Magnetic properties of polypyrrole - coated iron oxide nanoparticles

Iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by sol -gel process. Insitu polymerization of pyrrole monomer in the presence of oxygen in iron oxide ethanol suspension resulted in a iron oxide - polypyrrole nanocomposite. The structure and magnetic properties were investigated for varying pyrrole concentrations. The presence of the gamma - iron oxide phase and polypyrrole were confirmed by XRD and FTIR respectively. Agglomeration was found to be comparatively much reduced for the coated samples, as shown by TEM. AC susceptibility measurements confirmed the superparamagnetic behaviour. Numerical simulations performed for an interacting model system are performed to estimate the anisotropy and compare favourably with experimental results.Comment: 11 pages,8 figure

Incidence of respiratory infections and its correlation with smoke exposure among infants from an urban field practice area in Tamil Nadu

Background: Children’s acute lower respiratory infections are most prevalent among new-born. Clinical evaluation and symptoms help to establish the connection between smoke exposure and acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI). Furthermore, there is proof that exposing children to coal smoke considerably increases their risk of developing ARTI. Aims and Objectives: This study was designed to estimate the incidence of respiratory tract infection (RTI) among selected cohort of infants in urban field practice area of Tamil Nadu and to correlate the incidence of RTIs with smoke practices. Materials and Methods: In Tamil Nadu’s urban field practice area, a cohort study of infants was done. A house-to-house survey was conducted and information was gathered among 150 newborns who were tracked after being selected as a period sample based on inclusion criteria at a 15* visit. Numerous data on ARI episodes, housing circumstances, and smoke exposure were gathered and correlated. Software such as Epi info and SPSS version 22 were used to analye data. Results: The incidence of TI was calculated to be 1.7 episodes per 100 person days and 4.7 on average among the 150 newborns chosen. Nearly 48% of people lived in huts, 84% had indoor kitchens, and 75% cooked with gas. Infants who appeared to regularly be exposed to passive smoking have a little increase in the incidence of mean RTI bouts. Conclusion: The additional hospital admissions, which are entirely preventable, place a heavy load on the public health system. It is evident that new initiatives are required to stop infants from being exposed to passive smoke during and after pregnancy. Improving international Electrotechnical commission activities play an active role is reducing incidence of RTIs among infants. Intensified educational interventions on ill effects of indoor and outdoor smoke, passive smoking helps in addressing the issue

A case of virilising steroid cell tumour of ovary

A middle aged female patient presented to our Gynaec OPD with acute onset of virilising symptoms and vague abdominal pain. The patient’s biochemical values were normal except for a raised serum testosterone level and a raised CA125 level. Ultrasound and Computed tomography revealed an ovarian mass with mild ascites that appeared to be a yellowish solid ovarian tumour on gross examination. Microscopic examination showed a neoplasm composed of medium sized cells with clear cytoplasm and some with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. The diagnosis of Benign steroid cell tumour of ovary, not otherwise specified (NOS-type) was made. The case is presented for its rarity

Clozapine re-challenge under the cover of Filgrastim

Rechallenge with clozapine, despite a history of clozapine-induced neutropenia is considered in patients with a good response to the drug in the past, for whom no other treatments are effective, and in cases where the risks of withholding treatment are greater than the risks of rechallenge. Dyscrasias that occur during rechallenge are reportedly earlier in onset and longer lasting. Strategies advocated during rechallenge include frequent monitoring of white blood counts, the use of lithium or Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factors. We report a case of a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who developed neutropenia with clozapine as a result of which the drug was discontinued. However poor response to other first and second-generation antipsychotic medication and the persisting risk of harm to himself and others necessitated the reconsideration of clozapine. The patient was re-challenged with clozapine under the cover of Filgrastim, a Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor