Iron Profile in Term Small for Gestational Age Infants at 10 Weeks of Age and Correlation With Maternal Iron Profile : A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Term small for gestational age (SGA) babies are at risk for developing iron deficiency anemia. The association between maternal and infant iron stores is not clear. Objective: To assess proportion of term SGA neonates developing iron deficiency anemia by 10 weeks of age, and measure correlation between iron profile and hepcidin of babies at birth and at 10 weeks of age with maternal iron profile. Design: Prospective cohort study conducted from November, 2018 to April, 2020. Participants: 120 term SGA babies and their mothers. Intervention: Hemogram, iron profile and serum hepcidin (every fourth case) estimated in mother, cord blood and baby at 10 weeks. Babies developing anemia at 6 weeks detected by hemogram and ferritin were started on iron supplementation and excluded from the study. Outcome: Proportion of babies developing iron deficiency anemia at 10 weeks of age. Results: 35 (29.2%) of 120 term SGA babies developed anemia (hemoglobin <9 g/dL) at 6 weeks. Proportion of infants who developed iron deficiency anemia (hemoglobin <9 g/dL and serum ferritin <40 µ/dL) at 6 and 10 weeks of age was 14.2% and 23.3%, respectively. No significant correlation was found bet-ween hemoglobin, iron and hepcidin of the baby in cord blood and at 10 weeks of age with that of mothers. Serum hepcidin in babies at birth (137.5 ng/mL) were higher than maternal values (128 ng/mL). Conclusion: A significant proportion of term SGA infants developed anemia during early infancy, irrespective of maternal iron status.

Recent Cyclones Causing an Increased Incidence of Intracranial Haemorrhage in India — A Cross-sectional Study

Background : Seasonal variations in the incidence of Intracerebral Haemorrhage (ICH) have been extensively evaluated in the studies conducted in various parts of the world. The prevalence per 100,000 person-years of spontaneous cerebral haemorrhage is regularly highest in the winter and lowest in the summer. However, these seasonal variations of ICH in India have not been comprehensively described in any published literature. Methodology : In this retrospective cross-sectional study, data of 15000 patients were collected from various State Government-owned Hospitals of India of the months April, May and June. The present study examined the association between temperature variations and spontaneous ICH incidence during recent severe Cyclonic Storms ‘Yaas’, and ‘Tauktae’ in India with the brain’s Computed Tomography (CT) scans. A CT brain persists in being the investigation of choice in the initial diagnosis of ICH, as it is readily available, accessible and fast. Results : During these Cyclones, there was a significant temperature drop associated with an increased incidence of ICH in the specified time. Conclusion : Sudden temperature drop during a Cyclone can cause spontaneous Hypertension, which causes rupture of arteries in the brain and results in Stroke. The Government, Physicians and the general public need to be made aware of such associations

Exploring integrated methodology for phytoremediation and biofuel production potential of Eichhornia crassipes

Eichhornia crassipes (EC) is a well-known invasive weed in different aquatic ecosystems. Its effective and complete eradication remains a challenge. The plant is a heavy metal (HM) hyperaccumulator in water bodies; however, studies regarding its biomass utilisation post-phytoremediation remain limited. The abundant growth rate and biochemical composition make EC a promising lignocellulosic feedstock for biofuel production; hence could be a deterministic approach for solving the twin problems of water pollution and higher energy demand, which are the global pressing issues in today’s scenario. The present study aimed at evaluating the phytoremediation potential of EC followed by proximate and biochemical analysis to investigate its suitability for biofuel production. After two weeks, the EC removed above 90% of Lead (Pb) and 60% of Cadmium (Cd) at all experimental doses. Lower doses of HMs, especially Pb, showed stimulatory effects on E. crassipes leaf biomass (ECLB). The recovered ECLB from Pb contaminated water (1 mg L?1) was further analysed for moisture (89.23±0.86%), dry matter (10.77±0.60%), ash (11.91±1.20%), organic carbon (51.56±1.08%), cellulose (21.89±0.64%), hemicellulose (26.50±1.13%), lignin (5.62±0.83%), total carbohydrate (32.00±1.58%), and protein (20.83±0.52%) content. SEM imaging of harvested ECLB confirmed compact and rigid structure. The recorded peaks in FTIR-spectra (1015.21, 1153.71, 1246.01, 1339.63, 1419.71, 1540.71, 1646.80, 1736.73, 2933.03, and 3263.72 cm?1) indicate the presence of lignocellulosic biomass. XRD peak at 21.55? confirmed the crystalline fraction of cellulose in ECLB. The results of theoretical yields of H2 and CH4 co-generation (HMG) (210.85 mLH2/g DW and 150.28 mL CH4/g DW) and Bioethanol (0.278 g/g DW) derived from cellulose and hemicellulose content of ECLB were comparable to those in reported studies. Overall, this work demonstrates an integrated methodology of phytoremediation followed by biofuel production from the recovered phytobiomass.

Anaesthetic management of a patient with non compaction cardiomyopathy for implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead replacement

Non compaction cardiomyopathy (NCM) is a rare, primary genetically derived cardiomyopathy with a variable clinical presentation ranging from absence of symptoms to congestive heart failure, systemic thromboembolism, arrythmias and sudden cardiac death. Being an uncommon condition, the perioperative concerns in a patient with NCM have not been studied much. With increasing awareness and improved diagnostic tools including high resolution echocardiography and cardiac MRI, there has been an increase in the reporting of cases which stresses on the need for a complete understanding of this form of cardiomyopathy and its perioperative anaesthetic management. Authors report the case of a 24 years old female, with NCM who underwent prophylactic Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) insertion 5 years ago and was now posted for ICD removal and replacement in view of inappropriate ICD functioning.

Emergency open cholecystectomy in a patient with severe aortic stenosis under epidural anaesthesia

Goldman and colleagues identified severe aortic stenosis (AS) as a risk factor for perioperative cardiac complications in non-cardiac surgery. Although patients with aortic stenosis are at an increased risk of perioperative cardiac events, they can undergo non-cardiac surgery relatively safely provided that the condition is recognized and appropriate monitoring and management put in place. The early detection and treatment of hypotension and arrhythmias are essential. We present a case of severe aortic stenosis posted for emergency open cholecystectomy which was successfully managed under epidural anaesthesia and had an uneventful recovery.