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Background: Worldwide, one million cases of bacterial meningitis are estimated to occur and 200,000 of them die annually. Case fatality rates vary with age at the time of illness and the species of bacterium causing infection. In view of variable clinical features and complication rates in various studies, the present study was planned to assess the clinical and laboratory profile of patients with acute bacterial meningitis and analyze the therapeutic response and short-term sequelae. Materials: This study was conducted in the department of pediatrics at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak. A total of 50 pediatric patients with signs and symptoms of acute bacterial meningitis who satisfied the inclusion or selection criteria were enrolled in the study. Appropriate statistical tests were applied for analysis and trial registry was done with PGIMS. Results: In the present study, slightly more males (54%) were found than females (46%). The sequelae and mortality were 33.3%, 26.1% and 7.4%, 8.7% in males and females, respectively. There were higher chances of sequelae or mortality in males as compared to females (OR 1.289, 95% CI 0.073–6.11, P > 0.05). Predominant cells were polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells except in >120 months age group where both PMN (50%) and mononuclear (50%) cells were equally visualized. Mean CSF protein was slightly higher in 2–24 months age group. Conclusion: We compared the group with sequelae with the group with no sequelae and found neurological deficit (P < 0.01), and presence of complications (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with sequelae.

The most important technique for exposing early-stage breast cancer is terahertz imaging. It aids in lowering the number of breast cancer-related fatalities and enhancing the quality of life. An essential component of developing the THz imaging system for high-quality photos is choosing the right sensor. In this article, a wideband antenna for microwave imaging of breast tissue with an operating frequency of 30 GHz (107 GHz to 137 GHz) is constructed and analyzed. An aperture-coupled antenna with an optimized ground aperture is proposed and analyzed, which made it possible to obtain better and consistent impedance matching in the wideband spectrum. The variation of backscattered signal energy in body tissue is assessed with healthy breast tissue and in the presence of malignant cells. A significant difference in energy scattering is observed for both situations. The suggested antenna’s linear and stable time domain characteristics make it an appropriate component for THz imaging technology.

Background: Pranayama is a science of breathing which involves prolongation and control of breath. It is known through various studies that yogic practices improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, reduce stress, anxiety and enhance overall well-being and quality of life. However, hemodynamic effects of short term yoga are not well known. Objective: To study the acute hemodynamic effects of pranayama in stable post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. Study Design: Case control study. Methods: 60 post CABG patients were divided into - a) study group and b) control group (30 patients each). Cardiorespiratory parameters were noted in control group without pranayama and in study group, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes after pranayama. Results were analyzed statistically. Results: There was a reduction in systolic blood pressure (126.10 ± 14.54 to 118.67 ± 13.74; p

Anesthesia is a challenge in patients with congenital heart disease, especially during pregnancy and surgical delivery. A 23-year-old with a 34-week gestation, primigravida with atrioventricular (AV) canal defect was scheduled for a cesarean section. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed a complete AV canal defect (Rastelli type II) with left-to-right shunt. Ventricular functions were normal. The patient was administered general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, and a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe was placed to monitor cardiac functions. The volume status of the parturient and the shunt fraction were continuously monitored with the echocardiography probe during the surgery. Minimal shunting at ventricular septal defect (VSD) was observed, as it was covered by the AV valve leaflets. The patient tolerated the procedure well and the trachea was extubated once she fulfilled the extubation criteria. Intraoperative TEE monitoring was a useful tool to understand and manage hemodynamic variations during cesarean section in the parturient with a complex cardiac lesion.

Background and objectives: Obesity and overweight is a growing pandemic affecting millions of adolescents in developed as well as developing countries. Obesity is associated with the onset of major chronic diseases leading to complications and also psychosocial problems in adolescents. The greater concern is that the risks of obesity during childhood will persist into adolescence and adulthood. The objectives of the study were to assess the prevalence of being overweight and obesity and to study the associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: 1900 adolescents in the age group of 10-19 years were included in the study. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire which included the variables such as going to school by bus or cycle, eating habits, playing video/computer games or outdoor games and sibling count were recorded. Body weight and height were recorded in subjects for calculating body mass index (BMI). International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) classification was used for the estimation of being overweight and obese. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 14.84 years (SD = 2.81). Mean weight increased from 34.7 to 55.09 kg from the age group 10-13 to 17-19 years. Mean height also increased from 1.34 to 1.57 m from the age group 10-13 to 17-19 years. Similarly, the mean body mass index was 19.23 at 10-13 years, followed by 21.11 at 14-16 years and 22.46 at 17-19 years. On binary logistic regression analysis, female gender, bus as a mode of transport, not playing games, and single sibling were found to have independent association with prevalence of being overweight.

Background: A variety of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx are commonly encountered in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to study clinical and histopathological profile of space occupying lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx in a tertiary care hospital of Rajasthan over the period of January 2013 to January 2014. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of 147 cases (male 100, female 47; age group ranging from less than 1 y to 76 y) of space occupying lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx over the period of 12 months (from January 2013 to January 2014). All tissues after fixation in 10% buffered formalin, processed and then stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin to study various histopathological patterns. Results: These 147 cases were broadly categorized in two categories, one category as nasal and paranasal sinus masses and the other as nasopharyngeal masses with 91 and 56 cases, respectively. These lesions were common in second and third decades of life with male predominance. Among nasal and paranasal sinus masses, there were 67 (73.6%) non-neoplastic and 24 (26.4%) neoplastic lesions. Inflammatory polyps (89.5%) were the most common among the non-neoplastic masses; Inverted papilloma (45.46%) the most common among the benign neoplastic and squamous cell carcinoma (46.15%) was the commonest out of all malignant masses. Out of 56 nasopharyngeal masses, there were 53 (94.6%) non neoplastic and 3 (5.4%) neoplastic lesions. Majority of these i.e. 52 cases were of adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Conclusion: We concluded that complete clinical, radiological and histopathological correlation helps us to categorize these sinonasal lesions into various non-neoplastic and neoplastic types. But final histopathological examination provides a confirmatory diagnosis, although Immunohistochemistry is the final diagnostic method in few cases.

Leiomyomas are the most common benign tumours of female reproductive system which occur in women of child- bearing ages. Large fibroids are known to arise from uterus, but rarely from broad ligament. An unusual clinical presentation of a massive, broad ligament fibroid which measured 25 cm x 22 cm x 21 cm, and imitated an ovarian tumour because of its myxoid and cystic degenerations, has been described.