Recurrent pregnancy loss: can factor V Leiden mutations be a cause.

The role of Factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation in recurrent miscarriages has been disputed. It has been hypothesized that FVL mutation in patients with recurrent miscarriages is treatable. In this study, we evaluated 78 pregnant women for FVL mutations, among whom 50 had a history of recurrent miscarriages. Only 1 (2%) of the woman was positive for heterozygous FVL mutation. The incidence of FVL mutations in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss had an odds ratio of 1.72 (95% confidence interval, 0.0681-43.8257; P>0.05). However, the findings were not statistically significant. Thus, we suggest that FVL mutation study may not be included in the battery of tests for recurrent miscarriages in the Indian population.

Seasonal characteristics of water-soluble inorganic ions and carbonaceous aerosols in total suspended particulate matter at a rural semi-arid site, Kadapa (India).

To better understand the sources as well as characterization of regional aerosols at a rural semi-arid region Kadapa (India), size-resolved composition of atmospheric particulate matter (PM) mass concentrations was sampled and analysed. This was carried out by using the Anderson low-pressure impactor for a period of 2 years during March 2013-February 2015. Also, the variations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and water-soluble inorganic ion components (WSICs) present in total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) were studied over the measurement site. From the statistical analysis, the PM mass concentration showed a higher abundance of coarse mode particles than the fine mode during pre-monsoon season. In contrast, fine mode particles in the PM concentration showed dominance over coarse mode particle contribution during the winter. During the post-monsoon season, the percentage contributions of coarse and fine fractions were equal, whereas during the monsoon, coarse mode fraction was approximately 26 % higher than the fine mode. This distinct feature in the case of fine mode particles during the studied period is mainly attributed to large-scale anthropogenic activities and regional prevailing meteorological conditions. Further, the potential sources of PM have been identified qualitatively by using the ratios of certain ions. A high sulphate (SO4) concentration at the measurement site was observed during the studied period which is caused by the nearby/surrounding mining activity. Carbon fractions (OC and EC) were also analysed from the TSPM, and the results indicated (OC/EC ratio of ~4.2) the formation of a secondary organic aerosol. At last, the cluster backward trajectory analyses were also performed at Kadapa for different seasons to reveal the origin of sources from long-range transport during the study period.

Association of p53 codon72 Arg>Pro polymorphism with susceptibility to nasopharyngeal carcinoma: evidence from a case-control study and meta-analysis.

Tumor suppressor p53 is a critical player in the fight against cancer as it controls the cell cycle check point, apoptotic pathways and genomic stability. It is known to be the most frequently mutated gene in a wide variety of human cancers. Single-nucleotide polymorphism of p53 at codon72 leading to substitution of proline (Pro) in place of arginine (Arg) has been identified as a risk factor for development of many cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the association of this polymorphism with NPC across the published literature has shown conflicting results. We aimed to conduct a case-control study for a possible relation of p53 codon72 Arg>Pro polymorphism with NPC risk in underdeveloped states of India, combine the result with previously available records from different databases and perform a meta-analysis to draw a more definitive conclusion. A total of 70 NPC patients and 70 healthy controls were enrolled from different hospitals of north-eastern India. The p53 codon72 Arg>Pro polymorphism was typed by polymerase chain reaction, which showed an association with NPC risk. In the meta-analysis consisting of 1842 cases and 2330 controls, it was found that individuals carrying the Pro allele and the ProPro genotype were at a significantly higher risk for NPC as compared with those with the Arg allele and the ArgArg genotype, respectively. Individuals with a ProPro genotype and a combined Pro genotype (ProPro+ArgPro) also showed a significantly higher risk for NPC over a wild homozygote ArgArg genotype. Additionally, the strength of each study was tested by power analysis and genotype distribution by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The outcome of the study indicated that both allele frequency and genotype distribution of p53 codon72 Arg>Pro polymorphism were significantly associated with NPC risk. Stratified analyses based on ethnicity and source of samples supported the above result.

Use of a modified Furlow Z-plasty as a secondary cleft palate repair procedure to reduce velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Cleft palate repair is done to allow for normal speech by separating the oral and nasal cavities and creating a functioning velopharyngeal valve. However, despite cleft palate repair, some patients demonstrate velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). An attempt was made to determine the effectiveness of a modified secondary Furlow Z-plasty in improving VPI. Fifty-five children aged between 12 and 15 years, with postoperative VPI following primary palatoplasty, were included in the study. These children underwent a modified Furlow Z-plasty. Nasometry was done to determine the change in velopharyngeal function due to the secondary Furlow Z-plasty by comparing the preoperative with the 1-year postoperative nasalance scores. A test-retest study was performed to determine the reliability of the nasometric measures. Reliability measurements of the nasometer passages revealed good reliability for 18 out of the 25 speech passages. There was a statistically significant reduction in VPI at 1 year postoperative in patients who were treated with the modified Furlow Z-plasty, with a P-value of <0.001 in all passages, except velar plosives, which had a P-value of 0.002. Patients with VPI after primary palatoplasty and treated using a modified Furlow Z-plasty had significantly lower nasalance scores at 1 year postoperative, indicating significantly improved velopharyngeal function.

Columnar-integrated aerosol optical properties and classification of different aerosol types over the semi-arid region, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.

This study presents a characterization of aerosol columnar properties measured at a semi-arid station Anantapur in the southern part of India during the period from October 2012 to September 2013. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom exponent (α) have been retrieved from Microtops II Sunphotometer over the observation site. The results show that a pronounced spectral and monthly variability in the optical properties of aerosols is mainly due to anthropogenic sources. The results show that the spectral curvature can effectively be used as a tool for aerosol type discrimination, since the fine-mode aerosols exhibit negative curvature, while the coarse-mode particles are positive. The classification of aerosols is also proposed by using the values of AOD at 500 nm and Angstrom exponent values (α(380-870)) by applying threshold values obtained from the frequency distribution of AOD. The results of the analysis were identified by four individual components (anthropogenic/biomass burning, coarse/dust, coarse/marine, clean continental) of different origin and compositions. The most frequent situations observed over the site are that due to the anthropogenic/biomass burning situations which account for about 45.37%, followed by coarse/dust (43.64%), clean continental (7.2%) and coarse/marine (3.82%) during summer. The identification of the aerosol source type and the modification processes are analyzed by using the Gobbi et al. (2007) classification scheme based on the measured scattering properties (α, dα) derived from the Microtops II Sunphotometer.

Inferring wavelength dependence of AOD and Ångström exponent over a sub-tropical station in South Africa using AERONET data: influence of meteorology, long-range transport and curvature effect.

Aerosol optical properties over a southern sub-tropical site Skukuza, South Africa were studied to determine the variability of the aerosol characteristics using CIMEL Sunphotometer data as part of the AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) from December 2005 to November 2006. Aerosol optical depth (AOD), Ångström exponent (α), and columnar water vapor (CWV) data were collected, analyzed, and compiled. Participating in this network provided a unique opportunity for understanding the sources of aerosols affecting the atmosphere of South Africa (SA) and the regional radiation budget. The meteorological patterns significantly (p<0.05) influenced the amount and size distribution of the aerosols. Results showed that seasonal variation of AOD at 500 nm (AOD500) over the observation site were characterized by low values (0.10-0.13) in autumn, moderate values (0.14-0.16) in summer and winter seasons, and high to very high values (0.18-0.40) during the spring, with an overall mean value of 0.18±0.12. Ångström exponent α(440-870), varied from 0.5 to 2.89, with significant (p<0.0001) seasonal variability. CWV showed a strong annual cycle with maximum values in the summer and autumn seasons. The relationship between AOD, Ångström exponent (α), and CWV showed a strong dependence (p<0.0001) of α on AOD and CWV, while there was no significant correlation between AOD and CWV. Investigation of the adequacy of the simple use of the spectral AOD and Ångström exponent data was used in deriving the curvature (a2) showed to obtain information for determining the aerosol-particle size. The negative a2 values are characterized by aerosol-size dominated by fine-mode (0.1-1 µm), while the positive curvatures indicate abundance of coarse particles (>1 µm). Trajectory cluster analyses revealed that the air masses during the autumn and winter seasons have longer advection pathways, passing over the ocean and continent. This is reflected in the aerosol properties that are derived from the ocean, desert, and anthropogenic activities that include biomass burning and industrial pollution.

Screening for maternal coeliac disease as a potential risk factor for orofacial clefts--a pilot study.

There is increasing evidence that dietary folic acid deficiency in utero may increase the risk of developing the 'cleft lip with or without cleft palate' (CL±P) variant of orofacial cleft. Coeliac disease is a common cause of folic acid malabsorption, and in the majority of cases remains undiagnosed. This pilot study assessed the seroprevalence of undiagnosed coeliac disease in a cohort of mothers of infants with CL±P in the Hyderabad area of India. The seroprevalence of coeliac disease of 1.15% (95% confidence interval 0.37-2.66%) was little different from the expected figure based on published population studies, making a clinically significant association unlikely.

Size segregated mass concentration and size distribution of near surface aerosols over a tropical Indian semi-arid station, Anantapur: Impact of long range transport.

Regular measurements of size segregated as well as total mass concentration and size distribution of near surface composite aerosols, made using a ten-channel Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) cascade impactor during the period of September 2007-May 2008 are used to study the aerosol characteristics in association with the synoptic meteorology. The total mass concentration varied from 59.70+/-1.48 to 41.40+/-1.72 microg m(-3), out of which accumulation mode dominated by approximately 50%. On a synoptic scale, aerosol mass concentration in the accumulation (submicron) mode gradually increased from an average low value of approximately 26.92+/-1.53 microg m(-3) during the post monsoon season (September-November) to approximately 34.95+/-1.32 microg m(-3) during winter (December-February) and reaching a peak value of approximately 43.56+/-1.42 microg m(-3) during the summer season (March-May). On the contrary, mass concentration of aerosols in the coarse (supermicron) mode increased from approximately 9.23+/-1.25 microg m(-3)during post monsoon season to reach a comparatively high value of approximately 25.89+/-1.95 microg m(-3) during dry winter months and a low value of approximately 8.07+/-0.76 microg m(-3) during the summer season. Effective radius, a parameter important in determining optical (scattering) properties of aerosol size distribution, varied between 0.104+/-0.08 microm and 0.167+/-0.06 microm with a mean value of 0.143+/-0.01 microm. The fine mode is highly reduced during the post monsoon period and the large and coarse modes continue to remain high (replenished) so that their relative dominance increases. It can be seen that among the two parameters measured, correlation of total mass concentration with air temperature is positive (R(2)=0.82) compared with relative humidity (RH) (R(2)=0.75).

Temporal and spectral characteristics of aerosol optical depths in a semi-arid region of southern India.

The spectral and temporal variations of aerosol optical depths (AOD) observed over Anantapur (a semi-arid region) located in the Southern part of India are investigated by analyzing the data obtained from a Multiwavelength Solar Radiometer (MWR) during January 2005-December 2006 (a total of 404 clear-sky observations) using the Langley technique. In this paper, we highlighted the studies on monthly, seasonal and spectral variations of aerosol optical depth and their implications. The results showed seasonal variation with higher values during pre-monsoon (March-May) and lower in the monsoon (June-November) season at all wavelengths. The pre-monsoon increase is found to be due to the high wind speed producing larger amounts of wind-driven dust particles. The post-monsoon (December-February) AOD values decrease more at higher wavelengths, indicating a general reduction in the number of bigger particles. Also during the post-monsoon, direction of winds in association with high or low pressure weather systems and the air brings more aerosol content to the region which is surrounded by a number of cement plants, lime kilns, slab polishing and brick making units. The quantity of AOD values in pre-monsoon is higher (low during post-monsoon) for wavelength, such as shortwave infrared (SWIR) or near infrared (NIR), which shows that coarse particles contribute more compare with the sub-micron particles. The composite aerosols near the surface follow suit with the share of the accumulation mode to the total mass concentration decreasing from approximately 70% to 30% from post-monsoon to pre-monsoon. Coarse mode particle loading observed to be high during pre-monsoon and accumulation mode particles observed to be high during post-monsoon. The backward trajectories at three representative altitudes with source point at the observing site indicate a possible transport from the outflow regions into Bay of Bengal, southern peninsular India and Arabian Sea. The temporal variations of AOD, Angstrom wavelength exponent and precipitable water content over Anantapur have also been compared with those reported from selected locations in India.

Spectroscopic properties of Dy(3+) ions in NaF-B(2)O(3)-Al(2)O(3) glasses.

This paper reports the optical properties of Dy(3+) in sodium fluoroborate glasses of the type XNaF.(89-X)B(2)O(3).10 Al(2)O(3).1Dy(2)O(3) (where X=8, 12, 16, 20 and 24). Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Omega(2), Omega(4), Omega(6)) are derived from the absorption spectra. The Judd-Ofelt theory has been applied to interpret the local environment of Dy(3+) ions and bond covalency of RE-O bond. These parameters have been used to calculate radiative transition probabilities (A(rad)), lifetimes (tau(R)) and branching ratios (beta(R)) for the excited level (4)F(9/2). The predicted values of tau(R) are compared with the measured values for (4)F(9/2) level for five glass compositions (Glass (A-E)). The stimulated emission cross-section sigma(lambda(P)) are also evaluated for the (4)F(9/2)-->(6)H(J) (J=11/2, 13/2, and 15/2) transitions.

Postoperative infection of laparoscopic surgery wound due to Mycobacterium chelonae.

We report a case of postoperative wound infection due to Mycobacterium chelonae. A 35-year-old woman presented with multiple erythematous nodules, plaques and discharging sinuses over the abdomen, 45 days after she had undergone laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. The seropurulent discharge from the wound showed acid-fast bacilli on Ziehl- Neelsen stain and culture yielded Mycobacterium chelonae. The patient responded to clarithromycin and doxycycline. The source of infection was probably contaminated water or disinfectant solution used for sterilization of laparoscopic instruments.

Study of genital lesions.

A total of one hundred patients (75 males and 25 females) age ranged from 17-65 years with genital lesions attending the STD clinic of Bowring and LC Hospitals Bangalore constituted the study group. Based on clinical features, the study groups were classified as syphilis (39), chancroid (30), herpes genitalis (13), condylomato lato (9), LGV (7t condylomata acuminata (5), genital scabies (3), granuloma inguinole (2) and genital candidiasis (1). In 68% microbiological findings confirmed the clinical diagnosis. Of the 100 cases 13% and 2% were positive for HIV antibodies and HbsAg respectively.

Porous silicon based potentiometric triglyceride biosensor.

A novel method for estimating triglycerides is reported. Porous silicon, prepared from p-type (100) crystalline silicon was thermally oxidized and used to immobilise lipase, an enzyme, which hydrolyses triglycerides resulting in the formation of fatty acids. This causes a change in the pH of the solution. Enzyme solution-oxidized porous silicon-crystalline silicon structure was used to detect changes in pH during the hydrolysis of tributyrin as a shift in the capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics. Detailed calibration of the sensor is included.

Epidemiology of symptomatic human rotaviruses in Bangalore and Mysore, India, from 1988 to 1994 as determined by electropherotype, subgroup and serotype analysis.

Epidemiology of symptomatic rotaviruses from Bangalore and Mysore in Southern India was investigated. While serotype G3 predominated throughout the 7-year study period from 1988 to 1994 in Bangalore, serotype G1 was more predominant than serotype G3 in Mysore during 1993 and 1994. Serotype G2 strains were either not detected or infrequently observed in both the cities. However, several strains with subgroup I and 'short' RNA pattern that exhibited high reactivity with typing MAbs specific for serotype 2 as well as other serotypes were detected throughout the period. Among the nonserotypeable strains from both cities, several exhibited dual subgroup (SGI + II) or subgroup I specificity and 'long' RNA pattern indicating their probable animal origin. Notably, a gradual, yet highly significant reduction in rotavirus gastroenteritis, from 45.3% in 1988 to 1.8% during 1994, was observed in Bangalore in stark contrast to the consistently high (about 34%) incidence of asymptomatic infections among neonates by I321-like G10P11 type strains during the same period. Moreover, I321-like asymptomatic strains were not detected in children with diarrhea.

Decreased adhesiveness and altered cellular distribution of fibronectin in fibroblasts from schizophrenic patients.

Relative to those from normal subjects, cultured skin fibroblasts from schizophrenic patients have been found to show abnormal growth characteristics and morphology. This study compared skin fibroblasts from 10 drug-free schizophrenic patients and 10 normal control subjects on cell adhesiveness to the substratum. Relative to fibroblasts from normal controls, those from patients showed significantly decreased cell adhesiveness, with no overlap in distribution between the groups. Since fibronectin, a major cell surface molecule, is known to be involved in the fibroblast adhesion to substratum, its extracellular and intracellular distribution was determined by immunocytochemical analysis. Both extracellular and intracellular levels of fibronectin were significantly lower, and the distribution was altered in fibroblasts from the patients.

Exclusive asymptomatic neonatal infections by human rotavirus strains having subgroup I specificity and "long" RNA electropherotype.

A large number of stool specimens, of healthy newborn infants, collected from various hospitals and clinics in Bangalore City, India, have been examined for the presence of asymptomatic rotaviral excretion. Out of 370 samples analysed during a three year period from 1988 to 1991, 133 specimens (36%) were positive for rotavirus RNA. All these asymptomatic neonatal strains, without exception, showed "long" RNA pattern, but subgroup I specificity. Serotype analysis by ELISA or by hybridization with serotype-specific probes indicated that these strains probably represent a new serotype in newborn children. We find an exclusive association of human rotaviruses having "long" RNA pattern and subgroup I specificity with asymptomatic neonatal infections in contrast to the earlier observations of association of such unusual strains with acute gastroenteritis in young children.

Multifocal Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the jaws: a case report.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is an uncommon disease that includes a spectrum of disorders in which there is an abnormal proliferation of Langerhans cells. This article describes a case of a benign form of multifocal Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the maxilla and mandible. The patient was followed for a period of 2 1/2 years, during which time there was spontaneous remission of some of the lesions.

The high rate of prevalence of CT-detected basal ganglia calcification in neuropsychiatric (CNS) brucellosis.

Of 65 cases presenting with neuropsychiatric manifestations of brucellosis (CNS-brucellosis), 9(13.8%) had CT-detected basal ganglia calcification (BGC). Of these, 5 had meningitis and 4 had psychiatric manifestations as presenting features. The diagnosis of brucellosis was made by the finding of consistent history and physical findings and the presence of significantly elevated antibody titres and/or positive culture in the blood and/or CSF. In all the cases, BGC was in the form of punctate hyperdense non-enhancing shadows with average density 44.5-58.4 and maximum density 49-64HU. The calcification was unilateral in 3 cases, bilateral and symmetrical in 4 and bilateral but asymmetrical in 2. None of the cases had other predisposing conditions to BGC and in one of the cases did specific anti-brucella treatment effect a detectable change in the BGC. The finding of CT-detected BGC in patients coming from areas endemic for brucellosis should alert physicians to the possibility of underlying brucellar infection.