ABSTRACT
Aim: A study was conducted to evaluate the salinity tolerance of white jute (C. capsularis) cultivars. Methodology: Five white jute cultivars were assessed for different salinity concentrations (0, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mM NaCl) in a split plot design with three replications per concentration under greenhouse condition. A total of fifteen plants were sampled from each treatment ten days after treatment with NaCl to determine morphological and physiological parameters. Results: Increased NaCl concentrations reduced all the morphological and physiological parameters such as plant height, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, shoot and root dry weight, relative leaf water content (RLWC), chlorophyll, protein, proline content, K+ accumulation in shoot and leaves, but water saturation deficit (WSD) and Na+ contents were increased in the shoot and leaves. Interpretation: The study revealed that among all cultivars assessed JRC-532 and JRC-321 showed relatively better performance against salt stress whereas cultivar JRC-517 was found more susceptible to salt stress.
ABSTRACT
Background: Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity ratio (FVC) is being used to diagnose the obstructive lung diseases. Forced manoeuvre (FVC) or relaxed/slow manoeuvre (SVC) can be used to determine vital capacity (VC). In healthy individuals the difference between SVC and FVC (SVC-FVC) is minimal whereas in the presence of airway obstruction this difference will become significant. The present study was done with the objective to detect and compare the airway obstruction by determining the FEV1/FVC and FEV1/ SVC ratios.Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study done at OPD, Government Thiruvoteeswarar hospital of thoracic medicine/Kilpauk medical college during the period from September 2016 to February 2017among the patients presenting with symptoms of obstructive airway disease. The sample comprised of 353 patients who underwent spirometry according to standard of ATS/ERS guidelines. As per the criteria, the patients are classified into four groups, by spirometry.Results: The analysis of FEV1/FVC revealed the presence of airway obstruction in 131 (37%) individuals compared to 165 (46%) individuals by the analysis of Fev1/SVC ratio. In the obstruction and mixed groups, the difference in vital capacity SVC – FVC is statistically superior (p<0.05) when compared to normal and restriction groups.Conclusions: The FEV1/SVC ratio detected the presence of airway obstruction in more individuals than did FEV1/FVC ratio and hence FEV1/SVC considered as more reliable factor in the detection of obstructive airway diseases.
ABSTRACT
Background: Cigarette smoking is a major public health problem and is the most important cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study shows the importance of smoking cessation for improvement in respiratory function and quality of life and brings out the potential usage of pharmacological and behavioural therapy for the same.Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 50 male smokers at Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai. During the treatment only 43 patients were continued till the end of follow up. During the period, varenicline treatment was given for three months as per schedule, regular periodic counselling was given to these patients and followed up for a period of 1 year. Forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), COPD assessment test (CAT) scoring, 6 min walk test (6MWD), BODE index, was taken before starting therapy and on 3rd month and at the end of one year of follow-up. All the values obtained were analysed statistically.Results: The mean age of the 43 patients was 44.7±7.34, mean BMI was 22.27±4.24. The mean difference between pre and post treatment scores of CAT, 6MWD and BODE index were found to be statistically significant (p<0.0001).Conclusions: Combined behavioural counseling and pharmacotherapy with varenicline significantly improved the odds of achieving tobacco abstinence in the participants by the end of one year of treatment.
ABSTRACT
Background: Non-resolving pneumonia is a problem not only for the patient but also to the treating physician because establishing the cause for the non-resolution of pneumonia takes time and requires invasive investigations. The present study was done with the aim to evaluate the etiology and clinical outcome of non-resolving pneumonia by using fibre-optic bronchoscopy (FOB).Methods: This prospective study was done on 45 patients with symptoms and signs of non-resolving pneumonia attending the Govt. Thiruvotteeswarar Hospital of Thoracic Medicine, Otteri, Chennai, a tertiary care teaching centre, during the period January 2016 to December 2016. All the patients were investigated systematically to find out the etiological factors for non-resolution pneumoniaResults: Males preponderance was seen in the study (80%). Patients of age group 51-60 years are more affected (26.6%). Bacterial pneumonia not responding to empirical antibiotics (42.2%) was the most common cause followed by pulmonary tuberculosis (28.8%) and malignancy (24.4%). On FOB, inflammation with secretions was noticed in most of the patients (66.6%).Conclusion: The findings of the study concluded that apart from bacterial pneumonia not responding to empirical antibiotics, tuberculosis and malignancy were found to be the major causes of non-resolving pneumonia. Hence, it is necessary to observe every patients for the adequate response to treatment and to utilize other modalities of investigations like FOB,CT guided FNAC/biopsy whenever required to offer exact management to the patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: The study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the pre-treatment drug susceptibility profile and to assess the influence of drug resistance on treatment outcome among patients treated with category- II (cat- II) regimen under programme conditions.Methods: This study was conducted on 58 smear positive patients with history of previous anti-tuberculosis treatment for more than one month, comprising cases of ‘Failure’, ‘Treatment after Default’ (TAD) and ‘Relapse’. They received cat- II regimen in Chennai Corporation, RNTCP (revised National tuberculosis control programme) centers from July 2006 to September 2006 and they were monitored upto July 2007 as per RNTCP guidelines to assess the outcome of cat-II treatment by sputum smear status.Results: Male dominance (n=40) was seen in the study participants. Most common age group affected was 35-44 years (n=20). Out of 57 cases, 50.9% cases come under ‘Relapse’, 26.3% arises from ‘TAD’ and 22.8% cases were from ‘Failure’. After completion of treatment with cat-II regimen, out of 57 patients 33 patients were cured and 11 cases were into the category of failure, 10 patients were defaulted during treatment and 3 were died.Conclusions: Besides, the low treatment efficiency in MDR-TB cases, cat- II regimen was effective in sensitive and INH resistant cases.
Subject(s)
Acrodermatitis/classification , Acrodermatitis/diagnosis , Acrodermatitis/epidemiology , Humans , Infant , Male , Zinc/analysis , Zinc/bloodABSTRACT
Stress has been a topic of interest in the last century, since its description by Hans Selye. Stressors could be anything from the daily life, professional or domestic, eventually leading the deleterious health outcomes. However some types of stressors were believed to be necessary for growth, which were termed eustress. In the present study we evaluated the stress levels in software professionals (n=155) from Karnataka State, India by using Professional Life stress Score (PLSS) and Perceived Stress Score (PSS) after explaining the subjects about the questionnaire and response types and obtaining their informed consent. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional ethics committee before the beginning of the data collection. Apart from the responses for the questionnaire, their BMI was calculated by carefully measuring their height and weight. Their other demographic data such as age, matrimonial status were also collected. From the results we found that PLSS score was elevated to mild and moderate degree among the study group, which was not correlated with either their age or matrimonial status. However in contrast, the PSS scores were elevated to higher degree and it was well correlated with BMI, age and number of years of experience. From the results we found that these young technical professionals of Bangalore and Mangalore did not have much professional stress but they were influenced by other factors which produce overall stress as evidenced by the elevated PSS scores. Thus we herestate that this study produced results which was helpful in differentiating the professional life environment causing stress and other compounding factors influencing the psychological well being. We, therefore conclude that well employed young professional enjoy their work but other extraneous factors could lead to stress.
ABSTRACT
Diabetes is known to affect almost all functions of the body. Long standing diabetics show several detrimental symptoms including in the heart. Diabetic neuropathy affects the cardiac autonomic function and may be reflected in the HRV (Heart rate variability). In the present study, we investigated the HRV in elderly diabetic patients in two groups, viz. moderate (FBS <126 mg/dl) and those with more FBS (FBS>126) and compared the results of Lipid profile, glycosylated Hb and HRV(both normal breathing, nb & Deep breathing, db) with the parameters in age matched controls. We found that the glycosylated Hb was significantly more in diabetics and it is proportional to the FBS (p<0.001). The HRV was found to be lower in diabetic patients. However in the moderate diabetic patients the HRV did not show significant decline, but in severe diabetics, it was significantly lower. From our studies we could reconfirm the decline in the cardiac autonomic control over a period in diabetic patients over and above the age related decrease in HRV. Therefore this result will also reinforce that HRV could be useful for analysis of the diabetic neuropathic effect on the heart.
ABSTRACT
Alcohol addiction is a social problem faced by every country worldwide. Young people are more at risk of this menace. In spite of a clear knowledge and message about the effects of alcohol on individual health and social fabric, it is hard to curb the overuse of this beverage. In the present study, we compared the outcome of a survey using Comprehensive effects of Alcohol (CEOA) in two private Medical institutions in two Asian countries, viz. KMC, Mangalore, India (n=180) and AIMST, Kedah, Malaysia (n=170). The study included both males and female students. The result suggested that the negative reinforcement responses were rated higher in both the study groups. But those who have tasted alcohol before had a higher rating that alcohol may cause positive reinforcement. Both groups of respondents showed similar trend suggesting that the alcohol expectancies are similar in Indian students and Malaysian students. From the results we could conclude that the responses of the two sample groups were comparable to each other. While the male respondents were inclined show higher affinity towards acceptance of alcohol females are very much less so. However, the respondents of both groups appeared to be well aware of the negative aspects of alcohol. Importantly previous exposure to alcohol intake dramatically changed the perception and showed increased inclination towards alcoholism. This study thus provides an important clue to the clinician, counselors and parents regarding the importance of guiding the young people about the alcoholism.
ABSTRACT
The methanol extract of the leaves of Ficus carica Linn. [Moraceae] was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats with liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride. The extract at an oral dose of 500 mg/kg exhibited a significant protective effect by lowering the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total serum bilirubin, and malondialdehyde equivalent, an index of lipid peroxidation of the liver. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections. The activity of extract was also comparable to that of silymarin, a known hepatoprotective
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Moraceae , Plant Leaves , Carbon Tetrachloride/toxicity , Liver/drug effects , Plant Extracts , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Sinusitis is a major health care issue that affects a large proportion. Many studies regarding sinusitis have been undergone all over the world. The incidence of chronic sinusitis in Southern Asian countries like India is 136,657,953 out of 1,065,070,607. No drug is available to completely cure the sinusitis and all allergic condition. All available drugs are used for their long term benefit. Continuous use of antiallergic and anti inflammatory drugs [steroidal and non steroidal] for longer duration are always leads to number of hazardous side effects. Nazla is well defined and understood phenomenon of Unani system. Great ancient physicians of Unani System like Ibn Sina, Zakariya Razi, Ibn Rushd have described the role of intrinsic as well as extrinsic factor in the development of the disease. Unani system of medicine promises the cure of Nazla wa Zukam and removes the root cause of the disease. Unani drugs can be used for longer duration. These drugs do not produce any significant side effect to the body. As Unani concept believe in treating the root cause of disease and approaches holistically. Holistic approach of Unani system may be much more beneficial in the cure of Nazla
Subject(s)
Humans , Sinusitis/epidemiology , Prevalence , Medicine, Arabic , Sinusitis/therapy , Arabs , Medicine, UnaniABSTRACT
A case of non hereditary connective tissue naevus without any association with systemic complaints, in a 20-year old male is reported.
ABSTRACT
An 18-year-old female who presented with features suggestive of pigmented xerodermoid is reported.