The offset droplet: a new methodology for studying the solid/water interface using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

The routine study of the solid-water interface by XPS is potentially revolutionary as this development opens up whole new areas of study for photoelectron spectroscopy. To date this has been realised by only a few groups worldwide and current techniques have significant restrictions on the type of samples which can be studied. Here we present a novel and uniquely flexible approach to the problem. By introducing a thin capillary into the NAP-XPS, a small droplet can be injected onto the sample surface, offset from the analysis area by several mm. By careful control of the droplet size a water layer of controllable thickness can be established in the analysis area-continuous with the bulk droplet. We present results from the solid-water interface on a vacuum prepared TiO2(110) single crystal and demonstrate that the solid/liquid interface is addressable.

In defence of transpalatal, transpalatal-circumaxillary (transpterygopalatine) and transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial approaches to lateral extensions of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma often presents with lateral extensions. In countries with limited resources, selection of a cost-effective and least morbid surgical approach for complete excision is challenging. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, with lateral extensions, underwent transpalatal, transpalatal-circumaxillary (transpterygopalatine) or transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial approaches for resection. Clinico-radiological characteristics, tumour volume and intra-operative bleeding were recorded. RESULTS: The transpalatal approach was suitable for extensions involving medial part of pterygopalatine fossa; transpalatal-circumaxillary for extensions involving complete pterygopalatine fossa, with or without partial infratemporal fossa; and transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial for extensions involving complete infratemporal fossa, even cheek or temporal fossa up to zygomatic arch. Haemorrhage was greatest with the transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial approach, followed by transpalatal approach and transpalatal-circumaxillary approach (1212, 950 and 777 ml respectively). Tumour size (volume) was greatest with the transpalatal-circumaxillary approach, followed by transpalatal-circumaxillary-sublabial approach and transpalatal approach (40, 34 and 29 mm3). There was recurrence in three cases and residual disease in two cases. Long-term morbidity included small palatal perforation (n = 1), trismus (n = 1) and atrophic rhinitis (n = 2). CONCLUSION: These modified techniques, performed with endoscopic assistance under hypotensive anaesthesia, without embolisation, offer a superior option over other open procedures with regard to morbidity and recurrences.

DeSanctis-Cacchione syndrome.

We report a case of DeSanctis-Cacchione Syndrome presenting with unusual features like early onset of cutaneous lesions and optic atrophy.

Anaemia and mental functions in rural primary school children.

Mental functions of 388 (6-8 years of age) rural primary school children matched for social and educational status were assessed in relation to anaemia and nutritional status. Malin's intelligence scale for Indian children and an arithmetic test were administered to assess intelligence, attention and concentration. No significant differences were found between the IQ scores of anaemic and non-anaemic groups, except for the subtest digit span. In contrast, there was an effect of nutritional status on IQ scores. Observations on the arithmetic test showed that anaemia is associated with lower levels of attention and concentration.

Oedema fluid composition in childhood disorders.

Oedema fluid was collected from the leg through a sterile 21 gauge needle inserted into the subcutaneous space in 12 patients with protein energy malnutrition, 12 with nephrosis, 5 with Indian childhood cirrhosis, 4 with acute nephritis, 4 with epidemic dropsy and 3 with congestive heart failure. The concentrations of protein, free amino acids and electrolytes were measured in plasma and oedema fluid. The plasma/oedema fluid ratios were 36:1, 49:1, 32:1 and 52:1 in protein energy malnutrition, nephrosis, Indian childhood cirrhosis and congestive heart failure. These ratios were significantly smaller in epidemic dropsy (4:1) and acute nephritis (21:1). The free alpha amino nitrogen concentrations in these two compartments were almost in equilibrium. This was also found for essential and non-essential amino acid distributions in protein energy malnutrition and nephrosis, whereas differences in amino acid patterns were found in nephritis and epidemic dropsy. Sodium and potassium concentrations varied substantially between diseases where the underlying cause was gross hypoproteinemia compared to non-hypoproteinemic conditions.

Cord blood haemoglobin, iron and ferritin status in maternal anaemia.

Maternal and cord blood haemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin were studied in sets of 30 anaemic (haemoglobin less than 110 g/l) and 21 nonanaemic (haemoglobin greater than or equal to 110 g/l) mothers. The cord serum iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin concentrations had significant correlation with maternal haemoglobin. The significant low levels of these parameters suggested that maternal anaemia adversely affected the iron status including iron stores of the newborns. The cord serum iron of 15.2 +/- 4.35 mumol/l and ferritin of 29.7 +/- 10.93 ng/ml seem to be effective to maintain cord haemoglobin levels. Thus, anaemic mothers with reasonably maintained ferritin and transferrin saturation levels provide sufficient iron for maintenance of cord haemoglobin, although foetal iron stores are likely to be depleted.

Feeding practices in Varanasi district.

PIP: This paper describes infant and child feeding practices in the urban, urban slum, and rural areas of the Varanasi district, India. 784 mothers were interviewed to investigate the feeding pattern of their 893 children, all in the 0-5 year age group. In all groups cow's milk or goat's milk was most frequently used as the first food after birth; boiled water and honey was also frequently used as the first food after birth, especially in rural areas. The first feeding was offered mostly within the first 608 hours of birth in the urban and urban slum areas, within the first 4-6 hours of birth in rural areas. The majority of children in all groups were first put to breast on the 3rd day after birth; colostrum was discarded in 90% of children of the urban slum and rural group, while 63.74% of urban children received colostrum. 53.85% of urban children were breastfed up to 6 months, as compared to 10.21% of those in urban slums, or 12.2% in rural areas; breast feeding was prolonged in the slums and in rural areas, and sometimes beyond 2 years of age in rural areas. 66.67% of children in the urban group were weaned before 6 months, as compared to 40.14% and 33.63% in the slums and in the rural group; weaning was markedly delayed in those last 2 groups; 5-9% of children in rural areas were not weaned at all. While 50.55% of urban children recived solid foods between 7-12 months of age, most of slums and rural areas children received solids between 13-18 months. About 20% of urban children were started on an adult diet by 12 months, and the majority by 18 months; most slum or rural children were started between 18-24 months or after 2 years, respectively. 83.62% of urban infants were given foods such as cereals, meat, curd, brinjial and root vegetables, which not given to other groups' infants because of the belief that they can cause clinical disorders. From these observations it appears that traditional and customary child rearing practices are still prevalent in urban slums and rural areas, and certainly not to the advantage of the growth and development of children. Only education on infant health and nutrition imparted to young mothers would correct such age-old infant feeding practices.^ieng