Harnessing nature-based solutions for health in post-COVID era: a narrative review

In the post-COVID era, nature-based solutions (NBS) has emerged as a promising paradigm to address the health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. This narrative review explores the dynamics between NBS and human health and the diverse mechanisms involved, substantiated through different domains of evidence like biomechanistic studies, exposure science, epidemiology, and implementation science-based research. Ranging from forest management, urban green spaces to control health hazards from air pollution to blue infrastructure safeguarding against waterborne diseases, NBS interventions has the potential to favor public health outcomes positively. Besides, psychological benefits of NBS, in reducing stress, and improving mental well-being has been pivotal in addressing the mental health crisis. Although differential access to green and blue spaces is a vexing issue that needs equitable distribution of NBS interventions to maximize health equity. Harnessing the inherent capacity of natural ecosystems, NBS provides tangible health benefits while fostering sustainable, healthy living.

Effects of Various Indigenous Ripening Methods on Biochemical Characteristics of Banana Cv. Chenichampa

A study was conducted with objectives of how the native ripening technique affected the quality parameters of the Chenichampa variety of banana. The ripening techniques used during the period of experiment are as follows: T1 stands for ripening in a covered pit with smoke; T2 stands for ripening tomato fruit; T3 for ripening with paddy straw; T4 stands for ripening in a covered pit without smoke; T5 for ripening with calcium carbide; and T6, or naturally ripening at room temperature, which is the control. The outcome showed that, of all the ripening techniques, fruit ripened with ripe tomatoes maintained the lowest titratable acidity (0.23%), the maximum TSS (21.50%), and the reducing sugar (5.43%). Treatment T2 had the highest recorded moisture content (73.04%) and ash content (1.76%).

Association of vitamin D3 with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis-an observational study

Background: The objective of this study is to investigate the association between 25 (OH) vit D3 level and psoriasis, in our city with long sunny weather, in an attempt to clarify the controversies. Methods: The 100 patients with psoriasis including 29 with psoriatic arthritis were taken randomly as cases from medicine outpatient department of KPCMCH. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was calculated for all patients with psoriasis and disease activity score (DAS28-CRP) in all arthritis patients. The control group had 150 age and sex-matched participants without any symptoms related to psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. The 25 (OH) vit D3 serum level was estimated for both groups. This is an observational, cross-sectional study. Results: Out of total 100 patients, 55% were male and 45% female, with mean age and disease duration 49.7±6.7 years and 11.4±3.5 years, respectively. The control group had 150 subjects (86 males, 64 females). The 25 (OH) vit D3 levels of both patients and controls were 19.2±8.5 ng/ml and 29.9±6.7 ng/ml, respectively and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The 25(OH) vit D3 levels were 21.9±4.1 ng/ml in patients with disease duration <10 years, and 15.9±4.2 ng/ml in patients with disease duration ? 10 years and difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was 18.9±7.8 ng/ml and 20.1±8.4 ng/ml respectively in psoriasis patients with and without arthritis but the difference was statistically not significant (p>0.05). The 25(OH) vit D3 level was lower in psoriasis with high PASI compared to psoriasis with low-moderate PASI and lower in psoriatic arthritis with high disease activity compared to arthritis with low-moderate disease activity. Conclusions: Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients had lower 25 (OH) vit D3 levels. The disease durations were directly related to 25 (OH) vit D3 insufficiency. Lower levels were associated with higher active diseases.

Association of vitamin D3 with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis-an observational study

Background: The objective of this study is to investigate the association between 25 (OH) vit D3 level and psoriasis, in our city with long sunny weather, in an attempt to clarify the controversies. Methods: The 100 patients with psoriasis including 29 with psoriatic arthritis were taken randomly as cases from medicine outpatient department of KPCMCH. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was calculated for all patients with psoriasis and disease activity score (DAS28-CRP) in all arthritis patients. The control group had 150 age and sex-matched participants without any symptoms related to psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. The 25 (OH) vit D3 serum level was estimated for both groups. This is an observational, cross-sectional study. Results: Out of total 100 patients, 55% were male and 45% female, with mean age and disease duration 49.7±6.7 years and 11.4±3.5 years, respectively. The control group had 150 subjects (86 males, 64 females). The 25 (OH) vit D3 levels of both patients and controls were 19.2±8.5 ng/ml and 29.9±6.7 ng/ml, respectively and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The 25(OH) vit D3 levels were 21.9±4.1 ng/ml in patients with disease duration <10 years, and 15.9±4.2 ng/ml in patients with disease duration ? 10 years and difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was 18.9±7.8 ng/ml and 20.1±8.4 ng/ml respectively in psoriasis patients with and without arthritis but the difference was statistically not significant (p>0.05). The 25(OH) vit D3 level was lower in psoriasis with high PASI compared to psoriasis with low-moderate PASI and lower in psoriatic arthritis with high disease activity compared to arthritis with low-moderate disease activity. Conclusions: Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients had lower 25 (OH) vit D3 levels. The disease durations were directly related to 25 (OH) vit D3 insufficiency. Lower levels were associated with higher active diseases.

Adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in Latin America and the Caribbean: systematic review and meta-analysis / Resultados adversos perinatales y del embarazo en América Latina y el Caribe: revisión sistemática y metanálisis / Desfechos gestacionais e perinatais adversos na América Latina e no Caribe: revisão sistemática e metanálise

ABSTRACT Objective. To estimate the point prevalence and likely ranges of pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, low birth weight and preterm delivery in Latin America and the Caribbean, and evaluate the heterogeneity of the estimates. Methods. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies reporting the prevalence of maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes in populations in Latin American and the Caribbean published between 2000 and 2019 in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. We searched PubMed, Embase, and LILACS. We estimated the point prevalence and evaluated overall heterogeneity and, in sub-group analyses, heterogeneity by study design and level of bias. Results. Of 1087 records retrieved, 50 articles were included in the review: two on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 14 on pre-eclampsia, six on gestational diabetes, nine on low birth weight and 19 on preterm birth. No meta-analysis for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy could be done because of the small number of studies. Point prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, low birth weight, and preterm birth were: 6.6% (95% CI: 4.9%, 8.6%), 8.5% (95% CI: 3.9%, 14.7%), 8.5% (95% CI: 7.2%, 9.8%), and 10.0% (95% CI: 8.0%, 12.0%), respectively. We observed substantial heterogeneity overall and by study design. No major differences in estimates were observed by level of bias. Conclusions. The results of this study provide updated estimates of some of the most prevalent adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in Latin America and the Caribbean. They highlight that important heterogeneity exists in prevalence estimates, which may reflect the diversity of populations in the region.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia puntual y los rangos probables de hipertensión provocada por embarazo, preeclampsia, diabetes gestacional, peso bajo al nacer y parto prematuro en América Latina y el Caribe, y evaluar la heterogeneidad de las estimaciones. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática y metanálisis de los estudios de observación que notificaron la prevalencia de resultados adversos perinatales y maternos en poblaciones de América Latina y el Caribe, publicados entre los años 2000 y 2019 en inglés, español o portugués. Se realizaron búsquedas en PubMed, Embase y LILACS. Se estimó la prevalencia puntual y se evaluó la heterogeneidad general y, en los análisis de subgrupos, la heterogeneidad según el diseño del estudio y nivel de sesgo. Resultados. De 1 087 registros recuperados, se incluyeron 50 artículos en la revisión: 2 sobre los trastornos hipertensivos en el embarazo, 14 sobre preeclampsia, 6 sobre la diabetes gestacional, 9 sobre peso bajo al nacer y 19 sobre parto prematuro. No se pudo realizar ningún metanálisis de los trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo debido al número reducido de estudios. Las estimaciones de prevalencia puntual y los intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95% para la preeclampsia, la diabetes gestacional, el peso bajo al nacer y el parto prematuro fueron: 6,6% (IC de 95%: 4,9%, 8,6%), 8,5% (IC de 95%: 3,9%, 14,7%), 8,5% (IC de 95%: 7,2%, 9,8%) y 10,0% (IC de 95%: 8,0%, 12,0%), respectivamente. Se observó una heterogeneidad significativa en general, así como según el diseño del estudio. No se advirtieron grandes diferencias en las estimaciones según el nivel del sesgo. Conclusiones. Los resultados de este estudio ofrecen cálculos actualizados de algunos de los resultados adversos perinatales y del embarazo con mayor prevalencia en América Latina y el Caribe. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto que existe una gran heterogeneidad en las estimaciones de prevalencia, que podría reflejar la diversidad de la población de la región.

RESUMO Objetivo. Estimar a prevalência pontual e os intervalos prováveis de hipertensão induzida pela gravidez, pré-eclâmpsia, diabetes gestacional, baixo peso ao nascer e parto prematuro na América Latina e no Caribe e avaliar a heterogeneidade das estimativas. Métodos. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática com metanálise de estudos observacionais que relatam a prevalência de desfechos maternos e perinatais adversos em populações da América Latina e do Caribe, publicados entre 2000 e 2019 em inglês, espanhol ou português. Os bancos de dados PubMed, Embase e LILACS foram pesquisados. Estimou-se a prevalência pontual e avaliou-se a heterogeneidade geral, bem como, em análises de subgrupo, a heterogeneidade por delineamento do estudo e o nível de viés. Resultados. De 1 087 registros encontrados, 50 artigos foram incluídos na revisão: dois sobre distúrbios hipertensivos da gravidez, 14 sobre pré-eclâmpsia, seis sobre diabetes gestacional, nove sobre baixo peso ao nascer e 19 sobre parto prematuro. Não foi possível realizar metanálise para distúrbios hipertensivos da gravidez devido ao pequeno número de estudos. As estimativas de prevalência pontual e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC) para pré-eclâmpsia, diabetes gestacional, baixo peso ao nascer e parto prematuro foram: 6,6%; (IC 95%: 4,9-8,6%), 8,5% (IC 95%: 3,9-14,7%), 8,5% (IC 95%: 7,2-9,8%) e 10,0% (IC 95%: 8,0-12,0%), respectivamente. Observou-se heterogeneidade considerável, tanto em geral como por delineamento de estudo. Não foram observadas diferenças importantes nas estimativas por nível de viés. Conclusões. Os resultados deste estudo fornecem estimativas atualizadas de alguns dos desfechos gestacionais e perinatais adversos mais prevalentes na América Latina e no Caribe. Destacam a existência de uma importante heterogeneidade nas estimativas de prevalência, o que pode refletir a diversidade das populações da região.

Quality of automatic geocoding tools: a study using addresses from hospital record files in Temuco, Chile / Calidad de las herramientas automáticas de geocodificación: un estudio usando direcciones de fichas de registro hospitalario en Temuco, Chile / A qualidade das ferramentas de geocodificação automática: um estudo utilizando endereços de prontuários hospitalares em Temuco, Chile

Abstract: Automatic geocoding methods have become popular in recent years, facilitating the study of the association between health outcomes and the place of living. However, rather few studies have evaluated geocoding quality, with most of them being performed in the US and Europe. This article aims to compare the quality of three automatic online geocoding tools against a reference method. A subsample of 300 handwritten addresses from hospital records was geocoded using Bing, Google Earth, and Google Maps. Match rates were higher (> 80%) for Google Maps and Google Earth compared with Bing. However, the accuracy of the addresses was better for Bing with a larger proportion (> 70%) of addresses with positional errors below 20m. Generally, performance did not vary for each method for different socioeconomic status. Overall, the methods showed an acceptable, but heterogeneous performance, which may be a warning against the use of automatic methods without assessing quality in other municipalities, particularly in Chile and Latin America.

Resumen: Los métodos automáticos de geocodificación se han convertido en algo popular durante los últimos años para facilitar el estudio de la asociación entre resultados de salud y lugar para vivir. No obstante, más bien pocos estudios han evaluado la calidad de la geocodificación, siendo realizados la mayoría de ellos en EE.UU. y Europa. El objetivo de este artículo es comparar la calidad de tres herramientas automáticas de geocodificación en línea frente a un método de referencia. La submuestra de 300 direcciones escritas a mano, procedentes del registro hospitalario, se geocodificaron usando Bing, Google Earth y Google Maps. Los porcentajes de coincidencia fueron mayores (> 80%) en el caso de Google Maps y Google Earth comparados con Bing. Sin embargo, la precisión de las direcciones fue mejor con Bing, en una proporción más grande (> 70%) de direcciones que tenían errores de posición por debajo de 20m. En general, el rendimiento no varió en cada método para diferentes niveles estatus socioeconómico. En general, los métodos mostraron un rendimiento aceptable, pero heterogéneo. Esto previene contra el uso de métodos automáticos sin evaluar la calidad en otras ciudades, particularmente en Chile y Latinoamérica.

Resumo: Os métodos de geocodificação automática se tornaram populares nos últimos anos para facilitar o estudo da associação entre desfechos de saúde e lugar de residência. Entretanto, poucos estudos avaliaram a qualidade da geocodificação, e a maioria dos estudos existentes foi realizada nos Estados Unidos e Europa. O estudo teve como objetivo comparar a qualidade de três ferramentas de geocodificação eletrônica automática em relação a um método de referência. Foi geocodificada uma subamostra de 300 endereços anotados à mão em prontuários hospitalares, usando Bing, Google Earth e Google Maps. As taxas de correspondência dos registros foram mais altas (> 80%) com Google Maps e Google Earth, comparado com Bing. Entretanto, a acurácia dos endereços foi melhor com Bing, com uma proporção maior (> 70%) de endereços com erros de localização menores que 20 metros. Em geral, o desempeno não variou para cada método de acordo com condição socioeconômica. Os métodos apresentaram desempenho geral aceitável, porém heterogêneo. Os resultados servem de alerta contra o uso de métodos automáticos sem avaliar a qualidade em outras cidades, particularmente no Chile e no resto da América Latina.

Pre-treatment de-ritis ratio as a marker for cervical cancer: a study at regional cancer centre

Background: The role of AST/ALT ratio in prognostication of cancer cervix is not established in different study settings except for very few where they have highlighted on circulation of higher levels of AST and ALT in the cervical cancer patients. Moreover, there is a biological plausibility explained in one of the studies hence the study was conducted to elicit if the AST/ALT ratio could predict the prognosis of advanced cancer cervix before the initiation of treatment. Methodology: A follow up study was conducted among 122 newly diagnosed locally advanced carcinoma cervix patients in a regional cancer centre Bangalore from June 2015 to May 2018. All the basic data, normal and abnormal levels of serum Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT) and AST/ALT ratio were collected, followed up for one year and compared for overall survival using Log-rank test along with Kaplan-Meir curves. Receiver Operator Characteristic curves (ROC curves) were plotted to determine the poor outcome (death). Data was analysed using SPSS 18.0 and P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 50.4±10.6years. Mean follow up period was 4±3 months (1-12 months). Median serum AST, ALT and de-ritis ratio did not differ among the different stages of cervical cancer. Area under the curve (AUCs) for de-ritis ratio was found to be not significant with very poor accuracy (AUC = 0.47;P> 0.05). It was observed that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in their survival rates. Conclusion: AST/ALT ratio cannot predict the prognosis of advanced cancer cervix before the initiation of treatment.

Need for more targeted measures - only less severe hospital-associated infections declined after introduction of an infection control program

A systematic infection control program is found to be an important tool to reduce hospital-associated infections [HAIs] and surveillance of infection is a significant part of it. The aim of this paper was to present the result from 17 years continuous prevalence studies after implementation of a systematic infection control program, to examine trends of hospital-associated infections and to study possible risk factors for different sites of infection.Data from 61 399 in-patients at Haukeland University Hospital, Norway, from 1994 to 2010 was included in the study. Overall prevalence of HAIs was 7.6%. There was a reduction in HAIs from 8.3% in 1994 to 7.1% in 2010 [relative decrease 14.4%], mostly attributable to a significant reduction in the prevalence of urinary tract infections [UTI]. For surgical site infections [SSI] we found a borderline significant increase [p = 0.05]. Male gender [except for UTI], urinary tract catheter and surgical operation were all strong predictors for HAIs. Higher age was a risk factor for all infection types, except for BSI. In conclusion, repeated prevalence surveys demonstrated a significant reduction in HAIs but no decrease in hospital-associated BSI, LRTI and SSI. There was, however, a rapid decline of UTI and other less severe HAIs

Evaluation of Serum Levels of Hepatic Enzymes and Plasma Proteins between Different Types of Acute Viral Hepatitis.

This cross-sectional study was carried out in 80 serologically diagnosed cases of acute viral hepatitis to assess and compare the serum hepatic enzymes & plasma proteins between four different types (A,B,C,E), 20 in each group. Hepatitis E, hepatitis B and hepatitis C were more prevalent in males than that in females. The study showed that geometric mean of S.AST of all the four types differed significantly (F= 274.94, p<0.001). Geometric mean of S.ALT, S.AST and S.ALP in cases of HCV were significantly lower than others (p<0.001). Geometric mean of S.ALT & S.AST in cases of HEV were significantly increased than others (p<0.001). But the geometric mean of S.ALP of HBV was significantly higher than others (p<0.001). On the other hand though S.ALP of HAV and HEV was lower than HBV but significantly higher than HCV (p<0.001). The mean±SD of serum albumin of HCV was decreased significantly in contrast to those of HAV and HBV (p<0.001). A:G ratio of HCV was also significantly lower than other three (p<0.001). It was revealed through the study that hepatic enzymes were most affected in cases of HEV but least affected in cases of HCV.

Multimodal distraction to relieve pain in children undergoing acute medical procedures / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Non-pharmacological approaches to pain management have been used by therapists for decades to reduce the anxiety and pain experienced by children during burn care procedures. With a greater understanding of pain and the principles behind what causes a child to be distracted, combined with access to state of the art technology, we have developed an easy to use, hand held multimodal distraction device (MMD). MMD is an interactive device that prepares the child for a procedure and uses developmentally appropriate distraction stories and games during the procedures to alleviate anxiety and pain. This paper summarizes the results of three randomized control trials. The trials aimed to understand the effectiveness of MMD as a distraction and preparation tool in reducing anxiety and pain in children undergoing burns and non-burns medical procedures compared to pure pharmacological approaches Standard Distraction (SD) and off the shelf video games (VG).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three separate prospective randomized control trials involving 182 children having 354 dressing changes were conducted in the burns and orthopedic departments at Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, to address the above aims. Pain and anxiety scores were completed for the child, caregiver and nursing staff according to the Modified Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability Scale, Faces Pain Scale-Revised, Visual Analogue Scale and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale. Procedural length was recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MMD as a preparation and distraction tool were shown to have a significant impact on child, parent and nursing staff reported anxiety and pain during procedures compared to standard care and video games (P < 0.01). The MMD had a positive effect on clinical time and was shown to sustain its impact on pain and time with further dressing changes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MMD is more effective in reducing the pain and anxiety experienced by children in acute medical procedures as compared with SD and VG. MMD is continuing to be trialed and is continuing to show positive clinical outcomes.</p>

Leptin and Other Factors as Determinants of Insulin Secretion and Sensitivity in Bangladeshi Type 2 Diabetic Subjects.

Background: The relative contribution of insulin secretion and sensitivity in the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) vary from population to population due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease. The study was undertaken to evaluate insulin secretory capacity and sensitivity in a Bangladeshi Type 2 diabetic population and to explore the association of some of the anthropometric and biochemical factors known to modulate B-cell function and insulin action. Methods: Ninety one T2DM subjects and 32 age-matched controls were studied for their fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipids, HbA1c (by HPLC), leptin and C-peptide (ELISA). Insulin secretion (HOMA B) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA S) were calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Results: Both insulin secretion and sensitivity were significantly reduced in diabetic as compared to control (HOMA B%, geometric mean±SD, 35.65±1.75 vs. 96.29±1.50, p<0.001; HOMA S%, 68.66±1.71 vs. 104.951.63, p<0.001). However, B-cell dysfunction was predominant than insulin resistance in predicting T2DM as the discriminate function coefficient for HOMA B (1.098) was greater than that for HOMA S (0.821). In T2DM, HOMA B had positive correlation with BMI (r=0.368, p<0.001) and HOMA S was inversely correlated to BMI (r=-0.261, p<0.01), WHR (r=-0.258, p<0.01) and plasma TG (r=-0.233, p<0.001). On multiple regression analysis HOMA B and HOMA S were found to be inversely associated to FPG (p<0.001) and leptin (p<0.05) in T2DM. Conclusions: Both insulin secretory dysfunction and insulin resistance are present in Bangladeshi T2DM subjects, but B-cell failure seems to be the predominant abnormality. BMI, plasma glucose, insulin and leptin are the major determinants of insulin secretory capacity and generalized as well as central obesity, plasma glucose, triglycerides, insulin and leptin are among the major determinants of insulin sensitivity in this population.

An ICMR task force study of Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) service delivery in India.

A retrospective survey was conducted during August to December 2007 in 19 medical colleges of India to examine the functioning of the PPTCT service delivery. Data was extracted from records of the PPTCT centers for the year 2005-2006. HIV prevalence was higher than 2005 NACO figures in 11 out of 19 (57.8%) centers. There was wide variation in the proportion of women counseled & tested for HIV in different centers. Antenatal prophylaxis was practiced in 7 out of 19 (36.8%) centers. Overall intra-natal ART was provided to 52.8% of HIV positive women. Early newborn testing was available at 3 out of 19 (15.7%) centers. Improved counseling services are required for better case detection.

Pyomyositis: a diagnostic problem.

A case of a 45-year-old lady presenting with symptoms suggestive of pancreatitis is described. Initially the findings on Imaging were ambiguous while the enzyme studies were against the diagnosis of pancreatitis. Recurrence of symptoms and with Increased intensity prompted repeated imaging and further investigations. Finally, by a combination of CT scan, MR imaging and muscle biopsy the rare diagnosis of pyomyositis was established. The fact that this case was difficult to diagnose because of its rarity and its mimicking pencreatitis is discussed.

Male urethral cancer.

A 55 years old man presented with long standing voiding obstructive symptoms like poor stream, frequency of micturition, straining at micturition and a sense of incomplete evaluation since 2002. He was clinically diagnosed a case of stricture urethra. Later he developed a swelling in the penoscrotal region with retention of urine in March 2005 and was treated by dilatation. But on removal of the catheter he developed retention again for several times and ultimately for gross periurethral sepsis, urinary diversion was required in May 2005. In October 2005, biopsy from the scrotal abscess wall established the diagnosis of urethral carcinoma. In November 2005 extensive penoscrotectomy was done followed by chemo-radiotherapy. But the prognosis was so bad that the patient died in November 2006. Urethral carcinoma is a rare disease diagnosed in the department of urology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, the prognosis of which is also poor even after extensive operations.

Leiomyoma of the urinary bladder.

Benign mesenchymal tumors of the bladder are rare and comprise less than 1% of the all bladder neoplasms. Leiomyoma is the most common type and comprises 35% of these tumors. These tumors may develop in submucosal (63%), intramural (7%) or subserosal (30%) layer, at any region of the bladder. The clinical presentation is varied and may include obstructive symptoms(50%), irritative symptoms (38%) and hematuria (11%). There are asymptomatic cases (19%), which make the diagnosis more difficult. Occurs more frequently in women than in men (3:1). The most common diagnostic investigations are ultrasonography, intravenous urography, computerized tomography scan and the magnetic resonance imaging. A 66 year old man presented with long standing voiding obstructive symptoms. Various examinations were performed in the last 2 years and was diagnosed either prostatic enlargement or bladder tumor. Cystoscopy was not available for confirming the diagnosis. The surgical exploration revealed a well-circumscribed mass at the bladder neck with moderate enlargement of the prostate. The pathological examination revealed a leiomyoma of the bladder. The post operative period was uneventful and the patient is doing well, without recurrence of the symptoms.

Effect of body temperature on mortality of acute stroke.

OBJECTIVES: The exact relation between body temperature and mortality of acute stroke victims is poorly understood. However, body temperature can affect the outcome of stroke cases in relation to mortality. In the initial (4-12 hrs) hours of stroke, the temperature rise is often neurogenic in origin and mortality is also higher with raised body temperature. Though the anatomical lesion or nature of lesion along with other established risk factors influence the mortality of stroke cases, change in temperature does affect the outcome of stroke cases. We sought to find out the significance of stroke victim's body temperature (within 4-12 hrs) with respect to short-term mortality rate in our study. METHODS: We selected 100 ischemic and 100 hemorrhagic stroke patients proved by CT scan of brain and 2-hrly oral temperature was strictly recorded for the initial 4-12 hrs of admission. RESULTS: It was evident from the study that hyperthermia (>37.5 degrees C) was associated with highest mortality rate in both hemorrhagic (51.78%) and ischemic (56.66%) cases. In normothermic group, mortality was 13.5% and 8.8% in hemorrhagic and ischemic group respectively, whereas hypothermia (<36.5 degrees C) was associated with 0 % mortality. CONCLUSION: Hyperthermia in acute stroke victim carries a bad prognostic parameter in short term basis.

A comparative study of body iron status and lipid profile in acute myocardial infarction patients.

This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between body iron status and lipid profile in hospital admitted clinically diagnosed AMI patients considering the concept that there is a potential association between body iron status and coronary heart disease (CHD). Total 80 subjects were selected, of which 40 were healthy adults and 40 were AMI patients. Fasting blood samples were collected from healthy adults. Blood samples of AMI patients were collected within 24 hours of the attack of myocardial infarction. Body iron status was measured in term of 3 variables serum total iron concentration, TIBC and transferrin saturation. Lipid profile variables measure were total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. No correlation was found between serum iron and the variables of lipid profile. TIBC was found to maintain negative correlation with total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol but positive correlation with HDL-cholesterol. Transferrin saturation was found to maintain strongly positive correlation with total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol but strongly negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol. This correlation of TIBC and transferrin saturation with lipid profile supports the hypothesis that there is a potential association between body iron status and coronary heart disease.