A cross sectional study on the frequency of thyroid disorders in pregnancy and the asssociated obstetric complications

Background: Thyroid disorders have a yet unclear impact on obstetric complications. The studies have been varied and mostly contradictory. The aim of the study was to examine the pattern of thyroid disorders and its obstetric complications. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 334 pregnant women of less than 12 weeks of gestation.  After routine clinical and ultrasound evaluation of all cases, all baseline investigations and TSH was done. In all cases with low TSH free T3 and free T4 was done. All patients were followed up till delivery and the obstetric events were recorded. The data collected were analysed using chi-square test. Results: Of the 334 enrolled the data on pregnancy related events were available for 276 patients. Subclinical hypothyroidism was detected in 10.1% of the population while 3.6% were having overt (clinical) hypothyroidism. Anaemia was more in subclinical hypothyroidism (39.3%) and overt hypothyroidism (40%). Pre-eclampsia was seen 17.85% with subclinical hypothyroidism and 30% with overt hypothyroidism. Eclampsia was seen in 3.7% of subclinical hypothyroidism and 10% of clinical hypothyroidism. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was more in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (25%) and overt hypothyroidism (20%). Oligohydramnios and IUGR were higher in the subclinical hypothyroidism (21.42%, 10.7%) and overt hypothyroidism (20%, 10%).  There was no difference between the euthyroid, subclinical hypothyroidism and overt hypothyroidism groups with respect to any of the other variables. Conclusions: There was a high frequency of thyroid disorders among pregnant women in our study and this had adverse obstetric consequences

Distributed Computation of Connected Dominating Set for Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

AbstractIn large wireless multi-hop networks, routing is a main issue as they include many nodes that span over relatively a large area. In such a scenario, finding smallest set of dominant nodes for forwarding packets would be a good approach for better communication. Connected dominating set (CDS) computation is one of the method to find important nodes in the network. As CDS computation is an NP problem, several approximation algorithms are available but these algorithms have high message complexity. This paper discusses the design and implementation of a distributed algorithm to compute connected dominating sets in a wireless network with the help of network spectral properties. Based on local neighborhood, each node in the network finds its ego centric network. To identify dominant nodes, it uses bridge centrality value of ego centric network. A distributed algorithm is proposed to find nodes to connect dominant nodes which approximates CDS. The algorithm has been applied on networks with different network sizes and varying edge probability distributions. The algorithm outputs 40% important nodes in the network to form back haul communication links with an approximation ratio ≤ 0.04 * ∂ + 1, where ∂ is the maximum node degree. The results confirm that the algorithm contributes to a better performance with reduced message complexity

IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS MEDIATED SILVER NANOPARTICLES AGAINST URINARY TRACT PATHOGENS

Objective: The objective of the present study is to synthesize green mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Plectranthus amboinicus leaf extract and to evaluate its antibacterial activity against selected urinary tract infection (UTI) causing bacteria. Methods: Phytoconstituents present in leaf extract of P. amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng were analyzed by standard qualitative tests. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by visual inspection, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of synthesized AgNPs was examined against the UTI pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of AgNPs were carried out by broth dilution method and standard plate count method, respectively. Results: Synthesized AgNPs exhibited a spherical shape with an average size of 17.3 nm. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs against tested bacterial pathogens showed a maximum inhibition zone of 22.00±1.00 mm against P. aeruginosa. The bacterial growth inhibition was confirmed by MIC and MBC. Conclusion: P. amboinicus leaf extract mediated AgNPs could be used as an effective antibacterial agent for the management of UTIs. Surface modifications of urinary catheters with AgNPs may prevent the risk of contamination and the associated infections

Fertility outcomes in microdissection testicular sperm extraction for non-obstructive azoospermia

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate outcome of micro dissection testicular sperm extraction (micro TESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for treatment of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Methods: We retrospectively analysed data of 96 consecutive patients with clinical NOA who were treated with micro TESE by single surgeon, between January 2022 and December 2022, in Lifeline superspeciality hospital Adoor, Kerela. Embryological and clinical outcomes were demonstrated based on ICSI-IVF cycles using fresh or frozen sperms, different etiologies of NOA and various counts of sperms retrieved. Results: 96 men underwent micro TESE and 72.9% (70/96) of them had sperms retrieved. ICSI performed in 64 couples. Of those, 41 reached the stage of embryo transfer (ET). Of the couples who underwent embryo transferred, 18 (43%) resulted in biochemical pregnancies and 7 (17%) clinical pregnancies. There was a significant difference in the testicular volume and serum FSH levels between micro-TESE positive and negative groups (p=0.000). Retrieval rates were higher in group of men with normal testicular volume and FSH<12. Clinical pregnancy rate was around 11% in couples who had sperms retrieved by micro TESE. The sperm retrieval rates were higher in men with age <40 years. Similarly younger the female age more was the pregnancy rate. Out of various etiologies idiopathic NOA and Klinefelter syndrome had better sperm retrieval rate in our study which was statistically significant. Total fertilization rate and blasts rates were 79.7% and 51.6% out of ICSI. Conclusions: Microdissection testicular sperm extraction is an effective treatment for NOA with higher rate of sperm retrieval and pregnancy rate. The increasing success rates over several years indicate the importance of surgical skill and laboratory staff experience

Prevalence and burden of adenomyosis in hysterectomy specimens for benign abnormal uterine bleeding in a tertiary care institute in Pondicherry, India

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is one of the most common presenting complaints encountered by women in reproductive age group. An estimated 60% of visits to a physician’s office are from women seeking treatment for menstrual problems. The aim was to assess the burden and prevalence of adenomyosis among hysterectomy specimens for benign causes of AUB in tertiary care institute in Pondicherry.Methods: In this retrospective study, records were retrieved of the patients and pathological specimens of consecutive 184 hysterectomies for benign abnormal uterine bleeding done between May 2007 and May 2008. Patient characteristics were retrieved, and the frequency of adenomyosis in this group was determined.Results: A total of 184 hysterectomies were indicated for benign causes of abnormal uterine bleeding - 50 (23.8%) for fibroid, 119 (55.66%,) for adenomyosis, 15 (7.14%) for dysfunctional uterine bleeding, endometrial hyperplasia and others, other than for malignant causes. Age range 33-55 years, mean age was 43.62 years among adenomyosis patientsConclusions: Adenomyosis was diagnosed in 119 (55.66 %) of the benign AUB specimens. Adenomyosis is a frequent cause for failed conservative management culminating in hysterectomy, posing risk to health related quality of life of women with a bearing on emotional, physical, psychosocial, economic issues and family life

A retrospective study of the clinical features of 50 consecutive cases diagnosed to have adenomyosis by histopathology in hysterectomy specimens in a tertiary centre

Background: Adenomyosis is characterised by the presence of ectopic endometrium, both glands and stroma deep in myometrium. Myometrial weakness caused by previous surgery or pregnancies, genetic factors, and tamoxifen use has been proposed as some aetiological factors.Methods: Present study aims to study the clinical profile of patients who have histological evidence of adenomyosis in hysterectomy specimens. The records of consecutive patients who had undergone hysterectomy were analysed.Results: The commonest age group affected is 41-50 years and menorrhagia is the predominant symptom.  The preoperative diagnosis of adenomyosis remains poor at around 8%.Conclusions: The age of onset and clinical features of patients should serve as an index for suspecting adenomyosis

Reproductive traits, dynamics of oogenesis and embryonic developments in the deep-sea shrimp Plesionika semilaevis from the southeastern Arabian sea

Reproductive traits are a crucial biological indicator of a population's resistance to anthropogenic and environmental pressures. The reproductive biology of Plesionika species from temperate and sub-tropical regions is relatively well known. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding the species' reproduction and life strategies in tropical waters like the Indian Ocean. This paper covers the reproductive period, ovarian and embryonic development, embryo size, brood size and size at sexual maturity of Plesionika semilaevis, a commercially important species from the tropical waters of the southeastern Arabian Sea. Histological analysis revealed asynchronous oocyte development with multiple oocyte stages present in each ovary sample, although with varying proportions. Maturation of the ovary was seen during the embryo incubation phase, which indicates that females are able to spawn several times during a reproductive cycle. A total of 1802 females of P. semilaevis were examined and sorted into ovigerous and non-ovigerous stages, and the embryos were divided into four stages of development. Although ovigerous females were present in every month's samples, the main reproductive season is from November to February, as evidenced by the larger percentage of ovigerous females during this time. Based on the percentage of embryos in various stages, the spawning and hatching periods were estimated to be December to February and March to May, respectively. Embryo size increased with the developmental stage (p = 0) but was independent of body size (p > 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between brood size and female body size in all four stages of embryo development but, as the embryos developed a significant decrease in brood size was noticed. Based on the size at which 50% of the females had matured ovaries and 50% were ovigerous, the size at sexual maturity, CL50ov and CL50em, was calculated to be 15.51 mm and 15.07 mm in carapace length, respectively. The brood size ranged from 2093 to 12887 embryos with a mean size of 0.51 × 0.40 mm following spawning and 0.66 × 0.50 mm prior to hatching

New records of decapod crustaceans from the Arabian Sea, southwest coast of India

Deep-sea lobster Polycheles typhlops Heller, 1862 and two squat lobsters Munidopsis scobina Alcock, 1894 and Paramunida bineeshi Macpherson, Chan, Kumar and Rodriguez-Flores, 2020 belonging to the family Polychelidae, Munidopsidae and Munididae respectively forms the new records from the Arabian sea along the southwest coast of India. Samples were obtained from the commercial bottom trawlers at a depth of 200–300 m operated off Sakthikulangara fishing harbour (8°56’60.78” N / 76°32’34.27” E) from the Arabian Sea, Kerala, India, from January to December 2020. DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis with mitochondrial gene sequencing were used to explore the genetic distances within the genera Polycheles, Munidopsis and Paramunida revealing high interspecies genetic divergence

Occurrence of deep-water spider crab Paramaya mulli Ng, Prema & Ravichandran, 2018 from the Southwest coast of India

This study documents the occurrence of deep-water spider crab, Paramaya mulli, along the Southwest coast of India. Initially described in 2018 from Tamil Nadu on the east coast, this species was subsequently noted in 2020 in Gujarat on the west coast. The specimen was retrieved from by-catch discarded by commercial fishing trawlers at Sakthikulangara fishing harbour off Kollam, Kerala. Identification as Paramaya mulli was established through a combination of morphological and molecular data. Both 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences from the current specimen were compared with the NCBI sequences of previously identified specimens. Phylogenetic analysis, using mitochondrial gene sequences (16S: OQ456467, OQ456468) from the present specimen and sequences obtained from NCBI GenBank, was conducted to elucidate the relationships of genus Paramaya

Probabilistic seismic safety analysis of multi-component systems

The seismic safety of a nuclear power plant (NPP) is assessed based on the reliable functioning of the entire plant. To control the safety functions, the NPP is divided into several systems based on the functional or structural units. A commonly used method for seismic safety analysis is the Seismic Probabilistic Safety Assessment (SPSA). In SPSA, classical event trees and fault trees are used to perform the system analysis or the accident sequence analysis for the plant. In the fault tree, the structural and functional couplings among the components within a system or subsystem are represented using the logic gates ’AND’ or ’OR’, which are not capable of effectively representing the interaction among the components in a system. An alternative method for system analysis, capable of generating system or subsystem fragility curves, including the interaction among the components called the multidimensional fragility analysis, is proposed in this thesis. The method is based on the multidimensional performance limit state approach. As opposed to the fault tree analysis, where the component fragilities are combined to derive the system fragility, in the multidimensional fragility analysis method, the system fragility curves are generated by combining the probabilistic responses of the components and their limit states. The definition of the system performance limit state allows to include the interaction of the responses of the components. The proposed method can be incorporated into the fault tree analysis software programs. The proposed multidimensional fragility method uses the response surface method (RSM) for the probabilistic analysis as opposed to generally used Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) to improve computational efficiency. The method is also extended to account for degradation and aging in structure and components, since the structural aging causes brittle failure of the structure or components, compared to that of the predicted failure of the structure or the system. To apply and validate the proposed method, an example system is presented. For this, a reinforced concrete test structure, tested in the international benchmark study, SMART 2013, is selected. To this model, nonstructural components such as pipes and emergency generator are added, forming an example system. For the validation of the multidimensional fragility analysis method, the system fragility curves generated are compared with that generated using fault tree with ’OR’ gate. A comparison of the fragility curves for the chosen example system using different interaction factors shows a decrease in the median capacity with a decrease in the interaction factors values. This implies that the interaction factors have a significant influence on the system fragility curves