Foetal growth parameters—Clinical versus ultrasonographic

The study was conducted in 2831 pregnant women with no diagnosed complication at the time of registration to obtain normal foetal growth pattern for clinical and ultrasonographic parameters. Normal values for maternal weight, fundal height and abdominal girth for clinical and biparietal diameter, abdominal circumferences and femoral length for ultrasonographic parameters are presented. Clinical and ultrasonographic parameters were compared for their efficacy in prediction of low birth weight. Neither clinical nor ultrasonographic parameters were found to be satisfactory in identifying the foetus at risk of low birth weight. It has been found that clinical parameters for routine monitoring are as effective as ultrasonographic parameters and have the added advantage of being easily replicable at the peripheral level of health care.     

A Supercritical Fluid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of Metformin and Gliclazide in Human Plasma

Present study reports the development and validation of a simultaneous estimation of metformin and gliclazide in human plasma using supercritical fluid chromatography followed by tandem mass spectrometry. Acetonitrile:water (80:20) mixture was used as a mobile phase along with liquid CO₂ in supercritical fluid chromatography and phenformin as an internal standard. The modified plasma samples were analyzed by electro-spray ionization method in selective reaction monitoring mode in tandem mass spectrometry. Supercritical fluid chromatographic separation was performed using nucleosil C₁₈ containing column as a stationary phase. The separated products were identified by characteristic peaks and specific fragments peaks in tandem mass spectrometry as m/z 130 to 86 for metformin, m/z 324 to 110 for gliclazide and m/z 206 to 105 for phenformin. The present method was found linear in the concentration ranges of 6.0-3550 ng/ml and 7.5-7500 ng/ml for metformin and gliclazide, respectively. Pharmacokinetic study was performed after an oral administration of dispersible tablets containing 500 mg of metformin and 80 mg of gliclazide using same techniques.     

Periosteal fixation in third-nerve palsy.

PURPOSE: We present a new technique of anchoring the eyeball to the nasal periosteum using a nonabsorbable suture in acquired isolated third-nerve paresis. METHODS: This was a case series of 4 consecutive adult subjects with isolated third-nerve paresis. After a 12-mm lateral rectus muscle recession in all 4 subjects, we passed 5-O double-armed polyester (NW683 Ethibond; Ethicon, Division of Johnson and Johnson Ltd., Aurangabad, India) on spatulated needles through the periosteum overlying the anterior lacrimal crest (exposed as in a Dacryocystorhinostomy procedure) at its superior part. The needles were brought anterior to the medial rectus muscle insertion and tightened enough to align the eye in 8-10 prism diopters adducted position. RESULTS: Ocular alignment in the primary gaze was satisfactory at 6-12 months of follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a nonabsorbable polyester suture to anchor the globe to the nasal periosteum is an additional technique that holds promise to align the eyes in the primary gaze.     

Hepatitis viruses and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: A review

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is among the haematological malignancies with high prevalence worldwide, causing estimated 355 900 new cases and 191 400 deaths in 2008. High prevalence of NHL is documented in economically more developed areas while low prevalence is observed in less developed areas of the globe. A wide array of environmental factors have been reported to be either directly involved or in modifying the risk of NHL development. In addition to these factors, a number of infectious agents, chiefly viruses have also been implicated in the development of NHL. This article reviews the available literature to discuss the role of hepatitis viruses in NHL development, possible mechanisms of lymphomagenesis and also identify the areas in which further research is required to better understand this disease. A brief discussion on the clinical aspects such as classification, staging, treatment approaches have also been included in this article.     

Progress in biomarker discovery for diagnostic testing in epithelial ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer accounts for more deaths than all other gynecological malignancies combined, primarily due to advanced stage at initial presentation and our continued inability to detect early-stage disease. Multiple approaches have led to the development of new diagnostic markers for early detection, with no real success (high false positives and poor positive predictive values). Considering the rarity of this disease, the impact of poor diagnostic markers will only be detrimental to the entire early-detection process. Recent advances in proteomics, as well as breakthroughs in analytical techniques and bioinformatics, have enabled researchers to look outside the box, for a panel of proteins (protein profiles) rather than just one or two proteins, thus increasing sensitivity and specificity. This review describes current strategies in the early detection of ovarian cancer, existing markers, their clinical utilities and shortcomings, and highlights newer markers and technologies that are being pursued to improve women's healthcare.     

MR imaging evaluation of obstructing vaginal malformations with hematocolpos or hematometra in adolescent girls: A cross sectional study

Objective

Vaginal or uterine outlet obstruction leads to hematocolpos or hematometra. Detection of the etiology of this entity is important to guide adequate surgical management and thereby avoid complications and to preserve fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate obstructing vaginal malformations in adolescent girls presenting with hematocolpos or hematometra with MR imaging.

Green synthesis of silver nanoplates using the special category of plant leaves showing the lotus effect

This paper reports the first ever green synthesis of silver nanoplates using plant leaves having the special feature of showing the lotus effect. Eichhornia crassipes and Colocasia esculenta plant leaves were chosen for the purpose. The aqueous leaf extract of these plants was used as a reducing as well as stabilizing agent in the hydrothermal synthesis of silver nanoplates using silver nitrate as the precursor. Well dispersed silver nanoplates were formed. The appearance of two SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) bands corresponding to in-plane and out of plane vibration confirmed the formation of anisotropic nanostructures. The blue shift in peaks of the nanostructures in UV-visible spectra gave information about the stability of the nanoplates with time. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and powder XRD were used to evaluate the ultimate average diameter and crystal structure of these nanostructures respectively. FESEM/EDX and HRTEM/SAED images also confirmed the formation of silver nanoplates. The FT-IR spectra helped to identify the reducing and stabilizing component of plant leaves extract in the formation of 2-D nanostructures. Preliminary antibacterial activity was examined using these nanoplates. A significant zone of inhibition was observed for S. aureus, a Gram positive bacterium.

This work is the first report on the green synthesis of silver nanoplates using an extract of plant leaves showing the lotus effect.