Ten years’ trend of HIV seroprevalence among Indian pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at tertiary hospital in Dhule, Maharashtra, India

Background: In India, HIV epidemic is in fourth decade and has the heterogeneity. The trend indicated HIV infection spreads from high risk behavior groups to general population. Maternal to foetal HIV transmission rate is found to vary from 20 to 25% in absence of any interventions. Newly infected persons contribute to the total number of persons living with HIV, they will progress to disease and death over the time and are a potential source of further infection. Maternal HIV status directly affects the perinatal transmission and hence the paediatric HIV cases. This transmission of HIV from mother to child can be prevented by appropriate measures. So this study is intended to identify ten years’ trends in HIV seroprevalence among antenatal population at a tertiary hospital in Dhule, Maharashtra, India.Methods: Retrospective study of ICTC evaluation of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at obstetrics and gynaecology department of Shri Bhausaheb Hire Government Medical College in Dhule, Maharashtra, India. Blood samples were collected after informed consent and pre-test counseling. The samples were tested for HIV antibodies as per WHO and NACO guidelines. The data of ten years period from January 2004 to December 2013 was evaluated to identify the trends of HIV seroprevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic.Results: 309 pregnant women were HIV positive out of 70453 tested from 84608 ANC women during the study period. The overall prevalence for the 10 years was 0.44%. HIV prevalence had reduced from 0.89% in 2004 to 0.17% in 2013. Maximum HIV positive women i.e. 63.2% were 18 to 23 years old, primigravida (53.8%) and from rural area (58.5%). Mother to foetal transmission was noted 10 babies were detected to be HIV positive while 223 were HIV negative. 10 HIV positive mothers decided for MTP, while in 36 neonatal death was noted.Conclusions: Declining HIV seroprevalence rate is noted among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics from 2004 to 2013. The effective implementation of prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV/AIDS (PPTCT) programmed is helping in control of the spread of HIV

Characterization of NiO-Al2O3 composite and its conductivity in biogas for solid oxide fuel cell

NiO-Al O nanocomposite has been synthesized by mixing combustion synthesized powders. The nanocomposite is an effective anode/anode functional layer for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The TEM of NiO and Al O revealed spherical particles of 30 nm and platelets of 70 nm, respectively. The XRD analysis of NiO-Al O composite sintered at 900 °C showed presence of cubic NiO and rhombohedral α-Al O which were chemically stable. However, above 1200 °C NiAl O started to appear. The conductivity of NiO-Al O was the highest in hydrogen (4.3 × 10 S/cm at 600 °C). In biogas, the conductivity was 3.2 × 10 S/cm with the activation energy of 0.67 eV. The stability of the composite in biogas was also examined

Characterization of NiO-Al2O3 composite and its conductivity in biogas for solid oxide fuel cell

NiO–Al2O3 nanocomposite has been synthesized by mixing combustion synthesized powders. The nanocomposite is an effective anode/anode functional layer for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The TEM of NiO and Al2O3 revealed spherical particles of 30 nm and platelets of 70 nm, respectively. The XRD analysis of NiO–Al2O3 composite sintered at 900°C showed presence of cubic NiO and rhombohedral α-Al2O3 which were chemically stable. However, above 1200 °C NiAl2O4 started to appear. The conductivity of NiO–Al2O3 was the highest in hydrogen (4.3 × 10−3 S/cm at 600°C). In biogas, the conductivity was 3.2 × 10−3 S/cm with the activation energy of 0.67 eV. The stability of the composite in biogas was also examined.Peer Reviewe

A Review on: Effective use of Water Soluble Nano-Polymers in Heat Treatment Operations as Anti scaling Agent and Corrosion Inhibitor in Process Industries

Abstract: Scaling formation and corrosion in heat exchanger

Demographic profile and risk factors associatedwith depression among elderly in rural area of Dhule district in Maharashtra

Background: Approximately 11-18% of adults aged 60 and over suffers from a mental disorder. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, patients over 55 years with depression have a four times higher death rate than those without depression. Early recognition, diagnosis, and initiation of treatment for depression in older people present opportunities for improving their quality of life, preventing suffering or premature death and maintaining optimal levels of function and independence.This study aims to find out association of various risk factors with depression among elderly people.Methods: Across-sectional study was done in rural households in the field practice area of a tertiary health care hospital. A total of 240 elderly persons were interviewed using pretested and predesigned questionnaire from GDS-30. Data was analysed using percentages and χ2-test. Results: The prevalence of depression in elderly persons was 26.6%; among these, 18% were mildly depressed and 8.3% severely depressed. Depression was more prevalent in those who were physically inactive (48.27%) than those who were active (14.37%) ( p = 0.000). About 26.41% of illiterates were found to be depressed than literate ones (24.7%). significant association was found between illiteracy and depression (χ2 = p = 0.004). Significant association was found betweenage related morbidities such as neurological disorders, locomotor disorder and depression.Conclusion:Prevalence of depression among elderly was found to be 26.6%. Significant association was found betweenphysical inactivity,locomotor disorder, neurological disorder and depression

Platelet Rich Plasma: A New Era of Regeneration

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been a breakthrough in the stimulation and acceleration of bone and soft tissue healing. It represents a relatively new biotechnology that is part of the growing interest in tissue engineering and cellular therapy today. Because of its newness, there is a potential for misunderstanding, misuse, and application of what the practitioner may incorrectly think is PRP. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the definition of PRP, its safety, its proper development, and its most efficacious means of application

An epidemiological study of addictive behavior pattern among adolescent tobacco users

Background: The risk of developing tobacco-related cancer and chronic heart and lung disease is greater if addiction starts in adolescence. Even experimental use of tobacco in adolescents significantly increases the risk of addiction in adulthood. This study intends to collect valuable data regarding sociodemographic characteristic of tobacco use, pattern of dependence among adolescent tobacco users, which will be essential for formulating recommendations, and their possible intervention aimed at reducing the problem of tobacco use. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was done where 400 subjects were enrolled. Nonprobability Snowball sampling technique was used to locate adolescents aged 12–18 years, who were practicing tobacco use. Face-to-face interviews were taken for data collection. Fragerstorm dependency test for tobacco was used to classify dependency of tobacco product into high and low dependency. Data was analyzed using Chi-square test and proportions using SPSS software version 21. Results: Majority of the subjects were in the age group of 16–18 years; mean age for initiation of tobacco was 15.6 years. Gutkha was the predominant form of tobacco product being used. Peer pressure 192 (48.0%) was the major reason for initiation of tobacco use. A significant association was found between dependency on tobacco and age, literacy, and socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Tobacco use starting from early age has many health implications. There is a need for stringent laws against the selling of tobacco to adolescents and targeted health awareness program against tobacco

Assessment of Spectrum of adverse events following immunization in under five year children in a tertiary healthcare institute in a metropolitan city- A cross sectional study

Background: The present study was conducted to study the time intervals associated with various AEFI and proportion of programmatic errors linked with AEFI cases and to suggest or recommend measures for strengthening AEFI management and prevention based on a study finding. Material and methods: The present study was a record based Cross–sectional study, conducted during period of one year [July 2012 to July 2013] among sample of 118 cases of AEFI reported. Results: More than half of the cases of AEFI occurred within 12 hours of immunization.(61.88%). Amongst which 37.31% of cases occurred within 6 hours after immunization. 17.79 % cases occurred after 24 hours. Conclusion: The concept of quality services in immunization must be promoted aggressively at all levels of healthcare through refresher training and workshops. Standard operating procedures must be designed at micro level for implementation of immunization services

BBM92 quantum key distribution over a free space dusty channel of 200 meters

Free space quantum communication assumes importance as it is a precursor for satellite-based quantum communication needed for secure key distribution over longer distances. Prepare and measure protocols like BB84 consider the satellite as a trusted device, which is fraught with security threat looking at the current trend for satellite-based optical communication. Therefore, entanglement-based protocols must be preferred, so that one can consider the satellite as an untrusted device too. The current work reports the implementation of BBM92 protocol, an entanglement-based QKD protocol over 200 m distance using an indigenous facility developed at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India. Our results show the effect of atmospheric aerosols on sift key rate, and eventually, secure key rate. Such experiments are important to validate the models to account for the atmospheric effects on the key rates achieved through satellite-based QKD.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, 2 table