Psychological health and its associates - A comparative study among migrants and non migrants in a rural area of Northern India

Background: Migration, whether voluntary or forced, entails major adaptations. An elaborate insight into the circumstances helps to induce various interventions in migrants. Aims and Objectives: To elicit the psychological health, lifestyle variables, religiosity, spirituality and coping among migrants and compare it with non migrants in a rural locality. Material and Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was undertaken among 404 adults aged 20 years and above. The General Health Questionnaire–12, Religiosity scale by Wilkes, The Daily Spiritual Experience Scale and COPE scale were used as psychometric tools for data collection. Data was analysed using SPSS (ver. 20.0). Results: A sample of 137 migrants and 267 non migrants were analysed. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups for occupation and education (p=0.002 & 0.000 resp). The mean scores of the psychological health of migrants (10.58± 6.32) were slightly better than that of non migrants (11.49 ±5.69, p= 0.142). Spirituality scores showed migrants being more inclined towards spiritualism (p=0.016). Young age, religious and spiritual propensity showed a statistically significant correlation with better Psychological health (p=0.036, 0.000&0.013resp). Conclusion: Providing psychosocial assistance to migrant populations focussing on educational, occupational & religious-spiritual issues can reduce vulnerabilities especially for psychological health.

A biomechanical study comparing proximal femur nail and proximal femur locking compression plate in fixation of reverse oblique proximal femur fractures

BACKGROUND

The reverse oblique trochanteric fractures are common fractures and its treatment poses a challenge. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical parameters of the construct using proximal femoral nail (PFN) and proximal femoral locking compression plates (PFLCP) in these fractures using cadaveric specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty freshly harvested cadaveric femoral specimens were randomly assigned to two groups after measuring bone mineral density, ten of which were implanted with PFN and the other ten with PFLCP. The constructs were made unstable to simulate reverse oblique trochanteric fracture (AO type 31A3.3) by removing a standard size posteromedial wedge. These constructs were tested in a computer controlled cyclic compressive loading with 200kg at a frequency of 1 cycle/s (1Hz) and test was observed for 50,000 cycles or until implant failure, whichever occurred earlier. Peak displacements were measured and analysis was done to determine axial stiffness and subsidence in axial loading.

RESULTS

All the specimens in PFN group completed 50,000 cycles and in PFLCP group, seven specimens completed 50,000 cycles. Average subsidence in PFN group was 1.24±0.22mm and in PFLCP group was 1.48±0.38mm. The average stiffness of PFN group (72.6±6.8N/mm) was significantly higher than of PFLCP group (62.4±4.9N/mm) (P=0.04). The average number of cycles sustained by PFLCP was 46634 and for PFN group was 50,000 (P=0.06).

CONCLUSION

The PFN is biomechanically superior to PFLCP in terms of axial stiffness, subsidence and number of specimens failed for the fixation of reverse oblique trochanteric fractures of femur.

Dietary beliefs among informal caregivers regarding common childhood diseases in rural north-west India

Background: Dietary practices among infants and children are predictor of their growth and development. India being a huge of diverse cultures, diversity in beliefs and practices regarding diet during childhood illnesses is expected. Harmful beliefs and practices can contribute to malnutrition among children. These beliefs can have adverse consequences in already sick children. Aims and Objectives: To assess the dietary knowledge, beliefs and practices of rural care givers during childhood illnesses. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 271 rural informal (parent / family member) caregivers in one of the sub-health centres which was selected using simple random sampling technique. In the context of this study, the word informal care-giver was used for parent/family member of the child, preferably a mother with a child / children aged less than five years. The survey tool was an open ended and pretested questionnaire which was developed by public health expert’s familiar with the culture of the study setting and was pilot tested before administration. For the purpose of recruiting the study participants a house to house survey was conducted and the data thus collected was analyzed in percentages. Results: Informal Caregivers had low knowledge of common childhood illnesses as well as the reasons of their causation. Majority of them consulted a doctor in the event of child’s illness. 53.81% reduced feeding and 31.93% diluted diet during child’ illness but significantly 77.85% didn’t change breastfeeding practice during illness. As far as the beliefs regarding dietary practices were concerned, it found that egg, meat, chicken and jaggery were labelled hot foods while curd, butter milk and vegetables were labelled as cold foods. Rice water and khichadi were preferred in diarrhoea but spicy food and milk were restricted. Ginger and Tulsi tea were preferred in respiratory infections while ice-cream and curd / milk were withheld. Conclusion: Hot and cold beliefs regarding foods are firmly rooted in the study population, so dietary education has a key role to play but it has to be within socio-cultural milieu of the people. It is imperative to train medical and para-medical staff in nutrition curriculum to promote healthy eating habits in the population

Joint Involvement in Children with Celiac Disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine early joint involvement as detected by ultrasonography in children with newly diagnosed celiac disease, and in children with celiac disease on gluten-free diet for more than 6 months.

METHODS

Cross-sectional comparative study evaluating joint abnormalities by ultrasonography.

Results

Ultrasonography showed abnormalities in 19 out of 60 (31.7%) children with newly diagnosed celiac disease as compared to 2 (3.3%) out of 60 in those on a gluten-free diet for more than 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Subclinical synovitis as detected by ultrasound is a frequent finding in newly diagnosed children with celiac disease.

Hulless barley as a promising source to improve the nutritional quality of wheat products

In this study, efforts were made to utilize hulless barley (variety BHS352) to enhance the nutritive value of chapatti and biscuit made from wheat flour. Barley flour was added to wheat flour in different ratios (5 to 30%). Antioxidant activity, total phenolic content and β-glucan content were determined both in flour blends and their products. Changes in physical quality and taste of chapatti and biscuits after blending of hulless barley flour with wheat flour were measured. The chapatti quality score decreased by 15% and biscuit spread factor by 33% after 30% barley flour blending. Significant increase in β-glucan content and antioxidant activity of flour blends and their products was observed at 30% blending level. The phenolic content increased from 63 to 135 µg for biscuits and 237 to 287 ug GAE/g for chapatti with blending of 30% barley flour.

Structural variation in a synchrotron-induced contamination layer (a-C:H) deposited on a toroidal Au mirror surface

A carbon layer deposited on an optical component is the result of complex interactions between the optical surface, adsorbed hydrocarbons, photons and secondary electrons (photoelectrons generated on the surface of optical elements). In the present study a synchrotron-induced contamination layer on a 340 mm × 60 mm Au-coated toroidal mirror has been characterized. The contamination layer showed a strong variation in structural properties from the centre of the mirror to the edge region (along the long dimension of the mirror) due to the Gaussian distribution of the incident photon beam intensity/power on the mirror surface. Raman scattering measurements were carried out at 12 equidistant (25 mm) locations along the length of the mirror. The surface contamination layer that formed on the Au surface was observed to be hydrogenated amorphous carbon film in nature. The effects of the synchrotron beam intensity/power distribution on the structural properties of the contamination layer are discussed. The I(D)/I(G) ratio, cluster size and disordering were found to increase whereas the sp²:sp³ ratio, G peak position and H content decreased with photon dose. The structural parameters of the contamination layer in the central region were estimated (thickness ≃ 400 Å, roughness ≃ 60 Å, density ≃ 72% of bulk graphitic carbon density) by soft X-ray reflectivity measurements. The amorphous nature of the layer in the central region was observed by grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction.

Composite CuFe1-xSnxO2/p-type silicon photodiodes

CuFe_1-xSn_xO₂ composite thin film/p-type silicon diodes were prepared on substrate by sol-gel method (x=0.00, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07). The structure of CuFe_1-xSn_xO₂ composite thin films was studied using XRD analysis and films exhibited amorphous behavior. The elemental compositions and surface morphology of the films were characterized using SEM and EDX. EDX results confirmed the presence of the compositional elements. The optical band gap of CuFe_1-xSn_xO₂ composite thin films was determined using the optic spectra. The optical band gaps of the CuFe_1-xSn_xO₂ composite thin films were calculated using optical data and were found to be 3.75, 3.78, 3.80, 3.85 and 3.83eV for x=0.00, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07, respectively. The photoresponse and electrical properties of the Al/CuFe_1-xSn_xO₂/p-Si/Al diode were studied. The barrier height and ideality factor were determined to be averagely 0.67eV and 2.6, respectively. The electrical and photoresponse characteristics of the diodes have been investigated under dark and solar light illuminations, respectively. The interface states were used to explain the results obtained in present study. CuFe_1-xSn_xO₂ photodiodes exhibited a high photoresponsivity to be used in optoelectronic applications.

Scrub typhus causing neonatal hepatitis with acute liver failure-A case series

Neonatal hepatitis with acute liver failure due to varied etiology including various infections is reported in the past. Scrub typhus as a cause of neonatal hepatitis has rarely been reported in literature. A high index of clinical suspicion is required for early diagnosis and timely treatment. Severity and prognosis of the disease varies widely because several different strains of Orientia tsutsugamushi exist with different virulence. Delayed diagnosis can result in complication and significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we report three cases of neonatal hepatitis with acute liver failure caused by scrub typhus to increase awareness.

Experimental observation of spatially resolved photo-luminescence intensity distribution in dual mode upconverting nanorod bundles

A novel method for demonstration of photoluminescence intensity distribution in upconverting nanorod bundles using confocal microscopy is reported. Herein, a strategy for the synthesis of highly luminescent dual mode upconverting/downshift Y_1.94O₃:Ho³⁺_0.02/Yb³⁺_0.04 nanorod bundles by a facile hydrothermal route has been introduced. These luminescent nanorod bundles exhibit strong green emission at 549 nm upon excitations at 449 nm and 980 nm with quantum efficiencies of ~6.3% and ~1.1%, respectively. The TEM/HRTEM results confirm that these bundles are composed of several individual nanorods with diameter of ~100 nm and length in the range of 1–3 μm. Furthermore, two dimensional spatially resolved photoluminescence intensity distribution study has been carried out using confocal photoluminescence microscope throughout the nanorod bundles. This study provides a new direction for the potential use of such emerging dual mode nanorod bundles as photon sources for next generation flat panel optical display devices, bio-medical applications, luminescent security ink and enhanced energy harvesting in photovoltaic applications.

Goiter prevalence in school-going children: A cross-sectional study in two border districts of sub-Himalayan Jammu and Kashmir

INTRODUCTION

Iodine deficiency disorder remains one of the major public health problems, despite it being easily preventable. Initially thought as the disorder of Himalayan goiter belt, the disorder has been found to have a pan-India presence. The study was planned with the aim to assess the prevalence of goiter among 6-12 years school-going children and to identify levels of iodine in salt consumed at the household level in the study area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted among 3955 school-going (2162 children from Rajouri and 1793 children from Poonch) children age 6-12 years in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu Province. The children were examined clinically to detect and grade the goiter. Salt samples were collected from subsample (n = 400) to estimate iodine content in the salt.

RESULTS

The prevalence of goiter in the study population was found to be 18.87% and 9.70% in Rajouri and Poonch districts, respectively. Goiter prevalence was higher in 9-12 years age group as compared to 6-9 years age group and the difference in goiter prevalence in males of these two age groups was statistically significant (P = 0.02). Estimation of iodine content of the salt samples revealed that all of them (100%) had adequate iodine content.

CONCLUSION

Despite the implementation of Universal Iodization Program and adequate content of iodine in salt consumed by the families, the goiter prevalence in both the districts is high. The future research should focus on identifying the reasons for this high prevalence.

Extensive subclinical sinusitis leading to Moraxella osloensis meningitis

We report a case of a 31 year old male with extensive subclinical sinusitis leading to erosion in the cribriform plate and subsequent meningitis caused by the organism Moraxella osloensis. The patient presented to the emergency department with rapid onset confusion, neck stiffness and headache. Inflammatory markers, renal and liver function, and a chest radiograph were all normal. CT Head showed extensive polyp disease in the paranasal sinuses with expansion of the left frontal sinus and CT Sinuses revealed an area of low attenuation in the cribriform plate consistent with bony erosion. MRI Head showed thick loculated sinus inflammation. Lumbar puncture yielded CSF with a high white cell count of predominantly mononuclear cells, no visible organisms and an elevated protein. CSF microscopy, culture and viral PCR were not diagnostic, and so the CSF was sent for 16S rDNA PCR screening, which identified the rDNA of Moraxella osloensis. Moraxella osloensis is a rare cause of bacterial meningitis, with only a few reported cases. This case illustrates that sinusitis, while a common condition, when severe can predispose to intracranial infection with atypical and low virulence organisms such as Moraxella species, which do not commonly cause invasive CNS disease. This case represents the first case of Moraxella osloensis meningitis reported from the United Kingdom.

Total extraperitoneal approach in large inguino-scrotal hernias: an institutional approach

Introduction: Since 2 decades laparoscopichernia repair has gained key role in uncomplicated inguinal hernia surgery with advantages showed by several trials and guidelines. However, its role in complicated inguinal hernia such as incarcerated, obstructed and inguino-scrotal is debatable. Cases of large inguino-scrotal raises objection to laparoscopic procedure because of anticipated problems and complications in dissecting extended hernia sac even though posterior approach is advocated as repair of choice for complicated cases. Here, we reviewed our series of patients undergoing TEP in a limited time frame.Method: Between March 2013 and June 2014, 50 consecutive patients underwent TEP repair for inguinoscrotal hernia. Patient demographics, hernia characteristics, operating time, surgical technique, conversion rate, intraoperative, postoperative complications and recurrence was recorded and analyzed using MS Excel.Results: 50 patients were recorded, 26 had unilateral and 24 had bilateral hernias. Mean age was 52 (22-72) years. The mean operation time was 70 (50-140) min. Bilateral repairs took 45% (18 min) longer than for unilateral repairs (52 + 12 min). Two (12.5%) patients required combined open surgery to transect the incarcerated omentum. There was no mortality. Morbidity was limited to asymptomatic seroma formation in 2 (12.5%) patients; 1 patient of combined open-TEP approach had wound infection, both treated conservatively. Mean follow up was 6.3 months; we recorded 2 recurrences (12.5%). The mean length of hospital stay was 1.8 days.Conclusion: We conclude that TEP can be safely employed for complicated inguinal hernias repair. Surgical experience in mandatory with tailored technique to reduce morbidity and achieve good clinical outcome with acceptable recurrence rates.

Laparoscopic hernioplasty of large ventral hernia with transfascial sutures: short term utility and outcome

Introduction: The laparoscopic approach to repairing ventral and incisional hernias has gained increasing popularity worldwide. The approximation of the hernia defect during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair, prior to mesh fixation, provides a more physiologic and anatomic repair. Defect closure also provides more defect overlap with mesh placement and, possibly decreases recurrence rates. We reviewed the experience of laparoscopic repair of large ventral hernia (diameter ≥5cm) at a university hospital in the Nepal with particular reference to patients with massive defects (diameter ≥15cm) and transfascial closure.Methods: A total of 32 patients underwent laparoscopic ventral (incisional or umbilical/paraumbilical) hernia repair between July 2014 and September 2015.Results: The prevalence of conversion to open surgery was 3.1%. The prevalence of postoperative complications was 15.6%. Median postoperative follow-up was 8.2 months. A total of 9.4% cases suffered late complications and 3.1% developed recurrence. Twelve patients underwent repair of defects ≥10cm in diameter with no recurrence. Three patients underwent repair of ‘massive’ incisional hernia (diameter ≥15cm) with a prevalence of recurrence of 3.1%. Ten patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30kg/m2 (range, 32–35kg/m2) underwent laparoscopic repair without any recurrence.Conclusions: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with transfascial suturing can be carried out safely with a low prevalence of recurrence. It may have advantages in obese patients in whom open repair would represent a significant undertaking. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair may be used in cases of large and massive hernias, in which the risk of recurrence increases but is comparable with open repair and associated with low morbidity.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (total extra-peritoneal): tips and tricks

Introduction: Inguinal hernia is one of the major problems at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), a tertiary referral center. We perform Laparoscopic hernia repair as a routine procedure for groin hernias. This technique is highly demanding and complex. In our country the development of laparoscopic technique is still in a developing phase.Aims and objective: To present technical tips and trick in LIHR, which we experienced, as lead to preventing intra/post operative complication.Results: We have performed a total of 129 groin hernia repairs in 105 patients with M: F= 26:1 and mean age 41.97±20 (16-85). The mean length of hospital stay was 1.14 ± 0.35 days. Eight patients were converted to TAPP and 1 converted to open hernia repair due to operative difficulty. The complications encountered are pain (20), seroma(8) and epididymitis(2).Conclusion: In our experience LIHR (TEP) is safe method for routine management of groin hernias.

Emergency contraception: Knowledge and attitude toward its use among medical students of a medical college in North-West India

CONTEXT

Emergency contraception (EC) is use of drug or device to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Unlike other regular methods of contraception which are taken prior to the sexual act, EC is used after the unprotected sex.

AIM

To assess the knowledge and attitude toward use of emergency contraceptives among medical students.

SETTING AND DESIGN

A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted among all the medical students in the Government Medical College in North-West India.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A questionnaire seeking information on knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students was administered over a period of 4 weeks in the month of February and March 2014.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The data were entered in MS excel and expressed using percentages. Chi-square test was used as a test of statistical significance.

RESULTS

About 61.6% (247/401) of the participants were aware about the timing of use of EC. Audio visual media (76.6%; 307/401) was the most common source of information for of these medical students.

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of appropriate in-depth knowledge of EC among future health care professional should alarm the medical teaching system as EC is the only method that can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive accident.

Degradation kinetics of bioactive components, antioxidant activity, colour and textural properties of selected vegetables during blanching

Bioactive components of fruit and vegetables play an important role in scavenging free radicals and protect the body from degenerative diseases. A kinetic study was conducted to quantify the losses occurring in bioactive components, antioxidant activity and changes in colour and firmness of four commonly used vegetables (beetroot, green pea, eggplant and green pepper) during heat treatment (70-90 °C). The study revealed that logistic model can predict the variation in bioactive components and antioxidant activity with higher R² and lower root mean square error (RMSE) as compared to first order model due to logarithmic reduction in these properties in the beginning of the process itself. However zero and first order kinetic models were found suitable to predict the changes occurring in colour and firmness respectively during blanching. D, z value, activation energy (E_a), activation enthalpy and entropy were calculated for all measured parameters for selected vegetables in the temperature range of 70-90 °C. These finding would be useful in designing thermal processes and related calculations for these vegetables.

Tipranavir/T20-based salvage regimens highly effective and durable against HIV-1 with evidence for genotypic predictability of response in clinical practice

Escalating drug resistance in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients has made management increasingly difficult. In clinical trials, tipranavir (TPV) has produced potent and durable responses in such patients, although experience in clinical cohorts is limited. A retrospective clinical case review was undertaken of triple-class experienced HIV-1-infected patients receiving optimized boosted TPV-containing regimens and T20 with up to 108 weeks follow-up. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) resistance profiles were characterized using International Aids Society (IAS)-USA scoring and 'TPV resistance score' (TPV-RS) at baseline and failure. Five of 12 patients had undetectable virus (<50 copies/mL) after median 84 weeks (range 60–108), and 1/12 < had 700 copies/mL after 40 weeks. Six of 12 patients failed after 36 (range 12–48) weeks and were more likely to have ≥3 TPV-RS mutations than non-failures ( P = 0.06). Presence of a major IAS-USA mutation at baseline was strongly associated with absence of a 1 log viral load drop at 24 weeks ( P = 0.02). TPV-containing regimens showed impressive efficacy and tolerability in this heavily experienced cohort.

Optical constants of e-beam-deposited zirconium dioxide measured in the 55-150 Å wavelength region using the reflectivity technique

In the present study, optical constants of e-beam-deposited zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) thin film are determined in the 55-150 Å soft x-ray wavelength region using the angle-dependent reflectivity technique. Soft x-ray reflectivity measurements are carried out using the reflectivity beamline at the Indus-1 synchrotron radiation source. Derived optical constants (δ and β) are compared with the tabulated values of Henke et al. [http://henke.lbl.gov/optical_constants/asf.html]. It is found that the measured δ values are consistently lower than the tabulated bulk values in the 70-150 Å wavelength region. In this region, the delta values are lower by 19%-24% from the tabulated data. Below the Zr M₄ edge (66.3 Å), a deviation in delta values is found as ∼2%-21%. These changes are attributed to growth-related defects (oxygen and voids) and variation in film stoichiometry. To the best of our knowledge, the present study gives the first reported experimental values of optical constants for ZrO₂ in the 55-150 Å wavelength region.

Prevalence of chronic respiratory disorders in a rural area of North West India: A population-based study

Introduction:

Chronic respiratory diseases are an important cause of disability across the globe. The global burden of these diseases is showing a discernible upward trend. It is estimated that 500 million people suffer from them.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted with the aim to estimate the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a rural Indian population. For this, a population-based survey was conducted using modified British Medical Research Council questionnaire. This was followed by subjecting the respondents to Wright's mini peak flow meter to find out the peak expiratory flow rate to diagnose the COPD cases.

Results:

The prevalence of chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and COPD was found to be 3.36%, 1.18%, and 4.21%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Chronic respiratory disorders are more prevalent among rural adults hinting to a rural-urban divide. Therefore, the focus of preventive strategies should take into account this difference.

A household survey to assess community knowledge, attitude and practices on malaria in a rural population of Northern India

INTRODUCTION

An extensive search on PubMed reveals very little in terms of evidence regarding the current knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of the population in general and rural population, in particular, in this part of the country. Therefore, a study was conducted with the aim to assess the communities' knowledge of malaria transmission, recognition of signs and symptoms, treatment seeking.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A stratified two-stage design was used to conduct a house-to-house survey using a semi-structured questionnaire in RS Pura block of Jammu District of Jammu and Kashmir State in North India.

RESULTS

A total of 300 households were included in the study. However, data on 4 households was found to be incomplete at the time of analysis and, therefore, were excluded. Out of 296 study participants interviewed 65.5% were males, while 34.5% females. All of the study participants (100%) had heard of malaria, and the main source of their information was television/newspaper. 92.5% of the study population considered malaria to be a serious health problem, thus reflecting their attitude to the disease. Regarding practices, 71.6% of the study participants preferred going to doctors at government hospitals for malaria treatment, and 56% were willing to seek medical help in <24 h in case of a child has a febrile episode.

CONCLUSIONS

Results revealed that KAP among respondents were reasonably good and key sociocultural, and related indicators need to be identified as a part of malaria elimination strategy.

In search of acceptable alternatives to the murine histamine sensitisation test (HIST): what is possible and practical?

The 'International Workshop on Alternatives to the Murine Histamine Sensitization Test for Acellular Pertussis Vaccines: In Search of Acceptable Alternatives to the Murine Histamine Sensitization Test (HIST): What is Possible and Practical?' was held on 4 and 5 March 2015 in London, United Kingdom. Participants discussed the results of the data generated from an international collaborative study (BSP114 Phase 2) sponsored by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Health Care (EDQM) to determine if a modified Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-based clustering assay is a suitable alternative to replace HIST. Workshop participants agreed that protocol transferability demonstrated in the collaborative study indicates that a standardised CHO cell assay is adequate for measuring pure PTx in reference preparations. However, vaccine manufacturers would still need to demonstrate that the method is valid to detect or measure residual PTx in their specific adjuvanted products. The 2 modified CHO cell protocols included in the study (the Direct and the Indirect Methods) deserve further consideration as alternatives to HIST. Using the CHO cell assay, an in vitro alternative, for acellular pertussis (aP) vaccine batch release testing would reduce the number of animals used for aP vaccine safety testing. A strategic, stepwise adoption plan was proposed, in which the alternative test would be used for release purposes first, and then, once sufficient confidence in its suitable performance has been gained, its use would be extended to stability testing.

Development of quick cooking multi-grain dalia utilizing sprouted grains

Multi-grain dalia (MGD) formulations were prepared utilizing sprouted wheat and mixer of other three grains (barley, sorghum and pearl millet) in the ratio of 100:0 (MGD-A), 75:25 (MGD-B), 50:50 (MGD-C), 25:75 (MGD-D) and 0:100 (MGD-E), respectively. The mixer of barley, sorghum and pearl millet was prepared using 50, 25, 25 parts of these grains, respectively. The recovery of grits/ dalia (particle size 1.41 to 2 mm) from sprouted wheat and barley was 74.56 and 69.77 %, respectively while sorghum and pearl millet yield 47.94 and 49.39 % (particle size 0.954 to 1.41 mm), respectively. Sprouting brought a reduction of cooking time by about 50 % as compared to un-sprouted studied grains. Cooking time for different MGD formulations ranged from 3.91 to 4.42 min, which was slightly increased with increasing proportion of mixer of barley, sorghum and pearl millet (p > 0.05). Rehydration ratio of MGD samples varied from 3.12 to 3.45 with minimum in MGD-E sample. Though protein content was decreased with increasing proportion of mixer of three grains in MGD samples but in vitro protein digestibility (58.68 to 62.75 %) was similar (p > 0.05). The mean overall sensory acceptability scores for MGD samples ranged from 7.50 to 8.49 with ≥8.0 in samples having up to 75 % grits of mixer of three grains. In view of very good overall sensory acceptability, rich in crude fibre, calcium and iron content and low cooking time, 25:75 parts of sprouted wheat and mixer of studied three grains, respectively may be considered for preparation of acceptable quality quick cooking multi-grain dalia.

Luminomagnetic bifunctionality of Mn(2+)-bonded graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide two dimensional nanosheets

Herein, we report the luminomagnetic bifunctional properties of two-dimensional (2D) Mn(2+) bonded graphene oxide (GO)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets synthesized using a facile route of oxidation followed by a solvothermal reduction method. Photoluminescence (PL) studies (excited by different wavelengths) revealed that the resonant energy transfer between Mn(2+) and sp(3)/sp(2) clusters of GO/RGO is responsible for the enhancement of emissions. Moreover, pH-sensitive PL behaviors have also been investigated in detail. The ferromagnetic behavior is believed to arise due to defects in Mn(2+) bonded GO composites. Thus, present reduction method provides a direct route to tune and enhance the optical properties of GO and RGO nanosheets bonded with Mn(2+) ions, which creates an opportunity for various technological applications.

Laparoscopic management of transverse testicular ectopia with persistent mullerian duct syndrome

A 4-month-old male child presented with right undescended testis and left inguinal hernia with funiculitis. Ultrasonography showed funiculitis on the left side testis along with presence of 1.5 × 1 cm testis like structure just above left testis and empty right scrotal sac without any evidence of mullerian structures. On diagnostic laparoscopy, right testicular vessels were crossing from right to left and had uterus with both testes in left hernia sac. Mobilization of vessels, division of uterus, and hernia repair was done laparoscopically. On the review of literature, there is only one case report of total laparoscopic repair of transversetesticular ectopia (TTE) with hernia without persistent mullerian duct (PMDS). The uniqueness of our case is that it had TTE with hernia and PMDS, which were totally managed by laparoscopy. On 6 months of follow-up, both the testes are palpable in scrotum.