Effect of Household Air Pollution on Blood Pressure – A Review.

High blood pressure (BP) remains a public health issue of concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cooking with solid biomass fuel is common in LMICs, producing hazardous levels of household air pollution (HAP), and exposure to which results in significant morbidity and mortality. The primary victims are women, who are the immediate users. Therefore, a potential relationship between these factors would have massive public health reverberations. Our objective was thus to perform a literature review of the studies investigating the association between HAP and BP in women. We searched the PubMed, CORE, and Semantic Scholar databases from inception through March 2022 to identify reports investigating the relationship between BP and HAP from solid fuel use. The studies included in this report point to an increased risk of high BP from HAP generated as a consequence of using solid fuels for cooking. Conversely, few studies have reported a negative association between HAP and BP. Notably, this inconsistency and the limited evidence base necessitate confirmation of the association by more extensive and robust studies. Further, this report identifies a need to introduce and implement effective clean cooking solutions for public health benefits.

Clinical, ultrasonographic and optical coherence tomography correlation of optic nerve head cupping in glaucoma patients

Purpose: To ascertain if ultrasound (USG) B-scan examination of the optic nerve head (ONH) can be a useful tool to diagnose and quantify glaucomatous cupping. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of 48 eyes of 48 patients with clear ocular media and cup-disc ratio of (CDR) ?0.6 were included. The disc was studied by + 90D examination, USG B-scan and ONH Optical coherence tomography (OCT) by three masked observers. Observer-1 assessed the clinical CDR, observer-2recordedopticcup diameter on USG B-scan and observer-3performed ONH OCT to note the software computed average CDR. Measurements of cupping obtained by these 3 methods were compared and their relative strengths determined. The interdependency between variables was further studied using regression analysis. Results: Clinically assessed disc ratios of 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and total corresponded to USG cup measures of 1.02 ± 0.11 mm, 1.23 ± 0.14 mm, 1.35 ± 0.072 mm, 1.45 ± 0.084 mm, 1.75 ± 0.15 mm and OCT average CDR of 0.62 ± 0.087, 0.68 ± 0.060, 0.75 ± 0.078, 0.81 ± 0.036, 0.89 ± 0.038, respectively. There was an excellent correlation between the three arms, with Pearson's co-efficient (r) of 0.87, P < 0.001 between clinical and USG cupping; r = 0.89, P < 0.001 between clinical and OCT cupping; and r = 0.88, P < 0.001 between USG and OCT cupping. A relation of y = 1.64x + 0.03 was obtained between them, where y stands for USG cup diameter and x stands for the observed clinical CDR. Conclusion: Ultrasonographic measurement of optic cup diameter corresponds well to clinical ONH cupping. Therefore, it can reliably be used in quantifying ONH cupping in cases of media opacities which preclude optic disc visualization.

The study of clinico-pathological correlation and treatment outcome in acute allograft rejection in the immediate post renal transplant period

Background: The kidney Tx is the treatment of choice for patients with ESRD. However, episodes of AR have a negative impact on short- and long-term graft survival. In spite of immunosuppressive medications, CNI, MMF and steroid, the AR remains a crucial problem for Tx. This analysis was performed to evaluate the changing profile of early AR (during first week of transplant) and its repercussions on graft survival.Methods: This study was an observational cohort study and included 50 renal transplant patients irrespective of age, sex and race who developed bx proven AR within first week of transplant. Three groups were made according to histopathology: ACR, AMR and mixed rejection group. The patients were followed for 6 months thereafter.Results: AR within a week of renal Tx were less symptomatic except decrease in UO. ACR was more common (72%) than AMR and mixed rejections. AMR and Mixed group required more therapeutic modalities than ACR. More patients required HD during AR in AMR and mixed rejection group than ACR. The mean s.cr at 6 months was 1.3,1.5 and 1.6 in ACR, AMR and mixed group respectively. There were more incidences of BK viremia, CMV infection UTI and rejection fronts follow up in AMR and mixed group than ACR group.Conclusions: Acute rejections within a week are less symptomatic and ACR occurred more frequently than AMR and mixed rejection There were more incidences of BKV, CMV and UTI for 6 months follow up in AMR and Mixed rejection group.

Prevalence of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases in a Rural Population of Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: Over past few decade morbidities and mortalities associated with NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) leads to a significant loss of productive life years both in developed and developing countries. Therefore, the present study was done to determine the prevalence of common risk factors for major NCDs in a rural population of Barabanki district in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in Satrikh block of Barabanki district. Multistage sampling was used for enrolment of the study subjects. A totalof 1824 participants aged ≥25 years were enrolled in the study. WHO STEPs- wise tool was used to collect information on behavioural risk factors like tobacco use, diet, alcohol useand associated anthropometric indices were measured. Results: Prevalence of tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco products use, alcohol consumption, less than five servings of fruits/vegetables, more than five grams of salt intake and overweight/obesity was found to be 26.2%, 27.08%, 24.1%, 91.61%, 10.9% and 34.86% respectively. Individuals with age more than 35 years, male subjects, illiterates and those who belonged to scheduled castes/tribes were significantly (p<0.05) more predisposed to both smoked tobacco as well as smokeless tobacco use and alcohol consumption.Consumption of alcohol was significantly (p<0.05) higher among employed groups who belonged to upper and upper middle class while tobacco consumption was more prevalent in lower socioeconomic group. Consumption of salt more than 5 grams per day was significantly higher among individuals in elder age group (35-65 days), among females, those who were literate, those who belonged to other backward castes and among government employees. Conclusion: The study revealed high prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors among adults. This indicates towards need of prompt community based preventive measures and control strategies to lower the forthcoming consequences of NCDs.

Impact on the pattern of ocular injuries and awareness following a ban on firecrackers in New Delhi: A tertiary eye hospital-based study

Purpose: To review the nature of firecracker-related ocular injuries at a tertiary eye hospital in northern India following the firecracker ban and also to review the level of awareness among the victims. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study involving the patients presenting with firecracker-related ocular injuries from October 18 to 27, 2017 were assessed for demographic distribution, detailed ocular evaluation, and a questionnaire related to the awareness about the injuries. Results: A total of 68 patients were observed. Fifty patients (74.5%) were males. This year, a majority of patients were from outside Delhi. Uttar Pradesh constituted the most 38.23% of the patients followed by Haryana 30.88%, Delhi 23.5%, and Bihar 7.35%. Visual acuity varied from 6/6 to no perception of light. Open globe injury was observed in 56 patients (82.35%) who commonly had zone I injury. A significant number of patients (88.23%) were aware of firecracker-related injuries, and a large number of such injuries (58.8%) occurred in those who were not actively involved in the ignition of firecrackers but were in the vicinity. Conclusion: This year, following a ban, the number of firecracker-related ocular injuries reported from areas outside Delhi outnumbered as compared to within Delhi. However, firecracker-related ocular injuries are still a major cause of significant visual loss, especially involving the bystanders. Thus, firecracker-related celebrations should be monitored with a stringent protocol.

Heterologous osseous differentiation in Malignant Phyllodes tumour – A rare case report

Breast sarcomas are rare neoplasms accounting for less than 1% of breast malignancy. Phyllodes tumors have biphasic histological features with both epithelial and stromal component. Careful characterization of the stromal component is critical since it is the pathologic features of the stromal cells that determine its malignant potential. We reported a case of 57 years old female with right breast mass who underwent wide excision and on histological examination a diagnosis of malignant phyllodes tumour with heterogonous osseous differentiation was made. The rarity of the lesion was considered for reporting and on follow up the patient was free of metastasis.

Correlation between clinical features and degree of immunosuppression in HIV infected children.

We conducted this study to find out correlation of CD4% with clinical status in 102 HIV infected antiretroviral naive children. Mean age of presentation was 4.8 years. Perinatal transmission was the commonest mode of transmission (94%). Fever (53%), chronic diarrhea (36%), and cough (29%) were the commonest presenting symptoms. Protein energy malnutrition was seen in 56.7% of children. 33.3% children were asymptomatic, whereas 45.1% were in WHO clinical stages III and IV at the time of presentation. The most common opportunistic infection was tuberculosis. CD4% correlated significantly with the deterioration of the WHO clinical stages (P<0.01) and increasing grades of protein energy malnutrition (P< 0.05).

Pulmonary fungal ball in non-immunocompromised patient: a case report.

Fungal ball caused by Aspergillus species is an opportunistic infection. We describe a case report of a patient with culture positive Aspergillus fumigatus who presented with complaints of cough and expectoration with recurrent episodes of haemoptysis. Tuberculosis is the commonest cause of haemoptysis in India. However fungal ball is also one of the leading cause of haemoptysis. Hence laboratory evaluation of haemoptysis should not only include work up for tuberculosis but sample should also be submitted for mycological evaluation.