Yoga and Pranayama during High-Risk Pregnancy

Yoga is a philosophy and a way of life where art and science meet. It is the art of knowing oneself and knowing the eternal truth. It is the study of functioning of body, mind and intellect in the process of attaining freedom. Ayurveda is the ancient medicine healing system for body, mind and spirit. Yoga and Ayurveda have long been linked together as two complementary systems of human development. A women’s body is biologically created for certain specific functions. She has to undergo the four stages of life- childhood, adolescence, middle age and old age. A woman who has looked after her health will reap the reward by having a healthy pregnancy and delivery. It is absolutely essential for a pregnant woman to maintain her physical and mental well being both for herself and for the sake of the child within.A high-risk pregnancy is the one with a significant probability for a poor maternal or fetal outcome. The small family system in present generation and increasing trend of elderly pregnancies are causing more and more complications in antenatal period and during delivery. The incidence of high risk pregnancies is increasing in higher rate. The practice of Yoga and pranayama in such a crucial condition makes the journey of pregnancy a very easier one. It helps to combat the dangers of pregnancy, and prevents unavoidable tragic consequences. In fact regular practice of yoga is very much advised to lead a healthy life, and have a healthy pregnancy. During high-risk pregnancy yogic postures and breathing techniques do miracle. They prevent the possible complications and protect the pregnancy. Yoga and pranayama are healthy ways of life. The same healthy way of life is needed when the pregnancy condition becomes a risky one

Clinical significance of ultrasonic placental grading during third trimester in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and its correlation with fetal outcome in tertiary care centre

Background: Hypertension is one of the common complications in pregnancy and contributes significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to study placental grading by grading by ultrasonography in pregnancy complicated with hypertension and normotensive gravidas. To compare the foetal outcome regarding placental grading and its correlation pattern of placental grade distribution, type of delivery, foetal distress, birth asphyxia, foetal maturity, perinatal morbidity and mortality.Methods: The present study was conducted for a period of 12 months, which included 200 patients who attended OPD at PDRMC, Udaipur. Inclusion criteria was hypertensive pregnant women with BP >140/90 mmHg. Exclusion criteria was Pregnancy associated with other medical disorders, twin gestation, renal and cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.Results: 100 pregnant women with preeclampsia as study group. The most common age group in study group is 22-23 Years. The grade III placenta was found early third trimester in study group. Caesarean delivery was more common mode of delivery in grade III placenta. In foetal outcome small for gestational age was more among the grade III placenta. Foetal distress, birth asphyxia, perinatal mortality, morbidity more among the grade III placenta among the study group.Conclusions: Foetal complications were significantly more in study group compared to control group. Ultrasound placental grade III was statistically significant in correlating with foetal complications like foetal distress, birth asphyxia, perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Study of hypothyroidism in pregnancy and it’s fetomaternal outcome: a prospective study at tertiary care hospital

Background: Pregnancy is a stress test of maternal thyroid function. The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women is high. This study is aimed to evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with deranged thyroid profile. The relevance of this study is to document the association of hypothyroidism and its adverse effects on mother and fetus.Methods: All pregnant mother included in the study are subjected to written consent and detailed history taking and fasting blood sample collection. Blood sample collected in fasting state, because lipidemic content in blood interferes with serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level if blood sample collected in the fed state.Results: A total of 1000 cases were studied. Out of 1000 cases, 71(7.1%) cases found to be hypothyroid. Among them, 14 (19.4%) had overt hypothyroidism and 57 (80.5%) demonstrated subclinical hypothyroidism.Conclusions: Prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is 5.6% in 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Anemia, pre-eclampsia, high caesarean rates and neonatal morbidities is significantly associated with hypothyroidism.

Towards Biomechanics-Aware Design of a Steerable Drilling Robot for Spinal Fixation Procedures with Flexible Pedicle Screws

Towards reducing the failure rate of spinal fixation surgical procedures in osteoporotic patients, we propose a unique biomechanically-aware framework for the design of a novel concentric tube steerable drilling robot (CT-SDR). The proposed framework leverages a patient-specific finite element (FE) biomechanics model developed based on Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) scans of the patient's vertebra to calculate a biomechanically-optimal and feasible drilling and implantation trajectory. The FE output is then used as a design requirement for the design and evaluation of the CT-SDR. Providing a balance between the necessary flexibility to create curved optimal trajectories obtained by the FE module with the required strength to not buckle during drilling through a hard simulated bone material, we showed that the CT-SDR can reliably recreate this drilling trajectory with errors between 1.7-2.2%Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, Accepted for Publication at the 2023 International Symposium on Medical Robotic

Effect of fluoride on molecular weight, charge density and age related changes in the sulphated isomers of glycosaminoglycans of the rabbit cancellous bone

The effect of fluoride on the composition, molecular weight and charge density of the glycosaminoglycan isomers in the cancellous bone of the iliac crest region of the pelvic girdle was studied in rabbits treated with fluoride for 3, 9 and 16 months and the corresponding age-matched controls. With advancing age the chondroitin-6-sulphate concentration was found to increase in the fluoride-treated as well as the control animals. The concentration of dermatan sulphate was found to decrease with advancing age in the control groups. However, the fluoride-treated groups showed increasing concentrations of dermatan sulphate as the age and the duration of fluoride treatment advanced. The glycosaminoglycans in the fluoride-treated group showed the presence of low-molecular-weight molecules which were not found in the corresponding control group, and also showed an increased charge-density heterogeneity as compared to the corresponding control group. The data presented provide evidence to suggest that glycosaminoglycans of cancellous bone undergo age-related changes in their isomeric profile. The increase in dermatan sulphate and the presence of low-molecular-weight, highly charged molecules in the adult fluorosed bone may be related to the cartilagenous loci formation as reported earlier

Chemical profile of blood in fluoride toxicity. III. Plasma fibrinogen levels in rabbit

Rabbits in two groups were given different doses of sodium fluoride i.e. low dose (10 mg NaF/kg body weight) and high dose (50 mg NaF/kg body weight). Blood was drawn from both groups on certain specific days after fluoride administration. The two different doses of sodium fluoride gave different response with regards to the fibrinogen levels in blood plasma. It is suggested that administration of low doses of sodium fluoride, induce new bone formation enhancing fibrinogen levels. But in high doses of sodium fluoride, moderate tissue damage results in high levels of plasma fibrinogen