Evaluation of antihyperlipidemic activity of gugulipid alone and in combination with different dosage of atorvastatin in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rodent model: Exploring a possible synergistic activity

Background: Gugulipid obtained from Commiphora mukul carries a long history of safe and efficacious use in hyperlipidemia as per Ayurvedic literature. Statins like atorvastatin are a highly prescribed hypolipidemic drug but not free from potentially serious adverse effects. Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to establish antihyperlipidemic activity of gugulipid in triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats in comparison to atorvastatin and simultaneously to explore the combination of gugulipid and atorvastatin for any synergistic activity. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar albino rats (20) were divided equally into vehicle (2% gum acacia) (Group I), gugulipid only 6.75 mg/kgbw (Group II), atorvastatin 7.2 mg/kgbw only (Group III), and gugulipid 6.75 mg/kgbw and atorvastatin in 7.2 mg/kgbw combination (Group IV) in Phase 1 study. In Phase 2, additional three groups were created with five rats in each receiving gugulipid 6.75 mg/kgbw with atorvastatin at 5.4 mg/kgbw, 3.6 mg/kgbw, and 1.8 mg/kgbw dosage, respectively (Groups V–VII). Hyperlipidemia was induced by single intraperitoneal injection (400 mg/kgbw) of triton after 7 days of feeding with respective agents dissolved in vehicle through oral route. Results: Regarding total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Gr II was found superior to Gr I but inferior to others (P < 0.01). Gr IV prevented the rise of TC and TG significantly in comparison to Gr V, VI, and VII (P < 0.01) whereas Groups V and VI having non-significant difference in between, both differed significantly (P < 0.01) with Gr VII. Groups IV, V, and VI prevented the rise of serum LDL significantly (P < 0.01) from Group VII. Conclusion: Gugulipid showed significant antihyperlipidemic activity and was found to be optimally efficacious and safe in combination with even reduced dose of atorvastatin.

Estimation of point prevalence of common skin diseases affecting schoolchildren in the age group of 6–15 years in Jalandhar district of Punjab

Background: Little information is available about prevalence of skin conditions among schoolchildren of North India. Low socioeconomic status, malnutrition, overcrowding, and poor standards of hygiene are important factors accounting for distribution of skin diseases in developing countries such as India. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to estimate point prevalence of common skin diseases affecting schoolchildren in the age group of 6–15 years in Jalandhar district of Punjab. Materials and Methods: A total of 6000 schoolchildren of the age group of 6–15 years were examined in a random sample of government school in urban and rural area of Jalandhar district. Of these children with common diseases were identified. Out of these children with skin diseases were further studied. The data were statically analyzed. Results: Out of the total schoolchildren in the age group of 6–15 years examined, 11.9% were having one or the other form of identifiable disease. Out of these, 13.7% were having skin diseases. Conclusion: The common reason for prevalence of such diseases was poverty, malnutrition, overcrowding, and poor standards of hygiene. Hence, awareness programs among schoolchildren regarding taking affordable balanced diet and care of their personal hygiene were advised.

Prevalence of HIV among pregnant women in Jalandhar district of Punjab

Background: Estimating the HIV seroprevalence in a low-risk population such as pregnant women provide essential information for monitoring trend of HIV in the general population and assist in prevention from mother-to-child transmission. Aim and Objectives: To assess and compare the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women during the past 5 years in Jalandhar dist. of Punjab (2016–2021). Materials and Methods: All pregnant women coming to Antenatal Clinic in urban and rural areas, in Government health institutions were tested for HIV as a mandatory procedure, to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child. The results of these tests were taken from HIMS reports of rural and urban health institutions in Jalandhar district, from local health authority for the past 5 years (2016–2021), after taking permission from Institutional Ethics Committee. Comparison of year-wise positivity was done after statistical analysis. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study of rural and urban population. Results: The data shows that HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Jalandhar District for the past 5 years shows a decreasing trend. Prevalence which was 0.17% in 2016–2017 was reduced to 0.11% in 2020–2021. Conclusion: Prevalence of HIV among pregnant women has shown a decreasing trend in Jalandhar district during the past 5 years (2016–2021).

Pars-plana vitrectomy with phacofragmentation for hyperdense cataracts in eyes with severe microcornea and chorio-retinal coloboma: A novel approach

Purpose: To report the outcomes of pars-plana approach for the management of brunescent cataract in eyes with severe microcornea and associated chorio-retinal coloboma. Methods: This was a retrospective, single center, interventional case series performed in a tertiary eyecare center in central Medical records of consecutive cases of microcornea with coloboma who underwent pars-plana vitrectomy with phacofragmentation (PF) between January 2015 and December 2017 were reviewed. Results: The study group comprised of 30 eyes of 30 patients, of which 18 (60%) were males and 12 (40%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 41.9 years (range of 17� years). The mean corneal diameter was 6.7 mm with a range of 4�mm and all the eyes had dense cataract with nuclear sclerosis of grade 4 or more. The mean preoperative visual acuity was 1.97 (+/-0.067) Log MAR and the mean postoperative vision at 1 month was 1.6 (+/-0.39) Log MAR. Postoperatively, 21 patients (70%) gained ambulatory vision. The visual gain in all the patients was maintained over a mean follow-up period of 15.5 months. Conclusion: Pars-plana vitrectomy with PF can be considered in eyes with severe microcornea and brunescent cataracts, where cataract surgery through the limbal (anterior) approach is not only difficult but at times impossible due to anatomical restraints.

A cluster of central retinal artery occlusions following cataract surgery

Purpose: To report a series of central retinal artery occlusions (CRAO) following cataract surgery complicated by posterior capsular rupture (PCR). Methods: Data from 14 patients with acute CRAO following cataract surgery was collected for this study including subject demographics, initial and final best-corrected visual acuity, systemic investigations, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) findings. Results: Mean subject age was 59.9 ± 12.1 years. Male: Female ratio was 1:1. All patients were operated between October and November 2015 and presented with acute vision loss 1 to 4 days after surgery. All the patients underwent cataract surgery under peribulbar anesthesia and had PCR for which anterior vitrectomy (AV) was done. In all the cases Ethylene oxide (ETO) sterilized vitrectomy probe was used for AV. Clinical picture of CRAO was noted in all the cases during the immediate postoperative period. OCT showed inner retinal layer hyperreflectivity while FFA was normal in all the cases. The final visual acuity was poor in all the eyes. This paper discusses the possible mechanisms of CRAO in these cases. Conclusion: CRAO is a potential complication of peribulbar anesthesia for intraocular surgery in patients with vascular risk factors and hence any substance that can aggravate the vasospasm in such patients should be used cautiously. Vasospasm could be caused by ETO as residual ETO could be present in the vitrectomy machine tubing causing toxicity. It is recommended to be cautious while using ETO sterilized instruments for cataract surgery.

Development, evaluation and validation of a financial stress scale for traders working in financial market

Background: Stress due to financial aspects in life is increasingly common in today's world. It can lead to psychological consequences such as anxiety, depression and can also lead to other non-communicable disorders. Previous scales to measure stress; which are generalized and does not necessarily include the financial aspects of stress. Aims & Objectives The purpose of this research is to develop a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to assess stress among day-traders of stock market. Material & Methods: In a cross-sectional survey a questionnaire was prepared based on in-depth interviews with day-traders of stock market. Construct validity, test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability were carried out. Cronbach's alpha ( ) was 0.85 for the 11 short-listed items, with item-total correlations of 0.2--0.8. Multidimensional scaling determined 2 dimensions -- work related and non-work related. Result: Results from this first study among day-traders in India indicate that traders are not immune to financial stress, with (78.9%) reporting high work related stress, (7.7%) reporting moderate work related and (13.4%) reporting low work related stress. Conclusion: this study identified a set of psychosocial stressors among day-traders and a stress scale (The Financial Stress Scale) was developed in the South Asian context.

A Study Of Retinopathy In Pre Diabetes In A Tertiary Care Centre

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease that has a prolonged prediabetic phase with specific microvasular complications like nephropathy ,retinopathy, neuropathy that can begin during prediabetic phase itself. objective: The study is intended to know the relative prevalence of retinopathy among prediabetes patients. Methodology: A total of 100 subjects with prediabetes ,visiting medicine OPD during the period of 6 months were included in the study. Qualifying patients underwent detailed history, clinical examination, direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy, Results: Among IFG and/or IGT (Prediabetes), 6% patients had very mild Non proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Conclusion: Microvascular complications such as retinopathy can be present in Prediabetes, though their prevalence is low.

Interactions of bacterial polysaccharides with cationic dyes: Physicochemical studies.

Capsular polysaccharides (SPS) are an integral component of gram-negative bacteria, and also have potential use as vaccine. In this paper, interactions of SPS isolated from Klebsiella strains K20 and K51 with cationic dyes pinacyanol chloride (PCYN) and acridine orange (AO) were studied by absorbance and fluorescence measurements. Both the polysaccharides having glucuronic acid as the potential anionic site induced strong metachromasy (blue shift ~100 nm) in the PCYN. The spectral changes were studied at different polymer/dye molar ratios (P/D = 0-40). A complete reversal of metachromasy was observed upon addition of co-solvents, suggesting the breakaway of dye molecules from the biopolymer matrix. Binding constant, changes in free energy, enthalpy and entropy of the dye polymer complex were also computed from the spectral data at different temperatures to reveal the nature of the interaction. Quenching of fluorescence of AO by the polymers and the incorporated mechanisms were also explored.

Child and Behaviour: A School Based Study.

Behaviour problems in children are on the rise. Available literature speaks of variability and inadequacies of diagnostic methods, research criteria, treatment modalities and psychosocial interventions. Methods: 50 children of age 6-14 years attending government school were assessed for behaviour problems. Children were selected after appropriate randomization and subsequently assigned to Child behaviour checklist. The data thus collected was suitably interpreted using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Twenty-one (42%) children were found to be above the cut-off score. Mean CBCL score was 43.3. Most common behaviour problems in these subjects were “can not sit still, restless, hyperactive” shown by 62% of the subjects. Female children had behaviour problems like “too concerned with neatness or cleanliness”, “self conscious or easily embarrassed” and “feels she has to be perfect” where as male children had behaviour problems like. “does not feel guilty after misbehaving”, can not concentrate” and “restless”. Conclusion: The analysis of pattern of distribution of behaviour problems in the subjects revealed them to be more of externalizing ones. Female children had more of internalizing behaviour problems.

Azoospermia factor deletions in varicocele cases with severe oligozoospermia.

BACKGROUND: Varicocele is the most common cause of male infertility. The etiology and pathophysiology of varicocele are multifactorial. When low sperm counts are associated with varicocele, varicocelectomy can partially restore spermatogenesis and fertility. Few recent studies have reported that in some varicocele cases, there may be an associated genetic etiology. Presence of a genetic factor like azoospermia factor microdeletions may lead to irreversible spermatogenic arrest in these cases, but very few reports support these findings. However, it is still not understood why some cases improve after varicocelectomy and why some cases show no improvement in semen parameters postoperatively. AIM: It is important to distinguish varicocele cases from Yq microdeletions as these cases have irreversible testicular damage and thus carry a poor prognosis after varicocelectomy. SETTINGS: Research and Referral tertiary care hospital. Design: Prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two infertile men with varicocele were referred for Yq microdeletion analysis from the infertility clinic of AIIMS and Army Research and Referral Hospital. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood and polymerase chain reaction microdeletion screening was done in these cases to determine the presence or deletion of AZF loci. RESULTS: In this study 7 (9.7%) varicocele cases harbored Yq microdeletion. The sperm count in cases which harbored Yq microdeletion was significantly lower than in cases without Yq microdeletion. CONCLUSION: Varicocele cases with Yq microdeletion do not show improvement in semen parameters post-varicocelectomy. Detection of Yq microdeletion determines prognosis and future management in such cases.

Antimicrobial activity of leaf extract of Basilicum polystachyon (L) Moench.

Phenolic extract of leaves of Basilicum polystachyon (L) Moench was tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity against five bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus leuteus) and three fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Helminthosporium oryzae). Efficacy of organic solvents, methanol and ethanol, as agents for extraction was compared with acidic water (2M; HCl). High-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) data showed that acidic extraction (2M; HCl) resulted in higher yield of caffeic acid (0.437 mg g(-1)) and rosmarinic acid (0.919 mg g(-1)). Acidic extract showed high activity against Gram (+) ve bacteria, but was less active against Gram (-) ve bacteria. Amongst the tested fungi, maximum activity was exhibited against Aspergillus niger. This is the first report on the phenolic constituents and bioactivity of B. polystachyon.

Effect of vermicomposting process on metal content of paper mill solid waste.

In the present study the change in metal content on vermicomposting of paper mill solid waste was studied. On vermicomposting, quantity of iron, zinc and chromium found to be increased whereas quantity of aluminium, copper, manganese, nickel and lead found comparatively low. The bioaccumulation of any metal was not observed in the body of the earthworm, hence after vermicomposting, there is no harm to fishes to utilize earthworm biomass as their food. The metal content in the vermicompost prepared from the paper mill solid waste was well within the permissive limits and can therefore be safely applied in an aquaculture, agriculture and other food production systems.

Role of anti-depressant fluoxetine in the puva treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

Severity of Psoriasis Vulgaris is known to be modified by psychological stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of Fluoxetine in the PUVA treatment of Psoriasis. Twenty patients with progressive disease having more than thirty per cent body area involvement were included in a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled, age and sex matched study. All patients were on PUVA treatment; half of the patients were given Fluoxetine 20 mgms daily whereas the other ten were given placebo. Assessment was done by Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scoring after every 5 exposures of PUVA treatment till 20 treatments. All ten patients who took Fluoxetine along with PUVA treatment showed better response and quicker remission. Fluoxetine may be used as an adjuvant in PUVA treatment of Psoriasis.