ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and anemia are both prevalent in India. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the gold standard test for the diagnosis of DM and monitoring of glycemic status. Hemoglobin (Hb) being the integral component of HbA1c, there is a possibility that anemia can also affect the level of HbA1c apart from the various other factors. Objectives: To study the prevalence, type of anemia, and correlation between HbA1c and anemia, including red blood cell (RBC) indices in euglycemic type 2 DM patients. The study was conducted with the objective of studying the correlation between HbA1c and anemia in euglycemic diabetic patients having controlled blood glucose over a period of 3 months. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2020 and May 2021 at the Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India. All euglycemic diabetic patients with controlled blood glucose over a period of 3 months attending the outpatient department and fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria: All euglycemic type 2 DM patients with controlled blood glucose having three consecutive normal blood glucose levels [fasting blood sugar (FBS)—80–130 mg/dL and postprandial blood sugar (PP2BS) test—<180 mg/dL] over a period of 3 months from the outpatient department. Exclusion criteria: Type 1 DM and latent autoimmune diabetes of adults, patients with hemolytic anemia, pregnancy, chronic alcoholism, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, combined deficiency anemia, patients with increased FBS and PP2BS, acute and chronic inflammatory state, malignancy, anemia of chronic disease, and vitamin B12 deficiency were excluded from our study. Detailed investigations of diabetes and anemia were conducted. The effect of anemia on HbA1c was assessed, and the correlation of anemia with mean HbA1c was analyzed statistically Results: The prevalence of anemia in diabetic patients is 56.8%. Normocytic normochromic anemia is the most common, which was observed among 48.86% of diabetic patients. The median HbA1c of anemic patients is higher than nonanemic patients (p < 0.01). There is a negative correlation between Hb and HbA1c (p < 0.01). The correlation of RBC indices, that is, mean corpuscular Hb (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and MCH with HbA1c, is also negative (p < 0.01). There is a negative correlation between HbA1c and serum ferritin level, as indicated by the Pearson correlation test (p-value of <0.01). Conclusion: Anemia is prevalent in type 2 DM patients without renal involvement, and also normocytic normochromic type is the most common, followed by iron deficiency anemia (IDA). HbA1c levels are significantly affected by the presence of moderate anemia in spite of controlled glycemia.
ABSTRACT
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained considerable attention in the field of medicine and water treatment owing to their physiochemical properties. Biosynthesis of AgNPs is favourable over chemical synthesis for issues of environmental concern. Here, we synthesized AgNPs using aqueous seed extract of berries of Embelia ribes Burm.f. and analyzed their antibacterial and anticancer activities. The phytochemicals present in the seed extract of E. ribes berries were used as reducing agent for the formation of AgNPs. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and HR-TEM analysis. The Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak observed at 430 nm from UV-spectrum further confirms the formation of AgNPs. The presence of phytochemical adhering to AgNPs was confirmed from FTIR spectrum. XRD and SAED analysis showed that the AgNPs are of crystalline in nature. TEM images showed the AgNPs were roughly spherical shaped and approximately around 30 nm in size. The AgNPs thus synthesized, were evaluated for antibacterial and anticancer activities. The results revealed significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and also dose dependent inhibition of cell proliferation in MCF-7 cell line. Higher concentration showed low cytotoxicity and maximum inhibition was at 10 ng/mL after 24 h.
ABSTRACT
Rabies, a disease of antiquity continues to be a major public health problem in India. Multiple factors contribute to high mortality and morbidity due to animal bites. An effective strategy for control of rabies takes into account the epidemiology of animal bites, rabies and factors influencing post exposure treatment. The study was carried out as a part of Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) from World Health Organization (WHO) during the period April 2001 to September 2002. Two sets of proformae were developed and used after field testing to interview cases of animal bites and get retrospective information about rabies cases. The study was carried out at six selected centres across the country viz. Delhi, Hyderabad, Raipur, Jamnagar, Coonoor and Rajahmundry and was co-ordinated by National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Delhi. The officials engaged in the study work were thoroughly trained in the study methodology before the start of the study itself. To maintain quality and uniformity supervisory checks were done during the survey. A total of 1357 fresh animal bite victims were interviewed (exit interview) from the anti-rabies centres (ARCs). Dog bites caused maximum morbidity (92%). Second most common biting animal was monkey (3.2%), followed by cat (1.8%), fox (0.4%) etc. Most bites (64.3%) were unprovoked bites by stray (64.7%) animals. In this study 72.4% animal bite victims were males and 47.5% were children in age group of 2-18 years. 63% had Category III exposure as per the WHO classification. Before coming to ARCs 58.5% people had washed the wound with water/soap or water alone. Some of the bite victims (10.8%) had also applied chillies, salt, turmeric powder, lime, snuff powder, paste of leaves, acid, ash given by Peer Baba (magician) etc. These practices varied from one region to another. The practice of wound washing at the ARC which is an important component of animal bite management was being practiced at only one of the six centres. Of the six centres, Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) was available and was being used at only two centres. The study was conducted in public sector ARCs where Nervous Tissue Vaccine (NTV) was available free of cost. All the centres were using NTV except Coonoor, which is using indigenously produced Tissue Culture Vaccine along with NTV. Analysis of 192 case records of rabies cases, from two centres, revealed that dog bites caused maximum mortality (96.9%). Nearly 40% were children below 15 years of age and 78.6% were males indicating that it is an exposure related disease. In all cases, failure to seek timely and appropriate treatment led to development of disease. This paper provides an overview of epidemiology of animal bites and retrospective information about rabies patients. There is a need to strengthen Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programme regarding merits of local wound management including "do's and don'ts". ARCs should be strengthened in terms of facilities and availability of safe and effective anti rabies immunobiologicals. There is a need to create awareness regarding epidemiology and at-home and hospital management of animal bites among the service providers and general community.