Temperature-programmed reduction method for stabilization of the inorganic framework of SAPO-37 materials: promising catalysts for MTBE production.

A temperature-programmed reduction method was developed to stabilize SAPO-37 and molybdenum-(oxy)-carbide-loaded SAPO-37 (SAP-37MoCR). The inorganic framework (Faujasite type SAPO-37) was retained for the first time even after treatment at 550 °C and was confirmed through powder XRD and SEM analysis. SAP-37MoCR exhibits strong acidic sites and is a promising catalyst for MTBE synthesis. Furthermore, the catalyst is stable and recyclable.

Comparison of Conventional Ziehl-Neelsen Method of Acid Fast Bacilli with Modified Bleach Method in Tuberculous Lymphadenitis.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease and a major health problem in developing countries, with lymphadenopathy being the most common presentation. Tuberculous lymphadenitis can be diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph node. Conventional Ziehl-Neelsen method for acid fast bacilli plays a key role in the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment for tuberculosis, however, with low sensitivity. Present study emphasizes the role of bleach concentration method in fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph nodes over conventional direct smear microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 75 patients with clinically suspected tuberculous lymphadenopathy who were referred to the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care hospital, Faridabad. Data regarding age, sex, duration and site of swelling, nature of aspirate, and cytomorphological diagnosis were documented for each patient. RESULTS: Of the total 75 cases, 15 were positive both in conventional Ziehl-Neelsen method and bleach concentration method. By bleach concentration method, additional 34 cases showed positivity that were not revealed by conventional Ziehl-Neelsen method. Thus, a total 49 cases were positive for acid fast bacilli. CONCLUSION: There are problems in arriving at an absolute diagnosis in certain cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis when the aspirate shows polymorphous picture with occasional epithelioid cells and absence of typical Langhans giant cell or caseous necrosis. In the present study, acid fast bacilli positivity was established in 65.33% of the cases with the bleach method. Bleach method for detection of tubercle bacilli has a high case detection rate than that of the conventional Ziehl-Neelsen method.

Testing the Feasibility of Remote Patient Monitoring in Prenatal Care Using a Mobile App and Connected Devices: A Prospective Observational Trial.

BACKGROUND: Excessive weight gain and elevated blood pressure are significant risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes such as gestational diabetes, premature birth, and preeclampsia. More effective strategies to facilitate adherence to gestational weight gain goals and monitor blood pressure may have a positive health benefit for pregnant women and their babies. The impact of utilizing a remote patient monitoring system to monitor blood pressure and weight gain as a component of prenatal care has not been previously assessed. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of monitoring patients remotely in prenatal care using a mobile phone app and connected digital devices. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 8 women with low risk pregnancy in the first trimester were recruited at an urban academic medical center. Participants received a mobile phone app with a connected digital weight scale and blood pressure cuff for at-home data collection for the duration of pregnancy. At-home data was assessed for abnormal values of blood pressure or weight to generate clinical alerts to the patient and provider. As measures of the feasibility of the system, participants were studied for engagement with the app, accuracy of remote data, efficacy of alert system, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Patient engagement with the mobile app averaged 5.5 times per week over the 6-month study period. Weight data collection and blood pressure data collection averaged 1.5 times and 1.1 times per week, respectively. At-home measurements of weight and blood pressure were highly accurate compared to in-office measurements. Automatic clinical alerts identified two episodes of abnormal weight gain with no false triggers. Patients demonstrated high satisfaction with the system. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, we demonstrated that a system using a mobile phone app coupled to remote monitoring devices is feasible for prenatal care.

Effect of maternal and neonatal factors on cord blood thyroid stimulating hormone.

BACKGROUND: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is most common preventable cause of mental retardation in children. Cord blood Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (CBTSH) level is an accepted screening tool for CH. OBJECTIVES: To study CBTSH profile in neonates born at tertiary care referral center and to analyze the influence of maternal and neonatal factors on their levels. DESIGN: Cross retrospective sectional study. METHODS: Study population included 979 neonates (males = 506 to females = 473). The CBTSH levels were estimated using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on Cobas analyzer. Kit based cut-offs of TSH level were used for analysis. All neonates with abnormal CBSTH levels, were started on levothyroxine supplementation 10 µg/Kg/day and TSH levels were reassessed as per departmental protocol. RESULTS: The mean CBTSH was 7.82 µIU/mL (Range 0.112 to 81.4, SD = 5.48). The mean CBTSH level was significantly higher in first order neonates, neonates delivered by assisted vaginal delivery and normal delivery, delivered at term or preterm, neonates with APGAR score <5 and those needing advanced resuscitation after birth. The CBTSH level >16.10 and <1.0 µIU/mL was found in 4.39 % and 1.02 % neonates respectively. The prevalence rate of CBTSH level >16.1 µIU/mL was significantly higher in neonates delivered by assisted vaginal delivery and normal delivery, term and preterm neonates, APAGR score of <5, presence of fetal distress, need for resuscitation beyond initial steps and in those with birth weight of <1.5 Kg. Three neonates were confirmed to have CH after retesting of TSH level. CONCLUSIONS: The CBTSH estimation is an easy, non-invasive method for screening for CH. The cutoff level of CB TSH (µIU/mL) >16.10 and <1.0 led to a recall of 5.41% of neonates which is practicable given the scenario in our Country. The mode of delivery and perinatal stress factors have a significant impact on CBTSH levels and any rise to be seen in the light of these factors. The prevalence rate of CH after recall was ~3 in 1000 live births.

Plexiform neurofibroma of the submandibular salivary gland: a rare tumour.

UNLABELLED: A 15 year old boy presented with swelling in the submandibular region. X ray of the part showed faint radio opaque shadow. A provisional diagnosis of sialadenitis with sialiolithiasis was made. Excised mass was reported histopathologically as plexiform neurofibroma of submandibular salivary gland. Plexiform neurofibroma of the salivary gland is a rare benign tumour, often present in the parotid gland. It is very rare in submandibular salivary gland. It is a slow growing, locally infiltrating tumour. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12262-010-0174-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Aggressive Digital Papillary Adenocarcinoma in a Young Female-a Rare Presentation.

A 20 year old female presented with a recurrent soft tissue swelling over the medial aspect of proximal phalanx of left little finger. It had recurred one year after excision. There was no lymphadenopathy or bony involvement. Previous histopathology reports were not available. After excision histopathological diagnosis was aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma. Later Ray's amputation of little finger was planned. Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinomas are rare sweat gland tumors which occur on hands, fingers, and toes. They have high local recurrence rate and may metastasize to lungs and lymph nodes.

Successful treatment of buschke-löwenstein tumour by surgical excision alone.

A 48-year-old man presented with multiple warts in groin for 1 year, which progressively increased in size. Local examination showed large vegetative growth in perianal area. Full thickness excision of involved skin and lesions was undertaken by electrocautery. Entire wound was left open to heal by secondary intention. Histopathological examination suggested Buschke-Löwenstein tumour. Postoperative follow-up for more than 2 years showed the absence of any recurrence.

Role of diagnostic hysteroscopy in abnormal uterine bleeding and its histopathologic correlation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the accuracy of hysteroscopy in evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding and to correlate hysteroscopic findings with histopathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at AVBRH and JNMC, Sawangi (M), Wardha, from May 2006 to September 2008. One hundred cases were selected for this study from patients of age group 18 and above, who were admitted with the history of abnormal uterine bleeding. Hysteroscopic examination was done in all patients post-menstrually, whenever possible, except in those cases where menstrual cycles were grossly irregular or patients came with continuous bleeding per vaginum. The patients then underwent dilatation and curettage and endometrium was sent for histopathologic examination. The correlation between findings on hysteroscopy and histopathologic examination was tabulated. RESULTS: FOLLOWING WERE THE FINDINGS ON HYSTEROSCOPY: proliferative 34%, secretary 16%, hyperplasia 18%, atrophic 8%, endometrial polyp 9%, submucous myoma 11%, carcinoma of endometrium 03%, misplaced Cu-T 1%. CONCLUSION: In patients with abnormal uterine bleeding, hyster-oscopy provides more accurate dia-gnosis than dilatation and curettage.

Copy number polymorphism in Fcgr3 predisposes to glomerulonephritis in rats and humans.

Identification of the genes underlying complex phenotypes and the definition of the evolutionary forces that have shaped eukaryotic genomes are among the current challenges in molecular genetics. Variation in gene copy number is increasingly recognized as a source of inter-individual differences in genome sequence and has been proposed as a driving force for genome evolution and phenotypic variation. Here we show that copy number variation of the orthologous rat and human Fcgr3 genes is a determinant of susceptibility to immunologically mediated glomerulonephritis. Positional cloning identified loss of the newly described, rat-specific Fcgr3 paralogue, Fcgr3-related sequence (Fcgr3-rs), as a determinant of macrophage overactivity and glomerulonephritis in Wistar Kyoto rats. In humans, low copy number of FCGR3B, an orthologue of rat Fcgr3, was associated with glomerulonephritis in the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus. The finding that gene copy number polymorphism predisposes to immunologically mediated renal disease in two mammalian species provides direct evidence for the importance of genome plasticity in the evolution of genetically complex phenotypes, including susceptibility to common human disease.