Assessment of health related quality of life in patients with cervical dystonia and writer’s cramp

Background: There is paucity of literature regarding data about clinical and demographic factors affecting HRQoL with assessment with validated specific tool in patients with CD and WC especially from India.Methods: Demographic, clinical details, SF-36 and BDI score were noted in included patients. CD and WC severity scale were assessed by TWSTRS and BFM scale respectively. Disease specific quality of life in patients with CD was assessed by CDQ-24.Results: All 32 patients with CD scored significantly worse in all the eight domains of the SF-36. Patients with CD had significantly worse (mean BDI 12.14±6.7 versus 5.09±4.8; P<0.001) score. In CD group 15.62% have no depression, while 34.37% had mild and 34.37% had moderate to severe depression. Patients with CD had significantly worse CDQ-24 score (mean 50.96±20.47 versus 6.89±6.33); (P<0.001). TWSTRS score had negative correlation with BDI and CDQ-24. All 60 patients with WC scored significantly worse in all domains of the SF-36 except 3 domain physical functioning (p =0.80), bodily pain (p=0.122) and vitality (p=0.97).Among WC patients 45% have no depression, 21.67% had mild and 23.35% had moderate to severe depression. BFM had significant negative correlation with all SF-36 subscale except role emotional (p=0.059).Conclusions: Patients with CD and WC suffered from significant impairment in HRQoL with moderate to severe depression .The validated specific scale provides further evidence for profound impact of above mentioned dystonias on physical, psychological and social aspect of quality of life.

Spectrum of neurological disorders in pregnancy in a neurology clinic in eastern Uttar Pradesh

Background: Pregnancy-induced endocrinal and physiological changes increase the risk of neuropathy and musculoskeletal problems in pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive look at the neurological and musculoskeletal disorders occurring during pregnancy.Methods: A total of 202 antenatal women with neurological and musculoskeletal problems were enrolled for study. Their demographic characteristics were noted. Detailed clinical history and neurological examination was done. Radiological investigations including x-ray, CT head, MRI brain, MRA, MR Venography with electrophysiological NCS studies were performed accordingly.Results: Among musculoskeletal symptoms most prevalent was LBA (50%), cramps (15.7 %) followed by pelvic girdle pain (10%) and wrist pain (8,5). Among peripheral neurological disorders most common was CTS (12.37%) followed by bells palsy. Among Central neurological disorders most common was headache (26.23%), seizures (12.37%), eclampsia (2.47%), followed by Cortical venous thrombosis CVT, BIH, PRES.Conclusions: Among musculoskeletal complaints the most frequent symptoms during pregnancy were low back pain, hip joint pain, cramps and wrist pain. Among neuropathies CTS prevalence was relatively higher in pregnant women especially in third trimester and was mostly bilateral. Among central neurological symptoms headache especially migraine without aura and seizures were common while eclampsia, CVT, BIH, PRES were less common

SCALE MODEL EXPERIMENTS AND NUMERICAL STUDY ON A STEEL TEEMING PROCESS

During the teeming process of molten steel from a ladle, a bathtub-type vortex may be formed in the ladle. The vortex entrains undesired slag on the surface into the tundish, lowering the quality. The formation of such vortices has been studied using two different scale models. Since the kinematic viscosity of water is similar to that of molten steel, the molten steel was simulated by water in the experiments. The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was used to measure water flow patterns. Results show that the initial tangential velocity of water is responsible for the vortex formation. The effects of Reynolds and Froude numbers on the vortex formation were investigated and Froude number was found to be the dominant pi-number. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling was also conducted to simulate the vortex formation with good agreement with the experiments

SOIL TEST BASED FERTILIZATION RECOMMENDATIONS OF ECONOMICS AND NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF MUSTARD ON INCEPTISOL

During the winter (Rabi) season of 2019-20, the experiment was conducted in a farmer's field in the village of Loharapur, Varanasi, to investigate the impact of nutrient management technologies in alluvial soil with farmyard manure and various levels of inorganic fertilizers under mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Based on the STCR target yield idea, the use of plant nutrients has achieved mustard (18.0 q ha-1) and (22.0 q ha-1) outputs (soil test crop response technology). The test results indicated that the target yields were reached within + 5% of site modifications, confirming the validity of the formulae used to prescribe integrated mortar fertilizer dosages. For RDF, the highest production increases of 22 q ha-1 (37, 60%), followed by 18 q ha-1 were recorded (12.05 percent). The maximum cost-effectiveness and profit rate of 22.00 q ha-1 was the result. Organic carbon content is positive and significantly connected to the activity of the enzyme. As a consequence, the combination of NPK and FYM has been more successful in improving the productivity of rice aimed at 18 q ha-1, 22 q ha-1, and soil nutritional status than a single application of FYM or chemical fertilizer. Significant net benefits of mustard at the site (Rs 55,190.00 and Rs 38,583.00) in the treatment of plant nutrient levels in the soil test; (STCR treatment). Though fertilization enhanced mustard production above control, it was reported that using NPK and FYM together was more successful than using them alone in increasing mustard productivity

Retrospective study on socio-demographic factors responsible for acceptance of IUCD among postpartum women

Background: Despite the availability of modern and scientific measures, unacceptably high numbers of maternal deaths still occur in developing countries. Spacing methods of family planning may avoid maternal and infant deaths. The Government of India launched postpartum IUCD (PPIUCD) services in the year 2000; although acceptance of Postpartum IUCD is a real concern.Methods: The retrospective study was conducted in rural government hospital in Maharashtra during 2016 - 2017. We analyzed sociodemographic variables and acceptance of Postpartum IUCD among postpartum women. The sample size was 595 (N=595). The sociodemographic factors studied included age, type of delivery, sex of newborn, socioeconomic status, educational status, etc.Results: The total postpartum women included in the study was 595, out of which, 202 (34%) accepted for postpartum IUCD whereas 393 (66%) rejected for the same. The most common age group was 20-25 years (65%), followed by age group 25-30 years (30%). Primipara was the comment group (45%) and normal vaginal delivery was common (95%). The educational status of both, the postpartum women and their husband, showed statistically significant association with acceptance of postpartum IUCD (p<0.05).Conclusions: The acceptance Postpartum IUCD was low (34%). The women’s and their husband’s educational status is an important factor in acceptance of Postpartum IUCD (p<0.05). Due attention should be given to enhancing educational level of women, also effective counselling both for pregnant woman and her husband during ANC is required

Physiological impact of heat stress and their alleviation measures in agriculture: A review

Abiotic stresses are becoming more prevalent in modern agriculture as a result of shifting climate scenarios. Elevated temperature stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses to address since it has detrimental consequences for plant physiology, molecular structure, and phenology. The morphological impact occurs in the form of reduced germination, poor emergence, poor seedling vigor, abnormal seedling. Heat stress also results in the closure of stomata, reduced leaf size and consequent increase in stomatal density. One of the major physiological impacts of heat stress is on the fluidity of the membrane structure of the plant cell. Heat stress leads to increased fluidity of the thylakoid membrane and disruption of metabolic functions, which either deliver or accept electrons from PSII and, thus, cause dislodging of PSII from thylakoid membrane. The respiration generally increases in the temperature range of 0-35/ 40⁰C, reaches plateau at 40-50⁰C and decreases beyond 50⁰C due to damage to the respiratory mechanism. Elevated temperature directly impacts the cellular water content and indirectly through the increased water depletion rate from the soil. In order to design the appropriate corrective actions, it is crucial to research all the factors leading to heat stress thoroughly. The traditional agronomic and breeding interventions are crucial, but the rising food demand and the intensifying heat stress call for some cutting-edge biotechnological interventions, such as transgenics, genome editing, and CRISPR/cas9, to induce genome-level heat tolerance. The present review deals in detail with each of the previously listed aspects.