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Herein, refined LaxCa0.89-xSr0.11MnO3 (LCSMO, x = 0.65, 0.68, 0.71 and 0.74) films were prepared through the sol-gel spin-coating. The influence of La3+ content on the structural properties of LCSMO films was investigated by X-ray diffraction and Atomic force microscope, demonstrating that LCSMO films can grow well on SrTiO3 (00l) substrate. Besides, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy verified the double exchange (DE) effect was weakened with La3+ dopant. The La3+ doping and interconnected grains boundaries (GBs) led to the weakening DE effect and GBs scattering, respectively. Due to superior GBs connectivity, the resistivity of LCSMO films was less than 7.1 x 10(-4) Omega.cm at low temperature of 100 K. Importantly, it is an effective control method to keep the temperature (T-k) corresponding to temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) at room temperature with Sr2+ content as constant in LCSMO films. At x = 0.71, the peak TCR value was found to be 8.84%/K and corresponding T-k was 283.15 K. These results are beneficial for advanced application of uncooling infrared bolometer.
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Corona virus infection rapidly spreading and producing morbidity and mortality in all over the world over the past one and half year. The virus triggered immune system dysfunction leading to life threatening cytokine storm indicating severe forms of lung injury .Need to understand the clinical profile and risk factors leading to mortality is much needed . Aim(s): To determine the clinical profile of patients having COVID 19 using the inflammatory markers at a semi urban center Methods and materials: A retrospective study conducted on cases that were admitted in CAIMS during the period of 3 months, with CT chest grading CORADS > 3, COVID RT-PCR or rapid antigen test positive, pulse oximetre saturation less than 90% Conclusion(s): 515 cases were taken into study,clinical presentation was observed .Most cases were likely to have CT chest CORADS grading > 3, inflammatory markers like LDH, Sr Ferritin, CRP have been elevated. Cases have shown high IL-6, which was estimated selectively in cases with oxygen support suggesting cytokine storm.16.4 % cases showed mortality. This is attributed among cases with severe form of Covid 19.Copyright © 2020 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
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Acid deposition and particulate matter (PM) pollution have declined considerably in China. Although metal(loid) and acid deposition and PM have many common sources, the changes of metal(loid) deposition in China in the recent decade have not been well explored by using long-term monitoring. Therefore, we analyzed the dry and wet deposition of eleven metal(loid)s (including Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, and Zn) from 2017 to 2021 at Mount Emei, which is adjacent to the most economic-developed region in western China (Sichuan Basin (SCB)). Anthropogenic emissions contributed to over 80% of the annual wet deposition fluxes of metal(loid)s and acids (SO4 2-, NO3 -, and NH4 +) at Mount Emei, and the major source regions were the SCB, the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, and Gansu Province. Metal(loid) and acid deposition had similar seasonal variations with higher wet deposition fluxes in summer but higher wet deposition concentrations and dry fluxes in winter. The seasonal variations were partially associated with higher precipitation but lower pH in summer (968 mm and 5.52, respectively) than in winter (47 mm and 4.73, respectively). From 2017 to 2021, metal(loid) deposition did not decline as substantially as acid deposition (5.6%-30.4%). Both the annual total deposition fluxes and concentrations of Cr, Cu, Sr, Ba, and Pb were even higher in 2020-2021 than in 2017-2018. The inter-annual and seasonal changes implied the responses of metal(loid) deposition to anthropogenic emission changes were buffered (e.g., transformation, dilution, and degradation) by precipitation rates, acidity, natural emissions, and chemical reactions in the atmosphere, among others.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd
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Introduction/Background: Primary bone marrow oedema syndrome is an elusive and less well-defined entity. Whether Rheumatologists should consider it as a stand alone diagnosis, is debatable. It possibly would be best described as an MRI feature which could be a finding in a number of diseases which would include the initial phases of Osteonecrosis of the bone, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthritis, Enthesitis related, Post traumatic, OA, Infections and Cancers. The treatment options become constricted due to the paucity of evidence. Rheumatologists need to consider this as an area of unmet need with development of consensus classification criteria and treatment approaches. Description/Method: 27-year-old male, Height 174 cms Weight 90 Kgs BMI 29 Kg/m2, became symptomatic in Jan 2022 with complains of pain in the both hip joints & groin regions, pain became excruciating and he became bed-bound, with early morning stiffness lasting approximately 45 mins. Had received steroids for COVID infection in August 2020. Investigations Hb 13.5gm/dl TLC 7000/mm3 Platelet 400 x 103/mm3 Sr Bil 0.8mg/dl AST 16 IU/L. ALT 24 IU/L Sr Creatininine 1.1mg/dl Blood Sugar Levels, Fasting 89 mg/dl Post Prandial 102 mg/dl ESR 10mm in 1st hour by Wintrobes method CRP Quantitative 29.38mg/L HLA B27 by PCR Negative, RF Negative, ACCP Negative Serum, IgG, Beta2 Glycoprotein 1.44 SGU Serum, IgM, Beta2 Glycoprotein 3.44 SGU Serum, IgG, Cardiolipin antibody 8.4 GPL Serum, IgG, Cardiolipin antibody 17.45 GPL Lupus anticoagulant by DRVVT Negative Sr Cholesterol 211mg/dl HDL 29 mg/dl LDL 156mg/dl TGs 130 mg/dl MRI Hips & SI joints Transient bone marrow oedema/osteopenia of bilateral hip. PET CT Increased metabolic activity in both hip joints Bone Scan (99mTcMDP) Increased vascularity in perfusion phase, increased accumulation in soft tissue in blood pool phase and increased uptake in bilateral Hip joints in skeletal phase scan, suggestive of CRPS Type-I. Management Was initially managed with Tab Etoricoxib 90mg BD, also started on Tab Sulphaslazine and Tab Methotrexate. However, when he had no symptomatic relief he was administered Inj Infliximab on 12 May 2022 and a second dose on 9 June 2022. He had excellent pain relief after the 1st dose, however after 10 days of the administration, he again began experiencing pain especially after walking. He also had pain in the knees on this occasion. He was also administered Inj Zoledronic 4mg on 23 May 2022. He is at present not requiring any NSAIDs over the last 1 month. Discussion/Results: The patient having presented with excruciating and debilitating pain was worked up and evaluation revealed features of bone marrow oedema on MRI which was corroborated with bone scan and PET CT imaging. The acute phase reactant CRP was also significantly elevated. The patient also gave history of early morning stiffness lasting approximately 45 mins. Hence an underlying Inflammatory process such as Spondyloarthritis(Peripheral) with enthesitis was considered. The confounding factors were the pain which worsened on mobilization, HLA B27 negative status, Rheumatoid Factor and ACCP negative status and past history of having received IV Corticosteroids for COVID infection in August 2020. In view of the debilitating pain and aworking diagnosis of Spondyloarthritis, hewas started onNSAIDs alongwith rest, initially, followed by conventional synthetic disease modifying agents in Rheumatic disease followed by biologic synthetic diseasemodifying agent - Inj Infliximab. The thought process was to avoid prolonged NSAID use to prevent the associated side effects. However, since Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral head is a very likely possibility, the patient is planned to be kept under close follow up. Key learning points/Conclusion: Collaborative efforts between the Departments of Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Orthopaedics and Rheumatology are crucial in the early detection and approach to cases of Bone Marrow oedema. Avascular necrosis of head of Femur is a far more common entity and must be kept in ind even when a diagnosis of Bone Marrow oedema syndrome is being entertained. Diagnosis of Bone Marrow oedema syndrome must be entertained only as a diagnosis of exclusion. Continued follow up and regular imaging must be pursued rigorously in patients diagnosed with Bone Marrow oedema syndromes. There is a requirement to document acute phase reactants such as CRP and ESR in patients diagnosed with Avascular necrosis of bone as this data could help us differentiate AVN from Primary Bone marrow oedema in the early stages.
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Background: The incidence of mother-to-newborn Covid 19 transmission is low. However, data are limited on the factors associated with neonatal clinical or viral testing outcomes. This study aims at evaluation of clinical profile of neonates born to COVID positive mothers. Objective: To determine the number of neonates from 01 April 2020 to 30 August 2021 with lab confirmed COVID-19 infection born to Covid 19 positive mothers. To assess the clinical features of neonates born to Covid 19 positive mothers. Methods & Materials: Study design: Retrospective cohort study Study period: 01 April 2020 to 30 August 2021 Study Place: Gulbarga institute of medical science kalaburagi, Karnataka India. Conclusions: Perinatal covid 19 infection may have adverse effects on newborns causing problems such as fetal distress, premature labour, Hyperbilirubinemia, respiratory distress, oxygen requirement, sepsis, birth asphyxia and even death. However vertical transmission of Covid 19 is yet to be confirmed Aims and objectives: To determine the number of neonates from 01 April 2020 to 30 August 2021with RTPCR confirmed COVID-19 infection born to Covid 19 positive mothers. To assess the clinical features of newborns born to Covid 19 positive mothers. Inclusion criteria: All neonates born to Covid 19 positive mothers METHODS: Manual medical records of mother and baby were reviewed. Data on maternal demographic factors (age, residence, socioeconomic status), co morbidities, symptoms of COVID 19, Data on newborn demographic factors (gestational age, sex, birth weight, mode of delivery, Apgar score) were collected . All neonates born to covid 19 positive mother were reviewed for clinical and lab data till time of discharge. Clinical data such as respiratory distress, oxygen desaturation, poor feeding, apnea, seizures, tachycardia, fever, hypothermia, jaundice in those neonates was reviewed. Associated morbid factors such as Birth asphyxia, prematurity, relative sepsis were analysed. Lab data such as TLC, CRP, Sr Ferritin, Sr LDH, D-Dimer, Procalcitonin, RTPCR analysis of nasopharyngeal and throat swab of neonates born to covid positive mothers were reviewed. Chest x ray was reviewed. Those having clinical symptoms/ signs were admitted in NICU. Asymptomatic hemodynamically stable Covid19 negative neonates were isolated on mother side. Sample size: 200 neonates born to covid19 positive mothers. Sample size was determined based on the incidence of covid19 positive rates of neonates born to covid positive mothers, using formula 4PQ/L2. Results: Among these 200 pregnant women with confirmed Covid 19 infection, fever and cough were the common symptoms noted. Of the newborns born to these mothers, 92 were male neonates and 108 were female neonates, 153 were full-term neonates and 32 were born premature;15 were small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates. Clinically, the initial presentations in the neonates were respiratory distress(n=5) and failure to breathe at birth(n=4), but other presentations such as fever(n=1), poor feeding(n=3),rapid heart rate(n=4), hyperbilirubinaemia (n=5) abnormal Xray(n=3) and oxygen requirement(n=4) were also observed. All neonates were improved and discharged. Nasopharyngeal and throat swab specimens were collected from these neonates 2to3days after birth for Covid 19 RT-PCR tests, out of which 02 neonates showed positive results. One COVID-19 positive baby presented with failure to breathe at birth was treated with antiviral and antibiotics. The other baby also had similar presentation was treated with antiviral and oxygen. Both neonates improved and discharged.
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Background: In December of 2019 a new corona virus was identified by WHO, secondary to an unfamiliar pneumonia in Wuhan, China, which was initially named 2019 Novel Corona Virus (2019-nCoV), and later named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Diagnosis was made on the basis of RT-PCR test. Methods: With use of RT-PCR as the reference standard, the performance of chest CT in the diagnosis of COVID-19 was assessed. Findings of the investigations such as HRCT, D-dimer, Sr. Ferritin, CRP, and LDH are recorded and analysed. Results: Total patients included in the study are 217 persons of which 57.89% are males, 42.10% are females. The mean age was 45.14-years. CT severity score was found to be positively correlated with increased D-dimer, LDH and S. ferritin levels. It was found that with increasing HRCT chest severity, there was increase in inflammatory marker parameters. Conclusion: Our data suggest the potential role of D-dimer, S. Ferritin and LDH for predicting severity of disease and CT scan. CT score is highly correlated to laboratory findings and might be beneficial to speed up diagnostic workup in symptomatic patients and also play a vital role in predicting the severity in places where HRCT scan is not available.
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The water supply in drylands mainly relies on groundwater, making it a crucial resource. Springs in southern Africa are often underutilized, and are neither protected nor monitored. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate their quality in a sample area in northwestern Namibia and to propose solutions for the sustainable use of springs. In total, 35 springs and hot springs were evaluated in the study area located in the drier part of Namibia (Pmean = 150–400 mm/year), an area highly impacted by ongoing climate change with longer and more frequent drought seasons. The springs there are mostly uncaptured and the discharge is in the form of surface runoff, which is mainly lost to the atmosphere by evaporation. Most of the studied springs were perennial, despite a severe drought period. Local communities rely on the springs mainly for livestock and human consumption, as well as for irrigation. However, 71% of the springs do not have any protective measures. The temperature, pH, conductivity and alkalinity were tested in situ. In total, 20 samples were collected and analyzed for major ions (boron, fluoride, silica and strontium) and total dissolved solids (TDS). The physical and inorganic results mostly indicated good and excellent quality water for human consumption, while the hot springs tended to have poor water quality in terms of Namibian standards, indicating that the water was not fit for human consumption.
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Background: Radioactive contamination and chemical pollution of the environment can affect the processes of carcinogenesis, including the formation of malignant neoplasms of the ovaries in women. We used the data of official state statistics for 2000-2020 to test the hypothesis about the effect of radioactive contamination (following the Chernobyl disaster) and chemical pollutants on the incidence of ovarian malignancies in the female population of the Bryansk region. Methods: A variety of statistical approaches were used to estimate the incidence of ovarian malignancies, including the Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's rank correlation test and linear regression. Results: We did not establish statistically significant differences in the frequency of primary morbidity of women with malignant neoplasms of the ovaries, regardless of the environmental conditions of living. Furthermore, no significant correlations were found between the frequency of primary morbidity of ovarian malignancies, both with the level of contamination by Cesium-137 and Strontium-90, and air pollution with volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. A statistically significant increase in the long-term trend in the frequency of ovarian malignant neoplasms was revealed in the areas of chemical pollution (p = 0.02), however, in other territories, no statistically significant regularities were established. The forecast of the frequency of newly diagnosed malignant neoplasms of the ovaries on average in the Bryansk region shows an increase of 12.4% in 2020 in comparison with the real data for 2020, while the largest increase in predicted values is recorded in the territories of radioactive contamination (by 79.6%), and the least in the combined territories (by 6.9%). Conclusions: The results obtained indicate the need for further work to understand the trends in the presence/absence of independent and combined effects of pollutants and the growth of oncogynecological pathology from the perspective of assessing the distant and regional metastasis, histological and immunohistochemical profile of a specific malignant ovarian neoplasm with levels of environmental contamination.