The Youngest Casualties

Panel: 9/11: 10 Years Late

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Some Antagonistic Trichoderma spp. in the Management of Plant Parasitic Nematodes

Plant parasitic nematodes cause great economic losses to agricultural crops worldwide. They along, with their hosts, are not isolated in the ecological system, but are strongly influenced by antagonists, parasites and pathogens. Though pesticides appear to be the most economical and efficacious means of controlling plant pathogens, toxicological, environmental and sociological concerns have led to drastic reductions in the availability of efficient commercial nematicides. These restrictions have forced farmers to look for an integral system that makes use of other means of disease control. Species of spiral nematodes, Helicotylenchus and Scutellonema, were among the most abundant plant parasitic nematodes of the mulberry plant. Eco-friendly control of the parasitic nematodes could be achieved by means of endoparasitic fungi (like Hirsutella, Meria, Nematophthora and Nematoctonus), trapping fungi (like Arthrobotrys and Duddingtonia) or parasitic fungi (like Paeceilomyces lilacinus). During the course of this present work, Trichoderma Pers. Ex. Fr. was found to be one of the most effective fungi in controlling the eggs and J2 of Meloidogyne javanica. The present study outlines the comparative efficacy of five Trichoderma species (T. viride, T. harzianum, T. longibrachiatum, T. koningii and T. hamatum) against Helicotylenchus sp. and Scutellonema sp. The study also outlines the effect of Trichoderma viride Persoon on Scutellonema spp. and Helicotylenchus sp., effect of Trichoderma harzianum Raifae on Scutellonema sp. and Helicotylenchus sp., effect of Trichoderma longibrachiatum Rifai on Scutellonema sp. and Helicotylenchus sp., effect of Trichoderma koningii Oudeom on Scutellonema sp. and Helicotylenchus sp., and lastly effect of Trichoderma hamatum (Bonord) Bainier on Scutellonema sp. and Helicotylenchus sp

Uterine rupture: a preventable obstetric catastrophe

Background: Maternal health has long been acknowledged to be the cornerstone in public health. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, etiology, risk factors, complications, treatment strategies, maternal and fetal outcome associated with uterine rupture and to determine how to decrease the maternal morbidity and mortality pertaining to it, as it is indeed a preventable obstetric catastrophe!Methods: This is a retrospective study which was carried out in our institute. Analysis of 45 cases of uterine rupture including scar dehiscence, registered/emergency, rupture occurring in the antepartum or intrapartum period, irrespective of previous vaginal or cesarean delivery was done between July 2017 to June 2019 out of 16,330 deliveries. None of the cases were excluded. Statistical analysis was done comparing the mortality in general population and study population and it was determined that it contributes to the maternal mortality significantly hence making it essential to promptly diagnose and treat the cases.Results: The incidence of rupture of uterus is average 0.27% (1 in 362). Out of 45 cases 9 (20%) were registered, and 36 (80%) were referred patients. The 20-30 years age group is the most vulnerable. Scarred uterus undergoing rupture were 34 (75.55%) as compared to rupture in intact uterus which were 11 (24.44%). The commonest modality of treatment used is suturing of tear which was done in 34 (75.55%) followed by total hysterectomy. There were 2 maternal deaths giving maternal mortality rate of 4.44% and perinatal mortality occurred in 18 (40%) cases.Conclusions: Uterine rupture is a dire emergency with a high incidence of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Skilled attendance with accessible obstetric care, focused antenatal care, strict intrapartum monitoring and good surgical approach are key elements for the prevention and management of uterine rupture

Our experience with Athens protocol - simultaneous topo-guided photorefractive keratectomy followed by corneal collagen cross linking for keratoconus

Background: Corneal collagen cross linking (CXL) has become an established modality of treatment for progressive Keratoconus. Aim of the study was to analyze visual outcome, refractive status and changes in corneal curvature following simultaneous topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) followed by corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin (C3R) for keratoconus in a tertiary eye care hospital.Methods: All patients underwent manifest refraction, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit lamp examination, corneal topography, ultrasound pachymetry and fundus evaluation pre operatively. 39 eyes of 27 patients with keratoconus underwent simultaneous topo guided PRK + CXL were followed up upto 6 months.Results: Mean UCVA improved from 0.81 log mar units pre-operatively to 0.43 log mar units at the end of 6 months. Preoperative BCVA was maintained or improved in 37 eyes (94.87%) and BCVA decreased by more than 1 line in 2 eyes (5.12%) post-operatively. The mean BCVA improved from 0.2 log mar units pre-operatively to 0.1 log mar units at the end of 6 months. The mean preoperative manifest refraction spherical equivalent reduced from -3.1±2.3D to -1.4±1.3D postoperatively. The mean steepest K reading decreased from 47.8±4.2D pre-op to 45±3.3D at the end of 6 month. Similarly, mean flat keratometry readings reduced significantly from 44.8±3.5D preoperatively to 42.2±2.8D at the last follow-up visit postoperatively.Conclusions: Combined topo-guided PRK+CXL is an effective approach in treating patients with keratoconus. It biomechanically stabilizes the cornea, improves the corneal contour, reduces irregular astigmatism and offers a better quality of vision

A Novel Mutation Causing Pseudohypoparathyroidism 1A with Congenital Hypothyroidism and Osteoma Cutis

Various inactivating mutations in guanine nucleotide−binding protein, alpha−stimulating activity polypeptide1 (GNAS1) gene have been described with poor phenotype correlation. Pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1a (PHP1a) results from an inactivating mutation in the GNAS1 gene. Hormone resistance occurs not only to parathyroid hormone (PTH), but typically also to other hormones which signal via G protein coupled receptors including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), gonadotropins, and growth hormone releasing hormone. In addition, the phenotype of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) is observed, which may include short stature, round facies, brachydactyly, obesity, ectopic soft tissue or dermal ossification (osteoma cutis) and psychomotor retardation with variable expression

Amphibian Fauna of Manipur, North East India

Manipur is one of the eight states of North-Eastern India, situated at the confluence and conjunction of two biodiversity hotspots- the Himalayan and Indo- Burma hot spots. It lies between 23°80′ N to 25°70′ N latitudes and 93°50′ E to 94°80′ E longitude, bounded by Nagaland in the North, Assam in the East, Mizoram in the south, and Myanmar in the east and southeast. Manipur has a rich diversity of culture and tradition also. The state has varied physiographic zones harboring rich and diversified amphibian fauna. We discuss the twenty-seven species of amphibian fauna reported from the region and conservation strategies and their importance in the chapter

Pregnancy outcome in patients with fibroid: a retrospective study

Background: Fibroids are benign smooth muscle cell tumour of the uterus. In some patients of pregnancy associated with fibroid, it does not affect the outcome of pregnancy. On the other hand, various complications have been reported. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome in antenatal women with fibroids.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at tertiary care center, obstetrics & gynecology department over a period of eighteen months between June 2018 to November 2019. Total 26 pregnant patients with >3 cm fibroid was included in the study. They were followed during antenatal period. Maternal age, parity, size of fibroid, complications during pregnancy, labour, and delivery, mode of delivery and indications of cesarean section were noted.Results: Out of 26 patients, 15 (57.6%) were between 26-30 years of age group and 16 (61.53%) were multigravidas. Normal vaginal delivery occurred in 8 (33.33%), while 16 (66.66%) delivered by caesarean section. There were 9 (34.61%) patients who had no complication whereas 17 (65.38%) had some complication. Pain was present in 8 (30.76%). PROM and preterm labour were present in 3 (18.75%) and 5 (19.23%) respectively. PPH was present in 2 (7.69%).Conclusions: Pregnant patients who have fibroids are to be carefully screened in the antenatal period, so as to have a regular follow up. The widespread use of ultrasonography has facilitated diagnosis and management of fibroids in pregnancy. The site and size of fibroid is very important to predict its effect on pregnancy

Discovering sequences with potential regulatory characteristics

AbstractWe developed a computational model to explore the hypothesis that regulatory instructions are context dependent and conveyed through specific ‘codes’ in human genomic DNA. We provide examples of correlation of computational predictions to reported mapped DNase I hypersensitive segments in the HOXA locus in human chromosome 7. The examples show that statistically significant 9-mers from promoter regions may occur in sequences near and upstream of transcription initiation sites, in intronic regions, and within intergenic regions. Additionally, a subset of 9-mers from coding sequences appears frequently, as clusters, in regulatory regions dispersed in noncoding regions in genomic DNA. The results suggest that the computational model has the potential of decoding regulatory instructions to discover candidate transcription factor binding sites and to discover candidate epigenetic signals that appear in both coding and regulatory regions of genes

A study of feto-maternal outcome in case of premature rupture of membrane at a tertiary care center

Background: Premature rupture of membranes is the rupture of the fetal membranes in the absence of uterine contraction or before the onset of labor. When this occurs before 37 weeks of gestation, it is termed as preterm premature rupture of membranes. Management depends upon gestational age and the presence of complicating factors. An accurate assessment of gestational age and knowledge of the maternal, fetal and neonatal risks are essential to appropriate evaluation, counselling, and care of patients with PROM. The purpose of the study is timely diagnosis and appropriate management of the cases of PROM and PPROM to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: A Prospective study was performed at the department of obstetrics and gynecology, at a tertiary care center from August 2020 to December 2021. A clinical data sheet was made for recording all information about the pregnant women after taking their consent. And their maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Results: a total of 150 cases of PROM and PPROM were taken during our study out of which 53.33% belong to the younger age group, 43.33% were primi gravida, 66.66% belonged to the lower socioeconomic class, 25.33% had a previous history of abortion followed by dilatation and evacuation, rate of cesarean delivery was 34.66% and rate of NICU admission of neonates was 15.78% and 57.87% babies had low birth weight and rate of stillbirth was 1.97%. whereas 34.66% of cases had various complications related to PROM. Conclusions: Individualized management of PROM cases depending on the gestational age and risk of complications and antibiotic coverage is the best way to achieve a good fetomaternal outcome