Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and C infections among pregnant women

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are serious public health problem affecting billions of people globally with maternal-fetaltransmission on the rise. This study sought to determine the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among pregnant women attending integral institute of medical sciences and research hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.Methods: In this cross-sectional study 345 pregnant women were recruited from the integral institute of medical sciences and research hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Blood samples were collected for the detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data and identify the risk factors associated with the two infections. Ethical clearances were taken from the institution. Data tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.Results: Out of total 345 samples of pregnant females examined during the study. In which, 20(5.8%) were seropositive for hepatitis B and 6(1.7%) positive for hepatitis C among pregnant women.8.8% positive for hepatitis B among pregnant females in their age group 15-25. Maximum non-reactive patients of hepatitis C (99.9%) belongs to age group (15-25). 33.3% hepatitis B positive out of total blood transfusion cases. Patients having previous history surgery, in which 24.2% positive with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B and C positive patients having abdominal pain were 9.3% and 3.1% respectively. Patients were having history of jaundice, in which 55.6% and 33.3% suffering with hepatitis B and C.Conclusions: The need to institute public health measures to reduce disease burden and transmission, including routine screening of all pregnant mothers for HBV and HCV infections Factors associated with higher rate of HBV and HCV infections include advancing age, low level of education, tattooing, blood transfusion, and history of jaundice.

A study on length of stay and its predictors among dengue patients in a tertiary care institute in Lucknow

Background: Dengue virus infection is a growing health problem and is prevalent throughout India. Research focusing on length of hospital stay and its predictors is scarce from India. This is important considering the burden of the disease during epidemics and impact on hospital admissions. Hence the study was conducted with the objectives to find out the factors influencing the length of stay in hospital of dengue patients.Methods: A cross sectional retrospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care hospital from August 2016 to October 2016. Data was retrieved from case sheets at Medical Record Department of 350 lab confirmed adult dengue patients admitted in the hospital.Results: The majority of patients admitted were of economically productive age group of 18-45 years and males indicating the occupational exposure to the vector of dengue. The study found that majority had length of stay of less than a week and as age increases the length of stay also increases (statistically significant). The nil case fatality and lesser number of mean days of symptoms before admission possibly indicate that early arrival of patients to hospital can lead to very low fatality rates. Further research required to find out the other predictors of length of stay.Conclusions: The study concludes that the dengue affects the economically productive age group and more males thereby indicating occupational exposure to the vector. The age of the patient can be used as an indicator to the length of stay in the hospital.

A study of waist circumference and waist-hip ratio as markers of type 2 diabetes mellitus in an urban population of district Bareilly

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus belongs to a group of diseases labelled as lifestyle diseases and is on the rise in Asians especially Indians. Hence finding bio-markers is important to warn people and create awareness. Aim of the present study is to estimate waist-hip ratio, waist circumference in type 2 diabetic patients with respect to gender. Methods: A cross-sectional, community based study was conducted from February 2014 to February 2015 among adults in the age group of 30 year and above residing in area covered under UHTC of Bareilly City. A simple random sampling technique was adopted to achieve the desired sample size. 640 is the sample size came out to be by applying 3.8 4𝑃𝑄/d2 formula. Subject’s waist circumference, waist-hip ratio was measured in study samples. House to house survey was done for collecting data. Data tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Prevalence of DM and IFG was more in those who were having high waist circumference and the association was also found to be statistically significant. The association was also found statistically significant between male high waist hip ratio and Diabetes Mellitus but no association was seen between female’s high waist-hip ratio and Diabetes Mellitus.Conclusions: High waist circumference can be a screening procedure for DM individuals in both sexes, but the same scenario we haven’t seen in high waist hip ratio among females and prevalence of DM. Appropriate waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio values are complex because they are likely influenced by gender and other factors.

A study of rate, indications and maternal morbidity associated with cesarean delivery in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Cesarean section is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in obstetrics worldwide. Over  the last three decades, a tremendous increase in cesarean section rates has been observed globally, which is a cause for concern as procedure is associated with higher morbidity and mortality compared to vaginal delivery. This study was done to analyze the rate and indications for cesarean section and associated maternal morbidity and mortality.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted over a period of 6 months from 1st October 2017 to 31st March 2018 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Integral Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Lucknow, India. Data of patients who were admitted for delivery in department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in OPD or emergency were recorded. Statistical analysis of various parameters namely, the cesarean section rates, its indications, the patient’s morbidity and mortality was done.Results: The total numbers of women delivered over the study period were 577, out of which 210 patients underwent cesarean sections. The overall cesarean section rate in our study was 36.39%. Previous cesarean section was the leading indication of cesarean section (31.9%) followed by arrest of labor (18.1%), CPD (14.2%), and fetal distress (12.9%). Breech presentation (5.2%), failed induction of labor (4.8%), pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) (3.8%), oligohydramnios (3.3%), obstructed labor (2.4%), APH (1.4%), multiple pregnancy and BOH accounted for 0.95% of cesarean sections. 9% patients had few complications mainly minor wound infection (2.4%) and postpartum hemorrhage (2%). There was no mortality during this period.Conclusions: Previous cesarean section has been found to be the main indication for cesarean section. So primary cesarean section should be reduced to decrease the overall cesarean rates. A comprehensive, evidence based approach needs to be introduced to monitor indication of all cesarean section.

Restraint stress-induced central monoaminergic & oxidative changes in rats & their prevention by novel Ocimum sanctum compounds.

Background & objectives: Ocimum sanctum (OS) is known to possess various therapeutic properties. We have earlier isolated and characterized three OS compounds; Ocimarin, Ocimumoside A and Ocimumoside B. However, their role in modulating stress-induced central changes is unexplored. Thus, the present study was aimed to investigate the effect of these OS compounds on restraint stress (RS)-induced changes in the monoaminergic and antioxidant systems in the frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus of rats. Methods: RS was produced by immobilizing (restraining) the Sprague Dawley rats for a period of 2.5 h inside cylindrical steel tubes. The monoamine levels and the in vivo antioxidant status in brain regions were evaluated by HPLC-EC and spectrophotometric assays, respectively. Results: RS significantly increased the dopamine levels in the frontal cortex and decreased in the striatum and hippocampus, and accompanied with selective increase of dopamine metabolites compared to the NS control group. The serotonin and its metabolite levels were significantly increased, while noradrenaline levels were decreased by RS in the three brain regions studied. The activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the frontal cortex and striatum were significantly increased by RS with decreased glutathione levels and increased lipid peroxidation. Pre-treatment with Ocimumoside A and B (40 mg/kg po) for a period of 3 days prevented the RS-induced changes with an efficacy similar to that of standard anti-stress (Panax quinquefolium; 100 mg/kg po) and antioxidant (Melatonin; 20 mg/kg ip) drugs, while, Ocimarin failed to modulate these changes. OS compounds per se had no effect on these parameters. Interpretation & conclusions: The present findings showed the anti-stress potential of Ocimumoside A and B in relation to their simultaneous modulatory effects on the central monoaminergic and antioxidant systems implicating their therapeutic importance in stress-related disorders. Further studies are required to understand the mechanism of action of these compounds.

Screening and partial immunochemical characterization of sulfite oxidase from plant source.

Sulfite oxidase [SO; EC 1.8.3.1] catalyses the physiologically vital oxidation of sulfite to sulfate, the terminal reaction in degradation of sulfur containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Sulfite oxidase from vertebrate sources is among the best studied molybdenum enzymes. Existence of SO in plants has been established recently by identification of a cDNA from Arabidopsis thaliana encoding a functional SO. The present study was undertaken to identify herbaceous and woody plants (viz., Azardirachta indica L., Cassia fistula L., Saraca indica L., Spinacea oleracea L., and Syzyzium cumini L.), a relatively less explored source, having significant SO activity and to characterize some of its immuno-biochemical properties. The Syzyzium cumini was chosen to characterize SO as it showed maximum enzyme activity in the crude extract as compared to other plants. Absorption spectra of SO revealed two peaks at 235 and 277 nm, but no distinct peak in the visible region could be observed. Crude extract of all the plants were taken into considerations for immuno-biochemical studies. Despite of significant protein structure-functional similarities between plant and animal SO, no cross-reactivity could be established between the two sources of SO. These data suggested that plants SO, however, differed with regards to their immuno-biochemical properties.

Purification and characterization of sulfite oxidase from goat liver.

Sulfite oxidase (EC 1.8.3.1) catalyzes the physiologically vital oxidation of sulfite to sulfate, the terminal reaction in the degradation of sulfur containing amino acids. Genetic deficiency related to human sulfite oxidase is associated with the severe clinical abnormalities with no effective therapies known, making the enzyme of immense biomedical importance. In the present study, sulfite oxidase was been purified from the goat tissues, a hitherto unexplored source, in particular from the liver, and its physico and biochemical properties were characterized. The liver was chosen as it showed the highest activity, compared to kidney and muscle. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by salting out, gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. It was a dimer (113 kDa) having two identical subunits (56 kDa) and did not contain free sulfhydryl groups. Its spectral analysis showed the presence of heme and molybdenum. circular dichroism (CD) spectra in near and far-UV regions showed the presence of significant amounts of secondary structures (45% alpha helix, 9% beta structure and 26% beta turn and remaining random coil) in the native molecule. The kinetic and hydrodynamic properties of the enzyme were also determined. Results also showed that ferricyanide was 8-times more effective electron acceptor than its physiological acceptor cytochrome c. The limited N-terminal analysis of the enzyme revealed the sequence up to six amino acids Trp-Glu-Pro-Ser-Gly-Ala. Together, these results suggested the liver was a major source of sulfite oxidase in goat and most of its physico-chemical, except secondary structure and amino acid sequence from N-terminal and biological properties were fairly similar to the sulfite oxidase isolated from other mammalian species/organs.