Treatment challenges in an atypical presentation of tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU)

Purpose: To describe an atypical presentation of Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis (TINU), with challenges in treatment course. Observations: A 12-year-old Hispanic female presented to the National Eye Institute\u27s Uveitis clinic with bilateral blurred vision, red eyes and photophobia, not responsive to topical steroids. On exam, she had bilateral severe panuveitis with areas of subretinal fluid. During her evaluation, she was noted to have elevated serum creatinine. A kidney biopsy confirmed the presence of severe tubulointerstitial nephritis and interstitial fibrosis. She was treated with oral steroids with excellent resolution of symptoms and subretinal fluid. She continued to have anterior segment flares with attempts to taper oral prednisone which lead to treatment with multiple immunomodulatory agents. Associated hypertension and kidney damage complicated the choice of a secondary immunosuppressive agent. Conclusions and Importance: Although rare, TINU can present as panuveitis with choroidal involvement which may or may not be preceded by tubulointerstitial nephritis. A renal biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis, but abnormal urinalysis or renal function should raise suspicion for TINU. © 201

Potentially toxic element (PTEs) related health risk assessment from air conditioner filter dust in and around Chennai metropolitan

1078-1088We report the health risk assessment of air conditioner filter dust collected from different parts of Chennai city, Southern India, using geochemistry and magnetic properties as proxy. The particle size analysis indicates dust particles range from 0.5 μm to 955 μm and the dust grains falling in the range between 30 to 40 μm. The XRD results indicate that the dust samples contain magnetite, hematite, goethite, and trace elements. The hazard index (HI) of trace elements for child and adult determined in our study shows the probable risk for elements as: Cr > Pb > Ni > Cu > Zn. The daily exposure for inhalation [carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic LDDinh] and cancer risk for inhalation (CRinh) were showing high risk and health impact for Cr followed by Ni. It is suggested from the study that higher ventilation rate assisted by means of a mechanical system and use of air conditioners with regular cleaning can improve the living conditions in the Metropolitan areas

Effectiveness and safety of Levofloxacin containing regimen in the treatment of Isoniazid mono-resistant pulmonary Tuberculosis: a systematic review

BackgroundWe aimed to determine the effectiveness and safety of the Levofloxacin-containing regimen that the World Health Organization is currently recommending for the treatment of Isoniazid mono-resistant pulmonary Tuberculosis.MethodsOur eligible criteria for the studies to be included were; randomized controlled trials or cohort studies that focused on adults with Isoniazid mono-resistant tuberculosis (HrTB) and treated with a Levofloxacin-containing regimen along with first-line anti-tubercular drugs; they should have had a control group treated with first-line without Levofloxacin; should have reported treatment success rate, mortality, recurrence, progression to multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis. We performed the search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, Google Scholar, and Clinical trials registry. Two authors independently screened the titles/abstracts and full texts that were retained after the initial screening, and a third author resolved disagreements.ResultsOur search found 4,813 records after excluding duplicates. We excluded 4,768 records after screening the titles and abstracts, retaining 44 records. Subsequently, 36 articles were excluded after the full-text screening, and eight appeared to have partially fulfilled the inclusion criteria. We contacted the respective authors, and none responded positively. Hence, no articles were included in the meta-analysis.ConclusionWe found no “quality” evidence currently on the effectiveness and safety of Levofloxacin in treating HrTB.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022290333, identifier: CRD42022290333

Environmental DNA signatures distinguish between tsunami and storm deposition in overwash sand

AbstractSandy onshore deposits from tsunamis are difficult to distinguish from storm deposits, which makes it difficult to assess coastal hazards from the geological record. Here we analyse environmental DNA from microbial communities preserved in known tsunami and storm-deposited sediments and intercalating soils and non-marine sediments near Cuddalore, India, and Phra Thong Island, Thailand. Both sites were impacted by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and a subsequent storm flooding event (2011 Cyclone Thane at Cuddalore and a 2007 storm at Phra Thong Island). We show that the microbial communities in the overwash deposits are significantly different from soil and sediments that are not derived by overwash processes at both locations. Our method also successfully discriminates between modern tsunami deposits and storm deposits. We suggest molecular techniques have the potential to accurately discriminate overwash deposits from catastrophic natural events.</jats:p

Shoreline dynamics of Nagapattinam coast by natural intervening geomorphic system and artificial structures

65-73Shoreline changes are identified and analyzed using Geomatics techniques coupled with Digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS) for knowing the impacts on Nagapattinam coast. Shoreline change rates (m/yr) are estimated with respect to End point rate (EPR) and Linear regression rate (LRR) that depict considerable changes on the north and south side of intervening rivers and artificial structures on the adjacent shorelines (between 1991 and 2014). Present study explains the erosion observed at northern side of the Uppanaru river, Vettaru river and Seruthur river. Both erosion and accretion noticed on the northern side of the Vettaikaraniruppu river is discussed. This also indicates the drastic accretion noticed on northern side of the Karaikkal port and Nagapattinam port and examined the erosion at the southern side of both ports

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Muthupet Lagoon Using Geomatics Techniques

74-77Present study consists the spatio-temporal analysis of the stored information, using a Toposheet of 1970 as a reference surface. A drastic increase of the surface area of the lagoon has been observed between the years 1970 and 1991 (from 12.82 to 18.49km2 of the lagoon reference surface. While there was no sand bar found in lagoon (1970), the presence of mud flats were identified in the year 1991 and started increasing, reached its maximum areal extent (0.56km2) in 2015. Analysis result deterioration in the width of the lagoon mouth from 1.03km, 1991 to 0.80km, 2015