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Background: This paper presents the prevalence of human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) attending integrated counselling and testing Centres (ICTC) in selected districts of Karnataka.Methods: A cross sectional study was done at ICTCs. Men and transgenders coming with referral slips from targeted intervention (TI), non-government organizations (NGOs) were considered as MSMs. The basic demographic data, HIV test result and details of post- test counselling were collected in specific format. Data from 13 districts was obtained from April 2009 to March 2010 and comparing the prevalence of HIV among MSM in HIV sentinel surveillance (HSS).Results: Out of 8,276 MSMs in 13 districts, 2808 (33.9%) visited ICTCs with TI NGOs referral slips and were tested for HIV once in a year. The overall prevalence of HIV was 8.6%. Prevalence was highest (17.3%) among men in the age group of 41 to 45 years, illiterates (11.5%), unemployed (11.2%) and divorced and separated (13.3%) and widowed (13.6%) MSMs. Among those tested, 97.7% of MSM underwent post-test counselling and collected their report. The highest HIV prevalence was among MSMs from Mysore district (20.1%), followed by Udupi (19.9%) and Bagalkot (10.6%). Rest of all the other districts had less than 10% of HIV prevalence.Conclusions: The uptake of HIV testing among the MSM with referral slips was low in Karnataka. The prevalence level differs in various districts. There is need for more focused and effective counselling by peer educators for correct and consistent condom usage among illiterate, widowed and unemployed MSMs.
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A sensitive and precise high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for determination of Dronedarone Hydrochloride. The proposed method was carried out on Analytical HPLC system consisting of Hyperchrome ODS C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5μ). The chromatographic separation was achieved using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile: triethylamine buffer (pH-2.3) in the ratio of 70:30 v/v at flow rate of 1.0 mL/min using UV detection at 290 nm. The linear regression analysis data showed good linearity over the concentration range of 10-60μg/mL of dronedarone hydrochloride. The percent assay of dronedarone hydrochloride from tablet was found to be 99.75. The determination of intrinsic stability of the drug was assessed under acidic, alkaline, peroxide, thermal and photolytic stressed conditions. The drug was estimated in presence of its degradation products without interference. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, robustness and recovery studies as per ICH guidelines. The method can be adopted for routine analysis of drug in its tablet formulation.
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Background: Stroke is the second cause of mortality in the world and third leading cause of disability in surviving victims. Cerebral ischemic cascade involves multiple pathways that can result in motor and cognitive deficits. The current treatment strategy focuses mainly on motor recovery, and the management of post-stroke cognitive impairment is largely neglected. Similarly, very few studies have explored the prophylactic combined synergetic treatment strategies that have the potential to target multiple pathways in the ischemic cascade to alleviate vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) in the event of an ischemic stroke. Choline and docosahexaenoic acid (Cho-DHA) are both essential neuronal membrane phospholipid precursors, known to be important in enhancing cognitive functions. The objective of present study was to explore the prophylactic efficacy of combined Cho-DHA supplementation (Cho-DHA suppl.) in attenuating VCI in a rodent model of ischemic brain injury. Methods: An 10-months-old male Wistar rats were subdivided into four groups (n=8/group); normal control (NC), bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) induced ischemic brain injury group, sham BCCAO (S-BCCAO) group, and prophylactic combined Cho-DHA suppl. BCCAO group. Subsequently, all groups of rats were tested for cognition and neuro-morphological changes in the hippocampus. Results: BCCAO rats showed significant learning and memory deficits (p<0.05) and neuronal injury compared to S-BCCAO and NC rats. These cognitive deficits and neuronal injury were significantly (p<0.01) attenuated in Cho-DHA suppl. BCCAO rats. Conclusion: Prophylactic combined Cho-DHA suppl. may be envisaged as an effective preventive strategy to attenuate VCI and neuronal injury in high-risk individuals susceptible for a future event of an ischemic stroke.
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An enterolith is a mixed concretion formed in GIT, usually rare in humans. Primary enteroliths are formed in small bowel, typically within a diverticulum and secondary enteroliths in gallbladder. This case report highlights the presence of an enterocolic fistula; probably a postradiotherapy complication; and an enterolith without associated small bowel or colonic diverticuli. We have discussed the various diagnostic modalities used to reach a preoperative diagnosis of this rare condition. Imaging plays an important role in the detection and management of acquired gastrointestinal fistulas. The more routine use of cross-sectional imaging [especially computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging] has altered the standard sequence of radiologic evaluation for possible fistulas, but fluoroscopic studies remain a valuable complement, especially for confirming and defining the anomalous communications
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Alkaline phosphatase (E C 3.1.3.1) belongs to the class of hydrolases and catalyzes the alkaline hydrolysis of a number of phosphoric acid esters, nucleotides etc. Alkaline phosphatase was produced from Bacillus spp, isolated from soil samples. The Bacillus spp. was identified by staining and standard biochemical tests after which screening was done using modified Pikovoskaya’s agar method. Production of alkaline phosphatase using different substrates like calcium phosphate along with casein, starch, glucose and glutamic acid was carried out. High activity was found in calcium phosphate along with the casein. The specific activity of the crude extract was found to be 0.825U and it was subjected to purification by DEAE-Cellulose ion exchange chromatography. Finally,36% recovery was obtained. The molar mass was estimated by using 10% SDS-PAGE and was found to be approximately 84 KD. The optimum activity was at pH 8.8 and temperature of 650C. Alkaline phosphatase activity was enhanced by Mg2++ upto 66% and 80% activity was inhibited by EDTA. Alkaline Phosphatase activity was also confirmed by zymography using malachite green staining method.
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Children with persistent asthma were compared with an age and sex matched control group for psychological problems and temperamental traits. Childhood Psychopathology Measurement Schedule (CPMS) and Temperament Measurement Schedule were used to assess psychological problems and temperamental traits, respectively. 69% of children in the study group scored more than the cut-off score on the CPMS compared to 13% in the control group (P < 0.01). Children in the study group showed significantly more behavior problems, conduct symptoms, anxiety, depression and emotional problems compared to children in the control group. Children with asthma also received significantly low score on the temperament dimension of rhythmicity.
Subject(s)
Asthma/psychology , Case-Control Studies , Child , Female , Humans , India , Male , Matched-Pair Analysis , Mental Disorders/etiology , TemperamentABSTRACT
Opportunistic disseminated strongyloidosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. In addition to a high index of clinical suspicion, alerting the microbiologist will help in diagnosing this condition early and institute therapy. We report a 51-year-old male who developed pulmonary infiltrates during the period of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Strongyloidosis larvae were found on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and stool specimens. The patient responded to treatment with albendazole.
Subject(s)
Bronchoalveolar Lavage , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neutropenia/complications , Strongyloidiasis/complicationsABSTRACT
Coronary artery disease involving both coronary ostia (left main and right coronary) is extremely rare in a premenopausal female, without pre-existing coronary risk factors. We report a case of tight bilateral coronary ostial disease which presented in unusual clinical circumstances in a young female, which was successfully revascularized by single-stage aorto-ostial cutting balloon angioplasty and stenting.