Thermal effects on chemically induced Marangoni convection around A + B → C reaction fronts.

Chemical reactions can induce Marangoni flows by changing the surface tension of a solution open to the air, either by changing the composition and/or by modifying the temperature. We consider the case of a simple A + B → C reaction front propagating in a thin horizontal system open to air. The effect of the three chemical species on the surface tension of the aqueous solution is quantified by three solutal Marangoni numbers, while the effect of temperature changes is determined by the thermal Marangoni number. By integrating numerically the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations coupled to reaction-diffusion-convection equations for the chemical concentrations and temperature taking into account the Lewis number (ratio between heat and mass diffusivities), we emphasize the importance of thermal changes occurring due to the heat of reaction on the dynamics of chemically induced Marangoni convection. Based on the reaction-diffusion profiles of concentrations and temperature, asymptotic analytical solutions for the surface tension profiles are obtained and classified as a function of the Marangoni numbers and the Lewis number. This new classification allows for the prediction of the convective patterns in thermo-solutal Marangoni flows. The analytical predictions are further confirmed by numerical results and additional extrema in surface tension profiles induced by the thermal effects are found to affect the nonlinear dynamics.

Flaxseed oil modulates testicular biometrics, hormone, libido, antioxidant and semen profiles in endangered Teressa goat of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Teressa goat is a unique goat breed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) of India. Effects of Flaxseed oil (FSO) supplementation in body weight (BW), scrotal circumference (SC), testicular volume (TV) and testicular weight (TW), endocrinological profiles, sex behavioural profiles (SBPs), oxidative stress markers and semen production and its quality profiles in rainy and dry summer season were studied in Teressa goat. Male goats (n = 12) of 3-4 years old were equally divided into control and treated groups. Treated animals received 25 mL FSO per day. Oral drenching of FSO was done in the morning before feeding the concentrate ration. Body weight, scrotal circumference, TV and TW were measured in bucks of FSO treated and untreated during rainy and dry summer seasons. Blood follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), cortisol and prolactin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in bucks of FSO treated and untreated during rainy and dry summer seasons. Libido score (LS), mating ability score (MAS) and sex behavioural score (SBS) were estimated at time of semen collection in bucks of FSO treated and untreated during rainy and dry summer seasons. Semen samples (n = 100; 50 semen samples from each season; each 25 semen samples from control and treatment groups per season) were collected and analysed for semen quality profiles. One-way ANOVA (control rainy, control dry, treated rainy and treated dry) revealed that BW, SC, TV and TW, FSH, LH, testosterone, TSH, T3 and T4 were higher (P < 0.05) and cortisol and prolactin were lower (P < 0.05) in FSO treated bucks of rainy season followed by untreated bucks of rainy season, FSO treated bucks of dry summer season and were lower (P < 0.05) in untreated bucks of dry summer season. Similarly, TAC, CAT, SOD and GSH, LS, MAS and SBS, and volume, pH, sperm concentration, mass activity, total motility (TM), viability, acrosomal integrity (AcI), plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and nuclear integrity (NI) were higher (P < 0.05) and MDA and TSA were lower (P < 0.05) in FSO treated bucks of rainy season followed by FSO treated bucks of dry summer season, untreated bucks of rainy season and were lower (P < 0.05) in untreated bucks of dry summer season. The results of the present study indicated that the breeding bucks suffered physiological stress (higher cortisol), oxidative stress (higher MDA and deficiency of antioxidants), hormonal imbalance (higher prolactin and cortisol and deficiency of gonadotropins, gonadal hormone and thyroid hormones) and infertility due to poor libido and poor semen production and its quality profiles during dry summer season. Thus, dry summer was more stressful season compared to rainy season for the goat bucks. FSO supplementation mitigated these stresses and improved the scrotal and testicular biometrics, libido, antioxidants, hormones and semen quality profiles in Teressa goat bucks. The current study concluded that FSO effectively improved the hormones, libido, antioxidant profiles, and scrotal and testicular biometrics with cascading beneficial effects on semen quality profiles in Teressa goat bucks under humid tropical island ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Assessment of front-line healthcare workers' Knowledge, Attitude and Practice after several months of COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Frontline healthcare workers (F-HCWs) are at the forefront of medical care providers against the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic which has life-threatening potentials. Inadequate knowledge and incorrect attitudes among HCWs can directly influence practices and lead to delayed diagnosis, poor infection control practices, and spread of disease. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding the COVID-19 pandemic among the frontline healthcare workers (F-HCWs) working at a tertiary care hospital situated in eastern Uttar Pradesh and to identify the factors significantly associated with KAP. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 health care providers across eastern Uttar Pradesh including Basti city during December 2020. Data was collected using a self-primed pretested questionnaire from the FHCWs working at a tertiary care hospital of eastern Uttar Pradesh. In this survey, a convenience sampling method was adopted. 12 items on knowledge, 10 items on attitude, and 5 items on practices related to COVID-19. The other variables consisted of 4 items on socio-demographic attributes, p-value and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were performed to assess the attitude and practices in relation to knowledge. RESULTS: Of the total 260 study population, 228 were interviewed online, 32 were self-administered. Knowledge and attitude of the nursing staff were highest but practice score was best for residents. Among different age groups knowledge, attitude and practices scores were highest for 35-45, 45-60 and 25-35 age groups respectively. Respondents having 5-10 years of experience had the best knowledge and the attitude score was highest for HCWs having 10-20 years' experience but the practice score was higher for HCWs having more than 20 years' work experience. Overall knowledge score of respondents having strong correlation with attitude (p<0.05) and to the practice (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this survey many F-HCWs reported adequate overall knowledge with a positive attitude and adopted appropriate practices. The F-HCWs with a higher level of education and more years of experience in health care facilities had better KAP towards COVID-19.

Hidden in Plain Sight: Clinical Informaticians are the Oncology Subspecialists You Did Not Know You Needed.

Clinical informatics is a young, diverse and rapidly growing field. We asked eight clinical informaticians from a variety of oncology specialties, training pathways and careers for personal narratives to illustrate the wide spectrum of clinical informatics careers. Primary clinical specialties included radiation oncology, medical/haematology oncology and palliative care. Training pathways included fellowship, non-fellowship formal training and informal training. Careers included clinical care, research, operations and industry. We summarised common themes and advice for trainees. We hope to raise awareness of clinical informatics among trainees and oncologists to reveal new career opportunities and to avoid inadvertently taking clinical informatics and informaticians for granted.

Cystoscopic transurethral incision in simplex and duplex ureteroceles-is it the definitive procedure?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of primary cystoscopic transurethral incision (CTUI) in the management of paediatric ureteroceles. The secondary aim is to compare the efficacy of CTUI between simplex and duplex systems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of consecutive paediatric patients requiring surgical intervention for ureterocele. Data collected for analysis included demographics, diagnostic, pre-operative investigations, operative interventions and postoperative variables. RESULTS: Over a 19-year period, 79 consecutive cases were identified, and 42 were male (53.2%). The mean follow-up was 6.7 years. Seventy-three (92.4%) cases underwent primary CTUI; 50 of these cases (68.5%) required no further procedures during the study period. Sixty-one cases were treated by endoscopic intervention alone (77.2%). Forty-one (51.9%) cases had a simplex system, and 38 (48.1%), a duplex system. There was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy of primary CTUI in simplex vs duplex systems. Of the 20 patients who had pre-operative and postoperative micturating cystourethrograms performed, seven (35%) developed de-novo postoperative vesicoureteric reflux after CTUI. CONCLUSION: Primary CTUI is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that is definitive in the majority of children presenting with a ureterocele that requires intervention. There was no difference in success of primary CTUI between simplex or duplex systems.

Making a Simple A+B→C Reaction Oscillate by Coupling to Hydrodynamic Effect.

We present a new mechanism through which chemical oscillations and waves can be induced in batch conditions with a simple A+B→C reaction in the absence of any nonlinear chemical feedback or external trigger. Two reactants A and B, initially separated in space, react upon diffusive contact and the product actively fuels in situ convective Marangoni flows by locally increasing the surface tension at the mixing interface. These flows combine in turn with the reaction-diffusion dynamics, inducing damped spatiotemporal oscillations of the chemical concentrations and the velocity field. By means of numerical simulations, we single out the detailed mechanism and minimal conditions for the onset of this periodic behavior. We show how the antagonistic coupling with buoyancy convection, due to concurrent chemically induced density changes, can control the oscillation properties, sustaining or suppressing this phenomenon depending on the relative strength of buoyancy- and surface-tension-driven forces. The oscillatory instability is characterized in the relevant parametric space spanned by the reactor height, the Marangoni (Ma_{i}) and the Rayleigh (Ra_{i}) numbers of the ith chemical species, the latter ruling the surface tension and buoyancy contributions to convection, respectively.

Effect of drinking water temperature on physiological variables of crossbred dairy cattle at high altitude temperate region of Himalayas.

AIM: The objective of study was to investigate the effects of drinking water on certain physiological parameters such as heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and, ruminal motility (RM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out on 18 farm bred lactating crossbred cows. The animals selected for the study were divided into three groups of six animals each on the basis of milk yield and parity and were allotted to three treatment group of six each such as ambient drinking water temperature at 10.25±0.28°C (ambient water, T1), drinking water temperature at 15-20°C (T2) and drinking water temperature at 35-40°C (T3). All the managemental practices were kept similar during experiment except drinking water temperatures physiological variables such as HR, RR, RT, and RM of the individual cow was measured and recorded twice in a day at 800 h and again at 1400 h two consecutive days in a week 15 min after providing drinking water. RESULT: HR and RR at morning and at evening recorded were within the normal physiological level for all the treatment groups. However, RT at morning was comparable in all the treatments whereas at evening it was significantly (p<0.01) higher for cows consuming in T2 and in T3 than cows consumed (T1). The RM during morning among the treatments were non-significant as compared to the rumen motility at evening was significantly higher for (T1) and (T2) than for cows in (T3). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that offering warm drinking water at 35-40°C to crossbred lactating dairy cow is beneficial during winter at high altitude temperate region.

Genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1 and GSTM1 loci and susceptibility to anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Host genetic factors that influence predisposition to anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH) are not clear in the Indian population. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible association of DIH with polymorphism at the RsaI site of the 5-prime untranslated region of CYP2E1 and GSTM1 'null' mutations. METHODS: In this prospective study, 113 tuberculosis (TB) patients with DIH and 201 TB patients receiving anti-tuberculosis treatment without developing hepatotoxicity (non-DIH) constituted cases and controls, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to analyse genetic polymorphisms of CYP450 2E1 at the RsaI site and 'null' GSTM1 mutations. PCR-RFLP results were compared between 185 non-DIH and 105 DIH patients RESULTS: A high frequency of c1c1 genotypes of CYP2E1 was commonly encountered, and the difference between DIH and non-DIH patients was not significant (75.14% vs. 77.14%). The genotypic distribution of c2c2 was significantly higher in the DIH than in the non-DIH group (4.8% vs. 0.5%, OR 8.58, P = 0.03). However, adjustment for age, sex and serum albumin differences yielded an OR of 2.75, making it non-significant (P = 0.26). Homozygous 'null' mutation frequencies at the GSTM1 gene in DIH and non-DIH patients were observed that were not significantly different (40% and 37%, respectively, P = 0.61). CONCLUSION: RsaI variants of the CYP2E1 gene and GSTM1 'null' mutation were not associated with risk of DIH in a north Indian population.

Susceptibility pattern of various azoles against Candida species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis.

OBJECTIVES: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common gynecological finding among the women worldwide. Candida species are often less susceptible to antifungal agents. Owing to this fact, in this study, we aimed at assessing the prevalence rate and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of various azoles against Candida species causing VVC in symptomatic women. METHODS: The prospective study included 217 female patients with symptoms of vaginal discharges. Specimens were characterized microscopically and were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against various azoles according to NCCLSM44 disk-diffusion method. RESULTS: VVC was detected in 18.4 % of the cases. Based on age distribution, the highest rate of Candida infection was observed in the age group of 20-29 years (42.5 %). Antifungal susceptibility revealed that fluconazole was highly effective against Candida Species (97.2 %); on the contrary, the highest resistance was observed in the case of miconazole (63 %). CONCLUSION: In the current study, prevalence rate of VVC was found to be 18.4 %, and among the various azoles tested, fluconazole has the highest antimicrobial activity.

Ecological problems of tree species in protected ecosystems of Orissa, India.

The tree layer vegetation of two protected ecosystems i.e. Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) and Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) of eastern ghat was analysed for structure, composition and diversity. With respect to the tree species composition the two protected ecosystems were differed from each other at the family, genera and species level. About 117 tree species representing 85 genera and 42 families were recorded in SBR. The average number of species per hectare was 32.5. However, a total of 29 tree species representing 22 genera and 16 families were recorded in BNP with an average number of species per hectare of 24.17. Species dominancy of the two protected areas was also different due to their difference in habitat condition. In SBR Shorea robusta was the most dominant species while in BNP Excoecaria agallocha was the most dominant species. Shannon-Wiener species diversity was 3.15 for Similipal and 2.314 for Bhitarkanika indicating that Similipal was highly diverse than Bhitarkanika. In general both the protected ecosystems of Orissa are highly rich in biodiversity and are characteristics of good ecological wealth of eastern ghat. Thus conservation and management practices are essential for the sustainability of their biodiversity.

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele--is there a place for conservative management?

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) is an uncommon entity. It consists of large inguinoscrotal swelling which is dumbbell shaped, and in theory, communicates with its intra-abdominal component. Although various theories have been proposed, the aetiology is still unclear. To date, the only reported management is by surgical excision. Spontaneous resolution has not been documented in the literature. We present a case of proven abdominoscrotal hydrocele successfully managed by conservative approach.

Environmental management of industrial hazardous wastes in India.

Hazardous wastes are considered highly toxic and therefore disposal of such wastes needs proper attention so as to reduce possible environmental hazards. Industrial growth has resulted in generation of huge volume of hazardous wastes in the country. In addition to this, hazardous wastes sometimes get imported mainly from the western countries for re-processing or recycling. Inventorisation of hazardous wastes generating units in the country is not yet completed. Scientific disposal of hazardous wastes has become a major environmental issue in India. Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 have been framed by the Central Government and amended in 2000 and 2003 to deal with the hazardous wastes related environmental problems that may arise in the near future. This paper gives details about the hazardous wastes management in India. Health effects of the selected hazardous substances are also discussed in the paper.

Indications for nephrectomy in children: what has changed?

OBJECTIVE: To review the indications for nephrectomy in children between 1990 and 2001, at the Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. PATIENTS AND METHODS: There were 206 nephrectomies. A retrospective review of the patients' notes was performed. The 12-year period was divided into two halves (1990-1996 and 1996-2001) which were then compared. RESULTS: The total number of nephrectomies per year significantly increased over the period of the study (11.5 and 22.2 per year for 1990-1995 and 1996-2001, respectively; P<0.05), as did the number of partial nephrectomies (one and 23 for 1990-1995 and 1996-2001, respectively; P<0.01). Multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK), Wilms' tumour and vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) accounted for more than half of the nephrectomies (60% and 68% for 1990-1995 and 1996-2001, respectively). The proportion of nephrectomies performed for these indications did not change (MCDK 25% and 34%, Wilms' 25% and 18%, VUR 16% and 18%, for 1990-1995 and 1996-2001, respectively), but fewer nephrectomies were performed for pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction in the second half of the study period (13% and 4% for 1990-1995 and 1996-2001, respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The total number of nephrectomies, including partial nephrectomies, has increased significantly. The decrease in nephrectomies for PUJ obstruction could be accounted for by a more aggressive approach in the management and follow up of prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis. Of note is that there was no significant change in the proportion of nephrectomies performed for Wilms' tumour, MCDK and VUR.

Urban water tariff structure and cost recovery opportunities in India.

Given the high level of capital investment and the history of government subsidized services, full cost pricing of water services has yet to take hold in India. As a result, it remains broadly underpriced leading to public perception that water is "free" The current tariff levels in India are too low to cover even operating costs. This paper examines the existing Indian urban water tariff models (fixed tariff, volumetric tariff, increasing block tariff etc.), their relevance and problems. It was found that none of the tariff structures could satisfy all the design objectives (cost recovery, economic efficiency, equity, affordability etc.). Also subsidies are not explicit and well targeted for poor population. There are several studies and issues that do demonstrate the opportunities for tariff increase and improved cost recovery. This paper highlights the results of such studies and brings out issues needing consideration. Improved cost recovery would lead to improved financial status of the water utilities. Also, subsidies, if designed suitably and well targeted, would serve the concerns of the economically weaker sections. Such reform process would eventually lead to socio-economic sustainability.

Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) in siblings: case report and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Report of MMIHS in siblings with emphasis on diagnostic aspects in antenatal scanning and genetics. METHOD: Two case reports and review of the literature RESULTS: The firstborn child of this family was a female infant with a postnatal diagnosis of MMIHS. In the consecutive pregnancy frequent antenatal scans were performed, which showed normal fetal anatomy until 19 weeks' gestation. The pregnancy was carried on and at 36 weeks' gestation dilatation of the renal collecting system and dilated loops of bowel were seen, suggestive of MMIHS. CONCLUSION: Prenatal diagnosis of MMIHS remains difficult. Further research into the genetics of this condition is necessary and would be an important tool in counselling parents with an affected child in view of the chances having an affected child at subsequent pregnancies. A multi-centre collection of a genetic pool from parents may be helpful for future research.

The management of a postdural puncture headache in a child.

We present a case of an 11-year old girl who underwent an elective pyeloplasty and had an epidural catheter placed for per- and postoperative analgesia. Postoperatively she developed a postural headache and severe nausea, and a diagnosis of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) was made. Her symptoms failed to respond to conservative management. An epidural blood patch was performed with immediate and complete resolution of her symptoms. We present this case to highlight the occurrence of PDPH in children and to outline the considerations for management.

Urachal remnants: an enigma.

AIM: To determine what should be done with incidentally discovered urachal remnants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 10-year retrospective study revealed 24 patients with urachal remnants. The histology of the urachal remnants was reviewed. A review of the data on urachal carcinoma in adults diagnosed and treated during the same period in an adjacent adult hospital was carried out. A review of the literature was also performed. RESULTS: In the 23 patients where histology was available 17 had normal urothelial lining and 6 (25%) showed abnormal epithelium. This included colonic epithelium, small intestinal epithelium and squamous epithelium. Four of the patients with abnormal epithelium were in the group of "incidental removals". During the 10-year period, 4 cases of urachal carcinoma were managed at the adult urology centre. Three had extensive disease at presentation. Two died of the disease while the third died of myocardial infarction 5 months after resection. Only one was alive at one-year follow-up. The occurrence of such documented complications makes a strong case for "prophylactic" surgery when urachal remnants are diagnosed incidentally or recognised during other operative procedures. All paediatric patients who underwent excision of urachal remnants had an uncomplicated clinical course.

The referral pattern for undescended testes in Auckland.

AIM: To accurately audit the age at orchiopexy at our institution and then to analyse the referral pattern specially related to the age of the patient. METHODS: A retrospective review of hospital records was performed. Data were obtained from the hospital database based on the procedure code of orchiopexy. Mean and median values were calculated for age at referral, time between clinic visit and referral (T1) and between clinic visit and operation (T2). RESULTS: The mean age at referral was 42.6 months (median 23, range 0 - 179.1 months). The mean time T1 was 2.6 months (median 1.7, range 0 - 16.9 months). The mean time T2 was 7.0 months (median 3.3 months). CONCLUSION: There is a need to increase awareness about undescended testes amongst all parties involved in the health care of children.