Role of Ultrasonography and Color Doppler in the Assessment of High-Risk Pregnancies and Their Accuracy in Predicting Fetal Outcome.

Introduction Various methods are employed to evaluate the well-being of the fetus in high-risk pregnancies which consists of a biophysical profile (BPP), a non-stress test (NST), and daily fetal movements. Detection of aberrant blood flow in fetoplacental beds has been revolutionized by recent developments in ultrasound technology, such as color Doppler flow velocimetry. The cornerstone of maternal and fetal care is lowering maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity is antepartum fetal surveillance. Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive way of obtaining a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of maternal and fetal circulation and is utilized to investigate complications like fetal growth restriction (FGR) and fetal distress. Thus, it is useful in making distinctions between fetuses that are truly growth restricted and small for gestational age and healthy fetuses. The aim of the current study was to determine the role of Doppler indices in high-risk pregnancies and their accuracy in predicting fetal outcomes. Material and methods This prospective cohort study included 90 high-risk pregnancies in the III trimester (after 28 weeks of gestation) on whom ultrasonography and Doppler were performed. Ultrasonography was performed using PHILIPS EPIQ 5, a curvilinear probe of frequency 2-5MHz. Gestational age was determined with a biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femoral length (FL). Placental grading and position were noted. Estimated fetal weight and the amniotic fluid index were calculated. BPP scoring was done. Doppler study was conducted and the findings of Doppler indices that is pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), umbilical artery (UA), and uterine artery (UTA), and cerebroplacental (CP) ratio in these high-risk pregnancies were documented and compared with standard. The flow patterns in MCA, UA, and UTA were also assessed. These findings were correlated with fetal outcomes.  Results Among 90 cases, the common high-risk factor in pregnancy was preeclampsia without severe features (30%). Growth lag was present in 43 (47.8%) participants. Among the study population, HC/AC ratio was increased in 19 (21.1%) participants which indicates asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction. Adverse fetal outcomes were seen in 59 (65.6%) of the subjects. CP ratio and UA PI had better sensitivity (83.05% and 79.66%, respectively) and positive predictive value (PPV) (87.50% and 90.38%, respectively) in identifying the adverse fetal outcomes. Diagnostic accuracy of CP ratio and UA PI (Accuracy=81.11%) was highest in predicting adverse outcomes than all the other parameters. Conclusion CP ratio and UA PI had better sensitivity, PPV, and diagnostic accuracy in identifying adverse fetal outcomes than other parameters. The study's findings support that the use of color Doppler imaging in high-risk pregnancies will help in the early identification of adverse fetal outcomes and aid in early intervention. This study is non-invasive, simple, safe, and reproducible. This study can also be performed bedside in high risk and unstable patients. This study is required to accurately assess fetal well-being in all high-risk pregnancies in order to improve fetal outcomes and to incorporate this procedure as a part of the protocol for the assessment of fetal well-being in these patients.

Enhancement of the structure, solar cells and vibrational studies of undoped CuCr2O4 and La-doped CuCr2O4 semiconductor compounds.

In the present paper, we report the successful synthesis of spinel-type of CuCr2O4 and La doped CuCr2O4 semiconductor nanoparticles by a microwave method. Starting with the precursor complex, this technique includes the creation of homogenous solid intermediates, which reduces atomic diffusion pathways during the microwave process. CuCr2O4 and La doped CuCr2O4 were characterized by the following analytical methods for instance X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results demonstrated that modifying the precursor had a significant impact on the size, solar cell size, as well as reaction period of synthesizing CuCr2O4 and La doped CuCr2O4. The impacts of precursors on the morphological and structural characteristics of CuCr2O4 and La doped CuCr2O4 were examined for the first time in this publication.

Chemical composition, rheological, quality characteristics and storage stability of buns enriched with coriander and curry leaves.

Effect of addition of normal (NL) and dehydrated (DL) curry leaves (Murraya koeniggi) and coriander leaves (Corinadrum sativum) in the ratio of 1:1 to refined wheat flour (WF) or a blend of refined wheat flour-whole wheat flour (WF-WWF, 1:1) on the rheological, nutritional, storage and quality characteristics of the buns were studied. Water absorption increased on addition of increasing levels of DL from 0 to 7.5 % to WF-WWF when compared to WF. Dough weakening was greater when DL was added to WF-WWF as seen in decrease in dough stability and abscissa at rupture values. Addition of gluten and emulsifiers improved the quality characteristics of buns prepared using either 25 % NL or 5 % DL. Storage stability of buns with DL was better. The protein, dietary fiber, iron and carotenoids in buns prepared from WF-WWF were higher. The results indicate the utilization of leaves in dehydrated form in the preparation of nutritionally improved buns.

Plasma cell leukemia: A case series from South India with emphasis on rarer variants.

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare and aggressive variant of plasma cell dyscrasia. They occur de novo (primary) or as a late manifestation of multiple myeloma (secondary). Patients present with anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal failure, organomegaly and extramedullary manifestations. We are presenting this series as it is the second largest series from India (16) with 4 young cases (under 40 years of age), more number of female patients and two having 'hairy cell' morphology. It is recommended that techniques like immunophenotyping and protein electrophoresis be performed, whenever the morphology is not characteristic of plasma cells.

Potential of sugarcane bagasse (agro-industrial waste) for the production of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis.

Sugarcane bagasse is a renewable resource that can be used to produce biopesticide for the control of mosquito vectors. In the present study, we demonstrated that cane processed bagasse could be used to produce Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis (Bti) for control of mosquito vectors viz: Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti. Biochemical studies indicated that the Bti spore/crystal toxins produced from the test culture medium (Bagasse, BG + Soybean, SB) are higher than that from the conventional medium (Nutrient Yeast Extract Salt Medium, NYSM). The bacteria produced in these media (NYSM, BG, SB, BG+SB) were bioassayed against the mosquito species and the toxic effect was found to be effective. Cost-effective analysis indicates that the use of BG and SB, as bacterial culture medium, is successful and economical, for production of this mosquito pathogenic bacillus.

Effect of sonication on electro-oxidation of organic pollutants in saline wastewater.

The aim of this work is to study the effect of ultrasound in pollution attenuation during electro-oxidation. Attenuation of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) with and without sonication during electro-oxidation was studied. Further, the power of ultrasound during electro-sonication was varied, and its effect on attenuation of COD and TKN was studied. It was found that introduction of sonication could enhance pollution attenuation. It was also observed that pollution attenuation was proportional to the power of ultrasound. A significant level of pollution attenuation was attained during first 15 minutes of electro-sonication. Total current efficiency and anode efficiency were found to be proportional to the power of ultrasound, up to 100 W. Increasing the power more than 100 W did not render a significant increase in the total current efficiency and anode efficiency. Energy consumption for electro-oxidation was found to be inversely proportional to the power of ultrasound, up to 100 W.

Selection intensities and consanguineity in the Yadava and Vadabalija of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

The opportunity for intensity of selection is studied in two backward caste groups with different occupations, namely Yadava (pastoral) and Vadabalija (fishing) of Bheemunipatnam Taluk of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh. The amount of selection intensity is found to be higher in Vadabalija (0.8583) than Yadava (0.5827). The contribution of mortality to the total index of selection is greater in Vadabalija (0.6095) than in Yadava (0.3326). When consanguineity is considered, the fertility components of selection intensity (0.1885) are lower in the consanguineous group of Yadava than in the nonconsanguineous group (0.2845), whereas in Vadabalija they are higher in the consanguineous group (0.5261) than in the nonconsanguineous group (0.2223).

Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

GS4, a water-soluble extract of the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, was administered (400 mg/day) to 27 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on insulin therapy. Insulin requirements came down together with fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and glycosylated plasma protein levels. While serum lipids returned to near normal levels with GS4 therapy, glycosylated haemoglobin and glycosylated plasma protein levels remained higher than controls. IDDM patients on insulin therapy only showed no significant reduction in serum lipids, HbA1c or glycosylated plasma proteins when followed up after 10-12 months. GS4 therapy appears to enhance endogenous insulin, possibly by regeneration/revitalisation of the residual beta cells in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

A note on palmar dermatoglyphics of Nukadoras of Andhra Pradesh.

Rolled bilateral palm impressions of 148 unrelated Nukadora individuals in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh have been studied. Mainline formula 9.7.5 is found to be predominant and the mainline index shows higher values on the right than the left palm. The frequency of true patterns is found to be higher on the IV interdigital area followed by III, hypothenar, II and thenar/I.