Correlation of reduced amniotic fluid index with neonatal outcome

Background: Amniotic fluid assessment is an essential part of evaluation of fetus health in terms of fetal distress, meconium aspiration, IUGR, Non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns, birth asphyxia, low birth weight, low Apgar-scores and NICU Admissions.Methods: This prospective observational study included 200 antenatal patients of term gestation of which 100 cases with AFI<8 and 100 controls with AFI ≥8 but ≤ 15 were included in study. Ultrasonography and NST were done and results of both groups compared for the presence of meconium passage, non-reactive NST, birth asphyxia, low Apgar-scores, low birth weight, NICU admissions and neonatal deaths.Results: There was increased incidence of non-reactive NST (40% vs 12%), meconium stained (33% vs 10%) in oligohydramnios group. In cases 49% of patients had vaginal delivery while in controls 78%. 51% underwent LSCS in cases while in controls 22%. Apgar score <7 was found in 7% vs 4%. Birth weight was <2.5 kg in 35% vs 13%. NICU admissions in study group was 15% vs 11%. The neonatal death was similar in both cases groups.Conclusions: Oligohydramnios affect the neonatal outcome in terms of meconium stained liquor, non-reassuring fetal heart rate, low birth weight, birth asphyxia, low Apgar-scores and NICU Admissions and neonatal death but the difference was not statistically significant. Early detection of oligohydramnios and its management may help in reduction of perinatal morbidity and decreased caesarean deliveries

Showcasing New Tourism Destination by Using Gis: a Study of Sikkim

Purpose: The main purpose of this research is to find out new tourist destinations and suggest developmental strategies through scientific ways for solving overtourism-related problems.   Theoretical framework: In this research paper, the researchers emphasized finding new tourist spots and analyzing their potential both in touristic and infrastructural value was assessed by the researcher with the help of a most modern tool like Geographic Information System. The researchers have explained a scientific process of exploring new tourist destinations or tourist spots by using GIS and have shown how to develop proper infrastructure around those spots.   Design/methodology/approach: A “Multicriteria Spatial Decision Support System modeling” was used to find out and validate the existing and new tourist spots. In the pair-wise comparison method, a criterion versus criteria was created to compare each pair of criteria and assign relative ratings using the scale of pair-wise comparison. In this research, the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method is used because it gives the “most acceptable results for majority of single-dimensional problems”. The researcher has created this map to support the ‘Destination Fetching Model’, and it can also be used for promoting sustainable tourism in the area. If the entire land cover is visible to the planners with an aerial view, they can plan for tourism infrastructure and superstructures from anywhere. GIS-based layer data has created an "all covered" aerial map with the help of advanced GIS technology, which not helped the planners to understand the current land condition, but also showed the open area which can be utilized for new tourism set-up. Manmade and natural resources are also classified through this LULC model.   Findings: These new tourist spots will help planners and stakeholders to distribute excessive crowds to comparatively new destinations. It is observed that most of the Indian tourism destinations suffer from “over Tourism” in peak season. This research will help spread the flow of tourists to the nearest newly added destinations.   Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: Scientific tourism planning through GIS will also help tourism service providers and planners to add infrastructure to the new destinations, and would also help local people to generate income through tourism. Originality/value: This research will solve the “over tourism” problem of any destination or state, and help generate more visitor’s day at the destination which is proportionate to extra revenue generation for the local, regional and national tourism stakeholders

Prediction of the three-dimensional structure of serine/threonine protein kinase pto of Solanum lycopersicum by homology modelling

The resistant gene Pto of Solanum lycopersicum interacts with the avr Pto gene product of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato to launch a cascade of molecular events that triggers the hypersensitive disease-resistance response in tamato. The paper describes attempts to predict the structure of Pto encoding a serine/threonine protein kinase to understand the mechanism and function. A three-dimensional model based on the crystal structure of effect protein Avr ptob complexed with Kinase Pto and bacterial effector protein Avrpto was generated using Modeller9v7. We adopted different modelling approaches for our study, Intialy, we generated a model based on a single template protein and then a model based on multiple templates. The models generated through these approaches were further assessed with ANOLEA energy assessment, Ram Page server and PROCHECK for stereochemistry and geometry check. Comparative analysis suggested that the model generated was better than the templates. This study paves the way for generating computer molecular models for proteins whose crystal structures are not available and which would aid in studying protein-protein interactions

Correlation between ultrasonographic and histopathological findings of hysterectomy specimen in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: AUB is a common and debilitating condition and it is one of the main gynaecological reasons for hysterectomy. Ultrasonography can be as good as histopathology (HPE) in the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding. Hence, our study was conducted to validate the ultrasonographic findings with HPE findings in diagnosis of AUB.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 86 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in collaboration with department of Pathology, RIMS, Imphal from September 2017 to March 2019. The clinical history and socio demographic profile were collected using a pre-designed proforma. General physical examination, pelvic examination and ultrasonagraphy was carried out and the hysterectomy specimens were subjected to histopathological examination.Results: Fibromyoma was diagnosed by ultrasound in 62.8% of the patients and it was the common diagnosis in this study. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and kappa statistics of USG for diagnosing leiomyoma was 92.9%, 93.3%, 96.3%, 87.5% and 84.9% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and kappa statistics of USG for diagnosing adenomyosis was 53.8%, 98.6%, 87.5%, 92.3% and 62.3% respectively.Conclusions: The study provides an evidence that ultrasonography has good diagnostic accuracy as histopathology in the diagnosis of fibroid in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. However, as with all the diagnostic procedures, the utility of ultrasound in the diagnosis of adenomyosis is questionable, since it has a low sensitivity amidst good specificity

Fetomaternal outcome in eclampsia

Background: Eclampsia is the third most common cause of maternal mortality, after haemorrhage and infection in the developing countries. Majority of cases of eclampsia are young primigravidas. The reduction in both maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality remains the yard stick of success in the management of eclampsia.Methods: A hospital based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among the pregnant women with eclampsia admitted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. The study was conducted for a period of one and half years from September 2018 to March 2020.Results: Fifty-five (55) patients in the age group between 21 and 25 years constitute the maximum percentage of eclampsia (67.3%). Forty-five (81.8%) cases were antepartum eclampsia, 2 (3.6%) were intrapartum eclampsia and 8 (14.5%) cases were postpartum eclampsia. Majority (78.2%) of the cases were primigravidae, which is comparable to other studies. As much as 23 (41.8%) of the cases presented at 32-37 weeks period of gestation. There were two maternal deaths (3.6%) due to eclampsia related complications. There were 13 (21.7%) perinatal deaths in this study, out of which 10 (16.7%) were still births and 3(5%) were early neonatal deaths.Conclusions: Eclampsia is still an important obstetric emergency in the community contributing to significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Eclampsia may not develop de novo and as such, it is not always a preventable condition. Early detection and prompt intervention of complications is vital to ensure a healthy outcome for both mother and baby

Russian and Indian preschool educators’ beliefs about play activities: a comprehensive study

In this study, preschool teachers’ beliefs regarding play in preschool children in its various forms (role-play, rough-and-tumble play, digital play), and the process of its development in groups of children based on samples of Russian and Indian educators were examined. From Russia, 3,013 respondents (all women), aged 18–77 (M = 41.57; SD = 10.02) took part in the study, and 116 respondents (10.34% men), aged 23–50 (M = 36; SD = 9) from India also participated. An original questionnaire aimed at assessing attitudes toward different types of play in preschool educators was used. This instrument consisted of various sections which focused on the understanding of play and its place in the everyday routine of the child group, role-play patterns characteristics (i.e., preferred plots, play materials, course of the play), rough-and-tumble play practice, attitudes toward digital play, and educators’ play competence (self-assessment regarding difficulties with joining the play, suggesting a plot or materials for play, etc.). Our main finding was that although the vast majority of educators in both cultures recognize the value of play for child development, this belief does not find practical expression in the daily life of the child group. Our data showed that Indian educators are more likely to be mediators of children’s experience in play, while their Russian counterparts are more likely to be engaged in the role-play with the children. The content characteristics of play among children in Russia and India were also described. There are differences in attitudes toward digital play: more experienced teachers have a more positive attitude toward the activities of children with digital devices, they see opportunities for the development of a child in digital play. At the same time, teachers in whose groups children enter into digital play not only have a positive attitude toward this type of play but also evaluate themselves more positively in the process of playing with children

EARLY BUD-BREAK 1 and EARLY BUD-BREAK 3 control resumption of poplar growth after winter dormancy

Bud-break is an economically and environmentally important process in trees and shrubs from boreal and temperate latitudes, but its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we show that two previously reported transcription factors, EARLY BUD BREAK 1 (EBB1) and SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE-Like (SVL) directly interact to control bud-break. EBB1 is a positive regulator of bud-break, whereas SVL is a negative regulator of bud-break. EBB1 directly and negatively regulates SVL expression. We further report the identification and characterization of the EBB3 gene. EBB3 is a temperature-responsive, epigenetically-regulated, positive regulator of bud-break that provides a direct link to activation of the cell cycle during bud-break. EBB3 is an AP2/ERF transcription factor that positively and directly regulates CYCLIND3.1 gene. Our results reveal the architecture of a putative regulatory module that links temperature-mediated control of bud-break with activation of cell cycle. An AP2/ERF family gene EBB1 and a MADS-box gene SVL encode two regulators of poplar bud break. Here, the authors report another AP2/ERF transcription factor EBB3, which functions together with EBB1, SVL, and cell cycle progression promoter CYCD3.1 to regulate poplar bud break

Differential Occurrence of Cuticular Wax and Its Role in Leaf Physiological Mechanisms of Three Edible Aroids of Northeast India

The localization of cuticular wax (CW) on the leaf epidermis and its interaction with the physiological mechanisms of three edible aroids, Alocasia, Colocasia, and Xanthosoma, were assessed. CW in the leaf tissues was visualized using scanning electron microscopy, which was higher in Colocasia (10.61 mg·dm−2) and Xanthosoma (11.36 mg·dm−2) than in Alocasia (1.36 mg·dm−2). Colocasia CW exhibited superhydrophobic properties with a higher static contact angle (CA) (>150◦) than Xanthosoma (99.0◦) and Alocasia (128.7◦). The higher CW in Colocasia and Xanthosoma resulted in better leaf chlorophyll stability, moisture retention ability, and cellular membrane integrity compared to Alocasia. CW acted as a protecting barrier against deleterious solar radiation in terms of sun protection factor (SPF). The glossy appearance of wax crystals in the Alocasia leaf cuticles resulted in higher SPF. Overall, Colocasia CW highly influenced the qualitative and protective mechanisms of the leaf. Our study sheds light on the pivotal role of CW in the physiological properties of aroid leaves, which would be useful for the selection of wax-rich plants for augmenting future breeding strategies. The information would also be useful for further exploration of the industrial potential of superhydrophobic wax crystals obtained from edible aroids.Fil: Pieniazek, Facundo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; Argentina. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Dasgupta, Madhumita. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Messina, Valeria Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Devi, Mayengbam Premi. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Devi, Yumnam Indrani. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; IndiaFil: Mohanty, Sansuta. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; IndiaFil: Singh, Satyapriya. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; IndiaFil: Sahoo, Bibhuti Bhusan. Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology; IndiaFil: Nongdam, Potshangbam. Manipur University; IndiaFil: Acharya, Gobinda Chandra. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; IndiaFil: Sahoo, Manas Ranjan. ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research; India. ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region; Indi

Customer commitment to luxury brands : antecedents and consequences

The intensifying competition in the luxury sector necessitates the need for managers to identify the factors underpinning customers' commitment to a luxury brand. Understanding commitment not only provides an insight into the question of how customers commit but also uncovers why customers commit to a particular brand. Using a questionnaire-based survey with customers, this research examines the antecedents and consequences of customer commitment to luxury brands. The findings indicate the differential influence of various antecedents on affective, calculative and normative commitment, and highlight the role played by these forms of commitment on consumption satisfaction and advocacy intentions. The results demonstrate the importance of affective commitment as a relationship enhancer, and identify managerial implications for customer commitment to luxury brands

They are not all same: variations in Asian consumers' value perceptions of luxury brands

Asian markets are steadily becoming key growth regions for luxury brands. However, despite the growth, many luxury brand firms are unable to obtain the desired economic returns through their marketing strategies in Asia. Often these firms treat consumers across Asian markets as homogenous groups, which could lead to inaccurate luxury brand management strategy. Additionally, there is limited understanding of consumer value perceptions toward luxury brands across the Asian markets. Employing impression management theory and the horizontal/vertical collectivistic cultural distinctions, this study examines differences and similarities in constituent luxury value perceptions across three prominent Asian markets, namely China, India, and Indonesia. The results of a quantitative survey conducted with 626 real luxury consumers in these three countries identify variations in perceptions of symbolic, experiential, and functional value of luxury brands. The study contributes to knowledge on constituent luxury value perceptions, along with providing theoretical explanations for the differences between consumers across Asian markets. With the emerging novel insights on Asian consumers, luxury brand firms can align their marketing strategies to respective markets by leveraging the similarities and differences in consumer value perceptions. This approach, informed by empirical evidence, will enhance luxury brands’ competitiveness and profit opportunities in the high-growth Asian markets. The study identifies a number of future research directions