Nanoparticles in the soil environment and their behaviour : An overview

The increasing use of nanoparticles (NPs) in industries, soil and water remediation technologies, potential agricultural uses (e.g. fertilizers) and unintentional releases via air, water and sewage sludge application to the land likely leads to the release of such materials into the environment. The unique properties of NPs, such as high specific surface area, abundant reactive sites on the surface as a consequence of a large fraction of atoms located on the exterior rather than in the interior of NPs, as well as their mobility, could cause environmental hazards orpotentially harm soil health.It could be assumed that NPs may not have a direct influence on plant growth but may be responsible for the influence through indirect mechanisms. Light microscopy of root sections showed that the ZnO particles adsorbed into root tissues and cells and damaged the root tissues. Results from ecotoxicological studies show that certain NPs have effects on organisms under environmental conditions, though mostly at elevated concentrations. Nanominerals and mineral NPs in the environment have been present throughout the evolutionary development of hominids, and our exposure to these through inhalation, ingestion are important foci of nanotoxicology and environmental sciences. The more research on occurrence, characteristics of NPs and their behaviour in environment is needed towards a logical conclusion of the effects of NPs on environment

STUDY OF RADON AND THORON CONCENTRATION IN ENVIRONMENT OF MORADABAD DISTRICT OF UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Purpose: A study of indoor radon and thoron has been carried out in the dwelling of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the indoor atmosphere. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soils and rocks. Lung cancer risk depends upon the concentration of radon, thoron and their decay product in the air. Methodology: The measurements of radon and thoron concentration were carried out by using LR-115 type II plastic track detectors (SSNTD Technique).  Findings: In the present study the value of radon concentration from10.5 Bq/m3to 30Bq/m3 with an average19.9Bq/m3and thoron concentration from 5.6 Bq/m3 to 24 Bq/m3 with an average of 14.9 Bq/m3. It is observed that radon and thoron concentration is maximum in winter and minimum during summer. The maximum concentration in winter is essentially influenced by the intense temperature inversion, which occurs in the winter season when the wind velocity is low. The maximum concentration in winter is also the result of decreased ventilation because in this season the houses are closed for a long time and radon/thoron accumulated inside the room and a weak positive correlation was observed between radon and thoron. Social Implications:  There are some difficulties in assessing the exact risks of radon in the home. Most studies have used data from miners who will have had far more exposure to radon than is likely in any building. Originality/ Novelty: This study is done at Moradabad City and Research Lab present in S.S.P. G. College Shajhanapur. Data of radon and thoron concentration has been taken from twin cup radon-thoron Dosimeter and Spark Counter

Management of Labour Pain by using non-pharmacological Measures

Introduction: Pain during childbirth is a special experience of a woman that vary from one individual to another, that is caused by uterine contractions and cervical dilatation during labour. Nature and level of pain influence by various physiology, psychology and environmental factors. Thus, pain relief during childbirth is essential therefore, the delivery period will be uneventful. Non-pharmacological pain relief measures: Controlling pain without harm to mother, non-pharmacological measures assure in reducing labour pain with less or even no harm to the mother and fetus. These measures include sensory stimulation measures eg. breathing technique, aromatherapy and music therapy that provides sensory input to the brain to promote relaxation, enhance positive thoughts and transmission of nociceptive stimuli of pain during labour and cutaneous stimulation measures include back massage, changing position, heat and cold application, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hydrotherapy and acupressure that work as to stimulation of nerves by using skin manipulation in an attempt to reduce pain impulses to the brain. Conclusion: The major aspects of midwifery care are supporting women during labour pain thus, they must understand the choices of the mother\u27s for manage with labour pain. However, non-pharmacological measures are helpful for decelerating pain and discomfort during labour which is easy to given and cost-effective.  Key Words: Breathing technique, aromatherapy and music therapy, back massage, changing position, application of heat and cold, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, acupressure and hydrotherapy

Clinico hematological profile of pancytopenia in pediatric patients: an institutional experience in North Himalayan region of India

Background: Pancytopenia is a common clinical pattern with an extensive differential diagnosis, but literature search shows only limited studies of pancytopenia in Pediatrics patients in Uttarakhand state of India. The present study was therefore conducted to study the spectrum of pancytopenia with bone marrow and haematological profile in Pediatrics patients in this north Himalayan state of India.Methods: Prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics in the teaching institute situated in Uttarakhand state of India over a period of 12 months. The study included all the patients of pancytopenia below 18 years of age who underwent bone marrow examination after written informed consent.Results: The study included total 50 pediatrics patients of pancytopenia with male to female ratio of 1.38:1. The mean age of patients was 10.58±4.94 with median age of 12 years. Mean hemoglobin was 5.31±2.09 g/dl, total leukocyte count was 2492.68±941.76/mm3, platelet count was 34724±26423/mm3, mean corpuscular volume was 90.95±16.65 fl, mean corpuscular hemoglobin was 30.11±6.07 pg, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was 33.06±1.65% and reticulocyte count was 1.21±1.10%. Nutritional deficiency (28%) was the most common cause for pancytopenia followed by aplastic anemia (24%). Megaloblastic anemia was the commonest cause of nutritional deficiency anemia (71.42%) with pancytopenia.Conclusions: Pancytopenia is an important presentation in Pediatrics population with the most common cause being nutritional anemia and aplastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is the commonest cause of nutritional anemia with pancytopenia. The clinicians should be aware of spectrum of pancytopenia with clinical and haematological presentation in Pediatrics patients of this region so as to avoid unnecessary work ups and delay in treatment

A hospital-based cross-sectional study on congenital anomalies in newborn babies of Uttarakhand

Background: Congenital anomalies make an important contribution to infant mortality. They remain a leading cause of death in many countries of the world. The prevalence and pattern of presentation vary from place to place. Objective: The aims and objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of congenital abnormalities among babies (inborn and outborn) admitted at the Himalayan Hospital, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in a Medical College Hospital in Uttarakhand. The case files of these babies were retrieved from the hospital records department and examined individually by the investigators. Data collection was done with structured forms designed for the study. Result: Among total 2242 neonates included in the study, the prevalence of congenital malformations was 8.3%. Central nervous system and cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and genitourinary systems were found to be most commonly involved. Conclusion: The present study provides us an idea regarding prevalence of cases of congenital malformations and factors affecting it. In Indian environment, this study helps us to know the pattern of congenital malformation in this part of the country

Vegetation condition index pattern (2002-2007) over Indian agro-climate regions, using of GIS and SPOT sensor NDVI data

This study describes the Vegetation Condition Index in the near-real-time with help of SPOT based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for Agro climatic-region of India and gave the development pattern in last six year (2002-2007) over the study area of India using decadal time data set from SPOT satellite sensor for 2002-2007 time periods. The each Agro-climatic region of study, 1°x1° degree in area, part of India agro-climate regions, has been taken for analysis using remote sensing and Geographical Information System (RS and GIS)methods, SPOT satellite sensor NDVI data, and from processed data set (geo-referenced data set), cut out 1°x1° degree of area by preparing a layers representing Agro-climatic region of India as base mapping units (BMU),The results indicated that NDVI index is only water stress over vegetation while VCI is an appropriate index for vegetation pattern monitoring over study area. As satellite observations provide better spatial and temporal coverage, the VCI based system will provide efficient tools for management of the improvement of agricultural planning. This system will serve as a prototype in the other parts of the world where ground observations are limited or not available

Type A4 truncus arteriosus: series of 3 cases focused on dual source multidetector CT angiogram findings

Truncus arteriosus (TA) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly caused by failure of normal conotruncal septation during the fetal development. This aberration leads to a common ventricular outflow artery over the malaligned large ventricular septal defect (VSD), supplying systemic, coronary and pulmonary circulation. People with such anomalous anatomy show variable presentation from early childhood to adult life depending on the severity of defects. We here present three cases of truncus arteriosus with aortic interruption / hypoplasia-coarctation (type A4 truncus arteriosus) with focus on relevant dual source MDCTA findings