Study of uterine artery embolization: a newer modality in secondary PPH

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage remains a major cause of both maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. This study reflects the clinical outcomes including clinical effectiveness, and safety of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of obstetrical uterine hemorrhage at a tertiary-care hospital, in terms of secondary PPH.Methods: The data were collected as a retrospective study from SAMC and PGI obstetric and gynecology department 12 women with secondary pph were included in the study.Results: With the use of uterine artery embolization 12 women were successfully treated amongst them maximum patients were in 26-35 yrs of age and mean age of women were 32.4yrs and gravidity of patients presenting with pph is 3 or more.Conclusions: Selective UAE is a safe and effective method to control obstetric hemorrhage. Blood product requirements after UAE were low, and the surgical risks and absolute loss of fertility associated with hysterectomy were avoided

Use of medicinal plants in traditional health care practices: A case study in Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda District, Punjab (India)

A comprehensive study was conducted to document the available medicinal plants and their traditional applications among the local people from July 2018 to June 2019 in Talwandi Sabo town of Bathinda District of Punjab. Purposive sampling method was used to select traditional medicinal practitioners of the study area. A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and personal interviews were conducted to gather firsthand information about ethno-medicinal plants. Analysis of data revealed the use of 88 medicinal plant species belonging to 77 genera and 42 families for the treatment of about 60 ailments. The highest number of plants were used for gastrointestinal problems, skin problems followed by respiratory diseases, skeletomuscular diseases and dental problems. Traditional healers are still playing a great role in the primary health care system of Talwandi Sabo. Some practitioners were ensuring the 100% results of their formulations against many serious diseases. Further, the scientific validation of these formulations should be done for getting new alternative medicines against these diseases

MOOCs to Bridge the Multilevel Digital Divide

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) play a significant role in proliferating universal online education regardless of learners’ limitations and backgrounds. Regrettably, the MOOC movement has been challenged by the inequality in accessing essential digital technologies, known as the digital divide. Research has identified multiple forms of digital divide beyond the binary access difference. The evolving forms of the digital divide have been induced in MOOCs due to the access, skill, and outcomes gap, which drives a digital divide cycle. The concept of the multilevel digital divide in MOOCs is a rising concern that demands thoughtful actions by MOOCs stakeholders. This book chapter discusses the intertwined multilevel digital divide and MOOCs and proposes potential solutions to break the digital divide cycle and bridge the gap. Additionally, current MOOCs platforms have digital accessibility issues that hinder learners with disabilities from participating and can result in further inequalities. In order to address the accessibility issues, this chapter describes the application of web content accessibility guidelines and universal design for learning concepts that may assist associated people with MOOCs to bridge the digital divide and promote equitable MOOCs

Viscometric and Rheological Behaviour of Chitosan-Hydrophilic Polymer Blends

Blends of chitosan with hydrophilic polymers were investigated for miscibility. Chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) (CS/PVA), chitosan/poly vinylpyrollidone (CS/PVP) and chitosan/poly (ethylene oxide) (CS/PEO) blends were prepared in dilute aqueous acetic acid ( = 1 %) and found to be miscible over the entire composition range by dilute solution viscosity and rheological measurements. The miscibility of blends by viscosity measurements at 25 ± 0.1 C was estimated on the basis of experimental and ideal values of miscibility parameters bm, and μ. The rheological studies were performed on blends of mass fraction w = 2 % in dilute aqueous acetic acid ( = 1 %) at 25 ±0.1 C in controlled rate mode. The flow curves of blends and viscosities were found to lie between those of principal components of the blend over the entire compositional range. The flow behaviour index of blends was determined by the Power law model, indicating pseudoplastic behaviour with pseudoplasticity increasing with CS mass concentration. The rheological data of blends was best described by the Cross model. Results from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy also indicate the blends to be miscible

Cooperative game theory based peer to peer energy trading algorithm

The energy sector is undergoing a paradigm shift to integrate the increasing volume of embedded renewable energy generation and creating local energy communities or LECs that have been an essential component in increasing the same. Peer to Peer (P2P) energy trading is one of the alternatives to curb the surplus energy flow and would also help in maintaining a dynamic balance between supply and demand in the power grid. In this paper, we propose a P2P energy trading mechanism with distributed solar photovoltaic, community battery storage, and electric vehicle charging points. Game theory is the most widely used approach for P2P energy trading because of its characteristic of solving complicated interactions between provider and receiver. In the present work, we have considered a coalition based cooperative game theory framework whose objective is to maximize the total profit of the coalition. The simulation framework of this mechanism has been tested on a local energy community with 100 households having 50 consumers and 50 prosumers creating a win-win approach for both consumers and prosumers (users able to generate and consume simultaneously). Various trading scenarios have been proposed in this paper depending on geographical location, maximum energy demand, and maximum energy generated. These trading scenarios have been tested on a low voltage model to check their feasibility for a real network. The best operational performance priority at each timeslot with solar PV and community storage has also been analysed

Alcohol Consumption and Development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Population-Based Study

This retrospective population-based study evaluated the effects of alcohol consumption on the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Alcohol consumption was quantified based on patient and/or family provided information at the time of hospital admission. ARDS was defined according to American-European consensus conference (AECC). From 1,422 critically ill Olmsted county residents, 1,357 had information about alcohol use in their medical records, 77 (6%) of whom developed ARDS. A history of significant alcohol consumption (more than two drinks per day) was reported in 97 (7%) of patients. When adjusted for underlying ARDS risk factors (aspiration, chemotherapy, high-risk surgery, pancreatitis, sepsis, shock), smoking, cirrhosis and gender, history of significant alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of ARDS development (odds ratio 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.2). This population-based study confirmed that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with higher risk of ARDS

Towards the prevention of acute lung injury: a population based cohort study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Acute lung injury (ALI) is an example of a critical care syndrome with limited treatment options once the condition is fully established. Despite improved understanding of pathophysiology of ALI, the clinical impact has been limited to improvements in supportive treatment. On the other hand, little has been done on the prevention of ALI. Olmsted County, MN, geographically isolated from other urban areas offers the opportunity to study clinical pathogenesis of ALI in a search for potential prevention targets.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>In this population-based observational cohort study, the investigators identify patients at high risk of ALI using the prediction model applied within the first six hours of hospital admission. Using a validated system-wide electronic surveillance, Olmsted County patients at risk are followed until ALI, death or hospital discharge. Detailed in-hospital (second hit) exposures and meaningful short and long term outcomes (quality-adjusted survival) are compared between ALI cases and high risk controls matched by age, gender and probability of developing ALI. Time sensitive biospecimens are collected for collaborative research studies. Nested case control comparison of 500 patients who developed ALI with 500 matched controls will provide an adequate power to determine significant differences in common hospital exposures and outcomes between the two groups.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This population-based observational cohort study will identify patients at high risk early in the course of disease, the burden of ALI in the community, and the potential targets for future prevention trials.</p

Medicinal Plant Remedies for Dermatological Problems

Present study has been undertaken to document the medicinal plants used to take care of various dermatological problems such as cuts, burns, itching, abscesses, allergies etc. in district Mandi of Himachal Pradesh (India). A total of 1000 respondents were contacted to gather this information using a semi structured questionnaire. This study has highlighted the use of 168 species belonging to 148 genera and 67 families for the purpose under consideration. Most of the plants were herbs followed by shrubs, trees, climber and liana. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part. Medicinal preparations include paste, juice, powder etc. It indicates that the respondents have sound knowledge about the medicinal plants and their utility.Keywords: Ethnobotany, Skin problems, Medicinal potential, Plant species, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.       Â

Medicinal Plant Remedies for Dermatological Problems

Present study has been undertaken to document the medicinal plants used to take care of various dermatological problems such as cuts, burns, itching, abscesses, allergies etc. in district Mandi of Himachal Pradesh (India). A total of 1000 respondents were contacted to gather this information using a semi structured questionnaire. This study has highlighted the use of 168 species belonging to 148 genera and 67 families for the purpose under consideration. Most of the plants were herbs followed by shrubs, trees, climber and liana. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part. Medicinal preparations include paste, juice, powder etc. It indicates that the respondents have sound knowledge about the medicinal plants and their utility. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Skin problems, Medicinal potential, Plant species, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.