Prevalence Of Allergic Rhinitis and Its Perceived Effect on Academic Activity Among College Students � A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a widespread and under diagnosed upper airway disease. It has significant social and economic burden. Symptoms may cause fatigue, mood changes and difficult sleep that may have deleterious effect on student抯 academic activity. Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study among 1337 college students in Vadodara city of Gujarat, selected by cluster sampling method. Response was recorded using SFAR (Score for allergic rhinitis) scale and a semi structured questionnaire. Results: Prevalence of AR using SFAR was 19.22% among college students, out of them 65.4% were girls and 34.6% boys. The prevalence of two major variant of AR, perennial and seasonal was 38.91% and 51.75% respectively. 81.32% were aware about their allergy, 20.23% had gone for allergy test and 73.08% among them resulted positive. 82.49% students had perceived that AR is affecting their academic activity among SFAR?7 group. Conclusion: The results of this survey showed elevated prevalence of AR among college students in Vadodara city; however, allergy tests and physician visits for AR conditions were less. Major proportion that had self-reported AR has shown associated comorbidity. Students with AR, perceive a negative effect on their academic activity that equally affects girls and boys.

Diagnostic value of different interleukins and procalcitonin in critically ill patients admitted with suspected sepsis

Background: Many biomarkers have now been studied such as C-reactive Protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), etc., and are widely used for the diagnosis of sepsis in clinical practice which may determine the appropriate antibiotic treatment. A flowcytometric cytokine bead array (CBA) assay has now been used to determine multiple interleukins (IL), simultaneously. The aim of this study was to determine the cytokine (IL2, IL4, IL6, IL10, TNF?, INF?, and IL17) profiles of interleukins in plasma of sepsis patients by using multiplex Flowcytometric CBA array assay. Materials and Methods: A total of 99 consecutive patients admitted with the suspected sepsis were studied. PCT concentrations were measured by using the enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay (ELFA) technique and flow cytometry-based BD™ CBA Cytokine Kit was used to evaluate levels of 7 cytokines [IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF), Interferon- ? (IFN-?), and IL-17A]. Results: Microbiologically defined infection (MDI) demonstrated a positive culture report in 79/99 (79.7%) of patients. The IL6 [1873.7 (4-5000)] and IL10 [(154.7 (0-1764)] levels were significantly higher in septic patients than those in the negative MDI IL6 [901 (4-5000)] and IL10 [110.4 (4-1372)] levels. The AUROC value of IL6 [0.66 (0.53-0.79)] was found to be the highest among all followed by IL10 [0.65 (0.51-0.79)], IFN? [0.63 (0.51-0.77)], PCT [0.61 (0.48-0.75)], and TNF? [0.55 (0.42-0.69)]. Conclusion: Our study suggests that that IL6 is substantially more economical and can reduce the investigation cost to half as compared with the procalcitonin assay.

The Utility Of Boger Boenninghausens Characteristics And Repertory In Cases Of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Background:In today’s era cases of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection are increasing all over the world. The present study shows the efficacy of BBCR in cases of upper respiratory tract infection Objective: To ascertain the role of BBCR Management of Upper respiratory tract infections. Material And Methods:Purposive Sampling for research purpose will be done. Selection of the medicine will be according to concept of Method of Repertorisation given by Dr. Boger. Selection of the potency and repetition was based on laws of Homeopathic Posology which is described in Organon of medicine. Result:In study mostly adults are more affected and acute cases are more present. Mostly higher potency was used. Conclusion:Our study has concluded theGreat utility of BBCR in finding the indicated medicines for cases of URTI.

A study of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine in subarachnoid block

Background: No drug, used as adjuvant to spinal bupivacaine, has yet been identified that specifically inhibits nociception without its associated side-effects. Dexmedetomidines a novel alpha-2 agonist which holds promise as an intra-thecal adjuvant. Aims: This observational study was conducted to evaluate the onset and duration of sensory and motor block as well as perioperative analgesia and adverse effects of dexmedetomidine given intrathecally with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients belonging to age group 18-60 yrs, urban population, classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists status I and II scheduled for lower abdominal and lower limb procedures were prospectively studied. Patients were randomly allocated to receive intrathecally either 12.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 5 μg (0.5 ml) dexmedetomidine (group D, n=30) or 12.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 0.5 ml NS (group B, n=30). Sensory and motor blockade charactersistics- The onset time to reach peak sensory and motor level, the regression time for sensory and motor block, time for rescue analgesia, hemodynamic changes and side-effects were recorded. Data collection was done by observation and measurement of various parameters. Results: The onset times to reach T10 dermatome, peak sensory level and onset time to reach modified Bromage 3 motor block were similar in both groups. We found that adding dexmedetomidine intrathecally significantly prolonged sensory and motor block time. time for first analgesic request was also significantly prolonged in group BD. Statistically there were no significant differences in hemodynamic alterations and other adverse effects between the groups. Conclusion: clinical advantage of dexmedetomidine is that it facilitates the spread of the block and offers prolonged post‑operative analgesia. The groups were similar with respect to hemodynamic variables and there were no significant side-effects in either of the groups. However, prolonged duration of motor blockade with dexmedetomidine may be undesirable for short‑term surgical procedures or ambulatory surgeries.

Expect the unexpected – Loss of surface CD3 on flow cytometry in hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: An eye opener

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare extranodal T-cell lymphoma that shows preferential sinusoidal infiltration of spleen and liver. It usually shows bright expression of surface CD3 (sCD3) with restriction for γδ-T cell receptors (TCR). We present a case of a 34-year-old male who presented with hepatosplenomegaly and B symptoms. His peripheral blood and bone marrow (BM) was involved by atypical lymphoid cells that were CD2+, CD7+, CD56+, cytoplasmic CD3+, and sCD3− on immunophenotyping by flow cytometry. As sCD3 is a lineage marker for T-cell lymphomas, the loss of sCD3 posed a diagnostic dilemma. However, typical pattern of sinusoidal BM and liver involvement by CD3+ cells and TCR gene rearrangement positivity led to final diagnosis of HSTCL. The differential diagnosis, workup, and clinical course of the case are discussed. To the best of our knowledge, only one case of de novo HSTCL with negative sCD3 has been reported before in the literature.

Newcastle disease virus as an oncolytic agent.

Cancer is a major cause of deaths in humans. Though there has been significant progress in cancer therapy, the limited efficacy and toxicities of current chemo- and radiotherapies have provided an impetus for the search of new therapeutics. A therapeutic approach, which uses viruses for the treatment of cancer termed, oncolytic virotherapy has recently emerged. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is one such virus with an inherent oncolytic property. NDV causes a highly infectious disease in poultry worldwide. In humans it is reported to have oncolytic and immuno-stimulatory effects. It specifically replicates in tumour cells while sparing normal cells and cause oncolysis. For many years different strains of the NDV have been investigated for treatment of various human cancers. Recent advances in reverse genetics provided investigators the tools to produce recombinant NDV with improved oncolytic property.

Immunotoxicity of carbaryl in chicken.

Effect of methyl carbonate pesticide, carbonyl, was studied on macrophage functions, lymphocyte proliferation and delayed type hypersensitivity response. Sixteen adult chicken, vaccinated against Newcaslte disease, were procured and randomly divided in two experimental groups. Chicken of group I served as control, while group II birds were given carbaryl at 20 ppm (No observable effect level, NOEL) in feed for 3 months. To measure the functional activity of phagocytic cells, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test was performed on peripheral blood leucocytes. Concanvalin A (Con-A) and lipopolysaccharide stimulated proliferation of T and B lymphocytes was assessed using MTT dye method. At the end of experiment, the phagocytic capacities of macrophages were significantly reduced in carbaryl treated group. Lymphocyte proliferation responses to Con-A and LPS were (23 and 28%, respectively lower) in chicken fed with carbaryl. Delayed hypersensitivity reaction to tuberculin was reduced to 77% of control values indicating inhibition of cell mediated immune response. The present study suggested of immunosuppressive effect of (NOEL dose carbaryl) in chicken.

Environmental monitoring of radon, thoron and their progeny in some dwellings of northern Haryana (India).

The problem of randon is an important global problem of radiation hygiene concerning the world population. Radon and its progeny are the major contributors in the radiation dose received by general population of the world. Keeping this in mind, the environmental monitoring of radon, thoron and their progeny in some dwellings of northern part of Haryana state of India has been carried out. The radon thoron twin dosimeter cups were used for the study. Three pieces of LR-115 solid-state nuclear track detectors were fixed in the dosimeters and were suspended in the dwellings for three months during a season. The first detector indicated radon, thoron and progeny concentration, the second showed radon and thoron concentration, while the third detected only the radon concentration. The aim of study was to carry out possible health risk assessment in the dwellings under consideration. During summer season, the radon concentration in northern region of Haryana varied from 66-97 Bq m(-3), while the thoron concentration in the same dwellings varied from 27-65 Bq m(-3). During winter season, radon concentration in northern region of Haryana varied from 73-104 Bq m(-3) with an average of 88 + 7 Bq m(-3), while the thoron concentration in the same dwellings varied from 35-69 Bq m(-3) with an average of 55 +/- 8 Bq m(-3). The radon-thoron progeny levels and annual doses received by the inhabitants in the dwellings under study have also been calculated.

Haematological investigations on fishes infested with fungal growth.

Considerable changes have been observed in the haematological parameters of Labeo rohita, Mystus cavasius, Nandus nandus and Puntius sarana infested with Aphanomyces sp., Saprolegnia parasitica, Achlya prolifera and Dictyuchus monosporus, respectively. Substantial decline have been observed in the number of erythrocytes and lymphocytes. The number of granulocytes and monocytes were noticed significantly increased. The amount of haemoglobin has also been decreased drastically in all the cases.

The 'small spleen' in malaria.

A cardinal feature of malaria, splenomegaly, is usually absent in adult patients who have already suffered from falciparum malaria or who are natives of an endemic falciparum zone. This is an attribute of the past episode of clinical or sub-clinical malaria which usually results in regression of the splenic size to below-normal. An ultrasonographic evaluation of spleens was done in 90 healthy adult males, who had suffered from vivax (n = 28) or falciparum (n = 25) malaria in the past, except the controls (n = 22) and natives from an endemic falciparum area (n = 15) who never suffered from malaria. Their ultrasonographic details of spleens, including the size, were compared. Besides other conspicuous differences in the ultrasonographic picture, spleen size was found significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in the group who had been affected by P. falciparum malaria; the smallest measured 7.8 cms. In P. vivax group the decrease was not significant (p < 0.1), but was highly significant in inhabitants of endemic falciparum region (p < 0.001). The present study establishes the 'Small Spleen' and looks at echotexture pattern variations thereof for the first time.

Chemotaxonomy of Pseudophyllidean cestodes: II. Amino acids of Bothriocephalus teleostei (Malhotra) from Indian hill - stream teleosts

Doce amino ácidos de Bothriocephalus teleostei (Malhotra, 1984) se describen utilizando la técnica de la cromatofotografía. También se describen las diferencias de concentración y distribución de amino ácidos en cestodes Pseudophyllidea, Tetraphyllides, Trypanorhyncha y Cyclophyllidea

Population biology of the Pseudophyllidean cestode Bothriocephalus teleosts (Malhotra, 1984) in the Indian hill- stream teleosts: I. Influence of season and temperature

La infección por el cestode Bothriocephalus teleostei (Malhotra, 1984) en teleósteos de aguas corrientes montañosas se ha presentado como un fenómeno asociado a la temperatura acuática. El cestode fue más prevalente en las épocas de comienzos de primavera y verano que en la época invernal, durante el período de 24 meses que duró el estudio (1979-1981)