HIV prevalence in suspects attending Sir Sunder Lal Hospital

Objective:To assess the sero-positivity rate of HIV infection among clinically suspected subjects of reproductive age group(15-49 years),biological and behavioral characteristics of the subjects gender specific variation of sero-positivity rale,and the differentials of the sero-positivity rate for the history of blood transfusion or blood products or other organs,history of needle exposure and symptoms of morbidity.Methods:Study is based on the retrospective data of the calendar year 2005 obtained from Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centre(VCTC)(now renamed as ICTC),Department of Microbiology,I.M.S.,B.H.U..Varanasi.These cases were either referred by the consultants of different OPD'S of Sir Sunderlal Hospital or came voluntarily for knowing their HIV status.About 2-3 mL of blood samples were collected in a plain vial and tested for HIV status by strategy Ⅱ/Ⅲ as per WHO/NACO guidelines.Results:Overall sero-positivity of HIV was 15.3%(18.1%in males and 12.2%in females) which increased 6-7 folds in the age group 35-49 years as compared to 15-24 years in both the sexes.Sero-positivity rate in male migrants was 43.1%,while in female migrants it was 18.7%.The history of multiple sexual contacts was about 3 times higher in males as compared to females;predominantly it was very high in male migrants(67.7%) as compared to male non-migrants(15.8%).History of multiple sexual contacts was not uncommon in females and it was 25.0%in female migrants and 9.7%in non-migrant females.The sero-positivity rate with the history of multiple sexual contacts was 45.4%in males and 60.3%in females,while without history of multiple sexual contacts these were only 2.8%and 5.3%respectively.Sero-positive cases had on an average 3.6±1.7 various morbidity symptoms as compared to 0.7±1.1 in sero-negatives.It is to be noted that sero-positivity rate was more in those females who seemed apparently healthy compared to those presenting with some of the symptoms;vice versa,in males presenting with some symptoms HIV infection was 7 times higher than those without symptoms.Conclusions:The findings indicate a high sero-positivity among both the genders.Multiple heterosexual contacts,especially,in migrants are the main root of transmission of HIV.These are causing spread of HIV to their spouses.The multiple sexual contacts in the society,especially,among non migrant females of this region are indicating the distortion of traditions and cultures which are a serious concern and may lead to HTV infection on the rise.Awareness program to the susceptible group is the need to reduce further spread of HIV.

Surgical considerations in diabetic vitrectomy

High speed and small gauge vitrectomy systems have made surgical intervention in complications of diabetic retinopathy(DR)safer.The availability of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)compounds for use in DR has significantly improved intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.This review discusses the indications for surgical intervention in DR.The role of anti-VEGF compounds is discussed as surgical adjuvants with an emphasis on timing of treatment before surgery.

Comparative H₂S Sensing Characteristics of Fe₂O₃: Thin Film vs. Bulk

Comparative investigations of gas sensing characteristics of Fe2O3 in both thin film as well as bulk forms have been performed. Thin film sensors were realized by first depositing Fe films using electron-beam evaporation followed by thermal oxidation. Bulk sensors in the form of pellets were prepared by cold pressing commercial Fe2O3 powder with subsequent sintering. Both thin film and bulk Fe2O3 sensors exhibited a selective and reversible response characteristics towards H2S with maximum response at an operating temperature of 250°C and 200°C, respectively. A negligible response towards other interfering gases was observed. Thin film sensors exhibited an enhanced response in comparison to that of pellets.

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal using thermal alkaline hydrolyzed municipal wastewater biosolids

This study reports the feasibility of using municipal wastewater biosolids as an alternative carbon source for biological phosphorus removal.The biosolids were treated by a lowtemperature,thermal alkaline hydrolysis process patented by Lystek International Inc.(Cambridge,ON,Canada)to produce short-chain volatile fatty acids and other readily biodegradable organics.Two sequencing batch reactors(SBRs)were operated with synthetic volatile fatty acids(Syn VFA)and readily biodegradable organics produced from the alkaline hydrolysis of municipal wastewater biosolids(Lystek)as the carbon source,respectively.Municipal wastewaters with different strengths and COD:N:P ratios were tested in the study.The reactors’performances were compared with respect to nitrogen and phosphorus removal.It was observed that phosphorus removal efficiencies were between 98%–99%and 90%–97%and nitrogen removal efficiencies were 78%–81%,and 67%for the Syn VFA and Lystek,respectively.However,the kinetics for phosphorus release and uptake during the anaerobic and aerobic stages with Lystek were observed to be significantly lower than Syn VFA due to the presence of higher order VFAs(C4 and above)and other fermentable organics in the Lystek.