Fe-based MOFs as promising adsorbents and photocatalysts for re-use water contained arsenic: Strategies and challenges.

Arsenic (As) contaminated water, especially groundwater reservoirs, is a major issue worldwide owing to its hazardous consequences on human health and the global environment issues. Also, irrigating agricultural fields with As-contaminated water not only produces an accumulation of As in the soil but also compromises food safety due to As entering into agricultural products. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop an efficient method for As removal in water. Fe-based MOFs have attained special attention due to their low toxicity, high water stability, better physical and chemical properties, and high abundance of iron. The arsenic species removal by Fe-MOF follows the adsorption and oxidation mechanism where As (III) converts into As (V). Moreover, the adsorption mechanism is facilitated by electrostatic interactions, H-bonding, acid-base interaction, hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces, π-π stacking interactions, and coordinative bindings responsible for Fe-O-As bond generation. This review thoroughly recapitulates and analyses recent advancements in the facile synthesis and potential application of Fe-based MOF adsorbents for the elimination of As ions. The most commonly employed hydro/solvothermal, ultrasonic, microwave-assisted, mechanochemical, and electrochemical synthesis for Fe-MOF has been discussed along with their adsorptive and oxidative mechanisms involved in arsenic removal. The effects of factors like pH and coexisting ions have also been discussed. Lastly, the article also proposed the prospects for developing the application of Fe-based MOF in treating As-contaminated water.

Is the child oral health quality of life questionnaire sensitive to change in the context of orthodontic treatment? A brief communication.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the ability of the Child Oral Health Quality of Life Questionnaire (COHQoL) to detect change following provision of orthodontic treatment. METHODS: Children were recruited from an orthodontic clinic just prior to starting orthodontic treatment. They completed a copy of the Child Perception Questionnaire, while their parents completed a copy of the Parents Perception Questionnaire and the Family Impact Scale. Normative outcomes were assessed using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) and the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index. Change scores and effect sizes were calculated for all scales. RESULTS: Complete data were collected for 45 children and 26 parents. The mean age was 12.6 years (standard deviation = 1.4). There were significant pre-/posttreatment changes in DAI and PAR scores and significant changes in scores on all three questionnaires (P < 0.05). Effect sizes for the latter were moderate. Global transition judgments also confirmed pre-/posttreatment improvements in oral health and wellbeing. CONCLUSION: The results provide preliminary evidence of the sensitivity to change of the COHQoL questionnaires when used with children receiving orthodontic treatment. However, the study needs to be repeated in different treatment settings and with a larger sample size in order to confirm the utility of the measure.

Successful management of uterine incision hemorrhage in caesarean section with topical oxidized regenerated cellulose (Surgicel Nu Knit): a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine hemorrhage is a common problem at the time of caesarean section especially in a repeat caesarean section and when the operation is performed for placenta praevia. CASE REPORT AND DISCUSSION: We present the case of a 28 year old woman undergoing a repeat emergency caesarean section for scar tenderness. She had excessive hemorrhage from the incision site that could not be controlled by traditional management including intravenous oxytocin and ergometrine, intramyometrial prostaglandin and local hemostatic sutures, but was successfully controlled with topical oxidized regenerated cellulose absorbable hemostat.

Prospective study of glove perforation in obstetrical and gynecological operations: are we safe enough?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the glove perforation rate, efficacy of double gloving, effect of duration of surgery, expertise of surgeon and operative urgency on the glove perforation rate in obstetrical and gynecologic operations. METHODS: From February to September 2002, double glove protocol was made necessary for all major obstetrical and gynecologic procedures. The operating surgeon, first and second assistant were included in the study. Gloves damage was noted (overt by inspection, occult by hydroinsufflation technique). RESULTS: Of the 156 procedures included in study, 32 procedures were performed (all emergency operations) single-gloved because surgeons found double gloving clumsy (56%), made it difficult to tie knots due to lack of dexterity (24%), or were too tight (20%). One thousand one hundred and twenty single gloves were examined after each procedure by hydroinsufflation. The overall perforation rate was 13.6% (single versus double outer gloves, 13.8% versus l3.2%, P > 0.05). Matching perforations were found in six cases (4.6%). Thus, the protection offered by double gloves was 95.4% even if the outer gloves were perforated. Four inner gloves had preexisting perforations. Sixty unused gloves checked similarly revealed a perforation rate of 1.6%. Emergency cases had higher perforation rate compared to elective surgeries (16.6% versus 10.8%, P < 0.00 1). Surgeries lasting for more than 40 min had a higher perforation rate compared to those finished in less than or equal to 40 min (18.6% versus 7.6%, P < 0.001). The middle finger of the left hand was the most commonly involved. The surgeon, first assistant and second assistant were involved in 73.6, 23.3 and 3.2% cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Double gloving offers considerable protection against exposure to contaminants in the blood and body fluids of the patient and should be made routine, especially in developing countries where HIV, hepatitis B and C are widely prevalent. Double gloving should be made mandatory in emergency procedures, which have a higher perforation rate due to operative urgency, and gloves should be changed in operations lasting for more than 40 min to ensure integrity of barrier.

Mini laparotomy versus conventional laparotomy for abdominal hysterectomy: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Less traumatizing measures for hysterectomies are searched for to improve the recovery from surgery. AIM: Comparison of minilaparotomy abdominal hysterectomy with conventional abdominal hysterectomy in respect to per-operative and post-operative outcome and complications. SETTING AND DESIGN: In a medical college hospital patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were enrolled. It was a concomitant comparative study. METHODS AND MATERIAL: We are presenting our comparative data of 100 cases of minilaparotomy abdominal hysterectomy (group I, incision =< 6 cm) performed over last 4 years from January 1998 to December 2002 and comparing the outcome with 99 cases of abdominal hysterectomy (group II, incision > 6 cm) done by traditional method over the same duration. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square and Fischer test with significance of p value being taken at 0.05 were used for categorical data, while student's t test was used for continuous data. RESULTS: Mean age and parity of patients were similar in the two groups. Incision was transverse in 100% cases in-group I and 22.2% cases in-group II. Estimated blood loss was significantly higher (354 ml) in group II in contrast to group I (240 ml). Blood transfusion was also required more commonly (22.2%) in-group II than in-group I (9%). Mean operative time was significantly more in-group II (90 minutes) than in group I (41 minutes). Mean hospital stay, day of mobility, starting oral diet and days of injectable analgesics required were higher in group II than in group I. Major complications were rare in both the groups, but minor complications were significantly higher in group II (40.4%) than in group I (26%). CONCLUSION: Minilaparotomy abdominal hysterectomy appears to be an attractive alternative to traditional abdominal hysterectomy with fewer complications.

Huge localized vaginal neurofibromatosis: an unusual cause of postmenopausal bleeding.

A 55-year-old lady, menopausal for 8 years, presented with vaginal swelling for the preceding 6 months and with post menopausal bleeding (two bouts). Examination revealed a vaginal mass of 7 x 5 cm which was ultrasonically diagnosed as vaginal fibroid. The vaginal mass was excised and confirmed to be a vaginal neurofibroma on histopathology.

Facial and body blood contamination in major gynecologic surgeries.

AIM: To determine the incidence of facial and body blood contamination in various major gynecologic surgeries. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted over a 6-month period on 122 major gynecologic surgeries (abdominal and vaginal) to determine the incidence of blood splashes on masks, goggles (or spectacles), body and feet of surgeons and assistants. RESULTS: The overall incidence of blood splashes was 49.18%, 59.5%, 28.68% and 22.95% on surgeons masks, goggles, body and feet, respectively. This incidence was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than for first assistants, who showed an incidence of blood splashes of 35.24% (mask), 38.13% (goggles), 20.49% (body) and 9.83% (feet). The lowest incidence of splashes was seen on second assistants, with 22.1% (mask), 24.73% (goggles), 10.52% (body) and 7.36% (feet). There was no significant difference in the facial splash rate between major abdominal and vaginal surgeries, but body and feet contamination was significantly higher in major vaginal surgeries (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a very high risk of facial and body blood contamination in major gynecologic surgeries, putting the surgeon and assistants at risk of acquiring viral disease. Routine use of universal precautions in all gynecologic surgeries is strongly recommended.

Effect of dietary habits on prevalence of anemia in pregnant women of Delhi.

AIM: To see the effect of various dietary habits, such as a vegetarian diet or various types of meat, on the prevalence of anemia in pregnant women. METHODS: A study was carried out in Delhi to determine the effect of different dietary habits on prevalence of anemia during pregnancy by questioning the women during pregnancy regarding their dietary habits (vegetarian diet, jhatka or halal meat) and assessing their hemoglobin levels. The data was compiled and chi2 test was employed for understanding the associations between the effect of food habits on prevalence of anemia. RESULTS: Mean age was 26.5 years. Most women were in the second (26%) or third trimester (63.2%) of pregnancy. Prevalence of anemia was found to be very high. Of 1150 women, 96% were anemic (89.8% mildly anemic, 5.3% severely anemic). Anemia was seen in 96.18% cases in vegetarian women, 95.3% in halal meat eaters, and 96.2% in jhatka meat eaters (not significant). Although the percentage of women with < 11 g/dL Hb was less in the jhatka group eating meat more than 5 times per month, than in halal meat eaters and vegetarians, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: There is very high prevalence of anemia during pregnancy in Delhi, probably due to very low frequency of meat eating in India. Different types of dietary habits had no effect on the prevalence of anemia in pregnant Indian women.

Maternal and perinatal outcome in varying degrees of anemia.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the maternal and perinatal outcome in varying degrees of anemia. METHODS: A total of 447 pregnant women were divided into group I (Hb>11 g%, n=123 women), group II (Hb 9-10.9 g%, n=214 women), group III (Hb 7-8.9 g%, n=79 women) group IV (Hb<7 g%, n=31 women). Their maternal and perinatal outcome, mode of delivery, duration of labor and postpartum complications were noted and analyzed using multiple logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (95% CI) for duration of labor, mode of delivery and low birth babies. Chi square or Fisher's exact test was employed for difference in proportions and Student's t-test for testing difference between means. RESULTS: Mean age (27+/-4.25 years) and number of women with parity >3 were highest in group IV. The patients with Hb<8.9 g% had a 4-6-fold higher risk of prolonged labor compared to Hb>11 g%. The odds ratios for abnormal delivery (cesarean and operative vaginal deliveries) showed a 4.8-fold higher risk (95% CI 1.82, 12.7) in patients with Hb