COVID-19 Pandemic: Trend Analysis with Respect to District Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, Northern India

With 1st case being reported in Wuhan city of China in December 2019, COVID?19 infection cases made their way to every corner of the world. Then, on January 07, 2020, laboratory results led to pneumonia being named as COVID?19. Scant data is available from Northern India, thus to reveal the trend of COVID?19 infection since last year of COVID?19 pandemic onset, this study took shape. The unit of analysis of our study was District Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. Till February 05, 2021, a total of 4625 cases of COVID?19 virus were reported in District Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. Negative history of close contact with COVID?19 patient (66.1%) constituted the most common exposure, majority (84.4%) were asymptomatic and comorbidities were present in 68 (1.5%). COVID?19 infection was more prevalent among younger age group, with higher male predominance, with comorbid being at higher risk, hence most stringent measures must be adopted.

Serum malondialdehyde and adiponectin in albuminuric kidney disease patients

Background: Diabetes, hypertension, oxidative stress, obesity, adipocytokine dysfunction, and dyslipidemia are causative factors in development of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Adiponectin secreted from adipose tissue, has Reno protective effect against development of albuminuria in animal studies. The previous studies investigated the relationship between serum adiponectin level and urinary albuminuria in kidney disease patients, but the results are conflicting.Methods: The pre diagnosed kidney disease patients were divided into microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria groups, while control subjects were called as normoal buminuria group. The pre diagnosed adult kidney disease patients of both genders with age matching control subjects with no known comorbidity were included in the study. Whereas pregnant female patients and the patients with comorbidity were excluded from the study. The demographic data and the anthropometric data of control and kidney patients were recorded. The blood was analyzed for Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), electrolytes, glucose, calcium, total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine adiponectin and malondialdehyde. The Urine was analyzed for Creatinine and albuminuria. The glomerular filtration rate was estimated.Results: The blood pressure, blood urea, creatinine, glycated hemoglobin, malondialdehyde, adiponectin levels were higher in albuminuric kidney patients as compared to normal control subjects. The mean glomerular filtration rate was lowest in macroalbuminuric patients as compared to micro and normoalbuminuric patients. The serum adiponectin and serum malondialdehyde both showed positive correlation with serum creatinine, and with albuminuria/urinary creatinine ratio.Conclusions: The study concludes that, positive correlation of serum malondialdehyde with adiponectin and albuminuria.

Standardization, quality control and pharmacological review on Glycyrrhiza glabra L. A potential medicinal herb in Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicine

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is a potential herbal drug used in Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicine. In view of the medicinal and pharmacological importance of this species in different systems of medicine, an attempt has been made to provide comprehensive information on standardization and quality control of the herb based on WHO guidelines. The important parameters for standardization and quality control are sensory, macroscopic, microscopic and chemical characteristics along with the physico-chemical characteristics [moisture content, successive extractive value, ash value, acid insoluble ash, water soluble extractive value, acid value, iodine value] and TLC finger prints of different extractives. At the same time, chemical constituents, properties and its uses, pharmacology, precautions and toxicity are discussed based on literature review

Theft of Unani formulations for the treatment of various diseases is not new but it is a matter of concern since last couple of decades. However, information regarding Unani Medicine exists in Arabic, Urdu, Persian and other regional languages. The examiners of different national/ international patent offices are unable to understand this information as prior art, before granting patents due to language barrier

Some of the examples of case studies of misappropriation of Pistacia lentiscus Linn is discussed in which the indication of Pistacia lentiscus Linn i.e. anti-inflammatory [mentioned in Unani classical texts] has been claimed for wrong patent

Multidetector ct patterns of peritoneal involvement in patients with abdominopelvic malignancies

To determine the patterns of peritoneal involvement in patients with abdominopelvic malignancies. Retrospective observational study. Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, from May 2004 to May 2012. Two hundred and three patients with histopathologically proven abdominopelvic malignancies with peritoneal involvement who underwent contrast-enhanced CT abdomen and pelvis were identified through electronic data base system and were included in this study after ethical committee approval. Peritoneal disease pattern, predominant sites of involvement and associated findings of ascites, lymph nodes and metastasis were assessed. Patients with tuberculosis and lymphoproliferative disorders were excluded. The malignancies showing peritoneal involvement, in decreasing order of frequency, were ovarian cancer [n=118], colorectal cancer [n=45], pancreatic cancer [n=11], gastric cancer [n=7], endometrial cancer [n=6], gallbladder/ cholangio-carcinoma and hepatocellular cancer [n=5 each], cervical cancer [n=3], renal cell carcinoma [n=2] and transitional cell urinary bladder cancer [n=1]. The most common pattern of peritoneal involvement was mixed in 79 patients [39%], omental caking in 74 patients [37%] and nodular deposits in 50 patients [24%]. The most common sites of peritoneal involvement were pelvic peritoneum followed by greater omentum. Peritoneal involvement is the commonest with ovarian and colorectal carcinoma. Mixed pattern of peritoneal disease was most frequently seen in these patients followed by omental caking and nodular peritoneal deposits

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour of Pelvic Wall: Report of a Case

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) because of its rarity continues to be a curiosity for radiologists, surgeons and pathologist. These tumors are usually found in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) but account for less than 1% of GIT tumors. A 35-year-old male presented to us with complaints of painful micturation which on radiologic evaluation revealed a large mass in relation to urinary bladder. The tru-cut biopsy reported a low grade soft tissue tumour. The said mass was excised on laparotomy and sent for histopathological examination which reported as high grade GIST or a pleomorphic sarcoma as possibilities. Immuno-histochemistry finally confirmed the diagnosis of a GIST with CD 34 positive and C-Kit negative status. Approximately, 95% of GIST tumors are C-Kit positive and hardly 5% are C-Kit negative. C-Kit negative status makes this case report more worth reporting.

review of patterns of CT scan appearances of abdominal Tuberculosis

To assess role of CT in diagnostic workup of abdominal tuberculosis. In this descriptive study, through electronic database, out of 7000 CT abdomens performed between January, 2002 to August, 2013, 30 patients with suggestion of Abdominal TB based upon CT and clinical findings were identified. Out of these 30 cases, twenty one patients were confirmed to have abdominal TB based upon histopathological data and response to anti tuberculous treatment and were included in the study and the remaining 9 patients were excluded from the study. Out of 21 confirmed abdominal TB cases, majority [n=13] were females. Peritoneal involvement was the most common feature seen in all 21 [100%] patients. Smudgy pattern, with or without smooth marginal enhancement, was the most commonly seen pattern of peritoneal involvement. Wet peritonitis [peritonitis with ascites] was seen in 14 [66%] out of 21 patients while dry peritonitis was seen in 7 [34%] patients. Lymphadenopathy was the second most common feature seen in 13 [62%] out of 21 patients. Bowel involvement was demonstrated in 11[52%] patients. Ileocecal region was the commonest site of bowel involvement seen in 7 of these 11 patients. Liver lesions were observed in 2 patients and splenic and pancreatic lesions were identified in 1 patient each. Smudgy pattern of peritoneal involvement, enlarged necrotic abdominal lymph nodes, high density ascites and ileocecal involvement are the most common abnormalities seen in patients of abdominal tuberculosis in our local population.

Formulation and evaluation of a single vial lyophilized preparation of technetium-99m labeled ethylene dicysteine as a renal scintigraphic agent

Tc labeled N-N-ethylene-L, L-dicysteine [EC] was introduced in form of multiple-step kit as an alternate renal imaging radiopharmaceutical for commonly used [99m] Tc-MAG3. We developed a single component lyophilized kit of EC ready to be labeled with [99m]Tc

We present the optimization of the components of our formulation, its evaluation in animal models, normal human volunteers and patients of various renal diseases, in comparison with[99m] Tc-MAG3. Efficient labeling of EC was achieved with our preparation at pH 7 to 12. The formulation at pH 8 was used further for bio distribution studies in organs of sacrificed Sprague Dawley rats and a live rhesus monkey using scintigraphy

After satisfactory bio-distribution results, the kit was then evaluated in normal human volunteers through renography. But the renogram parameters of [99m] Tc-EC[pH 8] were statistically inferior to[99m] Tc-MAG3. Surrogate kit at pH 10 was therefore developed and re-evaluated in rats for organ bio distribution. After favorable results the kit was then assessed further in normal volunteers and a group of patients with various renal disorders via scintigraphy

The EC kit developed at pH 10 gave images better than and scintigraphic parameters comparable to [99m] Tc-MAG3. It was concluded that single vial kit we formulated easy to prepare than three-vial kit and can be used as an alternate to[99m] Tc-MAG3

DMFT index among dental undergraduates of Lahore Medical and Dental College in different professional years of dentistry

This cross-sectional study was carried out at Lahore Medical and Dental College to evaluate dental caries status amongst the dental undergraduates. The decayed, missing and filled teeth were evaluated according to the DMFT scoring scale .310 dental students from first year to final year with age ranging from 18-24 years were included in the study. The overall mean DMFT score was 1.38 +/- 0.54 with decay [D] component of 0.54 +/- 0.62, missing [M] component of 0.01 +/- 0.10 and filled component of 0.83 +/- 0.68. There was no significant difference in mean DMFT score among the different professional years [p=0.192]. However the decay component of the mean DMFT was significantly [p=0.001] decreased and filled component significantly increased [p=0.0001], as the student passed through different professional years, reflecting positive influence of their dental education on their oral health status

Record of ethnomedicinal plants used for the treatment of various diseases and ailments in the South-Western Region of Bangladesh

An ethnomedicinal survey was undertaken to collect information from local traditional healers on the medicinal use of plants in the south-western region of Bangladesh during June 2003 to July 2005 for the first time. The indigenous knowledge of local traditional healers and the native plants used for medicinal purposes were collected through questionnaire and personal interviews during field trips. The investigation revealed that, the local people and traditional healers used 126 species of plants distributed in 112 genera belonging to 58 families to treat various diseases and ailments. These plant species are enumerated alphabetically in the text by adopting the accepted names, synonym/s wherever applicable, local names, habit and habitat, along with short description of their ethnomedicinal uses

Outcome of the surgical treatment of bullous lung disease: a prospective study

This study aimed at evaluating the outcome of surgery for bullous lung disease by comparing the preoperative and postoperative subjective dyspnea score, pulmonary function and clinical features. This prospective study was conducted from May 2009 to October 2011, on 54 patients operated for bullous lung disease. Follow-up at 3-6 months consisted of taking a comprehensive history, physical examination, radiological work-up, and evaluation of changes in subjective dyspnea score, arterial blood gas analysis [ABG], and pulmonary function test [PFT]. After comparison with preoperative values, the student's paired t-test was used to calculate the statistical significance. With approximately 21.6 cases per year, the most common underlying lung pathology was primary bullous lung disease, followed by COPD. The most common presenting complaint was spontaneous pneumothorax in tall young adults in their fourth decade of life with a history of smoking. Bullectomy, with or without decortication, was done for all cases. Improvement in mean PaO2 [arterial partial pressure of oxygen], SaO2 [arterial oxygen saturation] and PaCO2 [arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide] was seen in most cases but was statistically insignificant. Improvement in mean FEV1 [forced expiratory volume in 1st second], FVC [forced vital capacity] and FEV1 / FVC was statistically significant, with FEV1 being the most reliable indicator of postoperative progress. Improvement in subjective dyspnea score was statistically significant and showed an inverse correlation with FEV1. Those with diffuse pulmonary parenchymal involvement had poorer baseline values and less significant postoperative improvement. Complications occurred more commonly in those with diffuse disease. Mortality was seen exclusively in those with diffuse disease. We conclude that surgery is required for bullous lung disease more frequently in our community since we have a high number of young patients with primary bullous lung disease and localized parenchymal involvement and these patients have a good surgical outcome. Potentially fatal complications like pneumothorax and recurrent infections can therefore be prevented in them. Those with underlying diffuse disease and severely decreased FEV1 [especially below 1 L] also benefit from surgery but require careful patient selection

Total contact cast for neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers

To determine the outcome of diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers treated with Total Contact Cast [TCC] in terms of percentage of ulcers healed and time to heal. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi Medical and Dental College, from April 2005 to March 2007. The study included diabetic patients with non-ischemic neuropathic foot ulcers of upto grade 2 of Wagner's classification. Ulcers were debrided off necrotic tissues and Total Contact Cast [TCC] was applied. TCC was renewed every 2 weeks till healing. Cases were labeled as cast failure when there was no reduction in wound size in 4 consecutive weeks or worsening to a higher grade. Main outcome measures were the percentage of ulcers healed and time to heal in the cast. Thirty four [87.17%] patients were males and 5[12.82%] were females. The mean age was 62 +/- 13.05 years. All patients had NIDDM. Out of the 52 ulcers, 41[78.84%] healed with TCC in an average 2 casts duration [mean 32 days]. There were 11[21.15%] cast failure. Majority [63.63%] of cast failure ulcers were located on pressure bearing area of heel. Most [90%] of the ulcers on forefoot and midsole region healed with TCC [p<0.001]. Longer ulcer duration [mean 57.45 +/- 29.64 days] significantly reduced ulcer healing [p<0.001]. Total contact cast was an effective treatment modality for neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers of Wagner's grade 2, located on forefoot and midsole region

Standardization of the techniques evaluating endothelial functions

Besides the well known etiological impact of asbestos, Simian virus 40 has been proposed as an important cofactor in the development of malignant pleural Mesothelioma [MPM]. New diagnostic modalities employed for analysis of serous effusions found a very high immunocytochemical expression of N-cadherin in MPM but not otherwise offering any additional tool in the differential diagnosis among MPM, adenocarcinoma and benign effusion. Pemetrexed and other drugs have shown some promise. Further understanding of the biology of this disease could lead to newer and more targeted treatments. This is an editorial

Sporadic hypokalaemic periodic paralysis

To describe presentation, laboratory profile and management of five sporadic cases of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in nationals of four different countries of Asia. Design: Prospective case study with review of literature. Five cases were diagnosed at the department of Medicine at King Abdul Aziz Hospital, Madinah Al-Munawarrah, Saudi Arabia on the basis of episodic reversible flaccid paralysis with hypokalaemia in the absence of other causes of such paralysis. Mean age of these cases was 32 years and all presented as flaccid paralysis with proximal muscles of lower limbs more severely affected than the upper limbs. Most common precipitating factor was use of carbohydrate rich food. Mean initial serum potassium was 1.6 mmol/l. All had complete recovery when infused potassium in 20% urea. Conclusions: The diagnosis of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis should be kept in mind in any patient presenting with sudden flaccid paralysis and hypokalaemia which does not respond to K+ infused in dextrose or saline