A randomized trial of danazol pretreatment prior to endometrial resection

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of danazol pretreatment in women undergoing endometrial resection for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 132 patients were randomly divided into danazol pretreated and untreated groups. Endometrial resection was carried out using a 24Fr cutting wire loop electrode and 1.5% glycine as the distension media. Patients were followed-up for 6 years. The t-test and Chi-square tests were used to test differences between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean endometrial thickness, fluid used, fluid deficit, weight of resected tissue and duration of surgery were significantly greater in the unprepared group. Over 70% of patients in both the groups achieved amenorrhoea or spotting. Two (1.5%) patients underwent a repeat procedure and two (1.5%) others a hysterectomy, while the rest had hypomenorrhoea. The perimenstrual symptoms also showed significant improvement. No statistically significant difference was found in the outcomes of the two groups. CONCLUSION: Endometrial resection is an effective alternative to hysterectomy and pretreatment of the endometrium is not necessary for good outcomes.     

Synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activity of some mixed ligand Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes

Mixed ligand Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes have been synthesized by using 8-hydroxyquinoline as primary ligand and N- and/or O- donor ligands such as tartaric acid/phenylalanine as secondary ligands. The metal complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, electrical conductance, room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements, spectral and thermal studies. The electrical conductance studies of the complexes in methanol solution at 10(-3) M concentration indicate their non-electrolytic nature. Room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements are indicative of an octahedral geometry for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes. Electronic spectra of the complexes show intra-ligand, charge transfer and the crystal field transitions, which are supportive of the proposed octahedral geometries of the complexes. The thermal analysis data of the complexes indicate the presence of crystallization water. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the complexes have been studied again some of the pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The cup-plate method has been used to study the antibacterial activity of the compounds against C. diphtheriae, E. coli, S. typhi, S. dysentariae, S. aureus and V. cholerae. The results have been compared against those of controls, which were screened simultaneously. The activity is measured by measuring the diameter of the inhibited zone in millimeters (mm). The antifungal activity of the complexes against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger has been studied by the tube dilution method. The complexes have been screened for acute oral toxicity in rats. The LD50 values have been determined by the method of Litchfield and Wilcoxon.     

Influence of place of delivery on immediate perinatal outcomes: a study from Northern India

One hundred and six women giving birth in a rural hospital in Northern India were compared with 100 women delivering in a tertiary care urban hospital located in an adjacent state. The women in the rural hospital were younger and more likely to be multiparous. Their antenatal course was characterized by fewer antenatal check-ups, significantly lower haemoglobin values, but equal weight gain during pregnancy. They were more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal delivery, and less likely to undergo caesarean section and episiotomy. Neonatal birth weights were lower in the rural group; other indices of neonatal well-being were comparable.     

Aplastic anaemia during pregnancy: variable clinical course and outcome

Aplastic anaemia occurring during pregnancy is a rare event and is associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Prognosis is poorer when aplastic anaemia develops during pregnancy and many such patients have an unsuccessful pregnancy outcome. We report two cases of aplastic anaemia associated with pregnancy. Both the patients had very different antenatal course and outcome. Their etiopathogenesis and management is discussed.     

Rare delivery complication caused by an undiagnosed uterine septum

The role of a uterine septum, and thus, metroplasty in an infertile woman is a debatable issue. A rare complication of fetal malpresentation and impaction in the uterine cavity due to undiagnosed uterine septum in a 24-year-old primigravida who conceived after 3 years of primary infertility is reported. This case highlights that uterine anomalies should be looked for in patients with infertility and reproductive failures, and should be corrected before conception by metroplasty in order to improve reproductive outcome.     

Direct Estimation of Carbaryl by Gas Liquid Chromatography with Nitrogen Phosphorus Detection

A simple and efficient analytical method was standardized for the estimation of residues of carbaryl in various substrates comprising grape berries, kinnow pulps, kinnow rind and soil. The samples were refluxed using mixture of methanol: 0.5 N HCl (1:1 v/v); diluted with brine solution, partitioned into chloroform and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Further the samples were treated with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and primary secondary amine. Final clear extracts were concentrated under vacuum and reconstituted the volume into acetone. The residues were estimated directly on gas liquid chromatograph equipped with nitrogen phosphorus detection system equipped with a capillary column packed with 5 % diphenyl 95 % dimethyl polysiloxane non-polar phase. A consistent recovery from 82 % to 97 % for carbaryl was observed when samples were spiked at levels ranging from 0.05 to 1.00 mg kg⁻¹. The limit of quantification of the method was worked out to be 0.05 mg kg⁻¹ for grape berries, kinnow pulp, kinnow rind and soil.     

Tuberculomas in “Critical” Locations of the Visual Pathway—A Masquerader

Tuberculosis never stops fascinating physicians. The burden of tuberculosis is a major cause of disability. While drugs are often blamed when patients develop new focal deficits on treatment, the deterioration in these patients can have a myriad of causes including the development of new tuberculomas. Recognizing the critically located tuberculomas as potential causes of vision loss is indispensable. Here, we report two patients with strategic tuberculomas leading to vision loss. In one patient, the cause of visual morbidity was compression of the optic pathways; in the other patient, cortical vision loss was noted due to strategic location of tuberculomas.