Effect of first trimester maternal serum pregnancy associated plasma protein: a level on fetomaternal outcome

Background: Serum pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) levels fluctuate in continuation with the pregnancy and thus become an important standalone marker in monitoring the adverse outcomes that may occur in pregnancy.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology. A total of 240 pregnant women in their first trimester were included in the study. Serum PAPP-A levels were measured at 11-13+6week of gestation and were evaluated with respect to the feto-maternal outcome. The data was entered in MS excel spreadsheet and analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0.Results: The mean age of the study population was 27 years. Among the maternal pregnancy parameters, PIH, pre-term labor and Emergency LSCS were significantly associated with low (<0.5 MoM) Serum PAPP-A levels, P<0.05. All the fetal outcome measures: IUGR, IUD, low birth weight, SGA babies, prematurity and NICU admissions, were significantly associated with low (<0.5 MoM) Serum PAPP-A levels, p <0.05.Conclusions: Serum PAPP-A in the early pregnancy showed significant correlation with feto-maternal outcome. Thus, it has the potential to be used as a prognostic factor and in the management of adverse outcomes by increasing surveillance for pregnant women with high-risk factors

Nutritional-sensitive and sustainable agricultural development- An overview

Nutrition and Agriculture are interlinked with each other. Sustainable agricultural development is agricultural development that contributes to improving resource efficiency, strengthening resilience and securing social equity/responsibility of agriculture and food systems in order to ensure food security and nutrition for all, now and in the future. While poverty has always been associated with severe forms of acute under-nutrition, it is fact that poverty affects an individual’s health throughout their lifetime. Low access to food and associated levels of malnutrition reduces an individual’s intellectual capability, leading to lower learning levels and work capacity. Such a vicious cycle of poverty and malnutrition ultimately limits an individual’s earning potential throughout a lifetime, increasing vulnerability to serious medical conditions and health inequities. This is one of the vital reasons of farmers’ distress and suicides due to indebtedness. Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. One of the biggest challenges of nutritional sensitive agriculture and sustainable development is how to secure and provide plentiful, healthy and nutritious food for all. The present study tries to present an overview of the present status and suggests suitable policy initiatives

Nutritional-sensitive and sustainable agricultural development- An overview

Nutrition and Agriculture are interlinked with each other. Sustainable agricultural development is agricultural development that contributes to improving resource efficiency, strengthening resilience and securing social equity/responsibility of agriculture and food systems in order to ensure food security and nutrition for all, now and in the future. While poverty has always been associated with severe forms of acute under-nutrition, it is fact that poverty affects an individual’s health throughout their lifetime. Low access to food and associated levels of malnutrition reduces an individual’s intellectual capability, leading to lower learning levels and work capacity. Such a vicious cycle of poverty and malnutrition ultimately limits an individual’s earning potential throughout a lifetime, increasing vulnerability to serious medical conditions and health inequities. This is one of the vital reasons of farmers’ distress and suicides due to indebtedness. Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. One of the biggest challenges of nutritional sensitive agriculture and sustainable development is how to secure and provide plentiful, healthy and nutritious food for all. The present study tries to present an overview of the present status and suggests suitable policy initiatives

Concept of Infected Wound (Dushta Vrana) in Ayurveda

Man is the superior most creature of God, having a sufficient intellectual mind to discover new things andconcurrently overcome the existing problems. So from very ancient time different methods of wound carehave been described. Wound is a separation or break in continuity of skin, mucous membrane or tissuecaused by physical, chemical or biological insult. Wound infections continue to represent a major medicalproblem, both in terms of how they affect the outcome of surgical procedures and for their impact on thelength of hospital stay and medical costs. In Ayurveda, an infected wound may be co-related with dushtavrana. Sushruta has explained that “vrana” (wound) is so called as it covers the site and the scar and evenafter healing, does not disappear till the person lives. Proper wound care is necessary to prevent infectionand to promote healing of the wound. In this paper, emphasis has been given to dushta vrana and itsmanagement description according to Samhita and an attempt has been made to explain the infectedwound according to modern concept

Levonorgestrel intrauterine releasing system: long term health impact

Background: Menorrhagia, menstrual blood loss of more than 80 ml is a common health problem affecting 5-30% of women in India and accounts for 8% loss of economic wages annually. This study was conducted in PGIMER and Dr. RML Hospital New Delhi to evaluate the efficacy, acceptability and safety profile of LNG IUS (a non-invasive modality) in a variety of gynaecological disorders with associated menorrhagia.Methods: This was a noncomparative longitudinal observational study conducted in PGIMER and Dr RML Hospital New Delhi from June 2009 to September 2013.All patients with menorrhagia with or without dysmenorrhoea were screened and in suitable cases, LNG IUS was inserted in the postmenstrual phase after counselling and informed consent. Menstrual pattern, mean bleeding days, hemoglobin and satisfaction level was noted before insertion, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post insertion.Results: 30 patients were recruited in the study over the first 2 years. 66.66% (20) had associated medical co morbidities. LNG IUS was spontaneously expelled in 2 (6.66%) and 3 subjects (10%) needed a hysterectomy due to persistent bleeding. The remaining 25 subjects continued with the device and these subjects had a significant decrease in mean bleeding days with associated significant rise in hemoglobin levels over 2 years.Conclusions: LNG-IUS is an underused useful device for several gynecological disorders and is a boon especially for those with medical comorbidities and should be offered to all suitable subjects.

Tribological behaviour of zirconium di-oxide ceramic

Ceramics are gaining importance due to their non carcinogenic and bio-degradable nature. The ZrO2 ceramic material is of prime importance. The structure of ZrO2 is monoclinic crystalline structure. It occurs in form of mineral baddeleyite. The properties of ZrO2 are: Density= 5.68 g/cm³, molar mass=123.218 g/mol. It has good thermal insulation, high electron conductivity due to present of free oxygen ion. It is used in refractory, sensor, diesel engine and also as diamond simulant. Keeping this in view the present research work has been under taken with an objective to explore the tribological properties of ZrO2 ceramic. The ZrO2 ceramic has been made by epoxy and hardener in ratio of 10:1 and ZrO2 weight is 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% by cumulative weight of epoxy and hardener weight. Basically. To study the wear properties the components made from this ZrO2 ceramics is subjected to wear test using a PIN-ON-DISC machine. Experiments have been conducted under laboratory conditions to access the wear behavior of the ceramics. The loss of weight has been measured in different percentage of ZrO2, with different load applied and with velocity varies from 200 to 500 rpm. The results have been drawn on graph and this shows the wear property of ZrO2 ceramics with sliding distance and load applied

Epidemiological study on body mass index distribution and health awareness among women at an urban tertiary care centre of north India

Background: Obesity has become a new worldwide health problem and is gradually moving towards an epidemic. overweight and obesity implies an abnormal excessive fat accumulation that poses health risk. According to National Family Health Survey-4, prevalence of obesity has doubled in country over the last decade. Asian Indians stand at higher risk for development of obesity related non-communicable diseases at lower body mass index levels.Methods: It was an observational interpretive study carried on 1000 randomly selected women over 3 months in a tertiary center of urban northern India. BMI was obtained by dividing weight in kilograms and height in meters squares. Patients were enquired about any menstrual complains, known comorbidities, awareness of obesity in terms of its cause and effects, about weight reduction and benefits of exercise and its practice and details noted in a preformed performa. No prior intervention or health education was given to avoid bias.Results: Out of 1000 women, mean BMI was found to be 31.85±8.85kg/m2. BMI classification (Asian standards) stated that 8.1% were overweight and 78% of patients were pre obese and obese (maximum in age of 21-40 years). Menstrual complaints were present among 39% of overweight and obese groups. Among comorbidities, hypothyroidism was found to be maximum being 9.5% in the obese group, followed by hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Only 26.3% of obese women were aware of the factors causing obesity. Knowledge of exercise benefits was grossly limited, with only one fourth of the pre obese and obese population being aware of it.Conclusions: Rising obesity in Indian women needs measures for prevention. Though there is knowledge of the cure among Indian females but there is limited ability to implement the same. Health education of women regarding obesity related comorbidities along with the benefits of weight loss with exercises should be promoted strongly

Practice of contraception in this modern world: still a myth?

Background: Objective: To assess the attitude, knowledge and practice of contraception among MTP seekers women attending Family Planning OPD.Methods: 150 women attending family planning clinic and requesting for Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP), were interrogated on a pre- structured questionnaire and their knowledge, attitude and practice about contraception were assessed.Results: Of the women 80% women had some or the other knowledge of contraception but still 92 (61.3%) were not using any contraception 92 (61.3%), 54 (36%) were using barrier method and only 4 (2.6%) were used OCP’s. The request for MTP was mainly on grounds of unplanned pregnancy and completed family in 57.3% cases followed by previous child small 42 (28%). Of the women, only 38 (25.3%) had heard about emergency contraceptives and only few had used them off and on. The various methods of contraception accepted by the women post abortion were IUDs by 91 (61.3%) and female sterilization by 55 (36.6%). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software 15.Conclusions: Practice of contraception is still a myth. There is a great need to strengthen the awareness among people by various programmes and the target group should be both males and females

Effect of Lakshadigana Taila on Wound Healing in Albino Rat

Objective: To investigate the wound-healing potency of the Lakshadigana Taila on the excisional woundhealing process in experimental study of albino rats, in comparison to 5% Povidone Iodine solution anduntreated group.Materials and Methods: Albino rats of either sex weighing between 200 and 300 gm were divided randomlyinto three groups (n=6). The animals were anesthetized with anesthetic agent Thiopentone Sodium 25mg/kg intra peritoneal. The skin of albino rats was saved on one side of paravertebral region. The skinwas disinfected using cotton and alcohol wipes. Excisional wound, full thickness skin wounds of diameter10 mm were created in the paravertebral area. The following medications were applied topically to thewound once daily for a maximum of 16 days. In Group I (trial group) Lakshadigana Taila was applied onrats, in Group II (positive control), 5% Povidone Iodine solution was applied on rats and Group III (negativecontrol) served as untreated. Wound was measured on days 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 of the experiment andhistopathological of H and E stain study done on day 4 and 8, 12 and 16. Statistical analysis was doneusing analysis of One Way ANOVA followed by Post Hoc Test and P <0.05 was considered significant and<0.001 highly significant.Result: Area of wound was measured in all three groups at different intervals and found that the rate ofwound contraction was statistically highly significant in all groups (p <0.001). Rate of wound contractionwas faster in Group I than in Group II and III.Conclusion: In the present study, topical application of Lakshadigan Taila accelerated healing of excisionalwound in albino rats

3D Array Block Rotation Cipher: An Improvement using lateral shift

This paper on Cipher based on 3D Array Block Rotation is in continuation with our earlier paper titled A cipher based on 3D Array Block Rotation. It discusses a new rotation; lateral shift along with the earlier discussed rotation of the 3D Array block or circular shifting of plates of 3D Array in clockwise direction while enciphering and anticlockwise direction while deciphering. It also discusses the problem of relative bit positioning in the earlier specified algorithm and introduce shift rotations of the blocks as a possible solution to the problem. It uses a key of specified length which can be either transferred with the ciphertext or can be obtained by an agreed upon random bit generator. In all, it is a novel and effective cipher with good randomness property