Archives-December 2017

Influenza A (H1N1) caused 18,449 deaths globally in 2009-2010 and 3,907 deaths in India from 2009- 2013. Pregnant women are at high risk. In June 2016, a pregnant woman tested H1N1-positive in Bhildeva village, Pali district, Rajasthan. We investigated to confirm and describe the outbreak, describe case management and response, and to make recommendations for prevention and control.We analyzed H1N1 January 2014-May 2016 data. We defined a suspect case as fever and cough between 15 May-15 June 2016 in a Bhildeva village resident and conducted active surveillance by house-to-house survey. We reviewed medical records and interviewed index case’s family. We compared and analyzed case management against government protocol. During January 2014- May 2016, Bhildeva village, Pali district had no H1N1 cases. We identified 21 suspect cases (attack rate: 6%); 13 (62%) were females, and 10 (47%) were relatives of index case. Median age was 22 years (range: 1-40 years). All had fever (21, 100%), cough (18, 86%), nasal secretion (6, 28%), head ache (5, 23%), body ache (2, 9%), and sore throat (1, 5%). All cases received prophylaxis, advised isolation, and demonstrated respiratory hygiene. Index case was a 24-year-old pregnant woman (23 week gestation, gravida 3) who received only one antenatal check-up at 12 weeks gestation. She initially visited two unqualified practitioners. Seven days after illness onset, she visited a private medical provider but died one week later. Three days before illness onset, she was exposed to a family member with respiratory illness.In June 2016, Pali district, Rajasthan had influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. Immediate response and case management as per protocol minimized transmission. Late diagnosis and management of high-risk index case probably contributed to death. Educate unqualified/qualified practitioners about detection, monitoring of symptomatic high-risk groups, and referral to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Primary retroperitoneal hydatid cysts of the psoas muscle are rare. We report the case of a recurrent hydatid cyst of the psoas muscle in a 57-year-old patient with a left lumbar-iliac mass. Ultrasound and computed tomography contributed to preoperative diagnosis. The mass was completely removed via a retroperitoneal approach. We will discuss in this article the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the psoas hydatid cyst.

Aluminium-Silicon alloy based metal matrix composites have been recognized as an appropriate wear resistant material particularly for sliding wear applications. An attempt has been made in the present paper to highlight the performance of Al-Si-TiB2 composites with variation in Silicon content and presence of TiB2 synthesised by means of salt metal reaction during stir casting method. The dry sliding wear behaviour of these composites was studied using a pin-on-disc wear testing machine varying load (10, 20, 30N) with a sliding velocity of 1m.s-1 for a sliding distance of 1800m. The microstructures of the specimens were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope as well as with optical microscope and also tested for hardness using Vickers hardness tester. Wear resistance and hardness values found to increase with increased wt% of Si.

Retroperitoneal neuroblastoma is an embryonic tumor of the peripherical sympathetic nervous system. In this study, we report the case of an 18-years-old woman who underwent a subcostal laparotomy for a localized retroperitoneal tumor. The histological findings after resection showed it to be a neuroblastoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed no MYCN amplification. We managed this case using pediatrics staging systems and guidelines. She is now 20-years-old, and her CT scans and MIBG scintigraphys are showing neither recurrence nor progression.

The dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the spermatic cord is a rare tumor, and the epididymal localization is even rarer. The treatment is based on inguinal orchi-epididymectomy, with resection of adjacent structures if invaded. Adjuvant radiotherapy may be an attractive approach, given the high rate of local recurrence. Metastatic patients and dedifferentiated subtypes constitute the main indications of chemotherapy, even if her role is still debated. We describe the case of a 58-year-old man who underwent surgery for a dedifferentiated liposarcoma of the epididymis. A review of the literature for the various facets of this condition is also provided.

Mucinous tubular and spindle cell renal cell carcinoma is a rare tumor described in the 2004 WHO classification as a new entity with an indolent clinical course. In this study, we report the case of a 60-year-old man with a large mass involving the upper pole of the left kidney. The patient underwent left radical nephrectomy. The histological findings showed it to be a mucinous tubular and spindle cell renal cell carcinoma of grade 1 of Fuhrman’s classification with hilar infiltration. Because of the favorable outcome of this histological entity, mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma must be differentiated from papillary renal cell carcinoma, especially from the variant with sarcomatoid dedifferentiation. The aim of this work is to draw the attention of pathologists and clinicians to this new entity, and the importance of its diagnosis for the patient’s prognosis.

In this paper experimentally investigated error-free underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) system over 7m path in laboratory tap water with up to 46.808dB and BER less than 2.487×10-6. The laser diode source of wavelength 532 nm with 50mW has modulated by intensity modulation/direct detection (IM/DD) technique, BER and S/N have inspected in an underwater optical wireless communication channel with five different water channels types. These are tap water, different concentration of Maalox (Mg(OH)2 and Al(OH)3) in order to obtain high turbid water and salt with Maalox. The analysis of BER has achieved for pulse width modulation (PWM) to transmit a text from optical transmitter to receiver. Results shows that salt and Maalox content decreases the received power, S/N and increase in BER. Also, that 532nm wavelength is the suitable choice for a clear water channel.

The effects of substituents and solvents have been studied through the absorption spectra of nearly twelve meta,para and ortho-substituted N-Pheny maaleimide in the range of 200-400 nm. The effects of substituents on the absorption spectra of compounds under investigation are interpreted by correlation of absorption frequencies with simple and extended Hammett equations. With the help of Kamlet equation the effect of solvent polarity and hydrogen bonding on the absorption spectra are interpreted and the results are discussed.

The study is conducted mainly to find out the methods and effectiveness of training practices of select Information Technology companies in Chennai.This is mainly to assess the present status of the employee’s effectiveness in discharging the roles and responsibilities in tune with the objectives of the Information Technology Companies.

Smoking causes immediate and long-standing effects on exercise and physical activity. In addition to increasing the well-known risks for cancer, heart and respiratory diseases, smokers have less endurance and poor physical performance. To determine the smoking habits and its effect on physical activity levels in adolescents and early adults aged 18-23 years of King Khalid University Khamis Mushayat, KSA. Khamis Mushayat area near Abha city has been selected for the study. In this area, King Khalid University was selected as the population. One hundred and eighty seven female subjects 18 to 23 years from King Khalid University who smoked cigarettes and 187 females who were non smokers were selected for the study. GPAQ (Global physical activity questionnaire) was used for the survey to assess the level of physical activity (given in Appendix). Also data on height and weight were collected. With respect to body mass index of the smokers and non smokers, a significantly higher percent of the non smokers (57.5%) were of normal weight, while only 28.8% of smokers had normal weight. A majority of the smokers (45.9%) had the smoking habit for 2 years and less, whereas, 27.7% of the smokers smoked for 6 years or above. A significant majority of the smokers (63.2%) underwent physical activity only for 2 days and less, whereas the non smokers involved in physical activity for 6 days or more. Only a very small percent (8.1%) of the smokers exercised for 6 or more days in a week. Among non smokers, a minimum of 16.1% involved in physical activity, three to five days a week. All the participants in the study had mean years of smoking of 9.75 years. We found out that smokers relatively spent less time for physical activity and were more sedentary. In the present study it's clear that the students going to University are moderate smokers but their physical activity level is decreased. They usually have trends towards less physical activity and less awareness regarding the ill effects of smoking.