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Purpose: To determine agreement between diurnal variation testing (DVT) of intraocular pressure (IOP) with Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and iCare HOME (IH) by an optometrist (OP) and home monitoring by participants (PT). Methods: Patients (18–80 years) with glaucoma and suspects were enrolled. IH IOP and GAT were taken by an OP at 2 h intervals from 8 AM to 4 PM on Day 1 and PT between 6 AM and 9 PM, for the next 2 days. IOP, date, and time were viewed via iCare LINK software. Results: In total, 72.9% (51/70) PT trained were able to take reliable readings. One hundred two eyes (51 patients, age 53 ± 16 yrs) were analyzed. Correlation between optometrist (OP) and participants (PT) was strong and positive {IH OP?IH PT? r = 0.90, p?0.0001;IH PT?GAT? r = 0.79, p?0.0001}. Agreement by Bland Altman plots was limited {IH OP?IH PT mean 0.1 mmHg (95% LOA ?5.3 to 5.5), IH PT?GAT 2.2 mmHg (?5.7 to 10.1)}. Intraclass correlation coefficient for IH OP?IH PT was 1.18 (95% CI 1.37?1.09). Intradevice {0.95 (95% CI 0.94?0.97)} and interrater repeatability {0.91 (0.79–0.96)} were good. 37% of eyes had a synchronous peak on GAT and IH during the day DVT. Conclusion: Home tonometry by iCare HOME is easy, feasible, but due to limited agreement cannot substitute GAT DVT.
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Medicinal plants are considered colossal producers of bioactive therapeutics agents. Fruit is an essential part of the human diet and is of great interest because of its richness in phytochemicals. The present study was chosen the objectives are assessment the antibacterial activity against the dominantly affected seven Urinary Tract Infected (UTI) pathogenic bacterial species plant leaf extracts and fruits such as Mentha piperita (L.), Flacourtia jangomas (Lour) Raeusch. Experimental UTI pathogenic organisms named as Alcaligens sp., Kliebsiella sp., E. coli, Proteus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Hence the current result has been clearly depicted that the methanol extract of Mentha piperita leaf expressed the potential signicant antibacterial activity against the ve UTI pathogenic organisms such as Alcaligens sp., and Klebsirlla sp. Proteus species and Pseudomonas sp., than other two experimental extracts of benzene and ethanol. From the present result clearly noticed three elucidated compounds are act as an antibacterial bio-compounds such Octadecanoic acid methyl ester, 1, 2, 4, 5-tetramethyl Piperone and α-Propyl tetradecanol present in methanol leaf.extract of M. piperita (L.) plant. Similarly F. jangomas (Lou.) fruit extract (methanol).possessed the antibacterial property biologically effective compounds named as Lavandulol, α-Humulene and Terpineol. Therefore, both experimental plant leaf and fruit extract possessed signicant antibacterial activity against the tested seven UTI clinical pathogenic organisms Furthermore nanoparticle study also denoted both experimental methanol extracts of M. piperita (L.), (leaf) F.jangomas (Lour) expressed the signicant nanoparticle production. It was noticed the range between 21.50 to 41.03nm and 60.52 to 19.22nm. for M. piperita (L.) F. jangomas fruit juice extract respectively. From the current research clearly showed that methanol extract of both experimental samples could be act as a potential traditional plant based medicines for urinary tract infected diseases.
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Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized as a leading public health problem worldwide. The global estimated prevalence of CKD is 13.4%. Kidney plays a critical role in regulating serum levels of Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphate. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium homeostasis is altered in chronic kidney disease(CKD). Objective Objective: of the study is to establish the correlation of increase in serum creatinine levels with Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphate levels in patients. Design & Methods: This observational retrospective study included patients attending nephrology department in tertiary care centre for a period of two months. In total, 229 patients' data was accessed from the medical records. Patients were grouped in 5 groups based on serum Results: creatinine levels. Group I with serum creatinine levels of 0.5mg/dl to 0.8mg/dl, group II with serum creatinine levels of 0.8 to 1.1mg/dl, group III with serum creatinine levels of 1.1 to 3mg/dl, group IV with serum creatinine levels of 3 to 6mg/dl, group V with serum creatinine levels above 6mg/dl. Overall from group I to Group V , Serum Calcium showed negative and significant correlation, Serum phosphorus levels showed positive and significant correlation, Serum magnesium showed negative and insignificant correlation with serum creatinine. As Conclusions: serum creatinine increases, more patients show decline in serum calcium levels and serum magnesium levels and increase in serum inorganic phosphorus levels. Hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia and hyperphosphatemia have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in cases of CKD. Hypomagnesemia has possible association with rapid decline in kidney function. Therefore, regular analysis of these parameters is important for predicting the prognosis of CKD and cardiovascular risk in cases of CKD.
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Background: Posterior polar cataracts are challenging even for skilled cataract surgeons due to the high risk of posterior capsule rupture and vitreous loss during cataract surgery; hence, it is important to know how to manage such cases. Purpose: In this video, we describe the necessary precautions and steps to be taken to prevent and manage complications in phacoemulsification cataract surgery for posterior polar cataracts. Synopsis: The video contains ten tips to follow to avoid complications while performing phacoemulsification cataract surgery in patients with posterior polar cataracts and includes preoperative identification on slit?lamp examination, size of capsulorhexis, avoidance of hydrodissection, technique of nucleus management, viscoelastic injection to keep the anterior chamber formed, epinucleus and cortical matter removal, posterior capsular rupture management, anterior vitrectomy, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with posterior capsular rupture. Highlights: The video highlights ten different steps to be followed in the surgical management of patients with posterior polar cataract which, if followed meticulously, can give excellent outcomes in these patients. Conclusion: Posterior polar cataracts can be managed with phacoemulsification,with good visual outcomes if these precautions are followed.
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Background@#Local anesthesia has been reliably used to control pain during dental procedures and is important in pediatric dentistry. However, children occasionally complain of prolonged numbness after dental treatment, leading to several problems. Studies conducted to reverse the effect of local anesthesia using phentolamine mesylate and photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) are encouraging but limited. PBM is a type of light therapy that utilizes visible and near-infrared non-ionizing electromagnetic spectral light sources. Hence, this study used this modality to compare the reversal of local anesthesia at two different wavelengths. This study compared the effect of PBM at 660 and 810 nm wavelengths on the reversal of soft tissue local anesthesia using a diode LASER in pediatric dentistry.Method: Informed consent and assent were obtained, and the participants were then divided randomly into three groups of 20 children each: control group-without LASER irradiation, LASER irradiation at 660 nm, and LASER irradiation at 810 nm. Sixty children aged 4–8 years with deciduous mandibular molars indicated for pulp therapy were administered an inferior alveolar nerve block. After 45 min of injection, a duration that was similar to the approximate duration of treatment, they were exposed to 660- and 810-nm LASER irradiation according to their groups until reversal of local anesthesia was achieved. The control group did not undergo LASER irradiation. The reversal of the soft tissue local anesthetic effect was evaluated using palpation and pin prick tests every 15 min, and the LASER irradiation cycle continued until reversal of the soft tissue local anesthesia was achieved. @*Results@#A significant reduction of 55.5 min (27.6%) in the mean soft tissue local anesthesia reversal time was observed after the application of 810 nm wavelength PBM and 69 min (34.7%) after 660 nm wavelength LASER irradiation. @*Conclusion@#PBM with a 660 nm wavelength was more effective in reducing the mean soft tissue local anesthesia reversal duration, and thus can be used as a reversal agent for soft tissue local anesthesia in pediatric dentistry.
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@#Introduction: The increased prevalence of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) in the last few years relates to the increased consumption of areca nut(AN) products. OSMF is a premalignant condition and risk to progression to oral cancer is more when AN is chewed along with tobacco. Moreover, high copper content in AN is responsible for fibroblast dysfunction and fibrosis. This study was conducted with aim to assess and compare pH and copper content of raw AN and popular Indian commercial AN based (with and without tobacco) products. Method: Six samples each of twelve different brands of AN based commercial products i.e. six without tobacco (pan masala) and with tobacco were analyzed for pH and then the samples were dried, and powdered for estimation of the copper content. Results: For the six raw areca nuts (sample 1-6), the pH was found to range from 3.06±1.08 to 5.04±0.81, among the six non tobacco containing samples (sample 7-12), the pH was found to range from 6.03±1.08 to 9.09±0.81, and for six tobacco containing samples (sample 13-18), the pH was found to range from 9.18±0.90 to 11.07±0.09. The mean copper concentration among raw areca nut samples (sample 1-6) was 4.05±0.18 μg/g, among non-tobacco containing samples (sample 7-12) it was 10.17±1.08μg/g and among tobacco samples (sample 13-18),it was 18.09±1.08 μg/g (p<0.001). Conclusion: High copper content present in quid and commercial AN may be a causative factor for an increased fibrosis in OSMF, our findings need evaluation by further research and standardization.
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The Present study aims to discuss the Land use pattern and Land use Efficiency of the Kurnool District. Land Resource are limited, it can be said that non- renewable Resources. The key task is in their rational use, which hangs from their effectiveness. Agricultural land use efficiency is the main factor that has a significant impact on the socio-economic situation both in individual regions and in the country as a whole. Land use data is important in analysis of environmental process and understanding its problems, if the living conditions and standards to be improved or maintained at current level and to avoid the adverse development. The Kurnool district has at typical geographical aspects and climatic variation comparatively from the other districts of Rayalaseema region. The district is rich in regur, ferruginous soils which constitute about 60 and 40 percentages respectively. The crops mainly raised are paddy, jower, Pulses, cotton, Ground nut. The annual average precipitation of the district is 653 mm. Its land use components are Net sown area, forest, current fallows, Land put to the non-agricultural use, Barren & Uncultivable land, other fallow lands, cultivable waste land, Permanent Pasture and other grazing lands, misc. tree crops and groves. The depth to water level ranges from 2.20 to 12.67 m bgl. The Increasing population puts enormous pressure on the land in the district. As a result, the land use pattern of the district keeps on changing. The agricultural lands are being acquired for human settlements and various Developmental activities. The forest land has been increased due enhancement of social forestry. The district is predominantly farmed via Rain fed agriculture. Low rainfall, labour scarcity and lack of irrigation facilities have had its impacts on the land; many areas formerly under cultivation have been transformed in to waste lands and uncultivable lands.
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Background: A study on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) in patients above and below forty years of age. Aims: To compare the clinicopathological features of OSCC in patients below and above 40 years using STNMP [S-site, T- Tumor, N- Node, M – Metastasis, P- Pathology] staging system. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study with data of patients reported with OSCC from January 2015 to September 2019 in the Department of Oral Pathology and Department of Radiotherapy, was done and analyzed using Chi-square test. The 937 study subjects obtained were categorized according to age as Group I (? 40 years) and Group II (?>40 years). A comparative study of clinicopathological variables using STNMP staging was done. Statistical analysis used: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 Results: Of the 937 cases of OSCC, 87 were in Group I and 850 in Group II. Both the groups showed a male predilection. Tongue was the most common site among Group I and the buccal mucosa in Group II. STNMP staging of OSCC showed a higher percentage of individuals in the most advanced stage of the disease Stage IV, 42.5% and 32.2% in Group I and Group II respectively. Conclusions: Both the study groups showed a higher percentage of OSCC presentation in Stage IV which highlights the need for routine oral screening and awareness campaigns about OSCC. Study also points out the advantage of STNMP staging system in giving a detailed information about the tumor which makes it easy for future analysis.
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During the study period we recorded 29 species The fish production plays a significant role in the human economy. India has vast potential for development of inland fisheries. In the present study an attempt has been made to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristic features and fish fauna diversity of Kolleru Lake Eluru District. It proposed to enhancement of fish production in a sub urban perennial water body in Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh. The study was conducted during May 2021 to April 2022. The study revealed that different regions of the tank receive variable precipitation and hence meteorological factors governing the physico-chemical properties of the tank which in turn influence planktonic diversity and so that all the physico-chemical and biological factors have direct influence on the fish production. The present study, it observed that all the physico-chemical parameters are at nearly permissible limit at all the 3 identified stations. It is estimated that the fish fauna of Kolleru Lake consists of 29 species belonging to 12 families. Among the collections 10 species of Cypriniformes, order Siluriformes consists of 5 species, Channiformes consists of 05 species, Perciformes 03 species, and Osteoglossiformes 01 species. Therefore, it is suggested that the immediate measures may be to avoid further contamination of this Lake which has been started contaminated due to anthropological activities. Finally it may be concluded that the Kolleru Lake is rich in fish diversity and is still in a position to set a good example of conservation of native fish fauna by the sustainable management practices.
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Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a serious condition that occurs due to postinfectious immune-mediated hyperinflammatory reaction seen in children, which develops after 4–6 weeks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection; it is rare in neonates. We present here a case of a term newborn with fever, respiratory distress, and necrotic skin lesion that gradually progressed to multisystem dysfunction. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 was negative for both mother and the baby. SARS-CoV-2 IgG titer was negative in the mother but was found to be positive in the newborn. The diagnosis of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonate was made and was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids.
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Background: Although there have been numerous studies on dental caries in children with Down syndrome, the reports are conflicting. Studies on salivary chemical composition of children with Down syndrome are limited. Aim: The study aims to evaluate and compare the dental caries experience, salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, and concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, total proteins, and sialic acid in children with Down syndrome and healthy controls. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Forty subjects with Down syndrome aged 5–18 years fulfilling the eligibility criteria from six special schools were selected by snowball sampling. Sixty healthy controls from six neighborhood schools fulfilling the eligibility criteria were selected by simple random sampling by matching the age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Sociodemographic data, oral hygiene practices, diet history and dental caries experience were recorded. About 6 mL of stimulated whole saliva was collected. Salivary flow rate, salivary pH, buffering capacity, and the concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, total proteins, and sialic acid were determined. Results: There was no significant difference in the mean proportional caries rate between the study and control group (P = 0.90). Salivary pH (P = 0.00) and salivary sodium concentration (P = 0.02) were significantly low in the study group than the control group. Salivary buffering capacity was significantly higher in the study group than the control group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Dental caries experience of children with Down syndrome was similar to the healthy controls. School health programs could be implemented in special schools to improve oral and general health of special children.
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Background: HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 32 million lives so far. Medical and nursing students are future health care workers. Thus, medical and nursing students should be provided with detailed knowledge about HIV and related issues in order to provide high quality, nonjudgmental services that will engage key populations at risk of HIV. Study is done to estimate the awareness regarding HIV/AIDS among medical and nursing students and to compare the awareness associated with HIV/AIDS among medical and nursing students. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 259 medical and nursing students from a tertiary care hospital in Raichur city between 1st October 2019 to 31st January 2020, using a pre-designed, semi- structured questionnaire, after taking consent, the questionnaire was distributed to students which were answered by self administration. Qualitative data was analyzed using Chi-square test and independent sample t test. Results: Out of 259 students, majority 160 (61.78%) belong to age 18 years, 147 (56.76%) were male, 212 (81.85%) were Hindus. 197 (76.06%) students were not attended any training programme on HIV/AIDS. Difference was found in medical and nursing students of their knowledge and Practices scores were statistically signi?cant i.e., P < 0.05.Conclusion: The medical students have high knowledge and practice scores compared to nursing students
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Tobacco use is one of the major public health problems in India and also the single most important remediable public health problem. Tobacco cessation is the need of the hour. The dentists have a unique opportunity and professional obligation to be a positive influence in reducing the economic and social burden inflicted by tobacco use on dental and general health. However, dentists, in general, have not widely embraced tobacco cessation in practice. In this article, an evidence-based model (an adaptation of the World Health Organization “5As” tobacco cessation model) is presented for the dentist to help patients avoid tobacco initiation, to encourage and assist patients in tobacco cessation
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Purpose: To present varied clinical presentations, surveillance reports, and final visual outcomes of a rare outbreak of cluster endophthalmitis caused by gram?negative, opportunistic bacilli, Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). Methods: Details of five patients who developed postoperative cluster endophthalmitis were collected. For each patient, an undiluted vitreous sample was collected during vitreous tap. Bacterial culture from the vitreous sample in each case had grown Bcc. Surveillance investigations for root cause analysis (RCA) were performed in the operating room (OR), admission, and day?care wards to localize the source. Results: Four patients had undergone phacoemulsification surgery, and one patient had undergone penetrating keratoplasty. Each patient received an initial dose of empiric intravitreal ceftazidime and vancomycin. The organism isolated in each case was sensitive to ceftazidime, cotrimoxazole, and meropenem and resistant to other antibiotics. Core vitrectomy was done after 48–60 hours in four patients along with intravitreal imipenem injection. One patient did not provide consent for core vitrectomy and subsequently developed phthisis bulbi. Three patients had subsequent recurrences. Two patients had a final BCVA of 20/60, two had BCVA better than 20/200, while one patient had no perception of light. None of the surveillance samples from the OR complex could isolate Burkholderia. Conclusion: Extensive OR surveillance should be done to identify the potential source of infection. However, the source may not be identifiable in few instances like in our case. Longer follow?up is recommended in cases of Bcc endophthalmitis due to the persistent nature of the infection
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Purpose@#To assess the perinatal risk factors, clinical characteristics, and microbial profile in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO). @*Methods@#A prospective observational study was conducted in pediatric patients of age <5 years. After a thorough clinical evaluation, the diagnosis of the CNLDO was confirmed by a Jones dye test or fluorescein dye disappearance test. A microbiological culture of lacrimal sac resurge was done with a sterile swab stick without touching the lid margins. Antibiotic susceptibility was then performed for the standard antibiotics. @*Results@#Seventy-one eyes of 52 children were included in the study. The mean age was 3.4 months. Our research found an equal number of cases born via spontaneous vaginal delivery and Caesarean section. Nine children (17.3%) had associated systemic and ocular anomalies. The number of cultures that were positive for any growth was 19 (27%). The most common isolate was Streptococcus pneumoniae which constituted eight cases (42%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.8%), and Escherichia coli (10.5%). Other organisms that grew were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli. Gram-positive organisms were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, amoxiclav, and oxacillin, and most of them were resistant to erythromycin. In comparison, gram-negative organisms showed 62.5% resistance and 37.5% susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. @*Conclusions@#CNLDO was more commonly unilateral, in male, preterm, and normal birth weight infants. Bilateral CNLDO was more commonly associated with coexisting ocular or systemic anomalies. Prematurity, delivery by Caesarean section, and presence of congenital anomalies were associated with a prolonged course. S. pneumoniae was the predominant isolate in our patient population.
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Vitamin D has received considerable optimistic attention as a potentially important factor in many pathological states over the past few decades. However, the proportion of the active form of vitamin D metabolites responsible for biological activity is highly questionable in disease states due to flexible alterations in the enzymes responsible for their metabolism. For instance, CYP3A4 plays a crucial role in the biotransformation of vitamin D and other drug substances. Food-drug and/or drug-drug interactions, the disease state, genetic polymorphism, age, sex, diet, and environmental factors all influence CYP3A4 activity. Genetic polymorphisms in CYP450-encoding genes have received considerable attention in the past few decades due to their extensive impact on the pharmacokinetic and dynamic properties of drugs and endogenous substances. In this review, we focused on CYP3A4 polymorphisms and their interplay with vitamin D metabolism and summarized the role of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis, bone diseases, diabetes, cancer, other diseases, and drug substances. We also reviewed clinical observations pertaining to CYP3A4 polymorphisms among the aforementioned disease conditions. In addition, we highlighted the future perspectives of studying the pharmacogenetics of CYP3A4, which may have potential clinical significance for developing novel diagnostic genetic markers that will ascertain disease risk and progression.
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Objective: To explore the anticoagulant, antiplatelet and antioxidant activities of protein extract of kenaf seed (PEKS). Methods: Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography techniques were employed for protein characterization. Antioxidant activity of PEKS was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The protective effect of PEKS on sodium nitrite (NaNO 2) induced oxidative stress was evaluated using the in vitro red blood cell model, while the effect of PEKS on diclofenac-induced oxidative stress was examined in vivo in rats. Platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasma were used for anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities of PEKS. Results: PEKS revealed similar protein bands on SDS-PAGE under reduced and non-reduced conditions. Several acidic proteins were present in native PAGE. PEKS showed antioxidant properties by scavenging DPPH with an IC 50 of 24.58 μg. PEKS exhibited a protective effect on NaNO 2 induced oxidative stress in red blood cells by restoring the activity of stress markers. In addition, PEKS alleviated diclofenac-induced tissue damage of the liver, kidney, and small intestine. PEKS showed an anticoagulant effect in both in vivo and in vitro experiments by enhancing normal clotting time. PEKS did not affect prothrombin time but increase activated partial thromboplastin time. Furthermore, PEKS inhibited adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. Conclusions: PEKS protects tissues from oxidative stress and exhibits antithrombotic activity.
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Objective: To explore the anticoagulant, antiplatelet and antioxidant activities of protein extract of kenaf seed (PEKS). Methods: Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography techniques were employed for protein characterization. Antioxidant activity of PEKS was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The protective effect of PEKS on sodium nitrite (NaNO 2) induced oxidative stress was evaluated using the in vitro red blood cell model, while the effect of PEKS on diclofenac-induced oxidative stress was examined in vivo in rats. Platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasma were used for anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities of PEKS. Results: PEKS revealed similar protein bands on SDS-PAGE under reduced and non-reduced conditions. Several acidic proteins were present in native PAGE. PEKS showed antioxidant properties by scavenging DPPH with an IC 50 of 24.58 μg. PEKS exhibited a protective effect on NaNO 2 induced oxidative stress in red blood cells by restoring the activity of stress markers. In addition, PEKS alleviated diclofenac-induced tissue damage of the liver, kidney, and small intestine. PEKS showed an anticoagulant effect in both in vivo and in vitro experiments by enhancing normal clotting time. PEKS did not affect prothrombin time but increase activated partial thromboplastin time. Furthermore, PEKS inhibited adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. Conclusions: PEKS protects tissues from oxidative stress and exhibits antithrombotic activity.
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Purpose: Dentistry is specialized branch for head and neck region. In this field exponential growth in technology has taken place in the last few decades. At the same time dental graduates also increased. As the patient to doctor ratio has increased, it helped in offering services to the needy, but on the flip side, many qualified dentists are shifting careers due to multiple reasons. This study was conducted to know the awareness of dental graduates on their future prospects in pursuing the dental career. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among junior residents who attended the dental conference using a structured questionnaire. Questions are prepared in a customized form which elicits, knowledge and awareness of dental graduates on their future prospects among junior residents. Results: A total of 210 dental graduates/ junior residents participated in the study. Among them, nearly half of the sample, i.e. 42.4% of dental graduates are satisfied only 50% in pursuing dentistry. Most of the participants, i.e., 63.8% are willing to change the profession, while remaining one-third of the sample, i.e., 36.7% are willing to work in government sector. Only a few graduates, i.e. 22.4% of them were interested in teaching or academics. Conclusion: Even though most of the dental graduates were happy in pursuing dentistry, but most of them were willing to change the career option because of a stressful job timing with no expected fruitful returns in terms of income. This problem is also escalating because of fewer job opportunities.
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Purpose@#The objective of the study was to evaluate the type of conjunctival microbial flora in intensive care unit patients and their antimicrobial sensitivity pattern. @*Methods@#A total of 272 samples (conjunctival swabs) were taken from patients in various intensive care units and sent for culture and sensitivity. An ocular examination was done to look for lagophthalmos, conjunctival discharge, exposure keratitis, and corneal perforation. @*Results@#Majority (82.1%) of the samples showed at least one microbial isolate while 29 (10.7%) samples showed multiple microbial growth. The most common microbes were coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. (41.5% of isolates), diphtheroids (11.0% of isolates), and Staphylococcus aureus (9.6% of isolates) which are the usual commensals of the ocular surface. Of the other microbes isolated, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.0%) was the most common. Eighty-four percent isolates of coagulase negative Staphylococcus sp., 81.8% isolates of diphtheroids and 100% isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were penicillin resistant. All isolates of Enterococcus fecalis were sensitive only to vancomycin. Two hundred and twenty eyes (80.9%) had varying degrees of lagophthalmos. Nineteen (7.0%) had severe corneal exposure changes leading to infectious corneal ulcer and perforation in all of them. @*Conclusions@#The isolates in patients of intensive care units were no different from the normal conjunctival flora though few pathogenic organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter sp. were also isolated. Most of the isolates were penicillin resistant. This knowledge will help take appropriate prophylactic measures to contain ocular infections in the intensive care units.