Near miss maternal morbidity and maternal mortality at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital.

Background: Maternal mortality traditionally has been the indicator of maternal health all over the world. More recently review of the cases with near miss obstetric events has been found to be useful to investigate maternal mortality. Cases of near- miss are those in which women present with potentially fatal complication during pregnancy, delivery or the puerperium, and survives merely by chance or by good hospital care.

Dental pulp stem cells from primary teeth quality analysis: laboratory procedures.

Objectives: To present details of isolation, processing and differentiation of stem cells from inflamed dental pulp of primary teeth.

Materials And Methods: Tissue sample was collected from teeth indicated for a single visit pulp therapy. Samples were transported and processed in the laboratory which included culturing of cells, isolation and in vitro differentiation into multiple lineages.

Dental pulp stem cells from primary and permanent teeth: quality analysis.

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify and isolate stem cells from healthy and inflamed dental pulp and characterize their differentiation potential into multiple lineages.

Study Design: Study was conducted in dental pulp tissues obtained from the children in the age range of 5-14 years. Tissue samples were collected from teeth indicated for pulp therapy and extractions for orthodontic purpose.

Evaluation of molecular techniques for identification and enumeration of Raoultella terrigena ATCC 33257 in water purifier efficacy testing.

Raoultella terrigena ATCC 33257, a representative of the coliform group, is commonly used as a challenge organism in water purifier efficacy testing. In addition to being time consuming, traditional culturing techniques and metabolic identification systems (including automated systems) also fail to accurately differentiate this organism from its closely related neighbors belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae group. Molecular-based techniques, such as real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR fingerprinting, are preferred methods of detection because of their accuracy, reproducibility, specificity, and sensitivity, along with shorter turnaround time.

Concise synthesis of catechin probes enabling analysis and imaging of EGCg.

A concise synthesis of APDOEGCg (3) was accomplished. Due to the reactivity of its amine group, the compound could be easily converted to the fluorescein probe 21 and immunogen probe 22 efficiently. We then demonstrated the usefulness of the probes for imaging studies and the generation of antibodies.

Metallo beta-lactamase producing pseudomonas species--a major cause of concern among hospital associated urinary tract infection.

Multidrug resistant pseudomonas strains are isolated in high frequency from urinary samples in hospitalised patients. With the occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and metallo beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa being increasingly reported worldwide, this study evaluated the resistance pattern of pseudomonad strains to carbapenam and other antipseudomonal antibiotics isolated from patients with hospital associated urinary tract infections along with clinical usefulness of various MBL screening methods (combined disc diffusion test, E-test and modified Hodge test). Presence of ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamases in the isolates was also determined.

Nasal rhinosporidiosis in humans: new interpretations and a review of the literature of this enigmatic disease.

Rhinosporidiosis is a disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi which primarily affects the mucosa of the nose, conjunctiva and urethra. While it is endemic in some Asian regions, isolated cases are reported in other parts of the world as a result of the socio-cultural phenomenon of the migration. Its manifestation is a polypoid mass growing inside the affected cavity and the only treatment is surgical excision.

Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems for cancer chemotherapy.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are, in general, colloidal particles, less than 1000 nm, that can be used for better drug delivery and prepared either by encapsulating the drug within a vesicle and or by dispersing the drug molecules within a matrix. Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems have been extensively studied in recent years for spatial and temporal delivery, especially in tumour and brain targeting. NPs have great promise for better drug delivery as found in both pharmaceutical and clinical research.

Seasonal variation in prevalence of hypertension: Implications for interpretation.

Objectives: to study seasonal variation in prevalence of hypertension.

Materials And Methods: the study was carried out in the year 2006, in Gokulpuri, an urban slum located in eastern part of Delhi. 275 females 18-40 years of age were examined in summer.

An increase in cellular size variance contributes to the increase in ultrasound backscatter during cell death.

This study aims to explain the contribution of changes in cellular size variance (CSV) to increases in ultrasound-integrated backscatter (UIB) measured from cell samples undergoing cell death. A Monte Carlo algorithm was used to compare simulations of 2D distributions of cells, uniform (CSV = 0) versus heterogeneous (CSV > 0) and the same mean cellular size (M ). UIB increased in arrangements with heterogeneous cellular sizes from 3.

Temporal changes and depth wise variations in pit pond hydrochemistry contaminated with industrial effluents with special emphasis on metal distribution in water-sediment system.

The investigation showed pronounced temporal and vertical variations of pit lake-water chemistry contaminated with industrial effluents. An intermixing layer of few meters at a depth of 5-8 m usually separates an upper oxic epilimnion with alkaline pH from deeper sub-oxic/anoxic zone with relatively lower pH. Metal concentrations were in higher magnitude at anoxic zone in comparison to surface layer.

Highly doped polycrystalline silicon microelectrodes reduce noise in neuronal recordings in vivo.

The aims of this study are to 1) experimentally validate for the first time the nonlinear current-potential characteristics of bulk doped polycrystalline silicon in the small amplitude voltage regimes (0-200 μV) and 2) test if noise amplitudes ( 0-15 μV ) from single neuronal electrical recordings get selectively attenuated in doped polycrystalline silicon microelectrodes due to the above property. In highly doped polycrystalline silicon, bulk resistances of several hundred kilo-ohms were experimentally measured for voltages typical of noise amplitudes and 9-10 kΩ for voltages typical of neural signal amplitudes ( > 150-200 μV). Acute multiunit measurements and noise measurements were made in n=6 and n=8 anesthetized adult rats, respectively, using polycrystalline silicon and tungsten microelectrodes.

Fructose as a carbon source induces an aggressive phenotype in MDA-MB-468 breast tumor cells.

Aberrant glycosylation is a universal feature of cancer cells, and certain glycan structures are well-known markers for tumor progression. Availability and composition of sugars in the microenvironment may affect cell glycosylation. Recent studies of human breast tumor cell lines indicate their ability to take up and utilize fructose.

Antiviral effect of strictinin on influenza virus replication.

Strictinin, which is a member of the ellagitanin family of hydrolyzable tannins, prevented replication of human, duck and swine influenza A viruses (IAVs) in vitro at non-toxic concentrations. The addition of strictinin at the same time as IAV inoculation to MDCK cells inhibited viral replication in a dose-dependent manner. Strictinin showed 50% inhibitory concentrations for IAVs from 0.

Acremonium species: a review of the etiological agents of emerging hyalohyphomycosis.

Unusual fungal agents that exist environmentally as saprophytes can often lead to opportunistic infections. Hyalohyphomycosis is a group of fungal infections caused by fungi characterized by hyaline septate hyphae and can infect both immunocompetent as well as immunocompromised patients. Many a times it becomes difficult to distinguish a pathogenic and a contaminant fungus, because many such agents can assume clinical significance depending on circumstances.

Application of rotatable central composite design in the preparation and optimization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for controlled delivery of paclitaxel.

Context: Polymeric carrier systems of paclitaxel (PCT) offer advantages over only available formulation Taxol® in terms of enhancing therapeutic efficacy and eliminating adverse effects.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to prepare poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles containing PCT using emulsion solvent evaporation technique.

Methods: Critical factors involved in the processing method were identified and optimized by scientific, efficient rotatable central composite design aiming at low mean particle size and high entrapment efficiency.

Validation of an HPLC method for determination of imatinib mesylate in rat serum and its application in a pharmacokinetic study.

A simple, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for quantitative determination of Imatinib mesylate in rat serum. Efficient chromatographic separation has been performed on a Zorbax Extend (5 microm, 4.6 x 250 mm) double end-capped C(18) column using a mobile phase consisting of methanol and aqueous triethyl amine (pH 10.

pH dependent separation of uranium by chelation chromatography using pyridine 2,6-dimethanol as a chelator: single crystal X-ray structural confirmation of the chelated uranium complex.

A very effective sorbent material which exhibits exceptional capture of hexavalent uranium from other actinides and lanthanides at microg g(-1) level, features pyridine 2,6-dimethanol immobilized onto alumina. The maximum sorption capacity for dioxouranium(VI) was found as 1.96 mmol g(-1) at pH 3.

Quantitative real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization approaches for enumerating Brevundimonas diminuta in drinking water.

Brevundimonas diminuta is a small Gram-negative bacterium used for validation of membranes and filters used in the pharmaceutical and drinking water treatment industries. Current assays are time consuming, nonselective, and may be subject to interference by competing indigenous microorganisms. The focus of this study is to develop rapid and specific enumeration methodologies for B.

Development of a real-time TaqMan assay to detect mendocina sublineage Pseudomonas species in contaminated metalworking fluids.

A TaqMan quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed for the detection and enumeration of three Pseudomonas species belonging to the mendocina sublineage (P. oleovorans, P. pseudoalcaligenes, and P.

Metal accumulation and its effects in relation to biochemical response of vegetables irrigated with metal contaminated water and wastewater.

Agricultural application of metal contaminated water resulted in elevated concentrations of metals in irrigated soil and vegetables. Metal enrichment in irrigated soil is in the sequence of Cr>Fe>Pb>Mn>Zn>Cu>Cd. High metal translocation was observed from soil to plants with varied accumulation pattern in different species.

Selective enumeration strategies for Brevundimonas diminuta from drinking water.

Brevundimonas diminuta is used as a control organism for validating the efficiency of water filtration systems. Since these protocols use nonselective growth media, heterotrophic plate count bacteria (HPCs) indigenous to the water distribution system may interfere with B. diminuta enumeration, thus leading to inaccurate assessment of the filter's microbial reduction capability.

Indian psychiatry, research and Asian countries.

Asia has some of the largest conglomerations of human populations and also the fastest growing economies of the world. About 23% of the world's population lives in the South Asian region, and one-fifth of psychiatrically ill patients in the world live in this part of the world. Despite vast cultural, religious, geographical, and political diversities, the factors influencing mental health remain the same throughout this wide region, as highlighted at the recently concluded Asian summit, where the slogan, 'One vision, one identity, one community,' was launched.

Seasonal variation of blood pressure in normotensive females aged 18 to 40 years in an urban slum of Delhi, India.

Season is one of the factors affecting blood pressure. The objectives of this study are to quantify the magnitude of seasonal changes in blood pressure among normotensive women aged 18 to 40 years and to find out the association of blood pressure variation between winter and summer with body mass index, temperature, humidity, day length, and salt intake. The study was carried out on 132 women, included 4 home visits during the seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Pseudomonas oleovorans subsp. lubricantis subsp. nov., and reclassification of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes ATCC 17440T as later synonym of Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 8062 T.

Isolate RS1(T) isolated from used metalworking fluid was found to be a Gram-negative, motile, and non-spore forming rod. Based on phylogenetic analyses with 16S rRNA, isolate RS1(T) was placed into the mendocina sublineage of Pseudomonas. The major whole cell fatty acids were C(18:1)omega7c (32.