The discoloration of the Taj Mahal due to particulate carbon and dust deposition.

The white marble domes of the Taj Mahal are iconic images of India that attract millions of visitors every year. Over the past several decades the outer marble surfaces of the Taj Mahal have begun to discolor with time and must be painstakingly cleaned every several years. Although it has been generally believed that the discoloration is in some way linked with poor air quality in the Agra region, the specific components of air pollution responsible have yet to be identified. With this in mind, ambient particulate matter (PM) samples were collected over a one-year period and found to contain relatively high concentrations of light absorbing particles that could potentially discolor the Taj Mahal marble surfaces, that include black carbon (BC), light absorbing organic carbon (brown carbon, BrC), and dust. Analyses of particles deposited to marble surrogate surfaces at the Taj Mahal indicate that a large fraction of the outer Taj Mahal surfaces are covered with particles that contain both carbonaceous components and dust. We have developed a novel approach that estimates the impact of these deposited particles on the visible light surface reflectance, which is in turn used to estimate the perceived color by the human eye. Results indicate that deposited light absorbing dust and carbonaceous particles (both BC and BrC from the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass) are responsible for the surface discoloration of the Taj Mahal. Overall, the results suggest that the deposition of light absorbing particulate matter in regions of high aerosol loading are not only influencing cultural heritage but also the aesthetics of both natural and urban surfaces.

Role of prophylactic surfactant in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm neonates is caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of pulmonary surfactant. The physiological function of surfactant includes the ability to lower surface tension, as well as the ability to rapidly adsorb and spread. A wide variety of surfactant products have been formulated and studied in clinical trials. The present study was designed to find out whether prophylactic administration of surfactant leads to a significant decrease in the risk of neonatal mortality and neonatal morbidity. METHODS: This was an experimental study in which a total of 125 preterm newborns less than 34 weeks gestation were studied. One hundred preterm newborns (controls) less than 34 weeks gestation were managed in the conventional manner as per the existing protocols in the neonatal intensive care unit. Twenty-five consecutively delivered preterm newborns less than 34 weeks gestation were administered surfactant. Data regarding clinical outcomes including mortality and morbidity profile was collected and analysed. RESULTS: The mean duration of ventilation in the ventilated babies in the control group and the surfactant group was 129.8 ± 43 hours and 85.7 ± 46 hours, respectively; the difference being statistically significant. In the surfactant group, four babies (16%) died and in the control group, 27 babies (27%) died. The difference was not statistically significant. The number of babies developing retinopathy of prematurity and needing laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity was greater in the surfactant group. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic administration of surfactant in preterm newborns of gestational age < 34 weeks is associated with a significant decrease in mean duration of ventilation and an increase in the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity.

To determine the frequency of subtelomeric abnormalities in children with idiopathic mental retardation.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the frequency of subtelomeric abnormalities in children with idiopathic mental retardation (MR). METHOD: Multiplex ligation-dependant probe amplification technique was used to detect subtelomeric abnormalities. RESULTS: Out of 35 children, 21 (60%) were males. Family history of MR was present in 23%. Main clinical features included speech delay in all motor delay cases (83%) and non-specific dysmorphic features (77%). CONCLUSION: Associated clinical features were more in children with intelligence quotient (IQ) < 50 (P < 0.05). Subtelomeric deletion (4q35) was observed in one child.

Profile of Live-born Infants of In-vitro Fertilisation.

INTRODUCTION: The Army Hospital (R&R) is the only service hospital providing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) facility. Neonatal characteristics of live-born infants at this centre over a two-year period are analyzed in this study. METHODS: Data on 504 consecutive live-born IVF infants over a two-year period (01 Feb 2007 to 31 Jan 2009) were analysed. RESULT: Of the 504 neonates, 190 (37.7%) were born by vaginal delivery, 156 (30.9%) by elective lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) and 127 (25.19%) following emergency LSCS. Maternal illness posing specific risk to the neonate was present in 165 out of 504 (32.7%). There were 239 (47.4%) preterm neonates. Males formed 51.8% of the cohort. Singletons accounted for 51.2%, while the rest (48.8%) were products of twin pregnancies. Small for gestational age neonates formed 22.6% (n = 114). A total of 20 (3.9%) infants had congenital malformations. There were 242 (48.1%) low birth weight neonates. A total of 128 (25.4%) neonates needed neonatal intensive care. Of the 504, there were 474 (94.1%) survivors while 30 (5.9%) did not survive. Twenty-nine (6.1%) neonates required readmission during the neonatal period. CONCLUSION: In our setting, neonates born following IVF appeared to be at increased risk of prematurity, multiple births and low birth weight. Proper obstetric and neonatal management can result in good neonatal outcomes.

Pompe's Disease in Childhood: A Metabolic Myopathy.

BACKGROUND: Myopathy of metabolic origin in childhood occurs due to a variety of conditions. Pompe's Disease also known as Glycogen storage disease Type II, is a rare storage disorder with clinical presentation akin to spinal muscular atrophy. METHODS: A series of patients with suspected metabolic myopathy were reviewed at a tertiary care service hospital over a period of three years. The diagnosis was confirmed by estimation of acid alpha glucosidase activity. RESULT: At our centre, these cases presented with generalized hypotonia, organomegaly (hepatomegaly, cardiomegaly) and congestive cardiac failure. Infantile onset, the most severe form of Pompe's disease, was the commonest form accounting for 75% of the cases. Four of the babies with infantile onset Pompe's disease expired, three due to refractory heart failure and one to fulminant respiratory infection before 15 months of age. CONCLUSION: Pompe's Disease is now being increasingly diagnosed, due to definitive enzyme estimation facilities. With the recent availability of enzyme replacement therapy with Myozyme, the prognosis is likely to change for the better.

Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Children with Unexplained Failure to Thrive.

BACKGROUND: Gluten sensitive enteropathy or celiac disease (CD) is a disorder of small bowel that occurs upon exposure to gluten. A total of 67 children of either sex in the age group of 1-12 years with unexplained failure to thrive were studied for the prevalence of CD. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. It included detailed history, clinical assessment, estimation of anti gliadin (AGA), tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA) and duodenal biopsy. Treatment with gluten free diet and follow-up of diagnosed cases was done for one year. RESULT: Sixteen cases (23.88%) had villous atrophy and positive serology, essential criteria for the diagnosis of CD. Forty six (69%) children were between 4-12 years of age. Male to female ratio was 2.3:1. Main symptoms were irritability (63%), diarrhea (56%) and weight loss (56%). Thirty seven (56%) children had weight less than 3(rd) percentile. tTGA was 100% sensitive and 90.2% specific. Duodenal biopsy showed decreased villious-crypt ratio in 81.25% and intra epithelial lymphocytosis in 81% children (p<0.000001). All the confirmed cases were advised strict gluten free diet for one year. On follow-up at six months, all children showed improvement in their symptoms and weight gain. CONCLUSION: CD is an important cause of unexplained failure to thrive in children.

Effect of some abiotic factors on population buildup of Idioscopus clypealis (Lethierry) in western Uttar Pradesh.

Idioscopus clypealis (Lethierry) is commonly known as mango leaf hopper. The hopper reduces mongo production by causing non setting of flower and dropping of immature fruits. The first appearance of hoppers (0.12 and 0.16) on the branches of mango trees was recorded in February which is correlated with increase in maximum (23.89 degrees C and 24.29 degrees C) and minimum temperature (11.46 degrees C and 11.88 degrees C) and decrease in relative humidity (88.15% and 86.85%). Peak hopper population (5.88 and 6.46) was recoded in May on temperature range of(40.34 degrees C and 40.88 degrees C) and (27.22 degrees C and 27.62 degrees C) as maximum and minimum, which was very high, whereas, relative humidity was very low (55.80% and 55.09%). With the increase in maximum and minimum temperature and decrease in relative humidity hopper population raised. Thus, maximum and minimum temperature positively affected the hopper population, whereas, relative humidity had negative effect, but rainfall showed no significant effect, as it was fluctuating.

Ischemic stroke following mild head injury is it the cause.

Recognition of childhood stroke is difficult. Newer diagnostic modalities like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) have made this task much easier. Head trauma usually causes hemorrhage. We are presenting seven cases of mild head injury presenting as ischamic stroke. Neuroimaging suggested infarct involving left basal ganglia and internal capsule in five and bilateral involvement in two cases. MRA done in three was normal.

Effect of cybil on reproductive success of wild Drosophila melanogaster.

Cybil (a synthetic pyrethroid) was used to assess its impact on the reproductive success in F1 and F2 generations of wild Drosophila melanogaster. The LC50 has been estimated as 0.0267 microl/100 ml food. Reproductive success has been found to be affected in addition to fecundity and pupation following toxicity of cybil.

Comparative utility of technetium-99m hexamethylpropylenamine oxime single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with anatomic neuroimaging and electroencephalography (EEG) in childhood intractable epilepsy.

Intractable epilepsies pose a therapeutic challenge. Precise localization of the epileptic focus is imperative before planning surgical intervention. Functional imaging is an important component of presurgical work-up. Positron emission tomography is unavailable in developing countries; hence, the need to evaluate the available imaging modality, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), was felt. We investigated 61 children with intractable epilepsy, identified by predefined criteria, by performing electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ictal and interictal SPECT. The localizing value of ictal and interictal SPECT imaging for epileptic foci was correlated with clinical, electrophysiologic, and anatomic neuroimaging data. An ictal SPECT was obtained in 9, and interictal SPECT was performed in all (61). Ictal SPECT was localizing in 8 of 9 (88.8%). Interictal SPECT was localizing in a significantly higher proportion of patients (47.54%) than either the scalp EEG (16.39%) (P = .0003) or CT scan (21.56%) (P = .0046). Our data demonstrated that interictal and ictal SPECT identified more focal changes in children with intractable epilepsy than interictal EEG, CT, and probably MRI. The definitive proof of the SPECT-based findings being epileptogenic foci awaits correlation with intraoperative monitoring and postoperative follow-up.

Rational use of EEG in childhood epilepsy.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) helps in diagnosing seizures and various childhood epileptic syndromes that have significant treatment implications. It represents the electric activity of the brain. Activating procedures can further increase the diagnostic yield. Besides diagnosing, it has a role in discontinuation of treatment and drug monitoring. EEG has its own limitations--it can be normal in an epileptic child and abnormal in a normal one. Electrical activity of the brain varies with age and physiological states like sleep. In neonates the background activity is much more important than epileptiform discharges unless these are repetitive and focal. Pseudo-epileptiform patterns like fourteen and six Hz activity can be confusing. Common typical epileptiform patterns seen in childhood are hypsarrhythmia in infantile spasm, burst suppression in early infantile epileptic encephalopathy, generalised 3 Hz spike wave discharges in absence seizures and periodic complexes in SSPE. EEG patterns like low voltage, electro-cerebral inactivity, multifocal spikes and excessive slow background are associated with poor outcome in neonates. Newer approaches have increased the yield and made localisation more precise. Epilepsy is a clinical diagnosis but EEG has significant role in substantiating the clinical suspicion, classification and management.

Iron overload: detection using a micromethod for iron-binding capacity.

Depending upon the transferrin saturation value, 214 serum samples were divided into three groups--iron overloaded (46 cases), iron deficient (61 cases) and normal (107 cases)--and tested with a micromethod based upon detection of unsaturated iron binding capacity. All the samples with iron overload could be distinguished from the other two groups, the results of the normal and iron deficient groups showing wide scatter and overlap. The high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia (iron overload) syndromes in India and other developing countries emphasises the need to differentiate these disorders at the earliest opportunity. The micromethod can be of immense help as it is a simple, rapid and inexpensive.

Plasma transcobalamins in haematological disorders.

Plasma UBBC-B12 and transcobalamins were measured in 112 patients suffering from different haematological disorders. The data showed different patterns of changes in plasma transcobalamin profile in different haematological disorders. Plasma UBBC-B12 and transcobalamins were significantly higher than normal in untreated chronic myeloid leukaemia, acute promyelocytic leukaemia, nutritional megaloblastic anaemia and in refractory anaemias with hypercellular marrow. Normal levels of these proteins were noted in chronic lymphatic leukaemias, in primary and secondary hypereosinophilic states and in multiple myeloma. Subnormal levels of these proteins were observed in hypoplastic anaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Chronic myeloid leukaemia patients during blast crisis and acute myeloid leukaemia patients except those suffering from acute promyelocytic leukaemia showed varying pattern of plasma transcobalamins depending on type of blast crisis or FAB subtype of AML. The significance of these changes in plasma transcobalamins have been discussed along with the experience of other workers in this field.