Breast Cancer Is Significantly Associated with Cancers in The First- and Second-Degree Relatives in Ethnic Mizo-Mongoloid Population, Northeast India

Background: High incidence of breast cancer among the endogamous Mizo-Mongoloid tribe stresses the need to explore the disease pertaining to the family history as well as other risk factors. This study in-vestigates the association of risk factors and inherited diseases with breast cancer.Methodology: The study includes 426 unrelated breast cancer cases and 810 healthy controls of female Mizo ethnicity. Association between reproductive history, lifestyle/ dietary habits, tobacco and alcohol exposures, family history in relation to cancer and inheritable diseases was assessed by univariate lo-gistic regression using Chi-square tests and multivariate analyses using Cox regression. Results: Age at diagnosis was highest between 41 to 50 years. Consumption of fermented pork fat, smoked food and Smoke-less tobacco, lower intake of vegetables/ water, having a first/ or second de-gree relative with cancers and inheritable diseases were found to be the major risk factors. Certain known factors were also acting as confounding factors. Conclusions: The present study reveals that Mizo women with first- and second-degree relatives of breast cancer, various other cancers and inheritable diseases have increased risk of breast cancer. This study also highlights the importance of analysing genetic factors which can aid in early detection of in-herited risk factors.

Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy For Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Case Report

This case report describes a clinical case of a 53 years aged male with Low Back Pain (LBP) at Sacro Iliac Joint (SIJ). Patient referred to physical therapy department with LBP over the past 3 weeks. Pain extended to posterior aspect of left thigh and worsening with prolonged standing, sitting and with stair climbing. Moreover, he found difficulty to ride his car or going from sit to stand. He had a history of road traffic accident 30 years ago that led to severe pain in his lower back area, he was a farmer as well and was working hardly more than 8 hours daily by lifting heavy objects. Patient came to the department by walking with assistive cane. By palpation, there was a local tenderness at the posterior aspect of the SIJ. Range of motion was limited by pain in lumbar flexion, extension, rotation and bilateral side bending movements. Pain scored 7 out of 10 on Numerical Pain Rating Visual Analogue Scale. Functional disability scored 19 out of 24 on Roland-Morris Disability questionnaire. Patient underwent special test of FABER, SLR and sacroiliac stress tests and Physical therapy modalities of TENS, dry cupping, myofascial release technique and manipulation, medical taping, hot packs applied before and after exercise. Stretching exercises included single knee to chest, trunk rotation, child’s pose and stabilization exercises of bird dog pose, superman’s, bridge, ball squeeze. Outcomes of treatment were assessed with same pretest measures. At the end of 3 weeks, patient improved in all symptoms of reduced pain to 2 out of 10 on Numerical Pain Rating, 3 out of 24 on Roland-Morris disability questionnaire. Post rehabilitative findings on all provocative tests were negative. Evidence on physical therapy management of patients with SIJ pain appears underreported. Patients presenting with SIJ pain should be routinely screened for sacroiliac component in LBP. Physical therapists are encouraged to report their findings so as to strengthen the evidence available for physical therapy for SIJ pain.

Determination of polyphenolic content and antioxidant potential of callus extract obtained from Celastrus paniculatus Willd. and their free radical estimation by electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Celastrus paniculatus Willd. belongs to the family Celastraceae, and it is an important medicinal plant distributedall over India. Since the antioxidative polyphenols in C. paniculatus have received an increase in attention forhealth-promoting properties by scavenging the free radicals, the objective of this study is aimed at understandingthe antioxidant potential of calli cultures generated from C. paniculatus. To establish the calli cultures, leaf explantsderived from direct organogenesis of C. paniculatus have been cultured on the Murashige and Skoog medium (MS).The culture medium is supplemented with different concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (0.5 mg l−1) along with2,4-D and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.1–0.7 mg l−1). The MS medium containing 0.5 mg l−1 [Benzylaminopurine(BAP) + NAA] and 0.5 mg l−1 of BAP + 0.3 mg l−1 2,4-D showed to be the best medium for the formation of calli.The calli cultures were harvested and lyophilized for methanolic extraction and estimated the total phenolic andflavonoid contents in the calli cultures by using the spectroscopic method technique and also analyzed by highperformance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) profiling and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) toassess their antioxidant potential. The histological findings supported the result of HPTLC and HPLC by displayinga clear deposition of polyphenols in the vacuoles. Additionally, free radicals generated from the biological systemwere detected and the ‘g’ value was identified by the electron spin resonance spectrum and understood their radicalscavenging activity by several nonenzymatic methods, which include 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, reducingpower activity, 2, 2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical scavenging assay, and ferric reducingantioxidant power assay. The research results showed that 0.5 mg l−1 of BAP along with NAA is an optimal hormoneconcentration for developing friable calli which in turn yields higher phenolic and flavonoid content.

Dye degradation potential and its degradative enzymes synthesis of Bacillus cereus SKB12 isolated from a textile industrial effluent

The degradation of textile dyes using microbes has been recently identified as most promising, cost effective,and eco-friendly technique than any physiochemical techniques. On this backdrop, a potential Reactive Black5 dye degrading bacterium was isolated from effluent sediment samples of a textile industry, Salem district,Tamil Nadu, India which was identified as a Bacillus cereus SKB12 based on morphological and biochemicalmethods. This bacterium exhibited promising dye degradation of Reactive Black 5 which was initiatedfrom first hours of lag phase and showed its maximum dye degradation of 88.7% at the end decline growthphase (144 hours). Furthermore, this strain revealed the synthesis of laccase, veratryl alcohol oxidase, ligninperoxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and azoreductase enzymes with the presence of Reactive Black 5 dye. Theseoverall observations proved that this strain, B. cereus SKB12 has the possibility to use as a potential textile dyeeffluent bioremediation agent

Severe thermal injury of larynx in a child following accidental ingestion of hot tea

Thermal injury to the upper respiratory tract caused by aspiration of hot liquids resulting in laryngeal edema and subsequent obstruction of the airway is commonly not seen in the pediatric population. Unlike adults, children are more prone for subglottic injury, swelling and resulting obstruction of the airway due to the smaller size of the trachea and relatively large epiglottis. Examination of the airway with laryngoscopy hence should be recommended in all patients with inhalational and aspiration burn injury as it will help in guiding airway management and preventing development of complications. Authors report a case of a 3-year-old male child with accidental ingestion of just made hot tea. Upon presentation there was severe stridor and signs of respiratory distress requiring emergency intubation. Direct laryngoscopy revealed glottic edema and ulcer. Upper GI endoscopy showed erythematous arytenoids, esophagus and stomach showing few erythematous flat lesions. Chest radiographic examination showed bilateral para cardiac and perihilar inhomogeneous opacities suggestive of aspiration pneumonitis. The child was gradually weaned and extubated on day three of admission. Ingestion of hot liquids can cause airway and esophageal thermal burns. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential in management of inhalational and aspiration burn injury to reduce the morbidity, mortality and long-term sequelae in these patients. Children are more prone for burn accidents due to their curious and exploratory behavior and their inability to perceive the hazards. Since most of the pediatric burn accidents happen at home, parents should be offered education about prevention of burn and advised on how to manage and treat minor burn injuries and to watch for any warning signs in which case to rush to the nearest hospital.

Status of Maternal Derived Antibody Against Rabies in Naive Puppies in Chennai

Thirty-six blood samples were collected randomly from puppies [18 puppies each from vaccinated (Group I) and unvaccinated (Group II) dam] brought to Immunization Unit, Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, Chennai. The samples were subjected to functional antibody assay (RFFIT) to know the kinetics of maternal derived antibody (MDA) against rabies. The mean MDA titre in group I and II puppies were found as 1.07 ± 0.18 IU/mL and 0.30 ± 0.037 IU/mL respectively. The statistical analysis (Student “t” test) revealed a highly significant difference (P<0.01) between MDA of two groups. Thus, this study strongly suggests that the dogs less than three months of age in endemic regions needs to be immunized against rabies in view of maintaining the population immunity and to reduce the bioburden of rabies risk.

Prevalence of urinary tract infection in malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years attending tertiary care centre

Background: Infections are more common in malnourished children, as result of impaired immunity. Unexplained fever and failure to thrive are the common presenting features of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children. In malnourished children, UTI is mostly asymptomatic and is leading to pyelonephritis and renal scarring. The study was done with the aim to evaluate and find out the prevalence of urinary tract infection in malnourished children between 6 months to 5 year and to find out the causative organism and antibiotic sensitivity pattern.Methods: A total of 180 cases of malnourished children were enrolled and clean catch midstream urine sample was collected for urine culture, according to WHO criteria of malnutrition. Children with urinary tract abnormality were excluded from the study. Renal USG was done in all urine culture positive cases.Results: Total of 174 cases was present after exclusion. Of 174 children, 27 (15.5%) children were having UTI. In this study, 37% of children are asymptomatic. E. coli is the commonest organism causing UTI 16 (59%). Other organism are Klebsiella pneumonia 4 (14.9%), Proteus mirabilis 3 (11.1%), and Pseudomonas 3 (11.1%). The order of antimicrobial sensitivity pattern was amikacin (100%)> ciprofloxacin (81.4%)> cefotaxime (7%). Other common drugs have developed resistance to these organisms.Conclusions: Our observations conclude that malnourished children with fever of unknown origin are at risk of UTI. Hence, urine analysis and culture tests are to be done to all malnutrition cases for assisting to diagnose the bacterial infection and providing the appropriate treatment.

Early veno-venous Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation with prone positioning in the treatment of severe Acute Respiratory Distress syndrome in a pediatric patient: a case report

Aim of the study was to discuss effectiveness and outcome of Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) therapy with prone positioning while on ECMO in a child with severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Veno-venous ECMO (VV-ECMO) and prone position on ECMO are relatively newer modalities of treatment in severe ARDS in pediatric age group and to our experience very few cases has been reported in paediatric age group. A 5 year old male child presented with fever with respiratory distress. He deteriorated in next 48 hrs leading to severe hypoxemia with ARDS following which he was put on conventional ventilation. In view of worsening critical lung parameters, veno-venous ECMO was initiated. Child had persistent hypoxemia inspite on high positive end expiaratory pressure (PEEP), adequate flow and adequate Post oxygenator PO2. Recirculation and other possible causes were excluded. Prone positioning (PP) was done for 8 hrs a day with chest physiotherapy while on ECMO. Patient showed considerable improvement in next few days and ECMO was weaned on day 7 and child was discharged on day 16 with good lung recovery. Although studies on VV-ECMO with PP has proven effectiveness in severe ARDS in adult population, overall studies in paediatric ARDS are very limited. Prone positioning on ECMO may decrease duration of ECMO support. Prone positioning on VV ECMO is safe and can be considered in Persistent hypoxemia with poor respiratory compliance.

Risk factors for childhood refractory epilepsy in a tertiary care centre, Chennai, India

Background: Intractable epilepsy is the pragmatic problem during the treatment of active epilepsy in children. Several risk factors are associated with incidence of intractable/recurrent epilepsy. The current study was done to identify the risk and prognostic factors associated with recurrent epilepsy (RE).Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 152 children with idiopathic or symptomatic epilepsy who are on two or more AEDs and who were in follow up in Neurology OPD and inpatients in medical ward at ICH&HC, Chennai. All patients underwent relevant investigations to identify the possible risk factors for incidence of RE in study population. Karyotyping was done for idiopathic cases.Results: Male preponderance was seen in the study (M:F-2:1). Risk factors such as male sex, age onset of seizures, type of seizures, developmental delay, CNS congenital anomalies, h/o perinatal injury, neuroabnormality, abnormal MRI and EEG was found to have statistically significant association with incidence of RE. No significant association was observed for the factors microcephaly, behavioural abnormalities, h/o febrile seizures and h/o status epilepticus with incidence of RE. No chromosomal abnormalities were detected in idiopathic cases.Conclusions: Early identification, risk factor analysis and understanding in the dynamics of the disease helps the physician in initiating the appropriate treatment, thereby avoiding the wrong therapy, low dose therapy and infrequent therapy. Above all identification of the risk factors helps in parental counseling and prepare them for expected outcome.

Electrocardiography changes in localizing the culprit vessel in acute myocardial infarction with angiographic correlations

Background: The electrocardiogram is the primary diagnostic tool to evaluate a patient with chest pain and suspected myocardial infarction. Anterior wall infarction due to occlusion of proximal LAD has worse prognosis compared to distal or branch vessel lesions. Diagnosis of anterior/inferior/posterior or lateral MI is based on patterns of ST deviation and risk assessment based on absolute magnitude of ST segment deviation or the width of QRS complexes. Although coronary angiography is the gold standard for determining the infarct related artery in acute myocardial infarction, ECG can be useful tool in identifying the culprit artery involved at the primary care.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital. Standard 12 lead electrocardiograph were recorded for 50 patients at a speed of 25 mm/s and voltage of 10mm/mv. Patients who had acute inferior wall MI additional right pericardial leads were recorded (V3R and V4R). The recorded ECG was interpreted using the electrocardiographic algorithms of Zimet-baum PJ et al. An ST elevation or depression was considered significant only if it was >1mm.Results: The study result showed maximum specificity for LCx (100%) followed by RCA (92.67) and LAD (89.91). The sensitivity for identifying the culprit artery by ECG in acute myocardial infarction was 100% for both LAD and RCA coronary artery but 0% for LCx coronary artery. In case of LAD occlusion, the sensitivity is 100% for proximal LAD occlusion and 92.86%for distal LAD occlusion. The sensitivity and specificity for proximal and distal RCA is 100% and 80.43% respectively.Conclusions: ECG is an easily, widely available and non-invasive tool to localize the site of culprit artery in acute myocardial infarction.

Antibiotic resistance pattern of Staphylococcus aureus infections in children

Background: Methicillin resistant'Staphylococcus aureus'(MRSA) is endemic in India and is a dangerous pathogen for hospital acquired infections.'Analysing antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus helps us to overcome the therapeutic difficulties created by the rising anti-microbial resistant bacteria and guide us in choosing appropriate antibiotics. Hence, this study was conducted.Methods: Children with confirmed S. aureus infection between the age group of 0-12 years were classified into MSSA and MRSA subgroups. Isolates were identified as S. aureus using standard microbiological methodologies at diagnostic bacteriology laboratory, in the Microbiology department. Basic demographic variables and antibiotic resistance patterns were compared between MRSA and MSSA subgroups.Results: Majority of S. aureus were isolated from pus followed by blood culture. Prevalence of community acquired MRSA in present study (80%, with 95% CI from 68.56% to 91.44%) was significantly higher when compared to another studies (p value=0.004). Resistance to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin among the MRSA isolates was more than that in methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) (P<0.001).Conclusions: It is prudent to include MRSA coverage in empirical antibiotic regimens in settings where a significant proportion of patients hospitalized for S. aureus infection have MRSA.

Sex Determination by Morphometry of Eyes

Background: Facial anthropometrics are affected byvarious factors such as age, sex, ethnicity,socioeconomic status, environment and region. Theanthropometric analysis of face is essential forcraniofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeries. Aim &Objectives: The purpose of this study was to create abaseline data in determining the sex of the people fromIndia and Malaysia depending on morphometry of eyes.Material and Methods: A total of 100 Malaysians and100 South Indians were enrolled for the study. Variousmorphometric measurements of eyes were taken usingDigital Vernier caliper. The data were analyzed byindependent t test for comparison of sides and one wayANOVA to find out the significance among the sex andpopulations. Results:The height of upper and lower eyelid were higher in females as compared to that of maleswhereas depth of eyes and interpupillary distance werehigher in males than in females and thus sexualdimorphism exists. Fissure height and biocular widthwere more in Indian males when compared to Indianfemales. Fissure height and interocular width weremore in Malaysian female when compared to othergroups. Indian males and females differed significantlyin upper and lower eye lids height from Malaysianmales and females. All eye morphometric parametersexcept interpupillary distance were increased inMalaysians when compared to Indians thus ethnicvariations also exist. Conclusion: The facial aesthesis ishighly contributed by eye appearance and symmetry,facial rejuvenation by a plastic surgeon requiresmorphometric data of eye.

Study of myocardial function in children with severe acute malnutrition

Background: Malnourished children suffer from many alterations in body composition, with loss of heart and skeletal muscle mass, complicated by electrolyte abnormalities and mineral or vitamin deficiencies that could produce cardiac abnormalities, including hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy, cardiac failure and even sudden death. The aim of the study: The present study was undertaken to study the myocardial function and cardiac chamber dimensions in children with severe acute malnutrition admitted in a tertiary care center. Materials and methods: This case-control study included WHO criteria for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) satisfying children as cases and healthy children as controls. Anthropometric data were collected and echocardiographic evaluation is done for all children. Results: Left ventricular end systolic diameter, diastolic diameter, inter ventricular septum thickness, posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass and mass index were significantly lower in malnourished children compared to the healthy control group. Conclusion: In the present study, left ventricular dimensions were found to be reduced in malnourished children; hence, assessment of these parameters may prove to be an important tool in early detection of cardiac dysfunction in severe acute malnutrition, which may help in reducing morbidity and mortality related to severe acute malnutrition.

Revalidating Pfirrmann's Magnetic Resonance Image-Based Grading of Lumbar Nerve Root Compromise by Calculating Reliability among Orthopaedic Residents

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc herniations lead to subsequent compromise of the nerve root. The root can either have a mere contact with the disc material or be pushed aside or compressed. This was earlier graded by Pfirrmann and colleagues. We intend to revalidate this grading system by performing a reliability analysis among orthopaedic residents. METHODS: Fifty axial cut magnetic resonance (MR) images of the affected lumbar disc level that belonged to different patients (age, 37.8 ± 10.4 years; 33 males and 17 females) were chosen and given to five orthopaedic residents for grading according to the Pfirrmann's MR image-based grading of lumbar nerve root compromise. Responses were received in the form of categorical variables and reliability was assessed. RESULTS: On doing percentage statistics, we found that 14 images had 100% agreement, 22 had 80% agreement and 14 had 60% agreement. We inferred an overall agreement of 80% ± 15.1%. In addition, interrater reliability was determined by calculating the Fleiss' kappa, which was found to be 0.521, signifying moderate agreement. Intrarater reliability was determined by calculating Cohen's kappa, which was found to be 0.696, signifying substantial agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Our residents took only a short time to learn and reproduce this grading system as ratings that proved to be moderately reliable. Even though the value of kappa was slightly lower, reliability was similar to that of the original authors. We think that this grading system can be adopted in day-to-day practice by framing appropriate rules to interpret MR images where the nerve roots are not visible.

Inflammatory Biomarkers and Their Value in Predicting Survival and Outcome among Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Haemorrhage

Background: Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (SICH) has emerged as one of the most devastating forms of stroke in recent decades. This disease is noted to carry a 30-day mortality rate of approximately 45%. An increasing number of studies have implicated a complex immune-mediated and inflammation-mediated cascade of responses in the pathophysiology of SICH and the resultant neurologic outcome. Several clinical studies have demonstrated an association between inflammatory markers and outcome in patients with SICH. However, the exact relationship between serum biomarkers and functional outcomes amongst survivors has not been clearly elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in peripheral leukocyte count (WBC count) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with SICH and to correlate these findings with survival and functional outcome. Methodology: A prospective, descriptive and correlational study was conducted at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) over the span of two years (April 2013–April 2015). Patients aged between 30 years and 75 years with supratentorial intracerebral bleed secondary to uncontrolled hypertension were recruited in this study. Data pertaining to the demography, clinical and radiological parameters, peripheral WBC count and CRP levels were obtained. Mortality and functional outcomes were determined at 6 months post ictus. Patients were recruited following the fulfilment of exclusion and inclusion criteria, and all obtained data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 21.0. Results: A total of 60 patients with a mean age of 56 years were recruited in this study. We found that approximately 16 patients were less than or equal to 50 years old (26.7%) and that 44 patients belonged to the older age group of above 50 years (73.3%). The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission ranged from 9 to 14/15 with a median value of 11/15. The mean clot volume was 20.1 cm3. The GCS score on admission and clot volume were significantly associated with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at 6 months and overall survival (P < 0.05). The elevated WBC count and CRP level on admission and at 72 hours post admission were significantly associated with GOS at 6 months and overall survival (P < 0.05). Thus, the GCS score, clot volume, WBC count and CRP levels on admission and at 72 hours post admission can be used to predict functional outcome at 6 months and overall survival in patients with SICH. Conclusion: We could conclude via this study that for patients with SICH, the main determinants or predictors of functional outcome at 6 months and overall survival were noted to be the GCS score on admission, clot size, WBC count and CRP levels on admission and at 72 hours post admission.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Movement Disorders: An Experience in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Involving 12 Patients

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) was first introduced in 1987 to the developed world. As a developing country Malaysia begun its movement disorder program by doing ablation therapy using the Radionics system. Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia a rural based teaching hospital had to take into consideration both health economics and outcomes in the area that it was providing neurosurgical care for when it initiated its Deep Brain Stimulation program. Most of the patients were from the low to medium social economic groups and could not afford payment for a DBS implant. We concentrated our DBS services to Parkinson's disease, Tourette's Syndrome and dystonia patients who had exhausted medical therapy. The case series of these patients and their follow-up are presented in this brief communication.

Mitochondrial control region and GSTP1 polymorphism associated with familial urinary bladder cancer in Karbi-Anglong tribe of Assam, Northeast India

Background: Multiple studies have suggested that subjects with glutathione S-transferase P1 [GSTP1]-mutations are at high risk for urinary bladder cancer [UBC]

Methods: In the present study, we evaluated the mutations in GSTP1 and mitochondrial D-loop genes in two unrelated familial bladder cancer patients belonging to Karbi Anglong Assam tribe. Mitochondrial D-loop and nuclear GSTP1 polymorphic region were amplified and sequenced for all the family members and patients. Two SNPs in the GSTP1 gene for amino acid substitutions at codons 105 [Ile-Val] and 114 [Val-Ala] were genotyped by PCR-RFLP-based methods

Results: mtDNA D-loop sequence variations were found and there were A and C insertions common at positions 235 and 309, respectively for both the families. Two sequence differences were identified in urinary bladder cancer samples in GSTP1 gene. These two heteroplasmic mutations were found at positions 11qG3037G/A and 11qC3038C/A in patient, father, mother, brother and son, but not in the sister and wife samples in family 2. The GSTP1, 105Ile >Val is most susceptible to inherited UBC risk for these ethnic families. The samples from families 1 and 2, including healthy subjects were placed in macrohaplo group L3e, except the wife [macrohaplo group F1c1a] of patient in family 1, and the wife and son [haplo group M] of the patient in family-2

Conclusion: A strong familial nuclear GSTP1 sequence variation and mitochondrial control region was observed in this study for familial urinary bladder cancer. This could afford early recognition of patients at risk of developing micro- or macroscopic, pathological lesions as well as the introduction of preventive measures for familial bladder cancer

Spectrum of cutaneous manifestations in diabetes mellitus and their association with duration of diabetes mellitus: an observational study in a tertiary care hospital of South India

Background: Diabetes mellitus [DM] is a worldwide problem and the most common endocrine disorder. Cutaneous manifestations of DM generally appear subsequent to the development of the disease, but they may be the first presenting sign or even precede the primary disease manifestation by many years

Aim: To study the prevalence and patterns of cutaneous manifestations among diabetic patients and their association with duration of DM

Materials and Methods: A longitudinal cross-sectional study was performed on patients attending the out patient department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy of a tertiary care hospital in South India. A total of 200 patients with dermatological compliants having pre-existing diabetes and patients in whom diabetes was diagnosed later were included in the study. Statistical analysis was carried out using analysis of variance [ANOVA] test and SPSS 21 software

Results: Majority of patients belonged to the age group 40-59 years [63%] with female preponderance [58.5%]. Cutaneous manifestations as presenting feature of diabetes were observed in 21.5% cases. The diabetic status was uncontrolled in 73% cases. Among the various cutaneous manifestations observed, cutaneous infections [52%] were most commonly observed, especially in early diabetics of up to 5 years duration and dermatoses due to chronic degenerative complications were observed in long standing diabetics which was statistically significant [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Cutaneous manifestations may be the first clue to underlying diabetic diathesis. Through awareness about cutaneous manifestations of DM, dermatologist can not only take credit for detecting DM but also facilitate early diagnosis of systemic complications of DM and thereby play an important role in improvement of quality of life and management strategy of diabetic patients

Ameliorative potential of Solanum trilobatum leaf extract and fractions on lipid profile and oxidative stress in experimental diabetes

Solanum trilobatum Linn is a medicinal plants used in India from many centuries to cure various diseases. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the ameliorative potential of the ethanolic leaf extract and fractions of Solanum trilobatum [St] against alloxan induced diabetic rats. Solanum trilobatum leaf extract and fractions were administered orally at two different concentration [100-200mg/kg body weight] to alloxan induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic efficacy was validated through various biochemical parameters, enzyme assays, renal markers and antioxidant properties were also determined. The phytochemical analyses of St leaves were done by estimating their Chlorophyll, carotenoids, total sugar, protein, amino acid and minerals contents. The results revealed that the leaf extracts and fractions of St were efficient anti hyperglycemic agents and posses potent nephro-protective activity. However, the extracts of St leaves at a concentration of 200mg/kg bw exhibit higher efficacy in all tested concentrations. From the result it can be concluded that the leaf extracts of St can be a potential candidate in treating the hyperglycemic conditions and justifies its use in ethano medicine and can be exploits in the management of diabetes

Static and dynamic postural stability in subjects with and without chronic low back pain.

Background: The present study were undertaken to compare the static and dynamic postural stability among chronic low back pain and normal subjects. Most of the studies have been conducted on sports professionals. The present study focuses on recreationally active population, for which the activity levels are comparatively lesser. Methods: Thirty subjects (15 Chronic Low back Pain and 15 Normal subjects) were recruited randomly who’s demographic are not varied. The static and dynamic postural stability test namely postural sway meter and Star excursion balance test were analyzed. Data were analyzed using test of homogeneity and Independent sample t test. Results: Descriptive statistics reflected homogeneity of the study population. Independent sample t-test was used to compare values for static and dynamic stability between chronic low back pain and Normal subjects. It showed a statistically significant (P<0.05) difference in posterior and left lateral direction with t-value of -2.720 and -1.601 respectively for static stability. On the other hand, dynamic postural stability (SEBT) showed significant difference in all direction except on right leg; anteromedial, anterolateral and right and left posterior direction. Conclusions: Chronic low back pain group showed reduction in static and dynamic postural stability as compared to normals’.