New fungal sources for α-L-Rhamnosidase: an important enzyme used in the synthesis of drugs and drug precursors

Two fungal strains were isolated and tentatively identified as Penicillium VY and Aspergillus VY. All the isolated species show the maximum production on third day in a liquid culture media. The pH optimum was found to be 10.0 for Penicillium VY and 11.0 for Aspergillus VY. The temperature optima were 50ºC in both the cases. The enzyme produced by Penicillium VY was found to be stable in the pH range 3.0-7.0 and 3.0–6.0 in case of Aspergillus VY. The enzyme does not loose activity up to 40º C in case of Penicillium VY and 40ºC in case of Aspergillus VY if exposed for 1 h.
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Acute non puerperal inversion of uterus with large submucous fibroid

Non-puerperal uterine inversion (NPUI) is rare and is usually precipitated by tumors sited at the fundus of the uterus which exert traction force to cause the inversion Acute inversion is more dramatic and characterized by severe pain and bleeding and patient might go into shock whereas chronic is insidious with irregular bleeding and vaginal discharge. In this paper, we present a case of a 55years old woman who presented with retention of urine and menorrhagia for 3 months followed by acute NPUI secondary to a submucous fundal fibroid due to which patient went into sudden shock. Finally laparotomy had to be done followed by total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

Design and Evaluation of Topical Hydrogel Formulation of Aceclofenac for Improved Therapy

Aceclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug has been used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In order to decrease the gastric ulcerogenic effects, aceclofenac hydrogel have been developed. Topical gel preparations are intended for skin application or to certain mucosal surfaces for local action or transdermal penetration of medicament or for their emollient or protective action. Topical delivery of drugs can be achieved by incorporating drug into the gel matrix for effective delivery of drugs, thus avoiding first pass metabolism and for increased local action in pain management and skin diseases. NSAID’s are non-steroidal drugs having excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity but NSAID’s produces GIT ulceration, liver and kidney trouble especially in case of oral administration. In view of adverse drug reaction associated with oral formulations, many NSAID’s are increasingly administered by topical route. Hydrophilic polymers like Guar gum and Carbopol 940 of varying concentrations were used in an attempt to develop topical hydrogel formulations of aceclofenac. Evaluation tests for visual appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability, assay, in vitro drug release were carried out. In vitro diffusion study was carried out in a Franz diffusion cell using cellophane membrane. No prominent changes in physicochemical properties of formulation were observed after exposure to accelerated conditions of temperature (40 ± 2oC) and humidity conditions (75 ± 5%RH). The gel formulation consisting of 1% w/v Guar gum 1% w/v Carbopol 940 at 1:1 ratio was found to be suitable for topical application based on in vitro evaluation. These results suggest the feasibility of the topical gel formulation of aceclofenac. Keywords: Aceclofenac, Guar gum, Carbopol 940, Topical hydrogel, Franz diffusion cel

Spontaneous uterine rupture in primigravida at 15 weeks

This is a very rare and interesting case of primigravida with sonographic evidence of intrauterine pregnancy presenting with acute abdomen at 15 weeks. With the diagnosis of uterine rupture, emergency laparotomy was done. The defect was repaired and post-operative recovery was good. This shows that spontaneous uterine rupture can occur in primigravida and should be kept in mind during diagnosis of acute abdomen

Evaluation of mid trimester abortion (13-20 weeks) using newer regimen of mifepristone with misoprostol versus misoprostol alone

Background: Termination of pregnancy in second trimester continues to be a challenge in developing countries especially in rural areas. There is an exponential rise in complications of abortion along with advancing gestational age. The search is on for an ideal method of abortion which is reliable, safe and cheap. This study was conducted in Tata main hospital, Jamshedpur from 15th November 2012 to 14th November 2014, with the aim of finding an effective method to induce second trimester abortion within reasonable time with fewer complications.Methods: A total of 80 patients were studied to compare combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, with single drug misoprostol alone for second trimester abortion. The induction abortion interval (IAI), success rate and side effects were compared between the two groups.   .Results: There was a significant difference in the IAI in both the groups. The mean IAI was 196.28 minutes in study group whereas in control group IAI was 318.92 minutes. The success rate (complete abortion) was 97.5% in study group and 92.5% in control group, but this was not statistically significant. More side effects were observed in the control group.Conclusions: Mifepristone followed by misoprostol was more effective than misoprostol alone as it had a shorter IAI and fewer side effects.

PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH VITAL STATICS OF ADULTS AMONG URBAN, SEMIURBAN, RURAL AREAS OF UTTARAKHAND

Objective: India is in the affirmed phase of evolution and transition, demographic, economic, epidemiological, and nutrition transition. Moreover, all these transitions are leading non-communicable diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and insulin resistance. The study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and its association with vital statics of adults among urban, semiurban, rural areas of Sub-Himalayan Region.Methods: A cross sectional community based study was done, using WHO step questionnaire. A survey was conducted in urban, semi urban, Rural areas of Uttrakhand, to make a sample size of 300 adults (18-45yr), 100 from each zone. Blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) of the participants was calculated. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: In the sample population based on systolic BP, 61.3% were non-hypertensives, 29.7% were pre-hypertensives, and 9% were hypertensives. Based on diastolic BP, 43.3% were non-hypertensives, 32.7% were pre-hypertensives, and 24% were hypertensives. Participants with hypertension and pre-hypertension have higher BMI and waist circumference.Conclusion: A high prevalence rate of pre-hypertension and hypertension was depicted in urban, semiurban, and rural areas of the sub-Himalayan region. 4.8% of the female participants had systolic high blood pressure compared to the 11.9% of the male participants. On the other hand, 21.8% of the female participants had diastolic high blood pressure compared to the over 25% of the male participants. Dehradun has the highest rates of high blood pressure while Rudraprayag has the lowest. BMI was significantly correlated with systolic BP in Dehradun adults (p<0.05). Diastolic BP was significantly positively correlated with age and BMI in Dehradun adults (p<0.05). Age was positively significantly correlated with pulse rate in Dehradun and Uttarkashi adults (p<0.05). In Rudraprayag adults, weight was significantly positively correlated with both systolic and diastolic BP (p<0.05). No other correlations were seen in anthropometry and vital statistics of Rudraprayag or Uttarkashi adults (p>0.05).Â

Maternal and foetal outcome of eclampsia in a referral hospital

Background: Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition, common in developing countries with high fatality rate. It is a cause of maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity. The aim of the study is to determine the maternal and foetal outcome in Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India.Methods: All cases of eclampsia were analysed from January 2012 to December 2014 from admission to discharge or death of the patient.  Age, parity, antenatal care, interval between attack and admission, blood pressure on admission, gestational age and mode of delivery were  taken into account. There were 135 cases of eclampsia out of 14572 deliveries. Only singleton pregnancies were analysed.Results: The incidence of antepartum eclampsia was 84.4%, intrapartum 3% and postpartum 12.5 %. 83% patients were primigravida, 33% less than 20 yrs,42% had no antenatal checkup and 45% had < 4 visits. Only 15% patients received magnesium sulphate before referral to the hospital. There were four maternal deaths and twenty-one perinatal deaths. Eleven patients needed ventilatory support, four developed pulmonary oedema,  two patients had respiratory depression and three patients had renal failure.Conclusions: Hypertensive disease in pregnancy requires proper antenatal care, early recognition and referral, adequate treatment and timely delivery

Hysteresis in a Solar Activity Cycle

We analyze in situ measurements of solar wind velocity obtained by the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft during the solar activity cycle 23. We calculated a robust complexity measure, the permutation entropy (S) of solar wind time series at different phases of a solar activity cycle. The permutation entropy measure is first tested on the known dynamical data before its application to solar wind time series. It is observed that complexity of solar wind velocity fluctuations at 1 AU shows hysteresis phenomenon while following the ascending and descending phases of the activity cycle. This indicates the presence of multistability in the dynamics governing the solar wind velocity over a solar activity cycle.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures; Solar Physics, 201