A study of syndromic and etiological approach for the diagnosis of reproductive tract infections

Background: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are one of the most common and major health problem around the world and they are much more widespread in developing countries than in developed countries due to Inadequate health services.Methods: Detailed history including, menstrual, obstetric and sexual history of the patients were taken and general, physical and local examination was done and clinical symptoms and sign were noted using a structured screening proforma.Results: In our study syndromic approach has a moderate diagnostic accuracy in detecting vaginal discharge syndrome and pain abdomen syndrome. Syndromic diagnosis is low cost effective, more acceptable and easily available at primary and secondary health centre. It should be continued as first line management.Conclusions: In present study the vaginal discharge syndrome has sensitivity of 64.71% and specificity of 57.14%, PPV 61.11%, NPV 60.87% and accuracy is 61%. If treatment is given only on the basis of syndromic approach for vaginal discharge syndrome it results in over-treatment in 42.86% (false positive) and under diagnosis in 35.29% (false negative). This approach was found less effective. For lower pain abdomen syndrome the sensitivity is 21.74% and specificity is 84.62%, PPV 38.46%, NPV 70.97% and accuracy is 65.33%. If treatment is given only on the basis of syndromic approach for lower pain abdomen syndrome results in over -treatment in 15.38% (false positive) and under diagnosed 78.26%.(false negative). This approach was found less effective

Uterine artery Doppler study for the prediction and the severity of the hypertensive disorders during pregnancy

Background: Hypertensive disorder in pregnancy is one of the major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide particularly in developing countries. In developed countries, maternal mortality rate varies from 4-40 per 1 lakh live birth. In developing countries, it varies from 100-700 with India having 178 per 1 lakh live birth. Objectives were to study of uterine artery Doppler for the prediction of hypertensive disorders and its severity, Sensitivity and Specificity of Uterine Artery Doppler and their comparison for the prediction and the severity of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.Methods: This is a prospective study. Approximately hundred patients with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy attending the OPD and IPD in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department will be included. All the patients in this study group will be subjected to Ultrasonographic evaluation of the pregnancy along with the Arterial Doppler of both the Uterine Artery and Umbilical Artery will be done.Results: Using uterine artery Doppler Study in combination is significantly useful in early prediction of PIH having specificity and sensitivity of Uterine artery Doppler study – Pi Index as 91.67% and 85.71 %, Ri Index as 87.5% and 71.43% and diastolic notch as 94.44% and 92.85 % respectively. The use of uterine artery Doppler Study as an important tool for early prediction of PIH and has a lot of prognostic value.Conclusions: The predictive accuracy of uterine artery Doppler study using Pi Index and Ri Index is better in the detection of early-onset PIH, than the late-onset disease. Thereby, it will help in the long run to prevent the increasing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality

Urban development-induced displacement and quality of life in Kolkata

Contains fulltext : 208436.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)This paper draws together issues of urban development-induced displacement and resettlement and the quality of life of the affected population over the longer term. It reviews settlement strategies related to the Kolkata Environmental Improvement Project, exploring residents' recollection of the relocation process and comparing and contrasting the situation over time of two groups of low-income households: those who refused a resettlement package and chose to continue to reside in their canalside huts; and those who accepted the package and moved into new flats provided by the government. The paper highlights issues of livelihoods, social cohesion and sanitation among both sets of households to find out whether those who were resettled experienced improvement in these aspects of their lives. Findings point to resettled households’ overall satisfaction with sanitation despite periodic lapses in functioning, and a modicum of social support, but significant livelihood problems among the poorest households, and dissatisfaction with the small size of units.18 p

Enhanced decolourization of congo red dye under submerged fermentation (SMF) process by newly isolated Bacillus subtilis SPR42

Studies were carried out on the decolourization of textile azo dye using newly isolated aerobic bacterial culture. Among the 58 strains of aerobic bacteria isolated from soil contaminated with textile industry (Shivalik polymer Ltd. Faridabad) effluent, three showed remarkable ability in decolourizing the widely utilized azo dye (Congo Red). These strains also readily grew in and decolourized the high concentrations of dye (100 mgL -1). The aerobic bacterial isolate SPR42, was able to decolourize the Congo Red dye at a concentration of 100 mgL -1 upto 94% within 24 hrs at static conditions. The temperature and pH for optimum growth and activity of the isolate were reported as 37 oC and 8.5, respectively. The colorless bacterial biomass after decolourization suggested that decolourization was due to biodegradation, rather than inactive surface adsorption. Phenotypic characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequence comparisons indicate that the strain SPR42 identified as Bacillus subtilis. This isolate can be a potential strain for biological treatment of effluents of TPI (Textile Processing Industry)

Optimization of cultural conditions for anaerobically treated distillery effluent bioremediation by an isolate Pseudomonas putida SAG45

The present study deals with the decolourisation and detoxification of distillery effluent by an isolate SAG45. Soil samples were collected from the affected disposal sites of distillery effluent treatment plant. The isolate showed the highest bioremediation of 79.5% within 4 days of cultivation in the melanoidin pigment broth. The isolate showed higher decolourisation at pH 8.0 and temperature 37 oC. However, it gives 58.9% decolourisation with 5% (v/v) distillery effluent within 8 days. Toxicity test was also carried out to assess the toxicity of distillery effluent on seed germination

Applications of submerged fermentation for biodegradation and decolourisation of melanoidins by an isolate Alcaligenes denitrificans SAG5

In laboratory conditions a bacterium was isolated, which was identified as Alcaligenes denitrificans SAG5.. The optimum decolourisation (72.6%) of melanoidin was achieved at pH 7.5 and temperature 37 °C within 4-6 days fermentation. The toxicity evaluation of distillery effluent with mung bean (Vigna radiata) revealed that the raw effluent is highly toxic as compared to treated effluent. This indicated that the effluent after bacterial treatment is ecofriendly

Simultaneous Production of Biosurfactants and Bacteriocins by Probiotic Lactobacillus casei

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are ubiquitous and well-known commensal bacteria in the human and animal microflora. LAB are extensively studied and used in a variety of industrial and food fermentations. They are widely used for humans and animals as adjuvants, probiotic formulation, and dietary supplements and in other food fermentation applications. In the present investigation, LAB were isolated from raw milk samples collected from local dairy farms of Haryana, India. Further, the isolates were screened for simultaneous production of biosurfactants and bacteriocins. Biosurfactant produced was found to be a mixture of lipid and sugar similar to glycolipids. The bacteriocin obtained was found to be heat stable (5 min at 100°C). Further, DNA of the strain was extracted and amplified by the 16S rRNA sequencing using universal primers. The isolate Lactobacillus casei MRTL3 was found to be a potent biosurfactant and bacteriocin producer. It seems to have huge potential for food industry as a biopreservative and/or food ingredient

Air Quality Mapping and Urban Planning for Sustainable Urban Ecology: A Case Study of Chandigarh, India

In the fast urbanizing world, it has become vital to study urban ecology so as to understand where and how anthropogenic activities impair the urban environment, including air quality; and how living conditions can be improved by urban planning without mortifying urban ecology. This may require innovative technological ideas to efficiently and judiciously utilize the limited urban space. Air quality mapping using Geographic Information System (GIS) provides one such effective tool to urban planners to identify and target specific areas for air quality management in urban setting. In the present study, the air quality mapping of a well-planned city of Chandigarh (India) with proper environmental management zoning has revealed that the air quality index (AQI) of the city falls under “Moderately Polluted (101-200)” category primarily due to annual average concentrations of  (range: 44.17-68.87; overall: 56.64) and  (range: 99.32-129.39; overall: 111.92) being higher than the permissible levels of  40   and 60  respectively as per Indian standards at all locations as well as for overall city. The study has identified vehicular traffic as the primary reason responsible for the moderately polluted air quality of the city that has the highest vehicle density (878 per 1,000 population) in India. The paper has also suggested measures that may be incorporated during designing and developing the physical and social infrastructures in the city so as to judiciously and efficiently utilize the limited urban space