Astha Jain

Bio: Astha Jain is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Obstetrics. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 351 citations.

Anti-UV and anti-microbial properties of some natural dyes on cotton

Abstract: Various nalural dye powders have been evalu ated for protection again st UV radi ali o n and mi crobial orowth o n cotton . All the d yes show hi gh absorpti o n in the UV re gio n. When mordants are used, the UV screening effect is :'lhanced. Most of th e dyes also show good bactericidal activity against selected microbes. The activity increases wi th the inc rease in concentration of d ye. Tannin-based dye Q.illfectoria shows good protection against both UV radiation as well as common microbes. Results show that it is possi bl e to develop cotto n fabrics hav in g anti-microbial and anti- UV properti es usin g se lecled natural dyes.

A series of 777 pellet gun ocular injuries over a 4-month period in Kashmir

Abstract: Purpose: To examine the incidence, clinical findings and management of pellet gun–related ocular injuries that occurred during protests in Kashmir region. Methods: This retrospective study included records from 777 patients diagnosed with pellet gun–related ocular injuries admitted to a tertiary hospital in Srinagar, India, between July and November 2016. By reviewing the clinical records, the following data were collected: demographics, clinical information pertaining to the injury, imaging reports including computer tomography and ultrasonography B-scan, management in the emergency setting, and follow-up treatment. Results: Mean age was 22.3 ± 7.2 years and majority patients were male (97.7%). In terms of laterality, 94.3% and 5.7% of the patients sustained monocular and binocular injuries, respectively. In terms of the nature of injury, 76.3% of the eyes had open globe injury while 23.7% of the eyes had closed eye injury. Emergency surgical exploration was performed in 67.7% of closed globe injuries while emergency primary repair was done in 91.1% of open globe injuries. The vast majority of patients (98.7%) who required surgery underwent surgical intervention on the day of admission or the next day. Final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after treatment was counting fingers or worse in 82.4% of the eyes. Conclusion: Pellet gun–related ocular injuries resulted in significant ocular morbidity, mostly manifesting as open globe injuries. Treatment often required surgical interventions, but despite expeditious management, visual prognosis remained poor for most of the patients.

Rare cause of stillbirth: a true knot and loop of cord: case report

Abstract: True knot is an extremely rare condition of the umbilical cord. It affects around 0.3-1.3% of all the pregnancies. It can be loose without obstructing the blood flow to the foetus or can be tight enough to exsanguinate the foetus by compromising the blood flow towards the foetus. A 26 years old, gravida 2, para 1, live 1, with previous 1 caesarean section with hypothyroidism came at 40 weeks POG in labour. No complaints. Antenatal history was uneventful. On examination, patient was stable. Patient was explained risk and demits of TOLAC verses ERCD and opted for TOLAC. Delivered a limp baby. There was presence of one tight loop of cord around neck and one tight true knot over the umbilical cord leading to stillbirth. The umbilical cord is the only blood supply to the foetus during the antepartum and intrapartum period. If the true knot is loose, it will not lead to foetal compromise since foetal circulation is maintained. However, at the time of fetal descent through the birth canal, the knot could be tightened. The tightening knot can occlude fetal circulation resulting in an intrauterine demise. The process of delivery should be very careful and if any fetal distress or non-reactive CTG is present, then an emergency caesarean section must be done. Routine continuous cardiotocography can be the best modality to pick distress at the earliest and to achieve a good outcome of the neonate. A good ultrasonologist can detect nuchal cord and true knot during the antenatal scan.

Impact of individual counseling on the knowledge and attitudes of type 2 diabetics regarding diabetic retinopathy: The Aditya Jyot Diabetic Retinopathy in Urban Mumbai Slums Study – Report 3

Abstract: Purpose: Baseline knowledge and attitudes regarding diabetic retinopathy (DR) have not been previously reported for type 2 diabetes mellitus adults (T2DM) in Dharavi, one of the largest slums in Mumbai. Furthermore, a pre- and post-intervention survey study regarding this topic has not been conducted to date in Dharavi. This pre- and post-intervention survey study analyzes the impacts of DR counseling sessions administered individually on the knowledge and attitudes of T2DM participants recruited from Dharavi. Methods: Potential subjects (>30 years old) from Dharavi were enrolled by community workers and screened for T2DM. Those with confirmed T2DM were each registered for an individual DR counseling session. A survey was distributed to participants before the counseling session to determine their baseline knowledge and attitudes. The same survey was distributed after the counseling session, and changes in pre- and post-survey responses were analyzed. Results: Exactly 1718 T2DM study participants were given pre- and post-surveys. Before the counseling, T2DM participants showed low baseline knowledge and attitudes regarding DR, with only 30.8% (530/1718) participants being aware that diabetes can affect the eye. Participants showed significant improvements after the counseling session, with more participants showing willingness to attend DR screenings (pre: 38.3.%, post: 56.8%; P < 0.0001) and more becoming aware that diabetes can affect the eye (90.4%, 1553/1718; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Targeted educational interventions for T2DM individuals from the slums of western India, such as Dharavi, can lead to significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes, representing a promising avenue in tackling the burden of avoidable blindness caused by DR in India.

Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Treatments of Textiles

Abstract: The growth of microbes on textiles during use and storage negatively affects the wearer as well as the textile itself. The detrimental effects can be controlled by durable antimicrobial finishing of the textile using broad-spectrum biocides or by incorporating the biocide into synthetic fibers during extrusion. Consumers' attitude towards hygiene and active lifestyle has created a rapidly increasing market for antimicrobial textiles, which in turn has stimulated intensive research and development. This article reviews the requirements for antimicrobial finishing, qualitative and quantitative evaluations of antimicrobial efficacy, the application methods of antimicrobial agents and some of the most recent developments in antimicrobial treatments of textiles using various active agents such as silver, quaternary ammonium salts, polyhexamethylene biguanide, triclosan, chitosan, dyes and regenerable N-halamine compounds and peroxyacids. Examples of commercial antimicrobial products are presented to illustrate...

Cotton Textile Processing: Waste Generation and Effluent Treatment

Abstract: This review discusses cotton textile processing and methods of treating effluent in the textile industry. Several countries, including India, have introduced strict ecological standards for textile industries. With more stringent controls expected in the future, it is essential that control measures be implemented to minimize effluent problems. Industrial textile processing comprises pretreatment, dyeing, printing, and finishing operations. These production processes not only consume large amounts of energy and water, but they also produce substantial waste products. This manuscript combines a discussion of waste production from textile processes, such as desizing, mercerizing, bleaching, dyeing, finishing, and printing, with a discussion of advanced methods of effluent treatment, such as electro-oxidation, bio-treatment, photochemical, and membrane processes.

Uv protection textile materials

Abstract: Ultraviolet rays constitute a very low fraction in the solar spectrum but influence all living organisms and their metabolisms. These radiations can cause a range of effects from simple tanning to highly malignant skin cancers, if unprotected. Sunscreen lotions, clothing and shade structures provide protection from the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiations. Alterations in the construction parameters of fabrics with appropriate light absorbers and suitable finishing methods can be employed as UV protection fabrics. This paper deals with the deleterious effects of UV rays and protection against them through textile materials.