Newborn care practices and health seeking behavior in urban slums and villages of Anand, Gujarat

Health status of neonates in urban slums has not been studied in smaller towns. A questionnaire was administered to 154 families of 10 urban slums of Anand (population — 197351) and 160 families from 6 villages of Anand district. The socioeconomic and education status of the slum dwellers versus rural participants were significantly lower (P<0.001). Antenatal care (79.9 vs 94.4%, P<0.001), hospital delivery (82.5 vs 93.8%, P=0.002), neonatal follow-up (27.9 vs 78.8%, P<0.001), health seeking (56.5 vs 91.3%, P<0.001), essential newborn care and exclusive breastfeeding (6.5 vs 85.6%, P<0.001) were also lower in urban slums, as compared to villages, Care seeking was low in urban slums, Hindus and illiterate mothers. Health care and socioeconomic status of neonates in slums of smaller cities is poorer than in surrounding villages.     

Lichen-like anchoring of MoSe2 on functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes: an efficient electrode for asymmetric supercapacitors

In the present study, we have developed a composite electrode of MSNT using a simple and scalable two-step scheme to synthesize a composite electrode material comprising MoSe₂/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MoSe₂/MWCNTs) for supercapacitor applications. First, a MWCNT thin film was deposited on a stainless steel substrate by using a “dip and dry” coating technique. Subsequently, MoSe₂ was deposited onto the MWCNT thin film using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. The lichen-like growth of MoSe₂ on the MWCNT network provided dual charge storage and an effective ion transfer path. The composite electrode of MSNT has been studied systematically with different electrolytes and concentrations of electrolyte. As a result, the MoSe₂/MWCNT (MSNT) electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical properties such as a specific capacity of 192 mA h g⁻¹ and a capacitance retention of 88% after 2000 cycles in 1 M LiCl electrolyte. The results demonstrated the huge potential of the MSNT composite electrode for practical application in supercapacitors. The aqueous symmetric cell fabricated using the MSNT composite as both the anode and cathode showed an energy density of 17.9 W h kg⁻¹. Additionally, the energy density improved by designing an asymmetric device of MSNT//MnO₂ and notably, it reveals two-fold improvement in the energy density compared to a symmetric MSNT cell. The MSNT//MnO₂-based asymmetric cell exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 112 F g⁻¹ with a high energy density of 35.6 W h kg⁻¹.

Simple and scalable chemical synthesis approach to develop a MoSe₂/MWCNTs composite thin film electrode for a highly efficient asymmetric supercapacitor cell.     

Near Fatal Case of Amlodipine Poisoning in an Infant

An 11-mo-old infant received 12.5 times the maximum therapeutic dose of amlodipine as a result of a medication error in lieu of amoxicillin. He presented with vomiting, lethargy, breathlessness, muffled heart sounds and progressed to hypotensive shock within three hours of admission. He received mechanical ventilation, fluid therapy with normal saline and inotropes. But his parameters improved rapidly only after initiating him on insulin and dextrose infusion therapy (for 15 h) along with glucagon and calcium gluconate infusion (for 72 h). Calcium channel blockers (CCB) cause impaired insulin secretion causing hyperglycemia. High levels of blood sugar are of prognostic value rather than hemodynamic variables in CCB poisoning. A continuous infusion of 0.5 to 1 unit per kg body weight per hour of insulin along with supportive therapy including peritoneal dialysis (for deranged renal function) was used with success in managing amlodipine poisoning.     

Prevalence of missed opportunities for measles immunization in rural areas of Gujarat

To assess the prevalence of missed opportunities for measles immunization, reason for their occurrence and potential aspect of avoiding them on measles immunization coverage a cross sectional study in 40 clusters of 4 villages, Ardi, Valasan, Chikhodra and Bamroli having a population of twenty four thousand was carried out. A total of 300 children between the age group 9–24 months were included in the study. Immunization status of each child was recorded either from immunization card or maternal recall. Coverage for measles vaccine was 78.66%. Prevalence of missed opportunity was 15.33%. It was found that significant increase in measles coverage can be achieved upto 94% if all missed opportunities for measles vaccine are avoided.     

Two‐Colored Dental Surveying Tool as an Alternative for Carbon Marker

Various tools are used with a dental surveyor, including analyzing rods, carbon markers, undercut gauges, and protective sheaths for a specific function. A carbon marker is a parallel‐sided carbon rod used to mark the survey line on a cast or a crown on a cast. The carbon marker (with or without protective sheath) cannot differentiate more than one survey line on the cast if needed. The wear of the carbon marker along the parallel walls after repeated use may give an incorrect survey line. We suggest a simple modification in the analyzing rod to prepare a two‐colored surveying tool. An analyzing rod is a parallel‐sided rod used to analyze the relative parallelism of two or more surfaces of a cast and to mark survey lines on wax patterns. With the modified analyzing rod, the survey lines can be marked with two colors, and the problem of breaking of the carbon marker also can be eliminated.     

Genetics of Alzheimer's disease: an insight into presenilins and apolipoprotein E instigated neurodegeneration

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has long been characterized primarily by extracellular deposition of Aβ protein. It is a genetically intricate neurodegenerative disorder. Presenilins (PSs) (presenilin 1 [ PS1] and presenilin 2 [PS2]) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele have been found to be potentially linked to Aβ accumulation and accrual in turn contributing for the AD pathology, despite their significant role in processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and lipid metabolism. In this review, the role of PSs and APOE in general physiology and AD pathology due to the mutations occurring in them has been discussed. In addition, a few animal models employed to study these mutations and a few therapeutic avenues studied were summarized.     

Kangaroo Mother Care in Reducing Pain in Preterm Neonates on Heel Prick

Objectives

To determine the effect of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) of small duration of 15 min in decreasing pain in preterm neonates between 32–36 wk 6 d on heel prick by a 26 gauge needle.

Methods

Randomized controlled double masked crossover trial involving 50 neonates, between 32 wk and 36 wk 6 d gestation and weighing less than 2500 g, within 10 d of birth, vitally stable, breathing without assistance or on Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), without any clinically evident neurological signs, not having received analgesics/sedatives within last 24 h and not fed within last 30 min and requiring heel pricking were eligible. Outcome measured was the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP). Analysis was done using independent sample t test, with Bonferroni correction applied for comparing individual components of PIPP score.

Results

The heart rate, behaviour and facial scores were statistically significant and lower in KMC group. But there was no statistically significant difference in oxygen saturation (SpO₂₎. The difference(4.85) in PIPP score was clinically and statistically significant (p?<?0.0001).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that short duration KMC (15 min) has stress reducing benefits. Preterm neonates above 32 wk gestational age can benefit from KMC to decrease pain from heel prick procedure.