Trend of psychiatric disorders among out-patients and in-patients of a tertiary care center of India

Background: Pattern of psychiatric disorders found among patients visiting the hospital helps in understanding the epidemiology, heath seeking behavior as well as strategic service planning and development.Methods:A retrospective health record review, of all the patients visiting out-patient care and in-patient care of psychiatry department of a tertiary care hospital in a period of two years, was conducted to assess the prevalence and trend of most common psychiatric disorders among them.Results: Major depressive disorder and Alcohol use disorder were the most common conditions found in out-patient and in-patient settings respectively. Out-patient consultations were consistently increasing whereas in-patient admissions were variable and decreasing with time.Conclusion: Current scenario and trends of psychiatric disorders among this group of patients is in line with epidemiological patterns and reflects a healthy trend of community oriented (out-patient based) care

Nanoporous carbon from corn cobs and its application

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Includes bibliographical references.Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on March 19, 2009)Vita.Dissertations, Academic -- University of Missouri--Columbia -- Chemical engineering.Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Missouri-Columbia 2007.Chemical activation of corn cobs using phosphoric acid or potassium hydroxide can lead to nanoporous carbon having surface area in excess of 3800 m²/g and pore volume of 2.5cc/g. Dried, crushed, corn cobs were carbonized at temperatures between 450- 900⁰C and chemically activated using H₃PO₄ and KOH. The effect of different variables of activation such as heat treatment temperature, rate of heating and concentration of activating agent was studied. The mechanism of phosphoric acid activation was studied using thermogravimetric analysis. The nanoporous carbon was characterized by N2 adsorption at 77 K, and the isotherms were analyzed using BET, T-method and D-R method for determining surface area and pore volume. The nanoporous carbon obtained from corn cobs was further converted to monolithic form and its capacity to store natural gas at 500psi and 298K was measured using gravimetric and volumetric measuring techniques. Methane capacity as high as 173V/V or 0.21g/g or 108g/L were obtained on the carbon produced from corn cobs. The effect of various parameters of carbon production on the methane storage and delivery capacity was studied

Cognitive functions in first degree normative relative of patients with schozophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia is severe disorders and imposes a considerable burden on patients, their families and society. Schizophrenia tends to run in family, like most mental disorder shows complex inheritance. Therefore, it is important to increase our knowledge about the disorder. Cognitive dysfunction is one of the core features of Schizophrenia. This study aims to compare the cognitive function of first degree unaffected relative of patient of schizophrenia and a group of healthy control.Methods: The study include 48 first degree normative relative of patient with Schizophrenia and 48 controls. Compared for age, sex, education level. Cognitive functions of each case and control were assessed using TMT (Trail making Test), Paced auditory serial addition Test (PASAT) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST-64).Results: First degree relative performed significantly poorly as compared to controls on Wisconsin card sorting Test-64 (WCST-64). No significant difference was observed in tests performances between first degree relative of Schizophrenia and control group for TMT (trail making test) and Paced auditory serial addition Test (PASAT).Conclusions: The study shows possibility of cognitive impairment in first degree normative relative of Schizophrenia with regards to parameters like poor performance in shifting cognitive sets and poor understanding of test. Nevertheless, it is not clear weather this finding is an enduring trait mark or finding that fluctuates with sample size, nature of case and control

Emerging role of microRNAs in diagnosis and treatment of various diseases including ovarian cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of small non-coding RNAs that control gene expression by targeting messenger RNA (mRNA). Recently, it has been demonstrated that miRNA expression is altered in many human diseases including cancers, suggesting that miRNA may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of different diseases. It has also been reported that there is a unique expression pattern of miRNAs in the disease state differing from the normal state. In this review, we focus on the miRNA signatures in different human diseases including cancers. Such signatures may be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers

Profile of patients with intellectual disability visiting a tertiary care center in western India

Background:Intellectual disability is commonly associated with variety of etio-pathological and co-morbid conditions influencing outcome of rehabilitative measures. Understanding of these factors helps in better management of disabled condition.Methods:A qualitative retrospective case record review, of patients with intellectual disability, visiting psychiatry department of a tertiary care hospital, within a period of one year, was conducted to assess their epidemiological and clinical profile.Results: Patients with Intellectual disability are brought to the hospital at all ages and commonly by their parents. Etiologically related various peri-natal factors (delayed birth cry and seizures being most common) as well as childhood medical conditions (epilepsy and recurrent respiratory/GI infections being most common) were commonly found in these patients. Milestones are delayed in almost 60-70% of cases whereas various physical and psychiatric conditions commonly co-existed with disability.Conclusion:Clinical profile of these patients demands a comprehensive evaluation and management apart from routine IQ assessment

Conversion of waste corn cobs to activated carbons for natural gas (methane) adsorption

Abstract only availableAdsorbed Natural Gas (ANG) is an alternative energy source technology that uses micropores in adsorbent materials to store natural gas. Activated carbons, which are useful adsorbents with a highly porous form of carbon are promising adsorbent materials that can be used to store methane. In this study, dried crushed corn cobs were used to produce activated carbons, using a chemical activation method. A set of experiments was performed under various conditions to determine the optimum conditions for preparing the activated carbons. The activation process varies depending on the concentration of the activating agent (phosphoric acid), the impregnation temperature, the carbonization temperature, and the heating rate. The resultant activated carbon is further immobilized into monolithic form, to increase the density. The micro porosity of the activated carbons produced from corn cobs can have a methane uptake capacity of 150v/v or greater, and a BET surface area of 800m2/g-1600m2/g.NSF Program Alliance for Collaborative Research in Alternative Fuel Technology and Louis Stokes Missouri Alliance for Minority Participatio

A prospective study of 50 cases of patella fractures treated with different modalities

Background: Fractures of patella account for 1% of all skeletal injuries. There is no universal accepted treatment for patellar fractures. After a fracture of the patella, the best results are obtained by accurate reduction and stable internal fixation. Partial or total patellectomy is generally indicated when the patella is so severely comminuted that an accurate reduction and reconstruction of the retropatellar joint surface cannot be achieved.Methods: The prospective study of 50 cases of patellar fractures was carried out at the department of orthopaedics for the period from May 2015 to December 2017. The maximum period of follow up was 18 months with a minimum period of follow up of 5 months (average 11.68 months). Operative treatment was done in patella fractures for more than 2 mm of articular displacement or 3 mm of fragment separation. Surgical options includes internal fixation with tension band wiring with k wire and partial patellectomy with extensor mechanism repair.Results: We have studied 50 patients where 7 cases were treated conservatively. In the present series 22 patients were treated with internal fixation out of which 13 patients had excellent results. 6 patients had good results. 21 patients were treated with partial patellectomy where 6 patients had excellent results, 11 patients had good and 4 patients had fair results.Conclusions: Patella should be preserved and Osteosynthesis whenever possible has better chance for excellent results. A good surgical technique, optimal operation room environment and judicious use of antibiotics will reduce the possibility of infection

A study of clinicoradiological and functional outcomes of intramedullary nailing in diaphyseal radius ulna fractures

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of intramedullary nailing in diaphyseal fractures of radius and ulna in age group of 10 to 49 years and to understand its clinicoradiological and functional results.Methods: This is a retrospective case series study of forearm bone fractures and the selected management for the same over a period of 3 years. We chose the cases in which intramedullary nailing was the treatment modality which were followed up over a period of minimum 6 months. Patients with galeazzi variety, monteggia variety, pathological fracture or non-union after previous surgery were excluded. The outcomes were then evaluated with disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score, Green and O’Brien score, and Grace and Eversmann functional outcome score.Results: Of the 22 patients, 10 patients had excellent functional outcome according to Grace and Eversmann score, 7 patients had good outcome, 4 patients had acceptable while 1 was unacceptable. Green and O’Brien also had similar results, except that patients among fair category were 3 and poor category were 3. The mean DASH score was 16.2.Conclusions: This study shows that closed method for fixation by intramedullary nailing of both bone forearm fractures leads to excellent to good functional outcomes (according to DASH score, Green and O Brien, and Grace and Eversmann score) with less complications. In 6 months follow up x ray there is radiological union in all cases with no angulation, malunion or non-union.

Conversion of waste corncob to activated carbon for use of methane storage

Abstract only availableMissouri being one of the leading states in corn production has a large quantity of corn cobs. Corn cob can be used to produce activated carbon because its organic origin is similar to coconut and peach pits which have been previously used to make activated carbons. In this project, researchers at the University of Missouri Columbia are using adsorbents produced from corn cobs to store natural gas. Results have shown that a BET surface area of 800m2/g-1600m2/g can be obtained. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images confirms that micro porous nature of the carbon. The main objective of this research is to develop flat low pressure high capacity natural gas tank holding no greater than 500psi of methane, allowing for more trunk space in cars. It is anticipated that the new Absorbed Natural Gas (ANG) will be the competitor with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) which is currently stored in heavy tanks at high pressures of about 3600psi. Activated carbons obtained from the corn cob that has been through chemical activation process are used to make monoliths, in order to achieve the maximum density. The powdered form of the activated carbon is combined with a binding agent and pressed using a hydraulic press and die. By this process corn cobs can be converted into monolithic carbon and having methane uptake of 150v/v or more.NSF Program Alliance for Collaborative Research in Alternative Fuel Technology and Louis Stokes Missouri Alliance for Minority Participatio