Impact of health education on knowledge and attitude of self-breast examination among female nursing students

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and a leading cause of death worldwide, including in India. Breast cancer usually shows a slow development rate, and when recognized in the early stages, successful treatment results can be achieved. Breast self-examination is a screening option for young women. Objective: To assess the impact of health education on knowledge and attitude of self-breast examination among nursing students. Study Design: The present interventional study was conducted between September and October 2019. Setting: This study was done among 79 nursing students of a tertiary care hospital situated in a central district of Uttar Pradesh. Main Outcome Measures: The self-reported pre-designed and structured questionnaire was used. It included three sections Sociodemographic profile Knowledge regarding self-breast examination (SBE) 3. Attitude regarding self-breast examination (SBE). Knowledge and attitude scores were calculated and divided into the poor, average, and good categories. Results: There were 87.3% of girls had prior knowledge of the self-breast examination, while 12.7% of girls were not aware of the self-breast examination. Postintervention, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in their knowledge about self-breast examination. Conclusion: Planned teaching intervention had a significant impact on the knowledge and attitude of self-breast examination.

An unusual occurrence of stromal keratitis in dengue fever

Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection endemic in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Classic dengue fever is a self-limiting, influenza-like illness transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito. Ophthalmic manifestations though rare can involve both the anterior and posterior segments and are usually associated with the thrombocytopenic state. However, ophthalmic complications such as anterior uveitis and vasculitis suggest immune-mediated pathogenesis. Herein, we report a rare case of stromal keratitis and an unusual occurrence of simultaneous bilateral blindness following dengue fever in a young girl.

Current practice in handling and reporting needle biopsies: A hospital-based survey

Context: Core-needle biopsy (CNB) is a minimally invasive screening and diagnostic tool which provides intact tissue fragments for histopathological examination. Aims: This study was conducted to review the current practices of handling and reporting CNBs performed for core-needle biopsies from four organ systems which are frequently encountered in our institution. These include breast, prostate, soft tissues, and lymph nodes. Settings and Design: This was a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: CNB reports of breast, prostate, soft tissue, and lymph nodes were accessed and categorized based on the site of biopsy, number, and average length of the cores. The CNB reports were categorized into diagnostic or nondiagnostic. In case of diagnosis of malignancy, reports were recorded as structured or nonstructured reports. Statistical Analysis Used: Fisher's exact test and Chi-square tests were applied to check the significance of the results obtained on comparing the number of cores and size of cores with the outcome of report. Results: Out of 16,300 surgical pathology specimens received, 400 were CNBs comprising breast (n = 211), prostate (n = 108), soft tissue (n = 50), and lymph node (n = 31). Majority of the CNBs had 2–5 cores and the size of the core was ≥0.5 cm, which accounted for most of the reports which were diagnostic. There was a lack of clinical and radiological detail in many of the cases. Out of the malignant cases diagnosed, structured reports were given in 30% of breast, 79.3% of prostate, 41.7% soft tissue, and 60% of lymph node needle biopsies. Conclusions: The audit helped to identify areas of improvement in CNB services.

Evaluating Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Potential of Conservation Agriculture in Semi-arid Tropics of Southern India.

Aims: As climate change related rainfall and temperature variability is being increasingly experienced in the SAT regions, we assessed climate change mitigation and adaptation potential of Conservation Agriculture (CA) by studying effects of minimum tillage (MT) and residue management practices on rain water use efficiency (RWUE), soil moisture, runoff, energy use and carbon dioxide emission in two maize-legume cropping systems. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in split-split plot design with four replications. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) farm, Patancheru, Telangana, India during 2010-11 and 2011-12. Methodology: RWUE was calculated as maize equivalent yield divided by rainfall received during the crop season. Integrated digital runoff and soil loss monitoring unit (IDRSMU) was used to measure runoff. Soil moisture content was measured using the gravimetric method (0-30 cm depth) and neutron probe (60-90 cm depth). The soil organic carbon was analyzed following the Walkley-Black method [1]. The diesel consumption in MT and conventional tillage (CT) was estimated following Downs and Hansen (http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs) and emission of CO2 was estimated according to EPA, 2009 [2]. Results: Tillage and residue management practices did not show significant effect on RWUE except; CT having significantly higher RWUE over MT during 2011-12. Effect of cropping systems on RWUE was significant but variable during the two years of study. MT-RT (minimum tillageresidue retained) reduced total seasonal runoff by 28.62% and 80.22% compared to CT-RR (conventional tillage- residue removed) in 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively. Similarly, MT-RT reduced rainwater loss and peak rate of runoff compared to CT-RR in both the years of study. During 2010, MT-RT had higher total soil moisture (v/v) in the 0-90 cm soil depth in sole as well as intercropped maize compared to CT-RR, however, during 2011 MT-RT had higher total soil moisture in sole maize only. As compared to CT, even though, MT improved SOC in 0-15 cm depth but lowered slightly in 15-30 cm depth. RT (residue retained) improved SOC in 0-15 and 15- 30 cm depths compared to residue removal (RR). MT-RT had higher or equal SOC in 0-15 and 15- 30 cm soil depths compared to CT-RR in both the maize-legume cropping systems. MT saved energy corresponding to 41.49 l of diesel per hectare annually compared to CT. Similarly, MT emitted 110.79 kg less CO2 annually on per hectare basis compared to CT due to reduced diesel use. Conclusion: CA, when adopted by following good agricultural practices and refined to suit the local conditions, could emerge as sustainable production system for climate change mitigation and adaptation of dryland cropping systems in semi-arid tropics of southern India.

Pre-treatment of seeds with static magnetic field ameliorates soil water stress in seedlings of maize (Zea mays L.).

The effect of magnetic field (MF) treatments of maize (Zea mays L.) var. Ganga Safed 2 seeds on the growth, leaf water status, photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme system under soil water stress was investigated under greenhouse conditions. The seeds were exposed to static MFs of 100 and 200 mT for 2 and 1 h, respectively. The treated seeds were sown in sand beds for seven days and transplanted in pots that were maintained at -0.03, -0.2 and -0.4 MPa soil water potentials under greenhouse conditions. MF exposure of seeds significantly enhanced all growth parameters, compared to the control seedlings. The significant increase in root parameters in seedlings from magnetically-exposed seeds resulted in maintenance of better leaf water status in terms of increase in leaf water potential, turgor potential and relative water content. Photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll content increased in plants from treated seeds, compared to control under irrigated and mild stress condition. Leaves from plants of magnetically-treated seeds showed decreased levels of hydrogen peroxide and antioxidant defense system enzymes (peroxidases, catalase and superoxide dismutase) under moisture stress conditions, when compared with untreated controls. Mild stress of -0.2 MPa induced a stimulating effect on functional root parameters, especially in 200 mT treated seedlings which can be exploited profitably for rain fed conditions. Our results suggested that MF treatment (100 mT for 2 h and 200 for 1 h) of maize seeds enhanced the seedling growth, leaf water status, photosynthesis rate and lowered the antioxidant defense system of seedlings under soil water stress. Thus, pre sowing static magnetic field treatment of seeds can be effectively used for improving growth under water stress.

Harmful effects of 41 and 202 MHz radiations on some body parts and tissues.

Many types of invisible electromagnetic waves are produced in our atmosphere. When these radiations penetrate our body, electric fields are induced inside the body, resulting in the absorption of power, which is different for different body parts and also depends on the frequency of radiations. Higher power absorption may result into health problems. In this communication, effects of electromagnetic waves (EMW) of 41 and 202 MHz frequencies transmitted by the TV tower have been studied on skin, muscles, bone and fat of human. Using international standards for safe exposure limits of specific absorption rate (SAR), we have found the safe distance from TV transmission towers for two frequencies. It is suggested that transmission towers should be located away from the thickly populated areas and people should keep away from the transmission towers, as they radiate electromagnetic radiations that are harmful to some parts/tissues of body.

Genetic diversity in some perennial plant species with-in short distances.

Distinct morphophysiological variations observed for over 2 years with-in short distances among four perennial plants indicated genetic diversity among the lines growing at three places. The isozyme and SDS polyacrylamide gel banding patterns as genetic markers were used to investigate four perennial species, namely Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Delonix regia (Boj.) Refin., Cassia fistula L. and Calotropis procera R. Br. Plant materials collected from three locations (Agra, Gwalior and Lucknow) differing in climo-edaphic variables were examined for 4 enzyme systems, viz., esterase, polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (EST, PPO, PRX and SOD). Among the four isozymes SOD and PRX revealed best discriminating power. Protein banding patterns as well as zymogram revealed that Dalbergia sissoo growing at Gwalior was closer to that of Agra; Delonix regia depicted highest similarity between Lucknow and Agra and Calotropis procera of Lucknow location was more closer to Gwalior than Agra. The results confirm genetic diversity in the species as a means of adaptation to differing climo-edaphic variables.

Association of vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc with laryngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of the cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus and larynx in different population groups of India is amongst the highest reported in Asian countries. There is evidence that high dietary carotenoids and vitamin C may possibly decrease the risk of laryngeal cancer. Limited data is available from India on the association between these micronutrients and the risk of laryngeal cancer. AIMS: To assess the levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc in laryngeal cancer patients and healthy controls. SETTING AND DESIGN: A hospital based case- control study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty five laryngeal cancer patients and a control group of 155 healthy individuals constituted the study population. Individuals in the control group were individually matched with the patients for their age +/- 2 years, sex and place of residence. Venous blood was drawn from the cases and controls and estimations of vitamin A, zinc and vitamin C was done utilizing the standard procedures. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired 't' test to compare the mean serum levels of vitamin A and zinc and plasma vitamin C between laryngeal cancer patients and controls. Univariate logistic regression analysis to calculate the odds ratios and the confidence intervals. RESULTS: The mean serum vitamin A, zinc and plasma vitamin C levels were significantly lower in laryngeal cancer patients as compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study indicated a strong association of these micronutrients with laryngeal cancer in the Indian population.

Role of autopsy surgeon in determination of time since death in criminal cases.

Importance of determination of time since death is very important for the investigating agencies, autopsy surgeons and legal authorities in criminal cases or when a foul play is suspected behind a death. There are many variabilities and probabilities in determination process but the following points are to be read and analysed carefully so that it can be easier to ascertain the time since death: History and circumstances of death; somatic and molecular signs of death; emptying time of stomach and state of digestion of food in the stomach; biochemical investigations, etc. The individual points are narrated in a nutshell in this article.

Role of micro-nutrients and trace elements in carcinoma of larynx.

Cancer of the larynx is fourteenth most common cancer in the world. Evidence from case-control studies conducted in developed as well as developing countries suggest that specific micro-nutrients and trace elements have been implicated to be significantly associated with laryngeal carcinoma. The association of these micro-nutrients and trace elements with laryngeal cancer has been discussed in this review article.

Gender bias torture in place of work.

Gender bias torture specially sexual harassment of women at the work place is now a hard reality, the ultimate form of control that repressed men, especially those in position of authority, can have today. They are generally being allowed to get away with it. Mainly because women are fearful and totally unorganized, managements are complacent and the law takes much too long to work if it ever does. Global picture is horrifying. Child abuse, women abuse and even some men are sexually abused. The fear of loss of job, hostility at work and social stigma still prevent women from complaining about sexual harassment. It has been recognized as human rights violation by the Supreme Court which has even drawn up legally binding guidelines directing employers to implement preventive and remedial measures in the work place.