Thyroid disorders in the first trimester of pregnancy: a cross-sectional study

Background: Thyroid disorders in pregnancy are common and are associated with adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal effects. When the prevalence of thyroid disorders is high, then screening for thyroid disorders in early pregnancy can help improve the obstetrical outcome.Methods: Five hundred and fifty women in their first trimester of pregnancy were studied. They were investigated for estimation of free triiodo thyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH). The upper normal limit for TSH considered was 4.0 mIU/L.Results: Prevalence of thyroid disorders in the study was 12.6%. Hypothyroidism (12%) was more common than hyperthyroidism (0.6%). Subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 10%.Conclusions: Screening of thyroid disorders is to be considered for all pregnant women. As the prevalence of thyroid disorders is high, early recognition and treatment shall reduce maternal and fetal morbidity

Comparison of PGE2 gel alone versus sequential use of Foley’s catheter and PGE2 gel in the ripening of unfavorable cervix: a retrospective study

Background: Induction of labor is common procedure practiced in obstetrics. Various methods used for cervical ripening are lacking the proven superiority of one over other. Our study aimed at comparing intracervical PGE2 gel used alone with sequential use of Foley’s catheter and PGE2 gel in order to appreciate reduction in LSCS rate without affecting neonatal outcome.Methods: The retrospective study was conducted among cases delivered with labor induction between June 2017 to January 2019. Among 104 pregnant women, group1 had received PGE2 gel alone and group 2 had received Foley’s followed by PGE2 gel for induction. The primary outcome included Cesarean section rate and secondary outcomes included improvement in Bishop scores, induction to delivery interval, indication for LSCS, APGAR scores, NICU admission. Data was analyzed and compared.Results: Both groups were comparable with respect to maternal age, gestational age and indication for induction. There was no significant difference in the mean pre-induction Bishop score between groups. Mean IDI was higher in group 2. There was no difference in mode of delivery, neonatal and maternal morbidity between groups. Higher number of women went into spontaneous labor among group 2 and higher number of women needed oxytocin among group 1 for augmentation.Conclusions: Intra cervical PGE2 can be safely used among women with unfavorable cervix to achieve faster delivery without increasing LSCS rate. Whereas sequential use of Foley’s catheter and PGE2 gel can be safer alternative for induction of delivery with low risk of oxytocin augmentation when quicker delivery is not needed.

Effects of Type of Cutting, IBA and Bioinoculants on Rooting in Madhunashini (Gymnema sylvestre Retz.)

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of type of cutting, IBA and bioinoculants on rooting in madhunashini. Among the three types of cuttings, hardwood cuttings registered higher values for fresh (0.790g/cutting) and dry weight (0.650g/cutting) of sprouts, per cent rooting (6.66 %), fresh and dry weight of roots (0.037 and 0.030g/ cutting) and biomass production (0.682g/cutting). Among IBA and bioinoculant treatments, Azotobacter chroococcum recorded higher values for percentage sprouting (26.66 %) and rooting (9.99 %) as also for other root parameters; whereas, maximum fresh weight (0.863g/cutting) and dry weight of sprouts (0.740g/cutting), and, biomass production (0.759g/cutting) was observed in IBA 1000ppm treatment. Interaction effect of type of cutting, IBA and bioinoculants on fresh and dry weight of sprouts (2.438g and 2.084g, respectively) and biomass production (2.123g/cutting) was found superior in hardwood cuttings treated with IBA 1000ppm. Percentage of rooting (13.33 %) was better in hardwood cuttings treated with Azotobacter chroococcum. Therefore, among the various treatments tested, hardwood cuttings treated with Azotobacter chroococcum are the best for propagation through cuttings

Estimation of turbulent proton and electron heating rates via Landau damping constrained by Parker Solar Probe observations

The heating of ions and electrons due to turbulent dissipation plays a crucial role in the thermodynamics of the solar wind and other plasma environments. Using magnetic field and thermal plasma observations from the first two perihelia of the Parker Solar Probe (PSP), we model the relative heating rates as a function of radial distance, magnetic spectra, and plasma conditions, enabling us to better characterize the thermodynamics of the inner heliosphere. We employ the Howes et al. 2008 steady-state cascade model, which considers the behavior of turbulent, low-frequency, wavevector-anisotropic, critically balanced Alfv\'enic fluctuations that dissipate via Landau damping to determine proton-to-electron heating rates $Q_p/Q_e$. We distinguish ion-cyclotron frequency circularly polarized waves from low-frequency turbulence and constrain the cascade model using spectra constructed from the latter. We find that the model accurately describes the observed energy spectrum from over 39.4 percent of the intervals from Encounters 1 and 2, indicating the possibility for Landau damping to heat the young solar wind. The ability of the model to describe the observed turbulent spectra increases with the ratio of thermal-to-magnetic pressure, $\beta_p$, indicating that the model contains the necessary physics at higher $\beta_p$. We estimate high magnitudes for the Kolmogorov constant which is inversely proportional to the non-linear energy cascade rate. We verify the expected strong dependency of $Q_p/Q_e$ on $\beta_p$ and the consistency of the critical balance assumption

Efficacy versus Toxicity - The Ying and Yang in Translating Nanomedicines

Nanomedicine, as a relatively new offshoot of nanotechnology, has presented vast opportunities in biomedical research for developing novel strategies to treat diseases. In the past decade, there has been a significant increase in in vitro and preclinical studies addressing the benefits of nanomedicines. In this commentary, we focus specifically on the efficacy- and toxicity-related translational challenges of nanocarrier-mediated systems, and briefly discuss possible strategies for addressing such issues at in vitro and preclinical stages. We address questions related specifically to the balance between toxicity and efficacy, a balance that is expected to be substantially different for nanomedicines compared to that for a free drug. Using case studies, we propose a ratiometric assessment tool to quantify the overall benefit of nanomedicine as compared to free drugs in terms of efficacy and toxicity. The overall goal of this commentary is to emphasize the strategies that promote the translation of nanomedicines, especially by learning lessons from previous translational failures of other drugs and devices, and to apply these lessons to critically assess data at the basic stages of nanomedicinal research

Characteristics of Highly Cited Articles in Communication (1989 to 2018): A Web of Science-Based Analysis

This paper presents the characteristics of highly cited articles (HCA) in communication subject published from 1989 to 2018 using data from the SSCI of Web of Science. A total of 1108 articles (2.1%) were considered as highly cited articles (HCAs) in communication. Further, we have analyzed the year wise distribution of articles and their bibliometric attributes. Most productive authors, countries, and journals were identified. Cluster analysis of author-supplied keywords was performed, and the top cited ten article’s citation life cycle was also examined

Forced-Exercise Alleviates Neuropathic Pain in Experimental Diabetes: Effects on Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

Exercise is now established as an integral adjunct to the management of diabetes. Diabetic polyneuropathy, a painful complication of diabetes, remains untreatable, emphasizing a critical need for improved therapeutic strategies. Recent evidence suggests that exercise may facilitate recovery of peripheral nerve function in diabetes. However, the mechanism by which exercise protects against diabetes-induced nerve dysfunction is unknown. In this dissertation we hypothesized that forced-exercise protects against experimental DPN by preventing glucose-associated alterations of voltage-gated calcium currents (VGCC) in small diameter dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Using behavioral, nerve-electrophysiology and patch-clamp methodology we examined the functional consequences of forced-exercise (treadmill, 5.4 km/week) on VGCC in dissociated small diameter DRG neurons from rats conferred diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment. Exercised-STZ rats in comparison to sedentary-STZ rats, demonstrated a 4 week delay in the onset of tactile hyperalgesia that was independent of changes in blood glucose levels. Interestingly, forced-exercise induced protection against diabetes-induced tactile hyperalgesia was reversed in a dose dependent manner by the opioid antagonist, naloxone. Forced-Exercise also prevented peripheral nerve conduction deficits in STZ-treated rats. Small diameter DRG neurons harvested from sedentary-STZ rats with demonstrated hyperalgesia exhibited 2-fold increase in peak high-voltage activated (HVA) Ca2+ current density and low-voltage activated (LVA) Ca2+ current component. The steady-state inactivation (SSI) (measure of channel availability) of LVA currents demonstrated a rightward shift in sedentary-STZ rats (+7.5 mV shift; V50 = -50.9 ± 0.6 mV; vehicle treated rats V50 = -58.4 ± 0.9 mV). Forced-exercise prevented the increase in both, peak HVA Ca2+ current density and LVA SSI shift (V50 = -58.2 ± 1.4 mV), but did not alter LVA current component. We conclude that forced-exercise delayed the onset of diabetic tactile hyperalgesia by preventing the alteration of VGCCs in small diameter DRG neurons, possibly by decreasing total calcium influx and dampening neuronal over-excitability

New insights into the evolutionary rate of HIV-1 at the within-host and epidemiological levels

Over calendar time, HIV-1 evolves considerably faster within individuals than it does at the epidemic level. This is a surprising observation since, from basic population genetic theory, we would expect the genetic substitution rate to be similar across different levels of biological organization. Three different mechanisms could potentially cause the observed mismatch in phylogenetic rates of divergence: temporal changes in selection pressure during the course of infection; frequent reversion of adaptive mutations after transmission; and the storage of the virus in the body followed by the preferential transmission of stored ancestral virus. We evaluate each of these mechanisms to determine whether they are likely to make a major contribution to the mismatch in phylogenetic rates. We conclude that the cycling of the virus through very long-lived memory CD4+ T cells, a process that we call ‘store and retrieve’, is probably the major contributing factor to the rate mismatch. The preferential transmission of ancestral virus needs to be integrated into evolutionary models if we are to accurately predict the evolution of immune escape, drug resistance and virulence in HIV-1 at the population level. Moreover, early infection viruses should be the major target for vaccine design, because these are the viral strains primarily involved in transmission

A study of psychiatric and physical morbidity among residents of old age home

Aims/objectives: To determine the frequency of psychiatric and physical morbidity and also to look into the association between psycho- social factors, morbidity and disability among residents of old age home. Materials and Methods: Study was conducted at an old age home where two hundred and forty five residents were screened using short psychiatric evaluation schedule (SPES).Hundred and ten residents scoring ≥ 4 on SPES suggestive of psychopathology were further evaluated. Information regarding socio-demography, past & present medical and psychiatric illness history was collected. Each individual’s detailed physical examination findings were recorded and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), social support scale, disability scale, HMSE were administered. Results: The average prevalence of psychiatric disorders was found to be 7.4+3.9 with variable frequency; 58.2% (F=64) depressive disorders, 30 %( F=33) dysthymia, 8.2 %( F=9) Psychotic disorders, 2.7% (F=3) GAD, 0.9 %( F=1) dysthymia and GAD. Among physical disorders prevalence of cardiovascular problems were found in 57.6%, ophthalmological problems in 38.7% and respiratory problems in 28.8%.HMSE scores show 86.7% of residents with variable degrees of cognitive difficulties. Past physical illness was found in 24.5% of residents. 22.6% of International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 58 Vol.2; Issue: 1; April 2012 residents had family history of psychiatric illness. Forty percent of residents had moderate to good social support. 37.3% of residents had moderate disability. Frequency of psychiatric disorders showed high degree of correlation (r2 = 0.414) with gender, past history of psychiatric illness and HMSE scores (P value ≤ 0.05). Similarly, duration of stay at the old age home (in years) and monthly income before entry into the residential care was highly correlated (r2=0.481; p value \u3c 0.05) with disability. Conclusion: High prevalence rates of psychiatric and physical morbidity and their high degree of correlation with various physical and psychosocial factors warrant the urgent need to address psychological, psychosocial and physical needs of the elderly staying at old age homes. Key words: Prevalence, Psychiatric illness, Physical illness, Correlatio

EFFECT OF LYCOPENE ON CHRONIC MILD STRESS-INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Objective: Chronic mild stress is the most valid model in inducing depression in rodents. In this method, rats were subjected to CMS for 6 weeks of stress. Methods: In this method, rodents were subjected to a series of mild stressors for CMS for six weeks in an unpredictable manner. Results: Biochemical and pathological changes were observed. Lycopene treatment at 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg could revert these biochemical changes. Histopathological studies showed there is a neuronal loss in CMS and CMS+Vehicle groups. Lycopene treatment reverted this condition. Conclusion: Lycopene treatment might revert this biochemical change by inhibiting a rate-limiting enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase. Histopathology of the brain revealed that rats subjected to chronic mild stress showed a decreased neuronal loss in the hippocampus. Lycopene treatment showed a neuroprotective effect against CMS-induced neuronal loss