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Background: The objective of the paper is to review the incidence and types of associated urogenital anomalies (U.G.A.) we encountered in patients with anorectal malformations (A.R.M.) and compare the results with previously published world literature. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review was done of 220 cases of A.R.M., treated from May 2002 to April 2003. All patients routinely underwent ultrasound (U.S.) study of the K.U.B. region and pelvis and lumbosacral radiography. Voiding cystourethrography (V.C.U.G.), nuclear renography and other investigations like buccal smear and karyotyping were done in selected cases only. Results: Genital anomalies were found in 30 cases (13.63%) and urologic anomalies in 25 cases (11.36%), a direct correlation being found between the level of A.R.M. and the incidence of urogenital anomalies (U.G.A.). Conclusion: The high incidence of associated anomalies (24.54%) makes careful clinical examination and evaluation of the urinary tract during the neonatal or early infantile period mandatory in all cases of A.R.M., particularly to avoid deterioration of renal function in future.

Background: Colostomy site, which is a potentially contaminated wound, is traditionally closed with interrupted skin stitches and placement of intraperitoneal or parietal or both drains; often with poor cosmetic outcome in our country. This study aims at prospective evaluation of colostomy closure wounds by different techniques. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out in all infants and children with colostomy (for different pathologies) admitted for colostomy closure in our institute from August 1, 2006 to February 29, 2008. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A with colostomy closure without any drain and subcuticular skin closure and Group B with colostomy closure with both intraperitoneal and parietal drain and interrupted skin closure. Patient′s details, including age, sex, body weight, diagnosis, preoperative bowel preparation, peroperative antibiotics, postoperative wound infection, anastomotic leaks, duration of hospitalisation and postoperative follow-up for wound assessment, were recorded. By the end of February 2008, 151 cases of colostomy closure were recorded, 70 in Group A and 81 in Group B. Results: Statistical analysis of the data showed no statistically significant difference in wound infection and anastomotic leak between the two groups. On postoperative follow-up, wound assessment showed significantly better cosmesis in the no drain subcuticular group. Conclusion: This study shows that closing colostomies without any drain and subcuticular skin closure does not result in any increased incidence of wound infection and has better cosmetic results.

Female conjoined twins (thoraco-omphalopagus) were delivered by emergency caesarean section in a private nursing home. On examination, one of the twins was dead and was threatening the survival of the surviving twin (twin A). An emergency separation was performed to salvage the surviving twin.

Diffusing transition S-ducts are often used in dual engine fighter aircrafts as intake ducts. The cross section shape at the inlet of the intake duct affects the performance of the duct. The present paper establishes computational fluid dynamics as a design tool for intake design. Various cross section shapes of the inlet, namely, elliptic, semicircular, oval, rectangular, and square, have been analyzed using the standard and the renormalized group k-[epsilon] turbulence model. For all the ducts, the angle of turn (22.5/22.5 deg), the centerline length (300 mm) and the circular exit diameter (100 mm) have been kept constant. Incompressible flow analysis has been done at 0.17 Mach number at the entry of the duct which corresponds to the throat of intakes. The elliptic-shaped inlet duct shows the best performance in terms of pressure recovery, loss coefficient, and flow distortion at the compressor face, whereas square duct produces the worst flow characteristics. It is also established that the renormalized group k-[epsilon] model predicts better than the standard k-[epsilon] turbulence model.

The aim of this work was to measure and compare the binding constants of antibody immunoglobulin G (IgG) to bacterial cell wall proteins, streptococcal protein G and Staphylococcus aureus protein A, using an acoustic wave sensor. Devices, which used shear-horizontal acoustic waves propagating in a waveguide configuration at 108 and 155 MHz, were employed in the detection of apparent IgG binding constants at the solid-liquid interface in the range of 6.7-667 nM IgG. Real-time data during IgG-protein G and IgG-protein A binding yielded apparent association constants of 3.29 x [10.sup.4] and 8.02 x [10.sup.3] [M.sup.-1] [s.sup.-1] leading to equilibrium constants of 1.13 x [10.sup.8] and 2.90 x [10.sup.7] [M.sup.-1], respectively. The measured apparent rate constants are consistent with literature reports of higher affinity of protein G for IgG. Furthermore, protein binding through the Fc region of IgG is suggested to occur below 333 nM, while different mechanisms are suggested to occur above 333 nM. For the first time, nonequilibrium studies of IgG-protein G and A binding at a solid-liquid interface has yielded valuable quantitative kinetic information about binding mechanisms. The promise of this detection method is shown by providing quick determination of binding constants with low sample volumes.

Arsenical calamity in West Bengal was first detected by the author from Dermatology out patients department of the School of Tropical Medicine Calcutta in 1982 from patients of Gangapur village of North 24 Paraganas, District of West Bengal. The diagnosis of chronic arsenicosis was confirmed by finding high arsenic (As) values in nail, hair and skin scales. Only two incidence of exogenous arsenicosis, one from surface soaks of Paris green factory and one case from homeopathic arsenic drug intake have been noticed. Most of the arsenicosis occurred from intake of ground water. More than 2,00,000 people in 1206 rural areas of 76 blocks of 9 districts of West Bengal have been found to be affected with arsenicosis.