Respiratory symptoms among auto rickshaw drivers of Mangaluru

Background: Auto rickshaw drivers spend their maximum time in polluted, dangerous, and very noisy environment. They are exposed to harmful pollutant gas such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide which can contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, breathlessness, and chest pain. Objectives: The present study was aimed to estimate respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among auto rickshaw drivers. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among auto rickshaw drivers working in Mangaluru. Information regarding sociodemographic profile, dietary habits, addictions, and working hours were collected, and respiratory examination along with PEFR estimation was done. Results: The maximum study participants were in the age group of 41–50 years, and 56.4% participants were working for >10 h per day. The main respiratory symptoms were breathlessness (28.7%) followed by cough (19.7%). Among 188 study participants, 61 (32.4%) had low PEFR. Conclusion: The respiratory symptoms are quite high among auto rickshaw drivers, and there is a need to increase awareness among them for the prevention of occupational disease.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activities of Schiff bases of 2-amino-4-(O-chloroanilino)-1, 3-thiazole.

A novel series of schiff bases of 2-amino-4-(o-chloro anilino)-1, 3-thiazole (3a-3j) were synthesized and screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The structures of these compounds were ascertained by UV, IR, 1H NMR, mass spectra and elemental analysis. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized schiff bases were evaluated against Gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Gram negative bacteria like Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia. All the compounds had shown moderate to significant antibacterial activity amongst them; compound 3e exhibited more significant activity against the tested bacteria. The antifungal activity was screened against two strains of fungi such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. Similar to antibacterial activity compound 3e exhibited significant antifungal activity. The standard drugs Amoxycillin and Amphotericin B were used to screen antibacterial and antifungal activity at 10μg/ml respectively. Interestingly compound 3e had shown more prominent inhibitory activity against the tested bacteria and fungi.

Bilateral Congenital Cataract Associated with Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia: A case Report.

Cataract in children has varied etiology. It may be associated with systemic diseases including skeletal dysplasias. However cataract in Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia is a rare association. A child presented with bilateral dense posterior sub capsular cataract and multiple bony abnormalities. Clinical and radiographic findings suggested the disease to be Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia. The aim of presenting this case is to report a case of congenital cataract having a rare association with the Multipe Epiphyseal Dyspalsia.

Free radical reactions of a naturally occurring flavone baicalein and possible mechanisms towards its membrane protective properties.

Baicalein (5, 6, 7-trihydroxy-2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one), a naturally occurring flavone present in some of the medicinal plants is known for its potential therapeutic effects, such as cardioprotective, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, detailed role and mechanisms behind its protective properties against different generators for oxidative stress have not been examined. In the present study, we investigated the possible protective ability of baicalein against the membrane damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and the mechanisms involved using pulse radiolysis technique. Baicalein offered efficient protection even at a concentration of 10 M towards membrane damage caused by lipid peroxidation induced by the -radiation, peroxyl radicals, ascorbate-Fe2+ and peroxynitrite in rat liver mitochondria and heart homogenate. To elucidate its reaction mechanisms with biologically relevant radicals, transient absorption spectroscopy employing pulse radiolysis technique was used. Baicalein showed fairly high rate constants (3.7 × 109, 1.3 × 109 and 8.0 × 108 dm3 mol-1 s-1 for hydroxyl, azidyl and alkylchloroperoxyl radicals, respectively), suggesting that baicalein can act as an effective scavenger of these radicals. In each case, the phenoxyl radical of baicalein was generated. Thus, it was evident that the phenolic moiety of baicalein was responsible for the free radical scavenging process. Baicalein also reacts with linoleic acid peroxyl radical (LOO·), indicating its ability to act as a chain breaking antioxidant. Peroxynitrite-mediated radicals were shown to be reactive towards baicalein and the bimolecular rate constants were 2.5 × 107 and 3 × 108 dm3 mol-1 s-1 for ·NO2 and CO3·- radicals, respectively. In conclusion, our results revealed the potential of baicalein in protecting mitochondrial membrane against oxidative damage induced by the four different agents. We propose that the protective effect is mediated via scavenging of primary and secondary radicals generated during oxidative stress.

Intraluminal migration of Gossypiboma without intestinal obstruction for fourteen years.

A 55 years lady presented with dull aching right upper abdominal pain with intermittent episodes of diarrhea following cholecystectomy which she underwent fourteen years back. Ultrasound and computed tomography findings were suggestive of foreign body in right subhepatic space. Exploratory laparotomy revealed circumvented loop of ileum with intra luminal mass sized 5 x 10 cm, resection anastomosis of the segment of ileum was performed. When opened it contained a surgical sponge with no external communication but an internal fistulous tract was present between the proximal and distal loops beyond the mass. Though intraluminal migration of retained surgical sponge has often been reported, complete intraluminal migration without features of obstruction or external opening is rarely seen.

Retinopathy of prematurity in a tertiary care hospital in eastern Nepal.

World Health Organization's Vision 2020 program has recognized Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) as an important cause of childhood blindness in industrialized and developing countries. In the last few years, it has been identified in many under developed countries as well, as a result of improved neonatal intensive care. In Nepal, ROP screening is carried out in a few tertiary hospitals but there is no published data on this disease. The purpose of this study was to find out the incidence, severity and risk factors of ROP among infants screened in a tertiary care hospital in the Eastern Region of Nepal. A prospective cohort study was carried out in neonates with gestational age of 34 weeks or less and, or birth weight of 1700 gm or less born over the period of one year. Dilated fundus examination of all babies was done by indirect ophthalmoscopy between 2-4 weeks after birth and followed up till the retinal vascularization was complete. Classification of ROP was done according to international classification (ICROP). Maternal and neonatal risk factors were also noted. A total of 55 babies fulfilled the screening criteria. ROP was present in 25.45% (n=14) of the babies. Threshold disease was noted in 5.45% (n=3) of the babies screened. Low birth weight (p<0.01) and low gestational age (p<0.01) was significantly associated with the incidence of ROP. Oxygen supplementation (p=<0.01) was an independent risk factor. ROP screening should be performed in all preterm low birth weight infants where there is availability of good neonatal intensive care units. The examination should be intensified in those having risk factors like oxygen. Further studies in the other tertiary care hospitals in Nepal would help to establish the screening criteria for Nepalese infants.

Role of serum C-reactive protein and leukocyte count in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in Nepalese population.

Various diagnostic modalities have been reported to influence the negative appendicectomy. C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase reactant, may improve the accuracy of diagnosing acute appendicitis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the utility of CRP as a diagnostic tool among patients clinically suspected to have acute appendicitis. The role of total leukocyte (WBC) count was also studied. A total of 145 diagnosed cases of acute appendicitis were studied over a period of one and half years. CRP was raised in 91 cases and was normal in 54 cases. The sensitivity and specificity of CRP estimation in diagnosing appendicitis was 74.8% and 66.7% respectively and the sensitivity and specificity for total WBC count was 78.6 and 54.8% respectively. The present study suggests that we cannot rely wholly on CRP or on WBC count for operative decision. Clinical judgment is still the best modality for the diagnosis and operative management of acute appendicitis. It seems wiser to use active observation, which should identify most patients with non-specific pain and reserve operation for those who need it most.

Etiology and clinical profile of pediatric cataract in a tertiary care center of Eastern Nepal.

Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness in children. There are very few studies from Nepal on pediatric cataract. The present study is an attempt to get information on clinical profile and etiology of cataract in pediatric age group with an emphasis on preventable factors. A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out in a tertiary referral hospital in Eastern region of Nepal. After obtaining detail history, all children upto 14 years of age with cataract underwent examination under slit lamp or the operating microscope. Cataract is broadly classified into traumatic and non-traumatic groups. TORCH test for rubella, random blood sugar, urine reducing substance, chromosomal analysis were done in children with non-traumatic cataract Out of 172 children 34 (88%) had non-traumatic and 65 (12%) traumatic cataract. The mean age was 5.63 +/- 3.59 years and 7.39 +/- 3.94 years in non-traumatic group and traumatic group respectively. 8 (9.82%) patients with non-traumatic cataract were below the age of one year. Among non-traumatic cataract, 42 (37.50%) had hereditary, 9 (8.03%) had systemic syndromes, 5 (4.46%) had cataract due to maternal infection, 3 (2.67%) had metabolic disorder. While 11 (9.82%) cataract were associated with other ocular dysmorphology, cause was not ascertained in 31 (idiopathic). 11 (9.82%) had complicated cataract. 24.1% (n=27) of children with bilateral cataract had nystagmus at the time of presentation to hospital. In traumatic group, play related injuries were more common than household injuries. A very few children were below one year of age at the time of presentation to hospital. Establishing pediatric vision screening program in the primary health posts, genetic counseling, maternal immunization, health education to school children and use of safety glasses are some important measures that could prevent cataract blindness in our children.