Physiological variables, psychosocial factors and age at menarche among Punjabi girls

The term menarche signifying the onset of menstruation is merely one manifestation of puberty. The age at menarche has been getting earlier all over the world with varying rates. An average decline of about 4 months per decade has been reported from the United States and in Western Europe over the period 1830-1960, while that in Eastern Europe since the late nineteenth century. There have been reports that there is a fairly good correlation between the age of menarche of mothers' and their daughters'. The objective of this study was to find out the present age at menarche among Punjabi girls and correlate it with relevant variables. The age at menarche in the present study has been found to be significantly less as compared to data from the same region (Punjab, India). The decline in the mean age at menarche between the mothers and the daughters was statistically highly significant. There was a positive correlation between menarche and weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, body mass index and maternal age at menarche. No significant correlation was obtained between menarche and income class and a negative correlation was obtained between menarche and birth order.

Bisphenol A degradation in water by ligninolytic enzymes

Many endocrine disruptor compounds, such as bisphenol A (BPA) are used today and released into the environment at low doses but they are barely degraded in wastewater treatment plants. One of the potential alternatives to effectively degrade endocrine disruptor compounds is based on the use of the oxidative action of extracellular fungal enzymes. The aim of this work is to study the ability of free and encapsulated enzymes (manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase and laccase) to degrade BPA. Higher degradation of BPA (90%) by ligninolytic enzymes encapsulated on polyacrylamide hydrogel and pectin after 8h was obtained. The degradation of BPA while using the free enzyme (26%) was lower than the value obtained with encapsulated enzymes. The presence of pectin in the formulation significantly (p>0.05) enhanced the activity of enzymes. Kinetics of BPA degradation showed an increase in Vm, while Km remained constant when enzymes were encapsulated. Hence, encapsulation protected the enzymes from non-competitive inhibition.

Effect of Distraction Technique During Immunization to Reduce Behaviour Response Score (FLACC) to Pain in Toddlers

Introduction: Distraction techniques are important non pharmacological tools to reduce pain in infants and children. Few data are available regarding their effectiveness in toddlers. We have assessed effectiveness of audio-visual distraction techniques in toddlers during and after vaccination. Materials and Methods: The study used a quasi experimental three group pretest post test design. For all the three groups, the injections were administered by same staff nurse. Group- 1 (120 Patient) was encouraged to see and play with light and sound producing toy. Group- 2 (120 Patient) children were encouraged to see cartoon movie and children of control group- 3 (110 patient) were immunized without any distraction technique. A question form was used to determine the infant’s characteristics and the Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Pain Scale was used to assess the level of pain. Data was collected between 1st April 2012 and 30th September 2012. Results: The mean pain score of test group during procedure (Group-1: 2.30 & Group-2: 3.65) were lower than the score of control group (Group-3: 5.30). Similarly after procedure Score (Group-1: 4.62 & Group-2: 2.79) were lower than the score of control group (Group-3: 6.20). Conclusion: The lower pain score in response to vaccination in test group indicates that distraction technique i.e. light & sound producing toys and cartoon movies are practical way to reduce pain during routine medical interventions in toddler. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i1.7017 J Nepal Paediatr Soc. 2013;33(1):25-30

Abnormal cervical cytology in pregnant adolescents

A retrospective, cohort study of pregnant adolescents with abnormal cervical cytology including: atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) was done to determine the regression, persistence and progression of abnormal cervical cytology in adolescent pregnancies. Follow-up cervical cytology within 1 year was assessed. Results suggest that pregnant adolescents have a high regression rate of abnormal cervical cytology. The likelihood of regression, persistence, or progression, is independent of the initial cytological diagnosis.

Semantic memory and language dysfunction in early Alzheimer's disease: a review

BACKGROUND

Language impairment in Alzheimer's disease occurs early, and language function deteriorates with progression of the illness to cause significant disability. This review focuses on language dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and the contribution of semantic memory impairment.

METHODS

Electronic publication databases were searched for literature relevant to the review. Additionally, individual references were examined to elicit further studies not found by online search.

RESULTS

Language impairment in Alzheimer's disease initially affects verbal fluency and naming before breakdown in other facets. Naming and fluency require integrity of semantic concepts, and dysfunction may be a marker of primary semantic memory impairment rather than overall cognitive decline. Research suggests the presence of semantic loss several years prior to diagnosis. Imaging studies indicate an altered connectivity state with respect to language networks, and this is associated with potential semantic failure. This state may also be present in individuals with established risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Compensatory recruitment of alternative cortical areas to supplement language function appears to occur and may be a target for future intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying and classifying the nature and degree of language impairment more closely could aid in developing targeted therapies. Treatments already established in other aphasic states, such as post-stroke, may be especially relevant. The nature of these and the protective nature of cognitive reserve are potential therapeutic avenues.

Benign migratory glossitis with fissured tongue

Symptomatic benign migratory glossitis (BMG) or "geographic tongue" is a rare occurrence in pediatric dentistry though asymptomatic BMG is comparatively common. BMG presents itself as an ulcer-like region on the dorsum of the tongue, which may recur at different sites on the tongue, creating a migratory appearance. Asymptomatic cases usually resolve on their own but symptomatic cases need treatment. Fissured tongue is a benign condition characterized by deep grooves on the dorsum of the tongue and, in many cases, is associated with geographic tongue. This article presents a case of symptomatic geographic tongue with fissured tongue with a history of asthma.

Bio-processing of agro-byproducts to animal feed

Agricultural and food-industry residues constitute a major proportion (almost 30%) of worldwide agricultural production. These wastes mainly comprise lignocellulosic materials, fruit and vegetable wastes, sugar-industry wastes as well as animal and fisheries refuse and byproducts. Agro-residues are rich in many bioactive and nutraceutical compounds, such as polyphenolics, carotenoids and dietary fiber among others. Agro residues are a major valuable biomass and present potential solutions to problems of animal nutrition and the worldwide supply of protein and calories, if appropriate technologies can be used for their valorization by nutrient enrichment. Technologies available for protein enrichment of these wastes include solid substrate fermentation, ensiling, and high solid or slurry processes. Technologies to be developed for the reprocessing of these wastes need to take account of the peculiarities of individual wastes and the environment in which they are generated, reprocessed, and used. In particular, such technologies need to deliver products that are safe, not just for animal feed use, but also from the perspective of human feeding. This review focuses on the major current applications of solid-state fermentation in relation to the feed sector.

Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: A Case Report

Plummer-Vinson also known as sideropenic dysphagia is a disease that is characterized by classical triad of iron deficiency anemia, dysphagia and esophageal web. It is known to mostly affect white female mainly, but cases have been reported from other ethnic group in the literature. Treatment is very promising especially when it is not associated with carcinoma. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v31i3.4259 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2011;31(3): 254-256

Pomace waste management scenarios in Québec--impact on greenhouse gas emissions

Fruit processing industries generate tremendous amount of solid wastes which is almost 35-40% dry weight of the total produce used for the manufacturing of juices. These solid wastes, referred to as, "pomace" contain high moisture content (70-75%) and biodegradable organic load (high BOD and COD values) so that their management is an important issue. During the management of these pomace wastes by different strategies comprising incineration, landfill, composting, solid-state fermentation to produce high-value enzymes and animal feed, there is production of greenhouse gases (GHG) which must be taken into account. In this perspective, this study is unique that discusses the GHG emission analysis of agro-industrial waste management strategies, especially apple pomace waste management and repercussions of value-addition of these wastes in terms of their sustainability using life cycle assessment (LCA) model. The results of the analysis indicated that, among all the apple pomace management sub-models for a functional unit, solid-state fermentation to produce enzymes was the most effective method for reducing GHG emissions (906.81 tons CO(2) eq. per year), while apple pomace landfill resulted in higher GHG emissions (1841.00 tons CO(2) eq. per year). The assessment and inventory of GHG emissions during solid-state fermentation gave positive indications of environmental sustainability for the use of this strategy to manage apple pomace and other agricultural wastes, particularly in Quebec and also extended to other countries. The analysis and use of parameters in this study were drawn from various analytical approaches and data sources. There was absence of some data in the literature which led to consideration of some assumptions in order to calculate GHG emissions. Hence, supplementary experimental studies will be very important to calculate the GHG emissions coefficients during agro-industrial waste management.

Enhanced solid-state citric acid bio-production using apple pomace waste through surface response methodology

AIMS

  To evaluate the potential of apple pomace (AP) supplemented with rice husk for hyper citric acid production through solid-state fermentation by Aspergillus niger NRRL-567. Optimization of two key parameters, such as moisture content and inducer (ethanol and methanol) concentration was carried out by response surface methodology.

METHODS AND RESULTS

  In this study, the effect of two crucial process parameters for solid-state citric acid fermentation by A. niger using AP waste supplemented with rice husk were thoroughly investigated in Erlenmeyer flasks through response surface methodology. Moisture and methanol had significant positive effect on citric acid production by A. niger grown on AP (P < 0·05). Higher values of citric acid on AP by A. niger (342·41gkg(-1) and 248·42gkg(-1) dry substrate) were obtained with 75% (v/w) moisture along with two inducers [3% (v/w) methanol and 3% (v/w) ethanol] with fermentation efficiency of 93·90% and 66·42%, respectively depending upon the total carbon utilized after 144h of incubation period. With the same optimized parameters, conventional tray fermentation was conducted. The citric acid concentration of 187·96gkg(-1) dry substrate with 3% (v/w) ethanol and 303·34gkg(-1) dry substrate with 3% (v/w) methanol were achieved representing fermentation efficiency of 50·80% and 82·89% in tray fermentation depending upon carbon utilization after 120h of incubation period.

CONCLUSIONS

  Apple pomace proved to be the promising substrate for the hyper production of citric acid through solid-state tray fermentation, which is an economical technique and does not require any sophisticated instrumentation.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

  The study established that the utilization of agro-industrial wastes have positive repercussions on the economy and will help to meet the increasing demands of citric acid and moreover will help to alleviate the environmental problems resulting from the disposal of agro-industrial wastes.

Posterior neonatal teeth

Teeth which are present in the oral cavity of newborn infant at the time of birth are called "natal teeth" and which erupts in first month of postnatal life are called as "neonatal teeth." The incidence of these teeth is 1 in 2000 to 1 in 3500 live birth. The most common natal teeth reported are mandibular central incisors followed by maxillary incisors and mandibular canine. The natal or neonatal tooth in maxillary molar region is a rare occurrence. This article represents a rare case of bilateral neonatal maxillary molar teeth.

Pitot-tube flowmeter for quantification of airflow during sleep

The gold-standard pneumotachograph is not routinely used to quantify airflow during overnight polysomnography due to the size, weight, bulkiness and discomfort of the equipment that must be worn. To overcome these deficiencies that have precluded the use of a pneumotachograph in routine sleep studies, our group developed a lightweight, low dead space 'pitot flowmeter' (based on pitot-tube principle) for use during sleep. We aimed to examine the characteristics and validate the flowmeter for quantifying airflow and detecting hypopneas during polysomnography by performing a head-to-head comparison with a pneumotachograph. Four experimental paradigms were utilized to determine the technical performance characteristics and the clinical usefulness of the pitot flowmeter in a head-to-head comparison with a pneumotachograph. In each study (1-4), the pitot flowmeter was connected in series with a pneumotachograph under either static flow (flow generator inline or on a face model) or dynamic flow (subject breathing via a polyester face model or on a nasal mask) conditions. The technical characteristics of the pitot flowmeter showed that, (1) the airflow resistance ranged from 0.065 ± 0.002 to 0.279 ± 0.004 cm H(2)O L(-1) s(-1) over the airflow rates of 10 to 50 L min(-1). (2) On the polyester face model there was a linear relationship between airflow as measured by the pitot flowmeter output voltage and the calibrated pneumotachograph signal a (β(1) = 1.08 V L(-1) s(-1); β(0) = 2.45 V). The clinically relevant performance characteristics (hypopnea detection) showed that (3) when the pitot flowmeter was connected via a mask to the human face model, both the sensitivity and specificity for detecting a 50% decrease in peak-to-peak airflow amplitude was 99.2%. When tested in sleeping human subjects, (4) the pitot flowmeter signal displayed 94.5% sensitivity and 91.5% specificity for the detection of 50% peak-to-peak reductions in pneumotachograph-measured airflow. Our data validate the pitot flowmeter for quantification of airflow and detecting breathing reduction during polysomnographic sleep studies. We speculate that quantifying airflow during sleep can differentiate phenotypic traits related to sleep disordered breathing.