Elemental analysis of coal and coal ASH by PIXE technique.

Coal and coal ash samples were characterized by particle induced X-ray emission spectroscopic technique. Sixteen elements, namely K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Rb, Sr, Y and Pb were quantified in this study. Elements like K, Ca, Ti and Fe were present as major elements, whereas, other elements like V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr and Pb were present in trace level. The enrichment ratio of different ash samples with respect to coal were also estimated and discussed.

Pyloric and antral strictures following corrosive acid ingestion: A report of four cases.

This study reports four children who developed complete stricture of pylorus and antrum of the stomach following accidental ingestion of corrosive agent (toilet cleaner).

Outcome of colostomy closure with different skin closure techniques in a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Colostomy site, which is a potentially contaminated wound, is traditionally closed with interrupted skin stitches and placement of intraperitoneal or parietal or both drains; often with poor cosmetic outcome in our country. This study aims at prospective evaluation of colostomy closure wounds by different techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out in all infants and children with colostomy (for different pathologies) admitted for colostomy closure in our institute from August 1, 2006 to February 29, 2008. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A with colostomy closure without any drain and subcuticular skin closure and Group B with colostomy closure with both intraperitoneal and parietal drain and interrupted skin closure. Patient's details, including age, sex, body weight, diagnosis, preoperative bowel preparation, peroperative antibiotics, postoperative wound infection, anastomotic leaks, duration of hospitalisation and postoperative follow-up for wound assessment, were recorded. By the end of February 2008, 151 cases of colostomy closure were recorded, 70 in Group A and 81 in Group B. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the data showed no statistically significant difference in wound infection and anastomotic leak between the two groups. On postoperative follow-up, wound assessment showed significantly better cosmesis in the no drain subcuticular group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that closing colostomies without any drain and subcuticular skin closure does not result in any increased incidence of wound infection and has better cosmetic results.

Elemental analysis of silver coins by PIXE technique.

Elemental analysis of nine Indian silver coins during British rule was carried out by proton induced X-ray emission spectroscopy. Eight elements, namely Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, and Pb were determined in the present study. Ag and Cu were found to be the major elements, Zn was the only minor element and all other elements are present at the trace level. The variation of the elemental concentration may be due to the use of different ores for making coins.

Gastric teratoma in a female infant.

Gastric teratoma is a rare lesion seen most often in male infants. This patient, aged one year, female was having a massive benign gastric teratoma. The size of the tumour was 22 cm x 10 cm x 8 cm and weighted 2.250 kg making it one of the largest gastric teratoma. The tumour was removed by surgery. Histopathology revealed presence of all 3 elements in the form of skin, cartilage, fibrofatty tissue, blood vessels and gland with tall columnar epithelium. Postoperative period was uneventful.

Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes.

Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD) is a unique form of diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis seen in developing countries of the world associated with either overt protein-calorie malnutrition or, more likely, with deficiency of certain micronutrients. FCPD affects young individuals and runs an aggressive course to reach the endpoints of diabetes, pancreatic calculi and exocrine pancreatic dysfunction (steatorrhoea) in the majority of cases. There are characteristic features of FCPD radiologically, ultrasonographically, on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and on histopathology which distinguish it from chronic pancreatitis of other aetiologies seen in temperate zones, e.g. alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Although a secondary form of diabetes, specific diabetes-related complications like retinopathy and nephropathy do occur in FCPD. There appears to be a high risk of developing pancreatic carcinoma. Although the aetiology of FCPD is still unclear, the role of micronutrient (antioxidant) deficiency is emerging as a possible aetiological or predisposing factor. The contribution of genetic factors and environmental toxins, e.g. cyanogenic glycosides or other nutritional/toxic factors, merit further study. Studies on FCPD, a good model of a secondary form of diabetes, could lead to improved understanding of other primary forms of diabetes as well. If the underlying aetiological factors are identified, it may also be possible to prevent this type of diabetes.

Lean (underweight) NIDDM - peculiarities and differences in metabolic and hormonal status - a pilot study.

In the present series of 204 patients with NIDDM, 37 were lean and 35 obese. Mean FBG and HbA1C were significantly higher (P<0.02 and <0.01) in the former. Serum lipids such as total cholesterol (Tc) and triglycerides (Tg) were lower (P<0.05) in the lean while HDLc values were similar. Eight lean patients and 6 obese (Mean BMI : 15.7 vs.27.4) having similar age (48.0 vs 47.7 years) and mean duration of diabetes (4.6 vs 4.2 years) were subjected to the study of insulin and C-peptide status as well as beta cell reserve. The mean basal serum insulin (IRI) level was lower in the lean (15.3 vs. 28.9 mu u/ml ; P<0.05) while there was no statistical difference in the basal C-peptide values. Serum samples analysed 2 hours after 75 G of oral glucose and 1 mg I.V. glucagon (Novo) on two consecutive occasions for IRI and C-peptide responses revealed remarkable differences. The rise in IRI was significantly lower (p<0.01) in the lean after oral glucose and glucagon as compared to the obese. But the C-peptide values did not reveal significant difference suggesting similar reserve in beta cell function in both these groups of patients with NIDDM. The disparity between IRI and C-peptide levels observed was most likely due to excess extraction of insulin by the liver in lean-NIDDM, leading to lower peripheral levels. This phenomenon accounts for the occurrence of severe hyperglycemia inspite of good beta cell function in lean NIDDM.

Serum lipid profile in women using levonorgestrel contraceptive implant, Norplant-2.

Cholesterol content of major lipoprotein fractions along with total cholesterol (Tc) and triglyceride (Tg) were measured in 65 samples from 35 women using levonorgestrel contraceptive implant, Norplant-2 from the third month of implantation until the end of second year along with twenty-five healthy controls. There were significant decreases in all the fractional lipid values, Tc and Tg, up to the sixth month followed by a gradual rise of all lipid parameters except HDLc which remained much below the control level. Interestingly, VLDLc exhibited a significant rise at the end of the second year.

PIP: Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) were measured in 35 Indian women using the levonorgestrel-containing implant, Norplant, and in 25 controls. 65 blood samples were taken from the 35 Norplant users at 3,6, 12 and 24 months after placing the implants. Assays were done by quantitative fractionation methods. Serum HDL fell significantly at 3 months (p0.02), and further over 6-24 months of use (p0.001), from 40.0 to 31.8 mg/dl. The control value was 49.2. LDL and VLDL fell to a minimum at 6 months, and rose somewhat at 12 and 24 months. Total cholesterol also was depressed to a mean of 128.8 at 6 months, then rose to 148 mg/dl at 24 months. Control total cholesterol was 190.1. Triglyceride levels followed a similar pattern. The ratios of HDL/total cholesterol and VLDL/total cholesterol in this series suggest increased risk of coronary heart disease. In contrast, the fall in total cholesterol to values below 100 mg/dl in some subjects is cause for concern. These data add to the widely discrepant findings of serum lipoproteins in different studies on Norplant users.

Plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol in undernourished diabetic subjects and adults with protein energy malnutrition.

Estimation of triglycerides (Tg), total cholesterol (Tc), HDLs, LDLc, and VLDLc was carried out in 46 undernourished diabetic subjects (UND); 21 untreated and 25 on insulin; 44 well-nourished diabetic subjects (WND); 22 untreated and 22 on insulin; together with 25 patients with protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and 25 healthy controls less than 50 yr of age. Compared with controls, in the untreated diabetic subjects Tg, Tc, LDLc, and VLDLc were significantly higher in both classes, while HDLc was lower only in WND. Among the treated diabetic subjects, Tg were higher in WND, LDLc lower in UND, and VLDLc higher in both. With regard to relative distribution of cholesterol in the untreated patients, HDLc/Tc was lower in WND, but this was not so in UND. HDLc/Tc was higher in treated UND. Between undernourished and well-nourished groups of diabetic subjects in the untreated patients, HDLc was significantly higher and LDLc lower in the former. Both Tc and LDLc were lower in UND on insulin compared with WND. HDLc/Tc was higher and LDLc/Tc lower in both untreated and treated UND. In adults with PEM, mean values of Tg, Tc, and LDLc were much lower than in controls, as well as in both groups of UND. On the other hand, values of HDLc/Tc were higher and LDLc/Tc lower in PEM compared with controls, but this was not so for treated UND. It is evident from the results of this study that the undernourished have lower levels of plasma lipids and a favorable distribution of cholesterol among the lipid fractions from the point of view of vulnerability to development of atherosclerosis.