Distinguishing split supersymmetry in Higgs signals at the Large Hadron Collider

We examine the possibility of detecting signals of split supersymmetry in the loop-induced decay h --> gamma gamma of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider, where charginos, as surviving light fermions of the supersymmetric spectrum, can contribute in the loop. We perform a detailed study of uncertainties in various parameters involved in the analysis, and thus the net uncertainty in the standard model prediction of the rate. After a thorough scan of the parameter space, taking all constraints into account, we conclude that it will be very difficult to infer about split supersymmetry from Higgs signals alone.Comment: 22 pages, 14eps figures, LateX, Changes in the figures and minor modifications in the text. Final version to appear in Physical Review

Right-chiral sneutrinos and long-lived staus: event characteristics at the Large Hadron Collider

We investigate the signals of a supersymmetric scenario where the lighter tau-sneutrino is the lightest supersymmetric particle, while the lighter stau-state is the next lightest. We confirm that such a scenario can be motivated within the framework of minimal supergravity, with just the addition of a right-chiral neutrino superfield. Such a spectrum leads to rather unusual signals of supersymmetry, showing stable tracks of the stau in the muon chambers. We have studied two types of signals, namely, (a) two or more hard jets and two stau tracks, and (b) hard jets with two muons and two stau tracks. We demonstrate that the stau tracks can be distinguished from the muonic ones through proper kinematic cuts which also enable one to remove all standard model backgrounds.Comment: Latex2E, 18 pages, 8 eps figures included (To appear in Phys.Rev. D

Analysis of cesarean deliveries in a tertiary hospital as per Robson ten group classification system

Background: Cesarean section is the most commonly performed surgery in the department of gynecology. However, it has its own merits and demerits which affect the mother and the baby in the present as well as subsequent pregnancies. There is a rising trend of cesarean deliveries not only in India but worldwide. So, there is a dire need to audit these cesarean sections and make necessary recommendations accordingly to curb the rising incidence of cesarean deliveries in near future. Hence, the present study analysed the leading groups contributing to high cesarean rates at a tertiary hospital of Armed Forces using Robson ten group classification.Methods: This study was conducted in a Tertiary Hospital of Armed Forces at Chandigarh. All patients who delivered in this hospital between January 2016 to December 2018 were included in this study as per the Robson ten group classification.Results: number of patients who delivered during the time period January 2016 to December 2018 was 3136. Number of patients who delivered vaginally during the same period was 1865. Number of patients who delivered through cesarean section were 1271. Group 5 was the leading contributor to cesarean deliveries followed by groups 2 and 4 subsequently. However, there was significant contribution by group10 to the list.Conclusions: Groups 5, 2 and 4 are the leading contributors to cesarean sections at our institute. So, author need to introspect the labour room protocols and change our norms especially about fetal distress based on CTG monitoring and perform versions in mal-presentations if not contra-indicated to reduce cesarean section rates in near future. Even rising rates of cesarean section in elderly primis, patients conceived after infertility treatment and increasing trends of cesarean delivery on maternal request needs to be checked to reduce the rates of primary cesarean sections

PRES, a diagnostic dilemma in pregnancy: three case series with unusual presentation

Authors report a series of three cases of unusual presentation of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in pregnancy. First patient, 29 years old G2P1L1, who was a booked case at our hospital, presented with complain of no fetal movement perception for 3 days at 27 weeks of period of gestation. No history of hypertension and even no record of hypertension after admission. On USG detected to have severe early onset IUGR and AEDF in Umbilical artery doppler. Went in to spontaneous labor and delivered vaginally a preterm neonate of birth weight of 740 gms at 27 weeks 06 days of period of gestation. Postpartum period was uneventful till day four and on day five of postpartum she developed severe headache and seizure. MRI done which was suggestive of PRES. Second patient 27 years old primi gravida with 37 weeks 01 day, booked at our hospital with regular ANC visit brought with history of headache, vomiting with semi-conscious state with diminution of vision till finger count only. She developed seizure thrice while examination. Antenatal period was uneventful with no history of hypertension. Underwent emergency LSCS on same day and delivered a 2.8 kg healthy female neonate. Patient treated as a case of eclampsia and later MRI findings were suggestive of PRES. Third patient 19 years old primigravida booked ANC case at another hospital. She underwent emergency LSCS at 39 weeks POG for fetal distress at same hospital. Antenataly no history of hypertension or any other co-morbidity. On fourth post-op day, she developed headache and vomiting followed by one episode of seizure and after initial management she transferred to our hospital for further management. When we received patient, she was on Magsulph infusion considering postnatal eclampsia. We managed with Inj Lorazepam 2 mg intravenous and later with Inj Levetiracitam. Final diagnosis has been made as PRES after MRI and MRV brain. We found very atypical presentation of all three cases with difficulty in diagnosis and challenging management, so we are reporting these cases

Maternal and neonatal outcome of twin pregnancies with single fetal demise

 Background: In current study we managed twin pregnancies having single fetal demise with a successful outcome. Generally monochorionic and monoamniotic pregnancies are having high probability of complications, so we have to be more watchful in these pregnancies. Termination of pregnancy is not the only option as we can manage and prolong pregnancies with a good outcome by strict monitoring of patients. Aim of our study was to look for fetomaternal outcome in twin pregnancies with single fetal demise.Methods: This is a retrospective study done between July 2017 to June 2020 at Command hospital, Panchkula, Haryana. Total 3249 deliveries have been conducted during above said period. Out of which 47 deliveries were having twin pregnancy. We had six twin pregnancies who reported with one fetal demise. These cases were managed with regular monitoring of coagulation profile and strict fetal surveillance for surviving twin. The cases were studied for antenatal, postnatal and any neonatal complication.Results: No antenatal, postnatal maternal or any neonatal complication observed in this study. During study period we delivered total 3249 patients, out of which 47 were twin pregnancy. Out of these 47 (1.44%) twins’ pregnancies 33 (70.31%) were DADC and 14 (29.69%) DAMC. We studied six twin pregnancies who had single fetal demise. Conclusions: Even with single fetal demise pregnancies can be continued till term with strict monitoring for maternal and fetal complications. Termination is not the only answer in twin pregnancies with single fetal demise. Although our study was small, it indicates that in case of twin pregnancy with single fetal death and under good surveillance, the live fetus can be salvaged.

Fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digit

Fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digitis a very rare benign lesion however it may be a cause of concern as it forms differential diagnosis to aggressive bone forming tumors like extraskeletal osteosarcoma. Till date only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We came across a case of  7yr old female presented with complains of  post traumatic progressively growing hard swelling present on the palmar surface of the hand at the hypothenar region for last 6 months. Investigations i.e. X-rays, MRI and CT scan were done along with other blood investigations to rule out other common diseases such as exostosis or myositis ossificance or extraskeletal osteosarcoma. Excisional biopsy of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digit.

Validation of Ponseti method for clubfoot deformity correction

Background: Idiopathic Congenital Talipes Equino-Varus (CTEV) is a complex deformity of foot that is difficult to treat. The goal of treatment is to gain a functional, pain free, plantigrade foot, with good mobility and without callosities. Currently, the most accepted and popular method is the Ponseti method which allows correction of all components of CTEV by manipulation and serial casting without any major surgical intervention. This prospective study was done in a tertiary care centre to statistically assess the efficacy of Ponseti method.Methods: We treated 150 children (210 feet) with idiopathic clubfoot deformity, using Ponseti technique. The severity of foot deformities were assessed by Pirani scoring system and were also recorded clinically, radiologically and podographically. The changes in the mean Catterall-Pirani scores at different follow ups were evaluated statistically.Results: The mean number of casts that were applied to obtain correction was 7.86 (range 5 to 11 casts). Percutaneous tendoachilles tenotomy was done in 70% of feet. All children were given foot abduction orthosis after the correction. The results were graded according to Ponseti and Smoley criteria. Good results were obtained in 83% of feet, acceptable results in 7% of feet and poor results in 10% of cases. Statistically significant correction was achieved in manipulation and casting stage which was maintained during bracing phase. The recurrences of the deformity were primarily due to poor compliance in the use of orthosis in post correction phase.Conclusion: The Ponseti method of correction is a safe and effective treatment for congenital idiopathic clubfoot and radically decreases the need for extensive corrective surgery. Non-compliance with orthotics is the main factor causing relapse of the deformity.

Effect of different thickeners on quality assurance and consumer preferences in tomato ketchup

The acceptability of tomato ketchup is dependent on desired mouth feel and acceptable sourness. The acceptable tomato ketchup can be developed with 2.75% corn flour, 7 and 10% of cooked pumpkin and bottle gourd and 0.4% CMC along with 1.5% acidity as acetic acid based on RSM. The vegetable based thickener of bottle gourd and pumpkin in manufacture of tomato ketchup yielded maximum serum separation of 2.2-3.0 ml while negligible serum separation was obtained in tomato ketchup with corn flour and CMC stabilizer. Tomato ketchup with vegetable based thickener of bottle gourd and pumpkin contained maximum (40.17- 57.08 and 41.75-51.79 mg/100g) ascorbic acid, respectively among all the formulations

Metabolomics-Driven Mining of Metabolite Resources:Applications and Prospects for Improving Vegetable Crops

Vegetable crops possess a prominent nutri-metabolite pool that not only contributes to the crop performance in the fields, but also offers nutritional security for humans. In the pursuit of identifying, quantifying and functionally characterizing the cellular metabolome pool, biomolecule separation technologies, data acquisition platforms, chemical libraries, bioinformatics tools, databases and visualization techniques have come to play significant role. High-throughput metabolomics unravels structurally diverse nutrition-rich metabolites and their entangled interactions in vegetable plants. It has helped to link identified phytometabolites with unique phenotypic traits, nutri-functional characters, defense mechanisms and crop productivity. In this study, we explore mining diverse metabolites, localizing cellular metabolic pathways, classifying functional biomolecules and establishing linkages between metabolic fluxes and genomic regulations, using comprehensive metabolomics deciphers of the plant’s performance in the environment. We discuss exemplary reports covering the implications of metabolomics, addressing metabolic changes in vegetable plants during crop domestication, stage-dependent growth, fruit development, nutri-metabolic capabilities, climatic impacts, plant-microbe-pest interactions and anthropogenic activities. Efforts leading to identify biomarker metabolites, candidate proteins and the genes responsible for plant health, defense mechanisms and nutri-rich crop produce are documented. With the insights on metabolite-QTL (mQTL) driven genetic architecture, molecular breeding in vegetable crops can be revolutionized for developing better nutritional capabilities, improved tolerance against diseases/pests and enhanced climate resilience in plants