield, and PHosphate Transporter1 (PHT1) family gene expression. Millet seedlings grown under low Pi condition (LPC) produced significantly lower mean values for all traits except for lateral root length (LRL) and lateral root number (LRN) which were increased under LPC. Under LPC, seed weight (SW) also reduced by > 75% and had significantly lower levels of total P (TP) and Pi contents in leaf and root tissues. Expression dynamics of 12 PHT1 family (PHT1;1–1;12) transporters genes were analyzed in 7 millets. PHT1;2 has been found to be a constitutive transporter gene in all millets. Under LPC, root tissues showed the overexpression of PHT1;2, 1;3, 1;4 and 1;9 in FoxM, PHT1;1, 1;2, 1;3, 1;4, 1;8 and 1;10 in PeaM, PHT1;2 and 1;3 in FinM and ProM and PHT1;3, 1;6 and 1;11 in BarM. In leaf, LPC induced the expression of PHT1;3, 1;4 and 1;6 in FoxM, PHT1;2, 1;3, 1;4 and 1;8 in PeaM, PHT1;2, 1;3 and 1;4 in FinM and KodM, PHT1;2 in LitM and PHT1;4 in ProM and BarnM. This comprehensive study on the influence of P in phenotype, physiology, and molecular responses may help to improve the P uptake and its use efficiency of millets in future. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.Peer reviewe

Synthesis, characterization and vapour sensing properties of nanosized ZnFe2O4

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest on spinel ferrites for their remarkable versatile applications. Among AFe(2)O(4), zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) has gained special importance due to its application in gas sensing, drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging. Nanocrystalline powder of ZnFe2O4 with average size of 25-30 nm was synthesized using citrate-gel method. Thermogravimetric analysis and XRD confirmed the formation of nanocrystalline ZnFe2O4 at 400 degrees C. The band appearing below 700 cm(-1) in the FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of Zn(Fe-O) group. Microstructural investigation was done on SEM and TEM. The response of ZnFe2O4 towards alcohol and acetone vapour at 350 degrees C was studied. The sample showed n-type conductivity with excellent vapour sensitivity

Not Available

Not AvailableBerried lobsters collected from landing centres and lobster holding centres were used for larval rearing of the spiny lobsters, Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758), Panulirus ornatus (Fabricius, 1798) and Panulirus versicolor (Latrielle, 1804). Fecundity of the lobsters used for larval rearing was calculated as the number of eggs deposited on the ovigerous setae on the pleopods. The number of eggs in a single brood ranged from 1,20,544 to 4,49,585 in P. homarus. 5,18,181 to P.ornatus 1,979,522 and that of P. versicolor as 1,70,212 to P.versicolor 7,33,752. The tropical lobsters are reported to and therefore breed two times or more in a year. The absolute (annual) fecundity of these lobsters is expected to be higher. The phyllosoma larvae released, as percentage of fecundity, was maximum in P. homarus 85.7, 49.7 in P. ornatus and 74.0 in P. versicolor. Handling of lobsters at the landing and holding centres and aerial transport resulted in high percentage of eggs in arrested development, complete or partial shedding of eggs and release of weak phyllosoma larvae. Severe bacterial infection leading to complete shedding of eggs was recorded in a few breeders collected from holding centres.Not Availabl