ABSTRACT
Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) have emerged as a major global public health problem of this century. WHO global burden of disease study, shows it as the 10th leading cause of death in South-East Asia. In India, according to WHO, road traffic accident is the 6th leading cause of death. The present study aims to assess the magnitude and injury pattern of RTA victims attending three major referral institution of the Kashmir valley.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted for a period of one year in three major referral institutions of Kashmir valley. Burden of RTA victims was studied from hospital records. For studying detailed injury patterns, the accident victims fulfilling the inclusion criteria and admitted in the wards of these hospitals formed the main study group.Results: RTAs constituted 3% of the total admissions. Most (82.7%) of the studied victims were males. Most (40.3%) of the RTA victims were pedestrians. Head on collision was the most common type of accident (62.9%). 97.6% victims were grievously hurt and head (59.9%) was the most affected part of the body. 88.3% of RTA victims survived while 11.7% died.Conclusions: Young males are the predominant victims of RTAs and head on collision (63%) remains the commonest type of accident. Almost all (97.6%) RTA victims were grievously hurt with 60% having head injuries followed by lower limbs 59.4% and upper limbs 26.8% injuries and 47% victims had multiple injuries.
ABSTRACT
Background: Non communicable diseases have taken over previously life threatening infections in the demographic transition. As the burden of NCDs including diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate the complications related to these diseases are also increasing leading to huge morbidity. Likewise, blindness/ visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy is now slowly and steadily replacing refractive errors and cataracts as a cause of morbidity.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried over a period of one year in an ophthalmic unit of a tertiary health care institute in which known diabetic patients were screened for diabetic retinopathy besides various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.Results: Overall prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in our study population was found to be 29.0%. Among various risk factors duration of diabetes, hypertension, HbA1C >6.5% and serum creatinine >1.1 mg/dl were found to be significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy.Conclusion: Regular screening for diabetic retinopathy besides prevention and strict control of risk factors is key to prevention and progression of blindness/ visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy.
ABSTRACT
Xenotransplantation is transplantation of living cells, tissuesor organs from one species to another. There is a large numberof patients who need to wait for allotrasplantation due tolimited donors. This drives a need for the transplant of tissuefrom animals to humans. However, immune rejection andinfections are major risks that may prevent a good outcome ofxenotransplantation. Proper documentation and sterilisationof tissues is indispensable. This article highlights the presentday prespectives of Xenotransplantation.
ABSTRACT
To determine the frequency and epidemiological characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 [HIV-1] infection, HIV disease progression, immune status and viral activity. Descriptive study. Department of Microbiology, University of the Punjab and Institute of Public Health, Lahore, from September 2005 to August 2008. The study enrolled samples from general population, high risk groups and spouses of HIV+ deport workers with criteria; positive double enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and positive western blot. Immune status and viral activity was determined by cluster determinants [CD4+ and CD8+] cell count, ratio of CD4+/CD8+ on flow cytometer, and HIV RNA viral load on polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. A total of 116 HIV+ untreated subjects enrolled after screening of 2260 blood samples. The seroprevalence rate in general population, high risk individuals and spouses of HIV+ deport workers was found 0%, 0.4% and 26% respectively. The CD4+ cell count was found 533/mm[3] [range 12-1800/mm[3]] and plasma viral load 27,122 copies/ml [range 00-40,621]. The CD4+/CD8+ ratios < 0.5, < 1, < 1.5 and < 2 appeared as 17.2%, 30.2%, 51.7% and 0.9% respectively. Significant correlation was observed between plasma viral load, CD4+ count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio [p = 0.001]. CD4+ T-cell counts < 200 cells/mm3 was found in 23 HIV+ patients. There was a low frequency of HIV in the general population and high risks groups as compared to very high frequency in spouses of HIV+ deport workers with significant correlation of viral activity and immune status