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Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI), a common bacterial infection managed in general practice, is the second most common cause for antibiotic use in primary care setting. Antibiotic prescription is mostly empirical in UTI and it is imperative to choose one highly sensitive drug against the common pathogens. Aims and Objectives: In this study, it has been tried to find out the magnitude of community-acquired UTI in a rural population of West Bengal, its causative agents, and the sensitivity pattern of urinary isolates to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance. Materials and Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional study over 1 year in a rural tertiary care hospital in West Bengal. Culture and sensitivity reports generated from diagnosed UTI patients from the different OPDs of the hospital were analyzed. Results: Out of 603 reports analyzed, culture-positive reports were 463. Escherichia coli was identified to be the most predominant (61.7%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (17.3%). The sensitivity report of the empirically given antibiotics shows that among the oral antibiotics, nitrofurantoin was the most sensitive one (92%) followed by ciprofloxacin (83.1%) and ofloxacin (66%). Among the injectables, amikacin (84.5%) and ceftazidime (81.8%) were the antibiotics having the highest sensitivity. Conclusion: The sensitivity among the uropathogens to the commonly used antibiotics shows higher resistance rate toward norfloxacin, cephalexin, cotrimoxazole, ampicillin, amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav, and cefuroxime. Oral antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin and parenteral antibiotic amikacin have found to be of higher sensitivity among all organisms identified clubbed together.
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Thrombotic microangiopathy is a group of disorders characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and organ damage. Wide age distribution and the heterogeneity in presentation demand a deeper understanding into the pathogenesis of TMA. Primary TMA is distinct from TMA associated with secondary causes and remains clinically occult till a precipitating factor aggravates it. The extent and severity of renal damage caused by each of them is also distinct. The first alerting signal could be the presence of schistiocytes on peripheral smear and arteriolar thrombi on light microscopy. Thus in secondary TMA, identification of the underlying disorder is indispensible for targeted management.
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Background and Aims: Superior imaging techniques have increased the recognition of adrenal pathology. Distinguishing benign from malignant adrenocortical tumors is not always easy. Several criteria and immunohistochemical markers have been discovered which help to differentiate between adrenocortical adenoma (ACA) and adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Our aim here was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) in adult adrenocortical tumors (ACT) diagnosed using the Weiss criteria. In this cohort, we have also analyzed Ki67 and p53 expression and the extent of agreement between SF-1 and Ki-67. Methodology: This was a retrospective, observational study comprising 24 cases of adult ACT over 10 years. Immunohistochemical staining for SF-1, Ki67, and p53 was done in all the cases, and the results correlated with the morphological diagnosis made using Weiss criteria. Results: SF-1 was 100% sensitive and 80% specific as a marker of malignancy. Increased SF-1 expression correlated with worse survival. There was a moderate degree of agreement between Ki-67 labeling-index and SF-1 as a marker of malignancy with the kappa coefficient being 0.75. The sensitivity of p53 was lower than Ki67 in diagnosing ACC. Conclusion: In adult ACTs, SF-1 has diagnostic significance and prognostic implication. SF-1 is a crucial, dosage-dependent survival factor in ACC. There is a moderate extent of agreement between Ki-67 and SF-1 as a marker of malignancy.
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Background: H. pylori-associated gastritis in patients from the high-altitude area of Ladakh showed severe gastritis, mucosal nodularity, atrophy, and cancer in comparison to those from North India. This study served to analyze if differences in the H. pylori virulence genotypes decide the extent of gastric mucosal inflammation. Methods: Fifty gastric biopsies each from patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis from Ladakh and a tertiary care center in North India were included. The presence of H. pylori strain was confirmed with Warthin starry stain and polymerase chain amplification of the H. pylori-specific 16S rRNA. The cagA, vacA s1, s2, and m1, m2 alleles, and dupA virulence genotypes were studied in all archival samples, followed by their histological correlations. Results: cagA (P 0.009) and vacAs1 m1 (P 0.009) genes were distinctly more in H. pylori strains colonizing the biopsies of North Indian patients. In contrast, the cagA -ve vacAs2 m2 strains were significantly more in H. pylori strain colonizing the biopsies from Ladakhi patients. dupA genotype was almost similarly present in strains from both regions. Among these, only cagA and dupA virulence genes were associated with severe mucosal neutrophilic activity and deep infiltration of H. pylori strains in North Indian patients. Conclusions: Differences in virulence genotypes of H. pylori in gastric biopsies from North Indian and Ladakhi patients were found not significant in deciding the severity of H. pylori-associated gastritis.
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Aim: To study the influence of seed priming on the pattern of capsule and seed development in sesame. Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted during the pre kharif seasons of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 in sesame variety Savitri at AB Block farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India. Methodology: Experiment was laid out in split plot design with 3 replications. Ten schedules of seed priming viz T1 (KNO3 @ 10 mM), T2 (KNO3 @ 20 mM), T3 (KNO3 @ 50 mM), T4 (KH2PO4 @ 50 mM), T5 (KH2PO4 @ 100 mM),T6 (KH2PO4 @ 200 mM), T7 [Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 @ -0.4 MPa], T8 [Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 @ -0.3 MPa], T9 [Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 @ -0.2 MPa], T10 Distilled water (Hydro priming) along with control T11 (Dry seed) were taken as main plot treatment and stage of harvest was considered as sub plot treatment. The pattern of capsule and seed development was studied at 10 days after anthesis (DAA), 20 days after anthesis (DAA), 30 days after anthesis (DAA), 40 days after anthesis (DAA) and 50 days after anthesis (DAA) interval. Ten plants from each replication and in each treatment were selected at random to record data on morphological and physiological characters. Results: Fresh capsule length, fresh capsule breadth, fresh capsule weight, fresh seed weight and dry seed weight showed a steady increase up to 40 days after anthesis (DAA) then decreased slowly up to maturity. Conclusion: Considering seed yield and quality parameters, T7 [Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 @ -0.4 MPa] and T9 [Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 @ -0.2 MPa] appears to be ideal among the treatments for quality seed production in sesame.
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Rationale: Crop production and quality of produce get affected by drought, stand establishment and low availability of nutrients. Apart from various prevailing methods, seed treatment through priming now-a-days has been found to noticeably improve crop establishment for increasing seed yield and quality. Aim: To study the effect of various seed priming options on rapeseed-mustard varieties. Place of Study: A field experiment was conducted at AB Block Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India during winter season of 2017-2018. Methodology: Experiment comprised six rapeseed-mustard varieties (Anushka, Sanchita, TBM-143,TBM-204, Kranti and Pusa Bold) in main plot and five seed priming options (KH2PO4 @ 0.15 mol 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1, KNO3 @ 0.1 mol 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1, PEG 6000 @ -0.3 MPa 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1, hydro priming @ 100 ml 5 g seeds-1 and control) in subplot, replicated thrice in a split plot design. Observations on growth and yield contributing parameters were recorded from the field. Further, various quality parameters of seed and seedlings were evaluated in the laboratory. Data on all the parameters were finally statistically analyzed. Results: Among the varieties, Pusa Bold performed better in terms of growth, yield contributing parameters and seed yield under seed priming through either KH2PO4 @ 0.15 mol 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1 or PEG 6000 @ -0.3 MPa 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1. Seed and seedling quality parameters such as root and shoot lengths, seedling fresh and dry weights, germination % and vigour index were also improved under the same. Conclusion: Cultivation of mustard variety, Pusa Bold by seed priming through any of those two chemicals (KH2PO4 or PEG 6000) can be recommended for New alluvial zone of West Bengal, India.
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Purpose: Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition for the mother. Disruptions of the fallopian tube are considered to be important in its pathogenesis. The present study was conducted to observe the histopathology of this dreaded disease which could lead to the development of suitable remedies. Methods: Cases diagnosed with ectopic gestation in the fallopian tube who subsequently underwent salpingectomy were considered for the study. Histopathology of sections from the affected fallopian tubes was studied under the light microscope after staining with H and E. Results: Most cases presented with amenorrhoea, whereas others had dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, and menometrorrhagia. Histopathologic findings included the presence of salpingitis (acute and chronic), calcification, sclerosed vessel and. Conclusion: Past history of inflammatory diseases, especially PID plays an important role in the subsequent development of ectopic pregnancy. Its prevention and treatment can lead to a decrease in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy.
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Purpose: Helicobacter pylori causes various gastro-intestinal diseases. Antibiotic resistance to commonly used antibiotics for the treatment of H. pylori infection is the major cause for treatment failure. The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern for clarithromycin and levofloxacin and find the evolutionary relationship of the partial sequence of 23S rRNA and gyraseA gene of H. pylori by phylogenetic analysis. Materials and Methods: A total of 46 H. pylori strains were tested for clarithromycin and levofloxacin susceptibility pattern and phylogenetic tree were reconstructed by PhyML software. Results: In this study, we observed that only 6.5% of North-East Indian H. pylori strains were resistant for clarithromycin showing mutation at A2143G and T2182C positions of 23S rRNA gene. Resistance for levofloxacin was observed in 89.1% of the H. pylori strains showing mutations at asparagine to lysine at 87 and aspartic acid to glycine/tyrosine/asparagine at 91 positions of gyraseA gene. The phylogenetic tree of the partial sequence of 23S rRNA and gyraseA gene depicts that the North-East Indian strains falls in different cluster when compared to other countries. Conclusions: Resistance for clarithromycin was less in North-East Indian strains but high for levofloxacin indicating that first-line therapy may be best and effective for eradication of H. pylori in this region. This study is the first report that showed antibiotic susceptibility pattern for clarithromycin and levofloxacin by mutation analysis. By partial sequencing of 23s rRNA and gyraseA gene, we found that North-East Indian strains are geographically distinct.
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We report a case of mucocutaneous Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-2 and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a 39-year-old female with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, who presented with a perigenital ulcer. The patient was receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for 3 months before presentation. Scraping from the perigenital ulcer was positive for HSV-2 and Treponema pallidum using polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The extent and duration of the lesions led us to consider the possibility of coinfection with CMV. The patient also tested positive for CMV by PCR. On subsequent follow-up after 8 weeks, the genital lesions had healed completely. This is possibly ascribable to the ART, which led to significant immune reconstitution.
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Introduction: Cephalic index, the percentage of breadth to length in any skull. Cephalic index is useful inestablishing ethnic differences and affiliations and very useful to find out racial differences.Materials and Methods: The present study consisted of acquisition of anthropometric data for Gond tribe andnon-tribe boys from the same area. A total number of 279 Gond tribe boys and 282 non tribe boys were examinedfor the Head length & Head Breadth using spreading caliper. The index was calculated from measurement of thediameters of the skull. Descriptive analysis was carried out and comparative statistics was used to observedifference between Gond tibe boys and Non-tribe boys on various anthropometric measurements and mean,standard deviation, student, t- test, p value was computed to see the relationship between anthropometricvariables.Results: Most of the Gond Tribe boys were Mesocephalic (26%) and Brachycephalic (31%), while most of the NonTribe boys were Mesocephalic (27%), Brachycephalic (27%) and hyper Brachycephalic (27%). Few among bothGond tibe boys and Non-tribe boys were Hyperdolicocephalic and Ultra-brachycephalic.Conclusion: In the present study we conclude that not a single head form can be defining attributes of the twogroups. As head form of both GT and NT were overlapping most of them were Mesocephalic & Brachycephalictype. There is need to conduct anthropometric & genetic studies to backup these observed anthropometricsimilarities. Such data is of great medico legal and forensic importance which indicates that Cephalic Index canbe used as marker of ethnicity, and race as it is an important parameter in forensic medicine, anthropology andgenetics to know the sex and racial differences between individuals
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An experiment was carried out to study the characteristics of biochar made from rice husk, rice straw, Toria stover and bamboo leaves. Biochar was produced by slow pyrolysis system (300 –4000C). Locally available bio-wastes viz.rice husk, rice straw, toriastover and bamboo leaves were used as raw materials to produce chars. Two samples of feedstock each from 5 development blocks of Jorhat district of Assam were collected, dried and pyrolysed for production of char for their physicochemical properties. Per cent moisture and ash content, bulk density, particle density andporosity of biochars ranged from 3.26 to 4.91%, 3.70 to 24.97%, 0.178 to 0.729 g/cm3, 0.85 to 2.02 g/cm3 and 61.54 to 78.90%, respectively. Pore volume, particle size and specific surface area ranged from 0.83 to 1.15 ml, 310×147 to 350×209 ?m2 and 89.40 to 184.75 m2/g, whereas pH ,EC, CEC, total Carbon varied from 7.74 to 9.46, 0.272 to 1.005 dsm-1, 12.74 to16.68 c mol (p+)/kg and 36.63 to 49.424%, respectively. Porosity maintained significant and positive correlation with pore volume (0.715**) and specific surface area (0.614**). CEC had significant positive correlations with total C (0.583**), total N (0.587**), total K (0.443**) and IAN (0.766**).Percent total N, P, K, and S had their value ranged from 47.27 to 60.07, 0.017 to 0.032, 0.237 to 0.453 and 0.083 to 0.099; while, Ca and Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Iodine adsorption number ranged from 1.11 to 5.23 and 0.148 to 1.326 c mol (p+)/kg, 16.65 to 2.91, 30 to 162, 8.6 to 43 mg/kg and 186.64 to 489.77 mg/g of biochar
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Background: Early diagnosis of drug resistance (DR) to ethambutol (EMB) in tuberculosis (TB) remains a challenge. Simple and reliable method (s) are needed for rapid detection of DR Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in clinical specimens. Objectives: The aim of this study was to design fluorescence resonance energy transfer hybridisation probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the early detection of EMB-resistant MTB direct from clinical sputa. Materials and Methods: Primers and probes were designed against 306 codon of embB gene which is commonly associated with EMB resistance. A comparative study was done between Lowenstein–Jenson (L–J) proportion and hybridisation probe-based real-time PCR method for susceptibility testing. DNA sequencing was used in nine representative isolates to validate the efficiency of real-time PCR method to detect emb306 mutation of MTB. Results: A total of 52 clinical sputum samples and corresponding culture isolates (from category II pulmonary TB cases) were included in this study. Out of 52 MTB isolates, 32 and 20 were resistant and susceptible to EMB, respectively, as determined by L–J proportion method. Real-time PCR showed 95% specificity, 75% sensitivity and 82.69% accuracy when compared with L–J proportion method. A 100% of concordance was observed by validating the real-time PCR results with DNA sequencing. Conclusions: Our real-time PCR hybridisation probe method promises for rapid detection of EMB-resistant MTB directly from clinical specimens. However, future studies and modifications of method by incorporating other potential loci along with targeted mutation (emb306) are still required to increase the sensitivity of method.
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Background: Women sweepers is the vulnerable segment of our community and suffering from different occupational health problems due to limited education, lack of knowledge on occupational health hazards. The present study aimed to assess the awareness level regarding occupational health and personal hygiene and to evaluate the effect of occupational health intervention among the women sweepers. Methods: The study adopted a pre-test and post-test design. A total of 52 women sweepers in the age group of 25 to 60 years were selected randomly from Midnapore Municipality of West Bengal, India. At first, a self-structured questionnaire was prepared on the aspects of general health, occupational health, personal hygiene, environmental health and nutritional aspects. After the pre-awareness assessment an intervention package was delivered covering said domains. Than post testing was done on the participants after the period of intervention. Results: Results demonstrated that there was a considerable increase in the awareness levels among the women sweepers with regard to knowledge of health problems, occupational health. The knowledge of participants regarding personal hygiene improved markedly after imparting the intervention. With regards to preventive approaches of diseases among the women has increased after the intervention. Overall health knowledge increased significantly post-awareness stage than pre-awareness stage (P<0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that occupational health intervention has a positive effect towards the improvement of awareness level among the women sweepers which may change their health habits.
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Cancer is a major public health burden in bath developed and developing countries. Plant derived agents are being used for the treatment of cancer. Reservoir of bioactive compounds exists in many species of plants of Earth, only a small percentage of which have been examined and continued to be an important source of anticancer agents. Worldwide effects are ongoing to identify new anticancer compounds from plants. With the current decline in the number of new molecular entities from the pharmaceutical industry, novel anticancer agents are being sought from traditional medicines. In recent years owing to the fear of side effects people prefer more and more use of natural plant products for cancer. This article reveals a detailed review of important herbs in cancer from Indian medicinal plants which will be useful to treat various types of cancer. It will be helpful to explore the medicinal value of the plants and for the new drug discovery from them for the researchers and scientists around the globe.
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The Indian major carp cultured in ponds in the North Eastern hilly states of India frequently suffer from fungal disease during winter months resulting in mass mortality. This study examined the pathogenic fungi isolated from farmed raised Indian major carp fingerlings and identified as Saprolegnia. For treatment, the diseased fish were exposed to 4g salt per litre of water for 2 min followed by dip treatment with 5ppm KMnO4 for 10 min, thrice every week for a period of 6 weeks. The treatment resulted in recovery from the disease after 6 weeks from the beginning of treatment. Soon after recovery, the pond management practices such as removal of pond bottom soil, application of lime and replenishment with freshwater were followed in the infected ponds. Our study concluded that rapid decrease in pond water temperature from 22 to 8°C that remains low for months together coupled with increased water pH (9) and decreas dissolved oxygen (4ppm) causes saprolegniasis to the fingerlings of Indian major carps.
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Background & objectives: Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are important drugs used for treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis and are also now being considered as fi rst line drugs to shorten the duration of treatment of tuberculosis (TB). In order to fi nd out useful FQs for treatment of tuberculosis, the comparative effi cacy of fi ve FQs, namely, ofl oxacin (OFL), ciprofl oxacin (CIP), sparfl oxacin (SPX), gatifl oxacin (GAT) and levofl oxacin (LEVX) was studied against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates obtained from both treated and untreated patients from Agra and Kanpur regions of north India. Methods: A total of 162 MTB isolates [including 110 MTB isolates obtained from untreated patients (Cat-I) and 52 isolates from treated patients (Cat-II)] were tested for their susceptibilities to FQs using standard minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method on Löwenstein-Jensen medium. Results: Keeping in view the therapeutically achievable drug levels, it was found that in Cat-I 97.2 per cent (107/110) isolates were sensitive to GAT, 89 per cent (98/110) to LEVX at 1 μg/ml whereas 92.7 per cent (102/110) isolates were inhibited by OFL at 2 μg/ml and 73.6 per cent (81/110) to SPX at 0.5 μg/ml. Only 63.6 per cent (70/110) isolates were found to be sensitive to CIP at 2 μg/ml which increased to 89 per cent (98/110) at 4 μg/ml (higher than achievable peak serum level). On the other hand, among 52 isolates for Cat-II, 37 (71.2%) were found to be sensitive to GAT and 33 (63.5%) to LEVX at 1 μg/ml concentration, 28 (53.8%) to SPX at 0.5 μg/ml whereas 33 (63.5%) and 24 (46.2%) isolates were found to be sensitive to OFL and CIP at 2 μg/ml, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: It appears that GAT has higher activity against MTB isolates followed by OFL, LEVX and SPX whereas CIP showed the lowest activity. GAT was also found to be the most effective FQ against multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates both from Cat-I and Cat-II patients. Thus, except CIP, other FQs showed potential to be included in the treatment regimens of tuberculosis including MDR-TB.
Subject(s)
Drug Discovery/methods , Fluoroquinolones/pharmacology , Humans , India , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/drug effects , Tuberculosis/drug therapyABSTRACT
In general, Indians have low HDL cholesterol levels. Fenofibrate, a drug widely used in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia, usually also increases HDL cholesterol. There have been a few reports in the literature of a paradoxical decrease in serum HDL-cholesterol in patients treated with fenofibrate, either alone or in combination with a statin. We report three cases of paradoxical decrease in serum HDL- cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients treated with a statin-fenofibrate combination. ©
Subject(s)
Cholesterol, HDL/blood , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Drug Therapy, Combination , Dyslipidemias/blood , Dyslipidemias/complications , Dyslipidemias/drug therapy , Fenofibrate/administration & dosage , Heptanoic Acids/administration & dosage , Humans , Hypolipidemic Agents/administration & dosage , Male , Middle Aged , Pyrroles/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Acute myeloid leukemia is not uncommon in upper Assam. Primary skin manifestation in AML though very rare, may be found. The skin manifestation may be the first presentation in AML. Here such a case has been discussed which presented with primarily skin manifestation, subsequently diagnosed as AML. Therefore routine investigations are mandatory in all patients before going for a sophisticated investigation so that the diagnosis is not missed.
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Adult , Female , Humans , Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/complications , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosisABSTRACT
We present a patient of tuberous sclerosis complex with bilateral renal angiomyolipoma and hepatic angiomyolipoma with spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage from right angiomyolipoma (Wunderlich's syndrome). Nephron preserving approach was tried but the right kidney could not be salvaged. Hepatic angiomyolipoma was managed conservatively. Wunderlich's syndrome has been found in around 10% of cases of renal angiomyolipomas. Hepatic Angiomyolipoma is a benign mesenchymal neoplasm of the liver which is rarely reported in literature.