Comparative study of sublingual versus vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor

Background: Induction of labor done, when the benefits to either mother or fetus outweighs those of continuing pregnancy. Pharmacological methods used for induction includes oxytocin, prostaglandin (E1, E2) and mifepristone. However the ideal dose, route and frequency of administration of misoprostol are still under investigation. Hence we plan to do a comparative study between sublingual and vaginal misoprostol for inducing labor.Methods: A prospective randomized interventional study was conducted on seventy pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria. They were explained about the study on admission and were randomized into two groups: Group I (sublingual) and Group II (vaginal). Bishop score at start of induction, number of pelvic examinations, doses required, mode of delivery, induction to delivery interval, duration of different stages of labor and perinatal outcome of the women were recorded followed by statistical analysis.Results: Patients in both the groups were comparable with respect to demographic data, period of gestation, gravidity and parity. There was no significant difference with regard to number of doses, p/v examinations and number of patients required augmentation. Mean induction to delivery interval, average duration of first, second and third stage was almost comparable. Out of 35 women in each group, 29 women (82.8%) in both groups had normal vaginal delivery, one woman in Group I and three women in Group II had instrumental delivery. Emergency LSCS was done in 5 women (14.28%) in Group I and 3 women (8.57%) in Group II.Conclusions: Sublingual misoprostol seems as effective as vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor at term. Sublingual route represents a valid alternative to vaginal route with the advantage of convenience of administration. In view of limited sample size, we cannot reach definitive conclusions in regard to the preference of sublingual or vaginal route of misoprostol for induction of labor

Influence of laser scanning speed on nitrided Ti6Al4V surface

The influence of laser scan speed during nitriding in the range 30–150 cm min−1 on the physical properties, microstructure and corrosion behaviour of Ti6Al4V was studied. The surface energy of nitrided Ti6Al4V remained almost constant up to the scan speed of 60 cm min−1 followed by an increase in the maximum value at 80 cm min−1. A gradual drop in the microhardness of the coating from the outermost surface was noticed for specimens nitrided up to 80 cm min−1; an abrupt decrease, however, was found at a scan speed ≥100 cm min−1. The laser nitriding produced dendritic microstructure; an exponential decay in the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) with the increase in laser scan speed was revealed. The SDAS produced was smaller at the interphase and centre of the coating, compared to that at outermost surface. The passivation behaviour of Ti6Al4V at lower potentials shifted to the smaller current side after laser nitriding

Assessing Climate Change Signals in Western Himalayan District Using PRECIS Data Model

The meteorological measurements across Kangra, a western Himalayan district, are examined and analyzed for the past 43 years since 1970 and have been analyzed. Noticeable increase in temperature trends with a considerable variation during different seasons over the past quartile period has been noted. Much perceptible and significant variation among the mean minimum and mean maximum temperature in the northeastern and southwestern part of the district has been brought out. The exchanges between airflow and temperature across the hills, plains, and monsoon may significantly lead to variations in the microclimate. This is essential in predicting global and regional climate variations, because it determines the extent of human influence on the climate and makes sound projections about natural rhythm of changing climate as well as anthropogenic stimulus. The mean monthly maximum and minimum temperature and precipitation together with annual minima and maxima for the period 1970–2013 have been calculated for three stations across Kangra. The differential decadal and annual trend exhibits inconsistent signals of cooling in the high-altitude northeastern block in the district as compared to other parts in the region. Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) satellite, Tropical Rainfall Monitoring Mission (TRMM), and Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Studies (PRECIS) data have been considered to analyze the gap

Observation of grey cesium tin bromide with unusual phase transition

A new grey colour polymorph of CsSnBr3 with non-cubic phase at 295(±1) K is observed. Contrary to black and yellow polymorphs, it seems that not only the β-α transition at 292 K shifted to 304 K but also the new β3-phase with second-order phase transition (β2-β3) can be seen in this new grey polymorph. The structural refinement shows the monoclinic $\text {C}_{2h}^{5} \text {-} P2_{1}/c$ phase with holohedry for β3-CsSnBr3 against the group-subgroup theory. However, the parameters $c/a\,{\sim}\,1.492$ and $b/c\,{\sim}\,1.004$ are suggesting pseudo-tetragonality for β3-CsSnBr3

TIME Is a Great Healer—Targeting Myeloid Cells in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment to Improve Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Outcomes

The word myeloid is derived from the Greek word muelós which means “marrow”. Therefore, myeloid cells are described as cells that arise in the bone marrow. They can be distinguished from lymphoid cells based on their different differentiation trajectories—Lymphoid cells (B and T cells) are usually born in the bone marrow, but they need to migrate to lymphoid organs to mature and differentiate usually in response to antigens produced due to infections and diseases like cancer. On the other hand, myeloid cells do not follow this differentiation trajectory. They arise from the bone marrow, and do not need an encounter with antigens to gain their functionality. Thus, while lymphoid cells are a part of the adaptive immune system, myeloid cells are a part of the innate immune system. Hematopoiesis gives rise to two progenitor cells—the common myeloid progenitor (CMP) and the common lymphoid progenitor (CLP). The CMP can give rise to megakaryocytes, erythrocytes, mast cells and myeloblasts. Myeloblasts in turn lead to the formation of basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes that can further differentiate into macrophages. This review will focus on macrophages as well as the phenotypes they acquire with the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). It will address how cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) recruit macrophages and may switch to recruiting neutrophils upon depletion of these tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Finally, it will also shed light on past and current treatment options that specifically target these cells and how those affect patient outcomes in TNBC

Role of surface nanocrystallization on corrosion properties of low carbon steel during surface mechanical attrition treatment

Surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) was carried out on low carbon steel (LCS) by varying ball size from 4 to 8 mm diameter. Present work studies the effect of ball size on the electrochemical behaviour of the LCS in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, using open circuit potential (OCP), impedance (EIS) and anodic polarization methods. The untreated LCS shows similar to 29 nm grain size, whereas after SMAT with 4 mm ball size exhibited remarkable reduction in grain size i.e., similar to 11 nm. Reduction in grain size was achieved due to the presence of highly densified mechanical twins after SMAT as well as the formation of dislocation tangles that rearrange themselves into nanocrystallites. These factors have a direct impact on the corrosion behaviour of SMATed LCS. The increase in corrosion potential (E-corr) towards positive side and a reduction of 93% in corrosion current density (i(corr)) value were observed after SMAT using 4 mm balls as compared to the untreated LCS. Remarkable improvement in corrosion resistance was due to grain refinement after SMAT processing, hindrance of the corrosive ion, increase in the activity of charge carriers at the interface between solution and substrate, and reduction in surface roughness. Nanocrystalline surface after SMAT effectively hindered the chloride infiltration into the substrate and resisted pit formation, thus the corrosion performance is improved

A review on impact of carbonated milk beverages on human health

Carbonated milk beverages are drinks produced by the fermentation process (addition of yeast) and carbonated by mechanical or physical method. Recent studies show the consumption of carbonated milk beverages are becoming popular due to their nutritional and therapeutic effects. Products like kefir, koumiss, carbonated probiotic drinks and sparkling milk. According to research kefir has different health benefits like gastrointestinal proliferation, anti-bacterial spectrum, an anti-carcinogenic effect due to the presence of lactic acid formed during fermentation. It is also good for those who are lactose intolerant because of the high B – galactosidase activity enzyme which helps break down lactose sugar. Koumiss is first used by Mongolian people to treat tuberculosis, ulcers and hepatitis. It is rich in vitamin C, A, E, D and antibiotics. Carbonated probiotic drinks help in maintaining cholesterol level because lactic acid hinders the growth of bacteria in the small intestine by attaching the hexagen. Carbonated blueberry flavoured milk helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, anti-inflammatory effects and some forms of cancer because blueberry is a source of vitamins, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds (anthocyanins)

Investigation of crystallinity, mechanical properties, fracture toughness and cell proliferation in plasma sprayed graphene nano platelets reinforced hydroxyapatite coating

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) (0, 1 wt% and 2 wt%) reinforced hydroxyapatite (HA), denoted by HA, HA-1G and HA-2G respectively, coatings were fabricated on titanium substrate (Ti-6Al-4V) through atmospheric plasma spraying. The major parameters such as porosity, crystallinity, mechanical properties, toughness and cell proliferation were manipulated by varying plasma power from 15 kW to 35 kW and content of GNPs. For the coating synthesized at all plasma power, GNPs were found to be retained by Raman spectroscopy. GNPs reinforcement has led to an improvement in the crystallinity of the composite coatings as compared to HA coatings. On the contrary to it, increase in plasma power from 15 kW to 35 kW resulted in decrease in crystallinity for all three individual coating. Further, Increment in plasma power from 15 kW to 35 kW delivered a significant enhancement in hardness, elastic modulus and fracture toughness up to 81%, 149% and 282% respectively for HA-1 wt% GNPs coating, while it improved to 20%, 50% and 173% respectively on the addition of 2 wt% GNPs in HA coating fabricated at 35 kW. Enhancement in hardness, elastic modulus and fracture toughness was due to three simultaneous reasons: (1) Reduction in porosity (2) Uniform dispersion of GNPs and (3) Toughening mechanism offered by GNPs. Further, the addition of GNPs showed a remarkable improvement in the rate of cell proliferation in the HA coating. A detailed discussion over the reasons behind every results have been made profoundly