Development of a Fiber Optic Sensor for Online Monitoring of Thin Coatings

 The thickness measurement of gas, liquid and solid layers is not only important for the basic research on nanoscience but equally valuable in contemporary applied biomedical research. Here, we have developed an optical spectroscopy based technique for the online monitoring of thin films (coatings). A low cost light emitting diode (LED) source combined with a fiber optic bundle and grating based spectrograph have been used to generate white light interferogram. We have monitored online change of refractive index of an air film (~4 μm thickness) with temperature following the change in the intensity profile of the interferogram. A thin film of water between two cover slips (thin glass plates) has also been monitored. We have proposed a schematic for further lowering the cost of the developed instrument for the online monitoring of the coating thickness (semitransparent liquid/gas/solid films) during manufacturing/processing. A brief theoretical analysis on the detection limit of the developed technique has also been discussed in the paper

Physicochemical and Phytochemical Analyses of Copra and Oil of Cocos nucifera

Coconut copra from West coast tall variety, cultivated in Kerala, India, was subjected to aqueous and solvent extractions (using n-hexane). Additionally, oil was extracted from the copra in Soxhlet assembly using petroleum ether (b.p. 60–80°C). Physicochemical and phytochemical analyses were conducted for the extracts and the oil, with commercial coconut oil as the experimental control. The physicochemical analyses showed that the aqueous extract of copra was milky-white in color with a sweet odor, while the solvent extract was pale yellow and odorless. The commercial oil had 0.08±0.02% oleic acid and a TOTOX value of 7.73±0.78, lower than the Soxhlet extracted oil. Among all the extracts and oils, best phytochemical properties, antioxidant activity (DPPH activity, IC50 value 0.04±0.01 mg/mL), total phenol (0.96±0.04 mg gallic acid eq./g dry copra), reducing power (40.49±1.84 mg BHT eq./g dry copra), and anti-inflammatory activity (NO activity, IC50  value 0.77±0.06 mg/mL) were obtained in the commercial coconut oil, followed by the Soxhlet extracted oil, aqueous extract, and solvent extract. Fatty acid composition analyses showed mainly medium chain fatty acids in the copra oil with lauric acid as the predominant fatty acid (51.88% and 44.84% in Soxhlet extracted and commercial oils, resp.)

Assessment of the Level and Health Risk of Fluoride and Heavy Metals in Commercial Toothpastes in Bangladesh

Toothpaste is one of the daily essentials, and good quality control practices over it are very important to protect the oral public health from adverse effects. The current study aimed to assess the concentration of fluoride and heavy metals, physicochemical properties in ten different toothpaste samples in Bangladesh, followed by related health risk analysis. pH, moisture content, F–, As, Cu, Pb contents were measured by membrane electrode, thermogravimetric, SPADNS, HG-AAS, flame-AAS methods, respectively. The results were compared to the specification of the packet and Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) standard. The physicochemical properties well-matched the formulation standard values. The moisture content was 27.18 ± 2.20 to 52.10 ± 5.01%, with 50% of the samples in permissible limit but the pH of all the samples (6.40-8.60) was within the standard limit. Available F–, Cu, Pb, and As content ranged from 803–1617, 2.78–13.10, 0.27–2.12, and 0.027–0.637 mg/Kg, respectively. F– content in 80% toothpaste did not meet the packet specification and was higher than BSTI standard, though heavy metals were within the BSTI limit. Hazard quotient (HQ) and HI (Hazard Index) analysis revealed that toothpaste safe from heavy metal related to health risk

The direct and indirect impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections on neonates: a series of 26 cases in Bangladesh

Background: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on neonates remains largely unknown in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We provide an epidemiologic and clinical report of SARS-CoV-2 infections in neonates hospitalized in Bangladesh. Methods: Outborn neonates admitted to Dhaka Shishu Hospital, a tertiary-care referral hospital, between 29 March and 1 July were screened for SARS-CoV-2. We reviewed clinical data, including chest radiograph and laboratory reports, and conducted SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing. Patients were followed-up for 27–75 days. A subset of caregivers was also tested. Results: Of 83 neonates tested, 26 were positive (median age 8 days). Most neonates were admitted with diagnosis unrelated to SARS-CoV-2: 11 presented with serious non-communicable diseases, 7 with early-onset sepsis, 5 with late-onset sepsis and 2 with pneumonia. In 3 of 5 chest radiograph, infiltrates and ground-glass or patchy opacities were noted. Two neonates developed metabolic acidosis, one developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Most SARS-CoV-2 positive neonates were referred to government-designated COVID-19 hospitals, leading to gaps in treatment. Twenty-three neonates could be followed-up: 12 were healthy, 8 died and 3 were still seeking medical care. Of 9 caregivers tested, 8 were positive. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 may have serious adverse effects on children born in LMICs. The virus likely contributed directly to two deaths, but the remaining 6 neonates who died had serious comorbidities. Positive SARS-CoV-2 test results led to gaps in immediate clinical care for other morbidities, which likely contributed to adverse outcomes. This case series emphasizes the need to understand COVID-19 in neonates in LMICs and its indirect impacts

Oxygen Therapy in Children - An Update

In 1774, Joseph Priestley of England discovered the colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that Antoine Lavoisier named oxygen.Oxygen is a lifesaving drug has safe dose ranges, adverse physiologic effects, and toxic manifestations that are associated with higher doses and prolonged use. So, the administration of oxygen should be done with as much care and attention as any other drugs. Oxygen is transported in the blood in two ways: dissolved in the serum and in combination with hemoglobin.Children with any of the following signs are likely to have hypoxemia: central cyanosis, nasal flaring, inability to drink or feed due to respiratory distress, grunting with every breath and depressed mental state, severe lower chest wall indrawing, tachypnea or head nodding. The sources of oxygen and its delivery depend on the facility and the availability of resources. Most commonly use devices for oxygen delivery are nasal cannula, nasal prongs, simple face mask. An FiO2 of &gt;0.5 is considered toxic. After only a few hours of breathing 100% O2, mucociliary function is depressed and clearance of mucous is impaired followed by nonproductive cough, substernal pain and nasal stuffiness may develop. More prolonged exposure to high O2 tention may lead to changes in the lung that mimic adult respiratory distress syndrome. In premature neonates, lower SpO2 may be targeted to reduce the toxic effects of oxygen therapy, such as retinopathy of prematurity or bronchopulmonary dysplasia.&#x0D; DS (Child) H J 2018; 34(1) : 48-54</jats:p

Computed Tomography of the Chest: Basic Principles

Tomography is a process by which an image layer of the body is produced, while the images of the structures above and below that layer are made invisible by blurring. computed tomography (CT), the most widely used cross-sectional imaging methods used in medicine, forms cross-sectional images by avoiding super-imposition of structures that occurs in conventional chest imaging, with a &gt;10-fold increase in attenuation sensitivity, within a second without need for breath holding. Like X-ray, an imaging contrast is generated as a consequence of differences in attenuation between the adjacent tissues. The higher the attenuation of the X-ray beam, the brighter the tissue on CT images, and vice versa. The only drawback is the potentially harmful radiation that is measured according to the amount of radiation received by the whole body. Simply, the amount of radiation from a chest CT is equivalent to 400 X-rays. Standard CT usually takes the image of the whole lung and compresses thick slices of about 7-10 mm into images and contrast can be given to highlight structures. High resolution (HRCT) has excellent spatial resolution and very useful for assessing the architecture of the lung. It does not involve IV contrast, acquires thin, non-contiguous slices, at 10-15 mm intervals with thin slices of lung tissues at regular intervals. This reduces the radiation dose by up to 90% compared to standard CT. The axial images are most commonly viewed using lung, mediastinal and bone window. The pulmonary window is specially used for the interpretation of lung parenchyma, airways and interstitial tissues but the mediastinal window is for the interpretation of mediastinal structures. CT interpretation needs a structured and logical approach.&#x0D; DS (Child) H J 2019; 35(1) : 63-69</jats:p

Diagnosis and Management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Newborn: An Update

Patent ductus arteriosus is one of the common congenital acyanotic heart disease in neonates, especially in preterm. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital condition, characterized by a persistent connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Patency of Ductus Arteriosus is essential for fetal survival. Patent ductus arteriosus is one of the most common clinical findings and most frequent source of complications in premature infant. After birth, in term infants, the ductus usually closes within the first day of life, starting with functional closure followed by anatomical closure with vascular remodeling. The persistence of the PDA in preterm infant is inversely related to gestational age and birth weight. The incidence of Patent Ductus Arteriosus is 31% in preterm infant weighing 501 to 1500 gm and gestational age 29 weeks. The treatment options available are conservative medical management, pharmacological therapy or surgical ligation. Conservative medical management involves fluid restriction; watchful waiting and ventilator support.&#x0D; DS (Child) H J 2020; 36(1) : 61-66</jats:p

Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Obesity among Children and Adolescents

Background: Now a days unhealthy lifestyle primarily responsible for the dramatic increase obesity among children and adolescents.&#x0D; Objective: The purpose of the study is to see the effects of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention to reduce obese children and adolescents. The main outcome was cardiometabolic risk based on the waist-to-height ratio (WHTR) measurement. Secondary outcomes were (1) changes in body composition; (2) adherence to a Mediterranean diet; and (3) physical performance.&#x0D; Methods: The study involved 64 overweight/obese children or adolescents conducted at Dhaka Shishu Hospital from October 2017 to September 2018. The intervention was multidisciplinary including nutrition, exercise, and psychological aspects based on a family-based approach; it was delivered for six months for children and three months for adolescents. Before and after the intervention, several anthropometric measures height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and body composition, cardiometabolic risk index waist-to-height ratio (WHTR), and dietary habits of the participants and their families were evaluated. In addition, a set of functional motor fitness tests was performed to evaluate physical performance measures.&#x0D; Results: After the intervention both children and adolescents showed a significant reduction in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, and WHTR index and an improvement of fat-free mass, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and physical fitness performance.&#x0D; Conclusion: A short term family-based multidisciplinary approach is effective in ameliorating the health status, dietary habits, and physical performance in children and adolescents.&#x0D; DS (Child) H J 2019; 35(2) : 111-118</jats:p