ABSTRACT
Background: An extraordinary impact on health-care personnel has been caused by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a health-care crisis. Aims and Objectives: Our aim was to assess the effects of a changing lifestyle on anthropometric measurements, blood glucose levels, atherogenic lipid profiles, and blood pressure over the course of a year in Indian healthcare workers (HCWs). Materials and Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 40 HCWs including 23 male and 17 females between the age of 22 and 59 years. The study was conducted in the Department of Physiology and the Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Kathua, UT of Jammu and Kashmir. Informed written consent was obtained from the subjects and ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Height, weight, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured using standard methods. Body mass index was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. Results: The present study found statistically significant increase in systolic blood pressure and statistically significant decrease in mean HDL-cholesterol before and after COVID-19 pandemic in HCWs. Conclusion: The onset of metabolic syndrome and its potential effects could be stopped by early use of preventative interventions in the changed parameters.
ABSTRACT
Plants are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment, particularly variations in photoperiod or day length. Photoperiodism refers to a plant's capacity to detect variations in day length and make use of this knowledge to control key developmental processes including flowering, growth, and dormancy. Through a process known as photoperiodism, plants can detect and react to variations in the number of daylight hours, or photoperiod. The physiological response of plants to the length of day or night is known as photoperiodism. The plant uses this physiological response to time-critical developmental events like flowering. In this essay, I will cover the current understanding of how plants respond to photoperiod and the molecular mechanisms underpinning this response. Three groups of plants' photoperiodic responses can be distinguished: short-day plants (SDPs), long-day plants (LDPs), and day-neutral plants (DNPs). Whereas LDPs bloom when the length of the day exceeds the crucial threshold, SDPs do so only when it is shorter than the critical threshold. Conversely, DNPs do not have a crucial day duration and can bloom at any day length. Many genes and biochemical processes control how a plant responds to the photoperiod. The creation and movement of the hormone florigen, which starts blooming in response to photoperiodic signals, is a crucial regulating mechanism. On the other hand, a class of photoreceptors known as phytochromes is involved in the biochemical mechanisms driving photoperiodic responses in plants. The perception of light's duration, quality, and amount is caused by phytochromes. The red-light-absorbing Pr form and the far-red-light-absorbing Pfr form are the two interconvertible states in which they can exist. The ratio of Pr to Pfr is altered by the duration of light exposure and is utilizes by plants to assess day length. Exposure to light in SDPs causes the expression of the CONSTANS (CO) gene, and the CO protein causes the expression of the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), a gene that encourages flowering. By exposing LDPs to light, a different gene called GI (GIGANTEA) is induced rather than CO, which is normally expressed. The FT gene's expression is encouraged by GI's interaction with the protein ZEITLUPE (ZTL), which also encourages flowering. In addition to these essential elements, several proteins and signalling pathways are also involved in photoperiodic responses in plants. For instance, to optimise the response to variations in day length, the photoperiodic pathway interacts with the circadian clock, which controls numerous physiological processes in plants. In some species, the hormone gibberellin (GA) also aids in the promotion of flowering. One essential adaptation that enables plants to synchronize their developmental processes with seasonal changes is their capacity to react to variations in day length. Phytochromes play a key role in how plants perceive the day in the complex network of proteins and signalling channels that make up the molecular mechanisms behind photoperiodic responses in plants. There is still much to learn about the diversity and complexity of the photoperiodic response across several plant groupings, even if much is known about it in particular species.
ABSTRACT
Background and objective: Only few studies addressed ECG findings in healthy members of the Indian armed forces or the general population of India. The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) detected during a routine medical examination of healthy members of the Indian armed forces. Method: The ECG of all the healthy members performed during a routine medical examination was initially reported by physicians at various armed forces service hospitals in the Eastern Command (EC) and later perused by the cardiologist at Command Hospital Eastern Command (CHEC). Individuals with abnormal ECG underwent relevant cardiac evaluation at CHEC to determine the underlying pathology. Results: A total of 1,045 members of the Indian armed forces were included in the study and were categorised as follows: 244 in Group-1 (aged < 25years), 478 in Group-2 (aged between 25 to 40 years) and 323 in Group-3 (aged > 40years). Abnormal ECG was found in 108 (10.3%) individuals. Left axis deviation was the most common abnormality detected in 18 (1.2%) individuals, followed by incomplete RBBB and T wave inversion which were each found in 15 subjects (1.43% of all individuals and 13.9% of the subjects with abnormal ECG). The prevalence of ECG abnormalities detected in our study was similar to that reported in previous studies. Only five (0.47%) of the 108 individuals with abnormal ECG were found to have underlying cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: Morphological ECG abnormalities were common in the subjects but did not vary significantly from the general population, and only a minority had underlying pathology. While most of the abnormalities may only represent normal variations and their occurrence in healthy individuals during routine health check-ups should not be alarming. Evaluation of structural heart disease should be done for ECG abnormalities with prognostic significance that has been well-characterised.
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 has been spread almost all over the world in the last two years, including in India. Vaccines are a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19, and India has flagged the largest vaccination drive on 16 January 2021. Although public acceptance was varying, which can lead to non-acceptance. Aim & Objective: To estimate an acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and its associated factors. Settings and Design: An analytical cross-sectional study among health care workers in India Methods & Material: It was conducted using a validated, self-administrated online survey questionnaire, and data were analyzed using SPSS 23 version. The outcome variable was healthcare workers’ acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine. Results: A total of 450 HCWs participated, including 205(45.6%) women and 245(54.4%) men. A total of 270 (60%) subjects will accept vaccines, while 33.3% were unwilling to accept and wait for vaccines. Male gender (OR=3.14), being married and experienced (OR=11.49), vaccine effectiveness (OR=6.4), vaccine safety (OR=3.4), and past history (OR=2.28) were significantly associated. On applying logistic regression for associated factors, gender (B= -1.145, S.E.= 0.200, Wald 32.748), being married (B= -1.482, S.E.= 0.216, Wald 46.937), for experienced (B= -0.865, S.E.= 0.200, effectiveness (B= -1.856, S.E.= 0.245, wald 57.431), Safety (B= -1.224, S.E.= 0.202, Wald 36.633) and past history (B= -0.357, S.E.= 0.248, Wald 2.071) found significant. Recommendation: Proper information is crucial and healthcare workers’ attitudes about vaccines are an important factor for acceptance and recommendation of the vaccine to the public for population-wide coverage.
ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is still a major public health concern around the world. Prompt detection of active tuberculosis cases helps in timely therapeutic intervention and reduces community transmission. Despite limited sensitivity, conventional microscopy is still used to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis in high-burden nations such as India. This study, therefore, was aimed at assessing the diagnostic performance of microscopy by Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) and auramine (AO) staining in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials and methods: A prospective comparative study was done on the sputum samples of 2,395 adult patients from November 2018 to May 2020 suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis visiting the Designated Microscopic Centre of SGT Medical College, Budhera, Gurugram. Each sample was subjected to ZN staining, and AO staining as per NTEP guidelines. Results: Out of the 2,395 samples studied, 161 (6.76%) and 224 (9.35%) were positive by ZN and AO staining methods respectively. Pauci-bacillary cases detected by AO were more than ZN staining. There were 63 more sputum samples detected by AO staining which were missed by ZN microscopy. Conclusion: When compared to conventional ZN staining, the auramine staining technique is more sensitive and takes less time to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis
ABSTRACT
Background: Mental health is one of the most important domains of the overall health of an individual and has received a worldwide concern as an important public health issue. In the present times, health professionals have to face a lot of issues regarding the work stress for providing the best healthcare to the needed ones. Hence, the foundation for emerging as an efficient health-care provider starts from the time when one enters into a medical college. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the status of mental health in first medical students. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire based on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) scale was provided to the participants who were willing to participate in the study. Percentage of total subjects enrolled was categorized into normal, mild, moderate and severe degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress depending on feedback provided by them based on DASS-21 scale. Results: Mild depression was present in 40% and moderate degree of depression was seen in 50% of total subjects taken. About 70% of students reported a state of moderate anxiety and 20% students reported severe anxiety. Severe stress was seen in 30% of total subjects taken and 60% of subjects reported moderate degree of stress. Conclusion: It was reported that moderate level of depression, anxiety, and stress is present in a significant percentage of 1st year medical students as indicated by the score of DASS-21 scale.
ABSTRACT
Background: Medical colleges had to adopt online teaching methods after the imposition of worldwide lockdown due to COVID related pandemic. It is important to understand satisfaction levels among medical students regarding online teaching, to improve online teaching methods in future. Aim and Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction levels among medical students with regard to online teaching and assessment program and factors associated with low satisfaction levels. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional survey was conducted on 600 MBBS students. Various online teaching methods were implemented April 2020 onward. This survey was sent to the students in July 2020. Satisfaction levels toward various online teaching and assessments were evaluated using a five point Likert scale. Results: A total of 446 MBBS students responded to our survey. We found 1st year of MBBS curriculum (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.55, P < 0.05), teachers’ inability to explain theory concepts (AOR = 2.47, P < 0.01), teachers not keeping the class interactive (AOR = 1.81, P < 0.01), student unable to hear the teacher adequately (AOR = 1.77, P < 0.01), student being inattentive in class (AOR = 2.06, P < 0.01), and non-availability of high speed internet connectivity (AOR = 1.85, P < 0.001) to be significantly associated with students not being overall satisfied with online teaching. Conclusion: Online platforms proved to be relevant for teaching theory but usefulness for clinical or practical education was not found to be adequate.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Pleural effusion is one of the manifestation of a malignant disease which may be malignant pleural effusion with demonstrable malignant cells in the fluid or para-malignant pleural effusion which is reactive response or due obstruction of lymphatic drainage rather than invasion of pleural cavity. Various modalities are there to investigate this condition including routine microscopy, cytology, biopsy etc. Objective: To understand and compare the utility of cancer ratio, tumor markers, malignant cytology in cases of suspected malignant pleural effusion. Material and Methods: This Case Control Cross sectional study was conducted among patients attending respiratory OPD at Sir Sunder Lal Hospital, BHU, Varanasi, diagnosed with malignant pleural effusion and non-malignant pleural effusion. Results: Significant association was found between Cancer Ratio-Carcinoembryonic Antigen, CEA (p = 0.0069), CEA-Cytology (p = <0.01801)
ABSTRACT
Background: Contact screening was conducted under ICMR (REFERENCE ID: 2019-07811) programme in villages near SGT hospital, Gurugram. Objective: To evaluate risk factors, extent of spread of tuberculosis among household contacts of tuberculosis cases and to create awareness. Methods and Material: Address of TB cases were taken from RNTCP register at DOTS clinic, SGT medical college. Then all household contacts of positive cases were screened, counselled and advised to approach ASHA Workers if such symptoms appear. Data was analysed using appropriate statistical methods. Results:21 Index cases along with 94 household contacts were screened. 61.90% families still use chullahs for cooking. 76.1% families have overcrowding. 3) 61.90% families had inadequate ventilation 4) 19.05%families were aware about the spread of this disease. 5)Only 23.80% families practised adequate sanitation methods and precautions6) 42.8% Index cases had a history of smoking. 7) 44.4% 4 continue to smoke with infection. The association of adequate sanitation with presence of awareness was found to be statistically significant. (p-value<0.05). Other factors were not significantly associated with level of awareness regarding prevention of tuberculosis spread among study participants. Conclusions: Contact screening is an effective tool and it gives the real-time picture of TB in India.
ABSTRACT
Background: Breastmilk is the natural and safest first food for the newborn. It has nutritional, immunological, behavioural, and offers mother-infant bonding. Objective: The objective of the study was to explore the knowledge, practice, and attitudes of mothers towards breastfeeding. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among conveniently selected 950 postnatal mothers attending the immunization clinic and paediatric OPD with their children for vaccination and treatment of other minor illnesses from April 2018 to November 2019 in selected hospitals of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Mothers were face-to-face interviewed using structured knowledge, preference, practices, and attitude questionnaires about newborn breastfeeding. Tools were validated and tested for reliability. Results: The average knowledge scores (11.72±1.78) indicated that mothers have good knowledge about breastfeeding. Most mothers (81.45%) fed their babies with colostrum, and 82% were exclusively breastfeeding. It was also reported about top feeds like honey, coconut water, grape water, ghuttee, lactogen among about 20% of the participants. The average score of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) (58.11±6.44) lay in the range of neutral attitudes related to breastfeeding practices among the mothers. Conclusion: Breastfeeding practices were adequate among many mothers, but there were practices of throwing colostrum, topfeed baby and early initiation of weaning. Thus, it is necessary to create awareness among the mothers and their families about the correct practices of feeding the newborn baby; eventually, the attitude will change.
ABSTRACT
Background: As the ongoing pandemic has triggered negative psychological effects and these negative effects have a role to play in affecting the quality of sleep, leading to sleep disorders. This demonstrates the need to implement the strategies which would be helpful in preventing and reducing the complications caused due to altered sleeping patterns. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the alteration in the sleep quality during pandemic. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey scheduled for a month was conducted in the students, office, and health-care workers. Questionnaire was based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). This is a self-rated questionnaire which assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month time interval. The PSQI differentiates “poor” from “good” sleep by measuring seven components: Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction over the past 4 weeks. Consent was obtained from all participants and participation was voluntary. Results: There was observed a decline in all the seven components of PSQI score, namely, subjective quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medications, and daytime dysfunction in COVID times as compared to the pre-COVID times. Conclusion: Pandemic has led to the alteration of the sleeping patterns and has led to decline in the sleep quality index.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cuminum cyminum has been one of the commonly used home-based spices in India. It shows various properties such as antispasmodic, astringent, antiseptic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antianxiety, anticonvulsant, and carminative. Aim and Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antianxiety property of C. cyminum and its comparison with diazepam on albino rats. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology at a tertiary care center of Western Rajasthan. Adult albino rats of either sex (100–150 g) were divided into three groups. One group received distilled water and other two group received drugs – C. cyminum and Diazepam, respectively. Results: Antianxiety effect of C. cyminum was not significant in lower and medium doses (300 and 750 mg/kg). Significant antianxiety effect of C. cyminum was seen in higher dose (1000 mg/kg). Conclusion: On the basis of this study, it can be assumed that aqueous extract of C. cyminum could be a potential source to evaluate for the central nervous system disorders. Further studies are needed to explain the actual mechanism of action of C. cyminum at the cellular and molecular levels in detail.
ABSTRACT
Primary endobronchial presentation of anaplastic large cell lymphoma is rare in the paediatric age group. We present a 12-year-old boy with breathlessness, fever, cough and weight loss, who was misdiagnosed as a case of tuberculosis and started on antitubercular therapy, which showed no improvement. Chest X-ray showed a completely opacified left hemithorax and chest computed tomography revealed a mass encircling the left main bronchus with collapse– consolidation of the left lung. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy revealed a growth in the left main bronchus. Subsequently, fine-needle aspiration cytology and biopsy from the mass confirmed it to be a malignancy consistent with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Metastatic work-up revealed no other sites of involvement. Chemotherapy resulted in rapid and complete regression of the tumour. No evidence of local or distant recurrence was reported after 18 months of follow-up. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this presentation as prompt diagnosis and treatment can give promising results. This case highlights the importance of timely tissue diagnosis in patients with non-resolving pyrexia and organ lesions on imaging.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT A 51-year-old male developed traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the right- and left-posterior cerebral arteries following endoscopic resection of a pituitary adenoma. The right-sided aneurysm resolved spontaneously but the left progressed in size. This was treated endovascularly, with successful embolization of the sac. This is the first report of this approach to the management of a pseudoaneurysm of the posterior cerebral arteries to our knowledge.
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted in mid hill region of Rajouri district, J&K, India to analyze the impact lockdown amid covid-19 pandemic on weather parameters. Day and night temperature readings were recorded fortnightly from 1st March to 30th June 2020 from maximum and minimum thermometer, rainfall values from ordinary rain gauge, and soil temperature at different depth from soil thermometers and values were compared with data from 2017-2019 and normal. After analyzing the data statistically using “Descriptive statistics” in MS-Excel 2010, it was observed that within the period of lockdown, the change in day temperature was -6.66% from normal mean value, however night temperature was least affected as it changes 10.33% and rainfall pattern was 19.27% more from normal mean value. The average change in soil temperature in morning at 5 cm, 10 cm and 20 cm depth in lockdown was -4.65%, 3.74% and 2.65% as compared to year 2019 (1st March to 30th June) mean value and the change in soil temperature in evening at same depths was -5.14%, -11.30% and 0.3% from year 2019 (1st March to 30th June) depicting a slow change in values. With the significant sustainable pattern observed in day and soil temperature parameters and rainfall it can be concluded that lockdown might be an effective tool in reducing speed of climate change in future.
ABSTRACT
Background: Internet use provides the user with intellectual disability an opportunity for socialisation, entertainment, and knowledge. User with mild intellectual disability use internet more frequently during free time as well as for entertainment. The present case study is on the use of internet among users with mild intellectual disability. The users approached for management of addictive behaviour. Material and methods: Clinical interview, the Internet Addiction Test, the Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire, and the Pornography Addiction Screening Tool were administered in individual setting. Results: The users found to have addictive use of internet, pornography, and game. It was associated with disturbance in their life style. Conclusions: It has implications for screening the addictive use of technology and their management among users with mild intellectual disability.
ABSTRACT
The impacts of climate change on water quality of water bodies are associated with the climatic extreme events (heavy rainfall and flood, heat, drought, wildfires, cyclones, hurricane, super storms) as the major drivers that require knowledge of understanding. Most research studies present the role of climate change in threatening water quality, risks on drinking water and contributions of catchment in water pollution, but less attention has directed to specific sensitive water quality parameters, appropriate methodologies, risks on ecosystem and managerial practice to reduce the impacts. This review highlight the of effect climate change on surface water bodies based on recent literatures on the impacts of climate change on water quality and promote practical opportunity for better management of these impacts. We conclude that consideration of climate change preparedness plan in catchments is the best option to adopt for minimization of climate change impacts on water quality of water bodies.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of Spot photoscreener (PS) as a noncycloplegic photorefractor in detecting amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) in preschool children in an Indian eye clinic setting. Also, to derive appropriate cutoff values for screening to obtain maximum sensitivity and specificity of the device in detecting ARF. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the outpatient pediatric eye clinic at a tertiary eye care institute. A Spot PS was used to screen all the children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years that presented to the eye clinic from August 2018 to October 2018. This screening was followed by a complete eye examination, including cycloplegic refraction by a masked examiner. The 2013 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) guidelines were considered the standard cutoff values for clinically significant refractive error in children younger than 5 years of age. Results: The study comprised of 219 children. The Spot PS diagnosed 135 (61.64%) children with ARF as compared with 124 (56.62%) children detected by clinic examination. For ARF detection, the Spot photoscreeneer had 85.48% sensitivity, 69.47% specificity, 78.52% positive predictive value and 78.57% negative predictive value. The sensitivity for detection of strabismus and hypermetropia was very low (42% and 36%, respectively). The 95% limits of agreement ranged from ?5.48 to +5.59 diopters (D) with a bias of 0.06 D for spherical equivalent between noncycloplegic photorefraction and cycloplegic refraction. Conclusion: The Spot PS may be used as a screening tool to detect ARF in children younger than 5 years of age keeping its limitations in consideration. However, the performance can be improved by modifying the cutoff values for the referral.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The present study was performed to evaluate the genotoxic effect of 4-nonylphenol after acute and subchronic exposure in spleen tissue of Channa punctatus, recovery in DNA damage was also ascertained after 30 days of cessation of exposure.Methodology: Tail length (TL), tail intensity (TI), tail moment (TM), Olive tail moment (OTM) was used as biological indicators of DNA damage. The fish were exposed to different sublethal concentrations of 4-NP for 96 hrs (acute exposure) and for 90 days (sub chronic exposure). Results: Exposed groups showed significantly higher DNA damage in both acute and sub chronic exposure as compared to control groups. In the case of acute exposure, the highest damage was observed at 24 hr of exposure followed by a decline in the value of all the parameters, while in the later hours of exposure these value further increased. On the other hand, in the case of sub-chronic exposure, the highest damage was observed after treatment with 0.10 mg l-1 concentration of 4-NP at 90 days of exposure. Recovery experiment showed a decrease in the values of all the parameter’s studied, however, a significant decrease was observed only at the highest concentration. Interpretation: The results conclude the DNA damaging potential of 4-nonylphenol and highlighted the usage of spleen tissue for genotoxicity testing
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To evaluate the potential clinical utility of wide-field swept source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) using a prototype device compared to a wide-field fundus autofluorescence (FAF) for analysis of the disease activity in eyes with tubercular serpiginous-like choroiditis (TBSLC). Methods: Using a prototype SS-OCTA device (PLEX Elite, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA), 17 eyes of 12 consecutive patients with TBSLC were imaged and multiple 12 mm � 12 mm OCTA scans were captured, which were montaged to create wide-field montage OCTA images scans. A wide- FAF (Eidon, CenterVue, Padova, Italy) was performed in the same sitting. Two masked graders independently analyzed OCTA and FAF images for the presence of choroidal lesions, recorded the number of lesions identifiable, and provided a subjective grading for the activity of individual lesion, which were then compared. Results: The total number of lesions identified on FAF were 282 (posterior pole lesions, n = 129 and peripheral lesions n = 153) and on wide-field SS-OCTA were 230 (posterior pole lesions, n = 108 and peripheral lesions n = 122). Active choroidal lesions were comparable on the two machines (n = 28 on FAF and n = 28 on SS-OCTA, respectively); whereas numerous healed lesions were identified on FAF (n = 219) as compared to SS-OCTA (n = 170). There was good correlation among the devices for healed lesions (Pearson correlation, r = 0.82) and active lesions (r = 0.88). Conclusion: There was good correlation between FAF and wide-field SS-OCTA for detection of disease activity in TBSLC; however, FAF depicted greater number of healed lesions compared to wide-field SS-OCTA.