Association of Dietary Protein on Level of Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Antral Follicle Count (AFC) in Patients of Infertility

Background : “Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive within a year with normal frequency of sexual intercourse and no contraceptives.” Relatively little is known about the effect of nutritional content on fertility. Objective : To study the correlation of level of AMH and AFC with dietary habits especially protein intake in patients of infertility. Material and Methods : It is hospital based study. Design of study : Cross sectional study. Place of study : Teerthankar Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre, Moradabad, India . Number of Patients : 95 patients of infertility included in the study .Patients were between 30 and 45 years. Time Period : 18 months from January 2020-July 2021. Method : All cases underwent full history taking; clinical examination and all completed a questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire). Main Outcome Measures : Moderate to high protein intake in diet corresponds to those having met their more than 20% calorie intake by protein had a higher mean AMH as well as had a higher mean AFC. Result : Based on the results of the current study the effects of higher protein intake was found to be significant on the level of ovarian reserve . Conclusion : This study suggests that good and healthy Nutrition, rich in proteins , in fertility treatment is required for better outcome and also helps in limiting the financial burden

Epidemiology and Spectrum of lymphoma in a single tertiary care hospital of North India

Background: Non-Hodgkin抯 Lymphoma is a common hematological malignancy. Its incidence and distribution in India are slightly different from developed nations. The study was initiated to obtain the epidemiological, clinical and histopathological spectrum of lymphoma in a single tertiary care hospital of North India. Methods: 104 eligible consecutive cases of lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed from January 2016 to March 2020. Morphology and immunohistochemistry were performed and clinical details were captured from hospital information system. Cases were reclassified according to WHO classification of Tumors of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissue 2017 and also clinically as nodal and extra nodal lymphomas and analyzed. Results: Among the included patients 14.4% patients are diagnosed as Hodgkin抯 lymphoma (HL) while 85.5% belonged to non-Hodgkin抯 lymphoma (NHL). Median age for NHL is 52.5 years. Male outnumbered females in both NHL and HL with ratio of 1.87 and 1.5. Majority of NHL are mature B-cell neoplasm (83.1%), while mature T-cell and NK cell neoplasm are less (14.6%). Most common subtype found is Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (52.8%) followed by Primary diffuse large B cell lymphoma of CNS (15.7%). Primarily nodal Vs extranodal involvement is seen in 51.9% and 48% of cases. Most common extranodal site is CNS followed by GIT and spine. Conclusion: In the present study DLBL is the most common subtype seen in 52.8% of cases in concordance with other studies but the sticking difference here is low incidence of follicular lymphoma and CLL/SLL and a much higher incidence of Primary DLBCL of CNS. There is an Inherited selection bias because the cases are collected from single institution; however, causes and reasons should be more extensively investigated.

Implementation Research: The Need of the Hour

Formative research creates evidence. Evidence-based interventions are implemented in community settings. In the past, evidence-based interventions have failed to get desired outcomes. The tuberculosis control program despite being evidence based did not succeed at the beginning. Similarly, evidence-based treatment of hypertension and diabetes has not yet controlled these diseases. This is where the role of implementation research (IR) starts. IR either as part of evidence-based research or independently should be a part of health programs so that the program shall be able to ensure feasibility, fidelity, penetration, acceptability, sustainability, efficiency, effectiveness, and equity

Episiotomy scar endometriosis: A case report and review of literature

Endometriosis is defined as the presence and growth of endometrial tissue implants, outside the uterine cavity. It is in a episiotomy scar endometriosis that is extremely rare but can lead to significant morbidity in patients due to local infiltration. This condition usually presents with a clinical triad of history of episiotomy, tender nodule at the scar site, and cyclical pain. Here, we report one such rare case of episiotomy scar endometriosis in the perineum of a 30-year-old young female (P1L1) who presented with swelling and pain in the perineal region. The clinical examination and ultrasonography corroborate with the diagnosis of episiotomy scar endometriosis. Excision was done and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Episiotomy scar endometriosis should always be kept in the differential diagnosis when a lady presents with painful perineal swelling which increases during menstruation. Wide local excision is the treatment of choice and confirmation of the lesion can be done with histopathological examination. If the lesion is not diagnosed within a stipulated period of time, can progress with the involvement of the anal sphincters, and may also turn into a malignant lesion.

Kyasanur forest disease and climatic attributes in India

Background & objectives: In India, Kyasanur Forest Disease has been reported from the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra. The relationship between climatic factors and transmission of KFD remains untouched, therefore, the present study was undertaken. Methods: Based on the occurrence of cases, Shivamogga district (Karnataka) and Wayanad district in Kerala and northern Goa (Goa state) were selected for the study. Data on the incidence of KFD and climate factors were collected from concerned authorities. To determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables, spearman’s correlation was calculated for monthly as well as with lag months. Results: KFD cases and temperature (°C) were found significantly correlated up to 1 months’ lag period (p<0.05) while with precipitation relationship was found negatively significant for 0-3 months’ lag. The range of suitable temperature for KFD in Shivamogga, Goa and Wayanad was found as 20-31°C, 25-29°C and 27-31°C respectively. The cumulative precipitation during transmission months (November–May) ranged from <150-500mm, while in non-transmission months (June-October) from >1100-2400mm. Interpretation & conclusion: The analysis of three sites revealed that with the increase in temperature, the intensity of KFD transmission decreases as corroborated by the seasonal fluctuations in Shivamogga, Goa and Wayanad. High precipitation from June to October rovides suitable ecology to tick vector and sets in transmission season from November to May when cumulative precipitation is <500 mm.

Association of Early-Onset Sepsis and Vitamin D Deficiency in Term Neonates

Objective: To determine if vitamin D status is affected in term neonates with early onsetsepsis and its association with outcome. Methods: Study was done at a level 3 neonatal uniton 140 neonates. Term neonates with early onset sepsis (study group, 70 patients) andwithout sepsis (control group, 70 patients) were enrolled. Results: Mean neonatal vitaminD level in the study group was 16.00 (10.49) ng/mL and in the control group, was29.07(8.36) ng/mL (P =0.061). In the study group 80% (n=56) babies had low vitamin Dlevels (<32 ng/mL) among whom 51.7% (n=29) had severe vitamin D deficiency (<11ng/mL).In the control group, 58.5% (n=41) had low vitamin D levels of whom, 9.8% (n=4) hadsevere vitamin D deficiency (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Mortality and highlyprobable sepsis were more common with vitamin D levels <11ng/mL in the study group(P= 0.005 and P=0.006, respectively). Conclusion: Vitamin D is deficient in neonates withearly onset sepsis and is associated with increased sepsis severity and mortality.

Normative Data of Optimally Placed Endotracheal Tube by Point-of-care Ultrasound in Neonates

Objective: To derive normative data of the distance betweenoptimally placed endotracheal tube tip and arch of aorta byultrasound in neonates across different weight and gestation.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit from April 2015to May 2016.Participants: All neonates requiring endotracheal intubation wereeligible for the study.Methods: During intubation, insertional length was determinedusing weight-based formula. The distance between endotrachealtube tip and arch of aorta was measured by ultrasound.Endotracheal tube position was confirmed by chest radiograph.Results: Out of 133 enrolled infants, 101 (75.9%) had optimallyplaced endotracheal tubes. The mean (SD) distance betweenendotracheal tube tip and arch of aorta by ultrasound was 0.78(0.21) cm in infants <1500 g and 1.04 (0.32) cm in infants ≥1500 g.The regression equation to estimate insertional length fromweight, crown heel length (CHL), occipito-frontal circumference(OFC), nasal tragus length (NTL) and sternal length (SL) wereWt(kg)+4.95, 0.15×CHL(cm)+0.57, 0.22×OFC(cm)+0.49, 0.82×NTL(cm)+1.24 and 0.75×SL(cm)+2.26, respectively.Conclusion: Our study reports normative data of the distancebetween optimally placed endotracheal tube tip and arch of aortaby ultrasound in neonates. The distance between endotrachealtube tip and arch of aorta increases with increase in weight andgestation. Insertional length correlates strongly with all theanthropometric parameters

Sellar/Suprasellar Germinoma Masquerading As Pituitary Adenoma

We report a case of sellar/suprasellar germinoma in a 17-year-old female which was misdiagnosed as pituitary adenoma both clinically and on imaging. Patient presented with severe headache of short duration and diminished visual acuity in left eye. Endocrinological work up revealed hyperprolactinemia and markedly reduced blood cortisol. MRI revealed homogenously enhanced intrasellar mass with suprasellar extension showing characteristic dumbbell conguration (snowman sign). Provisional diagnosis of pituitary adenoma was made and transsphenoidal resection of tumor was performed which on histology and immunohistochemistry proved to be germinoma. Sellar/suprasellar germinoma without diabetes insipidus is considered to be very difcult to diagnose preoperatively and the differentiation from pituitary adenoma based on MRI ndings was not possible in this case. However it is suggested that in a child with visual impairment, endocrine dysfunction and sellar/suprasellar mass a possibility of germ cell tumor should always be considered in differential diagnosis and a frozen section has to be performed to avoid excessive dissection.

Histomorphometry of human vermiform appendix

Background: Acute Appendicitis is one of the most common acute abdominal conditions. Advances in modern radiographic imaging have improved diagnostic accuracy, however the diagnosis of appendicitis remains essentially an enigmatic challenege. Though much work has been done on morphometry but there is less work done on variation of histomorphometric features of appendix. Hence the study was carried out by keeping the following objectives in mind. Aim was to study the general histomorphology and measure the histomorphometric parameters of human vermiform appendix. And also, to study diagnostic significance of histomorphology and histomorphometric parameters in causing appendicitis.Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy. Specimens of appendix were obtained from embalmed cadavers. Serial sections were taken at different levels and slides were prepared. The slides were then examined using Nikon Trinocular Research microscope under magnification power of 40x for various parameters, after staining with H&E.Results: The mean luminal diameter varied from 1.32±0.65mm at base to 1.22±0.72mm from base. Diffuse lymphatic tissue was seen in both mucosa and sub-mucosa.Conclusions: Definitely there is a relationship between lymphoid follicle diameter and mucosal-serosal thickness on one hand and that between the luminal diameter and lymphoid follicle diameter on the other hand. Since our study was restricted to geriatric age group so studies need to be done in different age groups to highlight any further relationship.

Erythema Nodosum And Reactive Arthritis Accompanying Tuberculosis: A Case Report

Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most common panniculitis, appearing as crops of erythematous nodules located symmetrically on the anterior aspect of lower extremities. It is precipitated by several infectious and non-infectious causes with primary tuberculosis (TB) being its most common cause in developing countries. Reactive arthritis associated with TB is known as “Poncet’s disease.” It is an aseptic polyarthritis, developing in the presence of active TB elsewhere. We are presenting an interesting case of 12-year-old female child with EN and reactive arthritis. She presented with fever and large joints polyarthritis for 1.5 months and lesions suggestive of EN with anorexia and weight loss with a positive family history of pulmonary TB in two other siblings. On the basis of clinical findings, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and positive Mantoux, the child was diagnosed to have TB with EN and reactive arthritis. Child markedly improved with antitubercular treatment

Intricacies of using temperature of different niches for assessing impact on malaria transmission.

Background & objectives: The influence of temperature on the life cycle of mosquitoes as well as on development of malaria parasite in mosquitoes is well studied. Most of the studies use outdoor temperature for understanding the transmission dynamics and providing projections of malaria. As the mosquitoes breed in water and rest usually indoors, it is logical to relate the transmission dynamics with temperature of micro-niche. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to understand the influence of different formats of temperature of different micro-niches on transmission of malaria for providing more realistic projections. Methods: The study was conducted in one village each of Assam and Uttarakhand States of India. Temperatures recorded from outdoor (air) as well as indoor habitats (resting place of mosquito) were averaged into daily, fortnightly and monthly and were used for determination of transmission windows (TWs) for Plasmodium vivax (Pv) and P. falciparum (Pf) based on minimum temperature threshold required for transmission. Results: The daily temperature was found more useful for calculation of sporogony than fortnightly and monthly temperatures. Monthly TWs were further refined using fortnightly temperature, keeping in view the completion of more than one life cycle of malaria vectors and sporogony of malaria parasite in a month. A linear regression equation was generated to find out the relationship between outdoor and indoor temperatures and R2 to predict the percentage of variation in indoor temperature as a function of outdoor temperature at both localities. Interpretation & conclusions: The study revealed that the indoor temperature was more than outdoors in stable malarious area (Assam) but fluctuating in low endemic area like Uttarakhand. Transmission windows of malaria should be determined by transforming outdoor data to indoor and preferably at fortnightly interval. With daily recorded temperature, sporogonic and gonotrophic cycles can also be calculated which is otherwise not possible with monthly data. The study highlights that the projections made for malaria in view of climate change need to be seen with limitation of difference in outdoor and indoor temperatures at different locations, highlighting the need for local data generation at least at sub-district level.

Widespread inequalities in smoking & smokeless tobacco consumption across wealth quintiles in States of India: Need for targeted interventions.

Background & objectives: India is a large country with each state having distinct social, cultural and economic characteristics. Tobacco epidemic is not uniform across the country. There are wide variations in tobacco consumption across age, sex, regions and socio-economic classes. This study was conducted to understand the wide inequalities in patterns of smoking and smokeless tobacco consumption across various states of India. Methods: Analysis was conducted on Global Adult Tobacco Survey, India (2009-2010) data. Prevalence of both forms of tobacco use and its association with socio-economic determinants was assessed across states and Union Territories of India. Wealth indices were calculated using socio-economic data of the survey. Concentration index of inequality and one way ANOVA assessed economic inequality in tobacco consumption and variation of tobacco consumption across quintiles. Multiple logistic regression was done for tobacco consumption and wealth index adjusting for age, sex, area, education and occupation. Results: Overall prevalence of smoking and smokeless tobacco consumption was 13.9 per cent (14.6, 13.3) and 25.8 per cent (26.6, 25.0), respectively. Prevalence of current smoking varied from 1.6 per cent (richest quintile in Odisha) to 42.2 per cent (poorest quintile in Meghalaya). Prevalence of current smokeless tobacco consumption varied from 1.7 per cent (richest quintile in Jammu and Kashmir) to 59.4 per cent (poorest quintile in Mizoram). Decreasing odds of tobacco consumption with increasing wealth was observed in most of the states. Reverse trend of tobacco consumption was observed in Nagaland. Significant difference in odds of smoking and smokeless tobacco consumption with wealth quintiles was observed. Concentration index of inequality was significant for smoking tobacco -0.7 (-0.62 to-0.78) and not significant for smokeless tobacco consumption -0.15 (0.01to-0.33) Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of our analysis indicate that tobacco control policy and public health interventions need to consider widespread socio-economic inequities in tobacco consumption across the states in India.

Does malaria epidemiology project Cameroon as ‘Africa in miniature.

Cameroon, a west-central African country with a ~20 million population, is commonly regarded as ‘Africa in miniature’ due to the extensive biological and cultural diversities of whole Africa being present in a single-country setting. This country is inhabited by ancestral human lineages in unique eco-climatic conditions and diverse topography. Over 90% Cameroonians are at risk of malaria infection, and ~41% have at least one episode of malaria each year. Historically, the rate of malaria infection in Cameroon has fluctuated over the years; the number of cases was about 2 million in 2010 and 2011. The Cameroonian malaria control programme faces an uphill task due to high prevalence of multidrug-resistant parasites and insecticide-resistant malaria vectors. Above all, continued human migration from the rural to urban areas as well as population exchange with adjoining countries, high rate of ecological instabilities caused by deforestation, poor housing, lack of proper sanitation and drainage system might have resulted in the recent increase in incidences of malaria and other vector-borne diseases in Cameroon. The available data on eco-environmental variability and intricate malaria epidemiology in Cameroon reflect the situation in the whole of Africa, and warrant the need for in-depth study by using modern surveillance tools for meaningful basic understanding of the malaria triangle (host-parasite-vector-environment).

Screw-worm Myiasis of Prolapsed Rectum.

Background: Wound myiasis in the Indian subcontinent is most commonly caused by old world screw-worm (Chrysomya bezziana). Case Report and management: A 4-yearold malnourished girl presented with full thickness rectal prolapse following acute diarrhea with a large wound and screwworm myiasis of the rectum. Turpentine oil was applied to immobilize the maggots followed by manual extraction. Prolapse was successfully treated by manual reduction followed by strapping of the buttocks. Outcome: Child was thriving well and gained 2 kg weight in follow up after two weeks. Message: Parents should be educated about taking care of prolapsed rectum.

Progress in health-related millennium development goals in the WHO South-East Asia Region.

Home to 25% of the world's population and bearing 30% of the Global disease burden, the South-East Asia Region [1] of the World Health Organization has an important role in the progress of global health. Three of the eight million development goal (MDG) goals that relate to health are MDG 4, 5, and 6. There is progress in all three goals within the countries of the region, although the progress varies across countries and even within countries. With concerted and accelerated efforts in some countries and certain specific areas, the region will achieve the targets of the three health MDGs. The key challenges are in sustainable scaling up of evidence-based interventions to improve maternal and child health and controlling communicable diseases. This will require continued focus and investments in strengthening health systems that provide individual and family centered comprehensive package of interventions with equitable reach and that which is provided free at the point of service delivery. Important lessons that have been learnt in implementing the MDG agenda in the past two decades will inform setting up of the post MDG global health agenda. This article provides a snap shot of progress thus far, key challenges and opportunities in WHO South-East Asia Region and lays down the way forward for the global health agenda post 2015.

Climate change and human health: Indian context.

The article reviews the issue of climate change and health in the Indian context. The importance of climate change leading to estimated loss of above 2.5 million DALYs in southeast Asia, mortality due to heat waves, and the importance of air quality related respiratory diseases, disasters due to excessive floods, malnutrition due to reduction in rice, maize and sorghum crops etc. Latest work undertaken in India, vis-a-vis current scenario and need for further work has been discussed. There is felt need of further studies on assessing the impact on dengue and chikungunya as the transmission dynamics of these diseases involve water availability, storage and life style, etc. Uncertainties and knowledge gaps identified in the studies undertaken so far have also been highlighted. As regards to vector borne diseases, there is a need to concentrate in the areas which are presently free from malaria and with use of best available tools of interventions in already disease endemic areas like northeastern states, the risk of climate change impacts can be minimized.

Smokeless tobacco: A major public health problem in the SEA region: A review.

Smokeless tobacco use is on the upswing in some parts of the world, including parts of SEAR. It is therefore important to monitor this problem and understand the possible consequences on public health. Material for this review was obtained from documents and data of the World Health Organization, co-authors, colleagues, and searches on key words in PubMed and on Google. Smokeless tobacco use in SEAR, as betel quid with tobacco, declined with increased marketing of cigarettes from the early twentieth century. Smokeless tobacco use began to increase in the 1970s in South Asia, with the marketing of new products made from areca nut and tobacco and convenient packaging. As a consequence, oral precancerous conditions and cancer incidence in young adults have increased significantly. Thailand's successful policies in reducing betel quid use through school health education from the 1920s and in preventing imports of smokeless tobacco products from 1992 are worth emulating by many SEAR countries. India, the largest manufacturing country of smokeless tobacco in the Region, is considering ways to regulate its production. Best practices require the simultaneous control of smokeless and smoking forms of tobacco. Governments in SEAR would do well to adopt strong measures now to control this problem.