Prevalence of Chlamydia infection among women visiting a gynaecology outpatient department: evaluation of an in-house PCR assay for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Screening women for <it>Chlamydia trachomatis </it>infection in developing countries is highly desirable because of asymptomatic infection. The existing diagnostic methods in developing countries are not effective and their sensitivity fall below 45.0% which leads to further spread of infection. There is an urgent need for improved and cost effective diagnostic tests that will reduce the burden of sexually transmitted infections in the developing world.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Prevalence of <it>C. trachomatis </it>infection among women visiting gynaecology department of Hindu Rao hospital in Delhi, India was determined using Roche Amplicor Multi Well Plate kit (MWP) as well as using in-house PCR assay. We used 593 endocervical swabs for clinical evaluation of the in-house developed assay against Direct Fluorescence Assay (DFA; Group I n = 274) and Roche Amplicor MWP kit (Group II, n = 319 samples) and determined the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) of the in-house developed assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We detected 23.0% positive cases and there was a higher representation of women aged 18-33 in this group. An in-house PCR assay was developed and evaluated by targeting unique sequence within the <it>gyrA </it>gene of <it>C. trachomatis</it>. Specificity of the reaction was confirmed by using genomic DNA of human and other STI related microorganisms as template. Assay is highly sensitive and can detect as low as 10 fg of <it>C. trachomatis </it>DNA. The resolved sensitivity of in-house PCR was 94.5% compared with 88.0% of DFA assay. The high specificity (98.4%) and sensitivity (97.1%) of the in-house assay against Roche kit and availability of test results within 3 hours allowed for immediate treatment and reduced the risk of potential onward transmission.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The in-house PCR method is cost effective (~ 20.0% of Roche assay) and hence could be a better alternative for routine diagnosis of genital infection by <it>C. trachomatis </it>to facilitate improved screening and treatment management.</p

Assessment of Population Exposure to Coarse and Fine Particulate Matter in the Urban Areas of Chennai, India

Research outcomes from the epidemiological studies have found that the course (PM 10 ) and the fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) are mainly responsible for various respiratory health effects for humans. The population-weighted exposure assessment is used as a vital decision-making tool to analyze the vulnerable areas where the population is exposed to critical concentrations of pollutants. Systemic sampling was carried out at strategic locations of Chennai to estimate the various concentration levels of particulate pollution during November 2013-January 2014. The concentration of the pollutants was classified based on the World Health Organization interim target (IT) guidelines. Using geospatial information systems the pollution and the high-resolution population data were interpolated to study the extent of the pollutants at the urban scale. The results show that approximately 28% of the population resides in vulnerable locations where the coarse particulate matter exceeds the prescribed standards. Alarmingly, the results of the analysis of fine particulates show that about 94% of the inhabitants live in critical areas where the concentration of the fine particulates exceeds the IT guidelines. Results based on human exposure analysis show the vulnerability is more towards the zones which are surrounded by prominent sources of pollution

SpooQy-1: The First Nano-Satellite to Demonstrate Quantum Entanglement in Space

SpooQy-1 is a 3-unit nanosatellite that was launched into a Low Earth Orbit from the International Space Station on the 17th of June 2019. The spacecraft hosts a scientific payload capable of producing entangled photon-pairs and measuring their polarization in orthogonal bases to perform a Bell test. Since launch, SpooQy-1 has routinely demonstrated the generation and detection of polarization entangled photon-pairs in Space, something that has previously only been demonstrated by the 630kg Micius mission by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The measured entanglement correlations can violate Bell\u27s inequality with a CHSH parameter value of 2.60±0.06, over operating temperatures of 16 °C to 21.5 °C. These results demonstrate that quantum entanglement can be generated in space on highly resource-constrained platforms. A follow-on 12U mission, developed in partnership with RAL space,will build on this to demonstrate space-to-ground entanglement distribution, which is required for space-based nodes to support global quantum communication networks

Unilateral hemothorax in a 46 year old South Indian male due to a giant arteriovenous hemodialysis fistula: a case report

In a patient undergoing regular hemodialysis through an arteriovenous fistula access, pleural effusion is a known long term complication. However, a unilateral hemothorax is relatively uncommon. Here we report a 46 year old male, end-stage renal disease patient, on maintenance hemodialysis, who presented with a giant brachiocephalic AV fistula in his left arm and progressive breathlessness. Radiological imaging revealed a left sided pleural effusion. Ultrasound guided aspiration revealed a hemorrhagic pleural fluid. A Doppler study of the fistula revealed a high velocity blood flow through the fistula, thereby establishing the cause of the unilateral hemothorax. Ligation of the fistula resulted in complete resolution of the hemothorax. The other possible causes for hemothorax in a dialysis patient are also discussed in this case report

Design and Simulated Characteristics of Nanosized InSb Based Heterostructure Devices

Indium antimonide nanoparticles were synthesized at room temperature. X-ray diffraction measurements are utilized to characterize the nanocomposites. The InSb nanoparticle has an average particle size in a range of 47 mm to 99 mm which is observed using the XRD result. The InSb is a material which is used to design the transistor. For designing purpose the simulator TCAD is used, by which the HEMT device is structured and its performance is analyzed and it is found that transistor operates as normal devices. This designed device is more valuable since a nanocomposite InSb material is used as a channel in HEMT device, thereby leading to the nanosized HEMT device. In addition, InSb has the property of high saturation velocity and mobility which results in higher performance of the device than any other materials in III-V compounds

Diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Using Molecular Beacon

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an important sexually transmitted diseases (STD) causing pathogen worldwide. Due to absence of an affordable diagnostic assay, routine screening of gonococcal infection becomes impossible in developing countries where infection rates are maximum. Treatment is given on the basis of symptoms alone which leads to spread of infection. Thus, development of a rapid, sensitive, specific, and PCR based visual diagnostic assay suitable for developing countries, required for better disease management, is aimed at in present study. Endocervical swabs were collected from patients visiting gynecology department of various hospitals in Delhi. In-house PCR based assay was developed and modified to visual assay using molecular beacon for end-point detection. It was evaluated against Roche AMPLICOR NG kit and rmp gene. Specificity of beacon was confirmed by competition experiments. Diagnostic test was 98.21% specific and 99.59% sensitive whereas negative and positive predicted value were 99.40% and 98.78%, respectively. We also observed that twice the concentration (2X) of premix was stable at 4°C for 4 months and dry swab samples gave concordant results with that of wet swabs. These features make the test best suitable for routine diagnosis of genital infections in developing countries

A rare case of left atrial myxoma vascularity causing acquired coronary cameral fistula: Role of transesophageal echocardiography

Left atrial myxoma is the common benign tumor of heart. Coronary arteries may supply these tumor. Considering the vascular nature of the tumor, acquired coronary cameral fistula(CCF) can be a possibility postexcision of the left atrial myxoma. Here, we discuss a case of 53-year-old female patient, who developed acquired CCF, following excision of the tumor and the role of transesophageal echocardiography intraoperatively in diagnosis

Assessment of Population Exposure to Coarse and Fine Particulate Matter in the Urban Areas of Chennai, India

Research outcomes from the epidemiological studies have found that the course (PM10) and the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are mainly responsible for various respiratory health effects for humans. The population-weighted exposure assessment is used as a vital decision-making tool to analyze the vulnerable areas where the population is exposed to critical concentrations of pollutants. Systemic sampling was carried out at strategic locations of Chennai to estimate the various concentration levels of particulate pollution during November 2013–January 2014. The concentration of the pollutants was classified based on the World Health Organization interim target (IT) guidelines. Using geospatial information systems the pollution and the high-resolution population data were interpolated to study the extent of the pollutants at the urban scale. The results show that approximately 28% of the population resides in vulnerable locations where the coarse particulate matter exceeds the prescribed standards. Alarmingly, the results of the analysis of fine particulates show that about 94% of the inhabitants live in critical areas where the concentration of the fine particulates exceeds the IT guidelines. Results based on human exposure analysis show the vulnerability is more towards the zones which are surrounded by prominent sources of pollution

Comparative Non-Randomised Observational Study of Prasugrel and Ticagrelor in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is the primary guideline-recommended treatment strategy for patients presenting with CAD, STEMI, NSTEMI, Unstable Angina. It is known that, the use of oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists (Prasugrel and Ticagrelor) in PCI patients could lead to improved outcomes compared with clopidogrel. This study has been designed for review and analysis of clinical safety and outcomes of these agents in patients undergoing PCI. &nbsp;Out of 100 patients (50 in Prasugrel group &amp; 50 in Ticagrelor group) considered for the study, the incidence of stroke, stent thrombosis was comparable between the groups with P =0.044, P =0.041 respectively and was not comparable for MI (P=0.245). Single Death was reported. The results differed significantly for Palpitations/Arrhythmia(P=0.018), SOB(P=0.000), Dizziness(P=0.005), Creatinine levels(P=0.000), Fatigue(P=0.003), Headache(P=0.000) and did not differ significantly for Bleeding and Back pain in both the drug groups with P =1.000, P =0.438 respectively. Also, majority of the patients showed decreased platelet count in both the drug groups. Withdrawal parameters, like withdrawal due to cost(P=0.172) and withdrawal due to fear of side effects(P=1.000) when evaluated for both the drugs showed no significant difference. Outcomes associated with Prasugrel were not superior to outcomes associated with Ticagrelor when 30 days to 6 months follow up was done. The clinical safety, side effects and withdrawal parameters were comparable and the results showed no significant difference between these drug groups. Keywords: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Ticagrelor, Prasugrel, Dual Anti-Platelet therapy, Acute Coronary Syndrome, Coronary Artery Disease