Spontaneouselectrodeposition for the separation of electropositive metal ions is anattractive technique. This technique needs no external electromotive force. Inthis work, a spontaneous ...electrodeposition technique has been elaborated forthe separation of carrier-free radioisotopes of palladium fromneutron-irradiated cadmium targets. The deposited radioactive palladium wasremoved by dipping the platinum electrode in nitric acid giving a highly pureyield of carrier-free super109Pd and/or super103Pd. The separationfactor achieved was reasonable (1.3super . 10super6). The processis very simple and needs little manipulation and amenable to automation andremote processing. The process is not sensitive to Cd(NOsub3)sub2and HNOsub3 concentrations. Deposition velocity (4.119 plus or minus 0.353)super .10super-2 minsuper-1 and depositionconstant 0.1211 cmsuper . minsuper-1 were calculated and from thetemperature dependence of the deposition velocity constants, the activationenergy (0.1155 plus or minus 0.3169eV) was also determined. The thermodynamic spontaneity can be satisfied atdifferent concentrations of Pdsuper2+ ions. The process was found to beirreversible.
A computer-automated tool TORAP, developed recently by us, has been applied to conduct an illustrative risk assessment of a typical fertilizer plant. Hazardous units have been identified and ...elaborate scenarios have been generated of the accidents likely in these units. The consequences of the accidents, in terms of the damage to life and property that they may cause directly as well as the likelihood of causing secondary and higher-order accidents (domino effect), have also been studied.
Apart from demonstrating the applicability of TORAP, these studies reveal the nature and size of several major hazards existing in a typical fertilizer plant. The studies also, indirectly, highlight the lack of seriousness with which such hazards are normally perceived, and emphasize the need for a thorough reassessment of the risk posed by such industries.
Two cases with recorded fetal heart rate response during maternal amniotic fluid embolus are reported. Fetal heart rate abnormalities can be associated with the development of amniotic fluid embolus ...or occur during the acute events of amniotic fluid embolus. Attention to the management of amniotic fluid embolus in the mother must not neglect the fetus. Improvement of maternal oxygenation and perfusion can effect intrauterine resuscitation; however, when this is not successful early delivery of the fetus may be necessary for its survival.
To assess the use of the Friedman labor curve as a predictor of operative delivery in macrosomic pregnancies.
Medical records of 1141 patients who had delivered babies > or =4000 gm (group 1) were ...reviewed and were compared with the results of the next mother who delivered a neonate with birth weight <4000 gm (group 2). The variables studied were progress of labor as denoted on the Friedman curve, oxytocin use, and need for operative delivery.
In the 1141 patients with neonatal birth weights > or =4000 gm, there was a trend toward a longer second stage, arrest disorder, and operative delivery but this did not reach statistical significance.
Abnormalities in the Friedman curve were not useful as a predictor for operative delivery in pregnancies complicated by fetal macrosomia. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the variables studied.
The group B Streptococcus is one of the most virulent organisms causing perinatal infection. Human amniotic fluid from the second and third trimesters was pooled and analyzed for electrolytes, ...protein, albumin, zinc, inorganic phosphorus, ferritin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins. We inoculated replicates of specimens with known virulent strains of group B streptococci (893, 891, and 878) and Escherichia coli (C5) with Todd-Hewitt broth and normal saline solution used as controls. Group B streptococci strains 893 and 891 proliferated rapidly at rates similar to their rates in Todd-Hewitt Broth. Strain 878 grew at a rate slower than that of strains 893 and 891. The amniotic fluid specimens were similar with respect to factors reported as inhibitory to bacterial proliferation. Second- and third-trimester amniotic fluid supports the growth of group B streptococci as well as a culture medium optimized for bacterial growth. Strain-specific variance in group B streptococci growth rates in amniotic fluid may have clinical significance for those at risk for group B streptococci infection.
PROBLEM: To assess the usefulness of amniotic fluid (AF) granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor levels (G‐CSF) in chorioamnionitis (CAM) to predict neonatal sepsis.
METHOD OF STUDY: AF samples were ...obtained from term and preterm patients with (Group I) and without (Group II) CAM and were assayed for G‐CSF levels. Patients with other infections were excluded. All AF samples were also tested for gram stain and cultures. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of these parameters for diagnosing neonatal sepsis were assessed.
RESULTS: Positive AF cultures were the best predictors of neonatal sepsis in CAM, with a sensitivity of 67% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 80%. Elevated AF G‐CSF levels (>1,000 pg/ml) were poor predictors of neonatal sepsis with a sensitivity of 29% and PPV of 39%.
CONCLUSION: Even though AF G‐CSF levels were markedly elevated in patients with CAM, they were poor predictors of subsequent neonatal sepsis.
PROBLEM: To assess the usefulness of amniotic fluid (AF) granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) levels as a rapid marker for diagnosing chorioamnionitis.
METHOD OF STUDY: AF levels were ...obtained from term and preterm patients with and without chorioamnionitis (CAM). Patients with urinary tract, respiratory tract, and other infections were excluded. Results obtained from the AF G‐CSF assays were compared with those from other parameters used for diagnosing CAM: maternal fever, leukocytosis, tachycardia, fetal tachycardia, AF glucose levels, white blood cell count, Gram stain, and aerobic and anaerobic cultures. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated.
RESULTS: In the uninfected AF samples, G‐CSF levels were present but low, ranging from 400 to 1600 pg/ml. Levels in the infected samples, however, were markedly increased, ranging from 1600 to 14,000 pg/ml; P < 0.05. When a cutoff of 2000 pg/ml was used as a clear marker for CAM, the sensitivity was 67%, the specificity was 100%, and the positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 86%, respectively. The comparison of the other AF G‐CSF laboratory parameters also revealed high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for detecting CAM.
CONCLUSION: (i) AF G‐CSF levels are elevated in CAM. (ii) An AF G‐CSF level >2000 pg/ml is a strong positive predictor of CAM. (iii) Elevated AF G‐CSF levels appear to be more reliable in predicting CAM than any other single test currently used in clinical practice.
Infections of the vagina and urinary tract are important problems for the obstetrician. Examination of the vaginal discharge and urine for the presence of leukocytes is an important part of the ...evaluation for vaginitis and urinary tract infections. Neutrophils contain several esterases that are not present in serum, urine, or vaginal secretions. These esterases are not influenced by bacteria, commonly used drugs, or variable compositions of urine or vaginal secretions. A prospective study was performed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of leukocyte esterase activity as measured by dipstick (Chemstrip 9, Biodynamics) for the prediction of vaginitis and urinary tract infections during pregnancy. Results were compared with those obtained from potassium hydroxide smears, wet preps, and urine cultures. The vaginal discharge and urine of 65 patients was tested for leukocyte esterase activity on their initial OB visit. Leukocyte esterase was 100% sensitive and 100% specific for detecting urinary tract infections. It was 100% sensitive and 90% specific for predicting vaginal infections. Trichomonas infections accounted for the positive leukocyte esterase results when the urine culture was negative. On the basis of this study we believe that leukocyte esterase activity is sufficiently sensitive and specific to permit use of this test as a rapid and inexpensive screening procedure for vaginitis and urinary tract infections.
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