Magnetocaloric effect and critical behavior near the paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic phase transition temperature in TbCo2-xFex

Magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in TbCo2-xFex has been studied by dc magnetization measurements.On substituting Fe in TbCo2, not only the magnetic transition temperature is tuned to room temperature, but also the operating temperature range for MCE is increased from 50 K for TbCo2 to 95 K for TbCo1.9Fe0.1. The maximum magnetic entropy change (-{\Delta}SM) for TbCo1.9Fe0.1 is found to be 3.7 J kg-1 K-1 for a 5 T field change, making it a promising candidate for magnetic refrigeration near room temperature. The temperature dependent neutron diffraction study shows a structural phase transition (from cubic to rhombohedral phase with lowering of temperature) which is associated with the magnetic phase transition and these transitions broaden on Fe substitution. To investigate the nature of the paramagnetic to ferrimagnetic phase transition, we performed a critical exponent study. From the derived values of critical exponents, we conclude that TbCo2 belongs to the 3D Heisenberg class with short-range interaction, while on Fe substitution it tends towards mean-field with long-range interaction. The derived values of critical exponents represent the phenomenological universal curve for the field dependence of {\Delta}SM, indicating that TbCo2 and TbCo1.9Fe0.1 belong to two different universality classes.Comment: 12 figure

A study on drug induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions at a tertiary care hospital, Mysore, India

Background: Drugs, however safe and efficacious, are associated with risk of adverse reactions. Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. ADRs was rated as the fifth leading cause of death among all diseases. Consequences of ADRs range from diminished quality of life, increased physician visits, hospitalizations, and even death. The objectives of the study were to obtain information about drug induced cutaneous adverse reactions and to establish the causal relationship.Methods: Observational cross sectional study, a total of 76 patients were recruited for the study,conducted in dermatology outpatient department of K R Hospital Mysore Medical College And Research Institute Mysore for 3 months. The drug reactions were recorded in ADR form of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Causality was assessed using Naranjo algorithm and World Health Organization- Uppsala monitoring centre (WHO-UMC) criteria.Results: 76 patients with CADRs were included in the study during the 3 months study period. Most common age group with CADRs was 20-30 years; with 55.73% of females 20.26% male and the most common suspected drug group causing CADRs was antimicrobial 35.46%. And most common lesion is maculopapular rashes. According to Naranjos scale 67.30% of CADRs were probably caused by drugs.Conclusions: variety of drugs causes CADRs. Awareness among clinicians is required for active reporting of CADRs. Patients need to be educated for the cautious use of drugs causing ADRs to prevent the same

Prevalence and risk factors for dysmenorrhoea among nursing student and its impact on their quality of life

Background: Dysmenorrhea is an important health problem of adolescent girls, that affects their quality of life and it is one of the leading causes of repeated school absenteeism. The purposes of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for dysmenorrhea among nursing students and its impact on their quality of life.Methods: A prospective study was carried out in St Johns Nursing College, Bengaluru.200 nursing students aged between 18-20 years were included. Standardized questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data. Data was analysed using Chi-sq. test, correlation and regression analysis by SPSS version 23.Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 62.5%. The mean age, age at menarche and, the mean PABC of the students were 18.7±0.48, 13.3±1.20 and 74.96±16.14   respectively, which is not significant. The average length of menstrual cycle was between 28-30 days, duration of bleeding as 3-5 days. Duration of sleep, regular menstrual cycle and low BMI exhibited positive correlation (p<0.05) while Family history and exercising habits did not exhibit significant effect. Dysmenorrhea was significantly associated with repeated school absenteeism (16%).Conclusions: Dysmenorrhoea is found to be highly prevalent among nursing students and is one of the leading causes of absenteeism. Regular cycle, duration of sleep and low BMI were significant risk factors for dysmenorrhea. Findings of present study suggest the need for educating adolescent girls on appropriate and effective management of dysmenorrhea.

Magnetic properties of Hydrogenated Li and Co doped ZnO nanoparticles

The effect of hydrogenation on magnetic properties of Zn0.85Co0.05Li0.10O nanoparticles is presented. It was found that the sample hydrided at room temperature (RT) showed weak ferromagnetism (FM) while that hydrided at 400oC showed robust ferromagnetism at room temperature. In both cases reheating the sample at 400oC in air converts it back into paramagnetic state (P) completely. The characterization of samples by X-ray and electron diffraction (ED) showed that room temperature ferromagnetism observed in the samples hydrogenated at RT is intrinsic in nature whereas that observed in the samples hydrogenated at 400oC is partly due to the cobalt metal clusters.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

A comparative study between cilnidipine and amlodipine on learning and memory in albino mice

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, followed by vascular dementia (VaD). Animal studies have shown that amlodipine improves learning and memory. Since, cilnidipine produces lesser side effects than amlodipine, and animal studies have shown that it has neuroprotective action, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cilnidipine on learning and memory and its comparison with amlodipine in alprazolam induced amnesic albino mice.Methods: This study was carried out on albino mice, divided into three groups of six animals each. Amnesia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alprazolam in all the three groups from day 1 to 14. In addition, group 1, 2 and 3 received normal saline as a control, amlodipine and cilnidipine as test drugs respectively, by same route for the same duration. Then, learning and memory of the animals was assessed using elevated plus maze and cook’s pole climbing models. Results were compared among the groups using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey’s test.Results: In both the model’s amlodipine and cilnidipine groups showed statistically significant reduction in transfer latency and conditioned avoidance response duration in comparison with normal saline. But no difference was found between amlodipine and cilnidipine groups.Conclusions: Cilnidipine and amlodipine showed a non-inferiority response on learning and memory enhancing effect in this study. Since, cilnidipine has lesser side effects than amlodipine, it can be taken up for evaluating its effect on cognitive improvement in dementia patients

Tyrosinemia type 1: A case report

Tyrosinemia Type 1 is a rare inherited metabolic disorder attributable to a deficiency of enzyme fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase. It hasan autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. The accumulation of tyrosine and its toxic metabolites succinylacetone and succinylacetoacetate in various tissues leads to the characteristic hepatic failure, renal dysfunction, and neurological crisis. Here, we present acase of a 7-month-old female infant who was brought with complaints of jaundice, dyspnea, altered level of consciousness, refusal tofeed. We highlight the need for early diagnosis, including prenatal testing and initiating treatment at the earliest, which goes a long waynot only in the survival, but also the quality of life in these patients

Study of demographic features in retropositive pregnant women

Background: Study of demographic features like age, educational status of the patient and her husband, occupation of the patient and her husband and religion of the retropositive pregnant women compared to controls.Methods: In this prospective study patients were selected from Vani Vilas Hospital attached to Bangalore Medical College attending the antenatal Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The study period was for 2 years. The study group comprised of 100 HIV seropositive patients. The control group comprised of 100 HIV seronegative patients. At enrollment, data collection of demographic features like age, educational status of the patient and her husband, occupation of patient and her husband, and religion of the retropositive pregnant women compared to controls.Results: The minimum and maximum age in the study group was 18 and 36 years respectively and in the control group 17 and 35 years respectively. Around 73% of pregnant women in the study group were below 25 years of age. 89% of pregnant women in the study group were Hindus. Around 36% of women in the study group were illiterate compared to 21% in the control group. Around 45% of women in the control group have studied till secondary school. In this study, most of the women in both the groups were housewives. There was one commercial sex worker and 8 women had polygamous relationship in the study group. The occupational pattern of the husbands was analyzed and 34% of the husbands of HIV positive women were drivers. 56% of the husbands in the study group admitted to have had multiple sexual partners, whereas only 9% admitted so, in the control group.Conclusions: Retropositive pregnant women were younger; most of them were house wives. Husbands of retropositive pregnant women were drivers and most of them had multiple sexual partners

Clinicopathological study of hysterectomised specimens

Background: Hysterectomy is the commonest major surgical procedure performed in gynecology. It can be done by abdominal or vaginal route and with the help of laparoscopy. Hysterectomy is an effective treatment option for many conditions like fibroid, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine prolapse, pelvic inflammatory disease and cancer of reproductive organ when other treatment options are contraindicated or have failed, or if the woman no longer wishes to retain her menstrual and reproductive. The aim and objective of the study was to correlate indications of hysterectomy with histopathological findings in hysterectomised patients.Methods: A retrospective study was carried on 113 hysterectomised cases over a period of one year from June 2015 to May 2016. The data regarding the patient’s age, parity, clinical diagnosis, type of hysterectomy and histopathological diagnosis were reviewed by the records and analyzed.Results: A total of 113 cases of hysterectomies were studied. Hysterectomies were distributed over a wide age ranging from 20 years to 75 years. Most common age group was 41-50 years. Among hystectomies majority were done through vaginal route 86 (76.1%) and 26 (23%) cases were done through abdominal route. Most common clinical diagnosis was fibroid uterus in 44(38.9%) cases. Most of the hysterectomies were done for benign conditions. In final histopathological report most common diagnosis was fibroid uterus in 45(39.8%) hysterectomy specimens. It was correlated well with clinical diagnosis. Next most common histopathological diagnosis was Adenomyosis.Conclusions: Histopathological analysis correlated well with preoperative clinical diagnosis in majority of cases. The commonest indication and histopathological finding in our study was fibroid uterus. Next most common histopathological finding was Adenomyosis. Most commonly hysterectomies were done through vaginal route in our study

The role of serum magnesium level in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorder and leading cause of death and disability in the world. The incidence of diabetes is increasing globally and in India. Magnesium depletion has a negative impact on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Hypomagnesaemia can lead to development of complications in diabetes. Hence there is need for the study to explore the status of magnesium in type 2 diabetes. Objectives: To estimate and compare the serum magnesium levels in type 2 diabetes patients with age/sex matched non diabetic controls.Methods: A case control study was done in randomly chosen 100 type 2 diabetic patients and 100 non diabetic age/sex matched controls. Estimation of serum magnesium was done by enzymatic end point method.Results: 37% of diabetic patients had low serum magnesium levels (Mg2+ level ≤1.5 mg/dL) and 9 % of controls had low serum magnesium levels. The mean serum magnesium levels were 1.96 ± 0.54 mg/dL and 2.375 ± 0.449 mg/dL in diabetics and controls respectively (P value <0.0001 highly significant). Hypomagnesaemia (Mg2+ level ≤1.5 mg/dL) was correlating with retinopathy (P = 0.041 significant).Conclusion: This study demonstrated that low serum Mg2+ status is common in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients when compared to non-diabetic controls. It may be prudent in clinical practice to periodically monitor plasma Mg2+ concentration in diabetic patients. If plasma Mg2+ is low, an intervention to increase dietary intake of magnesium may be beneficial to prevent the complications.