ABSTRACT
Background: Smartphones, PC, tablets, and TV have become integral parts of our lives. The smartphone in particular is the lifeline of everyone, regardless of their age group. Overuse of smartphones is increasing, resulting in a great deal of physical and psychological effects. It is found to negatively impact health and increase the risk of stress, depression, and anxiety. In addition to this, sleep disorders, restlessness, and fatigue are also being reported which can lead to cognitive impairment. The reaction time (RT) is the interval between the application of a stimulus and the response. It is an indication of neural processing between a stimulus and the response which is expressed in milliseconds. Aims and Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to estimate screen time, auditory and visual RTs, and the association between screen time and RT (visual reaction time [VRT] and auditory reaction time [ART]). Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 232 1st year MBBS students in the age group of 18–23 years. Average screen time was noted from their respective gadgets. RT for the targeted stimulus, yellow light for the VRT and beep sound for the ART, was determined using the Biochart application system by Biostar Health care (Computer software) on the laptop. The task was to press the space bar as soon as the stimulus was presented. Average RT for both the stimuli (ART and VRT) were calculated using ten readings for each. Data obtained were analyzed. Results: Our study shows that ART is faster than VRT for both males and females. Screen time with VRT has a moderate positive significant relationship (P < 0.001), while for the ART, it has a weak positive relation. Conclusion: Based on our findings, it can be concluded that there is a positive correlation between screen time and RT. Screen time alone has a 21% effect on the RT as per our study. It also suggests that ART is faster than VRT. The females have a higher RT than the males in a similar age group.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Asthma is now regarded as an inflammatory disease and bronchial inflammation may disrupt mucociliary function. Inhaled drugs may act by improving mucociliary function. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of salbutamol, ipratropium bromide and beclomethasone on mucociliary clearance in patients with chronic stable asthma and to compare the efficacy of these drugs on mucociliary clearance. METHODS: Ten patients with chronic stable asthma were enrolled in the study, but two patients did not complete the study. Patients with bronchial asthma were chosen on clinical grounds. (99m)Tc phytate radioaerosol generated through a nebulizer, was given to each patient on four days. After each administration the radioactivity over the thorax was constantly measured in sequential frame mode for 120 min. Radioactivity in the thorax was also measured after 24 h. A base-line pulmonary function test with reversibility was obtained. Salbutamol, ipratropium bromide, beclomethasone dipropionate and placebo inhalation were given randomly to each patient on four days. RESULTS: The mean age of patients (n = 8) was 36 +/- 9.3 yr and mean duration of symptoms was 5 +/- 6.6 yr. There was no visual impression that mucociliary clearance was enhanced with any of the drugs. The time activity curves did not show any visually recognisable change in slope. In only one patient the curve tended to show a steeper slope with ipratropium inhalation. In the rest of the patients the curves showed no difference at all with medication when compared with placebo. All the quantitative indices analyzed by two-way ANOVA at the end of one and two hours were comparable for the three test drugs and placebo. None of the three test drugs demonstrated statistically significant mucociliary clearance effect compared with placebo. However, the temporal difference in airways clearance efficiency (ACE) was significant with beclomethasone and ipratropium bromide. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Inhalation of any of the three drugs tested did not produce any immediate improvement in mucociliary clearance as compared to placebo in patients with stable bronchial asthma suggesting the need for further studies using higher doses of drugs for longer duration in a large sample.
Subject(s)
Administration, Inhalation , Adult , Albuterol/pharmacology , Anti-Asthmatic Agents/pharmacology , Asthma/drug therapy , Beclomethasone/pharmacology , Bronchodilator Agents/pharmacology , Humans , Ipratropium/pharmacology , Middle Aged , Mucociliary Clearance/drug effects , Placebos , Radionuclide ImagingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Universal salt iodization was introduced in Delhi in 1989. The present study quantifies the change in iodine kinetics as a result of this. The previous values were reported 10-30 years earlier, when Delhi was iodine deficient. METHODS: Thirty subjects (18 men and 12 women, 17-48 years of age) who were residents of Delhi and had no thyroid disorder, were recruited from our outpatient clinic in 1999. The 24-hour urinary excretion of iodine and the iodine content of salt consumed at home by these subjects were estimated. Kinetic studies of iodine using radiotracer 131I were done to determine thyroid iodine clearance, renal iodine clearance, percentage uptake and absolute iodine uptake by the thyroid gland, and plasma inorganic iodine. RESULTS: The median 24-hour urinary iodine excretion was 341.3 micrograms. The mean (SD) thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine was 4.9 (2.3)% at 2 hours and 19.1 (8.0)% at 24 hours. The median calculated plasma inorganic iodine was 1.36 micrograms/dl, absolute iodine intake 6.5 micrograms/hour and thyroid iodine clearance was 4.8 ml/minute (geometric means 1.68 micrograms/dl, 8.5 micrograms/hour and 8.1 ml/minute, respectively). The serum thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone were within normal limits. CONCLUSION: Compared to the values reported 10-30 years ago when the population was iodine deficient, the present urinary iodine excretion, plasma inorganic iodine and absolute iodine intake have increased, while the percentage thyroid uptake of iodine ingested and thyroid clearance have decreased. The lack of change in the serum thyroid hormone levels after 10 years of universal salt iodization indicates that iodine consumption has had no adverse effect on thyroid function in these normal individuals. These changes are consistent with the increase in iodine consumption. Since the iodine ingestion in a community may change with time, assessment of iodine kinetics should be done periodically in different regions of the country.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Government Programs , Health Policy , Humans , India , Iodine/deficiency , Iodine Radioisotopes/pharmacokinetics , Male , Middle Aged , Sodium Chloride, Dietary/administration & dosage , Thyroid Gland/physiology , Thyroid Hormones/bloodABSTRACT
AIM: Bone metastasis in cervical cancer is rare. With the aim of defining the frequency of bony metastasis in patients of carcinoma cervix, with clinical suspicion of metastasis, we performed bone scan in 38 such patients. RESULTS: Twelve out of the 38 patients were confirmed as having metastasis. All the patients were also detected by bone scan (100% sensitivity). CONCLUSION: Bone scan should be investigation of choice for screening patients of carcinoma cervix with symptoms suggestive of metastasis in all stage of the disease. Bone scan is the most sensitive method for detection of bone metastasis. Bone scan offers the additional advantages of allowing a review of the kidney size to look for ureteric involvement and subsequent hydronephrosis.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , India , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Retrospective Studies , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
Spices are a part of diet all over the world but the variety and quantity consumed in tropical countries is particularly significant. The intestinal transit time of Indians is shorter, and their stool weight larger than that of Europeans on a comparable fibre intake. Ingestion of chilli is associated with a faster whole gut transit time. There is hardly any human work on the effects of spices on intestinal transit or gastric emptying. To explore the effects of spices on gastro intestinal transit this study was conducted on 18 well nourished healthy human adult volunteers using Radiolabelled Idli with or without Garam Masala. On gastric scintigraphy the gastric emptying time was much faster in subjects when spicy meal was given. The t1/2 of the spicy meal, 40.09 +/- (p < 0.05) thus implying a faster transit through the stomach. In 17 out of the 18 subjects t1/2 of the spicy meal was consistently lower than that of spicefree meal. The lag phase of gastric emptying showed no significant difference. There was a tendency towards slower gastrocolic transit with Spicefree meal but more subjects need to be done to confirm this.
Subject(s)
Adult , Gastric Emptying/physiology , Gastrointestinal Transit/physiology , Humans , Oryza , Reference Values , Spices , Technetium/diagnosisABSTRACT
AIMS: Diabetic gastroparesis is a common complication seen in 20-50% of patients due to autonomic neuropathy involving vagal supply. Cisapride, a specific gastrointestinal cholinomimetic agent may thus be effective. METHODS: Fifty-one diabetic patients (age 12-65 years) of disease duration > 5 years were assessed for symptomatic gastroparesis, other diabetic complications and glycemic control. Gastric emptying time (GET) was estimated using a solid meal method (99mTc labeled rice based idli) and patients randomized to receive either cisapride or placebo for a period of 2 weeks. Cisapride was administered in a dose of 10 mg TID. GET and symptom scores were reassessed on the therapy after 2 weeks. RESULTS: Twenty nine of 51 (56.8%) patients had gastroparesis. Mean GET in the gastroparesis group was 141 +/- 66 minutes compared to 24.53 +/- 10 minutes in the non gastroparesis group (p < 0.01). GET decreased by 72% amongst the patients who received cisapride compared to 23% in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Symptom scores also improved in the cisapride group; no adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Cisapride improves the symptom score and the solid gastric emptying time in patients suffering from diabetic gastroparesis.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Cisapride/therapeutic use , Diabetic Neuropathies/complications , Double-Blind Method , Gastric Emptying/drug effects , Gastrointestinal Agents/therapeutic use , Gastroparesis/drug therapy , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Thirty seven patients who survived at least 6 months after oesophagectomy and cervical oesophagogastrostomy for benign and malignant diseases of the oesophagus were evaluated for dumping syndrome. Twenty two of these patients had a pyloroplasty and fifteen had no drainage procedure. All these patients were subjected to a dumping provocation test. Evidence of dumping was noted in four patients, all having a pyloroplasty. Clinically, these four patients had mild symptoms which improved with dietary adjustment. We conclude that dumping does occur following thoracic transposition of the stomach and seems to occur more in patients with pyloroplasty than those without it.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery , Dumping Syndrome/diagnosis , Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery , Esophagectomy/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Male , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Pylorus/surgery , Statistics, NonparametricABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and renal scarring in children presenting with culture proven urinary tract infections (UTI). DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital-based study. SUBJECTS: Thirty-two children with proven UTI were evaluated by means of an abdominal ultrasonogram (USG), Technetium-99m Dimercapto Succinic Acid (DMSA) scan and Direct Radionuclide Cystography (DRCG). A micturating cystourethrogram (MCU) was performed to rule out any structural abnormality and to grade VUR. RESULTS: A total of 64 renal units in 32 children were evaluated. DMSA scan showed scarring in 27 renal units (42.2%) in 16 patients. Bilateral renal scarring was more common in older (> 2 yr) children as compared to younger ones (89% Vs 43%; p < 0.05). USG detected abnormalities in 13 renal units (20.3%) in 7 cases. VUR was detected in 37.5% of children of all age group by DRCG. In contrast, MCU showed evidence of VUR in only 13/20 renal units with a sensitivity of 65% as compared to DRCG and did not pick up any additional VUR that could have been missed on the DRCG. Only 3/9 in < 2 yr, in contrast to 10/11 in > 2 yr were positive for VUR on MCU (p < 0.05). However, MCU detected evidence of cystitis in 3 children and a bladder diverticulum in one patient. CONCLUSION: Wherever available, DMSA scan should be considered as a part of the first line investigations in any patient presenting with UTI. DRCG can also be performed in the same sitting to screen for the presence of reflux particularly for girls.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Organotechnetium Compounds/diagnosis , Sensitivity and Specificity , Succimer/diagnosis , Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid , Urinary Tract Infections/physiopathology , Urodynamics , Vesico-Ureteral Reflux/physiopathologyABSTRACT
A case with bile leak into the lesser sac of peritoneum is reported. Although bile leak following biliary surgery or trauma is not uncommon, isolated bile leak into the lesser sac is rare. This information may be vital for appropriate placement of the drainage tube in the abdomen. A hepatobiliary study, as reflected in this report, is extremely useful in guiding the surgeon in this respect.
Subject(s)
Adult , Bile , Female , HumansABSTRACT
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disease involving accumulation of calcific concretions in the alveoli of the lungs. Three cases of this disease are reported with their varying and unusual clinical features. Radiologic studies demonstrated presence of diffuse calcific densities in the lungs with varying degrees of emphysematous changes. Bone scans showed diffuse uptake of the tracer in the lungs. Pulmonary functions showed hyperinflation and small airways dysfunction in one case besides the presence of restrictive ventilatory defect. Exercise studies demonstrated arterial oxygen desaturation on exercise.
Subject(s)
Adult , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid , Calculi/diagnosis , Diagnostic Imaging , Exercise Test , Humans , Lung Diseases/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Pulmonary Alveoli/pathology , Respiratory Function TestsABSTRACT
One hundred and ninety three consecutive patients with solitary thyroid nodule (STN), with a mean age of 36.0 +/- 12.8 years and male to female ratio of 5.6:1, were studied. Ninety five percent of patients came from iodine deficient regions. Seventy two percent presented for local neck swelling, 12.4% for hyperthyroid state and in 7.7% STN was discovered incidentally. Scintigraphically, 77.7% of nodules were cold, 12.4% hot and 8.5% warm. Sonographic evaluation did not reveal any characteristic echotexture diagnostic of malignancy, but detected clinically nonpalpable accessory nodules in 20.6% of patients. Fine needle aspiration cytology was positive for malignancy in 6.2% of patients. Features of follicular and Hurthle cell neoplasm were seen in 12.9% of aspirates. Eighty eight (45.6%) STN were resected surgically. Histologically, there was one false positive and one false negative aspirate and a case of parathyroid adenoma on aspiration proved to be parathyroid carcinoma on histology.
Subject(s)
Adult , Biopsy, Needle , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sensitivity and Specificity , Thyroid Diseases/diagnosis , Thyroid Nodule/pathologyABSTRACT
Twenty patients with thoracic stomach were subjected to hepatobiliary scintigraphy for the diagnosis of duodenogastric reflux. The results of the radionuclide studies were correlated with those of endoscopy and biochemical estimation of total intragastric bile acid. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy was found to be more sensitive (91.6%) and accurate (95%) than endoscopy (25% and 55% respectively) and biochemical estimation of total intragastric bile acid content (66.6% and 80% respectively). Being noninvasive and physiological, radionuclide study appears suitable for routine clinical use in the diagnosis of duodeno-gastric reflux.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Bile Acids and Salts/analysis , Child , Child, Preschool , Duodenogastric Reflux/diagnosis , Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal , Esophagus/surgery , Female , Gastric Juice/chemistry , Humans , Imino Acids/diagnosis , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Organotechnetium Compounds/diagnosis , Postoperative Complications , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
Radionuclide gastro-esophageal scintigraphy was performed on 25 control and 183 children suffering from recurrent lower respiratory tract infection. Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) of varying grades was observed in 135 patients. The severity of clinical symptoms in the patients was found to be directly related to the severity of reflux observed in the radionuclide study. In some patients an attempt was also made to quantitate GER by calculating the Gastro-esophageal reflux index. The results of the scintigraphic study were correlated with the results of the other commonly used and more conventional Barium swallow and fluoroscopy study. Gastro-esophageal scintigraphy was found to be much superior in terms of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in detecting GER. It was also possible to objectively evaluate and monitor response to treatment following conservative or corrective surgical therapy using the radionuclide technique. The results of the study demonstrated a remarkably high incidence of GER in the patients. Whether GER is the cause of recurrent lower respiratory tract infection or not is difficult to establish firmly. But within the preview of the study the association seems to be very strong and cannot be easily ignored.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Gastroesophageal Reflux/complications , Humans , Infant , Male , Recurrence , Respiratory Tract Infections/etiologySubject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Organotechnetium Compounds/diagnosis , Pentetic Acid/diagnosis , Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate , Urodynamics/physiologyABSTRACT
The study was undertaken to assess the usefulness of transplant perfusion index (TPI) in the differential diagnosis of renal allograft dysfunction with special reference to acute rejection. It was observed that the TPI has a sensitivity of 100 per cent and specificity of 98.1 per cent in the diagnosis of acute rejection. It was also observed that the serial values of TPI provided valuable clues and guide in the management of transplant dysfunction and helped in the immediate and long term follow-up of patients with renal allografts.