How benign is benign tertian malaria?

Objective: This retrospective study was conducted to determine the incidence of variouscomplications of Plasmodium vivax malaria based on review of case records.Methods: The case records of all confirmed cases of malaria over the period of one year (September2005–August 2006) were studied. Complete blood count, peripheral blood findings, liver and kidneyfunctions were reviewed. The results of rapid diagnostic test for malaria (OptiMAL test, DiamedAG, Switzerland) were correlated with the peripheral blood smear findings in the patients in whomit was requested. All abnormal results like a positive direct Coomb’s test were noted. Findingswere clinically correlated.Results: There were 265 confirmed cases by peripheral blood examination. Of these 221 were dueto Plasmodium vivax and 41 due to P. falciparum. Two cases had mixed infection and in one casethe species could not be identified as it showed only malarial pigment. The peak incidence ofmalaria was seen in September 2005 and August 2006. The complications in P. vivax werethrombocytopenia, biochemical evidence of hepatic dysfunction, renal damage, positive DCT anddeath due to ARDS. Thrombocytopenia was seen in 213 patients with counts < 20 x 103/μl in 13patients. Nine (4%) patients had serum bilirubin >3 mg/dl with normal liver enzymes. Liver enzymeswere elevated in 60 patients with seven patients showing liver enzymes level, three times the normal.Renal dysfunction was seen in 17 patients with serum creatinine ranging from 1.3–10.65 mg/dl.One patient went into acute renal failure following quinine therapy and showed red cell fragmentsin the peripheral blood. In two children DCT was positive with the peripheral smear showing RBCagglutinates around the parasitised RBC. There were three maternal deaths at about 32 weeksgestation due to ARDS. The peripheral blood smear in these patients showed WBC agglutinates.Conclusion: This paper is presented to highlight that P. vivax malaria though considered to be abenign entity can also have a severe and complicated course which is usually associated with P.falciparum malaria

Application of Bio-Waste Material for Preparation of Activated Carbon For Removal Of Dye from Aqueous Solutions

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Ethnobotany of religious and supernatural beliefs of the Mising tribes of Assam with special reference to the 'Dobur Uie'

Assam is very rich in plant biodiversity as well as in ethnic diversity and has a great traditional knowledge base in plant resources. It is inhabited by the largest number of tribes and they lead an intricate life totally dependent on forest plants. The Mising is the major section and second largest tribal community of Assam and have a rich tradition of religion and culture. Their religious practices and beliefs are based on supernaturalism. A study of the plants related to magico religious beliefs in Dobur Uie of Mising is carried out. The results revealed the use of 30 plants belonging to 23 families. All plant species are used both in religious purpose as well as in the treatment of different ailments. Details of the uses of plants and conservational practices employed in Dobur Uie are provided. Our findings on the use of plants in Dobur Uie ritual reflect that some plants are facing problems for survival and they need urgent conservation before their elimination. Because this elimination may threat the rich tradition of Mising culture. Most of the plants that are domesticated for different rituals are almost same in all Mising populated areas

Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding World Health Organization surgical safety checklist and the challenges in its implementation at a teaching hospital in North India

Background: The WHO in 2009 published the surgical safety checklist (SSC) for reducing the surgical complications. For its successful implementation it is imperative to identify the current knowledge, attitude and practices of the involved personnel and explore the anticipated barriers. Objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of the participants about the SSC and determine the possible challenges in its implementation.Methods: This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving the use of a pre-tested questionnaire carried out in a teaching hospital. All personnel involved in the operation theater who gave their written consent were enrolled.Results: Awareness regarding the SSC is high and existing practices are favorable towards patient safety amongst Hospital personnel. Attempts should be made to educate all personnel to gain complete knowledge regarding the checklist. The anticipated barriers, of which lack of knowledge was found to be the most prominent, should be dealt with.Conclusions: A strategy aimed at proper education, stepwise implementation, alleviating the hindrances and regular feedbacks can result in decreasing the surgery related complications and morbidities through implementation of the surgical safety checklist

Thermal studies on electrodeposited black oxide coating on magnesium alloys

Thermal behavior of black anodic coatings on magnesium alloy, AZ31B and magnesium lithium alloy, MLA 9 has been investigated. The chemical nature of coating is characterized by infrared spectral studies. The thermoanalytical investigations have been carried out using thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The decomposition proceeds through three steps viz., dehydration, decomposition of chromium hydroxide and sulphate and decomposition of magnesium chromate to oxide. Measurement of hemispherical emittance of coatings verses temperature was investigated using calorimetric methods. The studies revealed that the thermal emittance of coatings increases with temperature. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V

Improving Performance of Quantum Heat Engines by Free Evolution

The efficiency of a quantum heat engine is maximum when the unitary strokes are adiabatic. On the other hand, this may not be always possible due to small energy gaps in the system, especially at the critical point where the gap vanishes. With the aim to achieve this adiabaticity, we modify one of the unitary strokes of the cycle by allowing the system to evolve freely with a particular Hamiltonian till a time so that the system reaches a less excited state. This will help in increasing the magnitude of the heat absorbed from the hot bath so that the work output and efficiency of the engine can be increased. We demonstrate this method using an integrable model and a non- integrable model as the working medium. In the case of a two spin system, the optimal value for the time till which the system needs to be freely evolved is calculated analytically in the adiabatic limit. The results show that implementing this modified stroke significantly improves the work output and efficiency of the engine, especially when it crosses the critical point.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure

An insight into risk factors profile of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer patients attending two tertiary care hospitals in Jaipur, India

Background: Oral cancer is the second most prevalent cancers among males in Jaipur city. Assessment of risk factors profile of patients will help the policy makers in initiating new ways to curb the usage of tobacco among masses. The present study aims to find out the risk factors profile of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients at two hospitals of Jaipur city.Methods: It was a prospective and observational study. The patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited. Data on the demographic profile and clinical information were obtained from hospital and clinical records. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 14 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Chi-square test was performed to analyse the data.Results: Out of 400 oral cancer patients included in this study majority of the patients were in the age range of 40-60years and with a significant male preponderance in all the age groups (P <0.05). The most common habit among males and females was chewing. Buccal mucosa was the most commonly affected site followed by tongue. Both males and females were more likely to be diagnosed in stage 3 (p <0.05).Conclusions: There is a need to reduce the burden of this disease by educating the people about various risk factors which play role in oral cancer development